Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
RICHMOND - The state Air Pollution Control Board has relaxed emission standards for burning medical waste and eliminated most requirements for operating the burners.
The regulations, which drew more than 1,100 letters of protest, are less stringent than yearlong emergency measures enacted in June 1993. The new rules are permanent and will apply only to new medical-waste incinerators.
Bland County may get the first new incinerator as a result of the board's action Tuesday.
Blacksburg-based Caselin Corp. had bought county land and secured local approval when a 1992 moratorium on incinerators went into effect. The incinerator would handle 48 tons of waste a day.
Opponents contend the looser emission standards, effective June 1, will put people at greater risk of inhaling dioxin, which has been linked to cancer, and other toxins. They also worry that Virginia will become a dumping ground for out-of-state waste.
Supporters say the new regulations will give incinerator operators the flexibility they need and say the new rules don't pose any health threats.
- Associated Press
Robertson meets gay clergyman
VIRGINIA BEACH - Pat Robertson visited gay minister Mel White in jail Wednesday night to discuss his views on homosexuality and said he was dropping trespassing charges against White.
White had been fasting for more than three weeks to pressure Robertson into the meeting. White believes Robertson's views fuel intolerance against gays and lesbians.
The private meeting took place at 8 p.m. in a visiting room at the Virginia Beach Jail. A jail spokesman said White was released less than an hour later.
White is a leader in the Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Community Church, a 32,000-member Christian denomination for gays and lesbians.
- Associated Press
Black History Month celebrated belatedly
AMELIA - Amelia County High School has staged a belated Black History Month program that school officials hope will end discontent among black students who complained when the program was not held in February.
Several weeks ago, many of the school's black students became angry when they learned that Delmartri Womack, a special-education teacher, was asked to stop wearing her African-inspired clothing.
School officials said it was a misunderstanding and Womack had been asked only not to wear headdresses - which violate school policy.
But student frustration quickly spread to include anger that no Black History Month program was held in February. Last week, most of the school's black students and a handful of white students held a sit-in.
- Associated Press
by CNB