Current hours of operation for the Polk County Courthouse are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Effective January 01, 2026, the hours of operation for the Polk County Courthouse will be changed. The new hours of operation will be set at Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Courthouse will remain open during lunch hours as of now. This is subject to change pending the finalization of the 2026 budget. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital has named Staci Rogers, M.D., as its new chief medical officer. In this role, Dr. Rogers will lead clinical strategy, oversee patient safety efforts and guide medical innovation across the CMH system. more

Grab your scarves, pour the hot cocoa, and head downtown as the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade returns Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5:30 p.m. more

Light the Park is in full glow at Dunnegan Memorial Park, open nightly through December 30 from 6–8 p.m. Visitors can drive through and enjoy twinkling lights, festive displays, and the joy of giving back. more

Due to the rising costs of postage, ink, and newsprint and in lieu of implementing a subscription rate increase to cover these rising expenses, the Bolivar Herald-Free Press will cease publishing the Friday edition effective Dec. 31. The BHFP will continue to deliver a printed newspaper every Wednesday. more

The Citizens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will host a Shoe Roads shoe sale from noon to 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, and 8 a.m.to 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, on the second floor of the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center, 1155 W. Parkview St. in Bolivar. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Sunday, December 7, the Aldrich United Methodist Church (AUM) and the Aldrich Christian Church will meet together for the 100th time to celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. more

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the only supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at all Northwest Arkansas hospitals, encourages community members to wrap up the year by saving lives. Give the gift of life by donating at the blood drive in Bolivar on Thursday, Dec. 18. Donors will receive a limited-edition cozy fleece blanket, while supplies last. Blood drive is sponsored by Citizens Memorial Hospital. more

Meet Slasher – The Final Girl of Feline Fierceness. After raising a litter of horror-themed kittens, this fierce mama is ready for her happy ending. Slasher is loving, cuddly, and cool as a scream queen under pressure. She’s got the quiet strength of a true survivor and a soft side she saves for those she trusts. Now retired from the chaos of kitten-rearing, Slasher is looking for a peaceful home where she can rule with grace, get all the snacks, and finally star in a cozy, love-filled sequel. more

The Polk County Extension Council will increase fees for soil testing beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Fees per single sample will increase from $18 to $20. more

Alvin D. Meyer more

Constance R. Brown more

INSIDE TODAY’S ISSUE more

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

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

Southwest Baptist Men’s Basketball completed a dominant rivalry win over the Drury Panthers on the first day of December. The Bearcats, who were picked 15th out of 15 GLVC teams in the league’s preseason poll, showed the Panthers (picked 5th) that they do not belong at the bottom and are ready to prove people wrong in conference play. Southwest Baptist won the game 76-59. more

Saturday, Dec. 6 more

POLICE REPORTS more

Are we old enough to do this? more

Dusty Ross and Matt Griswold more

The Citizens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary will host a Shoe Roads shoe sale from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, on the second floor of the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center, 1155 W. Parkview St. in Bolivar. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

Who wouldn’t want to get a cute puppy as a gift for the holidays? Before you shell out for a new furry friend, read BBB’s new update to a 2017 study to learn how to spot a puppy scam. more