Test me, Lord, and try me... for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. – Psalm 26:2 - 3
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January 26, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #4
INSIDE:
Hollister Chamber hosts Jerseys, Jeans & Jackets Bash
• Around Town...... 9B • Churches.......... 10B • Classifieds......... 11B • Food.................. 8B • Fun & Games.... 12B • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • School News........ 8A • Features/Voices �� 1B • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Hollister Mayor Lamar Patton, left, with the Branson Globe’s fearless leader, Publisher Rob Doherty (Photo by George Kurland)
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer The Hollister Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual meeting and banquet—Jerseys, Jeans and Jackets—on Friday. Held at Branson’s Chateau on the Lake, the annual event was the perfect opportunity for members of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce to relax and enjoy some fun, food and fellowship. Despite the bitter cold temperatures, Chamber members showed up in clothing representative of their favorite sports teams, to kick back and enjoy the evening. Representing the Veterans of the Ozarks, Lionel Cantu led those in atten-
dance in the Pledge of Allegiance and Nicole Starling of the Sweet Home Band sang the National Anthem. Dr. Marla Woodmansee offered an invocation, and a delicious three-course meal was enjoyed by all. The evening’s activities included a silent auction featuring items donated from various Hollister and Branson businesses and a live auction featuring several big-ticket items up for sale. Kirk Elmquist, Executive Director of the Branson Lakes Area Tourism Community Enhancement District, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and also auctioneer for the SEE BASH, PAGE 4A
Molding a bold economic Guide to participating in the 2024 Imagine Technical Institute holds and development vision Missouri GOP Presidential Caucus grand opening – SEE PAGE 2A. for the City of Branson Submitted to Branson Globe caucus and embrace the op- must be there prior to 10
Walking in God’s will – SEE PAGE 1B.
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Branson Tri-Lakes Building & Home Show Feb. 9 - 11 Chateau on the Lake
WEEKEND WEATHER: Milder, with daytime highs in the mid-40s to low 50s. Lows dropping to 34 Saturday night, and 27 on Sunday night. Chance of rain on Friday night.
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist A press release on January 24, 2024, announced that the City of Branson is conducting a series of special board of aldermen meetings to help determine the City’s long-term vision, economic and development priorities. One key aim is “to spur investment in existing and new business development. The issue arose during the approval of an ordinance authorizing financial incentives for the economic development of the Mammoth Fieldhouse Project using a portion of the City’s Sales Tax and Tourism Tax revenues. The Project is a $41 million development in Branson Meadows that will occupy a 9-acre site along Gretna Road, across from Branson Mill. City officials expect the Project to generate over $19.2 million in sales and tourism tax over 15 years and stimulate fur-
Cathy Stepp (FILE)
Larry Milton (FILE) ther development in Branson Meadows. The agreement in the ordinance offers a $10 million incentive to the developers of the Project. This incenSEE DEVELOPMENT, PAGE 10A
In the 2023 legislative session, the Missouri Legislature did not reinstate a statewide Presidential Preference Primary Election. This saves the expense of running an election, but it means the process by which parties assign delegates to nominate that party’s Presidential candidate defaulted to a caucus system, in which each party is responsible to set the rules for how their delegates will be chosen or assigned for the nominating convention. The 2024 Missouri GOP Presidential Caucus is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024. Noah Prahlow, a member of the Taney County Republican Central Committee, spoke to a recent meeting of the Prayer/Action Chapter of Concerned Women for America to share how the caucus process will work in Taney County. Since the process is new to many Missourians, Prahlow encourages voters to attend the
portunity for more personal connection and more sense of community. He provided several tips for making it a positive experience; many of these tips are applicable to other counties as well, but voters should reach out to the party committees in their county for specifics. In response to a question at the CWA meeting, Prahlow encouraged voters to come to the caucus even if the candidate field is narrowed to just one. The caucus is also the vehicle for assigning delegates, and the response can remind candidates and government entities that rural communities need to be heard and represented just as much as large metropolitan areas. Who participates? Any Republican voter who is registered prior to caucus day. You must bring your valid Missouri ID and voter registration card. When and where? Saturday, March 2. You
a.m., as doors will be locked at 10 sharp. Taney County Caucus will be held at the Forsyth Schools, 178 Panther St., Forsyth, MO, with signage on site to direct voters to the appropriate entrance. (Stone County location is New Testament Christian Church, corner of St. Hwy. 76 and 413 in Reeds Spring.) How to prepare: • On-site registration is permitted, or skip the registration line on site by pre-registering at https:// caucus.missouri.gop/. Heads up—the blanks to fill in are VERY specific; for example, the voter’s house number and street name are two separate entries. • Be ready to speak to fellow Republicans about why/how you are voting—a person may address the group for up to three minutes, or simply mingle and share
SEE CAUCUS, PAGE 4A
Travis Smith announces run for Missouri State Senate BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer State Representative Travis Smith has announced his candidacy for Missouri State Senate. Smith currently serves in the Missouri House of Representatives, District 155, representing Stone, Taney, Douglas and Ozark counties. Smith is seeking to be elected to fill the opening in the Missouri Senate, District 33, which will be vacated by State Senator Karla Eslinger. Eslinger was recently
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named Missouri’s Commissioner of Education, a position she will move into on June 1. Smith is a Missouri native, born in West Plains. Smith and his wife, Karen, reside in Twin Bridges. The couple is the proud parents of four children, and has one grandson, Dwayne. Smith is a Conservative who is committed to preserving the values held dear by those in our area. In a Facebook post announcing his bid for elec-
tion, Smith said, “My grandfather was a postman. My grandmother was a Christian homemaker who put family above self. My mother was a teacher at the local high school and college, and my father a dentist who never turned away anyone because they couldn’t pay. I am a small businessman, high school sports coach and a first-generation farmer. I chose to stay here and invest in Southern Missouri because I believe in our way
of life and our people.” Smith is well known for his patriotism and his conservative and Christian values. He has pledged to uphold Second Amendment rights, defend property and privacy rights, and fight for the unborn. “I am the first to say that I believe in my God, my country, my people and myself, in that order,” said Smith, in a recent post to his Facebook page. Smith brings with him the
experience of more than 20 years as a small business owner, and has worked diligently to bring more jobs and streams of revenue to the area. “There has never been a more pressing time in our country or in our state to have strong, conservative leadership in government,” said Smith in his Facebook post. “Each election holds the power to move us forwards or backwards. My plan is to keep us on the path to success.”
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