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

Alert Issued For 21-Year-Old Woman Reported Missing In Westchester Alert Issued For 21-Year-Old Woman Reported Missing In Westchester
Alert Issued For 21-Year-Old Woman Reported Missing In Westchester Seen her? An alert was issued by police in Westchester as they attempt to locate a missing 21-year-old woman. In Yonkers, police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Stephanie Salazar, who was reported missing on Tuesday, Dec. 21 by friends and family members. Salazar was described as being approximately 5-foot-2, weighing 130 pounds with long brown hair, light skin, and a thin build. She was last seen in the area of Hancock Avenue in Yonkers. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts has been asked to contact the Yonkers Police Department at (914) 377-7900 or by calli…
Suspect Wanted For Alleged Kidnapping, Rape Of Child In Region Suspect Wanted For Alleged Kidnapping, Rape Of Child In Region
Suspect Wanted For Alleged Kidnapping, Rape Of Child In Region Know him? An alert has been issued for a wanted teen with a warrant out for his arrest for alleged kidnapping and rape of a minor in Western Massachusetts. In Hampden County, police in West Springfield are seeking the public’s assistance in locating 19-year-old Gavin Gabriel Ortiz, who is wanted on multiple charges for an incident earlier this month. It is alleged that Ortiz allegedly kidnapped and raped a minor at an area motel on Tuesday, Dec. 14. Ortiz is wanted for: Enticing a child under the age of 16; Kidnapping; Aggravated rape of a child with force; Assault and battery; R…
COVID-19: Hospital System In Connecticut Requiring Patients, Visitors Show Proof Of Vaccination COVID-19: Hospital System In Connecticut Requiring Patients, Visitors Show Proof Of Vaccination
Covid-19: Hospital System In Connecticut Requiring Patients, Visitors Show Proof Of Vaccination One of Connecticut’s largest hospital systems is changing its visiting policy due to the steep rise of newly reported COVID-19 infections. Yale New Haven Health announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22 that visitors to admitted patients in all its hospitals will have to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test, or else be turned away at the door. The vaccination requirement takes effect as of 8 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23. Additionally, patients will only be allowed one visitor each day, all of whom must be 18 years or older. “Visitors will be required to show a photo ID and pro…
COVID-19: NY Breaks Single-Day Record For Cases By 30 Percent Over Previous Mark COVID-19: NY Breaks Single-Day Record For Cases By 30 Percent Over Previous Mark
Covid-19: NY Breaks Single-Day Record For Cases By 30 Percent Over Previous Mark New Yor has just set a new single-day high for newly confirmed COVID-19 cases for the fifth time in a week. In her latest update on Wednesday, Dec. 22, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the state recorded 28,924 confirmed COVID-19 cases out of more than 270,000 tests that were administered for a 10.66 percent daily positive infection rate. The new single-day high marked a 30-percent jump from the record that was set earlier this week, according to data released by the state Department of Health. Hospitalizations in New York are also on the rise, with 124 new COVID-19 patients admit…
Person Exhibiting 'Erratic Behavior' Draws Police Presence At Two Fairfield County Schools Person Exhibiting 'Erratic Behavior' Draws Police Presence At Two Fairfield County Schools
Person Exhibiting 'Erratic Behavior' Draws Police Presence At Two Fairfield County Schools A police department in Fairfield County beefed up security at a pair of area elementary schools after a pedestrian made “idle threats” and was "exhibiting erratic behavior," officials said. Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice issued an alert to the community shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 22, advising that there was an issue that affected both the Kings Highway and Saugatuck elementary schools. According to Scarice, on Wednesday morning, an administrator at Kings Highway observed a person walking on Post Road who was “exhibiting erratic behavior and making idle threats.…
COVID-19: FDA OKs First Authorized Home Treatment For Virus COVID-19: FDA OKs First Authorized Home Treatment For Virus
Covid-19: FDA OKs First Authorized Home Treatment For Virus The fight against COVID-19 took a step forward as federal health officials authorized the first pill that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. On Wednesday, Dec. 22, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 treatment pill, which has been recommended for people at high risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19. The pill could be available as soon as this weekend, according to Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Related story - COVID-19: Pfizer Releases Data On Anti-Viral Pill's Effective…
COVID-19: High School In Fairfield County Closes Due To Spike In Cases COVID-19: High School In Fairfield County Closes Due To Spike In Cases
Covid-19: High School In Fairfield County Closes Due To Spike In Cases Students at a Fairfield County high school are getting a jump on their holiday recess due to a new spike of COVID-19 cases among students and staff members. The Greenwich School District announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22 that the high school would be closed and dismissed early for the rest of the year after seeing a rise in cases locally and across the state. Earlier story - COVID-19: CT Confirms 6,000 New Daily Infections; Here's Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County Students are expected to return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 3, pending the number of COVID-19 cases. Schools Superi…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Now Nears 7 Percent As Cases Increase COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection Now Nears 7 Percent As Cases Increase
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Infection Now Nears 7 Percent As Cases Increase The Hudson Valley now has the lowest positive COVID-19 infection rate in New York, though it has been on the rise, much like the rest of the state.  In the past three days, the Hudson Valley has seen its seven-day average positive infection rate rise nearly a full percentage point, from 6.08 percent to 6.85 percent of those tested in the past three days, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health. Statewide, the infection rate also rose similarly, from 6.88 percent to 7.88 percent as of Monday, Dec. 20. No other region in the state has a positive infection rat…
COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase COVID-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase
Covid-19: Long Island Infection Rate Soars Past 10 Percent As Cases Increase Long Island's COVID-19 infection rate in New York as the region, already the highest in New York, spiked past 10 percent while other parts of the state have seen some relief from the winter surge of the virus. In the past three days, Long Island has seen its seven-day average positive infection rate rise a full percentage point, to 10.32 percent of those tested, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health.  Statewide, the infection rate also rose similarly, from 6.88 percent to 7.88 percent as of Monday, Dec. 20.  No other region in the state has a positive…
Drunk Driver Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say Drunk Driver Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Drunk Driver Crashes Into Cruiser In Hudson Valley, Police Say Two men are facing charges for allegedly driving drunk in the area, one of whom struck a New York State Police trooper in the Hudson Valley, authorities announced. A trooper on patrol in Rockland County shortly after 4 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19 responded to a stretch of the Palisades Parkway near exit 16 in Stony Point, where there was a report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, police said that the trooper found a 2011 Toyota Camry in the median with a rear driver-side flat tire and damage to the passenger side of the car. While speaking with the driver, Bronx resident Mbamalu, age 2…
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