WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 08/10/98

[THIRTY-WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Steve]

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

[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[cutopen]

[7E-Willow-River]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-54; 47:04]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]

Fire struck again early yesterday morning at a Salem Apartment Complex.
It was the seventh fire to hit Willow River in the last two weeks--and residents are becoming more concerned.
Scott Goldberg has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was barely]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :05]
[SUPER=01-John Kennedy/Willow River Resident; :14 QUICK!!!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Mills/Property Manager; :35 QUICK!!!!!]
[SUPER=@Scott1; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=sg,n7,salem]
(( It was barely Sunday morning when Willow River woke up to its recurring nightmare.
Another fire.
Another jolt to the residents' already broken sense of security.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape 1 at 9 31 15]
[IN Q=i'm terrified]
((JOHN KENNEDY: I'M TERRIFIED. I DON'T SLEEP. YOU CAN'T. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? YOU HAVE TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER EVERY FEW MINUTES, MAKE SURE NOBODY'S GOING TO CATCH YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=HOUSE ON FIRE]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 10 57]
[IN Q=if y'all]
((IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS .... PLEASE.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=PLEASE]

After the smoke went away, the answers still were not clear.
How would they protect themselves from another attack?
And how could the people who lost their homes afford to move?
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 21 55]
[IN Q=so there are]
((SO THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO MOVE AND DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO MOVE AND YOU WANT US TO WAIT TWO WEEKS.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=TWO WEEKS]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 28 41]
[IN Q=I LIVE]
((DEBBIE MILLS/PROPERTY MANAGER: I LIVE HERE AND WE'RE ALL SCARED.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=ALL SCARED]

Debbie Mills manages the apartment complex and delivered the news many did not want to hear:
It will take at least two weeks for displaced residents to get their deposits back. [crying at 11 26 59]
And even though so many people want to move, only the ones whose apartments were destroyed are legally free to break their leases.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 32 17]
[IN Q=we have to]
((DEBBIE MILLS: WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS CALMLY AND RATIONALLY. AND THAT'S HARD RIGHT NOW.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=HARD RIGHT NOW]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=salem's fire chief]
((SCOTT GOLDBERG/REPORTING: SALEM'S FIRE CHIEF TOLD APARTMENT RESIDENTS NOT TO JUMP TO ANY CONCLUSIONS. IRONICALLY, FRIDAY POLICE CONCLUDED THEY A 10-YEAR-OLD IN CUSTODY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRES AND EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE O-K. NOW RESIDENTS ARE MAKING A CONCLUSION OF THEIR OWN: EVERYTHING IS NOT OK. SCOTT GOLDBERG, NEWS-7,SALEM.)) [RUNS20]
[OUT Q=news 7, salem]))

[7E-Carmike-Cinemas]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-41; 2:01:29]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A fire alarm triggered an evacuation last night at the new Carmike Cinema in south Roanoke County.
This just two nights after the theatre celebrated it's grand opening.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Roanoke County Fire officials say an apparent short in the alarm system tripped the fire alarm.
No injuries were reported.
Officials decided to close the theatre complex for the night and gave out refunds or movie passes.
(------------)

[7E-Baby-Swap]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-58; 17:56]
[GRAPHIC=Baby Swap]

Two families could find out for sure today if they have been raising a child that is not biologically their own.
The results of D-N-A tests on Rebecca Chittum could be back from the lab as early as this afternoon.
In the meantime, family members involved in the baby- switching case seem to be pleased with their first meeting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

According to published reports, relatives from the Chittum family met with Paula Johnson in Ivy--a town just outside of Charlottesville, on Friday.
That's despite earlier reports of a meeting scheduled for today.
The Washington Post reports that family members talked about Rebecca Grace Chittum and Callie Marie Johnson as well as all the attention from the media.
Both sides say they have NO intention of trying to get custody of the other's child.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look at your Monday forecast..
Expect variably cloudy skies, with a chance for showers and thunderstorms lingering throughout the day. Highs will be in the low- to mid-80's.
Skies stay cloudy tonight, with lows only dropping into the low-70's.
The extended forecast...
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MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Variable Cloudiness/Showers-Thunderstorms/80-85/Partly/Cloudy/70-75;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 8/11/98
Tuesday:

[SUPER=130-2/Malik Campbell/Rocky Mount]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=130-25th/Brooks & Opal Bedsaul/Galax]

[SUPER=130-9/Malcolm Perdue/Hardy]

[SUPER=130-/Harold Bryson/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-18/Lee Suggs, Jr./Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-6/Alisa Johnson/Martinsville]

[SUPER=130-5/Tina Johnson/Martinsville]

[SUPER=130-5/Haley Dillon/Smith Mountain Lake]

[SUPER=130-1/Kason Payne/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-4/Johnathan Rice/Buena Vista]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Martha Anderson/Roanoke][cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45E-Carmike-Cinemas]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-41; 2:01:29]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The brand new Carmike Cinema say action off the screen last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Moviegoers had to evacuate the facility after a fire alarm went off.
But Roanoke County Fire officials found no fire.
An apparent short in the alarm system tripped the alarm.
No injuries were reported.
Officials decided to close the theatre complex for the night and gave out refunds or movie passes.
(------------)

[45E-Bell-Strike]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-43; 1:47]
[GRAPHIC=Bell Atlantic Logo]

Striking Bell Atlantic employees say they'll be on the picket lines 24 hours a day until they get a new contract.
[ss=Strike]

Company and union officials have been meeting non-stop since yesterday afternoon to try to end the stalemate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The Communications Workers of America union want better job security.
Key issues include the hiring of non-union workers. [website]
Bell Atlantic insists it has given the workers an attractive contract offer.
The phone company says there is "no reason" anyone should go on strike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 17 39]
[IN Q=if bell atlantic]
((DAVID LAYMAN/COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA: IF BELL ATLANTIC THINKS THERE'S NO REASON FOR THE STRIKE OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE REAL ISSUES HERE. THE ISSUES OF JOB SECURITY, FARMING OUT THE WORK OF PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE, FORCED OVERTIME AND VACATION SELECTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-David Layman/Comm. Workers of America;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=VACATION SELECTIONS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The striking workers are customer service representatives.
So while they're walking the picket line, customers will have to wait longer for operator assistance and repair services.
(------------)

[45E-Halifax-Murder]

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

Halifax County officials continue their investigation into a Friday shooting.
It happened sometime between eight and 10-30 Friday night along Mount Carmel Road, in the Alton Community.
Authorities say 30-year old Ronda Stone was apparently shot in her mobile home.

[45E-Marijuana-Burn]

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

It was worth around a million dollars, now nothing is left but ashes.
Over the weekend West Virginia officials seized more than 500- marijuana plants in Monroe County and then burned them.
Officials were told about the crop by a hunter who became suspicious when a plot of land in a thickly, wooded area, near Peterstown, was recently cleared.
Authorities kept the area under surveillance for about two weeks before making the raid.

[45E-Giles-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=98-44; 1:27:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A new meeting place for the Giles County board of superviros.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pearisburg/Thursday;]

The Board has held its first meeting in the newly renovated General District courthouse.
The facility will also house the county health department as well as the registrar's office.
The project, which is still underway, will end up costing a little more than a million dollars.
Board Chairman Jay Williams says 70 percent of that amount will be paid back to the county by the state health department over a 20- year period.
(/////SOT/////)
[9:10:35]
[SOT]
[IN Q=The judges]
((JAY WILLIAMS/GILES CO. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:THE JUDGES OF THE COURT SYSTEM HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR ABOUT EIGHT YEARS TO GET THE COUNTY TO DO THIS PROJECT AND ITS WENT BACK AND FORTH FOR FOUR FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE CURRENT BOARD FINALLY REALIZED THE BUCK HAD TO A HEAD AND IT WAS TIME TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND THE BOARD REMODELED IT TO MAKE A NEW FACILITY. ))
[SUPER=01-Jay Williams/Giles Co. Board of Supervisors; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=new facility.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Board was also introduced to the county's new extension agent.
John Scott is expected to serve more than a hundred local farmers.
The county has been without an extension agent for about two years.
(----------------)

[45WEATHER]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8E-Willow-River]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-54; 47:04]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]

Residents at a Salem Apartment complex may be finding it hard sleep.
For the seventh time in just two weeks a fire has broken out Willow River.
The latest fire on Sunday comes just two days after a child was taken into custody in connection to some of the previous fires.
Scott Goldberg reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was barely]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :05]
[SUPER=01-John Kennedy/Willow River Resident; :14 QUICK!!!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Mills/Property Manager; :35 QUICK!!!!!]
[SUPER=@Scott1; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=sg,n7,salem]
(( It was barely Sunday morning when Willow River woke up to its recurring nightmare.
Another fire.
Another jolt to the residents' already broken sense of security.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape 1 at 9 31 15]
[IN Q=i'm terrified]
((JOHN KENNEDY: I'M TERRIFIED. I DON'T SLEEP. YOU CAN'T. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? YOU HAVE TO LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER EVERY FEW MINUTES, MAKE SURE NOBODY'S GOING TO CATCH YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=HOUSE ON FIRE]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 10 57]
[IN Q=if y'all]
((IF Y'ALL HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS .... PLEASE.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=PLEASE]

After the smoke went away, the answers still were not clear.
How would they protect themselves from another attack?
And how could the people who lost their homes afford to move?
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 21 55]
[IN Q=so there are]
((SO THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO MOVE AND DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO MOVE AND YOU WANT US TO WAIT TWO WEEKS.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=TWO WEEKS]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 28 41]
[IN Q=I LIVE]
((DEBBIE MILLS/PROPERTY MANAGER: I LIVE HERE AND WE'RE ALL SCARED.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=ALL SCARED]

Debbie Mills manages the apartment complex and delivered the news many did not want to hear:
It will take at least two weeks for displaced residents to get their deposits back. [crying at 11 26 59]
And even though so many people want to move, only the ones whose apartments were destroyed are legally free to break their leases.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 32 17]
[IN Q=we have to]
((DEBBIE MILLS: WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS CALMLY AND RATIONALLY. AND THAT'S HARD RIGHT NOW.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=HARD RIGHT NOW]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=salem's fire chief]
((SCOTT GOLDBERG/REPORTING: SALEM'S FIRE CHIEF TOLD APARTMENT RESIDENTS NOT TO JUMP TO ANY CONCLUSIONS. IRONICALLY, FRIDAY POLICE CONCLUDED THEY A 10-YEAR-OLD IN CUSTODY WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRES AND EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE O-K. NOW RESIDENTS ARE MAKING A CONCLUSION OF THEIR OWN: EVERYTHING IS NOT OK. SCOTT GOLDBERG, NEWS-7,SALEM.)) [RUNS20]
[OUT Q=news 7, salem]))

[8E-Carmike-Cinemas]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-41; 2:01:29]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A fire scare last night at a Roanoke County theatre.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Just a few days after it opened the new Carmike 10 at Tanglewood mall had to be evacuated.]
Roanoke County Fire officials say an apparent short in the alarm system tripped the alarm.
Officials decided to close the theatre complex for the night and gave out refunds or movie passes.
(------------)

[8E-Baby-Swap]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-58; 17:56]
[GRAPHIC=Baby Swap]

The chief of staff at the U-V-A Center, where two babies went home with the wrong parents, says the weight difference between the girls should have triggered alarm bells.
Records show Paula Johnson gave birth to a nine-pound, six-ounce baby but went home with a seven-pound, 12-ounce baby.
Authorities meanwhile, say results of D-N-A tests on Rebecca Chittum could be available today.
Both families met last week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

According to published reports, relatives from the Chittum family met with Paula Johnson in Ivy--a town just outside of Charlottesville, on Friday.
That's despite earlier reports of a meeting scheduled for today.
The Washington Post reports that family members talked about Rebecca Chittum and the other child, Callie Johnson, as well as all the media attention.
Both sides say they have NO intention to sue for custody.
(----------------)