Board of Aldermen Vote to Restrict All Non-Essential Businesses

Branson’s Board of Aldermen met in emergency session Monday night and passed a bill restricting non-essential business operations in the city to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.  Officials deliberated for over three hours, hearing public comments and making numerous revisions to the order.  The new rules take effect at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020.   Some of the provisions in the bill include limiting public gatherings to 10 or fewer people, requiring social distancing of 6 feet, and limits visitation at nursing homes and long term care facilities.  It also prohibits on premises eating and drinking at any restaurant or business open to the public.  A detailed release from the city and a link to the complete bill can be found below:

 

News Release:  City of Branson

BRANSON, Mo – In an emergency special meeting held Monday, March 23, 2020, at Branson City Hall, the Board of Aldermen voted 5 to 1 on the first reading and 5 to 1 on the second and final reading with Alderman Kevin McConnell voting no both times, to amend Chapter 58 of the Branson Municipal code to limit the spread of COVID-19 within the City of Branson by restricting non-essential business operations, public and social gatherings, and forcing social distancing amongst individuals in the City.

The authority for this ordinance is laid out in Section 79.380, RSMo which permits the Board of Aldermen to “make regulations and pass ordinances for the prevention of the introduction of contagious diseases in the city, and for the abatement of the same, and may make quarantine laws and enforce the same within five miles of the city.”

This ordinance has the following components that will go into effect, starting Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at 8:00 a.m.:

  • Prohibits public and social gatherings of more than 10 people.
  • Requires social distancing of six feet or more amongst non-family members.
  • Prohibits non-essential businesses from operating in the city.
  • Prohibits on premises eating and drinking at any restaurant or business open to the public.
  • Allows essential businesses to remain open as long as they don’t exceed 25% of their occupant load in enclosed public places. Daycares and medical facilities are exempt from occupant load requirements and for lodging establishments only the public areas are considered.
  • Prohibits visitation to nursing homes, long term care facilities, retirement homes or any facility where the number of guests over the age of sixty outnumbers those under the age of sixty unless that visit is to provide critical assistance or care.

For purposes of this Chapter only, essential businesses are day care facilities which serve employees of essential businesses, health care facilities, grocery stores, convenience food stores, service stations, drug stores, pharmacies, public service or telecommunication facilities, financial institutions, law firms, accounting firms, government offices and facilities, lodging establishments, and restaurants or other businesses as deemed essential by the Emergency Management Director or the City Administrator.

Violations of this ordinance carry a range of punishment of up to ninety days (90) in jail or up to a 500 dollar fine as set in the general penalty provision in Section 1-13 of the Branson Municipal Code. This ordinance will sunset when the emergency proclamation of the Mayor expires.

To view the entire ordinance as amended and voted on, go to the City’s “Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources and News,” on our website, at http://www.bransonmo.gov/805/Coronavirus-Information.

For any questions regarding this ordinance, please call (417) 243-2780.

On March 19, 2020, the Board of Aldermen voted to Restrict Public Gathering & Limit Business Occupancy:  http://www.bransonmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1067. On March 17, 2020, Mayor Edd Akers Issued an Emergency Proclamation for the City of Branson to minimize suffering and promote the general life, health, and safety of residents whose lives will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic:  http://www.bransonmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1061.

The City of Branson will continue to work in coordination with our partner agencies, as well as the state and federal government, to monitor this evolving situation and to ensure our response actions are based on the latest facts. We will communicate updates to the Branson community as the situation changes and as we make additional decisions regarding our local response. For these updates, go to the “Coronavirus Updates” bar on the top of our website at www.bransonmo.gov.

COVID-19 Statement from Harrison Mayor Jerry Jackson

City of Harrison Residents,

Stay calm. Don’t panic. This is the message we want to communicate to the community regarding the Coronavirus (COVID19). We are in constant communication with local and state officials. Your city, county, medical community, educators and office of emergency management are all working together with the Arkansas Department of Health to coordinate communications and possible responses. As of Friday afternoon at 3:00 PM the Arkansas Health Department reported zero confirmed cases, 9 presumed cases and 22 persons under investigation for the virus in the state. There are no reported cases in the Harrison area. The reason for canceling public events is to help prevent the possible spread of the virus.

Right now we are in a stage of informing the community on the things to do to avoid contracting the disease. They are the same measures you take for flu prevention: wash your hands thoroughly and often; cough or sneeze into your sleeve and then wash your hands; and most importantly, stay home (or go home) when feeling ill. We can’t overstate the importance of this. The Arkansas State Health Department has an excellent website where you can get up-to-date information and more tips on protecting yourself and your family; go to http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov. The site is being updated every four hours.

I feel confident that our medical professionals are well prepared if the virus is detected here. Many rumors have surfaced but they have all been dispelled; however, if a case does occur in our area, we will inform the community. I urge you to stay calm. We will get through this event together.

Sincerely,

Jerry Jackson, Mayor

NAC’s Play in National Tournament Postponed

According to the NJCAA Website the National Tournament of the Women’s Division II, which is set to feature North Arkansas College’s Lady Pioneers, has been postponed due to COVID-19.

Per NJCAA Website:

In light of recent developments regarding COVID-19, the NJCAA has made the decision to postpone national championship events for the upcoming DI and DII men’s and women’s basketball tournaments. DIII men’s and women’s basketball championships, currently underway, will work with an expedited schedule that will conclude on Friday, March 13.

Originally scheduled to begin the week of March 16, the four upcoming national championship events – DI men, DI women, DII men, and DII women will aim for a tentative start date of Monday, April 20.

The DIII men’s and women’s national championships, currently underway, will cancel all consolation games and will move semifinal and championship games to Friday, March 13.

Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO expressed his sentiments regarding the situation. “Due to the concerns surrounding the safety and security of our student-athletes and those involved with Division I and Division II NJCAA championships, we are postponing the tournaments and maintaining a fluid mentality to see these tournaments take place with a tentative start date.

We have two main objectives in this situation – first and foremost is to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, college personnel, and fans. Second is to make sure our student-athletes receive the national championship experience that they have worked so hard for.”

Start dates for each of the respective tournaments are tentative and the NJCAA will continue to follow all state and local mandates, restrictions, and regulations as it impacts its member institutions and national championship events.

Blue Eye Girls Advance, Eureka Springs, Flippin Teams Fall

by: Scott McCaulley

The Blue Eye Lady Bulldogs overcame a bad shooting night and a tough College Heights Defense to slip by the Lady Cougars 46-40 at the Missouri Class 2 Sectional Game at Carthage Wednesday Night.

After jumping out to a quick 7-1 lead, Blue Eye went ice cold from the field while College Heights heated up and led most the rest of the half before the Lady Bulldogs tied it up at half. Blue Eye stretched the lead to five several times in the second half only to see College Heights stay close before the Lady Bulldogs managed to hit some key shots and free throws late to seal the win and move Blue Eye to the Class 2 Quarterfinals at Republic Saturday against Mansfield.

In the Boys Sectional, Greenwood overcame a slow start to down Purdy 79-50.

Meanwhile in Arkansas, a tough day for the local teams in State Tournament action, as Bergman, Eureka Springs, and Flippin all lost their opening round games:

Bigelow Girls 54 Eureka Springs 41 (2A in Quitman)
Des Arc Girls 49 Flippin 38 (2A in Quitman)
Pangburn Boy 71 Flippin 63 (2A in Quitman)
Dumas Boys 55 Bergman 35 (3A in Charleston)

Today in Arkansas State Tournament action:
Kingston Boys vs Bradley 2:30 (1A in Hot Springs)
Kingston Girls vs Emerson 4:00 (1A in Hot Springs)
Jasper Boys vs Kirby 5:30 (1A in Hot Springs)