Happy Thanksgiving! Our annual Gallop & Gorge 8K road race will be underway on Thanksgiving morning in downtown Carrboro with hundreds of runners (and walkers) moving down Weaver Street and through neighborhoods. Carrboro is getting ready for the holidays! Have you seen the traditional snowflake lights hanging in downtown? The Carrboro Community Garden Club will be busy creating the homemade wreaths that hang at Town Hall during the Annual Tree Lighting set for Friday, Dec. 5. The following Saturday, Dec. 6 is the Community Holiday Parade. Hope you're feeling the spirit of the festive season! Get out there and enjoy the fall colors.
Thanksgiving Holiday Service Changes and Facility Closures
Town of Carrboro offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28.
Due to the holiday, household trash collections are two days early the week of Thanksgiving.
Wednesday’s waste collection route will be collected on Monday, Nov. 24; Thursday’s waste collection route will be collected on Tuesday, Nov. 25; and Friday’s waste collection route will be collected on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Yard waste, loose leaves, and bulk waste will not be collected during Thanksgiving week (Nov. 24-28).
Gallop & Gorge 8K to fill Carrboro Downtown
for Thanksgiving Day
The final race of Le Tour de Carrboro series is the Gallop & Gorge 8K scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27. The race will begin and end on Weaver Street in downtown Carrboro so expect traffic delays in that area.
There will also be an opportunity to give back to your community. Collection boxes will be available for non-perishable food items to be donated to the Interfaith Council Food Pantry.
Grab a cup of coffee, some non-perishable items to donate, and come out to cheer on the runners before you begin your Thanksgiving festivities at home.
The race's 2025 Community Partners include Carrboro Boy Scout Troop 845, Carrboro Family Garden, Meals on Wheels of Orange County, Optimist Club of Chapel Hill, Orange County Rape Crisis Center, Table, and UNC Get Real & Heel Cancer Exercise Program.
Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) as Small Business Saturday in Carrboro.
Carrboro is home to more than 300 small businesses employing thousands of residents. These small businesses directly contribute to the Town’s economic viability, cultural identity and quality of life.
Sixty-eight cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in the local community and every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional 48 cents in local business purchasing local goods and service.
The Town of Carrboro recognizes the importance of supporting local businesses not only on Small Business Saturday but throughout the holiday season and year-round.
Mayor Barbara Foushee has proclaimed Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, to be Care to Share Day in Carrboro, in conjunction with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA).
OWASA has worked since 1997 to provide water and sewer bill assistance to community members through the Care to Share program.
In 2024, Care to Share donations exceeded $25,700 and provided utility bill support to 84 households.
Providing equitable drinking water and wastewater services to the community requires investment in the community’s water and wastewater infrastructure. Clean water is critical to public health and the vitality of our community.
Donations can be made to the program by OWASA customers as part of their monthly bill or by a one-tie donation. All funds donated to the program will directly help local residents in need.
'Tis the season of giving to a good cause! November 20 is Care to Share Day, celebrating OWASA's water bill community assistance program. Last year, OWASA helped 84 families cover their water bills during tough times thanks to your donations to Care to Share. Support Care to Share by donating monthly through your OWASA bill or make a one-time donation. Visit owasa.org/help-my-neighbor-care-to-share to learn more and donate.
Carrboro Town Manager Announces New Planning Director
Town Manager Patrice Toney has announced the selection of John Fussa as the new planning director for the Town of Carrboro. Fussa is a nationally recognized city planner whose experience spans multiple decades in Colorado and New Jersey. He is scheduled to begin in December 2025.
Fussa comes from the Town of Parker, Colo., where he served as community development director from August 2013 to October 2025.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Fussa as Carrboro’s next planning director,” Toney said. “We need equity-driven, climate-smart leadership to guide thoughtful, inclusive growth. John's track record aligns with Carrboro’s values and our commitment to measurable progress for residents and businesses.”
“The Town of Carrboro is a special place, and I am excited by the opportunity to work with the community, staff and stakeholders to help Carrboro realize its vision for the future,” Fussa said.
In Parker, Fussa led all aspects of Town operations related to planning, building, growth and development. He was responsible for successful efforts such as the My Mainstreet downtown revitalization project, the award winning Mainstreet Master Plan, completion of a new Unified Land Development Code, new Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan, and streamlined development processes such as the EZ Permits program for homeowners and small businesses.
Prior to working for the Town of Parker, Fussa served as the City Planner/Director of Community Development at the City of Bayonne, N.J. from 2002 to 2013 and Project Manager/Senior Planner for the consulting firm of Heyer, Gruel and Associates in New Brunswick, N.J. from 1997 to 2002.
Fussa holds a Master of City and Regional Planning Degree from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. He recently served as the co-chair of the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Advisory Committee; was a liaison to the Douglas County Housing Partnership, South Metro Fire/Rescue Authority and Parker Water/Sanitation District; and is a member of the American Planning Association, Colorado Municipal League and Urban Land Institute.
Fussa will be succeeding Trish McGuire, who retired after an extraordinary 30-year career in Carrboro. The Town of Carrboro extends its gratitude to Christina Moon for serving as interim planning director.
Braxton Foushee honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Prominent civil rights activist and long-standing community leader Braxton Foushee was honored on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, with the awarding of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. More than 100 friends, family members, scouts from Boy Scout Troop 411, and distinguished guests attended the ceremony, packing the performance space at the Drakeford Library Complex to standing-room only.
Read the following message from NC Rep. Allen Buansi, who organized the award ceremony:
“We had another wonderful evening of celebrating a living legend – Braxton Foushee. He received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, after decades of exemplary service and leadership for our community in Carrboro and beyond. He is selfless, kind, steady, with a strong sense of fairness.
He started making his impact early, registering Black voters at 15 years old during the Jim Crow era. He was elected the first Black member of the Carrboro Board of Aldermen in 1969 and devoted 55+ years of his life to serving and leading our community in different capacities. Richly deserved!”
The Governor of North Carolina presents the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award to recognize individuals for outstanding service and contributions to the state. Current Governor Josh Stein has recently awarded it to several people, and the list of recipients can be found on the Governor's official website.
Carrboro Town Council Organizational Meeting set for Tuesday, Dec. 2
The Carrboro Town Council will hold an Organizational Meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. The agenda will be available online.
Scheduled to take their oaths of office are Mayor-Elect Barbara Foushee (to be sworn-in by Judge Joal H. Broun), Council Member-Elect Fred Joiner (to be sworn-in by NC Rep. Allen Buansi), Council Member-Elect Danny Nowell (to be sworn in by Rep. Buansi) and Council Member-Elect Cristóbal Palmer (to be sworn-in by Judge Alyson Grine).
A resolution of appreciation will be read for Council Member Randee Haven-O’Donnell.
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 online.
Leaf Collection in Carrboro
Have you noticed leaf piles around town? It’s certainly that time of year. The Town of Carrboro would like to remind everyone that leaves should not be piled into traffic lanes, bike lanes or sidewalks, as they become a dangerous public safety hazard.
Residents should also check collection schedules for yard waste and leaves, so that piles do not remain at the curb longer than necessary.
Typically, residents receive yard waste and loose-leaf collection twice per month, either on the first and third Mondays of the month or the second and fourth Mondays of the month. It’s important to note that although the collection day is Monday, depending on the volume of material placed at the curb, the routes may take more than one day to complete.
Join us at Carrboro Town Hall on at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 as we gather for the Annual Tree Lighting and celebrate the festive season!
We welcome all community members to join members of the Town Council along with local schoolchildren from Carrboro and McDougle elementary schools as we officially kick off the season with music and the lighting of the community tree.
In collaboration with our participating schools, we have partnered with Porch to hold a canned food drive. Please bring non-perishable items to the tree lighting and place in each designated box. Let's see which school can collect the most donations!
Celebrate Holiday Magic at the Carrboro-Chapel Hill Community Holiday Parade
The annual Carrboro-Chapel Hill Community Holiday Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Get festive and watch arts, cultural, and community groups make their way through our community downtowns!
The parade begins at 501 W. Weaver Street in Carrboro, continues onto E. Main Street in Carrboro, and travels eastward along Franklin Street to end at 140 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.
Arrive early to grab a spot and plan to stay after the parade to explore restaurants and shops.
Parade Traffic Alerts
Starting at 7 a.m., W. Weaver Street to Greensboro Street will be closed for parade participants to assemble. Country Junction business traffic will be able to access the restaurant up until 9:15 a.m. from W. Main Street.
Starting at 9:30 a.m., note that roads closed to motor vehicle traffic are W. Main Street from near the CommunityWorx Thrift Shop and E. Main Street in Carrboro moving eastward toward Chapel Hill and W. Franklin Street.
In Chapel Hill, W. Franklin Street and Church Street between Rosemary Street and Franklin Street) will be closed as the parade moves through.
Carrboro Farmers’ Market Traffic: We highly encourage early morning Farmers’ Market traffic to access and exit the market via Jones Ferry Road from the NC-54 Bypass due to the W. Main Street closure during the parade.
Please remember there is no event parking at Carr Mill Mall. Parking is for mall patrons only while on premises. Leaving the site may result in your vehicle being towed.
Parking along Rosemary Street or outside of designated spaces is not permitted.
Put your ideas into action! Apply to serve the Town of Carrboro
Carrboro local government has various advisory boards and commissions that advise the Town Council on a wide range of issues. We are currently looking to fill vacancies!
When you serve, you become an advocate for the Town of Carrboro, provide feedback to the Council, and help strengthen the community with your unique perspective. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people as you put your ideas into action.
The Town of Carrboro strives for diverse representation on volunteer boards and commissions. Residents of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives are encouraged to apply. Volunteers are appointed by the Town Council and have the opportunity to directly influence local decisions, policies, and priorities.
Reminder: Please Remove Vehicles from Town Hall EV Charging Stations before 3 am on Saturdays
A reminder to users of the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at Town Hall, please remove your vehicles from 3 to 8 a.m. on Saturday mornings. Carrboro Farmers’ Market vendors need the spaces to have room to set-up and operate their vehicles and equipment. Your courtesy is appreciated!
If you need to charge your electric vehicle during these times, the Town has other public EV charging stations available at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, the Drakeford Library, and the Rosemary Street public parking lot. To find the locations of these and other nearby EV charging stations, use the map on this page: https://www.carrboronc.gov/2777/Electric-Vehicle-Charging-Stations
The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and took the following actions:
Passed resolutions in Support of Immigrant Communities and, Adequate Affordable Housing, and heard proclamations for Care to Share Day, Small Business Saturday, Transgender Day of Remembrance and the US Post Office 250th Anniversary.
Adopted the 2026 Meeting Calendar and the 2026 Town Event Calendar.
Received an Annual Title VI Compliance Report, summarizing implementation updates from the past year, and readopted the Title VI Plan with updated goals for the coming year.
Amended the Town Code to restrict on-street parking on Roberson Street.
Entered into a license agreement with Chapel Hill Transit for the improved bus stop on West Main Street in front of Town Hall (Site 157).
Authorized staff to submit a request for additional funding for the South Greensboro Street Sidewalk project as part of Triangle West Transportation Planning Organization's call for projects for Regional Flexible Funding
Adopted the Carrboro Downtown Area Plan which explores opportunities for growth in the downtown area and along Jones Ferry Road in line with the Carrboro Connects Comprehensive Plan.
Adopted an ordinance for the voluntary annexation of the 36.7-acre property located along Old NC 86 and known as the Jade Creek development.
Received an update from OWASA Representatives.
Received information about the Town's partnership with the Center for Policing Equity, a policing policy non-profit that adopts a scientific, data-driven approach to understanding inequities in law enforcement and gaps in public safety data collection.
Received information about the Town's implementation of Automatic Vehicle Locator/Telematics (AVL) technologies in the Town of Carrboro's fleet vehicles.
Thanks to the neighbors who came out for the Nov. 20, 2025 informational meeting at University Lake hosted by OWASA Director of Water Resources Allison Spinelli and Carrboro Fire Chief Will Potter. Topics for discussion were the organizations’ communication during emergencies, how University Lake and the Dam is impacted by flooding events, and how we can rapidly improve our communities’ preparation for extreme flooding in the future. Officials responded to questions and concerns from the community regarding flooding that occurred in Morgan Creek during Tropical Storm Chantal.
Leave the Leaves
Fallen leaves are more than just seasonal color — they are shelter.
Leaving your leaves is one of the easiest ways to help insects and soil health in your yard. Piles of fallen leaves create homes for all sorts of beneficial critters, from butterflies and beetles to worms and fireflies. It’s also a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of using a gas-powered leaf blower, leave those leaves where they fall.
How to Leave Your Leaves:
Leave them where they fall - Fallen leaves offer shelter for creatures like fireflies, beetles, and butterflies, and save you time on yard maintenance!
Rake leaves under trees, around shrubs, and into perennial beds – Leaves can act as a natural mulch that suppresses weeds and retains moisture
Compost your leaves – Add valuable nutrients to your soil for even more beautiful plants in the Spring
Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment: Reclaiming the Promise of Freedom
The Town of Carrboro is a co-sponsor of the community history event “Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment: Reclaiming the Promise of Freedom” offered from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025 at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St.
On December 6, 1865, the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. As we reflect on this dark chapter in our nation’s history, join our continued work to build a nation that protects the rights of all its people.
This symposium will feature panel discussions with renowned legal scholars and historians, as well as a keynote conversation between Dr. Martha Jones and NC Supreme Court Justice, Anita Earls.
Dr. Martha Jones is an American historian and legal scholar. She is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and Professor of History at Johns Hopkins University. She studies the legal and cultural history of the United States, with a particular focus on how Black Americans have shaped the history of American democracy. She has published books on the voting rights of African American women, the debates about women's rights among Black Americans in the early United States, and the development of birthright citizenship in the United States as promoted by African Americans in Baltimore before the Civil War.
Anita Earls is an American civil rights attorney who has served as an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court since 2019. She previously served as the executive director of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, as well as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice during the Clinton administration. On Nov. 6, 2018, Earls defeated Republican incumbent Justice Barbara Jackson in a three-candidate election to win a seat on the state's highest court.
Program partners for Beyond the Thirteenth Amendment symposium include:
Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition
Orange County Office of Civil Rights & Civic Life
Carolina Public Humanities & Carolina K-12
Town of Carrboro
Chapel Hill Public Library's Community History Program
Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!
2025 Fall Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide
The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Fall program brochure is now available! This includes registration for the 2025-2026 Youth Basketball Leagues.
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