WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 12/20/00

[7-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-39 TC1:39:31]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
As you can tell, yesterday's snow fall is forcing many schools to close to delay classes today.
If you're heading out on the roads or highways today ... you could still encounter some slippery spots.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

V-DOT is working around the clock to salt roadways.
Most primary roads across the viewing areea are generally clear, but many still have patches of ice.
V-Dot reports many roads in the Alleghany Highlands and Shenandoah Valley are still snow-covered.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE V-DOT FULL SCREEN BOARD]
If you need more detailed road information, you can call V-Dot directly at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(-------------)

[7-VDOT]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-45 TC42:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
While V-DOT is cleaning up snow and ice, its administrators have to figure out how to correct a 3-and-a-half BILLION dollar mistake in its road-building plan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

That's a plan that's off by 45 percent over the price V-DOT predicted.
The Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission analyzed 300 projects over four years.
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

V-DOT admits there were design mistakes, bad management, and NO estimates for inflation.
But its commissioner says a major overhaul this year will solve the problem.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm not here]
[sot tape two 14:57:17]
((CHIP NOTTINGHAM/VDOT COMMISSIONER: I'M NOT HERE AGAIN TO APOLOGIZE FOR PAST MISTAKES. THE SIX YEAR PLAN I THINK -- IT'S GONE. IT'S A RELIC OF HISTORY NOW.))
[sot TWO 15:32:20 ]
((PHIL LEONE/JLARC: BUT I'LL TELL YA. I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR PUT OUT IS MORE THAN AMPLE TO GET AT THE ISSUES WE'VE RAISED IN THIS REPORT.))
[SUPER=01-Chip Nottingham/VDOT Commissioner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phil Leone/Audit Review Commission; :10]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=in this report.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]

In a related story, Governor Jim Gilmore has reversed his position on creating a regional taxing authority for road-building.
After vetoing such a bill last year, the Governor told W-T-O-P radio in Washington yesterday that he would support northern Virginians voting on whether they want their own tax increase to build roads.
He says (quote) "Let the people vote on whether they want to be taxed further."

[7-Holiday-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC57:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Firefighters are hoping you pay a lot of attention to your Christmas tree. A dry one is more likely to put your home, and the people who live in it, at risk.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]
Fire fighters in Martinsville proved that point today. They built a room and decorated it with furniture and a Christmas tree to show how quickly flames can spread. This afternoon-- they used a simulated spark to catch the bottom of the tree on fire and within seconds the room was on fire. Martinsville fire fighters hope the demonstration will save lives.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:59:41]
[IN Q=First of all]
((CLARENCE MONDAY/FIRE MARSHAL: FIRST OF ALL MAKE SURE CHRISTMAS TREES ARE WATERED, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, A DRY TREE WILL CAUSE A FIRE TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY AS WE SAW HERE TODAY.))
[SUPER=01-Clarence Monday/Fire Marshal;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=here today.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire fighters also say do NOT overload electrical outlets and never go to bed or leave home with your Christmas lights plugged in.
(------------)

[7WEATHER]

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

Turning to weather now--
Mostly sunny today, but you'll want to watch for blowing snow.
Highs of 30 to 35.

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Blowing Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Cold/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[45-NS-Earnings]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern]
Norfolk Southern is warning shareholders that profits won't be what was expected for the present three month period.
The railroad says earnings should be in the range of five to 10 cents a share .. less than what it had projected earlier.
N-S blames a slowing economy and rising fuel prices.

[45-Backstreet-Cafe]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Backstreet Cafe Shooting]
Nearly three months ago, a gunman opened fire in Roanoke's Backstreet Cafe, killing one person and wounding six others. Several of the victims haven't been able to return to work - and many of them have mounting medical bills. But now, in the spirit of Christmas, help could be on the way. Meredyth Censullo reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I struggle]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=04-September; :13]
[SUPER=01-Kathy Caldwell/Shooting Victim; :27]
[SUPER=01-Eddie Ratliffe/Roanoke7.com Editor; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Meredyth2; 1:42]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=News 7, Roanoke]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT OVER VIDEO @ 29:23 - 29:29]
[IN Q=I struggle...]
((I STRUGGLE....TYING MY SHOES IS REALLY THE WORST.))
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=really the worst.]

Kathy Caldwell is recovering from a gunshot wound to her hand - inflicted when Ronald Gay allegedly opened fire in the Backstreet Cafe September 22nd. And while the candlelight has faded away, the publicity receded...Caldwell continues to recover and adapt to a new way of life.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 41:14 - 41:34]
[IN Q=I don't wanna...]
((I DON'T WANNA LOSE THE USE OF MY HAND...AND IT SCARES ME THAT I MIGHT NOT GET THIS MUCH...AND WITH THIS MUCH AIN'T TOO MUCH YOU CAN DO.))
[RUNS= :20]
[OUT Q=can do.]

(BUTT BUTT BUTT)

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 39:58 - 40:01]
[IN Q=Its really...]
((ITS REALLY A TIME FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= :03]
[OUT Q=community.]

Eddie Ratliffe wants to raise awareness to the shooting victims' needs. He created the website "Roanoke 7.com"...and he's contacted nightclubs and organizations across the U-S, asking them to participate in a National Commemoration for the victims on the three-month anniversary of the shooting.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 40:42 - 40:58]
[IN Q=It has been...]
((IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR THESE VICTIMS AND PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THREE MONTHS AFTER THIS INCIDENT THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL HURTING AND WE WOULD LIKE TO RIGHT THAT WRONG BEFORE THE NEW YEAR BEGINS.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=year begins.]

Ratliffe hopes to put a dent in the victims' rising medical bills, as they continue their road to recovery. And Caldwell will tell you - that road is a long one - but one that holds lessons along the way.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 43:50 - 43:59]
[IN Q=I appreciate...]
((I APPRECIATE WHAT I HAVE - NOT WHAT I COULD HAVE...NOT WHAT I COULD'VE DONE, BUT WHAT I CAN DO.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=what I do.]

MEREDYTH:A benefit for the Caldwell and the other victims will be held at the Backstreet Cafe Friday. And Ratliffe encourages anyone who can't attend, to log on to Roanoke 7.com to pass along words of encouragement this holiday season. Meredyth Censullo, News7, Roanoke. ))

(-------------)[45WEATHER]

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

Checking your Mid-week forecast...
Watch for blowing snow today and the winds pick up...otherwise mostly sunny with highs in the 30s.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Blowing Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Cold/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[8-D'ville-Body]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC47:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Danville police are trying to solve the mystery surrounding a man's death.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

An employee of the Kent Thomas Auto Body shop on Loyal Street found the body yesterday .. lying on the floor in a back room.
The man is identified as 34-year-old Charles Percy Arnold.
There was no sign of foul play, but police have not ruled it out.
(------------)

[8-Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Clement]

A Danville lawmaker wants to become Virginia's next attorney general.
Delegate Whitt Clement is raising money to run in the Democratic primary next year.
Clement would face Roanoke state senator John Edwards, and Henrico County delegate Don McEachin, for the party's nomination.
Clement has sent a letter to supporters asking for funds for a statewide campaign.
He'll be making a formal announcement after the holidays.

[8-Franklin-Library]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:09:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Franklin County supervisors say they need a legal lesson before making a decision about expanding the county library.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
The library's been overcrowded for about a year now. One option is to move everything into the Peebles department store in downtown Rocky Mount, drawing people and new business to Main Street.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:36:46]
[IN Q=The primary]
((THE PRIMARY ADVANTAGE IS A WORLD CLASS LIBRARY ... ARCHIVE NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Shoemaker/Community Development Corp.]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=archive now.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Or, supervisors could simply expand the existing library -- and save 400-thousand-dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:35:31]
[IN Q=The building is designed]
((THE BUILDING IS DESIGNED TO FUNCTION .... AS A LIBRARY.))
[SUPER=01-Beth Garst/Library Trustee; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=AS A LIBRARY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
County supervisors say they do not yet have a good handle on the legal terms or costs of the Peebles proposal, so they've tabled the discussion until next month.
(------------)

[8-Snow-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:44:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The snow may be making some roads slippery, but children are more than happy to run for the hills.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Despite all the fun, sledding can be dangerous.
More than 8-thousand children in the U-S went to emergency rooms for sledding related injuries in 1998.
Health professionals ask parents to take a few precautions to play it safe.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT49:23]
[IN Q=Parents need the check the environment]
((ELLEN DAVIS/CARILION COMM. HEALTH EDUCATOR: PARENTS NEED TO CHECK THE ENVIRONMENT KIDS ARE GOING TO BE PLAYING IN, MAKE SURE THE TERRAIN THEY ARE SLEDDING ON IS FREE OF DEBRIS, SUCH AS ROCKS, STUMPS, TREE LIMBS, SO THAT CHILDREN DON'T GET HURT BY OBSTACLES IN THEIR PATH))
[SUPER=01-Ellen Davis/Carilion Health Educator]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=in their path]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Davis says it's also important to make sure your child's sled has a steering mechanism, and that there are not too many children on one sled at a time.
Children should not sled head first on their stomachs, but should sit straight-up, feet forward -- to avoid head and abdominal injuries.
(------------)

[8WEATHER]

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

Let's shift gears now to weather--
Mostly sunny today with some blowing snow.
High will climb into the lower 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Blowing Snow/30-35/Mostly Clear/Cold/15-20;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)