[Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Looking for clues in yesterday's deadly train accident near Chicago.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
And it looks like its up to West Virginia residents on whether gambling comes to the Greenbier.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
The luck of the Irish is apparently translating into some very pleasant weather on this St. Patrick's Day--
Expect lots of sunshine and afternoon high temperatures to rise to 70, and above.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[Train-aX]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Amtrak Crash]
Good Morning, I'm Melanie Moon.
Up to six people are still missing and feared dead from Monday night's Amtrak train crash south of
Chicago.
Thirteen people are known dead and 116 others were injured.
Lee Cowan has the lastest.
[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Bourbonnais, IL;]
( ad lib)
[****ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH****]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bourbonnais, IL;]
[SUPER=01-John Goglia/NTSB Spokesman; ]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]
((INVESTIGATORS FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD STILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS - MOST OF WHICH REST WITH THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THAT GOT IN THE WAY.
(( NAT SCENE ))
HE TELLS INVESTIGATORS HE NEVER SAW THE TRAIN COMING - AND IT WASN'T UNTIL HE WAS HALF WAY ACROSS THE TRACKS, THAT THE SAFETY LIGHTS AND GATES WERE ACTIVATED - TOO LATE FOR HIM TO GET OUT OF THE WAY - TOO LATE FOR THE TRAIN TO STOP.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND SO FAR.
(( SOT: John Goglia/NTSB Spokesman ))
"The lights, the bells, and the bars all came down within time guidelines specified by the railroad."
IN ADDITION, INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT TIRE TRACKS LEFT IN THE MUD NEAR THE CROSSING.
IF THEY MATCH THE TRUCK'S, IT COULD PROVE THE DRIVER TRIED STEERING AROUND THE CLOSED GATES IN AN EFFORT TO BEAT THE ONCOMING TRAIN. AND WITH NO SIGN OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS EITHER WITH THE SIGNAL OR THE TRAIN ITSELF - THE INVESTIGATION IS BEGINNING TO FOCUS MORE ON THEACTIONS OF THE DRIVER, THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
(( SOT: Goglia))
"We were able to get a time sheet that showed the time that he left the plant. Now when we coordinate that time with the time of the accident.. we will be able to determine a lot about what happened to that truck."
MEANWHILE, THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING TOOK A NEW TURN AS THE GO-AHEAD WAS GIVEN TO BEGIN CAREFULLY REMOVING GIANT PIECES OF THE TRAIN.
WHATEVER AREAS RESCUE CREWS COULDN'T REACH YESTERDAY, THEY COULD NOW -- THE RESUMPTION OF A GRIM SEARCH THAT MOST FEAR, WON'T HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.
(( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS ))
"This crossing has had its share of trouble - most of them fatal - but most before the warning signals were installed. The question this morning remains, what else could have been done to prevent one the three
deadliest accidents in Amtrak's history. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Bourbonnais, Illinois."))
(-------------)
[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Bourbonnais, IL;]
( ad lib)
[E-Greenbrier]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-78 1:42:21]
[GRAPHIC=Greenbrier Gambling]
The legislation still needs the governor's signature, but it now appears that voters will decide if gambling should come to the Greenbrier.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wh. Sulphur Springs, WV;]
The five star resort in West Virginia wants to open a Monte Carlo style casino for overnight guests... in the space that once served as a cold war bunker for members of Congress.
There is strong support in White Sulphur Springs, where many residents work for the resort, or benefit indirectly from its presence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I feel like we already have it]
((I FEEL LIKE WE ALREADY HAVE IT IN WEST VIRGINIA, IN CHARLESTOWN WITH THE HORSE RACING AND IN CHARLESTON WITH THE DOG RACING TRACK, AND WITH THE GREENBRIER THE GENERAL PUBLIC ISN'T GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO GO AS FAR AS I KNOW SO, IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME A BIT.))
[SUPER=01-Melissa Dolin/Greenbrier Co. Resident; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=doesn't bother me a bit]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But others, including United Methodist Minister Julian (SULL-jit) Sulgit, are worried that gambling at the Greenbrier might bring more troubling proposals in the future.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=While I can't say]
((WHILE I CAN'T SAY THAT ANYONE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE THAT WILL PROJECT NEXT, THERE IS A LOT OF FEAR THAT ONCE IT BEGINS AS IT DID PROBABLY WITH THE LOTTERY, IT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Julian Sulgit/United Methodist Minister; ]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=continue to expand.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie ]
[GRAPHIC=None]
There's no word yet on when the local referendum might be held.
First the Governor must sign the legislation, and county officials must set a date.
[E-Tech-Fever]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-1 1:06:56]
[GRAPHIC=Hokie Fever]
Fans of the Women's Hokie Basketball Team were waiting in line when the Tech ticket office opened, yesterday morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
By noon, more than one thousand fans had placed orders for tickets to Saturday's game against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Monday Night;]
The Hokies advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after defeating Auburn Monday night.
Fans say support for the Hokies is overwhelming.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've been]
((I'VE BEEN, SINCE JANUARY, COMING TO EVERY GAME WITH EIGHT THOUSAND, NINE THOUSAND FANS, IT'S BEEN GREAT, AND, YOU KNOW, THE ELECTRICITY IN THE STANDS HAS BEEN FABULOUS, SO, IT'S FUN.
MY WHOLE FAMILY IS A TECH FAMILY, MY AUNTS AND UNCLES CAME HERE, MY MOM DID, WE GO TO ALL THE FOOTBALL GAMES, A LOT OF THE BASKETBALL GAMES, TOO.))
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=games, too.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Saturday's game will be played at the Greensboro Coliseum.
(------------)
[1-Sports]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In sports, the Lady Hokies prepare to fight one of college basketball's powerhouses.
Mike Stevens has details.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=later this morning.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(toss to Wx)
[One-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Jim Baldwin/Second Wynde;]
[SUPER=01-Burt Mitchell/Second Wynde;]
(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
((Archive: music))
[D-Day-Memorial]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]
The national D-Day Memorial won't open on the invasion's 55-th anniversary.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/November]
Construction of the Bedford memorial has fallen behind schedule due to a lack of cash.
Plans to dedicate the monument this June 6th, the 55th anniversary of D-Day, have been scrapped.
Instead, the dedication may take place later in the year.
(-------------)
[E-Democrats]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-79 2:01:06]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia State Seal]
Local Democrats are pushing the Governor to change some bills approved in the General Assembly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton;]
For example, they say patients should have the right to sue HMO's.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:24:57]
[IN Q=There's no empirical]
((THERE'S NO EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE THAT HAVING THE RIGHT TO GO TO COURT AGAINST YOUR H-M-O WOULD RAISE THE COST OF INSURANCE. IN TEXAS IT'S NOT RAISING THE COST OF INSURANCE.))
[SUPER=@Edwards;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=cost of insurance]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bill currently on the table lets patients APPEAL H-M-O decisions to an impartial staff, NOT sue them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:10:46]
[IN Q=I believe]
((I BELIEVE THE BILL THAT ULTIMATELY PASSED WILL PREVENT HMO'S FROM MAKING BAD DECISION BECAUSE THERE'S AN OUTSIDE APPEALS PROCESS.))
[SUPER=@Griffith;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=appeals process]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Democrats also want the food sales tax to be cut by twice as much-- in HALF the time as the current bill spells out.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The governor has until the end of this month to change, approve or veto bills.
[E-Poet-Laureate]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=98-82 1:27:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
He's NOT one of Virginia's Pulitzer prize-winning poets.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
But Joseph (AY-wad) Awad is the choice of the Poetry Society of Virginia and Governor Jim Gilmore-- who's made him the newest Poet Laureate of Virginia.
Awad declares this a time when poetry is very much alive in Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:03:19]
[IN Q=All of the]
((JOSEPH AWAD/POET LAUREATE OF VIRGINIA: ALL OF THE GREATEST PERIODS OF HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT WERE ALSO PERIODS WHERE THERE WERE GREAT POETS AND POETRY BEING WRITTEN.))
[SUPER=01-Joseph Awad/Poet Laureate of Virginia;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=being written.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Awad is a retired Vice-President for public relations for Reynolds Metals and lives in the Richmond area.
(------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=None]
He succeeds Lynchburg poet Margaret Moreland in the post.
[Health-Check]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]
In medical news, an AIDS vaccine is ready to begin being tested in Africa.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( AS SCIENTISTS HERE IN AMERICA CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR A CURE FOR AIDS...
GREAT STRIDES IN AIDS RESEARCH ARE BEING IN AFRICA.
VT=VO
((vo))
DOCTORS IN KENYA ARE STUDYING PROSTITUTES WHO SEEM TO BE IMMUNE TO
H-I-V.
THAT'S BECAUSE MILD EXPOSURE TO THE VIRUS HAS SOMEHOW MADE THEIR
IMMUNE SYSTEMS RECOGNIZE H-I-V, AND KILL IT BEFORE IT TAKES HOLD.
AFRICAN RESEARCHERS HAVE NOW DEVELOPED A VACCINE THAT MIMICS THIS
PROCESS.
THEY WILL BEGIN TESTING IT LATER THIS YEAR.//
VT=VO
((vo))
HERE'S SOME ADVICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE WHO WANT TO END THOSE SLEEPLESS
NIGHTS.
A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION.. FOUND THE BEST WAY TO TREAT INSOMNIA IS BY CHANGING POOR
SLEEPING HABITS.
RESEARCHERS RECOMMEND THAT SENIORS GET UP AT THE SAME TIME EACH
MORNING--
AND THAT THEY USE THE BEDROOM MAINLY FOR SLEEPING, AND NOT OTHER
ACTIVITIES... LIKE READING AND WATCHING TV.
THE REPORT SAYS THESE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES WORK MUCH BETTER THAN
SLEEPING PILLS IN THE LONG-RUN.//
VT=VO
((vo))
AND DESPITE YEARS OF RESEARCH SHOWING THE DANGERS OF SMOKING, MOST
SMOKERS STILL HAVE UNREALISTIC BELIEFS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH.
A SURVEY OF MORE THAN 700 SMOKERS.. FOUND THAT ONLY 29-PERCENT OF
THEM THOUGHT THEY WERE AT A HIGHER RISK FOR HEART ATTACKS--
AND ONLY 40-PERCENT FEARED THEY'D GET CANCER.//
AND THAT IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS.
I'M MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))
(ad lib to weather)
[Two-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Vince Joyce/County Galway;]
[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive: music))
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Investigators are focusing on why a truck was in the middle of a rail crossing when it was hit by an
Amtrak train Monday night, killing at least 13 people.
Safety officials say they've gotten reports the truck tried to go around the crossing gates.
A handful of passengers are still missing.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
A seven year old Henry County boy is being hailed a hero.
Derek DePeau (De Poe) noticed smoke come from the home of an elderly neighbor and quickly ran home to make a 9-1-1 call and notify his parents.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
It may not be a traditional way to celebrate St. Patrick's day, but Californians pride themselves on their innovation.
To celebrate the Irish holiday they're rolling out the green bagels in San Diego.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
And that's what's making news on this Wednesday March 17th, 1999.
[anchor=Melanie]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
[2-Train-aX]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Amtrak Crash]
The search for victims from the deadly Amtrak derailment in Illinois continues.
As many as six people are still missing.
Thirteen are confirmed dead and 116 were injured.
Investigators are now examining muddy tire tracks.. to determine if the driver of the truck went around the closed crossing gates.. just moments before the accident.
Lee Cowan reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[4:45]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bourbonnais, IL; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Goglia/NTSB Spokesman; :25]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS BOURBONNAIS, IL.]
((INVESTIGATORS FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD STILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS - MOST OF WHICH REST WITH THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK THAT GOT IN THE WAY.
(( NAT SCENE ))
HE TELLS INVESTIGATORS HE NEVER SAW THE TRAIN COMING - AND IT WASN'T UNTIL HE WAS HALF WAY ACROSS THE TRACKS, THAT THE SAFETY LIGHTS AND GATES WERE ACTIVATED - TOO LATE FOR HIM TO GET OUT OF THE WAY - TOO LATE FOR THE TRAIN TO STOP.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT INVESTIGATORS HAVE FOUND SO FAR.
(( SOT: John Goglia/NTSB Spokesman ))
"The lights, the bells, and the bars all came down within time guidelines specified by the railroad."
IN ADDITION, INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT TIRE TRACKS LEFT IN THE MUD NEAR THE CROSSING.
IF THEY MATCH THE TRUCK'S, IT COULD PROVE THE DRIVER TRIED STEERING AROUND THE CLOSED GATES IN AN EFFORT TO BEAT THE ONCOMING TRAIN.
AND WITH NO SIGN OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS EITHER WITH THE SIGNAL OR THE TRAIN ITSELF - THE INVESTIGATION IS BEGINNING TO FOCUS MORE ON THE ACTIONS OF THE DRIVER, THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
(( SOT: Goglia))
"We were able to get a time sheet that showed the time that he left the plant. Now when we coordinate that time with the time of the accident.. we will be able to determine a lot about what happened to that truck."
MEANWHILE, THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING TOOK A NEW TURN AS THE GO-AHEAD WAS GIVEN TO BEGIN CAREFULLY REMOVING GIANT PIECES OF THE TRAIN.
WHATEVER AREAS RESCUE CREWS COULDN'T REACH YESTERDAY, THEY COULD NOW -- THE RESUMPTION OF A GRIM SEARCH THAT MOST FEAR, WON'T HAVE A HAPPY ENDING.
(( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS ))
"This crossing has had its share of trouble - most of them fatal - but most before the warning signals were installed. The question this morning remains, what else could have been done to prevent one the three
deadliest accidents in Amtrak's history. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Bourbonnais, Illinois."))
[Rail-crossing]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-9 35:40]
[GRAPHIC=Rail Safety]
The crash will focus more attention on rail safety, something Norfolk Southern has been concentrating on for years, with significant success.
Eric Earnhart took a ride with an N-S rail safety team, out looking for trouble.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Any place a]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=@Eric1; :33]
[SUPER=01-Danny Gilbert/Crossing Safety Manager; :50]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7.]
((Any place a road intersects a railroad track is a point of danger...
That's why this Norfolk Southern safety team is on patrol... in Lynchburg today.
They ride in a special vehicle, getting a rails-eye view of the crossings, looking for safety problems... at this crossing, the white warning sign on the pavement is fading.
[SOT 00:28:20]
[IN Q=that is not]
(( DANNY GILBERT/GRADE CROSSING SAFETY MANAGER; ; THAT IS NOT TERRIBLE SHAPE, BUT IT COULD STAND NEW PAINTING. ))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=new painting]
That problem, and any other suggestions for improving crossing safety will be reported to VDOT.
[standup]
As cities and towns grow and change, so do traffic patterns. Crossings like this one, that are pretty much deserted, in a few months or years could be extremely busy.
That's why safety managers have to continually ride the rails and check the crossings.
[SOT 00:30:33]
[IN Q=we also look at]
(( DANNY GILBERT/GRADE CROSSING SAFETY MANAGER; WE ALSO LOOK AT SITE DISTANCE OBSTRUCTION, WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE SIGHT DISTANCE OF THE MOTORIST, WE ALSO LOOK AT EDUCATION, WHAT WE NEED TO DO, HOW WE NEED TO GET OUT AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC MORE. ))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=the public more]
An example... after the Conrail merger, safety managers realized the combined company will route more traffic through Roanoke County...
New signs now warn that quiet crossings will be busier.
It's working... Since 1993 Norfolk Southern crossing collisions are down 40 percent.
Collision fatalities are down 57 percent.
Safety officials say the numbers would drop even more, if drivers would exercise some caution, and not put THEMSELVES in harms way.
Eric Earnhart, News 7))
[EEOC]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]
A school teacher claims he is a victim of discrimination and is suing the Pulaski County school board.
Ted Viers is 55 years old, and he's white.
For 20 years he'd been a Vocational Guidance Counselor... up until a year ago. He says he was replaced by a younger black woman.
The E-E-O-C granted him the right to sue in federal court.
[E-Police-suit]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-8 41:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
An attorney in private practice in Roanoke has sued two city police officers for the way they investigated a noise complaint at the lawyer's home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Jonathan Rogers says it was a small, private going-away party for his oldest child- -who was about to go off to college in the fall of '97.
He recalls the event as "a magical moment..." that is, until Officers M-L Pendleton and M-G Vinyard arrived.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:47:25]
[IN Q=And they proceeded]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Rogers/Attorney - Roanoke Resident]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=down to the jail.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Pendleton is the officer who pepper- sprayed a man last year for failure to spit out a rock of crack cocaine.
[Jail-Death]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Roanoke jail inmate was found dead yesterday morning after killing himself with a razor blade.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE GFX PAGE FULL]
51-year-old Steve Brick was being held on federal bond violations.
Deputies made a routine bed check Monday night, and thought he was asleep.
When they tried to wake him this morning, they saw that he'd cut himself on his wrists and neck.
He was pronounced dead at the jail.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[Three-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Vince Joyce/County Galway;]
[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: music))
[E-King-Holiday]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-3 1:14:47]
[GRAPHIC=MLK Day]
Should city employees and students in Lynchburg get the day off for Martin Luther King's birthday?
Most other localities already recognize the slain civil rights leader that way.. but it's become a hot issue in the Hill City.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The debate over]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :08]
[SUPER=01-Danette McCain/Concerned Citizens Committee; :16]
[SUPER=01-Ed Barksdale/Lynchburg Council Member; :29]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :36]
[SUPER=01-Rev. James Coleman/Court St. Baptist Church; :52]
[SUPER=01-Marie Harris/Lynchburg School Board Member; 1:11]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( The debate over how to honor Martin Luther King is re-opening the same racial wounds that Lynchburg has suffered from for more than a year.
The same citizens committee that claims the city's minority students are treated unfairly has made the King holiday its latest cause.
[SOT 15:30:24]
((DANETTE MCCAIN/CONCERNED CITIZENS COMMITTEE: AND I THINK THAT WE AS A CITY AND YOU AS A CITY COUNCIL HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION TO DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THIS COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS 09]
[OUT Q=for this community.]
At least two council members agree that it's high time Lynchburg caught up with the rest of the country.
[SOT 15:48:45]
((ED BARKSDALE/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: WHY CAN'T WE JUST CLOSE UP SHOP FOR THAT ONE DAY, MARTIN LUTHER KING'S BIRTHDAY, AS THEY DO ACROSS THE COUNTRY?))
[RUNS 07]
[OUT Q=across the country?]
[Standup 18:49:59]
((One concern is that it would cost Lynchburg about 200- thousand dollars in lost productivity and overtime if Martin Luther King's birthday was added to the list of city holidays. And some wonder whether giving children the day off from school is the best way to teach them about King's legacy.))
[RUNS 16]
[OUT Q=King's legacy.]
[SOT 16:37:06]
((REV. JAMES COLEMAN/COURT ST. BAPTIST CHURCH: WE GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE WILL WORK IN PARTNER WITH YOU ON TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD ON THAT DAY WILL LEARN AS MUCH AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN LEARN THROUGH WELL-PLANNED ACTIVITIES.))
[RUNS 14]
[OUT Q=activities.]
After a three- year absence, the King holiday is back ON the school board calendar for next year.
But final approval is still two weeks away.
[SOT 18:35:33]
((MARIE HARRIS/LYNCHBURG SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: SEEMS TO ME THAT WHAT WE NEED TO DECIDE IS DO WE WANT TO SUPPORT THIS GROUNDSWELL OF A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION?))
[RUNS 09]
[OUT Q=community celebration?]
City council meanwhile will make its own decision on the King holiday next week.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))
[S-Boy-Hero]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#=98-83 1:21:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A second grade hero - that's what one Henry County boy is being called tonight after saving a man's life.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ridgeway;]
7-year old Derek DePeau (De POE) was playing with his sister in the wooded area behind their home in Ridgeway on Friday evening.
That's when he noticed smoke coming from the roof of an elderly neighbor's home.
He raced back to his house, grabbed the phone and called 9-1-1.
Derek told his parents about the fire, and they acted immediately.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:33:10-:21]
[IN Q=I just told them]
((DEREK DEPEAU/HERO: I JUST TOLD THEM THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE DOWN BACK. MY MOM RAN STRAIGHT TO THE DOOR AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND MY DAD WAS IN HERE. AND THEY BOTH RAN DOWN THERE AND GOT HIM OUT. ))
[SOT 1:37:09-:13]
((ALLEN DEPEAU/DEREK'S DAD: HE HAD THE PHONE IN HIS HAND AND HAD IT PRETTY MUCH UNDER CONTROL AND WE'RE REAL PROUD OF HIM.))
[SUPER=07-Derek DePeau; :00]
[SUPER=01-Allen DePeau/Derek's Dad; :12]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=real proud of him.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The family of the man Derek and his family saved from the fire sent them balloons, candy and flowers to show their appreciation.
The DePeaus say they're not heroes.
They did what anyone else would have done and are just thankful they were home when the fire broke out.
(------------)
[St-Patricks-Day]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Clinton]
Using St. Patrick's Day as a backdrop, President Clinton will do some pushing for the Northern Ireland
peace accord today.
Mr. Clinton will meet with top Northern Ireland leaders at the White House, and then host a holiday dinner tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;]
[4:30:37]
In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day a San Diego Bagel shop is rolling out green bagels.
Bruegger's Bagels says it just trying to get Californian's enthused about the holiday.
No word yet if the shop is also offering green cream cheese.
(------------)
[3-Sports]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In sports, the Express use a little Irish luck to score some gold on the ice.
Here's Mike Stevens with more.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Welcome folks]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=later today.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The Amtrak crash in Illinois is focusing attention on rail safety, something Norfolk Southern says they've been working on for years.
Safety teams patrol the lines, reporting and correcting problems.
Since 1993 Norfolk Southern crossing collisions are down 40 percent.
Collision fatalities are down 57 percent.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Construction of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford has fallen behind schedule.
It now looks like the project won't be finished by the proposed June Sixth dedication.
Officials say a lack of money has caused construction delays.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The legislation still needs the governor's signature, but it now appears that voters will decide if gambling should come to the Greenbrier.
There is strong support in White Sulphur Springs, where many residents work for the resort, or benefit indirectly from its presence.
But others are worried that gambling at the Greenbrier might bring more troubling proposals in the future.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
by SS