WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 12/06/00

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

A water main break closes part of a main road in Roanoke, and cuts the school day short for some middle school students.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And authorities in Bedford county are investigating a murder.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

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

[Recount]

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

Two hearings are under way in Florida that could improve Al Gore's odds in the Presidential race .
Democrats are trying to have thousands of absentee ballots thrown out.
They're accusing Republican election workers of altering applications for absentee ballots.
Drew Levinson has more.
[LIVE=Drew Levinson/FULL]
[SUPER=701-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=703-Tallahassee, FL;]
[SUPER=701-Matt Staver/Republican Attorney;]
[SUPER=701-Gerald Richman/Democratic Attorney;]
[SUPER=703-Austin, TX;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=are resolved.]

---((
(LOCATOR: TALLAHASSEE)

LAWYERS HOPING TO UNRAVEL FLORIDA'S ELECTION CHAOS ARE BOUNCING FROM COURTROOM TO COURTROOM TODAY. THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE HEARINGS GOING ON. AT ISSUE: ALTERING ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS. THE HEARINGS COULD BREATH NEW LIFE INTO AL GORE'S BID FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

SOT: MATT STAVER/REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY
"THIS SUIT IS REALLY ABOUT THE DIS-ENFRANCHISEMENT OF A NUMBER OF VOTERS WHO VOTED ABSENTEE."
IN BOTH SUITS... DEMOCRATS ARE SEEKING TO THROW OUT THOUSANDS OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS. THEY SAY REPUBLICAN OPERATIVES ILLEGALLY ADDED IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS TO APPLICATIONS WHEN VOTERS FORGOT.

SOT: GERALD RICHMAN, DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEY
"WE'LL SHOW IT WAS INTENTIONAL..."
WHILE HE CERTAINLY STANDS TO BENEFIT FROM A WIN IN EITHER SUIT... VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE IS NOT A PARTY TO EITHER CASE. IRONICALLY, THE GORE CAMP HAS REPEATEDLY STRESSED THE NEED TO COUNT ALL THE BALLOTS...NOT THROW THEM OUT AS THESE LAWSUITS SEEK.

(LOCATOR: AUSTIN, TX)

(NATS)

IN AUSTIN, GEORGE W. BUSH MET TODAY WITH CONDOLEEZZA RICE, THE WOMAN WIDELY EXPECTED TO BE THE GOVERNOR'S CHOICE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR. HOWEVER, BUSH SAYS HE WON'T ANNOUNCE ANY CABINET APPOINTMENTS UNTIL ALL LEGAL CHALLENGES ARE RESOLVED. ))
[LIVE=Drew Levinson/FULL]
[SUPER=705-Tallahassee;]

[Bedford-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

Authorities in Bedford County are investigating a homicide.
The Sheriff's Department has scheduled a news conference at one o'clock this afternoon. A news release says investigators will announce the arrest of a suspect in a homicide that occurred this morning.
No other information was available.

[Water-Main]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-34 2:01:04]
[GRAPHIC=Water Main Break]
A Roanoke road will be blocked off until around three o'clock this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Part of Brambleton Avenue is shut down near the Shenandoah Life building due to a water main break. The water was cut off at James Madison Middle School so students left early.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:01:54]
[IN Q=We could]
((PETER WONSON/PRINCIPAL: WE COULD NOT PREPARE LUNCH. WE COULDN'T USE THE RESTROOM FACILITIES AND NOT BEING SURE WHEN THE WATER WAS COMING BACK ON, WE THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF EVERYONE -- STUDENTS AND FACULTY -- TO SEND THE KIDS HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Peter Wonson/Principal;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=send the kids home]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The twelve inch water main broke early this morning. Repairs are underway. Utility workers expect to fix the problem within the next hour.

(------------)[Danville-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-5411:55]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A Danville home was heavily damaged by fire this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

Firefighters were called to 133 Mitchell Court around 8 o-clock. When they arrived, flames were shooting through the roof, but they were able to knock them down quickly. One firefighter fell through the floor but was not seriously injured. No word yet on the cause or damage estimates.

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

[I-73]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-51]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 73]
Citizens have a chance to voice their concerns over the future path of Interstate 73. VDOT has planned several public hearings next week , and at least one group plans to be there. The I-73 "Regional Action Network" is made up of Southwest Roanoke County and Salem residents who live in what's called the "Western Corridor". As Meredyth Censullo reports, the group says it shouldn't run through the Western Corridor.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ken Wright/I-73 Regional Impact Network;:00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:06]
[SUPER=01-Kara Robinson/I-73 Regional Impact Network;:17]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Hurst/I-73 Regional Impact Network;1:07]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1;1:20]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=MC, News 7.]
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ Tape #1: 1:08:41 - :46]
[IN Q=Somewhere..]
((SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN AND US WILL BE A SUPERHIGHWAY...))
[RUNS= :05]
[OUT Q=superhighway.]

The mountain view from Ken Wright's backyard could someday be criss-crossed by I-73. He lives in the "Western Corridor"
[NATS - TONIGHT]
- along with all these people.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT Tape 2: 9:01 - 9:09]
[IN Q=As it stands...]
((AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, THE WESTERN CORRIDOR RUNS PARALLEL TO MY STREET. SO I'LL BE A LITTLE LEMONADE STAND ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=the road.]

The Western Corridor goes from I-81 at Dixie Caverns across the Blue Ridge Parkway to Route 220. A road, opponents say will scar the face of the Roanoke Valley, while placing hundreds of homes, dozens of businesses and a handful of schools in jeopardy. So they're gathering their forces for a campaign to sway V-DOT away from the Western corridor - and into the Central one - which runs along 581 and 220. And they're choosing their weapons - letters to Senators, Supervisors, even V-DOT. Because, they say, this could be their last chance at a full-fledged assault.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ Tape 2: 6:59 - 7:18]
[IN Q=A lot of...]
((A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY "ITS NOT GONNA BE BUILT IN 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS...I'LL BE LONG GONE"...BUT THE CORRIDOR WILL BE SELECTED IN PROBABLY 6 MONTHS AND THIS IS PROBABLY OUR LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT TO VDOT. LAST CHANCE TO SAY WHAT WE FEEL.))
[RUNS= :19]
[OUT Q=we feel.]

MEREDYTH CENSULLO:V-DOT WILL HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS DECEMBER 13TH AND 14TH AT HOTEL ROANOKE FROM TWO UNTIL NINE P-M...CITIZEN INPUT WILL BE TAKEN UNTIL JANUARY 12TH. THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD COULD MAKE A DECISION ON WHERE I-73 WILL GO BY NEXT SUMMER..MEREDYTH CENSULLO, NEWS7. ))

(-------------)[Firestone]

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

The government is reporting more deaths linked to Firestone tires.
Officials say 29 more people have died, including four since the tiremaker recalled millions of tires in August.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports a new total of 148 deaths involving tread separations, blowouts and other problems with Firestone tires.

[Verizon-rates]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon]

Some Virginians could see lower phone bills. Verizon has agreed to cut connection costs by 270 million dollars over the next five years.
The State Corporation Commission examined how much long distance companies had to pay Verizon to connect calls from one area of the state to another.
The S-C-C determined Verizon's fees were too high -- so they'll now be cut in half.
Certain long distance companies have agreed to pass their savings on to customers.

[Recount]

[Stewart-Fire]

[ANCHOR=KIm]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-40 1:39:12]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

They've called out the feds with new technology in the on-going investigation of a FIVE-year old Roanoke fire.
(--------------)
[V/O NAT SOT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A woman and her four grandchildren died in the fire on Stewart Avenue.
This morning A-T-F agents began reconstructing the house, using a process called "Forensic Mapping."
They'll produce a three-dimensional digital image of the house by computer that'll help local fire investigators determine the exact cause of the fire.
In the initial investigation, the fire marshall blamed the fatal fire on a faulty space heater. AFTER the insurance claims were settled, authorities revealed the civil case had brought to light new evidence indicating the fire may have been deliberately set.
The "forensic mapping" is expected to take all day.

(----------------)[Pope-Sentenced]

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

A U-S businessman faces 20 years behind bars after a Moscow court convicts him of espionage.
Edmond Pope was found guilty of obtaining secret blueprints of a torpedo.
Elizabeth Palmer has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Moscow, Russia;]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Palmer/Reporting;]
[SUPER=01-Cheryl Pope/Wife;]
[RUNS=:59]
[OUT Q=Palmer, CBS News, Moscow.]

[USS-Cole]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=USS Cole]

At least three Yemeni's will face trial in the October bombing of the U-S-S Cole.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Yemen's Prime Minister says prosecutors are reviewing the case as they prepare to file charges.
Sources close to the investigation say those charges could include carrying out the attack itself, threatening state security, and possessing explosives.
The public trial is expected to begin in mid to late January.
The suspects could face execution if convicted in the bombing.
17 American sailors died in the attack.
(------------)

[Store-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=0037 TC01:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Authorities are still investigating the shooting death of a Campbell County convenience store owner. Melvin Giles was killed during an apparent robbery in October.
Meanwhile, some of his fellow store owners are taking steps to prevent becoming a victim of crime as well.
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The crime sent]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co./October 26; :00]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :14]
[SUPER=01-Mark Patterson/Lynchburg Police Department; :36]
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Burley Crews/Store Owner; :52]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( The crime sent shock waves through the community.
When 75- year- old Melvin Giles was gunned down during an apparent robbery at his store in October, convenience store owners everywhere were reminded just how dangerous their business can be.
[natsot 2:11:34]
((COME ON LADY, GIMME YOUR PURSE.. QUICK, QUICK, QUICK!!))
[RUNS= 06]

This crime prevention seminar, which included a simulated robbery, was put on by the Lynchburg Police.
Store owners, including Giles' widow, learned about proper lighting, where to place pay phones and equipment and how to describe a robbery suspect just minutes after the crime.
[SOT 2:08:39]
((LT. MARK PATTERSON/LYNCHBURG POLICE: I THINK IT'S GOOD INFORMATION ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.. OTHER TIME OF THE YEAR.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=time of the year.]
[SOT 2:07:22]
((BONNIE BURLEY CREWS/STORE OWNER: AND SO MANY OF US HAVE HAD ROBBERIES IN THE PAST AND IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT WAS LAST WEEK OR 20 YEARS AGO, IT'S STILL SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS MAKES YOU AWARE OF AND ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT AGAIN, YOU'RE WILLING TO DO.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=willing to do.]

Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE CRIMESTOPPERS FS]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Central Virginia Food Dealers Association is offering a five thousand dollar reward for information that leads to an arrest in the Giles murder.
You can call Crimestoppers at 1-888-798-5900.
(-------------)

[C'burg-Development]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC01:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

More than 80 acres of rural land in Christiansburg will not be developed.
Town council voted against the plans yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

A developer wanted to turn 89 acres of farmland on Peppers Ferry Road into commercial and residential property.
The proposal designated five acres along the road for businesses.
Behind that: 175 single family homes and 105 townhomes.
Some neighbors worried the development would strain traffic on their congested two-lane road.
Council denied the rezoning request by a 3 to 2 vote, even though the planning commission recommended it.
(------------)

[Shuttle-Bus]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-42 TC1:39:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
More than 300 Roanoke city employees are riding a bus into work after they lost their free parking.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The city manager has taken free parking stickers away from 313 workers to make room for new businesses and their staffs.
Those city employees must now ride a shuttle bus downtown from the civic center or pay fifty dollars a month for a space.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:12:01]
[IN Q=The program]
((THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN VERY CONVENIENT FOR ME. IT OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MISS DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC.))
[SUPER=01-Greg Emerson/Shuttle Rider]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Even non-city employees are hopping a ride on the free shuttle. Angela Henegar takes classes at the Higher Education Center.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:31:16]
[IN Q=It's very convenient]
((I HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO GET DOWNTOWN TO GET MY LUNCH AND WITH THE BUS RUNNING EVERY TEN MINUTES I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MISSING THE NEXT BUS TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL.))
[SUPER=01-Angela Henegar/Shuttle Rider;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=to school]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The city manager has kept her free parking sticker, along with other employees who leave the municipal building several times a day. She says she might expand the shuttle system so more downtown businesses can use satellite parking for their employees. (------------)