ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 18, 1996 TAG: 9612180028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER
You've stayed up all night studying for your final exam, you sit down to take it - and the lights go out.
That was the scenario Monday at New River Community College when a backhoe, being used to install a water line for a sprinkler system, cut off electricity to the college's buildings shortly after 1 p.m.
Luckily, many of the rooms where exams were being taken had windows. "It was a matter of getting people to where we had enough light," said college President Ed Barnes.
Unfortunately, he had no windows in his office. Barry Matherly, economic development director for the town of Pulaski, showed up for a meeting with Barnes Monday afternoon. "It's all dark," Matherly recalled. "I hear a voice that says 'Come on in.'" Their entire discussion took place in blackness.
Telephones, computers and fax lines were not working, either. Even paychecks could not be picked up when they were in a safe with an electric lock.
Power was restored about 4:30 p.m., in plenty of time for students in night classes to take their exams.
LENGTH: Short : 31 linesby CNB