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Friday, nov 15

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

News

Sweet Smuggle: Dulles CBP Officers Uncover Cocaine Hidden In Hot Chocolate Packages US Customs and Border Protection agents seized a shipment at Dulles Airport destined for Northern Virginia filled with multiple packages of hot chocolate that were filled with a white substance that was not tiny marshmallows. More than 28 pounds of cocaine that was concealed inside of 10 packages of hot chocolate beverage base will never make it to the streets after agents found it while examining a food shipment brought into the country by a Guatemalan courier. According to officials, federal authorities initially detained the courier; however, authorities released the courier on Tues…

11/14/2024

Police & Fire

Possible Victim Of Waldorf Brush Fire Identified By Investigators: Authorities The Office of the State Fire Marshal is cautioning that a statewide burn ban is in effect after a 94-year-old man was killed in a brush fire they believe started when he was burning trash. Waldorf resident Donald Halter has been identified by investigators as the person believed to have been killed when a blaze broke out near his home and rapidly spread. First responders from the Charles County and Prince George's County fire departments were called shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to a reported brush fire that spread to a vacant mobile home on the property. While extinguishing …

11/14/2024

Police & Fire

Damascus Man Accused Of Rape, Sexual Abuse Of Underage Girls In Maryland: Police Police in Montgomery County are concerned there may be more potential victims following the recent arrest of a Damascus man who was accused of the rape and sexual abuse of multiple underage girls. Irvin Ariel Portillo, 28, was charged following an investigation after being tipped off late last month about a possible rape involving a minor. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, the Montgomery County Department of Police launched an investigation into the alleged rape of a teenage girl by Portillo, and during the probe, two other underage victims were identified. According to police, on Friday, Nov. 8, Porti…

11/14/2024

Police & Fire

One Of Two Driver Involved In Deadly Virginia Hit-Run Crash Arrested: State Police One of two drivers involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Fauquier County last week has been identified and apprehended, according to Virginia State Police. On Wednesday, Nov. 13, state police investigators located and arrested Catlett resident Dennis Dunning, 54, who was found at his home in the 8000 block of Burwell Road in Fauquier, where he was taken into custody without incident. Late in the afternoon on Friday, Nov. 8, police say that 73-year-old Garland Heddings was walking along Elk Road to a mailbox when he was struck by an SUV that was heading north, then by a second vehi…

11/14/2024

Schools

Student’s Threatening Post Prompts Urgent Action At Charles County Middle School Authorities in Charles County are investigating a threat made against a teacher at General Smallwood Middle School after a disturbing social media post circulated, officials said. Earlier this week, alarm bells sounded for some students and parents who saw a social media post threatening to kill a teacher, prompting a call to the sheriff's office and school district. An investigation was launched by patrol officers, who were able to identify the person who shared the post, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. They then went to the student's house to speak with the parents; how…

11/14/2024

Obituaries

'Loving Spirit:' Community Honors Young Mother's Legacy Following Tragic Golf Cart Crash In MD More than $250,000 has been raised on behalf of a young family in Maryland that was suffered a tragic loss just as they were beginning to start their lives with a new house and baby in Anne Arundel County. Crownsville resident Mary Beth Blasetti had to be airlifted to the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center on Saturday night after being involved in a golf cart crash, where she died two days later, officials confirmed. The 32-year-old woman leaves behind her husband, Nick, and their 2-month-old daughter, Mary Katharine Blasetti. According to organizers of a GoFundMe - …

11/14/2024

Police & Fire

Man Packing Explosive Devices Broke Into Estranged GF's Home: Maryland Fire Marshal A man who was found with a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) after breaking into his ex-girlfriends home is behind bars and facing serious charges, according to the Office of the Maryland Fire Marshal. Andrew Ervin Romack, 62, was arrested following a joint investigation by the fire marshal and Maryland State Police following a reported burglary earlier this week at an Allegany County home. Investigators say that shortly after 1 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, troopers were called to the 20300 block of Lower Georges Creek Road, where it is alleged Romack forced his way into his estranged…

11/13/2024

Obituaries

Family Calls For Community To 'Storm Heaven With Prayers' Following Double Fatal Reston Crash Friends and well-wishers are coming together to support the family of a father of three who was killed in a double fatal Virginia crash over the weekend. Herndon native Shawn "Blazay" Ballard, 35, was driving early on Sunday, Nov. 10 with 48-year-old Nicole Hamm in the area of North Shore Drive and Charter Oak Court in Reston when their 2016 Ford Explorer veered off the roadway and struck the tree, according to police. Both were rushed to an area hospital, where they later died from their injuries, leaving loved ones reeling. Following the fatal crash, support has been swelling for Ba…

11/13/2024

Police & Fire

Crime Spree Spanning From Spotsy To Stafford Ends With Serial Robber In Custody, Sheriff Says A serial robber who hit up multiple convenience stores in Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg was busted at a Stafford County 7-Eleven overnight, according to the sheriff's office. Marquis Harrell is behind bars after being connected to a series of robberies overnight that were reported back-to-back while detectives were still investigating. The long night for law enforcement in Northern Virginia began at around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, when a clerk at 7-Eleven in the 10300 block of Patriot Highway was targeted by an armed man who demanded money and made off with an undisclosed amount of…

11/13/2024

Police & Fire

Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds The Maryland man who used multiple phones and online apps to target teens - even while he was out on bail and charges were pending - will spend years in prison for coercing and enticing minors, federal authorities announced. Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, of Walkersville, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being busted by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online, and then doubling down after being released by a judge. He had faced life in prison. According to his guilty plea, in April and May 2023, Culpepper used cellphones and online applications to "persuade…

11/13/2024

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