Southwest Missouri News

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|City worried about High Road |bold_on|signs|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

According to Branson city officials, a local group of businesspeople on West Highway 76 and the Downtown Branson Main Street Association are concerned that proposed road signs to be installed along the new Ozark Mountain High Road will direct motorists away from many Branson attractions. The group has met with Missouri Department of Transportation Assistant District Engineer Gary Ludlum of Springfield to discuss sign plans for U.S. Highway 65 North and the under-construction Ozark Mountain Highroad known as Missouri Highway 465.|ret||ret||tab|

According to a news release issued by the city of Branson. Ludlum said that federal highway guidelines dictated that the wording on directional road signs stay consistent in all states, and that MoDOT had conformed to those standards. |ret||ret||tab|

"Our signs are designed to give people the best advice and information to direct them where they want to go, not where we want them to go," Ludlum stated in the release.|ret||ret||tab|

Opponents of the sign plan said the directional signs for westbound traffic on the highroad will not adequately mention the Missouri Highway 248 route to Branson that leads directly to some Branson attractions. The Downtown Branson Main Street Association also wants signage on U.S. Highway 65 North at the junction with the highroad that will indicate "Downtown" and direct visitors to continue south on U.S. Highway 65 to reach Branson's downtown area. |ret||ret||tab|

According to Branson city officials, the MoDOT proposal allows for an exit sign that points westward and reads "West Branson Attractions" and "Highways 248 and 76."|ret||ret||tab|

According to Ludlum, a proposal by city officials to hang an overhead sign across U.S. Highway 65 pointing south to downtown Branson would cost in excess of $100,000 and would not be necessary according to federal standards. However, city officials suggested that they would like the opportunity to find funding for the sign if MoDOT can't pay for it.|ret||ret||tab|

"Since our whole economy depends on tourism, we need to provide easy-to-read road signs that show the way to the areas containing our popular attractions. After driving for several hours to Branson, the last thing visitors need is the frustration of being lost due to standard road signs," stated Branson Mayor Lou Schaefer in the release.|ret||ret||tab|

A committee of city officials and business owners has formed to work on the road sign language. Highroad construction deadlines require that any changes in signage be finalized by March.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|Park to add c|bold_on|onference center|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

Springfield developer Bob Wehr announced Jan. 15 a three-phase expansion including a conference center at Branson USA Amusement Park located on the west side of Branson. |ret||ret||tab|

When completed, the attraction will have more than 38,000 square feet of additional space containing 10 meeting rooms, in-house catering capabilities, banquet capacity of 1000 seats, trade show space for 110 booths, theater and entertainment seating for 760, and classroom-style seating for 1,760 conference attendees. |ret||ret||tab|

Phase I, a 16,000-square-foot addition adjacent to the park's theater, is scheduled for completion by March 30.|ret||ret||tab|

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Forsyth|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|MoDOT awards grant for new trail|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

A $145,424 grant has been approved from the Missouri Department of Transportation to build a recreational trail connecting Shadow Rock Park to Empire Park. According to Forsyth Community Development Director Jan Blase, the grant was approved in early January and will be used to build a 2.3-mile trail for hiking and bicycling as a part of Phase II of the city of Forsyth's master plan to connect all city parks and facilities.|ret||ret||tab|

The new trail will extend from phase I, which connects the Shadow Rock Campground and Old Forsyth with downtown Forsyth. During phase II, an 8-foot-wide trail will be built parallel to Highway Y, about 800 feet from the banks of Bull Shoals Reservoir. It will allow for numerous scenic views of the White River Valley and lake, and it will cross public, gravel access trails to Bull Shoals at three points.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Blase, the total project cost will be $193,899, with the difference being made up by in-kind contributions from the Forsyth community. The Forsyth Park Board will be responsible for maintenance.|ret||ret||tab|

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Joplin|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|Home prices drop in December|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

The average price of a home sold in the Joplin metropolitan area in December was $81,678, according to the Joplin Board of Realtors.|ret||ret||tab|

That compares with $85,455 for November and $72,060 in December of 1999.|ret||ret||tab|

In December there were 81 homes sold in the Joplin area and 859 homes actively on the market. The average number of days a home remained on the market in Joplin was 105.|ret||ret||tab|

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Neosho|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|April 21 declared Bag of Dirt Day|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

April 21 is going to be a dirty day in Neosho.|ret||ret||tab|

The Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce's Flower Box Promotion Committee has scheduled that day as Bag of Dirt Day, part of its World Largest Flower Box effort, which is expected to be complete by this spring. Volunteers are creating what they believe to be the world's largest flower box, and businesses and residents are being asked to contribute to the effort by bringing in bags of dirt.|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|United Fund surpasses 2000 goal|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

In its 2000 campaign, the United Fund of Neosho raised more than $155,000, surpassing its goal of $133,663.|ret||ret||tab|

These funds will support the efforts of such groups as Special Olympics, Salvation Army, Crosslines Ministries, 4-H and several others.|ret||ret||tab|

The United Fund of Neosho financially assists community agencies that provide services in the areas of health, education and recreation for residents of the Neosho area. The organization is governed by a 16-member board of directors, which represents all areas of the community.|ret||ret||tab|

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Newton County|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|Prosecutor's office sets record|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

The Newton County Prosecutor's Office set a record for collecting restitution in 2000.|ret||ret||tab|

According to Newton County Prosecutor Scott Watson, more than $455,400 was collected through the county's restitution department.|ret||ret||tab|

"This is approximately a 20 percent increase over the amount collected in 1999," he said. "A top priority for this office is to continually improve our collection efforts."|ret||ret||tab|

Much of the money came from the collection of returned checks, fees and other court-ordered restitution.|ret||ret||tab|

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Seneca|ret||ret||tab|

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|bold_on|Anonymous gift aids department|bold_on||ret||ret||tab|

An anonymous donor has given the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department a boost in the form of a $2,000 donation.|ret||ret||tab|

The money will be used to help buy safety supplies and make donations to people in need.|ret||ret||tab|

Major items for the department, such as trucks, hoses and uniforms, are provided through city and fire district funds.|ret||ret||tab|

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