Southwest Missouri News

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

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City engineers train county staff|ret||ret||tab|

The city of Branson reported in its May Branson City Lights update that the city's engineering department has trained several Taney County employees on the Geographic Information System technology that creates digital maps. |ret||ret||tab|

The cost to the county in employees and computer equipment was about $56,000; however, that represents a savings of about $300,000 versus the cost of using an outside vendor. |ret||ret||tab|

The city also reported that county staffers trained on the GIS technology can now bring other departments online with GIS.|ret||ret||tab|

In other news, the city noted that its two bicycle police officers are back on duty in the downtown area and along Highway 76 by the outlet malls. |ret||ret||tab|

Additionally, the police department has stepped up its training of officers in the use of stinger spikes to end high-speed chases. |ret||ret||tab|

The spikes are laid across the road to puncture the tires of a fleeing felon, and the slow release of air brings the vehicle to a safe stop. |ret||ret||tab|

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Rodeway Inn receives honor|ret||ret||tab|

The Rodeway Inn in Branson, owned by Myer Hotels, was named a finalist for the Rodeway Inn of the Year by Choice Hotels International, according to a release from Myer Hotels.|ret||ret||tab|

A committee of peer hoteliers selected the Rodeway Inn of Branson as a finalist based on a series of unannounced inspections that evaluated hospitality, service, appearance and operations. The Rodeway Inn in Branson was selected as a finalist from the 140 Rodeway Inns open throughout the United States. |ret||ret||tab|

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Carthage|ret||ret||tab|

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Leggett & Platt declares dividend|ret||ret||tab|

The board of directors of Carthage-based Leggett & Platt Inc. has declared a dividend of 12 cents per share for the second quarter. |ret||ret||tab|

According to a company press release, the dividend is the same amount the board declared for the first quarter, and it is 20 percent higher than the dividend paid during the second quarter of 2000. The dividend is payable June 15 to shareholders of record on May 25.|ret||ret||tab|

Leggett & Platt recently held its annual shareholder's meeting. Among the actions taken at the meeting, shareholders voted to ratify the selection of Price Waterhouse Coopers as Leggett & Platt's independent accountant, the release said.|ret||ret||tab|

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Joplin|ret||ret||tab|

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Trans World Express adds flight|ret||ret||tab|

Trans World Express is adding a fifth flight from Joplin to St. Louis.|ret||ret||tab|

The additional daily flight, on a 30-passenger plane, begins July 2. Trans World Airlines operates in Joplin as Trans World Express, a commuter for TWA.|ret||ret||tab|

The fifth flight is being added to accommodate growth and to cater to travel to western destinations. TWE's current four flights are timed to take on passengers to St. Louis and on to eastern destinations such as New York City, Cincinnati and Washington, D.C.|ret||ret||tab|

The additional flight, which will leave Joplin at 12:10 p.m. and arrive in St. Louis at 1:30 p.m., is being timed to accommodate fliers to cities in the western United States.|ret||ret||tab|

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St. John's receives Telly Awards|ret||ret||tab|

St. John's Regional Medical Center has received three Telly Awards for outstanding achievement in advertising for its recent heart and orthopedic care campaign.|ret||ret||tab|

More than 11,000 entries were judged by a group of more than 20 production professionals from across the United States.|ret||ret||tab|

Judges represent a cross-section of producers from agencies, television stations, production houses and corporate video departments.|ret||ret||tab|

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Monett|ret||ret||tab|

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Jack Henry announces promotion|ret||ret||tab|

Jack Henry & Associates Inc. has promoted Jack Prim to the position of chief operating officer from general manager of the E-Services Division. |ret||ret||tab|

Ed Rhea is being promoted to vice president and remains national sales manager. Both promotions will be effective July 1, 2001.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Terry Thompson, president of Jack Henry & Associates, in the past five years the company's revenues have more than tripled, and it has grown substantially in nearly every area, including customers, employees, products and divisions.|ret||ret||tab|

"To stay ahead of the growth curve, we've worked to streamline our reporting arrangements and realign responsibilities to improve efficiency and productivity," said Thompson in a prepared release. "These management promotions provide further depth to our top management team and greater flexibility for us to meet the demands of our investors, customers, employees and other shareholders."|ret||ret||tab|

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Neosho|ret||ret||tab|

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Chamber to honor Beauty Spot|ret||ret||tab|

The Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce plans to continue a long community tradition the Flower Box Beauty Spot of the Week.|ret||ret||tab|

Since 1955, when Neosho began its Flower Box Program, Neosho residents have displayed their flowers in a wide variety of unique flower boxes. |ret||ret||tab|

Neosho became nationally known for its Flower Box Program when it was featured in the first-ever color photographs in Reader's Digest. |ret||ret||tab|

This year's competition will run June 7 through July 12. Volunteers from the chamber's Flower Box committee will select weekly winners.|ret||ret||tab|

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Region|ret||ret||tab|

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Community banks merge|ret||ret||tab|

Bannister Bank and Trust and Union Bank are officially united and operate as a community banking institution with 13 locations, including one each in Ava and Mountain Grove. |ret||ret||tab|

According to a news release from the banks, the merged entity will keep the Union Bank name, and full integration of the separate bank systems is expected to be complete in the fourth quarter of this year. |ret||ret||tab|

Union Bank remains privately held, and customers of both banks will continue to use their existing locations until the integration is complete, the release said.|ret||ret||tab|

"Customers will see the same relationships and ... customers can expect added services," said Jeff Jernigan, president and chief executive officer of the new bank.|ret||ret||tab|

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