WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/25/01

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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[VO-NAT]

Up next--
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan speaks out in favor of President Bush's plan to cut taxes.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And a private school in Martinsville cancels classes for today and tomorrow because of illness.
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[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

Some of our early morning light snow stuck to the ground in Roanoke... other areas accumulated measurable amounts... but today all areas will see mostly sunny skies.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is coming up.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
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[VO-NAT]

When Alan Greenspan speaks, people listen--
The fed chairman offers some support for President Bush's tax cut plan.

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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.

We'll have more on that story in just a moment...[M'Ville-Flu]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Illnesses are hitting a local school hard.
So much that school officials have canceled classes for the rest of the week.
The headmaster at Carlisle School says 30 percent of the students are out sick --and 20 percent of the faculty.
Health officials report widespread flu across Southwest Virginia. And Memorial Hospital in Martinsville says it has seen many children coming into the emergency room for respiratory problems, pneumonia, and flu- like symptoms.
(+++++++)
[TAKE SCHOOLTOUCH FS]
Carlisle School in Martinsville is closed today ... and school officials say it will be closed again tomorrow.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

We'll have more on this story, and what you can do to protect your children, on News 7 at 5 and 6

[Greenspan]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan testified this morning before a Senate Panel.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Greenspan says predictions of budget surpluses give lawmakers the ability to cut taxes.
He suggests it would be better to have the tax cuts sooner rather than later.
It's a bit of a switch for Greenspan--
In the past, he's expressed a preference for paying down the national debt over cutting taxes.
But now, there appears to be enough money available to do BOTH.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:27:52 ]
[IN Q=The highly desirable]
((ALAN GREENSPAN/FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN: THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE GOAL OF PAYING OFF THE FEDERAL DEBT IS IN REACH BEFORE THE END OF THE DECADE. ))
[SUPER=01-Alan Greenspan/Federal Reserve Chairman;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=end of the decade.]
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[VO-NAT]

But Greenspan DOES suggest Congress consider a way to stop the cuts if revenue forecasts turn out to be too optimistic.
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[Texas-Escapees]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Texas prison escapees have the right to fight extradition.
Two of them will appear in a Colorado courtroom today.
The others will make court appearances tomorrow and Monday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Colorado Springs, CO;]

Meanwhile, new details are emerging about the "Texas Seven"
The group's alleged leader George Rivas agreeed to speak with Texas newspaper reporter Darren Barbee.
Barbee says Rivas told him he feels he deserves to die for shooting and killing officer Aubrey Hawkins.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well, he said]
((DARREN BARBEE/FORT WORTH REPORTER: WELL HE SAID HE'S PREPARED FOR THE DEATH PENALTY AND I ASKED HIM WHAT HE WOULD SAY TO HAWKINS MOTHER AND HE SAID THAT HE HOPES, HE SAID ALL I HAVE TO OFFER IS MY LIFE AND HE SAID THAT HE HOPED THAT IT WOULD BRING HER SOME COMFORT OR PEACE TO KNOW THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO FIGHT IT." ))
[SUPER=01-Darren Barbee/Fort Worth Reporter;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=GOING TO FIGHT IT.]
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Barbee adds that Rivas told him the seven never planned to stick together, but found strength in numbers.

[Vision-2001]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Logo]

It's a work in progress.
Tonight, Roanokers can play an active role in planning the city's future.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Vision 2001 is an effort to update Roanoke's comprehensive plan... and a half-dozen committees have been meeting to discuss issues such as education, economic development, and the environment.
Committee members and city leaders are hoping for a large turnout, and some constructive feedback at tonight's public meeting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT FROM COLLEGE DAYS TAPE 19:03:20]
[IN Q=And I hope that people will begin]
((AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL BEGIN TO THINK MORE STRATEGICALLY ABOUT THE CITY AND DO SOME MORE LONG RANGE PLANNING AND I HOPE PEOPLE WILL COME OUT TO THAT AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=come out to that as well.]
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

The Vision -2001 meeting will be held tonight at Woodrow Wilson Middle School from Seven to Nine P-M.

[PH-Smokers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=01-02]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some Roanoke City school board members are asking why some underage high school students are allowed to loiter near school grounds with lit cigarettes in their hands. Meredyth Censullo has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Wishneff/Roanoke City School Board;:14]
[SUPER=01-Doris Ennis/Patrick Henry Principal;1:07]
[SUPER=@Meredyth2;1:25]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=news 7 Roanoke.]
((The library is a popular place for these Patrick Henry high school students, before and after school. The problem - some of the underage students are checking out Marlboros, not Moby Dick.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ HARRIS TAPE @ 46:28 - 46:38]
[IN Q=And so just...]
((AND SO JUST LIKE WE WOULD WANNA CRACK DOWN ON KIDS DRINKING IN PUBLIC, I WOULD HOPE WE'D WANNA CRACK DOWN ON KIDS SMOKING IN PUBLIC.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=smoking in public.]

The teens who hang out here - off school grounds - are coming under fire from some board members who say not only is underage smoking illegal, it presents a bad image of P-H. Students see it differently.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Alot of my...]
((@ 1:02:09 - 1:02:11 A LOT OF MY FRIENDS SMOKE AND I USED TO BUT...)) [BUTT BUTT BUTT] ((@1:02:39 - 1:02:46 WE JUST HANG OUT, HAVE FUN, WAIT FOR PEOPLE'S RIDES...SEE FRIENDS WE DON'T GET TO SEE DURING SCHOOL.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=during school.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 52:06 - 52:10]
[IN Q=Its not...]
((ITS NOT SURPRISING...WE WANT THE PROBLEM STOPPED.))
[RUNS= :04]
[OUT Q=problem stopped.]

P-H Principal Doris Ennis agrees more needs to be done to get these kids to kick their habits. But she says school resource officers - who patrol the packs of students even off school property - are stretched thin.
Ennis wants more officers in the classroom.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Then the resource...]
((DORIS ENNIS/PHHS PRINCIPAL: THEN THE RESOURCE OFFICER WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ONE ON ONE CONTACT WITH STUDENTS OTHER THAN WHEN THE STUDENT IS ENGAGED IN THE ACTIVITY - ANOTHER SETTING.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=another setting.]

But police say though they've tried to control the problem, prevention lies in schools' hands, and they don't plan to supply more officers to P-H. So Ennis plans to stiffen the consequences for repeat offenders - even those seen smoking off school property .. and can only hope it helps put out the problem. Meredyth Censullo, News 7, Roanoke.))

[RAMS-Building]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=01-01]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Roanoke Academy for Mathematics and Science could be moving from one end of 19th street to the other.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The school board has chosen a site in adjacent Kennedy Park, at the corner of 19th and Andrews Road, as a tentative location.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@13:21 - 13:33]
[IN Q=By moving the...]
((RICHARD KELLEY/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: BY MOVING THE FACILITY TO A NEW SITE, WE'LL KEEP THE OLD BUILDING OPEN AND WHEN THE NEW BUILDING IS FINISHED, WE'LL MOVE THE STUDENTS TO THE NEW BUILDING AND AVOID RELOCATING THOSE STUDENTS FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Kelley/Assistant Superintendent]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=two years.]
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[VO-NAT]
Federal deed restrictions require the city to buy a piece of private property to be used as parkland, since a portion of Kennedy Park will be taken away. Kelley says a greenway along the Roanoke river the city has already purchased might satisfy the requirement.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The board hopes to get the go-ahead from federal and local governments within the next two months. Construction on the new school could get underway as early as Spring as 2002.

[29-Hearing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:25:34]
[GRAPHIC=Route 29 Improvements]
It won't happen anytime soon, but Lynchburg could get an interstate highway.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]

V-DOT is wrapping up a three- year study that would make major improvements to Route 29 from the North Carolina border to Charlottesville.
That includes turning the four- lane road into a restricted access freeway.. meaning local residents and businesses would no longer have instant access to the roadway.
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[SOT 13:26:51]
[IN Q=The major impact]
((JOE SPRINGER/PARSONS TRANSPORTATION GROUP: THE MAJOR IMPACT IS NOT NECESSARILY WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT MUCH LAND OR WIDEN THE HIGHWAY THAT MUCH, IT'S SIMPLY HOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. AND IN SOME CASES, FOLKS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DOUBLE BACK TO GET ONTO 29, THAT'S SORT OF AN INEVITABLE IMPACT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.))
[SUPER=01-Joe Springer/Parsons Transportation Group]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=we're talking about.]
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[VO-NAT]

V-DOT is holding a number of public meetings to get residents' opinions on the plan.
Officials stress the project is only in the planning stage and hasn't yet been funded.
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[Blood-Donations]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC2:02:40]
[GRAPHIC=Blood Supply]

A blood drive is underway at Virginia Tech this afternoon.
One blood donation can save as many as four lives.
But only five percent of the population donates.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It's a concern for hospitals because the demand for blood is growing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:42:13]
[IN Q=There is a concern that as we ]
((DR. ALFRED CAMPBELL/CARILION BLOOD BANK: THERE IS A CONCERN THAT AS WE INCREASE OUR USAGE AND WE'RE NOT ABLE TO INCREASE THE DONOR BASE THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM. AND THEN WE WOULD RUN SHORT OF BLOOD AND THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS WE'LL IDENTIFY THOSE PATIENTS AND PHYSICIANS TO LET THEM KNOW WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO DO THE SURGERY AVAILABLE TO US))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Alfred Campbell/Carilion Blood Bank]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=to us]
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[VO-NAT]

The American Red Cross is the only supplier of blood for Carilion - it also serves dozens of other hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross would like to have 3-day supply.
But right now, the reserve is down to only a half-day supply.
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[TAKE FS BOARD]
One the biggest blood drives of the year will be held today in the Squires Student Center at Virginia Tech. It began at 10 this morning and will wrap up at 4 this afternoon.
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[CA-Power]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

California legislators are looking for some light at the end of the tunnel...
Governor Gray Davis is optimistic the power crisis can be solved before the state uses up an emergency fund set aside to buy electricity in the open market.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

Meanwhile, consumers are protesting over rising power costs.
The group, "Campaign Against Utility Rate Increases" delivered five- thousand signatures to the Governor's office.

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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=none]

President Bush is offering some suggestions.
His administration is considering relaxing California's pollution standards and building power plants in Mexico.

[6-Gilmore-Pulaski]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC1:05:56]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]

Governor Jim Gilmore says he will NOT say he's sorry to the Pulaski Board of Supervisors.
He still thinks the four Democrats and one Republican should be thrown out of office for raising the car tax.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I certainly]
[sot xgr 1 10:04:30]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR. WHEN THE QUESTION WAS PUT TO ME, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. SO IT'S CERTAINLY NO PERSONAL CRITICISM IMPLIED HERE. IT WAS A PUBLIC POLICY STATEMENT. WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE CAR TAX.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=the car tax.]
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[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=Gilmore]

The Board voted Monday to demand an apology from Gilmore.

[11Norment-Apology]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-55]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The state senator who wrote the law that lowered the blood alcohol level for drunk driving says he's sorry.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some might]
[sot SENATE 42:03]
((SEN. TOMMY NORMENT/R-JAMES CITY CO.: SOME MIGHT SUGGEST IT IS IRONIC THAT I FIND MYSELF IN THIS AWKWARD SITUATION WHICH IS SELF-CREATED...NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tommy Norment/(R) James City Co.;]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=who you are.]
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[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=none]

Norment was charged with D-U-I Tuesday night.
Police say his blood alcohol level was at point-1-2 on the side of the Interstate, and point-1-0 when he got back to the Henrico County magistrate's office.
Norment was the chief patron of the 1995 law that lowered the level from point-1-0 to point -0-8.

[Valley-View]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-50 TC1:06:01]
[GRAPHIC=Valley View Mall]

Many changes are in store for Valley View Mall.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Six leases are awaiting signatures so new stores could appear at any time.
Belk is expanding and will finish construction by November.
Hechts will fill the upper level of the old Montgomery Ward.
The Mall is readying the bottom floor for a new tenant.
Matthew's Hallmark is set to close today. The other Hallmark at Valley View will stay open.
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[Radford-Ford]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:23:53]
[GRAPHIC=FORD]

A Radford car dealership has closed shop.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

The Ford Motor Company closed Radford Ford yesterday, telling employees to clean out their desks.
A company spokesman says it's because the dealership was failing financially.
The company says it has no plans to keep the dealership open.
It began removing cars off the lot yesterday afternoon.
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[Mideast-Peace]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Mideast Peace Talks]

After a two- day time-out, talks are back on in Egypt between the Israelis and Palestinians.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;]

Israel had suspended peace talks after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israelis in the West Bank.
Despite the violence, negotiators say progress is being made by both sides in drawing borders of a Palestinian state.
An Israeli negotiator had said the talks must end a few days before the February sixth election for prime minister.

He says they still hope to reach a peace accord within that time period.
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[College-Days]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=00-54]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The city of Roanoke is trying to entice local college students to stay in the area. Through a program called "College Days" students are introduced to all the city has to offer.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
This weekend students at Ferrum College will be bussed into town for a movie at the historic Grandin theater and time to shop downtown. Roanoke will pick up the tab for the busses. The city manager says the program helps plant the seeds for not only the student's future, but Roanoke's future, as well.
(///// SOT AT :16 /////)
[SOT 18:00:23-18:00:38]
[IN Q=I know what it's like...]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER; I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO DECIDE, "WHAT AM I GONNA DO THIS WEEKEND?" AND THIS JUST OFFERS THEM ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL LOOK IN THE DIRECTION OF ROANOKE AS A PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK AND RAISE A FAMILY, AND MAYBE SOME OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL STAY HERE.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=will stay here.]
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
"College Days" kicked off last month with a visit from students at Radford University. Burcham says the city's working with Hollins University and Virginia Tech for future outings.

[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-82]
[GRAPHIC=Super Bowl 35]

Speaking of Virginia, our Hometown Super Bowl Hero series continues today with a look at three former Cavaliers that will play in the big game.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-East Rutherford, NJ; :00]

Giants running back Tiki Barber was a Virginia teammate of both the Ravens Anthony Poindexter and linebacker Jamie Sharper. All three talk about playing against each other for a super bowl ring this Sunday. That story tonight at six. (------------)