WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 06/28/99

[7S-Trail-Death]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-17 1:09:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Drinking could have been a factor in the death of a Southwest Virginia man.
It was around 4 am yesterday morning when Michael Barry Wagner of Blacksburg plummeted more than 30 feet from of an overlook and onto the Appalachian Trail.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE MAP FULLSCREEN]
The incident happened off of route 42 in Giles County, near the Craig County line in an area known as Kellys Knob.

Joy Sutton has the story
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Authorities say]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00]
[SUPER=07-Elizabeth Parcell; :32]
[SUPER=07-Nathan Sharp; :42]
[super=@Joy2; :51]
[RUNS=:58]
[OUT Q=Giles County]
(( Authorities say the incident occurred about two miles up along this part of the Appalachian Trail. The victim, a 24 year-old Blacksburg man, is believed to be a Virginia Tech graduate.
He and 9 other people were camping along the trail....when he and a few of his friends left the site to go up on the rocks.
The man apparently fell more than 30 feet to his death.
It took rescue worker more than 7 hours to recover his body because the terrain is so steep.
Elizabeth Parcell and Nathan Sharp say they hike the trail frequently and don't believe it is very dangerous.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT02:10:50]
[IN Q=I wouldn't think]
((ELIZABETH PARCELL: I WOULDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE REAL DANGEROUS AT ALL. IF YOU GOT UP TO THE VERY TOP THEIR IS SOME CLIFF AREAS BUT I GUESS YOU COULD FALL UP THERE IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING))
[RUNS= 9]
[OUT Q=was happening]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:13:24]
[IN Q=I think they were]
((NATHAN SHARP: IT'S AN OUTCROPPING YOU COULD FALL OFF ACCIDENTALLY BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S REAL LIKELY. ))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=real likely]

At this time authorities do not believe it was anything more than an accident but are still investigating the matter.
Authorities do, however, believe that alcohol may have been a factor in his death.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Giles County. )) [7S-VMI-Folo]
[anchor=Melanie]
[newscast=cutins]
[writer=chr]
[tape=99-15 1:17:09]
[graphic=VMI]

There's been official reaction to the dismissal of V-M-I's top cadet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[00:01:16-00:01:28]
[IN Q=A couple of women]
((COL. MIKE STRICKLER/VMI SPOKESMAN: A COUPLE OF WOMEN CAME FORWARD NEAR THE END OF THE YEAR THEN VMI WENT FROM THERE THROUGH NORMAL DISCIPLINARY CHANNELS AND A CADET WAS DISMISSED FOR CONDUCT UNBECOMING.))
[SOT]
[00:02:20-00:02:35] ((I THINK WE HAVE BEEN VERY THOROUGH IN WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS. IF ANYTHING THIS WILL CONTINUE TO HEIGHTEN OUR AWARENESS AND THE FACT THAT WE CONSTANTLY HAVE TO BE ON GUARD.))
[RUNS=37]
[OUT Q=to be on guard.]
(--------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=None]

Strickler says that the incident has been reported to Federal Judge Jackson Kiser...who has in turn notified the Justice Department.
Strickler also says that VMI is still continuing the process of notifying the judge on how the assimilation process is proceeding.

[7Pepper-Spray]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Pepper Spray]

In Lynchburg the Police Chief is saying race isn't a factor in subduing suspects.
But a recent report in a city newspaper says 70-percent of suspects subdued with pepper spray since 1998 are black.

City Council member Ed Barksdale says he finds the figure shocking.
Police Chief Charles Bennett says the spray is used only when a suspect resists arrest - and that race has nothing to do with it.

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a look at your Monday forecast... Look for partly sunny skies with highs 88-92 degrees. Tonight will be humid with a chance of showers or storms with lows comfortably in the low to mid 70's. Tuesday will once again be partly sunny with scattered showers and highs in the upper 80's. Muggy at night with a continued chance of showers and lows in the upper 60's.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Afternoon Storms/88-92/Humid, Chance of/Showers & Storms/70-75;]
[SUPER=#555;][7BIRTHDAYS!] 6/29/99

Tuesday:

[SUPER=130-5/Summer Stephens/Barren Springs]

[SUPER=130-6/Jake Guthrie/Rocky Mount]

[SUPER=130-10/Seth Thomas/Boones Mill]

[SUPER=130-50/Virginia Bobbitt/Concord]

[SUPER=130-19/Paul Pribble, Jr./Evington]

[SUPER=130-9/Julia Bridgen/Buchanan]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Jennifer Honaker/White Sulphur Springs]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=131-/G. B. & Krystal Washburn/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Christy Farley/White Sulphur Springs]

[SUPER=131-/Patricia Cannoy/Martinsville]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=131-/Charlie & Lois Keatts/Snow Creek][cutopen]
[SUPER=@Melanie1;]

[45Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Feedback]
[GRAPHIC=Feedback]

Is it wrong to burn the American Flag?
That's one issue the House of Representatives took up this week.
It's also the subject of this week's News 7 Feedback.
Assignment Editor Joe McKean reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For the third time]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC/Thursday;]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=McKean, News-7.]
(( For the third time in five years, the House has approved a constitutional amendment, banning the desecration of the Stars and Stripes.
The measure passed by more than a two to one margin.
A viewer from Roanoke wrote:
"'The Flag' is but a piece of cloth. Nothing more. What the flag symbolizes is what is important. If those people would burn all the American Flags in existence, that act would do nothing to harm the meaning of the flag and what it stands for. I say, let them burn the flag. They are only demonstrating their ignorance. But let us not give them any attention anymore. Eventually, they will realize that no one is listening and that they are being very foolish."
If you'd like to exercise your first amendment rights, here's how.
The mailing address for News-7 is P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, 24022-0007.
If you prefer to send a fax, the number is 343-7269.
Our e-mail address is news@wdbj7.com.
And on our home page, wdbj7.com, you'll find a moderated on-line forum.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[45WebWatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=WebWatch]
[GRAPHIC=Webwatch]

The Kennedy Assasination has a different look on an online museum...
And a website can help speed up your wedding plans.
Find out more in tonight's WebWatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a new perspective]
[SUPER=03-Westport, CT; :35]
[SUPER=01-Carly Roney/theknot.com; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=WDBJ7-dot-com]
(([intro]
[RUNS= 05]

Its a different perspective on the assasination... the killer's perspective. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealy Plaza set up a series of live webcams at the window where Lee Harvy Oswald is believed to have fired the fatal shots.
The cameras track the route Kennedy's motorcade followed before the shooting.
Kennedy's family is upset about the site...calling it insensitive and tasteless... the Museum's director says he's surprised and dissappointed by the Kennedy's reaction.

More couples are getting a head start on their wedding plans online. Laura and Dan Keogh planned everything in 4 months through the web.
Wedding sites include WeddingChannel-dot-com... which offers a free calander and bridal registry...
You can register at TheKnot-dot-com based on your life-style and brand name preference.
At TheKnot, you can also create a free webpage, to keep everyone informed about your progress.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we thought]
((CARLY RONEY/THEKNOT.COM; WE THOUGHT IF WE COULD PULL EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAN A WEDDING INTO OUR PLACE THAT WOULD SAVE PEOPLE'S MARRIAGES, AND SAVE PEOPLE'S TIME.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=save people's time]

The chess battle between Garry Kasparov and the World is in full swing and expected to last all summer, unless Kasparov can pull off a quick checkmate. You can view the game's progress, and join the world team at Microsoft's GameZone.
You can find the links to these sites by clicking on Webwatch, at WDBJ-7-dot-com.))

[45WEATHER]

[8S-Cancer-Award]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-18 50:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local physician is honored with a national award from the American Cancer Society.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

More than 500 former cancer patients and physicians came out to congratulate Dr. David Randolph who received the 19-99 Lane W. Adams Award.
The award is given to health care providers who have demonstrated consistent excellence in delivering direct care and counsel to people with cancer and their families.
And to many of his former patients - he is a God Send.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT01:22:46]
[IN Q=he has saved]
((ANN SUTTON/CANCER SURVIVOR: HE HAS SAVED MY LIFE THROUGH GOD ABOVE AND DR. RANDOLPH HE IS WONDERFUL.)) ((NANCY LEACH/CANCER SURVIVOR: DR. RANDOLPH IS EXCEPTIONAL WITH EXCEPTIONAL ABILITIES OF LOVING AND CARING AND NURTURING AND SHARING HIMSELF WITH OTHER PEOPLE ENDLESSLY))
[SUPER=01-Ann Sutton/Cancer Survivor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Leach/Cancer Survivor; :06]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=people endlessly]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

But Randolph says he is only doing his job - nothing he considers to be out of the ordinary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:30:57]
[IN Q=I didn't know]
(( DR. DAVID M. RANDOLPH/LEWIS GALE: I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD SUCH AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE. I JUST DO WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO WHICH IS TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE AND TO HEAR PEOPLE COME OUT HERE IT REALLY MAKES IT NICE))
[SUPER=01-Dr. David M. Randolph/Lewis Gale]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=it nice]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]

Randolph is one of 14 health care providers nationwide to get the award... and the first in the state of Virginia.
He is currently the medical director of Lewis-Gale Regional Cancer Center and the New River Valley Cancer Center.

(--------------)

[8S-Trail-Death]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-17 1:09:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Southwest Virginia man may have been drinking at the time of his death...
It was around 4 am yesterday when Michael Barry Wagner of Blacksburg plummeted more than 30 feet from of an overlook and onto the Appalachian Trail.
(++++++++++)
[TAKE MAP FULLSCREEN]
The incident happened off of route 42 in Giles County, near the Craig County line in an area known as Kellys Knob.

Joy Sutton has the story
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Authorities say]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.; :00]
[SUPER=07-Elizabeth Parcell; :32]
[SUPER=07-Nathan Sharp; :42]
[super=@Joy2; :51]
[RUNS=:58]
[OUT Q=Giles County]
(( Authorities say the incident occurred about two miles up along this part of the Appalachian Trail. The victim, a 24 year-old Blacksburg man, is believed to be a Virginia Tech graduate.
He and 9 other people were camping along the trail....when he and a few of his friends left the site to go up on the rocks.
The man apparently fell more than 30 feet to his death.
It took rescue worker more than 7 hours to recover his body because the terrain is so steep.
Elizabeth Parcell and Nathan Sharp say they hike the trail frequently and don't believe it is very dangerous.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT02:10:50]
[IN Q=I wouldn't think]
((ELIZABETH PARCELL: I WOULDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE REAL DANGEROUS AT ALL. IF YOU GOT UP TO THE VERY TOP THEIR IS SOME CLIFF AREAS BUT I GUESS YOU COULD FALL UP THERE IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING))
[RUNS= 9]
[OUT Q=was happening]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:13:24]
[IN Q=I think they were]
((NATHAN SHARP: IT'S AN OUTCROPPING YOU COULD FALL OFF ACCIDENTALLY BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S REAL LIKELY. ))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=real likely]

At this time authorities do not believe it was anything more than an accident but are still investigating the matter.
Authorities do, however, believe that alcohol may have been a factor in his death.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Giles County. ))

[8S-Miss-Virginia]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=99-23 49:52]
[GRAPHIC=Crystal Lewis]

Miss Lynchburg walks away as Miss Virginia for the third straight year.

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

21-year-old Crystal Dawn Lewis won last night's pageant after a week long competition.
The Newport News native's platform is volunteerism in schools.
She stopped by our studios this morning to tell us a little more about it...
(////////SOT//////////)
[SOT]
[INQ=We need to get involved with our children...]
[SUPER=01-Crystal Lewis/Miss Virginia]
[OUTQ=matters most to us]
[RUNS=:08]
(--------------)
[vo-nat]
As Miss Virginia, Lewis won a 15-thousand-dollar scholarship, a new car and apartment for her reign.
Plus she will now represent the state in September's Miss America pageant.
(---------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Taking a break from the news to check the forecast...Partly sunny today with a good chance of afternoon storms.
Highs around 90.
Staying humid overnight, with a lingering chance of showers and storms.
Lows in the low to mid 70s.
Looking ahead to the next few days....partly cloudy through the work week with scattered thunderstorms.
Highs in the 80s...lows in the upper 60s.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555][SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Afternoon Storms/88-92/Humid, Chance of/Showers & Storms/70-75;]