The Rockbridge Report

Well-Rounded Stories

2010-12-09T11:56:00.001-08:00

This week, The Rockbridge Report sent two reporters to the City Council… luckily. The meeting, which lasted until after 10 p.m., was peppered with public outcry and criticism. Local citizens came to the City Council meeting to share their opinions regarding the new urban deer season, the apparently strained relationship between the rescue squad and Lexington Fire Department, and displaying Confederate flags during Lee-Jackson Day.

Once the meeting was over, our reporters were able to talk to a few citizens who spoke at the meeting and got their contact information.

But when our three reporters went to research and flesh out the stories, a hush fell over Lexington.

Michael Freeman tried to talk to rescue squad members, who had been vocal about their "mistreatment" by the Lexington Fire Department. But, when he tried to reach the rescue squad members, they were not able to talk to the press, or perhaps they were less enthusiastic about their cause.

Brooke Sutherland made a number of phone calls to citizens who had spoken against the urban archery season at the meeting, but only a small number of them returned her calls.

One of the most important roles of a journalist is showing all sides of a story. Lexington residents are frequently an important facet of stories we put together. When local citizens become silent on an issue they were previously passionate about as soon as the camera or tape recorder rolls, they do themselves a disservice by not letting their voices be heard.

Throughout the term, and even in our explanations of the inner workings of The Rockbridge Report, we talk about the importance of cultivating sources. Allowing us to share your voice in a story also validates the concerns you citizens bring to the table. The whole purpose of the press is to enforce the democratic process. Our stories make better sense when we can include voices of the public.

As The Rockbridge Report ends this term, I look back at how far our small news organization has come, and appreciate everyone who took the time to work with us while our reporters developed their stories. Helping them helps the nation’s journalistic future.

Signing Off,

Anne Vesoulis

The importance of cultivating sources

2010-11-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

We journalists have always been told that the most important tool of journalism is the ability to write.

Equally important, though, is the relationship a journalist builds with his or her sources.

In our weekly story meetings, we discuss developing stories in Rockbridge County and decide how best to cover all of our bases. In order to get the best and most accurate story, it is vital that reporters get to know their points of contact, or sources.

This relationship is almost a friendship—a two-way street that mutually provides information and additional resources.

When I was a reporter in Winter 2010, I covered the education beat. I knew that I would be working with Rockbridge County Schools Superintendent John Reynolds. So, when I went to my first school board meeting, I walked up to Mr. Reynolds and said,

“Hi, Mr. Reynolds. My name is Anne Vesoulis and I will be covering education in Rockbridge County this semester. I wanted to introduce myself because you’ll be seeing a lot of me this term, so get ready.”

From that day forward, I was in Mr. Reynolds’ office two to three times a week.

Just the other day, I saw Mr. Reynolds in Wal-Mart. He still recognized me and proceeded to say hello.

It is that kind of source cultivation that gets journalists the story.

This year, our education reporter, Melissa Powell, has had similar successes with her sources. In her coverage of Lexington schools’ decision to rebuild Waddell, Melissa is able to get the inside "scoop." This enables her to inform our readership about what went into the decision and any conflict—angles we wouldn’t have gotten without good sources.

If a journalist doesn’t cultivate a source, it is unlikely that he or she will get anything more than an overview or vague statement.

Getting to know your source is invaluable. Without information, how can we write a good story?

Learning to cover local and national news

2010-11-11T12:52:00.000-08:00

This week, the reporters are covering several important issues that have arisen around the area. Many of them are localizing national stories that are important to residents of Rockbridge County.

Caffeinated alcoholic drinks have become a major issue around the country. Reporter Jessica Strait looks at how drinks such as Four Loko, which contains 12 percent alcohol as well as stimulants, are affecting the community.

Michael Freeman looks into why county noise complaints are aiming to be the highest ever this year. He talked to residents, the sheriff’s department and students to get at what is causing so much tension.

Although elections are over, we are still on top of following the newly elected candidates for Lexington City Council as they prepare to take office in January. Reporter Tim Watson found out how they are preparing and what their goals are.

Lastly, Melissa Powell reports on the new federal grant that allows for tutoring and enrichment activities at Maury River Middle School. The program provides kids with opportunities to get help with their homework from volunteers along with special programs, something they wouldn’t have gotten without the grant.

As our reporters stay busy covering the area, we will be sure to keep you updated on what’s going on around Rockbridge County.

Be sure to check out what stories we have for you next Thursday!

Pre-Election Coverage Begins!

2010-10-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon! With less than one week until the 2010 midterm elections, the reporters and producers of The Rockbridge Report have been working tirelessly to get you the latest on important local, state-wide and national elections.

Brooke Sutherland met with each of the candidates in the Virginia 6th District House of Representatives race. Even though incumbent Bob Goodlatte is pretty much a shoo-in for the seat, contenders Stuart Bain and Jeff Vanke are trying to get their messages out to the public.

But the 6th District race is blasé compared to the House races in Virginia’s 5th and 9th Districts. Jessica Strait has been hot on the trail covering these contentious campaigns. Incumbent Tom Perriello is facing a tough challenge by long-time state legislator Robert Hurt, in a national trend of anti-incumbency sentiment. Similarly the race between Rick Boucher and Morgan Griffith looks like it could be a photo-finish.

Closer to home, Michael Freeman spoke with members of the Rockbridge County Tea Party to find out how the new political movement is affecting the area.

Melissa Powell took on the task of analyzing close national races. This election is unusual in that only a handful of races could decide which party holds the majority in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate. Melissa has been working with members of the Washington and Lee Mock Convention—a group of budding politicos, who dedicate their free time to analyzing political races in order to correctly select the 2012 Republican Presidential nominee—to get a handle on exactly which races will tip the scales.

Three amendments are on the ballot for the state of Virginia, and each issue is quite technical. Nonetheless, Tim Watson sat down with public officials to find out how voting “yes” or “no” could affect Rockbridge County.

Locally, Holly Suthers has been following the five candidates seeking the three open seats on the Lexington City Council. In talking to each, Holly found out that all of the candidates are trying to promote local businesses, and each has his or her own ideas about other ways to improve the community.

We hope that each of these stories gives you a good idea about the upcoming election. The entire Rockbridge Report team will be in the newsroom on Election Night to bring you the latest updates of race results and implications, so be sure to visit our website at www.rockbridgereport.wlu.edu.

Happy voting!

--Anne and Caroline

Getting the Scoop

2010-10-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

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

The News Process

2010-10-11T10:29:00.001-07:00

Hello again from the Journalism lab in chilly Lexington, Virginia!

This fall term got off to a great start last week with successful launches of both the website and the broadcast. Thanks to our reporters, the news reached its intended audiences.

This week, I wanted to let you know a little bit about how our newsroom functions. Each Wednesday, the week before our show, Caroline and I (the producers) sit down with each of the reporters as they “sell”—or pitch—us their stories for the following week. Once each reporter gets assigned a story, it’s off to the races. On top of a regular course load, each reporter has to pre-interview, film interviews, get in contact with local (and sometimes national) officials, and either write a print story or put together a 90 second video news story.

When I interned in D.C. this summer, I worked with a journalism grad student who was focused on the same production and reporting aspects as we are working on this term. Kudos to the j-school!

The point isn’t to toot my own horn here, but simply to state the amount of professionalism and dedication each reporter, producer and professor puts into The Rockbridge Report each week.

So, while all of you are watching our newscast or reading the various stories on our website, think about each element as a separate piece of a puzzle. It’s exciting!

--Anne

News Never Sleeps

2010-09-30T13:10:00.000-07:00

Our second week in the newsroom has gone pretty smoothly! A lot of important stories are going on around the area, and our reporters have been getting scoops. The biggest story this week has been the relief from the severe drought that Rockbridge County has been experiencing over the past several months. The area has gone from being six to nine inches behind average to receiving upwards of five inches in some places in the county over this past week alone.

Another headline story this week is unemployment numbers recently released for the area. Rockbridge Reporter Brooke Sutherland found out that some areas still have high unemployment rates, where others have leveled out.

Also, Reporter Tim Watson has the latest on the proposed broadband connection coming to the county. Officials now believe that it might be implemented nine months ahead of deadline. The project was originally to be completed in July of 2013, however now it is believed it will be finished at the end of 2012.

Reporter Melissa Powell took a look to see the effects of the merger between Effinger and Central Elementary Schools since over a month of school has past. She found that the school year has gotten off to a smooth start at Central despite all the new faces.

The annual Boxerwood festival occurred this past weekend, and Holly Suthers was there to cover the exciting activities and performances that hundreds of area residents came out to enjoy.

Another busy news week has gone by, and we can’t wait to bring you more exciting news next Thursday!

-Caroline Helms and Anne Vesoulis

New Year, New Stories

2010-09-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall Solstice! It’s Anne and Caroline, your producers for the Rockbridge Report this semester. While we were busy at work this summer at CBS in Washington, D.C. and ArkMedia in Brooklyn, NY the coveted “J-school” (our home away from home) was busy getting ready for a new year.

We have a group of great reporters this year, each of whom will focus on a “beat” or aspect of the area community. Brooke Sutherland is our business and commerce beat. Michael Freeman will cover police and courts. Melissa Powell is tackling the Education beat and Holly Suthers is following the happenings within Lexington. Tim Watson will focus on Rockbridge County news. Finally, Jessica Strait will keep us up to date on social welfare and religion.

This semester, the Rockbridge Report will tackle big issues like the water loop project, follow citizens seeking public office in the upcoming elections, and as always, keep Rockbridge County informed.

We look forward to your viewership and comments about the website and newscast. The Rockbridge Report broadcasts Thursdays on channel 18 at 4:30pm. If you don’t live in the viewing area, check us out at http://rockbridgereport.wlu.edu to see the broadcast online.

--Caroline Helms and Anne Vesoulis

2010-04-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hey Rockbridge,
It’s been an exciting winter reporting the news in one of the coolest small towns in America. We’ve covered snow storms, tremendous school board budget dilemmas, gang trials, and much more. The Rockbridge Area might be small, but there’s always something going on despite its sleepy feel.

But some of the most interesting stories are what goes on in our very own newsroom.

For the past few months, our reporters, professors, faculty members and my co-producer and I have been working day and night to bring the community the best coverage of local issues as possible. Any given night at least one of our diligent reporters is plugging away at a story for the Rockbridge Report. On Thursdays when we launch the Web site and broadcast the news on Channel 18, all the excitement takes place, especially in the control room.

I hope you’ve enjoyed our news coverage this winter, and that you continue to check out The Rockbridge Report next fall.

A special thank you to all the wonderful people behind The Rockbridge Report. Without you, none of this would’ve been possible.

Until next time –

Farrell

Openings, closings?

2010-04-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I had to resist the urge to break out into the famous Village People party anthem more than a few times while working on this week’s Rockbridge Report.

After years of planning, the Rockbridge Area YMCA opened its new doors early Monday morning. The health club has also expanded its services thanks to its bigger facility. The new building, located at the College Square shopping center off of Route 11, allows for multiple fitness classes at once. The folks at the Y also plan to offer classes to teach young people about healthy lifestyle choices and habits.

Meanwhile, Lexington and Rockbridge Area tourism plans to use geocaching, high-tech treasuring hunting using GPS equipment, to attract visitors to the area when they launch the Gems of Rockbridge Geocache Trail in June.

And how does a speed limit of 70 on I-81 sound? The General Assembly passed a bill allowing this increase, but first VDOT has to conduct speed surveys to see which parts of the interstate are safe enough to make this change.

The battle of the county school budget raged on this week. The Board of Supervisors decided on Monday not to grant the school board full funding for the shortfall. The supervisors will hold a public hearing later this month.

That’s all for this week. Tune in the Channel 18 next Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and check out rockbridgereport.wlu.edu for this semester’s last Rockbridge Report.

-Victoria

Health care, noise and school-budget squabbles continue

2010-03-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

This week the saga continues for the Rockbridge County School Board’s budget cuts. Tonight the board will meet to determine what to slash from the budget. The options: close Effinger Elementary or pray that the Board of Supervisors will make up the difference. Rockbridge Reporter Anne Vesoulis will have an update after tonight’s meeting.

And speaking of meetings, the Board of Supervisors passed a revised noise ordinance Monday that will shorten the time for county parties by one hour. The ordinance mandates that party-goers will go home at 11 p.m. instead of midnight, and, in theory, the neighbors will get an extra hour of sleep.

While attending those county parties, don’t forget to lock the doors and windows beforehand. A break-in on Collierstown Road reminds locals of home security.

But county woes are small potatoes compared to the massive health care debate. The bill is now a law, and a new “fix-it” bill is headed to the House. Virginia now has its own state health care law, and Virginia congressional representatives are receiving threatening mail from angry activists.

Still, this post is only a glimpse of the full stories, which you can watch, and read, on our Web site, rockbridgereport.wlu.edu. Stay tuned for next week’s show, which airs live on Channel 18.

- Melissa Szumlic

What are we going to do about budget cuts?

2010-03-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

That seems to be the question of the week. School systems across the area - Rockbridge County, Buena Vista and Lexington - are all trying to come up with how to balance the budget without cutting important extracurricular programs and teaching jobs and, in some cases, closing schools.

The fine arts community in Lexington is also suffering because of budget shortfalls handed down by the General Assembly. But luckily for a rural town that prides itself on theatrical, musical and other cultural productions, the budget cuts aren't as much as they were feared to be.

And that's not all Lexington has to be thankful for. A new police chief has finally come to town - and he's from just across the Blue Ridge in Lynchburg, Va.

Our town may be small, but we've sure developed a habit of making big news these past couple months. Whether its snow storms, new gun laws, local drug investigations or school budget cuts, you can 'bet your bottom dollar' (like we all seem to be doing these days) that The Rockbridge Report will deliver you the most important local stories of the week. Keep your televisions on at 4:30 on Thursdays - Channel 18.

2010-03-15T10:07:00.001-07:00

Hello, Rockbridge. I’m Catherine Carlock-- this week's producer for The Rockbridge Report Web site.

It’s a tale of two corners: last weekend, construction crews demolished the long-standing gift shop A Corner of Lexington to make way for CornerStone bank. Construction was delayed for about six months, but crews hope to finish by the year’s end. Lexington’s only locally owned bank will soon be the third to call the intersection of Main and Nelson streets home.

In local school news, the Rockbridge County School Board is thinking about slashing fine arts programs in elementary, middle, and high schools. One drama teacher was so shocked by the news that she inquired if McDonald’s is hiring… and found out that she won’t be working for the restaurant with the golden arches anytime soon. The potential cuts disappoint a lot of students and faculty, many of whom say that fine arts is the best part of their day.

A civil suit brings up old memories of the Barger Quarry expansion. In 2007, the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors said Charles Barger could expand his quarry. Now, some residents are suing the county because of the decision. We’ll give you up-to-date information as the trial continues.

Finally, it felt like the snow would never stop falling in the winter… and now it means that roads may be a little bumpier in the spring. The increased cost of snow removal this winter put the city’s Public Works Department way over budget, and money has to be taken from the repaving budget as a result. Watch out for those potholes!

Thanks for reading!

-Catherine

Our last post of February

2010-02-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

Last week’s snow has iced over but that doesn’t mean things haven’t been heating up in Rockbridge County.

One of the hot issues in the area has been gang violence. Rockbridge Reporter Rosie Purdy spent two days in court watching the dramatic trial of two members of a local gang the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. The defendants were found guilty on all charges. Another alleged gang member awaits his trial.

Also, this week it becomes clearer and clearer how our community is continually being hit by the ripple effects of the economic downturn. Not only has the local Blockbuster closed, but also Woody’s Chevrolet, a dealership that has been around for generations. The dealership closes after serving the Rockbridge Area for close to eighty years. And to make matters worse, the severe budget cuts our community faces could cause Effinger Elementary and Rockbridge County Middle School to shut its doors. The decision’s not definite yet. But if even the schools do stay open, several programs could get cut. As this story unfolds we’ll keep you in the know, as always.

We’re taking a short hiatus next Thursday because W&L has the week off. Next time we write, it’ll be March. I can’t believe how fast the year is flying by!

Farrell

When it rains, it pours...

2010-01-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

Literally. After the sky unleashed more than seven inches of cold, winter rain on the Rockbridge area Monday, there was little more for residents to do except watch the flood waters rise.

Again, literally.

Luckily the Maury River and its tributaries receded relatively quickly - the water levels are high but manageable on this lovely Thursday afternoon. But the troubles for the W&L student who was arrested after an 18-month drug trafficking investigation by local police may not end so quickly...stay tuned to the Rockbridge Report for continuing coverage.

And don't forget to keep an eye out on what those proposed state budget cuts mean for area law enforcement, schools and transportation officials. We've got a new governor in office who's promised not to raise taxes - but are we really ready to watch our area lose more than $1.3 million in state funding for law enforcement and school programs?

Speaking of which, congratulations to those of you who were able to get your hands on tickets for Waddell Elementary School students' rendition of "Oklahoma!" Tickets for both nights of the musical are no longer available.

Whew. What a week! Our community may seem quiet during this cold January in the Shenandoah Valley, but don't mistake that winter stillness for hibernation - there's enough news around here to overflow the Maury, and I pledge that even when the Rockbridge Report doesn't have it first, we'll deliver it best.

- Cameron

In the beginning...

2010-01-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

Hey, Rockbridge County. Cameron Steele and Farrell Ulrich here, and we’re the new producers of the Rockbridge Report.
It’s a new year, a new decade, and new news for The Rockbridge Report.

Like the rest of the world, The Rockbridge Report and our community have been focused on the devastation that Haiti currently faces in the aftermath of one of the deadliest earthquakes in human history. Local residents do their part as they donate time, money, and supplies to help the thousands of victims in the ravaged city of Port-au-Prince. It’s been sobering for us to cover this international tragedy. We are proud to cover the news in a community whose small size doesn’t keep it from giving a big help to those in need.

On a lighter note, our uniformed friends at VMI travelled to Richmond to march in an inauguration parade honoring our new governor. One cadet said he thinks Republican Bob McDonnell will do a great job as governor. But we’re worried about Virginia’s nearly $4 billion budget shortfall. Stay tuned for more coverage on what McDonnell plans to do to close that gap and how it will affect our community. He says he’s not going to be raising taxes, but the money’s got to come from somewhere.

We hope you enjoy our first winter news site. Be sure to check it out next week and tune into Channel 18 at 4:30 p.m. for the first broadcast of the term, January 28, at 4:30pm.

-Cameron and Farrell

Lexington police chief cites criticism in decision to step down this month

2010-01-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

Lexington Police Chief Steve Crowder says two public forums that Mayor Mimi Elrod organized last summer to address citizen complaints about his department were factors in his decision to retire at the end of this month.

“It upset me, it bothered me about the accusations that were made and the perceptions," Crowder said this week. “I can’t say that it didn’t.”

Crowder, who announced his retirement at the Aug. 14 City Council meeting, has been a police officer for 34 years and Lexington’s chief for the past three. He plans to start a limousine and private car service in February.

Elrod said this week she had heard many complaints from residents about the police when she became mayor, the most common being that police were “too aggressive, that citizens felt harassed, that too many people are cited for drunk in publics when they should be allowed to walk home.”

Crowder had the opportunity to address the community concerns in the second forum, but Elrod was unhappy with the response.

"I did not think he dealt with the concerns that were expressed. He reverted back to things like, ‘we don't want drunk drivers on the street,’ which I do not think really addressed citizens' concerns,” Elrod said this week.

Crowder said things appeared to have been blown out of proportion.

“When all is said and done… perceptions were not as bad as we thought,” he said earlier this week.

Opinions expressed at the forums will affect the hiring of the new chief, Lexington City Manager Jon Ellestad said.

“The community panels have influenced what I am going to do in terms of the skills and traits I am looking for [in a new police chief], but not the process itself,” said Ellestad. “I knew I wanted a more open process.”

The last time the police chief position opened, Ellestad did not look outside the department and instead promoted Crowder, a lieutenant at the time.

Now the position is open to all officers who are certified in Virginia. Twenty to 30 applicants are expected. Ellestad said he hopes to have a new chief by the end of February.

Crowder predicts a strong field of applicants.

“This is a very sought-after position in a very sought-after town,” he said. “Look around; it’s one of the best towns you can live in.”

If Ellestad hires a chief from outside the department, it will be the first time since the 1980s.

“There are definitely pros and cons to bringing someone in. If you get the wrong one who doesn’t understand what a small college town force should be like, it could be bad,” he said, referring to the dynamic between students and residents. One of the main concerns at the public hearings was the number of drunk in public citations issued to students who were trying to walk home.

Two people within the force, Lt. Bucky Miller and Investigator Mark Riley, have the necessary experience to apply but neither one has announced his intentions. As for what kind of chief he is looking for, Ellestad said he wants someone to fine-tune the police force.

“I am not looking for someone who will come in and change the whole operation,” he said. “I don’t think our department is broken.”

Ellestad’s selection process includes a two-part interview by separate panels, one of retired and active Virginia police chiefs and one of Lexington citizens. The five members of the citizen panel represent city institutions and demographics: Mike Young of Washington and Lee University’s Public Safety team, Col. Jeff Curtis of Virginia Military Institute, Lexington Schools Superintendent Dan Lyons, and two citizens, Leonard Stewart and Diane Herrick. Stewart is a former Lexington Police officer, current Project Horizon employee and longtime Lexington resident. Herrick is a former member of the Lexington City Council.

Not-Quite-Nostalgia

2009-12-10T09:16:00.000-08:00

As the term winds down, it's hard to look back without experiencing something that just falls short of nostalgia. I hesitate to use that word because The Rockbridge Report, while certainly a labor of love, is a labor in every sense. As producers, we have faced plenty of challenges. We have had to learn the ins and outs of running a news Web site and a weekly news broadcast. We have had to contend with stories that fall apart, sources who don't come through, and the frustrations of airing a product we feel is less than our very best.We set out to change the core format of our Web site, to update it and give it the modern facelift it not only deserved, but needed in order to stay competitive in the constantly changing world of the Internet. Naturally, not everyone was on-board with our original changes. They nitpicked over the placement or font or color of just about every object on the page. We couldn't understand why they weren't satisfied with what we thought was a valiant effort to revamp our Web site. But you know, I'm glad they weren't satisfied. The constant pressure, while a nuisance at the time, forced us to expand our original conceptions of the site. What emerged in the end was a truly unique and visionary product.And that's where we come to the not-quite-nostalgia. There were frustrations and setbacks at almost every turn, but in the end, the sense of achievement was that much greater. Where's the fun in taking the easy route? We conquered a path that had trials and tribulations aplenty, and we lived to tell the tale. Even though the reins of The Rockbridge Report are changing hands to our more-than-capable colleagues come January, I know a small part of this production will stay with me forever.

-Brett Holton

Stories aren't always easy, fun

2009-12-03T06:54:00.000-08:00

Wow. We're almost done. We're almost done! We're almost done?

Looking back at these past ten weeks it's hard to imagine that we've come this far.
Our first Web site featured a preliminary story to the Virginia Military Institute rape case trial, and it also had our first of many H1N1 virus stories. I remember sitting at the computer and staring at the screen wondering how in the heck I could tease a broadcast package about a rape story with very hazy facts still awaiting a solid conclusion.

Two weeks ago I sat at my computer writing scripts late into the night and once again encountered the swine flu and the difficulty of teasing a serious piece about sexual misconduct. But that time around, I felt a little more prepared to do it. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that along with learning how to do the technical, concrete tasks a producer needs to know like how to time a show, organize reporters, assign stories, lay out rundowns, incorporate video and live elements into stories, and run a control room, I've learned something less tangible, too. I've learned a little about the art of tact in news writing.

As a reporter I never covered a story that required me to carefully choose my words because misused words might have grievous ramifications for a victim or an accused person. Nor had I ever covered a story involving delicate issues like sexual misconduct or death (and sadly, we covered the deaths of one Cadet, one local high schooler, and a Washington and Lee alumni). But these are unavoidable stories in any real newsroom local or national, and learning how to handle them gracefully is an invaluable skill. I'm just glad we had the guidance of seasoned professors-sum-reporters to point us in the right direction and show us how to handle both ourselves and the stories.

I think you'll find Cameron Steele's follow-up piece to her sexual misconduct broadcast investigation to be an example of quality in-depth reporting combined with tasteful writing. Steele took an explosive, sensitive issue and handled tearful interviews gracefully and tactfully, being careful to use just enough to tell a story but not so much as to be exploitative.

Where's the Holiday Spirit?

2009-11-19T09:22:00.000-08:00

The holidays are almost upon us here in Lexington, but for such a busy and festive time of the year, the town is pretty quiet. Sure, Christmas wreaths are already up (all in the name of putting on a show for WSLS out of Roanoke), but even that hasn't done much to liven up the atmosphere. Where are the bustling tourists? Where are the family members in for the holidays? Maybe it's the incessant rain keeping everyone inside, or maybe I'm just jumping the gun on my expectations of seasonal cheer, but in my four years here, this is the quietest holiday I've seen yet.

I'm curious to see how this currently lackluster season will play out for local retailers. Business owners are already in a bind with the economy floundering as it is, and with the new health-care bill kicking around in the Senate, things could get even tighter. A 'yes' vote from them would make staying in the black even harder for retailers in town, who rely mostly on part-time employees. And while everyone was originally optimistic about the surge of new small businesses in Lexington, I have to wonder whether they can survive the winter. These new businesses are certainly attractive, but if the season is slow and the health-insurance mandate comes down from Washington, they face grim prospects. Newcomers, especially in the business world, have an uphill battle to fight for the first year or so before they can reasonably expect to turn a profit. Couple these inherent start-up losses with the fact that they just haven't had the necessary time to prove why they're equal competition in the Lexington market, and the red ink starts to bleed its way through their earnings sheets.

Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh on them. Perhaps this chilly weather has dampened my holiday spirit. I just hope that all these exciting new ventures live to see the thaw.

All work and no play? Not a journalist's way --

2009-11-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

All work and no play?

It isn't exactly a journalist's credo.

Last year the producers implemented an "About Us" page to put the faces to the hard work that goes into creating the news each week; the reporters and producers alike undoubtedly deserved that recognition and the recognition that giving you news that is timely, important, local, and accurate is a pretty daunting task.

But what they failed to mention was how much fun it can be. I think sometimes we forget that, too. So before the madness of today's 4:30 p.m. deadline hits home I took some time to reflect on why the heck I find this so enjoyable.

The people in news are terrific. I literally spend entire days in the journalism lab, but they're days filled with laughter and thought-provoking discussion. I sometimes wonder if I would spend less time working if I could isolate myself from the newsroom, but then I realize what a disservice that would be to the news; sharing perspectives both goofy and serious help balance the news and give it a fairness one person can't alone create.

The product we finally produce every Thursday at 4:30 is usually worth the hard work, too. There's nothing like the feeling of seeing a great show on air after working for days after a week's worth of hard work went into it. Furthermore, there's nothing better than the feeling (almost a vindication, if you will) that you get when your audience comments on the end product.

And even more, I've never seen a newsroom without Diet Coke and chocolate - the real fruits of the earth.

I hope you appreciate what goes into our work. I'd love to hear what you have to say about it - good or bad, it's always good to know you're watching. But don't let any journalist give you the ol' martyr line; we wouldn't do this unless we love it and the sacrifices we make never go unredeemed.

Sprezzatura

2009-03-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Italians have this thing called "sprezzatura." It's what our Italian friend referred to when, stomping around Rome earlier this year, we marveled at the perfectly "thrown together" model types traipsing down the Via del Corso.

While our dear guide Francesco couldn't give us a direct translation, he described it as the art of making that which is hard seem easy.

A Google search later, we found that it originated in Baldassare Castiglione's 16th-century Il Cortegiano. Castiglione describes the term as "an easy facility in accomplishing difficult actions, which hides the conscious effort that went into them."

While Castiglione encourages courtiers to have an air of sprezzatura, I have found no better way to describe that which The Rockbridge Report embodies. The Web site is streamlined, and the anchors calmly smile, but rockbridgereport.wlu.edu and our corresponding newscast are the weekly products of hours upon hours of plain hard work from a small group of students. Every story is student-written, student-filmed, student-edited and student-produced.

That's why you'll notice a new feature to our Web site this week -- photos and short bios of the reporters and producers who strive to provide the Rockbridge area with the best journalism possible. We're putting faces to names and showing you who we are.
Hope you enjoy meeting us.

- Monica Chinn

Going green has become fashionable

2009-02-27T00:26:00.000-08:00

"Reduce your carbon footprint!" "Go Green!" "Wind energy!" Save money and save the planet!"

It seems that these slogans supporting environmental causes are everywhere nowadays. This week our reporters followed a couple stories on the environment. The stories focused on air quality and even how having hens can help you save money and help the planet.

Being an environmental studies and journalism major, I believe that the attention to these stories by the news media reflects the interest of the country in environmental issues. From small student-run media outlets like The Rockbridge Report to The CBS Evening News, journalists are running stories on alternative energy and other environmental issues.

Public interest is needed to spark a change in our energy use and our environment, and the public surely has begun to be interested. And not just in a superficial way. Going green has become fashionable. Cars, clothing, electronics, you name it -- if it's green, it's most certainly cool.

The new MacBook by Apple is advertised as the most green laptop on the market. What does that mean? Who knows? But it sounds cool. If this keeps up, the environment can change without people even knowing it, and that's a good thing for all of us.

- Michelle Boniface

Who wants to be a half-millionaire?

2009-02-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

I guess it serves the government right for trying to do a good thing. It literally did a reverse Robin-Hood -- took money from the hands of hard-working taxpayers who are losing their jobs and facing foreclosure -- and put it in the hands of greedy business executives. Before the check was even signed, they arrived by private jet to make the case that they can't afford to keep business afloat.

Now all you hear about is the exorbitant bonuses executives are still receiving after having been bailed out.

Then again, not all businesses that received bailout money continue to spend wastefully. Wells Fargo for example -- which benefited from a $25 billion federal rescue -- canceled a 12-night luxury retreat in Las Vegas for its staff. Now let's think about this for a second. The relative cost of this "luxury retreat" compared to a $25 billion-dollar loan... is trifling! When CEOs start pulling the Sarah Palin, and by that I mean selling company jets on eBay, then I'll be satisfied.

While we wait for such a phenomenon to occur, word on the street -- Wall Street, that is -- is that greedy executives are finally going to get what's coming to them. Pres. Obama has announced a plan to cap the salaries of executives whose companies received bail-out money at $500,000.

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout.

My only question is: How far down the pole will these salary caps go? At some of the bailed-out banks, traders and bankers make more than the big boys on top receive.

Now of course, adversaries are devising a slew of cockamamie excuses to challenge a cap on executive salaries. My favorite appeared on CNN earlier this week. Wolf and Andy were discussing how opponents believe a salary cap will drain the 'bail-out sector' of talented managers.

Because why would a talented manager work for a company where multi-million dollar bonuses are no longer offered???

If by "talented" these people mean those who have received the highest salaries in the last decade, then the "talented managers" are the ignoramuses responsible for our current state of recession. I'm willing to bet that the statistical correlation between pay and performance of executives at these levels of corporate America is slim to none.

While I find the continued greed on Wall Street atrocious, I have to admit that I'm somewhat sympathetic to those who stand to lose millions with an executive salary cap. Really now, how would you feel if all of a sudden your annual income was missing three zeros after the comma? Granted, these big wheelers weren't earning the salaries of the average Joe six-pack (another one for the Palin fans). For Joe, an annual salary of $500,000 is more than plenty to live a pleasant life.

But for a business tycoon who's been pocketing millions, $500,000 is chump-change. More seriously, when you've living an extravagant lifestyle and are suddenly unable to afford it, you stand to lose important items like your home and car.

Perhaps 'mansion and yachts' are more accurate in this case....

At any rate, I think a salary cap will provide Wall Street with a much-needed "corporate cleansing." If these pay caps help corporations get rid of people who work there only because they receive millions each year, then Obama is doing these corporations a serious favor. They'll actually start employing honest, ambitious leaders who want to do something other than line their own pockets as fast as possible.

One can only hope.

-Alisha Laventure

Super Bowl Shock and Awe

2009-02-06T03:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday's Super Bowl was not supposed to be good.

Of the teams assembling in Tampa--the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers--neither were the Cinderellas of the season, nor the dominating powerhouses or sentimental favorites (sorry, Manning brothers).

And at that, the Steelers' star wide receiver walked onto the field with a bum knee, while a lackluster Cards defense lined up to meet them.

The nation was coming off one of the coldest weeks of the year so far.

Even Sports Illustrated and Playboy canceled their Super Bowl parties. The Super Bowl? Without an SI party?

But the second the Vince Lombardi Trophy found its way into the hands of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the rest of the Steelers, the exclamations began: This was the best Super Bowl. Ever.

What happened? How can such a lackluster exposition give way to such a climax and even more exhilarating denouement?

There's no answer; just the facts:

The second quarter ended with a drive-stopping interception run back for a 100-yard touchdown by the Steelers' James Harrison.

The Cards' first lead of the game came by way of a 64-yard touchdown pass to Larry

Fitzgerald with 2:37 left in the game.

The last Pittsburgh offensive drive ended with an impeccable perfect throw-perfect catch combination in the Cardinals' end zone ... and victory.

Most importantly, America exhaled this Sunday. Everyone who tuned in got caught up in it, not just the 71,101 people at Heinz South Stadium.

The emotionalism this game ended up capturing just proves that you can still expect the unexpected; that what is predicted is not always what is delivered.

And now, when few things allow us to focus on something besides the state of the economy, that is something increasingly important to remember. We can barely get our morning coffee without hearing about this downturn's latest victim.

The Super Bowl shocked and surprised. It made some of us cheer, some of us cry.

So I'm going to give the advice that might get me excommunicated from the journalistic world: This weekend, put your newspaper down. Get your nose out of the newest article lamenting the absurd unemployment rate and miserable budget cuts. Put on your coat and gloves and go enjoy yourselves -- and each other. Walk around your downtown, meander down Main Street. We live in a beautiful place with great people.
You might want to wait until Saturday, though. The forecast says Lexington's going to hit 62 degrees.

-Monica Chinn

A little more fun for a little less

2009-01-29T08:38:00.000-08:00

During a time when melancholy stories of budget cuts, job cuts and a failing economy dominate the news, it is refreshing to hear stories like that of the Sample of the City event in Lexington.

Alicia Budich covered the story for The Rockbridge Report, and her experience proved that, despite the hardships that Lexington residents and U.S. citizens are undoubtedly facing during these hard times, people can still find a way to have a little fun and eat some good food. Restaurants from around the city came together to show locals and out-of-towners what they had to offer and, despite the cold and damp weather, created a cheery and festive event.

As a former longtime employee of local restaurant The Bistro, I like knowing that Lexington's small but impressive restaurants got to show what they are made of. Local restaurant owners take their importance in this small city seriously and it shows in their delicious refined dishes and excellent service.

It is just another example of an American characteristic that I value above all else, that people in the United States will always find a way to get by, to persevere, and to have some fun. Even during the Depression, when it seemed that things could not get any worse, professional sporting events still went on and communities gathered together to celebrate holidays. During this recession we can all be assured that the same will be true.
Maybe, with the economy slowing down and things getting "back to the basics," as my new favorite Allstate commercial says, people will be able to have a little more fun for a little less.

- Michelle Boniface

Celebrating a real American - and his family

2009-01-22T05:52:00.000-08:00

Barack Hussein Obama is the 44th president of the United States. His father was not a former president. His last name does not denote the wealth that a name like Rockefeller or Forbes does. At first glance, the name doesn't even seem American! But no one who was paying attention to his presidential campaign, the passion with which he speaks about our country, and the enthusiasm with which he recited the presidential oath of office on Tuesday can deny that he as red-blooded an American as George Washington himself.
I still have a hard time believing that the first African-American president has been elected. I did believe that it would happen, one day. But never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see it happen so soon. I feel so blessed to have been a part of such an historic event. As an African-American, I am inspired by Barack Obama. He inspires me to believe that anything is possible - anything.
Seeing the First Family, a black first family, shows another, less-often seen representation of the black American family. The last time such a family was seen on television -- two highly educated parents with smart, well-rounded, respectful kids -- was when The Cosby Show was on air. It is so refreshing to see such an image.
But apart from being an inspiration to African-Americans, I have to believe that Barack Obama is an inspiration to the entire country, if not the world. His presidency shows us all that we are capable of change, great change. And with this change, I believe, comes a new era of prosperity and peace.

- Alicia Laventure

New year, new hope

2009-01-15T05:50:00.000-08:00

So a new year has begun and a new team for The Rockbridge Report has been assembled. Being involved in The Rockbridge Report has long been a dreaded experience for new journalism students, but as a veteran of the j-school I can say that this semester's Rockbridge Report is going to be wild and crazy, yes, but I also have a feeling that my fellow producers and the reporters are going to make it run as smoothly as, say, a baby's bottom.

So what will this new year of 2009 hold for us? For me, 2009 will be the year of my college graduation, filled with memories of friends, nights out in Lex Vegas, and of course my days in the j-school. For many of us, 2009 will also be the year that we struggled to get by, struggled to find a job, and prayed that the economy would take a turn for the better.

It will also be remembered as the year of Barack Obama, the year that our country proved it was ready for change, politically and socially. Although there are inevitably going to be many challenges in 2009, maybe these challenges will allow us to cherish the small and simple things in life and, I hope, happy memories of graduations, family and friends will be the ones that we remember.

-Michelle Boniface

A Look at the Court of Supreme-ness

2008-11-18T00:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I think Jacob pretty accurately described the Supreme Court experience. I echo everything he said and add this: it’s much smaller than I thought and the security is insane. Seriously, a bulging, muscular security guard with an earpiece bored laser beam holes into my scalp with his eyes. I’m just sayin’.

Being in D.C. offered me more than just a look at the court of supreme-ness. It made me take a closer look at being a journalist.

In Lexington, sometimes you forget that people are living and working outside of our bubble in the Blue Ridge. Not having covered more than what’s happening on Main Street or in the Commons, it seems daunting to think of reporting on something on such an important, national scale.

I think to a certain extent the isolation is crippling—our students don’t get some of the opportunities that, for example George Washington University, students receive when attending school in a big city. Taking off class to see the arguments and making the three hour drive was a trek for us, but for the District journalism students, it may just be another day in the j-school. Jacob seemed to make a similar claim when he said that G.W. always wins big awards at the Society of Professional Journalists conferences because they’re right in the heat of the action. It’s not a huge undertaking for their newspaper to send out a photographer to get a shot of a political figure. On the other hand, I doubt the EC would fund a Ring-Tum Phi D.C. bureau.
Taking the current job market and the state of the industry into consideration plus hearing about how so many professionals don’t envy my “situation” going into the job force, I found it refreshing how many of the people I met said that the future of news is in our hands. It wasn’t a trite Whitney Houston “I believe the children are our future” comment, but rather it was a call for a change in the current model to keep the business afloat.

Many seasoned, well-respected journalists, like Kathy Kiely, said that their newsrooms have put them in the difficult positions of being left with a piece of equipment that they don’t know how to use, and being asked to integrate it into their piece. Print people have been forced to figure out how to use cameras and digital recorders in the field. It’s quite possible to say that many of our 202 students could more efficiently put together a package than many veteran reporters.

And for that I am very thankful. Fixing the industry will be up to us. Luckily we will all be armed with the tools necessary to do this. W&L does a great job of making sure students know how to do it all—we write, record, shoot video, edit, and blog. Plus we’re required to take enough classes outside of the department to fit it all into the real world. It seems tedious to some of us now, but having seen “the other side” so to speak, we should all be grateful and know that we’re in good hands over in Reid Hall.

A Visit to the Highest Court in the Land....

2008-11-17T00:16:00.000-08:00

When our cab pulled around the Capitol and up to the Supreme Court, I looked with dismay at the line that stretched all the way across the plaza and down the street. Thankfully, Professor Locy’s years as a Supreme Court reporter were about to come in handy. Skirting the tourists, protestors and other crowds milling outside the main entrance, she led us in a quiet side door … and right into a scene almost as chaotic as the one outside. Let’s say this about the court: they need a lot of employees just to herd crowds around the building.

We were slated to hear two cases: Summum v. Pleasant Grove, Utah and Bell v. Virginia. The Bell case revolved around a very narrow section of Virginia law. While it was technically a case about the death penalty, it really focused mostly on whether or not poor representation in state court was enough to lead to new hearings in federal court (at least that’s what I think the case was about).

The Summums, however, were a different matter entirely. That case focused on whether or not the City of Pleasant Grove, which allowed the Fraternal Order of the Eagles to put a Ten Commandments monument in a city park, must also allow the Summums – a small sect that combines several faiths – to post a monument of their Seven Aphorisms.

The lawyers for the city went first, but Chief Justice John Roberts interrupted the city’s lawyer with a question before a minute had passed. The frantic pace kept up after that, as every justice but Clarence Thomas piled questions on the city’s lawyer, a member of the U.S. Solicitor General’s Office (who was arguing in favor of the city) and then the church’s attorney. Everyone seemed to have a question, and it was impressive to watch the lawyers manage to keep up with the judges and sometimes answer several questions at once (I’m also amazed that the reporters can write fast enough to keep notes on all of the questions).

When the court is dealing with a technical case like Bell v. Virginia, the courtroom is usually half full and sometimes seems a bit sleepy. That wasn’t the case during the Summum case. The courtroom was packed, and everyone was leaning forward to catch what the justices and lawyers would say next. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah sat in one of the front rows to see how his constituents would fare.

The justices seemed torn as they debated the case, and I left with no clear idea of who would prevail when the opinion is released. On the one hand, if the monument was really a form of government speech, as Pleasant Grove’s attorneys argued, that might create concerns with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. But on the other hand, you could tell that the justices worried that a finding in favor of the Summums would open our nation’s parks to a raft of unusual, pointless or even frivolous monuments. The case revolved around terms like “limited public forum,” “government speech” and other items we’d covered in Journalism Law.

The press sits on the side of the courtroom near the front in a series of benches reserved for their use. It was fun to watch them all go careening out of the courtroom after the Summum case ended, leaving behind a half-empty courtroom for the Bell case. When we went down to the pressroom at the conclusion of the arguments, they were all filing their first Web updates for a decision that Chief Justice Roberts had read out at the start of the session. That case involved a suit between the Navy and environmental groups who wanted to restrict the Navy’s ability to use sonar in training exercises near the California coast. The environmentalists argued that the sonar was harmful to marine mammals. The court sided with the Navy, and the Chief Justice finished reading a summary of his opinion at 10:10. The Wall Street Journal had an e-mail alert out by 10:18. Now that’s a quick turnaround.

It seems like the court beat is sometimes a quiet, slower-paced one as reporters work on preview stories, prepare for upcoming cases or read through opinions. But on days like this one, when a major oral argument coincides with an important opinion, the job is full of breaking news. One of the hardest jobs is translating difficult legal arguments into clear, articulate prose that readers can understand even if they don’t have a law degree. That is relatively easy in a case like Summum v. Pleasant Grove or the sonar case, but on other days it can be a difficult task.

There was one wonderful irony in our visit to the court’s pressroom. Inside we met Lyle Denniston, the dean of the press corps and the longest-tenured reporter on the court beat. He wasn’t working for AP, Reuters or a major newspaper, however. Instead, he was the lone reporter in the press room who works for a blog: Scotusblog.com. Maybe veteran reporters can adapt to the brave new world of journalism.

Veteran's Day

2007-11-15T06:33:00.000-08:00

Add your message of thanks to our veterans.

Busta Rhymes

2007-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Busta Rhymes performed in front of a packed house this week at Washington and Lee. Share your experience with the Rockbridge Report.

Opinions of Natural Bridge

2006-12-05T02:20:00.000-08:00

Please post your comments about the attractions in Natural Bridge, Virginia.

New courthouse

2006-03-13T05:22:00.000-08:00

What do you think about the new courthouse design?

Virginia gasoline tax

2005-10-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Should Virginia suspend the state sales tax on gasoline for 60 days to ease the burden on consumers, even though it would mean a $750 million loss to the state?

Rising gas prices

2005-03-24T08:38:00.000-08:00

How are you dealing with the skyrocketing gas prices? How high would gas have to go before you'd change your driving habits? Is there any way out of this situation?

Remembering Mike Gorman

2005-03-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

On March 9th, the W&L community suffered the unexpected loss of Lenfest Center Director Mike Gorman. Post your thoughts or memories.

Firefighting in Rockbridge County

2005-03-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

Do you think fire-fighting services in the county are appropriate? Have you had any personal experience with them? Would you approve of added funding to fire departments?

Social security and healthcare policy

2005-02-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

What is your opinion of Bush's initiatives on social security and healthcare? How would you deal with these problems?

Presidential Inauguration

2005-01-20T08:08:00.000-08:00

What did you think of Thursday's inauguration? Did you see the VMI cadets marching? Do you think the expense was justified?

Comments on W&L's Alcohol Policy Enforcement

2005-01-14T03:29:00.000-08:00