06:00-01

E-Bramblett

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-29
GRAPHIC=Bramblett


A judge ruled Earl Bramblett is competent to stand trial for murder as scheduled.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/August 1994;


Bramblett is charged with killing Blain and Theresa Hodges and two of their children in Vinton in 19-94.
Yesterday his defense attorneys argued he was not competent to stand trial.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=there are two prongs

((17:10:26 TERRY GRIMES/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; THERE ARE TWO PRONGS TO COMPETENCY, ONE IS THAT THE ACCUSED UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM, SECONDLY THAT THE ACCUSED BE ABLE TO ASSIST HIS COUNSEL IN PREPARATION OF THE TRIAL OF THIS MATTER. WE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT COMPETENCY ELSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE FILED THE MOTION.))
SUPER=01-Terry Grimes/Defense Attorney;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=filed the motion
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


After three hours of testimony from three psychologists, Judge Roy Willet ruled Bramblett IS competent to stand trial.
No one will say what the psychologists talked about, but afterward, the judge said it was proper and necessary to close the hearing to protect Bramblett's right to a fair trial.

E-Body-Found


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#97-35
GRAPHIC=None


Police say a drug overdose was apparently what killed the man found dead in northwest Roanoke yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke


The body of 37- year- old Alan Lynn Tarter was found at the construction site at the Peter's Creek Road extension.
Police say a witness found the body after noticing someone driving a jeep who was acting suspiciously.
They later found the driver of the jeep. The man told police that he and Tartar bought some drugs; Tarter apparently went into a coma and died.
The driver dumped the body at the construction site.
So far, no charges have been filed.
(----------------)


mass-suicide


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=heaven's gate


In southern California, another cult suicide.
Police say a former member of Heaven's Gate killed himself yesterday, apparently the same way his wife did in the cult's mass suicide March 26th.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


The body of Wayne Cooke was found in a hotel near San Diego, four miles
from where 39 cult members killed SUPER=03-Encinitas, CA;

themselves in March.
A second man with him failed in his attempt and remains in the hospital this morning.
Police believe the men used a lethal concoction similar to the one used by cult members.
(----------------)


E-Franklin-Fire


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-24
GRAPHIC=Fire


A fire yesterday claimed practically all the possessions of a Franklin County family.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;


Flames spread quickly through this 2- story Franklin County farm house.
A couple of small children and one of their parents were home at the time... but they escaped without any injuries.
At this point, authorities still don't know what caused the blaze... and they're not sure where it started.
The family will stay with nearby friends until a permanent home can be found.
(----------------)



E-Greenhouses


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#97-38
GRAPHIC=NONE


Gardners usually start planting in April, even though May 12th is the average last frost date in Roanoke.
But this year, area greenhouses say sales are still in hibernation.
Andrew Freiden reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :04
SUPER=01-Tom Monroe/Obenchain's Greenhouses;:09
SUPER=01-Cindy Morgan/Cindy's Greenery;:53
SUPER=@Andrew2;1:04
RUNS=1:12
OUT Q=News 7

((
SOT
IN Q=

((nat sound of cash register.))
RUNS=:03
OUT Q=


The sound of a cash register is music to Tom Monroe's ears-- but it's a song he didn't hear enough in April.
SOT 17:03:45
IN Q=USUALLY THE LAST

((TOM MONROE/OBENCHAIN'S GREENHOUSES: USUALLY THE LAST 10 DAYS IN APRIL WE BEGIN TO WARM UP AND WE BEGIN TO DO SOME GOOD BUSINESS, BUT THIS YEAR THEY DIDN'T WARM UP, WE HAD JUST A VERY FEW DAYS OF GOOD BUSINESS IN APRIL.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=IN APRIL


pre-pro
March was a warm month this year-- giving area nurseries hope for a strong selling season.
The average high temperature was two degrees warmer than normal and the average low was UP four degrees.
But most planting begins in April-- and gardener's say April was too cool.
The average high was four degrees below normal, and the average low-- one degree cooler.
Cold temperatures can damage young plants, and frost can kill them.
In April, the threats of overnight frost were frequent.
SOT 17:04:54
IN Q=THIS JUST

((TOM MONROE/OBENCHAIN'S GREENHOUSES: THIS JUST ISN'T MY GARDEN CENTER, THIS IS THE SAME FOR ALL GARDEN CENTERS. EVERYBODY'S HURTING. ))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=EVERYBODY'S HURTING.
SOT 16:08:54
IN Q=people are

((CINDY MORGAN/CINDY'S GREENERY: WE'RE PRETTY FAR OFF LAST YEAR FOR APRIL. OF COURSE MARCH WAS BETTER. IT'S ALL WEATHER DEPENDENT IN THIS BUSINESS. WE HOPE TO MAKE UP FOR IT IN MAY. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=in may.


Area green houses still have a chance to make up for a slow spring. They're hoping in May, sales will blossom.
Andrew Freiden, News7.))

E-Train-Accident


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-16
GRAPHIC=Train Accident


A collision between a pickup truck and a train sent the driver of the pick up to the hospital.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;


68- year- old James Craig was hit as he drove over a crossing on a private drive.
The impact knocked him through the back window of the truck.
He was flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he's in stable condition.
A neighbor who drove up right after the accident said she was surprised because the train did not sound a warning whistle.
(/////SOT/////)

9:39:59
IN Q=I've never seen

((LISA DOOLEY/NEIGHBOR; I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE, THEY COME THROUGH HERE AND I USUALLY HEAR A WHISTLE BLOW BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DO IT EVERY TIME OR NOT, I CAN'T SAY.))
SUPER=01-Lisa Dooley/Neighbor
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=I can't say.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Trains are NOT required to sound a warning when they approach private crossings.
The trooper investigating the accident says there was a clear line of site in each direction, and the engineer reported his speed at 22 miles a hour.
That's well under the 40 mile an hour limit for that section of track.
(----------------)



E-Missing-Girls


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#97-37
GRAPHIC=NONE


Police believe they found the bodies of the two sisters who disappeared last week from their Spotsylvania County home.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The bodies tentatively identified as sisters Kristin and Kati Lisk were found last night in Hanover County.
The girls disappeared from their home last Thursday.
SUPER=03-Hanover Co.;


The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's office says their descriptions match the bodies found last night.
They were discovered about 40 miles from where 15- year- old Kristin and 12- year- old Kati were last seen.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Authorities would not release a cause of death or any other details behind the incident.

Three-Homeless


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=mornin
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#97-36
GRAPHIC=on the street


We've all been warned of the dangers of credit card dependence, and the need to budget our money.
Financial counselors say even if you're confident about your finances now, mounting debt could send you into the red.
As we conclude our series, "On the Street, On the Edge,"
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


we'll meet a Roanoke native who lost his car and his home when his drug addiction escalated into a SPENDING addiction.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 6 0:53:31
IN Q=My personality is

((NIC HARRIS: MY PERSONALITY IS SO ADDICTIVE THAT I GOT WRAPPED UP SO COMPLETELY IN THIS ILLUSION THAT I HAD CREATED THAT THE NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS HOMELESS. I HAD NO JOB, NO TRANSPORTATION WHATSOEVER. MY CREDIT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I HAD NOTHING. ))
SUPER=07-Nic Harris;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=i had nothing
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

**TAKE SERIES PROMO BOARD-essC**
We'll hear more from Harris, and from a local financial advisor.
Tune in for that tonight on News 7 at 6 and 11.
(----------------)



S-C'burg-Rescue


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-23
GRAPHIC=None


The Christiansburg Rescue Squad has gone from bursting at the seams to seeking new members to fill up its space.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;


The crew was operating from its new building on Depot Street for the first time yesterday.
With 12 bays, it more than doubles the previous vehicle space.
It also includes expanded meeting and classroom facilities, a newly- furnished day room, a lounge for life- time members and an extra- large kitchen.
As the squad celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, it sees the new building as a golden opportunity to attract new members.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:07:57
IN Q=

((BRIAN HORNE/CHRISTIANSBURG RESCUE SQUAD: WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT THIS WILL GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE SQUAD A LITTLE BIT MORE. MAYBE SEEING A NEW BUILDING, FRESH PAINT AND EVERYTHING, MAYBE THAT WILL BRING OUT SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT IN THE PAST AND MAYBE THEY'LL WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW. ))
SUPER=01-Brian Horne/Christiansburg Rescue Squad;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=about it now.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


About 40 active members handle more than 200 rescue calls a month.
(----------------)



Heaven's-Gate


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=heaven's gate


A former Heaven's Gate cult member has committed suicide, apparently the same way his wife did in the cult's mass suicide.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


The body of Wayne Cooke was found yesterday in a hotel near San Diego, four
miles from where 39 cult members SUPER=03-Encinitas, CA;

killed themselves in March.
A second man with him failed in his attempt and remains in the hospital this morning.
Police believe the men used a lethal concoction similar to the one used by cult members.
(----------------)



Bosnia


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=none


A landmark verdict this morning in an international war crimes trial.
A U-N court has convicted a Bosnian Serb who was charged with murder and torture at Serb run camps during the Bosnian war.
It's the first guilty verdict from an international war crimes trial since the military tribunals in Tokyo and Nuremberg that sent 17 Axis leaders to the gallows.

Clinton


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Clinton


From Mexico President Clinton is defending his wife against new allegations by the Whitewater prosecutor.
In court documents, Kenneth Starr says Mrs. Clinton's testimony changed over time, and conflicts with that of other Whitewater figures.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Mexico City;


At a news conference in Mexico city President Clinton said he knows of no discrepancies in the first lady's testimony..
Mr. Clinton heads to Costa Rica today for a summit with Central American leaders.
(----------------)



P-Body-Found


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#97-35
GRAPHIC=None


In northwest Roanoke yesterday a man was found dead.
Police say it appears he died of a drug overdose.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke


37- year- old Alan Lynn Tarter's body was found at the construction site of the Peter's Creek Road extension.
Police say a witness found the body after noticing someone driving a jeep and acting suspiciously.
They later found the driver. He told police that he and Tarter bought some drugs.
Tarter reportedly went into a coma and died.
The driver dumped the body at the construction site.
So far, no charges have been filed.
(----------------)


P-Missing-Girls


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#597-18
GRAPHIC=none


Police found the bodies of two young girls, in Hanover County, north of Richmond last night.
At this point authorities believe they are the missing Spotsylvania County sisters Kristin and Kati Lisk.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Spotsylvania;


The 15- year- old and her 12- year- old sister have NOT been seen since Thursday afternoon.
The F-B-I is now looking for information about a white Ford pick-up truck seen near their home soon after school let out that day.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:51:
IN Q=It has

((MARY JOHLIE/FBI SPOKESWOMAN: IT HAS A BLUE ACCENT REFLECTOR ON THE TAILGATE. IT'S DESCRIBED AS HAVING A WHITE CAMPER SHELL WITH 2 SMALL OVAL WINDOWS ON EITHER SIDE WITH A LARGER SLIDING WINDOW ON EITHER SIDE. ))
SUPER=01-Mary Johlie/FBI Spokeswoman;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=either side
(----------------)
VO-NAT


One of the girl's backpacks was found outside of the house.
Earlier, authorities ruled out the possibility that the sisters ran away.
(----------------)


E-Mason-Dixon


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-19
GRAPHIC=News 7 poll


A poll from Virginia Commonwealth University says they're tied.
But we have the results of the latest NEWS 7/Mason-Dixon poll on the gubernatorial race.
And one candidate's starting to move up.
Ellen Qualls has the numbers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=He hasn't
SUPER=03-Wakefield/April 16; :00
SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:07
RUNS=1:21
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( He hasn't even officially kicked off his campaign, and he's already slightly ahead.
Republican Jim Gilmore came from one point down in our January poll to inch ahead.
If the election were held today, 41- percent of the 812 registered voters polled say they support Democrat Don Beyer.
43- percent are now supporting Gilmore.
Only 16- percent are still undecided.
The poll has a margin of error of three and a half points, so statistically speaking they're still locked in a dead heat.
Beyer does slightly better with women; Gilmore with men.
Beyer has 69-percent support from black voters polled, but only 35- percent support from whites polled.
Mason Dixon pointed out to voters that Gilmore plans to resign from his full-time Attorney General job in June.
Should Beyer resign from his part-time Lieutenant Governor post?
42-percent say yes.
41-percent say no.
But if he doesn't, the impact may matter.
At this point, almost one in five voters say they would be LESS LIKELY to vote for him.
Compelling numbers for a politician in what many expect to be a tight race.
Jim Gilmore's also winning a tight race for campaign dollars--everywhere but northern Virginia.
But six months is a long time in politics.
Just ask Mary Sue Terry...who was 30 points ahead of a guy named George Allen exactly four years ago.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

P-Bramblett


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-29
GRAPHIC=bramblett


In five weeks Earl Bramblett will stand trial for murder.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/August 1994;


Bramblett is charged with killing Blain and Theresa Hodges and two of their children in Vinton in 19-94.
Yesterday his defense attorneys argued that he was not competent to stand trial.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=there are two prongs

((TERRY GRIMES/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; THERE ARE TWO PRONGS TO COMPETENCY, ONE IS THAT THE ACCUSED UNDERSTAND THE NATURE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM, SECONDLY THAT THE ACCUSED BE ABLE TO ASSIST HIS COUNSEL IN PREPARATION OF THE TRIAL OF THIS MATTER.WE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT COMPETENCY ELSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE FILED THE MOTION.))
SUPER=01-Terry Grimes/Defense Attorney; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=filed the motion
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


After three hours of testimony from three psychologists, Judge Roy Willet ruled Bramblett IS competent to stand trial.
No one will say what the psychologists talked about, but afterward, the judge said it was proper and necessary to close the hearing to protect Bramblett's right to a fair trial.

P-Train-Ax


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#597-13
GRAPHIC=train ax


A Troutville man is in stable condition after a train hit his truck yesterday morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;


It happened in Blue Ridge, as 68- year- old James Craig was crossing the tracks on a private drive.
The impact knocked him through the back window and into the bed of the pickup truck.
He was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
SOT 9:39:17
IN Q=I could see

((LISA DOOLEY/NEIGHBOR; I COULD SEE THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN HIT, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AT THE TIME BUT THEN I SEEN, AND I KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOME BUILDING GOING ON UP THERE AND I SAW THE TWO GENTLEMEN AND TOLD THEM A TRUCK HAD BEEN HIT AND THEY CAME DOWN AND IT WAS HIS FATHER.))
SUPER=01-Lisa Dooley/Neighbor
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=was his father
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Craig and his son had been doing some construction work in the area.
Craig reportedly told his son he did not see the train coming.
The engineer told police he was traveling about 22 miles an hour, well under the 40 mile an hour limit for that stretch of track.
Trains are NOT required to sound a warning at private crossings.
The accident is still under investigation.
(----------------)



DWI


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=drunk driving


A North Carolina jury has spared the life of a drunk driver who killed two college students with his car last September.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC;

4:16:39
Jurors yesterday rejected a call by prosecutors for the death penalty and sentenced Thomas Jones to life without parole.
He had been convicted of first- degree murder.
It was the first time an American jury faced a question of life or death in a drunk driving case.
(----------------)


S-Robertson


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-28
GRAPHIC=Pat Robertson


Jim Gilmore has a mixed blessing on his hands from religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


Robertson admits he used his "Operation Blessing" medical charity airplanes to do work for his African diamond mines.
But Robertson's spokesman says the diamond company repaid the charity.
That's NOT good enough for Democratic state Senator Janet Howell.
Howell's asking Jim Gilmore for a legal opinion, as Attorney General.
She says Robertson may be violating laws for charitable contributions, and defrauding contributors.
With a 50- thousand dollar campaign gift this year, Pat Robertson is one of Jim Gilmore's biggest donors.
(-------0---------)


P-Roanoke-Council


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#597-16
GRAPHIC=roanoke city seal


Members of Roanoke City Council have voted to reduce one tax, impose another, and raise their own salaries.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Council won't take a final vote on the budget until next Monday.
But during budget study yesterday, members approved a one- cent reduction in the real estate tax rate.
They voted to impose a tax on cellular phone service, that would collect up to three dollars per line per month.
They also approved a five thousand dollar salary increase for the mayor, and two thousand dollar increases for each of the council members.
(----------------)



4-Scores


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=nhl


In sports,
Detroit Red Wings skated past the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 5-to-3.
For last night's scores let's check the boards.
(-------------)

wipe to boards!!!
SUPER=#556
SUPER=X5028;
SUPER=0096-/Atlanta/97/j/Chicago/100//East Semi-Final Game 1//L.A.

Lakers/101/j/Utah/103//Game Two/;
SUPER=X5031;
SUPER=0103-/New Jersey/2/j/N.Y. Rangers/3//Game

Three/j/Detroit/5//Anaheim/3///;
SUPER=X5011
SUPER=0093-j/Salem/4//Kinston/1////Wilmington/2/j/Lynchburg/6///;
SUPER=X5010;
SUPER=0091-j/Oakland/6//Milwaukee/5////Anaheim/4/j/Baltimore/8///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0091-/Minnesota/2/j/New York/7////Chicago/6/j/Seattle/7///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0092-j/Pittsburgh/4//Florida/0///j/Philadelphia/5//Houston/1///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0092-/Atlanta/3/j/St. Louis/4///j/Cincinnati/3//Los Angeles/2//11

Innings/;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0092-j/Chicago/2//San Diego/1///j/Montreal/10//San Francisco/3///;
RUNS=:56

oc...LAST SCORE.
(-------------)

Close
SUPER=X4028; Mornin' e-Mail/Copyright Banner

SUPER=X4029; Mornin' Fax/Copyright Banner
by SS