WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/20/00

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Students throughout the commonwealth are getting another day off follwoing another late night snowfall.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And a Roanoke Police officer is attacked by a pit bull.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Most of the winter storm warnings have been canceled...with snow showers gradually tapering off to fluries.
Our next weather concern will be gusty northwest winds, which likely cause drifting snow later today.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Road-Conditions]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#00-04 TC6:00]
[GRAPHIC=Road Conditions]

It's round two for commuters and students.
Another hit of snow is making driving dangerous this morning.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave]

Steve Pardon has been checking on Road Conditions and has an update.
[Live=Steve Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=19-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: )
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[SOT]
[IN Q=The Bigger Ones]
[SUPER=01-David Nichols/Nichols Lawn Care;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=Times involved]
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[VO-NAT]
[***STEVE's MIKE HOT]
[RUNS=:30]
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[Live=Steve Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
( ad lib)

(XXXXXXXXXX)
(Steve will call for Boards)
[VDOT PHONE # FULL SCREEN]
[VALLEY METRO FULL SCREEN]

[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave]

[Dog-Bite]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Roanoke police officer was attacked by a pit bull last night.
The officer was responding to a call of two stray pit bulls - one vicious.
She caught up with them in the 18-hundred block of Eastern Avenue.
While she was loading one into her vehicle - the other bit her several times.
She shot at the dog and wounded it, but both animals ran off.
The officer was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[5-King-Holiday]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=599-16 TC1:15:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia could have a four day holiday weekend in January.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

That's what Governor Jim Gilmore's proposing -- finally offering some details in his plan to separate Lee-Jackson-King Day into two separate holidays.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:35:08 ]
[IN Q=Well I would]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO SEE THE MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY REMAIN ON THE NATIONAL DAY. ))

[SUPER=@Gilmore; :00]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=national day.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gilmore's plan would move Lee and Jackson to the Friday before the third Monday-- making a four day weekend.
But the Sons of Confederate Veterans are NOT pleased.
On hand at the Capitol to commemorate Robert E. Lee's birthday, they raised concerns.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=Then you're]
[sot 14:22:28]
((RED BARBOUR/SONS OF CONFED. VETERANS: THEN YOU'RE MOVING THE ACTUAL LEE-JACKSON HOLIDAY FURTHER AWAY FROM THE ACTUAL BIRTH DATES OF LEE AND JACKSON. THEY'VE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE THIRD MONDAY SINCE ABOUT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY. IF THEY GOTTA GO BACKWARDS, I'D JUST AS SOON SEE THE HOLIDAY STAY AS IT IS.))18
[NAT SOT DIXIE 16:15:51]
((OH I WISH I WAS IN THE LAND OF COTTON. OLD TIMES THERE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.))08
[SUPER=01-"Red" Barbour/Sons of Confed. Veterans; :00]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=not forgotten. (singing)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Gilmore administration estimates the cost of a new holiday at 900- thousand dollars.
(------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=None]

On the issue of the arson of the Robert E- Lee mural on Richmond's floodwall, Richmond police say they're enhancing security camera videotape to see if it yields any clues.
Richmond's Fire Department is offering its standard five thousand dollar reward for clues.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans are offering another thousand dollars.

[confederate-flag]

[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Governor of South Carolina says it's time to take the Confederate flag down from the Capitol dome.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC;]
[3:10:02]
In his State of the State address Governor Jim Hodges said "let's resolve this issue.
And let's resolve it now."
It's Hodges boldest statement on the issue and came two days after nearly 50-thousand people rallied in front of the statehouse, urging the Legislature to bring the flag down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((GOVERNOR HODGES:"HERE IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO, WE MUST MOVE THE FLAG FROM THE DOME TO A PLACE OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE PLACE ON THE STATEHOUSE GROUNDS. THE DEBATE OVER THE CONFEDERATE FLAG HAS CLAIMED TO MUCH OF OUR TIME AND ENERGY."))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Jim Hodges/South Carolina;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=of our time and energy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The flag was raised above the dome in 19-62 to commemorate the Civil War centennial.
The Legislature has sole power to remove it.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, changes are underway for the Washington Wizards and Redskins.
Mike Stevens has the details.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=this morning]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#00-01 TC13:31]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Salem;]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT;]
[SUPER=11-Salem;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: vdot))

[seton-hall]

[ANCHOR=morn]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

Careless smoking and electrical problems have reportedly been ruled out as the cause of yesterday's deadly dorm fire at Seton Hall University.
A New Jersey Newspaper reports authorities are trying to locate three
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-South Orange, NJ;]
[8 pm newspath 10:16:16] young men who had been asked to leave the building less than an hour before the fire broke out.
The early morning blaze killed at least three students and critically injured several others.
Many of the 640 students in the dorm thought it was a false alarm and stayed in bed.
After a rash of false alarms, many assumed it was just another prank.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Hallways were just filled....]
(( THE HALLWAYS WERE JUST FILLED WITH SMOKE, I MEAN EVERYBODY WAS JUST RUNNING AROUND THE BUILDING, PEOPLE SCREAMING OUT THE WINDOWS, IT WAS HORRIBLE." STUDENT:WORSE CAME TO WORSE WE WERE GOING TO JUMP OUT THE WINDOWS, BUT THE FIREFIGHTERS CAME BEFORE THAT. WE GOT SAVED ON THAT ONE." ))
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=on that one.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Classes have been cancelled at Seton Hall today and tomorrow..
(------------)

[E-Blood-Supply]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-47 1:22:49]
[GRAPHIC=Blood Supply]

Southwest Virginia is under a serious blood shortage due to the flu and bad weather.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]

The American Red Cross says 50-percent of regular donors are sick and can't give blood.
So they're appealing to first time donors to volunteer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:08:12]
[IN Q=I'm a nurse at]
((DEANA SHOEMAKER/BLOOD DONOR: I'M A NURSE AT ROANOKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL AND I KNOW THIS IS A BAD TIME, HOLIDAYS AND THE FLU SO I FIGURED IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD TIME TO COME DOWN AND GIVE BLOOD.))
[SUPER=01-Deana Shoemaker/First Time Blood Donor; ]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=give blood.]
(++++++++++++)
[TAKE PRE-PRO FULL] To find out where you can donate blood call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
(-------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, Liposuction could be dangerous.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((You may think that it's really safe, but sucking the fat out of your hips or abdomen may carry a high price.
VT=VO
A new study in the Journal of American Plastic and Reconstructive surgery shows the death rate from liposuction is up to 60 times higher if you have the procedure done in a doctor's office or clinic instead of a hospital. The reason, doctor's offices and clinics are not regulated or monitored like a hospital. It's important to check credentials and safety records of where you're having your liposuction done. Or, better yet, ask your family doctor if he or she would go to the lipo-doctor you are considering. A nice ad in the phone book, is not a good way to pick a physician. ON CAM Also today, two quick studies from the New England Journal of Medicine. The first, if you ever have surgery and wake up to oxygen prongs in your nose blasting away, don't be alarmed something's wrong. A study in the journal finds if you give people extra-oxygen routinely after surgery, you can cut their infection rate by half. The cost of extra oxygen-- 3 cents.
VT=VO
The other study looks at vitamin E. It may not do a body good, at least as much as we thought. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at almost 10 thousand people who took 4 hundred units of vitamin E everyday for five years. The results, no greater protection from heart disease. ON CAM My take on this study, its just one study, not a long study, and taking four hundred units a day did not cause any harm. I'm still taking mine. And that's a look at the day's top health stories. I'm Dr. Dave Hnida for CBS News.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Salem;]

(XXXXXXXX)
(Steve Will call for Boards)
[VDOT PHONE # FULL]
[VALLEY METRO FULL]

[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
((Archive: vdot)) [2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

For the second time this week folks in southwest and central Virginia are waking up to a winter wonderland.
V-Dot workers have spent the night clearing the roads and most schools are closed or delayed today.
As the snowfall tapers off to flurries, our next weather worry is gusty winds, which will likely cause drifting snow today.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

The cause of yesterday morning's deadly dorm fire at Seton Hall University outside New York City is still unknown.

But careless smoking and electrical problems have reportedly been ruled out.
Three people were killed and 62 hurt -- six critically.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The pressure to remove the Confederate flag from above the Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina, is now coming from the top.
Governor Jim Hodges says debate has consumed too much time and energy and the flag flying over the capitol dome should come down.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Thursday January 20.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Road-Conditions]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Road Conditions]

For most folks, one snow-storm in a week is probably enough.
But drivers are again making the treacherous commute to work.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave]

Steve Pardon is at V-Dots Salem office with the latest travel information.
[Live=Steve Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=19-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: )
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[SOT]
[IN Q=The last couple]
[SUPER=01-David Nichols/Nichols Lawn Care;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=anything else]
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[VO-NAT]
[RUNS=:30]
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[Live=Steve Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]
( ad lib)

(XXXXXXXXXX)
(Steve will call for Boards)
[VDOT PHONE # FULL SCREEN]
[VALLEY METRO FULL SCREEN]

[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave]

[2-Dog-Bite]

[2-confederate-flag]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

South Carolina's governor is making his boldest statement yet on the Confederate flag controversy in his state.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC;]

Governor Jim Hodges says the flag should be removed from the state Capitol dome, and be put in ``a place of historical significance on the Statehouse grounds.''
Hodges made the comments yesterday his State of the State address.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((GOVERNOR HODGES:IN IT'S CURRENT LOCATION ON THE DOME, THE CONFEDERATE FLAG IS IN AN INAPPROPRIATE. LET'S RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND LETS RESOLVE IT RIGHT NOW. ))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Jim Hodges/South Carolina;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=and lets resolve it right now.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

On Monday, nearly 50-thousand people rallied on the Statehouse lawn, urging the Legislature to bring the flag down.

The N-double A-C-P considers the flag to be a racist symbol.
(------------)

[2-5-King-Holiday]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=599-16 TC1:15:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's celebration of Confederate and Civil Rights leaders could mean a four day holiday weekend in January.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

That's what Governor Jim Gilmore's proposing -- finally offering some details in his plan to separate Lee-Jackson-King Day into two separate holidays.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:35:08 ]
[IN Q=Well I would]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL I WOULD PERSONALLY LIKE TO SEE THE MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY REMAIN ON THE NATIONAL DAY. ))

[E-School-Uniforms]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-51 TC 47:20]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

It will soon be harder to tell apart the eighth graders in Lynchburg's alternative education program.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Starting February 1st, three dozen students at the Amelia Pride Center will be issued school uniforms to wear to class.
The uniforms, which are issued by the school, consist of khaki pants or skirts, and blue oxford shirts.
Educators say the uniforms will help eliminate peer pressure and encourage personal responsibility.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:39:18]
[IN Q=We felt like]
((CHARLENE WATSON/ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION DIRECTOR: WE FELT LIKE WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF SUCCESS WITH THE STUDENTS, BUT WITH THE GROWING NUMBER IN THIS AGE RANGE THAT WE NEEDED TO DO MORE. AND SO WE NEEDED TO DO MORE IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY AND MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD OPEN DOORS FOR THEM AND HELP THEM LEARN HOW TO OPEN DOORS FOR THEMSELVES.))
[SUPER=01-Charlene Watson/Alternative Education Director]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=doors for themselves.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Eighth graders at Amelia Pride are students who've been dismissed from their regular schools for disciplinary problems.
(------------)

[E-Teacher-Pay]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-52 54:15]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

There's no pay raise for Virginia schoolteachers in Governor Jim Gilmore's proposed two year budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Now Gilmore's fellow Republicans in the House want to fix that.
They say they're "disappointed" with the Governor's budget-- and want at least the two-and-a quarter percent pay raise state workers are getting.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:31:15]
[IN Q=We're way]
((DEL. JIM DILLARD/R-FAIRFAX: WE'RE WAY, WAY BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE...12-THOUSAND DOLLAR DEFICIT FOR THE AVERAGE SALARY YOU WOULD RECEIVE GOING INTO TEACHING...WHY WE'RE NOT KEEPING TEACHERS. ONE OF THE REASONS.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Jim Dillard/(R) Fairfax;]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=the reasons.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=Hold]

Democrats were calling for a teacher pay raise as soon as the Governor's budget was released in December.
The Governor says localities should fund the pay raises out of extra money he's sending them.

[Pitts-Administrator]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Pittsylvania County has hired a new county administrator.
Dan Sleeper is moving back into the job he held a few years ago.
Sleeper replaces Richard Huff, who moved back into HIS old job in Franklin County.
Sleeper's salary in Pittsylvania will be 80-thousand dollars a year.
That's about 15-thousand dollars more than he's now making as the Halifax County administrator.

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Salem;]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT;]
[SUPER=11-Salem;]

(I'll call for web video)
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[VO]
[RUNS=1:00]
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[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: Vdot))

[knotts-star]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Five time Emmy winner Don Knotts now has a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollywood, CA;]
[3:24:38]
Hundreds of fans of the comedic actor gathered yesterday for a ceremony awarding him the two-thousand one hundred 52nd star.
Famours participants in the ceremony included actors Andy Griffith and John Ritter.
Knotts is perhaps best known for playing Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffith Show."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've known Don...]
((GRIFFITH:I'VE KNOWN DON MANY YEARS, WHEN WE WERE BOTH IN OUR THIRTIES...NOW WE'RE IN OUR SEVENTIES. KNOTTS;I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS...AND LET ME TELL YOU, I'LL BE COMING HERE EVERY DAY DUSTING THIS STAR.))
[SUPER=01-Andy Griffith/Actor; :03]
[SUPER=01-Don Knotts/Actor; :18]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=i tell ya]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Knotts also had a role in the sitcom "Three's Company."
(------------)

[letterman]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Late show host David Letterman is out of the hospital this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Worldwide Pants;]
[3:18:43]
He was released just five days after undergoing quintuple by-pass surgery.
The fifty two year old comedian underwent an emergency operation after doctors discovered a clogged artery.
Letterman hasn't said when he'll reclaim his chair at the Ed Sullivan Theatre.
In the meantime fans will have to their late night fix via re-runs.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, Mike Stevens has highlights from Roanoke College and Virginia Tech men's basketball.
Good Morning Mike.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Coach Page]
[RUNS=2:37]
[OUT Q=Thursday everybody]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The snow is tapering off across much of the viewing area.
Large portions of most roads, though are still snow-covered.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The flu and bad weather are combing to put Southwest Virginia in a blood emergency.
The American Red Cross says 50-percent of regular donors are sick and can't give blood.
So they're appealing to first time donors to volunteer.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Governor Jim Gilmore's finally offering some details in his plan to separate Lee-Jackson-King Day into two separate holidays.
Gilmore's plan would move Lee and Jackson to the Friday before the third Monday-- making a four day weekend.
But the Sons of Confederate Veterans are NOT pleased.
They're afraid the new holiday would be too far away from Lee's actual birthday.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]