WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 06/01/00

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

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[V/O-NAT]
228 pink slips come out of Norfolk Southern's car shops.
We'll tell you why and hear from some of the affected workers.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]

And we'll check in with some of the businesses that lie in the path of Carilion's proposed new biomedical park.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, 7 lawsuits are filed in connection with the bridge collapse in Charlotte. We'll hear from a local attorney was about to cross the structure before it fell.
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[VO-NAT]
And we'll check out the Region C softball action from Blacksburg this afternoon as James River is eliminated in the semi-finals.
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[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

Temperatures really on the way up tomorrow. Looking for 90s at least on Friday.
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[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
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[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
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[SOT 14:34:24 - 14:24:30]
[IN Q=We kind]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=what magnitude.]
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[VO-NAT]

Layoffs are announced at two companies that have a big impact on the Roanoke Valley workforce.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[NS-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-16 47:07]
[GRAPHIC=NS- Layoffs]

228 workers at Norfolk Southern were notified of layoffs in the car shops this morning.
The East End Shops have been building and rebuilding rail cars for years, but a decline in coal exports has brought that work to an end for now.
[Double Boxes=ANCHOR/Microwave]

Jennifer Miele is at N-S Car Shop with the rest of the story.
[Live= Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Keith everyone suspected layoffs were coming, but no one knew when.
The Employment Commission cites competition as the reason behind the job loss.
(rollcue... reason behind the job loss. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marjorie Skidmore/Va. Employment Commission; :04]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :17]
[SUPER=01-Darrell Williams/NS Employee; :34]
[RUNS=:52]
[OUT Q=on the job.]
(([SOT]
[IN Q= This is not]
((MARJORIE SKIDMORE: THIS IS NOT ROANOKE COMPETING AGAINST ROANOKE, IT'S ROANOKE COMPETING WITH THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. THAT MAY NOT SOUND GOOD TO THE FOLKS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS, IT'S A MATTER OF COMPETITION AND THE COMPANIES BEING ABLE TO MAKE MONEY.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q= Being able to make money.]
[VO]
[SUPER=]

There are 294 people employed at the car shops, 150 of them are carmen. Since 1998, they've been taking part in a rebody program which gave older cars new life. When the news of layoffs came, it hit the employees hard.
[SOT]
[IN Q= I think everybody's]
((DARRELL WILLIAMS: I THINK EVERYBODY'S STUNNED, DAZED SURPRISED. I DON'T THINK THEY HAD ANY IDEA IT WAS GOING TO BE THIS BAD.))
[RUNS= :8]
[OUT Q= to be this bad.]
[VO]
[SUPER=]

Norfolk Southern says it will offer other types of employment to some of the workers wherever possible, and if the demand for coal increases overseas, workers could be called back on the job.))
[Live= Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
(ad lib)

[Double Boxes=ANCHOR/Microwave]
(( KEITH QUESTION: This is the first anniversary of the merger with Conrail. Is that just a coincidence- -or could this be an effect of that?))

[ITT]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-07 56:20]
[GRAPHIC=ITT Layoffs]

I-T-T will layoff about 70 people in the next two months.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co/June, 1999]

The night vision division had expanded dramatically in 1997 in response to a couple of large orders from overseas.
I-T-T hired 200 new people to meet the demand.
That work will be finished this year, so I-T-T is preparing to pare back its workforce by about 15-percent.
Seventy workers will receive layoff notices in late July- -after salaried workers are given the option of taking an "enhanced severance" package. Another 50 will be let go next January
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[Riverside]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-07 56:20]
[GRAPHIC=Carilion/Biomedical]

Roanoke officials believe a biomedical park will bring the city new industry and new jobs.
But the Riverside Center for Research and Technology will also mean big changes for existing businesses that stand in the path of the 175- million dollar development.
[Double Boxes=ANCHOR/Newsroom]

Some of those businesses have some serious questions about the development and tonight Joe Dashiell is in the newsroom with more on their concerns.
[Live= Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Joe1]

Keith, for many of these businesses the announcement of the biomedical center was a surprise, and they're still trying to figure out just what it will mean for their future.
While some view the proposal as an opportunity, others fear the effect on years of hard work.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The parcel]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Derrick Claggett/Pitzer Transfer and Storage; :15]
[SUPER=01-Brad Allen/Surfaces Inc.; :49]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I don't see how that can happen.]

((The parcel may not appear to be a major center of economic activity, but plans for the biomedical park could affect some 30 existing businesses and hundreds of jobs.
At Pitzer Transfer and Storage, officials aren't worried...
[SOT 18:18:20]
[IN Q=We're committed]
((DERRICK CLAGGETT: WE'RE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE WE KEEP A PRESENCE IN THIS AREA. WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME. WE HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF GOING AWAY. WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO ALONG WITH THE CITY'S PROGRAM AND WE'LL FIND ANOTHER FACILITY AND OPERATE.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=facility and operate.]

But next door, it's a different story. Surfaces Incorporated moved into the old Southern States building less than a year ago... an ideal location for a floor and wall covering contract house that has prospered in south Roanoke.
Company officials fear they won't receive fair compensation to cover the impact on their business, or the loss of revenue from development they were planning on the property.
[SOT 18:06:50]
[IN Q=We want to get down to the brass tacks]
((BRAD ALLEN: WE WANT TO GET DOWN TO THE BRASS TACKS OF WHAT IT TRULY COSTS NOT ONLY TO MOVE SURFACES, BUT A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE MUCH BIGGER THAN WE ARE AND HAVE MUCH LARGER CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAN WE DO. BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND COME TO A NUMBER THAT MAKES SENSE. FOR 76 ACRES AND 4.8 MILLION DOLLARS. I DON'T SEE HOW THAT CAN HAPPEN.))
[RUNS= :22]
[OUT Q=how that can happen.]))

[Live= Full/Newsroom]

Brad Allen and representatives of other companies are hoping for some answers Keith...
[Double Boxes=ANCHOR/Newsroom]

when they meet with city officials at the municipal building tonight.
Joy Sutton will have the latest on that meeting tonight on News 7 at 11.

[Garbage-Truck]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-06 1:52:27]
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A garbage truck is creating a mess for traffic near the Roanoke Civic Center.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The accident happened about 4:30 at the intersection of 581 and Orange Avenue.
The truck tipped over in the southbound off ramp leading to 460 east.
The driver was taken to the hospital; no word on his condition.
The off ramp is still closed.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Some Christians are speaking out against Promisekeepers.
We'll tell you why, just ahead.
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[VO-NAT]

And the first lawsuits are filed in connection with the Lowes Motor Speedway walkway collapse.
Mike Stevens has details later in the newscast.
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[Web Address Announce] [Pinnacle 4885ess]

[COMMERCIAL][Promisekeepers]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-05 1:45:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]

On the eve of Lynchburg's first Promisekeepers rally, a few critics are speaking up.
They're concerned about the message the male- only Christian event sends to women.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=natsot]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Frank Dunn/Equal Partners in Faith; :25]
[SUPER=01-George Caylor/Promisekeepers Organizer; :45]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Jerry Falwell/Liberty U. Chancellor; :56]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:06]
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[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( [natsot 1:19:50 (?)]
[RUNS= 02]

When it gets underway Friday, the first Promisekeepers event of the year will use music, prayer and motivational speakers to exhort men to "go the distance" in their relationships with God and their families.
But some say Promisekeepers elevates men at the expense of women.. and people of faith should remember that this is not the only way to build a better family.
[SOT 1::07:12]
((REV. FRANK DUNN/EQUAL PARTNERS IN FAITH: IT'S INTERESTING THAT A MOVEMENT OF MEN WOULD COME TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT HOW TO RESTRUCTURE THE FAMILY. IT WOULD OCCUR TO SOME OF US IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE WOMEN PART OF THAT DIALOGUE.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=of that dialogue.]

Women will be present this weekend, but only in a volunteer role.. still, organizers scoff at the idea that females are being shut out.
[SOT 1:21:48]
((GEORGE CAYLOR/PROMISEKEEPERS ORGANIZER: IT'S ALMOST LIKE `GET A LIFE'.. THE PROTEST ABOUT WOMEN BEING EXCLUDED, THEY'RE NOT.. WOMEN ARE THE ONES WHO SEND THESE MEN TO THESE EVENTS.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=to these events.]
[SOT 1:24:25]
((REV. JERRY FALWELL/LIBERTY U. CHANCELLOR: THE PROBLEM, I THINK, WITH MOST OF THE CRITICS OF PROMISEKEEPERS, THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT PROMISEKEEPERS. THEY DON'T TAKE THE BIBLE SERIOUSLY, PROMISEKEEPERS DO.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=Promisekeepers do.]

Falwell encourages those critics to attend this weekend's rally.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))
[ANCHOR TAG=Keith]

Those who don't attend may be outside protesting.. Lynchburg police say they've issued one permit to a group of 12 protesters who plan to picket the rally tomorrow evening.

[Casteel]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-10 1:41:11]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A man who tried to kill his wife and children did not have to go to jail today, because his WIFE spoke up on his behalf in court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.;]

Former Roanoke County firefighter Phillip Casteel cut the brake lines on the family van in January then let her drive off with their kids. No one was hurt. Casteel pled guilty today to attempted malicious wounding.
His wife convinced the judge to let him remain out on bond.
They're reconciling.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:59:03]
[IN Q=How are]
((TINA TENRET/NEWS7: HOW ARE THE KIDS DEALING WITH THIS? KIMBERLY CASTEEL/WIFE: THEY'RE DOING GOOD. TENRET: ARE THEY GETTING ALONG WITH THEIR FATHER? CASTEEL: YES. TENRET: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET PAST THIS? CASTEEL: I DON'T KNOW I'M TRYING.))
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Casteel/Wife;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=I'm trying]
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[VO-NAT]

Casteel could still get up to 15 years in prison when he's sentenced next month.
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[Suntrust]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-22 00:22:09]
[GRAPHIC=Banking]

It's been a rocky transition for some former customers of Crestar bank, now that the bank has been taken over by Suntrust.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Bank officials say the conversion of customer accounts has been a bit slow - causing delays with the posting of deposits and other transactions.
This has caused problems with getting up to date account information -- leaving customers without access to all of their funds.
The bank is working on the problem and hopes to have the system up to par as soon as possible.
Suntrust has branches in Virginia, DC and Maryland.
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[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

An up day on Wall Street - as investors see signs that interest rate hikes are working - to keep inflation at bay.

[TAKE DOW, NASDAQ & BLOOMBERG PAGE ]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-x/129.87/10652.20/x/181.59/3582.50/x/1.67/12.37;]

The Dow climbed 130 points, Nasdaq was up 181 points, and the Bloomberg - News 7 local index is up as well. It gained 2 points.
[SUPER=431-u/35%/i!/34d/h1b/56&/hc/53f/h%/27%;]
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[Liberty-view]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-11 1:06:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some people who live in Danville's largest low income housing development will become homeowners.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Alfreda (AL-free-da) Stamps has lived at the Liberty View community for three years.
She will most likely move into a new home. But not without the help of the city, its Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and Telamon. This is all in an effort to revitalize Liberty View.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:23:35]
[IN Q=And this is an]
((PETE CASTIGLIONE/DANVILLE COUNCIL MEMBER: AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INCLUSIVE OF ALL THE COMMUNITY AND ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. IT GIVES EVERYBODY NOT ONLY TO OWN A HOME IS VITAL TO BECOMING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, IT'S VERY EXCITED.))
[SOT 5:32:30]
((ALFREDA STAMPS/ON LOW INCOME: TO ME THE HOME MEANS STABILITY FOR MY CHILDREN. AN APARTMENT IS ONE THING BUT HAVING YOUR OWN HOME YOU CAN ALWAYS GO HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Pete Castiglione/Danville Council Member; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alfreda Stamps/On Low-income; :16]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=you can always go home.]
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[VO-NAT]

The project includes the construction of three new homes for now.
(------------)

[S-Lowes]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-70 2035TC]
[GRAPHIC=LOWES SPEEDWAY]

Last week at this time, Lowe's Motor Speedway officials had just finished explaining why the pedestrian bridges outside the track collapsed on the night of May 20th and injured 107 race fans. Today, seven of the injured filed lawsuits against the track and the construction company that manufactured the walkway. The suits come just 12 days after the accident.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=01-Chris Kite/Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :09]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :18]
[SUPER=10-"Humpy" Wheeler/Lowe's Speedway President/May 25; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=...IN LITIGATION."]
((CHRIS KITE:)) ((At this time Kite, an attorney for Frith, Anderson and Peake is not representing any of the injured, but he does have a unique perspective on the walkway collapse. He and his family were leaving the track, and just moments away from crossing the bridge when it fell on May 20th. ((CHRIS KITE:)) Kite says he would not be surprised if each and every injured person ends up filing litigation against the Track or the company that made the prefab bridge - Tindall Construction. So far, the initial seven cases claim negligence by both parties. The Speedway denied just that last Thursday.)) ((HUMPY WHEELER/SPEEDWAY PRESIDENT:)) ((CHRIS KITE:))
(----------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=LOWES]
Kite says he would expect many of cases to be settled before they make it to court, and he says the attachment of the Lowes corporation's name to the track only enhances the chance that more lawsuits will be filed.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
More sports is on the way tonight on News 7, including highlights from the Region C softball semi-finals on the campus of Virginia Tech.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And a former Friday Football Extra player of the week will continues playing in the ODAC next season.
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[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-72]
[GRAPHIC=Softball Logo]

The semi finals of the Region C softball tournament opened on the campus of Virginia Tech this afternoon.
James River and P-H Glade Springs would play the first game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/James River vs PH Glade Sp.]

The Two teams met in the regional semi finals last year.
Glade Spring would score in the first three innings.
Rustin Rainey hits this single to left field scoring Ashley Smith and P-H Glade Spring jumped out to the 1 to nothing lead.
Then in the second inning Ashley White's grounder gets into left field scoring another run from second and Glade Spring took the 2 to nothing lead.
Trailing 4 to nothing James River comes up with a big defensive play. Ashley Smith hits a line drive to center
[SUPER=34-P-H Glade Spring/5/James River/0/;]
field but Kendall Rainey is thrown out at the plate. But a throw to third gets into the outfield scoring a run and P-H-Glade Spring wins it 5 to nothing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="defense...]
[SUPER=01-Tami Counts/PH Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Shotwell/James River Head Coach; :12]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=.....good team."]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Glenvar and Holston are playing in the second game of the regional tournament.

[S-VHSL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]

The Virginia High School League has recognizing six students from across the state who have given of themselves to serve others this school year. One of the recipients of the $1000 Wachovia Scholarship is Lord Botetourt high school's Julia Wilsie. Julia is not only and outstanding student and athlete for the Cavaliers, but she also volunteers her time to help others in everything from her church, to the Salvation Army, to the Rescue Mission, to an area nursing home. She also helps tutor kindergartners at Botetourt County elementary schools.

[S-Mullins]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-65 54:35]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]

Salem high school quarterback and Friday Football Extra player of the week Andy Mullins has decided on Emory & Henry College where he intends to continue his football career.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

Mullins was a three year starter at Salem and wraps up his career there with an impressive 36 and 4 record. With Mullins under center, the Spartans won back to back state championships in 1998 and 1999 and have been ranked number one in the state for the last two years. In three years Mullins tossed 33 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
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[S-Stuff]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-60 1:39:38]
[GRAPHIC=Tennessee]
One women's college basketball note. Pat Summitt is staying at Tennessee at least for now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA; :00]
The Volunteers' women's basketball coach no longer is interested in coaching in the WNBA, saying she's had a change of heart. Summitt, who has coached Tennessee to six national titles, did not rule out a jump to the pros later in her career.
(------------)

[Wx-Almanac]

[ANCHOR=Robin]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rre]
[TAPE#=WX Almanac]
[GRAPHIC=None]

June...the beginning of hurricane season and the start to the hot weather season. Let's see what else Patrick has for us in our monthly almanac.
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[AM-6Promo]
[ANCHOR=Keith]

The Promisekeepers are coming ... and so are the protesters.
The Promisekeepers rally opens in Lynchburg today. We'll see why thousands of men think its message of faith and family is important to their lives, tonight on News 7 at 6.