WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/06/98

[THIRTY-WEATHER]

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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][7E-Arcadia-Folo]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-57 TC 36:12]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

Four children were among the victims of an accident on I-81 Saturday that killed seven.
25-year-old Keith Chittum of Buena Vista was killed, along with his fiance, 19-year-old Whitney Rogers, his sister, 13-year-old Bridget Chittum, and his niece, 11-year-old Sheena Miskovsky.
Two brothers who rode along for the Roanoke shopping trip were also killed.
They were 10-year-old Jonathan Conner and 13-year-old Joshua Conner.
59-year-old truck driver Jerry Gregory of Craigsville was also killed in the Botetourt County Crash.
David Johnson has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's so horrible]
[SUPER=01-Travis Rogers/Victim's Brother; :01]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Saturday; :14]
[super=@David2; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=DJ, News 7.]
((
[SOT=16:31:11]
[IN Q=It's so horrible]
((TRAVIS ROGERS/VICTIM'S BROTHER: IT'S SO HORRIBLE. I MEAN, TWO KIDS ARE WITHOUT PARENTS RIGHT NOW. TWO KIDS. AND, THEY'RE GOING TO ASK ME WHERE ARE MY MAMA AND DADDY. WHAT DO I TELL THEM?)) [RUNS 13]
[OUT Q=I tell them?]

It was pooring rain when the driver of the car tried to pass another vehicle.
The car hydroplaned, crossed the median and crashed into a northbound tractor trailor.
Travis Rogers doesn't understand it.
[SOT=16:30:35]
[IN Q=Preachers have been]
((TRAVIS ROGERS: PREACHERS HAVE BEEN AT OUR HOUSE AND TELL US IT'S FOR A REASON. I MEAN RIGHT NOW, IS NOT THE TIME TO QUESTION IT BUT WHAT IS THE REASON. WHAT IS THE REASON?)) [RUNS 11]
[OUT Q=is the reason?]

None of the victims were identified by authorities, but after Travis Rogers confirmed for State Police, that his sister was one of the deceased, he felt compelled to speak out about the accident.
[SOT=16:28:33]
[IN Q=I just want]
((I JUST WANT TO TELL THE CHITTUM FAMILY THAT THEY HAVE ALL MY SMYPATHY. KEVIN IS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME. I KNOW THE KIDS, I KNOW THEY'RE HURTING RIGHT NOW. AND, THE OTHER FAMILY THAT WAS WITH THEM. MY SISTER--EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SEE THIS AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY EHH--THAT'S TERRIBLE--SOMEBODY GETTING KILLED. BUT, I WANT THEM TO PUT SOMETHING TO IT. I WANT IT TO MEAN SOMETHING.)) [RUNS 16]
[OUT Q=to mean something.]
About a third of the tanker's 76-hundred diesel payload spilled out. D-E-Q and Haz-Mat officials are cleaning up the mess. Botetourt County's Fire Department says it will take about two more days to get things back to normal. [STAND-UP/19:28:26] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, BOTETOURT COUNTY.))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, BOTY CO.]))

[7SmithMtn-Ax]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Smith Mtn Lake]

One man died in a boat crash yesterday on Smith Mountain Lake.
Police tried talking to the boat operator before he crashed into a rocky hillside, because authorities had suspected the boat was stolen.
Authorities say the boat operator didn't respond and instead sped off; crashing into a row of rocks at the edge of a hill.
The boat operator died at the scene.
Police are not releasing the victim's name.

[7gettysburg]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

A Virgina man has battle scars of his own after a weekend re- enactment of the Battle of Gettsybrug.
A Charlottsville man was wounded when he was shot in the neck by a lead ball fired from an antique-style revolver.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gettysburg, PA;]

Live ammo is banned from the event.
The re-enactment attacted the largest crowd in its history.
More than 35- thousand spectators came out yesterday to watch the 135th anniversary re-creations of the famous charge by confederate General George Pickett.
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[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look now at your Monday forecast.. Expect clouds to move in today, with the possibility of some showers. Highs in the low-80's.
Tonight, more clouds and patchy fog. Lows in the low-60's.
The extended forecast calls for...
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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45Botetourt-Fatalities]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-43]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

The Worst auto accident this year in Virginia has claimed seven lives, including four children.
Police say two 13-year-olds, a 10-year-old, and an 11-year-old wanted to ride along with Keith Chittum and his girlfriend Whitney Rogers as they traveled from Buena Vista to Roanoke Saturday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
The accident occurred Saturday on I-81 near the Arcadia exit. A southbound car carrying six of the seven victims went airborne, crossed the median and struck an oncoming tractor trailer that was hauling diesel fuel. A Buena Vista man spoke yesterday about the loss of his sister, Whitney, AND his best friend, Keith, in the crash.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=16:31:11]
[IN Q=IT'S SO HORRIBLE]
((TRAVIS ROGERS/VICTIM'S BROTHER; IT'S SO HORRIBLE. I MEAN TWO KIDS ARE WITHOUT PARENTS RIGHT NOW. TWO KIDS. AND THEY'RE GOING TO ASK ME WHERE ARE MY MOMMA AND DADDY. WHAT DO I TELL THEM?))
[SUPER=01-Travis Rogers/Victim's Brother;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=TELL THEM]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
State police say the truck driver was 59-year old Jerry Gregory of Craigsville.
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[45SmithMtn-Ax]

[45E-Goodlatte]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-42; 56:13]
[GRAPHIC=Bob Goodlatte]

President Clinton recently signed a bill making telemarketing fraud illegal, an action made possible, in part, by Congressman Bob Goodlatte.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

During the last session of Congress, Goodlatte helped introduce a bill that would make telemarketing fraud a criminal act.
Goodlatte also continues to focus on other issues that victimize older citizens.
He plans to meet with seniors at Northside Middle School this week to discuss concerns ranging from social security to medicare.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16.13.09]
[IN Q=It's a way]
((CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE: IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO HEAR SOME REAL EXPERTS ON VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING SOME OF THE SCAMS THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO ON THE TELEPHONE. MEDICARE FRAUD ISSUES AND OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS.))
[SUPER=@Goodlatte;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=safety concerns.]
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[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The meeting will take place on Thursday from nine in the morning until noon.

[45E-Cat-Show]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-32; 1:45:01]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The dog may be man's best friend but it was his feline counterpart that took center stage this weekend at the third annual Star City Cat Show.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
It is hosted by the Cat Fanciers Association. The event features competitions for pedigree and household felines. Winning cats and kitties build up points for national and international competitions. Though the program just started, organizers are already looking to expand it.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=12:52:36]
[IN Q=WE GENERATE THE]
((KRISTIAN THIERRY/CAT FANCIERS ASSO. VICE PRESIDENT; WE GENERATE THE MONEY EACH YEAR TO PUT ON ANOTHER SHOW. AND WE DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE FEEL DO GOOD THINGS FOR CATS LIKE THE FERAL INCORPORATED. THEY SPAY AND NEUTER AND GIVE CATS AWAY.))
[SUPER=01-Kristian Thierry/Cat Fanciers Association;]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=CATS AWAY.]
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[VO-NAT]
The show benefits the "Feline Education Rescue and Adoption League" by giving them space to showcase animals up for adoption.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=13:20:28]
[IN Q=WE ADOPTED SEVEN]
((LYNDA JOHNSON/FERAL PRESIDENT; WE ADOPTED SEVEN CATS AND KITTENS YESTERDAY, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD FOR ONE DAY. LAST YEAR WE ONLY ADOPTED SIX FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND.))
[SUPER=01-Lynda Johnson/FERAL President;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=WHOLE WEEKEND.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Cat lovers could also shop for themselves and their pets at the show.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

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

Time again to check out the Monday weather forecast--
Variably cloudy today, with only a slight chance of showers.
Highs in the lower 80s.
Mostly cloudy overnight, with patchy fog developing.
Lows in the low to mid 60s.
The four day forecast is calling for a mixture of sunshine and clouds, with a chance of showers tomorrow.
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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8E-Arcadia-Folo]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-57 TC 36:12]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

The seven people who died in an accident on I- 81 Saturday have been identified.
25-year-old Keith Chittum of Buena Vista was killed, along with his fiance, 19-year-old Whitney Rogers, his sister, 13-year-old Bridget Chittum, and his niece, 11-year-old Sheena Miskovsky.
Two brothers who rode along for the Roanoke shopping trip were also killed.
They were 10-year-old Jonathan Conner and 13-year-old Joshua Conner.
59-year-old truck driver Jerry Gregory of Craigsville was also killed in the Botetourt County Crash.
David Johnson has a family member's reaction to the accident.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's so horrible]
[SUPER=01-Travis Rogers/Victim's Brother; :01]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Saturday; :14]
[super=@David2; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=DJ, News 7.]
((
[SOT=16:31:11]
[IN Q=It's so horrible]
((TRAVIS ROGERS/VICTIM'S BROTHER: IT'S SO HORRIBLE. I MEAN, TWO KIDS ARE WITHOUT PARENTS RIGHT NOW. TWO KIDS. AND, THEY'RE GOING TO ASK ME WHERE ARE MY MAMA AND DADDY. WHAT DO I TELL THEM?)) [RUNS 13]
[OUT Q=I tell them?]

It was pouring rain when the driver of the car tried to pass another vehicle.
The car hydroplaned, crossed the median and crashed into a northbound tractor trailor.
Travis Rogers doesn't understand it.
[SOT=16:30:35]
[IN Q=Preachers have been]
((TRAVIS ROGERS: PREACHERS HAVE BEEN AT OUR HOUSE AND TELL US IT'S FOR A REASON. I MEAN RIGHT NOW, IS NOT THE TIME TO QUESTION IT BUT WHAT IS THE REASON. WHAT IS THE REASON?)) [RUNS 11]
[OUT Q=is the reason?]

None of the victims were identified by authorities, but after Travis Rogers confirmed for State Police, that his sister was one of the deceased, he felt compelled to speak out about the accident.
[SOT=16:28:33]
[IN Q=I just want]
((I JUST WANT TO TELL THE CHITTUM FAMILY THAT THEY HAVE ALL MY SMYPATHY. KEVIN IS LIKE A BROTHER TO ME. I KNOW THE KIDS, I KNOW THEY'RE HURTING RIGHT NOW. AND, THE OTHER FAMILY THAT WAS WITH THEM. MY SISTER--EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SEE THIS AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY EHH--THAT'S TERRIBLE--SOMEBODY GETTING KILLED. BUT, I WANT THEM TO PUT SOMETHING TO IT. I WANT IT TO MEAN SOMETHING.)) [RUNS 16]
[OUT Q=to mean something.]
About a third of the tanker's 76-hundred diesel payload spilled out. D-E-Q and Haz-Mat officials are cleaning up the mess. Botetourt County's Fire Department says it will take about two more days to get things back to normal. [STAND-UP/19:28:26] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, BOTETOURT COUNTY.))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, BOTY CO.]))

[8SmithMtn-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Smith Mountain Lake]

One person was also killed this holiday weekend in a boat accident on Smith Mountain Lake.
It happened yesterday when police attempted to pull over a suspected stolen boat.
Instead of stopping te boat operator sped off; crashing into a row of rocks at the edge of a hill.
The boat operator died at the scene.
Police are not releasing the victim's name.

[8gettysburg]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

A weekend re- enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg left a Charlottesville man with wounds of his own.
He was injured after being shot in the neck by a lead ball fired from an antique-style revolver.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gettysburg, PA;]

Live ammo is banned from the event.
The re-enactment attacted the largest crowd in its history.
More than 35- thousand spectators came out yesterday to watch the 135th anniversary re-creations of the famous charge by confederate General George Pickett.
(----------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Turning your attention now to weather--
Starting off the work week with variable cloudiness and only a slight chance of showers.
Highs in the lower 80s.
Mostly cloudy tonight, with patchy fog late.
Lows in the low to mid 60s.
And looking ahead, expect the possibility of showers tomorrow, with temperatures gradually getting into the 90s for highs by the end of the week.
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