[7-Saunders]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC1:36:56]
[GRAPHIC=USS Cole]
Funeral arrangements have been made for a Southside native who died aboard the USS Cole.
17 sailors dies, 39 others were injured and 240 were left behind to save their crippled ship.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk]
President Clinton and the U-S military paid them tribute yesterday at Norfolk Naval Station, the home port of the U-S-S Cole.
More than a hundred family members of Timothy Lamont Saunders attended.
The wife, daughters, parents, and sister of Pittsylvania County's own fallen hero even got a semi-private audience with the President.
The cousins talked to us about their memories of "Tim."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape one 10:03:35]
[IN Q=He was a good]
((KELVIN CAPLE/SAUNDERS' COUSIN: HE WAS A GOOD PERSON. HE WAS A STRONG PERSON. DIDN'T EVER LET HIS EMOTIONS OUT... GOOD MAN. GOOD MAN.))
[SUPER=01-Kelvin Caple/Saunders' Cousin;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=good man. DOUBLE OUT!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Colonel Olin Saunders is thinking NOT just of his cousin, but what his death means in a dangerous world.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 10:59:47]
[IN Q=People who]
((COL. OLIN SAUNDERS/SAUNDERS' COUSIN: PEOPLE WHO CHOSE THIS METHOD... KNOW OUR WEAKNESSES... BUT WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER AND I THINK WE WILL DO BETTER.))11
[sot TAPE ONE 10:05:29 ]
((JOYCE WATKINS/SAUNDERS' COUSIN: IT'S STILL LIKE AN OPEN BOOK TO US THAT WE HAVE NO BODY OR ANYTHING TO SEE. AND I THINK THAT IF WE HAD A BODY THAT WE COULD SEE IT WOULD BE A CLOSED CHAPTER.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Olin Saunders/Saunders' Cousin; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joyce Watkins/Saunders' Cousin; :12]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=closed chapter.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Speaker after speaker at yesterday's memorial service vowed the last chapter would be hunting down the terrorists and bringing them to justice.
(------------)
[TALENT=]
[SS=none]
The Saunders family expects Timothy Saunders' remains to be returned to the Danville area before a Friday night memorial service in Chatham.
A funeral has been scheduled for Saturday in Ringgold.
[7-Census-VA]
[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A federal court has dismissed Virginia's plan to use an exact population count to re-draw political districts.
The General Assembly passed a law this year prohibiting the use of sampling.
Yesterday's unanimous decision by the U.S. District Court for D-C means Virginia still has to get Justice Department approval before enforcing that law.
[7-Corporal-Punishment]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A regulation has been delayed on whether foster parents are allowed to spank, hit or shake children in a "non-abusive" way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The State Board of Social Services voted yesterday that the issue warranted further review by an ad hoc committee.
The regulation, which permits punishment including hitting, pinching and binding of children that is QUOTE "not abusive," WOULD have gone into effect next month.
Now, it's delayed until July 2001, after the committee has made its recommendation.
Children's advocacy groups say they're pleased with the board's decision.
(------------)
[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 breezy today, with pleasant highs in the lower 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Sunny/Breezy/70-74/Clear/Calm Wind/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[45-Whitmire]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-40]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Vinton woman was found NOT guilty of felony child neglect in the case of a 2-year-old who died while in her care.
Prosecutors said Leni Whitmire was criminally negligent when she left the child alone May 30th.
Yesterday, the jury disagreed, and took less than a half hour to determine her fate.
Meredyth Censullo has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Alexander/Roanoke Co. Prosecutor; :15]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/May 31; :28]
[SUPER=01-Tim Wilson/Haley's Father; :55]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1;1:17]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=mce, News7.]
((Leni Whitmire left the Roanoke County courthouse in Salem a free woman.
After deliberating just a few minutes, a jury decided Whitmire was NOT criminally negligent in the drowning death of 2 year old Haley Wilson back in May.
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was a...]
((JOHN ALEXANDER/PROSECUTOR: IT WAS A RELATIVELY COMPLICATED CASE, IT WAS A DIFFICULT CASE, ITS A TRAGIC CASE...WE TRIED IT TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND THE JURY MADE THEIR DECISION AND I'M GONNA RESPECT THAT AND LEAVE IT ALONE AT THAT.))
[RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=alone at that.]
John Alexander tried to prove Whitmire was negligent for not keeping a closer eye on the six children in her care that day.
To prove that point, prosecutors relied on Wilma Hurst - who testified when she dropped off her own child at Whitmire's house that morning two little boys were on the deck of the pool unsupervised.
Ironically... as Hurst left she says she told Whitmire she needed to fix the latch on the gate to the pool saying her worst fear was that a child would drown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I don't think...]
((TIM WILSON/HALEY'S FATHER: I DON'T THINK A GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY VERDICT WOULD REALLY HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING...HALEY'S GONE AND THAT'S THAT.))
[RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=that's that.]
Haley's father, Tim Wilson, says he's satisfied in knowing Whitmire will have to live the rest of her life knowing his little girl died in her care.
Haley's mother, Jessica Rederick cried throughout the day but was emotionless as she left the courthouse...
MEREDYTH CENSULLO/REPORTING: Both Rederick and Leni Whitmire refused to comment on the verdict as they left the courtroom. Meredyth Censullo News7.))
(-------------)
[45-Sales-Tax]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-36 TC1:04:10]
[GRAPHIC=Taxes]
A proposed sales tax increase will be on the ballot in Lynchburg next month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Lynchburg]
The increase would help raise about 100-million dollars over the next ten years- it would pay for school repairs and improvements.
Supporters and opponents disagree over whether that's the only way to come up with cash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:13:11//12:42:03]
[IN Q=We want to]
((CARL HUTCHERSON/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT LYNCHBURG AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA DOES ITS PART TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO BE THE VERY BEST THAT WE CAN BE.))
((MARY ANN KERR/CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE TAXATION: IS IT NOT MORE REASONABLE TO BRING IN OUTSIDE AUDITS AND EXPLORE REASONABLE BELT- TIGHTENING BEFORE WE GO DOWN THIS PATH?))
[SUPER=201-Carl Hutcherson/Lynchburg Mayor; :00]
[SUPER=201-Mary Ann Kerr/Citizens for Responsible Taxation; :11]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=down this path.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Residents will vote next month on whether to ask for a change in the city's charter that would allow the sales tax increase.
If it passes, another referendum on the increase itself would be held next year.
(------------)
[45WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Shifting gears now to weather--
Those fall leaves will blow around a bit today...sunny and breezy with highs in the 70s...
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Sunny/Breezy/70-74/Clear/Calm Wind/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[8-Visitors-Bur]
[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-34 TC1:06:48]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Roanoke Valley planners see a future with young athletes...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau says youth sporting events give local business a boost.
While kids play, parents will pay for food, accommodations and entertainment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The money that's]
((DAVE KJOLHEDE/CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: THE MONEY THAT'S GENERATED SUPPORTS JOBS, GENERATES TAX REVENUE, HELPS KEEP TAXES DOWN FOR LOCAL PEOPLE. IF TAXES ARE COMING FROM THE VISITOR, YOU'LL HAVE LESS TAXES TO PAY AS A LOCAL RESIDENT.))
[SUPER=01-Dave Kjolhede/Convention and Visitors Bureau]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=a local resident.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bureau's new marketing campaign centers around a sports venue guide.
Event organizers across the country will receive the brochure- which is filled with tournament site information.
The bureau says sporting events like the Commonwealth Games and the upcoming Big South Basketball tournament are part of an untapped niche for the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)
[8-Publishers-Clearinghouse]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-60 TC1:46:07]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
You may have to "enter to win"...but a Gretna man may get his Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes money from the courts...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gretna/March 31]
Leonard Turner filed a 12-million dollar claim in federal court, after dutifully sending in his sweepstakes entries for 12 years without ever winning what he says he was promised.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[SS=none]
Publisher's Clearinghouse moved for a summary judgment.
Judge Sam Wilson denied that, and sent the case to Illinois where Publisher's Clearinghouse has entered into a settlement with other disgruntled sweepstakes players.
[8-Young]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Rickey Young]
A judge says he doesn't believe attorney Rickey Young's claim of vindictive prosecution...
The Martinsville lawyer alleges he's the victim of selective enforcement- -that the feds went after him because he represents Roanoke police officer Fred Pledge.
But Judge James Jones says Young's allegations are "insufficient" to require a hearing on the matter.
Though Young is an experienced trial lawyer, he'll have to rely on HIS attorney in court. The judge has ruled Young will NOT be allowed to question witnesses or make his own closing argument to the jury.
Trial in the tax evasion case is set to begin Tuesday.
[8-Meningitis-Shots]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Virginia Tech is working to protect its students against diseases like meningitis and the flu...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Virginia Tech/File Tape]
Today, the University's health center is sponsoring an immunization program for the students.
The cost - 75 dollars for the meningitis shot and 10 dollars for the flu shot.
The health center will also offer the first dose of the Hepatitis B Shot for 45 dollars.
The immunizations will take place in the Squires Student Center, in the Commonwealth Ballroom from 11 am to 7 pm.
(-------------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Last school year four local college students contracted meningitis, 3 at Radford, and 1 at Virginia Tech.
(------------)
[8WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Checking your Thursday forecast now--
Sunny and breezy with highs in the lower 70s...
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Sunny/Breezy/70-74/Clear/Calm Wind/40-45;]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
by SS