Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

[email protected]

FOLLOW ON

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram

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

Herndon, VA
Obituaries
'Brought Joy To Everyone': Thousands Raised For 9-Year-Old Killed In Herndon E-Scooter Crash 'Brought Joy To Everyone': Thousands Raised For 9-Year-Old Killed In Herndon E-Scooter Crash 'Brought Joy To Everyone': Thousands Raised For 9-Year-Old Killed In Herndon E-Scooter Crash
'Brought Joy To Everyone': Thousands Raised For 9-Year-Old Killed In Herndon E-Scooter Crash The little boy whose death devastated a Northern Virginia neighborhood is now being remembered for something far bigger than the tragedy that took him. Friends and neighbors have raised more than $39,000 to help the family of 9-year-old Badrinarayan Hungund, describing the Herndon boy as someone who "brought joy, love, and happiness to everyone who knew him." The GoFundMe was created by family friend Venkata Pola on behalf of Badrinarayan's parents, Anand and Anusha Hungund, following the fatal crash that claimed their son's life last week. "No parent should ever have to endure the pain of…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Maryland Officer Accused Of Helping Steal Cars, Alter VINs In Arlington Fraud Scheme: Police Maryland Officer Accused Of Helping Steal Cars, Alter VINs In Arlington Fraud Scheme: Police Maryland Officer Accused Of Helping Steal Cars, Alter VINs In Arlington Fraud Scheme: Police
Maryland Officer Accused Of Helping Steal Cars, Alter VINs In Arlington Fraud Scheme: Police A stolen car parked in a Virginia garage led investigators somewhere they never expected. In Virginia, a Maryland police officer is accused of using law enforcement resources to help a Washington, DC man steal vehicles, alter VINs and disguise stolen cars during an alleged fraud scheme that stretched more than a year, according to Arlington County police. Sierra Alston, 33, and Renaldo Gaines, 35, both of DC, were arrested last week following a lengthy investigation that began on March 18, 2025. Police say an officer conducting extra patrols inside a parking garage in the 800 block of Army…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Maryland Woman Who Beat Breast Cancer Twice Left With Only Clothes On Her Back Maryland Woman Who Beat Breast Cancer Twice Left With Only Clothes On Her Back Maryland Woman Who Beat Breast Cancer Twice Left With Only Clothes On Her Back
Maryland Woman Who Beat Breast Cancer Twice Left With Only Clothes On Her Back Melissa Varner fought her way back from breast cancer. Then she did it again. Now she's facing another battle she never saw coming. A fire has destroyed the Maryland apartment Varner spent years rebuilding into a home after surviving breast cancer twice, leaving her with little more than the clothes she escaped in, according to her family. For the people who know her, that's the part that's hardest to accept. They watched Varner endure two separate fights with breast cancer, then slowly rebuild the life cancer tried to take away. She worked to create a home that represented far more than …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Breaking News
Waldorf Man Who 'Shattered Child's Sense Of Safety' In Maryland Learns Prison Fate Waldorf Man Who 'Shattered Child's Sense Of Safety' In Maryland Learns Prison Fate Waldorf Man Who 'Shattered Child's Sense Of Safety' In Maryland Learns Prison Fate
Waldorf Man Who 'Shattered Child's Sense Of Safety' In Maryland Learns Prison Fate A 40-year-old Maryland man received the max sentence after preying on a minor over the course of nearly two years.  Waldorf resident Terrod Lamar Branson has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, with 21 years to serve, for the sexual abuse of a minor that occurred between 2023 and 2025, the St. Mary's County State's Attorney's Office announced. The last reported incident of abuse occurred in July 2025, according to court documents. “Few crimes are more disturbing and devastating than the sexual abuse of a child. These offenses shatter a child’s sense of safety, betray their trust, an…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Woodbridge, VA
Breaking News
Family Member Sought In Fatal Woodbridge Shooting As Police Launch Manhunt (DEVELOPING) Family Member Sought In Fatal Woodbridge Shooting As Police Launch Manhunt (DEVELOPING) Family Member Sought In Fatal Woodbridge Shooting As Police Launch Manhunt (DEVELOPING)
Family Member Sought In Fatal Woodbridge Shooting As Police Launch Manhunt (Developing) He was gone before police got there. Prince William County detectives are searching for a 23-year-old man they say shot and killed a family member at a Woodbridge apartment complex before disappearing Monday night. The homicide happened around 9:12 p.m. on July 27 at The Fitzgerald apartments in the 13400 block of Grayson Hill Circle. According to investigators, officers were called for a domestic dispute involving weapons and found 21-year-old Ricardo Xavier Haley, of Gainesville, suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Officers immediately began rendering aid, but Haley died a…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Havre de Grace, MD
Your Community
'Save Ezra's Walls': Community Fights To Preserve Late Havre de Grace County Artist's Legacy 'Save Ezra's Walls': Community Fights To Preserve Late Havre de Grace County Artist's Legacy 'Save Ezra's Walls': Community Fights To Preserve Late Havre de Grace County Artist's Legacy
'Save Ezra's Walls': Community Fights To Preserve Late Havre de Grace County Artist's Legacy The murals outlived Ezra Berger. Now, the community is fighting to make sure they stay that way. In Maryland, just days after the beloved Havre de Grace artist's death, residents have launched a growing campaign to preserve Berger's iconic Graw Alley murals as plans move forward for a long-planned expansion of the Harmer's Town Art Center. The effort, led by community member George Wagner, calls on the Harmer's Town Board of Directors, Havre de Grace City Council and local leaders to explore ways to save the mural walls rather than see them demolished as part of the project's next phase. "…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Annandale, VA
Breaking News
Officer Shoots Knife-Wielding Man During Domestic Call In Annandale: Police (DEVELOPING) Officer Shoots Knife-Wielding Man During Domestic Call In Annandale: Police (DEVELOPING) Officer Shoots Knife-Wielding Man During Domestic Call In Annandale: Police (DEVELOPING)
Officer Shoots Knife-Wielding Man During Domestic Call In Annandale: Police (Developing) A man was shot by a police officer in Virginia after officers responding to a reported domestic incident involving a knife chased him on foot on Monday afternoon, authorities said. The officer-involved shooting happened in the 7000 block of Sutter Lane in Annandale. According to Fairfax County Police, officers were called to the area for a domestic incident involving a knife. When they arrived, they located the man, who fled the scene on foot. During the encounter, one officer fired their weapon, striking the man, police said. The man was taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Arnold, MD
Breaking News
Charlotte Hall Driver Killed After Mazda Leaves Road, Hits Tree In Arnold (DEVELOPING) Charlotte Hall Driver Killed After Mazda Leaves Road, Hits Tree In Arnold (DEVELOPING) Charlotte Hall Driver Killed After Mazda Leaves Road, Hits Tree In Arnold (DEVELOPING)
Charlotte Hall Driver Killed After Mazda Leaves Road, Hits Tree In Arnold (Developing) A late-night drive ended in tragedy. In Maryland, Anne Arundel County police are investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 33-year-old Charlotte Hall man in Arnold late Monday night. Officers were called around 10:30 p.m. on July 27 to Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, west of Governor Ritchie Highway, where they found a crashed 2020 Mazda 3. Investigators say the driver was heading south when he failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, causing the Mazda to leave the roadway, then slam into a guardrail and a tree. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by membe…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
La Plata, MD
Breaking News
Trauma ICU Security Officer Faces Fight Of His Life After Devastating La Plata Motorcycle Crash Trauma ICU Security Officer Faces Fight Of His Life After Devastating La Plata Motorcycle Crash Trauma ICU Security Officer Faces Fight Of His Life After Devastating La Plata Motorcycle Crash
Trauma ICU Security Officer Faces Fight Of His Life After Devastating La Plata Motorcycle Crash Life changed in an instant. John Jeffers Jr. is determined not to let it define him. In Maryland, the Waldorf husband, father, and longtime Inova Fairfax Hospital security officer is facing the fight of his life after a devastating motorcycle crash left him with multiple broken bones, months of recovery ahead, and a family waiting for him to come home. Jeffers, who has worked as a security officer in Inova Fairfax's Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit since 2018, was seriously injured on July 24 when his motorcycle was involved in a multi-vehicle crash near Crain Highway and Mitchell Road i…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Obituaries
Fredericksburg Mom Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Dedicated Her Life' To 3 Sons, Loved Ones Say Fredericksburg Mom Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Dedicated Her Life' To 3 Sons, Loved Ones Say Fredericksburg Mom Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Dedicated Her Life' To 3 Sons, Loved Ones Say
Fredericksburg Mom Killed In Motorcycle Crash 'Dedicated Her Life' To 3 Sons, Loved Ones Say Jennifer Hollingsworth was doing what she loved. Then everything changed in an instant. The 39-year-old Fredericksburg mother of three was killed in a motorcycle crash on Thursday, July 23, in Fairfax County, leaving behind three sons now surrounded by a grieving community determined to help carry them through the days ahead. The crash happened shortly after 7:15 p.m. at the intersection of Ox Road and Chapel Road in Fairfax Station, according to Fairfax County Police. Detectives say Hollingsworth was riding a 2025 Suzuki GSX-R750 north on Ox Road when her motorcycle struck a 2021 Buick En…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Prev Page 127 of 3967 125 126 127 128 129 Next
1,261 - 1,270 of 39,668 articles