WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 11/20/00

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

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

Only 50-percent of the football players at Division-one schools graduated this year. It's less than 30-percent at Virginia Tech. We'll take a close look at the numbers on NEWS 7 tonight.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]

We're also still looking into last night's fatal fire in Roanoke.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, the latest health update on UVa quarterback Dan Ellis. The Tech 2000 report needs your prayerful consideration.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Tarheels fire head football coach Carl Torbush.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

A bitter northwest winds takes over tonight and tomorrow with windchills and snow showers. Our Monday weatherschool will be on a warmer topic. We'll explain.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

(/////SOT/////)
[NATSOUND: CHEERING FANS.]
[IN Q=CHEERING]
[RUNS=:02]
[OUT Q=CHEERING]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fans applaud their efforts on the field, but the latest graduation rates for Tech Football players may not be much to cheer about.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Tech-Graduation]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#00-36 TC1:55:35]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Graduation Rate]

Virginia Tech's football program has been surging ahead to greater victories and acclaim in recent years.
But a report on NCAA graduation rates released today shows it may be lagging behind in graduating players.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Marya/Microwave]

Marya Jones has been looking into this and has the story.
[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Keith, Tech officials admit the most recent graduation numbers for their scholarship players are far from impressive.
But they're not alone -- Division One football graduation rates are at their lowest in 15 years.
And Tech says these latest numbers are not a fair measure for diagnosing the football program's academic success.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Yearly graduation rates]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Division One average.]
(([**INSERT GAME VIDEO**]
Yearly graduation rates for Tech football players reported to the NCAA have gone down more than 50 percent in the last three years. [INSERT GRAPHIC: VT FOOTBALL PLAYER GRADUATION RATES]
Take a look at the scoreboard for both Tech and ALL Division One schools...
In 1997, 50 percent of Tech scholarship players completed their studies within six years of starting.
In '98, it was 65.
In '99, it dropped to 33 percent.
And in 2000, only 29 percent got degrees in under six years.
At all Division I schools nationwide last year, an average of 48 percent graduated. [INSERT GRAPHIC: 4 YEAR GRADUATION RATES]
Here's how Tech compared to some other schools:
In the last four years, Tech graduated 45 percent of its players.
At UVA, the average was 76 percent..
At Florida State, 59...
And at West Virginia, 48 percent. [Standup] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: Athletic Director Jim Weaver said last week that he and his staff did not have time to be interviewed for this story.
But they call the numbers just a "snapshot" of their players' academic performance that can paint a misleading picture.
Graduation rates reported to the NCAA only reflect SCHOLARSHIP athletes that start as freshman and remain at Tech for their ENTIRE college career.)) [RUNS:18] [**GAME VIDEO OF JOHN ENGELBERGER**]
So, the numbers exclude walk-on players who DO graduate, like former defensive end John Engelberger. [FS GRAPHIC: NOT INCLUDED]
Players who get injured and quit, transfer to other schools, or leave to go pro ALSO count against Tech's graduation rate. [**GAME VIDEO**]
Tech's athletic department suggests that a fairer measure is to look at its athletes' graduation rates over a longer period of time.
Tech's average for the last FOUR years is 45 percent ... that's five percent below the Division I average.))
(---------------)
[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Tech's athletic department has already taken steps to get its student-athlete graduation rates up.
Tomorrow, we'll tell you what it's doing to achieve that.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Marya/Microwave]

And we'll look at how one star Hokie -- Andre Davis -- balances HIS time on the field and in the classroom.

[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:10:55]
[GRAPHIC=]

Roanoke City Council is asking the Virginia Gas Pipeline Company to hold a public hearing in the city. Today, council also urged the company to give more consideration to co-locating its planned pipeline on existing easements.

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

Virginia Gas wants to build a new pipeline through the New River Valley and into Roanoke and Franklin Counties.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The resolution approved today is similar to one council sent to the State Corporation Commission earlier this month.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:13]
[IN Q=We appreciate very much]
[SUPER=01-Brent Riley/Pipeline Opponent]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=beauty of our area.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The gas line extension into the city of Roanoke would cross several public rights of way and parcels of city owned property.
The remaining distance could affect approximately 50 parcels of private property within the city.

[School-Retirees]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC43:06]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]

Roanoke County school officials are still crunching the numbers, but the Chairman of the School Board says he is hopeful that changes to the Early Retirement Incentive Program won't be as drastic as some teachers have feared.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./File Tape]

The school system has been re-evaluating its early retirement program because of rising cost. Recent court rulings in other states and changing federal guidelines have also complicated the issue.
Today, School Board Chairman Jerry Canada said the school board is doing its best to minimize the impact on current teachers and retirees.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:58]
[IN Q=We're trying to be fair]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Canada/School Board Chairman]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=to any great degree.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Canada and other school officials are promising more specifics at a meeting with teachers, now scheduled for November 28th.

[Missing-Plane]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-37 TC1:32:06]
[GRAPHIC=Crash Invest.]

Federal officials today examined the scene of a plane crash in Patrick County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co.]

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board had to hike through some rough terrain on Bull Mountain to get to the site.
The wreckage of the single-engine Piper was spotted Saturday, a week after the Civil Air Patrol began looking for it.
Authorities still aren't able to release the identity of the pilot; they say they'll have to wait for dental records.
The plane was on a flight from College Park, Maryland to South Carolina.
(------------)

[Stewart-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-47 TC08:42]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
A fatal house fire in Roanoke could have been much worse. Family members say if it hadn't been for smoke detectors, more of them might have died.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Teresa/Microwave;]
Teresa Hamilton is at the scene of last night's fatal fire.
[LIVE=Teresa full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Keith, family members are devastated by the loss of 68- year old Alain (A-lean) Akers. At the same time, they realize a common safety precaution may have prevented further tragedy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There were ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Long/Neighbor; :25]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=too many memories.]
(( There were seven people inside the Akers' home on Stewart Street in Roanoke when the fire started and smoke detectors began sounding. Loved ones say they tried to reach 68- year old Alain Akers but say the fire was too intense. Akers was partially paralyzed from a stroke and had recently moved in with her son ... following the death of her husband.
Robert Long lives next door.
(///sot////)
[SOT 21:17:05]
[in q=She was ]
((ROBERT LONG/NEIGHBOR: SHE WAS A NICE LADY, SHE NEVER HAD A HARD WORD , SHE WAS ALWAYS NICE TO ME.... SHE WAS A NICE LADY.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q= nice lady.]
The home belongs to Ricky and Laura Akers. The couple had just completed 10- thousand dollars in renovations to their kitchen.
And, over the weekend had just gotten a new washer and dryer.
(/////sot////)
[sot]
[in q=I don't]
((ROBERT LONG/NEIGHBOR: I DON'T THINK THEY'LL REBUILD BECAUSE YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T BLAME HIM, SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO ME, I'D HAVE TO MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE JUST TOO MANY MEMORIES.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=too many memories. ]))
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[LIVE=Teresa full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
(Teresa Ad lib)

[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Teresa/Microwave;]

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Can the D-M-V censor itself when it comes to the Confederate Flag?
The Sons of Confederate Veterans says no-- The latest on their license plate lawsuit is next.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And Roanoke police remind drivers to buckle up themsleves-- and their children.
(----------------)

[SCV-Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC23:05]
[GRAPHIC=SCV Plate Lawsuit]

A federal judge in Roanoke will soon decide whether Virginia's Division of Motor Vehicles will have to produce a special license for the Sons of Confederate Veterans... one that displays the Confederate battle flag.
(------------)
[V/O-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Members of the organization packed a small federal courtroom today for what promised to be the final hearing on the issue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:03:35]
[IN Q=This symbol is]
((THIS SYMBOL IS A SYMBOL OF THE CONFEDERACY AND HAS THE BLOOD OF OUR ANCESTORS ON IT.))
[SUPER=01-Henry Kidd/Sons of Confederate Veterans]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=ancestors on it.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Rutherford Institute is backing the Sons of Confederate Veterans, saying their argument parallels the debate over respect for the stars and STRIPES.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:00:23]
[IN Q=You can't force]
((YOU CAN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO SALUTE IT. YOU CAN'T PROHIBIT THEM FROM BURNING IT. THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG. YOU CAN'T FORCE IT OFF THE LICENSE PLATE, BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE OFFENDED.))
[SUPER=01-Steven Aden/Rutherford Institute]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=are offended.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]

The Commonwealth argues it must be allowed to limit it's own "speech" on state-issued license plates.

[Fatal-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=500-18 TC1:13:53]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
A woman who pulled out in front of another driver died today in Buchanan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
58-year-old Barbara Newbill of Hardy was killed when she drove out of a gas station and crossed in front of Danny Coffey, who was driving north on Route 11. Coffey is being treated for a broken breastbone and injuries to his knee, head and hands at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Newbill's passenger was treated for shoulder injuries then released. State police say they will not file charges.
(------------)

[Botetourt-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]
A Chatham man says his son was only trying to play with a firecracker when he was killed this weekend. 20-year-old Michael Henry of Fincastle died when he detonated a homemade explosive device made with a carbon dioxide canister, black powder and a makeshift fuse. A piece of metal hit him in the back and lodged in his heart. Henry and his friends had just finished hunting near Eagle Rock. Investigators say they may charge the man who helped Henry make the explosive device.

[Bedford-Pills]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Sources say an inmate in Bedford County wore a hidden microphone to catch a county employee selling him drugs. The sheriff will not reveal the inmate's name but says Alex Louderback has been charged with selling him the prescription painkiller Darvaset. Louderback worked at the landfill but has been put on administrative leave until his trial.

[Smith]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Brian W. Smith]

A judge set bond today for the Roanoke man suspected of impersonating a federal marshal over the past couple of two months.
Brian Wendell Smith had allegedly told the woman he was supposedly protecting that he "could do away with somebody and get away with it." The prosecutor says Smith also threatened to kill the woman's brother.
Bond was set at 25-thousand dollars.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The sell-off that began last week on Wall Street continued today. [TAKE DOW, NASDAQ & BLOOMBERG PAGE ]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=270-y/167.22/10462.65/y/151.55/2875.64/y/2.58/111.69;]

The DOW plunged 167 points, NASDAQ dropped 152.
The Bloomberg News 7 Index lost more than two and a half points.
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[VO]
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[SUPER=274-i/1.25/46.25/i/5.94/71.88/h/0.38/52.25/i/1.38/48.75/i/0.69/47.88;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Seat-belts]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-34 TC1:41:16]
[GRAPHIC=Safety Belts]

Roanoke Police were on the look-out today for drivers who fail to buckle up their children.
They ended up issuing 16 tickets in one hour -- five were for seat belt violations -- three more involved children.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A Roanoke roadblock was set up as part of Operation America Buckles Up Children.
Jaime Abball stopped voluntarily to learn how to buckle up her child properly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If we were ever]
((JAIME ABBALL: IF WE WERE EVER TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IT WOULD CAUSE THEM GREAT HARM IF THEY WEREN'T SECURED IN THE PROPER WAY.))
[SUPER=07-Jaime Abball]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=proper way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Certified safety technicians were on hand to assist in car-seat installation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I noticed when I]
((OFFICER D.E. HARTMAN: I NOTICED WHEN I TOUCHED THE SEAT IT WAS WAY TO LOSE AND IMPROPER. SO I HAD HER REMOVE THE CHILD SO I COULD INSTALL THE SEAT PROPERLY.)) butt butt butt butt butt butt ((PUTTING THEM IN PROPERLY IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND IF THEY ARE IMPROPER, YOU MAY AS WELL NOT HAVE THEM IN ON E AT ALL BECAUSE THE CHANCES OF THEM GETTING HURT ARE VERY GREAT.))
[RUNS=13]
[SUPER=01-D. E. Hartman/Roanoke Police Department]
[OUT Q=are very great.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Roanoke Police will set up outside of Toys-R-Us at Valley View Mall Wednesday morning to help parents with car seat questions.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports, Steve Mason says Dan Ellis may have a shot to play this Saturday against Tech. Another first time winner cloes out the Winston Cup season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we're going to church in tonight's Tech 2000 Report.
(------------)

[S-Tech2000]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-87 103TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2000]

Today's Tech 2000 report centers around the activities of several players during the team's week off. Many took it easy, several attempted to heal their wounds, some simply went home while three served as witnesses.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BILLY HARDEE...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Thursday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dave Meyer/Va. Tech Quarterback; :19]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hardee/Va. Tech Cornerback; :43]
[SUPER=01-Nick Sorensen/Va. Tech Linebacker; 1:34]
[RUNS=1:56]
[OUT Q=...all about football."]
(--------------)
((Billy Hardee, Nick Sorensen and Dave Meyer testified in Roanoke last Thursday morning at of all places the Calvary Baptist church. ((NAT SOUND)) The Tech trio were guests of the valley's Fellowship of Christitan athletes. ((DAVE MEYER:)) the nearly 200 student athletes in attendance did just that - hanging on every word the players had to share. ((billy hardee:)) that's persepective is something that Hardee, Sorensen and Meyer admit they all had trouble grasping while in high school. ((DAVE MEYER:)) ((NICK SORENSEN:)) Perhaps no one now understands that better than Meyer- who has had to exhibit the patiecne of Jobe during his college career.)) ((DAVE MEYER:))
(---------------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=TECH 2000]
The Hokies remain 6th in this week's BCS standings - one spot behind Oregon State and one spot ahead of Florida.

[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-82]
[GRAPHIC=Tech/UVa]

This Saturday night at 7:30, Virginia and Virginia Tech meet for the 82nd time. The drama started today in Charlottesville with UVa's questionable quarterback situation. Steve Mason has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Today; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bryson Spinner/1 TD, 149 Yards Passing Sat. ; :19]
[SUPER=01-Dan Ellis/Questionable for Saturday; :24]
[SUPER=01-George Welsh/9 and 9 vs. Virginia Tech; :32]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :38]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(----------)

((Monday Afternoon, UVa senior quarterback Dan Ellis tested his injure hamstring under the watchful eye of a trainer. His status for Saturday's game was addressed Monday and George Welsh said that's it. No more information on Ellis, Bryson Spinner or who will start against Tech, leaving the media and even a Cavalier somewhat in the dark. ((BRYSON SPINNER:)) ((DAN ELLIS:)) ((GEORGE WELSH:))
The Hokies beat UVa 31-7 last year in Charlottesville. The Cavaliers are 3 and 2 in Blacksburg in their last five trips, but stats don't mean much in Lane Stadium.))

[S-Torbush]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-75 tc 1:53:41]
[GRAPHIC=UNC]

The University of North Carolina has fired football coach Carl Torbush.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-ACC;]

The Tar Heels finished the season six and five, winning their last three games after a four game losing streak.
Torbush had two years remaining on a five year contract.
Over the past three seasons his teams had a record of 17 and 18.
(------------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-80]
[GRAPHIC=atlanta]

The Winston Cup drivers closed out their 2000 season today at the Atlanta Motor Speedway with something old and something new.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hampton, GA/ESPN; :00]
Cup fans at the track said so long to Darrell Waltrip after 30 years in racing, 84 wins and 3 Winston Cup championships. DW finished 34th. Ward Burton finished third, but he was the man to beat with less than handful of laps to go. But Scott Pruett's spin brought out the final yellow of the day. On the restart, Jerry Nadeau, who had dominated the track all day leading 155 circuits - took off and never looked back. Rick Hendrick's other driver gets his first Winston Cup win with Dale Earnhardt second, Ward third, Jeff Gordon 4th and Bobby Labonte 5th. (------------)