News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(Dec. 31, 2024) 

The countdown to the new year begins! Please note that Town of Carrboro offices will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Best wishes to all for a joyous new year! Save the date for cultural events coming up including the Elizabeth Cotten Day celebration on Sunday, Jan. 5. Join community on Saturday, Jan. 18, for a youth-led event to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Also this month, the Carrboro Film Fest will be underway Jan. 24-26. 

“Elizabeth Cotten Day” Celebration in Carrboro

Legendary North Carolina musician Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten is being feted by her hometown with her very own day on her upcoming birthday anniversary. 

Mayor Barbara Foushee is officially proclaiming Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, as “Elizabeth Cotten Day” in Carrboro. 

The Town of Carrboro invites community to enjoy a special event featuring Brenda Evans, the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth Cotten, for songs and remembrances at 1 p.m. Sunday, at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Evans was only 11 years old when she performed as a vocalist featured on the album Shake Sugaree.

The Town of Carrboro is also pleased to announce that joining in music, song, and the sharing of family stories are the great-great grandchildren of Ms. Cotten -- Jordan, Jared and John Evans of Charlotte, N.C. Join us for this special celebration of her life and legacy! 

Learn more about Carrboro's Elizabeth Cotten celebrations.

Holiday Service Schedule

Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Please note the changes to residential trash collection: 

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday  - Your trash will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 31

For changes to recycling collection visit: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule

To all who are celebrating...

The Town of Carrboro recognizes our diverse community and the many observances meaningful to our residents this month.

Carrboro's Holiday Trees Light Up the Night

Mayor Barbara Foushee (joined by Mayor pro tem Danny Nowell and Council Members Catherine Fray and Jason Merrill) welcomed a huge crowd of parents, friends and community members, gathered together to listen to local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools sing festive songs celebrating the festive season.

Despite the chilly weather, cheers and laughter filled the front lawn of Town Hall as Mayor Foushee led the countdown, and the trees were lit.

Town Council Update

The Town Council is scheduled to meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.   

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and held an organizational meeting. Following results of a special election, Cristóbal Palmer was sworn into office as a member of the Carrboro Town Council. 

Watch the livestream on YouTube.

ABOUT CARRBORO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. You can reach the Town Council with your ideas, views and questions anytime at Council@carrboronc.gov  Meetings are open to the public to join in person at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. OR via Livestreaming at YouTube.com/CarrboroNC     

Regular business meetings are generally held the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Work sessions are generally held the second Tuesdays of the month. Public comment is not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken.

Agendas (and meeting videos) are posted at https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

The Town of Carrboro offers free language translation and interpretation services to residents. Information: 919-918-7391 or info@carrboronc.gov 

Sign up to receive Council Updates with meeting agendas and post-meeting recaps at www.carrboronc.gov/signup (choose Carrboro Town News)

Learn more about your Town Council.

Questions? Reach Town Clerk Lamar Joyner at 919-918-7309 or townclerk@carrboronc.gov 

Carrboro Planning Director set to retire 

Town of Carrboro Planning Director Trish McGuire will be retiring on Dec. 31, 2024, after nearly 30 years serving in zoning and planning administration. 

“As a planning professional for the Town of Carrboro for many years, Trish brought value, dedication, and a deep respect for our community’s character.  Her passions for community planning and sustainability efforts ensured that the Town remain rooted in values that make Carrboro a special place to live,” said Town Manager Patrice Toney. “We congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement.” 

McGuire led development of the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan and was instrumental in a number of other Town initiatives including Conceptual Planning for the Drakeford Library Complex, the Downtown Parking Plan, the Comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan/Bike Plan Update, Stormwater Management Plans, Morgan Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan, Bolin Creek Greenway Conceptual Master Plan, and many others. 

In the area of local transportation infrastructure, McGuire played a key role in the Town’s receipt of locally administered funds through the NC Department of Transportation. These projects have expanded the Town’s network and improved public safety, offering residents more choices in how they travel around town. 

As a member of the Town’s Racial Equity CORE team, McGuire helped developed the Town’ vision statement and logo and served as a racial equity trainer. She also developed strategies to engage with historically underrepresented community members during recent planning programs for the Drakeford Library Complex, the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan, and the Carrboro Downtown Area Plan. 

She also has supervised and coordinated the Town’s sustainability and climate action work, including the development of regional and local greenhouse gas emissions inventories, update and reductions goals, climate action plans and reports for Town operations and the community. 

McGuire successfully pursued awards and grants for the Town, including the Outstanding Planning Award for Comprehensive Planning from the North Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association for the Carrboro Connects Town of Carrboro Comprehensive Plan. 

“I appreciate the opportunity to have served Carrboro- my home for over 30 years and a place I love,” McGuire said. “Most of all, I am grateful for the dedicated, creative people I have had the privilege of working with in the community and among the staff.” 

The Town of Carrboro is actively recruiting for its next planning director.

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Jan. 18, 2025 for a youth-led event that brings the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510. 

Investigation Continues into Double Fatality Crash

On December 30, 2024, at approximately 4:52 p.m., a witness called 911 and reported a hit and run crash in Chapel Hill. The witness followed a vehicle that fled the scene of the hit and run and provided updates on the vehicle's location. 

A Chapel Hill Police Officer attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle just inside Carrboro's jurisdiction. The vehicle did not stop, continued to flee, and crashed shortly after the attempted vehicle stop. The location of the crash was Oak Avenue and East Poplar Avenue in Carrboro. As a result of the single vehicle crash, the two occupants of the vehicle were killed. No additional injuries have been reported as a result of this incident.

The driver of the crashed vehicle was identified as Lawrence Richard Edwards, 43, of Chapel Hill. The passenger was identified as Jonathan Lynn Blancett, 43, of Durham. Speed appears to be a factor in the crash and neither vehicle occupant was wearing a seatbelt. Toxicology results are pending.

The investigation into the initial hit and run, the attempted vehicle stop, and the vehicle crash are ongoing and active. The Carrboro Police Department and the Chapel Hill Police Department are working this incident with the assistance of the NC Highway Patrol.

Media Point of Contact: Chief Chris Atack, 919-918-7407

Carrboro Film Fest

Join us on January 24-26, 2025 at the Drakeford Library Complex in Downtown Carrboro for a weekend of films that celebrate and interrogate southern culture. 

Tickets on sale now! 

Announcing the official lineup and schedule for Carrboro Film Fest 2025! This year we have a captivating lineup of 38 films thoughtfully selected to achieve our mission of celebrating and interrogating Southern culture. Plus we are thrilled to announce we are partnering with Chelsea Theater for a Pre-festival Kickoff event on January 13th!

Visit CarrboroFilm.org for descriptions of the films and events. A limited number of Festival Passes are on sale now for only $25, so get yours while they're still available!

Carrboro Film Fest is made possible by the Town of Carrboro, NC. We look forward to celebrating Southern cinema with you in January!

Holiday Tree and Wreath Collection

Natural holiday trees and wreaths will be collected on residents’ regular yard waste collection day. Trees and wreaths should be placed curbside with other yard waste.  Please ensure all decorations, including tinsel and wire, are removed, as well as the stand and any nails from the stand.

String Lights

Working string lights can be donated to local thrift stores or brought to Orange County’s Salvage Sheds. Non-working sting lights can be recycled at the electronics trailers at Orange County’s Waste & Recycling Centers. String lights cannot be recycled in recycling carts. 

Don't miss the last Q&A session for human services funding

The Town of Carrboro, along with the Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County, is hosting one more virtual Q&A Session. This session offers an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application process. 

The application will be available via an online portal on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

Q&A Session:

•  Monday, Jan. 6 from 9 -10 a.m.

For more information contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or Malia Summey at 919-918-7318, or email humanservices@carrboronc.gov.

Provide Input on the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

- Carrboro and its regional hazard mitigation planning partners are seeking public input as part of the five-year update of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The plan includes information about natural and man-made hazards, associated risks, and actions we can undertake to reduce exposure.  An up-to-date plan is required for the participating counties, municipalities, and tribes to maintain eligibility for pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). 

Take the online survey through the end of December.

Learn more about the project.

Apply Now for Carrboro's Residential Stormwater Assistance Program

The Town of Carrboro is pleased to announce the re-launch of the Town’s Residential Stormwater Assistance Program to offer no cost assessments to Carrboro homeowners interested in stormwater drainage improvement projects on their lots.  

Applications are available starting on Monday, Nov. 25, and site assessments will begin in January 2025.  Interested residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

The program provides technical advice regarding possible solutions to flooding, drainage, erosion, or other stormwater or stream related concerns.  Examples of technical advice include rain gardens, bioswales, impervious surface reduction, rainwater harvesting, and conceptual plans.

Learn more about the Residential Stormwater Assistance Program.

Orange County Cold Weather Shelters

Cold weather shelters are available every night from November through March at IFC. The Orange County Shelter is available on the evenings when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. 

For more information visit the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Resources page.

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources

Monthly Events Newsletter

View the Monthly Events Newsletter and discover all of the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!

Check out the Monthly Newsletter.

Public parking available in downtown Carrboro

It’s easy to find free two-hour public parking in Carrboro, where you can access convenient parking at 10 public lots all over town.

Please remember that the Carr Mill Mall parking area is for mall customers and is not a public parking lot. Leaving the mall premises after parking risks towing. When in doubt, always park in public lots, and enjoy a hassle-free and relaxed shopping and dining experience.

Find more information including an interactive parking map on our Downtown Parking webpage.