Former Batesville Mayor Biard dies at age 74

BATESVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Former Batesville Mayor Joe Biard - the north Arkansas city’s longest serving mayor - has died at age 74.

Roller-Crouch Funeral Home says Biard died Wednesday. The cause of death was not released.

Biard served as Batesville mayor from January 1995 through December 2006. He previously worked as an assistant to then-county Judge Jess Carpenter and once owned radio stations KBTA and KZLE.

He’s survived by a son and two grandchildren.

The funeral home says funeral services will be private.

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Information from: Batesville Guard, https://www.guardonline.com/