Branson, Missouri—May 7 2016 10 am-2 pm—With more than 215,000 children processed through the MoCHIP Child ID program in 9 years, MoCHIP is clearly a presence in the community and vows to remain so! Taking place Saturday May 7 from 10 am – 2 pm, the Missouri Masonic Family, Branson Masonic Lodge #587, will be on hand to further ensure the safety of area children FREE OF CHARGE. The event will be at the Boys and Girls Club on 1460 Bee Creek Road.

And the MoCHIP program works! No parent wants to believe that the unimaginable could happen to them, though nearly 2,000 children are reported missing or abducted in the United States each day. The peace of mind MoCHIP provides to Missouri families is invaluable. The program consists of five major components—digital photographs, digital fingerprints, vital child information and emergency contacts, a dental bite impression, and two laminated ID cards. The photographs, fingerprints, and child data are burned onto a mini-CD that is compatible with the AMBER ALERT system already in place. The dental impression provides a virtual diagram of the child’s biting surface, which, like fingerprints is unique to each individual, and further supplies enough saliva to provide a DNA sample that can also be used as scent source for trained canine search teams. Combined, this five-part process provides a dramatic, time sensitive recovery tool for authorities.

 Once the child is processed through the program, which generally takes only 15 minutes, the parent is armed with a single pre-printed envelope that instructs authorities in the event of an emergency, something a parent in crisis would undoubtedly have trouble with, and a proactive measure to combat the time sensitivity involved in recovery. Within a matter of minutes the MoCHIP CD can be loaded into a computer directly form a police officer’s automobile and entered into the Amber Alert system.

Girls AND boys ages 11 – 21 are statistically most susceptible to become missing and the “MoCHIP Packet,” that contains all the child’s vital information, has been tested 7 times that we know of, and resulted in all children—teenagers— being returned safely and promptly to their parents care.

On the day of the MoCHIP event, parents are urged to gather pertinent information such as doctor, dentist, and emergency contact and phone numbers, allergies, medications, and parent work, cell, and assorted phone numbers. Information Collection Forms and Permission slips can be downloaded from the mochip.org Web site (“about”) and filled out ahead of time. Height charts and scales are available at the event to facilitate the most current details regarding the child. As would be expected, security and privacy are of utmost importance. All information and specimens are collected on site, processed and provided to the parent or legal guardian in a yellow envelope. At the end of each event, databases are erased using state-of-the-art software. The only item retained by the Masonic Children’s Foundation is the signed permission slip. If you have any questions, call Mike Sisco, Event Coordinator at (417) 527-7852 or David Collignon at (417) 496-5908 or [email protected]. For more information on becoming a corporate partner or to make a donation, please contact State Coordinator Nick Cichielo: [email protected] or (636) 530-6069.
Sponsoring Masonic Lodge: Branson Masonic Lodge # 587
Event Date: May 7th
Event Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Event Location:
Boys and Girls Club
1460 Bee Creek Rd
Branson MO 65616

Complete and consistent food handler training is key to keeping our citizens and visitors safe. To kick off the busy tourist season, the Taney County Health Department will host free food handler’s classes March 28, 29, and 30. The classes are held at:

• Branson City Hall, 110 W Maddox Street,
  March 28 – 9 am to noon
• Hollister City Hall, 312 Esplanade Drive,
  March 29 – 9 am to noon
• Taney County Health Department, 15479 US 160 Forsyth Location
  March 30 – 9 am to noon

“This is a great opportunity to enroll in the food handler course offered at no cost,” said Craig Rhoads, TCHD environmental health division manager.

Anyone who works, or plans to work, in a restaurant or other type of food establishment in Taney County is required to successfully complete a food handler’s training course. The course covers safe food handling, cleaning and sanitation guidelines, and basic food safety procedures. This course is regularly offered on a monthly basis, for a nominal fee. It’s also available online in both English and Spanish versions.

Registration for classes is required. Please call the Taney County Health Department at (417) 334-4544 ext. 247 to register today. Seating is limited at all locations. Visit www.taneycohealth.org for more information.

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

Emergency Managers from Taney County including the Cities of Branson and Forsyth will be hosting a Severe Weather training seminar on Thursday, February 4 in the Performing Arts Center at the Forsyth Schools. The training will start at 6:30 pm and is provided at no cost and is open to the public. The devastating effects of severe weather are felt by citizens across the nation every year. “This includes thunderstorms producing damaging winds or flash flooding, to the extreme of a tornado as experienced over the past years by Taney County residents, visitors and businesses. “Locally trained citizens trained as volunteer weather spotters are great partners with Emergency Managers and National Weather Service Meteorologist to provide more timely and accurate warnings to the public,” stated Ted Martin, Branson’s Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director.
Storm spotters are local citizens and emergency responders who essentially provide the first line of information reporting weather development as systems approach or pass over local communities. “Sometimes seconds count — and that early spotting of severe weather could save lives,” stated Taney County Emergency Manager Chris Berndt. The three hour training program will be presented by a meteorologist from the Springfield National Weather Service. “This training will teach local citizens and emergency responders the basics of thunderstorm development, how to identify severe weather features including the development of storms that could produce tornadoes, how to report information, and basic weather safety,” added Berndt.
“This is a great training opportunity for local homeowners, business owners, resort managers, property maintenance personnel, students, and the list goes on,” added Martin. Those desiring to attend the training should park at the north side of the Forsyth Elementary building near the football field. For more information contact Branson Emergency Management at (417) 337-8584 or Taney County Emergency Management at (417) 546-7233.

First Baptist Branson and Feed the Children are partnering together to help families and individuals during Branson’s 6th annual Christmas BASH to be held on Saturday, December 5th beginning at 10 a.m. The BASH will be held indoors at the First Baptist Church Life Center — 400 S. Sunshine — Branson. No identification is required. Groceries will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Each family will receive their food card as they check in and that allows them to enjoy themselves knowing the card guarantees their getting food.

The goal of the December 5th Christmas Bash is to reach out to children and families by meeting some of their most basic needs. The boxes of free groceries will be distributed along with free medical & eye screenings, inflatables for kids, games with prizes, crafts for kids, popcorn, candy bags for kids and it’s all FREE and all indoors in the FBC Life Center. Penmac will have a table to find out about local jobs. Jesus Was Homeless has a program called; JOBS FOR LIFE and their representative will be there. Over 150 volunteers from First Baptist and other ministries will come together to make a difference in their community that day. Other BASH sponsors include the Branson Tri-Lakes Newspaper, Branson Daily Independent & the Taney County Times Newspapers, KRZK FM 106.3, The Z @ 102.9,KOMC FM 100.1 & AM 1220 and KLFC FM 88.1, SuddenLink & the Ozark Mountain Christmas Lights & Village.

According to Terry Brown, BASH Coordinator, “This is an exciting opportunity for Taney & Stone County residents who can use some extra hope for Christmas. All guests at the BASH will be greeted with open arms and will be given nourishment for both their body and soul. Everyone who comes is our ‘honored guest’ and we will do everything we can to make a difference in their life.”

“We are privileged to partner with ‘Feed The Children’ for this annual Christmas Bash event”, Brown said. Feed The Children is a nonprofit organization that provides food all over the nation. The preparation for the event begins with the volunteers unloading the full Feed the Children semi-truck of thousands of pounds of groceries. Anyone from Taney or Stone County is welcome!

The Kimberling City bridge which carries Route 13 traffic over Table Rock Lake will CLOSE for 24 hours beginning at 7 am on Tuesday December 8, and lasting until 7 am Wednesday, December 9, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

During the closing, NO TRAFFIC will be allowed across the bridge.

Drivers will have to use Route 86 , Route 65, and other state routes in the area to get around the bridge closing.

MoDOT is working with emergency responders to develop plans to reduce response times during the major traffic restriction.

During the closing, contractor crews will make repairs to the overhead steel trusses on the bridge. NO TRAFFIC can be on the bridge other than the work vehicles needed to complete the repairs.

The work is part of a larger project to make major repairs to the Kimberling City bridge. Total cost of the project is $10 million. The project is set for completion prior to Memorial Day in May 2016.

Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex will host its fourth annual “Think Pink” fundraising event, throughout the month of October, to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO).

“We want to invite the whole community to join us and raise awareness and support for the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks,” says Randy Brashers, President of Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex. “Not only is this for a great cause, but those that participate with a donation, will receive great discounts at our properties for the entire month of October.”

Guests of the IMAX Complex will be able to make a $2 donation to BCFO in return for a pink BCFO bracelet and a “Think Pink – Discounts for Donations” fundraising card allowing the bearer numerous discounts throughout the IMAX Complex and our Branson restaurants through October 31st.

The “Think Pink – Discounts for Donations” fundraising card includes the following discounts:

15% Off Food at:
* McFarlain’s Family Restaurant
* Montana Mike’s Steakhouse
* Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano

$1 Ice Cream Scoop:
* Annie B’s Ice Cream Shoppe

20% Off Shopping inside the IMAX Complex at:
* Legacy & Legend Gifts
* The Shadow Box
* Fabulous Finds Jewelry

Buy ONE, Get ONE 1/2 Price on:
* Giant Screen IMAX Adventures
* Live Shows in the Little Opry Theatre

“BCFO is excited to once again partner with IMAX to reduce the burden of breast cancer on families in the Ozarks,” says Crystal Webster, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. “The proceeds raised will stay in Stone and Taney County to pay household bills for those in treatment for breast cancer and to provide free screening mammograms for the uninsured.”

Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks is a local 501(c) 3 not-for-profit. BCFO is an organization of people reaching out to friends and neighbors who have been affected by breast cancer. BCFO offers personal support and comfort in real and practical ways. For more information regarding BCFO please contact (417) 862-3838 or online at www.bcfo.org.

For more information about Branson’s IMAX Entertainment Complex go online to www.bransonimax.com.

Delays of up to six minutes can be expected at the bridge

Kimberling City – The long-term traffic impacts start Tuesday, September 8, at the Kimberling City bridge that carries Route 13 traffic over Table Rock Lake, the Missouri Department of Transportation said.

Drivers can anticipate up to a six minute wait to cross the bridge as contractor crews begin work to remove the bridge deck or driving surface one-half at a time.

Temporary traffic signals, installed at either end of the bridge, will regulate one-lane traffic across the bridge for the duration of the project. MoDOT traffic engineers working with the signal contractor will monitor the operation of the traffic signal to make sure it is working as efficiently and as effectively as possible.

Drivers who pull up to a red light will have to wait to allow all traffic coming from the opposite direction to “clear” the bridge before receiving a green light to proceed. Traffic sensors in the pavement will alert the signal controller that traffic is waiting.

Area drivers are urged to allow extra travel time to make it to their destinations.

Also, the open lane on the bridge will be narrowed significantly. Large recreational vehicles will find the open lane to be very confining. They are urged to allow extra travel time across the bridge or find an alternate route.

Project Summary:
• Replacing the bridge deck one-half at a time
• Replacing bridge components in areas
• Painting areas of the bridge
Prime Contractor: Phillips Hardy, Inc. of Boonville
Completion Date: May 2016
Total Project Cost: $10 million.
RATE OUR WORK ZONES

For more information, call MoDOT at 417-895-7600 or visit modot.org/southwest. To learn more about MoDOT’s direction and funding shortfalls, subscribe to View from the Chair.

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BRANSON, Mo. – The Army Corps of Engineers, Table Rock Project Office announces the reopening of Moonshine Beach Sept. 2. The beach will be open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. daily and will remain open until Sept. 15. The beach has been closed because of high water.

“Since the lake level has receded we’ve been able to clean up and make needed repairs to the beach, said Chief Park Ranger for Recreation Jeff Farquhar. “We hope folks will come out and spend the last of their summer beach time with us.”

For more information about recreation areas on Table Rock Lake call the Table Rock Project Office at 501-340-1950, daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., excluding federal holidays.

Little Rock District news and recreational information can be found at www.about.me/usacelittlerock.

For Surrounding Counties. Valid ID required. These shows will sell out quickly! Click below for more information.
http://thehaygoods.com/areaappreciation/

FBC Branson will host the 9th Annual Back-to-School Bash at the Branson Rec-Plex Park on August 2 – Sunday from 5 – 8 p.m. – Everything is FREE! Swimming, Hot dogs, drink, popsicle, inflatables, climbing walls, games, face painting, eye exams, fire trucks + free new backpack & school supplies, frisbees. *Note: Kids must be present to get the backpack & supplies.

Over 200 volunteers will provide a safe and fun time for everyone. Swimming is in 3 time slots. (5, 6 & 7 p.m.) *Only 600 allowed in pool at one time. Swimmers must have swimsuits based on Taney County Health Laws.

Everyone will check in at the registration tent and then receive a “Backpack Card” (while supplies last) – Their are no requirements at registration but a simple registration form is filled out with name and address. The backpack card allows everyone to decide when to go inside the Rec Plex gym to pick up their backpack and supplies. Security is provided by volunteers and by Taney County Sheriffs.
There will be 1750 backpacks and sets of supplies to be given away. The only restriction is that someone who registers is from Taney or Stone county.

At the event will be plenty of non-profit organizations for people to find out what services are available in the community.

All giveaway items are limited to supplies.

2015 Backpack and School Supplies Sponsors:
Chick-fil-A, Titanic, KRZK 106.3 FM, Coldstone, Ozark Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat, Branson Bank, First Community Bank, MERCY, The Six Show, IMAX, Chateau on the Lake Resort, Lilley’s Landing, MFA Propane, White River Valley Electric COOP, Price Chopper, Mr. IceMan, Branson Tri-Lakes News, Jim Lawson, KLFC 88.1 FM, Branson Daily Independent News, Taney County Times, Monkey Moes Inflatables, Pearle Vision.