City Government of Celina, Texas

Today, we join communities across the nation in recognizing Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the enduring values of freedom, hope, and opportunity.

As we reflect on this important chapter in our nation's history, we honor the resilience, perseverance, and contributions of those who helped shape our communities and our country.

In recognition of this federal holiday, Celina's Historic Water Tower will be illuminated this evening as a symbol of remembrance, reflection, and our shared commitment to a brighter future.

This morning’s storms created challenging conditions across our community, including reports of trash and recycling carts being blown over or carried down streets by high water and strong winds.

As collection services continue today, we ask residents to do their part by retrieving their carts and placing them at the curb if they have been displaced. Due to safety concerns and the volume of affected carts, Community Waste Disposal (CWD) drivers will not be able to stop and recover carts that have floated or blown away from their original locations.

Please also be aware that storm impacts may delay trash and recycling collection routes. CWD crews are working hard to serve residents as safely and efficiently as possible, and we appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you cannot locate your cart, we encourage you to first check nearby areas, including down your street and around neighboring properties, as many carts may have been moved by the storm.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our community safe as crews work to complete today's collections.

🚧 TRAFFIC ALERT: ROAD CONDITIONS UPDATE 🚧
Due to the recent storm, high water has been reported along a major roadway in the city.

Parvin Rd, from Bothwell Blvd to Eider Rd, is currently closed due to flooding. Safety gates have been activated to prevent access. City crews are actively monitoring conditions and will reopen the roadway as soon as it is safe to do so.

Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution, never drive through standing water, and seek alternate routes if necessary. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe. Stay alert and stay safe, Celina.

A routine trash collection can turn into a dangerous fire in seconds.

This is what's known as a hot load - a fire that can occur when combustible materials are mixed with household waste. Items such as lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable batteries, propane cylinders, and other hazardous materials can ignite when compressed during the collection process, creating a serious hazard for sanitation workers, first responders, and the surrounding community.

The good news is that these incidents are preventable.

Please do not place batteries or other combustible materials in your household garbage. Instead, dispose of them safely through the City's Clean Sweep program.

The next Clean Sweep event is Saturday, July 25, and residents are encouraged to bring used batteries and other approved household hazardous materials for proper disposal.

A few extra minutes to dispose of these items properly can help protect our sanitation crews, emergency responders, and neighbors while keeping our community safe.

As the City of Celina celebrates 150 years of history, we continue to honor the people whose character, service, and dedication helped build the community we know today.

The story of Celina is not simply one of historic buildings or longtime businesses.

It is the story of ordinary people who did the right thing, day after day, until they earned the trust of their neighbors and helped create the community we cherish today.

While buildings and businesses may change, the values that shaped Celina remain the same - hard work, integrity, and a commitment to one another. Few people embodied those qualities more than James Roland "Mac" McIlroy.

In this photograph, Mac stands outside the Chevrolet dealership that generations of Celina families came to trust. Long before online reviews and customer ratings, a person's reputation was built through honesty and earned one handshake at a time. If you bought a vehicle from Mac, you knew you were doing business with someone who stood behind his word.

But Mac's story was about much more than selling cars.

Born in 1924, Mac attended Texas A&M before answering the call to serve his country during World War II. As a member of the 99th Infantry Division, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war's most difficult campaigns, earning both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his courage and sacrifice. Like many of his generation, he returned home not looking for recognition but ready to build a life of service.

After the war, Mac completed his education and met his future wife, Virginia, before the two made Celina their home. He began his career as an agriculture and wood shop teacher, helping young people develop practical skills and a strong work ethic. Those who knew Mac understood that he believed in doing things the right way, taking pride in your work, and treating people with respect. Those values would guide him throughout his life.

He later entered the automotive business, purchasing the Chevrolet dealership in 1957 and operating it for the next 44 years. Located along Preston Road near the present-day site of Fire Station #1 and the 7-Eleven, the dealership became a familiar landmark for residents and visitors alike.

Mac didn't build his reputation by selling automobiles. He built it by keeping his word. The cars and trucks were simply the means through which generations of Celina families came to know and trust him.

For many residents, the dealership was more than a place to buy a car or truck. It was a place where neighbors caught up on local news, friendships were strengthened, and customers became lifelong friends.

Farmers, families, and first-time buyers alike knew they could count on Mac for a fair deal and an honest answer. People returned year after year because they believed in Mac and knew he believed in treating people right. Fairness, honesty, and trust were the foundation of his business and his life.

In many ways, Mac's dealership reflected the spirit of the Celina of its time. Local businesses were more than storefronts - they were gathering places where people looked after one another and shared in the successes and challenges of everyday life. Business owners understood that serving the community was just as important as serving their customers, and Mac was no exception. He helped build the kind of hometown where a good reputation was earned through kindness, consistency, and fairness.

As Celina celebrates its 150th anniversary, Mac McIlroy's story reminds us that a community is built by more than streets and buildings. It is built by veterans who answered their country's call, teachers who invested in future generations, business owners who earned their neighbors' trust, and families who chose to make Celina home.

As Celina looks toward the next 150 years, Mac's legacy reminds us that while our town will continue to grow and change, the values that built it should never be forgotten. Trust earned through service, integrity, and a commitment to one another helped shape Celina's first 150 years, and because of people like Mac McIlroy, those same values continue to guide its future.

🚧 REMINDER: COIT ROAD ASPHALT REPLACEMENT PROJECT BEGINS WEDNESDAY 🚧

A reminder that construction on the Coit Road Asphalt Replacement Project will begin Wednesday, June 17, along Coit Road between County Road 92 and FM 455.

This important infrastructure project will include full-depth asphalt reconstruction, drainage improvements, new roadway signage and striping, driveway and mailbox adjustments, and restoration of disturbed areas to improve safety, driving conditions, and the long-term reliability of this key transportation corridor.

Crews will begin with drainage work, with daily lane closures expected as roadway construction progresses. Two-way traffic will be maintained, but motorists should anticipate periodic delays and use extra caution when traveling through the work zone.

We appreciate the community's patience and cooperation as these improvements help support Celina's continued growth and enhance our transportation infrastructure. Additional updates will be shared as construction progresses.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE: S. ARKANSAS STREET
Beginning Monday, June 15, the City of Celina will temporarily close a portion of S. Arkansas St between E. Main St and E. Walnut St to accommodate a water line tie-in for The Clubhouse at Ousley Park.

During construction, the roadway will be limited to local traffic access only to help ensure the safety of motorists, residents, and construction crews. The closure is anticipated to remain in place for approximately one month, weather and field conditions permitting.

This utility improvement is an important step in supporting the completion of The Clubhouse at Ousley Park and the continued enhancement of community amenities.

The City appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents, businesses, and visitors during construction and encourages motorists to use caution and follow all posted traffic control devices when traveling through the area.

Additional updates will be shared as work progresses.

Reminder: Applications for the City of Celina Boards & Commissions are still open.

If you're passionate about our community and want to help shape Celina's future, now is your chance to get involved. Serving on a board or commission is a meaningful way to share your expertise, provide input on important initiatives, and support the City's continued growth and success.

Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference in the place you call home.

Application deadline: Monday, June 29

To learn more visit: https://www.celina-tx.gov/160/Boards-Commissions

ROAD CLOSURE REMINDER: COUNTY ROAD 52 RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Construction on the County Road 52 Reconstruction Project continues to make steady progress, with Phase 2 now complete. Beginning Monday, June 15, GRod Construction, LLC will transition into Phase 3 of the project as work advances toward its anticipated completion later this summer.

As a reminder, temporary traffic pattern changes will be in place during this phase of construction. Residents will access and exit the area via W. Outer Loop, while FM 428 will be reserved for hospital delivery vehicles only. Traffic control devices and directional signage will remain in place to safely guide motorists and maintain access for essential services.

The County Road 52 Reconstruction Project is an important investment in Celina's transportation infrastructure, improving roadway conditions, enhancing safety, and supporting the community's continued growth. Construction remains on schedule, with completion anticipated by the end of August, weather and field conditions permitting.

The City appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents, businesses, and motorists and encourages everyone to remain alert, follow posted traffic control measures, and use caution when traveling through the work zone.