A fifteen-year-old male perished in a dirtbike accident on April 29. Corporal J.R. Rorie was called to 540th Road, west of Pleasant Hope, at 6:00 p.m. for the single-vehicle incident. The juvenile male, from Bolivar, was driving a 2022 Honda CRF125F bike traveling westbound when he lost control on a rutted roadway. The bike flipped, killing the rider, who was wearing a helmet. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Dr. Assman at 6:47 p.m. The teenager was taken to Pitts Funeral Home by Polk County Assistant Coroner Purselly and the bike was picked up by the owner. Next of kin has been notified.  more

Citizens Memorial Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Governor Mike Parson signed Executive Order 24-05, extending Missouri’s drought alert to Sept. 1, 2024. The action directs continued coordination of resources and combined response efforts across state government until conditions improve in drought-impacted areas. more

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

Kenneth “Kenny” R. Wieland more

My brother often tells me that a favorite expression among gardeners is “maybe next year” when things didn’t necessarily go according to plan. Maybe the weather conditions weren’t exactly right that year or maybe there just weren't enough hours in the day to implement whatever it was, but there was always that hope that perhaps next year would be different. more

Halfway Missionary Baptist Church will hold homecoming services Sunday, April 28. Regular services starting at 10 a.m., preaching at 11 a.m. by Bro. Donnie Lane, followed by lunch. Viles Family singing in the afternoon. Everyone is welcome. more

Friends of the Polk County Library will once again hold their spring book sale on Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the library in Bolivar. more

Auditions are now open for the annual Polk County’s Got Talent show, an event that recognizes local talent and raises funds for Community Outreach Ministries. more

The value of making mistakes more

Friday, April 26 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

Missouri 4-H and University of Missouri Extension will host a Crops Field Day on Wednesday, July 10, at MU Bradford Farm near Columbia. more

It’s time once again to help make Lake Pomme de Terre beautiful. more

Congratulations to Melissa Hegle for correctly guessing this month’s location, the Bolivar Recreation and Aquatics Center. Watch for a new location starting on May 1. more

The Polk County Genealogical Society (PCGS) will once again be offering the service of placing flowers on graves for Memorial Day. Orders may be made through May 3. The choices will be either a small spray placed by the stone or a saddle placed over the top of the stone. The cost for the saddle is $50 and the bouquet is $20. Deliveries can be made to cemeteries in Polk County. more

Monday, April 29 — Chicken Cordon Bleu, scallop potatoes, Tuscan veggies, roll, coconut cake. more

Bolivar Pentecostal Church of God will be in revival with Evangelist Steve McKnight from Thibodaux, Louisiana. Sunday, April 28 through Wednesday, May 1. Sunday services will be at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday will be at 7 p.m. nightly. more

The family of Norma Lenz will be celebrating her 95th birthday on Saturday, May 4 with a come and go brunch from 10 a.m. to noon at the Rose Building, 114 N. Springfield Avenue, Bolivar. more

The Fair Play Schools would like to invite everyone to a retirement reception in honor of Mrs. Phyllis Garrison. more

The Lindley Prairie Cemetery will have their annual board meeting on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. in the cemetery church building. Anyone interested in the cemetery is invited. 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

SHERIFF’S REPORTS more