WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 10/06/99

[7-E-Microwave-Baby]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-33 1:44:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The teenage mother accused of cooking her baby to death in a microwave was released on bond yesterday.
Elizabeth (OAT-ee) Otte's father says she's had epilepsy for four years, and he told a judge yeserday he can take care of her at home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Kent Co.]

The New Kent County judge released the 19 year old, pending a hearing scheduled for next month.
(/////SOT/////)
[sot 09:40:44]
[IN Q=No comment]
((SUSANNA HICKMAN/OTTE'S ATTORNEY: NO COMMENT AT THIS TIME. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF INFORMATION TO GO THROUGH, AND WE'RE WORKING ON THE CASE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT AT THIS TIME.))
[SOT 09:55:16]
((LINWOOD GREGORY/NEW KENT PROSECUTOR: WE'LL GET THE REPORT FROM THE PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION ON THE COMPETENCY AND SANITY. AND IF SHE'S SANE, OR EXCUSE ME, IF SHE'S COMPETENT, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER SHE WAS SANE AT THE TIME OF THE OFFENSE, WE'LL GO FORWARD WITH THE PRELIMINARY HEARING.))
[SUPER=01-Susanna Hickman/Otte's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Linwood Gregory/New Kent Co. Prosecutor; :06 ]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=preliminary hearing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Otte reportedly told family members she confused the baby with a bottle of milk because of a severe epileptic seizure.
Otte was on suicide watch in New Kent's jail, after allegedly threatening to kill herself right after her baby's death.
Her father promised the court to closely monitor her at home, until a November 17th preliminary hearing.
(------------)

[7-Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]

A South Boston teenager has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death a 48-year-old man.
Halifax County authorities say 19-year-old Marcus White shot Phillip Carrington of South Boston in the chest after an arguement.
It happened last night at a popular neighborhood hangout on Riverdale Hill.
Authorities say the shooting may have been drug-related.

[7-E-Reid]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-28 1:47:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Is he a family man who got caught spending too much time on the Internet... or a sex offender intent on having relations with a 12-year old girl?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Two sides of Thomas Lee Reid were portrayed in court yesterday when the Rockbridge County man was sentenced.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February 3]

In February, Reid drove from Lexington to Roanoke, expecting to meet the mother of a 12 year old girl at Towers Mall, but she was a police detective.
Reid had told the officer on the phone, "You don't know how long I've been waiting for something like this."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[SS=]

Judge Jonathan Apgar sent Reid to jail for 18 months.

[7-Bedford-Sheriff]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-38 26:14]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

A candidate for Bedford County sheriff reportedly has taken money from a convicted drug dealer's family.
Chuck Reid accepted 500 dollars for his campaign from Sam Husted's parents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

Husted sold an ounce of marijuana to an undercover cop three times.
He says he smoked pot only to fight depression and the undercover cop bought him beer and car parts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:55:11]
[IN Q=He's like]
((SAM HUSTED: HE'S LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS AS A FAVOR TO ME BECAUSE MY WIFE'S SICK IN THE HOSPITAL, IF YOU COULD JUST PULL THIS OFF FOR ME THIS ONE TIME, SO I DID IT A COUPLE TIMES CAUSE HE KEPT COMING BACK AGAIN.))
[SUPER=07-Sam Husted;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=coming back again]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Husted's parents then gave 500-dollars to the sheriff's challenger, Chuck Reid, who runs a regional jail.
So----Was it shady for Reid to take money from a criminal's family?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:09]
[IN Q=I think the shady]
((I THINK THE SHADY PART IS IN THE INVESTIGATIVE PART AND THE DRUG CASES, FROM WHAT THEY TELL ME.))
[SUPER=01-Chuck Reid/(D) Candidate for Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=what they tell me]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sheriff Mike Brown says it looks bad for a candidate to accept such a contribution, and he would have sent it back.

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

[7Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look now at today's forecast, A chilly start to the day with temperatures in the 40s. Highs today pleasant in the lower 70s. Expect lows overnight in the 40s.

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[45-Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]

A South Boston Teen faces a charge of first degree murder in the death of a 48 year old man.
Halifax County authorities say 19-year-old Marcus White shot Phillip Carrington of South Boston in the chest after the two men argued.
It happened last night at a popular neighborhood hangout on Riverdale Hill.
Authorities say the shooting may have been drug-related.

[45-E-Trigon]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-29 1:23:55]
[GRAPHIC=Trigon Layoffs]

More than 150 Trigon employees in Roanoke are losing their jobs.
(-----------------)
[VO NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
Yesterday, Trigon announced lay offs would begin by mid-December and continue through April of next year. Trigon's senior Vice President says this is a business decision that has nothing to do with the fact that the company now answers to stock holders.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:49:56]
[IN Q=That question]
((JOHN BERRY/TRIGON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: THAT QUESTION IS ASKED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT ARE WE A DIFFERENT COMPANY FROM WHEN WE BECAME PUBLIC AND THE ANSWER IS NO, ANY BUSINESS HAS TO BE CAREFUL TO PROTECT IT'S BUSINESS INTERESTS AT THE SAME TIME WE'VE GOT TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEEDS OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE TRY AND BALANCE THOSE TWO THINGS.))
[SUPER=01-John Berry/Trigon Senior Vice President; ]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=those two things.]
(-----------------)
[VO NAT]
In May, when Trigon stopped processing claims for Medicare -- 145-workers were laid off.
Those workers, including 70 in Roanoke, were rehired by Blue Cross / Blue Shield United of Wisconsin.
(----------------)

[45-E-Friendship-Manor]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-35 1:17:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some big improvements are planned for Roaonke's Friendship Manor, and some bigger bills.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, renovation plans were unveiled.
The price tag, 2 point 7 million dollars.
Most of the money is paying for improvements to the health-care center... such as an open-air food court ... a new kitchen ... a bigger pharmacy ... and a general store.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:20 tc]
[IN Q=It's somewhat]
((MONTY PLYMALE: IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A DE-INSTITUTIONALIZATION FEEL FROM WHAT IT IS TODAY VERSUS WHAT IT WILL BE IN A YEAR OR SO.))
[SUPER=01-Monty Plymale/Friendship Manor CEO]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=YEAR OR SO]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Another 500-thousand dollars will pay for improvements at two apartment buildings on the complex.
Management also announced it's hiking the rent as much as three-and a half percent.
It was called a "standard" increase that has nothing to do with the renovations.
(-------------)

[45-E-Westwood]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-30]
[GRAPHIC=Henry Co. Sewage]

The water problems are being fixed in Henry County, but some residents say they're holding the health department responsible for years of dirty, smelly tap water and water shortages.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]

Henry County took over their water and sewage service last week in an emergency action ... and is already trying to remedy the situation.
The water and sewage plant owner, Richard Anthony, has been charged with endangering residents' health.
But residents say they blame the health department for not acting on years of complaints.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:35:23 - :30]
[IN Q=We're always going to have]
((MICHELE SMITH/HENRY CO. ACTIVIST: WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE ANTHONY OUT THERE, BUT IT'S THESE AGENCIES THAT ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THESE PEOPLE.))
[SUPER=01-Michele Smith/Henry Co. Activist;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=safety of these people.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Virginia Department of Health says it investigated ALL complaints from residents and ONLY ONCE found high levels of bacteria in the drinking water.
(------------)

[45Weather]

[8-Fralin-Edwards]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-41 TC18:23]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 99]

In one month Roanoke voters will go to the polls to choose a state senator.
Last night the incumbent and his challenger debated the issues.
Kate Weidaw has the details.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=@Edwards; :13]
[SUPER=01-William Fralin/(R) State Senate Candidate; :25]
[SUPER=01-Sarah Sellari/Student; :52]
[SUPER=01-Bill Fitzgibbon/Parent; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=kw news 7]
((The auditorium was filled with people hoping to see the two key state senate candidates go head to head on their issues, many dealing with education and the future for students.
[SOT 2:14:00]
[INQ=]
((SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS: I CALL FOR SMALLER CLASSES, SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION, COMPUTERS, AND MORE TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
Some students wanted to know what the candidates thought of the standards of learning.
[SOT 2:21:49]
[INQ=]
((WILLIAM FRALIN/GOP SENATE CANDIDATE: I THINK THEY ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I DON'T THINK THEY ARE TRIVIAL PURSUIT LIKE MY OPPONENT HAS CALLED THEM AND I DON'T THINK THEY ARE A POLITICAL FOOTBALL I THINK THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
Both candidates addressed concerns over Interstate 81, and both discussed ideas for funding an expansion of the roadway. Students say the safety of 81 is an issue they can relate to... and they had some ideas of their own.
[SOT 2:25:24]
[INQ=]
((SARAH SELLARI/STUDENT: WE ARE NEW DRIVERS AND WE NEED TO HAVE A LOT OF PATROLLING OFFICERS ON OUR INTERSTATES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
While many of the students who attended were not old enough to vote said they went to get a perspective on politics. Parents like Bill Fitzgibbon - who has already endorsed Senator Edwards - says he was pleasantly surprised at some of Fralin's issues.
[SOT 2:28:35]
[INQ=]
((BILL FITZGIBBON/PARENT: HE DISAGREED WITH THE GOVERNOR ON A COUPLE OF ISSUES LIKE THE GUNS IN SCHOOL HE DIDN'T FEEL IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE LOCALITY I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
[STAND UP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: AND WITH TIME RUNNING OUT THE CANDIDATES HOPE LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE WILL HELP VOTERS DECIDE WHO THEY WILL ELECT IN FOUR WEEKS. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[8-S-Campbell-Newman]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-34 1:04:31]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Lack of a debate has another Senate candidate mad.
Democrat John Campbell faces the difficult task of unseating an incumbent.
He says he can't do that without an open debate of the issues.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Campbell yesterday renewed his challenge for Republican Steve Newman to debate him anywhere, any time.
He thinks Newman is trying to avoid him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:37:23]
[IN Q=That is certainly]
((JOHN CAMPBELL/D- STATE SENATE CANDIDATE: THAT IS CERTAINLY THE ADVANTAGE OF AN INCUMBENT, THAT HE CAN REFUSE TO DEBATE IF THAT'S WHAT HE WANTS TO DO. HE IS A FREE CITIZEN AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO OPEN HIS MOUTH IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO. BUT I THINK IF HE DOESN'T OPEN HIS MOUTH ON THE ISSUES IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THEN SHAME ON HIM.))
[SUPER=01-John Campbell/(D) State Senate Candidate; :00]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=shame on him.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Steve Newman says he's not surprised that "a challenger with little money and support would be eager to debate every night".
Newman adds he HAS agreed to at least three joint appearances with Campbell over the next few weeks.
(------------)

[8Weather]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a final look now at today's forecast, A chilly start to the day with temperatures in the 40s. Light winds today, with a pleasant high temperature in the lower 70s. Expect a cold night with lows overnight in the 40s. For your five day outlook....
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[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds 10 MPH/70-75/Clear/& Cool/40-45;]
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