Rock Prairie Missionary Baptist Church is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The church was organized on April 17, 1874 with 18 members, in southeast Polk County. The first church building was built in 1877, but the exact location is unclear. In 1893, the land where the church currently sits was purchased for $50 and a church house was built by men in the community. In its early years, the church’s records detail several great revivals, resulting in more than 15 baptisms each. more

Earlier this year, four faculty from Bolivar Technical College (BTC) embarked on an enriching journey to the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH) in San Diego, California, thanks to a generous grant from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. more

Wednesday, April 10 more

Students at Marion C. Early High School were the first among those at three Polk County schools this month to view a docudrama depicting the aftermath of a fatal crash caused by an impaired driver. On April 3, local emergency service providers including firefighters, law enforcement, county coroner, CMH, and Cox Health collaborated with MCE FFA students Landen Burrow, Ben Lewis, Colby Pellham, Hailey Presley, Jacob Presley, and Garrett Waldrep in the scenario. Following the docudrama, students gathered for an assembly to hear from program organizers regarding causes and prevention of actual vehicular emergencies. more

KLIFE Families - It’s time to call your friends, warm-up those paddles, and get your teams signed up for Polk County KLIFE's first ever Pickleball Tournament Fundraiser. Join us on May 4th at Cribbs Family Youth Park! more

Sew ‘n’ Sew Quilt Guild will meet Friday, April 19, at United Methodist Church at 105 E. Division Street. Please come to the east entrance into the Fellowship Hall. Social time is at 9:30 a.m., the program starts at 10 a.m., with a meeting to follow at 11 a.m. The program this month will be Phillis from Shawn’s Sewing Center in Springfield, demonstrating the Brother Scan and Cut. All those interested in quilting are welcome. Contact Lynnette McCulloh at 402-289-3044. more

Open Hearts United Methodist Church, Bolivar, has announced the first $5,000 scholarship to be awarded from the Hegle Scholarship Fund established by a donation from former Bolivar businessman Weldon Hegle. more

The First Baptist Church of Walnut Grove will be hosting a ladies retreat from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. Registration begins at 8:30 p.m. more

Spring fever more

Halfway Senior Class Project Graduation Tractor Pull will be Saturday, April 20, starting at noon. The pull will be held at the Polk County Fairgrounds, Bolivar. more

The Downtown Bolivar Association is now accepting applications for vendors who would like to sign up for a booth space at Country Days. This annual event hosts a variety of organizations and vendors who offer food, entertainment, and other goods. This year, Country Days will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7. more