18:00-01

1-News-Head

ANCHOR=Keith

Coming up on NEWS 7 at SIX:
A fatal drunk driving case comes up in court.
Valery Green's animals are put up for adoption.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Joe Abbott appears before the federal magistrate- -along with his son and a business associate.
We'll fill you in on their prospects for getting bailed out of jail.
(----------------)


Sports-head
ANCHOR=Mike


Tonight on News 7 sports, George Lynch's season in the NBA is apparently over, a Radford star earns academic all-american honors, Tommy Amaker takes over at Seton Hall,
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#


and Bassett native Sherman Dillard is coming home to take over as the new head basketball coach at JMU.
(-------------)

WX-Head
TALENT=Robin
SS=None


After a cold wet day, conditions change tomorrow. A mini-warmup is on the way.

Mize


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Trey Mize


A seventeen- year- old Campbell County boy will spend most of his adult life in prison for shooting his neighbor to death last year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Campbell Co.;


Based on average life expectancy, Judge Samuel Johnston estimated that Roger Vassar had another 53 years to live before Lewis "Trey" Mize shot and killed him in January, 1996.
So Johnston sentenced Mize to 53 years in prison for the murder, tacking on another three years for the firearms charge.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:07:16//00:11:58
IN Q=Nobody knows why

((NEIL VENER/PROSECUTOR: NOBODY KNOWS WHY HE KILLED ROGER VASSAR AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT HE'S CAPABLE OF IN THE FUTURE. AND THE COURT'S PRIMARY DUTY WAS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND THE COURT CARRIED OUT THAT DUTY.)) ((MARGIE VASSAR/MOTHER OF VICTIM: AND IT'S VERY HARD, BECAUSE ROGER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF GOING TO BUY LAND, AND NOW HE HAS A PLOT INSTEAD OF A LOT, SO IT'S VERY HARD.))
SUPER=01-Neil Vener/Prosecutor; :00
SUPER=01-Margie Vassar/Victim's Mother; :10
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=it's very hard.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Defense attorney Tom Blaylock says he's disappointed the judge gave Mize more than what the guidelines called for.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:33:52
IN Q=In essense

((TOM BLAYLOCK/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: IN ESSENCE WHAT THE JUDGE HAS DONE TODAY HAS BASICALLY GIVEN HIM A LIFE SENTENCE WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO IT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DISAPPOINTED ABOUT.))
SUPER=01-Tom Blaylock/Defense Attorney; :00
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=disappointed about.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Blaylock says it's likely he'll appeal the conviction.
(----------------)



Georgia-Pacific


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-12
GRAPHIC=None


Georgia- Pacific's containerboard mill in Big Island is in the middle of a one- week shutdown due to soft demand.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Big Island/File Tape;


Close to 400 people work at the plant.
Nearly all of them have the week off without pay.
There is a handful of salaried, maintenance, and security employees still working.
The plant reopens Monday.
Georgia Pacific has closed several other facilities across the U-S for the same reason.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=None


The last furlough at the Big Island plant took place in 1995.

Trans-Board


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-3
GRAPHIC=None


The silver bullet solution that will preserve Mount Rogers National Recreation Area -- but improve its roads -- is finally in front of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


But the recommended upgrades to Routes 58 and 16 through the forest land came about in secret.
A citizens' committee headed up by V-DOT engineer Jamie Browder was appointed by George Allen's Transportation Secretary.
The Governor "witnessed" the document allowing the appointments.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:39:35
IN Q=If you

((ROBERT MARTINEZ/VA. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: IF YOU KNOW THE AREA AND YOU KNOW THE CONTROVERSY WITH THIS AREA, YOU KNOW THAT IF THE MEETINGS HAD BEEN HELD IN AN OPEN FORMAT, WE WOULD NOT BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.))
SOT 11:35:38 tape two

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WERE HAVING THEM IN PRIVATE. MAYBE THEY WERE NEGOTIATING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REASON WAS.))
SOT 15:39:59

((ROBERT MARTINEZ/VA. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: THE OTHER REALITY IS THAT THIS GROUP HAS NO AUTHORITY WHATSOEVER. NONE. ZILCH. NOTHING. NO AUTHORITY.))
SUPER=@Martinez; :00
SUPER=@Allen; :08
RUNS=:27
OUT Q=no authority.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The next steps will occur in public.
The state board must vote to accept the recommendations and take them to public hearing later this year.
(-------0---------)
Tease#1
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=NONE


A judge has set terms of release for two members of Roanoke's alleged crime syndicate.
We'll see whether Joe Abbott and one of his associates make bond.... pot up tease music
Up next on NEWS-7: a murder victim's sister talks about the Abed case.
(---------------)
VO-NAT

and some 120 cats and dogs taken from an animal breeder will soon be available for adoption. We'll see how they're doing.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Robin

wx ad lib Roll Lake Level MUSIC UP FULL
COMM#1

Roll
TALENT=Robin
SS=NONE
SUPER=80-45/41/0.30''/44/38/0.61''/45/39/0.48''/48/41/-.--'';
SUPER=81-49/43/0.90''/48/43/-.--''/41/39/1.22'';
SUPER=82-2.85''/plus 0.80''/6.24''/minus 0.47'';
SUPER=83-Down 1.24 feet/16/1993;Lake levels


Abed


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-14
GRAPHIC=Joseph Abed


Joe Abbott will get out of jail, if he can post a quarter million dollar bond.
Magistrate Glen Conrad today set strict conditions for Abbott's release. But the federal prosecutor- -fearing for the safety of past and potential witnesses- -says he will ask a district judge to block Abbott's release.
Meanwhile, relatives of one of the two people allegedly murdered by the "crime family" say the killers weren't just eliminating witnesses.
Victims' relatives say the fatal fire followed a direct confrontation between one of the defendants and the woman who died in the fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The theory is
SUPER=03-Roanoke/January 13, 1995; :00
SUPER=01-Carolyn Hardy/Fire Victim's Sister; :17
SUPER=01-Lisa Kessler/Beating Victim's Sister; 1:07
SUPER=01-Danny Kirk/Corner Store Owner; 1:47 (QUICK)
RUNS=1:48
OUT Q=fire? Yeah. Oh, Yeah.


(( The theory is Bunny Hardy and Todd Thomas might have seen who set fire to the Corner Store. So- -the theory goes- -whoever set it, set fire to THEIR APARTMENT to shut them up.
Carolyn Hardy doesn't buy it.
She talked to her sister that day.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:46:25
IN Q=She

((SHE HADN'T MENTIONED ANYTHING. SHE JUST MENTIONED THAT THE STORE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND SHE BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE STREET HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=


The Speedway Mart is directly across the street. But everybody knew about the competition between the Speedway and the Corner Store.
Three members of the Abed family are charged with arson and murder.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:04:25
IN Q=You always believed

((You always believed that somebody killed her? YEAH, I KNEW IT. I KNEW IT. FROM DAY ONE. FROM DAY ONE. (double out) ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=day 1.


But for another reason.
Carolyn Hardy says it goes beyond the tenuous connection with the first fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:47:20
IN Q=

((I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT SHE HAD A CONFRONTATION WITH THEM, YOU KNOW. SHE SPOKE OF IT. WITH THE PEOPLE, ABED AND FAHAD, FAHAD, YES. ))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=


She says Fahad Tawalbeh accosted her sister inside the store. She won't relate exactly WHAT happened, except to say Tawalbeh was "disrespectful" of her sister... words and gestures were exchanged.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:51:10
IN Q=

((IT FITS PERFECT, FITS RIGHT WITH HIM. I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSON HE IS.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=


Liza Kessler believes her brother got caught in the crossfire of the 13th Street convenience store rivalry.
Rufus Hicks died two days after he was assaulted ...right beside the Speedway gas pumps.
One of the two men originally charged in the beatings told police that a man at the Speedway Mart offered him a bottle of wine to beat up Hicks.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:49:10
IN Q=

((JUST SLAMMING HIS HEAD INTO THE ASPHALT.))
RUNS=:02
OUT Q=


Danny Kirk saw it happen. The two men were close friends. Hicks spent so much time in the Corner Store... folks thought they must be related.
Kirk believes that close association cost Hicks his life.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:48:15
IN Q=

((And this assault came in the midst of rocks and broken glass and the eventual fire. OH YEAH. YEAH.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=fire? Oh, yeah, yeah.))
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=None


No one was ever prosecuted for Hicks' death.
Since NEWS 7 started asking questions about his death, though, city police have begun re-interviewing witnesses- -looking for a link between Hicks' death and the owners of the Speedway Mart.

Allen-Ethics


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=None


Virginia politicians say campaign dollar limits haven't solved the problems in Washington ... so they won't work here.
(----------------)
SUPER=03-Richmond;


In that spirit, Governor George Allen says he will just tighten up some bills that limit lawmakers from raising funds during the legislative session... and force them to report gifts and entertainment.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape one 11:16:51
IN Q=We in Virginia

((WE IN VIRGINIA HAVE SOME OF THE WEAKEST DISCLOSURE LAWS IN THE NATION.)) BUTT*BUTT
SOT tape one 11:17:01

((THESE ARE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE OF WHO'S GETTING GIFTS, WHO'S GETTING ENTERTAINMENT. AND AS FAR AS THE FUNDRAISING IN THE MIDST OF A GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION, THERE SHOULDN'T BE THAT SORT OF SOLICITATION AND ACCEPTANCE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SESSION. THAT JUST MAKES GOOD COMMON SENSE.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=common sense.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Allen's amendments will face the General Assembly one more time now for the April 2nd veto override session.
(-------0---------)



M'ville-Murder


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=tha
TAPE#97-13
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation


A suspect is in custody tonight charged with murder in Henry County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Henry Co.;


The suspect, whose name has not been released, was brought before a magistrate around 5:30 this evening.
He is charged with shooting and killing a man late Sunday in the Valentine Court subdivision in Henry County.
At this point the victim's identity is also unknown.
Authorities say it has been hard to determine the victim's name because he was only known by a street name.
The victim who was in his 20 suffered numerous gunshot wounds.
(----------------)



Stocks


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#=None
GRAPHIC=NONE


The stock market retreated today in very heavy trading.
The Dow lost nearly 19 points, closing at 68 hundred 78.
NASDAQ dropped 20 points.
(//////////)
RUNS=:25
SUPER=x5005;


Williams


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-7
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


There is a verdict in the case of a Blacksburg woman accused of D-U-I in a fatal car accident. The woman, Evelyn Williams, was charged in connection with the death of a Virginia Tech student.
Double Boxes=Keith and Tracy/StarLink


Tracy Altizer joins us with more.
Live=Tracy Full/StarLink
SUPER=@Tracy1;
SUPER=06-Blacksburg;
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: )
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SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;
SUPER=
SUPER=
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=




Live=Tracy Full/StarLink
SUPER=06-Blacksburg;
( ad lib)



Double Boxes=Keith and Tracy/StarLink




Green-Animals


ANCHOR=keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-10
GRAPHIC=Valery Green

**Note**Anchor Tag
The Franklin County Humane Society has been given the go- ahead to either adopt- out or sell more than 100 animals removed from the care of animal breeder Valery Green.
In the meantime some of the animals have found temporary foster homes.
Scott Prince has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It doesn't
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=03-Franklin Co./January; :08
SUPER=01-Lee Owens/Humane Society Volunteer; :25
SUPER=@Scott2; :38
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News- 7


((It doesn't take long to figure out that Lee Owens is an animal lover.
But apparently a couple of cats and a dog weren't enough.
When she found out former breeder Valery Green neglected more than 100 animals in Franklin County, Owens opened up her house and her heart.
She volunteered to be a foster owner to a few of the MISTREATED cats.... at least until the Humane Society could put them up for adoption... or sell them.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:35:45
IN Q=They are

((LEE OWENS/FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY VOLUNTEER: THEY ARE DESPERATE TO BE LOVED AND THEY DO GIVE LOVE BACK. AND IT'S VERY REWARDING.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=


But to Owens' surprise... it became even more rewarding.
One of the "foster" cats gave birth to a litter of eight kittens.
Their mother is unable to produce milk, so now Owens is bottle feeding all of them around the clock.
Despite the extra work... Owens says she wouldn't trade in this experience for anything.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We've gotten

((OWENS: WE'VE GOTTEN BACK SO MUCH FROM TAKING CARE OF THESE ANIMALS. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO WHEN I MADE THAT FIRST CALL TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY. I'M SO GLAD I DID. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=glad I did


Now that the Humane Society can move forward with the adoption process... Owens will soon be saying goodbye to these furry friends.
But for right now, she's just happy to have played a hand in caring for some of them.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=None


A spokesperson from Franklin County Humane Society says the organization will not be responding to telephone inquiries involving the Valery Green animals.
Instead, volunteers will be posting adoption instructions at various veterinary clinics throughout Franklin County, as well as the Roanoke Valley.

Sports Tease


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#sports tease
GRAPHIC=NONE


Coming your way tonight in sports, George Lynch's season with the Grizzlies is over.
JMU names a native of Henry County its new head basketball coach.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#


And Steve Mason checks in with another edition of Roundhouse wrapup as he introduces us to two new additions to the team.
(-------------)


S-Lynch


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#s7-2
GRAPHIC=GEORGE LYNCH


George Lynch's first season as a member of the Vancouver Grizzlies is apparently over.
An Abdominal strain has kept George on the injured list since January 20th.
He had hoped to return to the lineup last week during an east coast swing.
But after he seeing a doctor in Los Angeles earlier this week, he has been advised to sit out the remaining 13 games of the year.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="This injury...

((GEORGE LYNCH/ ))
SUPER=01-George Lynch/Vancouver Grizzlies Forward; :00
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=...MAKE A DIFFERENCE."
(-------------)


S-JMU


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S7-3
GRAPHIC=JMU


It didn't take the folks in Harrisonburg long to find a replacement for Lefty.
SS=Dillard


In fact, JMU has replaced the left hander with his former right hand man, Sherman Dillard.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Terre Haute, IN; :00


The 41-year-old Bassett native, got his first college coaching job under Lefty at Maryland in 1979.
Before that he played at JMU, and most recently served as the head coach at Larry Bird's alma mater, Indiana State for the past three years.
Dillard's teams won 29 games in those three seasons in Terre Haute.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Mike
SS=hold dillard


Dillard was an honors student while at JMU.
And some of you may remember he was an assistant coach at Laurel Park during the 1978-79 season.

S-Amaker


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S7-4
GRAPHIC=College Basketball


Former Duke assistant Tommy Amaker is ready to take over the college basketball program at Seton Hall.
Amaker met with school officials and team members this afternoon in New Jersey after formally accepting the job.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="We're excited...

((TOMMY AMAKER/SETON HALL HEAD COACH: ))
SUPER=01-Tommy Amaker/Seton Hall Head Coach; :00
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=........Seton Hall."
(-------------)


S-Reed


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#s7-5
GRAPHIC=RADFORD


In one other college basketball item, Radford University's Corey Reed has been named an academic all-american.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Radford/1996-97 Season; :00


The junior forward earned third team honors after posting a 3 point nine seven grade point average in chemistry.
He also had a team high 78 three point baskets this season.
He is Radford's 5th academic all-american in the past 5 years.
(-------------)


S-Express


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=ICE-97
GRAPHIC=Express


The Express plays East Division leading South Carolina this Friday.
SS=Round House wrap Up full/18080


Last night's win over 2nd place Hampton Roads is just one topic in this weeks Round House Wrap up.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=@Steve1; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Today; :25
SUPER=01-Valeriy Svoboda/Express Right Winger; :34
SUPER=01-Ryan Equale/Express Center; :48
SUPER=01-Matt Carmichael/Express Back up Goalie; 1:11
SUPER=01-Tim Christian/Express Winger; 1:28
RUNS=1:37
OUT Q=...Round House Wrap up"
(-------------)

((STEVE MASON:))
((Valeri Svoboda practiced Wednesday morning with great confidence. The reason? He registered an assist in his first game for the Express; in his first game as a pro. ((:EXPRESS RIGHT WINGER)) Against Hampton, Svoboda, who signed with the Express yesterday, played on the same line with Jeff Jablonsky and fellow Russian Ilja Dubkov. ((RYAN ELQUALE:))
The revolving door for back up goalies has been shut for now. Sylvain Careau's replacement is Matt Carmichael, a teammate of Svoboda's in the Ontario Hockey League. ((MATT:))
The Express worked out the downtown YMCA today. Roanoke is now just 4 points behind Richmond after the Hampton Roads win. The Stingrays are up next. ((TIM CHRISTIAN:))
Jeff Loder's injury woes from the Richmond game continue. Express sources say he hyper extended his left knee against the Admirals but should play this weekend. Steve Mason, Round House Wrap up.)) ((
(-------------)


S-NCAA


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE
(-------------)

pinnacle board - 18085
And don't forget the Sweet 16 action on Your Hometown Station begins tomorrow
night at 7:30 with Minnesota taking on the Clemson Tigers.


Then you'll be able to see Kentucky & St. Joe's.
Of course you will also get some bonus coverage of the other two games that night.
(-------------)

pinnacle board -
Then on Friday night it's Kansas and Arizona at 7:30.
The late game has the North Carolina Tarheels hooking up with Cal.
(-------------)

Wx-Tape
SUPER=305-45/41/87/1945/16/1993;
SUPER=306-41/39/93/S-6mph/30.03s/6:24am/6:31pm;


Forecasts
SUPER=#566;
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/And Cold/36-39/Partly Sunny/Wind W-10/55-58;
SUPER=331-Mostly Cloudy/Light Wind/38-40/Turning Partly/Sunny/54-58;
SUPER=332-Mostly Cloudy/Patchy Fog/34-36/Clouds Early/Then Clearing/52-55;
SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/Patchy Drizzle/34-36/Partly Sunny/Wind W-10/50-52;
SUPER=334-Mostly Cloudy/Patchy Drizzle/33-36/Becoming Partly/Cloudy/50-55;
SUPER=X5001;


Rick-Mast


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-9
GRAPHIC=Education


When teachers at Boiling Spring Elementary School in Alleghany County started their annual reading competition with a NASCAR theme, they expected the students to read about 70 thousand pages.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.;


But the students had more horsepower then they thought, reading more than 400 thousand.
Their reward was a visit from NASCAR driver Rick Mast today, who showed off his racing savvy by narrowly beating the school principal in a tricycle race.
Mast talked to the kids about the way racing is changing, and the importance of education. (----------------)
by SS