WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 11/30/98

[7S-Holiday-Traffic]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-64; 1:18:13]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]

If you saw some unusual trucks patrolling the highways this past weekend, you weren't alone.
The Virginia Department of Transportation continued it's program to help out holiday motorists with car trouble.
David Johnson has more the roadside assistance program.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=V-DOT officials say major]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :01]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokeswoman; :16]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Echols/VDOT Spokesman; :45]
[SUPER=@David1; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=DJO,News 7, Ro. Co.]
((V-Dot officials say major holiday weekends tend to produce about 33-percent more traffic on the highways. For motorists whose vehicles have failed them this weekend, a safety service patrol was available to offer help.
[SOT=00:23:22 - BULLOCK RAW TAPE]
[IN Q=THESE ARE SPECIALLY]
((LAURA BULLOCK/VDOT SPOKESWOMAN; THESE ARE SPECIALLY EQUIPED TRUCKS DRIVEN BY PEOPLE THAT CAN DO MINOR REPAIRS, CALL FOR ASSISTANCE AND GET FOLKS OFF OF THE ROADWAY SO TRAFFIC CAN KEEP MOVING.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=KEEP MOVING.]
This safety truck was one of four monitoring Interstate-81 and I-581. The helping hands patroled between Montgomery County and the Botetourt County area, and out to Franklin County. They come equipped with gas, diesel fuel, an air compressor and other aids to help distressed travelers.
[SOT=03:03:37 - VDOT PATROLS TAPE]
[IN Q=IF SOMEBODY IS]
((JEFF ECHOLS/VDOT SPOKESMAN; IF SOMEBODY IS ALONG SIDE THE ROAD BROKEN DOWN, RUN OUT OF GAS, OR FLAT TIRE. SOMEBODY WILL BE AROUND, V-DOT IN CONJUNCTION WITH STATE POLICE WHO ARE MAKING ROUNDS ALSO, TO PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE TO THEM AS WELL AS PEOPLE WHO NEED TO GO TO THE GAS STATION OR HAVE SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THEIR CAR. INSTEAD OF HAVING TO WAIT LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, MAYBE WE CAN HELP THEM SOME WITH THAT.)) [RUNS22]
[OUT Q=]
V-Dot also took down construction work zones to open up more lanes of traffic to keep motorists moving along. Still it's not been determined how much that helped pick up the pace. [STAND-UP/03:15:29] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; V-DOT HAS HAD THE SAFETY PATROL PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS. IT IS USED PRIMARILY ON HOLIDAYS, LIKE THIS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL IS TO USE IT MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.)) [RUNS15]))

[7E-I-81-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-60;2:01:02]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
The roadside assistance program couldn't do much to move traffic along in the northbound lanes of Interstate-81 last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The multi-car pileup happened at about 5:30 in Roanoke County near mile marker 1-41. State police say it started when a car suddenly stopped in the passing lane.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=01:50:30]
[IN Q=A VAN COMES]
((TROOPER TIM CHANEY/VA. STATE POLICE; A VAN COMES UP BEHIND, IT ALSO STOPS. AT THAT POINT, A NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR ENDS THE VAN. A MUSTANG STOPPING BEHIND THE PATHFINDER SEES AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND PULLS OVER IN THE GRASS. THE WHITE CAR CONTINUES, RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF THE PATHFINDER. THE PATHFINDER CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS FULLY ENGULFED.))
[SUPER=01-Tim Chaney/State Police;]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=FULLY ENGULFED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There were some scrapes, bumps and bruises.
But no one was seriously injured in the accident.
Investigators say it was the twelfth accident on I-81 in Roanoke County today.
There were no reports of any serious injuries or deaths in any of the accidents.
(------------)

[7Deputy-Salary]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's sherriffs want higher salaries for their deputies.
The Virginia Compensation Board set the starting salary of deputies at just under 22-thousand dollars a year.
But game wardens get more than three thousand dollars more and state troopers start at more than 27-thousand dollar a year.
Sherriffs say that good deputies are hard to keep- because they tend to move on to higher paying jobs.

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look now at your Monday forecast..
The trend of very pleasant weather continues today, with sunny skies and highs that could reach 70 degrees.
Clouds move in overnight, as lows drop into the upper-40s and low-50s.
The extended forecast...
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 12/01/98

[SUPER=130-/Ethan Dudley/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-94/Maudie Gallimore/Prices Fork]

[SUPER=130-50/Larry Richardson/Salem]

[SUPER=130-3/Dusty Turman/Elliston]

[SUPER=130-/9/Morgan Haley/]

[SUPER=130-30/Laurel Gordon/Bedford]

[SUPER=130-/Tyler Rigney/Martinsville]

[SUPER=130-6/Allison Turman/Willis]

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[SUPER=131-/Garry Thurman/Snow Creek]

[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][45Falwell-Protest]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Jerry Falwell]

An anti-gay protest caused a stir yesterday outside the Reverend Jerry Falwell's church.
The Reverend Fred Phelps and about 20 members of his Topeka, Kansas church held an anti-gay protest outside.
Phelps said he does not agree with Falwell's view that Christians should hate sin, but love the sinner.
A Falwell spokesman called the protest absurd and hateful.
Phelps drew notice last month when he led an anti-gay protest at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student who died after being beaten.

[45VDOT-Patrols]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-74]
[GRAPHIC=Holdiay Traffice]

Stranded motorists received a helping hand this weekend from V-DOT.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The department's safety service patrols were out in full force during the Thanksgiving break. They were monitoring the major roadways between Montgomery, Botetourt, and Franklin Counties. Four trucks were equipped with gas, air compressors, tools for minor road repairs and cell phones. The six- year old program is used during major holiday weekends. Officials hope to offer it on a more frequent basis, but haven't decided if it is feasible.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=03:04:40]
[IN Q=IT CERTAINLY WOULD]
((IT CERTAINLY WOULD BE A MUCH MORE FUNDING ITEM, THAN DOING IT FOUR OR FIVE WEEKENDS. BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT AS TRYING TO EXTEND IT, YES.))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Echols/VDOT Spokesman;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=EXTEND IT, YES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The patrols worked in conjunction with state police.
(------------)

[45S-Train-Ride]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-66; 50:23]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A special train once again pulled into Blacksburg this weekend, bringing state officials to the U-V-A - Virginia Tech game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The "Thouroughbred Express 19-98" rolled through Roanoke yesterday.
It was making a return trip to Norfolk after taking more than 100-people to Blacksburg on Friday.
The first state speaker of the House from Norfolk since 1792 helped organize the trip.
Tom Moss said it was all about having a good time.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=01:23:54]
[IN Q=THE PRESIDENT OF]
((TOM MOSS/VA. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE RAILROAD ALONG WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGREED THAT WHEN TECH PLAYED IN BLACKSBURG, SINCE IT IS IN DIRECT ROUTE FROM NORFOLK TO BLACKSBURG, THAT WE COULD TAKE A TRAIN UP THERE. WE PICKED UP PEOPLE IN PETERSBURG AND LYNCHBURG AND ROANOKE IF WE WANTED TO. SO IT'S JUST A GREAT TIME FOR ALL OF US TO GET TOGETHER AND ENJOY ONE ANOTHER.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Moss/House of Delegates Speaker;]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=ONE ANOTHER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Express has been chugging up and down that route since 19-92.
(------------)

[45S-Doll-Dedication]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-68; 1:07:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Members of a Roanoke congregation are joining forces with the Salvation to put presents under the trees for needy children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Winsdor Hills Methodist Church held a doll dedication during its morning service yesterday. The Salvation Army provides the church with plain dolls. Then church members make fancy clothes for the dolls and return them to the organization. Most of them are distributed to less fortunate youngsters.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=02:57:31]
[IN Q=SOME OF THE]
((POLLY MCFARLANE/PROJECT COORDINATOR; SOME OF THE FANCIER DOLLS, IF YOU WILL, WILL BE AUCTIONED. THAT MONEY WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE MORE NAKED DOLLS TO SEND US NEXT YEAR. AND THE CYCLE BEGINS ALL OVER.))
[SUPER=01-Polly McFarlane/Project Coordinator;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=BEGINS ALL OVER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
This is the 15th-year the church has participated in the program. It's one of several contributing to the project. Church members dressed more than 200-dolls this year. The dolls are blessed before being shipped out to their new homes.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

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

Time now to check your back-to-work forecast after the long holiday weekend...
Sunny and unseasonably warm again today, with approaching 70.
Skies will become cloudy overnight, with lows falling into the upper 40s..
The mild weather should continue through the week...
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[cutopen]

[SUPER=19-Kimberly/McBroom;][8Falwell-Protest]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Jerry Falwell]

A group of anti- gay protestors stood outside the Thomas Road Baptist church yesterday.
The Reverend Fred Phelps and about 20 members of his Topeka, Kansas church held the protest.
Phelps said he does not agree with Reverend Jerry Falwell's view that Christians should hate sin but love the sinner.
A Falwell spokesman called the protest absurd and hateful.
Phelps drew notice last month when he led an anti-gay protest at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a gay University of Wyoming student who died after being beaten.

[8VDOT-Patrols]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-74]
[GRAPHIC=Holdiay Traffice]

Folks having car trouble on their way home from the holiday got some much-needed help from the state department of transportation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
V-DOT's safety service patrols were out in full force during the Thanksgiving break. They were monitoring the major roadways between Montgomery, Botetourt and Franklin Counties. Four trucks were equipped with gas, air compressors, tools for minor road repairs and cell phones. The six- year old program is put into use during major holiday weekends. Officials hope to offer it on a more frequent basis, but haven't decided if it's feasible.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=03:04:40]
[IN Q=IT CERTAINLY WOULD]
((IT CERTAINLY WOULD BE A MUCH MORE FUNDING ITEM, THAN DOING IT FOUR OR FIVE WEEKENDS. BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE LOOKING AT AS TRYING TO EXTEND IT, YES.))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Echols/VDOT Spokesman;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=EXTEND IT, YES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The patrols worked in conjunction with state police.
(------------)

[8E-I-81-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-60;2:01:02]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Meanwhile, it wasn't a flat tire that tied up traffic on Northbound Interstate -81 yesterday-- but a multi- car pileup.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
It happened at about 5:30 in Roanoke County near mile marker 1-41. State police say it started when a car suddenly stopped in the passing lane.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=01:50:30]
[IN Q=A VAN COMES]
((TROOPER TIM CHANEY/VA. STATE POLICE; A VAN COMES UP BEHIND, IT ALSO STOPS. AT THAT POINT, A NISSAN PATHFINDER REAR ENDS THE VAN. A MUSTANG STOPPING BEHIND THE PATHFINDER SEES AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND PULLS OVER IN THE GRASS. THE WHITE CAR CONTINUES, RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF THE PATHFINDER. THE PATHFINDER CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS FULLY ENGULFED.))
[SUPER=01-Tim Chaney/State Police;]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=FULLY ENGULFED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There were some scrapes, bumps and bruises, but no one was seriously injured in the accident.
Investigators say it was the twelfth accident on I-81 in Roanoke County yesterday.
There were no reports of any serious injuries or deaths in any of the accidents.
(------------)

[8S-Doll-Dedication]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-68; 1:07:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some needy children will have dolls under their Christmas trees this year, thanks to the Salvation Army and a Roanoke County church.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Winsdor Hills Methodist Church held a doll dedication during its morning service yesterday. The Salvation Army provides the church with plain dolls. Then church members make fancy clothes for the dolls and return them to the organization. Most of them are distributed to less fortunate youngsters.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=02:57:31]
[IN Q=SOME OF THE]
((POLLY MCFARLANE/PROJECT COORDINATOR; SOME OF THE FANCIER DOLLS, IF YOU WILL, WILL BE AUCTIONED. THAT MONEY WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE MORE NAKED DOLLS TO SEND US NEXT YEAR. AND THE CYCLE BEGINS ALL OVER.))
[SUPER=01-Polly McFarlane/Project Coordinator;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=BEGINS ALL OVER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
This is the 15th-year Windsor Hills Methodist has participated in the program. It's one of several contributing to the project. Church members dressed more than 200-dolls this year. During a dedication ceremony, the dolls are blessed before being shipped out to their new homes.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Turning your attention now to weather--
Expect another sunny, pleasant day around the region, with highs in the upper 60s to around 70.
The clouds will be rolling in tonight, with lows in the upper 40s.
The four day forecast keeps a mixture of clouds and sunshine....
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