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

St. Leonard-Port Republic, MD
Obituaries
'We'll Take It From Here': St. Leonard Fire, Flight Paramedic Legend John Hassler Dies 'We'll Take It From Here': St. Leonard Fire, Flight Paramedic Legend John Hassler Dies 'We'll Take It From Here': St. Leonard Fire, Flight Paramedic Legend John Hassler Dies
'We'll Take It From Here': St. Leonard Fire, Flight Paramedic Legend John Hassler Dies John Hassler spent a lifetime answering the call, on the ground and in the air. The longtime Maryland first responder, founding member of the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and former Maryland State Police flight paramedic died on Thursday, Sept. 24, the department announced.  For decades, Hassler's name was tied to emergency service across Calvert County and Southern Maryland. The 84-year-old was a founding and life member of St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue, where he went on to serve as president and deputy chief. His impact stretched well beyond Company …

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by Zak Failla
Leesburg, VA
Breaking News
'Wedding Crashers': Loudoun Firefighters Make Surprise Appearance At Virginia Couple's Big Day 'Wedding Crashers': Loudoun Firefighters Make Surprise Appearance At Virginia Couple's Big Day 'Wedding Crashers': Loudoun Firefighters Make Surprise Appearance At Virginia Couple's Big Day
'Wedding Crashers': Loudoun Firefighters Make Surprise Appearance At Virginia Couple's Big Day A Virginia couple had already invited everyone they wanted at their wedding. Loudoun County firefighters apparently didn’t get the memo. Crews from Kirkpatrick Farms Fire Station 27 were called to a fire alarm during a recent wedding celebration, briefly putting the festivities on hold and bringing some unexpected guests to the big day. Fortunately, there was no wedding-day disaster waiting for the responding B-shift crew. Instead, firefighters got a chance to meet the newlyweds, who were still dressed for the occasion, and pose for a memorable photo in front of an engine with its emergen…

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by Zak Failla
Aberdeen, MD
Breaking News
Boozing 'Chi Town' Smashed Stranger With Liquor Bottle At Aberdeen Bus Stop, Jury Finds Boozing 'Chi Town' Smashed Stranger With Liquor Bottle At Aberdeen Bus Stop, Jury Finds Boozing 'Chi Town' Smashed Stranger With Liquor Bottle At Aberdeen Bus Stop, Jury Finds
Boozing 'Chi Town' Smashed Stranger With Liquor Bottle At Aberdeen Bus Stop, Jury Finds A Maryland man's booze-fueled search for his girlfriend ended with a stranger bloodied at a bus stop, prosecutors say. Alford Delone Johnson, 46, of Abingdon, had been drinking and was agitated while looking for his girlfriend in Aberdeen on Nov. 7, 2025, before turning his attention to two men waiting for public transportation on East Bel Air Avenue, according to the Harford County State's Attorney's Office. One of them never saw it coming. Prosecutors said Johnson walked up to a 31-year-old man and, without provocation, struck him in the face with a liquor bottle. The blow left the vict…

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by Zak Failla
Annapolis, MD
Your Community
Truck Clipped SUV, Kept Going Before Head-On Crash Killed Maryland Police Chief (UPDATED) Truck Clipped SUV, Kept Going Before Head-On Crash Killed Maryland Police Chief (UPDATED) Truck Clipped SUV, Kept Going Before Head-On Crash Killed Maryland Police Chief (UPDATED)
Truck Clipped SUV, Kept Going Before Head-On Crash Killed Maryland Police Chief (Updated) Maryland is mourning a police chief who spent more than three decades leading his department. Denton Police Chief George Bacorn, 62, was killed in a head-on crash shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 in Talbot County, according to Maryland State Police. Bacorn was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe east on MD 331 near Dover Neck Road when a westbound Ford Transit delivery truck crossed the double-yellow line for unknown reasons, investigators said. The truck first struck the side mirror of an eastbound Chevrolet Silverado before continuing across the road and crashing head-on into Bacorn's…

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by Zak Failla
Gaithersburg, MD
Breaking News
Student Hospitalized After Montgomery County School Bus Crash (DEVELOPING) Student Hospitalized After Montgomery County School Bus Crash (DEVELOPING) Student Hospitalized After Montgomery County School Bus Crash (DEVELOPING)
Student Hospitalized After Montgomery County School Bus Crash (Developing) A ride home from school ended with flashing lights and a trip to the hospital in Maryland. A Montgomery County Public Schools bus and another vehicle crashed at Black Rock Road and Darnestown Road in Darnestown at approximately 3:23 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, according to Montgomery County Police. Three high school-aged students and the bus driver were evaluated by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel following the crash. Police initially said their injuries appeared to be non-life-threatening. One of the students was later taken to an area hospital as a precaution, officials said. …

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by Zak Failla
Gaithersburg, MD
Breaking News
Bank Employee Calls Would-Be Robber's Bluff In Gaithersburg, Leaves Suspect Penniless: Police Bank Employee Calls Would-Be Robber's Bluff In Gaithersburg, Leaves Suspect Penniless: Police Bank Employee Calls Would-Be Robber's Bluff In Gaithersburg, Leaves Suspect Penniless: Police
Bank Employee Calls Would-Be Robber's Bluff In Gaithersburg, Leaves Suspect Penniless: Police So much for the big score. A would-be bank robber in Maryland allegedly threatened that he had a gun on Thursday, Sept. 24, only to leave empty-handed when the employee behind the counter didn't move quickly enough for him, police say. The attempted robbery played out shortly before 10 a.m. at the M&T Bank on Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg. According to Montgomery County Police, 44-year-old Guarzmjon Aioubov walked into the bank and made his way to the counter. He didn't say much. Instead, investigators say, Aioubov handed an employee a note. Give him money. He had a gun. But the…

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by Zak Failla
Leesburg, VA
Your Community
Going Against The Online Grain: New Leesburg Shop Opens With One-Of-A-Kind Finds Going Against The Online Grain: New Leesburg Shop Opens With One-Of-A-Kind Finds Going Against The Online Grain: New Leesburg Shop Opens With One-Of-A-Kind Finds
Going Against The Online Grain: New Leesburg Shop Opens With One-Of-a-kind Finds Who needs the machine? Some treasures are better found in person. A new Virginia shop is betting there are still plenty of people who would rather wander through a store, stumble across something unexpected, and take it home than add another item to an online cart. The Painter's Cottage has opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 23 N. King St., Suite 125 in Leesburg, bringing its collection of artisan, antique and vintage home décor under one roof. The Painter's Cottage In Leesburg The Painter's Cottage In Leesburg via Facebook The shop celebrated its grand opening with a ri…

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by Zak Failla
Sterling, VA
Breaking News
Here We Khat Again: Dulles Officers Bust Another Traveler With Bags Full Of Drugs Here We Khat Again: Dulles Officers Bust Another Traveler With Bags Full Of Drugs Here We Khat Again: Dulles Officers Bust Another Traveler With Bags Full Of Drugs
Here We Khat Again: Dulles Officers Bust Another Traveler With Bags Full Of Drugs Apparently, khat keeps finding its way into Virginia airports. The latest haul turned up Wednesday night, Sept. 23, at Washington Dulles International Airport, where federal officers say they found more than 65 pounds of the stimulant plant packed inside the checked luggage of a traveler arriving from Morocco. This time, it ended with an arrest. Bakari Wally, 24, of the Bronx, was taken into custody Thursday morning by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police and charged with possession with intent to distribute and transporting a controlled substance into Virginia, according to U…

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by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Speed Eyed In Deadly Spotsylvania Crash Involving 29-Year-Old Motorcyclist, Sheriff Says Speed Eyed In Deadly Spotsylvania Crash Involving 29-Year-Old Motorcyclist, Sheriff Says Speed Eyed In Deadly Spotsylvania Crash Involving 29-Year-Old Motorcyclist, Sheriff Says
Speed Eyed In Deadly Spotsylvania Crash Involving 29-Year-Old Motorcyclist, Sheriff Says A late-night ride in Virginia ended with a 29-year-old motorcyclist dead and another driver hospitalized. Thomas Bradley Johnson, of Spotsylvania, was killed shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, when his motorcycle collided with a vehicle near Stanfield Road and Matta Way, according to the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office. Deputies were called to the crash around 9:50 p.m. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities believe Johnson was speeding when his motorcycle struck a vehicle that was making a left turn. The other driver survived and was taken to a local hospital with…

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by Zak Failla
Annapolis, MD
Weather
O.A.R., Dave Matthews Silenced As Rare September Nor'easter Wipes Out Oceans Calling Festival O.A.R., Dave Matthews Silenced As Rare September Nor'easter Wipes Out Oceans Calling Festival O.A.R., Dave Matthews Silenced As Rare September Nor'easter Wipes Out Oceans Calling Festival
O.A.R., Dave Matthews Silenced As Rare September Nor'easter Wipes Out Oceans Calling Festival A rare September nor'easter has already crashed one of Maryland's biggest music weekends. Oceans Calling organizers canceled the entire three-day festival in Ocean City on Friday, Sept. 25, as a strengthening coastal storm threatened the region with flooding, damaging winds and worsening beach conditions. The decision came less than a day after organizers initially canceled only Friday's performances, hoping to salvage the rest of the sold-out weekend. That hope didn't last. Organizers said the National Weather Service reported a stronger westward track for the nor'easter, while tides, fl…

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by Zak Failla
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