Athens Ghost Hunts

Some people believe the historic Taylor-Grady House and Morton Theatre are homes for paranormal activity... do you?

Throughout the years, strange occurrences have been reported in both buildings. In 2014, the Public Information Office brought in a team from Ghosts of Georgia Paranormal Investigations to conduct a full overnight paranormal investigation at the Morton Theatre. Eight years later, the team came back to investigate the historic Taylor-Grady House.

The Public Information Office and a videographer documented both investigations and used the footage to produce two national award-winning videos - Athens Ghost Hunt: The Morton Theatre (29 minutes) and Athens Ghost Hunt: The Taylor-Grady House (20 minutes).

Watch both Athens Ghost Hunt videos, read the full paranormal investigation reports, review the evidence, and decide for yourself at accgov.com/ghosthunt.

Enjoy the spooky season with ACCGov

Several ACCGov departments are hosting Halloween events in October. These include:

• Friday, October 20, 5:30-8:30 PM - “Bear Holloween” at Bear Hollow Zoo at Memorial Park (Leisure Services - accgov.com/halloween)
• Friday, October 20, 7:00-8:00 PM - "Walk Through Boo" at Lay Park (Leisure Services - accgov.com/halloween)
• Thursday, October 26, 7:15-9:15 PM - “Movies by Moonlight” with the original Ghostbusters at Walker Park (Leisure Services - accgov.com/halloween)
• Friday, October 27, 5:00-9:00 PM - Fall Festival at the training area behind the Jail with face painting, a haunted house, hay rides, games, educational activities, and free food and drinks (Sheriff's Office)
• Saturday, October 28 - Monday, October 30 - Times vary by ages - ACCPD Haunted House at the East Precinct (Police - www.accgov.com/events)
• Sunday, October 29 - 2:00/2:30 PM - Annual Jack-o-Lantern Jog & Goblin Fun Run at Sandy Creek Nature Center (Leisure Services - accgov.com/halloween)
• Monday, October 30, 6:00-8:00 PM - Community trunk-or-treat at the East Precinct (Police - www.accgov.com/events)

PUBLIC INPUT: North Avenue through Oct. 25

How would you improve North Avenue? 

Residents are invited to provide feedback through October 25 on possible future improvements to the North Avenue corridor from the intersection with Willow Street to the intersection of Freeman Drive / Collins Industrial Boulevard. 

Fill out a survey online or visit one of the drop-in public forums on Saturday, October 14 (East Athens Educational Dance Center, 9:00-11:00 AM) or Thursday, October 19 (Howard B. Stroud Elementary School, 5:30-7:30 PM). 

Learn more or fill out a survey at accgov.com/northavenue.

Nov. 7 Election Information

Tuesday, November 7 is the Winterville General Municipal Election, as well as the countywide Special Election to elect the Clerk of Superior & State Court.

Advance Voting

Advance voting begins Monday, October 16, 2023 at 8:00 AM and continues until Friday, November 3. Visit accgov.com/advancevoting for days, times, and locations.

Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots will be mailed beginning Monday, October 16, 2023.

Voters must complete an absentee ballot application in order to request an absentee ballot. Applications are available in person at the Elections Office at 155 East Washington Street, on the ACCGov website at accgov.com/absenteevoting, or at the GA My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. 

The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Friday, October 27, 2023.

Election Day Voting

Polls are open on November 7 from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Note that recent changes approved by the Board of Elections that affects some voters' in-person voting location will not go into effect until the 2024 elections.

Not sure where to vote on Election Day? (Note: It's not at the Elections Office!). Check your voter card or the GA My Voter Page at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ for your polling location.

Additional election information is available at accgov.com/elections.

Seeking a new Poet Laureate

ACCGov is seeking applicants for a Poet Laureate for a two-year term. The Poet Laureate program is administered by the ACCGov Leisure Services Arts Division as a means to further enhance the profile of poets, poetry, and literary arts in our community and beyond. 

The application deadline is Friday, November 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST. The full application form, details, and additional resources can be found at accgov.com/acac.

PUBLIC INPUT: Growth Concept Map

What will Athens look like in 20 years? 

Help ACCGov answer this question as the Planning Department leads an engagement process to update Athens-Clarke County’s Growth Concept Map + Future Land Use Plan over the next year. 

Residents have multiple opportunities to learn about this process and share input through interactive group meetings, neighborhood walks, and bus tours. 

For a detailed schedule of events, visit the Comprehensive Plan webpage at accgov.com/compplan or call 706-613-3515.

Yes, we are bringing up December already

Community Tree Donation

ACCGov's Landscape Management Division is currently seeking a privately-owned tree for donation to the Athens-Clarke County community as a public Christmas tree for display in front of City Hall during December. 

The tree should be a cedar tree that is approximately 20 feet in diameter, 35 feet tall, and symmetrical with a single trunk. The ideal candidate tree would be one that will need to be removed at some point in the future by the property owner due to its location, size, or other factor. Landscape Management will evaluate trees and handle removal and transportation at no cost. 

Potential donors should contact the Landscape Management Division of the Central Services Department at 706-613-3561 before Wednesday, November 22.

Parade of Lights Application Deadline

The Leisure Services Department is seeking entries for the 2023 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights. This year's theme is "An Art Filled Holiday."

The parade is scheduled for Thursday, December 7. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM. Late applications are not accepted.

Parade information and application forms can be found at accgov.com/parade by contacting Leisure Services at 706-613-3800 or paradeoflights@accgov.com.

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