The earth is the Lord’s, and [a]all it contains, the world, and those who live in it. – Psalm 24:1
Your source for local news and entertainment
INSIDE:
• Around Town.... 12B • Churches.......... 11B • Classifieds......... 10C • Food.................. 8C • Fun & Games.... 12C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • Features ............. 1C • Voices................. 1B • Weather........... 11A
PLUS:
Strength in community – SEE PAGE 1B.
June 28, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #26
Taco Bell Foundation awards grant to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ozarks BY CYNTHIA J. THOMAS, Staff Writer On Wednesday, June 19, representatives from the Taco Bell Foundation visited the Branson facility of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ozarks, where they presented a $40,000 check from the Foundation to support BGCO in providing valuable assistance to young people in the community. Several staff and managers from area franchise locations were also on hand for the presentation, which included a tour of the Branson club for a close-up look at how the funds are used. Matthew Parry of K-Mac Enterprises, which has several Taco Bell restaurants across the Ozarks, said he was excited about his first visit to the Branson Club to see the many great educational programs in process. During the tour, the guests were able to see young people participating in a Torch Club meeting, which provides foundational career development skills for middle-
Summer club participants were eager to help hold the check representing assistance with the programs they enjoy. (Photo by Cynthia J. Thomas) school-aged youth as they conduct meetings according to proper parliamentary pro-
cedures and participate in service projects in and around the club facilities. The Key-
stone Club for high school youth takes the process even further, incorporating on-site
service in the community and a virtual reality career exploSEE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, PAGE 6A
Board approves $335,000 incentive for Social Birdy
Local business woman is now an author – SEE PAGE 1C.
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BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist At its June 25, 2024, meeting, the Branson Board of Aldermen gave their approval to a Sales Tax Reimbursement Agreement with MMTC Development Group, LLC (Social Birdy) for the development projects known as Social Birdy, at 1250 Branson Hills Parkway, Branson, Missouri 65616. Social Birdy is a golf and entertainment complex offering amenities such as a golf shop, golf simulators, a putting course, pickleball facilities, and food and beverage options. It is well into the final stages of construction and expects a 2024 opening. Its total area is around 39,000 square feet, with 14,873 square feet indoors. According to the staff report, Social Birdy intends to open in 2024. Under the Agreement, Social Birdy will receive a $335,000 incentive to reimburse it for “Unanticipated Sitework Costs.” According
to the staff report, “Unanticipated Sitework Costs are those costs associated with the sitework of the Development Project that were unanticipated and incurred by the Applicant, due to the rocky terrain of the site location. The City required the Applicant to provide proof that the Unanticipated Sitework Costs were incurred and paid for by the Applicant. The City’s financial consultant, Baker Tilly, evaluated the Applicant’s proof of costs and payment and has confirmed that $335,000 in Unanticipated Sitework Costs has been incurred and paid for by the Applicant. “Under this Agreement, the City would remit 100% of the City’s 1% general sales tax revenues generated by the Development Project to the Applicant for 15 years, or until the total value of the incentive reaches $335,000. In no circumstances will the Applicant receive more than SEE SOCIAL BIRDY, PAGE 8A
Family needs help to find missing woman BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer A Stone County woman has been missing for more than two weeks, and her family is asking for your help in locating her. Haven Shelton has not been seen since the evening of June 10. She is pictured above in photos submitted by her family. “We discovered her missing from our home on the morning of June 11,” explained Jen Shelton, Haven’s mother. “We believe that she left willingly, but she is a very vulnerable individual. She has significant psychiatric issues, as well as medical issues (seizures) for which
she needs medication twice daily. She took no medication, no identification, and no debit card or significant amount of cash. We are very concerned at this point, given the length of time she has not had her medication.” While Haven is over the age of 18, her parents serve as her adult guardians and conservators. “This is due to the court’s review of her psychiatric evaluations and behavioral issues,” noted Jen. Shelton explained that a home security camera, which should have recorded Haven’s leaving and alerted her parents,
failed, due to dead batteries. “We do not know where she would have gone, but she is familiar with the Branson West, Kimberling City, Reeds Spring and Branson areas,” said Jen. “Anything outside of that is definitely outside of her comfort zone.” Haven is 19 years old. She stands 5 feet tall, and weighs 110 pounds, with shoulder length brown hair, brown eyes and a noticeably fair complexion. Anyone who sees Haven or has knowledge of her whereabouts is asked to contact the Stone County Sheriff’s Department.
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...