Murray Ledger & Times

Born Aug. 29, 1955, in Dearborn, Michigan, Franky was the son of Alvin Pratt Brandon Jr. and Rebecca Ann “Becky” (Ray) Brandon. He spent many dedicated years on the road as a certified hazardous materials driver and retired from Brenntag Mid-South in Calvert City. His love of the open road wasn’t limited to his work. Away from the driver’s seat, he loved to ride motorcycles, especially climbing aboard his yellow Harley-Davidson “Big Bird,” and enjoying the freedom that came with every ride.

Julia Lee Lane-Hiltz, 75, of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away Aug. 10, 2026. Born Dec. 12, 1950, in Torrance, California, she was the cherished daughter of Bruce Lane and Sylvia Jane Lane. Julia graduated from Murray State University. She had a passion for teaching and taught at Cookeville High School in Putnam County, Tennessee. She later continued her teaching career in Las Vegas and retired from the Clark County School District in 2017.

MURRAY – Murray High’s boys soccer team faced two of the toughest opponents west of Louisville Saturday as it entertained Bowling Green state powers South Warren and Warren Central at the Mallary France Soccer Complex. These were tests, though, that Tigers Head Coach Jared Rosa wanted his team to take, and he had to be pleased with the results. No, Murray High (6-0-2) did not win but it emerged with a pair of hard-earned ties ...

The National Weather Service’s Paducah office said Sunday that a Heat Advisory has been issued for the entire Quad State area Monday, along with an Extreme Heat Watch Tuesday through Friday. NWS Paducah Lead Forecaster Keith Cooley said actual temperatures will warm to the upper 90s to around 100 degrees for much of the week, with heat index values approaching or possibly exceeding 105 degrees.

MURRAY — Murray State Athletics has officially broken ground on Phase 3 of the continued transformation of Johnny Reagan Field at Taylor Family Park, bringing a new collection of premium seating and fan-focused amenities to the home of Racer Baseball.

BEREA (KT) — Austin Newton has played and coached at the Division I level. He’s coached prep basketball and is entering his fifth season at Berea College. In an era of change in college athletics, basketball at the NCAA Division III level has remained true to traditional college athletics. In contrast, NIL and eligibility issues have remained consistent at the Division I level.

MURRAY— Coming into the previous 44 meetings between Murray High and Calloway County High on a football field, otherwise known as The Murray Bank Crosstown Classic, the combined scoring record for the game was when the Tigers and Lakers combined for 68 points in a 1989 37-31 win for Calloway. The two teams shattered that mark Friday night in the 45th meeting, but this time, Murray High carried the bulk of the scoring.

MURRAY — In its first quarterly meeting of the new academic year, the Murray State University Board of Regents was informed on the imminent opening of Jackson Hall and given a variety of other important project and program updates. The projects were among several major academic and facilities initiatives discussed as regents reviewed the university’s plans for the coming academic year.

EVANSVILLE – Murray State (0-3) suffered a pair of losses on Friday during the opening day of the USI Invitational in Evansville. The Racers opened the season against host Southern Indiana (1-0), with the Screaming Eagles narrowly taking the first set, 25-22. Murray State responded in the second, recording 15 kills and hitting .387 as a team in a 25-16 win to even the match. Southern Indiana answered by taking the third and fourth sets, 25-15 and 25-16, respectively, to secure the 3-1 victory.

MURRAY — Congressmen Andy Barr and James Comer headlined Saturday night’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner, where Kentucky Republicans urged party unity and looked ahead to elections this fall and in 2027. The Calloway County Republican Party hosted the dinner at Murray State University’s Curris Center Ballroom, bringing together congressional candidates, state officials, local lawmakers and party activists.