WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 05/02/96

08:25-01

7Stuart-Ax

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

A tractor trailer accident is slowing traffic through the town of Stuart this morning.
State police say the wreck, which happened at midnight, is still blocking part of Route 58.
Motorists are advised to take a different route.

7Robbery

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

Salem police are looking for suspects in an overnight robbery.
At about 12:30, two people wearing ski masks grabbed a money bag from a woman making a night deposit at First Virginia Bank at Lakeside Plaza.
The woman told police one of the suspects had a gun but did not threaten her with it.

7Halifax-Drugs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-38
GRAPHIC=NONE

The arrest of a teacher and janitor in Halifax County this week does not mark the first school employee with an arrest arrest record.
Teresa Hamilton has the store.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=37- year
SUPER=03-Halifax; :00 Quick
SUPER=01-Kenneth Walker/Halifax Co. Schools Superintendent; :11
SUPER=@Teresa1; :35
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=Hamilton, News 7, Halifax.
((
37- year old Dorothy Ferrell has taught at Halifax Elementary for a number of years.
But the charges against her may place her job as a second grade teacher in jeopardy.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I was
((DR. KENNETH WALKER/HALIFAX SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED, WE VIEW ANY KIND OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY EMPLOYEES AS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. ))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=as a very serious matter.

A Halifax Sheriff's Deputy answering a disturbance call says he spotted Ferrell and a school custodian sitting in a car along with some crack cocaine and pipes used to smoke it.
Ferrell and 40- year old Jerry Ragsdale were taken into custody. stand up
Dorothy Ferrell isn't the first teacher this school year to run into trouble with the law. Elizabeth Brade, a business teacher at Halifax County high school, was suspended without pay after she was charged with 68-counts of writing bad checks. end su
Prosecutors say Brade wrote the checks to support a substance abuse problem.
Whatever the case, news of MONDAY night's arrest has raised questions in the community.
Many want to know the school system's policy toward random drug testing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I've
((DR. KENNETH WALKER/HALIFAX SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT:I'VE CHECKED WITH LEGAL COUNSEL AND I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT WE'RE NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO DO RANDOM SEARCHES OF TEACHERS. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=of teachers.

Custodians are also exempt.
But the county is allowed to search employees in safety sensitive positions, such as bus drivers.
Both Ferrell and Ragsdale are suspended without pay pending the outcome of their case. Teresa Hamilton, News 7, Halifax.))

7Lukens-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-31
GRAPHIC=Fire aftermath
It has been four months since an arsonist burned down the historic Lukens building in Lynchburg.
But still the charred debris remains untouched.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

The city of Lynchburg gave property owner Larry Halstead until May 8th to arrange to have it removed from the site.
So far it's received no response,-- and if the city is forced to do the cleanup, it could cost Halstead close to 30 thousand dollars.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:04:59
IN Q=We have placed
((WALTER ERWIN/LYNCHBURG CITY ATTORNEY: WE HAVE PLACED THE INSURANCE COMPANY ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE CLAIMING A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS AND ASKING THE COMPANY NOT TO DISBURSE PROCEEDS WITHOUT TAKING OUR LIEN INTO CONSIDERATION. NOW THERE MAY BE OTHER LIENS AHEAD OF THE CITY BUT WE ARE TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY AS WELL.))
SUPER=01-Walter Erwin/Lynchburg City Attorney; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=company as well.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Halstead already owes Lynchburg 25- thousand dollars for demolition.
His insurance company paid off Halstead's mortgage on the property, but is waiting to see what the arson investigation turns up before writing any more checks.
Neither Halstead or his attorney could be reached for comment.
(----------------)

7Frito-Lay

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-21
GRAPHIC=Frito Lay

Governor Allen is expected to help break ground today for a 100-million dollar Frito Lay plant in Lynchburg.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape;

The plant -- bringing with it a thousand new jobs -- will be located inside the city's industrial park on Lakeside Drive.
Lynchburg beat out four other locations in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Taking a look now at the forecast -
A chance of a sprinkle this morning, but the rest of the day is going to be partly sunny.
Highs will be in the lower 70s.

55Robbery

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

In Salem, a woman was robbed early this morning while making a night deposit.
The woman says at about 12:30, two people wearing ski masks grabbed her money bag in the parking lot of First Virginia Bank at Lakeside Plaza.
The woman told police one of the suspects had a gun but did not threaten her with it.

55Donnelley

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-32
GRAPHIC=Donnelley

R-R Donnelley's plan to build a multi million dollar printing facility in Roanoke County is on schedule,
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;
thanks to some speedy grading work by contractors the county hired.
As part of the deal to attract R-R Donnelley here, the county promised to have the site ready for construction in just a few months.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:30:14
IN Q=With the
((BOB JOHNSON/ROANOKE COUNTY SUPERVISOR: WITH THE HELP OF JOE THOMAS AND HIS CREW, WE CAME IN UNDER BUDGET AND ON TIME, IN FACT THEY SAVED ABOUT 400 THOUSAND DOLLARS.))
SUPER=@Johnson;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=400 thousand dollars.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

With its largest piece of industrial land now taken, the county is looking for other potential sites.
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./File Tape;

Supervisors say the 460 acre Glenn Mary parcel REMAINS under consideration, in spite of some opposition from residents in the western part of the county.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:31:48
IN Q=We have
((JOHNSON: WE HAVE CLOSED NO DOORS ANY OPTION THAT WE HAD AVAILABLE THREE TO FOUR WEEKS AGO WE'RE STILL CONSIDERING ACTIVELY.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=considering actively.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Roanoke County is looking at about 45 different pieces of land within its borders for industrial and commercial development.
(-------------)

55VIP-Carwash

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-28
GRAPHIC=None

More complaints are rolling in against a Roanoke car washing service.
This despite the new owner's promise to clean up the business.
Scott Prince has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=When last
SUPER=03-Roanoke/March 27; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :21
SUPER=01-Larry Musselwhite/Unsatisfied Customer; :26
SUPER=@Scott1; :38
SUPER=01-Fran Stephanz/Better Business Bureau; :59
RUNS=1:19
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News- 7

((When last we saw Jennifer Farmer, she had just taken over V- I- P Customer Service.
The car washing company was doused with complaints after area residents paid up front to get their vehicles cleaned, but then never received the service.
Farmer changed the name of the company to Professional Car Care Services... and then made this pledge.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT FILE TAPE 96-11
((JENNIFER FARMER: I'M GOING TO MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT. ))
RUNS=:02

That was then... this is now.
It seems Farmer closed the Williamson Road office... leaving her customers high and dry.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:44:01
IN Q=They had
((LARRY MUSSELWHITE: THEY HAD THE MOBILE UNIT AND THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO COME TO DO JUST A MARVELOUS JOB. THE JOB'S BEEN DONE, BUT NOT TO THE CAR. ))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=to the car
stand up 4:38:41
Larry Musselwhite is not alone.
According to police a number of unsatisfied customers have called in the past week, expressing their displeasure with the car washing company.
And as of right now no one seems to know the whereabouts of Jennifer Farmer. end stand up
Telephone service to the office has been disconnected, and a new phone number is not listed.
The Better Business Bureau has sent written complaints, but they've been returned for lack of a forwarding address.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:51:06
IN Q=We are still
((FRAN STEPHANZ/BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: WE ARE STILL REQUESTING THE COMPLAINTS IN WRITING AND IF WE CAN FIND SOMEWHERE TO FILE THEM WE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON IT. I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU THOUGH, I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK. THAT'S MY OPINION. ))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=my opinion

That seems to be the feeling of most of the customers too.
They say one of the few things they HAVE received is a lesson for the future.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))

55Altavista-Armory

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-25
GRAPHIC=None

In Altavista, the end of an era with the closing of the town's National Guard Armory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Altavista

Yesterday's closing ceremony marked the end of a 74- year presence for the Guard in Altavista.
Defense cutbacks have forced six armories in Virginia to close their doors.
The move evoked memories from longtime Altavista residents.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:21:29//10:11:28
IN Q=We've had some
((RUDY BURGESS/ALTAVISTA MAYOR: WE'VE HAD SOME FLOODS IN THE PAST AND WE'VE HAD SOME BAD SNOWSTORMS AND THEY WOULD GO GET THE PEOPLE AND BRING THEM TO WORK AND THOSE TYPE THINGS. IT'S BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE'RE GOING TO MISS THAT PART OF IT, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.)) ((MAJOR FRED DOYLE/VA NATIONAL GUARD: IN KEEPING WITH THE REGIMENTAL MOTTO `EVER FORWARD', SO MUST THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD MOVE FORWARD TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY.))
SUPER=01-Rudy Burgess/Altavista Mayor; :00
SUPER=01-Major Fred Doyle/VA National Guard; :10
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=the 21st century.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Guard's 70 Altavista members will be transferred to different units across central and southwest Virginia.
(----------------)

55Weather

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

Taking a look now at the forecast -
A chance for a sprinkle this morning, but the rest of the day is going to be partly sunny.
Highs will be in the lower 70s.

8Robbery

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

Salem police are looking for two people who robbed a woman as she tried to make a nignt deposit at Lakeside Plaza.
It happened at about 12:30 at the First Virginia Bank.
The woman told police the suspects were wearing ski masks and that one of them had a gun but did not threaten her with it.

8Henry-Jail

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-39
GRAPHIC=NONE

Prisoners in the Henry County jail may get a little more room.
A plan is underway to provide more space for prisoners-- and more elbow room for the sheriff's department.
Kimberly McBroom reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We didn't realize
SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Frank Cassell/Henry Co. Sheriff; :32
SUPER=@Kimberly1; :56
RUNS=1:22
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7
((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT NAT SOUND
((WE DIDN'T REALIZE... IT'S A MIRROR IMAGE OF THE CELLS UPSTAIRS. ))
RUNS=:10

And that realization created a solution to the long-time overcrowding problem of the Henry County jail.
Last year, there was an average of 96 inmates-- many of them double- bunked.
But now, the county's approved a one- point- eight million dollar expansion project that'll transform office space into jail cells.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:30:22
((FRANK CASSELL/HENRY CO. SHERIFF: WE'VE GOT PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR NOW-- 10 YEARS FROM NOW THEY MAY BE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR AGAIN. BUT IT'LL ELEVIATE THE PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. ))
RUNS=:08

The plan calls for the sheriff's department to move into the nearby Social Services Building.
Social services will then move to another location.
But the project doesn't only provide additional room for prisoners--
(/////SOT/////)
SOT standup, next the last one
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: ONCE THEY MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THESE NARROW HALLWAYS, MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAVE TO WORK IN SOME PRETTY CRAMPED OFFICE SPACES. THAT'S WHY THEY'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE BIG MOVE NEXT DOOR. ))
RUNS=:10
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:30:39
((CASSELL: WELL, I THINK THEY'LL FEEL LIKE THEY'VE GOTTEN OUT OF JAIL, TOO, WHEN THEY GET SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY GOT ADEQUATE SPACE. ))
RUNS=:05

Three times their current space-- to be exact.
Sheriff Cassell says he's not sure when his department will get to move into their new digs-- but he hopes to start packing soon.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Henry County.
))

8Bosher

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=NONE

The leader of Virginia's schools for the Allen administration is stepping down.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

Superintendent for Public Instruction Bill (BOH-shur) Bosher will take over Chesterfield County schools, at a higher salary of 135- thousand dollars.
Bosher helped lead the state through controversy over charter schools, and to compromise on grade-specific academic standards and testing programs.
(--------0--------)

8Youth-Law

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-27
GRAPHIC=None

Roanoke County police are helping sixth graders understand the Law.
Yesterday was "Law Day" across the state, and a Roanoke County officer visited the classroom to talk about laws and their purpose.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The program is called "Youth for Justice".
These sixth graders are given an opportunity to evaluate and discuss current laws. ((TOM KINCAID/ROANOKE CO. POLICE: WE'RE TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT THE LAW IS, WHAT IT'S PURPOSE IS, HOW IT RELATES TO THEM. AND ANYTIME YOU UNDERSTAND SOMETHING AND HOW IT WORKS AND WHY, THEN YOU'RE GENERALLY MORE SUPPORTIVE OF IT AND WE FIND THAT'S THE REACTION OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.))
SUPER=01-Tom Kincaid/Roanoke Co. Police;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=of the young people.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Officer Kincaid tries to makes the law interesting by teaching through games and skits.
(/////SOT/////)
IN Q=He's kind of acting
SOT 14:36:39
((TERRENCE BROWN/SIXTH GRADE STUDENT: HE'S KIND OF ACTING LIKE WE ARE, BUT TEACHING US THE WAY OF LAW IN A CHILD'S POINT OF VIEW.)) BUTT, BUTT, BUTT
SOT 14:35:04
((ASHLEY KESSLER/SIXTH GRADE STUDENT: THE WAY HE TEACHES IT HE MAKES IT REALLY INTERESTING. IT'S FUN.))
SUPER=01-Terrence Brown/Sixth Grade Student;
SUPER=01-Ashley Kessler/Sixth Grade Student;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=It's just fun.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The course is actually taught year round.
(----------------)