Imagine that you are watching a race. The participants are tired, their pinned-on numbers damp from sweat, as they pant and force themselves ever closer to the finish line. Your favorite racer is in the lead - his breathing is heavy but there is determination in is eyes. All that training, the hard work, the passion - it’s about to pay off as he approaches the finish line. Just a few more feet, and then - nothing. He just stops - detours a bit, runs backwards, retraces some of his steps, visits with some observers. He goes over to the basketball court and shoots a few hoops. Finally, he comes back and drags himself across the finish line. All the while, you are stunned. He was so gung ho, just to fizzle out? more

When I was a boy learning of life in the woods, my dad taught me to recognize animals by what they left behind — the contents of their scat. more

If you know a veteran, send a photo to news@bolivarmonews.com, via Facebook, or in person at our local branch: 335 S. Springfield. more

Bolivar High School more

Class 3 District 3 girls golf districts were held at Silo Ridge on Thursday, Oct. 10. 15 schools were participating. Bolivar had 2 golfers, junior DeLaney Daniels, and senior Caitlyn Cribbs who qualified for the state tournament. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

(RR): Registration Required more

“Rick Davis achieved what we want to expect from every rural community in Missouri, he identified an immediate need and reached out to fellow resources to determine how his community could receive aid,” said Kayla Riel, Missouri CARES Coordinator. more

DEATHS more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri is home to more than 900 black bears and their numbers are growing. Many Missourians find these furbearers fascinating and have many questions about them. Are all black bears black? Do bears really hibernate? Where do bears spend the winter? What can bear scat show about diet and other things? What’s the biggest bear recorded in Missouri? Why is a fed bear a dead bear? How can people and communities Be Bear Aware? Why is fall a prime time for people and bears to encounter each other out in the woods or on the roads? more

Ava Vest more

DEATHS more

Donald Jodey Brundridge more

Zona Varnell Abel Meadors more

David MIchael Semple more

David Michael Semple more

Solar salesperson at your door? Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) recommends that homeowners weigh unsolicited offers from solar energy companies carefully. more

Evelyn Sue Curry Gustason more

Daniel Perry Witham was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 13 for two separate instances of harassment, according to the probable cause statements. more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With deer and turkey hunting underway in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds non-hunters to practice safety measures when afield during hunting seasons. more

Bo was a beagle, and they were usually rabbit dogs, but Bo was a squirrel dog. He cared nothing about rabbits. He loved to chase and tree squirrels. Creeks, barbed wire fences, or briar thickets could not keep him from his mission. more

The Polk County Democrats will be meeting at Flat Creek Restaurant in Bolivar for their Oct. 21 meeting. Dinner is optional at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting following at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be Matt Patterson, Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director. He was unable to attend our last meeting due to illness and is excited to join us for our October meeting. Matt will present the latest news of all Democratic candidates across the state and where they are in the campaigns and how to volunteer. more

What’s your edible timeline? more

There will be a Pasture Weeds and Their Control Workshop held on Oct. 16 at the Polk County Extension Center, 110 E Jefferson, Bolivar. It will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Please call the Polk County Extension Center, 417-326-4916, to rsvp. more

The Aldrich Christian Women of Faith will host a pie auction on Oct. 19, starting a 5 p.m. Also, they will be serving chili and hot dogs, and there will be music and singing. For more information call Shirley at 417-770-2169. The church is located two miles south of Aldrich on Hwy 123. more