Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Branson small business awards June 3

The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Small Business of the Year Awards June 3 at Chef K's Gourmet Restaurant at the Grand Ramada in Branson. Carol Jones will be the keynote speaker on "Mapping Success." Tickets for the dinner and awards ceremony are $17.50, available through the chamber.

City's parking plaza dedicated May 12

Calling it "more of a park than a parking lot," Mayor Lou Schaefer led the dedication May 12 of the newly completed Branson Park 'N' Lot Ceremonial Plaza next to Branson City Hall. Schaefer said funding for the plaza came from private donations of cash, labor and materials. He said six houses and a business were moved from the site with money received from a grant. The houses were donated to Habitat for Humanity.

The parking lot holds about 60 additional spaces in a park-like setting which includes a waterfall and sculpture fountain titled "Summer Rain," created by Stone County sculptor Lee Robertson.

It also has a plaza area with benches that can be used for ceremonies or relaxing.

The dedication was held in conjunction with the fifth annual observance of Arbor Day. The Missouri Department of Conservation presented the city of Branson with the Tree City USA Award.

The conservation department also gave local businessman Jack Herschend, chairman of the board of directors of Silver Dollar City Inc., the Lawrence Enersen National Arbor Day Foundation Award for his Gift of Green program that donates trees to the community. Through the Gift of Green program, also sponsored by Ozark Mountain Bank, Empire District Electric and Bass Pro Shops, Herschend's goal is to plant 1 million trees in the Ozarks.

City annexes 80 percent southwest of town

The city of Branson reports that more than 80 percent, or 725 out of 905 properties in southwest Branson, have been annexed. The annexed properties are located in Pointe Royale, Taneycomo Acres and Country Bluff Estates.

Loan program offered for defibrillators

Ozark Mountain Bank has joined with Taney County Ambulance District to provide Automated External Defibrillators to local accommodations and businesses.

According to the ambulance district, Ozark Mountain Bank will provide interest-free loans for one year to the first 100 area businesses that want to purchase a defibrilator.

Several members of the Branson Lakes Area Lodging Association showed interest in the defibrilators after an April presentation by the ambulance district and Skaggs Community Health Center.

Kevin Tweedy, operations manager with Taney County Ambulance, said it was a goal of the district and Skaggs to make Branson the second Heart Safe City in America.

The first city to receive that title was the Las Vegas, where the defibrilator program was implemented in most of its motels and resorts.

Tweedy said nonmedical individuals could be easily trained to operate defibrilators, enhancing the response time to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. He said the cost of a defibrilator for the program was about $3,000.

Remington rink adds operations manager

Victoria Anderson has been named operations manager of the new Remington Public Ice Skating Rink located west of the Remington Theatre in Branson. Anderson, who is from Minnesota, has an extensive background in special project coordination and management of military and state agencies.

Now residing in Reeds Spring, Anderson will also work with group skating and private lessons, as well as implementing junior hockey and upcoming events.

Brian Ridinger has also joined the ice rink staff as manager of the ice facilities at the rink. The rink is open seven days a week beginning at 10 a.m.

Hollister chamber develops Web site

According to Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce president Mike Wenig, his organization and the city of Hollister are jointly developing a Web site that will contain descriptive information about the city of Hollister and the amenities it offers.

The chamber of commerce's pages will provide local lore and information on business and activities within the Hollister. Wenig said members of the chamber will be able to participate in the Web site program free of charge.

Land Go Broadcasting buys fifth station

Land Go Broadcasting Co. has bought its fifth radio station serving the Joplin area. Bobby Landis, general manager and one of the owners, said the new 6,000-watt station, KBGZ-FM, will be at 104.3. The station's format has not been announced. Land Go is awaiting Federal Communications Commission approval for its tower location and should be on the air by mid-June, Landis said. Other owners include Bob Landis, president