WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 03/27/98

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[Super=@Melanie1;]

[7E-Watkins]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-14, TC 3:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The family of convicted killer Ronaled Watkins says Virginia's Department of Corrections has some "senselessly cruel" policies. Watkins was executed Wednesday night.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Bill Geimer heads up the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse at Washington and Lee.
Geimer told reporters yesterday he was shocked when the mother of Watkins' son was denied visitation Wednesday because she arrived 45 minutes late.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:41:34]
[IN Q=My grief ]
((BILL GEIMER/W&L LAW PROFESSOR: MY GRIEF IS TEMPERED BY ANGER.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Geimer/W&L Law Professor;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=by anger.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Geimer says he and Watkins' legal team learned the Governor had denied clemency through media reports.
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[SOT 02:11:43]
[IN Q=In fact]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: IN FACT, MY STAFF WAS--SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN TO MR. GEIMER. AND I READ HIS PETITION PERSONALLY. I READ IT SENSITIVELY.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=it sensitively.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Watkins robbed and stabbed to death 29-year old William McCauley in 19-88.
(------0----------)

[7E-Grayson-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-25 6:15]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Grayson County murder suspect will remain free on bond.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Independence;]

37-year old Emmett Cressell, Junior was back in court yesterday morning after someone apparently spotted him talking to a prosecution witness.
Cressell was released on bond last week after agreeing to testify against co-defendant, Louis Ceparano.
The two are accused of burning and beheading a man, last summer.
The judge warned Cressell to stay away from the commonwealth's witnesses or he would risk losing his parent's property-- which was used to post bond.
(----------------)

[7E-Boy-Scouts]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-22, TC 10:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Homosexuals, atheists and agnostics are prohibited from joining the Boy Scouts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The exclusion of certain groups is affecting the ranks of Boy Scout troops across America. And in Roanoke, leaders and former Boy Scouts have their own opinions.
Some say traditional family values and a belief in God are essential.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 29:50]
[IN Q=When you don't]
((TODD HUMMEL/SCOUTMASTER: WHEN YOU DON'T TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE VALUES AND WHEN YOU DON'T TEACH EM WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHEN THEY WATCH A LOT OF JUNK TV AND SECULAR EDUCATION THAT HAS NO VALUES AND DOESN'T WANT GOD IN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM THEY SIT IN CAMOUFLAGED UNIFORMS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS AND SHOOT KIDS AND TEACHERS.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Hummel/Scoutmaster;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=kids and teachers]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some boys will miss out on the teamwork, leadership and life skills that are part of the Scouts program.
But a former Cub Scout says the organization will also lose.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:36:12]
[IN Q=The fact that]
((THE FACT THAT I'M CHRISTIAN AND I'M GAY IS NOT SOMETHING I FIND IN CONFLICT. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXCEPTIONAL MORAL CHARACTER AND THEY ALSO HAPPEN TO BE A GAY MAN OR A LESBIAN WOMAN.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Morrow/Gay Community Advocate;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=a lesbian woman]
(------------)

[7Henry-Car]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The hunt is on in Henry County where Sheriff's Deputies are looking for two suspects who they say stole a car with a small child inside.
It happened Wednesday outside the Meadowgreen Mini Market on Route 220.
The mother left her one-year old in the car with the engine running while she went into the convenience store.
That's when the suspects took the car for a joyride, with the child inside.
The child was found unharmed in the abandoned car about ten minutes later.

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
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[WRITER=lfi]
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Get ready for a WARM Friday...Today should be even warmer than yesterday wtih highs topping 80 degrees...

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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 3/28/98
Saturday:

[SUPER=130-22/Sabrina Wesel/Blacksburg]

[SUPER=130-8/Dorian Jones/Blacksburg]

[SUPER=130-/Davis Torrence/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-40/Maynard Cobbs/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-1/Shane Staton/Lexington]

[SUPER=130-15/Kayla Crook/Vinton]

[SUPER=130-9/Paul Brown/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-42/Lynn Osborne/Gretna]

[SUPER=130-4/Keaton Loughhead/Buena Vista]

[SUPER=130-7/Brian Flynn/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-14/Shelly Montgomery/Buena Vista]

[SUPER=130-10/Travis Tyree/Roanoke]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-38/Cosby Burn/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-/Faye Mitchell/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Blane Martin/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Billy McBride/Figsboro]

[SUPER=131-/W. L. Dooley/Salem]

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[Super=@Melanie1;]

[45Take-Night]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#98-29]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It was a call to stop violence against women.
Students and faculty members at Virginia Tech took part in the national program, Take Back the night.
Stacey Martin has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND, what do you want]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;:00]
[SUPER=01-Donna Lisker/Virginia Tech Women's Center; :52]
[SUPER=@stacey1; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=SM, N7]
(( Safe streets--it was a message marchers repeated over and over again as they protested rape and other violent crimes against women.
They were inspired by the growing number of battered and abused women and the personal stories from survivors of rape. NOT ONLY WAS I NAKED BUT I WAS FOUND ON TOP OF A FRIEND--A FRIEND THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THIS. SO NO LONGER IS HE MY FRIEND; TO ME HE HAS MADE ME A SURVIVOR OF RAPE.
But, these survivors weren't alone. The Women's Center at Virginia Tech estimates 30 to 40 women on campus are victims of violence each school year--the most vulnerable being those who are new to campus. DONNA LISKER/VA TECH WOMEN'S CENTER: THEY'RE NEW TO CAMPUS AND EAGER TO FIND A PLACE TO BELONG. THEY MAY ALSO BE NEW TO DRINKING MAY HAVE HAD IT BEFORE BUT NOT IN QUANITITY IT WAS CONTINUED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
STACEY MARTIN/REPORTING: BUT, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AFFECTS MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST THOSE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS AND TO ILLUSTRATE THAT POINT THEY TOOK THEIR MARCH TO THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN BLACKSBURG. STACEY MARTIN NEWS 7.))

[45E-Tax-Problems]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=98-27, TC 6:38]
[GRAPHIC=Taxes]

The deadline from your taxes is less than two weeks away.
If you are having problems filling out your forms someone from the I-R-S can help.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

With Congress looking into ways to make the I-R-S more public-friendly, the agency is taking steps on its own.
Problem Solving Day is the current response to recent complaints about poor customer service.
Taxpayers have an opportunity to meet face-to-face with an I-R-S representative.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[12:29:09]
[IN Q=One of the]
((ROGER BURGESS/IRS DISTRICT DIRECTOR- WHAT WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO DO IS SWITCH GEARS A LITTLE BIT AN LOOK AT THE TAXPAYERS, OUR CUSTOMER SITUATION FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE. WE WILL DEVOTE WHATEVER RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY TO HELP OUR CITIZENS FULFILL THEIR ANNUAL FILING REQUIREMENTS.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Burgess/IRS District Director]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=FILING REQUIREMENTS]
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[VO-NAT]

If you missed yesterday's help session, the I-R-S also encourages the public to stop by chapter offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Danville.
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[45E-Donated-Clothing]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-23, TC 6:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Craig County charity organizaiton has gotten plenty of clothes for last weeks tornado victims but no vehicles to deliver them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Castle;]

For more than ten years, volunteers in Craig County have operated the Clothesline, distributing good used clothing free of charge.
But now the volunteers are closing shop, and they're looking for another non-profit that can use their inventory.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT UB 10:58:56]
[IN Q=It's a lot of good]
((JUANITA MURRAY/CLOTHING EXCHANGE VOLUNTEER: IT'S A LOT OF GOOD CLOTHES HERE AND WE JUST HATE TO SEE THEM GO TO THE DUMP, OR SOMEWHERE ELSE. WHEN WE KNEW THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO LOST EVERYTHING IN THE TORNADOS. WE JUST WANTED TO HELP THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Juanita Murray/Clothing Exchange Volunteer;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=wanted to help them.]
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[45Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Time now to take a look at a forecast you're sure to like--
Sunny and very warm today, with highs approaching 80 degrees.
Clear and mild overnight, with lows only falling into the mid 50s.
Saturday looks good, too...highs tomorrow in the upper 70s.
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[Super=@Melanie1;]

[8E-Watkins]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-14, TC 3:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The state department of corrections wouldn't allow the former girlfriend of condemned killer Ronald Watkins to witness his execution.
People who were close to Watkins say the department's policies are "senselessly cruel".
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Bill Geimer heads up the Virginia Capital Case Clearinghouse at Washington and Lee.
Geimer told reporters yesterday he was shocked when the mother of Watkins' son was denied visitation Wednesday because she arrived 45 minutes late.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:41:34]
[IN Q=My grief ]
((BILL GEIMER/W&L LAW PROFESSOR: MY GRIEF IS TEMPERED BY ANGER.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Geimer/W&L Law Professor;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=by anger.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Geimer says he and Watkins' legal team learned the Governor had been denied clemency through media reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 02:11:43]
[IN Q=In fact]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: IN FACT, MY STAFF WAS--SHOULD HAVE SPOKEN TO MR. GEIMER. AND I READ HIS PETITION PERSONALLY. I READ IT SENSITIVELY.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=it sensitively.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Watkins robbed and stabbed to death 29-year old William McCauley in 19-88.
(------0----------)

[8anti-violence]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-, from tape 93-29]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Women marched in darkness last night at Virginia Tech to raise awareness about violence against women.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The Take back the Night rally included students and faculty members who rallied to protest rape and other violent crimes.
They were inspired by the growing number of battered and abused women and the personal stories from survivors of rape.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((NOT ONLY WAS I NAKED BUT I WAS FOUND ON TOP OF A FRIEND--A FRIEND THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THIS.
SO NO LONGER IS HE MY FRIEND; TO ME HE HAS MADE ME A SURVIVOR OF RAPE. ))
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=has made me a survivor of rape.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

But, these survivors weren't alone. The Women's Center at Virginia Tech estimates 30 to 40 women on campus are victims of violence each school year--the most vulnerable being those who are new to campus.
(----------------)

[8Henry-Car]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Henry County Sheriff's Deputies are looking for two suspects who they say stole a car with a small child inside.
It happened Wednesday outside the Meadowgreen Mini Market on Route 220.
The mother left her one-year old in the car with the engine running while she went into the convenience store.
That's when the suspects took the car for a joyride, with the child inside.
The child was found unharmed in the abandoned car about ten minutes later.

[8E-Bedford-Zoning]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-31, TC 5:09]
[GRAPHIC=Bedford Co.]

Accomodating residential and economic growth, while keeping the area beautiful--
That's the balance Bedford county officials hope to strike with their new zoning ordinance.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Even the name]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Rolfe/Bedford Co. Administrator; :15]
[SUPER=01-David Tickner/Community Development; :47]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :55]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford.]

(( Even the name is unpleasant.. since 1989, Bedford County has been using LUGS.. or Land Use Guidance System.. to make all of its zoning decisions.
But the lengthy and sometimes confusing process made LUGS unpopular with both residents and developers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:30:35]
[IN Q=Most people felt]
((BILL ROLFE/BEDFORD CO. ADMINISTRATOR: MOST PEOPLE FELT LIKE THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY COULD AND COULDN'T DO WITH THEIR PROPERTY. AND OBVIOUSLY DEVELOPERS AND REAL ESTATE PEOPLE SAID IT'S HARD TO MARKET PROPERTY WHEN YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU CAN HAVE A BUSINESS ON IT OR NOT UNTIL YOU GO THROUGH THE LUGS PROCESS.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=the LUGS process.]
[natsot girl]
((HOW ARE YOU?.. )) [RUNS:02]
After 18 months of work, the county has come up with a more traditional zoning system, which it is unveiling to the public over the next few weeks.
Most of Bedford's 765 square miles will remain agricultural.. with residential and commercial growth designated for the areas where it already exists.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:31:57]
[IN Q=If you look]
((DAVID TICKNER/COMMUNITY PLANNING: IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP, THERE'S AN AWFUL LOT THAT'S STILL GOING TO BE RURAL OR AGRICULTURAL PRESERVE, SO WE'RE TRYING TO FOCUS GROWTH IN CERTAIN AREAS.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=in certain areas.]
(/////SOT/////)
[Standup 20:12:45]
[IN Q=Since zoning]
((Since zoning is an issue that affects virtually every resident, officials hope for strong turnout at the next five public information sessions. From there, county planners will take the comments, make adjustments and present the zoning ordinance to the Board of Supervisors, which hopes to have it in place by July. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford.)) [RUNS:19]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford.]))

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Cut in]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Turning to weather--
Abundant sunshine today, with temperatures soaring into the 80s.
The mild air lingers through tonight, with lows in the low to mid 50s.
In the extended outlook, a sunny Saturday's ahead, with highs in the upper 70s...
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