Latest News Releases from the City of Branson http://www.bransonmo.gov/feed.xml The Branson Fire Department will be conducting a course on the safe use of indoor pyrotechnics used before a live audience to prepare theater owners, operators and pyrotechnic technicians for testing to receive a license through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. State law requires pyrotechnic or special effect operators to attend a certified training program, test their knowledge on the use of indoor pyrotechnics, and obtain a license. In addition, all theaters using indoor pyrotechnics must apply for and secure a permit from the Branson Fire Department. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/PyrotechnicTrainingFeb2010.pdf The city of Branson this week received the long awaited final ruling from FEMA that stated Branson Landing buildings 1-6 are “reasonably safe from flooding.” This final written report followed an inspection of the buildings on the west side of the Landing by FEMA officials from Kansas City last August. Following that Landing tour, FEMA official Dean Ownby said the buildings appeared to be reasonably safe from flooding, but an official ruling would be issued later when he further studied the findings of his site visit. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/femafinal.pdf Branson firefighters want business owners to be prepared should a fire emergency break out in their workplace, and that’s why the city’s fire department is offering training seminars for their employees. “We cover the important topics like what action to take in case of a fire; evacuation procedures; notifying the fire department; how fire alarms and sprinkler systems work and fire prevention,” said Ted Martin, division chief of the Branson Fire Department. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Fire safety for busineeses.pdf Due to the winter weather conditions, Branson City Hall will be closing at 2 p.m. today to allow employees to arrive home well before darkness settles in. All roads in Branson remain mostly snow covered. Snow plows will continue traveling the main streets until all those streets are cleared of snow. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/WeatherUpdate01292010.pdf Branson Fire & Rescue records yet another year of relatively low fire losses and one unfortunate fire related death in a residential fire. There were no other fire injuries reported. “Our firefighters strive for excellence in the organization and are ‘hands-on’ in the development of measurable goals and objectives that help guide and direct our organization to provide exce http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Firedept09report.pdf City municipal judge gets a raise due to the significant increase in the municipal court caseload, Aldermen approved a hike in compensation for Municipal Judge Tom Motley. His new pay will be $1,200 per court session, a $200 raise from the $1,000 he was receiving. The Board also appointed Motley to an additional three year term ending in January 2013. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/BofA_mtg01262010.pdf Captain Chris Morgan of the Branson Fire Department left for Haiti over the weekend as part of an area medical team to assist in the relief efforts of the earthquake ravaged country. Morgan is a part-time/volunteer worker with the local Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). He, along with six other DMAT members will be spending the next two weeks in Haiti caring for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the massive earthquake earlier this month. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Morgan to Haiti.pdf The Branson Board of Aldermen heard proposals that would affect the city’s collection of tourism taxes, the city’s growth and demolishing dangerous buildings during its regular Study Session on Thursday. Changes to the Licensing and Tourism Taxation Ordinances would clarify who is to be licensed and strengthen the ability to collect the city’s tourism taxes on ticketed attractions, hotels and restaurants. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Study_Session_1-21.pdf Heats Up Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater’s Stage. As the weather starts to heat up so do the stages in Branson, Missouri and at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 8, Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theater will be sizzling with Branson’s 16th Annual Hot Winter Fun Big Show! Branson, dubbed the “live music show capital of the world”, is the perfect place to escape the winter blues during January and February and Branson’s Hot Winter Fun Big Show is the perfect event to sample a wide variety of shows and performers jam-packed into one exciting show. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/hotwinterfun.pdf The Branson Board of Aldermen will be conducting a Town Hall Meeting on a proposal to initiate curbside recycling for city residents. The meeting will be held Monday, January 25, 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Branson City Hall, 110 West Maddux. One of the Strategic Goals and Focus of the mayor and Board of Aldermen in 2010 was to explore the viability of curbside recycling, and city officials want to hear all viewpoints concerning this environmentally-friendly program that would make it more convenient for residential recycling. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Curbside_recycling_release.pdf Police officers take on firefighters in roundball competition. The trash talk has already started between Branson Police and Fire employees as the two departments prepared to battle each other in the first annual Guns ‘n Hoses Basketball Game. The heated competition is set for Saturday, January 16, 4:30 p.m. at the Branson Junior High School gym. “We’re fired up!” said Branson Fire Chief Carl Sparks.“It’s going to be a cakewalk. No competition,” said Sparks as he continued taunting the men in blue. “Our firefighters will douse the cop’s enthusiasm like putting out flames in a fire. We’ll take no prisoners!” http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/gunsnhoses.pdf Beginning immediately, the city of Branson has closed its public yard waste disposal site located at the Cooper Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant on Fall Creek Road. “The Cooper Creek site was not convenient for citizens, either in location or hours,” said Mona Menezes, Branson’s environmental specialist. “We typically had just five or six residents per week disposing of yard waste, and we could not justify staffing the site.” http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/yardwastemoving2.pdf The Branson Recycle Center is closed whenever the Branson Schools are closed due to weather conditions. However, the recycle center will also be closed this Saturday, January 9th because of the freezing temperatures. “Our employees are committed to keeping the center open despite the fact that they must work in the sub-freezing temperatures but the extreme cold affects the hydraulics on our balers and our mechanics have advised us against operating them at these temperatures or there could be damage to the hydraulic lines,” says Mona Menezes, environmental specialist for the city of Branson. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/rcenterclosed.pdf Sub-freezing temperatures have descended on the Ozarks and the City of Branson Fire Department reminds area residents and commercial business owners to be prepared. With snowfall expected Wednesday and temperatures plummeting to sub-zero for an extended time period, several safety issues become a priority. Give space heaters space: Keep portable space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Keep children and pets away from heaters and never leave them on when you leave the home or go to bed. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Cold Snap.pdf City responds to 155 calls in 2009. Branson residents are finding the Citizens’ Service Request Line useful in getting action on concerns and questions they have about the city and its operations. According to Branson Public Information Director Jerry Adams, the number of calls to the 24-hour request line in 2009 totaled 155, down from the 178 calls in 2008. “Through this request line, we are able to provide information and solutions to problems in a timely manner to citizens on a variety of subjects regarding the city, its departments and policies,” Adams said. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/CSR NewsRelease.pdf Crews work 24 hours if necessary to clear streets. With the winter season upon us and snow frequently in the forecasts, the Branson Public Works Department is geared up and ready to tackle the white stuff to keep streets as clear as possible. Public Works Director Larry VanGilder says the city has 10 pieces of snow removal equipment including plows and dump trucks that are ready to hit the streets when snow depths reach two inches. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Snow routes.pdf Trees can be dropped off through Jan 17. The Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery on south Missouri Highway 165 in Branson is once again accepting live Christmas trees for recycling. The trees will be used for erosion control and habitat enhancements in area lakes. This service is free and can be used by individuals or companies. Before recycling trees, the Conservation Department asks that all decorations, tinsel, frosting, twine and plastic be removed from trees. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Christmas_tree_recycle.pdf Sub-freezing temperatures are predicted again this week and the Branson Fire Department reminds area commercial business owners to insure minimum heat is maintained throughout buildings protected with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Commercial properties across the city including shopping centers, motels and hotels, along with condominiums, and other area attractions are typically protected by automatic fire sprinkler systems. These systems are installed for life safety purposes with a focus on protecting evacuation routes as well as property conservation. Sprinkler systems are designed to extinguish small fires before they have a chance to rage out of control. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Fire_Sprinklers_Freezing_09.pdf Officials from the cities of Branson and Hollister, Taney County and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) turned the dirt Thursday afternoon to signal the start of construction on the $12.2 million Lake Taneycomo Bridge project. In addition to the second bridge, the project also includes rehabilitating the existing Route 76/ Business 65 bridge and building an oval roundabout on the Hollister side. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/taneybridge.pdf MoDOT, District 8, Springfield -- Work is scheduled to begin the week of Dec. 14 on a project to build a second bridge over Lake Taneycomo connecting downtown Branson and Hollister, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The project also includes rehabilitating the existing Route 76/Bus. 65 bridge and building an oval "round-about" on the Hollister side. Much of the work will take place away from traffic. Construction will cause periodic additional congestion. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Taneycomo_Bridge_begins.pdf Is all of your Christmas shopping done or still looking for a few good ideas for around $30? he Branson Fire Department has developed a Top 10 list of gift ideas that may help you and your family be better prepared for a severe weather event or other disaster. “Sometimes, you just have that family member or friend to buy a gift for that seems to have everything, and this list gives a few ideas to become better prepared for special needs around the home and while traveling,” said Branson Fire Chief Carl Sparks. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/safetygifts.pdf SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE BILLS. City provides funds for Festival of Lights installation. Aldermen approved the expenditure of $26,900 to the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce to cover the cost of installing and taking down the lighted stars along Highway 76. These funds come from the city’s 2% Tourism Tax Marketing Revenues. While the city originally paid for the additional stars, this addendum is needed to cover the installation and removal of the lights. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/120809boa.pdf City of Branson employee Sharon Green is pictured with a sign she created for this park bench made from recycled plastics. The sign reads “I am made from 100% recycled materials such as scrap tires, milk jugs and plastics.” The bench is located near the bus stop at the corner of Commercial and Atlantic, behind Dick’s Five and Dime. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Recycled_Park_Bench.pdf College students from a planning class at Missouri State University of Springfield will be making a presentation of their ideas to revitalize and beautify a portion of Highway 76. Their public presentation will be Wednesday, December 9, 3 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Branson City Hall. According to Joel Hornickel, senior planner in the Planning and Development Department, the students contacted his department in August looking for a planning project to work on this semester. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/collegians.pdf The City of Branson will be testing the new CodeRED high-speed telephone emergency notification system on Tuesday evening, December 8, between seven and eight o’clock. The system was installed earlier this year to provide citizens and businesses with instant notification of pending or imminent emergencies. CodeRED gives city officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone messages to all or targeted areas of the city in case of an emergency situation that requires immediate action. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/coderedtest.pdf The Branson Board of Aldermen concludes its education series on sustainability Tuesday, December 8, with Ted Curtis, engineer for the city of Columbia, MO, discussing “Sustainable Transportation.” Columbia was one of four U.S. cities to be awarded a $22 million Department of Transportation grant aimed at changing the way citizens get to work, run errands, go shopping, get children to school, or participate in recreational activities using a bicycle or walking. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/sustain120809.pdf Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley is asking for Board approval to appoint Branson banker Mike Booth as an alderman to represent Ward 1, filling the unexpired term of Stan Barker. Presley made her selection public today during the regular Board of Aldermen Study Session. A special Board of Aldermen meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the regular Board meeting, where the Board will vote on his appointment. If approved, he will serve until the April 6, 2010 Municipal Election when that Ward 1 term expires. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Booth_appointed.pdf The Branson Planning and Development Department will be conducting a public briefing to discuss the proposed adoption by the city of the 2009 International Code Council and 2008 National Electrical Codes. The meeting will be Monday, December 14, 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Branson City Hall. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Codes_briefing.pdf Branson residents interested in running for aldermen in each of the city’s three wards can file for those elected offices beginning Tuesday, December 15. According to City Clerk Lisa Westfall, the filing period for declaring candidacy extends from December 15, 2009 to January 19, 2010. The qualified candidates will then be on the April 6, 2010 Municipal Election ballot. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Filing_period.pdf With the weekend after Thanksgiving the biggest shopping time of the year, and with Branson being one of the most popular shopping destinations in the state, city officials want to again make driving to shopping centers as hassle-free as possible. “Thanksgiving Traffic Solution” is a plan where Branson police and public works departments team up to move motorists more efficiently around the city on the weekend after Thanksgiving. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/trafficsolution 09.pdf The National Weather Service and state and local emergency management agencies including the Branson Fire Department are encouraging citizens to begin getting ready for winter snow and freezing temperatures. “Winter storms in the Ozarks may range from a deep freeze, icing conditions with freezing rain, moderate snow over a few hours, to blizzard conditions. The aftermath of any of these may impact our community for days or even weeks,” said Carl Sparks, Branson Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Winter Weather 2009.pdf A new walking trail has opened along Skaggs Road that now connects the roundabout with Stockstill Park. The asphalt trail runs alongside Skaggs Road and Cahill Road behind the south guardrail, and features a chainlink fence to protect walkers from an embankment that drops to Roark Creek. The one-mile scenic walkway runs under the U.S. Highway 65 Bridge and connects with the Skaggs walking trail at Cahill Drive, eventually ending at Stockstill Park. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Cahill_trail_opens.pdf The city of Branson has responded to address a malfunction in a lift station to prevent the possibility of another spill like the one last week that allowed 12,000 gallons of sewage to flow into Fall Creek. New battery backup, monitoring, and control components have been installed to provide additional assurance of alarm reliability in the event of electrical failure. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Fall_Creek_spill_11-09.pdf The Capital Improvements Committee of the Branson Board of Aldermen today has recommended projects totaling $5 million for the 2010 budget. The recommendations will go to the full Board of Aldermen for approval, but the committee also made one stipulation – if funds become available. The downturn in the economy has affected the city of Branson like so many other municipalities across the country forcing city leaders to prepare austere budgets based on limited revenues. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/CAPITAL_IMPROVEMENTS.pdf The Branson Board of Aldermen continues its education series on sustainability Tuesday evening with the sustainability coordinator for the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas making a presentation. John Coleman is the full-time sustainability coordinator for Fayetteville, which was recently ranked 6th out of 650 “small cities” for sustainable development. The city’s Solid Waste and Recycling Division, for example, installed programmable thermostats and more efficient lighting, reducing its energy bill by 40%. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/sustain110709.pdf Branson city officials have announced that Stockstill Park, which has been closed due to flooding last week, will reopen tomorrow, Saturday, November 7. City crews and volunteers from the community spent the day Friday cleaning up the flood damage caused by nearby Roark Creek overflowing its banks. The cleanup included laying new mulch around the playgrounds, removing debris that had washed up around the ball field fences and re-anchoring portions of those fences. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/stockstillopen110709.pdf Beginning November 20, 2009, the Branson Recycle Center will no longer accept glass. “Our glass crushers are due for replacement and we had to make a decision whether or not to stay with glass recycling or focus our funds and manpower on other recycling opportunities,” said Branson Public Works Director Larry VanGilder. The recycle center will continue to accept fluorescent light bulbs because they are processed separately through a hazardous waste facility. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Glass Discontinued.pdf Eight year Board veteran moving out of the city. Branson Ward 1 Alderman Stan Barker announced his resignation from the Board of Aldermen today during the Board’s bi-weekly study session. He is moving out of Branson later this month to northern Taney County and his last Board meeting will be this Tuesday, November 10. Barker, who is also mayor pro-tem, has served as an alderman since 2001. His Ward 1 includes the north and northwest part of the city north of Missouri Highway 76. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Barker resigns.pdf Training required for businesses that sell liquor. The city of Branson Finance Department will be holding another liquor training session November 12 for servers, cashiers and bartenders. This training is required of all businesses selling liquor in the city of Branson or businesses that are in the process of obtaining a liquor license. The session begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers of Branson City Hall, 110 West Maddux. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/liquortraining111209.pdf Volunteers needed to repair flood damage. The city of Branson is putting a call out for volunteers to help repair Stockstill Park that was damaged last week by flooding of Roark Creek. Branson Park and Recreation Director Cindy Shook said the cleanup will be this Friday, November 6, starting at 8:30 a.m. and continuing throughout the day at the park. Employees from public works as well as parks and recreation will be on hand to start removing the tree limbs, rocks and other debris left after the flood waters from Roark Creek receded. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/cleanstockstill09.pdf Heavy rains this week swelled Roark Creek in Branson and caused flooding throughout Stockstill Park, forcing city leaders to close the park. According to Branson Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Shook, the waters from Roark Creek washed mulch away from the playground, damaged ball field fences and deposited rock, gravel, limbs and other debris throughout the whole park. The fences, however, were not damaged to the extent of needing replaced. Shook said the fences have thick layers of debris lodged against them, but can be re-secured to the ground. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/stockstill2009.pdf City of Branson’s “Sustainability Education Series”. 6 p.m. Tuesdays Before Council Meetings, City Council Chambers. Public Invited. 5-part series to run October thru December, one hour prior to regular city council meetings. Mayor Raeanne Presley encourages citizens to attend. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/sustainableschedule.pdf The Branson Public Works Department will be conducting its annual fall cleanup November 16-19 to help residents properly dispose of large unwanted items at no cost. According to Larry VanGilder, director of public works, the city offers this service in the spring and fall for several years in order to continue the city’s beautification efforts and for the convenience of residents. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Fall_Cleanup_09.pdf On Sunday, November 1, Daylight Saving Time ends and we all move our clocks back one hour. Along with this change in time, the Branson Fire Department would like residents to make another change that could save their lives. That is changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. It’s estimated that over 92% of American homes now have at least one smoke alarm. Supporting that high rate and striving for 100%, Branson firefighters now focus their efforts on smoke alarm maintenance as they find that almost one third of them do not work because of missing or worn out batteries, according to Branson Fire Division Chief Ted Martin. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/ChangeClock_2009.pdf SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE BILLS. City seeking reimbursement from county on purchase of snow removal equipment. Branson was awarded $49,988 by Taney County last year for the purchase of snow removal equipment with funding coming from the Taney County Road and Bridge Trust Tax Fund. The equipment has been purchased, and aldermen approved a bill requesting payment from the county. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/bofa102709.pdf The first H1N1 public vaccination clinic will be held on Thursday, October 29 at both Taney County Health Department locations from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. This clinic is for children age 2 to 18 and only the nasal spray vaccine will be available. Appointments are required to receive a vaccination. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/h1n1clinic.pdf Ozark Mountain Christmas is one of the five seasons in Branson, and it begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, with the Opening Celebration for this year’s Branson Area Festival Of Lights drive-through. The public is invited to join Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley; Ross Summers, president of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau and many others at the entrance to the drive-through at Expressway Lane off Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and across from the Sight & Sound Theatre. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/10.pdf SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE BILLS. Exemptions for some temporary signs. Aldermen amended the city’s sign code that will now allow businesses to put out one 2-foot by 4-foot sandwich board sign to advertise their store. The sign cannot be further than 10 feet from the front of their store and cannot be closer than 50 feet from a right-of-way. The signs must be picked up at the end of the day. For downtown businesses that are right next to a sidewalk, they will be allowed one 2’ x 4’ sign no more than 5-feet from the front of their store, but it can’t block the right-of-way and must be picked up at the end of the day. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/BofAmtg101309.pdf The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness (GCEH) is planning its second Project Homeless Connect event in Missouri. Hosted by GCEH and several area social services providers, the event is tentatively scheduled for October 2010 in the Branson area. Project Homeless Connect is a one-day, one-stop event that connects individuals and families experiencing homelessness with on-site medical care and a variety of social services. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Project_Homeless_Connect_Press_Release.pdf The city of Branson will be holding a street party to officially open the Fall Creek Road extension this Saturday, October 10, beginning at 9 a.m. There will be entertainment, food, Duck rides and classic cars on hand for the festivities. Mayor Raeanne Presley will lead a parade of classic cars and cut the ribbon at 10:30 that morning to open the road to traffic. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Fall_Creek_opening_closer.pdf Exactly what is sustainability and how can it be implemented in the city of Branson will be the topics discussed at special sessions being held prior to regular Board of Aldermen meetings in October through December. These sessions are open to the public and Mayor Raeanne Presley encourages citizens to attend. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Sustainable_series.pdf For the first time anybody in town can remember, Branson now has welcome signs along north and south US Highway 65 to greet the millions of visitors driving into the city. The signs were installed late Monday by the city’s public works department on MoDOT right-of-way. The southbound welcome sign is between the Ozark Mountain Highroad and the Bee Creek interchanges. The northbound sign is just north of the US 65 Lake Taneycomo Bridge. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/welcome_signs_up.pdf Group seeking to form retailer committee to combat underage drinking. The Taney County Underage Drinking Prevention (UADP) Coalition will hold a public meeting on Friday, October 9, 9a.m. – 11 a.m. at Branson City Hall, 110 West Maddux. One of the main items on the agenda is the formation of a retailer committee to assist the city of Branson and Taney County in the prevention of illegal drinking by minors, according to Kara Miller, health educator with the county health department. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/UADP_release.pdf The city of Branson is the recipient of a $1,500 grant from the Ozark Mountain Nature Trails Association (OMNTA) for improvements at the Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area. The grant will be used for trail markers and signs at the Wilderness Area, according to Matt Filice, assistant city engineer. The signs will enhance the experience of Lakeside Forest for hikers by providing convenient direction and park information. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Lakeside_grant_from_OMNTA.pdf The tragic Samoan earthquake and tsunami have brought tears and heartache to Branson, as the tragedy became personal for the Samoan performers in the Island Fire Show at the Dutton Family Theater. Iefata Saoleititi and his wife Rachel were celebrating the September 22nd birth of their baby daughter Deanna Marguerite when they received the news that their two year old son, Iefata Jr., perished in the disaster. The boy had been staying with Iefata’s parents in Samoa during the Island Fire performance season. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/samoantragedy.pdf Branson Police Department announced today they are joining with southwest Missouri law enforcement October 1 – 31 for a rural safety belt mobilization to crack down on Missouri’s safety belt law violators and to reduce highway fatalities. Drivers failing to buckle up face a much greater risk of injury or death in vehicle crashes. Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes are unbuckled, yet only three out of four Missourians regularly buckle up. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/clickit092909.pdf Entertainment, Duck rides, ice cream and a variety of classic rides will all be part of the city’s official opening of the Fall Creek Road extension on Saturday, October 10. The family festivities begin at 9 a.m. on the road just north of the U.S. Highway 76 intersection. The ribbon cutting that opens the road is set for 10:30 a.m. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/fallcreek1009.pdf City awards marketing contract to local chamber. The Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will again receive the contract from the city to market, advertise and promote Branson for the next five years. Funds for marketing come from the city’s tourism tax on hotels, attractions and restaurants. Twenty-five percent of the tourism tax is dedicated to marketing. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/BofA_mtg092209.pdf A one-day summit meeting on creating more work force housing in the Branson area will held on Thursday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Presley’s Country Jubilee Theater on West Highway 76. This Work Force Housing Summit is sponsored by the Taney County Commission, the Taney County Industrial Development Authority and the city of Branson. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/workforcehousing091809.pdf Branson Airport officials have announced scheduled public charter service, operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. to Branson from Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, LA for the holiday season. Branson is world renowned as a top Christmas destination. Branson’s Ozark Mountain Christmas, which is November and December, brings together a mix of world-class entertainment, recreation and holiday spirit to provide a truly exhilarating vacation experience. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/jet.pdf The Branson Police Department participated in the statewide You Drink & Drive. You Lose campaign conducted August 21 - September 7, and during the 18 day enforcement, officers cracked down on more than just intoxicated drivers. Officers issued 28 citations for driving while intoxicated. They also discovered and enforced other traffic offenses including 30 safety belt tickets; 186 speeding tickets; 100 failed to show proof of insurance; 28 driving while intoxicated and 184 other traffic violations. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/dwi0909.pdf Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley will be honored with the 2009 Missourian Award at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, Mo. Presented by the American Heart Association, the Missourian Award is given annually to nominees who have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in civics, business, education, politics or the arts. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/presleyaward.pdf The Branson Fire Department will be conducting a course on the safe operation of indoor pyrotechnics used in live performances at local theaters. The course prepares theater owners, operators and pyrotechnic technicians for testing to receive a license through the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/pyro0909.pdf With the retirement of longtime Branson Public Works Director Larry VanGilder in January, city officials have announced a reorganization of that department, which is the largest with 68 employees. Kruithof announced at a Thursday Board of Aldermen Study Session that the Engineering and Parks and Recreation departments will assume most of the Public Works’ responsibilities. Engineering will be managing street maintenance, facilities maintenance, vehicle service, mowing, and recycling. Current City Engineer David Miller will take on the new title of City Engineer/ Public Works Director. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Reorganization.pdf Great River Engineering of Springfield presented a detailed concept of a nature center that would be built with sustainable material and incorporate green features that will “add to the Branson experience.” Branson city officials, Taney County Commissioners, representatives from the state’s Congressional delegation and area business leaders attended a second meeting on the proposed nature center Thursday at the Branson Convention Center. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/Nature Center design.pdf The city of Branson Finance Department will be holding another liquor training session September 17 for servers, cashiers and bartenders. This training is required of all businesses selling liquor in the city of Branson or businesses that are in the process of obtaining a liquor license. The session begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers of Branson City Hall, 110 West Maddux. The Community Partnership of the Ozarks will be conducting the liquor training, which is expected to last about 1½ hours. The cost is $5 per person, payable at the time of the training. http://www.bransonmo.gov/news/newspdfs/liquortraining091709.pdf