A Tamaqua man who attempted to "burn" mold from the walls and floors of his apartment, setting the building on fire on Feb. 24, was one of numerous defendants scheduled for preliminary hearings before District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua on July 5.

Brian K. Haas, 48, of 409 W. Broad St., chose to have his case heard in Bayer's court. Tamaqua patrolman Thomas Rodgers charged Haas with three felony counts of arson, a felony count of risking a catastrophe, and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief after the incident. All but one of the charges, arson of an inhabited building, were bound over for trial in the Schuylkill County court. The final arson charge was dismissed.Haas remains lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison in Pottsville in lieu of $50,000 bail.James J. Walck, 40, of McAdoo, had his hearing on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to make a proper turn and driving without rear lights. The charges were filed March 26 by McAdoo patrolman William Curilla.All of the charges were held for court.Walck was released on his own recognizance.Eric Michael Christopher, 23, of 108 Hazle St., Barnesville, waived a hearing on charges of providing false I.D. to police, driving with a suspended license and driving without headlights. The charges were filed by Curilla after a March 8 incident.Christopher was released on his own recognizance.Tori A. Papanek, 24, of 173 W. Ridge St., Lansford waived her hearing on charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property. The charges stem from an April 12 incident and were filed by Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick.Papanek was released on her own recognizance.Christopher Furlani, 44, of 129 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, waived to court charges of unauthorized use of an access device, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. The charges were filed by McAdoo Police Chief Jeff Wainwright in connection with a June 28, 2013, incident.Originally, when officers were able to arrest Furlani on May 5, bail was set at $50,000.Bayer modified his bail to $50,000 unsecured at the time of the preliminary hearing.Melissa Lee Kuzo, 25, of 4 Dogwood Lane, Nesquehoning, waived to court a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Charges of theft and receiving stolen property were withdrawn by the arresting officer, Tamaqua patrolman Collin Leibensperger. The charges were filed following an April 11 incident.Kuzo was released on her own recognizance.