WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/05/00

[7-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Mel]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]

We have one school delay to pass along this morning.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Highland County schools will open two hours late today.

[7-11Harris]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-60 TC1:48:02]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The trial of a Roanoke man accused of stabbing his friend to death and then using the knife to continue his crime spree resumes today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Mike Harris admits he killed 36- year old Paul Wright in November.
[SUPER=04-November 14]

Harris' attorney says his client snapped after the victim allegedly fondled Harris while he was sleeping.
Prosecutors say Harris then stole the victim's car and robbed a convenience store in Smyth County using the same knife as a weapon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:21:54]
[IN Q=When he]
((SHEILA HILL/PROSECUTION WITNESS: WHEN HE STOOD UP BEHIND ME, WHEN HE CAME BEHIND THE COUNTER AND HE HAD THE KNIFE AT MY BACK AND HE SAID DON'T MAKE ME HURT YOU BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY KILLED SOMEONE.))
[SUPER=01-Sheila Hill/Prosecution Witness; :00]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=killed someone.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harris was arrested a short time later in Washington County.
(------------)

[7-11Richardson]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

One conviction has been secured in the murder of Prentice Jordan.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/August; quick!]

The 19- year old was shot and killed last year at Easley's night club in Roanoke.
16-year old Tremaine Richardson pled guilty to second degree murder yesterday as part of a plea agreement.
Prosecutors believe Timothy "Nippy" Buford was actually the ring leader behind the killing.
(---------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]

In exchange for a lighter sentence-- Richardson will testify against Buford.

[7-1181-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

A Delaware man has died after an accident on Interstate 81.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
The accident happened last night in the northbound lanes near exit 156-- that's the Troutville exit in Botetourt County.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]

State Police say the driver, Jerry Lee Connor was traveling at a high rate of speed.
He lost control of the vehicle, ran off the left side of the road and struck an embankment several times.
Connor was thrown from the vehicle.
He died shortly after midnight at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[7-11Athey]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch/nkr]
[TAPE#=00-05 TC35:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The driver in a hit and run accident faces charges.
After crashing into a utility pole Blake Warren Athey (A-THEE) reportedly walked away from the vehicle when it burst into flames.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./November 18;]

His passenger, 21-year old John W. Tunnell, was stuck in the burning car for nearly an hour and lost both his legs.
Athey (A-thee) is charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
(------------)

[7-11Dillard]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte/nkr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Blue Ridge Fire Department got its money back and then some after an employee stole five thousand dollars and paid it back with interest.
Former department treasurer William Dillard admitted yesterday he stole the money over the last ten years.
The judge ordered him to serve 250 hours community service and repay the money.
Not only did Dillard pay back the five thousand dollars, he also donated an extra 25-hundred dollars.
The fire department has since tightened up accounting procedures.

[7Weather]

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

Here's a look at your mid week forecast.
Sunny and breezy today with winds reaching 15 to 25 miles per hour.
Highs in the upper 50s to 60.
Tonight, clear and calm with lows in the lower 40s.
The extended forecast....

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny and Breezy/Winds 15-25/55-60/Clear/& Calm/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[45-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]

We have one school delay to pass along this morning.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Highland County schools will open two hours late today.

[45-11Pitts-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-04 TC1:04:12]
[GRAPHIC=Budget]

Pittsylvania County officials propose a property tax hike.
It's part of a 95 million dollar budget plan.
Surae Chinn tells us where the money might go.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Pittsylvania County]
[SUPER=01-Dan Sleeper/Pittsylvania Co. Administrator; :25]
[SUPER=@Surae1; :38]
[SUPER=01-Donald Johnson/Pittsylvania Co. Schools; :49]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=Pittsylvania County.]
(( Pittsylvania County needs money for its enhanced 911 system, public schools and juvenile detention centers.
The county board of supervisors did not cut down any department requests.
So the board proposed a 28 cent property tax increase. That would raise the yearly property tax on a 50 thousand dollar home by 140 dollars.
[SOT 58:00]
((DAN SLEEPER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. ADMINISTRATOR: MAJORITY OF ALL YOUR FUNDING GOES TO THE SCHOOL BOARD TO MATCH YOUR REQUIRED STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS. IT MAKES UP 75 TO 80 PERCENT OF YOUR BUDGET.)) [RUNS:09]
Like many county schools, Chatham high School could use the money.
[SOT 1:10:03]
((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: IT'S BECOME A DESPERATE TIME IN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY SCHOOLS. A 13.8 MILLION DOLLAR SCHOOL BUDGET IS NEEDED TO PAY FOR MORE TEACHERS AND AN AVERAGE 6 PERCENT PAY RAISE.)) [RUNS:10]
[SOT 50:13]
((DONALD JOHNSON/PITTSYLVANIA CO SCHOOLS.: IF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY DOES NOT DO SOMETHING TO IMPROVE ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEMS WE ARE GOING TO LOSE OUR BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST.)) [RUNS:11]
County officials say the tax increase is just a proposal and the final figure probably won't be that high. But if the board chooses a lower figure, some school officials wonder if they'll get the money they need. Surae Chinn, News 7, Pittsylvania County.))
(------------)

[45-11EchoStar]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-09 TC1:16:02]
[GRAPHIC=Echostar job Fair]

Another Echostar job fair will be held tomorrow in Christiansburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

More than 14-hundred hopefuls put in applications yesterday for EchoStar Communications, a direct broadcast satellite company.
The company promises 600 new jobs immediately ... and 14-hundred within the year.
Applicants came from all over southwestern Virginia ... many the targets of recent layoffs.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTs]
[IN Q=I'll tell you what]
[sot 1:27:11 - :18]
((JOHN EATON/FORMER NR CASTINGS WORKER: I TELL YOU WHAT, IT'LL BE GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY, TOO. 1,400 JOBS... THAT'S A LOT OF WORK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK, TOO.))
[sot 1:21:08 - :17]
((JERRY FRYE/VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION: I THINK TODAY SIGNIFIES A BIG STEP FORWARD TOWARD RECTIFYING OUR UNEMPLOYMENT...GETTING US ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.))
[SUPER=01-John Eaton/Fmr. New River Castings Worker; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Frye/Virginia Employment Commission; :08]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=road to recovery.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The jobs range from customer service to maintenance.
Base pay for most is eight-fifty an hour.
(------------)

[45-11Nylstar]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ/nkr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]

And some new jobs are coming to Henry County.
Nylstar (NILE-star) -- a high-tech textile company -- says it will expand its current plant there.
Sources tell NEWS 7 Nylstar will add 50 workers.

[45Weather]

[8-Schoolwatch]

[8-1181-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

A Delaware man dies this morning after being thrown from his vehicle on Interstate 81.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
The accident happened last night in the northbound lanes near exit 156-- that's the Troutville exit in Botetourt County.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]

State Police say the driver, Jerry Lee Connor was traveling at a high rate of speed.
He lost control of the vehicle, ran off the left side of the road and struck an embankment several times.
He died shortly after midnight at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[8-11Harris]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-60 TC1:48:02]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The trial continues today for the Raonoke man accused of stabbing his friend to death and then using the knife to continue his crime spree.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Mike Harris admits he killed 36- year old Paul Wright in November.
[SUPER=04-November 14]

Harris' attorney says his client snapped after the victim allegedly fondled Harris while he was sleeping.
Prosecutors say Harris then stole the victim's car and robbed a convenience store in Smyth County using the same knife as a weapon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:21:54]
[IN Q=When he]
((SHEILA HILL/PROSECUTION WITNESS: WHEN HE STOOD UP BEHIND ME, WHEN HE CAME BEHIND THE COUNTER AND HE HAD THE KNIFE AT MY BACK AND HE SAID DON'T MAKE ME HURT YOU BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY KILLED SOMEONE.))
[SUPER=01-Sheila Hill/Prosecution Witness; :00]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=killed someone.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harris was arrested a short time later in Washington County.
(------------)

[8-11Confederate-Month]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-06 TC36:46]
[GRAPHIC=Gilmore]

Today's expected proclamation of April as Confederate History Month comes one day after Gilmore signed a bill making Martin Luther King Junior's
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
birthday a separate holiday in Virginia.
But even as Gilmore signed the measure yesterday, black leaders were denouncing today's scheduled action.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10;20:06]
[IN Q=He's been asked]
((SALIM KHALFANI/VIRGINIA NAACP: HE'S BEEN ASKED NOT TO DO THIS....RISEN FROM THE DEAD AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Salim Khalfani/Virginia NAACP;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=dead again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Governor says his proclamation will condemn slavery, but honor the "noble spirit and inspiring leadership" of Confederate leaders-- a solution he thinks most Virginians want.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:52:13]
[IN Q=I believe]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US ALL TO COME TOGETHER ... MIDDLE GROUND.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=middle ground.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=None]

The proclamation is annually requested by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

[8-11Meszaros]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-57 TC1:40:11]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

A Virginia Tech administratory may become the next president of the University of Florida.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/1995]

Vice president and provost Peggy (meh-ZAR-russ) Meszaros is one of six finalists.
Meszaros is the highest ranking female administrator in Virginia Tech history.
She's been there seven years.
(------------)

[8Weather]

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

Taking a look at your Wednesday forecast.
Sunny and breezy today with winds reaching 15 to 25 miles per hour.
Highs in the upper 50s to low 60.
Tonight, clear and calm with lows in the lower 40s.
The extended forecast....

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny and Breezy/Winds 15-25/55-60/Clear/& Calm/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]