WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/26/98

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=6pm]

Up next on News 7 at Six: a frat prank out of control lands three Washington and Lee students in court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the B-29 carried the bomb that ended World War Two-- tonight we'll take flight with a restored bomber, the only one from that historic era still flying.
(------------)
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]

Tonight in sports, state quarterfinal softball action from Glenvar coming up, along with NCAA baseball from Salem.
The Sonics in effect fire head coach George Karl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and the NBA fines three players and suspends another for their parts in yesterday's altercation in Indiana.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

One more blast of rain...but the ground can't take much more. We will show you the latest flood watch information j

ust ahead.[Caldwell]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-47 TC 4:28]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]

Roanoke Police haven't confirmed a link between last week's apartment fire and a fatal shooting that occurred a few hours earlier, but the man charged with murder says He believes the two ARE related.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week]

Willie Caldwell is accused of killing Kevin Lee Jones at a home on Gilmer Avenue early on May 18th.
Caldwell lived in the Church Avenue Apartments, and he says he doesn't believe it's a coincidence that the building caught fire.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:11:42]
[IN Q=Yeah, it is connnected]
((WILLIE CALDWELL: YEAH, IT IS CONNECTED. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL'EM THAT.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=I've been trying to tell 'em that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And Caldwell has other advice for investigators. In a telephone interview from the Roanoke City Jail, he said they should take a closer look at his accusers from the Gilmer Avenue shooting.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:13:39]
[IN Q=When I went to the house]
((WHEN I WENT TO THE HOUSE THERE WAS TWO PEOPLE. AND NOW IT'S COMING OUT WITH SAYING FOUR OR FIVE PEOPLE WAS THERE, SO I WOULD SAY THEY WAS ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL IN WITH IT, BECAUSE THEY WAS ALL FRIENDS. SO YOU CAN GET ANYBODY TO SAY THAT IT WAS SOMEBODY ELSE'S GUN.))
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=somebody else's gun.]
[ANCHOR=JEAN]
[GRAPHIC=Willie Caldwell]

Caldwell says police investigating the fire should review surveillance tapes from 24-hour gas stations in the area. He believes they might find some of his accusers filling containers with gasoline.

[Frat-Prank]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-33 TC 54:53]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

Three Washington And Lee University students will NOT go to jail because of a prank that went too far.
It started after two women from Sweetbriar College allegedly shaved Chad Austin Casto's groin area while he slept at at party. Casto, Jonathan Paul Barker and Ryan William Walker drove the women into the woods and tried to do the same to them.
They were originally charged with felony abduction.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst]

Today the three men pled guilty to misdeamor assault and battery. They were sentenced to 80 hours of community service.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They've got suspended]
((ED MEEKS/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY; THEY'VE GOT SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCES AND TTHEY'RE GOING TO BE CLEANING UP A STRETCH OF AMHERST COUNTY HIGHWAY THIS SUMMER TO GET THE POINT ACROSS THAT IT WAS TOTALLY INNAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND WE CHECKED WITH THE ATTORNEYS FOR BOTH THE VICTIMS AND THEY FELT THAT WAS APPROPRIATE.))
[SUPER=01-Ed Meeks/Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=that was appropriate]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The victims, Jessica Saveall and Lisa Karen Williams are both charged with aggravated sexual battery in the case.
Both have been expelled from Sweetbriar College because of an unrelated incident. The Commonwealth's attorney says they were convicted of stealing and wrecking a college-owned car.

[Branham]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-31 TC 1:08:11]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

Police in Amherst County say an argument after a Saturday night game of horshoes ended with a fatal shooting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst]

29-year old Kenneth Branham faces murder and malicious wounding charges.
He was arraigned in Amherst County General District Court today.
Police say Branham pulled a shotgun out of his car during the argument and killed 43-year old Richard Eubank.
Bobby Beverly is listed in critical condition.
A third man hit by gunfire was treated and released.

(------------)[Power-Line]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#98-36 TC 1:04:55]
[GRAPHIC=AEP Powerline]

It's a waiting game in West Virginia.
A state agency HAS decided whether or not it will endorse American Electric Power's proposed high-voltage power line.

But the agency is not ready to make its decision public.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Scott/Newsroom]

Scott Goldberg has been following this story.
Scott, why haven't we heard anything?
[Live=Scott Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]

Jean, we understand the state's Public Service Commission is working on the wording of its decision.
But most people close to the power-line debate expect West Virginia to give A-E-P a thumbs up.
(--------------)
[VO NAT **Scott Mic Hot**]
When you look at a map of the proposed line, you see it doesn't go through much of West Virginia.
And not many people live near the route.
It's a different story in Virginia, where the line snakes through communities in five different counties.
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./March 26;]

At public hearings in Virginia, opposition to the line was fierce.
Not the case in West Virginia, were only 38 people spoke out, and only one was against building the line.
(-------------)
[Live=Scott Full/Newsroom]

Each state will use evidence from those hearings to answer the same questions:
Is the line the best way to keep this area's electricity supply reliable,
And is A-E-P's preferred route the best route for the line.
We expect West Virginia to say yes.
Virginia most likely will not answer either question before the end of the year.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Scott/Newsroom]

Jean?
[Anchor=Jean]
QUESTION: Is A-E-P bracing for a tougher fight in Virginia?
Yes, opponents on this side of the state line have raised a lot of technical issues.
They say there are better ways to protect the power supply here; and that the power line just gives A-E-P a way to sell power to the East Cost.
A-E-P has to respond to those charges before it gets permission to build the line.
[Anchor=Jean]
Jean QUESTION #2: What happens if the two states approve different routes?

That's entirely possible because Virginia is considering a number of routes, while West Virginia only looked at that preferred corridor.
If Virginia approves a different route, A-E-P will go back to West Virginia, file a new application and find a way to
connect the dots.[Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=NONE]

Civil War buffs know southside Virginia is a historic area--but some pieces of history being unearthed now date back more than 500 years. We'll have that story coming up on News 7 at Six.

(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And a restored relic of World War Two is flying high--we'll give you an upclose view of the only B-29 bomber still flying, and tell you why it WON'T be landing in Roanoke.
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[ANCHOR=Robin]
[wx ad lib] [Roll] [Lake Level] [MUSIC UP FULL]
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[SUPER=83-Down 0.43 foot/Down 1.00 foot;Lake levels][City-Dump]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=ach]
[TAPE#=98-26 TC 1:44:37]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal]

Once again, Roanoke city workers are digging at the Public Works Service Center on Courtland Avenue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Today, they started what is hoped will be their last investigation of the site. They're looking for any more solid waste or drums that may be buried in the area. The last search turned up more than 40 barrels filled with a paint and tar like subtance.
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[SOT]
[IN Q= when we are]
((BREN HUGGINS/ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST; WHEN WE ARE DONE THE DEQ AND THE EPA WILL BE SATISFIED THAT THERE WERE NO FURTHER SOLID WASTE OR DRUMS BURIED HERE. THEN WE WILL ENTER THE NEXT PHASE OF INVESTIGATION.))
[SUPER=01-Bren Huggins/Environmental Specialist]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q= phase of investigation]
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[VO-NAT]

In their next phase, the workers will be determining whether hazardous material contaminated the soil.
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[B-29]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-34 TC 1:09:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The workhorses of World War Two thundered over Richmond today.
The Confederate Air Force was in in town with two of its greatest treasures.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Henrico County]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Coats/Former B-24 Crewman; :13]
[SUPER=01-J.B. Hudson/Former B-29 Crewman; :39]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]
((
Henrico County resident Robert Coates last flew a B-24 Liberator in 1945.
The flying boxcar they called it.
It bombed targets mostly in Europe.
[sot TAPE ONE 01:40:01]
((ROBERT COATS/FORMER B-24 CREWMAN: THEY MADE 18-THOUSAND OF THEM. AND THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF THEM FLYING NOW. SO I COME TO SEE THIS ONE. AND THERE'S A FOUNDATION IN BOSTON, LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, THAT HAS ANOTHER B-24. I FOLLOW IT AROUND.)) [runs:14]
The B-24's impressive.
The B-29 Superfortress-- like the one that dropped the first atomic bomb -- is the star of the show.
Fifi is the last one flying.
But the Confederate Air Force has more than just machines-- it has people, with memories.
[sot TAPE ONE 01:57:21]
((J.B. HUDSON/FORMER B-29 CREWMAN: YOUR PLANE IS USUALLY CAUGHT IN THE SEARCHLIGHTS, 15 TO 20 SEARCHLIGHTS. THE ANTIAIRCRAFT IS POPPING OFF OUTSIDE LIKE A POPCORN POPPING MACHINE. YOU CAN FEEL THE CONCUSSION. YOU CAN HEAR IT RIPPING THROUGH YOUR PLANE.)) [runs:13]

[sot TAPE ONE 01:41:46]
((ROBERT COATS/FORMER B-24 CREWMAN: I WAS ASSISTANT FLIGHT LEADER. WE HAD THE FLIGHT LEADER BLOW UP ON A MISSION TO VIENNA. I DON'T MIND ADMITTING I PANICKED. I ORDERED MY BOMBARDIER "DROP THE BOMBS." HE SAID "I CAN'T." I SAID "DROP THE BOMBS." HE SAYS "I CAN'T." "I'M ORDERING YOU! THERE'LL BE A COURT MARTIAL. DROP THE BOMBS!" HE SAID "THE NUMBER FOUR PLANE IS RIGHT BELOW US. IT WOULD BLOW BOTH OF US OUT OF THE SKY.")) [runs:23]

[sot standup 03:08:18]
((THE CONFEDERATE AIR FORCE SAYS ROANOKE AIRPORT OFFICIALS WON'T LET THEM CHARGE AN ENTRY FEE TO TOUR THE PLANES. SO THEY SAY THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO FLY THE PLANES IN.)) [runs:10]
With engines that gulp four thousand gallons of gas an hour, the superfortress is an expensive ride.
[sot TAPE ONE 02:00:57]
((J.B. HUDSON/FORMER B-29 CREWMAN: I DON'T THINK THERE WILL EVER BE ANOTHER RESTORED BECAUSE IT WOULD JUST BE TOO DIFFICULT.)) [runs:04]
The planes are in Richmond for a week.

Ellen Qualls, News 7.))[Car-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Personal Property Tax]

If you lease a car, don't forget that you might get a car tax cut this year too.
The Department of Motor Vehilces is asking leasing companies to provide their customers the full benefit of the tax cut.
The state is now preparing refunds for 12-and-a-half percent of the first 20- thousand dollars worth of cars for this year.

If you're NOT sure if you pay any of the car tax, you may want to check with your leasing company.[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The stock market tumbled today in light trading.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-y/150.71/8963.73/y/26.91/1778.09;]

The Dow plummeted 151 points to close at 89 hundred 64.
NASDAQ lost 27 points.

[SUPER=431-i@/45/h'/59c/i1f/91f/i1!/32f/i$/57&;]
[SUPER=432-i@/52f/ha/13g/ie/38%/ib/57/i1!/53a;]
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[SUPER=434-ib/36/i%/21#/h@/33/i1b/80$/i1'/53&;][Indian-Dig]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-32 TC 40:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It would NOT be surprising to find Civil War artifacts in the Staunton River Battlefield State Park.
But archaeologists are uncovering items there that date back hundreds of years earlier.
Christy Hubley tells us about the search for pre-historic indian artifacts in Charlotte County.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is a fish hook]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Bates/Longwood Archaeology School; :20]
[SUPER=01-Nick Smith/Site Supervisor; :43]
[SUPER=01-Meredith Bowman/Archaeology Student;1:00]
[SUPER=@Christy2;1:10]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=News 7, Charlotte County.]

((This is a fish hook made from an animal bone.
And this is a turtle shell once used as a food bowl.
These items have been uncovered by Longwood College archaeology students who are digging in the dirt along the Staunton River.
What they're finding says a lot about the people who lived here between 800 and 1500 A-D.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:22:13-:22]
[IN Q=This probably would have]
((BRIAN BATES: THIS PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A SMALL HAMLET OF AN EXTENDED FAMILY. MAYBE SEVERAL BROTHERS AND THEIR WIVES AND KIDS AND MAYBE THEIR PARENTS. PROBABLY UP TO ABOUT 50 PEOPLE.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=about 50 people.]

These students are also finding pieces of clay pottery and tools carved from animal bones.
The excavation process is often tedious.
The dirt must be removed slowly and brushed carefully off the artifacts.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:30:40-:53]
[IN Q=That's because we don't]
((NICK SMITH: THAT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT OT BREAK UP ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE IN THE GROUND. THEN WE TAKE THAT OUT... WE WASH IT... TAKE IT BACK TO THE FIELD HOUSE AND WASH IT AND THEN WE LET IT DRY AND THAT WAY WE CAN DO OUR ANALYSIS ON ANYTHING WE HAVE FOUND.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=anything we have found.]

These students say it's a great experience finding what no one even knew was lost.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:29:17-:24]
[IN Q=You're finding it for]
((MEREDITH BOWMAN: YOU'RE FINDING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME AND OVER A COUPLE OF HUNDRED YEARS SO IT'S REALLY NEAT.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=it's really neat.]

Artifacts gathered at this excavation site will be compared to other archaeological research in the region.
The hope is to create a bigger picture of life in southern Virginia before Europeans settled here.
Christy Hubley, News 7, Charlotte County.
(----------------)
))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up tonight in sports, state quarterfinals action is underway around the area tonight, the NCAA baseball championships continue in Salem, the NBA rules on the fight in yesterday's Bulls-Pacers game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And NASCAR sells hundreds of millions of dollars worth of t-shirts and collectibles each year, and tonight we'll find out which driver had the first t-shirt in racing and hear how it came about.

(------------)[S-Glenvar]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#SP-5]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL Softball]

Glenvar and Coeburn hooked up this afternoon in the girls Group A softbal;l quarterfinals.
In what turned out to be another near flawless effort from Lady Highlander pitcher Kelli Julg.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Blue Knights vs. Highlanders;]

The Lady Highlanders opened the state tournament on their home turf.
The junior pitcher gave up only one hit all afternoon while striking out eight batters.
Three of those "K's" came when she struck out the side in the third.
Meanwhile Coeburn struggled on the mound. With the bases loaded, Glenvar gets on the board when Blue Knights' pitcher Amber Collins walks in Mandy Williams for the one-nothing lead.
Renee Anderson extends that lead on this single up the middle that plates Christy Lewis and Elizabeth Wilburn.
The Lady Highlanders go on to win three-nothing and advance to the state semi-finals Friday at Moyer Sports Complex.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The girls]
(( ))
[SUPER=01-Keith Robinson/Glenvar Head Coach;]
[SUPER=01-Kelli Julg/Glenvar Pitcher; :11]
[RUNS=:16]

[OUT Q=second time around][S-Regionals]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[graphic=softball]

Also, at this hour, William Byrd is taking on Patrick County over in Vinton in the Group Two A state quarterfinals. Highlights of this game tonight at 11.
[graphic=soccer]

And soccer fans keep in mind the Group Two A showdown between Blacksburg and Martinsville gets started at seven tonight in the New River Valley.
The semi-finals and finals will be held in Salem this Friday and Saturday as part of the big spring fling. [S-NCA

A]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-3]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Div 3 Baseball Championship]

The Spartans and the Red Hawks were on the Saem Memorial Diamond this afternoon in the N-C-Double-ADivision Three Baseball Championships.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

An what a day for baseball. The weather cooperated for the semi-final game between Aurora University and Monclair State.
In the Second inning with State leading 2-to-nothing and the Spartans in scoring position, but Scott Baron coming from third can't beat the play at the plate.
Still in the second, Aurora on the attack again, Chris Webber drops one just behind second base, Aron Brossett scores and it's 2-1 Montclair State.
[SUPER=34-Montclair ST./6/Aurora University/5//;]

Red Hawk Corey Gleichenhaur with the short hit down the third base line, the Spartan defense responds and -Montclair State wins it 6 to 5.
(----------------)
[Anchor=Mike]
[SS=hold]

Montclair State will play the winner of tonight's semifinal game between Cortland State and Eastern Connecticut.
The finals are tomorrow night at Salem Memorial field.

[S-Karl]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-6]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

The Seattle Sonics got rid of head coach George Karl today despite the fact he won over 70 percent of his games.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]

Team president Wally Walker, the former UVa great said that the two just could not come together and resolve their salary differences.
Karl coached the Sonics for the last six and a half years.
[super=03-NBA-Yesterday;]

And this afternoon the NBA ruled on the fight in yesterday's Bulls-Pacers game.
Reggie Miller, Ron Harper and Phil Jackson have been fined for their part in the altercation.
Pacers reserve Jalen Rose is suspended for game five for leaving the bench area. Miller is fined $25 hundred bucks, Harper $35 hundred and Coach Jackson $10 thousand for bad mouthing the refs.
(-------------)

[S-Mario]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-8]
[GRAPHIC=NHL]

Don't look now but Mario Lemieux may be coming out of retirement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-NHL; :00]

A bad back and a growing resentment for the style of play in the league in 90's sent Lemieux into retirement and presumably into a life of luxury.
But the Penguins owe him $35 million in deferred money and since the team has changed owners he may not get it all without going to court.
The NHL MVP in 88. 93 and 96 hopes to resolve the issue without having to return to the ice.

(------------)[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=GOLF]

The famed Cascades course at the Homestead is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and yesterday Virginians celebrated by winning the inaugural invitational amateur.
Keith Decker of Fieldale teamed with David Partridge to take the two man best ball event by two strokes over Galax's Tom McKnight and his partner Frank Ford.
Richmond's Vinny Giles and Stan Fischer won the senior's event.

[S-Petty]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-12]
[GRAPHIC=CHARLOTTE]

After nearly three weeks of fun and friction in Charlotte, the Winston Cup cars head north this week
[graphic=dover]

to tackle to the Monster Mile at Dover in the MBNA 400. Jeff Gordon heads to the track with the points lead, and Richard Petty with another item attached to his resume.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]

As if Petty didn't already own almost every first in racing, he also is now credited with having the first souvenir t-shirt in the sport. It was the brainchild of a rival team member in early 60's.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="he came...]
[SUPER=01-Richard Petty/"The King"; :00]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=...that too."]
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[SUPER=X5001;][Promo]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#Promo]
[GRAPHIC=None]

That's News 7 at Six. Coming up tonight--
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

What potential do you see in this building?
The historic Hotel Botetourt was damaged by fire last year, and Botetourt County officials say they will tear it down unless someone comes forward with a plan.
The current owner says he does not have the energy, patience or money to restore it -- but he's willing to sell.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Tonight -- a public forum for residents to share their ideas for the hotel's future. [Jean ad lib byes] We'll tell you what they say --- tonight on News7 at Eleven.