WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/18/96

08:25-01

7Road

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE#edit of 96-44
GRAPHIC=Smart Road

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is paving the way for the so-called "smart road."
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

The board voted four-to-three last night to allow the state to condemn land for the highway between Blacksburg and Interstate 81.
The five-point-eight-mile highway is billed as one of the first high-tech highways where weather conditions and traffic would be monitored by computer and sensors embedded in the roadway.
Eventually, vehicles could be controlled via computer and sensors.
(-------------)

7Cliff-Fall

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-34
GRAPHIC=none

A Roanoke teenager is out of the hospital after falling more than forth feet yesterday during a hike.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Giles Co.;

16-year old Daniel White was one of a dozen hikers taking part in Camp Bethel's Backpacking Week along the Appalachian Trail.
But he strayed from the path and went rock climbing.
White lost his grip and fell nearly forty feet.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:22:20
IN Q=There were
((BOBBIE SCOTT/WITNESSED ACCIDENT: THERE WERE A LOT OF HOLES... BUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REAL LOOSE AND HE STEPPED ON ONE AND JUST WENT DOWN AND HIT ANOTHER LEDGE AND WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN. SO I KIND OF FLIPPED OUT AND RAN UP HERE YELLING, 'GUYS, HE FELL." ))
SUPER=01-Bobbie Scott/Witness;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=he fell
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Because of the remote location... emergency crews had a difficult time reaching the scene.
So, initially, hikers along the trail came to White's aid.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:12:34
IN Q=We were
((MICHAEL PAINTER/HIKER: WE WERE SITTING HERE EATING LUNCH AND A GUY CAME RUNNING OUT AND SAID SOMEONE FELL OFF THE ROCKS UP THERE. SO WE PUT OUR PACKS ON AND RAN UP THERE, CRAWLED DOWN AND SAW THAT HE WAS ALRIGHT AND EVERYTHING. WE TOOK SOME WATER DOWN TO HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Michael Painter/Hiker;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=down to him
(----------------)
VO-NAT

White was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
But he was released last night... apparently suffering no significant injuries.
(----------------)

7Jones-Trial

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-40
GRAPHIC=Jones

In Lynchburg today, closing arguments will be heard in the murder case against Danny R. Jones.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Jones is accused of fatally shooting 24-year old Robert Lewis Allen during a fight on January 21st.
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

He told a Lynchburg jury yesterday he acted in self-defense.
Allen's murder was the first of two killings this year outside the Glass House restaurant.
Police have responded to dozens of calls there during the past year and they're looking at ways of curbing the violence.
One option is start a petition to take the night club's liquor license away.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 23:41:22
IN Q=Clearly the Glass
((CHIEF CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE: CLEARLY THE GLASS HOUSE HAS SOME SECURITY, BUT OBVIOUSLY WHAT GOES ON THERE AND WHAT SPILLS OUT INTO THE STREET, IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO CONTROL ALL OF THE ACTIONS THAT GO ON WITH THE CLIENTS THAT COME IN. AND THAT'S TRUE IN THAT LOCATION AND IT MAY BE TRUE IN OTHER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY TOO, AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE EVERY REASONABLE STEP TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS PROTECTED.))
SUPER=01-Chief Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police; :00
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=public is protected.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Glass House owners could "not" be reached for comment.
(----------------)

7Prison-Food

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-35
GRAPHIC=lawsuit

An inmate at the Buckingham Correctional Facility isn't happy with his food so he's suing prison officials in federal court.
He contends they are denying him his religious freedom by not letting him eat a special Muslim diet.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Rahim X says he is a converted Muslim and needs a special diet as outlined by the Nation of Islam.
Prison officials say their policy allows inmates to receive special religious diets if a clergyman is willing to confirm the inmate is sincere.
Rahim has yet to receive an endorsement from a muslim clergyman.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:39:26
IN Q=For some reason
((EDWARD MORRIS/DEPUTY DIR. DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS: FOR SOME REASON THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE HAD HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF INMATES WANTING TO GET ON THESE DIETS AND ONCE THEY'RE ON THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE DIET AND WE HAVE TO REMOVE THEM. SO IT'S BECOME A VERY EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE THESE DIETS.))
SUPER=01-Edward Morris/Deputy Dir. Dept. of Corrections;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=provide these diets.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

Buckingham prison has about 125 inmates that receive special diets.
A federal judge will rule on the matter within the next few days.

7Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
It's going to be partly sunny today, but there is a chance for afternoon thunderstorms.
Highs will be around 90 degrees.
Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight and a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Lows will be around 70s.
Looking ahead, clouds will remain tomorrow, with more rain on the way.
Highs will be back up to 90 degrees.

55City-Council

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-37
GRAPHIC=roanke seal

A new rental inspection program has been approved by Roanoke City Council.
But it didn't come without some objection from those who complained it didn't go far enough.
Joe Dashiell reports on the new program-- and the concerns of neighborhood groups.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Stung by criticism
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=@Herbert; :12
SUPER=01-Rev. Wayne Harrison/Belmont Baptist Church; :51
SUPER=@Joe1; 1:03
RUNS=1:18
OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke

((Stung by criticism that the program has been watered down, City Manager Bob Herbert repeatedly defended the rental inspection program as the maximum state law will allow.
SOT HERBERT
IN Q=There aren't any surprizes
((BOB HERBERT/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: THERE AREN'T ANY SURPRIZES WHAT'S IN THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION. LET ME ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME DISAPPOINTMENT, BECAUSE THERE WERE CERTAINLY SOME POWERFUL SUGGESTIONS FROM THE CITIZENS AND TASK FORCE THAT WERE OUTSIDE THE STATE LAW.))
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=outside of the state law.

Under state law, the city can only require inspections when a unit becomes vacant, but the program will offer incentives to landlords to encourage voluntary inspections on a regular basis.
Still representatives of some neighborhoods say they are skeptical that the city is doing everything it can to insure the safety of tenants and improve the quality of rental housing.
SOT HARRISON
IN Q=And it seems to me
((REV. WAYNE HARRISON/BELMONT BAPTIST CHURCH: AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF YOU HAVE A LAW ON THE BOOKS THAT YOU ON COUNCIL WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE IT HAS ENOUGH TEETH IN IT.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=enough teeth in it.

All but one member of city council voted to implement the program.
Mac McCadden objected because it doesn't treat all of the city's neighborhoods equally.
But others insist it's a good start, and they say they won't be bashful about amending it later if they need to.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

55Mitchell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#96-43
GRAPHIC=Billy Mitchell

More legal problems for the former Caroll County administrator.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

A grand jury yesterday handed up nine more indictments against Billy Mitchell.
Special prosecutor Gino Williams says eight of the charges involve Mitchell's handling of funds for a private cemetery.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

The ninth charge concerns a 350-thousand dollar check that was supposed to be used to post bond in an annexation case.
Williams says the money was deposited in another agency's account, to cover money Mitchell allegedly embezzled.

55Nelms

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# edit of 96-38
GRAPHIC=nelms

Meantime, Delegate Robert Nelms may be ready to put his legal woes to rest.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/May 9;

The Richmond Times-Dispatch -- quoting court sources -- reports that Nelms will plead guilty today to a charge of indecent exposure.
Nelms was arrested February 15th in a city park.
The Suffolk Republican said he was urinating.
(-------------)

55Vinton-pigs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=Sta
TAPE#96-39
GRAPHIC=gavel scales

A judge's ruling may mean the end for three Vinton pigs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton;

The pigs were living in the city with a family.
But, yesterday a judge ruled they violated a town ordinance.
Town officials said neighbors began to complain about the pigs especially the smell coming from the house.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10.42.05 - 10.42.15
IN Q=Mostly they were
((CLAY GOODMAN/VINTON TOWN MANAGER; MOSTLY THEY WERE ADDRESSING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE ANIMALS WANDERING AROUND LOOSE AND THE ANIMALS EXCREMENT AND URINE AND BI-PRODUCTS OF THE ANIMALS.))
SUPER=01-Clay Goodman/Vinton Town Manager;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=of the animals
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Yesterday's ruling overturns an earlier one when a judge decided in favor of the family.
But, after that decision last summer, town officials changed the law and brought the family back to court.
The Saunders say they have no plans to appeal the decision and will put the pigs to sleep.
(----------------)

55Cash-5

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Va Lottery

Someone from the Roanoke area may be 25- thousand dollars richer today.
SUPER=29-11-14-23-27-30;

The winning ticket for last night's Cash-5 drawing was purchased in Roanoke.
The numbers are 11, 14, 23, 27, and 30.

55Weather

8Highway

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE#96-44
GRAPHIC=Smart Road

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has condemned conservation land... paving the way for the Smart Road.
Jay Moore was there for last night's decision.
(/////SOT/////)
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Henry Jablonski/Montgomery Co. Supervisor; :00
SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :19
SUPER=01-Paul Torgensen/Va. Tech President; :28
SUPER=@Jay2; :41
SUPER=01-Rick Roth/Smart Road Opponent; :49
SUPER=01-Fred Altizer/VDOT; 1:10
RUNS=1:28
OUT Q=moore, News 7
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:15:29
IN Q=
(( ))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=

After listening to more than 30 people on the Smart Highway issue, the board decided to voted in favor of the resolution four to three.
The question before the board was whether to allow VDOT to build the road through an agriculture and forest district.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:39:57
IN Q=I believe
(( ))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=Monty Co.

The land in question was 140 acres which stretch through scenic Ellett Valley.
Some opponents says politics played a major roll in the decision.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:42:09
IN Q=I have to say
(( ))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=kind of pressure

VDOT officials say they're glad to have jumped this hurdle and are ready to move ahead
(/////SOT/////)
SOT first bite altizer
IN Q=That means
(( ))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=right of way

Altizer says VDOT hopes to have that for the land owners within the next 90 days.
In Christiansburg, Jay Moore, News 7.))

8Cliff-Fall

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-34
GRAPHIC=none

A Roanoke teenager survives a near fatal fall while hiking in Giles County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Giles Co.;

16-year old Daniel White was one of a dozen hikers taking part in Camp Bethel's Backpacking Week along the Appalachian Trail.
But he strayed from the path and went rock climbing.
White lost his grip and fell nearly forty feet.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:22:20
IN Q=There were
((BOBBIE SCOTT/WITNESSED ACCIDENT: THERE WERE A LOT OF HOLES... BUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN REAL LOOSE AND HE STEPPED ON ONE AND JUST WENT DOWN AND HIT ANOTHER LEDGE AND WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN. SO I KIND OF FLIPPED OUT AND RAN UP HERE YELLING, 'GUYS, HE FELL." ))
SUPER=01-Bobbie Scott/Witness;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=he fell
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Because of the remote location... emergency crews had a difficult time reaching the scene.
So, initially, hikers along the trail came to White's aid.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:12:34
IN Q=We were
((MICHAEL PAINTER/HIKER: WE WERE SITTING HERE EATING LUNCH AND A GUY CAME RUNNING OUT AND SAID SOMEONE FELL OFF THE ROCKS UP THERE. SO WE PUT OUR PACKS ON AND RAN UP THERE, CRAWLED DOWN AND SAW THAT HE WAS ALRIGHT AND EVERYTHING. WE TOOK SOME WATER DOWN TO HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Michael Painter/Hiker;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=down to him
(----------------)
VO-NAT

White was airlifted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
But he was released last night... apparently suffering no significant injuries.
(----------------)

8Swim-Safety

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=PEV
TAPE#96-42
GRAPHIC=None

Following safety guidlines is important in helping prevent accidents.
Three diverse groups are getting together to help both young and old be safe in the pool.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

The Red Cross, Roanoke Housing Authority, and Parks and Recreation are sponsoring a program designed to teach swimming lessons AND to certify lifeguards.
Thanks to an art auction, there are 50 scholarships available to people who want to learn how to swim, but the program is more than just lessons.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The lifeguard training... (11:04:03)
((BETTY WHITTAKER/AMERICAN RED CROSS: THE LIFEGUARD TRAINING IS 33 HOURS AND ALSO INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL RESCUER ALSO INCLUDES FIRST AID. AND THE BASIC LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM THAT THESE CHILDREN WILL BE INVOLVED IN, THAT IS FOR TWO WEEKS FOR 50 MINUTES EACH NIGHT AT THE END THEY GET ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF PLAY TIME TO JUST KIND OF JUST EXPERIMENT IN THE WATER AND JUST SHOW WHAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY LEARNED.))
SUPER=01-Betty Whittaker/American Red Cross;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=actually learned. (11:04:22)
(----------------)
VO-NAT

If you're interested in the program you can contact the Red Cross in Roanoke.
(----------------)

8Weather

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

Turning now to the forecast -
It's going to be partly sunny today with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Highs will be around 90 degrees.