[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Jean]

Still ahead on News 7 at Six, the battle lines are drawn over a Vinton Mayoral Candidate's home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And a freak accident in Bedford County-- a tree topples onto a passing truck.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight on News 7 sports, former UVa star Othell Wilson is found innocent of kidnapping and rape. We'll hear from Geoffrey Bodine, who is on the comeback trail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And we'll talk with the Roanoke Steam's newest addition, former Dallas Cowboy Derrick McBride.
(------------)


[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]


Looking for a very chilly weekend. Temperatures tumble tonight and don't rebound until Monday. Details coming up.


[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]



(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was kind]

((IT WAS KIND OF LIKE DEFLATING A BALLOON. WE HAD A LOT OF MOMENTUM GOING IN THE COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=in the community]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Write-In Vinton Mayoral Candidate Andy Nicely reacts to news that he can't run.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Jean Jadhon.

[Nicely]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#00-01 TC1:59:20]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


The whole controversy is over Nicely's residence-- Is it in Roanoke City or Vinton?
Roanoke County election officials told him his home is in the city, and therefore he's not a town reisdent and can't run for office.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Joy/Microwave]


Joy Sutton is outside Nicely's home with more tonight.
[Live=joy Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=219-Joy/Sutton;]
[SUPER=205-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:he's appealing the decision.)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=All of this land]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=201-Andy Nicely/Candidate for Vinton Mayor; :34]
[SUPER=201-Jerry Foutz/Vinton Resident; :56]
[SUPER=201-Annette Wickham/Vinton Resident; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=make's a difference]




[Live=Joy Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=205-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Jean and Joy/Microwave]
(QUESTION: Have you been able to talk to Roanoke County election officials?)



[Bedford-Tree]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-07 TC1:04:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]


One person is dead, another injured after a freak accident involving a tree in Bedford County today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


State police say the driver of this pickup was headed south on Route 221 near Goode when high winds apparently toppled a tree onto his vehicle.
The driver was killed instantly.. his truck spun out and hit the guardrail.
Another woman was injured when she swerved to avoid the accident.
The name of the man killed is being withheld until his family is notified.
(------------)



[Fire-Chief]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-08 TC40:42]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]


The search for a new fire chief in Lynchburg is apparently over.
Sources tell News7 that Cecil "Buddy" Martinette was offered and accepted the job today.
Martinette is a 23- year veteran of the Virginia Beach fire department, where he's been serving as a battalion chief.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Martinette will replace chief Fred Mills, who announced last September he was stepping down to spend more time with his family.
Mills will return to his old job as battalion chief within the department.
No word yet on when Martinette will start his new job in Lynchburg.
(------------)



[Campbell-Threats]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Campbell County authorities marked the one- year anniversary of Columbine yesterday by dealing with two separate threats to schools there.
Authorities say a 15-year- old boy made an e-mail threat about shooting people at Rustburg Middle and Rustburg High School.
He's been charged with communicating a threat to damage persons or property.
And charges are pending against a 14-year- old boy who allegedly threatened to throw pipe bombs into William Campbell Middle School.

[Graduation-Hotels]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-59 TC1:40:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]


There's no room at the inn.. that's the message in Lynchburg where hotels are booked solid for the weekend of May 13th.
That's when three of the area's four major colleges will hold graduation exercises.. but not all the hotel managers are happy about the overflow.
Steve Smallshaw explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Francis/Best Western; :24]
[SUPER=01-Brian Knopp/Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce; :43]
[SUPER=01-Dave Hamel/Days Inn; 1:04]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(([natsot music]

[RUNS02]
When three Lynchburg- area colleges play "Pomp and Circumstance" the weekend of May 13th, many friends and family of area graduates won't be there to hear it.
Just about every one of Lynchburg's 15- hundred hotel rooms are occupied.. and have been for months.
Still some hotel managers say it's almost too much of a good thing.
[SOT 00:50:09]

((DAVE FRANCIS/BEST WESTERN: IT REALLY IS A DISSERVICE TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE GRADUATES WHEN THEY TRY TO COME INTO TOWN AND ALL THE HOTELS ARE FULL AND THE RESTAURANTS ARE PACKED.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=are packed.]


Chamber of Commerce officials say in years past they've tried to get the schools to stagger their graduations, but educators weren't interested.
[SOT 1:01:35]

((BRIAN KNOPP/LYNCHBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: REALLY THE SCHEDULES FOR THE GRADUATIONS ARE SET BY THE COLLEGES AND THEY ARE SET ON AN ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND THE CHAMBER IS NOT INVOLVED IN SETTING THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR THROUGH THE COLLEGES, THAT IS DONE ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=individual basis.]


So every few years you have a situation like this.. thousands of people looking for a place to stay.. hundreds more being turned away.
[SOT 1:08:27]

((DAVID HAMEL/DAYS INN: COOPERATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY THE HOTELS IN TOWN AND SURE IT WOULD HELP THE CITY AS A WHOLE BECAUSE IT SPREADS OUT THE BUSINESS TO THE RESTAURANTS, THE MALL, EVERYBODY BENEFITS FROM IT.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=benefits from it.]


The situation is due to repeat itself when Promise Keepers holds a rally at Liberty University on June 2nd.. officials say there are no rooms available for miles around.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))


[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=NONE]


Still ahead on News 7 at Six, find out how to get gift certificates for guns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


And meet the state's only female inmate work crew.
(----------------)

(toss to Robin)

[Female-Prisoners]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-03 TC1:49:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A special group of women may catch your eye on Roanoke city streets. It's the state's ONLY work crew of female jail inmates. Tina Tenret shows us who these ladies are and what they do for the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What we want]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Butterworth/Roanoke Sheriff's Department; :16]
[SUPER=01-Erica Taylor/Jail Inmate; :36]
[SUPER=@Tina1; :44]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :54]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Hardy/Jail Inmate; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Roanoke]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:13:44]
[IN Q=What we want]
((NAT SOT: WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS SCRAPE UP AS MUCH OF THE PAINT THAT'S PEELING UP, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REPAI

NT IT NEXT WEEK.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=NEXT WEEK]

Deputy Nicole Butterworth created Virginia's ONLY road crew of FEMALE inmates.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:05:57]
[IN Q=I don't know]

((DEP. NICOLE BUTTERWORTH/ROANOKE SHERIFF'S DEPT: I DON'T KNOW WHY OTHER CITIES HAVEN'T JUMPED ON OUR BANDWAGON BECAUSE IT REALLY GETS A LOT OF WORK DONE. LAST YEAR ALONE IN OUR FISCAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY, OUR WORK LABOR SAVED THE CITY OF ROANOKE OVER 200-THOUSAND-DOLLARS.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=DOLLARS]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]
((nat sot))

[RUNS:03] Erica Taylor must spend another two months behind bars for child neglect. She says working outside clears her mind and sharpens her skills.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:11:31]
[IN Q=Yes I've learned]

((ERICA TAYLOR/JAIL INMATE: YES I'VE LEARNED A LOT. I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO PAINT AND THAT'S ONE THING I CAN SAY I HAVE LEARNED TO DO THANKS TO MRS. BUTTERWORTH AND THE REST OF THE CREW.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=REST OF THE CREW]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:02:34]
[IN Q=NO ONE'S]

((TINA TENRET/NEWS7: NO ONE'S PAINTED THE CITY GARAGE IN 20 SOME YEARS. BUT THESE FEMALE INMATES PAINTED THE WALLS A BRIGHT NEW COLOR. MECHANICS SAY THAT HELPS THEM REPAIR RESCUE VEHICLES.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=RESCUE VEHICLES]

Only non-violent criminals with less than six months to serve can join the crew. They clean parks, clear nature trails, and collect roadside trash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:08:14]
[IN Q=We're not]

((SHARON HARDY/JAIL INMATE: WE'RE NOT RECOGNIZED ENOUGH. WE HELPED OUT WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE US FOR THAT BUT WE DID A LOT OF THE CLEANING FOR THEM. I LIKED THAT, IT'S ALL RIGHT.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=IT'S ALL RIGHT]

The women jump into almost any job. They let men run the heavy equipment and rely on their own strengths instead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:04:19]
[IN Q=A lot of times]

((BUTTERWORTH: A LOT OF TIMES THEY EVEN DO MORE THOROUGH AS FAR AS CLEANING AND STUFF. WOMEN A LOT OF TIMES ARE MORE PROFICIENT IN DETAILED TASKS.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=DETAILED TASKS]

Next year Butterworth hopes to add a second female work crew -- with, she hopes, none of these faces. Tina Tenret News7 Roanoke))

[Delightful-Occasions]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-04 TC1:52:33]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


Roanoke prosecutors are going to drop a pandering charge against the owner of a lingerie shop.
But Marvin Wittington has to make sure that the women in his escort service stay out of trouble.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/March 10]


Wittington was accused of promoting prostitution after police raided his store last month.
An exotic dancer from Delightful Occasions was also charged with agreeing to have sex with an undercover police officer.
In court today, Wittington waived a preliminary hearing.
The prosecutor agreed not to pursue indictments against him, as long as Wittington's business stays legal.
(------------)



[Gun-Buyback]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=00-02 TC1:56:27]
[GRAPHIC=Gun Buybacks]


Roanoke will trade guns for gift certificates next month.
It's officially called a "buyback" program .. but if you turn in a gun, you get a gift certificate worth at least 50 dollars to Tanglewood Mall and nearby stores.
The program runs each Saturday in May, at Fire-EMS stations around the city.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Things start May 6th, at Station 7 on Memorial Avenue Southwest.
The next week, its on to Station 9 on 24th Street Northwest.
On the 20th, the program moves to Station 6 on Jamison Avenue Southeast.
And things wrap up the 27th at Station 2 on Noble Avenue Northeast.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


The hope is to remove as many guns as possible off Roanoke streets.
Your federal tax dollars are paying for the gift certificates.

[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]


Wall Street was closed today in observance of the Good Friday Holiday.

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=NONE]


Get a head start on Earth Day with some Danville students.
That's next on NEws 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


And later, commemorate Good Friday in living color.
(----------------)






[Earth-Day]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-05 TC56:32]
[GRAPHIC=Earth Day]


Some Danville elementary students are learning the importance of protecting the earth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]


At the second annual community Earth Day celebration at Glenwood Magnet School, many students took part in a variety of activities.
Students learned about recycling and how to keep the earth clean.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:44:27]
[IN Q= We build birdhouses]

((SHERI JOHNSON/5TH GRADER: WE BUILT BIRDHOUSES AND WE WENT TO SEE NATIVE AMERICANS AND ALL ABOUT AIR, WATER, AND SOIL.))
[SUPER=01-Sheri Johnson/5th Grader;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=water and soil.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Glenwood Magnet School is a center for environmental studies.
Tomorrow marks the 30th annual Earth Day celebration nationwide.
(----------------)



[United-Way]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=United Way]


The Roanoke Valley United Way is looking for a new president.
Bob Kulinski announced today that he's leaving, to take a similar job in Akron, Ohio.
Kulinski has been president of the Roanoke charity for the past 15 years.
When he first came here, United Way contributions came to about 3-point-3 million dollars.
Now, the campaign brings in twice that amount.
Kulinski's new job starts in June.

[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up tonight on News 7 sports, Othell Wilson is acquitted, the Steam welcomes a former Cowboy to town. The Chrysler Classic gets more fan friendly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And he's moving little slower than usual - but a very thankful Geoffrey Bodine is back in the NASCAR saddle.
(------------)


[S-Othell]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=NONE]
[GRAPHIC=OTHELL WILSON]

We begin tonight with news concerning former UVa basketball great Othell Wilson. The Saint Mary's College basketball coach was acquitted today of charges he kidnapped and raped his former girlfriend. Wilson spent most of Wednesday and Thursday on the witness stand at which time he admitted to writing a threatening letter to the 20 year old coed. He denied raping or kidnapping the woman and after deliberating for two and hall hours today the jury agreed with him and found Wilson not guilty. Wilson had been on paid leave since his arrest last September.



[S-Steam]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-65 31:35]
[GRAPHIC=Steam]


The Steam's home opener kicks off May sixth at the Roanoke Civic center against Tulsa. The team is OH and 2 right now but the front office says Star City fans won't be disappointed with this Arenafootball2 team in it's on and off the field show.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="it's]

((TOMMY BENIZIO/STEAM GENERAL MANAGER:))
[SUPER=01-Tommy Benizio/Steam General Manager; :00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=.....eight saturdays]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Today; :00]


The Steam line up welcomes former Dallas Cowboy Derrick McBride to the team. He played part of the 1996 season on the Cowboys practice squad and hopes to make a difference with his play and his position as a role model.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I just]
[SUPER=01-Derrick McBride/Steam Receiver & Defensive Back; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=...right way like that"]
(----------------)



[S-GGO]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-68 818TC]
[GRAPHIC=greensboro classic]


The 62nd annual Greater Greensboro Classic is fast approaching the halfway point. The Clubhouse leader right now is Hal Sutton at 13 under par.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC; :00]

If you're planning on heading to the Triad this weekend for the final two rounds you'll notice that the tournament organizers have a few extras awaiting fans this year. The most notable and visible is the Bloomberg Golf Expo located right beside the pros practice tee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We try to...]
[SUPER=01-Dick Baker/Tournament Director; :00]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...the whole family."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]

The whole family won't be able to see Tiger, Phil Mickelson, or Ernie Els this weekend because they decided to skip Greensboro, but if you want to see some super golf in a great atmosphere the two hour drive from Roanoke is well worth it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I love the...]
[SUPER=01-Tom Lehman/One Under After Two Rounds; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=....close and personal."]
(------------)



[S-Franklin]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=FRANKLIN CO.]


The weekend weather has not exactly been kind to the local racing scene so far this spring, but tomorrow night Whitey Taylor hopes to heat up the night as the SMART modifieds return to the world's fastest 3/8ths mile oval. The racing starts at 7 and gates open at 3 tomorrow.

[S-Bodine]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-69]
[GRAPHIC=bodine]


The Winston Cup stars are off on this easter weekend, and perhaps no one understands the meaning of this religious holiday these days more than Winston Cup star Geoffrey Bodine.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL/February 18; :00]

Back in February, Bodine was involved in one of the most horrific crashes in NASCAR history when his Craftsman Truck was shredded in a race at Daytona.
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

He suffered multiple injuries in the accident, but has recovered remarkably and returned to the track in Richmond for a test session this week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'M MORE THANKFUL...]
[SUPER=01-Geoffrey Bodine/Turned 51 On Tuesday;:00]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=...I USED TO."]
(------------)



[Living-Cross]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=2:02:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Today is Good Friday ... the day that Christians worldwide commemorate Jesus' crucifixion.
Seneca Baptist Church in Shawsville has a unique tradition for observing this day ... with a LIVING crucifixion.
Pastor Virgil McHone explains the tradition as News-7 Photographer Mark Hollandsworth takes you there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We want the world]
[SUPER=03-Shawsville;]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=keep it up.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

VIRGIL McHONE/SENECA BAPTIST PASTOR: WE WANT THE WORLD TO SEE THAT CHRIST LOVES THEM.....
THE LADIES IS UP ON THE CROSS BECAUSE THE LORD DIED FOR ALL MANKIND... NOT JUST MEN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TWO CROSSES, YOU'LL NOTICE UNDERNEATH THEM THE SIGN IT SAYS WE ALL HAVE A CROSS TO BEAR. AND WE DO HAVE A CROSS TO BEAR.....
WE DO THIS TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE PEOPLE THAT GOD LOVES THEM. AND THE WORLD IS HURTING TODAY AND THEY'RE REACHING OUT IN DIFFERENT AREAS TO TRY TO FIND HAPPINESS AND PEACE AND THE REAL PEACE AND HAPPINESS COMES BY KNOWING JESUS.....
WE'VE HAD PEOPLE DRIVE FROM PENNSYLVANIA LAST YEAR JUST TO SEE IT. THEY HEARD ABOUT IT AND THEY WANTED TO COME TO SEE IT, BUT MOST OF THE REACTION THAT WE HAVE HERE IS THAT PEOPLE STOP. A LADY FROM SHENANDOAH VALLEY STOPPED JUST A WHIL E AGO AND SHE WAS IN TEARS AND SHE SAID, "THANK Y'ALL FOR REMINDING ME WHAT CHRIST DID FOR ME. KEEP IT UP."))
by SS