Free workshop will have in-person and virtual options for attendance. more

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Improving fertility in cows involves leveraging genetic selection and advanced genomic tools to enhance reproductive performance. more

The season included seven non-fatal, firearms-related hunting incidents. more

Lace up those running shoes, get out of the den and let the polar bear run during the 46th annual Polar Bear Run on Saturday, Feb. 8. more

Saturday, Jan. 25 more

The Bolivar Community Teachers Association is now accepting applications for the Spring 2025 student-teaching scholarship. Bolivar High School graduates currently involved in a student-teaching experience should contact Renee Shelenhamer at Bolivar Primary School 417-326-5247 or rshelenhamer@bolivarschools.org for an application. more

Paige Pendergraft, daughter of Effie and Chad Pendergraft and Michael Poterbin, son of Ashley Goulardt and Timothy Poterbin, have been chosen Student Rotarians for the month of January. more

Murphy R. Mastin, M.D., a dermatologist at Citizens Memorial Hospital (CMH) Dermatology Clinic in Bolivar, has earned board certification in the dermatology subspecialty Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery, also known as Mohs surgery, through the American Board of Dermatology. more

The Bolivar R-1 School District celebrated the beginning of construction on the highly anticipated Proposition Liberators R-1 projects at a groundbreaking on Jan. 14. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

The loss of a loved one can have powerful effects on each of us. If you are looking for a caring small group in which to find support, encouragement, and help, then our GriefShare groups might be just the thing you are looking for. This program is a grief support group that features Christ-centered, biblical teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts, counselors, and real-life stories of people just like you, followed by a small group discussion about what was seen on the DVD. more

OATS Transit is currently offering regular transportation services. To schedule a ride or to inquire about services available in your area, please call the OATS Transit office at 417-887-9272 or 800-770-6287. You can also visit our website at www.oatstransit.org, where you can find your local schedule by clicking on your county under the “Bus Schedules” tab. OATS Transit is available to the rural general public of any age, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, we contract with various agencies to serve their clients. We are also hiring drivers statewide, so please share this opportunity with anyone you know who would make an excellent driver, allowing us to continue serving our passengers. Please note that OATS Transit offices will be closed, and regular routes will not operate on Monday, Feb. 17, for Presidents Day. more

DEATHS more

Vera Jewell Cooper more

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

DEATHS more

Citizens Memorial Hospital has upgraded its Patient Portal with a new design and improved features. The changes, launched Jan. 14, apply to both the website and mobile app. The URL, app and login information remain the same. more

The first step in new construction is bringing down the old. That process was underway during one of the coldest days of the new year. Rhodes Construction has begun the demolition process of the building site for the future home of OakStar Bank. more

The Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation is now accepting applications for the Medical Excellence Fund scholarships through Feb. 28. more

I met him in the newspaper more

It’s an odd choice to do a sequel to the 2018 heist movie “Den of Thieves” in 2025. The first film made less than $50 million at the domestic box office and to my knowledge doesn’t have much of a cult following. I didn’t see that film at the time, but I did see it on Max to prepare for the sequel, and was unimpressed. There was some competent action, but the story and characters were unoriginal and unengaging. I would have given it a C-. For such a bland movie to get a sequel at all seems unlikely, let alone one that goes to theaters and isn’t dumped on streaming or Video on Demand. For all I know, that was the plan and then some studio executive noticed there were no wide releases scheduled for this past weekend, so they just threw in whatever they had. The tactic worked, the film took the #1 spot away from the fourth weekend of “Mufasa,” but this is not a movie that I could see succeeding through any means other than a lack of competition. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

National contest winner, parents and teacher will receive trip to Washington, D.C.; entry deadline is Jan. 24, 2025 more

In the SBU Missouri Sports Hall of Fame Classic, the Miller Lady Cardinals (6-5) met the Bolivar Lady Liberators (5-6). more

How well do you know Polk County? more