WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 01/22/01

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

The anniversary of Roe v. Wade brings up debate over the "morning- after pill."

A live report from the State Capitol coming your way on NEWS 7 tonight.
(------------)
[V/O-NAT]
And classrooms overflowing into the hallways and storage rooms of one elementary school.
What they're doing to try to fix the problem.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, Steve Mason begins his week long chat with the area's five Super Bowl stars playing in this weekend's big game in Tampa. Plus,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
the Martinsville Speedway is at it again. This time adding a 40 car garage for the competitors in the infield.
(------------)

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

After a chilly, wet weekend, things dry out a bit over the next few days. We'll check the maps and our Monday WeatherSchool in just a few minutes.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Since 1973]
[sot HOUSE 47:53]
((SEN. RANDY FORBES/R-CHESAPEAKE: SINCE 1973, THERE HAVE BEEN 39 MILLION ABORTIONS IN AMERICA.))
[sot HOUSE 40:15 ]
((SEN. LOUISE LUCAS/D-PORTSMOUTH: THERE'S ONLY ONE BILL BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR THAT MAKES ABORTION LESS NECESSARY.))
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=less necessary.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

On the 28th annivesary of Roe versus Wade, it appears there's a new strategy for abortion rights supporters in Virginia.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Abortion]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#00-47 TC1:10:27]
[GRAPHIC=Abortion]

It's been available for 15 years in America.
But now, after 28 years of legal abortions, abortion rights forces want to make the so-called "morning after pill" a much more common choice.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Ellen/State Microwave]

Ellen Qualls is at the State Capitol.
What can the Virginia General Assembly do?
[Live=Ellen Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Ellen1;]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Keith, it would take federal approval to make the 72 hour emergency contraception pills available over the counter.

But state lawmakers could let doctors distribute the drugs themselves -- or to make it even easier -- let pharmacists just call a doctor to approve the prescription.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This year,]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Louise Lucas/(D) Portsmouth; :14]
[SUPER=01-Del. Dick Black/(R) Loudoun Co.; :52 ]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=same horror.]
(( This year, the abortion rights side backed off the emotion, and suggested the practicality of a pill they see as preventing abortion-- because it keeps the egg from implanting in the uterus.
They say other abortion limits don't solve the problem.
[sot house 38:57]
((SEN. LOUISE LUCAS/D-PORTSMOUTH: BEFORE ANY OF YOU VOTE FOR OR AGAINST ANY OF THESE MEASURES, ASK YOURSELVES THIS: DOES THIS BILL MAKE ABORTION LESS NECESSARY? OR DOES THE BILL ONLY SEEK TO MAKE ABORTION LESS ACCESSIBLE?)) [runs:15 ]
Abortion opponents acknowledge it's not the RU-486 abortion pill, commonly used more at the five week point-- and still hard to get in Virginia.
But they still see the emergency contraception as an abortion, even within the 72 hours after fertilization.
The annual Roe v. Wade speeches took a more grisly twist in the House, where an ex-Marine likened abortion to the killing fields of Vietnam.
[sot SENATE 34:08]
((DEL. DICK BLACK/R-LOUDOUN CO.: I SAID GOOD GOD, I SAID, JUST SHOOT HIM. AND THEY DID. AND I REMEMBER THINKING WHAT A HORRIBLE THING IT IS TO WATCH A MAN STABBED TO DEATH. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IN ABORTUARIES ACROSS AMERICA, LITTLE BOYS AND LITTLE GIRLS--)) [runs:24 ]
[sot SENATE 34:39]
((DEL. DICK BLACK/R-LOUDOUN CO.: --ARE SUFFERING THAT SAME HORROR.)) [runs:07 ]))
(-------------)
[Live=Ellen Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
( ad lib)
Bush action informed consent
[Double Boxes=Keith and Ellen/State Microwave]

[Private-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:22:23]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol]

On an almost party line vote tonight, a General Assembly committtee has stepped on to new ground in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]

The House Finance Committee came up just short of giving tax credits to help pay private and religious school tuitions.
Instead, on a 12 to 11 vote, the committee amended the bill to give tax credits to any person or business who provides a scholarship for a private or religious school.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=MArk EArley]

Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley already ruled that tax credits don't violate the separation of church and state.
That's because a tax credit leaves the money in the hands of the taxpayer, in Earley's opinion, instead of spending "public funds" on religious or private education.

[Child-Death]

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

The death of a four year old Pittsylvania County boy is being called suspicious.
Sheriff's deputies say Matthew Jerome Giusto (Juice-toe) was last seen alive at his home on Rockford School Road Saturday night.
His mother found him and called police just before three o'clock yesterday afternoon.
An autospy will be performed tomorrow.
The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Department says the boy had no history of medical problems.

[i-Friends]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-45 TC1:24:01]
[GRAPHIC=Sarkisian]

A 45-year old Roanoke woman today admitted she appeared with her 14-year old niece on the Internet in a live, sex-act chat room.
Sandra Sarkisian pled guilty in Roanoke's federal court this afternoon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:56:50]
[IN Q=Ms Sarkisian was not just]
((TONY GIORNO/PROSECUTOR; MS SARKISIAN WAS NOT JUST GIVING DIRECTION TO THE NIECE ON WHAT ACTS TO PERFORM AND HOW TO PERFORM THEM. SHE WOULD IN SOME INSTANCES PERSONALLY ASSIST THE NIECE IN PERFORMING THESE ACTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CUSTOMER WHO HAD REQUESTED IT.))
[SUPER=01-Tony Giorno/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=requested it.]
[* * * Keith on ENG * * *]
Subscribers to the adult web site: i-Friends paid a dollar-99 a minute to watch and direct the action.
Robert Troncoso would relay the requests to Sarkisian who acted them out with her niece on line.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:52:40]
[IN Q=Ms Sarkisian-Troncoso does]
((BRAD BRAFORD/SARKISIAN'S ATTORNEY; MS SARKISIAN-TRANSCOSO DOES ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT SHE DID WAS WRONG. SHE REALLY REGRETS WHAT HAPPENED, AND SHE'S VERY ASHAMED OF HER ACTIONS. AND SHE'S GOING TO PAY THE PRICE FOR THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Brad Braford/Sarkisian's Attorney]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=price for that.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]

Sarkisian faces a minimum mandatory TEN-year prison term when she sentenced in March.

[Neely]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal scales]

Former Attorney Keith Neely might get a new trial.
A federal magistrate says some of the documents Neely got from the F-B-I under the Freedom of Information Act qualify as new evidence.
U-S Magistrate Glen Conrad recommends the judge deny the government's motion to dismiss Neely's petition for a new trial.
Neely is serving a ten-year sentence on a drug and money-laundering conviction. He claims the government withheld information that would have been favorable to his case.

[Radford-Police]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-46 TC1:35:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The City of Radford takes up a proposal to hire new officers tonight ... in answer to a report last month calling its police force understaffed and underpaid.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Month;]

Council is looking to hire 10 new officers in the next three years.
A proposal by Acting Chief Jonny Butler calls for one new officer and a secretary this year and eight officers over the following two years.
The city has NOT tackled how it would pay the new salaries.
Earlier this month, Council cut back officers' work week and committed to raising pay to retain qualified officers.
(------------)

[Patrick-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=jus]
[WRITER=6]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:54:20]
[GRAPHIC=Education ]

Schools in Patrick County are running out of room.
In one elementary school, some students have to learn in hallways and storage closets.
Construction is already underway at one school to add more space.
But As Justin McLeod shows us this may be a short term fix to a long term problem.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :05:41:21]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Beverly Cooper/Teacher; :12]
[SUPER=01-Larry Belcher/Principal; :31]
[SUPER=@Justin1; :50]
[SUPER=1-Judy Lacks/Superintendent; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Justin McLeod, News 7, Patrick County]
((((NAT SOUND OF KIDS PLAYING IN GYM)) Here at Patrick Springs Primary School, space is so limited one room serves three purposes. This is an auditorium, a cafeteria, and a gym.
[SOT :5:47:08]
[IN Q=When we take]
((BEVERLY COOPER/TEACHER: WHEN WE TAKE OUR FIRST GRADE CLASSES DOWN WE HAVE OVER SIXTY CHILDREN IN THERE TOGETHER.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=in there together]
That's not the only problem. Teachers tutor children in the hallways. Some classes including art are located in storage rooms. The Head Start program is housed in the basement and the only way to get there is to walk outside.
[SOT :05:44:30]
[IN Q=We use every corner]
((LARRY BELCHER/PRINCIPAL: WE USE EVERY CORNER THAT WE CAN. EVERY STORAGE ROOM JUST ABOUT WE GOT SOMETHING GOING ON.))

[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=something going on]
The school's overcrowded because of increased student enrollment and the push by the state to have fewer students per class.
That has Patrick County adding more classes with less space.
[SOT :05:49:43]
[IN Q=relief is on its way]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: RELIEF IS ON ITS WAY HERE IN PATRICK SPRINGS PRIMARY SCHOOL. THE DISTRICT IS BUILDING AN ADDITION IN THE BACK THAT WILL HOUSE FOUR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS AND A GYM. THAT WILL HELP BUT THIS IS ONLY ONE SCHOOL OF MANY HERE IN PATRICK COUNTY THAT ARE OVERCROWDED.))
[Runs= 14]
[OUT Q=are overcrowded]

Last year, the school board hired a consulting firm to come up with a plan to deal with the overcrowding.
The consultants came up with five options, one that recommends the district build a middle school.
[SOT :05:32:20]
[IN Q=we at present, are]
((JUDY LACKS/SUPERINTENDENT: WE AT PRESENT ARE UNABLE TO OFFER A LOT OF THE EXPLORATORY OR CAREER EXPLORATION EXPERIENCES FOR OUR STUDENTS IN GRADES SIX AND SEVEN.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=six and seven]

The school board is studying its options and plans to hold public hearings in the next few months.
In the meantime, schools in Patrick County will make the best of what little space they have.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Patrick County.))

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

Millions of Americans are at risk for potentially blinding eye disorders.
Some tips on avoiding them later on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And he travelled around the world on two wheels.
Next on News 7, we'll hear the ups and downs of Randal Johnson's 15-thousand mile journey.
(----------------)

[Bike-Trip]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-54 TC35:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

When Randal Johnson set out on his bike a year ago, he wasn't just taking a spin around the corner.
He was travelling around the world.
Johnson is home now, and tonight Joe Dashiell has more on his trip of a lifetime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Randal Johnson]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=07-Randal Johnson; :33]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:09]
[RUNS=2:11]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke County]
((Randal Johnson is back at work, after a year-long absence from his business, Roanoke Wreck Repair.
[SOT 02:09:27]
[IN Q=I am a little bit calmer]
((I'M A LITTLE BIT CALMER THAN I WAS, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST.))
[RUNS= :05]
[OUT Q=how long that will last.]

If he has changed it's understandable... after six continents, 40 countries and more than 15- thousand miles on his bicycle.
A journey that started in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January first, 2000, carried him and more than 200 other cyclists to South America, Africa, Europe, back to North America, Asia and Australia.
[SOT 01:53:25]
[IN Q=On this trip]
((ON THIS TRIP WE WERE GOING FROM ONE GREAT EXPERIENCE EVERY DAY TO ANOTHER GREAT EXPERIENCE AND WE DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY IN BETWEEN TO REMEMBER. I TOOK FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHS TO HELP ME GO BACK AND REMEMBER.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=go back and remember.]

Hopefully, that won't be hard... His pictures tell a story of extraordinary scenery, of personal connections he made along the way, and experiences he will never forget.
[SOT 01:52:14]
[IN Q=The one instant that moved me]
((THE ONE INSTANT THAT MOVED ME MORE THAN ANYTHING WAS STANDING IN THE CELL ON ROBIN ISLAND OFF CAPETOWN, WHERE NELSON MANDELA SPENT MANY YEARS AS A POLITICAL PRISONER.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=many years as a political prisoner.]

Johnson began preparing for the trip in 1995... It cost him more than 30- thousand dollars saved over several years. [NAT SOUND OF RANDAL AT MAP 02:05:29]
[IN Q=We flew quite often]
((WE FLEW QUITE OFTEN. I PROBABLY TOOK 25 DIFFERENT FLIGHTS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE WORLD.))
[RUNS= :07]
[OUT Q=different places in the world.]

The travel was physically and emotionally challenging, especially at the start, but Johnson says there was never a morning when he didn't want to get on his bike.
Even after two scary collisions on the busy streets of Spain.
[SOT 01:55:51]
[IN Q=I rolled up on the windshield]
((AND I ROLLED UP ON THE WINDSHIELD, AND ACROSS THE HOOD AND ACROSS THE ASPHALT AND GOT UP AND SHOOK IT OFF. AND IT TORE UP MY CLOTHES, AND DAMAGED MY BIKE AND SKINNED ME UP A BIT, BUT I DIDN'T SUFFER ANY BROKEN BONES, AND I WAS BACK ON MY BIKE THE NEXT DAY AFTER GETTING IT REPAIRED.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=after getting it repaired.]
Johnson is home now, safe and sound... When we visited last week, he and his wife Ruth Lipnik showed off some of the souvenirs he picked up during his travels.
He's grateful for the employees who kept his business on course while he was gone, and for his wife whose encouragement and support made the trip possible. And he's already looking forward to his next adventure on two wheels. Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke County.))

[Senate-GOP]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC1:04:05]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol]

While he's making friends in Washington, Governor Jim Gilmore's fiscal feud with fellow Republicans just keeps getting worse in Richmond.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

One of the Governor's top political consultants sent out an e-mail to voters, telling them lawmakers who questioned the car tax funding scheme were breaking promises.
Senate Republicans are furious.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 21:01]
[IN Q=I made]
((SEN. THOMAS NORMENT/R-JAMES CITY COUNTY: I MADE A PROMISE TO THE CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA THAT I WOULD ADHERE TO THAT LEGISLATION. I DID NOT MAKE A PROMISE TO THEM THAT I WOULD WINK, THAT I WOULD TURN OFF ALL MY SENSIBILITIES, THAT I WOULD SHUT DOWN ALL MY ANALYTICAL SKILLS, AND ENGANGE IN IRRESPONSIBLE FISCAL SPENDING.))
[sot 29:30]
(( I WOULD ASSOCIATE MYSELF... I'D BE HAPPY TO BE TARGETED AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Thomas Norment/(R) James City Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Ken Stolle/(R) Virginia Beach; :19]
[RUNS=:27 ]
(-------------)
[OUT Q=as well.]
[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]

The Governor's consultant, Ray Allen, says the lawmakers are incorrectly calling a budget surplus a shortfall.
Allen tells The Richmond Times-Dispatch he won't be silent on the issue, quoting now, "Frankly, it's insulting. This is crap."

[Stocks]

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

A profit warning from Dell Computer and some profit-taking combined to send stocks lower. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/9.35/10578.24/y/12.47/2757.91;]

The DOW lost nine points.
NASDAQ fell 12.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.38/41.63/i/0.44/23.63/h/1.19/50.38/h/0.31/18.56/i/0.13/6.00;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.44/61.00/h/0.13/31.81/h/0.44/46.13/i/1.25/45.75/h/1.94/36.15;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.88/25.00/h/0.25/16.38/h/0.06/15.94/h/0.88/44.31//Unchg/11.13;]
[SUPER=274-h/2.13/62.06/h/4.13/57.38/i/1.44/53.94/h/1.56/67.50/h/1.75/52.56;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Eye-Care]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC1:43:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Doctors say early detection of an eye disease is the best way to protect your vision.
And as part of National Eye Care Month, Ophthalmologists are urging people to get regular eye exams.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Eye diseases like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts are just a few of the diseases that can threaten your eye sight.
In the United States alone, 80 million Americans are afflicted with potentially blinding eye disorders.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:18:45]
[IN Q=If you haven't had an eye exam]
((DR. JONATHAN TILL/OPHTHALMOLOGIST; IF YOU HAVEN'T HAD AN EYE EXAM IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS CERTAINLY A GOOD IDEA TO GET THINGS CHECKED. YOU ONLY HAVE TWO AND THEY'LL GO DOWN HILL AND GET IN TROUBLE WITHOUT YOU HAVING THE SLIGHTEST SYMPTOM))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jonathan Till/Ophthalmologist]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=symptom]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some of the risk factors for eye disease include family history and race.
And as you get older, your risk also increases.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - the Martinsville Speedway is once again expanding = and this time the drivers and
crews are the beneficiaries.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, Steve Mason begins his weeklong series on the 5 Hometown Super Stars set to make their mark in Tampa this coming Sunday.
(------------)

[S-Super]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-83 ]
[GRAPHIC=Super Bowl 35]

Super Bowl 35 kicks off right here on your Hometown Station. Steve Mason and photographer Scott Ayres traveled a thousand miles to find five Giants and Ravens that you know well and that will play in the biggest sporting event of the year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :]
[SUPER=03-East Rutherford, NJ; :28]
[SUPER=01-Tiki Barber/Giants Running Back; :42]
[SUPER=01-Keith Hamilton/Giants Defensive Tackle; :58]
[SUPER=03-Owings Mills, MD; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Poindexter/Ravens Safety; 1:14]
[SUPER=01-Cornell Brown/Ravens Linebacker; 1:28]
[SUPER=01-Jamie Sharper/Ravens Linebacker; 1:42]
[RUNS=2:02]
[OUT Q=News 7 sports"]
(-------------)
((STEVE MASON:))
((He has exploded onto the national media scene, yet Tiki Barber remains the same humble, unassuming gentleman he was when he played for the Knights at Cave Spring and then the Cavaliers at Virginia, now he's super bowl bound. ((TIKI BARBER/GIANTS RUNNING BACK:)) Tiki's teammate, defensive tackle Keith Hamilton remembers where he came from as well, Lynchburg and Heritage high school. ((:)) Jefferson Forest's pride and joy is Anthony Poindexter. The former UVa star has gone from an injured knee to enjoying a super bowl run. ((:)) E.C. Glass's Cornell Brown is a hilltopper nearing the NFL's peak. He's also a few months away from his Virginia Tech college degree. ((:))
UVa star Jamie Sharper is the best NFL linebacker you've never heard about. He's about to cash in on free agency. ((:)) For most of these five stars, their super bowl journeys began right here in Roanoke or in Lynchburg. Their stories this

week. Steve Mason news 7 sports.))[S-Garage]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-82 5430TC]
[GRAPHIC=martinsville s'way]

Just when it looked like the Martinsville Speedway had run out of ways to expand and improve its facility, speedway president Clay Campbell has again found reason to move some earth.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rusty Wallace/Miller Ford Driver; :24]
[SUPER=01-Clay Campbell/Martinsville Speedway President; :44]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=...we really like."]
(------------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD LOGO]
The $1 point 3 million dollar project that is being handled by Martinsville's Frith Construction will be finished in p lenty of time for the Speedway first big weekend of the year on April 6,7, and 8th.