This year’s college graduates are getting ready to start their new lives! It’s a big transition that includes several important changes. Grads may be moving to a new city, finding a new place to live, or searching for a new job. Graduation also often means new financial responsibilities, such as starting payments on student loans. more

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

Two injured in motorbike accident near Bolivar more

Taney County conservation area to remain open for hiking, hunting, and other authorized uses. more

Local high school students, DeLainie Hedger, Strafford, and Ellie Samek, Bolivar, joined more than one hundred high school students in Missouri’s 62nd annual Missouri Electric Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 15-21. They were sponsored by Southwest Electric Cooperative. more

Bolivar Rotary Club is hosting the 45th annual Celebration of Freedom on Friday, July 4, on the Southwest Baptist University campus. The community event begins at 5:30 p.m. and continues through fireworks at dusk. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Kendrix Wheelbarger was the winner of the gift card to Brenda’s Cafe after winning the June I-Spy game, correctly guessing the Bank of Missouri. Kendrix is proof that reading the paper doesn’t just provide you with news and entertainment, it can pay off as well. more

Russell Jackson, a graduate of Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University, recently joined Anheuser-Busch InBev as its Vice President of Global Legal Policy. The Fortune 500 company is the world’s largest brewer. It has more than 140,000 employees and maintains a presence in more than 50 countries. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital and Pleasant Hope Family Medical Center welcome Jeanine M. Herrera, FNP-C, to the medical staff. more

Friday, July 4 more

Erika Deitch Schwartz will be the speaker at the July 3 meeting of Polk County Genealogical Society. Schwartz was born in 1944 in Nazi-occupied Hungary. She and her mother were the sole survivors of her mother’s entire family. Schwartz will speak about her family and the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. She will speak of the individuality of these people who loved, and were loved, by people who are still alive. This isn’t ancient history and her closing message of hope…that our lives don’t have to be defined by our circumstances…has resonated with many who have heard her speak. Schwartz spoke at the March meeting of the Polk County more

Lewis and Wanda Dodd McBride of Bolivar celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 21, at the Humansville High School reunion. A good time was had visiting with "old " friends. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

The Polk County Courthouse will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of the Independence Day Holiday. more

A tribute to the fireworks guys more

My cousin sent me the cutest card that started off with some little ladybug printed on it with the following “Advice from a Ladybug.” It said, “Spot new opportunities. Spend time in your garden. Be well-rounded. Enjoy the wonders of nature. Don’t let the small things bug you. Keep family close by. Be simply beautiful!” All of these suggestions are great advice and a neat little way to remind us of some of the important things we can easily lose sight of. These cards also had a couple of other neat features. Printed on the back of the card was, “This card is 100% Replanted! New 18-24” seedling trees are planted for all paper used.” This series of cards is part of an “Advice For Life” series. You can learn more about them if you are interested at: myadviceforlife.com. more

Free school supplies, hygiene items for Polk County students more

Bolivar High School recently released its second semester honor roll. According to a school news release, the following students earned spots on the list: more

The annual Halfway Antique-Farm Stock-Classic Tractor Pull will be held on Saturday, July 12, 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, pulled pork, brats and homemade pie will be available. Contact Casey Jones at 417-328-9051 or Dean Voris at 417-399-3665 for more information. more

University of Missouri Nutrition specialist Hannah Whittaker and the Polk County Extension are sponsoring a Stay Strong, Stay Healthy workshop. It will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 15 and concluding on September 2 from 12 noon to 1 pm. It will be held at the Polk County Extension Center, 110 E Jefferson, Bolivar. more

The first time I met Grace Pursley was the first day of fourth grade at Mitchell Elementary. The year was 1954; it was the second year the Mitchell Building was open for classes. more

Bolivar Pentecostal Church of God will be in revival July 18 - 20, with Evangelist Shamgar Deatherage and family from Sterlington, Louisiana. Service times are 7 p.m. nightly and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. more

Teresa Susan Barker more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce is showing its support for local schools and educators once again by preparing welcome bags for new teachers for the upcoming 2025–2026 school year. This annual initiative introduces nearly 100 new educators to the Bolivar area and shows appreciation for their vital role in our communities. more