How well do you know Polk County? more

The Annual Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2. This year’s theme is “Let it Snow.” With nearly 100 entries already registered and more expected, parade chairman Jared Taylor says the nighttime parade continues to grow in popularity. “I guess it’s true, everyone loves a parade,” says Taylor. “The chamber is very excited to continue this Christmas tradition that brings thousands to Bolivar.” more

Bolivar's Lady Liberator's 2023-24 version was introduced Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the nearby Polk County Morrisville Tournament. more

The term “Black Friday” has a sordid past with a bit of a dark connotation. Though many believe it is the day for stores to turn their red ledgers to black, the first use of the term was in 1869 to describe the gold market crash of September. Jump ahead about 90 years and Black Friday was a term dubbed by the Philidelphia police to describe the absolute chaos in the streets on the day after Thanksgiving. As many people went to the annual Navy-Army football game, others made it their day for shopping excursions to kick off the holiday season. It was not a term to describe fun, savings, or festivities. It was a term to describe misery and frustration. As a child of the 80s and 90s, when Black Friday shopping was at its peak, the moniker may have still held its original meaning. more

On Monday, Nov. 27, Gary Henderson was driving his 2012 Chevrolet Silverado northbound on Highway 13. Two miles north of Bolivar, the tire of his vehicle came off and struck 28-year-old Jacob Detherage, who was doing work in the median. Detherage received serious injuries and was transported to Cox South via ambulance. Henderson, 65, of Ankeny, Iowa, was not injured in the accident but his truck did sustain minor damage. It was removed from the scene by B&B Towing. Trooper M.J. Owens was the responding officer. more

Top harvest counties were Texas, Pike, Callaway, and Morgan. more

On Thursday evening, Nov. 9, the Polk County Clover Kids met for their monthly meeting. The theme was “all things trees”. The young dendrologists explored trees by identifying leaves, counting the rings in a “tree cookie” to determine the age of a tree and by making leaf prints. more

Bennett “Ben” Craig Cunard more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

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

McDonald’s of Bolivar is thrilled to host its second-annual fundraiser to benefit Bolivar Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Community members can participate by simply visiting McDonald’s of Bolivar to purchase their favorite menu items. McDonald’s will donate a portion of the proceeds during that time frame to support the Shop with a Cop event. more

Bolivar First Christian Church will be hosting their annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 9. The bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. more

Show us what you love about Polk County! more

Hey, kids! Do you have a message or a wish list you would like to send to Santa? Write him a letter! more

The Bolivar City Fire Department responded to a residential structure fire in the 110 block of North Elgin Avenue at around 1:55 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22. more

The annual Community Thanksgiving dinner at Open Hearts United Methodist Church was once again a success and helped to bring Thanksgiving to many in the community. They were proud to have served 70 dine-in meals and had between 30-40 to go orders. more

Registration will close at 3 p.m. today, Wednesday, Nov. 29, for Share Your Christmas 2023. more

Weather report more

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson cordially invite families to attend this year’s Candlelight Tours and annual tree lighting ceremony at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion on Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. The annual lighting of the tree will be followed by this year’s Candlelight Tours. more

To kick off the Christmas season, Bolivar First Baptist Church invites all to join them from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2 for ‘Christmas at Fellowship Park.’ The community park is located on the corner of Springfield Avenue and Locust Street, just east of the church. The event is free and open to all. more

Stellar Real Estate Company and Billy Bruce Realty will be hosting a community wide event celebrating the Stephens Photography Legacy. more

Saturday, Dec. 2 more

The Salvation Army of Bolivar-Polk County invites members of the public to participate in its annual Red Kettle Campaign this Christmas season. more

South Associate Commissioner Melinda Robertson was elected to the Missouri Association of Counties Workers Compensation Board at the Annual Missouri Association of Counties Conference held last week. more