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Fairfax County entered 2026 with a burst of community events, public-safety developments and local milestones, from Vienna’s anniversary kickoff to a two-alarm fire in Great Falls.
New business opens in Herndon
Goatz Sportz Cardz officially opened Jan. 3 at 208 Elden St., Suite 102, in Herndon.
Owner Bryan Janick launched the shop as a local destination for Fairfax County’s growing community of trading-card and memorabilia enthusiasts. Its inventory includes trading cards, sealed boxes, memorabilia and hobby supplies.
Vienna marks a new term and a historic year
Vienna’s 2026 Town Council was sworn in by former judge Steve Shannon. The town’s leadership includes Mayor Linda Colbert and council members Doug Francis, Jessica Ramakis, Dann Nash, Howard Springsteen, Roy Baldwin and Chuck Anderson.
Town Clerk Shelley Kozlowski, Town Attorney Steve Briglia and Town Manager Mercury Payton also joined the council for the occasion.
Vienna residents and elected officials gathered near the Town Green on Jan. 4 for a patriotic bell-ringing ceremony launching the community’s observance of the nation’s 250th anniversary year.
Anderson, dressed as Colonial-era Vienna resident Col. Charles Broadwater, said the celebration included singalongs of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” and “Yankee Doodle.” He said it was one of several commemorative activities planned in Vienna during the year.
The same day, dozens of local officials and community members assembled near the Town Green for a farewell ceremony beside Virginia’s temporary LOVE sign. Jan. 5 was the final day to see the installation at Vienna’s Memorial Fountain before it traveled to another destination in the state.
Three evaluated after Great Falls fire
Fairfax County firefighters responded to a two-alarm house fire in the 11100 block of Rich Meadow Drive in Great Falls during the early morning of Jan. 1.
Flames spread from the rear of the home into its attic. Two residents and one firefighter were evaluated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Respiratory illnesses reach new high
The Fairfax Health District reported that respiratory illness activity had climbed to a new high as a new “subclade K” variant of the H3N2 influenza strain spread through the region.
The 2025-2026 trivalent flu vaccine protects against the H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. Health officials said residents still had time to receive a flu shot.
Police begin impaired-driving crackdown
The Fairfax County Police Department launched its first major traffic-safety initiative of 2026 on Jan. 2.
The opening phase focuses on targeted impaired-driving enforcement during the early weeks of the year. Police said officers would work to identify impaired motorists, curb dangerous behavior and reduce crashes that cause deaths or serious injuries.
Rescue team delivers cheer from hospital rooftop
Members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s Technical Rescue Operations Team brought a high-altitude holiday visit to young patients at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital on Dec. 17.
Rappelling specialists dressed as Santa Claus and other holiday characters descended from the hospital’s 12-story rooftop, pausing outside patients’ windows to wave to children and their families.