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In remembrance: Tatum Elizabeth Dale

Obituaries
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In remembrance: Tatum Elizabeth Dale

May 10, 1990 – Dec. 24, 2025

Ms. Tatum Elizabeth Dale, age 35, of Lexington, Kentucky, formerly of Murray, Ky., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Ms. Dale was born on May 10, 1990, in Murray. Tatum was a proud graduate of Calloway County High School and the University of Kentucky. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington.

Tatum volunteered on Congressman Andy Barr’s first congregational campaign and has worked for Congressman Barr for the past 15 years. Tatum held almost every position in the Barr congressional office, Schedular, Field Representative, Deputy District Director, District Director and, most recently, Deputy Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager. Tatum loved her job and serving the 6th district and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Tatum was an extraordinary young woman with a servant’s heart and an ability to love and make people feel special. Tatum was a genuine light that shined so brightly wherever she went. She didn’t meet a stranger that she couldn’t find something in common with to strike up a conversation, and she left a lasting impression. She had the ability to connect with people, she wanted to know you, and it was from the heart and genuine.

She was a servant of the Lord heavily involved in her church and had a passion for mission work. She loved all people of all ages. She chaperoned countless Honor Flights carrying veterans to Washington D.C. The Lord was first and next was the endearing love Tatum had for her family. She understood the blessing of family and she showed her love to us continually in small and big ways. Our girl is gone too soon but we rest in the knowledge that she is rejoicing with her Lord and Savior in heaven.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, J.C. “Billy” and Cora Elizabeth “Libby” Mahan and Rev. B.G. and Doris Dale; as well as her uncle, Joe “Skip” Ginn.

Survivors include her parents, Bill and Ellen Dale; two brothers, Leighton Dale and wife Amy and Nolin Dale and fiancé Syd Petonic; cherished nieces, Libby Tate and Edie James Dale; aunts and uncles, David and Becky Ginn, Tim and Sonya Ginn, Dianne Lee, Lisa and Doug Steele, Pam and Barry Albright, and Bruce and Deb Dale; many beloved cousins; as well as her constant four legged companion, Henry.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Bro. Brett Miles officiating. Burial will follow in the Hicks Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

A memorial service will be held in Lexington, Ky., at 2 p.m., Jan. 3, 2026, at the Calvary Baptist Church, 150 East High Street. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m., at the Calvary Baptist Church.

Active pallbearers will be, Bill Dale, Leighton Dale, Nolin Dale, Joe Dale Curd, Jeremy Curd, and Jonathan Curd. Honorary pallbearers will be, David Ginn, Tim Ginn, Barry Albright, Doug Steele and Bruce Dale.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Tatum Dale Memorial Scholarship, payable to the University of Kentucky, UK Philanthropy, P.O. Box, 910628, Lexington, KY 40591-0628 or to the Honor Flight of Kentucky, c/o Kelli Parmley, 4604 Foxbridge Circle, Lexington, KY 40515.

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

MCCH Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Jessica Paine
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The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees will meet at 1noon in the hospital’s Garrison Board Room and via Microsoft Teams (call 270-762-1102 for connection details).

MCCH Board of Trustees Finance Committee Regular Meeting

Sentinel Staff
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MCCH Board of Trustees Finance Committee Regular Meeting

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. in the hospital’s Garrison Board Room and via Microsoft Teams (call 270-762-1102 for connection details).

KSP warns of scam targeting sex offenders

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KSP warns of scam targeting sex offenders

MAYFIELD, Ky. – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 has seen an increase in reported scams recently, including scams impersonating law enforcement. 

It has been reported to KSP Post 1 more than once in the past few days that individuals on the Sex Offender Registry (SOR) have received phone calls from someone alledging they are KSP Post 1 Commander, Captain Joey Adams, and advising them they have a warrant related to their SOR status. The impersonator then requests money for a bond payment. This is a scam. We would like to reassure the public that law enforcement will not call you to advise you of a warrant or request money related to a warrant. 

KSP Post 1 would also like to remind the public, under KRS 525.070 and 525.080, use of information obtained from the sex offender registry to harass a person identified on the sex offender registry is a criminal offense punishable by up to ninety (90) days in the county jail. More severe criminal penalties apply for more severe crimes committed against a person identified on the sex offender registry website. 

Related coverage: Anatomy of a scam call: Inside a 30-minute chat with fake deputies

A night divine with the Messiah (Opinion)

Constance Alexander/For The Sentinel
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A night divine with the Messiah (Opinion)

After months of rehearsal – and the holiday concert not a week away – the sopranos had suddenly become shrill while the altos sank to a half-tone flat. Worse yet, the best tenor’s voice changed over a weekend, and the bass who was supposed to sing a solo had laryngitis.

As a result, our choral music teacher was tearing out his hair and muttering a river of curses in Italian. A Julliard graduate, Alexander Azzolina had sung at opera houses all over the world. Women reportedly swooned at the sound of his rich tenor voice. A consummate professional in the adult world, Mr. A. was reduced to tears of frustration in the high school choral room. Because of us.

The routine was the same every year. We started rehearsing in September so there was plenty of time to learn the music, memorize the words, and get the voices to blend, The process ran smoothly until November, when SAT’s, Thanksgiving, and the homecoming game were on the horizon.

Santa Claus was coming to town and we kids were distracted.

Things started deteriorating at the first rehearsal in December, so extra practices were scheduled before and after school. Everyone grumbled and griped. Mr. A. had to tap his baton two, three, four times on the music stand to get us to quiet down and pay attention. When we were really distracted, he snapped his baton in two for good measure.

Besides singing Hanukah songs in Hebrew, yuletide tunes from other cultures in Spanish and German, and a cantata of Appalachian Christmas Carols, we were singing challenging sections from Handel’s “Messiah.” The school had purchased new blue choir robes with white satin sashes for the Vocal Ensemble, and a professional musician, instead of one of the students, was engaged as accompanist.

Besides the singing, Mr. A had designed a new way to delight the audience. Once they were all settled in their seats, the lights in the auditorium would dim and then on cue, the chorus – each one carrying a lit candle – processed in, singing “Silent Night.” When we ascended to the stage and arranged ourselves properly on the risers, we were to finish the song and blow out our candles in one breath.

Our marching orders were clear, but the closer we got to opening night, the more our skills eroded. We tripped, giggled, even forgot words to songs we’d known since we could sing fa-la-la-la-la-la. If it kept up, the outcome was inevitable: Mr. A. would erupt like Mount Vesuvius.

Dress rehearsal was a Christmas disaster, but stories like this have happy endings, at least when they get written down, so I remember that particular performance as note perfect.

Every year at this time I take the sheet music out, play the songs, and sing along. The voices of my classmates are distinct, their faces round and sweet in the soft candlelight of memory.

I remember Peggy K. and Dot S’s lilting duet of “Oh Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion.” And Richard K’s rendition of “The People That Walked in Darkness” thrilled the audience. For the grand finale, the audience was asked to follow tradition and stand for the “Halleluiah Chorus.”

Mr. A, his dark eyes snapping, had transformed the rabble of lively teenagers into a finely-tuned instrument.

At the end of the concert, forehead glazed with sweat, Mr. Azzolina blew us a kiss before he took his bow. Afterwards, we handed in our robes and rushed off to be with friends and family. For days after, everyone talked about the magic of that winter night when the school seemed to levitate on a cushion of young voices raised in song and praise with Handel’s “Messiah.”

CCBE sets 2026-27 school calendar

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CCBE sets 2026-27 school calendar

MURRAY – Calloway County Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting at the district’s central office on Dec. 18.

The meeting began with a recognition of Aubrey Naber, a CCHS senior who achieved a perfect 36 composite score on the ACT Test. Naber thanked her parents and teachers for pushing her to accomplish this feat. Less than 0.2% of test takers nationally achieve a perfect score on the standardized test.

Aubrey Naber, right, poses with Calloway County School District Superintendent Tres Settle at last night’s board of education meeting. (Photo provided)

The board approved a BG1 request to begin projects on the roofs of East Calloway Elementary and North Calloway Elementary. The district recently completed an assessment of the roofs in the district and will target portions of buildings with the highest need. The board also approved numerous fundraisers and travel requests from around the district.

The board also approved the school calendar for the 2026-27 school year. This calendar includes the first day of school as Aug. 5, with Fall Break on Oct. 5-9, Winter Break on Dec. 21 – Jan. 1, Spring Break on April 5-9, and the projected last day of school on May 13, 2027. The calendar is developed by an annual committee led by the district’s director of pupil personnel, Josh McKeel.

Numerous directors and principals gave updates to the board about the progress in their departments and schools. McKeel reported the district attendance rate of 95.5% is quite strong, and overall district enrollment is 39 students higher than one year prior. Director of Maintenance Kenny Duncan showed detailed energy usage graphs and noted the district had saved over $2 million in energy costs since 2015 due to energy friendly shifts in the district. Supervisor of Instruction Ryan Marchetti gave a quick update on the first-year teacher mentorship program in the district. Principals from every school discussed recent MAP testing in reading and math for students in grades K-10 and recent holiday and family engagement events at their schools to end the first semester.

Superintendent Tres Settle gave an update about the construction projects for the baseball and softball concession stand and the tennis courts. Settle also noted he has been in touch with local legislators advocating for the ability to connect the central campus to Highway 121 with an access road.

The next regularly scheduled meeting for the Calloway County Board of Education is Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. at the Calloway County Schools district office.

Murray State announces two college heads

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Murray State announces two college heads

MURRAY – At the quarterly meeting of the Murray State University Board of Regents on Dec. 12, the university named Nicole Hand dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts and Dr. R. Heath Keller dean of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. Both had served as the interim dean of their respective colleges since Jan. 1, 2025.

Nicole Hand

In her role as dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, Hand will continue to oversee academic programs within the College of Humanities and Fine Arts that encompass the following departments:

  • Art and Design
  • English and Philosophy
  • Global Languages and Theatre Arts
  • History
  • Music
  • Political Science and Sociology
  • Psychology

The college is a cultural hub for the campus and broader community, having hosted nearly 200 events this year that are free and open to the public and range from exhibitions, festivals and performances to films, lectures and reading series. 

Hand earned a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Miami in 1999 before joining Murray State as an assistant professor in the art department in the fall of 1999. She served the College of Humanities and Fine Arts as assistant dean from 2018-23 and associate dean from 2023-24 before accepting the role of interim dean. 

As professor, Hand teaches courses in several disciplines within the college, particularly in printmaking, as Murray State’s printmaking program has a rich tradition of success and recognition in the national printmaking community. 

Her work has been featured in numerous regional, national and international exhibitions, while her mentorship has helped guide numerous artists.

A 2009 recipient of the Murray State Distinguished Researcher Award, Hand has served on a multitude of committees both within the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, as well as across Murray State, and has secured grants over the course of her professional career to advance scholarly research while championing student and faculty success. 

Hand holds professional affiliations with organizations including the Mid America Print Council, Southern Graphics Council, College Arts Association and the Council of Colleges of Arts & Sciences.  She served on the board for the Southern Graphics Print Council as Vice President of Outreach and Member at Large.

“The College of Humanities and Fine Arts is a vibrant, student-centered college, filled with excellent professors, skilled researchers, compassionate leaders, and dedicated staff,” said Hand. “The fine arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences are crucial areas of study for understanding the world, expressing that understanding creatively, and addressing its challenges with empathy, innovation, and critical thinking. I am excited to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to provide a quality education that equips students with the essential skills and knowledge they need to succeed, and to continue our community connections through our wide array of events and programming.”

Hand is married to Jim Bryant, Professor at Murray State. They have two children, Ella Bryant (20) and Colin Bryant (13).

Dr. R. Heath Keller

In his role as dean of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, Keller will continue to oversee academic programs within the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business, which is among only 5% of business schools globally accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB).

The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business provides excellent teaching and student learning opportunities, blending the range of educational opportunities often found at research institutions with the nurturing student-teacher interactions characteristic of smaller universities. Departments in the college include:

  • Accounting
  • Computer Science and Information Systems
  • Economics and Finance
  • Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Management, Marketing and Business Administration
  • Organizational Communication and Leadership

Keller holds professional affiliations with associations such as the Academy of Management, the Southern Management Association, Midwest Academy of Management, Educause and Beta Gamma Sigma. 

“It is an honor and privilege to serve Murray State University as dean of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business,” said Keller. I’m excited for the opportunity to represent, support and celebrate the great students, faculty and staff that make the Bauernfeind College of Business shine. It is my goal to foster the college’s strong legacy of excellence and scholarship as we work together toward the future.”

Keller earned his doctorate from Southern Illinois University in 2011. He began his faculty career at Murray State University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Business Administration. During his tenure at Murray State, he has progressed to his current rank of Professor. Keller also served as the Department Chair of Management, Marketing and Business Administration from Aug. 2017 until he accepted the role of Interim Dean. Keller earned the Regents Award for Teaching Excellence in 2016.

Mallory named CCHS principal

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Mallory named CCHS principal

MURRAY – Calloway County Schools has announced that Mark Mallory will be hired as the next principal of Calloway County High School. Mallory will take over at CCHS during winter break for Steve Smith, who has served as interim principal since October.

Mallory has been the principal of Southwest Calloway Elementary School for the last eight years. Before that, Mallory was an assistant principal at Graves County High School for three years. He was an English teacher at Graves County High School for six years before becoming an administrator. Mallory has two Master’s degrees and a Bachelor’s degree, all from Murray State University.

Mark Mallory (Photo Provided)

“Mr. Mallory has proven himself to be an exceptional leader at Southwest, and I am confident that he will do an outstanding job as the principal of CCHS,” Superintendent Tres Settle said. “He brings a wealth of high school and leadership experience to his new role, and I’m excited to see what he and the staff at CCHS will achieve together.”

Mallory is a current member of the Leadership Murray class with the Murray-Calloway Chamber of Commerce. He is a 2020 graduate of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Initiative for Principals. In the community, Mallory is on the board of directors for Playhouse in the Park, a Calloway County Library trustee, and on Murray State University’s Internal Review Board.

“Strong schools are built through positive relationships, clarity of expectations, and intentional systems,” said Mallory. “I am incredibly excited to work with the staff and administration of Calloway County High School to create opportunities and provide support for our students as they prepare to step into the next significant chapter of their lives.”

Mallory is originally from Christopher, IL. He and his wife, Heidi, reside in Murray and have two sons, Henry and Max.

Mark Mallory is shown with his wife, Heidi, and sons. (Photo provided)

Ford announces major EV shift, lays off all employees at Kentucky plant

Guest Contributor
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Ford announces major EV shift, lays off all employees at Kentucky plant
By Liam Niemeyer/Kentucky Lantern

GLENDALE, Ky. – Ford Motor Co. will lay off about 1,500 workers in Kentucky as it converts a ballyhooed plant in Hardin County from making batteries for electric vehicles to making batteries for a new energy storage business. 

Ford on Monday also announced that it is taking a $19.5 billion writedown and canceling several electric vehicle models in the face of Trump administration policies and lackluster demand for electric vehicles.

 In a press release, the company said the conversion of the Glendale plant, which began operations in August, would “serve the rapidly growing battery energy storage systems market” by leveraging “currently underutilized electric vehicle battery capacity to create a new, diversified and profitable revenue stream for Ford.” The company said it would invest $2 billion over two years to scale the energy storage business and deploy at least 20 gigawatt-hours annually of energy storage batteries by late 2027. 

“Ford plans to produce LFP prismatic cells, battery energy storage system modules and 20-foot DC container systems at this facility. These systems are at the heart of the energy storage solution market for data centers, utilities, and large-scale industrial and commercial customers,” the company wrote in its press release.

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported that Ford executive Andrew Frick said the BlueOval SK battery plant is expected to lay off all of its approximately 1,500 employees in the near future, though the final date of employment has not been announced. The newspaper reported the retooled plant would employ 2,100 workers with some currently employed workers anticipated to reapply.

Workers at the battery plant had sought to unionize with the United Auto Workers, with the results of an union election held in August still being contested before the National Labor Relations Council.

Ford said production of a previously announced electric truck and universal electric vehicle platform to be built in Louisville continues to progress with production set to start in 2027.

The battery plant located on Interstate 65 in Glendale, was previously a joint venture between Ford and South Korea-based SK On. The companies announced last week they were ending the partnership. 

Originally planned to be two plants with billions of dollars of cumulative investment, the companies announced in 2023 that the second plant would be indefinitely idled due in part to softening electric vehicle demand. 

Republican lawmakers in the Kentucky legislature who represent Hardin County issued statements expressing both optimism and caution about the announced conversion. 

State Reps. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield, and Steve Bratcher, R-Elizabethtown, in a joint statement said their focus remained “on making sure the men and women whose jobs are impacted by this decision have the support and resources they need to find new employment and that going forward this new project delivers real, lasting investment and meaningful employment for the families and communities surrounding Glendale.” 

“We are optimistic about Ford Motor Company’s decision to take over the Glendale facility and transition the project toward energy storage, particularly as initial plans for the project have faced significant challenges from the outset. At the same time, optimism must be matched with both caution and accountability, and we will be watching closely to ensure commitments are met and honored,” the two Republicans said in their statement. 

State Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, in a statement said there would be “short-term challenges” but that Ford’s investment in Glendale “underscores the company’s long-term commitment to this community.”

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear previously blamed Republicans in Washington for federal policies that jeopardized the EV battery plant. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ended a $7,500 tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicles, and the Trump administration has targeted Biden administration regulations that sought to encourage the production of electric vehicles. 

Beshear in a statement provided through a spokesperson said the state would remain “the EV battery capital of the U.S. because EV is — and will be — part of America’s future, despite the President’s shortsighted attacks on the industry.” He said the main focus was to find new jobs for impacted BlueOval employees.

He also said he remained confident in Ford and that he was in “direct contact” with the company’s leadership “to ensure the restructured project moves forward and is successful for both the company, Kentucky and our workforce.”

A Beshear spokesperson said the terms of the state’s incentive agreement with Ford were being renegotiated. Kentucky had offered $250 million in public monies for the BlueOval SK operation.

This article was originally published by Kentucky Lantern on Dec. 15, 2025.

Liam covers government and policy in Kentucky and its impacts throughout the Commonwealth for the Kentucky Lantern. He most recently spent four years reporting award-winning stories for WKMS Public Radio in Murray.

Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

Bolin Books awarded James Patterson holiday bonus

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Bolin Books awarded James Patterson holiday bonus

MURRAY – The owner of an independent bookstore in downtown Murray was among 600 booksellers given a $500 bonus from best-selling author James Patterson. 

Whitney Bolin of Bolin Books, 304 Main St., is one of seven Kentucky booksellers on this year’s list of recipients. Patterson, a prolific author of many best-selling novels, has a tradition of sending checks to booksellers who have been nominated either by customers or their peers. 

The American Booksellers Association (ABA) reported that this year Patterson’s team received 6,000 nominations, which highlights the quality and quantity of impactful booksellers across the United States.

“The holiday season is essential for independent booksellers like us, but along with the joys of the season come our busiest days and the hardest work of the year,” Bolin said. “Receiving the James Patterson Bonus is an enormous vote of confidence that shows our efforts to build a community bookstore are recognized and celebrated. We’re so thankful to Mr. Patterson and the ABA for this opportunity and recognition.”

While Bolin was the only recipient in western Kentucky, six other booksellers across the state were awarded with this honor. They include:

  • Holly Alder, Blue Marble Books, Fort Thomas, KY
  • Emma Aprile, Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY
  • Sarah Cottrell, Carmichael’s Bookstore, Louisville, KY
  • Stephanie Staton, CoffeeTree Books, Morehead, KY
  • Kelly Nusz, Foxing Bookstore, Louisville, KY
  • Kathy York, Plaid Elephant Books, Danville, KY

Bolin Books is an independent bookstore in downtown Murray, Kentucky, with a focus on used and rare books. ABA is a national trade association that supports and advocates for the success of independent bookstores.

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