“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.” ― Paulo Coelho, Brida Always FREE! Your source for local news and entertainment INSIDE... July 31- Aug1 , 2020 • Vol. 1, Issue 116 Mandatory face coverings to protect residents and visitors Resort for Hollister: New development will make a splash. Page 3 es, and “any place where food is prepared or stored.” A “face Covering” is defined as “a particulate mask or fabric covering of the nose and mouth secured to the face with ties, loops, or elastic that is covering the nose and mouth. Sharing the Wealth: Benefit the Badge gives to law enforcement. Page 6 Under the new face covering ordinance, going into effect today, It is unlikely that some of the attendees at a recent Branson Board meeting who are not wearing face coverings would be permitted to attend. (Branson Globe photo by Gary Groman) By Gary J. Groman, a.k.a. The Ole Seagull* Nom-nom-nom! Grandma’s Cafe serves up comfort food. Page 8 WEATHER...page 13 By a four to one (4 to 1) margin, the Branson Board of Aldermen (Board) approved a mandatory masking ordinance to protect Branson residents and visitors from the spread of COVID-19. Aldermen Jeff Seay, Bob Simmons, Bill Skains, and Jamie Whiteis voted for the ordinance. Alderman Larry Milton voted against it. Alderman Kevin McConnell, who has resigned and is moving from Ward III, was absent. The ordinance goes into effect at 12:01 AM on July 31, 2020. It expires automatically at 11:50 PM on September 8, 2020, unless extended by the Board. That is the date of the Board’s first September meeting. Subject to a few exceptions, the ordinance amends Chapter 58 of the Branson Municipal Code to require mandatory face coverings in all public spaces (Section 58-387). A “public space” is “an indoor or outdoor area to which the public is invited” or permitted.” It includes, but is not limited to, Branson’s theatres, attractions, shopping malls, promenades, restaurants, hotels, schools, retail stores, and the vast majority of its businessSection 58-387 also contains several exceptions to the mandatory face covering provisions. No face covering is required for “any person who is in a public place while seated and maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet from other persons who are not family members or reside together, but such persons must wear a face covering while in waiting areas and while walking to and from seating or other parts of the premises.” Other exceptions include but are not limited to: 1. While swimming 2. While obtaining a service involving the head, face or nose 3. While playing a sport, exercising or using exercise equipment 4. While outdoors while maintaining a physical distance of at least six feet 5. While outdoors who is closer than six feet to family members of people they reside with 6. While performing on a fixed stage SEE COVERINGS, PAGE 11 Trinity Christian Academy ends high school; will restructure grades By K.D. Michaels, Staff Writer Trinity Christian Academy in Hollister, one of the area’s premiere private schools based on Christian principles has made the difficult decision to dissolve their high school, effective immediately. “Trinity Christian Academy will be restructuring our K-12 school for the upcoming 2020-21 school year due to Covid-19 causing a drop in enrollment,” explained Holly Gregory, Trinity Christian Academy Administrator. “The high school will not open this year. We have encouraged the high school students to look into a Dual Credit Homeschool program. We want them to be able to continue a Christian education, and the benefits of this program are incredible. Our hope is to re-open the high school in the near future. Other restructuring in the school includes the combining of 7th and 8th grades, 5th and 6th grades, 3rd and 4th grades, and 1st and second grades. “K5 will stand alone,” Gregory noted. “And, we will be accepting 1-year-olds to 4-year-olds for preschool.’ Gregory further explained that like many other schools, Trinity will offer the option of traditional seated classes or online classes SEE TRIINTY, PAGE 3
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