WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 11/01/00

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

Coming up on News 7--
As investigators try to learn more about yesterday's fatal crash in Taiwan, ANOTHER plane crashes.
This time in Angola, killing everyone on board.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And V-DOT releases the results of its environmental impact study on the proposed I-73.
We'll have a live report.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

A repeat of sunny skies today help to warm up our temperatures a bit. But we can still expect chilly nights... forecast details are ahead.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

Stay with us-- News 7 at noon is next.

[I-73]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-43]
[GRAPHIC=I-73]

After three years, the Virginia Department of Transportation completed its environmental impact study regarding construction of Interstate 73.
V-DOT officials released the results this morning.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim/Jen Microwave;]

Jennifer Miele is in Salem with more.
[LIVE=Jen /FULL]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1]
[SUPER=05-Salem]

((ROLLCUE:...A spot improvement option....(Option is a double out)))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokesperson; :00]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=Just revealed everything that we know.]

[LIVE=Jen /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Salem;]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /Jen Microwave;]
[Question]
Jennifer, who's funding the project?

[Anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=hold]

If you would like to purchase a copy of the environmental study call 1-888-I-73-PLAN. The cost is 61-dollars for a hard copy and 15.50 for a CD Rom. They'll be available November 10-th.

[Angola-Crash]

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

It's been deadly week for air travel--
One day after the fatal plane crash in Taiwan, officials confirm a Russian-built passenger plane exploded after take off in northern Angola.
Media reports say all 48 people on board were killed.
The plane went down in an area where the army has been fighting rebels.
In the past, those rebels are known to have shot down civilian planes.

[Singapore-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=singapore-crash]

Meanwhile, crash investigators hope the black boxes from Singapore Airlines Flight double-oh-6 will offer some explanation of yesterday's tragedy in Taiwan.
The jumbo jet crashed as it attempted to take off for Los Angeles.
79 people were killed, including 23 Americans.
Terisa Estacio has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Taipei, Taiwan;]
[SUPER=01-John Purvis/Aviation Safety Expert;]
[SUPER=01-Terisa Estacio/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Terisa Estacio, CBS News. ]
((
(natz)

(Locator: Taipei, Taiwan)

Investigators will scour the crash scene today in Taipei looking for the mysterious object the pilot reported hitting during the aborted take-off in stormy weather. Finding that object.. could be the key in determining what caused the Singapore Airlines 7-47 to burst into flames killing dozens of passengers.

sot: John Purvis/Aviation Safety Expert
"The visibility I guess was down to about a quarter of a mile and it might be at night, wet runway, shiny lights. The crew may not have seen what was on the runway."

(natz break/wind and rain)

The weather at the time of the take-off will also be looked at very closely. There was driving rain and heavy winds from an approaching typhoon, but officials from Singapore Airlines are defending the pilot's decision to take-off. They say winds speeds and visibility levels did not exceed maximum levels for closing the airport.
Incredibly, more that half of the 179 on board the Boeing 747 survived the crash and the blaze that engulfed the plane. Survivors describe a harrowing scene as a fireball swept through the cabin.

sot: Passenger/survivor
"We saw flashes of fire and the plane fell apart. flames came into the cabin, smoke was everywhere."
Many of injured are still hospitalized suffering from burns. Officials say some of the dead were burned beyond recognition and DNA testing will be used to establish identities. Approximately two dozen of those dead are believed to be Americans. Singapore Airlines is providing all families of victims with 25 thousand dollars in immediate compensation.

(estacio standup)
Singapore Airlines is also providing transportation to take U-S relatives to Taiwan. The first flight is scheduled to depart Los Angeles tomorrow.Terisa Estacio, CBS News

))[Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC27:17]
[GRAPHIC=Jeff Thomas]

The capital murder trial for the man charged with killing Radford teen Tara Munsey is scheduled to begin later this month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]

Defendant Jeffrey Allen Thomas and his attorneys were in court yesterday.
They argued that Pulaski County investigators used inaccurate information to obtain a search warrant.
The judge ruled that the error was NOT intentional and did NOT affect the case.
Thomas was charged with Munsey's murder and rape or ATTEMPTED rape last February, after her partially-clothed body was found in a remote section of the county.
150 prospective jurors have been selected to appear for Thomas' trial on November 30th.
Defense attorneys say they'll ask for a change of venue.
(------------)

[Fraser]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

A former Montgomery County teacher's aide charged with having an intimate relationship with a teenage student will serve two years' probation in Radford.
46-year-old Wanda C. Fraser lost her job at Auburn Middle School last February.
She was charged with carnal knowledge for her relationship with the 14-year old boy.
She's still awaiting sentencing on similar charges in Montgomery County.

[Missing-Boy]

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

Authorities in Utah have found the body of a boy who's been missing since last Thursday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Summit, UT;]

They say two - year- old Gage Wayment was buried in the mountains under four inches of snow.
Wayment's father says he strapped his son in the car seat inside his truck while he went deer hunting.
Paul Wayment says the boy was gone when he came back.
There is no word as yet on what caused the boy's death.
Investigators plan to give his father a lie detector test today.
(------------)

[Pyramid-Scheme]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-42 TC24:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Following a nine month investigation, three Danville police officers are arrested for their part in a pyramid scheme.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

The arrests were announced by Danville police chief Neal Morris.
At least ten CIVILIANS have also been arrested as a result of grand jury indictments.
They're accused of taking part in a pyramid scheme called "The Winners' Team".
Pyramid schemes allow participants to earn money by recruiting more people to play... not by selling goods or services.
Morris says he and his family were CLEARED of any involvement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:27:27]
[IN Q=As far ]
((NEAL MORRIS/DANVILLE POLICE CHIEF: AS FAR AS THE CITY OF DANVILLE IS CONCERNED THERE WERE NONE OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS INVOLVED AND NOR WAS I INVOLVED. ))
[SUPER=01-Neal Morris/Danville Police Chief; ]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=nor was i involved.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Chief Morris says officers Samanthia (Samanth-ee-uh) Luck, Samuel Bray and Matthew Walker have been placed on administrative leave.
Authorities interviewed more than 700 people in the course of their investigation.
(------------)

[Flu-Shortage]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC1:57:23]
[GRAPHIC=Flu Shots]

Flu season normally begins in December.
Even though there's been a delay in getting the vaccine this year, health officials say there is still plenty of time to get the flu shot.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Many are wondering why some places have flu shots already and others don't ...
Doctor Jody Hershey says that's because companies and health care providers are buying the vaccine from different manufacturers.
While all of the manufacturers had problems growing a strain of the virus, two of the four had problems with the Food and Drug Administration, causing further delay.
And one of those companies has shut down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT36:27]
[IN Q=It takes about]
((DR. JODY HERSHEY: IT TAKES ABOUT 10 TO 14 DAYS FOR YOU TO DEVELOP PROTECTION AGAINST INFLUENZA. SO AS LONG AS THEY GET IT IN NOW AND THROUGHOUT EARLY DECEMBER WE'RE GOING TO BE JUST FINE))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jody Hershey/New River Health District]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=just fine]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The health department plans to get its supply in the next couple of weeks -- but only has about 20 percent of it right now.
Hershey says it's important to vaccinate those with the greatest need first.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT34:28]
[IN Q=We're very concerned]
((DR. JODY HERSHEY: WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THESE MASS VACCINATION CLINICS GOING ON WHEN WE REALLY NEED TO BE TARGET THE HIGH RISK POPULATION FIRST))
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=population first]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Those most at risk include people 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, and people who live in nursing homes.
Flu season typically runs from mid-December to early March.
(------------)

[Church-Halloween]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-33]
[GRAPHIC=Halloween]
Plenty of little ghosts and goblins haunted their neighborhoods last night, looking for a trick or a treat. But hundreds more spent Halloween night INSIDE.
It's a trend that seems to be becoming more popular. Meredyth Censullo has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For many...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1;:27]
[SUPER=01-Kevin & Lauren Deck;1:12]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=News 7, Roanoke]
(([NAT-SOT @ 13:14:27]
((HI! YA WANT SOME CANDY?)) [RUNS:03]
For many kids it just wouldn't be Halloween without the traditional walk through the neighborhood - in search of a trick - but more importantly, a treat. And for many parents, it wouldn't be Halloween if they didn't spend it by their kids' side.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I do feel...]
((I DO FEEL COMFORTABLE, BUT I WOULD NOT LET EM GO ALONE. I WOULD HAVE TO BE WITH THEM...I DON'T FEEL THAT COMFORTABLE.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=that comfortable.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 13:16:47 - 13:16:54]
[IN Q=But more...]
((MEREDYTH CENSULLO/REPORTING: BUT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS TIME OF YEAR ITS SIMPLY NOT SAFE TO LET KIDS WALK THE STREETS.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=the street.]

((BUTT BUTT BUTT))

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 13:26:18 - 13:26:26]
[IN Q=So nowadays...]
((SO NOWADAYS ALTERNATE HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE IN PLACES LIKE CHURCHES ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE POPULAR.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=popular.]

[NAT-SOT - THUNK!! 13:19:20]

An estimated 800 people turned out to this celebration at Cave Spring Baptist Church ..
[NAT-SOT - AH! 13:18:20]
where the scariest activity was making sure the cotton candy didn't get the best of you...
[NAT - PREACHER AND PIE] And where dodging pies took precedent over dodging cars. Many parents say they'd prefer their little ones spend the holiday like this.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 13:25:18 - 13:25:25]
[IN Q=I think parents...]
((KEVIN DECK: I THINK PARENTS HAVE A LOT OF CHOICES TODAY. I'M THANKFUL THERE'S AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE STANDARD NEIGHBORHOOD WALK.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=walk.]

Organizers of this alternative Halloween program say there's no religious meaning behind their get together .. They say its just a way to get kids together in a controlled environment .. But whether families "poo-poo" trick or treating, or pound the pavement, there's one thing that seems to stay the same .. They're spending the holiday together. Meredyth Censullo, News7, Roanoke.))
(-------------)

[Cookbook]

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

[ROLL COLD OUT OF BREAK]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With the holiday]
[TAKE FS BOARD :21]
[SUPER=01-Nathalie Dupree/Author; :31]
[RUNS=2:47]
[OUT Q=to host a holiday party now?]

[TAPE TOSSES TO JACEY AT DESK]

[China-Census]

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

And finally today--
A new census will undoubtedly confirm China has the largest population of any country in the world.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]

China's fifth national census is already under way in the nation's most remote regions.
Six- million census takers delve into such personal issues as whether families cook with gas and have toilets that flush.
And those census takers have to count fast.
They have just a few weeks to knock on 350- million doors. (------------) At last count a decade ago, China had just over one-point-one- BILLION people.