WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 08/17/99

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Battle lines being drawn as the tobacco grower's settlement gets carved up.

We have a LIVE report from Richmond- -and reaction from Southside farmers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Then we turn our attention to the drought... the latest on water levels- -and the dried up creek beds that spell disaster in more Virginia Counties.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight in sports here at News 7, fan fun in Spartanburg with the Panthers. The Express secures its top scorer from a season ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Floyd County Buffaloes step into the Friday Football Extra spotlight this evening.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

It will take much more than a tropical storm to break our current drought. And a cool front tries to break the current heat wave. Those weather stories are straight ahead. [open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:29:34]
[IN Q=We have]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=seen before.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Finally, the good news for tobacco farmers.
Virginia starts talking about how to dole out the dollars from the first of the two tobacco agreements.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Tobacco-Board]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-21 01:37]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Settlement]

It's called the Grower's Settlement... or the Side Agreement.
For Virginia, it's 339- million dollars over the next 12 years.
Tobacco companies have agreed to pay it to the farmers and the tobacco quota holders themselves.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Ellen/Microwave]

Ellen Qualls is in Richmond with the complexities of the story.
[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Ellen1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Keith, first, understand this is NOT the Master Settlement Agreement.
That will mean four BILLION dollars to Virginia alone over 25 years-- and political fights are brewing over that.
This side agreement money is just for the tobacco growers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is ]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Boyd/National Black Farmers' Assoc.; :]
[SUPER=01-Craig Bieber/Virginia Democratic Party; :]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=in the clear.]

[sot tape two 12:03:56]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: THIS IS PRIVATE TRUST MONEY... MONEY THIS YEAR.))
[runs=:12]

Any time there's 339- million dollars to be handed out, there's a lot of eyes watching how it's done.
Governor Gilmore appointed all but two on the all white, all male Certification Board that will divvy up the money.

Mecklenburg tobacco farmer John Boyd's still burning from his fight with the USDA.
[sot tape two 14:34:49 ]
((JOHN BOYD/NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOC.: HISTORY TELLS US THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT. LEFT OUT OF THE PICTURE WHEN THE MONIES ARE BEING DIVIDED. AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE BE AT THE TABLE.))
[runs=:09]

Democrats grew wary of bylaws the group immediately passed allowing secret meetings.
[sot 14:27:55]
((CRAIG BIEBER/VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY: WE WOULD JUST HOPE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE KEPT AWARE EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS HOW THIS MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT.))
[runs=:09]

[sot 12:04:28 ]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL THIS IS A PRIVATE TRUST. IT IS NOT An ...IN THE OPEN AND IN THE CLEAR.))
[runs=:09]

[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]
(ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Keith & Ellen/Microwave]

(toss back to anchor)[Farm-Tobacco]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-23 1:49:28]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Settlement]

As the task force meets in Richmond on how to parcel out the settlement money, tobacco farmers in Southside fear they may never see their share.
Marya Jones tells us why the national tobacco settlement worries them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Wayne Motley has seen his tobacco acreage]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Motley/Tobacco Farmer; :12 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Archie Lee Motley/Tobacco Farmer; :22 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-C.D. Bryant/Concerned Friends of Tobacco; :42]
[SUPER=01-John Gibson/Farm Services Agency; :58]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Marya Jones, News 7, Pittsylanvia County.]

(( Wayne Motley has seen his tobacco acreage cut back from 60 to 40 acres in the last two years... the result of quotas set by the government.
And though he'd like some money from the tobacco settlement to make up for that loss, he's not counting on it.
[SOT 1:04:43 - :49]
((WAYNE MOTLEY/TOBACCO FARMER: IT'LL JUST BE TIED UP IN THE GOVERNMENT, POLITICIANS. IT'S MY BELIEF. I HOPE I'M WRONG.)) [RUNS:06]
His father, Archie Lee Motley, isn't much more optimistic.
[SOT 57:15 - :18]
((ARCHIE LEE MOTLEY/TOBACCO FARMER: I GOT TO RECEIVE THE CHECK BEFORE I BELIEVE YOU'LL GET ANYTHING.)) [RUNS:03]
The Motley's doubts about the settlement money aren't unfounded.
Any number of problems could keep the cash from reaching farmers.... from further tobacco lawsuits to declining sales for cigarette companies.
C-D Bryant, who sits on the Governor's task force for the grower's settlement, says the money source is unreliable.

[SOT 1:12:36 - :42]
((C.D. BRYANT/CONCERNED FRIENDS OF TOBACCO: ONE PAYMENT, YES, I THINK YOU'LL GET. I DON'T KNOW WHAT GUARANTEE YOU HAVE ON ANY OTHER PAYMENTS.)) [RUNS:06]
John Gibson works locally with the U-S Department of Agriculture. He says many growers are skeptical that politicians will chip away at their share.
[SOT 1:13:57 - :05]
((JOHN GIBSON/FARM SERVICES AGENCY: WE'RE SEEING OUR LEGISLATORS LEANING TOWARD USING THE MONEY FOR OTHER THINGS LIKE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.)) [RUNS:08]
C-D Bryant says he'll work hard to get that money into the hands of farmers.
Archie Lee Motley still isn't convinced.
[SOT 58:06 - :10]
((ARCHIE LEE MOTLEY: I JUST DON'T BELIEVE YOU'LL GET IT. I HOPE SO, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE.)) [RUNS:04] [SU 1:29:59 - 1:27:11] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS 7: HOPE IS JUST AS MUCH A PART OF FARMING AS UNCERTAINTY. AND UNTIL TOBACCO FARMERS GET SOME MONEY IN THEIR HANDS, THEY SAY THEY'LL CONTINUE TO VIEW THE SETTLEMENT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH. MARYA JONES, NEWS 7, PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY. )) [RUNS:12] ))

[Execution]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]

Virginia will carry out its 10-th execution of the year tonight.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE PINNACLE FULL SCREEN]
Marlon Dewayne Williams has withdrawn his clemency request from Governor Gilmore.
Earlier in the day, Williams was denied a stay of execution by the U-S Supreme Court.
Williams carried out the contract killing of a Chesapeake woman in 1993.
(+++++++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

He's scheduled to die by lethal injection tonight in Jarratt.

[Baby-Remains]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-25 1:10:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The U-V-A Medical Center faces more lawsuits over a switched baby.
THIS time it's from parents whose babies died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 1998]

David and Mistie Huffman of Roanoke told us last September that they were given the remains of a Charlottesville woman's baby six months earlier... rather than those of their own one-month-old daughter.
The suit they filed this month contends they were notified of the mix-up as they were about to leave the hospital park lot.
The Huffmans and the Charlottesville woman are each seeking a half million dollars in damages.
(------------)

[Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Two feet to go at Carvins Cove. Still ahead on News 7, why bringing in county water may not forestall the next stage of restrictions.
(///////SOT//////)
[Cow moos]
[Runs=03]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And cattle ranchers are watching the drought of '99 drain their farms and their wallets.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[wx ad lib] [Roll] [Lake Level] [MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]
[Roll]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=NONE]
[SUPER=80-97/68/0.00''/96/67/0.00''/89/60/0.00''/88/66/0.00'']
[SUPER=81-99/70/0.00''/99/64/0.00''/88/55/0.00'']
[SUPER=82-0.25''/minus 1.97''/20.66''/minus 5.03'']
[SUPER=83-Down 3.70 feet/Down 0.43 foot]

[SUPER=84-Down 28.0 feet/Mandatory Conservation][Cove-Level]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

As Robin just said the city reservoir,
(+++++++)
[Take Pinnacle Page 1000] Carvins Cove, is now 28 feet below pond. That means tougher restrictions are just two feet away from going into effect.
(+++++++)

[Water]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-26 1:10:22]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

Roanoke's main reservoir keeps dropping despite reduced consumption .. and an INCREASE in water supplies from outside sources.
While the recent agreement with Roanoke County helps, it does not solve the city's dilemma.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joe/Microwave]

Joe Dashiell is at the Crystal Spring pumping station tonight with more on the situation.
[Live=Joe Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Joe1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Keith, city officials say they're breathing a little easier in the wake of last week's water agreement.
But even the promise of four million gallons a day, does not eliminate the need for water conservation.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On Valleypointe Parkway]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gary Robertson/County Utilities Director; :15]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove; :29]
[SUPER=01-Diane Akers/Asst. City Manager; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=as much as possible.]

((On Valleypointe Parkway, crews were putting the finishing touches on the latest connection between the Roanoke County and Roanoke City water systems.
Eventually, county officials are confident they'll be able to transfer the four million gallons a day, the water agreement promises.
[SOT 18:46 GARY ROBERTSON]
[IN Q=Today we're probably]
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=water into the system.]

Carvins Cove now looks more like a river than a reservoir... Pete Martin and Howard Brown spent the day prospecting on sandy soil that's normally covered with water.
Before conservation, Carvins Cove supplied 15 million gallons of the city's daily demand, with smaller amounts coming from Crystal Spring, and the Falling Creek Reservoir.
Roanoke is now supplementing the supply with water from Roanoke County, Salem and eventually, the town of Vinton... Roanoke County is also easing the burden on Carvins Cove by supplying county residents who were formerly city water customers.
But even if city residents reduce their water consumption by 30 percent... a gap remains.
[SOT 16:41]
[IN Q=The city and the county will continue]
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=as much as possible.]))
[Live=Joe Full/Microwave]
[Super=05-Roanoke]

Add up the additional sources of water, factor in conservation... and the city still will need to draw a million gallons of water a day from Carvins cove.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joe/Microwave]

So Keith, with no significant relief from this drought in sight... Diane Akers says there is still a sense of u

rgency... and a definite need to conserve.[Cattle-Sales]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-28 44:40]
[GRAPHIC=Drought of 99]

As Roanoke waits for water, many cattle producers in the New River Valley have watched the last of their streams dry up in recent weeks.
Teresa Hamilton shows us why it looks like Pulaski County will be among the next in line to ask for assistance.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Normally ]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.; :10]
[SUPER=01-Richard White/Pulaski Co. Extension Agent; :56 ]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Pulaski.]
((
(///////SOT/////11:37:06)
[IN Q= Normally]
((TIM SUTPHIN/PULASKI CO. FARMER: NORMALLY, RIGHT HERE THE WATER WOULD PROBABLY BE FOUR TO SIX INCHES DEEP OVER THESE ROCKS AND RUNNING PRETTY GOOD.))
[runs= 10]
[out q= pretty good.]

Tim Sutphin has been raising cattle on this 17- hundred acre farm in Pulaski County, since the early 1980's.
But he's never seen it quite this dry.
So dry, the three primary streams on his farm have basically dried up.
Fortunately-- Sutphin does have ONE remaining water source. [nat sound of cows running]
[runs= 05]

Another down side of the drought is that Sutphin is having to move his cattle from pasture to pasture because the fields don't have enough green grass.
This means the cattle aren't gaining as much weight as they should.
The lack of forage has also left Sutphin no choice but to begin weaning his calves this week-- rather than in October.
Extension agent Richard White says other farmers are also dealing with the same situation.
(/////////sot///////////)
[sot 12:28:10]
[in q= Calves can]
(RICHARD WHITE/EXTENSION AGENT: CALVES CAN STAY ON THE COW BUT THEY WON'T BE GAINING WEIGHT AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE POUND
S, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A POUND OF BEEF WHERE YOU CAN AND THEY CERTAINLY CAN'T DO IT ON THE FORAGE WE HAVE NOR CAN THEY DO IT ON MAMAS MILK.)
[runs= 16]
[out q=mamas milk.]

The Pulaski Board of Supervisors is strongly considering declaring the county an agricultural disaster area.
This week-- White presented board members with information detailing the impact the drought is having on the county. [stand up]
Farmers won't have to wait long for a decision. Board members are scheduled to take up the issue Monday night. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Pulaski.

))[Virgil-Drought]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Drought of 99]

Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode thinks the drought is so serious the President should dispatch the U-S military.
Goode fired off a letter to the White House today.
It asks President Clinton to activate the U-S military to deliver water to drought- stricken areas -- just like they provide disaster relief in foreign countries.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Stocks rallied late in the day for a strong finish. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-x/70.29/11117.08/x/25.95/2671.23;]

The Dow closed with a 70-point gain. NASDAQ rose 26 points.

[SUPER=431-i!/35@/hr/49g/h2a/64c/hg/65b/ha/23!;]
[SUPER=432-h!/41$/ib/4*/h@/45r/h1f/43f/hf/47@;]
[SUPER=433-h1c/111$/i1#/23&/h!/28a/he/9d/h&/36*;]

[SUPER=434-u/17a/h1d/66$/h1/35d/h1f/82#/h/46;][Goode]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-29 37:28]
[GRAPHIC=Goode-Which Party?]

Will he or won't he?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Democratic Congressman Virgil Goode had a prime opportunity to talk party switching with Republican Governor Jim Gilmore today in Richmond.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:06:18]
[IN Q=I spoke with]
(( I SPOKE WITH VIRGIL GOODE...AT THIS POINT. ))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=at this point.]
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=None]

Goode continues to say only that he will run for re-election next year-- but refuses to say which party's standard he'll be bearing.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming your way tonight on the News 7 sports, cool news from the ice, a preseason look at Floyd County's football team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Panthers are making training camp a fun experience for their fans this year. That story is straight ahead.
(------------)

[S-ECHL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-45]
[GRAPHIC=express]

The Roanoke Express roster grew by two players today.
(-------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Head coach Scott Gordon confirmed today that leading scorer Kris Cantu has agreed to a new contract. Cantu registered 27 goals and 26 assists last year.
Center Mike Peron's Express contract should go out Thursday. He tallied 39 points in 1998.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[GRAPHIC=ECHL]

The ECHL announced today that NHL hall of famer Phil Esposito, who is part of Tri-State Sports group, has purchased the Huntington Blizzard.

[S-Elliott]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-44]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

Less than 24 hours after undergoing a successful kidney transplant procedure, Sean Elliott's doctor says he may very well play in the NBA next season.
And could begin working out again in two months.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I WOULD...]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Francis Wright/Elliott's Surgeon; :00]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=...NORMAL LIFE.]
(------------)
[vo nat con't]
[SUPER=03-Flagstaff, AZ/Yesterday;]

The news is not so good for Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Ernest Dye, one of three players injured in this car wreck last night.
He underwent several hours of surgery today to save his left arm. He's in critical condition tonight.
(-------------)

[S-Floyd]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-46 03:52]
[GRAPHIC=FFE]

The Floyd County Buffaloes stampede into this season coming off a 9 and 2 year in 1998. The 99 campaign could be even better.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.; :00]

The Buffaloes, who held team picture day yesterday, return 13 starters, seven on offense, six on defense. Floyd finished second in the Three Rivers District and to go a step higher, the defense must improve.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Last year]
(( WINFRED BEALE/BEGINS 19TH SEASON AS FLOYD HEAD COACH:))
[SUPER=01-Winfred Beale/Floyd Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=....get the job done"]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Buffaloes welcome back four out of five lineman, a quarterback and tailback Josh Spence to the roster. Spence, an all state performer, knows his name will be at the top of most scouting reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="the coaches]
((JOSH SPENCE/SCORED 14 TOUCHDOWNS LAST YEAR:))
[SUPER=01-Josh Spence/14 Touchdowns Last Year; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=....in this situation"]
(-------------------)

[S-FFE]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(---------------)
[wipe to pinnacle 99001]
With that many players back from last year's playoff team, the Buffs certainly have a shot of making the Friday Football Extra preseason Super-7. Join News 7 sports this Friday night at 11;35 to find out that and more in our preseason special.
(---------------)

[S-Panthers]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-39]
[GRAPHIC=Panthers training camp]

Roster moves aren't the only changes the Carolina Panthers made this off season. Steve Mason tells us about a Panther upgrade designed for the fan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Spartanburg, SC/Panthers Training Camp; :00]
[SUPER=01-DeeDee Thomason/Panthers Public Relations; :21(QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Brooks Luquire/Panther Summer Intern; :34(QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Bryan Kelliher/Panthers Fan; :47(QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Kyla Biscotti/Panthers Fan; :53(QUICK)]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Delucia/Virtual Reality Representative; 1:18]
[SUPER=01-Michael Rucker/Panthers Rookie Defensive End; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=..news 7 sports"]
(---------------)

((It used to be that while the Panthers practiced, fans just sat on the hill at Wofford College and watched. Not anymore. ((NAT SOUND:))
Let these fans take you on a tour of the first year Panther Experience. ((:))
This 10 station adventure park is geared towards kids. It's a modified version of the NFL Experience that was a fan favorite at Super Bowl venues. ((:))
The Obstacle Course has been drawing a crowd as youngsters must maneuver themselves through various obstacles and tunnels to get to the finish line. ((:))
Aspiring football players can test their skills at the extra point station, or, the fair catch area. There is of course a place for future quarterbacks in the football toss. ((:)) ((:)) Check out Head Games of America's Reality Rocket Police Virtual Reality game. ((:)) All of these fun games...just for kids..right...wrong. ((:)) ((:))
The Panther Experience is open each day during camp and has already had nearly 10 thousand visitors since late July. Steve Mason news 7 sports.))

[Tropical]

[ANCHOR=Robin]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=afr]
[TAPE#=99-19 2:03:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Nothing has worked so far. And it is a bit ironic that the National Weather Service in Blacksburg is hosting a conference on precipitation forecasting. Perhaps they can work up a rain shower or two. In the meantime, there seems to be a popular opinion that a tropical storm might bring conditions back to normal. Not so fast says hydrologist Mike Gillen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=well, one]
[SUPER=01-Mike Gillen/National Weather Service]
((Well, one tropical storm probably will not break the drought. It will give a lot of beneficial moisture, but the drought conditions have persisted for long, and it's affected the groundwater level to such an extent that one tropical storm producing 6-8 inches over an area isn't going to do any long term breaking of the drought.))
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=of the drought]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[GRAPHIC=None]

And for those of your worried about tropical systems, the Atlantic normally doesn't kick up its heels until August and September, so now the real watch begins. [Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=305-97/68/102/1988/48/1979]
[SUPER=306-94/58/30/NW-10mph/29.98s/6:38am/8:09pm]

[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [08/17/1999] [SS NONE] [AFTER TROPICAL SOUNDBITE] [EFFECT TO] [ENG/FULL]LOCAL WEATHER VIDEO [ADD CHYRON/ENG/FULL]HIGHS & LOWS CURRENT STATS [ESS/FULL]AMS SEAL [AUDIO CART] [MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL] [CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES] FORECASTS [ESS/FULL] EXTENDED FORECAST[Forecasts]
[SUPER=#578]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Partly Cloudy/Wind W-10/68-70/Partly Sunny/And Breezy/88-90]
[SUPER=331-Partly/Cloudy/66-70/Partly/Sunny/88-92]
[SUPER=332-Increasing/Cloudiness/63-65/Turning/Partly Sunny/84-86]
[SUPER=333-Becoming/Cloudy/66-68/Turning/Partly Sunny/84-86]
[SUPER=334-Increasing/Cloudiness/62-64/Morning/Cloudiness/82-84]

[SUPER=X5001][Promo]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Those speed limits at the cove entrances on Smith Mountain Lake may soon be abandoned.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Jean/Newsroom]

Jean Jadhon will have more on that story tonight.
[Live=Jean full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]

Keith, right now Franklin County supervisors are debating whether to give a lake group the power to remove some no-wake buoys.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Right now, those no-wake buoys float in more than 60 places at Smith Mountain Lake, forcing boaters to slow to idle speed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:35:15]
[IN Q=They've been here]
((BRUCE REICHELDERFER/LAKE RESIDENT: THEY'RE HERE FOR ONE PURPOSE ONLY AND THAT'S WHY THEY WERE GRANTED -- FOR SAFETY.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=FOR SAFETY]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

But other people say it's just property owners who want a private cove -- and that's not fair.
(-----------)
[Double Boxes=Keith & Jean/Newsroom]

We'll tell you what the Franklin County supervisors decide tonight on News7 at 11.

[Close]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]
(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
SUPER=x4033; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
(Weekend 6 only)
SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS