WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/16/96

08:25-01

7Bank-Robbery

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-27
GRAPHIC=NONE

A bank hold up was put on hold yesterday, thanks to a quick thinking bank manager and a customer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Yesterday;

Thirty-four year old Troy Nathan Jennings was arrested after he brawled with employees and police inside the First Federal Savings bank.
Authorities say Jennings pushed a teller out of the way and started grabbing money when the bank manager tried to stop him.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:16:31
IN Q=He was approached
((CMDR. EARL BURNETTE/LYNCHBURG POLICE: HE WAS APPROACHED BY THE MALE BANK MANAGER, AT THAT TIME A FIGHT BROKE OUT BETWEEN THE BANK MANAGER AND THE SUSPECT, WHO LIKE I SAID, WAS ALONG AT THE TIME. THE BANK MANAGER MANAGED TO LOCK HIM INTO THE VAULT WITH THE GATE AND THE ALARM WAS SOUNDED AND POLICE RESPONDED.))
SUPER=01-Cmdr. Earl Burnette/Lynchburg Police; :00
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=and police responded.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Four people, including the suspect and a police officer, were slightly injured in the struggle.
Jennings is charged with two counts of robbery.
(----------------)

7Innotech

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-23
GRAPHIC=Innotech Logo

A Roanoke optical company announces a multi-million dollar expansion plan.
As Len Besthoff explains Innotech's vision is significant growth by the year 2000.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It was
SUPER=01-Ken DiRocco/Innotech Employee; :06
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday; :13
SUPER=01-Ronald Blum/Innotech CE0; :30
SUPER=@Len1; :46 (screen right & QUICK!)
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=LB, News-7.
(( It was anything but an average day on the job for Ken DiRocco and his fellow employees at Innotech.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 12:49:58 put sound up pretty high here!
IN Q=When we
((KEN DIROCCO/INNOTECH EMPLOYEE: WHEN WE STARTED WE WERE RELATIVELY SMALL, AND NOW WE'RE EXPANDING AND GROWING, AND EVERY MONTH WE SEE NEW CHANGES.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=new changes.

The Roanoke optical company announced it will use 30 million dollars it raised selling its stock to the public to fund a major expansion.
Innotech expects to hire 550 new workers in Roanoke, and 450 in Petersburg to build, market, and sell its hot new product.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:31:44 TAPE ONE COVER FRONT OR BACK HALF WITH THE LENS MAKING MACHINE
SHOTS
IN Q=We have
((RONALD BLUM/INNOTECH CE0: WE HAVE A TECHNOLOGY THAT ALLOWS THE INDEPENDENT OPTOMETRIST, OPTHAMOLOGIST, OPTICIAN OR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO USE IT FOR THAT MATTER, MAKE LENSES IN A SMALLER AMOUNT OF SPACE, MUCH MORE QUICKLY, AND AT LESS COST, THAN ANY TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE TODAY.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=available today.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT besthoff s/u 15:38:25
IN Q=Innotech
((Innotech sees itself expanding for two main reasons. For starters, it thinks it has a unique product, and secondly, it says the market for bifocal lenses, that go into making glasses like these, is literally expanding by the day.))
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=by the day.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:31:22 TAPE ONE
IN Q=The optical
((RONALD BLUM/INNOTECH CE0: THE OPTICAL INDUSTRY IS DEFINITELY GROWTH MARKET BECAUSE, THE AGING OF THE POPULATION AND THE GROWTH IS JUST PHENOMENAL.))
SUPER=
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=just phenomenal.

Innotech believes it will have to find a new facility in Roanoke to accommodate its expansion.
It says in the interest of shareholders, it will seek state and local incentive funding for the project.
Len Besthoff, News-7.))

7Tech-Center

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-21
GRAPHIC=Education

In Franklin County, a brighter future for students thanks to a new learning center.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;

The ground breaking was yesterday for the Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration.
The more than 6 million dollar facility will give students the chance to make early career choices.
Franklin County eighth graders will spend an entire semester at the Rocky Mount center.
And officials say there's nothing else like it in the Commonwealth.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:17:03
IN Q=It's a concept
((LEONARD GEREAU/FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: IT'S A CONCEPT THAT WE DEVELOPED OVER THE PAST TWO TO THREE YEARS WITH LOCAL INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS LEADERS AND PARENTS. WE'VE USED SEVERAL CONSULTANTS IN THE PROCESS, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE STATE. ))
SUPER=01-Leonard Gereau/Franklin County Schools Superintendent;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=in the state
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Gereau says students will acquire "saleable skills," and believes they'll be better prepared for the workforce.
The center is scheduled to open in the fall of 97.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
Today is going to be much nicer than yesterday.
We're going to have partly sunny skies, but it's going to be windy and cool.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 50s.
For tonight, expect mostly clear skies.
Temperatures are going to be cold, lows will dip into the mid 30s.
Tomorrow is going to be sunny and breezy with temperatures in the mid 60s.

55VMI-Assault

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#Edit of 594-15
GRAPHIC=VMI Seal

Six Virginia Military Institute cadets have been suspended for assaulting a freshman classmate who had been excused from the "Rat Line" because of medical problems.
Nine other cadets have been disciplined in the attack.
The freshmen cadets held their classmate down and tried to shave his head.
They also sprayed a chemical balm on his genitals.
The cadet partly dislocated his shoulder in the fray.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;

V-M-I officials say the attackers apparently were upset that the cadet escaped some unsavory parts of the Rat Line -- a rigorous experience for first-year students.
(----------------)

55Preston

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

A former University of Virginia football player is charged with assault and battery following a weekend incident.
Twenty-year-old Charles Preston is accused of slamming another student's head through a car window on Sunday.
Matthew Kase, was treated for minor injuries.
Preston also faces a charge of destruction of property.
He was dropped from the squad earlier this year when he announced he planned to transfer to another school.

55City-Budget

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-20
GRAPHIC=Roanoke

A public hearing on the city budget will be held April 29th at the Roanoke Civic Center.
Yesterday, City Manager Bob Herbert unveiled a 152 million dollar budget proposal that he says will benefit Roanoke neighborhoods.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

The plan maintains services,-- funds the school board request for education, and includes a four and a half percent pay raise for employees.
While the budget does not call for any increase in tax rates or fees, Herbert says it does include new initiatives for neighborhoods including the rental inspection program.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I think that once people have
((BOB HERBERT/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I THINK THAT ONCE PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE MAINTAINED TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, THEY WILL HAVE THE CONFIDENCE NOT ONLY TO CONTINUE TO LIVE ON THEIR PROPERTY, BUT TO FIX IT UP BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE OTHER PROPERTY BEING FIXED UP IN AND AROUND THEM.))
SUPER=@Herbert;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=in and around them.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Herbert is also proposing changes in garbage collection.
By providing each household with a roll-out container, Herbert believes the city can save money and improve neighborhood appearance.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

City council will approve a final budget in mid-May.

55L'burg-Budget

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-25
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg

There's good news for Lynchburg tax payers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

For the third straight year, the Lynchburg city budget calls for a reduction in the real estate tax rate.
City officials say they can afford to do that because other revenues are on the rise.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:31:39
IN Q=This city is
((BOB DAVENPORT/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: THIS CITY IS WELL- FINANCED, THIS CITY IS IN GOOD FISCAL CONDITION, GOOD FINANCIAL CONDITION. WE CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY LAYING AROUND, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT, BUT IT IS A CITY THAT'S BEEN WELL- MANAGED FINANCIALLY AND WE HAVE CERTAIN RESERVES TO HELP US WITH HARD TIMES IF THEY COME ALONG.))
SUPER=01-Bob Davenport/Lynchburg Council Member; :00
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=they come along.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The 98 million dollar budget also contains an extra 1 point 2 million dollars in local funding for Lynchburg schools.
A public hearing is scheduled for May 9th.
(----------------)

55Footless-Pup

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sch
TAPE#96-19
GRAPHIC=NONE

The pawless puppy that was found in a local dumpster has been adopted by a Roanoke family.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Matt and Pam Lucas will now take care of the black, lab- mix pup.
The puppy was born without paws, so the owners will have to deal with the special needs of the pet.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=some special booties
((PAM LUCAS/NEW OWNER: SOME SPECIAL BOOTIES WE'RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING MADE FOR HER WHICH WOULD HELP HER ALSO OUTSIDE AND INSIDE.))
SUPER=07-Pam Lucas/New owner
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=outside and inside
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The black lab was found in a dumpster and taken to the Roanoke Animal Hospital.
Vets say she is in good hands.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=she's not going
((BRIDGET QUATMANN/ROANOKE SPCA VETERINARIAN: SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE THE KIND OF DOG THAT CAN GO OUT AND PLAY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE CAN BUT SHE CAN STILL HAVE A GOOD QUALITY LIFE.))
SUPER=07-Bridget Quatmann/Roanoke SPCA Veterinarian
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=good quality life
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

The Lucas's were selected from 29 applicants wanting the dog.

55Weather

8VMI-Assault

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#Edit of 594-15
GRAPHIC=VMI Seal

Six Virginia Military Institute cadets have been suspended for assaulting a freshman classmate who had been excused from the "Rat Line" because of medical problems.
Nine other cadets have been disciplined in the attack.
The freshmen held their classmate down and tried to shave his head.
They also sprayed a chemical balm on his genitals.
The cadet partly dislocated his shoulder in the fray.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;

V-M-I officials say the attackers apparently were upset that the cadet escaped some unsavory parts of the Rat Line -- a rigorous experience for first-year students.
(----------------)

8Taxes

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-26
GRAPHIC=NONE

By now you're probably breathing a sigh of relief-- Tax time is finally over.
But as Kimberly McBroom reports, many folks waited until the last minute to pay their debt to Uncle Sam.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The traffic jam
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00
SUPER=01-Mike Spears/Internal Revenue Service; :23
SUPER=01-Carlotta Stiltner/Last Minute Filer; :46
SUPER=01-Tom Wolfe/Last Minute Filer; 1:01
SUPER=01-Bobbie Flagg/Last Minute Filer; 1:15
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:29
RUNS=1:41
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

(( The traffic jam to pay Uncle Sam makes for one of the busiest days of the year for the U.S. Postal Service.
People continued streaming in throughout the evening-- collecting free stamps, courtesy of the American Postal Workers Union and free advice, courtesy of the I-R-S. ((MIKE SPEARS/INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE: WE TEASE THEM. WE GIVE THEM A HARD TIME. BUT PEOPLE WAIT 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE-- A LOT OF THEM DO. WE TRY TO GIVE THEM A HARD TIME-- KIND OF KEEP THINGS LIGHT AND EASY BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF STRESS THAT LAST DAY.))
Spears estimates a 30 to 40- percent increase in last- minute filers from last year-- mostly people needing forms or asking questions.
But some say putting off the inevitable is just human nature.
((CARLOTTA STILTNER/LAST- MINUTE FILER: PROCRASTINATION. THOSE THAT PROBABLY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO OWE MONEY, SO THEY ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE. SOME OF THEM ARE FORTUNATE MAYBE-- THEY GET A LITTLE BIT BACK. BUT I'M NOT. SO, I WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.))
((TOM WOLFE/LAST- MINUTE FILER: Do you usually wait until this late to do your taxes? WELL, I'M A LITTLE EARLY RIGHT NOW-- USUALLY WAIT TIL A LITTLE LATER-- In the day? IN THE DAY, YEAH.))
And even those with the best intentions to get their taxes done early sometimes put pleasure BEFORE business.
((BOBBIE FLAGG/LAST- MINUTE FILER: I HAD TO COME TO ROANOKE TO SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND I WAS BUSY ALL WEEKEND MAKING WHOOPIE. SO, I HAD TO DO IT TONIGHT.
So, you had your fun first, and now you've got to take care of business?
WELL HONEY, WHEN YOU GET MY AGE, YOU HAVE YOUR FUN WHEN YOU CAN.)) Standup here
Now, while filling out all those tax forms may not be much fun, we still have to do it.
The I-R-S says if you missed the midnight deadline, it's important that you file for an extension as soon as possible.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

8Landrith

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-24
GRAPHIC=Landrith

And on the subject of taxes, Republican George Landrith says if elected to Congress he'll never vote to RAISE taxes.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

Landrith is seeking the GOP nomination- He made the pledge as part of a campaign swing through the Fifth District.
Landrith also promoted his ideas for tax reform, while in Danville yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
16:28:32
SOT
IN Q=First, we have
((GEORGE LANDRITH/R-FIFTH DISTRICT CANDIDATE: FIRST, WE HAVE TO CONTROL SPENDING, I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT AT THIS POINT IS TO OBVIOUSLY GO THROUGH SOME OF OUR GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS THAT ARE UNNECESSARY, AND CUT THEM, WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE VERY VERY IMPORTANT, THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY GROWN AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN THE ECONOMY HAS GROWN, WE NEED TO SLOW THAT RATE DOWN SO THAT IT GROWS IN STEP WITH THE ECONOMY. ))
SUPER=01-George Landrith/(R) Fifth District Candidate; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=with the economy.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Delegate Frank Ruff and Ron Buchanan are also seeking the Republican nomination.
Last night, Rocky Mount state senator Virgil Goode secured the Democratic nomination.

8Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
There's no rain in store for us today.
We'll have partly sunny skies, but it's going to be windy and cool.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 50s.
For tonight, expect mostly clear skies.
Temperatures are going to be cold, lows will dip into the mid 30s. Tomorrow is going to be sunny and breezy with temperatures in the mid 60s.