[7-E-White]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-57 1:22:12]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Lynchburg jury continues to deliberate in the case of a New Jersey man charged with murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/July 1999]
Morris Anthony was shot to death inside this home on Stuart Street last July.
Norman Douglas White is charged with kicking in the front door and shooting Anthony several times as he sat on a living room sofa.
Police believe the shooting stemmed from an argument over drugs.
A five-man, seven-woman jury spent about ninety minutes deliberating yesterday before adjourning for the night.
(------------)
[7-E-Olivarri]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-54 2:03:32]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
An Appomattox woman avoids a murder trial after pleading guilty to second degree murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Appomattox]
30-year old Sandra Olivarri had been charged with shooting her husband Nick to death and dumping his body along a roadside in September, 1998.
Olivarri's trial was scheduled for next week, but prosecutors reached a plea agreement after talking with the victim's family.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:37:45]
[IN Q=We decided that]
((DEBORAH DRINKARD/VICTIM'S SISTER: WE DECIDED THAT THIS WOULD BE THE BEST TO KEEP THE FAMILY FROM GOING THROUGH ANY MORE TORTURE OF THIS NOT TAKING TO TRIAL, AND THE MAXIMUM ON THIS IS FORTY YEARS, SO WE FEEL COMFORTABLE.. AND NOW WE WILL HAVE HER IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT SHE'S USED TO.))
[SUPER=01-Deborah Drinkard/Victim's Sister]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=she's used to.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Olivarri could receive up to 44 years in prison when she's sentenced in June.
(------------)
[7-E-Radford-Teachers]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-01 1:15:12]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Two teachers from Radford city schools are facing criminal charges for offenses allegedly committed on school grounds.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/January 1998]
James Anthony Dehart (DEE-hart) ... head wrestling coach at John Dalton Intermediate School ... was indicted yesterday.
He's charged with stealing Ritalin and Adderall from the school. Both are prescription drugs used to treat learning disabilities.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Carroll Purcell, a gym teacher at Radford High School, was charged with attempted assault and battery of a 14-year-old female student.
[7-S-Danville-Body]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-05 25:15]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The woman found in the Dan River Sunday had been questioned about shoplifting the day before her body was discovered.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Sunday]
The medical examiner confirmed Sandra L. Cobbs drowned.
On Saturday the 38-year old woman had been stopped by a security guard at Value City.
Cobbs ran from the security officer during questioning.
After relatives reported her missing Sunday, a search of the area led to the discovery of Cobbs' body in the river.
(------------)
[7-Reform-Party]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Reform Party]
A Lynchburg federal judge will try to decide who's in charge of the Reform Party.
A hearing set to open later today is scheduled to last three days.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nashville, TN/Last Month;]
The case stems from a raucous party meeting in Nashville last month.
That's where members voted to replace Jack Gargan with Pat Choate.
But Gargan still insists he's in charge.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
Two million dollars in federal election funds is at stake.
[7Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a look at your mid week forecast.
Mostly cloudy and windy today with highs in the mid 50s.
Tonight, cloudy with areas of drizzle.
Lows in the low 40s.
The extended forecast...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds N 15-25/52-56/Cloudy, with/Areas of Drizzle/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[45-E-Tobacco-React]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=99-56 1:34:55]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Under Fire]
A big blow to the Cinton adminstration but a victory for tobacco farmers.
Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled that the government lacks the authority to regulate tobacco as an addictive drug.
The decision undercuts the White House's anti-tobacco efforts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
It's also a major set back for anti-tobacco activists. But at a time when many tobacco farmers are struggling with quotas and cutbacks, they say this decision is a step in the right direction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:06:01]
[IN Q=I'm hoping]
((BOBBY WILKERSON/TOBACCO GROWER: I'M HOPING IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME OF THE RESTRICTIONS AWAY THAT WE ARE UNDER. WE ARE RESTRICTED IN SO MANY WAYS.))
[SOT 1:02:37]
((DR. DAVID O. LEWIS/ANTI-TOBACCO ACTIVIST: WE'LL IMMEDIATELY START LOBBYING OUR NATIONAL LEADERS AND VIRGINIA PEOPLE LIKE JOHN WARNER. WE'LL LOBBY CONGRESS TO REGULATE CIGARETTES.))
[SUPER=01-Bobby Wilkerson/Tobacco Grower; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. David O. Lewis/Anti-Tobacco Activist; :09]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=regulate cigarettes.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Doctor Lewis is the president of the Health Advocacy group of Southside. He says he'll continue the fight for tobacco regulations.
(----------------)
[45-US-Airways]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=99-60 1:37:44]
[GRAPHIC=US Airways]
U-S Airways is telling customers to book flights on other airlines.
It says if there is no contract agreement with flight attendants it will shut down this weekend rather than try to cope with random walkouts.
Kate Weidaw reports this could have a significant impact on Roanoke.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lines boarding US]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Heather Cooper/US Airways Flight Attendant;:19]
[SUPER=01-Carol Haney/Travel Agent;:39]
[SUPER=@Kate1;1:14]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=of people stranded.]
((Lines boarding US Airways flights could diminish this weekend if the airline closes its gates until flight attendants reach a contract agreement.
[NAT SOUND 15:20:13]
[RUNS= 3]
Heather Cooper is just one of hundreds of flight attendants waiting to hear what's in store for her weekend.
[SOT 15:14:39]
[INQ=]
((HEATHER COOPER/US AIRWAYS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS: WE'RE JUST NOT SURE IF THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RUN OUR FLIGHTS OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO BE SHUT DOWN AS WELL AND WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL GET PAID OR NOT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
But local travel agents say if you're concerned about getting to your destination this weekend - don't book with a different airline unless you want to pay a hefty fee.
[SOT 10:55]
[INQ=]
((CAROL HANEY/TRAVEL AGENT: SO IF YOU ELECTED TO CHANGE YOURSELF TO A DIFFERENT CARRIER TOMORROW IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL COST. THEY WOULD NOT ABSORB THE COST YET.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
You have to wait for US Airways to officially announce a shut down before they change your flight to a different airline free of charge.
But that doesn't sit well with ticket holders who want a hassle- free trip this weekend or in the near future.
[SOT 15:21:48]
[INQ=]
((JEANNIE YETZ/PASSENGER: IN FACT WE WE'RE CONCERNED WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET BACK TODAY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]
The best advice is to be flexible, because if the shut down occurs...
[SOT 15:15:35]
[INQ=]
((HEATHER COOPER/FLIGHT ATTENDANT: IT'S GOING TO BE A MESS IF IT HAPPENS THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE STRANDED.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: IF YOU ARE FLYING ON A US AIRWAYS EXPRESS JET THEN THE SHUT DOWN SHOULD NOT AFFECT YOU FLIGHT.
HOWEVER YOU SHOULD CALL THE RESERVATION DESK TO SEE IF YOUR FLIGHT IS AFFECTED. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=10]))
[45Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking another look at the mid- week forecast now..
Mostly cloudy today and breezy with highs in the mid 50s.
Staying cloudy overnight with areas of drizzle possible.
Lows in the 40s.
The five day forecast promises partly to mostly sunny skies until Saturday, when we could see more rain.
Highs in the 60s and low 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds N 15-25/52-56/Cloudy, with/Areas of Drizzle/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[8-Reform-Party]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Reform Pary]
The Reform Party will have a leader by the end of the week.
A Lynchburg federal judge will spend the next three days deciding who's in charge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nashville, TN/Last Month;]
The case stems from a raucous party meeting in Nashville last month.
That's where members voted to replace Jack Gargan with Pat Choate.
But Gargan still insists he's in charge.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
At stake is some two million dollars in federal election funds.
[8-E-Custody-Case]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-58 1:23:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A local man says the denial of a court hearing for Elian Gonzalez is good for his five year custody fight.
Marya Jones explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS HOME VIDEO]
[SUPER=04-Home Video; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :03]
[SUPER=01-Walter Benda/Father of Kidnapped Daughters; :12]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC/March 1; :31]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=MJN7.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[NATSOUND: HOME VIDEO]
((NATSOUND: HOME VIDEO))
[runs=: 03]
Home videos and a few photo albums are all Walter Benda has left of his two daughters, Mari and Ema.
The girls were kidnapped by his wife in 1995 when the family lived in Japan.
[SOT 4:5517 - :22]
((THERE'S PROBABLY NEVER AN HOUR THAT GOES BY WHERE I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT THEM IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER.))
[runs= : 05]
Benda has spent the last five years fighting for custody and visitation rights... with no success.
Japan has no laws against parental abduction.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:37:33 - :38]
((THE COURTS JUST VIEW THAT AS THE PARENT HAS TAKEN THE CHILD WITH THEM AND IT'S NOT A CRIME.))
[runs= :05]
Benda's experience led him to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month... urging members to send Elian Gonzalez back to his father in Cuba.
He says the outcome of Elian's case could affect him personally.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT SENATE 12:48:50 - :12]
((THERE IS NO WAY TO EXPRESS HOW IT FEELS, THE HEARTBREAK THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOUR CHILDREN -- CHILDREN YOU LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN THE WORLD -- CHILDREN WHO ARE LITERALLY A PART OF YOU -- ARE RIPPED FROM YOUR LIFE.))
[runs= :12]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:50:35 - :49]
((THE U.S. WILL LOSE A LOT OF ITS MORAL HIGH GROUND IF WE ALLOW ELIAN TO STAY IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE BY DOING THAT WE'LL SAY THAT IT'S OK FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO KEEP AMERICAN CHILDREN IN THEIR COUNTRIES.))
[runs= :14]
Benda has only seen Mari and Ema once since the abduction... when he tracked them down on a street in Japan.
Until he can be reunited with his daughters, Benda says he'll continue to fight... and help other families do the same.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:00:06 - :15]
((I PLAN TO MAKE NOISE UNTIL I GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT... THE WORST THING IS TO GIVE UP AND DO NOTHING.))
[runs= :09]
Marya Jones, News 7.))
[8-E-Webcast]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-06 24:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
New technology continues to make its way into everyday life and television stations are joining in.
News 7 is joining the list of broadcasters who are now delivering their programs on the world wide web.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
News 7 at Six will appear on the webcasting site of Rev.net, a local internet service provider.
In addition, the site's media archive will include a week's worth of newscasts, available on demand.
(++++++++)
[FULL SCREEN PINNACLE 4885]
If you'd like to watch streaming video of News 7 at 6, there are two ways to get there.
You can go directly to WREV-dot-net, or log onto our home page at WDBJ-7-dot com.
(-------------)
[8Weather]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Let's check out the Wednesday forecast once more...
Mostly cloudy today with a few peeks of sunshine.
Breezy with highs near 55.
Cloudy tonight with some drizzle possible and lows in the lower 40s.
The five day forecast promises partly to mostly sunny skies until Saturday, when we could see more rain.
Highs in the 60s and low 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds N 15-25/52-56/Cloudy, with/Areas of Drizzle/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
by SS