WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 04/26/99

[7Executions]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]

Virginia's seventh and eighth executions for 19-99 are set for this week.
Eric Payne is scheduled to die Wednesday for the 19-97 beating deaths of two women from Richmond.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/1990;]

Ronald Yeatts is scheduled to die Thursday for murdering a Pittsylvania County woman during a robbery in 19-89.
No word on the status of his appeals.
(-------------)

[7S-Speeding-Crackdown]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-3; 02:01:35]
[GRAPHIC=More Patrols 81]

One motorist says Virginia is known nationwide for being tough on its drivers.
And Virginia State Police proved him right yesterday-- with another crack-down on speeders along Interstate 81.
The last time police had their "selective enforcement day" they ticketed nearly 300 drivers.
Joy Sutton reports, truck drivers often have an advantage when it comes to avoiding tickets.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Cars zoom down]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]
[SUPER=01-Carole Stone/Trucker; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Vern Jones/State Police; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Robbins/Driver;46]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q= News-7, Roanoke]
((Cars zoom down I-81..often times unaware of police lurking nearby.
But truck drivers often times get early warnings from their fellow truckers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:46:37]
[IN Q=They use]
((CAROLE STONE/TRUCKER: THEY USE TRUCKER LANGANGE..I DON'T KNOW IT REAL WELL..THERE'S A BEAR GOING SOUTHBOUND, NORTHBOUND..WHICHEVER WAY AT THE MILE MARKER))
[OUT Q=whichever mile marker.]

And police say that although truckers makeup 40-percent of the traffic on 81...they get a significantly less number of tickets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:21:18]
[IN Q=it's been my]
((SERGEANT VERN JONES/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF SUMMONS ISSUED GO TO TRACTOR TRAILERS.))
[OUT Q=to tractor trailers.]

Dennis Robbins says he often drives behind trucks to go a little faster...he says Virginia is known nationwide for being tough on its drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:55:40]
[IN Q=interstate are safer]
((DENNIS ROBBINS:INTERSTATES ARE SAFER, THEY'RE MADE FOR SPEED THAT'S WHY THEY WHAT THEY WERE BUILT FOR..AND IT SEEMS LIKE VIRGINIA LIKES TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF THE INTERSTATE.))
[OUT Q=money on the interstate.]

But some truckers say cars have the advantage because they can slow down faster. Sergeant Jones says that police presence on the road has already had an impact in reducing the number of accidents and lowering the overall speed of drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:05:56]
[IN Q=and a reminder to drivers]
((JOY SUTTON: AND A REMINDER TO THE DRIVERS..THE SPEEDOMETERS ON VEHICHLES CAN SOMETIMES BE OFF TWO OR THREE MILES..SO YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL PUSHING THE PETAL TO METAL.
AND BY THE WAY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE SAY THE WILL CONTINUE CRACKING DOWN ON INTERSTATE 81.
JOY SUTTON, NEWS-7))))

[7S-March-Dimes]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-5; 1:28:27]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Roanoke walked along with the rest of the nation to raise money for the March of Dimes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

More than one-thousand people participated in this year's 8-mile"Walk America" yesterday...which started at the U.S. Armory on Reserve Avenue.
All of the participants received a medal....and the pets that walked got doggie treats.
The event raised over 95-thousand dollars for the organization.
Rick Zaharias says he was one of a hundred All-State employees to participate this year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:44:36]
[IN Q=we get so many]
((RICK ZAHARIAS/HONORARY CHAIR: WE GET SO MANY EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY..WE FEEL PART OF OUR PART IS VOLUNTEERISM AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Zaharias/Honorary Chairman]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=and helping the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The money raised will go towards improving the health of infants by helping to prevent birth defects.
"Walk America" is the March of Dimes largest fundraiser.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look now at your Monday forecast..
Mostly cloudy and a bit breezy today, with highs ranging from the upper-60s to the low-70s.
Some rain possible overnight, as lows drop into the lower-50s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds SW 10-15/68-73/Chance of/Showers/50-54;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 4/27/99
Tuesday:

[SUPER=130-16/Holly Proehl/Gretna]

[SUPER=130-9/Holly Hunt/Penhook]

[SUPER=130-6/Ashley Gray/Troutville]

[SUPER=130-1/Alliah Gray/Troutville] (Ashley's sister)

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-11/Jamie Wheeler/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-78/Edward Catron/Marion]

[SUPER=131-/Todd Mattox/Hurt]

[SUPER=131-68/L. E. Burton/Princeton, WV]

[SUPER=131-20/Christopher Tyler/Roanoke]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=131-13th/Donny & Sheri Driver/Salem]

[SUPER=131-56/Ray Nichols/Ferrum]

[SUPER=131-28/Christopher Martin/Eden, NC]

[SUPER=131-/Guy Bolling/Bassett][cutopen]
[SUPER=@Denise1;]

[45S-Speeding-Crackdown]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-3; 02:01:35]
[GRAPHIC=More Patrols 81]

Virginia State Police continued its crackdown on speeders on Interstate 81.
The last "selective enforcement day" troopers ticketed nearly 300 drivers.
Some say truckers often have an advantage when it comes to avoiding these tickets.
Joy Sutton has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Cars zoom down]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]
[SUPER=01-Carole Stone/Trucker; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Vern Jones/State Police; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Robbins/Driver;46]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q= News-7, Roanoke]
((Cars zoom down I-81..often times unaware of police lurking nearby.
But truck drivers often times get early warnings from their fellow truckers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:46:37]
[IN Q=They use]
((CAROLE STONE/TRUCKER: THEY USE TRUCKER LANGANGE..I DON'T KNOW IT REAL WELL..THERE'S A BEAR GOING SOUTHBOUND, NORTHBOUND..WHICHEVER WAY AT THE MILE MARKER))
[OUT Q=whichever mile marker.]

And police say that although truckers makeup 40-percent of the traffic on 81...they get a significantly less number of tickets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:21:18]
[IN Q=it's been my]
((SERGEANT VERN JONES/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF SUMMONS ISSUED GO TO TRACTOR TRAILERS.))
[OUT Q=to tractor trailers.]

Dennis Robbins says he often drives behind trucks to go a little faster...he says Virginia is known nationwide for being tough on its drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:55:40]
[IN Q=interstate are safer]
((DENNIS ROBBINS:INTERSTATES ARE SAFER, THEY'RE MADE FOR SPEED THAT'S WHY THEY WHAT THEY WERE BUILT FOR..AND IT SEEMS LIKE VIRGINIA LIKES TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF THE INTERSTATE.))
[OUT Q=money on the interstate.]

But some truckers say cars have the advantage because they can slow down faster. Sergeant Jones says that police presence on the road has already had an impact in reducing the number of accidents and lowering the overall speed of drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:05:56]
[IN Q=and a reminder to drivers]
((JOY SUTTON: AND A REMINDER TO THE DRIVERS..THE SPEEDOMETERS ON VEHICHLES CAN SOMETIMES BE OFF TWO OR THREE MILES..SO YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL PUSHING THE PETAL TO METAL.
AND BY THE WAY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE SAY THE WILL CONTINUE CRACKING DOWN ON INTERSTATE 81.
JOY SUTTON, NEWS-7))))

[45Executions]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]

Virginia is scheduled to execute two more inmates this week.
Eric Payne is scheduled to die Wednesday for the 19-97 beating deaths of two women from Richmond.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/1990;]

Ronald Yeatts is scheduled to die Thursday for murdering a Pittsylvania County woman during a robbery in 19-89.
No word on the status of his appeals.
(-------------)

[45Keys-Incorporated]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Norfolk man thinks he has the key to making life on welfare a bit easier to deal with.
Former sailor Bernie Stalnaker is starting "Keys Incorporated" to provide used cars to people on welfare. He says he got the idea while working on subsidized apartments-- adding that a lot of people asked him for rides because they had no access to cars.

[45E-Jumper]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-12; 47:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Gertrude Jumper has seen two World Wars, the end of segregation, and lived through a fire...and she's still going strong.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Jumper turned 104 yesterday.
But you wouldn't know it by talking to her..she says she is always on the go...whether it's to the mall or to church.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:34:59]
[IN Q=By the help of the good lord]
((GERTRUDE JUMPER: BY THE HELP OF THE GOOD LORD I'VE MADE IT THIS FAR.. I DON'T HAVE MY WANTS BUT I DO HAVE MY NEEDS. I HAVE PLENTY SUCH AS IT IS.))
[SUPER=07-Gertrude Jumper]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=just stay up.]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]

But what is her secret to long life?
Getrude says don't let your problems get the best of you..and try not to worry.
Gertrude was recently honored by Governor Jim Gilmore at a celebration for Virginia's centenarians.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a moment now to check the Monday forecast..
Mostly cloudy skies today, with highs around 70.
We have about a 30- percent chance of showers through this evening, with overnight lows falling into the lower 50s.
The five day outlook promises a POSSIBILITY of showers through Thursday, with partly cloudy skies ahead by the weekend....
Highs near 70...lows near 50.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds SW 10-15/68-73/Chance of/Showers/50-54;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Denise1;]

[8S-Speeding-Crackdown]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-3; 02:01:35]
[GRAPHIC=More Patrols 81]

The Commonwealth is earning a national reputation for cracking down on motorists who drive too fast...
State police held another "selective enforcement day"yesterday...again along Interstate 81.
The last time police cracked down on speeders, they ticketed nearly 300 drivers.
And some say truck drivers have an advantage when it comes to avoiding tickets.
Joy Sutton reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Cars zoom down]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]
[SUPER=01-Carole Stone/Trucker; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Vern Jones/State Police; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Robbins/Driver;46]
[SUPER=@Joy1; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q= News-7, Roanoke]
((Cars zoom down I-81..often times unaware of police lurking nearby.
But truck drivers often times get early warnings from their fellow truckers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:46:37]
[IN Q=They use]
((CAROLE STONE/TRUCKER: THEY USE TRUCKER LANGANGE..I DON'T KNOW IT REAL WELL..THERE'S A BEAR GOING SOUTHBOUND, NORTHBOUND..WHICHEVER WAY AT THE MILE MARKER))
[OUT Q=whichever mile marker.]

And police say that although truckers makeup 40-percent of the traffic on 81...they get a significantly less number of tickets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:21:18]
[IN Q=it's been my]
((SERGEANT VERN JONES/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF SUMMONS ISSUED GO TO TRACTOR TRAILERS.))
[OUT Q=to tractor trailers.]

Dennis Robbins says he often drives behind trucks to go a little faster...he says Virginia is known nationwide for being tough on its drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:55:40]
[IN Q=interstate are safer]
((DENNIS ROBBINS:INTERSTATES ARE SAFER, THEY'RE MADE FOR SPEED THAT'S WHY THEY WHAT THEY WERE BUILT FOR..AND IT SEEMS LIKE VIRGINIA LIKES TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF THE INTERSTATE.))
[OUT Q=money on the interstate.]

But some truckers say cars have the advantage because they can slow down faster. Sergeant Jones says that police presence on the road has already had an impact in reducing the number of accidents and lowering the overall speed of drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:05:56]
[IN Q=and a reminder to drivers]
((JOY SUTTON: AND A REMINDER TO THE DRIVERS..THE SPEEDOMETERS ON VEHICHLES CAN SOMETIMES BE OFF TWO OR THREE MILES..SO YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL PUSHING THE PETAL TO METAL.
AND BY THE WAY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE SAY THE WILL CONTINUE CRACKING DOWN ON INTERSTATE 81.
JOY SUTTON, NEWS-7))))

[8S-March-Dimes]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-5; 1:28:27]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Yesterday was a nice day for a walk...especially for those who pounded the pavement for the March of Dimes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

More than one-thousand people participated in this year's 8-mile"Walk America"...which started at the U.S. Armory on Reserve Avenue.
All of the participants received a medal....and the pets that walked got doggie treats.
The event raised over 95-thousand dollars for the organization.
Rick Zaharias said he was one of a hundred All-State employees to participate this year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:44:36]
[IN Q=we get so many]
((RICK ZAHARIAS/HONORARY CHAIR: WE GET SO MANY EMPLOYEES THROUGH THE COMMUNITY..WE FEEL PART OF OUR PART IS VOLUNTEERISM AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Zaharias/Honorary Chairman]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=and helping the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The money raised will go towards improving the health of infants by helping to prevent birth defects.
"Walk America" is the March of Dimes' largest fundraiser.
(------------)

[8E-Jumper]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-12; 47:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]

She's already beaten the odds by living beyond the century mark, but Gertrude Jumper is still living a full life.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Jumper turned 104 yesterday.
though you wouldn't know it by talking to her..she says she is always on the go...whether it's to the mall or to church.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:34:59]
[IN Q=By the help of the good lord]
((GERTRUDE JUMPER: BY THE HELP OF THE GOOD LORD I'VE MADE IT THIS FAR.. I DON'T HAVE MY WANTS BUT I DO HAVE MY NEEDS. I HAVE PLENTY SUCH AS IT IS.))
[SUPER=07-Gertrude Jumper]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=just stay up.]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]

But what is her secret to long life?
Getrude says don't let your problems get the best of you..and try not to worry.
Gertrude was recently honored by Governor Jim Gilmore at a celebration for Virginia's centenarians.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Let's take a break from the news to check weather--
Mostly cloudy today, with scattered showers possible.
Look for highs around 70.
A lingering chance of showers through tonight, with lows cooling into the lower 50s.
The extended outlook is calling for more showers possible for the next few days...otherwise partly cloudy with highs around 70 and lows around 50.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Mostly Cloudy/Winds SW 10-15/68-73/Chance of/Showers/50-54;]