Everything you want to know about Northwest Arkansas
Category: News
Stay up to date with the latest news in Northwest Arkansas with our comprehensive coverage of local and regional events. From breaking news and in-depth features to community updates and human interest stories, we’ve got you covered. Discover the latest happenings in Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and beyond. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, our news coverage will keep you informed and engaged with the vibrant communities of Northwest Arkansas.
Local owned Siloam Springs business Blogs for Brands (B4B) and officially changed their name to Outdoor Ecom. They have operated under B4B for several years not but have evolved the business from offering mostly editorial services to full on ecommerce marketing and development for outdoor brands. Services include ecommerce website development, email and online marketing, social media, video, photography, and blog management just to mane a few.
Business owner Yoon Kim said the rebrand is necessary because Outdoor Ecom tells a better story of what they do now and where the business is heading. Located in the heart of Siloam Springs, Outdoor Ecom has been a great addition to the local economy and we look forward to seeing their business grow as they head into this new direction.
SPRINGDALE, Ark., June 24, 2020 — On the heels of successfully opening three Walmart Health centers in Georgia, Walmart is opening the newest location right here in Northwest Arkansas at the Supercenter on Elm Springs Road. Families in Springdale and surrounding communities can now experience a state-of-the-art health center that’s offering customers new ways to save money, while living better – and healthier – lives.
With the new Walmart Health located at 4870 Elm Springs Road in Springdale adjacent to the Supercenter, the community will have access to transparent pricing for key health center services, regardless of insurance status, when Walmart Health opens today.
This facility provides quality, affordable and accessible healthcare, so customers can get the right care at the right time. Walmart Health is partnering with several on-the-ground health providers to be a first-of-its-kind health center to deliver primary and urgent care, labs, x-ray and diagnostics, counseling, optical and hearing services all in one facility at affordable, transparent pricing regardless of a patient’s insurance status. Additionally, Walmart Health plans to add dental services starting in July.
“This is our first Walmart Health prototype outside of Georgia, and we’re excited to continue our history of innovation that has transformed the industry and created significant health care savings for customers,” Sean Slovenski, SVP and President of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness said. “We’re looking forward to bringing affordability and convenience to the Springdale community and continue our focus on a solution to the current state of health care by offering affordable integrated care that our customers want and deserve.”
Walmart Health Elm Springs is the fourth such location the retailer has opened. The first opened in September 2019 in Dallas, Georgia. Each location is unique and serves as a prototype to test and learn the right mix of health and wellness services for individual communities. Walmart Health is operated by qualified medical professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, behavioral health providers and optometrists. Onsite Walmart Care Hosts and Community Health Workers will help customers navigate their visit, understand resources and be a familiar presence for regular visits.
This store also went through a remodel, and customers can expect a whole new look and experience with the launch of new Vision Center and Pharmacy concepts that were designed with the customer in mind, integrating feedback from thousands of customers to put convenience, simplicity and elevated service at the forefront. Customers also will enjoy a variety of redesigned departments in the store, including a state-of-the-art electronics department with interactive displays and a refreshed baby department with strollers at floor level giving parents and parents-to-be the ability to compare products more closely.
“Our commitment to everyday low prices and quality is seen throughout our newly remodeled store, and I am excited for our customers to see it and visit the new Walmart Health,” Justin Maloney, Elm Springs Store Manager said. “I would especially like to thank all the associates for their hard work and dedication to our customers through all these changes. They made this possible!”
Walmart Launches Virtual Camp And Drive-In Movie Theaters
BENTONVILLE, Ark., July 1, 2020 — Summer is here, and yet social distancing measures have drained pool parties, stalled out family vacations and left camp bunks bare. Now parents are in the hot seat to keep summer 2020 sweet for their kids.
That’s why, today, Walmart announced two new experiences to help families make memories together, by reimaging how they can turn parking lots and backyards into ‘can’t forget’ experiences. The first, Camp by Walmart, is a free star-studded virtual camp that brings summer fun directly to customers’ own backyards, and the second, in partnership with Tribeca Enterprises, is a touring drive-in movie theater that will transform Walmart parking lots into outdoor cinemas.
“Summer hasn’t really felt like summer yet, and I know I hear every day, ‘Mom, I’m bored!’” Janey Whiteside, chief customer officer, Walmart said. “Through our digital means and vast footprint of stores, we’re hoping to bring some summer fun to families across the country. We know Walmart plays a role in our communities that extends far beyond getting them necessary supplies, and we see that now more than ever.”
Camp by Walmart
Walmart is teaming up with Drew Barrymore, Neil Patrick Harris, LeBron James, Idina Menzel and Todd Oldham to bring summer fun to kids across the country through a new camp designed for the internet, Camp by Walmart, produced and developed in partnership with CAMP, a Family Experience Company, and powered by the interactive video platform eko. Each professional is stepping outside of their day job to serve as camp counselors, leading kids through sessions varying from arts and crafts to fitness and other activities to keep them active and entertained.
Starting July 8, families can access 50 Camp by Walmart activities for free by visiting the Walmart app. Celebrity and expert-led camp sessions will roll out across the summer, including:
“The Great Family Challenge,” which features various family-bonding activities, including actress Drew Barrymore taking campers through a make-up tutorial and basketball star LeBron James leading participants through mental and physical activities with help from his I PROMISE School educators
A morning kick-off with Head Camp Counselor, actor Neil Patrick Harris, who sends families through one of 14 camp challenges, from “Neil’s Charades” to musical Mad Libs
“Skills Camp” is a talent show which features experts teaching new skills, like singer and actress Idina Menzel, who showcases her singing skills to campers
And, designer Todd Oldham reimagines “Smarts and Crafts,” which teaches campers about creativity through the lens of arts, crafts and fashion
Camp by Walmart will offer 200 more new activities throughout the summer to keep families everywhere entertained.
eko’s patented technology allows campers to make choices along the way that shape the outcome of their experience, creating increased interactions that reflect campers’ interest.
To access Camp by Walmart, customers can download the Walmart app, or update their existing Walmart app, and look for Camp by Walmart in the app’s Services tab from the bottom navigation.
Drive-In
For families missing the big screen, Walmart will be working with Tribeca Enterprises for two drive-in experiences. Walmart is transforming 160 of its store parking lots into contact-free drive-in movie theaters where customers can safely gather to watch movies programmed by the Tribeca Drive-in team.
Beginning in August, Walmart will roll out this red carpet experience in towns across the country for a combined 320 showings. This family-friendly night will include hit movies, special appearances from filmmakers and celebrities and concessions delivered right to customer vehicles.
Walmart’s drive-in tour will run through October. Additional details will be announced closer to the start of the tour. More information can be found here: walmartdrive-in.com.
Ahead of each screening, Walmart will make it easy for families to fill their picnic baskets by ordering their drive-in essentials online for curbside pickup on the way to their movie. For families itching for the big screen now, Walmart is also partnering with the Tribeca Drive-in to serve as a presenting partner for its Tribeca Drive-In movie series, which begins this Thursday, July 2.
“Drive-Ins have been a signature program for Tribeca since we started the Tribeca Film Festival 19 years ago after 9/11,” says Jane Rosenthal, CEO and Co-Founder of Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival. “But now, the Tribeca Drive-In is much more than a fun, retro way to see movies — it’s one of the safest ways for communities to gather. We are thrilled to partner with Walmart to bring more people together around the shared cinematic experiences that Tribeca is known for.”
Throughout July, families in Arlington, Texas, Pasadena, California, Nassau County, New York and Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York will be treated to Tribeca Drive-In screenings of modern classics and family favorites, like Wonder Woman and Space Jam, with a mix of ticketed and free events honoring frontline workers. The full schedule and tickets can be found at TribecaFilm.com.
(Memphis, TN) Monday, June 22, 2020– Memphis-based Malco Theatres has set Friday, June 26, 2020 as the Phase 2 re-opening date for locations in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.
The Grandview Cinema & IMAX (Madison, MS), Gonzales Cinema (Gonzales, LA), Jonesboro Towne Cinema (Jonesboro, AR), Rogers Towne Cinema Grill (Rogers, AR) and Razorback Cinema Grill & IMAX (Fayetteville, AR) theatres will take the total number of reopened Malco locations to eleven. Additional locations will open as part of Phase 3 in early July and the goal is for the full circuit to be operational by July 24. All locations have been closed since mid-March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Malco’s reopening protocols can be viewed at here.
Opening June 26:
Jonesboro Towne Cinema Grill (Jonesboro, AR)
Rogers Towne Cinema Grill (Rogers, AR)
Razorback Cinema Grill & IMAX (Fayetteville, AR)
Current plans are to offer a lineup of perennial fan favorite classics like The Goonies, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Grease, Jaws, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Madagascar and Back to the Future, along with a mix of pre-Covid releases such as Trolls: World Tour, I Still Believe and The Invisible Man. Starting June 26, Steve Carrell’s new film
Irresistible opens in select locations, followed by Russell Crowe’s new film Unhinged on July 10, Disney’s Mulan on July 24 and Christopher Nolen’s Tenet on July 31.
Online advance tickets for June 26 through July 4 will be available starting June 24, 2020 via Malco.com, the Malco app, Fandango and Atom Tickets.
The $5 Million Upgrade to Randal Tyson Recreational Complex begins soon. An official groundbreaking for the $5 Million upgrade will be held on site at the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex on Tuesday, June 30th at 9 a.m.
Upgrades will include adding a splash pad and a dog park, relocation of outdoor basketball courts and upgrading lighting, parking and handicap-accessibility improvements.
The ballpark and concession stand area at Tyson Recreational Complex will be closed to the public beginning Monday, June 29th during this time of upgrades. The walking trail area and soccer fields in Tyson Park will remain open.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is conducting a Virtual Public Involvement Meeting to obtain public input about the Western North-South Connector Study, which will consider a new highway connection from Highway 612 (Springdale Northern Bypass) to Highway 549 (Bella Vista Bypass) in Northwest Arkansas.
The virtual meeting is being hosted at WNSConnector.TransportationPlanRoom.com, and the website is live from Sunday, June 21, 2020 through Monday, July 13, 2020.
The public is invited and encouraged to visit WNSConnector.TransportationPlanRoom.com anytime during the scheduled dates to view meeting exhibits and offer comments about the study.
Anyone with limited internet access or general questions or comments regarding the study or virtual public meeting may call the ARDOT Transportation Planning and Policy Division at (501) 569-2201.
Eureka Spring’s Excursion Train Rides Open For 2020
Step back in time to an earlier age of locomotive transportation in Eureka Springs and enjoy the Excursion Train or Dining Car this season.
The Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway has just opened the 2020 season and their 1940-era diesel locomotive is ready to take you on a trip thru time on the Excursion rides run Tues thru Saturday or enjoy the elegant flavor of the 1920’s aboard the Eurekan Dining Car for Lunch or Dinner.
Each ride is approximately 4 1/2 Miles that lasts about an hour and runs along the restored Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad to “Junction” Arkansas and returns to the Depot.
During the season, Excursion rides run Tues thru Saturday can be made on Tuesday thru Saturdays. The Depot opens at 9:30am and offers free parking across the street.
The Lunch Train Excursions are at 12:15pm on Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat and offers Chicken Salad with Fresh Fruit, Beef Stroganoff, Ham and Turkey Croissant and more.
The Dinner Trains are Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat and offer a selection of Trout Almondine, Prime Rib, Vegetarian Primavera and others.
Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway
299 North Main Street (Highway 23 North)
Intersection of North Main and Hillside
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
479-253-9623
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Tent camping will open in all Arkansas State Parks beginning on Monday, June 1, announced Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
“Whether frequent guests or those new to our Arkansas State Parks, Arkansans have made clear their desire to resume tent camping in our parks,” said Hurst. “I am happy to be able to tell them that our campgrounds will reopen to tent camping on Monday, June 1. Also included in reopening will be the bathhouses and restrooms that support campgrounds and day-use visitors. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we have worked to make sure that we are providing the safest possible way for our guests to enjoy our state parks system.”
The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has advised about proper cleaning techniques to ensure maximum safety for park guests, as well as the staff who will be doing the cleaning.
“We have been diligently working towards this goal for weeks,” said Arkansas State Parks Director Grady Spann. “We were first able to open camping back to RVs with self-contained bathrooms on May 1. Now, with proper PPE and training, our parks staff are able to keep the bathhouses and restrooms sanitized according to ADH and CDC standards. Our main concern continues to be the safety of our visitors and staff during this public health emergency.”
Lodges, cabins, YURTs, and Rent-A-RV had been limited to Friday through Monday only rental. They will now be available for weekday reservations with some restrictions to ensure proper cleaning.
Guests are reminded that while camping they still need to follow the recommended guidelines of keeping a physical distance from others not within their family or group; wearing a face covering when physical distancing cannot be maintained, and washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently. Park rangers and staff will remind campers of these guidelines so state parks can remain open for our visitors to enjoy.
Campground reservations may be made online by going to www.ArkansasStateParks.com or by calling a specific park. Campers may check in at the Visitor Center (cloth face-coverings or masks are required inside public buildings) or by calling the park directly. Park staff will check-in campers remotely prior to their arrival when possible. Visitors from New York state or any international location are advised to self-quarantine according to ADH guidelines.
About Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and War Memorial Stadium.
The state parks have 1,800 campsites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities, and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.
Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation.
Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and directives from Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan to suspend large events and mass gatherings for eight weeks in order to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, the Walton Arts Center has suspended some upcoming events and are working with resident companies, artists and tours to reschedule performances for later this year if possible. Below is a list of shows according to their current status from www.waltonartscenter.org.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the generous patrons who have donated their ticket value back to us. To date we’ve seen more than $31,000 in ticket donations! We are humbled and grateful for your support.
Rescheduled events:
Art of Wine rescheduled for Sept. 8 & 11, 2020
Bonnie Bishop rescheduled for Sept. 10 at 7:30pm
Arlo Guthrie rescheduled for Oct. 4 at 8pm
Jayme Stone’s Folklife rescheduled for April 1, 2021 at 7:30pm
Fiddler on the Roof rescheduled for April 13-18, 2021
Postponed events:
Heather McMahan presented by Live Nation – date TBD
A Conversation with Hasan Minhaj – date TBD
Canceled events:
Trike Theatre’s Sideways Stories from Wayside School (March 7-21) – All tickets have been resolved.
Anastasia (March 10-15) – Ticketholders have been contacted. If you still have questions on your tickets please call us.
The Art Blakey Centennial Celebration (March 20) – Box Office is contacting ticketholders by phone.
VoiceJam Festival (April 2-4) – Including The Real Group (April 3) and the VoiceJam Competition (April 4). Box Office is contacting ticketholders by phone.
A Live Conversation with John Cusack following a Screening of High Fidelitypresented by Live Nation (April 9) – Ticketholders have been contacted via email. If you still have questions on your tickets please call us.
Indie Films India (April 20) – Ticketholders have been contacted via email. If you have any questions, please call us.
The Band’s Visit (May 19-23) – Broadway subscribers and single ticketholders have been cantacted via email. Subscribers please contact 479.571.2785 with questions. Other ticketholders should FILL OUT THIS FORM IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO.
Kansas presented by Live Nation (May 29) – Ticketholders have been contacted via email. If you still have questions on your tickets please call us.
When performances are rescheduled, your tickets will be good for the new date. You only need to contact us if you cannot attend.
If a show is shown as postponed, the show is being rescheduled but don’t yet have a confirmed date. Please hold your tickets until that new date is announced.
If a show has to be canceled, patrons with tickets will be contacted. The options for your tickets are:
Donate the full amount of your tickets, or even a portion of your total, to support the missions of Walton Arts Center or SoNA. As nonprofit arts organizations, we rely on the audiences we serve for financial support. By donating your tickets, you will provide vital support for the performing arts that inspire and enrich our community. 100 percent of the money donated will fund arts education programming – this does not count toward your Friends donations.
Receive a ticketing credit on your account that can be used in the 2020/21 season.
Receive a refund.
Thank you for your continued support, patience and understanding.
Meat industry executives have been warning of a meat shortage for several weeks as many have been forced to close their processing plants amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
As America’s meat processors are turning out less product, shoppers in Northwest Arkansas are starting to see shortage as well as some price increases on Beef, Pork and Chicken at our local grocery stores.
Most grocery stores are requesting shoppers to limit their items during the Covid19 shortages.
Harps Stores seemed to have a larger selection of Beef but little fresh Chicken. Their limit was 1 per purchase and their prices where much higher than other grocers.
Walmart Supercenters and Sam’s Club were bare in the meat department on Saturday while Neighborhood Market had a great selection, low limits and average pricing.
For now, It seems only time will tell what this looks like for your individual grocery bill in the coming months.
Hammontree’s is a cool restaurant down in the heart of Downtown Rogers that. The offer of variety of grilled cheese sandwiches with several tasty meat options. Perfect location to go for a quick lunch or a happy hour with friends and a cold beer.
NWAfood.com offers full location and menu details on their brand new website along with user reviews.
After reading an article about the local legend Dear Darla the ghost of Monte Ne One our local subscribers, Amanda Eldridge, sent in a photo. She believes it is the ghost of Darla Johnson aka Dear Darla. At first we did not see her but after running the image through night vision software you won’t believe what we found!
Normal Image
Night Vision
We asked Amanda what happened on the day she took this picture and here is what she said.
“My family and I just got done eating at Monte Ne Chicken for my mothers birthday and it was when the lake was SUPER low so we wanted to see the ruins above water. I have never been there so this was my first time. What’s even weirder is mine and my sisters name was painted in red on the side of one of the buildings. And which my name Amanda is fairly common, My sisters is not, Jayma.”
This is just one of numerous reports we have received about Dear Darla but this is the only on that included pictures. Please feel free to share your story with us.
Rogers Aquatics Center will be opening it’s doors again Saturday, May 23rd!
The Rogers Aquatics Center is a 3 acre water part in the heart of Rogers that offers loads of amenities and features for the entire family. They have a large leisure pool with two basketball goals, a volleyball net, a lily pad, and a play structure. There is a six lane competition pool, a 500 ft Lazy River with therapy jets, and the exciting Plunge Pool with a Rock Climbing Wall.
Fun for all ages, the Tot Pool has a big play structure with a fully equipped splash pad. Lets not forget about the two speed slides off of a 40ft tall tower and the popular Bowl Slide and much much more. There are Mens and Womens Bathhouses and lockers, Family Bathrooms, Free Parking, Food Service/Concessions, and Pavilions on site so you can stay all day.
Rogers Aquatics Center
1707 S 26th St,
Rogers, AR 72758
Phone: (479) 936-5482
Email: sturek@rogersark.org
Website: http://rogersaquaticscenter.com/
Pictures from the Rogers Christmas Parade Here are some great pictures from the Rogers Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Rogers Arkansas taken by Ken McClary
