WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/06/00

[7-Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]

We have one school announcement this morning.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FULL SCREEN]
Mount Rogers school in Grayson County is operating on a one hour delay.
Again, Mount Rogers is on a one hour delay.

[7-E-Tech-Reacts]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-41]
[GRAPHIC=Sugar Bowl]

Despite the Sugar Bowl loss, Virginia Tech fans haven't stopped cheering for their team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We just wanted to]
[SOT 2:20:02 - :07]
((CHERYL DANIEL/HOKIE FAN: WE JUST WANTED TO WELCOME THEM HOME. WE'RE SO PROUD OF THEM.))
[SOT 3:13:51 - :3:14:01]
((HARLAND BROWN/HOKIE FAN: WE HAVE A LOT TO HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH ABOUT. IT WAS A THRILL TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR WITH SUCH A YOUNG TEAM AND COACH BEAMER HAS BEEN DOING WELL ALL YEAR. WE HAVE AND 11-0 SEASON. THAT'S GREAT.))
[SUPER=152-Cheryl Daniel/Hokie Fan; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=152-Harland Brown/Hokie Fan; :06]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=That's great.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=152-Blacksburg;]

A group of more than 25 fans gathered outside Cassell Coliseum to welcome the players back.
The town of Blacksburg showed its Hokie pride by hoisting Virginia Tech flags for their return.
Some players said that the welcome made them feel like champions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:24:14 - :25]
[IN Q=We've got the best]
((CHRIS CYRUS: WE'VE GOT THE BEST FANS THAT ANYONE COULD ASK FOR. THEY'VE BEEN WITH US THROUGH THICK AND THIN AND THEY'RE PROUD OF US EVEN THOUGH WE WENT DOWN THERE AND WE GAVE IT OUR BEST SHOT. SOMETIMES THE BALL DOESN'T BOUNCE YOUR WAY.))
[SUPER=152-Chris Cyrus/Virginia Tech Player;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=bounce your way.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Blacksburg plans to honor the players and their coaches as soon as everyone returns from New Orleans.

[7-E-Juvenile-Justice]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-51 29:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Yesterday saw the end of the controversial program that teaches prison officers to hit and kick violent teen inmates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

New juvenile Justice director Carl Peed suspended the program.
Peed also was not happy to see a demonstration of electro-shock stun techniques -- requested by a board member.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:09;53]
[IN Q=The brain]
((THE BRAIN CAN ONLY THINK ABOUT ONE THING AT A TIME. USUALLY WHEN ELECTRICITY'S BEING APPLIED TO YOUR BODY, YOU'RE NOT THINKING ABOUT STABBING SOMEBODY ELSE.))
[sot 11:12:12 ]
((JODI LONGO/AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: YOU AS A BOARD... FOR JUST THAT, TORTURE.))
[SUPER=01-Jodi Longo/Amnesty International; :10!!!!]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=just that, torture.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Board members quickly made it clear they're NOT considering using stun technology in Virginia juvenile prisons.
It IS used in adult prisons in Virginia.
(------------)

[7-E-Gas-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-56 21:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Residents of Roanoke's Maiden Lane got quite a scare yesterday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Fire officials say a motorist backed into a gas line around three thirty, igniting the fumes.
At one point-- witnesses say flames were 25- feet in the air.
Nearby homes and apartments were evacuated as a precaution.
Resident were allowed to return about 30- minutes later-- once the gas company was able to shut the line off.
No one was injured.
(---------------)

[7-Richmond-Anthrax]

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

An anthrax scare at a Richmond homeless shelter that shares space with a Planned Parenthood office-
The Daily Planet got a letter saying it contained anthrax spores Tuesday.
A similar letter was received at Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, and 18 other offices across the country.
Both Virginia letters are being tested by the F-B-I.
Six others turned out to be a hoax.

[7Weather]

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

Here's a look at your Thursday forecast.
Mostly sunny today with some winds out of the south.
Highs in the low to mid 40s.
Tonight, partly cloudy with a light breeze.
Lows in the upper 20s.
The extended forecast...

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[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds S 5-15/42-46/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/25-29;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[45-Schoolwatch]

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

We have one school announcement this morning.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FULL SCREEN]
Mount Rogers school in Grayson County is operating on a one hour delay.
Again, Mount Rogers is on a one hour delay.

[45-E-Burcham]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:54:00]
[GRAPHIC=Darlene Burcham]

A welcome reception was held yesterday for one of Roanoke's newest residents, city manager Darlene Burcham.
Kate Weidaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=An endless]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/New Roanoke City Manager; :13]
[SUPER=01-Martin Jeffrey/NAACP President; :44]
[SUPER=01-Pearl Fu/Multicultural Activist; :59 - QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Administrator; 1:16]
[SUPER=@Kate2; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=N7, Roanoke.]
((An endless stream of people walked through the doors at the Jefferson Center to welcome Darlene Burcham to Roanoke and to her new position as city manager.
[SOT 4:55:56]
[INQ=]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/NEW ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: IT'S A GOOD FEELING TO BE SO WELL RECEIVED BY A COMMUNITY AND FOR SO MANY PEOPLE TO SEEM SO EXCITED ABOUT HAVING A NEW CITY MANAGER ABOUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN THEY'VE BEEN DONE IN THE PAST.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]
The Patrick Henry High School orchestra played for over 200 folks who attended the reception. Several local leaders filled the room like N-double A-C-P president Martin Jeffrey who says he's looking forward to working with Burcham.
[SOT 4:11:13]
[INQ=]
((MARTIN JEFFREY/NAACP PRESIDENT: INCLUSION I UNDERSTAND IS SOMETHING SHE DOES VERY WELL, ALMOST SECOND NATURE AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR THRUST.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]
Multicultural activist Pearl Fu likes the idea of the new city manager being a woman.
[SOT 4:19:59]
[INQ=]
((PEARL FU/MULTICULTURAL ACTIVIST: I'M SO HAPPY SHE'S A LADY, IT'S SO NICE A LADY HAS A POSITION LIKE THAT IN THE CITY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
Roanoke County leaders even made an appearance at the reception. County Administrator Elmer Hodge says Burcham's experience in Norfolk will help improve the county's and city's relationship.
[SOT 5:00:18]
[INQ=]
((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE CO. ADMINISTRATOR: I THINK SHE BRINGS TO THIS -- WORKING WITH A COUNTY A MAJOR COUNTY IN VIRGINIA AND I THINK THAT IS GOING TO HELP A LOT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
And what impresses most folks is Burcham's willingness to work not just with local leaders but with residents as well.

[SOT 4:56:35]
[INQ=]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/NEW ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: THE SOLUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY'S PROBLEMS DON'T JUST REST WITH THE GOVERNMENT. THEY REALLY REST WITH THE TOTAL COMMUNITY AND I'M GOING TO INVITE THE COMMUNITY TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
And from the turnout of her welcoming reception, it looks like she's on the right track. Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))

[45-E-Gas-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-56 21:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It was a little unexpected excitement for one Roanoke neighborhood.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Fire officials say a motorist backed into a gas line on Maiden Lane around three thirty yesterday afternoon, igniting the fumes.
At one point-- witnesses say flames were 25- feet in the air.
Nearby homes and apartments were evacuated as a precaution.
Resident were allowed to return about 30- minutes later-- once the gas company was able to shut the line off.
No one was injured.
(---------------)

[45Weather]

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

Taking a moment to look over the Thursday forecast...
Mostly sunny today with highs near 45.
Turning partly cloudy tonight with a light breeze and lows in the upper 20s.
The five day forecast features partly cloudy skies through the weekend, with showers likely by Monday.
Highs in the 40s and 50s...lows in the 20s and 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds S 5-15/42-46/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/25-29;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]

[8-Schoolwatch]

[8-E-Tech-Reacts]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-41]
[GRAPHIC=Sugar Bowl]

Members of the Virginia Tech football team returned to Blacksburg yesterday to a welcome fit for kings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We just wanted to]
[SOT 2:20:02 - :07]
((CHERYL DANIEL/HOKIE FAN: WE JUST WANTED TO WELCOME THEM HOME. WE'RE SO PROUD OF THEM.))
[SOT 3:13:51 - :3:14:01]
((HARLAND BROWN/HOKIE FAN: WE HAVE A LOT TO HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH ABOUT. IT WAS A THRILL TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR WITH SUCH A YOUNG TEAM AND COACH BEAMER HAS BEEN DOING WELL ALL YEAR. WE HAVE AND 11-0 SEASON. THAT'S GREAT.))
[SUPER=152-Cheryl Daniel/Hokie Fan; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=152-Harland Brown/Hokie Fan; :06]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=That's great.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=152-Blacksburg;]

A group of more than 25 fans gathered outside Cassell Coliseum to welcome them back.
And the town of Blacksburg showed its Hokie pride by hoisting Virginia Tech flags for the players' return.
Some players said that the welcome made them feel like champions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:24:14 - :25]
[IN Q=We've got the best]
((CHRIS CYRUS: WE'VE GOT THE BEST FANS THAT ANYONE COULD ASK FOR. THEY'VE BEEN WITH US THROUGH THICK AND THIN AND THEY'RE PROUD OF US EVEN THOUGH WE WENT DOWN THERE AND WE GAVE IT OUR BEST SHOT. SOMETIMES THE BALL DOESN'T BOUNCE YOUR WAY.))
[SUPER=152-Chris Cyrus/Virginia Tech Player;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=bounce your way.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Blacksburg plans to honor the players and their coaches as soon as everyone gets back from winter break.

[8-E-SML-Firefighters]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-47 1:02:10]
[GRAPHIC=Smith Mtn. Lake]
Smith Mountain Lake residents have discovered a way to save money with big boats --
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Big fireboats, that is. The Smith Mountain Lake Volunteer Firefighters protect lake-area homes with fireboats, not trucks. Theirs was the first department in the nation to earn insurance credit for fireboats, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars. They hope to pump up their eight-boat fleet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:34:14]
[IN Q=It would save]
((IT WOULD SAVE MORE PEOPLE MONEY AND IF WE'RE CAPABLE OF GETTING THE RATING DOWN TO A SIX - IT WOULD SAVE PEOPLE MORE MONEY.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Brown/Volunteer Firefighter;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=more money]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new boat cost 170-thousand-dollars. Residents donated most of that money. The boat has a cabin, remote controls, an underwater platform and two water cannons.
(------------)

[8-S-MAMSI]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-48 57:03]
[GRAPHIC=Health Insurance]
Martinsville city and school employees that are covered by a dropped insurance provider are getting a helping hand. Patrick Community Hospital accepts patients covered by MAMSI, Mid-Atlantic Medical Services incorporated.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/December 22; ]
Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County dropped MAMSI January 1st after a year of billing and reimbursement problems.
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co./November 17; ]
Patrick Community is the only hospital in the region that remains a participating provider. Patients who present MAMSI cards at that hospital will be responsible only for their co-payment.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=Hold]
Other hospitals in the Southside area such as Halifax Regional Hospital also accept MAMSI, but are not participating providers with the insurance company. That means higher out- of- pocket costs to the patient. Patrick Community Hospital filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on November 17th.

[8Weather]

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

Turning your attention now to weather...
Lots of sunshine today and seasonable high temperatures in the mid 40s.
Partly cloudy tonight, with lows in the mid and upper 20s.
The five day forecast features partly cloudy skies through the weekend, with showers likely by Monday.
Highs in the 40s and 50s...lows in the 20s and 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds S 5-15/42-46/Partly Cloudy/Light Breeze/25-29;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]