Branson

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Branson Board of Aldermen voted to proceed with efforts to buy homes damaged by flooding along Lake Taneycomo last spring.  The federal government will pay 75 percent of the damaged homes' values. The board voted on Tuesday to apply for a Community Development Block Grant that could help participating homeowners with the other 25 percent of their homes' former values. However, the city will compete with several other communities for those funds.

Branson, Mo. -- Branson is still rebounding from the Leap Day tornado and the nationwide recession, but now two major retailers are moving in and bringing dozens of jobs with them. "The building foundations are in, the slabs are poured, and right now we're working on the block walls," said Construction Site Manager Adam Parks of Q and Co. Construction. Big name furniture store Pier One Imports and Ulta Beauty, another national chain, are both set to open during the first part of 2013 in the Branson Hills Shopping Center.  Combined, the stores will feature more than 20,000 square feet of retail space.

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. -- His name and talent have helped draw big crowds to Branson.  Now, Tony Orlando says it's time to retire.  The Welk Theater has announced 2013 will be Orlando's last. "I think that gives Branson a lot credibility that he moved his family here and this is where he wants to retire," said Susan Smith, a spokeswoman for the Welk Theater. While spending 20 seasons on various Branson stages, Orlando was sure to shine the spotlight on our nation's military heroes.  Orlando has been one of the main organizers behind Branson's annual weeklong Veterans Day celebration.  The Welk Theater says Orlando will still headline for this year's show on Nov. 11. The performers's announcement is the latest in a line of shows ending for big names Branson.  Entertainer Yakov Smirnoff will close the curtain this fall after 21 years here, and 2012 saw the passing of singer Andy Williams, who was also in his 20th year of performing in Branson.  [Editor's note: a previous version of this report said Smirnoff stopped performing in Branson in 2012; the general manager of his theater says he will perform there in October and November of 2013.]

BRANSON, Mo. -- City police said Monday that a man whose body was found in a bath tub on Friday was strangled.   That resulted in a murder charge against Sean Roberson, 24, the man who was charged on Saturday with assaulting Andros Valentin, 18. That charging statement against Roberson lists him as living in Branson in the Park Place Apartments, 3515 Arlene St., where Valentin was killed.  Two days before the murder, however, Roberson was in...

BRANSON, Mo. - Rubble, empty lots and for sale signs -- that's just part of what people see when they drive the Branson strip. Beneath the bright lights of Branson, cleanup still continues from the Leap Day tornado. Many people are wondering when or if the town will return to the way it was. It could be years before every damaged property is up and running again. Some business owners say they will wait a while until the national economy bounces back. The tornado damaged roughly 52 commercial properties.

BRANSON, Mo. -- A man from Branson was changing the water in his rattlesnake's cage this weekend when the two-and-a-half-foot western diamondback bit his right hand.  The owner wound up in the hospital getting treated for the strike.  That's when Taney County Health Department employees told him they were taking his pet. It turns out it's illegal to own a venomous creature like that in Branson.  That snake (photo) now lives at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield.

BRANSON --  Branson police are investigating a suspicious death after a person was found dead at the Ramada Inn.      The hotel owner says a maid found the body inside one of the rooms at the hotel, located at 1700 W. 76 Country Blvd., on Sunday. Authorities are holding a news conference on Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Branson City Hall Council Chambers to give an update on the situation.

Branson, MO - Branson city leaders go back to the drawing board in negotiating a contract to take over Factory Merchants Outlets mall.  Simon Property Group, Inc. wants out of its lease with the city.  Monday night aldermen were to vote on a transfer of ownership, and on entering a six month property management agreement with Simon.  But they felt Simon should give the city more to cover what it expects to lose when the stores close.  A Branson spokesman...

BRANSON, Mo. -- Branson believe alcohol and drugs may have been a factor in a weekend murder-suicide at a motel on the Highway 76 strip. Branson Police say they found Cameron Wayne Davis, 30, and Amy Lauren Dawson, 28, dead in a room Saturday night at the Queen Anne Motel.  Both lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Investigators say it appears Davis shot Dawson with a handgun, then turned the weapon on himself.  Police suspect both victims consumed large...

BRANSON, Mo. -- I haven't set foot on a stage since high school, but soon I'll be under the lights at Dick Clark's American Bandstand for this year's Dancing With The Stars of Branson .  The event will benefit nine charities and non-profit organizations.  I will perform with pro Jim Criger .  The former national champion in country western dance is teaching me a bolero.  He's an instructor with Springfield's " Dance With Me ...

BRANSON, Mo.-- Branson police are investigating a possible murder-suicide at a motel on Highway 76. Police began investigating Saturday night shortly after 11:00 p.m. at the Queen Anne Motel in Branson.  Names have not been released pending notification of family. Police say they will release more information as the investigation continues.   

BRANSON, Mo. -- Wanna get away?  Southwest Airlines officially landed at the Branson Airport Saturday.  It follows the lead of its subsidiary AirTran Airways.  That airline served the Branson Airport for nearly four years. "Our arrival in Branson represents one of the true benefits of our integration with AirTran Airways, allowing us to continue providing low fares and legendary customer service to the people of Missouri," said Rick Pelc of Southwest Airlines.  "We're excited to provide our southern Missouri customers access to a broad network of destinations, and just as important, allowing better access to Branson for our existing customers across America.

(standup) It just about time for the first run of the season on the Branson Scenic Railway. (c008 31:47) you are not only going on a ride through the Ozark foothills, you are going to take a step back in time the way people used to travel. For the first time in months, Engine 98 is pulling cars full of passengers excited about the journey ahead. (c008 29:48) you can see she is back to being shiny to the first came out The 1951 f-unit, its curved body and sleek lines- is to the train world- what a 57 Chevy is to the car world.

HOLLISTER, Mo. -- Starting Saturday, you can fly out of the Branson Airport on a popular airline. Southwest Airlines will offer daily flights to Chicago, Houston, and Dallas as well as flights on Saturdays to Orlando.  From those hubs, passengers can fly to more than 70 different destinations within the Southwest network. Officials say Southwest has been a targeted airline ever since construction began on the Branson Airport six years ago.  With the addition of Southwest, the airport expects an increase in passengers and hired several new employees to accommodate them.

BRANSON, Mo. -Airports across the country are bracing for cuts somesay could impact air safety and efficiency. These are busy times for Branson Airport. "[There is] lot of activity here getting ready for Southwest Airlines, stated Jeff Bourk, airport director. With the low-cost carrier landing this Saturday, the airport expects to soon see more flights and passengers.  So, administrators are shocked to find out their control tower is on the chopping block. "If we are having this kind of commercial service operations we are having, why should this tower be on the closure list in the first place," Bourk wondered.

BRANSON, Mo.  -- Six people from the area received annual awards presented by the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Saturday night.  More than 600 Chamber members attended the 66th annual Black Tie Celebration at the Branson Convention Center & Hilton Hotel. The prestigious “Mary Award,” named in honor of Mary Herschend and Mary Trimble, both instrumental in the development of Branson's entertainment offerings, was presented to philanthropist Leon Combs. The nomination of Combs included a long list of contributions to the community, including his support of Skaggs Regional Medical Center (now Cox Medical Center Branson)

BRANSON, Mo. -- City police say a man accused of murdering his wife at a hotel was taken into custody early Thursday.  He hadn't gone far -- less than three miles. Thomas P. Brown, 68, originally of Palm Springs, Calif., was arrested without incident by Branson police officers at the Hampton Inn, 3695 W. Missouri 76.  Police talked with hotel management, entered Brown's room and took him into custody at 2 a.m. After the arrest, police obtained a search warrant for the room and Brown's truck and found a firearm.  Police said Thursday morning that they didn't know if it's the gun that killed his wife, Marilyn, 63. Brown is accused of shooting his wife in a room at the Ramada Inn last week.  A judge issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday after the Taney County prosecuting attorney filed charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action late Tuesday.

BRANSON, Mo. -- A year after the Leap Day tornado, workers were cleaning up this week at Charlie's Steak Ribs and Ale on the Missouri 76 strip.  They were putting finishing touches on a new building. "It's exciting, it's really exciting," said manager Mark Turner, "because I'm in the same position I was a year ago. " On Feb. 28, 2012, Turner was sorting through applications for his summer staff, planning to hire more people than ever for what was supposed to be a busy summer season.