[THIRTY-WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[CUT OPEN]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]
[72-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUT IN]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NONE ]
[GRAPHIC=fATAL Fire]
2 children are dead after an early morning fire in Henry County.
Authorities say the 4-year-old and 4-month old were killed in A blaze at the Rocky Knob trailer park in Bassett.
The father of the children was also injured in the fire.
He was transported to the Martinsville-Henry COunty Memorial Hospital.
The mother and 2 siblings were also taken to the hospital for observation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
[72-E-Widener]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=THA]
[TAPE#98-39 TC 2:19]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Smyth County teenager was found guilty of murdering his former fifth grade teacher.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Marion/File Tape;]
18-year old Josh Widener was sentenced to life in prison for killing 68-year old Anna Jean Anderson.
The former school teacher was found strangled to death in her home in September of 1996.
He was also convicted of rape, robbery and burglary.
Widener was one of Anderson's former fifth grade students.
A second man-- Harold David Davis has already been sentenced to life in prison for his role in Anderson's murder.
(----------------)
[72-E-Stabbing]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-37 TC 13:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Danville man stands accused of stabbing his elderly father last night.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Last Night;]
Officers responded to the Hunters Run Apartments in Danville just before nine last night.
That's where they found 76-year old Everett Till of Rockledge, Florida with two stab wounds.
Police arrested Michael Everett Till, who lived in the apartment where the stabbing occurred.
He tried to run off... but didn't get far.
Till is charged with malicious wounding.
(----------------)
[7E-Quints]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-36]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal]
A fire may have put one of Roanoke's two newest high tech fire trucks out of service.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
Sources within the city's fire department say one of the "Quints" caught on fire last night when the brakes to the vehicle became overheated.
"Quints" have the same capabilities of both aerial ladder trucks and fire pumper trucks.
They've also been the center of controversy since the city bought the two "Quints" in in February.
The reported incident took place at the city's service center on Noble Avenue in Northeast.
No one is saying how the incident occured.
(-----------)
[7Botetourt]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=?????]
[GRAPHIC=taxes]
It's a battle in Botetourt County over proposed tax DE-creases.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
Land values rose an average 37 percent in Botetourt County this year -- so county supervisors say they will lower the real estate tax rate from 75 cents to 70 cents per 100 dollars to ease the blow.
But that means the county will sacrifice 925-thousand-dollars.
Some would rather pay that money to see schools improve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18:06:31]
[IN Q=With a dedicated teacher]
((WITH A DEDICATED TEACHER EARNING WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, RIDING A SCHOOL BUS THAT BREAKS DOWN FREQUENTLY AND IN A CLASSROOM WHERE SHE CAN'T HEAR HER TEACHER CAUSE THERE'S NOT DOOR OR WALL TO BL0CK OUT NOISE OR VISUAL DISTRACTIONS. AND ALL BECAUSE I SAVED A LOUSY 50 OR 100 DOLLARS.))
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=50 OR 100 DOLLARS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The county already plans to give schools one-point-six million dollars, but that may not be enough for extra teachers and competitive salaries.
Still -- others need that tax money in their pockets.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:25:24]
[IN Q=I came out here]
((I CAME OUT HERE FOR THE PASTORAL VIEWS, THE SCENERY. I LIKE IT MUCH OUT HERE BUT I DO NOT WANT MY TAXES TO INCREASE BECAUSE ALL THE ADDITIONAL CHILDREN WE HAVE COMING INTO THIS COUNTY.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Wood/Resident;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=coming into this county]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Supervisors will vote on whether to lower the tax rate next Thursday.
(------------)
[7WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Turning now to your Thursday forecast... a lingering chance of showers throughout the day. The skies will be variably cloudy with temperatures ranging in the low-to-mid 60's. Tonight, the showers will disappear. There will be partly cloudy skies will light winds. Temperatures will drop into the low 40's. Looking at the extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Variable Cloudiness/Chance of Showers/60-64/Partly Cloudy/Winds NW 5-10/40-44;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 4/24/98
Friday:
[SUPER=130-65/Glen Quesenberry/Willis]
[SUPER=130-15/Holly Proehl/Huddleston]
[SUPER=130-10/Jessica Ryan/Danville]
[SUPER=130-10/David Dickens/Max Meadows]
[SUPER=130-34/William Harvet, Jr./Iowa]
[SUPER=130-15/Jessica Lovell/Martinsville]
[SUPER=130-12/Rose Meador/Goodview]
No Pictures:
[SUPER=131-/Susan Street/Roanoke]
[SUPER=131-43/Debbie Wood/Salem]
[SUPER=131-39/Susan Moyer/Roanoke]
[SUPER=131-/Ravon Thurman/Redwood]
[SUPER=131-83/Mildred Martin/Rustburg]
[cutopen]
[super=19-Melanie/Moon;]
[45Fire]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUT IN]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NONE ]
[GRAPHIC=fATAL Fire]
An early morning fire in Henry County has claimed the lives of two children.
Authorities say the 4-year-old and 4-month old were killed in A blaze at the Rocky Knob trailer park in Bassett. The father of the children was also injured in the fire.
He was transported to the Martinsville-Henry COunty Memorial Hospital.
The mother and 2 siblings were also taken to the hospital for observation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
[45Stabbing]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-37 TC 13:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Florida man is hospitalized in serious condition this morning after his son allegedly stabbed him last night in Danville.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Last Night;]
Officers responded to the Hunters Run Apartments just before nine.
That's where they found 76-year old Everett Till of Rockledge, Florida with two stab wounds.
They took his son, 43-year-old Michael Everett Till, away in handcuffs.
He tried to run off... but didn't get far.
He's charged with Malicious wounding.
(----------------)
[45VETO-SESSION]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#from 98-26]
[GRAPHIC=Session 98]
State legislators will turn their attention today to money for school construction now that the veto session is over.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
Yesterday the General Assembly shot down Governor Gilmore's plan to provide health insurance for children from lown-income families through the state's medicaid system.
The Governor did get his way on sex education, lifting the mandate on local school boards.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=my son]
((DEL. DICK BLACK/LOUDOUN CO.: MY SON IN THE FIFTH GRADE OF SCHOOL WAS GOING TO BE TAUGHT ABOUT SOMETHING WHICH IS TERMED "NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS." AND QUITE HONESTLY, I WAS NOT VERY ANXIOUS TO HAVE MY CHILD IN THE FIFTH GRADE TAUGHT ABOUT NOCTURNAL EMISSIONS.))
[runs:16]
[SOT 17:28:31 ROXANE]
((DEL. DICK BLACK: I MEAN THERE'S A CONSTANT MOVE TO DAMAGE THE INNOCENCE OF CHILDREN. ))
[SUPER=01-Del. Dick Black/(R) Loudoun Co.;]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=of children.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[ss=none]
Today the battle over school funding pits wealthier school divisions against poorer ones.
At its regular session, the General Assembly earmarked 110 million dollars to build schools.
[45E-Ron-Nixon]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-24 TC 45:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Roanoke Times says reporter Ron Nixon resigned from an advocacy group that deals with environmental issues before coming to the newspaper.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Nixon, shown here at a forum last week, has been with the newspaper for about a year with much of his work revolving around the American Electric Power line issue.
He's also listed on the Internet as a founding member and current treasurer of the group "Democracy South".
The non-partisan organization investigates issues and then sends its findings to different organizations and news outlets.
Democracy South focuses mostly on political campaign finance reform but also studies social and environmental issues.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
The current treasurer of the group, Gary Phillips, confirms that Nixon hasn't been active in Democracy South for about a year.
He says the listing on the web site is the result of "disorganization" and "old records."
Managing editor Rich Martin says newspaper staffers were aware of Nixon's background with the group when they hired him and are comfortable that his reporting has been fair and balanced.
He also says News-7 went with a story that "wasn't fully or fairly reported."
[45WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Time now to check the forecast--
Variable cloudiness today, with a 50 percent chance of more showers.
Highs in the lower 60s.
Partly cloudy overnight, with lows in the lower 40s.
The four day outlook is pleasant and warmer, featuring lots of sunshine for the weekend..
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Variable Cloudiness/Chance of Showers/60-64/Partly Cloudy/Winds NW 5-10/40-44;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]
[super=19-Melanie/Moon;]
[82-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=AM CUT IN]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NONE ]
[GRAPHIC=fATAL Fire]
A house fire in Henry County killed two small children this morning.
Authorities say the 4-year-old and 4-month old were killed in A blaze at the Rocky Knob trailer park in Bassett.
The father of the children was also injured in the fire.
He was transported to the Martinsville-Henry COunty Memorial Hospital.
The mother and 2 siblings were also taken to the hospital for observation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
[8E-Widener]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=THA]
[TAPE#98-39 TC 2:19]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Smyth county teenager was convicted of the capital murder of his former schoolteacher.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Marion/File Tape;]
18-year old Josh Widener was sentenced to life in prison for killing 68-year old Anna Jean Anderson.
His former school teacher was found strangled to death in her home in September of 1996.
He was also convicted of rape, robbery and burglary.
Widener was one of Anderson's former fifth grade students.
A second man-- Harold David Davis has already been sentenced to life in prison for his role in Anderson's murder.
(----------------)
[82-E-Stabbing]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-37 TC 13:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A elderly man is in intensive care after being stabbed twice by his son last night in Danville.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Last Night;]
Officers responded to the Hunters Run Apartments in Danville just before nine last night.
That's where they found 76-year old Everett Till of Rockledge, Florida with two stab wounds.
Police arrested Michael Everett Till, who lived in the apartment where the stabbing occurred.
He tried to run off... but didn't get far.
Till is charged with malicious wounding.
(----------------)
[8E-Black-farmers]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutin ]
[WRITER=mfe]
[TAPE#=598-16 TC 29:51]
[GRAPHIC=Farming]
The N-Double-A-C-P says black farmers in our area are victims of discrimination.
They're one of the groups the National Black Farmers Association will rally for today in Washington D-C.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The U-S Department of Agriculture invited state N-double-A-C-P officials to the table to discuss ways of ensuring equal opportunities.
Black farmers in Franklin County have long complained their loan applications were being repeatedly rejected by the USDA because of their race.
U-S-D-A officials say that problem has been solved.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:28:32]
[IN Q=I think]
((LLOYD JONES/USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT: WE'VE NOW STREAMLINED OUR REGULATIONS TREMENDOUSLY TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER FOR US TO NOT ONLY WITH INDIVIDUALS, BUT WITH PRIVATE SECTOR LENDERS, BANKERS, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Lloyd Jones/USDA Rural Development]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=foward to that.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=none]
The Justice Department recently blocked more than two- thousand complaints against the U-S-D-A made by the National Black Farmers Association.
[8E-Kids-week]
[ANCHOR=kIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=mfe]
[TAPE#=98-30 TC 39:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Yesterday's cloudy skies couldn't dim the spirits of more than three- thousand area pre-schoolers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :]
They spent a day of fun outside enjoying fire trucks, magicians, and even pony rides.
It's all part of National Week of the Young Child, celebrating preschoolers nationwide.
Director Twila Briscoe says it's important for young people to get outside and have fun.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:01:53]
[IN Q=Probably half]
((TWILA BRISCOE/ASSOC. FOR EARLY CHILD ED.: PROBABLY HALF OF THESE CHILDREDN ARE HOUSED IN SMALL LIVING DWELLINGS AND APARTMENT AREAS, AND THEY DON'T HAVE THIS MUCH SPACE. SO TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE AND NOT TO HEAR ANYONE SAY, SHH, BE QUIET IS DELIGHTFUL. THEY CAN MAKE ALL THE NOISE THEY WANT.))
[SUPER=01-Twila Briscoe/Assoc. for Early Child Education]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q= THEY WANT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
This is the third year in a row the association has sponsored the event.
Briscoe says it's the most successful yet, and she hopes next year will draw even more children and sponsors.
(------------)
[8WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Shifting our focus now to weather--
Variably cloudy today, with a chance of showers.
Highs in the lower 60s.
Turning partly cloudy tonight, with lows in the 40s.
In the extended forecast, sunny and warmer for tomorrow, and for the rest of the weekend.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Variable Cloudiness/Chance of Showers/60-64/Partly Cloudy/Winds NW 5-10/40-44;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
by SS