The Downtown Bolivar Association is now accepting applications for vendors who would like to sign up for a booth space at Country Days. This annual event hosts a variety of organizations and vendors who offer food, entertainment, and other goods. This year, Country Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. more

Congratulations to Melissa Hegle for correctly guessing this month’s location, the Bolivar Recreation and Aquatics Center. Watch for a new location starting on May 1. more

A fifteen-year-old male perished in a dirtbike accident on April 29. Corporal J.R. Rorie was called to 540th Road, west of Pleasant Hope, at 6:00 p.m. for the single-vehicle incident. The juvenile male, from Bolivar, was driving a 2022 Honda CRF125F bike traveling westbound when he lost control on a rutted roadway. The bike flipped, killing the rider, who was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Dr. Assman at 6:47 p.m. The teenager was taken to Pitts Funeral Home by Polk County Assistant Coroner Purselly and the bike was picked up by the owner. Next of kin has been notified.  more

Citizens Memorial Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 24-05, extending Missouri’s drought alert to Sept. 1, 2024. The action directs continued coordination of resources and combined response efforts across state government until conditions improve in drought-impacted areas. more

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

Kenneth “Kenny” R. Wieland more

My brother often tells me that a favorite expression among gardeners is “maybe next year” when things didn’t necessarily go according to plan. Maybe the weather conditions weren’t exactly right that year or maybe there just weren't enough hours in the day to implement whatever it was, but there was always that hope that perhaps next year would be different. more

Halfway Missionary Baptist Church will hold homecoming services Sunday, April 28. Regular services starting at 10 a.m., preaching at 11 a.m. by Bro. Donnie Lane, followed by lunch. Viles Family singing in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome. more

Friends of the Polk County Library will once again hold their spring book sale on Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the library in Bolivar. more