The Community is invited to the Clean Air Celebration FREE Swim Day on Wednesday, July 1, to proclaim Branson as officially smoke-free. A proclamation will be read to celebrate this milestone. The pool will be open for FREE swim from 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The first 200 guests will receive a tickets for a free hot dog and popsicle.

Last year, the Branson Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking in enclosed public spaces. This ordinance goes into full effect on July 1st of this year. A brief presentation will be made at 12:30 p.m., to recognize this milestone and the partners involved in the process. Representatives will be present from the City of Branson, the Tri-Lakes Clean Air Alliance and the Taney County Health Department.

As part of the event, admission to the AquaPlex pool will be free for the day. Regular pool hours on weekdays are Noon to 7:00 p.m. An inflatable bounce house will also be set up from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The AquaPlex is located on Branson Hills Parkway, adjacent to the Branson RecPlex.

The Board approved the final reading of the bill amending chapter 58 of the Municipal Code to implement a Clean Air ordinance on October 28th, 2014. The ordinance restricts smoking in indoor public spaces within the Branson City Limits. The ordinance also restricts some outdoor spaces, such as City Parks and reserves a distance of 6 feet from the entrance or open window to an enclosed public space where smoking is prohibited. Most outdoor spaces, including outdoor dining patios (which had initially been considered for restriction) are not restricted in this ordinance. Within the Historic Downtown area, the distance in which smoking is restricted from an entrance is 4 feet. The ordinance language also allows for up to 20% of hotel rooms to be designated as smoking rooms.

More information about the ordinance can be found on the City of Branson website – www.BransonMO.gov, under the Community Tab at the top of the homepage.

Free Swim Day Clean Air Celebration 2015

Fireworks add immensely to our enjoyment of the Fourth of July holiday and to keep your family safe, the City of Branson Firefighters urge you to Celebrate Safely when purchasing and discharging fireworks for display.

Missouri residents are encouraged to also know their local laws for sales and display of fireworks as several communities have banned their sale and use. In the City of Branson, fireworks may be purchased from June 20 through July 10 and discharged from 7 a.m. to Midnight on July 3 and 4 only.

Fires and injury are two common results when fireworks are not used properly according to the fire department. “We encourage residents to follow instructions on the label of all the different types of fireworks,” stated Fire Chief Ted Martin. “Fireworks should never be held in the hand and safety glasses should be used. It takes just seconds to of ‘fun’ to lose an eye, or to experience burns or traumatic injury,” added Martin. Even seemingly harmless, sparklers cause many injuries. For children under the age of five, sparklers account for three-quarters of all fireworks injuries. Fascinated by the bright sparks, little children may wrap their hands around a stick of fire that maintain temperatures reaching 1800 degrees.

Following injuries, fireworks cause thousands of fires each year across the nation. Lighters, matches, and projectile-type fireworks are the leading causes of fires during the Fourth of July holiday. A misguided bottle rocket landing on a roof may start a devastating fire, for example. Even with rainfall averages above normal over the past weeks, firefighters also have a deep concern for fireworks causing grass and brush fires.

As a safety reminder, firefighters offer these simple tips; always purchase fireworks form reliable fireworks stands that sell only Class C (common) or 1-4.G fireworks, follow the label directions carefully and use common sense. Fireworks activities should always be done under the close supervision of an adult, never point fireworks at another person. Use fireworks only in a clear area outside away from buildings and vehicles, never shoot fireworks in a metal or glass container, light only one item at a time and move away quickly. Finally, always keep a water source close such as buckets of water or a garden hose to cool used fireworks completely and to extinguish any small fire.

If you or your family has any questions concerning fireworks and their safe usage, feel free to contact the Branson Fire Department’s Technical Services Division at (417) 243-2790.

An important message for businesses and citizens of Branson and the surrounding area. Please click the links below.

Information from the Branson Police Department
Know Your Money

Salvaging the Geyser Gulch Attraction at Silver Dollar City Theme Park

ROANOKE, Virginia (June 10, 2015) – Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside – along with the rest of the Black Dog Salvage team – travel west to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO to up-cycle a piece of theme park history when an all new episode of Salvage Dawgs airs this Sunday, June 14 at 10 pm EST on the DIY Network. Disassembling the Geyser Gulch water attraction to make room for the new Fireman’s Landing proves to be a challenge and a whimsical roller-coaster ride of the salvage variety.
The Geyser Gulch project found Ted and Grayson wrestling with well-worn fasteners on the affectionately named “blue macaroni” waterslide. All the while, Mike and Tay were high wire rigging the removal of a giant water tower and colorful working windmill.
“I’ve always wanted a water tower,” said Mike Whiteside, “Really, I always have…but this water tower is 5 stories off the ground.”
With an eye on the resale (and fun) value back at the warehouse in Virginia, the team salvaged 30 giant air guns from the famed attraction. And, of course, these former Navy men couldn’t resist the urge for a classic “Dawg fight.”
“There was no way I was going to leave those behind,” smiled Robert Kulp. “Anyone who has ever seen these things and what they can do is going to have an interest.”
Back at the Black Dog Salvage shop in Roanoke, VA the design crew builds a one-of-a-kind hostess stand from reclaimed doors for The Leesburg Public House restaurant in Northern Virginia. The owners were so thrilled with the completed project they named a menu item “The Black Dog Burger”.
Salvage Dawgs chronicles the adventures of Robert Kulp and Mike Whiteside, owners of Virginia-based Black Dog Salvage. Each episode leaves audiences laughing, inspired, and amazed as they stay just ahead of the wrecking ball to reclaim a wide range of vintage architectural elements and oddities. The salvaged materials go in a dazzling number of directions, from being incorporated into new “old” houses to being transformed into one-of-a-kind furniture and art featured on their warehouse floor and website.
“We are saving America, one house part at a time,” said owner Robert Kulp. “It’s satisfying to know that these architectural treasures will live on and be appreciated across the country.”
Throughout the series, Kulp strives to run a tight ship with his eye on the bottom line — while spirited Whiteside wreaks havoc, tearing through old homes and buildings – finding treasure in the most unexpected places and making things happen – even under the most challenging circumstances.
Airs on DIY Network Sunday, June 14 at 10 PM EST. Check local listings for details.

Local residents of Stone & Taney County – TONIGHT ONLY!! $10 (incl tax) Please come out and help us support our own Jason Pritchett as his brand new single “Good Show” climbs the charts! Please bring driver’s license with you when you pick your tickets up at the box office, tickets can be booked ahead by phone.

Jason Pritchett will be featured nationally on The Weather Channel so there will be cameras filming for that segment – we’d love to have as many people as possible to come out and support Billy Dean, Jarrett & Jason Pritchett!!

For tickets & info call The Starlite Theatre at 337-9333

$5 area appreciation available for residents of the following counties: Taney, Stone, Barry, Lawrence, Christian, Greene, Ozark, Douglas, and Webster in Missouri; and Carroll, Boone, Marion, and Baxter in Arkansas. Additional counties will still qualify for significantly reduced rates. Please call the box office for more details and information.

Must call the box office to reserve these tickets 417-334-4528

Don’t forget to visit our website www.baldknobbers.com

Mark Your Calendars!!

The 2015 Dutton Experience VIP Show is Just Around the Corner

It’s that time! Mark your calendars for June 20th, 2015 for the annual Dutton Experience VIP Show! The Show will start at 8pm with snacks and refreshments being served starting at 6pm.

The Duttons are thrilled to invite our friends and business associates to attend the 2015 VIP Show. “We have eagerly anticipated this event since we got back to Branson,” says entertainer Benjamin Dutton. “We have had a ton of things going on. We went with a bunch of our fans on a cruise to the Caribbean in May, Tim and Judith’s oldest daughter Jessica graduated from high school in Arizona, and Mom and Dad have been in and out of town at business meetings. We didn’t want to do the VIP event without everyone here so we have been waiting till the schedule was right.”

This is also an important event for the charities that the Duttons support. The week of June 15th will be The Duttons Area Appreciation for local residents. All of the proceeds from the sale of local tickets will go to the Dutton charity of choice, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, where Amy Dutton Arambulo’s youngest son is a patient. Says, Amy, “Our son Josiah has a year and a half to complete for his leukemia treatments. We are so grateful for all of the support that we have received and are overwhelmed with all the good wishes. The people with St. Jude are amazing! We love doing our spring area appreciation in their behalf. It is one small way that we can give back for the amazing care that they have shown us and for their efforts in treating so many children. On June 20th we will not only be welcoming our friends and business associates into the theater, but we will also recognize have several guests and their families from St. Jude.

To make your reservations for The 2015 Dutton Experience VIP Show, please call the theater at 417-332-2772 or email [email protected] . Be sure to include the name of the company you work for and the number of seats that you need. Reservations must be made by each individual employee, and not as a group reservation for a company. A current paystub or an up-to-date company ID will be required to pick up tickets and enter any drawings.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Area Appreciation – “Joseph Hall’s Elvis “Rock ‘N’ Remember Tribute” Monday’s, Wednesday’s and most Friday’s June 8 thru June 29th @ $10 plus tax for select counties in MISSOURI: Barry, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Jasper, Lawrence MacDonald, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster and Wright. ARKANSAS: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Izard, Madison, Marion, Newton, Searcy, Stone, Washington.

Joseph will blow you away as he recreates the legendary performances of Elvis Presley, utilizing state-of-the-art lighting, lasers, video, sets, the tightest live band in Branson, four new dancers and background vocalists. You will think you are watching the King himself! For more information please call (417) 332-2529 or visit our website at http://claycoopertheatre.com

Hi friends!

PRINCE IVAN kicks off their first
10:30 pm show tonight at Dick Clark’s
We would love to have you come and join us after your shows get out.

Come see what they are doing to draw a new and younger crowd to Branson for all of us.

This is truly something that Branson has never seen before.

Send your friends and fans over if you feel so inclined, but most importantly, come check it out for yourself! We really believe you’ll be excited about what you see.
*Reciprocals for The Bretts apply to Prince Ivan Concerts as well.
Casey Hall

The Bretts Show

Friday, June 5^th, 2015

On June 4, Taney County Health Department (TCHD) officials received test results which confirmed the presence of measles illness in the individual identified.

The TCHD was notified Sunday, May 31, 2015 an individual presented to the Cox Medical Center Branson Emergency Department with symptoms and history consistent with measles. Preliminary test results were negative for the presence of measles. However, further testing confirmed the illness.
“Only one case of measles has been confirmed and is no longer contagious,” stated Taney County Health Department Director Robert Niezgoda. “This indication of measles will not alter the course of our current response. We have identified close contacts and ancillary contacts to verify vaccination status and provide vaccinations if needed.” This positive test result will move the response into another phase of identifying those remaining local contacts who could not be reached within 72 hours to provide MMR vaccinations. These individuals will be offered another measure that will provide protection.

The Taney County Health Department followed investigative protocol in coordination with the Stone County Health Department. The health departments have identified contacts and verified vaccination status for each individual, with guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Any contact who could not verify a vaccination history for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) were given the vaccine.
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is working with the Springfield-Branson National Airport regarding any potential measles exposures that occurred. In addition, passengers who shared the Friday flight with the measles case are being contacted and evaluated by Health Department staff.
Measles is a respiratory illness caused by a virus which is spread from person-to-person through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash. Persons with measles are considered contagious from 4 days before until 4 days after the rash appears.

Most people have received the measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as a child, which provides protection against the disease. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective. It protects against measles, mumps and rubella and is found to be 97% effective. Oppositely, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will become ill. Of those individuals who contract measles, 25% will require hospitalization.

To learn more, visit the Taney County Health Department website at www.taneycohealth.org or contact a staff member at (417) 334-4544 ext 224.

Sincerely,

Taney County Health Department
Community Outreach Division

320 Rinehart Road 15479 U.S. Hwy. 160
Branson, MO 65616 P.O. Box 369
Phone: (417)334-4544 Forsyth, MO 6565
Fax: 335-5727 Phone: (417)546-4725
Fax: 546-4727

www.taneycohealth.org