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

Rockville, MD
Breaking News
Towering Flames, Thick Smoke Shut Down Rockville Road During Scrap Yard Fire (DEVELOPING) Towering Flames, Thick Smoke Shut Down Rockville Road During Scrap Yard Fire (DEVELOPING) Towering Flames, Thick Smoke Shut Down Rockville Road During Scrap Yard Fire (DEVELOPING)
Towering Flames, Thick Smoke Shut Down Rockville Road During Scrap Yard Fire (Developing) A massive scrap metal fire shut down a busy Maryland roadway on Tuesday morning, sending thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky and forcing drivers to steer clear of the area. The blaze broke out around 8:45 a.m. on April 7 at a scrap yard in the 800 block of East Gude Drive near Dover Road in Rockville, drawing a heavy response from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue crews. By the time firefighters arrived, a large pile of scrap metal was already burning, producing towering flames and dense smoke that could be seen from blocks away. Traffic quickly became a major issue. East G…

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by Zak Failla
Finksburg, MD
Breaking News
Deadly Feud: Pennsylvania Gunman Who Ambushed Pair With Rifle In Finksburg Convicted Deadly Feud: Pennsylvania Gunman Who Ambushed Pair With Rifle In Finksburg Convicted Deadly Feud: Pennsylvania Gunman Who Ambushed Pair With Rifle In Finksburg Convicted
Deadly Feud: Pennsylvania Gunman Who Ambushed Pair With Rifle In Finksburg Convicted A Pennsylvania man who ambushed two men in Maryland, killing one, has been convicted of murder, the Carroll County State's Attorney's Office announced on Monday. Hanover native Austin Paul Potocki, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with a fatal 2024 shooting in Finksburg. Potocki was convicted following a nine-day jury trial of the murder of Benjaman Billings, 42, and the attempted murder of 39-year-old David Anderson. The jury determined that on Dec. 13, 2024, Potocki traveled to the Patapsco area of Finksburg and lay in …

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
100+ MPH Driver Convicted After Head-On Rock Creek Parkway Crash That Killed Three 100+ MPH Driver Convicted After Head-On Rock Creek Parkway Crash That Killed Three 100+ MPH Driver Convicted After Head-On Rock Creek Parkway Crash That Killed Three
100+ MPH Driver Convicted After Head-On Rock Creek Parkway Crash That Killed Three The woman responsible for a triple-fatal crash on Rock Creek Parkway more than two years ago is facing decades in federal prison. District resident Nakita Walker, 45, was convicted by a Superior Court jury on Monday, April 6, for the March 2023 deaths of Mohamed Kamara, Jonathan Alberto Cabrera Mendez, and Olvin Josue Torres Velasquez, authorities announced. Shortly before 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, officers responded to a reported crash on the parkway near P Street NW when a Honda sedan crashed head-on into a Lexus SUV in a violent crash. All three occupants of the Honda…

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by Zak Failla
Reisterstown, MD
Obituaries
Baltimore Tow Operator Killed In 'Tragic Work Accident' Leaves Behind Wife, Two Young Children Baltimore Tow Operator Killed In 'Tragic Work Accident' Leaves Behind Wife, Two Young Children Baltimore Tow Operator Killed In 'Tragic Work Accident' Leaves Behind Wife, Two Young Children
Baltimore Tow Operator Killed In 'Tragic Work Accident' Leaves Behind Wife, Two Young Children A Maryland tow operator and father of two who “always put in the work” never made it home after a tragic work accident, leaving behind a grieving family and a community now stepping up to support them. Keith Allen Rhew, 45, died on Friday, April 3, following a work-related incident, according to loved ones and his obituary. He leaves behind his wife, Erica, and two young children, Luke and Olivia, who are now facing a future without their father. Keith Rhew GoFundMe He was also a familiar face to many. “Keith Rhew was such a nice man and tragically lost his life last night in a …

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by Zak Failla
Cockeysville-Hunt Valley, MD
Breaking News
Four Injured In Machinery Malfunction At McCormick Facility In Hunt Valley (DEVELOPING) Four Injured In Machinery Malfunction At McCormick Facility In Hunt Valley (DEVELOPING) Four Injured In Machinery Malfunction At McCormick Facility In Hunt Valley (DEVELOPING)
Four Injured In Machinery Malfunction At McCormick Facility In Hunt Valley (Developing) A machinery malfunction at a McCormick and Company facility in Maryland left four people injured Monday afternoon, prompting a hazmat response. The incident was reported around 2:43 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at the facility in the 11100 block of McCormick Road, where emergency crews were dispatched for a reported industrial accident, according to the Baltimore County Fire Department. Officials initially three people were hurt in the malfunction. That was upgraded to four later in the afternoon, including one who was airlifted to the hospital with "serious injuries."  One person s…

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by Zak Failla
Alexandria, VA
Obituaries
Virginia Dad Killed In Easter I-295 Crash Remembered For 'Putting Family First' Virginia Dad Killed In Easter I-295 Crash Remembered For 'Putting Family First' Virginia Dad Killed In Easter I-295 Crash Remembered For 'Putting Family First'
Virginia Dad Killed In Easter I-295 Crash Remembered For 'Putting Family First' Johnny Reamer is being remembered as a doting father "who always put his family first" before his unexpected death in a tractor-trailer crash on Easter Sunday. Shortly after 4:45 a.m. on April 5, Virginia State Police troopers and first responders were called to a stretch of I-295 in Henrico, where there was a reported crash involving a truck and a disabled vehicle. Investigators say that the truck struck the unoccupied vehicle, went through a guardrail, and struck several trees. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Henrico Fire and Rescue crews, leaving behind "a heartbroken family faci…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Your Community
Baltimore Native Angel Reese Traded To Atlanta Dream After Two Seasons In Chicago Baltimore Native Angel Reese Traded To Atlanta Dream After Two Seasons In Chicago Baltimore Native Angel Reese Traded To Atlanta Dream After Two Seasons In Chicago
Baltimore Native Angel Reese Traded To Atlanta Dream After Two Seasons In Chicago Baltimore's "Bayou Barbie" is taking her talents to Atlanta after a surprise trade, officials announced on Monday. Randallstown native Angel Reese has been traded from the Chicago Sky in exchange for the Atlanta Dream's first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, and the right to swap second-round picks in 2028. "Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky," General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. thank you, Angel 🩵wishing you the best in Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/JWGGOwVhGP — Chicago Sky (@chicago…

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by Zak Failla
Chevy Chase, MD
Breaking News
Maryland Woman Dies After Running Back Into Burning Home To Save Her Cat In Chevy Chase Maryland Woman Dies After Running Back Into Burning Home To Save Her Cat In Chevy Chase Maryland Woman Dies After Running Back Into Burning Home To Save Her Cat In Chevy Chase
Maryland Woman Dies After Running Back Into Burning Home To Save Her Cat In Chevy Chase A Maryland woman ran back into a burning home to save her cat — and never made it out alive. The deadly fire broke out around 5:45 a.m. on Friday, April 3, in the 4700 block of Merivale Road in Chevy Chase, Montgomery County Fire officials said. MCPD and @MCFRS on scene of a fatal house fire in the 4700 block of Merivale Rd. An adult female pronounced dead. An adult male transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Fire Rescue is still working the structure fire. All occupants accounted for. pic.twitter.com/UEjE3KCglu — Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews)…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Baltimore Woman Accused Of Killing Estranged Husband In Domestic Shooting: Police Baltimore Woman Accused Of Killing Estranged Husband In Domestic Shooting: Police Baltimore Woman Accused Of Killing Estranged Husband In Domestic Shooting: Police
Baltimore Woman Accused Of Killing Estranged Husband In Domestic Shooting: Police A Maryland woman is behind bars after police say she shot and killed her estranged husband during a domestic dispute, then was tracked down and arrested less than 24 hours later. The deadly shooting happened in Baltimore on March 31, 2026 at approximately 10:18 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Belvedere Avenue, where officers responded to a report of gunfire, according to Baltimore Police. When officers arrived, they found a 43-year-old man suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, police said. The victim, identified as Garreth Parks Jr., was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he late…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
ICE Officers Hospitalized After Suspect Triggers Multi-Vehicle Crash In Baltimore: HSI ICE Officers Hospitalized After Suspect Triggers Multi-Vehicle Crash In Baltimore: HSI ICE Officers Hospitalized After Suspect Triggers Multi-Vehicle Crash In Baltimore: HSI
ICE Officers Hospitalized After Suspect Triggers Multi-Vehicle Crash In Baltimore: HSI Two ICE officers were hospitalized in Maryland after attempting to arrest a Honduran man who caused a multi-vehicle pile-up in Baltimore, according to officials. Ever Omar Alvarenga-Rios did his best to avoid arrest when ICE officers attempted to "arrest an illegal alien with a final order of removal, but the illegal alien chose instead to dangerously evade arrest—endangering himself, law enforcement, and the general public." According to Homeland Security officials, on Thursday afternoon, ICE conducted an operation to take Alvarenga-Rios into custody, but instead of complying with a vehicl…

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by Zak Failla
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