WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/10/01

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Teresa]

Where's the money?
That's what state police are asking after thousands of dollars in donations turn up missing at a local rescue squad.
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[VO-NAT]

And a cigarette is blamed for a brush fire that slowed traffic along Interstate 81.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Head]
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In sports, Top ranked North Carolina remains undefeated in the A-C-C with a win over Maryland this afternoon 17-th ranked Boston College routs the Hokies at the Cassell.
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[VO-NAT]

And Bill Elliott leads Dodge to the Pole for next Sunday's Daytona 500.
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[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Leo]
[SS=None]

60s and 70s yesterday... 30s and 40s today... tomorrow night we even could see some wintry precipitation... I'll have the details in my complete forecast....
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[Stolen-Money]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-47 1:32:52]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
Virginia State Police are investigating WHY tens of thousands of dollars are missing from a local rescue squad's funds. Their answer may be rest with the former treasurer of the Altavista Life Saving Crew who is under investigation. [2-shot Tersea/Kate Set;] Kate Weidaw has been looking into this case and joins us now with the details.
[LIVE= Kate/Set]
[SUPER=@Kate1]
When the Altavista Life Saving Crew elected a new board of directors in December... the new treasurer asked for an audit of the crew's financial records. What the audit turned up - was a question mark surrounding missing funds dating back to at least 1998. And most of that funding came from private donations. ((ROLLCUE:...))
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[SUPER=01-Jason Bradner/Squad President; :00]
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((
[SOT 22:35:57]
[INQ=]
((JASON BRADNER/SQUAD PRESIDENT: WE HAD DISCOVERED MAJOR DISCREPANCIES AMOUNTING TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN AT LEAST TWO CREW ACCOUNTS.))
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[RUNS= 5]
Squad President Jason Bradner says the funds were NOT used for the life saving crew - but were instead spent on personal expenses, like credit card payments and equipment. The audit only went back to 1998 - but State Police investigators plan to look back as far as 1995, since the former treasurer held the position for five years. Most of the misappropriated funds came from donations. That's why the Altavista Life Saving Crew wants residents to know this is an isolated incident.
[SOT 22:36:54]
[INQ=]
((JASON BRADNER: THERE IS NO INTENTION OF INTERRUPTING THE DELIVERY OF THIS MUCH NEEDED SERVICE WHILE THIS INVESTIGATION PROCESS MOVES FORWARD.))
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[RUNS= 6]))
[Anchor=Kate]
So far charges have not been placed against the former treasurer... so we are NOT revealing his name... but he has been suspended from the squad until the conclusion of the investigation. He was unavailable for comment today. [2-shot] The board of directors for the squad says safeguards ARE in place to ensure future funds are accounted for properly.

[Rockbridge-fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A Rockbridge County house went up in flames last night... but a nearby church was spared.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.]
There's no word yet on what sparked the blaze at the home just South of Lexington near Possum Hollow Road. Firefighters say Linda Krantz was at home and heard popping noises before flames consumed the building.... and spread to nearby trees and brush as well.
Firefighters were able to keep the fire away from Elliots Hill United Methodist Church.
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Elm-House]

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Little remains of the house where a Roanoke man lost his life this week. Work crews demolished the home at the corner of Elm and Third Street earlier today. The house caught fire Tuesday night killing 51- year old Jeffrey Elwood Stanley. Friends of Jeffrey Stanley are planning a candlelight vigil at this site in his honor tonight. It's scheduled to begin at seven.
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[Brush-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-49 1:18:56]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
A cigarette is being blamed for a brush fire that slowed traffic on Interstate 81.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The fire consumed a little more than two acres near exit 146 in Roanoke County. It started around eleven thirty this morning and slowed traffic along the interstate for about an hour. Officials believe the fire started when a passing motorist tossed a cigarette butt out a window.
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[SOT 06:30:54]
[IN Q=A cigarette ]
((SETH MILLER/VA DEPT. OF FORESTRY: A CIGARETTE BUTT, LOW HUMIDITY TODAY, HIGH WINDS AND IT JUST TOOK OFF FROM THE CIGARETTE BUTT ROLLED RIGHT UP THE SIDE OF THE HILL, ABOUT TWO AND A QUARTER ACRES.))
[SUPER=01-Seth Miller/VA Dept. of Forestry;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=and a quarter acres.]
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[VO-NAT]
The fire was under control quickly. No one was hurt.
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[TOSS TO LEO!!!]
[First-Wx]
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[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER
[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST

[TOSS TO ANCHOR][Car-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-07 18:23]
[GRAPHIC=Car Tax]
Attorney General Mark Earley is weighing in on the car tax battle. And his support is in Gilmore's corner. Local tax officials have been asking the Department of Motor Vehicles whether they should send out bills this year reflecting the full phase-out... or something else.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File;]
Earley says local tax officials should send out notices reflecting the 70- percent cut that Governor Gilmore is insisting on fulfilling. Earley's opinion comes amid an often bitter dispute between Gilmore and the state Senate over the tax.
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[anchor=Teresa]
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Some lawmakers say it's better to ease off on car tax cuts while the economy is in an apparent down-turn.

[Truck-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
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The car tax was the least of one driver's concerns last night...
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night]
A tractor trailer carrying packaged containers of lighter fluid found himself in a jam... when he pulled out of the parking lot of Jim Walter Homes on Loch Haven Drive in Roanoke County. On his way out, the driver took the turn too tight and lodged the trailer against one of the model homes. Emergency service crews were called in because of the possible danger... After a few hours of work - the trailer was dislodged with no damage.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Dozens of William and Mary students protest Henry Kissinger's new role with the college. The latest, just ahead.
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[VO-NAT]

Plus... The Transportation Museum pays tribute to African Americans who've made a difference for Norfolk and Western.
Stick around.
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[STRAIGHT TO BREAK!!!]

[Kissinger]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
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[WRITER=tha]
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Henry Kissinger is the 22nd Chancellor of William and Mary. But today's ceremony marking the occasion was met with some resistance on campus. Around 40- seniors delayed today's ceremonies for about three minutes... chanting "not my chancellor".
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[VO-NAT fri feed 03:10:09]
[SUPER=03-Williamsburg/Thursday;]
Protests also took place on Thursday when the school first made the announcement. Some of William and Mary's students believe Kissinger's policies helped prolong the Vietnam War.
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[Black-Lung]

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New federal rules making it easier for coal miners to get black-lung benefits were barely implemented... before a judge brought them to a halt today. The federal judge granted a limited stay on the rules... preventing any FINAL decisions from being made under the new guidelines which limit the amount of medical evidence submitted for black-lung claims. The Bush administration wants the new rules reversed. The stay remains in effect until a National Mining Association lawsuit is decided.

[biz-review]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=weekend pm]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=Business Review 8:13]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]

Volvo announced plans Friday to cut 400 jobs.
Norfolk Southern has decreased its workforce by more than ten percent since last January.
Are these layoffs a sign of a recession?
Jennifer Miele has a thoughtful answer in this week's business review.
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(([TAPE#=00-50 TC1:25:25]

Foreign competition is forcing Burlington Industries to negotiate the sale of its House Floor Accents division in Low Moor.
More than 100 employees there manufacture printed mats and home accents.
No word yet on possible layoffs. [INSERT GREEN FLASH HERE]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:36:04]

e-Toys will close its Blairs facility by the Spring.
A company spokesperson says it will be business as usual until then.
195 employees will be out of work.
The state is expected to step in over the next several weeks to help the laid off workers find other jobs.
Do these layoffs mean we're headed for a recession? [INSERT GREEN FLASH HERE] [tc:21:18:48] ((DR. LARRY LYNCH/ROANOKE COLLEGE: NO, I DON'T THINK SO AT ALL, ROANOKE EVEN WITH ALL THE LAYOFFS YOU JUST REFERRED TO, HAS AN INCREDIBLY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.))
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[STAND UP TC:] ((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: DR. LYNCH SAYS WE SHOULDN'T BE ASKING AN ECONOMIST IF WE'RE HEADED FOR A RECESSION -- INSTEAD WE SHOULD ASK A PSYCHOLOGIST. BECAUSE A CHANGE OF MIND IS PRECISELY WHAT THIS VALLEY NEEDS TO KEEP IT OUT OF A RECESSION.))
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[tc:21:29:52] ((DR. LARRY LYNCH: IT'S THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE THAT NEED TO BE BACK IN ORDER TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BUY IT AND SPEND IT.))
[RUNS= 07]
[INSERT GREEN FLASH HERE]
[TAPE#=00-27 TC1:14:43]

Virginia Gas says building its proposed new pipeline alongside an existing one would cost 10 and a half million dollars MORE than just building a new one.
Local residents have been waiting for justification -- because, they say, the environmental damages far outweigh the financial costs.
Virginia Gas will get word from the S-C-C about its merger with N-U-I within the next two weeks. [PRE PRO]
Finally, the Dow was down 102 points to close at 10,788. And the Nasdaq finished down 90 points to close at 24-71 for the week.
That's this week's business review.
For News 7, I'm Jennifer Miele.))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

If you're not one to hole up by a cozy fire in the winter... we've got a Time Off suggestion for you. Still ahead - a trip to Thunder Valley. And...
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[VO-NAT]
how long can YOU stay in a lip-lock? Some area couples are pushing it to the limit - for a trip to the Virgin Islands. The story, coming up.
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[Black-History]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
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[TAPE#=00-55 1:11:03]
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African American railroad workers are being celebrated tonight.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The Virginia Museum of Transportation celebrates black history month by honoring the men who were the backbone of Norfolk and Western railroad between 1930 and 1970. The annual event will feature something new this year... a video that will be distributed free to schools within a 50 mile radius of Roanoke.
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[SOT 20:57]
[IN Q=it's to]
((BECKY FITZGERALD/MUSEUM DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS: IT'S TO TIE IN WITH THE SCHOOLS BLACK HISTORY LESSON, AND TO TEACH THEM ABOUT THE RAILROAD AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RAILROAD WORKERS.))
[SUPER=01-Becky Fitzgerald/Museum Dir. of Communications]
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[OUT Q=railroad workers]
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[VO-NAT]
More than 3-hundred people are expected to attend tonight's event.
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[Thunder-Valley]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=Time Off #3]
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If you want to beat the winter blahs - how about a trip to a place called Thunder Valley? Shannon Young takes us go-carting - in today's Time Off.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=They are die-hard...]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :04]
[SUPER=01-Damien Wilson/Go-cart Driver; :11]
[SUPER=01-Monica McLain/Manager; :48]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Horn/Go-cart Driver; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=SY News 7 Salem.]
(( They are die-hard fans who schedule their lives around the noise, the thrill, the speed. But you won't find 'em lining the raceway. They are the regulars at the Thunder Valley Go-cart Track.
[SOT 6:43:48-6:43:54]
[IN Q=there's no other thrill...]
((There's no other thrill like it. I mean, it's not exactly like racing but it's close. It's about as close as you can get for the money.))
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=for the money.]
Meaning the excitement level's the same and the competition's just as fierce. But in a go-cart, the risks of putting the pedal to the metal aren't as high.
[SOT=6:43:32-6:43:40]
[IN Q=Ride, bump, bang...]
((Ride, bump, bang, wreck and crash. We tore down the guardrail Sunday, ya know. We don't have to fix anything here.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=fix anything here.]
As with professional racing, crashes are inevitable. The carts cruise at about 25-miles an hour, but each is circled by a bumper and comes equipped with a harness. Thunder Valley's manager says other safety precautions are available as well.
[SOT 6:27:23-6:27:29]
[IN Q=We've got helmets...]
((We've got helmets if helmets if someone wants to wear a helmet. But, for the most part they're pretty safe.))
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=they're pretty safe.]
Safe enough that kids can even climb behind the wheel. Anyone over 41-inches tall can claim a place at the starting line. If you're over 18 and the weather's nice you have your choice of tracks: a smaller, slower indoor track, or the larger outdoor oval. But if you wanna get speedy under the sky you're going up against Mother Nature.
[SOT =26:50-26:53]
[IN Q=If it's raining...]
((If it's raining or snowing we can't operate outside at all. ))
[RUNS= :03]
[OUT Q=outside at all.]
During the winter months Thunder Valley's open Thursday through Sunday. Once the weather warms up, hours will be extended. A four minute race will set you back 3 and a half bucks, except on Thursdays when prices are discounted. But, whenever you go, you'll always find someone to compete against.
[SOT 6:41:17-6:41:21]
[IN Q=Every Thursday...]
((Every Thursday, no matter what the weather, how cold it is. If they're open, we're here.))
[RUNS= :04]
[OUT Q=they're open, we're here.]
Shannon Young, News 7, Salem.))
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[TAKE WEB ADDRESS FULL] For more information about Thunder Valley log onto our website at wdbj7-dot-com and click on the Time Off suitcase.
(++++++++++)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
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[TAPE#=Sports Tease]
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And coming up in sports, Dodge returns to NASCAR and will sit on the pole for the Daytona 500, North Carolina beats Maryland in the A-C-C
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[VO-NAT]

And 17-th ranked Boston College rolls into Blacksburg and beats the Hokies at the Cassell.
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[S-Daytona]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-79]
[GRAPHIC=Speedweeks Logo]

Qualifying for the Daytona 500 took place earlier this afternoon at the World Center of Racing and that's where we find Mike Stevens with tonight's report.
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[SUPER=@Mike1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL; :17]
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[SUPER=01-Ray Evernham/Evernham Motorsports Owner; :59]
[SUPER=01-Stacy Compton/Outside Pole; 1:34]
[SUPER=01-Lou Patane/Dodge Motorsports; 1:48]
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[OUT Q=.....Mike Stevens news 7 sports."]

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-84 tc 1:12:51]
[GRAPHIC=big east]

Virginia Tech was hoping the friendly confines of Cassell Coliseum would help break a three game skid.
The three losses on the road included an 83-61 loss to Boston College on January 31st.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Boston College vs. Va. Tech;]

The Hokies hoped to avenge that loss today when the 17th ranked Eagles flew into Blacksburg.
BC jumped out to an early lead, Troy Bell dishes off to Kenny Harley. Harley drains the three pointer from the corner.
The Hokies stayed with the Eagles for the first five minutes of the game. Bryant Matthews finds Mibindo Dongo underneath for the bucket.
Virginia Tech goes on the move, Brian Chase with the long pass to Carlos Dixon, Dixon dishes off to Jon Smith for the jam.
[super=33-#17 Boston College/83/Virginia Tech/59;]

At one point, the Eagles held a 32 point advantage. BC leaves the Cassell with the 83-59 win. Tech falls to eight and 14 on the season.
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[S-UNC]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-83 (1:21:21)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]

Top ranked North Carolina rallied in the second half and the Tar Heels beat Maryland this afternoon 96 to 82.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chapel Hill, NC/CBS SPORTS; :]

The Terps trying to hand the Heels their first A-C-C loss.
But Jason Capel hits this three pointer and Carolina trailed by 2 late in the first half.
Then Ronald Curry passes to Brendan Haywood for the lay in and Carolina led 43 to 42 at the half.
Maryland would push it inside in the second half Danny Miller passes to Lonny Baxter and the Terps trailed by four.
Then with 16 minutes left in the game Terrence Morris hits the three pointer and the lead was cut to three.
[SUPER=33-UNC#1/96/Maryland#13/82/;]

But the Tar Heels opened it up Julius Peppers gets the ball on the pick and roll and scores and Carolina wins it 96 to 82.
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[S-Recruiting]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-90 tc 50:50]
[GRAPHIC=VT Football]

Everyone agrees the Hokies had a banner year on the recruiting trail.
13 of Virginia Tech's 21 signees have earned All America honors.
Head Coach Frank Beamer says playing for the national championship in the 1999 Sugar Bowl appearance is a big draw for recruits.
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[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va. Tech Head Coach;]
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[OUT Q=At Virginia Tech]
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[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [02/10/2001] [SS NONE] [ENG/FULL]LOCAL WEATHER VIDEO [ADD CHYRON/ENG/FULL]HIGHS & LOWS CURRENT STATS [CHYRON/FULL]LAKE LEVELS [MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL] [CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES] FORECASTS [ESS/FULL] EXTENDED FORECAST[Forecasts]
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[SUPER=#555][Kiss-Off]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-51 1:27:57]
[GRAPHIC=Valentine]
Several local couples are spending their Saturday kissing... for hours on end.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
30 couples puckered up for a chance to win a trip to Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands. The smooching started at 10 this morning and by 1 o'clock only 9 couples remained. K 92's morning crew kept a close eye on the couples.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 47:43]
[IN Q=you have some]
((JODIE SHAWBACK/K92 DJ: YOU HAVE SOME COUPLES THAT ARE REALLY GETTING INTO IT A COUPLE COUPLES DANCING AND ONE COUPLE ACTUALLY PLAYING AIR GUITAR ON HIS GIRLFRIEND'S BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Jodie Shawback/K92 DJ]
[RUNS=5]
[OUT Q=girlfriends back.]
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[VO-NAT]
The lip locking could last all the way until 9 o'clock when Valley View Mall closes.
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[anchor=Teresa]
[graphic=Hold]
An update now - 3 couples were still in the game at 6 o'clock. That's 8 hours of kissing.

[Close]

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(Weekday 6 only)
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