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

Ann Elizabeth Ladish more

Tuesday, Dec. 10, Fair Grove Eagles fresh off the state championship football game traveled to the Bolivar field house to challenge the Bolivar Liberators. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

The Polk County Courthouse will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 17, for an employee Christmas lunch. Thank you. more

“Gladiator II” has some awfully big sandals to fill, both commercially and creatively. Its predecessor, 2000’s “Gladiator,” made $187 million at the domestic box office. The new film has thus farmade an estimated $132 million after three weekends of release. With a lot of money up for grabs in the upcoming holiday season, another $55 million isn’t out of the question. Maybe I could even stretch to see it making the $68 million it needs to hit the $200 million mark. Yes, inflation means that it’s less impressive to make these numbers now than it did nearly a quarter-century ago, but these are attainable goals. What I do not see as attainable is the sequel ever becoming as well-regarded as the original. That film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, so already the new one has to live up to an impossibly more

The Department is investigating numerous reports of sick and dead waterfowl across Missouri. more

SBU Director of Athletics, Clark Sheehy, announces Ashley Vest as the new SBU Cheer and Stunt coach. Vest joins the Bearcats with over 20 years of cheer and business owner experience. more

Hello, I'm Clementine. I may be a bit bashful at first, but I promise, it's worth getting to know me. I'm a bit of a lone ranger, cherishing my solitude and independence. I enjoy spending my days observing the world around me, and finding joy in the little things. I may not be the first to greet you, but once I trust you, I'll be your cuddle bug. more

The LWML Ladies Guild at Zion Lutheran Church held a chicken noodle dinner and bazaar fundraiser in November, and with the proceeds, they were able to support many local organizations. One of those organizations was the Heart of the Ozarks West (HOTO) chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Other organizations receiving funding were Alpha House, House of Hope, Community Outreach Ministries, S.O.A.R., Bolivar PD Shop with a Cop, and Care to Learn – Bolivar. more

Friday, Dec. 13 more

Do you recognize where this might be? Watch each week for a picture to see if you can guess where it is. A new picture of the same spot will be featured each Wednesday and Friday. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing from the entries with the correct guess. Winner will be announced in the last edition of that month’s Friday paper. Place your guess for the chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the sponsoring business. more

Monday, Dec. 16 — Ham and Beans, tomatoes and zucchini, WG cornbread, peanut butter fudge. more

Get out of your house and go to a quiet place. Escape the politics, diversity and division. more

St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 9, 2024 – As the year winds down, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) is writing its naughty list of the top 12 holiday scams. more

The Christmas season is in full swing with parades, events and celebrations. There is still time to enjoy this year's beautiful Light the Park drive through. more

Deaths more

DEATHS more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation on a unique program to establish white oak seed orchards on private land. These orchards are intended to provide a steady supply of white oak acorns from trees of known quality and growth characteristics, says Brian Schweiss, MU Extension specialist in sustainable forestry. more

David Hailey more

When life is far from fa-la-la-la-la more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

For some area birds, winter is a time to come together. more

Daxton Potts, 9, of Bolivar, bagged a big buck on Nov. 24. He smiles with pride as he poses with his kill. more

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is offering 30 high school students representing 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, as well as farm families, throughout Missouri the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture through the 2025 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA). MAbA is a competitive program for sophomores interested in pursuing agriculture-related degrees and careers. more