[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=JEan]

Get ready for 4-3-4.

It's Lynchburg's new area code.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And in most parts of the Commonwealth, the car tax is dropping.
But in one part of our area-- it's actually going up.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]


In sports, Looking for the gift for the golfer that has everything Mike Stevens has the answer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And Christmas came a few days early for tennis star Venus Williams.
(------------)


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


Our temperatures are falling and the wind is increasing. Combine the two and we have wind chill advisories for most of the viewing area tonight and tomorrow.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]



(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:39:58 - :1:40:00]
[IN Q=How can you]

((HOW CAN YOU RAISE A TAX THAT'S GOING AWAY?))
[RUNS=:03 ]
[OUT Q=that's going away?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Pulaski County residents find that the promise of car tax relief falls short.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEan]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Jean Jadhon.

[Car-Tax]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-42 TC2:00:34]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Six]


All across Virginia, taxpayers car tax was cut in half.
But in Pulaski County, it's higher than ever.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya and Jean /Microwave;]


Marya Jones is in our New River newsroom to explain why.
[LIVE=Marya FULL/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]


Jean, a lot of people are looking forward to the gradual elimination of the car tax.
But the truth is, anyone's car tax can go up at the discretion of local government.
Communities like Pulaski County are showing how.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
[SUPER=07-Russell Musgrove;]
[SUPER=01-Maynard Sayers/Pulaski Co. Rev. Commisioner;]
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=phase it out.]

(( Russell Musgrove was looking for a much-touted tax break this year when he opened his personal property bill.
Instead, he got an unwanted surprise.
Tax on his two cars and motorcycle went up 18 dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:39:29 - :40]

((RUSSELL MUSGROVE: I HAVE THE SAME VEHICLES I DID LAST YEAR. WITH DEVALUATION OF THOSE AND WITH TAX RELIEF THIS YEAR, YOU'D THINK IT WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN.... DIDN'T HAPPEN. )) [RUNS:11]
Musgrove is one of nearly 27-thousand Pulaski County taxpayers making that discovery.
In July, the Board of Supervisors raised the property tax rate 25-percent... to two dollars' tax on every 100 dollars worth of property.
That has phones ringing at the Commissioner of Revenue's office.
He says raising the car tax is the right of all local governments and that this is the county's first property tax increase in 25 years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:52:39 - :51]

((MAYNARD SAYERS/COMMISSIONER OF REVENUE: SEVERAL OF THE LOCALITIES I'VE SPOKEN TO HAVE INCREASED BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE FEW LOCAL RESOURCES FOR LOCAL REVENUE.)) [RUNS:12]
Board Chairman Joe Sheffey says the increase was the only option to fund school improvements and that it got little opposition in a public hearing in July.
Governor Gilmore is outraged at having his plans thwarted by the county.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:45:13 - :24]

((GOV. JAMES GILMORE: WE CAN'T CONTROL LOCALITIES. THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, BUT IF I WERE THEM, I'D THROW OUT ALL THE SUPERVISORS THAT VOTED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE CAR TAX AFTER WE WORKED TO PHASE IT OUT.)) [RUNS:11]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Marya FULL/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=JEan and Marya /Microwave;]



[Gilmore-RNC]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC49:31]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]


Governor Gilmore's guarding his legacy in Richmond-- but he's apparently NOT turning down a national job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/February 25]


National news media are reporting that President-Elect Bush has tapped Gilmore to chair the Republican National Committee.
One week after the election, Gilmore said he was NO longer interested in a cabinet post.
Today in Richmond, he would NOT say if Bush had offered him the national party chairmanship.
But he said he could do that job while remaining governor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:30:00]
[IN Q=I think it]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD POSITION. I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE NATION AND TO SERVE THE PARTY AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. BUT I'M STILL GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. THAT'S MY PRIMARY FOCUS AND WHAT I THINK'S MOST IMPORTANT.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=most important.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


We interviewed current R-N-C chairman Jim Nicholson on election night last year.
Nicholson's is finishing his second two year term.
If picked by Bush, Gilmore would be ratified at the R-N-C's national meeting January 18th and 19th in Washington.
(------------)



[Area-Code]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=804 Area Code]


The state has a present for central and southside Virginia.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL]
A new area code-- 4-3-4.
Lynchburg, Danville, Charlottesville and surrounding counties will start using it next June.
The eastern part of Bedford County will also be in the 4-3-4 area.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]


The current 8-0-4 code will still work, until January of 2-thousand-2.

[BWXT-Union]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BWX Tech.]


Just days after union organizers announced they are close to forming a union at BWX Technologies in Campbell County, some employees there are saying "not so fast."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co./File Tape]


United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers announced Sunday they had a majority of BWX-T's workers interested in forming a union.
But other employees told News7 today they doubt a majority of workers have signed up, and they are organizing an anti- union effort.
Spokesman Jeff Jamerson says he and others are worried that union organizers are misleading employees about the benefits of unionizing.
Jamerson says having a union would prevent workers from approaching management about potential problems.
(------------)



[Brown]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A Campbell County man will spend twenty years in prison for raping his 86- year- old neighbor last winter.
42-year old Milton Eugene Brown had pleaded guilty to the February 4th attack.
Brown entered the woman's home after asking to use her phone and then attacked her.
The victim's testimony and D-N-A evidence linked him to the crime.

[Homeless]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kth]
[TAPE#=00-54 TC19:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Communities around the Roanoke Valley united today to show their support for ending homelessness.
It was all in honor of National Homeless Person's Day.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Coyner Springs]

This is the tenth year the National Coalition for the Homeless has sponsored a memorial service. A wreath was placed on the graves of some homeless who lost their lives. LaTasha Cummings lost an uncle and found comfort in today's service.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT SHOWS SUPPORT FOR]

((LATASHA CUMMINGS; IT SHOWS SUPPORT FOR OTHER HOMELESS PEOPLE OR RELATIVES WHO HAVE LOST SOMEONE WHO IS HOMELESS. IT BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GONE AND IT SHOWS A LOT OF COMFORT FOR THE FAMILY.))
[SUPER=07-LaTasha Cummings]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=Comfort for the families]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Roanoke has not had any homeless persons die on the streets this past year. Organizers of today's memorial said it is important to get the word out about awareness.
(------------)



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


A local real estate agent is gaining a national reputation.
That's next on News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat Drumming]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=NAT Drumming]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


And an area marching band is tuning up-- to ring in the New Year in London.
(----------------)



[Realtor]


[ANCHOR=Jen]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC1:23:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A Roanoke Realtor is enjoying a new distinction.
He's been named one of the nation's 25 most influential people in Real Estate.
As you would expect, Dennis Cronk likes to sell property .. but as Jennifer Miele reports, he's made a bigger reputation selling the Roanoke Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Cronk/Roanoke Realtor;:23]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;1:00]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Jennifer Miele, News 7.]

(( Imagine life without Blockbuster Video.
Dennis Cronk couldn't. That's why he worked hard to bring Blockbuster to Roanoke before any one else did.
Cronk is a Commercial Realtor.
He's helped bring big companies like Innotech and Johnson and Johnson to the Roanoke Valley.
[SOT]
[IN Q=It drives my wife]

((DENNIS CRONK/ROANOKE REALTOR: IT DRIVES MY WIFE NUTS. I'LL ASK THE MANAGER TO COME OVER AND SAY WHY ISN'T THIS A FRANCHISE IN ROANOKE? THIS IS REALLY GREAT. NEXT THING YOU KNOW, I'M GIVING THE REAL ESTATE AGENT A CALL SAYING ROANOKE IS THE PLACE YOU NEED TO BE.))
[OUT Q=need to be.]

[RUNS15]
Cronk was recently voted one of the 25 most influential people in Real Estate.
He just finished his term as President of the National Association of Realtors.
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some of the most]

((DENNIS CRONK/ROANOKE REALTOR: SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS ARE WHAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN TECHNOLOGY, AND MOST OF THAT WAS OVER SEVERAL YEARS, AND BIG ABOUT REALTOR DOT COM, AND MAKE SURE THE COMPANY THAT RUNS IT IS SUCCESSFUL.))
[OUT Q=runts it is sucessful.]

[RUNS10] [STAND UP] ((JENNIFER MIELE REPORTING: CRONK TRAVELED TO SIX CONTINENTS IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS WHILE HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE REALTORS ASSOCIATION. WHILE HE LOVES ROANOKE, HE SAYS NEW ZEALAND IS THE NEXT BEST THING.)) [RUNS14]
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is beautiful]

((DENNIS CRONK/ROANOKE REALTOR: IT IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT I CAME BACK AND WENT ON THE PARKWAY OCTOBER WHEN I RETURNED. ROANOKE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD.))
[OUT Q=in the world.]

[RUNS09]
As a lobbyist, Cronk fought for tax reductions for first time home buyers.... and he's no stranger to political limelight.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I was at the]

((DENNIS CRONK/ROANOKE REALTOR: I WAS AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONAL AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. I SPENT TIME WITH THE CANDIDATES WITH ALL THE CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS.))
[OUT Q=congressmen and senators.]

[RUNS07]
Cronk says he'll continue his travels, and keep selling the Roanoke Valley.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))

[Goode]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=bre]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC1:01:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Graduate studies could be available in southside before long.
Efforts to open a new graduate and research school got a boost today- More than two-and-a half million dollars in Federal help. With help from Congressman Virgil Goode, "the Piedmont Foundation" can now begin developing the Dan River Institute.

(///// SOT /////)
[9:30.00-9:42.15 SOT]
[IN Q=WE ARE PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL]

((WE ARE PARTICULARLY GRATEFUL THAT IT IS FROM OUR CONGRESSMAN FROM THIS DISTRICT THAT THAT LEADERSHIP HAS FLOWED))
[SUPER=01-Linwood Wright/Former Danville Mayor]
[RUNS=12 ]
[OUT Q=THAT LEADERSHIP HAS FLOWED]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


Goode worked to push the bills through the House and then Senate. He succeeded with help of Senators John Warner and Chuck Robb.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I THINK IT'S VERY ]

((I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A GROUP THAT'S BROAD BASED DIVERSE THAT REPRESENTS NOT ONLY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO THE BUSINESSES OF THE AREA))
[SUPER=01-Virgil Goode/5th District Congressman]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=OF THE AREA]
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]


The foundation is a joint effort between Virginia Tech, Averett College, and Danville Community College.
(-------------)




[Stocks]


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


Bargain hunters went to work on Wall Street today, despite another wave of profit warnings. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/168.36/10487.29/x/7.34/2340.12;]


The DOW climbed 168 points.
NASDAQ rose seven.
(-------------)

[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.38/46.38/i/1.88/17.06/h/3.06/45.81/i/0.19/13.00/h/0.13/4.63;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.94/64.69/h/2.13/28.94/h/1.75/47.19/h/0.44/47.88/h/0.08/43.09;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.38/26.00/h/0.13/13.63/i/0.25/8.81//Unchg/44.13//Unchg/10.88;]
[SUPER=274-h/1.44/60.56/h/2.56/75.00/i/1.31/48.81/h/2.38/55.19/h/2.81/51.75;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]


[Health-Gifts]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:11:04]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]


Still wondering what to buy your special someone this holiday season?
Well, you might want to consider the gift of health.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


A gym membership is just one way to help your loved one get in shape.
Lots of gyms offer gift certificates.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT9:19]
[IN Q=It's a great time of year,]

((KAREN CARPENTER/NEW FITNESS OWNER: IT'S A GREAT TIME OF YEAR, JAN., FEB., MARCH ARE PRETTY BUSY FOR US, PEOPLE HAVING THEIR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS STARTED. YOUR SPENDING A LOT TIME OVER THE HOLIDAY EATING A LOT OF GOOD FOOD, SO IT'S KIND OF GETTING MOVING))
[SUPER=01-Karen Carpenter/New Fitness Owner;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=getting moving]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[***JEAN ON CART***]
And for those who already have a membership -- a personal training session is an option or workout clothes.
A personal trainer will cost you between 15 and 30 dollars an hour.
For those who want to work out at home consider buying them a home gym, a stair master, or treadmill.
Dumbbells and exercise bands are also good workout tools and don't cost as much.
And if you know someone who is trying to lose weight - -- a membership to a weight loss center might be a good gift.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:27]
[IN Q=We do offer for membership]

((JOANNA WHITE/WEIGHT WATCHERS LEADER:WE DO OFFER FOR MEMBERSHIP PLAN THEY CAN COME IN FOR A 10 WEEKS SAVINGS PLAN, FOR THAT FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND THAT THEY KNOW IS INTERESTED IN JOINING WEIGHT WATCHERS.))
[SUPER=01-Joanna White/Weight Watchers Leader]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=joining weight watchers.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Weight Watchers also sells low calorie cookbooks, measuring cups and food scales.
And for a stocking stuffer consider a pedometer.
It costs 25 dollars and tells you how many miles you walked and how many calories you burned.
(------------)



[Forest-Band]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:45:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]


London's New Year's Day parade will have a bit of an American accent to it this year.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=natsound]

((NATSOUND BAND PLAYING))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=natsound Band]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Forest]


The Marching Cavaliers of Jefferson Forest High School will be taking part in what's billed as Europe's biggest annual street parade.
More than a million people are expected to turn out for the event featuring 40 marching bands and 80 other groups of entertainers.
The band's director says it will be a big difference from your typical Friday night football crowd.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:05:45]
[IN Q=And the people]

((DAVID WEBB/JFHS BAND DIRECTOR: AND THE PEOPLE ARE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER A THOUSAND DEEP, IT'S AN AMAZING THING TO SEE. I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THEIR MIND ON WHAT THEY'RE DOING BUT TO ENJOY IT, BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO VERY OFTEN IN THEIR LIVES I WOULD IMAGINE.))
[SUPER=01-David Webb/JFHS Band Director]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=I would imagine.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


This is the first time Jefferson Forest has been selected to perform in the parade.
130 students, 93 adults and two tons of equipment will leave for London on December 27th.
(------------)



[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports Tease]
[GRAPHIC=None]


And coming up in sports, Venus Williams celebrates Christmas a few days early. A Christmas present for the golfer with everything, Mike Stevens will explain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And veteran baseball player Tim Raines is coming out of retirement at the age of 41.
(------------)



[S-Tennis]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-80 (54:55)]
[GRAPHIC=Tennis Logo]


Tennis star Venus Williams has landed a huge deal with her sponsor Reebok.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :]


Today in New York Williams, The number 3 ranked tennis player in the world signed a deal worth 40 million over five years with Reebok in what is believed to be the richest endorsement deal for any woman athlete.
Williams had a streak of 35 straight tournament victories during the year and won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. She also won Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I have to....]
[SUPER=01-Venus Williams/Signs With Reebok; :]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=.....like my life."]
(------------)




[S-Golf]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-83 (40:17)]
[GRAPHIC=GOLF]


If you're struggling with what might be the perfect last minute gift for the golfer in your family, tonight we offer up a last minute suggestion. As Mike Stevens breaks out a book that's sure to score with any linkster.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Hot Springs; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Ducibella/Author - Par Excellence; :38]
[SUPER=@mike2; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(----------------)

(( The gracious Commonwealth of Virginia is know for many things including its outstanding golf heritage. Now you can learn all about it in one sitting in the hard back book "Par Excellence - a Celebration of Virginia Golf."

The book contains interesting profiles on many of the state's legends like Sam Snead who won 81 tournaments in his career, his nephew - current Seniors Tour star J.C. Snead, Lynchburg native and LPGA star Donna Andrews, and one of the state's all-time amateur kings, Tom McKnight. But the book is about much more than just personalities. ((JIM DUCIBELLA:)) The book contains 256 pages of text and some outstanding photography. ((JIM DUCIBELLA;)) The book retails for just under $30 and is available at most bookstores throughout the state. Mike Stevens, News 7 sports.))



[S-MLB]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-81 (31:51)]
[GRAPHIC=MLB logo]


The big money contracts handed out in Major League Baseball recently is bringing one veteran out of retirement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :]


Tim Raines, who retired last march while at spring training with the New York Yankees says he wants to play some more. Raines has agreed to a minor league cotnract with the Montreal Expos. He'll get 350-thousand dollars if he makes the team and a chance to earn 550-thousand dollars in performance bonuses.
Raines was a National League All-Star from 1981 to 1987 and he's fifth on baseball's career steals list with 807.
Raines is 41 years old.
(------------)



[S-Stuff]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NFL Logo]


Quarterback Randall Cunningham says he would like to pllay one more year with Dallas if the team doesn't start rebuilding and releasing veterans.
The 37 year old Cunningham could continue to back up Troy Aikman, move into a starting role if Aikman retires or could back up second year quarterback Anthony Wright.
The 15 year N-F-L veteran signed a 3 year deal with Dallas this season.
Meantime, Your Hometown Station has a big weekend of N-F-L coming up. [PINNACLE PAGE13041]
On Saturday Jacksonville and the New York giants kickoff it off at 12:30 right after the N-F-L today. [PLINNACLE PAGE13043]
Then on Sunday we take a trip to Baltimore for a game between the Ravens and New York Jets. Kickoff is 1 oclock.



[Promo]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A regional industrial park may be built in Bedford County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


This 2-hundred 26 acre farm adjacent to the BP Amoco Storage and distribution terminal off route 460 could become an industrial site.
The county says its the ideal place to bring job opportunities to the area.
But some neighbors say they like the rural area and don't want industry to ruin the scenery.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEAN]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Tonight the county will hold a public meeting at Montvale Elementary School at 7 to receive comments. We'll bring you the story tonight on News 7 at 11.
by SS