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Sweetheart Scents

FLOWERS TOP GIFT MEN PLAN TO BUY FOR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Subscriber onlyDiamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but most women should count on getting something more fragrant this Valentine’s Day. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 12, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.

Explosion Blows Top Off Silo

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — An early morning explosion rocked a Springdale plant Friday. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 11, 2012 at 5:56 a.m.

Explosion Blows Off AERT Silo Top

SPRINGDALE — A dust explosion at the AERT Springdale plant blew the roof off a silo early this morning. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 10, 2012 at 10:29 a.m.

Ammonia Leaks Hit Plants

10 TYSON EMPLOYEES SENT TO HOSPITAL; CARGILL FACILITY CLOSED

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — Simultaneous ammonia leaks at two poultry plants Monday sent 10 people to the hospital. Continue reading...

By Steve Caraway, Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 7, 2012 at 5:34 a.m.

Drive-By Shooting Reported

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — Police are investigating a drive-by shooting reported on Braxton Drive on Friday night. Continue reading...

By STAFF REPORT Posted: Feb 5, 2012 at 5:49 a.m.

Builders Optimistic For 2012

NEW HOUSING PERMITS INCREASE BY 20 PERCENT IN REGION

Subscriber onlyHomebuilders who survived the collapse of the housing market are benefi ting from an increased demand for their handiwork. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 5, 2012 at 5:44 a.m.

Big Projects Boost Commercial Building

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Commercial building permits were up 107 percent in Northwest Arkansas last year, but looks can be deceiving. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Feb 5, 2012 at 5:43 a.m.

Retailers Win With TV Sales

MANUFACTURERS COUNT ON SHOPPERS LOOKING TO UPGRADE

Subscriber onlySuper Bowl XLVI is just a week away and most football enthusiasts won’t be making the trip to Indianapolis to watch the game. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 29, 2012 at 5:19 a.m.

J.B. Hunt reports record earnings

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. announced today fourth quarter 2011 net earnings of $72.6 million, or diluted earnings per share of 61 cents. This beats fourth quarter 2010 net earnings of $57.9 million, or 46 cents per diluted share. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 26, 2012 at 4:42 p.m.

The Source: Eddie Haskell's closes

Eddie Haskell’s Patio & Grill in the Shoppes at Pinnacle Hills closed its doors last week, but John George said the space won’t be vacant long. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 24, 2012 at 2:44 p.m.

Franchise Sees Growth

MATHEWS BROTHERS TO OPEN THREE ADDITIONAL MCDONALD’S

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — The name Mathews has become synonymous with McDonald’s in Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 22, 2012 at 5:22 a.m.

Home Sales Rise

CREDIT COUNSELOR SAYS TIME RIGHT FOR BUYING

Subscriber onlyHistoric low interest rates and declining prices helped bump up home sales 9 percent in 2011, according to Paul Bynum, economist with MountData. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 22, 2012 at 5:20 a.m.

Home Prices Up; Sales Down

MORE PROPERTIES SOLD IN 2011 THAN IN PREVIOUS YEAR

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — The area’s housing market shrunk at the tail end of 2011, and it wasn’t all because of sales. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 17, 2012 at 5:17 a.m.

Area home prices up

Northwest Arkansas real estate agents are attempting to get more out of their home sales, according to MountData, a firm that tracks and provides local residential real estate statistics. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 16, 2012 at 12:39 p.m.

Unfilled Jobs Require Skills

67 PERCENT OF MANUFACTURERS REPORT SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED WORKERS

Subscriber onlyManufacturers are having a diftcult time filling jobs. About 600,000 jobs are available nationally because of applicants’ lack of specialized skills and education, Carlos Cardoso, chief executive officer of Kennametal, said recently at the National Press Club in Washington. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 15, 2012 at 5:36 a.m.

Fewer People Lose Homes

FORECLOSURE RATE FALLS

Subscriber onlyArkansas is not the only state seeing the bottom fall out of the foreclosure market over the past 12 months. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 15, 2012 at 5:34 a.m.

Stitched Forever In Time

SEWING POPULARITY ON THE UPSWING AFTER RECENT DECLINE

Subscriber onlyLeah Garrett turned to a needle and thread after finding a sluggish job market after earning a master’s degree in political science a couple years ago. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 8, 2012 at 5:24 a.m.

Mobile Apps Benefit Masses

WALMART TESTS NEW FEATURE

Subscriber onlyMobile phone applications are becoming more numerous and more benefi cial for consumers. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Jan 1, 2012 at 5:17 a.m.

Record Sales On The Rise

VINYL COLLECTORS BUCKING DOWNWARD TREND IN ALBUM INDUSTRY

Subscriber onlyThe sound may not be crystal clear. They can be scratched and skip from time to time. It’s not a very mobile music form. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Dec 25, 2011 at 4:43 a.m.

Consumers Seek Pharmacy

CONTRACT DISPUTE FORCES SOME WALGREENS CUSTOMERS TO LEAVE

Subscriber onlyThousands of area residents are searching for new pharmacies following a contract dispute between Walgreens and one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Dec 18, 2011 at 5:37 a.m.

Companies Reduce Waste

BUSINESSES FIND WAYS TO AVOID USING LANDFILLS FOR DISPOSAL

Subscriber onlyGENTRY — Dumpster diving is not a normal activity at McKee Foods, but it helped keep the Gentry facility from sending anything to the landfi ll. Continue reading...

By By Christie Swanson <a href="mailto:CSWANSON@NWAON Posted: Dec 11, 2011 at 5:34 a.m.

Northwest Expansion Project Grows

HOSPITAL OFFICIALS EXPECT TO BREAK GROUND ON ADDITION IN MARCH

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — The expansion project at Northwest Medical Center-Springdale has grown by $3 million, but its completion date is now two years behind the original. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Dec 8, 2011 at 5:48 a.m.

30 Years And Counting

Officials Say Younger Generation’s View Of HIV Differs

Subscriber onlyYoung adults lead the state in newly diagnosed cases of HIV, because of less education and more medication, local medical experts said. Education was prevalent during the first 20 years of HIV and AIDS, but during the past decade the illness has become just another sexually transmitted disease to the younger generation, said Mary Wyandt-Hiebert, assistant director of the Pat Walker Health Center at the University of Arkansas. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Dec 4, 2011 at 5:52 a.m.

YEAR OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Mercy Celebrates 2011

HEALTH CENTER MOVES SEVEN-YEAR PLAN FORWARD WITH NEW GOALS

Subscriber onlyROGERS — Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas leaders showed off this year’s accomplishments as they looked to the future Wednesday. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Dec 1, 2011 at 5:39 a.m.

Walgreens To Open 13th Store In Area

COMPANY PLANS TO BE MORE THAN CORNER DRUGSTORE

Subscriber onlyThe nation’s largest pharmacy chain is expanding its footprint in Northwest Arkansas. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 27, 2011 at 5:02 a.m.

Holiday Shoppers Hit Stores Even Earlier

Subscriber onlyBlack Friday officially ate its way into Thanksgiving this year, but that didn’t keep shoppers home. Some retailers, such as Kmart and Walmart, have traditionally been open Thanksgiving, but this year Walmart kicked off its first doorbuster sales at 10 p.m. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 26, 2011 at 5:51 a.m.

Holiday Shoppers Hit Stores Earlier

Subscriber onlyBlack Friday officially ate its way into Thanksgiving day this year, but that didn’t keep shoppers home. Some retailers, such as Kmart and Walmart, have traditionally been open Thanksgiving, but this year Walmart decided to kick off its first doorbuster sales at 10 p.m. Continue reading...

By Amye Buckley, Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 26, 2011 at 5:39 a.m.

THIRD-QUARTER EARNINGS: Walmart Turns Corner In US Sales

RETAILER SEES DECREASE IN PROFIT

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Walmart achieved its goal of earning positive same-store sales at U.S. stores, but it hit the retailer’s bottom line. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 16, 2011 at 5:21 a.m.

Experts Predict Growth

WALMART TO RELEASE THIRD-QUARTER EARNINGS TUESDAY

Subscriber onlyThe investment community hopes Walmart finally pulls out of its two-year sales slump at U.S. stores. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 13, 2011 at 5:13 a.m.

Fourth Quarter Key In Sales

RETAILER HAS NEW PLANS FOR HOLIDAYS

Subscriber onlyWalmart is about to release third quarter fiscal 2012 results, but the retailer is already laser focused on the all-important fourth quarter. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 13, 2011 at 5:12 a.m.

Retailers Stay Hopeful

INDUSTRY EXPERTS PREDICT FLAT SALES DURING CHRISTMAS

Subscriber onlyKristen Thompson does not know what to expect this holiday season as co-owner of Whimsy Whoo. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Nov 6, 2011 at 5:27 a.m.

Owner Hopes Future Shines

FIRST-IN-STATE DIAMOND CUTTER JOINS LINDEN’S JEWELRY IN BELLA VISTA

Subscriber onlyBELLA VISTA — A Bella Vista jeweler added a new service to both her business and to the state. Ashley Linden, owner of Linden’s Custom Jewelry and Repair, recently brought on board Linus Faber, a South African-trained diamond cutter. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 30, 2011 at 5:19 a.m.

Equipment Issues Hit Superior’s Bottom Line

Subscriber onlySuperior Industries struggled in the third quarter because of antiquated equipment and a changing tire market, officials said. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 29, 2011 at 5:46 a.m.

Textbook Business To Close

130 EMPLOYEES WILL LOSE JOBS

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A longstanding Fayetteville textbook business is closing, which puts about 130 employees looking for jobs. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 27, 2011 at 5:20 a.m.

Phone Books Forced To Evolve

NEW TECHNOLOGY PRESSURES INDUSTRY TO CROSS OVER INTO DIGITAL PLATFORM

Subscriber onlyFAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville’s Ziplocal office closed Oct. 14, meaning one less phone book for area residents. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 23, 2011 at 5:46 a.m.

Walmart Pushes Strategy Globally

RETAILER HOPES TO LOWER EXPENSES FOR GROWTH

Subscriber onlyWalmart’s international stores have been a driving force for the retailer’s growth in recent quarters, but expenses need to come down. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 16, 2011 at 5:42 a.m.

US Stores Offer Layaway, Fuel Rollback

RETAIL GIANT REACTS TO CHALLENGES

Subscriber onlyWalmart continues reacting to economic challenges facing consumers. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 16, 2011 at 5:40 a.m.

Aldi Philosophy Grabs Shoppers

GROCER MOVING FAYETTEVILLE STORE TO NEW, LARGER BUILDING IN MARCH

Subscriber onlyConsumer shopping habits have changed the past few years as they search for the best values. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 9, 2011 at 5:32 a.m.

Empty Facilities Hard To Sell

OFFICE WAREHOUSE BUILDINGS OFTEN LEFT BEHIND AFTER BUSINESSES CLOSE

Subscriber onlyWhen a new manufacturer builds a facility and moves to town, everyone celebrates. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 2, 2011 at 5:29 a.m.

Women Told To Start Businesses Younger

Subscriber onlyROGERS — Women run millions of successful businesses, but often wait until later in life to start their own venture. That needs to change, said Susie Hoeller, a lawyer from Bentonville. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Oct 2, 2011 at 5:28 a.m.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Subscriber onlyWilliams Marks 98th Birthday Continue reading...

By - STAFF REPORT Posted: Oct 2, 2011 at 4:45 a.m.

Norville Tells Women To Go For Goals

ANCHOR WAS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ANNUAL EVENT

Subscriber onlyROGERS — Every woman has it within her to achieve goals, TV personality Deborah Norville said Tuesday. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 28, 2011 at 4:57 a.m.

Working To Avoid Total Recall

FOOD-BORNE DISEASES CAUSE CONSUMER CONCERN WHILE RETAILERS REACT

Subscriber onlySalmonella in ground turkey, eggs or peanut butter. almonella in ground turkey, eggs or peanut butter. E. Coli in ground beef, chicken or pork. Listeriois in deli meat, dairy products or raw vegetables. Botulism in home-canned vegetables, fermented seafood or chili peppers. All these food-borne diseases can trigger a product recall and force consumers to alter their shopping decisions. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 18, 2011 at 5:42 a.m.

$90 MILLION: Mercy To Spend Big Locally

MASTER PLAN INCLUDES NEW CLINICS IN BELLA VISTA AND ROGERS

Subscriber onlyROGERS — The Sisters of Mercy Health System is infusing $90 million into the local system over the next seven years. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 13, 2011 at 5:29 a.m.

Industry Gets Shakeup

REGION’S HOTEL OCCUPANCY RATES IMPROVE SINCE LAST YEAR

Subscriber onlyThe hotel landscape in Northwest Arkansas has changed little in the past couple of years, but that is about to change. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 11, 2011 at 5:40 a.m.

Debt, Delinquencies Down

AMOUNT OWED PER BORROWER REACHES 17-YEAR LOW MARK IN MARCH

Subscriber onlyJimmy Varner was drowning in more than $64,000 of credit card debt. He was never late making a payment but the interest rates just kept going up. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 4, 2011 at 5:03 a.m.

Allens, Seneca Foods Merger Off

Subscriber onlyA proposed merger between Siloam Springs-based Allens Foods and Seneca Foods of New York was terminated, according to a one-sentence statement released Friday. Continue reading...

By Kim Souza, Christie Swanson Posted: Sep 3, 2011 at 5:34 a.m.

BUSINESS VENTURE: Factory Gets New Life

DIXIE-SOUTHERN MOVES INTO FORMER SHILOH LOCATION

Subscriber onlySPRINGDALE — An idle Springdale factory has a new lease on life. Dixie-Southern, a custom steel fabrication company based in Bradenton, Fla., is open for business at the former home of Shiloh Steel Fabricators. The 50,000-square-foot building at 200 E. Arkansas 264 has been empty since March. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Aug 31, 2011 at 5:44 a.m.

Rust Retires As Green Valley Development President

Subscriber onlyNORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Steve Rust is retiring as president and CEO of Green Valley Development. He led the group since its creation in 2008. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Aug 31, 2011 at 5:32 a.m.

Mid-Town Center Plans Renovation

HARPS LOOKING FOR NEW SITE IN BENTONVILLE

Subscriber onlyBENTONVILLE — Speculation is rife about the proposed redevelopment of Mid-Town Shopping Center. Continue reading...

By Christie Swanson Posted: Aug 28, 2011 at 4 a.m.

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