Good morning, Athens.

Blaze is a one-year-old male retriever mix (45 pounds) who was found on May 1 near Angel Ridge Rd on Old 33 in Athens.

Shelter staff say the black dog may face longer waits for adoption and urge interested residents to call the Athens County Dog Shelter at 740-593-5415.

Momma Burrito (2-year-old) is a friendly cat who loves to explore and eat on schedule, and she is available for adoption at Athens Humane (a local shelter).

Paper Circle will close its Nelsonville studio on June 30 after 22 years following the passing of founder Sara Gilfert in March.

The organization plans to continue her dream by joining a proposed paper museum in Athens—where paper making, letterpress printing and workshops will be held—ensuring her legacy lives on.

Pike Water Inc. filed a federal lawsuit in April against AGC Chemicals Americas Inc. and 14 other companies—alleging that toxic forever chemicals contaminated its property and pose long-term health risks; the company seeks compensation for future and past cleanup and monitoring costs across six counties.

Tulip trees in southeast Ohio and central West Virginia have shown signs of stress, and trees in Athens County began losing leaves by mid-May due to pest damage and recent drought conditions.

Officials from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio University reported patchy defoliation from weevils and scales—damage that may slow growth this season.

On June 11, about 50 Athens residents attended a City of Athens Planning Commission meeting at the Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery to review proposals to rezone Columbus Road, Lancaster Street and Columbia Avenue for future commercial development.

Commissioners and residents discussed plans to change parts of R-1 and R-3 zones into business areas – a proposal that may be forwarded to city council for further review by September.

Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service received a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to assess more than 200 airfields for electric aircraft and drones that may support advanced air mobility in Appalachia.

The team visited 37 airports in 15 counties and found many lack modern infrastructure — prompting calls for local government support for upgrades.

Athens City Council approved the final payment for the new fire station Monday night after a heated debate over an extra $210,024 added without prior council review—funds drawn from the Fire Department’s supply budget after a scam delayed payment since November.

Councilmember Michael Wood, who initially objected, eventually voted yes—urging the administration to communicate better in future decisions.

Ocie Elliott Concert

3:45-7:45 p.m. — Snow Fork Event Center — Cost info unavailable — Experience the heartfelt tunes of Ocie Elliott as they share their life stories through music.

Ohio Baseball June Prospect Camp

10 AM – 4 PM — Bob Wren Stadium & Trautwein Field — Check out the summer prospects as they showcase their talent in front of the Ohio Bobcats coaching staff.

Summer Solstice Show 2025

5-10 p.m. — MoSo Farm — Free entry — Celebrate the longest day of the year with local live music, food, and community spirit.

2025 Ohio Soccer Summer Youth Camp

9 a.m.-12 p.m. — Peden Stadium — Cost info not specified — Fun-filled mornings for kids ages 5-13 focusing on soccer fundamentals and team play.

5K Beer Run at Jackie O's

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Jackie O's Taproom & Production Brewery — Registration required — Celebrate the start of Ohio Brew Week with a fun 5k run followed by craft beer.

Lyceum Luncheon with Jack Wright on Eudora Welty's Appalachian Roots

12-1 p.m. — Southeast Ohio History Center — Bring your own lunch — Discover the influential Appalachian connections of Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty.

Floco Torres: Free Black! Live at Brew BQ

4-8 p.m. — Athens — Free entry — Enjoy a vibrant evening of food, brews, and live performances from local artists including Floco Torres.

Joseph and His Ghost Concert

7 p.m.–1 a.m. — Smiling Skull Saloon — $5 — Enjoy a night of indie rock with Joseph & His Ghost and other local acts.