Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Phase II transportation plan set

The city of Branson Engineering Department will hold a public meeting 5-7 p.m. April 12 in the Municipal Court Room at Branson City Hall to present the results of Phase II of the Transportation Master Plan.

The Larkin Group of Springfield, which conducted a year-long study, will be there with recommendations concluded from an evaluation of the city's current traffic system. Local residents will have the opportunity to view maps and other exhibits in addition to commenting and asking questions on the proposed improvements.

Following the public meeting, the Larkin Group will develop a final report on Phase II for the city to use in giving priority to street improvements.

Phase I of the Transportation Master Plan has already been adopted by the Branson Board of Aldermen, and that included additional turn lanes at nine city intersections and the straightening of Roark Valley Road between Gretna Road and Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.

Branson Sings' seeks performers

Singing groups from all over the Midwest are invited to Branson in May for "Branson Sings," a musical event produced by Branson Hospitality Inc. The second annual event will be held May 25-28 at Silver Dollar City during its Great American Music Festival.

"Branson Sings" is for nonprofessional singers in male adult, female adult, mixed adult and high school choral groups. Participants may choose to perform in competition or for a noncompetitive rating. Groups may perform all types of music from country and gospel to pop and barbershop. For more information, call Ozark Mountain Sightseeing at 800-925-8498.

On Stage leases Osmond theater

On Stage Entertainment has signed a multi-year lease with OFT Ltd. to operate the former Osmond Family Theater. On Stage has slated "Ripley's Live ... Believe It or Not!" to open in May.

"We are thrilled to be working with such a dynamic brand name and look forward to debuting the first live stage version of a Ripley's product," said John Stuart of On Stage Entertainment, in a press release.

Jimmy Osmond, representing OFT Ltd., said, "I believe it's important to introduce new show products into the Branson market so that visitors can experience exciting new entertainment products with every return visit."

The Osmond Family Theater will be changing its name to accommodate the variety of shows being presented there.

According to the release, the Osmonds will perform their scheduled shows at the theater October-December, Tony Orlando will perform in October and November, and The Doug Gabriel Morning Show will begin at the theater April 5. Roy Clark will join Gabriel on select dates.

Ripley's is in its 83rd year and now has 40 museums worldwide with 10 million visitors annually, a weekly television series broadcast Wednesdays on TBS channels and has announced new products including a book series with Scholastic.

Hollister

Silver Screen holds reopening

Silver Screen Video & Tanning Studio of Hollister held a grand reopening March 31 Through April 1 after remodeling its video department and adding 10 private tanning rooms. Owner Joyce Johnston said the business will also offer "Mystic Tan" in the near future, a full-body mist application of self-tanning solution which takes less than one minute, has no UV rays, gives a golden brown tan and is an alternative for people unable to tan.

Johnston said Silver Screen is one of only four studios in the state that offer Mystic Tan.

Chamber sets Grape festival date

The Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its fourth annual Grape and Fall Festival for noon-9 p.m. Sept. 7 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 8.

Festival activities will be held on historic Downing Street and at the South Towne Center in Hollister. The chamber of commerce is seeking committee members, volunteers and activity and entertainment ideas.

Mayor releases progress report

Hollister Mayor David Tate has released a progress report of the city of Hollister for the past three years. Highlights include:

The first city administrator was appointed in 1997.

A new town hall was built, saving the city about $21,000 per year, allowing for the upgrade of city employee salaries and equipment.

Reorganization of city government was accomplished by establishing separate city departments with specific responsibilities.

To achieve 24-hour fire protection and emergency dispatching, the city cross-trained police officers to be certified firemen, maintained a volunteer force and added four persons to the Public Safety Department as dispatchers

The city received the voter approval of a 0.5 percent transportation sales tax to construct curbs and gutters and resurface streets to control storm water runoff.

The city added staff to clean up and improve the appearance and image of the community.

The city reduced Hollister's real estate taxes over the past three years.

Carthage

Chamber auction raises $3,000+

More than $3,000 was raised at the annual "Raisin' of the Green" auction sponsored by the retail committee of the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce.

Proceeds from the March 25 sale of merchandise and services donated by local businesses will benefit retail efforts such as the annual sidewalk sale and Christmas season promotions.

Joplin

LaBarge earnings increasing

LaBarge Inc., which has a plant in Joplin, expects to finish the third quarter of its fiscal year with higher than expected earnings.

LaBarge officials said in a press release that they expect to report net sales of $30 million and earnings per share of 7 cents.

The company said it would enter the fourth quarter with a backlog of $92 million.

LaBarge provides a variety of electronics to technology companies in industrial markets.

Hat World to purchase Lids assets

Hat World Corp. has agreed to purchase the assets of Lids, which has an outlet in Northpark Mall.

The companies are competing retailers of licensed athletic headwear. Lids filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January.

The combined chain will have outlets in 47 states and more than 2,300 employees.

Eagle-Picher reports $600,000 loss

Eagle-Picher Holdings Inc., the parent company of Eagle-Picher Industries, reported a first-quarter, pre-tax loss of $600,000, the company said in a prepared statement.

That compares to a pre-tax income of $600,000 for the first quarter of 2000. First-quarter sales were $177.8 million.

Last year, the company divested itself of Ross Aluminum Foundries, MARCO, Fluid Systems, Rubber Molding and Cincinnati Industrial Machinery, which resulted in higher first-quarter profits in 2000, the company said.

Joplin Construction wins awards

Joplin Construction Design & Management received three Best of Building awards during the Inland National Builders conference in Florida.

The company won a Silver Award in the Industrial Division for the Brunner's Fabrication building in Joplin. It also won a Silver Award in the Institutional Division for Hood United Methodist Church in Republic.

The company received a Bronze Award in the Office Division for the Baird, Kurtz & Dobson building in Joplin.

Neosho

Chamber seeks contest essays

The retail committee of the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the 13th Annual May Day Mom contest.

The essay contest is open to all second and third grade students in the Neosho R-V School District.

Approximately 500 students are expected to enter, and members of the retail committee will judge the essays.

The May Day Mom and her child will be escorted around Neosho the Friday before Mother's Day in a chauffeur-driven limousine to pick up a variety of prizes donated by local merchants.

"Participating in the May Day Mom event is a great way for merchants to promote their business," said Haley Reardon of the Neosho chamber. "Every participating merchant will be listed in all the publicity relating to the event."