WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/03/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Up next on News-7 Mornin'...
A shark attack off the coast of Virginia Beach leaves authorities and beachgoers on high alert this Labor Day.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Voters in Pittsylvania County will decide whether to reopen beer and wine sales on Sunday.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Start your Labor Day with us... next.

[VA-Shark]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A rare but deadly shark attack in Virginia Beach is putting local authorities on high alert this Labor Day.
A 10-year-old boy died yesterday, after being bitten by a shark at there Saturday.
Drew Levinson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This has been]
[SUPER=03-Virginia Beach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Sample/Beachgoer; :11]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Runion/Witness; :36]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Edwards/Virginia Beach EMS; :50]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; 1:19 ]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=DL, Sandbridge Beach, VA.]
((
(SOT: CHARLIE SAMPLE/BEACHGOER)
"This has been the only attack here in like 30 years, so I figure the chances are pretty slim of happening again.
ON SATURDAY, TEN-YEAR OLD DAVID PELTIER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON IN THE U.S. THIS YEAR KILLED BY A SHARK . THE BOY WAS IN SHALLOW WATER -- ABOUT 150-FEET FROM SHORE -- WHEN THE SHARK BIT HIM IN THE LEG. UNABLE TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE PREDATOR'S JAWS, DAVID WAS FINALLY RESCUED BY HIS FATHER ... WHO MANAGED TO HIT THE SHARK ON THE HEAD.
RICHARD PELTIER THEN USED A SURFBOARD TO BRING HIS SON ASHORE.

(SOT: NICOLE RUNION/WITNESS)
"I saw this little boy laying on the beach screaming. His father was there the whole time, telling him 'It's going to be OK, it's going to be OK."
LIFEGUARDS TRIED TO SAVE THE BOY, WHO WAS LOOSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF BLOOD.

(SOT: BRUCE EDWARDS/VIRGINA BEACH EMS)
"The lifeguards were trying to provide first aid to try to control the bleeding ... but the young lad lost consciousness and CPR had to be performed."
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY SHARKS THIS YEAR. EIGHT-YEAR OLD JESSIE ARBOGAST IS STILL IN A LIGHT COMA AFTER A SHARK SEVERED HIS ARM BACK IN JULY ... ALONG FLORIDA'S GULF COAST. JESSIE'S UNCLE WRESTLED THAT SHARK TO SHORE AND REMOVED THE BOY'S LIMB .. SO IT COULD BE
RE-ATTACHED.

(STANDUP)
HERE ON THE VIRGINIA COAST, OFFICIALS ARE TAKING FEW CHANCES. IN ADDITION TO WARNING BEACHGOERS, THEY HAVE MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE IN THE WATER ... SEARCHING FOR SHARKS.
DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS, SANDBRIDGE BEACH, VIRGINIA.))

[11Water-Main]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC-39:42]
[GRAPHIC=Water Main Break]

Some Roanoke residents have water once again. A water main break left several homes without water yesterday and forced the closure of a busy road.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The water line broke in front of the Shenandoah Life building on Brambleton Avenue yesterday afternoon. Water rushed down and partially flooded Fishburne park. Roanoke Police say their 9-1-1 switchboard was swamped with calls about water service.
Officials say the water main is fixed this morning and all streets are cleared.
(------------)

[11Danville-Water]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-36 TC-1:06:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Danville will have water problems of its own today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]
The city needs to repair a faulty gate on Dan River Incorporated's Schoolfield Dam. In order to complete the repairs, the water level in the reservoir will be lowered to allow access for workers. As a result, Danville's water intake point will be inoperable all day. City officials are asking residents to conserve water until levels can return to normal tomorrow morning.
(------------)

[Condit]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Congressman Gary Condit's California home was pelted with eggs over the weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Modesto, CA;]

Police say they have no suspects in the case.
Condit is set to return to Washington D-C this week after a series of setbacks related to the four-month disappearance of government intern Chandra Levy.
Condit finally spoke publicly for a nationally televised interview ten days ago.
(------------)

[Donahue]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Troy Donahue -- the teen heartthrob of 50s and 60s films -- died Sunday of heart failure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Courtesy Warner Brothers;]

He was 65.
A family friend said he suffered a heart attack on Thursday.
Donahue is perhaps best-known for playing Sandra Dee's young lover in 1959's "A Summer Place."
He also starred in "Parish," "Rome Adventure," and "Palm Springs Weekend."
In the mid-sixties, his career went into decline and Donahue began abusing drugs and alcohol.
He spent one summer living in New York's Central Park, then sobered-up by the early 1980s.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news, Wall Street is closed today for the Labor Day Holiday. Trading resumes tomorrow. But there was some action today on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Stocks there sank more than 3-Hundred points. Here's a look at the numbers from overseas.

(Marya tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Beer-Sales]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC-55:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]

You may soon be able to buy beer and wine on Sundays in Pittsylvania County. The Board of Supervisors recently agreed to allow voters to choose whether to end Sunday prohibition.
News 7's Justin McLeod tells us why a new Virginia law could play a part in this old issue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:10:50]
[IN Q=Nat sound of cash register]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.; :04]
[SUPER=01-Steve Duncan/Customer; :16]
[SUPER=01-Michael Estes/Convenience Store Owner; :37]
[SUPER=@justin1; :51]
[SUPER=01-Fred Evans/Customer; 1:12](QUICK)
[SUPER=01-Sonya Lovings/Area Resident; 1:18](QUICK)
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Pittsylvania County]
((((NAT SOUND OF CASH REGISTER))
You can buy just about anything you want here at the E-Z shop on Highway 58 just west of Danville.
But on Sundays, don't reach for the beer or wine.
Pittsylvania County has Sunday prohibition.
[SOT 13:05:16]
[IN Q=We have to drive all the way]
((STEVE DUNCAN/CUSTOMER: WE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO HENRY COUNTY OR WE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE CITY OF DANVILLE ON SUNDAYS WHEN WE HAVE ALL THE STORES RIGHT HERE.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=stores right here]

But that could soon change.
Area businesses have successfully petitioned the county to allow voters to decide whether the ban should stay or go.

They argue Sunday prohibition costs them thousands of dollars in revenue each year.
[SOT 13:00:00]
[IN Q=They are not planning]
((MICHAEL ESTES/CONVENIENCE STORE OWNER: THEY ARE NOT PLANNING STOPPING HERE TO GET BEER, STOPPING HERE TO GET GAS, STOPPING HERE TO BUY CHIPS. THEY STOP TO GET IT ALL AT ONCE, AND IF THEY CAN'T GET IT ALL THEY'LL JUST GO UP THE ROAD.))

[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=just go up the road]
[SOT 00:07:34]
[IN Q=The last time this issue]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE LAST TIME THIS ISSUE CAME UP IT WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO. AT THE TIME, VOTERS DECIDED TO KEEP THE BAN BY THE NARROWEST OF MARGINS. THIS TIME AROUND, THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, VOTERS WILL DECIDE BY DISTRICT RATHER THAN ALTOGETHER AS A COUNTY.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=altogether as a county]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF STORE))
So conceivably, residents in one town could say yes while another says no.
As an example, that could allow for Sunday alcohol sales in Gretna but not in Chatham.
This is all made possible thanks to a new Virginia law.
[SOT 13:07:33; 13:13:10]
[IN Q=Everytime they put it up]
((FRED EVANS/CUSTOMER: EVERYTIME THEY PUT IT UP ITS BEEN DEFEATED, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING HAS CHANGED OR NOT, I HOPE IT HAS.)) ((SOYNA LOVINGS/CUSTOMER: WHY DRINK IT ON SUNDAY, WHY SELL IT ON SUNDAY, CAUSE IT IS THE LORD'S DAY, A DAY OF REST.))

[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=a day of rest]

Area churches led the fight last time to defeat the ban.
According to the Pittsylvania County Baptist Association, there is no active campaign so far.
Voters will have the final say this November.

Justin McLeod, News 7, Pittsylvania County.))[11Folk-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC-57:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

If you're looking for something to do this Labor Day, you may want to head over to Explore Park.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:40:20]
[INQ=nat music]
[RUNS=5]
[OUTQ=nat music]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

This weekend the park is playing host to the sixth annual Appalachian Folk Festival.
It features music, crafts, and demonstrations on how people lived from the sixteenth century on up.
Organizers say the Roanoke County festival helps bring history alive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:48:14]
[IN Q=Its an outdoor experience]
((STEVE SARVER/EVENT ORGANIZER: ITS AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE AND OFTEN THATS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN IN TODAY'S WORLD AND SO JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OUT AND ABOUT, TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE WAGON AND TO VISIT, TOUCH, SEE, SENSE, SMELL, ALL THE THINGS IN THE PAST THAT MAKE US SO GREAT.))
[SUPER=01-Scott Sarver/Event Organizer]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=make us so great]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

You still have time to check out the Appalachian Folk Festival. It continues today from 10 until 5 at Explore Park.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, Doctor Dave Hnida has some tips on how to prevent workout injuries in this morning's Health check.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((DESPITE HOW HARD THEY WORK AND TRAIN- OLYMPIC ATHLETES REALLY DON'T SUFFER A LOT OF SERIOUS INJURIES., ONE REASON IS THEY GREAT MEDICAL CARE- ANOTHER- THEY TRAIN THE RIGHT WAY... THE WAY YOU SHOULD BE DOING IT$2 . IN FACT THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPEDICS HAS SOME OLYMPIC SIZE TIPS THAT YOU CAN PUT TO EVERY DAY USE WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE- ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE JUST STARTING OUT. NUMBER ONE: DON'T DO THE SAME THING DAY IN AND DAY OUT. DOING THE SAME ACTIVITY REPEATEDLY PUTS YOU AT A HIGHER RISK FOR THINGS LIKE TENDONITIS AND STRESS FRACTURES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR KIDS WHO PLAY SPORTS LIKE SOCCER- ITS THE SAME ACTIVITY DAY IN AND DAY OUT- ALL YEAR LONG. TWO- WARM UP AND STRETCH BEFORE EVERY WORKOUT- THEN COOL DOWN AND STRETCH WHEN DONE. NEXT- INCREASE YOUR ACTIVITY GRADUALLY- YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO USE THE SO CALLED 10% RULE- ONLY INCREASE YOUR TIME DISTANCES AND INTENSITY OF EXERCISE BY 10 PERCENT EACH WEEK. AND FINALLY LISTEN TO YOUR BODY-- TAKE A DAY OFF NOW AND THEN LET YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES RECOVER- AND BY ALL MEANS DON'T IGNORE PAIN. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY- IT'LL HELP KEEP YOU OUT OF THE DOCTORS OFFICE. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(Marya tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron] [Streaming-Video]
[comm #3]

[2-HEADLINES] [Marya at Desk]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

A shark attack off the coast of Virginia Beach leaves a boy dead and beachgoers on high alert this Labor Day.
A 10-year-old boy was bitten by a shark in shallow water Saturday.
He died Sunday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

A bible saves a Florida boy in a way he never expected.
The 16-year-old's mother went on a shooting rampage in Fort Myers Sunday, killing one of her own sons.
Authorities say she shot at another son... but the boy's Bible took the bullet, saving his life.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

And voters in Pittsylvania County will decide whether to end Sunday prohibition in November.
Store owners say the Sunday ban on beer and alcohol buys costs them thousands of dollars in revenue.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]

And that's what's making news on this Monday, September 3rd.
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-VA-Shark]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A deadly shark attack in Virginia Beach over the weekend has beachgoers and authorities on the lookout this Labor Day.
A 10-year-old boy died yesterday, after being bitten by a shark at Sandbridge Beach Saturday.
Drew Levinson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This has been]
[SUPER=03-Virginia Beach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Sample/Beachgoer; :11]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Runion/Witness; :36]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Edwards/Virginia Beach EMS; :50]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=DL, Sandbridge Beach, VA.]
((
(SOT: CHARLIE SAMPLE/BEACHGOER)
"This has been the only attack here in like 30 years, so I figure the chances are pretty slim of happening again.
ON SATURDAY, TEN-YEAR OLD DAVID PELTIER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON IN THE U.S. THIS YEAR KILLED BY A SHARK . THE BOY WAS IN SHALLOW WATER -- ABOUT 150-FEET FROM SHORE -- WHEN THE SHARK BIT HIM IN THE LEG. UNABLE TO FREE HIMSELF FROM THE PREDATOR'S JAWS, DAVID WAS FINALLY RESCUED BY HIS FATHER ... WHO MANAGED TO HIT THE SHARK ON THE HEAD.
RICHARD PELTIER THEN USED A SURFBOARD TO BRING HIS SON ASHORE.

(SOT: NICOLE RUNION/WITNESS)
"I saw this little boy laying on the beach screaming. His father was there the whole time, telling him 'It's going to be OK, it's going to be OK."
LIFEGUARDS TRIED TO SAVE THE BOY, WHO WAS LOOSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF BLOOD.

(SOT: BRUCE EDWARDS/VIRGINA BEACH EMS)
"The lifeguards were trying to provide first aid to try to control the bleeding ... but the young lad lost consciousness and cpr had to be performed."
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY SHARKS THIS YEAR. EIGHT-YEAR OLD JESSIE ARBOGAST IS STILL IN A LIGHT COMA AFTER A SHARK SEVERED HIS ARM BACK IN JULY ... ALONG FLORIDA'S GULF COAST. JESSIE'S UNCLE WRESTLED THAT SHARK TO SHORE AND REMOVED THE BOY'S LIMB .. SO IT COULD BE
RE-ATTACHED.

(STANDUP)
HERE ON THE VIRGINIA COAST, OFFICIALS ARE TAKING FEW CHANCES. IN ADDITION TO WARNING BEACHGOERS, THEY HAVE MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE IN THE WATER ... SEARCHING FOR SHARKS.
DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS, SANDBRIDGE BEACH, VIRGINIA.))

[Bible-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Florida boy was saved by the Bible in a way he never expected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fort Myers, FL;]

On Sunday, police say a mother of three went on a shooting rampage, targeting her own children.
They say Leslie Wallace shot and killed her 6-year-old son, then drove to her 16-year-old son's church.
Police say she shot at him as he stood in the church's book store.
The bullet struck the Bible he carried with him to church, saving his life.
Officers chased Wallace into downtown Fort Myers and say they shot Wallace, after she pointed a gun at them.
She's in critical condition.
(------------)

[2-11Water-Main]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC-39:42]
[GRAPHIC=Water Main Break]
Crews have fixed the water main break that left several homes without water yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The water line broke in front of the Shenandoah Life building on Brambleton Avenue yesterday afternoon. Water rushed down and partially flooded Fishburne park. Roanoke Police say their 9-1-1 switchboard was swamped with calls about water service.
Officials say the water main is fixed this morning and all streets are cleared.
(------------)

[2-11Danville-Water]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-36 TC-1:06:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The city of Danville is asking residents to conserve water today while it makes repairs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]
The city needs to repair a faulty gate on Dan River Incorporated's Schoolfield Dam. In order to complete the repairs, the water level in the reservoir will be lowered to allow access for workers. As a result, Danville's water intake point will be inoperable all day. City officials are asking residents to conserve water until levels can return to normal tomorrow morning.
(------------)

[2-11Folk-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC-57:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]

There's plenty going on at Explore Park this Labor Day.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:40:20]
[INQ=nat music]
[RUNS=5]
[OUTQ=nat music]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

This weekend the park is playing host to the sixth annual Appalachian Folk Festival.
It features music, crafts, and demonstrations on how people lived from the sixteenth century on up.
Organizers say the Roanoke County festival helps bring history alive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:48:14]
[IN Q=Its an outdoor experience]
((STEVE SARVER/EVENT ORGANIZER: ITS AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE AND OFTEN THATS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN IN TODAY'S WORLD AND SO JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OUT AND ABOUT, TO TAKE A RIDE ON THE WAGON AND TO VISIT, TOUCH, SEE, SENSE, SMELL, ALL THE THINGS IN THE PAST THAT MAKE US SO GREAT.))
[SUPER=01-Scott Sarver/Event Organizer]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=make us so great]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

You still have time to check out the Appalachian Folk Festival. It continues today from 10 until 5 at Explore Park.
(------------)

[2-11Beer-Sales]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC-55:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors recently agreed to allow voters to choose whether to end Sunday prohibition.
News 7's Justin McLeod tells us why a new Virginia law could play a part in this old issue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:10:50]
[IN Q=Nat sound of cash register]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.; :04]
[SUPER=01-Steve Duncan/Customer; :16]
[SUPER=01-Michael Estes/Convenience Store Owner; :37]
[SUPER=@justin1; :51]
[SUPER=01-Fred Evans/Customer; 1:12](QUICK)
[SUPER=01-Sonya Lovings/Area Resident; 1:18](QUICK)
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Pittsylvania County]
((((NAT SOUND OF CASH REGISTER))
You can buy just about anything you want here at the E-Z shop on Highway 58 just west of Danville.
But on Sundays, don't reach for the beer or wine.
Pittsylvania County has Sunday prohibition.
[SOT 13:05:16]
[IN Q=We have to drive all the way]
((STEVE DUNCAN/CUSTOMER: WE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO HENRY COUNTY OR WE HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE CITY OF DANVILLE ON SUNDAYS WHEN WE HAVE ALL THE STORES RIGHT HERE.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=stores right here]

But that could soon change.
Area businesses have successfully petitioned the county to allow voters to decide whether the ban should stay or go.

Justin McLeod, News 7, Pittsylvania County.))[O-Movie]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The movie "O" opened in theaters this weekend.
As Sara Voorhees tells us, the adaptation of the Shakespeare classic has stirred up some controversy.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT CONUS 4:38:20]
[IN Q=The plan]
[SUPER=04-"O"; :HOT CHANGE]
[SUPER=04-Lion's Gate Entertainment]
[SUPER=01-Josh Hartnett/Actor]
[SUPER=01-Mekhi Phifer/Actor]
[SUPER=01-Julia Stiles/Actor]
[SUPER=01-Sara Voorhees/Reporting]

[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=I'M Sara Voorhees Reporting.]
(( (NATAUDIO: "The plan I've come up with is flawless. we're gonna break 'em up.")
IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT 400 YEARS AGO, SHAKESPEARE'S OTHELLO CAUSED MUCH OF A FUSS, BUT A MODERN RE-TELLING CALLED "O" ONCE SEEMED SO INFLAMMATORY IT'S TAKEN TWO YEARS TO BE RELEASED. O IS SET IN AN EXCLUSIVE PREP SCHOOL, WHERE A BLACK BASKETBALL WHIZ NAMED O, PLAYED BY MEKHI PHIFER, FALLS IN LOVE WITH A WHITE GIRL NAMED DESI, JULIA STILES AND STIRS UP THE JEALOUS PASSIONS OF A WICKED KID NAMED HUGO, PLAYED BY JOSH HARTNETT.

(SOT HARTNETT: "Iago, which is one of the coolest characters to
play. It's really twisted interesting character to play if you're going to play a villain you might as well play the villain.)
O IS A BRUTAL MOVIE, AND IT WAS FILMED TWO YEARS AGO, WHEN EMOTIONS WERE RAW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL VIOLENCE, BUT PHIFER AND STILES FEEL AUDIENCES ARE NOW READY TO DEAL WITH THOSE EMOTIONS.

(SOT PHIFER: "I think you cannot leave this film without having a
discussion about it and about violence and about jealousy and hopefully it will help kids bridge the gap between parents and their kids and hopefully the parents and kids will get together and talk about violence.")

(SOT STILES: "I feel movies condescend to
teenagers and teenagers go and see and think their only problem should be what they're going to wear in the prom and they wonder why they're worried about more than that and if they get some kind of relief out of seeing this film I'd be happy")
(NATAUDIO "What are you talking about...somebody knows the truth..from now on I say nothing")))
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=MJO/LHI]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
A water main break in Roanoke left several homes without water yesterday and forced the closure of a busy road. The water line broke in front of the Shenandoah Life building on Brambleton Avenue.
Officials say the water main is fixed this morning and all streets are cleared.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
The city of Danville is asking residents to conserve water today while it repairs a faulty gate on Dan River Incorporated's Schoolfield Dam. In order to complete the repairs, the water level in the reservoir will be lowered to allow access for workers. As a result, Danville's water intake point will be inoperable all day. City officials are asking residents to conserve water until levels can return to normal tomorrow morning.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
Explore Park is playing host to the sixth annual Appalachian Folk Festival.
It features music, crafts, and demonstrations on how people lived from the sixteenth century on up. The festival continues today from 10 until 5 at Explore Park.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The race]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Marya/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Desk=Marya/Leo and Steve]