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Saturday, jul 5

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

Sports

Scam Hits A Grand Slam At Maryland MiLB Ballpark With QR Code Con, Sheriff Warns A sneaky scam at a Maryland minor league ballpark may have cost fans more than just a ticket and hot dog. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a case of fraud at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, where altered QR codes were found on parking signs, officials are cautioning. Instead of linking to the official payment system, the tampered QR codes redirected people to a fake website that stole credit card info. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs had no idea the signs had been altered, and payments made through the team’s official website and app are still safe, authorities s…

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Traffic

Fourth Of July Crash Shuts Down Bay Bridge In Maryland, Helicopter Lands On Scene The Fourth of July getaway turned into gridlock on Maryland’s Bay Bridge after a serious crash brought westbound traffic to a complete standstill — with some drivers even getting out of their cars to watch a helicopter land. All lanes were blocked on the westbound span of the Bay Bridge/US 50 on Friday, July 4, around 12:15 p.m. following a multi-vehicle crash with entrapment, Maryland Transportation Authority officials announced. “Medivac on scene at WB Bay Bridge/US 50. All WB lanes remain blocked for multi-vehicle crash with entrapment. Expect delays in both directions,” the MDTA tweeted…

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Police & Fire

Teen Bites Officer, Kicks Cruiser After Wild Escape Attempt In Dumfries: Police A 14-year-old Virginia girl turned a routine investigation into total chaos — and it ended with a cop getting bitten, according to police. The wild ordeal unfolded around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, in the area of Dumfries Road and Tallon Drive in Dumfries, when officers with the Prince William County Police Department responded to a report of a dispute involving juveniles. While officers were sorting things out, one of the involved teens — later identified as the accused 14-year-old girl from Woodbridge — made a break for it and ran straight across multiple lanes of traffic on Dumfries …

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Sports

Trump Wants UFC Cage Fight On White House Lawn For America’s 250th President Donald Trump wants to celebrate 250 years of American independence with fists flying — literally — on the White House lawn. During a speech in Iowa, Trump announced that he plans to stage a UFC match on White House grounds with thousands of fans as part of his plan to celebrate 250 years of American independence. A renowned combat sports fan who has attended multiple matches alongside UFC President Dana White, where he got standing ovations, Trump says that there is plenty of space at the White House to hold such an event. "We’re going to have a UFC fight – think of this – …

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Obituaries

Pgpd Officer Dies Unexpectedly Just Days From Retirement: 'Devoted 21 Years' A beloved Maryland police officer was just days from retirement when she passed away unexpectedly, officials say. Cpl. Tonya Renee Proctor, a 21-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department, died late last month at Southern Maryland Hospital, according to her obituary. She was 57. PGPD confirmed Proctor’s death in a statement, saying the longtime officer had dedicated her life to service since joining the department in 2004. “Corporal Proctor began her career in patrol at Bowie District II and had multiple assignments during her tenure, to include District II Investigation…

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Police & Fire

Laurel Teen Tied To Philly Super Bowl Car Rally Busted With Ghost Gun: Police A Maryland man is facing charges in two states after police say he was armed with a ghost gun and tied to a wild, illegal car rally that erupted during Super Bowl celebrations in Philadelphia. Yariel M. Fuentes-Reyes, 19, of Laurel, was busted at his home on Thursday, July 3, during a coordinated takedown involving state and local agencies, Maryland State Police said. Investigators say the search warrant, executed by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force, Philadelphia Police, and MSP’s Special Tactical Assault Team Element (STATE), led to the discovery of a Polymer 80 handgun without a serial n…

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

Traffic

Gas-Fed Fire Displaces 14 After Car Crashes Into Montgomery County Home (Photos) The Fourth of July got off to a fiery start for 14 Maryland residents who were displaced when a car slammed into their home, officials say. Firefighters were called around 1:45 a.m. Thursday, July 4, after a driver left the road and crashed into a large two-story home in the 400 block of University Boulevard West near Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said. More … 400blk University Blvd W, single vehicle left roadway & struck corner of house where utilities (gas/electric) were located resulting in a structure fire, all occupa…

by Zak Failla

07/04/2025

News

$1.5M Drug Bust: 57 Pounds Of Ketamine Found In Toys, Frames At Philly Port Customs officers in Philadelphia just reeled in a whopper — but it wasn’t fish. US Customs and Border Protection officers intercepted 57 pounds of ketamine hydrochloride, a dangerous anesthetic often abused at raves and by sexual predators, during multiple parcel inspections in late June, the agency announced on Thursday, July 3. The drugs, which had a street value of about $1.5 million, were being smuggled from Europe to South Florida, hidden inside fishing rods, toys, picture frames, and other everyday items. CBP officers weren't playing around after they found nine pounds of keta…

by Zak Failla

07/03/2025

Politics

ICE Detains Pro Boxer Days After Embarrassing Jake Paul Loss The hits keep coming for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Days after his loss to Jake Paul in Las Vegas, Chavez was dealt another blow — this time by the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday, July 3, that the Mexican boxer was flagged as a public safety threat and is facing expedited deportation. Officials say Chavez has been detained by ICE, calling him a "criminal illegal alien" who has an active warrant in Mexico for his alleged involvement in organized crime and weapons trafficking. According to DHS, Chavez was arrested by ICE agents on July 2 in Studi…

by Zak Failla

07/03/2025

Schools

Baltimore County School Worker Had Inappropriate Relationship With Student, Police Say A former Baltimore County Public Schools employee is behind bars after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student at a local high school, police announced. Donovan Michaud, 30, was arrested by Baltimore County Crimes Against Children detectives following reports that he was involved with a student at Overlea High School, where he worked as a building service worker, authorities announced on Thursday, July 3. Michaud has been charged with multiple counts of fourth-degree sex offense. He is currently being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center, …

by Zak Failla

07/03/2025

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