Nomination period open through September 22 more

The regular monthly meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3. The annual group picture will be taken on the front steps of the genealogy library at 6:45 p.m.. All members are encouraged to come early to be a part of the picture. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with a short business meeting and our fun-loving trivia questions. more

Proposition 1 is the Use Tax Issue. The Use tax is a tax on the purchase of goods by Missouri residents from out-of-state vendors. It is a vital source of revenue that our county is currently missing out on. Collection and enforcement of Use Tax provides fair competition between out- of-state vendors and local businesses. Local businesses must charge and collect a local sales tax on all sales, but out-of-state online businesses are not required to. The out-of-state online vendors are benefiting from this and taking potential tax dollars away from our communities. As inflation and wages have risen, compensating measures must be taken to ensure our county services are protected from budget restraints. The Use Tax can compensate for money lost and help provide vital services to the county including public safety, emergency equipment and repairs and upkeep of county roads and bridges. If this measure passes, we estimate it to bring in around $600,000.00 to the county per year. These funds would help to offset the current transfer of funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Law Enforcement Sales Tax fund for the operations of the Sheriff’s Department, Jail, the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, the Juvenile Detention’s Office, and Coroner’s office. more

The absentee ballots for the November General Election will be ready for voting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. The Polk County Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through more

Bolivar Technical College is thrilled to announce its Fall Food Trucks event series, kicking off Oct. 1, featuring a variety of popular food trucks serving up delicious eats throughout the month. This event is open to the public and will take place at the Bolivar Technical College campus, giving students, staff and the community a chance to enjoy some of the region's best food truck fare. more

Polk County Community Connections will host its monthly breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Polk County Senior Center, 1850 W. Broadway, Bolivar. A free breakfast is provided. more

Businesses are invited to participate in the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Open House and Vendor Showcase on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9. more

Wednesday, Sept. 25 more

The Lake Stockton area Council of the Blind is now the Tri-Lakes Council of the Blind in Bolivar. We meet every first Tuesday of the month at Curly Que Barbeque restaurant in Bolivar at 1 p.m. October is Blindness Awareness Month and Oct. 15 is White Cane Safety Day. For more information, contact Roger Jewell at 417-307-9817. more

The Bolivar High School Class of 1963 will meet Saturday, Sept. 28. The meeting will take place in the back room at Brenda's Cafe at 1 p.m. more

Rick Newman and Friends will be performing at the Rondo Baptist Church from 6-7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Rick Newman and Friends have played all across the country for several years including country, bluegrass and gospel music. more

The Polk County Missionary Baptist Association will have Fifth Sunday services this month with True Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Services will be Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday with Tri-County Group. more

Results will benefit grant funding for City, local organizations more

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

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce will debut several new awards at a new event later this year. The Chamber Awards Banquet will shine a spotlight on the best of the Bolivar with the BoMo’s Best awards to honor local businesses that have been voted the best by community members in addition to the annual Business of the Year and Community Partner of the Year Awards. more

Ellie Thomas, from the Bolivar High School Class of 2024, was awarded a rootEd Alliance Undergraduate Scholarship of up to $12,000, renewable for up to five years, to support her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. rootEd Alliance, a national nonprofit that partners with states and rural-serving organizations to help students define and plan their futures following high school graduation, announced that 31 high school graduates from rural communities across Missouri have received scholarships to attend a four-year college or university this year. more

Friends of the Polk County Library will hold their fall book sale on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the library in Bolivar. more

The BHS classes of 1960 and 1961 met at Smith's Restaurant in Bolivar on Saturday, Sept. 14. more

Nancy Gallatin was born Oct. 5, 1934, the daughter of Russell and Louise Morgan. Gallatin was a first grade teacher in the Fair Play schools for several years before moving to the Bolivar school district where she taught kindergarten and reading until she retired. She taught children’s Sunday School and served in the library at First Baptist Church Bolivar, where she has been a member for 60 years. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital announces that nephrologist, Russell “Rusty” Davis III, D.O., has joined its medical staff. Dr. Davis will care for patients at the new CMH Nephrology Clinic in the Douglas Medical Center, located at 1155 W. Parkview St., Suite 2J, Bolivar. more

HI LOW PRECIP more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University are gearing up for an exciting time as both institutions celebrate their respective homecoming events on the same weekend, Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28. To enhance community spirit and engagement, Bolivar High School and Southwest Baptist University have announced a special collaboration. Alumni of both BHS and SBU can take advantage of a bundled ticket offer, which includes admission to both football games at a discounted rate. Tickets can be purchased online at bolivarschools.org/article/1750321. more

Queen Candidate Sydney Waters, escorted by Maddux NeSmith more

Community Outreach Ministries (COM) is hosting its third annual “Polk County’s Got Talent” fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 5 at The Heights Church at 5:30 p.m. A spinoff of the popular television talent show, America’s Got Talent, the fundraising event will highlight the talent of eight local individuals and groups. The event benefits Community Outreach Ministries which seeks to alleviate food insecurity in Polk County through their food pantry and community development programs. more