WDBJ 7 morning news for 02/28/96

06:00-01

HEADLINES

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The race for the Republican presidential nomination moves on to South Carolina following primaries yesterday in Arizona and the Dakotas.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And another setback for the lesbian mother seeking to regain custody of her young son. wx-head
(beth ad lib)
live-head
(larry ad lib)
ANCHOR=Melanie 2 shot

News 7 Mornin' is next.

Franklin-Phone

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

Franklin County is experiencing problems with its local telephone system.
At about 2:30 this morning, all lines went dead.
No word on what caused the problem.
Service has since been restored to most of the county, but 9-1-1 is NOT working in some areas.
If you have an emergency call 483-3000

Roanoke-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jda
TAPE#96-11
GRAPHIC=fire

A Roanoke couple saw fire and rain overnight as a water leak and then flames damaged their southeast Roanoke apartment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Firefighters were called to the 400 block of Walnut Avenue this morning.
Flames burned a large hole through the siding of the second floor.
Dottie Glass and Roy Dalton had just moved into the building on Friday. They say their living room was soaked by a leak in the ceiling before the apartment caught fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We went to sleep
((ROY DALTON: WE WENT TO SLEEP. I WOKE UP ABOUT ONE O'CLOCK TO TAKE A SHOWER. I WENT IN THE BATHROOM TO TURN THE LIGHT ON AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. HAPPENED TO SMELL SMOKE AND COME OUTSIDE AND THE ELECTRICAL BOX ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE.))
SUPER=07-Roy Dalton;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=was on fire.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

No one was injured in the blaze.

Bottoms

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-4
GRAPHIC=Bottoms

Lesbian Sharon Bottoms will not get her son back any time soon.
Once again, a Virginia judge has denied Bottoms custody of her own son.
Ellen Qualls was there for last night's verdict.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Sharon Bottoms
SUPER=03-Henrico Co./Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Richard Ryder/Kay Bottoms' Attorney; :24 (Quick)
SUPER=01-Donald Butler/Sharon Bottoms' Attorney; :43
SUPER=01-Steve Pershing/Va. ACLU; :48
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:29
RUNS=1:44
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Henrico Co.

(( Sharon Bottoms and April Wade were back in court to prove how Sharon's life was in order -- and Sharon's mother Kay's was NOT.
They even got some unexpected help from the attorney appointed by the court to represent four year old Tyler.
Torrence Harmon recommended Sharon regain custody -- and warned she was profoundly concerned about Tyler's development in the care of his grandmother.
SOT 06:43:38
((RICHARD RYDER: WELL I DON'T CONSIDER HER AS BEING OBJECTIVE.))
RUNS=:03

But the judge ruled in Kay Bottoms' favor again, turning the guardian's advice on its head.
Judge William Boice favored the jubilant grandmother -- saying Sharon had "plateaued as an underachiever," ironically using the phrase psychologists used to describe Tyler under Kay's care.
Sharon's attorney had little to say.
sot 06:34:04
((DONALD BUTLER/SHARON BOTTOMS' ATTORNEY: THAT'S A GOOD ANALOGY. What is? A KICK IN THE GUT.))
runs=:04

SOT 06:38:34
((STEVE PERSHING/VA. ACLU: IMAGINE HOW THAT WOULD FEEL TO YOU. TO BE SUED BY YOUR OWN MOTHER FOR CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD.))
RUNS=:06

sot 06:41:55
((RICHARD RYDER: THE VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT HAS SAID IN MORE THAN ONE CASE IF YOU ENGAGE IN HOMOSEXUAL OR LESBIAN BEHAVIOR WHERE THE CHILD IS SUBJECTED TO IT, THEN THAT MAKES YOU AN UNFIT PARENT.))
runs=:11

The judge said little about homosexuality, but a lot about a contract for a made for TV movie that appalled him.
SOT 06:36:58
((STEVE PERSHING/VA. ACLU: FOLKS BADGERED SHARON AND APRIL FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, AND HER LAWYERS TOO. ...THAT'S A FAR CRY FROM GOING AND SEEKING MEDIA ATTENTION.))
RUNS=:16

SOT 06:50:11
((AFTER SHARON BOTTOMS HEARD THIS VERDICT SHE DROPPED HER HEAD AND BEGAN SOBBING. SHE AND HER PARTNER WISHED TO AVOID THE MEDIA CIRCUS FOR WHICH THE JUDGE HAD BLAMED THEM. INSTEAD THEY SLIPPED OUT THE BACK. THIS CASE WILL BE APPEALED. ELLEN QUALLS, NEWS 7, HENRICO COUNTY.))
RUNS=:15))

Meeting

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#edit of 96-17
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

Roanoke officials want to restore Henry Street to the way it was in its heyday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;

But it was evident at last night's public meeting, that many residents feel left out of the planning.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 1 7:30:43
((REV. LEONARD HINES: THE COMMUNITY IS SICK AND TIRED OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO US. NOW, YOU MESSED UP GAINSBORO, AND WE DECLARE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MESS UP HENRY STREET WITHOUT A FIGHT. ))
SUPER=07-Rev. Leonard Hines;
RUNS=:12
OUT= without a fight.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Many residents feel the 18-million dollar proposal to renovate Henry Street overlooks what their community really needs.
Planners promise blacks will be encouraged to open businesses again in the district.
Others say the issue is not a racial one and residents need to become more unified.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 7:58:17
IN Q=We have got
((JANE GOTT: WE HAVE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AND STOP THIS BLACK TALK, WHITE TALK. WE ARE ONE. ))
SUPER=07-Jane Gott;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=we are one.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Such passionate debate was what city officials and organizers wanted at the public meeting.
Residents say more public input is necessary if the Henry Street Revival is to be a welcomed part of the neighborhood.
(----------------)

primary

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=campaign 96

It's on to South Carolina for the G-O-P presidential field.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Phoenix, AZ/Last Night;

Steve Forbes now holds the lead in delegates after capturing all 39 at stake in yesterday's Arizona primary.
The win is a major boost for Forbes after fourth place showings in Iowa and New Hampshire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((STEVE FORBES; DESPITE THE FEARS AND ANXIETIES IN OUR LAND TODAY WE CAN ONCE AGAIN MAKE AMERICA THAT SHINING CITY ON THE HILL. ))
SUPER=01-Steve Forbes/(R) Presidential Candidate;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=on the hill.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

Bob Dole captured his first two primaries yesterday in North and South Dakota.
He attributed Forbes' victory to the publisher's multi- million ad campaign.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((BOB DOLE: FORBES SPENT 4 MILLION DOLLARS THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AND I SPENT 860-THOUSAND AND IT DOESN'T HELP HIM, IT HELPS BUCHANAN AND DRIVES ME DOWN BUT IT DOESN'T DRIVE HIM UP. ))
SUPER=01-Sen. Bob Dole/(R) Presidential Candidate;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=drive him up.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Dole predicts a win in South Carolina where 37 delegates will be up for grabs.
(----------------)

CUBA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=cuban air strike

The group "Brothers to the Rescue" says they'll return to the scene of Saturday's Cuban jet attack.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Cuban-exile group says it will drop flowers into the ocean this weekend in honor of the four men shot out of the air.
Transcripts revealed yesterday at the U-N show that the Cuban pilots knew they were attacking Cessna planes.
(----------------)

1-Sports

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=sports cut in
GRAPHIC=none

Time now for sports and a look at high school hoop action.
Steve Mason has the highlights. Good morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=good morning
RUNS=1:50
OUT Q=is gone
$CCOFF

One-Larry

ANCHOR=Larry
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ldo
CHROMAKEY=Live/Microwave
GRAPHIC=none

(Live Interview)

SUPER=15-Larry Dowdy;
SUPER=11-Roanoke;

SUPER=13-Scott Leweke/Cardinal Bicycle;

SUPER=11-Roanoke;

(Toss to Beth)

Hall

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-5
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

More testimony is expected today at a Floyd County murder trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Floyd Co./Yesterday;

34- year- old David Joel Hall is charged with killing his girlfriend in the Willis section of the county.
SUPER=03-Floyd Co./June 14, 1995;

June 14th Sheriff's deputies found the body of 18 year old Ellen Marjorie Plocki (PLAH-kee) in a small room inside a garage.
The two had apparently been living there.
She died from a severe beating to the head.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:14:07 tape 1
IN Q=A blood clot
((WILLIAM MASSELLO/ASST. CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER: A BLOOD CLOT THAT LAYS OVER THE SURFACE OF THE BRAIN AND IS A RESULT OF A BLOW OR IMPACT OR SEVERAL IMPACTS TO THE HEAD OR FACE AREA. ))
SUPER=01-William Massello/Asst. Chief Medical Examiner;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=face area
(----------------)
VO-NAT

More than a dozen witnesses testified for the prosecution.
The defense is still waiting to call its FIRST witness.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Beth 2 shot
SS= 2 shot

A man who felt wronged by a court order NOT to see his ex-girlfriend was sentenced to eight years in prison for her abduction in Roanoke.

Cobbs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

Authorities say Darren Cobbs planned to kill himself when he went to a shopping center last August where his ex-girlfriend worked.
He dragged the woman out of a hair salon and put a gun to his head after firing several shots.
The woman knocked the gun away from Cobbs' head.
It fired, hitting Cobbs in the leg.
Cobbs forced the woman into a car and drove her to a mobile home in Franklin County.
He held her there for several hours until he was arrested.

SIMPSON

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=none

O-J Simpson could wrap up his deposition for a wrongful death civil suit today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Los Angeles/Yesterday;

Yesterday with Simpson at his side his attorney called for jurors to keep an open mind when they make their decision.
Today Lawyers for Ron Goldman's family expect to zero in on Simpson's financial condition.
(----------------)

Safe-Home

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-7
GRAPHIC=Domestic Violence

The recent national attention on domestic violence has uncovered the dark side of relationships.
And there is one shelter in Covington that hopes to uncover...a little hope.
Ron Jones has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Melanie White says
SUPER=03-Covington; :00
SUPER=01-Melanie White/Safehome Exec. Director; :14
SUPER=03-Washington DC/Last Week; :59
SUPER=@Ron2; 1:20 (Quick)
RUNS=1:23
OUT Q=Ron Jones, News Seven.

((Melanie White says Safehome has helped more than 500 women and children and also handled more than three- thousand crisis calls over the past five years.
She runs the shelter for victims of Domestic Violence.
SOT 02:27:27:29
((MELANIE WHITE/SAFEHOME EXEC. DIRECTOR: ABUSE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN MUCH NEEDED, MANY, MANY, YEARS AGO SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. SO WOMEN CAN COME IN AND HAVE A NON-VIOLENT LIFESTYLE. AND HAVE THAT PROTECTION AND SECURITY AND SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.))
RUNS=:16

This woman, who did NOT want to be identified, says she was abused for three years... until one day she had enough.
SOT 02:42:23
((I WAS SCARED TO LEAVE BUT I LEFT, BUT THEN I'D BE BACK IN A MATTER OF WEEKS THINKING, OKAY THINGS CAN CHANGE, THINGS WILL BE BETTER. AND IT TOOK ME THE FOURTH TIME TO REALIZE, YOU KNOW, TOOK ME THAT MANY TIMES TO REALIZE THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO CHANGE UNLESS I DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT MYSELF.))
RUNS=:15

And with Safehome she did.
She's working NOW and plans to buy a home.
WHITE HOUSE VIDEO
The White House has also come on the scene by promoting a Domestic Violence number for those abused or in need.
The president says he wants more involvement in the future... but Melanie is hoping for something a little different.
SOT 02:30:47
((I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SAFEHOME OUT OF A JOB. I HATE TO SAY I'D LIKE TO BE OUT OF A JOB BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE OUT OF A JOB... BUT IF WE'RE OUT OF A JOB THAT MEANS NO ONE IS BEING ABUSED ANYMORE.))
RUNS=:09

A prayer many would agree upon.
Ron Jones, News seven.))

2-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=college hoops

In sports --
Top-ranked Kentucky won it's 24th straight game thumping Auburn 88-to-73.
The Wildcats are one game win away from becoming the first team in 40 years to go undefeated in the Southeastern Conference.
Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(///////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=97-Kentucky/=88/Auburn/=73//Villanova/=76/Boston College/=71;
SUPER=97-Providence/=84/Georgetown/=77//Wake Forest/=84/N. Carolina/=60;

SUPER=103-Detroit/==6/NY Islanders/==2//Washington/==5/NY Rangers/==3;
SUPER=103-Edmonton/==4/Boston/==3//Pittsburgh/==7/Vancouver/==4;

Two-Larry

2headlines

ANCHOR=
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=mel
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
ANCHOR=Melanie

With 60 Republican delegates in his back pocket, Steve Forbes leads the G-O-P presidential pack heading into Saturday's South Carolina primary.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
ANCHOR=Beth

Another court defeat for Sharon Bottoms.
A judge ruled against granting her custody of her four- year- old son saying her lesbian lifestyle makes her an unfit mother.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
ANCHOR=Melanie

And Virginia Military Institute looks at the possibility of going private as a Supreme Court decision nears on the school's all male status.
(----------------)

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday February 28th.
ANCHOR=Beth

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

2Wx-Hello

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none
(CURRENT STATS)
(RNKE/L'BURG)
ESS 2
(TODAY/AREA FORECAST)

campaign-96

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=campaign 96

The Republican presidential hopefuls head south after an upset in the West.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Millionaire publisher Steve Forbes shocked rivals Pat Buchanan and Bob Dole with a victory yesterday in Arizona's G-O-P primary.
SUPER=03-Phoenix, AZ/Last Night;

After winning all of the state's 39 delegates Forbes now holds the lead with a total of 60 delegates.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((STEVE FORBES; DESPITE THE FEARS AND ANXIETIES IN OUR LAND TODAY WE CAN ONCE AGAIN MAKE AMERICA THAT SHINING CITY ON THE HILL. ))
SUPER=01-Steve Forbes/(R) Presidential Candidate;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=on the hill.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

Senator Bob Dole picked up consolation wins in North and South Dakota by wide margins.
He attributed Forbes' Arizona victory to the publisher's multi- million dollar ad campaign.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((BOB DOLE:I CAN'T SPEND 4 MILLION DOLLARS IN ARIZONA, YOU OUGHT TO REPORT WHAT'S HAPPENING, THIS GUY'S TRYING TO BUY THE ELECTION. ))
SUPER=01-Sen. Bob Dole/(R) Presidential Candidate;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=by the election.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Meantime, Pat Buchanan got shut out of the victory column in this round.
But still predicts victory in the final match-up.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((PAT BUCHANAN:CLEARLY IF I'D WON ARIZON, I THINK HOW THEY WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME FROM GETTING THE NOMINATION, CLEARLY IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG BATTLE BUT I'M GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION. ))
SUPER=01-Pat Buchanan/(R) Presidential Candidate;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=going to win the nomination.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The next stop is South Carolina, which holds its primary Saturday.
(----------------)

Lesbian-Verdict

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#96-4
GRAPHIC=Bottoms

Lesbian mother Sharon Bottoms will not get custody of her four- year- old son.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Henrico Co./Yesterday;

Bottoms was back in court trying to prove her life was more stable than that of her mother, Kay Bottoms.
Tyler is now living with Kay, his grandmother.
Judge William Boice last night affirmed his 19-93 ruling that the boy should be placed in Kay's custody.
Boice says Sharon's lesbian lifestyle makes her an unfit mother.
The Virginia Supreme Court last year upheld Boice's decision.
Sharon and her partner, April Wade, fled the courthouse in tears without speaking to reporters.
(----------------)

Henry-Street

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-17
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

Restoring Henry Street to the way it was in its heyday--
It's the vision of Roanoke officials and planners-- but many residents feel left out of the visioning process.
Kimberly McBroom has the story from last night's public hearing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The community is sick
SUPER=07-Rev. Leonard Hines; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :14
SUPER=07-Robert Gravely; :35
SUPER=01-Bev Fitzpatrick/Henry Street Revitalization Comm.; 1:00
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:10
RUNS=1:26
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7
((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 1 7:30:43
((REV. LEONARD HINES: THE COMMUNITY IS SICK AND TIRED OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO US. NOW, YOU MESSED UP GAINSBORO, AND WE DECLARE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MESS UP HENRY STREET WITHOUT A FIGHT. ))
RUNS=:12

That was the sentiment of most who attended the meeting-- that the 18- million- dollar proposal to renovate Henry Street is an indecent one.
While planners promise blacks will be encouraged to open businesses again on Henry Street-- many questioned how that would be made possible.
Perhaps the biggest opposition came from those who feel the project has been pushed over on them.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 7:46:32
((ROBERT GRAVELY: YA'LL DIDN'T ASK US WHAT WE WANT OR WHAT WE NEED. YA'LL COME UP WITH A PLAN OUT OF NOWHERE FOR US. YA'LL GOING TO BRING OUR CULTURE BACK-- WHY CAN'T WE BRING IT BACK? ))
RUNS=:12

Such passionate debate was what city officials and organizers had asked for by hosting the public hearing.
And one official says he understands residents' concerns-- and wants them to continue speaking out.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 2 9:22:22
((BEV FITZPATRICK/HENRY STREET REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE: I MEAN, THIS IS THEIR COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS IT IS ANYBODY ELSE'S AND RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS FIND OUT IF THERE'S COMMON GROUND AND MAKE SURE IF THERE IS, THAT WE FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK ))
RUNS=:08
Standup here please tape 2
As one speaker put it, black people are more than soul food and jazz-- and many here say the proposed plan overlooks what their community really needs.
They say more public input is necessary if the Henry Street Revival is to be welcomed in their neighborhood.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

Walnut-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jda
TAPE#96-11
GRAPHIC=fire

First it was a water leak, then flames at the home of a Roanoke couple overnight.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Firefighters were called to this apartment on Walnut Avenue this morning.
Flames burned a large hole through the siding of the second floor.
Dottie Glass and Roy Dalton had just moved into the building on Friday.
They say their living room was soaked by a leak in the ceiling before the apartment caught fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We went to sleep
((ROY DALTON: WE WENT TO SLEEP. I WOKE UP ABOUT ONE O'CLOCK TO TAKE A SHOWER. I WENT IN THE BATHROOM TO TURN THE LIGHT ON AND IT WOULDN'T WORK. HAPPENED TO SMELL SMOKE AND COME OUTSIDE AND THE ELECTRICAL BOX ON THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE.))
SUPER=07-Roy Dalton;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=was on fire.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

No one was injured in the blaze.

GRAMMYS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=grammys

A few of the biggest names in music are fine-tuning their performances in preparation for tonight's 38th Annual Grammy Awards.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=gazing out of her window.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Performers will included T-L-C whose R&B hit Waterfalls is up for best record, Joan Osborne, nominated in five categories including record of the year and best female pop performance, and Seal singing the Batman-ballad, "Kiss From the Rose".
Canadian artists Alanis Morissette and Mariah Carey stand to win the most, each with six nominations.
SUPER=03-Beverly Hills/Last Night;

Last night at the Beverly Hills Hotel Arista Records held a Pre-Grammy bash.
Grammy winners will be announced tonight beginning at 8 right here on Your Hometown Station.
(----------------)

3-Sports

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=sports cut in
GRAPHIC=none

In sports, Steve Mason has highlights of Region C high school basketball, plus news of a big N-H-L trade.
Good morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=good morning
RUNS=2:22
OUT Q=great wednesday
$CCOFF
Birthdays
TALENT=Larry
SS=none
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=(nat sot music)
RUNS=1:34
out= back to you.

Three-Larry

Sharon-Bottoms

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#96-4
GRAPHIC=Bottoms

A Virginia judge has denied lesbian Sharon Bottoms custody of her son.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Henrico Co./Yesterday;

Bottoms and April Wade were back in court to prove how Sharon's life was in order -- and Sharon's mother Kay's was NOT.
They got some unexpected help from the attorney appointed by the court to represent four- year- old Tyler.
Torrence Harmon recommended Sharon regain custody.
She said she was profoundly concerned about Tyler's development in the care of his grandmother.
SOT 06:43:38
((RICHARD RYDER: WELL I DON'T CONSIDER HER AS BEING OBJECTIVE.)) ((STEVE PERSHING/VA. ACLU: IT'S MY JUDGMENT THAT THIS COURT, LIKE THE CIRCUIT COURT THREE YEARS AGO, AND THE VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT IN THE INTERIM WAS SIMPLY NOT PREPARED TO BRING VIRGINIA INTO THE 20TH CENTURY BEFORE IT ENDS.))
SUPER=01-Richard Ryder/Kay Bottoms' Attorney; (Quick!)
SUPER=01-Steve Pershing/VA. ACLU; :04
RUNS=:15
OUT=before it ends.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The judge favored the grandmother, Kay Bottoms -- saying Sharon had "plateaued as an underachiever," ironically using the phrase psychologists used to describe Tyler under Kay's care.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Beth
SS=none

The judge said little about homosexuality, but a lot about a contract for a T-V movie that appalled him.
Bottoms sobbed after she heard the verdict.
This case will be appealed.

Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jda
TAPE#edit of 96-11
GRAPHIC=fire

A Roanoke couple escaped injury when their new southeast Roanoke apartment caught fire this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Firefighters were called to the 400 block of Walnut Avenue at about 1:30.
Flames burned a large hole through the siding of the second floor.
Dottie Glass and Roy Dalton had just moved into the building on Friday.
Dalton says he woke up to find no electricity in the house, and the electrical box on the side of the house on fire.
To make matters worse, they say their living room was soaked by a leak in the ceiling before the apartment caught fire.
(-------------)

Public-Meeting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#edit of 96-17
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

Roanoke residents and city officials want to restore Henry Street to the way it was in its heyday.
But, they do not agree on how to do it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;

At last night's public meeting, it was evident that many residents feel left out of the planning.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 1 7:30:43
((REV. LEONARD HINES: THE COMMUNITY IS SICK AND TIRED OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING TO US. NOW, YOU MESSED UP GAINSBORO, AND WE DECLARE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO MESS UP HENRY STREET WITHOUT A FIGHT. ))
SUPER=07-Rev. Leonard Hines;
RUNS=:12
OUT= without a fight.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Many residents feel the 18-million dollar proposal to renovate Henry Street overlooks what their community really needs.
Planners promise blacks will be encouraged to open businesses again in the district.
Others say the Henry Street issue is not a racial one and residents need to become more unified.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 7:58:17
IN Q=We have got
((JANE GOTT: WE HAVE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AND STOP THIS BLACK TALK, WHITE TALK. WE ARE ONE. ))
SUPER=07-Jane Gott;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=we are one.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Such passionate debate was what city officials and organizers wanted at the public meeting.
Residents say more public input is necessary if the Henry Street Revival is to be a welcomed part of the neighborhood.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie 2 shot
SS= 2 shot

Meantime, Lynchburg City Council was talking trash last night.

L'burg-Council

ANCHOR=Beth 2 shot
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-18
GRAPHIC=2 shot

Council members are telling residents to keep putting those orange stickers on their trash bags, at least for now.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night

City council approved a resolution awarding the garbage collection and recycling contract to the City's public works department.
But council also decided to spend up to five thousand dollars on a survey, that'll determine whether residents want to keep the trash tag system.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:00:29
IN Q=I do get
((JIM WHITAKER/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: I DO GET THE SENSE THAT PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON AND DO SOMETHING ELSE, BUT I ALSO KEEP HEARING PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT `I DON'T LIKE THE TAG SYSTEM, I WISH WE COULD GET RID OF THE TAG SYSTEM'. AND SO THERE'S THAT SENTIMENT OUT THERE, THAT IF THERE'S A WAY TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, LET'S CONTINUE TO LOOK.))
SUPER=01-Jim Whitaker/Lynchburg Mayor; :00
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=continue to look.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Council also allocated nearly 28 thousand dollars to help pay for the demolition and cleanup of the old Lukens building which burned Christmas Day.
The city has placed a lien on the property in hopes of recovering that money.
Authorities want to get the property and the rest of the riverfront cleaned up before the annual Festival By The James in June.
(----------------)

VMI

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=6am
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-8
GRAPHIC=VMI Seal

Could Virginia Military Institute afford to become a private school?
A federal appeals court raised that possibility three and a half years ago- -as one alternative to forcing women on V-M-I.
Keith Humphry has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Superintendent Josiah Bunting
SUPER=03-Lexington/September, 1995; :00
SUPER=@keith1; :13
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=humphry, news 7
((
Superintendent Josiah Bunting says it could happen, if the Supreme Court rules against V-M-I.
Bunting boasted to newspaper writers in Richmond Friday that he could raise the money it would take to go private ...in ten phone calls. S/U
At first General Bunting agreed to talk with us about it, then changed his mind- -apparently after getting some calls from alumni over the weekend.
In addition to doubling the endowment to about 350-million dollars, it would require a vote of the Board of Visitors and probably the General Assembly.
It's hard to imagine Virginia just handing over the keys to the Institute. S/U
The Commonwealth owns all this: 134 acres of prime real estate in Lexington valued at $153 million.
Not even the nation's most heavily endowed public college- -which V-M-I is, per student- -could afford to buy AND operate it as a private school- -solely to maintain its policy of admitting only men.
NAT SOT-yelling

The final ritual of the rat line.
Three weeks ago the class of '99 emerged from this muddy mass of male bonding.
The Superintendent declined to let us record the event at the time, but this privately- produced videotape follows the rats as they're first tormented by upperclassmen and then ultimately pulled from the mire.
Once they've broken out of the rat line, they're part of the brotherhood, recognized in a class of their own, treated with the respect afforded men in uniform. Keith Humphry, News 7.))

4-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=nba logo

In sports --
The Chicago Bulls became the fastest team in N-B-A history to reach 50
victories by thumping the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-to-99.

Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(///////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=96-Houston/105/Toronto/100//Chicago/120/Minnesota/=99;
SUPER=96-Cleveland/=92/Golden State/=80//Indiana/101/Portland/=87;
SUPER=96-Miami/=93/New Jersey/=90//Charlotte/=88/Milwaukee/=84;
SUPER=96-Philadelphia/121/Dallas/115//Denver/=96/Washington/=92;
SUPER=96-LA Clippers/=95/San Antonio/=90;