[THIRTY-WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]
[7E-Switched-Babies]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-63 8:09]
[GRAPHIC=baby swap]
The children need to come first.
So spoke Paula Johnson at a newsconference yesterday.
The mother of one of two children switched at birth 3 years ago says protecting the little girls is her top priority.
Steve Smallshaw has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Paula Johnson]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :19 (quick!)]
[SUPER=01-Paula Johnson/Mother; :37]
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Johnson/Paula Johnson's Attorney; 1:01]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=News7, Charlottesville.]
(( Paula Johnson says one look at a picture of Rebecca Chittum was all she needed to convince herself that Rebecca was her biological child.
Authorities believe Chittum and 3- year- old Callie Johnson were somehow switched after birth at the UVA hospital in 1995.. Johnson learned last month that Callie was NOT her real daughter.
The mixup came to light AFTER Chittum's parents died in a fiery crash in Botetourt County July 4th.
While they wait for D-N-A tests to confirm the childrens' lineage, Johnson says she's been trying to cope with the media frenzy her case has generated.. while trying to protect the two little girls.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:13:43]
[IN Q=My main concern]
((PAULA JOHNSON/MOTHER: MY MAIN CONCERN IS.. .. THE CHILDREN ARE TAKEN CARE OF.))
[RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=are taken care of.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:36:30]
[IN Q=We're fortunate]
((CYNTHIA JOHNSON/PAULA JOHNSON'S ATTORNEY: WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT THESE TWO FAMILIES AREN'T FAR APART.. ..MAKE SOME NEW ONES.))
[RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=some new ones.]
(/////SOT/////)
[Standup ]
[IN Q=The investigation]
((The investigation into the alleged mixup will continue, but Paula Johnson's attorney says it's too early to tell whether they'll hold UVA legally accountable for what happened. For now, both sides are trying to work out an agreement where all the families involved will have a role in these young girls' lives. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Charlottesville.))
[RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=News7, Charlottesville.]))
[7-2-E-BV-Babies]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-41 1:58:51]
[GRAPHIC=baby swap]
The paternal grandparents have given their approval. Now a family attorney says Rebecca Chittum's MATERNAL grandparents may announce today whether they will allow D-N-A testing on the little girl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Their attorney says even if the tests show the babies were switched at birth, a private arrangement between all the adults involved seems the most likely outcome.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=everyone at this]
((MICHAEL IRVINE/CHITTUM'S ATTORNEY; EVERYONE AT THIS POINT HAS SHOWN A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION AND THIS TRAGEDY HAS BROUGHT THE FAMILIES EVEN CLOSER TOGETHER AND THEY SEEM TO WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR REBECCA AND THESE CHILDREN INVOLVED AND I JUST HOPE AND PRAY THEY CONTINUE TO DO THAT, I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Irvine/Chittum's Attorney;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=that they will]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The final decision on whether to allow DNA testing lies with Chittum's MATERNAL grandparents.
[7Charge-Reduced]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=net- ;from 96-108, 2-25-97]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A West Virginia teen charged with shooting another man is now facing a reduced charge of first degree murder.
(---------------)
[vo-nat]
[super=03-Floyd Co./February 1997]
19-year-old Mark Anthony Beavers WAS facing a capital murder charge after the shooting death of Stanley Harmon Senior.
Harmon's car, wallet, and rifle were missing when his body was found.
Beavers' attorney argued that robbery was NOT a motive in the killing, it was only an afterthought.
(---------)
[anchor=melanie]
[ss=none]
Circuit Judge Ray Grubbs agreed and reduced the capital murder charge to first-degree murder.
Beavers says he was enraged by a sexual advance from Harmon, and THAT'S why he killed him.
[7WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a look at your mid-week forecast..
This weeks pattern of pleasant weather continues today. Look for much of the same conditions- with temperatures in the mid- to upper-80's under sunny skies.
Skies remain clear overnight, with some light winds. Lows will be in the mid- to upper-50's.
The extended forecast..
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Seasonable/Winds SE 10/85-89/Clear Skies/Light Winds/55-59;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 8/6/98
Thursday:
Twins!
[SUPER=130-6/Jacob & Jessica Givens/Covington]
[SUPER=130-2/Brittney Price/Radford]
[SUPER=130-9/Katrina Thompson/Fairfield]
[SUPER=130-87/Warren Burnette/Bedford]
[SUPER=130-4/Matthew Blades/Roanoke]
[SUPER=130-60/Nancy Coppins/Snow Creek]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45Home-Depot]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-52; TC 36:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The construction of a new Home Depot in South Roanoke County is at the center of controversy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
A developer seeks to rezone a 20-acre tract of property near the corner of 419 and Brambleton Avenue.
County officials say 21 businesses and 10 homeowners whose property skirts the project have signed options agreeing to sell.
But others feel the retail store will do more harm than good.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=19:31:40]
[IN Q=WE HAVE A]
((DOUG BASHAM/BRAMBLETON HARDWARE; WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON 419 AT SUGARLOAF FARMS, SUGARLOAF RESIDENTS. WILL WE JUST CONTINUE TO ENCROACH AND GRADUALLY EAT UP ALL OF THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES ALONG THE CORRIDOR OF 419? I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR.))
((ELMER HODGE/COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR; HOME DEPOT IS CONTINUING TO EVALUATE THE SITE. THEY'VE BEEN TO THE PROPERTY AND REVIEWED THE PROPERTY AND THEY'RE VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN THE PROPERTY. THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH THE ISSUES, AS WE ARE, ON THE NEIGHBORING AREAS. SO WE HAVE TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES. TRAFFIC AND THINGS OF THAT TYPE.))
[SUPER=01-Doug Basham/Brambleton Hardware; :00]
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/County Administrator; :17]
[RUNS=:36]
[OUT Q=THAT TYPE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Hodge says the project is not a done deal.
The county's planning commission will vote on the rezoning request in two weeks.
(------------)
[45E-Habitat]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-42 1:41:20]
[GRAPHIC=Habitat for Humanity]
Some propert in northwest Roanoke designated several Habitat for Humanity homes will instead be turned into a park, that after the city purchased the land.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Residents who live near the site say Habitat homes would bring down their property values.
Melva Jeffries said SHE grew up in public housing and can sympathize with people who typically move into the affordable Habitat homes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 47 54]
[IN Q=i worked]
((MELVA JEFFRIES/WESTVIEW TERRACE RESIDENT: I WORKED MY WAY UP AND I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE DO TRY TO GET OUT OF POVERTY. BUT NOT AT MY EXPENSE, NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF MY HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Melva Jeffries/Westview Terrace Resident;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=EXPENSE OF MY HOME]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Habitat says its homes WOULD NOT affect nearby property values.
But the organization is willing to find another building site ... if the city reimburses the group for the money it has already spent in Westview Terrace.
(------------)
[45E-Tobacco-Market]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-50 52:26]
[GRAPHIC=tobacco]
The tobacco selling season kicked off in Danville yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT (nats of auction)]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=(nats of auction)]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Leaders, including Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Senator Chuck Robb, travelled to Danville for the first auction of the season.
These compressed bales of tobacco are new to Danville markets-- which usually auction off loose leaf piles.
Buyers seem willing to pay more for these bales because of their convenience.
But growers aren't too sure they like the idea of baling their tobacco.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:19:02-:17]
[IN Q=It will actually]
((C.D. BRYANT/TOBACCO FARMER: IT WILL ACTUALLY BE, I THINK, A DISADVANATE FOR ME ON THE FARM. I'VE GOT TO HAVE A LARGE MACHINE THAT I'VE GOT TO PURCHASE WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME 15-20 THOUSAND DOLLARS WHICH IS GOING TO BE AN EXTRA EXPENSE.))
[SUPER=01-C. D. Bryant/Tobacco Farmer;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=an extra expense.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Almost all of the tobacco sold yesterday was carry-over from last year and went for an average one dollar and 80 cents per pound.
This year's crop should be ready for market next week.
(----------------)
[45WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Turning your attention now to weather--
Sunny and seasonable today, with highs in the upper 80s.
Clear skies tonight, with lows in the upper 50s.
No real changes in the extended outlook, partly sunny skies with highs in the 80s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Seasonable/Winds SE 10/85-89/Clear Skies/Light Winds/55-59;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8babies-conference]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=Baby Swap]
The well- being of the two girls switched at birth comes FIRST.
That's the feeling of the mother of ONE of the girls.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville;]
Yesterday, Paula Johnson and her lawyer said the two families will meet soon to sort out questions of who should care for the 3-year old girls.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is no]
((
CYNTHIA JOHNSON, PAULA JOHNSON'S ATTORNEY: THERE IS NO REASON TO GET
COURTS INVOLVED.
))
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Johnson/Paula Johnson's Lawyer;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=get the courts involved.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Last month after DNA tests were conducted for a seperate case, Johnson discovered that it was genetically impossible for the little girl who calls her mommy to be her daughter.
University of Virginia Hospital officials believe this little girl, Rebecca Chittum, is actually Johnson's child.
The two girls were born just hours apart at the medical center.
Recently Paula Johnson was given a picture of Rebecca.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=She's]
((
PAULA JOHNSONS:SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL CHILD WHO LOOKS JUST LIKE ME."
))
[SUPER=01-Paula Johnson/Mother;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=looks just like me.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
The mix-up took another tragic turn when the parents raising the other child were killed in car accident in Botetourt County July 4th.
(----------------)
[wipe wipe wipe]
[8E-BV-Babies]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-41 1:58:51]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Rebecca Chittum's PATERNAL grandparents say they want D-N-A tests done to determine who the girl's biological parents are.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=everyone at this]
((MICHAEL IRVINE/CHITTUM'S ATTORNEY; EVERYONE AT THIS POINT HAS SHOWN A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION AND THIS TRAGEDY HAS BROUGHT THE FAMILIES EVEN CLOSER TOGETHER AND THEY SEEM TO WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR REBECCA AND THESE CHILDREN INVOLVED AND I JUST HOPE AND PRAY THEY CONTINUE TO DO THAT, I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Irvine/Chittum's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=that they will]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The final decision on DNA testing lies with Rebecca's MATERNAL grandparents. (Ir-vin) Irvine says that decision could come as early as today.
[8Charge-Reduced]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=net-H;from 96-108, 2-25-97]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A judge has reduced murder charges against a teenager in a year- old murder case.
(---------------)
[vo-nat]
[super=03-Floyd Co./February 1997]
19-year-old Mark Anthony Beavers WAS facing a capital murder charge after the shooting death of Stanley Harmon Senior.
Harmon's car, wallet, and rifle were missing when his body was found.
Beavers' attorney argued that robbery was NOT a motive in the killing, it was only an afterthought.
(---------)
[anchor=melanie]
[ss=none]
Circuit Judge Ray Grubbs agreed and reduced the capital murder charge to first-degree murder.
Beavers says he was enraged by a sexual advance from Harmon, and THAT'S why he killed him.
[8E-Night-Out]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-53 34:03]
[GRAPHIC=Education]
Last night, FUN outweighed CRIME all across the nation.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
Crime PREVENTION was the focus of the National Night Out.
Communities across southwest Virginia and the country learned how to make themselves safer.
In Danville, the fun and educational program had a Mayberry theme-- complete with the Mayberry deputy.
Children and their parents could play games, check out fire engines, and pick up important information about community groups.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 51:31-:44]
[IN Q=It brings neighborhood watch]
((STEVE ANDERSON/DANVILLE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER: IT BRINGS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PEOPLE TOGETHER WITH OTHERS, THEY LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER. END RESULT: THEY'RE BUYING INTO THE COMMUNITY, LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER BETTER, AND LEARNING SOMETHING IN A FUN-FILLED WAY HOPEFULLY.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Anderson/Danville Crime Prevention Officer;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=fun-filled way hopefully.]
(-------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
[8E-Rke-Night-Out]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=lba]
[TAPE#=98-52 53:06]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
It was a Night Out for many Roanokers, too.
The Trinity Lutheran Church hosted a bake sale... complete with ice cream.
Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a Neighborhood Watch sign.
Police officers distributed badges to the children.
Some had a little trouble juggling their food and badge at the same time.
(------------)
[8WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Before we finish this morning update, here's another look at the mid-week forecast.
Sunny skies and seasonable temperatures today, with highs in the upper 80s.
Clear overnight, with lows cooling into the 50s.
The four day forecast stays much the same, with partly sunny skies and highs in the 80s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Seasonable/Winds SE 10/85-89/Clear Skies/Light Winds/55-59;]
by SS