Gay Marriage

A judge in Boulder says he'll rule shortly on whether clerk Hillary Hall can keep issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.  Judge Andrew Hartman held a hearing on the issue this morning. It included testimony from some of the more than 100 same-sex couples who have gotten licenses in Boulder since a federal appeals court ruled against Utah's gay marriage last month.  Tracey MacDermott says not being allowed to marry previously made her feel like a "second-class citizen". She says she and her partner understood the risks of getting married in Boulder even though the court battle over the fate of gay marriage bans isn't done. 

Obama/Udall

President Obama urged Colorado Democrats to throw their support and their money behind the state's Sen. Mark Udall, though Udall was a no-show at a fundraiser in Denver.  Udall's campaign said the senator needed to stay in Washington today to vote for Obama's nominee to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, who was overwhelmingly confirmed.  Ahead of the Udall fundraiser, Obama touted his administration's efforts to boost jobs and economic growth during a speech in a Denver park.  He said that while he understands that Washington looks "screwed up" to many Americans, there have been positive steps toward strengthening the economy.

Pneumonic Plague

A Colorado resident is being treated for the pneumonic plague, the first confirmed case in the state since 2004.  The state health department says tests confirmed the plague in the unidentified patient as well as the family dog, which recently died unexpectedly.  The plague is spread by fleas from rodents, especially prairie dogs, and officials say they may have contracted it in eastern Adams County.  The department isn't saying whether the patient is a man or woman but confirms the person has been hospitalized. Officials are looking for people who may have had contact with the patient so they can be treated with antibiotics.  Pneumonic plague is caused by the same bacteria as bubonic plague but it attacks the lungs and can sometimes be deadly even when treated.

Sterling Library

It's a busy month at the sterling public library... Jim Jackson and the Big Bubble Circus will be at the library on July 10th at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Guffaw has a great bubble program planned. He will make every size of bubble. He will make a bubble sculpture and bubbles large enough to contain an audience member or two, and much more.
The Think Like a Scientist @ the Library program on Monday, July 14th at 2:00 p.m. will be Think Like a Scientist in the Science Lab. Carlye Armstrong will provide the program. She has some wonderful experiments to show the kids.
Don’t forget the last day to turn in your reading time is July 25th at 5:00 p.m.