WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 12/03/02

[7-11Craig-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-36 TC2:05:50]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]

Craig County students will return to class this morning. ... after yet another early dismissal yesterday.
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[VO-NAT :19.5]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;]
Problems with a new heating system forced school to be canceled or let out early FOUR times in the last few weeks. Yesterday, the elementary building was heated, but classrooms in the High School were cold. A problem with a controls part was found and fixed. 700-students in grades K through 12 were sent home.
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[SOT 02:24:20 - :17]
[IN Q=THEY DO HAVE]
((TRACY SURFACE/PARENT; THEY DO HAVE BUILT IN DAYS BUT A LOT OF THE SNOW DAYS AND WE DO GET A LOT OF SNOW AROUND HERE SO I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THEY'LL END UP TACKING ON DAYS AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE KIDS ARE GOING TO LOOSE THEIR EASTER VACATION AND WHATEVER I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Tracy Surface/Parent;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=ABOUT THAT.]
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The Superintendent of Schools says no changes are necessary for the school calendar at this point.
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[7-11W&L-Death]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC1:38:15]
[GRAPHIC=Cullum Owings]
A fellow fraternity officer described W & L student Cullum Owings as "A friend in all situations." The 22-year old college senior died Sunday night in a traffic accident near Lexington... just minutes away from completing an eight-hour drive from Atlanta.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
Owings was on his way back to Washington and Lee with his brother, Pierce, a W-and-L freshman. Pierce survived the wreck UN-harmed.
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[SOT 2:28:45]
[IN Q=It's the closest]
((BILL MEALOR/OWINGS' FRIEND; IT'S THE CLOSEST FAMILY I'VE EVER SEEN. AMAZING GUY. HIS FATHER & MOTHER BOTH ADMIRABLY STRONG THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL, THIS TRAGEDY.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Mealor/Owings' Friend]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=ordeal, this tragedy.]
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[VO-NAT]
Stephen Cullum Owings, Junior, had been Rush Chairman at Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was due to graduate in the Spring.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
The driver of the tractor trailer that hit their '92 Lexus from behind has been charged with "reckless driving"

[7-11Patsel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC28:27]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Five men have come forward to accuse a Franklin County man of sexually abusing them as boys.
The grand jury handed up indictments yesterday...
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[VO]
56-year-old Danny Lee Patsel (PATE-sul) is charged with forcible sodomy of two boys under the age of 13.
The charges span a period from 1986 to 1995.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

He was also charged back in August with molesting three other boys, who are now adults.
Patsel's attorney says his client is innocent and that the accusations are fabricated.
Patsel is being held in the Franklin County jail without bond.

[45-11Hudson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Franklin County mother has been charged with drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter in the auto accident that killed her daughter.
A grand jury indicted 40-year-old Velda Newcomb Hudson yesterday.
On August 14th, the Toyota 4-Runner Hudson was driving overturned, killing her 14-year-old daughter, Amy.
Police say this is Hudson's SECOND D-U-I.

[45-11Heroin-Busts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Botetourt County couple accused of selling heroin faces life in prison.
A grand jury indicted 19-year-old Sarah Thrasher and 20-year-old Kenaz (Keen-is) Pritchard yesterday on distribution charges.
Prosecutors say in July they sold heroin to a 19-year-old Radford University student, who overdosed and died.
While out on bond, prosecutors say they were arrested again for selling heroin to an undercover officer.
Prosecutors say they the undercover officer recorded the pair saying "This stuff is so good it killed the last guy."

[45-11Monacan-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-43 TC1:31:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Two of central Virginia's most famous residents have bridges named after them.. now some people would like to see the area's OLDEST residents honored in the same way.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The local chapter of the Virginia Organizing Project is asking area legislators to sponsor a bill that would name the new Route 29 Bypass bridge after the Monacan Indian nation.
The bridge spans the James River between Campbell and Amherst Counties.
State senator Steve Newman says he likes the idea but wants the entire community to have some input as well.
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[45-6-Soccer-Complex]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC59:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

They're already moving some dirt, but the official groundbreaking will take place later today for a new ten-field soccer complex for central Virginia.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

The non-profit group Lynchburg United Soccer bought this 96-acre parcel of land off Route 501 in Campbell County back in June.
Clearing of the land began a couple of months ago but officials will hold a formal ceremony later this morning.
The complex will feature ten full-sized soccer fields, along with concession facilities, restrooms and parking.
The total cost of the project is estimated at more than two million dollars.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Organizers say three thousand children in the greater Lynchburg area play soccer, and there are not enough fields.

The complex should be ready to open by next fall.

[8-11W&L-Death]

[8-11Tobacco-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC32:41]
[GRAPHIC=Salem Tobacco Tax]

Smoking is now a more expensive habit in the city of Salem--
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[VO-NAT :28]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
The city's new tobacco tax took effect on Sunday. The extra fifteen cents a pack will help pay for improvements at Andrew Lewis Middle School. Some store owners have been concerned smokers will take their business to Roanoke County where the charter prevents the imposition of a cigarette tax. Salem will also use revenue from the doubled car decal fee, a new cell phone tax and an increase in the lodging tax to pay for improvements to the school.
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[8-11Water-Restrictions]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC13:23]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

The water level may be going up at Carvins Cove, but that doesn't necessarily mean water restrictions will be coming down.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove]

The level at the city's main reservoir has stabilized at 22- point- six feet below the spillway.
If more rain or snow raises the level to 22 feet, city officials say they'll begin looking at the possibility of relaxing some restrictions.
But city leaders say that decision won't be automatic.
City Manager Darlene Burcham says the cost of water purchased from Roanoke County and other improvements will likely require an increase in water rates early next year.
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[Mornin' Promo] [ANCHOR-Kim] [Animation]
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((Tomorrow on News 7 Mornin'.))
[RUNS=03]
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[Kim on Camera] We'll have a preview of the events leading up to the Franklin Graham Crusade. Plus, a possible winter storm could play a big role in your Wednesday. The forecast.
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Tomorrow on News 7 Mornin'.[Animation full]