Sharp County Upgrades Radio Tower to Boost Emergency Communications

New repeater installed on Schultz family farm to improve coverage in Sidney area

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sharp County officials have announced upgrades to a communications tower that will improve radio coverage and emergency response in the southwestern part of the county, including the Sidney area. A new radio repeater has been installed on a tower owned by the Schultz family to provide more reliable communications for the Sidney Fire Department and local ambulance services, allowing for better coordination and faster response times during emergencies.

Why it matters

Reliable emergency communications are crucial for public safety, and the previous limited and spotty radio coverage in the Sidney area had hindered coordination and response times. The tower upgrades are expected to significantly improve the ability of first responders to effectively communicate and serve the community.

The details

The project began after Sidney Mayor Nathan Bloch, former Fire Chief Joe Blackburn, and Schultz family members Ronnie and Brandon Schultz approached Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell about converting a communications tower on the Schultz family's farm. The tower had previously been used by Hillbilly Wireless. The new equipment was installed by Wilks Communications of Cave City, and funding came through NCIC inmate communications and commissary funds from the Sharp County Detention Center.

  • The project began after officials approached Sheriff Russell last year about converting the tower.
  • The new radio repeater has now been installed.

The players

Shane Russell

Sharp County Sheriff.

Nathan Bloch

Mayor of Sidney, Arkansas.

Joe Blackburn

Former Fire Chief of Sidney.

Ronnie Schultz

Member of the Schultz family who owns the communications tower.

Brandon Schultz

Member of the Schultz family who owns the communications tower.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Reliable emergency communications are crucial for public safety, and the previous limited and spotty radio coverage in the Sidney area had hindered coordination and response times. The tower upgrades are expected to significantly improve the ability of first responders to effectively communicate and serve the community.”

— Shane Russell, Sharp County Sheriff (ktlo.com)

What’s next

County officials say the cooperation of the Schultz family helped make the project possible, and they are grateful for the family's contribution to strengthening emergency services for residents in the area.

The takeaway

This project highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and community collaboration in improving critical infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, especially in rural areas where resources can be limited.