Halfway R-3 Schools will host their annual Senior Citizens Holiday Dinner on Friday, Nov. 22, in the library at 11 a.m. All seniors in the Halfway School District are welcome to attend by making reservations on or before Nov.r 20, by calling the school at 417-445-2200, extension 5. more

The annual Southwest Missouri Beef Conference and Trade Show will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm at McKenna Hall/Sacred Heart Church in Bolivar. more

The last time audiences saw superpowered alien symbiote Venom (Tom Hardy) and his human “host” Eddie Brock (also Hardy) on the big screen, it wasn’t in a “Venom” movie, it was in a mid-credits sequence in 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The scene saw the pair briefly hop universes into the Disney-controlled Marvel Cinematic Universe, but then quickly get sucked back into the Sony-controlled Marvel universe – the one that has “Spider-Man” characters, but no Spider-Man (and is not to be confused with the animated Spider-verse). The scene is shown again at the beginning of “Venom: The Last Dance,” but it has no bearing on the story. Fans of the character should know not to expect MCU quality from this movie. This is the “Morbius”/”Madame Web” arm of the franchise. more

It is the time of the year to start getting ready for Christmas. Toys For Tots are now being accepted at the following locations: more

Top harvest counties were Gasconade, Osage, and Cedar. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves in the fall. However, leaves allowed to remain on lawns can pack down to form a tight mat that prevents sunlight from reaching the grass, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the potential for disease. more

In scarcely more than a week, it seems, the verdant and overgrown woods of summer have given way to the colorful tapestry of fall. more

Here’s a biologist’s report of Missouri’s quail situation that’s all too familiar for the state’s wing shooters: more

The Polk County Library Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday, October 29th to permanently close the Morrisville branch location effective November 8, 2024. more

Our recycling world is about to change in a big way! Beginning Nov. 5, you will be able to drop off your recycling items at a new address. Please also note the new hours and the difference in the items that will be accepted at this time. I’ll have a list of those for you, but first things first and that will be the thank you’s. more

Sandy Wood was the winner of the gift card to Brenda’s Cafe after winning the October I-Spy game, correctly guessing Dairy Queen. Sandy is proof that reading the paper doesn’t just provide you with news and entertainment, it can pay off as well. more

While excelling on the court and in the classroom, the SBU women's basketball team has also been volunteering their time around the Bolivar community. They have spent time at the Community Outreach Ministry (COM), Upon the Rock, and First Baptist Church. more

When the 2024 Missouri high school girls tennis season ended last week, the Lady Liberators were among the few teams in the state still playing. After earning a spot in the State Championship match on Oct. 31, the Lady Liberators brought home a silver medal as the Class 1 State runners-up for the third time in program history and capped off a season full of success. more

Boys more

Friday, Nov. 1, the Monett Cubs came to the friendly confines of Plaster Stadium in Bolivar to open district play. more

The regular monthly meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7. It will be an evening of fun and games as the Society celebrates its 30th birthday. A short business meeting will precede the celebration. Election of officers for 2025 will be held. more

CMH Hospice's annual holiday fundraiser honors the lives of loved ones more

The Missouri Beef Days Rodeo has been named “Co-Sanctioned Rodeo of the Year” by the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association (MRCA). more

Deadline to RSVP is Thursday, Nov. 7 more

Citizens Memorial Hospital will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. for its new dialysis center. The public is invited to attend. The center will be located at 1160 W. Parkview St. in Bolivar. more

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

Citizens Memorial Hospital is acquiring the Evans Drugs pharmacy locations in Bolivar and Buffalo effective Dec. 1. more

Halloween 2024 brought out angels and aliens, cowboys and superheroes along with other goblins of all ages to the Bolivar square to trick-or-treat and have a fun evening visiting several businesses and churches handing out goodies. The Bolivar Kiwanis Club held their annual costume contest and had some tough decisions choosing the best. (See page A2 for contest winners.) more

Bolivar DAV to honor veterans in Veterans Day celebration more

University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are fielding questions about plants that are blooming and leafing out of season. more