WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 12/19/00

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[Roads]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=00-53 TC06:18]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

The winter weather could make roads slick in spots this morning.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
If you need more detailed road information on the route you're taking, you can call V-Dot directly at 1-800-367-ROAD. [Take FS Valley Metro Board]
And Valley Metro is using snow routes this morning. For more information on bus schedules you can call Valley Metro at 982-2222.
(-------------)

[7-e-toys]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=e-Toys]

12 hundred jobs at at E-toys may be on the line.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blairs/March]

E-Toys has a local distribution center.
The company says lower-than-anticipated sales may force it to reorganize. [PRE-PRO ON TAPE]
From a company press release, "... e-Toys currently anticipates that it will be required to take steps to reduce its operating costs, which will include a reduction in workforce. The company expects to announce a specific plan for the workforce reduction in January 2001."
(------------)

[7-Bland-Body]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Two men came upon a gruesome discovery in Bland County this weekend. Saturday afternoon they discovered a decomposed body along Route 621 on Walker Mountain. Sheriff's officials say the unidentified remains were wrapped in plastic and a blue blanket. Authorities say the body appeared to be that of a male. It's been sent to the medical examiner's office for an autopsy.

[7-Ealy]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=500-12 TC48:13]
[GRAPHIC=Legal scales]

A Tazewell County jury acquitted Sam (E-lee) Ealy of triple murder nearly ten years ago. Now the Pocahontas man is again facing the death penalty for the same three murders.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tazewell Co./File Tape;]
Last week, a FEDERAL grand jury in Abingdon charged Ealy with the murder of potential federal witnesses and murder to further a drug trafficking organization.
46-year old Pete Church was also indicted on the same charges. The two men are accused of killing Robert and (YOU-na) Una Mae Davis and her 14- year old son. The three were found shot to death in Pocahontas in 1989.
(------------)

[7-Substitute-Teachers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
The Roanoke County School Board says it doesn't want to lower the expectations of its substitute teachers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT @ 500-19 TC 1:20:28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
So they've tabled a proposal that would lower the educational requirements of its substitutes. The school system requires a four-year degree in any field to work as a sub...The school board considered lowering that requirement, allowing substitutes to have an Associate's degree or two years of college.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 3:04:33 - :46]
[IN Q=We're gonna...]
((WE'RE GONNA INSTEAD LOOK AT MAYBE RAISING SUBSTITUTE PAY FROM 60 TO 75 DOLLARS. SO WE'VE ASKED STAFF TO GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF DOING THAT, AND IF WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN AFFORD THAT WE'LL DO IT RIGHT AWAY AND SEE IF IT IMPROVES ANYTHING OVER THE NEXT SEMESTER.))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Canada/School Board Chairman]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=right away.]
(-------------)

[7WEATHER]

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

Taking a break from the news now to check the forecast...
Occasional snow will continue falling today....anywhere from 1 to 3 inches is expected in much of the area..

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Occasional Snow/1-3 Inches/30-35/Mostly Cloudy/Breezy/18-22;]
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 12/20/00
Wednesday:

[SUPER=130-9/Megan Persinger/Covington]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=130-/Bobby & Angela Overstreet/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-3/Travonna McCadden/Roanoke]

Wow!
[SUPER=130-100/Luther Belcher/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-9/Cody Smith/Bassett]

[SUPER=130-45/Steve Bowman/Vinton]

Anniversary:
[SUPER=130-43rd/Jack & Betty Lawson/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-41/Maxine Younger/Danville]

[SUPER=130-13/Melinda Holland/Rocky Mount]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Janice Martin/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Faith Merricks/Altavista]

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[Roads]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=00-53 TC06:18]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

The winter weather could make roads slick in spots this morning.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
If you need more detailed road information on the route you're taking, you can call V-Dot directly at 1-800-367-ROAD. [Take FS Valley Metro Board]
And Valley Metro is using snow routes this morning. For more information on bus schedules you can call Valley Metro at 982-2222.
(-------------)

[45-County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-48]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County Schools]
Starting next Junet, the Roanoke County school board has decided to end its "Early Retirement Incentive Plan" for teachers. But board members aren't sure what to replace it with. A proposed replacement plan drew strong criticism from teachers - so the administration is going back to the drawing board. Meredyth Censullo reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:00]
[SUPER=04-November;:16]
[SUPER=01-Jerry Canada/School Board Chairman;:30]
[SUPER=01-Kitty Boitnott/Education Association;1:00]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=MC, News 7]
(([NAT SOT]
((AND I'D LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS)) [RUNS03]
Seasons greetings went out to a small crowd of Roanoke County teachers - who came worried the Grinch might steal their early retirement benefits. The board laid out a new retirement plan last month - one which included a reduction in salary and health insurance benefits. But after checking their list of savings twice, the board decided the proposed plan - expected to save money - won't.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 56:56 - 57:17]
[IN Q=We have gone...]
((WE HAVE GONE FROM A 5 YEAR, 30-PERCENT PLAN, WHICH WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT A MONTH AGO WOULD SAVE US A COUPLE MILLION, AND NOW AFTER FACTORING IN ASSORTED COSTS...THAT COST UP TO NO SAVINGS AND IN FACT IT COULD TAKE AN ADDITIONAL 2 MILLION, WE ESTIMATE.)) [RUNS:21]
[OUT Q=estimate.]

The announcement came as a relief to a number of retired and current teachers, who had asked the board to delay their decision until after the holidays.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We were]
((WE WERE NOT SATISFIED THEY HAD LOOKED AT ALL POSSIBLE SCENARIOS OR THAT THEY HAD REALLY EXAMINED THE NEGATIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR A LOT OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=individual people.]

(MEREDYTH CENSULLO: THE SCHOOL BOARD SAYS THEY'LL CONTINUE TO CRUNCH NUMBERS...AND THEY PLAN TO DECIDED WHAT TO REPLACE
THE EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PLAN WITH AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. MEREDYTH CENSULLO, NEWS7.)))
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[45-Taylor-Portrait]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC1:20:36]
[GRAPHIC=Noel Taylor]
Roanoke City hall has some new additions, two portraits of the late Reverand Noel Taylor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday morning, artist Anne Bell and Taylor's widow B. J. unveiled a large painting of the longtime mayor, and a smaller close-up, in the lobby of the Municipal Building.
Other admirers, including city officials and members of High Street Baptist Church were also on hand for the ceremony.
Mayor Ralph Smith said the paintings will serve as a tribute to Taylor's integrity, strength and compassion.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Let's turn to weather now---

Snow is falling out there, so use caution as you're driving into work.
You can expect a couple of inches of accumulation..highs in the low to mid 30s.

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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[Roads]

[8-VA-Electors]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:06:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

13- Presidential electors from all over the Commonwealth cast their votes at the State Capitol.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Governor Jim Gilmore got the first word yesterday.
He outlined what he considers a nightmarish scenario: Citizens electing the President, instead of the electoral college.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT sot 12:08:22 ]
[IN Q=What if]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WHAT IF THE ELECTION WERE DECIDED BY THE POPULAR VOTE? IMAGINE THE CONTROVERSY, ATTACKS, RECOUNTS, DISCUSSIONS, ARGUMENTS, IN EVERY HAMLET, VILLAGE, CITY, COUNTY, TOWN IN AMERICA. IMAGINE.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=in America. Imagine.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

When the electors were sworn in, Frances Sadler of Ashland raised her LEFT hand... and a few eyebrows in the crowd looking for excitement in the razor thin election.
But when the votes were counted, the Bush-Cheney ticket got each one.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well all the]
[sot TAPE TWO 13:22:40 ]
((EDITH LIGHT/LYNCHBURG ELECTOR: WELL ALL THE PEOPLE AT THESE TABLES HAVE BEEN SO INVOLVED IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. THEY'RE SO LOYAL THAT NO, NO ONE WOULD EVER CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Edith Light/Lynchburg Elector; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=ever change.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sadler says she didn't even realize she raised the wrong hand.
She's just left-handed.
Several Virginia electors said they were asked by Democrats to consider switching votes.
(------------)

[8-Victory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-45 TC39:44]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Roanoke City Council will no longer consider preserving the entire Victory Stadium-- instead, it's considering other options.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, City Manager Darlene Burcham encouraged council to look to the future, and consider proposals that would allow multiple uses.
On a vote of five to two, Council decided to move forward with public hearings on two of the options.
One would replace the west grandstand with a stage.
The other would re-orient the stadium, and build a new multi-purpose facility from the ground up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think there's been plenty]
((BILL BESTPITCH/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I THINK THERE'S BEEN PLENTY OF PUBLIC INPUT ON THE OPTION OF RENOVATING VICTORY STADIUM AND KEEPING IT. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT CITY COUNCIL HAS NOT HEARD AND LISTENED TO THOSE ARGUMENTS. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING LEFT THAT SOMEBODY CAN ADD AT THIS POINT, THAT WE'RE NOT ALREADY AWARE OF.)) ((ALVIN HUDSON/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I THINK THE CITY MANAGER HAS MADE HER MIND UP. I THINK A COUPLE OF COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE MADE THEIR MIND UP. I THINK THE CITIZENS DESERVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE SOME INPUT ON THIS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR IT FOR YEARS TO COME.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Bestpitch/Roanoke City Council; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alvin Hudson/Roanoke City Council; :17]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=paying for it for years to come.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

City Council now plans to hold a public hearing in January, and make a final decision sometime in February.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Turning our attention now to weather--
We could see anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of snow today across much of the area...with highs in the low to mid 30s.
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[SUPER=314-Occasional Snow/1-3 Inches/30-35/Mostly Cloudy/Breezy/18-22;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)