Divorces granted

Mark A. Boyer was granted a divorce from Christine E. Boyer, both of 337 Hazle St., Tamaqua. They were married April 11, 1987.Luke Zubris, 232 Valley St., Brockton, Schuylkill Township, was granted a divorce from Jennifer Zubris, 315 S. Line St., Frackville. They were married Sept. 15, 2007.Jo Ann Hollywood, undisclosed address, was granted a divorce from Patrick J. Hollywood, 12 N. Valley St., New Philadelphia. They were married Dec. 12, 1978.Terri J. Porter was granted a divorce from Maurice A. Porter, both of Pottsville. They were married Nov. 2, 2000.Amber Sippie was granted a divorce from Jason Sippie, both of Frackville. They were married Sept. 16, 2000.Michael Kuczmarski was granted a divorce from Jennifer Bottinelli, both of Pottsville. They were married July 14, 2007.James M. Hoffman was granted a divorce from Shannon M. Hoffman, both of Pottsville. They were married Nov. 18, 2000.Mark R. Mcannawey, Pottsville, was granted a divorce from Denise M. Turkavage, Lost Creek, West Mahanoy Township. They were married June 26, 2010.John W. Higgins, Hegins, Hegins Township, was granted a divorce from Margaret B. Higgins, Minersville. They were married April 3, 2009.File for divorceJulie M. Donnelly, 703 Ringtown Rd., Zion Grove, North Union Township, filed suit for divorce from Patrick G. Donnelly, 702 Schuylkill Ave., Pottsville. They were married April 24, 2010.Jewelry store suesThe family operated Murphy's Jewelers Store in Pottsville, with stores also in Tilden Township, and Saucon Valley, have filed a civil suit against five employees alleging they conspired to steal or convert from the Pottsville store eight high end watches valued in excess of $100,000 and filed a claim against each defendant.Named as defendants are, Kenneth and Francesca Stamatson, husband and wife, of 7866 Blue Church Road South State Route 2024 in Coopersburg, and Neal and Charlene Pfaff, husband and wife, and Justin Paquin, son of Charlene Pfaff, all of 120 Pinehurst Way, Gilbertsville. Also named defendant is P&P Watch Repair Inc., with offices at 120 Pinehurst Way, Gilbertsville, which is operated by Neal and Charlene Pfaff.The store alleges illegal transactions were reported to have occurred on Oct. 28, 2011, when Kenneth Stamatson came to the jewelry store in Saucon Valley where Charlene Pfaff was employed and selected eight watches valued in excess of $100,000 and paid by personal check. The suit states the store has a policy of not accepting personal checks and alleges Charlene Pfaff was aware of this rule but still carried out the transaction. The suit states the check was returned from a bank stating insufficient funds and claims the watches were never returned.The suit seeks a judgement in excess of $100,000 against each of the defendants plus punitive damages, interest and costs. Kenneth Stamatson pleaded guilty to theft charges and is currently serving time in a state correctional facility.Mortgage foreclosureBank of America, Plano,Tex., filed suit against Pamela J. Stutzman, 3006 Summer Valley Road, West Penn Township, alleging she has defaulted on mortgage payments of a property at 642 E. Main St., Hegins village, Hegins Township, and the bank seeks a judgement for $71,985.09 entered against her plus interest and costs.School taxesTamaqua Area School District filed suit against Brian Kotzmoyer, last known address at 1925 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville, claiming he owes back school taxes on property at 608 Hazle St., Tamaqua, in amount of $989.40.Tamaqua Area School District also filed a suit against Norman S. and Deborah L. Paisley, of 422 W. Rowe St., Tamaqua, alleging they owe back school taxes of $1,157.52 on property at 15 Catawissa St., Tuscarora, Schuylkill Township.Loses appealRuben Valez Mendez, 43, Shenandoah, lost his appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court to have his criminal sentence overturned.He was found guilty by a jury in June 2010 on two counts each of possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in Shenandoah and possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced by Judge John E. Domalakes to serve 24 to 48 months in a state correctional facility.He appealed the ruling which Domalakes denied without a hearing. He then appealed to the state court.The higher court ruled Domalakes' action was in compliance with the rules of court and no purpose would have been served in holding the hearing.