Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine is urging Georgians to change the batteries in their smoke detectors at the same time they change their clocks back to Eastern Standard Time this Sunday.

In conjunction with the "Change Your Clocks, Change Your Battery" fire safety program sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the American Burn Association, Oxendine said the annual change from daylight saving time in the fall is a good time to make sure your smoke detector is functioning properly.

"We had 35 fire fatlaities last year involving homes without smoke detectors," Oxendine said. "If you've got a smoke detector, make sure it's in working order. Changing the battery every year and cleaning dust from the device is an easy way to ensure continued protection of your family and your property. And while you're thinking about fire safety, plan and rehearse an escape route your family can use in the event of fire."

Daylight Saving Times ends this Sunday at 2 a.m. when clocks are set back one hour.

Jay Pointek has just celebrated his second anniversary as a part-time sales consultant at Rhodes Furniture's Fayette Pavilion store.

Pointek developed his furniture knowledge over 10 years while residing in North Carolina, the heartland of the American furniture industry.

"I enjoy working with the residents of Fayette County, as well as the other Southern Crescent counties, because they are smart shoppers who recognize and appreciate quality," he said.

Pat Allen is the new manager of the Piedmont Hospital Federal Credit Union, which opened an office in Fayette Community Hospital Sept. 22. The credit union membership is open to those who serve the hospital as employees and staff, along, with their families. The hours for the facilty are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m- 2 p.m.

Spalding Regional Hospital has achieved accreditation from the Join Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as a result of its demonstrated compliance with the Joint Commission's nationally recognized health care standards.

Formed in 1951, the Joint Commission is dedicated to improving the quality of the nation's health care through voluntary accreditation. The commission's on-site survey of the hospital occurred in June.

Lim Litchford, Sr., interim CEO, spoke of his pride in a staff whose members ask what needs to be done to be accredited by the Joint Commission.

"In addition, they appreciate the educational aspect of the survey and the opportunity to interact with the team of surveyors," he said.

WORKTEC will be at Southlake Mall this Friday and Saturday to recruit workers during Showcase Clayton, a business expo and job fair sponsored by the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.

As a work training and education center for people with disabilities, WORKTEC will accept applications for part-time and full-time supervisory, commercial claening and lawn maintenance positions for a major governmental contract on the south side of Atlanta.

One requirement of the governmental contracts WORKTEC secures is to fill 75 percent of the positions with workers who have disabilities. The extended employment division of WORKTEC places individuals in long-term employment through off-site contracts.

"WORKTEC is experiencing a lot of growth, due to the quality of work we've been able to offer businesses in the community," said Mark williams, WORKTEC director of extended employment. "Our participation in the job fair is an initial push to build our extended employment staff for a variety of upcoming contracts.

The showcase hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday.