A number of theft cases made up the bulk of the docket last Tuesday in the court of District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua. The hearings included two brothers charged with running a marijuana growing operation in their home.

Jude W. Lauer, 44, and Brian W. Lauer, 46, of 31 James St., Kelayres, waived their preliminary hearings on charges of manufacture/possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, conspiracy to manufacture/possess a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.The men were arrested on Dec. 27, 2013, by Detective Leo A. Securda of the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Task Force.The Lauers were each able to post the $25,000 bail imposed by the court.Eric James Piacenti, 24, of 320 Coal St., Hazleton, waived a hearing on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to use the proper turn signals and driving without rear lights. The charges were filed by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla following a Nov. 29, 2013, incident.Piacenti was released on his own recognizance.Jacqueline J. Slaven, 38, of 29 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, was charged with manufacture/possession with intent to deliver, misbranding of a controlled substance, false information, operating a methamphetamine lab, possession of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of children. Slaven waived her hearing. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Thomas Rodgers after police raided a suspected meth lab at her home on Jan. 16.She remains in the Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville, in lieu of $25,000 bailMatthew Stephen Hummel, 31, of 521 W. Chestnut St., Frackville, will face court trial on charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance and driving without required headlights. He was charged by Rush Township Patrolman Adam Sinton on Oct. 19, 2013. Charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia were withdrawn.Hummel was released on his own recognizance.Melinda Sue Kessler, 27, of 26, Newport Drive, Hazleton, had a charge of DUI of a controlled substance dismissed. Charges of driving without rear lights and driving without a license were changed to traffic citations. The charges stem from a Dec. 27, 2013, incident and were filed by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla.Jeremy Nathan Ruiz, 32, of 129 S. Chestnut St., Bath, waived to court charges of DUI of a controlled substance, following too closely and DUI of Metabolite. The charges were filed by McAdoo patrolman Curilla following a Dec. 12, 2013, incident.Ruiz was released on his own recognizance.Daniel R. Murphy, 26, of 310 Fredna Ave., Montgomery, waived charges of DUI of alcohol, failure to obey restrictions of alcohol, careless driving, failure to heed traffic control devices, operating a vehicle without a valid inspection and driving an unregistered vehicle to court trial. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Sinton following a Dec. 29, 2013, incident.He was released on his own recognizance.Hubert W. Budd, 20, of 431 Glenwood Ave., Tamaqua, was scheduled for two preliminary hearings.Both charges for possession of drug paraphernalia, were withdrawn.