Several defendants faced preliminary hearings before District Judge Stephen Bayer, Tamaqua, recently on charges related to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Most elected to waive their right, while one failed to appear and another was bound over for court trial.

Milton J. Drum, 36, of 26 Catawissa St., Tuscarora, was bound over for trial in Schuylkill County court on DUI and careless driving charges. He was cited by Tamaqua Patrolman Thomas Duarte following a Dec. 14, 2009 incident.Juan C. Canales-Oquendo, 26, of Hazleton, was bound over for trial after failing to appear for his hearing on charges of DUI, careless driving and driving with a suspended/revoked license. The charges stem from a March 14, 2009, incident and were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Robert Minnick.William J. Bowman, 22, of 221 Owl Creek Rd., Tamaqua, waived his hearing on charges of DUI . Charges of accidents involving an unattended vehicle and operating a motor vehicle without a valid inspection sticker were withdrawn. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Patrolman Thomas Rodgers following a Dec. 16, 2009, incident.Richard Vitek, 46, of 516 E. Blaine St., McAdoo, waived his hearing on DUI and improper turning charges. He was cited by McAdoo Patrolman Robert Minnick following a Jan. 3 incident.Robert T. Monkoski, 37, of 664 Carson St., Hazleton, also elected to waive his right. He was charged with DUI and driving with an obstructed window following a Jan. 1 incident. A charge of operating a motor vehicle without valid inspection sticker was withdrawn by arresting officer McAdoo Patrolman Robert Minnick.Breana Lyn Lyons, 21, of 226 E. Washington St., McAdoo, chose to waive her right to a hearing on charges of DUI and driving an unregistered vehicle. The charges stem from a Jan. 1 incident and were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Robert Minnick.Michael Cole, 32, of 201 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, waived a hearing on DUI related charges, while a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license were withdrawn by arresting officer Rush Township Patrolman Jonathan McHugh. The charges stem from a Jan. 1 incident.Richard N. Stevens, 54, of rear 31 Center St., Tamaqua, will face trial in county courts on charges of DUI, careless driving and driving without a license. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Brian Thompson following a Dec. 16, 2009, incident.David T. Lehman, 20, of 26 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, was bound over for trial on charges of accidents involving an attended vehicle, following too closely, careless driving, driving at an unsafe speed and harassment. The charges stem from a Dec. 18, 2009, incident and were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Brian Thompson.Mark W. Whildin of 218 W. Kline Ave., Lansford, was charged with four counts of identity theft, two counts of making terroristic threats, one count of theft by unlawful taking and a count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed by Coaldale Police Chief Timothy Delaney following an oct. 13, 2009, incident.Jose Antonio Diaz-Vazquez, 36, of 119 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City, faces trial on two counts each of simple assault and harassment, filed by Coaldale Patrolman Keith Krapf. The charges stem from a Jan. 11 incident.Rebecca McElhenny, 28, of 4 Chunky Lane, Shenandoah, was charged with conspiracy to commit retail theft following a Nov. 30, 2009, incident. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Brian Thompson.Stephen White, 35, of 127 Wyoming St., Hazleton, was bound over for court trial on a charge of theft by deception. The charges stem from an oct. 26, 2009, incident and were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Duane Frederick.Defendants who had charges against them withdrawn included: Holly A. Bearns of Tamaqua; Jason E. Yanett of Coaldale; Andrew Danko of McAdoo; James E. Drobb of McAdoo; Michael J. Merenda of McAdoo; Thomas A. Schmitt Sr. of Allentown; Kenneth E. Houser of Lansford; and Calvin D. Breiner of Tamaqua.