WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/08/01

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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[VO-NAT]

UP next on News 7 at Noon--
A robbery overnight at a jewelry store in downtown Roanoke.
Police say the robbers made off with thousands of dollars in gold necklaces..
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And a grand jury's decision leaves members of the black community in Cincinnati angry and disappointed.
Details, coming up.
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[TALENT=Leo]
[SS=None]

Clouds will continue to thicken up across the area as a cold front heads our way...I'll tell you what it means for us coming up.....
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon, right after the break.

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[VO-NAT]

All is still fairly calm in Cincinnati, Ohio-- despite continued racial tensions and protests over a shooting.

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[Cincinnati-Protests]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
A grand jury has indicted a white police officer on misdemeanor charges...in the death of an unarmed black man last month.
But many in Cincinnati's black community are disappointed--
They'd hoped for a murder indictment.
Drew Levinson reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Cincinnati, OH/Last Night;]
[SUPER=01-Charles Luken/Cincinnati Mayor;]
[SUPER=01-Angela Leisure/Victim's Mother;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, Cincinnati.]
((
(LOCATOR: CINCINNATI/LAST NIGHT)

NATSOUND PROTESTERS)
Narr:In a city ripped apart by riots a month ago--last nights march on Cincinnatis police headquarters was relatively calm.

(MORE NATSOUND PROTESTERS)

Narr: The hundreds of protesters are enraged by what they consider minor charges against a white police officer for the death of a black man.
Officer Stepen Roach was charged with negligent homicide and obstruction of official business for the shooting death of 19 year old Timothy Thomas. Though Thomas was unarmed-Roach said he thought the man-wanted on 14 misdemeanor warrants-- was reaching for a gun.
Thomas was the 15th black man killed by police here in the past six years. This morning Cincinnatis Mayor admitted many African Americans in his town have lost faith in the justice system.

(SOT CHARLES LUKEN/CINCINNATI MAYOR:)

"BUT WERE WORKING ON THAT. WERE TAKING STEPS TO HOPEFULLY BUILD THE BRIDGE IN THIS CITY. AND MY HOPE IS THAT WERE GOING TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WHEN YOU COME BACK AND TALK TO US IN SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR, YOURE GOING TO SEE US MAKING PROGRESS IN BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE CITY.
The Mayor praised Thomass mother for calling for calm. Still she is angry over the charges.

(SOT ANGELA LEISURE/MOTHER)
MY SON WILL NOT WALK THROUGH THE DOOR AND TELL ME: I LOVE YOU LADY AND GIVE ME A HUG. MY SON WILL NEVER DO THESE THINGS ANYMORE. BUT THAT OFFICER, THIS LITTLE MISDEMEANOR CHARGE -HES STILL FREE.

(STANDUP: DREW LEVINSON)
IF CONVICTED ON BOTH CHARGES ROACH WOULD FACE NO MORE THAN NINE MONTHS IN JAIL AND COULD RECEIVE PROBATION. AS FOR MORE TROUBLE HERE-THE MAYOR WARNS THE CITY WILL UNDERGO WHAT HE CALLED A SERIES OF FLASH POINTS DURING THE TRIAL AND VERDICT. DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS, CINCINNATI. )

[11Campbell-Redistricting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-21 TC33:32]
[GRAPHIC=Redistricting]

The newly redrawn election districts are not popular with some residents of one local county.
Minority voters in Campbell County are considering taking the plan to court.
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Using the new]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Shreve/County Attorney; :09]
[SUPER=01-Willie Thornhill/Campbell Co. Resident; :37]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Prophett/Campbell Co. NAACP; 1:00]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]
(( Using the new 2000 census numbers, Campbell County has reconfigured its seven electoral districts, each containing roughly the same number of residents.
[SOT 17:59:22]
((DAVID SHREVE/COUNTY ATTORNEY: THE GOAL IS TO CREATE COMPACT AND CONTIGUOUS ELECTION DISTRICTS WITH AS NEARLY AS POSSIBLE AN EQUAL NUMBER OF VOTERS IN EACH DISTRICT AND WE THINK WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=accomplished that.]

It's not the numbers but the boundaries that have black residents upset.
Ten years ago, District Five around Brookneal was 33 percent African- American.. under the new plan, it's closer to 28 percent.
In a tight election, black leaders say, that could cost them a minority representative.
[SOT 18:03:52]
((WILLIE THORNHILL/CAMPBELL CO. RESIDENT: WE FEEL THE PLAN YOU'VE PRESENTED DIMINISHES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MINORITY VOTE AND IT DID NOT PRESERVE THE INTERESTS OF THESE VOTERS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=of these voters.]

So the local N-double-A-C-P has come up with its own redistricting map, one that preserves Brookneal's status as a minority- influenced district.
Leaders say it's time their voices are heard in county government.
[SOT 18:16:13]
((ANDREW PROPHETT/CAMPBELL CO. NAACP: RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NO BASIC BOARDS IN THIS COUNTY THAT INCLUDES MINORITIES. WHEN IT COMES TO DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE MINORITY COMMUNITY LIKE BETTER HOUSING, BETTER FACILITIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE, THAT VOICE IS NOT HEARD.))
[RUNS= 21]
[OUT Q=is not heard.]
[Standup ] ((The supervisors will vote on the redrawn districts May 21st. If they're approved as they stand now, minority leaders say their next step could be to file a challenge to the plan with the Justice Department. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Campbell County.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.] ))

[Ukraine-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]

Making international news--
Crews are still hoping to rescue some coal miners still believed to be trapped inside a mine in the Ukraine.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Donetsk, Ukraine;]

Sunday's methane gas explosion killed nine workers.
More than 30 others were injured.
As time passes by, hope is dwindling that rescue crews will find anymore survivors.
The coal mining industry in the Ukraine is declining because of a shortage of money and poor maintenance.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
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[Blake]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]

An attorney for Robert Blake says a mysterious figure may be connected to the murder of the actor's wife.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The lawyer says a stranger began showing up in front of the actor's home a few week's before Bonny Lee Bakley's murder Friday night.
Police aren't commenting on any connection, but they have said the 67 year old actor is NOT a suspect in his wife's murder.
But the victim's half brother says she told him that Blake had recently threatened her, allegedly saying he "had a bullet with her name on it."
Blake's lawyer admits that it was ''not a loving relationship.'' He describes Bakley as someone who ''got herself pregnant'' in order to become ''a celebrity wife.''
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[Galleria]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=1-26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Jewelry store on Roanoke's Market street was robbed last night.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Investigators say The Galleria's glass front door was shattered around 3 a-m.
Police say burglars got away with about a hundred gold necklaces worth nearly three thousand dollars -- but STORE MANAGERS say only 20 were stolen.
While police continue to investigate, The Galleria has come up with its own unique security system...
(------------)
[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Postal Service is increasing rates again, but it will not cost you any more to mail your first class letter. We'll have the details after this break,
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[VO-NAT ]
and we'll tell you why the Chinese government says U-S plans for a downed spy plane won't fly with them.
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[Talent=Leo]
[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro]Radar WX STORY [Streaming Video] [music up full] [comm1]

[China-Plane]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

An angry Chinese government says it will NOT allow the downed American spy plane to fly home.
The decision comes a day after the U-S resumed surveillance flights off China's coast.
Barry Petersen has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=04-"Face the Nation"; :23]
[SUPER=01-Donald Rumsfeld/Secretary of Defense; :32]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; :40]
[RUNS=:54]
[OUT Q=Petersen, CBS News, Tokyo.]
(( It was tit for tat...yesterday, the US resumed spy flights off China's coast...despite strong Chinese opposition. So today...

(PICS OF FOREIGN MINISTRY BRIEFING IF WE GET FROM APTN...OR FILE/sat
photo of plane or file pics of damaged plane on ground)
...the Chinese said...no way will the US be allowed to fly the downed spy plane off a Chinese military base on the island of Hainan. The plane landed here April 1 after colliding with a Chinese jet...and can be made airworthy, say American experts who checked it out just last week.

(Rumsfeld on Face)
And with all confidence...U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Sunday told the CBS broadcast Face the Nation that the 80-million dollar craft will soon be on its way home.

(SOT: RUMSFELD/FROM FACE)
I WOULD SUSPECT WE'LL GET IT BACK. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ALLOWED AN INSPECTION TEAM TO GO IN THERE IF THEY DIDN'T PLAN TO RETURN THE PLANE.

(FILE/plane)
The Chinese gave no reason for their ban on flying the plane. It can be taken apart and put on a cargo plane, or loaded onto a barge...the Chinese are okay about letting it go, so long as they can make it as difficult as possible. Bp, cbs news, tokyo ))

[Postage-Rates]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Postage Rate Increase]

Postage rates are about to go up again--
While the cost of a first- class stamp will remain 34- cents, the postal board is raising the rates for priority mail, express mail and postcard stamps.
Postal service officials say they're facing a potential loss in the billions of dollars this year because of rising costs and decreasing revenue.
The new rates take effect July first.

[CA-Power]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Power Struggle]

Rising temperatures and rising demands for power may mean another day of rolling blackouts in California.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

Yesterday, temperatures hit a record 93-degrees in San Francisco.
While some people found ways to cool off outdoors--- many stayed inside and cranked up the air conditioning.

That prompted the first rolling blackouts in the state since March.
Now the message to conserve is returning loud and clear-- and not just from public works officials.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I hope that]
((ARSEN MELKONIN/LOCAL DELI OWNER: I HOPE THAT THE CONSUMERS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEIR LIGHTS AND THEIR POWER SO IT CAN HELP EACH OTHER. MANY PLACES JUST LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON AND IT HURTS US A BIT.))
[SUPER=01-Arsen Melkonin/Local Deli Owner;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=hurts us a bit.]
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[VO-NAT]

For now, the ''stage-two'' power alert has expired.
But managers of the state's power grid warn that conditions are ''subject to change'' with little notice.
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[2Tax-Refund]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some taxpayers thought the state was being twice as nice this year...unfortunately for them, it was all a mistake.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Last week, the department of treasury accidentally sent out duplicate tax refund checks to 14- thousand families in Virginia.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Sherry Quinley of Botetourt County got a refund check on Saturday. When she checked the mail yesterday-- she found another check for the same amount.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:09:37 TAPE LABELLED TAX....00:13:43 TAPE LABELLED MORRIS....]
[IN Q=When I ]
((SHERRY QUINLEY/TAXPAYER: WHEN I GOT MY SECOND ONE IT PUT ME IN A DILEMMA I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH EITHER ONE OF THEM. MARY MORRIS/STATE TREASURER: I THINK MOST OF THEM UNFORTUNATELY WERE CONFUSED AND WE DO REGRET THAT. WE'RE SORRY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH ABOUT THAT AND AGAIN WE'RE DOING ANYTHING WE CAN TO MINIMIZE THAT.))

[SUPER=01-Sherry Quinley/Taxpayer; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Mary Morris/State Treasurer; :07]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=minimize that.]
[anchor=Kim]
[ss=none]
State officials say the problem was caused by a combination of human and computer error. They say families should tear up one of the checks, because only one will eventually be honored by the state's bank.

[WV-Gambling]

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

West Virginia's governor has decided to legalize gambling on video poker machines.
A legal adviser for Bob Wise says the governor decided to sign the video poker bill.
The legislation will tax the revenues from the machines. It will limit the maximum bet to two dollars, while RAISING the maximum bet at state racetracks to five dollars.
It is projected to raise at least 72 MILLION dollars for West Virginia.

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast, Joy Sutton will tell us why a group is calling a million nurses to march on Washington,
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[VO-NAT ]
and we'll see how state educators are taking their love of science on the road and into the classroom.
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[Science-Van]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=1-16 47:38]
[GRAPHIC=Education]
Students at Oak Grove Elementary School are getting a hands-on lesson in science.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
"Science by Van" is a project put on by the Richmond Science Museum. The van travels to schools to introduce students to a variety of scientific concepts through interactive exhibits and workshops. Educators say the hands-on approach is a good way to guarantee students will hold on to new knowledge.
(///// SOT at :17 /////)
[SOT 17:10:37-17:10:47]
[IN Q=That's the best way they're gonna learn...]
[SUPER=01-Becky Rowe/Oak Grove Elementary School Principal;]
((BECKY ROWE/PRINCIPAL: THAT'S THE BEST WAY THEY'RE GONNA LEARN AND REMEMBER THE FACTS AND INFORMATION THEY'LL GET FOR THEIR S-O-L'S AND FOR INFORMATION THEY'LL NEED THROUGHOUT THEIR WHOLE SCIENCE CAREER. ))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=their whole science career.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Science Van project will spend the rest of Tuesday and all of Wednesday at Oak Grove Elementary. The highlight of the program will be a laser-type show at tonight's PTA meeting.
(------------)

[Million-Nurse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

First there was the Million Man March --and the Million Mom March --and now NURSES are planning to take their message to the nation's capitol.
Efforts are already underway for Million Nurse March.
Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton is here with one of the coordinators of the march to tell us more.
[SUPER=@joy1]

Kimberly, This a chance for nurses and health care professionals across the nation to unite --and to bring attention the growing nurses shortage.
Joining me is Louise Garcia --one othe march coordinators.
[SUPER=01-Louise Garcia/Million Nurse March]

For more information you can find a link the Million Nurse March website on our homepage at www-dot-wdbj7-dot.com Kim
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [05/08/2001] [TWO SHOT]
[WXPRO/FULL] ROANOKE STATS LYNCHBURG STATS
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[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the was DOWN more than 103 points.
[super=460-y/103/y/7;]
NASDAQ has lost more than seven points.

(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up on News 7 The Eagles tell their operations director to take a hike -
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[VO-NAT ]
And a renowned author hopes to score big with his new movie about baseball. We'll have the details.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Modrak]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Philadelphia Eagles]
Tom Modrak may have been looking to leave the Philadelphia Eagles - but the franchise beat him to the punch. The Eagles fires Modrak as director of football operations amid rumors he was looking elsewhere for another job. The Franchises' owner questioned Modrak's loyalty and appreciation for the team - which ended a three year play-off drought last season. Modrak asked for an escape clause in his contract during the 2000 off season.

[S-Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-95 928TC]
[GRAPHIC=AVS/HILLCATS]
The Lynchburg Hillcats rolled into town last night to open up a three game series with the Salem Avalanche at Salem Memorial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Hillcats vs. Avalanche; :00]
The night time air temperature headed south last night, but this mom was more than prepared. The Avalanche would attempt to warm things up as Matt Holliday hits a seeing eye single into left field to drive home Chris Warren. It's one to nothing in the bottom of the first. Still in the first, Dan Phillips hits this fly ball to center field. It brings home Garrett Atkins and the Avalanche appears to be well on its way. But errors will kill a team, and this little miss by catcher Tino Sanchez allows Chris Combs to come on down. The Hillcats are right back in the game.
[SUPER=37-Lynchburg/6/Salem/3;]
Those kinds of things only happen once or twice a season. Right? WRONG.
Another one gets by Sanchez. Another run comes home. And Lynchburg beats Salem 6-to-3.
(------------)

[6Grisham]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-04 TC2:01:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A love of baseball is convincing writer John Grisham to trade in the courtroom for the diamond. He's in central Virginia to write and produce a movie about Little League.
Steve Smallshaw takes us on the set 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.))

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