The Murray Sentinel

09/30/2026

Two unrelated cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) came before Calloway District Court Tuesday morning. A former Murray Police Department detective sergeant already facing felony charges was arraigned on new charges, as was another Murray man who turned himself in after being confronted by a group targeting suspected online child predators.

Click the link to read the full story.

Two unrelated cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) came before Calloway District Court Tuesday morning. A former Murray Police Department detective sergeant already facing felony …

09/28/2026

A Calloway County grand jury met Friday and indicted Russell Cleaver on charges of murder, third-degree assault and first-degree criminal mischief in two separate but related cases. Days earlier, the victim’s estate filed a civil action seeking to prevent the sale or transfer of the Sunset Drive property where the Aug. 17 shooting occurred.

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A Calloway County grand jury met Friday and indicted Russell Cleaver on charges of murder, third-degree assault and first-degree criminal mischief in two separate but related cases. Days earlier, the …

09/27/2026

Inside Murray-Calloway County Need Line, there are two growing pyramids of food. Built from cans of vegetables and soup as well as jars of peanut butter, the pyramids represent all of the donations made to Need Line during Hunger Action Month as the organization works to reach its goal of collecting 1,000 cans by the end of September.

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Inside Murray-Calloway County Need Line, there are two growing pyramids of food. Built from cans of vegetables and soup as well as jars of peanut butter, the pyramids represent all of the donations …

09/27/2026

Families gathered Saturday at Murray State University’s Pullen Farm for “Fall on the Farm.” The weather was just right for a family stroll through the corn maze or spend time on the swings. Kids had the opportunity to pet pigs, race rubber ducks and paint pumpkins. The annual event, which is put on by students from the university’s Hutson College of Agriculture, gives grade-school children and their families a fun way to learn about agriculture.

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09/23/2026

The field at the corner of Doran and Wiswell roads was packed with cars Wednesday afternoon as community members and officials came out in droves to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Murray Independent School District’s new elementary school.

In the video, from left, Assistant Superintendent Whitney York, School Board members Robyn Pizzo and Gina Wi******er, former superintendent Coy Samons, Board Chair Richard Crouch, Superintendent David Meinschein, Murray Elementary School Principal Denise Whitaker and School Board members Shawn Smee and Adam Seiber.

09/23/2026

There is no single path to recovery. In Calloway County, recovery support extends beyond treatment. Local organizations are working not only to help people get sober, but to help them rebuild their lives.

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There is no single path to recovery. In Calloway County, recovery support extends beyond treatment. Local organizations are …

09/20/2026

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Sept. 23, at noon in the hospital's Garrison Board Room and via Microsoft Teams (call 270-762-1102 for connection details).

Click the link to read the agenda.

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees will meet at noon.

09/20/2026

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet Monday, Sept. 21, at noon in the hospital's Garrison Board Room and via Microsoft Teams (call 270-762-1102 for connection details). The Personnel Committee meeting will follow.

Click the link to read the agendas for both meetings.

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet at noon. The Personnel Committee meeting will follow. (Note: Agendas attached.)

09/18/2026

BREAKING NEWS: After two hours and 45 minutes of deliberation, a Calloway County jury found Robert Rhodes guilty on one count of first-degree r**e, seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of first-degree indecent exposure and two counts of attempted unlawful transaction with a minor.

Rhodes was originally charged with eight counts of first-degree r**e; however, jurors were given the option to convict on the lesser included offense of first-degree sexual abuse.

The sentencing phase of the trial is expected to begin in approximately 30 minutes. Check back for more details.

UPDATE: The jury recommended the maximum sentence on all counts to run consecutively, or 40 years in prison. His final sentencing is scheduled Nov. 16. Rhodes will not be eligible for probation.

In the photo: Rhodes listens as Calloway Circuit Judge Andrea Moore reads the verdict. (Jessica Paine/The Murray Sentinel)

09/18/2026

BREAKING NEWS: Justin Swope, the former Murray Police Department detective sergeant already facing 38 felony charges involving a minor, now faces four additional felonies in a separate case involving child sexual abuse material.

Click the link to read the full story.

Justin Swope, the former Murray Police Department detective sergeant already facing 38 felony charges …