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

College Park, MD
Breaking News
160+ MPH Driver Who Cost Montgomery County Sergeant His Legs In I-270 Crash Gets Max Sentence 160+ MPH Driver Who Cost Montgomery County Sergeant His Legs In I-270 Crash Gets Max Sentence 160+ MPH Driver Who Cost Montgomery County Sergeant His Legs In I-270 Crash Gets Max Sentence
160+ MPH Driver Who Cost Montgomery County Sergeant His Legs In I-270 Crash Gets Max Sentence A Maryland man who drove more than 160 mph before intentionally striking a Montgomery County police sergeant — leaving him catastrophically injured — received the maximum possible sentence, authorities announced on Wednesday. Judge Harry Storm sentenced Raphael Mayorga, 21, of Frederick, to 22 years and 60 days in prison for the 2023 I-270 crash that left Sgt. Patrick Kepp without the use of his legs, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Mayorga was driving a Dodge Challenger in the early morning hours of Oct. 18, 2023, when officers attempted to st…

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by Zak Failla
Capitol Heights-District Heights, MD
Breaking News
Firebug Drops Incendiary Device Near Fire Station, Strolls Off In Capitol Heights: PD (VIDEO) Firebug Drops Incendiary Device Near Fire Station, Strolls Off In Capitol Heights: PD (VIDEO) Firebug Drops Incendiary Device Near Fire Station, Strolls Off In Capitol Heights: PD (VIDEO)
Firebug Drops Incendiary Device Near Fire Station, Strolls Off In Capitol Heights: PD (Video) Recognize him?  A reward is being offered in Prince George's County as they attempt to identify and locate a man — in a very specific jacket — who placed an improvised incendiary device near a fire station in Capitol Heights. In video released by the police on Wednesday, Aug. 27, the man can be seen walking near Fire Station 805 placing two bottles of liquid under a flag pole, before then moving them closer to a mailbox on the property. Prince George's County Police The video can be viewed here. The PGPD, in conjunction with the Office of the Fire Marshal for @PrinceGeorges…

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by Zak Failla
Woodbridge, VA
Breaking News
Emaciated Dog Dumped At Manassas Clinic ‘Humanely Euthanized,’ Police Say Emaciated Dog Dumped At Manassas Clinic ‘Humanely Euthanized,’ Police Say Emaciated Dog Dumped At Manassas Clinic ‘Humanely Euthanized,’ Police Say
Emaciated Dog Dumped At Manassas Clinic ‘Humanely Euthanized,’ Police Say An animal cruelty investigation is underway in Virginia after a dog was found abandoned and near death outside a Manassas animal clinic, authorities said. On Monday, Aug. 25, at 10:49 a.m., Animal Control responded to the Battlefield Animal Clinic on Sudley Road after staff discovered a severely emaciated dog left in a cage at the side of the building, according to Prince William County Police. The dog, described as an adult tan-and-white pit bull/husky mix, was in poor health, officials said. Clinic staff provided immediate care until Animal Control arrived. From there, the dog was taken …

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by Zak Failla
Manassas, VA
Breaking News
Virginia Inmate Dies Days After Hospitalization From Jail In Prince William County, Police Say Virginia Inmate Dies Days After Hospitalization From Jail In Prince William County, Police Say Virginia Inmate Dies Days After Hospitalization From Jail In Prince William County, Police Say
Virginia Inmate Dies Days After Hospitalization From Jail In Prince William County, Police Say Authorities are investigating the death of a 59-year-old woman who had been held at the Prince William–Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center in Manassas. On Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 1:20 a.m., officers responded to an area hospital after the inmate died while in care, according to Prince William County Police. The woman had been in custody since Aug. 18 and was transported to the hospital a week later on Aug. 25 after reporting pain from a possible medical condition. Police said, “the woman’s condition worsened while in the care at the hospital and she later died on Aug. 27. The death is …

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by Zak Failla
College Park, MD
Obituaries
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’
Maryland Teacher Brandie McCoy Dies Suddenly, Friends Plan Beachside Service: ‘Ray Of Sunshine’ Brandie McCoy is being remembered as a "shining light" who shone a bright light on her family, friends, and students before her unexpected passing in Maryland. The first-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School died without warning on Tuesday, Aug. 12, her family says. Now her loved ones are rallying to give her a proper beachside sendoff. "She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished friend, and a phenomenal (first)-grade teacher at University Park Elementary School," Brittany Brown-Brooks said about her former friend. "Brandie’s captivating personality, radiant smile, and j…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Breaking News
Getaway Driver In Charles County Teen Murder Plot Learns His Fate In Court Getaway Driver In Charles County Teen Murder Plot Learns His Fate In Court Getaway Driver In Charles County Teen Murder Plot Learns His Fate In Court
Getaway Driver In Charles County Teen Murder Plot Learns His Fate In Court A La Plata man will spend a decade in prison for acting as the getaway driver in a murder plot that left a Maryland teenager dead, prosecutors announced. Charles County Circuit Court Judge Monise Stephenson sentenced Dalvin Devonte Risi, 27, to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and wear, carry, and transport of a handgun in a vehicle, according to state's attorney's office. The charges stem from the Oct. 23, 2022, shooting of 17-year-old Aden Christopher Garcia in Waldorf. Police said Garcia was shot in the head during a botched drug transaction and died the ne…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Breaking News
Weed Dealer Robbed At Gunpoint, Forced To Send Crooks Cash In Waldorf, Sheriff Says Weed Dealer Robbed At Gunpoint, Forced To Send Crooks Cash In Waldorf, Sheriff Says Weed Dealer Robbed At Gunpoint, Forced To Send Crooks Cash In Waldorf, Sheriff Says
Weed Dealer Robbed At Gunpoint, Forced To Send Crooks Cash In Waldorf, Sheriff Says A weed deal turned into a stickup in Maryland — and two men are now behind bars after cops say they robbed a man at gunpoint, stole his product, and forced him to send them money over a payment app for their troubles. The holdup happened around 7:20 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, in the area of Bannister Circle and Hamilton Place in Waldorf, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said. According to investigators, the victim was selling cannabis when the pair pulled out a firearm, stole the drugs, and demanded he transfer money to their account before running off. Officers, including a police K-9 team,…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Breaking News
Feds Help Nab Three Fugitives In Waldorf Raid: Guns, Fentanyl, Fake $15K Seized: Sheriff Feds Help Nab Three Fugitives In Waldorf Raid: Guns, Fentanyl, Fake $15K Seized: Sheriff Feds Help Nab Three Fugitives In Waldorf Raid: Guns, Fentanyl, Fake $15K Seized: Sheriff
Feds Help Nab Three Fugitives In Waldorf Raid: Guns, Fentanyl, Fake $15K Seized: Sheriff A wanted man accused of opening fire on a victim in Maryland earlier this year has been captured, authorities said. On Friday, Aug. 22, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked down Earl Tyree Porter, 30, of Waldorf, in the 3000 block of Gallery Place, following a months-long investigation into a reported shooting. Investigators said Porter was wanted in connection with an April 14 shooting on October Place, where a man was shot multiple times in the chest, but survived his injuries. During the investigation, Porter was identified …

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by Zak Failla
Aberdeen, MD
Breaking News
‘By God’s Grace’ Deputy Survived Penske Truck Strike On I-95 In Harford County, Sheriff Says ‘By God’s Grace’ Deputy Survived Penske Truck Strike On I-95 In Harford County, Sheriff Says ‘By God’s Grace’ Deputy Survived Penske Truck Strike On I-95 In Harford County, Sheriff Says
‘By God’s Grace’ Deputy Survived Penske Truck Strike On I-95 In Harford County, Sheriff Says A veteran sheriff's deputy in Maryland is lucky to be alive after being critically injured by an erratic driver on I-95 during a chaotic chase through Harford County. Lt. Rob Burgess, a 29-year-old member of the Harford County Sheriff's Office assigned to the Community Policing Division, has been identified as the deputy who was struck by a rogue Penske box truck and sent flying off the roadway. "Our prayers are with the family, and we're thanking the community for their support. We've been at the scene, and we're very fortunate we're not talking about a police officer fatality today by God…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Fort McHenry Channel Closing To Salvage Hatch From Coal Ship Explosion In Baltimore Fort McHenry Channel Closing To Salvage Hatch From Coal Ship Explosion In Baltimore Fort McHenry Channel Closing To Salvage Hatch From Coal Ship Explosion In Baltimore
Fort McHenry Channel Closing To Salvage Hatch From Coal Ship Explosion In Baltimore The Fort McHenry Federal Channel will be closed to establish a safety zone this week as they begin salvage efforts of a hatch cover that exploded in the harbor earlier this month, according to the US Coast Guard. Late in the afternoon on Monday, Aug. 18, there was an explosion aboard the 751-foot merchant vessel W-Sapphire as it was leaving Baltimore Harbor with 23 crew members and two pilots on board. At approximately 6:30 p.m., there was an explosion reported on the coal ship, which was reported in the same stretch of water where the Key Bridge collapsed. On Wednesday, the Coast Gua…

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by Zak Failla
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