MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Tents and trailers selling fireworks have popped up across the ArkLaMiss this holiday season. One store owner says the weather is the biggest threat to the firework industry.
The Fireworks Superstore on Highway 165 in Monroe, has seen more than 1,000 customers this holiday season, but expects five times that many, on New Year's Eve.
"We've been doing this for many, many years," said Farrah Bracken, "I was actually raised in a fireworks store, so it's something we've been doing for a long, long time."
Farrah Bracken's family has been in the fireworks industry for over 45 years, and she says the dry summer season, and rainy winter months are taking a toll on business.
"The fact that we've had some burn bans in the past few seasons. We've had a couple of pretty flat seasons so we're kind of hoping that this one kind of rebounds and help all of us in the industry," say Bracken.
Firework stores like Bracken's rely on just 28 days of selling fireworks regulated by the state to keep their businesses afloat year-round. At midnight on January 1, Bracken's team will close the store doors until sales for Independence Day start in late June. Bracken, like all firework vendors, can only hope that customers will pour in this week, and not the rain.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:01:27 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Monroe Police and Ouachita Parish Deputies continue to investigate multiple shootings, a murder and a weekend stabbing in the parish.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:20:46 GMT
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
DELHI, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Many expectant mothers make detailed plans of where and how they want to give birth, but sometimes even the most strategic planning, doesn't go as expected.
Monday, June 17 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-06-17 12:51:48 GMT
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
CARENCRO, La. (KNOE 8 News/AP) - Lafayette Parish sheriff's deputies are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy found in his grandparents' swimming pool.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:23 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:23:16 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The Monroe City School System spends nearly two times what the closest comparable school district does on central office expenses.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:17 AM EDT2013-06-18 13:17:15 GMT
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says all facilities at DeGray Lake and at Lake Greeson in southwest Arkansas have been reopened.
