On the Street

Ozarks Technical Community College’s Board of Trustees April 4 voted to increase tuition to $78 per credit hour in-district, $98 per credit hour out-of-district and $128 per credit hour out-of-state. The hikes, which include $2 per credit hour in student fees, are effective this summer.

March employment

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 110,000 nationwide in March, and the unemployment rate declined to 5.2 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor has reported. Several industries added jobs over the month, including construction, mining, health care and wholesale trade. The jobless rate was down from 5.7 percent a year earlier, as the number of unemployed persons decreased to 7.7 million.

Police academy

Springfield Police Department’s next Citizens Police Academy begins May 3. The 11-week program educates citizens about SPD through classes on topics including police policies, legal issues, the investigative process and the challenges of providing a safe community. The program is free, but it is limited to 25 people per academy. Classes meet one night per week for about 3 1/2 hours. For additional information or to join, call (417) 837-5891.

Professionals day

The Hawthorn Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will present the Administrative Professionals Day Breakfast 7-8:30 a.m. April 27 at Highland Springs Country Club. Keynote speaker Cal LeMon – also an SBJ columnist – will present “Finding the Y Factor in Your Office.” Tickets are $15 each, and interested parties should register by April 22. To register or for more information, call (417) 895-5288 or (417) 841-4386.

Slice of Nice

The Fourth Annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon and Fashion Show to benefit New Hope will be held with two seatings – one at 11 a.m. and one at 12:45 p.m. – April 25 at The Tower Club. Tickets are $20 each or $180 for a reserved table for 10, and they may be obtained by calling (417) 869-2220. New Hope is a nonprofit agency that provides support and assistance to Ozarks women and families affected by gynecologic cancer.

Fuel funds

Visitors heading to Branson through September 30 can receive Gas Buster discount cards redeemable for $50 in discounts at more than 100 Branson area businesses. Travelers should bring gas receipts of at least $40 to Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce & CVB Welcome Center within two days of arrival. Branson officials came up with the idea to combat creeping gasoline prices. According to AAA’s Web site, the average cost of regular unleaded gas on April 5 was $2.13 per gallon in Missouri and $2.20 per gallon nationally.