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

Fredericksburg, VA

Breaking News

‘Everyone Is Safe And Together’: Virginia Family Finds Gratitude After Losing Home In Fire A well-known Virginia family is beginning the long process of rebuilding after a devastating fire tore through their home, destroying almost everything they owned. Tyler and Winona Pritts, along with their sons Connor, 13, and Jackson, 11, lost their home and all of their belongings in the Culpeper blaze on Thursday, Oct. 16. The family is safe, and together — something the matriarch says is what matters most. “Unfortunately, our family experienced a house fire," she said. “We are incredibly grateful that everyone is safe and together, that’s what matters most." Pritts thanked friends, n…

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Fredericksburg, VA

Breaking News

US Marshals, Police Track Down Third Suspect In 2024 Virginia Murder: Chief A third arrest has been made in connection with the 2024 murder of Noah Campbell in Virginia, authorities announced. Alijah L. Robinson, 19, of Culpeper, is facing murder and felony charges amid the ongoing investigation into Campbell's death in September of last year, according to police. Two other men, Jayden Penn, then 18, was arrested a month after the deadly shooting. Malik Towler was taken into custody earlier this year in March. “This arrest is the result of an extensive and continuing investigation by our detectives, whose dedication and hard work made this possible," Police Chief …

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Brentwood-Mount Rainier, MD

Your Community

It Was a Sign’: DC Man Spots License Plate, Plays Numbers, Wins $50K In Maryland Lottery A quick stop in Maryland turned into a life-changing detour for a DC man who spotted a license plate, followed his gut — and ended up $50,000 richer. John Murphy was about to buy a Pick 5 ticket when fate — and a random license plate — caught his eye. “I saw a license plate with the numbers 43871, and my cell phone starts with 438, so I thought it was a sign,” Murphy told Maryland Lottery officials. He decided to play the number and was stunned when it hit during the midday drawing on Friday, Oct. 17. “I was in shock,” Murphy said. “It was the last day of my draw.” Murphy, a retire…

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Towson, MD

On Your Side

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 …

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Stafford, VA

Breaking News

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…

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Silver Spring, MD

Obituaries

‘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…

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Bladensburg-Cheverly, MD

Breaking News

‘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 …

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Fallston, MD

Breaking News

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…

by Zak Failla

10/22/2025

Lexington Park, MD

Breaking News

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…

by Zak Failla

10/21/2025

Dunkirk-Owings, MD

Breaking News

‘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…

by Zak Failla

10/21/2025

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