The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Grand Opening of Sarah•Dipity’s new storefront. The ceremony will occur at 9 Eagle Mountain Blvd in Batesville on Friday, August 4, at 10:30 a.m. 

Sarah•Dipity is a local event planner providing catering, charcuterie boards, and quality balloon arches. While continuing those services, Sarah•Dipity is expanding and will now have a storefront where customers can come in and buy grab-and-go foods, including mason jar salads, chicken salad, overnight oats, and more. 

All community supporters, chamber members, ambassadors, board members, and staff are invited to attend.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a Groundbreaking ceremony for the new addition to Southside School District’s Junior and Senior High School. The Groundbreaking will occur at 70 Scott Drive in Southside on Monday, August 14th, at 10:30 a.m.

Serving students in pre-k through 12th grade, Southside School District maintains rigorous academic standards while providing a positive and safe learning environment. In addition to offering foundational core classes, Southside offers a range of extracurricular opportunities and programs in engineering, construction, art, journalism and more.

The result of a millage passed in 2021, the 146,000 square foot addition will contain modern, state-of-the-art classrooms, science and technology labs, multipurpose spaces for extracurricular activities and community events, a fine arts suite, upgraded athletic facilities, and a new cafeteria and dining bistro. 

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) proudly announces Courteney Muse as Director of Membership and Programs. 

Muse, a Mountain Home native and University of Central Arkansas graduate, brings a wealth of experience fostering business growth and a unique perspective as an active Ambassador of the Chamber. 

In her new role, Muse will work to strengthen and grow the Chamber network by collaborating with members to understand their objectives, seeking and sharing the most innovative strategies and best practices, connecting and guiding partnerships, and delivering training and programs that drive business growth. 

"Courteney's dedication to our community and her expertise in small business makes her the perfect addition to our team," said BACC CEO Crystal Johnson. "We are excited to have her on board, and I am confident that she will make a significant impact in strengthening our Chamber community."

Before joining the Chamber team, she served as the Branch Retail Manager for Southern Bank, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing the growth of banking relationships and forming strong community partnerships.

"I am thrilled to join the extraordinary team at the Batesville Area Chamber," said Courteney Muse. "Having been involved with the Chamber in various volunteer capacities over the years, I am committed to continuing the superior work it has established. I am genuinely excited about taking on this position and contributing to the success of our local businesses."

Muse, her husband Andrew, who serves as a faculty member at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, and their children, Wyatt and Barrett, reside in Pleasant Plains.

The Inaugural Watermelon Jam will take place on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 6pm at the Independence County Library patio. This family friendly event is free and open to the public. Library staff will serve free Cave City watermelons to all patrons while local musicians will perform acoustic pieces. Any musician who wishes to join the fun can simply show up with their acoustic instrument. Seed spitting contests will give patrons an opportunity to win bragging rights and prizes. Bring your own chair and let's Watermelon Jam! For more information or to sponsor this event, please email Sloane Lott at sloane@indcolib.com

The "Stuff the Bus" event will take place on Saturday, August 5th at Walmart on Harrison Street in Batesville, from 9 am - 2 pm. We invite everyone, individuals and businesses alike to join us in this incredible initiative. Together, we can empower young minds and ensure every child has the tools to succeed academically. With many school items being covered by grant funding the need for food pantry items to send home each night in children's backpacks has risen. These items include fruit and cereal bars, fruit and vegetable cups, pop tarts, pudding, canned pasta, ravioli, applesauce, granola bars, ramen noodles, fruit snacks, cereal, peanut butter, Vienna sausages, beanie weenies, pop top soups instant mac and cheese, and peanut butter crackers among other non-perishable items that children can access and prepare themselves. Food insecurity within our community is a concern many children face. By equipping students with these essential items, we help eliminate barriers to learning and promote educational equality. Join us at the "Stuff the Bus" event and be a part of this incredible initiative. Let's demonstrate the power of unity and generosity by helping our students thrive. Together, we can shape a brighter future! Volunteer opportunities are available for this event, please contact our office for more information at 870-793-5991 or info@liveunitednca.org

Ruddell Hill Baptist Church would like to invite the whole community to our free family fun "Back to School Bash Block Party" on August 19, 2023. Times are 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. We will have free back packs and school supplies (while supplies last), free food, a bounce house, free games, door prizes and more. Located at 805 Bethesda Rd. Batesville, AR. 72501. Bring your family and friends.

Low Power Community Radio Station
FCC will be accepting applications November 1 - 8 for a Low Power FM radio station that would cover Batesville and the surrounding areas. Pre-registration is required & only non-profit organizations with an education program may apply. Need not be tax exempt, just a state recognized non-profit. For more info call (870) 213-7179 or review the Public Notice at: https://www.fcc.gov/document/november-2023-lpfm-new-station-application-filing-window

The seventh annual Howard L. House Memorial Golf Tournament, presented by First Community Bank, will be held on Aug. 5 and 6 in Batesville at The Course at Eagle Mountain. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County.

The tournament was established to honor the memory of long-time Batesville resident Howard L. House (pictured), who passed in 2014.

Mr. House was a beloved community member, a successful businessman, a strong advocate for children’s rights, and he was heavily involved in helping others in the community.

“We are excited to continue this annual tradition in honor of Howard’s memory,” said Dale Cole, chairman and CEO of First Community Bank. “This tournament is an excellent way for us to support the Children's Advocacy Center of Independence County and its important work.”

The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) of Independence County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that opened in November 2018. In an effort to decrease trauma and re-victimization in child abuse victims, Child Advocacy Centers were formed around the country. The center provides coverage for Independence, Izard, Stone, Sharp and Fulton Counties. It is the 17th CAC in Arkansas and one of over 700 across the United States.

“The tournament is a great way to bring together our community to celebrate and remember my father’s life and legacy,” said Dianne Lamberth, daughter of the late Howard House and board member emeritus of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County. “What better way to honor him than by supporting an organization that helps children in need? Especially one he was so passionate about.”

The Children’s Advocacy Center of Independence County board of directors, comprised of a team of business leaders, includes Dr. Pat Mulick, board president; Dr. Katie Yarnell, vice president; Jason Taylor, treasurer; Amanda Reaves, secretary; Kyle Christopher and Jimmy Hodges. Emeritus board members are as follows: Dianne Lamberth, Beatrice Moore, Janis Walmsley and Arlene Martin.

The two-day golf tournament will begin at 10 a.m. each day. If you would like to know more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Justin Taylor at 870-612-3400 or justin.taylor@firstcommunity.net.

CONCERT LINEUP ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 LEVITT AMP BATESVILLE MUSIC SERIES 

The countdown to a memorable season of free concerts under the summer fun in Batesville, Arkansas, is underway! The Levitt AMP Batesville Music Series will conclude its music series on Thursday, August 3, at 7 p.m. at Riverside Park. Grab your family, friends, and neighbors and get ready to experience the power of free, live music to bring our community together! 
 
Sponsored in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a social impact funder supporting nonprofits nationwide at the intersection of music, public space, and community building, the Levitt AMP Music Series injects new life into underused public spaces through free outdoor concerts across the nation. 
 
This week's performance will feature Victor Wainwright and the Train.
 
The public is invited to bring their picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs to the concerts, which will have an open lawn setting. Along with free music, there will also be a kid zone designated for children to run and play, a vendor alley, food trucks, outdoor games, art, and more. 
 
The Levitt AMP concert series is located at Riverside Park in Batesville. Admission is free.

There is Hope. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to connect with compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, 988 provides a 24/7 connection to confidential support.

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in Independence County, providing chamber members advocacy, promotion, and resources. The Chamber works to set the standard for service, collaboration, growth, and high quality of life in the Batesville area. We are unwavering in our commitment to strengthening our business community.