WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/28/01

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Trial testimony indicates Tara Munsey and her friends had been partying with the alleged killer the day of her de
ath.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And a driver who passes a stopped school bus with warning lights will get a warning letter, then maybe a summons.

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

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Sports is on the road tonight at the Roanoke Civic Center where the four day Big South conference basketball tournaments tipped off this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, NASCAR mogel Rick Hendrick is having his name bantered around in connection with the Clinton pardon controversy.

(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

Our weather view is clear and breezy. Temperatures about normal for this time of year. Details ahead.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

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

Tara Munsey's friends talk about her final hours of life.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#00-49 TC1:44:40 ]
[GRAPHIC=Thomas Trial]

Testimony continued for a second day in the capital murder trial of Jeffrey Allen Thomas.
Prosecutors have called about half their witnesses in the case.
Today, jurors heard from friends of both Tara Munsey and Jeff Thomas.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Marya/Starlink]

Marya Jones joins us from outside the courthouse.
So what did they have to say?
[Live=Marya Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=06-Pulaski;]
( ad lib)
[***ROLLED FROM STARLINK***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski; :00]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Last Year; :27 QUICK!!!!]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=that night were handled.]
(-------------)
[Live=Marya Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=06-Pulaski;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith and Marya/Starlink]

[Creasy]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-03 TC53:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]

They say there's no greater agony than the grief that comes from having to bury your own child.
Of course the anguish is magnified by murder. Many parents never recover from such a loss.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's a sad]
[SUPER=01-Nadine Creasy/Victim's Mother; :15]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 28, 1981; :30]
[SUPER=01-Kim Creasy Agee/Victim's Sister; 1:21]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Burnette/Inmate; 1:42]
[SUPER=03-Fluvanna Co.; 2:01]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; 2:07]
[RUNS=2:20]
[OUT Q=just as hard as me loosing my child. It really would.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT Tape #2 @59:05]
[IN Q=It's a sad]
((IT'S A SAD THING, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, SO MANY PARENTS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=to go through this.]

Even faced with the grim reality reflected in old newspaper clippings about her daughter's murder, Nadine Creasy forgives the killer. She says she and her husband have "never questioned God on this."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:06:15]
[IN Q=William and I]
((WILLIAM AND I HELP EVERYBODY. EVEN THE WOMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR DAUGHTER'S DEATH? ABSOLUTELY. IF SHE KNOCKED ON MY BACK DOOR AND NEEDED SOMETHING TO EAT OR CLOTHES TO WEAR, I'D GIVE THEM TO HER.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=wear, I'd give them to her.]

Sharon Burnette is not likely to come knocking on the Creasy's door anytime soon. She's serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in a gas station holdup in 1981. She's been denied parole four times.
Now 40 years old, Burnette has earned a cosmetology license in prison and could qualify as a plumber's helper.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 59:14]
[IN Q=I was interested]
((I WAS INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY TAKING IT ON AS A JOB ONCE I'M RELEASED.)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=once I'm released.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:19:45]
[IN Q=Is she making]
((IS SHE MAKING STATEMENTS LIKE THIS IN ORDER FOR HER PAROLE TO GO THROUGH.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=to go thru?]

While Nadine Creasy has forgiven Sharon Burnette, she's well aware her other three children have not.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:15:25]
[IN Q=This woman has]
((THIS WOMAN HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE CAUSED.)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=what she caused.]

Kim is the youngest of four Creasy children. She and Robin were so close, Kim swore she would one have have a daughter and name her Robin. It finally happened four years ago.
Robin Creasy was killed 19 years ago. Her sister is still hurting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:18:20]
[IN Q=Everybody told me]
((EVERYBODY TOLD ME WHEN IT HAPPENED THAT AS TIME PASSED, IT WOULD GET EASIER. SOME DAYS IT'S HARD.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=somedays it's hard]

About all the Creasy's have left of Robin are some snapshots and the well-worn Bible she carried with her in the Army. [nat MUSIC Full] and an 8-track tape of Robin singing the "Green Green Grass of Home."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 28:25]
[IN Q=I still feel]
((I STILL FEEL FOR THE FAMILY, FEEL TERRIBLY ABOUT THE CRIME. I THINK ABOUT THE WOMAN EVERYDAY. IF I WAS OUT, I STILL WOULD.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=I still would.]

William Creasy says maybe that's punishment enough. He figures Burnette must be rehabilitated by now, if she's ever going to be. So we might as well save the taxpayers the 18 thousand dollars a year it costs to house her in maximum security. She should get out and start working, he says.
NADINE Creasy isn't quite ready to go that far.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:20:23]
[IN Q=If I helped]
((IF I HELPED HER GET OUT OF JAIL AND SHE TOOK ANOTHER LIFE, THAT WOULD BE JUST AS HARD AS ME LOOSING MY CHILD. IT REALLY WOULD.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=it really would.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]

The parole board will consider Burnette's case again next year.

[Donnelley-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC1:19:20]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

One of Lynchburg's biggest employers is getting a little smaller.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

R-R Donnelley printing company has announced it is laying off 28 workers in its Premedia Technologies department on Creekside Lane.
That number represents about a quarter of the total workforce in that department.
Donnelley says the reduction is necessary as it tries to move its graphic work closer to customers in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
The company still employs 650 people at its Lynchburg printing department.
Affected employees are being offered work at other Donnelley facilities.
(------------)

[Bus-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-47 TC1:54:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]

School Bus Safety is serious business. And in Roanoke, the police and city schools are taking aim at drivers who ignore state law.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It's illegal to pass a school bus when the warning lights are flashing. A violation is considered reckless driving in Virginia and carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a one thousand dollar fine.
School bus drivers will be documenting the license tags of offenders, and the police department will send them warning letters.
(/////SOT /////)
[SOT 23:27:23]
[IN Q=I'm hoping that one letter]
((I'M HOPING THAT ONE LETTER WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO GET PEOPLE TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO. BUT IF I GET SOMEBODY WHO IS A REPEAT OFFENDER, I'M PRETTY CERTAIN IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A WARNING, BUT A WARRANT INSTEAD.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Randy Scott/Roanoke Police Department]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a warrant instead.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sergeant Randy Scott says in the last two to three weeks, he has received a half-dozen reports of drivers ignoring school bus warning lights.
(------------)

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7, Patrick County's only hospital is a step closer to getting back on its feet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The SOL's have]
(( JUSTIN MCLEOD/REPORTING; THE S-O-L'S HAVE SOME 200 SCHOOLS HERE IN VIRGINIA THINKING SOS. I'M JUSTIN MCLEOD IN DANVILLE WHERE ON SCHOOL IS ON NOTICE. WE'LL SHOW YOU THE PLANS TO MEET STATE STANDARDS. THAT STORY IS COMING UP.))
[SUPER=@Justin1;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=story is coming up.]
(----------------)

[Patrick-Hospital]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus/jsu]
[TAPE#=00-53 TC1:17:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A bankruptcy judge has thrown a major lifeline to Patrick County's only Hospital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stuart]

The judge today approved the hospital's re-organization plan.
Between 1995 and 1999, the hospital lost nearly four million dollars.
Administrators believe the plan will keep the hospital open and financially sound.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:26:52]
[IN Q=This hospital was about]
((CHIP MAGEE/HOSPITAL'S ATTORNEY: THIS HOSPITAL WAS ABOUT ON ITS DEATHBED. BUT WITH THE HELP OF THE PROFESSIONALS, THE ACCOUNTANTS, MANAGEMENT, THE GROUP FROM WINSTON-SALEM, NOVANT HEALTHCARE, THE HOSPITAL IS BACK ON ITS FEET, ABOUT TO BREAK EVEN, STILL HAS A WAYS TO GO ON THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Chip Magee/Hospital's Attorney]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=ways to go on that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

As part of the re-organization, the hospital cut the obstetrics unit and ambulance service, and scaled down the intensive care unit.
Some local doctors hope the obstetrics unit will eventually re-open -- but say in emergency situations babies will be delivered at the hospital.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT14:36:08]
[IN Q=There will be and increasing burden]
((DR. RALPH KRAMER/PATRICK CO. FAMILY PRACTICE AND OBSTETRICS: THERE WILL BE AN INCREASING BURDEN ON E-R PHYSICIANS IF SOMEBODY IS IN SERIOUS ACTIVE LABOR AND WANTING TO PUSH THEY CAN NOT BE TRANSFERRED, ETHICALLY, MEDICALLY OR LEGALLY. ))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Ralph Kramer/Patrick Co. Family Practice]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=ethically, medically or legally]
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Doctor Kramer says the hospital is still working out the details.
(------------)

[Clark]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A physician in Bland County is now charged with illegally prescribing OxyContin to more than 20 different people.

Doctor Freeman Lowell Clark was indicted last Fall for distributing OxyContin to one person.
Since then, Prosecutor Randy Ramseyer says, investigators have found more than 100 OxyContin prescriptions... part of a 307-count indictment handed up today against Doctor Clark.

[Pulaski-Raid]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=00-54 TC1:24:00]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

Reaction today from the Town of Pulaski on the one-point seven million dollar lawsuit a couple has filed against it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski/May]

William and Geneva Summers' home was mistakenly raided by Pulaski Police last May.
Police were looking for a drug operation based on an infomant's bogus tip.
[SUPER=04-February 21]

Last week the couple filed suit naming the Town of Pulaski, it's police force and seven individuals defendants.

The town's attorney says the couple has no evidence to support the claim.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT - 1:23:39]
[IN Q=THEY WERE NOT]
((RANDOLPH ELEY/PULASKI TOWN ATTORNEY; THEY WERE NOT INJURED AT THE TIME OF THE SEARCH, THEY WERE OFFERED MEDICAL TREATMENT AND DECLINED THAT TREATMENT. WEVE NOT BEEN PRESENTED WITH ANY MEDICAL BILLS, MEDICAL REPORTS NO DAMAGES WHATSOEVER TO SUBSTANTIATE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT.))
[SUPER=01-Randolph Eley/Pulaski Town Attorney]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=DOLLAR LAWSUIT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The town also defends its search warrant, saying it was properly obtained and executed.
(------------)

[Salem-Paper]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:57:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It looks like The Salem Times Register and three of its affiliated papers are about to be sold.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

The Salem Paper Group owns the Times Register, New Castle Record, Fincastle Herald, and Vinton Messenger.
Sources tell us the papers would be sold to Main Street Media, which owns the Christiansburg - Montgomery County newspaper. Staff members at both companies confirmed the impending sale.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Salem Paper Group Owner Ray Robinson would NOT confirm the report. He called it a "rumor". Main Street officials say they can't confirm it either, but tell us to expect an announcement tomorrow.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Stocks sank today after Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan suggested an interest rate cut before the Fed's next meeting is unlikely. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/141.73/10495.15/y/56.00/2151.82;]

The DOW dropped 142 points.
NASDAQ fell 56.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.06/47.54/h/0.09/23.00/i/0.73/50.70/i/0.52/16.93/h/0.26/8.76;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.01/65.56/i/0.63/32.37/h/0.10/45.80/i/1.50/46.50/h/0.18/39.60;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.65/24.24/i/0.10/18.09/h/0.25/9.75/i/0.08/48.18//Unchg/10.88;]
[SUPER=274-i/1.33/65.73/h/0.88/60.19/i/1.35/49.50/i/0.86/63.14/i/0.90/50.09;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Accreditation]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-05 TC53:34]
[GRAPHIC=Standards of Learning]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
Hundreds of Virginia schools face a similar challenge .. but each must find its own way to succeed.
They are schools where test results currently fall well short of the state's S-O-L achievement standards.
Danville Bureau Chief Justin McLeod shows us how one school is working to make the grade.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:10:48]
[IN Q=Do you see that in A, B, C or D]
[SUPER=03-Danville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Lowther/Principal; :14]
[SUPER=@justin1; :33]
[SUPER=01-Kirk Schroder/VA Board of Education President; :54]
[SUPER=01-Robin Adams/Teacher; 1:11]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=News 7, Danville]
((((NAT SOUND OF TEACHER IN CLASS))
Woodrow Wilson Magnet School in Danville is still considered an accredited school.
Thats the good news.
The bad news is, it's accreditation with warning.
The reason?
Low test scores.
[SOT :00:56:06]
[IN Q=I didnt have any idea]
((DR. RAY LOWTHER/PRINCIPAL: I DIDN'T HAVE AN IDEA, ANY IDEA WHERE THEY WOULD BE BECAUSE WE HAD NOTHING TO BASE IT UPON.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=base it upon]

That's because Woodrow Wilson only opened its doors for the first time a little more than a year ago.
Teachers have emphasized the core subjects of English, math, science, and history.
But students scored low on all four subjects.
[SOT ]
[IN Q=School officials say they]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THEY DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THEY HOPE TO BECOME FULLY ACCREDITED AGAIN. THEY BELIEVE THE SOONER THE BETTER. THE STATE MANDATES THEY MUST DO IT BY 2007.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=do it by 2007]
((NAT SOUND IN CLASSROOM))
And what happens if schools fail to meet that deadline? Kirk Schroder is Virginia's top education official.
[SOT 11:42:45]
[IN Q=the board has done]
((KIRK SCHRODER/PRESIDENT OF VA BOARD OF EDUCATION: THE BOARD HAS DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN DO AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING MORE ON THE ISSUE OF CONSQUENCES.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=issue of consquences]

But School officials here at Woodrow Wilson aren't waiting around to find out.
They plan to immediately change the day's schedule, rearrange the curriculum, and establish a reading program.
[SOT 1:04:57]
[IN Q=I think now we know]
((ROBIN ADAMS/TEACHER: I THINK NOW WE KNOW SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO WORK AND HOPEFULLY OUR SCORES WILL GO UP. IN FACT I KNOW THE SCORES WILL GO UP.)) [Runs12]
[OUT Q=will go up]
Without full accreditation, students would be handicapped when applying for college.
That's key...and why schools like Woodrow Wilson are working hard to become fully accredited. Justin McLeod, News 7, Danville.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The Commonwealth sent an academic review team to Woodrow Wilson .. to make suggestions for improvement. Similar teams have visited all 205 schools risking loss of accreditation.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and Mike/Microwave]
(Keith toss to Mike at Roanoke Civic Center)
Four days of Big South basketball fun tipped off this afternoon here inside the coliseum.
[LIVE=Mike Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
We'll give you all the information you need to possibly make this one of your recreational stops this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The preparations are finally finished for the men's and women's tournaments and the action is underway. Stay with us for highlights and more right after this quick break.
(------------)

[S-South]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-85]
[GRAPHIC=Big South]

Many months of planning went into bringing this year's Big South basketball tournament to the Star City. The event is now underway with two games in the books from the women's tournament and Roy Stanley says so far so good.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="First audio...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Big South Tournament; :00]
[SUPER=01-Greig Denny/Tournament Director; :15]
[SUPER=01-Jim Evans/Roanoke Civic Center Director; :44]
[SUPER=@Roy1; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=News 7 sports."]
(-------------)

[S-Liberty]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-88 (1:12:55)]
[GRAPHIC=BIG SOUTH]
The four days of action began at high noon today.
The women's number one seed, Liberty University advanced to the second round with a 57-to-49 win over UNC Asheville.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Liberty vs UNC-Asheville; :]
Liberty, The regular season champion, was a heavy favorite in the opening game.
And true to form the Flames jumped out to a 32 to 11 lead at the end of the first half.
But UNC-Ashville answered the call late in the second half and slowly cut into the Flames lead.
With 3 minutes left in the game the Lady Bulldogs trimmed the Liberty lead to 2.
[SUPER=33-Liberty/57/UNC-Asheville/49/;]

But the Lady Flames put together an 8 to nothing run and Liberty advances with the 57 to 49 win. Michelle Fricke led the Flames with 13 points.
(-----------)

[S-Live]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MIKE TWO SHOT WITH INTERVIEW]

Mike will adlib two or three question interview with no B-roll.

[SUPER=01-Tom Lillard/Corporate Sponsorship Chairman; ]

[S-Rick]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-79]
[GRAPHIC=rick hendrick]
In a couple of Motorsports notes from NASCAR tonight. Rick Hendrick is making headlines for the wrong reasons this evening.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harrisburg, NC/January 9; :00]
The man who owns the cars driven by Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Jerry Nadeau is one of more than 100 individuals who received pardons before President Clinton left office. However, there is evidence that Hendrick donated $500 thousand dollars to the Clinton library fund. Congress currently is looking into any possible conflicts of interest. Hendrick and his lawyer say they did nothing wrong.
(------------)

[S-Martinsville]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-84]
[GRAPHIC=MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY]

The Martinsville Speedway will come to life next month as teams begin dropping in on the track to test before the Craftsman Trucks and Winston Cup cars invade the track to first weekend in April. The track already is getting some attention from an unusual source.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The March edition of Southern Living magazine that is now out is devoted to Springtime in the South. The magazine also features a 5 page spread on the Martinsville Speedway sandwiched right in between the latest recipes and tips on taking care of your boxwoods. (------------)