Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Food now part of theater ticket price

A picnic-style dinner is now included in the price of a ticket to take the tour and see the outdoor drama at The Shepherd of the Hills Homestead and Outdoor Theatre.

According to Gary Snadon, owner of The Shepherd of the Hills, the meal was added to the ticket without additional charge because visitors to his attraction have thought "ticket prices in Branson have gotten too expensive." In a news release, Snadon stated, "This season, with the added crunch of higher gas prices, we realize that it is more difficult than ever for visitors to enjoy their vacations. We decided it was time to do something about it."

Beginning June 26, the attraction planned to serve from 1,500 to 1,800 guests' dinner between 6 p.m. and show time. The meals will be prepared by Ron Hutchins, formerly food service manager at Gilley's Texas.

New assistant city administrator chosen

Kevin Faught, 31, will start as the new assistant city administrator for Branson on July 5.

Faught, formerly the assistant administrator since 1993 for the city of Springdale, Ark., replaces Terry Dody who became Branson city administrator in February.

At Springdale, a city of 40,000, Faught was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city.

Registration open for Citizens' Academy

The Branson Police Department will hold its fifth Citizens Police Academy from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. for nine consecutive Tuesdays beginning July 11. The free course is designed to show how the department works and to provide a general idea of basic law enforcement principles. Classroom instruction includes scenarios such as a simulated homicide scene where students take fingerprints, statements from witnesses and evidence. Participants will spend patrol time with officers making routine stops and will learn how to book prisoners, apply for an arrest warrant, community policing and dispatching and will watch a special operations squad demonstration. To register for the police academy, contact Cpl. Ron Ginn at the Branson Police Department at 334-3300.

Events set for before, after business hours

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its next Business Before Hours at 7:30 a.m. on July 11 at the Radisson Hotel in Branson. A continental breakfast will be provided at the meeting.

The Business After Hours will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on July 20 at the Guest House International Inn and Suites in Branson and will be sponsored by Six Stars of Branson.

Hollister

City, chamber spread brochures statewide

The city of Hollister and the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce joined together to complete and distribute 10,000 new informational brochures to the eight Missouri Information Centers around the state.

The brochures depict the history of Hollister from its first settler in 1867 to present day, and include a map and directory showing Hollister's historic district.

Local historians Viola Hartman and Edith McCall were the contributing writers for the brochures, and local artist Thelma Adkins provided the artwork.

According to the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, the brochures were partially funded by a matching grant from the state Division of Tourism. The chamber of commerce received the grant in July 1999 for a city/chamber Web site. The projected budget was then revised and approved for the historic brochures.

Joplin

New businesses come to local mall

Since June 1, four new stores have opened at Northpark Mall.

Trade Secrets, a division of Regis Corp., has opened a store featuring a selection of hair-care products as well as full-service cuts and styling.

Vitamin World offers a line of vitamins and health products.

Marble Stone is an ice cream parlor featuring 12 flavors of ice cream that can be mixed with a variety of "mix-ins" such as nuts, candies and fruit. The hard ice cream is scooped onto a cold stone and the "mix-ins' are chopped and blended in.

TNT Sports features a selection of sports cards, collectibles and other memorabilia.

Design firm receives national ranking

Joplin Construction Design & Management Inc. was named one of the top 300 construction companies by Metal Construction News, a trade journal. The latest of their projects include new metal buildings for Component Packaging, Great Outdoors Grill Co., and Burner's Fabrications, all of which are located in the new Crossroads Industrial Park.

Aurora

Chamber launches Web site

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce has set up a Web site that highlights the town's closeness to Branson and outdoor activities. Another part of the site is an alphabetical listing of chamber members. A relocation guide includes a map of the Ozark Mountain Parkway area. The address is www.auroramochamber.com, which is also used by the city of Aurora for its community site.

Neosho

Bank plans expansion for Neosho market

Hometown Bank, N.A., has received permission to expand to full services in Neosho. The bank is planning a center at 1285 S. Neosho Blvd. When the center is completed, all operations will moved to the new site. Hometown opened a loan production office in Neosho earlier this year.

Associate honored for involvement

Bank of America has given a Neosho associate its Leadership in Excellence Award. James L. Smith, a business banker, was presented with the award which includes a $1,000 contribution. Smith selected Neosho Habitat for Humanity to receive the money in his name.

The award honors associates who show community leadership through either bank initiatives or volunteer efforts.