Two people arrested by Tamaqua police on charges related to dealing drugs were scheduled for preliminary hearings before District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua recently. Both elected to waive those charges to be heard in Schuylkill County court instead of at the magistrate level.

Ashley Weirich, 20, of 308 Washington St., Tamaqua, was charged in connection with illegal drug sales from March 20, April 2 and May 1.In each of the three cases, she was charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to deliver, a felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. The charges were filed by patrolmen Anthony Stanell and Thomas Rodgers in March, Rodgers in April and Police Chief Richard Weaver in May.Bail was set at $25,000 for the March incident, $5,000 for the April incident, and $25,000 unsecured for the May charges.Percy Brown, 33, of 32 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, faces charges related to drug sales on April 10, 17, and May 1. The arresting officer in each case was Chief Weaver, with assistance from officer Stanell on the April 17 case.Charges from each of the April incidents included two felony counts of possession with intent to deliver, a felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. In May, he was charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver, one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, a felony count of criminal use of a communication facility and a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance.Bail was set at $5,000 for the April 10 charges, $25,000 for the April 17 set of charges and $100,000 for May 1 (later reduced to $25,000).Also on the docket was Christopher Andrew Keer, 25, of 23 W. Ruddle St., Coaldale, who waived hearings on charges of retail theft and receiving stolen property. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Adam Sinton following two March 26 shoplifting incidents.Keer was released on his own recognizance.