[7-E-Truckers]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-54 1:56:19]
[GRAPHIC=Record Prices]
Truck drivers from across the country are rolling into the nation's capitol today.
The high cost of fuel is one concern for them, among other economic concerns that threaten their livelihood.
Joe Dashiell caught up with the convoy at White's Truck Stop in Rockbridge County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=OPENS ON NAT SOUND]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.; :03]
[SUPER=01-Becky Willey/Truck Driver; :18]
[SUPER=01-Eric Dotson/Truck Driver; :31]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Miller/Truck Driver; :59]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Rockbridge County]
((OPENS ON NAT SOUND OF HORN
The truckers rolled in with air horns blazing and American flags flying in the wind.
The convoy that left California five days ago was 200 strong by the time it arrived in Raphine.
Illinois drivers John and Becky Willey drove with out a load to be part of this protest.
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's very scary]
((BECKY WILLEY/TRUCK DRIVER: IT'S VERY SCARY. WE'VE WORKED HARD TO GET WHERE WE ARE AND TO KNOW NEXT WEEK THAT MAYBE EVERYTHING IS GONE. IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL AND IT'S SCARY THINKING ABOUT GOING TO WASHINGTON D.C., BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HAD TO DO.))
((ERIC DOTSON/TRUCK DRIVER: I WOULD COMPARE WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THE FLOODING THAT OCCURRED IN NORTH CAROLINA LAST YEAR. I MEAN BECAUSE PEOPLE OUT HERE ARE LOSING THEIR HOMES. A LOT OF THESE GUYS LIVE IN THESE TRUCKS AND THE BANK'S COMING AND GETTING THEM. IT'S REALLY BAD.))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=something we had to do.]
If fuel prices are the most obvious example of the economic challenges truckers are facing, they say other issues including the rates they are paid, are more important.
[SOT]
[IN Q=Fuel prices just hit the tip]
((FUEL PRICES JUST HIT THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. IT'S BEEN COMING ON FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS. SINCE DEREGULATION WE'VE HAD A FREEZE ON THE RATES OUT HERE.))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=rates out here.]
Independent truckers say their future is bleak without some help. They're hoping lawmakers will be listening when the reach the steps of the Capitol.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Rockbridge County))
[7-E-Donnkenny]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-60 1:32:17]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
More plant closings in the area means almost three hundred people will lose jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.;]
Donnkenny -- a company that makes women's sportswear -- will close plants in Floyd County and Grayson County.
Almost half of Floyd's workers already leave the county for their jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:26:27]
[IN Q=Not very much]
((NOT VERY MUCH AROUND HERE. IT'S AT LEAST 30 OR 40 MINUTES AWAY TO GET A JOB.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Alderman/Laid Off Worker;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=get a job]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Most of these workers are elderly and spent their lives in textiles -- according to the Floyd county administrator.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:59:15]
[IN Q=We do have]
((WE DO HAVE A LOYAL WORKFORCE. THEY ARE TRAINABLE. WE NEED TO TAKE THAT ALONG WITH THE LOW COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN FLOYD COUNTY, SEE IF WE CAN'T TAKE THIS SETBACK AND PUT A POSITIVE SPIN ON IT.))
[SUPER=01-George Nester/Floyd Co. Administrator;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=spin on it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/1998;]
[TAPE#=98-61; 23:20]
Donnkenny closed its Christiansburg and Lee County plants two years ago.
It plans to keep the Wytheville operations center open.
(------------)
[7-Weeks-Execution]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]
A convicted cop killer will be put to death tonight unless the governor intervenes.
In 1993, Lonnie Weeks, Junior shot a state trooper at a traffic stop on Interstate 95.
The victim's children have asked Governor Gilmore to spare Weeks, but the trooper's widow supports the sentence.
[7Weather]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Here's a look at today's forecast.
Occasional showers and storms today with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Tonight, breezy with more showers and storms.
Lows in the upper 40s to low 50s.
The extended forecast...
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[45-E-Bomb-Threats]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-51 1:57:52]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]
A third teenager has been charged with making bomb threats to Lynchburg schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
The 15-year old boy pleaded guilty yesterday to calling in four threats to Dunbar Middle School and E.C. Glass High School earlier this month.
Educators say students need to realize that there are better ways to get attention.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:06:32]
[IN Q=They need to]
((JAMES MCCORMICK/LYNCHBURG SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES OUT THERE TO WHICH THEY CAN APPLY THEIR TALENTS AND SKILLS AND AS YOU ACQUIRE TALENTS AND SKILLS, YOU WORK AT BEING THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE.))
[SUPER=01-James McCormick/Lynchburg School Superintendent]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=you can be.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The boy who pleaded guilty will undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he's sentenced next month.
Prosecutors say it's likely he'll get an indefinite term of juvenile detention.
(------------)
[45-S-Cochran]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-02 1:07:21]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A grand jury will hear testimony in the double murder of two Galax sisters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-November 1999]
John Cochran is accused of capital murder and arson in the deaths of Ila and Inez Edwards.
The two women were found dead after their house was set on fire last fall.
At yesterday's preliminary hearing, authorities testified that the Edwards sisters were beaten to death several times with a blunt object.
A lab report said their blood was found on Cochran's shoes.
(------------)
[45-E-Philpott-Lake]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=99-57 1:16:45]
[GRAPHIC=Drought]
Rain is in today's forecast but some forecasters are predicting a dry summer.
That's bad news for Philpott lake - it is nearly 15 feet below normal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philpott Lake;]
The U-S Army Corps of Engineers say it's because we haven't had much rain.
The dry spell has forced eight out of 12 boat ramps to close.
Many of the docks have been moved.
Visitors say it will change the way people enjoy the lake.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:02:05]
[IN Q=I'm sure]
((LEON CANNADAY/LAKE VISITOR: I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO HURT THE SWIMMING. IT'S JUST ABOUT OUT OF THE WATER.))
[SUPER=01-Leon Cannaday/Lake Visitor;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=of the water.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
Philpott Lake receives one million visitors every year.
(-------------)
[45-E-Power-Team]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#=00-01 1:05:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]
They're not your typical Christian evangelists but they're sure to get your attention.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Meet the Power Team... athletes who say they prove their strength through God--
At New Life Temple in Roanoke last night...they showed off their strengths to hundreds.
Russ Clear breaks these police handcuff chains.
Members like Clear get people excited about God by sharing their testimonies and talking about real life issues. Mike Hagen's an ex-pro football player.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I asked Jesus Christ]
((I ASKED JESUS CHRIST TO COME INTO MY HEART....GOD IS IN MY LIFE IN A BIG WAY. ))
[SUPER=01-Mike Hagen/Power Team]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=in a big way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Clear even lays between beds of nails -
On top of that is a team player weighing over 300 pounds - who's lifting more than that.
You can catch the power team until Sunday at New Life Temple.
(------------)
[45Weather]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a break from the news to check the foreast..
Occasional showers and storms with highs in the low to mid 60s.
Breezy tonight with more showers and storms.
Lows around 50.
The five day forecast turns cooler tomorrow and Saturday...with highs in the low 50s.
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[8-Lemon-Law]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-59 TC58:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
Is your new vehicle behaving more like an old clunker?
Well, don't forget about the Lemon law.
It's a state code that requires a manufacturer to replace or re-purchase a new vehicle with repeated defects in a certain time.
Kate Weidaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bettina Altizer/Attorney; :24]
[SUPER=@Kate1; :35]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=News 7, Roanoke.]
((If you're having mechanical trouble with your new car you shouldn't have to string lemons around it like Karen Robertson did.
Virginia's lemon law is in place - to help new car owners who experience reoccurring defects that endanger them and their passengers.
Bettina Altizer is an attorney in Roanoke who has handled cases like this before.
[SOT 1:26:57]
[INQ=]
((BETTINA ALTIZER/ATTORNEY: THE DEFECTS HAVE TO OCCUR WITHIN THAT 18 MONTH PERIOD OF TIME SO IF YOU HAVE THAT CAR 18 MONTHS OR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THESE PROBLEMS START TO HAPPEN YOU'RE KIND OF OUT OF LUCK UNDER THE CODE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
[STANDUP 1:40:11]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: AND IF YOU'VE BOUGHT A USED CAR, WELL DEFECTS DO NOT FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW. EXPERTS SAY TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT FIRST BEFORE YOU PURCHASE IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
The lemon law does cover drivers who have had a reasonable number of repair attempts to fix the defects.
[TAKE PRE-PRO]
For example: If a defect has been repaired three or more times - and it persists.
If a serious safety defect, like faulty brakes, has been repaired one or more times and it still occurs.
Or if your car is out of service because of repairs for 30 days or more.
But keep in mind your manufacturer has to be notified of the repairs if you hope to have it repurchase or replace your vehicle.))
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[SS=none]
For more information on the Lemon Law contact the Better Business Bureau.
[8-S-Bedford-Sheriff]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-53 1:55:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Bedford County deputy has been honored for helping prevent a possible tragedy.
Deputy Preston Reynolds was patrolling near Smith Mountain Lake earlier this month when he found a four-year- old girl walking along the road alone.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]
Reynolds was honored for his quick thinking in a ceremony yesterday.
The girl had wandered off from her home where her grandparents had fallen asleep while caring for her.
(------------)
[8-E-Power-Team]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#=00-01 1:05:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]
They have brains, brawn, and a strong Christian belief?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Meet the Power Team... Athletes who say they prove their strength through God.
At New Life Temple in Roanoke last night...they showed off their strengths to hundreds.
Russ Clear breaks these police handcuff chains.
Members like Clear get people excited about God by sharing their testimonies and talking about real life issues. Mike Hagen's an ex-pro football player.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I asked Jesus Christ]
((I ASKED JESUS CHRIST TO COME INTO MY HEART....GOD IS IN MY LIFE IN A BIG WAY. ))
[SUPER=01-Mike Hagen/Power Team]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=in a big way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Clear even lays between beds of nails -
On top of that is a team player weighing over 300 pounds - who's lifting more than that.
You can catch the power team until Sunday at New Life Temple.
(------------)
[8Weather]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
In the today's forecast... occasional showers and storms with highs of 60 to 65.
Breezy with more showers and storms tonight, with lows around 50.
Not warming up by much tomorrow, as colder air moves in behind a cold front.
Saturday stays cooler...and temperatures gradually warm up for Sunday and Monday.
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by SS