The Murray Sentinel

06/02/2026

MURRAY – The Park Budget Committee has been working on the park budget the past several months trying to anticipate the revenue and expenses for next year. The budget we have today includes the same amount of revenue from the County’s budget as in previous years. Since the County deeded their 50% ownership to the City in 2021, they have included at least $90,000/year in their budget to help operate the Park.

Click the link to read the full press release from the Murray Park Committee:
https://themurraysentinel.org/murray-park-committee-announces-potential-90000-budget-shortfall/

06/01/2026

The Murray Planning Commission will hold a special called meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at City Hall. See agenda below.

06/01/2026

The Murray Park Committee will hold a special called meeting at noon Tuesday, June 2, at City Hall. See agenda below.

05/28/2026

⚠️ Content warning: sexual abuse of a minor

In Calloway Circuit Court last week, a jury acquitted Charles McKinney, 37, of Murray, of first-degree r**e of a child under 12 years of age.

The Murray Sentinel was in the courtroom from jury selection through verdict. Defense attorney Chris Hendricks built his case around four arguments: that the allegations were a physical impossibility given the layout of the home, a medical impossibility given the lack of physical evidence, that the accuser's account contained significant inconsistencies, and that law enforcement conducted no meaningful investigation.

Commonwealth's Attorney Dennis Foust argued the victim's account was credible despite inconsistencies, but the jury was unconvinced – returning a not guilty verdict after barely 25 minutes of deliberation.

Our full story – including courtroom photos and details you won't find anywhere else – is coming soon.

In the photo: Defendant Charles McKinney, center, takes in the not guilty verdict while attorney Chris Hendricks, left, and paralegal Shannon Farley, right, watch his reaction. (Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel)

05/27/2026

Dennis L. Johnson, 80, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Dawson Springs Health & Rehab.

A celebration of life for Dennis will be on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Murray.

Click the link to read Dennis Johnson's full obituary.

Feb. 17, 1946 - May 23, 2026 Mr. Dennis L. Johnson, age 80, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Dawson Springs Health & Rehab. J ...

05/26/2026

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27. Immediately following, the Personnel Committee will meet, followed by the full board's regular monthly meeting.

All meetings will be held in the hospital’s Garrison Board Room and via Microsoft Teams (call 270-762-1102 for connection details). See all three agendas below.

05/26/2026

MURRAY – A Murray man was arraigned Tuesday on attempted murder and wanton endangerment charges after police said he fired a gun during a confrontation at a Back Street residence early Saturday.

Click the link to read the full story:
https://themurraysentinel.org/murray-man-arraigned-on-attempted-murder-charge-after-back-street-shooting/

05/25/2026

MURRAY – Murray State University’s 10-year multimedia rights partnership with Learfield Communications was publicly hailed as a transformational deal for Racer athletics when it was announced in December. But records obtained by The Murray Sentinel show the deal moved forward after MSU’s own procurement office twice refused in writing to approve Learfield as a sole-source provider.

Click the link to read the full story.

MURRAY – Murray State University’s 10-year multimedia rights partnership with Learfield Communications was publicly hailed as a transformational deal for Ra ...

05/24/2026

MURRAY – When the weather cooperates, players of all ages and skill levels congregate at the five new Pickleball courts in Murray’s city park. Pickleball folks also get together at the local Senior Citizen Center weekday afternoons, except Wednesdays, to play on the indoor court in the gym of that facility. Various churches in Calloway County have courts too and, when they are available, it is likely there is a game going on.

Click the link to read the full story.

MURRAY – When the weather cooperates, players of all ages and skill levels congregate at the five new Pickleball courts in Murray’s city park. Pickleball fo ...

05/23/2026

Mr. Dennis L. Johnson, age 80, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Dawson Springs Health & Rehab.

J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Feb. 17, 1946 - May 23, 2026 Mr. Dennis L. Johnson, age 80, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Dawson Springs Health & Rehab. J ...