This month's winner, Darla Walkup, correctly guessed the location as Polk County Genealogical Center. Thank you to all that participate. Watch for a new location beginning Nov. 1. more

Preparation for Polk County Christian Social Ministries annual Share Your Christmas program is underway. This is the 38th year for PCCSM to sponsor Share Your Christmas. What began as giving out a single bag of groceries and no gift bags to families in need in 1985, the program has grown into an abundance of gifts for every child as well as gift bags for adults and groceries for the families. more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds deer hunters that it will be again holding mandatory CWD sampling during the opening weekend of the November portion of firearms season, Nov. 11 and 12. Hunters who harvest deer in 39 MDC CWD Management Zone counties are required to take their harvested deer or the head on the day of harvest to one of MDC’s numerous mandatory CWD sampling stations located throughout the CWD Management Zone. Sampling and test results are free. more

October is about restraint. It’s about resisting the urge to buy those giant bags of candy until the day before trick-or-treaters show up to collect it. Years ago, I learned – the hard way – that if you buy the chocolate too early, your house will be haunted by the siren song of Snickers. more

The Bolivar School District has called for an election on Nov. 7, 2023, for the residents within their boundaries. Absentee voting started on Sept. 26. The Polk County Clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and open through the lunch hour for absentee voting. The deadline for casting an absentee ballot in person at the County Clerk’s office is 5 p.m. the day before the election, Tuesday, Nov. 7. The County Clerk’s office will also be open on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to noon. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

On Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Bolivar resident Charles Holt, 44, was injured when his Yamaha motorcycle struck a pothole while traveling southbound on South 133rd Road, one mile southwest of Bolivar. Though the bike had minor damage, Mr. Holt was ejected and received severe injuries. He was transported to CMH in Bolivar via ambulance. The report does not state if he was wearing a helmet. Trooper L. Crowe investigated the accident and the motorcycle was released to a friend of Mr. Holt. more

Veterans Day is approaching and the BH-FP wants to recognize our community’s veterans. more

If statistics are to be believed, I’m part of a shrinking minority: I go to church every Sunday. more

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Once a hunter has bagged a deer, the work is only half over. How to field dress it, skin it, process the meat and store it for future tasty meals are skills hunters need to know. more

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has awarded the first-ever state-funded “Grow Your Own” grants to 125 local education agencies (LEAs). DESE’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes $2.5 million to support one-time grants of $10,000 to LEAs to create or strengthen their local “Grow Your Own” program, designed to increase recruitment of quality teachers in LEAs across the state. more

October 25 marks the seventh annual BUPD Day more