Regional News
Major retailer closing stores nationwide including Arkansas location
LITTLE ROCK – Kohl’s announced it will close its Little Rock West location at 13909 Chenal Parkway by April 2025 as part of a broader plan to shutter 27 underperforming stores across the country.
The closures, revealed Tuesday, come as the retailer continues to optimize its real estate portfolio to support its long-term growth strategy. Alongside the store closures, Kohl’s will also wind down operations at its San Bernardino, California, E-commerce Fulfillment Center in May 2025 when its lease expires.
Kohl’s CEO Tom Kingsbury acknowledged the challenges of such decisions while emphasizing the company’s focus on strengthening its overall business. “As we continue to build on our long-term growth strategy, it is important that we also take difficult but necessary actions to support the health and future of our business for our customers and our teams,” Kingsbury said in a statement.
The Little Rock West location has served the community for several years, but it will join other underperforming locations on the closure list. Despite these changes, Kohl’s reaffirmed its commitment to its remaining store network, which includes more than 1,150 locations nationwide.
Store associates impacted by the closures will be offered severance packages or the opportunity to apply for open roles within the company. Kohl’s stated it is working to support employees during the transition.
For customers, Kohl’s stores and online platforms will remain open for shopping, and the retailer will continue its focus on maintaining a profitable and vibrant store base.
GILLETT – Despite the winter storm impacting much of Arkansas, organizers of one of the state’s most renowned political and cultural events, the Gillett Coon Supper, announced that the event will proceed as scheduled tomorrow evening. The annual Berry Pre-Coon Reception, named after former Congressman Marion Berry, will also take place as planned prior to the supper.
In a statement issued Friday by public relations agency Campbell Ward, organizers assured attendees of their commitment to holding the events while emphasizing safety precautions due to inclement weather conditions.
“While the snow was light over in Arkansas County, it hit parts of the state pretty hard. As a result, it may not be safe for some of you to travel for the party tomorrow,” the statement read. “We are moving forward with the Berry Pre-Coon Reception at 3:30 p.m. and welcome folks that can safely get out. The Gillett Coon Supper is still on and begins at 6:00 p.m. at the high school gym. Again, please be safe, and many thanks to our sponsors for their support. We look forward to seeing folks tomorrow.”
The Gillett Coon Supper, held annually in Gillett, Arkansas, is a cherished tradition dating back to 1947. Initially started as a fundraiser for the local high school, the event has grown into a significant political and social gathering, attracting politicians, business leaders, and community members from across the state.
Known for its unique offering of raccoon meat served with traditional Southern sides, the supper has become an iconic representation of Arkansas’s rural culture. Over the years, it has developed into an essential stop for aspiring political candidates and seasoned leaders to network and engage with constituents in a laid-back, communal setting.
The supper’s enduring significance lies in its ability to blend grassroots political engagement with a celebration of the state’s distinct heritage, cementing its place as one of Arkansas’s most notable and enduring traditions.
EL DORADO – There were a lot of predictions that came true from the weather professionals around the state, and a few that didn’t. Our staff at SouthArkansasNow.Com took a few random locations around Southwest Arkansas that we had access to through the traffic cameras at IDriveArkansas.Com and showed you pictures from 11:00 AM on Wednesday to 11:00 AM on Friday. Here are a few of the changes (or lack thereof) from around the area in forty-eight hours
Hot Springs
Hot Springs National Park is definitely an area that changed overnight. According to reports in the area, areas around Lake Ouachita received eleven inches of snow overnight. This picture is taken from Exit 2 on the Hot Springs Bypass, intersecting with US Highway 70.
Wednesday 11:00 AM
Friday 11:00 AM
Social Hill (Interstate 30 and State Highway 84, Exit 91)
Let’s be honest, I-30 from Little Rock to Texarkana can come to a complete standstill when a group of chickens cross the road. But all things considered, traffic seems to be flowing okay at the Social Hill exit between Malvern and Arkadelphia.
Wednesday 11:00 AM
Friday 11:00 AM
Gilliam (Sevier County, U.S. Highway 71)
Southwest Arkansas was set to receive some of the biggest snowfall amounts in the state, and boy did they ever! According to the National Weather Service, Mena had received fourteen inches by 8:00 AM on Friday, with more on the way! This ARDOT traffic camera is located along Highway 71 at Gilliam, just north of DeQueen.
Wednesday 11:00 AM
Friday 11:00 AM
Texarkana (Interstate 30 and State Line Avenue)
The winter weather event in Texarkana may just be what is known as a bust. Not much change in two days.
Wednesday 11:00 AM
Friday 11:00 AM
El Dorado (Highway 82 and Highway 167)
As we reported early Friday, Union and Columbia Counties had more of an ice event than anything, resulting in a loss of power for thousands. The before and after pictures don’t show a whole lot of difference, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been cold and slick on those South Arkansas roads.
Wednesday 11:00 AM
Friday 11:00 AM
10:30 PM UPDATE
Statewide
All Arkansas state government offices are closed Thursday and Friday.
El Dorado
The El Dorado School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th. The district urges everyone to prioritize safety during the anticipated weather conditions.
The Boys and Girls Club of Union County will be closed on Thursday.
Westside Christian School
Westside Christian School will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, and will be closed on Friday, January 10th.
Bravo Dance Centre
All classes for the remainder of the week have been cancelled. Classes will resume on Monday, January 13th.
Camden Fairview
The Camden Fairview School District has announced that all classes will be canceled on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10, due to expected severe weather conditions. The decision was made to prioritize safety, with concerns about hazardous road conditions during afternoon dismissals.
All district events scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday have also been canceled. Updates regarding rescheduled events are already being shared, including the following:
- Basketball games originally scheduled for January 9 and 10 will now take place at the CFHS Gym on Tuesday, January 21, with start times to be announced.
- The Ivory Intermediate Spelling Bee will now be held on Wednesday, January 15, with 5th grade at 8:20 AM and 4th grade at 9:30 AM.
Thanks to five built-in inclement weather days in the school calendar, students will not need to make up the missed days. The district will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates.
CFSD employees are advised to check their work emails for updates. The district encourages everyone to stay safe and warm.
Parkers Chapel
The Parkers Chapel School District will dismiss early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to anticipated weather conditions. Schools will remain closed on Friday, January 10.
Smackover
The Smackover-Norphlet School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, due to forecasted inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions. Buses will begin lining up at 12:30 p.m., and all after-school preschool classes are canceled.
Classes and all extracurricular activities are also canceled for Friday, January 10. The basketball game against Centerpoint has been rescheduled for Monday, January 13. District officials emphasized that the safety of students, staff, and the community remains their top priority.
Magnolia
The Magnolia School District will dismiss classes early at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025, due to anticipated inclement weather. While officials believe it is unlikely schools will be open on Friday, a final decision will be made after assessing actual weather conditions. The district will continue to monitor updates and communicate any changes.
Hampton
Due to the threat of inclement weather Hampton Schools will be closed Thursday, January 9, 2025. The decision was made for the safety and the best educational outcomes for students and staff.
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