GOLDEN POND, Ky. – As of Nov. 1, nine wildlife refuges have closed across Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area to human entry and all activities including hunting, fishing and boating. These areas will remain closed until March 16, 2025. Closed areas are marked with buoys or signs.
The closed wildlife refuges include:
Bards, Duncan, Energy, Hematite, and Honker Lakes
Duncan, Rushing, and Smith Bays on Kentucky Lake
Fulton and Honker Bays on Lake Barkley
Long Creek Refuge
These annual refuge closures provide undisturbed resting and feeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and bald eagles. Staff at Land Between the Lakes asks for public cooperation with refuge regulations designed to provide needed sanctuary.
Hunters should be aware that hunting is not permitted within 150 yards of any Land Between the Lakes facility. Waterfowl hunting is not permitted within 200 yards of a refuge boundary. State regulations should be followed while on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.
Maps with locations of the wildlife refuges are available on the official Land Between the Lakes website.
MURRAY – Today marked the start of no-excuse early voting in Kentucky, and Calloway County voters jumped at the first chance to cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election.
“There’s been over 2,000 people voting today, so it’s been constant,” said Calloway County Clerk Antonia Faulkner, adding, “I think this is going to be a record.”
One poll worker said there was already a line at 7 a.m., an hour before opening. According to Faulkner, people were waiting in their vehicles when she arrived at 6 a.m. Just shy of 5:30 p.m. this evening, she reported people were still lined up to vote.
At 10 a.m., the line ends in front of First Baptist Church, but it starts at the back door of the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
The lines were simply a result of overwhelming turnout. Poll workers were efficiently moving people through the precinct, so despite the length of the line, wait times were relatively short.
At 10 a.m., several leaving the Annex who took their place in line in front of First Baptist Church said the process took 30 minutes at most. This evening, Faulkner said most were in and out in 20 minutes.
“We’re super excited. Two more days of this, and then, of course, we’ll have Election Day,” Faulkner said, “if there’s anybody left to vote!”
On Election Day, voters will be able to go to any one of the eight precincts located throughout the city and county, but early voting only takes place at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 211 S. 4th St. The precinct is open until 6 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Proof of identification is required to vote. Voters should bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID or school ID. Per the definition of “proof of identification” in KRS 117.001, IDs are required to have the voters name and photograph; however, they do not have to be valid. In other words, an expired driver’s license is an acceptable form of ID.
“Ideally, you have your current Kentucky driver’s license,” Faulkner said. “That makes it simple and streamlined, but there are other means of identification. We’re just going to have to fill out different forms. First, we need to make sure that you’re registered to vote.”
Alternative forms of identification include social security card, any ID card with the voter’s name and photo, an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card or a credit card. Also, election official can verify the identity of voters with whom they have a personal relationship.
“We’re encouraging people to get out and vote early, and then from there we’ll take care of the rest of Election Day,” Faulkner said, adding, “If they didn’t make it to the early voting – which we are completely encouraging – go ahead and call (the county clerk’s office) and make sure they know they’re registered to vote. We can double check that.”
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.
Each vote center has all of the ballots for every precinct in the county. For example, a voter who lives in Murray is welcome to vote at the vote center in Kirksey Baptist Church and will still be able to vote in the Murray City Council race.
Anyone who is still unsure about where to vote, Faulkner said, can call her office at 270-753-3923 for more information about how vote centers operate.
“The game has started,” Faulkner said. “We’re going to play it to the end, and it’s going to be great. I’m so excited about today no matter what happens the rest of the time.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 31 at 8:25 p.m.
We reached out to incumbent Mary Beth Imes (R) and her challenger Lauren Hines (D) and asked for narratives introducing themselves to voters and sharing why they are running for office. Outside of the 400-word limit, we placed no restrictions on the candidates’ responses. All were informed that their responses would be published as submitted. They are presented below in ballot order.
Mary Beth Imes (R)
Rep. Mary Beth Imes (R-Murray) speaks at the 2024 Murray Woman’s Club General Election Forum held Oct. 21. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
I have the life experience of a wife, mother, grandmother, successful small business owner and four years experience serving the people of District 5. I have earned the respect of my parties’ leadership and can advance legislation that benefits the people I am honored to serve
I am running for re-election for State Representative to protect our Kentucky way of life and make certain that every Kentuckian has the opportunity to meet or exceed their goals in life. I believe that government should continue to look for opportunities to remove barriers to job growth, continue to find ways to reduce spending and cut taxes, and reduce or eliminate government regulations that impair individuals opportunities to exercise their skills to become the very best they can be
I have been a tireless advocate for Murray in the General Assembly, including my personal efforts to champion legislation to bring a doctoral program in veterinary medicine to the University along with more then $40 million to fund its development I have put in a Bill Request 232 during the interim, so when we convene on January 7th 2025, we can move forward to pass this legislation
During the 2024 legislative session, we passed record funding for education. This is based on data provided by the Department of Education
We invested billions in our roads and bridges, water and wastewater infrastructure, and local economic development sites
It has been one of the greatest honors to serve as your 5th District Stare Representative. Please re-elect me, Mary Beth Imes, for your State Representative
Lauren Hines (D)
Lauren Hines (D) speaks at the 2024 Murray Woman’s Club General Election Forum held on Oct. 21. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
I’m Lauren Hines and I am your Democratic nominee for State House District 5. I’m running as a Community First Democrat that wants to put our people before partisan politics. I grew up right here in Western KY. Alongside my parents and grandparents, the Murray community raised me and inspired me to pursue public service. I graduated from Murray High School and Murray State University and the University of Kentucky. I have professional experience as a financial advisor and real estate professional along with 13 years as a teacher at Murray High School. I want to use my experiences and skills to create sound legislation that will benefit our public education and encourage further economic growth.
Even though I have left the classroom, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for my former students that endures beyond the time that they were entrusted to my care and I want to ensure that they have the same economic and educational opportunities that were available to me and previous generations, if not better. I want to help ensure that each class entering Kentucky’s schools benefits from our responsibility to provide them the best education possible. I want to be sure that we make smart and forward thinking policies that will reduce prices and increase wages not just for the time-being, but to build a future that the children we are working to educate in our classrooms throughout the state will inevitably inherit. I want to ensure that all of Kentucky’s citizens will have access to quality education, a decent living, and accessible healthcare.
We need someone in the legislature that can advocate for public education that has everyday experience with the diverse needs of our students, employees, and community stakeholders when education is one of the largest aspects of our state government. We need someone who can deal with the political division and work with others to move forward. We need someone who has studied economic development and knows that the decisions made by our governments have real and lasting consequences that stretch far beyond the current political cycle.
I want to be your next state representative so that Western Kentucky gets its fair share and so that our people get a fair shake. I may not have my own children, but I promise you that every step of this campaign has been for yours. I’d be grateful for your vote.
Thursday, Oct. 31, marks the start of no-excuse early voting. Until Saturday, Nov. 2, voters can cast their ballots at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 201 S. 4th St. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday (11/1) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (11/2).
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.
We reached out to incumbent Court of Appeals, 1st Appellate District, 2nd Division Judge Lisa Payne Jones and her challenger Judge Jason Shea Fleming and asked for narratives introducing themselves to voters and sharing why they are running for office. Outside of the 400-word limit, we placed no restrictions on the candidates’ responses. All were informed that their responses would be published as submitted. They are presented below in ballot order.
Lisa Payne Jones
Lisa Payne Jones (Photo provided)
I’m Judge Lisa Payne Jones and I currently serve you on the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
Every judge must put the law first, but a good judge is also a public servant who knows the communities and the people they serve. I was appointed to the Court of Appeals in April after Judge Donna Dixon retired. Prior to that, I served as a judge in Daviess County for over 22 years, first on the District Court and then the Circuit. I’ve covered everything from speeding tickets to murder, child custody to car crashes. Because I cared about my community, I also presided over the Daviess County juvenile and adult drug courts; I helped create the Daviess County Mental Health Court; and I’ve served on several state committees to improve the justice system, including the state Mental Health Commission.
Now that I serve on the Court of Appeals, my community stretches beyond Daviess County to embrace all 23 counties of Western Kentucky. Though it’s only been a few months since my appointment, I’ve made the effort to visit courthouses, attend church picnics and festivals, eat with farmers and business owners, and speak to forums and civic organizations. My goal is to continue this outreach after the election. It’s easy for judges to become isolated and forget that each case, no matter how small it may seem, is the most important case on the docket to the people involved. How they feel they were treated, whether they feel they were heard and treated with respect affects their view of the entire justice system. A good judge can never forget that. A good judge makes themselves accessible, lets themselves be seen and known by the people they serve which, in turn, builds up the trust of the people in that judge and in the justice system as a whole.
I hope to have your vote on November 5th because I believe I can be that public servant and good neighbor to all the 1st Appellate District by rendering decisions that are faithful to the law and provide guidance to lawyers and judges, by making myself accountable and accessible to the members of my community, by maintaining the integrity and independence of the judiciary, and by advocating for Western Kentucky and our rural populations.
To know more visit judgelisapaynejones.com; Judge Lisa Payne Jones for Court of Appeals on FaceBook; and Instagram at votejudgelisa.
Jason Shea Fleming
Jason Shea Fleming (Photo provided)
For Western Kentucky voters seeking a principled conservative jurist on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, Judge Jason Fleming represents an exemplary choice, bringing a wealth of judicial experience and unwavering commitment to constitutional principles to the bench. Jason is from the farming community of Crofton in Northern Christian County. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Tonya, and they have 2 children.
Throughout his 18 year tenure as a Christian Circuit Judge, Judge Fleming has demonstrated a consistent judicial philosophy anchored in strict constitutional interpretation and respect for the separation of powers. His rulings reflect a deep understanding of Kentucky’s legal traditions while maintaining a steadfast commitment to protecting individual liberties and property rights.
Fleming’s background as a former prosecutor and circuit judge has given him invaluable experience handling a diverse range of cases, from civil disputes to criminal proceedings. This broad exposure to various aspects of Kentucky law has equipped him with the comprehensive understanding necessary for service on the appellate court.
What sets Judge Fleming apart is his dedication to judicial restraint – a cornerstone of conservative legal philosophy. He consistently demonstrates a clear understanding that a judge’s role is to interpret the law as written, not to legislate from the bench. This approach has earned him respect from both colleagues and constituents who value constitutional fidelity.
Fleming’s analytical rigor and careful attention to legal detail have resulted in well-reasoned opinions that stand up to scrutiny and are easy to understand.
Beyond his judicial philosophy, Fleming has shown a deep commitment to his community through his involvement in local, state and national legal education programs. His efforts to promote transparency in the judicial system and ensure access to justice for all Kentuckians demonstrate his understanding of the court’s role in serving the public interest.
The Kentucky Court of Appeals would benefit from Fleming’s extensive trial court experience and his proven ability to navigate complex legal issues with clarity and principle. His elevation to the appellate court would bring a valuable Western Kentucky perspective to the bench while ensuring the continued protection of constitutional rights and the rule of law.
For voters seeking a judge who will uphold conservative values while maintaining the highest standards of judicial integrity, Judge Jason Fleming represents an outstanding choice for the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Please go to www.jasonfleming.com to learn more.
Thursday, Oct. 31, marks the start of no-excuse early voting. Until Saturday, Nov. 2, voters can cast their ballots at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 201 S. 4th St. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday (11/1) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (11/2).
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.
MURRAY – Rural hospitals across the nation are in crisis mode. Low reimbursement rates on services and soaring expenses have wreaked havoc on profit margins and fueled the proliferation of corporate healthcare systems, creating a landscape where independent community hospitals are increasingly scarce.
“In the State of Kentucky, there’s only 12 of us left,” Murray-Calloway County Hospital CEO Jerry Penner said in a recent interview, referring to the current number of independent hospitals in the commonwealth. As he recalled, there were around 27 in 2013. By 2018, that number dropped to 18. “Now, we’re down to 12, and most of those are critical access hospitals. They’ve been gobbled up. So, those systems have been busy.”
A 2016 report from the Kaiser Foundation, which cited the closure of Parkway Regional Hospital in Fulton, Ky., among others nationwide, noted that factors contributing to the plight of rural hospitals included “aging, poor, and shrinking populations, high uninsured rates and a payer mix dominated by Medicare and Medicaid, economic challenges in the community, aging facilities, outdated payment and delivery system models, and business decisions by corporate owners/operators.”
The trend is longstanding. In 1999, Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, which opened as an independent hospital in 1993, joined Lifepoint Health. A decade earlier, Lourdes Hospital in Paducah merged with Mercy Health. Then in 2018, ownership of the facility changed again when Mercy merged with Bon Secours.
In July, West Tennessee Healthcare took over operations at Henry County Medical Center (HCMC) in Paris, Tenn. One year earlier, HCMC announced the closure of its obstetrics unit, a drastic measure taken in an attempt to bolster the hospital’s bottom line.
And last month, in Hopkinsville, the Jennie Stuart Health Board of Trustees announced entering a nonbinding agreement to transfer the assets of Jennie Stuart Medical Center in a merger with Deaconess Health, a nonprofit health system, based in Evansville, Indiana, which operates over 150 healthcare facilities in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois.
“We are stewards of a cherished asset that has both ensured the health of our community and served as an anchor of the local economy for more than a century,” penned Leslie Carroll, Jennie Stuart Health board chair, in a guest column for the Hoptown Chronicle. “This is a responsibility we do not take lightly. … Our focus is positioning Jennie Stuart and its physicians for success both today and well-beyond our years of service to the Board.
“The fact is that local non-profit health systems across the country are facing significant challenges. Jennie Stuart is not immune to these pressures, and while leadership works diligently to navigate a difficult operating environment, our system lacks the financial resources necessary to make much needed investments in the capabilities and technologies required of a modern health system.”
“Capital is a huge, huge need for us every year,” Penner said. “I can tell you, in 2012, I spent just under two or three million dollars in capital in a single year. (In 2023), I spent $3.8 million on the linear accelerator, one piece of equipment. Capital for me is not just medical equipment. You’re modernizing your MRIs, your CT scans, nuclear medicine cameras and things like that. It’s the HVAC systems we have on the hospital. It’s the roofs that need repairing. It’s the domestic hot water that needs to be replaced to the tunes of millions of dollars to a facility that was built in the ‘50s and ‘60s.”
In her column, Carroll referenced an S&P Global report published last week that characterized Jennie Stuart’s operating performance as “stable” but said it also outlines the organization’s financial limitations promulgated by “historically elevated expenses.”
“A stronger future for Jennie Stuart demands proactive action today to not only maintain our financial position, but also to ensure a brighter future for our patients, providers and community tomorrow,” Carol wrote. “Over the last year, our Board has considered a thorough list of potential partnerships and other strategic initiatives that could create a stronger future for Jennie Stuart (including opportunities specific to gaining access to an electronic health record, or EHR, system).”
“That is the trend nationally, especially in rural communities, because of all the challenges that go into being a standalone rural hospital,” MCCH Chief Nursing Officer Jeff Eye said. “You have to execute year after year after year and be successful because there’s just not a lot of margin for error. That’s why we are fixated sometimes on days cash on hand – that’s our runaway of if things got bad, that’s how long we have in order to get things corrected or get into a partnership with a health system to support us financially until changes can be made to make the hospital solvent again.”
“I don’t know what (Jennie Stuart’s) financial situation was or what their drive was,” Penner said. “I can tell you what I saw from Henry (County) and (heard) in my conversations with their staff and CEO over several years – they had fallen on some pretty tough financial times, and they’ll be the first to say they had to make some difficult decisions to go forward.
“At one point, (Henry County got down to) 27 days cash. I would’ve been nervous as a cat if I’d been at 27 days cash. That’s tough. You start wondering, ‘How much do I have in my reserve? What happens if there’s a rainy day? What happens if we don’t have a good flu season?’ I can see why they made that (decision).”
Murray-Calloway County Hospital CEO Jerry Penner (Photo provided)
Penner said that the situation in Hopkinsville is different than the one at HCMC, “maybe even vastly different,” because Jennie Stuart is still financially solvent, and the hospital’s leadership and board of trustees are looking ahead to address the difficulties they anticipate in the near future.
“It’s important for the community to have a hospital,” Eye said. “I would much rather Henry County and Hopkinsville have a system-aligned hospital than to not have one at all. That’s where Henry County was headed for sure. I don’t know about Hopkinsville. There’s discussion to be (had) about could changes have been made to the operations of these hospitals a long time ago that they would at least have the option to remain independent if they chose to.”
“With support from leading external advisors,” Carroll wrote, “we determined that Deaconess is an ideal partner for Jennie Stuart, given their closely aligned mission of providing high-quality, community-focused care and ability to provide the resources needed to make essential investments in Jennie Stuart’s technology, facilities and the employee experience.”
Prior to coming to MCCH, Eye had experience working in both independent and system hospitals in the Kansas City area. He said that health systems in and of themselves are not inherently bad; it depends on the mission of the organization.
Murray-Calloway County Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Jeff Eye (Photo provided)
“The impact and the way you experience working in one of those has a lot to do with the mission, vision, values of the organization, their management philosophy and the way that they execute the strategy. You can have good and bad in both,” he explained. “The health system I worked for had a very community-centric drive. We were pushing services out to our rural hospitals.
“We (tried) to keep patients in the system but out in their local communities until they needed those complex services so that the large hospital was not using their capacity to take care of things that we, in theory, could take care of at my suburban community hospital or one (of the other small) hospitals.”
But other systems in the same market were not that way, he said, noting that they only offered services that were profitable in their community hospitals because they were trying to pull patients into the large facilities.
“That’s why people (get uncomfortable),” Eye said. “There is this fear of, depending on how the system views its business and how it wants to deliver care, then you can be in a situation where they’re making decisions that are best for the system or investing in communities where their investments will have a higher return. Then you’re in a situation where they look for unprofitable services and they cut them; or they say, ‘You’re a rural community hospital; you do not need to be offering neurology, pulmonology, a cancer center. Those are things we should do at the big hospital.’ That’s not a given. It really is dependent on the management philosophy of the health system.”
He added that, like MCCH, Jennie Stuart offers a more complete set of services than is typically found in a rural hospital its size, which could put the Hopkinsville community at risk of losing some service lines. “I think people are justified in being worried that a system would say, ‘This is not sustainable, and we cannot offer all of these services.’”
“For me, there are two sides to this,” Eye said. “When I first started with the system (in Kansas City), it functioned more as a confederation of hospitals – they were collaborative, but they weren’t managed as a system. That was a transition that happened while I was there – we brought in new system leadership, a new philosophy and (decided) we’re going to operate as a system.”
He explained that prior to then, the hospital paid a system allocation to cover administration costs, but the local board still had control of the hospital’s profits. After the transition, all of the money went into one bucket.
“The decisions on how that capital was deployed was a system decision, not a local decision,” Eye said. “So, all of these hospitals who, hopefully, on most years, are operating at some level of a profit are putting money into this fund to where someone else makes the decision of where to invest that money. My local board became more of an advisory board than a hospital board.”
At the same time, during lean years, Eye said there was not a lot of stress because the system would subsidize the losses.
Despite valid concerns over losing local control of capital investments, merging with health systems can also be beneficial to standalone hospitals.
“There are always decisions to be made with affiliations or purchases or systemizing,” Penner said, “and they’re always going to hover around the big ones: your financial programs, your ability to negotiate contracts – they can go fight the Anthems and the Aetnas and get the rates of a combined facility that I can’t get as a standalone; that is a distinct advantage – (and) information management.
“The economies of scale that a system brings in is monumental. I’m not going to lie to you; it’s monumental. We don’t have that. We do it all on our own. So, there are some attractive things about being part of a system. … But all those things would be really tough to unbundle on the back end. That’s why it never reverses. That’s why the community can’t ever come back and say, ‘We’re going to buy you out of the system.’”
The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet at noon in the hospital’s Garrison Boardroom and via Zoom (call 270-762-1102 for Zoom connection details). See agenda.
Tuesday (Oct. 29)
The Murray Board of Zoning Adjustments will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 500 Main St. See agenda.
Wednesday (Oct. 30)
The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees will meet at noon in the hospital’s Garrison Boardroom and via Zoom (call 270-762-1102 for Zoom connection details). See agenda.
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Unemployment rates rose in all 120 counties between September 2023 and September 2024, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
Cumberland County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 3.7%. It was followed by Woodford County, 3.8%; Carroll County, 3.9%; Fayette, Scott and Shelby counties, 4% each; Oldham and Spencer counties, 4.1% each; and Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Jessamine, Nelson and Washington counties, 4.2% each.
Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 11.5%. It was followed by Martin County, 10.7%; Breathitt County, 9.1%; Harlan County, 8.6%; Elliott and Leslie counties, 8.4% each; Knott County, 8.2%; Clay County, 7.9%; and Letcher and Lewis counties, 7.7% each.
Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 4.9% for September 2024, and 3.9% for the nation.
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted September 2024 unemployment rate was released on Oct. 17, 2024, and can be viewed here.
In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.
Learn more about Kentucky labor market information here.
MURRAY – “Thank you, Jesus.” That is what the former caregiver who pleaded guilty to corpse abuse last month said in Calloway Circuit Court today as she walked away from the defendant’s podium after being sentenced to probation for five years.
Gwendolyn Penny, 68, of Murray, was indicted in April on one count of knowingly abusing and/or neglecting an adult in her care, a class C felony, and one count of abusing a corpse, a class D felony, after a Calloway County Sheriff’s Office deputy went to her Riviera Courts home to serve papers in an unrelated mater and, according to the uniform citation, found a deceased man in advanced stages of decomposition.
Murray Police Department Detective Justin Swope investigated the crime. Per the uniform citation, Penny told Swope that she thought the victim had been sleeping. She recounted that two weeks earlier, the victim told her he had “spoken to God and would be going through the process of ‘Going all the way down,’ which she explained was down to death.” The next day she found him unresponsive but did not notice that he had stopped breathing until three or four days later.
“She said under any other circumstances,” Swope wrote, “she would have been concerned about his health and would have given him care, but this was the process and she had to trust in the Lord.”
Officers also found a journal in the home that documented the decomposition process and the changes to the victim’s body in detail.
“Evidence and statements show Gwendolyn observed a drastic change in the health and well being of the victim and made no effort to get him care,” Swope wrote. “… Gwendolyn made a conscious decision to ignore the health crisis the victim was suffering as part of a religious test which potentially caused the death of the victim due to lack of medical care.”
Gwendolyn Penny stands at the podium with Department of Public Advocacy attorney Victoria Wright (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
Ultimately, a deal was reached with prosecutors to dismiss the higher-level felony in exchange for a guilty plea on the corpse abuse charge, which was entered last month. Today, Penny’s counsel, Department of Public Advocacy attorney Victoria Wright, asked Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore to consider probating her sentence.
“The more serious of the charges have been dismissed,” Wright said. “Regarding her abuse of corpse (charge), on the scale of severity, I do believe that is on the lesser end. She is requesting that you allow her to be supervised by probation and parole. She said that she will not disappoint you; she will not disappoint the Commonwealth either, so we are requesting that you allow her to be probated at this time.”
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney James Burkeen advised the court that he was not opposed to Penny being sentenced to probation but noted his motivations were more pragmatic, based on the length of her potential jail sentence and the amount of time she has already served – 203 days.
“Even if the court did impose the sentence, she would likely be paroled very soon,” Burkeen told Moore. “As far as I can tell, she’s never been arrested a day in her life – and I don’t mean to speak her age – but she’s 68 years old and this is a first-time offense, so we’re not (opposed to parole).”
“Ms. Penny, the Commonwealth’s not opposed to probation,” Moore said, “and I do understand you’ve never been in trouble up until this point in your life; however, the situation here was very serious, in my mind, very extreme. So, I want to make sure that you understand that going forward any kind of situation like this needs to immediately be reported to authorities. Do you understand? Immediately. In any type of situation you get in involving anybody who needs assistance or care, you need to contact authorities. You understand?”
Gwendolyn Penny signs the order of probation. (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
“Yes, ma’am,” Penny said. With that, Moore accepted the Commonwealth’s recommendation and sentenced her to five years of probation. Penny will also be responsible for $6,564 in jail fees.
(Note: This story was updated Oct. 22 to add late responses.)
MURRAY – Election Day is two weeks away. While Rep. James Comer (R-KY) is being challenged by Democrat Erin Marshall, and Lisa Payne Jones and Jason Shea Fleming are both vying for a seat on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, there are very few contested races on the ballot in Calloway County this year outside of the presidential race.
Incumbents Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray), Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Foust (I), Calloway Circuit Clerk Melinda Starks (R), Murray Board of Education members Richard Crouch and Adam Sieber and Calloway County Board of Education members Mitchell Ryan, Sharon Bobo and Danny “Van” Pittman, Jr., are all running unopposed.
One incumbent, Rep. Mary Beth Imes (R-Murray), is being challenged by Democrat Lauren Hines for her District 5 State House Representative seat. All voters in Calloway County will weigh in on that race. City residents also have a choice to make in the race for Murray City Council.
The Sentinel reached out to all 14 candidates in the city council race. We asked for narratives introducing themselves to voters and sharing why they are running for city council. Outside of the 400-word limit, we placed no restrictions on the candidates’ responses. All were informed that their responses would be published as submitted.
Eleven candidates responded to our request. We made several attempts to contact incumbent John Mark Roberts via his city council email addresses but did not receive a response.* The responses below are listed in the order they were received.
Linda Cherry
Linda Cherry (Photo provided)
My name is Linda Cherry.
I graduated with my MA in Education at Murray State University in the mid 70’s, and taught English and science for 28 years.
My husband is Don Cherry, and Murray is our home town.
My experience serving on the boards of Casa (Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children), the Gentry House, Senior Citizens Board, Park Board, Human Rights Commission, Finance and Personnel, and Lost But Loved Animal Rescue have prepared me to continue to follow my pursuit as a public servant on the Murray City Council.
My father-in-law, Bill Cherry, served on the Murray City Council and was later elected as Mayor of Murray. My daughter, Laura Jones, and I raised funds and built western Kentucky’s only dog park. In 2009, it was voted as one of the top 10 dog parks in the state of Kentucky. As a City Council member, my first priority is the safety and welfare of our citizens and to be a good steward of your tax dollars.
I humbly ask for your vote.
Your vote is your voice. Please elect me to be your voice on all city council matters.
Jeremy Bell
Jeremy Bell (Photo provided)
MY NAME IS JEREMY BELL AND I HAVE SERVED ON THE MURRAY CITY COUNCIL FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS. I FIRST RAN FOR COUNCIL BECAUSE I WANTED TO KEEP THE CITY MOVING FORWARD IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION. I ALSO WANTED TO HELP MAKE SURE WE CONTINUED TO BE PRO ACTIVE INSTEAD OF RE-ACTIVE. I FEEL WE HAVE CERTAINLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT IN THE 18 YEARS I HAVE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL. THERE IS STILL LOTS OF WORK TO BE DONE BUT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH TAX PAYER DOLLARS LIKE WE HAVE WILL HELP ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS. A PASSION OF MINE IS THE PARK. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UPDATE A FEW THINGS LIKE THE POOL, PUTTING LIGHTS AT THE BEE CREEK SOCCER COMPLEX AND A NEW CONCESSION STAND RECENTLY. MORE WORK IS NEEDED LIKE NEW LIGHTS AT THE CENTRAL PARK BALLFIELDS. I ALSO KNOW WE HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT NEED WORK LIKE PAVING STREETS AND DRAINAGE PROJECTS IN THE CITY AND WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE AS WELL. THE GROWTH IN THE CITY HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING. WE HAVE FACED MANY CHALLENGES THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT WE CONTINUE TO EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE THE LAST 18 YEARS AND I ASK FOR IT AGAIN. I AM JUST A SMALL PART, IT TAKES EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS.
Monty McCuiston
Monty McCuiston (Photo provided)
I am Monty McCuiston and I’m seeming re-election to a fourth term with the Murray City Council. Born and raised in Murray and currently running the family business of 60 years, Max’s 641 Towing and CEO of Towing for Toys.
Murray has and will always hold a special place in my heart and the soul reason for running as city council candidate is to provide a voice for all citizens, help build a better community and make Murray a desirable place to live, work and play! I currently serve as Chairman for our Public Works Department, member of the personnel and finance committee, park committee and long range planning committee along with several individual work groups within city government.
Bonnie Higginson
Bonnie Higginson (Photo provided)
I have been honored to serve on the Murray City Council for almost two years. It’s been a wonderful learning experience, one that is very different from my career as a professor and administrator at Murray State. I have enjoyed working with the mayor, council members, and the excellent staff at City Hall in our quest to make Murray the best place it can be.
My efforts include involvement in updating and improving the Human Rights Commission Ordinance to include protections in public spaces and a clear process by which citizens can file complaints. I have worked with several other council members to review and update the Animal Ordinance. I have also served on the Long-Range Planning Committee which has focused on infrastructure improvements, beautification of our city, and initiatives to improve the lives of our citizens.
In recent months, I have chaired a work group tasked with determining the best use of Opioid Abatement funds. Our group has sought input from medical providers, law enforcement, educators, and local nonprofit organizations that serve people recovering from substance use disorder. We are committed to using the funds we’ve received to help people rebuild their lives and I’m looking forward to continuing this work.
As a community volunteer at Angels Attic and Murray Art Guild, I have developed a passion for the amazing nonprofit organizations in our community and will continue to advocate for partnerships and support of all of the groups that serve the people of Murray and Calloway county.
I will be grateful for your vote on November 5!
Alice Rouse
Alice Rouse (Photo provided)
Alice Rouse is running for her fourth term for the Murray City council before retiring in 2015 was busy as the Publisher of the Murray, ledger and times. I was born and grew up in Alabama, went to college at Brescia University in Owensboro where I met my husband, Bill he is from Paducah and Graduated from Murray State University. We have twin sons, Justin, and Jason and both are graduates from Murray state. Bill and I are active members of the first Baptist Church.
> I wasn’t born here, but Murray is my home. I have been involved in the community for over 40 years and serve both civic responsibilities and in my professional career. I’ve been members of several boards as a member of the Murray City Council. . I want to make the city safe provide service For citizens and capitalize on Murray’s position unique position as an economic hub. We have to work together to make decisions based on what is best for Murray and its citizens.
In the past six years, we’ve been able been able to get a lot done. I am proud of the work and support of our local Police and fire department. The city has Paved streets, even old city parking lot and new sidewalks and Able to get a recycling program started. we work together to get the city park pool open through a lot of hard work and donations from local businesses and individuals. We were even able to move the Pickleball court to another area in the park because we listen to our citizens. This is working together I want to see Murray grow, but Maintain its small hometown feeling. like I said before this is not just my community. but my home, it’s been a blessing to live here and to raise my family and be a part of this wonderful community
Thomas Hornbuckle, Jr.
Thomas Hornbuckle, Jr. (Photo provided)
My name is Thomas Hornbuckle Jr. and I am excited to announce my running for City Council. I’m looking forward to working with other council members in an ongoing effort to support local economies, create job opportunities, and build a strong sense of community in Murray/Calloway County. For those who don’t know me , I’ve lived in Murray for 48 years. I am a product of the Murray/Calloway County school system. I graduated from Murray State University as well as received a license in nursing from West Ky. Community & Technical College. After college I began working in my family’s Childcare Center as well as serving in the Army National Guard. I have a loving spouse whom I have been married to for 26 years, 3 beautiful children, and a wonderful grandson. My hobbies are traveling, black and white photography, karaoke, concerts, and cooking.
I believe I should be elected to serve on the city council because as a nurse, a veteran, and small business owner I have experience working and advocating for social and economically diverse groups . Besides working in healthcare and childcare, I currently serve on the Transit Board. It would be my honor to be elected to the Murray City Council because it provides an opportunity for me to give back to a community that has done so much for me and my family. Since I have a daughter that’s a freshman at Murray State, a 9 year old son that’s in Middle school, as well as being a small business owner, serving on the city council would give me an active roll in the decisions that effects the lives of those I hold most dear. I humbly ask for your vote.
Clif Darnell
Clif Darnell (Photo provided)
As a lifelong citizen of Murray, Kentucky (aside from my Active-Duty service in the Marine Corps) I have developed a deep and sincere feeling of responsibility to serve our community. My belief in running for a seat on Murray’s City Council is that I have the capability to provide the citizens of our community with a level of transparency and direct representation I have not experienced in my lifetime. My belief is that our citizens deserve representation which does not approach being a member of the city council in a manner where the elected individual feels the duty to make decisions on behalf of the individuals who elected them. My belief is that members of the city council should make the effort to have direct interactions with the individuals they are elected to represent in order to be certain votes that are cast in relation to any given matter are done so with guidance and direction from the individuals who make up our community. My belief is that our local city council has the ability to impact our daily lives to a greater extent, in many ways, more so than the Federal Government. As a result, my belief is that the members of our city’s council have the tremendous responsibility of providing transparency in relation to all matters regarding our community, with the individuals who make up our community. My belief is that direct representation of the voices which make up our community through direct interaction with community members is the only way to operate in a truly representative manner. If elected, I will do everything within my power to create a situation where every monthly meeting or committee meeting that is open to the public and held by our city’s council, be streamed live in some form or fashion so that any individual who has the desire to observe these meetings will have the means to do so regardless of the time of day at which the meetings take place.
Beginning on March 1st of this year, I began volunteering with the Calloway County Fire-Rescue Department. Through this service I have reaffirmed my sincere desire to serve our community and sincerely hope that I can count on your support this November as I can see no greater honor than serving the individuals who make up the community in which I was born and raised.
Danny Hudspeth
Danny Hudspeth (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
Hello,
My name is Danny Hudspeth.
I am a 1974 graduate of Murray High and a 1978 graduate of Murray State University. I am married to Regina (Bumphis) and we have two children O’Shea and Dominique, both married with three and two children respectively. I retired after 35 years of working at Briggs and Stratton where I mostly worked in the Purchasing Department. I enjoy visiting my children and grandkids that live in Lexington and Middleton KY.
I have been a member of the Murray City Council since 1988. During my tenure I also served as Mayor, serving out the term of the late Mayor Tommy Rushing (Oct 2009 thru Dec 2010). Also, during my long term on the Council I’ve served as Mayor Pro-Tem for many terms. In addition, I have served on most if not all of the city committees and numerous other community committees. It has been my honor and privilege to have served in every capacity of these organizations.
I, like all other council members, do this as a service to the citizens of this great city in an effort to enhance and improve their lives by making sure the city services we provide continue to be the best that are available. If re-elected I will continue to serve our citizens with the zeal that I for the last 36 years.
Important items on our current Long Rang Plan that we will carry over into the next term are funding for our City Park and for more affordable housing.
Thank you for your support over the years and I look forward to being your city councilman, if re-elected.
Dhud
Rose Ross
Rose Ross (Photo provided)
I’m a lifelong resident of Calloway County and a retired teacher. Since joining the Murray City Council in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team focused on being responsible stewards of public funds. Our Long Range Planning Committee has proactively addressed community needs, ensuring we provide essential services with available resources.
We recognize the challenges of aging infrastructure, and we’re taking proactive steps to save money and protect property for the future. Our efforts to secure funding from federal and state agencies have been relentless.
As I campaign for re-election to the city council, I bring the discipline and planning skills I’ve honed as a marathon runner, having completed the Boston, Chicago, and Berlin Marathons. Just as running a marathon requires robust amounts of energy and careful execution, so does effectively managing our city.
Promoting physical activity and health is vital for our community. I’ve prioritized park improvements and the repair and construction of sidewalks, and I will continue to advocate for public spaces that encourage active lifestyles
I will remain accessible to my constituents and committed to understanding the community’s needs.
Joe Darnall
Joe Darnall (Photo provided)
My name is Joe Darnall and I’m running for reelection to the Murray City Council.
I have learned many lessons in my brief time in government, and none more important than the need to ensure that in our government, many different viewpoints are represented. My background is unique. I was raised in Murray, went to school here, met my wife, and raised a family here. I worked as a janitor at Murray State to pay for college and I am proud of my blue-collar background. These challenges have given me perspective that others might not have. I think there must be a place in our local government for that perspective. It is what has shaped my belief in our government.
I am proud of the work we have done. We have ensured that our Police and Fire Departments are well staffed, professional, and well-equipped without raising taxes, and that our utilities serve us well. However, there’s work still to do.
I believe that the two greatest issues facing our community are affordability and economic development. We must always be looking to make our government work better for the people. We must invest in programs that not only improve our day-to-day lives, but also create asymmetric economic benefits. The Murray Main Street Program is a great example of this. Since its inception, it has returned $5000 for every tax dollar invested. Investments like that help keep our community thriving and we should invest more.
We must also look at reforming our business licensing and tax system to better ensure we aren’t creating disincentives for our small businesses, enforce coding so that neglectful property owners aren’t harming their neighbors, and do everything in our power to protect our school system to ensure that it remains the cornerstone of our future. We can do these things if they are our priorities, and they are mine.
I truly believe that our government only works if it is a reflection of our guiding principles. For me that means standing alongside the people who work and live in our community. Murray has always been special to me, and it’s the people that make it special. I am proud to call Murray my home and honored to serve all the people of our community and hope to continue to do so.
I am first on the ballot and I hope to have your vote on Election Day.
Wes Bolin
Wes Bolin (Photo provided)
My name is Wesley Bolin and I’m running for re-election to to the Murray City Council. I first began serving in 2016 and have been honored to represent my home for the past eight years.
I moved to Murray nearly 30 years ago and am a graduate and now teacher at Murray High School. My wife Whitney and I also own Bolin Books in Downtown Murray. I’ve wanted to start a bookstore for most of my life. Because of the value that our community places on reading, literacy, and education we’ve now been open and thriving for two years. I want more Murrayans to be able to find the same fulfillment and success with their own small businesses.
I serve as Chair of the Public Safety Committee for the Council and also serve as a member of several other committees. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in prioritizing long term infrastructure repairs and physical needs for both city facilities and throughout town. In my time on the council we’ve built a new fire station, relocated and renovated our Police headquarters, and secured and renovated a facility for City Hall. These efforts will save tax payers money for decades to come and allow the city to continue to provide the services that our residents expect. I’m especially passionate about maintaining and expanding our sidewalk network and pursuing a future greenway or walking/bike path that connects multiple parts of our town. A walkable town is a thriving town.
As a teacher and student of history I’m continually motivated by the study of our town’s past and the possibilities of its future. The phrase I think of most often in my work on the Council is “Murray 2044” – our future bicentennial as an incorporated town. All decisions we make should be with that future in mind. My dream for that future community is one where every resident – whether they’ve lived here their entire lives or just arrived – is welcomed and treated fairly and equitably. A future Murray should continue to value growth and expansion but not at the cost of what we already have today. In each and every vote I take I hope to move Murray towards that future.
I’m fifth on the ballot on Election Day and would be honored to receive your vote and support.
Terry Strieter
Terry Strieter (Photo provided)
Why I am running for Murray City Council
I believe in public service. After a long career at MSU as a faculty member, a two-term elected Faculty Regent on the Board of Regents, and as Chair of the Department of History, I retired. I have lived in Murray over forty-five years, it is my home and it is wonderful city. I believe I have an obligation to give back to this caring and delightful community some of my energy and time to improve and enhance our fair city. Previous to being elected to the City Council I served on the Board of Zoning Adjustment and the Planning Commission. In my two terms on the City Council I have helped push through residential curbside recycling, re-invigorated the Murray Tree Board, helped to initiate and Co-Chaired the Beautification Committee, served on numerous committees and sub-committees and promoted small businesses and economic development while protecting old established neighborhoods. In Council meetings I have question policies that directly impact the people of Murray such as property taxes, licensing and business insurance, infrastructure, environmental problems as well as a host of other issues. I am hopeful the citizens of Murray will continue to value my efforts to improve our municipality and thus I ask for their support in November.
Cordially, Terry Strieter
Johnny Bohannon
Johnny Bohannon (JESSICA PAINE/The Murray Sentinel)
My name is Johnny Bohannon
My Wife is Toni Burçhett Bohannon
We have lived in Murray for 60 years
We have two Sons, Dr. Todd Bohannon, his wife Stephanie, three children,Jonah,, Sarah and Noah Bohannon the other son is Tyler Bohannon, his wife Alisha, Daughter, Hillary and son Sam Bohannon .
They all live in Murray .
My Wife and I are retired teachers.
We all love Murray and want to give back to this community by serving on the City Council .
While serving on the Council there have been many improvements to the City and the Park.
All these improvements have been accomplished because of the hard work of the Mayor and Council working together.
This is what I like about this Council and Murray Kentucky
Please vote for me ,( Johnny Bohannon )
Number 4 on the ballot , thank you,
Johnny Bohannon
The portal to request an absentee ballot closes Tuesday. In-person excused absentee voting starts Wednesday. Absentee voters can vote in-person at the Calloway County Clerk’s Office, 101 S. 5th St., during regular business hours, Oct. 23-25 and 28-30.
Oct. 31 marks the start of no-excuse early voting. Until Saturday, Nov. 2, voters can cast their ballots at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 201 S. 4th St. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on that Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.
*Editor’s note: Terry Strieter and Johnny Bohannon submitted their narratives after this story was originally posted.
Calloway County 2024 General Election Sample Ballot
Frank Henry Julian, beloved husband, father, and educator, passed away on October 15, 2024, in DeLand, Florida, after an 11-year battle with ALS. Born on March 10, 1943, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Frank was known for his sharp intellect, deep love for family, and unwavering commitment to his career in education. His warmth and humor filled any room he entered, making him a cherished presence in both his personal and professional life.
Frank’s academic journey began at West Virginia University, where he earned both his undergraduate degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence. His career spanned several leadership roles: he started as an attorney for the state of West Virginia, then transitioned into higher education, serving as Financial Aid Director and Dean of Students at Marshall University. He later became Vice President of West Virginia Institute of Technology and eventually Vice President of Student Affairs at Murray State University, where he left a lasting legacy by helping to establish the Murray State student center. While at Murray State, Frank was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Kenya, where he not only advanced international educational exchanges but also conducted community workshops on sustainable gardening practices. He later became a full professor of pre-law at Murray State, winning the Distinguished Professor Award.
Frank was a man of many passions. He loved golf, played racquetball almost daily during his tenure at Murray State, and was an avid skier and scuba diver. Gardening was another of his great joys, and his homes were always surrounded by beautiful landscapes that he carefully nurtured. Frank also had a deep love for Stetson University sports, but above all, he treasured time spent with his family—especially his two daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.
Frank is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol Slicer Julian; his daughter, Melanie Julian, her husband Lane Savadove, and their daughter, Emmeline Savadove; his daughter Meredith Julian Mahaney, her husband Kevin Mahaney, and their son, Arthur Brophy. He is also survived by his sisters, Lois Closson, Celeste West (husband Leon West), Doryce Swing (husband Tom Swing), and Candy Van Staveren, as well as his stepmother, Chelsea Julian. He was preceded in death by his siblings April Julian and Darryl Julian.
Frank faced ALS with the same determination that marked his entire life. As his family wrote: “He didn’t experience every day of that damned awful disease with optimism and joy, but he remained more positive and determined than I think many of us would if faced with that diagnosis. He adapted his life to each new challenge—with a huge amount of help, dedication, and love from my mom.”
Before ALS, Frank was the loudest laugh in the room, dancing and singing with abandon. In addition to skiing, scuba diving, golfing and racquetball he even tried hang-gliding before a mishap put that pastime to rest. He built his own dulcimers and kayak, and he grew gardens that fed and beautified his homes. He cherished his dog, Cleo, and his cat, Aspen. Frank was a devoted father, coaching his daughters in sports, playing golf, baseball and tennis with them, and sharing his love for the outdoors. His wisdom and humor were felt by everyone who knew him, and his love for his family and students knew no bounds.
“We have to live every single moment to the best of our ability because life goes by so, so fast,” Frank once said, and he embodied that belief. His thirst for knowledge and passion for sharing ideas endured until the end.
Frank Henry Julian’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him.
