WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/26/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

The Roanoke county school board approves a new early retirement plan for teachers.
We'll hear what teachers think of the plan, coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And at least 140 people are dead after a massive earthquake hits India.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Your Friday begins right here-- on News 7 Mornin.

[11County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
Teachers in Roanoke County have a new early retirement plan. Last night, the school board approved the plan by a vote of 3 to 1 with one member absent. Kate Weidaw has the details and reaction from teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Kitty Boitnott/Education Association;:17]
[SUPER=01-Susanne Wiseman/Retired Teacher;:41]
[SUPER=@Kate1;:50]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=kw news 7.]
((Under the new early retirement plan current teachers will receive a 20 percent supplement and health benefits for five years. However the health benefits are capped at 25-hundred dollars. Retired teachers will receive the same benefits for seven years instead of five.

[SOT 3:22:44]
[INQ=]
((KITTY BOITNOTT/EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: WE'VE NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN WRITING BUT IT'S OUR FEELING THAT GIVEN THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE AND ALL THE THINGS THEY STARTED OUT TALKING ABOUT DOING THEY'VE COME UP WITH A FAIRLY DECENT COMPROMISE.))

[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 15]

But some retired teachers who planned on receiving a 30 percent supplement under the old plan say the new plan may make money tight.

[SOT 3:20:49]
[INQ=]
((SUSANNE WISEMAN/RETIRED TEACHER: IT DOES PUT US IN A POSITION OF HAVING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN AFFORD TO STAY RETIRED OR COME BACK IN UNDER THE OPTION OF COMING BACK INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]

[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: THE EARLY RETIREMENT PLAN COULD BE REVAMPED AGAIN SINCE THE SCHOOL BOARD AGREED TO REEVALUATE THE PLAN EVERY YEAR. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[Earthquake]

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

A powerful earthquake in India this morning has claimed at least 140 lives.
Officials expect the death toll could go higher.
The seven-point-nine magnitude earthquake shook the entire Indian sub- continent.
Its center was in the desert near the India- Pakistani border.
The shaking caused more than 100 buildings to collapse.
Power lines are down, and water pipes have burst.
The Indian army is on alert.
Meanwhile, emergency rescue forces are out digging through the rubble.

[Economy]

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

On a national scale-- Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has given qualified support to the idea of a tax cut.
But he isn't whole- heartedly endorsing President Bush's massive tax cut plan.
Drew Levinson reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alan Greenspan/Federal Reserve Chairman; :08]
[SUPER=01-Ernest Holling/(D) South Carolina; :50]
[SUPER=01-Art Hogan/Financial Analyst; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, Washington.]
((
(LOCATION: WASHINGTON,DC)

Federal Reserve head Alan Greenspan told Congress the economy is moving at a snail s pace.

(SOT ALAN GREENSPAN/FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN)

INDEED WE ARE PROBABLY VERY CLOSE TO ZERO AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT.
The standstill comes after nearly 10 years of expansion. To jumpstart the economy the fed may cut interest rates next week by up to a half percent.
Though Greenspan refused to endorse President Bush s proposed one-point six trillion dollar tax cut-he did say expected budget surpluses would make room for a some sort of reduction. That s good news for the White House.

(SOT PRESIDENT BUSH)
WE ARE VERY HEARTENED TO SEE THAT CHAIRMAN GREENSPAN HAS WEIGHED IN ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CUTTING TAXES.
But Greenspan s proclamation of a budget surplus, brought the ire of some democratic committee members.

(SOT ERNEST HOLLING/(D) SOUTH CAROLINA)
YOU ARE GOING TO START A STAMPEDE, WHERE DO YOU FIND A SURPLUS, I FIND A DEFICIT.
Still many analysts say Greenspan s views on tax cuts and lower interest rates bodes well for the future of the ecoomy.

(SOT: ART HOGAN/FINANCIAL ANALYST).
IT S GOING TO BE A FRIENDLIER ECONOMIC ENVIORNMENT FOR CORPORATE AMERICA TO MAKE MONEY. THAT TRANSLATES INTO A BETTER INVESTMENT CLIMATE FOR INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS.

(STANDUP: DREW LEVINSON)
))

[11XGR]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-51 TC1:17:12]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]

Governor Jim Gilmore's budget is taking a lot of heat from both sides.
When he's in Washington in his new job heading up the Republican party...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
, Democrats have a name for him. They call him "Governor Gone More."
And when he's in Richmond, Democrats call him Governor "Spill More."
At a mock funeral for fiscal responsibility, they said his mis-management has wasted more than 368 million dollars -- and his budget does too much borrowing from the past and the future.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Governor ]
[SOT 11:18:10]
((DEL. DICK CRANWELL/D-VINTON: THE GOVERNOR HAS WASTED ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE CAR TAX.))
[SOT 11:12:07]
((DEL. AL POLLARD/D-LANCASTER CO.: PRESS REPORTS AND TALKING TO FOLKS IN THE LOCAL COURTHOUSES INDICATE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS HELD BACK TAX REFUNDS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BOOKS BALANCE. IT'S WRONG, AND IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN IN VIRGINIA.))
[SOT 12:25:34]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: IF THEY HAVE A BETTER AND MORE SOUND AND RESPONSIBLE APPROACH, I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO LOOKING AT IT. BUT THE PEOPLE OUGHT TO GET THEIR TAX CUT, THEY OUGHT TO GET IT ON TIME.))
[SUPER=@Cranwell; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Al Pollard/(D) Lancaster Co.; :06]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :19]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=get it on time.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fellow Republicans in the Senate continued their almost daily criticism of the Governor's budget, too.
Yesterday's topic was cuts to public safety.
(------------)

[Texas-Escapees]

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

The remaining six Texas prison escapees are returning to the Lone Star State--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Austin, TX;]

Texas Governor Rick Perry has signed and sent an extradition order to Colorado officials.
Four fugitives were captured on Monday-- another killed himself.
The last two escapees surrendered early Wednesday in Colorado Springs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:08:34 ]
[IN Q=Now, it's]
((GOV. RICK PERRY/R- TEXAS: NOW, IT'S TIME FOR THESE CRIMINALS TO BE RETURNED TO TEXAS SOIL TO STAND TRIAL FOR THEIR ACTIONS. ))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Rick Perry/(R) Texas;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=for their actions.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In the most daring and elaborate prison escape in Texas history, the seven inmates broke out of the maximum security facility on December 13th.
The group then allegedly robbed a sporting goods store and gunned down a police officer.
(------------)

[11Penn-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC1:51:47]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

Almost two and half years after the murder of Roanoke landlord Jimmie Lee Penn, members of his family are hoping a new hotline will help find his killer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 1, 1998;]

Penn was shot and killed on October first, 1998 outside a rental home he owned on Patterson Avenue.
Despite a 10- thousand dollar reward, and a continuing police investigation, no arrests have been made.
Penn's relatives believe someone in the community has information on the crime, but may be afraid to come forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:59:00]
[IN Q=And I think by establishing]
((RENEA TAYLOR: AND I THINK BY ESTABLISHING THIS NEW NUMBER, PEOPLE WILL BE MORE WILLING TO COME FORWARD BECAUSE IT'S NOT DIRECTLY INTO THE POLICE STATION. AND THEY CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS. THEY DON'T HAVE TO SAY WHO THEY ARE, OR WORRY ABOUT US KNOWING WHO THEY ARE OR THE ACTUAL MURDERERS FINDING OUT WHO THEY ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Renea Taylor/Jimmie L. Penn's Daughter;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=finding out who they are.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Anyone with information on the murder of Jimmie Lee Penn is encouraged to call 540- 265- 8300.
The toll-free number is 888- 265- 8300.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a new study says the supplement creatine may cause cancer.

Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Information: ON CAM A NUMBER OF ATHLETES- ESPECIALLY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES- USE THE SUPPLEMENT CREATINE TO BULK UP AND GET STRONGER.

VT=VO
BUT A NEW STUDY OUT FROM THE FRENCH EQUIVALENT OF THE AMERICAN FDA SAYS CREATINE IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MAY EVEN BE DANGEROUS.THE AGENCY SAYS CREATINE DOES NOT BUILD MUSCLE TISSUE- BUT ONLY CAUSES IT TO SWELL WITH WATER- THATS HOW IT MAKES MUSCLES LOOK BIGGER. PLUS- THE FRENCH SAYS LONG TERM USE OF CREATINE MAY EVEN CAUSE CANCER.

VT=VO
HORMONES CAN AFFECT A LOT OF THINGS IN A WOMANS BODY- AND THE LUNGS ARE ONE. A STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER REPORTS HORMONE DIFFERENCES MAKE WOMEN MORE PRONE TO ASTHMA-- AND MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED WITH SEVERE ASTHMA ATTACKS COMPARED TO MEN. IT ALL MEANS WE DOCTORS NEED TO BE BE MORE AGGRESSIVE TREATING WOMEN WITH ASTHMA- INLCUDING USING MORE STEROID INHALERS.
ON CAM FINALLY TODAY -WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WHEN IT COMES TO ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS FOR MIGRAINES? HEADACHE EXPERTS MEETING THIS WEEK SAY: BIOFEEDBACK, MEDITATION AND RELAXATION MAKE THE LIST OF THINGS MOST LIKELY TO HELP- WHILE ACCUPUNCTURE, HYPNOSIS, AND OXYGEN THERAPY WERE THE LEAST LIKELY TO EASE OR PREVENT THE PAIN. THAT'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(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]

Six American tourists are among the dead after a plane goes down in southern Venezuela.
All 24 people on board were killed when the plane crashed shortly after take- off.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Teachers in Roanoke county now have a new early retirement plan.
We'll tell you how the numbers add up and have teacher reaction, coming up.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And the state Senate approves a bill that limits the times telemarketers can call you, and also allows you to sue them.
But critics of the bill says it'll destroy some of the 40- thousand jobs the industry provides in Virginia.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday, January 26th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Plane-Crash]

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

All 24 people on board on a plane that crashed in southern Venezuela are dead-- six of them Americans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Venezuela;]

The crash also injured three people on the ground.
The Rutaca Airlines flight went down shortly after take- off, after refueling.
Witnesses say one of the wings on the DC-Three tourist plane broke off on impact and smashed into three houses.
A fire also broke out--
Authorities are still trying to figure out the cause of the crash.
But one media source quotes an airport director as saying the plane had experienced mechanical failure and was trying to turn back for an emergency landing.
(------------)

[2-11County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-47]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]
The Roanoke County school board approved a new early retirement plan for its teachers. The plan passed by a vote of 3 to 1 with one member absent. Kate Weidaw was there last night and has the details and reaction from teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Kitty Boitnott/Education Association;:17]
[SUPER=01-Susanne Wiseman/Retired Teacher;:41]
[SUPER=@Kate1;:50]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=kw news 7.]
((Under the new early retirement plan current teachers will receive a 20 percent supplement and health benefits for five years. However the health benefits are capped at 25-hundred dollars. Retired teachers will receive the same benefits for seven years instead of five.

[SOT 3:22:44]
[INQ=]
((KITTY BOITNOTT/EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: WE'VE NOT SEEN ANYTHING IN WRITING BUT IT'S OUR FEELING THAT GIVEN THE RESOURCES THEY HAVE AND ALL THE THINGS THEY STARTED OUT TALKING ABOUT DOING THEY'VE COME UP WITH A FAIRLY DECENT COMPROMISE.))

[11Montvale-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:27:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some Bedford County residents said they didn't want a controversial industrial park to go up in Montvale and their voices were heard.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/Monday]

650 people had signed petitions against the plan, and hundreds more turned out for Monday's public meeting .
The planning commission voted Monday against the rezoning request.. and Wednesday, the Bedford County Industrial Development Authority withdrew the plans altogether.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:04:10]
[IN Q=We did not]
((SUE GILBERT/BEDFORD CO. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: WE DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING AT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND VERY LITTLE PRIVATELY IN SUPPORT OF IT. AND THE WAY DEMOCRACY WORKS IS, WHEN THE PEOPLE SPEAK, THE GOVERNMENT LISTENS AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.))
[SUPER=01-Sue Gilbert/Bedford Co. Economic Devel.]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=attempted to do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gilbert says she hopes this will encourage residents to stay involved in their county government.
(------------)

[11Abortion]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Abortion]

Abortion opponents are hailing a strategic victory in Richmond.
It's a bill that would make women wait 24 hours after seeing a doctor- time that would allow them to think before an abortion was performed. That bill now goes to a friendlier committee.
The Senate Rules Committee pulled the bill out of the Education and Health committee it narrowly failed in last year... and moved it to the Courts of Justice Committee.

[11Telemarketing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC27:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

You may NOT want telemarketers to call you.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]

But they provide more than 40-thousand jobs in Virginia.
Attorney General Mark Earley has authored a bill to limit the times they call and allow you to sue them.
A fellow Republican calls it a job destroyer.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT SENATE 01:25:43]
[IN Q=What we]
((SEN. RUSS POTTS/R-WINCHESTER: WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS ONE OF THE WORST PIECES OF LEGISLATION EVER INTRODUCED ON THIS FLOOR.))
[SOT SENATE 01:22:54]
((SEN. LESLIE BYRNE/D-FALLS CHURCH: WE CAN'T BLOCK CALLS BY PUTTING OUR NAME ON A MASTER LIST... ALL WE CAN DO IS SUE. AND WE CAN SUE EACH AND EVERY TELEMARKETER. AND SO MAYBE WE SHOULD CALL THIS THE FULL EMPLOYMENT FOR LAWYERS ACT.))

[SUPER=01-Sen. Russ Potts/(R) Winchester; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Leslie Byrne/(D) Falls Church; :09]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=lawyers act.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Despite the criticism, the Senate passed the bill on a 31 to 9 vote.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14;35:45]
[IN Q=Legitimate telemarketers]
((ATTORNEY GEN. MARK EARLEY: LEGITIMATE TELEMARKETERS PRETTY MUCH OBEY THESE THINGS AS GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES NOW. BUT THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW CONSUMERS TO FIGHT BACK WHEN THEY'RE ABUSED))
[SUPER=@Earley;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=they're abused.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates.
(------------)

[Bush-Reax]

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

The Bush administration is pleased with Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan's assessment of the national budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

While noting that the economy's growth has slowed down dramatically, Greenspan told Congress yesterday that that the budget surplus makes a tax cut affordable.
He added there should be enough money to also pay off the national debt.
Even though Greenspan's support of Bush's proposed one-point-six-trillion- dollar tax cut was "qualified", the President liked what he heard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:05:12 ]
[IN Q=I don't think]
((I DON'T THINK ALAN GREENSPAN WAS SPEAKING OF ANY PARTICULAR PLAN. I KNOW HE WASN'T GOING TO THE HILL TO SAY PRESIDENT BUSH HAS GOT THE RIGHT PLAN. I FEEL LIKE HE WAS SPEAKING ABOUT POLICY, IN GENERAL.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=in general.]
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Bush says Greenspan recognizes that the nation needs "sound fiscal policy" to make sure the economy grows.
(------------)

[11Flu-School]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=01-07 TC01:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

As we just mentioned classes are canceled at the Carlisle school today because so many students and teachers are sick.
But school officials say they're not sure yet whether the flu is to blame.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]

The Carlisle School in Martinsville canceled classes yesterday as well.
School officials say they believe it was best to close until Monday because 30-percent of the students are out sick and so are 20-percent of the teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:38]
[IN Q=Whether its the flu we]
((COLIN FERGUSON/CARLISLE SCHOOL HEADMASTER; WHETHER IT'S THE FLU WE REALLY DON'T KNOW. BUT IT'S SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO GIVE OUR STUDENTS A CHANCE TO RECOVER AND PREVENT SPREADING MORE OF THIS AMONG OUR STUDENTS))
[SUPER=01-Colin Ferguson/Carlisle School Headmaster]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=among our students]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Health officials say the flu has been widespread in the region for the past two weeks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT11:39]
[IN Q=Even though it's January]
((DR. ELIZABETH ROYCROFT/WEST PIEDMONT HEALTH DISTRICT; EVEN THOUGH IT'S JANUARY THERE ARE STILL BENEFITS TO BE HAD IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FLU VACCINE))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Elizabeth Roycroft/West Piedmont Health District]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=flu vaccine]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Health officials say the flu season could last until March.
(----------------)

[11School-Phones]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A local cellphone company is using the latest technology to help keep students safe both inside the classroom and out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Suncom donated twenty digital wireless phones to high schools in Lynchburg and Bedford County yesterday.
The phones will be used by school officials during emergencies, either on campus or off.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:37:58]
[IN Q=If they go]
((ALAN LEONARD/SUNCOM MARKETING MANAGER: IF THEY GO ON A FIELD TRIP, IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING ITSELF. LET'S JUST SAY FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE LAND LINES WEREN'T ABLE TO BE USED, OR THEY JUST WEREN'T CLOSE TO A PHONE, THEY'D BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE WIRELESS PHONES TO USE FOR EMERGENCIES.))
[SUPER=01-Alan Leonard/Suncom Marketing Manager]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=use for emergencies.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The phones are pre- programmed to dial 911, the local fire and police and the high school's main office number.
They also come equipped with headsets so driver's ed teachers can use them to teach kids how to talk and drive in a safe manner.
(------------)

[11Cochlear-Implants]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-50 TC1:08:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A South Boston teen is hearing for the first time.
That's because she now has (Coke-lee-ar) cochlear implants.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

14 year old Tabitha Martin has been profoundly deaf since birth.
Last month, she underwent surgery to get cochlear implants.
This week, doctors turned on the implants and for the first time Tabitha can hear sounds and voices.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :00:57:15]
[IN Q=They are not going]
((DR. BRIAN McKINNON/UVA AUDIOLOGY DEPT.: THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HEAR IT THE WAY YOU AND I HEAR THE VOICE. BUT THEY WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT SOUNDS IN WHATS COMING IN TO THE IMPLANT.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Brian McKinnon/UVA Audiology Dept.]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=coming to the implant]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A deaf person is able to hear those sounds through stimulation of the nerves in the cochlear.
Doctors stress cochlear implants will not cure deafness and don't work for everyone.
This device is usually used only in people who have severe hearing loss.
(-------------)

[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]

The Roanoke County school board approved its new early retirement plan for teachers by a vote of 3 to 1 with one member absent. Under the new plan current teachers will receive a 20 percent supplement and health benefits for five years. However the health benefits are capped at 25-hundred dollars. Retired teachers will receive the same benefits for seven years instead of five.

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

A controversial industrial park will NOT be built in Montvale. The planning commission voted Monday against the rezoning request.. and Wednesday, the Bedford County Industrial Development Authority withdrew the plans altogether.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
For the second day classes are cancelled at the Carlisle School in Martinsville because so many students and teachers are sick. School officials say they believe it was best to close until Monday.
They're not sure yet whether the flu is to blame.
(-------------)
[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=You have]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=News 7 at 6 tonight.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]