Southwest Missouri News

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Monett|ret||ret||tab|

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Jack Henry steps up repurchase|ret||ret||tab|

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. a leading provider of integrated technology solutions for financial institutions, reported May 23 it has stepped up its share repurchase activity. In September 2001, the company's board of directors approved a program authorizing repurchase of up to 3 million shares of common stock, as conditions warrant. The company has repurchased more than 600,000 shares in open-market transactions, leaving more than 2 million shares available under the current authorization.|ret||ret||tab|

"We believe our capital is extremely well placed in repurchasing shares of common stock at current market prices," said Terry W. Thompson, president. "We remain confident that our earnings growth in fiscal 2003 will approach the 25 percent level that we've targeted for many years." |ret||ret||tab|

The company is financing its share repurchases with available cash reserves. Repurchased shares will be principally used for ongoing stock issuance under employee stock plans and other general corporate purposes. |ret||ret||tab|

Jack Henry & Associates stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol JKHY.|ret||ret||tab|

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

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Citizens' police academy set|ret||ret||tab|

Citizens who want to learn more about the daily operations of the Branson Police Department are invited to sign up for the Citizens' Police Academy.|ret||ret||tab|

The course begins June 11 and continues each Tuesday evening for nine weeks, ending Aug. 6. The classes start at 6 p.m. and end by 9 p.m. There is no charge for the course.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's our hope that by providing this opportunity, our citizens will have a better understanding of the duties, operations and responsibilities of the police department," said Cpl. Bryan Miller, community relations officer. "The academy allows citizens to interact with their police department and to realize what services the department has available to the public."|ret||ret||tab|

Miller said the academy doesn't teach people how to be police officers or how to enforce laws and make arrests. Rather it shows the job of an officer and how the whole police department functions.|ret||ret||tab|

The academy is a hands-on course addressing all aspects of police work. Classroom instructions along with actual scenarios are used to teach the course. The same officers who investigate crimes instruct citizens.|ret||ret||tab|

Miller said the course is set up for 18 students, and if more register, they will be held over for the next citizens' academy in the fall.To register for the Citizens' Police Academy, contact Miller in the Branson Police Department.|ret||ret||tab|

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Fair to match volunteers, groups|ret||ret||tab|

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce's Retirement Committee will hold a Volunteer Fair from 2-6 p.m. June 19 at the Branson Lion's Club on East Highway 76.|ret||ret||tab|

The Volunteer Fair is designed to unite volunteers and volunteer-based organizations. The event is free and open to the public. Door prizes will be given away throughout the event and refreshments will be provided. |ret||ret||tab|

"A point the committee would like to reiterate is that anyone can be a volunteer," said LaNora Kay, chair of the retirement committee. "It doesn't matter if an individual is available 20 hours a week or one hour per month, there are numerous organizations that can utilize whatever amount of time a person can donate.|ret||ret||tab|

"The focus of the Volunteer Fair is to educate the public about volunteer organizations and how to best utilize individual talents on a volunteer basis."|ret||ret||tab|

Those interested in the fair should contact Deidre McCormack, director of member services and community development with the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.|ret||ret||tab|

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Baldknobbers top group in poll|ret||ret||tab|

Branson's first show, The Baldknob-bers, has been selected "Missouri's Best Music Artist/Group" in a statewide poll conducted by Rural Missouri magazine.|ret||ret||tab|

The April 2002 edition of the publication of the Missouri Electric Coopera-tives published the results of a readers' poll of the Best of Missouri. Thousands of readers' responses were tabulated into 40 categories in this first-ever poll. Other Branson-area attractions selected "Best of," by the readers were Silver Dollar City Best Place To Take Kids; and Best Amusement Ride was Silver Dollar City's Fire In The Hole, with its Wildfire roller coaster named as second. Branson was selected Best Romantic Getaway, Best Weekend Getaway, Best Town To Visit and Best Christmas Event. Highway 65 between Springfield and Branson was selected Best Scenic Drive.|ret||ret||tab|

The Baldknobbers is Branson's original music and comedy show, started by the Mabe brothers in 1959 on the Taneycomo lakefront in downtown Branson. Bill and Joyce Mabe and Jim and Katie Mabe still own, operate and produce the show. They also operate the Baldknobbers Motor Inn and Country Restaurant adjacent to the theater on Highway 76.|ret||ret||tab|

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