Looters Go Big at Civil War Battlefield | Patch PM

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Looters Go Big at Civil War Battlefield in Virginia

Most of the 2,700-acre Petersburg National Battlefield was open to visitors during the busy Memorial Day weekend, but a portion of the park was closed — labeled an active crime scene by the National Park Service.

Park rangers located several excavation pits in the park, where thieves were likely looking for relics on the battlefield where more than 1,000 Civil War soldiers died. >>> Read more.

'Happiest Places in America:' 2 Northern VA Counties

Northern Virginia must be doing something right. For the second year in a row, Virginia's Loudoun County comes in at #1 as the "Happiest Place in America," according to a new study that measures such factors as unemployment and poverty rates in counties with populations of 50,000 or more.

Fairfax County bumps up a spot from last year's #3 ranking to #2 in the 2016 study that also looks at marriage rates, income and life expectancy. >>> Read more.

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The Check: Michelin Guide, Waterfront Restaurant, Beer Garden Grand Opening

• Plus a man bails on his restaurant check and runs over man's legs fleeing the scene. Check out some of the culinary news served up on Patch.

Pool Evacuated After Lifeguard Suffers 'Emotional Distress': Police

• Police were called to the pool at Cameron Run Terrace after lifeguard suffered some sort of breakdown, police say.

Arlington Woman Arrested in Bizarre Handbag Scheme: Report

• Police say she bought expensive Gucci and Fendi handbags online, and then returned fake handbags for a full refund.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Virginia and D.C. network. The Patch community platform covers 31 communities across the region.