WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/01/04

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
We're seeing some patchy fog right now, but skies will be turning partly cloudy.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the forecast through the holiday weekend, coming up.

[7-AMC'burg-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=04-24 22:21]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

[ENG#=1]

A preliminary hearing is scheduled today for one of the two teens charged with the shooting death of a Christiansburg boy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/June 8;]
14 year old Mandi Carlson is charged with voluntary manslaughter, for the death of Edward Bertrand last month. Bertrand was shot in the stomach in the garage of Carlson's Christiansburg home.
He was 15 years old. The hearing for the second defendant, 17 year old Zachary Linkous, has been postponed.
(------------)

[7-VOBGay-Rights]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-23 21:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=2]

A new state law- which takes effect today-- has many gay couples feeling that Virginia is for haters, not lovers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

More than two hundred supporters of gay rights rallied last night at a church in Roanoke.
They're angry over the Affirmation of Marriage Act, which bans civil unions and other arrangements that bestow the privileges of marriage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:53:24]
[IN Q=It is very restrictive]
((MOLLY McCLINTOCK/GAY ACTIVIST: IT IS VERY RESTRICTIVE TO SAME GENDER COUPLES, ESSENTIALLY IT WILL VOID CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE TO TRY TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER AND OUR ASSETS IN CASE OF A MEDICAL EMERGENCY OR LEGAL PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-Molly McClintock/Gay Activist; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=or legal problem]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But supporters of the law point out the bill overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:46:24]
[IN Q=I think it just]
((WARREN KING/SHENANDOAH BAPTIST CHURCH: I THINK IT JUST REAFFIRMS WHAT'S ALREADY GOOD. I THINK ONE OF THE OUTCRY'S YOU HEAR FROM THIS VOCAL MINORITY IS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO STEAL OUR RIGHTS AND BENEFITS AND THINGS LIKE THIS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. WHAT THEY WANT IS BENEFITS THAT NEVER WERE IN EXISTANCE AND THAT IS TO RECOGNIZE SAME SEX UNIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Warren King/Shenandoah Baptish Church; :]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=same sex unions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Groups like the ACLU are already looking for a gay and lesbian couple to challenge the new law, which goes into affect today.
(------------)

[7-11New-laws]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC27:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

There are many other new laws taking effect today as well.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Motorists over the age of 80 will now need to pass a vision test before renewing their drivers licenses.
Another new law allows pharmacists, nurses and therapists to anonymously report an incompetent driver to the D-M-V.

And the state will start cracking down on drag racing... an activity that officials say is on the rise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:41:31]
[IN Q=I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE]
((VINCE BURGESS/ASSISTANT DMV COMMISSIONER: I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF MOVIES, FAST AND THE FURIOUS THAT HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THAT, GLAMORIZED THAT AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FELT THIS NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.))
[SUPER=01-Vince Burgess/Assistant DMV Commissioner]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Also taking effect today is a new law prohibiting trucks on Interstate 81 from travelling in the left-most lane where that are at least three lanes.
OR when the trucks are travelling well below the speed limit.
(------------)

[55-WXHeads]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Turning partly cloudy today with a chance of showers and storms.
The extended forecast looks much the same.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has that, coming up after the news.

[55-VOB-Edwards]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Am Cutins]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales/Verdict;]

[ENG#=1]

Just after 10 o'clock last night a jury sentenced a Roanoke man to life in prison, plus 28 years for the December murder of his ex-girlfriend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
It took the jury only 2 hours to find 27 year old Khalif Freed Abdul Mateen guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend Neesha Edwards in December. Mateen bowed his head when the verdict was heard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I really...]
((DAVID WALKER, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: ABOUT HOW HE'S DISAPPOINTED....))
[SUPER=01-Daivd Walker/Defense Attorney;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...for one side.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The jury also found Mateen guilty of maliciously wounding Edwards' boyfriend, Mike Webb, who was with her at the time of the shooting. Mateen was also found guilty of two gun charges connected with the case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This was...]
((seth weston- it was gruesome ..))
[SUPER=01-Seth Weston/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...horrific crime.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Authorities will now conduct a pre-sentencing investigation. That information will be given to a judge who will ultimately make the sentencing decision.
(------------)

[55-11Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC2:04:32]
[GRAPHIC=RBX Bankruptcy]

[ENG#=2]

A judge has put the brakes on one company's plans to buy a bankrupt local business.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape;]
Yesterday a judge denied Rubatex's motion to terminate a collective bargaining agreement made in 2001 with its unionized workers. The bankrupt company filed the motion to close a one-point-one MILLION dollar tentative deal it made with a prospective buyer.
Rubatex Acquisition L-L-C agreed to purchase two of Rubatex's six facilities,
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
under the condition that the union contract was terminated. But a judge ruled Rubatex made little effort to first work out an agreement with its WORKERS, which legally, they're obligated to do.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 41:54]
[IN Q=I hope that]
((BRUCE LEVINE/UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA ATTY: I HOPE THAT PERHAPS ON REFLECTION, ALL PARTIES WILL AGREE THAT THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO TALK.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce Levine/United Steelworkers of America Attorney;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=to do is talk]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
But attorneys for the Germany based R-A-L company say they have no interest in negotiating with the union, and now, no interest in buying the company.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 3732]
[IN Q=we're disappointed]
((BRUCE LEVINE/ATTY. FOR UNITED STEELWORKERS: WE'RE DISAPPOINTED THAT WE WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO ACQUIRE THESE ASSETS TODAY, WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO OPENING A PLANT AND CREATING JOBS IN BEDFORD.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Mueller/Rubatex Acquisition, LLC Attorney;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=jobs in Bedford]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Just two weeks ago, the union lost a battle with Rubatex over all retiree benefits, which no longer exist.
(------------)

[55-11Radford-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC1:00:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

Montgomery County residents will have to wait a while longer for a new bridge-- at least 6 years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
V-DOT says it won't be able to replace the Route 114 bridge over the New River until 2010, at the earliest. Budget cuts forced officials to scale back- the project was supposed to cost 12 million dollars. The Pepper's Ferry Road bridge was hit by a truck more than two years ago. That damaged the structure and forced it to close. Since then, traffic's been diverted to the other bridge.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
We could see a few scattered showers and storms popping up later today.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the Thursday outlook, coming up.

[8-VOB-Edwards]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Am Cutins]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales/Verdict;]

[ENG#=1]

A Roanoke man was sentenced to life plus 28 years for the December murder of his ex-girlfriend. The verdict was handed down just after 10 o'clock last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
It took the jury only 2 hours to find 27 year old Khalif Freed Abdul Mateen guilty of murdering his ex-girlfriend Neesha Edwards in December. Mateen bowed his head when the verdict was heard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I really...]
[SUPER=01-David Walker/Defense Attorney;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for one side.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The jury also found Mateen guilty of maliciously wounding Edwards' boyfriend, Mike Webb, who was with her at the time of the shooting. Mateen was also found guilty of two gun charges connected with the case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This was...]
[SUPER=01-Seth Weston/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...horrific crime.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Authorities will now conduct a pre-sentencing investigation. That information will be given to a judge who will ultimately make the sentencing decision.
(------------)

[8-11City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC1:05:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

A vacant spot on Roanoke City Council will soon be filled, but not without criticism from a recent council candidate.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Mayor Nelson Harris, and three other incumbents say they want Brenda McDaniel to fill the council seat that Harris is vacating.
They say they want to maintain a female presence on council while choosing someone who is non- political and active in the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I just think we could not]
((REV. NELSON HARRIS/ROANOKE MAYOR: I JUST THINK WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE BETTER GIVEN THE CRITERIA WE WERE STRIVING TO MEET THAN BRENDA MCDANIEL.)) ((WENDY JONES/COUNCIL CANDIDATE: I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO NOTICE THAT THE PEOPLE'S WORD THROUGH THEIR VOTES AS IT WAS STATED, WAS NOT TAKEN.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Nelson Harris/Roanoke Mayor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Jones/Roanoke City Council Candidate; :11]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=was not taken.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wendy Jones narrowly lost the city council election in May. She says the council incumbents ignored the wishes of the voters by not selecting her for the vacancy. (------------)