Top News: Giant Rooster Crows Again, Police Warn of Utility Scams, NoVa’s Wealthiest Zip Codes, Puppy Dies from Parvovirus

Patch has 31 sites in Virginia and Washington. Here are some of the top stories from around the region from last week.

Giant Rooster Statue Replaced With Donation Money
A 4-foot-tall Rooster statue stolen from Bristow mailbox has been replaced by not one—but two—new rooster statues purchased with donated money from Prince William County dwellers.

The beloved metal Rooster, that changed colors with the season and the holiday as it sat perched on its Nokesville Road mailbox was stolen in mid-July, according to the rooster's owner. Her family tried to gather the money on their own to replace the rooster, but had trouble doing so.

She then "hatched" a plan to get her rooster back or raise enough money for a replacement through a Facebook page and an IndieGoGo page set up for the cause.

‘Note’ Manassas Park Teacher Steps into Band Director Role  (Video)
A musician who has long assisted the Manassas Park High Marching Band in perfecting its precision, moves and music has stepped up as the new director of the band. Claude D. LeGrand Jr. a Woodbridge High School graduate who hails from the Virginia Tidewater area, will direct the 49-member band during the 2013-2014 school year.  He is assisted by Colin Bouchillon.

Oakton Zip Code Among Top 50 Wealthiest in D.C. Area
The Oakton zip code 22124 is among the 50 Wealthiest Zip Codes in the Greater D.C. area, the Washington Business Journal reports.
The Business Journal compiles the data from an analytics firm. Oakton came in at No. 11 on their list. The area’s average disposable income is $137,437, they reported. See what area made the top of the list.

Tysons Walmart Supercenter Now Open for Business
The Tysons area’s first Walmart Supercenter opened its doors for business last week. Eager customers lined up with shopping carts outside the new store before a ribbon-cutting ceremony had even wrapped up and promptly flowed in once the festivities were over. The new store is located off of Rt. 7 and has the typical store's full range of goods, including electronics, clothing, sporting goods, a pharmacy and a full grocery section.

Occoquan Mayor Wants Annual Century Bicycle Ride in Prince William
After the inaugural Tour of the Towns -- Tour of Prince William this year, organizer and Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta wants to bring the event back next year, bigger and improved, according to a recent Washington Post article.

Police Warn Annandale Residents About Utility Company Scams
Summer may be winding down, but Fairfax County police say utility scams are on the rise again in Mason District. Residents have reported receiving emails and phone calls stating utilities or phone/internet service will be immediately shut off unless payment is made via prepaid credit card or an online form asking for personal banking info, according to a recent news and information bulletin from the Mason District Station.

Public Hearing for Lake Braddock Cell Tower Set for September
Burke residents will have the chance to voice their opinions about AT&T's proposal to build a 130-foot tall cell phone tower on the grounds of Lake Braddock Secondary School (LBSS) at a public hearing in front of the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Sept. 19. The Planning Commission meeting will begin at 8:15 p.m. in the board auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center, located at 12000 Government Center Pkwy in Fairfax.

15-Foot Hole Collapses on Construction Worker in McLean, Burying and Killing Him
An unidentified man died Tuesday morning after a trench collapsed in a McLean neighborhood, burying him. Emergency responders were called to the vacant house at 1050 Kinglet Court at about 9:30 a.m. Shortly after 1 p.m., Fairfax County Fire and Rescue workers were still trying to shore up the 15-foot hole so they could dig the man out. The trench was about 4 feet wide and 6 feet long, running aside the home's carport.

Wearable Computing: Industry Could Change Lives, Society
When Zephyr Technology CEO Brian Russell uses a small, wearable sensor to show people their electrocardiogram on a phone, the first question is always, "Am I OK?" They usually are. But then someone else wants to see theirs. Before long, a small group is comparing their biometrics. It's fun, but it also turns people on to information that can alert them to when they need to see a doctor or improve their lifestyle. Wearable computers may become mainstream in a matter of months — or it could take decades. But more and more, people and industries are using these devices to solve problems and augment their decision-making process, particularly in the military and health care industry. Widespread adoption of this technology could change the way people interact in society.

Hagerstown Council Supports New Stadium as Suns' Ownership Meets with Fredericksburg
Baseball is not the only game the Suns are playing this summer.
Hagerstown City Council now has a majority in favor of building a new stadium for the Hagerstown Suns, whose owners have been flirting with moving to Fredericksburg.

Hagerstown Councilman Donald F. Munson pledged his support for a downtown location on Tuesday, the Herald-Mail reported.  The announcement came the same evening Suns' majority owner Bruce Quinn was meeting with Fredericksburg baseball negotiating committee members Councilman Fred Howe and City Manager Bev Cameron.

Health Department Closes Georgetown Sweetgreen
The Georgetown Sweetgreen was closed Monday night and Tuesday following an inspection by the DC Department of Health (DOH). An orange paper posted on the door at 3333 M St. NW from the DOH states that the business was closed by the department for violations of the food code. The company's official Twitter feed made no mention of any code violations," rather it said the Georgetown location was closed for "renovations".

Wolverines Marching Band Prepares for School Year, Competitions
As the West Potomac High School football team practices for its upcoming season, the halls of the high school are abuzz as high school musicians prepare to root them on in the stands with their musical performances. In the few weeks that they've been practicing, the members have all gotten to know each other and have become somewhat of a family unit.

FBI Seeking Information on 'Beacon Hill Bandit'
The FBI is currently looking for information on a subject who may be responsible for robbing TD Bank located at 6615 Richmond Hwy., across from Beacon Hill Shopping Center four times from March 2010 to July 2013, according to a recent news release. The suspect has been dubbed the Beacon Hill Bandit and the FBI's Washington field office is offering up to $5,000 as a reward for any information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Locals, Mayor Angry When Puppy Purchased From Fairfax City ‘Petland’ Dies From Parvovirus
A debate over the horror of puppy mills, and the merits of pet rescuing or adoption versus purchasing, was sparked on Fairfax City Patch and its Facebook page after a local family’s brand new puppy died of parvovirus barely 36 hours after being brought home from the pet store where they purchased him.
The family was understandably upset, but even more so since the owners of the local Petland store they purchased 11-week-old Snoopy from assured them he had been given a “clean bill of health” and had received all routine vaccinations, including that for parvovirus.

23 Men Arrested in Prostitution Bust
Fairfax County police this week announced they had arrested a whopping 23 men on prostitution charges after undercover officers communicated with them online and then met them at hotels in Herndon, Tysons Corner, Springfield and Falls Church.

Leads Sought After Pipe Bomb Explodes in River Creek
Investigators with the Loudoun Fire Marshal’s Office are seeking information about a pipe bomb that was apparently exploded in the River Creek community Tuesday night. Several callers to the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center reported hearing a loud explosion in the area of Olympic Boulevard and Kingsmill Street. The River Creek community is just east of the Town of Leesburg limits north of Route 7.