Hey, kids! Do you have a message or a wish list you would like to send to Santa? Write him a letter! more

How well do you know Polk County? more

The community enjoyed a Candy Land Christmas at Pleasant Hope on Saturday, Dec. 2. Along with Grand Marshall Rick Davis the community seeing the Christmas spirit come to the community. more

Friday, Dec. 8 more

”Bull breeding soundness exams (BSE) are important to make sure bulls are ready for the upcoming breeding season,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. These exams determine if bulls are physically and reproductively sound to breed cows during the breeding season. more

The Polk County University of Missouri Extension will be sponsoring a Beginning Beekeeping Workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 11. It will be held at the Polk County Fairgrounds Activities building, 4560 S. 100th Road, Bolivar. There is no charge for the workshop. more

Transforming Mental Health Education: A Next-Gen Approach for Aspiring Nurses more

Filing began at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5 and the deadline to file is 4 p.m. Dec. 26. File at the central office during regular business hours, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. The order of filing will be the order on the ballot. Voting is for two spots on the school board. more

Friday, Dec. 1, Mark and Susie Stephens were surrounded by family and friends, not saying goodbye, just wishing them well after their recent retirement. Stephens Photography has been a major part of Bolivar for over 75-years and the number of lives they have provided priceless memories for is unlimited. The reception, organized by Stellar Real Estate and Billy Bruce Real Estate, gave the community an opportunity to visit with the couple. The Stephens Photography era may be coming to an end, but they will be remembered by many for years to come. more

“Harbinger of winter” is a term that has a more somber feel to it than its warm-weather counterpart – “harbinger of spring.” However, one marker of seasonal change – the arrival ofdark-eyed juncos – is a well-known sign post of winter that makes everyone smile. more

I’ve learned a lot about farming in my 75 years, but most of it I’ve forgotten within the last 10. more

As a child, I kept my hands clenched in my lap instead of raising them to answer a teacher’s question. As a teen, my hands worked as a waitress. As a college student, they turned pages of textbooks and counted money as a teller. As a mama, I patted babies and may have swatted the behinds of my disobedient children. more

On Thursday evening, Nov. 9, the Polk County Clover Kids met for their monthly meeting. The theme was “all things trees”. The young dendrologists explored trees by identifying leaves, counting the rings in a “tree cookie” to determine the age of a tree and by making leaf prints. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Stellar Real Estate Company and Billy Bruce Realty will be hosting a community wide event celebrating the Stephens Photography Legacy. more

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) is pleased to inform you that Humansville R‐IV is the awardee of the Stronger Connections (SCG) Grant in the amount of $343,750.00. The purpose of the SCG is to provide students with safe, healthy, and supportive learning opportunities and environments. This will be accomplished through the plan you have articulated in your grant application and additional correspondence with the department. SCG was established by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act funded through Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. By accepting the funds, Humansville R‐IV agrees to follow state and federal statute and regulation regarding the uses of funds and reporting. more

Jeannie Francisco happily poses with her gift card to Brenda’s Cafe after winning the I-Spy game, correctly guessing Bolivar Intermediate School. Jeannie is proof that reading the paper doesn’t just provide you with news and entertainment, it can pay off as well. more

Top harvest counties were Franklin, Texas, and Howell. more

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

Show us what you love about Polk County! more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Saturday, Dec. 2 more

Christmas is a time for giving, and with the upcoming holiday season upon us, organizations are seeking gift donations. This year, the community can donate stocking stuffers to the specialized care program at Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. more

The Warming Center is a ministry associated with Polk County Cares (PCC), a nonprofit faith-based organization whose main focus is connecting people and empowering them to transform their lives through caring relationships. more