The Region - News from Sept. 9, 1987

A proposal to make it tougher to receive marriage licenses was rejected by county supervisors, who voted instead to extend the hours that couples can apply for licenses to tie the knot. Supervisor Pete Schabarum’s suggestion that the county lower its soaring divorce rate by making it harder to wed deadlocked 2 to 2. At least three votes by the five-member board were needed for passage. At the same time, the board voted 3 to 1 to extend the hours during which couples can seek marriage licenses at the downtown county courthouse. The board’s action means the marriage license bureau will be open starting next year from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is currently open only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The county also will charge an extra $5 for anyone who seeks a marriage license after 5 p.m. Officials said the special fee will generate more than $20,000, which would help offset the $67,382 it will cost the courthouse to stay open late.