How well do you know Polk County? more

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

Donors can help hospitals stay prepared to weather challenges this summer more

Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) has tips for older adults and their loved ones to take extra safeguards against scams and fraud this. more

JoBeth Wilhelmina Black more

JoBeth W. Black more

DEATHS more

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

Polk County Democrats Meeting July 15, at Smith's Restaurant, dinner optional at 5:30 p.m. with meeting at 6:30 p.m. more

School supplies collected now more

The Bolivar Barracudas hosted Willard in a final home meet of the summer season with a first ever night meet for the program on Monday, July 1. Nearly 170 swimmers took to the pool for the two teams with 66 competing for the Barracudas. more

Liberator tennis teams hosted a summer tournament Wednesday, June 26 with 35 experienced players from Bolivar, Branson, Lebanon, Monett, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, and Rolla competing at SBU and BHS throughout the day. After an early morning rain delay, matches extended into the afternoon heat with multiple Liberators playing third rounds. Liberators landed in both the girls’ and boys’ championship matches. BHS incoming junior Kami Bryan took second to Monett’s Lizzie Smith with a 4-8 loss in the girls’ championship while incoming sophomore Liberator Mac Rich finished at the top of the boys’ bracket with a 8-5 win in a hot and competitive final match of the day. more

Thursday, June 27, Bolivar showed up big time for Bolivar Night at the Cardinals. The annual Chamber of Commerce event brought community members together to watch Bolivar perform, play, and enjoy a night out at the ballgame.  more

Far left, Emmy Murphy; Front left, Gracie Woods; Back row, Yainelys Vega Chen, Katie Long, Nixon Marsh, Raleigh Hemphill, Isabella Williamson, Annlee Ray, Ellie Neal, Amelia Lindsay, Joy Iu, Avery Wasmer. Coaches, Will Marsh, Zack Murphy and Justin Wasmer. more

In May, the Bolivar Educational Advancement Foundation (BEAF) awarded the Bolivar High School Class of 2024 with nearly $30,000 in scholarships. more

The BMS Football team is excited to get to work this Summer in preparation for their season. If you are an incoming 7th or 8th grader at BMS and are interested in playing football in the Fall, the dates below are important. For 7th graders and those new to the program, during this week we will start learning our offense and defense, and we will also be learning plays and the different position skills on both offense and defense. By making it to camp, you will be ahead of the game when practices start on August 16th. more

See 2024 Fall Deer & Turkey Hunting Regulations and Information booklet for more information. more

The Potts Family and the Bolivar Educational Advancement Foundation (BEAF) will host the Annual Doug Potts Classic For Kids on Monday, July 15 at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar. more

SBU Head Cross Country and Track and Field coach Corey McElhaney is entering his 18th season leading the Bearcats. During his tenure he has coached more than 50 All-Americans, two National Champions, and five team conference championships. more

Apply online starting July 1 at mdc.mo.gov/managedhunt. more

Summer in the Ozarks brings us warm weather, sunny days, and for those of us that enjoy stream fishing, smallmouth bass season. more

Voting absentee for the August Primary Election will begin on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. The Polk County Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and open through the lunch hour for absentee voting. more

The Bolivar Barracudas youth swim team is back in the pool for a new season. After opening on June 13 at Drury University in Springfield, the Barracudas held their first of two home meets at the Bolivar Recreation and Aquatic Center last Friday, June 21 hosting Ozark and Nixa. more

The BMS Football team is excited to get to work this Summer in preparation for their season. If you are an incoming 7th or 8th grader at BMS and are interested in playing football in the Fall, the dates below are important. For 7th graders and those new to the program, during this week we will start learning our offense and defense, and we will also be learning plays and the different position skills on both offense and defense. By making it to camp, you will be ahead of the game when practices start on August 16th. more

SBU football head coach Robert Clardy will be entering his 10th season at the helm of the Bearcats. The alumnus and record holding quarterback is the all-time winningest head coach in SBU football history with 37 wins. more