WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 12/27/02

[7-11Power-Outage]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC19:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]

2 hundred 47 American Electric Power customers in the Roanoke area remain without power this morning. Officials say it could be noon today before everyone's power is restored.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The problems began Christmas morning when high winds knocked down trees and power lines.
At one point, 55-hundred customers in the Roanoke Valley were without power.
A-E-P says the work is taking longer than normal because the causes of the outages are widespread.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:08:17; 10:18:56]
[IN Q=And what we're seeing]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS CONTINUING TO GET CALLS COME IN SO WE GET A COUPLE HUNDRED ON AND WE GET A COUPLE HUNDRED CALLS FROM CUSTOMERS REPORTING OUTAGES.)) ((ANN MILLER/CUSTOMER WITHOUT POWER: WE'VE HEARD PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT STORIES FROM AEP BUT I REALIZE THEY ARE JUST GUESTIMATING, THEY DON'T HAVE A DEFINITE IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ann Miller/Customer Without Power; :07]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=have a definite idea]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Since the power outtages are scattered, A-E-P is asking you to contact the company if you don't have power because you might be the only one without electricity in your area..
A-E-P hopes to have the power back on for everyone by noon today.
(------------)

[7-11Cutchins]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC36:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A former banker who helped run Virginia Tech and the Explore Park died earlier this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/May 1988]

Clifford Cutchins the Third was 79-years-old.
He was rector of the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech, his alma mater, and also served as chairman of the Explore Park's board of directors.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Cutchins was a native of Southampton County.

[7-11Cameras]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC1:40:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]

These days being caught on tape can either win you millions or send you to jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

But, V-Dot officials say the cameras placed recently along Peppers Ferry Road outside Christiansburg are NOT there to punish drivers, but, rather to protect them.
The cameras are being used to develop a warning system for wrong-way drivers BEFORE they cause an accident.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:14]
[IN Q=a sign with some sort]
((JOHN THOMPSON/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:A SIGN WITH SOME SORT OF WARNING ON IT WITH SOME FLASHING LIGHTS ATTACHED TO IT AND THERE WILL BE A DETECTOR ON THE SIGN THAT WILL DETECT THE WRONG WAY DRIVER AND INACTIVATE THE WARNING SYSTEM 11:30))
[SUPER=01-John Thompson/Virginia Department of Transportation;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=THE WARNING SYSTEM]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The department is working with Virginia Tech on the project, which is expected to be completed by next Spring.
Officials say it is the first of its kind in the state.
(------------)

[45-11Drunk-Driving]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC1:01:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Law enforcement is cracking down on drunk drivers this holiday season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Authorities plan to conduct several sobriety check points to catch drunk drivers.
They hope to reduce the number of alcohol related fatalities in the state.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:14]
[IN Q=Last year during the Christmas season]
((DAN JESEE/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: LAST YEAR DURING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WE HAD 13 FATALITIES IN THE STATE THEN DURING THE NEW YEAR WE HAD 10. SO WE LOST 10 OF OUR CITIZENS OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND))
[SUPER=01-Dan Jessee/Virginia State Police]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=over the holiday weekend]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities say even if you have one drink you should not drive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:50]
[IN Q=When you drink alcohol]
((WHEN YOU DRINK ALCOHOL THE VERY FIRST DRINK AFFECTS YOUR MORAL JUDGMENT. SO EACH DRINK JUST INCREASES THE CHANCES OF NOT MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=the right decision]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities are also asking motorist to help spot drunk drivers.
If you see someone you believe is under the influence dial pound 77 on your cell phone or 9-1-1.
Give a description of the vehicle, a license plate number and the direction the vehicle was headed.
(---------------)

[45-Bowling-Alley]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Longtime patrons of Triangle Lanes in Christiansburg will soon have a strike against them. The bowling alley is getting ready to close its doors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

The Christiansburg landmark is making way for a new drug store, and the bowling alley will close January 5th.
For regulars, including league secretary Bobby Swain, the building holds many special memories.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 30:58]
[IN Q=My wife and I]
((MY WIFE AND I, WE KIND OF STARTED DATING THROUGH THIS PLACE, AND A FRIEND'S BOWLING NOW, THAT'S WHERE HE MET HIS WIFE. AND YOU KNOW THEY'RE SOME SECOND GENERATION BOWLERS HERE RIGHT NOW, EVEN FATHERS AND SONS THAT WERE BOWLING HERE WHEN I STARTED.))
[SUPER=01-Bobby Swain/League Secretary;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=when I started.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sixteen of the lanes will be removed for use in another bowling alley...
while wood from the others will provide longtime patrons and employees with mementos.
(------------)

[45-Powerball]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Just across the Virginia- West Virginia state line, a man has won the largest single lottery jackpot in history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charleston, WV;]

Andrew Jackson Whittaker came forward to claim his 315- million- dollar powerball prize yesterday.
The West Virginia water and sewer contractor will take him a whopping lump sum of more than 111- million dollars after taxes.
55- year- old Whittaker says his main focus now will be helping others.
He says he also plans to keep on working.
(------------)

[8-11Power-Outage]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC19:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The lights are still out for 247 American Electric Power customers in the Roanoke area. Officials say it could be noon today before everyone's power is restored.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The problems began Christmas morning when high winds knocked down trees and power lines.
At one point, 55-hundred customers in the Roanoke Valley were without power.
A-E-P says the work is taking longer than normal because the causes of the outages are widespread.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:08:17; 10:18:56]
[IN Q=And what we're seeing]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS CONTINUING TO GET CALLS COME IN SO WE GET A COUPLE HUNDRED ON AND WE GET A COUPLE HUNDRED CALLS FROM CUSTOMERS REPORTING OUTAGES.)) ((ANN MILLER/CUSTOMER WITHOUT POWER: WE'VE HEARD PROBABLY FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT STORIES FROM AEP BUT I REALIZE THEY ARE JUST GUESTIMATING, THEY DON'T HAVE A DEFINITE IDEA.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ann Miller/Customer Without Power; :07]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=have a definite idea]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Since the power outtages are scattered, A-E-P is asking you to contact the company if you don't have power because you might be the only one without electricity in your area..
A-E-P hopes to have the power back on for everyone by noon today.
(------------)