Caterpillar To Close Plants In Jefferson, Griffin

Griffin and Jefferson will be the Georgia cities affected when heavy equipment maker Caterpillar lays-off more than 2,400 employees nationwide this year. Caterpillar Tuesday announced plans for the cuts at five U.S. plants, including two in Georgia.

The company’s fuel systems plant in Jefferson will close, putting 89 workers out of jobs by the end of June. In Spalding County, Caterpillar’s engine facility there will close its doors, putting another 200 out of work when the calendar hits May.

Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Illinois, says it is restructuring operations in the face of the economic downturn.

4th Georgia bank fails

As the nation's recession continues, another Georgia bank has failed. The First Georgia Community Bank in Jackson becomes the fourth bank in the state seized by federal and state regulators this year. It's the 23rd in the nation. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said Friday it entered a purchase and assumption agreement with Zebulon-based United Bank. Under the deal, United Bank which will take over First Georgia's deposits of $197.4 million. First Georgia has branch banks in Jackson, Covington, Griffin and Locust Grove, all of which become United Bank branches. The agency says depositors of First Georgia Community will continue to have full access to their deposits.

(Associated Press)

Griffin funeral home blaze investigated

Federal and state investigators are on the scene today to try and determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a funeral home in Griffin. The blaze broke-out just after 6 o’clock Monday night at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home. Authorities say the fire started on the 2nd floor, and was stoked by embalming fluid and other chemicals—no bodies were in the home at the time of the fire. No employees were injured, but one firefighter suffered a minor injury. The business operated out of an antebellum house that was at least 130 years old.