Southwest Missouri News

Branson

City considers tourism district

The Branson Board of Aldermen will hold a public meeting July 24 to learn more about a proposed plan to establish a Tourism Community Enhancement District. According to a city of Branson news release, the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will give a presentation about the proposed district, which would encompass areas in Stone and Taney counties.

Within a Tourism Community En-hancement District, a 1 percent sales tax is imposed on all businesses within the district. The revenue generated is used for tourism marketing and local social and educational programs.

Details about the tax, including its effect on properties in Branson that already are collecting the city's tourism tax, will be discussed. The Branson Board of Aldermen will in August determine if the district should be created, and if the board decides it should, the issue will be placed on the November ballot.

Branson Landing project update

The Jacobsen Group, Australian developers of the Branson Landing project on the Taneycomo lakefront, are communicating with local and federal regulatory agencies about the project, according to a city of Branson news release.

The developers are reviewing the project with the Empire District Electric Company, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. They also are completing financial studies based on the development's projected revenue flow and funding from the tax increment financing district.

The Branson Landing project includes a boardwalk, a hotel, retail shops and a 10,000-seat convention center with exhibition halls.

Branson Police to go wireless

Patrol cars of the Branson Police Department soon will be equipped with wireless technology that will allow patrolmen to send and receive data via laptop computers.

According to a city of Branson news release, the wireless system will enable officers to quickly access accurate information during criminal investigations, at accident scenes and during routine traffic stops.

The city will also use the wireless system to connect outlying city offices, such as fire stations and Public Works, to the city of Branson's local area network and mainframe computer.

Branson recycles tons of material

Since acquiring three balers to process aluminum, paper and plastics in August 2000, the Branson Recycle Center has moved 409 bales, or 197 tons, of recyclables through its facility.

Including steel cans, which are not baled, the total increases to 214 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills if recycling was not available.

A city of Branson news release stated that workers at the Branson Recycle Center are seeing a steady increase in the number of businesses that are recycling.

Tournaments resume at city course

The city of Branson's Parks Depart-ment is sponsoring monthly golf tournaments at the Don Gardner Pitch N Putt Golf Course through October, according to a city of Branson news release. The course, which is owned by the city, is next to the Community Center on Compton Drive.

Tournament formats include stroke play, scramble and best ball, and the format changes each month. For more information or to enter a tournament, contact the city of Branson's Parks and Rec-reation Office.

Aldermen support master plan

The Branson Board of Aldermen is supportive of a recommendation by the city administrator to include the development of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan in its goals for 2002.

According to a news release, the plan will study all aspects of future recreational needs that may include a year-round recreational complex with swimming pool, additional park land, and the creation of "soft adventure" programs like biking, hiking and canoeing.

Employees conduct blood drive

A blood drive last month conducted by employees of the city of Branson generated 24 pints of blood for the Communi-ty Blood Bank of the Ozarks. City employees have two blood drives each year; one in December and one in June, which helps replenish the supply before the July 4 holiday.

Joplin

Mentors for children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper and Newton counties are seeking volunteers from civic and professional organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions, to be mentors to children ages 6 to 14 in an after-school, site-based program.

The initiative is part of a recent announcement made by President Bush, who wants to pair 1 million children with mentors over the next five years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for 100 volunteers to begin serving as mentors in October.

Average home price down

According to the Joplin Board of Realtors, the average price of a home sold in the Joplin area in May was $80,334. That's down from $83,632 in April. It is the lowest level since January, when the average was $79,275.

The average number of days a home spent on the market in May was 113, the lowest it has been all year.

The Joplin Board of Realtors sold 438 homes in May and has more than 1,000 homes still on its active list.

Freeman Cancer Institute opens

Freeman Health Systems recently opened the Freeman Cancer Institute.

Located at the southwest corner of the Freeman campus, the institute houses the medical and chemotherapy side of Freeman Health System's cancer-treatment program. The radiation, oncology center, with its linear accelerator, is located nearby.

The institute has three certified cancer physicians and six oncology nurses. It will participate in national cancer research and offer cancer patients assistance with lifestyle management.

With 20,380 square feet of space, the Freeman Cancer Institute has a sunlit chemotherapy treatment area, private rooms for patients and families to discuss treatment options, physician offices, exam rooms, a conference center, media center and space for future growth.

Neosho

Chamber honors MFA Services

The Neosho Area Chamber of Com-merce has named MFA Agri Services its Agribusiness of the year.

The company is a manufacturer and supplier of agricultural products, including bulk and bag fertilizer, and bulk and bag feed. MFA Agri Services also provides seed and crop protection products to improve farmers' profits. MFA contributes to Crowder College's Aggie Days, and makes various donations to organizations to raise money for college scholarships.

This is the seventh year the Neosho chamber has presented this award. Award nominations are open annually to all agribusinesses in Newton and McDonald counties. Previous recipients include Moark in 1995, Ragland Mills in 1996, Tindle Feeds in 1997, Crowder College's agriculture department in 1998, Orscheln Farm in 1999, and Dr. C.R. Hammons' Animal Clinic in 2000.

Bank matches school donation

Neosho Christian Schools was given a boost from Southwest Missouri Bank in the school's effort to raise $30,000 to match an anonymous donation for an endowment fund.

Jeff Maxwell, vice president and branch manager of Southwest Missouri Bank, presented a check to Bob Murray, superintendent of Neosho Christian Schools, increasing the total matching funds to approximately 30 percent.

"We appreciate the confidence that Southwest Missouri Bank has shown in us by their donation to our endowment fund match," Murray said. "We want to be a quality private school that offers the very best in educational opportunities for the Neosho area, and Southwest Mis-souri Bank's donation will help us maintain our high standards and academic excellence."