Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

zfailla@dailyvoice.com

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

COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say
Covid-19: Johnson & Johnson Pauses Vaccine Production, Reports Say The only Johnson & Johnson facility currently making viable batches of the company's one-dose COVID-19 vaccine has temporarily halted its production, according to a new report. According to The New York Times, Johnson & Johnson has stopped production of its current vaccine, potentially to create a more profitable version aimed at other viruses. With production on hold at its Dutch facility in the city of Leiden, hundreds of millions of doses could be taken out of circulation, though it is unclear how vaccine supplies in the US have been affected. Ayoade Alakija, a co-head of the A…
NY Man Accused Of Opening Doors, Letting Rioters Into Capitol During Insurrection NY Man Accused Of Opening Doors, Letting Rioters Into Capitol During Insurrection
NY Man Accused Of Opening Doors, Letting Rioters Into Capitol During Insurrection A Long Island man is facing federal charges for his role in the riot at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. New Hyde Park resident Eric Gerwatowski, age 31, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 8 on civil disorder and other charges for his actions during the insurrection at the Capitol, federal officials announced. Specifically, Gerwatowski was charged with: Civil disorder; Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; Impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildin…
Here's How Many Are Still Without Power In Hudson Valley County Hit Hardest By Storm Here's How Many Are Still Without Power In Hudson Valley County Hit Hardest By Storm
Here's How Many Are Still Without Power In Hudson Valley County Hit Hardest By Storm Four days after a wintry storm rolled through the region, hundreds in the Hudson Valley are still without power. In Ulster County, the area hit hardest by the storm, more than 1,900 Central Hudson customers were still reporting outages late Tuesday morning, Feb. 8, while there were 54 in Dutchess also left in the dark, according to the utility company. “This has been a historic storm for Ulster County and we are extremely grateful for the tremendous efforts given by all of our municipal, county, and New York State partners,” Central Hudson Vice President of Electric Engineering and Operatio…
Fire Risk Leads To Recall Of Nearly 485,000 Hyundai, Kia Vehicles Fire Risk Leads To Recall Of Nearly 485,000 Hyundai, Kia Vehicles
Fire Risk Leads To Recall Of Nearly 485,000 Hyundai, Kia Vehicles The owners of some Hyundai and Kia vehicles are being advised to park outside due to the potential of a fire breaking out, even if the engines are turned off. Nationwide, nearly 485,000 vehicles are being recalled due to the possibility of contamination in the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short and spark a fire. Related story - Kia Issues Recall For 400,000-Plus Vehicles The recall come following a string of fire and engine issues that have a thorn in the company’s side for the better part of a decade. Vehicles subject to recall: Kia Sportage SUVs from 20…
Dozens Displaced After Blaze Breaks Out At Motel In Nassau County Dozens Displaced After Blaze Breaks Out At Motel In Nassau County
Dozens Displaced After Blaze Breaks Out At Motel In Nassau County More than two dozen people were displaced following a fire at a Long Island motel. The blaze broke out in a second-floor room at the Pines Motor Lodge on Taylor Avenue in Westbury at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, fire officials said. Multiple agencies responded to the fire, which was knocked down in approximately an hour. Minor injuries were reportedly sustained by a child and firefighter who were treated at the scene. The fire is under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal. No other details were immediately released.
Shots Fired Outside High School In Westchester Shots Fired Outside High School In Westchester
Shots Fired Outside High School In Westchester A high school was locked down and security was beefed up after gunshots rang out near the building. In Westchester, police officials in Mount Vernon confirmed that there were at least three gunshots fired near the high school on Monday afternoon, Feb. 7, leading to a temporary lockdown and subsequent increased security around the building on Tuesday, Feb. 8. The gunshots were fired shortly before 2:30 p.m., officials said. No injuries were recorded and three shell casings were found at the scene. In a statement, Mount Vernon Schools Superintendent Kenneth Hamilton said the gunfire came fr…
37-Year-Old Killed In Rollover CT Crash 37-Year-Old Killed In Rollover CT Crash
37-Year-Old Killed In Rollover CT Crash A 37-year-old man was killed after being involved in a one-car rollover crash in Connecticut, state police announced. The crash happened in Litchfield County around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, Salisbury, police said. According to police, Christopher McKenna, of Lakeville, was driving east on Route 112 near Lime Rock Road when he crossed over into the opposite lane, causing his vehicle to roll over. Investigators have not disclosed what caused the crash. Police said that McKenna was transported to Sharon Hospital in Litchfield County by paramedics, where he was later pronounced dead from …
COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths The daily COVID-19 positive infection rate in Connecticut hit a new low in 2022 as the state continues to rebound from the January surge of new cases. Over the weekend beginning on Friday, Feb. 4, Connecticut administered 44,789 COVID-19 tests, which resulted in 2,138 confirmed cases of the virus for a 4.77 percent positivity rate, Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday, Feb. 7. The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Connecticut hospitals also continues to plummet, with 154 more being discharged to bring the total number of hospitalizations down to 631 statewide. Of the 631 COVI…
Winning $825,000 Lottery Ticket Sold At CT Gas Station Winning $825,000 Lottery Ticket Sold At CT Gas Station
Winning $825,000 Lottery Ticket Sold At CT Gas Station A CT Lottery player in Connecticut is feeling lucky after cashing in a six-figure scratch-off ticket worth nearly a million dollars. In Hartford County, a New Britain resident won $825,000 playing "$1,000,000 Golden Riches" on a scratch-off ticket sold in New Haven County at the BP gas station on Washington Avenue in North Haven. The winner chose not to disclose a name. CT Lottery said that the overall odds of winning on a "$1,000,000 Golden Riches" ticket is 1 in 2.98. According to CT Lottery, “when a winning scratch ticket is validated through a Lottery Retailer's terminal, the remainin…
COVID-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees COVID-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees
Covid-19: NY Pharmacies To Refund Patients For Vaccine Fees Reimbursements have been secured for COVID-19 vaccine fees from pharmacies in New York, the Attorney General announced. On Monday, Feb. 7, New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed that her office has secured refunds for New Yorkers who were wrongfully charged administration fees from Embassy Pharmacy and Fulton Drugs. James said that the two pharmacies charged between $20 and $25 to upwards of 500 customers who received COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. According to James, the pharmacies have reimbursed all improperly charged customers and agreed to implement stronger trainin…
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