[1181-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=99-37 1:42:36]
[GRAPHIC=81 Hit and Run]


State police are still looking for the driver who may have caused an accident on Interstate 81 - then fled the scene.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night]


Authorities say a maroon van swerving in and out of traffic caused one car to clip another and spin out of control.
It happened in the Southbound lanes near the Dixie Caverns exit. Three people had to be transported to the hospital.
Authorities say their injuries were NOT life-threatening.
(------------)



[11Switched-Babies]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-43 54:58]
[GRAPHIC=Switched Babie]


A ruling has been made in the custody battle over a little girl who was switched at birth.
A judge denied Paula Johnson custody of her biological daughter, but did re-establish visitation rights between the two families. As Steve Smallshaw tells us both sides are claiming victory.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In the end]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ken Mergenthal/Paula Johnson's Attorney; 42]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Travis Rogers/Rebecca's Uncle; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=News7, Buena Vista.]


(( In the end, there were tears in the courtroom.. for the first time in eight months the families involved in one of the most bizarre custody battles in legal history were actually speaking to each other again, exchanging pictures and hugs.
Paula Johnson had been seeking custody of her biological daughter Rebecca Chittum.. the four- year- old girl who was accidentally switched with another baby at the UVA medical center in 1995.
The switch came to light after Rebecca's parents were killed in a car crash last year.. an earlier agreement to share custody fell apart, and the two sides ended up in court.
After a two- day hearing, a judge agreed Paula could see Rebecca once a month, on major holidays and for three weeks during the summer.
[SOT 1:10:43]

((KEN MERGENTHAL/PAULA JOHNSON'S ATTORNEY: WHAT PAULA ALWAYS WANTED WAS TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE RELATIONSHIP WITH REBECCA, TO LET HER KNOW THAT SHE'S HER MOTHER AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME DEVELOP THAT MOTHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP THAT SHE'S BEEN DEPRIVED OF FOR THE LAST 4 AND A HALF YEARS.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=4 1/2 years.]

[Standup 1:21:00] ((Unlike the original agreement between the two families, this one is legally binding, although Paula Johnson's attorneys would not say whether this is simply a stepping stone to seeking full custody somewhere down the road. Both sides do agree this was the best thing for Rebecca Chittum.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=for Rebecca Chittum.]
[SOT 1:14:35]

((TRAVIS ROGERS/REBECCA'S UNCLE: WE'RE FOREVER LINKED WITH HER AND WE HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK FOR THESE KIDS.. IT'S NOT ABOUT US, IT'S BIGGER THAN US YOU KNOW.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=you know.]


An hour after the ruling the families broke bread together at the local Pizza Hut.. Paula sitting across from Rebecca, the first time she'd seen her since March.
The spirit of the new agreement was in the air.
[natsot 1:22:27]

((LET'S HAVE A TOAST.. TO A NEW BEGINNING, EVERYBODY.. TO A NEW BEGINNING.))
[RUNS= 04]


Steve Smallshaw, News7, Buena Vista.))

[11Project-Impact]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=sat Am]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-48 14:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]


There's a new way to find out if your home is vulnerable to flooding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/1985; QUICK!!!]


The Roanoke Valley governments, along with Project Impact, have developed a new mapping system.
The maps are color- coded, and can predict how high floodwaters may rise.
You can check how your home fares on any of the Roanoke Valley government web sites.
(------------)





[11Foutz]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 saturday morning]


After serving the Vinton Police Department for 27 years -- former police Chief Ricky Foutz speaks out about his sudden retirement in the midst of special grand jury investigation.
Joy Sutton has details.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Former]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Foutz/Former Vinton Police Chief;14]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=Joy Sutton News 7]

(( Former Police Chief Ricky Foutz says he wants the people of Vinton to know hasn't done anything criminal.
But he says the special grand jury investigation did play a role in his early retirement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:50:46]
[IN Q=I would've liked]

((I WOULD'VE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STICK OUT BUT UNFORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HAVE THAT OPTION))
[RUNS= 4]
[OUT Q=that option]


Foutz would not say whether he was forced to step down -- but that he was made an offer he couldn't refuse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Whether you've done anything]

((WHETHER YOU'VE DONE ANYTHING OR NOT YOU'RE KIND OF HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND THAT'S THE WAY IT'S KIND OF UNFOLDED))
[RUNS= 9]
[OUT Q=of unfolded]


Lieutenant William Brown, Jr. also retired along with Foutz.
Foutz says Brown has been the main target of the special grand jury's investigation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:00:05]
[IN Q=I don't think]

((I DON'T THINK HE WAS TREATED PROPERLY. WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER A LONG TIME AND IF HE TELLS ME SOMETHING I BELIEVE IT. AND HE TELLS ME HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=anything]


Foutz says he and Brown still are not aware of all the allegations - but know one deals with missing evidence -- most of which he says has been found.
(///// SOT /////)t
[SOT 2:55:20]
[IN Q=Throught the investigation]

((THROUGH THE INVESTIGATION THEY MAY FIND THAT THERE WERE SOME PROCEDURES PROBABLY THAT NEEDED TO BE REFINED AND WE KNEW THAT MONTHS AGO AND HAD TAKEN STEPS TO CORRECT THOSE.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=to correct those]

Joy Sutton News 7))
[ANCHOR=denise]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Foutz says by retiring early -- he won't be able to draw retirement for another three years -- and even then he won't get full benefits.

[Fire-Investigation]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=99-34 TC 2:00:52]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]


Roanoke Officials are re-opening the investigation into the fire that killed Patricia Leftwich Beckner's four children and mother.
It happened nearly four years ago on Stewart Avenue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/January 1996;]


Fire investigators originally determined the blaze was caused by an overheated extension cord plugged into a space heater.
Recently Patricia Beckner reached a two-point-four million dollar settlement with companies she blamed for the blaze.
The fire department is taking a second look at the evidence after lawyers for one of the companies in the case said it was preparing a defense based on the theory the blaze was deliberately set.
Officials still believe it was accidental, but want to be sure.
(------------)


[11SCV-Lawsuit]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=sat Am]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-39 48:51]
[GRAPHIC=SCV Lawsuit]


A federal judge stopped short of making a ruling in the Sons of Confederate Veterans' lawsuit against the state.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


But he will let the organization submit proof that the S-C-V has at least 350 members who want a special plate bearing the Confederate Flag.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:58:55 - -you'll obviously have to cover the first :02]
[IN Q=The North carolina]

((THE NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION HAS ABOUT 3200 MEMBERS, AND THEY SOLD OVER 1900 PLATES. SO I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM HERE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Barbour/SCV Virginia Commander ]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=of Virginia.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


The state questioned whether there were enough S-C-V members who want the plate to make it happen. The legislature approved the special tag for the Sons of Confederate Veterans but specifically said it had to be issued withOUT the flag.


[11Natural-Bridge]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-36 1:53:01]
[GRAPHIC=Nat. Bridge Reopening]


Natural Bridge should be safe once again.
The work that's supposed to keep it from crumbling is complete.
Route 11 may re-open sometime next week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Natural Bridge/November 4;]


A Canadian company chipped away loose rock and did other work to reinforce the historic landmark.
The road on top of Natural Bridge is still closed, but it could re-open as early as Tuesday.
The repairs started after falling rock killed a tourist last month.
(------------)




[Primland-Resort]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Saturday AM]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Time Off]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]


Hunting season is about to get into full swing.
But if you're not as comfortable in the woods as more seasoned hunters, you might want to try a hunting PRESERVE.


Hunting is just one of the many sporting activities at which you can test your skills.
This week's "Time Off" takes you to Primland Resort.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It takes a delicate....]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Helms/Primland General Manager; :26]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1; 2:06]
[RUNS=2:19]
[OUT Q=KM, News 7, Patrick County.]



(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:10:22 nat sound of gun shots in sporting clay]

((PULL IT!! TWO GUNSHOTS)) [RUNS:04]

It takes a delicate mix of eye- hand coordination to pull the trigger at precisely the right moment.
The sporting clay course at Primland Resort attracts both men and women who love the great outdoors.
Primland is also one of the nation's largest hunting preserves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:12:45 tape 2]

((STEVE HELMS/PRIMLAND GENERAL MANAGER: IT'S A 14,000 ACRE ESTATE. THERE'S NO FENCE ON IT OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE, SO IT'S ALL WIDE OPEN TERRITORY RIGHT HERE ON THE EAST FACE OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS.)) [RUNS:09]
Trained dogs, usually English Pointers, help out with guided pheasant- hunting excursions.
And as on any hunting trip, you are requited to wear blaze orange.
So far, Primland has an excellent safety record, with no hunting injuries reported.
Any unwanted prey are donated to the charity, "Hunters for the Hungry".
If you prefer and rod and reel to a rifle.... fly- fishing along the Dan River is also offered at the resort.
And ponds are always stocked with trout.
Perhaps the best CATCH here is the opportunity for more family time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:12:30 tape 2]

((STEVE HELMS/PRIMLAND GENERAL MANAGER: IT'S REALLY A BONDING TIME, AS FAR AS FAMILIES ARE CONCERNED. YOU KNOW, FATHERS AND SONS, DOING HUNTS AND FISHING TRIPS AND YOU KNOW, JUST GETTING OUT. THE WHOLE FAMILY GOING HORSEBACK RIDING AND THINGS LIKES THAT--GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE A LITTLE MORE AND AWAY FROM THE VIDEO GAMES.)) [RUNS:11]
You can get OUT, and OFF of the beaten path...while four- wheeling on A-T-V's.
After a such a full day here...you might want to seek a quite refuge for the night in one of 13 chalets offering scenic views of the Virginia- North Carolina border.
Most are large enough to accommodate large families or groups.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:12:04 tape 2]

((STEVE HELMS/PRIMLAND GENERAL MANAGER: WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT MORE CORPORATE GROUPS IN, DOING CONFERENCES AND THEY DO A LOT OF CORPORATE OUTINGS WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS AND WHAT NOT AND THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES AND COMPANY PICNICS, ALONG WITH ALL THE FAMILIES COMING FOR SUMMER VACATION.)) [RUNS:12]
With the wide scope of activities at Primland, Helms says it's important to call for reservations....especially with the holiday and hunting seasons getting under way.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT standup close tape 2 13:28:41]

((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: RIFLE HUNTING SEASON BEGINS NEXT WEEK. BUT FOR AMATEUR HUNTERS, A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS ONE IS GOOD TRAINING GROUND BEFORE HEADING INTO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE WOODS. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7, PATRICK COUNTY.)) [RUNS:12]))
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=WEBWATCH]


For directions to Primland, simply click on our website at W-D-B-J-7-DOT-COM and click on "What's New."






by SS