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A sign sits on the sidewalk next to Maple Street, directing voters to the Miller Courthouse Annex to cast their ballots during the no-excuse early voting period. (Sentinel file photo)

Calloway County composite ballot for Nov. 3 general election

The composite ballot for the Nov. 3 general election in Calloway County is shown below. Because the composite ballot includes races from throughout Calloway County, not every contest will appear on every voter's ballot.
Sentinel Staff
Tuesday, October 27
Calloway County Judicial Building

Murray State employee files whistleblower lawsuit

One of two women placed on administrative leave from Murray State University in August filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the university this week, alleging she was retaliated against after …
By Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel
Wednesday, October 7

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Kentucky news
 Dems expanded the map across the nation and in Kentucky for future elections, Beshear says
Tuesday was a good night for Democrats and an extremely good night for Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.  Leading up to midterm elections, Beshear had a spotlight trained on him as the Democratic Governors Association chair, campaigning across the country in races that ultimately led to Democrats flipping five seats, and so now controlling at least […]
By McKenna Horsley
Yesterday at 2:49 PM
Burgin council members paid a price for their data center support. They weren’t the only ones.
Joe Monroe knew he had a good shot at winning as a write-in candidate, yet he also realized it was going to be an “uphill battle.”  But when he went to the Mercer County courthouse Tuesday night to check the results for the Burgin mayoral race, he had won handily, with 75% of the vote […]
By Liam Niemeyer
Yesterday at 2:24 PM
Commentary: Editor’s Notebook: In a blue wave, one nonpartisan electoral victory that’s very good for democracy
The blue wave that swept America made Tuesday a very good night for university presidents and law firms and Haitian refugees and immigrants, and all the other people who have suffered the worst excesses of a vengeful President Donald Trump and his feckless administration.  That wave didn’t sweep Kentucky so much as splash it around […]
By Linda Blackford
Yesterday at 12:31 PM

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Features

Signs of home: Preserving the memory of Between the Rivers

A Heritage Sign marking the former Turkey Creek Missionary Baptist Church stands near a grave marker in Land Between the Lakes. The signs are part of an effort to preserve the history of communities that existed before the area became a National Recreation Area. (KACIE LAWRENCE/The Murray Sentinel)

For decades, little has remained to mark the homes and businesses that once stood in the communities of Between the Rivers, the area now known as Land Between the Lakes (LBL). A new project is …

By Kacie Lawrence/The Murray Sentinel
Sunday, October 18

As generations pass, Between the Rivers homecomings keep memories alive

Donnie Pogue and Theresa Howell share stories at the Golden Pond Homecoming.

For many in western Kentucky, their hearts will always be somewhere in a place they call Between the Rivers, now known as Land Between the Lakes. Though they can never truly go home again, former …

By Kacie Lawrence/The Murray Sentinel
Sunday, October 11
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Legal Proceedings

Jameson faces possible license suspension after speeding plea

James “Jamie” Jameson served as judge for the 42nd Judicial Circuit from January 2015 until November 2022. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts)

Former circuit court judge James “Jamie” Jameson could face a 90-day suspension of his driver's license after entering a guilty plea Tuesday to speeding …

By Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel
Thursday, October 22
Jameson, right, stands at the podium with his client, Cary Bogard, for an arraignment in Calloway Circuit Court last month. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)

Former circuit judge faces reckless driving charge after 90-mph traffic stop

A former circuit court judge for Marshall and Calloway counties faces five traffic charges, including reckless driving, after a Marshall County sheriff's deputy reported clocking him at 90 mph in a …
By Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel
Sunday, October 18
Trigg District Judge Matt Schalk, serving as special judge, presides over Justin Swope's arraignment in Calloway District Court Tuesday.

Two Murray men arraigned in unrelated CSAM cases

Two unrelated cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) came before Calloway District Court Tuesday morning. A former Murray Police Department detective sergeant already facing felony …
By Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel
Tuesday, September 29
Russell Cleaver stands in Calloway Circuit Court earlier this month for an appearance in a separate criminal case. The words “I CALLED 911” are written on the back of his jail uniform.

Murder indictment, civil suit add to Cleaver cases

A Calloway County grand jury met Friday and indicted Russell Cleaver on charges of murder, third-degree assault and first-degree criminal mischief in two separate but related cases. Days earlier, the …
By Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel
Sunday, September 27

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Obituaries
Joanne Lee Harper - Oct 22, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Joanne Lee Harper, age 87, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend, who died on October 22, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.Joanne was …

Yesterday at 1:44 PM
Mr. Chester M. Garner
Oct 19, 1942 – Nov 4, 2026 Mr. Chester M. Garner, age 84, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Murray-Calloway County Hospital.

Yesterday at 11:24 AM
Dawn Marie Wilson - Nov 3, 2026
Ms. Dawn Marie Wilson, 68, of Murray, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at Lakeway Nursing and Rehab in Benton, KY.Dawn was born on December 4, 1957 in Saginaw, MI to the late Harold and Rose …

Yesterday at 10:52 AM
Vicky M. Canady - Oct 30, 2026
Vicky M. Canady, 68, of Murray, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2026 at her home.Vicky was born on November 20, 1957 in Bowling Green, KY to the late Meredith and Iona Payne. She was a member of …

3 days ago
Kirby Lewis Grant - Nov 1, 2026
Mr. Kirby Lewis Grant, 69, of Mayfield, KY, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at Murray Calloway County Hospital.Kirby was born on June 13, 1957. His life was filled with love, family, and the …

3 days ago

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Local government

Calloway County among 76 Kentucky counties approved for Opportunity Zone 2.0 designation

Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced continued site and building development efforts throughout the state, as 137 census tracts across 76 Kentucky counties were approved for Opportunity Zone (OZ) 2.0 …
Governor's Communication Office
Thursday, October 29

Meet the candidates: 2026 local elections

The Murray Sentinel invited all candidates in four contested local races on the Nov. 3 ballot to introduce themselves to voters and answer questions specific to the offices they are seeking. …
Tuesday, October 27

Kentucky offers free voter ID cards ahead of November election

Ahead of elections coming up on November 3, Team Kentucky is reminding eligible registered voters who do not currently have an accepted form of identification …
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Thursday, October 8

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Public Safety

KSP announces traffic safety checkpoints in 11 western Kentucky counties

The Kentucky State Police will be conducting traffic safety checkpoints …

Kentucky State Police
Thursday, October 1

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Education

Murray Independent Schools rank among Kentucky’s top 2% in 2027 U.S. News rankings

Murray Independent School District is celebrating another outstanding achievement following the release of the 2027 U.S. News & World Repor t Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools …

Murray Independent School District
3 days ago
Extras

4 retro-fueled room designs for fresh inspiration today

Houzz reports on four retro-inspired room designs blending past styles with modern touches, showcasing 1920s Art Deco, 1950s charm, 1960s Space Age, and vibrant 1990s aesthetics.
Elena Vega for Houzz
3 days ago

Plans with cheaper premiums are risky business for Americans seeking lower healthcare costs

Some options that might look like health insurance actually aren’t – and they may leave you stranded with large, unexpected medical expenses.
Thomas Buchmueller, University of Michigan and Helen Levy, University of Michigan, The Conversation
Wednesday, October 28
What 8 hours on your feet really does to your body
KURU Footwear reports that being on your feet for eight hours can cause various physical issues like muscle fatigue, pain, and cardiovascular risks, emphasizing the need for varied movement and better workplace design to mitigate discomfort.
Victoria Schmid for KURU Footwear
Friday, October 23
Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows
Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.
James Kelly for Closets by Design
Friday, October 23
Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself
Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.
Michael Sherwood for Malwarebytes
Thursday, October 22
Your 2026 tax return just got easier: Here's what's coming this filing season
(BPT) - Filing your taxes is never a top item on anyone's fun to-do list, but it's definitely a must, and can lead to a very welcome refund. The good news is, there's a new service that can help make …
Tuesday, October 20
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