News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 
(January 18, 2024) 

Here's what's new in Carrboro: Take a look at the 2024 Carrboro Bilingual Calendar. Read the recap for our youth-led Martin Luther King Jr event. Check out the latest Council Update. Read the 203 Project January Update. Learn more about the Carrboro Family Financial Assistance Program...and so much more!

Town of Carrboro 2024 Bilingual Calendar 

The Town of Carrboro 2024 Wall Calendar in English/Spanish is being distributed to households in selected apartment communities, historically Black neighborhoods, and low-income communities. 

Calendars will be available while supplies last for interested residents to pick up from Town Hall, 301 W. Main St.

Designed in-house by Communication & Engagement staff, the calendars feature free community events and observances such as Black History Month, Carrboro In Motion, Freight Train Blues Concerts, Carrboro Pride, the July 4th Celebration and Frederick Douglass Community Reading, Hispanic Heritage Month, Carrboro Music Festival, West End Poetry Festival, and Annual Holiday Tree Lighting.  

Information is also provided about Town services, volunteer opportunities, job postings and emergency resources. 

Download the PDF Carrboro 2024 Bilingual Calendar

For more information, reach the Communication & Engagement Department at communications@carrboronc.gov 

Carrboro Community Celebrates

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Community gathered on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, for a youth-led event celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St.

Planned by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP Youth Council and the Carrboro Youth Council, the event included community fellowship and student artwork; a trivia game; a youth voices video; and poetry.

Group photo (L-R) Kennedy Lytle, Nevaeh’ Hodge, Vickie L. Feaster Fornville, Vianna Fornville, Aniya Campbell, Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Barbara Foushee, Valerie Foushee, Alexander Farmer, Zan Coleman, Natalie Cotton, and Karida Giddings.

Speakers included Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, Dr. Nyah Hamlett, Zan Coleman, Alexander Farmer, and Nevaeh’ Hodge. 

Watch the complete program on the Town of Carrboro YouTube.

Carrboro Launches Family Financial Assistance Program

The Carrboro Family Financial Assistance Program will accept applications beginning on Jan. 16, 2024, for Carrboro families facing financial challenges with food, housing, utilities, transportation and childcare.

The program was approved by the Town Council on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.  Partnering on the program are the Town of Carrboro Racial Equity Commission, Race and Equity team, Housing and Community Services Department, and the Orange County Department of Social Services. 

Pick up and drop off completed applications (English or Spanish) at any of the following: 

• Access applications on the program webpage 
• Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
• Hillsborough Commons, 113-B Mayo Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278 
•  Fax completed applications to 919-644-3305

The Carrboro Family Financial Assistance Program will receive applications through Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

For more information, contact Anita Jones-McNair at amcnair@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7381 or Kannu Taylor at ktaylor@carrboronc.gov or 919-918-7351. 

Town Council Update

CARRBORO, N.C. -- Meeting agendas and updates are issued from the Town Clerk’s Office. To receive these by email or text, sign up for Carrboro Town News at https://www.carrboronc.gov/list

Civic involvement is a valued tradition in our community. Reach the Town Council with your ideas, views, and questions at Council@carrboronc.gov

Coming Up
On Tuesday, Jan. 23, the Council will join the Assembly of Governments meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill. The meeting includes governing bodies from the Town of Carrboro, Town of Chapel Hill, Town of Hillsborough and Orange County Government. 

The Carrboro Town Council will hold its next regular Council Meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. The agenda will be available at https://carrboro.legistar.com/  

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 YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  OR at https://carrboro.legistar.com/ OR Cable TV 18 (in Carrboro). 

Recap of Past Meeting  
The Council met for a work session on Tuesday, Jan. 16, to discuss the recommendations of the Community Safety Task Force. The Council meets for work sessions the second Tuesdays of most months. Public comment is generally not accepted during work sessions, and votes are not taken. 

Watch the work session at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFBdPUfIID8

Town Council 
The Town Council, which is the legislative and policy-making body for Carrboro, comprises Mayor Barbara Foushee, Mayor Pro Tempore Danny Nowell, Council Member Catherine Fray, Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell, Council Member Jason Merrill, and Council Member Eliazar Posada. More information is available at https://www.carrboronc.gov/248/Town-Council

The 203 Project January Update

The tower crane will be removed at the construction site of The 203 Project, requiring temporary closure of Roberson Street from west of Maple Avenue to S. Greensboro Street. 

Traffic impacts are as follows: 

• Wednesday, Jan. 17 – Roberson Street closed 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
• Thursday, Jan. 18 – Roberson Street closed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Friday, Jan. 19 – Roberson Street closed 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The 130-foot tower crane has been a fixture in the downtown Carrboro landscape since December 2022. Its removal is a key moment in project construction, signaling that the main structure is fully installed, and the project has entered into its final phase towards completion. It’s an exciting project milestone! 

We thank you in advance for your patience with this traffic disruption as the project progresses.

More information about the 203 Project Update

2023 Service Award Winners Recognized at UNC Men's Basketball Game

The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro partnered with UNC Athletics to recognize the 2023 Service Award winners on Wednesday, Jan. 17, before the UNC men’s basketball game against Louisville on Roy Williams Court at the Dean E. Smith Center. The winners were honored for their service to the community in front of thousands of fans donning Carolina blue.

"We are grateful to have partnered with Carolina Athletics to honor these 11 community heroes, who so deservedly received an ovation from the thousands of fans at the Dean Smith Center," said Aaron Nelson, President and CEO of The Chamber. "These award winners and the organizations they represent are an integral part of our community and should be celebrated. Thank you to UNC Athletics for their partnership and these heroes for their service.”

Also present during the recognition of the award winners from the Town of Carrboro were Mayor Barbara Foushee, Interim Town Manager Marie Parker, Police Chief Chris Atack, and Fire Chief Will Potter. 

Carrboro Fire Department Firefighter of the Year – Cory Scott Horner

Firefighter Cory Scott Horner exemplifies dedication and excellence in the fire service, serving as a valuable asset to the Carrboro community. His outstanding work ethic and infectious friendly personality set a standard for his peers.

Horner played a key role in developing a new turnout gear specification and led efforts to acquire a situational awareness thermal imaging camera, showcasing both technical expertise and a commitment to safety. Additionally, he takes the lead in procuring training equipment and actively contributes to a county committee focused on mass casualty incident response.

Horner's knowledge, dedication, and proactive approach make him a standout firefighter, positively impacting Carrboro and its residents. He truly embodies the qualities of a firefighter who goes above and beyond, setting an inspiring example for the entire community.

Carrboro Police Officer of the Year – Sgt. Edgar Deharo

Sergeant Deharo stands as a consummate professional, embodying a calm demeanor and a service-driven philosophy that sets an exemplary standard for fellow officers. His commitment to community service extends beyond the call of duty, as evidenced by an incident where he discovered a young child without a bed due to financial constraints. In a heartwarming gesture, Sergeant Deharo and his wife provided a bed for the child and Christmas presents for the family.

Beyond his regular duties, Sergeant Deharo consistently acts as a bridge for members of the Latino community, offering crucial translation services and aiding them in navigating various life situations. His dedication to service, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond make Sergeant Deharo an outstanding role model within the force and a positive force within the community.

Read more about the 2023 honorees from across the community.

Community Climate Conversations

News Release from Central Pines Regional Council 

Central Pines Regional Council (?formerly Triangle J Council of Governments) invites the public to attend Community Climate Conversations, to be held in four locations throughout the region. 

CPRC was awarded a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a Climate Action Plan for the region. The plan will be developed in two phases: a Priority Climate Action Plan will be completed by February 2024, and the full Climate Action Plan will be prepared by Fall 2025. 

CPRC will be hosting four identical Community Climate Conversation sessions to engage the community and incorporate community members’ input into the planning process. The counties covered in this grant include: Chatham, Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Orange, Person, and Wake.

Find more information and register for a session.

Cold Weather Alert for Community

The National Weather Service is predicting that an Arctic air mass and sub-freezing temperatures will extend into the Carolinas. There is a 70-80% chance of below normal temperatures for Jan. 16-20. 

 As the temperatures drop, remember there are resources available!

Cold weather beds are available for white flag nights November through April when the temperatures drop below 32 degrees. For more information and resources visit www.ocpehnc.com

Tips for staying warm

Heat your home safely. It’s going to be extremely cold this weekend. The Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department has provided safety tips for staying warm, including:

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Don’t use outdoor grills, open flames or your oven to keep your house warm.
• Don’t overload your electrical circuits; space heaters use a lot of electricity.
• Plug space heaters into wall sockets — not power strips — and keep them away from flammable materials such as bedding or curtains.
• Make sure your furnace is not overheating.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly.
• If you have any gas fueled appliances and/or have a fireplace you should have a Carbon Monoxide alarm in addition to smoke alarms.

Be Prepared

Please access the following resources: 

• Emergency Information – Carrboro Ready 
• Weather Forecast Information
• Cold Weather Beds/White Flag Nights

Helping Others

The IFC shelter is accepting donations of jackets, blankets and more. A free, hot meal is another service the IFC is offering throughout the week. Contact (919) 929-6380 or info@ifcmailbox.org or drop by 110 W. Main St., Carrboro.  

The IFC, or Inter-Faith Council for Social Service, is a local nonprofit whose mission is to confront the causes and respond to the effects of poverty in the community. 

Floraffiti comes to Carrboro and Chapel Hill

Floraffiti, a community engagement and placemaking project, is returning to Carrboro and Chapel Hill this spring. 

The  Floraffiti program will focus on environmental justice (EJ), a movement of environmental concern and activism. The adverse consequences of climate change and its environmental crises will be explored in upcoming poetry workshops. Workshops will address social-political challenges and inequities that are exacerbated by the climate crisis.

Carter Hubbard, Floraffiti founder, teams up with Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam. Floraffiti will combine eco-social engagement through poetry workshops. It will share the community members’ words by planting them in the ground to grow with the intent to inform and educate.

These free workshops are open to all skill levels for teens and adults:

• Saturday, Feb.10, 2024

  Floraffiti Poetry Workshop with Carrboro Poet Laureate, Liza Wolff-Francis
  1:30-3:30 p.m.
  108 Bim St., Carrboro, NC

• Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024
  Floraffiti Poetry Workshop with Chapel Hill Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam
  2-4 p.m.
  Chapel Hill Public Library, Room C

The public is invited to volunteer with Carter Hubbard and poetry workshop participants in planting the seeds of Floraffiti in an atmosphere of welcoming and inclusive community engagement, supporting conversation, interaction, and a positive relationship-building experience. There are two opportunities to plant this year.  All tools, gloves, and materials will be supplied for ages 13 and up.

Various Carrboro locations

• Saturday, March 2, 2024  
  1-4 p.m., meeting at the Carrboro ArtsCenter

Various Chapel Hill locations

• Sunday, March 3, 2024
  1-4 p.m., meeting at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Learn more about Floraffiti!

Suspect Arrested in Christmas Eve Shooting

At 3:11 a.m. December 24, 2023, the Carrboro Police Department responded to a shooting at 200 NC 54. Officers located a 19-year-old male who had been shot and was suffering from life threatening injuries. The victim was transported to UNC CH Hospital and remains under medical care.

The investigation identified the suspect who fired the shot as 19-year-old Daniel Cruz Rivera of Durham. Arrest warrants were obtained and initial attempts to locate Cruz Rivera were unsuccessful. 

Today, Jan. 17, 2024, Cruz Rivera was located and arrested in Durham by the US Marshals Carolinas Regional Taskforce. He was confined in the Durham County Jail under a no bond hold.

If you have information on this shooting, please contact Investigator E. Velazquez with the Carrboro Police Department (evelazquez@carrboronc.gov; 919-918-7413) or CrimeStoppers at 919-942-7515.

Media point of contact: Captain Ryan Daniels, (919) 918-7418, rdaniels@carrboronc.gov.

Mayor Foushee Proclaims Day of Racial Healing 

Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Jan. 16, 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.

As part of the proclamation, Mayor Foushee invites residents to attend the Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Learn more about the youth-led program. 

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 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 Carrboro proclamation states: “We understand and recognize 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.” 

Read the proclamation and learn more.

2024 Winter-Spring Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide Available

The 2024 Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Winter-Spring Program Guide is now available!  This guide covers programs and events from January through April, including Spring Athletic Leagues, and registration for 2024 Summer Camps.

Registration for Carrboro residents will open at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.  Registration will open to all other participants on Thursday, Jan. 4. 

Registration will be accepted in the Carrboro Century Center during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and online via RecConnect.

If you are a new participant who wishes to register online, please be sure to set up an via our online registration site (linked below).  Please allow at least 3 business days for account review and approval.

If you have any questions, please contact the Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department at 919-918-7364.

Important Information:

• Program Guide (PDF format)
• Online Registration Site
• Financial Assistance Program Information

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.