You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked...when what is vile is honored by the human race. –Psalm 12: 7 - 8
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January 12, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #2
INSIDE:
Polar Plunge raises funds for Christian Action Ministries
• Around Town...... 6B • Churches............ 8C • Classifieds........... 9C • Fun & Games.... 10C • Obituaries........ 10A • Voices ................ 1B • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Christmas presents from JATC – SEE PAGE 2A.
John Hagey, Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce, takes the plunge. (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer Between snowy days last Friday and Tuesday, supporters and friends of Christian Action Ministries were blessed with the week’s sunniest weather on Sunday afternoon, January 7, when brave community members took a dip in frigid Lake Taneycomo in the Polar Plunge for Hunger. Lilleys’ Landing of Branson hosted the second annual event, with proceeds going toward CAM’s work of helping combat food insecurity in Taney and Stone counties. The all-star lineup of community leaders, business owners and professionals, committed to raise at least $1,000 each in pledges for the plunge, included: • Phil Lilley, CAM board member and owner of Lilleys’ Landing
• Taney County Sheriff Brad Daniels • Renee Daniels, Central Bank • Jeremy Thomas, pastor of First Baptist Church Branson • John Hagey, Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce • Brandei Clifton, Silver Dollar City Public Relations • Brian Wilfong, Generations Bank • Richard Marks, pastor of New Beginnings Church • Shannen White, CAM board member and owner of White Magnolia Realty • Veloris Juneman, Shady Acres Inn & Suites • Logan Godwin, CAM • Mindy Honey, Silver Dollar City Foundation • Trevor Clifton, Patriot Heat & Air SEE PLUNGE, PAGE 10A
$41 million boost for sales, tourism, The church bell in Parch Corn Branson Holler – SEE PAGE 1B. community development
Grand Country hosts yearround fun – SEE PAGE 1C
WEEKEND WEATHER:
Much colder temps, plus chances for wintry precip this weekend. Look for temperatures dropping through the day on Friday, and landing in the 20s for highs. Lows near 0.
BY GARY J. GROMAN, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull At its January 9, 2024, meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract for the economic development of the Mammoth Fieldhouse Project (Project) using a portion of the city’s sales tax and tourism tax revenues. The project will be at 3299 Gretna Road by Heartland Center LLC. Using a roll call vote, the vote was four “Yes,” one “No,” and one “Abstain” on both the first and second reading. The staff report for the Project describes the Mammoth Fieldhouse Project as a facility spanning approximately 42,000 square feet, offering golf, pickleball, food, beverages, recreational activities and entertainment. It is a $41 million development in Branson Meadows on a 9-acre site along Gretna Road, across from Branson Mill. It is expected to bring over $19.2 million in sales and tourism tax over a 15year period to the city and spur additional development in Branson Meadows. The agreement in the ordinance has a $10 million incentive for the Project’s developers. “The city will remit 100% of the city’s general sales tax revenues generated by the Project and 25% of the city’s tourism tax revenues that are generated by the Development
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Project to the applicant for 23 years, or until the total sales tax and tourism tax revenues that are remitted to the applicant have a cumulative value of $10 million, whichever occurs first. If the Development Project fails to produce the full $10 million in 23 years, the city will not be obligated to pay the difference to the applicant. The city will retain a 2% administrative fee for work performed to fulfill the city’s obligations under this agreement, including processing the reimbursement and ensuring that state laws and Department of Revenue regulations are followed.” During aldermen and public comments, there was a lot of discussion before the vote on incentivizing new businesses that would compete with older businesses that received no incentives. Both Mayor Larry Milton and City Administrator Cathy Stepp addressed the issue. “I want to reinforce my commitment to all of you on making sure that we are creating a level playing field for businesses of all shapes and sizes coming to Branson. We welcome new businesses as well as the expanding and improvements of existing businesses,” Stepp said. She said that the city will begin conducting private and public meetings to discuss how to set something SEE PROJECT, PAGE 2A
Carter Family Hero Scholarship Foundation ribbon cutting at the Forsyth Area Chamber with Julie Carter cutting the ribbon (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas)
Helping Local Heroes: Carter Family Hero Scholarship Fund BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer On Monday, January 8, the Carter Family of Forsyth celebrated the creation of the Carter Family Hero Scholarship Fund with a ribbon cutting at the Forsyth Area Chamber of Commerce office. In 2016, Darin Carter of Forsyth was shot in the line of duty while serving as a Deputy Sheriff for Taney County. He and his wife, Julie, along with their children, Makenna, Tyler and Addisen, experienced first-hand the life-changing impact of such an incident, and are grateful for the community support they received. To show their appreciation and give back to the community, Darin Carter,
medically retired from law enforcement after the incident, is an active member of Taney County 100 Club, which provides financial assistance to families impacted by death or catastrophic injury to a first responder. In 2023, however, the family felt they wanted to find even more ways to help. As their oldest child started college, they realized there was not much scholarship funding specifically directed at first responder families, and the Carter Family Hero Scholarship Fund was created. Starting with 2024 graduates, Taney County high school seniors can apply for scholarship funds from the foundation. Children of Taney County first responders are eligible to
apply, as well as graduates who plan on pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, Fire Sciences, or Emergency Medical Services. There will be two scholarships of $500 each awarded the first year, and the family’s hope is that the number and amount will increase as the foundation continues to grow. Donations can be made to the fund at Branson Bank; or follow the Facebook page to find the Carters at special community events and learn how you can help. The family has designed mugs with the Carter Family Hero Scholarship Fund logo and the scripture from Galatians 6:2, which says, “Carry each other’s
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SEE HEROES, PAGE 3A
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