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Midland Court Judges Step In After Colleague Announces Halt To All Marriage Ceremonies

MIDLAND, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - After one Michigan judge announced he'd halt all wedding ceremonies in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the right of same-sex couples to marry — his colleagues are saying not so fast.

Three Midland County judges said the courts will still perform marriages, despite comments by District Judge Michael D. Carpenter, who said he'd read the high court's decision, reviewed his court rules, and realized judges aren't required to officiate marriages.

After Carpenter told the Midland Daily News he decided to stop conducting marriages as one of several cost-cutting moves due to staffing cuts, County Clerk Ann Manary told The Saginaw News she'll officiate for couples seeking courthouse weddings.

Later Wednesday, county Chief Judge Stephen Carras and two colleagues released a letter saying they're "making sure that people who want to get married are able to do so in their courthouse."

This all comes after — following last Friday's decision which actually stemmed, in large part, from a Michigan case — Gov. Rick Snyder pledged to '"fully comply" with the ruling.

Meantime, counties across the state are updating marriage license applications to accommodate same-sex couples, and some clerks were already preforming ceremonies.

The Associated Press left a phone message Wednesday for Carpenter asking if his views on same-sex marriage influenced the decision.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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