The Union Democrat 06-27-2015

Page 1

SIERRA LIVING: Heritage gardens alive with history MORE IN SIERRA LIVING:Petadoption event a success, B1

BACK PAGE:Calaveras GrandJury Report offers critiques and praise, AS

THE MOTHER LODE'SLEADING INFORMATION SOURCE SINCE 1854 • SO NORA, CALIFORNIA

WEEKEND

JUNE 27-29, 2015

Odergefell v.Hodges

Tuolumne County

TODAY'S RijLDiRBOAR D

Court packed for Morse hearing

BRIEFING

Fair prepSummerville High School FFA students weigh their animals before the Mother Lode Fair.A2

Alleged cat-killer faces a year in jail or $20K fine

Study sessionThe Calaveras County Board of Supervisors and Calaveras County Planning Commission will hold a public study session Tuesday on the county's overall growth plan.A2

I,

t, l g

;/lk

By JASON COWAN The Union Democrat

The Tuolumne County Superior Court had an unusual buzz on Friday morning. In fact, the bailiff had to ask the audience to remain silent on

News NotesUpcoming events in the Mother Lode.A2

Open housesset

jl

— Forest Service seeks input on over-snow vehicle plan.A3

tit

~

iitl"l, @i'

'g,

three different occasions.

t

t

The

c o urtwas packed well beMor s e fore the defendant many had come to see entered at 10 a.m. Spencer Morse, 19, found a seat toward the back of the room. There was never a time when his supporters did not room

p

RoadworkRoadwork planned in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties including dates, times, locations and possible delays.A3

y .ue4r< Iy>Q '>

JLL,,

Highway 4

aCCident — citrus Heights man spills trailer-load of fine gravel.A3

Oplnlon — squeezing the last drop out of a lemon: Proposed health benefit for retiring Columbia superintendent is wrong; Why we ran the gay marriage letter.A4

Poll question — This week's poll question asks, "Would you buy a self-driving car?u A4

SPORTS

have an arm around him.

He sat, looking downward until he was called to the stand to hear the charges against him — felony cruelty to animals. He was charged in connection with a June 15 incident in which a man killed a cat at an apartment complex on the 200 block of Greenley Road. Security cameras showed a man pull into the parking lot in a red Toyota Celica on June 15 at11:11 p.m. He gotoutof

Tdbune Content Agency

Supporters of gay marriage celebrate outside the Supreme Court on Friday in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down bans on same-sex marriage in a historic 5-4 ruling.

Local couple celebrates landmark decision By SEAN CARSON The Union Democrat

Heidi Russell awoke in her Lake Don Pedro home Friday morning to see her Facebook page filled with the news that the U.S. Supreme Court had legalized same-sexmarriage acrossthenation. She turned on her television for confirmation. In a 5-4 vote, the court ruled the Con-

See MORSE / Back Page

Chatom Winery

stitution guarantees same-sex couples • HOOPS CAMP:The Sonora High School boys' basketball program hosted the 2015 Wildcat Shooting Camp this week at Columbia College.C1 • ACKERMAN:Anglers stay successful despite low water, heat.C1 • SOCCER:Lloyd lifts US over China, 1-0; Americans will face Germany in World Cup semifinals.C1 • FUNDRAISER: Bowling event to benefit vets, youths.C1

Auction yields two high bidders

the right to marry. Individual states can no longer ban the unions, and same-sex couples will have equal access to all of the benefits and rights granted to heterosexual unions.

Russell and her wife, Glenda Dortch, were the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Tuolumne County after California legalized gay marriage in 2008. Now, they feel an expanded sense of security. ''What concerned us was traveling in other states with no marital rights," said Russell. "For example, in some

By LACEY PETERSON

Heidi Russell (left) and wife, Glenda Dortch, stand in front of the Tuolumne County Administration Center Friday, where in 2008 the couple became the first in the county to receive a same-sex marriage license. There are 1,138 benefits, rights and protecti ons provided on the basis of m arital status under federal law, according to the The Human Rights Cam-

higher premiums for life and home insurance than heterosexual married couplesbecause the state did notrecognize their partnership.

we would not be able to go see our wife paign. in the ICU." Prior to 2008, the couple was paying

See MARRIAGE / Back Page

states, ifw e were to have a car accident,

The Union Democrat

Sean Carson /Union Democrat

Purchasephotos online at www.uniondemocrat.corn

Chatom Winery and Vineyards in Douglas Flat were put up for auction Friday, and the two high bidders must wait to see if the owner will accepttheirproposals. The business parcel and adjoining ranch/vineyard parcel had high bids by two separate bidders. The lugh bidder for the winery was Angels Camp resident Dorian Faught, who bid $1.35 million. Faught is well

CORRECTION A Stuffed Animal Sleepover slated for July 30 at the Tuolumne County Library in Sonora will allow children to make super-hero capes for their stuffed animals, who will then have a "slumber party." Only stuffed animals — not children — are allowed to spend the night at the library.

Storyteller Riddle at helm of paper By JASON COWAN The Union Democrat

Lyn Riddle has been named editor of the of The Union Democrat. Riddle has spent her career working for newspapers in Wyoming, California and South Carolina and was an adjunct

de

Calendar.......... Comics............. Crime ............... Obituadies........

professor of journalism at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Eight years in a college classroom helped her feel rejuvenated and refreshed, she said. Teaching your passion to young scholars at university can have that kind of effect.

.....Az o pinion .............. ..... C5 S i erra Lao ng...... .....A3 S p orts................. .....A3 T V ........................

.......A4 ....... B1 ....... C1

....... Cs

the historic Murphys Hotel in Murphys. Faught owned the hotel for about 10 years and sold the bar, restaurant and hotel businesses in 2012. He still owns the property. The winery portion of Chatom is on 32 acres and

"It was a fantastic experience," said Riddle, who also spent some time teaching at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C. "I think it helped me to remember why I'm doing this work in the first place and then to remember some of

Weather Page C6

Meet Dr. Singhal. An expert in cancer. And kindness.

known for his ownership of

See EDITOR/Back Page

Pgg

See AUCTION/Back Page

Monday:High 101, Low 63

s

I

s

II IIIIIII S1 1 5 3 0 0 1 0 3

r


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.