Emergency responders in southwest Sharp County are expected to see improved radio communication following the installation of a new repeater system on an existing tower near Sidney north of Cave City.
According to the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office, the project began in mid-2025 after Sidney Mayor Nathan Bloch, former Fire Chief Joe Blackburn and Ronnie and Brandon Schultz approached Sheriff Shane Russell about using a communications tower located on the Schultz family farm. The tower had previously been used by Hillbilly Wireless.
Officials said radio communication in the southwest portion of the county which includes the town of Sidney south to Cave City along Highway 58 had long been limited and at times nearly nonexistent.
The improved signal will particularly benefit the Sidney Fire Department and ambulance services by allowing responders to maintain communication during emergencies and better coordinate response efforts.
Wilks Communications of Cave City was contracted to install the new equipment on the tower. The project was funded through NCIC inmate communications and commissary funds from the Sharp County Detention Center.
Sheriff Russell stated in a press release he is grateful to the Schultz family for allowing the use of the tower and helping make the communications upgrade possible.
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