Schuylkill court news

File for divorce

Amanda L. Taris, 11 Birch Ave., Barnesville, started a divorce proceeding against Jason R. Taris, 213 W. Maple St., Mahanoy City. They were married Sept. 15, 2007.

Granted divorce

Brian Macker was granted a divorce from Alicia Macker, both of Shenandoah. They were married Sept. 20, 2003.

Robin L. Holden, Valely View, was granted a divorce from David E. Holden, Hegins. They were married April 4,1992.

Joseph L. Rodichok, Indiana, Indiana County, was granted a divorce from Barbara K. Rodichok, Tower City. They were married May 30, 1992.

Brad P. Wildermuth, Schuylkill Haven, was granted a divorce from Heather L. Wildermuth, Pottsville. They were married May 25, 2005.

Daniel J. Muth, Auburn, was granted a divorce from Lisa J. Muth, Schuylkill Haven. They were married Dec. 14, 1996.

Jennifer M. Hepler, Schuylkill Haven, was granted a divorce from Chad M. Hepler, Cressona. They were married March 18, 2000.

Long probation

Gary John LaPorte Jr., 43, Halifax, Va., pleaded guilty last September to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol when stopped by Cpl. Jeffrey Futchko, Pine Grove police, last January 4. He was placed on probation by Judge John E. Domalakes for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300 and court costs, pay $100 to the Substance Abuse Education fund, $50 to the Catastrophe fund, but no suspension is imposed on his driver' license. On a summary charge of failing to drive on right side of road was fined $25 plus $50 costs.

Draws jail time

Joseph R. Achenbach Jr., 57, Saint Clair, who was found guilty of DUI by Judge Domalakes last September following a non-jury trial was sentenced to serve 48 hours to six months in the county prison beginning Oct. 30 a 9 a.m. When he is released on parole he was ordered to pay a fine of $500 and court costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education fund, $50 to the Catastrophe fund and make restitution of $60 to the Schuylkill Medical Center for lab work. His driver' s license is suspended 12 months. He was cited by Patrolman Martin Sterner, Saint Clair police, on Nov. 1, 2008. On a charge of careless driving was fined $25 plus $50 costs.

Pay restitution

Richard H. Melicharek, 47, of 219 Columbia St., Tamaqua, who pleaded guilty last September to theft charges was given credit for serving five days in the county prison and was placed on probation for 18 months, pay a fine of $100 and court costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account fund, $50 per month supervision fee and make restitution of $70 to Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company. On a charge of defiant trespass was fined $50 and costs. He was charged by Cpl. Henry Woods, Tamaqua police, with theft of five steel buckets from the coal company.

Revoke parole

John Charles Russen, 20, Shenandoah, who pleaded guilty on Nov. 11, 2008, to simple assault was placed on probation for 23 months but was back in court and found to have violated terms of his probation. Judge Domalakes revoked his parole and remanded him back to the county prison with his street time taken away and added to his maximum date of release.

State supervision

Judge D. Michael Stine sentenced Gerald Daniel Murphy, 31, of 122 Valley St., New Philadelphia, who entered guilty pleas last October to two charges of DUI, to be placed in the State's Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP) for a period of 24 months, including seven months in a state correctional facility, four months placement in an alcohol or other drug therapeutic community and six months at an outpatient for drug and alcohol treatment facility. He also is fined $5,000, pay $400 to the Substance Abuse Education fund, $60 to the Schuylkill Medical Center, his driver' s license is suspended 18 months and for the first 12 months when he is allowed to resume driving must install an ignition interlock device on the steering wheel of his car which will monitor if he has consumed any alcohol and will not permit him to drive. He received credit for serving 49 days in the county prison. He was first cited by Chief Jon J. Bowman, Port Carbon police, on Sept. 11, 2008, and the second time by Patrolman George S. Meisner, Schuylkill Haven police, on Nov. 26, 2008.