WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/24/98

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[7E-Henry-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-30 TC42:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

The fire that killed two young children in Henry County yesterday morning has been ruled an accident.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett;]

The Bowman family awoke choking around 1 a-m yesterday when their trailer erupted in flames.
The parents and two of their children escaped.
But no one could save four-month old Kristen and four-YEAR old Jacob.
Henry County's fire marshal says the blaze started in the kitchen where two stove burners were left on.
The Bowmans' were able to salvage a few pictures of their children but not much else.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:27:35-47]
[IN Q=The main thing I'm]
((GARY BOWMAN/FATHER: THE MAIN THING I'M CONCENTRATING ON NOW IS TO MAKE SURE MY WIFE AND MY KIDS ARE ALRIGHT. THE LORD BE WITH US ON THE OTHER TWO. I KNOW HE'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Bowman/Father;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=take care of them.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Bowmans are staying with family.
If you want to make a donation to the family, you can send it care of the Martinsville-Henry County chapter of the Red Cross.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=Fatal Fire]

The two children will be buried Saturday.

[75-Boty-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-22 TC 56:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The case of the shootout involving two Botetourt County sheriff's deputies and a drunk driver has been closed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./March;]

28-year old Brent Jenkins failed field sobriety tests when he was pulled over on March first.
Deputy Jay Spiva was about to administer a breathalyzer test when Jenkins shot the officer twice in the chest, then killed himself.
Seconds later, backup Deputy Greg Hepler shot Jenkins from behind the truck.
The commonwealth's attorney says he was right to shoot.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:20:34]
[IN Q=Those risks were]
((JOEL BRANSCOM/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY: THOSE RISKS WERE TAKEN ON BY MR. JENKINS WHEN HE STARTED SHOOTING. HE'S THE ONE WHO DEALT THIS PARTICULAR HAND. THE OFFICERS CAN'T NOT TAKE ACTION.))
[SUPER=01-Joel Branscom/Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=not take action]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jenkins' friend was passed out drunk in the passenger's seat during the shootout.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:05:00]
[IN Q=The officer outside]
((C.L. JENKINS/DRIVER'S FATHER: THE OFFICER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING WHO INSIDE THAT CAB WAS FIRING THE SHOTS AT THE OFFICER THAT GOT HIT. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE PASSENGER OR BRENT. BUT HE FIRED INTO THE VEHICLE AND HIT BRENT. HE COULD HAVE HIT AN INNOCENT PASSENGER.))
[SUPER=01-C. L. Jenkins/Driver's Father;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=INNOCENT PASSENGER]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jenkins' father also says his son should have been put in a patrol car immediately, instead of being left to panic in his own truck until a breathalyzer device arrived.
But the commonwealth's attorney says the case is closed.
(------------)

[7Tibbs-Conviction]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chr]
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[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Chesterfield County jury has recommended a life sentence for Kelly Tibbs, the last of four women convicted of killing a Lynchburg woman last summer.
Witnesses said the victim, Stacey Hanna, was savagely beaten for interfering in a lesbian relationship between two of the accused.
Only one of the defendants, Domica Winckler, faces a possible death sentence based on the recommendation of her trial jury.
She is to be sentenced next week.

[7Alleghany-Jail]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Regional Jail]

Some people in Covington are trying stop construction of a new regional jail in that city.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Covington]

The jail will be about three to four times bigger than the current one in downtown Covington.
It will also be built on the same site as the old jail.
Protestors think a facility that large should be built in Alleghany County instead.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13.09.18 - 13.09.28]
[IN Q=We would like]
((ANNE WRIGHT/FRIENDS OF COVINGTON: WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE REASON PREVAIL. THEY'RE GETTING ANOTHER SPOT--THE VEPCO PROPERTY. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM BUILD IT THERE. THE COULD BUILD A ONE STORY JAIL QUICKER AND CHEAPER.))
[SUPER=01-Anne Wright/Friends of Covington;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=quicker and cheaper.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The new jail will house about 53 inmates.
And, construction on it is scheduled to begin June first.
However, Friends of Covington is trying to get a court injunction to stop construction.
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[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
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Turning now to your forecast, the skies will continue to clear throughout the day. It will be sunny and mild, with high temperatures reaching the mid-70's.
Skies will remain clear tonight, with lows in the upper 40's. In the extended forecast...

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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 4/25/98
Saturday:

[SUPER=130-2/Kayla May/Madison Heights]
Kayla's Mother:
[SUPER=130-/Lorie May/Madison Heights]

[SUPER=130-17/Shannon Smith/Dugspur]

[SUPER=130-/Mac Arthur Wimbush/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-93/Sylvia Long/Cloverdale]

[SUPER=130-40/Johnny Thompson/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-9/Celia Allen/Boones Mill]

[SUPER=130-4/Catherine Saliba/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-/Kyle Coffey/Madison Heights]

[SUPER=130-/Anthony Jarmen/Madison Heights]

[SUPER=130-63/Clara Osborne/Gretna]

[SUPER=130-/Randy May/Madison Heights]

[SUPER=130-6/K. J. Perkins/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-17/Jamie Fitzgerald/Lexington]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-29/Michael Francis/Marion]

[SUPER=131-3/Lexis Walters/Altavista]

[SUPER=131-/Paul Yates/Shawsville]

[SUPER=131-7/Heather Morris/Floyd]
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[SUPER=@Melanie1;]

[45E-Henry-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-30 TC42:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

A house fire that left two young children dead has been ruled an accident.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett;]

The Bowman family awoke choking at about 1 a-m yesterday when their trailer erupted in flames.
The parents and two of their children escaped.
But no one could save four-month old Kristen and four-YEAR old Jacob.
The Henry County fire marshal says the blaze started in the kitchen where two stove burners were left on.
The Bowmans' were able to salvage a few photos of their children but little else.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:27:35-47]
[IN Q=The main thing I'm]
((GARY BOWMAN/FATHER: THE MAIN THING I'M CONCENTRATING ON NOW IS TO MAKE SURE MY WIFE AND MY KIDS ARE ALRIGHT. THE LORD BE WITH US ON THE OTHER TWO. I KNOW HE'LL TAKE CARE OF THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Bowman/Father;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=take care of them.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Bowmans are staying with family.
If you want to make a donation to the family, you can send it care of the Martinsville- Henry County chapter of the Red Cross.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=Fatal Fire]

The two children will be buried tomorrow.

[45E-Burned-Boy]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=98-28 TC 38:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some Roanoke teens inhaling gas fumes caused one of the teens to be set on fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Police say while inhaling the fumes, the teen accidentially spilled gas on his shirt.
When a friend lit a cigarette nearby the shirt caught fire.
The boy ran across the street to Jackson River Middle School for medical attention.
He was taken to the hospital for treatment and released a few hours later.
(------------)

[45E-City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-31 TC 28:05]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City]

Next month Roanoke voters will decide on two seats on the school board.
The decision may also be a referendum on the leadership of superintendent Wayne Harris.
Joe Dashiell reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I guess the general question]
[SUPER=01-Bud Oakey/School Board Applicant; :05]
[SUPER=01-David Davis/School Board Applicant; :17]
[SUPER=01-Harry Davis/School Board Applicant; :26]
[SUPER=01-Melinda Payne/School Board Applicant; :49]
[SUPER=01-Ruth Willson/School Board Applicant; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke]
(( [IN Q=I guess the general question]
((I GUESS THE GENERAL QUESTION, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ASSESSMENT OF WAYNE HARRIS? BUD OAKEY/SCHOOL BOARD APPLICANT: I HAVE HAD THE FORTUNATE PLEASURE OF WORKING CLOSELY WITH DR. HARRIS AND I HAVE SINCE THE DAY HE CAME HERE.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=the day he came here.]

Bud Oakey gives the School Superintendent high marks, but other applicants offered stronger criticism of the current leadership.
[IN Q=School board members need to remember]
((DAVID DAVIS/SCHOOL BOARD APPLICANT: SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS NEED TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE THERE NOT JUST AS YES MEN AND WOMEN.)) ((HARRY DAVIS/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFICULTY THAT I'VE HAD. THAT JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE SAID THIS IS RIGHT. AND WE JUST TAKE IT TO BE THE GOSPEL.)) [RUNS:19]
[OUT Q=take it to be the gospel.]

The interviews touched on many issues including student discipline, accountability and achievement.
While there were no direct references to recent controversies, council members did ask for appraisals of the school system and its leadership.
[IN Q=He's bringing in new programs]
((MELINDA PAYNE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: HE'S BRINGING IN NEW PROGRAMS AND HE'S TRYING TO DIVERSIFY WITH A LITTLE PUSH FROM BOARD MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS GOOD DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS.)) ((RUTH WILLSON/SCHOOL BOARD APPLICANT: WE CAN'T TEACH STUDENTS IF THEY'RE NOT IN THE CLASSROOM. HE'S IMPROVED ATTENDANCE WITH THE TRUANCY PROGRAM AND THERE HAS BEEN AN IMPROVEMENT IN TEST SCORES, BUT NOT WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE.)) [RUNS24]
[OUT Q=we'd like to see.]

City Council will choose among the five candidates to fill two seats on the school board.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
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[WRITER=KMC]
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Taking a break from the news to check the Friday Forecast--
Turning partly to mostly sunny today with warmer temperatures in the mid 70s.
Staying clear overnight, with lows in the upper 40s.
The four day outlook is mostly sunny and pleasant...
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[8Danville-Ax]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=am cut-in]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

Two Danville teen-agers are dead and a third victim has not yet been identified after a car accident yesterday evening.
Salem State Police say 17-year-old Jennifer Blair overcorrected after running off the right side of Berry Hill Road in Pittsylvania County.
She apparently drove in front of a Southbound tractor trailer.
Blair and her 18-year-old passenger Jennifer Hodges were pronounced dead at the scene.
A third, unidentified passenger, described as a young male, was also killed in the accident.

[8E-Boty-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-22 TC 56:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney has put to rest the case of a sheriff's deputy who shot a drunk driver.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./March;]

28-year old Brent Jenkins failed field sobriety tests when he was pulled over on March first.
Deputy Jay Spiva was about to administer a breathalyzer test when Jenkins shot the officer twice in the chest, then killed himself.
Seconds later, backup Deputy Greg Hepler shot Jenkins from behind the truck.
The commonwealth's attorney says he was right to shoot.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:20:34]
[IN Q=Those risks were]
((JOEL BRANSCOM/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY: THOSE RISKS WERE TAKEN ON BY MR. JENKINS WHEN HE STARTED SHOOTING. HE'S THE ONE WHO DEALT THIS PARTICULAR HAND. THE OFFICERS CAN'T NOT TAKE ACTION.))
[SUPER=01-Joel Branscom/Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=not take action]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jenkins' friend was passed out drunk in the passenger's seat during the shootout.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:05:00]
[IN Q=The officer outside]
((C.L. JENKINS/DRIVER'S FATHER: THE OFFICER OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING WHO INSIDE THAT CAB WAS FIRING THE SHOTS AT THE OFFICER THAT GOT HIT. HE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS THE PASSENGER OR BRENT. BUT HE FIRED INTO THE VEHICLE AND HIT BRENT. HE COULD HAVE HIT AN INNOCENT PASSENGER.))
[SUPER=01-C. L. Jenkins/Driver's Father;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=INNOCENT PASSENGER]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jenkins' father also says his son should have been put in a patrol car immediately, instead of being left to panic in his own truck until a breathalyzer device arrived.
But the commonwealth's attorney says the case is closed.
(------------)

[8Tibbs-Conviction]

[8E-XGR]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=mORN]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-26]
[GRAPHIC=Session 98]

It does NOT look like Governor Gilmore will get the 14- hundred new school teachers he wanted for the Commonwealth.
The House of Delegates is also still debating over the car tax cut and school construction plans as Session 98 continues.
Ellen Qualls has an update.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's anticipated]
[SUPER=01-Del. Roger McClure/(R) Centreville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Boyd Marcus/Gilmore Chief of Staff; :08 VERY QUICK]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :12]
[SUPER=@Cranwell; :23]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; :34]
[RUNS=:54]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]

((((DEL. ROGER MCCLURE/R-CENTREVILLE: IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT THERE WILL NOT BE THE ADDITIONAL 14-HUNDRED TEACHERS, FUNDING FOR THAT, IN THIS BILL. DEL. EARL DICKINSON: THAT IS CORRECT.))
((BOYD MARCUS/GILMORE CHIEF OF STAFF: IF WE DON'T GET IT THIS YEAR THEN WE'RE GONNA BE BRINGING IT BACK NEXT YEAR.))

What did re-emerge was a call from southwest Virginia lawmakers for a cut on the food tax.
It was quickly shot down-- even with friendly fire-- those that remembered how vicious the partisan battle got earlier this year.
((DEL. DICK CRANWELL: DO YOU ALL REMEMBER HOW LONG IT TOOK US...HAVE GOT TO BE ABLE TO GET ALONG.))
((SEVERAL LAWMAKERS SEEM READY TO PUMP UP THE 110 MILLION DOLLARS ALREADY SET ASIDE FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION. MILLIONS MORE WOULD STILL BE JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET WITH SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN IDENTIFIED NEEDS. ELLEN QUALLS, NEWS 7, RICHMOND.))))

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Time for another check on Friday's weather--
Expect lots of sun today, with temperatures rising into the low to mid 70s.
Clear skies tonight, with lows in the upper 40s.
And more sunny weather is in store for the next few days..
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