WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/09/00

[11Danville-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-41 1;57:47]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

A three year old Danville boy is dead after playing with a cigarette lighter and catching the sofa on fire. Police say the flames spread from there.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

It happened around 12:30 yesterday at this home on Banner Street.
When fire fighters arrived they say the front of the house was engulfed in flames.
The little boy, Dylan Anderson, was found under his bed in cardiac arrest.
Fire officials say Dylan died on the way to the hospital.
The child's grandmother, Jacqueline Anderson, was the only other person in the house and made it out safely.
His grandmother was treated and released from Danville Regional Medical Center.
(------------)

[Grayson-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun a.m.]
[WRITER=che]
[TAPE#=NONE]
[GRAPHIC=ACCIDENT]

A man from Mouth of Wilson died last night, from injuries following a single-car accident on U-S- 58 in Grayson County.
State Police say 40-year-old Micheal Rhoudy ((Rudy)) Wiles, was driving eastbound on 58, when he veered into the westbound lane. After getting back into his lane, the vehicle went over an embankment and overturned into a creek.
The accident happened at 6:20 last night. Wiles died a few hours later, at Twin County Regional Hospital in Galax.

[Cuban-Boy]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

U-S Senator Bob Smith says Elian Gonzalez wants to stay in the United States.
The New Hampshire Republican met with the little boy who's been the focus of a custody battle for more than six weeks.
He says Elian told him in Spanish, ``Help me. I don't want to go back to Cuba.''
Jennifer Jones has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ramon Sanchez/Cuban-American Activist; :17]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Dan Burton/(R) Indiana; :45]
[super=01-Sen. Bob Smith/(R) New Hampshire; 1:22]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting; 1:34]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=Miami, Florida]
(----------------------)
((LOCATOR: Miami
Six-year old Elian Gonzalez this Saturday -- showcased before dozens of chanting Cuban-American supporters
((nat))
A day of celebration over protest.

((sot: Ramon Sanchez/Cuban-American activist))

Late Friday ... after days of legal wrangling ... U-S Representative, Dan Burton, issued a subpoena ordering the young Cuban boy to appear before Congress February 10th. A political move that overrides the I-N-S decision to return Elian to Cuba by next Friday.

((sot: Rep. Dan Burton/R-Indiana))-15:30:13
"What we were trying to do through the subpoena is to make sure there was ample time for both sides to present their cases on what was best for the boy."
A small victory for Elian's family and supporters here in Miami. A major setback for his father and the people of Cuba.
Elian survived an escape from Cuba that killed his mother and ten others. And while immigration officials have ruled Elian should return to Cuba to be with his father, the boy's Miami relatives and supporters say Elian deserves and wants a life of freedom.

((sot: Sen. Bob Smith/R-New Hampshire))-14:37:46
"Elian said to me ayudame Senior Smith por favor -- help me."
((standup)) These protesters have said all along they want just one day in court for Elian -- due process -- and if after that the young boy must still return to Cuba... they say they won't like it but they will accept it."

))[11Lewis-Gale]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-60 45:07]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Several physicians at Lewis Gale Clinic have resigned.
But a clinic spokesperson will not confirm how many are leaving.
One published report puts the number at 14.
Joy Sutton has details.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lewis Gale Clinic]
[SUPER=03-Salem;:00]
[SUPER=@Joy1;1:05]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=N7]
(( Lewis-Gale Clinic says the resignations started in December when the clinic put forth a plan designed to improve the facility-- part of that plan included continuing a relationship with Phycor-- the management firm that's been running the clinic.
While 70 percent of the physicians did vote in favor of the plan -- others decide to leave the clinic.
Published reports say these physicians had a disagreement with Phycor.
Clinic officials would not go on camera but gave a statement.
(pre-pro)
The Director of Communications Lynette Mutter says quote: "Since the vote several physicians have resigned, this was expected. But we are disappointed that this occurred prior to the implementation of our plan."
(use video)

Mutter says physicians left from several but not all of the clinics -- she would not confirm which ones.
(pre-pro)

Mutter says quote: "We are in the process of discussions with the Physicians attorneys, Phycor, and Columbia-Lewis Gale. As soon as we have concrete information and are legally able to discuss this further we will. Our main concern right now is resolving patient care issues.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The physicians will not]
(( THE PHYSICIANS WILL NOT BE LEAVING IMMEDIATELY -- A CLAUSE IN THEIR CURRENT CONTRACT REQUIRES THEM TO GIVE A 90 DAY NOTICE BEFORE LEAVING. AND THE NON-COMPETE CLAUSE IN THEIR CONTRACTS PROHIBITS THE PHYSICIANS FROM ESTABLISHING A PRACTICE FOR THE NEXT 18 MONTHS IN ROANOKE COUNTY OR ANY OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. JOY SUTTON,NEWS 7 ))
[OUT Q=N7]
[runs= 20]
))

[11Cher-Tickets]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-47 1:07:04]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Cher tickets are on sale.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Folks working the box office at the Roanoke Civic Center saw a steady stream of Cher fans buying tickets throughout the day yesterday. Ticket prices range from 45 to 65 dollars. You can also purchase tickets through Ticket Master. The concert is scheduled for March 1-st.
(------------)

[Health-Week]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun am]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=Health check]
[GRAPHIC=Health Check]

Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge receives a threatening note and the flu season is peaking as hospital emergency departments see a rise in cases.
Tonya Flory has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :17]
[SUPER=01-Lucas Snipes/Carilion Hospital Director; :31]
[SUPER=01-Cami Jones/Lewis-Gale ER Director; :38]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co.; :47]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=Health Check]
(([TAPE#=599-17 TC1:13:29]
An anthrax scare earlier this week at Planned parenthood turned out to be a hoax. A letter was opened by one of the employees Monday stating that the recipient would die in 24 hours because the note was laced with anthrax. An FBI investigation showed NO trace of the bacteria.
[TAPE#=99-49 47:31]
The Federal Centers for Disease Control say Virginia is one of 16 states reporting an outbreak of influenza. Health department officials say this is an average flu season so far for the region, but hospital emergency rooms in the Roanoke Valley are filling with cases.
[TAPE#=99-49 48:55]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:08:37]
[IN Q=It may]
((LUCAS SNIPES/CARILION HOSPITAL DIRECTOR: IT MAY TAKE US A LITTLE LONGER TO FIND A BED AND GET IT READY FOR PATIENTS TO OCCUPY IF THEY NEED TO BE ADMITTED.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=be admitted.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:15:28]
[IN Q=Sometimes patients have]
((CAMI JONES/LEWIS-GALE ER DIRECTOR: SOMETIMES PATIENTS HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, SOMETIMES PATIENTS THAT ARE ADMITTED HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE THEY GET UP TO THEIR ROOM.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=to their room.]
[TAPE#=599-17 1:13:29]
And a Southside hospital that declared bankruptcy in November, is now laying off forty employees. Hospital administrators say cutting 20-percent of its workforce will save about 700-thousand dollars a year.

Tonya Flory, News 7, Health Check.))[Reel-Open]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Reel Open]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Tultex announced Friday it is laying off about 3-hundred people, That's all the production workers it had left in this country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 99-52 36:31]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]
Last month, 11-hundred workers were laid off when Tultex filed for Chapter-11 bankruptcy protection.
Those layoffs made Martinsville's unemployment rate skyrocket well above 15 percent.
(------------)
[Anchor-Andrew] [ss-newsreel] Back in 1965, another Virginia plant faced financial problems. The Canfield Company in Iron Gate had not seen a profit in 10 years and if things didn't change, the company would move. Keith Humphry has more in this week's Virginia Newsreel.
(////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Canfield-Reel]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Newsreel]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[wipe wipe wipe wipe]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=21-Iron Gate/1965; :01]
[SUPER=21-Mayor E. E. Larman/1965;]
[SUPER=21-Keith Humphry/Reporting; :45]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=I'm Keith Humphry]
(( In January of 1965, 350 employees of the H.O. Canfield Company were told that if the company did not make a profit that year it would move.
Canfield manufactured rubber, silicone and plastic products for other industries.
Company president Henry W. Wynan knew that moving the plant would be an economic blow to the community. Of course the mayor agreed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:38]
[IN Q=MAYOR]
((MAYOR LARMEN WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO IRON GATE IF THE CANFIELD PLANT WERE TO LEAVE? IT WOULD BE A SERIOUS BLOW TO THIS COMMUNITY AND CLIFTON FORGE AND ALL THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WORKING HERE FROM EAGLE ROCK FINCASTLE AND AS FAR AS BUCHANAN)) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=buchanan]
The Virginia plant was only 10 years old, but in that time the company had lost more than 1.7 million dollars. Wynan said the Virginia operation would have closed years earlier, but profits from other plants in Indiana and Europe helped the Iron Gate operation stay afloat. That's Virginia Newsreel, I'm Keith Humphry.))

[11Business-Review]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=SunAm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=business Review]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]

Another blow for Martinsville,
And Tanglewood Mall is up for sale.
Scott Goldberg has those stories and more in this week's News-7 Business Review.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=music/animation]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;:00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:23]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;:40]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;:48]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;1:06]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=i'm sg]
[NOTHING ON CHROMAKEY THIS WEEK] (([99-38 at 1:35:49 or 99-43 at 21:07]
This week on the Review .... Martinsville's economy took another hit ... and once again it was Tultex delivering the blow.
The bankrupt apparel company is cutting its fleece production.
That means approximately 300 more layoffs ... on top of the 11-hundred announced last month. [99-45 at 1:32:24]
It's a save-us-from-going-out-of-business sale.
Tanglewood Mall is up for auction after going into foreclosure.
A company from Boston is expected to take over the 40-million-dollar property and revive it with higher-end stores. [lb 5 at 48:55 or lb 11 at 22:46]
Optical Cable saw its best fourth-quarter sales ever in 19-99.
The Roanoke company reported sales of 14-point-eight million dollars ... up 11 percent from 13-point-three million in fourth quarter 1998. [99-51 at 30:18]
One of Lynchburg's biggest employers is selling off one of its divisions ... but is not selling out the 500-people who work there.
Ericsson's private radio systems division will be taken over by Pittsburgh's Com-Net Communications.
Com-net promises no jobs will leave the Hill City. [99-51 25:16]
Live from its Tanglewood Mall studio -- in streaming audio and choppy video -- it's WREV-dot-net.
It's the first webcast to feature 24-hour-a-day Roanoke talk radio ... and online shopping at local stores.
Coming soon: Live simulcasts of WDBJ's News-7 at six. [DOW JONES PRE PRO]
On Wall Street, the Dow climbed 25 points to a new record high.
The Nasdaq recovered from a three-day tailspin but still lost 187.
That's this week's Review.
I'm Scott Goldberg. ))

[Bus-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

Members of a New Mexico church are recovering this morning from an accident that killed three fellow church members.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ruidoso, NM;]

It happened yesterday on U.S. 70 in Tinnie, New Mexico.
The church bus was preparing to enter a cemetery for a funeral and was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer rig.
10 people were injured, including the rig's driver. Weather at the time was clear and dry.
The van was carrying senior citizens.
The tractor trailer was traveling from San Simone, Arizona, to Ontario, Canada, hauling produce.
No word yet on the cause of the accident.
(------------)

[11Fatal-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=copy]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

One man died in a car accident yesterday morning in Montgomery County.
24- year old Barry Ziegler died in the crash.
Authorities say Ziegler was traveling down route eight when his truck struck an embankment and flipped over shortly after two- A-M.
Ziegler was thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene. State police say speed was a factor.
Zeigler is the fourth person to die in a traffic related accident on Route eight-- in approximately a month.

[11Wetlands]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-46 1:13:07]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A state commission has recommended more aggressive efforts to protect Virginia wetlands.
And that is setting the stage for a fight in the General Assembly session that begins this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wetlands protection is expected to be one of the most controversial environmental issues in the legislature this year.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday]

And last week in Roanoke, the Virginia director of the Sierra Club told members of the Roanoke Kiwanis Club that the issue will be one of the group's top priorities in Richmond.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:02:23]
[IN Q=We've seen the loss]
((GLEN BESA/VA. SIERRA CLUB: WE'VE SEEN THE LOSS OF OVER 3000 ACRES OF WETLANDS IN VIRGINIA, UNREGULATED LOSSES OF WETLANDS IN THE LAST YEAR AND THAT'S GOT TO STOP, OR WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING BACKWARDS SEVERELY. AND THE BAY AND THE WATER QUALITY OF OUR RIVERS IS GOING TO SUFFER AS A RESULT.))
[SUPER=01-Glen Besa/Virginia Sierra Club]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=going to suffer as a result.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Scientists say wetlands play a key role in controlling flooding, providing wildlife habitat and filtering pollutants.
Friday, members of the Committee Studying the Future of Virginia's Environment, voted 5-2 to recommend a comprehensive regulatory program.
Critics say the proposed regulations are too restrictive.

[Debate]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

The democrats took their turn at the debate podium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA;]

Vice President Al Gore and Senator Bill Bradley discussed education, the plight of the farmer and medicare yesterday in Iowa.
Campaign finance reform was also a hot topic.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we need]
((GORE: WE NEED CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM TO RESTORE A SENSE OF TRUST AND INTEGRITY IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND THAT'S WHY I'VE SUPPORTED FOR 20 YEARS FULL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. THAT'S WHY I'VE SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE DEBATES INSTEAD OF DEPENDING ON THESE TELEVISION ADS. BRADLEY: SPEAKING OF LEADERSHIP, I THINK IT'S TERRIBLY IMPORTANT HERE. LEADERSHIP ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM - AL SAYS HE'S SUPPORTED IT FOR 20 YEARS - WELL, NOTHING'S HAPPENED. THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT INTRODUCED ONE SINGLE BILL ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.))
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate; :00]
[super=01-Bill Bradley/(D) Presidential Candidate; :26]
[RUNS=44]
[OUT Q=finance reform]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This was the second debate between the Democats.
Gore and Bradley met Friday as well.
(------------)

[Bush-Commercials]

[ANCHOR=denise]
[NEWSCAST=sun Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

Republican Presidential Candidate George W. Bush will start airing television commercials in Virginia on Tuesday, seven weeks before the Republican primary here.
There will be two spots, one reviewing his record as governor of Texas and one promoting tax cuts. They will air on T-V stations in Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. Bush's campaign director in Virginia says they'll run for a week.

[11Tons-of-Fun]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-59 7:36]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Tanglewood Mall wasn't just a place to shop yesterday-- it was also a place to go on carnival rides.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

It's all part of Tons of Fun at the Mall. There were lots of fun activities for the kids from face painting --to the moon walk.
The event was sponsored by Roanoke County as part of its year long celebration of the year 2-thousand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT35:34]
[IN Q=Roanoke Co.]
((LINDA MCNUTT/EVENT COORDINATOR: ROANOKE COUNTY WAS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CELEBRATE THE NEW MILLENNIUM. THEY JUST WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FUN AND MALL IS SUCH A GREAT VENUE))
[SUPER=01-Linda McNutt/Event Coordinator]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=great venue]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This is the first time the mall has had indoor carnival rides.
(------------)

[Profile-Open]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Profile Open]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Profiles]

The Roanoke County School Board spent several months searching for a new superintendent, after Deanna Gordon announced her plans to retire a year ago.
The educator they found, Linda Weber (WEBB-er), is now on the job.
Joe Dashiell brings us this week's Virginia Profile.

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[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Weber-Profile]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=Virginia Profiles]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe]

[wipe wipe wipe wipe]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Linda Weber]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Linda Weber/Roanoke Co. Superintendent; :20]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :41]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke Co.]

((Linda Weber comes to Roanoke County from Staunton where she also served as superintendent, but she has experience in five other states.
She'll need it... arriving in the middle of a major school construction program, and at a time of rocky relations between members of the school board and the county board of supervisors.
[SOT 19:19:15]
[IN Q=It is just a ripe time]
((LINDA WEBER/ROANOKE CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: IT IS JUST A RIPE TIME TO TAKE A NEW LOOK, TAKE A FRESH LOOK TO SAY WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE AND DO WE WANT TO DO THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY. I THINK THE TIMING IS RIGHT AND I HOPE WE'LL ALL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=take advantage of it.]

Weber says her first priorities are to listen... and to get to know the strengths and weaknesses of the school system.
But already she's hearing some recurring themes on issues ranging from school construction to the state- mandated standards of learning.
[SOT 19:23:00]
[IN Q=We need to get to the point]
((LINDA WEBER: WE NEED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN SEE THOSE AS A NORMAL PATTERN OF LIVING RATHER THAN SOMETHING WE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER, SO I'M GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOME WAY TO BUILD THAT INTO OUR BELIEF SYSTEM ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW WE'RE DOING FOR KIDS, SO THAT THE ANXIETY DOESN'T EXIST ON A DAY-IN DAY OUT BASIS, BUT THAT WE CAN USE IT AS A GOOD BASE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.))
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=good base for accountability.]

Her two daughters are grown. Her husband spends most of his time in Richmond, where he serves as treasurer of the CSX Corporation.
But Weber says they're looking forward to finding an old farmhouse in the area to renovate. And she hopes her association with Roanoke County will be a long and productive partnership.
[SOT 19:29:04]
[IN Q=I've been in Virginia]
((LINDA WEBER: I'VE BEEN IN VIRGINIA LONGER THAN I'VE LIVED IN ANY STATE SO FAR, SO I THINK THERE'S A GOOD TRACK RECORD THERE ALREADY. I WOULDN'T HAVE REALLY PICKED IT THAT WAY. I THOUGHT AS AN ADULT I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO SETTLE AND JUST STAY ONE PLACE ALL MY LIFE, BUT IT JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT THAT WAY. BUT I THINK IT'S BEAUTIFUL HERE AND I REALLY LIKE IT. AND I'D LOVE IT TO BE A LONG TERM HOME.))
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=long term home.]

Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke County))

[Elvis-Skiers]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

And finally today, skiers in Nevada may have thought they were seeing ghosts yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mount Rose, NV;]

It was all about honoring the "King."
A Lake Tahoe ski resort offered free skiing to all who dressed like Elvis, Saturday.
You see,January 8 is Elvis' birthday..born in 1935. So, visitors to the Mount Rose ski resort may have been doing double-takes as they skied down the slopes as (------------) Elvis after Elvis passed them by.