“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you....” – Numbers 6:24 - 25
Your source for local news and entertainment
INSIDE:
• Around Town.... 12B • Churches.......... 10C • Classifieds......... 11C • Entertainment ��� 2C • Opinion.............. 1B • Fun & Games.... 12C • Weather........... 11A
November 3, 2023 • Volume 4, Issue #44
Welcome to Veterans Week 2023
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Veterans Week is a special tradition in Branson—a week set aside to remember and honor our veterans—the brave men and women who fought for our freedoms. It is an honor to thank our veterans for their service—in wartime or in peacetime, stateside or afar. Branson offers many activities throughout Veterans Homecoming Week, officially November 5-11, to pay tribute to these special men and women. Some events actually get underway before Veterans Week officially kicks off on Sunday. “Breaking the Silence,” a patriotic play, is being performed now through November 14 at the College of the Ozarks, 100 Opportunity Avenue, in Point Lookout, MO. For information, call 417-690-2212. The Freedom Journey Show is held now through
Move your clocks back one hour on Saturday, November 4 when you go to bed!
PLUS:
Silver Dollar City ready for Christmas – SEE PAGE 1C.
TERRYS DISCOUNT TICKETS
BOGO TICKETS
(available on many shows)
HUGHES BROTHERS SHOW $22 EACH FAMILY PASS - $50
NO TIMESHARES, NO GIMMICKS, NO FEES!
A look at the Amish way of life – SEE PAGE 6C
WEEKEND WEATHER:
Nothing scary about this forecast: Beautiful weather with highs in the mid- to upper-60s, and overnight lows in the upper 40s, maybe 50. Showers possible on Sunday.
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Vietnam Veterans Memorial at College of the Ozarks (Photo via Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau)
SEE VETERANS WEEK, PAGE 4A
Branson water and sewer rates set to trickle upward By Gary J. Groman, Independent Journalist At its October 24, 2023, meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen approved Water and Sewer Rate increases for “residential” and “commercial” users. The typical residential user will see a 3.0% increase in water rates and a 3.2% increase in sewer rates. The typical commercial user will see a 5% increase in water rates and a 6 % increase in sewer rates. The new rates will start with the January 2024 billing cycle. Kendall Powell, Utilities Director for the City of Branson, said, “This year’s water rates are being proposed to be separated between residential and commercial, placing 3% of costs to residential and 12% of cost to the commercial users. What this will do is lessen the burden on the residential user and place more of the burden on the commercial side. The sewer rate increases of 6% straight across the board for both residential and commercial user.” Based on 5,000 gallons used per month, the difference between 2023 and 2024 for residential customers will be $.63 for water and $.48 for sewer, for a combined monthly increase of $1.11. Based on 100,000 gallons used per month, the
difference between 2023 and 2024 for the typical commercial customer will be $59.47 for water and 36.33 for sewer, for a combined monthly increase of $95.80. In 2011, the Utilities Department began building an operating program base to ensure that the city’s water and sewer systems consistently met state and federal regulations. To determine where rates should be set to cover operational costs, the city’s water and sewer assets underwent a comprehensive review by a rate design consultant. The city’s current water and sewer rate adjustment plan is a valuable tool in allowing the department to maintain necessary water and sewer revenues for operations and maintenance programs. In 2015, the City of Branson implemented the current water and sewer rate adjustment plan used by the Utilities Department to fund the operations and maintenance of the city’s water and sewer treatment systems. The current plan has been a valuable tool in allowing the department to maintain the necessary water and sewer revenues for operations and maintenance programs. Each year, the Utilities Department compares a list of between 80 and 90 pubSEE TRICKLE, PAGE 2A
In this 2002 picture, Mike Radford, far right, and his wife, Shari, pose with Chuck and Mary Schantag at the annual Military Gala & Banquet, held at the Chateau on the Lake in Branson. (via pownetwork. org)
Remembering Mike Radford
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Branson has lost yet another vital member of the entertainment community. Mike “Mikey” Radford passed away on October 18 following a long illness. Mike was an Army Veteran, a baseball player, a pilot, a television producer, a speaker, and an author. Branson remembers him best as an entertainer and the headliner of the “Mike Radford Remember When” Show. Following a successful and diverse career that took him from Washington state to California, to Florida, to Wisconsin and beyond, Mike and Shari Rad-
ford brought their hit stage show to Branson, Missouri in 1995. They enjoyed nine successful seasons of entertaining visitors and motorcoach groups from across the country, taking them on a trip back in time, and bringing back fond memories of days gone by. “Mike Radford’s Remember When” Show had a touching tribute to our veterans. So honest and sincere was Radford, and so touching the tribute that the Missouri House of Representatives named him “America’s Ambassador to Patriotism.” Radford was also instrumental in building two ‘Hall of Heroes’ to honor our Vet-
erans and active duty military personnel. Mike Radford’s show was awarded the Branson Achievement Award, and Mike was honored to receive the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Branson remembers Mike Radford as a true friend, a patriot, and a consummate entertainer. Former Branson Mayor Karen Best shared, “Mike Radford was a true gentleman. He loved our community and those in it. He always lit up any room he entered. We lost one of the SEE MIKE RADFORD, PAGE 10A
