WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/02/99

[7E-Store-Swap]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-1 1:33:23]
[GRAPHIC=Store Swap]

Some grocery stores are having their own personal store swap.
The store that considers you a "Very Important Customer" is leaving town and you'll have more places to go Krogering.

Scott Goldberg has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Joy Smith]
[Super=19-Kimberly/McBroom]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :13]
[SUPER=@Scott1; :27]
[SUPER=01-Ken Gassman/Retail Analyst; :56]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=SG N7]
[start with pictures of woman walking with cane into HT]
((Joy Smith has been shopping at Harris Teeter in Cave Spring since it opened.
She didn't deal very well with the news it's going to close and reopen as Kroger.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:20]
[IN Q=i thought]
((JOY SMITH: I THOUGHT, NO! THEY CAN'T LEAVE!))
[RUNS= 02]
[OUT Q=CAN'T LEAVE]

Harris Teeter said its stores in western Virginia are underperforming.
So it's selling all except the store in Danville to Kroger.
And Kroger is selling 10 stores in North Carolina to Harris Teeter ...
Giving each company more supermarkets in the regions where they do well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT store swap su tape -- 1:49:11]
[IN Q=harris teeter]
((SCOTT GOLDBERG: HARRIS TEETER SAID ITS WESTERN VIRGINIA EMPLOYEES CAN KEEP WORKING AT HARRIS TEETER STORES, BUT THEY'D HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF TOWN. IF THEY WANT TO KEEP WORKING HERE ONCE KROGER TAKES OVER, THEY'LL HAVE TO REAPPLY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=REAPPLY]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT outside HT]
[IN Q=natsound]
((NATSOUND: QUICK!!! ONE SECOND OF RONNIE ROLLING SHOPPING CARTS.))
[RUNS= 01]
[OUT Q=]

That left 900 employees wondering if they want to work under new management.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:27]
[IN Q=well]
((WELL, I WILL IF THEY MAKE ME A DECENT OFFER.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=DECENT OFFER]

And it left industry experts wondering just how many Krogers can fit into one town.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT gassman tape -- :49]
[IN Q=if you]
((KEN GASSMAN: IF YOU TAKE A MAP OF ROANOKE AND PLOT WHERE THE HARRIS TEETER AND KROGER STORES THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE TOO CLOSE TO OTHERS, SO I WOULD GUESS THERE WOULD BE ONE OR TWO CLOSINGS. CLEARLY, THOUGH, KROGER WILL DOMINATE THE MARKET. ))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=MARKET]

The swap should take place next month.
The Virginia stores will close for a week while Kroger moves in ... and Harris Teeter checks out.
Scott Goldberg, News-7.
(-----------)))

[7E-Pritchett]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-8 1:12:02]
[GRAPHIC=Pritchett Verdict]

The Montgomery County trial of Livingston Bud Pritchett has a verdict...guilty of first degree murder.
Jurors are still considering still considering the punishment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

Pritchett testified for a second time, in the sentencing phase of his trial.
He was convicted of murdering Estel Singleton at the Ironto rest area two years ago, but he did not waiver from his claims of innocence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 07:15:18]
[IN Q=I'm being honest]
((I'M BEING HONEST. I DO STUPID, CRAZY STUFF, BUT NEVER KILL A PERSON AND TAKE THEIR LIFE AWAY. I'M THE WRONG PERSON. I'M INNOCENT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND I WISH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THAT. IT WASN'T ME.))
[SUPER=01-Bud Pritchett/Defendant]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=it wasn't me.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Jurors heard from character witnesses who say they still don't believe Pritchett is capable of murder.
But they also heard from others, including an ex- girlfriend, who say Pritchett is prone to violence.
The jury will return in the morning to decide a sentence.

[7E-Internet]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-7 54:04]
[GRAPHIC=Internet]

Getting rid of child pornography on the Internet is going to take the cooperation of both parents and law enforcement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Forest]

That from Congressman Bob Goodlatte today, who got a briefing on the problem of Internet child porn from the Bedford County sheriff's department.
Bedford has a special Internet crime unit called "Operation Blue Ridge Thunder".. its new web site is designed to teach parents and children about "safe surfing".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:02:16]
[IN Q=It's a two]
((REP. BOB GOODLATTE/R- SIXTH DISTRICT: IT'S A TWO- PRONGED APPROACH: EDUCATE PARENTS AND CHILDREN ABOUT HOW TO SAFELY SURF THE NET WITH THE SAFE SURFING APPROACH, AND CRACK DOWN ON THESE PEDOPHILES AND OTHER SEX OFFENDERS, THROW THE BOOK AT 'EM, GET 'EM OFF THE INTERNET AND IN JAIL WHERE THEY BELONG.))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bob Goodlatte/(R) Sixth District; :00]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=where they belong.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Goodlatte says he'll ask Bedford authorities to come to Washington to brief Congress on Internet crime.
(------------)

[7E-Big-Game]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Big Game]

The Big Game is now REALLY BIG.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

Tonight's jackpot is already up to 160-million dollars.
With a jackpot like that, Virginia Lottery officials have decided to make a change in their ad campaign. Instead of running the usual ads promoting a big payoff, officials have decided to run ads that stress the importance of betting sensibly.
Six states have the Big Game, they include Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusettes, and Michigan.
To win the multi-state lottery, players have to match all five lotto numbers plus the Big Money Ball.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

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

Let's turn our attention now to the Good Friday forecast...
Morning fog will burn off later this morning, giving way to mostly sunny skies.
Expect highs today in the low to mid 70s.
Clouds will increase by tonight, with fog developing.
Lows in the lower 50s.
Looking ahead to the holiday weekend...
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Morning Fog/Mostly Sunny/70-75/Clouds Increase/Fog Late/50-55;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[7-BIRTHDAYS] 4/3/99
Saturday:

[SUPER=130-11/Whitney Willis/Salem]

[SUPER=130-8/Douglas Phanelson/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-/Michale Board/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-7/Fancy Bailey/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-18/Ashley Downer/Blacksburg]

[SUPER=130-10/Kristen Robinette/Pilot]

[SUPER=130-12/Rachel Dillon/Pearisburg]

[SUPER=130-15/Ben Clements/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-/Irene Saunders/Jordantown]

[45E-Pritchett]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-8 1:12:02]
[GRAPHIC=Pritchett Verdict]

Now that a Montgomery county jury has found Bud Pritchett guilty of first degree murder-- they now have to determine his punishment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=19-Kimberly/McBroom]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

Pritchett testified for a second time, in the sentencing phase of his trial.
He was convicted of murdering Estel Singleton at the Ironto rest area two years ago, but he did not waiver from his claims of innocence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 07:15:18]
[IN Q=I'm being honest]
((I'M BEING HONEST. I DO STUPID, CRAZY STUFF, BUT NEVER KILL A PERSON AND TAKE THEIR LIFE AWAY. I'M THE WRONG PERSON. I'M INNOCENT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND I WISH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THAT. IT WASN'T ME.))
[SUPER=01-Bud Pritchett/Defendant]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=it wasn't me.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Jurors heard from character witnesses who say they still don't believe Pritchett is capable of murder.
But they also heard from others, including an ex- girlfriend, who say Pritchett is prone to violence.
The jury will return in the morning to decide a sentence.

[45E-Store-Swap]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-1 1:33:23]
[GRAPHIC=Store Swap]

Grocery shoppers in Southwest Virginia will be checking out at more KROGERS from now on...that after the company announced a store swap with Harris Teeter.
Scott Goldberg reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Joy Smith]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :13]
[SUPER=@Scott1; :27]
[SUPER=01-Ken Gassman/Retail Analyst; :56]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=SG N7]
[start with pictures of woman walking with cane into HT]
((Joy Smith has been shopping at Harris Teeter in Cave Spring since it opened.
She didn't deal very well with the news it's going to close and reopen as Kroger.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:20]
[IN Q=i thought]
((JOY SMITH: I THOUGHT, NO! THEY CAN'T LEAVE!))
[RUNS= 02]
[OUT Q=CAN'T LEAVE]

Harris Teeter said its stores in western Virginia are underperforming.
So it's selling all except the store in Danville to Kroger.
And Kroger is selling 10 stores in North Carolina to Harris Teeter ...
Giving each company more supermarkets in the regions where they do well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT store swap su tape -- 1:49:11]
[IN Q=harris teeter]
((SCOTT GOLDBERG: HARRIS TEETER SAID ITS WESTERN VIRGINIA EMPLOYEES CAN KEEP WORKING AT HARRIS TEETER STORES, BUT THEY'D HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF TOWN. IF THEY WANT TO KEEP WORKING HERE ONCE KROGER TAKES OVER, THEY'LL HAVE TO REAPPLY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=REAPPLY]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT outside HT]
[IN Q=natsound]
((NATSOUND: QUICK!!! ONE SECOND OF RONNIE ROLLING SHOPPING CARTS.))
[RUNS= 01]
[OUT Q=]

That left 900 employees wondering if they want to work under new management.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:27]
[IN Q=well]
((WELL, I WILL IF THEY MAKE ME A DECENT OFFER.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=DECENT OFFER]

And it left industry experts wondering just how many Krogers can fit into one town.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT gassman tape -- :49]
[IN Q=if you]
((KEN GASSMAN: IF YOU TAKE A MAP OF ROANOKE AND PLOT WHERE THE HARRIS TEETER AND KROGER STORES THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE TOO CLOSE TO OTHERS, SO I WOULD GUESS THERE WOULD BE ONE OR TWO CLOSINGS. CLEARLY, THOUGH, KROGER WILL DOMINATE THE MARKET. ))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=MARKET]

The swap should take place next month.
The Virginia stores will close for a week while Kroger moves in ... and Harris Teeter checks out.
Scott Goldberg, News-7.
(-----------)))

[45E-Big-Game]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Big Game]

Now its really a BIG GAME.
Tonight's jackpot is up to 160-million dollars.
With a jackpot like that, Virginia Lottery officials have decided to make a change in their ad campaign. Instead of running the usual ads, officials have decided to run ads that stress the importance of betting sensibly.
Six states have the Big Game, they include Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusettes, and Michigan.
To win the multi-state lottery, players have to match all five lotto numbers plus the Big Money Ball.

[45E-Pughsley]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-10 42:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Lynchburg teenager is facing more than 53 years in prison.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

19-year old Dale Lee Pughsley (PUGS-lee) was convicted of second degree murder yesterday for the shooting death of David W. Robertson.
Police say Robertson was trying to buy crack from Pughsley when Pughsley shot him in the back of the head.
This was Lynchburg's first capital murder trial in six years.
Pughsley will be sentenced May 14th.
(------------)

[45E-Gilmore-Dow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-5 58:50]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]
Governor Gilmore made an appearance on Wall Street yesterday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat Bell]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=nat Bell]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The governor rang the opening bell on Wall Street. He was joined by his family, and greeted with applause. The Dow gained 46 points by the closing bell yesterday.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

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

Time again to look over the forecast--
Morning fog will give way to mostly sunny skies, as high temperatures soar into the mid 70s.
Increasing clouds overnight, with more fog possible late.
Lows in the lower 50s.
In the extended outlook....
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Morning Fog/Mostly Sunny/70-75/Clouds Increase/Fog Late/50-55;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[8E-Pritchett]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-8 1:12:02]
[GRAPHIC=Pritchett Verdict]

Bud Pritchett stands convicted of first- degree murder.
It's now up to jurors to decide how much prison time he'll receive for the crime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=19-Kimberly/McBroom]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

Pritchett testified for a second time, in the sentencing phase of his trial.
He was convicted of murdering Estel Singleton at the Ironto rest area two years ago, but he did not waiver from his claims of innocence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 07:15:18]
[IN Q=I'm being honest]
((I'M BEING HONEST. I DO STUPID, CRAZY STUFF, BUT NEVER KILL A PERSON AND TAKE THEIR LIFE AWAY. I'M THE WRONG PERSON. I'M INNOCENT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND I WISH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THAT. IT WASN'T ME.))
[SUPER=01-Bud Pritchett/Defendant]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=it wasn't me.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Jurors heard from character witnesses who say they still don't believe Pritchett is capable of murder.
But they also heard from others, including an ex- girlfriend, who say Pritchett is prone to violence.
The jury will return in the morning to decide a sentence.

[8E-Lexington-Books]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#99-]
[GRAPHIC=]

A Lexington couple is worried about what some elementary students are learning--
They say two books that several fifth graders were asked to read contain references to witchcraft.
Meanwhile, parents have filed formal complaints with school officials.
Stacey Martin has more on the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The controversy]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/February 5; :05]
[SUPER=01-Nicholas Maschal/Lexington Schools Superintendent; :24]
[RUNS=1:01]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7.]

((Joan and Bucky Joyce are refusing to give up their efforts to pull two books from classrooms at Harrington Waddell Elementary School.
They maintain "The Egypt Game" and "Jennifer, HeCate, MacBeth, William McKinley and Me, Elizabeth"contain references to witchcraft and could lead to an interest in the occult.
But, the school's principal and the city's school superintendent disagreed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11.08.02 - 11.08.19]
[IN Q=I came to the conclusion]
((NICHOLAS MASCHAL/LEXINGTON SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: I CAME TO THE CONCLUSION AFTER READING THE BOOK, AND THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION, THAT YOU COULD NOT POSSIBLY READ THE BOOK AND REALLY FEEL THAT IT WAS ABOUT WITCHCRAFT BECAUSE IF YOU FELT IT WAS TRULY ABOUT WITCHCRAFT YOU WOULD HAVE MISSED THE POINT OF THE BOOK.)) [RUNS17]
[OUT Q=of the book.]

A school committee recently reviewed the Joyce's complaints but refused to remove the books.
Instead they agreed to give parents teacher's required reading lists well in advance and emhpasized that parents could make substitutes for books they found objectionable.
The Joyce's said the decision was "disturbing and devastating."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They now plan]
((STACEY MARTIN/REPORTING:THEY NOW PLAN TO CONTACT PARENTS IN THE AREA IN HOPES THEY'LL PUT PRESSURE ON SCHOOL OFFICIALS TO RECONSIDER. THEY'RE ALSO THINKING OF APPEALING THE MATTER TO THE CITY'S SCHOOL BOARD. STACEY MARTIN, NEWS 7.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7.]))

[8E-Big-Game]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Big Game]

If your feeling lucky today then you may want to buy a Big Game ticket.
Tonight's jackpot is up to 160-million dollars.
With a jackpot like that, Virginia Lottery officials have decided to make a change in their ad campaign. Instead of running the usual ads, officials have decided to run ads that stress the importance of betting sensibly.
Six states have the Big Game, they include Virginia, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusettes, and Michigan.
To win the multi-state lottery, players have to match all five lotto numbers plus the Big Money Ball.

[8WEATHER]

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

Before we finish the updates...
Morning fog is burning off, and we'll enjoy mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid 70s.
Clouding up tonight, with some fog...lows in the lower 50s.
The five day forecast is calling for some scattered showers over the holiday weekend.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=#555;RESET] [SUPER=314-Morning Fog/Mostly Sunny/70-75/Clouds Increase/Fog Late/50-55;]