Northwest Arkansas shelters were full over the weekend as a result of arctic air blowing in Friday evening.

While some shelters were able to take in people beyond capacity, others had to turn people away due to lack of room.

Temperatures in the area over the weekend and through Monday morning were the coldest of the season so far, reaching as low as 7 degrees in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.

Fayetteville’s Collaborative Response for Extreme Weather initiative has been a successful community effort providing safe, warm spaces for people to go when temperatures reach a wind chill of or feel like 15 degrees or below, according to Becci Sisson, 7Hills homeless shelter CEO.

The partnerships between the city of Fayetteville, 7Hills, Potter’s House, Genesis Church and the Salvation Army in Fayetteville have put the city in the best position it has ever been in for extreme weather response, Sisson said.

The first stint of cold earlier this month went really well, “and when it came time to ramp up again on Saturday, we felt very prepared,” she said.

The 7Hills overnight shelter has 64 beds year-round and a capacity of 72 through extreme weather. Sisson said the overflow from the 7Hills overnight shelter goes to Genesis Church, and its capacity is around 100 people.

Since Friday, 7Hills and Genesis had around 180 people per night come for a place to stay out of the cold.

“We did not turn anyone away,” Sisson said. Staff and volunteers were able to make room beyond capacity, even if someone had to sleep on a pallet on the floor, she added.

Fayetteville is fortunate to have such a collaborative system, she said.

When the weather forecasts temperatures that feel like 15 degrees or below, people can go to the 7Hills day shelter at Jefferson Elementary School around 5:30 p.m. to be assigned a bed at either the night shelter or Genesis Church, Sisson said.

The church then provides transportation to take people where they need to go, she added.

The overnight shelters operate from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during extreme weather, and the 7Hills day center is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who need shelter during the day are transported to the day center, Sisson said.

Though the system has been working, 7Hills has been getting more calls from outside the city, and Fayetteville’s response team cannot be the solution for sheltering everyone in surrounding cities, she said.

“One of the things that needs to happen is each community really needs to have a cold weather response,” she said, because though Fayetteville can respond, it needs help.

While the system is functioning, the situation is not ideal right now, Sisson said. Space is limited; everyone is making the most of it because they know how important it is to be inside where it is safe, she said.

The extreme weather response in Fayetteville will close down at noon Wednesday, due to temperatures rising, Sisson added.

When it comes time to prepare for the next cold spell, she said for people to check the 7Hills Facebook page for opportunities to volunteer or donate.

In Benton County, there are not as many options for people to take shelter against the cold, and shelters have had a more difficult time over the past few days, according to a Rogers shelter director.

People are stressed and anxious trying to find places that can take them in during extreme cold, said Bradley Clyne, director of the WayStation, a shelter and resource center in Rogers.

Clyne said WayStation has two emergency rooms where up to 12 people can stay for two weeks. Recently he converted two offices into spaces where up to six more people can stay, he added.

The facility’s landlords will not allow the organization to shelter any additional people overnight in main areas, he said, so the only option is to send people to the Benton County Salvation Army, Clyne said.

He had to send mothers and children away over the weekend due to a lack of room, he added.

Clyne said he is grateful for the Salvation Army shelter, though it is not a place he wants to send anybody because people end up sleeping on a mat on the floor.

“I would normally never ever be able to turn someone away, but we are so full,” he added.

In the daytime, WayStation can hold between 30 and 50 people, though it is packed when it gets above 40, Clyne said.

“We try to take care of our own, but it’s quite difficult,” Clyne said.

People can donate hand warmers, sleeping bags, men’s shoes, and old blankets and quilts for WayStation to distribute during these cold months, he said.

Patrick Connelly, commander for The Salvation Army of Northwest Arkansas, said the Bentonville shelter saw an 88.7% occupancy use over the weekend, and the Fayetteville shelter saw 73.2%. Between the two shelters, there is a capacity for 96 people, then 50 extra people during cold weather that is 32 degrees or below.

He added there were 14 children accommodated for cold weather over the weekend, the youngest being 1 year old. He said the shelters turn away registered sex offenders because of the population they serve.

Check-in times are normally 6 to 9 p.m., but during temperatures 32 degrees or below, emergency overflow space is opened and intake can happen earlier, Connelly said.

Because the Salvation Army shelters operate every night of the year, expanding capacity for those who need shelter during cold weather is routine, he said.

Clean socks are the most requested item at Salvation Army shelters and are always in short supply, Connelly said. Additional partnerships are also always needed to provide more options for unsheltered people to go, he added.

It was expected to come soon, but this week featured the most movement thus far — especially past the Top 10, which saw some teams move down due to no fault of their own, but to multiple lower-ranked squads notching wins over higher-ranked ones.

While top-ranked Conway took care of Link (Mo.) Academy in a nonconference matchup and has shown to be the current stand-alone favorite in the 6A-Central, the 6A-West appears to be wide open, as previously third-ranked Springdale Har-Ber took a loss to a very good, and rising, Fayetteville team.

Class 5A features a host of headliner matchups this week, and the most notable move in Class 4A was unbeaten Pulaski Academy elevating to the Top 10. A very impressive Class 1A squad earned its way in the Top 25, checking in at the final spot.

See the full Top 25 below. 

January 20, 2025

Last week: 1

After handling Cabot in a 6A-Central contest Tuesday, the Wampus Cats took a two-point lead to halftime during Friday’s nonconference matchup against Link (Mo.) Academy, and then Emerie Bohanon happened. The Central Arkansas signee finished with 30 points and hit seven three-pointers to help secure Conway’s 14th consecutive win. 

Last week: 2 

The Cardinals once again imposed their will, this time over Harrison and Greenwood, headlined by big weeks from Easton McCollough and Kaycee McCumber, along with Marin Adams, who filled the stat sheet against Greenwood. This week starts with a trip to No. 3 Mountain Home for a matchup between Class 5A’s highest-ranked squads. 

Last week: 4 

The Bombers keep rolling and are winners of 14 consecutive contests after handling Siloam Springs and then getting past Van Buren on Friday. Many eyes will be focused on Tuesday’s matchup when No. 2 Farmington comes to town before Mountain Home closes the week at Alma. 

Last week: 5 

A three-game week was no problem for the Red Dogs, as the closest margin of victory in those contests was a 16-point win over Rogers on Monday. They will have all week to prepare for Friday’s trip to nearby rival No. Fayetteville, a squad that is beginning to open eyes. 

Last week: 6 

The Bears have been rolling since dropping their 6A-West opener to Springdale as they went unblemished through last week’s three-game slate that included Top 25 wins over Fayetteville and Bentonville. 

Last week: 8 

Friday’s eight-point triumph over a solid Nettleton squad notched the Eagles their 10th consecutive win. It is a huge week for GCT with consecutive Top 25 matchups against No. 15 West Memphis and No. 19 Valley View, but the good news is both will be on the Eagles’ home court. 

Last week: 9

Convincing victories over Bryant and Cabot put the Tigers at 3-0 to start conference play. They are off this week until Friday and could certainly use the extra preparation with No. 1 Conway coming to town. 

Last week: 3 

A red-hot shooting night for Fayetteville was too much for the Wildcats to overcome in a Monday makeup game, but Har-Ber responded with consecutive wins over Bentonville and Fort Smith Southside to close the week strong. Only Rogers Heritage is scheduled for this week before two crucial matchups against No. 5 Fort Smith Northside and No. 4 Springdale to finish January. 

Last week: 10

It was a pretty painless week for the Charging Wildcats as the defense did not yield an inch in 6A-Central victories over Little Rock Southwest and Jonesboro, allowing 38 combined points. NLR has won six of its past eight, with both losses to Top 10 opposition, and heads to Buzz Bolding Arena Tuesday for a showdown with top-ranked Conway. 

Last week: 11

The Bruins got past a sneaky Stuttgart squad and then left no doubt in dominant wins over Joe T. Robinson and Morrilton to close the week, holding the Senators and Devil Dogs to 18 points each. 

Last week: 14

It was a matter of when, not if, the Eagles would get on another roll after enduring a December rollercoaster. Top 25 5A-Central wins over Beebe and Little Rock Christian, plus a convincing triumph over Parkview to cap the week, keep their 2025 unblemished streak intact. 

Last week: 7

The Warriors suffered their first defeat of 2025 at the hands of a heralded Vilonia squad that continues to jell with each game, but they rebounded with a win over Mount St. Mary. They start this week against Maumelle at home before finishing with a trip to No. 22 Beebe. 

Last week: 12 

Tuesday’s anticipated 4A-7 showdown with unbeaten De Queen lived up to the expectations, and the Scrapperettes ran away with the victory late behind Caroline Dean’s 30-point performance. They showed no signs of fatigue in Friday’s contest as they held Magnolia to 11 points. 

Last week: 13 

The Patriots are 3-0 in 5A-East play and sit in a tie for first place after a close win over Nettleton and then getting past Searcy on the road. They cannot afford letdowns this week against Paragould and Batesville with a crucial final week of January following that slate. 

Last week: 15

A tough loss to rival Marion was quickly forgotten as the Blue Devils came out on top in close matchups, first against Batesville before taking a defensive battle against Valley View in a Top 20 matchup. There is no time to rest with No. 6 Greene County Tech and Nettleton on the schedule this week. 

Last week: 16

A busy week is ahead for the unblemished Pirates. They tip it off against Glen Rose and end it at Jessieville, but all eyes will be on Wednesday’s makeup game at Baptist Prep, which sits at the top of the 3A-5 conference at 8-0 alongside Dover. 

Last week: 23

They might not have a large body of work, but the Purple Dogs do have a quality resume and notched their first signature win of the season last Monday against Springdale Har-Ber. They split the other two games, falling to Fort Smith Northside and running away from Rogers to finish the week. 

Last week: 18

It is worth noting both were to Top 10 competition, but regardless, the Tigers are on a two-game skid, and they look to get back on track with consecutive trips this week to face Rogers and Bentonville West. 

Last week: 19

There is still a lot to play for, but the Blazers are hunting their first signature win since the season opener against Mountain Home after falling in a tough one to West Memphis on Friday. They’ll get another prime opportunity Friday against No 8 Greene County Tech but for now must focus on Tuesday, when Searcy comes to town. 

Last week: 20 

They fell in a very competitive battle at Nashville, but the Leopards notched huge victories over Camden Fairview and Arkadelphia while proving to the state during the three-game slate they are one of Class 4A’s top contenders. 

Last week: 21

As if the Bulldogs have not impressed enough already, they locked down on defense and scored points in bunches in victories over South Side Bee Branch and White County Central. This week features crucial conference matchups against Bigelow and two-time defending Class 2A champion Mount Vernon-Enola. 

Last week: 22

The Badgers were not able to get it done on the road against Vilonia, but they responded nicely with consecutive victories over Jacksonville and Sylvan Hills to keep within a half-game of first place in the 5A-Central behind Vilonia and Little Rock Christian. Speaking of Little Rock Christian, Beebe hosts the Warriors Friday after a Tuesday trip to Mount St. Mary. 

Last week: 17

A sneaky Forrest City squad caught the Wolves off guard as the Mustangs handed Lake Hamilton its second loss in the past three games, but they were able to get back in the win column with a close victory over Benton and now remain a half-game back in the 5A-South standings. 

Last week: 24

The Bulldogs won their fourth consecutive game against Alma to open the week, but they ran into the buzzsaw that is Farmington on Friday, though they did have a few rallies before the Cardinals ran away. This is a team that expects to keep improving in the back half as they set their focus on Russellville and Siloam Springs this week. 

Last week: NR

Multiple new Eagles who were already familiar with each other have meshed well and certainly proved their status as one of the state’s best 25 teams, Class 1A or not. On top of multiple wins over much higher classifications, their three losses were to No. 10 Pulaski Academy, Class 5A Nettleton by a point and No. 9 North Little Rock.

Brookland

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