The SBU men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the GLVC Championships this past weekend. Both teams had incredible finishes, with the women taking third place and the men taking fifth place. more

Know anyone who loves vehicles of all kinds? Dreams of driving a police car, fire truck or dump truck someday? Just likes to learn about cool stuff? If so, the City of Bolivar has the perfect event for you! more

Friday, May 9 more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the return of Bolivar Night at the Springfield Cardinals, happening Sunday, June 1 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri. Gates open at 5:05 p.m., with first pitch set for 6:05 p.m. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital recognized Auxiliary volunteer Barbara Owens with the 2025 Lillian Hutcheson Award during the Auxiliary’s quarterly meeting April 18. more

The future of agriculture was on full display at the 2025 Missouri Beef Days Classic Junior Jackpot Show, held April 12 at the Polk County Fairgrounds, where more than 100 young exhibitors from across the region gathered to compete, learn, and celebrate their passion for livestock. Now in its third year, the show continues to grow in size, drawing youth from across Missouri and beyond. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Barren Creek Cemetery more

Sew 'N' Sew Quilt Guild will meet Friday, May 16, at the United Methodist Church, 105 E. Division Street. Please come to the east entrance into the Fellowship Hall. Social time is at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 10 a.m.. more

Monday, May 12 — Celebration Day! Goulash, side salad, WG roll, ice cream. more

May 21 will see the district baseball tournament at Central High School in Springfield. more

DEATHS more

Index more

The Bolivar Herald-Free Press invites residents to send their engagement, wedding, baby, and other milestone announcements. more

Program will focus on avoiding poison ivy, ticks, and other outdoor worries. more

“Thunderbolts*” is the latest offering from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, seems like awfully familiar territory. In the film, a group of assassins, criminals, and burnouts band together to form a ragtag group of do-gooders looking for redemption. There are definitely shades of the MCU’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” in play. Or how about that Sony-controlled “Sinister Six” movie that may never materialize? more

Can a Nervous Nellie burn her belly? more

Sixty eight years ago, Nixa mayor and local barber Finis Gold came up with an idea. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

Applications for the Polk County Senior Tax Credit Program will be accepted until Friday, May 30. With less than a month remaining, if you are considering applying for the program it is encouraged that you do so well before the May 30 deadline as all documentation must be submitted by the deadline and failure to do so will result in your application being denied for 2025. Applications are still available on the second floor of the Courthouse and on the county website homepage www.polkcountymo.gov. more

The 2024-2025 Middle School Softball Team is composed of Alea Dawson (8th grade), Liddy Moore (8th grade), Melina Novak (8th grade), Kloie Richardson (8th grade), Autumn Snow (8th grade), Alessandra Buckle (7th grade), Lily Burdette (7th grade), Hailee Eaton (7th grade), Ardon Emerson (6th grade), Addie Harley (6th grade), Karlee Sims (6th grade), Lydia Sims (6th grade), Olivia Stephens (6th grade), Tawnee Wood (6th grade), and Kaylee Cartwright (6th grade). Each athlete occupies a specific position and has played a vital role in the team's success this season. The team has shown consistent improvement with each game, concluding with a strong finish in second place in the Greater Ozarks Conference (GOC), fell out by Marion C. Early, with a score of 9-1. Led by Head Coach Stacy Burdette and Assistant Coach Rylee Stell, the team is dedicated to enhancing individual skills, building strong team chemistry, and maintaining a positive, resilient attitude. Key contributors include Lily Burdette, an effective pitcher; Liddy Moore, a dependable catcher; and players with versatile skills capable of filling multiple positions. Notably, this year's team achieved more wins than the combined total of the past two years. more

The Pleasant Hope FFA Chapter attended the 97th Annual Missouri State FFA Convention April 23rd-25th. While there, their dairy cattle team, which consisted of Loraine Arciniegas, Addison Rogers, Gracie Pulley, and Maddyson Alexander got the opportunity to compete. They went up against fifty-nine other teams from around the state. The dairy cattle girls ended up taking on the big stage at state and being awarded a fourth place plaque. Loraine Arciniegas placed fifth highest individual and received a group one rating and Addison Rogers placed seventeenth highest individual and also received a group one rating. Gracie Pulley and Maddyson Alexander both received a group two rating more

The Polk County Courthouse will be closed on Thursday, May 8, in observance of the Truman Day Holiday. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Applications for the Polk County Senior Tax Credit Program will be accepted until Friday, May 30. With less than a month remaining, if you are considering applying for the program it is encouraged that you do so well before the May 30 deadline as all documentation must be submitted by the deadline and failure to do so will result in your application being denied for 2025. Applications are still available on the second floor of the Courthouse and on the county website homepage www.polkcountymo.gov. more