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 Halfway Future Business Leaders of America attended the Missouri FBLA Middle Level State Leadership Conference on Wednesday, March 27. Five students qualified for the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando,Florida, June 29 – July 2, 2024. Jackson Fisher, Sterling Gallivan and Boe Francka took second place in a team event called Critical Thinking. Kayedynce Evans placed third in an individual event called Career Exploration and Cormac Bewley placed fourth in an individual event called Exploring Economics. Sterling and Boe also received individual medals in events called Leadership (fourth place) and Career Research (fourth place), respectively. There are 19 Middle Level members of the Halfway FBLA Chapter which is comprised of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. more

Everywhere, Bolivar has the BEEF! The cows are proof that Missouri Beef Days is ready to kick-off. Get ready to enjoy events like a Street Festival, Boots & Bling, Cowboy church, cook-offs, an art walk, sampling booths, rodeos, an ag expo, a parade, and much more! Fun for all ages! more

Gavin Riley Harmon more

Furley Temple more

Alyssa Renee Ramey more

The Bolivar Rotary Club held its 46th annual Civic Service Banquet on Monday, April 29. Jody Shelenhamer, Bolivar Rotary Club co-chairman, proudly awarded the 2024 Civic Service Award to Paula Hubbert. more

DEATHS more

DEATHS more

Robert “Bob” Gene Parker, 65, of Pittsburg, passed away Monday, April 29, 2024 at his home. Services for Bob will be held Monday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will start an hour beforehand at 9:30 a.m. on Monday. Burial will be held at Springfield Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, on Monday at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Tunnels to Towers. more

Shirley Faye Brooks Appleby more

If you thought that last year’s Missouri Beef Days rodeo action was intense, just wait until you see the action at a brand-new competition this year – the Missouri Beef Days Celebrity Chef Showdown! more

The 34th annual Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation Medical Excellence Golf Classic, presented by SGC Foodservice, is set for Thursday, June 6. The event will be held at Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar. more

Codefi Launches New Co-Investment Funds Pioneering Hybrid Model Blends Seed Funding and Venture Philanthropy to Catalyze Startup Growth in Smaller Metropolitan Areas and Rural Communities Across Southern Missouri. 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 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

Melissa Hegle was the winner of the gift card to Brenda’s Cafe after winning the April I-Spy game, correctly guessing Bolivar Recreation and Aquatic Center. Melissa is proof that reading the paper doesn’t just provide you with news and entertainment, it can pay off as well. more

The regular monthly meeting of the Polk County Genealogical Society will be held Thursday, May 2. Speaker for the evening will be Billy Marshall who will share information on the town of Orleans that was one of the first settlements in Polk County. The meeting, held at the PCGS Research Facility on the southeast corner of the square, will begin at 7:00 with a short business meeting and what has become a tradition – trivia questions! more

Girls more

SBU athletics department announced Issac Scroggins and Kallyn Stumbo as this years’ Rex Brown award winners as announced at the 2nd annual Purple Carpet Premiere. more

Rebekah Harless, daughter of Kristy and Aaron Harless and Jacob Morgan son of Jessica and Dustin Morgan have been chosen as Bolivar High Schools Rotarians for the month of May more

Veteran advertising executive Deanna Moore, publisher of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press and four additional southwest Missouri newspapers, was honored the evening of April 18 with the 2024 Dee Hamilton Memorial Sales Pro Award. more

Thursday, May 2 more

Weather report more

Promotion to Vice President of Programs, Hiring of Chief Operations Officer. more