WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 10/24/96

08:25-01

Copen

SUPER=@Melanie1;

7NS-Conrail

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-87
GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern

A bidding war is underway for dominance on the east coast's railways.
Norfolk Southern wants to buy conrail....and it's offering 9-point-1 billion dollars.
The offer tops one by C-S-X by more than a billion.
Scott Prince has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Norfolk Southern
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-David Goode/Norfolk Southern C.E.O.; :13
SUPER=03-Norfolk; :26
SUPER=04-File Tape; :31
SUPER=01-George Brammer/A.G. Edwards & Sons; :47
SUPER=@Scott1;
RUNS=1:19
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News- 7

((Norfolk Southern is coming full steam down the track... trying to knock off CSX... and acquire Conrail.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:27:20 NS VNR tape
IN Q=It's a much
((DAVID GOODE/NORFOLK SOUTHERN CEO: IT'S A MUCH BETTER OFFER. THE OFFER THAT WE HAVE MADE IS FOR A HUNDRED DOLLARS CASH UP FRONT FOR THE CONRAIL SHARE HOLDERS. I'M SURE THEY WILL FIND THAT MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN THE 92- 50 PARTIAL CASH, PARTIAL STOCK OFFER WHICH HAS A WEIGHTED VALUE CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN THAT. ))
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=than that

The proposal will likely start a back and forth bidding war between CSX and Norfolk Southern.
N- S claims the planned merger between Conrail and CSX would cause a rail hauling monopoly on the east coast.
If Norfolk Southern wins out, it would be able to tap into a number of northeast markets, like New York.
But if it loses... Norfolk Southern's future is unclear.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:10:19 Brammer tape
IN Q=If Norfolk
((GEORGE BRAMMER/A.G. EDWARDS & SONS: IF NORFOLK SOUTHERN DOES NOT WIN IN THIS BID FOR CONRAIL, THEN THEY MAY BE THE SUBJECT OF A TAKEOVER FROM BURLINGTON NORTHERN SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=the road

That would likely be a HOSTILE takeover... and bring about uncertainty for the 35- hundred LOCAL Norfolk Southern employees. Stand up 9:05:30
Before either deal can be finalized, it has to have the approval of the Federal government and Conrail Stock holders.
At this point, CSX has no comments on the Norfolk Southern proposal, but most analysts say CSX will sweeten the deal at some point in the future.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))

7Lilly

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-80
GRAPHIC=ben lilly

At the capitol murder trial of Ben Lilly, Lilly's younger brother took the witness stand.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

Lilly is on trial in Montgomery County for the murder of Virginia Tech student Alexander DeFiLlipis.
But rather than aid the state's case against his brother, Mark Lilly invoked his right not to incriminate HIMSELF.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((MARK LILLY/DEFENDANT'S BROTHER: I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE FIFTH ON THAT. QUESTION: YOU DON'T WISH TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH, I'LL TAKE THE FIFTH. ))
SUPER=01-Mark Lilly/Defendant's Brother;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=take the fifth.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The prosecutor then played taped statements for the jury, in which Mark told police it was Ben who pulled the trigger.
Mark Lilly is scheduled to stand trial for his part in the murder next month.
(----------------)

7Martin

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-76
GRAPHIC=Raleigh Martin

An update on a double triple murder case in Halifax County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Halifax;

Raleigh Dean Martin was in court yesterday for a motions hearing.
The 35- year- old was arrested Election Night a year ago for killing his wife, Marion.
SUPER=03-Halifax Co./November 1995;

He's also charged with killing a couple in a neighboring home, the same night.
32- year- old Joseph Siffert, Junior and his girlfriend Barbara Hackney were discovered shot to death.
In court yesterday, the judge ruled Martin's attorney could spend up to 5- thousand dollars to hire a private investigator.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In a case
((CHARLES COSBY/MARTIN'S ATTORNEY: IN A CASE OF THIS MAGNITUDE WE THINK THAT HAVING AN INVESTIGATORS WILL CERTAINLY HELP US BETTER PREPARE THE CASE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE LEAVE NO STONE UN-TURNED. ))
SUPER=01-Charlie Cosby/Martin's Attorney; :00
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=stone unturned.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Circuit Judge Charles McCormick is pushing to have the case heard in early December.
(-----0-----------)

7Tractor-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-81
GRAPHIC=Accident

A truck drivers trip through Montgomery County was a wash-out, literally.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;

The driver lost control of his rig and smashed it into the Pepper's Ferry Road pumping station.
Authorities say the driver was NOT injured.
The Blacksburg- Christiansburg- V-P-I water authority owns the booster station.
They were able to bypass it, and pump water into both communities.
Some customers in the Belmont Farms neighborhood may have lost water temporarily-- but other residents should have their normal service.
(----------------)

7WEATHER

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

SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
SUPER=314-Mostly/Sunny/70-74/Mostly/Clear/35-39;

SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the weather forecast,
WE are expecting a mostly Sunny day today, with highs in the lowers 70s.
Tonight, temperatures should drop into the upper 30s. 7BIRTHDAYS! 10/25/96
Friday:

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-55th/Bill & Bessie Hughes/Catawba;

SUPER=130-2/Nicholas Falls/Natural Bridge;

SUPER=130-65/Charlie Taylor/Christiansburg;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-50th/Bill & Lila Lucas/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-4/Ryan Craighead/Rocky Mount;

SUPER=130-2/Luke Groves, Jr./Roanoke;

SUPER=130-7/Elizabeth Williams/Rustburg;

SUPER=130-102/Annie Underwood/Radford;

SUPER=130-39/Glenn Cooper/Clifton Forge;

SUPER=130-53/Richard Barber/Clifton Forge;

SUPER=130-/Cecil Davis/Ssouth Hill;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-50th/Odie & Ivy Bales/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-3/Jessica Buckley/Roanoke;

Saturday:

SUPER=130-33/Wanda Garman/Roanoke;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-50th/Robert & Dorothy Morgan/Bedford;

SUPER=130-9/Jessica Street/Salem;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-9/Chamere Parham/Lexington;

SUPER=130-61/Catherine Burns/North Carolina;

SUPER=130-12/Denise Stickel/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-2/Dylan Elkins/Ferrum;
Copen
SUPER=@Melanie1;

55Church-Referendum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-78
GRAPHIC=Virginia State Seal

When voters go to the polls next month they'll be faced with five referendums.
Among them the question "should Virginia churches be allowed to incorporate?"
48 other states allow it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

Some church leaders say incorporation would keep Virginia judges from arbitrary oversight of church business.
But it's the church community itself that's most suspicious of incorporation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01:11:27
IN Q=Two hundred
((MIKE CLINGENPEEL/"THE RELIGIOUS HERALD" EDITOR: TWO HUNDRED YEARS AGO OR A LITTLE MORE WHEN WE WERE IN OUR COLONIAL PERIOD, BAPTISTS AND OTHER DISSENTERS WERE PERSECUTED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. AND SO THERE IS STILL -- YOU KNOW ANYTIME THERE IS SORT OF THE ODOR OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL IN BAPTIST LIFE, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED.))
SUPER=01-Mike Clingenpeel/"The Religious Herald" Editor; :
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=are concerned.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Former Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews opposed it -- suggesting individuals with non-religious motives could raise money under the guise of a church.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 04:27:54
IN Q=I think
((DEL. BOB MCDONNELL/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: I THINK THAT'S A RED HERRING, AS IS THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE ISSUE. AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE READING TOO MUCH INTO IT.))
SUPER=01-Del. Bob McDonnell/(R) Virginia Beach;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=into it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The best argument for incorporation, McDonnell says, is corporate liability: to protect individual parishioners from lawsuits.
(-------0---------)

55City-Council

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-75
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

Roanoke's old Dumas Hotel continues to be a source of contention on Henry Street.
Yesterday, the group that wants the building returned to its former owners, tooktheir protest from the sidewalk to city council.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Two weeks ago, council voted to forgive a 212-thousand dollar loan that Total Action Against Poverty used to help pay for the renovation of the building.
Yesterday, the protestors asked council to reconsider the decision.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Its former owners intent
((VERNICE LAW: ITS FORMER OWNERS' INTENT AND DESIRE IS TO ALLOW BLACK COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION IN A BUILDING THAT IS SO RICH IN OUR CULTURE AND HISTORY. ))
SUPER=07-Vernice Law;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=in our culture and history.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

City Council did not reconsider the vote, but members say they are hopeful the Henry Street Committee can help to resolve the controversy.

55WEATHER

8Dublin-Jail

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-77
GRAPHIC=regional jail

Dublin Town Council has given the green light for construction of a regional jail in the Dublin industrial park.
But last night's decision left dozens of neighbors outraged.
Eric Earnhart reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=They expected a factory
SUPER=03-Dublin; :00
SUPER=01-Arnold Edwards/Neighbor; :10
SUPER=@Eric1; :16
SUPER=01-Brad Nelson/Neighbor; :27
SUPER=01-Roy Lloyd/Regional Jail Authority; :45-quick
SUPER=01-Benny Keister/Mayor; 1:00
SUPER=01-Bob O'Neal/Newbern Resident; 1:16
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=EE, News 7

(( They expected a factory... they say they can handle that... But living next to the site of the future Regional Jail has rattled these residents.

SOT 14:21:37
IN Q=they don't want it
((ARNOLD EDWARDS, NEIGHBOR; THEY DON'T WANT IT, WE KNOCK ON DOORS, THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, AND WE ASK THEM AND THEY SAY NO, NO JAIL.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=no jail

STANDUP 15:03:23 The main thing motivating these residents is fear. They're afraid to live next door to jail inmates. And no amount of security fencing, walls, or razor wire is going to change that.

SOT 14:24:44
IN Q=I used to own a gun
((BRAD NELSON, NEIGHBOR; I USED TO HAVE A GUN, WHEN MY SON WAS BORN I SOLD IT BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID HE MIGHT HURT HIMSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE, AND NOW I'M WONDERING IF I DON'T HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER ONE.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=buy another one

An angry crowd faced the Dublin Town Council, as they decided whether to re-zone the land to allow a jail... land they promised to the Regional Jail Authority a year ago.

(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I don't know
((ROY LLOYD/REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY; I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE PROJECT IF SUDDENLY WE DIDN'T HAVE A SITE.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=have a site.

Lloyd inferred that it might lose 10 million dollars in state funding. Council finally voted 5 to 1 to approve the re-zoning.

SOT06:13:15
IN Q=and I think we
((BENNY KEISTER/MAYOR; AND I THINK WE OWED IT TO THE AUTHORITY TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE A DECISION YEA OR NAY AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE COUNCIL DID, THEY'VE MADE THEIR DECISION.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=made their decision

Jail opponents say they'll challenge the rezoning in Circuit Court, and pressure Pulaski County Supervisors to pull out of the regional jail agreement.

SOT 06:16:29
IN Q=I don't think
((BOB O'NEAL/NEWBERN; I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO THE POINT RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN IT, AND IF DUBLIN FEELS THIS WAY ABOUT IT, LET THEM HAVE IT.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=let them have it

Eric Earnhart, News 7))

8Robertson

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=None

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson says Bob Dole's presidential campaign is inneffective. He made this charge at Liberty University yesterday.
Robertson was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination in 19-88.
The Virginia Beach-based broadcaster says he would "not" run a campaign the way Dole has.
A spokesman for Dole's Virginia campaign -- said such criticism is not helpful to Dole's chances against President Clinton.
He said he hopes Robertson's followers won't be so discouraged that they stay home November 5th.

8Legionnaires

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#pinn
GRAPHIC=none

Health officials are investigating three cases of Legionnaires' Disease in the New River Valley.
The illness is an acute form of pneumonia-- and it can be fatal.
Legionnaires' Disease is usually triggered by environmental factors-- like contaminated air conditioning cooling towers or moist soil.
The illness is NOT spread person to person.
Three people in the New River Valley have been diagnosed with the disease. All are now hospitalized, and there's no apparent connection between them.

8Hall

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-83
GRAPHIC=Frankie Lee Hall

The Marine who saved two teens from a burning car in September is honored by Roanoke City Council.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 24;

Staff Sergeant Frankie Hall first encountered Nicole Hicks and Kevin Ballinger on September 24th, when their car collided with a tractor trailer on Interstate 5-81 and caught fire.
Yesterday afternoon, Mayor David Bowers presented Hall with a key to the city for his heroism.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I just respect
((VOICE OF KEVIN BALLINGER: I JUST RESPECT HIM FOR HIS COURAGE.)) ((VOICE OF NICOLE HICKS: I JUST THANK THAT HE WAS THERE CAUSE IF HE WASN'T, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'D BE, OR IF WE WOULD BE HERE.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=if we would be here.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

Hall was presented a plaque declaring him an honorary lifetime member of the Roanoke Fire and E- M- S Department.