“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
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July 18, 2025 • Volume 6, Issue #28
INSIDE: • Around Town.... 12A • Churches.......... 11A • Classifieds......... 10B • Food.................. 8B • Fun & Games.... 12B • Pets for Adoption �� 3A • Obituaries........ 10A • Weather........... 10A
PLUS:
Local team wins USSSA tournament – SEE PAGE 2A
SUBMITTED TO BRANSON GLOBE The Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks is proud to present Willie McGee, a legendary sports icon, as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Thanks4Giving Gala on Thursday, November 6, at the Branson
Convention Center. Willie McGee is a former outfielder who played in the MLB for 18 seasons. He is now an assistant coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, the team he spent most of his career with. While originally from California, Willie
McGee spent four years in the New York Yankee minor leagues before he came to the Cardinals in a trade for pitcher Bob Sykes. He played for three other organizations in his 18-year career, but McGee will always be remembered as a Cardinal.
This year’s Thanks4Giving Gala will offer a private cocktail reception for high-end sponsors, meet and greet opportunities with photographs, extraordinary cuisine and entertainment throughout the evening. The Thanks4Giving Gala is the
Club’s major fundraiser of the year to raise operating cost for the upcoming year. Money raised will stay in the community and go towards programs, education enrichment, meals and needs of Club Members in Taney and Stone counties.
Branson TIF Commission recommends ambitious $400 million plan God cares about my AC? – SEE PAGE 1B.
BY GARY J. GROMAN, Independent Journalist At a July 15, 2025, meeting and Public Hearing, the Branson TIF Commission, by an 8 to 3 vote, approved a resolution to the Branson Board of Aldermen for the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Plan for the Gretna Road and Town and Coun-
try Drive Redevelopment Area. The project seeks to convert what has been an economically stagnant area into a “hub” of retail, entertainment, commercial and residential activity, promising a substantial increase in tax revenues and new opportunities for the city. During the public hear-
ing, Branson City Administrator Cathy Stepp said, “I stand before you tonight excited. I’m excited for the vision that we’re presenting to our community. I’m very thankful to the developers that are here tonight, that they deemed us worthy enough in Branson to invest their own money and take
SUBMITTED TO BRANSON GLOBE Decades ago, Branson entertainer Tony Orlando said “one day is not enough,” for celebrating and honoring veterans in Branson. In agreement with that statement, this year marks the 29th year that every Nov. 5-11, Branson comes together for Veterans Homecoming Week, to show gratitude and pay tribute to those who have fought our wars, and given us freedom
in this beautiful country. The POW Network has been part of Homecoming since the start. Volunteers work year-round in cooperation with area veterans’ groups, to help prepare for the opening shows, service era reunions, a POW/MIA Service of Remembrance and the much-anticipated formal of the week, the Annual Military Banquet & Gala, all of which will return for this fall. As a nonprofit organiza-
tion, fundraising is a huge part of the Network’s yearlong effort to cover expenses for all the events, allowing most to be free for the veterans. It’s not a small undertaking, as era reunions include entertainment, door prizes and a hot catered meal, with two such reunions usually having 500 attendees each. Last year, Network volunteers Mike and Paula Conley, from Mt. Olive, Illinois, raised almost $3k for
their risks in partnership with us.” The Plan was prepared by Polsinelli PC and the City of Branson on behalf of the developer, Branson Meadows TIF CO LLC. The redevelopment area spans approximately 135.93 acres across 17 parcels. It is situated east of Expressway Lane, north
of Roark Valley Road, south of Branson Meadows Drive, and west of Pinkley Drive. The Plan calls for three redevelopment Project Areas. The developer will develop Project Areas 1 and 2. The city of Branson will develop Project Area 3. Redevelopment Project SEE REDEVELOPMENT, PAGE 3A
In memory of Cora: Gift presented to POW Network
SEE POW NETWORK, PAGE 3A
Conley with Wagner and the guitar (Photo submitted)
The Beck Museums of Branson Welcome You to...