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

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

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

Built in 1863, Thriving in 2026 A Legacy That Won’t Quit Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon For 160 years, one school in Ashland has quietly shaped generations—building not just scholars, but a community rooted in faith, resilience, and purpose. Today, Holy Family Catholic School stands not only as a pillar of education, but now officially as one of the oldest schools in Kentucky, a distinction that underscores a legacy few institutions can match. A Beginning Forged in Faith

West End Jewelers Gets Unique Commission Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon Most little girls dream of winning a beauty pageant and wearing a crown someday. They dream of walking across the stage holding roses and waving to the crowd. It doesn’t happen for most, of course, but it is always special when someone who lives locally wins a state pageant title and goes to compete in a national scholarship pageant. For Kitts Hill native, Olivia Fosson, that little girl dream came tr

ACTC Celebrates 20 Years of Art Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon At the Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC), creativity has long been more than just coursework—it’s been a community, a passion, and for many, a life-changing experience. That spirit was on full display recently during a vibrant art fair held at the Boyd County Public Library, Midland Branch, where students, faculty, and visitors gathered to celebrate two decades of artistic growth under the guidanc

Bags Fly for a Cause Join the Tri-State Charity Cornhole Tournament Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon A little friendly competition, a lot of community spirit, and a classic backyard game are coming together for a great cause this spring. Sandy’s Cares, a newly formed nonprofit serving Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia, is building momentum after officially becoming a 501(c)(3) this past January. Since launching in May of last year, the organization has already made an impa

Branham’s Pets Opens at Camp Landing Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon Every pet owner understands the struggle of bathing their animal. There’s water all over the floor, you’re all wet, plus having to scrub down the tub and bathroom afterwards. Now, the committee a great answer to that problem, Branham’s Pets. Branham’s Pets is a new pet facility located at Camp Landing. The store opened at the end of March and had their ribbon cutting ceremony last week. “I had managed [a

April is National Volunteer Month A New “Leash” on Volunteering Thanks to Beloved Dog Man’s best friend or dog’s best friend – no matter how you look at it – Ron Lindsey of Ashland and his goldendoddle Loki both know the joy of companionship. Now, they’re sharing that joy by volunteering with the UK King’s Daughters K-9 Care Team. You might spot Loki with Ron and his wife Patsy in the waiting areas or various departments. Patients and visitors are delighted to see Loki,

A Slice of Fun: The Oldtown Pie Social Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon Sometimes it’s nice to sit and listen to someone talk about the “good ole days.” As they reminisce about community events where crowds would gather for evenings of fun, it makes one long to be part of the time. Thankfully we still have some community events where you don’t have to talk about the good times of yesteryear, but instead you can still take part. The little community of Oldtown may

Hear Ye, Hear Ye Renaissance Fair Comes to Russell! Gwen Akers The Ashland Beacon Russell, Kentucky is going back in time with Ferry Tales, a magical medieval festival on April 25 and 26. Ferry Tales is hosted by Wander Russell: Tourism and will feature magical appearances from princesses, horse and carriage rides, blacksmithing demonstrations, vendors, food trucks and even a jousting tournament! “We're just hoping to turn downtown Russell into a medieval-style Renaissan

April is National Volunteer Month The Hendersons: A Family Tradition of Volunteering After touting the benefits of volunteering for years, it was easy for Carlene Henderson of Ashland to convince her husband and son to follow her lead. Now, all three – including Jerry Sr. and Jerry Jr. – lend their time to helping others at UK King’s Daughters. As the medical center’s longest-serving actively involved volunteer, Carlene was a mainstay as a greeter in Same-Day Surgery

Outdoors Opportunities Aplenty Jarrod E. Stephens The Ashland Beacon It only seems a blink ago that we were staring out our windows at a frozen winter tundra that refused to go away. It took a brave outdoorsman to face those elements. Well friends, spring has arrived and with it comes plenty of opportunities to disappear in the Creation in search of fun and tasty vittles. A Time to Fish If fishing is your desire, then now is the time to get your gear and head to your ne

Poage Chapter DAR Honors Veterans Pamela Hall The Ashland Beacon The Poage Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosted a Veterans Appreciation luncheon on Saturday, March 28 at the Ashland Transportation Center. The luncheon was attended by about 60 veterans from Boyd, Carter, and Greenup Counties. A welcome was given by Poage Chapter DAR Vice Regent Deb Price-Johnson who organized the event. The invocation was given by Poage Chapter Chaplain Ann Ri

The True Meaning of Easter and the Cost of the Cross Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon Easter stands as one of the most profound and meaningful celebrations in the Christian faith. While it is often associated with springtime traditions, family gatherings, and symbols of renewal, its true significance reaches far deeper—into the very heart of Christian belief: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At its core, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, an event Ch

Fast Answers Bright Futures Governor’s Cup Highlights Sasha Bush The Ashland Beacon The 2026 KAAC Governor’s Cup State Finals once again showcased the very best of Kentucky’s academic talent, with standout performances from both middle and high school teams. Among the most impressive were Ashland Middle School and Russell High School, whose students demonstrated exceptional knowledge, discipline, and teamwork across a wide range of competitive events. In the middle scho

Unsung Heros Among Us Ashland Community Comes Together In The Wake of Tragic Fire Rebecca Hemlock The Ashland Beacon In the days following a devastating fire that claimed the life of an Ashland teen and left a family displaced from their home, the town has shown a powerful example of compassion, resilience, and teamwork. Local residents woke to heartache, but they also woke to a community that refuses to stand still in the face of tragedy. The Ashland Beacon offers its