Several Woodford County schools close due to reported threat of shooting

Posted on October 3, 2017

Metamora High School was closed on Tuesday as authorities investigate a possible threat of a shooting. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)

By Eric Stock

METAMORA – Multiple schools in Woodford County have canceled class on Tuesday following an investigation into threats of a possible school shooting, according to news partner WMBD-TV.

The closings include Metamora Township High School; Riverview Grade School, Metamora; Germantown Hills Grade School; St. Mary’s School, Metamora; Easterseals Central Illinois Learning Academy; Germantown Hills and Black Partridge Day School, Germantown Hills.

The closings also prompted the Illinois High School Regional golf tournament at Metamora Fields to be postponed until Wednesday.

University High in Normal was one of the team’s playing in the regional. Parent Joe Palumbo said the team got word of the cancellation just as they were set to head to Metamora.

“The boys were ready to go out to catch the bus to head out to the golf course, so it took us by surprise that today’s event was going to be canceled,” Palumbo said.

Palumbo’s son Tony is a member of the U-High golfers who are seeking to defend their Class 2A championship.

WMBD said Metamora Superintendent Sean O’Laughlin warned parents on Monday night that classes may be canceled after the school was made aware of a threat on social media referencing a school shooting.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…