WDBJ 7 morning news for 02/18/00

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Sources close to the Tara Munsey murder probe say the prime suspect in the case is a close family friend with a criminal record.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And A judge says the public will be able to take a look at the grand jury report on the Vinton Police Department this morning.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A winter storm warning remains in effect for much of the viewing area, which is experiencing pockets of freezing rain and patchy fog.
As temperatures gradually warm up, expect the precipitation to change over to all rain.
Today's outlook, plus a warmer weekend forecast, coming up.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Road-Update]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-60 TC1:05:22]
[GRAPHIC=Road Conditions]

V-DOT says most roads are just wet right now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

In most places, the surface is too warm for ice to form, though there are some minor problems reported in Rockbridge, Alleghany and Highland Counties-- a few accidents have been reported on Interstate 64.
Some ice has formed on power lines and trees in the Roanoke and New River Valleys, so there could be isolated power outages.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
If you need more detailed road information, you can call V-Dot's road condition hotline at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(-------------)

[E-Bonsack-Walmart]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-03 TC16:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[****ANCHOR TAG****]
Wal-Mart is planning to move into the Bonsack area of Roanoke County at the intersection of Route 460 and Alternate Route 2-20 -- but building plans for the store have not been finalized.
Last night a company representative and county officials listened to the concerns of area residents.
Joy Sutton has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Kessler/Roanoke Co. Resident; :12]
[SUPER=01-David Oliverio/Roanoke Co. Resident; :32]
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Adminstrator; :55]
[SUPER=01-Chris Gregory/Walmart Real Estate Mgr.; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=N7 Roanoke Co.]
((More than a hundred people packed inside Bonsack Baptist Church to listen and voice their concern about a Walmart Superstore coming to the Bonsack community.
From property value decreases to neighborhood traffic, noise and crime, dozens of residents voiced concerns about their soon-to-be neighbor.
But some residents say the commercial development should come as no surprise.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:23:25]
[IN Q=To me building]
((DAVID OLIVERIO/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: TO ME BUILDING A WALMART ONLY FIVE MILES FROM DOWNTOWN ROANOKE ON A PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN ZONED THAT WAY FOR 20 YEARS. IT'S NO SHOCK TO ME IN FACT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT TO HAPPEN SINCE I MOVED HERE 9 YEARS AGO))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=9 years ago]

Wal-Mart says there's no question the Superstore WILL be built... so county officials say the focus now should be on ways to make it an easy adjustment for the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT23:25:36]
[IN Q=I think be ivolving]
((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE CO. ADM.: I THINK BE INVOLVING THE CITIZENS THAT WE CAN A MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE, THE DEVELOPER HAS SHOWN A LOT OF WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US AND I'M PLEASED WITH THAT))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=pleased with that]

A Wal-mart Representative says residents' concerns will NOT go unnoticed.
County officials also plan to set-up a resident group -- to work with the county, the developer, and Walmart to make sure the community continues to be heard.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Roanoke Co.))
(-------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=None]

Wal-Mart says the earliest it would move in is spring of 2001.

[Vinton-Police]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton PD]

The report on the Vinton Police Department investigation will be made public in a few hours.
Judge Diane Strickland ordered copies be available this morning at the County courthouse -though she said the document will be modified to exclude anyone named in the report who was not a subject of the investigation.
Former Police Chief Ricky Foutz, and his Lieutenant, Bill Brown, resigned as a result of the investigation.

[E-Munsey-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-01 43:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Sources tell News 7 that the main suspect in Tara Munsey's murder investigation is a family acquaintance who has a criminal record.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Last Week;]

Sources close to the investigation say that earlier this week, investigators secured search warrants in the case.

They're still under seal.
But sources say the man's car has been searched for evidence.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Investigators are still questioning other people in the case and continuing to search for evidence and possible motives.

[sc-primary]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

Tomorrow voters in South Carolina will go to the polls and choose a Republican Presidential nominee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[3:31:10]
The two main candidates, George w. bush and John McCain, will spend today canvassing the state for votes.
Bush is campaigning as a compassionate conservative.
McCain meanwhile is courting both Republicans and Democrats, who can vote in the G-O-P primary.
State polls show the race is too close to call.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]

We'll have a live report from South Carolina in about ten minutes.

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, Steve Mason has news and highlights from area hardwood action.
Good Morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:48]
[OUT Q=Friday everybody]

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

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#sp-57]
[GRAPHIC=Daytona]

Ricky Rudd will start on the outside pole on Sunday's Daytona 500.
He's also starting his first seasonsin the past six years without the responsibilities of being his own car owner.

Mike Stevens has more on how that change has effected his entire family.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL;:00]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :10]
[SUPER=01-Linda Rudd/Ricky's Wife; :24]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Rudd/Starts 2nd in Daytona 500; :40]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=after this break.]

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive:))

[Live-Primary]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

The South Carolina primary is tomorrow and the battle between the G-O-P presidential rivals is getting hotter.
State Polls show the race is too close to call.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Gormley/Conus]

Michael Gormley joins us from Fort Mill, South Carolina with an update.
[Live=Gormley Full/Conus]
[SUPER=01-Michael Gormey/Reporting]
[SUPER=05-Fort Mill, SC;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:Republicans and everyone else.)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Doro Bush Koch/Candidate's Sister;]
[SUPER=01-John McCain/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=he can bring us all together.]

[Live=Gormley Full/CONUS]
[SUPER=05-Fort Mill, SC;]
( ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Melanie and Gormley/Microwave]

[E-Bush-Conservatives]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:23:29]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Here in Virginia, supporters of Bush are scrambling to remind social conservatives that George W. is their choice.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[15:06:54 - yesterday]
[SUPER=03-Greenville, SC/Yesterday;]

That's after the most socially conservative Republican candidate dropped out and endorsed John McCain.
Virginia social conservatives say Gary Bauer made a mistake.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18:08:50]
[IN Q=I personally]
((KAY COLES JAMES/BUSH SUPPORTER: I PERSONALLY WAS VERY DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED. SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW I WORKED FOR GARY BAUER AS THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AT THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL. AND ALL I CAN IS THAT HIS ENDORSEMENT JUST FLIES IN THE FACE OF ALL OF THE PRINCIPLES, AND THE ISSUES, AND THE VALUES THAT WE HAVE ALL WORKED SO HARD FOR.))
[SOT 18:08:03]
((MIKE FARRIS/BUSH SUPPORTER: JOHN MCCAIN IS STABBING CONSERVATIVES IN THE BACK AND APPEALING TO THE INDEPENDENT VOTER. THAT IS NOT A FORMULA FOR VICTORY EITHER IN THE PRIMARY OR THE GENERAL ELECTION.))
[SUPER=01-Kay Coles James/Bush Supporter; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Farris/Bush Supporter; :19]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=general election.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=Campaign 2000]

McCain's campaign chairman in Virginia says: "I guess Mike Farris wants to lose again."
Farris was the only member of Virginia's 1993 Republican ticket who lost.

[E-Cutathon]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-51 TC1:22:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Children suffering from cancer are getting a new look from some volunteers in Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 02:00:20]
[IN Q=Look at that]
((LOOK AT THAT))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=at that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
Clients of Second Glance Salon donated a minimum of ten inches of hair for charity. 13-year old Phoebe Kleiner has had waist length waves for years, but she sacrificed them yesterday for Locks of Love.
The ponytails go to make wigs for children with cancer ages 5 to 18 who lost their hair from treatments like chemotherapy.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, there's a new way to take care of tonsils.
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=1:32]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((A NEW PROCEDURE MAY MEAN LESS ICE CREAM FOR MILLIONS OF CHILDREN... AND SOME ADULTS. A SOON TO BE PUBLISHED STUDY FROM TEMPLE UNIVERSITY REPORTS MICROWAVE ENERGY MAY
VT=VO
REPLACE THE TRADITIONAL CUTTING OUT OF TONSILS. THE TECHNIQUE INVOLVES USING A SMALL NEEDLE - WHICH USING MICROWAVE ENERGY- HEATS UP TO ABOUT 150 DEGREES. THAT HEAT DOESN'T REMOVE THE TONSILS- BUT CAUSES THEM TO SHRINK. JUST LIKE PUTTING SOME FOODS IN A MICROWAVE CAUSES THEM TO SHRINK. THE PROCEDURE TAKES ONE MINUTE TO PERFORM.. AND LEAVES LEFT PATIENTS WITH NOTHING MORE THAN A MILD SORE THROAT AFTER THE PROCEDURE IS DONE-- SO ACTUALLY ICE CREAM STILL COULD BE PRESCRIBED.. AT LEAST I THINK SO.
VT=VO
ALSO TODAY- CIGARS- THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MUCH SAFER THAN CIGARETTES. BUT A STUDY FROM THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY SAYS A FEW CIGARS A DAY WILL UP THE RISK OF LUNG CANCER BY MORE THAN 500%. OTHER STUDIES HAVE FOUND CIGARS UP YOUR RISK OF MOUTH AND THROAT CANCERS-- ALONG WITH YOUR RISK OF HAVING A HEART ATTACK OR DEVELOPING EMPHYSEMA. ON CAM AND FINALLY TODAY- ARE YOU FEELING A LITTLE STRESSED OUT? WELL I'VE GOT THE PERFECT PRESCRIPTION. DONT REACH FOR A TRANQUILIZER- REACH FOR ONE OF THESE. OR BETTER YET... A FEW OF THESE. A STUDY FROM WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FOUND PEOPLE WHO POP BUBBLE WRAP LOWER THEIR BLOOD PRESSURES- HEART RATES- AND STRESS LEVELS. NOT WORD ON WHAT IT DOES TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO SIT THERE AND LISTEN TO YOU POP THOSE BUBBLES. THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES . IM DRDH FOR CBSNEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#sp-57]
[GRAPHIC=Daytona]

The winner of Sunday's Daytona 500 will earn a million dollars for crossing the finish line first.
And Mike Stevens says a Virginia driver has a chance to double his money if he wins.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL; :00]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :10]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/Cat Pontiac Driver; :22]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=weather back home.]

(TAPE Tosses to Kimberly)
((Archive:))[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]

George W. Bush and John McCain continue to criss-cross South Carolina, looking for votes in Saturday's G-O-P primary.
Both candidates are vowing to go on despite what happens in the voting.
But one G-O-P official says a loss could be a mortal blow to Bush.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

A U-N plane crashed landed today in Australia.
Flames were shooting from the planes tail as it belly landed on an Air Force runway.
The passengers quickly evacuated from the plane after it touched down.
None of the 29 on board was injured.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

A Cuban exile group wants to know if Mariano Faget (fah-HAY') had any role in the Elian (eh-lee-AHN') Gonzalez case.
The high-ranking Immigration and Naturalization Service official has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Cuba.

The I-N-S says Elian should be sent back to Cuba.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday, February 18.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Road-Update]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=Road Conditions]

Except for the Highlands, most roads are in good shape for now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

In most places, the surface is too warm for ice to form, though there are some minor problems reported in Rockbridge, Alleghany and Highland Counties-- a few accidents have been reported on Interstate 64.
Some ice has formed on power lines and trees in the Roanoke and New River Valleys, so there could be isolated power outages.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
If you need more detailed road information, you can call V-Dot's road condition hotline at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(-------------)

[2-E-Bonsack-Walmart]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-03 16:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[****ANCHOR TAG****]
A planned Wal-Mart store in the Bonsack area of Roanoke County has neighbors concerned.
Last night, they met with Wal-Mart representatives and county officials.
Joy Sutton was there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Kessler/Roanoke Co. Resident; :12]
[SUPER=01-David Oliverio/Roanoke Co. Resident; :32]
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Adminstrator; :55]
[SUPER=01-Chris Gregory/Walmart Real Estate Mgr.; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=N7 Roanoke Co.]
((More than a hundred people packed inside Bonsack Baptist Church to listen and voice their concern about a Walmart Superstore coming to the Bonsack community.
From property value decreases to neighborhood traffic, noise and crime, dozens of residents voiced concerns about their soon-to-be neighbor.
But some residents say the commercial development should come as no surprise.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:23:25]
[IN Q=To me building]
((DAVID OLIVERIO/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: TO ME BUILDING A WALMART ONLY FIVE MILES FROM DOWNTOWN ROANOKE ON A PROPERTY THAT'S BEEN ZONED THAT WAY FOR 20 YEARS. IT'S NO SHOCK TO ME IN FACT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT TO HAPPEN SINCE I MOVED HERE 9 YEARS AGO))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=9 years ago]

Wal-Mart says there's no question the Superstore WILL be built... so county officials say the focus now should be on ways to make it an easy adjustment for the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT23:25:36]
[IN Q=I think be ivolving]
((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE CO. ADM.: I THINK BE INVOLVING THE CITIZENS THAT WE CAN A MAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENCE, THE DEVELOPER HAS SHOWN A LOT OF WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH US AND I'M PLEASED WITH THAT))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=pleased with that]

A Wal-mart Representative says residents' concerns will NOT go unnoticed.
County officials also plan to set-up a resident group -- to work with the county, the developer, and Walmart to make sure the community continues to be heard.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Roanoke Co.))
(-------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=None]

Wal-Mart says the earliest it would move in is spring of 2001.

[2-Vinton-Police]

[Munsey-Arrest]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-01 43:09]
[GRAPHIC=]

An arrest in the Tara Munsey murder.
Family members say they were told that 30-year-old Jeffrey Alan Thomas was arrested today and charged with capital murder in the death of the Pulaski County teenager.
They say he was taken into custody early this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Last Week;]

Munsey's body was found in the Parrott area of Pulaski County about two weeks after she disappeared from a fast food restaurant in Fairlawn.
Authorities have been investigating Thomas as a suspect this week, executing search warrants and impounding his car.
(------------)

The Pulaski County sheriff's office has no comment, except to say that the sheriff plans to issue a news release later this morning.

[S-First-Union]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-57 52:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A man killed himself in a First Union bank parking lot yesterday afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Police say the man shot himself while in his vehicle at the Plantation Road Customer Service Center. They are not releasing his name until they notify his family. Police say the man used a small caliber handgun and was still alive when they found him.
(------------)

[Natural-History]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=State Capitol]

Martinsville's Virginia Museum of Natural History got a 13-point-two million dollar nod in Richmond.
That's the price tag for building the new museum.
The House gave a final okay yesterday.
Now supporters are waiting to see what's in each chamber's budget on Sunday.

[S-Gilmore-Transportation]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-58 53:33]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Governor Jim Gilmore's two-and-a-half BILLION dollar transportation plan is dead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Both the Senate and the House of Delegates passed their own plans yesterday.
The Governor's plan would have used 30-percent of the tobacco settlement funds, over six years.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:19:58 ]
[IN Q=People have]
((DEL. VINCE CALLAHAN/R-FAIRFAX: PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN CRACKS AT IT. TRIED TO SHOOT HOLES IN IT. TRIED TO AMEND IT. TRIED TO SAY THAT IT WILL NOT SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THAT A GOVERNOR OF THIS COMMONWEALTH HAS COME OUT WITH A LONG TERM TRANSPORTATION SALVATION PLAN. AND ALL OF YOU SHOULD HAVE JUMPED BEHIND IT!))
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan/(R) Fairfax; ]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=behind it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Supporters of the plan by northern Virginia Republican Jack Rollison say Gilmore's plan was NOT specific enough -- and has NO secure long term funding stream.
The vote between the plans was close enough that part of the Governor's plan could be revived.
(------------)

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#sp-57]
[GRAPHIC=DAYTONA]

Jeff Gordon is the defending Daytona 500 champion, but the man most consider to be the odds on favorite to win Sunday's race is the defending Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett.
Mike Stevens has more on how Jarrett always seems to be racing against the clock.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL; :00]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :10]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/Daytona 500 Pole Sitter; :24]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=after this break.]

(tape tosses to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive:))

[2-Munsey-Arrest]

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

An arrest in the Tara Munsey murder.
Family members say they were told that 30-year-old Jeffrey Alan Thomas was arrested today and charged with capital murder in the death of the Pulaski County teenager.
They say he was taken into custody early this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Last Week;]

Munsey's body was found in the Parrott area of Pulaski County about two weeks after she disappeared from a fast food restaurant in Fairlawn.
Authorities have been investigating Thomas as a suspect this week, executing search warrants and impounding his car.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

The Pulaski County sheriff's office has no comment, except to say that the sheriff plans to issue a news release later this morning.

[crash-landing]

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

The crash landing of a United Nation's plane was caught on tape in Australia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Darwin, Australia;]

It happened today in Darwin at an Australian Air Force base.
The plane landed on its belly with 29 on board.
Flames were shooting from the tail of the plane, but almost instantly fire crews doused it with foam.
And almost as soon as the plane came to a stop, passengers could be seen running away from the craft.
Officials say none of the passengers or crew was injured.
(---------------)

[Volunteer-Shortage]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Meals on Wheels program in Roanoke is in need of volunteers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The program depends on volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound senior five days a week.
And the shortage of volunteers could soon affect how many seniors will be able to take advantage of the service.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:30]
[IN Q=We're at a point]
((MICHELE DALEY: WE'RE AT A POINT WHERE OUT SITE SUPERVISORS HAVE TO DELIVER. WE DO WHAT WE CAN. IF IT GETS MUCH BIGGER THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW THEN WE'LL HAVE TO PUT PEOPLE ON A WAITING LIST))
[SUPER=07-Michele Daley;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=on a waiting list]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But that could have serious consequences because many seniors rely on this meal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:46]
[IN Q=Some of the people]
((SOME OF THE PEOPLE ARE HIGH RISK AS FAR AS THEIR NUTRITION GOES. IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=a problem]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

The League of Older Americans is hoping that more volunteers will come aboard soon -- to help ensure that no person in need goes without this nutritious meal.
(-------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, a big day for race fans in Daytona.
Steve Mason has more.
Good Morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hello again]
[RUNS=3:02]
[OUT Q=great weekend]

[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]

An arrest in the Tara Munsey murder.
Family members say they were told that 30-year-old Jeffrey Alan Thomas was arrested today and charged with capital murder in the death of the Pulaski County teenager.
They say he was taken into custody early this morning.
Munsey's body was found in the Parrott area of Pulaski County about two weeks after she disappeared from a fast food restaurant in Fairlawn.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Most parts of the viewing area are dealing with just wet pavement this morning though there are some icy spots.
V-Dot is reporting some minor road problems in Rockbridge, Alleghany and Highland Counties.
Some ice has formed on trees and power lines in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

More than a hundred people packed Bonsack Baptist Church to listen and voice their concerns about a Walmart Superstore coming to the Bonsack community.
From property value decreases to neighborhood traffic, noise and crime, dozens of residents voiced concerns about their soon-to-be neighbor.
A Wal-mart Representative says residents' concerns will NOT go unnoticed.

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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
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(Kimberly ad lib weather)
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[Kimberly Reads Time Off Promo]

[Promo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]

It's Black History Month... but you can learn about the experience of a former slave any time of the year by visiting his birthplace.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Before he grew up to become a prominent educator and author, Booker T- Washington spent the first nine years of his life working as a slave on this tobacco farm.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:18:28]
((TIM SINCLAIR/PARK RANGER: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SLAVERY, MOST OWNERS HAD ONLY AN AVERAGE OF FIVE AND FOR MOST PEOPLE, THAT IS A SURPRISE. THEY THINK OF "GONE WITH THE WIND", WHERE YOU HAD 50 OR 100 SLAVES.))
[RUNS=:10]
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[VO-NAT]

The 207- acre homestead was more typical of the time period.
And while their social statuses were MILES apart, Washington's cabin was only a few feet away from the owner's house.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[Take Full Screen Graphic]
Take a tour of the Booker T- Washington monument in this week's "Time Off", coming up tomorrow on News 7 Saturday Morning.
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[2-SHOT] (ad lib bye)