Schuylkill County court news

File for divorce

John Carl Bilodeau, 23 Mahanoy Avenue, Tamaqua, started a divorce proceeding against Andyara Cristianne Alves, 211 N. Titmus Drive, Mastic, N.Y. The couple was married Dec. 16, 2011.

Terry Freed filed suit for divorce from Sally Freed, both of 419 Pleasant Valley Road, New Ringgold. They were married Sept. 30, 2000.

Divorces Granted

Randy M. Miller was granted a divorce from Angela M. Miller, both of Mahanoy City. They were married Dec. 18, 1999.

Kelly A. Horn, Pottsville, was granted a divorce from Donald Horn, Minersville. They were married Feb. 3, 1994.

Samantha J. Guers was granted a divorce from Shawn B. Guers, both of Auburn. They were married Feb. 14, 1996.

Treasurer's report

County Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern released the financial report for the month of July which showed a beginning balance for all accounts at $56,231,323.47 and at the end of the month the balance was $53,247.256.30.

Deposits totaled $10,408,531.47 and disbursements, $13,392,598.64. The general funds beginning balance was $24,606,399.14; deposits, $2,777,016.78; disbursements, $5,044,937.62; and ending balance, $22,338,478.30.

Real estate taxes collected totaled $1,543,791.34; funded debt tax, $82,120.60; and per capita, $27,541.64.

Revenues from sale of licenses, dog, $624.95; fishing, $9; hunting, $11,165; bingo, $530 and small game of chance, $1,295. Other revenues, magisterial district justice fees, $56,788.54; 9-1-1 tariff fee on land phones, $59,268.61; 9-1-1 department earnings, $659.88; and hotel tax, $22,103.71.

Reduce bail

Jonathan Heffelfinger, 21, of 116 Washington St., Tamaqua, filed a motion to have the bail fixed by a magisterial district judge reduced.

After a hearing before Judge James P. Goodman the bail was reduced from $10,000 percentage cash to $5,000 percentage cash with the condition he shall reside at the Tamaqua address and not relocate without prior court approval. Heffelinger faces a charge of burglary brought by Tamaqua Patrolman Anthony Stanell.

Set bail

Jerry W. Lucas Jr., Pine Grove, who pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and was sentenced by Judge John E. Domalakes last June 21 to serve 12 months to five years in the county, has requested court fix bail as he is appealing the sentence to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon is opposing bail.

Domalakes, after a hearing, ruled Lucas has lived his entire life of 52 years in Schuylkill County, has substantial family ties to this jurisdiction and has always timely appeared at all court proceedings.

The court fixed bail at $5,000 percentage cash with stipulation he must reside at 642 Suedbeg Road, Pine Grove, will refrain from any consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages, shall not be present at any establishment serving beverages, and shall remain gainfully employed. Lucas was cited by Trooper Christopher Graf on Feb. 21, 2011, when stopped on Interstate 81 in Pine Grove Township.