WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 08/17/98

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[7E-Long-Airdox]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-61]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[****Anchor Tag****] Their contract ran up at midnight last night, and workers at one Pulaski company say they won't be returning to work until some issues are resolved.
But with almost three weeks of negotiations under their belts, that may not be any time soon.
David Johnson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Ricky Flinchum]
[SUPER=03-Fairlawn; 03]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Flinchum/Union Steward; 16]
[SUPER=01-DeWayne Blankenship/Union Member; 44]
[SUPER=@David1; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=News 7, Fairlawn.]

(( Ricky Flinchum is one of nearly 150 Air-Docks employees who's a member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union.
The union--that for the past two and a half weeks has been trying to reach a settlement with management on a new contract.
[SOT=12:53:50]
[IN Q=SOME THINGS ARE]
((RICK FLINCHUM/UNION STEWARD; SOME THINGS ARE GOOD SUCH AS MORE CALLBACK TIME ON YOUR SENIORITY. MORE MONEY ON YOUR BENEFITS FOR BEING OFF UNDER SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS. BUT THAT'S JUST A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=GOOD THINGS.]

Those good things amount to a couple of paragraphs on a 12 page contract.
But workers say they want to eliminate terms allowing the company to use outside contractors to make the intermediate frames Air-Docks manufactures.
And workers say they want more money.
[SOT=12:36:19]
[IN Q=WITH THE PAY]
((DEWAYNE BLANKENSHIP/UNION MEMBER; WITH THE PAY INCREASE, WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS GIVE US A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF WHAT WE MAKE. THAT COMES DOWN TO SOME INDIVIDUALS CAN ONLY GET 30 TO 36 CENT AN HOUR AND SOME PEOPLE CAN GET UP TO 52 CENT AN HOUR INSTEAD OF ONE ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE FOR EVERYONE.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=GOOD THINGS.]

Negotiations have gone on for almost three weeks.
And, union members say they haven't had this much trouble with talks since 1978, the last time there was a strike. [STAND-UP/14:02:24] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE CONTRACT RAN OUT AT MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT. UNION MEMBERS ARE SEEKING A TEN DAY EXTENSION ON THAT CONTRACT WHILE THEY TRY TO HAMMER OUT A NEW DEAL WITH MANAGEMENT. IF THEY FAIL IN THEIR BID TO NEGOTIATE, THEY SAY A LOCKOUT WILL BE INEVITABLE. DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, FAIRLAWN.)) [RUNS15]))
(---------------)
[anchor=melanie]
[ss=none]
Company management could not be reached for comment.

[7E-I-81-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-42; 1:58:20]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Several accidents on Interstate 81 are being blamed on yesterday's heavy rains.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

As many as five people were injured near the 132 mile marker in at least two accidents that happened there around four o'clock.
Police say traffic began to slow down, when one car rear-ended another, starting a chain reaction.
The accident victims were taken to Roanoke Memorial, Community, and Lewis-Gale Hospital.
Meanwhile, traffic was backed up about eight miles along both southbound lanes.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[SS=none]

Officials say a total of eight minor accidents happened in that area yesterday.

[7E-Manhunt]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=cch]
[TAPE#=98-56; 21:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

An elderly man missing since Saturday could be in need of medical attention.
So yesterday, dozens of volunteers scoured the Martinsville area for
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[shots of photo] 74-year old Howard Woolwine, who disappeared from Hairston's Home for Adults early Saturday morning.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]

100 volunteers searched the area on foot. Emergency officials at the National Guard Armory in Martinsville are organizing the search.
Officials say Woolwine is in need of medical attention.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TC 00:31:25- 00:31:46]
[IN Q=From indications that we have]
((BOB PHILLIPS/MARTINVILLE EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATOR:FROM INDICATIONS THAT WE HAVE HE'S BEEN COMPLAINING AND HE DIDN'T REALLY LIKE OR KEPT REPEATING THAT HE DIDN'T WANT TO BE THERE. AND IT'S NOT AN INCARCERATION TYPE THING AT ALL. IT'S A SITUATION WHERE HE'S FREE TO LEAVE. HE COULD SIGN HIMSELF OUT AT ANY TIME. HOWEVER, HE DIDN'T SIGN HIMSELF OUT. HE LEFT.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Phillips/Emergency Services Coordinator]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=sign himself out.He left.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Woolwine may be trying to reach relatives who live in the area.
(------------)

[7E-Va-Tech]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=98-48; 1:15:24]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech is searching for ways to spend some newly- earned money.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape;]

Donors contributed nearly 50- million dollars to Virginia Tech over the past fiscal year.
Alumni and corporations donated about 67- percent of that amount.
University officials attribute much of their success to the school's comprehensive 250- million dollar fundraising campaign which ended in June.
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[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
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Taking a look at your Monday forecast..
The possibility of wet weather sticks around.
Look for variably cloudy skies, with some showers and storms.
Highs in the mid- to upper-80's.
Skies clear up overnight. Look for lows to drop into the mid-60's.
The extended forecast...
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 8/18/98
Tuesday:

[SUPER=130-/Betty Hairston/Bassett]

[SUPER=130-84/Frances VanDevender/Iron Gate][cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45airdox]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE# From 98-61]
[GRAPHIC=Strike]

In Pulaski County, workers at the Long Airdox Company are expected to be off the job today as contract negotiations continue.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fairlawn;]

Nearly 150 Airdox employees who are members of the oil, Chemical and Atomic workers union, have been trying to reach a contract agreement with management for the past two and a half weeks.
Their current contract expired at midnight.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some things]
((RICK FLINCHUM/UNION STEWARD; SOME THINGS ARE GOOD SUCH AS MORE CALLBACK TIME ON YOUR SENIORITY. MORE MONEY ON YOUR BENEFITS FOR BEING OFF UNDER SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS. BUT THAT'S JUST A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS. ))
[SUPER=01-Rick Flinchum/Union Steward;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=a couple of good things.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

But workers are also looking for more money.
And would like to see an end to the hiring of outiside contractors.
The last time union members went on strike was in 19-78.
Company mangement could not be reached for comment.
(----------------)

[45E-VET-Benefits]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In Salem, employees with the V-A medical center are trying to spread the news a new health care option for veterans, called "Healthcare Eligibility Enrollment Program.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Workers were out at the Valley View Walmart Sunday, trying to convince veterans to sign-up for the national healthcare benefits package. Officials say the program presents a win-win situation for veterans and hospitals.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=15:17:21]
[IN Q=THE VETERAN]
((MICHAEL HEPTINSTALL/VA MEDICAL CENTER; THE VETERAN CAN BE ENROLLED IN THE VA SYSTEM. THEN HE CAN STOP BY AND HAVE A MEANS TEST AND WE'LL TELL HIM EXACTLY WHAT HE IS ENTITLED TO THROUGH OUR VA SYSTEM.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Heptinstall/Veterans Admin. Medical Center;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=VA SYSTEM.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Veterans can sign up at the Salem V-A or call there for more information about three other sign up locations scheduled this week.
The program begins in October.

[45E-Fifth-District]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#=98-58; 19:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

With election day less than three months away, one candidate running for Congress is trying to the public familiar with his hame.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Joseph Spence is an Army veteran is running as a write-in candidate for the 5th district congressional seat.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:19:28-:46]
[IN Q=I'm for a strong military]
((JOSEPH SPENCE/WRITE-IN CANDIDATE: I'M FOR A STRONG MILITARY. I'M FOR A STRONG DEFENSE AND A WELL-TRAINED MILITARY. AND I'M ALSO AGAINST NAFTA AND WOULD LIKE TO REPEAL NAFTA. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING JOBS INTO THE DISTRICT AND ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES TO OPERATE IN THE DISTRICT AND TO HAVE JOBS.))
[SUPER=01-Joseph Spence/Write-In Candidate;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=and to have jobs.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=none]

Spence considers himself a Republican, but chose to run as an independent write-in candidate to avoid the expense of getting his name on the ballot.
He faces incumbent Virgil Goode in the upcoming election.
Goode is seeking his second term.

[45E-County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-57; 29:38]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County Schools]

Roanoke County residents are hoping the recent debate over how many schools to operate in south county will not leave lasting divisions in the community.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=And I just]
((BARBARA BUSHNELL/SUPPORTER OF TWO SCHOOLS: AND I JUST HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T GET THE ONE SCHOOL AREN'T TOO UPSET, BECAUSE I KNOW IT MEANT A LOT TO THEM TOO.))
[SUPER=01-Barbara Bushnell/Two-Schools Supporter;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=a lot to them too.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

On Thursday night, the Roanoke County School Board affirmed its support for two south county high schools. Members said they intend to build a new school on the Woods End property to supplement Cave Spring High School, rather than replace it.
Supporters of the single- school concept were disappointed by the school board's decision, but say they are parents first, and will continue to support Roanoke County Schools.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=So we will be]
((TERRI LANGFORD/SUPPORTER OF ONE SCHOOLS: SO WE WILL BE BEHIND THEM. WE WILL SUPPORT THEM AND WE WILL HOPE THAT THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T SUFFER.))
[SUPER=01-Terri Langford/One-School Supporter;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=doesn't suffer.]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Planning for the new high school is still in the preliminary stages, and the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors must release funding for the project before construction can begin.

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
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[GRAPHIC=]

Turning your attention now to weather--
Variably cloudy today with showers and storms likely.
Highs in the upper 80s.
Clearing skies tonight with lows in mid 60s.
The four day forecast is partly to mostly sunny...
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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8E-Clinton-Reax]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-59]
[GRAPHIC=Bill Clinton]

President Clinton's long- awaited testimony today before the Ken Starr Grand jury is prompting very DIFFERENT opinions from two Roanoke legislators.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

State Senator John Edwards questioned Kenneth Starr's motives in handling the matter.
He says it's time for the country to move ahead.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=16:15:25]
[IN Q=AS A FORMER]
(((D)JOHN EDWARDS/STATE SENATOR; AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR MYSELF, I THINK HE'S BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY ZEALOUS IN THE WAY HE HAS HANDLED THIS MATTER. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE QUESTION THE MANNER IN WHICH HE IS INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER AND WHETHER OR NOT HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING IT TO BEGIN WITH. IT CERTAINLY HAS BEEN EMBARRASING TO THE PRESIDENT, TO THE PRESIDENCY AND TO THE COUNTRY. LET'S HOPE THAT WE CAN GET PAST THIS.))
[SUPER=@Edwards; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=PAST THIS.]
(--------)
[vo-nat]
Roanoke congressman Bob Goodlatte is a bit closer to the issue because he is a member of the Judicial Hearing Committee.
He says Clinton should just tell the truth.
(////////SOT/////////)
[SOT=16:24:05]
[IN Q=I THINK IT'S]
(((R) BOB GOODLATTE/SIXTH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN; I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THE PRESIDENT IS TESTIFYING BEFORE THE GRAND JURY BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE MATTER, TO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER. THAT WILL ENABLE THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS AND SEND ITS REPORT TO CONGRESS WHERE I EXPECT THE MATTER TO BE GIVEN A FULL, FAIR AND IMPARTIAL HEARING.))
[SUPER=@Goodlatte; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=kIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Goodlatte says until the report on the matter is in, he won't speculate on what direction Congress will take.

[8airdox]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE# From 98-61]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Dozens of workers at Pulaski County's Long Airdox Company will be taking the day off as contract negotiations continue.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fairlawn;]

Nearly 150 Airdox employees who are members of the oil, Chemical and Atomic workers union, have been trying to reach a contract agreement with management for the past two and a half weeks.
Their current contract expired at midnight.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some things]
((RICK FLINCHUM/UNION STEWARD; SOME THINGS ARE GOOD SUCH AS MORE CALLBACK TIME ON YOUR SENIORITY. MORE MONEY ON YOUR BENEFITS FOR BEING OFF UNDER SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS. BUT THAT'S JUST A COUPLE OF GOOD THINGS. ))
[SUPER=01-Rick Flinchum/Union Steward;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=a couple of good things.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

But workers are also looking for more money.
And would like to see an end to the hiring of outiside contractors.
The last time union members went on strike was in 19-78.
Company mangement could not be reached for comment.
(----------------)

[8Hit-And-Run]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Staunton man was arrested after fleeing the scene of a boating accident this weekend on Smith Mountain Lake.
Police say 59-year old Raymond Eavers' (Eee-vers) boat slammed into another one Saturday night, injuring three people.
He then reportedly sped off.
Kathy Rule, Jenni Kuykendall (KUH-Ken-DALE), and Candra Sheffer were taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital where they were treated and released.
Authorities believe alcohol was a factor in the accident.

[8VMI]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]
Another class of incoming cadets arrives today at Virginia Military Institute.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

The second co-ed class includes Twenty two women returning for their sophomore year.
And an additional 34 more woman will join the 14-hundremd member cadet corps of freshman.
Under a new policy sophomore cades will be permitted to date upperclassmen outside of their chain of command.
V-M-I went co-ed in 1996 after 157 years as a male-only school.
The Supreme Court said it was either that, or face the loss of state funding.
(----------------)

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Time now to check the Monday forecast--
Variably cloudy, with more showers and storms likely.
Highs in the upper 80s.
Clearing overnight, with light winds and lows in the mid 60s.
The extended forecast is drier, with lots of sunshine...
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