WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/24/04

[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[7Wx-Headline]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Patchy fog early, but we'll see increasing sunshine later on.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the complete outlook, coming up.

[7-Train-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Train Accident]

[ENG#=1]

A train struck a car early this morning in Franklin County near Boones Mill.
(+++++++)
[Take map fs] State Police said it happened on Terrace Road which is off Route 684.
(-------------)
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./This Morning]
A witness said the car was crossing the tracks when it got hung up on one of the rails. Two people were in the car, but managed to get out of the vehicle before the train hit. No one was injured. State Police are investigating.
(-------------)

[7-11Picard]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC1:54:26]
[GRAPHIC=Picard]

[ENG#=2]

Investigators found a breaking point in a Franklin County murder case from evidence that was once thought to be insignificant.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./File Tape;]
Christopher Picard pled guilty Tuesday night to the September 2002 murder of Lori Metts Boyd. Boyd's body was found burning inside her car -- an autopsy revealed she had been strangled to death. Picard's attorneys advised him to plea, after D-N-A found on a bedsheet linked him to the crime scene.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:44:24]
[IN Q=that turned]
((ROBERT STRICKLER/FRANKLIN CO. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT; THAT TURNED THIS CASE AROUND, WHERE THAT WE HAD THIS ADDT'L EVIDENCE THAT COULD BE PRESENTED TO THE COURT THAT WOULD HOPEFULLY BRING THIS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Strickler/Franklin Co. Sheriff's Department;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=we're looking for]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Through a plea agreement Picard pled guilty to reduced charges of first-degree murder, abduction and robbery. He was sentenced to three life terms in prison -- all but 50-years were suspended.
(-------------)

[7-11Harris]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-15 TC1:58:21]
[GRAPHIC=Wayne Harris]

[ENG#=3]

The superintendent of Roanoke City Schools says his farewell is bittersweet, but Wayne Harris says his eleven year tenure has been "more sweet than bitter."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Harris will step down at the end of the month.
Yesterday, he acknowledged frustration with criticism he considered unfair, and with supporters of the school system who failed to speak up.
But he says a variety of indicators show Roanoke City Schools have continued to improve under his leadership.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Over time that has happened]
((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: OVER TIME THAT HAS HAPPENED. IT HASN'T BEEN A ONE TIME THING AND THEN IT SLIPPED BACK. ALL OF THAT SAYS TO ME WE DELIVERED ON THE PROMISE, THAT WE WILL HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STAFF.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke School Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=for students and for staff.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Harris plans to travel and work as a consultant. He's already fielded calls about several vacant positions, and says he would consider leading another school system if the opportunity is right.

[7-11Bishop]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC1:44:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=4]

Meanwhile, another top administrator has confirmed she is leaving Roanoke City Schools.
Assistant Superintendent Rita Bishop is leaving western Virginia to lead the public schools in Lancaster (LANK-as-ter), Pennsylvania.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The school board there voted to offer Bishop the position Tuesday night, and though she hasn't signed a contract, Bishop confirms she plans to accept the job.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Bishop says her decision was not a reaction to recent events here, but was motivated by her desire to serve as a superintendent.
[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[55-WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Becoming partly cloudy with highs warming up into the lower 80s.
But the forecast turns wet again tomorrow.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the seven day outlook, after the news.

[55-Elliston-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze in Elliston.
Few details have been released, but Montgomery County dispatch says the fire is at Southland Log Homes on Route 460.

We do have a crew en-route, and will pass along any additional information as soon as it become available.

[55-Train-Ax]

[55-6-Bedford-Water]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC51:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Bedford residents have thirty days to let officials know what they want the city to do to stop harmful chemicals from seeping from an old landfill.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Tests show a half dozen residential wells have been contaminated by leaching from the former landfill on Bell Town Road.
An engineering firm has come up with several possible solutions, including treating the chemicals in the ground and building a water line to the affected homes.
Bedford city council has yet to take action.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 15th.
(------------)

[55-11Boty-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC1:36:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

Free emergency services may soon be a thing of the past in Botetourt County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle]
Botetourt County's Volunteer Rescue and Fire Squads are looking at the possibility of charging your insurance provider for rescue services, like ambulance transport or fire crew's response to accidents and hazmat spills. Over the years, equipment prices have skyrocketed while donations have stayed the same. It's left county squads struggling to make ends meet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@5:49.11]
[IN Q=In someway... ]
((SPENCER SUTER/BOTETOURT CO. COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER: IN SOMEWAY, EITHER THROUGH TAX INCREASE OF THROUGH GENERAL COUNTY FUNDS OR SOMEOTHER SOURCE WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS.))
[SUPER=01-Spencer Suter/Botetourt Co. Communications Manager]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=..SERVICE TO OUR CITIZENS.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
A public hearing on the proposal was held last night. Another will be held next Tuesday at Lord Botetourt High School from 6 until 8 p.m.

[55-11Falwell-Field]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC49:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=4]

Calvin Falwell has been a key instrument in helping keep professional baseball in Lynchburg for almost 40 years. Now he's being honored for his achivements.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

City council voted to name the baseball field at City Stadium after Falwell.
A citizens group that gathered petitions for the measure says it will pay for the signs.
Falwell formed the Lynchburg Baseball Corporation in 1966, and has been instrumental in keeping minor league baseball in the Hill City.
A ceremony honoring him will be held later this season.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Increasing sunshine today-- but the clouds and showers will make a return appearance tomorrow.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the extended forecast, in just a few minutes.

[8-Elliston-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Firefighters are working to extinguish a blaze in Elliston.
(+++++++)
[TAKE MAP FS]
Few details have been released, but Montgomery County dispatch says the fire is at Southland Log Homes on Route 460.

We do have a crew en-route, and will pass along any additional information as soon as it become available.
(---------------)

[8-Train-Ax]

[8-11Henry-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

A Henry County man charged with murder is now under medical observation. The Sheriff's Office says 82-year old George Collins Carter of Axton was arrested yesterday morning after his stepson, William Jacob Wilson, died of a gunshot wound to the stomach. The shooting took place at Carter's home on Mountain Valley Road. The Sheriff says the 49-year old Wilson was trying to defuse an argument between his mother and Carter when he was shot. He died at the scene.

[8-VOB4H-Camp]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC 34:34]
[GRAPHIC=4H Camp Changes]

[ENG#=2]

Some changes have been made to a local summer camp where last year, fights were organized among campers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

You may remember what happened last summer at the Smith Mountain Lake 4-H Center.
Several volunteer counselors staged fist fights, charged admission, and even took bets on the outcome.
In response, 4-H formed a safety committee to see what changes needed to be made at the camp.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:43:23]
[IN Q=One of the things]
((BARRY GARST/4-H EXTENSION AGENT: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE IS CHANGED OR ENHANCED SECURITY. FOR EXAMPLE AT THE SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE 4H CENTER THEY ARE CONTRACTING WITH A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SECURITY PROVIDER CALLED AMERITAS.))
[SUPER=01-Barry Garst/4-H Extension Agent;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=called ameritas]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The camp has also enchanced training for paid staff and volunteer counselors.
Attendance is slightly down this summer but 4-H says it doesn't think it's the result of what happened last summer.

(------------)

[8-11Radford-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC2:04:19]
[GRAPHIC=I-81]

[ENG#=3]

Traffic on Interstate 81 near Radford is moving once again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Around 1:00 yesterday afternoon, four tractor trailers were involved in separate accidents near mile marker 109. It all started when the axle on a tractor trailer broke, leaving it stranded on the side of the road. That backed up traffic and ended up causing another tractor trailer to run off the road. In less than five minutes another truck and car collided and then two more trucks ran into each other. It took several hours to clean up the original tractor trailer with the broken axle. (------------)