School supplies collected now Planning is underway for the 11th annual Polk County Back to School Extravaganza, a charitable event that provides Polk County K-12 students with school supplies and other needed products. This year’s drive-through event is from 8 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 3, on the Bolivar High School campus, located at 1401 Highway D in Bolivar. more

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

The Southwest Missouri Horse Show Association is hosting an All Breed Gaited Horse Show on Saturday, July 20, at the Bolivar Saddle Club. Start time is 7 p.m. The show will offer classes for Fox Trot and Walking horses. There will also be a Lead Line class for children not quite ready to ride on their own, as well as a Walk Only class for those 11-years-old and under just starting out. This is open to any breed. Concession will be by Bar G Ranch. There is no admission charge. more

Twenty Bearcats earned the Great Lakes Valley Conference highest academic honor, Council of Presidents’ Academic Excellence award. The recipients of this award exemplify the outstanding student-athletes across the GLVC. Each honoree has exhausted their eligibility in their intercollegiate sport and maintained a 3.5 GPA throughout their academic career. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

The Board of Aldermen approved the new logo in the Tuesday, May 28, board meeting, and staff has been working to implement the new design. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

The Sew ‘N’ Sew Quilt Guild will meet Friday, July 19, at United Methodist Church, 105 E. Division Street, Bolivar. Please come to the east entrance into the fellowship hall. Social time starts at 9:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and the meeting to follow at 11 a.m. The program this month will be Sashiko quilting techniques by Tammy Condren and Elizabeth Morgan. All those interested in quilting are welcome. more

Monday, July 15 — Pigs in a blanket, potato wedges, slaw, Mandarin orange dessert. more

Writer reports from an ocean away more

Polk County Democrats Meeting will be Monday, July 15, at Smith's Restaurant, dinner optional at 5:30 p.m. with meeting at 6:30 p.m. more

The City of Bolivar has officially opened the application process for this year’s managed deer hunt. more

“Native warm season grasses can be an important forage as cattle operations move to the summer months,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. more

The annual Halfway Antique-Farm Stock-Classic Tractor Pull will be held on Saturday, July 13, at the Lions Club grounds in Halfway. more

On Monday, July 8, Polk County Central Dispatch welcomed a large crowd to witness the milestone that has been a vision of many for two decades. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

James Hanger is entering his fifth season at the helm of the SBU women’s volleyball team beginning in Fall of 2024. Across the previous four seasons, he has turned the program around finishing with 14 wins the last two seasons, the most in back-to-back seasons since 1987 and 1988. more

Saturday, July 13 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

Sugar Bear more

July 15-20 more

As with everything else, produce prices have gone through the roof. Just a few years ago, I could get grapes and apples for $1 - $1.50 per pound. Now, if I see those prices, I think I have hit the jackpot. No wonder slot machines use three cherries for a win. more

School supplies collected now more

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a school bus driver, please join Bolivar Schools for a bus driver open house on Tuesday, July 23, at Bolivar High School from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Food will be provided. You will learn all the specifics of school bus driving, and you can even get behind the wheel and take a short drive on a bus! more

Citizens Memorial Hospital announces that Julie Gordon, a registered nurse in the Medical/Surgical Unit, has received the CMH DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for April 2024. more