WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/21/01

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[7--Mascot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Blacksburg High School will keep their Indian mascot for the time being...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

In a passionate school board meeting last night, representatives from both sides stated their cases.
Opponents of the Indian mascot called it racist and offensive. Advocates called it tradition and heritage.
After hours of talks the board still could not come to a decision.
Members agreed to talk about it further and meet at a later date.
(------------)

[7-Pulaski-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Pulaski Layoffs]
More than one hundred workers are being laid off by Pulaski Furniture..
The company says 90 people will be laid off from its Ridgeway plant.
13 more jobs are being eliminated from a support facility in Pulaski.
Pulaski Furniture blames the cutbacks on a slump in the industry.
The Ridgeway plant makes grandfather clocks and curio cabinets.

[7-City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-51 TC1:42:04]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]

Roanoke City Council is looking at new options for Victory stadium, the future of the facility is in doubt.
Some options include plans that would preserve the exterior of the structure.
But the cost of the renovation remains a major obstacle.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The two newest alternatives would create a multi- purpose facility within the existing walls of the stadium.
One of the plans would include portable seating that could be moved to create a more intimate setting for concerts.
But the cost of that alternative is estimated at 19- million dollars, and yesterday council also asked the city manager to study how much it would cost to build a new stadium on a different site.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT TAPE 2 50:11]
[IN Q=I think with the type of dollars]
((I THINK WITH THE TYPE OF DOLLARS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NINE MILLION AND 20 MILLION DOLLARS I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE INVESTIGATE ALL OF THE OPTIONS, BECAUSE ONCE WE MAKE A DECISION AND BREAK GROUND, IF WE DON'T DO THE RIGHT ONE, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO UNDO.))
[SUPER=01-Bill White/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=it's going to be hard to undo.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

City council also voted to move forward with plans for one-way traffic on Wiley Drive though Smith Park. The change will not affect traffic through Wasena Park.

[7-Sheriff-Candidate]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]
Salem's deputy sheriff is running for the top job.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Roger Surber has announced his candidacy for the office of sheriff. The 47-year old plans to run as an independent. After 22-years with the city's sheriff's department Surber says he knows the office inside out and backwards.
(///// SOT AT :13/////)
[SOT 01:38-01:50]
[IN Q=I've worked every court...]
[SUPER=01-Roger Surber/Candidate for Salem Sheriff;]
((I've worked every court right through the court system. I've worked serving papers, in the transportation of inmates and had a good teacher in a chief deputy before me that taught me extremely well.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=taught me extremely well.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Voters will choose a candidate to replace retiring sheriff Everett Obenchain during November's election. Surber is the first to announce his candidacy for the position.

[7WEATHER]

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

Turning now to weather--
Morning clouds will give way to mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid 50s...
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[SUPER=314-Morning Clouds/Mostly Sunny/53-57/Increasing Clouds/Chance of Snow/25-30;]
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[7BIRTHDAYS!] 2/22/01
Thursday:

[SUPER=130-1/Madelynn Bowman/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-62/Bettie Stanfield/South Boston]

[SUPER=130-8/Taylor Camper/Buena Vista]

[SUPER=130-53/Betty Kirk/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=130-81/George Henley/Radford]

[SUPER=130-5/Brooke Gonzalez/Vinton]

[SUPER=130-12/Mark Jones Jr./Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-50/Jerry Pannell/Roanoke]

[SUPER=130-1/Daniel Pugh/Salem]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-/Dustin Hatchett/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-52/Jimmy Redman/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-18/Dustin Hatchett/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Kristina Porter/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Susan Gardner/Snow Creek]

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[45-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-04]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The loss of Dale Earnhardt leaves a hole in NASCAR and in the hearts of the fans. Last night-- thousands packed the New River Valley Speedway to remember the Intimidator. Teresa Hamilton brings us the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of singing]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Hamilton/Racing Fan; :15 ]
[SUPER=01-Raymond Bittinger/Racing Fan; :30]
[SUPER=01-Scott Spangler/Racing Fan; :51]
[SUPER=07-Amy Myers; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Mary Hagee/Racing Fan; 1:11]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Pulaski County.]
(((////sot////)
[in q= nat sound of singing]
((NAT SOUND OF SINGING OF AMAZING GRACE.)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q= nat sound of singing.]
They came by the thousands to the New River Valley Speedway... to say good bye, as a group, to a man who meant so much to so many.
(///sot////)
[sot 20:10:30]
[in q=He was a legend]
((BRENDA HAMILTON/RACING FAN: HE WAS A LEGEND IN HIS TIME JUST LIKE ELVIS AND THE REST OF THEM. HE'LL HAVE TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY. HE'LL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS I KNOW THAT.)) [runs10]
[OUT Q= know that.]
Some brought flowers and candles to pay tribute. Many say days later... it's still to hard to believe that number three is gone.
(///SOT///)
[SOT 20:13:14]
[IN Q= It was ]
((RAYMOND BITTINGER SR./RACING FAN: IT WAS NOBODY'S FAULT YOU KNOW WHEN THE GOOD LORD PUNCHES YOUR NUMBER IT'S TIME TO GO AND I GUESS GOD JUST NEED ANOTHER ANGEL YOU KNOW. I GUESS HEAVEN JUST GOT A LITTLE LOUDER ON SUNDAY.)) [runs10]
[OUT Q= on Sunday.]
Even those who didn't pull for Earnhardt on the track.. say he was a driver to respected. Words echoed by nearly everyone in the crowd.
(///sot////)
[sot 20:07:23]
[in q=I'm a Darrell ]
((SCOTT SPANGLER/RACING FAN: I'M A DARRELL WALTRIP FAN AND I REMEMBER BEING MAD AT EARNHARDT A LOT BUT LIKE THE MAN UP THERE SAID YOU WATCHED HIM WHETHER YOU PULLED FOR HIM OR NOT AND I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT. RACING WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.)) [runs14]
[OUT Q= be the same.]
(///sot///)
[sot 20:03:15]
[in q=I didn't]
((AMY MYERS: I DIDN'T WATCH RACING ALL THAT MUCH BUT HE SEEMED LIKE THE MAIN GUY. HE MEAN EVERYTHING TO EVERYBODY LIKE MY DAD AND BROTHER.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= and brother.]
((///SOT////))
[SOT 20:17:59]
[IN Q= The turnout]
((MARY HAGEE/RACING FAN: THE TURNOUT HERE WAS JUST TREMENDOUS, THE PEOPLE HERE ARE JUST. IT SHOWED THAT PEOPLE OF AMERICAN AND THIS COUNTY LOVE RACING.))
[OUT Q= LOVE RACING.]
Organizers originally said there were 15- hundred people in the crowd... but by the end of the evening said it was more like three thousand. A fitting finish for a man whose popularity could never be underestimated. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Pulaski County. ))
[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[45-Radio-Earnhardt]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=00-53 TC1:05:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Earlier yesterday, dozens of Earnhardt fans turned out at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke to pay tribute to the racing legend.
A local radio station had a large card available for fans to sign.
The radio station plans on sending the card to the Earnhardt family.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=none]

Dale Earnhardt's funeral will be held Thursday in Charlotte. The private service begins at noon.

[45WEATHER]

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

Let's turn our attention now to the mid- week forecast...
Morning clouds then mostly sunny skies as we head toward the afternoon.
Look for highs in the mid 50s...
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[SUPER=314-Morning Clouds/Mostly Sunny/53-57/Increasing Clouds/Chance of Snow/25-30;]
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[ESS C] (EXTENDED)
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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[8-State-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-54 TC1:04:20]
[GRAPHICN=VA Budget]

Teacher pay raises and new state troopers are among the items at risk IF the state senate doesn't agree on a 70- percent car tax "phase-out" this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

That's according to House Republicans -- who displayed a rare show of force behind the House Speaker yesterday.
They warn the Governor's holding all the cards on the car tax.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:36:36]
[IN Q=It's going to be 70 percent]
((DEL. VANCE WILKINS/SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: IT'S GOING TO BE 70 PERCENT, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GET SOME THINGS THEY WANT INTO THE BUDGET MIX. BECAUSE IF WE DON'T MAKE THE AMENDMENTS... AND THE GOVERNOR WILL MAKE THE CUTS WHERE HE WANTS TO MAKE THEM.))
[SUPER=@Wilkins;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=where he wants to make them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

At least one of the four Senate budget negotiators was in NO mood to chat.
But they appear to remain firm in their resolve that the car tax should slow to only a 50-percent phase-out until the economy improves.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:51:26]
[IN Q=We've done this before. We've]
((WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE. WE'VE HIT THESE BRICK WALLS BEFORE AND GOTTEN THROUGH. THIS IS MY TENTH YEAR AT THIS, BEING A CONFEREE, AND THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT TIES US UP. THIS YEAR IT'S A LITTLE TOUGHER THAN USUAL. BUT I THINK WE'LL GET THROUGH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Chuck Colgan/(D) Manassas;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=think we'll get through it.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=]
[SS=none]

The budget conferees had a theoretical midnight deadline for a budget compromise to take back to each chamber.
They declared a deadlock as they headed home for the night.

[8-City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-51 TC1:42:04]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]

Roanoke City Council is looking into new options for the future of Victory Stadium.
It's considering plans to preserve the exterior of the stadium.
But cost is a major factor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The two newest alternatives would create a multi- purpose facility within the existing walls of the stadium.
One of the plans would include portable seating that could be moved to create a more intimate setting for concerts.
But the cost of that alternative is estimated at 19- million dollars, and yesterday council also asked the city manager to study how much it would cost to build a new stadium on a different site.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT TAPE 2 50:11]
[IN Q=I think with the type of dollars]
((I THINK WITH THE TYPE OF DOLLARS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NINE MILLION AND 20 MILLION DOLLARS I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE INVESTIGATE ALL OF THE OPTIONS, BECAUSE ONCE WE MAKE A DECISION AND BREAK GROUND, IF WE DON'T DO THE RIGHT ONE, IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO UNDO.))
[SUPER=01-Bill White/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=it's going to be hard to undo.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

City council also voted to move forward with plans for one-way traffic on Wiley Drive though Smith Park. The change will not affect traffic through Wasena Park.

[8WEATHER]

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

Checking the forecast now--
Clouds will give way to sunshine later today with highs near 55.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Morning Clouds/Mostly Sunny/53-57/Increasing Clouds/Chance of Snow/25-30;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)