The Bolivar Area Community Foundation (an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks) is seeking applications for grants from two funds. The Human Services-Community Betterment Fund is granting $15,000 within the range of $3,000 per agency. Only 501c3 agencies may apply every two years. The deadline for submitting grant applications is October 1. more

Juanita Colleen (McLey) Stretch more

Linda Marie Cansler more

Marlin Lincoln more

Linda V. Bigler more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Hermitage, MO - Blackberry (Rubus sp.) is a warm season, native, perennial, woody shrub, or more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Gregory Thomas, 43, of Marseilles, Illinois, faces four felony charges more

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, encourages everyone to plan for a safe 2024 Labor Day weekend. Whether you are on the water or on the road, it’s everyone's responsibility to travel safely and observe all Missouri laws. Never operate a vehicle or vessel while you are impaired. Alcohol affects your judgment, reaction time, vision, coordination, and comprehension. The movement of the boat, vibration and noise from the boat’s motor, sun, and wind are all boating stressors and enhance the effect of alcohol on your body. If alcohol is part of your water activities, drink responsibly, and never operate a vessel if you’ve consumed alcohol. more

The Bolivar Police Department hopes to encourage neighborly relationships and share free fun for families and folks of all ages at an upcoming community event. more

Mom seeks advice for her rearranged life more

“Alien: Romulus” started out at a disadvantage with me because I haven’t liked any of the “Alien” films that came before it. I’m not just talking about the heavily-maligned third and fourth installments from the 90s, the “Predator” crossovers from the 2000s, or the uneven Michael Fassbender arc of the 2010s. I mean that even the “classic” original from 1979 and beloved first sequel from 1986 have never done it for me. I find them to be little more than glorified haunted house movies with one cool creature design and some extra squishy special effects. That isn’t to say that I think they’re terrible, exactly, just not worthy of their pedestals in popular culture. Now “Alien: Romulus” is a movie that I do think is terrible, exactly. more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Business of the Year and Community Partner of the Year along with new business awards, including a People’s Choice selection. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

The Polk County Courthouse will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024 in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. more

On Saturday, Aug. 17, a gathering of tractor pullers met at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Bolivar for another competition. more

The annual Halfway Antique-Farm Stock-Classic Tractor Pull will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Lions Club grounds in Halfway. Weigh in starts at 1 p.m. with the first class of tractors pulling at 6 p.m. All proceeds go towards community projects and facility maintenance. Trophies will be presented to the top four finishers in each class. Admission is $5 per person, 10 and under free. Bring your lawn chairs! Concessions such as grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and homemade pie will be available. Contact Casey Jones at 417-328-9051 or Dean Voris at 417-399-3665 for more information. more

The Marion C. Early schools welcome some new faces to the staff for the 2024-25 school year. more

As the new school year gets underway and your child begins using the internet for schoolwork or to play games with friends, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) has tips for teaching them how to stay safe online. more

Get ready for the annual Country Days event coming up, Saturday, Sept. 7. The event is scheduled to take place beginning at 9 a.m. on the Bolivar square and promises to be a full day of fun for everyone. Entertainment, booths to shop at, games, food vendors and crafters, car show, Tommy Hawks axe throwing, Polk County Bike Club Bike Ride…something for everyone. There will be street shows to enjoy as well as entertainment on the Main Street stage. more

Monday, Aug. 26 — Beef and noodles, Antigua veggies, wheat roll, apple crisp. more

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

Saturday, Aug. 24 more

Bolivar resident Christopher Richards, 52, was seriously injured when his 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special collided with another vehicle on Highway 13, just north of Springfield. more