On Oct. 20, two deputies responded to an alleged domestic assault call. The caller stated Taylor Cole Thomason was attacking someone at the residence with a 4x4 board and a golf club. The caller stated Thomason had been drinking and taking Klonopin, a benzodiazepine drug used for panic disorders and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. more

Bolivar soccer is looking to finish strong as they prepare to move into the postseason. Last week the Liberators hosted conference opponent Branson on Oct. 17 in a final regular season home match where they celebrated senior night with a 2-1 win over the Pirates. more

First Baptist Church will be hosting One Heart Women’s Event with guest speaker Rachel Lovingood, music and worship. more

Monday, Oct. 28 — Hawaiian chicken, rise, Oriental veggies, Hawaiian Roll, citrus Jell-O. more

For those who have lost a loved one, the holiday season is often the most difficult time of the year. If this describes your situation, we want to try and help by providing a special event called “Surviving the Holidays.” Coming up on Saturday, Nov. 9, Berean Baptist Church, 4450 Scenic Avenue in Bolivar, will be hosting more

Frances Elizabeth Platcher Scott more

Roger Kenneth Spiegel more

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

To make sure your 2024 holiday shopping is safe and successful, BBB recommends making a shopping plan early and researching retailers before you buy. more

DEATHS more

Bolivar High School more

Friday, Oct. 25 more

DEATHS more

(RR): Registration Required more

Polk County, Missouri — The Polk County Prosecutor’s Office announced today the dismissal of the homicide case against Corey Nielsen, following an extensive review of the finalized investigation and deliberation by a panel of local community members having heard evidence from the lead investigator from the Missouri Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC). The decision was made based on the evidence showing that the defendant acted in defense of others under Missouri law. Our office also consulted with other county prosecutors as to the application of law and likely trial outcomes. more

In Vienna, in 1770, Wolfgang von Kempeler built a chess-playing robot that could beat almost any chess master of the age. It consisted of a large box with machinery inside, a chessboard on top, and a robotic man dressed in Oriental garb attached. It toured Europe and the U.S. off and on for decades, besting the likes of Ben Franklin and Napoleon. In the mid-19th century, it was revealed to be a hoax, with a man hidden in the box to guide the Turk. The machine was destroyed in a fire in 1854. more

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more

This Nov. 11, the Polk County Genealogical Society (PCGS) will be honoring Veterans with a display of carnations on the front steps of their building. Individuals will have the opportunity to purchase a carnation to honor a veteran. A card will be attached to the carnation with the veteran’s name and service information. Then PCGS volunteers will place the carnations on the steps of the PCGS Research Facility early on Nov. 11. Any veteran whether living or deceased may be honored. more

Friday, Oct. 18, Carl Junction rolled into Bolivar to play a football game with large implications for the conference and district tournament. more

Boys more

The Bearcat women’s volleyball took a business trip to Indiana this past weekend to compete at the Midwest Region Crossover. The Bearcats plowed their way through competition going a perfect 3-0 and winning all but one set. They defeated the likes of Malone University, Roosevelt University, and Kentucky Wesleyan College moving them to 11-12 on the season. more

Ryan Young of Buffalo reeled in a 55-pound, 9-ounce fish Oct. 13. more

Pleasant Hope Schools recently released its first-quarter honor roll. According to a school news release, the following students earned spots on the list: more

Citizens Memorial Hospital will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. for its new dialysis center. The public is invited to attend. The center will be located at 1160 W. Parkview St. in Bolivar. more