WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 02/01/01

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

After two days of freedom, five Alabama prison inmates are back in custody.
But a sixth one is still at large.
We'll hear from one of the re- captured prisoners, coming up.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And authorities are trying to figure out why a seven- year- old Salem girl died.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]

Temperatures are expected to be a few degrees cooler today with winds calmer than yesterday. We'll take a peek at the weekned forecast in just a bit.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Weeks after the Texas prison break--- six inmates from ALABAMA follow suit.

But for FIVE of them, the run from the law didn't last very long.
(------------)

[Alabama-Escapees]

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

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
One of the convicts is still on the loose and may be armed.
Authorities in Tennessee happened to find the other fugitives while looking for a suspect who had stolen a street sign.
Dana Kaye has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bucksnort, TN;]
[SUPER=01-James McClain/Re-Captured Inmate;]
[SUPER=01-Dana Kaye/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Dana Kaye, CBS News, ]

((THE ESCAPEES WERE CAPTURED IN THE WOODS ABOUT 50 MILES WEST OF NASHVILLE AFTER THEY WERE SPOTTED RESTING IN THEIR CAR ON A DESERTED ROAD. JUST A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, THE MEN HAD STOPPED AT A CONVENIENCE STORE FOR FOOD. INMATE JAMES MCCLAIN TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE FREE FOR TWO DAYS.

SOT: JAMES/MCCLAIN/CAPTURED PRISONER
"FUN" "FUN. WHAT DID YOU DO?" "PARTIED"
POLICE FOUND MAKESHIFT KNIVES AND A SHOTGUN IN THE CAR STOLEN BY THE ALABAMA IMMATES. A STOLEN PISTOL HAS YET TO BE RECOVERED. MCCLAIN SAYS THE MEN WERE HEADED TO CANADA.

SOT: REPORTER AND MCCLAIN
"HOW WERE YOU GOING TO GET TO CANADA? DRIVE. GOING THROUGH MEMPHIS? YES, WE WAS GOING TO MEMPHIS FIRST."
THE MANHUNT BEGAN TUESDAY WHEN THE SIX INMATES SLIPPED UNDER AN ELECTRIC FENCE AND TWO RAZOR FENCES AT ALABAMA'S ST. CLAIR CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE. THEY MANAGED TO TRAVEL SOME 165 MILES AWAY FROM THE PRISON BEFORE THEIR CAPTURE.

SOT:
"WAS IT WORTH IT? YES, I HAD LIFE ANYWAY.

(STANDUP...........TO COME .... DANA KAYE FOR CBS NEWS.)

))[Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-03]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Salem police say a man found under a bridge last night had jumped from it earlier in the day.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Some passersby saw 26-year-old David Neff at the base of the Lancing Drive bridge at about 9:30 last night.
Rescue workers picked him up and took him to the hospital.
Police say the Troutville man visited the V-A Medical Center yesterday morning.
About 11 o'clock, he jumped from the bridge.
Neff's condition is not known at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
(------------)

[Child-Death]

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

A medical examiner is trying to determine why a 7 year old girl died yesterday.
Maya Scott was found un-responsive when Salem Police arrived at her home on Irish Circle Wednesday afternoon.
She was pronounced dead a short time later.
Officials say Scott did have a slight fever earlier that day -- but did not have any major illnesses.
Police do not suspect foul play.
South Salem Elementary-- where Scott was a kindergartner --has established a fund for her family.
Food and money donations can be dropped off at the school.

[Dora-Estate]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-07]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Huddleston women who swindled a couple of sisters have lost their freedom.
They're losing everything else they owned, too.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/January 2000;]

Thelma Mae Barger and Dorothy Saunders pleaded guilty to defrauding two elderly women of 307-thousand dollars.
Barger and Saunders used the money to furnish a 12-thousand square foot house they called "Dora."
All the stuff they bought is going to be auctioned by the federal government in two weeks.
We'll have a look at the items tonight on News-7 at 5 and 6.
(------------)

[SOL'S]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:30:22]
[GRAPHIC=SOL's]

A House committee has endorsed a bill that would lessen the impact The Standards of Learning tests have on school accreditation.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT caputo tape 11:22:40]
[IN Q=Right now]
((DEL. TOM JACKSON/D-HILLSVILLE: RIGHT NOW, A SCHOOL IS JUDGED TO BE A FAILURE OR NOT BASED ON ONE THING. THAT'S HOW THE STUDENTS PERFORM ON SOL TESTS.))
[SUPER=@Jackson;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=SOL tests.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jackson sponsored the bill, which would make S-O-L tests only half of what a school is accredited on.
That's instead of the 100 percent that takes effect in 2007.
The Governor came just short of saying he'd veto the bill.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:14:50]
[IN Q=The national]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: THE NATIONAL SITUATION IS MOVING EVEN FOR TOUGHER STANDARDS AND MORE ACCOUNTABILITY....NOT THE TIME FOR VIRGINIA TO FLINCH...IN EDUCATION.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=in education.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

The S-O-L bill now heads to the full House.

[Accident-Report]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke Police has a new policy for how it will handle traffic accidents. Officers will continue to respond to all accidents.
But beginning today, police won't necessarily investigate and file a report. Under the new policy... if damage to a vehicle is less than one thousand dollars, no one's hurt and there are no extenuating circumstances, the accident won't be reported. The officer will, however, give the two parties a form to complete and exchange their insurance information. The officer will also keep a copy.

[Dragstrip]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=00-44]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Farms, homes, and churches.
Life in eastern Pittsylvania County is generally pretty quiet.
But it could get noisier soon, and some residents say just the thought of it is a DRAG.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT Drag racing From SP-34]
[RUNS=02]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NHRA]

The County's Zoning Board of Appeals has already approved a special use permit ... for construction of a dragstrip near Java.
So ten residents and one church neighboring the proposed strip go to court tomorrow.
They want an injunction against the project, contending the noise and traffic created by a dragstrip is incompatible with their rural life.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

We'll have more about their concerns ... and hear why some people support the dragstrip .. later today on News 7 at 5 and 6.

[Ashcroft]

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

It's been the roughest Senate confirmation fight in more than a decade--
But today should be the last day of the battle for Attorney General nominee John Ashcroft.
The Senate is still debating, but it expected to confirm Ashcroft later this afternoon.
Clay Loney has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Patrick Leahy/(D) Vermont; :10]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Bob Smith/(R) New Hampshire; :26]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Orrin Hatch/(R) Utah; :49 (QUICK!)]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Barbara Mikulski/(D) Maryland; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Warner/(R) Virginia; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Clay Loney/Reporting; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=Clay Loney, CBS News, Washington.]
(
(LOCATORWASHINGTON, DC)

(TRACK..IN THE WAKE OF SUCH A DEEPLY-DIVIDED ELECTION LEADING DEMOCRATS
SAY WHAT WAS PRESIDENT BUSH THINKING WHEN HE NOMINATED JOHN ASHCROFT?)

(SOTSen. Patrick Leahy (D) Vermont 11:11:37 I think he has an
obligation to try to unite the country, not to divide the country. 11:11:45)

(TRACKBUT REPUBLICANS COUNTER, ENOUGH ALREADY SAYING DESPITE THE
CLOSENESS OF THE ELECTION MR. BUSH IS THE PRESIDENT AND JOHN ASHCROFT IS QUALIFIED.)

(SOTSen. Bob Smith, R) New Hampshire 12:41:09ish Hello? The
election is over folks. The President of the United States should pick his Cabinet. 12:41:17)

(TRACKTHIS FIGHT SENDS THE PRESIDENT A STRONG MESSAGE THAT GOES BEYOND
THE CABINETLETTING HIM KNOW THAT ANY CONTROVERSIAL NOMINEES FOR THE SUPREME COURT WOULD FACE WHAT ASHCROFT HAS BEEN THROUGH, IF NOT WORSE.

SOTSen. Leahy 11:12:56 (This nomination does not inspire confidence
in the united states department of justice 11:13:01)

(SOTSen. Orin Hatch, R) Utah 10:54:49 Give John Ashcroft the benefit
of the doubt.)

(TRACKDEMOCRATS, THOUGH, DOUBT THAT ASHCROFTS OPENLY CONSERVATIVE
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS WOULD LET HIM FAIRLY ENFORCE THE LAW ESPECIALLY ON ABORTION, CIVIL RIGHTS AND HOMOSEXUALITY.)

SOTSen. Barbara Mikulski D, Maryland 12:51:27 (Though hes entitled
to his beliefs I dont believe his beliefs entitle him to be the attorney general. 12:51:32)

SOTSen. Leahy 11:12:56 (This nomination does not inspire confidence
in the united states department of justice 11:13:01)

(TRACKSTILL, ASHCROFT HAS REPEATEDLY TESTIFIED THAT HIS PERSONAL VIEWS
WOULD NOT INFLUENCE HIS ENFORCEMENT. THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE BELIEVES HIM.

(SOTSen. John WarnerR, Virginia 14:02:01 (This man has the
integrity not only to be Attorney General but, integrity to take on any office of the land. 14:02:11)

(CLAY STANDUP CLOSE/LIVE CLOSE: UNDOUBTEDLY THE CONTROVERSY WILL
FOLLOW ASHCROFT TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WHERE DEMOCRATS WILL BE WATCHING HIS EVERY MOVE. CLAY LONEY, FOR CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON.)

))[CA-Power]

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

Some Republicans in California have used their LEGISLATIVE power to reject a plan to buy electricity.
The lawmakers voted against a 10- billion- dollar plan to ease the state's power crisis.
They took issue with the part of the plan that would let California raise electricity rates to repay the state for its power purchase.

Another vote in the assembly is scheduled today.[Hager]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC1:00:27]
[GRAPHIC=John Hager]

Lieutenant Governor John Hager says he WILL run for Governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Hager actually called a news conference yesterday to tell Capitol reporters he would remain in the contest for governor.
That's despite the fact Governor Jim Gilmore's staff has lobbied him to run again for the number TWO spot.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well you know]
((LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER/R-CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: WELL YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S HIS PREROGATIVE. ... WOKE PEOPLE UP TO REFLECT ON THE CONTEST.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Gov. John Hager/(R) Candidate for Governor;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=the contest.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Governor Jim Gilmore would only publicly say he was pushing for EITHER Hager or Attorney General Mark Earley to run again for their current posts.
(------------)

[Falwell]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:31:20]
[GRAPHIC=Jerry Falwell]

A judge is expected to rule within a few days on whether The Reverend Jerry Falwell can continue his lawsuit against the Clinton Justice Department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Falwell's lawsuit claims the Clinton White House conspired with the F-B-I to create a secret database on anti-abortion activists like himself.
The Justice Department says it has given Falwell all the documents he requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
But Falwell says not everything has been turned over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:39:55]
[IN Q=We're very confident]
((LARRY KLAYMAN/JUDICIAL WATCH: WE'RE VERY CONFIDENT THAT "A", WE'LL GET COOPERATION FROM THIS ADMINISTRATION, BUT EVEN IF WE DON'T, THAT THIS COURT WILL RULE IN OUR FAVOR AND ULTIMATELY MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE FACTS AND ALL THE DOCUMENTS.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Klayman/Judicial Watch]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=all the documents.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A federal judge heard arguments yesterday and is deciding whether to dismiss Falwell's lawsuit or let it proceed.

(------------)

[War-Reunion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC34:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Local Gulf War veterans want to hold a ten year reunion this summer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
In December of 1990, 120- men left the Roanoke Valley to serve in the Persian Gulf. The troops returned in April- many had forged close friendships with each other. About 15 members of the unit are now organizing a ten year reunion- They hope they'll see comrades they haven't talked with in years.
[sot 00:18:54]
(////sot/////)
[in q=We're talking]
((JIMMY GOAD/GULF WAR VETERAN: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SIX MONTHS IN A WAR TYPE SITUATION, AND WE SLEPT TOGETHER, WE ATE TOGETHER YOU KNOW WE WERE FRIENDS TOGETHER YOU KNOW, WE HAD A REAL CLOSE RELATIONSHIP.))
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Goad/Gulf War Veteran;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=close relationship.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The reunion is planned for June but a location has not been selected. Right now... organizers are looking for sponsors to help with costs. They're also trying to contact local Gulf War vets. So far, they've only been in contact with about 20 veterans. Anyone who wants more information is asked to call the Marine Reserve Center in Roanoke.
(------------)

[Yeltsin]

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

Just days after his 70th birthday, Russia's former President Boris Yeltsin is in the hospital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=04-File Tape]

Yeltsin was taken to the hospital on Tuesday with a high fever and suspected viral infection.
Current President Vladimir Putin was among his visitors at the hospital.
[SUPER=03-Moscow, Russia;]

The former leader has been plagued with health problems in recent years and has been spending most of his time out of public view.
(------------)

[6-Henry-Twins]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-45 TC1:46:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

One Henry County school has a unique characteristic.
There are three sets of twins .. in the same kindergarten classroom.
Danville Bureau Chief Justin McLeod has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of classroom]
[SUPER=@justin1; :35]
[SUPER=01-Ellen Randall/Teacher; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=Justin McLeod, News 7, Henry County]
((((NAT SOUND OF CLASSROOM))
Its not unusual to see twins in any school these days.
But how about three sets of twins in this kindergarten classroom?
That's exactly the case at Campbell Court Elementary School in Bassett.
[SOT :00:15:13, :00:16:44]
[IN Q=He's the same as]
((BENJAMIN BURNELL/IDENTICAL TWIN: HE'S THE SAME AS ME.)) ((MICHELE ROGERS/FRATERNAL TWIN: ITS FUN BEING A TWIN.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=being a twin]

Fun for the twins, confusing for their teacher and fellow classmates.
Two sets of twins are fraternal.
Christopher and Benjamin Burwell are identical.
To help tell them apart, the teacher reminds the class one is taller than the other.
[SOT 00:20:49]
[IN Q=As you might imagine]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE A LOT OF THESE KIDS HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. SO THE TEACHER HAS TRIED TO INCORPORATE THIS INTO THE LESSON PLAN BY READING BOOKS ABOUT TWINS AND SHOWING THEIR SIMILARITIES. BUT SHE ALSO EMPHASIZES THEIR DIFFERENCES AND HOW EACH TWIN IS THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL.)) [Runs16]
[OUT Q=their own individual]
((NAT SOUND OF CLASSROOM))
To accomplish that, the twins are scattered around the classroom.
Over time, their teacher hopes they'll become independent without completely losing dependency on one another.
[SOT 00:08:54]
[IN Q=Even though their siblings]
((ELLEN RANDALL/TEACHER: EVEN THOUGH THEIR SIBLINGS ARE WITH THEM THEY ARE STILL INDEPENDENT AND HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITIES AND THEY HELP EACH OTHER A LOT.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=each other a lot]

And although they may share similar looks and birthdays they've already developed some clear differences.
[SOT :00:17:45]
[IN Q=he don't like ham]
((MICHELE MICHAEL ROGERS/FRATERNAL TWINS: HE DON'T LIKE HAM. Reporter: YOU DON'T LIKE HAM? AND NOT PEAS EITHER. Reporter: YOU LIKE PEAS? YES.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=you like peas? yes]

Three sets of twins in one classroom maybe hard to digest.
But right now this kindergarten class has its plate full learning reading, writing, arithmetic, and a real life science lesson. Justin McLeod, News 7, Henry County.))