BRANSON, Mo. | The Missouri Water Patrol says two people were seriously injured in a boating accident caused when the driver was distracted by a dog.

The Patrol says the accident in Lake Taneycomo in southwestern Missouri on Saturday happened when 58-year-old Michael Gonzalez of Rockaway Beach was distracted by a small dog onboard.

The boat then hit a log in the water and went airborne before landing on the bank and hitting a tree. full story

A five-year Chillicothe tradition becomes a new site for  the bright lights of Branson.

Teresa Foli, pageant executive director and the 2002 Mrs. Missouri, stated that the pageant will be in Branson next year in March.

“It was fun to have it in my hometown,” said Foli. “I am also really excited to have it held in Branson. The city of excitement really is the perfect place for the pageant.” Click here for more...

The second-fastest growing metro area was Columbia, with 1.5 percent population growth in 2008 and 12.8 percent growth from 2000.

Branson, meanwhile, was the fastest-growing micropolitan area in Missouri, according to MERIC. A micropolitan area is defined as an urban cluster of between 10,000 and 50,000 people.

The Branson area had a population of 78,574 in 2008, up 1.8 percent - or 1,406 people - from 2007 and up 14.9 percent from 2000.
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BRANSON, Mo. -- Stephen M. Erixon, formerly the chief executive officer at Baxter Regional Medical Center, has resigned as CEO of Skaggs Regional Medical Center in Branson, Mo. Read full story...

American Society of Travel Agents (press release), Virginia - Feb 17, 2009
Not surprisingly, perennial favorites Las Vegas and Orlando/Disney World were ranked first and second, respectively, with Branson, Mo., New Orleans and Los ...Read full story

Branson Airport Executive Director Jeff Bourk announced Tuesday morning that AirTran Airways will be expanding its air service in Branson.

“AirTran will be adding daily flights to Milwaukee from Branson,” Bourk said.

On May 11, when the airport opens for business, AirTran will begin the daily, non-stop flights.

Connections available through Milwaukee are to Baltimore, New York City, Minneapolis, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Introductory one-way fares to Milwaukee will be offered at $89. Read full Story...

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Branson Daily News

(Branson, MO) -- Stone and Taney County officials will discuss how to efficiently and accurately gather information for the 2010 Census today.

Regional and local leaders from the u-s census bureau will outline preparations for the Census in a kick off meeting this morning.

That meeting will be at Branson's City Hall starting at 10:00 am.
The Census results will affect things like local infrastructure and federal grant funding. Read full Story at Ozarksfirst.com
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 @05:52am CST

(Branson, MO) -- An "expansion of air service" will be announced today at the Branson Airport.

Last year the airport picked Airtran as its carrier, but hasn't said if today's announcement will be an expansion of service or the addition of another carrier.   Airport officials say they'll also release information about an exclusive agreement with a national restaurant chain.

It will provide all food concessions and catering services at the airport. The $155-million airport is being built entirely with private funds.  It's expected to open May 11. Read full story...
Ozarksfirst.com
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009 @04:44am CST

BRANSON, Mo. -- The city will clean up tree debris left by the ice storm two weeks ago but only for those residents who call the Public Works Department and want the limbs and branches picked up. Public Works Director Larry VanGilder said tree damage from the ice storm was not severe or widespread enough to require a citywide cleanup effort. He said only a few neighborhoods in the city have downed trees and limbs. Read full story...
Source: KY3
Story Published: Feb 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM CST

Special to the BDN

Free tax preparation for the elderly is available at the Branson Community Senior Center, located at 201 Compton Drive in Branson. Read Full Story...
Branson Daily News