Lace up those running shoes, get out of the den and let the polar bear run during the 46th annual Polar Bear Run on Saturday, Feb. 8. more

The Second Annual deer hunters dinner, hosted by TPE (The Pursuit Element), will Saturday, Jan. 18 at the Polk County Fairgrounds. more

The Bolivar Elks Lodge will be hosting their 16th Annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 11. more

Saturday, Jan 11 more

Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Marionville Lady Comets braved a cold winter night to travel to Bolivar to make up for a canceled basketball game. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

The Polk County University of Missouri Extension Council will hold their annual election from Jan. 13 thru Jan. 17. Balloting may be done online or in person at the Polk County Extension Center, 110 E Jefferson, Bolivar, Mo. The online link may be found on the extension Facebook page on Jan. 13 at https://www.facebook.com/www.polkcounty.edu . Ballots may be requested to be mailed by calling the office at 417-326-4916. more

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

Monday, Jan. 13 — BBQ beef stuffed baked potato, cheese, sour cream, onion, side salad, WG breadstick, brownie. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Sew "N" Sew Quilt Guild will meet on Friday, Jan. 17 at United Methodist Church, 105 E. Division Street. Please come to the east entrance into the Fellowship Hall. Social time is at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting starts at 10 a.m. Amber with Sew Simple in Ozark will speak on “How to Design a Quilt Block”. All those interested in quilting are welcome to attend. Please contact Elizabeth Morgan at 417-422-7195 for more information. more

Tommy Dwaine Orrell more

This past summer, local artist Larry Johnston spent several weeks teaching acrylic painting to the Young at Art class at the senior center. He produced a painting with various natural features, including a waterfall. After the course, he graciously donated his painting to the class. He suggested that we use it as a fundraiser. As a result, we held a raffle in November and Bolivar resident Gary White was the winner. Mr. Johnston joined the members of our art group in presenting the picture to White, who donated the painting to the Senior Center to be enjoyed by everyone. more

Today is Clean off Your Desk Day more

Index more

DEATHS more

Stay Alert and Know the Signs of Human Trafficking more

Monday, Jan. 13 more

Due to an editorial error in the story regarding the Bolivar Liberators playing for the championship game, the team they were playing against was the Republic Tigers, not the Greenwood Bluejays. We apologize for the error. more

Estella Grace Carlin, the daughter of David and Bethany Carlin of Osceola, was the first baby born at CMH in 2025. Sarah Kallberg, D.O., with CMH OB/GYN Clinic delivered Estella at 11:12 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Carly Cribbs more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Coming off a packed early season and holiday break, the Lady Liberators returned to the pool for their first meet of 2025 on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Parkview Valkyrie Invitational in Springfield. The team went more than two weeks without a contest during the break but jumped into the second half of the season Saturday looking rested and ready to compete. more

Stockton, MO-“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more