WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 07/16/02

[1-News-Head]

(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Police officers involved in a fatal shooting in Danville are cleared of any wrongdoing.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And we'll have reaction from lawmakers about Vance Wilkins' decision to vacate his seat in the House of Delegates.

[Sports-Head]

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

Tonight on News 7 Sports - we'll check in at Virginia Tech's football camp. Allen Iverson turns himself in to authorities.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Roanoke Express changes its logo, colors and affiliates on a busy morning. Details are minutes away.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Along with the drought, the heat index will be a factor tomorrow. Forecast details just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:22:06]
[IN Q=I don't think]
((I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS TRYING TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT BAD CIRCUMSTANCES MAKE FOR TRAGEDIES AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE.))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=in this case.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

A special investigator says Danville police acted properly when they shot and killed a man during a standoff in May.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But his family and friends say Rennie Hunt's death could have been prevented.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Police-Shooting]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-25 TC46:33]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Rennie Hunt was armed with a cane and a screwdriver when he reportedly threatened police that night.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But they had no way of knowing that was all it was...
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]
nor were they aware he had a history of schizophrenia.
Officials say given all that, officers reacted properly when they shot and killed Hunt after he attacked them.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The bullet holes]
[SUPER=03-Danville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Special Prosecutor; :22]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :36]
[SUPER=01-Virginia Evans/Hunt's Girlfriend; :57]
[SUPER=01-Neal Morris/Danville Police Chief; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=News7, Danville.]
(( The bullet holes still scar the foyer and ceiling of Rennie Hunt's North Main Street apartment.. grim reminders of his fatal encounter with Danville police the night of May 11th.
Police shot Hunt after storming his apartment to rescue his girlfriend whom he reportedly was holding hostage.. what they thought was a knife turned out to be a screwdriver in his hand.. the other held a cane.
[SOT 4:13:27]
((DON CALDWELL/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE 67 OR 16 OR 30, IF YOU HAVE A MINDSET TO DELIVER A MAIMING OR WOUNDING BLOW, THEN THERE'S NOTHING REALLY TO PREVENT THAT.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=to prevent that.]
[Standup 2:10:25] ((Authorities say part of the problem is that police had some bad information about the layout of the inside of the apartment. Once they got through the front door, they were surprised to find a staircase leading to a second locked door at the top. And in the following confusion, the officer carrying the weapon that fires non-lethal foam pellets, ended up in the rear of the group.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=rear if the group.]

Hunt's girlfriend says officers didn't need to use lethal force to stop Hunt.
[SOT 2:04:49]
((VIRGINIA EVANS/HUNT'S GIRLFRIEND: I THINK THEY DID WRONG BY SHOOTING HIM, THOUGH.. HE WASN'T NO VIOLENT MAN OR NOTHING LIKE THAT. THEY JUST SHOT HIM, THEY JUST CAME UP THE STAIRS SHOOTING, I DON'T KNOW WHY.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=don't know why.]
[SOT 4:30:06]
((NEAL MORRIS/DANVILLE POLICE CHIEF: AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T AGREE WITH WHAT TOOK PLACE, BUT THE FACT THAT ONE SHOT OR 21 SHOTS IS IMMATERIAL REALLY, YOU SHOOT UNTIL THE THREAT IS DIMINISHED AND THAT'S WHAT THE OFFICERS DID IN THIS CASE.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=in this case.]

The three officers who fired their weapons.. Dennis Haley, Todd Brown and Gerald Ford.. have all returned to active duty.
Local minority leaders have indicated they may ask the U-S Justice Department to conduct its own investigation.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Danville.))

[Bus-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=csc]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC44:05]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Two separate accidents in downtown Roanoke this afternoon injured two pedestrians.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

First, a bus pulling out of the depot on Campbell Avenue ran into a man as he crossed the street.
Rescue crews took him to Roanoke Memorial where he's listed in good condition.
The man was not in a cross-walk, so police will not charge the bus driver.
Then about 15 minutes later a woman backing her mini-van out of a parking space struck another man.
He was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
(------------)

[Henry-Death]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Preliminary autopsy results show nothing suspicious in the death of a Martinsville Girl. 7-year old Aaliyah (ah-LEE-ah) Waller died after going to bed in the early hours of Monday morning. Her parents called 9-1-1 Monday afternoon when finding the girl not breathing. The Henry County Sheriff's Office says Aaliyah had asthma. The Department of Social Services is also investigating her death. The Medical Examiner's Office will wait for toxicology reports before ruling on an official cause of death.

[Wilkins]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-27 TC15:52]
[SS=Vance Wilkins]

Former Speaker Vance Wilkins announced today that August 15th will be his last day in office.
The veteran lawmaker is stepping down after serving for 24 years in the House of Delegates.
[DOUBLE BOXES=SHannon & Meghan/State Microwave;]

Meghan Muldoon talked to state leaders today in Richmond. She joins us with their reaction.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Republicans and Democrats have been wondering for several weeks what Wilkins would do about his seat.
Today they got their answer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In a four paragraph letter sent]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/January 2000; :00]
[SUPER=@Kaine; :27]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bob McDonnell/(R) Virginia Beach; :52]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=We'll move on.]

((In a four paragraph letter sent this morning to supporters and select members of the Republican leadership, Vance Wilkins announced he was retiring from the House of Delegates.
Wilkins acknowledged that it was a "very difficult decision, made more difficult by the many calls and letters I have received urging me to hold my seat."
The 65-year old lawmaker went on to say "There comes a time to move on, and now is that time."
Democratic Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine said Wilkins made the right decision.
[SOT 11:39:49-06]
[IN Q=I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISTRACTION]
[RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=TO CLEAR UP THAT DISTRACTION.]

Fellow Republican, Delegate Bob McDonnell said he was saddened by the news.
But that the decision wasn't unexpected.
[SOT 12:07:49]
[IN Q=I THINK IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT AFTER BEING SPEAKER.]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=DECISION IS CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDABLE.]

Wilkins resigned as the state's first Republican Speaker last month in the wake of a sexual harassment controversy.
The former Speaker's announcement comes just days before House Republicans meet to nominate his successor.
McDonnell said Wilkins will be missed but that Republicans are moving forward.
[SOT 12:09:19-28]
[IN Q=THE INSTITUTION WILL MOVE ON]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=WE'LL MOVE ON.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Wilkins said he selected August 15th as his last day to avoid the costs of a special stand-alone election.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]

Governor Warner has the final say but it is expected the election to fill Wilkins' seat will be on November 5th, the same day as the general.

[Candidates]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD Wilkins]

The line of candidates for Wilkins' seat is already forming.
One of the Democrats seeking the nomination is Mimi Elrod of Lexington.
She's the widow of John Elrod, the late president of Washington and Lee University.
Amherst businessman Rodney Taylor is also thinking about going after the Democratic nomination.
Taylor is a former Amherst County supervisor, and owns the High Peaks Sportswear stores.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7, the Virginia Lottery sets a record... and Virginia's schools are the winners.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus a big contract for a big employer in the New River Valley.
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[Bruer]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC1:57:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[***ANCHOR TAG***] A "cat fight" among three women at a Salem Apartment complex reveals that one of the women was a drug informant in the case against a Deputy U-S Marshal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
[SUPER=01-Kathy King/Apartment Manager]
[SUPER=01-Gail Clendenin/Neighbor]
[SUPER=01-S. L. Shephard/Salem Police Officer]
[SUPER=01-Judge Vince Lilley/Salem General District Court]
[SUPER=01-Fred King/Salem Commonwealth's Attorney]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=I submit they broke the law.]
(( Deputy Marshal Joe Bruer was arrested in March for possession of crack cocaine. He waived the right to a preliminary hearing on that charge, but his wife and daughter WERE tried for assaulting the informant, what authorities alleged was an attempt to intimidate Loren Green. She did NOT testify the two Bruer women. Other witnesses testified, however, that Green lived with Joe Bruer for a couple of months, that it eventually bacame common knowlegde that Green had helped authorities develop the case against the Deputy Marshal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:31:30 King]
[IN Q=]
(( AND THEY MADE THE COMMENT, "SHE SET HIM UP.")) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=set him up.]
The day Joe Bruer was arrested... his wife Lois, and their daughter, Keisha, went to his apartment to collect his belongings. Loren Green was coming across the parking lot at Carolina Forest Apartments, carrying a big stick tapping it on the ground.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT Gail 12:06:30]
[IN Q=]
((KEISHA CAME ACROSS THE PARKING LOT AND WENT INTO LOREN AND KNOCKED HER DOWN. (:06).)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:51:40]
[IN Q=It appeared to me]
((IT APPEARED TO ME THAT LOIS BRUER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL KEISHA BRUER OFF LOREN GREEN.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=on the ground]
The Judge didn't buy the obstruction of justuce charge of attempting to intimidate a witness, so he dismsissed that count. He indicated the Bruer women may have felt threatened by Green tapping the stick on the ground. NAT @ 13:23:40 ((DON'T COME ANY CLOSER GESTURE.)) The prosecutor sought punishment for the Bruer women, though he concluded Joe Bruer wasn't worth it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:17:38 Fred closing]
[IN Q=quite frankly Mr. Bruer ain't worth it]
((MR. BRUER IS NOT WORTH THEM GO TO JAIL FOR, BUT I SUBMIT THEY BROKE THE LAW.)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=I submit they broke the law.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]
Judge Vince Lilley convicted the Bruers of misdemeanor assault and fined them each ONE dollar.

[Burrow-Fund]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC1:28:06]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Burrow]

The government says he's a criminal.
But to dozens of veterans, the former president of the D-Day Memorial Foundation is a hero.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

In just two weeks' time, Hugh Wills collected more than 8-thousand dollars from fellow veterans to help Richard Burrow fight fraud charges.
Wills sent a letter to 500 veterans from the 29th Division, asking for donations.
Since then, 70 have answered with checks and cash, ranging from three dollars to one-thousand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:05:40 - :50]
[IN Q=The memorial]
((HUGH WILLS/BURROW LEGAL FUND: THE MEMORIAL, AS WONDERFUL AS IT IS, IS GOING TO GET PAID FOR SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD. AND I FELT THAT IMMEDIATE NEED WAS BURROW'S LEGAL FUND.))
[SUPER=01-Hugh Wills/Burrow Legal Fund;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=legal fund.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The 25-million-dollar D-Day Memorial is 5-million dollars in debt.
Burrow is charged with defrauding lenders to secure funding for the memorial.
His trial is currently set to begin September 3rd in Lynchburg.
(------------)

[Intermet]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-22 TC1:31:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Radford's New River Foundry is looking forward to years of solid production thanks to a new contract.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Intermet is announcing a one-hundred MILLION dollar deal with an automotive company to make axle castings. The Foundry's products will be used on light trucks made by Ford. Officials say production begins this quarter and will continue for four years. A spokesman says it's unclear if they will be hiring because of the contract.... "The New River Foundry has been slowly adding employees during the last couple months as the new work began to launch," he says. "It remains to be seen whether or not more will be added and when. It will depend on customer requirements as we get into full production." There are 254-employees currently working at the plant. It's the highest number since an explosion at the location in the March of 2000.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lack of investor confidence again sent stocks lower, with the Dow Jones industrial average suffering its first seven-day sell-off since 1984. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/166.08/8472.56/y/7.35/1375.27;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW dropped 166 points.
NASDAQ fell seven.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/1.30/44.90/i/0.95/35.57/i/1.49/66.30/i/1.06/15.14/i/0.18/5.81;]
[SUPER=272-i/2.09/58.88/i/0.02/53.62/i/0.70/27.55/i/0.21/16.54/i/1.60/44.40;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.40/19.35/i/0.20/20.27//Unchg/0.40/h/0.09/42.49/h/0.22/13.51;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.06/63.18/i/1.66/95.39/i/0.15/35.00/i/0.70/34.52/i/3.56/49.88;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Lottery-Schools]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC1:04:12]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The state's public schools are the big winners, says Virginia Lottery officials.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Virginia's schools received a record 367 million dollars this year from lottery profits..that's over one million dollars a day.
Lottery officials say it's their best year ever.
Sales of every Virginia Lottery product, from scratch games to MegaMillions, increased in fiscal year 2002 leading to record profits.
By law, all those profits go to public education.
Officials say the lottery provides crucial funds for schools without raising taxes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 09:59:12-23]
[IN Q=The citizens of Virginia]
[SUPER=01-Penelope Kyle/VA Lottery Executive Director]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=than to have to have their taxes raised.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Officials say 33 cents of every ticket sold goes toward public education.
(------------)

[Gator-Center]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC1:36:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]

After more than ten years in operation, the Gator Aquatic Center has a new lease, and new hopes for a stronger relationship with the city of Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February 2002]

Since 1991, Roanoke Valley Swimming has hosted many different programs there.
Thousands of people have used the pool for swimming lessons, recreation, and competition.
And now the group is hoping the new contract with the city will bring more support for a valuable program.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We'll have more on the Gator Aquatic Center, and its hopes for the future... Tonight on News 7 at 11

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - Iverson turns himself in - and the Express turns itself inside out with a number of big changes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we'll check in at Virginia Tech football camp where more than the x's and o's are being taught this week.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-130 1250TC]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS OLD]

It has been a busy day for the Roanoke Express. The club is getting ready for its 10th anniversary season and fans will notice all kinds once the team hits the ice.

[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS NEW]
For starters today the team unveiled it brand new logo, along with new uniforms, new affiliates, and much more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Lonchar/Roanoke Express Owner; :20]
[SUPER=01-Duncan Dalmao/Roanoke Express Defenseman; :35]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Coach & General Manager; :54]
[SUPER=01-Ben Peyton/3WR Radio; 1:55]
[RUNS=2:07]
[OUT Q=...3WR DOT COM."]
(-------------)
(( The brand new 419 West restaurant in south Roanoke County served as the back drop as Express management literally did an out with the old and in with the new. The purple, green and gold is history - replaced by red, black, and gray - and the 611 train is back. ((MIKE LONCHAR:)) The logo and new color scheme will also be represented on brand new home and away sweaters. ((DUNCAN DALMAO:)) After braking out new jerseys and new colors the team announced two new affiliates. This coming season the Express will join forces with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Norfolk Admirals. ((PERRY FLORIO:)) Florio spent last week on vacation with his family in Myrtle Beach - but the heat on the grand strand was nothing compared to the criticism the coach and general manager has received in the off-season from Express fans and some booster club members. ((PERRY FLORIO:)) In one other Express note - the team's entire schedule in the 2002-2003 season will be broadcast on radio station 3WR.)) ((BEN PEYTON:))

[S-Iverson]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-129 1248TC]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

Former NBA most valuable player - Allen Iverson - turned himself in today to authorities to answer the menagerie of charges he faces.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA; :00]
Iverson covered his face as he was driven from his home in green Escalade this morning. He is free on a 10 thousand dollar unsecured bond. He did not enter a plea - but his lawyer say he will plead innocent.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]
Iverson faces 4 felony counts and 10 misdemeanor charges related to his bursting into an apartment with a firearm.

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mdo]
[TAPE#=SP-128 1139TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]

It seems too early for football, but in Blacksburg the Virginia Tech Hokies are hosting their annual football camp.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
Almost six hundred players ranging in ages from twelve years old to rising high school seniors came out to learn from some of the nation's best. The coaching staff is careful to give individual attention to develop the young players, but they also emphasize off the field attitudes and having fun.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q= "I tell them..."]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/ Virginia Tech Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Ballein/ Virginia Tech Camp Director; :21]
[RUNS=39]
[OUT Q= "... upcoming seasons."]
(-------------)

[S-Orioles]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-127 621TC]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

In the big leagues this afternoon the Orioles topped the Mariners 6-to-1.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD/Comcast; ;00]
Scott Erickson pitched a six-hitter for his first victory since April 28th and Marty Cordova homered and drove in three runs for the Orioles. Gary Matthews Junior also connected. The Red Sox, Angels and Mets also have won today along with the Braves.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=AVS]
And the Avalanche has lost outfielder Greg Catalanotte to a trade. The Rockies traded Catalanotte to the Boston Red Sox today.