Everyone is preparing for wintery weather coming this Saturday! Travel could become dangerous or impossible for a period of time. Residents should be prepared for closures or disruptions to normal operations into early next week. Get more updates and preparation tips in this issue. Note that the Carrboro Film Fest has been rescheduled to Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 1. Read the recap of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Life and Legacy Celebration held on Saturday, Jan. 17, and watch the livestream! Many thanks to the Youth Councils for putting on a wonderful event. Stay safe, Carrboro!
Prepare Now for the Winter Storm
News from Orange County Emergency Services and Town of Carrboro
Orange County Emergency Services and the Town of Carrboro are closely monitoring a large winter storm system that is expected to impact much of the Southeast, including Orange County, beginning early Saturday, Jan. 24. While there is still uncertainty about exact impacts, confidence is increasing that this will be a significant storm for our area.
What We Know Right Now Very cold air will move in behind the storm, with wind chills expected in the single digits to low teens from Saturday through Monday. Forecast models indicate the potential for a moderate-impact winter event, with snow, ice, or a combination of both possible. Power outages are a realistic concern, especially if ice develops on trees and power lines.
What is Still Uncertain The exact amount of snow and ice and where the heaviest impacts will occur. Small shifts in temperature could mean the difference between heavy snow or dangerous ice accumulation. We expect forecast confidence to improve over the next 24 to 48 hours.
What the County is Doing Emergency Operations are being activated in phases to ensure we are ready before conditions deteriorate. We are coordinating daily with public safety agencies, utilities, human services, transportation, and community partners. We are preparing for the possibility of shelter operations, particularly for vulnerable and unsheltered residents. Public information is being coordinated to ensure residents receive timely and accurate updates.
What Residents Should Do Now
Begin preparing today, not waiting until the storm arrives.
Make sure you have enough food (including drinking water), medications, and supplies to last several days.
Plan for the possibility of power outages and ensure you have a safe way to stay warm.
Please do not park in the street the night before snow is forecast. If you have a driveway, use it! This assists our hardworking staff operating snow plows.
Avoid unnecessary travel once conditions begin to deteriorate.
Check on neighbors, especially seniors and those with medical needs.
Travel If conditions worsen, travel could become dangerous or impossible for a period of time. Residents should be prepared for closures or disruptions to normal operations into early next week. Emergency services will remain operational, but response times may be impacted during peak storm conditions.
Our goal is to stay ahead of this storm and reduce risk to life and property, while ensuring residents have access to critical community lifelines. We will continue to adjust and update the public as forecasts become clearer. The most important thing residents can do is stay informed, prepare early, and follow guidance from trusted sources and local officials.
Carrboro Film Fest rescheduled to Feb. 27-March 1, 2026 due to Winter Storm
The Carrboro Film Fest, which celebrates its 20th festival this year, has made the decision to reschedule due to an extreme winter weather forecast that is expected to bring icy and hazardous conditions to Central North Carolina this coming weekend.
The festival, which was originally scheduled to take place Jan. 23-25, will now take place Friday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 1, 2026. The event will continue to be held at the Drakeford Library Complex in downtown Carrboro, without any change or modification to the festival program.
“As excited as we are to share these great films at the Carrboro Film Fest, what’s most important is the safety of our community, and in looking at the forecast for this weekend’s weather, we made the difficult decision to reschedule the festival” shares Festival Director Bryan Reklis. “We want our friends and neighbors to prioritize their immediate needs in preparation for this weather. We look forward to gathering together in February to celebrate Southern film.”
For more information about the new dates and ticket details, visit the Carrboro Film Fest at www.carrborofilm.org
Watch the livestream of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Life and Legacy Celebration held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. The auditorium at the Carrboro Century Center was filled to capacity!
Thank you to the Youth Councils from the Town of Carrboro and Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP for bringing community together! Featured were musical performances by Sisters' Voices and Skyblew, a game of trivia, and a closing video "What is your Dream?" Remarks were shared by Mayor Barbara Foushee, Aniya Campbell, president of the NAACP Youth Council; Blue Ribbon Mentor Advocate Karida Giddens, and poetry by students Vianna Fornville and Mary Maceda. Stay tuned for a full video of the special occasion to be featured on Carrboro's YouTube channel!
Special thanks to the Town of Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department for organizing the event alongside youth leaders - including Isabella Chupp, Harper Silliman and many others. We enjoyed seeing so many elected officials and community leaders attending the event as well!
National Day of Racial Healing Proclaimed
CARRBORO, NC -- Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Jan. 20, 2026, the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, as the National Day of Racial Healing in Carrboro and encourages all residents to share ideas, knowledge, and points of view related to truth, racial healing, transformation, and racial equity.
The Town of Carrboro held a special celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Watch a recap of the celebration at https://youtu.be/a6uw9TK3-J0?si=qIhCJR15odn-qGvW
The National Day of Racial Healing is an annual observance initiated as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation program and is promoted by the program’s many community partners across the United States. It is a way to promote relationship-building, truth telling, and racial equity; healing and solidarity; and transformative action.
The Town of Carrboro understands and recognizes that we all must work earnestly and intentionally to heal the wounds created by racial, ethnic, and religious bias and build an equitable and just society in which all people can thrive and in which children have the opportunity to learn and grow in nurturing environments that safeguard their safety, dignity and humanity.
Learn more about Town of Carrboro efforts to center, elevate and honor the voices and experiences of Black people and other people of color: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2535/Race-and-Equity
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Tuesday, Jan. 27, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
The purpose of International Holocaust Remembrance Day is to serve as a date of the official commemoration of the victims of the Nazi regime, and to promote Holocaust education throughout the world.
The day commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Mayor Foushee encourages all community members to reflect on the need for respect of all peoples, and to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.
Carrboro Announces Green Neighborhoods Grants: Apply Today!
The Town of Carrboro is officially inviting residents to help lead the charge against climate change. Applications are now open for the Green Neighborhoods Grant Program, offering up to $25,000 to fund community-driven projects that make Carrboro a greener, more resilient place to live.
Empowering Local Action
Rooted in the Carrboro Community Climate Action Plan adopted in 2017, the program is designed to move climate action from the Town Hall directly into neighborhoods. The grant prioritizes projects that benefit low-income communities and communities of color—groups often disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.
“What makes this program truly unique is that instead of telling neighborhoods how to fight climate change, it empowers neighbors to work with neighbors to address the issues that they care about most in ways that they know will be successful,” said Chief Sustainability Officer Amy Armbruster.
What Can the Funds Be Used For?
Neighborhoods are encouraged to dream big. The program seeks projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve ecosystem resiliency, or spark climate awareness. Successful past recipients have used funds to:
Launch neighborhood compost drop-off programs.
Construct rain gardens to mitigate local flooding.
Plant native trees and community gardens to cool neighborhoods and support pollinators.
Start education campaigns to empower neighbors to take action.
How to Apply
The Town is looking for projects that demonstrate strong neighborhood participation and a clear plan for environmental and social impact.
The Town of Carrboro is committed to making this process accessible to everyone. If your neighborhood needs help with language translation, finding a fiscal agent, or one-on-one application support, the Sustainability Office is ready to assist.
Contact Information: For questions or assistance, please contact Amy Armbruster at aarmbruster@carrboronc.gov or call (919) 918-7345.
Master Your Meter and Save with Home Repair Lab and OWASA
Are your energy and water bills through the roof? Wondering if there are easy ways you can make a difference to save energy and water? We have a solution for you!
Join Chris and Mindy Meyers from Home Repair Lab and Mary Tiger from OWASA for a special presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St.
This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control. Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects.
Relevant for homeowners, first-time home buyers, and renters. Presentations will be followed by interactive question and answer sessions. A giveaway bag with energy-saving supplies will be given to each registered participant!
Free interpretation services are available. Please contact Amy Armbruster at aarmbruster@carrboronc.gov or call (919) 918-7345 at least 48 hours in advance to ensure an interpreter is present.
Town Council Update
The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.
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
The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Jan. 20 and took the following actions:
Heard proclamations for National Day of Racial Healing and Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Authorized Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Amendment #3 and Construction Contract
Designated Veterans Day as an official paid holiday for all eligible Town employees to serve as a lasting expression of gratitude from this community to all veterans and active service members
Received an update on Transportation Projects
Made appointments to boards and commissions -- Tourism Development Authority (Aaron Nelson and Huru Price), Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Advisory Board (Drew Kelley, Debby Filer, Maggie Funkhouser and Kelly Sune) and Transportation, Mobility & Greenways Advisory Commission (Natalia Mushegian).
Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!
Seasonal Brochure
Registration for programs occurs during three different registration sessions throughout the calendar year. Each registration session is accompanied by a program brochure that becomes available to the public at least two weeks prior to the start of the registration session.
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