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WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 08/09/00
[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
A major tire recall is announced today.
Firestone's parent company is recalling millions of tires for light trucks and sport utility vehicles.
We'll have the latest information.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And at least three people were killed in a mid- air collision over New Jersey.
Wreckage from one of the planes slammed into a family's home, setting it on fire.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]
Sunny Skies prevail today but our breezy morning won't keep the humidity at bay. Our forecast... coming up.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
Hope you'll join us-- News 7 at noon is next.
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=-----]
(/////SOT/////)
[tc:00:19:19]
[SOT]
[IN Q=They showed]
((THEY SHOWED THE TIRE THAT HAD BLOWN OUT, AND THE TIRE WAS JUST LIKE AN EXPLOSION.))
[RUNS=:05 ]
[OUT Q=an explosion.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Millions of Firestone tires are being recalled today.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Good afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
It's disturbing news for many motorists--
Firestone is recalling a total of 20- million tires, including six-and-a-half- million that are on the road right now.
Teri Okita reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
[SUPER=01-Gary Crigger/Bridgestone-Firestone;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Los Angles.]
((
After 46 deaths, 80 injuries and hundreds of complaints, Firestone has
recalled more than 20 million tires for light trucks and sport utility
vehicles.
SOT: GARY CRIGGER, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE
Mounting safety concerns have already prompted major tire retailers to
stop the sale of Firestone models. The Firestone ATX, ATX II and
Wilderness AT tires are used mostly on Ford Explorers and other
top-selling Sports Utility Vehicles, but the recall will include tires
on other makes and models as well.
Most of the accidents came from states in warm climates, where heat can
affect tire tread bonding and may contribute to an increased rate of
tread separation. The complaints allege that Firestone tires peel off
their casings, sometimes while the vehicles are traveling at high
speeds.
SOT: CRIGGER AGAIN
In 1978, Firestone recalled 14 million of its 500-series tires that had
tread separations and blowouts. Federal regulators fined the former
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. $500,000 for concealing the safety problems,
nearly driving the company into bankruptcy. Firestone was saved by
Bridgestone, who moved quickly to acquire it's former rival.
Teri Okita, CBS News, Los Angeles.
))
Firestone spokesmen say they hope to have all problems fixed as quickly as possible.
That won't be easy.
Hundreds of consumers are already visiting local Firestone Tire Dealers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Many say they were fearful of driving to the dealerships.
They are part of the six and a half million customers who will be inconvenienced by the recall.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc:00:19:50]
[IN Q=We're going to]
[SUPER=01-Judy Nutter/Consumer]
((WE'RE GOING TO COME BACK HERE AND TELL THEM TO TAKE THEM OFF. AND I WANT THEM TO USE THE SAME QUALITY, I MEAN I WANT THE SAME PRICED TIRE THAT THESE ARE, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING CHEAP ON IT. BUT I'M GOING TO TELL THEM TO TAKE IT OFF IMMEDIATELY.))
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=it off immediately.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Most of the customers affected by the recall are owners of sports utility vehicles.
They rushed to the dealers after seeing what had happened to other consumers.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc:00:23:15]
[IN Q=I'm hoping what]
[SUPER=01-Cindy Coudill/Consumer]
((THEY SAID THAT 58 PEOPLE HAD DIED, AND TWICE THAT MANY WERE INJURED, AND THEY ARE SAYING THERE'S NOT A PROBLEM WITH THEM, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG SOMEWHERE. THEY SAID WITH A VISUAL CHECK YOU CAN'T TELL. EVEN IF YOU TAKE IT SOMEWHERE FOR A VISUAL CHECK THEY CAN'T TELL YOU WHETHER THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THEM OR NOT.))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=leave it somewhere.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Owners of the A-T-X, A-T-X-2, and Wilderness model tires are encouraged to visit their local Firestone Dealer immediately.
10 people are now confirmed dead after two small planes crashed into each other over Southern New Jersey this morning.
It wasn't enough that there was a mid- air collision...
Some of the debris fell onto a house, causing extensive damage.
Russ Mitchell has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Burlington, NJ; :]
[SUPER=01-Russ Mitchell/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=:44]
[OUT Q=Mitchell, CBS News,New York.]
((
(LOCATOR: BURLINGTON, NJ)
FIREFIGHTERS TRY TO SAVE WHAT'S LEFT OF THIS NEW JERSEY SUBURBAN HOME,
AFTER AN APPARENT MIDAIR PLANE COLLISION SET IT ON FIRE.
FEDERAL AVIATION OFFICIALS SAY TWO SMALL PLANES -- A PIPER NAVAJO AND A
PIPER SEMINOLE -- APPARENTLY COLLIDED AROUND EIGHT THIS MORNING IN
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP -- JUST SOUTH OF TRENTON.
ONE WITNESS SAID THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION ... MOMENTS BEFORE ONE OF THE
PLANES CRASHED INTO THIS GARAGE. THE COUPLE INSIDE THE HOUSE MANAGED TO
ESCAPE.
PARTS OF THE AIRCRAFT WERE FOUND BURNING NEAR THE HOME, WHILE THE
MANGLED FUSELAGE OF THE OTHER PLANE LAY SCATTERED IN A NEARBY SOYBEAN
FIELD. A PIECE OF A WING ALSO LANDED ON A NEIGHBOR'S ROOF.
THE F-A-A IS NOW INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THE CRASH.
RUSS MITCHELLL, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.
))
A proposed Virginia Gas pipeline has the Roanoke County board of supervisors - and some county residents - steamed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
Laying the line would mean creating a 50-foot-wide, 40 foot long easement like this one near neighborhoods and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The proposed line parallels an existing Duke Power line extending from Radford to Clearbrook in Roanoke County.
The Supervisors want Virginia Gas and Duke Power to share the pathway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 32:21 - 32:29]
[IN Q=I think we...]
((BOB JOHNSON/HOLLINS SUPERVISOR: I THINK WE NEED TO STAND AS A COUNTY AND SAY LISTEN - YOU WANNA AFFECT OUR CITIZENS LIKE THIS? WE THINK THE VERY LEAST YOU CAN DO IS CO-LOCATE.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Johnson/Hollins Supervisor]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=co-locate...]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Board of Supervisors has submitted a resolution asking Virginia Gas to consider sharing the easement with Duke Power.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
Opponents of a separate pipeline route have established a web site. Virginia Gas has its own. For direct links to both, log onto our home page at wdbj7-dot-com and click "Webwatch."
(------------)
The largest division of Lynchburg city government is undergoing some big changes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
City leaders announced yesterday they were splitting up the public works department and creating a separate department for utilities like water and sewer service.
Officials say handling the increase in federal regulations and control has become too much for one person.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:03:26]
[IN Q=We think that]
((CHARLES CHURCH/LYNCHBURG CITY MANAGER: WE THINK THAT DOING THIS WILL ALLOW US TO AND FOR THE CITY IN THE FUTURE TO FOCUS ON A VERY COMPLEX AREA OF UTILITIES. WE HAVE INCREASING REGULATIONS, THE COMPLEXITIES AND COSTS OF THE CSO PROGRAM.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Church/Lynchburg City Manager;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=CSO program.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Church also announced that retiring public works director Ray Booth will be replaced by Bruce McNabb, who holds a similar post in Decatur, Illinois.
(------------)
Extensive damage and at least one injury resulted from an earthquake today in Mexico.
Officials say one person was hurt when a wall partially collapsed at a hotel that was under repair.
U-S seismologists say the quake measured six- point- four on the Richter Scale.
It was strong enough to crack walls, break windows, and send panicked people into the streets.
The center of the quake was located nearly 250 miles southwest of Mexico City in the Pacific Ocean.
Vice President Al Gore and his running mate, Senator Joseph Lieberman kicked off their campaign for the White House today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Nashville, TN;]
That after Gore officially named Lieberman yesterday as his choice for half the Democratic ticket.
The two are known to differ on school vouchers and some other
issues.
But Lieberman says they agree when it comes to national security and consumer protection.
Lieberman is the first Jew to run for vice president on a major party ticket.
He says he hopes voters won't focus so much on his religion, and instead pay attention to his qualifications.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:32:38]
[IN Q=I've been]
((JOSEPH LIEBERMAN/D- VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD IN THE SENATE ON PROBLEMS THAT REALLY MATTER TO PEOPLE TO HELP THE ECONOMY GROW AND TO SPREAD THE BENEFITS OF THE ECONOMY TO THE AVERAGING WORKING FAMLIES OF AMERICA.))
[SUPER=201-Joseph Lieberman/(D) Vice Pres. Candidate;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=families of America.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
After leaving Tennessee, the two will head to Lieberman's home state of Connecticut.
(------------)
Nearly 300 people will lose their jobs in October when Pulaski Furniture closes its Martinsville Plant.
It's another economic blow for Martinsville which already has the highest unemployment rate in the state.
Tina Tenret investigates what's happening to the area's furniture industry.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I never thought]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :07]
[SUPER=01-Julie Thomas/Pulaski Furniture Employee; :14]
[SUPER=01-Earl Reynolds/Martinsville City Manager; :43]
[SUPER=@Tina1; :59]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Martinsville]
Employees at Salem's Yokohama tire plant will be out of work for nearly two weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
[TAPE#=500-13 02:17]
Yokohama will suspend manufacturing from August 20th until September 1st in an attempt to reduce inventory.
Company officials told News 7 that they are working with the Virginia Employment Commission to make sure employees are eligible for un-employment benefits during the shutdown.
Company officials say they don't anticipate similar action again.
Yokohama employs more than one thousand people.
(------------)
Retirees of BWX Technologies in Campbell County are trying to convince current employees to unionize.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]
The retirees were on hand for shift change yesterday afternoon, passing out union brochures for the United Electrical Workers.
The retirees have been battling BWX for months over skyrocketing health insurance costs.
They believe current employees should unionize to protect themselves from a similar situation.
Previous efforts to organize unions at BWX over the years have failed.
(------------)
A new candidate is seeking the democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/January 1999;]
Norfolk Delegate Jerrauld Jones has represented Norfolk and Chesapeake in the General Assembly since 1988. He is currently the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus.
In a statement yesterday, Jones said he understands "what the people of Virginia want and need, regardless of race, party, gender, religion or regional differences."
(------------)
Health officials say Syphilis is a serious disease with a simple cure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But that message hasn't seemed to reach Danville.
Last year the city reported 99 cases of the sexually transmitted disease--more than any other city in the state.
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
So far this year Danville has reported 52 cases.
Health officials are no longer standing on the sidelines for those numbers to climb.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:52:13]
[IN Q=There is a ]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Geoffrey Smith/Danville Health Department]
((DR. GEOFFREY SMITH/DANVILLE HEALTH DEPT. : THERE IS A COUPON SYSTEM IF THAT PERSON IS JUDGED IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION AS BEING A PATIENT WITH SYPHILIS THEN THAT PERSON IS GIVEN A COUPON AND TAKEN TO ONE OF TWO MEDICAL CENTERS.))
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=two medical centers.]
(-------------)
[PRE-PRO ON TAPE]
Those two medical centers are Southside Family Medical Center. It's open Monday through Fridays 8-5 and Tuesdays and Thursdays open until 8 in the evening. Saturday hours are also available.
The second facility is in Axton at the Sandy River Medical Center open Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30.
(------------------)
Liz Taylor is once again battling health problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The 68- year- old actress is in the hospital for treatment of pneumonia.
Taylor checked into the hospital over the weekend and was diagnosed with a mild case of the illness.
Her publicist says the actress should be released by the end of the week.
Taylor has had her share of health troubles-- she was treated for back problems in recent years and had brain surgery in 19-97.
(------------)
Project Lifesaver has made it possible for authorities to locate two people who wandered off the past couple of days.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]
27 year old Charissa (KA-rissa) Keel has Down's Syndrome and walked away from her home Monday night.
It took Pittsylvania County authorities exactly eight minutes to find her.
She wears the Project Lifesaver transmitter that allows searchers to track her.
Authorities found Keel a quarter of a mile from her home.
Sunday night officers successfully located a man who also wears the device.
(------------)