[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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


No emotion from an alleged Massachusetts gunman as he pleads NOT GUILTY to killing seven of his co- workers.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And three former Presidents will not be able to make their permanent home in Buena Vista--
We'll explain.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


You'll want to stay tuned-- News 7 Mornin is next.

[Office-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A memorial service is planned today for the seven people who were gunned down in a suburban Boston office building.
Suspect Michael McDermott pleaded NOT GUILTY in court yesterday.
McDermott's attorney says the accused gunman has psychiatric problems and was on medication.
Gretchen Carlson has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Wakefield, MA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Thomas O'Reilly/Prosecutor; :12]
[SUPER=01-Martha Coakley/Middlesex Co. District Attorney; 1:23]
[SUPER=01-Gretchen Carlson/Reporting; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=Gretchen Carlson, CBS News.]

(( 42 year old Michael McDermott showed no emotion standing before a judge Wednesday morning even as prosecutors re-created the grizly scene of the shooting massacre at Edgewater Technology.

SOT: Thomas O Reilly/Wakefield Prosecutor


McDermott is accused of gunning down seven of his co-workers Tuesday. He was a software tester at the Internet consulting firm and apparently arrived at work after Christmas in good spirits, talking to other workers. But a few hours later McDermott allegedly started the shooting spree...specifically targeting employees in the accounting and human resources departments.

SOT: Thomas O Reilly/Wakefield Prosecutor


Police say McDermott may have been upset after the IRS asked Edgewater Technology to start garnishing his wages to pay back taxes. He was apprehended in the lobby heavily armed with an ak-47 rifle, a shotgun and a semi-automatic pistol

SOT: Defense Attny/ "In treatment, on medication"


After searching McDermott's home, police say they found more evidence linking him to the crime. They say they found bomb making magazines and boxes full of chemicals labelled dangerous.

SOT: Martha Coakley/Middlesex County District Attorney: "It is always

a wakeup call when this happens and for people to say that it cannot happen, obviously it disproved unfortunately yesterday. "

(close/GRETCHEN CARLSON,..CBS NEWS)



))[11Stabbing]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-53; 15:57]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A 17-year-old girl accused of killing a Roanoke woman made her first court appearance yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday]


Prosecutors say Nastassia Nakita Brown stabbed and killed 22-year old Monique Swain early Tuesday morning.
Family members say Swain died while shielding her younger sister from Brown, in a dispute about Brown's ex-boyfriend.
The Prosecutor says Brown will automatically be tried as an adult.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is a statue\16:58:49]

((MELVIN HILL-ASST. COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY: THERE IS A STATUE THAT STATES IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS CHARGED OVER 14 AND CHARGED WITH CERTAIN CRIMES, MURDER BEING ONE OF THEM. THEN THE INITIAL HEARING IN JUVENILE COURT BECOMES A PRELIMINARY HEARING AND THE JUDGE DECIDING IF IT IS SENT TO THE GRAND JURY. OBVIOUSLY, IN CIRCUIT COURT WHERE THE DEFENDANT WILL BE TRIED AS AN ADULT.))
[SUPER=01-Melvin Hill/Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=Tried as an adult\16:59:07]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The judge appointed a public defender in Brown's case and scheduled a hearing for January 9th.
She is being held without bail.
(------------)



[11Henry-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

An accident on Route 220 in Henry County killed a North Carolina man and sent his wife to the hospital. State police say 57-year-old Gary Lee Fish was turning left onto 220 yesterday afternoon when his vehicle was struck by an oncoming pick-up. Fish was killed .. His wife was taken to the hospital - her condition isn't known. Also an accident in Pittsylvania County yesterday morning killed a 21-year-old Rustburg man. State police say Nathan Asher Neel was heading South on Route 29 when he hit the median. Neel was ejected from his car .. He was pronounced dead at Lynchburg General.

[11Bedford-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=00-43;1:16:23]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]


Police say an unsafe speed caused a tractor trailer to overturn on Highway 501 in Bedford County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Yesterday;]

The chip truck had been taking a downhill turn yesterday when it tipped over into the oncoming lane of traffic. No one was injured. Emergency crews closed the road early yesterday afternoon to right the rig.
(///// SOT AT :11 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Usually when a...]

((USUALLY WHEN A TRUCK OVERTURNS LIKE THIS YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIESEL FUEL SPILLING AND STUFF AND WE'RE ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE, SO WE WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BUT RIGHT NOW THE TANKS ARE SEALED UP AND DOIN' JUST FINE.))
[SUPER=01-Perry Karnes/Boonesboro Fire Department;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...doin' just fine.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The truck driver was cited for taking the curve too quickly.
(------------)



[11BV-Heads]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Three giant figures in American history will not stay in Buena Vista.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista/September; ]

Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor have made their home in Buena Vista for the past four months. The giant busts were loaned to the city by the developer of a presidential theme park which will open next year. Last week, the director of Buena Vista's parks and recreation department wrote to Everette Newman hoping to make the busts a permanent part of Glen Maury Park. Newman says the busts can NOT stay.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=None]

They'll be moved to his theme park in York County in the spring. But Newman says he is interested in meeting with city leaders about developing a theme park of famous Virginians.

[11Dominion-Power]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Customers of Dominion Virginia Power will see higher electrical bills in the new year. The State Corporation Commission is letting the utility pass along higher fuel costs to homeowners and businesses.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE PINNACLE 1008]
The typical residential customer now pays about 80 dollars a month for electricity. [TAKE PINNACLE 1009]
That will go up to just over 83 dollars, an increase of about three and a half percent.
The S-C-C will be holding hearings to decide if the fuel increase is justified. If not, customers will get refunds.
(XXXXXXXXX)


[11Judge]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


President Clinton has appointed a black judge to the federal appeals court that serves Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]


Richmond Attorney Roger Gregory will fill an opening on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Clinton used his power to make the appointment while Congress is in recess.
North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms has blocked three black nominees in the last seven years, saying the circuit has enough judges.
But Clinton says openings on the bench have created a backlog in cases.
And he says it's a ``travesty'' the fourth circuit has never had an African-American judge.
(------------)



[11Patient-Records]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-39; 1:52:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies will soon be required by law to keep your medical records private.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]


President Clinton says the new regulations are needed now more than ever because of the computer age.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT16:48:03, On Clinton tape]
[IN Q=Nothing is more private than someone medical or psychiatric]

((PRESIDENT CLINTON: NOTHING IS MORE PRIVATE THAN SOMEONE'S MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC RECORDS AND THEREFORE IF WE ARE TO MAKE FREEDOM FULLY MEANINGFUL IN THE INFORMATION AGE WHEN MOST OF OUR INFORMATION IS ON SOME COMPUTER SOMEWHERE, WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF INDIVIDUAL HEALTH RECORDS))
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=health records]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The regulations will apply to paper and electronic records as well as oral communications.
Patients will now have to give written permission before their information can be released.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:13:26]
[IN Q=The privacy i think is more of what]

((THE PRIVACY I THINK IS MORE OF WHAT SYSTEM WE USE AND HOW USE THEM AND WHAT WE DO SHARE WITH OTHER VENDORS LIKE DOCTORS OR OTHER COMPANIES THAT MIGHT BE OUTSIDE OF BILLING))
[SUPER=01-Beth Cole/Lewis-Gale Medical Center;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=of billing]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


The new law takes affect in two years.
(------------)



[Health-Check]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]


In other medical news, one form of bacteria is becoming immune to some antibiotics.

Melissa McDermott has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((Information:
ONCAM=MELISSA

((on cam)) A WARNING TODAY FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL. A POTENTIALLY DEADLY BACTERIA..... THAT CAUSES MANY TYPES OF PNEUMONIA.... IS BECOMING RESISTANT TO SOME ANTIBIOTICS.

VT=VO

((vo)) THE C-D-C SAYS THAT BETWEEN 19-95 AND 19-98, THE RISK OF DEVELOPING RESISTANCE TO STREPTOCOCCUS HAS RISEN BY ABOUT A THIRD ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN UNDER 5.
FOR YEARS MEDICAL EXPERTS HAVE CAUTIONED AGAINST THE OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS.
HOWEVER SCIENTISTS ALSO SAY THAT NEW VACCINES... INCLUDING ONE JUST APPROVED FOR USE IN BABIES... CAN PROTECT AGAINST MOST DRUG RESISTANT STRAINS OF THE BACTERIA.

VT=VO

((vo)) INHALING STEROIDS MAY HELP EASE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE BUT THEY DO LITTLE TO SLOW LUNG DAMAGE.
THAT'S THE FINDING OF A NEW STUDY IN THIS WEEK'S NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.
THE RESEARCH HEADED UP BY DOCTORS AT JOHN'S HOPKINS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUND NO DIFFERENCE IN LUNG CAPACITY BETWEEN PATIENTS WHO INHALED STEROIDS AND PATIENTS WHO INHALED A PLACEBO.

ONCAM=MELISSA

((on cam)) ARE YOU ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO JUST CAN'T GET RID OF THE HICCUPS... BY DRINKING A GLASS OF WATER OR HOLDING YOUR BREATH?
WELL ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY IN THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, AN INJECTION OF THE DRUG NEFOPAM SEEMS TO DO THE TRICK.
RESEARCHERS IN ROME SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO RELIEVE INCAPACITATING HICCUPS IN THREE PATIENTS WITHIN A MINUTE WHEN GIVEN A DOSE OF THE PAINKILLER.
UNFORTUNATELY, THE HICCUPS WILL CONTINUE HERE FOR AWHILE. NEFOPAM IS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND THAT'S A LOOK AT THE DAY IN HEALTH. I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)

[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh says he's ready for his date with death.
Later today, a federal judge will hear McVeigh's request to stop the appeal process.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


A Massachusetts computer software tester pleads NOT GUILTY to shooting to death seven co- workers.
Details of the murders came out yesterday, when suspect Michael McDermott made his first court appearance.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And you can't cure THIS holiday hangover with aspirin--
Consumer Credit counseling service has some tips on handling all those after- Christmas credit card bills.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Thursday, December 28th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.


[McVeigh]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=McVeigh]


Survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing want the to confront convicted bomber Timothy McVeigh at his court hearing this afternoon.
Today a federal judge will hear McVeigh's request to stop the appeal process.
Rick Sallinger has a preview.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Terre Haute, IN; :10]
[SUPER=01-Nathan Chambers/McVeigh's Attorney; :27]
[SUPER=01-Sean Connelly/Federal Prosecutor; :55]
[SUPER=04-CBS "60 Minutes"; 1:03]
[SUPER=07-Timothy McVeigh; 1:09]
[SUPER=01-Rick Sallinger/Reporting; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=Sallinger, CBS News, Denver.]
(

AT ISSUE IS WHETHER TIMOTHY MC VEIGH SHOULD BE GRANTED HIS REQUEST TO HALT HIS APPEALS AND SET A DATE FOR HIS EXECUTION.
HE IS AT THE UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY IN TERRE HAUTE INDIANA. HERE HE IS HOUSED IN A SMALL CELL ON DEATH ROW. HOWEVER NO FEDERAL EXECUTION HAS TAKEN PLACE IN 37 YEARS.
MC VEIGH WILL APPEAR IN DENVER FEDERAL COURT BY VIDEO TELECONFERENCE.
HIS ATTORNEY NATHAN CHAMBERS WILL BE AT HIS SIDE.

(19:42:55) NATHAN CHAMBERS-MC VEIGH ATTORNEY

"obviously it would have been our preference for Mr. mc veigh to pursue his appeal but as we noted in the pleadings it's his decision and it's not a decision I can over ride or ignore."

HE SAYS NEWS ACCOUNTS THAT MC VEIGH SAYS HE WANTS TO DIE ARE INCORRECT.
IN HIS STATEMENT TO THE COURT MC VEIGH LEFT OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF APPLYING FOR EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT AN EXECUTION DATE MUST BE SET.

(11:54:12) SEAN CONNELLY-FEDERAL PROSECUTOR

"to ask the president to set aside the death sentence and either commute the sentence to life in prison or provide a full pardon."

FOR HIS PART MC VEIGH TOLD THE CBS PROGRAM 60 MINUTES HE CAN COPE WITH FACING DEATH.

(00-129 13:22) TIMOTHY MC VEIGH-60 MINUTES

"you know how you're going to die..you can narrow down where you're going to die and you can pretty much narrow down the time."

FEDERAL JUDGE RICHARD MATSCH PRESIDED OVER MC VEIGH'S TRIAL AND WILL NOW PRESIDE OVER THIS HEARING.

(the judge will question mc veigh over the video hookup..before deciding

whether to grant his request for a date with death..rick sallinger for cbs news Denver

))[2-Office-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


In another high- profile murder case--
People who know Massachusetts shooting suspect Michael McDermott describe him as a "quirky loner".
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wakefield, MA;]


42- year- old McDermott pleaded NOT GUILTY yesterday to charges that he shot and killed seven co- workers at a technology firm.
Witnesses say McDermott was in good spirits when he arrived at work after Christmas.
But a few hours later, McDermott allegedly started the shooting spree.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:02:07]
[IN Q=It is always]

((MARTHA COAKLEY/MIDDLESEX CO. DISTRICT ATTY.: IT IS ALWAYS A WAKEUP CALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND FOR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT IT CANNOT HAPPEN. OBVIOUSLY, IT DISPROVED UNFORTUNATELY YESTERDAY.))
[SUPER=01-Martha Coakley/Middlesex Co. District Attorney;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=unfortunately, yesterday.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Police say McDermott may have been upset after the I-R-S asked Edgewater Technology to garnish his wages to pay back taxes.
A search at McDermott's home turned up evidence such as bomb- making magazines and boxes of dangerous chemicals.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A memorial service is planned later today for the seven victims.

[11Lynchburg-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-46; 39:36]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Investigators are looking into the cause of a fire at a Lynchburg medical center.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Firefighters were called to Physicians Treatment Center on Sheffield Drive shortly after 6 yesterday evening. They quickly extinguished flames coming from the backside of the building. Employees were evacuated .. No one was injured.
(------------)


[11Holiday-Hangover]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-49; 34:45]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]


Holiday shoppers may be shocked to see their credit card bills once they start coming in.
But here are some tips to help cure the holiday shopping hangover.
(------------)

[PRE PRO]
The Consumer Credit Counseling service says stop charging until all of your balances are paid.
Total up holiday charges to get a clear picture of holiday debt.
Develop a repayment plan, consider a part-time job.
Always pay off cards with highest interest first.
And finally, budget for next year. [END PRE PRO]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


After holiday sales aren't so easy to budget for.
So holiday shoppers can turn to the Counseling Service for a debt payment plan.
(///// SOT /////)

[tc:00:39:20 tape: cccs]
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is for people]

((STEVE PUBLICOVER/CCCS: THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN THEMSELVES INTO A LOT OF CREDIT TROUBLE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE PAYMENTS AS THEY'RE CONTRACTED TO, AND THIS COULD BE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Publicover/CCCS]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=variety of reasons.]
(------------)

[PRE PRO PAGE 2]
If you're interested you can call the Counseling Service at 366-2227.
(------------)



[11Gator-Bet]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kth]
[TAPE#=00-40; 2:00]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]


Virginia Tech and Clemson's date with the Gator Bowl is just a few days away.
Lots of bets have probably already been placed.
Now, even the mayor of Blacksburg is taking a gamble.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

Mayor Roger Hedgepeth made a friendly call to Clemson's mayor, checking to make sure the bet between the two was still on. If the Hokies win the Gator Bowl, government officials in Clemson will have to wear Tech jersey's to their public meetings. The same is true for Blacksburg if Clemson wins.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :11:27-:11:41]
[IN Q=OUR MANAGER]

((ROGER HEDGEPETH/MAYOR OF BLACKSBURG; OUR MANAGER AND THE STAFF, THEY THINK OF A LOT OF FUN THINGS TO MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERESTING AND SO IT GERMINATED SOMEWHERE HERE IN THE TOWN HALL THROUGH THE STAFF.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Hedgepeth/Blacksburg Mayor]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=THROUGH THE STAFF]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This is the second year Mayor Hedgepeth has made the bet. Last year, Blacksburg town council members had to wear Florida state jersey's after Tech's loss in the Sugar Bowl.
(------------)



[Census]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The Census Bureau will release the first results from the 2000 count today. The figures are expected to document booming growth in the American south and west and slower growth in the north and midwest. The numbers will be used to re-apportion the 435 House seats among the 50 states when political district lines are re-drawn next year.


[Downey]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


Robert Downey Junior is back in the media spotlight--
Not for his acting.
Downey appeared in court yesterday on more drug charges.
Manuel Gallegus reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Indio, CA; :00]
[SUPER=04-Fox "Ally McBeal"; :34]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Brookman/Downey's Attorney; :46]
[SUPER=01-Patricia Kelly/Deputy District Attorney; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/Reporting; 1:11 ]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=Gallegus, CBS News, Los Angeles.]

(( yes, your honor
EVENTHOUGH HE MAY AGAIN BE ON HIS WAY TO JAIL, ACTOR ROBERT DOWNEY JUNIOR APPEARED CALM IN SUPERIOR COURT .
THE ACTOR IS CHARGED WITH FELONY POSSESSION OF COCAINE AND AND TRANQUILIZERS, AND A SEPARATE MISDEMEANOR DRUG CHARGE.
IN A COURTROOM FILLED WITH MEDIA, AND SPECTATORS, HIS LAWYER ENTERED HIS PLEA.

-SOT-8;31;30

that plea is not guilty your honor.
DOWNEY WAS ARRESTED THANKSGIVING WEEKEND IN A PALM SPRINGS HOTEL, AFTER AN ANONYMOUS CALLER SENT POLICE TO HIS ROOM.
THIS LATEST ARREST WAS FOUR MONTHS AFTER DOWNEY WAS RELEASED FROM STATE PRISON ON ANOTHER DRUG SENTENCE.

-SOT-CLIP FROM ALLY MCBEAL


DOWNEY HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE SHOW ALLY MCBEAL. HE RECENTLY RECEIVED A GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATION FOR THAT ROLE. His lawyers claim he's ready to put his troubles behind him.

-SOT-9;42;30

DANIEL BROOKMAN, DOWNEYS LAWYER he's upbeat, he's optimistic, he looks forward to moving on with his life, he's addressing his personal issues
BUT DOWNEYS PUBLICIST SAYS THE ACTOR IS STILL A RECOVERING DRUG ADDICT, WHO RELAPSES, DESPITE WORKING HARD AT HIS SOBRIETY. AND PROSECUTORS SAY THE CHARGES WILL HOLD.

-SOT-PATRICIA KELLY, DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTY.

Its serious enough that were not taking it lightly--weve put a lot of effort into this.
-STAND-UP-
THE COURT SCHEDULED ANOTHER HEARING FOR THE CASE---THE CASE MAY BE

DECIDED OUT OF COURT. DOWNEY FACES SEVERAL YEARS IN JAIL IF CONVICTED ON MULTIPLE CHARGES. MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS LOS ANGELES. ))

[11Clifton-Forge]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-41; 1:32:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Residents will have a chance next week to voice their opinions for and against Clifton Forge becoming a town.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge/May;]

A three judge panel will hear from citizens as well as attorneys for the city of Clifton Forge and Alleghany County. The panel is expected to render a decision before February eighth. If the judges approve a reversion agreement, voters in Clifton Forge will vote on the issue in the spring. The meeting will be held next Tuesday at two in Alleghany County Circuit Court in Covington.
(------------)



[11First-Night]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kth]
[TAPE#=00-52; 59:09]
[GRAPHIC=New Years]


Blacksburg will ring in the New Year with its own celebration.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

This is the first year Blacksburg will have a First Night celebration for New Years. Town officials agree that the crowd size may be smaller than they hoped, since many fans are heading south to the Gator Bowl. But, they say the celebration will still be a blast.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:14:52-:15:00]
[IN Q=WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD]

((HEATHER BROWNING/BLACKSBURGSPOKESPERSON; WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AND I THINK THEY CAN EXPECT A LOT OF EXCITEMENT A LOT OF LIVE MUSIC AND JUST SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT FOR THE TOWN OF BLACKSBURG ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.))
[SUPER=01-Heather Browning/Blacksburg Spokesperson]
[RUNS=8]
[OUT Q=ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

You'll need a button to get into the event. They can be purchased at the Blacksburg Post Office. The celebration starts at seven and will last til midnight, ending with fireworks.
(------------)


[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/Syo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Fire broke out at the Physicians Treatment Center on Sheffield Drive in Lynchburg shortly after 6 last night. Firefighters quickly extinguished flames coming from the backside of the building. Employees were evacuated and no one was injured.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

A 17-year-old girl accused of killing a Roanoke woman appeared in court yesterday.
Prosecutors say Nastassia Nakita Brown stabbed and killed 22-year old Monique Swain early Tuesday morning.
The Prosecutor says Brown will automatically be tried as an adult. She is being held without bail.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


The mayors of Blacksburg and Clemson have placed a bet on the Gator Bowl matchup. Blacksburg Mayor Roger Hedgepeth made a friendly call to Clemson's mayor, checking to make sure their bet is still on.
If the Hokies win Monday's game, government officials in Clemson will have to wear Tech jersey's to their public meetings. The same is true for Blacksburg if Clemson wins.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(Shannon mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Shannon ad lib weather)
(-------------)

[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's been]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)

(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
by SS