WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/14/97

08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1;

7G-E

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-100
GRAPHIC=General Electric

The shutdown at Salem's G-E plant should be over at the end of this week.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

G-E said without the shutdown it would've been forced to lay off 100 people.
But an employee close to the situation at the Drive Systems plant believes that soon after workers are back on the job, nearly 200 will get pink slips anyway.
G-E admits "the production workload situation is more serious than in years past" but emphasizes it "doesn't have an announcement to make at this time", and it continues to meet with union leaders.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

G-E has about 800 hourly employees in Salem, and 12-hundred salaried workers.

7Dan-River

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

A major aquisition by a Danville textile Company.
Dan River says it plans to purchase a fabrics producer.
Dan River will pay 65- million- dollars for the New Cherokee Corporation of Rutherford County, North Carolina.
New Cherokee manufactures woven fabrics for shirts and sportswear.
The company employs eleven-hundred people at three plants.
Dan River expects to close on the deal next month.
The last time Dan River made an acquisition was 19-69.

7VMI

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-101
GRAPHIC=The Citadel

Two of the Citadel's four female cadets say they've been hazed and assaulted-- and they are not returning to school for the spring semester.
(--------------)
VO-NAT

Governor Allen says this will NOT happen at Virginia Military Institute.
(////SOT/////)
SOT 12:44:58
IN Q=Oh absolutely
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: OH ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WON'T TOLERATE IT AS GOVERNOR. THE BOARD OF VISITORS WILL NOT TOLERATE IT. THE ADMINISTRATION AT VMI WON'T TOLERATE IT. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA WON'T TOLERATE IT. THAT'S WHY I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING ANALOGOUS TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITADEL.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=the Citadel.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Governor says V-M-I has taken the slow approach to co-education to help ensure that it has the best chance for success.
(------0----------)

7Chris-Gammon

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-98
GRAPHIC=Christopher Gammon

"I loved my dad, but he put me through hell."
Those are the words of a Carroll County teenager who admittedly shot his father and stepmother and is asking a judge for leniency.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Carroll Co./File Tape;

18 year- old Chris Gammon was 16 at the time of the offense.
During tearful testimony yesterday, he said his father beat him and sexually abused him for most of his life.
He says he and his older half- brother Willie Gammon decided to pack their bags and leave their dad's home, but their efforts to hot- wire a car failed.
Chris says Willie then pulled a gun and said they'd have to kill Gary and Rebecca Gammon when the couple returned home.
Chris says he didn't want to but was afraid Willie would shoot him.
Their father died at the scene. Rebecca Gammon is still in a wheelchair from her injuries.
Both brothers pled guilty.
Their sentencing hearing continues today.
(----------------)

7james-Festival

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-105
GRAPHIC=None

This Memorial Day weekend, central Virginia residents will get a taste of what the State Fair of Virginia has to offer without having to make a trip to Richmond.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;

Lynchburg's long- running Festival by the James will be replaced by a FIVE- day event known as the "FAIR by the James".
The regional fair will bring the same kind of agricultural events, displays and entertainment to the city's riverfront.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:29:21//3:44:50
IN Q=To some degree
((OTIS BROWN/ATLANTIC RURAL EXPOSITION: TO SOME DEGREE THIS COMMUNITY CAN DEVELOP A PROTOTYPE. I THINK WE'LL LEARN A GREAT DEAL HERE OF THINGS TO DO AND THING NOT TO DO.)) ((DR. JOSEPH FREEMAN/LYNCH'S FERRY AUTHORITY: REVITALIZATION.. VITALIZATION MEANS HAVING LIFE THERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND FOR FIVE DAYS BY THE THOUSAND IS GREAT REVITALIZATION.))
SUPER=01-Otis Brown/Atlantic Rural Exposition; :00
SUPER=01-Dr. Joseph Freeman/Lynch's Ferry Authority; :13
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=is great revitalization.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The annual bateaux festival, which has long been a feature of the Festival by the James, will now be held separately, two weeks AFTER the regional fair.
(----------------)

7WEATHER

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ldo
TAPE#NONE

There are a few school closings due to continued icy conditions. Stay tuned to news 7-- we'll will be running them at the bottom of your screen...
SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE
SUPER=314-Sunny/Winds NW-10/37-39/Mostly Clear/Light Winds/14-16;

SUPER=#555; RESET

Turning now to the forecast,
Continued sunny skies-- and Expect temperatures to warm up to the mid to upper 30s.
Nightime lows will be back in the low teens. 7BIRTHDAYS! 1/15/97

(Twins!)
SUPER=130-/Shane & Wayne Martin/Floyd;

SUPER=130-43/Carl Taylor/Dublin;

SUPER=130-21/Barry Myvett/Vinton;

SUPER=130-1/Katelyn Ashbrook/Rocky Mount;

SUPER=130-7/Kimberlie Moore/Natural Bridge;

SUPER=130-35/Emmy Carroll/Floyd;

SUPER=130-1/Axton Carroll/Floyd;

SUPER=130-1/Michael Atkins/Stewartsville;

SUPER=130-4/Stephanie Arthur/Roanoke;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-40/Charlene Hylton/Meadows of Dan;

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SUPER=@Melanie1;

55p-VMI

ANCHOR=Connie
NEWSCAST=10
WRITER=equ
TAPE#596-42
GRAPHIC=allen

Spring semester at the Citadel started yesterday without two of its four female cadets.
The women dropped out of the military school because of alleged hazing and sexual harassment incidents. Governor Goerge Allen says such behavior won't be tolerated at
ss=vmi
Virginia Military Institute when it goes co-ed in the fall.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:45:15
IN Q=I don't
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH CAROLINA ARE PLEASED WITH WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITADEL EITHER. THAT SORT OF ABERRANT BEHAVIOR, IF IT IS TRUE, IS NOT THE WAY WE WANT TO DO IT AT VMI. ))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=at VMI.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Governor says hazing will absolutely NOT be tolerated at VMI.
He says VMI has taken a more deliberate and thoughtful approach precisely to try to make the co-education experience work better.
(-------0---------)

55D'ville-robbery

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=mornin
WRITER=afr
TAPE#97-1
GRAPHIC=none

An elderly Danville couple was assaulted and robbed last night at their home.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

Howard and Eunice Campbell told police they answered the door of their Lorrilart Circle home to find four men wearing masks.
The Campbells say the men forced their way in, demanding money.
After a struggle, the men got away with Mrs. Campbell's purse containing credit cards and about 160 dollars in cash.
Howard Campbell was treated and released from the hospital.
(----------------)

55P-Gaines

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#596-43
GRAPHIC=gaines

A Salem Pee wee football coach is cleared of accusations he hit some of his players.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Home Video; (QUICK!!!)

Keith Gaines HAD been accused of striking three of his players with a belt.
SUPER=03-Salem;

But following his trial yesterday... those charges were dismissed.
The children claimed the assault happened during the teams last practice.
SUPER=04-Last Month;

The coach admitted to taking the belt off but says under NO circumstances did he strike a child.
Gaines would not comment on his acquittal... but his attorney offered up some possible explanations as to how the charges surfaced.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:28:53
IN Q=They tell
((GREG PHILLIPS/GAINES' ATTORNEY: THEY TELL THEY'RE PARENTS THAT COACH GAINES BRINGS A BELT OUT. ONE PARENT MAY SAY, 'DID HE HIT YOU WITH IT?' THE CHILD SAYS YES. FROM THERE THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND IT SNOWBALLS AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. ))
SUPER=01-Greg Phillips/Gaines' Attorney;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=what happened
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Even though prosecutor Fred King did not get a conviction he says, it was important the case was heard.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:33:41
IN Q=If you
((FRED KING/SALEM COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: IF YOU DON'T TAKE A CASE INTO THE COURTROOM BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT AN ADULT AGAINST A CHILD, THEN OUR CHILDREN ARE AT THE MERCY OF ADULTS AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT. ))
SUPER=01-Fred King/Salem Commonwealth's Attorney;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=do that
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Gaines is currently an assistant coach for a youth basketball team in Salem.
(----------------)

55WEATHER

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ldo
TAPE#NONE

SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE
SUPER=314-Sunny/Winds NW-10/37-39/Mostly Clear/Light Winds/14-16;

SUPER=#555; RESET

Turning now to the forecast,
Continued sunny skies-- and Expect temperatures to warm up to the mid to upper 30s.
Nightime lows will be back in the low teens. cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1;

8VMI

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-101
GRAPHIC=The Citadel

It was the start of the spring semester yesterday at the Citadel.
But classes began without two of the military school's four female cadets.
Kim Messer and Jeanie Mentavlos said they would not return because they were sexually harrassed and assualted by MALE cadets.
(--------------)
VO-NAT

Governor Allen offered assurances yesterday that this would not happen at V-M-I.
(////SOT/////)
SOT 12:44:58
IN Q=Oh absolutely
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: OH ABSOLUTELY NOT. I WON'T TOLERATE IT AS GOVERNOR. THE BOARD OF VISITORS WILL NOT TOLERATE IT. THE ADMINISTRATION AT VMI WON'T TOLERATE IT. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA WON'T TOLERATE IT. THAT'S WHY I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING ANALOGOUS TO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITADEL.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=the Citadel.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Governor says V-M-I has taken the slow approach to co-education to help ensure that it has the best chance for success.
(------0----------)

8Chris-Gammon

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-98
GRAPHIC=Gammon

A Caroll County judge will hear more testimony today as prepares to sentence two brothers who admit killing their father and wounding their stepmother.
Yesterday 18 year-old Chris Gammon told the court he did not want to shoot his father and stepmother two years ago, but he was afraid his older half-brother would shoot HIM.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Carroll Co./File Tape;

Chris testified he and Willie Gammon decided to pack their bags and leave their dad's home, but their attempt to hot-wire a car failed.
Chris says Willie then pulled a gun and said they've have to kill Gary and Rebecca Gammon when the couple returned home.
Chris and a string of family members testified Gary Gammon was violent and abusive.
Chris says he and Willie were afraid for their own lives if their dad saw what they had done to the car.
The judge will hear evidence in Willie's case today before sentencing both brothers Wednesday.
(----------------)

8Dan-River

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=business news

Danville Based Dan River is expanding into North Carolina.
Dan River will pay 65- million- dollars for the New Cherokee Corporation of Rutherford County, North Carolina.
New Cherokee manufactures woven fabrics for shirts and sportswear.
The company employs eleven-hundred people at three plants.
Dan River expects to close on the deal next month.

8New-Museum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-110
GRAPHIC=NONE

A Martinsville eyesore is set to become the new site for Virginia's Museum of Natural History.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Even though its residents
SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00
SUPER=01-Stephen Pike/Va. Museum of Natural History; :15
SUPER=@Kimberly2; :28
SUPER=01-Tom Harned/Martinsville Development Official; :45
RUNS=1:16
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville
(( Even though its residents aren't complaining-- the Virginia Museum of Natural History is in need of more room.
Museum officials say collections are at risk because of the cluttered work space-- and the current facility is no longer sufficient.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:31:53
IN Q=Just because
(( STEPHEN PIKE/VA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: JUST BECAUSE OF THE CRAMPED SPACE, WE HAVE TO STORE THINGS IN CONDITIONS THAT REALLY AREN'T OPTIMAL-- NEXT TO AREAS WHERE SOMETIMES THERE IS CONSTRUCTION GOING ON AND THAT MEANS MATTER GETS INTO THE AIR AND THAT CAN DAMAGE COLLECTIBLES OVER THE LONG HAUL.))
RUNS=:13

But the eight- year- old museum may find new life in an old city eyesore.
Martinsville officials are proposing a plan to tear down the old general hospital on Starling Avenue-- and re- build the museum there.
The hospital was abandoned in 1989-- and is showing signs of neglect.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:04:54
((TOM HARNED/MARTINSVILLE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT: THE BUILDING HAS OUTLIVED ITS LIFE. IT'S OUTLIVED ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE AND ALSO OUTLIVED TWO ADAPTED RE- USES. THE BUILDING IS DETERIORATING AND BLIGHTED AND REPRESENTS A CHALLENGE TO THE COMMUNITY.))
RUNS=:11

The city is asking for one- and- a- half- million dollars from the General Assembly to pay for the demolition and cleanup.
Meanwhile, city officials are also planning to build a park to complement the museum.
And while the using name Jurassic Park was tempting-- city officials say instead they plan to name it Founders Park.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Martinsville. ))