Two of the five people arrested for having a working methamphetamine lab in Quakake, Rush Township, on March 19 elected to avail themselves of their rights to preliminary hearings before District Judge Stephen Bayer last week.

William Manness, 29, of 326 W. Rowe St., Tamaqua, and Russell J. Gernert, 31, of 38 Schuylkill Rd., New Ringgold, each had one criminal charge against them dropped after the lengthy hearings.Manness and Gernart, along with Jeremy Allen Snyder, 29, of 62 Heckman Rd., Quakake; Joseph Robert Holland, 29, of 51 Hollow Ave., MaryD; and Jennifer DiPietro, 28, of 230 Green St., Tamaqua, were all charged with felony counts of manufacture of a controlled substance-methamphetamine, possession of liquified ammonia gas, criminal conspiracy to possess red phosphorous and criminal conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance after police raided Snyder's home. Due to the volatile nature of the chemicals found, an elite narcotics team, with full HAZ-MAT gear, was called in to secure the home.The charges were filed by Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick. Manness and Gernert each had one count against them dismissed. All others were bound over for criminal court trial.DiPietro was released on $25,000 unsecured bail. Holland was released after posting 10 percent of the modified $5,000 bail. Snyder, Gernert and Manness were all re-committed to the Schuylkill County prison in lieu of their respective $40,000, $25,000 and $10,000 bails.A second drug case involving the possession and manufacture of methamphetamine had multiple defendants waiving their rights to preliminary hearings on charges filed by Coaldale Patrolman Charles Blesse.Michelle Linda Romig, James R. Levan, 20, Tyler Matthew Strawdinger, 18, all of 101 E. High St., Coaldale, and Patrick Michael Shoemaker, 21, of Middleburg, were charged following an April 5 incident in Coaldale. Schuylkill County Probation Officers were conducting a routine check on Romig when they observed a portable meth lab and materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Coaldale police responded and conducted an investigation.All four defendants are charged with possession of red phosphorous with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Levan and Romig were also charged with manufacture/possesion of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance.Shoemaker and Strawdinger were each released on $15,000 unsecured bail. Levan was released on $20,000 unsecured bail and Romig was released after posting $20,000 straight bail.Arthur Alexander Marrin, 18, of 41 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale, waived his preliminary hearing on six counts each of forgery , identity theft and access device fraud. The charges were filed by Coaldale Patrolman Keith Krapf following an April 2 incident.Marrin was released on his own recognizance.Holly Amber Schaffer-Heiser, 27, of Ashland, also waived her hearing. She was charged with driving under the influence(DUI) of alcohol, DUI of a controled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and driving without rear lights. The charges stem from a Feb. 5 incident and were filed by Coaldale Patrolman Charles Blesse.She was released on her own recognizance.Amanda Moriah Canavan, 26, of Girardville, also elected to not have a preliminary hearing. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance, DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving and driving an unregistered vehicle by McAdoo Patrolman Shawn Kistler. The charges were filed following a March 25 incident.She was released on her own recognizance.Leonard Ruggiero, 53, of 101 First St., Coaldale, was scheduled for hearings on two cases. Coaldale Patrolman Charles Blesse charged Ruggiero with possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver on cases stemming from incidents on April 4 and 19.Bail in both cases was set at $15,000. Ruggiero was released after posting the required $3,000.Dorothy Lois Molion, 39, of 27 Center St., Tamaqua, waived a hearing on a retail theft charge filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Michael Hobbs following an April 5 incident.Molion was released on her own recognizance.