The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Business of the Year and Community Partner of the Year along with new business awards, including a People’s Choice selection. more

To celebrate 60 years since graduation, the Bolivar High School class of 1964 will gather for a class reunion on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 1 p.m. at Smith’s Restaurant. For more information contact Ken Murray at 417-777-1530 or Deanna Burns at 417-770-0484. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

The Polk County Courthouse will hold a come and go retirement reception for John Parks on Friday, July 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m on the third floor in the courtroom. John began his services with Polk County in February of 2003 as our Child Support Enforcement Attorney. more

Why we can’t shrink away from pain more

Polk County Republicans would like to extend an invitation to attend a “Meet the Candidates” Ice Cream Social to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the first Pavilion in Dunnegan Park in Bolivar. This will be an opportunity to hear from local and state candidates before voting in the August 6th Primary. Everyone is welcome. more

The Dadeville 4-H Livestock Judging Team began learning the “in’s and out’s” of competitive livestock judging beginning in February, 2024 during after school practices for one and one-half hours, once per week. Busy schedules prevented intense practicing, but by watching instructional videos on beef, swine, sheep and meat goats along with participation in three live beef animal workouts, team members were ready to “try their hands” at a full-fledged judging contest. The team’s first opportunity came at the Gold Buckle Extravaganza held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, July 20, 2024. A strong first showing was made and each team member’s efforts are to be commended. more

The Cabins at Stockton Lake are proud to present Karli & James in concert, Saturday, July 27, starting at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and will be held at the Cabin Pavillion. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital and the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation are making wage adjustments in July to invest in their employees. The $4 million investment will increase wages for more than 70% of CMH’s workforce. more

Congratulations to Kathy Long, the winner of this month’s drawing. Kathy correctly guessed Bolivar First Christian Church as the I-Spy location. Look for a new location beginning July 31. more

The City of Bolivar Parks and Recreation Department is seeking feedback from residents and visitors about inclusive playgrounds and the needs of the community. more

Chomp more

Summer may be the off-season for high school sports, but both the Liberators and Lady Liberators are putting in time on the pitch as they prepare for a new era of Bolivar Soccer under new head coach, Jason Ingold. more

Rock Hill, S.C. – SBU women’s basketball head coach Wyketha Harrell is selected to participate in the NCAA College Basketball Academy. This event takes place on July 27-29, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Harrell is one of the few coaches across Division II, Division II, NAIA, and junior college to be selected for this opportunity. more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting, Wednesday, July 18, at Dugan’s Paint & Flooring Center. Dugan’s offers a large selection of paint and flooring and are proud of the new, recently revamped showroom. Dugan’s is located at 2780 S. Springfield Avenue, Bolivar. more

Friday, Aug. 2, the Bolivar Recreation and Aquatic Center will host a movie starting at dusk with all donations going to the City of Bolivar Animal Pound. more

The Polk County Health Center and Community Outreach Ministries are offering their free lunches again for the month of July. Lunches are available for free to kids between 0-18. As in the past years the lunches are provided between 11:30 and 12:30 p.m., at Cribbs Family Park, 410 W. Madison, Bolivar. more

Saturday, July 27 more

Monday, July 29 — BBQ Beef stuffed baked potato, cheese, sour cream, onion, side salad, vanilla pudding. more

The annual Black-Crane reunion will not be held the first Sunday in August this year. The new date is Sunday, Oct 13, beginning at 11 a.m. at Paul Black’s house. The potluck will start at 12:30. more

Talented identical twins, Katy Lou & Penny Lea Clark, raised on a working purple hull pea farm near Kilgore, Texas, perform across the country and abroad as a 3 piece band, delivering a variety of sounds that most people at first listen confuse with a five-piece. Concentrations focus on multi-genre venues, festival appearances, churches and house concerts. more

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

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Aug. 4. During this time, certain back-to-school purchases such as school supplies, computers, clothing, and other qualifying items as defined by statute are exempt from all state and local sales tax. more

Timothy Bostwick, 46, of Urbana, was seriously injured when his vehicle went off the roadway near Goodson. more

Polk County Humane Society (PCHS) will hold a golf tournament at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club on Monday, August 12, in an effort to raise funds in support of the cats and dogs in their care. more