On Dec. 15 at 1:25 p.m, Trooper A.R. Enerle responded to a single-car accident three miles south of Humansville on Highway 13. James Soukup, Bronwen Soukup, and Barbara Miller, all of Raymore, were traveling southbound on the highway when their vehicle, a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country, traveled off the left side of the roadway into the median. The driver, James Soukup, was taken to CMH Bolivar with minor injuries. Passenger Bronwen Soukup sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the same facility. Both were wearing seatbelts. Passenger Barbara Miller was not wearing a seatbelt and received serious injuries. She was taken to Cox South in Springfield. The totaled vehicle was removed from the scene by C and H Towing. more

Whether you choose a real one or opt for the everlasting fake one, there is no doubt that the tree is the centerpiece of any yuletide decor. I remember my mom’s trees were always showpieces; our Victorian-styled house had a coinciding tanenbaum bejeweled in beautiful white lights and delicate ornaments that took her days to arrange just right. She then got ambitious and decided our lodge-style den needed an equally elaborate tree with bears and moose adorning every branch. One was the fun tree, the other was the fancy tree, but both were always the focal points of our home. more

The Christmas tree is a quintessential part of holiday decor. I remember my mom’s trees were always showpieces; our Victorian-styled house had a coinciding evergreen bejeweled in beautiful white lights and delicate ornaments that took her days to arrange just right. She then got ambitious and decided our lodge-style den needed an equally elaborate tree with bears and moose adorning every branch. One was the fun tree, the other was the fancy tree, but both were always the focal points of our home. more

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

Deanna Lou Medley Cook more

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, encourages community members to wrap up the year by saving lives. Give the gift of life at the blood drive in Bolivar on Thursday, Dec.r 28. Donors will receive a limited-edition cozy fleece blanket, while supplies last. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks donors provide all the blood for patients at Citizens Memorial Hospital, as well as over 40 other healthcare facilities across the Ozarks. Bolivar area residents will have the opportunity to donate at the following location: more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Edward “Eddie” Ray Robertson more

Charles Newton Long more

Gwendolyn Joyce Stretesky more

Deanna Lou Medley Cook more

Berean Baptist Church is hosting a special Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Sunday night, Dec. 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. There will be singing, scripture reading and reflection, and of course a celebration of the incarnation of Jesus Christ through candles. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, go to bbcbolivar.com or contact the church office at 417-326-7758. The church is located at 4450 South Scenic Ave. in Bolivar. more

The Bolivar Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of Community Foundation of the Ozarks, announces the grant recipients for 2023, totaling $16,200. more

Show us what you love about Polk County! 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

How well do you know Polk County? more

The Tri-County Baptist Group will hold its regular Fifth Sunday Service on Sunday, Dec. 31, at Sentinel Missionary Baptist Church in Polk County. more

Orville Franklin Sergent more

Oral “Screwdriver” Amos Rogers more

Wayne W. Sumpter more

Bolivar Technical College (BTC) is proud to announce the recipients of its Fall 2023 scholarships: the 2023 BTC Alumni Scholarship, BTC Institutional Scholarship, and BTC Education Foundation Scholarship. The recipients received a combined $10,500 to use toward their education at BTC. more

Weather report more

Community Outreach Ministries (COM) is the recipient of two important grants which will greatly improve our Food Pantry facilities. One was an Urgent Needs Grant from Ozarks Food Harvest which will allow us to make needed repairs on our walk-in freezer and purchase a new glass-front 3-door refrigerator. The other grant was from the Bolivar Area Community Foundation and will allow us to purchase a second glass front refrigerator. The new glass-front fridges will replace one unit and expand available shopping space for food. more

JEFFERSON CITY — The Missouri Department of Revenue is announcing the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) of the license office in Bolivar, Missouri, located at 930 East San Martin, Bolivar, Mo., 65613. Bids will start being accepted Jan. 10, and must be submitted by Jan. 24. more