On the Edges

Signals go up at 160-AA intersection

New traffic lights at the intersection of Highway 160 and Christian County AA should be installed, activated and timed during the week of Oct. 18, according to Laurel McKean, senior traffic studies engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Springfield District 8.

MoDOT has already upgraded Highway 160's north-bound left turn lane to AA (Guin Road), making it longer and wider. The speed limit in that area between Springfield and Nixa will not change, but McKean said changing the limit will be studied in the future. The new traffic signal will make the intersection safer for hundreds of employees who work in the businesses just west of 160 on AA, including Micro Innovations, Business Software Solutions and Prestige Millwork. Recreational users of the James River Sports Complex and 160 Grand Prix will also benefit.

Walgreens Drug Store planned for 2002

A Walgreens Drug Store is set to open in Nixa in the summer of 2002 at the corner of highways 160 and 14 in front of the Fountain Plaza Shopping Center. Scott Harrell of Scott F. Harrell & Associates, represents the developer, Blackstone Group of St. Louis. He said that the 15,120-square-foot store will be the new prototype store, similar to the one completed in 1999 at the intersection of Kearney Street and Kansas Expressway in Springfield. The location was deemed the premiere, high-profile location for serving Nixa and outlying trade areas, he said. Plans have been filed with the city of Nixa, but a permit has not yet been issued, according to Harrell. This will be the Springfield area's sixth Walgreens store.

Pottery and chiropractic businesses open

Fire it Up! LLC is a paint-your-own pottery studio at 1330 Schatz Lane in Nixa's Maple Leaf Center. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. All types of pottery are available to paint. After customers paint, pottery is then glazed and fired by Fire it Up! staff. Fire it Up!, owned by Trish and Scott Morris, also offers private parties for children and adults. For more information, call 725-6000.

Dr. Kandy Hanafin Ackley recently opened Ackley Family Chiropractic at 611 W. Mt. Vernon in Nixa in the West Side Center on Highway 14. A public grand opening and ribbon cutting with the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce will be held at 1 p.m. Oct. 21. The clinic's hours are 9 a.m.-l p.m. and 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with other hours by appointment. The phone is 724-BACK (2225). Ackley is a native of Clever who worked in another office before striking out on her own. She is a graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City.

Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel opens

Dogs can watch television or listen to soft music in bed in one of 33 decorated 8-by-8 rooms at Caroline's Pampered Pet Motel, 2604 N. Biagio. Eight-by-12-foot rooms for doggie roommates are also available. Grooming, bathing, exercise, play time and lots of attention are among the services offered. Dogs can be cared for during the day or overnight for $15 per day, with reduced prices for two or more pets. A new retirement service will care for pets after their owners have moved into a retirement or nursing home, allowing pets to visit their owners' new residences. Pampered Pet Motel's owner is Caroline Hartley and the phone number is 581-9422. The regular hours are 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., seven days a week, with 24-hour check-in and check-out available. The 6,800-square-foot building was built by Construction Processing Company.

New fire and ambulance station planned

A collaborative arrangement between Rogersville and Cox Health Systems will result in a new fire station for the city. The station, set to be operational by June 1, 2000, will include an ambulance bay and crew headquarters.

The building will go up just east of Rogersville's current city limits on Business Highway 60.

The city of Rogersville will pay for construction costs and Cox will cover ambulance operation costs, said Mark Alexander, director of Cox pre-hospital services.

"This is one of those rare arrangements where everyone benefits," said Larry Martin, Rogersville city administrator. "Lives will be saved. It is a tremendous asset for our community."

Cox Health Systems provides ambulance services in seven area counties. The Rogersville facility will expand its Webster County service that already includes Marshfield and Seymour.

Bids for the project are now being taken. Bluprints and bid packages are available from architects Gaskin Hill Norcross. More information is also available by calling Martin at 753-2884.

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