See what’s going on in Polk County! Mark your calendars for these upcoming events. Some events may require registration or admission fees; please contact the organization for more details. more

As I write, pastors and others are laboring over a final, meaningful message for Christmas. That is as it should be. Those who are called should do their best to communicate the birth and meaning of the Savior; but words printed on paper struggle to communicate the ecstasy of the event. That is better done by poets and hymn writers. Hence, I am reprinting a Christmas message I first penned twenty years ago. God bless you, and Merry Christmas! more

Dallas County residents Vondie Arthur and her husband Butch adopted their dog Coalette, known prior as Jaylah, from the Polk County Humane Society or PCHS. According to the owners, Coalette had been abandoned, starved, and needed a foster family due to limited space at the shelter. It was through the fostering program that the sweet, black, 70-pound pup found her forever family. more

With just three days left until Christmas, Polk County, along with most of the rest of the country, found themselves in the grip of a historical winter storm. Record breaking temperatures and wind chills caused havoc for business and shoppers alike. First responders, electrical linemen, plumbers and heating repairmen found themselves overrun with problems to fix. Businesses that expected to welcome lots of Christmas shoppers closed their stores early, if they even opened at all. Black ice covered the roadways very early on Thursday morning, Dec. 22, then changed to snow mid-morning with wind speeds in the 35 mph range. The upcoming holiday, however, looks to be a little warmer — in the 20s. more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Citizens Memorial Hospital welcomes Chad Garner, RN, BSN, CEN, as the director of hospital nursing services. more

Bolivar City Hall will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2, for the holiday season. For more information about Bolivar City Hall, call 417-326-2489 or visit bolivar.mo.us. more

The Polk County Courthouse will be closed Monday, Dec. 26, in observance of the Christmas Holiday. more

The theater class of Bolivar Middle School presented their winter play, The Grunch, Dec. 15 through Dec. 17. The Grunch is a new children’s musical based on The Grinch by Dr. Seuss. more

Bolivar Primary School winners more

Lanetta Ann Butler more

J. Scott Crowell more

Calvin Eugene Stoops more

LAND TRANSFERS more

How well do you know Polk County? more

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently congratulated Polk County resident Agent Jake Myers on his graduation from MDC’s 2022 Conservation Agent Training Academy in October. more

President Dr. Rick Melson has appointed Dr. Tracy S. Manly as Provost of Southwest Baptist University. The Provost is the chief academic officer for the University, a member of the executive cabinet, and oversees administrative support for academic areas. more

Forty-two years ago, Mom and Dad went well into the holiday season without a Christmas tree in the corner of their living room. more

Letter to the Editor: more

Another Shop with a Cop season has come to a close with an astounding 175 children served through the program this year. more

Drivers were extra cautious on Monday morning, Dec. 19 while the southbound lane of South Springfield Avenue was blocked by a trash truck. more

DEATHS more

Dorothy V. Black, 86, Pittsburg more

There’s only a handful of days left before Christmas, and now is the time that many families jump in the car and drive around to view the beautifully decorated houses around town. Many residences in the community have gotten in the holiday spirit, adorning their houses and yards with decorations and lights. more