!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/loose.dtd"> WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 08/25/00

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

On News 7 at SIX, we'll see whether the Third Time's the Charm for a Celanese labor contract.
(------------)

[V/O-NAT]
And a 50- thousand dollar severance package for a state agency head whose department is under criminal investigation.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

In sports, a huge college football weekend is here, words from both the Florida State and Virginia tech camps on kicking off the season, former VMI alumni and Detroit Lions coach Bobby Ross talks about VMI
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


and we will have the latest on qualifying from Bristol
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]


Spotty showers are moving through now...but things will improve for the weekend...I'll have your complete 5 day forecast coming up.....

[Celanese]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#00-29 TC56:40]
[GRAPHIC=Celanese Contract Vote]


For the third time in just over two months, Celanese employees are deciding the fate of a proposed labor contract.
The acetate plant is Giles County's largest employer and the New River Valley's eighth largest.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Marya/Starlink]


Marya Jones is outside the union office in Narrows where two days of voting have just wrapped up.
[Live=Marya Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=06-Narrows;]
( ad lib)

[***ROLLED FROM STARLINK***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Dent/Celanese Employee; :07]
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Mullins/Union President; :28 Quick]
[SUPER=01-Scottie Perdue/Celanese Employee; :53]
[SUPER=01-Glenda Albert/Celanese Employee; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=Very unsafe]




[Live=Marya Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=06-Narrows;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Keith and Marya/Starlink]



[Byrd-Harden]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC30:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The Gilmore administration denied it earlier this week-- but is now admitting it's paying a 50- thousand dollar severance package to a departing state agency head whose department is under a State Police criminal probe.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]


Linda Byrd-Harden resigned under pressure last week as the head of the state Minority Business Enterprise office.
Now, the Gilmore administration admits it is paying her 20-thousand dollars severance and and 30-thousand dollars consulting pay.
That's despite the fact that the Governor's new appointee -- Allegra McCullough (mc KULLA) says she does NOT plan to consult with a former agency head with a legacy of mismanagement.
An independent state audit showed Byrd-Harden's two years at the agency's helm left it in fiscal chaos.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:29:49]
[IN Q=Why did]

((Why did you not fire her? GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL, WE DECIDED TO MAKE A CHANGE AT THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL, BUT WE TALKED THAT OVER WITH HER. AND I THINK SHE CONCURRED THAT IT WAS TIME FOR HER TO MAKE A CHANGE FOR HER CAREER PATH ALSO.))


[sot 16:29:18]

((CRAIG BIEBER/VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY: IT'S HIGHLY UNUSUAL IN THAT POLITICAL APPOINTEES NORMALLY GET ONE MONTH'S SEVERANCE PAY UPON TERMINATION AND THAT'S IT. IT'S ALSO UNUSUAL THAT SOMEBODY WHO IS THE FOCUS OF AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION... WOULD RECIEVE A REWARD.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :00]
[SUPER=01-Craig Bieber/Virginia Democratic Party; :13]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=a reward.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Byrd-Harden is the former director of the state N-double-A-C-P.
But the head of the Legislative Black Caucus -- Delegate Jerrauld Jones -- says her management record is poor, and the severance package is unwarranted and unothodox.
(------------)



[confederate-veterans]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-22 TC1:55:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The Governor took on race matters in another venue today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


Gilmore met with the Sons of Confederate Veterans and United Daughters of the Confederacy over Confederate History Month.
The new twist is that they brought two black Virginians to help make their arguments.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:14:51]
[IN Q=We need]

((JERRI HOLLINS/HAMPTON HISTORIAN: WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AGAIN. IT'S A SPIRITUAL THING NOW PEOPLE... THEIR PEOPLE FOUGHT FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED IN.))
[SUPER=01-Jerri Hollins/Hampton Historian;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=believed in.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Governor says he plans to mull the issue over for several more months.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=None]


That's despite a threat from the N-double-A-C-P to pursue a national economic boycott of Virginia if he does NOT promise by "mid-fall" to never issue another Confederate History Month proclamation.

[New-exit]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-25 TC1:15:25]
[GRAPHIC=highway Construction]


Virginia Tech fans heading to Sunday's season opener will see a new formation on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]


Construction crews have been working around the clock to complete exit 118B, which will provide more direct access from the interstate to the route 460 bypass near Blacksburg.
Drivers should still expect delays. Construction continues in the area, but V-DOT is encouraging tech fans to leave home early and pay attention to road signs.
(------------)



[Amherst-Wreck]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-30 TC1:10:20]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]


A woman and an infant were hurt in a two- car crash in Amherst County this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]


State police say 17- year- old Nichole Bonsie (BON-see) was trying to cross Route 29 when her car was struck broadside by a vehicle traveling south.
A six- week- old boy in Bonsie's car was thrown from his car seat.. he's listed in critical condition at the U-V-A Medical Center.
Bonsie was expected to be treated and released from Lynchburg General.
Authorities say she may be charged with failing to yield the right of way.
(------------)



[Botetourt-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-39 TC04:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]


For the third time in a year, students at James River High School are coping with the loss of a classmate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]


Eleventh grader Stephanie Woodson was killed after leaving school Thursday afternoon.
Authorities say she she lost control of her car on Route 43 and hit some trees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:17]
[IN Q=I think the most difficult thing]

((LARRY JOURNELL/PRINCIPAL: I THINK THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IS DEALING WITH KIDS WHO ARE NOT ACCUSTOMED TO AND SHOULDN'T BE ACCUSTOMED TO LOSING KIDS WHEN YOU'RE A TEENAGER))
[SUPER=01-Larry Journell/Principal]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=a teenager]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


(jur-NELL) Journell says almost every year since he's been principal a student has been killed, many in automobile accidents.
The school was already constructing a memorial to fallen students.
(------------)



[Roanoke-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC29:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke Superintendent Dr. Wayne Harris says a recent N-double-A-C-P report stating the city school system violated the Civil Rights Act contains false information. Harris says an investigation into allegations of discrimination is being conducted by the Office of Civil Rights, because of a complaint filed last year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

But he says the investigation hasn't turned up ANY violations.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is..]

((WAYNE HARRIS/SUPERINTENDENT: THERE IS NO DATA THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO SAY THERE IS SYSTEMATIC DISCRIMINATION AGAINST CHILDREN IN ROANOKE CITY. AND ANYONE WHO ALLEGES THAT - THEY'RE NOT BEING HONEST.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City Superintendent]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=not being honest.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Harris will meet with the Office of Civil Rights next month to discuss any issues of concern that result from the investigation. But he won't discuss specifics at this time.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]


Roanoke's internet talk show has dropped off the web and its host has dropped out of sight.
We'll hear his foreshadowed final sign-off next on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


And Moneta losses its last downtown rail crossing. Now some stores fear they might lose business.
(----------------)



[Doc-Rivers]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-19 TC1:47:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
The host of Roanoke's only Internet talk show has disappeared.
Seven weeks ago Doc Rivers signed off for the weekend and didn't come back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-July 7; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Culverhouse/Rev.Net Vice President; :21]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./March 21; :27]
[SUPER=@keith1; :40]
[SUPER=01-Doyle Edgerton/Rev.Net President; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=compensation package.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT Rev.Net archives]
[IN Q=Good morning.]

((GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO THE DOC RIVERS SHOW, LIVE FROM TANGLEWOOD MALL IN ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=in Roanoke, Virginia.]


We called up the final show this week on Rev.Net's archives. Rivers' sign-off sounded like he knew, then, he wouldn't be back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:13:10]
[IN Q=We'll see you]

((WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON THE DOC RIVERS SHOW. I EXPECT YOU'LL BE BACK WITH US MONDAY. HOPE SO. MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.
WE'LL SEE. MIGHT BE A BIG SURPRISE. YOU NEVER KNOW.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=You never know.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:53 -yesterday's interview]
[IN Q=I guess that's]

((I GUESS THAT'S TECHNICALLY THE LAST CONTACT WE'VE HAD IN THAT WE KNOW HE DID A SHOW ON OR ABOUT THE 10TH OF JULY.)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=10th of July.]


The show had been on the Net for a little over six months, originating from a store front in the Mall.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT Standup]
[IN Q=The store front is]

((THE STORE FRONT IS EMPTY NOW, LOCKED UP AND READY TO BE LEASED TO SOMEBODY ELSE. EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT $5,000 TO $8,000 WORTH OF EQUIPMENT DISAPPEARED ALONG WITH DOC RIVERS, SOMEONE MIGHT SUSPECT HE MET WITH FOUL PLAY.)) [RUNS17]
[OUT Q=with foul play.]


More than half the equipment belonged to Rev.Net.
Several weeks ago, Rev.Net got an e-mail message from someone purporting to be Rivers, admitting he took the equipment "out of anger," but promising to return it. Police are trying to determine the source of the message.
One week before the final show, Rev.Net had re-revised the terms of Rivers' contract.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:36:05 Today's interview]
[IN Q=Everyone clearly]

((EVERYONE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT THEY WERE OWED, AND WHAT WAS EXPECTED, AND CERTAINLY THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT PART OF THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=compensation package.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]


Roanoke County Police are investigating the case as a "possible failure to return leased property."
No charges have been filed.

[Robb-IDA]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-34 TC10:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business now have more of a reason to stay in Martinsville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]


Senator Chuck Robb handed over 700 thousand dollars of federal funds to the Martinsville Industrial Development Authority.
The money will be used to buy the old Tultex headquarters.
That will be turned into a small business incubator.
Its purpose will be to help new business owners become stable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:46]
[IN Q=One of the things]

((SENATOR CHUCK ROBB/(D)-VA: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO IS TO FIND WAYS TO STIMULATE NEW ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. SO THIS GIVES THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE A FOCAL POINT FOR THIS ACTIVITY.))
[SOT 13:47]

(( WE'LL MOVE ON TOWARDS PUTTING TENANTS IN THAT BUILDING WHO WILL HOPEFULLY SHOW ENTREPRENEURIAL FLARE AND SPIRIT IN CREATING NEW AND GROWING BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=@Robb;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=in the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The building should be up and ready in six months. There could be up to 30 tenants.
(------------)



[Stocks]


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


A mixed end to the week on Wall Street. [TAKE DOW, NASDAQ & BLOOMBERG PAGE ]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-x/9.89/11192.63/y/10.60/4042.68/y/0.13/116.25;]


The DOW gained ten points, but NASDAQ lost 11.
The Bloomberg News 7 Index lost about a tenth of a point.
(-------------)

[VO]
[SUPER=431-i!/35a/i@/31e/ig/51g/i1a/25!/h@/3;]
[SUPER=432-i1@/50f/i$/29@/h!/42&/h$/59b/hr/34;]
[SUPER=433-h!/21d/u/16d/ib/26%/h#/32!/u/12;]
[SUPER=434-i!/50a/i1!/52/h1f/43a/i!/57/h1!/50f;]



[Moneta-Crossing]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-27 TC47:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Driving or walking across railroad tracks may soon be a thing of the past. Railroads are shutting down crossings nationwide, so people don't get hit. Today a piece of track in Bedford County closed. Tina Tenret shows us how this could save lives -- but kill people's livelihoods.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This marks]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]
[SUPER=@Tina1;]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Haymaker/Store Owner;]
[SUPER=01-Jim Hunt/Store Owner;]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Moneta]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((NAT SOT TRAIN WHISTLE))

[RUNS:03] No one's ever been hit crossing the tracks in Moneta, but with 20 trains barreling through daily, Norfolk Southern's sick of playing the odds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]

((nat sound drilling)) [RUNS:03] So for safety reasons, they are barricading Route 122 where it crosses the tracks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:40:04]
[IN Q= Before it would]

((TINA TENRET/NEWS7: BEFORE IT WOULD TAKE JUST A COUPLE SECONDS TO DRIVE OR WALK ALONG THESE TRACKS BUT NOW IF YOU WANT TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE A MILE LONG LOOP ALONG THE BYPASS.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=ALONG THE BYPASS]

This cuts Moneta in half. The Haymakers watch from their old produce store -- now shut down like most storefronts this side of the tracks. These buildings were spotlighted in the movie What About Bob -- they used to pull in tourists.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:01:02]
[IN Q=Customers just slowly]

((DEBBIE HAYMAKER/STOREOWNER: CUSTOMERS JUST SLOWLY QUIT COMING. I GUESS THEY FELT IT WAS FASTER TO GO ON DOWN THE ROAD THAN TO TURN AND COME IN HERE.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=come in here]

Across the tracks: a boat repair shop, ministry, antiques store, and a welder.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
((NAT SOT WELDER))

[RUNS:03] Specialty shop owners don't mind the dead end.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:13:08]
[IN Q=If you have]

((JIM HUNT/STOREOWNER: IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PRODUCT AND YOU'RE SERVING YOUR CUSTOMERS RIGHT IN THE ANTIQUES BUSINESS, THEY KEEP COMING BACK YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEY'LL FIND YOU.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=they'll find you]

Storeowners on both sides worry new business won't move in here without through traffic. Then again, with the economic explosion of Smith Mountain Lake, they may have no choice but to snatch up the land by the tracks. Tina Tenret News7 Moneta ))

[Green-Bank]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-26 TC1:17:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]


More than ten years after a huge radiotelescope collapsed in West Virginia, its replacement is now aimed at the stars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Green Bank, WV]


The Green Bank Telescope is the largest fully-steerable dish antenna in the world. It was dedicated during ceremonies this afternoon.
Taller than the Statue of Liberty, the telescope will allow scientists to probe such mysteries as the birth of galaxies.
(-------------)



[Sports tease]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Qualifying from Bristol, Michael Vick talks about the season opener Sunday,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


and the team that finished one spot better than Tech last season, Florida State, is gearing up for the college football season opener tomorrow.
(------------)


[S-Qualify]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-66 ]
[GRAPHIC=Bristol Logo]


A shower rolled through Bristol this afternoon delaying the start of qualifying for Saturday Night's Goracing-Dot-Com 400.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bristol, TN/ESPN; :]


But as soon as the track was dried a new track record was set in the early portion of qualifying. Mike Skinner turned the high banked oval at a speed of 125 point 175 to sit on the pole with over half the field left to run.
Jerry Nadeau, who went out 2-nd, turned in a speed of 125 point 109 and that is good enough for the outside pole for the moment.
(------------)
[TALENT=Steve]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]


Since then, Rusty Wallace has moved to the pole position with a speed of 125 point 477 while Jeff Gordon holds down the outside pole with a speed of 125 point 469.
We'll have the top 25 tonight at 11.





[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-67 12015TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH FOOTBALL]


Tech officials say less than 450 tickets remain for Sunday's BCA Bowl at Lane Stadium. The game marks the start of Michael Vick's run for the Heisman, and the sophmore says he's much better prepared for Ga. Tech than he was for JMU last season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/3 Rushing TDs In 1999 Debut; :00]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=I like to do."]
(------------)

[WIPE TO PINNACLE 1033] And remember - our Tech 200 - Victory Tour special comes your way tomorrow night at seven.
(------------)



[S-FSU]


[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-76 46:00]
[GRAPHIC=UVa football]


The Virginia Cavaliers open the season next Saturday at Scotts Stadium against Brigham Young University.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Provo, UT/September 25, 1999; :00]

The Wahoos out scored the Cougars 45-40 in a shootout in Provo last season. BYU opens this season against UVa's ACC rival and defending national champion Florida State tomorrow in the Pigskin Classic. 28 year old quarterback Chris Weinke returned for his final year will join Michael Vick as a Heisman contender.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="My]
[SUPER=01-Chris Weinke/Florida State Senior Quarterback; :00]

((CHRIS WEINKE/FLORIDA STATE SENIOR QUARTERBACK:))
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=....end of the year"]
(-------------)


[S-VMI]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-77]
[GRAPHIC=VMI football]


VMI opens the season at home September second against Duquesne.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Spartanburg, SC; :00]


Recently, News 7 sports caught up with VMI alumni and Detroit Lions head coach Bobby Ross and asked him about his thoughts on a program that was 1 and 10 last season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Ross/Detroit Lions Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cal McCombs/VMI Football Coach; :]
[RUNS=:36]
[OUT Q=.....VMI alumni"]
(-----------)




[S-Skins]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-72 11539TC]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]


Tonight marks the final opportunity for Washington Redskins' coaches to access players on the bubble of making the team or not making the team as the Skins take on Pittsburgh in the last pre-season game for Washington. Sunday the Skins must cut 14 player to get down to the final 53 man roster. Former Patrick Henry and Duke standout Chris Combs will once again start o the d-line for the Steelers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ashburn; :00]

Quarterback Brad Johnson has an infected toe and will not play tonight. The Skins say the injury is very minor. That means Jeff George will get the start. And after going against him all summer long in practice Deion Sanders says the Steelers secondary better be ready.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When you are playing...]

((DEION SANDERS:))
[SUPER=01-Deion Sanders/Redskins Cornerback; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...TO PREPARE AGAINST."]
(-------------)

[VO NAT CON'T] Former Hokie Tyronne Drakeford, who was picked up in the off-season, has fought injuries all preseason, and he will make his Redskins' debut tonight.
(--------------)


by SS