[7Park-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
Forty miles of Skyline Drive are shut down, as dry and windy conditions continue to fuel a brush fire in the Shenandoah National Park.
17-hundred acres have already burned.
No injuries have been reported, and no structures are immediately threatened.
The fire started accidentally from embers left by a planned burn that officials thought was extinguished.
[7S-Brush-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-18 9:36]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
A passing train may have set off a series of brush fires in Botetourt County yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
Four fires burned through the woods along a two mile stretch of track in the Blue Ridge area.
Firefighters from seven companies in Botetourt and Roanoke counties responded.
It took firemen a little over six hours to extinguish the flames.
Winds and rough terrain hindered their efforts-- because they could not get trucks into the area where trees were still down from winter ice storms.
(------------)
[**WIPE**WIPE**]
[7E-Dana-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-17 15:59]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista]
A welding torch sparked a blaze at a local business.
Flames broke out at the Dana Corporation in Buena Vista around mid-day, but the biggest problem was the smoke.
Firefighters were able to put out the flames in just 15 minutes.
The workers were eventually allowed back in, but the welding area remains closed.
A few workers were treated for smoke inhalation.
(------------)
[7E-City-Budget]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-16]
[GRAPHIC=Rke seal]
While Roanoke City Council considers a cut in the real estate tax rate, officials are also proposing an increase in the lodging tax.
And last night, both of those proposals garnered a strong reaction from citizens.
Joe Dashiell reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As members of Roanoke City Council]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Rushton/Rodeway Inn; :18]
[SUPER=01-Esther Cirasunda/Roanoke Education Association; :43]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke.]
((As members of Roanoke City Council gathered at the Civic Center Exhibition Hall, the city's lodging industry lead off.
While Roanoke hotels and motels are wary of any increase in the transient occupancy tax, they say they can accept it if the money goes toward an increase in local tourism promotion.
[SOT 00:49:23 tape 1]
[IN Q=Northern Virginia]
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=if we let them know we're here.]
Only one person spoke in favor of the proposed cut in the real estate tax rate... and several suggested the reduction will take valuable resources from important programs... including the schools.
[SOT 15:13:57 tape 2]
[IN Q=Although Roanoke city property owners]
((ESTHER CIRASUNDA/ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: ALTHOUGH ROANOKE CITY PROPERTY OWNERS INCLUDING MYSELF AND MANY OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES WILL BENEFIT SLIGHTLY FROM THE PROPOSED TAX CUT, ROANOKE'S CHILDREN OUR PROPOSED FUTURE, COULD BENEFIT FAR MORE IF THE CUTS WERE NOT MADE.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=if the cuts were not made.]
A penny cut in the real estate tax rate will save the owners of a 75, 000 dollar home, seven dollars and fifty cents on their tax bill.
Council will consider these issues this week, and adopt the budget next Tuesday.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))[7E-Bedrosian]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-15 18:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A former Columbine student has been arrested and charged with supplying a semiautomatic weapon to a minor.
But one local politician is urging lawmakers NOT to use the shootings in Colorado to justify stronger gun-control laws.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Al Bedrosian told a crowd outside his home that nobody should "cower" to the anti-gun lobby.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:04:07]
[IN Q=after a while]
((AL BEDROSIAN/REPUBLICAN DELEGATE CANDIDATE: AFTER A WHILE IT GETS SILLY. I MEAN YOU GOT KIDS BEING KILLED BY CARS, WE'RE NOT BANNING CARS. IT'S A SILLY ... WE'RE MAKING THESE ANALOGIES AND IT'S WRONG.))
[SUPER=01-Al Bedrosian/(R) Delegate Candidate;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=it's wrong]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Bedrosian said one solution to violence in schools is giving parents tax credits to take children out of public schools and help pay for a private education.
His opponent in the Republican primary said he, too, would support a plan like that...
But Ed Lynch said it may not have been the best idea for Bedrosian to make his announcement so soon after the Colorado shootings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:09:12]
[IN Q=but that doesn't]
((ED LYNCH/REPUBLCIAN DELEGATE CANDIDATE: BUT THAT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY FROM THE MERIT OF THE IDEA OF TAX CREDITS FOR PARENTS FOR WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN THEIR WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Ed Lynch/(R) Delegate Candidate;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=their way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Lynch and Bedrosian are running for the seat held by Democrat Dick Cranwell.
(------------)
[7WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Taking a look now at your Tuesday forecast..
Another pleasant day ahead, with mostly sunny skies and a light breeze. Look for highs in the upper-70s.
Mostly clear tonight, with lows ranging from the upper-40s to the lower-50s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/75-79/Mostly/Clear/48-52;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[7BIRTHDAYS!] 5/5/99
Wednesday:
[SUPER=130-6/Eric Early/Christiansburg]
[SUPER=130-15/Whitney Taylor/New River]
[SUPER=130-90/Gertrude Wright/Dugspur]
Wow!
[SUPER=130-100/Emmett Fitzgerald/Roanoke]
[SUPER=130-5/Brynel Osborne/Covington]
Anniversary:
[SUPER=130-65th/Marvin & Stella Gusler/Roanoke]
[SUPER=130-50/Phillip Waynick/Roanoke]
No Pictures:
[SUPER=131-5/Matthew Brightwell/North Carolina]
[SUPER=131-35/Teresa Holland/Rocky Mount]
[cutopen]
[super=@melanie1][45E-Wasena-sex]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-5 1:44:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Roanoke Judge has issued a 15-page opinion, that clears the way for a trial connected to solication charges in Wasena Park.
Judge Richard Pattisall (PAT-uh-sahl) said the arrest of eighteen men did not violate their right to privacy.
(------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]
Attorney Sam Garrison was on the losing side of the argument, though he took some satisfaction in the judge's ruling that there IS a "right to privacy" under the state Constitution.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:24:15]
[IN Q=This judge, after]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=of their cases.]
(---------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[graphic=none]
The ruling clears the way for the trial of 18 men accused of trying to get undercover vice squad officers to engage in oral sex.
[45E-Campbell-Shooting]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-8 1:45:56]
[GRAPHIC=Campbell Co. Shooting Death]
An investigation continues into a weekend fatal shooting in Campbell County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]
Autopsy reports show 28- year old Jennifer Pendleton died from a single bullet wound to the neck.
Her 27 year old husband, Douglas, told police he was showing his wife how to fire a Glock semi-automatic pistol when the gun accidentally went off.
Douglas Pendleton has not been charged.
(------------)
[45E-Law-Day]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-10 1:26:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Triple recognition for Rockbridge High School.
Three students from the school have won a state-wide law day essay contest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
The Rockbridge County Court House honored Virginia Page, Susan Ayer and Cristin Conner yesterday.
The high school seniors took the top three places in a contest with over 300 Commonwealth competitors.
Judge George Honts presided over the ceremony and called it an awesome occasion.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In the face]
[02:09:38]
((JUDGE GEORGE HONTS: IN THE FACE OF SO MUCH GRIEF OVER SUCH SENSELESS LOSSES IN OUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN THE FACE OF THE UNREST AND DIS-EASE THAT HAS FOLLOWED IN THE WAKE OF THOSE EVENTS, IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THREE SPECIAL YOUNG PEOPLE.))
[SUPER=07-Judge George Honts]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=young people.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The three students were awarded plaques and will receive savings bonds for their accomplishments.
They wrote their essays on the controversial "right to die" issue.
(------------)
[45E-Carvin's-Cove]
[ANCHOR=Malanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-7]
[GRAPHIC=Water Supply]
A lack of rain in southwest Virginia could lead to mandatory water restrictions for Roanoke residents.
The Carvin's Cove Reservoir is 18 feet below full pond, and may not fill back up this year.
While Roanoke COUNTY's Spring Hollow Reservoir is full, the county continues to buy water from the city.
Eric Earnhart reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A year ago, these]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kit Kiser/Roanoke Utilities Director; :19]
[SUPER=01-Gary Robertson/Roanoke Co. Utility Dir.; :52]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]
((A year ago these children would be swimming...
now they can walk on the bottom of Carvin's Cove where water was once a dozen feet over their heads.
City Utilities Director Kit Kiser says if May passes without significant rain, things get serious.
[SOT 00:12:27]
[IN Q=you've got]
((KIT KISER/ROANOKE UTILITIES DIRECTOR; YOU'VE GOT JUNE, YOU'VE GOT JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, ARE DRY, HIGH USE MONTHS, AND THE RESERVOIR NORMALLY DROPS 2 TO THREE FEET A MONTH ))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=feet a month]
Fifteen percent of that drain comes from Roanoke County.
The city has an contract to sell the county water well into the next century.
Technically, the County doesn't need it... the Spring Hollow Rervoir is full.
But some North County residents are connected the the City system, and have no access to Spring Hollow.
County officials say it might be possible to give some of that water back.
[SOT 00:21:32]
[IN Q=We already have some]
((GARY ROBERTSON/ROANOKE CO. UTILITY DIRECTOR; WE ALREADY HAVE SOME PLACES IN MIND THAT WE COULD TAKE SPRING HOLLOW WATER INTO AREAS OF THE CITY TO OFFSET SOME OF THE WATER WE'RE USING FROM CARVINS COVE ))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=from Carvins Cove]
Thanks to Spring Hollow, County residents will NOT face any water restrictions this summer.
Eric Earnhart, News 7.))
[45WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Taking a moment now to check the forecast....
Mostly sunny skies today, with highs in the upper 70s.
Staying mostly clear overnight, with lows near 50.
The extended outlook is increasingly cloudy...with showers possible by Thursday.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/75-79/Mostly/Clear/48-52;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[cutopen]
[super=@melanie1][82-Park-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
Dry, windy conditions are fueling a brush fire in the Shenandoah National Park.
17-hundred acres have already burned and a 40-mile stretch of Skyline Drive is closed.
No one has been hurt, and no structures are immediately threatened.
The fire started by accident over the weekend from embers left by a planned burn that officials thought was extinguished.
[8E-Law-Day]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssi]
[TAPE#=99-10 1:26:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A law day essay contest brought entries from all across the state...but the winners came from ONE high school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
The Rockbridge County Court House honored Virginia Page, Susan Ayer and Cristin Conner yesterday.
The Rockbridge High School seniors took the top three places in a contest with over 300 Commonwealth competitors.
Judge George Honts presided over the ceremony and called it an awesome occasion.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In the face]
[02:09:38]
((JUDGE GEORGE HONTS: IN THE FACE OF SO MUCH GRIEF OVER SUCH SENSELESS LOSSES IN OUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN THE FACE OF THE UNREST AND DIS-EASE THAT HAS FOLLOWED IN THE WAKE OF THOSE EVENTS, IT'S APPROPRIATE THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THREE SPECIAL YOUNG PEOPLE.))
[SUPER=07-Judge George Honts]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=young people.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The three students were awarded plaques and will receive savings bonds for their accomplishments.
They wrote their essays on the controversial "right to die" issue.
(------------)
[8E-Wasena-sex]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-5 1:44:49]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Roanoke judge has decided that the 18 men charged with soliciting sex in Wasena Park WILL face trial.
Judge Richard Pattisall (PAT-uh-sahl) issued a 15-page opinion yesterday, rejecting the defendants' claim that the charges violate their right to privacy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Attorney Sam Garrison was on the losing side of the argument, though he took some satisfaction in the judge's ruling that there IS a "right to privacy" under the state Constitution.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:24:15]
[IN Q=This judge, after]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=of their cases.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[graphic=none]
Yesterday's ruling clears the way for the trial of 18 men accused of trying to get undercover vice squad officers to engage in oral sex.
[8City-Budget]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#99-]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal]
Roanoke residents got a chance to speak out about two tax proposals at a hearing last night.
City council is considering a cut in the real estate tax rate, as well as an increase in the lodging tax.
Joe Dashiell reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As members of Roanoke City Council]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Rushton/Rodeway Inn; :18]
[SUPER=01-Esther Cirasunda/Roanoke Education Association; :43]
[SUPER=@Joe1; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke.]
((As members of Roanoke City Council gathered at the Civic Center Exhibition Hall, the city's lodging industry lead off.
While Roanoke hotels and motels are wary of any increase in the transient occupancy tax, they say they can accept it if the money goes toward an increase in local tourism promotion.
[SOT 00:49:23 tape 1]
[IN Q=Northern Virginia]
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=if we let them know we're here.]
Only one person spoke in favor of the proposed cut in the real estate tax rate... and several suggested the reduction will take valuable resources from important programs... including the schools.
[SOT 15:13:57 tape 2]
[IN Q=Although Roanoke city property owners]
((ESTHER CIRASUNDA/ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: ALTHOUGH ROANOKE CITY PROPERTY OWNERS INCLUDING MYSELF AND MANY OTHER SCHOOL SYSTEM EMPLOYEES WILL BENEFIT SLIGHTLY FROM THE PROPOSED TAX CUT, ROANOKE'S CHILDREN OUR PROPOSED FUTURE, COULD BENEFIT FAR MORE IF THE CUTS WERE NOT MADE.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=if the cuts were not made.]
A penny cut in the real estate tax rate will save the owners of a 75, 000 dollar home, seven dollars and fifty cents on their tax bill.
Council will consider these issues this week, and adopt the budget next Tuesday.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))[8WEATHER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Turning our focus now to the forecast...
Lots of sunshine and a light breeze today, with afternoon highs in the upper 70s.
Mostly clear skies tonight, with lows falling to around 50.
The next five days look fairly cloudy, with rain likely on Thursday.
Highs in the 70s...lows in the 50s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Light Winds/75-79/Mostly/Clear/48-52;]
by SS