The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 1

3 Wednesday December 30, 1998 Name your tune on inS A New Year's Eve I Hall gives i Screw-ups, craziness and jerks Dave Barry picks his 1998 highlights LIVING, ID Safety net under scrutiny Welfare follow-up visits fail in many cases IN TOMORROWS TENNESSEAN UT a leg up If title comes down to a kick, Vol is ready SPORTS, 1C Dixie Chicks among your choices for local concerts LIVING, 3D A30 W22 Complete weather forecast on 6B NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE A GANNETT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 94, NO. 363 5 SECTIONS 3 Copyright, 1998 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID IN NASHVILLE, TN Is TENNESSEAN FIJI A lira strategy MS Senate majority leader opposes calling witnesses, angers managers optimistic. How long a trial lasts depends in large part on whether the Senate relies on the evidence gathered by the independent counsel, Kenneth Starr, or whether the House managers present witnesses. "Are witnesses required? I don't think so," Lott, told the Associated Press. "I think the record is there to be reviewed, read, presented in a form" that the House prosecutors choose, said after the meeting.

Rep. Bill McCollum, told reporters afterward, "I'd think they'd want to hear some people live." The Senate, however, has control over the rules and procedures of the trial, a fact that McCollum acknowledged when he noted that the House managers are "guests" of the Senate. Lott has made it clear that he wants the Senate to wrap up an impeachment trial quickly, although the White House could call witnesses in the senator said. "I think that would be sufficient" But in their first strategy meeting since Dec. 19, when the House approved two articles of impeachment, Rep.

Henry Hyde, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and his 12 hand-picked managers agreed that they had to present witnesses to make their best case to remove the president from office. "We cannot proceed to a trial without witnesses," Rep. Steve Buyer, R- Clinton's defense. But even one of the president's strongest Democratic defenders, Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey, said yesterday, "There is a bipartisan belief that there should be no witnesses." Under Lott's proposed schedule, the two articles of impeachment approved by the House would be read on the Senate floor Jan.

7, the day af- 1irn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 es. Bv ERIC SCHMTTT New York Times News Service WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and the 13 House Republicans planning to prosecute an impeachment trial of President Clinton in the Senate clashed yesterday over whether to call any witness Lott also proposed beginning the Senate trial Jan. 11, after initial procedural steps next week, and finishing within two weeks, a timetable many Democrats dismiss as overly STT" mmm Lawmaker Strong debut bodes well for bowl's future renews St. f' bid to cut DUI level Beavers wants standard reduced from .10 to .08 mm. ult ril- TS S.

By DUREN CHEEK Staff Writer Rep. Mae Beavers figures she has 3.5 million to 4 million reasons Tennessee should enact a .08 DUI law. That's the estimate of the amount of additional federal dollars the state would receive each year if it lowers from .10 to .08 the blood alcohol level at which a driver is presumed to be intoxicated. The Transportation Equity Act for i PATRICK HARDING STAFF Alabama quarterback Andrew Zow, No. 5, retreats from the pursuing Virginia Tech defense in the Hokies' 38-7 win.

New venue expected to bolster game i -art y. the fever. "The new facility will be a great logistical advantage for us," Scott Ramsey, executive the 21st Century that President Clinton signed into law June 9 provides for federal grants to states that enact a .08 DUI law. Congress had considered withholding federal Bv LEON M. TUCKER Skiff Writer The whirlwind of Virginia Tech and Alabama fans that rolled into town for yesterday's inaugural Music City Bowl was another in-your-face reminder that Nashville is growing.

Of course, a large measure of the enthusiasm and traffic headaches were imported from points south and east But bowl officials hope that a quick sellout at Vanderbilt Stadium this year and a new venue next year will help Middle Tennesseans catch director of the Music City Bowl, said of the stadium under construction on the east bank of the Cumberland River. "What it will do is it will allow us to accommodate more fans, more media and allow us to contain it downtown lurn to PAGE 2A, Column 1 Hokies roll over Tide to big victory 'l BEAVERS highway money from states that failed to pass such a law but decided an awards system was better. In his weekly radio address Saturday, Clinton again called for the level to be dropped to .08. Beavers, a Republican from ML Juliet, will be back with a .08 bill when the Legislature convenes next month and acknowledges it will again be an uphill fight because of strong opposition from lobbyists for the alcoholic beverage industry. The bill died earlier this year in the House budget subcommittee, often referred to as the "Black Hole," but can be brought up again.

"Between the lobbyists and the Black Hole, I don't know if anything like this will ever pass, at least not as I Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 4 For the first half the inaugural American General Music City Bowl lived up to its billing. However, Virginia Tech took advantage of several Alabama miscues in the second half to break open a tight game and cruise to a 38-7 victory that was a sweet ending to the Hokies' season. Ignoring the miserable weather conditions, Virginia Tech used a pounding running game to wear down the Tide, which appeared in its 49th bowl game. Hokies defensive end Corey Moore of Brownsville, was named Most Valuable Player after coming up with a blocked punt in the second half. The Virginia Tech defense also limited Alabama's star running back, Shaun Alexander, to 55 yards on 21 carries.

Virginia Tech best team no one has heard oCon AC. Alabama steps backward, on 5C. i 1 DELORES DELVIN STAFF A shirtless Virginia Tech fan braves the drizzle and cold as he cheers for the Hokies in the first Music City Bowl at Vanderbilt Stadium. Study warns of risks in multi-trailer trucks LilriAiiln-miirA T-1 1 '-J PMW')LJVMHMH in il 7 Arts, local politics drive Channel 8's new agenda 7711" WmhiniiUm Post WASHINGTON If the government allowed 100-foot-long triple-trailer trucks to roam from coast to coast over the nation's highways, it would sharply reduce the number of tractor-trailer trucks out on the road, but would likely increase the safety risk from truck accidents, according to a new study to be released today by the Department of Transportation. It is the first comprehensive study of truck size and weight by the government since 1982, the early days of trucking deregulation.

The report will likely trigger concerns over highway safety as the trucking industry pushes for longer, heavier past history would suggest" The report released today is part of a four-volume study the government hopes will serve as the basis for Congress and the states to determine just how big trucks should be allowed to grow and whether restrictions should be lifted on where they can travel. The complete study will be sent to Congress next spring, but department officials said the new volume is the most important. The study concludes there would be a 23.4 drop in the number of truck vehicle miles traveled if longer double- and triple-trailer trucks were allowed throughout the nation's highway system because there would be fewer trucks on the road. The study doesn't delve deeply into safety issues, noting such huge trucks represent only a small portion of the number of trucks on the road, so there is little data available. But the study does warn the higher the traffic density, the greater the risk of a truck accident because of "increased conflict opportunities." Department officials also said multi-trailers tend to have a higher accident rate than other trucks when compared on the same highway.

And the study suggests if the large trucks are allowed on the more densely populated eastern region of the country, "crash rates would be higher than By JOHN SHIFTMAN Suit) Writer The new president of Nashville's pub-lie television station plans to create new, high-quality, locally based programs that tap into the city's cultural institutions. In the coming year, WDCN-Channel 8 also will play a role in the mayoral election, improve its children's programming and try to solidify its membership base, said Steve Bass, who left Public Broadcasting Service powerhouse WGBII in Boston last month to run the Nashville station. WDCN, run by the Metro School Board since 19G2, is expected to become an independent entity this summer. Until then, it remains one of a handful of public television stations still run by a local government entity, a situation some have said has hindered its ability to raise money or produce much quality programming. "There's a tremendous amount we have to do," Bass said in a wide-ranging I Turn to PAGE 2A, Column 4 think vi luit people will see is a station much more connected to its local comnumity, much mure focused on serving a broad variety of needs STEVE BASS, WDCN-Channel8 EH Sections: DearAbby 20 Local News Sports Living Business Deaths 58 Edtoriab 14-15A Entertainment 30 Hockey 9C Horoscope 2D Movies 30 NatfonaJ News 6-1 3A fe3 Jiff' rt To subscribe: 242-NEWS Delivery problems: 254-5661 or 1-800-342-8237 For personal eervfee, call during these times: Monday-Fridny: 5:30 a.m.

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To reach our newsroom: 259-8095 E-mail: newstbsOtennessean.com Predators face seasoned foe The Predators face an NHL stalwart tonight when the Boston Bruins come to the Arena. Defenseman Ray Bourque is in his 20th season and shows no signs of slowing. On 1C. Promotion called deceptive A trip to Paris sounds like a great Valentine's Day gift. But Florida state officials say a Service Merchandise promotion was deceptive and heartless.

On 1E. Forecast includes slick roads Be careful when you hit the road this morning temperatures were supposed to dip below the freezing mark, so it might be slippery In spots. Metro officials said they were ready to handle it. On 1B. Brad About You 3A Scoreboard 11C Classified Shortcuts Comics .40 Television 50 Crossword 20 World News 3-4A To subscribe call: 242-NEWS BOURQUE 4.