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

Mask mandates in question at local schools

A controversial executive order has school districts defending their decisions to keep mask mandates in place.
Shauna Muckle
February 15, 2022

Residents pushed to clear snow from sidewalks

After ten days of snow lingering on some Lexington sidewalks, Lexington’s city manager upped enforcement of a city ordinance that penalizes residents for not shoveling snow from their sidewalks.
Mimi Sherrill
February 15, 2022
Sydney Brun-Ozuna, ‘24L, plays Eighteen Wheeler American Pro Trucker at Tommy’s Arcade. She visited the arcade for the first time to compete in a Smash Bros. tournament. Photo by Shauna Muckle, ’24.

Downtown Lexington gains its first arcade

Lexington’s newest entertainment option offers a community spot to play retro and modern games
Shauna Muckle
February 1, 2022
Members of Washington and Lee’s Chanoyu Tea Society prepare matcha tea to serve at their MLK Day ceremony. The event was part of a larger slate of activites the univeristy held in honor of MLK. Photo by Janet Ikeda Yuba.

MLK Day and Lee-Jackson Day celebrations coincide

Different events supporting Lee-Jackson Day and MLK Day struck a contrast over MLK weekend.
Luke Fountain
February 1, 2022
The Lexington police department is implementing a citizen’s advisory board, to become active in January. The Board, composed of five to seven civilians, will advise Lexington’s police chief on topics such as use of force, mental health concerns and other police policies and procedures. As an advisory, rather than an oversight board, this group will not have any investigative power, but will serve to help the department better understand the community’s concerns. Police Chief Angela Greene introduced the idea at the Nov. 18 Lexington City Council meeting in November. “This will provide increased transparency on our police procedures, practices, and policies, with input and recommendations from our community board members on how to improve police services and enhance their quality of life,” she said. The board will be made up of citizens representing a cross-section of the city’s population. Greene envisions the group as “representing a diverse group of residents, business owners, school leaders, faith-based clergy, and/or college students.” In an email, she further explained her reasoning for proposing the board. “It is vital to have honest two-way communication on how the police department can increase their trust and transparency with our citizens,” Greene said. National issues will also be taken into consideration, Greene said. “This forum also allows individuals to discuss hot topic issues or concerns that have occurred in other parts of the nation related to law enforcement actions and responses, with an opportunity for the Lexington police department to listen to our citizens’ voices on what policies, training and tactics they feel are most beneficial in protecting our community members,” Greene said. Members of City Council expressed their support for the implementation of the board. “The Chief’s new advisory board will give citizens an opportunity to share concerns with her and perhaps action will result in addressing those concerns,” Council Member Charles Aligood said in an email. “This is a good step and I congratulate and commend the new chief, Angela Greene, for creating it.” Aligood said the city intentionally chose an advisory board instead of one with oversight authority. . The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation in late 2020 authorizing localities to establish Law Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies, Aligood said. Aligood said he suggested creating an oversight board in Lexington but met resistance from other city officials. “My sense was that the remainder of Council as well as the city manager did not want to establish a COB that would have the powers authorized in the legislation,” Aligood said. In the end, the advisory board was seen as the best fit for Lexington. “As I see it, currently, Lexington citizens are satisfied with our police department, as I am also,” Aligood said. “The establishment of a COB would be for that time in the future when there are issues where questions of fair treatment concern the community.” The board will meet four times a year, with the first meeting anticipated to take place in late January 2022. Members will be chosen through an application process and will serve two-year terms. Being an official Lexington resident is not a requirement, but having a vested interest in the community is. Students from W&L are invited to apply. Greene explained in an email what she hopes college students will bring to the board. “As to the perspective of college students, they are a large part of our Lexington community with unique concerns that we want to hear,” she said. . “College students bring a different viewpoint and outlook on the world,” Greene said. “More importantly, as our future leaders we want college students to be an integral part in understanding community policing efforts, as well as assisting with the formulation of modern police practices that will enhance everyone’s quality of life.” Applicants must be at least 20 years old and will need to submit to a criminal background check. Applications are open on the Lexington Police department’s website until Dec. 29 at 5 p.m.

Police chief launches citizen’s advisory board

The board will advise Lexington’s police chief on a variety of department practices and procedures.
Anneliese Scheider
December 14, 2021
A float with Santa and Mrs. Claus proceeded down Main Street as part of Lexington’s Christmas parade. The annual event was downsized last year due to COVID-19. Photo by Shauna Muckle, ’24.

Lexington’s annual Christmas festivities return

Lexington residents kicked off the holiday season with a Christmas parade and a holiday-themed race.
Luke Fountain
December 14, 2021
A sign outside of Napa Thai advertises that the restaurant is hiring. Photo by Shauna Muckle, '24.

Labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions hit Lexington businesses

Several downtown shops said they are dealing with a lack of workers and shipment delays, a byproduct of the pandemic-era economy’s slow recovery
Luke Fountain
November 23, 2021
Electric Pilates is one of several women-owned businesses that opened in the past two years. Photo courtesy of Kevin Remington.

Lexington’s women-owned businesses thrive during the pandemic

Downtown Lexington is dominated by women-run businesses. Three female owners say that mutual support in the community has driven their success
Mimi Sherrill
November 23, 2021

Lexington City Council increases officers’ salaries

Members of the Lexington Police Department will see a boost in their next paycheck
Mimi Sherrill
November 9, 2021
Youngkin will be Virginia’s first Republican governor in eight years. He, Sears and Miyares are the first Republicans elected to statewide office since 2014. Photo by Shauna Muckle, ’24

Republicans make major gains in Virginia elections

Glenn Youngkin and other down-ballot Republicans defied Virginia’s leftward trend Nov. 2, declaring victory in their competitive races.
Shauna Muckle
November 9, 2021
The Bookery is a brief walk away from Washington and Lee’s campus, sitting in between Lexington Pet Place and The Palms. It’s been a community staple for 34 years. Photo by Lilah Kimble, ’23.

A life of “organized chaos” in The Bookery

Lexington’s downtown bookstore, headed by Marysue Forrest, holds not only 50,000 books, but just as many artifacts of the past.
Julie Ham
October 26, 2021
While Lexington and Rockbridge County plan to tax cigarettes at a rate of 25-cents-per-pack, Buena Vista has not passed a similar policy. That disparity could adversely impact stores like Kroger that are within city boundaries. Photo by Stefanie Chiguluri, ’24.

Cigarette tax elicits mixed reactions in Lexington

Lexington’s recently-passed cigarette tax has some members of the community expressing their reservations.
Janae Darby
October 26, 2021
Load More Stories