WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/26/96

08:25-01

7Murder-Arrest

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#96-50
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation

The man wanted in connection with the death of his former girlfriend in Roanoke over the weekend is in police custody this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Aquilia Barnett was arrested yesterday at his mother's home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Barnett is accused in the shooting death of 23-year old Robin A. Williams early Saturday morning.
Police believe Barnette had apparently stalked Williams for weeks before shooting her.
SUPER=04-April 30;

Barnett was by police described as highly jealous.
He was suspected of setting an April fire at the home Williams shared with her boyfriend.
The couple had to jump from a second story window to escape the flames.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Murder Investigation

A family member called Charlotte police and notified them of Barnett's location.
He was arrested without incident.

7Ross

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-37
GRAPHIC=Bryant Ross

Meantime, in another stalking case, a Roanoke man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-wife.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Bryant Ross admitted he ambushed Vicki Ross in her own home.
Vickie and Bryant had been separated about a month when he shot her December 29th.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:41:30
IN Q=I've asked God
((BRYANT ROSS: I'VE ASKED GOD AND VICKIE FOR THEIR FORGIVENESS OF MY SINS FOR WHAT I HAVE DONE. IN MY HEART I KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN BY THEM AND THAT MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME INNOCENT.))
SUPER=01-Bryant Ross/Convicted of Murder
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=me innocent.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Witnesses said Ross told them he planned to booby-trap the house, and leave Vickie the "surprise of her life."
He hid in the apartment until she got home.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:45:25
IN Q=After you
((JUDGE PAT DOHERTY: AFTER YOU THOUGHT YOU'D ALREADY KILLED HER, YOU WENT AND SHOT HER AGAIN. ACCORDINGLY, I SENTENCE YOU TO LIFE IN THE VIRGINIA STATE PENITENTIARY ON THE MURDER CHARGE AND THREE YEARS ON THE FIREARMS CHARGE.))
SUPER=01-Judge Pat Doherty/Roanoke Circuit Court
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=firearms charge.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Until he shot his wife last Christmas, Ross had been convicted of nothing more serious than traffic offenses.

7C'Burg-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#96-53
GRAPHIC=None

One northbound lane of Interstate 81 remains closed following early morning accident.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

A tractor trailer overturned shortly after three o'clock, blocking both northbound lanes of the highway near mile marker one-21.
The truck was carrying produce and careened over the guard rail for at least 100 yards before it turned over.
Authorities now have one lane of traffic open for the morning commute.
The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured, but police say charges could be pending.
(----------------)

7Zoning-Board

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-44
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg

A Lynchburg restaurant is looking to bring in more business--but its neighbors are worried about just what kind of business it might attract.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Sassy's Restaurant and Lounge now occupies the old Trailways bus station on Fifth Street.
But people who live nearby argued bitterly with Sassy's- over whether the restaurant should have full use of a nearby parking lot for its customers.
Opponents claim the night spot will only create problems for downtown.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:11:57//10:18:50
IN Q=The Fifth Street
((PAUL BARRINGER/OPPONENT: THE FIFTH STREET CORRIDOR IS AN IMPORTANT THOROUGHFARE IN OUR CITY AND IT HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WE BELIEVE THAT GRANTING THE VARIANCE WOULD REVERSE MUCH OF THAT PROGRESS.)) ((WILLIE MAE DATES/SASSY'S OWNER: TO SAY THAT IN ONE YEAR'S TIME, I'M GOING TO BRING FIFTH STREET DOWN SO FAR THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE SO MANY PROBLEMS AND BE DETRIMENTAL, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S SO.))
SUPER=01-Paul Barringer/Opponent; :00
SUPER=01-Willie Mae Dates/Sassy's Owner; :12
RUNS=:25
OUT Q=don't believe that's so.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The zoning board granted Sassy's the variance to use the parking lot, but will take up the issue again in one year.
Sassy's is also petitioning the A-B-C Board for a liquor license.
That hearing is scheduled for next month.
(----------------)

7Weather

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

Taking a look now at the forecast -
It's going to be sunny today with warm temperatures and less humid conditions.
Highs be in low to mid 80s.
For tonight, expect cool temperatures - lows will dip into the upper 50s.
Looking ahead, tomorrow will be mostly sunny again, with highs in the mid 80s.

55Gilmore

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-43
GRAPHIC=James Gilmore

Virginia officials are trying to lead in the fight to end the rash of suspicious church fires across the nation.
Attorney General Jim Gilmore announced yesteray that a toll free number is being set up
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;
to allow Virginians to call in with tips about the fires.
Gilmore spoke at the Baptist General Convention at the Hotel Roanoke yesterday.
That's where he also announced a 'rebuilding fund' that will provide financial assistance for victimized churches in the Commonwealth.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:56:23
IN Q=We will
((JIM GILMORE/VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: WE WILL OPEN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT TO SERVE AS A REBUILDING FUND FOR THE BLACK CHURCHES IF ANY THAT ARE DEFACED OR BURNED OR DEFACED OR IN ANY WAY VANDALIZED. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD. ))
SUPER=@Gilmore;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=forward
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/February 21;

In the past 18 months, more than 40 black churches in the south have fallen victim to fire.
The list includes two in Virginia-- one in Richmond and the other in Chesterfield County.
(----------------)

55Church-Steeple

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-45
GRAPHIC=NONE

And at a time when many black churches across the south are being destroyed by arsonists, one Lynchburg house of God has been restored to its former glory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

The Court Street Baptist Church lost its steeple during a violent windstorm three years ago this month.
After a lengthy court battle with the insurance company, the church saw its new steeple finally ease into place yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:04:44
IN Q=I'm just glad
((LEWIS DIGGS/COURT STREET BAPTIST CHURCH: I'M JUST GLAD TO SEE THIS COME TO THIS POINT NOW. WE KNOW THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE OUR CHURCH DISCIPLES AND EVERYBODY QUESTIONED EVERYWHERE YOU GO, IT'S ALWAYS WHEN'S THE STEEPLE GOING TO BE BACK UP AND NOW I THINK THAT RELIEVES THAT NOW.))
SUPER=01-Lewis Diggs/Court St. Baptist Church; :00
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=relieves that now.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Repairs to the church cost more than a half million dollars.
Court Street Baptist was built in 1879 and is the oldest black church in Lynchburg.
(----------------)

55Welfare-Law

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=Welfare in Virginia

A federal judge has blocked the state from denying welfare benefits to two southwest Virginia women who challenged a new law that threatened their benefits.
That law requires women to name the fathers of their children before they can receive benefits.
U-S District Judge James Michael said the policy appears to be unconstitutional because it penalizes the children of women who cooperate but who truly don't know who the fathers of their children are.

55Miss-Virginia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-52
GRAPHIC=NONE

On Saturday a new Miss Virginia will be crowned in Roanoke.
And as the contestants prepare to hit the stage of the Roanoke Civic Center, it's not just the evening gown, talent and swimsuit competitions they have to worry about--
Miss Virginia contestants are now under closer scrutiny for their PAPERWORK.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Pageant officials
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=04-July 1, 1995; :08
SUPER=01-Traci Basham/Miss Appomattox Co.; :19
SUPER=01-Kelley Orr/Miss Botetourt Co.; :31
SUPER=01-Bud Oakey/Pageant Board Member; :35
SUPER=@Kimberly2; :43
RUNS=:59
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

(( Pageant officials appear confident these contestants are as attractive on paper, as they are in person.
The Miss Virginia pageant suffered a setback last year-- when Andrea Ballengee lost her crown when discrepancies were found on her application.
But the incident proved to be a valuable lesson.
(/// //SOT/////)
SOT 19:53:58
((TRACI BASHAM/MISS APPOMATTOX CO.: ANYTHING THAT CAUSES YOU TO REVIEW YOUR POLICY IS ALWAYS GOOD. AND I THINK THE CONTESTANTS HAVE A CLEARER VIEW THIS YEAR OF THE NECESSARY APPLICATION PROCESS, AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE TRUTHFUL. ))
RUNS=:11
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:53:05
((KELLEY ORR/MISS BOTETOURT CO.: AND THEY WERE ALL SURE THAT WHAT THEY PUT DOWN ON THEIR APPLICATION WAS TRUE. ))
RUNS=:04
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:55:42
((BUD OAKEY/PAGEANT BOARD MEMBER: THE REVIEW HAS BEEN GOOD. IT'S BEEN A HEALTHY PROCESS. IT'S MADE US A BETTER PAGEANT FOR IT, AND IT'S MADE THE LOCALS A LOT BETTER FOR IT. ))
RUNS=:07

Oakey says the local pageants are stricter now--
Supporting documentation of claims made on contestant's fact sheets are now required.
Their G-P-A's however, are not.
And as always, the pageant board will re- examine the winner's application after she's crowned Saturday night.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

55Weather

8Barnett

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#96-50
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation

North Carolina police have captured the man suspected of stalking and killing a Roanoke woman.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Aquilia Barnett was arrested yesterday at his mother's home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Barnett is accused in the shooting death of his former girlfriend- 23-year old Robin A. Williams early Saturday morning.
Police believe Barnette had apparently stalked Williams for weeks before shooting her.
SUPER=04-April 30;

Barnett was described by police as highly jealous.
He was suspected of setting an April fire at the home Williams shared with her boyfriend.
The couple had to jump from a second story window to escape the flames.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Murder Investigation

A family member called Charlotte police and notified them of Barnett's location.
He was arrested without incident.

8C'Burg-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#96-53
GRAPHIC=None

An overturned tractor trailer is causing traffic problems on Interstate 81 this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

The accident happened shortly after three a-m, blocking both northbound lanes of the highway near mile marker one-21.
The truck was carrying produce and careened over the guard rail for at least 100 yards before it turned over.
The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured, but police say charges could be pending.
At this time, only one lane is open for the morning commute.
(----------------)

8Senate-Financing

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-40
GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern

Some bad news for fans of the rail service.
Norfolk Southern says don't expect passenger train service anytime soon to southwest and Southside Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=the negotiations
SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00
SUPER=01-Wiley Mitchell/Norfolk Southern; :18
SUPER=@Hawkins; :26
SUPER=@Ellen2; :37
SUPER=@Goode; :59
SUPER=01-Rollo Axton/Greater Richmond Transit; 1:16
RUNS=1:44
OUT Q=QUALLS NEWS-7 CHARLOTTESVILLE.

8Va-Flu

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=sly
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=None

The State Health Department is asking doctors to watch for symptoms of a flu-like illness linked to California-grown strawberries.
The infection is NOT known to be fatal.
One case of the infection has been reported on the Eastern Shore, but it isn't known if California strawberries casued it.

8Weather

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

Taking a look now at the forecast -
It's going to be sunny today with warm temperatures and less humid conditions.
Highs be in low to mid 80s.
For tonight, expect cool temperatures - lows will dip into the upper 50s. 80s. Looking ahead, tomorrow will be mostly sunny again, with highs in the mid