It appeared to be "ladies day" in the court of District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua, Aug. 20, when the women outnumbered the men answering to criminal charges filed by local police departments.

Two Tamaqua women were part of the contingent, charged in connection with an April 16 alleged assault on another Tamaqua woman.Ashley Bynon, 19, of 244 Mauch Chunk St., and Melissa Baer, 19, who recently moved to Shenandoah, waived to court charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Karl Harig.Both women were released on $10,000 (each) unsecured bail.Deborah J. Goetz, 55, of 1207 Four Season Court, Hazle Township, was bound over for court trial on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was charged by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla after a Nov. 25, 2012 incident.She was released on $25,000 percentage bail.Omar Vargas, 22, of 68 N. Kennedy Dr., McAdoo, had charges of fleeing/attempting to elude police, driving under the influence (DUI) of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license, careless driving, and having a window obstruction held over for court trial. A single count of flight to avoid apprehension was dismissed. The charges stem from a Jan. 27 incident and were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Steven Homanko.Bail was set at $10,000 unsecured.John S. Ballick Jr., 48, of 28 E. Oak St., Tresckow, was charged with forging/altering a vehicle inspection sticker, misuse of an inspection sticker, and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection sticker. He was stopped by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla on May 11.Ballick failed to appear for his hearing, which was held in his absence. All of the charges were held for criminal court.Frederick R. Bryan II, 33, of 523 E. Walnut St., Hazleton, waived his right to a hearing on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. A charge of conspiracy to manufacture/sell a controlled substance was withdrawn by the arresting officer, McAdoo Patrolman Curilla. The charges stem from an April 13 incident.Bryan was released on his own recognizance.Stacey Samler, 50, of 32 David Rd., Hazleton, waived her hearing on charges of DUI and driving without the required taillights. McAdoo Patrolman Curilla filed the charges following an April 27 incident.She was released on her own recognizance.Cassie Jean Zapotocky, 20, of 5 W. Cherry St., Tresckow, waived a hearing on charges filed following a May 25 incident in McAdoo. Charges of DUI of alcohol, by a minor, possession of alcohol by a minor, purchase of alcohol by a minor, and failure to follow the proper turning requirements/signals were filed by Patrolman Curilla.She was released on her own recognizance.Daniel J. Brogan, 40, of 40 N. Cleveland St., McAdoo, was charged with insurance fraud by agents of the Office of the state Attorney General. He was also charged with theft by deception, criminal use of a communication facility, and forgery.He waived the charges to court and was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.Kerry Hoffman, 30, of 68 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, waived her hearing on a charge of retail theft. She was charged by Rush Township police following an April 21 incident.She was released on her own recognizance.Daniel Thomas Blaser, 51, of 86 Windgate Blvd., Drums, was charged with altering/forging a vehicle title/registration/insurance, operating a motor vehicle without the required insurance, driving without a valid license, and following too closely. He was charged following an April 12 incident in McAdoo. The arresting officer was McAdoo Patrolman Steven Homanko.He was released on his own recognizance.Nicole Renee Strawdinger, 33, of 82 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, waived a hearing on charges of driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed by Coaldale police following a May 29 incident.She was released on her own recognizance.Stacey Hvizda, 27, a current inmate at the Luzerne County Prison, Wilkes-Barre, had retail theft charges dismissed by Rush Township police.