WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 09/16/99

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Turned out to be a pretty nice day here in Western Virginia....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
though we had that sinking feeling that it must be much worse in Tidewater... in fact damage was worthy of a federal disaster declaration.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]

And how about some tunes to lighten the ride to school? Only who gets to pick the radio station we'll listen to?

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, The Friday Football Extra gang is set for this weeks big night of high school football.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Virginia Tech Hokies have a couple of days off before preparing for next Thursday nights game against Clemson.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

Floyd goes away quickly and leaves a rather pleasant fall like forecast in his wake. Plenty of sunshine ahead. [open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Roy1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
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[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
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[VO-NAT]

President Clinton declares Virginia a disaster area.
As Floyd heads for New England, the commonwealth starts cleaning up.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Va-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-35 55:50]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Floyd Aftermath]

Hurricane Floyd didn't stay in Virginia very long, but it was long enough to create plenty of trouble on the eastern side of the state.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Ellen/Starlink]

Ellen Qualls has been up and down the Virginia Coast. She joins us now from Norfolk.
[Live=Ellen Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Ellen1;]
[SUPER=06-Norfolk]

ROLL FROM TRUCK
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Newport News; :00]
[SUPER=03-Virginia Beach; :14]
[SUPER=01-Mary Owens/Virginia Beach Resident; :23]
[SUPER=03-Sand Bridge; :33]
[SUPER=01-Sharad Gajera/Virginia Beach Resident; :51]
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[OUT Q=2 or 3 days.]
(())

[Live=Ellen full/Starlink]
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(ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Ellen full/Starlink]

[Gilmore-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-36 31:43]
[GRAPHIC=Floyd Aftermath]

Late this afternoon, President Clinton declared Virginia a disaster area, freeing up more federal aid for areas that have been affected by the storm.
And Governor Jim Gilmore said the assistance is needed.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Gilmore toured the state's emergency operations center in the Richmond suburbs.
While the storm lost some of its strength as it moved into Virginia, Gilmore says he isn't downplaying the damage it caused.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:07]
[IN Q=We've had people stranded]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WE'VE HAD PEOPLE STRANDED. WE HAVE PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER, WHICH I THINK IS VERY INCONVENIENT. WE'VE HAD PEOPLE WITHOUT WATER WHICH I THINK IS MOST TOTALLY INCONVENIENT AND REQUIRES THE EVACUATION OF A PERSON'S HOME OR LIVING QUARTERS UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, SO I DON'T MINIMIZE ANY OF THAT.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=don't minimize any of that.]
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Gilmore says it certainly could have been worse, but Floyd has caused at least one death, set ships adrift in Hampton Roads, interrupted power to thousands, and left many in eastern Virginia without drinking water.

[Danville-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-27 1:21:15]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Floyd Aftermath]

Southside prepared for a full-force assault from Floyd... but ended up with a fairly typical rainstorm.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Floyd's threat closed schools all over Southside today... and sent residents in droves to stock up on supplies.
But strong gusts of wind and rain this morning were the last signs of Floyd in Danville.
The National Weather Service says Danville got about three inches of rain ...and South Boston four inches. That's less than what Hurricane Dennis delivered.
Still, a MINOR flood warning is in effect for the Dan River... the river is SLIGHTLY above normal.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

About four-thousand people in Henry, Pittsylvania and Halifax County lost power last night.

Emergency personnel say MOST of those homes have had it restored.[L'burg-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-33 1:18:18]
[GRAPHIC=Floyd Aftermath]

Floyd was originally was supposed to head north from Danville to Lynchburg.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

But occasional heavy rain and stiff breezes were the only signs of the storm in the Hill City, and they lasted only until mid- morning.
The city had mobilized its entire emergency response staff.. and even though they weren't needed, there was no second- guessing today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:40:59]
[IN Q=I don't see]
((COL. CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: I DON'T SEE THIS AS ANY TYPE OF OVER-REACTION. CERTAINLY IF THIS STORM HAD COME THROUGH, WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED EVERYTHING WE HAD AND PERHAPS MORE. THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS IS WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT AND WE'RE GOING TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF SAFETY.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=side of safety.]
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[VO-NAT]

Eleven people ended up seeking shelter from the storm at the Salvation Army last night.
Another twenty to thirty lost power.
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[First-Wx]

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

Floyd may be gone from Virginia, but the storm isn't done yet. Robin Reed remains on "Floydwatch" in our Weather Center.

[MCU]WEATHER CENTER---BUT NOT FOR LONG KEITH

[WXPRO/FULL]TROPICAL GRAPHICS
[TOSS BACK TO KEITH]

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

The strike goes on, but so does production. That story is still ahead on News 7 at 6.
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[SOT FULL]
[IN Q=I believe]
((I BELIEVE THAT ROCK-N-ROLL AND COUNTRY IS VIOLENT.))
[RUNS=03]
[OQ=is violent.]
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[VO-NAT]

And this mom says she'll go to any length, to keep popular radio stations OFF her daughter's school bus.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]

[Bus-Radio]

[ANCHOR=jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-31 1:02:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]

These days many school buses are equipped with radios.
But what if you, as a parent, disagree with the type of music that's playing on the bus' speakers?
Teresa Hamilton has the story of a Pulaski family that objects for religious reasons.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=10- year old ]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski; :00]
[SUPER=01-Angela Kegley/Kayla's Mother; :19 ]
[SUPER=01-David Cox/Pulaski Co. Schools Supt.; 1:16 ]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:32 ]
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[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Pulaski.]
(( 10- year old Kayla Rhoads is a fifth grader at Northwood Elementary in Pulaski.
Each day she rides the bus to and from school-- either listening to a local country station or one that plays adult contemporary.
Music that everyone on the bus must listen to-- because it's played on the bus' speakers.
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[sot 15:45:21]
[in q=I was ]
((ANGELA KEGLEY/KAYLA'S MOTHER: I WAS BROUGHT UP TO BELIEVE THAT GOSPEL MUSIC IS WHAT WE'RE TO LISTEN TO, IT TALKS ABOUT GOD AND THE THINGS OF GOD AND I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT MY CHILD SHOULD BE FORCED TO LISTEN TO THAT OTHER TYPE OF MUSIC.))
[out q= type of music.]
[runs= 14]

Which is why Angela Kegley is fighting to have the radio either tuned to a Christian or classical station or turned off altogether when her daughter is on the bus.
Kayla says, she too, wants the radio turned off.
(/////sot/////////)
[sot]
[IN Q=The kids]
((KAYLA RHOADS/FIFTH GRADER: THE KIDS ON THE BUS ARE SINGING AND THE PEOPLE BESIDE YOU DO IT AND IT'S ANNOYING, VERY.))

[runs= 04]
[out q=VERY.]

David Cox is Superintendent of the Pulaski County school system.
He says the bus drivers he's spoken with believe music makes the ride more enjoyable for everyone-- because the children have to keep their voices down in order to hear the radio.
As far as the type of music being played-- Cox says his drivers do not play anything offensive.
(///////SOT///////// 14:54:05)
[IN Q= We recoginize]
((DAVID COX/PULASKI CO. SUPERINTENDENT: WE RECOGNIZE FULLY THERE ARE SO MANY NEGATIVE INFLUENCES IN THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN AND I CAN TELL YOU WE'RE VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT, I WOULD ADD ALSO THAT THE BUS DRIVER ON THIS PARTICULAR ROUTE IS HIMSELF A MINISTER SO I CERTAINLY TRUST HIS JUDGMENT.))
[runs= 15]
[out q= his judgement.]

Cox says for now he sees no reason to turn the radio off. But Kegley is adamant and says she plans to take her fight to the next level. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Pulaski. ))

[Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-29 1:01:55]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex Strike]

As Rubatex workers strike for a fourth day, plant officials say they don't see a likely end to the walkout.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

So far, Union officials have NOT gone back to the bargaining table with Rubatex.
In the meantime, additional workers have been called in from Arkansas, North Carolina, and Roanoke to keep production running as usual.
Rubatex's chief negotiator says he hopes the employees on strike see they have less bargaining power with the plant meeting production goals.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((JIM LAURIN/CHIEF NEGOTIATOR: I HOPE THEY START REALIZING THAT WE ARE MEETING THE GOALS THAT WE SET AND EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE CAUSED THIS WE'RE MOVING AHEAD.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Laurin/Chief Negotiator]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=moving ahead.]
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[VO-NAT]

The Union is asking the plant to give workers better wages, overtime, and health insurance.
Rubatex is Bedford City's largest employer.
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[NS-suit]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NS]

Norfolk- Southern is blasting the town of Marion.
Town Council passed an ordinance in April banning the use of train whistles at night except in emergencies.
The Railroad has made a federal case out it, filing a 30-page complaint in federal court with another 50 pages of exhibits. N-S sued the town, the mayor, the town manager and all seven council members.
N-S cites skyrocketing accident rates in communities where whistle bans were enforced.

[Stocks]

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

Many Wall Streeters left early today, as Floyd headed their way. Those that stayed saw stocks go down. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-y/63.96/10737.46/y/7.45/2806.72]

The Dow fell 64 points. NASDAQ dropped about 7-and-a-half.
[SUPER=431-i#/35e/h1/45f/h@/55r/hd/64/i%/22&;]
[SUPER=432-he/38$/u/4#/i#/45*/i#/39!/i*/42&;]
[SUPER=433-h1e/117e/h%/26/ia/27a/h#/9f/ia/36$;]

[SUPER=434-u/16!/hg/66f/ie/33f/id/77%/i@/45#;][Mason-Dixon]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-32 55:02]
[GRAPHIC=New 7 Poll]

Virginians seem inclined to "let George do it."
A News-7 Mason-Dixon poll of Virginia voters released today shows George Allen and George W. Bush continue to gain support.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

The Texas Governor has picked up three percentage points in the Presidential race among Virginia voters.
Since the last poll in June, Bush took two points from Vice President Al Gore, and picked up one from the "undecided" column.
In the Senate race, Chuck Robb's 38-percent backing has remained constant all year. The poll indicates undecided voters are coming over to the Allen camp, with the former governor now enjoying support from a MAJORITY of those polled.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

In both races, however, the subtle changes are well within the "margin for error."

[Rhino]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-30 1:27:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Investigators in Bedford County thought they had solved the case of the missing baby rhino. But now, it's a double-mystery.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

In November the original was ripped from its foundation along route 460. Now, ten months later, ANOTHER one has turned up, but it's not the original.
The bizarre re-appearance came when the apparent thief called the property owner and told him to dig a four--inch hole and fill it with cement -- the rhino would show up in 24 hours.
It did show up.
So far the thief has not been caught.
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[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports Tease]
[GRAPHIC=None]

And coming up, The Hokies will work a different schedule while preparing for Clemson.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And Larry Bird says this is his last year as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers.
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[S-FFE]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-48 3057TC]
[GRAPHIC=FFE LOGO]

With Hurricane Floyd now safely past our area, Friday Football Extra is set for another big night of excitement tomorrow.
Tonight Mike Stevens checks in from Henry County with our Thursday night preview.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@mike1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :12]
[SUPER=01-Taylor Edwards/Martinsville Head Coach; :25]
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[OUT Q=...BACK TO YOU ROY."]
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[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-38 (2:01:47)]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Logo]

Michael Vick is taking the snaps in practice and Nate Williams is recovering well from the knee injury he suffered against J-M-U as the Hokies prepare for next Thursday night's game against Clemson.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :]

Beamer is giving the Hokies today and tomorrow off before they begin preparing for the Tigers.
Because the game is on Thursday night, Beamer and his coaching staff have changed the practice schedule to keep the Hokies in their regular routine.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I think...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=.......into a routine."]
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[S-Bird]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-37 (1:53:14)]
[GRAPHIC=NBA Logo]

When Larry Bird took over the head coaching job of the Indiana Pacers he signed a three year contract with the club.
Well, This is that third year and Bird says it will be his last as coach of the Pacers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fort Myers, FL; :]

Yesterday, Bird was in Florida promoting his new book "Bird Watching: On Playing and Coaching the Game I love.
He answered questions about his heart condition that he says is in check thanks to medication.
He also said three years as a coach is enough.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="When I...]
[SUPER=01-Larry Bird/Pacers Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=....Something else."]
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[Wx-Tape]
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[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [09/16/1999] [SS NONE] [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]
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[SUPER=X5001][Promo]

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

The Roanoke Valley may have missed the worst of Hurricane Floyd.
But plenty of businesses and travelers are still feeling the impact.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joy/Newsroom]

Joy Sutton joins us with details.
[Live=Joy Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Joy1]

Keith, Floyd has left a legacy of delays and cancellations for people in our area.
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[vo-nat]
Federal Express scaled back delivery of packages and letters today.
And many travelers - whether they planned to fly, ride a bus, or drive - faced plenty of obstacles.
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[Live=Joy Full/Newsroom]

And Keith some delays and cancellations could continue into tomorrow for local travelers.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joy/Newsroom]

We'll have the full story, tonight at 11.

[Mustang]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-34 45:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tomorrow the U-S Post office will unveil a new Sixties stamp for use nationwide.
A man in Boones Mill made it possible.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Chris Williams owns B-and-C Auto Restoration.
He breathes new life into old Mustangs.
A car Williams restored for his brother will soon be on letters across the country.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:40:31]
[IN Q=It was a real]
((IT WAS A REAL EARLY 64 AND A HALF CONVERTIBLE BECAUSE SOME OF THE THINGS ON IT, LIKE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BOLTED SOLID TO THE FLOOR. THEY DID THAT TO A LOT OF THE EARLY CARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Williams/B&C Auto Restoration;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=back and forth]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Williams says Mustangs are special, because they're sporty... unlike many cars in the sixties.
Customers from Guam to Jordan seek him out.
Now he says he's proud to leave his legacy on a stamp.
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[Close]

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