I’ve been accused of living on my own planet, so I thought Planet Janet would be a catchy name for it. It’s certainly not an officially recognized galaxy, but I kind of like it here. My husband has often told me that I was an environmentalist, but the way he emphasized the mentalist part made me pretty sure it wasn’t always a compliment. All that aside, I do love this earth and this place on earth and am grateful to be here. more

The Dunnegan Rural Fire Department will be holding their annual meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 at station #1, located at the intersections of State Hwy 123 and Polk County Hwy A. more

Polk County Community Connections will host its monthly breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Polk County Senior Center, 1850 W. Broadway, Bolivar. A free breakfast is provided. more

Event Schedule: more

In April 2024, the Polk County Library was awarded LSTA grant funds to upgrade technology at two library locations. Funding was used to install a video conferencing system in the Gipson-Padgett Collaborative Room at the Rayl Family Library in Bolivar and to replace seven obsolete desktop computers at the Bolivar and Fair Play Library locations. more

Sponsors donated more than $40,000 to the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation more

The regular monthly meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3. The annual group picture will be taken on the front steps of the genealogy library at 6:45 p.m. All members are encouraged to come early to be a part of the picture. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with a short business meeting and our fun-loving trivia questions. The program will be presented by Susan Kelly of OzarksWatch Magazine. She will be sharing information about Lucille Morris Upton. Some may remember Upton’s weekly newspaper articles on genealogy and happenings in the Ozarks. more

Bolivar Technical College is proud to announce the students named to the President's List for the summer 2024 semester. This prestigious academic recognition is awarded to students who have demonstrated exemplary performance by maintaining a GPA of 3.85 or higher while enrolled in a full-time course load. more

Malinda White was the winner of the gift card to Brenda’s Cafe after winning the September I-Spy game, correctly guessing Bolivar First Assembly of God Church. Malinda is proof that reading the paper doesn’t just provide you with news and entertainment, it can pay off as well. more

Ava Dean Vest, lifelong resident of Fair Play, celebrated her 92nd birthday on Saturday, Sept. 28t, with an outing to breakfast in Bolivar and then to the Black Walnut Festival in Stockton. more

Jim and Sue Davolt are proud of the community for always supporting the annual St. Jud walk. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and this cause is near and dear to the Davolt family after granddaughter Ellie Rocco spent several months at St. Judes fighting cancer. This year the event raised over $3000. more

Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28, found the streets of Bolivar full of activity in the form of parade watchers and kids of all ages marching in those parades. BHS and SBU both hosted their Homecoming weekend with parades, ballgames, ceremonies and getting together with old friends. more

JEFFERSON CITY - Mayor Dustin Kessler of Morrisville has earned the prestigious designation of Advanced Certified Municipal Official from the Missouri Municipal League’s Municipal Governance Institute (MGI). He is part of the inaugural class completing the advanced program. more

How well do you know Polk County? more

Community Outreach Ministries (COM) is hosting its third annual “Polk County’s Got Talent” fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 5 at The Heights Church at 5:30 p.m. A spinoff of the popular television talent show, America’s Got Talent, the fundraising event will highlight the talent of eight local individuals and groups. The event benefits Community Outreach Ministries which seeks to alleviate food insecurity in Polk County through their food pantry and community development programs. more

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

Businesses are invited to participate in the Bolivar Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Open House and Vendor Showcase on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9. more

Participants must first complete the online portion to take part in the Oct. 9 burn demonstration. more

DEATHS more

I got my new license in the mail yesterday. I knew it would not be the best picture, but this monstrosity left me wondering about the vengeful nature of DMV workers. more

DEATHS more

Dr. Peter “Pete” Mosca more

Robert “Bob” Lee Delaney more

Art Sync Gallery & Gift will have their Animal & Pet Art Showing, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 19, at the gallery on the Bolivar square. more

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalms 23:5-6 (KJV) more