Southwest Missouri News

White River reduces electric rates 3 percent

Member-consumers of White River Valley Electric Cooperative, which has its headquarters in Branson, will begin paying less for electricity. The nine-member board of the cooperative reduced utility rates for the five-county service area beginning Nov. 1.

Rod Romine, office manager for the cooperative, said rates were lowered 3 percent. He said a residential electric bill, based on 1,000 kilowatt hours of usage, would decrease from $82.60 to $80.16. The new rate will be reflected in the cooperative's January billing.

The cooperative said in a release that improved financial margins and a reduction in generation costs by its supplier KAMO Power accounted for the reduction.

Magazine names area top destination

For a second year, Branson has been named the top travel destination by Bank Travel Management magazine. The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce said members of BankTravel programs were the basis of the designation. "Hundreds of thousands of affluent customers rely on their banks for making their travel decisions," said John Knox, sales manager for the chamber.

More than 200 BankTravel members were surveyed regarding their group tour plans for the upcoming year. "The poll indicates, of several BankTravel programs across the country, ... Branson ranks at the top of the list among domestic as well as international travel destinations," said Mac Lacy, president and publisher of Bank Travel Management magazine. The survey showed that BankTravel members average six overnight trips annually, and a dozen or more day trips a year.

City's Web in operation

The city of Branson has finished construction of its new Web site. The site features information about the city along with links to all city departments, department directors and their operations. The address is

www.cityofbranson.org

for Internet users.

Dec. 1 seminar covers unemployment claims

An "Unemployment Insurance and Appeals" seminar will be held 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 1 at the Dogwood Inn in Branson. The seminar, sponsored by the Missouri Employer Committee of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development, will include topics on minimizing unemployment cost, the claims process, rights of the employer and the appeals process. The seminar costs $10. For more information, contact the Division of Workforce Development in Branson at 334-4156.

Counties' unemployment continues down

Unemployment rates in Taney and Stone counties fell once again for the month of September. The unemployment rate for Taney County was 2 percent, down from 2.3 percent in August. For Stone County, it was 3.2 percent, down from 3.4 percent in August. The unemployment rate for the entire state was also down from 3.5 percent in August to 3.1 percent in September.

Monsoon Lagoon coming to White Water

Silver Dollar City Corporation has announced new construction at two of its Branson-area properties. The company will spend more than $1 million on its new 20,000-square-foot Monsoon Lagoon attraction at White Water.

The interactive project will include sluices, aqua-shooters, water blasters, splash geysers, and 150-foot-long escape slides. There are a few surprise elements to be incorporated, including a massive tipping bucket that intermittently showers 1,000 gallons of water on people below.

The new construction will allow for capacity of up to 800 additional people. Monsoon Lagoon will open with White Water's 2000 season on May 13.

Silver Dollar City theme park will get a new performance hall for its spring opening next year. The park has announced the addition of a 20,000-square-foot, 1,800-seat performance hall which will feature new shows and activities throughout the year. The theme of the new theater will reflect the tomato canning and shipping industry of the Ozarks during the early 1900s.

Skaggs gives 2,600 drive-through shots

Skaggs Community Health Center spent close to $8,000 for flu vaccinations given free-of-charge to Taney and Stone county residents during October and November, according to Rebecca Tough, RN, the hospital's community wellness nurse.

Tough said 2,600 residents received their free vaccinations during the drive-through clinics held Oct. 30 on the upper level of the Skaggs parking garage and on Nov. 6 at the parking lot of Branson West Medical Care.

"Between the two clinics, two physicians and 22 of our nurses offered to give shots and another 24 employees helped by directing traffic, handing out paperwork and assisting our nurses," Tough said. This is the third year Skaggs has conducted drive-through flu shot clinics.

Front Page Home Store opens on square

Jon and Jeanne Page have opened the Front Page Home Store on the north side of the square. The store sells domestics and accent furniture at a 50 percent discount. This is the second Front Page store in Carthage. The Pages also own stores in Neosho and Monett. The stores carry new merchandise, as well as catalog returns.

Leggett & Platt declares 9-cent dividend

The board of directors of Leggett & Platt Inc. declared a fourth-quarter dividend of 9 cents per share. The dividend will be paid on Jan. 3 to shareholders of record as of Nov. 26. Quarterly dividends declared by Leggett & Platt in 1999 total 36 cents per share, which is up 14.3 percent from 1998.

Wright opens Bioskin Face and Body Clinic

Sherry Wright, a licensed cosmetologist and clinical esthetician, has opened Bioskin Face and Body Clinic at 3606 Indiana Ave. Wright offers microdermabrasion, nonsurgical face lifts, cellulite treatments, body wraps and facials. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

St. John's gets public relations awards

The public relations department at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin received three Show-Me Excellence awards from the Missouri Association for Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing. St. John's received awards for employee communications, second place