Tag Archives: Mayor Luke Collins

Celina Aldermen raised the cost for all new water taps installed to account for inflation Tuesday night. The new fees will cost $1,500 for a water tap inside the city and $2,000 for one outside the city, increases of $500. Mayor Luke Collins said the city was losing money every time it installed a tap. “This puts us at a ... Read More »

Celina Aldermen approved the bid for the repaving of Mitchell Street and River Drive. The board unanimously approved the bid from Edmonds Paving & Sealcoating for a $129,725. There was a competing bid from Rogers Group. Mayor Luke Collins said Edmonds Paving & Sealcoating would start bringing equipment quickly to prepare for the job. Collins also said he hoped the ... Read More »

The Celina Board of Aldermen unanimously voted Tuesday night to restore the city’s portion of pay to its Veterans Service Officer. Aldermen voted last month voted to freeze their portion of the pay after a dispute with former officer Brad Halfacre on the proposed Veterans Memorial. The $20,000 annual salary is split between Clay County, Jackson County, Gainesboro, and Celina. ... Read More »

Celina’s splash pad nearing completion, but kids are already trying out the new facility. Mayor Luke Collins said the splash pad is usable now, but it is not yet completed. He said there is still some trim work to do, but kids can currently use certain areas of the splash pad to “get wet and have fun.” “It’s going to ... Read More »

The entire Celina ambulance staff walked out this morning, including EMS Director Andy Hall. Hall said he resigned Monday morning after 24 years with the service because Mayor Luke Collins decided to replace the service’s medical director. “The EMS Director helps appoint this and discusses who the medical director is for the service,” Hall said. “And he just bypassed all ... Read More »

A former Celina Patrol Officer said Mayor Luke Collins did in fact send him home until Chief Terry Scott returned from medical leave. Justin Hancock said he was employed as a certified officer from June 2021 until December 1st of this year. Hancock said when Scott went on medical leave, he did his best as the only full-time officer to ... Read More »

Celina Mayor Luke Collins said he did not instruct police officers to go home while Chief Terry Scott recovers from medical leave. Collins said the city has been dealing with a nationwide police shortage and as of Tuesday, did not have officers working in the city’s department. He said the County Sheriff’s Office has been aiding the city with law ... Read More »

Senator Marcia Blackburn supportive of Celina’s efforts to reopen Cumberland River Hospital. That is according to Celina Mayor Luke Collins who spoke with Blackburn Monday about a federal COVID program that could be used to help fund the closed facility. “She definitely supports rural hospitals and is definitely interested in helping us get our hospital open,” Collins said. “We feel ... Read More »

Some Clay County residents expressed disappointment with the lack of community investment at Thursday night’s Cumberland River Hospital meeting. Just 20 individuals attended the community meeting at the facility to discuss the possibilities for the hospital. This included three county commissioners and one city official, Mayor Luke Collins. Tom Rohyans said with a decision that affects the whole community, there ... Read More »

The Army Corp of Engineers has granted Celina permission to start construction on a splash pad at Donaldson Park. Mayor Luke Collins sad he is excited to see the project move forward after a year long process to get the approval, “The next thing would be to decide exactly what kind of splash pad we want, what size and the ... Read More »