[7NS-Merger]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Conrail]


This is last day for Conrail trains.
Tomorrow, Norfolk Southern and C-S-X will split up the railroad as a more than 10-billion dollar deal takes effect.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]


The railroads say they'll restore competition to a number of Northeast cities.
They also believe they can put a dent in truck competition-- predicting one million fewer trucks on highways over three years.
N-S also predicts a lot more rail traffic through Western Virginia.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


N-S and C-S-X are hoping for a smooth transition.
During the last major rail takeover in 1996-- delivery delays were common.

[7S-Bedford-Memorial]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=99-10; 2:03:40]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]


In just a few hours, part of the National D-Day memorial will be unveiled in Bedford.
The larger-than-life piece of art features a soldier dragging another soldier up the shore.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]


The Sculptor who created "Across the Beaches" says it took about a year to complete...because of all the research involved in making sure the sculpture accurate and detailed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:08:31]
[IN Q=A lot of Veterans]
[SUPER=01-Jim Brothers/Sculptor]

((JIM BROTHERS/SCULPTOR: A LOT OF VETERANS AND WIDOWS OF VETERANS THAT HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS ACTUALLY CAME AWAY CRYING..IT'S STRANGE FOR A SCULPTOR TO BE HAPPY WHEN PEOPLE SHED TEARS..BUT THAT LETS HIM KNOW..I DONE WHAT I WANTED TO.))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=wanted to do]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The sculpture will be unveiled at ten o-clock at the site of the future Memorial off of route 122 in Bedford.

[7S-Salem-Vets]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-16; 36:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]


As the nation prepared to remember it's war dead, veterans rallied so their medical needs won't be forgotten.
Joy Sutton attended yesterday's rally in Salem and has this report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Dozens of veterans]
[SUPER=03-Salem; 00]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Perkins/Veteran; :19]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Cone/V. A. Nurse; :34]
[SUPER=07-Lester Pate; :50 Quick!!!!]
[SUPER=@joy2; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=JSU, Salem.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:51:51]
[IN Q=Nat sound: no more]

((NAT SOUND: NO MORE CUTS)) [RUNS]
[OUT Q=cuts]


Dozens of veterans turned out to urge Congress to stop the drastic cuts to veteran health care services and increase funding.
They say the government has forgotten its' veterans...and broken its' promise to provide quality health care to those who have served this country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:17:54]
[IN Q=It's just sad]

((STEPHEN PERKINS/VETERAN: IT'S JUST SAD THAT OUR NATION HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT OUR VETERANS AND THEIR HEALTH CARE..AND WITH ALL THE CUTS AND EVERYTHING IT'S JUST A SHAME.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=it's just a shame.]


Michelle Cone a nurse at VA medical center...told the crowd they've had to cut beds because of financial reasons.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:11:47]
[IN Q=The cuts to]

((MICHELLE CONE/NURSE: THE CUTS TO THE BUDGET ARE TREMENDOUS AND THEY KEEP CONTINUING...AND IF THEY CONTINUE..THIS VA WILL BE AFFECTED MUCH LIKE MANY THAT STILL STRUGGLE TO BE OPEN)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=struggle to be open.]


Thomas Pate is a patient at the VA Medical center...he and his brother Lester Pate came out to watch the rally.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:21:05]
[IN Q=He needs]

((LESTER PATE: HE NEEDS ALL THE CARE HE CAN GET...YOU KNOW)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=you know]


The American Federation of Government employees and Disabled American Veterans say the VA's current medical budget must be increased by 3 billion dollars to meet the health care needs of veterans.
Those who rallied are now urging Congress to take a stand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:14:32]
[IN Q=we voted]

((MICHELLE CONE/VA NURSE: WE VOTED FOR YOU..WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU..AND THE VETERANS ARE COUNTING ON YOU...WITHOUT OUT US YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB.))
[OUT Q=you don't have a job.]


As our nation honors those who died in combat...the veterans are hoping that those who survived will not be forgotten.
And they're hoping that the White house and Congress will keep their promise to veterans...and save what they say is an ailing veterans health care system.
Joy Sutton, News-7, Salem.))

[7Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]




[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Very Warm/85-90/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/58-62;]



[SUPER=#555; reset]

[7BIRTHDAYS!] 6/1/99
Monday:

[SUPER=130-7/Davey O'Neal/Vinton]



[SUPER=130-70/Annie Terry/Lowmoor]



[SUPER=130-34/Rodney Eggleston/]



[SUPER=130-7/Candace Harris/Christiansburg]



[SUPER=130-17/William Terrell Givens/Clifton Forge]



[SUPER=130-1/Justin Curt Shelton/Ferrum]



[SUPER=130-/Amy Dillon/Glade Hill]



[SUPER=130-10/Latania Tucker/Java]



[SUPER=130-87/Jack Lambert/]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-9/Jessica Renae Green/Roanoke]



[SUPER=131-/Rosa Brown/]



[SUPER=131-/Wilson Poff/Bramwell, WV]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Melanie1;][45NS-Merger]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Conrail]


It the last day on the rails for Conrail.
Norfolk Southern and C-S-X's 10 billion dollar deal to split up the railroad takes effect tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]


The railroads say they'll restore competition to a number of Northeast cities.
They also believe they can put a dent in truck competition-- predicting one million fewer trucks on highways over three years.
N-S also predicts a lot more rail traffic through Western Virginia.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


N-S and C-S-X are hoping for a smooth transition.
During the last major rail takeover in 1996-- delivery delays were common.

[45S-Salem-Vets]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-16; 36:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Somber ceremonies to honor America's war dead will share the spotlight with barbecues and department store sales today as the country observes Memorial Day.
But some veterans are expressing diasspoint with the U-S government.
Yesterday they rallied in Salem so their medical needs will not be forgotten.
Joy Sutton reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Dozens of veterans]
[SUPER=03-Salem; 00]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Perkins/Veteran; :19]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Cone/V. A. Nurse; :34]
[SUPER=07-Lester Pate; :50 Quick!!!!]
[SUPER=@joy2; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=JSU, Salem.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:51:51]
[IN Q=Nat sound: no more]

((NAT SOUND: NO MORE CUTS)) [RUNS]
[OUT Q=cuts]


Dozens of veterans turned out to urge Congress to stop the drastic cuts to veteran health care services and increase funding.
They say the government has forgotten its' veterans...and broken its' promise to provide quality health care to those who have served this country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:17:54]
[IN Q=It's just sad]

((STEPHEN PERKINS/VETERAN: IT'S JUST SAD THAT OUR NATION HAS FORGOTTEN ABOUT OUR VETERANS AND THEIR HEALTH CARE..AND WITH ALL THE CUTS AND EVERYTHING IT'S JUST A SHAME.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=it's just a shame.]


Michelle Cone a nurse at VA medical center...told the crowd they've had to cut beds because of financial reasons.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:11:47]
[IN Q=The cuts to]

((MICHELLE CONE/NURSE: THE CUTS TO THE BUDGET ARE TREMENDOUS AND THEY KEEP CONTINUING...AND IF THEY CONTINUE..THIS VA WILL BE AFFECTED MUCH LIKE MANY THAT STILL STRUGGLE TO BE OPEN)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=struggle to be open.]


Thomas Pate is a patient at the VA Medical center...he and his brother Lester Pate came out to watch the rally.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:21:05]
[IN Q=He needs]

((LESTER PATE: HE NEEDS ALL THE CARE HE CAN GET...YOU KNOW)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=you know]


The American Federation of Government employees and Disabled American Veterans say the VA's current medical budget must be increased by 3 billion dollars to meet the health care needs of veterans.
Those who rallied are now urging Congress to take a stand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:14:32]
[IN Q=we voted]

((MICHELLE CONE/VA NURSE: WE VOTED FOR YOU..WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU..AND THE VETERANS ARE COUNTING ON YOU...WITHOUT OUT US YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB.))
[OUT Q=you don't have a job.]


As our nation honors those who died in combat...the veterans are hoping that those who survived will not be forgotten.
And they're hoping that the White house and Congress will keep their promise to veterans...and save what they say is an ailing veterans health care system.
Joy Sutton, News-7, Salem.))

[45S-Bedford-Memorial]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=99-10; 2:03:40]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]


Meanwhile, A Memorial Day ceremony in Bedford will include the unveiling of a portion of the D-Day memorial.
The larger-than-life piece of art features a soldier dragging another soldier up the shore.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]


The Sculptor who created "Across the Beaches" says it took about a year to complete...because of all the research involved in making sure the sculpture accurate and detailed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:08:31]
[IN Q=A lot of Veterans]
[SUPER=01-Jim Brothers/Sculptor]

((JIM BROTHERS/SCULPTOR: A LOT OF VETERANS AND WIDOWS OF VETERANS THAT HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS ACTUALLY CAME AWAY CRYING..IT'S STRANGE FOR A SCULPTOR TO BE HAPPY WHEN PEOPLE SHED TEARS..BUT THAT LETS HIM KNOW..I DONE WHAT I WANTED TO.))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=wanted to do]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The sculpture will be unveiled at ten o-clock at the site of the future Memorial off of route 122 in Bedford.

[45Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Turning to your holiday forecast...mostly sunny and very warm today, with afternoon highs reaching the upper 80s.

Partly cloudy tonight, with a light breeze and lows near 60.
The five day forecast includes the possibilit of scattered showers and thunderstorms later this week.
Temperatures stay very warm with highs in the mid 80s....lows near 60.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Very Warm/85-90/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/58-62;]



[SUPER=#555; reset]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Melanie1;][8WebWatch]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=Web Watch]
[GRAPHIC=Web Watch]


The senate website was the scene for computer hackers..
And an on-line service may help you trace your roots.
All that and more in this week's Webwatch.
Here's Eric Earnhart.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=More cyber attacks on]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=EE, News-7]

(([intro] [RUNS :05] More cyber attacks on Government websites last week. The senate website shut down after hackers posted obscene messages.
The attack was allegedly in retaliation for ongoing FBI investigations of hacker activity... the FBI site was also hacked last week.

It's the premiere online site for finding your roots. The Mormon Church has posted its geaneological records online, listing 400 million names, some dating back to the year 1500.

If you're moving, here's one less thing to worry about. Get your change of address form at the U.S.Postal Service website.
Enter your new address and print out a customized form you can leave in your mailbox.

But don't log-off yet, as long as you're online, you might at well register your car.
The Virginia DMV website says it's the first in the country to offer online registration renewals.
You just need your rewnewal card, and a credit card.
For links to these sites, click on WebWatch, on the WDBJ website, at wdbj7-dot-com.))

[8Feedback]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Feedback 26:06]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Feedback]


A Vinton woman's lawsuit over an allergy to latex triggered one viewer to express her opinion.
Asssignment editor Joe McKean has that in News's Feedback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lisa Williams]
[SUPER=04-May 24; :00]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=McKean, News-7.]

((Lisa Williams had to give up her career as a nurse, because she's allergic to the Latex gloves commonly used in the health care industry.
She blames the manufacturers and has filed a lawsuit in Roanoke's federal court, asking for back pay and damages.
"While I feel for the young woman with the allergy to the latex gloves," wrote a viewer from Roanoke, "I sit here and wonder just how far we are going to go in this lawsuit mess. Does anybody just stop and think that while this is too bad for the young woman but why in the heck should the industry that makes the gloves be held to task? I feel the same way about smoking. I did it and I quit. You have free will and if you want to keep on smoking you are to blame not the cigarette industry. Nobody wants to sit down and say "well, this is the way it is and I have to learn to live with it". My advice, get a life and stop trying to soak somebody to make up your 40% paycut."
We're always interested in what you think about current affairs and our news coverage.
If you'd like to write to us, the address is P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, 24022-0007.
To send a fax, use 540-343-7269.
Our e-mail goes to news@wdbj7.com.
And on our web site, wdbj7.com, you may take part in a moderated on-line forum.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[8S-Bedford-Memorial]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=99-10; 2:03:40]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]


Later this morning, Bedford will be the site of the unveiling of part of the D-Day Memorial.
The sculpture depicts a soldier dragging his comrade up the shoreline.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]


The Sculptor who created "Across the Beaches" says it took about a year to complete...because of all the research involved in making sure the sculpture accurate and detailed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:08:31]
[IN Q=A lot of Veterans]
[SUPER=01-Jim Brothers/Sculptor]

((JIM BROTHERS/SCULPTOR: A LOT OF VETERANS AND WIDOWS OF VETERANS THAT HAVE ALREADY SEEN THIS ACTUALLY CAME AWAY CRYING..IT'S STRANGE FOR A SCULPTOR TO BE HAPPY WHEN PEOPLE SHED TEARS..BUT THAT LETS HIM KNOW..I DONE WHAT I WANTED TO.))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=wanted to do]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The sculpture will be unveiled at ten o-clock at the site of the future Memorial off of route 122 in Bedford.

[8Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Before we wrap up this morning...here's another look at your forecast for this holiday.
Mostly sunny skies today, with unseasonably warm highs in the upper 80s.
Turning partly cloudy tonight, with a light breeze and lows around 60.
Tomorrow looks partly sunny and slightly cooler, with highs of 80 to 85.
And the rest of the week promises continued warm tempertures, with a chance of scattered thunderstorms by mid- week.



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[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Very Warm/85-90/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/58-62;]

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by SS