Friday, Feb. 10, 100 volunteers had the honor of welcoming 124 guests to Night to Shine 2023, the first in-person event since the beginning of COVID. more

At just 23 years of age, Bolivar resident Dustin Coffin is on his way to running his own restaurant, having already mastered the successful food truck business Dusty Bob’s. more

Bolivar Intermediate School was covered with pretty girls, proud dads, flowers, ice cream and lots of smiles and laughter. The Valentine’s Daughter Dance, Thursday, Feb. 9, was a first time for third graders and a final time for fifth graders, to enjoy a fun evening of socializing and getting their dancing shoes busy. more

On February 2, 2023, a Polk County jury found defendant Raymond L. Hilliard guilty of one count of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Evidence was accepted by the Court to prove that Mr. Hilliard was a persistent DWI offender due to having two prior DWI convictions, from years 2000 and 2018. Due to the persistent offender status, this charge is a class E felony, and carries a range of up to four years in prison. Sentencing is set for April 3, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. more

Polk County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted a murder-suicide investigation at a Bolivar residence on Friday, Feb. 3. more

Community Outreach Ministries recently made their 2022 Annual Report available to the public, highlighting some of their work and accomplishments from the past year. more

Three people from Bolivar were hurt in a single-car wreck at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 near the town of Polk. more

On Monday, Jan. 23, Governor Mike Parson announced the appointment of Tim Francka, of Bolivar, to the Missouri State University Board of Governors. more

Local elections in Polk County are set for Tuesday, April 4. Several boards and other races will be on the ballot. more

The Bolivar Herald-Free Press is asking the public to nominate a Polk County pillar, an individual in the community who has contributed to the pride and progress of the county. These pillars will be featured in the BH-FP’s yearly Pride and Progress special section to be released in the Wednesday, Mar. 29 newspaper. more

The 69 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Ozarks area kicked off the 30th annual Share a Heart Campaign on Tuesday, Jan. 24 by giving customers the opportunity to donate to Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald House Charities. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital announces plans to expand mental health services in 2023 by making mental health appointments more readily available for patients in their service areas. more

Several injuries resulted from a two-vehicle collision on Mo. 13 at Rt. KK on Saturday, Jan. 21. more

The City of Bolivar is pleased to announce it was recently awarded funding for its proposed East Loop Road project. more

A man from Fair Play was arrested on Monday, Jan. 9 after allegedly attacking someone with a knife. more

The community is invited to a benefit spaghetti dinner and dessert auction to support a firefighter with the Central Polk County Fire Protection District (CPCFPD). more

The Missouri Department of Transportation recently began their scheduled maintenance on sidewalks in Bolivar as part of recent work in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. more

Polk County Community Connections is introducing a new holiday to the community. Parental Resilience Day will be held annually on January 28 in order to recognize the importance of strengthening families and promoting resources for parents and children. more

Southwest Baptist University and Next Level Solutions are partnering to help address the shortage of technical workers in the Ozarks by offering technical classes at a reduced rate. The partnership decreases the cost of computer science courses at SBU’s new dual-credit program, SBU Academy.  more

Two men were hurt in a two-vehicle collision near Bolivar at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10. more

Many people don’t often complain about a mild winter weather that ranges in the 50s and 60s, but as the daytime wanes, a chilly air begins to take hold and the unsheltered individuals of the community are forced to find a place to escape the bitter cold of the night. more

In honor of National Poverty in America Awareness Month, Community Outreach Ministries (COM) has taken the time to share some of the ways they are helping alleviate poverty in Polk County. more

Thursday, December 29, 2022 was Food Service Director Anna Williams’ last day at Bolivar Schools. more

A man and woman from Bolivar face charges for allegedly neglecting a child, resulting in the child’s death. more

On Wednesday, Dec. 28., a retirement party was held for Judge Elizabeth V. Rohrs and Prosecuting Attorney Kenneth Ashlock to commemorate their years of service to the Polk County Circuit Court. more