[7Cressell]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Emmitt Cressell]


Jury selection begins today in Grayson County for the Capital murder trial of Emmitt Cressell Junior.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Independence/File Tape]


Cressell is charged with the brutal July 19-97 killing of Garnett "G-P" Johnson.
Prosecutors say Cressell and Louis Ceparano doused Johnson with gasoline, set him on fire, then beheaded his corpse.
Ceparano entered an Alford plea in May.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


We'll have more from Grayson County later today on News-7 at Noon.


[7Poindexter]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Derek Poindexter]


The identities of two Roanoke police officers placed on "administrative leave" have been released.
The city manager's office said officers R-A Johnson and M-L Pendleton are NOT being punished for apprehending a suspect that died in their custody Friday night.
They remain on the police department payroll, and will be on leave only while an internal investigation is conducted.

Derek Poindexter died after being sprayed with pepper spray at the city jail.[7E-L'burg-Council]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-65 34:23]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg City Seal]


The city of Lynchburg is trying to change its image.
City Council hopes a newly approved riverfront revitalization will bring more tourists AND residents to downtown.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you know]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Stellmon/Business Owner; :25]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :34]
[SUPER=01-Rachel Flynn/Lynchburg City Planner; :50]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]


(( If you know where to look, you can see some of the changes that have already been made along the riverfront.
This intersection near Jefferson Street has been repaved, with new brick sidewalks and plantings and a pathway down to the James River.
Lynchburg hopes to add the same cosmetic touches elsewhere.. adding new benches, lighting and sidewalks.
The idea is to make downtown more attractive.. not just to tourists, but to city residents who normally avoid the area.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:37:29]
[IN Q=Having been]

((MICHELLE STELLMON/BUSINESS OWNER: HAVING BEEN DOWN HERE, I KNOW THAT MY BEST CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN. WE REALLY NEED TO BRING THE AWARENESS TO OUR TOWN.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=to our town.]
(/////SOT/////)

[Standup ]
[IN Q=Many feel]

((Many feel part of the problem is that downtown shuts down after 5 o'clock. Except for the occasional restaurant, all of the shops and businesses have closed for the night, and there's almost no one on the streets. City officials hope the new plan will help change that perception, and make this area the place to be both day and night.)) [RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=day and night.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 6:03:29]
[IN Q=Once it's ]

((RACHEL FLYNN/LYNCHBURG CITY PLANNER: ONCE IT'S SUCCESSFUL, THEN I THINK PEOPLE WILL COME BACK BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THAT IT'S SAFE, NUMBER ONE, THERE IS THAT SENSE OF ORDER, IT'S BEATIFUL.. ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE LOOK FOR.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=people look for.]


Of course it will cost money.. at least a million dollars a year for the next five years.
City council approved the concept Tuesday.. how to fund it will be decided later.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

[7S-Private-Robb]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=98-68 34:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginia's junior Senator is getting some national attention for the time he spent as a soldier in Vietnam.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


An article in the November issue of "George" profiles six U-S Senators with combat experience, first among them: Chuck Robb.
More than serving in the Senate, even more than serving as Governor of Virginia, Robb says: serving as a Marine infantry company commander- -in combat- -in Vietnam- -was the "defining experience" of his life.
"This platoon of warriors"- -which also includes 11 House members- -deserves our respect," says the author of the article, "for risking their lives for us, for showing that Vietnam veterans, so often maligned and marginalized in the media... are in fact at the forefront of our society...."
(------------)


[7WEATHER]


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



Taking a look now at your midweek forecast..
A variably cloudy day ahead. Expect temperatures to rise again into the lower-70s with some light southwesterly winds.
Clouds stick around overnight, with lows dropping to about 50 degrees.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]

MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Winds SW 10/70-74/Partly/Cloudy/48-52;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[7BIRTHDAYS!] 10/29/98
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-8/Amanda Doyle/Roanoke] (Sam's daughter)



[SUPER=130-31/Marshall Moore, II/Roanoke]



[SUPER=130-1/Leah Lindsay/Cloverdale]



[SUPER=130-3/Nicholas Hawley/Roanoke]



[SUPER=130-44/Randy Zeigler/Union Hall]



[SUPER=130-65/Dorothy Crimming/Salem]



[SUPER=130-75/Matthew Newcomb/Gretna]



[SUPER=130-69/Ray Mitchell/Roanoke]



[SUPER=130-5/Taylor Walker/Buena Vista]


No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-50/Frances Ruley/Roanoke]



[SUPER=131-11/Emily Drivers/Salem]



[SUPER=131-/Albert Smith/Roanoke]


Anniversary:
[SUPER=131-15th/Warren & Karen Richardson/Christiansburg]



[SUPER=131-/Junior Walker/Snow Creek]



[SUPER=131-/Russell Wingfield/Snow Creek]



[SUPER=131-/Tammy Tingler/Vinton]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][45County-Supers]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-72]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County]


The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors met last night, and for the first time in recent months, the main topic was not the proposed new south County high school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


A group of parents that support the renovation and expansion of Glenvar Middle School presented a project that is also part of the first phase of planned school improvements.
Though the pricetag now exceeds orginial estimates by more than two million dollars, supporters are urging the supervisors to find the funding.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 06:10:18]
[IN Q=And when we did the math.]

((AND WHEN WE DID THE MATH AND MADE THOSE COMPARISONA, WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE COST AND SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT IS NOT OUT OF LINE AND I BELIEVE IF YOU EXMAINE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, YOU'LL REACH THAT CONCLUSION, TOO. SO THEN IF WE KNOW THAT THE NEED IS REAL, THE COST IS REASONABLE, THEN I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, CAN THE COUNTY AFFORD IT? BUT I WOULD ASK YOU, HOW CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO FULLY FUND THIS PROJECT.))
[SUPER=01-Linda Palmer/Glenvar Parent;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=not to fully fund this project.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Last night, the supervisors also dealt with the controversial Comprehensive Plan.
They delayed final approval until January, to give the Roanoke Regional Homebuilders and other critics an opportunity to review the document, and take part in a December work session.

[45E-Legislative-Pay]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-59]
[GRAPHIC=Va Capitol]


Some of Virginia's citizens- including two former governors- are deciding what the state's politicians are worth.
Lawmakers want to increase their office budgets and special meeting pay this year- that is now in the hands of the State Supreme Court.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Now you]
[SUPER=@Wilkins; :00]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :11]
[SUPER=@Thomas; :33]
[SUPER=@file; :45]
[SUPER=@Marye; :54]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Qualls, news 7, Richmond.]
(([sot 13:34:27]

((DEL. VANCE WILKINS/R-AMHERST: NOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN CONVENED I BELIEVE TO PROVIDE COVER FOR US. WHEN YOU RECOMMEND A HIGH SALARY, THEN WE CAN VOTE FOR IT.)) [runs:08]
Vance Wilkins is against a pay raise.
He says it would be dangerous to the concept of public service.
Virginia senators make 18- thousand dollars in straight salary -- with more for expenses.
Delegates make a little bit less.
In North Carolina, they pay them 13-thousand-951 dollars a year.
West Virginia pays 15- thousand even.
But Maryland shells out 29-thousand-700.
[sot 13:26:52]

((DEL. VIC THOMAS/D-ROANOKE: I GO IN THE OFFICE EARLY MORNING. AND I'M THERE UNTIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, UNLESS I'VE GOT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR WHATEVER. AND PEOPLE COME THROUGH MY DOORS-- THEY DON'T EVEN KNOCK. THEY JUST WALK IN.)) [runs:12]
Most Virginia lawmakers say they spend much more than full-time hours on a part-time job.
And 750- dollars A YEAR is NOT a lot for office expenses.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:14:00]
[IN Q=I now]

((SEN. MADISON MARYE/D-SHAWSVILLE: I NOW HAVE THE ONLY OFFICE PROBABLY IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT SHARES HALF OF A DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=wide trailer.]



[sot standup]

Even Delegate Vance Wilkins -- who opposes a pay raise -- acknowledged that most lawmakers would be better off financially if they got beat or quit.
UVA professor Larry Sabato actually recommended an eight thousand dollar raise and then scaling them to cost of living increases.
Governors Holton and Baliles say they will have a recommendation by December 2nd.
Ellen Qualls, N7, Richmond.))

[45WEATHER]


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


Turning your attention now to weather--
Expect a mixture of clouds and sun today, with highs warming again into the lower 70s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows falling to around 50.
Over the next four days, we'll stay dry, with daytime highs in the 60s and 70s...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Winds SW 10/70-74/Partly/Cloudy/48-52;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][8Poindexter]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Derek Poindexter]


The Roanoke City Manager's office has released the names of the two officers placed on "Administrative Leave", following the death of a suspect in their custody.
They say Officers R-A Johnson and M-L Pendleton are NOT being punished for apprehending the man who died in their custody Friday night.
They remain on the police department payroll, and will be on leave only while an internal investigation is conducted.

Derek Poindexter died after being sprayed with pepper spray at the city jail.[8Cressell]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Emmitt Cressell]


In Grayson county, jury selection will begin today in the capital murder trial of Emmitt Cressell Junior.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Independence/File Tape]


Cressell is charged with the brutal July 19-97 killing of Garnett "G-P" Johnson.
Prosecutors say Cressell and Louis Ceparano doused Johnson with gasoline, set him on fire, then beheaded his corpse.
Ceparano entered an Alford plea in May.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


We'll have more from Grayson County later today on News-7 at Noon.


[8Forest-Fires]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fire Danger]


The dry weather has led to some fires in the Jefferson and George Washington National Forests.
As of Friday, NO campfires will be allowed in the forests because the dry conditions have increased the danger of forest fires.
Smoking will also be banned unless the smoker is in a vehicle or building.
Stoves, grills and lanterns that use liquid fuel will be allowed though.
The restrictions will remain in place until heavy rain soaks the ground.

[8E-Honeymoon-Couple]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-63 1:11:40]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Mitch]


While Hurricane Mitch is far away from our region-- the dangerous storm did affect a LOCAL couple.
Thanks to the high winds and heavy rain, Alexander and Debbie Boone didn't get to take their honeymoon in Jamaica.
Eric Earnhart has their story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A hurricane can have]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Boone/Hurricane Victim; :18]
[SUPER=01-Alexander Boone/Hurricane Victim; :40]
[SUPER=03-Kingston, Jamaica; :52]
[SUPER=@eric2;]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]



(([SOT 02:51:47]
[IN Q=A hurricane can]

((DEBBIE BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; A HURRICANE CAN HAVE LOTS OF RAIN, LOTS OF WIND, SOMETIMES THUNDER, LIGHTNING, IT'S LIKE A BIG STORM.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=a big storm]



And it can really mess up your plans... Teacher Debbie Boone is supposed to be honeymooning in Jamaica, right now.

[SOT 02:53:54]
[IN Q=when an area]

((DEBBIE BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; WHEN AN AREA HAS A WARNING THAT MEANS YOU'RE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT, AND THAT'S WHY MRS. BOONE DIDN'T GO ON HER HONEYMOON BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE GOING TO FLY OUT SUNDAY, JAMAICA, ON THE NEWS, WAS ALL IN RED)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=all in red]



Wrapped up in wedding plans, Debbie and new husband Alexander didn't find out till the reception, that Mitch was headed for their Jamaican resort... called, ironically..."Swept Away".

[SOT 09:20:30]
[IN Q=]

((ALEXANDER BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; WE JOKED THAT WE'D GET DOWN THERE AND THE RESORT WOULDN'T BE THERE, OR WE'D GET DOWN THERE AND BE EVACUATED INTO A SMALL SCHOOL IN JAMAICA WITH A BUNCH OF SANDBAGS)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=bunch of sandbags]



Much of Mitch missed Jamaica, then the next disaster hit, the airline wanted to charge them for missing their flight.

[SOT 09:21:14]
[IN Q=and then we]

((ALEXANDER BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM;AND THEN WE FOUND OUT THAT THE RESORT ALSO WANTED TO PENALIZE US EACH NIGHT THAT WE WERE A NO SHOW )) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=were a no show]



The airline finally agreed to waive the penalty, we called the resort and were told they were dropping the extra charges too.
Turns out the delay was for the best... Alexander gets to wrap up a major project at his lawfirm firm...
And Debbie got a chance to teach her kids a lasting lesson about mother nature.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 09:24:40]
[IN Q=they will always]

((DEBBIE BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER IT BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING REAL TO THEM, THAT IS NOW EMBEDDED IN THEIR MEMORY. [ERIC] YOU'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER IT TOO? OH YES, DEFINITELY)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=yes, definitely]



Eric Earnhart, News 7))[8WEATHER]


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


Time again to check the mid- week outlook--
Expect varying amounts of cloud cover today, with a southwesterly breeze.
Highs in the lower 70s.
Partly cloudy overnight, with lows dropping to near 50.
The four day forecast is mostly sunny and mild...
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]

[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Variably Cloudy/Winds SW 10/70-74/Partly/Cloudy/48-52;]
by SS