The annual Halfway Antique-Farm Stock-Classic Tractor Pull reschedule date is Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Lions Club grounds in Halfway. Weigh in starts at 1 p.m. with the first class of tractors pulling at 6 p.m.. All proceeds go towards community projects and facility maintenance. Trophies will be presented to the top four finishers in each class. Admission is $5 per person, 10 and under free. Bring your lawn chairs! Concessions such as grilled hamburgers, pulled pork, brats and homemade pie will be available. Contact Casey Jones at 417-328-9051 or Dean Voris at 417-399-3665 for more information. more

The City of Bolivar has announced the date for a new free music and food truck festival in Bolivar. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar received 2025 Get With The Guidelines® awards from the American Heart Association. more

Hi, I'm Olive! I came to the shelter with my three little babies who have all been adopted since then. I'm a pretty shy girl but would do good in a nice and quiet home where I can nap all day. Someone please give me a good home and I promise to open up and be your best friend. more

Descendants of James and Florence Graves will have their annual family reunion on Monday, Sept. 1, at Springfield Avenue Cafe in Bolivar. more

Monday, Aug. 25 — Chicken or fish sandwich on WG bun, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, tater tots, side salad, fruit Jell_O. more

Don and Pat (Gilden) Cunningham of Republic, are celebrating 65 years of marriage. The couple were both raised in Bolivar, and have spent their lives building a legacy of love, family, and devotion. more

The Bolivar Police Department has seen a recent increase in thefts from vehicles, and officers want to remind drivers to always lock cars when they’re parked and to remove guns and other valuables from the vehicles. more

The reunion of the Bolivar High School classes of 1960 and 1961 will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13. The restaurant is located at Highway U and 13, south of Bolivar. We will eat off the menu. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Citizens Memorial Hospice will offer an eight-week bereavement support group series beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m. more

​The annual Country Days event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Downtown Bolivar Association, along with a large number of volunteers, is proud to bring this event to the community each year. more

Bobby “Grampie” Derryl Andrews more

Kenneth “Kenny” Wayne Choate more

Southwest Baptist University is thrilled to announce the expansion of the Bearcats baseball dugout to include a brand new locker room facility, made possible through a major donation from an anonymous supporter. The upgraded facility is strategically designed to enhance both athletic performance and team culture by offering custom individual lockers, essential storage, access to athletic training space, and a central location for team devotionals, meetings, and relaxation. more

Harvey Edward Carroll Jr. more

IN TODAY’S ISSUE more

Bobby “Grampie” D. Andrews more

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

New college freshmen parents grab the tissues and Ben Gay: Moving-in day is here or looming near. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

God sees what no one else does. He sees the tears, the wrestling, the prayers you never say out loud. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Bolivar High School’s own Mrs. Morgan DeClue has been named the 2025 Outstanding Director for the South-Central District of the Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA). The award, presented at the state conference, is voted on annually by the MCDA membership to recognize excellence in leadership, dedication to music education, and outstanding contributions to the choral profession. more

Amanda McCullah, Early Childhood Special Education teacher, from Bolivar Primary School, Bolivar R-I, was awarded a $500 Missouri Retired Teachers Association-Foundation Classroom Grant for 2025. more