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

Obituaries

Virginia Grandfather Dies Unexpectedly Days After Spinal Surgery: ‘He Never Met a Stranger’ A Virginia family is stunned after the sudden death of Dale Hayes, who died just days after returning home from major spinal surgery. Hayes died unexpectedly on Thursday, Oct. 9, leaving "a huge hole in his children's hearts and those who loved him," according to a close friend. Just days before his death, Hayes suffered a serious spinal injury when he fractured a vertebra. He underwent major surgery, during which bone from his leg was grafted to his neck. Doctors then placed rods, bolts, and plates to help stabilize his spine. Following the surgery, Hayes was moved to t…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Joppatowne, MD

Breaking News

Harford County Sheriff Reflects After Teen Gets 80 Years For Joppatowne High Murder A top cop in Maryland is reflecting on the tragedy that rocked Joppatowne High School and the sentence handed down this week to the teen who pulled the trigger. Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler said the case of Jaylen Rushawn Prince, now serving an 80-year prison sentence for killing classmate Warren Grant, underscores the “serious consequences of violence within our schools.” “The actions of one student resulted in the death of another, and in doing so, altered the course of two young lives and impacted an entire community,” Gahler said Wednesday, following the sentencing. Pr…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Ashburn, VA

Breaking News

Hot Dog! Loudoun County Firefighters Revive 'Lethargic' Pup After Crash With Oxygen Mask Firefighters in Loudoun County jumped into action to save a four-legged passenger after a weekend crash left a dog struggling to breathe. Crews from Fire Station 19 in Dulles South arrived to find the injured pup inside one of the vehicles — lethargic, frightened, and in bad shape, officials said. So, instead of waiting for animal control, firefighters did what they do best: they went to work. Members of Engine 619 and Tower 619 grabbed a pet oxygen mask from Battalion Chief 603’s vehicle, slipped it over the dog’s muzzle, and started giving her oxygen right there on the side of the road. …

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Arlington, VA

Obituaries

DC Community Grieves Slain 30-Year-Old Simon Getachew: ‘More Than a Friend, He Was Family’ A community is "in shock and deep sorrow" after 30-year-old Simon Getachew was gunned down in DC. Shortly after 10:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 3800 block of 9th Street SE, where they found Getachew suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Simon Getachew Metropolitan Police Department Now, friends and well-wishers are rallying around Getachew's family as they hope to honor someone described as "more than a friend — he was family to everyone who knew him." "He had a beautiful s…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Brandywine, MD

Breaking News

Man Caught On Camera Planting Skimming Devices At Gas Station ATMs In Brandywine: Police A man with no fixed address was arrested after allegedly recording himself planting skimming devices at gas station ATMs in Maryland, police announced. The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit charged 34-year-old Pioter Fedorenko after investigators say he installed multiple skimmers and a camera at two Brandywine gas stations on Thursday, Oct. 2. According to detectives, Fedorenko was caught on video placing both a small camera and a skimming device on an ATM that day. Police said he hit two locations, installing a total of three devices within hours of each oth…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Fredericksburg, VA

Obituaries

‘He Made Everyone Feel Loved’: Virginia Father Remembered After Fatal Lynchburg Shooting A beloved Virginia husband and stepfather who was shot and killed is being remembered as a kindhearted soul who made everyone around him feel loved. Anthony Wayne “Tony” Cupec, 45, was fatally shot on the evening of Oct. 8 near Pierce Street and 12th Street, according to the Lynchburg Police Department. Investigators said officers responded around 9 p.m. for a report of shots fired and found Cupec suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said Cupec and another man had been arguing when the suspect, identified as 43-yea…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Clear Spring-Hancock, MD

Breaking News

Hancock Man Calls 911 To Confess—Then Tries To Torch His Own House, Officials Say A Maryland man is under psychiatric evaluation after calling 911 in the middle of the night to say he was setting his own house on fire, authorities said. Just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2025, firefighters and police were called to the 6100 block of Hess Road in Hancock, where a man later identified as the homeowner told dispatchers he was “going to set his house on fire,” according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. When officers arrived, they found the man continuing to try to ignite the home. Hancock Police took him into custody and used a fire extinguisher to put out the f…

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Leonardtown-California, MD

Breaking News

Leonardtown Lounge Mayhem: Police Arrest 24-Year-Old After Two Shot Outside Bar, Sheriff Says A man has been apprehended days after a late-night fight inside a popular Southern Maryland bar turned violent when shots rang out outside, sending two people to the hospital, authorities said. Shaekwon Talib Jackson, 24, is facing a host of charges following an investigation into a weekend shooting, authorities announced on Wednesday. Just after 2 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Action Lounge and Billiards in the 25000 block of Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown for reports of a large fight involving multiple people, according …

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Abingdon, MD

Breaking News

Flames Erupt After Hot Coals Ignite Woodpile, Destroying Abingdon Family’s Home, Cars A Harford County family was displaced Tuesday evening after hot grill coals sparked a massive blaze that destroyed their home and two vehicles, fire officials said. Crews from the Abingdon Fire Company were called to the 420 block of Amy Drive shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 14, where they found flames shooting from a two-story home with an attached garage, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Officials said the fire started outside the garage after the homeowner placed used coals from a grill near a woodpile earlier in the day. A woman inside the home heard noises and went to …

by Zak Failla

10/15/2025

Potomac, MD

Breaking News

'Rhop' Star Wendy Osefo Resigns From Wesleyan University After Maryland Fraud Arrest: Reports "Real Housewives of Potomac" cast member Wendy Osefo has reportedly resigned from her position at Wesleyan University following her arrest in Maryland. Osefo, 40, and her husband Edward, 41, were both arrested on fraud charges stemming from an investigation in April 2024, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office announced on Friday, Oct. 10. According to multiple reports on Tuesday, she has resigned from her position at Wesleyan effective as of Oct. 14. She had been with the university in Connecticut since the fall of 2024 teaching classes on reality television and social issues called The Socio…

by Zak Failla

10/14/2025

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