WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/14/03

[7-11XGR]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:18:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Virginia House of Delegates passed a ban on late term abortions.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The bill would make it a felony to kill a fetus that has partially emerged from the birth canal.
The legislation has passed both the Senate and House by veto-proof margins.
Last year Governor Mark Warner vetoed a ban on partial-birth abortions.
But Senator Steve Newman says this year's bill is substantially different and he hopes the governor will sign it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:07:39]
[IN Q=IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT]
((SEN. STEVE NEWMAN/R-LYNCHBURG: IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT HALF-BORN LIFE LITERALLY HALF-BORN LIFE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH. AND SO THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE GOING TO SEND THE BILL UP TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND I STILL HOLD OUT HOPE THAT HE WILL SUPPORT US IN THAT EFFORT.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Steve Newman/(R) Lynchburg]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=SUPPORT US IN THAT EFFORT.]
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[VO-NAT]

Also yesterday, a Senate Committee killed a handful of anti-abortion measures.
But committee members did approve a bill requiring parental consent before girls 17 or younger can get an abortion.
Under current law, the state requires only that a parent be notified.
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[7-11Art-museum]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC30:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Roanoke museum pushing for help from Richmond, won't be getting any.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The House of Delegates voted to re-refer a bill that allows taxpayers to contribute a portion of their income tax refund to the Art Museum of Western Virginia.
Supporters say yesterday's vote essentially killed the measure.
Opponents say it's unfair to have a tax refund checkoff that benefits only one museum in the state.
But area lawmakers say museums in southwest Virginia are in greater need of funding than cultural centers in other parts of the state.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=WE'VE GOT TO DRIVE FOUR TO FIVE HOURS]
((DELEGATE JIM SHULER/D-BLACKSBURG: AND ALL OUR STUDENTS AND PEOPLE SAY THEY CAN'T MAKE IT TO RICHMOND WHERE ALL THE MONEY GOES.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Jim Shuler/(D) Blacksburg]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=ALL THE MONEY GOES.]
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[VO-NAT]

The Senate passed a similar measure last month.
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[7-11Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Vic Thomas has represented Roanoke in the House of Delegates for almost 30 years, but this session will likely be his last as a member of the General Assembly.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 1995]

Thomas has served in the legislature since 1974, and says he is grateful for the support of his constituents.
But Thomas also says it's time to let someone else step forward and take his place.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=I talked about it with my wife]
((DEL. VIC THOMAS/(R) ROANOKE; I TALKED ABOUT IT WITH MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY. AND I THINK 30 YEARS IS A LONG TIME TO SPEND IN THE LEGISLATURE.))
[SUPER=@Thomas]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=in the legislature.]
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Leading Democrats, including Governor Warner, have encouraged Thomas to run again.
But today he said he's looking forward to having more time to travel and fish.

[45-11Cybermotion]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A local company claims robots could help protect us from terrorists.
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[VO-NAT :16.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/August 1998;]
Cybermotion has been making robots called "Cyber Guards" for years. They've had production contracts with the army in the past but recent financial struggles stopped production all together. The company is now for sale or interested in *licensees* for its technology.
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[SOT 16:40:17]
[IN Q=over the]
((JOHN HOLLAND/CYBERMOTION PRESIDENT; OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS A LOT OF PEOPLE STARTED COMING TO US SO SOMEBODY OUT THERE IS THINKING ROBOTS HAVE GOT A PLACE ION THE FUTURE, HAVING SAID THAT YOU NEVER KNOW OF ANY OF THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN.))
[SUPER=01-John Holland/Cybermotion President;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=GOING TO HAPPEN.]
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[VO-NAT]
Holland says a robot could be especially useful during a biological threat because it can detect harmful elements or gases in the air. Officials say they've met with the Homeland Security officials in Washington and while interest has increased, NO deals have been made.
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[45-11ITT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=cpa]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC1:16:50]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

One local company has a new deal with the United States Army, but it won't mean jobs.
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[VO-NAT]

The 15-million dollar deal for ITT Nightvision will provide helmet mount assemblies for night vision goggles to soldiers.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./March 1999]

Congressman Bob Goodlatte made the announcement yestedrday morning, saying this will give the U-S a technological and competitive edge.
I-T-T and the U-S Army have had similar deals in recent years, including one last May.
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[45-11Water-Authority]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC09:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke County and Roanoke City appear to be closer to forming a regional water supply and sewer authority.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

City and county officials have been meeting quietly since last July. Elected leaders have stayed away to let staff members work without interference.
Specific details are still under wraps, but the discussion may soon enter a new stage, in which a draft agreement is presented to elected officials for their consideration.
The board of supervisors discussed the water authority in a recent closed session, and a joint meeting with city council is being planned.
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[8-6-Blairs-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=502-03 TC48:17]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
Now that charges have been dropped in a murder Pittsylvania County murder case, the Commonwealth's Attorney must decide how to pursue the case.
(XXXXXXXX)
[*****Take Generette Pinnacle FULL***] James Antonio Generette *had been* charged with two counts of first degree murder for the beating deaths of Willie and Clara Bell Harston in November.
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[VO-NAT :25]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./November 14]
Generette said he was visiting the Harstons' next door neighbor, Carlot (car lot) Brown, at the time of the crime. But Brown, who was named as an accessory after the fact, invoked her Fifth Amendment right and refused to testify, prompting Judge George Jones to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. Commonwealth's Attorney David Grimes says the "case is not over," and that his office will pursue it "every way" it can.
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[8-6-Pulley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC1:53:50]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

A former Associate Pastor has been charged with killing his wife.
While being detained in Caswell County, North Carolina, he was denied bond for a second time.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Yanceyville, NC/Wednesday]

46-year-old Eugene Rick Pulley was extradited from Virginia Wednesday to face charges in the murder of his wife, Patty Jo Pulley.
She disappeared near her Pittsylvania County home in May of 1999.. her remains were found under a North Carolina bridge in December.
District attorney Joe Brewer says he's still reviewing the case and has *not* decided whether to seek a capital murder conviction against Pulley.
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[8-11Loving-Care]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC55:22]
[GAPHIC=None]

An unexpected housecall may make this Valentine's Day a little sweeter for some home-bound seniors.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Violin]
((NATS: VIOLIN.))
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=NAT violin.]
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[VO-NAT]

About 100 sick and shut-in patients in the area are getting a surprise serenade from a violinist, along with roses and other gifts.
A-Plus Loving Care makes the visits to private residences and nursing homes each February 13th and 14th.
Local churches tell the group who's most in need of a housecall.
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[SOT 15:42:00]
[IN Q=Another reaction]
((DAVID JONES: ANOTHER REACTION WE REALLY LIKE IS WHEN PEOPLE SEE US COMING IN AND THEY REACH FOR THE ROSE AND START CRYING IT'S REALLY TOUCHING. IT JUST GIVES YOU A WONDERFUL FEELING. .))
[SUPER=01-David Jones/Loving Care;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=a wonderful feeling.]
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[VO-NAT]

When it's not out serenading, the group finds professional caregivers for elderly and disabled patients. (------------)