WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 10/30/96

08:25-01

Copen

SUPER=@Melanie1;

7Georgia-Pacific

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-74
GRAPHIC=Business Closing

Some 100 people will soon be out of a job in Halifax County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;

Georgia Pacific in South Boston let workers know yesterday.
Company officials say their decision was based on market conditions and higher customer expectations, also the plant's age.
The plant was built in 19-60.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We are
((MIKE JONES/GEORGIA PACIFIC PLANT MGR.:WE ARE GOING TO REQUIRE THAT, WE HAVE RETAINED 50- OF OUR HOURLY EMPLOYEES TO HELP PROCESS SOME OF THE REMAINING INVENTORY THAT WILL INCLUDE SANDING OF OUR BOARD, OUR PRODUCT, AND PACKAGING AND SHIPPING THAT REMAINING INVENTORY OUT AND TO ASSIST WITH CLOSING, PERMANENTLY CLOSING, THE FACILITY. ))
SUPER=01-Mike Jones/Georgia Pacific Plant Mgr.; :00
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=the facility.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The South Boston plant makes particle board for the furniture and industrial marketplace.
(----------------)

7Hospital-Union

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-80
GRAPHIC=Carilion

Nurses from the region's largest health care system are talking about organizing a union.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Union representatives are meeting with nurses from Roanoke Memorial and Community Hospital.
SUPER=@File;

They say a major reorganization by the hospital's parent company, the Carilion Health System, has the nurses worried about patient care.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:50:01
IN Q=Certain actions
((KATHERINE KANY/AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION: CERTAIN ACTIONS THAT REALLY NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT BY A REGISTERED NURSE, SOMEBODY WHO'S CAPABLE OF MAKING AN ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOWING UP ON THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE, ARE ACTUALLY BEING ASSIGNED TO UNLICENSED PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD MINIMAL TRAINING AND WHO REALLY ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE KINDS OF THINGS.))
SUPER=01-Katherine Kany/American Nurses Association;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=of things.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Officials with Carilion say quality patient care is their number one priority, and they maintain a union interfering with the delivery of health services is contrary to the best environment for employees and patients.
(-------------)

7Embezzlement

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#596-31
GRAPHIC=LEGAL SCALES

The Boteourt County Prosecutor is trying to determine whether a woman charged with 54 counts of embezzlement is mentally fit to stand trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;

Jenna Drum, also known as Annie Jane (HOE-bratch) Hobratsch, is accused of embezzling more than 125- thousand dollars from Groggins Plastics.
She was indicted back in August but was not arrested until Monday.
That's because (HOE-bratch) Hobratsch had been a patient at a mental health hospital in Petersburg for the past two- and- a half months.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:33:27
IN Q=She'll be
((JOEL BRANSCOM/BOTETOURT COUNTY COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: SHE'LL BE EVALUATED LOCALLY TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT AN INSANITY DEFENSE IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO, AND WHETHER SHE'S CAPABLE OF STANDING TRIAL.))
SUPER=01-Joel Branscom/Botetourt Co. Commonwealth's Atty.;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=standing trial
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Branscom says the mental evaluation will be conducted during the coming weeks.
(----------------)

7No-Smoking

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-91
GRAPHIC=No Smoking

The action in the Roundhouse may be smoking-- but the fans won't be.
Roanoke civic center
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;
managers say people are abiding by the new smoking ban, which took effect October 10th.
They say many are happy the air has been cleared.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:14:51
IN Q=We've had very little
((JIM EVANS/ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER ASST. MGR.: WE'VE HAD VERY LITTLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMMENTED HAVE SAID, "THANKS, WE'RE REALLY GLAD YOU'RE DOING THIS, EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO SMOKE HAVE SAID, "WE UNDERSTAND, THAT'S COOL." ))
SOT 20:59:47
((MIKE NICHOLS/SMOKER: LAST YEAR, THERE WERE A FEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT EVERYONE GOT A CHANCE, INCLUDING SMOKERS TO FIND THAT HAZE, IF YOU WILL, IN THE HALLWAYS. AND I JUST THINK IT MAKES CLEANER AIR FOR EVERYONE. ))
SUPER=01-Jim Evans/Roanoke Civic Center Asst. Mgr.;
SUPER=01-Mike Nichols/Smoker;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=CLEANER AIR FOR EVERYONE
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But other smokers say they're being discriminated against because they have to go outside to light up.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:58:20
IN Q=I don't think
((STEPHANI REYNOLDS/SMOKER: I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR TO THE PEOPLE WHO DO SMOKE. IT'S STILL A RIGHT THAT WE ALL HAVE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO FORCE US TO COME OUT HERE DURING THE WINDER WHEN IT'S 10 DEGREES OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW, AND I THINK THEY SHOULD ACCOMMODATE THE PEOPLE WHO DO CHOOSE TO SMOKE. ))
SUPER=01-Stephani Reynolds/Smoker;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=do choose to smoke
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Some smokers suggested a ventilated area inside the civic center for smokers-- but management says that would be too difficult and costly.
(----------------)

7WEATHER

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

SUPER=X5000;SET DISSOLVE
SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Breezy/73-77/Clear and/Cool/40-44;

SUPER=#555;RESET

Turning now to the forecast. It will be cloudy and breezy with a slight chance of showers. Becoming partly sunny by midafternoon. Highs will be in the mid 70s.
Tonight, lows will be in the lower 40s. extended
7BIRTHDAYS! 10/31/96

SUPER=130-12/Brandon Powell/Goshen;

SUPER=130-/Debbie Tomlinson/Buena Vista;

SUPER=130-38/Jim Whitaker/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-19/Jason Faderick/Blue Ridge;

SUPER=130-11/Daniel Brooks/Rocky Mount;

SUPER=130-15/Robert Stevens/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-11/alexis Say/Smith Mountain Lake;

SUPER=130-18/Melissa Tyree/Buena Vista;

SUPER=130-26/Craig Graves/Danville;

SUPER=130-18/Kelly Robinson/New Castle;

SUPER=130-16/Melissa Schuyler/Roanoke;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-54/Troy Midkiff/Ferrum;

Copen
SUPER=@Melanie1;

55Church-Referendum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-87
GRAPHIC=Campaign 96

Ballot question number five will ask the voters if churches should be allowed to incorporate in Virginia.
The question is making some groups nervous.
Yesterday, the Richmond area Baptist Ministers' Conference said it will urge voters to vote NO.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

The ministers' reasoning is that a corporate board of directors takes power away from the congregation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:18:42
IN Q=Lately
((REV. EDDIE PERRY/BAPTIST MINISTERS' CONFERENCE: LATELY YOU FIND OTHER DENOMINATIONS ALSO BELIEVING IN THAT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. SO IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH ARE WE GOING TO FIGHT IT, IN WHAT LITTLE TIME THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT TUESDAY, WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.))
SUPER=01-Rev. Eddie Perry/Baptist Ministers' Conference;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=we can.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=None

Supporters say incorporation is voluntary -- and would protect individual church members from legal liability.
Reverend Perry says congregations already have enough legal powers and protections.
Virginia and West Virginia are the only two states that do not allow church incorporation.

55Falwell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lba
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=jerry falwell

The Reverend Jerry Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church is now tied to the Southern Baptist Convention... the largest Protestant denomination in the nation.
Falwell's church in Lynchburg has 20- thousand- members. The quiet union means the church is no longer independent.
The link is the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.
Falwell has started sending money to the state group, which contributes to the national denomination.
The Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia was formed last month by Baptists who contend that the rival Baptist General Association of Virginia is too liberal.

55Premier

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-86
GRAPHIC=None

Premier Bankshares plans to merge with a competitor headquartered in northern Virginia.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;

Premier, one of the largest banks based on our area, will join forces with First Virginia Banks in a stock- swap deal valued at roughly 160- million- dollars.
Premier is based in Bluefield.
It has 36 branches in 12 southwest Virginia counties.
Premier expects the merger with First Virginia will not have a major effect on its 403 employees.
A spokesperson did not know if it will result in any branch closings.
(-------------)

55WEATHER

8Western-Sizzlin'

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=eea
TAPE# 96-89
GRAPHIC=Fire

The Western Sizzlin' in Alleghany County was gutted by fire. It happened yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.;

The restaurant located on Valley Ridge Road near Covington, started burning just before lunch-hour.
Employees say they think it started as a grease fire in the kitchen, eventually spreading throughout the restaurant.
Everyone got out safely.
Thirty five people worked at the restaurant, but they say it was more than a job.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:28:21
IN Q=we're like a big
((KAREN GRAHAM/MANAGER; WE'RE LIKE A BIG FAMILY AND WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND MOST OF US ARE HERE 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 HOURS A WEEK TOGETHER, AND IT'S JUST... IT'S TOUGH YOU KNOW. IT'S LIKE WE LOST OUR PERSONAL HOME.))
SUPER=01-Karen Graham/Manager
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=our personal home
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Graham says she's just grateful nobody was hurt.
The owner of the building says the damage could approach a half million dollars.
If he decides to rebuild, the employees will still be out of work for 3 to 4 months.
(----------------)

8gilmore

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-82
GRAPHIC=James Gilmore

State attorney Jim Gilmore is urging support of two amendments that voters will find on the November fifth ballot.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

One is the proposed Commonwealth's Right of Appeal, which would enable prosecutors or police to appeal cases to the state Supreme Court.
Gilmore says enforcers of the law should have the same rights as those who BREAK the law.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:37:47
IN Q=If the criminal's
((JIM GILMORE/STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL: IF THE CRIMINAL'S CONVICTED, AND HE APPEALS HIS CASE TO THE INTERMEDIATE APPEALS COURT AND THEY UPHOLD THE VERDICT, HE HAS THE RIGHTS TO APPEAL HIS CASE TO THE SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT. ))
SUPER=@Gilmore;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=do not have that right
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Also on the ballot- you'll see the Victim's Bill of Rights.
Gilmore says it would ensure that proper bail is set for criminals.
It would also give victims the right to restitution.
(----------------)

8Best

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lba
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=business closing

Best Products, a Richmond- based retailer, is closing its doors after 40 years.
Best says the two investor groups who planned to keep some stores operating have decided against it.
After liquidations, the final stores are expected to close in late February.
Best chairman Daniel Levy described the decision as (quote) "the worst downer that you can ever experience in life."
About 55-hundred jobs will be lost.
Best filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, a little over two years after emerging from its first bankruptcy reorganization.

8Lag-Pay

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

State workers may soon start seing one less paycheck.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Monday Night;

Governor George Allen plans to take his case for "lag pay" directly to Virginia workers in the next two weeks.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 04:12:29
IN Q=We met
((WE MET WITH DELEGATE CRANWELL AND OTHER LEADERS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. AND WE SAID "LET'S TRY TO COME UP WITH SOME CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE, SOME WAY THAT WE CAN FIX IT." THE MEETING WAS NOT NECESSARILY PRODUCTIVE IN THAT THERE WAS NO CONSENSUS REACHED. SO THE GOVERNOR IS STILL COMMITTED TO MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME PLAN THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.))
SUPER=01-Ken Stroupe/Governor's Spokesman;
RUNS=:24
OUT Q=state employees.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

The Governor's "lag pay" scheme would allow actual time worked and sick leave to show up in paychecks -- as most private sector payrolls operate.
As the General Assembly passed the plan this year, it would mean pay day would roll forward gradually in 19-97.
State workers would eventually get one fewer paycheck.
(------0----------)

8Legionnaires'

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=legionnaires' disease

New River Health District officials say there have been no new, confirmed cases of Legionnaires' Disease.
A Giles County man suffering with the illness passed away Sunday.
Two of the 11 patients diagnosed with the Legionnaires' in the New River Valley remain hospitalized.