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

Bethesda, MD

Breaking News

'Kelly Clarkson Show' Spotlights 76-Year-Old EMT Still Saving Lives In Montgomery County At an age when most people are gearing up for retirement, Ed Levien is just getting started. Once a self-proclaimed "hotshot" who worked as a creative director for an advertising firm, the 76-year-old affectionately known as "Pops" is still saving lives with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Levien appeared on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" alongside aspiring EMT Ella Edwards, where the three discussed his path to becoming a paramedic. If you missed our very own Ed Levien and Ella Edwards on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" yesterday, here is a link to the... Posted by Bethesda-Chevy Ch…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Centreville, VA

Obituaries

‘Unstoppable Warrior’: Virginia Mom, Teacher Jessica Shivers Dies At 43 After Cancer Battle She fought ovarian cancer for more than two years with courage, joy, and faith — and even in her final days, Jessica Shivers never lost her spirit or her love for the people around her. Shivers, 43, died peacefully on September 24 at Inova Fairfax Medical Center in Falls Church after a brave battle. For more than a decade, Shivers taught pre-K through second grade in Fairfax County, Arlington, and DC schools. She later worked for an organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities find meaningful work while pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling, according to her obituary. Aw…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Towson, MD

Breaking News

‘Each Day Brings New Challenges’: Maryland Family Battles ALS With Community’s Help A Maryland family is leaning on the community as they face the devastating impact of ALS. Stephen Varelli was diagnosed with the disease nearly two years ago and is now wheelchair-bound, his loved ones said. That has put the weight of the world on his wife, Karen, who has become his primary caregiver. Karen has been balancing Stephen’s daily needs while still caring for their home and family. “As Stephen’s needs grow, Karen may need to hire outside caregivers for help—whether for respite, or if she needs to return to work,” supporters wrote. Stephen & Karen Varelli GoFundM…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Edgewood, MD

Breaking News

Maryland Detectives Crack 2007 Edgewood Cold Case — Suspect Was On Their Radar All Along A nearly 20-year-old cold in Maryland has finally been cracked — and the suspect is the same person that investigators initially identified. Already behind bars, Edgewood resident Gary Williams has now been indicted on charges related to the fatal stabbing of David Arnold Byrd Jr. in 2007, according to authorities. Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff's Office were called on Aug. 26, 2007 to the 1900 block of Edgewater Drive in Edgewood, where they found Byrd suffering from a stab wound to his upper body. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Detect…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Severn, MD

Breaking News

Bullets Rip Through Homes In Severn; Three Teens, Man Now Facing Charges, Police Say Three teens were implicated in a shooting incident over the summer and are now facing charges in Maryland, authorities announced on Thursday. Anne Arundel County Police say three 15-year-olds and a 25-year-old Brooklyn, Maryland, man, Darren Raul Donastorg, are all facing various charges after homes were sprayed with bullets in Severn in July, with detectives later seizing guns, drugs, and hundreds of Suboxone strips. On July 7, 2025, at approximately 4:20 p.m., officers responded to the 8100 block of Meade Village Road for a destruction of property complaint, according to police. Multiple …

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Arlington, VA

Your Community

Judge Rejects Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Asylum Bid As Removal Order Stands In Maryland An immigration judge has rejected a motion from Kilmar Abrego Garcia's attorneys to reopen his 2019 asylum case, and now the Maryland man and alleged MS-13 gang member faces deportation — again. The Salvadoran faced immediate deportation to Uganda — a country he has no ties to — his lawyers noted. However, the judge reportedly found 'insufficient evidence" to suggest the Trump administration planned to send him there, according to the Washington Post. Today, @Sec_Noem announced that ICE arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He will be processed for removal to Uganda.🧵Sanctuary politician…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Arlington, VA

Obituaries

Decorated Army Vet Patrick Fatuesi Dies After Cancer Battle, To Be Buried At Arlington Cemetery The military community is mourning the loss of SGM (Ret.) Patrick Fatuesi, a decorated US Army veteran who died at 60 after a sudden battle with stage 4 stomach cancer. Fatuesi was admitted to the hospital on Sept. 4 and given just two weeks to live, his family said, but in typical soldier fashion, he made it four weeks, surrounded by loved ones before his death. SGM Patrick Fatuesi GoFundMe He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. “Luka S. Fatuesi and I along with several others who loved him were able to travel and spend time with him before his passing," Melan…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Waldorf, MD

Breaking News

‘Cold, Calculated Execution’: Gunman Gets Life In Waldorf Murder Case Weeks after being convicted of killing a man, Jermane Christopher Stringer has been sentenced to life in prison. Last month, a Charles County jury found Stringer, 39, guilty of first-degree murder in the 2021 killing of Arick Jordan Jackson in Waldorf. On Thursday, Oct. 2, Charles County State's Attorney Tony Covington announced that Stringer has been sentenced to life plus 20 years in prison. Prosecutors say that on the night of Sept. 10, 2021, deputies from the Charles County Sheriff's Office were called to investigate reports of gunshots in an apartment breezeway in Waldorf. There…

by Zak Failla

10/02/2025

Towson, MD

Breaking News

Watch: Masked Gunmen In Yellow Gloves Open Fire, Kill Man In Baltimore Street Ambush Video has been released of two hooded men who opened fire and gunned down a 31-year-old man in broad daylight in Maryland. The Baltimore Police Department shared footage of a deadly shooting last month that claimed the life of Virgil Holland, authorities said. Shortly after 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, officers from the Western District were called to the 1200 block of West North Avenue, where there was a reported shooting. Once there, officers located the victim, 31-year-old Virgil Holland, suffering from apparent life-threatening gunshot wounds.The victim was transported to an area …

by Zak Failla

10/01/2025

Fairfax, VA

Your Community

Feds Probe Fairfax Schools Over Abortion Allegations: ‘Shocks The Conscience’ The US Department of Education has launched an investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools after reports surfaced that a Centreville High School social worker allegedly arranged abortion services for students without their parents’ knowledge, officials announced. The move comes after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin called for a probe into the allegations. According to the Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office, the incidents happened during the 2021-22 school year. Investigators say one 17-year-old student was scheduled for an abortion appointment, had her clinic fees paid, and…

by Zak Failla

10/01/2025

Prev Page 475 of 3978 473 474 475 476 477 Next

4,741 - 4,750 of 39,777 articles