AREA INFORMATION
CLIMATE:
The Tri-County Area of Sharp, Fulton, and Izard counties is located In North Central Arkansas and have a temperate climate with mild winters, experiencing little snowfall. April normally brings the highest precipitation around 5 inches. The average annual rainfall is 48 inches. The average winter low temperature is around 44 degrees with the average high around 69 degrees. The average mid-day humidity is 79%. We enjoy the 4 seasons and the beauty they bring.
HEALTH CARE
The Tri-Counties offer a variety of choices in health care facilities. There are hospitals in Salem (Fulton County), Batesville (Independence County) and Mountain Home (Baxter County). The city of Highland (Sharp County) is home to the state’s first Satellite Emergency Room that is affiliated with White River Health System in Batesville, and the area is serviced by two Air Evac companies and a state of the art ambulance service.. With a large retired population in the area, there are numerous long-term care facilities state of the art Dental offices with a number of specialty clinics.
White River Medical Center- Batesville, Arkansas (42.8 miles) - White River Health System is a general medical and surgical hospital in Batesville, AR, with 210 beds. It is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). It has 24 hour Emergency Room, Ambulance and Air Ambulance Service.www.whiteriverhealthsystem.com.
Fulton County Hospital- Fulton County Hospital is an acute care hospital certified by CMS and licensed by the state as a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital. The hospital provides general diagnostic testing including clinical laboratory testing, general ex-ray and CT. www.fultoncountyhospital.org.
Baxter County Regional Medical Center- Mountain Home, Arkansas (58.1 miles) – Baxter Regional Medical Center is a 268 bed facility that offers a wide variety of care. It is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Over 100 doctors are available, and the hospital is home to the first Digital Mobile Mammography Unit in the United States and the first 3D Mammogram in both Arkansas and Missouri. There is a 24 hour Emergency Room, Ambulance Service, and Air Ambulance Service. visit www.baxterregional.org.
COMMUNICATIONS- The Tri County Area is serviced by several different companies. Among these are:
CenturyLink-Phone, Internet, Television
Fidelity Communications-Phone, Internet, Television
DirectTV-Satellite Television
DishNet- Satellite Television
Cellular phone service is provided primarily by Verizon and AT&T
UTILITIES
ELECTRIC: North Arkansas Electric Co-Operative and Entergy Electric
MEDIA- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette provides a daily newspaper.
Areawide Media and Spring RIver Chronicle each publish a weekly newspaper.
KSAR 92.5 FM, KOOU – “KOOL” 104.7 and KFCM –“The River” 98.3 are all local radio stations.
K-Kountry 95 FM - Located in Mammoth Spring, Missouri and serves the Tri-County Area with classic country music, local news and event coverage.
KZLE 93.1 FM - Located in Batesville Arkansas and serves the Tri-County Area with classic rock, local news, sports and events coverage.
TOURISM –The Tri-County Area is rich in natural resources, and is a perfect place for Hunting, Fishing, Boating, Swimming, Horseback Riding, Golfing and much, much more! Just a few of the notable spots that are close by are:
Cherokee Village – Home to 7 lakes and the South Fork of the Spring River, this is one of the main vacation spots boasting numerous vacation homes and condominiums. There are 2-18 hole championship golf courses and 2 recreation centers with pools
Hardy – A historic town on the banks of the Spring River, Hardy is home to antique stores, restaurants and shops. Hardy hosts many events including the Annual Hardy Homesteader Days every fall.
Salem – A small town in the hills, Salem hosts many festivals throughout the year including an Annual Spring Fairgrounds Flea Market.
And close by you can find: Harold E. Alexander Wildlife Management Area, Strawberry River, Lake Norfork Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, White River, Spring River, Eleven Point River, Buffalo National River, Mammoth Springs Park, Gulf State Park, Blanchard Springs Caverns, The Ozark Folk Center, and the Ozark National Forest. For more information on things to do in Arkansas visit www.arkansas.com.
EDUCATION-
Highland Schools – www.highlandrebels.k12.ar.us The school has three campuses, K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 with over 1,600 students enrolled.K-12
:Salem Schools- www.salem.k12.ar.us The school has two campuses, K-6 and 7-12 with over 700 students enrolled. The schools have been rated in the top ten schools in the state of Arkansas since 2005.
Melbourne Schools - www.bearkatz.k12.ar.us The schools have two campuses, K-6 and 7-12 with over 750 students enrolled. Melbourne High School was nationally recognized for its academic programs as a Bronze Medalist in the Best High Schools 2012 report by U.S. News & World Report.
There are three colleges located in the area:
Ozarka College - Located in Melbourne in Izard County with a satellite campus at Ash Flat in Sharp County.
Arkansas State University - Located Mountain Home in Baxter County with the main campus in Jonesboro in Craighead County.
University of Arkansas - Located in Batesville in Independence County with the main campus in Fayetteville in Northwest AR
