WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/01/98

00:00-01

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[cutopen]
[Super=@Melanie1;]

[7LYNCHBURG-LATEST]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#(FROM TAPE 98-23)]
[GRAPHIC=train derailment]

Traffic in Lynchburg is now moving again around the downtown area where a train derailed yesterday. Still, it could be two more days before rail traffic is back to normal on the affected stretch of track.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]

Yesterday morning a runaway 65 car freight train rolled downhill for three miles and then slammed into another train.
Ten cars and three locomotives derailed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((GAYNELLE HART/EYEWITNESS: I WAS TALKING TO ... EVERY WHICH DIRECTION. ))
[SUPER=01-Gaynelle Hart/Eyewitness;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=every which direction.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The collision also set off a fire and the smoke from it could be seen for miles.
One of the rail cars was carrying the flammable liquid acetone which burned for several hours and forced the evacuation of a 36 block area and an elementary school.
While the investigation continues into what caused the accident a cleanup crew that specializes in train derailments has been called in to remove debris.
Police have reopened the Fifth Street bridge that was closed by the accident.
(----------------)

[7S-GHB-folo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-22 TC 15:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The internet downplays the so-called "date rape" drug that sent a Bedford county boy into cardiac arrest, deeming it a harmless anti-depressant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's against the law to sell the drug G-H-B, but since all the ingredients are legal, companies are advertising kits people can use to make it themselves at home.
One website promoting the drug offered step-by-step illustrated instructions.
But health officials say the drug is dangerous, especially if improperly prepared.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:00:29]
[IN Q=there have been]
[SUPER=01-Gregg Morrow/Pharmacist;]
((GREGG MORROW/PHARMACIST; THE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE MIXED IT WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WHICH IS COMMONLY FOUND IN A LOT OF DRAIN OPENERS, SUCH AS RED DEVIL LYE, IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS TO THE MOUTH, TO THE ESOPHAGUS, AS WELL AS TO THE STOMACH.))
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=to the stomach]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Even when made properly, G-H-B can reduce a person's breathing and heart rate to the point of death.
The websites we found advertising the drug-kits all ran a disclaimer, saying the kits were intended to be used as "science experiments".
(------------)

[75-DEQ-Conflict]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-18 6:03]
[GRAPHIC=State Seal]

The Commonwealth takes in a LOT of garbage from other states, and an environmental group says some of Governor Gilmore's latest appointments WON'T help the situation.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Dennis Treacy (TRACY) became acting director of the Department of Environmental Quality last week.
[SUPER=03-King & Queen Co.;]

That agency regulates waste hauler Browning-Ferris Industries.
Treacy has just spent two years as a lobbyist for the company.
But Treacy says he has been appointed a senior aide to handle B-F-I.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:25:06]
[IN Q=And I've]
((DENNIS TREACY/ACTING DEQ DIRECTOR: AND I'VE DELEGATED EVERYTHING TO HIM. AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT I'M NOT TO BE INFORMED, NOR PARTICIPATE IN ANY DECISION RELATED TO BFI.))
[SOT 58:33]
((JIM SHARP/CAMPAIGN VIRGINIA: THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE TERRIBLY CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THE OUT OF STATE GARBAGE THAT WE'RE TAKING. WE WONDER HOW THAT'S EVER GOING TO GET BETTER IF TREACY'S IN THE ROLE THAT HE'S IN.))
[SUPER=01-Dennis Treacy/Acting DEQ Director; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Sharp/Campaign Virginia; :09]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=he's in.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Virginia is the number two importer of out-of-state trash in the nation.
(---------0-------)

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Rain began to fall early this morning in Roanoke and more is likely for most areas. Still, temperatures will remain mild with showers and storms today...
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 4/2/98
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-55/John Maxey/Roanoke]

Anniversary
[SUPER=130-50th/Mark & Peggy White/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-/Kenisha Whorley/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-38/Billiejo Halsey/Low Moor]

Anniversary
[SUPER=130-10th/Vergil & Wanda Hale/Riner]

[SUPER=130-65/Gordon Wertz/Troutville]

[SUPER=130-75/Bonnie Winesett/Woodlawn]

[SUPER=130-2/Parker Woods/Roanoke]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-79/Guida Branscome/Hillsville]

Wow!
[SUPER=131-100/Goldie McPeak/Martinsville]

[SUPER=131-/Christy Shrader/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-53/Kathy Brigthwell/Salem]

[SUPER=131-79/Lillian Carr/Roanoke]

Movie Review 4/3
Its great to see the movie musical "Grease" back up on the big screen. Ok, so it isn't really the 50's, more like the 50's seen through the lens of the 70's; but all of the energy, the songs and the sexiness is back. The movie differs a bit from the stage musical, mostly to accommodate the popularity of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John at the time. If you never saw John Travolta or have forgotten his charm and amazing physicality in his post Saturday Night Fever mode, here he is in all of his studly glory. Olivia Newton-John is a perfect contrast as the oh-so-sweet Sandy. Jeff Conway is Greased Lightning's owner, Kenickie; Didi Conn is beauty school drop out Frenchy and Stockard Channing is bad girl Rizzo, leader of the pink ladies. Some of the production numbers seem a bit dated in style; and a younger audience may miss some of the 50's references; but Grease gets a B+ for holding up so well after 20 years. Immerse yourself again in duck-tail haircuts, souped up cars, high school high jinks and rock and roll. [cutopen]
[Super=@Melanie1;]

[45LYNCHBURG-LATEST]

[45VMI-honor-court]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC= VMI]

V-M-I freshman cadets may also face charges in connection with an alleged hazing incident.
The three who say they were struck with a belt by upperclassmen face charges of lying.
The freshmen, along with 3 seniors they accuse of striking them, all face trials in VMI's Honor Court next week.
The accusers face the charges of lying because they initially denied the incidents occurred.

[45Deteriorating-River]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-32]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Rockbridge County property owner is coming up empty handed in his quest to save his pasture land.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]
The Maury River, which flows underneath the bridge near Route 501 in Glasgow, has increasingly eaten away at Porter Echols farm land.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=16:01:59]
[IN Q=WE'D LIKE TO]
((PORTER ECHOLS/ECHOLS FARMS, INC. PRESIDENT; WE'D LIKE TO STABILIZE THIS RIVER BANK SO WE CAN KEEP FROM LOSING SO MUCH PASTURE. THERE'S MANY ACRES AND MANY TONS OF DIRT GOING INTO THE JAMES AND THEN ON DOWN TO THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.))
[SUPER=01-Porter Echols/Echols Farms, Inc. President;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=CHESAPEAKE BAY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Echols turned to VDOT, thinking the agency-- which has road improvement plans-- has as much to lose as he does. But officials say their authority ends with the improvement projects.
[SOT=18:32:21]
[IN Q=STABILIZATION OF THE]
((JIM WHITE/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER; STABILIZATION OF THE RIVER BANKS IS NOT REALLY VDOT'S RESPONSIBILITY. WE'VE INFORMED THE ARMY CORE OF ENGINEERS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE. THEY'VE RESPONDED BACK TO US THAT THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT WITH THEIR POLICIES NOW, SO.))
[SUPER=01-Jim White/VDOT Resident Engineer;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=NOW, SO.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Unless other solutions are found, the river will apparently continue its natural course of destruction.
(------------)

[45E-Road-money]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=98-33 TC 4:08]
[GRAPHIC=road repairs]

A string of fatal car accidents on Route 1-14 in Montgomery has prompted reaction from some residents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
They say something needs to be done to ensure motorists' safety.
V-DOT has answered the call for improvement by reducing the speed limit and adding additional markings to the lines.
They also plan to add turning lanes in the near future.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[11:34:42]
[IN Q=The more]
((FRED ALTIZER/VDOT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR- THE MORE LONG RANGE SOLUTION IS OF COURSE GETTING THE SECTION INTO OUR SIX YEAR PLAN SO ENGINEERING WORK CAN BEGIN AND WE CAN REALLY LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE WHOLE 5 MILES.))
[SUPER=01-Fred Altizer/VDOT District Administrator]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=5 Miles]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The process of making long-term improvements will take several years- That's needed for engineering plans, and to find funding and resources to keep the project afloat.
(------------)

[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Now here's a look at your April Fools' forecast--
Breezy, with showers and thunderstorms likely today.
Highs in the low to mid 70s.
Tonight, skies will turn partly cloudy, with lows cooling off in the 40s.
And more seasonable weather is in store for Thursday...
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[cutopen]
[Super=@Melanie1;]

[8LYNCHBURG-LATEST]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#(FROM TAPE 98-23)]
[GRAPHIC=train derailment]

Yesterday's train derailment created traffic problems for the Hill City--
But this morning, all affected roads in downtown Lynchburg are open again.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]

Yesterday morning a runaway 65 car freight train rolled downhill for three miles and then slammed into another train.
Ten cars and three locomotives derailed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((GAYNELLE HART/EYEWITNESS: I WAS TALKING TO ... EVERY WHICH DIRECTION. ))
[SUPER=01-Gaynelle Hart/Eyewitness;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=every which direction.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The collision also set off a fire and the smoke from it could be seen for miles.
One of the rail cars was carrying the flammable liquid acetone which burned for several hours and forced the evacuation of a 36 block area and an elementary school.
While the investigation continues into what caused the accident a cleanup crew that specializes in train derailments has been called in to remove debris.
Police have reopened the Fifth Street bridge that was closed by the accident.
(----------------)

[8S-GHB-folo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-22 TC 15:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A few days ago, a Bedford county boy nearly died from the so- called "date rape" drug,
Now Internet users can access a recipe for the drug, labeled as an anti- depressant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's against the law to sell the drug G-H-B, but since all the ingredients are legal, companies are advertising kits people can use to make it themselves at home.
One website promoting the drug offered step-by-step illustrated instructions.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

But health officials say the drug is dangerous, especially if improperly prepared.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:00:29]
[IN Q=there have been]
[SUPER=01-Gregg Morrow/Pharmacist;]
((GREGG MORROW/PHARMACIST; THE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE MIXED IT WITH SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WHICH IS COMMONLY FOUND IN A LOT OF DRAIN OPENERS, SUCH AS RED DEVIL LYE, IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS TO THE MOUTH, TO THE ESOPHAGUS, AS WELL AS TO THE STOMACH.))
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=to the stomach]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Even when made properly, G-H-B can reduce a person's breathing and heart rate to the point of death.
The websites we found advertising the drug-kits all ran a disclaimer, saying the kits were intended to be used as "science experiments".
(------------)

[8E-Tobacco-Bill]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco]

It's going to be tougher to sell cigarettes to children in the Commonwealth--
Governor Jim Gilmore pushed for A-B-C agents' involvement in tobacco enforcement when he was attorney general.
Yesterday, Gilmore signed a bill that would allow A-B-C agents to look at tax records to develop their own list of tobacco retailers across the state.
Gilmore fought efforts in the General Assembly to make it even easier, by licensing tobacco dealers.

[8E-Road-money]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=98-33 TC 4:08]
[GRAPHIC=road repairs]

Montgomery County residents want fewer accidents on Route 1-14.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
They say something needs to be done to ensure motorists' safety.
V-DOT has answered the call for improvement by reducing the speed limit and adding additional markings to the lines.
They also plan to add turning lanes in the near future.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[11:34:42]
[IN Q=The more]
((FRED ALTIZER/VDOT DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR- THE MORE LONG RANGE SOLUTION IS OF COURSE GETTING THE SECTION INTO OUR SIX YEAR PLAN SO ENGINEERING WORK CAN BEGIN AND WE CAN REALLY LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE WHOLE 5 MILES.))
[SUPER=01-Fred Altizer/VDOT District Administrator]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=5 Miles]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The process of making long-term improvements will take several years- That's needed for engineering plans, and to find funding and resources to keep the project afloat.
(------------)

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Shifting gears now to Wednesday's wet outlook--
Showers are already falling in the area, with more rain and possible thunderstorms ahead.
Highs today in the low to mid 70s.
Partly cloudy and cooler tonight, with lows in the 40s.
The extended forecast turns seasonably cooler--
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