WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 09/06/00

[7-Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=rubatex]

The Rubatex Corporation in Bedford has accused its production workers' union of unfair labor practices. The complaint was filed yesterday with the National Labor Relations Board. It contends that negotiators for United Steelworkers Local 240 lied to union members about the company's position, harassed replacement workers, falsely disparaged Rubatex products and delayed bargaining sessions. The union voted to end its nine-month strike without an agreement in June. The dispute centers on payments for retiree health care benefits.

[7-Vinton-Chief]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton PD New Chief]
There's a new police chief on duty in Vinton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT@00-34;TC 07:16]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Last Month]
Former Pulaski chief of police, Herbert Cooley, was hired by city council last month. He started work yesterday. Cooley has 34 -years of law enforcement experience. He says as the head of Vinton's 18-person police department, he plans to focus on community policing, in an effort to improve the department's tarnished image.
(------------)

[7-11New-River]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-26 TC1:27:49]
[GRAPHIC=New River Castings]
A host of safety violations has been levelled against New River Castings, now New River Foundry.
The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry slapped Intermet with 801-thousand dollars in fines in a report released yesterday. This comes exactly six months after the explosion that killed three people.
Marya Jones tell us why attorneys for the victims and their families are saying that could be just the beginning.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The 28-page report]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :00]
[SUPER=01-Edward Anderson/Karen Hamilton's Father; :19]
[SUPER=04-March; :27]
[SUPER=01-Doug Howell/Plant HR Manager; :58 ]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Blacksburg.]
(( The 28-page report depicts a plant that failed to train and protect its workers from the dangers within. [***cover with pre-pro'd board***]
It charges the company with 21 willful violations and 20 labeled "serious."
Together, they carry 801-thousand dollars in penalties. [BACK TO VIDEO]
Family members of Karen Hamilton, who died in the blast, say it's too little too late.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:49:43 - :57]
((EDWARD ANDERSON: IT'S A JOKE. BECAUSE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THERE AND DONE THEIR JOB BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. NOT WAIT TILL AN ACCIDENT LIKE THIS HAPPENS.)) [RUNS:07]
Investigators found that a chemical used to help make auto parts leaked into the plant's basement for two days before the explosion.
The report indicates that it could have been ignited by workers welding or smoking in the area. [***cover with pre-pro'd quote from Intermet spokesman Mike Kelly***]
An Intermet spokesman says: "We are reviewing these citations, as well as the results of our own investigation. To the extent we have not already done so, we will incorporate any findings into our own ongoing safety initiatives."
(/////SOT/////)
[NATSOUND] ((QUICK NATS: WORK AT PLANT TODAY)) [RUNS:02]
Meanwhile, Intermet tried to get business booming again as 52 more workers joined about 150 already there.
The company promises a cleaner, safer, "model" plant.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:47:48 - :53]
((DOUG HOWELL/PLANT HR MANAGER: IT'S GOING TO BE A SHOWPLACE FROM BOTH A PRODUCTION STANDPOINT AND A SAFETY STANDPOINT WITHIN THE CORPORATION.)) [RUNS:05] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: NOW, ATTORNEYS ARE LINING UP TO FILE SUIT, THOUGH THEY HAVEN'T DONE SO YET. AND THE COMPANY'S TROUBLES MAY NOT END THERE. THE CITY OF RADFORD STILL HASN'T PUT OUT ITS REPORT ON THE EXPLOSION. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY RANDALL DUNCAN SAYS THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AHEAD. MARYA JONES, NEWS-7, BLACKSBURG.))
[RUNS= :14]))

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Taking a break from the news to check the mid- week forecast...
Turning Mostly sunny today with highs in the low to mid 70s.

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly/Sunny/70-75/Partly/Cloudy/45-50;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[45-11Corporal-Punishment]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Am Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=500-18 41:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's Social Services Board voted to allow foster parents to physically discipline children in their care in June.
(---------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
But yesterday, only one of every ten speakers supported the proposed policy on corporal punishment.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape two 14:21:08]
[IN Q=I'm convinced]
((JIM FIORELLI/GOVERNOR'S BOARD ON ABUSE AND NEGLECT: I'M CONVINCED THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN LOVING PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE, YES, EVEN SPANKING, IS APPROPRIATE. SUCH DISCIPLINE PROVIDES THE CHILD WITH A CLEAR KNOWLEDGE OF APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF SECURITY AND LOVE.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Fiorelli/Gov. Board on Abuse and Neglect;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=security and love.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But the vast majority of those who spoke say -- whether you believe in spanking or shaking children or NOT -- it should never happen to foster children, most of whom are already abuse victims.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE ON 10:57:54]
[IN Q=If you can]
((BEVERLY LYLES/PEDIATRIC NURSE: IF YOU TELL CARETAKERS YOU CAN SHAKE THIS CRYING BABY, AS LONG AS IT IS NOT HARSH OR ABUSIVE, WILL ANY OF THEM HAVE THE SAME DEFINITION OF HARSH AND ABUSIVE? WILL ANY OF THEM KNOW JUST HOW MUCH SHAKING IT TAKES TO MAKE THAT BABY'S BRAIN BLEED AND SWELL, TO MAKE HIS EYES HEMORRHAGE, TO MAKE HIM STOP BREATHING, TO MAKE HIM DIE?))
[SUPER=01-Beverly Lyles/Pediatric Nurse;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=him die?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Social Services Board will receive written public comment for two more weeks.
It will probably vote again on its policy in October.
(------------)

[45-11Waterworks]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC1:15:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Waterworks customer at Smith Mountain Lake had to pay a thousand dollars for water-- now state officials know why.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./April;]
[TAPE#=00-08 TC38:58]
Robert Winney has been punished by the State Corporation Commission before for overcharging customers and threatening to cut off their service. Yesterday, Winney said he billed a customer one thousand dollars for water service because the resident is not in his company territory. The customer DOES live in one of the three subdivisions served by Waterworks. The State Corporation Commission will rule on this case next week.
(------------)

[45-11Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]
A four and a half million dollar lawsuit has been filed by a former Virginia Tech student charged, and then cleard of abducting an exotic dancer.
The defendants include employees of a Roanoke escort service, three television stations, and several news employees of those stations.
Ryan Worch alleges the escort service employees caused "severe emotional distress" by lying to police. And he accuses WDBJ, WSET and WSLS-TV of libel by reporting on the criminal charges as they did.
WDBJ News Director Jim Kent said yesterday: "We reported on the filing of criminal charges all the way through to their outcome."
The charges were dropped several months later.

[45-11L'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Kimberly]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-25 TC1:24:57]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]
Plans are on hold to renovate Lynchburg's baseball stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

In a unanimous vote yesterday, city council opted to postpone renovations until more money can be raised.
The lowest bid by a contractor exceeded the budget by one point seven million dollars.
The stadium design team will continue to raise money until next season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Whatever they]
((RAY BOOTH/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR: WHATEVER THEY GET, WE'LL DESIGN IT TO FIT THE BUDGET. HOPEFULLY WITH ALLOWING MORE TIME, TWO SEASONS, CONTRACTORS WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE COMPETITIVE BIDS.))
[SUPER=01-Ray Booth/Public Works Director]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=competative bids.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Stadium renovations were discussed when the Hillcats renewed their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Officials say postponing the renovations will have no effect on the affiliation.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Let's turn to the forecast again...
Finally, sunshine is coming back.. Look for mostly sunny skies with highs in the lower 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly/Sunny/70-75/Partly/Cloudy/45-50;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[8-Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=rubatex]

Rubatex in Bedford is accusing its production worker's union of unfair labor practices. The complaint was filed yesterday with the National Labor Relations Board. It contends that negotiators for United Steelworkers Local 240 lied to union members about the company's position, harassed replacement workers, falsely disparaged Rubatex products and delayed bargaining sessions. The union voted to end its nine-month strike without an agreement in June. The dispute centers on payments for retiree health care benefits.

[8-11L'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-25 TC1:24:57]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]
For now, Lynchburg city council is balking at plans to renovate the city's baseball stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

In a unanimous vote yesterday, city council opted to postpone renovations until more money can be raised.
The lowest bid by a contractor exceeded the budget by one point seven million dollars.
The stadium design team will continue to raise money until next season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Whatever they]
((RAY BOOTH/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR: WHATEVER THEY GET, WE'LL DESIGN IT TO FIT THE BUDGET. HOPEFULLY WITH ALLOWING MORE TIME, TWO SEASONS, CONTRACTORS WILL BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE COMPETITIVE BIDS.))
[SUPER=01-Ray Booth/Public Works Director]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=competative bids.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Stadium renovations were discussed when the Hillcats renewed their affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Officials say postponing the renovations will have no effect on the affiliation.
(------------)

[8-11Corporal-Punishment]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=500-18 41:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A ruling by Virginia's Social Services Board to allow foster parents to physically discipline children in their care brought a public debate.
(---------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Yesterday, only one of every ten speakers supported the proposed policy on corporal punishment.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape two 14:21:08]
[IN Q=I'm convinced]
((JIM FIORELLI/GOVERNOR'S BOARD ON ABUSE AND NEGLECT: I'M CONVINCED THAT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN LOVING PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE, YES, EVEN SPANKING, IS APPROPRIATE. SUCH DISCIPLINE PROVIDES THE CHILD WITH A CLEAR KNOWLEDGE OF APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF SECURITY AND LOVE.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Fiorelli/Gov. Board on Abuse and Neglect;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=security and love.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But the vast majority of those who spoke say -- whether you believe in spanking or shaking children or NOT -- it should never happen to foster children, most of whom are already abuse victims.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE ON 10:57:54]
[IN Q=If you can]
((BEVERLY LYLES/PEDIATRIC NURSE: IF YOU TELL CARETAKERS YOU CAN SHAKE THIS CRYING BABY, AS LONG AS IT IS NOT HARSH OR ABUSIVE, WILL ANY OF THEM HAVE THE SAME DEFINITION OF HARSH AND ABUSIVE? WILL ANY OF THEM KNOW JUST HOW MUCH SHAKING IT TAKES TO MAKE THAT BABY'S BRAIN BLEED AND SWELL, TO MAKE HIS EYES HEMORRHAGE, TO MAKE HIM STOP BREATHING, TO MAKE HIM DIE?))
[SUPER=01-Beverly Lyles/Pediatric Nurse;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=him die?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Social Services Board will receive written public comment for two more weeks.
It will probably vote again on its policy in October.
(------------)

[8-Vinton-Chief]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton PD New Chief]
There's a new police chief on duty in Vinton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT@00-34;TC 07:16]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Last Month]
Former Pulaski chief of police, Herbert Cooley, was hired by town council last month. He started work yesterday. Cooley has 34 -years of law enforcement experience. He says as the head of Vinton's 18-person police department, he plans to focus on community policing, in an effort to improve the department's tarnished image. (------------)