[7e-Druckenmiller]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=HOT ROLL]
[GRAPHIC=Druckenmiller Not Guilty]


It took a Montgomery County jury just an hour to find Jim Druckenmiller Innocent of rape.
Outside the Courthouse, Druckenmiller NOT only expressed relief but also vented anger against the prosecutor who delivered closing arguments yesterday.
Teresa Hamilton reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Jim Druckenmiller]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=07-Jim Druckenmiller; :20]
[SUPER=01-Skip Schwab/Assistant Prosecutor; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Peggy Frank/Assistant Prosecutor; 1:24]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:37]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Christiansburg.]


(( Jim Druckenmiller has maintained, from the beginning, he did NOT take advantage of a college student, earlier this year, when the two had sex at a house in Blacksburg.
The jury that heard the evidence, apparently agreed
Upon leaving the courthouse, the foreman of the group said, quote "the man's innocent-- the evidence just wasn't there".
(///////SOT//////// 18:56:01)
[IN Q=This is a ]

((JIM DRUCKENMILLER: THIS IS A TOUGH LESSON AND A VALUABLE LESSON, DID I DO ANYTHING, WRONG, NO, I THINK WE JUST FOUND THAT OUT.))
[runs= 10]
[out q= that out.]


The young woman told police, back in March, Druckenmiller raped her while she was passed out.
The former Virginia Tech quarterback, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, did NOT take the stand but told police, in a taped statement that was played for the jury, he thought she was awake.
(//////sot///////// 19:00:00)
[ IN Q= I think]

((JIM DRUCKENMILLER: I THINK WE FOUND ONE THING OUT THROUGHOUT THIS TRIAL, WE FOUND, THERE'S A VERY VICIOUS MAN UP THERE, I THINK, SKIP, HIMSELF, TURNED OUT TO BE THE PREDATOR, AND IT JUST AMAZED YOU HOW SOMEONE CAN HAVE A PERSONAL VENDETTA OVER NOTHING OR SOMEONE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.))
[RUNS= 20]
[out q= even know.]
(////////sot//////// 19:36:56)
[IN Q=I wasn't ]

((SKIP SCHWAB/MONTGOMERY CO. ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR: I WASN'T THE ONE THAT WENT DOWN WHERE A GIRL WHO'D THROWN UP TWICE PUT IN THERE TO SLEEP IT OFF, HE WAS. Are you offended at all. NO, NOT AT ALL, YOU'VE GOT TO CONSIDER WHERE ITS COMING FROM.))
[runs= 11]
[OUT Q=coming from.]


The young woman who brought the charges did NOT comment after court-- nor did her parents.
Assistant commonwealth's attorney, Peggy Frank, helped prosecute the case.
(////////sot////////)
[IN Q=She never ]

((SHE NEVER WAVERED IN WHAT SHE TOLD US AND I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH I ADMIRE HER FOR PUTTING HERSELF ON THE STAND AND GOING THROUH WHAT SHE'S GONE THROUGH.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=gone through.]
(//////////SOT///////////)
[IN Q= ]

Druckenmiller will not have to worry about an appeal...prosecutors say the jury's verdict, in this case, is final. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Christiansburg.))



[7E-Murder-Suicide]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=KHu]
[TAPE#=99-26 43:14]
[GRAPHIC=Pulaski Co. Murder Suicide]


Their relationship apparently went badand on Wednesday the couple was found dead from a murder-suicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Yesterday;]


The bodies of Rebecca Ann King and Frank Van Mullins were found in the Camelot Apartments in Pulaski County.
The 39 year old Dublin woman went to his apartment Wednesday morning to drop off some sort of document.
As soon as King arrived, Mullins jerked her inside, locked the door, shot her and then shot himself with a large caliber handgun.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


The two had been co-workers at New River Castings.

[7E-Juvenile-Corrections]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-23 1:20:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]


According a medical examiner the 16-year that died in one Virginia's juvenile prisions was an accident. The teen died more than three months ago.
The autopsy report says Manassas teen Wallace Dandridge had a heart attack, caused by acute stress and suffocation.
The Gilmore administration is turning the report over to Chesterfield County's Commonwealth's Attorney.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chesterfield Co./Last Month]


He will decide if criminal charges are warranted.
Yesterday's report leaves open the question of whether the department's new physical restraint techniques could be at fault.
(------------)



[7WEATHER]


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

Taking a look at today's weather...it'll be partly sunny with isolated storms. Highs in the low-to-mid 90's. Tonight will be mostly clear and muggy with high's in the low-to-mid 70's. Tomorrow will be partly cloudy with a chance of showers high's in the mid-to-upper 80's and Saturday night will have isloated storms high's in the mid 60's.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Isolated Storms/90-95/Mostly Clear/& Muggy/70-75;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[7BIRTHDAYS!] 7/24/99
Saturday:

[SUPER=130-3/Jonathan Saunders/Hardy]



[SUPER=130-40/Kathy Webb/Roanoke]



[SUPER=130-33/David Moorman/Hardy]



[SUPER=130-4/Jonathan Manning/Axton]



[SUPER=130-9/Donavan Blackburn/Vesuvius]


No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-45/Robert Bolden/Low Moor]


[BIRTHDAYS!] 7/25/99
Sunday:
Wow!
[SUPER=130-100 years young!/Virginia Kreger/Roanoke]



[SUPER=130-10/April James/Bassett]



[SUPER=130-18/Tiana Martin/Bassett]



[SUPER=130-10/Matthew Humphreys/New Castle]



[SUPER=130-4/Morgan Vess/New Castle]



[SUPER=130-6/Megan Staton/New Castle]



[SUPER=130-8/Shannon Branche/Glasgow]



[SUPER=130-1/Sarah Keith/Floyd]


Anniversary:
[SUPER=130-58th/Rev. & Mrs. Virgil Vaught/Pembroke]


No Pictures:
Anniversary:
[SUPER=131-/Harold & Marion Ellis/Snow Creek]



[SUPER=131-/Hollie Stanley/Snow Creek]



[SUPER=131-/Richard Lawrence/Snow Creek]



[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Melanie1;]


[452-81-AX]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=81-ax]


A vacation trip ends in a trip to the hospital following a one vehicle accident early this morning on Interstate 81 this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


It happened at mile marker 141 near Salem.
State Police say the driver lost control of the steering wheel causing the car to go off the left shouler.
Then it flipped three times.
There were 4 people in the car, at least three of them were injured.
They were taken to Roanoke memorial, at this time there's no word on their conditions.
They reportedly were on vacation.
Police say speed was NOT a factor, but charges are pending.
(------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=none]


The southbound left lane was closed, but All lanes are now open.

[45E-Jennings]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=599-4 1:35:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A life sentence for a man convicted of murdering his ex-wife.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Michael Jennings was arrested a year ago, hours after he fatally stabbed Wanda Jennings in her Northeast Roanoke home.
[SUPER=04-June 5, 1998]


The couple had married, divorced and reconciled before Wanda Jennings ended their relationship a week before the murder.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:45:11]
[IN Q=Judge, I'm very sorry]

((MICHAEL JENNINGS/DEFENDANT: JUDGE, I'M VERY SORRY FOR WHAT I'VE DONE. I KNOW I HAVE TO OWN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY ACTIONS. IF I COULD GO BACK AND DO IT AGAIN, I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SEE IT GO THIS WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Jennings/Defendant]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=see it go this way.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]


Jennings has a lengthy criminal history, including bank robberies in the mid- 70s, but his attorney said Jennings had stayed out of trouble since his release from prison in 1980.
(---------------)
[Anchor=]
[Graphic=None]


Prosecutors had argued the vicious nature of the crime and the defendant's record justified a life sentence.[45E

-Blood-Donations]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE#=99-19 1:21:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ANCHOR TAG!!!]
It seems to happen just about ever summer, a drop in blood donations in the Roanoke Valley.
Adding to the problem, the lastest teen fad that's preventing young people from giving blood.
Intern Reporter Juliet Bickford explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Anyone]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Di Myers/ Phlebotomist; :13]
[SUPER=01-Joe Hegarty/Tattoo Artist; :37]
[SUPER=01-Juliet Bickford/Reporting; 53]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=N7, Roanoke]

(( Anyone who's gotten a tattoo or body piercing in the past year can't donate blood. With no state regulations governing such practices--the Red Cross says it can't trust every operation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:14:08]
[IN Q=Whether]

((DI MYERS/PHLEBOTOMIST:WHETHER THEY USE NEW NEEDLES VERSUS NEEDLES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN AN AUTOCLAVE BECAUSE OF THE CHANCE OF HEPATITIS.))
[RUNS= 9]
[OUT Q=hepatitis.]

Many parlors have self-imposed regulations such as a new needle for every customer and an autoclave -or sterilizer - that is evaluated monthly for effectiveness. One local tattoo artist says the Red Cross has the right idea.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:24:53]
[IN Q=I can]

((JOE HEGARTY/ TATTOO ARTIST: I CAN SEE WHERE THE RED CROSS WOULD HAVE TO USE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE GETTING TATTOOS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=tattoos.]


The restrictions don't have profound effects on most blood drives--but it affects the amount of young people who donate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:23:50]
[IN Q=The Red]

((JULIET BICKFORD/ REPORTING: THE RED CROSS SAYS HIGH SCHOOLS AND COLLEGE BLOOD DRIVES ARE BIG SUPPLIERS IN THIS AREA.
THE STUDENTS ARE ALSO THE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE NEW TATTOOS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=tattoos]


Juliet Bickford, News 7, Roanoke.))
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Red Cross will allow people with piercings to donate if they secure documentation that the procedure was sterile.



[45E-Little-Chef]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-24 1:02:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]


After half a century in business in Roanoke, the Little Chef Restaurant serves its last meal today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Gary's Little Chef Restaurant was a Roanoke late-night landmark.
Owners Gary and Debbie Nimer (NY-mer) say they'll always remember the customers... escpecially those who came after partying until the early morning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:28:47]
[IN Q=a lot of party]

((DEBBIE NIMER: A LOT OF PARTY PEOPLE COMING IN, THEN WHEN YOU FEED THEM THEY GET QUIET.))
[SUPER=01-Debbie Nimer/Little Chef]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=they get quiet]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Nimers say Little Chef could NOT compete with big chain restaurants.
It will close after serving lunch today.
(------------)




[45WEATHER]


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


Let's shift gears now to weather...
Partly sunny and humid today, with a few isolated storms possible.
Highs in the low to mid 90s.
Mostly clear and muggy overnight, with lows in the lower 70s.
The five day forecast is partly cloudy through the weekend, with a few thunderstorms possible tommorrow.
Highs around 90...lows around 70.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Isolated Storms/90-95/Mostly Clear/& Muggy/70-75;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Melanie1;]


[82-81-AX]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=81-ax]


A vacation trip was cut short early this morning when a car flipped this morning on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


It happened at mile marker 141 near Salem.
State Police say the driver lost control of the steering wheel causing the car to go off the left shouler.
Then it flipped three times.
There were 4 people in the car, at least three of them were injured.
They were taken to Roanoke memorial, at this time there's no word on their conditions.
They reportedly were on vacation.
Police say speed was NOT a factor, but charges are pending.
(------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=none]


The southbound left lane was closed, but All lanes are now open.

[8e-Druckenmiller]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=HOT ROLL]
[GRAPHIC=Druckenmiller Not Guilty]


Former Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller will soon report to the 49'ers training camp after being acquitted of rape.
Following the verdict, Druckenmiller expressed relief but also vented anger against the prosecutor who delivered yesterday's closing arguments.
Teresa Hamilton reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Jim Druckenmiller]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=07-Jim Druckenmiller; :20]
[SUPER=01-Skip Schwab/Assistant Prosecutor; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Peggy Frank/Assistant Prosecutor; 1:24]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:37]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Christiansburg.]


(( Jim Druckenmiller has maintained, from the beginning, he did NOT take advantage of a college student, earlier this year, when the two had sex at a house in Blacksburg.
The jury that heard the evidence, apparently agreed
Upon leaving the courthouse, the foreman of the group said, quote "the man's innocent-- the evidence just wasn't there".
(///////SOT//////// 18:56:01)
[IN Q=This is a ]

((JIM DRUCKENMILLER: THIS IS A TOUGH LESSON AND A VALUABLE LESSON, DID I DO ANYTHING, WRONG, NO, I THINK WE JUST FOUND THAT OUT.))
[runs= 10]
[out q= that out.]


The young woman told police, back in March, Druckenmiller raped her while she was passed out.
The former Virginia Tech quarterback, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, did NOT take the stand but told police, in a taped statement that was played for the jury, he thought she was awake.
(//////sot///////// 19:00:00)
[ IN Q= I think]

((JIM DRUCKENMILLER: I THINK WE FOUND ONE THING OUT THROUGHOUT THIS TRIAL, WE FOUND, THERE'S A VERY VICIOUS MAN UP THERE, I THINK, SKIP, HIMSELF, TURNED OUT TO BE THE PREDATOR, AND IT JUST AMAZED YOU HOW SOMEONE CAN HAVE A PERSONAL VENDETTA OVER NOTHING OR SOMEONE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW.))
[RUNS= 20]
[out q= even know.]
(////////sot//////// 19:36:56)
[IN Q=I wasn't ]

((SKIP SCHWAB/MONTGOMERY CO. ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR: I WASN'T THE ONE THAT WENT DOWN WHERE A GIRL WHO'D THROWN UP TWICE PUT IN THERE TO SLEEP IT OFF, HE WAS. Are you offended at all. NO, NOT AT ALL, YOU'VE GOT TO CONSIDER WHERE ITS COMING FROM.))
[runs= 11]
[OUT Q=coming from.]


The young woman who brought the charges did NOT comment after court-- nor did her parents.
Assistant commonwealth's attorney, Peggy Frank, helped prosecute the case.
(////////sot////////)
[IN Q=She never ]

((SHE NEVER WAVERED IN WHAT SHE TOLD US AND I CAN'T SAY HOW MUCH I ADMIRE HER FOR PUTTING HERSELF ON THE STAND AND GOING THROUH WHAT SHE'S GONE THROUGH.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=gone through.]
(//////////SOT///////////)
[IN Q= ]

Druckenmiller will not have to worry about an appeal...prosecutors say the jury's verdict, in this case, is final. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Christiansburg.))



[8E-SML-Levels]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-21 1:08:48]
[GRAPHIC=SML]


According to residents in Smith Mountain Lake residents the power company is hurting them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake;]


They say the power company is letting too much water flow downstream through the dam instead of keeping it in Smith Mountain Lake.
Boats are running aground on sandbars that are usually underwater.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:19:54]
[IN Q=We've developed]

((DAN PHILLIPS/LAKE RESIDENT: WE'VE DEVELOPED A PETITION. ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE ASKED FOR IS FOR THEM TO EITHER MAINTAIN THE LAKE AT PROPER LEVELS OR MARK THE AREAS THAT ARE DANGEROUS FOR BOATERS.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Phillips/Lake Resident;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=for boaters]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A-E-P says lake agencies are responsible for marking shallow parts.
And they say downstream industries need the water just as much as Smith Mountain Lake -- the big Lane Furniture plant, for example, or the state fish hatchery that stocks local lakes with catfish and stripers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:29:09]
[IN Q=What we're]

((MIKE THACKER/AEP: WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AT SMITH MOUNTAIN IS MANAGE THE PROJECT FOR EVERYBODY'S BENEFIT. UNFORTUNATELY WE CAN'T MAXIMIZE THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF RAINFALL.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Thacker/AEP;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=because of rainfall]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A-E-P officials are already releasing less water out of Smith Mountain Lake because of the drought.
Now, they say, only rain will make the lake levels rise.
(------------)



[8WEATHER]


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


Before we finish the morning updates...here's one more look at the Friday forecast.
Partly sunny with a few isolated storms...look for hot and humid conditions with highs in the 90s.
Mostly clear and muggy overnight, with lows in the lower 70s.
Partly cloudy with a few scattered thunderstorms tomorrow...otherwise, partly cloudy and hot.
Highs around 90..lows around 70.
[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]

[SUPER=#555; reset] [SUPER=314-Partly Sunny/Isolated Storms/90-95/Mostly Clear/& Muggy/70-75;]
by SS