WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 11/09/99

[7-E-Stuart-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-47 13:53]
[GRAPHIC=IP-Deadly Fire]

The fire at International Paper plant continues to burn this morning and firefighters say it could be days before the fire is out.
Yesterday,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co./Last Night;]
emergency personnel said the two men who were killed most likely sparked the fire while dismantling a wood silo - with a cutting torch.
Volunteer firefighters have been battling heavy smoke and exhaustion from working around the clock to contain the fires.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:11:02 - :07]
[IN Q=We hope the wind]
((CHRIS CORBETT/FIREFIGHTER: WE HOPE THE WIND DOESN'T PICK UP ANY MORE OR THAT COULD CAUSE US SOME PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Corbett/Stuart Firefighter;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=could cause us some problems.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

34-year-old William Walls from Greensboro and 38-year old Gene Gobble Junior from High Point were killed in the fire.
Both were contractors for a Greensboro company.
(------------)

[7-S-IP-OSHA]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-35 1:58:51]
[GRAPHIC=International Paper]

The fire marks the second time this year that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has investigated the plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last April an explosion sent four men to the hospital with severe burns.
International Paper was cited and fined in connection with that incident.
OSHA found two safety violations and fined the company 67-hundred-50 dollars in fines.
(------------)

[7-E-Tech-President]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-38 1:04:16]
[GRAPHIC=Steger]

Virginia Tech has a new president to lead the school into the new millenium.
Yesterday, Charles Steger was unanimously chosen as the school's 15-th President.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The 52-year old is a familiar face around campus.
Steger received his undergraduate, masters and P-H-D at Virginia Tech and is currently the school's Vice President for Development and University Relations.
He also led the university's recently-completed fundraising campaign, in which more than 337- million dollars was raised... An amount that exceeded the school's goal by 35- percent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=We felt]
((TOM RUST/BOARD OF VISITORS MEMBER: WE FELT THAT HE WOULD TRULY, HE HAD THE VISION FOR THE UNIVERSITY THAT WE SHARE AND THAT HE WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND THERE WOULD BE, TO USE A FOOTBALL TERM, NO FUMBLE AT THIS POINT IT WOULD BE A CONTINUED MOVE TOWARDS THE GOAL LINE. ))
[SUPER=01-Tom Rust/Board of Visitors Member; :00]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=GOAL LINE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Steger is taking over for Paul Torgerson-- who is retiring at the end of the year.
He already has a game plan.
(/////SOT////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I will]
((I WILL WORK TO ADVANCE THIS FINE INSTITUTION WITH SKILL AND DETERMINATION.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Steger/President-Designate; :00]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=skill and determination.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Steger will take over January first.
He beat out 40 candidates for the job.
(-------------)

[7-E-Bunting]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-34 1:56:19]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

As the word works its way down the Chain of Command at V-M-I, the buck has two stops along the way named Bunting.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/Friday]

There's General Josiah Bunting, the College President.
And then there's his son, Charlie, President of the Class of 2001.
CADET Bunting says it's not much of a problem for him, because he doesn't answer to the Superintendent.
(//// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:34:45]
[IN Q=If he were]
((IF HE WERE THE COMMANDANT, IT WOULD BE A MUCH DIFFERENT STORY. BUT HE'S THE SUPERINTENDENT, SO HE'S FAR UP ENOUGH TO WHERE WE DON'T REALLY HAVE TO HAVE ANY CONFLICTS. AND MY FATHER AND I ARE GREAT FRIENDS ANYWAY. SO IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY NICE.))
[SUPER=01-Charlie Bunting/VMI Junior Class President]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=pretty nice.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

AT Friday's class ring ceremony, CHARLIE Bunting thanked his parents for caring for him when he was "too young to crawl, too young to walk and far too young to march."
(------------)

[7Weather]

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

Here's a look at your Tuesday forecast...
Today promises to be mostly sunny with high temperatures in the upper 70s.
Tonight will be partly cloudy with light winds.
Low temperatures in the upper 40s to about 50.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Near Record Temps/75-79/Partly Cloudy/Winds SW 5-10/45-50;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[45-Tech-Bowl]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-45]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Travel Plans]

Despite Virginia Tech's undefeated record in football this year, it's still ranked third in the B-C-S poll.
But fans are not giving up on the dream that Tech will play in this year's Sugar Bowl.
In fact some are already booking their flights to New Orleans.
Kate Weidaw has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=if you think]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:07]
[SUPER=01-David Barnhart/Travel Consultant;:17]
[SUPER=01-Joyce Bradford/AAA Branch Manager;:45]
[SUPER=01-Carly Gagen-Cheeney/Tech Fan;1:05]
[SUPER=@Kate1;1:18]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 roanoke.]

((If you think waiting to make your travel plans to the Sugar Bowl is a good idea, some travel agents say - think again. Adventure Travel in Roanoke has already sold a fourth of their New Orleans package to Hokie fans not wanting to be left at home this year.

[SOT 2:52]
[INQ=]
((DAVID BARNHART/TRAVEL CONSULTANT: THE MORE TECH KEEPS WINNING THE MORE WE KEEP SELLING AND WE EXPECT TO BE FULLY SOLD OUT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]

That's exactly what happened when the Hokies went to the Sugar Bowl in 1995. And with the team's last-minute win over West Virginia Saturday, fans are preparing just in case the team goes to New Orleans. But there are some things to keep in mind when you're looking for the best package deal that includes airline tickets, hotel, and of course Sugar Bowl tickets.

[SOT 7:52]
[INQ=]
((JOYCE BRADFORD/AAA BRANCH MANAGER:I THINK WHAT YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR IS, IS THIS A REPUTABLE TOUR COMPANY THAT HAS PUT THIS TOGETHER. THERE ARE A ZILLION DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT ARE GOING TO COME OUT WITH THESE KINDS OF PACKAGES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 15]

And while fans are making reservations they're also buying tee-shirts, hats, --almost anything with the Virginia Tech logo on it.

[SOT 17:38:06]
[INQ=]
((CARLY GAGEN-CHEENEY/VT FAN: DEFINITELY MORE SALES I CAN SEE A LOT MORE PEOPLE COMING IN HERE AND BEING BIGGER SUPPORTERS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]

Even though the Hokies are still only contenders for the Sugar Bowl one thing is for sure -- Hokie fans don't want to miss a minute of the team's success this year.
[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: EVEN THOUGH HOKIE FANS ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NUMBER THREE RANKING THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE NEXT FEW WEEKS THE TEAM WILL IMPROVE THEIR STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE SO THEY HAVE A BID TO THE SUGAR BOWL. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]))

[45-E-Microsoft]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-32 2:05:34]
[GRAPHIC=Microsoft ]

Friday's bombshell ruling by a federal judge against Microsoft had stock holders closely monitoring Wall Street yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

A number of local investors own stock in the company, either directly or through a mutual fund.
And since a federal judge called Microsoft a monopoly ... many were concerned about what the preliminary ruling might mean for their money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:27:24 ////// 1:32:17]
[IN Q=it's a concern]
((BILL MERCER/MICROSOFT INVESTOR: IT'S A CONCERN, OBVIOUSLY. BECAUSE IT'S A LARGE PART OF WHAT I'M GOING TO HAVE WHEN I RETIRE.///////1:32:09 -- GEORGE BRAMMER/AG EDWARDS: MANY PEOPLE, THROUGH THEIR 401 (K), HAVE POSITIONS IN MICROSOFT, WHETHER THEY KNOW IT OR NOT.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Mercer/Microsoft Investor; :00]
[SUPER=01-George Brammer/A. G. Edwards; :04]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=know it or not]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Microsoft makes up a significant part of some of the most popular funds.
So if the stock falls, it could have at least a small impact on many people.
So far, the stock is holding ground.
And many experts say if regulators break up Microsoft ... investors would cash in.
They would own stock in a number of smaller high-tech companies with the potential to make more money.
(------------)

[8-E-Stuart-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-47 13:53]
[GRAPHIC=IP-Deadly Fire]

Firefighters are continuing efforts to extinguish the fire at the International Paper plant today.
Yesterday,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co./Last Night;]
emergency personnel said the two men who were killed most likely sparked the fire while dismantling a wood silo - with a cutting torch.
Volunteer firefighters have been battling heavy smoke and exhaustion from working around the clock to contain the blaze.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:11:02 - :07]
[IN Q=We hope the wind]
((CHRIS CORBETT/FIREFIGHTER: WE HOPE THE WIND DOESN'T PICK UP ANY MORE OR THAT COULD CAUSE US SOME PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Corbett/Stuart Firefighter;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=could cause us some problems.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

34-year-old William Walls from Greensboro and 38-year old Gene Gobble Junior from High Point were killed in the fire.
Both were contractors for a Greensboro company.
(------------)

[8-S-IP-OSHA]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-35 1:58:51]
[GRAPHIC=International Paper]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating International Paper for the second time this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last April an explosion sent four men to the hospital with severe burns.
International Paper was cited and fined in connection with that incident.
OSHA found two safety violations and fined the company 67-hundred dollars.
(------------)

[8-Keith]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Election 99 Recount]

Montgomery County's Commonwealth's Attorney is petitioning the circuit court for an election recount.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/October 21]

Incumbent Phil Keith lost the election to Christiansburg Attorney Joey Showalter by 50-votes.
Keith says he believes he owes it to the voters to ask for the recount.
(-------------)

[8-Royal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]

Unless the U-S Supreme Court or Governor Gilmore intervene, the man who killed a Hampton police officer in 1994 will be executed tonight.
Thomas Lee Royal Junior pleaded guilty to shooting the officer in the head.
Royal would be the 13th person executed in Virginia this year.

[8-E-Tech-President]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-38 1:04:16]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Virginia Tech has chosen one of its own to replace retiring president Paul Torgenson.
Charles Steger is the school's current vice president and will soon be the University's 15th president..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Steger is a familiar face around campus.
He received his undergraduate, masters and P-H-D at Virginia Tech and is currently the school's Vice President for Development and University Relations.
He also led the university's recently-completed fundraising campaign, in which more than 337- million dollars was raised... An amount that exceeded the school's goal by 35- percent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=We felt]
((TOM RUST/BOARD OF VISITORS MEMBER: WE FELT THAT HE WOULD TRULY, HE HAD THE VISION FOR THE UNIVERSITY THAT WE SHARE AND THAT HE WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND THERE WOULD BE, TO USE A FOOTBALL TERM, NO FUMBLE AT THIS POINT IT WOULD BE A CONTINUED MOVE TOWARDS THE GOAL LINE. ))
[SUPER=01-Tom Rust/Board of Visitors Member; :00]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=GOAL LINE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fifty two year old Steger will take over January first.
He already has a game plan.
(/////SOT////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I will]
((I WILL WORK TO ADVANCE THIS FINE INSTITUTION WITH SKILL AND DETERMINATION.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Steger/President-Designate; :00]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=skill and determination.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

He beat out 40 candidates for the job. (-------------)