WASHINGTON — On Cyber Monday, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners warned taxpayers to approach their holiday shopping with extra caution because scammers are also shopping – for their next victim’s personal information. more

The December meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society will be held tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 5. It is our annual Christmas party and share time meeting. Members are encouraged to bring treats/finger foods for all to enjoy. This is one of the favorite meetings as everyone can bring an item to share or a story to tell. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the genealogy library on the southeast corner of the square in Bolivar. Anyand all are invited to attend. Consider bringing a Christmas present for the library which could be cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, etc. more

Hey, kids! Do you have a message or a wish list you would like to send to Santa? Write him a letter! more

How well do you know Polk County? 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

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

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 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

Step into the holiday season with Christmas at Fellowship Park, a free event designed to bring the Bolivar community together in the spirit of joy and giving. The third annual event is organized by Bolivar FIrst Baptist Church and features a live nativity by the Open Hearts Methodist Church. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the community park, on the campus of Bolivar First Baptist Church, north of the Bolivar square. more

The 44th annual Festival of Christmas, presented by Southwest Baptist University and Community Outreach Ministries, will take place at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, in Pike Auditorium on SBU’s Bolivar campus. 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

With the holiday season officially here, the Bolivar Police Department is seeking the community’s help as it works to make Christmas special for Polk County children. more

The 40th Share Your Christmas distribution sponsored by Polk County Christian Social Ministries will be held next Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 11 and 12. Distribution will once again be a drive through event to be held at the Bolivar First Assembly of God Church on S. Springfield Ave. in Bolivar. The volunteers loading the items in the cars are asking that the vehicles be clutter free. This makes it easier to load all the items. more

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