LAKE OF THE OZARKS – The Bagnell Dam Strip Association (BDSA) has announced a thrilling series of events set to bring fun, community spirit, and a touch of festivity to the region in the coming weeks. From pub crawls to putt-putt tournaments, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what’s on tap:

Mardi Gras Pub Crawl – Saturday, February 22

Kicking off the festivities, the Mardi Gras Pub Crawl is slated for Saturday, February 22, starting at 4 p.m. Billed as a can’t-miss event, the crawl promises a lively tour of local hotspots along the Lake area. Visit LakePubCrawl.com for details.

• Presenting Sponsor: Alley Cats
• Friday Kickoff Party: Head to Charlie Foxtrot’s for a pre-crawl bash, where discounted wristbands will be available. Attendees can also enter a drawing for a gift package valued at $1,700.
• Saturday Pre-Crawl Party: Encore hosts the warm-up to the main event.
• Wristband Info: Several hundred wristbands have already been snapped up through online pre-sales for bus entry. Wristbands are available on the buses, though they’re not required for bar entry if you’re exploring on foot.
  Despite a snowy start to the week, the forecast predicts a warmup by Saturday, setting the stage for what organizers are calling a “Good Time!!!”

Dam Putt Putt Tournament – Saturday, March 8

On Saturday, March 8, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Dam Putt Putt Tournament will transform the Strip into a playful mini-golf paradise. Learn more at LakeoftheOzarksShootout.com/dam-putt-putt.

• Presenting Sponsor: Lake of the Ozarks Shootout
• Event Highlights: Participating establishments along the Strip will each feature a unique putt-putt hole, challenging players’ skills and creativity. Prizes will be awarded for both the best score and the best costume, so bring your A-game and your wildest outfits.

BDSA Meeting – Tuesday, March 11

For those interested in getting involved or learning more about the BDSA, a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at The HUB/COMC in Luby’s Plaza.

• Open Invitation: Curious locals and newcomers alike are welcome to attend and see what the BDSA is all about.

St. Pat’s Parade – Saturday, March 15

Rounding out the lineup, the St. Pat’s Parade steps off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. This annual celebration of all things Irish promises to bring green-clad revelers, festive floats, and plenty of cheer to the streets.

With a mix of high-energy outings and community gatherings, the BDSA is delivering a packed schedule to keep the Lake area buzzing through late winter and into spring. Mark your calendars and get ready to join the fun!

Updates to this story have been updated in green.

Osage Beach, MO – February 18, 2025 – The Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, one of the nation’s most celebrated powerboat racing events, has stirred controversy with its announced relocation from its long-standing venue at Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill in Sunrise Beach to a new site in Osage Beach for the 2025 season. However, an investigation into the event’s permitting status reveals that the move may be premature—or even stalled—as no regatta permit has been secured for the proposed dates of August 23-24, 2025. Adding fuel to the fire, the weekend in question is already packed with fishing tournaments, including a prominent event hosted by Bass World Sports out of Public Beach #2, raising questions about the Shootout board’s planning and transparency.

The Shootout, now in its 37th year, has been a cornerstone of the Lake of the Ozarks community, drawing thousands of spectators and racers annually while raising significant funds for local charities and first responders. For over a decade, Captain Ron’s has served as the event’s home, hosting the high-octane races on a three-quarter-mile course near the 34.5-mile marker. But in October 2024, the Shootout’s board of directors, led by President Mark Maasen, announced a bold shift to Dog Days Bar & Grill and the soon-to-be-completed Oasis at Lakeport in Osage Beach, roughly 15 nautical miles downstream. The stated goals were to enhance safety, boost charitable fundraising, and improve the experience for racers and attendees, citing the new location’s proximity to Lake Regional Hospital and additional amenities.

Yet, beneath the optimistic press releases, cracks in the plan have emerged. A review of Missouri’s regatta permit records, managed by state safety officials, shows no approval in place for the Shootout at the proposed Osage Beach site for August 23-24. According to sources familiar with the process, securing a regatta permit for an event of this magnitude requires months of coordination with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Water Patrol Division, local fire districts, and other stakeholders—a timeline the Shootout board appears to have underestimated. “The logistics of moving an event this size aren’t trivial,” said a former lake event organizer, speaking anonymously. “You don’t just announce a new course and assume the permits will fall into place.”

Compounding the issue, the chosen weekend is already a hotbed of activity on the lake. Multiple fishing tournaments are slated to take place, including the Bass World Sports Summer Classic, a well-known amateur bass fishing competition launching from Public Beach #2 at Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Osage Beach. Scheduled for August 23-24, the tournament expects over 200 anglers and dozens of boats, with weigh-ins and festivities drawing crowds to the Grand Glaize Arm—the very area where the Shootout hopes to race. Other smaller fishing events are also permitted across the lake that weekend, suggesting a crowded waterway and potential conflicts over space and safety.

The decision to relocate has been further muddied by internal upheaval within the Shootout organization. Sources close to the event report that the board’s move to Osage Beach came on the heels of a retirement letter from Ron Duggan, the longtime owner of Captain Ron’s and a key figure in the Shootout’s history. Duggan, who successfully bid to host the event in 2008 after it moved from its original Osage Beach location at Shooters 21, 2024 Ron was the heart of the Shootout for years,” said a local business owner who has sponsored the event. “He fought to keep it at Captain Ron’s, but the new board wanted a fresh start—whether it was practical or not.”

In their October announcement, they highlighted the Osage Beach site’s advantages: a course nestled along the scenic shores of Lake of the Ozarks State Park, just south of the Grand Glaize Bridge, and access to Dog Days’ docks and the forthcoming Oasis resort’s infrastructure.

As the clock ticks toward August, the Shootout’s fate hangs in the balance. Will the board secure a permit and resolve conflicts with the fishing tournaments? Or will this high-profile relocation become a cautionary tale of overreach? For now, the Lake of the Ozarks community watches—and waits—as the ripples of this decision spread across the water.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.

Shawn Kober Looks back in the files to find this classic from nearly 15 years ago…….

Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Senate convened on Tuesday for its fifteenth legislative day, with President Wasinger presiding over the session. The proceedings opened with an invocation from Reverend Stephen George, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the approval of the previous day’s journal.

All 30 senators were present, with four absent with leave. The Lieutenant Governor was also in attendance.

Resolutions Honor Missouri Citizens and Organizations

Several Senate resolutions were adopted, recognizing outstanding achievements across the state. Among them:

• Senator Brown (26) honored Eagle Scout Lainey Elizabeth Ahal of Labadie.
• Senator Brown (16) recognized Cynthia Andry of Waynesville.
• Senator Bernskoetter celebrated the Iberia High School Rangers baseball team for their accomplishments.
• Senator Trent offered resolutions for Langston Mitchell and Emma Robinson.
• Senator Black honored the Savannah High School Savages varsity cheerleading squad.
• Additional resolutions recognized Amelia Hawkins and Madilynn Wehmeyer, sponsored on behalf of Senator Webber by Senator Beck.

New Bills Introduced

The Senate introduced several new bills covering a wide range of topics:

• SB 673 & SB 674 (Gregory, 21) – Designating official state titles for Missouri cities, including the “Apple Capital” and “Patriotic Mural City.”
• SB 675 (Gregory, 15) – Addressing changes to Missouri’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program.
• SB 676 (Schroer) – Relating to convention and sports facility authorities.
• SB 677 (Hudson) – Modifying laws on alternative county highway commissions.
• SB 678 (Hudson) – Revising appropriations allotments for state departments.

Committee Reports Signal Legislative Progress

Key Senate committees advanced several bills, setting the stage for upcoming debates:

• SB 7 (Emerging Issues and Professional Registration Committee) – Recommended for passage.
• SB 59 (Veterans and Military Affairs Committee) – Recommended for passage.
• SB 28 (Agriculture, Food Production, and Outdoor Resources Committee) – Recommended for passage.
• SB 52 & SB 44 (Transportation, Infrastructure, and Public Safety Committee) – Approved with a Senate Committee Substitute.
• SB 47 (General Laws Committee) – Approved with a Senate Committee Substitute.
• SB 50 & SB 10 (Local Government, Elections, and Pensions Committee) – Recommended for passage, with SB 10 receiving a committee substitute.

As the legislative session continues, these bills will move forward for further debate and potential approval in the Senate. Lawmakers remain focused on issues ranging from infrastructure improvements to educational policy changes.

Stay tuned for updates on Missouri’s legislative developments.– The Missouri Senate took key legislative steps this week, advancing two significant bills affecting county officials and utility regulations.

Senator Sandy Crawford led efforts on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1 (SS for SB 1), which repeals and revises multiple sections of Missouri law related to county officials. The bill passed a key procedural vote, securing its status as “perfected and ordered printed.” The measure replaces several previous legislative enactments, streamlining regulations affecting various county offices, including treasurers, assessors, and coroners.

Meanwhile, Senator Mike Cierpiot successfully moved forward Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 4 (SS for SB 4) from the Informal Calendar. This bill focuses on Missouri’s utility sector, repealing and replacing multiple statutes concerning public service regulation, sewer and water systems, and energy policies. Notably, SB 4 includes an emergency clause for one of its sections, indicating an urgent need for implementation upon passage.

With both bills advancing in the Senate, they now move closer to potential approval in the Missouri House and eventual enactment into law. The legislative session continues as lawmakers deliberate further refinements and potential impacts of these policy changes.