WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/16/00

[7-Bridge-Repair]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Road Repairs]

For those traveling on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County today, there may be some delays.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
Authorities are asking drivers to slow down in the construction area.
(------------)

[7-Vinton-Council]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-04]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton Investigation]

The heated debate between Vinton residents and town council continues over former Police Chief Ricky Foutz and his department.
A special prosecutor says he won't file criminal charges, but many Vinton residents are still upset.
Kate Weidaw explains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=you said if]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :17]
[SUPER=01-Buck Heartwell/Town Attorney; :51]
[SUPER=01-Terry Obenchain/Foutz Supporter; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-William Obenchain/Town Council Member; 1:13 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=KW, News 7]
(([SOT 26:48]
[INQ=]
((YOU SAID IF HE DIDN'T FIND RICKY GUILTY YOU SAID YOU WOULD GET HIS PAY BACK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]

It was an emotional evening as residents lashed out against town council. This all came after the grand jury completed its investigation into irregularities in the handling of public funds as well as allegations about drugs and gun evidence in the Police Department. Special Prosecutor Neil Vener said there wasn't enough evidence to charge anybody with a crime. This was news residents had been waiting for -- so Foutz could receive restitution. But council said it needs to wait for the judge to decide if the report is going to be made pubic before making a decision.

[SOT 17:43]
[INQ=]
((BUCK HEARTWELL/TOWN ATTORNEY: THE SPECIAL GRAND JURY REPORT WILL DETERMINE NOT IF CRIMES WERE COMMITTED BUT HAS THE PUBLIC TRUST BEEN BETRAYED.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]

[SOT 9:53]
[INQ=]
((TERRY OBENCHAIN: WE ARE TIRED OF BEING TREATED LIKE THIS YOU HIDE BEHIND THESE REPORTS. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THESE REPORTS THAT'S UP TO JUDGE STRIKCLAND.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]

[SOT 44:50]
[INQ=]
((WILLIAM OBENCHAIN/COUNCILMAN: I WILL PROVIDE FULL RESTITUTION IF WE FIND OUT IF WE WERE WRONG.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: THAT IS WHAT WILLIAM OBENCHAIN HAS SAID FROM THE BEGINNING AND RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE HIM STICK TO HIS PROMISE. JUDGE STRICKLAND WILL BE TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THURSDAY AT 4PM BEFORE SHE MAKES HER DECISION WHETHER TO MAKE THE REPORT PUBLIC. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[7-Online-Rape]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Internet]

A Virginia Tech exchange student has been arrested and charged with raping a woman he met in an Internet chat room.
Blacksburg Police arrested the Turkish student, 28-year old (Sell-on) Celal Olgun, Saturday on charges of raping and sodomizing the 20-year old Blacksburg woman.
Police say the woman invited him to meet at her apartment Friday after several online chats.
After he arrived, they say, he raped her multiple times.
Olgun is being held without bond.

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Here's a look at your mid week forecast.
Expect a sunny and windy afternoon with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Tonight mostly clear and still windy.
Lows in the low 30s.
The extended forecast...

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Afternoon Sun/Winds SW 15-25/58-62/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 15-25/30-34;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[45-Bridge-Repair]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Road Repairs]

Some possible travel delays to tell you about this morning on Insterstate 81 in Roanoke County.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
Authorities are asking drivers to slow down in the construction area.
(------------)

[45-City-Democrats]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

A few surprises as Roanoke Democrats chose their candidates for the May City Council elections in May.
Last night's mass meeting saw Angela Norman, Linda Wyatt and Bill Bestpitch prevail over Alvin Nash, Carroll Swain and Jim Trout.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Almost 500 party members took part in the mass meeting, marking paper ballots for their favorite candidates.
The big win and the upset of the night belonged to challenger Angela Norman, a Roanoke city employee who collected 262 votes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've been helping people]
[SUPER=01-Angela Norman/(D) Council Candidate; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=where we're going with that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Roanoke school teacher and council incumbent Linda Wyatt came in second with 181 votes.
And the final spot went to teacher and social services consultant Bill Bestpitch, another challenger who won the support of 152 voters.
Despite the defeat of two incumbents, Democratic officials say they expect to have a unified party for the council elections in May.
(------------)

[45-E-Garber]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-59]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

And in Lynchburg politics, two city council members say they're saying goodbye to politics, but at least one other hopes to be re-elected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Ward Three representative Robert Garber yesterday announced he would seek re- election this May.
The first- term Republican says citizens need to keep a conservative voice on city council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:50:55]
[IN Q=And if we]
((ROBERT GARBER/R- LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: AND IF WE GET SOME MORE PEOPLE THAT TRULY WANT TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND LOOK AT THE WAY WE SPEND OUR MONEY, I THINK WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HOW WE VIEW THAT BUDGET.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Garber/(R) Lynchburg Council Member]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=view that budget.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lynchburg's only other Republican councilman.. Jim Whitaker.. is NOT seeking re-election.
(------------)

[45-E-College-Boards]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-53]
[GRAPHIC=VA Colleges]

State public universities could see some new members on their boards of visitors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

Three bills before the General assemly would REQUIRE them to add a non-voting student.
Right now, schools like Radford University, William and Mary, and Old Dominion University do NOT have student board members.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:11:12]
[IN Q=There are going]
((THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME INSTANCES WHERE WE ARE GOING TO DISAGREE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY. IN THOSE INSTANCES WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.))
[SUPER=01-George Mendiola, Jr./Student Government Association;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=are heard]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
At Radford, students are allowed to serve on board sub-committees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:02:34]
[IN Q=They don't miss out]
((THEY DON'T MISS OUT ON ANYTHING AS IT IS BECAUSE THE BOARDS ARE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS. ANYONE CAN COME AND ANYONE CAN PARTICIPATE.))
[SUPER=01-Jay Poole/Radford Univ. Board of Visitors;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=anyone can participate]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

All three bills survived the first half of the General Assembly session but must still pass more committee votes.

(------------)

[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Let's take a break from the news to check weather...
After morning clouds, we'll see afternoon sunshine.
Still breezy, with warm highs near 60.
Staying mostly clear overnight, with lows near 32.
Looking ahead....tomorrow should be partly cloudy and cooler....with rain likely by Friday.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Afternoon Sun/Winds SW 15-25/58-62/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 15-25/30-34;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[8-Bridge-Repair]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Road Repairs]

If you're traveling on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County today, you might run into some delays.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
One northbound lane will be closed from nine this morning until three this afternoon.
V-Dot will be fixing a damaged bridge railing just north of the I-581 interchange.
Authorities are asking drivers to slow down in the construction area.
(------------)

[8-AM-Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-??]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex Strike]

More than four hundred striking Rubatex workers are still on the picket lines...five months after walking out in search of better hours and benefits.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

They've maintained a constant presence outside the Bedford plant since September 12th.
Heat, cold, rain or snow hasn't kept the rubber workers from their daily vigil.
But the longer the strike drags on, the harder it is for them to visualize going back to work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:15 #1]
[IN Q=We've been out]
((REVA EUBANK/STRIKING RUBATEX WORKER: WE'VE BEEN OUT SO LONG, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE NORMAL OR NOT, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE I THINK, I REALLY DO. IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, BUT WHEN YOU GET BIG BUSINESS, MONEY AND GREED- THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT, THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US.))
[SUPER=01-Reva Eubank/Striking Rubatex Worker; :00]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=care about us.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tonight on News7, we'll hear more about what a typical day is like for these strikers.. it's all part of our series "Life On The Line".. today and tomorrow on News7 at Six.
(------------)

[8-Lewis-Gale]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lewis Gale-Departing Doctors]

Another physician has resigned from the Lewis Gale Clinic despite the clinic's claims that its patients are satisfied.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN PAGE]
Cardiologist William Rutherford Junior turned in his resignation yesterday.
He is the 31st doctor to quit this year, in a dispute with the clinic's parent company Phycor.
(-------------)

[8-E-Cancer]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=00-02]
[GRAPHIC=Cancer]

A Roanoke doctor says healthier Americans may be making cancer the number one cause of death in the United States.

Specialists predict cancer will exceed heart disease as the leading killer within the next ten years.
One reason points to the fact that Americans are living longer -- and statistically cancer affects the older population.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]

One of the biggest problems effecting treatment is the pessimistic attitudes that there's no hope of getting better.

But Doctor Gerald Shertz (Shirts) says that is not the case anymore in the United States.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 01:49:42]
[IN Q=When I was in medical school]
((DR. GERALD SCHERTZ/MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST: WHEN I WAS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL AND IN TRAINING IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A MENTALLY COMPETENT ADULT NOT TO BE TOLD HE OR SHE HAD CANCER, AND FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE SPOUSE TO BE TOLD. THAT'S UNHEARD OF, NOW HERE IN THE YEAR 2000.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Gerald Schertz/Medical Oncologist; ]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=now in the year 2000.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Doctor Schertz says another factor is heart disease treatments are becoming more effective.
(------------)

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking one more look at your mid- week forecast...
We'll see sunny skies by afternoon...warm southwest winds...and highs near 60.
Mostly clear and breezy overnight, with lows in the 30s.
Looking ahead....tomorrow should be partly cloudy and cooler....with rain likely by Friday.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Afternoon Sun/Winds SW 15-25/58-62/Mostly Clear/Winds NW 15-25/30-34;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]