Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. – Genesis 1:2
Your source for local news and entertainment
July 5, 2024 • Volume 5, Issue #27
INSIDE:
• Around Town.... 10B • Churches............ 9B • Classifieds......... 10C • Food.................. 8C • Fun & Games.... 12C • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 11A • Features ............. 1C • Voices................. 1B • Weather........... 11A
PLUS:
$6.2 million to improve 76 Entertainment District secured Bransonmo.gov (Photo Branson Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Two months in hell – SEE PAGE 1B.
The City of Branson and the 76 Entertainment Community Improvement District (76ECID) announce the final approval of $6.2 million in state funding for West 76 improvements. Governor Mike Parson recently signed
the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) state operating and capital improvement budget bills, with the $6.2 million earmarked for “all expenditures associated with the planning, design and construction of infrastructure improve-
ments” of Branson’s 76 Entertainment District (House Bill 20; Section 20.1090). This funding, focusing on improvements from the Branson Ferris Wheel to Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, is the result of
months of diligence, hard work and tenacity of the region’s elected officials to include Representative Brian Seitz, Representative Brad Hudson, Senator Karla Eslinger and others; volunteers of the 76ECID Board; stake-
holders of the project to include business and landowners along the route; and City of Branson staff. “The 76ECID Board of Directors is immensely grateful for this show of supSEE DISTRICT, PAGE 10A
Coalition, law enforcement aid in trafficking arrests
Long-time SDC employees honored – SEE PAGE 1C.
$1999
BEVERAGE & TAX NOT INCLUDED
5586 W. 76 Country Blvd.
417-386-0100
shepherdsgrill.com
Submitted to Branson Globe A recent sting operation in the Branson, Missouri, area resulted in several arrests connected to human trafficking. Local and state entities cooperated in the two-day initiative, as the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, Taney County Sheriff’s Office, and Branson Police Department were supported by the Missouri Attorney General’s Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force, Prosecuting Attorneys in Stone and Taney counties, the Missouri National Guard Counter-Trafficking program, Jackson County Sheriff, and the Ray County Sheriff’s Counter-Human Trafficking Task Force, as well as a local survivor advocacy group, Pathways Project Coalition. This team utilized a blend of victim-centered methods and proactive counter-human trafficking techniques to disrupt the
commercial sex industry in the community, resulting in the following: • Seven predatory buyers were arrested who arrived at meet locations intending to buy sex from law enforcement officers posing as under-age victims. All were arrested and charged with sexual trafficking of a child in the second degree, and two trucks were seized for forfeiture. • One buyer was arrested for meeting to pay for sex with an adult. He was booked and charged with soliciting prostitution. • Team members met with eight potential victims face-to-face for advocacy. No criminal charges were brought against the victims. • During the advocacy, two traffickers were arrested and booked for SEE TRAFFICKING, PAGE 11A
Final artist rendition of Branson’s new Police Station (Photo Courtesy City of Branson)
New police department becoming a reality BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist At its June 25, 2024, meeting, to a standing ovation, the Branson Board of Alderpersons unanimously approved the financing of the final $10,750,000 for the new Branson Police Department. The project’s staff report and update were presented by Michael Woods, the Director of Public Works & Engineering, and Eric Schmitt, the Branson
Police Chief. The following, in Q & A format, is an interview the Branson Globe (BG) had with Michael Woods (MW) before the meeting regarding some of the significant details of the project: BG: Can you give us a rough timeline of where we started, where we are and where we are going? MW: In 2018, the city acquired land at 311 Forsythe Street intending to construct
a new police station there. In July 2022, with the increases in construction costs attributed to COVID experienced throughout the construction industry, we decided to take an innovative “out of the box” approach with the White House Theatre when it, and its 11.8 acres of land, became available. BG: What is happening to the land at the Forsythe Street location? SEE DEPARTMENT, PAGE 8A
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...