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Now in its 16th year, Santa Shops Covington County First has evolved into a traditional community event. It’s more than sales, door prizes and Chamber Dollars. It’s about our local merchants, our families, our community and our desire to keep the Christmas season close to home. It’s about our resilience during a worldwide pandemic and devastating storms! Our businesses stayed open during the difficult times to serve the community, and we thank them.

It has never been more important to keep our citizens shopping locally and eating at our restaurants. Small business is the strength of our county and keeping local businesses healthy is essential to Covington County’s economic future. Invest in our community and keep tax dollars at HOME!

Santa Shops Covington County First will run from Thursday, November 18, thru Tuesday, November 30, 2021. When an item is purchased at a participating merchant’s store, the customer signs up for a door prize from that store. Those names also go into the drawing for Chamber Dollars of $500, $300, and $100. The GRAND PRIZE drawing for Chamber Dollars will be Thursday, December 2, 2021, prior to the Collins Christmas Parade schedule for 6:30 p.m.

If your business has never participated in the Santa Shops program, the Chamber invites you to join the other businesses as we work together to build a stronger county. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 601-765-6012 for additional information.

The City of Collins recently received a Mississippi Department of Health- Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. This Grant will be used to establish an Exercise Center at the Collins Senior Center in Collins for Senior Citizens and employees of the City of Collins. The Grant is focused on promoting a healthy “you” inside yourself.

The City of Collins Board of Aldermen are providing additional funding to help cover the expense of setting up the Exercise Center. Equipment has been selected with Senior Citizens and City Employees in mind. A security system will be installed in the Senior Center for the safety of the Seniors and Employees using the Center. It is expected that the Exercise Center at the Collins Senior Center will open soon. The Exercise Center will be open Monday through Friday, 9: a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for Senior Citizens.

Collins Mayor Hope Magee Jones said, “I am so excited we are adding this amenity to our City. To be able to offer this Exercise Center to our Senior Citizens and our City Employees is a joy. I would like to thank the MS State Department of Health for this boost in the right direction. In the near future, we will be establishing a Mayor’s Health Council. This council will help to plan events and activities that will promote a Healthier Collins. We deserve it.”

Everyone at Mitchell Farms has been in high gear getting ready for the 11th annual Mississippi Peanut Festival to be held Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday, October 3 from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Admission is $15.00 for each person 2 years and older. The price of admission includes Festival access and Pumpkin Patch festivities.

The Pumpkin Patch and Maze are open to the public through Sunday, November 7 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays. During the month of October the Pumpkin Patch and Maze are open on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Mitchell Farms is located at 650 Leaf River Church Road in Collins.

The City of Collins, along with St. Joseph Hospice, held a pinning ceremony for veterans in the area, at the Collins Senior Center. Veterans representing the Marines Special Forces, Army, Air Force, and an Army Paratrooper, were in attendance. “Our veterans have served our country well, now it’s time, we serve and honor them,” said Shelia Williams, Volunteer Coordinator, with St. Joseph Hospice.

The veterans in attendance were pinned by Teddy Reed, Director of Outreach, for Mississippi Veterans Affairs.

St. Joseph Hospice is a level 5 member of the We Honor Veterans National program and holds activities for veterans and seniors on a regular basis, at the Senior Center.

Pictured, left to right are… Virgil R. Hollingsworth, James P. Rogers, William Morris, Melvin Banks, Teddy Reed, Carlton McRaney, Harry D. Maudlin and Nelson Flowers.  

Virgil R. Hollingsworth-SGT. First Class, National Guard,1960-1999

CPL. James P. Rogers-US Marine Corp., SPL Forces, June 1960-1966

Full CPL. William Morris, US Air Force, National Guard Commission, Army Reserve, 1951-1988

Melvin Banks-US Army, Specialist E5 to Company Commander, 1966-1968

CPL. Carlton McRaney-Merchant Marines,1945-1947, US Air Force,1952-1954

Harry D. Maudlin-US Army Airborne Division Parachutist, SGT. E5, Aug. 1955-Apr.30,1962

Army Infantry SP-Nelson Flowers, Bronze Star recipient, E4 1967-1969

On Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Covington County Hospital opened a new Covid-19 Treatment Center, in partnership with the City of Collins, located in the old armory building.

The center will provide monoclonal antibody treatment to Covid-19 positive patients.  Monoclonal antibodies work by binding to a specific target – such as the Covid-19 virus – to make them harmless.

The city helped coordinate the use of the old armory building, recently renamed the Bobby A. Mooney Complex, located at 1613 South Fir Avenue in Collins.

“The City of Collins is committed to our residents here in Collins and Covington County as a whole, ” said Mayor Hope Jones.  “The Board of Aldermen and myself as the mayor would like to do all we can to support our medical community in their efforts to keep our community safe and healthy.”

The treatment center will begin by seeing 60 patients per day.  This number will increase as time and staff allow.

Treatment will be given by appointment only to Covid positive patients who have a doctor’s order or met certain qualifications set by the state.  To schedule an appointment, call 601-698-0316.

Pictured above, front row from left, Bob Shoemake, Alderman-at-Large; Hope Magee Jones, Mayor; Debbie Lundy, Alderwoman Ward 4; and Sally Buffington, Alderwoman Ward 3.  Back row from left, Lester Magee, Alderman Ward 1, and Robert Thompson, Alderman Ward 2.

Mayor Jones is beginning her 2nd term.  Ward 1 Alderman Magee is beginning his 7th term and is the Mayor Pro Tem.  Ward 2 Alderman Thompson is going into his 3rd term.  Alderwoman Ward 3 Buffington is entering her 2nd term as is Alderwoman Ward 4 Lundy.  Alderman-at-Large Shoemake is beginning his first term on the City Board.

The City Board of Aldermen meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Collins Civic Center, located at 3220 Highway 49 in Collins.  Board meetings are always open to the general public.

Chelsea Sullivan, Distinguished Young Woman of Covington County, will be one of 29 Mississippi high school seniors competing.  Chelsea, the daughter of Joseph Gordon Sr. and Charlotte Sullivan of Taylorsville, attends Seminary High School.  She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi to purse a career in Physical Therapy after enlisting in the Air Force.

During the week-long program in Meridian, contestants are evaluated on scholastic achievement, fitness, self-expression, talent and interview.  Sullivan has chosen a Piano Performance of “Minuet in G Minor” for her talent.

The three nights of competition at The Evangel Temple concludes on Saturday, July 24.  Curtains open 7:30p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday.  General admission tickets are available for $45 for a three night package , or may be purchased for individual evenings.  Call 601-480-3438 to purchase your ticket.

Laka Till will represent Covington County in the 72nd Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition at the Historic Hattiesburg Saenger Theater in Downtown Hattiesburg July 15-17, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. each evening.  Laka Till is a 2019 graduate of Seminary Attendance Center.  She currently attends Jones College and will begin the nursing program in August 2021.  Laka plans to be a travel nurse and specialize in pediatrics.   Laka is an active member of Rock Hill Baptist Church youth group and choir.  She is the daughter of Chris and Shalinda Till.

Representing Covington County as a Little Miss Hospitality is Stella Shoemake, daughter of Morgan and Roman Shoemake of Collins.

Four years ago, the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Competition added a Little Miss Hospitality component, which encourages local representatives to serve as a mentor to a young girl from her hometown between the ages of 6 and 10.  If crowned the next Mississippi Miss Hospitality, the contestant’s Little Miss will serve alongside her as she fulfills her duties and responsibilities as Mississippi’s Goodwill Ambassador.

Tickets are available online at HattiesburgSaenger.com or by calling the Saenger Theater Box Office at 601-584-4888.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Saenger in advance or at the door if any remain.

On Thursday, June 24, 2021, Bobby A. Mooney was honored with a Retirement Reception at the Collins Civic Center in Collins.  Mr. Mooney is retiring after 42 years as an alderman.  Before becoming alderman, Mr. Mooney worked with the Electrical Department of the City of Collins.

A large gathering of his family, co-workers, and friends were in attendance for the event and spoke their words of gratitude to him for his service and friendship.

To commemorate his years of service to the City, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen have named the city building on Fir Avenue the Bobby A. Mooney Complex.  This building is used for the Fire and Police Training, and is the training site for other City Departments.