WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 10/21/98

[7Fitzgerald]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Ronald Fitzgerald]
Virginia's eleventh execution of the year is planned for tonight in Jarratt. (------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/January 1994;]

Ronald Lee Fitzgerald killed two men and raped two teenaged girls in Pittsylvania County.
He told his attornies he doesn't want to ask Governor Gilmore for clemency.
The 29-year old has said in interviews that he wants to be put to death because he knows the killins were wrong.
The U-S Supreme Court turned down his final appeal two days ago.
(------------)

[7E-Bluefield-Beating]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-58 1:26:40]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

The Bluefield, West Virginia Police Department is bracing for a lawsuit, after a 20-year old was paralyzed last month during a scuffle with officers.
Defense attorney Johnnie Cochran- who's best known for defending O-J Simpson- plans to file the 7-million dollar suit against the department.
Teresa Hamilton was at yesterday's press conference in Charleston, West Virginia and she has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If there's]
[SUPER=01-Johnnie Cochran/Ellison's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=03-Charleston, WV; :07]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Ellison/Robbie's Uncle; :15]
[SUPER=03-Bluefield, WV/File Tape; :33]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:20 approx.]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Charleston, WV.]
((
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If there's]
((JOHNNIE COCHRAN/ELLISON'S ATTORNEY:IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE WANT TO DO IT'S TO MAKE SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO ROBBIE ELLISON WAS NOT IN VAIN. )) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=in vain.]

Johnnie Cochran says he decided to get involved after he was contacted by the young man's family members still trying to deal with their grief.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He's]
((BOBBY ELLISON/ROBBIE'S UNCLE:HE'S WANTED TO DIE, HE HAS A NEWBORN CHILD HE'S NEVER HELD AND HE NEVER WILL. )) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=never will.]

Cochran wants the highest ranking federal officials to investigate this case and others.
He's especially critical of an internal investigation by the Bluefield P-D that recently cleared the officers of any wrong doing.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((IT'S EXACTLY THE SITUATION WHERE THE FOX IS GUARDING THE HEN'S HOUSE, WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=them to do.]

Ellison says his neck was broken when he was slammed against the trunk of a car and then knocked to the ground.
However, police say Ellison's injury occurred when one of the officers fell on top of Ellison while trying to bring him under control.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's ]
((JOHNNIE COCHRAN/ELLISON'S ATTORNEY:IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO SUFFER A TRANSECTION OF YOUR SPINAL CHORD AT C4 AND C5 MERELY FALLING TO THE GROUND, I THINK YOU'LL FIND IT TAKES A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. )) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=that to happen.]
[SU]
Although the Bluefield police department has wrapped up its findings...
The F-B-I's investigation is still ongoing.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Charleston, WV.))

[7E-Breast-Center]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=98-61 1:13:14]
[GRAPHIC=Breast Cancer Awareness]

October is breast cancer awareness month. Timeliness is crucial when it comes to fighting the disease.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
A new Breast Care Center in Roanoke is making it easier for women to remember their annual mammograms.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ub 12 31 30]
[IN Q=As a woman]
((MARGARET HARVEY/BREAST CARE CENTER DIR.: AS A WOMAN, OUR SCHEDULES GET SO BUSY AND WE FORGET TO GO GET OUR MAMMOGRAM, NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE WRITE IT DOWN AND WHAT WE DID IS WE HAVE A BASKET FULL OF FORGET ME NOT SEEDS AND WHEN THE PATIENT LEAVES WE GIVE HER THE PACKAGE SO SHE CAN REMEMBER TO GET HER MAMMOGRAM AND GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-Margaret Harvey/Breast Care Center Director; ]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=the next year]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The center is equipped with four mammography rooms, an ultrasound room, and dressing rooms all in a comfortable atmosphere. Since the Breast Care Center opened in late August, they've averaged 65 patients a day.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look now at your midweek forecast...
A cloudy and breezy day ahead, as temperatures only make it into the low- to mid-60s for highs.
Clouds stick around overnight, with the possibility for some scattered showers. Lows will dip down into the lower-40s.
The extended forecast continues to be chilly, with a mixture of sun and clouds...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds NW 10-15/62-66/Cloudy, Scattered/Showers Possible/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 10/22/98
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-10/David Strader/Danville]

[SUPER=130-/Jessie Saul/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-/Brian Jones, Jr./Roanoke]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-9/Michaelia Tyler/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-22/Sherea Mayo/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-31/Melissa Fitzgerald/Danville][cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][45E-Bus-Hit]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-69]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some tense moments last night for passengers on a Roanoke City bus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The bus was driving on Andrews street in Northwest Roanoke at about 8:30 when something smashed into a rear side window.
A young boy was hit by flying glass.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:08:29]
[IN Q=we were turning]
((PEGGY STONE/DRIVER; WE WERE TURNING, COMING UP THE HILL, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE CHILD STARTED CRYING AND WE THOUGHT HE'D BEEN SHOT))
[SUPER=01-Peggy Stone/Driver;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=he'd been shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police say it was a rock.
The child was treated on the scene and not seriously hurt.
It was a terrifying experience for passengers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:06:40]
[IN Q=just scared]
((ROBIN EASLEY/PASSENGER; JUST SCARED, ALL OF US WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF HE WAS ALRIGHT, BECAUSE HE WAS SCREAMING AND CRYING... I DON'T LIKE RIDING THE BUS NO MORE NOW, I AIN'T RIDING NO MORE AFTER THIS, I'LL GET MY MOTHER TO TAKE ME TO WORK.))
[SUPER=01-Robin Easley/Passenger;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=take me to work]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bus driver says this is the second time something like this has happened to her bus. Three weeks ago someone shot the bus with a bee-bee gun.
(------------)

[45E-Car-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=98-70 31:01]
[GRAPHIC=Car Accident]

Two people had to be airlifted to a Roanoke hospital last night following an accident on Interestate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

It happened at mile marker 1-17 at about 8:30.
Police say a tractor trailer struck a car, then hit a cement bridge column.
The driver of the car was thrown from the vehicle.
They were flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Police have not released the accident victim's names or conditions, but did say both are from out of state.
The accident is still under investigation.
(------------)

[45E-Cellphone-Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-66]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A new telecomunications tower is going up in Botetourt County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

Construction begins today next to another tower on Route 606.
The new tower should speed 9-1-1 response time by allowing rescue workers to use a more advanced radio system.
The tower is scheduled to be up by next month.
County officials are leasing space on the tower to Ohio State Cellular for a thousand dollars a month -- that way, they also settle a lawsuit out of court.
Ohio State sued Botetourt County last June for not letting it build a cellphone tower.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[45E-Greenfield]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-60]
[GRAPHIC=]
[wipe wipe wipe]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

Botetourt County officials are turning their attention to another construction project; the proposed Greenfield Elementary School.
Yesterday county supervisors agreed to borrow seven and a half million dollars for the school.
Construction is expected to begin around March.
The county has already spent seven million dollars on Greenfield, which will also include industrial sites, a historic display and walking trails.
(------------)

[45S-Reyes]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-64 37:18]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed against the city of Lynchburg in connection with an anti-abortion protest last year.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/November 1997;]

John Reyes (RAY-iss) was charged with violating the city's parade ordinance when he helped organize the rally at E-C Glass High School last November.
Reyes argued the ordinance was unconstitutional, but since he was never convicted, Judge Norman Moon dismissed his lawsuit.
Reyes is still appealing a six-month jail term he received for trespassing.
(----------------)

[45WEATHER]

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

Turning your attention now to the mid- week forecast--
Mostly cloudy skies today, with highs in the mid 60s.
Still cloudy tonight, with scattered showers possible.
Lows in the lower 40s.
The next few days stay cool, with partly cloudy skies tomorrow and highs in the mid 50s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds NW 10-15/62-66/Cloudy, Scattered/Showers Possible/40-45;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;][8Fitzgerald]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Ronald Fitzgerald]

Tonight, a convicted rapist and killer is scheduled to be Virginia's eleventh death row inmate to be executed this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/January 1994;]

Ronald Lee Fitzgerald killed two men and raped two teenaged girls in Pittsylvania County.
He told his attornies he doesn't want to ask Governor Gilmore for clemency.
The 29-year old has said in interviews that he wants to be put to death because he knows the killins were wrong.
The U-S Supreme Court turned down his final appeal two days ago.
(------------)

[8E-Mental-Health]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#98-68 28:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[****ANCHOR TAG****]
The General Assembly will eventually consider a list of proposed changes designed to improve Virginia's services for the mentally ill.
Closing Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is just ONE of the proposals.
The state- commissioned plan includes various cost-cutting measures-- such as closing state mental hospitals and relying more on community-based treatment programs.
Plenty of people aren't happy about what they've seen and heard so far.
Last night's hearing in Danville was one of 14-hearings scheduled to gain public input for the final version of this plan.
Christy Hubley reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This crowd of people]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=@Clement; :13]
[SUPER=01-Al Newman/Danville Community Services; :33]
[SUPER=01-Teresa Robinette/Concerned Mother; :54]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=Christy Hubley, News-7]
(( This crowd of people at Danville Community College wants to make sure the mentally ill don't lose out on needed services when Virginia transforms the way it provides mental health care.
Many here believe the draft plan falls short.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape 1 6:56:17-:30]
[IN Q=I'm not convinced these are]
((WHITT CLEMENT: I'M NOT CONVINCED THESE ARE THE ONLY OPTIONS...I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE DETAIL PROVIDED...AND INDEED TO SEE MORE OPTIONS PROVIDED.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=more options provided.]

What draws the most criticism is the recommended closing of Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT tape 1 7:01:42-:53]
[IN Q=In the absense of Southern]
((ALL NEWMAN:IN THE ABSENSE OF SOUTHERN, OUR CONSUMERS WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL.. FOR STATE HOSPITALIZATION.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=for state hospitalizations.]

Teresa Robinette's 12-year old daughter Courntey has cerbral palsy.
She's worried about a recommendation to move all children's services to one state facility.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 7:06:38-:44]
[IN Q=My greatest fear is]
((TERESA ROBINETTE: MY GREATEST FEAR IS TO BE SEPARATED FROM HER AND TO NOT KNOW WHAT THE QUALITY OF CARE WOULD BE.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=care would be.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[SS=None]

There are hearings in Lynchburg and Roanoke today.
The final plan is expected to be completed by December.

[8S-State-Song]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-56]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia State Seal]

There are now 339 tunes vying to become the new state song--
A state committee would have had to listen to some 17 hours of tape, as it tries to choose one.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Yesterday, the committee decided to try to narrow the list to the 50 favorites of each member.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE 3 15;13:04]
[IN Q=If it's]
((ROBERT HODGE: IF IT'S BECOMING A POPULARITY CONTEST, I MIGHT WANT TO BUY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF STAMPS AND LET THESE PEOPLE SEND THEIR LETTERS TO YOU.))09
[SOT TAPE 3 15:29:22]
((I'M JUST AMAZED TO HEAR ABOUT LETTERS BEING SENT IN TO VOTE FOR A SONG. BECAUSE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THEY'RE AN UNINFORMED ELECTORATE.))09
[SOT TAPE 3 13:52:57]
((WHAT HAPPENS TO THE 338 LOSERS?))
[SUPER=01-Robert Hodge/Songwriter; :00]
[SUPER=01-Margaret Ann Holt/Songwriter; :10]
[SUPER=01-Maria McLaughlin/Songwriter; :]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=338 losers?]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The committee expects to get to some number "like 10 songs" early next year.
That list would probably be debated until the General Assembly's 2000 session.
(-------0---------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Shifting gears now to weather--
Mostly cloudy skies throughout the day, with breezy conditions.
Highs in the mid 60s.
Scattered showers are possible overnight, as lows fall into the 40s.
And the four day forecast calls for COOLER weather...with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds NW 10-15/62-66/Cloudy, Scattered/Showers Possible/40-45;]