Branson

BRANSON, Mo. - Several venues in Branson will host Vietnam veterans as part of the first annual Vietnam Veterans Event and Vietnam Veterans Reunion this weekend. Starting today and running through April 1, many free events are planned to celebrate veterans of the Vietnam War, such as a parade and a special concert. An opening ceremony will feature local entertainers performing special tributes. Events include a veterans' expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and a Vietnam veterans' parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, among others.

BRANSON, Mo. - Businesses and attractions are ready for the busy tourism season to start.  Many are heading in with a little more hope that in recent years.   Tourism numbers for Branson had declined 3%, per year, in 2008 and 2009.  The recession was blamed for the slump. But during 2010, a rise in consumer confidence brought some of the visitors back to town. Overall, tourism leaders say business through the year was up slightly.  Numbers for 2011 are also predicted to show a slight increase.

BRANSON, Mo. - A Branson family is sharing their house-hunting experience on a popular HGTV series. Newlywed Tim Moodie and Heidi Holliday will appear on a new episode of House Hunters September first at 10:00 pm.m (CST).  The show is one of HGTV's most popular.  Home buyers look at three homes, then choose one at the end of the program.   Carol Jones agent Tim Sainato is also featured. "The show is successful because it keeps people guessing. You don't know until right up to the very end which house will be chosen," said Sainato.  "Filming the show was a long process-usually ten to twelve hours of filming per house.  The producers were careful to explore all of the clients' likes and dislikes at each location.

BRANSON, -- The warm weather has lead to a big turnout in Branson. The tourist numbers so far, look much better than last year. Last year, early spring floods and chilly weather made for a not so great turnout. Even though people are still picking up from the Leap Day Tornado, most businesses and shows are open and ready for visitors. It's opening day at White Water. Last year on opening day there were 800 visitors. This year, more than three thousand people are expected to hit the waves.

Branson, Missouri - November 14, 2011 - The line of Duggar fans weaved through the IMAX Entertainment Complex and out the front entrance.  Since early Saturday morning fans had begun collecting in the Complex, patiently waiting to personally meet the stars of TLC's 19 and Counting - Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their nearly 20 children - for a book signing that began at 1:30 pm. “I'm excited to meet the Duggars,” said...

It was 99 years ago today that the Titanic was launched from Southampton, England.  The luxury liner was the largest boat ever built.  More than 2,200 passengers and crew set out on the trip to New York City.    Five days later, it would be at the bottom of the ocean, becoming the most infamous maritime disaster in history. This weekend, the Titanic Museum in Branson held a special event honoring the heroes that radioed rescuers to save the passengers onboard.  Jack Phillips and Harold Bride sent distress signals into the early morning hours of April 15, 1912.

The tornado damage to Branson's city property totaled about $900,000, and more than $660,000 of that was to the old and vacant high school building, according to the city administrator. "This is a neighborhood we really want to concentrate on and help thrive," said Branson City Administrator Dean Kruithof. The City of Branson bought the old high school building in 2011, with hopes to make it over and turn in into an asset for the neighborhood. "We were really delighted when we saw that it sold and heard it went to the city," said Ruth Winkler, who lives across from the high school building.

Branson, MO - Friday afternoon, Western Taney County Firefighters were called to Bear Creek Road near the intersection of Reno Springs Road.  When Firefighters arrived on scene, the fire had spread from a trash fire and into the woods along a creek bed along Bear Creek Road almost to highway HH.  The fire was contained to about 5 acres and took approximately 2 hours to contain.  Firefighters from several stations and Mutual Aid from Highlandville Fire Protection District was called to assist in extinguishing the fire.

At first glance, there's nothing different about a teenage girl playing miniature golf at the Great Adventure miniature golf course in Branson.  But what you don't realize is that the 15 year-old girl is Olivia Prokopova (pronounced "Pro-pov") from the Czech Republic, one of the most successful professional miniature golfers in the world.  The man who's constantly at her side is her coach, and for the last two weeks for 8 hours a day every day, Olivia, who started playing the sport at age 3 and turned pro at age 7, has been in Branson preparing for the U.S. Open, one of the country's two major events in this sport.

BRANSON, Mo. -- The flooding is taking its toll on homes all over the Ozarks.  It's also impacting some businesses. One look off the dock at State Park Marina gives a small glimpse of why this dock is closed. "It's disappointing for everybody but it's just part of it.  The world doesn't revolve around fishing,” said Kent Cella of Shreveport, La. Before the flooding started, this park was full of campers and boaters ready to hit the lake -- some 200 professional anglers, and 200 amateurs -- but plans changed quickly after relentless rainfall.