Thursday, November 27, 2025
44.7 F
Murray
Home Blog Page 11

In remembrance: Terrence “Terry” Little

Obituaries
-
0
In remembrance: Terrence “Terry” Little

Mr. Terrence “Terry” Little, age 83, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away, Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.

Terry was born on July 31, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, who are deceased, were John W. Little and Anna Marie Hogan. He has a younger sister, Jeanne Dodge of Eurica, Illinois and was preceded in death by four younger brothers, James W. Little, Douglas F. Radcliffe, Thomas A. Radcliffe, and Michael C. Little. He is survived by his wife of more than 55 years, Judi M. Little; as well three daughters, Teresa L. Osthaus of Omaha, Nebraska, Tamera L. Jones of Fort Myers, Florida, and Kathleen M. VanDerHarst of Mundelein, Illinois. He left eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Terry served four years in the United States Navy with two years being on the USS Magoffin (APA-199) as a Hospital Corpsman and he attained the rank of HM-2. Most of his working life he was involved with training, instructional design, and management. He and his wife retired in 2004 and moved to Murray.

Terry was best known for his civic photography and his semi regular time as host of the Morning Program on WNBS. He was also recognized by his colorful shoes, socks, and glasses. In 2009, Playhouse in the Park named him volunteer of the year, and he received the Playhouse Icon award in 2010. He also received the Chamber of Commerce Presidents award that year. In 2015 he was named Murray Citizen of the Year, and in 2018 he was named Hometown Hero.

Terry was an active member of the Murray Rotary Club and served 13 years as secretary and vice chairman of the Calloway County Protection District. He was very involved at Playhouse and the Film Burners Photo Club.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Bob Valentine, John Dale, and Mark Welch officiating. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to Playhouse in the Park, 907 Arcadia Circle, Murray, Kentucky 42071 or to Murray Calloway County Needline, 638 South 4th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com.

Niemeyer and Gibson request separate trials

Jessica Paine
-
0
Niemeyer and Gibson request separate trials

MURRAY – Attorneys for Chyanne Niemeyer and Nathaniel Gibson have each filed motions requesting that the defendants be tried separately, citing the pursuit of antagonist defenses – in other words, each defendant plans to implicate the other should their cases go to trial.

Niemeyer and Gibson, who was identified as Niemeyer’s fiancé in the complaint warrants, were arrested on Oct. 22, 2023 and charged with murder and first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12 years old after Niemeyer’s 17-month-old daughter died from severe burn injuries.

Nathaniel Gibson stands at the podium flanked by his attorney Zanda Myers, of Bowling Green, Ky., right, and co-counsel Olivia Adams, of Hopkinsville, Ky. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)

According to the uniform citation, Niemeyer and Gibson brought the girl to the emergency room after they found her nonresponsive. Allegedly, both told Murray Police Department Detective Justin Swope that the burns resulted from “scalding” hot bathwater. Both claimed they attempted to get the toddler out of the water but could not because of the temperature, but Swope noted in his report that neither Niemeyer nor Gibson had any redness on their hands or arms.

When it became evident to Niemeyer that her daughter’s skin was being profoundly damaged, she removed the girl from the tub and treated her wounds by applying BENGAY, which is an ointment designed to provide relief for muscle and joint pain, backaches and minor arthritis pain that, according to package instructions, should not be applied to damaged skin. Swope’s report also noted “strong medicine odor” coming from the child.

The couple was arrested that night and have remained in the Calloway County Detention Center, each on a $500,000 cash bond.

The defendants appeared in Calloway Circuit Court this morning for a previously scheduled review hearing. Considering the respective motions were filed on Friday and Sunday, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney James Burkeen advised the court that the prosecution was not prepared to have a hearing on the motions. Agreeing that the motions were not ripe for hearing today, Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore continued the hearings on those motions to Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.

Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore speaks to Nathaniel Gibson’s counsel at this morning’s review hearing. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney James Burkeen refers to his laptop for details about the case during Nathaniel Gibson’s hearing in Calloway Circuit Court this morning. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)

Individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Sentinel has followed these cases since Niemeyer and Gibson were arrested in 2023. If you aren’t familiar with the story, the links below are in chronological order to help you catch up.

Murray couple pleads not guilty to murder in toddler death

Niemeyer and Gibson cases advance to grand jury

Niemeyer’s counsel requests additional evidence be collected

Grand jury returns indictments in child abuse case

Mother’s competency to stand trial questioned

Mother’s competency hearing set in murder/child abuse case

Breaking news: Niemeyer competent to stand trial

Moore deems Niemeyer competent to stand trial

Lockhart jailed for violating bond conditions

Jessica Paine
-
0
Lockhart jailed for violating bond conditions

MURRAY – The Murray woman and former Kentucky Court of Justice employee who is facing 23 counts of fraud, among other charges, in Calloway Circuit Court for allegedly embezzling more than $175,000 from an elderly woman for whom she provided in-home care was sanctioned to four days in jail for violating the conditions of her bond.

Circuit Court Judge, 42nd Judicial Circuit Andrea Moore, whose district covers both Calloway and Marshall counties, imposed the sanctions in a hearing held in Marshall County Tuesday, ordering 53-year-old Leslie Lockhart to report to the Calloway County Detention Center no later than 6 p.m., court records show, to serve as punishment for testing positive for alcohol consumption in June, a violation of her bond conditions. She must also pay for the screening test.

Lockhart, who spent decades working in the local legal field, most recently serving as a case manager for 42nd Judicial Circuit Family Court Judge Stephanie Perlow, was arrested in February and charged with 23 counts of second-degree forgery, theft by unlawful taking ($10,000 to $1 million) and knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult.

Leslie Lockhart, right, appears in Calloway District Court with her attorney, Jason Holland for her arraignment in February. (Zoom screenshot)

After her arrest, Lockhart’s bond was set at $20,000 cash. Within two days, the bond was posted. Upon her release, she was subject to standard bond conditions, such as no new arrests, appear in court as directed and refrain from using or possessing alcohol or drugs. In addition, she is forbidden from selling or transferring property of any kind without court approval.

The victim in this case was Perlow’s mother, Maria Judy. In 2023, Perlow hired Lockhart to be her mother’s part-time caregiver. After Judy passed away last December, Perlow discovered 20 forged checks totaling $177,768 and reported the theft to the Kentucky State Police. KSP’s investigation uncovered evidence of multiple fraudulent transfers from Judy’s investment and retirement accounts in addition to more forged checks.

There are notable discrepancies in the charging document the KSP filed in Calloway District Court and the one filed in Calloway Circuit Court by Special Prosecutor Richie Kemp regarding the total amount of money Lockhart allegedly took from Judy’s accounts. KSP’s complaint warrant identified $256,768 in fraudulent transactions; however, the information Kemp prepared after Lockhart waived her right to a preliminary hearing in district court, thereby allowing the case to advance to circuit court without a grand jury indictment, stated the total amount was $177,601.

Leslie Lockhart leaves the courtroom following her circuit court arraignment in April. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
Attorney Jason Holland, left, and Special Prosecutor Richie Kemp speak with Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore during Lockhart’s arraignment. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)

Lockhart was arraigned in Calloway Circuit Court on April 21. Moore entered standard discovery orders to facilitate the exchange of evidence between the parties, and set the next hearing for June 16.  

During that June hearing, Kemp requested Lockhart submit to a drug and alcohol screening. Moore obliged and ordered the defendant to submit a specimen within an hour. Lockhart’s specimen tested positive for alcohol. The screener noted on the test results that Lockhart “had 1 beer yesterday.” Kemp wasted no time and filed a motion to revoke and forfeit bond that afternoon, which was initially noticed for hearing on July 7.

While Lockhart’s case was on the docket that day, neither Lockhart nor her counsel, Hopkinsville-based Jason Holland, appeared. Kemp was present, and when the case was called, he informed the court that he did not anticipate Holland or Lockhart being present and asked to approach the bench. After conferring with the judge for nearly two minutes, he left the podium, and the next case was called. According to the clerk’s notes on the docket sheet, the hearing was continued to July 15 in Marshall County.

Special Prosecutor Richie Kemp, right, talks to Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Foust before court goes into session on July 7. (Zoom screenshot)

At Tuesday’s hearing, while Moore sanctioned Lockhart for violating her bond conditions, she held Kemp’s motion for forfeiture in abeyance and continued the matter to Aug. 18.

The criminal proceedings in Calloway Circuit Court are not Lockhart’s only legal concerns. On March 4, she and her husband filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Bankruptcy court filings show more discrepancies as to the total amount allegedly taken from Judy’s checking, retirement and investment accounts, starting with the petition, which lists the Estate of Maria Judy among the creditors, claiming a nonpriority unsecured debt of $120,000 owed to it.

In April, Perlow, in her capacity as the executrix of the Estate of Maira Judy, filed an adversary proceeding against Lockhart and her husband, contesting the dischargeability of the debt owed to the estate under claims of fraud, embezzlement and willful and malicious injury. The complaint, filed by Murray attorney Jacob Caddas, claimed Lockhart owes Judy’s estate $286,768.

“Co-Debtor stole more than a quarter million dollars from the Estate of Maria Judy, without permission and without a right to the money,” the complaint stated. “[Lockhart] should not be permitted to discharge a debt which was the result of ‘fraud’, ‘embezzlement’, ‘false pretense’ or any other version of theft which the law might recognize.”

In an affidavit filed with the complaint, Perlow explained that, in addition to working as a case manager in her office, she also hired Lockhart to be an at-home caregiver for her mother, the victim, for a couple of hours in the evenings as well as on Sunday mornings, noting that Lockhart held “a place of trust” within her family.  

According to Perlow, the alleged fraudulent transactions ranged in amounts from $4,839 to $30,000 per transaction, the affidavit stated, with the final transaction occurring approximately one-and-a-half hours after the victim passed away. After Perlow informed her of Judy’s death, Lockhart allegedly deposited a forged check in the amount of $4,400 into her personal bank account.

A pre-trial conference in the adversary proceeding is scheduled to be held telephonically on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 8 a.m.

Lockhart is due back in Calloway Circuit Court on Monday, Aug. 18, at 8:30 a.m. for the final pre-trial conference in her ongoing criminal case.

Individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kentucky could be the hardest hit after latest federal healthcare spending cuts

Guest Contributor
-
0
Kentucky could be the hardest hit after latest federal healthcare spending cuts
By Anna Claire Vollers/Stateline (As published by Northern Kentucky Tribune | 6.19.25)

Congress set aside $50 billion for rural hospitals and medical providers to allay fears over the billions more in historic cuts to federal health care spending that President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day.

But is that bandage big enough to save struggling rural hospitals?

“I have more questions than I have answers,” said Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, a nonprofit policy group. “No one has those answers yet.”

Morgan noted that the new money for rural health, to be spent over five years, is far less than the $155 billion in rural Medicaid spending cuts over 10 years, as estimated by KFF, a nonprofit health policy and research group.

Experts, hospital leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle fear that Trump’s signature legislation will particularly gut rural hospitals and clinics, which see an outsize share of patients who are insured through Medicaid, the federal-state public health insurance for people with low incomes. The new law slashes more than $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next 10 years to help pay for tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

The $50 billion addition was an effort by Republican leaders in Congress to win the votes of colleagues within their party who initially balked at supporting such steep cuts to Medicaid and other health services.

In the U.S. Senate, the rural program helped secure the vote of Alaska moderate Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who expressed concern about the law’s impact on health care in her state. About 1 in 3 Alaskans are insured through Medicaid.

Jared Kosin, the president and CEO of the Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association, said he’s deeply frustrated with the new law’s gutting of Medicaid funding, which he thinks will wreak lasting damage on Alaskans. And Republicans sidestepped potential solutions by just throwing money into a program, he said.

“It’s frustrating in the public realm when decisions like this are made fast and, frankly, carelessly,” he said. “The consequences are going to fall on us, not them.”

More than half of the law’s cuts to funding in rural areas are concentrated in 12 states with large rural populations that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to cover more people, according to KFF: Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Some GOP lawmakers in Congress have heralded the $50 billion rural program as a health care victory. But it’s still unclear which hospitals, clinics and other providers would receive money and how much.

How it works

(Graphic from KFF.org/NKyTribune)

The Rural Health Transformation Program will dole out $10 billion annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

States must apply for their funding by the end of this year, submitting a detailed plan on how it would be used.

The law outlines some ways that states can use the money, according to an analysis of the legislation from the Bipartisan Policy Center:

• Making payments to rural hospitals to help them maintain essential services such as emergency room care or labor and delivery.

• Recruiting and training rural doctors, nurses and other health workers.

• Bolstering emergency medical services such as ambulances and EMTs.

• Using new technologies, including telehealth.

• Providing opioid use disorder treatment and mental health services.

• Improving preventive care and chronic disease management.

Half of the $10 billion each year will be distributed evenly across states that have applied for it. The other half can be distributed by the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – currently Dr. Mehmet Oz – at his discretion, based on a state’s rural population and rural health facilities.

Although the program doesn’t replace the amount states are likely to lose, Morgan said it’s still an opportunity to rethink how rural health care is funded. He’d like to see states given flexibility in how they’re able to use the funds, and he hopes they focus on keeping rural communities healthy through preventive care while still helping hospitals keep their doors open.

“If done correctly, it could really change the future course for rural America,” Morgan said. “That is such a tough ask, though.”

Hardest hit

(Graphic from KFF.org/NKyTribune)

Kentucky could take the biggest hit from the new law’s reduction in rural Medicaid funding, losing an estimated $12 billion over 10 years, according to a KFF analysis.

The state’s Medicaid department is still waiting for additional federal guidance to understand how the state’s program will be affected, Kendra Steele, spokesperson with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, told Stateline in a statement.

“Over 1.4 million Kentuckians rely on Medicaid — including half of all children in our state, seniors and more vulnerable populations — and the passage of legislation on the federal level will have serious impacts for those individuals, rural health care and hospitals and local economies,” she wrote.

Even with the new program, states across the country will have to reevaluate their budgets in light of the cuts, said Hemi Tewarson, executive director at the National Academy for State Health Policy, a nonpartisan group that supports states in developing health care policies.

“Every region is slightly different and there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” she said. “Hospital ownership varies [as well as] the types of services that are critical for the community where they’re located. They have to think about new ways to provide those services in a context with fewer resources.”

About 44% of rural hospitals are operating in the red, according to a KFF analysis of Rand Hospital Data, a higher share than the 35% of hospitals in urban areas.

‘Rural at heart’

Prior to the bill’s passage, Oz attempted to reassure U.S. House Republicans that their districts could get money from the program even if they weren’t specifically rural, Politico reported earlier this month.

Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said money would begin flowing to his district as early as the beginning of next year, telling the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader earlier this month that he met with Trump, Oz and others to secure pledges that hospitals in his district could access the fund. He represents the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, which includes suburban and rural areas, as well as the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

Though the legislation includes guidelines on which facilities or areas qualify as “rural,” Morgan, of the National Rural Health Association, expects a mad dash from lawmakers and providers to claim rural status in order to get a piece of the funding.

“That’s going to be a huge issue — defining who’s rural,” Morgan said. “We’re all rural at heart when it comes to money.”

Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at avollers@stateline.org.

Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org.

KET cancels Fancy Farm coverage and fall project planned in Murray (Press Release)

Press Releases
-
0
KET cancels Fancy Farm coverage and fall project planned in Murray (Press Release)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Due to the expected passage of the Rescissions Act that eliminates federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), KET has made the difficult decision to eliminate this year’s coverage of the annual Fancy Farm political event. CPB funding was the primary source of support for KET’s local productions and related services.

“We are extremely disappointed to not be at Fancy Farm, an event we have covered for decades,” said KET Executive Director and CEO Shae Hopkins. “The unofficial kickoff to the political season is an important tradition, and we have been pleased to share this iconic event with our statewide audience through the years.”

Also cancelled is a planned project to take Kentucky Edition and Kentucky Tonight programs to Murray for a week in September to highlight the region.

More decisions to address the elimination of federal funding will be made in the coming weeks.

KET is Kentucky’s largest classroom, providing trusted programming, lifelong learning opportunities and essential services to more than two million people each week. Learn more about Kentucky’s preeminent public media organization at KET.org, on X @KET and at facebook.com/KET.

Editor’s note: Sentinel Board Chair Chad Lampe is an employee of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

In remembrance: Joseph Marshall Ward, Jr.

Obituaries
-
0
In remembrance: Joseph Marshall Ward, Jr.

July 9, 1953 – April 2, 2025

Note: Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on July 18, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 19, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A celebration of life gathering will follow at 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2025, at the Big Apple Grill and Bar in Murray, Kentucky, to honor and continue celebrating Marshall’s life.

Joseph Marshall Ward, Jr., 71, of Murray, KY, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025, at Baptist Health Hospital in Paducah, KY. Born on July 9, 1953, in Nashville, TN, Marshall was the son of Joseph Marshall Ward, Sr., an accomplished artist, and Paula Moore Ward, a dedicated nurse educator, both of whom preceded him in death.

He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Pamela Jean Brown Ward; his daughter, Lauren Bailey Ward Cruz, of Woodside, NY; his sons, Charles Dillon Ward and wife Emily Denham Ward of Peoria, IL, and Joseph Alexander Ward and wife Hannah Grace Wachenheim of Louisville, KY. Marshall was a proud and doting grandfather to Noah Dustin Cruz and Lydia Grace Cruz. He is also survived by his brother, McDaniel Moore Ward of Pearl River, LA, and nieces and nephews, Jacob Reid Ward, Megan Suzanne Ward, and Bradley Scott Ward. He is also survived by cousins Byron Paul Barlowe and Natalie Barlowe Hinton and their families who will miss him dearly. Marshall was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Fire Department of the City of New York Lieutenant Robert Bing Cruz and cousin-in-law Vann Harris Hinton.

Marshall spent his formative years in East Tennessee and Charleston, SC, places that shaped the vibrant, spirited man he became. A gifted storyteller with a quick wit, Marshall often recounted his youthful fights for justice against the neighborhood bullies behind the laundromat back in Bristol. He had great memories of the summers he spent at Camp Ridgecrest for Boys. He also looked back fondly on his high school days, a few of which were spent skipping class to surf the waves and cruise the coast in his beloved black 1970 Nova. Marshall was also a gifted athlete, competing in track and field and playing soccer during his college years. His passion for endurance sports continued beyond college, and he went on to become an avid marathon runner.

Marshall loved a good time and lived each moment with unmistakable gusto. With his easy charm, Marshall never met a stranger, and he leaves behind a legacy of a life fully lived. Before embarking on a long and impactful career as an educator, he wore many hats—baker, disc jockey, jeweler, landscaper—and brought the same passion to each. As a small business owner, he ran a successful painting company specializing in the restoration of historic Charleston Single Houses, work that earned the approval of the city’s Architectural Review Board.

Marshall was a lifelong learner with a deep passion for education, civic engagement, and service to others. He graduated from King College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History, followed by a Master of Education in Curriculum/History & Political Science from The Citadel. He earned his South Carolina Teaching Certificate from Charleston Southern University. A dedicated educator, Marshall taught for 3 years at First Baptist Church School in Charleston, SC, 17 years at R.B. Stall High School in Charleston, SC, and another 17 years at Calloway County High School in Murray, KY, where he taught AP History, AP Government/ Politics, Economics, and Humanities.

Marshall served as the President of the Charleston Federation of Teachers for nine years and sponsored numerous student organizations including We The People, Model Congress, Model UN, Leadership Tomorrow, Student Government, and Junior Achievement. He was an organizer for Mock Elections and Political Rallies and a volunteer for First Robotics, Inc. He was the Social Studies Department Chair at Calloway County High School and a representative for the School Based Decision Making Council. He served as an Instructor of Political Science at Murray State University’s Commonwealth Honors Academy and as a Cooperating Teacher for Murray State University Student Teachers. He coached various sports, including high school varsity soccer and track and field. He led student trips to Washington, DC, New York City, andthe Bahamas inspiring many young minds along the way; he also notably led the Kokehashi Project Bridge to Tomorrow Japan Exchange Program. He cajoled those around him to question convention, think independently, and advocate for their passions. His dedication to students was evident, and he was deeply involved in mentoring both students and teachers.

Marshall received numerous honors throughout his career, including being named the 1995 Applied Economics Teacher of the Year and a National Finalist with Junior Achievement. He was twice recognized as Stall High School’s Teacher of the Year (1995 and 1996), led the Calloway County soccer team to a Region 1 Championship in 1999, and was inducted into both the KY YMCA Advisor Hall of Fame and the KUNA Hall of Fame for his outstanding leadership and mentorship.

Marshall was named a Kentucky Colonel in 2015 for his service and accomplishments on behalf of others, and in 2013, he received the Civic Education Leadership Award. He was passionate about civic engagement and served as a columnist for the Murray Ledger & Times and Forward KY, providing a progressive Democratic Party perspective on local, state, and national issues. He was an active member of the Calloway County Retired Teachers Association and the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association for which he served as a lobbyist and co-chair of the legislative committee. His active role in the community extended to serving on the Murray-Calloway County Park Board, as secretary of the Calloway County Library Board, as president of the Murray-Calloway County Soccer Association, and as Camp Director for Challenger Sports soccer camp.

In addition to his career in education, Marshall was an avid traveler, having backpacked through Europe and honeymooned with Pam in the British Isles. He enjoyed family vacations to Folly Beach, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, and Banff National Park. A lifelong patron of the arts, Marshall nurtured creativity not only in himself but also in his children, encouraging their pursuits in music, painting, photography, film, and glassblowing. He took great pride in Lauren, Dillon, and Alex’s talents and was their biggest supporter.

Marshall also had a sharp mind and a love for friendly competition—he was a talented bar trivia player, and his team, The No Brainers, enjoyed regular success at The Big Apple in Murray. He was also a passionate Tennessee Vols fan and enjoyed watching college football, English Premier League, and March Madness with Pam. He loved cooking breakfast for dinner and was known for his fluffy omelets, and he was quick to remind you that he was able to cook them over an open fire thanks to his early days as a Boy Scout.

Marshall’s life will be remembered by his unwavering commitment to others, his passion for teaching and learning, and his relentless pursuit of justice, progress, and improvement in all aspects of life.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on July 18, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on July 19, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A celebration of life gathering will follow at 4:00 p.m. on July 19, 2025, at the Big Apple Grill and Bar in Murray, Kentucky, to honor and continue celebrating Marshall’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, 7800 Leaders Lane, Louisville, KY 40291, Calloway County Retired Teachers Association, c/o Pam Ward, 1308 Oakhill Drive, Murray, KY 42071, the Murray High School Boys’ Soccer Program, 1800 Sycamore Street, Murray, KY 42071, Calloway County High School Boys’ Soccer Program, 2108 College Farm Road, Murray, KY 42071, or the Calloway County Democratic Party, make checks payable to CCDP, 112 North 10th Street, Murray, KY 42071.

Marshall will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on through the lives he touched.

Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com

Land Between the Lakes awarded grant for Turkey Bay OHV project (Press Release)

Press Releases
-
0
Land Between the Lakes awarded grant for Turkey Bay OHV project (Press Release)

MEDINA, Minn. – Today, Polaris Inc., a global leader in powersports, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), announced the 2025 recipients of the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation Grants. The Grants are awarded to support outdoor recreation, trail conservation and promote responsible riding to help protect the nations’ forests and surrounding lands.

This year, more than $113,000 in funding will support five initiatives in various National Forest locations located in Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Kentucky.

“Polaris is committed to having a positive impact on the places where people use our products and the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation Grants with the NFF are one of the many ways this comes to life,” said Pam Kermisch, Chief Customer and Growth Officer and President of the Polaris Foundation. “The grants support essential initiatives such as trail restoration, conservation and responsible riding education, to help enable future generations to create lasting outdoor memories.”

2025 Grant Recipients:

  • Phase 1: Land Between the Lakes NRA – Turkey Bay OHV Area, Kentucky: This grant will initiate projects such as a new paved entrance turn lane, striped traffic lanes, speed bump and safety signage installation, resurfaced parking areas, and expanded overflow camping and day-use zones. These upgrades aim to enhance safety and the overall off-highway vehicle (OHV) user experience.
  • Navigate Responsibly Project – Coconino National Forest, Arizona: This grant will help improve motorized visitor navigation and protect natural resources through the production and installation of new signage. Signs will be placed in strategic areas along highways and busy recreation corridors to guide visitors and promote responsible riding in approved areas. 
  • Snowmobile Park Improvements – Lassen National Forest, California: This grant will support the installation of updated trail markers and trailhead signs, along with the printing of winter recreation maps for public use. These enhancements will improve access and safer riding experiences to both groomed and ungroomed snowmobile areas across the forest.
  • Snowmobile Bridge Improvements – White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire:This grant will provide materials to repair two snowmobile trail bridges in need of new wood decking. The improvements will help support a safe riding experience and more reliable winter trail access.
  • Alpine Loop Trail Kiosks – GMUG National Forest, Colorado: This grant will replace kiosk structures and update essential information at two locations within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. The upgrades will improve trailhead visibility for riders and visitor orientation. 

“We are thankful for our long-standing partnership with Polaris,” said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President and CEO of the National Forest Foundation. “Our shared passion for outdoor recreation leads us to collaborate on meaningful projects that help some of the 170 million yearly visitors to National Forests have a more enjoyable time outside.”

Polaris and the NFF have a longstanding history of working together to support trail creation, trail restoration and reforestation projects. In 2021, the Polaris Fund for Outdoor Recreation was established with Polaris committing to donate $5 million over five years to the NFF. The endowment issued its first grant in 2022 and has since supported projects across the country including Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont, Sam Houston National Forest in Texas, and Tonto National Park in Arizona.

To learn more about the Polaris and NFF partnership, please visit https://www.polaris.com/en-us/national-forest-foundation-partnership/. 

About the National Forest Foundation

The National Forest Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of the US Forest Service. The NFF is national in scale and local in practice, with work focused in three vital areas: wildfire risk reduction, land and watershed restoration, and recreation for all. As a leader in forest conservation, the Foundation deploys 90% of its expenses towards projects and programs across the country’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. Learn more at www.nationalforests.org

About Polaris Inc.

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris XPEDITION and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com

Making history: Mayfield business becomes first to cultivate medical cannabis (Press Release)

Press Releases
-
0
Making history: Mayfield business becomes first to cultivate medical cannabis (Press Release)

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear announced today that Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program has reached another milestone as Armory Kentucky LLC, a Tier II cultivator based in Mayfield, introduced the first medical cannabis inventory in Kentucky history. Cultivation at the Graves County site began on Friday, following approval of the facility inspection by the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.

“This administration made a commitment to Kentuckians suffering from cancer, PTSD, multiple sclerosis and other eligible conditions, and I am proud we are making progress to deliver safe, affordable access to medical cannabis,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Through work with the General Assembly to move up business licensing by six full months and providing licensees with the tools they need to get up and running, we are closer than ever to providing Kentuckians with life-changing relief.”

The beginning of cultivation at Armory Kentucky LLC marks a major milestone as the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis continues to make progress toward ensuring Kentuckians suffering with serious medical conditions have access to safe, tested medical cannabis products. Additional licensees, including processors and testing labs, are expected to begin operations in the coming weeks.

“We are pleased to see the progress that has been made,” said Cannon Armstrong, executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis. “We look forward to working with all of our other licensees to get them up and operational as soon as possible.”

On Apr. 17, 2024, Gov. Beshear signed House Bill 829 into law, which moved up the timeline for medical cannabis licensing in Kentucky by six months. The Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis began accepting applications from prospective businesses on July 1, 2024.

On March 31, 2023, Gov. Beshear signed Senate Bill 47, legalizing medical cannabis for Kentuckians beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

To date, Kentucky has licensed 81 businesses and registered over 400 medical cannabis practitioners. More than 17,000 Kentuckians have been issued a written certification, and over 11,000 have successfully applied for and received a medical cannabis card.

For more on Kentucky’s Medical Cannabis Program, visit kymedcan.ky.gov.

MCCH welcomes new CFO

Press Releases
-
0
MCCH welcomes new CFO

MURRAY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital (MCCH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Craven as the hospital’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Craven brings more than 25 years of healthcare financial leadership experience and a proven track record in fiscal accountability and operational excellence.

In this role, Craven will oversee the hospital’s financial operations, including budgeting, revenue cycle management, and financial reporting. His leadership will be instrumental in supporting MCCH’s mission of providing high-quality, compassionate care to the communities it serves.

“We are excited to welcome Brian to the MCCH team,” said Reba Celsor, CEO of Murray-Calloway County Hospital. “With his depth of knowledge in healthcare finance and commitment to community-focused care, we are confident that he will help guide MCCH toward continued financial health and growth.”

Prior to joining MCCH, he served as CEO at Ironwood Healthcare Solutions, where he led initiatives that improved financial performance and enhanced overall efficiency. He holds a degree in Accounting from Union University and is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

“I am honored to join the team at MCCH and be part of a hospital that is deeply rooted in its community,” said Brian Craven. “I look forward to contributing to its continued success and supporting the incredible staff who make quality patient care their top priority every day.”

Please join MCCH in welcoming Brian Craven, CFO, to our leadership team.

State receipts surpass estimates for 2025 Fiscal Year

Guest Contributor
-
0
State receipts surpass estimates for 2025 Fiscal Year

By Tom Latek/Kentucky Today | Originally published Jul 11, 2025

FRANKFORT, Ky. (KT) – The State Budget Director’s Office said receipts for both the General Fund and Road Fund exceeded the Consensus Forecasting Group’s official estimate for Kentucky state government’s 2025 Fiscal Year (FY25), which ended on June 30.  

General Fund receipts for FY25 totaled $15,703.2 million, exceeding FY24 total revenue by $131.9 million, or 0.8 percent.  General Fund revenues exceeded the official revenue estimates by a nearly identical amount, $131.3 million. 

Road Fund revenues totaled $1,863.5 million, 0.6 percent less than the FY24 total.  Compared to the official FY25 Road Fund estimate of $1,825.0 million, actual revenues exceeded the estimate by $38.5 million.

State Budget Director John Hicks stated, “Both funds produced revenues in excess of the enacted estimates.  Major business taxes far exceeded the official estimates offsetting lower than forecasted income and sales tax receipts.  Strength in business taxes demonstrates that Kentucky businesses are producing at a profitable level.  On the Road Fund ledger, the use tax paid on the sales price of new and used vehicles provided the collections needed to surpass the official estimate by $38.5 million.  Car and truck sales are evidence that Kentucky consumers are earning working wages sufficient to finance these purchases.”

Of the eight accounts that are part of the General Fund, four accounts had differences that were within $10 million of the actual amounts.  The other four accounts had variations ranging from $125 million to $500 million.  The larger differences cancelled each other out so that, in total, General Fund estimates were within one percent of the actual receipts.

Looking at the seven accounts make up the Road Fund, three accounts finished below the estimated amount while four accounts exceeded the official estimate.  The forecasting differences ranged in magnitude from -$30.4 million to $69.4 million. Among the accounts, motor vehicle usage tax was $69.4 million over the official estimate while motor fuels revenues came in $30.4 million under the estimate.  All other accounts, taken together, were $0.5 million below forecasted levels. 

The final budget surplus amount for FY25 will be known once the accounting records for expenditures are completed later this month. 

1...101112...49Page 11 of 49
Verified by MonsterInsights