WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/29/98

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

John Glenn is set to rocket back into space this afternoon as the world's oldest astronaut.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And jury selection continues in the capital murder trial of Emmitt Cressel Junior.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A few sprinkles last night...otherwise just lingering clouds as you wake up this morning.
Our outlook is a sunny and breezy one.
More on that, coming up in the forecast.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Glenn]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Discovery Launch]

It's all systems go for today's historic launch of the space shuttle Discovery.
John Glenn and his crewmates will lift off into space at 2 o'clock.
Maureen Maher reports.
[Live=Maureen Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Maureen Maher/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-K. S. C., FL;]
( ad lib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Center; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lane Lanhum/Spectator; :43]
[SUPER=01-Buzz Aldrin/Former Astronaut; :58]
[SUPER=01-Bill Harwood/CBS News Consultant; 1:18 ]
[SUPER=01-Lynn Glenn/John Glenn's Daughter; 1:29]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=discovery crew.]

[Live=Maureen Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-K. S. C., FL;]
( ad lib)

(( With the Space Shuttle Discovery poised to launch him back into the history books, John Glenn and his fellow crew members bade a final farewell last night to their families before this afternoon's scheduled lift off..

(NAT SOT OF Glenn training:)
The mission marks the culmination of months of rigorous training for the 77 year old Senator, and the realization of a dream: John Glenn's and a generation who thought space flight had past them by.

(RV nats)
Early in the week, hundreds of seniors began lining up along Florida's hwy A1A to show their support for a man whose legend spans all ages. 62 year old Lane Lanhum drove 56-hundred miles from Anchorage Alaska.

(SOT/Lane Lanhum 31:15) - I think it's great if he's physically able to
do it - I think someday maybe I'll be able to go.
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin agrees.

(SOT/Buzz Aldrin/Former Astronaut/10:55:28) "Maybe this mission can be
the beginning of the opening up of space for private citizens."
During the nine-day mission, Glenn will undergo a battery of tests designed to help science understand the aging process. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood says although Glenn is in excellent condition, the mission will be a challenge.

(SOT/Bill Harwood/12:04:50) "I think just keeping his energy level up
and not getting fatigued will perhaps be his biggest challenge."
The mission has already been a challenge for Glenn's family who only recently warmed up to the mission...

(SOT/Lynn Glenn) "I love to see that people I love that happy and that
involved and that excited about what they are doing - that's how I would describe him..."
Stand up: Young and old all of America has been caught up in that excitement - so today, perhaps the parting words for this American hero should be Thank you John Glenn, and Godspeed Discovery Crew...))

[E-Cressell]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=98-70 33:47]
[GRAPHIC=Emmitt Cressell Jr.]
[ANCHOR TAG!!!!]
Six potential jurors have been selected for the capital murder trial of Emmitt Cressell, Junior.
The 37 year old is accused of burning and beheading Garnett "G-P" Johnson more than a year ago. [Take Graphic Map]
As Teresa Hamilton reports from Independence, where jury selection will resume later this morning..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Jury selection]
[SUPER=03-Independence; :00]
[SUPER=03-Independence/May 29; :37]
[SUPER=@teresa1; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:15 (approx)]
[OUT Q= "...News 7, Independence."]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

Jury selection is expected to last through Friday.

[E-Mahone]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-64 TC46:23]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
Sex charges against a 48-year old Salem man were dropped yesterday, after the defense attorney noticed a technicality.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Fred Anthony Mahone was accused of loaning sexually explicit materials to a minor. The state police radio technician allegedly gave the book "Kama Sutra", a sex manual, to a 13-year old girl. But his attorney successfully argued that the indictment against him was defective because a word was left out of it.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=14:27:44]
[IN Q=FINALLY GETTING]
((FRED MAHONE/DEFENDANT; FINALLY GETTING IT RESOLVED IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, MAYBE I CAN GET BACK TO WORK. I'VE BEEN SUSPENDED FROM MY JOB, GET MY NERVOUS SYSTEM BACK IN SHAPE. HOPEFULLY GO ON WITH MY LIFE AND PUT THIS BEHIND ME.))
[SUPER=01-Fred Mahone/Defendant;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=put this behind me.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Mahone cannot be tried for the same case because it would be double jeopardy.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the Chicago Blackhawks get blown away by the Hurricanes.
And the N-B-A season remains on hold.
Denise Allen has details.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=a good day.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Terri Post/SW Virginia Ballet;]
[SUPER=01-Frank Bove/Virgina Ballet Theatre]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive:Dracula))

[S-Barta]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-61 1:25:45]
[GRAPHIC=Election '98]

Ever since his first run for Congress in 19-82, Rick Boucher has been a tough man to beat.
But this year's challenger is a die-hard conservative who says Republicans -- now more than ever -- have a good chance to win the ninth district.
Scott Goldberg has the first of our 9th district profiles-- a look at Republican challenger Joe Barta.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=it is]
[SUPER=203-Blacksburg;01]
[SUPER=201-Sen. John Warner/(R) Virginia;16]
[SUPER=201-Joe Barta/(R) Candidate for Congress;32]
[SUPER=204-Barta TV Ad;44]
[SUPER=204-Barta TV Ad;1:00]
[SUPER=203-Washington DC/File Tape;1:21]
[SUPER=201-Tom Morris/Emory & Henry University;1:46]
[SUPER=219-Scott/Goldberg;1:58]
[RUNS=2:15]
[OUT Q=news-7]
(([NATSOUND FROM BARTA/WARNER TAPE AT 15 21 54 -- APPLAUSE, "ALL RIGHT JOE!!"]
It's a confident Joe Barta walking the campaign trails in the ninth district...
Side by side with high-profile Republicans who say THIS is the year they'll beat Rick Boucher.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15 32 48]
[IN Q=well he has]
((WARNER: WELL, HE HAS BEEN A TOUGH MAN TO BEAT. AND THAT'S WHY THIS YEAR WE FOUND A TOUGHER MAN. AND THAT'S WHY I'M CONFIDENT JOE WILL CARRY THIS DISTRICT.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=THIS DISTRICT]
[INTERVIEW 2-SHOT---pull out from sign? at least have sign in background -- BARTA/WARNER TAPE]
[BARTA/WARNER TAPE]
But the Radford eye doctor knows who he's up against: [BOUCHER in DC -- 98-66 at 11:14]
A 16-year incumbent who usually wins re-election by a landslide.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 51 52]
[BARTA/WARNER TAPE]
[IN Q=I'VE OVERCOME]
((BARTA: I'VE OVERCOME THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE, WHICH IS NAME RECOGNITION. BECAUSE YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE DISTRICT, PEOPLE SAY, YES, WE'VE SEEN YOU ON TV, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT YOU IN THE PAPER, WE'VE SEEN YOUR SIGNS.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=YOUR SIGNS]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((NATSOUND AD: I'M VOTING FOR JOE BARTA BECAUSE HE'S A CONSERVATIVE WHO STANDS FOR OUR VALUES.)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=]

Barta has used his own wealth, and money from the Republican Party, to fund an aggressive ad campaign.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]
((BARTA AD: YOU KNOW HOW YOU FEEL WHEN SOMEONE YOU VOTE FOR LETS YOU DOWN?)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 46 22]
[BARTA/WARNER TAPE]
[IN Q=MY WHOLE]
((BARTA: MY WHOLE CAMPAIGN IS POINTING TO THE FACT THAT WE NEED THE CHANCE TO HAVE A COMMON SENSE ALTERNATIVE TO MR. BOUCHER.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=MR BOUCHER]
[campaign stuff, shaking hands from barta/warner tape]
Barta is counting on the conservative ninth district to support his platform of cutting taxes, banning flag burning and banning late-term abortions. [CLINTON/LEWINSKY VIDEO -- 597-52 at 47:55]
He's also counting on Republican voters to turn out in force, inspired by President Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 49 04]
[BARTA/WARNER TAPE]
[IN Q=this is]
((JOE BARTA: WE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RICK BOUCHER BOTH THAT WE NEED NEW, BETTER LEADERSHIP IN BOTH THE 9TH DISTRICT AND IN THE COUNTRY.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=THE COUNTRY]
[BOUCHER ON HOUSE FLOOR, 598-24 at 1:25:44]
But that strategy could backfire.
Boucher became a national figure when he authored the Democrat's plan calling for a speedy end to the Impeachment inquiry.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14 18 28]
[BOUCHER/MORRIS TAPE]
[IN Q=he has name]
((TOM MORRIS: HE HAS NAME RECOGNITION IN THE DISTRICT, BUT I THINK SOME MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT ARE PROUD THAT HE'S BEEN SHOWCASED ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=STAGE]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[standup close]
[IN Q=if]
((SCOTT GOLDBERG: ACCORDING TO MOST POLLS, AMERICANS AGREE WITH BOUCHER AND THE DEMOCRATS, THAT AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY SHOULD BE LIMITED AND RESOLVED QUICKLY. BUT THE FIRST CHANCE VOTERS GET TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES COMES NEXT WEEK. AND IF THERE IS A REPUBLICAN TIDE SWEEPING OVER THE COUNTRY, JOE BARTA IS WELL-POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. SCOTT GOLDBERG, NEWS-7.)) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=NEWS-7]))

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, a new technique may help save twin fetuses who have to share a heart.
Rick Jackson has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rick Jackson/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( GOOD MORNING.
A TRUE SPACE PIONEER, JOHN GLENN, IS ABOUT TO MAKE HISTORY ONCE AGAIN.. AS HE GETS READY TO BLAST INTO ORBIT.
THIS TIME AROUND.. HIS MISSION WILL BE MORE MEDICAL IN NATURE.
BUT RESEARCHERS DOUBT GLENN'S PARTICIPATION WILL OFFER MUCH SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT.
VT=VO
((vo))
THE 77-YEAR OLD WILL UNDERGO A SERIES OF TESTS.. THAT EXAMINE THE EFFECTS WEIGHTLESSNESS HAS ON AGING.
THE SHUTTLE IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN IDEAL SETTING SINCE ASTRONAUTS EXPERIENCE RAPID SYMPTOMS OF AGING DURING SPACE TRAVEL...INCLUDING BONE LOSS AND DIZZINESS.
IT IS HOPED THAT THIS PROJECT WILL HELP DEVELOP BETTER TREATMENTS FOR THE ELDERLY HERE ON EARTH...
BUT MANY RESEARCHERS SAY GLENN'S EXPERIMENTS WILL NOT HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT.. SINCE MANY MORE STUDIES ARE NEEDED.//
VT=VO
((vo))
A PREGNANCY INVOLVING TWINS SOMETIMES CAN END IN DEATH FOR BOTH FETUSES.
THAT'S OFTEN THE CASE WHEN ONE TWIN HAS NO HEART.. SO THE OTHER HAS TO PUMP BLOOD FOR BOTH FETUSES.
THE HEART WILL USUALLY GIVE OUT BECAUSE IT IS SO SEVERELY OVERWORKED.
BUT NOW DOCTORS HAVE COME UP WITH A TECHNIQUE THAT CAN SAVE THE LIFE OF THE HEALTHY TWIN.
IT WORKS BY USING AN ELECTRODE TO CUT OFF BLOOD FLOW TO THE MALFORMED FETUS.
A REPORT ON THE NEW PROCEDURE IS IN TODAY'S NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.//
VT=VO
((vo))
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF JUNK FOOD, YOU COULD BE THROWING AWAY YOUR CHANCES OF LIVING A HEALTHY LIFE.
A RESEARCHER AT U-C BERKELEY SAYS POOR EATING HABITS MAY CAUSE CANCER -- SIMILAR TO THE WAY RADIATION TRIGGERS THE DISEASE.
EVEN THOUGH MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICAN ADULTS ARE OVERWEIGHT, PROFESSOR BRUCE AMES SAYS OUR DIETS ARE DEFICIENT IN ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAT PREVENT CELL DAMAGE.
HE SAYS THE KEY TO LIVING LONGER IS NOT EATING MORE -- BUT EATING BETTER.//
AND THAT IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS. I'M RICK JACKSON, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

(I'll call for supers)

[SUPER=03-Friday, 8 PM/Va. Ballet Theater's "Dracula";]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Civic Center/Va. Ballet Theater's "Dracula";]
[SUPER=03-Tickets: $10-15/Va. Ballet Theater's "Dracula";]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive:Dracula)) [2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

John Glenn is set to rocket back into space this afternoon as the world's oldest astronaut.
President Clinton will be among the 250- thousand people expected at Florida's Kennedy Space Center to witness the liftoff.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

The Islamic militant group Hamas is claiming responsibility for a Gaza Strip suicide bombing today that left two people dead.
A Palestinian man drove into a convoy escorting an Israeli school bus and detonated the explosives.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[ss=none]

Hurricane Mitch is kicking up huge waves and dumping tons of rain on Honduras.
Mitch has killed at least 32 people and forced more than 150-thousand people from their homes and hotels.
It has died down a bit, with top sustained winds of 85 miles-an-hour.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Thursday October 29th.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-GLENN]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Discovery Launch]

The weather is expected to be perfect for John Glenn's launch into space at Two this afternoon.
Up to a quarter million, including President Clinton, are expected to converge on the Kennedy Space Center to witness the historic liftoff.
Maureen Maher reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[5:00-na018]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Center; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lane Lanhum/Spectator; :43]
[SUPER=01-Buzz Aldrin/Former Astronaut; :58]
[SUPER=01-Bill Harwood/CBS News Consultant; 1:18 ]
[SUPER=01-Lynn Glenn/John Glenn's Daughter; 1:29]
[SUPER=01-Maureen Maher/Reporting; 1:42]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, At the Kennedy Space Center;]
(( With the Space Shuttle Discovery poised to launch him back into the history books, John Glenn and his fellow crew members bade a final farewell last night to their families before this afternoon's scheduled lift off..

(NAT SOT OF Glenn training:)
The mission marks the culmination of months of rigorous training for the 77 year old Senator, and the realization of a dream: John Glenn's and a generation who thought space flight had past them by.

(RV nats)
Early in the week, hundreds of seniors began lining up along Florida's hwy A1A to show their support for a man whose legend spans all ages. 62 year old Lane Lanhum drove 56-hundred miles from Anchorage Alaska.

(SOT/Lane Lanhum 31:15) - I think it's great if he's physically able to
do it - I think someday maybe I'll be able to go.
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin agrees.

(SOT/Buzz Aldrin/Former Astronaut/10:55:28) "Maybe this mission can be
the beginning of the opening up of space for private citizens."
During the nine-day mission, Glenn will undergo a battery of tests designed to help science understand the aging process. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood says although Glenn is in excellent condition, the mission will be a challenge.

(SOT/Bill Harwood/12:04:50) "I think just keeping his energy level up
and not getting fatigued will perhaps be his biggest challenge."
The mission has already been a challenge for Glenn's family who only recently warmed up to the mission...

(SOT/Lynn Glenn) "I love to see that people I love that happy and that
involved and that excited about what they are doing - that's how I would describe him..."
Stand up: Young and old all of America has been caught up in that excitement - so today, perhaps the parting words for this American hero should be Thank you John Glenn, and Godspeed Discovery Crew...))

[gaza-explosion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=bombing]

The Islamic military group Hamas is claiming responsibility for a car- bomb attack that killed the bomber and an Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip today.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip;]

The bomber drove the car filled with explosives into an Israeli convoy of army jeeps escorting a school bus.
The armored bus was damaged by the powerful blast but the 40 or so youngsters on board were not hurt.
The Israeli army has sealed off the Gaza Strip, although Israel says the attack won't hold up implementation of the land- for- security deal signed last week in Washington.
(----------------)

[MITCH]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Mitch]

Hurricane Mitch is getting weaker but it continues to belt the honduran coast with torrential wind and rain.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Ceiba, Honduras;]

Its winds are now down to 85 miles an hour.
But those winds stretch for more than 100 miles and Mitch has stalled, meaning the Honduran coast has been under hurricane conditions for more than a day.
At least 32 storm related deaths have been reported.
The hurricane has also knocked over trees, swept away bridges and flooded neighborhoods.
Forecasters say the storm could move out over the Gulf of Mexico this weekend... and threaten the United States next week.
(----------------)

[E-Speed-Limit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-71 TC14:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]

You'll have to slow down on part of Route 220 in Roanoke County.
V-Dot says the road is too old and too dangerous for a 55-mile an hour speed limit.
Eric Earnhart has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Traffic flies by]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :01]
[SUPER=01-Ralph Mingee/Carriage House Antiques; :12]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT; :35]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./August 20; :49]
[SUPER=@Eric1; :58]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=E.E., News 7]
(( Traffic flies by the Carriage House on 220... where co-owner Ralph Mingee sometimes feels more like a rescue-squad worker than an antique dealer... helping accident victims outside the store.

[SOT 03:11:12]
[IN Q=there've been some]
((RALPH MINGEE/CARRIAGE HOUSE ANTIQUES; THERE'VE BEEN SOME HORRIBLE ACCIDENTS OUT HERE, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE TURNING INTO DRIVEWAYS, REAR-END COLLISIONS, A VEHICLE TURNED OVER DOWN HERE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF SOMEONE, AND I THINK IT'S DUE TO SPEED. )) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=due to speed]

And that's why V-DOT is laying down the law, and dropping the speed limit to 45 on the entire stretch of Route 220, between the Roanoke City limits and Route 715 in Roanoke County.

[SOT 3:01:55]
[IN Q=there are 24]
((LAURA BULLOCK/VDOT; THERE ARE 24 CROSSOVERS IN ROANOKE COUNTY, THAT'S 24 OCCASIONS WHERE VEHICLES COULD CROSS PATHS, SO THAT'S NOT THE SAFEST CONDITION.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=safest condition]

The typical accident scenario is a motorist pulling into the path of an on coming vehicle.
That's what police say happened to Sherry Ann West, who was killed two months ago.
Now THESE signs are also going up, warning motorists to watch out for each other.
STANDUP 3:17:03 Of course all the signs in the world won't make a difference if no one follows them, the signs are up right now and as you can see from the traffic going by my, very few people are going 45 miles an hour, residents here are hoping for some vigorous enforcement

And that will come soon... County police will give motorists a little time to get used to the new limits, and then start writing tickets. Eric Earnhart, News 7 ))

[81-Ax-Suit]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

The estate of the Buena Vista man killed in the July Fouth accident on Interstate 81 is being sued for a million dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./July 4]

Kevin Chittum, five passengers in his car and tractor-trailer driver Jerry Gregory were all killed when Chittum's car crossed the rain-slicked median and ran into the path of Gregory's fuel truck.
The suit filed this month in Botetourt County claims Chittum was negligent when he passed a tractor trailer in the rain and his car hydroplaned.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[SS=None]

Published reports indicate that Gregory's sons filed the suit.
After the crash, it was discovered that the girl being raised by Chittum and his fiancee Whitney Rogers, who was also killed in the crash, had been switched with another child at birth.
[Birthdays]
[SS=none]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[in-Q=Thu]
[RUNS=1:28]
[out=back to you.]

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Frank Bove/Virgina Ballet Theatre]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]

[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive:Dracula))

[E-Fire-Danger]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-69 25:08]
[GRAPHIC=Forest Fire Danger]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
Hunters and hikers camping out in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests will have to go without a campfire.
Officials announced fire restrictions that will go into effect tomorrow.
Stacey Martin has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Stephen Smith loves hiking]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Smith/Hiker; :13]
[super=03-Rockbridge Co./April 1997; :45]
[SUPER=01-Woody Lipps/National Forest Service Officer; 1:00]
[super=@Stacey1; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7, Roanoke County.]
((Stephen Smith loves hiking so much he gave up his day job to do it full-time. And, he's happy officials are stepping-in to protect the trails he treads up to three or four times a week.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10.51.41 - 10.51.51]
[IN Q=If I were to for]
((STEPHEN SMITH/HIKER: IF I WERE TO FOR SOME REASON GET CAUGHT OUT THERE AND HAVE TO HOLD UP FOR THE NIGHT, I'D DEFINITELY TAKE THESE RESTRICTIONS INTO CONSIDERATION. AND, I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THEY'RE GETTING THE WORD OUT.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=getting the word out.]

Beginning Friday--camp fires, and the use of charcoal, coal or wood-burning appliances will be prohibited on national forest land unless there's a posted exception.
And, smokers are only allowed to light-up in designated areas.
The fall season and extremely dry conditions in the forests are prompting the restrictions to prevent wildfires--like this one-- that scorched nearly 250 acres in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Rockbridge County about a year and a half ago.
Since August there have been 21 fires in both national forests-- that's 15 to 20 more than in previous years.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10.20.26 - 10.20.44]
[IN Q=We're beginning to detect]
((WOODY LIPPS/NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE OFFICER: WE'RE BEGINNING TO DETECT A PROBLEM WITH CAMPFIRES EVEN WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO PUT THE CAMPFIRES OUT, MAYBE THROWN A LITTLE WATER ON THEM OR SOME DIRT. THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETELY EXTINGUISH THE CAMPFIRES WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF WORK--MORE WORK THAN THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN PUTTING INTO IT.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=putting into it.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12.10.03 - 12.10.21]
[IN Q=National Forest officials plan to]
((STACEY MARTIN/REPORTING: NATIONAL FOREST OFFICIALS PLAN TO POST THESE YELLOW FLIERS IN AREA STORES AND THROUGHOUT THE FOREST AS A REMINDER OF THE RESTRICTIONS. PENALTIES FOR BREAKING THE RULES INCLUDE A MAXIMUM SIX MONTH JAIL SENTENCE AND/ OR A FIVE-THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE. STACEY MARTIN, NEWS 7, ROANOKE COUNTY.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7, Roanoke County.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

Forest officials say it will take a steady, heavy rain to relieve the dry conditions and thus lift the restrictions.

[Shenandoah-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]

A fire in the Shenandoah National Park in Augusta County has charred 600 acres.
The fire began Sunday and does not threaten any private property.
It was only about a quarter-mile from the Appalachian Trail, but the trail is still open.
The cause is not known.

[Burning-Ban]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Southside is not free of the burning danger either.
Several burning bans are being issued because of the very dry conditions.
(------------)
[Take GFX Page]
Pittsylvania County has issued an emergency burning ban, effective today. The county-wide ban on outdoor burning is in effect until further notice.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the Hokies get set to host West Virginia, and U-V-A gets the scoop on Wake Forest.
Denise Allen has more.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=day everybody]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Six potential jurors have been selected in the capital murder trial of Emmett Cressell, Junior.
Jury selection will resume this morning and is expected to last through Friday.
The 37 year old Cressell is accused of burning and beheading Garnett G-P Johnson more than a year ago.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The estate of Kevin Chittum, one of those killed in the July Fourth accident on I-81, is being sued for a million dollars.
The suit filed this month in Botetourt County claims that Chittum was negligent when he passed a tractor trailer in the rain and hydroplaned.
Kevin Chittum, five passengers in his car, and tractor trailer driver Jerry Gregory were all killed in the accident.

Published reports indicate that Gregory's sons filed the suit.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The speed limit is dropping to 45 on part of Route 220 in Roanoke County.
The entire stretch of 220 between the Roanoke City limits and Route 715 in Roanoke county will be affected.
V-DOT says the road is too old and dangerous and people are driving too fast.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
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[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]