[7-11Minor-Relatives]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-36 TC36:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Family members of a Roanoke man killed earlier this month in a traffic accident blame the police.
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[VO-NAT]
James (Mickey) "Meekey" Minor died when his motorcycle collided with a car.
Roanoke Police admit they were pursuing Minor the morning of the crash but say they broke off the chase well before the accident.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Yesterday-- Minor's aunt and brothers spoke with NEWS 7.
They say they've had problems with Roanoke police for years... and believe the accident was a vendetta against their family.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:28:00/00:21:39 ]
[IN Q=What is it]
((ERIC MINOR/BROTHER: WHAT IS IT, IS IT OPEN SEASON ON THE MINORS I THINK SO, I JUST WISH IT HAD STOPPED BEFORE IT EVER CAME TO MICKEY, IF THEY WANTED ME, THEY SHOULD'VE DEALT WITH ME.
MARGARET PATTERSON/AUNT: ALL I WANT IS ANSWERS, ALL I NEED IS JUSTICE, PLEASE HELP ME GET IT.))
[SUPER=01-Eric Minor/Brother; :00]
[SUPER=01-Margaret Patterson/Aunt; :09]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=get it.]
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[VO-NAT]
Family members say people, who would NOT reveal their names, have approached them saying police did NOT break off the chase and that the officer actually struck Minor's motorcycle.
(-------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=none]
Roanoke police say the allegations are false... and that the city will reveal evidence later this week that will exonerate the department.
They also note that about two weeks before his death-- Minor was arrested for eluding police and driving on a suspe
nded license.[7-11Race-relations]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-26 TC1:49:09]
[GRAPHIC=Race Relations]
Minor's family says this is not a racial issue.
Meanwhile, city officials renewed their commitment to better race relations in the city by joining 200 cities recognizing "Un-doing Racism" day.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Yesterday, Mayor Ralph Smith and Council Member Bill Bestpitch offered their promise to promote positive relationships among races in the city.
Bestpitch says the city has a long way to go in its fight to end racism.
But, he says, things are happening.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The city has]
((BILL BESTPITCH/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: THE CITY HAS ALSO DONE SEVERAL WORKSHOPS ON PROMOTING MULTICULTURAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION WITHIN THE CITY. SO THINGS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Bestpitch/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=going to continue.]
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[VO-NAT]
Members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference came to hear the city's resolution.
They say the resolution is a positive step toward reaching a racial understanding.
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[7-11Pitts-Ax]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC45:17]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
Two people were trapped for nearly an hour in a Pittsylvania County auto accident.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]
It happened around seven last night on Route 29 near Chatham when a car pulled into the path of a Jeep.
Two people were trapped in the car and were taken to Danville Regional Medical Center, as was one person in the jeep.
No word on the severity of their injuries. State Police say charges are pending.
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[7WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Taking a moment now to check the Thursday forecast...
Morning showers are likely...then turning mostly sunny with highs in the mid 70s.,
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[SUPER=314-Showers Likely/Mostly Sunny/73-77/Becoming/Mostly Clear/50-54;]
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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[45-11Mason-Dixon]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=500-13 TC54:58]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Republican George -W- Bush is leading the presidential race in Virginia, according to the latest statewide poll.
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[VO-NAT]
In a News7 Mason Dixon poll out yesterday, Bush has the support of 49-percent of state voters, while 39-percent back Gore.
One percent are for Green Party nominee Ralph Nader, one percent support Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan, and ten percent remain undecided.
The gender gap remains, with Bush winning an extra 21 percentage points among men and Gore leading by a one percent margin among women.
80 percent of black voters favor Gore.
57 percent of whites back Bush.
(------------)
[45-11Road-Plan]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-27 TC1:20:55]
[GRAPHIC=Highway Improvements]
A new state transportation plan centers on Northern Virginia's roads, but the rest of Virginia will also benefit.
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[VO-NAT]
90 stalled projects around the state have gotten a green light in Virginia's new 11-hundred project, six year transportation plan.
The 10 BILLION dollar plan represents the first time state general fund money goes to road, transit, port, and airport projects.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:48:42]
[IN Q=It uses]
((CHIP NOTTINGHAM/VDOT COMMISSIONER: IT USES AND FACTORS IN THE ROLE OF INFLATION IN THE OUT YEARS. WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT LESSENS THE POTENTIAL THAT WE'LL EVER HAVE TO GO BACK TO A LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SAY SORRY THE NUMBER CHANGED. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO YOUR PROJECT NEXT YEAR AS WE THOUGHT. SO THOSE SITUATIONS WE HOPE TO PUT WAY BACK IN OUR HISTORY AND MOVE ON TO A BRIGHT FUTURE OF SOLID PLANNING, REAL NUMBERS.))
[SUPER=01-Chip Nottingham/VDOT Commissioner;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=solid planning, real numbers.]
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[VO-NAT]
Just this week, V-DOT announced the state's biggest road project, the Springfield Mixing Bowl, was now 54 percent more expensive than the public was told two years ago.
The public gets a say on the new "six-year plan" in public hearings in Roanoke and Richmond on October 5th.
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[45-11kickball]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC1:40:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Kickball is not just a kids game anymore.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The game is making a comeback with a group of young professionals in Blacksburg.
The playground sport combines the rules of softball and dodgeball.
Virginia Tech graduate Heather McElrath started the group after hearing about others in northern Virginia and Washington, D-C.
Participants say the game is a perfect combination of fun and exercise... and it's better the second time around.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=There's no stress]
[10:58 - 11:08]
((HEATHER McELRATH: THERE'S NO STRESS. THERE'S LITTLE COMPETITION. IT'S JUST A LOT MORE FUN. AND SUPPOSEDLY IT DOESN'T TAKE AS MUCH ENERGY. I DON'T QUITE BELIEVE THAT ONE YET.))
[13:58 - 14:05]
((WINSTON MATTHEWS: THE BALL IS A LOT SMALLER, THE BASES ARE A LOT EASIER TO RUN TO AND I'M A LITTLE BIT MORE SCARED WHEN PEOPLE THROW THE BALL AT ME.))
[SUPER=01-Heather McElrath/Team Organizer; :00]
[SUPER=01-Winston Matthews/Kickball Enthusiast; :11]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=ball at me.]
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[VO-NAT]
There are ten players in Blacksburg- but organizers say they need more teams so they can compete.
(------------)
[45WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Shifting gears now to weather--
Showers likely this morning, then skies will become mostly sunny for the afternoon.
Look for cooler highs in the 70s.
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[SUPER=314-Showers Likely/Mostly Sunny/73-77/Becoming/Mostly Clear/50-54;]
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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[8-11Minor-Relatives]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-36 TC36:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A Roanoke family is blaming a fatal accident on police--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
James (Mickey) "Meekey" Minor died when his motorcycle collided with a car.
Roanoke Police admit they were pursuing Minor the morning of the crash but say they broke off the chase well before the accident.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Yesterday-- Minor's aunt and brothers spoke with NEWS 7.
They say they've had problems with Roanoke police for years... and believe the accident was a vendetta against their family.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:28:00/00:21:39 ]
[IN Q=What is it]
((ERIC MINOR/BROTHER: WHAT IS IT, IS IT OPEN SEASON ON THE MINORS I THINK SO, I JUST WISH IT HAD STOPPED BEFORE IT EVER CAME TO MICKEY, IF THEY WANTED ME, THEY SHOULD'VE DEALT WITH ME.
MARGARET PATTERSON/AUNT: ALL I WANT IS ANSWERS, ALL I NEED IS JUSTICE, PLEASE HELP ME GET IT.))
[SUPER=01-Eric Minor/Brother; :00]
[SUPER=01-Margaret Patterson/Aunt; :09]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=get it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Family members say people, who would NOT reveal their names, have approached them saying police did NOT break off the chase and that the officer actually struck Minor's motorcycle.
(-------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=none]
Roanoke police say the allegations are false... and that the city will reveal evidence later this week that will exonerate the department.
They also note that about two weeks before his death-- Minor was arrested for eluding police and driving on a suspe
nded license.[8-11County-Police]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=00-33 TC48:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Police officers often encounter violent situations brought on by people with mental illness.
But the Roanoke county police department says proper training can prevent violent incidents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Roanoke County is starting a new program called Crisis Intervention Team.
C-I-T is an intense training program that educates officers about mental illness and the effects some medicines can have on behavior.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=some of]
[SUPER=01-Tom Kincaid/Roanoke Co. Police; :00]
[super=01-Dr. Lola Byrd/Lewis Gale Clinic; :13]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=not a crime]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
C-I-T also creates a partnership between the police and mental health care providers which they say better serves the community.
The County has invited members of Roanoke City, Salem, and Vinton law enforcement agencies to take part in the week long training program in October.
(------------)
[8WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Before we wrap up this morning, here's another look at the forecast.
It'll be wet early, so take an umbrella.
Then mostly sunny this afternoon with highs in the mid 70s,
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by SS