Woodford County News Briefs
Chronicle Media — May 4, 2016
Friends of the Pool in Metamora will be holding a barbecue fundraiser May 5-6 to raise money to help keep the Park District pool operating the whole summer. (Photo courtesy Metamora Park District)
AREA
Caterpillar to close five plants, cut 820 jobs
Cutbacks continue at Caterpillar Inc., as the Peoria-based heavy equipment maker announces it will close five more factories in reaction to slowing global demand for construction and mining equipment. The latest actions will result in the loss of about 820 positions. In addition to cutting capacity, the company will demolish a mostly vacant engine manufacturing building in Mossville to save money.
The company’s latest actions are part of a strategy outlined in September to trim Caterpillar’s workforce by about 10,000 positions and close or consolidate about 20 facilities through 2018. The company said it has shed about 5,300 positions so far.
The latest plants designated to close are in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi. They mostly produce components for Caterpillar machinery and engines. Their operations will be merged into other Caterpillar plants or assigned to parts suppliers outside of the company during the next 12 months to 18 months.
METAMORA
Friends of the Pool hold fundraiser
Friends of the Pool will be serving up barbeque at the Metamora IGA, 610 W. Mt. Vernon St. The public is invited to come 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. May 5 or 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 6 and purchase a pork chop sandwich, chips and a drink. All proceeds will benefit the pool.
This event is one of the many efforts to save the pool at least for another year. The pool is running a deficit, and park district officials say it is too expensive to operate and maintain, especially given the fact that only 35 people used the pool, on average, each day last year.
The Park district estimates the Metamora pool has been losing $30,000 to $40,000 a year for the past five years.
Discount season passes are for sale through May 7. The pool opens in June.
Friends of the Pool, dedicated to raising funds for the restoration of the pool, is chaired by Chad Udell. To keep current with the latest news and events, join the Friends’ Facebook group. Donations can also be mailed to the Friends at Metamora Park Foundation, P.O. Box 633, Metamora, IL 61548.
EUREKA
Jewelry store to get new owner, new name
Lillia Jewelers will be renamed Lucky Hunters this summer, following the recent sale of the business by Lillia and Jake Hartter. New owners are Jessica and Jacob Ioerger.
Jessica Ioerger has been employed at Lillia Jewelers for approximately a year.
A liquidation sale is underway and will continue until the store closes in mid-June for remodeling before re-opening under the new name. The new owners will put their custom touch on the store, focusing on environmentally-friendly products such as reclaimed metal and ethically sourced stones, not, for example, diamonds from illegal mines in Africa or other places where workers are mistreated.
The Hartters are planning to re-locate to another state later this year.
METAMORA
Organic waste site is open on Saturdays
Call the Public Works Department at (309) 367-4077 with any questions or concerns.
GERMANTOWN HILLS
Garage sales and more Planned for May 7
Residents are encouraged to empty their closets and set up a garage sale table at their homes or rent a spot at Christ Church, 110 Holland Road, and join the community May 7 in the Germantown Hills area-wide garage sale. Hours are 9 a.m. -2 p.m. During that time, there will be vendor and craft sales, Garden Club plant sale, and the GH Chamber of Commerce Pork Chop Cookout. Goodwill trucks will be available to take donations. Call (309) 258-1311 with questions.
–Woodford County News Briefs–
