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Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

zfailla@dailyvoice.com

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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

Police & Fire
Virginia Man Built, Stole Scooter From Walmart, Failed To Register As Sex Offender: Sheriff Virginia Man Built, Stole Scooter From Walmart, Failed To Register As Sex Offender: Sheriff
Virginia Man Built, Stole Scooter From Walmart, Failed To Register As Sex Offender: Sheriff A wanted Woodbridge man didn’t just steal from Walmart — deputies say he built himself an electric getaway ride inside before speeding off for a bite to eat, where he was busted.  The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said 37-year-old Phillip Douglas walked into the Walmart on Village Parkway around 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, assembled an electric scooter in the store, and “sped out” without paying. A deputy spotted Douglas riding near Popeyes on Warrenton Road and stopped him.  Authorities say he claimed he “found” the stolen scooter, but when another deputy arrived to detain hi…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids ‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids
‘Heart Of Her Family’: Maryland Mom, Police Corporal's Wife Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind 2 Kids Jen Smith was the "heart of her family" — now her family is picking up the pieces after her unexpected death in Maryland. Smith died on Thursday, Aug. 7, according to loved ones, leaving behind her husband, Prince George's County Police Cpl. Donald Smith and their two children.  “Jen was the heart of her family — a devoted wife to Donnie and a loving mother to Katelinn and Makenzie,” organizers of a fundraiser set up for the family wrote. “She was known for her warmth, kindness, and the way she made everyone feel valued and loved.” The fundraiser says Jen’s passing “has left an unfill…

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by Zak Failla
News
‘I Ignored Warning Signs’: Maryland Man Jailed For Strangling Partner, Prosecutors Say ‘I Ignored Warning Signs’: Maryland Man Jailed For Strangling Partner, Prosecutors Say
‘I Ignored Warning Signs’: Maryland Man Jailed For Strangling Partner, Prosecutors Say A Maryland man will serve more than a decade in prison after prosecutors said he strangled, punched, and threatened his partner during a violent domestic assault she tried to blame on herself. Logan Hakeem Young, 41, was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with all but 12 years suspended, for first-degree assault, according to the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office. He pleaded guilty to the charge in April. Prosecutors said the State asked for — and received — the top of the sentencing guidelines. The case stems from an attack on Aug. 24, 2024, when police were called at approxim…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Audi Driver On The Run After Fatal Hit-Run In Stafford: Deputies Seize SUV Audi Driver On The Run After Fatal Hit-Run In Stafford: Deputies Seize SUV
Audi Driver On The Run After Fatal Hit-Run In Stafford: Deputies Seize SUV Two in Virginia are behind bars after authorities say they helped a hit-and-run suspect dodge deputies following a deadly crash. The search continues for 21-year-old Gabriela Alejandra Bonilla Flores, who is wanted in connection with the hit-and-run that left a 36-year-old man dead after she struck him with her white Audi SUV earlier this month in Stafford. The fatal crash happened just before 2 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, on Richmond Highway near Foreston Woods Drive, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.  Deputies said the victim was walking northbound on the right shoulder w…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Danielle Spencer, ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Who Played Dee Thomas, 60, Dies Danielle Spencer, ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Who Played Dee Thomas, 60, Dies
Danielle Spencer, ‘What’s Happening!!’ Star Who Played Dee Thomas, 60, Dies Actress Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as younger sister Dee Thomas on the popular show "What's Happening!!", passed away in Virginia following a lengthy battle with cancer, her loved ones confirm. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Spencer starred on the ABC program as the precocious Thomas for several years until the show was cancelled in 1979.  She died at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond on Monday, Aug. 11, at the age of 60, her family confirmed.. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haywood Nelson (@haywoodnels…

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by Zak Failla
News
Former Children’s National Psychotherapist Charged In Child Porn Case: DOJ Former Children’s National Psychotherapist Charged In Child Porn Case: DOJ
Former Children’s National Psychotherapist Charged In Child Porn Case: DOJ A longtime child psychotherapist in DC is facing federal charges after authorities say he shared child sexual abuse material with another person. Victor Renato Blythe, 60, is charged with distributing and possessing child pornography, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced. Prosecutors say Blythe — who specializes in working with children and adolescents and previously worked in the Psychiatry Department at Children’s National Medical Center — communicated with another person “regarding his interest in the sexual abuse of children.” During those conversations, Blyt…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Already Jailed Great Mills Man Now Accused Of Abusing, Killing 11-Year-Old Boy: Sheriff Already Jailed Great Mills Man Now Accused Of Abusing, Killing 11-Year-Old Boy: Sheriff
Already Jailed Great Mills Man Now Accused Of Abusing, Killing 11-Year-Old Boy: Sheriff A Southern Maryland man already behind bars is now accused of abusing and killing an 11-year-old boy earlier this year, authorities said. Deputies and EMS crews were called to the 22000 block of Castle Pollard Way in Great Mills on May 8 for a report of an 11-year-old not breathing, according to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Life-saving measures were attempted before the child was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore later ruled the boy’s death a homicide. Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Divisi…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Child Safe After Attempted Kidnapping At Maryland 4H Fair; Bystanders, Family Step In: Sheriff Child Safe After Attempted Kidnapping At Maryland 4H Fair; Bystanders, Family Step In: Sheriff
Child Safe After Attempted Kidnapping At Maryland 4H Fair; Bystanders, Family Step In: Sheriff A woman is behind bars after deputies say she tried to kidnap a child at a Maryland 4H Fair before bystanders and family members jumped in to stop her. Deputies were called to the fairgrounds in Centreville around 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11, for a report of an attempted kidnapping, according to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s officials said the fair’s emergency response plan was activated immediately, and deputies flooded the area. Witnesses — including the child’s family, other attendees, and 4H Fair staff — stopped the woman from leaving before deputies arrived, authoriti…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Toddler Plunges From Sixth-Floor Balcony In College Park, Flown To Trauma Center (DEVELOPING) Toddler Plunges From Sixth-Floor Balcony In College Park, Flown To Trauma Center (DEVELOPING)
Toddler Plunges From Sixth-Floor Balcony In College Park, Flown To Trauma Center (Developing) A toddler was rushed to a trauma center after falling from a sixth-floor balcony in Prince George’s County, authorities said. Firefighters and medics responded around 1:52 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, to the 9300 block of Cherry Hill Road in College Park for a reported fall at a multi-family building, according to the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. Crews found a 3-year-old child with life-threatening injuries. The patient was medevacked by US Park Police Eagle One to a trauma center, officials said. Medical emergency, 1:52pm, 9300 block. Cherry Hill Rd in College Park. PGFD units…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Already Locked Up, Alexandria Man Charged In Hybla Valley Rock-Smash Burglary Spree: Police Already Locked Up, Alexandria Man Charged In Hybla Valley Rock-Smash Burglary Spree: Police
Already Locked Up, Alexandria Man Charged In Hybla Valley Rock-Smash Burglary Spree: Police An Alexandria man sitting in jail on unrelated charges is now accused of smashing his way into multiple Hybla Valley businesses with a rock, police said. Detectives say 23-year-old Eliasar Flores Flores was linked to a string of April break-ins where storefront doors were shattered with a rock before cash was stolen. One of those happened on April 17 around 2:15 a.m., when officers were called to La Taza Panaderia in the 7800 block of Richmond Highway for a burglary report, according to Fairfax County police. The suspect allegedly smashed the door, grabbed money, and ran. Similar inci…

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by Zak Failla
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