Morning news AM cutins on WDBJ 7 12/15/95

08:25-01

7Fatal-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# edit of county-ax 95-93
GRAPHIC=NONE

A teenager is charged with driving under the influence after hitting and killing a pedestrian in Roanoke County last night.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night;

The accident happened at about 8:30 on Kingsmill Drive. Police say 45-year-old Bonnie Kitts of Salem was walking along the road when she was struck by a car.
She later died at the hospital.
Police are still investigating.
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7MICHAEL-Draper

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#595-39
GRAPHIC=Draper

The re-trial of a Martinsville man accused of trying to kill his former girlfriend's father continues today.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday;

For Michael Draper this is the second trial for the same crime.
In July, the jury was split-- and the judge was forced to declare a mistrial.
Police say Draper shot at his girlfriend's father Roy Harriston in the Summer of '93.
Harriston was supposed to testify a few months later against Draper.
SUPER=04-October 22, 1993;

But, just days before the trial, a pipe-bomb exploded in the Sara Lee Knit products parking lot where Harriston worked.
Harriston was not injured, but shrapnel from the bomb severely hurt his friend James Harris.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:26:07
IN Q=Before I was
((JAMES HARRIS/VICTIM: BEFORE I WAS A 12 HOUR SHIFT WORKER. I WAS ACTIVE IN SPORTS BOWLING. I WAS AN ALL AROUND SPORTSMAN YOU KNOW. AND RIGHT NOW IT TOOK ALL OF THAT AWAY FROM ME.))
SUPER=01-James Harris/Victim
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=away from me
ANCHOR=Beth
SS=HOLD

Closing arguments and jury deliberation begin this morning.

7APCO

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#95-106
GRAPHIC=APCO

Some good news for Appalachian Power and its proposed high voltage line.
Len Besthoff reports.
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SOT
IN Q=Appalachian Power
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;:00
SUPER=01-Charles Simmons/APCO; :22
SUPER=@File;:33
SUPER=@Len2;1:05
RUNS=1:22
OUT Q=LB, News-7.
(( Appalachian Power says it needs to build a 115-mile, high-voltage line like this one from West Virginia to Botetourt County, if it wants to keep up with the future demand for electricity.
And after years of evaluation, members of Virginia's State Corporation Commission have reached the same conclusion, saying a proposed high voltage transmission line may be needed. ((CHARLES SIMMONS/APCO: WE'RE PLEASED THAT THE COMMISSION HAS RULED THAT IN FACT THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE FACILITY.))
This marks a defeat for power line opponents, one says I still think the needs issue is out to lunch.
But the opponents' fight isn't over just yet, because regulators stopped short of giving the thumbs up.
A spokesman says the S-C-C wants further information about how the line will be used, and it also wants the company to explore whether there are feasible ways to lessen the line's impact on two areas within Craig and Roanoke Counties. ((SIMMONS: AND WE REMAIN CONVINCED THAT THE ROUTING THAT WAS DONE BY THE UNIVERSITY STUDY TEAM REPRESENTS THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ROUTE IN TOTAL, BUT WE'LL CERTAINLY BE RESPONSIVE TO THE COMMISSION'S REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.))
Apco may have received an early Christmas present from Virginia regulators.
But it doesn't even have a application on file to build the line in West Virginia, where a majority of the project will go, and even more ardent opposition awaits.
Len Besthoff, News-7.))

7Fire-Fighters

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#95-107
GRAPHIC=NONE

Roanoke's Firefighter Association names it's Outstanding Firefighter of the Year.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night ;

Vernon Wade Bernard received this year's award.
Bernard served the city for 12 years before having to retire after developing Lou Gehrig's disease.
Association president Ed Crawford says even through his illness Bernard has displayed the qualities that made him an outstanding firefighter and an inspiration to others.
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SOT
IN Q=19:55:34
(( ))
SUPER=01-Ed Crawford/Firefighters Association;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=Vernon's been able to do.
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VO-NAT

State senator Bo Trumbo and Delegate Chip Woodrum were also honored for their support of firefighter causes.
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7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to the weather -
Your Friday will start out sunny and mild, with temperatures highs near 60.

Become cloudy this afternoon, with periods of rain expected tonight.
Lows will be in the 40s.
The rain will be ending tomorrow, then clearing - highs near 50 degrees.

55Pedestrian

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# edit of county-ax 95-93
GRAPHIC=NONE

A teenage driver faces a D-U-I charge after running over and killing a pedestrian last night in Roanoke County.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night;

The accident happened at about 8:30 last night on Kingsmill Drive.
45-year-old Bonnie Kitts of Salem was knocked unconscious, and taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where she died.
The teenage driver was taken into custody.
An investigation is continuing.
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55Michael-Draper

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#edit of draper on 95-104
GRAPHIC=Draper

A man tried twice for the same crime is now free.
Michael Draper walked yesterday from the Martinsville Courthouse after a jury found him not guilty of malicious wounding.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday;

Draper was accused of placing a pipe bomb in a parking lot in October of 93.
Police believe the blast was intended for the father of Draper's former girlfriend, who was scheduled to testify against him in court.
Another man was seriously injured by the explosion.
But yesterday, a jury deliberated for less than two hours before acquitting Draper.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

This was Draper's second trial on charges of malicious wounding and possession of an explosive device.
The first ended with a hung jury.

55Animal-Warden

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#edit of 95-65
GRAPHIC=NONE

Drug charges have been dropped against the son of the Henry County animal warden.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

In June, Patrick County deputies caught Garu Wheeler with (PENTA-barbitall) Pentobarbital- a drug used to euthanize animals.
But a judge ruled that Wheeler was working for his father when he was arrested.
Meanwhile animal warden Gerald Wheeler is still facing charges in Henry County.
He's accused of distributing the drug and falsifying records.
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55Allen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

It looks like it will be a happy new year for state employees.
The "Richmond Times-Dispatch" reports today that workers would receive a bonus and a pay increase under Governor Allen's proposal.
It says his budget includes a four-point-two percent bonus for all permanent employees and college faculty one year from today.
And sources tell NEWS 7 that if Allen had introduced this budget last year, he might have a G-O-P majority legislature today.
Last December, Allen sprang a budget based on a tax cut on lawmakers with NO advance consultation.

55Coles-James

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#95-97
GRAPHIC=James

Health and Human Resources Secretary Kay James is the first member of George Allen's staff to jump ship.
But so far, James has not said what she will do next.
Ellen Qualls has the story.
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SOT
IN Q=James has avoided
SUPER=@file; :00
SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVA Political Analyst; :41
SUPER=@Ellen2; :58
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.
(( James has avoided reporters since her vague resignation letter was made public.
But sources close to the Governor say the Administration privately considers her a lightning rod for General Assembly critics.
Implementing the nation's toughest statewide welfare reform which she helped craft can only become a bad news story.
And she's an independent thinker, a little farther right than George Allen.
Maybe that's why Allen insiders are now backing Chesapeake Delegate Randy Forbes for the chairmanship of the Republican party.
That's a position that James supporters hoped she'd get.
But most think her eyes are on a bigger prize, maybe Lieutenant Governor in 1997.
Or bigger.
She's talked with Bob Dole. ((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS LOOK FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN TO FILL SLOTS. THEIR CONSTITUENCY TENDS TO BE WHITE MALE. SO ANY TIME YOU HAVE A PROMINENT AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, SUCH AS KAY JAMES, THEY REALLY HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF POSITIONS.))
Between now and then, Kay James can pick up a tidy sum of money on the conservative lecture circuit.
And expect to see her in the conservative spotlight on national issues.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

55Weather

8Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# edit of county-ax 95-93
GRAPHIC=NONE

A woman who was hit by a car while she was walking along Kingsmill Drive in Roanoke County last night has died.
A Salem teenager driving the car has been charged with driving under the influence.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night;

The accident happened at about 8:30.
45-year-old Bonnie Kitts of Salem was knocked unconscious, and taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where she died.
Police are still investigating.
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8Draper

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#edit of draper on 95-104
GRAPHIC=Draper

A Martinsville man accused of trying to kill his girlfriend's father with a
pipe bomb is free this morning. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/Yesterday;

In less than two hours yesterday a jury found Michael Drapper not guilty of malicious wounding.
Draper was accused of placing a pipe bomb in a parking lot in October of 19- 93.
Police believe the blast was intended for the father of Draper's former girlfriend, who was scheduled to testify against him in court.
Another man was seriously injured by the explosion.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I have always treated
((MICHAEL DRAPER/DEFENDANT: I HAVE ALWAYS TREATED PEOPLE DECENT, TREATED THEM WITH RESPECT NO MATTER WHAT FEELINGS THEY HAVE TOWARD ME. I NEVER TRIED TO DO ANYTHING AGAINST THEM.)) ((RANDOLPH SMITH/PROSECUTOR: WE SOLVED THE CRIME. IF THE JURY WANTS TO TURN HIM LOOSE AND LET HIM DO IT AGAIN, THAT'S UP TO THEM. THAT'S THEIR RIGHT.))
SUPER=01-Michael Draper/Defendant; :00
SUPER=01-Randolph Smith/Prosecutor; :09
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=that's their right.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

This was Draper's second trial on charges of malicious wounding and possession of an explosive device.
The first ended with a hung jury.

8Narrows-Water

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 95-100
GRAPHIC=NONE

The water is flowing this morning in Narrows after crews fixed numerous main breaks.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Narrows/Yesterday;

Crews found two breaks in the line Wednesday.
Another was found yesterday.
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SOT 11:24:22
IN Q=They were
((W. H. CLEMONS/NARROWS POLICE CHIEF: THEY WERE ASKING PEOPLE TO CONSERVE WATER, NOT WASH ANY CARS OR CLOTHS, OR USING THE WATER FOR ANYTHING UNNECESSARY UNLESS IT WAS EMERGENCY USE ONLY. ))
SUPER=01-W. H. Clemons/Narrows Police Chief;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=use only
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VO-NAT

Water in the storage tanks has dropped to low levels.
The town is taking precautions in the event of an emergency.
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SOT 11:25:56
IN Q=All the fire
((ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND RESCUE SQUADS IN GILES COUNTY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ON THE SITUATION AND IF THERE IS A FIRE OR ANYTHING IN TOWN ALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN GILES COUNTY WILL RESPOND. ))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=will respond.
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VO-NAT

Officials say the water use restrictions will be in effect into the weekend.
Narrows Elementary AND High School will dismiss classes at noon today.
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8Waltons-Museum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#95-108
GRAPHIC=NONE

The controversial director of Nelson County's Waltons' Mountain Musuem is resigning.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Nelson Co./File Tape;

Bill Luhrs (Loorz) helped create the museum but says he's now ready to enjoy retirement.
Luhrs is 80 years old.
His leadership became the center of controversy earlier this year-
That's when Luhrs clashed with "Waltons" creator Earl Hamner and his brother James over the way the museum was being run.
The center dedicated to the T-V show- has attracted more than 40- thousand visitors a year since it opened in 1992.
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8Lyric

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# edit
GRAPHIC=none

The former Lyric Theater in Lexington may be converted into condominiums.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lexington/Yesterday;

The city's planning commission yesterday took steps in allowing condominiums on the first floor of the building by proposing a conditional use permit.
Tim Golden, who's also a member of City Council, opposed the idea.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 05:28:02
IN Q=If we go
((TIM GOLDEN/LEXINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION: IF WE GO AHEAD AND SAY YES WE'RE ALLOWING FIRST FLOOR RESIDENTIAL IN THE COMMERCIAL DOWNTOWN THEN WE HAVE TO ALLOW IT IN COMMERCIAL DOWNTOWN.))
SUPER=00-Tim Golden/Lexington Planning Commission; (Screen Right)
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=the commercial downtown.
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VO-NAT

Golden says he has a problem with giving up the space for residential use.
The current zoning allows only commercial use of the first floor in downtown buildings.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:10:45
IN Q=The difficulty with
((JEAN DUNBAR/DEVELOPER: THE DIFFICULTY WITH THE LYRIC IS THAT IT'S BASICALLY NEW CONSTRUCTION. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT OTHER THAN THE SHELL.))
SUPER=01-Jean Dunbar/Developer;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=than the shell.
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VO-NAT

The Lyric has been vacant for nearly a decade.
The commission's recommendation will now go to city council for approval.
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8Weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to the weather -
Your Friday will start out sunny and mild, with highs near 60.
Become cloudy this afternoon, with periods of rain tonight.
Lows will be in the 40s. tomorrow - highs will be in the 50's on Saturday and in the 40's on Sunday. The rain will be ending