[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[7-M'Ville-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]


An elderly Martinsville man was rescued by the son of the town's fire chief last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]


Joe Brock was driving by Denton Music Company on Memorial Boulevard around 10:30. He saw smoke coming from the roof and called 911. Brock then noticed a man beating on the glass asking for help from an upstairs apartment located in the building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:38]
[IN Q=I went over]
[SUPER=01-Joe Brock/Fire Chief's Son]

((JOE BROCK/ I WENT OVER AND KICKED THE DOOR.I WENT OVER THERE THE FIRST TIME AND THE SMOKE GOT TO ME.THEN I WENT OVER THE SECOND TIME AND COULDN'T MAKE IT. I WENT BACK TO MY TRUCK AND GOT A FLASHLIGHT. WENT OVER THERE AND CRAWLED ON MY HANDS AN KNEES AND GOT OVER THERE TO HIM AND HE TOLD ME COULDN'T WALK..SO I DRAGGED HIM OUT.))
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=DRAGGED HIM OUT]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The victims identity is not known. He was taken to Martinsville Memorial Hospital. Fire officials say he appears to be doing well. They also say a small child who was a bystander with some adults was overcome by smoke. She was also taken to the hospital.
Nearly 60 firefighters battled the blaze. Fire officials say the flames do not appear to have spread to surrounding buildings. The cause has not been yet been determined. Fire officials say this is the largest fire Martinsville has seen this year.
(------------)



[7-Gretna-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-40 TC2:02:56]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

A fire in Gretna killed one person and left more than 20 families homeless. But the apartment managers won't say whether they plan to rebuild.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gretna;]

Troy and Jackie Clark lost everything. They can't even find their keys in the burned rubble.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:13:27]
[IN Q=This room right here]

((TROY CLARK; THIS ROOM RIGHT HERE THIS WAS WHERE WE WERE SLEEPING. A NEIGHBOR WOKE US UP AND ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, IT WENT UP IN FLAMES.))
[SUPER=02-Troy Clark;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=went up in flames]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Investigators still don't know what caused the fire. Electricians have checked the wiring, and people in the less damaged units can now move back in. But when News 7 asked the apartment association what would happen to the other dozen units, the president refused to answer. So the Clarks wonder what to tell their two boys.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:16:54]
[IN Q=I'm thinking]

((I'M THINKING I'LL JUST TELL THEM WE LOST EVERYTHING. I'M JUST GOING TO TELL THEM THE TRUTH BUT I'M GOING TO ASSURE THEM EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=WILL BE OKAY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Gretna Fire Department is taking donations to help residents of the West Briar apartments.
(------------)



[7-Bank-layoffs]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC1:00:30]
[GRAPHIC=First Union]


First Union has announced it is laying off some employees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte/File Tape]


The bank is eliminating 40 jobs from its electronic commerce division in Charlotte.
The cuts will take affect in February.
First Union says most of the company's employees can apply for jobs elsewhere in the company.
(------------)



[7WEATHER]


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


Checking the Friday forecast...
Increasing clouds with highs of 30 to 35..

[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Increasing/Clouds/30-35/Cloudy/Chance of Snow/20-25;]
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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[7BIRTHDAYS!]
Saturday 12/30/00
Pictures

[SUPER=130-16/Brandi Harrell/Axton]



[SUPER=130-/Betty Lawson/]



[SUPER=130-2/Jacob Thomas Bowles/Chatham]



[SUPER=130-4/Devontae Jennings/Moneta]



[SUPER=130-17/Amanda Custer/Fairlawn]



[SUPER=130-1/Alex Gillispie/Pembroke]



[SUPER=130-11/Drew Smith/Peterstown, WV]



[SUPER=130-/Wanda Clement/Wirtz]


Anniversary
[SUPER=130-62nd/Astor and Evelyn Hollins/Goodview]



[SUPER=130-4/Dillon Walters/Ironto]


No Pictures Anniversary
[SUPER=131-50th/Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Swain/Roanoke]



[SUPER=131-50th/Clay and Bernell Ingram/Henry]



[SUPER=131-/Chester and Carol Garlier/Henry]



[Super=131-32nd/A. C. and Sue Hollins/Roanoke]


[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]


[45-Census]


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



Virginia's population has grown by some 900-thousand people over the past 10 years.
But the results of the 2000 census won't give the commonwealth any additional seats in Congress.
The federal government says more than 7-million people are now living in Virginia, making it the 12th most populous state.
The Census Bureau will release population estimates for counties, cities and towns in March.

[45-Telemarketing-Bill]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-04 TC01:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A federal law already makes it illegal for telemarketers to call after you've asked to be put on their "do not call" list.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


But now, Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley wants to make it easier to fight pushy telemarketers.
Telemarketing bills have died in recent General Assembly sessions.
But Earley's suggested bill would allow prosecution of pushy callers in state courts.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:33:27]
[IN Q=You just]

((MARK EARLEY/VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP A LOG. AND ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE REQUIRING TELEMARKETERS NOW TO GIVE THEIR FIRST AND LAST NAMES AND THE COMPANY THEY'RE CALLING FROM, AND NOT BLOCKING THEIR I-D NUMBER IS SO THAT EVERY CALLER WILL NOW HAVE TO GIVE INFORMATION, AND EVERY PERSON IN THEIR HOME WILL BE ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION DOWN. AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS MAKE A RECORD OF THE FACT YOU TOLD SOMEONE NOT TO CALL. IF THEY CALL AGAIN, THAT PERSON CAN LET OUR OFFICE KNOW AND WE CAN TAKE ACTION.))
[SUPER=@Earley;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=take action.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=none]


Earley says the bill's NOT an attack on an industry that provides thousands of jobs in the Commonwealth.
He says telemarketers don't want to call homes that don't want to be called.


[45-Russell]


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

A former security supervisor has been convicted of burning his family's Botetourt County house down -- leaving his wife and two children homeless. Charles Russell removed his valuables before dousing the house with gasoline and throwing a match into a trashcan. Russell will be sentenced in March and faces five years to life in prison.

[45-Bowers]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC1:35:15]
[GRAPHIC=Bowers]
It's been nearly six months that former Roanoke Mayor David Bowers has been out of office.=
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Since then, Bowers has been working full-time at his law firm in downtown Roanoke.
He has fond memories of his eight years as mayor and is already hinting at a comeback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:57:21]
[IN Q=I'm only 48.]

((I'M ONLY 48. THERE'S A LOT TO MY LIFE HOPEFULLY LEFT TO GO INTO ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I HAVE NO PLANS BUT I DON'T RULE ANYTHING OUT.))
[SUPER=01-David Bowers/Former Roanoke Mayor]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=Rule anything out]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Bowers believes his greatest accomplishment during his tenure was the development of tourism in Roanoke.
He cites the improvements to city market as well as investments in the D-Day memorial and Explore Park.
(------------)



[45WEATHER]


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


Taking a break from the news to check weather--
Skies will cloud up today...look for highs only reaching the low to mid 30s.


[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
[cutopen]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]


[8-Bank-layoffs]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC1:00:30]
[GRAPHIC=First Union]


Dozens of layoffs are coming to First Union.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte/File Tape]


The bank is eliminating 40 jobs from its electronic commerce division in Charlotte.
The cuts will take affect in February.
First Union says most of the company's employees can apply for jobs elsewhere in the company.
(------------)



[8-Interfaith]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-38 TC1:56:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A network of congregations in the Roanoke Valley is working toward helping homeless families get back on their feet.
Kate Weidaw has more on how the Interfaith Hospitality Network does more than just offer shelter.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Daren Gunter/Network Director;:19]
[SUPER=01-Kristin Data/Volunteer;:45]
[SUPER=01-William Bragg/Network Guest;1:34]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:43]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=kw news7 Roanoke County]

((For the past two weeks William Bragg and his wife have relied on the Interfaith Hospitality Network for food and a place to stay. The they're hoping to get back on their feet again through this program. Daren Gunter runs the network.

[SOT 11:42:17]
[INQ=]

((DAREN GUNTER/NETWORK DIRECTOR: WE PLACE FAMILIES FOR A WEEK AT A TIME IN CONGREGATIONS FAMILIES STAY IN PRIVATE ROOMS UP TO 60 DAYS WHILE THEY WORK AND SAVE MONEY AND TO PREPARE SECURITY DEPOSITS, UTILITY DEPOSITS, AND MOVE INTO A HOME OF THEIR OWN.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]


25 Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian congregations in the Roanoke Valley take part in the network and provide rooms inside their facilities. Volunteers like Kristin Data help keep the overhead down. They not only prepare the meals but provide the food as well.

[SOT 12:06:42]
[INQ=]

((KRISTIN DATA: MY SPONSOR BROUGHT IN THE SALAD AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE BROUGHT IN THE TACOS AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]


Two volunteers also have their own room to stay in overnight with the guests. During the day the network provides transportation to work and helps out with day care. But the goal is to make families independent in 60 days or less.

[SOT 11:45:05]
[INQ=]

((DAREN GUNTER/NETWORK DIRECTOR: QUITE OFTEN FOLKS COME TO US WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING IN HOTELS OR MOTELS AND THEY'RE PAYING AS MUCH AS 8 OR 900 DOLLARS A MONTH FOR RENT AND WE FOUND IF THEY CAN SAVE THAT THEY WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MOVE INTO AN APARTMENT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 18]


As for Bragg and his wife, they hope to be back on their feet soon.

[SOT 11:53:42]
[INQ=]

((WILLIAM BRAGG: AFTER WE GET A COUPLE OF GOOD PAY CHECKS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT. KATE: SO IT WORKS? WILLIAM: YEAH IT WORKS ITS A GOOD PROGRAM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]


And not many would disagree since the network sees 80 percent of its guests achieve full time employment. Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke County.))

[8WEATHER]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Turning to your forecast, as we head into New Year's weekend---


Increasing clouds with highs in the low to mid 30s.

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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
by SS