A Sterling man will serve just under 15 years in jail after he pleaded guilty to shooting a Manassas Park man more than a year ago.

Jamie Lee Hunter,29, pleaded guilty in January to possession of a firearm by a felon, assaulting a law enforcement officer and malicious wounding in connection to a shootout at Westgate in the Manassas area of Prince William County on Oct. 12, 2011.

He was sentenced to five years on each charge, but the sentences were suspended to 4 years and 10 months. He will serve the sentences consecutively.

Hunter was also charged with shooting and throwing a missile and receiving stolen property, but prosecutors in the case declined to pursue those charges.

Investigators said the victim was shot five times as he was sitting in a borrowed car in the Westgate neighborhood. He was able to drive himself to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and spent several days recovering.

The victim testified during a preliminary hearing in February 2012 that he didn't know who shot him, but that he feared for his life.

Read the victim's entire testimony here.

After hearing testimony during the preliminary hearing, Hunter's case was referred to a grand jury for indictment.

Meanwhile, charges were dismissed against Andre Waters, who was also arrested along with his cousin, Marcus Bushrod, at the scene. The disposition of the case against Bushrod remains unclear.

Investigators with Prince William County Police said the shooting was drug-related.

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A Manassas man was flown to an area hospital for treatment after he was struck with a pipe during a fight on Sunday morning, Prince William County Police reports show.

James Brian Price, 40, and Rodney Lee Jamerson,47, both of 3134 Catlett Road in Catlett, are both charged with malicious wounding in connection with the incident.

It happened at 11:36 a.m. on the 9400 block of Hensley Road in the Manassas area of Prince William County.

The victim told police he was involved in a fight with a two suspects that stemmed from a disagreement that started the night before.

At some point during the argument, the victim was struck in the upper body with a pipe, according to police reports. 

The suspects fled the scene. Price and Jamerson were arrested at their residence in Fauquier County. 

The victim underwent treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

Bond and court information concerning the suspects wasn't available from the Prince William County Police Department.

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Prince William County-area resident Erich Leuck is taking his love for animals and making it his livelihood by opening a new franchise of a national pet sitting and dog walking business for the area.

“You know how people say, ‘a good job is one you love,’” Leuck said. “I’ve always loved my animals.”

The New Jersey native and one-time Manassas resident said he will open the doors to Fetch! Pet Care of G.M.C. on March 1 and operate it in his home in Vint Hill, near the country line. 

The goal of the new francaise is to provide services to clients in Gainesville, Manassas and Centreville; hence the ‘G.M.C.’ reference at the end the franchise title.

Fetch! sitters are experts at dog walking and running, administering pet medications and overnight petsitting.

Over the years exercising pets has become key in keeping them healthy, Leuck said.

 “Our nation’s pets are beginning to be like our nation’s people,” he said. “40 to 45 percent of dogs are overweight.”

 Fetch! has a national pet weight loss challenge going on in the Washington D.C. metro, to measure the effectiveness of Fetch! staff walking and running overweight pets, Leuck said.

 The business will partner with local veterinarians for the challenge.

 His own best pet friend, Luke, is 110 pounds of pure muscle, Leuck said.

 Caring for the 11-year-old lab mix has schooled him on the importance of pet exercise as well as the increased frequency of bathroom breaks as dogs grow older, he said.

 He also owns a rescue cat named Kosie, pronounced "cah see," who was named by his daughter because she thought the cat resembled a Picasso painting, Leuck said.

 The family also owns fish—Leuck said they've turned out to be “needy little creatures,” he said.

As with any new job, Leuck said he expects some challenges. The good news is that Fetch! is a franchise with very clear procedures for operation.

He hopes to spread the word about the business through talking to vets and advertising. 

He’ll be growing his animal-loving staff, too, but wants to hire new people at the same pace the company grows.

 “It’s something that I will grow with … I want to take baby steps,” Leuck said.

Tell us about your own pets in the comments

Investigators from three police departments recently wrapped up an investigation into the sell of ecstasy and crystal methamphetamine in the Manassas area. 

Officers with the Prince William-Manassas-Manassas Park Narcotics Task Force conducted the investigation and netted one drug arrest. 

Edwin Alexander Orrillo,26, of 11208 Hollywood Rd in Hagerstown, Md., is charged with two count of distributing a schedule I or II narcotic, Prince William Police reports show.

Ecstasy was seized and the suspect was taken into custody near Portsmouth and Sudley roads in Manassas on Monday.

Orrillo remains in custody under a $40,000 secured bond.

Get instant updates on Facebook by becoming a fan of the Manassas Patch page. Click here for more information. 

Three Manassas residents and one Manassas Park resident were named to the Harding University dean's list this fall.

The school reports more than 1,000 of its students made the dean's list by maintaining a 3.65 grade point average (GPA) or higher.

The students must also be enrolled in 12 credit hours and have no incomplete courses, according to ReadMedia. The Manassas-area students are:

• Ethan Bynum, a junior from Manassas (20110)

• Lily Armstrong, a junior from Manassas Park (20111)

• Jean Linton, a sophomore from Manassas (20112)

• Ashley Fancher, a freshman from Manassas (20112)

Dr. Larry Long, university provost, publishes the dean's list each semester at Harding University, the largest private university in Arkansas.

The school boasts almost 7,000 students.  

 For more information visit harding.edu.

Did you or someone you know recently make the dean's list or obtain some other scholastic honor? Then tell the world by posting a free announcement on Patch. Do it here and now.

Thank you, thank you to all the generous shoppers at Wellington Giant, and to the supportive team there! Over 5,000 pounds of food were collected for SERVE this weekend by a combined group of volunteers from Buckhall United Methodist Church and Osbourn High School Key Club. The weather was cold, but the giving made us warm.

Lianne Best 
Sunday School Teacher, Buckhall United Methodist Church 
Parent, Osbourn High School

Virginia residents can register now to participate in a statewide tornado safety drill scheduled for 9:45 a.m. March 12. The date will also be observed as Tornado Preparedness Day across the state of Virginia.

The Fairfax County Emergency Blog states that the tornado drill is an important safety exercise considering Virginia has been hit with tornadoes that have cost lives in the past few years.

Previously, some 1.2 million Virginia residents have registered for the tornado drill, and registration for this year's drill is now open. The tornado drill is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Ready Virginia and the National Weather Service in cooperation with local emergency management offices.

To register and to learn more about planning a tornado drill, go to www.vaemergency.gov. For additional help in planning a tornado drill contact the county's Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000, TTY 711.

Here's recent home sale listed recently in Manassas, according to our friends at AOL Real Estate. Welcome to our new residents!

More housing and real estate news available at Manassas Patch!

10006 Evans Ford Rd Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $460,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 3 Bath 2,616 Sq Ft 15.32 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

7820 Waller Dr Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $449,900 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 3,875 Sq Ft 1.73 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

6110 Yates Ford Rd Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $403,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 3 Bath 1,502 Sq Ft 3.49 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

9293 Hillis CT Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $360,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 2,274 Sq Ft 0.23 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

10489 Lake Jackson Dr Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $355,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 3 Bath 2,704 Sq Ft 1.00 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

9261 Matthew Dr Manassas Park, VA 20111

• Sold for $350,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 2,810 Sq Ft 0.25 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

7242 Ridgeway Dr Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $305,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 5 Bed, 3 Bath 2,405 Sq Ft 0.47 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

7624 Bland Dr Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $290,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 2,058 Sq Ft 0.24 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

8609 Point Of Woods Dr Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $205,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,885 Sq Ft 1,600 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

8443 Willow Glen CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $185,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 1,440 Sq Ft 1,580 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7533 Whitehall Dr Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $160,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,224 Sq Ft 1,442 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7559 Alleghany Rd Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $156,800 on Feb 1, 2013
• 4 Bed, 2 Bath 1,008 Sq Ft 0.23 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

8181 Community Dr Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $135,000 on Feb 1, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,320 Sq Ft 1,559 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

12001 Rocky Brooke CT Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $500,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 3,862 Sq Ft 1.94 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

9504 Country Roads Ln Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $346,500 on Jan 31, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 2,590 Sq Ft 0.35 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

8499 Buckeye CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $225,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,800 Sq Ft 1,600 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7574 Duneiden Ln Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $210,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,722 Sq Ft 1,202 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

9978 Mallow CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $197,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,234 Sq Ft 0.30 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

7444 Barbados Ln Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $180,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 1,304 Sq Ft 1,551 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7653 Callan Dr Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $140,000 on Jan 31, 2013
• 2 Bed, 1 Bath 833 Sq Ft 1,891 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

11052 Camfield CT Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $101,500 on Jan 31, 2013
• 2 Bed, 2 Bath 794 Sq Ft 1,059 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

6421 Colonial Village Loop Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $425,000 on Jan 30, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 3,120 Sq Ft 7,762 Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home

10329 Sarajevo CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $325,000 on Jan 30, 2013
• 4 Bed, 3 Bath 1,888 Sq Ft 0.28 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

9215 Prescott Ave Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $300,000 on Jan 30, 2013
• 6 Bed, 3 Bath 4,027 Sq Ft 0.61 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

Do you agree with the proposed budget? Tell us in the comments section. 

County executive Melissa Peacor on Tuesday proposed a fiscal year 2014 budget that would include a 4 percent average hike in Prince William County residential tax bills, despite a lower rate of taxation.

The proposed $969.7 million budget and the five-year capital improvement plan would provide millions in new funding for public safety—including more police officers to keep up with population growth and new school resource officers. The county would pay for this through revenue projected to rise from sales, residential and commercial tax bases.

The average residential tax bill would be $3,661. 

Fire and Rescue would get $1.3 million to staff a ladder truck on the eastern end of the county 24 hours a day. The county already has the equipment, but not the specialty staff needed to operate it. Funding for staffing would be taken from the fire levy on real estate tax bills. 

“This is money in the fire levy that’s not currently programmed, and it’s using money in the fire levy to fund this,” Peacor said.

The plan does not cover the millions needed for a new jail, courthouse security, fire stations and other items.

Supervisor Marty Nohe asked whether the county could save money by spending some money on administrative staff instead of uniformed officers.

“Some of those positions might even be things where a civilian could do it less expensively than a uniformed officer. “ Nohe said. “Why wouldn’t we look at hiring some civilians so we can get some of those people in an office back on the street?”

Peacor said it was something the new chief of police could look at. 

Peacor also proposed increased staffing for social services, upgrades at elementary and middle school fields, and other improvements. Residents who have additional questions can attend a budget meeting on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the McCoart administrative building. 

By the numbers:

• $2,495,186: would pay for 15 school resource officers to staff every county middle school by fiscal year 2015
• $1,592,319: would add 25 police officers by fiscal year 2018
• $2,860,964: add 14 officers for a tactical training unit by March 2016
• To see the full budget proposal, click on the PDF in the upper right.

Coming tomorrow: Social Services Funding in Question

You may want to know how area restaurants performed in their last Virginia Department of Health inspection. 

Restaurants in the Commonwealth are inspected between one and four times a year. There are two types of violations: Critical and non-critical. What's the difference? Critical violations, unless corrected, can contribute to "food contamination, illness or environmental degradation," according to the state health department. 

"In our experience, it is unrealistic to expect that a complex, full-service food operation can routinely avoid any violations," according to Virginia Department of Health's website.

The site continues: "Keep in mind that any inspection report is a 'snapshot' of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a restaurant could have fewer or more violations than noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term cleanliness of an establishment."

See more restaurant inspections

When you see Happy, you just have to smile. He’s a little pup with a big personality and a zest for life.

Happy has a great temperament and just wants to play, love and have a family to call his own. Mutts Matter named him Hapsburg, or “Happy” for short, because he’s always smiling and wagging his tail and excited to see you.

We think Happy is some type of longhaired Chihuahua mix, and he’s still a young, energetic pup at less than two years old. He only weighs ten pounds, and has a silky, golden coat and a funny little under bite that makes him stand out from the pack.

We don’t know a lot about Happy’s background because he was picked up as a stray. He’s being fostered by first-time foster dad, Matt, who, in the process of looking to adopt a dog, learned about fostering and wanted to make a difference.

Matt describes Happy as playful like a puppy, and a sweet, energetic dog who always wants to be by near his person. Matt recounted his first week with Happy: “He was just so excited to be here. When I would roll over in bed he’d come running in to greet me, offering up his new prized ball.”

Matt quickly learned that Happy liked to play fetch. Happy would cheerfully grab anything Matt would toss on the floor and bring it back to him, whether it was toys, towels or clothes.  You toss it and Happy is on the job. Matt realized that he didn’t need Happy to fetch everything in the house, so he quickly taught him the word “no”  -- and it has been smooth sailing ever since. 

Happy’s a very social dog who likes greeting new guests when they come to the house. He enjoys social outings. He loves other dogs, too, and is fearless at the dog park, running and playing with the big pups. He’s even been known to play keep-away with his Rottweiler and German Shepherd buddies.

Happy is always up for playing, but he keeps all his toys inventoried and accounted for. He even knows their different names. When Matt asks for a bone or a ball, Happy will bring the requested item right to him.

He’s self-sufficient and can entertain himself, swatting his ball across the room to chase or sneaking up like a ninja to pounce on his bone. He’s an entertaining little guy.

Matt describes Happy as an easy dog who is very smart and learns quickly. He’s potty-trained, walks great on a leash, and loves to greet the local pups on his daily walks. He already knows several commands, like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” “bye-bye,” and will even let Matt know when needs to go out for a potty break.

He is crate-trained, but Matt only used the crate for a few days until he knew he could trust Happy. Matt goes to work every day and Happy watches the house, never getting into trouble or making a mess.

Even though playtime is his passion, Happy does know how to relax and is very attentive to his people. When Matt is ready to settle down or go to bed, you’ll find Happy contently curled up by his feet.

He loves praise and is a very affectionate pup. When you tell him he’s a good boy, his face lights up with a big smile, and he’s content just to be near you. Happy’s favorite thing in the world is to lay by your side and score a belly rub, while he simultaneously chews on his bone. 

Happy would do well in almost any home, but would be best with an active family who will take him on walks, fulfill his social calendar and play with him. He loves playmates of all kinds, and would do great in a home with kids and dogs; and he's good with cats, too.

How could you not want this dog? Add a little fun and Happy-ness to your life.

_____

To learn more about Happy, go to the Mutts Matter Adoption Page and fill out an application, or contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

Follow Mutts Matter on Facebook to learn more about us and see new pups coming into the rescue!

Investigators arrested a Manassas-area man and woman after police said they hit a 2-year-old boy with a belt on several occasions, leaving lacerations on the child.

Carlos Daniel Cortez, 29, of the 7900 block of Meadow Court was arrested Tuesday. He is charged with child abuse and cruelty and injuries to children.

Maria Del Rosario Moreno Najera, 20, of the same address, was arrested Wednesday and is charged with child abuse.

What is the line between discipline and abuse? Tell us in the comments.

Detectives from the Prince William County Police Physical Abuse Unit began their investigation at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the suspects' home, reports show. 

Investigators said Cortez used a belt to strike the 2-year-old, a family member, on several occasions, the first being in November, Prince William County Police reports show. The child sustained lacerations, according to police.

Police said Najera had allegedly been beating the boy since August of 2011.

Cortez was held at the Prince William County Adult Detention Center without bond.

Court date information isn't immediately available.

An arrest doesn't indicate a conviction. The presumption of innocence follows a suspect until that person is proven guilty or, until guilty a plea is entered in a court of law.

A Manassas woman has been cleared of all criminal charges in connection with the March death of a 3-month-old baby girl at a Bristow home daycare, according to circuit court documents.

Circuit Court Judge Mary Grace O'Brien dismissed the charges against Yolanda Gracella Larin on Monday, the day her trial on five courts of child endangerment was to begin. 

Joseph McGuire, Larin's attorney, said prosecutors in the case agreed that Larin was the least culpable of anyone involved.

A message seeking comment from Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Sandra Sylvester, who prosecuted the case, wasn't immediately returned.

Larin got the job after responding to an advertisement she heard on a Hispanic radio station and hadn't been working there long when 3-month-old Teagan Sample died, McGuire said.

The cause and manner of the baby's death is undetermined, according to information released by the Medical Examiner's Office in Manassas.

His client told the owners of the daycare that her employment background was in construction, but that she had experience raising her own children, McGuire added.

It wasn't until she began working that she realized she would be responsible for the care of so many children, he said.

Prince William Police said only Larin and Mirna Mendez, who was also charged in the case, were responsible for caring for 23 children, all under the age of 4, including six newborns.

Neglect charges were dismissed against 42-year-old Mendez in December.

McGuire said his client, Larin, was doing the best she could and was not criminally liable.

"She still feels horrible about what happened. She is shocked and beside herself," McGuire said. "It is terrible for the parents."

Police conducted a separate investigation into the daycare's owners, Rocio del Pilar Chavez Pacheco and Joan Carla Barra, who entered guilty pleas for a number of violations related to the daycare, which was located on Sapphire Ridge Place in Bristow, according to court records.

Read more about this case:

Daycare Providers Charged with 5 Counts of Child Endangerment

Charges Against Daycare Worker Dismissed

Here are real estate listings that have recently sold in Manassas, according to our friends at AOL Real Estate. Welcome to our new residents!

More housing and real estate news available at Manassas Patch!

11245 Kessler Pl Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $238,000 on Feb 8, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,388 Sq Ft 2,387 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

8633 Webster Tavern Way Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $320,000 on Feb 7, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 2,409 Sq Ft 4,352 Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home

12018 Sorrel River Way Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $292,000 on Feb 7, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 1,836 Sq Ft 2,030 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

10211 Jamaica Ln Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $218,000 on Feb 7, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 1,339 Sq Ft 1,551 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

9434 Silver Meteor CT Manassas Park, VA 20111

• Sold for $245,000 on Feb 6, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,400 Sq Ft 1,742 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7809 West Point CT Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $158,000 on Feb 6, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,332 Sq Ft 1,498 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

7619 Shelley Ln Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $129,000 on Feb 6, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,224 Sq Ft 1,442 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

10469 Genna Ln Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $365,900 on Feb 5, 2013
• 5 Bed, 4 Bath 3,168 Sq Ft 0.26 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

7506 Whitehall Dr Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $167,000 on Feb 5, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 1,152 Sq Ft 1,442 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

10324 Peric CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $78,000 on Feb 5, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 2,450 Sq Ft 0.24 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

11120 Stonebrook Dr Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $500,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 2,706 Sq Ft 1.67 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

8097 Blandsford Dr Manassas, VA 20111

• Sold for $400,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 2,455 Sq Ft 5.26 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

6121 Occoquan Forest Dr Manassas, VA 20112

• Sold for $308,299 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 2 Bath 3,525 Sq Ft 1.57 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

9212 Robin Lynn CT Manassas, VA 20110

• Sold for $290,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,632 Sq Ft 0.24 Acre Lot
• Single Family Home

10816 Stone Hill Ln Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $240,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,406 Sq Ft 2,378 Sq Ft Lot
• Single Family Home

8056 Hilliard Dr Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $220,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 1,512 Sq Ft 1,668 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

10117 Copeland Dr Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $199,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 4 Bed, 4 Bath 1,947 Sq Ft 6,116 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

8284 Vernon St Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $190,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 4 Bath 1,667 Sq Ft 1,259 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

10124 Shiloh CT Manassas, VA 20109

• Sold for $160,000 on Feb 4, 2013
• 3 Bed, 3 Bath 1,372 Sq Ft 1,559 Sq Ft Lot
• Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op

A grand jury has indicted a Gainesville woman on reckless driving charges in connection to the accident that ended the life of Prince William County Police Officer Chris Yung. 

Insidenova.com reported Friday afternoon that Margaret Luecke, 69, of Gainesville, was driving the Dodge Caravan that allegedly pulled out in front of Yung's motorcycle Dec. 31.  

Yung, 35, was driving his motorcycle to a traffic accident. Authorities said that he was driving through a green light on Nokesville Road in Bristow, with his sirens and lights on, when a 2001 Dodge Caravan crossed into his path. 

The grand jury indicted Leuecke on Feb. 4, according to court records. During an interview with Patch on Thursday, new Police Chief Steve Hudson said he expected to make an announcement about the case very soon. 

Court records show that Luecke's two-day jury trial is set for July 15 and 16 in Prince William County Circuit Court. 

Read more:

• Prince William County Officer Dies in Line of Duty
• Off-Duty Firefighters, Citizens Pulled Fallen Officer From Car Crash
• Photos: A Final Farewell for Officer Chris Yung
• Motorcycle Officer Remembered for 'Big Heart,' 'Infectious Smile'
• General Assembly Honors Fallen PWC Officer Chris Yung

In the same week U.S. President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address, Manassas City Mayor Hal J. Parrish II, briefed residents on the accomplishments of his locale in 2012.

The 10-square mile city buzzed with activity in 2012, Parrish said in a recorded video presentation played at Monday’s City Council meeting.

 In August, the city hosted U.S. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney. Around the same time, thousands flocked to the city for celebrations marking the 150 anniversary of the Second Battle of Manassas.

 Manassas is filled with great opportunities and is beginning to flourish under a city council that encourages development, Parrish said.

Danny Faulkner, community sales manager for Van Metre Homes also appeared in the State of the City presentation to talk about the 58-unit townhome development on Center Street. 

In 2002, Van Metre and city officials envisioned a condo and retail development, but that idea was revamped into the current development known as Olde Towne Square, he said. 

Residents can look forward to the grand opening of the first townhome model this fall, Faulkner said.

The 470 employees working for the City of Manassas met several goals and  had notable accomplishments in 2012, Manassas city manager John Budesky said during the presentation.

Here are a few fire, rescue and public safety accomplishments in Manassas highlighted in Monday's presentation:

•  Implementation of a new E-911 records management system
•  The redesign of police vehicles to show patriotism and to give the department a distinctive identity
• Implementation of computer-assisted E-911 service
• The order of a new pumper and a new tower unit to replace 20-year-old units in use by the fire department.
• Creation of hoarding task by Manassas fire marshal
• The host of a delegation of fire marshals and police chiefs from China.

Juan Rivera, director of the Manassas Regional Airport, commented on the completed expansion at the airport in 2012.

The extension of the airport runway allows pilots who use the airport to get the maximum performance from their aircraft, Rivera said.

The self-sustained airport met its budget and is slated to remain profitable for another year, he added.

On the subject of budgeting, the City of Manassas Finance and Administration Department won an award for its efforts for the 12th consecutive year, city officials said.

Mike Moon, director of Manassas Public Works and Utilities, said the city completed the color coding on all of its tennis courts in 2012.

Also notable is the completion of the $44 million Route 28 overpass—a project that lasted some two years, Moon said.

The $9.3 million Wellington Road project was also completed in 2012, Moon said.

He is excited about the performance of the city’s electric team, who managed to minimize electrical outages for the city’s 15,000 customers during last summer’s power-zapping derecho.

While surrounding jurisdictions and power companies struggled to restore power to its customers, Manassas, which is its own utility and electric company, had few outages, if any, city officials said.

The City of Manassas Utilities Department also rolled out an e-billing feature that allows residents to view and pay bills online.

Upgrades to the city’s water infrastructure were also completed, as well as law mandated upgrades to the city’s dam .

The dam upgrade project was slated to cost $11.5 million and take two years, but workers got it done in less time and at a savings of about $2 million, city staff said during Monday’s presentation.

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After walking away with a Grammy on Sunday evening, singer Lila Downs is set to perform in Manassas at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on May 5

Downs' album "Pecados y Milagros" which means Sin and Miracles in English,  picked up a Grammy for regional Mexican music, according to Huffington Post reports.

The album—her eleventh to date—also picked up a Latin Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2012, according to a Hylton release.

Downs will grace the stage at 7 p.m. as part of a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Hylton center, located on the Prince William Campus of George Mason University.

There will be a discussion related to the show held about 45 minutes before the performance.  The discussion is at the Hylton center's Buchanan Partners Art Gallery and is free to ticket holders. 

Downs is known among fans and critics for her ability to fuse jazz, blues and soul with her interpretation of indigenous Mexican music, making for a unique and moving sound.

She was born in Oaxaco, Mexico to a singer from the country's Mixtect region, and to a Scottish-American art professor and filmmaker, according to a release issued by the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Downs grew up in California and in Minnesota where she graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in voice and anthropology.

This isn’t the first time a Grammy winner like Downs has taken to the Hylton stage, said Jill Graziano Laiacona, spokeswoman for the performing arts center.

In just three short years, several Grammy-winning acts have performed, Hylton staff said.

Country performers Crystal Gayle and Larry Gatlin, along with Irish-American singer Andy Cooney kicked off the Hylton’s inaugural season in 2010, she said.

Grammy-winning Bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley performed during the Hylton 2011-2012 season and is slated to perform on May 4, one day before Downs takes to the stage.

The Grammy-winning male chorus Chanticleer also performed at the Hylton. 

Here are some other Grammy-winning talents who have appeared at the Hylton:

•  Latin jazz pianist Chucho Valdés  He is also the winner of a Latin Grammy

• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Children's singer Ella Jenkins
• Maestro Lorin Maazel who conducted Castleton Festival at the Hylton performances in the summer of 2011 and of 2012
• Vienna Boys Choir—two time Grammy winners—performed last year

Several Grammy nominees have also been selected to perform at the Hylton, Graziano Laiacona said.

All performances are chosen by Tom Reynolds, the director of artistic programming for the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for Downs' May 5 performance are $26, $36 and $44 and can be purchased at the box office Tuesday-Saturday 10 to 6 p.m. The box office is open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

Pay for tickets by credit card by dialing at 888-945-2468 or by logging on to HyltonCenter.org.