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

Stafford, VA

Breaking News

Two Maryland Minors Escape Kidnapping, Abductor Arrested At Stafford Hotel: Sheriff Two quick-thinking kids escaped a harrowing kidnapping in Virginia after being abducted in Maryland, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. Tyronne McDaniel, 54, was arrested at the Quality Inn on Greenspring Drive after two juveniles flagged down an off-duty officer and told them they had been taken by a stranger, officials said. Deputies were called to the Mine Road Commuter Lot shortly before 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1 to investigate a disturbing report involving claims of a kidnapping. According to the sheriff's office, the deputies were able to confirm their identities, a…

by Zak Failla

10/03/2025

Ashburn, VA

Breaking News

Cocaine, Crack, PCP, Fentanyl, Guns Seized In Wild Loudoun County Drug Bust: Sheriff A Virginia man is behind bars after investigators uncovered a massive drug and weapons stash during a weeks-long probe, authorities announced. Ashburn resident James Lamarr McTillman, 39, was arrested by members of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation into cocaine distribution, the agency announced this week. Detectives said McTillman was caught with about 1.5 ounces of powder cocaine when taken into custody. After the arrest, the Tactical Support Unit served search warrants at two Ashburn homes linked to McTillman, leading to the seizure of: 5.73 kilogra…

by Zak Failla

10/03/2025

Hagerstown, MD

Breaking News

Maryland AG Drops Body-Cam Footage From Fatal Police Shooting In Cambridge (Watch) The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has released body-worn camera footage showing the moments leading up to a deadly police-involved shooting last month. The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the AG's Office released the video on Thursday, Oct. 2, from the fatal shooting involving Cambridge Police Department officers on Thursday, Sept. 4, in Dorchester County. The man was later identified as 30-year-old Ryan Garcy of Cambridge, officials said. * Warning: This video contains violent and graphic material that may be disturbing and is not suitable for all viewers * According t…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Bladensburg-Cheverly, MD

Breaking News

Police Chief David Morris, Stabbing Suspect Tesfa Leith, 45, ID’d In Fatal Riverdale Shooting Officials have released the names of the man killed and the officer who opened fire during a fatal encounter in Maryland. The incident happened on Tuesday, Sept. 30, when Cheverly Police Chief David Morris and other officers were investigating a stabbing that occurred earlier in the day, according to officials. On Thursday, October 2, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division identified the decedent as 45-year-old Tesfa Leith of Riverdale. Morris has been with the department for two years, with 38 years of prior service. Officers tracked a car…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Towson, MD

Breaking News

‘Gross Negligence’: DPW Failures, ‘Tainted’ Evidence Sink Baltimore Fatal Garbage Truck Probe No criminal charges will be filed after a Baltimore DPW employee was struck and killed by a garbage truck last year, according to the city’s State’s Attorney. State’s Attorney Ivan Bates announced this week that his Homicide Unit completed its review of the Nov. 8, 2024, crash that killed 46-year-old Timothy Cartwell in an alley off the 1600 block of N. Monroe Street. Bates said DPW’s “gross negligence” prevented his office from pursuing the case, calling it "tainted." According to investigators, a DPW supervisor arrived at the scene and told the driver he was allowed to leave before…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Aldie, VA

Your Community

Youngkin Orders Virginia Health Board To Ban Biological Males From Female Sports, Locker Rooms Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive directive aimed at blocking biological males from participating in female sports and using women’s locker rooms across the state. On Thursday, Oct. 2, Youngkin announced Executive Directive 14, instructing the Virginia Board of Health to draft regulations “to secure the health, safety, privacy, dignity and respect for all Virginians in sex-separated spaces.” “The health and safety of women and girls in sex-separated spaces and participating in athletic competitions is in serious jeopardy due to irresponsible policies, including those that all…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Waldorf, MD

Breaking News

Waldorf Man Going 90 MPH In Fiery Crash That Killed Passenger Gets Prison Sentence A Maryland man will serve prison time after a fiery crash left his passenger dead, according to the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office. Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Nijale Zaki Mikal-Brown, 22, of Waldorf, to four years in prison in connection with the fiery crash that claimed the life of Ja'Juan Malik Cobb. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened March 27, 2024, near St. Charles Parkway and Duncannon Road in Waldorf. Officers arrived to find a 2023 silver Toyota Camry on fire in the southbound lanes, heavily damaged on …

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Lexington Park, MD

Breaking News

Smiling Maryland Man Smashed Car Window, Pointed Gun At Group In Lexington Park, Sheriff Says He’s smiling in his mugshot — but deputies say what happened in Maryland was no laughing matter. Lonnell Belcher, 49, of Lexington Park, is facing serious charges after allegedly smashing a car window and pointing a loaded handgun at multiple people, according to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were called around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, to the 22000 block of Three Notch Road for reports of a disturbance involving a man with a gun. When deputies arrived, no one was on scene. Shortly after, a group of individuals returned and told deputies they had been assaulted by a …

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Bethesda, MD

Breaking News

'Kelly Clarkson Show' Spotlights 76-Year-Old EMT Still Saving Lives In Montgomery County At an age when most people are gearing up for retirement, Ed Levien is just getting started. Once a self-proclaimed "hotshot" who worked as a creative director for an advertising firm, the 76-year-old affectionately known as "Pops" is still saving lives with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Levien appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" alongside aspiring EMT Ella Edwards, where the three discussed his path to becoming a paramedic. If you missed our very own Ed Levien and Ella Edwards on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" yesterday, here is a link to the... Posted by Bethesda-Chevy Ch…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Centreville, VA

Obituaries

‘Unstoppable Warrior’: Virginia Mom, Teacher Jessica Shivers Dies At 43 After Cancer Battle She fought ovarian cancer for more than two years with courage, joy, and faith — and even in her final days, Jessica Shivers never lost her spirit or her love for the people around her. Shivers, 43, died peacefully on September 24 at Inova Fairfax Medical Center in Falls Church after a brave battle. For more than a decade, Shivers taught pre-K through second grade in Fairfax County, Arlington, and DC schools. She later worked for an organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities find meaningful work while pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling, according to her obituary. Aw…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

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