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