Unicorn Camp at Dawn Star Stables Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon Dawn Star Stables is turning Wednesdays into a playground of imagination this June with its new June Unicorn Day Camp, a week-by-week program designed for children aged 5 to 10. The camp offers a bright mix of pony rides, arts and crafts, outdoor adventures, and hands-on unicorn time, all in a safe and welcoming setting where learning and laughter go hand in hand. Running every Wednesday in June, the d

Earth Wise Pets Celebrates Grand Opening Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon A new chapter in local pet care began Friday morning as Earth Wise Pet officially opened its doors under new ownership with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew pet lovers, business leaders, and curious families to the storefront on Main Street. Scott Martin, president of the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, lent his support to the celebration, speaking warmly about the store’s new

Where Students Become Creators Inside Raceland's Growing Media Program James Collier The Ashland Beacon Life is certainly a journey that keeps us guessing about what’s next. Whether it is furthering education or pursuing a different career path, you’d better be ready for change and opportunities to come knocking. Such is true for local radio announcer James Collier. If you’ve listened to local sports for any period of time, you’ve heard him painting a picture of what’s h

A Senior Defined by Strength, Skill, and Determination Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon Few students embody perseverance, compassion, and excellence quite like Halle Bailey, a senior whose extraordinary accomplishments have left a lasting impact on everyone around her. While balancing rigorous programs in Healthcare, Welding, and Business, Greenup County senior, Halle faced challenges this past year that many adults would struggle to endure. When her father became terminal

The Lasting Legacy of Megan Hensley Hometown Honors Legend Philip Stewart The Ashland Beacon On a mild spring evening, the kind that carries equal parts memory and meaning, a hometown ball field became something more than chalk lines and outfield grass. It became a place where time folded in on itself—where past dominance, quiet sacrifice, and lasting influence were stitched together beneath a newly raised jersey. The number now hangs where everyone can see it. But for tho

Once Upon a Time at Our Night to Shine Lisa Patrick The Ashland Beacon For some, prom is a rite of passage, a huge part of high school life where teenagers get to dress up, be glamorous, dance, and have fun. For others, it’s a frustrating reminder of how different they are from their peers—a night where they watch others do what they would love to be able to do themselves. This is the life that teenagers with special needs tend to live. But the I Believe Foundation helpe

Black Arrow Tattoo An Ink-Inspired Addition to the Downtown Ashland Area Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon Walking through the front door of Black Arrow Tattoo Company, the first thing I notice is the bright, well-lit studio. A clean and welcoming entrance immediately opens into an artistic setting, where I find one of the owners and other artists gathered at a high table discussing a custom art piece currently being worked on by Ronnie Castro. I am greeted immediately

Highlands DO!zeum to Host Elegant “Steeped in Style” Royal Tea and Fashion Show Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon Springtime elegance will be in full bloom this week as the Highlands DO!zeum invites the community to experience an afternoon of sophistication, fashion and timeless charm during its upcoming “Steeped in Style” Royal Tea and Fashion Show on Saturday, May 17, at 3 p.m. The highly anticipated event promises guests a royal-inspired experience filled with tea, fashi

Insuring the Future Larra Ferguson Reflects On 10 Years of Service Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon For Larra Ferguson, the path into the insurance industry was not something she planned from the very beginning. Yet a decade after stepping into the business, the local Allstate insurance agent has built a reputation centered on trust, community relationships and helping families protect what matters most. As Ferguson celebrates 10 years in the insurance industry, she reflect

Keeping Summer Fun with the Ashland Area YMCA Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon From the beginning in 1844, the Young Men’s Christian Association has been committed to helping communities stay active and healthy by providing programs and outlets for youth. Entering the 1900s, the YMCA expanded from housing and recreational support to providing physical education and sports affiliations such as basketball, volleyball, bodybuilding, and even camping retre

Goad Makes History As First Boyd County Softball Player to Have Jersey Retired Kay Smith The Ashland Beacon A celebration years in the making unfolded recently for Jaycie Goad as the Boyd County softball superstar became the first player in program history to have her jersey officially retired — a once-in-a-generation honor that cements her place among the greatest athletes ever to wear a Lady Lions uniform. What made the unforgettable moment even more emotional was the

The Fast Track to Bright Futures Pathways Derby Party Returns Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon The excitement of the Kentucky Derby met a powerful mission over the weekend as Pathways hosted its milestone 10th Annual Derby Party—an evening filled with celebration, community, and purpose. Veronica A. Nunley, MA, CPS, Chief of Marketing and Public Relations for Pathways, reflected on the long journey to this year’s event. Nunley, who has been with Pathways for 33 years, shar

On the Breeze with Sean Barrett Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon Driving from place to place, we see roads, people, trees, and those occasional pets that may have broken free from their owners’ homes as they shift from yard to yard with smiling faces. In traffic, we notice the signs and lights directing us where to go, safely guiding us to our destinations. When we find ourselves in cars, we are low to the ground; when we are in trucks, we may sit a bit highe

Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights The 2026 Boyd County Fair Grace Phillips The Ashland Beacon Longer days and warm sunshine signal that summer events are about to begin. The 2026 Boyd County Fair will kick off the summer festival season in our area this year. The fair is taking a significant leap forward by moving from its typical August dates to June 23–27. Fair president Ellen Keaton explained that the reason for the move was to secure a larger carnival for the fair. “S

They Built Their Future— Now They’re Celebrating It BCTC Students Celebrate Paths Built on Grit Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon The energy inside the Boyd Career and Technical Center this past Friday wasn’t just celebratory—it was long overdue. For the first time in its history, BCTC hosted an awards ceremony and signing day, since being in their new building, shining a spotlight on students whose hard work often happens outside the traditional high school spotlight. The e

A Mother’s Day To Remember Student Essay Leads to Surprise Honor from Ashland Mayor Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon In a community where stories of perseverance tend to travel quickly, a middle school essay contest in Ashland turned into something far more meaningful this spring. The Kiwanis Club of Ashland hosted its annual “Mother of the Year Essay Contest,” inviting seventh graders to put into words what their mothers mean to them. What followed was not just a stud

Timeless by Design Pollock’s Jewelers Marks 152 Years Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon These days, it’s rare to find a place that truly stands the test of time, but a few still do it with grace and purpose. Tucked into the heart of downtown Ashland, Pollock's Jewelers isn’t just a store. Located at 913 Winchester Ave. Pollock’s Jewelers is a living piece of history, a family legacy, and for many in the Tri-State, a trusted partner in life’s most meaningful moments. Let tha

April is National Volunteer Month - Jenny Mays Giving Back to a Community That Has Done So Much for Her After stopping at UK King’s Daughters most weekdays for 30+ years to make deliveries or have meetings for her business, it felt strange to Jenny Mays to end her visits after retirement. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to sit at home and do nothing,” Mays, who was co-owner of Printing Express in Ironton, Ohio, from 1985-2019, said. “I know my way around the hospital,

Ashland, Kentucky Brings Innovative Services to the City Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon There is something new in the air in Ashland, Kentucky and it is the introduction of a few new services that the City of Ashland has arranged to keep everyone flowing through the summer with ease. As summer approaches our daily visits to the store and other places we visit daily may become more frequent, placing us in the way of needing transportation or access t

National Library Week Countless Possibilities Begin at Your Local Library Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon National Library Week is a moments-to-celebrate reminder of a vital community resource that sits at the heart of our county. With one library card, residents can access a treasure trove of information, learning tools, and cultural experiences spread across three locations: Ashland, Midland, and Catlettsburg. Whether you’re a student, a parent, a retiree, or someone