Southwest Missouri News

Branson

Skaggs makes top hospitals list

According to a new national study, Skaggs Community Health Center in Branson ranks among the top 100 overall best-performing hospitals for orthopedic services in the United States. The study, "100 Top Hospitals: Orthopedic Benchmarks for Success 2000," was released by HCIA-Sachs and the Human Motion Institute.

On the list of 100 top hospitals were 15 teaching hospitals with orthopedic residency programs, 40 teaching hospitals and 45 community hospitals, including Skaggs. The only other Missouri hospitals to make the list were Boone County Hospital Center and Columbia Regional Hospital, both in Columbia, and Heartland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. No Arkansas hospitals were included in the listing.

The study used empirical, publicly available performance data to identify hospitals that provide high-quality care, operate efficiently and produce superior financial results.

This data includes mortality rates, complication rates, number of patients receiving orthopedic services, average length of hospital stay, cost per patient and percentage of patients who came from or were discharged to home.

Wilson receives Ambassador Award

Branson entertainer Jennifer Wilson was given the 2001 Ambassador Award March 14 at the 33rd Annual Missouri Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Branson at the Chateau on the Lake.

The award was presented by the Missouri Division of Tourism for her support of the state's tourism promotions. In addition to co-owning and starring in her show at Jennifer's Americana Theater, Wilson is an official worldwide spokesperson for the United Service Organization and has received numerous other awards, including the Silver Helmet Award and the American Legion Department Distinguished Service Award.

The annual Missouri Governor's Conference on Tourism was held for the first time ever in Branson March 13-14. In addition to the presentation of awards, including a posthumous award to former Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan, the conference included general sessions and a welcoming reception for Missouri's newest governor, Bob Holden.

City's population rises 63 percent

Branson has grown in population by 63 percent during the last 10 years according to the U.S. Census. Official figures now show the population of Branson is 6,050, up from 3,706 in 1990. During the past 10 years, Branson was the 34th-fastest-growing city in the state.

Consultants' proposals considered

According to the city of Branson, nine firms from across the country have submitted proposals to conduct a convention center feasibility study in the city. The Branson Convention Center Commission will review the proposals during the next two weeks and select one firm to do the study.

Following the study, the commission plans to acquire a management team and request bids for designing the facility. The city also has heard back from Transco Holdings Inc., of Hawaii, which has proposed building a monorail along West Highway 76 in Branson.

Transco representatives met with city officials beginning March 16 to present artists' renderings of the proposed monorail and to work toward the negotiation of a contract allowing Transco to build, operate and then transfer the monorail to the city.

Mid-America Hearing opens site

Mid-America Hearing Center of Branson will April 2 host a 12-foot-sandwich-cutting ceremony instead of the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate its new location at 526 N. Business 65 across from Skaggs Community Health Center. Mid-America Hearing Center will hold the ceremony at 11 a.m. followed by an open house until 2 p.m.

Joplin

Best Buy locates near mall

Best Buy Company has filed a permit to begin site work on a proposed location near Northpark Mall. Preliminary groundwork has already begun at the location of the proposed consumer electronics store next to the vacant Albertson's supermarket on Turkey Creek Boulevard. "Best Buy has been looking at this market for several years," said Rob O'Brian, president of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. "They have looked at several locations, but pretty consistently around the mall area." Building plans and a timeline for completion of the building project have not been submitted to the city for approval yet. Best Buy currently operates more than 400 retail stores in 41 states offering a wide selection of consumer electronics, home office products, appliances and software.

City sues Ozark Air Lines

The city of Joplin has filed a lawsuit against Ozark Air Lines in an attempt to recoup at least part of $200,000 in federal money it gave the company. The city filed a lawsuit against the airline on March 13, in the Jasper County Circuit Court.

The city is seeking an accounting of how the money was spent by Ozark, the return of any items purchased with the money by the airline, and a refund of at least part of the federal money.

Last spring the city provided Ozark with $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds.

The money was to be used by the airline to help establish service at the Joplin Regional Airport.

In the city's agreement with the airline, Ozark agreed to provide service to Joplin for at least two years.

Of the amount given to the airline, $50,000 was to have been used to set up an Ozark station at the Joplin airport. An additional $150,000 was given as an incentive for offering two daily flights from Joplin to Dallas-Fort Worth and to Chicago's Midway Airport in late May of 2000.

Ozark discontinued service to Joplin on March 8. The airline cited a lack of passengers.

TLC Marketing launches magazine

A new, locally produced magazine dedicated to recognizing outstanding Joplin area women has begun publication.

"She's a Lady," is a monthly magazine published by TLC Marketing of Joplin, and it was created to recognize local women for their outstanding efforts in business, as well as women who own their own businesses or who make outstanding contributions to their communities and civic organizations.

"I hope everyone enjoys the premiere issue," said Teresa Carver, president of TLC Marketing, "because if you enjoy this issue, I know you will certainly love what is next."

The new magazine provides articles on a variety of topics of interest to women, including local information on education, health issues, financial information, career opportunities, short stories, the Internet, gardening, local travel, beauty and fashion, culture and the arts, and local historical sites.

Neosho

BASF plans expansion, hiring

BASF plans to increase its animal nutrition production facility in Neosho and that increase will lead to a rise in employment at the plant. The plant currently employs 14.

"I am excited that BASF has taken the decision to expand the animal mix facility in Neosho," said Neal Griffin, Neosho site manager.

"I am confident that we have a bright future to look forward to and we will shortly be recruiting employees to meet our needs," he added.

The Neosho expansion stems from company restructuring.

BASF will close its premix plant in Whitestone, S.C., on June 15, with production going to Neosho and the Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, plants. As a result, 18 people will lose their jobs, but the company has vowed to help place employees in other positions within the company.

BASF Corporation and its subsidiaries ranks as the third largest producer of chemicals and related products in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with sales of $7.2 billion in 1999.

Based in Mount Olive, N.J., BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "BF."

GM event backs Make-A-Wish

"Making Smiles Standard Equipment" was the theme for the Wish Match 25 Holiday Promotion sponsored by General Motors in December 2000 to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Neosho's Griffith Motors, along with 25 other General Motors dealerships, participated in this event that raised $20,450 for the Missouri chapter. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.