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Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Independent student newspaper of Washington and Lee University

The Ring-tum Phi

Virginia Military Institute will tear down three buildings on Letcher Avenue, two of which are recognized by the Historic Lexington Foundation.

Lexington community rails against demolitions at VMI but remains silent on those at W&L

Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute are both poised to tear down historical buildings, but advocacy groups are only focused on VMI
Aiden Kelsey, Local Editor
December 9, 2024
Rockbridge County's proposed policy will ban phones in all classes for the whole day.

Rockbridge County Public Schools plan to ban cell phones

The policy would ban cell phone use during the day. School board members will vote on the proposal on Dec. 10
Julianna Stephenson, Editor-in-Chief
December 9, 2024
Christmas wreaths decorate downtown Lexington at the corner of Main Street and Washington Street. Local business owners say students should make more of an effort to shop downtown during the holiday season.

Retail therapy in Lexington? Not for W&L students

W&L students don’t normally holiday shop downtown, according to Lexington business owners. Regardless, holiday deals are in full swing, and local residents are taking advantage
Joshua Davidson, Local Staff Writer
December 9, 2024
Woman-owned businesses dominate the downtown storefronts. The city has a significantly higher percentage of woman-owned businesses than the rest of the nation.

Woman-owned businesses dominate downtown

Over the last decade, women-owned shops and restaurants have increased from 56% to 80% of the city’s businesses
Kate Keeley
November 18, 2024
Compared to previous election years, Democrats underperformed statewide in Virginia.

Blue or purple: the Virginia question

Statewide, Democrats underperformed in comparison to previous election years
Joshua Davidson, Local Staff Writer
November 18, 2024
While Tammy Dunn won re-election by a clear margin, the other three school board candidates were separated by only 53 votes.

First school board election comes down to the wire

With three school board seats on the line, only about 50 votes separated the second, third and fourth place candidates. However, candidates won city council and mayoral races by a landslide
Aiden Kelsey, Local Editor
November 18, 2024
A marathon runner approaches the finish line at the Chessie Trail Races. Other races included a half marathon, 5k, 10k and 26.2-mile relay.

700 participants run in Chessie Trail Races

Local residents and students ran in the annual fundraising event for the Chessie Trail
Emily Scaff
November 4, 2024
Because of Lexington’s small size, the attitudes and behaviors of Washington and Lee students play a big role in the school’s relationship with the city.

Bridging the gap between W&L and Lexington

Local residents believe that W&L students make a big impact, but there is still work to be done
Joshua Davidson, Local Staff Writer
November 4, 2024
Behavioral health services will soon be expanded at The Rockbridge Area Health Center.

Rockbridge County gets expanded mental health funding

A two-year grant will allow the county’s health center to hire more licensed mental health providers and expand telehealth services
Liz Trubeck
October 21, 2024
Some hotels and restaurants filled up over Parents Weekend, while others barely saw any impact.

Lexington businesses see mixed impacts from Parents Weekend

Not all small business owners saw a large increase in customers during one of Lexington’s busiest weekends
Joshua Davidson
October 21, 2024
A $200,000 state grant is funding the new detective position.

Lexington Police Department names a detective to handle domestic abuse and sexual assault cases

Project Horizon will work with the detective to provide shelter and support for victims
Alejandra Pacheco
October 21, 2024
The Rockbridge Building is being renovated and will soon be available to Washington and Lee for office space.

Divided City Council lets W&L lease downtown building

The motion passed thanks to a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Frank Friedman
Aiden Kelsey, Local Editor
October 21, 2024
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