Warrant hearing

Barry Berger, 33, Ringtown, had the bench warrant dissolved by Judge John E. Domalakes after a hearing and his current bail restored with stipulations that he must reside at Bethesda Mission or Paxton Mission, Harrisburg, must not possess nor consume alcohol or illegal substances and must attend all future court proceedings.He was brought in on a bench warrant after he failed to appear at a district judge's office for a preliminary hearing. The judge ordered his case placed on the next trial list.He faces two counts of agricultural vandalism and simple trespass on private property. Information filed to court by Trooper Edward Lizewski charges Berger drove on the farm land of Edward Careyva damaging 3,650 feet of soybean and removed a horse from the farm of Michael Bernotas in East Union Township.Dismiss chargesCriminal charges against two defendants were dismissed by President Judge William E. Baldwin on motions made by District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon.Robert Wayne Gray, of 137 Pine St., Apt. 4, Tamaqua, had a charge of concealment of whereabouts of a child dismissed because the district attorney could not locate the victim and told the court the Tamaqua police agreed to drop the charge.Richard A. Carter, Philadelphia, had a charge of executing a document by deception nolle proseque because there wasn't sufficient evidecent to support the crime.Noon reported Carter operated a kiosk (display stand) at the Schuylkill Mall and used a check from a customer to pay rent but the manager refused the check because he was not the owner of business.Drop chargesCharges of simple assault and harassment were dismissed against Michael Allen Bollinger, 39, of Pottsville, by President Judge William E. Baldwin on motion of District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon. She made the motion to nolle prosequii the charges because the victim, Susan Bollinger, the defendant's wife, no longer wished for the DA to prosecute.RestitutionMartin Andrew Svrcek, 43, Pottsville, who pleaded guilty driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and striking two parked cars had a hearing on damages and Judge William Baldwin ruled he had to make restitution of $4,750 for damages to Scott Omlor's car, and $3,623 to the vehicle of Zachary Zemantouski. They were parked in the 700 block on North Centre Street, Pottsville, when damaged. Svrcek is serving six months probation on the DUI charge.Treasurer's reportCounty Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern released a report on the financial operation of the county for February.The beginning balance of all accounts was $51,080,487.55, deposits totaled $9,232,707.53, expenditures were $14,138,539.97 leaving a balance at the end of the month at $46,174,155.11.Real estate taxes monies received totaled $174,45.76, funded debt tax, $8,613.82, and per capita tax, $1,235.73. Other revenues, magisterial fees, $41,692.62; 9-1-1 tariff on telephones, $57,898.29, and hotel tax, $11,016.85.File for divorceEdwin Houseman started a divorce action against Grace A. Houseman, both of 102 Fisher Avenue, Coaldale. They were married Oct. 22, 1994.Revoke ARDBrandon David Huff, 19, Saint Clair, now faces charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia because the court removed him from the Accelerated Rehabilative Disposition (ARD) probation program, which is reserved for first offenders who committed non-violent criminal acts. He was placed on probation for 12 months and if he had completed the sentence his record would have been cleared. He now faces trial on the charges.Summary appealsJudge Charles M. Miller held hearings on summary appeals from findings of magisterial district judges and handed down rulings.Lori Walter, 51, of 118 Spring Mountain Drive, Zion Grove, North Union Township, withdrew her appeal when her case was called and she entered a guilty plea to a charge of driving while her license was suspended-DUI related. She was placed in the Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP) with electronic monitoring for 90 days beginning Thursday, April 18. Walter was cited when stopped on School House Road in East Union Township.Nathan Wagner, 29, Pine Grove, withdrew his appeal and entered a plea of guilty to charge of driving while his license was suspended-DUI related. He was placed in the IPP effective Monday, May 20. Wagner was cited by Pine Grove Christopher Cruz.Scott John George, 41, Pottsville, withdrew his appeal and entered a guilty plea to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and was placed in the IPP beginning Monday, April 22. George was cited by Shenandoah Patrolman Michael Joseph O'Neill.