08:25-01

7Fatals

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


Two people were killed in separate accidents last night.
In Augusta County, 29-year-old Stephen Branner of Weyers (WEIRS) Cave was died when his pick-up hit a tree.
Police say Branner was traveling on Route 6-4-6 when he ran off the road.
Branner was thrown from the truck before it struck a house.
An A-T-V accident killed a man from White Top.
34-year-old Donald Surber was driving the vehicle on Route 7-5-3 when it overturned and hit a tree.
Surber died later at the hospital.

7Lake-Crash


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=Plane Crash


Meantime, two pilots are lucky to be alive this morning following separate plane crashes in western Virginia.
First, a Bedford County pilot crashed her plane into Smith Mountain Lake.
A neighbor helped pull the woman to shore, but divers will spend today trying to retrieve the aircraft.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Authorities say
SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Sgt. Bobby Ratliff/Va. State Police; :12
SUPER=01-Fred Lunt/Rescuer; :32
SUPER=@ssm1; :55
SUPER=01-Tim Garnes/SML Airport; 1:06
RUNS=1:23
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.


(( Authorities say Penny Simmons was on a final approach to Smith Mountain Lake Airport when her engine went out less than a mile from the runway.
She radioed in she was having trouble.. and seconds later, hit the water.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:43:15
IN Q=When it hit

((SGT. BOBBY RATLIFF/VA STATE POLICE: WHEN IT HIT THE WATER SHE APPARENTLY HAD TIME TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT AND GET INTO THE WATER AND GET AWAY FROM IT.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=away from it.


Luckily, Fred Lunt's wife saw the plane go down, just 75 yards from their dock.
She told her husband who immediately raced to the scene in his boat.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:22:27//6:20:41
IN Q=If it wasn't

((FRED LUNT/RESCUER: IF IT WASN'T FOR MY WIFE, I DON'T THINK NOBODY WOULD HAVE SAW PENNY. MY PROBLEM WAS I COULDN'T LIFT HER INTO THE BOAT. SO FIRST I GOT HER ON THE BOAT HOOK, THEN I SWUNG A LIFELINE AND TIED IT AND SHE HUNG ONTO THE LIFELINE, BROUGHT HER UP TO THIS LADDER HERE AT THE END OF THE DOCK AND THAT'S WHERE WE PUT HER OFF AT.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=her off at.


Lunt says Simmons, who reportedly does not know how to swim, seemed more angry about losing her plane than anything else.
(/////SOT/////)

SU 19:39:00
IN Q=Penny Simmons

((Penny Simmons has been flying out of the Smith Mountain Lake airport for about six years. Her friends say she's an excellent pilot, and that probably played a very large part in her surviving the crash.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=the crash.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:51:56
IN Q=She's a very

((TIM GARNES/SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE AIRPORT: SHE'S A VERY GOOD PILOT AND SHE PROVED IT TODAY. SHE DID A REAL GOOD JOB GETTING THE AIRPLANE DOWN AND GETTING HERSELF OUT OF IT.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=out of it.
natsot 6:48:58

((WE GOT OUR SINGLE LIFT BAGS AT 3000 CAPACITY, SO WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO THEN.))
RUNS=:05


The plane is in about forty feet of water, fifty yards from shore.
Sheriff's authorities using sonar and a red buoy were able to mark the spot for dive teams to begin salvage operations Wednesday.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Simmons was treated and released from the hospital.

7Roanoke-Plane


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-28
GRAPHIC=roanoke regional airport


And there was trouble at the Roanoke Regional Airport when a routine training exercise ended in a minor plane crash.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;


Authorities say a student pilot, whose name is not being released, was attempting to take off in this small Cessna trainer when he lost control before leaving the ground.
The plane apparently raced across the runway and crashed into some heavy equipment.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:36:06 (TAPE 1)
IN Q=The pilot was attempting

((MARK COURTNEY/ROANOKE AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON: THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKE OFF OF 24 TO THE WEST. APPARENTLY HAD DIFFICULTY ON TAKE OFF, LOST CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. IT TRAVELLED ACROSS THE TAXI WAY TOWARDS OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BUILDING.))
SUPER=01-Mark Courtney/Roanoke Airport Spokesperson;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=vehicle maintenance building.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The student pilot was not injured.
Airport authorities and State Police are still investigating.
(----------------)


7Tech-Suit


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


A Virginia Tech official is suing the school's student newspaper.
Sharon Yeagle has filed an 850-thousand dollar defamation lawsuit against the the Collegiate Times.
Her case involves an April 30th article that identified her by a crude, fictitious job title.
She actually is assistant to the vice president for student affairs.
Yeagle says the newspaper damaged her reputation and caused her shame, humiliation, embarrassment and financial loss.
The editors of the newspaper said the phrase was published by mistake.


7Weather


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


Turing now to the forecast -
Cool temperatures and periods of rain today.
Highs will only be in the mid to upper 50s.

55New-Industry


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cutin
TAPE#96-44
GRAPHIC=Business News


More new jobs are coming to Botetourt County from yet another new business.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Yesterday;


It's the fourth time in less than two months, a new business has decided to call Botetourt County home.
Dynax Corporation of Japan makes transmission parts for passenger cars.
Company officials plan to build a 17-million dollar plant at the East-Park Commerce Center.
It'll be a manufacturing plant and serve as the company's American headquarters.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The state

((JOHN SHIFLETT/BOTETOURT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: THE STATE, THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS, ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND A FINE STAFF IN BOTETOURT COUNTY HAVE REALLY MADE THIS HAPPEN. ))
SUPER=01-John Shiflett/Botetourt Co. Board of Supervisors;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=made this happen
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Dynax plans to employ fifty people by this time next year.
That number could double in the future.
The company decided on Botetourt County after an 8-month multi-state search.
(----------------)



55L'burg-Council


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-30
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg


And while new jobs are coming to one part of the state, a new Christian
college is coming to another. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;


Lynchburg's city council last night approved a conditional use permit for Christ College to locate in the old Jones Memorial Library.
The library is currently owned by the Patrick Henry Institute which will rent space to the tiny, unaccredited school.
Christ College will also renovate two nearby homes to use as dormitories for about thirty students.
(----------------)



55Supervisors


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-31
GRAPHIC=Roanoke County


The Roanoke County supervisors approved financing for three school projects- but last night's vote did not ease the debate on the school system's future.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;


The supervisors narrowly approved funding to complete an addition to Northside High School, to air- condition Cave Spring Junior High, and equip the new Glenvar Middle School.
The votes fell along regional lines, and brought complaints that the county is spending millions without a well- developed plan.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=That's been part of our problem

((LEE EDDY/WINDSOR HILLS SUPERVISOR: THAT'S BEEN PART OF OUR PROBLEM RIGHT ALONG WITH THESE SCHOOL PROJECTS. WE'RE APPROPRIATING MONEY WITHOUT KNOWING THE DETAILS OF WHAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO BUY, OR IF THE MONEY IS ENOUGH TO BUY EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED.)) ((HARRY NICKENS/VINTON SUPERVISOR: I THINK WITHOUT A PLAN AND WITHOUT A MULTI- YEAR PLAN THAT WOULD ALLOW FACILITIES TO BE BUILT, OCCUPIED, ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED, ADEQUATELY STAFFED, ETC. IS JUST AN INAPPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE PART OF THIS BODY.))
SUPER=@Eddy; :00
SUPER=@Nickens; :13
RUNS=:31
OUT Q=on the part of this body.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The school board did not get all of the money it requested--
School Superintendent Deanna Gordon says the financing will take care of the most immediate needs while a comprehensive study of school construction is completed.

55Blindness


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Sta
TAPE#96-37
GRAPHIC=health care


Early detection of vision problems can save sight by increasing the chances of effective treatment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday


Prevent Blindness Virginia, a non-profit health organization, sponsored free vision screenings at the Y-M-C-A in Roanoke yesterdaty.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It doesn't take

((SHARON SHAW - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IT DOESN'T TAKE THE PLACE OF A FULL EYE EXAM FROM YOUR EYE DOCTOR BUT WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS DETECT POSSIBLE PROBLEMS.))
SUPER=01-Sharon Shaw/Executive Director;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=detect possible problems
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The screenings check for common problems like near and far-sightedness and more serious problems like glaucoma.
May is national sight-saving month, and the vision tests are being held in communities across the Commonwealth.
(----------------)



55Army-Dog


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


It seems Senator John Warner is coming to the aid of a lost Roanoke dog.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday;


Monday, we told you the story of Pugsy.
The dog has been at the S-P-C-A since the end of last month.
It's original owner is in the Army- stationed in Germany.
Attempts to reach him have been met with political red tape.
But apparently Senator Warner's office is trying to change that.
One of his staffers has placed a call to the Pentagon in hopes of eventually reaching Pugsy's master.
(----------------)



55Weather


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


Turing now to the forecast -
Periods of rain and drizzle today.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 50s.
Overnight lows will be in the low 50s.

8Fatals


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


Two people lost their lives in separate accidents last night.
In Augusta County, 29-year-old Stephen Branner of Weyers Cave was killed when his pick-up hit a tree.
Police say Branner was traveling on Route 6-4-6 when he ran off the road.
Branner was thrown from the truck before it struck a house.
In Grayson County, an A-T-V accident killed a man from White Top.
34-year-old Donald Surber (SER-BER) was driving the vehicle on Route 7-5-3 when it overturned and hit a tree.
Surber died later at the hospital.

8Simmons-Crash


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#Net A
GRAPHIC=Plane Crash


In Western Virginia yesterday, two pilots survived separate plane crashes.
A Bedford County pilot is alive and well after crashing her plane into Smith Mountain Lake.
Steve Smallshaw has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Authorities say
SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Sgt. Bobby Ratliff/Va. State Police; :12
SUPER=01-Fred Lunt/Rescuer; :32
SUPER=@ssm1; :55
SUPER=01-Tim Garnes/SML Airport; 1:06
RUNS=1:23
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.


(( Authorities say Penny Simmons was on a final approach to Smith Mountain Lake Airport when her engine went out less than a mile from the runway.
She radioed in she was having trouble.. and seconds later, hit the water.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:43:15
IN Q=When it hit

((SGT. BOBBY RATLIFF/VA STATE POLICE: WHEN IT HIT THE WATER SHE APPARENTLY HAD TIME TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT AND GET INTO THE WATER AND GET AWAY FROM IT.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=away from it.


Luckily, Fred Lunt's wife saw the plane go down, just 75 yards from their dock.
She told her husband who immediately raced to the scene in his boat.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:22:27//6:20:41
IN Q=If it wasn't

((FRED LUNT/RESCUER: IF IT WASN'T FOR MY WIFE, I DON'T THINK NOBODY WOULD HAVE SAW PENNY. MY PROBLEM WAS I COULDN'T LIFT HER INTO THE BOAT. SO FIRST I GOT HER ON THE BOAT HOOK, THEN I SWUNG A LIFELINE AND TIED IT AND SHE HUNG ONTO THE LIFELINE, BROUGHT HER UP TO THIS LADDER HERE AT THE END OF THE DOCK AND THAT'S WHERE WE PUT HER OFF AT.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=her off at.


Lunt says Simmons, who reportedly does not know how to swim, seemed more angry about losing her plane than anything else.
(/////SOT/////)

SU 19:39:00
IN Q=Penny Simmons

((Penny Simmons has been flying out of the Smith Mountain Lake airport for about six years. Her friends say she's an excellent pilot, and that probably played a very large part in her surviving the crash.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=the crash.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:51:56
IN Q=She's a very

((TIM GARNES/SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE AIRPORT: SHE'S A VERY GOOD PILOT AND SHE PROVED IT TODAY. SHE DID A REAL GOOD JOB GETTING THE AIRPLANE DOWN AND GETTING HERSELF OUT OF IT.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=out of it.
natsot 6:48:58

((WE GOT OUR SINGLE LIFT BAGS AT 3000 CAPACITY, SO WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO THEN.))
RUNS=:05


The plane is in about forty feet of water, fifty yards from shore.
Sheriff's authorities using sonar and a red buoy were able to mark the spot for dive teams to begin salvage operations Wednesday.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Simmons has since been treated and released from the hospital.

8Roanoke-Plane


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-28
GRAPHIC=roanoke regional airport


And at Roanoke Regional airport, another small plane crash involving a routine training exercise.
Authorities say a student pilot, whose name
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

is not being released, was attempting to take off in a small Cessna trainer when he lost control before leaving the ground.
The plane apparently raced across the runway and crashed into some heavy equipment.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:36:06 (TAPE 1)
IN Q=The pilot was attempting

((MARK COURTNEY/ROANOKE AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON: THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKE OFF OF 24 TO THE WEST. APPARENTLY HAD DIFFICULTY ON TAKE OFF, LOST CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. IT TRAVELLED ACROSS THE TAXI WAY TOWARDS OUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE BUILDING.))
SUPER=01-Mark Courtney/Roanoke Airport Spokesperson;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=vehicle maintenance building.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The student pilot was not injured.
Airport authorities and State Police are still investigating.
(----------------)


8L'burg-Council


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-30
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg


Lynchburg will soon be home to another Christian college.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;


City council last night approved a conditional use permit for Christ College to locate in the old Jones Memorial Library.
The library is currently owned by the Patrick Henry Institute which will rent space to the tiny, unaccredited school.
Christ College will also renovate two nearby homes to use as dormitories for about thirty students.
(----------------)



8Weather


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


Turing now to the forecast -
Cool temperatures and periods of rain today.
Highs will only be in the mid to upper 50s. temperatures climbing into the 70's, maybe even the low 80's. And looking ahead look for rain to hang around through the weekend, with
by SS