Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 6, 1994 TAG: 9404060039
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
ABINGDON - A tractor-trailer carrying a load of chemicals caused a small spill that closed an Interstate 81 rest area Monday.
The leak was first discovered by the truck driver around 1 p.m. Monday. The truck was en route from Texas to Maryland, carrying a load of chemicals in 55-gallon drums.
Workers in protective gear entered the truck to determine which container was leaking and later to repackage it.
The truck was carrying a potentially hazardous chemical, but members of the Bristol Fire Department's hazardous-materials team determined that chemical was not leaking.
The leak came from a drum of benzyl propionate, which is used in perfumes and is not hazardous, said Mary Fraysier, Washington County Emergency Services coordinator.
Officials estimated that less than five gallons of the substance leaked from the drum, Fraysier said.
Warner recovering after routine surgery
ARLINGTON - U.S. Sen. John Warner is recovering at home after a successful operation on his shoulder, his office said Tuesday.
Warner, 67, underwent 1 1/2 hours of arthroscopic surgery at Arlington Hospital on Tuesday to remove bone spurs and repair tendons in his right shoulder.
He planned to rest for about three days before returning to work. The Senate is not in session this week.
Warner, a Republican and the state's senior senator, was elected in 1978. His term expires in 1996.
Arlington sues Avis over parking tickets
ARLINGTON - Arlington County officials are trying harder to collect $17,725 from Avis Rent A Car in unpaid parking tickets issued to the company's customers.
The county filed suit in Arlington County Circuit Court last week, claiming the company is responsible for the unpaid tickets.
County Treasurer Francis O'Leary said the ticketed vehicles came from numerous Avis locations.
"All we know is that they are cars registered in the state of Virginia to Avis Rent A Car," the treasurer said.
Helen Yost, an Avis spokeswoman, said the company has not seen a copy of the suit and could not comment.
County officials said other car rental companies have paid their customers' tickets, but Avis has refused several payout plans offered by the county.
Health professions department head quits
RICHMOND - The director of the state's Department of Health Professions has resigned.
Bernard Henderson Jr. said Monday he did not expect to be reappointed by Republican Gov. George Allen.
"In addition to being a career state employee, I am also active in the Democratic Party," Henderson said. "Trying to keep a reasonable grasp of the obvious, I knew as soon as Allen was elected that I wouldn't be reappointed."
So the day after the gubernatorial election, "I wrote him a note congratulating him and asking that I not be reappointed," he said. His resignation was effective March 11.
Until his successor is named, Deputy Director Robert Nebiker is serving as acting director.
by CNB