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Picture left to right: Judge Chuck Replogle, Corner Zane Gore, Public Administrator Scott Pursselley, Southern Commissioner Bob Moreland, Assessor Rita Lemmon, Surveyor Kevin Nelson, Northern Commissioner Kyle Legan and Sheriff Danny Morrison.

Swearing-in to serve

The newly elected officials were sworn-in on Monday, Dec. 30 by Judge Chuck Replogle. 
Mike Pitts.


CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bolivar Schools names new leadership appointments

Dr. Tim Garber next Assistant Superintendent of Academics, Mike PItts as Executive Director of Operations
STAFF PHOTO/LINDA SIMMONS

Bridge being replaced

The low water bridge located on E 435th Road between D Hwy and S 150 is being replaced. Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 18 be prepared to detour as the road will be closed while this is being built. The expected time for this project is at least 90-days. The county appreciates your patience while we make these much needed repairs.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Farewell reception

There will be a come and go reception to wish Mayor Christopher D. Warwick well as he leaves his post as Bolivar’s mayor and starts his new role as a state representative. It will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at Bolivar City Hall, immediately before his final Board of Aldermen meeting.
Election

Democrats to meet Feb. 17

The Polk County Democrats will host their meeting on Feb. 17 at Basil & Bourbon at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is optional for those who want to eat and fellowship before the meeting at 5:15 p.m. The agenda will include updates on legislative activities, local charitable activities, and setting our goals for the year.

News
Vann

Polk County Sheriff arrests registered sex offender

On 02-12-2025, at approximately 1507 hours, deputies were dispatched to the 1700 block of E. 490th Road, Halfway, Missouri, near the Pomme de Terre River, for a report of a suspicious person. A male subject wearing blue clothing and carrying a backpack had climbed over several fences and crossed multiple property lines. Deputies searched both sides of the river on foot, in patrol vehicles, and with the reporting person's side-by-side.

Deaths

DEATHS

Index

DEATHS
Fellers

Business owner pleads guilty to deceptive business practices

Jerry Shane Fellers, owner of Build Tech Structures, Inc., has pled guilty to 15 felony counts of deceptive business practices.

Patty (Fly) Peavey

Patty (Fly) Peavey

The power to change your world

I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if I had not grown up in the Missouri Ozarks surrounded by nature. It was here in this land that I learned to be curious and explore the world of animals, insects, wildflowers, plants and trees. I learned what lived in woods and waters. I gained confidence, learned to be alone, enjoyed myself and felt at home.
Sports
Robert Clardy.


CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bolivar High School welcomes Robert Clardy as new head football coach

The Bolivar School District is thrilled to announce the appointment of Robert Clardy as the new Head Football Coach of the Liberators. With a wealth of experience spanning nearly two decades with the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats football coaching staff, Coach Clardy brings a proven track record of success and leadership across town to Bolivar High School.
Wyatt Campbell lines up an important free throw in a close game with the Hornets.


STAFF PHOTOS/BOB CAMPBELL

Liberators go 2-0 in conference with 63-53 win over Hillcrest.

The Liberators challenged the Hillcrest Hornets in an Ozark Mountain Conference on Friday, Feb. 7.

Democrats to meet Feb. 17

The Polk County Democrats will host their meeting on Feb. 17 at Basil & Bourbon at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is optional for those who want to eat and fellowship before the meeting at 5:15 p.m. The agenda will include updates on legislative activities, local charitable activities, and setting our goals for the year.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bearcat Starting Pitching Puts on Clinic on Opening Weekend

The SBU baseball team started began the season with a pitching clinic, clinching a series win off Southern Nazarene to begin 3-1. The Bearcats controlled the entire series only trailing for one full inning across all 30 that were played.
STAFF PHOTO/LINDA SIMMONS

Cold Weather Doesn’t Stop Runners at 46th Annual Polar Bear Run

Southwest Missouri’s oldest annual running race, the Polar Bear Run, featured more than 100 runners and walkers at its 46th anniversary on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Bolivar. The Polar Bear Run is hosted by the City of Bolivar Parks & Recreation Department, with director Todd Schrader as the race director.
The 200 Medley Relay team of Annie Havens, Josie Thomas, Eleanor Woosley and Aby Kaufmann are all smiles as they prepare to smash the school record in Friday’s SWMO prelims. They would break their own record again 24 hours later in finals.


STAFF PHOTOS/ANNIE THOMAS

Swim Season Goes Out with a Splash

The Lady Liberators made their mark in BHS swimming history as they closed the 2024-25 season with two competitive days in the pool at the Southwest Missouri Championships Feb. 7 and 8. By the end of the weekend, BHS Varsity swimmers would have a new 200 Medley Relay school record, the most individuals in program history qualifying for SWMO finals, the best team finish and most points scored at SWMO finals in program history, and come a fraction of a second off another school record in the 400 Free Relay. Additionally, one relay and five individual medals earned in JV competition would become a BHS all-time best for the SWMO JV meet.
Carly Cribbs for three.


STAFF PHOTOS/BOB CAMPBELL

Lady Liberators shock #5 state-ranked Hillcrest 53-52

Thursday, Feb. 6, the Hillcrest Lady Hornets opened a basketball contest at the Bolivar gymnasium.
Basketball
The 90th Bolivar Liberator Basketball Tournament finished a three-day whirlwind of competition on Feb. 1, 2025.
The 32nd Gary Keeling Memorial Tournament wrapped up Thursday, Jan. 23, at Bolivar High School, showcasing some of the best girls teams in the state.
Friday, Jan. 24, the Monett Cubs (9-8) traveled to Bolivar to take on the Liberators (10-4).
Opinion
Valentine’s Day
All January long, I’ve been mentioning (okay, “whining”) that the month is a dead zone for new movie releases. So it makes sense that the biggest release of the month would be one that opened on the very last day (Friday the 31 st ) before making most of its money in February. With an estimated $36 million in its first three days, “Dog Man” is already the biggest new movie of 2025. And its success isn’t just commercial, the joyful film also gets my first recommendation of the year. It’s a chilly recommendation, appropriate for January I suppose, but a recommendation nonetheless.
A battle for the aged
When a Coke was a nickel
You probably do not realize this but someone is watching you. It may be your child or grandchild, other family members, friends, or neighbors. Maybe someone you don’t even know.
School
As summer vacation comes to a close, it’s almost that time of year when parents rush to the stores for supplies and teachers dress up their classrooms to welcome back fresh-faced students.
While donations of supplies have poured in, organizers of Saturday’s Tenth Annual Polk County Back to School Extravaganza say more are always needed.
A Missouri State University student from Halfway was awarded for her success at the 2023 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22-25.
Registration for all Humansville R-IV students will take place Aug. 9 through Aug.11, from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration packets will be available for parent pick up starting Tuesday, Aug. 8.
Sullivan Bank in Pleasant Hope will be doing a school supply drive for the Pleasant Hope School District.
Business
Sew 'N' Sew Quilt Guild will meet Friday, Feb. 21 at the United Methodist Church, 105 East Division St. Please come to the east entrance into the Fellowship Hall. Social time at 9:30 am with meeting at 10:00. Georgia Highley will present a program on the Disappearing Hour Glass. All those interested in quilting are welcome to attend. Any questions, please call Elizabeth Morgan at 417-422-7195.
Dr. David Geurin assumes the role July 1.
Monday, Feb. 17 — Presidents Day - closed.
How well do you know Polk County?
The community came together on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to honor and celebrate Chief Mark Webb on his retirement. Webb has served with the Bolivar Police Department for 11 years, having served in law enforcement for 45 years.
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