J. Price Writes

BFD starts site surveys

July 9, 2018

The Melba Theater had a visit from the Batesville Fire Department recently.

It wasn’t an emergency, though. Instead, it was to make sure that the Melba — and the firefighters — would be prepared in the event of an emergency.

The BFD has started site surveys as part of its protection.

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From the hottest day to the coldest night — Wade’s Heating, Cooling and Electric has been making homes and businesses more comfortable for the past 38 years.

Heading the business is Charlie and Cindy Wade, who have known each other since they were students at Southside.

The Wades still remember that first summer they were in business, operating out of their home. Of all the years to start a…

Turnover, wages challenging police agencies

Law enforcement is not an easy job. Not only is being in the field at times unpredictable and dangerous, but often for many the pay doesn’t match the risk.

Steve Schultz, director of law enforcement training at the Black River Technical College Law Enforcement Training Academy, spoke to the Batesville Kiwanis Club on Friday at Colton’s Steakhouse in Batesville. His talk touched on the work of the…

Robot performs first surgery at WRMC

On Thursday, a robot performed knee surgery at White River Medical Center for the first time.

That surgery was a morning knee replacement conducted by Dr. Jeff Angel. He is one of four orthopedic surgeons who will be using the robot. The other three surgeons are Drs. J.D. Allen, Dylan Carpenter and Wes Greer.

“It went very smoothly,” Angel said of the surgery.

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Prescription drug abuse dug deep into Sharp County

February 12, 2018 ASH FLAT — When it comes to prescription drugs, particularly opioids, no place is untouched. That goes double for Arkansas, which has one of the highest prescription drug rates per capita in U.S. Only Alabama is higher when it comes to other states in the nation. Within Arkansas, Sharp County sits near the top of others in the state with a high rate of drug prescription.…

UACCB satellite at Highland brings adult ed to heart of Sharp County

February 22, 2018 HIGHLAND — Since the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville opened its Highland Adult Education Center last October, it has seen three of its 22 registered students go on to get their general education diplomas. Located at the Choctaw Center, the small space that was at one time a heating-and-air business now houses a classroom full of tables and chairs, a…

Outreach key to symphony orchestra’s existence

March 6, 2018 There’s a lot more to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra than putting on performances. That’s the message that CEO Christina Littlejohn had for the Batesville Kiwanis Club during their weekly lunch meeting on Feb. 23. Aside from playing live shows, they also take part in musical education. “One of the things we never cut was our music education program,” Littlejohn said. “We have four…

Bill regulating PBMs gives hope to independent pharmacists

March 29, 2018 Arkansas is setting a precedent with its vote to regulate pharmacy benefit managers in the state, and one area legislator is the one leading the charge. Rep. Michelle Gray sponsored a bill to regulate the PBM. Also sponsoring the bill in the Arkansas House was Rep. James Sturch and in the state Senate was Sen. Linda Collins-Smith. The bill, which was signed into law by Gov. Asa…

January 15, 2018 ASH FLAT — When it comes to economic development, the more the merrier. Sharp, Izard and Fulton County judges have made the move forward to establish a Tri-County Economic Development Commission. “It’s in the development stages; we’ve not got it completed yet,” Sharp County Judge Gene Moore said. “We’re trying to get it going.” The group last met on Dec. 19 to discuss the…

January 8, 2018 Downtowns in large cities are seeing a revitalization thanks to millennials — those people born from 1981-2000. But what about those in small towns like Batesville? Well, they’re getting some of that action too, according to Main Street Batesville Executive Director Shannon Haney. She said that at the turn of the century, research was devoted to what millennials wanted. “One thing…

December 22, 2017 ASH FLAT — While it won’t quite be Christmas, Santa will be visiting a few select children today. He won’t be riding a sleigh being pulled by eight reindeer, though. Instead, he’ll be in an ambulance, but not as a patient. Spring River Paramedic Ambulance Service will be delivering presents to 15 children in Sharp County. The present delivery is the brainchild of Bart Schulz,…