WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 11/18/99

[7-Fire-Update]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Ft. Lewis Fire]

Firefighters are continuing their efforts to control the blaze on Fort Lewis Mountain. The good news is the fire is now fully contained.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

This morning, smoke is trapped in the air and could cause health problems.
The D-E-Q has issued a health advisory warning those with heart and respiratory problems to stay inside and reduce physical activity.
More fire crews are expected to join those firefighters already on the mountain.
Officials expect to have the fire under control by noon today.
(------------)

[7-E-Firefighters]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-39 59:34]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
40 firefighters from New Mexico and Arizona have flown in to fight the fire on Fort Lewis Mountain, and the National Guard is trucking in equipment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Still 24-hour shifts are wearing the crews down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:56:07]
[IN Q=THEY WENT IN]
((THEY WENT IN AROUND SIX P-M LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS AROUND EIGHT BEFORE WE COULD GET THEM OUT THIS MORNING SO THAT WAS AROUND 14 HOURS AND IT WAS PRETTY COLD OUT THERE LAST NIGHT SO WHEN THEY CAME OUT THIS MORNING THEY WERE PRETTY TIRED.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke Co. Fire Chief;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=pretty tired]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Then the volunteers must work their day jobs. Firefighters say adrenaline pushes them forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:02:35]
[IN Q=Everybody's enjoying it]
((EVERYBODY'S ENJOYING IT. MOST PEOPLE DOING THIS DO IT BECAUSE THEY ENJOY IT. SO LONG HOURS AREN'T AS BAD FOR THEM ON THIS AS IT WOULD BE ON SOME OTHER JOBS.))
[SUPER=01-Lonnie Miles/Forestry Dept.;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=ON SOME OTHER JOBS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some crews may get to go home today, as the fire is brought under control.
(------------)

[7-Henry-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

An early morning accident in Henry County left two people injured, one with serious burns.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]

The accident happened around one-thirty this morning on South Daniels Creek Road in Collinsville.
State police say the driver was going too fast, lost control of the car and hit a utility pole.
The car then burst into flames.
Neighbors helped the driver get out, but the passenger was trapped inside.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:54:16 - :29]
[IN Q=I can only imagine]
((DONALD DALTON: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE PAIN THAT THE BOY WAS IN. I WAS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I COULDN'T GET THE FIRE OUT AND JUST SITTING THERE AND WATCHING HIM BURN. IT'S SOMETHING I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN. ))
[SUPER=07-Donald Dalton;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=don't ever want to see again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It took more than 45 minutes to get the passenger out.
He was flown to the U-VA Medical Center with third degree burns over the lower half of his body.
Authorities say the driver had severe leg injuries, but wandered away.
They're still looking for him.
State police say he will probably face criminal charges.
The names of the two men are being withheld until their families can be contacted.
(------------)

[7-Kirkland]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The Bedford man who took part in the beating death of his disabled brother will spend 25 years in prison.
William Henry Kirkland said at his sentencing yesterday that it was his nephew who bullied Jeffrey O'Neill Kirkland.
But he said he thought the men were only playing.
He pleaded no contest in December to second-degree murder.
The nephew, Robert Wright Junior, pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder.

[7Weather]

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

Here's a look at your Thursday forecast... Sunny and warmer today, with highs reaching the low to mid 60s. Tonight, clear and chilly with light winds. Lows tonight in the lower 30s.

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[45-Monty-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Montgomery Co. Fatal]

A one vehicle accident on Route 4-60 leaves one person dead and another injured.
Authorities say it happened yesterday in Montgomery County when a driver struck an embankment and flipped his vehicle several times.
The man's wife was killed in the wreck.
He suffered unknown injuries.

[45-E-Adams]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-42 1:02:10]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Campbell County man is sentenced to more than 500 years behind bars on drug and weapons charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rustburg]

Elmer Adams was sentenced yesterday on a total of 29 drug and firearms charges, but it was his PAST criminal history that made the difference.
Adams killed his wife in 19-75, another man in 1994 and had threatened to kill a number of police officers six years ago.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:01:24]
[IN Q=He didn't change]
((NEIL VENER/CAMPBELL CO. PROSECUTOR: HE DIDN'T CHANGE HIS WAYS, HE WAS MORE THAN WILLING TO KILL PEOPLE AS YOU HEARD FROM THE TESTIMONY TODAY, SO I THINK THE JUDGE BY HIS VERDICT HAS ASSURED THAT IT'S UNLIKELY HE'LL EVER GET A CHANCE TO HURT ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Neil Vener/Campbell Co. Prosecutor]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=innocent person again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Forty nine year old Adams will be eligible for parole when he turns 65.
(------------)

[45-E-Patrick-Hospital]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-37 1:50:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Millions of dollars of debt has forced officials at Patrick County's only hospital to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co.;]

Patrick Community Hospital is running a debt of more than five million dollars.
Hospital officials say the money problems stem from poor financial oversight that left hundreds of thousands of dollars in services unbilled.
The hospital has even struggled to pay its 240 employees.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy would allow the hospital protection from creditors for four months while it comes up with a plan to repay them.
(--------------)

[45-E-Health-Department]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-38 1:11:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Until structural repairs are complete the Roanoke County Health Department in Vinton will temporarily set up shop at an old elementary school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; ]
Health workers are preparing the now empty Roland (ROE-land) E-Cook school to open after Thanksgiving. The roof collapsed Monday on the Vinton Health Department. Public Health Director Doctor Molly Rutledge says she expects to use the school as a replacement for the next three to six months.
(------------)

[45-E-Creech]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=99-47 17:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A minister who conducted marriage ceremonies for a gay couple in North Carolina has lost his credentials in the United Methodist Church.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/November 7]

Reverend Jimmy Creech ministered in Roanoke shortly after performing the controversial ceremony.
He said there is nothing in scripture that condemns a loving relationship between two people of the same gender.
But yesterday today a jury of Nebraska United Methodist ministers unanimously found that Creech broke church rules.

(------------)
[anchor=Melanie]
[graphic=none]

Creech says he's not surprised by the outcome - but says he's disappointed that it was a unanimous vote.

[45Weather]

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

Taking a break from the news to check weather....
Sunny and warmer today, with highs reaching the low to mid 60s.
Clear and chilly again tonight with light winds and lows in the low to mid 30s.
The five day forecast is sunny through tomorrow...with clouds and shower likely by the weekend.
Highs in the 60s...lows mainly in the 30s and 40s.

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[SUPER=314-Sunny & Warm/Winds S 10/60-65/Clear & Chilly/Light Wind/30-35;]
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[8-Fire-Update]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Ft. Lewis Fire]

Firefighters continue to battle the brush fire on Fort Lewis Mountain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The fire is now contained but firefighters don't expect to have it under control until this afternoon.
The D-E-Q has issued a health advisory.
Smoke is trapped in the air especially around Interstate 581 and could cause health problems.
Those with heart and respiratory problems should stay inside as much as possible and reduce physical activity.

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

[8-E-Firefighters]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-39 59:34]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
40 firefighters from New Mexico and Arizona have already flown in to to help fight the fire, and the National Guard is trucking in equipment.
Even with the help.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
24-hour shifts are wearing the crews down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:56:07]
[IN Q=THEY WENT IN]
((THEY WENT IN AROUND SIX P-M LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS AROUND EIGHT BEFORE WE COULD GET THEM OUT THIS MORNING SO THAT WAS AROUND 14 HOURS AND IT WAS PRETTY COLD OUT THERE LAST NIGHT SO WHEN THEY CAME OUT THIS MORNING THEY WERE PRETTY TIRED.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke Co. Fire Chief;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=pretty tired]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

For many there's no time for rest.
Volunteers also have to work their day jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:02:35]
[IN Q=Everybody's enjoying it]
((EVERYBODY'S ENJOYING IT. MOST PEOPLE DOING THIS DO IT BECAUSE THEY ENJOY IT. SO LONG HOURS AREN'T AS BAD FOR THEM ON THIS AS IT WOULD BE ON SOME OTHER JOBS.))
[SUPER=01-Lonnie Miles/Forestry Dept.;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=ON SOME OTHER JOBS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If the fire is brought under control today, some crews may get to go home .
(------------)

[8-Monty-Fatal]

[8-Henry-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

State police are still searching for the driver involved in a fiery accident early this morning in Henry County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]

The accident happened on South Daniels Creek Road in Collinsville.
Police say the driver was going too fast, lost control of the car and hit a utility pole.
The car then burst into flames.
Neighbors helped the driver get out, but the passenger, 21-year old John W. Tunnell of Martinsville, was trapped inside.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:54:16 - :29]
[IN Q=I can only imagine]
((DONALD DALTON: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE PAIN THAT THE BOY WAS IN. I WAS TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I COULDN'T GET THE FIRE OUT AND JUST SITTING THERE AND WATCHING HIM BURN. IT'S SOMETHING I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE AGAIN. ))
[SUPER=07-Donald Dalton;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=don't ever want to see again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It took more than 45 minutes to get the Tunnell out.
He was flown to the U-VA Medical Center with third degree burns over the lower half of his body.
Authorities say the driver had severe leg injuries, but wandered away.
They're still looking for him.
State police say he will probably face criminal charges.
(------------)

[8-E-Know-Fraud]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-41 44:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's being called the largest anti-fraud effort ever.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Public Service Announcement]

Public service announcements and postcards mailed to every American household .... warning you against mail and telephone scam artists.
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Yesterday, Virginia officials kicked off Project Know Fraud locally.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:22:30]
[IN Q=There's no]
((TOM GALLAGHER/VIRGINIA BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: THERE'S NO STRONGER REMEDY FOR FRAUD THAN A CONSUMER WHO REFUSES TO BE CONNED. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Gallagher/Virginia Better Business Bureau;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=trying to do.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

It's estimated Americans lose 40 BILLION dollars a year to scams.

[8Weather]

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

Let's look at the forecast once more this morning....
Sunny and warmer, with winds about 10 miles an hour or less.
Afternoon highs in the low to mid 60s.
Clear and chilly tonight, with lows falling into the 30s.
The extended outlook is dry through tomorrow, with showers likely by late Saturday and early Sunday.
Highs in the 60s...lows mainly in the 30s and 40s.
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[SUPER=314-Sunny & Warm/Winds S 10/60-65/Clear & Chilly/Light Wind/30-35;]
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