Branson

BRANSON, Mo. - Many signs of progress are evident, including active construction sites up and down the Missouri 76 strip.  Still, though, stark reminders remain of the tornado that hit on Leap Day 2012. Eight tornadoes roared across the Ozarks in the early morning hours of Feb. 29, killing two people and injuring 53.  The most extensive damage happened in Taney and Stone Counties when an EF-2 tornado cut a path of damage from Kimberling City, through the heart of Branson, to eastern Taney County near Protem.

BRANSON, Mo. -- The city of Branson settled a lawsuit in which a disabled 54-year-old man charged a police officer with using excessive force while trying to handcuff him.  KY3 News got video of the arrest after filing a Sunshine Law request with Branson. The following is from the video camera in the officer's cruiser: Branson Police Officer Thad Torix: "You were driving pretty aggressive.  You were speeding, cutting in and out of traffic, cutting people off.  Let's see your driver's license.

BRANSON, Mo. -- The city of Branson is auctioning its surplus property on the Internet until Dec. 1.  Items for sale include more than a dozen vehicles, computers, cameras, power tools, office equipment, fishing docks and many other items no longer needed by the city.   More than 60 items are on the auction block. The city contracted with Purple Wave Auction, which specializes in Internet auctions.  Online bidders can view items, read descriptions and place bids. All items are listed on www.purplewave.

BRANSON, Mo. -- A fire burned down a mobile home early Tuesday.  Twenty-six firefighters from Western Taney County and Branson fire departments fought the fire, which was reported about 6 a.m. The home is at 152 Hickory, off Spring Street.  It's in an unincorporated area that's surrounded by Branson. A Branson engine company was the first to arrive. People who live there were safely out of the home when firefighters arrived.  The fire was under control in 35 minutes and was extinguished in just under two hours.  Two tankers hauled water to the scene because no fire hydrants were nearby.

The Texas Tenors carried their tune into the finals of NBC's "America's Got Talent. " Now, they're taking their act to Branson. Marcus Collins, JC Fisher, and John Hagen stopped by Ozarks Today on Thursday to preview their performances at the Starlite Theatre. The shows will be from May 9-12, and Sept. 28 - Oct. 23. You can call (417) 337-9333 for tickets.

BRANSON, Mo. -- Twins from all over are gathering here for the International Twins Association.  More than 60 pairs of twins showed up for the event. This is the 77th year for the convention. For more information visit www.intltwins.org

Near Branson, MO--Lighting is to blame for a house fire north of Branson Tuesday morning.  The Western Taney County fire district was called to a house in the 100 Blk. of N. Belmont Driver just off highway 248 near the Stone County line just after four o'clock.    The chief says the home owner heard the strike, then smelled smoke coming from the laundry room.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.      The husband and wife escaped without injury.

BRANSON, Mo. -- Singer Andy Williams says he is battling bladder cancer. The 83-year-old Williams told the crowd of his condition at his Christmas show Saturday night at the Moon River Theatre in Branson. The singer has missed planned performances this fall with an undisclosed medical condition. Williams received a standing ovation when he told the audience that bladder cancer is not a death sentence and that he would survive.  Williams vowed to return to the stage next September and October to celebrate his 75th anniversary in show business.

A pair of Branson entertainers will go before a Taney County judge Thursday morning, accused of tax evasion.  Illusionist Kirby VanBurch and his ex-wife Bambi face three felony charges each, stemming from 2009. The exact amount that the couple is accused of not paying collectors has not been released.  If convicted, they could receive 15 years in prison. This isn't the first time Kirby VanBurch has been in trouble with the law.  In 2005, he received five years probation for drunk driving and assaulting a Branson police officer.

Branson, Mo. -- Branson-based crews are working hard to bring the glitzy lights back to the famous Highway 76 Strip.  Sign company employees are restoring or replacing the town's famous neon signs damaged by the Leap Day tornado. "We're stretched in all directions.  The phone rings constantly for service, because all the theatres are opening up," said Greg Fuller, a sign installer for Native Signs in Branson. Fuller is part of a company that creates, updates, and repairs signs in the Branson area.  Spring is normally a busy time for the company, as they help businesses prepare for the busy summer season.  With the tornado damage, Fuller said the company phone rings twice as often.  "We're trying to pick up more people, trying to accommodate all the work that's coming in now," Fuller said.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Officials are looking into what caused a jet cockpit to fill with smoke before landing at the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The pilot of an American Eagle Jet headed from Dallas to Springfield reported smoke in the cockpit about 7:15pm Friday night.  Fire crews and an ambulance were called in as a precaution. At 7:30, the jet landed safely.  None of the 51 passengers on board were injured, and all declined medical treatment. While there's no word as to where the smoke originated, the pilot described it as having an electronic-burning smell.

BRANSON, Mo. -  A new view is coming for the Highway 76 strip in Branson. The city conducted a wide number of surveys a couple years ago and the overall impression from residents was that the strip appeared rundown and needed a fresh look. At a public meeting Tuesday afternoon, citizens will get to see renderings of some of the ideas that CFS Engineers, the engineering firm out of Kansas City who is in charge of the project, have come up with. Those include possibly taking the overhead utilities and running them underground to give tourists a better view from the strip.  Officials say they've already spoken with business owners in the area to come up with the concepts they have so far, and now they want the public to weigh in. "We've talked to anywhere from 60 to 100 different folks who have businesses on the corridor, and now we want to engage the public and give them an idea of what we've been discussing and what we've been looking at -- and let them know this is their project, it's their corridor and how they can be a part of it," says project manager Sabin Yanez with CFS Engineers.

BRANSON, Mo. - A well-known talk show host will make his way to Branson for two separate three-day stretches in May and June. Jerry Springer will The Welk Resort Branson's "The Price is Right, Live!" show from May 24-26 and June 6-8, the resort said on the Facebook page for "The Price is Right, Live!" The show is a live stage version of the television game show. Contestants are chosen from the audience to participate and win a variety of prizes. Springer is perhaps best-known for hosting the talk show "The Jerry Springer Show" that covers a variety of topics.

Branson, Missouri - YouTube sensation, Iron Man Michael Haygood, gets his wish to debut his Iron Man light suit and LED guitar performance, with a remix of the movie's theme song, “Thunderstruck”, before the premiere of Iron Man III at Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex. Michael will be opening for the 11:59pm premiere of Iron Man III inside the IMAX theater for movie goers. “I'm a huge Iron Man fan and I love the technical side of performing, so I thought it would be fun to build an Iron Man suit for one of the premiere showings.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Texas Tenors are performing in Branson, even if just for a short time. The group is performing at the Starlite Theatre through May 9 as part of a limited engagement. The Texas Tenors are famous for their appearance on America's Got Talent, recently released a cover version of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" on iTunes -- and are set to release a new album soon entitled "You Can Dream. " They're also shooting a special for PBS to air nationwide in December.

BRANSON, Mo.--  Warmer weather means more kids will be doing outdoor activities. It also means more chances for them to get hurt. Cox Medical Center in Branson will host the annual Safe Summer Injury Prevention Expo for kids and families on Saturday, May 4th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Dewey Short Visitor Center near Table Rock Dam. The expo will feature information on some of the most common injuries children suffer during the summer months: water-related,...

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Branson Board of Aldermen voted Friday to accept the resignation of Administrator Dean Kruithof.  In his letter of resignation, Kruithof said his wife accepted a job that requires her relocation to northwest Arkansas. “In 34 years of marriage, Cynthia has provided unwavering support, and at times sacrifices for my career goals.  At this stage of our life it is time for me to provide that same commitment to her.  For this reason only, I am submitting my letter of resignation,” Kruithof wrote.

BRANSON, Mo. -- Western Taney County firefighters battled a multiple-car fire at a home near Branson on Thursday.  Five vehicles caught fire just before noon in the 2500 block of U.S. 160.  Several more cars were threatened by the flames.  The five cars burned for 15 minutes. The owner works on cars in his spare time.  He had been working on two of the vehicles, which were there to be repaired.  The other three cars were being stored to be scrapped.  Firefighters said the cause of the fire can't be determined because of the extent of the damage.

BRANSON, Mo. - Branson residents, business owners and tourists are invited to check out the progress of a $5 million project to revamp the historic downtown area. Plans for downtown Branson include a big overhaul -- new sidewalks, more room for big events, and added outdoor eating areas. On Thursday afternoon at 2:00, officials will be sharing the input they've received on the project. The event will take place at 210 S. Commercial St. in historic downtown Branson.

BRANSON, Mo --  As the need for early education grows, some school districts in the Ozarks are trying to meet the demand. Educators say making the investment in early childhood education pays off -- and then some. Research shows, for every dollar invested in preschool, there's an $8 return for the economy. Fewer kids end up behind bars and in special needs classes. She doesn't know it, but it's a big day for Eliza Roebuck, 4. "I just told her we were going to go to her big sister's school and she was going to get to play games with teachers.