WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/23/01

[30weather]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[7Buffalo-Creek]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

The southbound lanes of Interstate 81 are still blocked in Rockbridge County .. almost 24 hours after a big pileup closed it down.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

The accident happened between Lexington and Natural Bridge.
Witnesses say ten cars and ten tractor trailers plowed into one another. At least four vehicles burst into flames and were destroyed.
In the middle of the mess, crews found a truck carrying 91 barrels of hazardous waste, and one of them was leaking.
Hazmat teams cleaned up the waste and the fuel that seeped into Buffalo Creek.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[Anchor=Kim]
[Take FS VDOT NUMBER]
To check on the status of Interstate 81 or any other roads this morning you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)

[7-11Fatal-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cut In]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:48:15]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

Authorities think a wood stove started a house fire that killed a Pittsylvania County couple .. but they need further investigation before knowing for sure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Java]

The fire broke out yesterday morning at this home on Church Road in Java.
Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames.
Crews found 82 year old Roosevelt Lanier and his wife Obelia Lanier dead in a basement bedroom.
The couple recently had trouble with their furnace and was using an old wood stove.
(------------)

[7Transkrit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC1:21:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local company has given up any remaining hopes of staying open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week]

Transkrit is now in liquidation mode.
It's parent company filed for bankruptcy in December.
After attempts to sell Transkrit to two different potential buyers, no deal was reached.
Half of the company's employees, about 100 people, have been let go so far.
The label making company will be completely closed within the next 60 days.
(------------)

[7Munsey]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-54]
[GRAPHIC=Thomas Trial]

Jury selection will continue today in the Jeffrey Thomas murder trial..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]

So far, attorneys have selected 15 prospective jurors for a pool of 28.
The group will be narrowed down to 12 on Monday.
Thomas is accused of murdering Radford teenager Tara Munsey in January of last year.
The judge hopes to complete jury selection today and begin hearing evidence in the case on Monday.
(------------)

[7-11Science-Museum]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC2:03:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Science Museum of Western Virginia is bracing for some major funding cutbacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It comes just as the Roanoke museum is on the verge of gaining national accreditation.
The cutback could affect any number of things, from the days and times that the museum is open to salaries to actual jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:36]
[IN Q=We've received funding]
((KEN SCHUTZ /EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; WE'VE RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THIRTY YEARS IN A ROW. HALF OF OUR FUNDS, HALF OF OUR OPERATING MONEY COMES FROM THE STATE. WE'RE ABOUT TO BE ACCREDITED, THAT WOULD MAKE US COMPETITIVE FOR NATIONAL GRANTS. WE'RE READY TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Schutz /Executive Director]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=next level of excellence]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last year, the museum received 725-thousand dollars from the state.
This year, it might not get any.
(------------)

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A warmup is on the way, and most of snow should be melting today.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Breezy/48-52/Mostly/Clear/25-30;]
[SUPER=315-Freezing Drizzle?/Partly Sunny/38-42/Mostly/Clear/23-27;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

Look for mostly sunny skies today ... but it will be breezy ... with highs right around 50.
Mostly clear skies tonight ... lows from 25 to 30. ((Possible extended))

[7BIRTHDAYS!] 2/24/01
Saturday:

[SUPER=130-/Bernard Woods/Ferrum]

[SUPER=130-16/Tiffany Adams/Phenix]

[SUPER=130-50/William Stanley/Martinsville]

[SUPER=130-6/Hubert Reed/Floyd]

[SUPER=130-8/Joshua Adkins/Danville]

[SUPER=130-13/Amanda McManus/Plum Creek]

[SUPER=130-8/Stephanie Cox/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-29/Alexir Hairston/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-45/Danny McKee/Roanoke]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Maxine Bondurant/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Janet Mitchell/Sontag]

[SUPER=131-36/Pamela Holland/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=131-44/Cindy Tharpe/Eagle Rock]

[SUPER=131-2/Williams Moore/Chatham]

[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[45Buffalo-Creek]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

The southbound lanes of Interstate 81 are still blocked in Rockbridge County .. almost 24 hours after a big pileup closed it down.
(+++++++)
[Take FS Map]
The accident happened just about midway between the Lexington exit at US 60 ... and US 11 just north of natural bridge.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

Witnesses say ten cars and ten tractor trailers plowed into one another. At least four vehicles burst into flames and were destroyed.
In the middle of the mess, crews found a truck carrying 91 barrels of hazardous waste, and one of them was leaking.
Hazmat teams cleaned up the waste and the fuel that seeped into Buffalo Creek. From all accounts, the spill did not affect the water supplies for any nearby residents.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[Anchor=Kim]
[Take FS VDOT NUMBER]
To check on the status of Interstate 81 or any other roads this morning you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)

[45-Morning-After]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-51]
[GRAPHIC=Abortion Bills]

Parents should be notified if their daughters are taking the "morning- after" pill.
That's according to Virginia's House of Delegates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bill would let pharmacists, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners dispense emergency contraception, or the morning after pill, without a visit to a doctor.
Opponents say it's a bad idea for any woman, much less a teenager.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Apparently, when it comes to sex]
[sot HOUSE 02:21:01]
((DEL. BOB MARSHALL/R-PRINCE WILLIAM CO.: APPARENTLY, WHEN IT COMES TO SEX, SOME PEOPLE ARE READY TO SWALLOW ANY FANTASY.))
[sot HOUSE 02:22:13]
((DEL. BOB MARSHALL/R-PRINCE WILLIAM CO.: YOU ARE GIVING THEM AN ILLUSION. YOU ARE GIVING THEM AN ILLUSION OF SAFETY. YOU ARE GIVING THEM AN ILLUSION OF POWER. YOU ARE GIVING THEM AN ILLUSION OF A FUTURE THAT THEY HAVE FREE FROM THESE CONSEQUENCES.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Bob Marshall/(R) Prince William Co.;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=have free from these consequences.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

But the bill's sponsor says it's the best way to help prevent abortions and unplanned pregnancies -- and doctors agree.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Virginia Obstetrical and Gynecological]
[sot HOUSE 02:15:50]
((DEL. VIOLA BASKERVILLE/D-RICHMOND: THE VIRGINIA OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SOCIETY, WHICH REPRESENTS OVER 600 OB-GYN DOCTORS IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, WHO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 2782.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Viola Baskerville/(D) Richmond; ]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=who support House Bill 2782.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=none]

The Senate version would strip the parental consent requirement for teens out of the bill.
The Senators say Virginia could lose four million dollars a year in federal funds by keeping parental consent a part of the bill.

[45-Munsey]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-54]
[GRAPHIC=Thomas Trial]

A third day of jury selection begins this morning in the capital murder trial of Jeffrey Thomas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]

So far, attorneys have selected 15 prospective jurors for a pool of 28.
The group will be narrowed down to 12 on Monday.
Thomas is accused of murdering Radford teenager Tara Munsey in January of last year.
(------------)

[45-540-Area-Code]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-12 TC00:08]
[GRAPHIC=540 Area Code]

Don't get too used to the 5-4-0- area code--
The State Corporation commission approved a plan that will break it up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Far Southwest Virginia will get a new area code on September First. No word yet on what that number will be.
The Roanoke Valley and much of the New River Valley will keep the 5-4-0 Area Code for about five years, then get a new number.
The Shenandoah Valley will keep the 5-4-0 number.
(------------)

[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Most of the snow you see this morning will probably be gone by tonight.
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Breezy/48-52/Mostly/Clear/25-30;]

Look for mostly sunny skies today ... but it will be breezy ... with highs right around 50.
Mostly clear skies tonight ... lows from 25 to 30. ((Possible extended))

[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[8Buffalo-Creek]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

Travel is still rough- going in Rockbridge county.
The southbound lanes of Interstate 81 remain blocked, nearly 24 hours after a 20- vehicle accident.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

The accident happened between Lexington and Natural Bridge.
Witnesses say ten cars and ten tractor trailers plowed into one another. At least four vehicles burst into flames and were destroyed.
In the middle of the mess, crews found a truck carrying 91 barrels of hazardous waste, and one of them was leaking.
Hazmat teams cleaned up the waste and the fuel that seeped into Buffalo Creek.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[Anchor=Kim]
[Take FS VDOT NUMBER]
To check on the status of Interstate 81 or any other roads this morning you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)

[8-11XGR]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-50 TC1:50:30]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

Compromise is the goal for state legislators as they continue working on the budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The Governor and House of Delegates want a 70-percent and then 100- percent phase-out of the car tax over the next two years.
Yesterday, the Senate passed its own budget, which increased its car tax phase-out from 50 to 55 percent in the first year, and decreased its teacher pay raises.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is a compromise budget]
[sot SENATE 04:07:15]
((SEN. JOHN CHICHESTER/R-STAFFORD: IT IS A COMPROMISE BUDGET. ONE THAT REASONABLE MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE WITH. THIS IS NOT A HALF-BAKED PROPOSAL.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Stafford Co.; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=this is not a half-baked proposal.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Senator Chichester says it is the fiscally prudent way to keep the "no car tax" promise, without cutting essential state services.
The House's chief negotiator says it's NOT enough.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've met with them on]
[sot CALLAHAN 14:55:54 ]
((DEL. VINCE CALLAHAN/R-FAIRFAX: WE'VE MET WITH THEM ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THEY'RE THE ONES THAT WOULDN'T COMPROMISE. AND WHY DIDN'T THEY MAKE THIS PROPOSAL TO US SEVERAL DAYS AGO? WHY DID THEY WAIT 'TIL THE ELEVENTH HOUR LIKE THIS? I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR GAME IS, BUT I FIND IT TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan/(R) Fairfax;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=I find it totally irresponsible.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

The Senate negotiators say they were "astonished" Wednesday night when the House team told them it was "the House way or the highway" on the car tax.

[8-11Science-Museum]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC2:03:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Among those closely watching the budget battle is the Science Museum of Western Virginia.
It faces some major cutbacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It comes just as the Roanoke museum is on the verge of gaining national accreditation.
The cutback could affect any number of things, from the days and times that the museum is open to salaries to actual jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:36]
[IN Q=We've received funding]
((KEN SCHUTZ /EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; WE'VE RECEIVED FUNDING FOR THIRTY YEARS IN A ROW. HALF OF OUR FUNDS, HALF OF OUR OPERATING MONEY COMES FROM THE STATE. WE'RE ABOUT TO BE ACCREDITED, THAT WOULD MAKE US COMPETITIVE FOR NATIONAL GRANTS. WE'RE READY TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Schutz /Executive Director]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=next level of excellence]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last year, the museum received 725-thousand dollars from the state.
This year, it might not get any.
(------------)

[8Transkrit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC1:21:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local company that had hoped to stay open is now packing up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week]

Transkrit is now liquidating its assets.
Half of the company's employees, about 100 people, have been let go so far.
The label making company will be completely closed within the next 60 days.
(------------)