WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/30/01

[7-Depot-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Fire ravaged a Roanoke business and a slice of the city's railroad history last night. The former passenger station for the Virginian Railway was heavily damaged by fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Firefighters were called to the Depot Feed and Seed building to check a report of a trash fire. They found a trailer in flames, and the blaze quickly spread to the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:50:05]
[IN Q=The fire burnt the box trailer]
((RICK TROUTT/BATTALION CHIEF: THE FIRE BURNT THE BOX TRAILER, WENT FROM THERE INTO THE SOFFIT OF THE BUILDING, UP INTO THE ROOF. AND IT'S A TERRA COTTA TYPE ROOF. IT JUST RAN ACROSS THE ROOF LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SECOND BUILDING.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Troutt/Battalion Chief;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=down to the second building.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There are no reports of serious injuries, though a homeless man who lived nearby was treated by emergency medical personnel.
There's also no word yet on the cause, but investigators are expected at the site later this morning.
(------------)

[7-Roanoke-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC32:02]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Another blaze in Roanoke damaged a couple's home...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The blaze started early yesterday evening at a home on Shenandoah Valley Road. The homeowner says one of her tenants was filling a butane lighter when she dropped it and caught the couch on fire.

The tenant and her husband, who had just returned home from the hospital, managed to escape. Firefighters say the butane could have ignited only if she had a cigarette in her mouth.
(------------)

[7-Mascot]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:25:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A task force built to determine the future of Blacksburg High School's Indian mascot will announce its decision today.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Students will find out today if the Indian will stay or go.
Some people say the mascot is a symbol of pride ... others see it as an offensive stereotype.
A special task force made up of 30 teachers, students and community members voted on the mascot's future last night.
But they pledged not to reveal the outcome until today.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=I don't see anything]
[SOT 1:27:25 - :37]
((AURIELLE JAMES/SENIOR: I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE HAVE A LOT OF INTELLIGENT STUDENTS. THE STAFF IS GREAT. WE REPRESENT THE INDIANS WELL, SO I DON'T SEE WHY WE SHOULD CHANGE.))
[SOT 1:41:00 - :15]
((ANNA DALTON/TASK FORCE MEMBER: IT'S ONE PEOPLE TAKING ANOTHER PEOPLE AND USING THEM FOR A LUCK CHARM SO THEIR SPORTS TEAMS CAN WIN AS A SYMBOL, WHICH REDUCES A WHOLE PEOPLE DOWN TO A STEREOTYPE. TO A VERY LIMITED THING. AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE. ))
[SUPER=01-Aurielle James/Blacksburg High School Senior; :00]
[SUPER=01-Anna Dalton/Task Force Member; :13]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=to other people.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Blacksburg High School is the last in the New River Valley to carry the symbol.
It's been a divisive issue during three months of task force meetings.
(------------)

[45-Victory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]

A member of Roanoke City Council says he wants to renew the discussion on the future of Victory Stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Last night, Roanokers turned out for a public hearing on the two alternatives that city council said it will consider.
One replaces the west grandstand with an amphitheater stage. The second calls for construction of an entirely new multi-purpose facility.
But the overwhelming majority of speakers said they favor a third option that council dismissed in December... renovation of the existing stadium.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think that we should]
((TIFFANY CURTIS/WILLIAM FLEMING JUNIOR: I THINK THAT WE SHOULD RENOVATE JUST LIKE THE CITIZENS OF ROANOKE SAID EARLIER. I THINK IT IS A MEMORIAL FOR ALL THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR WORLD WAR II.)) ((ADAM PETERS/PATRICK HENRY SOPHOMORE: QUITE FRANKLY VICTORY STADIUM IS NOT IN GOOD CONDITION AND IT WOULDN'T DO MUCH GOOD TO RENOVATE.))
[SUPER=01-Tiffany Curtis/William Fleming Junior; :00]
[SUPER=01-Adam Peters/Patrick Henry Sophomore; :12]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=wouldn't do much good to renovate.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, a member of City Council who voted with the majority in December says he wants to reconsider the issue. Bill White says he's gotten the message from citizens.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:41:51]
[IN Q=It was loud and clear]
((BILL WHITE/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: IT WAS LOUD AND CLEAR AND I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL TAKE THIS UNDER ADVISEMENT AND WE'LL COME BACK WITH SOMETHING MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC.))
[SUPER=01-Bill White/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=more responsive to the public.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

It's unclear if there are enough votes to reverse December's decision. Most members of council said they haven't changed their minds. The Reverend Nelson Harris did not attend the meeting, and was unavailable for comment.

[45-Henry-Bus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC1:42:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After a 7 year old Henry County child was left on a school bus for more than 5 hours on Thursday, the district is taking steps to make sure it never happens again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

The bus was parked at the driver's home.
The driver discovered the child when she returned to the bus to begin her afternoon run.
School Officials want to re-assure parents they are taking the necessary steps to prevent future incidents like this.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:52:10]
[IN Q=The bus drivers]
((SHARON DODSON/SUPERINTENDENT: THE BUS DRIVERS DO CHECK THEIR BUSES ON A ROUTINE SYSTEM. WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY SYSTEM INVOLVING PEOPLE IS FOLLOWED UP AND MONITORED.))
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. Superintendent]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=up and monitored]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

That system involves drivers placing a white flag in front of the bus.
After each run, they're supposed to do a visual "walk through" and place the flag in the rear window.
The Superintendent would like the drivers to go one step further and check under the seats.
The driver no longer drives a school bus for the district.
(------------)

[8-Depot-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Part of Roanoke's railroad history went up in flames overnight.
The former passenger station for the Virginian Railway caught fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Firefighters were called to the Depot Feed and Seed building to check a report of a trash fire. They found a trailer in flames, and the blaze quickly spread to the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:50:05]
[IN Q=The fire burnt the box trailer]
((RICK TROUTT/BATTALION CHIEF: THE FIRE BURNT THE BOX TRAILER, WENT FROM THERE INTO THE SOFFIT OF THE BUILDING, UP INTO THE ROOF. AND IT'S A TERRA COTTA TYPE ROOF. IT JUST RAN ACROSS THE ROOF LINE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE SECOND BUILDING.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Troutt/Battalion Chief;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=down to the second building.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There are no reports of serious injuries, though a homeless man who lived nearby was treated by emergency medical personnel.
There's also no word yet on the cause, but investigators are expected at the site later this morning.
(------------)

[8-Roanoke-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC32:02]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Fire also struck a Roanoke home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The blaze started early yesterday evening at a home on Shenandoah Valley Road. The homeowner says one of her tenants was filling a butane lighter when she dropped it and caught the couch on fire.

[8-HTS-Jobs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

An Indiana company is leaving the midwest, and bringing 250 new jobs to Buena Vista .
A company called Heat Transfer Specialties is re- locating to an industrial park in the city.
H-T-S makes building ventilation systems.
It will be hiring welders, electricians and assembly line workers.
Its parent company also owns Des Champs (deh-SHAWMPS) Laboratories in Buena Vista.

[8-Young]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC1:52:56]
[GRAPHIC=Rickey Young]

According to prosecutors, a Martinsville attorney decided he'd rather spend money on a luxury car than pay his taxes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

As Rickey Young's trial got underway in federal court yesterday, Assistant U-S Attorney Rick Mountcastle told the jury it is a case "about choices," a choice between filing taxes and buying luxury cars.
Young says it's not a criminal case. It's actually Ricky Young versus the United States, he says.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Last Week]

He thinks government investigators believe he "stole cars, laundered money and sold drugs." Since they can't prove any of that, Young figures the tax case is the best they can do.
He blames his accountant for not preparing tax returns, though he says he knew he was behind in his taxes.
The jury- -by the way- -is all women, even the alternates. (------------)