Prothonotary report

Prothonotary Kayla M. Semmel released the statistical report of activities for her office for the month of November 2020.

There were 342 cases started in November with the following breakdown: civil actions, 33; custody, 12; DJ appeal, 2; divorce, 8; ejectment, 1; license appeal, 3; mortgage foreclosures, 3; protection from abuse, 20; quiet title, 1; replevin, 1; STIP/WAIV/LIENS, 13; judgments, 220; miscellaneous, 1; custody modifications, 9; tax sale, 1; writs of execution, 1; writs, 13.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passports are now being processed by appointment.

Total income generated was $24,016; prothonotary fees, $18,203.86; custody/divorce fees, $1,675; data processing fees, $3,945; interest income, $6.84; PFA surcharge sheriff, $15.55; PFA surcharge courts, 0; and stenographer fees, $169.75.

In addition to the above fees, the office remitted to the county for the remote access fund for remote access fees of $8,900, remitted to the state department of revenue (fees collected on new cases) $2,841.47; and automation fund $1,080, money collected for future automation and improvements to the office.

Auto crash suit

Josie L. and Troy A. Sterling, 50 Preachers Camp Road, Lehighton, filed a civil action against Emily and Michele Dailey, 2220 Stagecoach Road West, Palmerton, for injuries sustained in an automobile crash.

On Feb. 1, 2019, the plaintiff, Josie L. Sterling, was a front seat passenger in a vehicle, a 2013 Ford F150 pickup, stopped in line of traffic at a stop sign in the Palmerton Area High School parking lot. The suit adds that defendant, Emily Dailey, was parked in the parking lot of the high school.

The suit alleges at the time and place stated, “suddenly and without warning, the vehicle being operated by defendant Emily Dailey reversed out of the parking space and struck the vehicle occupied by the plaintiff on the driver’s side rear tire and bed.”

The suit states the plaintiff sustained injuries detailed in the suit.

Sought are damages in excess of the rule requiring compulsory arbitration.

Bills owed

Palmerton Community Ambulance Association filed two civil actions seeking payment of bills owed for services provided.

Defendants and amount sought are Marisa and Jamie D. Verba, 867 Mauch Chunk Road. Palmerton, $3,325.49; and Michael and Terry Moser, 13 W. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, seeking $4,003.79.

Credit defaults

The following actions were filed by credit card companies, or their collection agencies, for alleged defaults on credit card/loan accounts.

Midland Funding, San Diego, California, filed the following actions: Lexilyn Miller, 331 Carbon St., Weatherly, seeking $513.76; and Elizabeth Hutchinson, 231 White St., Lehighton, seeking $14,146.87 (alleged multiple cards involved).

Citibank, Philadelphia, filed against Angela M. Carwell, 439 Lehigh Ave., Palmerton, seeking $5,272.34.

AmeriCredit Financial Services, Fort Worth, Texas, filed against Francesca Pope, 1025 Center St., Jim Thorpe, seeking $10,246.58.

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Norfolk, Virginia, filed against Kellie Paton, 33 E. Amidon St., Summit Hill, seeking $2,964.99.

Capital One Bank, Glen Allen, Virginia, filed against Zoltan E. Kopeczky, 2088 Municipal Road, Lehighton, seeking $2,839.62.

Unifund CCR, Blue Ash, Ohio, filed an action against James C. Pavelco, 248 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, seeking $7,783.22.

Dog attack

Danielle and Khloe Dooner, 141 Kresge Farm Road, Effort, filed a civil complaint against Douglas Romig Sr., 322 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, and Keith R. Pavlack, 5887 Lindbergh St., Orefield, Lehigh County.

The suit states at the relevant time Romig leased and/or rented 709 N. First St., Lehighton, from defendant Pavlack.

The suit states on Aug. 31, 2018, the plaintiff was at the North First Street address when she was “suddenly and without warning or provocation, a pit bull, owned by Romig, attacked and bit plaintiff.”

As a result the plaintiff suffered injuries detailed in the suit, it is alleged.

Sought are damages in excess of $50,000 plus interest, costs and fees on each of two counts.

Farm accident

Thomas A. Buss Jr., 8273 Hawk View Road, Germansville, Lehigh County, has filed a civil action against Daniel L. and Ann L. Shoenberger, 1161 Hemlock St., Palmerton. The defendants are identified as the operators of a farm located at 901 Hemlock St., Palmerton.

The suit states on May 12, 2020, the plaintiff was working on the farm owned by the defendants. The suit states defendant Daniel Shoenberger was operating a loader and transporting bales of hay from a barn to the plaintiffs’ truck. As this was happening the plaintiff was removing the wooden pallet on which the hay had been resting. It is alleged as the plaintiff was removing the pallet, a stack of bales, five bales high, collapsed with one or two bales of hay falling on the plaintiff, causing injuries detailed in the suit.

Negligence is alleged against the defendants, and sought are damages in excess of $50,000 plus costs, fees and interest.

Loan default

Ford Motor Credit Company, c/o 1060 Andrews Drive, West Chester, filed a civil action against Tiffany S. Schlegel and Joel A. Keiser, 229 S. Third St., Lehighton, alleging they default on an auto loan. Sought is $3,672.92 plus interest, costs and fees.

Mortgage foreclosure

The following action was filed as a mortgage foreclosure for alleged default on a loan.

Home Loan Investment Bank, c/o 2 Altieri Way, Warwick, Rhode Island, filed against Michael M. and Carol Malatak, 206 Coal St., Nesquehoning, over property at 206, 208 and 210 Coal St., Nesquehoning. Sought is $114,526.46 and continuing interest.