Morning news AM cutins on WDBJ 7 12/27/95

08:25-01

7Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

Clifton Forge authorities believe speed is to blame for a fatal accident last night on Route 6-29.
Officials say 30-year-old Pamela Wilhelm was northbound on 6-29 when she lost control of her car in a curve and struck a tree.
The accident happened at about 7:30. Wilhelm died at the scene.

7Danville-Neighborhood

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#95-97
GRAPHIC=NONE

Residents in Danville aren't taking crime in their neighborhoods lightly.
They believe a growing Neighborhood crime watch program is helping to put a lid on the problem.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

The Westmoreland Neighborhood Organization has been a part of the community for two years.
Since the organization's formation, crime watch signs have gone up and police routinely patrol the area.
Shirley Coles and Bernice Bryant lead the group.
They believe the area is a safer place to live for the community's 600- members.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I have really
((BERNICE BRYANT/ORGANIZATION VICE PRESIDENT: I HAVE REALLY NOTICED A DIFFERENCE, A LOT OF THEM HAVE SAID THEY FEEL FREE TO COME OUT NOW, THEY REALLY ENJOY THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY 'RE NOT AFRAID TO GO TO THE STORE TO COME OUT ON THEIR PORCHES. SHIRLEY COLES/ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT: WE REALLY FEEL THAT WE ARE REALLY REALLY A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S REALLY WORTH THE HARD WORK WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.))
SUPER=01-Bernice Bryant/Organization Vice President; :00
SUPER=01-Shirley Coles/Organization President; :15 quick
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=to do here.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The organization's members get together once a month to discuss other projects.
Their next goal is to organize a recreation center for the area's young and old.
(----------------)

7Energetics

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#95-110
GRAPHIC=Business News

With the new year brings a bright prospect of new jobs at the Radford Arsenal.
Tracy Altizer has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=At one time
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;:00
SUPER=01-Dick Best/Project Manager;:26
SUPER=@Tracy1;1:19
RUNS=1:40
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.
(( At one time, the powder plant, as it's known, was the largest industrial employer in the New River Valley.
But the end of the Cold War meant the Army no longer needed as much of the tank propellant it makes.
Now, after several years of cuts layoffs, workers will soon return to the plant to work for New River Energetics, a subsidiary of Alliant Techsystems, which operates the arsenal.
Instead of making gunpowder for war, they'll be making it for sport.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:31:14
((DICK BEST/PROJECT MANAGER: IT COVERS ALL THE SPORTING, SHOOTING, RIFLE, PISTOL, SHOTGUN, HUNTING, CLAY TARGET, SKEET TRAP. ))
RUNS=:10

A government program called ARMS is providing millions of dollars to help Alliant close its operations in New Jersey and open N-R-E at the arsenal.
The company will employ up to 150 people. It's already taking applications, and expects to begin the hiring process this Spring.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:28:20
((WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD PREVIOUS EXPLOSIVE PROPELLANT EXPERIENCE. THEY WILL GO THROUGH AN ASSESSMENT WHERE THEY GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT US AND WE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THEM. ))
RUNS=:12

ARMS is an initiative to encourage industries to make use of idle space at ammunition plants.
N-R-E is the first commercial venture at the Radford Arsenal.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:33:57
((I THINK THIS WILL BE JUST KIND OF A STEPPINGSTONE FOR FUTURE COMPANIES, COMMERCIAL COMPANIES TO COME ON THE ARSENAL. ))
RUNS=:06

Although it won't be up and running for about a year, New River Energetics may already be proving itself to be a successful catalyst.
The arsenal has received its first commercial order to produce propellant for automobile airbags.
And in January officials say they expect a major announcement of another commercial company planning to move its operations here. Tracy Altizer, News 7.))

7Weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to the forecast -
It's going to be another cold day -
Expect some clouds with a few flurries this morning.
Temperatures are only going to reach the 30s with breezy conditions through the afternoon.
The skies will be partly cloudy tonight with lows in the 20s.
You can expect much of the same tomorrow with flurries and temperatures in the low to mid 30s.

55Lynchburg-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#95-95
GRAPHIC=NONE

Only charred remains are what's left of a historic landmark on Lynchburg's riverfront.
Investigators say it will be another day or so before they can get inside.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Monday;

The 88- year- old Lukens building caught fire and burned early Christmas morning.
Preservationists say the city will continue to lose its historic structures unless it encourages local entrepreneurs to renovate them.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:48:41
IN Q=The major fires
((DR. JOSEPH FREEMAN/LYNCH'S FERRY AUTHORITY: THE MAJOR FIRES BEFORE HAVE BEEN IN LARGELY UNTENANTED STRUCTURES, AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS ARE RIPE FOR THIS. WE NEED PEOPLE USING THESE BUILDINGS, AND THE BUILDINGS NEED TO BE IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE FIRE CODE.))
SUPER=01-Joseph Freeman/Lynch's Ferry Authority; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=with the fire code.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Before it burned, a local artists group was ready to make an offer to buy the Lukens building, and transform it into an artists colony.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:39:58
IN Q=This building was
((ANN HATFIELD/RIVERVIEWS, INC.: THIS BUILDING WAS IRREPLACEABLE, FOR SIX MILLION DOLLARS PERHAPS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE ESTIMATES, BUT THEY DON'T MAKE TREES LIKE THE POSTS AND BEAMS THAT WERE IN THIS BUILDING. THEY DON'T GROW THEM ANYMORE.))
SUPER=01-Ann Hatfield/Riverviews, Inc.; :00
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=grow them anymore.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

This was the second fire in three months on the riverfront.
(----------------)

55Northside-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#95-105
GRAPHIC=NONE

Investigators say an electrical short is the cause of a fire that damaged several classrooms at Northside High School yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

It started in a supply closet in a classroom on the first floor.
Fire Marshall Don Gillespie says a faulty relay switch controlling a light started the fire.
Investigators say the fire smoldered several hours before it was discovered.
It caused about 12-thousand dollars in damage.
Officials say the affected classrooms will be cleaned and ready when students return to school next week.
(----------------)

55Air-Travel

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#95-98
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Regional Airport

Fewer folks took the friendly skies out of Roanoke this year.
Roanoke Regional Airport officials report a 12 percent drop in the number of people using the Airport compared to 19-94.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

However, airport officials say the statistics may be deceiving.
They say the decrease is due to higher ticket prices at the counters.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:57:50
IN Q=This year we're
((JACQUELINE SHUCK/ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL: THIS YEAR WE'RE DOWN ABOUT 12 PERCENT OVER 1994 BUT 1994 WAS UP 15 PERCENT OVER 1993. SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A REFLECTION OF INCREASED AIRFARES OVER 1994.))
SUPER=01-Jacqueline Shuck/Roanoke Regional Airport; :05
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=airfares over 1994.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Officials say more than half a million passengers have gone through the Roanoke Regional Airport in 1995.
(----------------)

55Returns

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#95-96
GRAPHIC=Christmas Returns

And the number of those traveling by car to do some shopping at the mall is down.
Even though they haven't officially released their figures for December, many retailers have hinted the numbers will fall below expectations.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

Some retailers in our area say they too have experienced less- than- spectacular sales this month.
But they're trying to make up for it now.
While customers head to the malls to return gifts, many stores are trying to cash in and entice consumers with big markdowns.
And at some some stores it's working.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:32:22
IN Q=I thought
((RUSS WELCH/FINISH LINE MANAGER: I THOUGHT ACTUALLY WE'D HAVE MORE RETURNS THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LATELY. SALES HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN STRONGER THAN THE RETURNS. ))
SUPER=01-Russ Welch/Finish Line Manager;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=than the returns
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Many mall- goers are taking the bait, and fishing for the bargains.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:39:37
IN Q=I bought a hat
((BILL THOMAS/HOLIDAY SHOPPER: I BOUGHT A HAT AND I BOUGHT SOME COOKIES AND I BOUGHT SOME CHRISTMAS CARDS. I HAD TO HAVE THE CHRISTMAS CARDS, BECAUSE YOU GET A FREE ROLE OF FILM. ))
SUPER=01-Bill Thomas/Holiday Shopper;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=role of film
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The nation's retailers are expected to release their holiday numbers a week from Thursday.
(----------------)

55Weather

8Alleghany-Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

A Clifton Forge woman is dead following a car accident in Alleghany County last night.
30-year-old Pamela Wilhelm was northbound on Route 6-29 when she drove into a curve, lost control of her car and struck a tree.
The accident happened at about 7:30. Wilhelm died at the scene.
Police say she was traveling at a high rate of speed.

8Homeless

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#95-102
GRAPHIC=NONE

The recent, harsh winter weather is sending more of the homeless to seek warmth in area shelters.
Kimberly McBroom has that story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Home for the holidays
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Fred Brzezowski/Salvation Army; :07
SUPER=@Kimberly1; :39
SUPER=07-Robert Shanholtz; :45
SUPER=01-John Sylvester-Johnson/Rescue Mission; 1:02
RUNS=1:23
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7
(( Home for the holidays takes on a new meaning when you're sharing a living space with strangers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:29:42
((FRED BRZEZOWSKI/SALVATION ARMY: WE TRY TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE FESTIVE FOR THEM. YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY GOT UP CHRISTMAS MORNING, WE HAD SEVERAL PRESENTS WAITING FOR THEM. ))
RUNS=:05

The number of occupants increased from 30 to 50 on Christmas at the Salvation Army's Red Shield Lodge for Men.
Brzezowski says that was a larger increase than usual-- he believes the cold weather played a role.
The freezing temperatures are also making for a busy holiday week at the Roanoke Valley Rescue Mission--
The shelter housed over 150 people Christmas night.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT standup here
((ALTHOUGH AWARENESS OF THE HOMELESS IS GREATER DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME-- THOSE WHO ARE IN AREA SHELTERS NOW SAY HOMELESSNESS CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE, AT ANY TIME. ))
RUNS=:10
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:25:17
((ROBERT SHANHOLTZ: WE ALL ARE ONE PAYCHECK AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS. ))
RUNS=:04

Shanholtz knows that first hand.
He was laid off from his job-- and couldn't collect unemployment.
Shelter officials say they hear of all sorts of ways that people fall on hard times.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT rescue mission tape 16:15:35
((JOHN SYLVESTER-JOHNSON/RESCUE MISSION: JUST LIKE ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR, WE'LL HAVE FOLKS WHO GOT EVICTED, OR WHO LOST THEIR POWER, WHO GOT STRANDED IN ROANOKE-- MEN AND WOMEN WHO WANT TO GET OFF THE STREET BY GETTING INTO OUR RECOVERY PROGRAM. PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE FALLEN APART, AND WHO WANT TO PUT THEM BACK TOGETHER. ))
RUNS=:14

Johnson says it's important to remember that the shelter's doors are open to those in need every day-- not just on the holidays.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

8Danville-Neighborhood

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#95-97
GRAPHIC=NONE

Danville residents are working to reduce crime in their neighborhoods and one organization is making a big difference.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

The Westmoreland Neighborhood Organization has been a part of the community for two years.
Since the organization's formation, crime watch signs have gone up and police routinely patrol the area.
Shirley Coles and Bernice Bryant lead the group.
They believe the area is a safer place to live for the community's 600- members.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I have really
((BERNICE BRYANT/ORGANIZATION VICE PRESIDENT: I HAVE REALLY NOTICED A DIFFERENCE, A LOT OF THEM HAVE SAID THEY FEEL FREE TO COME OUT NOW, THEY REALLY ENJOY THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY 'RE NOT AFRAID TO GO TO THE STORE TO COME OUT ON THEIR PORCHES. SHIRLEY COLES/ORGANIZATION PRESIDENT: WE REALLY FEEL THAT WE ARE REALLY REALLY A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT'S REALLY WORTH THE HARD WORK WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.))
SUPER=01-Bernice Bryant/Organization Vice President; :00
SUPER=01-Shirley Coles/Organization President; :15 quick
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=to do here.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The organization's members get together once a month to discuss other projects.
Their next goal is to organize a recreation center for the area's young and old.
(----------------)

8Allen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

In an effort to save more state money, Governor Allen wants to dissolve some boards that either have not met or meet infrequently.
The governor has asked Secretary of the Commonwealth Betsy Beamer to review boards and commissions and find out which have not met in a while.
Beamer says there are fewer than ten boards that never meet.