WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/25/97

08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7P-Philip-Morris

ANCHOR=
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-11
GRAPHIC=philip morris

In Richmond, the head of Philip Morris told shareholders today that he isn't commenting on negotiations to settle anti-smoking lawsuits.
Many predict that the settlement could mean a massive boost in share prices.
As Ellen Qualls files this report.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q= iF THERE
SUPER=03-Richmond; :00
SUPER=01-Dr. David Lewis/Martinsville Physician; :06
SUPER=01-Anne Donley/Virginia GASP; :24
SUPER=01-Mildred Cassaday/Richmond Shareholder; :37
SUPER=01-Russell Beggs/Retired Philip Morris Employee; 49
SUPER=@ELLEN1; :53
RUNS=1:09
OUT Q=QUALLS, news-7 richmond.
(( If there was ever a company with an outspoken conscience, it's Philip Morris.
sot 20;16:51
((DR. DAVID LEWIS/MARTINSVILLE PHYSICIAN: I BECAME VERY VERY ANGRY IN THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS BECAUSE OF WHAT THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY HAS DONE.))
runs=:07

He's a shareholder.
But he'd rather NOT see the tobacco giant settle cases and be protected from future suits.
CEO Geoffrey Bible told the crowd in a NO cameras meeting NO comment.
sot 20:24:09
((ANNE DONLEY/VA. GASP: I THINK FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, MR. BIBLE'S BEEN INCREASINGLY CAREFUL OF EVERYTHING THAT HE SAYS. AND THE SECURITY HERE IS INTENSIFIED. I MEAN I DON'T KNOW ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE YOU GO WHERE IT'S LIKE AN ARMED CAMP.))
runs=:14

sot 20:11:52
((MILDRED CASSADAY/RICHMOND SHAREHOLDER: IT'S PERFECTLY ALRIGHT TO GET A GUN AND SHOOT 40 PEOPLE, AND TO SMOKE POT, AND CRACK, AND COCAINE, AND ALL THAT JAZZ. BUT DON'T LIGHT A CIGARETTE. THAT'S A MORTAL SIN.))
runs=:13

sot 20:09:37
((RUSSELL BEGGS/RETIRED PHILIP MORRIS WORKER: AND YOU CAN'T GIVE 'EM ENOUGH. ALWAYS WANT MORE.))
runs=:04
))

7E-BV-Council

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-26
GRAPHIC=NONE

Production again at the Blue Bird plant in Buena Vista could mean dozens of new jobs.
But the proposal is also raising questions and criticism.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Buena Vista;

Deschamps (deh-shomps) Laboratories wants to expand its local operations, but it does not need the entire site.
The result is a complicated, regional agreement that would share the debt and eventually the revenues.
Last week, Buena Vista City Council approved the agreement, but members are still debating whether the city has gotten a fair shake from Lexington and Rockbridge County.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We're creating an agreement
(( ))
SUPER=01-Butch Floyd/Buena Vista City Council; :00
SUPER=01-Debbie Garrett/Buena Vista City Council; :19 Quick
RUNS=:24
OUT Q=into the community.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Buena Vista City Council did not reconsider its approval, but there are questions about the legality of the original vote.
The Rockbridge County Board of Sueprvisors and the Lexington City Council are expected to vote on the agreement next week.

7E-Fisher

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-22
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

A new hearing will be scheduled for the ten- year- old capital murder case of Davide Lee Fisher.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Fisher arranged to have 18- year- old David Wilkey killed on a hunting trip in the Stone Mountain area in 19-83.
SUPER=03-Bedford/1987

But a member of the jury now says she went along with those who wanted Fisher to die... only after her husband told her to.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=hold

In a sworn affidavit, Bertha Thomas also says the jury learned during deliberations that Fisher said he'd kill the jurors if he ever got out of prison.
The magistrate wants to hear testimony on the issue of outside influence on the jury before deciding whether Fisher should be re-sentenced.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Time now to check the very pleasant Friday forecast--
Partly sunny skies today, with highs in the mid 60s.
Clear tonight, with lows near 40.
Mostly sunny skies ahead tomorrow, with temperatures climbing to near 70.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Wind W 10/62-66/Clear &/Cool/38-42;
SUPER=#555; reset
7BIRTHDAYS!4/27/97
Sunday:

SUPER=130-/Cliff Simmons/Boones Mill;

SUPER=130-30/Dawn Beauprez/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-92/Edmonia Smith/Buchanan;

(Twins!)
SUPER=130-50/Dot Carter & Doris LaPrade/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-1/Kaylin Brooks/Boones Mill;

SUPER=130-9/Eric Tatum/Lynchburg;

SUPER=130-42/Larry Jesse/Bland;

SUPER=130-3/Kaitlynn Rutrough/Copper Hill;

SUPER=130-7/Kayla Wilson/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-40/Gary Mabery/Meadows of Dan;

Monday:

SUPER=130-83/Jesse Milton/Huddleston;

SUPER=130-/Faye Lowe/Gretna;

SUPER=130-6/Alex Mitchell/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-8/Susan Gilbert/Fieldale;

SUPER=130-69/Minnie Foley/Woolwine;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-50/Diane Blankenship/Roanoke;

SUPER=130-/Dorothy Bell/Buena Vista;

SUPER=130-/Todd Mattox/Hurt;

SUPER=130-18/Christopher Tyler/Roanoke;

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-12th/Donny & Sheri Driver/Salem;
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SUPER=@Melanie1

55Bedford-Schools

ANCHOR=MelanieMelanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=education

Proposed school budgets cuts was the topic of discussion at last night's marathon school board meeting in Bedford County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford/Last Night;

About five hundred concerned parents, teachers and students turned out to let the board know they opposed cutting jobs or school programs.
But faced with a four million dollar shortfall, the school board could still eliminate dozens of teaching and assistant principal positions.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:50:58
IN Q=I know this
((JACKIE JONES/PARENT: I KNOW THIS IS A DIFFICULT JOB FOR YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE AS PARENTS HAVE GREAT CONCERNS FOR OUR CHILDREN AS WELL AS OUR CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.)) ((GLENN FIELDS/TEACHER: BEFORE THE ELIMINATION OF PROGRAMS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO PRESERVE THEIR EDUCATION. YES, THE SCHOOL BOARD RECEIVED LESS MONEY THAN IT WANTED, BUT YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS.))
SUPER=01-Jackie Jones/Parent; :00
SUPER=01-Glenn Fields/Teacher; :12
RUNS=:32
OUT Q=fund these programs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The board voted last night to save a quarter million dollars by reducing employee pay raises from three and half to three percent next year.
(----------------)

55P-Monty-Drugs

ANCHOR=
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=drug bust

Distributing drugs on university property--
Seven Virginia Tech students have been charged with drug distribution on school property.
The students are among 20 people the Montgomery County Drug Task Force has investigated over the last six months.
A grand jury returned a total of 47 indictments against the suspects.
The investigation turned up cocaine, crack, L-S-D, mushrooms, pot and several prescription drugs including Ritalin.
Police say the task force focused on individuals, rather than an organized drug ring.

55S-Carilion

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Carilion

The head of Carilion's nursing program has resigned.
Beth Cullum, the vice president for nursing, was a key player in the reorganization of Carilion's nursing program.
That reorganization cause some dissatisfaction among nurses, leading to an effort to unionize Carilion's nursing staff.
A Carilion spokesperson told us Cullum's resignation was voluntary, not forced... she will continue working through June.
Cullum was not available for comment.

55weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning to weather--
Expect partly sunny skies and warmer temperatures.
Highs in the mid 60s.
Clear skies tonight, with lows falling to around 40.
More Springlike weather on the way tomorrow, with mostly sunny skies and highs near 70.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Wind W 10/62-66/Clear &/Cool/38-42;
SUPER=#555; reset
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SUPER=@Melanie1

8p-bv-council

ANCHOR=
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jda
TAPE#597-14
GRAPHIC=none

Plans to bring (deh shamps) Des Champs Laboratories to Buena Vista's old Blue Bird plant are prompting some questions.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Buena Vista;

Last week, city council approved the regional project that would bring Deschamps Laboratories to the former bus factory.
But now critics on council and some residents are asking if Buena Vista is receiving a fair shake from Rockbridge County and the city of Lexington.
The Buena Vista Council did not reconsider its vote last night, but members did propose some changes in the agreement.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors and Lexington City Council will vote on the issue next week.
(----------------)

8Bedford-Schools

ANCHOR=MelanieMelanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=education

The Bedford county school board STILL has more figuring to do, even after last night's meeting over budget cuts.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford/Last Night;

About five hundred concerned parents, teachers and students turned out to let the board know they opposed cutting jobs or school programs.
But faced with a four million dollar shortfall, the school board could still eliminate dozens of teaching and assistant principal positions.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:50:58
IN Q=I know this
((JACKIE JONES/PARENT: I KNOW THIS IS A DIFFICULT JOB FOR YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE AS PARENTS HAVE GREAT CONCERNS FOR OUR CHILDREN AS WELL AS OUR CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.)) ((GLENN FIELDS/TEACHER: BEFORE THE ELIMINATION OF PROGRAMS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTY TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO PRESERVE THEIR EDUCATION. YES, THE SCHOOL BOARD RECEIVED LESS MONEY THAN IT WANTED, BUT YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE WAY TO FUND THESE PROGRAMS.))
SUPER=01-Jackie Jones/Parent; :00
SUPER=01-Glenn Fields/Teacher; :12
RUNS=:32
OUT Q=fund these programs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The board voted last night to save a quarter million dollars by reducing employee pay raises from three and half to three percent next year.
But nothing is written in stone... the board will meet again next Tuesday to try and finalize its budget.
(----------------)

8E-Times-Fiber

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tha
TAPE#97-27
GRAPHIC=none

While their first attempt failed, workers in Pittsylvania County have won their SECOND battle to unionize.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

Workers at Times Fiber Communications in Chatham ruled in favor of union representation.
This is the employees second attempt in one year to unionize.
The union was voted down last time.
But the National Labor Relations Board set aside that vote and ordered a new election after the union accused the company of several violations.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I'm very excited
((WESLEY FEARS/UNION SUPPORTER: I'M VERY EXCITED. I BEEN PULLING FOR THIS FOR OVER TEN YEARS, I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED HERE ELEVEN AND I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS FOR TEN YEARS STRONG. I AM SO HAPPY I CAN'T CONTROL MYSELF. EVERYONE FEELS GOOD. FREDRICK STROUD/UNITED STEELWORKERS: UNION REPRESENTATION FOR EMPLOYEES AT TIMES FIBER MEANS SIMPLY THIS: THAT IT WILL NOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL. THESE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN MISTREATED, THESE EMPLOYEES IS A GOOD SET OF EMPLOYEES THEY WORK HARD FOR THEIR MONEY, AND THE ONLY THING THEY'RE ASKING FOR IS JUSTICE ON THE JOB.))
SUPER=01-Wesley Fears/Union Supporter; :00
SUPER=01-Frederick Stroud/United Steelworkers Rep.;:14
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=justice on the job.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Three hundred-21 of the 470 workers voted in favor of the union.
The company makes coaxial cable.
(----------------)

8E-Fisher

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Let's take a peek at the weekend forecast--
Partly sunny skies on this Friday, with pleasant temperatures in the mid 60s.
Tonight looks clear, with lows around 40.
Mostly sunny tomorrow, with highs nearing 70.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=#555; reset SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Wind W 10/62-66/Clear &/Cool/38-42;