Athens-Clarke County Commissioners approve plans to spend $150,000 on a shelter for feral cats. The Beaverdam Road facility will be staffed by three new Animal Control employees. Commissioners, meeting last night at City Hall, also reversed course on plans to turn off several Athens streetlights.

Republican candidate for Governor Nathan Deal is in Athens this evening: the former Hall County Congressman speaks to the University of Georgia's College Republicans in a 7 o'clock session at the Miller Learning Center. Deal faces Democrat Roy Barnes in the November 2 election.

State Labor Commissioner and U.S. Senate candidate Michael Thurmond speaks in his hometown today: Thurmond addresses the 8^th annual Founders Award Scholarship Luncheon at UGa, a noon-hour event at the Georgia Center sponsored by UGa's Black Faculty and Staff Organization. Democrat Thurmond is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Johnny Isakson in the November 2 election.

Athens-Clarke County Police investigate a Tuesday night shooting: they say the victim suffered non life-threatening injuries. The 19 year-old was wounded in a shooting off Cedar Shoals Drive. There's no word this morning on suspects or motive.

Athens-Clarke County Commissioners meet tonight, a 7 o'clock session at City Hall. Look for more talk about turning off some Athens street lights, and more Commission discussion about Athens' feral cat population. Commissioners will also revisit the latest plans for construction of a new downtown park deck.

Oconee County Commissioners meet tonight in Watkinsville. They'll take another look at a proposed ethics in government ordinance in their 7 o'clock session at the Oconee County Courthouse.

It's about to get a lot more crowded in Athens: thousands of college football fans will be rolling into town for Saturday's season opening football game. The Georgia Bulldogs kick off the 2010 campaign just after noon tomorrow in a sold-out Sanford Stadium. The Dogs are 28-point favorites over the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette University.

City Hall says the stormwater work in Five Points is finished. There's some resurfacing work on Lumpkin yet to be done, but the drainage work that was originally scheduled to be completed last year is now at an end.

Today is a dedication day at UGa: dedication ceremonies for the Reed pedestrian plaza are set for 4 o'clock this afternoon at the new facility on the north side of Sanford Stadium.

The Oconee County School board interviewed last night the 3 finalists for a vacant seat on the Oconee County Board of Education: Wayne Bagley, Michael Burnette, and Glenn Townsend are looking to replace former Board member Tom Breedlove, who resigned earlier this year.