WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 09/05/01

[1-News-Head]

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith]

Three weeks after Betty Jo McNeil disappeared, she's back in Botetourt, facing criminal charges. We're live from Fincastle with the details tonight.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]

And an assistant police chief avoids criminal charges in a potential drunk driving case.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on the Big 7, KJ Hippensteel checks back into Roanoke after a stop over at the US Open. We'll meet Ferrum's player of the year on the gridiron.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And thanks to Bridgewater and quarterback Jason Lutz, the ODAC is getting some national recognition this week.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Winds shear kills Tropical storm Erin and easterly winds in the mid Atlantic may bring clouds tomorrow. Details just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 3-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A Botetourt County woman who disappeared last month is back home tonight.
But now Betty Jo McNeil faces an embezzlement charge.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
Shannon Young is off tonight.

[McNeil]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#01-31 TC1:02:10]
[GRAPHIC=McNeil]

McNeil left for the library on August 13-th but never returned home.
Friends and family have been looking for her ever since whil authorities quietly investigated the possibility she embezzled money from a local 4-H club.
[Double Boxes=Keith and JoeD/Starlink]

Joe Dashiell is in Fincastle tonight with more on Betty Jo McNeil's return and the criminal charge she now faces.
[Live=JoeD Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
[SUPER=06-Fincastle;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: where she was.)
[***ROLLED FROM STARLINK***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Betty Jo McNeil]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Phillips/McNeil's Attorney; :15]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Sprinkle/Botetourt Co. Sheriff; :46]
[RUNS=:57]
[OUT Q=back home and everything's all right.]
(-------------)
[Live=JoeD Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=06-Fincastle;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith and JoeD/Starlink]

[Simmington]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC1:54:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A special prosecutor says he will NOT bring charges against the Martinsville Police Department's second-in-command.
The announcement follows a month-long investigation into drunk driving allegations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

State police say Major Clarence (SIME-ing-ton) Simmington smelled of alcohol when they found him asleep in his severely damaged pickup truck on August 8th.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]

Special prosecutor Don Caldwell says he agrees with the state police's decision not to charge Simmington because there was no crash site, no injuries and no witnesses.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=The charge would be]
[SOT 23:47:58 - 23:48:15]
((DON CALDWELL/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: THE CHARGE WOULD BE A DUI AS A COMMON SENSE MATTER. BUT AS A LEGAL MATTER TO PROVE THAT IN COURT, I DON'T THINK THEY HAD THE EVIDENCE TO DO THAT.))
[SOT 23:56:39 - :49]
((TROOPER ROBERT DILLON/VA STATE POLICE: A PERSON HAS TO BE PLACED UNDER ARREST TO SUBMIT TO A BREATHALYZER TEST UNDER VIRGINIA LAW. MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: AND YOU DIDN'T SEE ANY REASON TO ARREST HIM? TROOPER DILLON: I COULD NOT OBTAIN PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST HIM.))
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Special Prosecutor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Robert Dillon/State Police; :11]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=considerable amount to drink.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Simmington remains on administrative leave from the Martinsville Police Department, pending the results of an internal investigation.

[Pitts-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Authorities in Pittsylvania County say a man who left jail on work release this morning shot a woman and then killed himself.
The shootings happened at a mobile home park near Brosville.
The sheriff's department says 52-year-old Gerry Wayne Dillard shot himself in the head, after shooting Coretha Clark in the face.
The 38-year-old woman has been taken to the Danville hospital, her condition is not being released.
Officials don't know what led to the shootings.
Dillard had been in jail since July on a perjury conviction.

[Gilmore-Sharks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC29:12]
[GRAPHIC=Shark Attacks]

Two fatal shark attacks along the Virginia - North Carolina coastline in 48 hours have prompted a warning from the Governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14 ]

Don't go in the ocean at feeding times.
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The Governor appointed a task force today to study how to spot sharks near shore, prevent attacks, provide the quickest emergency response, and educate the public.
But the Governor had a clear warning.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:30:05]
[IN Q=Well, again, as Governor,]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL, AGAIN, AS GOVERNOR, I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M QUALIFIED TO GIVE PEOPLE ADVICE. I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SWIM AT DUSK MYSELF. AND I WISH I WERE BETTER QUALIFIED, BUT AT THIS POINT I WANT TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE BETTER QUALIFIED.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=get people who are better qualified.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]

The shark task force expects to report back to the Governor in 30 to 60 days.
Gilmore says he sees NO need for immediate state action.
(------------)

[Festival]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC1:43:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The man picked to run Roanoke's Festival in the Park is familiar with fun, and fundraising.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/July 2000]

Stu Israel is replacing Wendi Schultz as Festival's executive director.
He's been involved in such groups as Virginia Amateur Sports, which puts on the Commonwealth Games.
And he ran Trust, the 24-hour crisis hotline service.
Festival is having a reception for Israel tonight at the Patrick Henry Hotel.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Virginia's Attorney General candidates square off in a debate.
That's next on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And it's everything you need to know about farming, with a little fun mixed in.
Find out how you can get involved a little later in the newscast.
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[AG-Debate]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC42:24]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]

Republican Jerry Kilgore would take Virginia four steps to the right if elected Attorney General.
Democrat Donald McEachin may be rewriting history on his stand on abolishing parole.
Richmond Bureau Chief Ellen Qualls has highlights of what may be the A-G- candidates' final debate... and some post-debate revelations.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On guns: Jerry Kilgore says]
[SUPER=403-Richmond; :22]
[SUPER=@McEachin; :47]
[SUPER=@Kilgore; 1:03]
[SUPER=420-Ellen Qualls/equalls*wdbj7.com; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]
(( On guns:
Jerry Kilgore says he would allow concealed weapons into bars and restaurants -- the so-called saloon amendment rejected for years by the General Assembly.
He's said as recently as this summer he would support the repeal of one handgun a month.
Today, he backed away, saying he wouldn't work for the law's repeal -- but he wouldn't fight it.
On abortion:
He would support parental consent for minor abortions -- and he only supports abortion in cases of rape or incest if the victim notifies the police.
All four of those opinions are a step farther than Virginia's lawmakers or the courts have gone.
But Kilgore points out Donald McEachin has jogged left on the abolition of parole since Richmond newspapers reported him in 1995 as criticizing a fellow Democrat before he was ever elected.
[sot 13:15:36]
((MCEACHIN: THE ABOLITION OF PAROLE CAME BEFORE I GOT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. WHERE JERRY KILGORE'S GETTING THAT I OPPOSED IS JUST -- HE'S JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE GUYS. THEY'RE MAKING IT ALL UP. IT DOESN'T MATTER, THE TRUTH DOESN'T MATER. WELL, THE TRUTH DOES MATTER FOR LAWYERS.)) [runs:15]

[sot 13:07:00 ]
((KILGORE: YOU KNOW I HAVE READ THOSE ARTICLES...AND YOU RAN AS FAR TO THE LEFT AS YOU COULD GO.)) [runs:23]
Their appearance before the Richmond Metro Women's Bar Association may be their last joint appearance.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

[Redpath]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-23 TC1:44:20]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The Libertarian who met all state qualifications to get on Virginia's ballot for governor wants to know why he's being excluded from debates.
In the interests of full disclosure, we must tell you that WDBJ-7 will NOT include Bill Redpath in our October 7th debate for two main reasons -- as decided by our co-sponsors, the Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association and the U-V-A Center for Governmental Studies.
First, Redpath has NOT thus far generated enough voter interest in his own campaign to warrant a third of a one hour live, televised debate.
Second, his inclusion would have jeopardized the chances of the major party candidates' agreeing to participate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :12]
[SUPER=403-Richmond;]

Redpath says those kinds of arguments from debate planners, as well as a lack of returned phone calls even from the state N-double-A-C-P, put him in a "Catch 22, chicken or egg" position.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:30:31]
[IN Q=Good Lord! I think there ought]
((BILL REDPATH/L-CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: GOOD LORD! I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME RESPECT FOR CANDIDATES AND THEIR ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN STEP UP AND GATHER 20 THOUSAND SIGNATURES ON THE BALLOT...YES I'LL ADMIT THAT I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH OF A CHANCE TO WIN.))
[SUPER=401-Bill Redpath/(L) Candidate for Governor;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=that much of a chance to win.]
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[VO-NAT :08]

WDBJ-7's October 7th debate will include a statement from our moderator, Larry Sabato, pointing out that Redpath is on the ballot.
(------------)

[McIninch]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC08:45]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

An arson suspect on trial this week testified today that he had "no reason at all to set" any of the apartment fires he's charged with.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Though a neighbor testified she SAW Stephen McIninch set one fire... witnessed it through the peep hole in her front door... HE told the jury "It was not me. It was somebody else."
[SUPER=04-August 31, 2000]

Under cross examination McIninch was asked about the fire at the Rosalind Hills Baptist Church Community Center. According to the prosecutor, McIninch was "all excited about the fire," burst into a neighbor's apartment to tell her about it.
The church is across the street from the Ridge apartments where McIninch lived at the time, but he has not been charged with setting that fire.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]

The case goes to the jury tomorrow.

[Property-Auction]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC31:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The city of Roanoke sold some land it does NOT own today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Several pieces of property were auctioned off to pay delinquent taxes or fees.
Some owners had missed real estate tax payments.
Others owed the city money for cutting down weeds or picking up trash.
Officials say this was the first in a series of auctions they plan to hold this year.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Another roller-coaster session on Wall Street ends on a mixed note. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/33.77/10031.26/y/11.77/1759.01;]

The DOW gained 34-points.
NASDAQ fell 12.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.08/46.58/h/0.19/19.20/i/0.06/61.29/i/0.25/20.13/h/0.24/7.72;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.72/62.50/i/0.18/45.58/h/0.87/41.70/h/0.17/25.11//Unchg/46.36;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.76/26.60/h/0.26/19.70/i/0.15/8.44/h/0.56/48.50/h/0.19/15.69;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.52/68.11/i/0.13/65.89/i/0.10/49.85/h/0.05/34.97/h/0.70/49.15;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Bone-Test]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC1:47:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Many people who have fractures of the spine don't even know it.
That's reason for concern because they are the ones who most seriously need treatment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Lewis-Gale Clinic now has a new test to help with the detection of those fractures. It's called Instant Vertebral Assessment.
It provides images that were once only available through x-rays --but with less cost and lower risk of exposure to radiation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:08:47]
[IN Q=This information allows us to ]
((DR. GARRY BAYLISS/LEWIS-GALE CLINIC RHEUMATOLOGIST:THIS INFORMATION ALLOWS US TO IDENTIFY FRACTURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED AND MAY ALREADY BE AFFECTING THE PATIENT'S LIFESTYLE, BUT ALSO FORETELL FUTURE PROBLEMS IF WE DON'T INTERVENE WITH AGGRESSIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Garry Bayliss/Lewis-Gale Clinic Rheumatologist]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=aggressive medical treatment]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Once even a small fracture occurs -- you're 25 times more likely to have another one.
Lewis-Gale Clinic plans to use the test in addition to bone density screenings to improve diagnosis and treatment for osteoporosis and other bone loss conditions.
(------------)

[Farm-Family]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-32 TC1:28:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Virginia Tech is opening its Kentland Farm location to the public for a free farming and agriculture event.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14.5]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
The university is holding the first Farm and Family Showcase featuring seminars, trade shows and displays. Attendants can also view demonstrations of new items and techniques. Thousands are expected to attend the two-day event continuing tomorrow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:02:03 - 6:11:03]
[IN Q=for any aspect of the]
((MICHAEL SCHRODER/VT PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT; FOR ANY ASPECT FOR THE HOMEOWNER LAWN AND GARDEN TO HUNTING AND FISHING TO OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TO THE GAME WARDEN. PEOPLE ARE OUT HERE GETTING THEIR HUNTING A FISHING LICENSE TO THE AGRICULTURE EVENT.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Schroder/VT Program Development;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=to the agricultural event.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Many local schools are making the showcase event a field trip. Students are given the chance to find their way in, through and hopefully out of a corn maze.
(------------)

[Tech-Coke]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

A change of tastes is also on the way to Tech.
The school has signed a contract that will make Coca-Cola the primary beverage on campus for the next ten years.
Coke is paying Tech 17-million dollars, which the school will use mostly for student life and other academic programs.
The contract makes Coke the primary soft drink at dining centers, convenience stores, vending machines and athletic events.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports, everything from tennis to hoops to an abundance of Division Three football as we check in with Bridgewater and
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Ferrum - where we'll meet Tim Boothe the Panthers' big man on campus.
(------------)

[S-ODAC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 4702TC]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference continues to make a name for itself on the college football front thanks to the high flying Bridgewater College Eagles. The 6th ranked Eagles opened the season with a win over 5th ranked Western Maryland.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater; :00]
In that game quarterback Jason Lutz, wearing number two, was named the national offensive player of the week in D-3. He passed for 200 yards and two TDs and rushed for 157 more. The Eagles who hope to end the season with an ODAC title and another trip to the NCAA playoffs host Shenandoah this week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FOR ALL THE...]
[SUPER=01-Michael Clark/Bridgewater Head Coach; :02]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=...LITTLE BIT TIGHTER."]
(------------)

[S-Boothe]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-96 (1:39:04)]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum Logo]

When Tim Boothe left William Byrd for a college career at Ferrum College he was just another offensive lineman trying to make the starting lineup.
But Boothe's career reached an all time high last year. Roy Stanley has his unusual story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Boothe is...]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dave Davis/Ferrum Head Coach; :14]
[SUPER=01-Tim Boothe/Ferrum Senior Lineman; :27]
[SUPER=@Roy1; :58]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports."]
((Boothe is a fifth year senior at Ferrum. Last year he anchored the Panthers offensive line and his performance earned him Conference Player of the year honors.)) ((DAVE DAVIS/FERRUM HEAD COACH:)) ((TIM BOOTHE/FERRUM SENIOR LINEMAN:)) ((Boothe's experience and leadership will play a key role in the development of this years offensive line.
Boothe and one other starter is back while the rest of the lineman are young and have limited experience.)) ((BOOTHE:)) ((ROY STANDUP:)) ((If the Panthers win the conference title they receive an automatic bid to the N-C-Double-A Playoffs.
Roy Stanley News 7 sports.))
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[S-Tennis]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=US OPEN]

The US Open quarterfinals roll on in New York. Tonight Sampras battles Agassi. And Capriati Mauresmo. This afternoon Venus Williams and Marat Safin advanced to the semi-finals.

[S-KJ]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-]
[GRAPHIC=KJ]

KJ Hippensteel begins his last year of college and his final season of collegiate tennis in a few weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Last night, KJ played in an exhibition at Hunting Hills Country Club. His former coach and mentor John Barker, the head pro at Hunting Hills, organized the event. KJ is approaching this year as preparation for the next level.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-K. J. Hippensteel/Stanford Rising Senior; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=......a lot to look forward to"]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
Brenda Schultz-McCarthy also played. She was ranked 8th in the world. She retired two years ago because of back problems. Brenda has watched the women's game change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Shultz-McCarthy/Former 8th Ranked Women's Tennis Player; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=.......she's 6 foot 1"]
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[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]

The Roanoke Dazzle continues to build for the upcoming season. Today the team named Harold Ellis as the team's assistant coach. The 30 year old Ellis played in the NBA for the Clippers and the Nuggets. He had his jersey number retired at Morehouse College. Also, the Dazzle announced today that its preseason debut will take place on Saturday night November 10th at 7:30 agai nst the Greenville Groove at the Roanoke Civic Center.