WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/30/98

[THIRTY-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
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MAPS
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[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][7E-Henry-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-51 47:10]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Ivnestigation]

A man has been arrested for the Easter weekend murder of a Henry County woman.
Elvis Duncan was arrested yesterday for the murder of Bessie Amos.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./File Tape;]

The body of the 63-year old woman was found in her yard-- behind the house where she lived alone for decades.
Henry County's sheriff said Amos had been beaten over the head with a blunt object and robbed of a few hundred dollars.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=none]

Elvis Duncan is already serving time in the Martinsville City Jail on breaking and entering charges.

[7E-Lesbian-Mom]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-27 47:00]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A lesbian mother who recently won custody of her children in a Virginia court has gone public.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.;]

We're NOT using her last name, so that her children won't be easily identified.
But Henrico County's "Karen C." talked openly with us, for the first time.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE ONE 14:14:40]
[IN Q=It's kind of]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: IT'S KIND OF JUST BEEN ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT-- HE KNEW HE HAD THAT HOLD OVER ME. AND I DON'T THINK EITHER OF US EVER INTENDED IT TO GO THIS FAR.))
[SUPER=01-Karen C./Lesbian Mother;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=this far.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

We don't know how many gay and lesbian parents win or lose custody each year in Virginia.
But when Karen contacted the A-C-L-U for help, she agreed to let her victory this month -- in the same Henrico court that took Sharon Bottoms' son away -- be made public.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 14;32;25]
[IN Q=What we're]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS AT LEAST PUT IT OUT THERE SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS CASE HAPPENED. AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN, IT SEEMS TO BE, A CHANGE.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a change.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Karen and her live-in partner Cindy now have primary custody of her son and daughter.
(----------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

The deadline for Karen's ex-husband to appeal passed last week.

[7E-Equal-Parenting]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-54]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Roanokers joined hands with parents across the country last night in an effort to change a court system they say is failing.
The local group Equal Parents, Equal Time of the Roanoke Valley says their children are suffering.
So they held a candle light vigil. David Johnson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Equal Parents]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Barry Carter/Equal Parents Equal Time; :10]
[SUPER=01-Steve Copus/Equal Parents Equal Time; :30]
[SUPER=@David1; :45]
[SUPER=01-Al Bedrosian/Parent; :55]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=Djo, News 7.]
(( Equal Parents, Equal Time advocates having divorced couples share their parenting responsibilities equally.
[SOT=20:20:20]
[IN Q=WHEN BOTH PARENTS]
((BARRY CARTER/EQUAL PARENTS EQUAL TIME; WHEN BOTH PARENTS ARE INVOLVED, THERE'S A WHOLE LOT MORE COOPERATION, GIVEN THE CORRECT SUPPORT FROM THE COURTS, FROM MEDIATORS. AND GIVEN THE RIGHT SUPPORT FROM THOSE IN THE FAMILY.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=IN THE FAMILY.]
But according to this group, parents are being short-changed by the courts. That's having a direct impact on parent-children relationships.
[SOT=20:15:50]
[IN Q=MY OBSERVATION]
((STEVE COPUS/EQUAL PARENTS EQUAL TIME; MY OBSERVATION HAS BEEN THAT I KNOW SEVERAL PARENTS, INCLUDING MYSELF WHO REALLY HAVE STOOD UP AND FELT THEIR SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR CHILDREN AND HAVE SOUGHT TO FULFILL THAT THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM BUT HAVE BEEN REJECTED.)) [RUNS17]
[OUT Q=HAVE BEEN REJECTED.]
[STAND-UP/20:39:44] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; ORGANIZERS SAY THE CEREMONY IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO CHANGE LEGISLATION THAT CURRENTLY HOLDS CHILDREN OF DIVORCED PARENTS VICTIM TO THE SYSTEM. SOMETHING ONE PARENT IS DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF.)) [RUNS10]
[SOT=20:42:12]
[IN Q=NOW YOU HAVE]
((AL BEDROSIAN/PARENT; ALL THE SURVEYS IN THE WORLD SHOW YOU THAT YOU NEED BOTH PARENTS TO GET INVOLVED. THE RESEARCH IS THERE, I MEAN YOU'VE GOT KIDS THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT UP BY ONE PARENT OR THE OTHER. THAT'S NOT GOOD. THEY NEED BOTH.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=need both.]
The child advocate organization says it hopes for better solutions. David Johnson, News 7.))

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look now at your Thursday forecast..
Expect partly sunny skies today, with some storms possible later on. The humidity will be on the rise, to go along with temperatures around 90 degrees.
Overnight, look for some clouds to move in and the chance for rain sticks around through the night. Lows will be in the mid- to upper-60's.
The extended forecast...
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[SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Humid, with Storms/88-92/Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/65-69;]
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 7/31/98
Friday:

[SUPER=130-4/Morgan Mills/Radford]

[SUPER=130-11/Kim Gathercole/Shawsville]

[SUPER=130-/Rubin Johnson/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-60/Jess Bolen/Vinton]

[SUPER=130-1/Robert Simpson III/Hurt]

[SUPER=130-11/Ciera Sowers/Floyd]

[SUPER=130-40/Steve Clingenpeel/Boones Mill]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45E-Strike-React]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-43 1:34:56]
[GRAPHIC=GM]

G-M assembly plants re-open tomorrow now that the strike has been settled.
That means its back to work for some Southwest Virginia workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville;]

Yesterday was the first day back for some of the 200 people who were on leave from Wytheville's Kingston-Warren plant.
The plant makes rubber parts for G-M cars and had to shut down for the last two months.
That meant all of the plant's hourly employees were forced to leave.
And some of them had trouble making ends meet.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 08 43 tc]
[IN Q=they get unemployment]
((GARY COLE/PLANT MANAGER: THEY GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND THAT DOESN'T GO VERY FAR ... I KNOW EVERYBODY HERE IS GOING TO BE GLAD TO BE BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Cole/Plant Manager;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=GLAD TO BE BACK]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kingston-Warren expects production to go back to pre-strike levels this week.
Everyone should be back to work by Monday.
The plant's manager said he'd like to avoid a shutdown like this in the future by selling parts to other auto makers.

(------------)

[45Babies-Switched]

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

A possible criminal investigation is underway at the University of Virginia Medical Center.
Authorities are trying to determine if there was a DELIBERATE switch among newborns.
Two two babies were reportedly taken home by the WRONG mothers 3 years ago.
U-V-A officials say hospital safeguards would have prevented an ACCIDENTAL mix-up.
Medical personnel discovered the mistake when one of the children had genetic testing this month.

[45E-Hollins-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=NET-A]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

In Roanoke County, a collision between a cement truck and a motorcyle has left one person dead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The driver of the truck said his wheels slipped off the pavement on Hollins Road, and he lost control.
He never saw the motorcycle.
Police say 27-year-old Mark Azar (ay-czar) of Roanoke hit the back of the cement truck as it was sliding down the road.
He died at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
(------------)

[45Conrail-Split]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Rail Merger]

Some discouraging news for Virginia's two Railroad Companies.
Profits are reportedly down for Norfolk southern and C-S-X.
Both railroads blame it, in part, on the Conrail split.
Norfolk Southern's earnings declined two percent to 187 million dollars.
Net income for Richmond-based C-S-X fell 33 percent to 151 million dollars in the latest quarter.
Norfolk Southern Chairman David Goode said he believes the company's strategy is sound.
Federal regulators approved the Conrail takeover last week.

[45E-Buena-Vista]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-44 1:12:35]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Buena Vista residents are just learning how much they'll have to pay for a flood protection wall project completed last year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]

City residents are paying up--in the way of real estate reassessments.
The rates recently increased on average 30 point nine percent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11.22.33 - 11.22.51]
[IN Q=If I could]
((KATHERINE KING: IF I COULD AFFORD TO MOVE I WOULD MOVE AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELS LIKE THIS. THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THIS, BECAUSE IT'S RIDICULOUS. YOU KNOW, AND IT KEEPS GOING UP LIKE I SAID IT JUST WENT UP QUITE A BIT AND NOW IT'S GOING UP QUITE A BIT. HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PAY IT WITH OUR UTLIITIES YOU KNOW. HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO PAY ALL OF THIS.))
[SUPER=07-Katherine King;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=all of this.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The city's manager's own reassessment doubled.
But, he says the rates are not significantly higher.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10.17.09 - 10.17.18]
[IN Q=We manage our]
((DON COLLINS/BUENA VISTA CITY MANAGER: WE MANAGE OUR BUDGETS VERY WELL IT'S JUST A BAD TIME EVERY FOUR YEARS WHEN YOU HAVE A REASSESSMENT AND FOLKS JUST HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Collins/Buena Vista City Manager;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=to understand that.]
(-------------)
[VO NAT]
Many residents are appealing their reassessment to the Board of Equalization.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

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

Time again to check out the Thursday forecast--
Partly sunny and humid today, with scattered showers and storms likely.
Highs around 90.
Variably cloudy tonight, with a continued chance of showers.
Lows in the mid to upper 60s.
The extended forecast is calling for lingering showers or storms through Saturday...
[SUPER=X5000;set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Humid, with Storms/88-92/Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/65-69;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8E-Strike-React]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-43 1:34:56]
[GRAPHIC=GM ]

Now that the G- M strike is over, it's back- to- work for many Southwest Virginia workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville;]

Yesterday was the first day back for some of the 200 people who were on leave from Wytheville's Kingston-Warren plant.
The plant makes rubber parts for G-M cars and had to shut down for the last two months.
That meant all of the plant's hourly employees were forced to leave.
And some of them had trouble making ends meet.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 08 43 tc]
[IN Q=they get unemployment]
((GARY COLE/PLANT MANAGER: THEY GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND THAT DOESN'T GO VERY FAR ... I KNOW EVERYBODY HERE IS GOING TO BE GLAD TO BE BACK TO WORK.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Cole/Plant Manager;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=back to work]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kingston-Warren expects production to go back to pre-strike levels this week.
Everyone should be back to work by Monday.
The plant's manager said he'd like to avoid a shutdown like this in the future by selling parts to other auto makers.

(------------)

[8E-Henry-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-51 47:10]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Ivnestigation]

Yesterday, Henry county authorities arrested Elvis Duncan for the Easter weekend murder of Bessie Smith.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./File Tape;]

The body of the 63-year old woman was found in her yard-- behind the house where she lived alone for decades.
Henry County's sheriff said Amos had been beaten over the head with a blunt object and robbed of a few hundred dollars.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=none]

Elvis Duncan is already serving time in the Martinsville City Jail on breaking and entering charges.

[8E-Lesbian-Mom]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-27 47:00]
[GRAPHIC=legal scales]

A lesbian mother who won custody of her children in a Virginia court wants her story to be known.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.;]

We're NOT using her last name, so that her children won't be easily identified.
But Henrico County's "Karen C." talked openly with us, for the first time.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE ONE 14:14:40]
[IN Q=It's kind of]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: IT'S KIND OF JUST BEEN ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT-- HE KNEW HE HAD THAT HOLD OVER ME. AND I DON'T THINK EITHER OF US EVER INTENDED IT TO GO THIS FAR.))
[SUPER=01-Karen C./Lesbian Mother;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=this far.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

We don't know how many gay and lesbian parents win or lose custody each year in Virginia.
But when Karen contacted the A-C-L-U for help, she agreed to let her victory -- which is in the same Henrico court that took Sharon Bottoms' son away -- be made public.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 14;32;25]
[IN Q=What we're]
((KAREN C./LESBIAN MOTHER: WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS AT LEAST PUT IT OUT THERE SO PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS CASE HAPPENED. AND THAT THERE HAS BEEN, IT SEEMS TO BE, A CHANGE.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a change.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Karen and her live-in partner Cindy now have primary custody of her son and daughter.
(----------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

The deadline for Karen's ex-husband to appeal passed last week.

[8E-kICK-BOXING]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=pev]
[TAPE#=98-53 30:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Move over aerobics.
Kick-boxing is edging its way into local gyms and is quickly becoming a workout favorite.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Not only can you fend off foes, you can fight the battle of the bulge with some vigorous aerobic kick-boxing.
The sport offers a high impact workout with all the benefits of aerobics, and can also be modified for individuals who need lower impact exercises.
More and more, gyms and fitness centers offer kick-boxing in addition to more traditional work-outs, and for good reason.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Muscle & Fitness magazine. TCR 00:00:26]
[SUPER=01-Jenny Lacy/Taekwondo America;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=hands and arms equally. TCR 00:00:38]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Classes run six days a week, but you must attend at least three days a week for the optimum work-out benefit.
And don't worry, only the bag gets kicked, you and your partner are never required to spar.

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a break from the news to check the forecast---

Partly sunny and humid, with a good chance of showers and storms.
Highs around 90.
Variably cloudy, with a chance of showers tonight.
Lows in the upper 60s.
The four day outlook promises more scatteres showers and storms, otherwise partly sunny.
[SUPER=X5000;set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Humid, with Storms/88-92/Variably Cloudy/Chance of Showers/65-69;]