Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Tri-Lakes Eye Center adds upgrade

Tri-Lakes Eye Center, located at Skaggs Medical Plaza One in Branson, announced it has added the newest Visx excimer laser upgrade for vision correction procedures such as LASIK and PRK.

The Visx Star S3 ActiveTrak laser system is an added comfort for patients. It includes state-of-the-art active eye-tracking technology and creates a new level of surgical precision, according to a release from Tri-Lakes Eye Centers.

"We're very excited to have the latest technology in our practice," said Dr. Tom Morrison, medical director for Tri-Lakes Eye Center.

"ActiveTrak moves the laser with the eye so both are aligned precisely during the procedure. The laser pays attention to exactly where patients are looking," he added.

As laser treatment is applied, two infrared cameras compensate for the patient's eye movement.

The laser tracks 3-D aspects of the cornea, including vertical height as well as side-to-side and up-and-down movement.

If the patient's eye moves outside the treatment zone, the laser automatically shuts down in a fraction of a second. When the eye returns to the treatment zone, the surgeon continues the procedure.

Visx Star S3 Excimer laser and its patented eye-tracking technology were approved by the Food and Drug Admin-istration in April 2000.

Cassville

Chamber announces fall events

The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will present the ninth annual "The Show" Oct. 25-28.

The theme for the production is "2001 A Music Odyssey," a montage of 50s and 60s tunes, according to a chamber press release. Tickets are available from the Cassville chamber.

Additionally, the Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff will be held Oct. 27, and craft booths and cookoff booths are still available through the chamber.

Prizes at this year's cook-off are, in the individual category, $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place; and in the corporate category, $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.

Prizes for the People's Choice Chili Award, Spirit Award and Best Decorated Booth also will be awarded.

Joplin

Capital improvements on ballot

The Joplin City Council plans to place on the Nov. 6 ballot a two-part question that could raise the city's sales tax rate by five-eighths of a cent for the next 10 years.

The first question will read: "Shall the city of Joplin impose a sales tax of three-eighths of 1 percent for a period of 10 years for the purpose of funding capital improvements?"

Included in the list of improvements are approximately $22 million in transportation projects, a $15.5 million police and courts building, and $2.4 million to help pay for additions and renovations at the Joplin Regional Airport.

The second question on the ballot will read: "Shall the city of Joplin impose a sales tax of one-quarter of 1 percent for the purpose of providing for storm-water control and local park improvements for the city?"

Revenue from that tax would pay for sewer projects totaling more than $20 million and $8 million for park upgrades.

180 business leaders aid MDA

More than 180 Joplin area business and civic leaders were locked up for several hours Aug. 22 during a fund-raiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Associ-ation.

Participants turned themselves in at Cycle Connection, and each "jailbird" was given one hour to telephone family, friends and business associates to help raise bail, which was set at $500.

U.S. Cellular, which served as cosponsor of the event, donated cellular phones for the fund-raiser.

Donations will help finance the MDA's free patient services program, including a clinic at St. John's Regional Medical Center.

American Water acquires Azurix

American Water Works Inc., the largest public water utility in the country, agreed to pay $149.8 million for Azurix North America, a unit of energy trader Enron Corp.

The price includes $141.5 million in cash and $8.3 million in debt.

American is the parent company of Missouri-American Water Company of Missouri, which provides water for Joplin and other Missouri cities.

Neosho

La-Z-Boy names vice president

John Kellogg was recently named vice president of the La-Z-Boy Midwest facility in Neosho.

Kellogg previously served as the general manager of La-Z-Boy Lincolnton, in Lincolnton, Neb., for four years. He re-places Dan Tice.

Chamber elects board members

Five new members have been elected to the board of directors of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce.

They are Bobby Bryant, of American Family Insurance; Chuck Crossno, CableNet Advertising Services; Billy Meyer, La-Z-Boy Midwest; Mark Mitch-ell, Neosho R-5 School District; and Philip Wilcoxon, Freeman Neosho Hospital.

The new members will serve from Jan. 1, 2002, through Dec. 31, 2004.