Coming off a packed early season and holiday break, the Lady Liberators returned to the pool for their first meet of 2025 on Saturday, Jan. 4 at the Parkview Valkyrie Invitational in Springfield. The team went more than two weeks without a contest during the break but jumped into the second half of the season Saturday looking rested and ready to compete. more

Stockton, MO-“Adding value to your cattle helps make your cattle operation profitable,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. Therefore, MU Extension is partnering with Missouri State University to provide the SW MO Beef Cattle Conference, which will educate cattle producers on strategies that will add value to their beef cattle operation. more

Boys more

Funds will generate more capacity for biofuels in Missouri. more

On a January day several years ago, my wife and I were at the weekend cabin we once owned in the wooded hills south of Ozark. It was our special place to escape to. Winter was our quiet time there. Not as many visitors came as in other seasons. more

I thought it peculiar when I first read a recent auto crash report in the local paper that the names of the people involved were omitted. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. Columbia College recently announced its dean’s list for the Fall 2024 Semester (August-December 2024). To be named to the dean's list, a student must have completed 12 credit hours in a 16-week period and achieved a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0-point scale. more

Thursday, Jan. 9 more

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

The Bolivar Elks Lodge will be hosting their 16th Annual Chili Cook-off on Saturday, Jan. 11. more

Amidst a chaotic sports season, two Bearcat student-athletes put the emphasis on the student aspect midway through their season. On Oct.13, 2024, seniors Julia Johnson and Trevor Talley got the incredible opportunity to present at the American Chemical Society (ACS) at the Midwest regional conference at Creighton University. more

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch covering nearly every Missouri county from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning. The forecast indicates snow and sleet accumulations of more than 10 inches in many areas, particularly in northern Missouri, and notes power outages and tree damage are likely due to ice. Nighttime temperatures are expected to be in the single digits and windchill values may drop to -40°F. more

Only 11 months until Christmas. more

Weather report more

A winter storm went through the area Sunday, Jan. 5, leaving a layer of ice over the county. Power companies had crews working around the clock to regain power for residents, road crews had their work cut out for them trying to keep roadways clear for traveling. By Tuesday, most areas were getting back to normal as the forecast is calling for another storm system to come through the area later in the week. more

Deaths more

Deaths more

Jay Zimmerman more

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

Stockton, MO-The SW MO Spring Forage Conference will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, Missouri. more

National contest winner, parents and teacher will receive trip to Washington, D.C.; entry deadline is Jan. 24, 2025 more

MARRIAGE APPLICATIONS more

This often misunderstood concept in American politics is one of the key factors that make America a Constitutional Republic and not a straight Democracy. The system was created to preserve the concepts of Federalism, or the rights of the states. It keeps major population centers from being the sole creators of U.S. policy. For example, California has a significantly higher number of people than Nebraska, and have very different political values. If elections were straight democracies, the vote would always go the way of CA, NY, and other large states. With the EC, states with smaller populations can make their voice heard. The number of electors for each state is the number of national representatives. Each state has two senators and a varying number of representatives based on population. Contrary to what the name implies, the system is not a college, but a group of electors who cast their votes for the candidate who wins the majority of their state's votes. However, the electoral college can, but hasn't, go against the votes of the people in their area. Though many people do not like the electoral college, it would take two-thirds of the states or congressional votes to amend it or remove it from U.S. policy.  more

Monday, Jan. 6 — Chili with cheese, sour cream and onion, house salad, cornbread, dessert more