[72-E-Drug-Bust]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Drug Bust]


Roanoke police are going to continue a sucessful drug sting.
Operation Street Sweeper has already taken 50 suspected drug dealers and buyers off the streets.
The operation began nearly 3 weeks ago.
Police say it's making a difference.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:29:34]
[IN Q=We've]

((LEUT. R.A. BOWER/ROANOKE CITY POLICE: WE'VE SEEN A CONSIDERABLE SLOW DOWN OF THE OUT RIGHT DRUG DEALING ON THE STREET AND IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE TARGETED.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. R. A. Bower/Roanoke City Police]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=were targeted]
(-------------)
[Anchor=]
[graphic=none]


Bower says the department served a total of 71 indictments so far.
Officers have confiscated crack cocaine, marijuana, and weapons.

[7E-Lynchburg-Drugs]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-19 1:27:33]
[GRAPHIC=legal scales]


Ten suspects arrested in a weekend drug bust in Lynchburg appeared in court yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


A federal magistrate ordered most of them to be held without bond.
Except for Stacey Lamont Hamlett, the alleged leader of the gang, was granted a 65 thousand dollar bond, because he has practically no criminal history, and strong family ties to the area.
Prosecutors say Hamlett and his co-defendants brought as much as 300 kilos of cocaine to the Lynchburg area over 5 years.
They believe, with most of the gang off the street, Hamlett will NOT be a danger to the communty.
(------------)



[7E-Wolfe]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-18 1:36:59]
[GRAPHIC=Mistrial]


The trial of a Roanoke elementary school teacher was abruptly called to a halt yesterday afternoon after one of the witnesses left the courthouse while the attorneys were arguing over what he might be allowed to say.
The judge declared a mistrial once he determined Monterey Elementary School Principal Bill Lalik (LA-lick) was gone.
[ss=contempt]


Judge Pat Doherty (DOUGH-er-tee) had the principal arrested.
Lalik will have to answer contempt of court charges Thursday.
Keith Humphry has more on the case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The trial]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=@keith2; :15]
[SUPER=01-Chris Kowalczuk/Wolfe's Attorney; :28]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=Humphry, NEWS 7]

((The trial of the 23-year old school teacher was moving along slowly. Only one witness had testified by midafternoon, an undercover vice-squad officer who said Shane Wolf had asked him for oral sex last Fall in Wasena Park.
Then Wolf was allowed to put on the principal- -Wolfe's boss, as a character witness, taking him out of order to accommodate Lalik who had a mid-afternoon appointment in Blacksburg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:56:35]
[IN Q=I was able]

((I WAS ABLE TO ASK THE WITNESS A FEW QUESTIONS. AND THEN WHEN WE RETURNED, THE WITNESS WAS GONE. AND SO MS EKIRCH DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PROPERLY CROSS EXAMINE THAT WITNESS. SO IN ALL FAIRNESS, THE JUDGE GRANTED A MISTRIAL. AND THAT WAS PROPER TO DO.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=proper to do.]


Prosecutor Alice Ekirch asked for the mistrial and the court set a new trial date in October.
Keith Humphry, NEWS 7.))

[7Baby-Found]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


It was a gruesome discovery for a Roanoke neighborhood yesterday. Residents were left in shock - after they found a dead newborn in a box.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The tiny body was found yesterday at Saint Andrews Cemetery off of Salem Turnpike.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some]

((SHELLY ALLEY/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT. SPOKESPERSON: SOME CITIZENS WERE IN THE AREA THEY NONCHALENLY KICKED THE BOX AND A BABY FELL OUT OF THE BOX.))
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police Spokesperson; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=fell out of the box.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


According to officials the baby appeared to be just minutes old and still had the umbilical cord attached.
The medical examiner will perform an autopsy sometime today.
Detectives are hoping someone comes forward with information about what happened.
(------------)



[7WEATHER]


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

Taking a break from the news...today's weather will be mostly sunny with some isolated storms, temps in the low 90's. It'll be partly cloudy tonight with a chance of showers, temps will be in the low-to-mid 70's. Tomorrow will be much of the same with partly sunny skies and a chance of storms. Temperatures will be in the low-to-mid 90's. Tomorrow night we'll see chance of storms and temps in the mid 60's.


[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Isolated Storms/90-94/Partly Cloudy/Chance of Showers/70-75;]



[SUPER=#555; reset]

[7BIRTHDAYS!] 7/29/99
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-43/Lorenza Terry/Penhook]



[SUPER=130-66/Roberta Terry/Penhook]



[SUPER=130-/Fran Lazenby/Lynchburg]



[SUPER=130-16/Justin Farmer/Troutville]



[SUPER=130-7/Bethany Walker/Snow Creek]



[SUPER=130-2/Paula Warrick/Galax]



[SUPER=130-81/Anne Ferrell/Moneta]


No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-21/Natasha Golden/Lexington]



[SUPER=131-11/Denise Ayres/Buena Vista]



[SUPER=131-29/Gretheben Puckett/Roanoke]



[SUPER=131-/Judy Tench/Truvine]



[SUPER=131-30/Nicole Brown/Roanoke]




[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Melanie1;]


[45Baby-Found]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke authorities are looking for leads after the body of a newborn was found yesterday in a local cemetery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The babies body was discovered yesterday at Saint Andrews Cemetery.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some]

((SHELLY ALLEY/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT. SPOKESPERSON: SOME CITIZENS WERE IN THE AREA THEY NONCHALENLY KICKED THE BOX AND A BABY FELL OUT OF THE BOX.))
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police Spokesperson; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=fell out of the box.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


According to officials the baby appeared to be just minutes old and still had the umbilical cord attached.
The medical examiner will try to determine the cause of death today.
Detectives are hoping someone comes forward with information about what happened.
(------------)



[45E-Wolfe]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-18 1:36:59]
[GRAPHIC=Mistrial]


The trial of a Roanoke elementary school teacher, charged with soliciting sex from an undercover police officer, took a strange twist yesterday when a witness left the courthouse.
Keith Humphry has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The trial]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=@keith2; :15]
[SUPER=01-Chris Kowalczuk/Wolfe's Attorney; :28]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=Humphry, NEWS 7]

((The trial of the 23-year old school teacher was moving along slowly. Only one witness had testified by midafternoon, an undercover vice-squad officer who said Shane Wolf had asked him for oral sex last Fall in Wasena Park.
Then Wolf was allowed to put on the principal- -Wolfe's boss, as a character witness, taking him out of order to accommodate Lalik who had a mid-afternoon appointment in Blacksburg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:56:35]
[IN Q=I was able]

((I WAS ABLE TO ASK THE WITNESS A FEW QUESTIONS. AND THEN WHEN WE RETURNED, THE WITNESS WAS GONE. AND SO MS EKIRCH DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PROPERLY CROSS EXAMINE THAT WITNESS. SO IN ALL FAIRNESS, THE JUDGE GRANTED A MISTRIAL. AND THAT WAS PROPER TO DO.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=proper to do.]


Prosecutor Alice Ekirch asked for the mistrial and the court set a new trial date in October.
Keith Humphry, NEWS 7.))

[45E-Water-Cost]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-17 2:02:59]
[GRAPHIC=Water Cost]


Roanoke officials say the drought will end up costing the city millions.
But it's water customers that may end up paying for it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


For weeks, Roanoke residents have been asked to cut water consumption.
Those who don't ... will most likely have to pay higher water rates in September, when Carvins Cove is expected to fall 30 feet below full pond.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:22:42]
[IN Q=i guess]

((BRENT CLINEVELL/ROANOKE RESIDENT: I GUESS IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH. EVERYBODY'S GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE, OF COURSE.))
[SUPER=01-Brent Clinevell/Roanoke Resident]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=bit more, of course.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Right now the city has 4 million dollars in its water fund.
That money covers the price of the drought AND regular water maintenance costs.
The city's spending nine thousand dollars a day on the water crisis....
At that rate, the fund could lose 25-percent by October.
City officials say the best way to refill the fund is by hiking water rates even more.
(------------)



[45E-L'burg-AEP]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-29 19:34]
[GRAPHIC=AEP]


Menwhile, the hot weather could mean temporary blackouts in CENTRAL Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


The region experienced a near shortage of power yesterday as consumption across the country outpaced available energy.
A-E-P officials in Lynchburg says its larger customers helped avert a crisis by reducing their consumption about three percent.
If demand rises again, A-E-P says it could be forced to use 15- minute rotating blackouts to conserve energy.
(------------)



[45WEATHER]


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


Turning our attention now to the forecast...
Mostly sunny and hot again today, with isolated thunderstorms possible.
Highs in the lower 90s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with a slight chance of showers and lows in the lower 70s.
The extended outlook doesn't change much...partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms...highs around 90...lows around 70.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
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[SUPER=#555; reset]

[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Melanie1;]


[8baby-Found]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


It was a shocking discovery for a Roanoke community. Last night some residents stubbled upon a dead newborn baby in a box.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The tiny body was found at Saint Andrews Cemetery off of Salem Turnpike yesterday evening.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some]

((SHELLY ALLEY/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT. SPOKESPERSON: SOME CITIZENS WERE IN THE AREA THEY NONCHALENLY KICKED THE BOX AND A BABY FELL OUT OF THE BOX.))
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police Spokesperson; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=fell out of the box.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


According to officials the baby appeared to be just minutes old and still had the umbilical cord attached.
The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy sometime today.
Detectives are hoping someone comes forward with information about what happened.
(------------)



[8S-Tobacco-Auctioneer]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-22 1:39:06]
[GRAPHIC=Hog Farms]


The Southside debate over hog farms is now spilling over into the tobacco market.
It pits residents' concerns about hog waste and odor against farmers' worries about their economic future without the option of hog farms.
Marya Jones reports on a Halifax County auctioneer who talked himself into the middle of the controversy... and paid for it with the job he loved.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When Bob Cage auctions tobacco,]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Woltz/Tobacco Farmer; :26]
[SUPER=01-Bob Cage/Tobacco Auctioneer; :43]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Halifax County.]

(( When Bob Cage auctions tobacco, it's usually music to farmers' ears and money in their pockets.
[QUICK NATSOT: BOB CAGE AUCTIONEERING]
((QUICK NATSOT: BOB CAGE AUCTIONEERING))

[RUNS:02]
Cage is a national auctioneering champion who's been a fixture in the Southside tobacco market for four decades.
[SOT 1:02:00 - :02]

((BOB CAGE/TOBACCO AUCTIONEER: I LOVE SELLING TOBACCO AS MUCH AS I EVER DID.)) [RUNS:02]
But he won't be selling tobacco this year.
That's because Cage spoke out against hog farm operations and angered some local tobacco farmers.
[SOT 41:07 - :14]

((STEVE WOLTZ/HALIFAX CO. TOBACCO FARMER: SOME PEOPLE HAD SAID THEY WERE MOVING THEIR TOBACCO SOMEWHERE ELSE BESIDES SOUTH BOSTON IF HE KEPT TALKING.)) [RUNS:07]
[SOT 1:03:22 - :25]

((BOB CAGE: IT'S HURTFUL.)) [RUNS:03]
Cage says he decided to step down after the two warehouses he worked for got calls from farmers threatening to take their tobacco elsewhere.
[SOT 59:30 - :37]

((BOB CAGE: IF I'M SELLING TOBACCO FOR A GUY WHO DOESN'T WANT ME TO SELL IT FOR HIM BECAUSE OF MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, THEN I DON'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.)) [RUNS:07]
Owners from Victory Warehouse and Planter's Warehouse confirmed getting those calls from farmers, but refused to go on camera, saying they were afraid of being drawn into the argument.
[SOT 36:55 - :37:06]

((MARYA JONES/NEWS 7: IT'S JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THE HOG FARM DEBATE HAS DIVIDED THIS COMMUNITY. TOBACCO FARMERS CONCERNED THAT THEY'RE LOSING A FUTURE WAY TO MAKE A LIVING. AND THEIR NEIGHBORS CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.)) [RUNS:11] [VERY QUICK NATSOUND WOLTZ HAMMERING 48:40]
((QUICK NATSOT: STEVE WOLTZ HAMMERING))

[RUNS:01]
Steve Woltz sells his tobacco at Victory Warehouse. And though he says he wouldn't have boycotted Victory because of Bob Cage, he understands why some farmers would.
[SOT 40:42 - :45]

((STEVE WOLTZ/TOBACCO FARMER: HE NEEDED TO REMEMBER THAT HE MADE HIS LIVING OFF OF THE FARMER.)) [RUNS:03]
Bob Cage says he's a friend to farmers and a small tobacco farmer himself.
He hopes that when the Board of Supervisors passes new hog farm regulations, the controversy ...and the bad feelings... will also pass.
And he can go back to doing a job he loves.
Marya Jones, News 7, Halifax County. ))

[8E-L'burg-AEP]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-29 19:34]
[GRAPHIC=AEP]


If the record-breaking heat continues, American Electric Power officials in Lynchburg say there could be temporary blackouts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Central Virginia experienced a near shortage of power yesterday as consumption across the country outpaced available energy.
A-E-P says customers who use large amounts of power helped avert a crisis by reducing their consumption about three percent.
If demand rises again, A-E-P says it could be forced to use 15- minute rotating blackouts to conserve energy.
(------------)



[8WEATHER]


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


Taking a break from the news now to check weather....
Mostly sunny skies today, with isolated storms and hot temperatures in the lower 90s.
Partly cloudy overnight, with a slight chance of scattered showers and lows in the lower 70s.
The five day forecast stays hot and dry for the most part...with only isolated thunderstorms.
Highs near 90...lows around 70.



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[SUPER=#555; reset]
by SS