WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 12/19/00

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

It's the first significant snowfall of the holiday season--
We'll have the latest on travel conditions in a live report coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And Bland County authorities hope autopsy results help them find out what happened to a man whose body was found over the weekend.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

Anywhere from 1/2 an inch to 5 inches... that's how much snow has fallen this morning and more will fall before the snowmaking is expected to stop... later tonight.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

[storm]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-39]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather ]

The winter wonderland today isn't so wonderful for travelers. All flights at Roanoke Regional Airport were cancelled before noon. V-DOT has deployed all of its plows to clear the roadways.

[DOUBLE BOXES= Kim /Jennifer Microwave;]

That's where we find Jennifer Miele this afternoon.
[LIVE=Jennifer /FULL]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

((ROLLCUE:...back to normal soon.))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Slippery streets brought]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jackie Shuck/Roanoke Regional Airport; :30]
[RUNS=:56]
[OUT Q=northern airports.]

[LIVE=Jennifer /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /JenMicrowave;]
(Jen, you've given us good information. But there are also other ways for folks to get updated transportation informat
ion..)
[TAKE FS VDOT INFO]
[TAKE FS VALLEY METRO INFO]

[DOUBLE BOXES=JEN TOSSES TO JACEY][WX-Tease]

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

[DOUBLE BOXES=Jen Microwave/ Jacey Weather Center]

[Talent=Jacey]
[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Jacey tosses to Kim][Atlanta-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Two days before winter and the snowfall is even spreading to the South--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

A white blanket has covered Atlanta, closing schools and canceling flights.
Delta Air Lines cancelled over half of its flights this morning.
Flights are starting to take off, but there are still delays due to de-icing planes.
A White Christmas is very likely---

More snow is expected there Thursday, Friday and Christmas Eve.
(------------)

[Bland-Body]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Two men found a dead body 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.

[County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-48]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County Schools]
The Roanoke County School Board is getting rid of its Early Retirement Plan. Board members decided to end it effective next June. Now they're going back to the drawing board to find a replacement. 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.)))
(-------------)

[Substitute-Teachers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-47]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
Meantime....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=next semester]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The increase in substitute teacher pay could increase the budget allotment by 100-thousand dollars a year.

[SOL-Testing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Standards of Learning]

Students at three area high-schools will help test new on-line S-O-L technology.
Next year, students at William Campbell, Martinsville and Giles high schools will take part in simulated electronic testing.
Students will take on-line assessments made up of previously released S-O-L test items.
The state will use the results to choose a vendor to install testing systems state-wide.
Governor Gilmore wants to provide on-line S-O-L testing at every Virginia high school by 2003.

[Bush]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]

Today could mark the first step in healing old political wounds from the Presidential race.
President- Elect George W- Bush is meeting with President Clinton at this hour.
He's getting a preview of what's in store for him during the next four years.
Lee Cowan reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=04-November 15;]
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/(D) Vice President;]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Cowan, CBS News, Washington.]
(((NARR:)
George W. Bush is no stranger to the White house -- but today is the FIRST time he walks through the doors as it's next resident.

(NAT/SOT BUSH?)

(NARR:)

Publically, he hopes to bring President Clinton a promise to heal the wounds of a bitter, protracted election.

Privately -- today's hour and a half meeting is about one man passing the torch to another -- with all the hopes and responsibilities that go along with it.

(NAT/SOT CLINTON?)

(NARR:)

The last time it happened was when Bush SENIOR guided a young BILL CLINTON around the grounds that would be his home for the next eight years.

Today, that tradition is reversed -- coming just before another poignant moment -- when the President Elect, meets his opponent.

(DATE: NOVEMBER 15)
(SOT/AL GORE, VICE PRESIDENT 18:58:56)
"I propose that the Governor and I meet face to face..."

(NARR:)

Al Gore extended that invitation in the early days of the election controversy -- in hopes of bridging the divide even before the winner was decided.

But Bush declined -- willing to meet only AFTER the results were certified.

In his concession speech, the Vice President hinted he would be around to help the President-Elect if asked.

Today -- he just might get the nod.

(COWAN ON CAM:)
))

[Power-plant]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC56:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some Martinsville residents learned more about the future of a new power plant at a public hearing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]

Cinergy Corporation answered questions about a proposed 200 million dollar power plant.
About 50 residents voiced concerns about pollution, increased traffic and safety.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A few things are]
((PAULINE BARTON: A FEW THINGS ARE CLEARER NOW. I'VE TALKED WITH THEM, BUT THERE'S STILL A SCARE, IT'S POWER PLANT, AND IT'S BIG.)) ((ROBERT WHITEHEAD: PEOPLE WILL FILL IN THE GAP WITH THEIR OWN INFORMATION WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE INFORMATION. THEY ALWAYS ASSUME THE WORST. WE'RE OUT HERE TONIGHT TO MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Pauline Barton/Martinsville Resident;:00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Whitehead/Cinergy Corp.;:11]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=ourselves available.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cinergy and city officials plan to hold more public meetings in the future.
If Cinergy gets approval from two state agencies, construction on the power plant will begin in the fall.
(------------)

[Victory-Stadium]

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

The future if Victory Stadium is still uncertain, but Roanoke City Council members have narrowed their options. And it does NOT include a plan to preserve the entire facility.
(------------)
[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.
(------------)

[Liberty-Village]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC21:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A 100-million dollar retirement housing project may be built in Campbell County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rustburg]

Last night, County planners okayed designs by Savoy Senior Housing Corporation to build an Eleven-hundred- foot, 35- unit housing development on Candlers Mountain, just outside Lynchburg.
"Liberty Village" would be marketed to people 55 and older.. and would include some assisted living residences.
It could create more than 200 full- time jobs and generate a half million dollars a year in new taxes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:28:55 #1//10:47:34]
[IN Q=So the economic]
((BILL SPADE/SAVOY SENIOR HOUSING: SO THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY CREATED BY RESIDENTS OF A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT TO THE COUNTY AS WELL AS TO THE CITY OF LYNCHBURG.)) ((WILLIAM CALOHAN/CAMPBELL CO. PLANNING COMMISSION: IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CAMPBELL COUNTY TO BRING IN A LOT OF TAX DOLLARS WITH VERY LOW IMPACT ON THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Spade/Savoy Senior Housing;:00]
[SUPER=01-William Calohan/Planning Commission; :13]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=the school systems.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Only two residents voiced concerns about the project.
The land is owned by the Reverend Jerry Falwell, who plans to help market the community among his parishioners.
If county supervisors okay the project, construction could start next summer.
(------------)

[Greenspan]

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

Wall Street is keeping a close eye on today's Federal Reserve meeting.
With some economists predicting a recession, the Fed is expected to leave interest rates where they are, or even lower them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Chairman Alan Greenspan arrived in Washington for the highly- anticipated meeting early this morning.
Between June, 19-99 and May, 2000, the Fed has raised interest rates six times. However, at the last four meetings, the rates remained un-changed. (------------) We'll find out the Fed's decision in a written statement after two this afternoon.