Public Notice: MLK Day Service Schedules and Local Health Advisory
Official Notice: Holiday Service Modifications
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 19, 2026, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have announced several service modifications and facility closures. Residents are advised to take note of updated schedules for waste collection, public transit, and administrative operations.
New 2026 Holiday Waste Collection Schedule
Starting this year, the City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services has implemented a new holiday collection pattern for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will be no garbage, recycling, or bulky waste collection today, Monday, January 19. Collection crews will begin service on Tuesday, January 20, and work through Friday to complete all routes. There will be no Saturday collection this week.
Crucially, no yard waste will be collected during the week of January 19–23. This change allows crews to prioritize the completion of garbage and recycling routes. Residents should place their carts at the curb on their regular service day and leave them until they are emptied, as pickup may occur later in the week than usual. Natural Christmas tree collection continues through the end of January; trees must be free of all decorations and placed at the curb for collection.
Public Health Advisory: Measles Surveillance
Mecklenburg County Public Health has issued a health advisory following the detection of the measles virus in wastewater samples at the Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. While no clinical cases have been formally identified within the county as of this morning, health officials are urging residents to ensure their immunizations are up to date. Mecklenburg County Public Health clinics are offering free or low-cost walk-in MMR vaccinations to help prevent a local outbreak. Residents experiencing symptoms such as high fever, cough, or a characteristic rash are instructed to call their healthcare provider before visiting a facility to prevent potential exposure to others.
Transit and Administrative Updates
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is operating on a modified schedule today. All CATS bus routes, the LYNX Blue Line, and the CityLYNX Gold Line will follow a Saturday schedule. The CATS Call Center, Lost and Found, and pass sales offices are closed today and will resume regular hours on Tuesday.
Non-emergency government offices, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center and all branches of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, are closed for the holiday. CharMeck 311 is closed for non-emergency calls, though residents may still report issues via the CLT+ mobile app or the city's website. Emergency services remain fully operational.
Community Events and Road Closures
The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Parade will result in several road closures in Uptown Charlotte. Motorists should expect heavy delays and detours along Tryon Street between 9th Street and Morehead Street from 8:00 a.m. until approximately 2:00 p.m. Additionally, the city is hosting MLK Service Day clean-up events in the Corridors of Opportunity from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to honor the holiday as a national day of service.