Prothonotary report

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

There were 505 cases started with the following breakdown: civil actions, 28; custody, 17; DJ appeals, 2; divorce, 14; ejectments, 1; license appeal, 1; mortgage foreclosures, 1; protection from abuse, 43; quiet title, 2; judgments, 382; miscellaneous, 2; modification of custody, 7; writ of execution, 2.

Due to the COVID-19 no passports were processed in June.

Total income generated was $20,930.62; prothonotary fees, $15,632.99; custody/divorce fees, $1,230; data processing fees, $3,285; interest income, $2.83; PFA surcharge sheriff, $100; PFA surcharge courts, $96.30; and stenographer fees, $583.50.

In addition to the above fees, the office remitted to the county for the remote access fund for remote access fees of $1,800, remitted to the state department of revenue (fees collected on new cases) $3,626.45, and automation fund $815 - money collected for future automation and improvements to the office.

Loan default

First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, 2752 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, filed a civil action against Sylvia Faenza and John Hurk Hower, 216 W. Water St., Lansford, alleging they defaulted on a security agreement for the purchase of a motor vehicle. Sought is $6,447.03 plus interest, costs and fees.

Crash suit

Helen and John Priore, 285 Plantation Drive, Lehighton, filed a civil action seeking damages stemming from a motor vehicle crash against Valerie I. Hutchinson, 2207 Lower Lane, Wilmington, Delaware; and Gerald J. Reed, 439 Iron St., Lehighton.

The suit states the crash occurred on July 25, 2018, along Route 443 (Blakeslee Boulevard Drive East) at the entrance of the Aldi store. The suit alleges plaintiff Helen Priore was driving a 2017 Lexus RS350 and was stopped behind Reed at a stop sign at the Aldi entrance while Hutchinson was driving a 2010 Mercury Mariner westbound and approaching at a high rate speed the access lane to Aldi’s. The suit goes on to state Reed pulled out, crossing the westbound lane intending to go east when Hutchinson drove into the driver’s side of Priore’s vehicle. The crash, it is alleged, was the direct result of careless and negligence conducted by Hutchinson and Reed.

Sought are damages in excess of $50,000 on each of three counts for damages and injuries sustained and detailed in the suit.

Credit defaults

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

Capital One Bank, Eatontown, New Jersey, filed the following actions: Carolann Laird, 797 Elm St., Lehighton, seeking $8,220.73; and Brian Kintz, 248 Spring House Road, Lehighton, seeking $3,433.29.

Judgment entered

Mariner Finance, 1380 Hanover Ave., Allentown, filed a judgment against Beth and Arjay Frey, 402 Franklin Ave., Palmerton, for $8,779.95 plus interest, costs and fees.