[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A Pulaski Prosecutor quits rather than criticize local police- -as his boss wanted.
(------------)
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[Shockley]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-29 TC 1:26:36]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
The Fraternal Order of Police in Pulaski County has endorsed the CHALLENGER in the race for Commonwealth's Attorney.
The F-O-P's endorsement of Mike Fleenor has apparently infuriated incumbent Prosecutor Everett Shockley.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Teresa/Microwave]
Teresa Hamilton has been looking into the rumors and allegations.
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Everett Shockley told one of his assistants to write a letter to the editor criticizing local police.
Mike Costanzo not only refused to write the letter, he quit.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's been]
[SUPER=01-Marty Dowdy/Pulaski Co. F.O.P. ; :15]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski; :43 quick!!]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=for a change.]
It's been nearly a month since Mike Costanzo left as a prosecutor in Pulaski County-- under Everett Shockley.
But the reason Costanzo and Shockley parted ways won't easily be forgotten among members of the local F-O-P.
(////sot///// 12:58:28)
[in q= Our lodge ]
((MARTY DOWDY/FOP MEMBER: OUR LODGE IS MADE UP OF PROBABLY 15 OR SO MEMBER AGENCIES, IT'S NOT JUST THE PULASKI POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT'S COUNTY WIDE AND BEYOND AND FOR HIM TO STAND UP AND SAY NO, I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT, IS-- MY HEART SWELLS.))
[runs=17]
[OUT Q= heart swells.]
Marty Dowdy's referring to Costanzo's decision to resign his job of six years after refusing to write an editorial to the local newspaper criticizing the work of local police.
Word is Shockley asked Costanzo to write the letter because he was upset over the local F-O-P's public endorsement of his democratic opponent Mike Fleenor.
When Costanzo refused-- a heated arguement erupted between the two.
The next day-- Costanzo turned in a letter of resignation, stating on paper, that he was leaving over the letter incident.
Marty Dowdy says it's no secret-- many local police have had problems with Shockley.
(//////sot//// 12:59:13)
[IN Q= He berates]
((HE BERATES POLICE OFFICERS, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF YOU GET UNDER HIS PATH THEN YOU'RE GOING TO GET STEPPED ON, OR AT LEAST TRIED TO GET STEPPED ON, AND WE FELT IT WAS TIME FOR A CHANGE.))
[runs=11]
[out q= for a change.]
(---------------)
[LIVE=Teresa full/Microwave]
Everett Shockley, who's been Pulaski County's prosecutor for 20-some years, refused to comment for our story-- saying it was a personnel matter.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Teresa/Microwave]
Keith, we asked Pulaski Police chief Herb Cooley if his officers have had trouble with Shockley-- he said no comment.
We also asked Sheriff Jim Davis-- he said he didn't want to get involved. [Henry-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-28 TC 1:29:14]
[GRAPHIC=Henry Co. Murder]
Authorities say the death of a man in Henry County looks "suspicious."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]
Deputies believe 34-year-old Jose Santos Mora-Soto was strangled to death.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:30:06]
[IN Q=There were some minor marks]
((FRANK CASSELL/HENRY CO. SHERIFF: THERE WERE SOME MINOR MARKS ON HIS THROAT AND DISCOLORATION IN HIS FACE QUITE OFTEN IS INDICATIVE OF STRANGULATION...))
[SUPER=01-Frank Cassell/Henry Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=indicative of strangulation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Mora's body was found yesterday by two family members in a creek near his home.
Mora's cousin says they began searching for him after he disappeared early Monday morning. He describes Mora as a quiet man with NO enemies.
Mora was a textile worker from Mexico. He came here a year ago to live with relatives and friends.
Sheriff's deputies scoured the area around Mora's home for clues today.
They say they'll know more after an autopsy tomorrow.
(------------)
[Accident-charges]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-35 TC 1:17:54]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A Roanoke man has been indicted on three counts of vehicular manslaughter ...one for each of the three passengers who died in a violent wreck Friday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Oct 1]
Timothy Wayne Sayers was driving on a restricted operators license when the car slammed into a tree on Hershberger Road.
The Commonwealth's Attorney office says speed and alcohol were factors in the accident.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
Sayers had been charged with driving under the influence just last December, but the charge was reduced to reckless driving.
Sayers is still in the hospital ...in stable condition.
[Tultex]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Tultex More Layoffs]
Martinsville's second-biggest employer keeps getting smaller.
Tultex announced today it's laying off 135 salaried employees and 25-more hourly workers.
This comes just two weeks after the apparel company closed a Bland County sewing plant and laid off 125 people.
Tultex also says it's closing 12 retail stores.
This is part of a cost-cutting strategy designed to save the struggling company nine million dollars.
[Park-Graffiti]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=99-32]
[GRAPHIC=Wasena Park Graffiti]
Six months ago, Roanoke City and Roanoke County joined forces to give skate boarders and in-line skaters a place to practice their sports and sharpen their skills.
The Roanoke Valley Skate Park has become a popular attraction, but it has also become a target of vandals.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joe/Microwave]
Tonight, Joe Dashiell reports from Wasena Park where some visitors are complaining.
[Live=Joe Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
Keith, since we first visited yesterday afternoon, most of the graffiti has been cleaned up...
but this isn't the first time crews have had to break out the paint cans and sandblasting equipment to get rid of offensive graffiti.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Since April]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Duane Howard/Roanoke Resident; :20]
[SUPER=01-Justin Cox/Skate Park Visitor; :44]
[SUPER=01-John Coates/Parks and Recreation Manager; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=good stewards of the facility.]
((Since April, the half-pipe and ramps of the Roanoke Valley Skate Park have been busy. Most afternoons bring a crowd to the facility built beneath the Wasena Bridge.
[NAT SOUND]
But the construction has also provided a canvas for vandals armed with spray paint... and their work is tough to ignore.
[SOT 03:18:41]
[IN Q=It's an example of where we went]
((DUANE HOWARD/ROANOKE RESIDENT: IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE WE WENT TO THIS GREAT EFFORT TO BUILD THIS NICE FACILITY, STATE OF THE ART ON THE EAST COAST, AND NOW WE'RE SEEING IT DESECRATED WITH GRAPHIC AND FOUL GRAFFITI WHICH IS VERY UNSIGHTLY FOR THE PARK.))
[RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=for the park.]
Some of the skaters we spoke with say graffiti goes with the territory... but others are worried that the work of a few will threaten a facility that many young people appreciate.
[SOT 02:53:54]
[IN Q=You come here]
((YOU COME HERE, NO ONE'S GOING TO BOTHER YOU. IT'S A PLACE WE CAN COME EVERY DAY. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET KICKED OUT, BECAUSE IT'S MADE FOR THIS. AND IT'S THE FIRST THING LIKE THIS WE'VE HAD IN ROANOKE, AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP IT.))
[RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=like to keep it.]
His concern is well placed... because Parks and Recreation officials are now considering ways to combat graffiti and other problems at the park.
[SOT 03:24:18]
[IN Q=I'd just make a plea]
((I'D JUST MAKE A PLEA TO ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT HERE, ENCOURAGE YOUR PEERS TO STEP UP AND BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE FACILITY.))
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=good stewards of the facility.] ))
[Live=Joe Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
Parks and Recreation Manager John Coates says that if graffiti and other problems continue, officials may have few options.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Joe/Microwave]
The most likely solution, Keith, would be to fence it in, supervise activities here, and charge admission to cover the operating costs.
[UVA-Admissions]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-33]
[GRAPHIC=UVA Admissions]
University of Virginia President John Casteen may be "tweaking" the school's affirmative action policy to avoid a legal challenge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville;]
That's what a source on U-V-A's Board of Visitors says board members were led to believe by Casteen this week.
Meanwhile, students supporting the current "race based" admissions policy are rallying on the Lawn to keep the policy in place.
The rally comes after one Board member told the local paper: "We are clearly in some cases reaching a little bit down in academic standards to recruit black students."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:38:15]
[IN Q=I believe]
((STEPHANIE TAYLOR/ADVOCATES FOR DIVERSITY IN EDUC.: I BELIEVE THAT WAS OFFENSIVE AND UNTRUE...TO BE HERE.))
[SOT 14:41:48]
((JENNIFER ELLIS/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION SUPPORTER: IF WE DON'T HAVE SOME KIND OF POLICY THAT VALUES ME OVER A WHITE GIRL WITH THE SAME CREDENTIALS, THEN THERE IS A PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Taylor/Advocates for Diversity in Educ.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Ellis/Affirmative Action Supporter; :25]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=there is a problem.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The school's Board of Visitors is expected to discuss the policy next Friday-- but NOT vote on any changes.
(------------)
[Truck-Radar]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-30]
[GRAPHIC=Truck Safety]
A Roanoke trucking company is trying to make the highways safer, by using battlefield technology.
Eric Earnhart explains how.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When Gary Dotson]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Liniel Gregory/Fleetmaster; :16]
[SUPER=01-Gary Dotson/Fleetmaster Driver; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]
((When Gary Dotson climbs into the cockpit of his new Freightliner tractor... he has something in common with f-16 fighter pilots... powering up the same kind of radar military jets use to protect themselves from a missile attack.
[SOT 22:16:05]
[IN Q=this is the same]
((LINIEL GREGORY/FLEETMASTER; THIS IS THE SAME SYSTEM THAT WE HOPE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO DETECT WHEN A VEHICLE SLOWS OR STOPS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO AVOID REAR-END COLLISIONS. IT'S GOING TO ASSIST US IN THE "NO-ZONE" SIDE OF THE TRUCK WHERE A DRIVER PHYSICALLY CAN'T SEE A VEHICLE ON THAT SIDE ))
[RUNS15]
[OUT Q=on that side]
It's called VORAD, and after watching traffic congestion grow on highways such as I-81, Roanoke's Fleetmaster Express trucking company decided to outfit ALL its new truck with the system.
While their Fleetmaster drivers already receive extensive safety training, they say this system gives them a little extra protection.
The VORAD system tracks the speed and motion of vehicles more than 300 feet in front of the truck, sounding an alarm when one suddenly slows down or stops, giving the driver more time to react.
It also puts an "eye" in the truck driver's blind spot... detecting the presence of a vehicle, then warning the driver BEFORE he begins to change lanes.
[SOT ]
[IN Q=put your blinker]
(( 22:36:28
GARY DOTSON/DRIVER; PUT YOUR BLINKER ON AND IT BEEPS TO LET YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T GO OVER SO YOU DON'T HIT THE CAR BESIDE YOU.
22:32:55
IT MAKES YOU FEEL MORE AWARE CAUSE YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW WHAT'S AHEAD OF YOU, YOU CAN SEE THROUGH RAIN, SNOW, FOG...))
[RUNS12]
[OUT Q=the car beside you]
If an accident DOES occur, the system also works like an airplane's "black box" keeping a record of the trucks speed and movement, AND the actions vehicles around the truck when the accident happened.... a feature the folks at Fleetmaster hope they'll never need to use.
In Roanoke Eric Earnhart, News 7.))
[Gilmore]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-42]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Governor Gilmore turned 50- today and got a couple of presents in Roanoke:
A visit from the Texas first lady ... and a healthy serving of cash at a lunchtime fund-raiser.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Laura Bush joined the Governor at Forest Park Elementary School.
The wife of presidential hopeful George W. Bush talked about her husband's so-called "compassionate" educate plan ...
Requiring all states to have tests like Virginia's Standards of Learning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:45]
[IN Q=]
((LAURA BUSH/TEXAS FIRST LADY: HE IS NOT FOR A NATIONAL TEST ... STATES SHOULD DEVISE THEIR OWN CURRICULUM LIKE VIRGINIA HAS DONE AND HAVE THEIR OWN TESTS. HE'S FOR LOCAL CONTROL OF SCHOOLS. ))
[SUPER=01-Laura Bush/Texas First Lady]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=local control of schools]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
After the photo-op ... it was on to a 500-dollar-a-plate luncheon.
Over the next few days, Governor Gilmore will host a series of fund-raisers with members of the Bush family ...
Raising a million dollars for Virginia Republicans.
(------------)
[Teen-Outreach]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-27]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A teen outreach program in Roanoke has turned potential high school dropouts into success stories.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
145 at risk high school students became volunteers last year.
They also learned anger control, for example, and sexual responsibility.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:09:08]
[IN Q=It makes me]
((IT MAKES ME THINK ... ALL THAT STUFF.))
[SUPER=01-James Sapp/Graduate;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=all that stuff]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Program leaders say this way, they can reduce violence and crime.
After taking the program, the number of kids who felt compelled to fight dropped by 26 percent.
Now these kids say they strive to be lawyers, doctors, and scientists.
(------------)
[S-Gordon]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-47]
[GRAPHIC=LOWES MOTOR S'WAY]
The Lowes Motor Speedway will come back to life tonight as the Winston Cup stars roll into Charlotte for first round qualifying for this Sunday's UAW-GM Quality 500.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :00]
But this afternoon, time trials and practice took a back seat to huge announcement from Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Gordon signed a lifetime contract extension with Rick Hendrick today that will not only keep him in the 24 car the rest of his career, but also give him ownership in the team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/Signs Lifetime Deal With Hendrick;:00]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...MADE THAT HAPPEN."]
(--------------)
[S-Stewart]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-49]
[GRAPHIC=Martinsville]
This past weekend's festivities in Martinsville finally reached a close today as NASCAR hit
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Sunday; :00]
Tony Stewart in his wallet.
NASCAR fined the Winston Cup rookie five thousand dollars for violating rule 12-4A - committing an action that is detrimental to auto racing.
Stewart threw his heel protectors at Kenny Irwin's windshield in Sunday's NAPA Auto Care 500 and then tried to reach in the car and punch Irwin after he was wrecked.
(------------)
[S-EA]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-45]
[GRAPHIC=LOWES]
Qualifying doesn't get started until seven tonight and race isn't until Sunday. But already today Mike Skinner has been to
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :00]
victory lane. The folks at EA Sports, who make the popular Sony Playstation video Game NASCAR 2000, held a special tournament today outside the track.
The championship race came down to defending champ Dale Earnhardt Junior taking on Lowes' chevy driver Mike Skinner.
Skinner would beat the young Earnhardt and earn his respect in the process.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt Jr./1998 EA Sports Champ; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...HE DID.']
(------------)
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-52]
[GRAPHIC=BIG EAST]
The 5th ranked Hokies open Big East conference play this weekend against winless Rutgers in New Jersey.
The Hokies are heavily favored and they shouldn't have any trouble getting up for the game. Especially when you consider Rutgers has scheduled Tech to be its Homecoming opponent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=well...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va. Tech Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cory Bird/Va. Tech Rover; :17]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=...HOMECOMING EVER."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
(------------)
[S-Baker]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=sp-46]
[GRAPHIC=hometown hoops weekly]
Hometown Hoops Weekly honors a blast form the past today. Steve Mason has the inspirational story of former Northside basketball star John Baker.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Baker/Roanoke College Guard; :13]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :22]
[SUPER=04-1991 Season; :38]
[SUPER=01-Bill Pope/Northside Boys Basketball Coach; :52]
[SUPER=01-Brad Dunleavy/Roanoke College Forward; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(--------------)
[Franklin-Shooting]
Authorities in Franklin County say a former administrator is behind bars - accused of shooting his mother this afternoon.
Sammy Quinn is in jail.
He served as a County administrator in the 1970's.
His mother is still alive... She was reportedly shot in the head around 4-15 this afternoon.
We will have the latest on News 7 at 11.
by SS