Community Corner
🌱 How one Ashland shop owner became a lifeline for Spanish speakers
Coming up: New Year's Day (Town offices closed) on the Ashland Patch calendar
Hi there, Ashland! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How one Ashland shop owner became a lifeline for Spanish speakers
- Have you seen this toddler on Ashcake Road in Ashland?
- Ashland native and beloved church musician Shirley Kyle dies at 90
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Ashlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Much colder, with a high of 40 and low of 28 degrees.
- Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, temps: high: 45, low: 31.
- Thursday: Clouds and sun with a flurry, with a high of 37 and low of 21 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• This Ashland resident is bridging the bilingual gap in Hanover (vpm.org) — An Ashland resident, Teresa Lopez de Ocanas, is being honored for turning her Ashland home and local Latin grocery into a hub connecting Spanish-speaking families with Hanover County services. Through translation, school support, and public health outreach, she’s helping neighbors access mental health, substance abuse prevention, and other vital resources, especially for families who primarily speak Spanish. 
Find out what's happening in Ashlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
• CODI Alert issued for missing Hanover child (nbc12.com) — Authorities are urgently searching for a 17‑month‑old last seen Sunday night on Ashcake Road in Ashland, believed to be on foot with a 27‑year‑old woman. State Police say the situation poses a credible threat to their safety and are asking anyone in the Ashland area with information to contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
• Shirley Stevens Kyle, 90, of Williamsburg (wydaily.com) — Ashland readers will recognize Shirley Kyle’s deep local ties, from her Ashland birthplace and church choir days to memorial gifts directed to Randolph-Macon College in town. The longtime United Methodist minister’s wife and gifted soprano died Dec. 20 in Williamsburg at age 90, leaving a legacy of music, faith, and service across Virginia congregations. A memorial service is set for Jan. 4 in Williamsburg.
📸 Around Ashland
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Ashland
- New Year's Day (Town offices closed)
Ashland, VA Calendar Ashland, VA 23005
7:30 am - Town Council
Ashland, VA Calendar , 121 Thompson Street Ashland Town Hall , Ashland
6:30 pm
Thursday January 1
Tuesday January 6
📣 Ashland Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- New Year's Eve at Hanover Tavern!
Hanover Tavern
6:00 pm - PE Games w/Robinson Staff 3rd-5th
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
3:45 pm - Contemporary Modern Dance w/Allisen 3rd-5th grade
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
3:45 pm - Zumba w/Sam 15-Adult
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
5:30 pm - PiYo (Yoga infused Pilates) w/Toi 15-Adult
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
6:15 am - Chef's K.I.S.S.S w/Jason 3rd-5th Grade
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
3:45 pm - Hip-Hop w/Marquis 3rd-5th Grade
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
3:45 pm - Hip Hop w/Marquis middle-high school
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
4:30 pm - Line Dancing w/Kelli 15-Adult
Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
5:30 pm - Basketball: B/JV
Mechanicsville High SchoolMain Gym
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 31
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Ashland PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Good Morning Neighbors.
Getting those properties cleaned up for the new year. More satisfied customers from Nextdoor. Call/Text 804-312-1790 Quality Work Affordable Prices (Nextdoor Ashland Virginia) - Split Dry wood for outdoors fire pits.
8-10 pieces (recommended for outdoor use only). Local Ashland area delivery (Free) outside Ashland area delivery (Fee based on distance) $3 per… (Nextdoor Ashland Virginia)
- Home Depot posted a job opening for Warehouse Maintenance Associate in Ashland. Apply here.
- Randolph-Macon College posted a job opening for Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies in Ashland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ashland here.
🗞 Nearby News
Hanover
- Lane surprises 'Final Score Friday' super fan with goodie bag (wtvr.com)
Glen Allen
- Where you can take your Christmas tree for recycling in Henrico (henricocitizen.com)
- Henrico Property Transactions: Dec. 10-16, 2025 (henricocitizen.com)
Short Pump
Ok Ashland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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