WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 05/15/01

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom - Better keep an umbrella handy today. There's a chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs will be in the upper 60's. Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will have your complete forecast in a couple of minutes.

[7-Carroll-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Carroll Fire]
A brush fire evacuated several houses yesterday in Carroll County - and firefigters are still keeping close eye on the situation.
(XXXXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FS MAP]
State and local crews have been fighting the blaze in Cana {Kay-NA} since yesterday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cana;]
As of this morning, firefighters have mostly contained the blaze that's burned around 75- acres on Fancy Gap Mountain.

They're still monitoring it closely.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:27:53]
[IN Q=it's probably caused]
((DARRELL EDWARDS/CANA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT; IT'S PROBABLY CAUSED BY POSSIBLY SOME CARBON COMING OUT OF TRACTOR TRAILER EXHAUSTS.))
[SUPER=01-Darrell Edwards/Cana Volunteer Fire Dept.; QUICK]
[OUT Q=EXHAUSTS]
[RUNS=:05]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Edwards says dry conditions and gusty winds played a major role in feeding the fire.
Six homes in the region were evacuated-- but officials say residents have now returned home.
(------------)

[7-11Franklin-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Education]
A 2-point-8 MILLION dollar bond referendum was passed unanimously by the Franklin County School Board.
The money would pay for athletic and recreation projects at the high school and middle school, including a field house, tennis courts, and stadium seats for the football stadium.
The school board also voted to cut 700-thousand dollars from its budget because of the state budget impasse.
As a result, there will be no personnel increase and no new textbooks purchased for grades 6 through 12.

[7-11Suntrust]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=501-15 3:21]
[GRAPHIC=Suntrust/Wachovia]
First Union is getting some competition in the bid to takeover Wachovia. Sun Trust is putting their name in the hat with a tempting offer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The bank made an unsolicited 14- point seven billion dollar bid for the company. It's a move that now threatens to derail First Union's plan to buy Wachovia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:06:36]
[IN Q=Our proposal]
((BOB LAWSON/SUN TRUST WESTERN VA PRES.: OUR PROPOSAL WOULD DO AWAY....CONSOLIDATION OF BRANCHES.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Lawson/Sun Trust Western VA President;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=consolidation of branches.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
If Sun Trust and Wachovia were to merge it would create the eighth-largest bank holding company in the U-S.
(------------)

[7-11Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC1:36:33]
[GRAPHIC=Whitt Clement]
Several Southside endorsements for Attorney General went to candidate Whitt Clement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

Senator Roscoe Reynolds of Martinsville, sheriff's of both Henry and Franklin Counties, as well as other elected officials in Pittsylvania County all endorsed Clement yesterday.
He's just one of four democratic candidates running for Attorney General.
The others include State Senator John Edwards of Roanoke, Delegate Don McEachin of Henrico County, and Richmond Attorney Sylvia Clute.
The Democratic primary is Tuesday June 12th.
(------------)

[WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom - Some much needed rain may sprinkle the area today. There's a chance for scattered showers and Thunderstorms with highs in the upper 60's. Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has details coming up.

[45-11Pulley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC1:39:00]
[GRAPHIC=Patty Jo Pulley]
Pittsylvania County authorities are optimistic they will solve the mystery of a woman's disappearance.

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

It's been two years since Patty Jo Pulley of Ringold was last seen going shopping in Danville.
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./May 1999]

Her red pickup truck was found parked the next day outside Milton, North Carolina.
Investigators have no concrete leads.
Regardless, they are still treating this as a high priority case.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:09:50]
[IN Q=If any information comes in]
((HAROLD PLASTER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. SHERIFF: IF ANY INFORMATION COMES IT DON'T MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IF WE PERCEIVE IT TO BE SMALL OR LARGE, THOSE INVESTIGATORS DROP WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING AT THAT TIME AND CHECK THAT OUT.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=check that out]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Sheriff's Department still considers this a missing person's case because there was no evidence of a crime.
They have even contacted national media to publicize this case.
Patty Jo's husband has since moved away from the area.
(------------)

[45-11Lincoln-2000]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-12 TC1:25:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lincoln Terrace is undergoing some major improvements thanks to a four year, 41- million dollar renovation.
But residents of the public housing community are also doing their part to build a better future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Construction is now well under way... Crews are renovating 155 units and will build 60 more.
To qualify for a new apartment, residents must take part in Upward Mobility through Public Housing.
So far, 39 families have signed up for the program that will provide job training, and support.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It gave me hope]
((VALERIE CLAY: IT GAVE ME HOPE AND A DREAM. BEFORE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY. NOW I'M KIND OF CATCHING UP ON WHAT I SHOULD HAVE HAD, A WHILE BACK.)) ((TRINA WILLIS: IT'S A GOOD FEELING TO KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE STANDING BEHIND YOU, THAT WANT TO SE YOUR LIFE CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Valerie Clay/Lincoln Terrace Resident; :00]
[SUPER=01-Trina Willis/Lincoln Terrace Resident; :10]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=that want to see your life change.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lincoln 2000 is now at the halfway point. Two years from now, the Housing Authority hopes to have convincing evidence that the project has transformed a housing project and the lives of its residents.
(------------)

[45-11Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC1:36:33]
[GRAPHIC=Whitt Clement]

Attorney General candidate Whitt Clement picked up several endorsements in Southside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

Senator Roscoe Reynolds of Martinsville, sheriff's of both Henry and Franklin Counties, as well as other elected officials in Pittsylvania County all endorsed Clement yesterday.
He's just one of four democratic candidates running for Attorney General.
The others include State Senator John Edwards of Roanoke, Delegate Don McEachin of Henrico County, and Richmond Attorney Sylvia Clute.
The Democratic primary is Tuesday June 12th.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom. Clouds and spotty showers make up the forecast for today... Meterologist Leo Hirsbrunner will tell us how good of a chance we have to see some rain, in just a moment.

[8-Carroll-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Carroll Fire]

A brush fire in Carroll County is keeping firefighters busy--
(XXXXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FS MAP]
State and local crews have been fighting the blaze in Cana {Kay-NA} since yesterday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cana;]
As of this morning, firefighters have mostly contained the blaze that's burned around 75- acres on Fancy Gap Mountain.

They're still monitoring it closely.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:27:53]
[IN Q=it's probably caused]
((DARRELL EDWARDS/CANA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT; IT'S PROBABLY CAUSED BY POSSIBLY SOME CARBON COMING OUT OF TRACTOR TRAILER EXHAUSTS.))
[SUPER=01-Darrell Edwards/Cana Volunteer Fire Dept.; QUICK]
[OUT Q=EXHAUSTS]
[RUNS=:05]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Edwards says dry conditions and gusty winds played a major role in feeding the fire.
Six homes in the region were evacuated-- but officials say residents have now returned home.
(------------)

[8-11Witcher]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-11 TC1:14:55]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

After winning a large sum of money from his share of a discrimination lawsuit, a Franklin county farmer says he's struggling to make ends meet.
That's because he's YET to actually receive the money.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Sherman Witcher is one of the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the U-S Department of Agriculture.
He says he was repeatedly denied farm loans because of his race.
Last year, a court-appointed arbitrator awarded him 1-point-3 million dollars.
But since then, the case has remained tied up in appeals.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 46:14 - :19]
[IN Q=They're deliberately stalling]
((SHERMAN WITCHER: THEY'RE DELIBERATELY STALLING MY CASE SO I WILL BE IN A FINANCIAL DEFICIT.))
[SUPER=07-Sherman Witcher;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=financial deficit.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last month, when creditors planned to foreclose on Witcher's home, California Congresswoman Maxine Waters intervened.
She says she'll push for the government to settle claims faster.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:10:49 - :56]
[IN Q=I think they have]
((REP. MAXINE WATERS/(D) CALIF.: I THINK THEY'VE BEEN MUCH TOO LONG AND THEY HAVE COMPLICATED THE LIVES OF A FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRIED TO JUST WORK THROUGH THESE CLAIMS.))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Maxine Waters/(D) California;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=through these claims.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Waters got Witcher another month to pay his debt.
He hopes to settle his case in the meantime.
(------------)

[8-11Pulley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC1:39:00]
[GRAPHIC=Patty Jo Pulley]

Pittsylvania County authorities haven't given up hope of finding a missing woman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's been two years since Patty Jo Pulley of Ringold was last seen shopping in Danville.
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./May 1999]

Her red pickup truck was found parked the next day outside Milton, North Carolina.
Investigators have no concrete leads.
Regardless, they are still treating this as a high priority case.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:09:50]
[IN Q=If any information comes in]
((HAROLD PLASTER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. SHERIFF: IF ANY INFORMATION COMES IT DON'T MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IF WE PERCEIVE IT TO BE SMALL OR LARGE, THOSE INVESTIGATORS DROP WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING AT THAT TIME AND CHECK THAT OUT.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=check that out]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Sheriff's Department still considers this a missing person's case because there was no evidence of a crime.
They have even contacted national media to publicize this case.
Patty Jo's husband has since moved away from the area. (------------)