[7S-I81-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-76; TC1:54:30]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Speed Patrol]

An accident on Interstate 81 caused no serious injuries, but it did prove the point of state police-- who are patrolling the highway in an effort to enforce traffic laws.
A truck driver was charged with improper lane changing for clipping the back of a car. And as David Johnson reports, officials say it's a perfect example of the dangerous driving they're trying to reduce.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Speeding and]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=02-Sgt. Frank Duffy/State Police; :17]
[SUPER=01-Col. M. Wayne Huggins/State Police Superintendent; :35]
[SUPER=01-Curtis Herr/Truck Driver; :53]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; 1:03]
[SUPER=@david1; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=Djo, N7, Botetourt Co.]
(( Speeding and driver inattention--are what causes accidents like this. They're also the reasons more than 100-state troopers are monitoring the 320-mile corridor of I-81--18 in the counties of Montgomery and Roanoke alone.
[SOT=23:49:04]
[IN Q=THIS IS TO]
((VOICE OF FRANK DUFFY/VA. STATE POLICE; THIS IS TO MAKE MOTORISTS AWARE THAT WE CAN PUT TROOPERS OUT HERE TO STRICTLY ENFORCE THE TRAFFIC LAWS.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=TRAFFIC LAWS.]
Troopers are being brought in from other counties to get the project rolling. That creates holes in those areas, which are being filled by local law enforcement.
[SOT=23:39:46]
[IN Q=THEY'VE BEEN]
((COL. M.WAYNE HUGGINS/VA. STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT; THEY'VE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE WITH US AND REALIZED THAT WE'VE PULLED RESOURCES AND THEY MIGHT GET EXTRA CALLS TODAY AS A RESULT OF US NOT BEING THERE.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=NOT BEING THERE.]
Duffy says, judging by the flow of traffic over the past few days, people are getting the hint that it's time to slow down. One truck driver agrees.
[SOT=00:03:42]
[IN Q=THE SPEED LIMIT]
((CURTIS HERR/TRUCK DRIVER; THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65-MILES-PER-HOUR. IF YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH MILES COVERED AT 65-MILES-PER-HOUR, YOU'RE IN BAD TROUBLE.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=BAD TROUBLE.]
The warning signs are up and down the road--and motorists are being monitored on the road and in the air. [NAT-SOUND/23:55:52] ((HELICOPTER FLYING OVRHEAD. Pan down to traffic)) [RUNS04]
[SOT=23:50:26]
[IN Q=IF THEY OBSERVE]
((DUFFY; IF THEY OBSERVE A VEHICLE DRIVING ERRATICALLY, THEY WILL RADIO A GROUND TO TAKE CARE OF THAT SITUATION.)) [RUNS17]
[OUT Q=OF THAT SITUATION.]
[STAND-UP/00:12:10] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; IT'S UNDETERMINED AT THIS POINT HOW LONG THE STRICT ENFORCEMENT ALONG THE I-81 CORRIDOR WILL LAST. BUT FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, IT WILL BE FREQUENT, AT RANDOM AND UNANNOUNCED. DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, BOTETOURT COUNTY.)) [RUNS12]))

[7S-Health-Inspections]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-81; 1:14:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Health violations-- including roaches-- forced health inspectors to close down the Star City Diner for five days, but officials say that's rare.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday;]

The restaurant reopened on Wednesday, after inspectors confirmed that the most serious violations had been corrected.
In the Roanoke Valley, there are now about 600 full-service restaurants, and health officials say the vast majority cooperate with inspectors and take food safety seriously.
Environmental Health Manager Dick Tabb says enforcement is a last step.
[SOT 04:32]
[IN Q=We view it as our job]
((DICK TABB/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANAGER: WE VIEW IT AS OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESTAURANT OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY IN A SAFE MANNER. IN A VERY FEW INSTANCES WE DO HAVE TO STEP IN AND DO ENFORCEMENT, BUT THAT'S CERTAINLY A MINORITY AND AN EXCEPTION.))
[SUPER=01-Dick Tabb/Environmental Health Mgr.]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=and an exception.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

There were only about 10 closures--mostly voluntary-- in the Roanoke Valley last year.

[7WEATHER]


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


Taking a look now at your Monday forecast..
Sunny and chilly today, with northerly winds keeping highs only in the thirties.
And a very cold night ahead, with lows dropping into the lower-teens.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Cold/Winds N 10-20/32-37/Clear Skies/Bitter Cold/12-17;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 2/23/99
Tuesday:

[SUPER=130-1/Alex Michael Conner/]


[SUPER=130-1/Mattie Taylor Wheeling/Radford]


[SUPER=130-50/Becky Burge/Roanoke]

Triplets
[SUPER=130-1/Paige, Ethan & Brittany Fisher/Newport]


[SUPER=130-8/Whitney Kenley/Radford]


[SUPER=130-10/Megan Wood/Danville]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Ecelle Wickline/Covington]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]

We do have some school delays to announce this morning. Mount Rogers school in Grayson County is on a one- hour delay. Greenbriar County schools and Highland County schools are opening two hours late. And Mercer County, West Virginia schools are delayed two hours.

[45Rice-Arrest]


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

He was once an aide to the Governor of West Virginia, now he's behind bars. Thomas D. Rice is accused of soliciting sex from a minor in Virginia over the internet.
He was charged as part of an on-going program targeting on- line crimes against children.
Rice was chief of operations under former West Virginia governor Gaston Caperton.
He was arrested last night and is being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Bedford County.
Bedford County Sherriff Mike Brown will hold a news conference later this morning.

[45Highway-Enforcement]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-10 TC16:02]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Speed Patrol]

The blue lights are flashing along interstate 81 in southwest Virginia.
State police yesterday launched the crackdown on speeders that Governor Gilmore promised a few weeks ago.
(//////SOT/////)
[INQ=NAT Helicopter]
[NAT-SOUND/23:55:52] ((HELICOPTER OVERHEAD MONITORING TRAFFIC pan to traffic.))
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
[RUNS=03]
[OUTQ=NAT HELICOPTER]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 100-state troopers hit the road and others went by helicopter to monitor traffic along the 320-mile highway corridor. It's part of the governor's push for aggressive driver education efforts. Warning signs were posted to remind people to slow down or be pulled over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT=23:34:58]
[IN Q=WE'RE TRYING TO]
((COL. M. WAYNE HUGGINS/VA. STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT; WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE ADVANCED WARNING. SO IF SOMEONE GETS PULLED OVER WE HAVE TRIED TO BE HINEST AND UP FRONT AND NOT TRICK PEOPLE INTO SOMETHING. SO IT'S PART OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM.))
[SUPER=01-Col. M. Wayne Huggins/State Police Superintendent;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=AWARENESS PROGRAM.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officers were looking for motorists following too closesly and those making improper lane changes, like the truck driver that was ticketed for causing this acccident. More monitoring is planned for the months to come. Crackdowns will be frequent, random and unannounced.
(------------)

[45S-Bedford-Movie]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=98-74 TC 1:52:28]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Tri Star pictures is reportedly looking for another location to shoot a Sandra Bullock movie-- after being turned away from The Peaks of Otter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./February 12;]
[use file from 98-76 1:36:49]
About a week ago, congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Virgil Goode told federal officials they wanted the movie to be made at the resort.
But Gary Everhart, the head of the Blue Ridge Parkway, has been opposed to the idea.
He says Columbia Tristar's plans to use the resort are not acceptable and would disturb the tranquility that lures visitors.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Company officials are now apparently looking at another site near Charlottesville.

[45Wright-Free]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-79;]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Roanoke teenager not only got to see Elton John in concert, but went backstage to meet the superstar all because of a letter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Fredy wrote wrote to the singer when tickets to the Roanoke performance were sold out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT=20:31:48]
[IN Q=I JUST SAID]
((FREDY WRIGHT/ELTON JOHN FAN; I JUST SAID WE WERE BIG FANS, THAT WE REALLY ENJOYED HIS MUSIC. I JUST BASICALLY ASKED FOR THE PASSES AND THEY SAID WE COULD HAVE THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Fredy Wright/Elton John Fan;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=COULD HAVE THEM.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Along with three fifth row tickets and backstage passes-- Wright got a personal meet and greet with Elton John. And before the concert got started, the singer autographed Wright's "Princess Di Beanie Baby Bear", his "Candle in the Wind" C-D, and took pictures with him.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]


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

Taking a moment now to look at the Monday forecast--
Sunny and cold today, with strong northerly winds.
Highs only in the mid 30s.
Clear, with more bitter cold tonight, as lows fall into the teens.
In the extended forecast.... clouds will build tomorrow, with snow showers likely by Wednesday.
Temperatures will gradually warm up from the 30s to the upper 40s for highs by the weekend.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Sunny & Cold/Winds N 10-20/32-37/Clear Skies/Bitter Cold/12-17;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]

We do have some school delays to announce this morning. Mount Rogers school in Grayson County is on a one- hour delay. Greenbriar County schools and Highland County schools are opening two hours late. And Mercer County, West Virginia schools are delayed two hours.

[8Highway-Enforcement]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-10 TC16:02]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Speed Patrol]

Speeders BEWARE..... as of yesterday, state troopers are cracking down on speeding motorists along I-81.
(//////SOT/////)
[INQ=NAT Helicopter]
[NAT-SOUND/23:55:52] ((HELICOPTER OVERHEAD MONITORING TRAFFIC pan to traffic.))
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
[RUNS=03]
[OUTQ=NAT HELICOPTER]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 100-state troopers hit the road and others went by helicopter to monitor traffic along the 320-mile highway corridor. It's part of the governor's push for aggressive driver education efforts. Warning signs were posted to remind people to slow down or be pulled over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT=23:34:58]
[IN Q=WE'RE TRYING TO]
((COL. M. WAYNE HUGGINS/VA. STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT; WE'RE TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE ADVANCED WARNING. SO IF SOMEONE GETS PULLED OVER WE HAVE TRIED TO BE HINEST AND UP FRONT AND NOT TRICK PEOPLE INTO SOMETHING. SO IT'S PART OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM.))
[SUPER=01-Col. M. Wayne Huggins/State Police Superintendent;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=AWARENESS PROGRAM.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officers were looking for motorists following too closesly and those making improper lane changes, like the truck driver that was ticketed for causing one acccident.
Crackdowns in the coming months will be frequent, random and unannounced.
(------------)

[8Rice-Arrest]


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

It's another case of the Internet being used to commit crimes against children...
A one-time aide to the Governor of West Virginia, Thomas Rice was arrested for soliciting sex from a minor over the Internet in Virginia.
Rice was charged as part of an on-going program targeting such Internet offenses.
Rice was chief of operations under former governor Gaston Caperton.
He was arrested last night and is being held at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Bedford County.

[8S-Health-Inspections]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-81; 1:14:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Local health officials say it's rare to have to close down a restaurant for violations, as in the most recent case of the Star City Diner.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday;]

The restaurant reopened on Wednesday, after inspectors confirmed that the most serious violations had been corrected.
In the Roanoke Valley, there are now about 600 restaurants, and health officials say the vast majority cooperate with inspectors and take food safety seriously.
Environmental Health Manager Dick Tabb says enforcement is a last step.
[SOT 04:32]
[IN Q=We view it as our job]
((DICK TABB/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANAGER: WE VIEW IT AS OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESTAURANT OPERATES SUCCESSFULLY IN A SAFE MANNER. IN A VERY FEW INSTANCES WE DO HAVE TO STEP IN AND DO ENFORCEMENT, BUT THAT'S CERTAINLY A MINORITY AND AN EXCEPTION.))
[SUPER=01-Dick Tabb/Environmental Health Mgr.]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=and an exception.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

There were only about ten closures--mostly voluntary-- in the Roanoke Valley last year.

[8Wright-Free]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-79;]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Singer Elton John's generosity made a Roanoke boy's dream come true...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
When tickets to the performance sold out before Fredy Wright could buy one, he simply wrote a letter to the Rocket Man.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT=20:31:48]
[IN Q=I JUST SAID]
((FREDY WRIGHT/ELTON JOHN FAN; I JUST SAID WE WERE BIG FANS, THAT WE REALLY ENJOYED HIS MUSIC. I JUST BASICALLY ASKED FOR THE PASSES AND THEY SAID WE COULD HAVE THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Fredy Wright/Elton John Fan;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=COULD HAVE THEM.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Along with three fifth row tickets and backstage passes-- Wright got a personal meet and greet with Elton John. And before the concert got started, the singer autographed Wright's "Princess Di Beanie Baby Bear", his "Candle in the Wind" C-D, and took pictures with him.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]


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

Time again to look at the forecast...
Sunny and cold today, with highs only climbing into the mid 30s.
Clear overnight, with bitter cold lows in the mid teens.
In the long range forecast... clouding up tomorrow, with snow showers likely by WEdnesday and Thursday.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Sunny & Cold/Winds N 10-20/32-37/Clear Skies/Bitter Cold/12-17;]
by SS