[7-E-Blacksburg-Beating]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-59 42:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
No charges will be filed against the man who fatally beat a Virginia Tech resident advisor after he broke into his home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Monday;]
Prosecutors say 29-year-old Thomas L. Hyman had a high blood alcohol content -- of point-two-six -- when he broke down the front door last weekend.
Hyman, a diabetic, also had an abnormally high blood sugar level.
Hyman was beaten unconscious by a resident in the house who said he did NOT know him.
Those familiar with Hyman say his behavior was out of character.
(------------)
[7-E-Arcadia-Bombs]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-53 1:37:26]
[GRAPHIC=Bot. Co. Pipe Bombs]
A 15 year old has been charged with making bombs after sheriff's deputies found two bombs at his Botetourt County school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
One bomb was in the student's bedroom at the Arcadia Leadership Academy, a boarding school for troubled boys.
Sheriff's deputies found a second bomb hidden in the woods.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:43:00]
[IN Q=]
((IT WAS A SMALL CYLINDRICAL DEVICE ABOUT THREE INCHES LONG AND ONE INCH IN DIAMETER. HAD A FUSE ATTACHED TO IT.))
[SUPER=01-Gene Lee/Counselor;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=attached to it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The 15-year-old was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor.
Prosecutors say if he's convicted, he could spend two years in prison.
(------------)
[7-Threat-Charges]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=bomb Threat Charges]
Six Pulaski County high school students face felony charges for making a bomb threat to the school.
One of the students admitted making the call from inside the school while the others encouraged him.
Deputies also arrested a student for a bomb threat against the school last month.
[7-E-Sayers]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-49 1:51:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The driver in the October drunk-driving accident that killed three people on Hershberger Road has pleaded guilty.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
23- year old Timothy Wayne Sayers says he has no memory of the accident last October.
Sayers had been drinking and using cocaine.
He was driving about 85 miles an hour when he crashed his car into a tree, killing his passengers.
Sayers has continued to drive.
The prosecutor says D-M-V had been waiting for the outcome of the case before lifting Sayers' driving privileges.
Yesterday, the Judge ordered him to surrender his license.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[graphic=None]
Sayers faces up to 61 years in prison when he's sentenced.
[7-Neighborhood-Improvements]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Residents in the Melrose-Rugby neighborhood say they want their neighborhood to overcome it's bad reputation.
So they're striving to make it a better place to live.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Some 30 residents attended a workshop with the Roanoke City Planning committee-- to determine what changes they would like to see in their neighborhood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:16:09]
[IN Q=The people are concerned]
((CARL COOPER/RESIDENT: THE PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AND THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING INVOLVED. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD REALIZE WE ARE COMMITTED TO GROWING AND WE'RE FACING PROBLEMS LIKE ANYONE ELSE))
[SUPER=01-Carl Cooper/Resident]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=like anyone else]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some of the proposed improvements include-- bringing a grocery story and other businesses to the area,
and reducing noise ordinance violations.
For the changes to move forward -- both the Roanoke City Planning Commission and City Council must approve them.
(------------)
[7Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Here's a look at your Friday forecast.
Clouds and winds today with highs in the lower 50s.
Tonight, mostly cloudy with light breezes.
Lows in the 30s.
The weekend forecast...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Increasing Clouds/Winds NW 10-15/50-55/Mostly Cloudy/Light Breeze/30-35;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[45-E-Melrose-Rugby]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-07 11:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents of a Roanoke neighborhood with a reputation for crime, are joining forces with city officials to make some changes.
Joy Sutton reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :0303]
[SUPER=01-Shirley Bethel/Resident; :13]
[SUPER=01-Carl Cooper/Resident; :23]
[SUPER=01-Chris Chittum/Roanoke City Planner; 1:10]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=N7 Roanoke]
(( Shirley Bethel has lived in the Melrose/Rugby Neighborhood for 20 years.
She says she wants to take an active role in improving her community - by participating in forums like this one with the Roanoke City Planning Department.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:51:04]
[IN Q=I think it's great]
((SHIRLEY BETHEL:I THINK IT'S GREAT BECAUSE TI GIVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD A CHANCE TO SPEAK-OUT FOR WHAT THEY WANT))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=they]
And residents say while their neighborhood has gotten a bad rap because of crime -- the residents do care about their community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 31:16:21]
[IN Q=With the help of the city]
((CARL COOPER: WITH THE HELP FROM THE CITY AND THEM ALLOWING US TO PART OF THE PROCESS THIS NEIGHBORHOOD IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET EVEN BETTER))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=even better]
This is the third workshop where residents have come together to address changes they would like to see happen.
At this final workshop -- residents voted for the issues they felt were the most important of all the proposed changes.
Some of those improvements included:
-bringing a grocery store and other businesses to the area
-identifying and reporting housing maintenance violations and working with the City Rental Inspections program
-reducing noise ordinance violations - and targeting youth through the schools
- Changing the commercial zoning along Orange Avenue to only encompass the strip areas already designated
-And implementing measures to reduce speeding in the neighborhood.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:44:45]
[IN Q=If you get everybody]
((CHRIS COOPER/CITY PLANNER: IF YOU GET EVERYBODY GOING THE SAME DIRECTION KIND OF FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THEY YOU REALLY HAVE A LOT MORE IMPACT AND SUCCESS))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=success]
In order for the changes chosen by these residents go forward -- the planning commission and city council must adopt them.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Roanoke.))
[45-E-Thurber]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-58 1:04:06]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Since 19-84 she has run in every Lynchburg city council election and never won.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
And Jane Thurber says she'll run again.
Yesterday, she announced her candidacy for the ward three seat.
She says citizens are tired of a city council that wastes money trying to attract new residents while ignoring its public employees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:01:22]
[IN Q=The best way]
((JANE THURBER/I- LYNCHBURG COUNCIL CANDIDATE: THE BEST WAY TO MARKET LYNCHBURG TO MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES IS TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS, TEACHERS, SCHOOLBUS DRIVERS AND SHAPE UP.))
[SUPER=01-Jane Thurber/(I) Lynchburg Council Candidate]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=and shape up.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Thurber is opposed by incumbent councilman Robert Garber.
(------------)
[45-E-Inspections]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-03 45:08]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol]
The price could go up for Virginia vehicle inspections.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]
Virginia lawmakers are just a few votes away from raising state inspection fees for cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:22:41]
[IN Q=A car inspection]
((DEL. LEO WARDRUP/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: A CAR INSPECTION TAKES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR...15 DOLLARS FOR AN AUTO INSPECTION FEE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Leo Wardrup/(R) Virginia Beach;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=inspection fee.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Supporters of the bill say the going rate for auto work is 35 dollars an hour and up.
Governor Jim Gilmore says he's willing to consider the potential fee increase.
(------------)
[45Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a break from the news to check Friday's weather...
Increasing clouds today, but not as windy.
Highs in the low to mid 50s.
Staying mostly cloudy tonight, with lows in the low to mid 30s.
Looking ahead to the weekend and beyond.... partly cloudy and cool on Saturday...then gradually warming up Sunday and Monda.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Increasing Clouds/Winds NW 10-15/50-55/Mostly Cloudy/Light Breeze/30-35;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[8-E-Fuel-Prices]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-51 1:33:53]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices Up]
Oil prices are up slightly in Europe and the U-S despite yesterday's announcement from major oil producers that
they want to ease rising costs by increasing production.
The sky-rocketing fuel prices have hit everyone, but some Truckers say it could put them out of business.
Scott Goldberg reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Troutville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Eddie Baker/Trucker; :19 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Chris Miller/Independent Trucker; :39]
[SUPER=@Scott2; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=sg, news-7.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=natsound]
((NATS: (ANYTHING QUICK AT THE PUMP).))
[RUNS01]
[OUT Q=]
It doesn't matter if you drive on four wheels or 18 ...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:50:07 ]
[IN Q=i think]
((DRIVER: I THINK IT'S LOUSY. I THINK WE'RE GETTING RIPPED OFF.))
[RUNS02]
[OUT Q=RIPPED OFF]
... to a certain extent, we're all in this together.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:20]
[IN Q=i paid]
((EDDIE BAKER/TRUCKER: I PAID A DOLLAR-45.))
[RUNS02]
[OUT Q=DOLLAR-45]
But if you're driving a tractor-trailer ... a dollar-45 is actually a bargain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:31]
[IN Q=that is]
((EDDIE BAKER/TRUCKER: THAT IS THE LOWEST PRICE I'VE SEEN FROM TUCSON ALL THE WAY HERE.))
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=THE WAY HERE]
Pumped-up prices are hitting truckers the hardest.
Especially those who own their own trucks -- the skyrocketing cost of diesel is stealing a huge chunk of Chris Miller's profits.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:53]
[IN Q=it's, uh ..]
((CHRIS MILLER/INDEPENDENT TRUCKER: IT'S, UH ... REALLY KILLING A LOT OF TRUCK DRIVERS.))
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=TRUCK DRIVERS]
Miller expects to take home only 10-thousand dollars this year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:30]
[IN Q=i'm living]
((CHRIS MILLER: I'M LIVING ON 50-DOLLARS A WEEK TO MAKE TRUCK PAYMENTS, INSURANCE PAYMENTS ... ALL THE OTHER PAYMENTS I HAVE TO MAKE ON HERE ...))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=ON HERE]
And he says if someone doesn't do something soon to bring down fuel prices ... his time behind the wheel may be up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:07]
[IN Q=if i have]
((MILLER: IF I HAVE TO PAY TWO DOLLARS A GALLON ... I'M GONNA PARK THE TRUCK .. I CAN'T MAKE ANY MONEY DOING THAT.))
[RUNS06]
[OUT Q=DOING THAT]
Analysts say it'll be a couple months before prices come down.
Meantime ... unleaded gas in Virginia could soon cost a dollar-70 a gallon.
And diesel ... might get awfully close to that 2-dollar price Mr. Miller says could drive him out of business.
Scott Goldberg, News-7.))
[8-E-Bedford-Buzzards]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:48:32]
[GRAPHIC=Bedford Co. Buzzards]
They're unsightly. They're dirty. They may even look like something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
And they're also regular visitors to the town of Bedford for a few months every winter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]
This is what residents of the Peaksview neighborhood have been dealing with every night since October.. hundreds of buzzards circling over their homes, and roosting in nearby trees.
Police have tried for years to scare the birds away...and now they're applying for a federal permit to start killing them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:44:59]
[IN Q=This is what]
((OFFICER ROBERT MONK/BEDFORD POLICE: THIS IS WHAT THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS BASICALLY TOLD US WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO, WE'VE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE CAN DO AND THIS IS MORE OF A LAST RESORT TYPE THING AND THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Monk/Bedford Police Department;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=correct the problem.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Monk says the birds' droppings can pose a health hazard to area residents, especially children.
(------------)
[8Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Time once more to look at today's forecast...
Increasing clouds with a northwest breeze and highs in the low to mid 50s.
Mostly cloudy overnight, with lows in the 30s.
Looking ahead to the weekend and beyond.... partly cloudy and cool on Saturday...then gradually warming up Sunday and Monday.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Increasing Clouds/Winds NW 10-15/50-55/Mostly Cloudy/Light Breeze/30-35;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
by SS