“There are many benefits to early pregnancy checking replacement heifers,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Livestock Field Specialist. The Show Me Select® (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program which is considered the black and gold standard for replacement heifer development requires pregnancy checking heifers within 90 days of the beginning of the breeding season. Davis will discuss why early pregnancy checking replacement heifers and culling open heifers can be beneficial to your cattle operation. more

Reduced supply amid strong demand means consumers pay more at the meat case. more

On Thursday, Aug. 7, the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 3rd anniversary and grand re-opening of Sweet Kayle Soup and Salad Bar with a ribbon cutting. Owners Kim Payne and Brittany Campbell recently moved the business to 121 S. Main Street in Bolivar. Sweet Kayle is known for its fresh salad bar, house made soups, specialty sandwiches, and catering. Visit them on the southwest corner of the Bolivar square Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. more

Fourteen new nurses joined Citizens Memorial Hospital’s nurse residency program in June. The program supports new graduates during their first year working as a nurse. more

The Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a youth dove hunt on Monday, Sept. 1. The event will take place in Aldrich from 3-7 p.m. more

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you couldn’t read and write? Or what if there WERE nothing to read and write? No letters, no books, no road signs…nothing? In this country we pretty well take reading and writing for granted…we’re taught that skill from the time we’re little. Parents read to their children...kids learn letters and words from kindergarten on through school. more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce invites business owners, managers, and community leaders to an insightful Networking@Noon luncheon, From Automation to Innovation: How AI is Transforming Business, presented by Dr. Benny Fong, Associate Professor of Graduate Education and Statistics at Southwest Baptist University. more

Sixty years ago I was in the summer of my first and only “bonus year” before life got serious. more

The Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations and community votes for its 2025 annual awards, honoring excellence in local business and community leadership. more

CIVIL PETITIONS more

The Polk County Museum will be hosting a “Mitchell Family” exhibit Aug. 18-29. The museum is open Monday, Thursday, Friday from 1-4 p.m, also, this Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1-4 p.m. more

Bolivar Parks & Recreation is hosting its first community pickleball tournament on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Cribbs Family Youth Park, 410 W. Madison Street. more

Wednesday, Aug. 13 more

Thursday, Aug. 7, 125 community members and CMH staff had the opportunity to walk through the demonstration lab, learning about the ION Robotic bronchoscopy that is now available at CMH. The presenters were board-certified Pulmonologist Jason Bailey, D.O. and Darin Viken, a representative from Intuitive who specializes in the ION. more

Two teens from Bolivar were seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash, Saturday, Aug. 9, at 8:45 a.m. more

A Bolivar man is facing felony charges of first-degree rape and tampering with a victim after a woman told investigators he allegedly sexually assaulted her in a shed behind his residence, then later tried to pressure her into dropping the case. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

In a weekend that I could have sworn would be dominated by family-friendly franchise fare “Freakier Friday,” it was an R-rated horror movie “Weapons” pulling off the upset. What happened here? I know stars Julia Garner and Josh Brolin have important roles in the MCU, but were they such draws without Garner in silver polymer or Brolin with an oversized chin? Did horror fans flock to the film because of writer/director Zach Cregger? His last film, 2022’s “Barbarian,” has already had its entire domestic box office run eclipsed by “Weapons” in its first weekend alone. An inundation of advertising? I knew the film was coming, but I’d had “Freakier Friday” shoved down my throat for months thanks to the Disney promotional machine. more

Hunters can apply through Aug. 31 for a chance to harvest their first deer. more

WHEATLAND, MO. (Aug. 11, 2025) - Sprint cars of both the winged and wingless variety will be in the spotlight on Saturday at Lucas Oil Speedway for the 14th annual Impact Signs, Awnings & Wraps Open Wheel Showdown Presented by Heritage Tractor. more

The Polk County Democrats will meet Aug. 18 at Basil & Bourbon at 6:30 p.m. Optional dinner time is from 5-6:15 p.m. if you want to come early for a nice dinner and mingle with friends. The agenda will include discussion about Country Days, area events, Jeff City updates and other items. more

HI LOW CONDITIONS more

Booth spaces are available now for the annual Country Days event. Pick up your application at the Polk County Genealogical Society Library on the southwest corner of the square this Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get ready to be a part of the big event that has something for everyone to enjoy - music, games, car show, food, arts and crafts. This year’s Country Days is Saturday, Sept. 6, on the Bolivar Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. more

The City of Bolivar has announced the date for a new free music and food truck festival in Bolivar. more

Mary Joyce Johnson Cowen more