In each of the first three months of 2014, Christopher Lee Hill, 26, whose last known address was 47 Mush Dahl Rd., New Ringgold, has appeared before District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua, on retail theft and drug related charges. On March 25, he went before the judge twice, for a preliminary hearing on charges filed from a Feb. 1 incident at My Family Mini Mart, and for an arraignment on charges filed that day from an incident at the Boyer's Food Mart. His first appearance before the judge this year was for a Jan. 27 case, when he was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Hill waived his right to the preliminary hearing and will face trial in Schuylkill County Court on charges of simple assault, making terroristic threats, disorderly conduct, retail theft and criminal mischief. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Karl Harig after Hill allegedly was caught shoplifting at the mini mart on West Broad Street. When stopped by a witness, Hill became aggressive, made threats and engaged in a scuffle, which resulted in damages to the front door of the store.His bail was originally set at $15,000 but was modified to $500 percentage on Feb. 2, which he then posted.For the arraignment, bail was set at $10,000, sending Hill back to prison last week.There were several other drug related cases scheduled before Bayer last week.Shalyn Blankenship, 31, of Berwick, failed to appear for a hearing on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and driving without the required headlights. The charges were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Steven Homanko following a Jan. 25 incident.The charges were all held for court trial and a warrant could be issued for her arrest.Daniel D. Hagans Jr., 18, of 44 E. Grant St., McAdoo, waived his preliminary hearing on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, filed by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla. The charges were filed following a Jan. 5 incident.Hagans was released on his own recognizance.Paula Jean Shafer, 39, of 128 Mahanoy Ave., Rush Township, will face trial in county court on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. A charge of providing false identification to law enforcement was dismissed. The charges stem from a Feb. 13 incident and were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Alexander Kosatschkow.Shafer was released on $10,000 percentage bail.Rhonda McFarland, 37, of 41 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale, waived her hearing on charges of retail theft and stolen property. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Adam Sinton following a Jan. 24 incident.McFarland was released on her own recognizance.Amy Humphries, 32, of 545 E. Ninth St., Berwick, also waived her hearing and will await court trial. She was charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property by Rush Patrolman Sinton. The theft took place on Feb. 3.Humphries was released on her own recognizance.Katherine Rose White, 39, of 38 Jones St., Lansford, had charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property held over for court trial. She was charged by Rush Patrolman Kosatschkow following a Jan. 4 incident.She was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.Joseph C. Counterman, 32, of Lehighton, also waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He was charged with harassment by Rush Township Sgt. Duane Frederick following a Jan. 9 incident.Counterman was released on his own recognizance.Michael Joseph Homolovich, 24, of 320 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, had charges of simple assault and harassment dismissed. The charges were filed by Coaldale Patrolman Joseph Krebs following a Feb. 2 incident.