On Monday morning, May 6, Sergent Long was called to an accident on Mo. 13, south of Brighton. A 1992 Ford Bronco, driven by 44-year-old Brandon Elmore of Bolivar, was traveling southbound when he went off the roadway and struck several trees. Though Elmore was wearing a safety belt, he received moderate injuries and was taken to Citizens Memorial Hospital via ambulance. His totaled vehicle was removed from the scene by A&J Wrecker. more

Ariel Culbertson, 22, of Humansville perished when the 2017 Polaris Razor she was riding in flipped over on May 4. The accident happened on private property, three miles west of Collins. The driver of the vehicle was 25-year-old Brandon Damewood, also of Humansville. He lost control of the vehicle and overturned. The 4-wheeler was driven from the scene. Culbertson was not wearing any safety equipment and was pronounced on the scene by Deputy Coroner Kevin Goth. Master Sergeant Wood and Corporal Wright were the responding officers. more

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Hope Francka was in court on Monday, May 6, to learn her fate for the charge of felony child abuse against her now six-year-old daughter nearly two years ago. Francka was originally charged with Abandonment of a Child in the 2nd degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 1st degree, and Abuse and Neglect of a Child. In March, Francka entered a deal with the District Attorney that resulted in a plea of guilty to Abuse and Neglect of a Child, a Class D felony, which carries a sentence of 1-7 years. more

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A fifteen-year-old male perished in a dirtbike accident on April 29. Corporal J.R. Rorie was called to 540th Road, west of Pleasant Hope, at 6:00 p.m. for the single-vehicle incident. The juvenile male, from Bolivar, was driving a 2022 Honda CRF125F bike traveling westbound when he lost control on a rutted roadway. The bike flipped, killing the rider, who was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Dr. Assman at 6:47 p.m. The teenager was taken to Pitts Funeral Home by Polk County Assistant Coroner Purselly and the bike was picked up by the owner. Next of kin has been notified.  more

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Kellsey Warden, a 31-year-old Bolivar woman, sustained serious injuries from a two-car accident on Sunday, April 21 at 5:40 p.m. Warden was driving a 2017 Dodge Journey near the intersection of Hwy J and Hwy F in Laclede County. She did not yield after stopping at the stop sign and was struck by a 2011 Lincoln MKX, driven by a 17-year-old female from Montreal. Both drivers were wearing safety devices and no injuries were reported for the juvenile female. Warden was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The totaled Lincoln was towed by Bledsoe’s. The Journey, also totaled, was removed by C&S Towing. The responding officers were Trooper D.R. Willhite, Master Sergeant J.J. McDonald, and Corporal G.S. Sloan. more

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BOLIVAR, MO — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested two suspects in a child abduction on Tuesday evening, April 9, after a pursuit through Polk County. more

Rocco’s Pizza of Bolivar, located at 213 Main Street, was the victim of a break-in and robbery. According to the company’s Facebook page, “The restaurant was burglarized sometime between 5:30 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.” The theft was discovered when the delivery driver arrived Tuesday morning. more

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