WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 03/05/01

[Winter-WX]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

It's a snow day for more than a million New York students and for many government employees throughout the northeast.
And for those who are attempting to travel today, ice and snow are making roads and runways treacherous.
More than a foot is already reported in upstate New York.
But the HEAVIEST snowfall is expected tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the National Guard has deployed 200 troops in New Jersey.
10- thousand reservists are on call.
Drew Levinson is in New York and has the latest on the storm.
[LIVE=Newspath/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Don Webber/Stranded Traveler;]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;]
[SUPER=01-Jim Hoke/National Weather Service;]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Now back to you.]

(LOCATOR: NEW YORK CITY)

(NATZ)

THERE ISN'T MUCH TO LOOK AT JUST YET.... BUT FORECASTERS SAY A POWERFUL NOREASTER IS ABOUT TO MAKE LIFE MISERABLE FOR THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS FROM MAINE TO WEST VIRGINIA.

(NATZ)

TRAVELERS ARE ALREADYING FEELING THE IMPACT. MORE THAN 300 FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED AT BOSTON'S LOGAN AIRPORT. CANCELLATIONS THERE AND AT SEVERAL OTHER EAST COAST AIRPORTS ARE IN TURN AFFECTING PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION.

SOT: DON WEBBER/STRANDED TRAVELER
"I GOT OUT OF WASHINGTON BECAUSE OF THE MOTHER OF ALL STORMS."

(LOCATOR: CHICAGO)

DON WEBBER WAS STRANDED LAST NIGHT AT CHICAGO'S OHARE AIRPORT... AND HE WASN'T ALONE.

SOT:
"I GUESS THERE WAS A BIG DELAY IN PHILADELPHIA, HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE HERE SOON, I'M TIRED ALREADY."

(NATZ)

MANY OTHERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE JUST AS TIRED... BY THE TIME THIS STORM IS GONE. FORECASTERS SAY PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND, ESPECIALLY MAINE, COULD GET AS MUCH TWO FEET OF SNOW. THEY'LL ALSO BE HEAVY WINDS.... AND WAVES POSSIBLY AS HIGH AS 25 FEET.

SOT: JIM HOKE/NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
"THEY'LL BE A MAJOR THREAT TO MARITIME INTERESTS OFF THE COAST."

[Jacey-WX]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Jacey in the weather center
[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro]

Jacey tosses to Kimberly[Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=1-11]
[GRAPHIC=Thomas Trial]

Jurors in the capital murder trial of Jeffrey Allen Thomas are hearing the physical evidence against him this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

Medical examiner Gregory Wanger described the four gunshots which killed Tara Munsey last year. He says she also sustained several bruises on her jaw, arms and legs shortly before she died. Wanger could not determine if Munsey died in the ravine where she was found or how long she had been dead.
We will have more of today's testimony, tonight on News 7 at five and six.
(------------)

[Military-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Crews in Georgia are fighting cold temperatures, strong winds and standing water as they try to recover the bodies from a military plane crash Saturday.
Sources close to the family say a Blacksburg native was one of the people killed.
Thirty-four year old Staff Sergeant Greg (Skir-pee) Skurupey is among the victims.
Skurupey had moved to Gloucester in Eastern Virginia where he lived with his wife and two children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 20:10:32]
[SUPER=03-Unadilla, GA;]
Skurupey and 17 - other Virginia National Guard airmen were killed Saturday when their plane crashed near Macon, Georgia. The men were returning to Virginia following a two week training mission in Florida.
[SUPER=03-Virginia Beach;]
Today relatives of the 18- Virginia National Guard airmen began gathering at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:18:47]
[IN Q=SOME OF THE ]
((LT. COL. THOMAS TRULIP/203RD RED HORSE FLIGHT COMMANDER: SOME OF THE FAMILIES ARE STILL IN A STATE OF SHOCK, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE ALL GRIEVING FROM THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY THAT'S OCCURRED, WE'RE SUPPORTING THEM WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP THEM THROUGH THIS IT'S JUST GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Thomas Trulip/203rd Red Horse Commander;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=A LONG PROCESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Investigators found the plane's black boxes, but aren't sure if the devices were working when the plane crashed.
(------------)

[Sub-Investigation]

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

A Navy court of inquiry convenes today in Hawaii to look at the facts surrounding the U-S-S Greeneville's fatal collision with a Japanese boat.
An attorney for the submarine's captain says the captain is ready to accept responsibility for last month's accident.
John Blackstone reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Honolulu, HI; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Gittins/Sub Captain's Attorney; :45]
[SUPER=01-Colin Jones/Salvage Expert; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-John Blackstone/Reporting; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=Blackstone, CBS News, Honolulu. ]

[Muslim-Stampede]

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

A holy pilgrimage has turned deadly in Saudi Arabia--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mecca, Saudi Arabia;]

A stampede in the crowds taking part in the annual Muslim journey to Mecca has killed 35 people and injured countless others.
The violence occurred during a ceremony in which worshipers symbolically stone the devil.
Authorities aren't sure what triggered the stampede.
Security and safety have been major concerns as nearly two- million Muslims from all over the world participate in the yearly pilgrimage that's a pillar of the Islamic faith.
(------------)

[Clifton-Forge]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-01 1:26:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The city of Clifton Forge's 95-year history could end soon. Tuesday, residents head to the polls to decide if it will it remain a city or become a town. Kate Weidaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge;:00]
[SUPER=01-George Moran/Town Status Opponent;:19]
[SUPER=01-Jean Manner/Town Status Supporter;:31]
[SUPER=01-Joe Anderson/Town Status Supporter;:57]
[SUPER=01-Otis Washington/Town Status Opponent;1:24]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:35]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Clifton Forge]

((The store front of Always Roxies on Main Street is a clear statement of what George Moran wants for Clifton Forge. Moran has lived in the city for 19 years and feels city officials haven't put forth the effort to keep the city status alive.

[SOT 6:15]
[INQ=]
((GEORGE MORAN:IF WE MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO REALLY GO AFTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WE CAN'T ACHIEVE IT, THEN I SAY I SAY AT THIS POINT IT'S THE 11TH HOUR AND WE HAVE TO DO IT, BUT UNTIL THAT HAPPENS LETS TRY IT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]

[SOT 31:09]
[INQ=]
((JEAN MANNER: THEY HAVE GIVEN IT A SHOT, CLIFTON FORGE HAS WORKED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR YEARS AND SPENT A LOT OF MONEY RESEARCHING ALL OF THAT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]

Jean Manner has been a life- long resident of Clifton Forge and has watched the city lose businesses, jobs, and residents.

[SOT 30:37]
[INQ=]
((JEAN MANNER: WE'RE BANKRUPT AND WE HAVE A SMALL POPULATION A BIG SCHOOL DEBT AND A BIG JAIL DEBT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]

The city needs more then 6 million dollars to upgrade its sewer system and build schools.

[SOT 15:17]
[INQ=]
((JOE ANDERSON: FINANCIALLY WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE A FIRST CLASS CITY IT PUTS TO MUCH OF A STRAIN ON OUR ECONOMY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
[BUTT, BUTT, BUTT]
[SOT 15:53]
[INQ=]
((JOE ANDERSON: WE NEED TO RAISE OUR TEACHERS SALARIES WE'RE WAY DOWN ON THE LIST OF WHAT WE PAY OUR TEACHERS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]

Still residents like Otis and Mable Washington say change is NOT needed. They're worried promises of lower taxes may not happen... if Clifton Forge becomes a town and residents have to pay town AND county taxes.

[SOT 20:45]
[INQ=]
((OTIS WASHINGTON: THEY SAY THEY TAX CLIFTON FORGE AND THEN THEY TAX THE COUNTY AND THAT'S TOO MUCH MONEY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]

Come Tuesday residents will know if Clifton Forge will become the second city in Virginia to revert from a city to a town. Kate Weidaw News 7 Clifton Forge.))

[House-Dedication]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents of a Southeast Roanoke neighborhood are seeing some changes..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Yesterday a newly- renovated one-hundred year old home was dedicated. The home belongs to the Rescue Mission... which is located down the street. The director of the Rescue Mission will live in the house... and hopes it sends a message to Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:56:30]
[IN Q=we really]
((JOY SYLVESTER-JOHNSON/RESCUE MISSION: WE REALLY HOPE IT ATTRACTS PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO SOUTHEAST AND TO MOVE BACK TO SOME OF THE HOMES THAT HAVE BEEN ABANDONED AND TO BUILD NEW HOUSES IN THE EMPTY LOT AND REALLY MAKE THIS A THRIVING NEIGHBORHOOD AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Joy Sylvester-Johnson/Rescue Mission]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=thriving neighborhood again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Dozens of area residents packed the house to take a look at the renovations.
(------------)

[Roanoke-Catholic]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=1-10 1:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Roanoke school is celebrating a state championship today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The boys basketball team at Roanoke Catholic High School won the Division 2 title of the Virginia Independent League over the weekend.
This morning, students gathered outside Saint Andrew's Church, to ring in the victory.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT BELL RINGING]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=3]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Celtics beat Potomac 54 to 51.
(------------)

[CA-Storm]

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

Earlier, we showed you video from the northeast as it prepares for a late- winter blast of snow.
But stormy weather is also hitting the WEST coast.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Mateo, CA;]

In the San Francisco bay area, high winds uprooted this tree.
The incident prompted fire officials to evacuate several residents in the neighborhood.
Residents noticed ANOTHER tree just a couple of blocks away that was ALSO about to yield to the storm.
The tree smashed through a neighbor's fence and wiped out a trampoline.
No one was injured.
(------------)

[Guiness-Record]

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

And before we wrap up this afternoon--
Thousands of Chinese school children have"tooted" their way into the record books.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hong Kong, China;]

The four- thousand member group entered the Guiness Book of Records yesterday for the largest- ever ensemble to play the recorder.
With their performance of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", they beat the previous record held by more than 11- hundred children in England.
The musical stunt wasn't just for fun, the students raised money for the international charity, Doctors Without Borders. (------------) The charity helps victims of natural disaster.