Postseason play came to Polk County Monday night after the Class 1 District 1 softball championship was relocated from Norwood to Bolivar, a more central location between the two finalists. The title game featured a familiar Polk County postseason matchup between the Halfway Lady Cardinals and the Marion C. Early Lady Panthers. This season’s final was the sixth meeting of the two programs in the last seven years of District tournaments. After eliminating the Lady Cardinals in postseason play and eventually earning District titles four straight years in 2020-2023 including back-to-back Final Four runs in 2022 and 2023, the Lady Panthers were reclassified to Class 2 for the 2024 season. This season found both teams back in Class 1 Districts together and the Lady Cardinals looking for a win of their own. more

Pursuant to 50.333 RSMo., the Polk County Salary Commission, is required by law to give notice of the meeting of the Commission. Following is the required notice: The 2025 meeting of the Polk County Salary Commission will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in the Courthouse, 102 East Broadway, Room 12, Bolivar, MO. The County Clerk shall present a report of the financial condition of the County and any other new business that comes before the Salary Commission. more

University of Missouri Extension will host a series of educational programs this fall titled “Baled Late, Fed Smart,” designed to assist livestock producers in managing and utilizing lower-quality hay effectively. more

INSIDE TODAY’S ISSUE more

Daniel Randall more

Laura L. Knapp Miller more

Charles Gire more

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

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Last month, rural community development organization New Growth partnered with Kids Win Missouri to host a local forum on childcare. The event drew lawmakers, community leaders, educators, and families, spotlighting the urgent need for solutions across the state. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

If you know a veteran, send a photo to linda.simmons@bolivarmonews.com, via Facebook, or in person at our local branch at 335 S. Springfield. more

City will Rock the Rec this Saturday more

According to the State Highway Patrol report, on Friday, Oct. 17, at approximately 12:53 a.m., a 2009 Ford Fusion driven by a 37-year-old female ran off the road, striking a utility pole. The accident occurred on E 450th Road at South 68th Road, six miles west of Bolivar. more

Trunk-Or-Treat at Berean Baptist Church more

Friday, Oct. 24 more

Public pre-testing of the Image Cast voting machines for the Nov. 4, 2025 Special Election will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 at the Polk County Road & Bridge Complex conference room, 724 S Killingsworth, Bolivar. Public post-testing of the Image Cast voting machines for the Nov. 4, 2025 Special Election will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 at the Polk County Road & Bridge Complex conference room, 724 S Killingsworth, Bolivar. more

Southwest Baptist men’s soccer closed out a historic weekend on the road with a 3–1 win over William Jewell on Sunday afternoon. The victory completed the Bearcats’ first full GLVC weekend sweep since the program’s restart after a shutout 3-0 victory on Friday over Truman State. This secured their most points in a single season since joining the conference, with 11 so far, with three games left to play. SBU was also the only GLVC team to go 2–0 this weekend. more

SBU Basketball is excited to host their annual meet the players night on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. This event is for all to come meet the 2025-26 men’s and women’s basketball teams, and will take place in the IM gym at the SBU Meyer Wellness Center. more

Friday, Oct. 17, the Bolivar Liberators motored down to Carl Junction for an Ozark Mountain Conference matchup and a chance to move up in the district standings. more

Colt Blair more

As someone who loves the great outdoors, this is my favorite time of the year. I am betting that for most of you reading this, it is your favorite time too. It is a special feeling that comes over us. more

I’ve been an active member of many civic organizations since coming to Buffalo in 1978. I had never before been a “joiner,” outside of Future Farmers of America in high school. The eldest son of a former FFA member, I didn’t give joining FFA any thought at all. I just did it. That was what farm boys did. more

Oct. 20, 2025, marked the start of School Bus Safety Week and the Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists that school bus safety is an important part of driver etiquette. more

Bolivar High School is excited to welcome local senior citizens for a night of great food, entertainment, and community connection at the annual BHS Senior Citizen Night on Thursday, Nov. 6. This free event is a beloved Bolivar tradition celebrating the district’s appreciation for the senior members of our community. more