 Appalachian Wireless now has new forward pay pricing, where you can pay up front and get the data and features you desire. Five gigabytes of data, just $39.99. Unlimited, just $79.99. Better service, bigger savings. That's today's Appalachian Wireless. Ranger Rick, back in the airchair once. For nearly four decades, radio listeners in the area began their day with the familiar voice of Ranger Rick Cottle. That voice is now silent and the airchair now empty as Ranger Rick passed away Wednesday. Friends and co-workers say Rick's presence matched his larger-than-life personality. The guy loved radio. The guy loved being here. The guy loved his audience. He was the center of attention. Loved doing remotes. Just was a showman. It's tough because just not hearing his laughter, not having his presence in the building. Just his presence not being in here. You could just feel the sadness, the quietness that he's not here. Because I'm telling you, when he came and walked in this room, you could see just the brightness of his presence. Ranger Rick not only made a powerful impact on his co-workers and his listeners, but also on his community. When he was just out of high school, he joined the volunteer fire department. He was active in that for several several years, at probably at least 25, maybe 30. On the city council for a spell as a councilman, and he's all-time actor, any kind of civic things going on in town, he was always active in those and tried to produce a positive attitude and a positive future for the city of Martin. Funeral services for Ranger Rick Connell are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nelson Frazier Funeral Home in Martin. Reporting from Martin, I'm Shawn Allen for EKB News.