Join the Downtown Bolivar Association for a Treat Trot Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. more

Young customers invited to celebrate the holiday with a free, interactive craft event more

Today is National Cookie Day more

The 2025 class will visit Kansas City for a hands-on look at careers in agriculture. more

HI LOW PRECIP more

Wednesday, Dec. 4 more

Polk County Community Connections will host its monthly breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Polk County Senior Center, 1850 W. Broadway, Bolivar. A free breakfast is provided. more

Until 1804, electors voted for two candidates; whoever got the most votes became president and the runner-up became vice president. For the first election in 1789, John Adams received 34 electoral votes, second to Washington’s 69 votes, making him the first vice president. In 1800, due to election drama between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, the 12th amendment was passed. This amendment established two votes would be cast by the electors: one for president and one for vice president, meaning it wasn’t a second-place position anymore. Many congressmen viewed the vice president position as redundant and for decades there were calls to eliminate it - even a proposed amendment toward this purpose. Until FDR opted for Henry Wallace in 1940, only two previous presidents chose their running mates: Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln. more

Trash-can-decorating contest runs through March 14 more

On Monday, Dec. 3, Faith Leann Ryan, 31, of Flemington, was sentenced on eight counts related to endangering the welfare of her children resulting in the death of one. more

Charles Albert Burt more

John Joseph Butler more

Shelvin Dewayne Sawyer, 59, of Bolivar, passed away at home surrounded by his family. Shelvin was born on Feb. 9, 1965, in Springfield, to Elvin and Mary (Hampton) Sawyer. He was saved at the age of 13 at a revival at Elkland Methodist Church. He was a member at the Morrisville Assembly of God church. Shelvin served as a Corporal in the United States Army during Desert Storm. He received a Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Overseas Service Medal, a Persian Gulf Medal, and three Army Achievement Medals. He was a recovery specialist and combat life saver. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1994, Shelvin worked in many fields. His favorite was driving a truck. Shelvin worked as an over the road truck driver for TMC Trucking in Springfield. When he could, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, Shelvin was a huge Chiefs fan. He loved the Republican party and was so relieved when President Trump was re-elected. He loved his truck, a 2017 Ford F-150, almost as much as he loved his dog Molly, who was his little companion. Shelvin married Shannon Marshall on Feb. 8, 2013. When he married her, he gained a family. He loved his newly gained children with all his heart; and when he became “Pops, “ he found his new favorite job. more

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

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

It was in the spring of 2004 that I first saw Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth perform the show stopping “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway blockbuster “Wicked” at the Tony Awards. Since that moment was over 20 years ago, it means that I have waited literal decades for a big-screen version of “Wicked.” I’ve more than satisfied my appetite for the stage version, having seen it five times, once with Menzel still in the cast (sadly never with Chenoweth). But I’ve always wanted the vast production to be available to the world, with added scale and visual spectacle to boot. Now the wait is finally over, and the result is… reasonably acceptable. more

The First Annual Fair Play Christmas Market will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the Fair Play high school cafeteria. more

The First Christian Church is hosting the annual bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec.14. Homemade vegetable soup, chili, sandwiches and pie are served starting at 11 a.m. There will be baked goods, candies, and gift items for sale. Money from the sales is used to help support various community charities. more

Friday, Nov. 29 more

Please join us at Bolivar Pentecostal Church of God on Sunday evening, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. for our Christmas play, “The Sky is Falling!” Written & directed by Gwendolyn Miller. more

Christmas is a time for giving, and with the holiday season upon us, organizations are seeking gift donations. This year, the community can donate stocking stuffers to the specialized care program at the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch. 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

The holiday season is in full swing, and the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce annual parade will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. This year’s theme is Down Home Country Christmas. more

Citizens Memorial Hospital and the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation received the Missouri Silver Level Workplace Wellness Award. more