Getting the Scoop

This week on The Rockbridge Report there are so many interesting stories. All of the reporters are staying on top of their beats, and getting scoops before other news outlets in the region.

One of the biggest stories this week is a feature on landlord/tenant relations in Lexington. With the closing of Cool Spring Organic Market, many residents were upset over what they thought was the mistreatment of the renters by their landlords.Holly Suthers got the building owner’s side of the story, and it turns out the landlord is not necessarily the bad guy in this controversy, as many in the community had been led to believe.

Also featured on the website this week is a broadcast package by Michael Freeman about the Lexington parking proposal that is to be voted on by the city council tonight. If passed, parking fines will increase in time-limited parking spots. However, 50 long-term parking permits will be available to those who live or work downtown.

Brooke Sutherland covered how local businesses are being affected by the recession – and competition from the Internet. She found that area business owners are creating an initiative to encourage people to buy locally rather than online or at large chain stores.

Another scoop is Melissa Powell’s story on the potential reconfiguration of Kling and Enderly Heights Elementary Schools in Buena Vista. The proposal may not be decided until January, but it is already starting to stir some support, although school officials expect an outcry from several community members.

Rockbridge County could owe big bucks to a local family in a social services case. The Lawrence family adopted a child, then sued the county alleging it breached the “adoption assistance agreement” when social services did not reimburse the family for expenses. The judge found there was a breach of contract, and is in the process of deciding just how much it will cost the county.

Last, but not least, we have continued coverage of the issue of what is going to be done with area trash after the landfill closes in 2012. Buena Vista had signed a contract with Rockbridge Resource Recovery Inc. to remove trash through a transfer station. Lexington officials are leaning towards joining the Buena Vista contract, but Rockbridge County is still at a standstill in making a decision. They all need to decide what to do with the trash by the end of the year to pursue those plans in time to meet state deadlines closing the dump two years later.

All of our reporters this semester are learning how to develop relationships with their sources, which is why we are on top of all the news in the area!

Be sure to check out The Rockbridge Report next week to catch some pre-election coverage.

--Caroline