Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 14, 1994 TAG: 9409140103
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency signaled Tuesday that it will approve a plan developed by a dozen Eastern states, including Virginia, to combat air pollution, including a go-ahead for states to require the sale of some electric cars.
The blueprint submitted by the states to reduce automobile pollution ``is necessary to bring the region into compliance with air quality standards,'' the agency said in a statement.
While no final ruling on the air pollution control plan will be made for at least a month, the announcement marked a major setback for the auto industry, which had urged the EPA not to endorse the plan submitted by the 12 states and the District of Columbia.
The proposal, crafted by a regional group called the Ozone Transport Association, asks that the states be allowed to impose automobile emissions standards similar to those being imposed in California, beginning with 1999-model cars.
- Associated Press
George Burns has brain surgery
LOS ANGELES - Comedian George Burns was hospitalized in intensive care Tuesday after surgery to drain fluid from the surface of his brain, a hospital spokesman said.
The 98-year-old comic made it through the surgery well and was expected to remain in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for about a week, said hospital spokesman Ron Wise.
The fluid collected on Burns' brain after he fell in his bathtub at his Las Vegas home on July 13 and hit his head, Wise said.
Burns was admitted to Cedars-Sinai on Monday night and underwent about two hours of surgery.
Burns suffered a cut on his head in the fall and had two stitches. He was also hospitalized for observation at that time but no problems were found.
- Associated Press
Miss Virginia wins in swimsuit
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Miss Virginia, Cullen Johnson, won in swimsuit and Miss Montana, Yvonne Dehner, in talent Tuesday on the first of three nights of preliminary competition in the Miss America Pageant.
Johnson, 23, a 1992 graduate of Longwood College, bested 17 other contestants. Swimsuit competitions for the other 32 women will be held Wednesday and Thursday.
She had a good luck charm: A banner that hung from the rafter in the Atlantic City Convention Center said ``VA Loves Cullen.''
Dehner, 24, a graduate of the University of Montana, performed a classical vocal, ``One Kiss.''
Tuesday's program included swimsuit competition, evening-gown appearances and talent routines by separate groups of contestants. Eighteen competed in swimsuits, 16 in talent and 16 in evening gowns.
- Associated Press
by CNB