WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/07/01

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith2-Shot]

Expecting a tax refund from the state? How a second one for the same amount?

If you're confused, apparently the state department of taxation is, too.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shanon 2-Shot]

And they're almost four days old... you'll see images of snow leopards before the cats are even able to open their eyes.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, John Grisham throws his support behind the fight to save UVa baseball. Steve Mason profiles a two-sport spring sports star from PH.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we'll check in today's Virginia Independent Conference golf tournament.
(------------)

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

After a sunny start to the week some cloudy changes are on the way. Full details in our forecast segment.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

News 7 at Six is next. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:09:37]
[IN Q=Today when i ]
((TODAY WHEN I GOT MY SECOND ONE IT PUT ME IN A DILEMMA I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM NOW.))
[RUNS=:05 ]
[OUT Q=of them now.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
14- thousand families across the state are now in limbo.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

State taxpayers are getting not one but two refund checks from Richmond.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And I'm Shannon Young.
[Refund-Checks]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-11 TC1:04:21]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Double trouble tonight for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Four million dollars in tax refund checks were supposed to go out in the mail last Thursday.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The problem NEWS 7 uncovered is that the state actually sent out double that amount by mistake. Now-- 14- thousand families are wondering what to do? [N7 @ 6 MB SET GRAPHIC]
[PASSING SHOT=Keith-Shannon &Teresa/MB SET]
Teresa Hamilton has been looking into the problem and joins us now. Keith and Shannon,
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
local families are among those facing the dilemma. Earlier today-- we spoke with the Quinleys who are reluctant to cash even one of their checks.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Sherry Quinley says she received her first check on Saturday and was excited about heading out to cash it. But now she's put plans for the money on hold. Today-- she received another check from the state for the same amount in the mail.
(/////sot////)
[sot 00:10:19]
[in q=i'M AF]
((SHERRY QUINLEY/TAX PAYER: I'M AFRAID THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ACCOUNTING ERROR, IF I CASH ONE I'M AFRAID THEY'LL COME BACK AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND SAY WE SENT YOU TWO CHECKS AND NO YOU HAVE TO PAY INTEREST ON THE SECOND CHECK AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO THAT. MARY MORRIS: I THINK MOST OF THEM UNFORTUNATELY WERE CONFUSED... WERE CALLING TO CHECK.))
[SUPER=01-Sherry Quinley/Tax Payer; ]
[SUPER=01-Mary Morris/State Treasurer; ]
[RUNS=30]
[OUT Q=were calling to check.]
(-------)
[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=None]
State officials blame a combination of computer and human error. They say families should tear up one of the checks, because only one will eventually be honored by the state's bank.

We'll have more information tonight on NEWS 7 at eleven. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.

[Hager]

[ANCHOR=SHannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-29 TC04:14]
[GRAPHIC=John Hager]

He's still in the race for governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

For the second time this year, Republican John Hager has held a news conference to assure reporters he IS still running for governor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:12:38]
[IN Q=Ladies and gentlemen, yes I am]
((LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER/(R) CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YES, I AM CONTINUING MY RUN FOR THE HIGH OF GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. TODAY I CALL FOR MARK EARLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST THREE MAJOR DEBATES PRIOR TO JUNE THE 2ND.
THERE'S NO REASON THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE TO ASK WHERE IS HE?))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Gov. John Hager/(R) Candidate for Governor;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=have to ask where is he?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hager was considering dropping back to challenge Warrenton Delegate Jay Katzen for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.
A spokesman for Mark Earley says Earley has almost a thousand more Republican delegates pre-filed to support him over Hager at the June first party convention.
On Hager's debate challenge, the Earley campaign says the party delegates have already heard enough from both men to make up their minds.
(------------)

[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#01-09 TC1:27:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Plans to bring minor league basketball to Roanoke tipped off today at city hall.
The National Basketball Development League has approached Roanoke about a possible franchise, though there is seven- figure price tag.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Jennifer/Microwave]

Jennifer Miele is outside the municipal building with details on the plan and its cost.
[Live=Jennifer Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:especially Mayor Smith. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I can still be mayor]
[SUPER=01-Ralph Smith/Roanoke Mayor; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 1997; :19]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=of a Roanoke basketball team.]
(-------------)
[Live=Jennifer Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith and Jennifer/Microwave]

[Snow-Leopard]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-28 TC04:24]
[GRAPHIC=Snow Leopards]
Workers at Mill Mountain Zoo are keeping an eye on three new snow leopard cubs while also keeping their distance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Infrared Video;]
Surveillance gear provided by WDBJ-7 allows zoo keepers to monitor the cubs' progress without disturbing the trio. The infrared camera provides video 24-hours a day and often catches the cubs sleeping or nursing. The babies were born early last Friday and make up the first of Tasha and Boris's two litters to survive more than 48-hours. Experts say nursing is the key.
(///// SOT at :22 /////)
[SOT 2:53:13-2:53:25]
[IN Q=Which we did not have last time...]
((DAVE WOOD/CURATOR: WHICH WE DID NOT HAVE LAST TIME WITH THE TWO CUBS BORN LAST YEAR THAT DIDN'T SURVIVE. THEY'RE DOING FANTASTIC. I MEAN, EVEN WITH THE SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT WE CAN SEE NICE LITTLE ROUND PEAR SHAPED BELLIES ON 'EM.))

[SUPER=01-Dave Wood/Mill Mountain Zoo Curator;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=little round pear-shaped bellies on 'em.]
(XXXXXXXX)
[LIVE=Leopard Cam Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
You're now looking at a live picture of the cubs and their mother. Their birth is cause for celebration because snow leopards are an endangered species. Mill Mountain Zoo is a member of the snow leopard Species Survival Program and is one of only 20-zoos in the country recommended to breed the animals. Curator Wood says it'll be about 6-weeks before the cubs will be available for viewing.
(------------)

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Roanoke's Biomedical Institute .. still to come, it's actually ahead of schedule.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And Hollywood comes to Charlottesville. John Grisham, Harry Connick Junior, and five million dollars all play important roles.
(----------------)

[Domain-Biomed]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-18 TC00:37]

Eminent Domain is not just for power lines, gas pipelines and interstate highways.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The Riverside Centre for Research and Technology in Roanoke is another major project that may take private property for a public purpose.
[ANCHOR=Keith 1-Shot]
[GRAPHIC=Emiment Domain]

Tonight, Joe Dashiell has the first of two parts on the planned biomedical center and research park, and the businesses that stand in the way.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=OPENS ON NAT SOUND]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :04]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Fisher/Carilion Biomedical Institute; :24]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager; :59]
[SUPER=@Joe1; 1:40]
[SUPER=01-John Gibson/Mennel Milling Co.; 1:59]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]
(([OPENS ON NAT SOUND ANSWERING PHONE #3 05:16:17]
[IN Q=Good Afternoon]
((GOOD AFTERNOON, CARILION BIOMEDICAL INSTITUTE))
[RUNS= :02]
[OUT Q=Biomedical Institute.]
Their permanent home hasn't been built, but employees of the Carilion Biomedical Institute are already hard at work in downtown Roanoke...
[MORE NAT SOUND OF SECRETARY #3 05:17:17]
[IN Q=Are they discussing]
((ARE THEY DISCUSSING BIOFILE?))
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=discussing Biofile?]

The Institute has already launched one company, and is now supporting 50 other research projects that could one day produce high-tech spin-offs of their own.
[SOT #3? 05:11:06]
[IN Q=When I started it looked like an interesting opportunity]
((DENNIS FISHER/CARILION BIOMEDICAL INSTITUTE: WHEN I STARTED, IT LOOKED LIKE AN INTERESTING OPPORTUNITY, BUT NOT AT ALL CLEAR HOW WE WOULD ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH IT. MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN, BUT I'M GREATLY ENCOURAGED . I THINK, IF ANYTHING, WE'RE AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FROM WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUT Q= where we thought we would be at this point in time.]

That's music to the ears of city officials, who were determined to land the biomedical institute, and who hope the partnership of Carilion, Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia will help them transform the section of the city between Victory Stadium and Community Hospital.
[SOT #2? 05:00:23]
[IN Q=We do want to be a community that continues to thrive]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: WE DO WANT TO BE A COMMUNITY THAT CONTINUES TO THRIVE. AS A LANDLOCKED COMMUNITY, ROANOKE HAS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP BIOTECHNOLOGY, AND TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE THE BUSINESSES GENERALLY REQUIRE SMALLER SPACES. THEY DON'T NEED THE HUNDREDS OF ACRES THAT SOME OF YOUR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES NEED.))
[RUNS= :20]
[OUT Q=that some of your industrial activities need.]
The city believes it will need one hundred ten acres over the next fifteen years, and the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority is now working to acquire property for the first projects... a parking garage near Carilion Roanoke Memorial, and the Biomedical Institute building on Jefferson Street, just north of Reserve Avenue. Construction could be under way within two years. [STAND-UP BRIDGE] The first phase of this project is moving forward quickly, perhaps even faster than planners first envisioned.
But major question marks remain, including Roanoke City Mills, the Scrap Yard behind it, and the planned interchange from the Roy Weber Expressway. And some who stand in the way, believe the answers won't come easily.
[SOT #1 11:06]
[IN Q=I don't believe we're dealing]
((JOHN GIBSON/ROANOKE CITY MILLS: I DON'T BELIEVE WE'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT THE VALUE OF THIS PROPERTY IS, AND WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO REPLACE IT.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=what it will take to replace it.]

Their story tomorrow. Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[Franklin-Search]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-19 TC54:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

New leads, but still no sign of a missing teenage boy from Rocky Mount.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[photo of Dillon]
15-year-old Steven Dillon is a 7th grader at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
He allegedly ran away after a dance on April 27th.
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Sunday;]

Over the weekend, deputies searched the Pigg River for Dillon after they found personal items indicating he'd been there.
Today, several classmates reported they saw him at an apartment complex near the river Saturday night.
Investigators say they've been unable to confirm the sightings so far.
They plan to search the river with an infrared camera tomorrow.
(------------)

[Explore-Center]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC1:51:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The dedication of the new Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center highlighted a unique partnership today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The visitors center is a joint venture of the National Park Service, Roanoke County and Virginia's Explore Park.
U. S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton attended the ceremony, and said she hopes the cooperation that made this project possible will be emulated by communities across the country.
(--------------)

[Waccamaw]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC03:25]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]

A local home furnishings store is going out business since its parent company filed for bankruptcy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Waccamaw's Home Place at Crossroads Mall will close in eight to ten weeks.
The Myrtle Beach-based company plans to close dozens of stores across the region.
Waccamaw has been in business in Roanoke for almost 12 years.
It's 33 employees were notified about the bankruptcy filing Friday.
The store's manager says he's confident they'll find other work soon.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A relatively slow day on Wall Street today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/16.79/10934.45/y/18.16/2173.37;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW dropped 17 points.
NASDAQ fell 18.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.14/48.40/h/0.48/22.47/i/0.15/56.23/h/0.18/20.67/i/0.01/9.03;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.35/66.10/i/0.04/29.76/i/0.02/44.73/h/0.03/49.96/i/0.46/38.20;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.57/24.73/h/0.56/20.00/i/0.15/13.00/i/1.00/52.00/h/0.43/13.96;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.18/65.30/i/0.45/58.50/h/1.03/56.83//Unchg/60.70/i/0.97/52.05;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Grisham]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-04 TC2:01:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Filming is underway in central Virginia on a low- budget movie with some high- profile names: John Grisham and Harry Connick Junior.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Steve Smallshaw takes us on the set of "Mickey" in Albemarle County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He built this]
[SUPER=03-Albemarle Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Grisham/Author; :35]
[SUPER=01-Hugh Wilson/"Mickey" Director; :45]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :56]
[SUPER=01-Harry Connick, Jr./"Tripp Spence"; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News7, Albemarle County.]
(( He built this complex so his son could have a place to play baseball.. now Cove Creek Park has become John Grisham's own personal Field of Dreams.
Best- known for his legal thrillers, Grisham has turned his writing talents to his real passion.. Little League baseball.
[natsot 12:04:55]
((MICKEY! MICKEY!))
[RUNS= 02]

The result is "Mickey", the story of a Las Vegas lawyer who tries to finagle one more season of Little League for his son.
Grisham and his neighbor- slash- director Hugh Wilson are funding the movie themselves and having the time of their lives.
[SOT 12:13:09]
((JOHN GRISHAM/AUTHOR: WRITING IS.. IT'S A DREAM TO BE ABLE TO DO IT FOR A LIVING, BUT TO BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A REALLY GOOD BASEBALL MOVIE, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO IT.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=to do it.]
[SOT 17:55:19]
((HUGH WILSON/DIRECTOR: WELL, IT'S JOHN'S STORY AND I READ IT AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT OFF AND ON, AND THEN WE GOT TO TALKING THAT MAYBE WE COULD DO THIS OURSELVES.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=do this ourselves.]
[Standup 18:11:03] ((The budget for this film is just five million dollars.. which is relatively small by Hollywood standards. But Grisham and Wilson expect to recoup their investment because they say the film.. which will carry a "G" rating.. has a little something for everyone.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=for everyone.]

Including the star appeal of actor- musician Harry Connick Junior, who says it was Grisham's name on the script that got his attention.
[SOT 17:46:43]
((HARRY CONNICK JR./"TRIPP SPENCE": THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT GOT ME EXCITED ABOUT IT, BECAUSE I'M A BIG FAN OF JOHN'S AND HIS WRITING, AND WHEN I READ THE STORY, I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT STORY.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=a great story.]

"Mickey" should hit theaters next spring.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Albemarle County.))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports the UVa baseball future isn't looking so bleak tonight. We'll check in at the VIC golf tournament,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Steve Mason checks in with a Patrick Henry baseball star who is shows by you have to be quick on your feet to bounce back and forth between two sports in the same season.
(------------)

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-94 1116tc]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]

We begin tonight with some encouraging news from UVA. Last week we talked about how the UVa baseball program could be downsized in the future to the point where it no longer will have any scholarships. It's all about saving money for the overall athletic department.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But many UVa fans and alums are upset about the proposed cuts including world famous novelist John Grisham - who has a son headed to UVa to play baseball next season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Virginia...]
[SUPER=01-John Grisham/Author; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Womack/UVa Head Baseball Coach; :32]
[RUNS=:42]
[OUT Q=...OVER WITH."]

(-----------)[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-92 tc 1:04:21]
[GRAPHIC=Golf]

Ole Monterey Golf Club was the site for today's Virginia Independent Conference Championships.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

72 golfers from 12 different private high schools took to the links in Roanoke.
The battle for the individual overall winner was a tight one.
James Hodges from the Fuqua School in Farmville shot a 73 to win the tournament.
David Jones from the Carlisle school in Martinsville came in third to North Cross 8th grader Jeff Walters after a two hole playoff.
The North Cross team won the tournament with a score of 315 followed by Carlisle and Fuqua.
(------------)

[S-PH]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-96 11:52]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]

Patrick Henry student athlete Adam Peters played varsity football and basketball this year. Now he's balancing soccer, baseball and class work at the same time. Steve Mason has his story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Adam Peters/Patrick Henry Sophomore; :08]
[SUPER=01-Ed McMichael/Patrick Henry Soccer Coach; :26(QUICK)]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :32]
[SUPER=01-Suzan Peters/Adam's Mom; :43(QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Mike Mitchell/Patrick Henry Baseball Coach; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=News 7 sports"]
(----------------)

((Why would a teenager give up just about all of his free time to play two sports and maintain a 3.8 grade point average? ((ADAM PETERS:))
soccer for an hour and a half, then he switches cleats and works out for another hour and a half. This is the routine, great for the school, trying for a coach. ((:)) ((:)) ((SUZAN PETERS/ADAM'S MOM:))
Adam's a member of the Olympic Development program. And while he is better at soccer, he works just as hard on the diamond. ((:)) ((:)) His chances at all district honors in both sports, suffers because he does miss some games . ((:)) Whether or not the accolades come, Adam has learned two of life's most valuable lessons for a high school student athlete, how to budget time successfully and discipline. ((:))

Peters ultimate goal is to make the national soccer team. Steve Mason news 7 sports.))[S-Dale]

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

More notes today in the Dale Earnhardt "Belt-Gate" controversy. For starters, Earnhardt's car owner Richard Childress has removed the Simpson racing belts from the cars driven by Jeff Green and Kevin Harvick and replaced them with another brand. Also, NASCAR attorneys have finally met with Tommy Propst, the Daytona Beach rescue worker who claims that Earnhardt's belts were not cut. The lawyers say they believe Propst is telling the truth but that he is mistaken. And finally, the brand new May 8th edition of the National Enquirer is out with a cover headline reading "Dale Earnhardt - Autopsy and NASCAR cover-up".

[Leopards-Close]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

We leave you tonight with another view of the three baby snow leopards
(------------)
[LIVE=Leopard Cam Full/Microwave]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

There they are, curled up with mom at Roanoke's Mill Mountain Zoo...
(adlib goodnight)
(------------)

[HOLD SHOT FOR CLOSING COVER]