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: Here's How Much Longer Lamont Wants Executive Powers Extended COVID-19: Here's How Much Longer Lamont Wants Executive Powers Extended
Covid-19: Here's How Much Longer Lamont Wants Executive Powers Extended Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that he expects to extend his emergency powers for another 90 days as he works with state lawmakers on certain COVID-19 mandates and protocols. With his emergency powers to expire on Thursday, Sept. 30, Lamont said he plans to extend his emergency powers 90 days further, saying that action through the General Assembly “takes too long.” The emergency powers would then be extended through Wednesday, Dec. 29. Lamont previously said that in order to continue issuing COVID-19-related executive orders, he would have to extend his emergency powers past Sept. 30. …
ID Released For Man Shot By Trooper During Domestic Dispute In Area ID Released For Man Shot By Trooper During Domestic Dispute In Area
ID Released For Man Shot By Trooper During Domestic Dispute In Area New York State Police have released the name of a 39-year-old man who was shot by a trooper during an armed standoff following a domestic dispute. Officers in Orange County responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, where there was a reported domestic disturbance on US-209 in Westbrookville, a hamlet in the town of Deerpark. The initial report was that there was a man inside the home firing a gun. Upon arrival, patrols were advised that Westbrookville resident Patrick Hermanowski was in possession of a firearm and had fled into a nearby wooded area before pol…
Violent Robbery Suspect In Westchester Busted By Police Violent Robbery Suspect In Westchester Busted By Police
Violent Robbery Suspect In Westchester Busted By Police Police investigators got their man following an investigation into a violent robbery on a Westchester street that was caught on camera. On Monday, Sept. 13, the Yonkers Police Department announced that the 3rd Precinct Anti-Crime Unit and Major Case Detectives have identified, apprehended, and charged a 32-year-old man for a violent assault that happened earlier this month. On Wednesday, Sept. 1, a suspect, later identified as city resident Felix Reyes, age 32, was caught on camera sneaking up on his 34-year-old victim and assaulting him shortly before 2:30 a.m. police said. In the survei…
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection-Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By County COVID-19: Hudson Valley Infection-Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By County
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Infection-Rate Stays Steadily High; New Breakdown By County The positive COVID-19 infection rate in the Hudson Valley fluctuated over the weekend, though it has held steadily high through the end of summer. In the Hudson Valley, the average seven-day positive infection rate rose from 3.64 percent on Friday, Sept. 10 to 3.67 percent the following day before dropping down to 3.64 percent of those tested on Sunday, Sept. 12. The statewide average infection rate fell from 3.22 percent to 3.19 percent in that same time frame. A total of 29 new virus-related deaths were reported in New York on Sept. 12, including one in Orange County. Average seven-day …
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Westchester Adults Who Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Info COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Westchester Adults Who Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Info
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of Westchester Adults Who Are Fully Vaccinated, Other New Info The COVID-19 vaccination rate among Westchester residents continues to rise, as the number of hospitalizations and virus-related deaths remain low, according to County Executive George Latimer. In his latest COVID-19 briefing, Latimer touted that the vaccination rate in the county is on the rise, with more than 85 percent of residents completing the vaccine process. In total, Latimer said that 638,779 people in Westchester have completed the vaccination series, crediting the high vaccination rate for the low number of hospitalizations and COVID-19 deaths. According to the Department of Hea…
COVID-19: School District In Region Considering Vaccine Mandate COVID-19: School District In Region Considering Vaccine Mandate
Covid-19: School District In Region Considering Vaccine Mandate A school district in Western Massachusetts is considering a COVID-19 vaccination mandate to go along with orders to wear facial coverings while in school buildings. Officials in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District are considering taking the extra step to provide extra protection against the spread of the virus by mandating faculty and staff members all get the COVID-19 vaccine. The decision will now move forward to a special school committee vote. Officials noted that if mandated, particular religious and health exemptions would have to be agreed upon between the school and its se…
Police Investigate Online Threats Made To Students At Long Island High School Police Investigate Online Threats Made To Students At Long Island High School
Police Investigate Online Threats Made To Students At Long Island High School There was an increased police presence at a Long Island high school to start the week as the department investigated a “potential threat” that was made online over the weekend. On Monday, Sept. 13, officers from the Suffolk County Police Department were at Commack High School to investigate after being alerted to online threats that were posted on Saturday, Sept. 11. The Commack School District reportedly received two anonymous alerts on Saturday that had “limited threatening information” that was directed at a “few” specific students, not the high school or district itself. Police said t…
COVID-19: Long Island Infection-Rate Stays Above 4 Percent; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Infection-Rate Stays Above 4 Percent; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Infection-Rate Stays Above 4 Percent; New Breakdown By Community The positive COVID-19 infection rate on Long Island dropped over the weekend, though it still remains well above 4 percent as variants of the virus continue to spread. On Long Island, the average seven-day positive infection rate dipped from 4.28 percent on Friday, Sept. 10 to 4.23 percent the following day before dropping down to 4.12 percent of those tested on Sunday, Sept. 12. The statewide average infection rate fell from 3.22 percent to 3.19 percent in that same time frame. In Nassau, 250 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed in the latest update from the state, with 211 new cases in…
First Positive West Nile Virus Case Of 2021 Confirmed In Westchester First Positive West Nile Virus Case Of 2021 Confirmed In Westchester
First Positive West Nile Virus Case Of 2021 Confirmed In Westchester The first positive West Nile Virus case of the year was reported in Westchester. Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler said that the department was made aware of the first human case of the virus, which was confirmed in a 58-year-old resident. Amler noted that the resident had multiple underlying medical conditions, and is currently hospitalized. Officials did not disclose where the positive case was reported. Last year, three people were diagnosed with West Nile Virus, and in 2019, one Westchester County resident had the virus. “This first case of West Nile Virus sh…
COVID-19: Infection Rate Near 2 Percent; Hospitalizations Down In CT; New Breakdown Of Cases COVID-19: Infection Rate Near 2 Percent; Hospitalizations Down In CT; New Breakdown Of Cases
Covid-19: Infection Rate Near 2 Percent; Hospitalizations Down In CT; New Breakdown Of Cases Hundreds of unvaccinated patients in Connecticut are being treated for COVID-19 in state hospitals as the number of new cases continues to mount. In the latest update from the state Department of Health, 57,631 COVID-19 tests were administered across the state over the weekend beginning on Friday, Sept. 10, resulting in 1,348 laboratory-confirmed cases for a 2.34 positive infection rate, which continues dropping. Thirty-seven more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospitals, leaving 327 - 236 (72.2 percent) - still being treated for the virus across the state. In the late…
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