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

Catonsville, MD
Obituaries
Decomposing Body, Dead Dog Found Inside Maryland Home After Welfare Check Decomposing Body, Dead Dog Found Inside Maryland Home After Welfare Check Decomposing Body, Dead Dog Found Inside Maryland Home After Welfare Check
Decomposing Body, Dead Dog Found Inside Maryland Home After Welfare Check When neighbors grew concerned after not seeing or hearing from Jahdon Gist for some time in Baltimore County, they decided to conduct a welfare check — just in case. While checking on him, they could not have imagined the grisly discovery they made inside. Gist's decomposing body was found inside the home on Sunday, Aug. 23, leaving friends and family stunned by his unexplained death. His dog was also found dead, in an unknown state of decomposition. "This is a complete shock and unexpected," his sister, Teryn Gist, wrote on a GoFundMe organized for the family. "My beloved brother was une…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Obituaries
DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer
DC Mom Killed In Cold-Blooded Shooting Was Doting Parent, Amazon Driver, Pet Groomer Mignon Renee Brown-Massey wore many hats and was the hardest-working person in the room right up until she became the victim of gun violence in the region. The 36-year-old DC mother, who was a pet care provider and groomer by day, and a tireless Amazon delivery driver by night, was shot and killed earlier this month in what her family described as "senseless violence."  Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were called at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to the 3300 block of 15th Street NE, where there was a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they found Brown-Massey…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Annapolis, MD
Breaking News
BMWs, $100K In Drugs, $69K Cash Seized In Massive Annapolis Bust: Police BMWs, $100K In Drugs, $69K Cash Seized In Massive Annapolis Bust: Police BMWs, $100K In Drugs, $69K Cash Seized In Massive Annapolis Bust: Police
BMWs, $100K In Drugs, $69K Cash Seized In Massive Annapolis Bust: Police A seven-month investigation into drug trafficking in Maryland ended with two men behind bars — and the seizure of luxury BMWs, cash, and drugs worth more than $100,000, authorities said. Earlier this month, members of the Annapolis Police Department’s Drug Enforcement Unit, Special Investigations Section, and Patrol Division conducted a coordinated operation in the area of Oaklawn Avenue and Carver Street, according to police. Investigators arrested 35-year-old Timothy Charles Johnson, the primary target of the probe, on multiple CDS-related indictments.  Brocenbeauh Smit, 56, was als…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Triangle-Dumfries, VA
Breaking News
Dumfries Man Exposed Himself To Same Walmart Worker Multiple Times: Police Dumfries Man Exposed Himself To Same Walmart Worker Multiple Times: Police Dumfries Man Exposed Himself To Same Walmart Worker Multiple Times: Police
Dumfries Man Exposed Himself To Same Walmart Worker Multiple Times: Police A 58-year-old man who exposed himself to the same employee at a Virginia Walmart was apprehended  following a weeks-long probe, police say. The investigation into William Irving Gorgon began over the weekend, when officers from the Prince William Police Department were called to investigate reports of an indecent exposure at the store in the 17000 block of Richmond Highway in Dumfries. According to police, it was determined that between Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Thursday, Aug. 21, Gorgon allegedly exposed himself to the same female employee on more than one occasion. No physical contact w…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Stafford, VA
Breaking News
Bright Shirt, No Shoes, Big Problems: Stafford DUI Suspect Runs But Can’t Hide, Sheriff Says Bright Shirt, No Shoes, Big Problems: Stafford DUI Suspect Runs But Can’t Hide, Sheriff Says Bright Shirt, No Shoes, Big Problems: Stafford DUI Suspect Runs But Can’t Hide, Sheriff Says
Bright Shirt, No Shoes, Big Problems: Stafford DUI Suspect Runs But Can’t Hide, Sheriff Says A Virginia man ditched his shoes but couldn’t out run deputies after attempting to avoid a DUI stop in Virginia, officials said. On Saturday, Aug. 23, at 5:59 p.m., a deputy saw a Lexus blow through a red light on Richmond Highway near Coal Landing Road, ultimately leading to the arrest of 25-year-old Jose Villatoro, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. When Oliveira pulled the car over, the driver’s side door swung open and Villatoro bolted on foot. Deputy Oliveira stayed with the vehicle and broadcast a description. Additional deputies canvassed the woods, spotting the man …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Stafford, VA
Breaking News
NY Man Racked Up 67 Charges In Multi-Stop Wawa Fraud Scheme In Stafford, Sheriff Says NY Man Racked Up 67 Charges In Multi-Stop Wawa Fraud Scheme In Stafford, Sheriff Says NY Man Racked Up 67 Charges In Multi-Stop Wawa Fraud Scheme In Stafford, Sheriff Says
NY Man Racked Up 67 Charges In Multi-Stop Wawa Fraud Scheme In Stafford, Sheriff Says A New York man racked up more than 60 charges after deputies busted him in a multi-stop fraud scheme at Wawa convenience stores in Virginia, authorities said. On Sunday, Aug. 24, at 9:14 p.m., deputies received a report from a California victim whose credit card was being used without permission at the Wawa at 105 Garrisonville Road, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said surveillance cameras showed the suspect making 11 unauthorized transactions and leaving in a black Nissan. Deputies began canvassing other Wawa stores and learned the same suspect had made a…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Odenton, MD
Breaking News
Gunman Who Killed Golden Gloves Boxing Champion In Odenton Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors Gunman Who Killed Golden Gloves Boxing Champion In Odenton Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors Gunman Who Killed Golden Gloves Boxing Champion In Odenton Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors
Gunman Who Killed Golden Gloves Boxing Champion In Odenton Gets Life In Prison: Prosecutors The gunman who shot and killed rising Maryland boxer Oludayo Olugbemi will spend the rest of his life in prison. Nicholas Francis Giroux, 37, of Odenton, was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years for the murder of the 27-year-old Olugbemi, who was killed last year in cold blood, according to the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office. Specifically, Giroux pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence in February for the apparently targeted shooting. Multiple residents in the neighborhood reported shots fired at approximately 9:4…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Catonsville, MD
Breaking News
Repeat Catonsville Sex Offender Back In Prison After Child Porn Bust Days After Release: Feds Repeat Catonsville Sex Offender Back In Prison After Child Porn Bust Days After Release: Feds Repeat Catonsville Sex Offender Back In Prison After Child Porn Bust Days After Release: Feds
Repeat Catonsville Sex Offender Back In Prison After Child Porn Bust Days After Release: Feds A convicted sex offender is heading back to prison after being busted — again — with child pornography in Maryland, federal authorities announced. Steven Christopher Kelban, 50, of Catonsville, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being caught with a torrent of child sexual abuse material just one week after registering his new address. According to his plea agreement, Kelban had just returned to Maryland from Alabama on Nov. 20, 2023, following previous convictions for child porn offenses.  He registered the very next day as a sex offender, using a Baltimore County add…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Landover, MD
Breaking News
Stolen Car Full Of Teens Slams Into DC Mom’s Vehicle, Killing Her In PG County Crash: Police Stolen Car Full Of Teens Slams Into DC Mom’s Vehicle, Killing Her In PG County Crash: Police Stolen Car Full Of Teens Slams Into DC Mom’s Vehicle, Killing Her In PG County Crash: Police
Stolen Car Full Of Teens Slams Into DC Mom’s Vehicle, Killing Her In PG County Crash: Police A DC woman was killed and her child injured after a stolen car carrying juveniles slammed into her vehicle in a fatal Maryland crash, police said. On Tuesday, Aug. 26, at approximately 3:50 p.m., Seat Pleasant patrol officers spotted a vehicle reported stolen days earlier traveling in the area of Seat Pleasant Drive and Joplin Street, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department. Police said officers followed the car from a safe distance and did not engage in a pursuit.  Moments later, the stolen vehicle sped off northbound on Sheriff Road, ran a red light at the intersec…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Aberdeen, MD
Breaking News
Harford County Deputy Crushed By Penske Truck In Chase; Suspect Nabbed In NY: Sheriff Harford County Deputy Crushed By Penske Truck In Chase; Suspect Nabbed In NY: Sheriff Harford County Deputy Crushed By Penske Truck In Chase; Suspect Nabbed In NY: Sheriff
Harford County Deputy Crushed By Penske Truck In Chase; Suspect Nabbed In NY: Sheriff A 21-year-old man was arrested in New York a day after seriously injuring a veteran sheriff's deputy in Maryland during a wild chase, authorities announced. Yonkers resident Juan Yahir Quiroz Manzueta has been identified and arrested as the driver of a Penske box truck that struck and critically injured Lt. Rob Burgess, a 29-year member of the Harford County Sheriff's Office assigned to the Community Policing Division on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, the agency announced that Quiroz Manzueta has been charged with second-degree attempted murder, as well as other offenses, for his…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Prev Page 515 of 3978 513 514 515 516 517 Next
5,141 - 5,150 of 39,779 articles