WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 03/11/97

08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7E-Abed

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Joseph Abed

Federal prosecutors say they will NOT present live witnesses this week in the racketeering case against Joe Abed (ah-bed) and his "organized crime" family.
They contend Abed (ah-bed) is a danger to the community and a "flight risk" and they claim he lied under oath at his detention hearing last week.
A key element of the case involves extortion, threats, even murder.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;

The Government is declining to put witnesses on at this point in the case.
In its notice to the court the government points to ten earlier cases against Abed (ah-bed) family members that were dismissed in state court, because witnesses were intimidated.
(----------------)

7E-Stabbing

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tha
TAPE#97-11
GRAPHIC=None

A Danville woman was hospitalized last night after being repeatedly stabbed.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

It happened at a house on Winslow Street.
Danville police say 39- year- old Brenda Williams was stabbed approximately six times with a steak knife in the neck, face and shoulders.
Police say Williams and another woman apparently got into a fight shortly before Williams was stabbed.
Police are questioning a suspect but so far no charges have been filed.
(----------------)

7Rail-Merger

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#Net (edit of 97-3)
GRAPHIC=Rail Merger

A report from Wall street estimates that Norfolk Southern is roughly about four-billion dollars for about half of Conrail's routes.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Late last week Conrail signed a a deal letting Richmond based C-S-X take it over.
C-S-X and N-S have agreed to split up Conrail's assets to preserve competition in the northeast.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT today tape 12:30:56
IN Q=The winners
((GEORGE BRAMMER/STOCKBROKER-A.G. EDWARDS: THE WINNERS IN THIS DEAL CLEARLY ARE THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CONRAIL. BUT I THINK NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S A WINNER TOO. Why's that? BRAMMER: WELL NORFOLK SOUTHERN'S GONNA GET VERY VALUABLE TRACK IN THE NORTHEAST.))
SUPER=01-George Brammer/Stockbroker-A.G. Edwards;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=in the northeast.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Conrail employees might lose out -- the workforce could be cut in the deal.
(-------------)

75-Salem-VA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#597-08
GRAPHIC=health care

A trend that is catching on in the medical industry is INpatient care on an OUTpatient basis.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

To meet the growing demand, the Salem V-A has just opened its new Center for Outpatient Services.
The 30- bed facility will include a day clinic to provide admission and recovery from outpatient surgery.
A 23- hour clinic will offer short- term medical care, as well as observation and testing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:29:52
IN Q=It's like a welcome
((DR. RAJIV JAIN/CHIEF OF STAFF: IT IS LIKE A WELCOME CENTER AND A CONTINUUM OF SERVICES FROM THE OFFICE, PRIMARY CARE, TO OUTPATIENT SURGERY AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER, AND THERE IS FOLLOW-UP RIGHT AFTER THE PROCEDURE. SO, IT'S COMBINATION OF SERVICES. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Rajiv Jain/Chief of Staff;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=combination of services
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The Salem V-A saw more than 200- thousand outpatients during the last fiscal year.
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7E-Route-221

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-9
GRAPHIC=Highway Improvement

It won't be a smooth ride for Roanoke County residents.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

They knew there were changes coming to Route 2-21 in Back Creek but not the kind V-DOT wants to make.
Everyone agrees the road has dangerous curves... but residents thought engineers were going to straighten out the existing black top.
Instead V-DOT is now examining the feasibility of wiping out one stretch of road entirely and building a newer, straighter portion over a nearby creek.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:53:36
IN Q=I feel there's
((JOE KEPHART/CONCERNED RESIDENT: I FEEL THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME POLITICS INVOLVED HERE. I THINK WE'RE BEING SHORTCHANGED. PERSONALLY, THIS IS KEEPING US IN LIMBO. WE CAN'T ADD ON TO OUR HOUSE. WE'RE NOT SURE IF THE ROADS GOING TO BE OVER HERE OR OVER HERE. )) ((CAROLE KEPHART/CONCERNED RESIDENT: EVERYTHING IS PERFECT ON THIS CREEK. WE HAVE TROUT THAT'S GONNA GO. THE BED OF THE CREEK IS BECOMING TOTALLY SHALLOW. WE JUST WON'T HAVE ANY OF THIS ANYMORE. ))
SUPER=01-Joe Kephart/Concerned Resident;
SUPER=01-Carole Kephart/Concerned Resident; :16
RUNS=:26
OUT Q=this anymore
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

V-DOT officials say it will likely take months before a specific plan is finalized.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Time now to check the Tuesday outlook--
Sunny and breezy today, expect high temperatures in the upper 60s.
Clear and colder tonight, with lows dropping into the mid 30s.
Continued sunny tomorrow.
Look for highs on Wednesday in the upper 50s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Sunny & Warm/Wind W 10/65-70/Clear & Breezy/Wind NW 15-25/32-36;
SUPER=#555; reset
7BIRTHDAYS!

SUPER=130-8/Sarah Duncan/Radford;

SUPER=130-49/Jimmy Miller/Buchanan;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-81/Mattie Slusher/Willis;
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SUPER=@Melanie1

55E-Abed

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Joseph Abed

Federal prosecutors are declining to present witnesses this week against a reputed organized crime family in the valley.
The government points to ten earlier cases against family members of Joe Abed (ah-bed) that were dismissed in state court, because witnesses were intimidated.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;

Federal prosecutors also say Joe Abed (ah-bed) is a danger to the community and a "flight risk."
And they contend he lied under oath at his detention hearing last week.
Chargs in the case include extortion, arson and murder.
(----------------)

55E-Stabbing

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=tha
TAPE#97-11
GRAPHIC=None

A Danville woman is in the hospital after being stabbed multiple times last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

It happened at a house on Winslow Street.
Danville police say 39- year- old Brenda Williams was stabbed approximately six times with a steak knife in the neck, face and shoulders.
Police say Williams and another woman argued shortly before the stabbing.
Police are questioning a suspect but so far no charges have been filed.
(----------------)

55Rail-Merger

55comet

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=afr
TAPE#net (edit of 597-15)
GRAPHIC=none

A celestial show is lighting up the pre-dawn sky.
It's the Hale- Bopp comet, one of the brightest comets ever recorded.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

This digital image of the comet was taken Sunday Morning at Virginia Tech's Observatory at Mountain Lake.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:50:30
IN Q=it has a
((IT HAS A VERY LONG PERIOD. A LITTLE OVER 2000 YEARS....2040 YEARS IS THE PERIOD OF THIS COMET. SO IF YOU DON'T SEE IT NOW, YOU WON'T CATCH IT AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME...YOU WON'T WON'T BE AROUND TO SEE IT.))
SOT 17:37:11
((JOHN SEMONETTI/VA. TECH ASTRONOMER: DURING THE NEXT 2 WEEKS, IT SHOULD BE A VERY GOOD SHOW, FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON. AS A MATTER OF FACT, JUST ABOUT ANYBODY IN ANY LOCATION SHOULD GET A REALLY GOOD VIEW OF THE COMET.))
SUPER=01-Greg Topazna/Virginia Tech Astronomer; :00
SUPER=01-John Semonetti/Virginia Tech Astronomer; :13
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=of the comet.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Until March 19th, the Comet is visible just before dawn to the east. It will be closest to Earth on March 22nd.
(----------------)

55weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning to the forecast--
Sunny, breezy, and warm today, with highs in the upper 60s.
Tonight will turn colder, with lows in the mid 30s.
Tomorrow looks sunny again, with hghs in the upper 50s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Sunny & Warm/Wind W 10/65-70/Clear & Breezy/Wind NW 15-25/32-36;
SUPER=#555; reset
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SUPER=@Melanie1

8P-Abed

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=KHU
TAPE#597-13
SS=Abed

The government will NOT put on witnesses in the racketeering case against Joe Abed (Ah-bed) and his "organized crime" family.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;

U-S Magistrate Glen Conrad last week implied he might be inclined to release Abed (ah-bed) and his son, unless the government presents testimony from two or three of its "best witnesses."
In its notice to the court declining to put on witnesses at this stage in the proceedings, the government says Joe Abed (ah-bed) lied last week in court under oath.
A key element of the case involves extortion, threats, even murder.
The government points to ten earlier cases against Abed (ah-bed) family members that were dismissed in state court, because witnesses were intimidated.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

"The very witnesses whose testimony would be most compelling," says the U-S Attorney, are those people who are most at risk in this case.
A hearing is set for Wednesday afternoon.

8P-beyer

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-03
SS=beyer

After eight years of being Lieutenant Governor, Don Beyer wants to take the helm of the Commonwealth.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Yesterday in a four city tour that began in Roanoke, 46- year- old Donald Sternhoff Beyer, Junior kicked off what he's calling the greatest adventure of his life.
SUPER=03-Richmond;

Beyer hopes to become the first non-lawyer governor in four decades.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=my first
(( ))
SUPER=01-Don Beyer/(D) Candidate for Governor;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=national average
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But before Beyer was even out of the blocks, The Washington Post speculated he'd have to raise taxes to pay for his education plan.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Don Beyer stumbled
(( ))
SUPER=01-Bob Holsworth/VCU Political Analyst; :07
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=supporting tax increases.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Beyer says he will NOT take a NO-tax increase pledge.
But then neither will his likely opponent-- Republican Attorney General Jim Gilmore.
(----------------)

8P-Crouch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#597-04
GRAPHIC=crouch

Lynchburg Delegate Joyce Crouch is stepping down after serving eight years in the state House.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Crouch first went to Richmond to replace her husband, Joe, who represented the 22nd district for 12-years before he died in 19-89.
Crouch says she's proud of her family's record of service.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:07:17
IN Q=I feel very
((DEL. JOYCE CROUCH/R-LYNCHBURG: I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT THE SERVICE OF MY EIGHT YEARS THERE. I HAD GENERALLY PRETTY GOOD SUCCESS ON MOST OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THAT I INTRODUCED AND PRETTY MUCH GAVE FULL-TIME SERVICE TO THE CONSTITUENCY.))
SUPER=01-Del. Joyce Crouch/(R) Lynchburg; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=the constituency.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Crouch hopes her retirement from politics will allow her more time with her family.
(----------------)

8comet

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=afr
TAPE#net (edit of 597-15)
GRAPHIC=none

What is that glowing light in the sky?
It's the comet Hale-Bopp, and it's creating plenty of excitement among astronomers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

This digital image of the comet was taken Sunday Morning at Virginia Tech's Observatory at Mountain Lake.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:50:30
IN Q=it has a
((IT HAS A VERY LONG PERIOD. A LITTLE OVER 2000 YEARS....2040 YEARS IS THE PERIOD OF THIS COMET. SO IF YOU DON'T SEE IT NOW, YOU WON'T CATCH IT AGAIN FOR A LONG TIME...YOU WON'T WON'T BE AROUND TO SEE IT.))
SOT 17:37:11
((JOHN SEMONETTI/VA. TECH ASTRONOMER: DURING THE NEXT 2 WEEKS, IT SHOULD BE A VERY GOOD SHOW, FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON. AS A MATTER OF FACT, JUST ABOUT ANYBODY IN ANY LOCATION SHOULD GET A REALLY GOOD VIEW OF THE COMET.))
SUPER=01-Greg Topazna/Virginia Tech Astronomer; :00
SUPER=01-John Semonetti/Virginia Tech Astronomer; :13
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=of the comet.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Until March 19th, the Comet is visible just before dawn to the east. And also just after dark, very low in the western sky.
(----------------)

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Let's take a look at today's weather--
Sunny and pleasant, with warm highs in the upper 60s.
Clear and chilly by tonight, with lows in the mid 30s.
More sunshine ahead tomorrow, with highs in the upper 50s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=#555; reset SUPER=314-Sunny & Warm/Wind W 10/65-70/Clear & Breezy/Wind NW 15-25/32-36;