Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

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Equal parts Lois Lane, J. Jonah Jameson and Vicki Vale, Zak! has traveled from coast-to-coast covering small and big town community news in both in print and online for nearly a decade since his graduation from the award-winning Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in 2010.

Before settling into the Hudson Valley, Zak! previously spent time in the New York Daily News newsroom and worked for hyperlocal digital news outlets on Long Island. He wrote sports for The Ithacan and The Ithaca Journal before taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest, where he served as the sports editor at the Shoshone News-Press until heading back east to work with Daily Voice.

Zak Failla's Contributions

Towson, MD
On Your Side
Fred, George, And Ginny Weasley Reunite For Magical Dinner In Baltimore Fred, George, And Ginny Weasley Reunite For Magical Dinner In Baltimore Fred, George, And Ginny Weasley Reunite For Magical Dinner In Baltimore
Fred, George, And Ginny Weasley Reunite For Magical Dinner In Baltimore They solemnly swear they are up to no good. There was magic in the air when some members of the Weasley family dined out at a muggle restaurant in Maryland. James Phelps, who famously starred as Fred Weasley in the Harry Potter movie franchise, shared a photo of himself, twin brother Oliver Phelps — who played mischievous twin George Weasley — and actress Bonnie Wright, who starred as youngest Weasley sister Ginny, as they dined out in Baltimore. "Family dinner in Baltimore 😇🦀," he captioned the post. Wright later shared several orange — the Weasleys were known for their red hair — emojis …

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by Zak Failla
Stafford, VA
Breaking News
Worker Shot, Killed At Stafford Home; Suspect Arrested After Tense Standoff, Sheriff Says Worker Shot, Killed At Stafford Home; Suspect Arrested After Tense Standoff, Sheriff Says Worker Shot, Killed At Stafford Home; Suspect Arrested After Tense Standoff, Sheriff Says
Worker Shot, Killed At Stafford Home; Suspect Arrested After Tense Standoff, Sheriff Says A man performing work at a Virginia home was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon, sparking a tense standoff before deputies arrested the suspected gunman, authorities said. Donald Thomas, 64, has been charged in connection with the murder of Caroline County resident Michael Dodge II, 35, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called before noon to the 600 block of Mountain View Road before noon on Tuesday, Oct. 21, where there were reports of gunfire in the area. The Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a shooting incident in the 600 Block of Mountain Vie…

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by Zak Failla
Silver Spring, MD
Obituaries
‘He Was Family’: Shock, Grief After Sudden Death Of Beloved Maryland Father Matt Mason ‘He Was Family’: Shock, Grief After Sudden Death Of Beloved Maryland Father Matt Mason ‘He Was Family’: Shock, Grief After Sudden Death Of Beloved Maryland Father Matt Mason
‘He Was Family’: Shock, Grief After Sudden Death Of Beloved Maryland Father Matt Mason Shock, heartbreak, and disbelief are spreading across Maryland after the sudden and unexpected death of Matt Mason, a beloved father, loyal friend, and man remembered for the love and laughter he shared so freely with everyone around him. His death was reported on Wednesday, Oct. 15, according to loved ones, who said that their "hearts were shattered by the sudden and tragic loss."  “Matt had a beautiful soul,” friend Peque Sells said. “He was the type of person who would drop everything to help someone in need, who made people feel safe, loved, and supported, and who brought laughter…

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by Zak Failla
Bladensburg-Cheverly, MD
Breaking News
‘Joyful Night of Celebration’ Turns Tragic As DC Woman Killed At Child’s Party In Bladensburg ‘Joyful Night of Celebration’ Turns Tragic As DC Woman Killed At Child’s Party In Bladensburg ‘Joyful Night of Celebration’ Turns Tragic As DC Woman Killed At Child’s Party In Bladensburg
‘Joyful Night of Celebration’ Turns Tragic As DC Woman Killed At Child’s Party In Bladensburg What started as a joyful night in Maryland turned tragic when a driver plowed into a child's birthday party, killing Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez and injuring 14 relatives. The community is rallying around the Hernandez Gutierrez family after the 31-year-old DC resident was killed by a reckless driver in Prince George's County. The crash happened around 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the 4100 block of 56th Avenue in Bladensburg, according to police. On Monday, Oct. 20, the Bladensburg Police Department announced that DC resident Sunday Joseph, 66, was taken into custody following the …

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by Zak Failla
Fallston, MD
Breaking News
Good Samaritan Finds Crying Newborn Puppies Abandoned Along Belcamp Trail Good Samaritan Finds Crying Newborn Puppies Abandoned Along Belcamp Trail Good Samaritan Finds Crying Newborn Puppies Abandoned Along Belcamp Trail
Good Samaritan Finds Crying Newborn Puppies Abandoned Along Belcamp Trail A Good Samaritan may have helped save the lives of several newborn puppies that were left abandoned along a walking trail in Maryland.  The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) says the fragile litter was discovered early Saturday morning, Oct. 18, inside a cardboard box off Route 7 and Creswell Road near the Riverside Apartments in Belcamp. When they were found, the temperature was in the low 50s when the passerby spotted the box — and the helpless puppies inside, eyes still closed and crying for warmth. Without their mother, the pups were defenseless.  The Good Samarit…

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by Zak Failla
Lexington Park, MD
Breaking News
Armed Maryland Home Invasion Crew Thought They Got Away — Then State Police Came Knocking Armed Maryland Home Invasion Crew Thought They Got Away — Then State Police Came Knocking Armed Maryland Home Invasion Crew Thought They Got Away — Then State Police Came Knocking
Armed Maryland Home Invasion Crew Thought They Got Away — Then State Police Came Knocking A violent summer home invasion in Talbot County has led to four arrests — including two teens — after investigators tracked down the suspects behind an armed robbery that shook a quiet Maryland neighborhood. Maryland State Police announced the arrests of Imari Jackson, 22, of Hurlock, Aamad Turner, 19, of Easton, and two teens — a 15-year-old from Hurlock and a 17-year-old from Cordova — in connection with the Aug. 13 armed robbery at a residence in Trappe. Officials said the 17-year-old is being charged as an adult. Investigators said that around 8:23 p.m., troopers from the Maryland Stat…

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by Zak Failla
Dunkirk-Owings, MD
Breaking News
‘Wine, Vodka, And Adderall’: Dunkirk Woman Busted After Car Jumps Curb, Sheriff Says ‘Wine, Vodka, And Adderall’: Dunkirk Woman Busted After Car Jumps Curb, Sheriff Says ‘Wine, Vodka, And Adderall’: Dunkirk Woman Busted After Car Jumps Curb, Sheriff Says
‘Wine, Vodka, And Adderall’: Dunkirk Woman Busted After Car Jumps Curb, Sheriff Says A 35-year-old Maryland woman is facing a laundry list of charges after deputies say she swerved off the road, smelled like alcohol, and had an open bottle of vodka and a stash of pills in her car. According to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy on patrol conducted a traffic stop on Skinners Turn Road in Owings after watching a vehicle strike a curb and cross the white fog line several times. When deputies approached the driver, Dunkirk resident Tammy Carolyn Gaich, they “detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from her person,” the sheriff’s office said. She submitted to Stan…

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by Zak Failla
Prince Frederick, MD
Breaking News
Car Crashes Straight Into Verizon Store, Injures 88-Year-Old Woman In Calvert County: Officials Car Crashes Straight Into Verizon Store, Injures 88-Year-Old Woman In Calvert County: Officials Car Crashes Straight Into Verizon Store, Injures 88-Year-Old Woman In Calvert County: Officials
Car Crashes Straight Into Verizon Store, Injures 88-Year-Old Woman In Calvert County: Officials A Verizon store in Calvert County turned into a crash scene Tuesday morning after a car plowed straight through its front window — injuring an 88-year-old woman inside, according to police. Troopers from the Maryland State Police Prince Frederick Barrack responded around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 21 to the 300 block of Market Square after a Toyota Camry smashed into the Verizon Wireless store, MSP said. According to a preliminary investigation, an 84-year-old man was parked in front of the business when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle accelerated, jumped the curb, and crashed into the building, …

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by Zak Failla
Leesburg, VA
Breaking News
Two Loudon County Homes Go Up In Flames Overnight — Candle And Chimney To Blame, Officials Say Two Loudon County Homes Go Up In Flames Overnight — Candle And Chimney To Blame, Officials Say Two Loudon County Homes Go Up In Flames Overnight — Candle And Chimney To Blame, Officials Say
Two Loudon County Homes Go Up In Flames Overnight — Candle And Chimney To Blame, Officials Say Two late-night fires lit up Loudoun County — one sparked by unattended candles inside an Aldie home, another by a chimney gone wrong in Purcellville — keeping fire crews busy overnight. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue crews said firefighters responded to two separate residential fires in the Little River and Catoctin districts between Monday night, Oct 20, and early Tuesday, Oct 21.  No injuries were reported, but both blazes caused heavy damage and displaced several residents. The first fire broke out around 9:23 p.m. Monday in the 24000 block of Yellow Poplar Place in Aldie, where sm…

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by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Second Time’s Not the Charm: Man Busted After Botched Break-In, Assault, Spotsy Sheriff Says Second Time’s Not the Charm: Man Busted After Botched Break-In, Assault, Spotsy Sheriff Says Second Time’s Not the Charm: Man Busted After Botched Break-In, Assault, Spotsy Sheriff Says
Second Time’s Not the Charm: Man Busted After Botched Break-In, Assault, Spotsy Sheriff Says The second time wasn't the charm for a 43-year-old Virginia man who is behind bars after breaking into a home and assaulting a homeowner, police say. Manassas resident Allen Colbert Jr. is facing charges after being apprehended following an attempted burglary, and then a botched one, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called at around 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19, to the 9100 block of Wood Creek Circle, where a resident reported that a man had just broken into his home and assaulted him. Investigators say the victim fought off the suspect — later identified as Co…

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by Zak Failla
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