WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/13/99

[7E-Plane-Down]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-?]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

Now the search for clues begins.
Rescue personnel removed four bodies yesterday from a Montgomery County hillside, after a small plane lost power and crashed.
Investigators say the men were on their way to Claxton, Georgia.
Eric Earnhart has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=the twin engine]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Neal Turner/Montgomery Co. Chief Deputy; :17]
[SUPER=01-Travis Harvey/Montgomery Co. Dispatcher; :43]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Va. State Police; 1:24]
[SUPER=@Eric2; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=was a causitive factor;]

((Police say the twin engine Beechcraft apparently lost power and spun into the mountainside. The damage was severe... the plane's cabin was shredded... some seats thrown several feet away.
The wreckage was shrouded from view by the trees.

[SOT 02:25:23]
[IN Q=it was confirmed]
(( NEAL TURNER/MONTGOMERY CO. CHIEF DEPUTY; IT WAS CONFIRMED WITH ROANOKE AIRPORT EARLIER THAT A PLANE WAS DOWN, WITH THE HELP OF LIFEGUARD TEN THE PLANE WAS DISCOVERED.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=was discovered]

Rescue trucks couldn't get past the mud and trees, so four wheel drive all terrain vehicles created a path to the crash site.
Dispatcher Travis Harvey gave up his seat behind the radio to drive a four wheeler up and down the mountain.

[SOT 02:26:07 ]
[IN Q=it's reall muddy]
(( TRAVIS HARVEY/MONTGOMERY CO. DISPATCHER; IT'S REAL MUDDY AND ROCKY, WE GOT TWO TRUCKS STUCK AT THE TIME AND WE'VE BEEN USING ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES TO GET TO THE TOP AND COME BACK DOWN, WE'VE BEEN RUNNING SUPPLIES BACK AND FORTH. ))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=back and forth]

supplies like chainsaws... necessary to cut a path to the wreckage, allowing emergency crews to remove the bodies before nightfall.
The pilot was David Matthews Smith, age 42 of Winchester... passengers Warren C. Moorman, age 73 of Hardy.
And two men from Frederick Maryland, 56 year old John James Gordon, and 42 year old Steve Hunt McGuigan.

Based on the wreckage at the scene, investigators say there is NO evidence of fire, and the plane did have fuel on board when it crashed.
There were high winds in the area at the time of the crash.

[SOT 12:40:44]
[IN Q=we can't rule]
(( SGT. TOM FOSTER/ VA. STATE POLICE; WE CAN'T RULE ANYTHING IN OR ANYTHING OUT AT THIS POINT, BUT WE HAVE NO INDICATION THAT THE WIND WAS A CAUSITIVE FACTOR; ))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=causitive factor]

Representatives from company that built the plane's engine will join federal investigators on the scene.
Eric Earnhart, News 7.))

[7E-Allen]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-10 1:07:59]
[GRAPHIC=George Allen]

A major announcement could be in the cards for former Governor George Allen today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stafford Co.]

Allen has scheduled a morning news conference in Charlottesville. He's expected to tell the commonwealth if he's a Republican candidate in next year's Senate race.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=Chuck Robb]

Incumbent Democrat Chuck Robb is expected to run for re-election.

[7E-Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-9 56:14]
[GRAPHIC=John Warner]

Everywhere Virginia Senator John Warner goes these days, people want to talk about Kosovo.
And the new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has some well-informed opinions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stafford Co.]

Warner told a town hall meeting in Stafford County yesterday that NATO should NOT fear Russian involvement in the Balkans.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:19:28]
[IN Q=Russia is]
((SEN. JOHN WARNER/R-VIRGINIA: RUSSIA IS LOOKING FOR A ROLE TO PLAY THAT'S POSITIVE. THAT COUNTRY IS ON THE BRINK OF TOTAL FINANCIAL DISASTER. IT'S DEPENDENT ON THE WESTERN WORLD FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.))
[SUPER=@Warner;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=financial assistance.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Warner says NATO air strikes are weakening Yugoslavian resolve... and he thinks Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic will come to the negotiating table soon.

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look now at your Tuesday forecast..
Another breezy day ahead, with mostly sunny skies and gusts out of the northwest up to 20 miles per hour. Look for highs in the lower-60s.
Clear and chilly tonight, with the possibility of some frost. Lows in the mid-30s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/NW Winds 10-20 MPH/60-65/Clear & Chilly/Poss. Frost/33-38;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 4/14/99
Wednesday:

[SUPER=130-13/Ryan Orren/Radford]

[SUPER=130-6/Brandon Wilmoth/Vinton]

[SUPER=130-32/Tammy Lovell/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-32/Jill Sink/Rocky Mount]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-67/Arrington Bolden/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-7/Kristen Snider/Lexington]

[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;]

[45E-NS-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-11 24:49]
[GRAPHIC=NS Layoffs]

Over a hundred Norfolk Southern workers will lose their jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]

N-S is going to slow production from 10 coal "hoppers" a day to six.
The company also will lay off 110-people.
This, after N-S watched its coal-transporting revenues drop in the last year.
The company blames the drop on the global economic crisis...
Even though at least one union says there might be a second reason for the layoffs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:44:53 //// 2:33:19]
[bump sots]
[IN Q=our ability, i think]
((SUSAN BLAND: OUR ABILITY TO SELL COAL IN THE REST OF THE WORLD DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO EMPLOY PEOPLE HERE. PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT COAL IS A VITAL PART OF THE ROANOKE ECONOMY.//////JACK MEDLEY: I THINK CONRAIL HAS A PART IN THIS. I'M NOT SAYING IT HAS A MAJOR PART. BUT I'M SAYING THE CONRAIL CONSOLIDATION HAS A PART IN THIS FURLOUGH. ))

[SUPER=01-Susan Bland/Norfolk Southern;]
[SUPER=01-Jack Medley/Brotherhood Railway Carmen;11]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=this furlough]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Norfolk Southern says its 10-billion dollar merger with Conrail has nothing to do with this layoff.
(------------)

[45E-Goodlatte]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-6 1:21:56]
[GRAPHIC=Serbia Under Attack]

Congressman Bob Goodlatte took time yesterday to speak about the possibility of ground troops in Kosovo.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Goodlatte says he doesn't think the benefits would be worth the danger.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=While we may]
[10:05:12,Valley-Bank] ((REP. GOODLATTE: WHILE WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE WITH GROUND TROOPS, I WOULD HATE TO SEE AMERICAN LIVES LOST IN THIS MATTER. AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO DEVELOP AN EXIT STRATEGY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH AS MUCH AS WE CAN AND THEN BRING OUR TROOPS OUT OF THERE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN. ))
[SUPER=@Goodlatte]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=as we can.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Representative Rick Boucher did not say where he stands on the use of ground troops, but offered his support for the current mission.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well I'm not going]
[10:18:05, Donnelley-Boucher] ((REP. BOUCHER: WELL I'M NOT GOING TO OFFER MILITARY ADVICE TO THE NATO PLANNERS OR TO THE PENTAGON. I CAN SAY THAT WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE FOREMOST IN SUPPORT TO OUR TROOPS IN THE FIELD, I WILL CERTAINLY PROVIDE.))
[SUPER=@Boucher]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=certainly provide.]
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=hold]

While both congressmen say they support our troops, it's Goodlatte who stresses a quick end to the crisis.

[45E-Amherst-Deputies]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-3 1:46:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Amherst County sheriff's deputies could soon be certified to provide emergency medical service.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]

The sheriff's department is applying to be a fully- licensed Advanced Life Support provider.
Deputies would then be equipped to administer life-saving aid in times of emergency.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:28:01]
[IN Q=When you've got]
((JIMMY AYERS/AMHERST CO. SHERIFF: WHEN YOU'VE GOT THE TRAINED PERSONNEL OUT HERE PATROLLING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THAT'S WHERE I FEEL THE BENEFIT WILL COME IN. AND IF THE AGENCY HAD TO TAKE A MAN AND TRAIN HIM 480 HOURS AND PUT HIM THROUGH THAT TRAINING IT WOULD BE QUITE A BURDEN.))
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Ayers/Amherst Co. Sheriff; :00]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=quite a burden.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Most of Ayers' deputies already have at least Basic Life Support Training.
The plan has the full support of Amherst County's volunteer rescue squads.
(------------)

[45E-Trailer-Overturned]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ame]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Weather Damage]

High winds wreaked havoc throughout the area yesterday, whether it be on drivers, or just some folks sitting inside their home.
In Carroll County, two tractor trailers were blown over almost simultaneously on Interstate 77 at about 12-30.

State Police say wind gusts were clocked at as much as 127 miles per hour in the area.
No one was injured in either accident, but the Northbound lanes of I-77 were shut down for about 40 minutes. [wipe to video]

[45E-Tree-House]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-7 1:05:37]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The blustery winds also caused problems for some people in a Roanoke County home.
Around noon yesterday, wind knocked down an oak tree in the 24-hundred block of Loch Haven Drive.
The tree smashed into the roof of a log house under renovation, and shook up the people and pets inside.
No one was injured.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a break from the news now to check the Tuesday forecast...
Mostly sunny skies today with a northwesterly breeze and high temperatures in the low to mid 60s.
Clear and chilly overnight, and with diminishing winds...temperatures will drop into the mid and upper 30s.
Scattered frost is also possible.
As for the next five days...
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/NW Winds 10-20 MPH/60-65/Clear & Chilly/Poss. Frost/33-38;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;]

[8E-Plane-Down]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-?]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

Today investigators will attempt to find out why a small plane lost power and crashed yesterday on a Montgomery County hillside.
Four men were killed on their way to a fuel stop in Claxton, Georgia.
Family members say their final destination was an air show in Lakeland, Florida.
Eric Earnhart has more on the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=the twin engine]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Neal Turner/Montgomery Co. Chief Deputy; :17]
[SUPER=01-Travis Harvey/Montgomery Co. Dispatcher; :43]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Va. State Police; 1:24]
[SUPER=@Eric2; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=was a causitive factor;]

((Police say the twin engine Beechcraft apparently lost power and spun into the mountainside. The damage was severe... the plane's cabin was shredded... some seats thrown several feet away.
The wreckage was shrouded from view by the trees.

[SOT 02:25:23]
[IN Q=it was confirmed]
(( NEAL TURNER/MONTGOMERY CO. CHIEF DEPUTY; IT WAS CONFIRMED WITH ROANOKE AIRPORT EARLIER THAT A PLANE WAS DOWN, WITH THE HELP OF LIFEGUARD TEN THE PLANE WAS DISCOVERED.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=was discovered]

Rescue trucks couldn't get past the mud and trees, so four wheel drive all terrain vehicles created a path to the crash site.
Dispatcher Travis Harvey gave up his seat behind the radio to drive a four wheeler up and down the mountain.

[SOT 02:26:07 ]
[IN Q=it's reall muddy]
(( TRAVIS HARVEY/MONTGOMERY CO. DISPATCHER; IT'S REAL MUDDY AND ROCKY, WE GOT TWO TRUCKS STUCK AT THE TIME AND WE'VE BEEN USING ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES TO GET TO THE TOP AND COME BACK DOWN, WE'VE BEEN RUNNING SUPPLIES BACK AND FORTH. ))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=back and forth]

supplies like chainsaws... necessary to cut a path to the wreckage, allowing emergency crews to remove the bodies before nightfall.
The pilot was David Matthews Smith, age 42 of Winchester... passengers Warren C. Moorman, age 73 of Hardy.
And two men from Frederick Maryland, 56 year old John James Gordon, and 42 year old Steve Hunt McGuigan.

Based on the wreckage at the scene, investigators say there is NO evidence of fire, and the plane did have fuel on board when it crashed.
There were high winds in the area at the time of the crash.

[SOT 12:40:44]
[IN Q=we can't rule]
(( SGT. TOM FOSTER/ VA. STATE POLICE; WE CAN'T RULE ANYTHING IN OR ANYTHING OUT AT THIS POINT, BUT WE HAVE NO INDICATION THAT THE WIND WAS A CAUSITIVE FACTOR; ))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=causitive factor]

Representatives from company that built the plane's engine will join federal investigators on the scene.
Eric Earnhart, News 7.))

[8E-NS-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-11 24:49]
[GRAPHIC=NS Layoffs]

International economic problems are said to be the reason Norfolk Southern is decreasing its production of coal cars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]

N-S is going to slow production from 10 coal "hoppers" a day to six.
The company also will lay off 110-people.
This, after the company watched its coal-transporting revenues drop in the last year.
Norfolk Southern blames the drop on the global economic crisis...
Even though at least one union says there might be a second reason for the layoffs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:44:53 //// 2:33:19]
[bump sots]
[IN Q=our ability, i think]
((SUSAN BLAND: OUR ABILITY TO SELL COAL IN THE REST OF THE WORLD DIRECTLY IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO EMPLOY PEOPLE HERE. PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT COAL IS A VITAL PART OF THE ROANOKE ECONOMY.//////JACK MEDLEY: I THINK CONRAIL HAS A PART IN THIS. I'M NOT SAYING IT HAS A MAJOR PART. BUT I'M SAYING THE CONRAIL CONSOLIDATION HAS A PART IN THIS FURLOUGH. ))

[8E-Valley-Bank]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-5 1:05:56]
[GRAPHIC=Valley Bank]
Valley Bank has added another branch to its banking fold---
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

The bank opened its doors yesterday in downtown Salem.
This marks the fourth branch opening in the four years Valley Bank has been in business.
Salem City Council members were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Mayor Sonny Tarpley and Congressman Bob Goodlatte did the honors.
Plans are underway for a fifth branch to open in the fall of 2000.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Before we finish the morning updates...here's one more look at the forecast.
Today's outlook features lots of sunshine with continued breezy conditions and highs nearing 65.
Clear and chilly tonight, with some scattered frost possible as lows cool off into the mid and upper 30s.
The extended forecast promises sunshine tomrrow...then showers likely by Thursday.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=#555;RESET] [SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/NW Winds 10-20 MPH/60-65/Clear & Chilly/Poss. Frost/33-38;]