WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/24/00

[POPE]

[ANCHOR=MEL]

[NEWSCAST=MORN]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Pop Jpohn Paul 11]

Pope John Paul this morning is celebrating Mass near the sea of Galilee.
(------------)
[TAKE NEWSPATH LIVE]
[super=03-Korazim, Israel;]

It was on this hillside where Jesus is said to have preached his Sermon on the Mount.
This mass is the largest the Pope celebrates this week.
Some 100-thousand have packed onto the hillside.
Despite a minor environmental controversy over the carving of a hillside at the site, many people believe the Pope s prayers-so close to the Golan Heights-will leave a powerful impression.
(------------)

[mi-school]

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

Another example of a trouble child turning a weapon on classmates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lisbon, Ohio;]
[3:07:26]
Yesterday near Youngstown, Ohio a sixth grader brought a gun to class and ordered his classmates and teacher to lay on the floor.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(( And I did my best to just try to calm the students as best I could without saying anything. I was on the floor looking at the students, motioning them to stay down and stay calm.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Kemats/Teacher;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=to stay calm.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Another teacher heard what was happening and rushed into the room.
(///////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(( LINDA ROBB/TEACHER : He held the gun up and I said, is that real?
He took the clip out then he shoved it back in there.))
[SUPER=01-Linda Robb/Teacher;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=IT BACK IN THERE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Linda Robb finally persuaded the boy to give up the weapon.
Teachers say the boy is troubled and he did it because he wanted to join his mother in jail.
The school will not reopen until Monday.
The boy remains in custody.
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[ReSpec'd-Shutdown]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-02]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
A Roanoke distribution and packaging company is shutdown less than a month after it is purchased by Martinsville corporation.
And as Joy Sutton reports employees say they weren't given any warning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=this is what]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Vernon Woods/Employee; :15]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Duffield/Former Owner; :31]
[SUPER=@Joy2 1:20]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=n7 roanoke]
(([nat sound 5:49:55 of guy hauling away ref.] [RUNS5]
This is what employees of ReSpec'd Limited found when the returned from lunch Thursday afternoon -- the chairs, tables, almost everything inside the plant were being hauled away.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:51:57]
[IN Q=I found out]
((VERNON WOODS/EMPLOYEE: I FOUND OUT THAT THE COMPANY WAS BEING TAKEN OVER, WE'D BEEN CLOSED DOWN AND ALL ASSETS WERE BEING MOVED OUT AND WE WAS OUT OF A JOB )) [RUNS7]
[OUT Q=out of a job]

The plant was purchased on March 1st by The Lester Group in Martinsville -- as part of a joint venture with one its competitors Professional Distribution Services Incorporated.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:57:12]
[IN Q=I felt very confident]
((BONNIE DUFFIELD/FORMER OWNER: I FELT VERY CONFIDENT THAT THE EMPLOYEES WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THAT THEY WOULD LEND FINANCIAL STABILITY FOR THE BUSINESS TO THRIVE AND I COULD GO OUT AND CONTINUE TO SELL)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=I felt very confident]
[nat sound 5:49:35] [RUNS03] The plants eleven employees say this was a big surprise --especially since business was going well.
George Gorman the General Manager for P-D-S did not want to comment on camera -- but did tell us that certain circumstances caused a change in plans.
He would not address the circumstances -- but says the decision was made by The Lester Group.
But employees say they worked too hard -- to watch the companies future be packed away.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:55:02]
[IN Q=We still have the]
((VERNON WOODS/EMPLOYEE: WE STILL HAVE THE BUILDING, WE STILL HAVE THE CONTRACTS, WE MIGHT HAVE NO ASSETS LIKE THE TABLE, BUT WE PLAN TO COME TO WORK AND EVEN IF WE HAVE TO SET ON THE FLOOR TO DO THE WORK)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=to do the work]

And these employees say they are moving-up and with the help of the previous owner they plan to turn this plant into an employee owned business.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Roanoke.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Management for Lester Group says this was move was prompted by a change in business conditions -- that it was not a financial matter nor a reflection on the quality of work produced by the employees.

[Danville-Braves]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Southside minor league baseball team owes the city of Danville thousands of dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

The city wants its money and has sued the Danville Braves. According to court documents the team owes 40 thousand dollars along with 50 cents for each paid admission. Attorney's from both sides are negotiating. We talked with the Danville Braves' attorney by phone.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:04:15]
[IN Q= Our reaction]
((ANDREW GOLDSTEIN/DANVILLE BRAVES' ATTORNEY: OUR REACTION IS TO THE CITY'S LAWSUIT IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS REGARDING THE DANVILLE BRAVES HOWEVER WE'VE HAD CONCILIATORY NEGOTIATIONS SINCE THE FILING OF THE LAWSUIT. ))
[SOT 10:06]
((TIM SPENCER/DANVILLE CITY ATTORNEY: IT IS THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF MY OFFICE AND CITY COUNCIL THAT THERE WILL BE BASEBALL THIS SEASON IN DANVILLE.))
[SUPER=02-Andrew Goldstein/Danville Braves' Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tim Spencer/Danville City Attorney; :20]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=in Danville.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

Both sides say they are very close to an agreement.

(--------------)[6-Impostor]

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

The search continues for a man authorities say is posing as a police officer.
The man pulled over a woman yesterday afternoon on Route 29 in northern Nelson County.
He told her to get out of her vehicle and to bring her keys and purse.
When the woman said she was going to call 9-1-1 the man fled.
(+++++++)
[TAKE PINNACLE 1002]
Authorities describe the man as a white male with brown hair and a beard.
Approximately 35 year old and about 6 feet tall.
He was driving a white Crown Victoria or Chevy Caprice.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Authorities say to be on the safe side, leave your vehicle running if you are pulled over, keep the doors locked -- and only let the window down just enough to hand out information.
And if you feel uncomfortable stopping authorities say turn on your hazard lights continue at a normal rate of speed until you reach a well lit area.
Anyone who may have seen the suspect should call 9-1-1 or the Nelson County Sheriff's office.

[6-Price]

[ANCHOR=kIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Danville woman has been indicted for allegedly embezzling union funds.
Thirty- nine year old Virginia Ann Price was the financial secretary to Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers Local 314-T in Danville.
The Grand Jury charges that Price wrote more than 2-thousand dollars worth of checks to herself and her two children between 1994 and 1997.
The 15- count indictment alleges Price also altered union records in an attempt to cover the theft.

[5-Reform-Party]

[ANCHOR=mELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=599-17 1;54;30]
[GRAPHIC=reform party]

Testimony continued in Lynchburg's Federal Court yesterday where warring factions are trying to gain control of the Reform Party of America.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Jack Gargan was ousted as party chairman last month by supporters of Reform Party founder Ross Perot. Gargan claims the meeting and the vote to remove him were illegal and he should remain in control. But current chairman Pat Choate says Gargan was acting like a tyrant and refused to head the wishes of the executive committee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Pat Choate/Current Reform Party Chairman;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=will be removed]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Both sides say it will come down to how judge Norman Moon interprets the Party's Constitution. Moon says he will release his ruling after four Monday afternoon.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, anti-depressants can help people that have had a heart attack.

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=1:20]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((ON CAM IF YOU EVER HAVE SURGERY- KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN- YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT HEAR.

VT=VO
RESEARCHERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO SAY SOME PATIENTS CAN HEAR - AND REMEMBER- WHAT GOES ON IN THE OPERATING ROOM- EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE UNDER ANESTHESIA. ACCORDING TO RESEARCHERS- THE PHENOMENON OF BEING AWARE DURING SURGERY IS MOST COMMON IN WOMEN UNDERGOING EMERGENCY C SECTIONS- PROBABLY BECAUSE SURGEONS USUALLY START WORKING BEFORE THE ANESTHESIA FULLY STARTS WORKING.

VT=VO
ALSO TODAY- IF YOU EVER HAVE A HEART ATTACK, DONT BE SURPRISED IF YOUR DOCTOR PUTS YOU ON AN ANTIDEPRESSANT- EVEN IF YOURE NOT DEPRESSED. A NEW STUDY FINDS THE ANTIDEPRESSANT ZOLOFT CAN HELP KEEP THE BLOOD THIN- AND PREVENT ANOTHER BLOOD CLOT FROM FORMING IN THE HEART ARTERIES- AND CAUSING A HEART ATTACK.
ON CAM AND FINALLY- ARE YOU A NIGHT OWL- OR A LARK WHO LIKES TO GET UP EARLY. WELL THE ANSWER MAY DEPEND ON WHAT TIME OF YEAR YOU WERE BORN. HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN WINTER OF LATE AUTUMN? ODDS ARE YOU ARE A LARK- EARLY RISER. BORN IN THE SPRING OR SUMMER- YOURE PROBABLY A NIGHT OWL. HOWEVER- THIS STUDY IN THE JOURNAL NEUROSCIENCES LETTER- ONLY APPLIES TO MEN- WOMEN FOLLOW THEIR OWN PATTERNS NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR THEY WERE BORN. THATS A LOOK AT THE DAYS HEALTH NEWS.
IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(ad lib to weather)
[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]

A sixth-grader is in custody in Ohio -- after allegedly holding his classroom at gunpoint.
Another teacher was able to talk the boy into giving up the gun.
School has been closed until Monday and the boy remains in custody.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

And a North Carolina high school student has been arrested for allegedly plotting a shooting massacre at her school.

Police say the 16 year old and another student who has yet to be arrested, planned to kill workers at a gun shop, steal the guns and kill classmates and teachers at their school in Jacksonville.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Pope John Paul is presiding over Mass at an Israeli site steeped in biblical history.
Tens of thousands have braved bad weather to attend the ceremony near the place where Jesus is said to have delivered his Sermon on the Mount.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday March 24-th.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[school-plot]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

A North Carolina high school student is under arrest -- charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[3:09:08]
Police say 16-year-old Jessica Williams plotted with another student to kill workers at a gun shop, steal the guns and
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, NC;]
kill classmates and teachers at their school in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Authorities expect to make a second arrest.
A sheriff's department official says the plan was keep the guns until the new school year and then open fire during a school assembly, killing ``preppies,'' athletes and other students and teachers they didn't like.
(------------)

[6-Rockbridge-Fire]

[ANCHOR=kIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-01 1:19:42]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]

Funeral Services will be held today for the 2 girls who died in a fire north of Lexington earlier this week.
Investigators say the heating system was to blame for the fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./Monday]

Debris had apparently built up in the duct work and caught fire.
Flames burned through the ducts and shot up out of the floor of the master bedroom as everyone in the house slept Sunday night. Seven- year old Kassidy Higgins and her 12-year old half sister, Rebecca Chittum, died in the fire.
State Police Investigators determined that the oil furnace was replaced in 1993, but the duct work was not. The house was 40-to-50 years old.
(------------)

[5-Smart-Road]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=500-4 39:59]
[GRAPHIC=Smart Road]

Virginia's controversial Smart Road is officially open for business.
Smart Road researchers got a chance to show off what makes the road so smart yesterday.
As Marya Jones reports, officials say the road is a highway to economic opportunity for the area.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This two-mile]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Pethtel/Virginia Tech Transportation Inst.; :12]
[SUPER=01-Dan Brugh/VDOT Resident Engineer; :43]
[super=@Marya2; :56]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=News 7]
(( This two-mile stretch of road already houses more than 70 transportation research projects.
Projects that Virginia Tech and VDOT officials say will put Blacksburg ... and Virginia ... in the transportation research fast lane.
[SOT 1:55:06 - :17]
(( RAY PETHTEL/ VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION INST.: THIS IS A UNIQUE PROJECT. IT'S THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD TODAY. THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE SOME OF THE FEATURES OF THIS FACILITY BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. ))
[RUNS=:11]

Two years in the construction and 30-million dollars in the making, the Smart Road is a collaborative project between VDOT and Virginia Tech.
One day, the road will connect Interstate 81 to Blacksburg.
But in the meantime, it's a concrete and asphalt laboratory ... meant to help VDOT find out how to eliminate hazards in highway travel.
[SOT 2:06:13 - :25]
((DAN BRUGH/VDOT: WE HOPE THAT WE HAVE MUCH SAFER HIGHWAYS...THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS, FATALITIES...THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE REDUCED.))
[RUNS=:12]

Officials say the road's special technology also makes it a lure to businesses worldwide that want to test drive their automotive products... in a number of different weather and lighting conditions.
The road is expected to bring in 20-million dollars in research revenue in the next year. Marya Jones News 7))

[Carvins-Cove]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-07]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It's taken more than a year, and millions of gallons of water, but the boats are back on Carvins Cove.
Thursday morning, the water level was only five and a half feet below the spillway, almost normal for this time of year.
Joe Dashiell has more on the "rising tide" at Roanoke's reservoir.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=H.T. Goforth]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rodney Brown/Boat Inspector; :20 Quick!]
[SUPER=01-Keith Journell/Fisherman; :41 Quick! ]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :58]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Carvins Cove]

((H.T. Goforth and his grandson Ethan found a spot on the shore to dip a line, but others were eager to launch their boats on carvins cove for the first time since November 1998.
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=]

At its lowest point last summer, the cove was down almost 30 feet below full pond. Today, it's on its way back, almost normal for this time of year.
Keith Journell was one of the last to leave when the falling water left boaters high and dry and he was among the first to launch as the cove reopened.
[SOT 02:13:47]
[IN Q=Kind of nostalgic]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=grew up here on this lake.]

And on this day, the fish were biting.
[SOT]
[IN Q=It can be...]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=boom or bust.]

There are some restrictions, but the cove will be open to boaters Thursday through Sunday until the end of the month... seven days a week after that.

Joe Dashiell News 7 Carvins Cove.))[2-mi-school]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=mron]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A sixth-grader is in custody near Youngstown, Ohio -- after allegedly holding his classroom at gunpoint.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lisbon, Ohio;]

School officials say a teacher was able to persuade the boy to hand over the weapon. No one was hurt.
The school superintendent says the boy came into the classroom yesterday morning, pointed a gun at the floor and told his classmates and teacher to get down.
The official says a student in the hallway overheard the exchange and called a teacher who was able to talk the boy into giving up the gun.
Teachers say the boy is troubled and he did it because he wanted to join his mother in jail.
(------------)

[2-school-plot]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A sixteen year old North Carolina girl has been charged with conspiring to kill students and faculty at her high school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, NC;]
[3:09:08]
The alleged plot also included killing employees at a local gun shop.
Jessica Williams allegedly plotted this with another student, who the sheriff's department says will be arrested soon.
Officials say evidence will show Williams planned to enter the school with guns they had stolen and kill students, "preppies," athletes, and other students and teacher they didn't like.
(-----------------------)

[2-6-Impostor]

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

Authorities are still looking for a man they say is posing as a police officer.
The man pulled over a woman yesterday afternoon on Route 29 in northern Nelson County.
He told her to get out of her vehicle and to bring her keys and purse.
When the woman said she was going to call 9-1-1 the man fled.
(+++++++)
[TAKE PINNACLE 1002]
Authorities describe the man as a white male with brown hair and a beard.
Approximately 35 year old and about 6 feet tall.
He was driving a white Crown Victoria or Chevy Caprice.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Authorities say to be on the safe side, leave your vehicle running if you are pulled over, keep the doors locked -- and only let the window down just enough to hand out information.
And if you feel uncomfortable stopping authorities say turn on your hazard lights continue at a normal rate of speed until you reach a well lit area.
Anyone who may have seen the suspect should call 9-1-1 or the Nelson County Sheriff's office. [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]

Investigators say the heating system was to blame for the fire that claimed the lives of two girls earlier this week.
Debris had apparently built up in the duct work and caught fire.
State Police Investigators determined that the oil furnace was replaced in 1993, but the duct work was not.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Danville Braves owe the city of Danville thousands of dollars.
The city wants its money and has sued the team. According to court documents the team owes 40 thousand dollars along with 50 cents for each paid admission. Attorney's from both sides are negotiating and say they are very close to an agreement.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The Smart Road is now open for business. It's a concrete and asphalt laboratory ... meant to help VDOT find out how to eliminate hazards in highway travel. The two-mile stretch of road already houses more than 70 transportation research projects.
The road is expected to bring in 20-million dollars in research revenue in the next year.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=17 hours]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=news 7 at 6]
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[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]