2026 Boyd County Fair Stars, Stripes, & Summer Nights Grace Phillips The Ashland Beacon The Boyd County Fair is gearing up for one of its biggest celebrations yet, and this year the excitement comes wrapped in red, white, and blue. With America marking its 250th birthday, the fair’s 2026 theme — Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights — promises a week packed with, horsepower, hometown talent, and plenty of family fun. From June 23–27, with pre‑fair events on June 19 & 20,

Highlands DO!Zeum Hosts Smithsonian Exhibit The Americans Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon As America nears its 250th birthday, many of us are taking the time to think about what it means to be an “American.” The Highlands DO!zeum is asking us to think deeper and challenge what we know about the founding of America and the Native American people with their new travelling exhibit: “Americans.” After a rigorous application process, the Highlands was selected as one of only

The Willis Twins Enjoy Sharing Honors Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon Having a twin means sharing many of life’s experiences, as well as the spotlight for accomplishments and successes. For identical twins Jordan and Kelsie Willis, that was never a problem. Going through high school together meant having someone to lean on and share experiences with. During their senior year, they shared many honors and achievements. Jordan and Kelsie graduated with the Class of 2026 fro

Michael Dillon Mills A Goal for Change Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon For high school students, working toward graduation requires dedication, perseverance, and hard work. Balancing academic responsibilities while still enjoying the experiences of adolescence can be challenging. Many students closely monitor their grade point averages, striving to earn the distinction of valedictorian or salutatorian. Others enroll in dual-credit or college-level courses to gain a head sta

Building Dreams from the Ground Up Milk & Honey Services Brings Quality, Craftsmanship, and Vision to the Tri-State Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon When homeowners need a contractor they can trust, they often look for three things: quality workmanship, reliability, and integrity. For Shawn Parsons, owner of Milk & Honey Services, those qualities aren't just part of the business model—they are the foundation upon which the company was built. The name "Milk & Honey Services

One Degree, Endless Possibilities James Muzic’s Bright Future Ahead Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon For James Landyn Muzic, this graduation season is about far more than earning a diploma — it’s about growth, resilience, family, and proving that hard work can transform dreams into reality. Even more special, while James celebrates earning his college degree this year, his younger twin brothers are also graduating high school, making this a once-in-a-lifetime season of cel

Two Caps, Two Paths Boyd County Twins Prepare for Life Beyond Graduation Deidra Bowling-Meade The Ashland Beacon Across local schools, 11 sets of twins graduated with the Class of 2026. Four of those twin pairs attended Boyd County schools, including Boyd County High School, Paul Blazer High School and Rose Hill Christian School. Nine of the 11 twin pairs participated in this feature series. Though each set of twins shared different personalities, interests and ambitio

Graduating High School as an Eagle Scout Lisa Patrick The Ashland Beacon Zack Dillon has had a very special senior year. Not only is he graduating with honors, but he has also, after many years of hard work, earned his Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award. This is something that only 6–8% of Boy Scouts can claim. Zack started Cub Scouts in first grade as a Tiger Scout and then worked his way up through the ranks over the years until he had the opportunity to complete his Eagle S

A Quiet Start, a Confident Finish Michael Pennington’s High School Story Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon Michael Layne Pennington, a 2026 graduate of Raceland-Worthington High School, has a story shaped by steady growth, personal reflection, and a gradual shift from uncertainty to direction. Pennington shared that career clarity did not come early for him. When asked whether he always knew what he wanted to study and pursue, he was direct in his response. “No, I did not a

Raceland Grad Sprints Toward Success Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon When a student reaches their senior year of high school and begins to reflect on their educational journey, it is sometimes easy to pick out individual events that have shaped the journey. However, in the case of Raceland senior Max Burton, the highlights have been so numerous that it’s hard to define singular moments, which makes it easy to say that his journey itself has been a highlight. Max h

God-Given Talent, Relentless Work The Story of Jacob Spurlock Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon From the moment Jacob Allen Spurlock first picked up a basketball with his dad by his side, something special was already beginning to take shape. What started as a young boy learning the game in the driveway would eventually grow into one of the most remarkable basketball careers the region has ever seen — a journey fueled by faith, family, discipline, and a God-given gift for th

Josie McGuire Looks Ahead to Georgetown After a Standout Journey at Russell High School Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon Throughout the ups and downs of her journey, she navigated crowded hallways, challenging coursework, and the rhythm of competitive sports with a steady pace and a ready smile. When asked to describe her time in high school, Josie didn’t dwell on the hurdles as much as the moments that mattered most: the spark of understanding in a difficult medical u

Driven by Faith, Fueled by Passion The Story of Aubrey Brislin Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon For Ashland Blazer senior Aubrey Brislin, life has always been about passion, perseverance, and purpose. Whether she’s soaring through the air at cheer competitions, excelling in the classroom, or preparing for a future in nursing, Aubrey has embraced every opportunity with heart, faith, and determination. Aubrey describes herself in a way that perfectly captures her vibrant pe

The Journey of an Eagle Fairview’s Zoe Grant and Hayden Webster Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon Eagles symbolize vision, leadership, independence, and strength through their keen perception, fearless demeanor, and enduring power. Two soaring Eagles who demonstrate these qualities are Zoe Grant and Hayden Webster, both graduating seniors of Fairview High School. At just 18 years old, Zoe Ellene Grant is already making an incredible impact while living life to the

Coleman’s Journey at Boyd County High School Highlights, Mentorship, Teamwork, and Faith Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon Brayden Coleman, a senior at Boyd County High School and a member of the graduating class of 2026, isn’t just counting down the days to graduation. He’s tracing a four-year arc of growth, gratitude, and grit that he says has been shaped by the people around him—from teachers who offered a steady hand to teammates who stood by him on every pitch.

Led Toward the Future by Faith- Raceland's Maddison Hampton Taking the Best Version of Herself to Morehead This Fall Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon Sometimes life hands us a situation that steers our future in a way that we never could have dreamed. Such is the case of Raceland-Worthington High School Senior Maddison Hampton who proved when you keep your eyes open, you just might see what your future holds. Any time that you see Maddison you can count on a frien

Living With Celiac Disease Lisa Patrick The Ashland Beacon Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by eating gluten. It is considered by most to be a rare disease, but it actually affects 1 in 100 people. Most don’t even know that they have celiac disease because it has over 200 symptoms, which are not all gut-related. Some people have no symptoms at all, or, like me, they think they don’t. May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month, so let’s shed some light on this

“4” Sure Rams Keep Firm Grip on Region 7 Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon Ask any athlete or coach and they’ll tell you that winning never gets old. The members of the Raceland varsity boys track team were hungry yet for another Class 1A Region 7 title and they feasted on the competition in Menifee County. Even a few weather delays and raindrops couldn’t dampen the fire. In the end, it was raining points for the Rams. Ram Senior Max Burton took 1st place in the 1

Deep in the Lore Lacey Williams Presents Bluegrass Beasts: Cryptids of Kentucky Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon Sometimes there is more to an experience than may be possible to explain. We could be out for a walk when a strange creature passes us by, covered in shrubbery and fur. While taking a swim or fishing in local waterways, we could find ourselves face to face with someone—or something—that breaks any bounds of defining features we may be familiar with. Question

America 250 Celebration Ignites with Inaugural “Red, White & Burger Week “United We Grill” Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon As America prepares to celebrate its historic 250th birthday in 2026, a brand-new event is bringing patriotism, community pride, and classic American flavor together in one unforgettable weeklong celebration. Visit AKY is launching “Red, White & Burger Week: United We Grill,” an exciting inaugural event designed to honor the spirit of America through