WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/09/01

[1-News-Head]

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

[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Cadets having to say grace before supper. The A-C-L-U takes V-M-I's Superintendent to court over it.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=SHannon 2-Shot]
And some of the group's supporters are trying try to postpone the Audubon Quarter's final act.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, we'll see how the safety conerns in NASCAR are spilling over the the local Saturday night tracks. The Steam talks about its infusion of new talent.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Michael Vick tells us what it's like to be Atlanta's newest millionaire.

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

Warming up and staying dry. Nothing new about that forecast but the National Weather Service says we are officially in a drought. Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Oh God]
((OH GOD, WE ASK YOUR BLESSING ON THE CORPS.))
[RUNS=:03 ]
[OUT Q=on the corps.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The custom of saying grace before every evening meal at V-M-I offended some cadets.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Two of them officially sued the Superintendent today, claiming the practice violates the First Amendment.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Shannon Young.
[VMI-Lawsuit]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-29 TC05:25]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The issue has been smoldering at Virginia Military Institute since the first of the year.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The two sides have staked out their positions, and now the matter is in court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/April 3]

In a seven- page complaint filed in federal court in Lynchburg today, Neil Mellen and Paul Knick are asking for two things:
They want a declaration that it's unconstitutional for them to have to pray before dinner. And they want an injunction that would require V-M-I to quit it.
Though Mellen and Knick are listed as the plaintiffs, the A-C-L-U actually filed it on their behalf.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:19]
[IN Q=This is the state]
((THIS IS THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, THROUGH VMI, REQUIRING STUDENTS TO MARCH IN UNISON, THEN STAND FOR A PRAYER BEFORE BEING OFFERED THEIR DINNER. THE STATE CANNOT DO THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Va. ACLU Executive Director]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=the state cannot do that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The school year is almost over, so certainly the matter won't be resolved this week or next.
Attorney General Mark Early says he will vigorously defend the institute, repeating his statement: "The Constitution does not prohibit the saying of 'grace' before supper."
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[81-Wreck]

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

A collision between a car and a tractor trailer is slowing traffic on Interstate 81.
The accident at mile marker 127 on Christiansburg Mountain has blocked the left and center lanes on the southbound side of the highway.
Traffic is backed up for about 5 miles.

[Halifax-Drugs]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Halifax Drug Bust]

Authorities believe they've shut down a major cocaine operation in Southside.
Charles Torian of South Boston was arrested and charged with three counts of distribution of crack cocaine.
Police say Torian was a major cocaine supplier in Halifax County, South Boston, and parts of North Carolina.
More arrests are expected.

[East]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-14 TC51:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The public defender's office will handle the case of a Lynchburg man accused of killing his wife last month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

43- year- old John Wesley East was arrested for violating a protective order after Karen Williams East was found stabbed to death in her home April 28th.
Police say lab tests recently linked John East to the crime. Yesterday, he was charged with murder.
This afternoon, East told a judge he could not afford to hire his own attorney.
He'll be back in court for a preliminary hearing in August.
(------------)

[Proctor]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-13 TC40:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Summer, two years ago. Gary Wayne Proctor got pulled over for driving the wrong way on a one- way street in Roanoke. Only he didn't stop.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/August 15, 1999]

In the course of the chase, Proctor eluded road blocks, rammed a police vehicle, kept driving even after police shot out the tires. At least seven rounds hit his vehicle.
It's still unclear why Proctor wouldn't stop. He told the judge today that it was "out of character" for him to do such a thing.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=Legal Scales]

The judge reduced the charge of "eluding police" to "attempted assault and battery."
Proctor will likely be released from jail tomorrow, having served six months.

[XGR]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-19 TC35:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The General Assembly's special budget session is just a few heartbeats away from being pronounced dead-- with NO compromise reached.
But two things have been accomplished so far today at the State Capitol.
(/////SOT/////)
[NAT SOT 14:31:51]
[IN Q=The House will come to]
((THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER. THE CLERK WILL READ THE BILL.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=clerk will read the bill.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

An elementary school from Chesapeake filled in for the House members -- who were NOT scheduled to show up until six P-M.
They moved swiftly to defeat a mock bill that would create separate classrooms for boys and girls at their school -- and heartily applauded themselves for what they'd accomplished.
Meanwhile, a new budget from House Republicans went before an unfriendly Senate Finance Committee.
It would have delayed car tax reimbursements to localities by one month, so they could be paid out of the next fiscal year.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is more voodoo economics]
[sot tape SENATE FINANCE 10:46:06 ]
((SEN. WARREN BARRY/R-FAIRFAX: THIS IS MORE VOODOO ECONOMICS THAT'S TRYING TO CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT THERE'S MONEY THERE FOR THE 70 PERCENT CAR TAX CUT THAT'S NOT THERE.))
[sot tape 10:46:54]
((DEL. JACK RUST: YOU CERTAINLY DON'T PAY YOUR CREDIT CARD BILLS THE DAY THEY COME IN... THAT'S A NORMAL SITUATION IN MOST HOUSEHOLDS.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Warren Barry/(R) Fairfax; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Jack Rust/(R) Fairfax; :08]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=normal situation in most households.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Senate stood at recess for the rest of the day... with NO apparent deal on a budget in sight.
The House and Senate have given themselves a deadline of Friday to reach agreement in the state's first-ever budget impasse.
(------------)

[student-paper]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC49:37]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Students at Danville's G-W high school got their first look today at the latest edition of the Chatterbox.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A controversy broke out a month ago after students tried to print articles dealing with interracial dating, STD's, and teen pregancy.
The school board asked that real names not be used for fear the district could be held liable.
The Chatterbox staff agreed to print a letter from the school board explaining its position on the matter.
Magazine editors printed a disclaimer of their own saying they don't agree with any attempt to censor the Chatterbox.
(------------)

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

Construction is set to start on a gas pipeline. Still ahead, Eminent Domain at work for a present project.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And Roanoke's maestro will soon be making music in New York.
(----------------)

[NUI-Domain]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-17 TC28:08]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The clock is ticking for opponents of a natural gas pipeline through southwest Virginia.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The first step of construction is scheduled to begin this month.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[GRAPHIC=Eminent-Domain]

It's a very current application of Eminent Domain to take private land for public use.
Supporters say the new energy source will be good for business, and jobs, in the region.
But some opponents have not yet given up their fight over the chosen route.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats "As you can see"]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Stacy Snyder/Pipeline Property Owner; :14]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; :32]
[SUPER=01-Brent Riley/Pipeline Property Owner; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=Cannon, News 7]
((Nats tc 29:52:02 "As you can see this is the existing easement"
Since learning the pipeline would run through her property last July, Stacy Snyder has hoped all along that it would be built instead alongside another pipeline easement already in place.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-19:40]
[IN Q=IT SEEMS]
((STACY SNYDER/PIPELINE PROPERTY OWNER: IT SEEMS LIKE SO MANY MORE RESOURCES SO MANY PEOPLES PROPERTY VALUES THE FUTURE OF SO MANY PEOPLE USE OF THEIR LAND.))
[OUT Q=THEIR LAND]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-2:03:38]

But any such hopes are quickly running out. An N-U-I spokesman says clearing work on the first 12-mile stretch in Pulaski County will start 20 days from today.
The utility says it has secured legal access to all 12 miles under Eminent Domain, which provides compensation to landowners when their property is taken for public use.
[Nat break -Stacy]
Snyder lives along another part of the proposed pipeline .. in Montgomery County .. and while she can't fight Eminent Domain, she IS going to the state Supreme Court, challenging the way N-U-I notified landowners.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-16:25:10]
[IN Q=THEY WERE NOT GIVEN]
((THEY WERE NOT GIVEN THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO SAY AND IN THIS CASE OR IN THIS PROJECT AND THERE WAS NEVER A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS.))
[OUT Q=ON THIS]
[Nats "Brent with the map"]
Brent Riley is another opponent who lives along the proposed path, in Roanoke County. He also hopes for co-location, but feels other actions, or the threat of them, may still prove effective.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-2:04:28]
[IN Q=WE MIGHT HAVE]
((WE MIGHT HAVE TO IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS HAVE TO INITIAL A BOYCOTT IN THE GAS THAT COMES THROUGH THE PIPELINE.))
[OUT Q=THE PIPELINE]
(BUTT SOTS)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-2:13:22]
[IN Q=IF WE HAVE TO]
((IF WE HAVE TO GET UP HERE ON THE MOUNTAIN AND BLOCK THE DAMN BULLDOZER WE CAN DO THAT.))
[OUT Q=DO THAT]

But barring the unexpected, the first work on the new pipeline begins May 29. Rachel Cannon News 7.))
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=HOLD]

N-U-I will not say when construction may start in Montgomery and Roanoke Counties.
Tomorrow, we'll look at another proposed pipeline .. and meet a woman who could see it go right through her driveway and front yard.

[Tourism]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-11 TC1:09:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Western Virginia's African American Heritage is the focus of a new tourism marketing campaign.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Today, the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau unveiled new print ads and brochures.
They will invite visitors to explore african american history at the Booker T. Washington National Monument, the Harrison Museum and other local attractions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:16:42]
[IN Q=A lot of people]
((A LOT OF PEOPLE WHETHER THEY BE AFRICAN AMERICAN OR NOT ARE LOOKING FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE AND THE STORIES. AND EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THAT STORY.))
[SUPER=01-Aletha Bolden/Harrison Museum]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=to tell that story.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A state grant of 10- thousand dollars will pay for the ads and 60- thousand brochures.
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[Stocks]

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

A modest retreat on Wall Street after a cloudy earnings forecast from Cisco Systems. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/17.96/10865.55/y/42.71/2156.06;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW lost 18 points.
NASDAQ dropped 43.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.04/47.38/i/0.49/21.57/i/0.33/55.38/i/0.18/20.15/i/0.04/9.16;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.02/65.26/h/0.38/30.08/i/0.08/44.23/i/0.05/49.43/i/0.19/37.30;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.35/24.35/h/0.07/20.88/i/0.51/12.60/h/0.38/51.38/h/0.70/14.95;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.35/64.58/i/0.85/55.84/i/1.78/53.82/h/0.20/60.90/i/0.39/51.59;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Wiley]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-22 TC24:34]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The Conductor of the Roanoke Symphony will be showcasing his talent to an even bigger audience.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
But David Wiley will still be making his home in Roanoke. [TAKE VO IN MB MONITOR]
[PASSING SHOT=Keith-Shannon & Teresa/MB SET]
Teresa Hamilton is here to explain. Keith and Shannon,
[LIVE=Teresa Full/MB SET]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
David Wiley has accepted a position as Music Director with the Long Island Philharmonic Orchestra in New York. But those who've come to enjoy his energetic performances here in Roanoke don't have to worry.
(/////sot/////)
[sot]
((nat sound))
[runs=03]
[out q= nat music.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[***TERESA'S MIKE HOT***]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/April 2000;]
David Wiley will be splitting his time between New York and Roanoke. The Roanoke Symphony announced today Wiley has agreed to stay on as Music Director and Conductor through June 30th of 2003. At the same time-- Wiley says he'll be taking an important step in his career when he begins work with the Long Island Philharmonic in July. Officials with the Roanoke Symphony say there will probably be one or two seasonal performances that Wiley will miss and a guest will be brought in.
(---------)
[News 7 at 6 MB Graphic]
[LIVE=Teresa Full/MB SET]
But Symphony officials say... Roanoke is extremely lucky to have been able to keep a person of Wiley's talent. Teresa Hamilton, New 7.

[Audubon-Quartet]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-12 TC1:16:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Can the classical music of the Audubon Quartet be saved?
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The "Valley Music Lovers" gathering on the Virginia Tech campus today hope so.
The group is protesting and giving petitions to administrators in support of keeping the musicians.
At midnight tonight, the Quartet's contract with Tech expires.
The University decided a year ago not to renew because of infighting and lawsuits between members.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-14:09:14]
[IN Q=THEY COULD]
((CHARLES WEISS/VALLEY MUSIC LOVERS; THEY COULD BE HIRED AS ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE AND AS ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE THEY WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE DUTIES, THEY HAVE BEEN FULFILLING FOR THE PAST NUMBER OF YEARS. ))
[SUPER=01-Charles Weiss/Valley Music Lovers;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=OF YEARS]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some Valley Music Lovers suggest the University mediation board be used in discussing the situation.
A Tech spokesman says the school's position has not changed.
(-------------)

[Soul-Decision]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC08:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Their first hit single stayed atop the Canadian music charts for seven weeks.. now the band from "up over" is ready to take America by storm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MCA Records]

Soul Decision is in the middle of a three- month American tour, including a stop tonight in Lynchburg.
It's the first such trip for the group from Vancouver
Lead singer Trevor Guthrie says despite appearances, they're not your typical "boy band".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:05:36]
[IN Q=We're three guys]
((TREVOR GUTHRIE/SOUL DECISION: WE'RE THREE GUYS WRITING AND PRODUCING AND I DON'T THINK THE BOY BANDS, THEY'RE NOT REALLY INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC. THEY'RE GREAT PERFORMERS, THEY'RE GREAT SINGERS, THEY'RE GREAT DANCERS, BUT WE'RE A BAND. I'M PLAYING GUITAR, KENNY'S ON THE KEYBOARDS AND WE'RE WRITING THE MUSIC, WE'RE PRODUCING THE MUSIC AND WE'VE GOT A HAND IN EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.))
[SUPER=01-Trevor Guthrie/Soul Decision]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=everything that happens.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Soul Decision will appear at Cattle Annie's at 8.
The concert's sponsored by radio station K-92 and admission is a dollar- and 92 cents.
All proceeds will benefit Lynchburg's Friday Cheers.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

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

Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - Number 7 Michael Vick gets $62 million. The Steam gets some backup reinforcement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the safety concerns that have surfaced in NASCAR are just as critical if not more so on the area's Saturday night bull rings. More on that when we come back.
(------------)

[S-Vick]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-95 1144tc]
[GRAPHIC=FALCONS]
The Atlanta Falcons made Michael Vick the highest paid rookie in NFL history this morning when the two announced details of Vick's six year $62 million dollar contract. He gets a $3 million dollar signing bonus and he's guaranteed $15 million over the first three years of the deal. Michael says he's surprised the deal was done so quickly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="You know...]
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/Signs For $62 Million; :00]
[RUNS=:39]
[OUT Q=...TIME WILL TELL."]
(--------------)

[S-Steam]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-93 tc 15:19]
[GRAPHIC=steam]

The Roanoke Steam heads to Charleston, South Carolina, this Saturday.
The arena two football team has just added 10 new players to the roster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;]

Coach Steve Jerry says the new players have added competitive energy to practices.
He says it shouldn't take long for the new guys to catch on to the system.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=a lot of]
[SUPER=01-Steve Jerry/Steam Head Coach; :02]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=I want W's]
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[GRAPHIC=Steam]

The Steam's next home game is Friday May 18th against the Charleston Swamp Foxes.

[S-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-96 1616TC]
[GRAPHIC=DALE OBIT]
The Death of Dale Earnhardt has put safety issues on NASCAR's front burner all spring long. And while the Winston Cup cars have certainly become more safety conscious - it's the local Saturday night racers that really need to take care.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/April 9th; :00]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :12]
[SUPER=01-Lynnie Doughton/Doughton Racing Vice-President; :25]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount; :39]
[SUPER=01-Clay Campbell/Limited Sportsman Driver; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Burton/Citgo Ford Driver; 1:57]
[RUNS=2:10]
[OUT Q=...THAT NEED IT."]
((Each weekend the Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman truck series combine to put 130 drivers in their events. Big deal - the New River Valley Speedway alone hosts that many drivers on any Saturday night. And there are at least 20 tracks in Virginia hosting Saturday night specials every weekend. ((LYNNIE DOUGHTON/DOUGHTON RACING VICE-PRESIDENT:)) Doughton is vice-president of the family owned Doughton Racing Products in Rocky Mount. The company ships performance parts worldwide and more importantly provides safety equipment for many of the drivers in our area including limited sportsman driver Clay Campbell - who says drivers in all divisions of local racing need to make safety more of a priority. ((CLAY CAMPBELL:)) Several drivers are using the HANS device at New River Valley this year. But many weekend warriors are still neglecting the little things. ((LYNNIE:)) Helping the driver last forever is the goal, and no one in Winston Cup is doing more to that end than Jeff Burton - who has invested a great deal of time and money into designing the perfect seat.)) ((JEFF BURTON:))

[Snow-Leopards]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=LIVE]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Three snow leopard cubs at Mill Mountain Zoo will have their first doctor's appointment tomorrow.
(-------------)
[LIVE=Leopard Cam Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke/Infrared Video]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
You're looking at a live infrared picture of the cubs and their mother, Tasha, inside their den. The cubs' birth last Friday made news because snow leopards are an endangered species. The babies appear to be healthy, but will get their first official check up shortly before ten tomorrow morning. At that time they'll also be weighed and have their sex determined. News 7 will be there for the check-up and will have a live report from the zoo on News 7 at Noon.
(-------------)

(adlib goodbyes)