7 minute read
INSIDE
AlwaysFREE!
Your source for local news and entertainment
October 21 - 22, 2020 • Vol. 2, Issue 22
INSIDE:
Join the Fun:
King’s Chapel offers fun event for families. Page 2
From the Fairy Tree:
Encouragement for young letter writers Page 14
5-year-old spies missing animal Page 18
WEATHER...page 21 After the welcome rain, a little mid-week warm-up.
David Nehmer, President of Whysdom and Locke Hilderbrand, Chief Insights Officer, explain a new technology to help market Branson. (Photo by K.D. Michaels) CVB shares new insight into Branson visitors
By K.D. Michaels, Staff Writer
With a goal of making 2021 better than ever in Branson, the Branson Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has teamed up with the technology company Whysdom to gain more insight into past Branson visitors and potential new visitors.
In a marketing presentation last week, Whysdom team members met with Branson professionals to offer a unique idea to help bring more people to the area.
The company uses geofencing, which is the use of GPS, Wi-Fi or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary that enables software to identify when a smartphone or other mobile device enters or leaves a particular area.
Working in conjunction with the Branson CVB, Whysdom has geofenced the entire Branson area for the past 18 months. Since Christmas season in 2018, the company has been researching why visitors came to the area, when they came, and what they did while they were here.
There are over 400 million mobile devices, such as smartphones
SEE CVB, PAGE 8
Statewide winter weather drill set today, tomorrow
Submitted to Branson Globe
JEFFERSON CITY – In an attempt to get a jump on this year’s winter season, the Missouri Department of Transportation will hold its annual winter operations drill on Wednesday, October 21 and Thursday, October 22. The drill has been expanded to two days this year to accommodate social distancing requirements due to COVID-19.
Motorists may notice increased numbers of MoDOT vehicles on state routes during the drill. In rural areas, crews will deploy after 8 a.m. In urban areas, the drill will not begin until after 9 a.m. The exercise should be completed by 3 p.m.
“Winter weather seems to start earlier every year,” said Natalie Roark, state maintenance director. “We’ve scheduled this year’s drill a little earlier to make sure we all know our roles during a winter storm so we can do our jobs successfully.”
More than 3,000 MoDOT employees are involved in clearing roads and bridges as quickly as possible when winter weather hits. During the drill, MoDOT employees will react to a simulated forecast of significant snow for the entire state. The department’s emergency operations centers will activate, and maintenance employees will be
Families invited to join the fun at Candy Lane
By Cindy Thomas, Staff Writer
King’s Chapel, Branson, invites area families to Candy Lane, a safe, fun alternative to traditional Halloween festivities this year. Candy Lane will be held Friday, October 30, at 6 p.m. at the church’s Music City Centre, 1839 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson.
In addition to plenty of candy treats, kids will experience an educational journey through a series of decorated rooms, each with a different theme. Activities will include a costume contest, face painting, and games. The $2 admission also includes a mini show in the church’s theater.
King’s Chapel moved to the Music City Centre location in 2019, following extensive remodeling to outfit the building as “100 percent church and 100 percent quality theater experience,” according to marketing director Barbara Shirkey. In addition to Friday’s Candy Lane, the public is invited to enjoy a musical theater presentation, “The Greatest Show,” on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1. Showtime is 7 p.m. both evenings; admission is free.
To help ensure a safe experience, all events will be held in accordance with local ordinances concerning COVID-19 precautions.
For more information about these events, as well as upcoming Christmas presentations, visit the King’s Chapel Branson website, https:// kcbranson.com/event-directory/, or call 417-460-KING.
King’s Chapel is located at Music City Centre, 1839 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson. (Photo by Cindy Thomas) • WINTER WEATHER
Continued from page 1
deployed to their trucks. Emergency communications systems will also be tested.
The drill serves as a training reminder to make sure proper equipment, plowing techniques and safety measures are used. In addition, every piece of equipment—every truck, motor grader, snow blower and tractor—is inspected and calibrated to conserve materials.
One of the most valuable parts of the drill is that it allows MoDOT’s newest employees the opportunity to drive a snowplow over their designated routes so they are aware of obstacles and obstructions, such as curbs and raised islands, that might be hidden in snow or ice. MoDOT spent more than $66 million on winter operations last year and used over 180,000 tons of salt; 3 million gallons of salt brine; 80,000 tons of abrasives; 350 tons of calcium chloride; 24,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride; 90,000 gallons of liquid magnesium chloride; and almost 500,000 gallons of beet juice.
In an average winter, MoDOT employees will plow about 6 million miles of snow and ice, which is enough to go to the moon and back 13 times.
For information on road conditions across the state, safe traveling tips, and other winter weather information, visit www.modot.org.
COVID-19 in Stone and Taney counties, by the numbers: (As of 10/15/2020. Data provided by TCHD and SCHD websites)
CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES
TANEY COUNTY 1,134 STONE COUNTY 649
RECOVERED CASES
TANEY COUNTY 884 STONE COUNTY 551
DEATHS TANEY COUNTY 31 STONE COUNTY 10
Drug-Free Ozarks needs your participation in project survey
By Cindy Thomas, Staff Writer
Drug Free Ozarks would like to ask residents of Branson and surrounding Taney and Stone County communities to participate in the 2020 Community Awareness Survey being conducted through October 24. Visit https://drugfreeozarks. org/2020-community-survey/ to complete the five-minute survey, which helps Drug Free Ozarks evaluate the effectiveness of its community awareness programs and gain insight into substance abuse patterns in southwest Missouri.
Drug Free Ozarks is a partnership project between Cox Health and the Skaggs Foundation. According to Marietta Hagan, project director, the purpose is to come alongside coalitions and recovery groups to resource their efforts and serve as a liaison to the local hospital and health care community. Educational projects include the Generation Rx student prescription drug education program and training for school personnel, first responders and law enforcement in recognizing problems and using Narcan. Drug Free Ozarks also helps direct recovery groups in the com-
Marietta Hagan. (Special to Branson Globe)
munity to resources, including Narcan access.
Drug Free Ozarks maintains extensive educational resources and links on its website for those seeking assistance. The theme “Sink or Swim” emphasizes the choice to reach out for help and information rather than continue floundering. One of the most frequently accessed pages is the FAQ page, https:// drugfreeozarks.org/sink-orswim/drug-facts/, with extensive descriptions of prescription and over-the-counter drugs and their effects. The Drug Free Ozarks’ Facebook and Instagram pages also empha-
size education. For example, parents can keep up on what’s trending, such as the dangerous “challenges” often making the rounds among teenagers.
Hagan said an important component of education is to fight stigma. Contrary to what many people think, substance abuse is rarely a conscious bad choice; nobody wakes up one morning planning to overdose on heroin or commit a crime to support a meth habit. For many teens, it starts as a response to stress, trauma, or bullying. Prescription drug abuse often begins with an injury. The project website shares stories of people whose journey from successful citizen to full-blown addiction began with an on-the-job injury or pain medicines following surgery. Unfortunately, the stress related to COVID-19 hasn’t helped; a recent report from the Missouri Department of Mental Health indicated that 68.9 percent of respondents reported more prescription drug abuse since the pandemic began, and 46.5 percent reported drinking more alcohol.
The 2020 survey is particular-
SEE DRUG-FREE, PAGE 7 Pets of the Week Tri-Lakes Humane Society, Reeds Spring Call (417) 272-8113 or visit www.tri-lakeshumanesoc.org
KIT is a 10-month-old male. He was found as a stray and was pretty skittish at first but he has done a 180 degree turn and is friendly and relaxed. He is very pretty and such a great cat. Come by the shelter and meet this guy. You could be a good fit.
ROCKY is a 7-month-old male Labrador Retriever mix. His owners are moving and couldn’t take him. This guy is a very good dog and listens well. He would do better in a home with no children and will be a great companion on your evening walks.
