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

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Coming Up--
Celanese workers will hit the ballot box again today as they vote on the company's latest contract proposal.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And more Verizon employees will be back to work today after the nearly three- week- old strike comes to an end.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Get your Friday started with us-- News 7 Mornin is next.

[11Celanese]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC55:50]
[GRAPHIC=Celanese Contract Vote]


Celanese and union officials are hoping the third time's the charm as workers continue to vote today on the latest contract proposal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]


THIS offer from the Giles County acetate plant won union leaders' full approval.
[SUPER=03-Narrows/August 11;]


Workers rejected Celco's second proposal by a two-to-one margin less than two weeks ago.
The latest deal still does NOT cut back on mandatory overtime... but workers say it DOES raise wages, pensions and offer a large signing bonus.
We'll have the results of the vote at Giles County's largest employer for you tonight on News 7.
(------------)



[11Verizon]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-22 TC1:54:22]
[GRAPHIC=Strike Ends]


More Verizon employees will be back on the job today. About 100 workers in Virginia went back to work yesterday after the 18-day strike.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Customers have been put on hold while management has been left to fill the void left by more than 80 thousand striking workers.
College students are among those who have been hardest hit by the strike.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The backlog for]
[00:33:32 tape= today's Verizon]

((THE BACKLOG FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COME BACK IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AS BUILT UP. WE'LL BE ABLE TO INSTALL THOSE LINES, A MAJORITY OF THEM IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. A NUMBER OF THOSE CAN BE DONE IN THE OFFICE.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Rieley/Verizon Virginia]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=in the office.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Most of the striking workers are expected to return to work today.
They must return by tomorrow evening.
(------------)



[11Monty-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-33 TC18:29]
[GRAPHIC=aCCIDENT]


A two car accident in Montgomery County sent one person to the hospital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]


It happened on Pilot Road just before 10 o'clock last night.
State Police say a car t-boned another car causing it to slide into a nearby creek bed.
One man was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Lifeguard 10, another man suffered only minor injuries.
State Police are reconstructing the accident to figure out what happened.
So far no names are being released.
(------------)



[11Bot-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=acr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


A woman died in a single car accident on Route 43 in Botetourt County.
Authorities say it happened after three yesterday afternoon.
The driver veered off the road, overcorrected, veered off the same side again and hit a couple of trees.
She was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where she later died.
Police say they don't believe the woman was wearing a seat belt and have not released her identity.

[Firestone]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Firestone Recall]


Congress is now involved in the investigation of Firestone tires.
Staff members from the House Commerce Committee will meet with Ford officials today, to go over documents related to the tire recall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA;]


Meanwhile, some former Firestone workers are testifying that the company has a serious quality control problem.
The company says the ex- employees are trying to get revenge after leaving during a labor strike.
But one tire expert says Firestone uses an old compound that doesn't form a chemical bond to hold the tread to the tire.
Congress will hold hearings on the recall sometime next month.
(------------)


[11Emu]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-28 TC1:05:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Two Montgomery County families have found a rare friend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]


This emu (EEM-Yoo) has moved in to Jamie Hegarty's back yard.
The 5-foot tall, flightless Australian bird showed up there Saturday morning and has won its hosts' hearts.
They call her "Ethel."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:33 - :42]
[IN Q=The animal]

((BONNIE WOOLWINE/EMU SITTER: THE ANIMAL WAS STANDING IN MY FRONT YARD ALMOST AT THE PICTURE WINDOW JUST LOOKING IN THE WINDOW ... A PEEPING EMU.))
[SOT 22:01 - :10]

((CHARLIE LYNCH/EMU SITTER: OH ETHEL. I LIKE ETHEL. SHE DON'T SAY MUCH, SHE'S NOT LIKE TYPICAL WOMEN. SHE'S PRETTY QUIET AND SHE'LL EAT OUT OF YOUR HAND.))
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Woolwine/Emu Sitter; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Lynch/Emu Sitter; :10]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=one or the other.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


Ethel traveled several miles to reach the families' backyards in Pilot.
The bird's REAL owners now say they can't keep her.
A Montgomery County animal warden says that several people who keep emus have offered to adopt her.
(------------)




[11Mountain-View]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=acr]
[TAPE#=00-39 TC04:12]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]

The Mountain View Market on Route 220 has closed its doors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The market has been around for decades and has passed through many hands. It hasn't always been a grocery store. It was once a beer joint. Customers who stopped in the Market last night say they remember coming here years ago. The Market was here even before big stores like Wal-Mart and Lowes moved in next door. An employee says the owner of the property has sold the land so the Mountain View Market can be torn down.. A Stop-In store will be built in its place.
(------------)



[11AMA-President]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-25]
[GRAPHIC=Amer. Med. Assoc.]


The President of the American Medical Association is at odds with Governor Jim Gilmore over using tobacco settlement money for problems other than health care.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]


Doctor Randolph Smoak was the keynote speaker at the Rotary Club of Salem yesterday.
He says using the tobacco settlement money for things like transportation as Governor Gilmore has proposed, is a misuse of funds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:13]
[IN Q=A member of an elected]

((DR. RANDOLPH/AMA PRES.: A MEMBER OF AN ELECTED OFFICE WHO USES FUNDS NOT INTENDED FOR THE PURPOSE IS LIKE TAKING YOUR LOVED ONE A SHOVING THEM OF THE PORCH. IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE. THEY WILL DO THINGS THAT WILL BE HARMFUL TO SOMEONE'S THAT CLOSE TO THEM. AND THEY'RE ACTING IN AN IRRESPONSIBLE MANNER))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Randolph Smoak/American Medical Assn. President;]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=manner]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Smoak says the money should be used to prevent people from starting to smoke and to help those who do smoke quit.
(------------)



[11Therapeutic-Community]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-23 TC1:32:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Botetourt County prison is expanding a new drug treatment program.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

Camp 25 is a minimum security prison using therapeutic communities to crack drug habits. Inmates form families, make their own rules, and confront fellow inmates who break them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:59:32]
[IN Q=I came in here]

((CHRIS CUMMINGS/INMATE: I CAME IN HERE THINKING I WAS PERFECT. I CAME IN HERE THINKING THIS WILL BE A BREEZE UNTIL I WAS SLAPPED IN THE FACE WITH MYSELF AND THE IGNORANCE I WAS ACTING ON.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Cummings/Inmate;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=I was acting on]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Camp 25 actually cut its population by 60 inmates to make more space for the drug treatment. Garren Gatling, who's been in prison ten years, says this program's different.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:03:03]
[IN Q=It may sound strange]

((GARREN GATLING/INMATE: IT MAY SOUND STRANGE IN A PRISON ENVIRONMENT BUT LOVE. I'VE SEEN COMPASSION IN THE EYES OF EVEN SOME OF THE OFFICERS AND SOME OF THE STAFF HERE. THEY GIVE YOU MORE INPUT. SOME EVEN SEEM REAL LIKE THEY REALLY WANT TO HELP YOU.))
[SUPER=01-Garren Gatling/Inmate;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=to help you]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Counselors say the program is too new to measure its success.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


It costs almost two thousand dollars per inmate every year.

[Health-Check]


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


In medical news, the latest numbers concerning teen smoking are out.
Bobbi Harley has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Bobbi Harley/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((Information:
ONCAM=BOBBI

((on cam)) THERE'S GOOD AND BAD NEWS TO REPORT ON THE WAR AGAINST TEEN SMOKING.
VT=VO

((vo)) FIRST THE GOOD NEWS. THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO LIGHT UP OCCASIONALLY DROPPED IN 19-99.
NOW THE BAD NEWS. THE PROPORTION OF STUDENTS WHO DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS REGULAR SMOKERS WENT UP LAST YEAR.
THE STATISTICS FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL ARE BASED ON QUESTIONNAIRES GIVEN TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY THESE LATEST NUMBERS ARE CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
BUT THEY'RE STILL HOPEFUL THEY CAN CUT THE RATE OF TEEN SMOKING IN HALF OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

VT=VO

((vo)) ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TREAT HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN.
THAT'S THE FINDING OF A NEW STUDY RELEASED IN THIS WEEK'S NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.
THESE LATEST RESULTS BACK UP AN EARLIER STUDY WHICH FOUND THAT HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY DOES NOT STOP ARTERIES FROM CLOGGING.
BUT DOCTORS SAY THIS DOES NOT MEAN POST MENO-PAUSAL WOMEN SHOULD STOP TAKING ESTROGEN.
THE HORMONES HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO PREVENT CRIPPLING OSTEOPOROSIS.

VT=VO

((vo)) ONE WAY TO PREVENT HEART DISEASE IN WOMAN DOCTORS SAY IS TO ADOPT A HEALTHY LIFE STYLE.
THAT MEANS CUTTING OUT BAD HABITS LIKE SMOKING AND ADOPTING A HEALTHY DIET RICH IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF ANOTHER STUDY IN THIS WEEK'S NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.
IT FOUND THE RATE OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN WOMEN DROPPED BY 31 PERCENT BETWEEN 1980 AND 19-94..LARGELY BECAUSE WOMEN CHANGED THEIR LIFESTYLE.

ONCAM=BOBBI

((on cam)) AND THAT'S A LOOK AT THE DAY IN HEALTH. I'M BOBBI HARLEY, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))
(ad lib to weather)


[11Recycling]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC27:43]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Football]


The Virginia Tech Hokies are getting ready for Sunday's game.
If you're a fan planning on tailgating you may see something different.
Kate Weidaw has more on the Hokie Igloo.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;:00]
[SUPER=04-1998;:10]
[SUPER=01-Larry Bechtel/Recycling Coordinator;:16 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Doug Dodson/Food Services Director;:54]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:10]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Blacksburg.]

(([NAT SOUND 8:29:32]
[RUNS= 3]


The Hokie Igloo has arrived.

[SOT 8:46:35]
[INQ=]

((LARRY BECHTEL/RECYCLING COORDINATOR: WE'RE GOING TO PUT THEM AROUND THE PARKING LOT AND ENTRANCES TO THE STADIUM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]



Empty beer cans left by tailgaters at Virginia Tech now have a place to go instead of being pitched in the trash can.

[SOT 8:46:06]
[INQ=]

((LARRY BECHTEL: WE'RE GOING TO BE CIRCULATING AROUND WITH THESE CLEAR BAGS IT'S THAT SIMPLE AND WE'RE GOING TO ASK PEOPLE TO PUT THEIR CANS AND BOTTLES LIKE THEIR HOKIE WATER BOTTLE IN THESE BAGS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]


The idea of recycling at the game came from fans who got sick and tired of seeing recyclable items left in the dumpster. But will tailgaters actually pitch their cans in the igloo?

[SOT 8:45:51]
[INQ=]

((LARRY BECHTEL: I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE IT WILL WORK BUT WE'LL HAVE OUR PROBLEMS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 3]


The recycling crew has more than just beer cans to worry about. The vendors at the stadium already have boxes of food pilling up.

[SOT 9:22:35]
[INQ=]

((DOUG DODSON/FOOD SERVICES DIRECTOR: I'LL BRING IN A COUPLE THOUSAND POUNDS OF HOT DOGS FOR THE GAME, 4 OR 5 THOUSAND PRETZELS MANY GALLONS OF SODA.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]


Dodson says there's no need to worry about their trash it's already part of the recycling plan.
[NAT SOUND FOOTBALL]
[RUNS= 2]


So as the Hokies embark on a new season of football, Tech hopes the Hokie Igloo will be a winning idea. Kate Weidaw News 7 Blacksburg.))
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


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


Two votes down-- but one more to go for Celanese workers.
Union employees continue voting on the company's latest contract proposal today.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


Phone service and repairs won't be on hold any longer as more Verizon employees return to work today. About 100 Virginia workers went back yesterday after the 18-day strike.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And a PETA billboard that reads "Got Prostate Cancer?" isn't drawing many laughs from New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani or the dairy industry.
We'll explain.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Friday, August 25th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-11Celanese]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC55:50]
[GRAPHIC=Celanese Contract Vote]


Celanese workers will continue to vote on the latest contract proposal today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]


THIS offer from the Giles County acetate plant won union leaders' full approval.
[SUPER=03-Narrows/August 11;]


Workers rejected Celco's second proposal by a two-to-one margin less than two weeks ago.
The latest deal still does NOT cut back on mandatory overtime... but workers say it DOES raise wages, pensions and offer a large signing bonus.
We'll have the results of the vote at Giles County's largest employer for you tonight on News 7.
(------------)



[2-11Verizon]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-22 TC1:54:22]
[GRAPHIC=Strike Ends]


More Verizon employees are returning to their jobs today. About 100 workers in Virginia went back to work yesterday after the 18-day strike.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Customers have been put on hold while management has been left to fill the void of more than 80 thousand striking workers.
College students are among those who have been hardest hit by the strike.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The backlog for]
[00:33:32 tape= today's Verizon]

((THE BACKLOG FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COME BACK IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AS BUILT UP. WE'LL BE ABLE TO INSTALL THOSE LINES, A MAJORITY OF THEM IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. A NUMBER OF THOSE CAN BE DONE IN THE OFFICE.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Rieley/Verizon Virginia]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=in the office.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Most of the striking workers are expected to return today.
They must return by tomorrow evening.
(------------)



[2-Firestone]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Firestone Recall]


A mystery still remains in the recall of millions of Firestone tires.
What exactly causes the tires to lose their tread?
Former Firestone employees are speaking out with what they believe is the answer.
Lee Cowan explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Max Nonnamaker/Tire Expert; :38]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; :54]
[SUPER=01-John Lampe/Bridgestone-Firestone Exec. VP; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=Lee Cowan, CBS News, Miami.]

((
(NARR:)


In Des Moines -- the police are standing in line -- waiting to get Firestone tires replaced on their fleet of Ford Explorers -- for fear they too may become the victim of a high speed blowout.

It comes as more former Firestone employees are coming forward to testify the company has a serious quality control problem.

(NARR:)


Firestone claims the workers are bitter -- trying to get revenge on a company they left during a labor strike.

But now, lawyers for a class action lawsuit...have found another former worker -- A tire expert once friendly to Firestone, who now says it's time to fess up.

(SOT MAX NONNAMAKER, TIRE EXPERT 00:05:34)

"There is a design defect that has been built into these tires."

(NARR:)


Max Nonnamaker says the problem is Firestone's use of an old compound that doesn't form a chemical bond to hold the tread to the rest of the tire -- a problem he says, the company has known about for years.

(COWAN ON CAM:)


That is adding fuel to the increasing number of calls for both Ford and Firestone to expand the tire recall. Several State Attorney Generals are now looking into how the recall is being handled, and so is Congress, with hearings expected sometime next month."

(NARR:)


Firestone is expected to be called to testify at those hearings -- launched a pre-emptive strike, with another claim that it is doing all it can.

(SOT/JOHN LAMPE, EXECUTIVE VP, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE INC.)



(NARR:)


But for the growing number of people who claim their accidents were the result of tires not part of the recall .... that is simply not enough. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington. ))

[Guiliani-Billboard]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A new ad that parodies the popular "Got Milk?" campaign isn't amusing the mayor of New York or the dairy industry....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lancaster Co., PA;]


The group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA, has a billboard showing Rudolph Giuliani wearing a milk mustache and asking: ``Got prostate cancer?''
The ad claims a connection between milk and the form of cancer for which Giuliani is receiving treatment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:07:53 ]
[IN Q=We chose the mayor]

((BRUCE FRIEDRICH/P.E.T.A.: WE CHOSE THE MAYOR, BECAUSE HE'S A NATIONALLY KNOWN PUBLIC FIGURE WHO HAS PROSTATE CANCER AND CERTAINLY, WE DO EXPECT THAT HIS PEOPLE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IF THEY SEE SOME ANONYMOUS FIGURE ON A BILLBOARD, THEY MIGHT JUST PASS IT BY. IF THEY SEE MAYOR GUIIANI, THEY MIGHT DO A DOUBLE TAKE.))
[sot 3:07:32]

((RUDOLPH GIULIANI/NEW YORK MAYOR: I'M CONSIDERING SUING THEM BECAUSE I THINK WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS OUTRAGEOUS-- TRYING TO EXPLOIT MY ILLNESS. I THINK IT WOULD BE OUTRAGEOUS IF THEY TRIED TO EXPLOIT ANYONE ELSE'S.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Friedrich/P.E.T.A.;]
[SUPER=01-Rudolph Giuliani/New York Mayor; :15]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=anyone else's.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A dairy industry spokeswoman says the PETA ad misleads the public.
Meanwhile, a Harvard study implies drinking lots of milk MIGHT increase the risk of prostate cancer, but says more research is needed.
(------------)



[11Boyd]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=John Boyd]


The head of the National Black Farmers Association is stepping down.
John Boyd says he wants to devote all of his time to his campaign for the fifth district congressional seat.
The tobacco farmer from Mecklenburg County founded the N-B-F-A in 1995.
Boyd's campaign has been struggling financially.
As of June 30, Boyd reported only 12-hundred dollars in the bank, compared to Goode's 478-thousand.

[China-Spying]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A federal judge has agreed to free a Los Alamos scientist on one- million dollars bail, while he awaits trial on charges of mishandling U-S nuclear secrets.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]


Wen Ho Lee has already been denied bail twice.
He's still behind bars until a hearing is held Tuesday to determine the conditions of his release.
The judge is proposing that Lee be required to remain at his New Mexico home under surveillance most of the time.

His phone calls and mail would be inspected, and he could only leave the house in the company of one of his attorneys.
Lee's trial is set for November.
(------------)


[11Special-ed]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-30 TC1:08:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]


This is the last week of summer vacation for Halifax County students.
School starts Monday.
But as Surae Chinn reports, some students with learning disabilities might not be attending.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Daniel Scearce has]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Angelia Scearce/Daniel's Mother; :15]
[SUPER=01-Beverly Crowder/School Principal; :40]
[SUPER=@Surae1; :57]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=News7, Halifax County.]

(( (nats 1:20:58)
Daniel Scearce has autism and has problems with change. When his routine abruptly changes he spirals into temper tantrums. That's what his family is afraid of.
[SOT 1:10:54]

((ANGELIA SCEARCE/DANIEL'S MOTHER: WHEN MONDAY ROLLS AROUND HE'S GOING TO BE UP AND READY TO GO WHEN HE SEES HIS BROTHER GET ON THAT SCHOOL BUS HE'S GOING TO WONDER WHY HE'S NOT GOING.)) [RUNS:10]
(nats 1:32:08)

[RUNS:02]
The reason is --his special education mobile unit classroom at Cluster Springs elementary school is behind schedule.
[NATS 1:21:32] ((BECAUSE HE'S SPECIAL ED THIS IS OK WELL IT'S NOT OK.)) [RUNS:02]
[SOT 1:28:37]

((BEVERLY CROWDER/SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT AND I WERE HOPING AGAINST HOPE EVERYTHING WOULD WORK OUT.))
The school says the manufacturer caused the delay. The mobile unit arrived just last week. [RUNS:05]
[SOT 1:34:30]

((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: THE MAINTENANCE CREW IS WORKING OVERTIME TO GET THE MOBILE UNIT READY. BUT THAT'S NOT HAPPENING AND SO THE SCHOOL ARRANGED ANOTHER CLASSROOM FOR DANIEL. BUT HIS FAMILY SAYS IF DANIEL'S CLASSROOM ISN'T READY HE'S NOT GOING TO SCHOOL.)) [RUNS:14] [1:12:3] ((ANGELA SCEARCE/DANIEL'S MOTHER: EVERYTHING NEEDS TO STAY THE SAME. IF HE HAS TO GO TO ANOTHER CLASSROOM FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS AND CHANGE BACK IT'S GOING TO UPSET HIM.))
Daniel's mother says his child is being treated differently and she should have known about the delay weeks ago. [RUNS:09]
[SOT 1:27:05]

((BEVERLY CROWDER/SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: I WANT ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE PROPER PLACE AT THE PROPER TIME.)) [RUNS:09]
The school superintendent says he regrets the seven special ed students will not be in their proper setting. But he couldn't control the changes. The Scearce family realize that, but they fear that Daniel might not be able to handle it. Surae Chinn, News7, Halifax County.))
(-----------------)



[11Carmen-Mooranda]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-24 TC1:05:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The State Fair of Virginia has long celebrated the "fruits of the labor" of Virginia's farming community.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


But if the fruits worn on the head of 1940s and '50s' Brazilian music icon Carmen Miranda conjure up fiesta for some ...
... a cartoonish cow named "Carmen Mooranda" and her donkey sidekick are insulting to others.
Fair general manager Brian Hessey says the theme is meant to be about Virginia's cultural diversity.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:43:21 ]
[IN Q=It certainly]

((BRIAN HESSEY/STATE FAIR OF VIRGINIA: IT CERTAINLY WASN'T OUR INTENT TO OFFEND ANYBODY.))
[sot 11:22:00]

((FRANK RAMOS/DEPT. OF MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE: I THINK IF YOU USED A COMICAL METAPHOR LIKE THIS WITH OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS, THEY WOULD BE ASKING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF THIS ORGANIZATION BECAUSE IT'S UNACCEPTABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Ramos/Dept. of Minority Bus. Enterprise; :04!!!]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=it's unacceptable.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]


So far, the Fair has NOT been cowed by the controversy -- having already mailed out 600-thousand Carmen Mooranda brochures.
The Fair kicks off September 21st.
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/Syo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


State Police say a car t-boned another car causing it to slide into a nearby creek bed in Montgomery County around 10 last night. One man was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by Lifeguard 10, another man suffered only minor injuries.
So far no names are being released.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Celanese union workers will continue to vote on the latest contract proposal today.
The latest deal still does NOT cut back on mandatory overtime... but workers say it DOES raise wages, pensions and offer a large signing bonus.
THIS offer from Celco won union leaders' full approval.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Mountain View Market on Route 220 has closed. The market had been around for decades. An employee says the owner of the property has sold the land so the Mountain View Market can be torn down.. A Stop-In store will be built in its place.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(Shannon mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Shannon ad lib weather)
(-------------)

[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Celanese workers]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=at 6 tonight.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)



(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)


(ad lib bye)
by SS