08:25-01

7Richmond-Murders

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation


Richmond authorities may be narrowing their search for a serial killer or killers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;


Yesterday, the Golden Years Task Force announced an arrest in one of a string of murders of older women in the Richmond area since 1990.
An 18-year old woman is charged with a 1993 beating murder and robbery.
SUPER=@file;


That leaves five more recent strangulation murders while that suspect has been in a juvenile prison for other crimes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:42:39
IN Q=It is possible

((JERRY OLIVER/RICHMOND POLICE CHIEF: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS ONE OR TWO OR THREE PEOPLE WHO'VE KILLED MULTIPLE TIMES IN OUR CITY. IT IS PROBABLE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE SUSPECTS IN MULTIPLE HOMICIDES.))
SUPER=01-Jerry Oliver/Richmond Police Chief;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=multiple homicides.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=Murder Investigation


Meantime -- detectives are in Texas to question a former Richmond man arrested for last week's ritualistic strangulation murder of his mother in Tyler, Texas.
Richmond's Chief Oliver says there are too many possible links to pass up questioning Karl Sme-tana about the Golden Years murders.

7Allman


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-33
GRAPHIC=Scott Allman


The man accused of leading Roanoke County police on a high speed chase that ended in the deaths of a Vinton family, has a history of driving offenses.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem/Yesterday;


In court yesterday, the judge took note of Allman's 49-driving demerits for bad driving.
The 21-year-old had two outstanding traffic violations before the fatal accident-- one for failure to appear in court and the other for driving on a suspended license.
Allman was ordered to pay a 100- dollar fine and was placed on 12 months probation for those earlier violations.
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./April 21;


He is accused of leading police on a high speed chase which resulted in the deaths of a Vinton couple and their infant daughter.
Allman's preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month.
(----------------)


7Spotted-Fever


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#95-39
GRAPHIC=NONE


Health officials are worried about an increase in tick-bourned illnesses.
The prediction comes as a 10-year-old Pulaski child recuperates from a case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File; :


The disease is spread by dog ticks, and it can be fatal.
In recent years, only about 20 cases have been reported.
Health officials are worried that this year, all forms of tick-bourne illnesses will be on the rise because of a higher tick population.
(----------------)

***pinnacle page***
Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever include:
-- flu-like aches and pain
-- headache
-- chills
-- confusion
-- light sensitivity
-- and a high fever.

7Gay-Housing


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


The state A-C-L-U says Virginia's gay housing policy probably won't be affected by a Supreme Court ruling against Colorado's ban on laws protecting gays from discrimination.
The policy bars homosexuals from getting low-interest mortgages from the Virginia Housing Development Authority.
A member of the authority's board of commissioners has asked for information on the Colorado ruling.
But it's not clear whether the board will reconsider its policy.

7Outlook


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Sta
TAPE#96-32
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Outlook


Some local organizations are trying to bring more activity to Roanoke City.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Downtown Roanoke Incorporated is one of many local groups trying to bring homeowners and new businesses to the downtown area.
It's all part of an effort to revitalize downtown Roanoke...an effort that's been around for a while.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:09:46 - 10:09:59
IN Q=There's been a

((MATT KENNELL/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DOWNTOWN ROANOKE, INC.; THERE'S BEEN A PLAN DONE IN '79, '85, AND '89. THOSE THREE PLANS HAVE DIRECTLY RESULTED IN OVER THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS BEING INVESTED IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND WE'RE HOPING THIS PLAN IN '96 WILL ADD SOME MORE INVESTMENT.))
SUPER=01-Matt Kennell/Downtown Roanoke, Inc.;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q= some more investment
(----------------)
VO-NAT


This is one of many projects the group has worked on.
Others include the Hotel Roanoke project and the revamping of Farmer's Market.
(----------------)



7Weather


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


Taking a look at the forecast -
It's going to be sunny and warm today with highs in the mid 80s.
Tonight, expect cool temperatures again - lows will be around 60 degrees.
For Friday, look for more sunshine and a warm start to the weekend, highs will be in the upper 80s.

55Wage


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-34 (6pm version called min-wage)
GRAPHIC=Minimum Wage


House lawmakers will try again today to vote on a minimum wage bill.
The measure would raise the minimum wage 90-cents an hour.
But how much of an impact would a wage increase have in our area?
As Scott Prince found out-- it just depends on who you talk to.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Caroline Jackson
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=07-Caroline Jackson; :11
SUPER=@Scott2; :35
SUPER=01-Virgil Thompson/Virginia Employment Commission; :53
RUNS=1:14
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News 7.


((Caroline Jackson is just getting by.
She's the main provider for herself and two daughters... but barely makes more than minimum wage as a substitute teacher at Greenvale Nursery School. ((CAROLINE JACKSON: THERE'S A LOT OF EMERGENCIES, UNEXPECTEDLY, THAT COME UP. YOU TRY AND KEEP A LITTLE MONEY ON THE SIDE FOR THAT. YOU TRY TO KEEP YOUR HEAD ABOVE THE WATER. ))
A minimum wage increase wouldn't just benefit WORKERS at Greenvale.
It might just help the school in general.
Greenvale enrolls many low- income children... offering day care on a sliding pay scale.
School officials say PARENTS who earn a higher minimum wage, would be able to pay more money to the school.
But according to the Virginia Employment Commission, the OVERALL effects of a wage increase would not be significant in the Roanoke Valley... at least not yet.
Officials say most workers are already making at least five dollars an hour.
But believe total wages could be affected over the next few years. ((VIRGIL THOMPSON/VIRGINIA EMPLOYMENT COMMISSION: IT TENDS, NOT AT FIRST, BUT AS IT GOES DOWN THE ROAD SOMEWHAT, TO MAKE TOTAL WAGES INCREASE BY A CERTAIN AMOUNT. ))
But folks like Caroline Jackson literally can't afford to look down the road.
For her, a minimum wage increase IS significant... and could pay immediate dividends for herself and her family.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))

55Union-Vote


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-38
GRAPHIC=NONE


The United Steel Workers lose a union vote in Pittsylvania County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;


Last night the Union lost by just 24- votes.
270- employees at Times Fiber Communications in Chatham voted against the union.
246 voted in favor.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=No, not by

((FREDERICK STROUD/UNION REPRESENTATIVE: NO, NOT BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, IT IS NOT OVER. THE UNITED STEELE WORKERS UNION IS ALIVE AND WELL AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.))
SUPER=01-Frederick Stroud/Union Representative; :00
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=going anywhere.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


This isn't the first time a union has tried to organize at the plant.
There were several unsuccessful attempts in the 1980's.
Times Fiber makes coaxial cable.
(----------------)



55Smart-lawsuit


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-35
GRAPHIC=Smart Road


One of the people trying to stop the "smart highway" from being built between Blacksburg and I-81 is trying to make a federal case out of it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg/May 17;


Shireen Parsons filed a civil suit in U-S District Court this week to try to stop what she calls "the threatened environmental degradation of Ellett Valley."
She claims federal agencies have no authority to construct a road that she believes would be "solely for the benefit of private interests."
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=Smart Road


Parsons is active in the Sierra Club. She lives in Riner and filed the civil action on her own... withOUT an attorney.

55M'ville-Museum


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-29
GRAPHIC=None


The new director of the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville says the musuem is finalizing plans for a major exhibit.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville;


Stephen Pike says the museum is bringing a "world- class" exhibition that will feature complete and partial dinosaur skeletons including Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The exhibit has never appeared in the United States before, and Pike predicts it will bring large crowds to the Martinsville museum.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=One of the reasons

((STEPHEN PIKE/MUSEUM DIRECTOR: ONE OF THE REASONS, STRATEGICALLY, FOR CHOOSING THIS IS THAT WE KNOW THAT DINOSAURS ARE THE SINGLE MOST POPULAR THING THAT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS HAVE TO OFFER. THIS WILL PROVIDE A REAL CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. IT WILL BE A BLOCKBUSTER.))
SUPER=01-Stephen Pike/Museum Director;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=it will be a blockbuster.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


Pike says he hopes the exhibit will mark the re- emergence of the museum following a difficult period.
The exhibit will open in October.

55Weather


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


Taking a look at the forecast -
It's going to be sunny and warm today with highs in the mid 80s.
Tonight, expect cool temperatures again - lows will be around 60 degrees.
For Friday, look for more sunshine and a warm start to the weekend, highs will be in the upper 80s.

8Richmond-Murders


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-36
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation


Richmond police have narrowed their search for one or more serial killers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;


Yesterday, the Golden Years Task Force announced an arrest for one of a string of murders of older women in the Richmond area since 1990.
An 18-year old woman is charged with a 1993 beating murder and robbery.
SUPER=@file;


That leaves five more recent strangulation murders while that suspect has been in a juvenile prison for other crimes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:42:39
IN Q=It is possible

((JERRY OLIVER/RICHMOND POLICE CHIEF: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE IS ONE OR TWO OR THREE PEOPLE WHO'VE KILLED MULTIPLE TIMES IN OUR CITY. IT IS PROBABLE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE SUSPECTS IN MULTIPLE HOMICIDES.))
SUPER=01-Jerry Oliver/Richmond Police Chief;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=multiple homicides.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=Murder Investigation


Meantime -- detectives are in Texas to question a former Richmond man arrested for last week's ritualistic strangulation murder of his mother in Tyler, Texas.
Richmond's Chief Oliver says there are too many possible links to pass up questioning Karl Sme-tana about the Golden Years murders.

8Allman


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-33
GRAPHIC=Scott Allman


The man accused of leading Roanoke County police on a high speed chase that ended in the deaths of a Vinton family has a history of traffic offenses.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem/Yesterday;


In court yesterday, the judge took note of Scott Allman's 49-driving demerits for bad driving.
The 21-year-old had two outstanding traffic violations before the fatal accident-- one for failure to appear in court and the other for driving on a suspended license.
Allman was ordered to pay a 100- dollar fine and was placed on 12 months probation for those earlier violations.
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./April 21;


He is accused of leading police on a high speed chase which resulted in the deaths of a Vinton couple and their infant daughter.
Allman's preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month.
(----------------)


8Spotted-Fever


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#95-39
GRAPHIC=NONE


Health officials are forecasting an increase in tick- bourne illnesses.
The advisory comes as a 10-year-old child in Pulaski recuperates from a case of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File; :


The disease is spread by dog ticks, and it can be fatal.
In recent years, only about 20 cases have been reported.
But health officials fear all forms of tick-bourne illnesses will increase this year, because of a growing tick population.
(----------------)

***pinnacle page***
Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever include:
-- flu-like aches and pain
-- headache
-- chills
-- confusion
-- light sensitivity
-- and a high fever.

8Dog-Licenses


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=6am
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-25
GRAPHIC=None


Door to door checks in Montgomery County are forcing some dog owners to make sure their dogs are properly licensed in the county.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Checking dog tags
SUPER=03-Christiansburg; 06
SUPER=01-Al Vaden/Deputy Animal Warden; :22
SUPER=@Tracy2; :36
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:30:29

((CHECKING DOG TAGS IN THE AREA TODAY, DO YOU OWN A DOG? NO WE DON'T OWN A DOG. NO DOG. ))
RUNS=:05


For deputy animal warden Al Vaden, it's been a busy Spring.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:55:06

((HAVE YOU WRITTEN A LOT OF TICKETS THIS SPRING? YES I HAVE. ))
RUNS=:03


Vaden and other Montgomery County animal control officers are pounding the pavement for proof of pooch permits.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:54:23

((AL VADEN/MONTGOMERY CO. DEPUTY WARDEN: IT'S MEANT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RABIES. YOU CAN'T BUY A MONTGOMERY COUNTY TAG UNLESS YOU HAVE AN UP-TO-DATE RABIES INNOCULATION FOR YOUR ANIMAL. ))
RUNS=:10


State law requires current rabies shots for all dogs at least four months of age.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:50:36 (two barks)
RUNS=:02


Most counties also require the purchase of tags to support animal control operations.
Some even require cat licensing.
Montgomery County does not, but if you're caught without your dog tags...
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:33:01

((I'LL SET THIS COURT DATE AS JUNE THE 25TH. ))
RUNS=:04


It's a citation and fine, in addition to the cost of shots and tags.
Vaden says the strict enforcement has made a difference.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:55:47

((IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WE DON'T HAVE MANY RABIES REPORTS. ))
RUNS=:05


It's all in the name of pet and people protection. Tracy Altizer, News 7.))

8Weather


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


Taking a look at the forecast - It's going to be sunny and warm today with highs in the mid 80s.
by SS