WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 09/27/00

[Boty-shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]
Botetourt County authorites are holding a 51 year old man on charges that he killed his brother and wounded his nephew. Sheriff's officials say Elbert Barry Etzler shot and killed 46-year old Hugh Bradner Etzler, and seriously wounded 18-year-old Hugh Bradner Etzler junior. Officials say Hugh Etzler junior called the Sheriff's department following the shooting, and they believe the shooting stemmed from a long standing family dispute. Hugh Etzler Junior is being treated at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[7-11Funeral]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-24 TC1:48:05]
[GRAPHIC=Cafe Shooting]

Danny Lee Overstreet's funeral is scheduled for today. Meantime, two people remain in the hospital, recovering from wounds from Friday night's shooting at the Backstreet Cafe.
One woman is listed in very serious condition... one man is in stable condition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, expressions of sympathy and support for Danny Overstreet and those who were injured continued to draw people to the sidewalk outside the cafe.
But on the eve of Overstreet's funeral there was also concern, with the news that the Reverend Fred Phelps and followers are planning to picket his funeral.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:49:17]
[IN Q=Fred Phelps is coming to the funeral]
((FRED PHELPS IS COMING TO THE FUNERAL SERVICE TO TRY TO PROVOKE A CONFRONTATION WITH ANYONE WHO WILL GIVE HIM ONE. AND IT'S CRITICALY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE DON'T ENGAGE FRED PHELPS IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE AS HE'S PICKETING THE SERVICE.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Hawes/Gay & Lesbian Task Force]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=picketing the service.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other, local, community groups are hoping that Roanokers will make a statement with Thursday night's vigil and march beginning in Elmwood Park.

(------------)[7-11Overstreet]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-25 TC2:01:23]
[GRAPHIC=Cafe Shooting]
Hundreds of Danny Overstreet's former co-workers plan to attend his funeral service, angered by the possible presence of anti-gay groups there.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Dozens at Verizon Virginia workers wore white ribbons in honor of Overstreet.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Flowers and cards were placed on his desk in tribute.
Many say his lifestyle should not have been a motive for murder.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc: 14:53:40]
[IN Q=Danny's just a]
((ANDREA SMITH/OVERSTREET'S CO-WORKER: DANNY'S JUST A REAL OUTGOING LOVING PERSON. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH DANNY, WE ALL LOVED HIM.))
[SUPER=01-Andrea Smith/Overstreet's Co-Worker]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=all loved him.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Verizon Virginia is setting up a special fund for Overstreet's family.
Hundreds of donations from across the country have already arrived.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Taking a break from the news now to check the forecast.
Sunny and warmer today with highs near 70.
Clear and cool tonight...

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[Montgomery-fire]
[Anchor=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUTIN]
[WRITER=KTH]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

A house fire in Montgomery county last night has landed a man in jail.
Thirty-one year old James Edward Hardin was arrested and charged with arson after a dispute with his girlfriend.

Investigators say the fire destroyed the residence on Winesap Road.

Hardin is being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond. [45-11Power-Plant]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-36 TC39:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Henry county hopes that a new plan will energize the local economy.
A power company has set its sights on the Axton Community.
Last night, residents voiced their opinions in a public hearing and the Board of Supervisors voted to rezone the property.
Surae Chinn has more-
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A unanimous vote]
[SUPER=01-Chelisa Elmore/Against Power Plant; :19]
[SUPER=01-Chip Olson/Cogentrix; 1:10 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Randolph Dyer/For Power Plant; 1:21]
[SUPER=@Surae2; 1:35]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=New7, Henry County.]
(( A unanimous vote, will change part of the Axton Community from a rural to an industrial area.
But before the board's approval residents spoke out against the proposed power plant in their neighborhood.
Chelisa Elmore goes to school about three miles from the proposed site. She worries about a possible accidents.
[SOT 59:02]
((CHELISA ELMORE/AGAINST PLANT: IN 1987-2000 THERE WERE 42 DEATHS AND 209 INJURIES AND 250 MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE THAT'S WHY I DON'T WANT IT TO BE BUILT.)) [RUNS13]
Some were concerned about health and environmental safety others were just confused.
[SOT 1:17:42]
((SOMEONE PLEASE TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON CONCERNED WHERE THE LINE EXISTS.)) [RUNS:09]
The site is near the Axton substation in the Iriswood district. Cogentrix says the plant would be environmentally safe and fueled by natural gas, the closest house would be about 35 hundred feet away and the schools between 2 to 10 miles.
[SOT 50:52]
((CHIP OLSON/COGENTRIX: THIS WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS NATURAL BUFFER.)) [RUNS:05]
Some residents who spoke agree and say there are many other benefits to the power plant.
[SOT 1:22:27]
((RANDOLPH DYER/FOR PROPOSED POWER PLANT:THE TAX BASE WOULD INCREASE, JOBS WOULD INCREASE AND WE NEED ELECTRIC POWER IN THE US.)) [RUNS:06]
The plant would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue. It would also create about 40 new jobs-- with a yearly salary of 50 thousand dollars. Still, the project needs to meet a host of state and federal regulations. The corporation hopes to start construction in one year. Surae Chinn, News7, Henry County.))
(----------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Let's take another look now at your mid- week forecast...
After a chilly morning, we'll see milder temperatures this afternoon.
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[M'Ville-Murder]

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

Martinsville Police are at the scene of a shooting that happened last night. Police say a woman was shot dead in a store on Walnut Street around 7. She was found near the cash register. Police are not releasing any other details at this time. An autospy is scheduled for today.

[45-Boty-shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]
Botetourt County authorites are holding a 51 year old man on charges that he killed his brother and wounded his nephew. Sheriff's officials say Elbert Barry Etzler shot and killed 46-year old Hugh Bradner Etzler, and seriously wounded 18-year-old Hugh Bradner Etzler junior. Officials believe the shooting stemmed from a long standing family dispute.

[7-11Tanner-Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-28 TC1:50:03]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A couple who held a Wythe County husband and wife hostage for nine hours last spring still face additional charges..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville/Last Spring;]

21-year-old Angel Tanner and her 38-year-old boyfriend, Dennis Lewis, pled guilty yesterday to abduction, carjacking and a slew of other charges.
He got four life sentences because of prior felonies.
She faces a minimum of 23 years, when she's sentenced in January.
The charges stem from a two-day crime spree that began when they overpowered officers in Tennessee.
It ended at the home of the Wythe County couple.
Ricky and Toni Sexton were held for nine hours, before authorities coaxed the drugged fugitives out safely.
Tanner and Lewis still face Tennessee charges.
(------------)

[8-11Commerce-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC54:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Finally, a green light for a high- tech Commerce Park in Pulaski county.
The project will involve a dozen cities and counties in the area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin/September 15;]

Pulaski County Supervisors approved rezoning land for the park from rural to industrial.
Some neighbors had worried about environmental problems from industries the park would attract.
The park joins 12 jurisdictions from Roanoke to Bland County.
It's intended to bring major hi-tech companies to the region.
(------------)

[8-11Bramblett]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Bramblett]

Although convicted killer Earl Bramblett's scheduled for execution in seven weeks, his pursuit of an appeal will likely delay his death.
A judge set Bramblett's execution date for November 14th.
A Roanoke County jury decided Bramblett should die for the 1994 arson and murder of the Hodges family.
Though Bramblett has exhausted his direct appeal for a new trial, his lawyers will now pursue the issue in federal court. So he undoubtedly will NOT be executed in November.

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Checking the forecast now--
A cool morning will be followed by a warm, sunny afternoon.
Look for highs around 70...
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