WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/14/98

08:25-01

Thirty-Weather

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7E-Special

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=AMcutin
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TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=va seal

Virginia Republicans swept the special elections yesterday -- successfully defending two House seats, and picking up a third in Prince William County.
But the news wasn't all good for state Republicans.
A 6-to-1 decision handed down by the Virginia Supreme Court yesterday favors the State Election Board -- AND Democrats.
The verdict prevents the three new delegates from taking their seats before election results are official on Friday.
So the G-O-P may be outnumbered in the votes to decide the House leadership when the 19-98 General Assembly convenes this afternoon.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Monday;

It's a blow to Governor Allen, who appointed state Board of Elections Secretary Bruce Meadows.
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;

Late yesterday afternoon, the Virginia Supreme Court heard the Governor's argument that the Board should be forced to meet before Friday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 02:11:19
IN Q=The earlier
((JOHN GIBNEY/ELECTORAL BOARD ATTORNEY: THE EARLIER THE STATE BOARD'S MEETING IS, THE GREATER THE RUSH. THE GREATER THE RUSH, THE GREATER THE CHANCE OF ERROR.))
SOT 02:24:34
((ROBERT BROOKS/VA. ATTORNEY GEN : PROCRASTINATION IS NOT ONLY THE THIEF OF TIME, BUT HERE IT THWARTS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE BY IN EFFECT DISENFRANCHISING THEM DURING THE CRITICAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE 1998 GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE REASON GIVEN IS NOT SATISFACTORY.))
SUPER=01-John Gibney/Electoral Board Attorney; :00
SUPER=01-Robert Brooks/Governor's Attorney; :23
RUNS=:31
OUT Q=not satisfactory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The electoral board's attorney says the court's decision will uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
(-----0-----------)

7E-Giles

ANCHOR=Melanie
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TAPE#97-89
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales
****ANCHOR TAG****
A Giles County supervisor apparently attempted suicide yesterday instead of turning himself in to police.
Board of supervisors member Bobby Williams was named yesterday in a sealed indictment.
Sources tell NEWS 7 the indictment centers on an illegally taped phone conversation- in which callers refer to an alleged affair between Williams and Giles County realtor Kim Frazier.
Teresa Hamilton has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
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SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00
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OUT Q=NEWS 7, Giles County.
(( Law enforcement officials were under the assumption Williams was planning to turn himself in at the Sheriff's department.
But --by mid afternoon-- when Williams failed to appear authorities went to his Ripplemead home.
That's when they discovered Williams had slashed one or both his wrists.
The family has asked that the hospital reveal no information-- but sheriff's officials say he's expected to make a full recovery. TAKE SU
The indictment is sealed-- but sources who spoke to NEWS 7-- have shed some background.
They say Williams did NOT tape the conversation but played it in front of others and physically confronted one of the callers discussing his alleged affair.
The case eventually ended in court-- with the judge taking the case under advisement-- if Williams agreed to pay costs and get counseling. END SU
A magistrate NEWS 7 talked with says Derick Gavin Ratcliff-- who's also named in the indictment-- said he's the one who taped the conversation.
Another man-- Herman Willie Dent- is also named in the indictment.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Giles County.))
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Giles County relator, Kim Lavender Frazier, is also named in the indictment and is free on 500- dollars bond.

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
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Turning to weather--
Partly sunny skies for the first half of the day, with highs in the lower 40s.
Big changes by tonight, though, as a winter storm heads our way.
Sleet and freezing rain will develop, with lows in the upper 20s.
A winter storm watch will be in effect overnight through tomorrow morning.
Things will get calmer by the weekend....
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7BIRTHDAYS! 1/15/98
Thursday:

SUPER=130-6/Charlotte Abshire/Christiansburg;

SUPER=130-44/Carl Taylor/Dublin;

SUPER=130-5/Nikkie Reed/Salem;

SUPER=130-36/Emmy Carroll/Floyd;

SUPER=130-2/Justin Fuller/Chatham;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-51/Bettie Slayton/Illinios;

SUPER=130-/Carolyn Pritchett/Blairs;

SUPER=130-/Mildred Law/Snow Creek;

SUPER=130-/Creed Law/Snow Creek;
Movie Review 1/16

"Jackie Brown" has many of Quentin Tarantino's cinematic touches, but it has a somewhat softer heart than Pulp Fiction.
Pam Grier is Jackie Brown, a stewardess who also works as a mule for a nasty gun runner played by Samuel L. Jackson. The Feds want him and put Jackie in a tight situation, so she plots a scam of her own. Grier gets good support from a start studded cast. Robert De Niro is a din witted ex-con; Bridget Fonda a pot head nymphet and Robert Forster is great as a bail bondsman who falls for Jackie.
"Jackie Brown" gets a B+, the plot has many twists; there are cons and double crosses galore. Although it runs a bit long "Jackie Brown" is consistently entertaining. cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1;

45E-SPECIAL-ELECTION

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut ins
WRITER=
TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=va seal

The words "Republican" and "sweep" are once again sharing headlines.
Yesterday, voters in three House of Delegates districts chose the G-O-P candidate over Democrats.
That means that Republicans have 49 House seats to 50 for Democrats, with one independent.
But the news isn't all good for state Republicans.
A 6-to-1 decision handed down by the Virginia Supreme Court yesterday favors the State Election Board -- AND Democrats.
That means the three Republicans who won seats today can't take their seats today when the 1998 General Assembly convenes-- so the G-O-P may be outnumbered in the votes to decide the House leadership.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Monday;

It's a blow to Governor Allen, who appointed state Board of Elections Secretary Bruce Meadows.
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;

Late yesterday afternoon, the Virginia Supreme Court heard the Governor's argument that the Board should be forced to meet before Friday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 02:11:19
IN Q=The earlier
((JOHN GIBNEY/ELECTORAL BOARD ATTORNEY: THE EARLIER THE STATE BOARD'S MEETING IS, THE GREATER THE RUSH. THE GREATER THE RUSH, THE GREATER THE CHANCE OF ERROR.))
SOT 02:24:34
((ROBERT BROOKS/VA. ATTORNEY GEN : PROCRASTINATION IS NOT ONLY THE THIEF OF TIME, BUT HERE IT THWARTS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE BY IN EFFECT DISENFRANCHISING THEM DURING THE CRITICAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE 1998 GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE REASON GIVEN IS NOT SATISFACTORY.))
SUPER=01-John Gibney/Electoral Board Attorney; :00
SUPER=01-Robert Brooks/Governor's Attorney; :23
RUNS=:31
OUT Q=not satisfactory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The electoral board's attorney says the court's decision will uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
(-----0-----------)

45giles

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=mel
TAPE# EDIT FROM 97-89
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

Giles County supervisor Bobby Williams reportedly has attempted suicide following an indictment on charges connected to illegally taped phone conversations.
Sources tell News 7 the calls were reportedly linked an alleged affair between Williams and Giles County realtor Kim Lavender Frazier.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Giles Co.;

Yesterday when Williams failed to turn himself into the Giles County Sheriff's departments authorities went to his home and found he had slashed one or both his wrists.
Sheriff's officials say Williams is expected to make a full recovery.
Frazier is also named in the indictment as well two men Derick Gavin Ratcliff and Herman Willie Dent.
(----------------)

45S-KAST

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tha/amo
TAPE#97-83
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

Also in Giles County, a special prosecutor will handle a controversial Giles County rape case.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;

Giles County Prosecutor Garland Spangler requested the special prosecutor, after months of publicity surrounding the Cory Kast case.
A judge yesterday appointed Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney Gino Williams to handle the charges against Kast.
Kast is accused of several crimes, including robbery and abduction, against rape victim Renee Trump.
At one time a rape charge against Kast was dropped after Spangler failed to prosecute the case in a timely manner.
After that, Kast was indicted on the other charges.
(----------------)

45kluge

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=mel
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE

A multi- million dollar gift from billionaire John Kluge.
The Albemarle County resident has given the University of Virginia more than five million dollars in Australian aboriginal art.
University officials are trying to determine where to store and exhibit the more than 15-hundred paintings, carvings and ceremonial artifacts from the donation.
A show is planned this spring.

45weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
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Time now for the mid- week forecast--
Partly sunny today with light winds and highs in the lower 40s.
Sleet and freezing rain will develop by tonight, with lows in the mid to upper 20s.
A winter storm watch will be posted overnight through tomorrow morning.
Taking a look ahead...
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8General-Assembly

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Va State Seal

The 19-98 General Assembly session convenes today at noon at the state Capitol in Richmond.
One of the top issues at the 60 day session will be spending.
Outgoing Governor George Allen will deliver his final State of the Commonwealth address tonight.
Allen's proposed two-year budget of 39-point-nine billion dollars includes start-up money for fellow Republican Jim Gilmore's pledge to phase out the personal property tax on cars over five years.

8E-SPECIAL-ELECTION

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut ins
WRITER=
TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=va seal

When the legislature meets the House will have 49 Republicans and 50 Democrats with one independent.
That, after yesterday's Republican sweep in three House of Delgates special elections.
But a state Supreme Court ruling last night means the three new delegates probably won't take their seats until Friday, keeping Democrats in control for today's crucial organization meeting and election of the House speaker.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Monday;

It's a blow to Governor Allen, who appointed state Board of Elections Secretary Bruce Meadows.
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;

Late yesterday afternoon, the Virginia Supreme Court heard the Governor's argument that the Board should be forced to meet before Friday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 02:11:19
IN Q=The earlier
((JOHN GIBNEY/ELECTORAL BOARD ATTORNEY: THE EARLIER THE STATE BOARD'S MEETING IS, THE GREATER THE RUSH. THE GREATER THE RUSH, THE GREATER THE CHANCE OF ERROR.))
SOT 02:24:34
((ROBERT BROOKS/VA. ATTORNEY GEN : PROCRASTINATION IS NOT ONLY THE THIEF OF TIME, BUT HERE IT THWARTS THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE BY IN EFFECT DISENFRANCHISING THEM DURING THE CRITICAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE 1998 GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE REASON GIVEN IS NOT SATISFACTORY.))
SUPER=01-John Gibney/Electoral Board Attorney; :00
SUPER=01-Robert Brooks/Governor's Attorney; :23
RUNS=:31
OUT Q=not satisfactory.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The electoral board's attorney says the court's decision will uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
(-----0-----------)

8ABED

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=legal scales

Opening statements are scheduled today in the trial of seven men who prosecutors contend formed an organized crime family in the Roanoke Valley.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Two brothers in the Abed family, four of their sons and two business associates are charged with using violence -- including murder and arson -- to drive out competing restaurants and convenience stores and to defraud insurance companies.
The 12 jurors and six alternates that will hear the U-S District Court case were seated last night after two days of jury selection.
The trial is expected to last six weeks.
(----------------)

8E-TLC

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-82
GRAPHIC=TAP

Paperwork problems with the federal government are continuing to cause funding woes for Total Action Against Poverty's homeless shelter program.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

TAP's last grant application was rejected for the Transitional Living Center because it was missing some pages.
But TAP says the department of Housing and Urban Development also rejected the grant because the document that describes the Valley's homeless problem, called the "Continium of Care" was unsatisfactory.
TAP believes the growing homeless problem in Northern Virginia is edging city's like Roanoke out of the race for federal money.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:22:45
IN Q=we all have to
((ELLEN BROWN/TOTALL ACTION AGAINST POVERTY; WE ALL HAVE TO PULL TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS PERSONS ARE SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY AND IN KIND AND IN VOLUNTEERISM FROM OUT COMMUNITY.))
SUPER=01-Ellen Brown/Total Action Against Poverty
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=from out community
(----------------)
VO-NAT

TAP will update it's application and try for the next round of federal grants, but Brown says increased local support is the only thing that will guarantee TLC stays in operation.
(----------------)

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
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Taking a minute now to check Wednesday's outlook--
Partly sunny today, with highs in the lower 40s.
A Winter Storm Watch will take effect tonight, when sleet and freezing rain are expected to develop across the area.
Lows falling into the mid to upper 20s.
The four day forecast improves by the weekend...
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