Georgia's far-reaching plan to stabilize groundwater consumption in four Savannah-area counties will place more demands on the Savannah River, according to the director of Georgia's Environmental Protection Division.

NOTE: All the listed events are open to the public, although membership in some organizations may be required.

AIKEN - On Christmas Eve, Calvin Zippler, 50, of Aiken, wasn't doing last-minute Christmas shopping or wrapping gifts.

NOTE: All the listed events are open to the public, although membership in some organizations may be required. Tuesday: The Sierra Club's Savannah River Chapter will meet at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church, 3501 Walton Way Extension. Guest speaker Larry Komp will discuss solar energy. Call 863-2324 for more information.

NOTE: All the listed events are open to the public, although membership in some organizations may be required. Wednesday: Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. at Thomson-McDuffie County Library to discuss hunting seasons and regulations. Call (770) 918-6416 for more information. The meeting was to be held at the courthouse, but the location was moved due to a scheduling conflict.

Reference/user librarian Bob Fernekes will lecture on historical and genealogical research in the 21st century at 10 a.m. at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. For details, call the USC-Aiken Office of Continuing Education at 641-3288.

It appears more of our public lands are again in jeopardy. Our lake shore lands adjacent to Savannah Lakes Village may be sold to developers at our expense.

An Aiken County sheriff's deputy was fired Tuesday, accused of striking an Aiken teenager in the throat after questioning him.

COLUMBIA - For Army Spc. Crystal Davis, this was a weekend for firsts.

Each spring, just as dogwoods erupt into peak bloom, American shad begin their migration up the Savannah River from the coast.