A number of defendants were scheduled for preliminary hearings on DUI related cases before District Judge Steven Bayer, Tamaqua, on March 25. One case was dismissed, one was withdrawn and the defendants in all of the other cases opted to waive their charges, setting up for trials in the next criminal session in Schuylkill County Court.

Kevin Barth, 20, of Waltham, Mass., had charges of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, careless driving and disregarding the traffic lane, all dismissed. The charges were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Steven Homanko following a Dec. 2, 2013 incident.Wendy L. Garrity, 30, of 38 Lynwood St., Tamaqua, had charges of DUI, driving without headlights, disregarding a traffic lane and careless driving withdrawn. The charges stem from a Dec. 29, 2013 incident and were filed and withdrawn by McAdoo Patrolman Homanko.Maria C. Whah, 33, of 29 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City, waived a hearing on charges of DUI of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without headlights. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Adam Sinton after a Nov. 26, 2013 incident. A single count of possession of marijuana was withdrawn.Whah was released on her own recognizance.Jonathan Steward, 29, of 242 Laurel Spring Rd., Lehighton, waived to court charges of DUI of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving at an unsafe speed. He was charged by Rush Patrolman Sinton following a Nov. 19, 2013 incident.Steward was released on his own recognizance.Jennifer Hess, 36, of 217 E. Ridge St., Lansford, waived charges of DUI of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended/revoked license and careless driving. She was charged by Rush Patrolman Sinton.Hess was released on her own recognizance.Justin Robert Moyer, 28, of 24 N. Greenwood St., Tamaqua, waived to court charges of DUI, disregard of restrictions on alcoholic beverages and driving without headlights. Charges stem from a Nov. 3, 2013 incident and were filed by Rush Patrolman Sinton.Moyer was released on his own recognizance.