08:25-01

Thirty-Weather

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7E-Grayson-Murder


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


Defense attorneys said they weren't given enough time to prepare- and now it will be another FIVE weeks before Emmett Cressell's murder trial gets underway in Grayson County.
Cressell is charged in the brutal slaying of a black man in Grayson County last summer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Independence;


Cressell's lawyers were NOT given access to work performed by the state crime lab until last week.
The report found NO physical evidence to link Cressell to the murder of Garnett "G-P" Johnson and further tests are NOW underway.
The former Marine was doused with gasoline, burned alive and later decapitated after a night of drinking last summer.
Cressell's attorneys yesterday criticized the prosecution for allowing the state crime lab to turn over its results so close to the original trial date.
(/////SOT/////)

3:00:41
SOT
IN Q=Why should

((MARK CLAYTOR/CRESSELL'S ATTORNEY:WHY SHOULD THE COMMONWEALTH BY DESIGN OR JUST SIMPLE NEGLECT BE ALLOWED TO HOLD THE EVIDENCE OR SIT ON THE EVIDENCE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DROP IT IN HIS LAP OR OUR LAP RIGHT BEFORE TRIAL AND SAY "HEY GO TO IT". ))
SUPER=01-Mark Claytor/Cressell's Attorney; :00
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=go to it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Commonwealth's attorney J-D Bolt told the court he turned over all the crucial paperwork from the crime lab as soon as it was made available.
Cressell's new trial date is set for the week of March 23rd.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The physical evidence did link Cressell's co-defendant, Louis Ceparano, to the crime.
His trial date is set for April first.


7E-Police-Chief


ANCHOR=Melanie
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TAPE#=98-4
GRAPHIC=Gaskins


Roanoke has selected a new police chief, but some officials are complaining that the end doesn't always justify the means.
(------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday;


Joe Gaskins was named to the position on Friday, following a search that considered more than 100 applicants.
The local chapter of the N- Double A-C-P was pleased with Gaskins' selection, but officials say they still have concerns about the process.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:58:30
IN Q=And I think

((MARTIN JEFFREY/ROANOKE NAACP PRESIDENT: AND I THINK THAT WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON HENRY STREET OR WHETHER YOU'RE DEALING WITH OLD SOUTHWEST OR WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GENERAL, THE GREENWAYS PROJECT, I THINK IT'S CRITICAL WE ANSWER THE QUESTION CAN WE SET UP A PROCESS, CAN WE TRUST THE CITY TO DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO.))
SUPER=01-Martin Jeffrey/Roanoke NAACP President
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=what they're going to do.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


On Friday, Gaskins' selection brought complaints from Mayor David Bowers and Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell, who favored Roanoke Police Lieutenant David Clayton.
Jeffrey questions the timing of their criticism, but says it supports his argument that the search process may have been flawed.

7E-American-Eagle


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#=97-99
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Regional Airport


There's no "Bulls" about it- Chicago may be just a non-stop flight away in the fall.
That's what American Eagle said yesterday.
(------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;


The airline hopes to fly jets between Roanoke and Chicago.
But Chicago's O'Hare is the world's busiest airport.
So busy that the federal government assigns specific take-off and landing slots to airlines that fly there.
American is urging travelers who would like the service to write letters to U-S Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater.
If the government gives American Eagle the go-ahead, jets will begin their daily routes to Chicago on September 15th.
(------------)



7Weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
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Inclimate weather is causing one school delay this morning--
Patrick County schools are operating two hours late.
Meantime, heavy rain is likely today.
A flash flood watch is in effect.
Expect a high today near 50...more showers tonight, with lows near 40.
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7BIRTHDAYS!2/18/98
Wednesday:

(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-48th/Herman & Ynell Brumfield/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-1/Haleigh Wolfe/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-26/Hubie Hartless/Lexington;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=130-40th/Lewis & Deloris Hayden/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-5/Cole Lawrence/Rocky Mount;



SUPER=130-1/Adam Bennett/Charlotte NC;



SUPER=130-10/Robert Handy/Ferrum;



SUPER=130-92/Harry Huffman/Roanoke;



SUPER=130-20/Olivia Thompson/Ferrum;



SUPER=130-6/Travis Roberts/Buena Vista;



SUPER=130-17/Aaron Medina/Ridgeway;


No Pictures:

(Anniversary)
SUPER=131-44th/Lowell & Ivy Rose/Rocky Mount;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=131-5th/Mike & Debbie Brubaker/Rocky Mount;



SUPER=131-/Nancy Wingfield/Snow Creek;



(Anniversary)
SUPER=131-/Shelba & Page English/Truevine;



(Twins)
SUPER=131-3/Troy & Tiffany Albert/Christiansburg;



SUPER=131-/William Hunt/Hollins;



SUPER=131-13/Trevor Jennings/Galax;



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45Crossover-Day


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Session 98


Today is crossover day at the General Assembly.
That's the deadline for the House of Delegates and the Senate to complete work on bills that were introduced in their own chamber.
Starting tomorrow, the House will take up Senate bills, and vice versa.
But the reality is that many bills won't cross at all.
That's because too many are introduced for legislators to get to them all.

45Filing-Help


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=djo
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=Taxes


Taxpayers looking for a little helping with their returns can once again turn to the League of Older Americans Area Agency of Aging.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


The L-O-A has 55-volunteers and counselors on hand at seven Roanoke Valley locations.
Tax filers or those wishing to have their prepared taxes reviewed can get assistnace at various times of the day everyday except Fridays.
The service is available to basically anyone in the low to medium income bracket, but older citizens are given preferential treatment.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-03:02:38
IN Q=WE FEEL

((JIM KASTNER/REGIOANL COORDINATOR; WE FEEK THAT MANY OF THE ELDERLY ESPECIALLY, REALLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY PEOPLE TO DO THEIR TAXES. THEY NEED EVERY PENNY THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS FOR THE GROCERIES AND THAT SORT OF THING. SO WE OFFER THIS FREE SERVICE.))
SUPER=01-Jim Kastner/Regional Coordinator;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=FREE SERVICE.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The service coverage area runs from Pulaski to Covington through Roanoke to Rocky Mount.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

Pre Pro Page-essC
For site location information, call 1-888-AARP-NOW or 1-888-227-7669.
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45S-Bedford-Courthouse


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#98-1
GRAPHIC=None


Some major renovation work at the Bedford County is expected to create a few inconveniences for county workers and residents.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford


The county is spending 11- million dollars to add on to the 70- year- old building, and renovate its existing offices and courtrooms.
The nearby Burks- Scott building also will get a facelift, and will eventually house the area's social service agencies.
The project will tie up many court services for the next three years.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:42:26
IN Q=Working around all

((BILL ROLFE/BEDFORD CO. ADMINISTRATOR: WORKING AROUND ALL THE COURT FUNCTIONS WHILE WE ADD ON AND RENOVATE THAT EXISTING BUILDING, I'M SURE IS GOING TO BE A VERY TRYING TIME. WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING PEOPLE IN AND OUT AND AROUND THE BUILDING AS WE DO RENOVATIONS, AND IT'S GOING TO BE, WE HOPE, AN ORGANIZED CHAOS AS WE'VE BEEN SAYING.))
SUPER=01-Bill Rolfe/Bedford Co. Administrator; :00
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=we've been saying.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Rolfe says a lack of sewer and water services made it impractical for the county to build a new courthouse outside the Bedford city limits.
In June, the county will start accepting bids for the renovation, with construction expected to start by October.
(----------------)



45S-Pitts-Administrator


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=chu
TAPE#97-100
GRAPHIC=None


The search for a new administrator in Pittsylvania County begins in just a few months.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;


Current county administrator George Supensky is retiring at the end of this year.
He wanted to leave his post earlier but has agreed to stay on through the budget and hiring processes.
Supensky took over the job of county administrator in 19-93, when he replaced Dan Sleeper.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Pittsylvania County supervisors say they'll start advertising for the job when the new fiscal year begins in July.

45weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
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There is one school announcement this morning--
Patrick County schools will be on a two hour delay.
As for today's forecast, heavy rain will continue with highs near 52.
A flash flood watch is in effect.
Meantime, showers are likely through tonight, with lows falling to around 40.
The four day forecast is...
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8Crossover-Day


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Session 98


Today promises to be a busy one for both chambers of the General Assembly.
This is cross- over day, the deadline for the House of Delegates and the Senate to complete work on bills that were introduced in their own chamber.
Starting tomorrow, the House will take up Senate bills, and vice versa.
But the reality is that many bills won't cross over at all.
That's because too many are introduced for legislators to get to them all.

8E-Grayson-Murder


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-95
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


There's been a delay in jury selection for one of two white men accused of murdering a black Grayson county man.
Yesterday the judge overseeing Emmett Cressell's case scheduled a new date, because defense attorneys say they weren't given enough time to prepare.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Independence;


Cressell's lawyers were NOT given access to work performed by the state crime lab until last week.
The report found NO physical evidence to link Cressell to the murder of Garnett "G-P" Johnson and further tests are NOW underway.
The former Marine was doused with gasoline, burned alive and later decapitated after a night of drinking last summer.
Cressell's attorneys yesterday criticized the prosecution for allowing the state crime lab to turn over its results so close to the original trial date.
(/////SOT/////)

3:00:41
SOT
IN Q=Why should

((MARK CLAYTOR/CRESSELL'S ATTORNEY:WHY SHOULD THE COMMONWEALTH BY DESIGN OR JUST SIMPLE NEGLECT BE ALLOWED TO HOLD THE EVIDENCE OR SIT ON THE EVIDENCE FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DROP IT IN HIS LAP OR OUR LAP RIGHT BEFORE TRIAL AND SAY "HEY GO TO IT". ))
SUPER=01-Mark Claytor/Cressell's Attorney; :00
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=go to it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Commonwealth's attorney J-D Bolt told the court he turned over all the crucial paperwork from the crime lab as soon as it was made available.
Cressell's new trial date is set for the week of March 23rd.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The physical evidence did link Cressell's co-defendant, Louis Ceparano, to the crime.
His trial date is set for April first.


8E-AAA-Gas-Prices


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cut in
WRITER=djo
TAPE#98-6
GRAPHIC=NONE


It's getting cheaper to drive in the Commonwealth--
The price of gas in Virginia has continued dropping over the last four months.
Virginia is one of many spots around the country where fuel costs are the lowest they have been since 1991.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Experts say several reasons are contributing to the decline, including a lighter demand for heating oil following an unseasonably warm winter.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-03:34:44
IN Q=PART OF THE

((JOYCE BRADFORD/ROANOKE AAA BRANCH MANAGER; PART OF THE REASON IS THAT IT HAS STOCKPILED. WE'VE GOT AN ABUNDANCE OF IT. I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT. ANOTHER REASON IS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT DRIVING AS MUCH. SO THEY'RE NOT USING IT.))
SUPER=01-Joyce Bradford/Roanoke AAA Branch Mgr.
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=USING IT.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Gas prices commonly run in cycles and an upswing in price is pretty much inevitable.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-03:35:57
IN Q=AS THE DEMAND

((BRADFORD; AS THE DEMAND INCREASES, AS PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE WEATHER'S GOING TO BE NICER. YOU'VE GOT SPRING BREAKS, BOTH COLLEGE AND OTHER SCHOOLS AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE ROAD TRIPS ALONG THAT. AND DEFINITELY IN THE SUMMER. WE ALWAYS SEE AN INCREASE IN THE SUMMERTIME.))
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=SUMMERTIME.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Even with an increase, prices are not expected to return to where they were.
(----------------)



8weather


ANCHOR=Melanie
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WRITER=kmc
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One area school system is operating on a delayed schedule today--
Patrick County Schools will open two hours late.
Turning to the forecast, a flash flood watch is in effect as periods of heavy rain are expected.
Highs around 50.
Showers continuing tonight, with lows in the lower 40s.
The extended outlook is wet...
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