Let’s Dance! - Highlands DO!zeum Announces Lineup for 2027 Dancing with Our Stars Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon This week the Highlands DO!zeum has announced the lineup for their 2027 Dancing with Our Stars. A yearly fundraiser that has since become one of the area’s favorite events of the year, this year’s entertainment will surely make you want to put on your dancing shoes too. “Dancing with Our Stars is the DO!zeum’s most important fundraiser. We are grateful, year

You’re ‘Bound’ to Like It! Jesse Stuart Foundation Launches New Book Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon      This past Saturday, the Jesse Stuart Foundation hosted a launch party at the Delta Marriott Hotel in downtown Ashland to celebrate the 39 authors represented in its newest anthology, Song of Life: Poetry and Prose from the 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop. Twenty-nine of the 39 authors published in the book were recognized at the event, and the public had the opportunity

Fun Time in the Autumn Air The Annual Fall Hayride with Boyd County Community & Economic Development Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon      Thrills come in many forms, and we often seek something beyond our usual routines when deciding where to go over the weekend. Our preferences for spending a wonderful autumn afternoon can be influenced by friends, family, and whatever we happen upon along the way. A trip to the movies, an outing to a park, or even a visit to a museum ma

Keeney’s Kitchen Brings Healthy, Convenient Meals to the YMCA Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon      A new healthy dining option is coming to the YMCA, offering busy families and individuals a convenient way to enjoy nutritious, portion-controlled meals without breaking the bank. Keeney’s Kitchen, owned and operated by Matt Keeney, is built around a simple concept: make healthy eating easier, more affordable and less stressful.     Keeney’s Kitchen began its licensed operation i

When the Time Is Right, We Celebrate and Commemorate—It’s What We Do Mike Tussey For The Ashland Beacon      Here in late October comes the very essence of our competitive nature. Let’s take a look: The 2026 World Series continues tonight with Game 4 at 8 p.m., featuring the Rays vs. The Brewers. Of course, college, high school, and Bengals football have weekend crowds loving every minute of it all.     This competitive nature also extends beyond sports into careers, politic

A Nostalgic Nod to the Past with Twin River Wholesale Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon     On rare occasions, we come across one of those forgotten relics of our past staring up at us from a store shelf, as time slows down and light surrounds the inanimate object we have pushed to the back of our minds for so long. For some of us, there may be a distant memory of helping our grandparents in the yard as we cut grass using a manual mower or harvested garden vegetables with h

Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon     Honoring the fighters, celebrating the survivors, remembering the loved ones, and standing beside every person whose life has been touched by breast cancer.     Every October, pink ribbons begin to appear everywhere we look. We see them on shirts, storefronts, social media pages, and community events. We walk in awareness events, support fundraisers, and proudly wear pink to show our support. But behind every pink ribbon is a story.     There

More Than A Diagnosis 34-Year-Old Breast Cancer Warrior Becomes Voice For Awareness Brandy York The Ashland Beacon     “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care how healthy you are, how old you are, how carefully you plan your life, or how much you still have left to do.” Those aren’t just words of awareness on a page- those are words straight from experience and from the heart of a young woman in Boyd County, KY who knows the battle first hand and all too well. That yo

Local Author Writes for Children Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon Children’s literature has many classic and popular books that appeal to children of all ages. The books range from board books for toddlers to picture books for young children to chapter books for older children. Authors can become very well known, such as Dr. Seuss, Beverly Cleary, and Beatrix Potter. Most authors do not gain that sort of notoriety, but their books may have a great message for young readers. Su

Westwood Boys and Girls Club 70 Years of Making a Difference Lavenna Stambaugh The Ashland Beacon      Not many organizations can claim a 70-year record of helping our youth. The Westwood Boys and Girls Club can. Established in 1956, it is the longest-standing youth organization in our region.     Everything the Boys and Girls Club provides to children and families is absolutely free, thanks to donations and volunteers. Jim McKenzie and Mindy Hanshaw are two of the volunteer

Breaking the Mold A Courageous Journey with Tonya Cordial Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon      Facing breast cancer head-on is a physically and mentally demanding challenge that can have devastating effects that linger for the rest of a person's life. The trauma can begin with the fear of the unknown that accompanies the diagnosis and continues through the physical deterioration that may result from treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation, and experimental treatment strategies

OCTOBER - THE CLARION CALL FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS Mike Tussey The Ashland Beacon      As beautiful as the month of October can be, it’s also the one month of the year that we focus on the opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer. It’s a call to action for timely diagnosis and quality care.     The very sound of the word cancer propels a high degree of fear among us all. Here in mid-October, it’s time to turn our attention to – BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH     

Haunted History of Ashland A Stroll in the Supernatural with Lacey Williams Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon     As the autumn air moves in through the Ohio valley covering the Ashland area with damp fog and notorious fall time rain, we move indoors and begin preparing for fall-time festivities. Sweaters and jackets are pulled from the closets along with our favorite cool weather footwear to move us through the season. Decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving make their w

Mother and Daughter, United by a Breast Cancer Journey Lesya Feinstein The Ashland Beacon For UK King’s Daughters patients Heather Butcher and her mother, Toni Patton, breast cancer has become part of a story they never expected to share. Today, the two women describe themselves as best friends and each other’s “ride or die.” Their bond took on an even deeper meaning after both faced breast cancer, just five years apart. For Heather, 38, the journey began during Labor Day w

Carnival for a Cause Upcoming Fundraiser to Benefit Holy Family Brandy York The Ashland Beacon      The leaves are falling, the temperatures are dropping, but the list of things to do in our area is growing! This season brings many festivals and other opportunities for you and your family to get outside and enjoy activities together, and what better way to spend that time than by attending a carnival for a great cause — the Holy Family Carnival!     On Saturday, October 17,

Got the Blues? C.B. Nuckolls Community Center and Black History Museum to Host an Evening of Jazz Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon     As Ashland slides into fall, there is no better way to celebrate than by listening to the smooth notes of jazz music. Next weekend, on October 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the C.B. Nuckolls Community Center and Black History Museum will host an Evening of Jazz at the Bellefonte Country Club.     “It's an evening of jazz,” explained museum founder Da

Get Ready to Turn Up the Heat! 20th Annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Fest Returns to Camp Landing This Saturday Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon      Get ready for a day filled with delicious chili, live music, community spirit, and plenty of friendly competition! The 20th Annual Great Bowls of Fire Chili Fest is happening Saturday, October 17, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Camp Landing, and this year's event promises to be a memorable celebration of everything that makes ou

Good Music, Good Food and the Pride of Blazer Fall Concert Returns to Central Park Lavenna Stambaugh The Ashland Beacon     There is something special about gathering in Central Park on a fall evening, listening to good music, and enjoying a bowl of homemade chili or soup. Add a little Halloween spirit, and you have the makings of a community tradition.     The Paul G. Blazer High School Band will bring that tradition back to the Central Park Bandstand on Tuesday, Oct. 13, w

Continuing Our Education An Open House Invitation from Boyd County Adult Education Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon     Balancing life and work can sometimes feel like more than we can handle, especially when we face what seems like an insurmountable obstacle. What happens when we add education to the mix and try to juggle all three, along with other part-time jobs? There never seems to be enough time in the day to get everything done. Making sure everyone in our homes is

A Major Lifetime Decision — Should I Retire or Should I Stay? Mike Tussey The Ashland Beacon     It’s October, and the new year of 2027 will be here in just 80 days. Many decisions are made during the final weeks of any year.     One of those major decisions comes when you give serious thought to retirement. There are many factors to consider when making this significant decision, such as your eligibility to retire and your ability to take advantage of your retirement benefit