08:25-01

cu

WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-22
SS=helvestine

Twenty two years after a racially motivated car bombing in Roanoke County that took the life of a two year old, a conviction has been made in the case.
Yesterday Frank Helvestine pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the blast.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem

Given the age and frailty of the defendant, the prosecutor chose to accept an involuntary manslaughter plea.
In May of 19-75 the bomb was planted on the car belonging to a white woman who was dating a black man.
The blast killed a baby girl and injured two others.
Helvestine pleaded guilty to arson, two counts of unlawful wounding and involuntary manslaughter which is defined by "accidental death."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:30:10
IN Q=Do you accept
((Do you accept this as an accident? NO, IT WAS PLANNED. I THINK HIM AND RUSSELL WHITE PLANNED THIS OUT. BUT I HAVE NO PROOF OF THAT. I ONLY HAVE HIS WORD, WHAT HE SAYS. Of course they didn't mean to kill Carrie. I HOPE NOT.
(smile) ))
SUPER=01-Barry Mask/Victim's Father
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=hope not
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The little girl's mother was in court, but she left without comment.
She's reportedly blocked out much of the incident.
Donna Weimer is still unable to discuss the loss- -even with investigators.
Helvestine faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced in September.
(----------------)

7E-Franklin-Wreck


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-46
GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident

Authorities are learning more about Sunday's fatal accident from one of the three survivors.
From what they've been told police are calling the accident a terrifying trip down Windy Gap Mountain.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

One of the three surviving children told police the accelerator stuck as the station wagon drove into Roanoke County.
The driver, 47- year- old Anna Marie Talbert, tried to use the brakes, but could not stop the car.
The brakes apparently failed as the car passed the city limits, sending it out of control.
It ran over a guardrail, flipped several times and caught fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:04:58
IN Q=Oh it was really
((SHARON WOODS/NEIGHBOR; OH IT WAS AWFUL, IT WAS REALLY BAD. WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN IT UNTIL THE GUY ACROSS THE YARD, HE WENT DOWN AND MY HUSBAND RAN AND GOT HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER ))
SUPER=01-Sharon Woods/Neighbor;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=got his fire extinguisher
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Talbert and her 14- year- old son died in the wreck along with two other teenagers.
Police say the neighbor's quick action probably saved the lives of the three children who survived the accident.
(----------------)

7P-Railroad-Crossing


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#597-27
GRAPHIC=norfolk southern

It's the residents against the railroad giant.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Friday;

Five Blue Ridge families are taking on Norfolk Southern.
They don't want it closing the Cherry Lane Crossing in Botetourt County.
That site provides the easiest access for them to the main road.
Residents say they'll be landlocked if N-S blocks that intersection.
N-S originally planned to close a number of other crossings July 10th.
No date has been set for the permanent injunction hearing.
(----------------)

7P-Shaffer's-Crossing


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jsu
TAPE#97-33
GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern

Though not as controversial Norfolk Southern's work in the Shaffer's crossing area of Roanoke is becoming an inconvenience to residents.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

The crossing closed yesterday morning and will not re-open for about a month.
Norfolk Southern is sandblasting and repainting the existing steel structure--to enhance its appearance.
This is the second time this year the underpass has closed. And for many travelers it's becoming a nuisance.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:54: 04
IN Q=It's inconvenient
((JOSEPHINE JOHNSON:IT'S INCONVENIENT AND IT'S HOT. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE ALWAYS IMPROVING THAT AREA BUT ALWAYS KIND OF SCREWING IT UP ONE WAY OR THE OTHER FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO TRAVEL JIMMY PATSELL:I GOT TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1OTH STREET TO GET ACROSS TO WHERE I'M GOING DAVID BECKNER: I THINK IT'S GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY A WHOLE LOT ))
RUNS=:13
SUPER=07-Josephine Johnson; :00
SUPER=07-Jimmy Patsell; :07 quick
SUPER=07-David Beckner; :10 quick
OUT Q=a whole lot
(----------------)
VO-NAT

No detour is in place.
Drviers are encouraged to use Shenandoah Avenue.
(----------------)

7weather


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

Shifting gears to weather--
Variably cloudy skies today, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Pleasant high temperatures in the low to mid 80s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows dropping into the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/80-85/Partly Cloudy/Wind NE
10/62-66;
SUPER=#555; reset
7BIRTHDAYS! 7/30/97
Wednesday:

SUPER=130-81/William "Pops" Sloan/Roanoke;


SUPER=130-48/Daniel Dennis/Hurt;


(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-59th/Arby & Gertrude Harris/Indian Valley;


SUPER=130-13/Douglas Gathercole/Shawsville;


SUPER=130-1/Kenny Waldron/Montvale;


SUPER=130-5/Shawnell Hairston/Vinton;


SUPER=130-2/Haley Smith/Peterstown WV;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-36/Arthur Hairston/Appomattox;
cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1

55E-South-Boston


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-49
GRAPHIC=NONE

Land was the topic on the negotiating table last night.
South Boston and Halifax County leaders have different ideas of how much land the county should give the town.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:39:54
IN Q=The unfortunate thing
((DAN SLEEPER/HALIFAX CO. ADMINISTRATOR: THE UNFORTUNATE THING FOR COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA IS WE'RE LIKE FAMILIES. WE'RE LIKE THE PARENTS, AND THE TOWNS ARE LIKE CHILDREN. IF YOU GET TWO CHILDREN FIGHTING OVER PART OF YOUR ESTATE OR PART OF YOUR PROPERTY, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM? THEY'RE STILL GOING TO GET SOMETHING AND YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THEM AND IF YOU REFUSE TO DEAL WITH THEM, THE COURT'S GOING TO LOOK AT YOU LIKE YOU'RE NOT A GOOD PARENT.))
SUPER=01-Dan Sleeper/Halifax Co. Administrator;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=good parent
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The town of South Boston wants to triple its size by grabbing ten square miles of county land.
SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;

Halifax supervisors have offered a compromise ... saving revenue-rich Centerville for itself.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:47:20
IN Q=I would say
((GLEN ABERNATHY/SOUTH BOSTON MAYOR: I WOULD SAY IT ROUGHLY INCLUDES ABOUT HALF THE AREA THE TOWN PROPOSES TO ANNEX.))
SUPER=01-Glen Abernathy/South Boston Mayor;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=annex
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The new plan would give the town more than a million dollars in extra revenue, while robbing the county of almost 400 thousand dollars.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Both parties say they want to negotiate.
If they can't find middle ground, the battle over land could continue in court.

55E-Ward-system


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#97-50
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City

A change could be on the way for Roanoke City Council.
Currently council members are currently elected at large.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

City Council is reviewing a plan to go to a modified ward system.
Voters would elect a representative from their area, as well as the mayor and vice mayor.
The Ward plan has been described as a way to ensure minority representation on council.
(/////SOT/////)
IN Q=i don't like
((ESTELLE MCCADDEN: I DON'T LIKE THE THING OF ZONING TO MAKE SURE...LET US PUT IN THER-- WHO'S BEST. WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED IN OUR SECTIONS. )) ((MIKE URBANSKI: THE MODIFIED WARD SYSTEM WILL RESULT IN A VULCANIZED DIVIDED CITY COUNCIL MORE CONCERNED WITH THE ISSUES OF SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOODS, THAN IN THE WELFARE OF THE CITY AS A WHOLE. ))
SUPER=07-Estelle McCadden; :00
SUPER=07-Mike Urbanski; :10
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=as a whole
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Supporters of the plan say some areas of the city have no representation on council.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:29:28
IN Q=I THINK
((BILL BESTPITCH: I THINK EVERY CITIZEN IN THE CITY OF ROANOKE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR VIEW HEARD ON THIS ISSUE-- PUT IT ON A REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER. ))
SUPER=07-Bill Bestpitch;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=in november
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Mayor David Bowers said after last night's public hearing, he anticipates City Council will put the issue to a referendum.
(----------------)

55weather


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

Turning to the Tuesday outlook--
Variably cloudy skies today and cooler.
Highs in the low to mid 80s.
There's a chance of showers through this evening.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows in the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/80-85/Partly Cloudy/Wind NE
10/62-66;
SUPER=#555; reset
cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1

8P-Helvestine


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-22
SS=helvestine

Frank Helvestine has admitted to his role in the fatal car bombing that claimed the life of a toddler 22 years ago.
Yesterday Helvestine pleaded guilty to charges connected with the blast.

(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem

Given the age and frailty of the defendant, the prosecutor chose to accept an involuntary manslaughter plea.
In May of 19-75 the bomb was planted on the car belonging to a white woman who was dating a black man.
The blast killed a baby girl and injured two others.
Helvestine pleaded guilty to arson, two counts of unlawful wounding and involuntary manslaughter which is defined by "accidental death."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:30:10
IN Q=Do you accept
((Do you accept this as an accident? NO, IT WAS PLANNED. I THINK HIM AND RUSSELL WHITE PLANNED THIS OUT. BUT I HAVE NO PROOF OF THAT. I ONLY HAVE HIS WORD, WHAT HE SAYS. Of course they didn't mean to kill Carrie. I HOPE NOT.
(smile) ))
SUPER=01-Barry Mask/Victim's Father
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=to kill Carrie
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The little girl's mother was in court, but she left without comment.
Donna Weimer is still unable to discuss the loss.
Helvestine faces up to 25 years in prison when he's sentenced in September.
(----------------)

8E-Franklin-Wreck


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-46
GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident

Police believe the four people killed Sunday in a car accident were frightened moments before the crash.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

One of the three surviving children told police the accelerator stuck as the station wagon drove into Roanoke County.
The driver, 47- year- old Anna Marie Talbert, tried to use the brakes, but could not stop the car.
The brakes apparently failed as the car passed the city limits, sending it out of control.
It ran over a guardrail, flipped several times and caught fire.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:04:58
IN Q=Oh it was really
((SHARON WOODS/NEIGHBOR; OH IT WAS AWFUL, IT WAS REALLY BAD. WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE IN IT UNTIL THE GUY ACROSS THE YARD, HE WENT DOWN AND MY HUSBAND RAN AND GOT HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER ))
SUPER=01-Sharon Woods/Neighbor;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=got his fire extinguisher
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Talbert and her 14- year- old son died in the wreck along with two other teenagers.
Police say the neighbor's quick action probably saved the lives of the three children who survived the accident.
(----------------)

8P-ward-system


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#597-33
GRAPHIC=ROANOKE CITY SEAL

Roanoke city council is considering letting the voters decide how its members are elected.
Citizens offered their thoughts last night about the proposed ward plan.

(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

City Council is deciding whether to put the issue on a November fourth referendum.
But some citizens say dividing the city into wards will separate it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:38:03
IN Q=I don't think that
((ESTELLE MCADDEN: I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD DRAW UP THINGS JUST TO SUIT MINORITIES, WE SHOULD DRAW UP THINGS TO SUIT THE BETTERMENT OF THE CITY WE LIVE IN. )) ((MIKE URBANSKI: UNDER THE PROPOSED PLAN, THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ANY ONE VOTER. ))
SUPER=07-Estelle McCadden; :00
SUPER=07-Mike Urbanski; :11
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=ONE VOTER
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Supporters of the plan say citizens in some areas of the city have no representation on council.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:29:28
IN Q=i think
((BILL BESTPITCH: I THINK EVERY CITIZEN IN THE CITY OF ROANOKE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR VIEWS HEARD ON THIS ISSUE--PUT IT ON A REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER. ))
SUPER=07-Bill Bestpitch
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=in november.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

After last night's public hearing, Mayor David Bowers said that it's likely City Council will vote to allow the issue on the November ballot.
(----------------)

8Education


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=aje
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=education

It's not only the students who are asking for money-- but also Virginia's public colleges and universities.
That's the message they took to the State Council of Higher Education in Blacksburg yesterday.
Some of the items the presidents asked for include money for new and expanded buildings, an increase in faculty salaries and an increase in financial aid for needy students.

8weather


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

Time now to check the forecast--
Variably cloudy today, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible.
Highs will be cooler, in the low to mid 80s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with temperatures falling into the mid 60s.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/80-85/Partly Cloudy/Wind NE
SUPER=#555; reset 10/62-66;
by SS