WATCH: 2023 Downtown Parade of Lights

The 2023 Downtown Athens Parade of Lights took place on December 7 with the theme of “An Art-Filled Holiday.” The parade ended in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Santa Claus.

Watch the entire parade on YouTube, on ACTV Cable Channel 180, or on the new ACCGov Roku channel (see below - along with past parade videos since 2003).

WATCH: Olympic Drive repair timelapse video

This timelapse video highlights the Olympic Drive culvert replacement that wrapped up in September. Work began in April 2023 to replace a 50-year-old culvert under the road that failed. Large amounts of rain caused the original corrugated metal pipe culvert to wash out, rendering the road unusable. 

Crews had to divert a live stream while also providing temporary support to various underground utility lines. Contracted crews poured a new concrete culvert, covered the culvert with dirt, and paved a new road surface above.

Watch on YouTube or on the Roku channel.

Leisure Services receives state awards

ACCGov's Leisure Services Department was recently honored with several awards from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA), including:

• Statewide "Agency of the Year" award for the 10th time in 21 years
• "State Volunteer Award" for the service of longtime volunteer beekeeper Dan Long at Sandy Creek Nature Center
• "Outstanding Program Award" for the Bring the Gnome Home hide and seek program

Learn more about the awards by watching the award presentation that took place at the December 5 Mayor and Commission meeting.

Christmas & New Year's Day holiday closures

Animal Services operations, Leisure Services parks and facilities, Solid Waste collection schedules, Transit operations, and general ACCGov administrative offices will have changes due to holidays in December: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, observed on Mon., Dec. 25 and Tues., Dec. 26, and New Year's Day on Monday, January 1. 

Specific department closures and operation changes will be available at www.accgov.com closer to each holiday.

Christmas tree recycling on Sat., Jan. 6

Once the holidays are over, recycle your undecorated Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, and string lights during Keep Athens-Clarke County Beautiful’s annual Bring One for the Chipper tree-cycling event on Saturday, January 6. 

Drop your tree between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM at one of the following locations and receive a free tree seedling in return: 

• Clarke Middle School
• Sandy Creek Nature Center
• Johnnie Lay Burks Elementary School (formerly Chase St.)
• UGA Veterinary Teaching Center
• Georgia Square Mall Police Substation,
• Lexington Road Tag Office
• Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM)
• Winterville Public Works Dept. 

More information at accgov.com/kaccb.

Solid Waste staff rescues a resident's $500

Shoutout to ACCGov Solid Waste staff members Joe Dunlop (Waste Reduction Administrator) and Lavoris Huff (Driver II). The duo, along with contracted staff at the Materials Recycling Facility, worked together to help a worried resident find an envelope that was accidentally recycled last week.

The resident had mistakenly recycled $500 in cash and immediately notified Solid Waste staff. Once the truck arrived at the recycling facility, staff searched with hand tools among paper, cardboard, bottles and cans. They soon spotted the envelope, with the cash safely inside, amongst 3.32 tons of recyclables.

Thanks to staff for going the extra mile to help a resident have a happy holiday.

Access ACCGov content on Roku devices

Did you know you can find ACCGov on Roku devices?

Add the ACCGov channel through the Roku streaming store to your device (search 'accgov') for 24/7 access to Mayor and Commission meeting videos, a live ACTV video stream, featured videos, and timelapse videos. 

As a bonus, downtown parade of lights videos are available for the last 20 years in their own playlist through January 1.

New Year's Eve Sunday alcohol sales allowed

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission adopted a resolution in December 2022 that allows the extended sale of alcoholic beverages on New Year's Eve in 2023 from 12:30 PM on Sunday, December 31, 2023 until 2:30 AM on Monday, January 1, 2024. 

The Official Code of Georgia (OCGA) generally prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. However, local governments may authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on one Sunday during each calendar year. The authorized Sunday in 2024 is St. Patrick's Day (March 17).

Fireplace safety tips

ACCGov Fire and Emergency Services encourages residents to keep these tips in mind when heating a home or enjoying the ambiance of a fireplace this winter:

• Keep the area clear with flammable materials like curtains, furniture, and paper away from the fireplace.
• Keep children and pets away. Supervise both and use safety gates if necessary.
• Use a screen or glass doors to prevent sparks or embers from escaping.
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they work and are located near the fireplace.
• Fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually.
• Don’t overload the fireplace. Too much wood can cause excessive heat and potential hazards.
• An open damper ventilates and reduces carbon monoxide buildup.
• Use a poker or tongs to safely extinguish the fire before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and ensure everyone in the household can use it.
• Dispose of ashes in a metal container with a lid and place it outdoors away from the house.

The ACCGov Mixtape is distributed monthly by the Public Information Office, accgov.com/pio, 706-613-3795