It Takes a Town Why Volunteers Are Essential to Ashland’s Success Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Ashland, Kentucky is a city on the move. Over the past several years, the momentum building throughout our hometown has been impossible to ignore. New events, revitalized spaces, and a renewed sense of pride have transformed Ashland into a place that feels energized and full of opportunity. With this amazing growth, however, comes a greater need—one that cannot be met by build

Four Color Dreams Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   Comic books have been a pop culture staple for generations, and long before improvements in printing or digital renderings, the medium followed an industry rule of using four basic colors. The four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) were used to make all the other colors shown on the pages of original comics—but those four base colors ignited the vivid imaginations of millions. In the modern world of comics and

What’s All the Buzz with the Greenup County Beekeeping Association? Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   Beekeeping has been a part of humanity and cultural history spanning generations from around the world. With some evidence pointing to the likely origin of beekeeping being around 10,000 years ago, we have continued the practice into today. Starting in ancient times and making its way into our current daily lives, the art of beekeeping has been refined and passed down t

A Dining Event Honoring Tradition of the Settlers to Our Region Greenbo Lake State Resort Park Frontiersman Dinner Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   Traditional meals are looked over increasingly as we make our lives convenient to fit the needs of modern living. Dinners look more like sandwiches and pizzas now, where in the past they consisted of garden-grown and foraged items and whatever meat was available from hunt, catch, trap, or trade. Where most of us may be sat

Broadway Books Detection Club to Meet At the New Camayo Arcade Location Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   Mystery fans in Ashland have a fresh reason to gather this winter as the Detection Club returns to downtown’s literary scene. On January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., the group will meet in Broadway’s new location inside the Camayo Arcade, a historic shopping center that’s quickly becoming a hub for local culture. The evening promises engaging conversation, friendly comp

For The Girls Social Club Brings Connection,  Community and Fun to the Tri-State Area Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon For many women in the Ashland and Greenup County area, opportunities to step away from daily routines, meet new people, and simply enjoy time for themselves can be limited. Work, family responsibilities, and the fast pace of life often leave little room for genuine social connection. That’s why the arrival of For the Girls Social Club feels not only exciting,

Achieving Dreams with a Fiery Passion The Encouraging Hug of Casey King Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   Many of us set out into the world never sure of where we are going in life outside of the normal routines and goals we encounter along the way. Some of us go to work each day, while others are placed behind computer screens analyzing data; some people guard properties while customers and shop owners visit throughout the day. Whether our job is to serve and protect,

Bets for Pets Valentine’s Gala, Love Is in the Air Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   Valentine’s Day is celebrated each year on Feb. 14 as billions of people come together to celebrate love, life, and romance. Established as a holiday to honor Saint Valentine and his success in bringing together happy marriages, even when spoken against, Saint Valentine gained notoriety by marrying couples outside of established laws and ordinances during his life, as he brought togethe

From the Free-Throw Line to Basketball History Elks Club Annual Hoop Shoot Tim Holmes The Ashland Beacon   Since 1972, the Ashland Elks Lodge #350 has invited area youth to step up to the free-throw line and take part in a tradition that blends sportsmanship, confidence, and community pride. Their annual “Hoop Shoot,” run by the Elks National Foundation, is a long-standing free-throw competition for boys and girls ages 8 to 13. What begins as a local event can ultimately l

A City’s Heartbeat Remembering Sue Dowdy Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon Some people do more than live in a community—they  hold it together . They are the familiar presence at every event, the steady voice of encouragement behind every success, the quiet force connecting neighbors, organizations, and dreams. They are the thread woven through the fabric of daily life, binding it with energy, generosity, and compassion. Sue Dowdy of Ashland, Kentucky was one of those rare

Promises at Midnight A Fun History of New Year’s Resolutions and Why They Still Work Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Every year, as the clock strikes midnight and confetti rains down, millions of people make a quiet (or enthusiastic) promise to themselves:  This year will be different.  Whether it’s whispered over sparkling cider or announced boldly to friends and family, New Year’s resolutions have become one of the most recognizable traditions tied to the start of a new

Ashland Beacon 2025 Year in Review Celebrating Stories That Inspire, Connect, and Transform Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   2025 was a year of stories that highlighted the heart, resilience, and creativity of the Ashland community — and the Ashland Beacon was proud to share them. From local heroes to inspiring initiatives, the Beacon brought readers the moments that mattered most. January:  The year kicked off with a major win for the Ashland Beacon itself, celebrating a

A Magical Opportunity Takes Center Stage for Greenup County Students Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   The spotlight is shining brightly on Greenup County Schools, and the stage is set for something truly extraordinary. In a rare and exciting honor, Greenup County Schools has been selected as one of only 70 school systems nationwide to participate in Disney Musicals in Schools, a nationally acclaimed program created by Disney Theatrical Group. Even more impressively, Greenup

Prescribing Peace of Mind How Restoration RX Is Healing Homes and Communities Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   When disaster strikes a home—a burst pipe, creeping mold, or an unexpected flood—it rarely happens at a convenient time. For homeowners in the region, Restoration RX has become the name they call when stress is high and answers are needed fast. But behind the trucks, equipment, and emergency calls is a story rooted in family, faith, and a deep commitment to the com

Hanging out in Style for the New Year with El Hasa Shriners Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon             As the holiday season has moved in, with it comes the new year bringing with it hope that something mysterious and exciting may await just around the turn of the calendar. While some of us may pack into city squares grinning through the cold weather and blustery winds of winter others may decide to spend their time indoors watching from afar surrounded with jovial bur

How One Woman Is Bringing Adventure and Empowerment to Eastern Kentucky Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   Somewhere between a forest trail at sunrise and a yoga mat rolled out under open sky, a movement is growing—and it’s led by women who aren’t waiting for permission to explore. Women Who Explore is part adventure club, part sisterhood, and all about stepping outside your comfort zone. And in Eastern Kentucky, that movement has found an energetic new leader in Karen Pierza

Making the Right Move How Chess Changed Lunch at Greenup County High Courtesy of Greenup County Schools The Ashland Beacon   A surprising trend has taken over Greenup County High School during lunchtime this week, drawing crowds of students for an unexpected reason: a chess tournament. While many might assume students would spend their free time on their phones, the school library has instead become the center of excitement, competition, and connection. This lunchtime che

Restoring the Community with Caring Hands Community Cleanup Day with Advocates for Appalachia Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   When taking a winter drive through the Appalachia region, one may see open rolling hills clustered with barren tree lines and frost-covered pines, inviting us to gaze upon its glory. Snuggled in the hills are the cities and communities that make the mountains and foothills their home. Ashland, Kentucky, boasts one of the most colorful and diver

A Season of Giving and Encouragement Christmas with the Brothers Forgiven Ministry Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon              Every year millions of people fill stores throughout the world in search of gifts and souvenirs to presents to loved ones in exchange for the holidays. Where we find ourselves tethered to a sofa listening to relatives pass stories of their childhood, others may not be so fortunate as to have the same Christmas celebration available to them. Pres

In Recognition of Great Accomplishment Heather Moore-Frame Invited to the Kentucky Academic Standard Revision Team Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon             As we move into the new year, many begin taking account of where they are and what they may have accomplished for the last 12 months. Each year a many set a goal for themselves and work towards that goal with the intent of surpassing their expectations. With each new year come the occurrences and highlights that w