[7Electrical-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#99-26]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

Downtown Roanoke has returned to normal this morning after most of it was shut down last night following an electrical fire.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Stacey Microwave]

Stacey Martin has been following the story and is here with the details.
[Live= Stacey Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Stacey1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

That's right Melanie, the fire is out and traffic is once again flowing through most of downtown Roanoke but it was quite a different story last night.
(Rollcue: different story last night.)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The fire burned intensely]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Winston Simmons/Roanoke Deputy Fire Chief; :14]
[RUNS=:51]
[OUT Q=later around 1 a-m.]
((The fire burned intensely for more than three hours.
A transformer apparently exploded and started to burn-- eventually igniting two other transformers nearby.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22.59.53 - 22.00.08]
[IN Q=Each transformer is]
((DEPUTY CHIEF WINSTON SIMMONS: EACH TRANSFORMER IS SEALED BUT THEN WITH THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE HAD.. THAT SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN AND WE'VE HAD A LEAKAGE OF MINERAL OIL AND EACH TRANSFORMER HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 300 GALLONS OF MINERAL OIL IN THAT.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=oil in that.]

Firefighters first tried to let it burn itself out -- then opted to douse it with foam.
When that didn't work, they turned off the electricity and were finally able to put it out.
The blackout affected about a 25 block area and prompted concern among several business owners about the security of their companies.
Power was eventually restored around around 1 a-m.))
[Live=Stacey Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Police and firefighters began leaving as soon as the fire was out.
They reopened several streets that were closed except for this small square block behind me near the intersections of Luck Avenue, Franklin Road and Jefferson Street where the fire once burned.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Stacey Microwave]

The clean-up there continues and police say it could be hours before the block is reopened to traffic.

[7County-Rezone]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Seal]

The old Moore's Lumber building on Williamson Road won't be turned into a nightclub.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Dozens of people showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting last night with with one goal in mind-- to stop Spur's Lounge and Restaurant from coming to the neighborhood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=they can gloss]
((BOB STULL/CONCERNED CITIZEN: THEY CAN GLOSS THESE PLACES OVER ANY KIND OF WAY THEY WANT TO. BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, ONCE YOU GET IN THERE FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT STARTS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE DRUNK. THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE AND WHEN THEY GET IN THE CAR READY TO GO HOME THEY'RE GOING TO KILL PEOPLE. ))
[SUPER=01-Bob Stull/Concerned Citizen]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=to kill people]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Earlier rumors indicated three night clubs would be crammed into the former Moore's building.
However, the owner of Spur's said their plans had always included opening only two businesses.
But, a majority of the supervisors weren't swayed by promises of strict noise control and peaceful crowds and they denied the permit by a vote of four to nothing.
(------------)

[7E-Accident-Update]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-24 22:50]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Deadly Ax]

The truck driver arrested in connection with Wednesday's fatal accident on Interstate 81 near Christiansburg is scheduled to stand trial in September.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/Yesterday; ]

31-year old Richard Wayne West was charged with involuntary manslaughter just hours after his rig crossed the median and collided with a car.
The elderly New York couple inside the Ford Taurus were killed instantly.
At his arraignment yesterdaty afternoon, West was appointed an attorney- His trial date was set for September 20th.

[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./Yesterday;]

West initially told police he blew a tire but later said he lost control after glancing at the floorboard.
West has NOT yet posted the 75- thousand dollar bond needed for his release from jail.
(------------------)

[7WEATHER]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Taking a look at your Friday forecast--
Today will be sunny with temperatures warming as the day goes on.
A northwesterly breeze and highs in the low to mid 80's.
Tonight will turn clear and chilly with light winds.
Temperatures between 40 and 45.
Taking a look at the extended forecast--

[CK/WXPRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Warmer/Winds NW 10/80-85/Clear & Chilly/Light Winds/40-45]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[45Electrical-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=nte]
[TAPE#=99-26]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

One lane is closed in both directions on Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke this morning after an electrical explosion last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Downtown Roanoke]

Flames spouted from the pavement after a transformer exploded--igniting two more transformers nearby.
It took firefighters more than three hours to squelch the intense heat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22.59.53-22.00.08]
[IN Q=Each Transfomer is]
[SUPER=01-Dep. Chief Winston Simmons]
((EACH TRANSFORMER IS SEALED BUT THEN WITH THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE HAD...THAT SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN AND WE'VE HAD A LEAKAGE OF MINERAL OIL AND EACH TRANSFORMER HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 300 GALLONS OF MINERAL OIL IN THAT))
[RUNS=0:15]
[OUT Q=oil in that]
(--------------)
[vo-nat] Firefighters eventually had to turn off the electricity to put out the fire.
The blackout affected about a 25 block area, but power was restored around one a-m.
Traffic is running smoothly--even through the intersections of Luck Avenue, Franklin Road and Jefferson--where clean-up and repairs continue.

(-----------------)[45E-Pulaski-Drugs]



[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-10 2:06:10]
[GRAPHIC=Pulaski Co. Drug Arrest]

More than two dozen people have been arrested in Pulaski County on drugs charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin;]

A grand jury issued the indictments this week and officers began making arrests yesterday morning.
The arrests were the result of an undercover drug investigation.
And it was a joint effort by officers from the Dublin police department, state police and the Pulaski County sheriff's department.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:12:16]
[IN Q= It helps]
((JIM DAVIS/PULASKI CO. SHERIFF: IT HELPS IN MANPOWER, RESOURCES, EQUIPMENT, AND THE LUXURY OF HAVING OFFICERS BEING ABLE TO TAKE BREAKS, BACK OFF FOR A WHILE AND CONTINUE AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Davis/Pulaski Co. Sheriff; :00]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=continue again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sheriff Davis says the investigation will likely result in additional charges, as well.
(------------)

[45E-Wells]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-16 33:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

She was a substitute teacher at a Pulaski County high school and now Andrea Lynn Wells is accused of providing students with marijuana and cigarettes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin;]

The 34-year old was arrested at her home in Radford yesterday morning.
Investigators say Wells would sell and give cigarettes to students while working at the school.
The marijuana charges are the result of alleged activity off-school property.
Police say Wells smoked a joint with two students at one of their houses.
(--------------)

[45E-Forest-Drugs]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Three students and a school janitor faces drug charges at Jefferson Forest High school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Bedford County authorities say they've had their eye on the suspects for about a year.
A 17-year old and two 15-year old students are charged with distributing marijuana.
The janitor, 38-year old Wayne N. Braxton, is charged with buying it.
Authorities say more arrests could be made.
(------------)

[45E-Tultex]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-12 1:28:21]
[GRAPHIC=Tultex]

After some bad economic years at Tultex shareholders were given only a promise at yesterday company's annual meeting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]

Martinsville's biggest employer said things will get better.
Management apologized for sinking profits and stock prices.
It blamed company losses on overseas competition and customers who have stopped buying sweatshirts.
The company introduced its new president, who says Tultex can turn around its fortunes with some creative marketing.


(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37]
[IN Q=you get]
((JAMES CHRISS/TULTEX PRESIDENT: YOU GET PEOPLE TO BUY MORE SWEATSHIRTS BY MAKING SWEATSHIRTS THAT THEY WANT TO BUY. THAT MAY SOUND SIMPLE BUT WE HAVE TO TALK TO CONSUMERS ... DO SOME RESEARCH ... AND MAKE WHAT THEY WANT.))
[SUPER=01-James Chriss/Tultex President;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=WHAT THEY WANT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The company says there won't be any other changes in management.
Tultex would not reveal how much its new president is getting paid.
(------------)

[8Electrical-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=nte]
[TAPE#=99-26]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

A fire brought on by an electrical explosion last night still has one lane of Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke closed in both directions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Flames spouted from a manhole after an underground transformer exploded--igniting two more transformers nearby.
It took firefighters more than three hours to squelch the intense heat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22.59.53-22.00.08]
[IN Q=Each Transfomer is]
[SUPER=01-Winston Simmons/Deputy Chief;]
((EACH TRANSFORMER IS SEALED BUT THEN WITH THE PROBLEM THAT WE'VE HAD...THAT SEAL HAS BEEN BROKEN AND WE'VE HAD A LEAKAGE OF MINERAL OIL AND EACH TRANSFORMER HOLDS APPROXIMATELY 300 GALLONS OF MINERAL OIL IN THAT))
[RUNS=0:15]
[OUT Q=oil in that]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=MEL]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

Firefighters eventually had to turn off the electricity to put out the fire.
The blackout affected about a 25 block area, but power was restored around one a-m.
Traffic is running smoothly--even through the intersections of Luck Avenue, Franklin Road and Jefferson--where clean-up and repairs continue.

[8County-Rezone]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Seal]

The sounds of dance music WON'T be heard in the old Moore's Lumber building on Williamson Road...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Dozens of people showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting last night with with one goal in mind-- to stop Spur's Lounge and Restaurant from coming to the neighborhood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=they can gloss]
((BOB STULL/CONCERNED CITIZEN: THEY CAN GLOSS THESE PLACES OVER ANY KIND OF WAY THEY WANT TO. BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, ONCE YOU GET IN THERE FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT STARTS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE DRUNK. THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE AND WHEN THEY GET IN THE CAR READY TO GO HOME THEY'RE GOING TO KILL PEOPLE. ))
[SUPER=01-Bob Stull/Concerned Citizen]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=to kill people]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Earlier rumors indicated three night clubs would be crammed into the former Moore's building.
However, the owner of Spur's said their plans had always included opening only two businesses.
But, a majority of the supervisors weren't swayed by promises of strict noise control and peaceful crowds and they denied the permit by a vote of four to nothing.
(------------)

[8E-Farming]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-13]
[GRAPHIC=Farming]

Local economies could turn sour after a price drop meant a-third less earnings for dairy farmers this month.


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

Richard Thompson says he'll lose 15-thousand-dollars this month.
In fact, he's earning less than dairy farmers did in 1980 -- but paying prices of the 90's.
Local stores are seeing a drop in their sales now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:56:20]
[IN Q=AS FAR AS]
((AS FAR AS FARMERS ARE CONCERNED THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY FARM EQUIPMENT. I WOULD SAY WE'RE DOWN 30 TO 50 PERCENT ON FARM EQUIPMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Glenn Weaver/Price's Equipment;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=on farm equipment]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Economists say stores of all kinds could suffer.
When businesses lose money, that means less tax money for things like police, fire and schools.
Next month, farmers are scheduled to get five percent more for milk.
(------------)

[8E-Accident-Update]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-24 22:50]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Deadly Ax]

A September court date is set for the truck driver who was arrested in connection with Wednesday's deadly accident on Interstate 81 near Christiansburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/Yesterday; ]

31-year old Richard Wayne West was charged with involuntary manslaughter just hours after his rig crossed the median and collided with a car.
The elderly New York couple inside the Ford Taurus were killed instantly.
At his arraignment yesterday afternoon, West was appointed an attorney- His trial date was set for September 20th.


[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./Yesterday;]

West initially told police he blew a tire but later said he lost control after glancing at the floorboard.
West has NOT yet posted the 75- thousand dollar bond needed for his release from jail. (------------------)

by SS