Mainline Health Systems, Inc. is proud to announce its selection as a 2026-2027 Buckle Up for Life Gift of Safety Partner, joining a national effort to improve child passenger safety and help families travel safely througheducation, resources, and access to life-saving car seats.

Buckle Up for Life is a national child passenger safety education program created by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Toyota. The program works with community organizations across the country to reduce child passenger injuries by
providing education and access to proper car seat equipment for families in need.

This year’s application process was highly competitive, with only a 36% acceptance rate for Gift of Safety partners. MHSI was selected as one of the organizations best positioned to successfully implement the program and make a meaningful impact within its service area.

The grant period runs from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. During that time, Mainline will receive 50 free car seats to distribute to eligible patients and families. In addition, the organization has committed to providing child passenger safety education to at least 110 individuals throughout the communities it serves.

The Desha/Drew County Cattlemen’s Association met on Thursday June 18th at 7:00 pm at the UAM Ag Building. Vice President Nita Carpenter opened the meeting and led the membership in the pledge of allegiance. Following the pledge Mr. Greg Montgomery Blessed the meal. Commercial Bank sponsored the meal and producers got to enjoy cheeseburgers fresh off the grill. The Desha/Drew County Cattlemen’s Association also provided a delicious 4th of July themed cake for an early 4th of July Celebration.  The American Flag cake featured Old Glory and read “God Bless the USA and Cattlemen’s”.

Following supper and dessert, Todd Smith with Commercial Bank talked to producers about the choices consumers have at Commercial Bank as well as the friendly staff ready to help. Dr. James Mitchell with UofA gave members a market update. He covered topics from the new world screwworm, herd build back, and consumers as well as their effects on the beef market. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 pm and followed by fellowship.

The Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Frank Spain announced that an Ashley County jury has convicted Aaron Dewayne Rice on multiple felony drug charges and sentenced him to a total of 112 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction.

The conviction stems from an investigation conducted by agents with the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force and the Ashley County Sheriff’s Department following a traffic stop on October 17, 2025.

According to trial testimony, Drug Task Force Agents Ben Michel and James Slaughter were on patrol on the Highway 278 Bypass in Monticello when they observed a black Chevrolet pickup registered to Aaron Rice, whose driver’s license was known to be suspended. When agents initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle continued traveling for approximately three-quarters of a mile while weaving between the roadway and shoulder.

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Jefferson Regional is pleased to announce that Ashok Akula, MD has joined the physician team at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates. Dr. Akula is a member of the Jefferson Regional medical staff and will be providing specialized care in interventional cardiology.

Dr. Akula received his Bachelor of Medicine from Kakatiya Medical College in Warangal, India, and completed his internal medicine degree at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas. Dr. Akula went on to complete a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, as well as an interventional cardiology fellowship at Michigan State
University.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional Cardiology Associates, located
at 1609 West 40th Ave., Ste. 403. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Akula, call 870-
541-4285.

Jefferson Regional is proud to welcome back Dr. Meer Akbar Ali, who has rejoined the physician group and is now seeing patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates.

Dr. Ali received his medical degree at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences in
Dehradun, India. He then completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of
Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN, as well as fellowships in both
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Advanced Endoscopy at the University Hospitals
Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH. He is board certified in Gastroenterology.

Before returning to Jefferson Regional, Dr. Ali worked as Associate Professor of Internal
Medicine, Associate Fellowship Program Director, and was a member of the Graduate
Medical Education Executive Committee at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences in Little Rock.

He is currently accepting patients at Jefferson Regional GI Associates, located at 1801
West 40th Ave., Ste. 7B. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ali, call 870-541-7201.