Most of the preliminary hearings scheduled last week in the court of District Judge Stephen Bayer of Tamaqua dealt with driving under the influence and theft charges, with all of the defendants electing to waive their hearings and wait for the next slate of criminal cases in the Schuylkill County courts.

There were two exceptions though, a defendant who failed to appear and a man in court on drug charges.Meghann E. Jones, 32, of 110 N. Main St., Mountain Top, was scheduled to be in court on charges of providing false identification to law enforcement. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Elliott Burlett following an Oct. 8 incident.When Jones failed to appear a warrant was issued for her arrest and the charge was sent to the county level.Gary D. Nureck, 58, of 322 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia by Tamaqua patrolman Karl Harig. The charge stems from an Oct. 11 incident.Nureck was released on his own recognizance.DUI casesDefendants who waived hearings on DUI related charges were:Brandon Donald Morin, 21, of 328 W. First St., Hazleton, charged with DUI of a controlled substance, allowing illegal use of a license plate, making an unsafe U-turn, careless driving and having the sound level volume turned too high. The charges were filed by Kline Township patrolman Abraham Patterson in connection with an Aug. 22 incident.Morin was released on his own recognizance;Justin Allen Lawlor, 24, of 848 Lizard Creek Road, Andreas, DUI of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without the required rear lights. He was charged by McAdoo patrolman William Curilla after an Aug. 29 incident.Lawlor was released on his own recognizance;John R. Blashock IV, 43, of 93 N. Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, DUI of alcohol, driving with a suspended license and driving without the required rear lights. He was charged by Curilla after an Oct. 15 incident.Blashock was released on his own recognizance;Kerry L. Freedman, 40, of 4 Rhume St., Nesquehoning, charged with DUI of both alcohol and a controlled substance and disregarding the traffic lane. The charges were filed by Coaldale patrolman Charles Blesse after a July 28 incident.Freedman was released on his own recognizance.Theft casesDanielle L. Jaso, 30, of 337 E. Water St., Lansford, was charged with felony counts of retail theft and receiving stolen property after an Aug. 21 incident in Rush Township. The charges were filed by Rush patrolman Bradley Hess.Jaso was released on $500 percentage bail;Heather Bowden, 28, of 170 James St., Kaska, was also cited by Rush Township Patrolman Hess. Charges of possession of a controlled substance, retail theft and receiving stolen property were filed after a Sept. 4 incident.Bowden was released on her own recognizance;Robert Macharsky, 42, of 225 Pine St., Tamaqua, was charged with theft by deception, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit retail theft by Rush Township Sgt. Duane Frederick. The charges stem from an Oct. 19 incident.Macharsky was released on his own recognizance.