Murray, Robson keep British happy at Wimbledon Sports, B-1
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saturday, June 29, 2013
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Feds OK N.M. horse slaughterhouse Agency to issue similar permits in Iowa, Missouri By Jeri Clausing
The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE — Federal officials cleared the way Friday for a return to domestic horse slaughter,
granting a southeastern New Mexico company’s application to convert its cattle facility into a horse processing plant. In approving Valley Meat Co.’s plans to produce horse meat, USDA officials also indicated they would grant similar permits to companies in Iowa and Missouri as early as next week.
With the action, the Roswell company is set to become the first operation in the nation licensed to process horses into meat since Congress effectively banned the practice seven years ago. The company has been fighting for approval from the Department of Agriculture for more than a year with a request that ignited an emotional
debate over whether horses are livestock or domestic companions. The decision comes more than six months after Valley Meat Co. sued the USDA, accusing it of intentionally delaying the process because the Obama administration opposes horse slaughter. Valley Meat Co. wants to ship horse meat to countries where peo-
SANTA FE OPERA’S 57TH SEASON
ple cook with it or feed it to animals. In a statement, the company said it was “encouraged that after well over a year of delay that the process has finally reached completion. Valley will now begin final preparation to hire 40 to 100 employees over the coming weeks and months so that
Please see HORSe, Page A-4
Private firms grapple with court’s ruling on DOMA Decision raises questions over benefits for same-sex couples By Catherine Ho
The Washington Post
Megan Cronin of Santa Fe, left, helps Joan Kessler, also of Santa Fe, put on her rain gear Friday during the tailgate party for The Santa Fe Opera. To see video of the tailgate, visit www.santafenewmexican.com. PHOTOS BY LUIS SÁNCHEZ SATURNO/THE NEW MEXICAN
Singing rain in the
Wet weather doesn’t dampen opera’s opening night festivities
Private companies are starting to grapple with the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act, and some are finding that the changes they may have to make are more complicated than expected. That’s particularly true in areas where a company’s employees often live in neighboring jurisdictions that have conflicting laws on gay marriage. For example, Maryland and Washington legally recognize same-sex marriage, while Virginia does not. The conflicting statutes raise the question, for example, of whether a Virginia company with employees working in Virginia — but who live in, or got married in the District or Maryland — will have to extend family leave, pension and other benefits to those employees with same-sex spouses. There also could be tax consequences and beneficiary issues as well. “There are still many questions about how that’s going to play out,” said Vicki Nielsen, an employee benefits attorney at Ogletree Deakins. Much of the confusion stems from the Supreme Court’s decision to deem unconstitutional the denial of federal benefits to same-sex couples, while allowing states to decide for themselves whether to recognize same-sex marriage.
Please see DOMA, Page A-4
InSIDe u Lead plaintiffs in gay marriage case wed. PAge A-4
BY KATHRYN WORRALL THE NEW MEXICAN
a
lthough a few tailgaters stashed away the candelabras and retreated into their vehicles, the rain Friday night could hardly dampen The Santa Fe Opera’s opening night festivities for The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein. With a new tailgate contest, opera-goers went all out, with wine, gourmet food and themes inspired by The Grand Duchess. One tailgater, Calliope Wills, even deemed herself the “Duchess Calliope of Santastein.” One group went with a 1920s theme — the opera is set in that period — complete with flappers, men clad in military gear and a gourmet spin on military food, such as “Short Ribs on the Shingle.” Robbie Firestone, a first-time tailgater, was delighted by the rain, even if a few feathers on her decadent headdress got wet.
Please see SIngIng, Page A-4
Owens’ buddy loses fight to get back seized Jeep District Court judge rules in favor of city, grants forfeiture in DWI case By Nico Roesler Lisa Samuel, left, and Robbie Firestone, both of Santa Fe, dressed as flappers for the opera’s opening-night festivities for The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein. ‘If it rains and we get drenched, then I’m a flapper on the Titanic,’ Firestone said. Friday marked the 57th season for the opera.
“ The weather is always dramatic — just like the opera!” Drought grips state
Today
‘Adieu, Mimolette’ Fans unhappy as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration blocks French cheese shipments over mites. PAge A-2
Index
Calendar A-2
Classifieds B-6
Pasapick
Afternoon thunderstorms. High 92, low 61.
With 93 percent of the state in the grips of record heat, a weather expert says the current drought is “uncharted territory” for New Mexico. PAge A-4
Todd Davis
www.pasatiempomagazine.com
PAge A-12
‘The Marriage of Figaro’
Obituaries
Mozart’s satire on the privileges of the French nobility, 8:30 p.m., Santa Fe Opera, 301 Opera Drive, tickets available at the box office, 986-5900. More events on Page A-2 and in Pasatiempo
Adolfo Barela, 87, Santa Fe, June 27 Gerald K. Metter, Carson, N.M., June 17 Louise M. Vigil, Santa Fe, June 26
The New Mexican
A man who insisted he didn’t know Scott Owens’ drunken-driving history when he let Owens drive his vehicle while drunk in March 2012 lost his rare 1962 Willys Jeep to the city this week. Travis Johnson had been in a battle with the City Attorney’s Office since last year, when his car was seized under the city’s DWI Forfeiture Act on the basis that he let a man with a drunken-driving history take the wheel of a car. Evidence shown in administrative hearings leading up to Wednesday’s trial also brought to light that Johnson had asked Owens to drive because he was too drunk to drive himself. Owens, who was accused of driving 11 mph over the speed limit Scott Owens on Siler Road in the early morning hours of March 17, 2012, was charged with aggravated DWI after he refused to submit to any sobriety tests. He entered a guilty plea to aggravated DWI in August 2012.
PAge A-7
Comics B-12
Lotteries A-2
Opinions A-11
Police notes A-7
Editor: Rob Dean, 986-3033, rdean@sfnewmexican.com Design and headlines: Carlos A. López, clopez@sfnewmexican.com
Sports B-1
Time Out B-11
Life & Science A-9
Main office: 983-3303 Late paper: 986-3010
Please see DWI, Page A-4
Two sections, 28 pages TV Book, 32 pages 164th year, No. 180 Publication No. 596-440