City News 
Branson Police Crack Down on Impaired Drivers
You Drink & Drive. You Lose. The Branson Police Department recently focused extra enforcement efforts on impaired driving laws March 12 – 14, 2010. During the effort, law enforcement officers issued a total of (104) citations that includes (14 ) speeding tickets, (3) driving while intoxicated, (16) stop sign violations, (18 ) safety belt, (27 ) uninsured motorist violations, (26) other violations and arrested (11) people on outstanding warrants as a result of the crackdown.
City to install energy-efficient lights with federal grant money
City Hall, utilities and RecPlex to realize energy savings. The city of Branson will share in a $175,000 federal grant received by Taney County intended to reduce the energy use and costs of cities and counties. Branson will receive $119,000 of the grant with $59,000 coming in the form of grant funding, and the balance being paid off with in-kind labor for installation, equipment and projected energy savings. With this grant, the city is focusing on upgrading the fluorescent light fixtures in City Hall and the Pacific Street Water Tower that houses the Utility Department offices in addition to replacing the parking lot lights at the RecPlex with LED bulbs.
Changing time means changing those smoke alarm batteries
Spring is less than two weeks away with that season of year comes the beginning of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 14. As the time change approaches when we move our clocks forward one hour, the Branson Fire Department would like to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. It is estimated that over 92% of American homes now have at least one smoke alarm.
Action taken by Branson Board of Aldermen at March 9, 2010 meeting
SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE BILLS. Architect selected for city hall modifications. Final approval given to contract with Pellham-Phillips Architects of Springfield to design the remodeling of the police department and city clerk/municipal court offices in city hall. Both departments need more space and this remodeling would be a short term solution. The design contract would cost $27,000. The actual construction cost is estimated to be $273,000. Funds were budgeted for these projects.
City seeking citizens’ help in avoiding sign and banner clutter
Branson city officials are seeing an increase in the number of illegal temporary signs and banners around town and want to remind residents and businesses that there are city codes regulating the placement of these types of signs. “While we all take pride in keeping our homes and businesses clean, we need to exercise that same pride in keeping the whole city clean, especially since Branson hosts millions of visitors a year,” said Jim Lawson, Branson’s director of planning and development department, which enforces the municipal sign code.
Watershed Festival for 600 Taney County 5th Grade Students
The Taney County Elementary Watershed Festival marks its 10th anniversary this year. Over 4,500 area fifth grade students have attended the festival over the past decade learning important concepts about clean water and how water moves over, through and under the Ozarks. The 2010 water festival will be held March 23 and 24 at the Tri-Lakes Center, 2527 State Highway 248 in Branson. Programs begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. each day.
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