Kolkata, Feb 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced that the state government has fixed the new minimum support price for potatoes at Rs 900 a quintal. The decision was taken...
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It's the end of a long road for JOANN fans. After 82 years in business, the beloved fabric and crafting chain is going out of business and closing all 800 store locations across the country.
On Sunday, the company, which has been struggling financially for over a year and recently filed for its second bankruptcy, announced that it has been sold to liquidator GA Group and a lender, according to The New York Times. Pending final approval on Wednesday from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware, all 800 stores will close permanently and start going-out-of-business-sales. Here's what you need to know if you'd like to shop JOANN one last time.
RELATED: 5 Best Things to Buy at JOANN
As we've previously reported, JOANN has not had an easy go of it over the past year.
In March 2024, the crafting chain first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect its retail footprint and preserve store locations. Then, in January 2025, JOANN filed for Chapter 11 again due to its overwhelming debt of over $615 million. Shortly after, JOANN's plans to close six retail locations ballooned to 533 stores.
Now that GA Group and a lender have acquired "substantially all of JOANN’s assets," they plan to dissolve the company, which currently has over 19,000 employees across the country.
Unless an e-commerce group swoops in to buy the brand, like what happened with failing chain Bed, Bath & Beyond, JOANN as a household name and brand will cease to exist, reports The Washington Post.
The company has released a statement about its sale, saying:
"JOANN leadership, our Board, advisors and legal partners made every possible effort to pursue a more favorable outcome that would keep the company in business. We are committed to working constructively with the winning bidder to ensure an orderly wind-down of operations that minimizes the impact on all our stakeholders. We deeply appreciate our dedicated Team Members, our customers and communities across the nation for their unwavering support for more than 80 years."
RELATED: The Top 10 Craft Hobbies to Try in 2025
As all 800 retail locations in 49 states are set to close soon—no specific dates have been announced—now is the time to head to your nearest JOANN store.
Going-out-of-business sales are starting immediately, according to JOANN's restructuring website.
"Customers will have the opportunity to purchase our assortment at special prices during the going-out-of-business sales and can continue to shop at JOANN stores, JOANN.com, or on the JOANN mobile app."
Personalized discounts, such as those offered to Girl Scouts, Teachers, Military and Healthcare, are now paused, and JOANN will no longer be accepting any returns.
However, gift cards will still be accepted through Feb. 28, 2025.
"Any dates for store closures or changes to the website and app will be communicated as soon as possible, and we expect it will take a number of weeks to complete our final sales," the company says. For the latest info, they are directing customers to JOANNRestructuring.com.
THOUSANDS of BT customers found themselves unable to access their emails due to an outage this afternoon.
Over 3,800 customers registered complaints on the Downdetector website, a platform that tracks service outages.
The majority of users reported issues with their email services, while 21% say encountered problems with broadband connectivity.
The disruption began shortly after 12pm, prompting dozens of frustrated customers to voice their concerns on social media.
One customers said on X (formerly Twitter): “BT have you got issues again with email getting same error as a few days ago?”
Another said: “BT email down again…”
A third said: “Glad it’s not just me!”
Those visiting email.bt.com are getting the following message: “This site can’t be reached.
“Check if there is a typo in email.bt.com.
“If spelling is correct, try running windows network diagnostics.”
This isn’t the first BT email outage in recent days.
On February 15, the service experienced a disruption affecting over 5,000 customers.
BT had resolved the issue by 1.30pm.
The outage comes with BT, which also owns EE and Plusnet, set to hike mobile and broadband tariffs by up to £3 a month from March.
The pounds and pence rise will apply to contracts taken out from April 10, 2024.
For those who took out a deal before this, a 6.4% rise will apply (3.9% and January’s inflation rate, which was 2.5%).
Plusnet will also increase its broadband price by £3 per month from the end of March for contracts taken out after July 11, 2024.
MOST broadband and mobile phone providers have dedicated pages where you can check the level of service on offer in your area.
For example, BT has its own page here – bt.com/help/check-service-status.
Plus, you can check websites such as Down Detector, which will tell you whether other people are experiencing problems with a particular company online.
You can get in touch with BT by phone, post or online by visiting bt.com/help/contact-bt.
You can also speak to BT via its live chat service.
If you’re a broadband customer and the outage has left you without service, you may be entitled to compensation.
Contact BT to find out what they can offer you.
You may also have the right to leave if you’re without service for a sustained period of time.
If your problem is still unresolved after eight weeks, you can complain to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.
We have asked if BT is offering any compensation following the outage and will update this story when we have heard back.
The BT outage comes just weeks after Barclays suffered a major outage with some customers unable to access their accounts on payday.
A PRIMARY school is being evacuated following reports of a bomb threat which sparked a police response.
Officers raced to Badbury Park Primary School in Swindon, Wiltshire, at around 2.30pm today amid reports of the alleged hazard.
Local residents say police told them a bomb threat had been made, while the school has been evacuated as emergency services work to establish if it is a hoax.
Nearby homes have also been evacuated, with several roads cordoned off by officers guarding the area.
The school also confirmed its evacuation in a post on Facebook today, prompting parents to race to the site to collect their children.
It said: “School is being evacuated so please collect children from Biddestone Ave on corner on Belcombe close.
“Please collect children who walk from home.
“Further info to follow. We are all ok”.
Reports indicates there are more than 15 police vehicles at the scene.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Western Ambulance Service both have senior officers as well as commanders on the ground.
A spokesperson for Swindon Police said: “We are currently responding to a report of a malicious threat at Badbury Park Primary School in Rainscombe Road, Swindon.
“Specialist officers are on the scene and the school has followed its emergency evacuation plans as a precaution.
“A 200-metre cordon has been set up around the school.
“We will issue a further update when appropriate.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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A MAN aged in his 60s who died following a house fire in Co Meath yesterday morning has been named as the Martin O’Malley.
The Dublin native, who lived locally in Moynalty, was known for his work as location manager and small on screen appearance on the film adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments.
It is understood that emergency services were alerted to the fire at a house in Moynalty, north of Kells, at around 9am.
Gardai and emergency services attended the scene and Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze.
However, the 67-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken to Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan where a post-mortem will take place.
Gardai are carrying out a technical examination of the scene however it is understood that officers do not believe foul play was involved.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal house fire in Moynalty, Kells, Co, Meath, Monday 24th February, 2025 at approximately 9am.
“A man, aged in his 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“His body was removed to Our Lady’s Hospital Navan, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.
“The fire was extinguished by the local fire service.”
The spokesperson continued: “A technical examination of the scene is being carried out. No further information is available at this time.”
It is understood victim Mr O’Malley lived alone at the property.
He was originally from Dublin but had been living in Meath for the past 10 years.
Along with his role as the Location Manager for the hit Irish film The Commitments he also had some screen time.
Mr O’Malley also had a small role in the film, appearing on screen as a priest.
He had also appeared in the Back to Barrytown documentary on RTE in 2021.
The documentary was special to mark the 30 year anniversary of the film.
Posting at the time of the documentary airing in 2021 then local councillor Paul McCabe wrote: “Brilliant to see Moynalty resident, Martin O’Malley on RTEs ‘Back to Barrytown’ tonight.
“Martin was the Location Director on The Commitments 30 years ago.”
He shared a photo of Mr O’Malley speaking on the documentary alongside the post.
