WDBJ 7 morning news for 06/29/00

[Cuban-Boy]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]

Elian Gonzalez will wake up this morning in his homeland--
His return to Cuba last night was almost as dramatic as his snatching from the arms of his relatives in Miami.

Jennifer Jones has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Dulles Airport; :21]
[SUPER=01-Juan Miguel Gonzalez/Elian's Father; :35]
[SUPER=07-Jose Garcia-Pedrosa; :57]
[SUPER=01-Ninoska Perez/Activist; 1:32]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting; 1:38]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=Jennifer Jones, CBS News, Miami.]
((
THE LITTLE BOY WHO LEFT CUBA ON A CROWDED BOAT, RETURNED TO HIS NATIVE ISLAND IN GRAND STYLE.
ARRIVING IN A CHARTERED JET IN HAVANA, SIX-YEAR OLD ELIAN GONZALEZ WAS IMMEDIATELY SHOWERED WITH HUGS AND KISSES FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS ... AS WELL AS A ROUSING WELCOME HOME FROM HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
((LOCATOR: DULLES AIRPORT, VA))
ELIAN LEFT THE U-S WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON -- JUST HOURS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT REJECTED A LAST-DITCH APPEAL BY THE BOY'S MIAMI RELATIVES TO KEEP HIM HERE.
HE WAVED GOODBYE TO AMERICA IN THE ARMS OF HIS FATHER ... WHO FOUGHT SO HARD TO GET HIM BACK.

((SOT: JUAN GONZALEZ/ELIAN'S FATHER))
"We're happy to go home. Thank you."
THE FAMILY'S FAREWELL CAPPED OFF A SEVEN-MONTH ODYSSEY ... THAT BEGAN WHEN ELIAN WAS FOUND CLINGING TO AN INNER TUBE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN LAST NOVEMBER.
THE MIAMI RELATIVES WHO CARED FOR ELIAN DURING MUCH OF HIS STAY ... NOW WORRY ABOUT ELIAN RESUMING A VERY DIFFERENT LIFE IN COMMUNIST CUBA.

((SOT: JOSE GARCIA-PEDROSA))
"They feel pained at this moment perhaps even more so than we can even imagine."
ELIAN WAS REUNITED WITH HIS FATHER BACK IN APRIL ... AFTER THE GOVERNMENT RAIDED THE MIAMI FAMILY'S HOME.

((SOT: PRESIDENT CLINTON.))
"I have replayed this in my mind many times. I don't know that we had many different options that we pursued, given how the thing developed."
((NAT SOUND))
MEANWHILE, HORNS BLARED IN DISGUST IN MIAMI'S LITTLE HAVANA. CUBAN PROTESTERS GATHERED INTO THE NIGHT AROUND ELIAN'S FORMER MIAMI HOME ... OUTRAGED BY WHAT THEY SEE AS A TRAGIC TURN OF EVENTS.

((SOT: NINOSKA PEREZ/ACTIVIST))

((STANDUP)) ))

[11Abortion]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-11 TC1:56:12]
[GRAPHIC=Abortion]

The U-S Supreme Court also handed down what legal experts say is the court's most important word on abortion in eight years.
The 5-to four decision overturns a Nebraska ban on so-called "partial birth" abortions.
The majority opinion says the ban violates women's constitutional rights by imposing an "undue burden" on their decisions to end pregnancies.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

Virginia's two year old ban is worded in almost the same way as Nebraskas.
Attorney General Mark Earley concedes it's likely to be overturned in the fourth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals, following yesterday's high court decision.
Abortion rights advocates say they're pleased-- but:
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:02:26 ]
[IN Q=The Parenthood]
((BEN GREENBERG/PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF VIRGINIA: THE NARROWNESS OF THAT RULING CERTAINLY GIVES US SOME CONCERN. ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT SCHOLARS SUGGEST AS MANY AS THREE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES MAY BE APPOINTED BY THE NEXT PRESIDENT. AND THIS COULD TURN AROUND IN A HEARTBEAT.))
[SOT 15:31:29]
((FIONA GIVENS/VIRGINIA SOCIETY FOR HUMAN LIFE: ONE MIGHT THINK THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN RATHER SLEEPY TO DATE. THIS WILL CERTAINLY GENERATE SOME SPARK.))
[SUPER=01-Ben Greenberg/Planned Parenthood of Virginia; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fiona Givens/Virginia Society for Human Life; :15]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=some spark.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kim]
[SS=Mark Early]

Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley is promising to write a new ban in a way he thinks will comply with the ruling.
He says he'll submit that to the 2000 General Assembly.

[Amherst-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

A 15 year old Amherst teen is charged with murdering his mother and maliciously wounding his father. It happened yesterday evening at the family's home in Amherst.
Authorities say the victims are 41 year old Kathy M. Maddox and 39 year old John C. Maddox.
The teen is also charged with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
He is being held at the Lynchburg Detention Facility without bond.

[Archbishop]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A native of El Salvador faces several charges for allegedly holding a Roman Catholic archbishop hostage for nine hours yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX;]

The suspect Nelson Escolero -- a legal resident -- was apparently upset about the possibility of being deported for driving with a suspended license.
Police say Escolero entered the office of Archbishop Patrick Flores, demanding help with his immigration problem.

Authorities say he had a grenade-like device that he placed on a table after receiving a fax about his immigration status.
It's not known if the device was actually explosive.
The Archbishop was NOT harmed during the incident.
(------------)

[Broughman]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-26]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Botetourt County man who went to his brother's house at night knowing the man was violent -- now says he killed him out of self-defense.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
Roger (Bruff-man) Broughman went to visit his brother Rocky even though he'd heard Rocky wanted to kill him. He says he wanted to make peace.
[SUPER=04-January 29;]
But then he shot Rocky six times as Rocky came out of his house toward the truck.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:15:36]
[SOT 16:15:56]
[IN Q=He said I'm going]
((HE SAID I'M GOING TO KILL YOU MOTHERF-------- AND AS HE COME AROUND THE TRUCK HE REACHED BACK FOR HIS RIGHT HIP POCKE
T AND WHEN HE REACHED FOR HIS HIP POCKET .... BUTT BUTT BUTT I REACHED DOWN AND GRABBED MY PISTOL STUCK IT OUT THE WINDOW AND FIRED.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Broughman/Defendant;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and fired]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Rocky never pulled his gun. And Rocky's neighbor says he was not angry at his brother the night before.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:39:52]
[IN Q=He said]
((HE SAID I'M WORRIED ABOUT ROGER. HE SAID I'M WORRIED ABOUT HIM. HE'S MY BROTHER AND I LOVE HIM.))
[SUPER=01-Marguerite Whitley/Victim's Neighbor;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=and I love him]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A jury is expected to reach a verdict in this murder trial today.
(------------)

[11State-Fair]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-18 TC1:09:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The New "State Fair Park" may draw more people from our area to Henrico County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-ARE Video]

The Atlantic Rural Exposition's virtual tour entices fair-goers with a a nine-acre lake, food, rides and animal presentations.
If approved, the 320-acre site at the intersection of Interstates 295 and 64 will include a multi-lane access road for easy access to parking areas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Now we're building]
((NOW WE'RE BUILDING A YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY CENTER, 250,000 SQUARE FEET OF INDOOR FURNISHED SPACE AND DESIGNING IT FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC.))
[SUPER=01-Otis Brown/ARE President]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=of the public.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

County supervisors are concerned that the site may be better suited for housing or commercial use.
But Brown says "State Fair Park" will still generate the same tax revenue as commercial property without the educational costs of a housing development.
The State Fair committee plans to hold the 2002 fair at the new site.
(------------)

[Pit-Bulls]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A North Carolina man has been fined more than 2-thousand dollars for keeping 73 unlicensed pit bull dogs on land he owns in Franklin County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 99-58 1:56:58]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./April 12]
Tom Garner of Raleigh was cited for keeping unlicensed dogs following an April 12th raid. Police believe the dogs were being trained for fighting. The animals were found chained to trees and car axles. Garner told authorities he was raising the dogs to sell as pets.
(------------)

[11Truck-Thefts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Authorities in Rockbridge County have reportedly made their first arrests in connection with a string of thefts involving tractor trailers.
Two men from Georgia, were arrested last week at the Orchard Creek Auto Plaza in (ray-Phene) Raphine.
Investigators believe the men were planning a tractor- trailer heist at the time of their arrest.
One of the men was also charged with the theft of a tractor trailer from the Lee Hi Travel Plaza back in March.

[1181-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc/sbu]
[TAPE#=00-21 TC47:36]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accidents]

Recent rains caused a few travel problems on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]

State police reported about half a dozen accidents yesterday, including this one at mile marker 162 near Buchanan.

A man driving his family from South Carolina to New Jersey lost control of his van during a storm and overturned in the median.
The driver, his wife and three children were taken to Roanoke hospitals.
Authorities say it appears they'll be OK.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[11Pitts-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=500-16 TC24:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

An accident on the Route 29 by-pass in Pittsylvania County sent at least four people to the hospital.
A charter bus and a pickup truck collided around two yesterday.
Traffic was blocked in both directions for about an hour.
There is no word on the victims' conditions.
Only two people were on the bus- they're doing fine.
(------------)

[Prescription-Drugs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

President Clinton lost a battle to provide prescription drug coverage to millions of older Americans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

House Republicans passed their own version of the prescription- drug bill by a narrow three votes.
Democrats, meanwhile, staged a walk- out to protest the Republican refusal to let them vote on an alternative that involved coverage under Medicare.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:09:23]
[IN Q=The Republican]
((REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT/D- MINORITY LEADER: THE REPUBLICAN PLAN IS A SHAM. IT'S A HOAX. IT'S A POLITICAL FIG LEAF.))

[SUPER=01-Rep. Richard Gephardt/(D) Minority Leader;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=fig leaf.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The 40- BILLION- dollar bill involves both private insurance and federal subsidies, and allows seniors to chose from at least two prescription drug plans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:10:35]
[IN Q=Would you believe]
((WOULD YOU BELIEVE EVERY SIX WEEKS, ABOUT TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS?))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=THOUSAND DOLLARS]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

The G-O-P bill's prospects in the Senate are uncertain, however.
President Clinton says he plans to veto it.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In other health news, an antibiotic used to treat acne may help people who suffer from an incurable disease.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Information: ON CAM A RAY OF HOPE FOR PEOPLE WITH HUNTINGTONS DISEASE- A DEGENERATIVE BRAIN DISEASE THAT HAS NO TREATMENT AND HAS NO CURE.

VT=VO
AN ANTIBIOTIC USED TO TREAT TEENAGE ACNE SLOWED THE PROGRESSION OF HUNTINGTONS .. THE DRUG IS CALLED MINOCYCLINE. HUNTINGTONS DISEASE IS INHERITED AND USUALLY FATAL BY AGE 50.- MINOCYCLINE IS THE FIRST DRUG EVER TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THE DISEASE.

VT=VO
ALSO TODAY- INFERTILITY- A FRUSTRATING PROBLEM- BUT ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY- SOME COUPLES ARE A LITTLE TOO FRUSTRATED- AND RUSHING INTO INFERTILITY TREATMENTS. IN FACT RESEARCHERS SAY - THE OLD RULE OF THUMB- ONE YEAR- IS WAY TOO SHORT A TIME FOR COUPLE S TO DECIDE THERES A PROBLEM. THE STUDY FINDS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WOMEN WHO AREN'T ABLE TO BECOME PREGNANT WITHIN A YEAR- WILL BECOME PREGNANT WITHIN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
ON CAM FINALLY TODAY- SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT IF YOU'RE TRYING TO DROP A FEW POUNDS- GO FOR THE LICORICE. A STUDY FROM THE ENDOCRINE SOCIETY LOOKED AT PEOPLE WHO ATE ABOUT HALF A TWIZZLE STICK -WITH REAL LICORICE IN IT. AND WITHIN TWO MONTHS- THE GROUP LOST A LOT OF BODY FAT COMPARED TO PEOPLE WHO ATE A PLACEBO. ONE BIG CAUTION THOUGH- MORE IS NOT BETTER. TOO MUCH REAL LICORICE CAN RAISE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
A 15 year old Amherst teen is in custody this morning charged with murdering his mother and maliciously wounding his father.
It happened yesterday evening at the family's home.
The teen is being held in a juvenile detention facility.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

A Roanoke man will serve 20 years in prison for killing a friend during a drunken confrontation last November.
Francis Johnson had claimed self-defense, saying he pulled a knife on Donald Harris to protect himself during a fight.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

And mixed reaction from current and former Boy Scout leaders, as they weigh in on the Supreme Court's ruling that the Scouts can NOT be forced to accept gay troop leaders.
The decision passed with a five to four vote.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Thursday, June 29th .
[ANCHOR=Andrew]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Cuban-Boy]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]

Seven months after he was rescued in the waters off Florida, Elian Gonzalez is back home in Cuba.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba;]

Elian arrived last night in a chartered jet.
Family, friends and hundreds of school children greeted the six- year- old boy with hugs and kisses.
[SUPER=03-Dulles Airport;]

Earlier in the day, Elian and his father said goodbye to America.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:01:19]
[IN Q=WE ARE HAPPY]
((JUAN MIGUEL GONZALEZ/ELIAN'S FATHER: WE ARE HAPPY TO GO HOME. THANK YOU.))
[SUPER=01-Juan Miguel Gonzalez/Elian's Father;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=thank you.]
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]

However, the scene was more somber in Miami's Little Havana community.
Cuban protesters gathered into the night around Elian's former home.
[ SOT 3:02:15]
[IN Q=it's a very]
((NINOSKA PEREZ/ACTIVIST: IT'S A VERY SAD DAY, BECAUSE WITH ELIAN'S RETURN, WE JUST WITNESSED A SIX- YEAR- OLD BOY WHO LOST HIS FUTURE.))
[SUPER=01-Ninoska Perez/Activist; ]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=lost his future.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A statement from the Cuban government says Elian will attend a specially prepared boarding school, where his teachers will make him "a model child".
(------------)

[Boy-Scouts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-12]
[GRAPHIC=US Supreme Court]

The Boy Scouts of America can not be forced to accept gay troop leaders.
That's the opinion of the U-S Supreme Court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Bruce (Too-Tin) Tuten is a local scout executive who agrees with the five to four ruling issued yesterday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:25:14]
[IN Q=I think ]
((BRUCE TUTEN: I THINK IT WILL GO DOWN AS A LANDMARK CASE FOR MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO USE INDEFINITELY IN BEING ABLE TO SET STANDARDS FOR MEMBERSHIP.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Tuten/Scout Executive; :00]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=for membership.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The case involved a New Jersey man who sued after he was expelled for being gay.
Sam Garrison is an openly gay attorney in Roanoke-- who's also a former boy scout and leader.
[sot 03:33:26 ]
(////SOT////)
[in q= It's interesting]
((IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTE ALSO THAT THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA DO NOT HAVE SUCH AN EXCLUSIONARY POLICY, SO I THINK THE GIRL SCOUTS ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, THE BOY SCOUTS ARE ON THE WRONG TRACK.))
[SUPER=01-Sam Garrison/Roanoke Attorney; ]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q= wrong track.]
(---------)
[VO-NAT]

The justices said if the Scouts were forced to accept gay troop leaders, it would violate the group's First Amendment rights of free expression and free association.
(------------)

[2-Amherst-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

A 15 year old Amherst teen is in custody this morning charged with murdering his mother and maliciously wounding his father. It happened yesterday evening at the family's home in Amherst.
Authorities say the victims are 41 year old Kathy M. Maddox and 39 year old John C. Maddox.
The teen is also charged with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
He is being held at the Lynchburg Detention Facility without bond.

[11Johnson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-13 TC1:22:13]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Roanoke man will serve time in prison for killing a friend during a drunken confrontation last November.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:27:10]
[IN Q=I'd like to say to the Harris family]
((I'D LIKE TO SAY TO THE HARRIS FAMILY THAT I'M SORRY. I KNOW IT WON'T BRING DONALD BACK, BUT I DIDN'T KILL HIM IN MALICE. AND I'M TRULY SORRY.))
[SUPER=01-Francis Johnson/Defendant]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and I'm truly sorry.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/November;]

Francis Johnson had claimed self-defense, saying he pulled a knife on Donald Harris to protect himself during a fight.
Yesterday in Roanoke Circuit Court, Johnson entered a plea of no contest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:39:43]
[IN Q=We've talked to ]
((TOM BOWERS/PROSECUTOR: WE'VE TALKED TO THE FAMILY AND THEY'RE HEARTBROKEN OVER THIS BECAUSE THEY'VE LOST A SON AND A BROTHER AND BECAUSE THEY'VE LOST A FRIEND TOO. SO THERE ARE NO WINNERS IN THIS SITUATION.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Bowers/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=no winners in this situation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Johnson was convicted of second- degree murder. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison, with half of that time suspended.
(------------)

[Interest-Rate]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Interest Rates]

No surprises from the Federal Reserve Board--
The Fed has decided to keep interest rates the way they are, at least for now.
Anthony Mason has more on the decision, and what it means to you.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :12]
[SUPER=01-Lyle Gramley/Former Fed Governor; :25]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Slifer/Lehman Brothers Economist; :42]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Mason/Reporting; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Anthony Mason, CBS News, New York.]

[11Crandall-Building]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-17 TC1:01:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke Attorney Dan Crandall is going to try again to move his law office downtown.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

This time it's a million- dollar Classic Greek structure that looks more like a courthouse than the courthouses now in use in the Roanoke Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:30:50]
[IN Q=We had a]
((WE HAD A GENTLEMAN COME BY HERE LAST WEEK AND ASKED IF THIS WAS THE NEW COURTHOUSE GOING UP.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Crandall/Attorney]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=courthouse going up.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Crandall poured 250-thousand dollars into renovating an office building at Third and Franklin a decade ago.
That one was demolished to add two lanes to Franklin Road.
The new office on Elm Avenue is supposed to be finished by late Summer.
(------------)

[11Tucker]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Charges against a Christiansburg police officer were dismissed yesterday.
A Radford woman alleged Kevin Tucker sexually abused her during a November visit to her house.
The judge found the evidence lacking.
Tucker has been on paid suspension since the charge was filed.
His attorney said he expects the officer to be fully reinstated.

[11Tultex-Worker]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-14 TC1:38:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Many former Tultex workers are still struggling after the plant closed its doors six months ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake; :00]

But some have turned their struggles into a time to live out a dream.
Peggy Scott worked for Tultex for nearly 28 years before she was laid off.
She always wanted to own her own business.
And so Scott and her sister opened a furniture store at Smith Mountain Lake.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:28:25]
[IN Q=I still have to]
((PEGGY SCOTT/FORMER TULTEX OWNER: I STILL HAVE TO STOP AND THINK. IT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO. I THINK ABOUT IT AND IT'S UNREAL SOME DAYS.))
[SUPER=01-Peggy Scott/Former Tultex Worker;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=unreal some days.]
(-------------)

The store is called Furniture on the Lake and sells Bassett Furniture exclusively.
The sisters will celebrate the store's grand opening this Saturday.
(-------------)

[11Project-Life]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-16 TC1:21:42]
[GRAPHIC=Alzheimer's]

A new device is out to track down Alzheimer's patients who walk away from their homes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

It's called Project Lifesaver and Pittsylvania County is the first county in Virginia to have this program in place.
Officers say it will save lives.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:23:41]
[IN Q=The importance of it]
((HAROLD PLASTER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. SHERIFF: THE IMPORTANCE OF IT IS THE TRANSMITTER. IT'S WORK AS A BRACELET OR ON THE ANKLE. IT'S BATTERY OPERATED AND IT EMITS A SIGNAL.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=emmits a signal.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

There are more than one hundred Alzheimer's patients living in Pittsylvania County.
(---------------)

[11B'burg-Baseball]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-24 TC13:46]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The town of Blacksburg wants to play ball with a new minor league team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Blacksburg town officials recently pitched the idea of starting an Appalachian League team to the owner of the Salem Avalanche.
The town hopes to bring a team to Virginia Tech's English Field for next season ... with a few minor improvements.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:46 - :57]
[IN Q=The town has taken]
((GARY HUFF/BLACKSBURG TOWN MANAGER: THE TOWN HAS TAKEN A POSITION THAT'S BEEN THE REAL CATALYST IN THIS. IT'S OUR DESIRE TO SEE IT HAPPEN. AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO PULL THE RIGHT COMBINATIONS TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. .))
[SUPER=01-Gary Huff/Blacksburg Town Manager; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=make this happen.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Avalanche owner Kelvin Bowles says the idea "has possibilities," but that it's still out in left field.
He and the Carolina League hold territorial rights over Montgomery County ...
So, Blacksburg can't play ball without the go-ahead of the Carolina AND Appalachian Leagues.
(------------)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/AFR]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A 15 year old Amherst teen is charged with murdering his mother and maliciously wounding his father. It happened yesterday evening at the family's home in Amherst. The teen is also charged with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Francis Johnson was convicted of second- degree murder for killing a friend during a drunken confrontation last November.
Johnson had claimed self-defense, saying he pulled a knife on Donald Harris to protect himself during a fight.

He was sentenced to twenty years in prison, with half of that time suspended.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A new device is out to track down Alzheimer's patients who walk away from their homes.
It's called Project Lifesaver and Pittsylvania County is the first county in Virginia to have this program in place.
Officers say it will save lives.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
(Andrew mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Andrew ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Roanoke]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=News 7 at 6]
(-------------)
[Kimberly and Andrew] (ad lib bye) (toss)