WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 03/08/01

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

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

A verdict in the case of the man who killed Radford teenager Tara Munsey. Details and reaction LIVE from Pulaski in just a moment.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]

And a report on the police dog that mauled a Lynchburg police officer last month.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, The Franklin County Eagles gear up for the State quarterfinals U-V-A opens play in the A-C-C tournament tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Roanoke Express talks about the teams future and possible sale.
(------------)

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

A cold front means flurries in the mountains but only passing clouds for the rest of the region. The weather story is just ahead.
[open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Roy1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Guilty of Capital Murder. A jury decides Jeffrey Allen Thomas is the man who murdered Tara Munsey.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Thomas Guilty]

After seven days of testimony - and fifty witnesses - it took two and a half hours for a jury to reach its decision today.

[DOUBLE BOXES= /Starlink;]
Marya Jones is in Pulaski - where the Munsey family is reacting to the verdict. Marya?
[LIVE= /FULL]
[SUPER=@Marya1]
[SUPER=06-Pulaski]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski]
[SUPER=01-Ella Buchanan/Munsey's Cousin]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]

[LIVE= /FULL]
[SUPER=06-Pulaski;]

[DOUBLE BOXES= /Starlink;]

[Boty-Threats]

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

Botetourt County authorities have a 13-year-old in custody for making threats at school.
The sheriff says the student talked about bringing a gun to Read Mountain Middle School, and shooting people who had been picking on him.
Officials say the boy discussed his idea with a 14-year-old friend. The sheriff says that boy offered to bring a gun to school for the 13-year-old to use.
A school resource officer overheard their conversation, confronted the boys and called their parents.
No guns were found.

[Pulaski-Furniture]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-51 2:00:27]
[GRAPHIC=PUlaski Furniture Layoffs]

36 Pulaski Furniture workers are out of a job today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The company says a slowdown in curio cabinet sales is to blame.
Pulaski Furniture says despite its number one ranking in curio manufacturing, its inventory is just too high.
[SUPER=03-Pulaski/October]

90 jobs were cut in Ridgeway two weeks ago, 13 other in Pulaski last month.
Officials hope the economy will pick up next quarter.
(------------)

[Unemployment]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=State Unemployment]

Signs of recession aren't so apparent statewide.
Virginia's January jobless rate was the lowest in 51 years.
(------------)
[PRE PRO PAGE 1]
January unemployment reached 2 point 2 percent.
That's up slightly from December numbers showing a one point nine percent jobless rate.
Still January's rate was a half- century low. [PRE PRO PAGE 2]
Fairfax City had the lowest jobless rate -- point four percent.
Dickenson County was highest at 13 point three percent.
The national average for January was 4 point 7 percent.
(--------------)

[K9-Unit]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-55 1:33:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lynchburg police have released their report on the attack of an officer by one of the city's police dogs.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith/Steve/Microwave;]

Lynchburg bureau chief Steve Smallshaw has some details. Steve what does the report say?
[LIVE=Steve/FULL]
[SUPER=@ssm1]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg]

Keith, police say department procedures were followed to the letter that day, and that the attack on Officer Rick Ruggieri could not have been predicted or prevented.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For the first]
[SUPER=04-February 13; :07]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=future controversy.]

(( For the first time, Lynchburg city leaders are getting the full details of what happened at the police firing range on February 13th.
Police say Officer Rick Ruggieri was in control of the dog that day when it tried to bite another handler, Officer Karen Carter.
As Ruggieri tried to subdue it, the dog turned on him as well and Ruggieri was severely bitten on the hands and face.
It was, the report says, "an unpredictable incident in an imperfect world", and that everyone involved responded professionally to a dangerous situation.
Questions of nepotism also have led Officer Carter to leave the department's K-9 unit, which her father oversees.

Carter believes that because of the media coverage, it would be impossible for her to stay and that any future incident would be blamed on her regardless of the facts.
Carter is returning to regular patrol duty to "spare the department from future controversy".))
[LIVE=Steve/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg;]

The report is being forwarded to council members today from city manager Kimball Payne, who says he's satisfied that all his questions concerning the program have been answered.. and the K-9 unit still has his full support.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith/Steve/Microwave;]

City council will discuss the issue next week.. and they may yet ask for an independent, outside investigation. Keith?

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]
Governor Gilmore announces whether the budget shortfall will affect higher education... as the Democrat who looks to take his place stumps in the Roanoke Valley. Details coming up.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
And... Business is "zooming" in Southside - after the revival of the Virginia International Raceway. That story, still ahead.
(----------------)

[First-Wx]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER
[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST
[WEB-ADDRESS]
(///// SOT /////)
[Web Address Announce] [Pinnacle 4885ess]

[COMMERCIAL][Mark-Warner]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-04 39:07]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]

There was no suspense in today's announcement, but Virginia Democrats hope it will set the stage for a dramatic victory in November.
Alexandria businessman Mark Warner formally launched his campaign for Governor with a fly-around tour that brought him to Roanoke.
Joe Dashiell has more from today's rally.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mark Warner walks into western Virginia]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Warner/(D) Candidate for Governor; :56]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]

((Mark Warner walks into western Virginia with the Democratic Party solidly behind him... and a well-oiled political machine tuning up for a fight. [NAT SOUND OF BLUEGRASS BROTHERS]
[IN Q=Mark Warner needs us]
((MARK WARNER NEEDS US AS MUCH AS WE NEED HIM. NO MORE TRICKS IN POLITICS THAT LEAVES OUR FUTURE DIM.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=that leaves our future dim.]

With the Bluegrass Brothers singing his praises, local Democrats are beginning to focus on the November election and the prospect of reclaiming statewide office from the Republicans.
[SOT 33:49]
[IN Q=My pledge to you]
((MY PLEDGE TO YOU WILL BE TO LEAVE NO PART OF VIRGINIA BEHIND AS WE MOVE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. APPLAUSE))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=into the 21st century.]

Rallying supporters during a lunch-hour appearance in the city market building, Warner returned to a favorite theme, bringing the benefits of a changing economy to all corners of the commonwealth.
He said he will continue the repeal of the car tax, but in a way that won't jeopardize valuable programs and public institutions.
[SOT 50:49]
[IN Q=My hope is that they're going]
((MY HOPE IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK BEYOND PARTY, LOOK BEYOND THE FACT THAT I MAY NOT HAVE A SNAPPY THREE WORD SOUND BITE, BUT ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHO CAN OFFER VIRGINIA THE BEST HOPE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=best hope for the 21st century.]

Warner is miles into the marathon that began soon after his unsuccessful bid for the U-S Senate in 1996... but he hopes to find success on the road he must travel during the next 243 days.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[Gilmore-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p-m]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=00-49 1:57:18]
[GRAPHIC=Gilmore]

The man Warner hopes to replace is promising the current budget crunch will NOT force layoffs in higher education.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

At a news conference today, Governor Gilmore tried to put to rest concerns that a 421-MILLION dollar budget shortfall would hurt state colleges and universities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:14:00]
[IN Q=I'm pleased to]
((GOVERNOR GILMORE/ I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT VIRGINIA'S INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING WILL NOT EXPERIENCE ANY CUTS IN THEIR BUDGET.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=9]
[OUT Q=operating budget.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Governor announced he would PROTECT schools' current budgets.
But he did NOT address whether colleges and universities would be able to count on money set aside for future building projects.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
A mixed end to the day on Wall Street - as blue chips climbed - and technology shares tumbled. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/128.65/10858.25/y/55.10/2168.82;]
The Dow gained 129 points. Nasdaq lost 55.
(-------------)
[VO]

[SUPER=271-i/0.45/46.79/i/0.25/23.60/h/0.97/53.72/h/0.30/19.96/h/0.10/8.99;]
[SUPER=272-h/1.06/67.47/h/0.39/34.09/i/0.19/45.29/i/0.11/45.87/h/0.49/38.68;]
[SUPER=273-h/1.05/24.95/h/0.37/17.95/h/0.19/10.38/h/0.81/50.85/h/0.13/11.00;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.75/67.75/h/0.43/58.61/h/1.49/49.25/i/0.13/63.95/h/0.95/51.65;]

[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Census]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Census]

The final Census answers are in. Virginia has a million more people.
(------------)
[PRE PRO PAGE 1]
Virginia's population grew by nearly one million since 1990. [ADD]
Most of the increase came in eastern Virginia and the Washington D-C suburbs. [ADD]
Virginia did NOT grow enough to grab another seat in Congress. [ADD]
But when it comes time for redistricting in the state legislature, eastern Virginia may get a few more seats.

[PRE PRO PAGE 2]
Danville took a huge hit... an 8 point 8 percent population drop to 48 thousand four hundred people. [ADD]
Roanoke lost one and half percent of its population, it's down to just under 95 thousand. [ADD]
Lynchburg lost one point two percent of its population, down to 65 thousand two sixty nine. [ADD]
But Blacksburg jumped UP in the numbers... by 14 percent to 39 thousand 573.
(------------)

[VIR]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-54 1:29:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR TAG]
It's been a year since Southside's Virginia International Raceway got back in the fast lane.
The original track opened in 1957, but shut down in 1974 after falling on hard times.
Danville Bureau Chief Justin McLeod shows us how the new and improved raceway has provided a good ride for the owners as well as businesses up and down the road.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of car flying by]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Darius Grala/Driver;:11 (QUICK BITE)]
[SUPER=01-Laura Comstock/VIR Spokesperson;:31]
[SUPER=@justin1;:53]
[SUPER=01-Libby O'Neal/Howard Johnson's Hotel;1:12]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=News 7, Halifax County]
((((NAT SOUND OF CAR FLYING BY))
Virginia's International Raceway is a runaway hit with fans and drivers like Darius Grala who we found running practice laps.
[SOT 1:07:44]
[IN Q= In my personal opinion]
((DARIUS GRALA/DRIVER: IN MY PERSONAL OPINION ITS MY FAVORITE TRACK IN THE COUNTRY.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=in the country]

A favorite because this is not your typical racetrack.
The nearly 3 1/2 mile track is known for its challenging terrain, different elevations, and sharp turns.
The owners expected a somewhat bumpy ride when it reopened the track after nearly two decades.
[SOT 1:23:09]
[IN Q=We are beyond expectations]
((LAURA COMSTOCK/VIR SPOKESPERSON: WE ARE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS. I WOULD SAY THAT WE'RE PROBABLY AT LEAST TWO YEARS ABOVE THE MARK WE HAD SET FOR OURSELVES TO BE AT THIS POINT.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=be at this point]

At this point, the biggest race so far attracted two thousand people.
Raceway officials expect nearly 20-thousand fans at a least one race in the upcoming season.
The number of racing events will also increase this year.
[SOT 1:29:32]
[IN Q=When the raceway re-opened]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: WHEN THE RACEWAY RE-OPENED OWNERS PROMISED A MAJOR ECONOMIC BOOST TO THE AREA. TAKE THIS RACE PLEX WHICH WILL HOUSE SEVERAL RACING BUSINESSES IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. BUT THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS BECAUSE OF THIS RACEWAY ARE BEING FELT MILES AWAY FROM THE TRACK.))
[Runs= 14]
[OUT=away from the track]
((NAT SOUND OF HOTEL))
Here in Danville, many restaurants and hotels are smiling all the way to the bank.
[SOT 1:32:39]
[IN Q=We are full]
((LIBBY O'NEAL/HOWARD JOHNSON'S HOTEL: WE ARE FULL A LOT OF THE WEEKENDS WHEN VIR IS HERE, YES, DEFINITELY. AND BEFORE I COULDN'T SAY THAT.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=I couldnt say that]

Businesses are hoping bigger events and bigger crowds will pave the way for an even better year.
Raceway officials believe they're locked in (NAT SOUND FULL OF BOLTING; 1:09:05) for smooth ride from start to finish. Justin McLeod, News 7, Halifax County.))
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[graphic=None]

Darius Garla was practicing for the Ferrari challenge which takes place the last weekend in April.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports Tease]
[GRAPHIC=None]

And coming up in sports, We'll have the latest from the Roanoke Express Virginia opens the A-C-C tournament tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Franklin County Eagles are set for the Group Three-A state basketball quarterfinals.
(------------)

[S-Eagles]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-88 tc 1:15:53]
[GRAPHIC=tourney time]
[anchor tag anchor tag anchor tag]
The last time Franklin County went to a state championship tournament was in 1990.
Denise Allen tells us the Eagles are back in the hunt and the fans are filling the nest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Doug Conklin/Franklin Co. Head Coach; :19]
[SUPER=01-Devon Taylor/Four Year Varsity Player; :29]
[SUPER=03-Salem/2001 RVD Tournament; :37]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./March 2nd; :54]
[SUPER=01-Lewis Muse/21 Point Average; 1:00]
[SUPER=@Denise1; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=news 7 sports]

((Experienced and confident is how the 2001 Franklin County Eagles describe themselves.
The 21 and five squad is headed north this weekend to play TC Williams in the state Triple A quarterfinals.
It's a turnaround from last season's 12 and 10 record. Teamwork has been the difference.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 62650]
[IN Q=there hasn't been]
(())
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=real well]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 63146]
[IN Q=everybody]
(())
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=no jealousy]

The team leaders Devon Taylor and Lewis Muse average 19 and 21 points respectively.
But everyone is stepping it up. The team has eight seniors who want to end their high school careers as state champions.
TC Williams stands in the way. The Titans' best players are 6'4" and 6'8," but Franklin County has faced tall orders all season most recently the Eagles beat GW Danville.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:34:54]
[IN Q=main thing]
(())
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=good things happen]
DENISE ALLEN/NEWS 7 SPORTS: COACH CONKLIN SAYS THE FRANKLIN COUNTY FANS HAVE BEEN HUNGRY FOR A WINNER.
THEY'VE BEEN SENDING CONGRATULATORY LETTERS, 1000 TRAVELED MORE THAN FOUR HOURS TO WATCH LAST WEEKEND'S GAME AGAINST GARFIELD AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR BUSES TO GO SEE THIS WEEKEND'S GAME AGAINST TC WILLIAMS AT ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL IN FAIRFAX.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 63246]
[IN Q=THEY ALWAYS]
(())
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=TO DEATH]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 63654]
[IN Q=WHEN OUR]
(())
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=NOBODY]

The Eagles play TC Williams Saturday night at seven.
Denise Allen News 7 Sports. ))
(-------------------)
[wipe to AAA Full screen]
GW Danville girls face Hayfield at Averett College Saturday at Seven [AA full screen]
Northside and Martinsville clash Friday night at Bassett.
Dan River meets Heritage at EC Glass Saturday at 7p. [A full screen]
It's Haysi and Radford at Virginia Tech Friday night and Parry McCluer against Council, Saturday night at Virginia High.

[S-UVA]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-89 55:48]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

The ACC men's basketball tournament tips off tonight in Atlanta, Georgia. Virginia battles Georgia Tech tomorrow, a team that swept the Cavaliers in the regular season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=01-Donald Hand/UVa Point Guard; :]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=......have to bring it"]
(-------------)

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]

The Virginia Cavaliers are set for a first round game tomorrow afternoon in the A-C-C tournament. [PINNACLE PAGE 1201]
Your Hometown station coverage begins with North Carolina and the winner of tonight's Florida State-Clemson game that will begin at noon.
Then at 2:30 Virginia fans can kick back and watch the Cavaliers take on Georgia Tech. [PINNACLE PAGE 1202]
At 7 o'clock Duke faces N.C. State followed by the Maryland Wale Forest game at 9:30.

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-79 1:43:39]
[GRAPHIC=Express]

The Roanoke Express is working with two groups that might buy the team. The franchise's future became more concrete today. Steve Mason explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Fackrell/Express General Manager; :16]
[SUPER=01-Troy Lake/Will Play in game in 10 Days; :37]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :56]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
(----------)
((STEVE MASON:)) ((:))
((The announcement eases the minds of fans buying playoff packages. Post season tickets not used this year will be validated next season because the team will be in Roanoke. On the ice, forward Troy Lake practiced on his severed hamstring for the first time since January. ((:))
Perry Florio is getting email from opposing team's fans. Trenton die hard Lou Craig writes....."thanks for coming down and visiting with me before the game"....and...." If you end up coming to Trenton(for the Playoffs) my wife and I would like to take you to dinner." ((:))
The Express battles Pee Dee on the road Sunday. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))
[Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=305-54/25/81/1974/10/1986]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=306-51/30/44/W-13mph/29.88r/6:42am/6:20pm]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=83-Down 0.40 foot/Down 1.22 feet]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=#555]
[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [03/08/2001] [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]
[SUPER=#577]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Variable/Cloudiness/34-36/Variable Clouds/And Breezy/44-48]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=331-Partly/Cloudy/35-39/Partly Sunny/And Breezy/48-52]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=332-Mostly/Cloudy/27-30/Cloudy And/Windy/37-40]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/And Cold/28-30/Cloudy And/Rather Windy/30-32]
[SUPER=X5003]
[SUPER=334-Cloudy With/Late Flurries/26-28/Cloudy With/Snow Showers/28-30]
[SUPER=X5003]

[SUPER=#555][Close]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]
(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
SUPER=#4072; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
(Weekend 6 only)
SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS