The Braselton news. (Jefferson, Ga) 2006-current, December 14, 2022, Image 2
The Braselton News Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Page 2A 2023 Atlanta Gas Light. All rights reserved. Do not reuse text or graphics without written permission. AGL-21366 Around town Weekly snapshots from around the Braselton-Hoschton community Community calendar Holiday dinner offered Dec 23 in Hoschton A hot holiday meal will be offered Friday, Dec. 23, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hoschton Train Depot. The dinner is offered to those who "need a hot meal, (are) alone for the holidays or just need some fellowship," according to organizers. "Bring yourself, bring your family," organizers said. Those wanting to eat are asked to text 706-605- 0977 to let organizers know the number of people in their party planning to attend. White Plains plans New Year's Eve singing White Plains Baptist Church will host a New Year's Eve singing on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m. Mercy's Cry will perform. White Plains is located at 3650 Hwy. 124 West, Jefferson. 'BraseltonTec' to offer workshops for tech start-ups BraseltonTec — a private-public initiative be tween the Town of Braselton and the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech — is launching its "spark sessions" in January. These workshops, held at the Braselton Civic Center, will provide information for start-up tech companies covering fundraising, cap-table forma tion, marketing strategy and a host of topics led by experts. The first session is Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. It will discuss the difference between "a lifestyle business and a scalable unicorn and the steps toward startup success." The town has partnered with ATDC, which is a Georgia economic development organization fund ed by the state legislature and managed under the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute. It is the oldest technology business accelerator in the U.S. and its graduating companies have raised over $3 billion in venture capital. "ATDC's mission is to develop a technology eco system that attracts technology companies, inves tors and the talent required to scale," according to a press release from the town. The BraseltonTec workshops are free and open to the public. Space, however, is limited. For more information or to register, visit www.BraseltonTec. com. Hoschton History Harvest set for March 11 The City of Hoschton will host a "history harvest" on March 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hoschton Train Depot to digitize any old photographs, docu ments, letters, diaries and videos that Hoschton res idents may have. "Don't let our history fade away," organizers said. The event is being sponsored by the Hoschton Downtown Development Authority. For more information, call 706-654-3034. News briefs STATE Unemployment rates rise across region, state All regional commissions across the state recorded a rise in unemployment rates in October, according to a report from Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “Job seekers have continued to experience a favorable hiring environment across multiple job sectors, despite a slight uptick in unemployment rates,” said Commissioner Butler. “As we pre pare for peak holiday hiring, we encourage job seekers to take advantage of the many employment opportunities, both full-time and part-time, available across Georgia.” Highlights from the Northeast Regional Commission include: •The October preliminary unemployment rate was up five- tenths to 2.8% over-the-month, the rate was 2.8% one year ago. •The labor force was up 1,926 over-the-month and up 7,502 over-the-year, to 328.198. • The number of employed was up 369 over-the-month and up 7,410 over-the-year. to 319,006. •Initial claims were down 221 (-23%) over-the-month and down 247 (-25%) over-the-year, to 726. •Initial claims were down over-the-month in manufacturing and trade, and down over-the-year in construction and retail trade. • There were 6,322 jobs posted on Employ Georgia. The Northeast Regional Commission includes Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper. Madison, Morgan. Newton. Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton counties. HALL CO. Hall County concludes wage and compensation study Hall County's Board of Commissioners signed a resolution on Dec. 8 to implement a new wage and compensation structure in addition to a 3 percent cost of living increase for all eligible county employees, according to a press release. The changes to the county's wage and compensation structure will be made based on the results of a comprehensive study con ducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. The comprehensive study was started in 2019 but was suspend ed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Carl Ymson Institute Wage and Compensation Study exam ines internal equity and external competitiveness through question naires. surveys, meetings and data from other counties of compar ative size and economic standing. The outcome of the study also provides thorough job descriptions and position evaluation tools. HOSCHTON Hoschton DDA moves meeting to Dec. 19 The Hoschton Downtown Development Authority has re scheduled its meeting from Monday (Dec. 12) to Dec. 19 at 3 p.m. at city hall. City hall is located at 79 City Square. For more information, call 706-6543034. Photo by Annika Sorrow PITCH PERFECT Jackson County High School chorus director Shannon Green presents her singers to the audience at the chorus program’s Dec. 8 concert. See more photos on Page 3B. Important safety information from Atlanta Gas Light Every day, underground pipelines safely transport natural gas to homes and businesses throughout the country. Atlanta Gas Light operates, secures and maintains the pipelines in our service territories. Call before you dig Before digging on your property, state law requires you call 811 to have your utility lines professionally marked - for free! You must wait the required amount of time before you begin your project. Pipeline markers indicate the general area of the pipeline, but not its exact location or depth. A pipeline may not always be marked in all areas, so it is important to always "Call Before You Dig." If a pipeline right of way is adjacent to your property, you have a responsibility to ensure no new installations of landscaping or physical structures are placed in the right of way, which interferes with our ability to keep the pipeline safe through routine monitoring and maintenance. Information about transmission pipelines operating in your community can be accessed online at https://www.npms.phmsa.dot.gov, courtesy of the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS). Water heater safety The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Carbon monoxide Incomplete combustion of any fuel produces carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is poisonous and has no odor, taste or color. Carbon monoxide detectors are helpful, but they are no substitute for using equipment safely. This includes having your appliances inspected once a year by a certified contractor. Appliance safety According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency: 7i It is important that you have your furnace inspected by a qualified specialist. 7 Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shut-offs are in proper working condition. 7 Keep trash and other combustible materials away from your air, heating and water heating systems. Pipeline integrity management is a process for assessing and mitigating pipeline risks to reduce both the likelihood and consequences of incidents. We have a comprehensive plan that fully addresses these processes, especially for locations deemed high-consequence areas. To learn more, visit atlantagaslight.com/ integritymanagementplan If you smell gas, act fast! Even though natural gas pipeline incidents are uncommon, you can help prevent emergencies by knowing the signs of a potential problem. LOOK for blowing dirt, discolored vegetation or continued bubbling of standing water. LISTEN for a hissing or roaring noise near a natural gas appliance or line. SMELL the distinctive, rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, so we add a chemical odorant called mercaptan for easy detection. This odorant has a distinctive "rotten-egg" type odor. You should act any time you detect even a small amount of this odor in the air. If you suspect a natural gas leak, do the following: DO NOT try to identify the source or to stop the leak yourself. LEAVE the area immediately and move a safe distance away from the potential leak, while avoiding any action that may cause sparks. AVOID using any sources of ignition, such as cellphones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines, as natural gas can ignite from a spark or open flame, possibly causing a fire or explosion. Natural gas is nontoxic, lighter than air and displaces oxygen. In severe cases, if not used properly, it can also lead to asphyxiation. CALL Atlanta Gas Light at 877.427.4321 or 911 once you are out of the area of the suspected leak and in a safe place. Stay away until Atlanta Gas Light or emergency personnel indicate it is safe to return. Note: Be aware that "odorant fade" while uncommon, can occur. Odorant fade occurs when a physical or chemical process causes the level of odorant in the gas to be reduced. This can happen in both existing gas pipe and new installations. Be aware that some individuals mav not be able to detect the smell of the natural gas odorant because they have a diminished sense of smell because the scent is being masked by other odors in the area or because the odorant has diminished so that it is not detectable. For more information, visit atlantagaslight.com/safety or call 800.427.5463, Online Survey: Please take a moment to complete an online survey about natural gas safety and you at surveymonkey.eom/r/P67VMXZ to help us make sure we are keeping our communities safe.