WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 08/13/96

08:25-01

7Missing-Plane

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-62
GRAPHIC=None
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

State Police are searching for what they believe to be a missing plane.
Some Roanoke County residents first reported hearing a small plane sounding like it was in trouble around one a-m.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Newsroom

Scott Prince joins us this morning with the latest information.
Live=Scott Full/Newsroom
SUPER=@Scott1;

As you said Melanie, officials believe a small plane went down in the Bennett Springs/Catawba Valley section of the county early this morning.
And at this point, they believe just one person-- the pilot-- was on board.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

Neighbors in the area called 9-1-1 and they told dispatchers that it sounded like a plane engine was sputtering.
Shortly after that, the Roanoke Regional Airport received a distress signal... and at this hour, that signal remains on.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Right now
(( ))
SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Va. State Police;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=locator signal
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And we should note that an aircraft distress signal goes off on impact with the ground.
Officials have centralized and are working out of a big bus.
That has been set up as a make- shift command center.
The Civil Air Patrol has been called in and they are currently circling the area.
But searchers were hampered by a number of factors during the early morning hours.
Certainly the darkness but even more so, the fog.
Lifeguard 10 was initially called in to help, but because of the dangerous conditions, they had to be called off.
But now that they have some daylight to work with, the chopper IS in the area.
Also, 2 K-9 units are being brought in from Richmond.
Live=Scott Full/Newsroom

Police are getting conflicting information, but at this point it appears the plane took off from Charlotte and was scheduled to land in Lynchburg.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Newsroom

So, Melanie, there's been no luck in trying to find this plane over the past six hours or so.
But officials hope their luck changes now that they have some day light to help their efforts.

7Flooding

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#Net (edit of 96-53)
GRAPHIC=Flooding

Roanke Valley residents should a get a break from the rain today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Heavy rains fell all day yesterday, closing numerous streets.
Residents say although they've experienced flooding in the past-- they still love their riverfront homes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:07:32
IN Q= I had thoughts
((WENDELL BABB: I HAD THOUGHTS OF MOVING. BUT YOU KNOW, I LOVE THE RIVER AND IT'S A THREAT. BUT I LOVE THE SIGHT OF THE RIVER RIGHT THERE-- AND FISHING AND SEE THE DUCKS. ))
SUPER=07-Wendell Babb;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=see the ducks
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Meanwhile, Monday's rainfall was the cause of a tractor trailer accident on route 100 in Carroll County.
The truck apparently hydroplaned on the slick road surface, jackknifed, and ran over a van parked on the side of the road.
High water also closed several roads throughout the New River Valley.
(----------------)

7Comedy-Club

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-60
GRAPHIC=NONE

Its history is comedy, but the owners of the Roanoke Comedy Club don't think it's a laughing matter.
The Club is closing it's doors.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/November 1995;

After almost a dozen years in four different locations, comedy club owner Jimmy Butler is calling it quits.
Butler says he's grateful for the support of the Roanoke Valley, and the experiences he's had since the club opened at the Patrick Henry Hotel in January, 1985.
But the business has been losing money lately, and Butler says he can't afford to keep it open.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=There is a comedy network
((JIMMY BUTLER/ROANOKE COMEDY CLUB: THERE IS A COMEDY NETWORK FOR GOODNESS SAKES. NOTHING BUT COMEDY. THAT WAS UNHEARD OF A WHILE BACK. THERE'S BEEN A HUGE GROWTH IN COMEDY. THAT'S GOOD AND IT'S BAD FOR THE CLUB OWNER. WHEN YOU CAN SIT AT HOME FOR FREE AND DO THAT, THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WILL DO, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NOTHING LIKE LIVE COMEDY.))
SUPER=01-Jimmy Butler/Roanoke Comedy Club;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=nothing like live comedy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Roanoke Comedy Club has hosted a number of well-known comedians over the years, including Rosie O'Donnell and Martin Lawrence.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

The club will close its doors after a final round of shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=none
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NONE
SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
(CHYRON TODAY/TONIGHT AREA FORECAST PAGE)
SUPER=314-Light Rain then/Mostly Cloudy/70-74/Clearing Early/Widespread
Fog/58-62;
SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the forecast - cloudy skies today with a chance of light rain this morning.
Highs will be in the low 70s.
7BIRTHDAYS! 8/14/96

SUPER=130-35/Merle Sims/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-1/Jackleen Crizer/Covington;

SUPER=130-12/Kara Morin/Wytheville;

SUPER=130-12/Kristen Watkins/Natural Bridge Sta.;

SUPER=130-14/Todd Kemp/Roanoke;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-/Nadine Minnix/Roanoke;

55Search

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#96-63
GRAPHIC=None

Search crews believe they've located a small plane that went down in Roanoke County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The location of the crash site is thought to be Macafee's Knob near the Appalachian trail.
Some County residents called 9-11 at about 1 this morning and reported hearing what they said sounded like plane experiencing engine trouble.
The Roanoke Regional Airport also reported receiving a distress signal from the plane.
That led to an all night search.
Authorities believe the pilot was the only person on the plane.
There is no word yet on the fate of the pilot.
(----------------)

55Tractor-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-65
GRAPHIC=NONE

A traffic nightmare last night for motorists in Pittsylvania County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

At about ten o'clock a tractor trailor overtuned at the intersection of Route 7-26 and the new Route 29- bypass in Blairs.
The driver was hauling a load of lumber from Orange County to High Point, North Carolina.
The rig apparently flipped over when the straps holding the wood snapped.
A small amount of fuel and engine oil spilled onto the ground, but fire fighters say it wasn't enough to cause any damage.
State Police had the road blocked off while crews cleaned up the scene.
Traffic had to be re-routed through Danville.
(----------------)

55Maternity-Parking

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-58
GRAPHIC=NONE

Expecting mothers will find a few little bonuses when they make a trip to the Valley View Mall.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

They'll find V-I-P parking spaces outside the Sears Department Store.
A little less than two months ago, the department store set up "maternity spaces" outside its main mall entrance.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:10:22:29
IN Q=What we
((NORMA CARLISLE/SEARS STORE MANAGER: WHAT WE TRIED TO DO IS FIND SOME WAYS TO PROVIDE COURTESY TO OUR CUSTOMERS, DO A LITTLE MORE THAN THEY EXPECT TO FIND IN A SEARS STORE, WHERE THEY EXPECT IT TO BE FRIENDLY ANYWAY..))
SUPER=01-Norma Carlisle/Sears Store Manager;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=friendly anyway.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The store manager at Sears first saw similar spaces in the parking lot of an old grocery store in West Salem.
Parents with young children are also allowed to use the space.
But there's no policing, it's all done on the honor system.
So far people seem to like the spaces.
Other stores in the mall want more spaces set up.
Management is responding.
In the coming months eight additional maternity spaces will be put near the mall's main entrances.
(-------------)

55weather

8Search

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#96-66
GRAPHIC=None
SUPER=19-Melanie Moon;

Search crews may have found a small plane that went down in Roanoke County several hours ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The location of the crash site is near Macafee's Knob near the Appalachian trail.
(/////SOT/////)
from distress tape 15 47 00 - 15 55 00
SOT
IN Q=We have life
((WE HAVE LIFE GUARD TEN SEARCHING AND A TEAM ON TH MOUNTAIN THAT CAN DO RESCUE IF NEEDED..))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q= if needed.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Some County residents called 9-11 at about 1 this morning and reported hearing what they said sounded like plane experiencing engine trouble.
The Roanoke Regional Airport also reported receiving a distress signal from the plane.
That led to an intense search in the darkness and dense fog.
Authorities believe the pilot was the only person on the plane.
There is no word yet on the fate of the pilot.
(----------------)

8Rain

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-53
GRAPHIC=Flooding

Central and Southwest Virginia should get a chance to dry up a bit today after a day of nonstop rain showers.
Kimberly McBroom has more on yesterday's wet weather.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Heavy rains fell
SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00
SUPER=07-Wendell Babb; :24
SUPER=07-Jocelyn Contaste; :35
SUPER=03-Carroll Co.; :44
SUPER=@Kimberly1; :59
RUNS=1:08
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

(( Heavy rains fell all afternoon-- closing numerous streets around the Roanoke Valley.
As evening wore on-- the Roanoke River continued rising.
While these homes along the river aren't in any danger yet-- they are the same ones that suffered extensive damage during the Flood of '85.
But residents say although they've experienced flooding in the past-- they still love their riverfront homes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:07:32
((WENDELL BABB: I HAD THOUGHTS OF MOVING. BUT YOU KNOW, I LOVE THE RIVER AND IT'S A THREAT. BUT I LOVE THE SIGHT OF THE RIVER RIGHT THERE-- AND FISHING AND SEE THE DUCKS. ))
RUNS=:09
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:15:10 night flooding
((JOCELYN CONTASTE: WELL, YES, IT IS A WORRY RIGHT IN HERE, BUT I DON'T DWELL ON IT. BECAUSE, I KNOW I LIVE IN HERE, AND IT'S MY HOME. I DON'T DWELL ON IT. ))
RUNS=:09

Meanwhile, Monday's rainfall was the cause of a tractor trailer accident on route 100 in Carroll County.
The truck apparently hydroplaned on the slick road surface, jackknifed, and ran over a van parked on the side of the road.
High water also closed several roads throughout the New River Valley. Standup tag here
Many roads around the region are staying closed as a precaution-- while we wait and see what Mother Nature has in store for us next.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7. ))

8McKinney

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=State Police Investigation

A two month state police investigation surrounding accusations of sexual harrassment has ended with the resignation of a South Boston police officer.
The invesigation was requested by South Boston Police chief Jim Hall.
A convenience store worker told investigators she was harrassed by Sergeant Dale McKinney while she was at work.
McKinney has been on leave without pay.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker does NOT expect any criminal charges will be brought against McKinney.

8Fire-Hero

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Sta
TAPE#96-57
GRAPHIC=Fire

An 81 year old Collinsville woman alerted many of her neighbors to the fire that was burning their apartment building.
Now, she's being called a hero.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Collinsville;

Last Thursday 81-year old Gracie Sigmon helped evacuate residents who were not aware their apartment building was burning.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01.24.25 - 01.24.41
IN Q=I seen fire
((GRACIE SIGMON; I SEEN FIRE AND SMOKE COMING OUT THE WINDOW. AND, THEN WHAT DID YOU DO? AND WHEN I SAW THAT I TRIED TO GET UP YONDER TO TELL THE REST OF THEM THAT LIVED IN THE APARTMENTS.))
SUPER=07-Gracie Sigmon;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=in the apartments
(----------------)
VO-NAT

One resident was sleeping so soundly that Sigmon had to scream until he finally woke up.
The blaze apparently started from a faulty electrical lamp cord.
There were no injuries reported.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Sigmon's efforts were even more remarkable considering that she walks with the help of a cane.

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=none
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NONE
SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
(CHYRON TODAY/TONIGHT AREA FORECAST PAGE)
SUPER=314-Light Rain then/Mostly Cloudy/70-74/Clearing Early/Widespread
Fog/58-62;
SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the forecast -
The rain will taper off and you can expect mostly cloudy skies this afternoon with highs in the low 70s.
Clearing conditions tonight with temperatures in the low 60s. Expect wipespread fog to develop after midnight.