Southwest Missouri News

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Branson|ret||ret||tab|

Hiring seminar scheduled at Dogwood Inn|ret||ret||tab|

The seminar Employee Hiring/Recruiting/Training/Retention will be held 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Dogwood Inn. Speakers are William Henry, human resource director of Copeland Corporation, Ava, and Gary Brown, corporate director of human resources of SRC Holdings Corporation, Springfield. They will give tips on motivating the next generation of employees and workplace factors valued by employees. |ret||ret||tab|

The seminar is sponsored by the Missouri Employer Committee, Local One Stop Career Center and the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development. The cost is $10, which includes a continental breakfast. For more information, call 334-4156.|ret||ret||tab|

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Unemployment rises slightly in Taney, Stone|ret||ret||tab|

According to the state Division of Workforce Development, unemployment rates increased slightly in November for both Stone and Taney counties, but both rates remained lower than those in November 1998. The November unemployment rate for Stone County was 3.4 percent, up from 2.2 percent in October. The county's unemployment rate for November 1998 was 5.3 percent. In Taney County, the unemployment rate for November was 1.6 percent, up slightly from October, when the rate was 1.3 percent, but less than the unemployment rate of 2.6 percent in November 1998. The statewide unemployment rate was 2.3 percent in November, up from 2.2 percent in October.|ret||ret||tab|

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Cox buys Rapid's cable systems|ret||ret||tab|

Rapid Communications Partners LP, owner of Rapid Cable TV in Branson, announced Jan. 11 that it was selling its cable television systems to Cox Communications Inc. of Atlanta, Ga. Rapid, a Colorado limited partnership formed in March 1995, provides cable services to rural communities, serving more than 35,000 customers in eight states, including Branson, with about 12,000 basic cable customers.|ret||ret||tab|

Tom Semptimphelter, president of Rapid's general partner, said in a news release, "We are pleased to announce the sale of our Missouri cable systems to Cox, which we strongly believe to be one of the preeminent telecommunications companies in America. Their well-earned reputation as a customer service provider, employer and good corporate citizen is unsurpassed in the industry." |ret||ret||tab|

Following the close of pending cable system acquisitions at the end of March, Cox Communications Inc., will serve about 6 million customers nationwide, making it the nation's fifth largest cable company. |ret||ret||tab|

Cox offers cable television under its Cox Cable corporate division, local and long distance telephone services under Cox Digital Telephone, high-speed Internet access via Cox@Home, advanced digital video programming services under Cox Digital TV and commercial voice and data services via Cox Business Services. Cox is also an investor in telecommunications companies, including Sprint PCS and Excite@Home, as well as programming networks such as the Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Outdoor Life and Speedvision.|ret||ret||tab|

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Arts council benefits from silent auction|ret||ret||tab|

The Branson Arts Council Inc. will again for a second year be the beneficiary of funds from the Miss USA Silent Auction to be held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 22-26 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 27 at The Grand Palace. |ret||ret||tab|

The presentation of the winning bids will be announced at 8 p.m. Jan. 27 at The Grand Palace, with the 51 Miss USA delegates in attendance. |ret||ret||tab|

Both businesses and individuals can bid on the unique items that each delegate has donated from her state. |ret||ret||tab|

For more information, contact the Branson Arts Council by phone at 336-4255.|ret||ret||tab|

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