Public pre-testing of the Image Cast voting machines for the Nov. 4, 2025 Special Election will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 at the Polk County Road & Bridge Complex conference room, 724 S Killingsworth, Bolivar. more

Friends of the Polk County Library will hold their fall book sale on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the library in Bolivar. more

I was absolutely sure when I gave away my last hens that I was done with chickens. more

What comes next? Hey, bust a move more

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those that love him.” more

Berean Baptist Church, 4450 Scenic Ave., Bolivar, is hosting a free community-wide Trunk-Or-Treat event coming up on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 4-6 p.m. Trunk-Or-Treat will feature lots of family friendly games, inflatables, snacks, hot apple cider and hot chocolate, and of course, plenty of candy. This event is for kids of all ages, and everyone is encouraged to dress up and come on out for a great time. For more information you can call the church office at 417-326-7758. more

Friday, Oct. 17 more

The Matilda Polk Campbell chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, Oct. 18. Jean Vincent will present a program on “Who Are the Northern Cherokee?” Please contact the chapter at matildapolkcampbell@gmail.com to obtain details about meeting time and place. more

The Polk County Retired School Personnel meeting will meet Tuesday, Oct 21 at 9 a.m. at Brenda’s Cafe. We will eat breakfast and then hear our speaker, Gerald Andrews, presenting about the growth of CMH. For more information or questions contact Jodie Young at 417-327-3094. more

The Polk County Democrats will be meeting on Oct. 20, at Basil and Bourbon restaurant 113 S. Main Street in Bolivar. For those who want to come early for dinner that time is 5-6:15 p.m. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. more

The Polk County Museum will be open Oct. 16, 17 and 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. A display of Cherokee straight dancing regalia will be on display during those hours. more

Polk County Christian School will be celebrating Veterans Day again with a special program. They are inviting veterans in the community as well as veterans in their PCCS families to join them on Friday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. This will be a time of celebration, as well as a time to remind students and guests about the importance of our veterans. As always, all branches of the military will be recognized during the program! Join them as they celebrate our nation, the freedoms we have, and the ones who have sacrificed to ensure those freedoms. more

If you know a veteran, send a photo to linda.simmons@bolivarmonews.com, via Facebook, or in person at our local branch at 335 S. Springfield. more

This past weekend was a special time for many Bearcat alumni as well as four Bearcats who etched their name into history by being inducted into the SBU Athletics Hall of Fame. The inductees were joined by family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and athletes as they earned this distinct honor. Those inducted into the Hall of Fame include Natalie (O’Keefe) Goatley, Fanni Varga, Corey McElhaney, and Garry Brandt. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital has awarded Cyndi Zerbey, LPN, the DAISY Platinum Award after she received 10 nominations for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Zerbey is a licensed practical nurse with CMH’s Medical Surgical Unit. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

We are the wildlings! Wolf, Coyote, Fox and Dingo. We are clearly smart as a whip, but we weren't socialized quite as much as we should've been. Rest assured, there is still time. If you have the patience, you'll see that we really want to trust and love. We are guessed to be a mix of Kelpie and Lab. Those ears! We are not aggressive, just scared but willing to take a treat - so we know the good things in life already. With time and patience, we are already learning that the world isn't so scary - and that humans can be kind, predictable and full of treats. Are you the human to show me the ropes? more

When the Bolivar, MO, Board of Aldermen met October 14, 2025, members Price, Ballard, Ross, Sagasar, Raines, Neal and Wilson were present, with only Moores absent. The agenda included thirteen items, including a closed session to discuss legal matters. more

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s office, Leonna Nicole Risner has been formally charged with first-degree domestic assault with serious physical injury and armed criminal action. She is currently being held in the Polk County Jail with no bond.​ more

Bolivar graduate, Shae Smith will represent Missouri at the Miss USA 2025 pageant in Reno, Nevada. The pageant will be held at the Grand Sierra Resort from Oct. 18-24. The event can be viewed on Queen Beauty Network, which requires purchasing a ticket for the live broadcast. more

New life coming to the old Casebolt Student Apartments more

IN TODAY’S ISSUE more

Mary K. Webb more

Unless you lived in a city all your life, you have probably driven or walked down an old dirt road. Maybe it was a road home, a road to grandparents’ house, or to a favorite fishing or hunting spot. more

Monday, Oct. 20 — Beef taco salad, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and sour cream, WG chips, fiesta veggies, churro pudding. more