WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/25/96

08:25-01

7Yokohama

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=Yokohama
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

Too much inventory is forcing one of the biggest employers in Salem to lay off workers.
Scott Prince has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The shift
SUPER=03-Salem;:00
SUPER=@Scott2; :12
SUPER=04-File Tape;:20
RUNS=1:00
OUT Q=S.P., N- 7, Salem

((The shift was over... and cars filed out of the Yokohama plant like they would any other day.
Except this time, the drive home was filled with thoughts of a work force shake up.
Company officials say the Salem plant has excessive levels of inventory.
For about fifty workers, that means layoffs.
For the rest it means a 7- day hiatus... as the plant will close for a week starting August first.
Problems started in January... when some defective tires were sent to one of its biggest customers, Price Costco.
Then last month, Costco broke ties with Yokohama.
Both companies insist the bad batch had nothing to do with the loss of the contract.
Nonetheless it was a major blow for Yokohama.
Costco would usually purchase about one third of the tires made at the Salem plant.
Now production will be cut by three percent.
Yokohama says it had no choice but to make the work force changes.
Meanwhile workers were left no choice but to roll out... and roll with the punches.
Scott Prince, News 7, Salem))

7Jafree

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-56
GRAPHIC=Business News

Meantime, after 60 years in business the (JAFF-free) Jafree Shirt Company is closing up shop.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wytheville;

Jafree once employed several hundred workers, sewing shirts for famous- label companies.
Now there are only about 50 workers
Officials say the sharpest decline came when the North American Free Trade Agreement allowed work to shift overseas.
And President Charles Clatterbuck says the final nail in the coffin is the pending minimum wage increase.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:30:37
IN Q=
((CHARLES CLATTERBUCK/JAFREE PRESIDENT: THERE ARE PLANTS AND COUNTRIES THAT ARE PAYING 31 CENTS AN HOUR. I CAN'T COMPETE WITH THAT. ))
SOT 11:00:38
((GERALDINE CASSELL/JAFREE WORKER: I THINK IT'S TERRIBLE THAT THEY'RE TAKING OUR JOBS OVERSEAS.))
SUPER=01-Charles Clatterbuck/Jafree President;
SUPER=01-Geraldine Cassell/Jafree Worker; :09
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=jobs overseas.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Clatterbuck hopes someone will buy the plant and keep it open.
The Wythe County Industrial Development Authority HAS pledged to help.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:29:14
IN Q=
((BENNY BURKETT/WYTHE CO. IDA: WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM IN ANY WAY THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. AND THE PROSPECTS AS WELL. IF THEY NEED FINANCING WE'LL TRY TO ASSIST WITH THAT AS WELL. ))
SUPER=01-Benny Burkett/Wythe Co. IDA;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=with that as well.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The plant is slated to close September 13th.
(----------------)

7Dorm-Buyout

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

Faced with a larger than expected freshman class in the fall, Virginia Tech has come up with a dorm buyout plan.
The school says it will pay upperclassmen to live OFF campus.
The buyout offers students the 100 dollar refund of their dormitory prepayment, and 150 dollars worth of dining money to spend in campus dining halls.
Tech had planned for a freshman class of 48-hundred students.
But now it looks like 52-hundred will come.

7Gymnastics

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-57
GRAPHIC=Olympics

The success of seven young Americans in Atlanta is expected to have children rushing to gymns around the country.
Local coaches and gymnist say a gold medal for the women's gymnastic team should renew interest in the sport.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I was amazed at how they came back
((LAUREN SISLER/GYMNAST: I WAS AMAZED AT HOW THEY CAME BACK FROM COMPULSORY AND EVERYTHING AND HOW KERRI STRUG HURT HERSELF AND SHE WENT ALL THE WAY FOR THE TEAM.))
SUPER=01-Lauren Sisler/Gymnast;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=all the way for the team.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The team's success has been a boost for Lauren Sisler and other young athletes at the Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics.
The sport requires long hours of practice, often with little recognition.
But the Olympics have brought them back into the spotlight.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Our phone has been ringing
((BARBARA JIRKA/HEAD COACH: OUR PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING CONSTANTLY ALL WEEK LONG, EVEN BEFORE THE WOMEN'S TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL, SO THAT JUST PROVES TO YOU THAT THE OLYMPICS REALLY DOES HELP OUR SPORT.))
SUPER=01-Barbara Jirka/Head Coach;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=does help our sport.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Most of the advanced students practice at least 16 hours a week, but the coach says she expects enrollment to climb substantially in the wake of the Olympic Games.
(----------------)

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=none
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NONE
SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
(CHYRON TODAY/TONIGHT AREA FORECAST PAGE)
SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Afternoon Storms/85-89/Decreasing/Clouds/65-69;
SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the forecast -
It's going to be partly cloudy today with a chance of rain.
Highs will be in the mid to upper 80s. 7BIRTHDAYS ! 7/26/96

SUPER=130-80/Virginia Reynolds/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-17/Brandy Heiler/Narrows;

SUPER=130-10/Rachel Jones/Fieldale;

SUPER=130-1/Bing Wolfe/Millboro Springs;

SUPER=130-6/Corey Hite/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-13/B.A. Banks/Vinton;

SUPER=130-1/Damesha Courts/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-3/Jessica Boutilier/Buena Vista;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-60th/Mr. & Mrs. Thadeus Andrews/Lewisburg;

SUPER=130-7/Matthew Humphreys/New Castle;

SUPER=130-12/Patrick Lovern/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-14/Brian Dillon/Glade Hill;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-50th/Clayton & Audrey Hancock/New Castle;

SUPER=130-3/David Gibson/Vinton;

(No Pictures)

SUPER=130-/Kathleen Otey/Fincastle;

SUPER=130-/Amanda Scammons/Narrows;

55Howerton

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tha
TAPE# 96-58
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

A 17-year old Danville boy has been convicted of first degree murder.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville/January;

Lawrence Howerton maintained it was self defense when he shot 16-year old Anthony Spraggins on Winslow Street.
But prosecutors convinced the jury that Howerton killed for revenge.
According to testimony the two had been involved in a fight at George Washington High School about a week before the shooting.
Howerton will be sentenced next month.
(----------------)
wipe wipe wipe

55Standoff

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHU
TAPE#96-62
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/June 4;

The young man who held police at bay at a local convenience store last month has been found guilty on assault and weapons charges.
The teenager charged a police officer with a knife.
He was also carrying a B-B gun.
On a plea of "no contest" yesterday in Juvenile Court, the young man was convicted of four misdemeanors, the include assault, carrying two concealed weapons, and brandishing one of them.
(----------------)

55Brzonkala

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# edit of 96-45
GRAPHIC=brzonkala

More legal woes for Virginia Tech and three of its football players at the hands of Christy Brzonkal.
The lawyers for the former Tech student have filed two state court lawsuits the school and players.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Brzonkala contends the players were involved in raping her and covering up the crime.
They have denied the claims.
The state suits were filed to meet a statute of limitations deadline on July 21st.
That's the anniversary of a judicial hearing that Tech held in the case.
Attorney Eileen Wagner said the state claims were filed in case Brzonkala's pending federal lawsuit is dismissed.
(-------------)

55Neighborhood

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-61
GRAPHIC=Housing

A new look for two Martinsville neighborhoods.
The city has received two community development block grants allowing it to refurbish old homes and build new ones.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Everybody wants to look new
SUPER=01-Brenda Manns/Massey Street Resident; :00
SUPER=03-Martinsville; :08
SUPER=01-Earl Reynolds/Martinsville City Manager; :34
SUPER=01-Barbara Norton/Moss Street Resident; 1:04
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:15
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville
((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 2 6:10:55
((BRENDA MANNS/MASSEY STREET RESIDENT: EVERYBODY WANTS TO LOOK NEW, AND THAT'S WHAT-- THIS AREA DOES HAVE A NEW LOOK NOW. ))
RUNS=:06

Massey Street's new look comes courtesy of a one-and-a-quarter million dollar gift to Martinsville.
The city managed to acquire not one, but TWO community development block grants in a row.
The Massey Street project is almost complete-- rehabilitating 28 homes.
Moss Street is next in line for a makeover.
City officials say the neighborhood revitalization is not only bringing out the better side of these areas-- but the city as a whole.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:34:55 TAPE 1
((EARL REYNOLDS/MARTINSVILLE CITY MANAGER: IT WILL CERTAINLY PROVIDE A CATALYST TO MAKE THESE INTOWN, UPTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS DESIRABLE AGAIN FOR LIVING. ))
RUNS=:13

The Moss Street rehab work is scheduled to start next spring.
Some of the more dilapidated structures will be torn down-- with 15 new homes built in their place.
Barbara Norton has lived here for 34 years and recalls a time when it was a prestigious neighborhood.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 1 5:09:55
((BARBARA NORTON/MOSS STREET RESIDENT: I'VE SEEN THIS STREET GO DOWN INTO A DEVASTATED STATE IT'S IN NOW. BUT WITH THE PROJECT THAT'S COMING UP, I HOPE IT WILL REGAIN ITS STATURE. ))
RUNS=:15
(/////SOT/////)
SOT standup 5:48:07 TAPE 1
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7:WHILE RESIDENTS LIKE BARBARA NORTON MAY LONG FOR THE DAYS WHEN THIS WAS ONE OF THE NICEST PLACES TO LIVE-- THEY SAY THEY'RE THANKFUL TO THE CITY FOR HELPING TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE PRIDE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7, MARTINSVILLE. ))
RUNS=:12
))

55President-Poll

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Campaign '96

Virginians appear to be behind President Clinton.
A new poll gives the President the lead over Republican challenger Bob Dole.
The survey by Virginia Commonwealth University shows Clinton has the support of 51 percent, and Dole 38 percent.
Eleven percent are undecided.
It also shows republican Senator John Warner has the support of half of those polled, while Mark Warner has 24 percent, 26 percent are undecided.

55weather

8Yokohama

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-48
GRAPHIC=Yokohama
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

One of the biggest employers in Salem says it is being forced to lay off workers.
Scott Prince has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The shift
SUPER=03-Salem;:00
SUPER=@Scott2; :12
SUPER=04-File Tape;:20
RUNS=1:00
OUT Q=S.P., N- 7, Salem

((The shift was over... and cars filed out of the Yokohama plant like they would any other day.
Except this time, the drive home was filled with thoughts of a work force shake up.
Company officials say the Salem plant has excessive levels of inventory.
For about fifty workers, that means layoffs.
For the rest it means a 7- day hiatus... as the plant will close for a week starting August first.
Problems started in January... when some defective tires were sent to one of its biggest customers, Price Costco.
Then last month, Costco broke ties with Yokohama.
Both companies insist the bad batch had nothing to do with the loss of the contract.
Nonetheless it was a major blow for Yokohama.
Costco would usually purchase about one third of the tires made at the Salem plant.
Now production will be cut by three percent.
Yokohama says it had no choice but to make the work force changes.
Meanwhile workers were left no choice but to roll out... and roll with the punches.
Scott Prince, News 7, Salem))

8Midwives

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#96-49
GRAPHIC=NONE

More women in this area are starting to use midwives to help delivery their babies.
A midwife attends pregnancy and childbirth, but is NOT a physician.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :

Freeda Cathcart has a great deal of faith in midwives.
She just delivered twin sons over the weekend....at home, in her bed, under the guidance of a midwife.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:31:31
IN Q=A lot of
((FREEDA CATHCART/MOTHER: A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE WONDERING HOW WE WERE GOING TO DO IT, AND WHEN I TELL THEM THAT I HAVE A MIDWIFE WITH EXPERIENCE THAT HAD ALREADY DELIVERED FIVE SETS OF TWIN, THAT REASSURED THEM SOME, BUT TWINS ARE CONSIDERED A HIGH RISK...BUT THE THING I LIKE BEST ABOUT MIDWIFE'S APPROACH IS THAT BIRTH IS A NATURAL, NORMAL EVENT.))
SUPER=01-Freeda Cathcart/Child-Birth Educator & Mother; :
RUNS=:28
OUT Q=normal event.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It was the mid-wife who also supervised her prenatal care.
Freeda, herself is an internationally certified child-birth educator.
But at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital, neo-natologist Robert Allen believes home births are just too risky.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:46:45
IN Q=Certainly
((DR. ROBERT ALLEN/NEONATOLOGIST: CERTAINLY IN THE ROANOKE AREA WHERE HOSPITALS ARE VERY CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO SEEK A MORE PRIMITIVE FORM OF DELIVERY WHEN ALL THE MODERN CONVENIENCES ARE AVAILABLE AND CAN BE PROVIDED IN A VERY HOME-LIKE AND PATIENT FRIENDLY MANNER. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Robert Allen/Neonatologist; : :
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=patient friendly manner.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Dr. Allen says home births bring a greater chance of mortality for both mother and baby, especially in the case of twins.
Still, Freeda and her clan of four are happy with the decison.
Three of the four children were born at home.
(----------------)

8Gymnastics

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-57
GRAPHIC=Olympics

Seven young women in Atlanta have sent the spirits of many young gymnasts soaring.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I was amazed at how they came back
((LAUREN SISLER/GYMNAST: I WAS AMAZED AT HOW THEY CAME BACK FROM COMPULSORY AND EVERYTHING AND HOW KERRI STRUG HURT HERSELF AND SHE WENT ALL THE WAY FOR THE TEAM.))
SUPER=01-Lauren Sisler/Gymnast;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=all the way for the team.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The team's success has been a boost for Lauren Sisler and other young athletes at the Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics.
The sport requires long hours of practice, often with little recognition.
But the Olympics have brought them back into the spotlight.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Our phone has been ringing
((BARBARA JIRKA/HEAD COACH: OUR PHONE HAS BEEN RINGING CONSTANTLY ALL WEEK LONG, EVEN BEFORE THE WOMEN'S TEAM WON THE GOLD MEDAL, SO THAT JUST PROVES TO YOU THAT THE OLYMPICS REALLY DOES HELP OUR SPORT.))
SUPER=01-Barbara Jirka/Head Coach;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=does help our sport.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Most of the advanced students practice at least 16 hours a week, but the coach says she expects enrollment to climb substantially in the wake of the Olympic Games.
(----------------)