WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 08/21/00

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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[VO-NAT]

Thousands of Verizon workers are back on the job in New York and New England...But how much longer will their strike last here?
We'll find out, coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And the vice- president of Roanoke's Southern Christian Leadership Conference calls it quits. (/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

As many head back to school or just back to work... the day's weather couldn't be better. Your forecast of sunny skies and cool temperatures is straight ahead.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

All that coming up on News 7 at noon.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
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(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The companies]
((The Companies chief negotiator only realized then that stress was an issue))
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=was in issue]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Verizon strike ends in the North, but continues in the South.

(------------)

[Artis-Resignation]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-33 16:55]
[GRAPHIC=Jeff Artis]

The Vice President of the Roanoke Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference has resigned.
Jeff Artis says he's recovering from a recent illness.
But he adds that there may be possible long- term effects from the illness.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 00-18 58:57]
[SUPER=04-June 26]

Artis, who was also a member of the organization's the Board of Directors, says he wants to devote more time to developing his web site, writing projects, and finishing his series of children's books. In a press release Artis says, " I leave the SCLC on good terms. I have nothing but love and respect for SCLC President Ms. Perneller Wilson and the organization. She and the organization have supported my efforts when others in the community ran away in fear. Ms. Wilson is an expert in the area of civil rights. She has been an outstanding teacher. Most important, she is a dear friend. "
(-------------)
[Anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=HOLD]

Artis also says out of respect for the organization, he will finish out the year to complete all SCLC business he i

s currently involved in.[Danville-Stabbing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-27]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Danville man died YESTERDAY after his girlfriend allegedly stabbed him two and a half weeks ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/August 4]

Authorities say Sue Ellen Totten stabbed 49 year old Larry Neal Johnson in the chest.
Johnson died at the U-V-A Medical Center Sunday afternoon .
The stabbing happened at 226 Winslow Street on August fourth.
They immediately took the victim's girlfriend for questioning.
They later charged her with malicious wounding.
Possible additional charges could be placed against Totten.
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[Russian-Sub]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It's gone from rescue to recovery, as the Russian navy confirms the Kursk submarine is flooded, with NO survivors.
Drew Levinson has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Barents Sea;]
[SUPER=03-Murmansk, Russia;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=Drew Levinson, CBS News, New York.]
---(((LOCATOR: BARENT'S SEA)

The Russian's fears that all 118 crewmen were dead were realized when the Norwegian divers opened the rear hatch of the Kursk.

(natsound from description)

"SO ONE OF YOU WITH THE HAND ON THE VALVE......."

Below it-- the escape chamber-- which was supposed to be airtight was filled with water.

And final proof that the nuclear sub was flooded came when the divers opened the inner hatch.

A spokesman for the Norwegian side of the operation said the inner section is full of water and the commander believes there is no one on board alive.

The nuclear powered submarine sank on August 12th. Russian officials still have given no explanation however its believed there was at least one explosion on board.

(LOCATOR: MURMANSK)

(natsound praying )

In the Northern Port city of Murmansk, where the Kursk is based, friends and family members of the sailors continue to pray.

With the sadness, there is also anger...anger because the Russian Government waited four days before asking for foreign help.

(STANDUP DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS)

"SO FAR NO WORD AS TO HOW THE RUSSIANS WILL RETRIEVE THE BODIES...IT APPEARS THE ONLY PRACTICAL WAY IS RAISE THE SUB.

DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[CNN-Poll]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

The latest C-N-N, U-S-A Today, Gallup Poll has Vice President Al Gore leading Republican George W- Bush by a small margin.
The tally was 47 to 46- percent among likely voters.
Gore says the poll proves America's voters want a campaign based on issues, rather than images.

[Tech-Students]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-23; TC 1:25:17]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech students are back in class today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]
87-hundred Hokies checked into the dorms over the weekend. Many students unloaded their cars Saturday and got settled in. Yesterday, parents said good bye and headed back home. John (Air-un-tate) Arrontate decided to move his belongings into the dorm by himself, now he thinks he brought too much stuff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:39:06]
[IN Q=when i]
((JOHN ARRONTATE/FRESHMAN: WHEN I PUT IT ALL IN MY ROOM AND LOOKED AT IT, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT DEFINITELY A LOT.))
[SUPER=01-John Arrontate/Virginia Tech Freshman]
[OUTQ=definatly a lot.]
[RUNS=8]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There's a small overcrowding problem in the Tech dorms.
50 students will be rooming with their residential advisors.
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[Austrian-Bus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A trip turned deadly for a group of German teenagers vacationing in Austria.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Poechlarn, Austria;]

Eight were killed and 21 other injured when their double- decker tour bus crashed today.
Police say a speeding semi-trailer plowed into the bus.
Another truck then slammed into the wreckage.
Authorities say the collision cut open the top part of the bus.
The passengers on the bus were between the ages of 14 and 17.
They were on their way to a two-week vacation at a lake in Hungary.
The highway where the crash occurred is a heavily traveled route between eastern and western Europe.
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[SC-Derailment]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Train derailment]

An Amtrak passenger train derailed today in South Carolina.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lake City, SC;]

Officials say between 10 and 20 people were injured-- none appears to be serious.
It happened in Lake City, about 70- miles east of Columbia.
About 200 people were on board the train at the time.
Authorities say nine cars jumped the tracks, but they're still not sure why.

(-------------)[Train-Derailment]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Train Derailment]

Two intersections in Pulaski are still blocked this afternoon by a train that derailed early this morning.
Authorities say 2 cars went off the track. No one was hurt.
In the meantime, The derailment could cause some traffic problems.
Authorities say Randolph Ave is open, but Jefferson Ave., and Washington Ave are still closed. If you are traveling into Pulaski on Northbound Interstate 81, authorities say take the second Pulaski exit. There is no word at this time on what caused the derailment.

[Fire-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-28; TC 57:26]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Still no word on what caused the weekend fire at Hancock Steel in Roanoke County.
The plant remains closed today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Yesterday morning, a Fire Marshal inspected the plant which caught fire Saturday afternoon.
Officials say the fire occurred in an area where roofing joists are manufactured.
At the time the fire broke out-- workers were performing maintenance in the area.
Assistant Fire Marshal Rodney Ferguson believes paint played a role in the fire.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:31:41]
[IN Q=these tanks]
((RODNEY FERGUSON: THESE TANKS ARE ACTUALLY PAINT THEY'RE CALLED DIP TANKS IN WHICH THE JOISTS ARE LIFTED DOWN IN THERE AND LIFTED OUT AND ALLOWED TO DRY.))
[SUPER=01-Rodney Ferguson/Assistant Fire Marshal]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=to dry.]
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[VO-NAT]

So far, no official cause of the fire has been established but Ferguson believes paint may have ignited the blaze.

Six people were transported to the hospital Saturday but have since been released.
The plant plans to reopen in phases beginning tomorrow.
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[Byrd-Harden]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-29; TC 51:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The director of a state agency under investigation by state police has reportedly resigned.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/April 1998;]

Linda Byrd-Harden was hired a year ago by Governor Gilmore to head up the state Department of Minority Business Enterprise.
The deputy secretary of commerce and trade says the agency is under investigation by police AND the target of critical audit reports.
(-------)
[anchor=Kim]
[ss=none]

But Joshua Lief declined to give a specific reason for Byrd-Harden's departure.
Byrd-Harden is a former director of the Virginia N-Double-A-C-P.

[Box-Office]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez dominated the weekend Box Office.
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[SOT 3:38:20]
[IN Q=nat sound music]
(())
[SUPER=04-"The Cell";]
[Super=04-New Line;]
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[OUT Q=nat sound scream]
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[VO-NAT]
[3:37:28] The movie about a dark journey into a murderer's mind brought in an estimated 17-point-two (M) million dollars.
(------------)
[Anchor=Denise]
[TAKE FS CHYRON]
[SUPER=77-The Cell/The Original Kings of Comedy/Space Cowboys/The Replacements/What Lies Beneath;]
``The Original Kings of Comedy,'' opened at number two. ``Space Cowboys,'' ``The Replacements,'' and ``What Lies Beneath'' round out the top five.

[Super=#555;reset]

[Presidential-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-26; TC 1:09:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There's enough demand for historic theme parks in Virginia-- including the proposed park featuring huge busts of American Presidents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-York Co./March 17;]
That's according to some tourism experts who say, the more attractions the better. Presidents Park would feature busts of all U-S presidents on eleven acres in York County. Colonial Williamsburg officials are afraid the park will siphon visitors from established attractions.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=none]

Buena Vista, however, is still very much interested in the project.
In fact, city leaders hope to sign a contract with the park's owner to bring FOUR of the giant busts to Buena Vista

by Labor Day.[Olympics]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Olympic Rings]

There's a new public relations disaster in the making for the 2000 Olympic Games...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sydney, Australia;]

The medals appear to depict the Colosseum in Rome, instead of the Parthenon in Athens.
That's angered many Greek Australians, who say the Parthenon represents the Olympic spirit of peace, while the Colosseum is the site of bloody battles.
But the Sydney Games Organizing Committee says they were under orders from the International Olympic Comittee to put the generic image of a colosseum on the medals.
The medals in question will be given to winning athletes, when the games begin September 15th.
(------------)

[Penguins]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

And before we leave you today--
There was the pitter- patter of tiny feet at the San Francisco Zoo this morning...
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

Six baby penguins made a rite of passage today, walking to the penguin colony at the zoo to live with the adults.

The four- month- old penguins were bred and raised at the zoo.
The San Franciso Zoo has one of the most successful breeding colonies of penguins in captivity. (------------) And as you can see, all six penguins are already walking the straight and narrow...right in line.