Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 2, 1993 TAG: 9310020273
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
PETERSBURG - A fire destroyed one building and heavily damaged another Friday at the Petersburg Box and Lumber Co. Inc. No one was injured.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the blaze, which was reported about 5 a.m. and was under control when the company's 30 employees began arriving for work about an hour later.
The company's outdoor lumber supply was not damaged.
Assistant Fire Chief Steven Bowling said the fire could have spread via some pipes connecting a planer mill building to a smaller building where wood shavings are stored. The one-story planer mill building, about 300 feet long and 80 feet wide, was destroyed. - Associated Press
2nd suspect admits part in derailment
NORFOLK - A former Coast Guardsman pleaded guilty Friday to tampering with a railroad switch that caused the derailment of an Amtrak train in Newport News, injuring 72 of 123 passengers aboard.
Joseph L. Loomis, 20, of St. Charles, Ill., also admitted to the attempted derailment of a freight train in Sussex County.
U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar set sentencing for Dec. 20. Loomis faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.
Authorities said Loomis and another Coast Guardsman, Raymond G. Bornman Jr. of Baltimore, broke manual and electronic locks on a siding switch as Amtrak's Colonial approached the Newport News depot on Aug. 12, 1992.
The engine and all five cars derailed, but no one was killed. - Associated Press
Fairfax Hospital settles wage cases
FAIRFAX - More than 50 current and former female managers at Fairfax Hospital will receive an average payment of $8,000 to settle a federal Labor Department claim that they were paid less than their male counterparts.
Labor Secretary Robert Reich, in announcing the settlement Thursday, said the landmark agreement "helps to build public awareness of the behaviors, practices and attitudes that either cause or prevent advancement of minorities and women to leadership and management positions."
In the settlement, 52 women will receive about $426,000 in back pay. The 44 who still work there will get pay raises of more than $178,000.
The hospital admitted no wrongdoing. - Associated Press
Prosecutors dismiss minor Iverson charge
HAMPTON - Prosecutors on Friday dropped a misdemeanor charge against Allen Iverson, convicted last month of three felony counts arising from a bowling alley brawl, Iverson's lawyer said.
"Common sense finally prevailed, at some point," James Ellenson said. He said prosecutors dropped a charge of using abusive language against Iverson, who has been convicted on charges of maiming by mob.
Iverson and three other black teen-agers, Michael Simmons, 19, Samuel Wynn, 19, and Melvin Stephens Jr., 18, were convicted in the Valentine's Day brawl that left three people injured.
Iverson, 18, is in the Newport News Prison Farm, awaiting the results of an appeal of his conviction and five-year sentence.
Iverson is considered one of the country's top high school basketball players. Iverson would have been a senior at Bethel High School this year.
- Associated Press
CBN names president; Robertson still CEO
VIRGINIA BEACH - Michael Little, a 21-year veteran of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, was named CBN's president Friday, replacing Robertson.
However, Robertson will stay on as chairman of the ministry's board of directors and chief executive officer. Little, meantime, also was named chief operating officer and was given a newly created position on the board.
Robertson, 63, said he would remain in charge of CBN's long-range vision, while Little would take over day-to-day operations. Robertson also will stay as host of "The 700 Club."
Little, 45, has been group vice president for CBN International, in charge of producing and marketing the ministry's television programs in 75 countries.
- Associated Press
by CNB