[THIRTY-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

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





[CK/WX PRO=]

MAPS
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]


[7E-Danville-Murder]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=]


A Danville man is charged with murder after a shooting early yesterday morning.
They say Laquan (LA-KWAN) Stone went to his ex-wife's home at the Town and Country Apartments around 1:30 a-m.
That's where he allegedly shot Alvin Averett, Junior in the head.
Stone is in the Danville City Jail, held without bail.


[7E-Drowning]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin] *****CALL******
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-35 TC 26:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Danville rescue workers have called off the search for an apparent victim of a drowning in the Dan River yesterday.


(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]


Authorities are not releasing the name of the man they believe fell into the Dan River.
This was the scene at Dan Daniel Memorial Park last night.
Recovery teams combed the water near this low dam-- where there is a dangerous undertow.
A witness says he saw the man slip from a ledge while he was scooping up fish in a net.
Recovery personnel say if someone gets caught in this undertow, there's not much hope of survival.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 9:23:58-:09 & :15-:20]
[IN Q=He had a net]

((BILLY WYATT/DANVILLE LIFESAVING WATER UNIT: HE HAD A NET WITH SHAD IN IT AND HE WOULDN'T LET GO. THE TURBULENCE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DAM WAS SO STRONG IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND ONCE IT PULLS SOMEBODY UNDER IT WON'T LET THEM GO. (COVERED WITH VIDEO) YOU MAY NEVER FIND THEM OR IT COULD SPIT THEM OUT. THEY COULD COME DOWN STREAM. IT'S HARD TO TELL.))
[SUPER=01-Billy Wyatt/Danville Lifesaving Water Unit;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=it's hard to tell.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Recovery teams have not determined if they will go back into the water later to continue their search for the missing man.
(----------------)



[7E-Lexington-Squad]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-24 TC 55:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A suspended Lexington rescue squad volunteer is being charged with two counts of sexual battery.
As Stacy Martin reports, the alleged offense apparently occurred while Donald Paxton Grant was responding to an emergency call.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A call for]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=07-Donald "Butch" Grant;:18]
[SUPER=01-Jon Ellestad/Lexington City Manager;:44]
[SUPER=@Stacey2;:59]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=SM News 7.]

((A call for help turned into a sexual assualt last February--that according to state police.
Authorities maintain Donald Paxton Grant--also known as--"Butch"-- sexually assualted two victims of a traffic accident Febraury first.
Grant maintains his innocence.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14.31.34 - 14.31.41]
[IN Q=I just exposed]

((BUTCH GRANT:I JUST EXPOSED WHAT I HAD TO EXPOSE AND CHECKED WHAT I HAD TO CHECK. YOU DIDN'T TOUCH THEM INAPPROPRIATELY? NO MA'AM I DIDN'T.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=ma'am I didn't.]


The Lexington Rescue Squad suspended Grant February fourth, a few days after state police began their investigation.

They say he'll remain suspended pending the outcome of his court case.
Meanwhile, Grant continues to be an employee for the city of Lexington's Public Works Department.
A position the city's manager says is NOT affected by the charges.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13.54.35 - 13.54.50]
[IN Q=The city's position]

((JON ELLESTAD/LEXINGTON'S CITY MANAGER: THE CITY'S POSITION IS THAT BUTCH IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY AND THE CHARGES AT THIS POINT IN TIME ARE JUST CHARGES AND THEY DON'T IMPACT ON HIS JOB OR THE WAY HE PERFORMS HIS JOB. AND, UNTIL THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE WE'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY KIND OF A POSITION ON IT.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=position on it.]


Grant is scheduled to appear in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Monday, May fourth.
Stacey Martin News 7.))

[7E-Bookstore-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-37 TC 15:01]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]


A Danville man has been indicted for the January shooting of a religious bookstore owner.
25-year old Joseph Ebans faces charges of malicious wounding and robbery.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/January 5;]


Police say Ebans walked into the Religious Book Center, robbed the owner, then shot him twice in the chest.
Fred Bevill made a full recovery.
He says he saw the man who shot him and has already identified Ebans as the triggerman.
(----------------)



[7WEATHER]


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



Turning now to your Thursday forecast, rain moves into the area again. Showers are likely, with temperatures reaching the upper-60's for highs. As we move into tonight, expect the rain to continue, becoming heavy at times. We could also see some thundershowers as temperatures remain mild, only dropping into the mid-50's.
And taking a look at the extended forecast...

[CK/WX PRO=]

MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Cloudy, with/Rain Likely/62-66/Periods of Heavy/Rain & Storms/52-56;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]



[7BIRTHDAYS!] 5/1/98
Friday:

[SUPER=130-59/Jack Agee/Vinton]



[SUPER=130-/John Pound/Warm Springs]



[SUPER=130-50/Larry Ferrell/Wolf Creek]



[SUPER=130-12/Chris Bousman/Ridgeway]


No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-55/Charlotte Roberts/Lynchburg]



[SUPER=131-/Donna Wray/Rocky Mount]



[SUPER=131-34th/Ravon & Nancy Thurman/Redwood]



[SUPER=131-56/Shirley Moore/Danville]


[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]


[452-E-Drowning]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-35 TC 26:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The search has ended in Danville for a drowning victim.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]


Authorities are not releasing the name of the man they believe fell into the Dan River yesterday.
This was the scene at Dan Daniel Memorial Park last night.
Recovery teams combed the water near this low dam-- where there is a dangerous undertow.
A witness says he saw the man slip from a ledge while he was scooping up fishing net.
Recovery personnel say if someone gets caught in this undertow, there's not much hope of survival.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 9:23:58-:09 & :15-:20]
[IN Q=He had a net]

((BILLY WYATT/DANVILLE LIFESAVING WATER UNIT: HE HAD A NET WITH SHAD IN IT AND HE WOULDN'T LET GO. THE TURBULENCE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DAM WAS SO STRONG IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND ONCE IT PULLS SOMEBODY UNDER IT WON'T LET THEM GO. (COVERED WITH VIDEO) YOU MAY NEVER FIND THEM OR IT COULD SPIT THEM OUT. THEY COULD COME DOWN STREAM. IT'S HARD TO TELL.))
[SUPER=01-Billy Wyatt/Danville Lifesaving Water Unit;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=it's hard to tell.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Recovery teams say safety concerns keep them from continuing the search.
(----------------)



[452-E-Danville-Murder]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]


In Danville, murder charges have been filed against a man following a shooting.
Authorities say Laquan (LA-KWAN) Stone went to his ex-wife's home at the Town and Country Apartments at about 1:30 yesterday morning.
That's where he allegedly shot Alvin Averett, Junior in the head.
Stone is in the Danville City Jail, being held without bail.


[45E-Golphin-Bros]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=JJA]
[TAPE#net e]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A North Carolina jury has found two Richmond brothers guilty of murdering two police officers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fayetteville, NC;]


Yesterday the jury convicted Kevin and Tilmon Golphin of first degree murder-
The widows of the North Carolina officers want the death penalty.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 21:23:41 ]
[IN Q=]

((BARBARA HATHCOCK/VICTIM'S WIDOW: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM TAKEN OFF THE EARTH AND PEOPLE LIKE THAT THEY'RE EVIL.)) [21:24:02] ((DIXIE LOWRY/VICTIM'S WIDOW: FBI REALLY BELIEVE THEY DESERVE THE DEATH PENALTY THEY TOOK MY HUSBAND I WILL NEVER GET HIM BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Barbara Hathcock/Victim's Widow; 00]
[SUPER=01-Dixie Lowry/Victim's Widow; 10 ]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=never get him back.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fayetteville, NC/Last Fall;:]


The teenage brothers admitted they shot the officers- but claimed they never meant to kill them.
The shooting happened during a traffic stop on I-95 last year.
(----------------)



[45E-Boucher]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-26 TC 59:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Three Southwest Counties are among the top sites being considered for a new federal prison.
Congressman Rick Boucher says Tazewell, Dickenson and Buchanan counties have each expressed interest in a federal facility.
Officials with the federal bureau of prisons have toured six potential sites and hired a consultant.
(/////SOT/////)

[9:03:27]
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think]

((REP. RICK BOUCHER/D-ABINGDON:I THINK WE HAVE A REASONABLY GOOD CHANCE OF ATTRACTING A SECOND FEDERAL PRISON TO FAR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA THAT WOULD PROVIDE MUCH NEEDED JOBS AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES. ))
[SUPER=@Boucher; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=those communities.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


Boucher says a federal facility would create 400 new jobs and pump 25- million dollars annually into the community.


A federal prison is already being built in Lee County.
Boucher says the additional facilities are needed, in part, now that the troubled Lorton prison in Fairfax county is closing.


[45E-Bedford-Abuse]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=lba]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Shocking allegations of child abuse against a ten year old Bedford County girl.
Her father and 17 year old brother are charged with abusing her.
The brother is charged with forcible rape, forcible sodomy and sexual battery.
The girl's father is charged with malicious wounding after allegedly beating her.
No names are being released to protect the identity of the young girl.

[45WEATHER]


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


Time to take a quick check of the weather--
Cloudy today, with rain likely.
Highs in the mid 60s.
Periods of heavy rain overnight, with some thunderstorms possible.
Lows in the mid 50s.
The wet weather lingers into tomorrow...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Cloudy, with/Rain Likely/62-66/Periods of Heavy/Rain & Storms/52-56;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]



[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]


[8RESCUE-CHARGES]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE# from 98-24 ]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A Lexington rescue squad member is accused of taking sexual liberties while assisting two accident victims.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington;]


The sexual battery charges stem from a February traffic accident.
State Police say instead of helping two victims at the scene, Donald Paxton Grant sexually assaulted them.
Grant says he's innocent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

(( DONALD BUTCH GRANT:I JUST EXPOSED WHAT I HAD TO EXPOSE AND CHECKED WHAT I HAD TO CHECK. YOU DIDN'T TOUCH THEM INAPPROPRIATELY? NO MA'AM I DIDN'T.))
[SUPER=07-Donald "Butch" Grant;]

[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=ma'am I didn't.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Lexington Rescue Squad suspended Grant February fourth, a few days after state police began their investigation.

Meanwhile, Grant continues to be an employee for the city of Lexington's Public Works Department.
A position the city's manager says is NOT affected by the charges.
Grant makes a court appearance May 4th.
(----------------)



[8Sheriff-Radio]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-29]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Botetourt county sheriff's deputies can't always get in touch with each other because of an out- dated radio system.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


When officers spend most of their day on the road-- the radio is essential.
It's their only link back to base and to each other.
But there are several spots in the county where the 19-50's technology just does not work.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:01:04]
[IN Q=He's by himself]

((HE'S BY HIMSELF. HE HAS NO MEANS TO LET ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT SITUATION. HE'S GOING TO GET HURT.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Eddie Clark/Botetourt Co. Sheriff's Dept.;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=get hurt]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The county says it will soon spend four and a half million dollars on a NEW radio system, complete with three more towers.
The more powerful radios should be on the road by this time next year.
(------------)



[8E-1-Roanoke-Council]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-25 TC 55:41]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign98]


It's not November-- but next Tuesday is Election Day for seven Roanoke city council candidates.
Joe Dashiell gives us a closer look at the Democratic challengers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With two incumbents]
[SUPER=01-Bill White/(D) Roanoke City Council; :23]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Nelson Harris/(D) Roanoke City Council; :52]
[SUPER=01-Alvin Hudson/(D) City Council Candidate; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]


((With two incumbents and a strong challenger, city democrats are hoping for a sweep in next Tuesday's election.

But for Bill White, the campaign couldn't come at a worse time. As a Certified Public Accountant, tax season is busy enough without an election.
Still, the former school board member has campaigned hard, and says he believes his experience as a businessman and a two-term council member will pay off at the polls. ((BILL WHITE/D- ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I'M PROUD OF THAT RECORD. I'M PROUD OF THE VOTES I'VE TAKEN AND I'VE LEARNED A LOT. AND I KNOW SOME VOTED THAT I'D DO DIFFERENT, TOO. SO I'M NO FOOL. THAT EXPERIENCE GIVES YOU AN IDEA TO DO THE PEOPLE'S WORK BETTER IN THE FUTURE.))
Like White, the Reverend Nelson Harris served on the school board before coming to council. First elected to an unexpired term two years ago, Harris is seeking his first full term.
At the center of his campaign, Nelson says, is his attention to citizens concerns and a long-term view of the city's business. ((NELSON HARRIS/D- ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: TWENTY AND THIRTY YEARS FROM NOW I'LL STILL BE WORKING AND LIVING IN ROANOKE AND MY CHILDREN WILL HAVE BEEN RAISED HERE. AND SO I ALWAYS HAVE THAT IN THE BACK OF MY MIND WHEN COUNCIL IS CONDUCTING ITS BUSINESS.))
The wild card in the race may well be Alvin Hudson. After 20 years as sheriff, he is popular and well-known, and his election would mean that one of the incumbents won't be coming back.
Hudson says he's a problem solver, a good listener and an experienced observor. ((ALVIN HUDSON/D-CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE: WE'VE GOT A GOOD STAFF DOWN THERE, BUT SOMETIMES THEY JUST GET A LITTLE LAX AND I THINK WE NEED AS A COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE OUT THERE. THAT'S WHO WE WORK FOR.))
Tomorrow, a look at two republicans with different approaches to the council campaign.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[8WEATHER]


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


Turning to the Thursday forecast--
Cloudy, with rain likely.
Highs will be a little cooler, in the mid 60s.
The rain could be heavy by tonight, with some thunderstorms mixed in.
Lows in the mid 50s.
The four day outlook is damp heading into the weekend...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Cloudy, with/Rain Likely/62-66/Periods of Heavy/Rain & Storms/52-56;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

by SS