[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Up next on News 7--
Utility crews are busy working on a water main break in Roanoke--
More than two dozen homes are affected.
We'll tell you where.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And the foundation is crumbling for a pyramid scheme in Pittsylvania county, as more participants face charges.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
Stay tuned for News 7 at noon.
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some Southwest Roanoke residents won't be able to get a glass of water for a few hours...
(------------)
[Water-Main]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-46]
[GRAPHIC=Water main Break]
Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
The city of Roanoke is dealing with another water line break.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
It's on Main Street Southwest, between Welton and Summitt Avenues.
About 25 houses have lost water service.
Utility crews are working on it.
But officials say it will be mid-afternoon before the line is repaired.
(------------)
[Pyramid-Scheme]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12 Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
More arrests today in a Pittsylvania County pyramid scheme.
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department has charged an additional 26 people for participating in "The Winner's Team" pyramid scheme.
Authorities say each participant invested two-thousand dollars.
They expected to get rich by persuading more people to get involved.
The investigation into this pyramid scheme is on-going and the Sheriff's Department expects more arrests in the future.
[Henry-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Henry Co. Schools]
A plan to consolidate several schools in Henry County is the center of debate.
More than a hundred parents attended a public forum last night to voice their opinions on the plan.
The Henry County School district is considering the move in order to cut costs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./Last Night]
The district must come up with a way to do that without hurting the education opportunities for its students.
District officials believe the answer lies in a long range facilities plan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:04:48]
[IN Q= Its an instructional improvment plan]
((DR. JIM BECKNER/ACTING SUPERINTENDENT: ITS AN INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. ITS AN FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS PLAN. AND THERE IS ALSO A FINANCIAL PLAN.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jim Beckner/Acting Superintendent;]
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q= financial plan]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
To achieve that, the school board is considering a plan to consolidate four of the high schools into two buildings.
If the school adopts this plan, high school students would either attend Bassett High School or Magnavista High school.
The other two high schools would become middle schools.
Some parents who attended last night's forum believe the plan causes more problems than it solves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:08:35]
[IN Q=We cannot continue]
((SHIRLEY CRAVEN/OPPOSES THE PLAN: WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO DOWNSIDE OUR SCHOOLS THAT WE GOTTA TO STAY ON THE COURSE THAT WE'VE BEEN ON.
LYNN HAGER/OPPOSES THE PLAN: IF THE HIGH SCHOOLS ARE CONSOLIDATED THE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE TO STAY ON THE BUS FOR OVER A HOUR, SOME MORE THAN THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Shirley Craven/Parent;]
[SUPER=01-Lynn Hager/Parent; :07]
[Runs=14]
[OUT Q=more than that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The next step is for the school board to vote on the proposal.
That could come at the next meeting which is scheduled for Thursday.
(------------)
[Rollover-Rates]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
For the first time ever, the government is rating passenger vehicles by how well they resist roll- over crashes.
Three- dozen new 2001 models were tested.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[Take FS Pre Pro]
But only one vehicle received the top rating of five stars, the four- door Honda Accord.
The government gave the lowest rating to two S-U-V's, including the Chevy Blazer and the G-M-C Jimmy Envoy.
Both are the four- door, four-by-two models.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[Take FS Web Watch]
For a list of roll over ratings for all the vehicles tested, you can find a link to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site by visiting our web page at WDBJ 7 dot com. Then click on web watch.
(XXXXXXXX)
[Danville-Hospital]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-48 1:09:15]
[GRAPHIC=Mental Health]
Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Danville and Roanoke County's Catawba Hospital
are scheduled to close.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape;]
The Gilmore administration has unveiled its final plan for restructuring the state's mental health facilities.
The overall goal is to have fewer patients hospitalized in acute care facilities.
The Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute is slated to close by next year.
(------------)
[Catawba]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-49 44:49]
[GRAPHIC=Mental Health]
Once that happens, some of those patients could be transferred to Catawba Hospital in Roanoke County.
Gilmore's plan calls for Catawba to accept transfers until 2004.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./File Tape;]
But the state wants to shut down Catawba two years later.
Geriatric patients would be transferred to other facilities.
Long-term patients would be sent to hospitals in Marion and Staunton.
The Executive Director of the Roanoke Valley Mental Health Association worries about those patients that will be left with only community-based services.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There are...]
((DIANE KELLY: THERE ARE MANY SERVICES WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW THAT WE DON'T HAVE - THAT AREN'T FUNDED. WHAT KIND OF GUARANTEE WILL WE HAVE THAT THERE WILL BE FUNDING FOR THESE PROGRAMS THAT ARE PROPOSED?))
[SUPER=01-Diane Kelly/Roanoke Valley Health Assoc.;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=that are proposed?]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Officials with the Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute and Catawba Hospital declined to comment.
The whole plan is subject to General Assembly review.
[Toddler-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
In Britain, two convicted teen aged murderers are about to be released from prison.
In 19-93, both were convicted of killing a toddler when they were 10- years old.
Now a judge is taking controversial steps to make sure the teenagers stay anonymous.
Richard Roth has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Security Video; :05]
[SUPER=04-November 1993; :13]
[SUPER=01-Norman Brennan/Victim's Family Spokesman; :46]
[SUPER=01-Richard Roth/Reporting; :58]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=Richard Roth, CBS News, London.]
((
( security camera video, crime scene)
NARR: JAMIE BULGER WAS A TODDLER AGED TWO WHEN HE DIED.... THE START
OF THE CRIME RECORDED ON SECURITY CAMERAS AS HE WAS LURED FROM A
SHOPPING MALL BY TWO TEN YEAR OLD SCHOOLBOYS, THEN BEATEN TO DEATH ON
A RAILROAD SIDING.
November 1993 FILE!!!!!!!!!
anger outside court
AND THOUGH THAT WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO, A JUDGE NOW SAYS THE KILLERS STILL
FACE THREATS OF REVENGE.
THE RULING'S DESIGNED TO PROTECT THEM - BY MAKING THESE PICTURES OF
JOHN VENABLES AND ROBERT THOMPSON - NOW BOTH EIGHTEEN AND ABOUT TO BE
FREED FROM DETENTION - THE LAST THE PUBLIC WILL EVER SEE. THEY'RE TO BE
GIVEN NEW IDENTITIES, AND A GOVERNMENT PROMISE OF PRIVACY.
THROUGH A SPOKESMAN, THE MURDERED BOY'S MOTHER SAID THE KILLERS, NOW
GROWN UP, DON'T DESERVE SPECIAL TREATMENT.
SOT/
Norman Brennan,
Spokesman for Jamie Bulger'sMother
BULGER MOTHER SPOKESMAN: If there is any such thing as a living hell, I
and my family live it daily I will continue to fight on for justice for
James that's all I've ever wanted.
(jamie on trampoline)
NARR: BUT WITHOUT THE UNIQUE PROTECTION OF ANONYMITY, THE COURT SAYS,
THE KILLERS OF JAMIE BULGER COULD BE RISKING THEIR OWN LIVES, THE MOMENT
THEY'RE FREED.
RICHARD ROTH CBS NEWS LONDON
))
[Giles-Murder]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-51 54:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Authorities need to talk to the anonymous caller who previously gave them a tip in a Campbell County murder investigation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co./October 26]
75- year- old Melvin Giles was shot to death during a robbery in his convenience store last October.
Someone called the local Crimestoppers line to report the license plate of a suspicious car seen leaving the store around the time of the murder.
Investigators need that man to call back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:58:07]
[IN Q=So we have]
((ROBERT MAXEY/CAMPBELL CO. SHERIFF: SO WE HAVE A TAPE OF THE ENTIRE CONVERSATION AND THE VOICE IS QUITE DISTINCTIVE OF THE PERSON WHO CALLED IN. WE'VE GIVEN SOME CONSIDERATION OF TAKING THE TAPE TO THE MEDIA TO SEE IF ANYONE COULD HELP US IDENTIFY THE CALLER, WE FEEL THAT STRONGLY ABOUT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Maxey/Campbell Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=strongly about it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Anyone with information about the crime should call the Campbell County sheriff's office.
Two rewards totaling six thousand dollars are being offered to the person whose tip leads to an arrest.
(------------)
[Radford-Police]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-55 41:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Radford City Council hopes recent changes will boost morale and minimize high turnover at the police department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
City Council voted to cut back the police department's work week from 42-and-a-half hours to 40.
Council also promised to formulate a plan to add officers and raise pay during the next three years.
Last month, a blue ribbon panel revealed that Radford officers were among the lowest-paid and most overworked in the region.
(------------)
[R'ford-Crosswalk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-54 28:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Improvements are scheduled for a crosswalk near Radford University.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Month;]
This Norwood Street crosswalk connects the university to a student parking lot.
In the past school year, it's been the scene of several accidents where students were struck by cars.
Last night, the city approved 100-thousand dollars in improvements, including a traffic signal and rumble strips to slow down motorists.
The work will be finished this summer.
(------------)
[School-Year]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
While some schoolchildren around here have enjoyed time off this week due to winter weather, they might be thankful they don't live in California.
The Governor of California has proposed extending the class schedule through the summer for middle school students.
That would make it the longest school year in the country.
Chris Lawrence has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sheyla Gerbakher/Long School Year Opponent; :16]
[SUPER=01-Britni Barkley/Long School Year Supporter; :30 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Chris Lawrence/Reporting; :53]
[SUPER=01-Leo Krubsack/Middle School Teacher; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Albert Vardukyn/Parent; 1:17 ]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=Chris Lawrence, CBS News.]
((
(LOCATOR:LOS ANGELES)
(NATSOT KIDS SING HAPPY TOGETHER)
Happy together now-- but even in the summer? Some students say after
June, they don't want to be here --together or not.
(SOT SHEYLA GERBAKHER/AGAINST LONGER YEAR)
"TEACHERS WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CONTROL US! WE WANT TO GET OUT ..WE'D BE
CRAZY."
The music class at Millikan Middle School in Los Angeles is meeting for
the first time since winter break. Some of these singers though
wouldn't mind making it more often.
(SOT BRITNI BARKLEY/SUPPORTS LONGER YEAR)
"WE HAD 3 WEEKS OFF AND I WAS BORED. I WAS LIKE PLEASE LET ME GO BACK TO
SCHOOL!"
Governor Gray Davis wants to raise test scores and he believes a longer
school year will help. So, he's ready to spend about a billion dollars
to extend the year for middle school students. Now they attend school
180 days a year, but by next year --they could be in class for 210.
(STANDUP CHRIS LAWRENCE/CBS NEWS)
"THAT'S LONGER THAN ANY OTHER STATE, BUT STILL BEHIND SOME OTHER
COUNTRIES LIKE JAPAN, WHERE STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL AN ADDITIONAL 2-3
WEEKS."
The program is not mandatory.
The state would give money to the schools which adopt the program, and
they would use it to pay their teachers for the extra time.
SOT LEO KRUBSACK/MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER)
"IT WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO MAKE MORE MONEY, WORK A
LONGER YEAR LIKE REGULAR PEOPLE."
And--Some parents think it would be good for their children. .
(SOT ALBERT VARDUKYN/PARENT)
"HE FORGETS WHATEVER HE'S LEARNED ALL THAT TIME WITHIN THREE WEEKS."
They say they can't keep their kids occupied for three months--and it
would be easier to get them in the groove --come fall.
in Los Angeles Chris Lawrence CBS news.
)[Iraq-Flights]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Air Travel]
Iraq is flying once again--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
The country has launched its first domestic flights in nearly a decade.
This Boeing 747 carried more than 100 passengers between Baghdad and Basra.
Iraqi officials vow to end the No- fly zones that the U-S and U-K imposed over most of the country.
Last week, officials in Washington and London said they did not object to Iraq's resuming domestic flights, but asked for advanced warnings of flight plans and schedules.
The flights are part of Iraq's campaign to end 10- years of U-N sanctions.
(------------)
[Train-Station]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Center in the Square's plans for downtown Roanoke's old Norfolk & Western passenger station
COULD include a tribute to renowned photographer O. Winston Link.
Meredyth Censullo has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The final...]
[SUPER=01-Jim Sears/Center in the Square Director; :12]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :27]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=News7, Roanoke.]
((The final years of the steam engine have been recorded in black and white, through photographer O. Winston Link's lens.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 8:09:56 - 8:10:08]
[IN Q=He not only...]
((HE NOT ONLY TRIED TO CAPTURE THE STEAM ENGINE AS IT WAS BEING PHASED OUT BY NORFOLK AND WESTERN BUT HE ALSO TRIED TO CAPTURE A QUALITY OF LIFE AT THAT TIME - THEY KIND WE MAY NEVER SEE AGAIN.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=see again.]
And thats why The Center wants to "link" Link to the history museum.
It hopes to build a NEW museum dedicated to the photographer INSIDE the passenger station - featuring lights, cameras - everything Link used to capture the engines in action.
But the tribute could be halted in its tracks by a 300-ton obstacle.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think it...]
((I THINK IT WOULD MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT IF 1218 WAS NOT DONATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE MUSEUM.))
[RUNS= :07]
[OUT Q=of the museum.]
Link wants Norfolk Southern to donate the 12-18 locomotive to the project...
But the locomotive, currently in storage, would require extensive repair work and a large amount of space to be put on display.
Without the 12-18, the Center might not get Link.
And that's one obstacle its still working on crossing.
(MEREDYTH CENSULLO: The Center hopes to get a final decision from Link in the next several weeks...If they get the go-a
head, the museum could be open by July, 2003...Just six months after a predicted grand opening of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Meredyth Censullo, News7, Roanoke.)
))
[Unemployment]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:06:23]
[GRAPHIC=VA Unemployment]
In business news, Virginia's employment levels are the lowest in almost 50 years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The jobless rate for November was 2 percent, the lowest figure since 1952.
In the Roanoke area it was 1 and a half percent.
In Lynchburg, it was just over 2 percent.
And in Danville, it was a bit over 3 percent.
Grayson County tied with Dickenson County for the highest unemployment rate: 9-point-7 percent.
(------------)
by SS