WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/13/96

08:25-01

7Bus-Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=NONE

A six old school girl was killed yesterday when she was struck by a Halifax County school bus.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Tiffany Harris and her twin sister were students at South of Dan Elementary.
The accident apparently happened about ten minutes after Tiffany got off the bus.
SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;

Family members say the driver went to the end of Route 744 to turn around and apparently stopped on her way out to talk to Tiffany's older sister.
The driver apparently didn't see Tiffany as she stepped in front of the bus after checking the mail.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=If you
((LINWOOD CHAPPELL/TIFFANY'S UNCLE: IF YOU GOT TO KNOW HER FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR YOU WOULD NEVER EVER FORGET HER, SHE WAS JUST THAT SPECIAL, VERY LOVING CHILD, SHE LOVED HER MOTHER VERY MUCH, SHE LOVED EVERYONE AND SHE LOVED HER TWIN SISTER AND SHE CARED FOR HER LIKE A MOTHER, TIFFANY, WAS REALLY SPECIAL.))
SUPER=01-Linwood Chappell/Tiffany's Uncle; :00
RUNS=:22 approx.
OUT Q=was really special.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The accident happened at about 12:30.
So far, no charges have been filed against the driver.
(----------------)

7Timberlake

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-43
GRAPHIC=Lawsuit

One year after the Timber Lake Dam collapsed killing two people, the family of one of the victims is taking legal action.
As Steve Smallshaw reports, the family has filed a two million dollar lawsuit.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Timber Lake
SUPER=03-Campbell Co./June, 1995; :00
SUPER=@ssm1; :40
RUNS=1:04
OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.

(( The Timber Lake dam collapsed under torrential rains last June, emptying millions of gallons of water downstream.
Firefighter Carter Martin and Bedford County resident Doris Stanley were caught in that wall of water and drowned.
Now Stanley's family blames her death on the people responsible for the operation of the Timber Lake dam. They're suing the Timber Lake Homeowners Association, claiming the group "negligently allowed hazardous conditions to exist" and "failed to warn the decedent of the dangerous conditions" created by an unsafe dam.
Also named in the suit are the engineers at Hurt and Proffitt, who allegedly acted "negligently in their inspections of the dam."
The family is seeking two million dollars in damages.
(/////SOT/////)
SU
IN Q=Lawyers on both
((No one who's involved in this lawsuit wanted to comment on the case, but Hurt and Proffitt's attorney did say while Doris Stanley's death was indeed tragic, the engineering firm aggressively denies it was at fault. Both sides have until June 30th to file various responses.. if the suit does go before a jury, it won't happen until early 1997. Steve Smallshaw, News 7, Lynchburg.))
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.))

7Mitchell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-41
GRAPHIC=Mitchell

In Caroll County, investigators are pouring over thousands of transactions trying trying to track down hundreds of thousands of dollars believed stolen from the County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Former county administrator Billy Mitchell already faces 18 counts of embezzlement, and more charges may be coming.
SUPER=03-Carroll Co.;

Investigators say AFTER the board of supervisors bought the old Gardiner property for what is now Magnolia Manufacturing, Mitchell got the county to pay for it AGAIN.
He allegedly submitted bills to the Industrial Development Authority under a fictitious name, then spent the money himself.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:28:14
IN Q=
((GINO WILLIAMS/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: THEY END UP BUYING, BASICALLY PAYING FOR THE BEAVER DAM LAND IN THE NAME OF THE GARDINER CEMETERY LAND TRUST. THAT MONEY THEN GOES INTO AN ACCOUNT, OF WHICH WE BELIEVE MR. MITCHELL IS THE ONLY SIGNATORY, AND THEN FROM THERE IT'S SPENT ON VARIOUS PURCHASES WHICH WE'RE TRYING TO TRACK DOWN. ))
SUPER=01-Gino Williams/Special Prosecutor;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=to track down.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Authorities have traced checks worth thousands of dollars to various retailers, and they've barely gotten started.
They also suspect Mitchell embezzled from Gardiner Cemetery, where he was a trustee.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
It's going to be a nice day -
Expect partly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
The clouds will remain tonight with lows in the mid 60s.
Looking ahead, the weekend looks like it's going to be sunny and hot -
Highs tomorrow will be near 90 degrees.

55EEOC

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-47
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

A meeting between the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Roanoke residents yesterday was suppose to address allegations of employee mistreatment in the city.
Instead, the E-E-O-C found itself being criticized.
Ron Jones has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=You're not doing
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Rev. Leonard Hines/Roanoke Resident; :25
SUPER=01-Perneller Wilson/Roanoke Resident; :35
SUPER=01-Linda Gross/Sen. Chuck Robb Representative; :44
SUPER=01-Barbara Veldhuizen/EEOC Official; :57
SUPER=@Ron2; 1:14
RUNS=1:22
OUT Q=Ron Jones, News Seven.
((
SOT 03:23:05
NAT SOUND ((YOU'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING NOW AND HAVEN'T THEN. AND WE'RE ANGRY ABOUT IT.))
RUNS=:04

Ineffective and all talk.
These are some charges brought against the E-E-O-C in Roanoke.
These citizens say from sexual harrassment to layoffs-- the commission is intimidated by big business and are drowning in their own murky waters of bureaucracy.
They say these meetings are just feel good rhetoric. NAT SOUND
SOT 03:23:27
((REV. LEONARD HINES/ROANOKE RESIDENT: YOU'RE COMING UP HERE TO LISTEN TO WHAT WE SAY AND GOING BACK TO RICHMOND DOING NOTHING AND WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF IT.))
RUNS=:06

There were even accusations of unchallenged racism in the work place.
SOT 03:32:31
((PERNELLER WILSON: RACISM IS BLATANT IN ROANOKE. I'VE EVEN TOLD OUR MAYOR THAT HE NEEDS TO BE WAKEN UP BECAUSE IT'S HERE.))
RUNS=:06

We asked state officials about that.
SOT 03:56:55
((LINDA GROSS/SENATOR CHUCK ROBB'S OFFICE: ON A WHOLE I'VE SEEN SPECIFICALLY FROM ROANOKE IS.. SEEMS TO BE DEALING WITH RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.))
RUNS=:06

E-E-O-C officials say they here similar complaints in other cities and are trying to reach out.
SOT 04:05:18
((BARBARA VELDHUIZEN/EEOC REPRESENTATIVE: WE ARE HERE TO BASICALLY LISTEN TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND BASICALLY GET THEIR REACTION TO WHAT EEOC IS DOING WITH THEIR COMMUNITY AND HOW WE CAN BE OF MORE ASSISTANCE, HOW WE CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE.))
RUNS=:13

Their next step is to develop a plan of action with citizens in the valley to properly challenge employers.
They say these forums may be a little heated-- but they are also healthy.
Ron Jones, News Seven.))

55Senate-Race

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-42
GRAPHIC==warner, john

Senator John Warner is back in Washington this morning after securing his Republican nomination for re-election.
SS=warner, mark

He now faces another Warner in November, Democrat Mark Warner, who headed for the airwaves yesterday.
Ellen Qualls has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It was to
SUPER=03-Richmond/Tuesday Night; :00
SUPER=@markwarner; :25
SUPER=01-Anne Kincaid/Conservative Consultant; :46
SUPER=01-Jim Miller/Former Senate Candidate; :59
SUPER=@Allen; 1:12
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:18
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( It was to be John Warner's day.
sot TAPE TWO 09:10:52
((SEN. JOHN WARNER: LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... THANK THEM.))
runs=:07

But just hours later, media markets all over Virginia started hearing that Democrat Mark Warner was
NAT SOT AD 04;33:41
((RAISED IN A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY, THE FIRST IN HIS FAMILY TO FINISH COLLEGE.))
runs=:06

And the ideological paintbrush was out.
SOT 01;25:25
((MARK WARNER: JOHN WARNER HAS BEEN TOUTING HIS VERY CONSERVATIVE VIEWS OVER THE LAST THREE TO FOUR WEEKS BEFORE THIS PRIMARY. I'M GONNA POINT THAT OUT AS HE TRIES TO SLIDE BACK TO THE MIDDLE.))
RUNS=:13

So if John Warner ran right and won over someone running slightly farther right -- how far right is right for Republicans?
sot 11:13:17
((ANNE KINCAID/POLITICAL CONSULTANT: THIS IS NOT REPUDIATION OF THE CHRISTIAN ...TARRED AND FEATHERED JIM MILLER.))
runs=:13

sot 14:01:28 MILLER ONE
((JIM MILLER: IF A CHALLENGER CAN'T RAISE A LOT OF MONEY, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BE COMPETITIVE. MOREOVER, I'M NOT SURE THAT I'M THE BEST VEHICLE. I DON'T HAVE THAT INHERENT GOOD LOOKS.))
runs=:14

sot ALLEN 05:55:36
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: I REALIZE THAT THE DAY AFTER THIS THAT THERE'S A LOT OF LICKING OF WOUNDS THAT WILL BE NECESSARY.))
runs=:07

sot insert standup here

So there are tough questions for conservative Republicans.
A push for unity behind John Warner from the rest.
And a lot of work for Democrat Mark Warner to even make it a fair fight in November.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

55Weather

8Fatal

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=NONE

On the last day of school a six- year- old Halifax County girl is struck and killed by her school bus.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Tiffany Harris and her twin sister were students at South of Dan Elementary.
The accident apparently happened shortly after Tiffany got off the bus.
SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;

Family members say the driver went to the end of Route 744 to turn around and apparently stopped on her way out to talk to Tiffany's older sister.
The driver apparently didn't see Tiffany as she stepped in front of the bus after checking the mail.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=If you
((LINWOOD CHAPPELL/TIFFANY'S UNCLE: IF YOU GOT TO KNOW HER FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR YOU WOULD NEVER EVER FORGET HER, SHE WAS JUST THAT SPECIAL, VERY LOVING CHILD, SHE LOVED HER MOTHER VERY MUCH, SHE LOVED EVERYONE AND SHE LOVED HER TWIN SISTER AND SHE CARED FOR HER LIKE A MOTHER, TIFFANY, WAS REALLY SPECIAL.))
SUPER=01-Linwood Chappell/Tiffany's Uncle; :00
RUNS=:22 approx.
OUT Q=was really special.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The accident happened at about 12:30.
So far, no charges have been filed against the driver.
(----------------)

8Hiking-Deaths

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

Hundereds of calls been received by the F-B-I and the Park Service about the slayings of two women hikers on in the Shenandoah National Park.
But F-B-I spokesman John Donahue says the investigation has produced no new clues.
The bodies of Julianne (JULIE-ANNE) Williams and Lollie Winans were found June 1st, with their throats slashed.
Because of the numerous calls Donahue says F-B-I specialists have set up a computerized data base to manage the volume of information.
He says investigators have not ruled out any motive.

8Kurt-Russ

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Sta
TAPE#edit of 96-44
GRAPHIC=Russ

A former researcher at Washington and Lee University is free this morning after a judge dismissed conspiracy charges against him.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;

Kurt Russ was charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine.
But, a circuit court judge said there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute.
SUPER=@File;

Russ was one of five people arrested as part of a drug bust in Lexington and Rockbridge County.
It's believed the group was part of a drug ring that stretched from Florida to Virginia.
Prosecutors aren't sure at this point if they'll try to bring other charges against Russ.
(----------------)

8Handguns

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-40
GRAPHIC=None

Virginia used to be the number one "gun-running" state in the nation, but a new study says NO more.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

A study by the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence looked at the number of guns used in crimes and seized by authorities.
The number coming from Virginia has been reduced by two thirds since the one handgun a month law began.
Its chief advocate is proud.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:17:04
IN Q=What troubles me
((WHAT TROUBLES ME IS THAT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE CHEWING THE RAG.. LOOK AT THE FIGURES.))
SUPER=01-Doug Wilder/Former Governor;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=figures.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Even gun rights advocate George Allen says the law's okay.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:57:57
IN Q=I'm very
((I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT VIRGINIA IS NOT BEING LOOKED UPON AS A SOURCE OF ILLEGAL TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=firearms.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=None

The National Rifle Association is NOT pleased however.
It says the study is "all sputter and NO science."

8Sports-Complex

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-49
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal

Lynchburg residents fighting a proposed multi- million dollar sports complex have added two new twists to their lawsuit against the project.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Neighbors now claim the Sports Capital of Virginia is "not" registered with the state corporation commission, and therefore cannot legally take on such a project.
They also say two city council members who sat on the Sports Capital board should never have voted on the issue.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:08:52
IN Q=I think council
((BOB HACKWORTH/CONCERNED CITIZENS OF LYNCHBURG: I THINK COUNCIL HAS ACTED UNKNOWINGLY, AND I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT THEY'VE GONE AS FAR AS THEY HAVE WITHOUT CHECKING OUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING. ))
SUPER=01-Bob Hackworth/Concerned Citizens of Lynchburg; :00
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=what they're doing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The amended complaint was filed yesterday.
A hearing on the issue is set for next month.
(----------------)