WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/09/98

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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][7KITTS-AWARD]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE# from 98-39]
[GRAPHIC=travis lam]

One-point-three million dollars is the amount a teenager will pay to the family of a woman he mowed down while driving drunk.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

That was the verdict yesterday in a civil lawsuit filed by Gary Kitts.
Travis Lam was 16 when he smashed his car into 35 year old Bonnie Kitts in December 19-95.
He was convicted of drunken driving and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.
Lam is now a pre- med student at the University of Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[(EXTRA BITES)] [16:22:30]
[IN Q=MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE]
(( GARY KITTS:MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE. IT'S THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS. DEALING WITH ALCOHOL- RELATED ACCIDENTS MY WIFE GAVE HER LIFE TO EDUCATE KIDS. [16:16:45 ] CHARLIE PHILLIPS:WHEN SOMEONE'S LIFE IS TAKEN IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS OCCURRED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL, BOTH FAMILIES WILL ALWAYS BE AFFECTED))
[SUPER=01-Gary Kitts/Victim's Husband;]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Phillips/Travis Lam's Attorney;14]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=ALWAYS BE AFFECTED]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lam spent nine weeks in juvenile detention centers and performed 100 hours of community service.
His driver's license also was revoked for five years.
(----------------)

[75-Buchanan-Accident]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=598-24 52:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A close investigation continues on the portion of I-81 where 7 people lost their lives last Saturday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Yesterday;]

An engineer from the State Crash Investigation Team spent yesterday morning looking over the wreckage.
He'll also look at the highway where it happened, searching for any structural problems that may have contributed to the accident.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:37:39]
[IN Q=everytime you]
((DAVE MCALLISTER/CRASH INVESTIGATION TEAM; EVERY TIME YOU HAVE A CRASH, IT'S A BREAKDOWN BETWEEN THE DRIVER, THE VEHICLE AND THE ROADWAY, AND IF WE CAN ISOLATE THAT OR OTHER CAUSAL FACTORS WE'RE IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION TO TRY TO PREVENT OTHER CRASHES FROM OCCURRING))
[SUPER=01-David McAllister/Crash Investigation Team;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=from ocurring]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wrecker service operator Hugh Simmons has seen several accidents on that particular section of highway.
He says it's especially dangerous when it rains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:35:18]
[IN Q=It's coming]
((HUGH SIMMONS/HUGH'S BODY SHOP; IT'S COMING OFF THE MOUNTAIN THERE, THEN IF YOU'RE GOING SOUTH, IT'S COMING DOWN FROM THE ARCADIA EXIT, COMING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, SO YOU'VE GOT WATER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Hugh Simmons/Hugh's Body Shop]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=both directions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The investigation could take several months.
If it finds any safety defects in the road, the team will report them to the state highway department.
(------------)

[7Salem-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-48]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

An accident in Salem yesterday left no one seriously hurt.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Police say an S-U-V crossed the median of Indiana Street and struck an oncoming minivan.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=20:40:33]
[IN Q=AND THAT FLIPPED]
((OFFICER MELVIN LUTZ/SALEM POLICE; AND THAT FLIPPED HIM OVER AND THREW THE DRIVER OUT AND HE WENT SCOOTING UP THE STREET.))
[SUPER=01-Officer Melvin Lutz/Salem Police Department;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=UP THE STREET.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The driver of the truck was taken to the hospital for what were described as non life threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the minivan escaped without injuries. Charges against the hospitalized man are pending.
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[7E-Lucky-Winner]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-46]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
Outside contracts are responsible for a phase-out of more than five dozen people at a Dublin sewing plant over the next six weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin;]
The plant manager of L-W-I or "Lucky Winner, Incorporated" says, the owner told him it was an "economic and reorganization" decision. The 25-year old company cuts and distributes cloth. Departments will be phased out over the next four to six weeks. According to the plant manager, outside contractors will be used to fulfill the company's obligations.
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[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
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Taking a look at your Thursday forecast..
The weather pattern continues..look for partly sunny skies today with light breezes. Highs reaching the low-90's.
Overnight, breezes continue under some clouds. Lows in the upper-60's to low-70's.
The extended outlook..
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 7/10/98
Friday:

[SUPER=130-/Mary Jo Burris/Salem]

[SUPER=130-1/Mary Sanders/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-27/Barbara Moore/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-4/Marlie Delby/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-72/Norman Jones/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-6/Jenna Gregory/Wytheville]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Marie Hatchett/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Betty Greene/Check]

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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45Davis-Trial]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

An 88 year old Franklin woman goes on trial today for first degree murder.
Authorities say Virginia Davis murdered 51-year-old John Winbrow last year by beating him to death.
Davis' attorney says the elderly woman is physically incapable of beating someone to death.
She could face life in prison if convicted.

[45E-Mental-Patient]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-51 26:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In Lynchburg, Officials are examing what could have been done to prevent a mental patient from stealing an ambulance yesterday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Police arrested 51-year old Dennis Ray Carter after a short chase down Court Street.
Authorities had taken Carter to the hospital for evaluation after he complained of hearing voices inside his head.. minutes later he drove off in a Brookneal Rescue Squad unit.
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[SOT 6:29:21]
[IN Q=With what happened]
((PHIL THEISEN/LYNCHBURG DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS: WITH WHAT HAPPENED THIS MORNING, I THINK THE QUESTION WOULD BE `WHERE WAS SECURITY?' IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE PERSON IS STATIONED BACK THERE AT ALL TIMES AND I WOULD THINK NORMALLY THAT THAT PERSON WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO STAND BY A PATIENT.))
[SUPER=01-Phil Theisen/Depressive Disorders Assoc.; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=by a patient.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hospital officials say patients who voluntarily seek treatment can not be held against their will.
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[45E-City-Finance]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-40 1:32:32]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City]

Roanoke is not making the cut of financially progressive cities.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Star City officials say the city's outlook is rather dim.
According to a National League of Cities report, Roanoke will be "less able" to meet its financial needs in the coming years.
Director of Finance Jim Grisso said one reason is the city won't collect as much car-tax revenue as it first expected.
He blames that on the so-called "blue book," which Roanoke is now using to assess car values.
But Commissioner of the Revenue Sherman Holland says the blue book is NOT to blame.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 46 58]
[IN Q=I DON'T]
((SHERMAN HOLLAND/ROANOKE COMMISSIONER OF THE REVENUE: I DON'T THINK THAT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BOOK AT ALL. I'M NOT TOO INTO THOSE PROJECTIONS ANYWAY BECAUSE THAT'S NOT PRIMARILY A CONCERN OF THIS OFFICE. THIS OFFICE IS CONCERNED WITH MAKING SURE THE TAXPAYERS GET A CORRECT, CONSISTENT AND AN ACCURATE BILL. AND IF THAT GENERATES LESS MONEY FOR THE CITY THEN SO BE IT.))
[SUPER=01-Sherman Holland/Roanoke Comm. of the Revenue;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=SO BE IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Holland said Roanoke is losing revenue from another place:
Not as many people are shopping within the city limits.
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[45E-Campus-Card]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=lba]
[TAPE#=98-44 48:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]

If you're one of the 160 Virginia students who purchased what you thought was a mandatory Campus card you're do a refund.
Yesterday Attorney General Mark Earley announced a settlement involving 35 states, including the commonwealth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The "Campus Card" was solicited by the National College Registration Board in April.
[SUPER=03-Ferrum/April;]

Earley says the N-C-R-B misled students into believing their college required them to buy the 25 dollar Campus Card for identification.
The settlement will require the company to cease operations and reimburse customers.
Almost six-thousand students nationwide responded to the "Campus Card" offer. [pinnacle 1003]
If you have questions or think you may be eligible for a refund you can call the Attorney General's Office at (804) 786-0594.
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[45WEATHER]

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

Shifting gears now to weather--
Partly sunny and very warm today, with highs near 90.
Staying partly cloudy overnight, as lows drop to near 70.
Checking the extended outlook-- lots of sunshine tomorrow through the weekend with highs in the upper 80s.
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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8KITTS-AWARD]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE# from 98-39]
[GRAPHIC=travis lam]

It won't bring her back..
But a 19- year- old man will have to pay one-point-three million dollars to the family of the woman he killed while driving drunk.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

That was the verdict yesterday in a civil lawsuit filed by Gary Kitts.
Travis Lam was 16 when he smashed his car into 35 year old Bonnie Kitts in December 19-95.
He was convicted of drunken driving and aggravated involuntary manslaughter.
Lam is now a pre- med student at the University of Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[(EXTRA BITES)] [16:22:30]
[IN Q=MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE]
(( GARY KITTS:MONEY IS NOT THE ISSUE HERE. IT'S THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS. DEALING WITH ALCOHOL- RELATED ACCIDENTS MY WIFE GAVE HER LIFE TO EDUCATE KIDS. [16:16:45 ] CHARLIE PHILLIPS:WHEN SOMEONE'S LIFE IS TAKEN IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS OCCURRED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNINTENTIONAL, BOTH FAMILIES WILL ALWAYS BE AFFECTED))
[SUPER=01-Gary Kitts/Victim's Husband;]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Phillips/Travis Lam's Attorney;14]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=ALWAYS BE AFFECTED]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lam spent nine weeks in juvenile detention centers and performed 100 hours of community service.
His driver's license also was revoked for five years.
(----------------)

[8E-Buchanan-Accident]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-32]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A team of investigators is looking into possible causes of the accident that claimed the lives of seven people last weekend in Botetourt County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Yesterday;]

The head of the Richmond-based Crash Investigation Team spent yesterday morning sifting through the wreckage of the car and truck involved.
He'll also analyze the stretch of road where the accident occurred.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:35:18]
[IN Q=we do this primarily]
((DAVID MCALLISTER/CRASH INVESTIGATION TEAM; WE DO THIS PRIMARILY TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE WRECKS, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT CRASHES LIKE THIS FROM OCCURRING. THE INTEREST IN THIS PARTICULAR CRASH OBVIOUSLY IS THE NUMBER OF DEATHS, WHERE IT HAPPENED, ON A VERY BUSY STRETCH OF INTERSTATE 81.))
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=of interstate 81]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One wrecker service operator says that section of highway has a history of accidents, and is dangerous when it rains.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:35:18]
[IN Q=It's coming]
((HUGH SIMMONS/HUGH'S BODY SHOP; IT'S COMING OFF THE MOUNTAIN THERE, THEN IF YOU'RE GOING SOUTH, IT'S COMING DOWN FROM THE ARCADIA EXIT, COMING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, SO YOU'VE GOT WATER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Hugh Simmons/Hugh's Body Shop]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=both directions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If the investigation team finds drainage problems, or defects in the road, they'll reccomend changes to the Highway Department.
(------------)

[82-E-Lucky-Winner]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-46]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

A Dublin sewing plant is phasing out some 70 jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin;]
The plant manager of L-W-I or "Lucky Winner, Incorporated" says, the owner told him it was an "economic and reorganization" decision. The 25-year old company cuts and distributes cloth. Departments will be phased out over the next four to six weeks. According to the plant manager, outside contractors will be used to fulfill the company's obligations.
(------------)

[8E-Pitts-Pot]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-42 1:02:50]
[GRAPHIC=Drug Bust Pot]

Pot growers in Pittsylvania county got an un-plesasant surprise yesterday--
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT (helicopter noise)]
[IN Q=(helicopter noise)]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=(helicopter noise)]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]

Law enforcement officers in the air and on the ground spent the last several days getting rid of hundreds of pot plants.
Spotters in helicopters located the illegal plants... and directed ground crews to them.
Some of the marijuana stalks topped 15-feet and had to be chopped down.
All total, more than 500-pot plants were destroyed.
The Pittsylvania County sheriff's department conducts a drug search like this one every year.
(----------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Before we wrap up this morning update-- here's one more look at the Thursday forecast.
Partly sunny skies today with a light breeze, highs warming to near 90.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows around 70.
And looking ahead, expect partly to mostly sunny skies through the weekend.
Temperatures will stay mainly in the upper 80s for highs.
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