Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Corps announces park openings

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced 2002 hours for the Dewey Short Visitor Center.

Located south of Table Rock Dam on State Highway 165, the visitor center will open for the 2002 season April 1. Hours for the center are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week.

The visitor center offers a bookstore, display area, nature trail and a short film on the construction of Table Rock Dam.

In addition, the Corps of Engineers will open nine of its recreation areas on Table Rock Lake April 1: Baxter, Big M, Campbell Point, Cape Fair, Cricket Creek, Eagle Rock, Long Creek, Indian Point and Viola. Opening May 1 will be Aunt's Creek, Old Highway 86, Viney Creek and Mill Creek.

Moonshine Beach, a day-use-only area, will open May 15. Joe Bald Park will be open for group-camping-only this summer.

City gives Landing update

The city of Branson announced March 20 that the Missouri House Budget Committee voted to send the Branson Landing State Tax Increment Financing project to the full House of Representa-tives for a vote.

In a separate bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, the Branson Landing project has cleared an appropriations committee and has moved to the Senate floor.

Meanwhile, city officials are meeting with eight prospective hotel developers from around the country who are interested in being the primary developer for the Branson Landing project. Securing an equity commitment on a hotel remains a critical financing component, the city stated in a release, adding that since Sept. 11, hotel financing has be-come more difficult.

The city reports its 404 permit application with the Army Corps of Engineers is going smoothly, with no problems indicated by the corps or the city's environmental and engineering consultants.

City officials are reviewing bids to de-molish two structures that are not directly on the Branson Landing property but are essential to its development the Christian bookstore and adjacent visitor center building on the southeast corner of Main and Sycamore. A request for qualification has gone out to contractors for the demolition and liquidation of assets on the actual Branson Landing property between the railroad tracks and Lake Taneycomo.

Carthage

United Way names president

Denise Robertson of Carthage Water and Electric has been elected president of the board of directors for the Carthage Area United Way for 2002.

Other officers are John Stevens, vice presidents; Susan Williams, secretary; and Larry McGuire, treasurer.

The 2001 United Way campaign raised more than $300,000, surpassing the campaign goal of $270,000.

Dennis Veach, Carthage police chief, will lead the 2002 effort, with Glenn Coltharp of Carthage R-9 School District to serve as vice chairman.

Joplin

Empire to sell additional shares

Empire District Electric Co. said it plans to sell up to $50 million worth of newly issued shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering in June.

Proceeds from the sale of the additional common stock are expected to be used to repay outstanding debt and for general corporate purposes.

Dollar's Worth open on 32nd St.

Dollar's Worth has opened at 2640 E. 32nd St. in the Landmark Shopping Center.

All items are $1 or less. The store is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Sat-urday, and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Roni and Bill Visalli own the store. They also own stores in Webb City and Carthage.

Neosho

Oscar presenters receive La-Z-Boys

Oscar presenters will receive an extra heavy gift in this year's gift basket. Hollywood heavyweights will have the opportunity to kick back and relax in La-Z-Boy recliners after their appearances on the 74th Academy Awards.

For the first time, each presenter at the award show will receive a La-Z-Boy gift certificate for one of four styles of La-Z-Boy chairs from the company's contemporary "New Look of Comfort" collection, as part of their presenters' gift baskets.

In the past, these baskets have included such lavish items as Chopard watches, Versace wallets and Armani tuxedos.