News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(Jan. 16, 2026) 

Happy Dr. King Jr. Day! Join us at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 for the Youth Led Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. Carrboro elevates the day from a simple commemoration to an active celebration of justice, rooted in youth voices, community participation, and a tangible commitment to carrying forward Dr. King's dream. Join us at the Carrboro Century Center. The powerful images shown here, created by Carrboro High School students in teacher Rita Schiavone's class, are from last year's celebration. Sgraffito is the art style, etched on clay. 

Carrboro Film Fest brings two decades 

of Southern cinema in North Carolina

CARRBORO, NC -- The Carrboro Film Fest, sponsored and organized by the Town of Carrboro, has showcased the best in Southern independent film for the past 20 years with a curated selection of films made exclusively by Southern filmmakers.

This year, the festival will play host to 44 short films and features from Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Missouri. Twenty-two of the films this year are from North Carolina filmmakers.

“Our mission is to celebrate and interrogate Southern culture through film,” says Festival Director Bryan Reklis. “Film is an art that taps into the vast array of human emotions, and the festival gives audiences an opportunity to experience those emotions in a communal setting alongside the filmmakers themselves, which is one of the perks of a small-town festival like ours."

The Carrboro Film Fest will take place for the first time at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. 

“We’ve got films for everyone,” concludes Festival Director Bryan Reklis. “If you love drama, comedy, horror, documentary, or anything else, we’ve got you covered. And it’s all new, all exciting, and all Southern.”

For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, go to www.carrborofilm.org 

📆 Mark your calendars! Below is our official schedule of events and screenings:

Friday, Jan. 23

• 7 p.m. | Opening Film: Leads (feature film)
• 9 p.m. | Opening Night Reception

Saturday, Jan. 24

• 11 a.m. | Funding Your Film With PBS NC and Southern Documentary Fund (workshop)
• 12:30 p.m. | Keystone Species (short films)
• 3 p.m. | Mile Markers (short films)
• 5:30 p.m. | Discoveries (student short films)
• 8:30 p.m. | Embrace the Echo (short films)

Sunday, Jan. 25

• 12 p.m. | The True Cost of Power (short films)
• 1:30 p.m. | Keep Holding (short films)
• 4 p.m. | Closing Film: Minnie Evans: Draw or Die (feature film)

More info about the films at https://www.carrborofilm.org/events 

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510 to hear from speakers and friends of the community gather for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Activities include trivia, youth speakers, Performances by Sisters Voices Choir and SkyBlew, and more!

This youth led event strives to bring the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting a poem to be a part of our Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition. Elementary, Middle and High School students in Orange County, NC are invited to submit original poems emphasizing Dr. King's core values such as kindness, acceptance, compassion, social justice, unity, equality and civic responsibility. 

Selected submissions will be displayed at the poetry exhibition, and one participant will be awarded the opportunity to speak at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Saturday, Jan. 17. 

Participation is free, and submissions are now being accepted online. For more information and to submit a poem, please review the online entry form.

Carrboro observes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Town of Carrboro offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19 for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.  

Monday’s yard waste collection will be picked up on Tuesday, Jan. 20. 

Town Manager Announces New IT Director 

CARRBORO, NC – Town Manager Patrice Toney has announced the selection of Marty Kornegay as the new information technology director for the Town of Carrboro. A former senior information technology director for a global healthcare company, Kornegay has more than two decades of experience in IT leadership across both public and private sectors. 

While with Novo Nordisk, a hybrid role based in Clayton, N.C., Kornegay led an Infrastructure team of 15 full-time employees in the delivery of infrastructure and operations management.

Previously, Kornegay served for over a decade as a senior information technology analyst for the Forsyth County Management Information Systems Department, supporting a diverse range of departments including the County Manager's Office, County Attorney, Finance, Public Library, Sheriff's Department and Animal Control. 

“Technology is no longer just a support function, it is a strategic partner in how we serve our community and support our workforce,” said Town Manager Toney.  “We are excited to welcome Marty as our new IT Director, whose leadership will help us strengthen systems, enhance security, and ensure our organization is prepared for the future.”

A native of Kinston, N.C., Kornegay holds a Master of Science in Computer Science degree with a focus on Information Technology from Winston-Salem State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Kornegay is co-founder and executive board member of Brainy Builders STEM Hub in Clayton, N.C., providing STEM based enrichment for Youth and Adults. He has also served as an advisory board member of the Town of Clayton Downtown Development Advisory Board.

Kornegay started his new position in Carrboro on Jan. 12, 2026. He succeeds Andy Vogel, who retired after a 26-year career in Carrboro. 

Congrats, Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro! 

Congratulations to Town Manager Patrice Toney and Carrboro Police Captain Ryan Daniels  for graduating from Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro on Thursday, Jan. 15.

The program, which began in June 2025, is an immersive personal and professional development program designed to inform, connect, and engage experienced and future leaders in the Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro community. Learn more. 

Town of Carrboro Receives National Recognition for Excellence in Budget Presentation

The Town of Carrboro has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its FY 2025–26 Budget, marking a significant national recognition of the Town’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and best practices in public finance.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. To earn the award, Carrboro’s budget document met nationally recognized guidelines and received “proficient” ratings in all four required categories: serving as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. The budget also satisfied all 14 mandatory evaluation criteria within those categories.

“This award reflects the hard work and excellence of our team,” said Town Manager Patrice Toney. “A budget is more than numbers. It is a statement of our priorities, our stewardship of public trust, and our commitment to the people we serve. I am deeply grateful to the Carrboro Town Council for adopting a budget that reflects our community’s values and long-term vision, and to our Finance team who worked collaboratively with department leaders to produce a budget that is transparent, accessible, and aligned with Carrboro’s goals.”

Read more about the award.

Town Hall Field Trip

Thanks to the third grade students of Frank Porter Graham for visiting Carrboro Town Hall and the Carrboro Fire Station today (1/12/25) for tours and lessons on local government and fire safety. We had a lot of fun with you during our mock Council meeting! 

Special thanks to teacher Josh White for organizing the visit, and to Carrboro Deputy Fire Chief David LaPlante, Mayor Barbara Foushee, Town Manager Patrice Toney, Town Clerk Lamar Joyner, Communication and Engagement Director Catherine Lazorko, Communication, and Engagement Coordinator Eve Greene and other members of the Town Team for making the morning special - ending with cupcakes, of course! 

Poets Party 2026

A special occasion to celebrate the importance of poets and poetry in our community culture was billed as the Carrboro’s Poets Party to welcome Dr. Amanda Bennett as Carrboro’s new poet laureate and bid farewell and gratitude to outgoing poet laureate Liza Wolff-Francis. Voices rose up and across the theater combining with music, applause and audience participation to create an unforgettable event on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Drakeford Library Complex.   

Lee Francis IV served as MC; Tre Charles played songs; Mayor Barbara Foushee offered remarks; and NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green read poetry along with many current and past poets laureate and youth poets from area towns and cities. 

Participants included Jay Bryan, CJ Suite, DJ Rogers, Patrick Herron, Cortland Giliam, Aaliyah Mendoza, Celisa Steele, Lola King, Gary Phillips, Julia Tudorica, Fred Joiner, Chris Vitiello, Donovan Livingston, Rishi Janakiraman and Dasan Ahanu. 

Many thanks to all who attended! 

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. 

• Maximum Award: $25,000 
• Deadline: Feb. 18, 2026, at 5 p.m. 
• Application & Details: Visit the Green Neighborhoods Grant Webpage

Support is Available 

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! 

• Please RSVP with our online form.  
• 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 of Carrboro accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding

On Friday, Dec. 12, the Town of Carrboro will begin accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Prospective applicants will have two opportunities to learn more about the application and the funding process.

The funding application will be available online starting Dec. 12, 2025, through this portal: Form Application Center - Town of Chapel Hill, NC. 

Applicants should complete and submit their applications and supporting documents by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. 

For more information, visit Human Services  | Carrboro, NC - Official Website  or contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or email amvanaman@carrboronc.gov. 

Town Council Update

The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 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 agenda is available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/7sHJh4Uf_aI?si=dWdIjl_3xuhjLEVn

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Jan. 6 and took the following actions: 

• Approved Town Council Liaison Board/Committee assignments
• Approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Carrboro and Orange County for Continued Erosion & Sediment Control (E&SC) Cooperation
• Received an update on Municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and decarbonization goals

Watch the meeting livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/0uFOpIAC63Y?si=E37Z7t3o8PWUGZAb

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.

View a copy of the current program brochure here.