Branson set for holiday shoppers

Branson city officials want visitors to the tourist location to have a pleasant shopping experience the weekend after Thanksgiving. To that end, officials have announced the Thanksgiving Traffic Solution 2001 traffic-control plan, ac-cording to a city of Branson press release.

Branson police and Public Works Department will work together to move traffic more efficiently Nov. 23-24.

Extra police officers will be placed at nine of the city's busy intersections, and Public Works employees, wearing orange vests, will be located throughout the city to distribute maps, provide directions and answer questions for visitors.

According to Branson Assistant Police Chief Carroll McCullough, all officers will be working two 12-hour patrol shifts during those two days. He said 26 officers will be dedicated only to patrolling traffic 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Larry Van Gilder, director of Public Works for the city of Branson, said 11 Public Works employees are scheduled to offer their services 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 23 and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Nov. 24, or as necessary by traffic volume.