The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its 20th Annual Light the Park on Saturday, Dec. 30. The event features light displays throughout Bolivar’s Dunnegan Memorial Park, provided by businesses and organizations. more

The Bolivar Educational Advancement Foundation (BEAF) proudly announces its commitment to fostering educational excellence by providing nearly $25,000 in grants to teachers within the Bolivar School District. These grants aim to empower educators and enhance the learning experience for students in the community. more

The Bolivar Liberator wrestling team traveled to Granite City, Illinois over the Christmas break to compete in the Granite City Tournament. more

A silent auction held on October 3, along with a number of "give cancer the boot" opportunities at BHS volleyball and football games, yielded a grand total of $3,060.02 for the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center. In its sixth-year, the auction was held in the high school cafeteria prior to and during Bolivar's volleyball matches with Springfield Hillcrest, and many area merchants, attractions, and individuals provided a wide array of merchandise, passes, gift cards, baked goods, seasonal decorations, and much, much more for those in attendance to bid for. Since the event began in 2017 (no event was held in 2020), the grand total raised for the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center has been $11,237.40. All the proceeds from the money raised goes to help patients and their families with medical oncology visits, radiation visits, patient lunches, reduced lodging/transportation, nutritional supplements, hygiene kits, and much more. The entire volleyball program at Bolivar High School wishes to give a big thank you to all the individuals who helped on that busy night, and especially all the businesses and individuals who provided so generously the items for the auction. more

As the sun sets on another academic year, the faculty and staff of Bolivar Technical College honored the graduation of its Practical Nursing (LPN) and RN to BSN Completion program students. Family and friends joined together on Saturday, Dec. 16, to celebrate their graduates and reflect on this milestone. more

As we bid 2023 farewell, here's to the memories that were made and going into 2024 our wish is for peace and prosperity. May the New Year bless you with health and happiness. From all of us at Bolivar Herald-Free Press - thank you for letting us serve you in the year past, and we look forward to bringing you the news in the upcoming year. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital and CMH Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Center welcome Justin W. Reed, D.O., to the medical staff. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023. CMH is one of only 262 hospitals nationwide and one of 16 in Missouri to receive the honor. more

Numerous neighborhoods in and around Bolivar are sharing the Christmas spirit with beautiful light displays. It really is the most wonderful time of the year for taking the family on a drive and enjoying the displays. more

Emergency responders from several area agencies came together on Saturday, Dec. 9, to shop with local children at this year’s Shop with a Cop. Law enforcement officers and firefighters joined together to shop with 138 children at Bolivar’s Walmart throughout the day. The children, who are in kindergarten through third grade and were nominated for the program by local school counselors, came from every school district in Polk County. Each child received around a $100 shopping spree for Christmas presents. The kids also had the chance to visit with Santa Claus and eat snacks after shopping. The Bolivar Police Department, which sponsors the program, raised around $30,000 for the program throughout 2023. more

Douglas, Haun and Heidemann, P.C. partner, Craig Heidemann has been selected as a Super Lawyer by the Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine. This is the seventh year Heidemann has been selected for this honor. more