A picture of two utilities workers with a note to watch a video about sewer inspections

WATCH: Sewer Inspections

Every day, ACCGov's Public Utilities Department staff works proactively to ensure infrastructure like our sewer lines are safe and working properly. Check out our latest video on sewer inspections to learn more about their role and what you can do to prevent sewer clogs.

To learn more about the Public Utilities Department, visit www.accgov.com/publicutilities. The video is also available on the ACCGov YouTube channel and on the accgov Roku and Fire TV channels.

A [icture of three young women in lab gear with a note to watch a video about Pathway Partnerships

WATCH: Pathway Partnerships with the Athens Community Career Academy

ACCGov's Economic Development Department and Fire Department have partnered with the Athens Community Career Academy and the Clarke County School District over the past several years to bring two of their high school career pathways to life: Biomanufacturing and Firefighting/EMT.

Hear from staff and students about the importance of this workforce pipeline in this pathways partnership video or learn more about the programs at www.accgov.com/pathways. The videos are also available on the ACCGov YouTube channel and on the accgov Roku and Fire TV channels.

An image of two women riding a brightly lit float in the 2025 Downtown Parade of Lights

Downtown Parade of Lights Winners

The Downtown Parade of Lights took place on December 4. Missed it? The full parade video will be available soon at www.accgov.com/parade and on the ACCGov YouTube channel and Roku and Fire TV channels, along with videos of past Downtown Parade of Lights over the past 20 years.

Congratulations to this year's parade winners:

Mayor's Award for Best Overall Float: Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Best Use of Theme (Corporate / Business): Lexington Vintage & A&H Sales
Best Use of Lights (Corporate / Business): Cali N Tito's
Most Original (Corporate / Business): Double Helix STEAM School
Best Use of Theme (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Dignidad Inmigrante en Athens
Best Use of Lights (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight
Most Original (Club / Church / Nonprofit): Firefly Homeschool Community
Best Use of Theme (Government / School): Athens-Clarke County Housing & Community Development Department
Best Use of Lights (Government / School): Athens-Clarke County Central Services Department Facilities Management Division
Most Original (Government / School): Koala Nation LTD
Best Performing Unit (Cheer / Twirl / Step): Gaines Elementary School Cheerleaders
Best Performing Unit (Marching Bands & Military): Clarke Central High School Marching Band
Best Performing Unit (Novelty / Martial Arts): Dancefx

A picture of two Trail Ambassador volunteers walking in the woods

Leisure Services Receives Statewide Awards

The Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department was recently honored by the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) with awards recognizing outstanding achievement.

The Sandy Creek Nature Center Trail Guide program received the District 7 and State of Georgia Volunteer Awards in recognition of their guides' years of service. The program began 50+ years ago and provides support for school field trips by leading nature hikes to thousands of school children each year.

The department was also honored with the GRPA District 7 “Agency of the Year” award for cities with populations 80,000+. This award recognizes outstanding programs and accomplishments during the past year and is particularly significant because it was voted on by recreation professionals.

Check out a list of all of the Leisure Services Department awards since 2000!

An image of a young man holding a training fire extinguisher and the simulated fire display.

Fire Extinguisher Training

Did you know the ACCGov Fire Department’s fire and life safety educators provide free training on fire extinguisher use to businesses, organizations, classes, and other small groups (up to 40 in size)? They can also set up at festivals or other special events for drop-in training.

The hands-on experience is in a safe, controlled environment with no real flames or mess. The training uses replica fire extinguishers that help build confidence and quick decision-making in an emergency. Trainings generally run 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the group.

Visit www.accgov.com/fireeducation to request a training for your group.

A picture of a woman holding a GA driver's license and vehicle registration in front of a yellow MVR Express kiosk.

New MVR Express Kiosk

The Athens-Clarke County Tax Commissioner’s Office is part of the Georgia MV Express kiosk program that allows residents access to MV Express kiosks across Georgia.

These kiosks allow users to renew vehicle registrations, print tags, and – at select kiosks – even renew driver’s licenses in as little as two minutes without having to visit an office.

A new kiosk that includes driver’s license renewals is now available locally in Athens-Clarke County at the Trail Creek Village Kroger (700 US-29 N, Athens, GA 30601) daily from 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM.

A picture of Santa and Mrs. Claus against a snowy night sky.

Holiday Events

Several ACCGov departments are hosting family-friendly holiday events in December:

The ACCGov Mixtape is distributed monthly by the ACCGov Communications Department, accgov.com/communications, 706-613-3795