WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/26/00

[NY-Protest]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sunday Morning]

The funeral for a Haitian man killed by New York Police turned violent yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Brooklyn, NY;]

About three thousand people marched behind the hearst carrying the body of Patrick Dorismond.
The crowd became unruly throwing bottles and clashing with police.
Dorismond, who worked as a security guard was shot in a scuffle with police in Manhattan last week after an undercover officer allegedly approached him as part of a drug sting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=what you]
((NORMAN SEAGAL/NY CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION: YOU HAVE TO INFORM PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHTS BEFORE YOU START MOVING ON THEM IN A VIOLENT WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Norman Seagal/NY Civil Liberties Union; :00]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=violent way]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Many demanded the resignation of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani over the police killing another unarmed black man.
The New York Mayor has been criticized for releasing information from Dorismond's police record -- including sealed juvenile files -- and for not visiting the man's family.
(------------)

[Russia]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Russians had their chance to choose a new President today.
Opinion polls say Vladimir Putin, is expected to win easily.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Moscow, Russia;]

Boris Yeltsin agrees. Yeltsin cast his vote as well and says he thinks acting President Vladimir Putin (POO'-tihn) will win.
He believes the ex-K-G-B officer who succeeded him at the Kremlin will continue his course of reform.
Early polls give the ex-K-G-B agent about 50 percent voter support. His closest rival among eleven opponents has just 20 percent.
(------------)

[11Ferrum]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-08 13:56]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum College]

Administrators say the number of students applying to Ferrum College is UP, this year.
The increase comes despite turmoil on campus over some recent changes by college officials.
Joy Sutton spoke with some prospective students to find out if the unrest has impacted their decision to attend Ferrum.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nia Indelicato is a]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nia Indelicato/Prospective Student; :13]
[SUPER=01-Christopher Brew/Future Student; :27]
[SUPER=04-March 1; :36]
[SUPER=04-March 24; :55]
[SUPER=01-Dan Miller/VP Student Affairs; 1:27]
[SUPER=@Joy2;1:48]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=n7 Franklin Co.]
(( Nia Indelicato is a senior at William Byrd high school. She says Ferrum College is her number one choice for next year and administrators have made every effort to show her they care about student concerns.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:30]
[IN Q=It was mentioned]
((NIA INDELICATO: IT WAS MENTIONED THAT IF THERE'S ANYTHING HERE AND THEY DON'T OFFER IT. THEY'LL OFFER IT TO YOU IF YOU CAN GET ENOUGH INTEREST IN IT. SO I THINK THEY DO CARE. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE THEY DO))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=like they do]

Indelicato was one of dozens who came out to the College's open house. Many say they felt right at home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:51]
[IN Q=They care a whole lot]
((CHRISTOPHER BREW/FUTURE STUDENT: THEY CARE A WHOLE LOT. EVERYBODY FRIENDLY. THEY ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR YOU AND EVERYTHING IT'S ALMOST LIKE A FAMILY))
[RUNS= 6]
[OUT Q=around here]
[nat sot of protest 00:02]
[RUNS= 5]

However some students who already attend Ferrum College have a different opinion. They say college officials don't listen to their concerns.
It was less than a month ago that students protested on campus -- upset that college officials had dropped the riding and field hockey teams.
And another decision to house freshmen with upper class men to boost freshmen grades has also sparked some unrest.
But Indelicato says the College offers a lot of other great programs. And she believes housing freshmen with upper classmen has benefits.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:54]
[IN Q=They've been here]
((THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH A COUPLE OF YEARS EARLIER SO THEY CAN HELP YOU OUT. SO YOU'RE NOT WITH JUST LIKE FRESHMAN WHO ARE ALL NEW TO THIS THING. THEY CAN KIND OF KEEP YOU IN LINE A LITTLE. I THINK THAT WOULD BE KIND OF NICE))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=kind of nice]

Dan Miller, the Vice President of student affairs -- says the College isn't just reaching out to prospective students -- but is also listening to the concerns of current students.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:59]
[IN Q=Administrative decision making]
((DAN MILLER/VP STUDENT AFFAIRS:ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION MAKING HAS TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE OF FERRUM COLLEGE. WE'RE SEEING BOTH THE PRESENT DAY PASSION FOR FERRUM AS WELL AS A PASSION INTEREST IN THE INTERESTS TO MEET THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=in the future]

Many of these prospective students say while they can understand the concerns of some of the current students -- in no way will that affect their decision to come Ferrum College.
Joy Sutton News 7, Franklin County.))

[11Boy-Scouts]

[ANCHOR=dENISE]
[NEWSCAST=SAT AM]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=00-06 26:50]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Boy Scout troops from around the area gathered yesterday to salute 90 years of service.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

They came together at Northside High School in Roanoke to honor nearly a century of developing strong values and instilling ethical choices into young boys according to the values set forth by the Scout Oath and Law.
Different patches were on display to show what youngsters can earn ... and the turnout was enough to make even Garfield purr.
The Boy Scouts of America currently has more than a million 11 to 17 year old members nationwide.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Health Check]
[GRAPHIC=Health Check]
[******anchor tag********]
When you hear the word aneurysm you think about blood vessels in the brain that burst. But there's another kind of aneursym that can be just as deadly. It's a condition called abdominal aortic aneurysm and now some hospitals are offering a new procedure to treat it. Wendy Rigby reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT SAT 5 NA 6:10:55]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX; :01]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Edward Wolf/Cardiovascular Surgeon; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sylvester Pledger/Aneurysm Patient; :27]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Rigby/Reporting; :40]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=CBS News]
((PACKAGE SCRIPT:
THIS NEW PROCEDURE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL OPEN SURGERY, AND IT'S DESIGNED TO RESULT IN FEWER COMPLICATIONS AND SHORTER HOSPITAL STAYS.
THE SPECIAL GRAFT WAS APPROVED BY THE F.D.A. SIX MONTHS AGO.
AND METHODIST IS THE FIRST PRIVATE HOSPITAL HERE TO USE IT ON PATIENTS. IN MANY WAYS, PEOPLE WITH AN ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM ARE WALKING AROUND WITH A TICKING TIME BOMB, WAITING TO GO OFF. THE ANEURYSM IS A WIDE PLACE IN ONE OF THE MAJOR BLOOD VESSELS IN THE BODY, AND IF IT BURSTS, IT OFTEN KILLS THE PATIENT.
Dr. Edward Wolf CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEON ((AS THE ANEURYSM ENLARGES, IT THINS OUT, AND IF THE WALL GETS THIN ENOUGH, IT'S LIKE THE BULGE ON THE INNER TUBE, IT WILL BREAK.))
PATIENTS LIKE 74-YEAR-OLD SYLVESTER PLEDGER ARE OFTEN SURPRISED TO LEARN THEY HAVE THE PROBLEM.
Sylvester Pledger ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM PATIENT ((I WAS SHOCKED. BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT AN ANEURYSM WAS, BUT THAT WAS ABOUT ALL I KNEW.))
WHEN THIS DEFECT IS FOUND BEFORE IT RUPTURES, DOCTORS CAN PERFORM A MAJOR SURGERY TO CORRECT IT, AN OPERATION INVOLVING A 12-INCH INCISION. NOW, THERE'S A LESS INVASIVE ALTERNATIVE INVOLVING THIS SPECIAL DACRON GRAFT. USING THIS DEVICE INSERTED IN A SMALL CUT IN THE GROIN, CARDIOVASCULAR SURGEONS INSERT THE GRAFT AND USE A BALLOON TO INFLATE IT INTO THE SPACE. SMALL HOOKS IMBED IN THE ARTERY. THE ENTIRE PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 3 HOURS.
((I NEVER LIKE TO SAY AN OPERATION IS EASY, BUT IT IS AN EASIER WAY TO GET THE JOB DONE THAN THROUGH THE MAJOR ABDOMINAL PROCEDURE.))
WITH THE ENDOSCOPIC METHOD, PAIN IS LESS, COMPLICATIONS ARE FEWER, AND THE HOSPITAL STAY IS DECREASED DRAMATICALLY.
((I HAVE HAD NO REACTION REALLY WORTH MENTIONING....THIS HAS BEEN A PIECE OF CAKE COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING.))
HERE IS SYLVESTER PLEDGER'S ANEURYSM BEFORE HIS GRAFT, AND AFTER....))
(-------------)
[Anchor=Denise]
[ss=hold]

There's no known cause for aortic aneurysms, although they're found more frequently in men, in smokers, and people over the age of 60.
News 7 Sunday Morning will be right back.
[go to bump]

[Reel-Open]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Reel Open]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Spring is officially here.
Now that the temperatures are on the rise many people will spend more time outdoors, possibly at the lake.
However did you know the lake is used for more than just recreation? It's main reason is to generate electricity.

Keith Humphry takes a closer look at the construction of the Smith Mountain Dam in this week's Virginia Newsreel.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[SML-Reel]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Newsreel]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe]

[wipe wipe]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=21-Smith Mountain Lake/1999; :01]
[SUPER=21-Keith Humphry/Reporting; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=I'm Keith Humphry]

(( Smith Mountain Lake was created by the damming of the Roanoke River at Smith Mountain Gap.
The project includes Leesville Dam and uses water and coal through a process called pumped storage.
Electricity is generated primarily on weekdays when the demand for electricity is the highest. However, when demand for power is low, water stored in Leesville Lake is pumped back into Smith Mountain Lake to be re-used.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:23]
[IN Q=nat sound]
((nat sound)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=nat sound]

Appalachian Power now called AEP began planning for a hydroelectric dam in the late 1920's.
However, construction didn't start until 1960.
The Leesville Dam was also under construction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:57]
[IN Q=18 miles]
((18 MILES UP THE ROANOKE RIVER FROM THE LEESVILLE PLANT IS THE MAJOR COMPLEX OF APPALACHIAN HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT THE SMITH MOUNTAIN PROJECT)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=PROJECT]
Both dams were completed in 1963. The project meant flooding thousands of acres of land. Before that could happen, Appalachian had to buy any land that would be submerged. Though most of it was farmland, some people lived on it. They were relocated.
The company also had to move the dead.
More than 13-hundred graves were removed from 74 cemeteries to 24 relocation sites.
The lake started filling up with water in 1962. It took three years to complete. By December 1965, two generating units went into service. The last two went into commercial operation in February, 1966. A fifth generating unit was added in 1980.
That's Virginia Newsreel, I'm Keith Humphry.))

[Olympic-Kayaking]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

With paddles in hand more than one hundred Kayakers converged on Six Flags in Eureka, Missouri. They weren't there to ride the Mr. Freeze Rollercoaster, they were there to race the river and perhaps qualify for the U-S Olympic Team.
Kara Kaswell has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5 NA]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Eureka, MO; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joe Criscione/Kayak Racer; :22]
[SUPER=01-Kara Kaswell/Reporting; :34]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=CBS News]
((Eureka Joe Criscione/KAYAK RACER
THERES SOMETHING ABOUT THE THRILL OF COMPETITION...
ON WHATS NORMALLY AN AMUSEMENT PARK THRILL RIDE, THUNDER RIVER HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED SO KAYAKERS CAN RACE THE RAPIDS.
The advantage is that this is predictable for and there's even rapids for the racers.
IT'S THE MISSOURI WHITEWATER CHAMPIONSHIPS...THE TOP PADDLERS HERE WILL GO TO THE U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS IN TENNESSEE NEXT MONTH.
I also like it when they go really fast
stand up
THIS RACE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HELD AT THE ST. FRANCIS RIVER ABOUT 90 MILES SOUTH OF HERE, BUT BECAUSE OF LOW WATER AND DROUGHT CONDITIONS IT WAS MOVED TO THIS MAN MADE RIVER AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT BEING ON THAT MAN MADE RIVER IS MORE CHALLENGING THAN THE REAL THING.
The water moves alot faster along the concrete bottom it's quick
IN SOME PLACES THIS RIVER RUNS 25 MILES PER HOUR.. TWO MILLION GALLONS OF WATER RUSH THROUGH HERE,FOR JOE CRISCIONE OF ST. LOUIS IT'S LIKE A RIVER DANCE.
the river is doing the beat.
THE JUDGES PERCH ON THE SHORELINE...IF YOUR KAYAK HITS A GATE IT'S POINTS OFF...KAYAKERS COME FROM AROUND THE NATION, THE COMPETITION IS INTENSE.
you've gotta rehearse, and practice because theres no room for error once your running the river.
CRISCIONE HAS BEEN RACING FOR 8 YEARS...HE'LL MAKE THE NEXT ROUND AND RACE IN TENNESSEE, BUT AS FOR THE OLYMPICS.
I don't have a chance, I work full time , and am competing against full time paddlers.
THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT RACING THESE RAPIDS...
RIDING THE WAVES THAT KEEPS THESE RACERS COMING BACK. IN EUREKA MISSOURI KARA KASWELL CBS News))

[Tobacco]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco]
Virginia tobacco growers have signed contracts to sell nearly a third of this year's crop to a Petersburg tobacco company. That isn't good news for warehousemen, who have already been hurt by three consecutive years of tobacco quota cuts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 99-47 31:26]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]
More than 200 tobacco farmers in Virginia signed contracts to sell part of their crop to Star Scientific Incorporated, which has developed a way to cure tobacco with lowered amounts of cancer-causing agents.
(------------)
[Anchor=Denise]
[ss=Tobacco]
The company will buy about 14-and-a-half (M) million pounds of Virginia tobacco -- about 30 percent of the crop.

[Clinton]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Clinton]

The White House says don't expect too much from President Clinton's meeting in Geneva today with Syrian leader Hafez Assad (HAH'-fez AH'-sahd).
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Geneva, Switzerland;]

Clinton and his daughter Chelsea arrived in Geneva this morning.
The President is hoping he can persuade Assad to resume peace talks with Israel.
But Clinton's national security adviser Sandy Berger says an immediate resumption of those negotiations isn't likely.
(------------)
[Anchor=Denise]
[ss=hold]

Instead, he says the hope is that over the next two weeks the two sides will come to the conclusion ``that they can enter into a serious round of negotiations.''

[Pope]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=John Paul II]

Pope John Paul has fulfilled his wish to trace the footsteps of Jesus from his birth, to his death.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jerusalem]

He's winding up his trip to the Holy Land today by celebrating Mass at the site where tradition says Christ was crucified.
The pontiff also visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, believed to be the only surviving remnant of the Jews' second temple.
Following custom, he left a private prayer in stones.
The note asked forgiveness for those who have caused the Jewish people to suffer.
The pope expressed the same sentiment earlier in his pilgrimage, during a visit to the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
(------------)

[11Store-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-04 52:32]
[GRAPHIC=fire]

It took four fire departments almost an hour to battle a blaze in Clifton Forge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge]

The Clifton Forge fire department received the call shortly after five o'clock yesterday.
When fire fighters arrived-- flames could be seen shooting from an upstairs window.
Two apartments and a hardware store below sustained heavy smoke and water damage.
Everyone inside got out safely.... however a dog did not survive.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(------------)

[11Fire]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-05 28:26]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Neighbors rescued two sisters from a burning house.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It happened around 9-30 yesterday morning at this house on Melrose Avenue in the Northwest section of Roanoke.
The teenage girl and toddler were the only ones in the house and were NOT injured.
A man, who also lived in the home, was outside when the blaze started and says he smelled smoke and called 9-1-1.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:35]
[IN Q=Flames started coming]
((LEO DAWSON/RESIDENT: FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT OF THE WINDOW AND THEN THAT'S ALL I KNOW. SOME FRIENDS OF MINE HERE THEY BUSTED IN AND GOT THE CHILDREN OUT OF THE BATHTUB AND BROUGHT THEM OUT))
[SUPER=01-Leo Dawson/Resident]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=them out]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities say the fire was accidental.
For now, they believe it started in a downstairs bedroom.
(------------)

[11Dog-Agility]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-02 31:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some dogs showed off their skills as part of the first "Star City Canine Show "at Hollins College.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The dogs are judged not only on how fast they complete this obstacle course, but also how well they follow the course sequence without knocking anything over.
The dogs win prizes and ribbons.
Canines of all breeds and skill levels took part in the competition.
The show started again at 8 this morning and continued throughout the day.
(------------)

[60-Minutes]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lesley Stahl profiles Tom Joyner, the powerful new voice in radio whose national program reaches more African Americans than any other. Here's a preview of tonight's 60 minutes.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 10NA 10:50:12 - Friday Sports Copy]
[IN Q=Tom Joyner]
[RUNS=29]
[OUT Q=it's us about us-----------------HE SAYS US ABOUT 4 TIMES BEFORE THE OUT Q]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[SS=None]

That story and more on 60 Minutes tonight at seven here on your Hometown Station.

[Profile-Open]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=profile Open]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Profiles]

A Roanoke County woman makes dolls to look like their owners. But when they go to cancer patients, those dolls take on special meaning. In this week's Virginia Profile, Tina Tenret shows us how Ethel Simmons' toys help children heal.
(////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[VA-Profile]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun am]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=Virginia Profiles]
[GRAPHIC=Wipe wipe]

[wipe wipe wipe]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On the count]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :14]
[SUPER=01-Tiffany Lineberry/Cancer Patient; :19 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Ethel Simmons/Dollmaker; :55]
[SUPER=@Tina2; 1:01 QUICK!!!]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Roanoke]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:35:53]
[IN Q=ON THE COUNT]
((ON THE COUNT OF THREE, I'M GOING TO STICK YOU. SO IT'S LIKE OUR PRETEND NEEDLE, RIGHT? ONE TWO THREE ERR....)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=ERR]
Twelve year old Tiffany Lineberry is being treated for cancer. She gets to practice medical procedures on a special doll -- before doctors do them to her.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:31:03]
[IN Q=THEY CAN SHOW]
((TIFFANY LINEBERRY/CANCER PATIENT: THEY CAN SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT ON THE DOLL, THEN I WON'T BE SO SCARED.)) [RUNs:03]
[OUT Q=SO SCARED]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((NAT SOT SEWING))
[RUNS:03] A Roanoke County woman breathes life into these dolls -- on her own time, at her own expense.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:37:43]
[IN Q=FIRST WE HAVE]
((ETHEL SIMMONS/DOLLMAKER: FIRST WE HAVE TO CUT THE FABRIC OUT THEN WE HAVE TO SEW THE BUTTON SO WHEN IT'S SEWN TOGETHER, THE BUTTON WILL BE ON THE INSIDE.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=ON THE INSIDE]
The button represents the knob under cancer patients' skin -- the hookup for their IV chemotherapy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:30:29]
[SOT 10:11:29]
[IN Q=If somebody]
((LINEBERRY: IF SOMEBODY WANTED ME TO SHOW THE PORT TO THEM, I COULD SHOW THE DOLL AND I WOULDN'T HAVE TO LIFT MY SHIRT UP AND SHOW THEM. BUTT BUTT BUTT SIMMONS: I LOVE CHILDREN, AND I THINK IF THIS WOULD EASE THE PAIN EVEN A LITTLE BIT, THEN IT'S WORTH IT.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=WORTH IT]
Ethel Simmons dreams of bigger dolls, with veins and I-V tubes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:12:25]
[IN Q=HOPEFULLY]
((SIMMONS: HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE A WIG WITH SOME VELCRO THAT WE CAN TAKE ON AND OFF)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=ON AND OFF]
But for now she leaves the faces blank.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:38:11]
[SOT 11:31:12]
[SOT 11:35:35]
[IN Q=AND THEN]
((THEN WHEN YOU GO HOME, YOU'LL PUT A FACE OR SOMETHING ON THIS. BLUE EYES AND BLOND HAIR. BUTT BUTT BUTT I CAN PLAY DOCTOR WITH IT BECAUSE I LIKE PLAYING DOCTOR. I WANT TO BE A NURSE WHEN I GROW UP. BUTT BUTT BUTT TAKE THE ALCOHOL AND I'M GOING TO WIPE IT OFF.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=WIPE IT OFF]
Simmons says she'd like to meet the children who cuddle her dolls.
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[SOT 10:39:49]
[IN Q=IT IS REWARDING]
((IT IS REWARDING TO KNOW THE CHILDREN ENJOY THIS.)) [RUNS:02]
[OUT Q=ENJOY THIS]
But for now, she's got more little friends to make. Tina Tenret News7 Roanoke))

[SPORTS-EXTRA]

[ANCHOR=DENISE]
[NEWSCAST=SUN AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sports extra #2]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Steam]

The Roanoke Steam open the arena football season in Tallahassee on April seventh.
When the opening whistle blows several local standouts will be suiting up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./March 18; :00]
[SUPER=01-Elton Toliver/Roanoke Steam; :19]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Merchant/Raonoke Steam; :57]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=say in football]

(( Elton Toliver left Lord Botetourt High School to play defensive tackle and linebacker for UVA through the 198 season. From there he played in overseas and semi-pro leagues.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT8:35:04]
[IN Q=being back]
((ELTON TOLIVER/ROANOKE STEAM: BEING BACK ON A FOOTBALL FIELD INFRONT OF PEOPLE WHO WATCHED YOU PLAY RECREATIONAL BALL AND KNEW YOU WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP IS GOING TO BE FUN. IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE BECAUSE THE AGE IS DIFFERENT BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD CHALLENGE.)) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=good challenge]

Anthony Merchant played high school ball in Lexington. At Concord College Merchant played both tailback and defensive back. He then played both sides of the ball with the Roanoke Rush from 1993 through the '97 season.
The 29 year old Merchant rearranged his life to join the Steam moving his family from Staunton to Roanoke. He works at Radio Shack as a manager and hopes playing football in Roanoke will lead to the next level.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:42:27]
[IN Q=i don't]
((ANTHONY MERCHANT/ : I DON'T GET TOO OVER EXCITED. I JUST ENJOY THE GAME. TO LOOK AT ME YOU WOULDN'T THINK SO, BUT IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE ONCE I HIT THE FIELD.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=THE FIELD]

Team officials say ticket sales are going well, evidence Roanokers are buying into the indoor league.
Or maybe evidence of Toliver's public relations work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:33:02]
[IN Q=it's something]
((TOLIVER: IT'S SOMETHING EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS. IT'S UNIVRSAL, IN THE U.S., CANADA, OVERSEAS, IT'S A UNIVERSAL SPORT AND I WAS TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT, WE'RE STILL PLAYING, WE'RE GOING TO BE BUTTING HEADS AS WE SAY IN FOOTBALL.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=IN FOOTBALL]))
(-----------------------------)
[ANCHOR=DENISE]
[SS=HOLD]

The Roanoke Steam opens its home season on Saturday, May sixth, against Tulsa.

[Oscar-Preps]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=dal]
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Hollywood's big day is finally here.....the Oscars will be handed out tonight in Los Angeles.
And last night, fans were already lined up outside the Shrine Auditorium...reserving a spot for all the pre-show excitement.
Juan Fernandez of reports.
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[Ebert-Picks]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
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" Wonder Boys" stays on top of Roger Ebert's list this weekend. He also suggests "Final Destination". Here are his top 3 picks.

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[ANCHOR=Andrew]
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You can see Roger Ebert's reviews today at Eleven here on Your Hometown Station. [2-shot toss to bump]

[Kicker]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
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[WRITER=kor]
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They're cute, cuddly and the newest visitors to Omaha's Zoo.
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[VO-NAT 6:00:30]
[SUPER=03-Omaha, NE]
Two Koalas arrived on Monday and are still adjusting to their surroundings. They aren't on public display yet. The Koalas will be visiting in Omaha until Labor Day. Then they'll (------------) return to San Diego.