When Advocacy Meets Adorable Ellie’s Journey from GC Preschool to the Capitol Greenup County Schools   Meet Ellie. When she isn’t enjoying conversation with the Governor or soaking in the view from his podium, you can find her doing what she does best—learning, growing, and thriving in a preschool classroom at GC. Ellie’s recent adventure into the world of state government was unexpected, exciting, and unforgettable, not only for her family, but for an entire community wat

Spin Control Hedrick Shines Bright in the Limelight Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon   Chad Hedrick said his mother was from Ashland and his father was from Catlettsburg, but the whole county usually claims him. He’s grateful for that because he loves his local roots and, in all his endeavors beginning with graduating from Paul Blazer High School in 2013 to his work in news media and beyond, he has always tried to shine a light on his hometown. But Hedrick recently had an

A Lifetime of Service Honored Cindy VanHorn Awarded the Prestigious Kentucky Colonel Commission Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   There are honors, and then there are honors that speak not just to achievement, but to character. When the Commonwealth of Kentucky bestows its highest title of honor—the Kentucky Colonel—it is recognizing a lifetime of service, integrity, and devotion to others. This distinction is not given lightly. It is reserved for individuals whose lives ref

Funds from the Farm Charles Romans The Ashland Beacon The annual Farm 2 Table Dinner held in 2025 in Greenup, Kentucky, generated massive support from the community and beyond. Local and regional businesses, along with individual community members, donated time, resources, and money to ensure that the event in Greenup County continued to be the largest event of its kind in the entire state. Funds raised during the event were set to be donated to the Greenup County 4H, G

Two Decades In  Ashland Student Worship Pastor ‘Feels Like I Just Started’ Mark Maynard, Kentucky Today      Brad Callaway’s two decades of ministry as student worship pastor at Unity Baptist Church make him something of a rarity. When Callaway entered student ministry, the average tenure in the role was just one and half to two years. Yet 20 years later — and approaching his 46th birthday — he continues serving the same church and the same community. “It seems like a lon

Raceland Middle School Students Get a Glimpse of Uganda Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon   When you enter a typical classroom, you will find kids engaged in daily work that requires a computer and sometimes a textbook. Education in the 21st century has become increasingly difficult as kids are continually immersed in technology and games. It’s easy to overlook your blessings when you don’t look up. However, sometimes a return to the simplest forms of learning can rend

The Power of a Dream Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and A Legacy That Still Moves Us Forward Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”Those words, spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are more than a quote etched into history—they are a challenge. A call to courage. A demand that we keep moving forward even when the road ahead is steep, uncertain, and uncomfortable. Yesterday, friends, family, comm

“Sole”fully Expressive The Beauty of Wearing What Makes You Happy Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   If shoes could talk, the pairs lining Alisa Bartram’s closets would be throwing a glitter-filled parade in her honor. Sparkles, bold colors, whimsical shapes, and the occasional Santa-themed heel would march proudly, each one telling a story about a woman who never stopped believing that fashion should be fun. For Alisa, shoes aren’t just something you wear to get from point A

The Beginning of a Journey into the Unknown with Axel Steele Gideon Thompson The Ashland Beacon   A day may look different for all of us as we wake up each day, perceiving the world as being one way or another based on what we know of it. For a child, the world may look much different than it does to an adult, whose day may present challenges of work, conflicts, and outcomes based on interactions with our surroundings and others who may be near to us. Where one of us may s

Bundle Up! Wurtland Coat Drive Spreads Warmth Across January Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon   The Wurtland Union Church and Meeting House Inc., a longtime local charitable organization, is spearheading “Bundle Up!”, a community coat and warm accessories donation drive that runs throughout January 2026. Organizers describe the effort as a community-wide push to ensure every family in the area can face winter’s chill with dignity and warmth, while also supporting the res

The Heart of Ponderosa Educators Who Inspire, Lead, and Lift Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon   From the moment the doors open each morning at Ponderosa Elementary School, something special hums through the hallways. It’s more than the laughter of children, the buzz of learning, or the quiet focus of classrooms at work. It’s a shared belief—one that excellence is not a destination, but a daily commitment. At Ponderosa, that belief lives and breathes through its staff: educato

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

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

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