Southwest Missouri News

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

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Branson hires new city attorney|ret||ret||tab|

Deborah Deuster, assistant city attorney for Cape Girardeau, has been hired as Branson's city attorney and will assume her new duties April 23. Deuster, 33, replaces Bob Handley, who is retiring as city attorney June 1.|ret||ret||tab|

As assistant city attorney in Cape Girardeau since 1997, Deuster's duties have included prosecuting municipal court cases, researching and drafting ordinances, providing legal advice, research and training to city staff and managing in-house litigation. |ret||ret||tab|

Prior to joining the city attorney's office in Cape Girardeau, Deuster was with the law firm of Dempster, Barkett & Edwards for four years in Sikeston.|ret||ret||tab|

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The Tracks plans improvements|ret||ret||tab|

Larry Schmitt, president of The Tracks, Branson, has announced the construction of a three-story, spiraling go-kart attraction at Track 5 near White Water on Highway 76. |ret||ret||tab|

The new LumberJack ride combines the concepts of roller coasters, race cars and go-karts, allowing drivers to maneuver along an elevated track system.|ret||ret||tab|

Schmitt said, "Being able to drive your own vehicle on a wooden surface 30 feet in the air is part of the uniqueness of this go-kart attraction. Building the track off the ground allows for three-dimensional twists and turns that are impossible to create with concrete tracks."|ret||ret||tab|

The LumberJack will have 36 go-karts, including 28 single-rider karts and eight double-rider karts. |ret||ret||tab|

The track will be 20 feet wide and 1,200 feet long, allowing go-kart drivers to race several laps during the five-minute ride. The scheduled completion date is Memorial Day weekend.|ret||ret||tab|

Schmitt said other improvements for The Tracks include property facelifts at each of the five locations, new go-karts and bumper boats, and new exterior theming. Construction costs for these improvements and the new LumberJack attraction are estimated at more than $1.25 million.|ret||ret||tab|

Firms seek convention contract|ret||ret||tab|

Four consulting firms have been selected to give presentations to the Branson Convention Center Commission on April 23, starting at 12:30 p.m. in Branson City Hall. The firms, C.H. Johnson Consulting Inc. of Chicago, Convention, Sports & Leisure International of Minneapolis, Economic Research Associates of Chicago and HVS Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Consulting of Chicago, are seeking to win the contract to develop a convention center feasibility study.|ret||ret||tab|

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Fire department offers training|ret||ret||tab|

The Branson Fire Department is offering local businesses free fire safety training for their employees. The one-hour program covers topics such as 9-1-1, building evacuation, elimination of fire hazards such as circuit overloads and improper storage, and familiarity with portable fire extinguishers. Businesses may schedule a program by calling 417-337-8580.|ret||ret||tab|

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Construction values $9.5 million|ret||ret||tab|

New construction values for the city of Branson for the first quarter of 2001 totaled $9.5 million. Major projects receiving building permits from the city Planning and Development Department included the indoor Splash Country Water Park on Highway 76, a service and strip mall on Branson Hills Parkway, a 176-unit condominium development next to Lawrence Welk Theater and eight more condo units at the Grande Legacy on Glory Road in Branson.|ret||ret||tab|

Motorcyclists to gather May 17-20|ret||ret||tab|

Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will rally May 17-20 at the Welk Resort. The Branson Motorcycle Rally, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association, will offer special entertainment and activities, competitions, a vendor area and a raffle for the chance to win a customized 2001 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycle valued at about $25,000.|ret||ret||tab|

Proceeds from the raffle ticket sales will be donated to charities chosen by event sponsors, which include the Welk Resort, Easyriders, KKLH and KOSP Radio, Ozark Ticket and Travel, Country Tonite Theatre, Melvin G. Hall Performing Arts Center, Pepsi of Springfield, Freedom Road Riders and the Christian Motorcycle Association.|ret||ret||tab|

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City improves campground |ret||ret||tab|

The city of Branson has made improvements in Section B of the Branson City Campground on Lake Taneycomo. These enhancements include upgraded water and sewer, cable TV hookups and 50-amp electrical lines to serve larger RVs.|ret||ret||tab|

The city has now improved three of the six campground sections, and the other three are scheduled for upgrading later this year.|ret||ret||tab|

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Diamond|ret||ret||tab|

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East Ward run-off election May 1|ret||ret||tab|

A run-off election is scheduled for May 1 in Diamond's East Ward.|ret||ret||tab|

The Diamond City Council decided on the May 1 election after City Council candidates Keith Brumfield and Hayley King English tied with 51 votes each in the April 3 election. |ret||ret||tab|

This is the first run-off election Diamond has had.|ret||ret||tab|

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Joplin|ret||ret||tab|

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Salvation Army opens|ret||ret||tab|

The Salvation Army opened a second thrift shop at 1651 W. Seventh St. in Joplin on April 9.|ret||ret||tab|

Proceeds from the items purchased at the thrift stores are used to pay for food and shelter for those who use the Joplin shelter.|ret||ret||tab|

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PSC hears rate hike request|ret||ret||tab|

The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing in Joplin to receive customer comment on a rate increase requested by the Empire Electric Co.|ret||ret||tab|

Empire seeks a 19.3 percent rate hike to pay for its new State Line Power Plant, near Galena, Kan., and the natural gas that will be burned at the plant.|ret||ret||tab|

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. April 23 in the Matthew Hall auditorium on the campus of Missouri Southern State College. Customers will also be given an opportunity to bring any service- related problems to the PSC.|ret||ret||tab|

If approved, the increase would raise the bill for a typical customer (using 700 kilowatt hours of electricity a month) by $10.51 a month.|ret||ret||tab|

Formal hearings on the rate hike are planned for May 29-June 8 in Jefferson City.|ret||ret||tab|

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Mount Vernon|ret||ret||tab|

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Chamber seeks new logo |ret||ret||tab|

The Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce is seeking entries of designs for the logo for this fall's 35th Apple Butter Makin' Days festival.|ret||ret||tab|

Entries should be submitted to the chamber office by May 1. For more information call 417-466-7654.|ret||ret||tab|

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Neosho|ret||ret||tab|

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Premier Industry of Year|ret||ret||tab|

Premier Turbines of Neosho has been named a winner of the 2001 Missouri Industry of the Year Award in the medium company classification.|ret||ret||tab|

The award, sponsored by Associated Industries of Missouri, the Mid-Missouri Business Journal and the St. Louis Business Journal, annually recognizes Missouri businesses that have become leaders in making Missouri a better place to live and work.|ret||ret||tab|

Criteria for the award include: |ret||ret||tab|

utilization of the company's resources and personal leadership skills in making a key contribution to the municipality where the company is located; |ret||ret||tab|

innovative leadership in regard to products, production methods or services offered; taking a leadership role in forming partnerships with local schools; |ret||ret||tab|

and involvement in legislative issues which impact Missouri businesses and industries.|ret||ret||tab|

Premier Turbines will receive the award during ceremonies April 24 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City.|ret||ret||tab|

In the late 1950s, rocket engines for America's defense and space programs were built under a veil of secrecy at the Premier Turbine site. |ret||ret||tab|

There are 211 people employed at the Neosho plant. |ret||ret||tab|

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