[7-Fire-Prevention]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-46; 13:15]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fires]

[**NOTE ANCHOR TAG**] Several forest fires burning throughout the state are being fueled by dry conditions, and one in the Shenandoah National Park has now consumed more than 13-thousand acres. A smaller fire in Craig County kept crews busy over the weekend. Kate Weidaw reports, because of the high threat of forest fires, everyone who enjoys the outdoors needs to be on guard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Elmore/National Forest Service;:09]
[SUPER=01-Denny McCarthy/Department of Forestry;:57]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:05]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=kw news7 Craig Co.]


(([NAT SOUND WORKERS AT HOT SPOTS]
[RUNS= 3]


62 acres on Blue Knob Mountain in Craig County are getting mopped up from a fire that began on Friday.

[SOT 15:38:20]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE/FOREST SERVICE: WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ARE HOT SPOTS ANYWHERE NEAR THE LINE IF THE WIND GETS UP.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]


[NAT SOUND RACKING]
[RUNS= 2]


A crew of 20 were called in from Idaho to help in the cleanup .. Along with a Forest Service helicopter that has dumped more then 32-thousand gallons of water here since Saturday. Although this is considered a small forest fire, the threat for others is high.

[SOT 15:38:59]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE: THE LEAVES AND THE GROUND ARE EXTREMELY DRY ANY FIRE THE FOLKS ARE DOING RUN A REAL RISK OF LETTING IT GET AWAY FROM THEM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


That's why the Forest Service is considering at state wide ban on burning. Even without a ban, they say there are alternatives to burning homeowners need to look in to.

[SOT 15:23:07]
[INQ=]

((DENNY MCCARTHY/FOREST SERVICE: BUILD A BRUSH PILE FOR WILD LIFE THAT'S ONE WAY TO USE THAT MATERIAL FOR GOOD PURPOSES, DRAG IT OFF TO A CORNER OF THE WOODS INSTEAD OF PILING IT AND BURNING IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


So until the rain showers return the Forest Service says they're preparing for the possibility of a long fire season. Kate Weidaw News7 Craig County.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Although a statewide burning ban has NOT been put in to effect...Bedford, Franklin, Allegheny, Patrick and Montgomery counties are all under countywide burning bans.



[7-Voter-ID]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-40; 53:17]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign2000]

Despite a law passed by lawmakers, you can still vote tomorrow if you forget your I-D.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 99-53 41:53]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]


Earlier this year lawmakers passed a bill requiring voters to show an I-D before voting.
But officials say if you forget it... all you need to do is sign your name.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:44:14]
[IN Q=the bottom]

((BRIAN SHEPPARD: THE BOTTOM LINE IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN ID YOU CAN SIGN YOUR NAME AND THAT'S ENOUGH TO VOTE, IF YOU WALK TO THE POLLS AND FORGET YOUR ID IF YOU DON'T DRIVE AND DON'T HAVE AN ID YOU CAN SIGN YOUR NAME YOU CAN VOTE.))
[SUPER=01-Brian Sheppard/Roanoke Democratic Party Pres.]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=can vote.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The polls open at 6 tomorrow morning and close at 7 PM.
(------------)




[7WEATHER]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Turning your attention now to the forecast---


We'll start off with sunshine...then end up with cloudy and a possibility of rain by tonight.
Highs near 60...

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Increasing Clouds/58-62/Cloudy/Chance of Rain/43-47;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]




[SUPER=746-AP declares George Allen winner for US Senate;]

[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[45-Ronald-Gay]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-28 TC 1:59:04]
[GRAPHIC=Ronald Gay]

A Roanoke grand jury is expected to take up murder and firearms charges against Ronald Gay today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September]


Gay is charged with opening fire inside the Backstreet Cafe in September.
Danny Lee Overstreet died and 6 others were wounded in the attack apparently intended to kill homosexuals.
If convicted - Gay faces seven life terms behind bars.
(------------)





[45-Fire-Prevention]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-46; 13:15]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fires]

[**NOTE ANCHOR TAG**] A total of 189 wildfires have charred nearly 3-thousand acres of private forest since the middle of October. But dry conditions in Virginia are also helping fuel the flames of several forest fires burning throughout the state - including one in the Shenandoah National Park which now covers more than 13-thousand acres. A smaller fire in Craig County kept crews busy over the weekend. Kate Weidaw reports, because of the high threat of forest fires, everyone who enjoys the outdoors needs to be on guard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Elmore/National Forest Service;:09]
[SUPER=01-Denny McCarthy/Department of Forestry;:57]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:05]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=kw news7 Craig Co.]


(([NAT SOUND WORKERS AT HOT SPOTS]
[RUNS= 3]


62 acres on Blue Knob Mountain in Craig County are getting mopped up from a fire that began on Friday.

[SOT 15:38:20]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE/FOREST SERVICE: WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ARE HOT SPOTS ANYWHERE NEAR THE LINE IF THE WIND GETS UP.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]


[NAT SOUND RACKING]
[RUNS= 2]


A crew of 20 were called in from Idaho to help in the cleanup .. Along with a Forest Service helicopter that has dumped more then 32-thousand gallons of water here since Saturday. Although this is considered a small forest fire, the threat for others is high.

[SOT 15:38:59]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE: THE LEAVES AND THE GROUND ARE EXTREMELY DRY ANY FIRE THE FOLKS ARE DOING RUN A REAL RISK OF LETTING IT GET AWAY FROM THEM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


That's why the Forest Service is considering at state wide ban on burning. Even without a ban, they say there are alternatives to burning homeowners need to look in to.

[SOT 15:23:07]
[INQ=]

((DENNY MCCARTHY/FOREST SERVICE: BUILD A BRUSH PILE FOR WILD LIFE THAT'S ONE WAY TO USE THAT MATERIAL FOR GOOD PURPOSES, DRAG IT OFF TO A CORNER OF THE WOODS INSTEAD OF PILING IT AND BURNING IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


So until the rain showers return the Forest Service says they're preparing for the possibility of a long fire season. Kate Weidaw News7 Craig County.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Although a statewide burning ban has NOT been put in to effect...Bedford, Franklin, Allegheny, Patrick and Montgomery counties are all under countywide burning bans.



[45WEATHER]


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


Taking a break from the news now to check the forecast...
Mostly sunny, with increasing clouds later today and a cool high near 60.


[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Increasing Clouds/58-62/Cloudy/Chance of Rain/43-47;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[8-Bedford-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


A single- car accident claims the life of one person and seriously injures another in Bedford. State Police say Robert Raymond Brooks, Jr - of Lynchburg - was exiting the Blue Ridge Parkway on to Route 43 yesterday afternoon when he apparently failed to break for a curve. His vehicle slid off the road, struck several trees and landed upside-down. Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife - who was a passenger in the car - was taken to Roanoke Memorial with serious injuries.

[8-Fire-Prevention]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-46; 13:15]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fires]

[**NOTE ANCHOR TAG**]
While there is a chance of rain in the forecast, all the recent dry weather has already damaged the state's forests.
More than 13- thousand acres are burning in the Shenandoah National Park.
Kate Weidaw says it's important for people to think safety first when spending time outdoors.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Elmore/National Forest Service;:09]
[SUPER=01-Denny McCarthy/Department of Forestry;:57]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:05]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=kw news7 Craig Co.]


(([NAT SOUND WORKERS AT HOT SPOTS]
[RUNS= 3]


62 acres on Blue Knob Mountain in Craig County are getting mopped up from a fire that began on Friday.

[SOT 15:38:20]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE/FOREST SERVICE: WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ARE HOT SPOTS ANYWHERE NEAR THE LINE IF THE WIND GETS UP.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]


[NAT SOUND RACKING]
[RUNS= 2]


A crew of 20 were called in from Idaho to help in the cleanup .. Along with a Forest Service helicopter that has dumped more then 32-thousand gallons of water here since Saturday. Although this is considered a small forest fire, the threat for others is high.

[SOT 15:38:59]
[INQ=]

((STEVE ELMORE: THE LEAVES AND THE GROUND ARE EXTREMELY DRY ANY FIRE THE FOLKS ARE DOING RUN A REAL RISK OF LETTING IT GET AWAY FROM THEM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


That's why the Forest Service is considering at state wide ban on burning. Even without a ban, they say there are alternatives to burning homeowners need to look in to.

[SOT 15:23:07]
[INQ=]

((DENNY MCCARTHY/FOREST SERVICE: BUILD A BRUSH PILE FOR WILD LIFE THAT'S ONE WAY TO USE THAT MATERIAL FOR GOOD PURPOSES, DRAG IT OFF TO A CORNER OF THE WOODS INSTEAD OF PILING IT AND BURNING IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]


So until the rain showers return the Forest Service says they're preparing for the possibility of a long fire season. Kate Weidaw News7 Craig County.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Although a statewide burning ban has NOT been put in to effect...Bedford, Franklin, Allegheny, Patrick and Montgomery counties are all under countywide burning bans.



[8-21-day]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales 4068]

The Virginia Supreme Court has set a November 13th deadline to hear comments about a proposed change to Virginia's 21-day rule. The rule prohibits Virginia courts from considering new evidence 21 or more days after judgment in a case. Instead, the court would set a higher standard for evidence to be heard, and do away with the 21 day rule.


[8WEATHER]


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


Before we wrap up this morning, here's one more look at the forecast.
We'll see a bit of everything today...sunshine early, then clouds, and possibly some rain.



[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Increasing Clouds/58-62/Cloudy/Chance of Rain/43-47;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
by SS