by Megan Schiffres
HEATHSVILLE—The Northumberland County Circuit Court convened July 16, with the Hon. R. Michael McKenny presiding.
The trial of Carl T. Rich of Heathsville, charged with violating his pretrial release on a felony charge, was continued to July 23.
Jonathan A. Towles, of Lancaster, pleaded guilty to one felony charge for manufacturing controlled substances and his case was referred to drug court, a judicial alternative to traditional criminal court that focuses on treatment and restitution of first-time drug offenders. The prosecution filed a nolle prosequi regarding five other felonies that Towles is…