God be merciful to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us...– Psalm 67:1
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INSIDE:
• Around Town.... 10B • Churches............ 9C • Classifieds......... 10C • Food.................. 6C • Fun & Games.... 12C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • Features ............. 1C • Voices................. 1B • Weather........... 11A
June 7, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #23
Veterans of the Ozarks Memorial Day ceremony honors the fallen
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(Photo courtesy David “Mac” McAllister, U.S. Navy veteran, president of Veterans of the Ozarks)
BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer “It is said that we die twice, once when our souls leave our bodies and lastly when our names are no longer spoken.” David “Mac” McAllister, U.S. Navy veteran and president of Veterans of the Ozarks, shared these words as part of the annual VOTO Memorial Day ceremony, held on Monday, May 27, at the Table Rock American Legion in Kimberling City. Area veterans were joined by community friends, family members and local officials and dignitaries in making sure that second death does not happen to those
who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and our freedom. The colors were presented by a Veterans of the Ozarks honor guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation. “This is not Veterans Day,” stated McAllister. “It’s not a celebration; it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of our freedom.” Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, originated over 155 years ago as a time for families to decorate graves and honor those who gave their lives in the Civil War to preserve SEE MEMORIAL DAY, PAGE 8A
One hundred-day hold on crypto mining: Branson prioritizes community impact More than one verse to National Anthem? – SEE PAGE 1B.
Opening night with Yakov – SEE PAGE 1C.
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BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist On June 4, 2024, the Branson Board of Aldermen held a Special Meeting to consider imposing a 100-day administrative delay of applications and permits pertaining to the development of data centers and cryptocurrency mining centers in the city of Branson. In her staff report, Amanda Ross, Acting Planning and Development Director for the city, said, “While necessary for progress and globalization, [Data Center/Cryptocurrency Mining] have become a worldwide concern due to infrastructure requirements, energy consumption, noise pollution and personal health resulting in increased litigation. Current code [The Branson Municipal Code] does not adequately address appropriate protections and buffers.” She then requested a resolution declaring a need to address developments proposing Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining Centers in the City of Branson and “thus a One Hundred (100) Day Administrative Delay of Applications and Permits Pertaining to the Development of Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining Centers Located in the City of Branson, Mis-
souri.” According to her report, it was possible to construct such centers in various locations, ranging from easily movable storage and Conex containers to old office buildings and defunct retail spaces. The report went into specific concerns relating to the operation of such centers, such as noise pollution and the need to address sound and land buffers, concerns about lithium batteries, the volatility of cryptocurrency mining, infrastructure requirements (water, electric), impact on future development, and that they are a “burgeoning industry rife with conflict in municipalities.” Among other things, Ross explained the moratorium would allow time to “Create more comprehensive use and structure standards, review definitions, address sound levels in code [and] review appropriate zoning district.” During the discussion, the Board seemed confused at times as to the announced purpose of the meeting as it shifted from discussing the moratorium to treating it more like a hearing for CJW Transportation’s application to establish a cryptocurrency mining and data center SEE CRYPTO MINING, PAGE 11A
A Law Enforcement Week parade (via lawenforcementweek.org)
11th Annual Law Enforcement Week will honor active and retired officers BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Branson will once again celebrate those brave men and women who risk their lives daily to protect others during Law Enforcement Week. The 11th Annual Law Enforcement Week will be held June 8 through 15, as thousands of law enforcement officers and their families converge on Branson to enjoy a variety of special activities and events. The Shepherd of the Hills Entertainment Park and Outdoor Theater is hosting Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on June 8. On June 9, Sanctuary of
Hope is holding a special service in honor of our law enforcement officers, beginning at 10 a.m. Law on the Links, the Thousand Hills Golf Tournament, is set for June 10. Held at the Thousand Hills Golf Resort, this event begins at 10 a.m. One of the highlights of the week is the Law Enforcement Week Light Parade on June 13. Lineup for the parade, which gets underway at 7:15 p.m., will be at the south end of the Bass Pro Parking Lot of Branson Landing. Vehicles, with both lights and sirens
on, will make their way to the north entrance of the Branson Landing by Belk. When the parade turns on to the promenade, sirens will be silenced. June 14 and 15 mark the return of the exciting Motorcycle Training and Competition, held at the TJ Maxx parking lot on Branson Hills Parkway. The event is held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Also on the 14th and 15th, enjoy the Ninth Annual Heart of the Ozarks Police Collectors Show. Held at the Americinn by Wyndham, the show runs from 12 SEE LAW ENFORCEMENT, PAGE 2A
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...