Big Wins for a Small-Town Paper with a Big Heart

Big Wins for a Small-Town Paper with a Big Heart

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

In newsrooms across the Commonwealth, excellence is measured not only by deadlines met and pages filled, but by the impact a publication makes on its community. Each year, the Kentucky Press Association (KPA) celebrates that impact, recognizing the very best in reporting, photography, design, and advertising among newspapers throughout the state. This year, one paper rose to the top once again: The Greater Ashland Beacon.

For the third consecutive year, The Greater Ashland Beacon captured the prestigious First Place award for Best Weekly Newspaper in Kentucky. In an industry that continues to evolve and face new challenges, winning this top honor once is remarkable. Winning it three years in a row is a testament to consistency, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to local journalism.

The Beacon’s recognition extended beyond overall excellence. The newspaper also earned Third Place for Advertising Excellence statewide, showcasing the strength of its creative and marketing teams. Together, these honors reflect a publication firing on all cylinders — from compelling front-page stories to eye-catching advertisements that help local businesses thrive.

Advertising Excellence: Creativity That Connects

The Beacon’s advertising department delivered an impressive showing across multiple categories. In the First Place Advertisement category, Sasha Bush earned top honors for her Department/Discount Jewelry Ad for West End Jewelry, as well as Best Use of Color for her vibrant Boyd County Fair ad. These awards highlight not only artistic design but also the ability to connect businesses with readers in meaningful, memorable ways.

Second Place honors further demonstrated the team’s depth of talent. Philip Stewart was recognized for his Department/Discount Jewelry Ad for West End Jewelry and his Professional Services Ad for Toppings Moving. Sasha Bush earned Second Place for Best Political Ad for her Josh Blanton ad, while Philip Stewart also placed second  in the Agriculture/Lawn and Garden Ad category.

The accolades continued in the Third Place Advertisement category. Sasha Bush earned recognition for her Special Events Ad for Firken Fest, and a collaborative effort by Sasha Bush, Kimberly Smith, and Philip Stewart received honors for Special Sections, Preprints, and Magazines for their Holiday magazine publication. Each award represents hours of brainstorming, design, and dedication — all aimed at helping local businesses tell their stories effectively.

Editorial Excellence: Stories That Matter

While advertising success is vital, the heart of any newspaper lies in its editorial work — and here, The Beacon truly shined.

In the First Place Editorial categories, James Collier earned Best Sports Story for his coverage of the Ashland Kittens winning the 16th Region title, capturing the excitement and pride of a championship moment. Gwen Akers was honored with Best Business/Agribusiness Story for her feature on a local sewing shop, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels the community.

Visual storytelling proved to be another major strength. Lora Stewart dominated multiple categories, earning First Place for Best Video for her Summer Motion fireworks coverage, Best Picture Essay for her Summer Motion photo collection, Best Sports Picture, and Best Sports Picture Essay. Sasha Bush earned First Place for Best Feature Picture from the DWOS event, while Kimberly Smith and staff were recognized for Best Sports Page/Section.

Second Place honors continued to showcase the newsroom’s strength. Lora Stewart received additional recognition for Best Sports Picture, while Kimberly Smith and Lora Stewart placed for Best Sports Page/Section. Sasha Bush earned honors for Best General News Story with her “Swinging for Cause” YMCA article, James Collier for Best Sports Feature Story, and Gwen Akers again for Best Business/Agribusiness Story.

Third Place awards added even more depth to the Beacon’s achievement list. Wayne Chaffin earned recognition for Best Sports Picture, while Kim Cole-Young and Lora Stewart were honored for Best Sports Picture Essay. The team of Sasha Bush, Kimberly Smith, and Lora Stewart earned accolades for Best Sports Section/Special Section, and Kimberly Smith received honors for Best Front Page — a reflection of the design and editorial leadership that guides every edition.

A Team Effort Worth Celebrating

Altogether, these awards tell a powerful story. They reflect not just individual accomplishments but the collective strength of photographers, writers, editors, designers, and advertising professionals working toward a shared goal: serving their community with excellence.

At The Greater Ashland Beacon, pride runs deep — pride in storytelling, in creative design, and in building relationships with readers and advertisers alike. The recognition from the Kentucky Press Association affirms what the community already knows: this is a newspaper dedicated to quality, integrity, and local impact.

As the staff celebrates another historic year, gratitude remains at the forefront. None of these achievements would be possible without loyal readers who trust The Beacon to tell their stories, dedicated advertisers who believe in the power of local media, and a hardworking team committed to raising the bar year after year.

Three consecutive years as Kentucky’s Best Weekly Newspaper is an extraordinary milestone. But if this year’s awards are any indication, The Greater Ashland Beacon isn’t slowing down. With passion, creativity, and community at its core, the future looks brighter than ever.