The Central Polk County Fire Protection District has called for a special tax levy election on Aug. 8, for the residents within their boundaries. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

At just 50 years of age, a former sports reporter for the Bolivar Herald-Free Press passed away last week. more

Sending off summer with a splash, Polk County Library gave local families a chance to get in some fun in the sun at its annual Wet ‘n Wild event on Thursday, July 27. Library staff prepared free food, water play, and other outdoor activities for over one hundred individuals. more

As summer vacation comes to a close, it’s almost that time of year when parents rush to the stores for supplies and teachers dress up their classrooms to welcome back fresh-faced students. more

While donations of supplies have poured in, organizers of Saturday’s Tenth Annual Polk County Back to School Extravaganza say more are always needed. more

Ryan Middaugh's outstanding season continued Saturday night, as he grabbed another Lucas Oil Speedway Cedar Creek Beef Jerky USRA Modified feature victory. more

A Missouri State University student from Halfway was awarded for her success at the 2023 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 22-25. more

See what’s going on in Polk County! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Some events may require registration or admission fees; please contact the organization for more details. more

Brush up on your history of Polk County with these highlights from past issues of the BH-FP. more

Some drought-stricken corn may have more value as cattle feed than grain this year. more

This time of year we receive a lot of calls about Johnsongrass. Is it bad for my cows? Will it kill my cows? Is it true that it can cause cattle to abort? more

The other half of this summer’s “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, “Oppenheimer” did so well in its second weekend that it gets a full review all its own. Sure, it came in a distant second to “Barbie” both weekends, but with an estimated $174 million at the domestic box office thus far, it’s more than on pace to become the biggest movie of all time to never win a weekend. The unofficial, counterintuitive, and highly-unusual “Barbenheimer” marketing campaign (“contrast the glittery comedy with a drama about the atomic bomb”) certainly helped this film’s box office, but it’s a strong enough movie that I’d like to think that it could have been a hit even without its unlikely pink ally. more

Warren. That was his name. I didn't know him, but I knew he was a bad kid. He was getting busted by our teacher every day. more

An unknown caller has been contacting businesses in the Polk County area under the guise of the Bolivar Wrestling Team. more

Jennie Irene Mayfield more

Tony Rankin has joined the Citizens Memorial Hospice chaplain team with Austin McCrickard. CMH Hospice chaplains are members of the care team and provide spiritual and emotional support for hospice patients and their families. more

Two Citizens Memorial Hospital family medicine clinics in Bolivar will offer free sports physicals to student-athletes next week.  more

The August Polk County Community Connections breakfast meeting is at 7:30 a.m. this Thursday, Aug. 3, in the community room at Citizens Memorial Hospital, 1500 N. Oakland, Bolivar. A free breakfast is provided. more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

In the wake of drought, Missouri livestock producers face dwindling water supplies for their herds. more

James Doyal Mitchell more

Mary Lou Lockstead more

Weather report more