Today's scammers want gift cards as payment, leaving those unaware of this tactic vulnerable to schemes designed to commit fraud. Better Business Bureau (BBB) research shows fraud reports to BBB Scam Tracker involving gift cards as a form of payment spiked in the first three quarters of 2023, up 50% from the same period the year prior. Scammers have doubled down on gift cards as a method to steal money from consumers – especially online shoppers – leading retailers to implement new fraud prevention solutions in response. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The holiday season is a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year, says Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. more

This month's winner is Jeannie Francisco. Jeannie correctly guessed Bolivar Intermediate School. Watch for a new location starting Nov. 29. more

Christmas is a time for giving, and with the 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

Citizens Memorial Hospice held their annual Lights of Remembrance event Monday, Nov. 13, at the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar. more

Having opportunities to work, earn and live comfortably in a community you love – it’s more

The Salvation Army of Bolivar-Polk County invites members of the public to participate in its annual Red Kettle Campaign this Christmas season. more

The annual Kiwanis Glow Walk will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Parking will be in the CMH north parking lot. Cost per family is $12 or $3 per person. more

The Annual Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2. This year’s theme is “Let it Snow.” more

Friday, Nov. 24 more

Governor Mike Parson announced that a forthcoming book about his life titled No Turnin' Back will be released March 2024. The commemorative biography will detail the life of Michael L. Parson, Missouri's 57th Governor nicknamed "G57." More information can be found at https://www.safeordering.com/G57. more

McDonald’s of Bolivar is thrilled to host its second-annual fundraiser to benefit Bolivar Police Department’s Shop with a Cop event on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Community members can participate by simply visiting McDonald’s of Bolivar to purchase their favorite menu items. McDonald’s will donate a portion of the proceeds during that time frame to support the Shop with a Cop event. more

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

Monday, Nov. 27 — Spaghetti with meat sauce, California blend, Caesar salad, garlic bread, orange sherbet. more

With the holiday season officially here, the Bolivar Police Department is seeking the community’s help as it works to make Christmas special for Polk County children. more

Funds raised will support The Food Bank’s network of faith-based and community charities more

I’m not a Black Friday shopper. I’m a Black Friday sleeper. While the stores see black on the bottom line, the only black I see is the inside of my eyelids while I dream about which Thanksgiving leftovers to eat first. more

I’ve been referring to this movie as “Hunger Game of Thrones.” It’s a prequel to “The Hunger Games,” but the influence of a certain HBO fantasy series is pretty apparent with the casting of Peter Dinklage and the “Song of Ice and Fire”-like subheading. I’ve seen it as little more than an attempt to combine two franchises that were wildly popular in their 2010’s heyday, but audiences have since left behind, frankly with a bad taste in their mouths after underwhelming finales. more

Polk County Republican Women will hold their monthly meeting Wednesday, Dec. 6, at Brenda’s Café at noon. We will collect Share Your Christmas gifts for teenage girls. Please bring an unwrapped item with you to the meeting. We will be welcoming our new slate of officers for the 2024 year. Please call your lunch orders in ahead of time to help the wait staff. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

Frances Roberts will turn 100-years-old on Nov. 27, and friends and family would like to have her flooded with well wishes. Please send Frances a card celebrating her life. Cards can be mailed to: Frances Roberts, 920 W. Arch, Nevada MO 64772. more

Bob Franks with the Veteran Affairs office will be at the American Legion Post 138 in Bolivar from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27. Franks will be available to answer from Veterans needing help. more

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

We want to see your deer pictures. more

Friday Nov. 17, Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 23-10, extending Missouri's drought alert until May 1, 2024. more