The East Parking Lot of White River Medical Center (WRMC) has been empty in recent days due to preventive measures the hospital is taking to combat the coronavirus.
However, for a moment Friday night, the lot was full of vehicles and first-responder units to take part in the “Light It Up with Hope & Courage” ceremony honoring and supporting local health care workers and volunteers fighting the pandemic on the frontlines.
Because of the social distancing guidelines, attendees stayed in their vehicles watching the ceremony and listening to the audio through the city of Batesville’s radio transmitter at 98.9 FM. The event was also broadcast live on White River Now’s Facebook page.
Chad Graves, the WRMC chaplain, offered prayers for the community during this period, and Gary Paxson (pictured below), the president and CEO of White River Health System (WRHS), told the crowd that WRHS and WRMC “…stand ready to fight this challenge with you and for you.”
Paxson also said he was humbled by the event’s turnout and gave kudos to all of the health care workers, volunteers, and community leaders helping in the battle against COVID-19.
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The new White River Now mobile app has started featuring regular COVID-19 updates and podcasts. In addition to the updates featured on the White River Now family of radio stations, the COVID-19 podcast section also features new interviews with Stone County Judge Stacey Avey, Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh, Independence County Judge Robert Griffin, state Sen. Stu Smith, and state Sen. James Sturch. Download the free White River Now mobile app today from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, and keep up-to-date on all local and state coronavirus information and to listen to the streams of White River Now radio stations.
We also carry live feeds of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s COVID-19’s briefings on-air at Arkansas 103.3, online at White River Now’s Facebook page, and through the Arkansas 103.3 stream on the White River Now mobile app on Arkansas 103.3.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and 99.5 Hits Now. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
