Instead of a discussion with a moderator, residents who have questions for elected officials in Laurie will have to request to address the mayor and the board during Board of Aldermen meetings, and the deadline for getting on the upcoming meeting agenda is ticking.

A group calling themselves “concerned citizens” will meet Tuesday, Sept. 7, but the board will not be attending.

Although the Board of Aldermen and mayor had requested to attend and answer questions through a moderator, the board has now flip-flopped and decided not to attend. The change in plans is based on the advice of city attorney Tom Loraine.

Two meetings in Laurie last week were signs of a town divided. The board of aldermen met Aug. 11 for its regularly scheduled meeting. A group of citizens gathered the next evening after advertisements had been placed inviting concerned citizens and business people of Laurie to congregate for discussion about the city’s direction.

Blazin' Blues BBQ tops the list as the Grand Champion.

When the tantalizing aroma of barbecue smoke drifts over the west side of the Lake of the Ozarks, you can be sure it’s time for the Laurie Hillbilly Bar-B-Q Cook-off.  Sure enough, they’ll be “Que’N at the Lake” on Aug. 6 and 7 at the Laurie Fairgrounds.  
The 18th edition of this fun, family-friendly and tasty event will offer top grillers $7,225 in cash prizes plus trophies, ribbons and bragging rights.  In addition, visitors will get to meet and mingle with members of competing Bar-B-Que Cook-off teams named Smoke On Wheels, Munchin’ Hogs at the Hilton, Floppy Backwoods Smokers, Smoke Rattle & Roll, Bad To The Bone and BBQ Gods of the Universe — more than 50 in all.  
The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.  In addition, participants at the 14th annual Kids Q — kids age 5-15 — will be Que’N to win prizes, too.  Admission is free to come watch the teams doin’ their Que’N.

Check out all the crafts including much Christmas ornaments and decorations.

While Lloyd Anderson of Gravois Mills was born in Iowa, he and his family were living out West when the United States entered World War II in 1941 after the Dec. 7 attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor.

After Lloyd enlisted in the Navy, he was destined for a ship being built nearby at a shipyard in Portland, Ore. The U.S.S. La Porte was commissioned in Astoria the summer that Lloyd joined the service. He and his parents attended the service, and Lloyd would also be there years later for her decommissioning.

* Inside, there's a summary of a timeline from Harold F. Cain EM 3/C, who served on the USS La Porte. The timeline was provided by Lloyd Anderson.

Fourth of July events; Eat breakfast like a lion; Coffman Bend Fire roasts pig; WestSide Freedom Blast; Farmer’s Market on the Square

4th Annual Art &  Ambiance Fair; See history living from the Civil War-era; Old-fashioned sock hop and karaoke; Lake Area Chorale & Springfield symphony; Rockin' BBQ Contest

City's statement says former police chief knew of error in policy on chain of command. New electronic communications policy to be set after police department computers so infected by viruses that they must be replaced.

A special meeting has been called in the city of Laurie for Tuesday, June 15.

Board of directors temporarily re-instates a small portion of its property tax on district

The public is invited to dive into summer at the Westlake Aquatic Center June 3. The facility is celebrating its 10th anniversary and marking the repayment of its mortgage with a huge event from 3-7 p.m. Thursday that will feature free food and activities.

Free fun
3-6:30 p.m. - Bring your swimsuit and towel for the open swim.
3:30-4:30 p.m. - Watch these small vessels twist and roll during the kayak demonstration and learn more about kayaking at the lake.
4-6:30 p.m. - Try out a short SCUBA dive in the pool with a certified instructor at your side. Contact the WAC for details at 374-7370.
6:30-7 p.m. - The WAC has a lot to celebrate. By its 10th anniversary, the loan has been paid in full. There will be a ceremonial Drowning of the Mortgage with the four area banks that assisted in financing the project — Central Bank Lake of the Ozarks, Bank of Versailles, First National Bank and Community Bank. Meet the founders of the WAC, its early leaders and the team that will guide its future.

11 a.m. Monday at Zack Wheat Post 624