WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 05/23/97

08:25-01

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SUPER=@Melanie1

7Bedford-Schools

ANCHOR=MelanieMelanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-29
GRAPHIC=bedford seal

The battle over the Bedford County school budget has one school board member calling for the suspension of the school superintendent.
Steve Smallshaw has more on last night's heated school board meeting.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Bedford County's
SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Last Night; :00
SUPER=01-Betty Earle/School Board Member; :19
SUPER=01-Jim Fields/Parent; :31
SUPER=01-Dr. John Kent/School Superintendent; :45
SUPER=@ssm2; 1:08
RUNS=1:12
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.

(( Bedford County's school teachers will continue to get their paychecks, after the school board voted to borrow a million dollars from its construction fund to cover salaries through the end of the year.
This is the third straight year the school system has finished in the red, and at least one school board member wants to hold the superintendent accountable.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:36:07
IN Q=Suspend Dr. Kent
((BETTY EARLE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: SUSPEND DOCTOR KENT WITH PAY PENDING SCHOOL BOARD INVESTIGATION OF HIS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=performance.

One parent in the crowd at Staunton River High School went beyond that, calling for Dr. Kent's resignation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:49:29
IN Q=No longer can
((JIM FIELDS/PARENT: NO LONGER CAN WE AFFORD A MANAGEMENT STYLE OF SECRETIVENESS, CALLOUSNESS AND INDIFFERENCE.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=indifference.

Dr. Kent says he'll resign if the board wants him to... he's willing to accept the blame, though would not say that he deserves it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:59:51
IN Q=I would assume
((DR. JOHN KENT/SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: I WOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT AND THEN MAYBE THINGS WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN BE BETTER.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=be better.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:04:51
IN Q=I'm not sure
((BETTY EARLE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I'M NOT SURE IT'S ALL ENTIRELY DR. KENT'S FAULT, BECAUSE AFTER ALL IT'S THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO HAS OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY. BUT UNFORTUNATELY IN THESE CASES WE HAVE TO DETERMINE AT WHAT POINT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=is responsible.

That person could be John Kent.
The school board will discuss whether to suspend him during a meeting in June.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))

7P-Bramblett

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-15
SS=bramblett

A postponed in the trial of Earl Bramblett to give the lawyer's of the murder suspect more time.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

No new date has been set but the trial is likely to be delayed until the Fall.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE #2 11:08:23
IN Q=
((JUDGE ROY WILLETT/ROANOKE CO. CIRCUIT COURT: THESE ARE SOME OF THE WORST AND MOST AGGRAVATED CHARGES THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THIS COURT. AND SINCE THIS IS A CAPITAL CASE, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW, WHEN GOOD LAWYERS TELL ME THAT THEY NEED MORE TIME, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN TURN THEM DOWN.))
SUPER=01-Judge Roy Willett/Roanoke Co. Circuit Court;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=them down.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/August 1994;

Bramblett is accused of arson and murder in the deaths of a Vinton family of four.
If the jury convicts the 55- year- old suspect of CAPITAL murder, jurors may then get to hear evidence of earlier sex and drug crimes.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

That's why the judge granted a delay. Bramblett's lawyers say they need three or four months to investigate those other allegations.

7E-Festival-Rumor

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-30
GRAPHIC=festival

A local morning radio program yesterday created many rumors about this year's Festival in the Park and Mayor Bowers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;

Many listeners were led to believe Roanoke Mayor David Bowers cancelled the festival out of frustration over his defeat on a pay raise issue.
Both the city and festival organizers spent much of the day explaining to dozens of callers that the longtime event WILL go on as planned.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01:58:32
IN Q=Initially
((WENDI SCHULTZ/FESTIVAL IN THE PARK DIRECTOR: INITIALLY I STARTED GETTING CALLS VERY EARLY THIS MORNING AT HOME FROM SOME OF MY KEY VOLUNTEERS. WHO CERTAINLY KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE CASE BUT CERTAINLY WANTED TO ALERT ME TO WHAT WAS GOING ON. AND THEN OF COURSE THE PHONES STARTED RINGING IN THE OFFICE.))
SUPER=01-Wendi Schultz/Festival In The Park Director;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=in the office.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

J-93-F-M says listeners misunderstood a hypothetical discussion about the Roanoke city budget.
(-------------)

7E-Bassett

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-41
GRAPHIC=NONE

The concept of closing the Bassett Furniture plant in Martinsville sounds worse than the reality.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville/File Tape;

Most of the 400 employees will get jobs at other Bassett plants within commuting distance.
And yesterday the city says at worst it will lose 30-thousand dollars in direct revenues, in the form of machine-and tool taxes.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=NONE

The city says the mounting challenge ahead is redeveloping the vacated factories it has before they fall into disrepair.

7weather

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

Let's check the forecast as we head into the Memorial Day weekend--
Mostly sunny today, with pleasant high temperatures in the mid 70s.
Clear tonight, and a bit cool.
Lows in the upper 40s.
Partly sunny skies tomorrow, with highs pushing to near 80.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/72-76/Clear &/Cool/45-49;
SUPER=#555;reset
7BDAYS-SUN 5/25 & MON 5/26

(Sunday)
SUPER=130-/Jack Lee Fridley/Covington;

SUPER=130-15/J.R. Lawrence/Elliston;

SUPER=130-14/Heather Hawley/Pulaski;

SUPER=130-/Robert Breeden/Plum Creek;

SUPER=130-2/Frances Cundiff/Eden, NC;

(Monday)
SUPER=130-8/Erica Hawkins/Montvale;

SUPER=130-3/Adam Martin/Riner;

SUPER=130-18/Jason Fridley/Covington;

SUPER=130-28/Missy Johnson/Lexington;

SUPER=130-23/Jennifer Wray/Bassett;

SUPER=130-105/Minnie Martin/Rocky Mount;

SUPER=130-12/Heather Bryan/Pilot;

(No Picture)

SUPER=130-/Robert Clark/Lexington;

SUPER=130-72/Roaslie Lafferty/Waynesboro;
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SUPER=@Melanie1

55E-Bassett

55P-Education-Board

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-20
GRAPHIC=education

The state school board is just three weeks away from adopting a plan that will include more academic courses and fewer electives.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

But state superintendent Richard LaPointe says he will release a compromise Standards of Accreditation proposal by June Second.
State board members voiced some disagreement yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 10:17:50
IN Q=More than
((MORE THAN 70- PERCENT OF THE JOBS IN AMERICA WOULD NOT REQUIRE A COLLEGE EDUCATION BY THE YEAR 2000. THESE JOBS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.))
SUPER=01-Rayford Harris/Va. Board of Education;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=of our economy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But others say ALL students need more academic basics plus more arts classes to be good citizens.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 10:11:41
IN Q=Employers now
((LIL TUTTLE/VA. BOARD OF EDUCATION: EMPLOYERS NOW SEEK THE GOOD WORKER AND THE GOOD CITIZEN IN THE SAME INDIVIDUAL.))
SUPER=01-Lil Tuttle/Va. Board of Education;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=same individual.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The board's also trying to clear up a rumor that the new standards would eliminate elementary school guidance counselors.
(-------0---------)

55P-Dave-Thomas

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tte
TAPE#597-17
GRAPHIC=NONE

Fast food king Dave Thomas shared a recipe for success with students in Bath County yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bath Co.;

The Wendy's founder was a high school dropout at 15.
But he urged students to stay in school and avoid drugs and alcohol.
Thomas made his first million in the restaurant business when he was 35.
He credits his adoptive grandmother who taught him about honesty and integrity.
Now Thomas is a crusader for adoption rights.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:07:58
IN Q=I was born
((DAVE THOMAS/FOUNDER OF WENDY'S: I WAS BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK AND I JUST THINK EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A PERMANENT LOVING HOME.)) ((JESSICA SCHWEND/BATH CO. STUDENT: HE'S TRYING TO PROVE GENERATION X CAN NO LONGER BE CALLED SUCH SO I'M PROUD OF WHAT HE'S DOING AND I THINK HE'S A GREAT GUY.))
SUPER=01-Dave Thomas/Founder of Wendy's; :00
SUPER=01-Jessica Schwend/Bath Co. Student; :07
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=great guy
(----------------)

Thomas recently earned his high school Diploma.
His hamburger chain now boasts almost five thousand locations.
(----------------)

55weather

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

Time now to look ahead to the Memorial Day Weekend forecast--
Mostly sunny today, with highs warming into the mid 70s.
Clear skies overnight, with lows falling into the upper 40s.
Partly sunny tomorrow, with highs around 80.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/72-76/Clear &/Cool/45-49;
SUPER=#555;reset
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SUPER=@Melanie1

8Bedford-Schools

ANCHOR=MelanieMelanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-29
GRAPHIC=bedford seal

Bedford County's school superintendent is getting a failing grade from the school board.
One member blames the superintendent for the county's school budget problems, and is asking for his suspension.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Bedford County's
SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Last Night; :00
SUPER=01-Betty Earle/School Board Member; :19
SUPER=01-Jim Fields/Parent; :31
SUPER=01-Dr. John Kent/School Superintendent; :45
SUPER=@ssm2; 1:08
RUNS=1:12
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.

(( Bedford County's school teachers will continue to get their paychecks, after the school board voted to borrow a million dollars from its construction fund to cover salaries through the end of the year.
This is the third straight year the school system has finished in the red, and at least one school board member wants to hold the superintendent accountable.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:36:07
IN Q=Suspend Dr. Kent
((BETTY EARLE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: SUSPEND DOCTOR KENT WITH PAY PENDING SCHOOL BOARD INVESTIGATION OF HIS PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=performance.

One parent in the crowd at Staunton River High School went beyond that, calling for Dr. Kent's resignation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:49:29
IN Q=No longer can
((JIM FIELDS/PARENT: NO LONGER CAN WE AFFORD A MANAGEMENT STYLE OF SECRETIVENESS, CALLOUSNESS AND INDIFFERENCE.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=indifference.

Dr. Kent says he'll resign if the board wants him to... he's willing to accept the blame, though would not say that he deserves it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:59:51
IN Q=I would assume
((DR. JOHN KENT/SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: I WOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT AND THEN MAYBE THINGS WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN BE BETTER.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=be better.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:04:51
IN Q=I'm not sure
((BETTY EARLE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I'M NOT SURE IT'S ALL ENTIRELY DR. KENT'S FAULT, BECAUSE AFTER ALL IT'S THE SCHOOL BOARD WHO HAS OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY. BUT UNFORTUNATELY IN THESE CASES WE HAVE TO DETERMINE AT WHAT POINT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=is responsible.

That person could be John Kent.
The school board will discuss whether to suspend him during a meeting in June.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))

8P-Education-Board

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-20
GRAPHIC=education

Students are just three weeks away from likely having to take more required academic courses and fewer electives.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

But state superintendent Richard LaPointe says he will release a compromise Standards of Accreditation proposal by June Second.
State board members voiced some disagreement yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 10:17:50
IN Q=More than
((MORE THAN 70- PERCENT OF THE JOBS IN AMERICA WOULD NOT REQUIRE A COLLEGE EDUCATION BY THE YEAR 2000. THESE JOBS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.))
SUPER=01-Rayford Harris/Va. Board of Education;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=of our economy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

But others say ALL students need more academic basics plus more arts classes to be good citizens.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 10:11:41
IN Q=Employers now
((LIL TUTTLE/VA. BOARD OF EDUCATION: EMPLOYERS NOW SEEK THE GOOD WORKER AND THE GOOD CITIZEN IN THE SAME INDIVIDUAL.))
SUPER=01-Lil Tuttle/Va. Board of Education;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=same individual.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The board's also trying to clear up a rumor that the new standards would eliminate elementary school guidance counselors.
The board has received almost five thousand letters defending the counselors-- even though their elimination was never proposed.
(-------0---------)

8P-Bramblett

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-15
SS=bramblett

Defense attorneys are getting more time to prepare their case in the murder trial of Earl Bramblett.
That after a judge yesterday postponed the trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

No new date has been set but the trial will almost certainly be put off until sometime this Fall.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE #2 11:08:23
IN Q=
((JUDGE ROY WILLETT/ROANOKE CO. CIRCUIT COURT: THESE ARE SOME OF THE WORST AND MOST AGGRAVATED CHARGES THAT HAVE COME THROUGH THIS COURT. AND SINCE THIS IS A CAPITAL CASE, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW, WHEN GOOD LAWYERS TELL ME THAT THEY NEED MORE TIME, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN TURN THEM DOWN.))
SUPER=01-Judge Roy Willett/Roanoke Co. Circuit Court;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=them down.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/August 1994;

Bramblett is accused of arson and murder in the deaths of a Vinton family of four.
If the jury convicts the 55- year- old suspect of CAPITAL murder, jurors may then get to hear evidence of earlier sex and drug crimes.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

That's why the judge granted a delay. Bramblett's lawyers say they need three or four months to investigate those other allegations.

8weather

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

Turning now to the outlook--
Mostly sunny as we start off the holiday weekend.
Highs today in the mid 70s.
Clear tonight and cool, with lows in the upper 40s.
Partly sunny skies ahead for Saturday.
Highs climbing to around 80.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=#555;reset SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/72-76/Clear &/Cool/45-49;