WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/10/00

[military-crash]

[ANCHOR=mel]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Investigators are still pouring over the debris from Saturday night's crash of a Marine aircraft.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Marana, AZ;]
[3:05:55]
All 19 people on board the M-V-22 tilt rotor Osprey were killed when it went down in southern Arizona.
The Osprey, which takes off and lands like a helicopter, was one of four being tested to see how it would perform on a mission.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((we heard a couple of booms then, smoke. It seemed to me that when the fire department put water on the helicopter all you could see was a white smoke. But it seemed to be raging over there."))
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=raging over there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Despite two other crashes during its development, the military says the aircraft has met or exceeded all its requirements.
The Pentagon won't release the victim's names until all the families are notified.
(------------)

[11Dan-River]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-11 11:14]
[GRAPHIC=Dan River]

Union employees have voted to reject Dan River Incorporated's proposals.
The offer came following four days of negotiations between the union and Dan River.
Surae Chinn has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Vote no]
[SUPER=01-Reginald McLaughin/Union Worker; :10]
[SUPER=01-Christopher VanNordan/Union Worker; :28]
[SUPER=@Surae1; :34]
[SUPER=01-Michael Kendrick/Union Worker; :48]
[SUPER=01-Donald Cash/Union Leader; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News 7, Danville.]
(((natbreak: 15:32:11 "vote no")
[RUNS= :02]
Many union employees walked out angry and disappointed at their own union and Dan River Incorporated.
[SOT 15:34:13]
((REGINALD MCLAUGHIN/UNION WORKER: THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO OPEN UP OUR CONTRACT AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO VOTE. THE UNION SHOULD HAVE TOLD THEM NO.))
[RUNS= :07]
Workers did send the message to reject the company's offer. The proposed change would force some employees to work more hours and cut down on overtime pay.
Christopher Vannorden says he didn't like those options.
[SOT 15:28:52]
((CHRISTOPHER VANNORDEN/UNION WORKER: IN AROUND ABOUT WAY WE WERE TOLD IF WE DON'T GIVE IN WE'LL LOSE OUR JOBS.))
[RUNS= :07]
[SOT: 15:48:37]
((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: UNION EMPLOYEES VOTED AGAINST THE COMPANY'S OFFER TO RENOGOTIATE THE CURRENT CONTRACT. THEIR MAIN CONCERN? GIVING DAN RIVER MILLS THE OPTION OF REQUIRING SOME EMPLOYEES TO WORK 7 STRAIGHT 12 HOUR DAYS.))
[RUNS= :11]
[SOT 15:36:00]
((MICHAEL KENDRICK/UNION WORKER:I'M GOING TO BE WORKING MORE TIME FOR LESS MONEY THAT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT IT.))
[RUNS= :05]

Union leader Donald Cash says the vote was a chance to respond to the company's desires to expand the home fashions division, a more successful part of the plant, in Danville.
[SOT 15:43:45]
((DONALD CASH/UNION LEADER: APPARENTLY THE VOTE SHOWS AT THE EXPENSE OF A 12 HOURS DAY THEY DON'T WANT THE EXPANSION IN DANVILLE.))
[RUNS= :09]

Now Dan River Mills must decide, despite the vote down, if they will go ahead and expand and keep more jobs in Danville. The company would not comment on the vote until Monday. Surae Chinn News 7, Danville.))
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

There are still 21 months left until the current contract expires. For now that contract stays in effect.

[11Fugitives]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-16 :11]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Both suspects involved in last week's standoff in Wythe County are now behind bars. [TAKE PINNICAL]
(xxxxxxxx)

Dennis Lewis was released from an area hospital yesterday.
Angela Tanner was released Saturday.
Both are being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co./Thursday;]

The pair had apparently consumed large amounts of Valium during the standoff.
They surrendered Thursday night following a crime spree that started in Tennessee and ended in Wythe County.
(----------)

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, a new Masters champion is crowned.
Roy Stanley has that and highlights from the Atlanta Braves win over San Francisco.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good Morning]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=on mornin']

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Steve/Wx)

[11Textile-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=EQU]
[TAPE#=99-59 1:28:37]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]

Governor Gilmore worked until the midnight deadline last night to sign or veto bills passed during this year's legislative session.
In what's sure to be a new battleground over the fate of the laid off textile workers, the Governor's amended the Assembly's work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Lawmakers wrote seven million dollars into the budget for emergency health insurance benefits for laid off workers in Martinsville and Henry County.
Gilmore has taken that money and created what he calls the Economic Crisis Recovery Grant program.
(--------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=none]
Instead of direct payments to workers, the new plan lets localities decide how to use the money. Gilmore said the change offers short-term aid plus long-term economic development.
Eight more localities would now qualify and could use their portion of the funds for any unemployment relief they choose. Legislators may try to restore the original plan at the April 19th veto override session.

[Suspended-Students]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

School officials in Danville say eight middle school students were suspended for a week for using Kool-Aid in a way that imitated the use of illegal drugs.
Superintendent Andy Overstreet said some of students were even sniffing the Kool-Aid. The seventh- and eighth-graders could have been suspended for a full year for using a look-alike drug. Instead, they received a lesser punishment under a statute that forbids the possession of contraband on school grounds. The suspensions occurred last month.

[11Antique-Appraise]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-03 1:35:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]

He was recently on Oprah, and he's a regular on the P-B-S hit, "The Antique Road Show."
Pulaski native Ken Farmer put his skills to work locally... taking part in Antique Appraisal Day in Blacksburg.
Joy Sutton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a really good]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;:07]
[SUPER=01-Ken Farmer/Antique Appraiser;18]
[SUPER=07-Linda Pfeiffer;1:19]
[SUPER=07-Nancy Smith;1:31]
[SUPER=@Joy1;1:42]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=n7 blacksburg]
(((///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT 15:19:06]
[IN Q=It's really good]
((NAT SOT: IT'S A REALLY GOOD PIECE... so you say 2500, WELL YEAH))
[RUNS= 6]
[OUT Q=well yeah]

Ken Farmer's fans lined up behind his table -- each waiting to hear how much their antique item was worth --and to meet the man who is known nationwide as an appraiser on the Antique Road Show on P-B-S.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:10:47]
[IN Q=I think the PBS]
((KEN FARMER: I THINK THE PBS AND OPRAH THING, I CONSIDER THAT A FOUND TREASURE. IT'S LIKE WHAT IS THIS GUY WHO GREW UP IN PULASKI, VIRGINIA AND IS HALF A HILL BILLY DOING ON NATIONAL TELEVISION))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=national television]

Farmer was just one of several appraisers participating in the 2nd annual Antique Appraisal Day. Folks wanting an item appraised paid 10 dollars per piece.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT4:14:57]
[IN Q=The leopard head]
((NAT SOT: THE LEOPARD HEAD THAT'S A HALL MARK, THAT NOTES VICTORIAN PERIOD))
[RUNS= 3]
[OUT Q=victorian period]

Farmer, who owns an auction house in Radford, says every object is different -- and that's what makes this job so exciting -- not to mention letting people know how valuable their piece of history is.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT4:10:04]
[IN Q=To me it's our job]
((KEN FARMER: TO ME IT'S OUR JOB TO PRESERVE AS MUCH AS WE CAN FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS))
[RUNS= 5]
[OUT Q=future generations]

Carl and Linda Pfeiffer brought in a book written in Latin from the 1500's -- and a civil war sword.
The sword was valued at around 15-hundred dollars -- Farmer wasn't too sure about the book -- but told the couple it was a unique item.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:22:43]
[IN Q=We enjoy having them]
((LINDA PFEIFFER: WE ENJOY HAVING THEM AND OUR KIDS ARE OLD ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THEM. IT'S JUST AN INTERESTING HOBBY))

[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=hobby]

Nancy Smith brought in a piece of colonial silver -- that was valued between 10 and 50 thousand dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:27:43]
[IN Q=It's just been handed down]
((NANCY SMITH: IT HAS JUST BEEN HANDED DOWN FOR SEVEN GENERATIONS AND MY OWN THREE GRAND CHILDREN WERE CHRISTENED WITH THIS BOWL))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=this bowl]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:06:40]
[IN Q=All of the proceeds]
(( JOY SUTTON/REPORTER: ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE EVENT WILL GO TO BENEFIT THE HISTORIC SMITHFIELD PLANTATION HOUSE BUILT IN 1773. WHICH IS NOW A MUSEUM AND A LIVING DOCUMENT OF HISTORY. THE LAST HOME OF COLONEL WILLIAM PRESTON, A FRONTIER LEADER, AND NOTED SURVEYOR WHO FOSTERED THE SETTLEMENT OF WESTERN LANDS. JOY SUTTON, NEWS 7, BLACKSBURG))
[RUNS= 19]
[OUT Q=n7 blacksburg]))

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, Doctor Dave Hnida reviews a few playground safety tips. More in this morning's Health check.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((VT=VO
PLAYGROUNDS CAN BE ONE FUN PLACE- BUT PARENTS- PLAYGROUNDS CAN ALSO BE A DANGEROUS PLACE. EACH YEAR MORE THAN 200 THOUSAND AMERICAN KIDS HAVE TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE OF SOME PLAYGROUND INJURY. IT ALL MEANS- YOU THE PARENT- NEED TO TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE PLAYING ON. THERE ARE THREE BIG THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
GRFX ONE- HOW WELL THE EQUIPMENT IS MAINTAINED. THAT MEANS MAKING SURE THERE ARE NO LOOSE BOLTS- MISSING PIECEWS- SHARP EDGES- OR WOOD THAT HAS SPLINTERS WHICH COULD END UP STABBING YOUR KID.
GRFX NUMBER 2 THE LANDING ZONE. WOOD CHIPS AND SAND HAVE GIVE... BUT GRASS AND ASPHALT DON'T. WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER LAND ON? AND EVEN WHEN IT IS THE GOOD STUFF TO LAND ON - MAKE SURE ITS FREE OF BROKEN GLASS AND THOSE THINGS ANIMALS SOMETIMES LIKE TO LEAVE BEHIND.
GRFX AND NUMBER THREE ON THE SAFETY LIST. MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT FITS THE AGE. THAT MEANS HAND AND GUARDRAILS ON WALKWAYS AND STAIRS. YOU ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO GET THEIR HEADS STUCK IN SOMETHING AND STRANGLE. AND YOU'LL ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATE WAYS DOWN THOSE HIGH SCARY PLACES WHERE ITS EASY TO CHICKEN OUT.

VT=VO
WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT - ALL THESE TIPS ARE SIMPLY COMMON SENSE. TAKE THE TIME SO YOUR CHILD AND YOU ALWAYS HAVE GOOD MEMORIES ABOUT PLAYING ON THE PLAYGROUND. I'M DR. DAVE HNIDA, FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

A spokesman for Elian Gonzalez's Miami relatives vows says that a meeting today with mental health experts will likely take place.
Psychiatrists and a psychologist are scheduled to meet with the relatives at the request of Attorney General Janet Reno.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Marine Corps' four remaining Osprey aircraft won't be flying for now.
The Pentagon took the planes off line after an Osprey crashed Saturday night in Tucson, Arizona, killing 19 Marines.
Meanwhile, federal investigators spent yesterday going over the crash site.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Golfer Vijay Singh is sporting the famous green jacket today after winning the Masters Tournament this weekend.
He ended the final round with an 18 foot birdie putt.
This is Singh's first Masters victory and his second major.
He also won the P-G-A championship in 19-98.
(----------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]

And that's what's making news on this Monday April 10th .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[cuban-boy]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]

The federal government is arranging for psychiatrists to meet today with the Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez.
A family spokesman says the discussion will likely take place, even though the cousin who has become Elian's surrogate mother remains hospitalized.
Lee Cowan reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[3:04;02]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bethesda, MD; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sam Ciancio/Rescued Elian; :20]
[SUPER=01-Donato Dalrymple/Rescued Elian; :34]
[SUPER=01-Gregory Craig/Lawyer for Juan Gonzalez; :46]
[SUPER=01-Janet Reno/Attorney General; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Linda Osberg/Lawyer for Miami Family; 1:20]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=news, Washington]
((
S/MIAMI The fishermen who saved Elian Gonzalez's life ... are now trying to help save a family ... torn apart by the boy's tragic ordeal. On Sunday, the two men met with Elian's father, Juan Miguel Gonzalez -- hoping he would agree to sit down and talk to his Miami relatives. Relatives who have cared for Elian since his rescue at sea last November.

((sot: Sam Ciancio/Rescued Elian))
"I really would have liked to come out of that meeting that he would have agreed to go meet with the family in a neutral place ... does not want to do that."
One of Elian's rescuers said he felt Gonzalez was not being allowed to speak freely.

sot:But a lawyer representing Juan Gonzelez says his client makes his own
desicions.

((sot: Gregory Craig/Lawyer for Juan Gonzalez))

((nats))
As Gonzalez waits for word on Elian at the home of a Cuban diplomat just outside Washington, Attorney General Janet Reno is moving ahead with plans to reunite father and son.

((sot: Janet Reno/Attorney General)) - 09:12:16
"We move forward with expectations that people are going to comply with the law and that we're going to try to resolve this and return the boy to his father in the most constructive way possible.
Justice officials have asked the Miami family to meet with three psychiatric experts on Monday ... in an effort to ease the transfer of custody. But the relatives have their misgivings.

((sot: Linda Osberg/Lawyer for Miami family))
"They plan on actually reviewing the case without ever meeting with Elian. And that's where the frustration lies with the family. His best interests are not being taken into consideration at all."
Meanwhile, protestors in Miami's Little Havana, continue to surround Elian's house ... praying for the boy to stay here, but realizing their prayers may not be answered this time.

In Washington, Lee Cowan, CBS News ))[2-11Dan-River]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-11 11:14]
[GRAPHIC=Dan River]

After four days of negotiatons between the union and Dan River Incorporated, employees have voted to reject the company's offer.
Surae Chinn has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Vote no]
[SUPER=01-Reginald McLaughin/Union Worker; :10]
[SUPER=01-Christopher VanNordan/Union Worker; :28]
[SUPER=@Surae1; :34]
[SUPER=01-Michael Kendrick/Union Worker; :48]
[SUPER=01-Donald Cash/Union Leader; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News 7, Danville.]
(((natbreak: 15:32:11 "vote no")
[RUNS= :02]
Many union employees walked out angry and disappointed at their own union and Dan River Incorporated.
[SOT 15:34:13]
((REGINALD MCLAUGHIN/UNION WORKER: THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO OPEN UP OUR CONTRACT AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO VOTE. THE UNION SHOULD HAVE TOLD THEM NO.))
[RUNS= :07]
Workers did send the message to reject the company's offer. The proposed change would force some employees to work more hours and cut down on overtime pay.
Christopher Vannorden says he didn't like those options.
[SOT 15:28:52]
((CHRISTOPHER VANNORDEN/UNION WORKER: IN AROUND ABOUT WAY WE WERE TOLD IF WE DON'T GIVE IN WE'LL LOSE OUR JOBS.))
[RUNS= :07]
[SOT: 15:48:37]
((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: UNION EMPLOYEES VOTED AGAINST THE COMPANY'S OFFER TO RENOGOTIATE THE CURRENT CONTRACT. THEIR MAIN CONCERN? GIVING DAN RIVER MILLS THE OPTION OF REQUIRING SOME EMPLOYEES TO WORK 7 STRAIGHT 12 HOUR DAYS.))
[RUNS= :11]
[SOT 15:36:00]
((MICHAEL KENDRICK/UNION WORKER:I'M GOING TO BE WORKING MORE TIME FOR LESS MONEY THAT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT IT.))
[RUNS= :05]

Union leader Donald Cash says the vote was a chance to respond to the company's desires to expand the home fashions division, a more successful part of the plant, in Danville.
[SOT 15:43:45]
((DONALD CASH/UNION LEADER: APPARENTLY THE VOTE SHOWS AT THE EXPENSE OF A 12 HOURS DAY THEY DON'T WANT THE EXPANSION IN DANVILLE.))
[RUNS= :09]

Now Dan River Mills must decide, despite the vote down, if they will go ahead and expand and keep more jobs in Danville. The company would not comment on the vote until Monday. Surae Chinn News 7, Danville.))
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

There are still 21 months left until the current contract expires. For now that contract stays in effect.

[2-11Fugitives]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-16 :11]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The two suspects involved in last week's standoff in Wythe County are now in jail. [TAKE PINNICAL]
(xxxxxxxx)

Dennis Lewis was released from an area hospital yesterday.
Angela Tanner was released Saturday.
Both are being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co./Thursday;]

The pair had apparently consumed large amounts of Valium during the standoff.
They surrendered Thursday night following a crime spree that started in Tennessee and ended in Wythe County.
(----------)

[2-military-crash]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Investigators are still trying to determine why a military aircraft crashed in the Arizona desert over the weekend, killing all 19 on board.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Marana, AZ;]
[3:05:55]
This is not the first deadly accident involving the craft.
The MV-22 Osprey is both a turboprop plane, but can take off and land like a helicopter.
A military spokesman says the crash occurred during a training exercise.
It was one of two Ospreys involved simulating the evacuation of civilians.
But few other details of the mission are being released right now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

[SUPER=01-Lt. Mark Carter/Marine Spokesman;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=raging over there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Despite two other crashes during its development, the military says the aircraft has met or exceeded all its requirements. 22
(------------)

[2-cuban-boy]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=mor]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]

Attorney General Janet Reno has asked that the Miami relatives of Elian Gonzalez meet with psychiatrists and a psychologist today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]
[3:01:19]
Officials hope today's meeting will help ease the transfer of custody.
Elian's great-uncle and temporary guardian, says he willl attend even though he's unhappy with some of the conditions of the meeting. [3:04:02]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(( Linda Osberg/Lawyer for Miami familY: "They plan on actually reviewing the case without ever meeting with Elian. And that's where the frustration lies with the family. his best interests are not being taken into consideration at all." ))

[SUPER=01-Linda Osberg/Lawyer for Miami Family;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=consideration at all.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bethesda, MD;]

Yesterday, the two men who saved Elian at sea, met with his father and tried to convince him that it would be in the boy's best interest to stay in America.
(------------)

[2-11Textile-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=EQU]
[TAPE#=99-59 1:28:37]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]
Governor Gilmore has revamped a multi million dollar budget provision intended to help laid-off textile workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Lawmakers wrote seven million dollars into the budget for emergency health insurance benefits for laid off workers in Martinsville and Henry County.
Gilmore has taken that money and created what he calls the Economic Crisis Recovery Grant program.
(--------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=none]
Instead of direct payments to workers, the new plan lets localities decide how to use the money. Gilmore said the change offers short-term aid plus long-term economic development.
Eight more localities would now qualify and could use their portion of the funds for any unemployment relief they choose. Legislators may try to restore the original plan at the April 19th veto override session.

[2-Suspended-Students]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Danville school officials say eight middle school students were suspended for a week for using Kool-Aid in a way that imitated the use of illegal drugs.
Superintendent Andy Overstreet said some of the students were even sniffing the Kool-Aid. The seventh- and eighth-graders could have been suspended for a full year for using a look-alike drug. Instead, they received a lesser punishment under a statute that forbids the possession of contraband on school grounds. The suspensions occurred last month. [Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/SPA]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The two suspects in last week's standoff in Wythe County are now being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.

Dennis Lewis and Angela Tanner were both released from the hospital over the weekend.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Union employees voted against Dan River Incorporated's offer to renegotiate their current contract. Despite the vote down, the company must now decide if they will go ahead and expand and keep more jobs in Danville.

There's still 21 months left until the current contract expires. For now that contract stays in effect.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Governor Jim Gilmore has amended a seven million dollar budget provision intended to help laid-off textile workers pay for health insurance. Instead of direct payments to workers, the new plan lets localities decide how to use the money.
Legislators may try to restore the original plan at the April 19th veto override session.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(Steve mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Steve ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=So where]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=6 tonight]
(-------------)
[Melanie and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Melanie and Steve]