[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
Roanoke City Council takes another vote on Victory Stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :06]
And, they saw it coming, but more then 160 New River Valley workers still aren't prepared to be laid off.
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[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports- high school football practice begins.
The NFL preseason rolls on tonight.
Two Hokies get some preseason props,
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[VO-NAT]
and George Lynch signs a contract extension to stay with the Hornets.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
Showers are few and far between. But where they have popped up, heavy rain is the main feature. Details ahead.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
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[VO-NAT]
Two years after voting to replace Victory Stadium, Roanoke City Council dismisses critics and votes to keep the project moving forward.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith is off tonight.
[City-Council]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#03-23 TC1:15:40]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]
The vote was close, but late this afternoon, council turned back an effort to stop construction on the new stadium and amphitheater.
[Double Boxes=Shannon and JoeD/Microwave]
Joe Dashiell is downtown tonight with more on the latest debate and today's deciding vote.
[Live=JoeD Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: doesn't have broad community support.)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I did not]
[SUPER=@Harris; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :15]
[SUPER=@Dowe; :34]
[RUNS=:52]
[OUT Q= what are you gonna do.]
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[Live=JoeD Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Shannon and JoeD/Microwave]
[Danville-Deaths]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Danville Police are investigating two deaths which are being described as suspicious.
Police responded just after one this afternoon to 148 Oakvale Circle in North Danville.
Officers found 27 year old David Duane Totten and 20 year old Davida Lanette Edmonds dead on the floor.
Investigators say the cause of death is unkown. The bodies have been sent to Roanoke for an autopsy.
[Sheltered-Industries]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-29 TC55:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Lynchburg non-profit agency has agreed to a reduced fine and yearly consultations after being cited for nearly two dozen safety violations last fall.
As Steve Smallshaw reports, officials with Lynchburg Sheltered Industries hope the settlement will reassure their clients and families that L-S-I is a safe place to work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The initial]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dave Taylor/Lynchburg Sheltered Industries; :21]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :45]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( The initial investigation of Lynchburg Sheltered Industries turned up what labor investigators say were 21 violations, ten of them serious.
They ranged from employees not being properly trained in safety procedures to workers possibly being exposed to asbestos during the cleaning and removal of floor tile.
That citation and the penalty was ultimately dropped.
[SOT 13:30:47]
((DAVE TAYLOR/LYNCHBURG SHELTERED INDUSTRIES: WHAT WE DECIDED TO DO, EVEN THOUGH WE OBVIOUSLY HELD STRONG TO IT NOT BEING ASBESTOS, WAS WE WENT AHEAD AND ACTUALLY REMOVED ALL OF THE ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE FROM THE MANUFACTURING AREA.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=manufacturing area.]
L-S-I eventually reached a settlement with the Department of Labor.. instead of a 12-thousand dollar fine, it will pay just two hundred dollars and submit to two years worth of safety consultations.
[Standup ]
((Dave Taylor also says L-S-I cooperated fully with the investigation, but in her case diary, the investigator noted that several employees were reluctant to talk out of fear of retaliation and that "wall of resistance was apparent".
She also notes one administrator threatened to file a written complaint about the inspection.. her superiors took that to mean she was doing her job.))
[RUNS= 20]
[OUT Q=doing her job.]
[SOT 13:34:08]
((TAYLOR: I THINK THE BEST RESULT WE COULD HAVE HOPED FOR WOULD HAVE BEEN NO FINE, BUT I THINK UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT SAFETY IS NOT SECOND PLACE HERE AT L-S-I, IT'S FIRST PLACE AND WE DO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=take it seriously.]
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
Verizon's unionized workers are still on the job, even as they negotiate a new contract.
More on that when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]
Plus it's sink or swim for an area program that helps some special kids.
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[Renfro]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-22 TC1:27:59]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
More workers in our area are told they will soon be without jobs.
Renfro Corporation announced today it will permanently terminate 166-jobs at its Pulaski facility, beginning in October.
The company makes socks, including brands like Fruit of the Loom.
Officials say a weak economy and foreign competition are the reasons behind the layoffs, as well a reduction in consumer demand.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Shannon/Microwave;]
New River Valley Burea Chief Myranda Stephens joins us now with reaction to today's announcement.
Shannon, company officials would NOT go on camera,
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
but we're told the company has had several layoffs in the last few months.
So for many of the workers, the question was NOT will they lose their jobs, but when?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
[SUPER=01-Jacqueline Brock;]
[SUPER=01-Anita Chrisley;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=BEST FOR EVERYBODY ]
(([SOT 3815]
[RUNS04]
((JACQUELINE BROCK: IT'S LIKE A ROUTINE. I MEAN THEY'VE BEEN LAYING OFF. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME BEING LAID OFF SO 19))
[SOT 3849]
[RUNS02]
((REPORTER: YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'RE OKAY. OH YEAH I'LL BE ALRIGHT.))
But not everyone took the news as well.
[SOT 4336]
[RUNS02]
((I'VE LIKED MY JOB HERE. IT'S BEEN A GOOD PLACE TO WORK. 38))
Anita Chrisley has worked at the plant for nearly 15-years.
But while seniority protected her from previous layoffs, she had a feeling it would only be a matter of time before this day would day would come.
[SOT 4344]
[RUNS=]
((WE'VE HEARD RUMORS FOR QUITE A WHILE BUT WE ALWAYS JUST HOPED IT WOULDN'T COME TRUE 48))
Many of the workers say with so many companies laying off workers, it's going to be tough finding another job close to home.
[SOT 4355]
[RUNS=]
((THIS AREA'S PRETTY SLACKED WITH WORK RIGHT NOW JUST HAVE TO HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR EVERYBODY 03))))
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[LIVE= Myranda /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
(Myranda ad lib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Myranda/Microwave;]
[Verizon]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC1:51:06]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon Negotiation]
Verizon's contract with its unionized workers expired at midnight Saturday.
A strike was all but certain until some last minute improvements in negotiations.
Employees are now working under the terms of their old contract.
[***VERIZON IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Jenn/BAM;]
Jennifer Wishon joins us now with the latest.
Shannon - Union employees ARE working, but it's NOT business as usual.
[LIVE=Jenn/FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1;]
Today union workers passed out information leaflets and wore red to show their solidarity.
The union says it isn't willing to settle for less, but the company says changes are inevitable.
The only certainty is that both sides are prepared for whatever happens next.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're probably better]
[SUPER=01-Paul Miller/Verizon Spokesman; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Guy Angell/CWA Local 2204 President; : ]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=high as 30 percent]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:57:23]
[IN Q=We're probably better]
((PAUL MILLER/VERIZON SPOKESMAN: WE'RE PROBABLY BETTER PREPARED TODAY THAN WE'VE BEEN IN ANY OTHER PREVIOUS NEGOTIATIONS. WE'VE GOT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MANAGERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE PREPARED TO COME INTO THE AREA AND WORK VARIOUS EMPLOYEE JOBS TO KEEP SERVICE AT A HIGH LEVEL.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=at a high level]
Those managers have been training at locations like this one in Roanoke and are prepared to walk in if the union walks out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 50:07]
[IN Q=We're still pretty]
((GUY ANGELL/CWA LOCAL 2204 PRESIDENT: WE'RE STILL PRETTY FAR APART ON SOME THINGS BUT MOVEMENT IS BEING MADE.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=is being made]
Union morale is high.
Angell says the group trusts the bargaining committee to negotiate a good contract.
But Verizon says without contract changes the company can't continue to prosper.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:49:09]
[IN Q=We're facing intensive]
((PAUL MILLER/VERIZON SPOKESMAN: WE'RE FACING INTENSIVE COMPETITION FROM A LOT OF PLACES. OTHER PHONE COMPANIES, CABLE TV COMPANIES, CELLULAR COMPANIES.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=cellular companies]
Miller also says the company needs the flexibility to lay off employees and transfer when necessary.
There are also other issues that Miller says hurt the company financially.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:20:13]
[IN Q=On any given day]
((PAUL MILLER/VERIZON SPOKESMAN: ON ANY GIVEN DAY WHEN YOU WALK INTO ONE OF OUR CALL CENTERS WE COULD HAVE 13, 15 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE AREN'T THERE, THEY'RE OUT SICK. SOME DAYS IT GOES AS HIGH AS 30 PERCENT.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=as 30 percent]))
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[LIVE=Jenn/FULL BAM]
Union employees say they're well paid and enjoy their jobs, but they're not willing to settle for anything less than what their expired contract provided.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Jenn/BAM;]
Shannon - a federal mediator is currently working with both sides in Washington D-C.
[Overnite]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-19 TC1:46:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A trucking company based in Richmond is for sale.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Union Pacific says it plans to sell its Overnite division, saying it wants to concentrate on core business.
Overnite is one of the largest trucking operations in the country.
It has more than 200 service centers, some 14-thousand employees and a billion dollars in assets.
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[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Stocks staged a comeback toward the end of the day but closed mixed.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/32.07/9186.04/y/1.56/1714.06;]
The DOW gained 32 points.
NASDAQ fell about a point and a half.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/1.03/69.02/h/0.72/41.00/h/0.14/28.10/i/0.24/74.25/h/0.86/81.60;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.17/34.91/h/0.10/15.50/i/0.13/6.82/i/0.51/58.81/h/0.02/28.48;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.03/5.69/i/0.17/35.05/h/0.28/17.03/h/0.07/19.00/i/0.10/7.09;]
[SUPER=274- /Unchg/9.00/i/0.03/59.93/h/1.46/35.84/h/0.02/43.12/h/0.56/55.83;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Salem-Leak]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC41:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Haz mat crews kept busy today cleaning up a small chemical spill in Salem.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
It happened just before 10:30 this morning at the city transfer station on Ninth Street next to the Yokohama Tire Company.
Firefighters say it began when workers placed one-thousand one-gallon containers of ammonia into the compactor.
When several of the containers ruptured, some of the ammonia caught fire.
Only about ten to twelve gallons of ammonia leaked and crews say it posed no health hazard to the surrounding areas.
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[Tax-amnesty]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-25 TC1:28:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
If you are one of the 400-thousand Virginians behind in their taxes, the state has a deal for you.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Virginia will offer a tax amnesty program from September 2nd to November 3rd.
During that time, delinquent taxpayers can settle up with the state without paying a penalty.
And they will owe only half of the interest.
State officials say it's a chance for tax dodgers to come clean.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:01:44]
[IN Q=THEY'RE NOT GIVEN A BREAK]
((KEN THORSON/VA TAX COMMISSIONER: THEY'RE NOT GIVEN A BREAK ON TAXES. THEY HAVE TO PAY THAT BUT WE'LL GIVE THEM A BREAK ON THE PENALTY AND HALF THE INTEREST, HOPING THAT THEY WILL THEN BECOME CURRENT TAXPAYERS AND JOIN THE FOLD OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THEIR TAXES LIKE THEY SHOULD.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Thorson/Virginia Tax Commissioner]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=TAXES LIKE THEY SHOULD.]
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[VO-NAT]
The program is expected to raise 41 million dollars for state coffers.
As extra incentive, delinquent taxpayers who don't take advantage of the deal will be assessed an additional 20 percent penalty.
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[Aquatics-Program]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC1:23:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
An aquatics program that helps kids with disabilities is staying afloat despite massive cuts in aid.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/July 2002]
Last year at this time, the Kids Special Situations Program or KISS was in danger of being eliminated.
That's because the program lost all state and local funding.
The Y-W-C-A which runs the program decided to continue it anyway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:45:15]
[IN Q=This program has a]
((PAULA JONES/YWCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: THIS PROGRAM HAS A HUGE NEED. IT'S FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS WHATEVER REASON ARE NOT ABLE TO BE MOBILE ON LAND BUT IN THE POOL THEY'RE ABLE TO SWIM, THEY'RE ABLE TO BE SOCIAL.))
[SUPER=01-Paula Jones/YWCA Executive Director]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=to be social]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Y-W-C-A has raised four thousand dollars on its own and has secured an additional 7-thousand dollars in United Way funding for this year.
However, the program costs 17-thousand dollars a year and the "Y" hopes future fundraisers and increased participation will prevent KISS from going under.
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[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - some preseason recognition for two Hokies.
George Lynch signs up for more time on Bourbon Street,
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[VO-NAT]
and high school football practice opens all across the state today.
Steve Mason will check in with the defending division four state champion Heritage Pioneers when we return.
(------------)
[S-Heritage]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-160]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
High school football began all across the valley today.
The Lynchburg-area produced three state champions last year in Heritage, Liberty and William Campbell.
Tonight, Steve Mason begins our preseason reports with a look at the Pioneers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Jones/Heritage Head Coach; :15]
[SUPER=01-Pierre Penn/Heritage Wide Receiver; :38]
[SUPER=01-Brad Harris/Heritage Senior Linebacker; :43]
[SUPER=@steve1; :54]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
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[S-FFE]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]
Our high school preseason profiles will continue right up until opening night.
And don't forget that on Friday night August 22nd, we'll have a special one hour preseason edition of Friday Football Extra at special 7pm time as we get ready for our 20th season.
[S-NFL]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
The NFL preseason also rolls on tonight as the Green Bay Packers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in an 8 pm kickoff that will wrapup a weekend worth of festivities in Canton, Ohio.
Tonight's game matches the teams from Super Bowl One with the Pack won 35-to-10 in 1967.
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-155 1007tc]
[GRAPHIC=BEAMER]
Frank Beamer is the guest of the Roanoke Valley Sports Club tonight which is meeting at this hour at the Salem Civic Center.
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
Earlier today, two of Beamer's veteran defensive lineman were named to the Hendricks' award watch list.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Season; :00]
Nathaniel Adibi, the senior from Hampton, is one of 29 players selected on the preseason list of candidates.
Last year Adibi also made this list, and in fact he advanced to the semi-finalist round.
This year he is joined by Cols Colas - the senior from Florida.
Colas had surgery in the offseason and is expected to be ready for summer practice.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
Speaking of that practice - the players report on Wednesday and the first practice for the Hokies is this Thursday.[S-
Lynch]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-144 20054TC]
[GRAPHIC=nba]
Roanoke native George Lynch has signed a new contract extension that will keep him in New Orleans for several more years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]
The 10-year NBA veteran played in 81 games for the Hornets last season averaging 5 points, 5 rebounds and 19 minutes a game.
He started 32 of those games and the Hornets won 20 of them.
The former first round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers was acquired by the Hornets from Philadelphia on October 12th of 2001.
George turns 33 this coming September.
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[S-Nascar]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-151 1907TC]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR 2003]
Last year Kevin Harvick was so fed up with NASCAR he was ready to kiss the sport goodbye!
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indianapolis, IN/Yesterday;:00]
A year later he found himself kissing the fabled bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Harvick and his team won yesterday's Brickyard 400 and in the process pocketed $418 thousand two hundred and 53 bucks.
The circuit heads to Watkins Glen this weekend.
(------------)
by SS