WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 09/23/99

[7E-County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=melanie]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-38]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County Schools]

Roanoke County is making plans for a new high school, but without out some of their original ideas.
Last week Roanoke County's Board of Supervisors allocated 30 million dollars for the new high school that will be built at the Woods End site.
(---------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

But that's 4 million less than what the school board was asking.
So last night board members made final decisions on what to cut from the plans to meet the budget... That after meeting with the architect team on Tuesday.
Roanoke County's superintendent says eliminating items from the school wasn't an easy task.
(//////////SOT\\\\\\\\\\\)
[SOT 17:38:28]
[INQ=]
((DR. DEANNA GORDON/ROANOKE CO. SUPERINTENDENT: THE THINGS THAT MOST BOTHER THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE THINGS THAT HAVE SHORT TERM VALUE BUT LONG TERM COST.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Deanna Gordon/Roanoke Co. Superintendent]
[OUTQ=long-term cost.]
[RUNS=:09]
(------------)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN PINNACLE]
Some of the changes include a decrease in the size of the auditorium from 800 to 600 seats... and a reduction in both gym costs and the furniture budget.
The common area will be made smaller and the auxiliary gym will be built only if extra funds are available.
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The next step is to have the architects go back to the blue prints to make the necessary adjustments.

[7E-Bowers-Response]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-34 52:36]
[GRAPHIC=City Mgr. Search]

Roanoke Mayor David Bowers says he was "blindsided" by a council meeting over the weekend that narrowed the search for a new city manager.
And yesterday he challenged other members of council to explain why they removed Acting City Manager Jim Ritchie from their list of top candidates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Bowers was recovering from emergency eye surgery and missed the meeting on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, Bowers said those who are trying to eliminate Ritchie from the process are obligated to explain to the public "what it is" in Jim Ritchie's performance that was not commendable to the citizens of Roanoke.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Bowers says Ritchie has distinguished himself on a number of important issues, including the water sharing agreement with Roanoke County, and the Henry Street controversy.

[7E-B&W Retirees]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-31 1:15:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Their insurance premiums have gone up, and now some central Virginia retirees are wondering how they're going to make ends meet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

They're all former employees of B-W-X Technologies in Campbell County, which recently changed its insurance carrier for people who took early retirement.
Because they don't yet qualify for Medicare, health insurance premiums now eat up most of the retirees' monthly pension.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:16:08]
[IN Q=I was there]
((WILLIAM WILLS/B&W RETIREE: I WAS THERE 32 YEARS AND I FEEL LIKE I GAVE THE COMPANY THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE, AND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE CLOSE TO FORTY YEARS AND WE FEEL THAT IT'S VERY UNFAIR.))
[SUPER=01-William Wills/B&W Retiree; :00]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=it's very unfair.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

B-W-X says it searched to find the best deal for its workers.
The retirees are now consulting with an attorney to decide their next move.
(------------)

[7-Jones]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

The Republican challenger to state Senator Madison Marye in Montgomery County has acknowledged a 1993 conviction of misdemeanor assault and battery. An employee of Jim Jones' ambulance service accused Jones of making an unwanted sexual advance. Yesterday, Jones denied that any assault took place. He said he was shocked when he was convicted and called the woman's accusation an extortion attempt. Local party leaders knew about the case before Jones was nominated but concluded it sounded like a case of a disgruntled employee.

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

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[SUPER=314-Sunny Skies/Winds W 5-10/75-80/Clear &/Cool/45-50;]
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[45E-tanker-fatal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-28 1:29:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Another deadly highway accident involving a tractor trailor accident.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE FS Map]
Yesterday a West Virginia driver crashed his gasoline tanker-- it then burst into flames.
It happened on a mountainous stretch of Interstate 64, west of Covington... Joe Dashiell has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=the trucks collided]
[SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.; :00]
[SUPER=04-Home Video; :09]
[SUPER=01-Isabelle Bledsoe/Witness; :18 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=@Joe1; :21 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Ray Tolley/Virginia State Police; :31]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=JD News 7]

((The trucks collided in the westbound lanes of Interstate 64...
As one tractor trailer slowly climbed a hill, the gasoline tanker hit it from behind.
Isabelle and Robert Bledsoe drove up on the accident soon after it happened, and recorded these pictures with their home video camera.
[SOT 01:57:38]
[IN Q=My only thought now]
((ISABELLE BLEDSOE/WITNESS: MY ONLY THOUGHT NOW IS THE POOR DRIVER AND HIS FAMILY.))
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=and his family.]

[STAND-UP BRIDGE]
The flames were intense. They scorched 100 yards along the shoulder and trees near the road.
Emergency crews responding to the accident say they could see the flames from several miles away.
[SOT 01:52:40]
[IN Q=The tanker was fully engulfed]
((TROOPER RAY TOLLEY: THE TANKER WAS FULLY ENGULFED AND WE COULD SEE THE BLACK SMOKE ABOUT SEVEN MILES OUT.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=about seven miles out.]

Traffic was re- routed while firefighters worked to control the flames. Some trucks were stranded for several hours. But by nightfall, traffic was moving again in both directions.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Alleghany County.))

[45E-helping-Hand]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-35 1:05:17]
[GRAPHIC=Floyd Aftermath]

Conditions are slowly improving in Flood ravaged eastern Virginia and North Carolina, but many people are still displaced.
Residents, churches and businesses in Danville are helping to ease their suffering.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Operation Helping Hand was organized by Danville minister Larry Hill after he spoke with North Carolina church members who lost everything in the floods.
The flood relief drive started this week, but Hill says that supplies are already pouring in to drop-off sites in the area.
Anyone wishing to make a donation before next Saturday can contact Christians United Baptist Church in Danville.

(------------)
[wipe wipe wipe]

[45E-Lowe's-Donations]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-25 2:03:38]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe]

[wipe wipe wipe]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Roanoke businesses are also joining the Floyd-relief effort.
Lowe's says it will donate nearly 600-thousand dollars in cash and supplies.
Customers at Lowe's stores in our area can contribute money at the check-out counter.
Hardee's restaurants are taking collections, too.
People can bring canned food ... clothes ... insect repellent ... or cash to any location.
Both Hardee's and Lowe's have headquarters in North Carolina and say their employees are among the flood victims.
(-----------)

[456-Tobacco]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-36 36:41]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire]

The government is taking big tobacco to court.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against eight major cigarette makers.
(////// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:42:55]
[IN Q=It's about a 45]
((IT'S ABOUT A 45-YEAR COURSE OF CONDUCT DURING WHICH THE INDUSTRY WITHHELD, SUPPRESSED AND OTHERWISE KEPT FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INFORMATION THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT ADDICTIVENESS, ABOUT SMOKING AND HEALTH AND IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT THOSE FRAUDS.))
[SUPER=01-David Ogden/Assistant Attorney General]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=those frauds.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The government hopes to recover some of the 20 billion dollars a year it spends in health care associated with smoking.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Virginia politicians in both parties are lining up against the litigation.
DEMOCRATIC U-S Senator Chuck Robb says the Clinton Administration is trying to "settle an old score," having failed to regulate tobacco use.
Governor Gilmore fears it would jeopardize the master settlement the tobacco companies have already made with the states. Both men have accepted generous contributions from tobacco.

[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Time to take another look at the forecast...
Sunny and a bit breezy today, with highs in the upper 70s.
Clear and cool tonight, with lows in the upper 40s.
The five day forecast includes lots of sunshine and pleasant afternoon temperatures in the 70s and 80s...

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[SUPER=314-Sunny Skies/Winds W 5-10/75-80/Clear &/Cool/45-50;]
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[8S-Tobacco]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-36 36:41]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire]

The tobacco battle is heating up in court.... this time, on charges of civil racketeering.
(////// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:42:55]
[IN Q=It's about a 45]
((IT'S ABOUT A 45-YEAR COURSE OF CONDUCT DURING WHICH THE INDUSTRY WITHHELD, SUPPRESSED AND OTHERWISE KEPT FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INFORMATION THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT ADDICTIVENESS, ABOUT SMOKING AND HEALTH AND IS FUNDAMENTALLY ABOUT THOSE FRAUDS.))
[SUPER=01-David Ogden/Assistant Attorney General]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=those frauds.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The government hopes to recover some of the 20 billion dollars a year it spends in health care associated with smoking.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Virginia politicians in both parties are lining up against the litigation.
DEMOCRATIC U-S Senator Chuck Robb says the Clinton Administration is trying to "settle an old score," having failed to regulate tobacco use.
Governor Gilmore fears it would jeopardize the master settlement the tobacco companies have already made with the states. Both men have accepted generous contributions from tobacco.

[8E-earley-crime]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-33 1:23:53]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]

Unsuspecting senior citizens have become the victims of scam artists using the fear of Y2K to steal money.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Attorney General Mark Earley is teaming up with the Better Business Bureau to warn seniors about crooks who use Y2K scare tactics to spice up old scams.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:56:20]
[IN Q=You know they'll call]
((MARK EARLEY/ATTORNEY GENERAL; YOU KNOW THEY'LL CALL A SENIOR CITIZEN AND SAY, YOUR CREDIT CARD WON'T WORK IN Y2K, SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH THE MAGNETIC STRIP, WE NEED YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER, OR THEY'LL SAY, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM WITH YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, THE BANK'S HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING Y2K-READY, WE NEED YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER, WE NEED YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER))
[SUPER=01-Mark Earley/Attorney General]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=social security number]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The seminar at the Hotel Roanoke was attended by caregivers and police officers, who plan to use the information to help protect elderly residents in the area.
(------------)

[8-Jones]

[8E-Courthouse]

[ANCHOR=kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-29 1:10:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The old has become new again for Danville's NEW courthouse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

The courthouse opened to the public yesterday.
It's modeled after a courthouse that stood in Danville in 1872.
The new courts building took six years and nearly six-million dollars to build.
It solves a space problem for the city... which outgrew its 27-year-old court building as caseloads tripled.
The new court boasts five courtrooms, over 16-thousand square feet and southern-style architectural charm.
(------------)

[8E-Wrestler]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-37 48:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There's new competition in the burger business. The owner of a new restaurant at Radford University is one mean businessman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford]

We're referring to the legendary "Mean" Gene Okerlund.
The W-C-W announcer was on campus yesterday to celebrate the opening of his latest restaurant, "Mean Gene's Burgers".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is ]
((MEAN GENE OKERLUND/WCW ANNOUNCER: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT REALLY APPEALS TO GUYS, IT'S A GUYS THING, 18 TO 34, NOT TO SAY THAT WE DON'T' HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN, DOWN AT DUKE UNIVERSITY, COLIN POWELL'S DAUGHTER WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT BODY AND SHE LOVED MEAN GENE'S BURGERS.))
[SUPER=01-"Mean" Gene Okerlund/WCW Announcer;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=mean gene's burgers.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

"Mean" Gene also took time out to speak with students enrolled in a management class.
But the hot topic wasn't business - rather the "ins and outs" of wrestling.
(------------)

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Before we finish this morning's updates...here's one more look at today's weather.
Sunny skies with a westerly breeze and highs in the upper 70s.
Clear and cool tonight, with a low of 45 to 50.
The five day outlook is partly to mostly sunny and warm..
Highs in the 70s and 80s..lows in the 40s and 50s.

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