[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The moment of truth is just days away for Virginia's candidates for Governor.
We'll tell you who's in the lead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Plus, how will Halloween be affected by the past weeks of fear?
(------------)
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Captain Kurt goes on three days rest.
Tech men's basketball hits the floor tomorrow night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And how about a dash of "Pepper" for this year's heisman trophy.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
We stay warm and dry tonight so a great opportunity for the littlest ghosts and goblins. Also the Caribbean gets ready to host a developing tropical system.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-SHot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:58:56 ]
[IN Q=Every poll now shows Warner]
((LARRY FRAMME/VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY: EVERY POLL NOW SHOWS WARNER AHEAD BY MORE THAN THE STATISTICAL MARGIN OF ERROR. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE TRENDS ARE HIS WAY.))
[RUNS=:08 ]
[OUT Q=the trends are his way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :10]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
For the first time in 12 years, a Democrat is on top with less than a week to go.
[ANCHOR=SHannon 2-Shot]
The results are in on our final NEWS 7 Mason-Dixon poll in the race for governor.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Mason-Dixon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#01-33 TC1:59:31]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The Washington Post poll over the weekend had Mark Warner up by ten points.
A Republican National Committee poll last week had him 10 to 12 points up.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
But two weeks ago, our NEWS 7/Mason-Dixon poll had the race within three points: a statistical dead heat.
[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon & Ellen/State Microwave]
Ellen Qualls is in our Richmond newsroom with today's new numbers.
[Live=Ellen Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=419-Ellen Qualls/equalls*wdbj7.com;]
[SUPER=405-Richmond;]
The first number I'm going to tell you is that nine percent of those likely voters in our poll still have NOT decided.
But the trends are NOT good for Mark Earley.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Two weeks ago, our poll]
[SUPER=401-Larry Framme/Virginia Democratic Party; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=he wanted it on the ground.]
(( Two weeks ago, our poll showed Mark Warner with 45 percent support to Mark Earley's 42 percent.
As of this week, that three point gap has stretched to six-- in a poll with a four percent margin of error.
Mason-Dixon says Warner's statewide margin is largely built upon his 19 point lead in northern Virginia.
That means the tax message may NOT have helped Mark Earley.
Warner's still up eight points in the Roanoke - southwest region, and has widened his Hampton Roads lead to ten points.
Earley's Lynchburg and Southside lead is just three points.
But in the absence of any one strong driving issue in the race, it appears voters are placing a premium on personality and style... and Warner's winning converts there.
His favorable name recognition has gone up five points in just two weeks, giving him a ten point advantage over Mark Earley.
Warner's unfavorable name recognition went up just one point to 23 percent.... while Earley's has jumped six points in just two weeks to 27 percent.
Democrats say their campaign is just better organized this year.
[sot 17:56:57]
((LARRY FRAMME/VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY: HE KNEW THAT HE COULDN'T PERSONALLY SEE TWO MILLION PEOPLE. BUT HE CAN CERTAINLY PUT A TEAM TOGETHER AND TRY TO TOUCH THROUGH HIS TEAM AS MANY OF THOSE AS POSSIBLE. AND INSTEAD OF JUST DOING AN AIR WAR, HE WANTED IT ON THE GROUND.))
[runs:15 ] ))
(-------------)
[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=405-Richmond;]
Mark Warner himself has promised to rival or beat the grass roots efforts of Republicans like Oliver North and George Allen in the early 90s.
A two to three million dollar "get out the vote" effort uses a 1-point-5 million dollar list of likely Democratic leaners that it took 18 months for the Warner campaign to compile.
[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon & Ellen/State Microwave]
For the real drama now, tune in tomorrow night.
We'll have poll numbers in the two down ticket races -- and see how Warner's lead may affect those.
[L'burg-Airport]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-36 TC2:03:12]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Airport]
While the airline industry continues to suffer from the terrorist attacks, some good news may be on the horizon for the Lynchburg airport.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
USAirway's commuter service is adding one flight a day to Charlotte next month and another to Pittsburgh in December.
Officials from Atlantic Southeast Airlines were at the airport yesterday, talking about possible plans for expansion, including jet service.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:28:41]
[IN Q=They didn't come]
((MARK COURTNEY/LYNCHBURG AIRPORT MANAGER: THEY DIDN'T COME OUT AND SAY WHEN WE MAY END UP GETTING THAT REGIONAL JET SERVICE, BUT THEY CERTAINLY HAVE SENT US SOME VERY POSITIVE SIGNALS THAT WE CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL FOR UPGRADED SERVICE.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Courtney/Lynchburg Airport Manager]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=for upgraded service.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Courtney says United Express is still moving forward with its plans to pull out of Lynchburg by January.
Starting tomorrow, the airline will operate just two daily flights to Washington Dulles.
(------------)
[United-Way]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC12:53]
[GRAPHIC=UNITED WAY]
The United Way campaign in the Roanoke Valley has raised more than two million dollars.
But that sizeable total is still one million behind last year's pace.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
This afternoon United Way volunteers filled the Hotel Roanoke for a campaign update.
So far 2-point-2 million dollars have been pledged toward this year's goal of nearly 7 million dollars.
United Way officials admit that the events of September 11th have shaken their fundraising foundation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We have had...]
[SUPER=01-Melinda Payne/2001 United Way Chairperson; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=...need this money."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
The United Way supports 77 health and human service organizations in Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig Counties.
(------------)
[Civic-Center]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC1:24:11]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Civic Center]
The Roanoke Civic Center is hoping to keep a massive construction project on track.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The Civic Center Commission approved a 14-point-9 million dollar expansion project, including a new exhibition hall and room for administrative offices.
The proposed plan would be funded by increased admission taxes, facility surcharges and Civic Center revenues.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 12:28:02]
[IN Q=A good piece of...]
((JIM EVANS/ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER MANAGER; A GOOD PIECE OF THE MONEY NEEDED FOR THIS WOULD BE CREATED BY THE FACILITY ITSELF AND THE REVENUES WE GENERATE WOULD GO TOWARDS RETIRING DEBT SERVICE.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Evans/Roanoke Civic Center Manager]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=towards retiring debt service.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13+]
Officials say the proposed 32-thousand-square foot exhibition hall would add about 150 event days a year, meaning more visitors and more revenue.
Roanoke City Council and the General Assembly still must sign off on the plan.
(------------)
[Halloween]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#01-44 TC1:13:42]
[GRAPHIC=Halloween]
Ghosts and goblins will be the order of the night at the Civic Center this evening.
It's hosting a free Halloween party for kids 12 and under and acommpanied by a parent.
[Double Boxes=Shannon and Teresa/Microwave]
That's where we find Teresa Hamilton tonight.
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:safe environment. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Robyn Schon/Civic Center Marketing Director; 00]
[SUPER=01- Noel Agee/Parent; :51]
[RUNS=:58]
[OUT Q=to be lost.]
(-------------)
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Shannon and Teresa/Microwave]
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]
Otpical Cable delays its earnings report... and says it's working to protect shareholder interest.
Details on that when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And the Commonwealth expands its Project Home Safe program with free gun locks.
Find out a little later how you can get one.
(----------------)
[Griffith-Martin]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC1:50:40]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
For the first time in his eight years as a Delegate, Republican Morgan Griffith has opposition.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Dana Martin decided to enter the political arena just ten days before announcing his candidacy for the 8th district seat.
Here's a look at the history of both men.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Morgan Griffith likes the competition.]
[SUPER=401-Del. Morgan Griffith/(R) 8th House District Candidate; :11]
[SUPER=401-Dana Martin/(D) 8th House District Candidate; 1:10]
[RUNS=2:17]
[OUT Q=there was no alternative at all.]
((Morgan Griffith likes the competition.
The 43 year old attorney says having an opponent makes him more aware of his responsibilities.
[SOT 8:31:29-8:31:34]
[IN Q=It's always good to have...]
((IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE COMPETITION BECAUSE IT MAKES YOU RE-EVALUATE. ARE YOU DOING THINGS THE WAY FOLKS WANT YOU TO?))
[RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=doing things the way people want you to?]
Griffith expects the GOP to pick up some seats in the House of Delegates, but says a lack of growth in Western Virginia means area voters will have to speak up to get their voices heard.
[SOT 8:30:00-8:30:07]
[IN Q=So, that means we have to...]
((SO, THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA WHETHER WE'RE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN AND WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE TOUGHER AND SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO BE A LITTLE FEISTIER.))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=we have to be a little feistier.]
Griffith was born in Philadelphia but raised in Salem.
He has no kids and is separated from his wife, but says his roots in the area are strong.
Except for his years at Emory and Henry and law school at Washington and Lee, he says he's always lived within a mile of his downtown Salem office.
He and his opponent agree on trying to increase awareness of the importance of arts and culture.
That opponent was born in Martinsville and studied sociology, psychology and political science at NYU.
Dana Martin says he never planned on entering politics until the recent budget impasse changed his mind.
[SOT 9:07:00-9:07:09]
[IN Q=Had it not been for what went on in the General Assembly.]
((HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR WHAT WENT ON IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR I WOULDN'T BE RUNNING NOW. I'M NOT SURE I EVER WOULD HAVE RUN FOR OFFICE.))
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=ever would have run for office.]
While in New York, Martin married and had a daughter.
He's been back in Virginia since 1974 and is 6-years into his second marriage.
He calls himself a "conservative Democrat."
[SOT 9:15:15-9:15:23]
[IN Q=To me, the government is supposed to be...]
((TO ME, THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE AND BUSINESS IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.))
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=is in the interests of the people.]
Martin wants to promote continuing education to, in his words, ensure that everybody in the workforce has the opportunity to remain employable.
As of September 30th his campaign had brought in just under 6-thousand dollars as compared to Griffith's nearly 140-thousand.
Martin says the discrepancy doesn't worry him except to the extent it impedes his ability to get out his message.
[9:21:12-9:21:27]
[IN Q=I don't mind losing if...]
((I DON'T MIND LOSING IF IT'S BEEN AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD, SHOULD I LOSE BECAUSE PEOPLE PREFERRED THE ALTERNATIVE. BUT I WOULD BE BOTHERED IF I SHOULD LOSE BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ALTERNATIVE AT ALL.))
[RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=there was an alternative at all.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=Campaign 2001]
Martin says the only thing he'll run for is re-election and, should he lose next Tuesday, he'll find something else to do that'll be just as much fun.
[Optical-Cable]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC55:39]
[GRAPHIC=Optical Cable]
Optical Cable has sought financial help outside the corporation.. and found it.
The Roanoke County firm has hired an independent financial advisor to represent shareholder interests while the company president struggles with his own money problems.
[***NEWS 7 @ 6 MB GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and Jen /MB Set;]
Business Reporter Jennifer Miele spoke with Bob Kopstein today. Jen.
Keith, as you know, Kopstein's troubles
[LIVE=Jen /FULL MB SET]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;]
are taking a toll on the company's stock price. It's down more than 90 percent from a year ago.
That's why C.E. Unterberg Towbin, a New York-based investment bank, has agreed to lay out all of the company's options concerning boosting the stock price.
Unterberg will advise the company's newly formed special committee in an effort to keep shareholder interest at the front of Optical Cable's concerns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
Responding to criticism that he hasn't directly addressed shareholders, Bob Kopstein said on the phone today, "We are leaving no stone unturned. We are looking at the company's financial situation from as many perspectives as we can. Many people's expertise is better than an individual's."
(---------------)
[***News 7 @ 6 MB Graphic***]
[LIVE=Jen Full/MB Set]
Optical Cable did NOT release its earnings report today -- though this is the official end of its fiscal year, and there was indication that some information would be posted. Kopstein says they are working on it and expect to release numbers soon.
He and the company's Chief Financial Officer Neil Wilkin will be traveling to California next week to attend a financial conference.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Jen/MB Set]
We'll tell you more about that later in the week.
Keith.
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After two days of selling, stocks managed a partial recovery today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/46.84/9075.14/x/22.80/1690.21;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The DOW lost another 47 points.
But NASDAQ gained 23.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.34/41.90/i/0.49/15.25/i/0.01/58.99/i/0.13/10.75/h/0.26/6.25;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.13/61.12/h/0.08/45.18/h/0.07/36.41/h/0.17/18.63/i/0.18/39.66;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.19/24.46/h/0.16/16.75/h/0.01/1.18/i/0.90/46.80//Unchg/11.90;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.14/59.86/i/0.54/61.39/h/0.51/49.81/i/0.17/28.60/h/0.80/51.40;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[#2Gun-Locks]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC1:28:22]
[GRAPHIC=Gun Safety]
A national program is making it easier for Virginians to keep their guns safe.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Project Home Safe provides cable gun locks for free.
Today in Salem, Lieutenant Governor John Hager kicked off the program in our region.
Over the next several months, 50-thousand locks will be made available at most state police offices.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:14:12]
[IN Q=to make it easy]
((LT. GOVERNOR JOHN HAGER/(R)VIRGINIA; TO MAKE IT EASY FOR EVERYONE WITH A RIFLE A PISTOL OR A SHOTGUN TO LOCK IT UP STORE IT SAFELY AND PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTALLY IT MAKES IT LESS ATTRACTIVE TO BE STOLEN.))
[SUPER=@Hager;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=ATTRACTIVE TO BE STOLEN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The locks are valued at 10-dollars and are made to fit any gun.
10-thousand free locks were given out at last month's state fair in Richmond.
(------------)
[D'ville-Fatal]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
Police are investigating a motorcycle accident that killed a Danville man this afternoon.
Danville police say 23-year-old John Foster's motorcycle struck a woman's car as she pulled out into the intersection of Edmonds and Rutledge Street.
[Logging-Road]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-35 TC2:02:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A dispute between a Montgomery County landowner and a logging company won't be decided for another two weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./September]
A circuit court judge began hearing the case yesterday, but was not able to get all the evidence in.
The judge adjourned the case until November 13th.
He has to determine whether Turman Lumber has the right to use a road owned by Mary Ann Capp to get to its timber.
(------------)
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - the Tech men's basketball team hits the hardwood tomorrow night.
Game four of the Series is set for tonight.
Carolina goes for the ACC jugular.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
UVa tries to get its football team off of life support this weekend against Wake Forest.
(------------)
[S-Series]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-102 (1:44:42)]
[GRAPHIC=World Series]
Game four of the World Series is tonight at Yankee Stadium. And Yankee Manager Joe Torre knew last night that game one winner Curt Schilling would pitch again for the Arizona Diamondbacks this evening on just three days rest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="That's been....]
[SUPER=01-Joe Torre/Yankees Manager; :00]
[SUPER=01-Curt Schilling/Arizona's Game 4 Starter; :18]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....real good."]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Roy]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]
"El Duque" - Orlando Hernandez will throw for New York.
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 1624TC]
[GRAPHIC=VT HOOPS]
The Virginia Tech men's basketball team is full of optimism this preseason.
After two less than stellar campaigns in which the Hokies lost 34 games and won just 24, Tech is ready to rejuvenate Cassell Coliseum.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
Head coach Ricky Stokes met with the media to talk about how finally having some stability in his program will hopefully lead to more wins for his players.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Chemistry is not...]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Stokes/Va. Tech Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Chase/Va. Tech Junior Guard; :20]
[RUNS=:44]
[OUT Q=...TEAM THIS YEAR."]
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]
You can get an early look at the Hokies tomorrow night at the Cassell Coliseum when they play an exhibition game against a NIKE all-star squad coached by former Michigan and Arizona State head coach Bill Frieder.
The game tips off at 7. Tickets are five dollars a piece.
[S-Cavs]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-105 1:43:34]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
The Virginia Football team will try and snap out of a four game losing streak this Saturday at home against ACC rival Wake Forest. In the last two games, the wahoos have been outscored 67 to 7.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Matt Schaub/UVa Quarterback; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alvin Pearman/UVa Running Back; :20]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=....so many things that we know we can do better"]
(-------------)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE 6998]
You can catch the game right here on your Hometown Station at high noon, then at three , LSU and Alabama kick it off. Both games are right here on WDBJ-7.
(------------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=UVA FB]
If you're a UVa ticket holder and you're already looking ahead to next week's home game with Ga. Tech, it was announced later this afternoon that the game with the Yellow Jackets will kick-off at 3:30.
[S-UNC]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 11950TC ]
[GRAPHIC=UNC]
If North Carolina is to stay on top of the ACC race and beat Georgia Tech tomorrow night the Heels will have to do so without the services of Ronald Curry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chapel Hill, NC; :00]
Curry has been rotating at quarterback with freshman Darian Durant, but a bad hamstring will keep Curry out of tomorrow night's game.
Meanwhile, the Heels are turning up the heat in their push to get defensive end Julius Pepper some votes for the Heisman Trophy.
Peppers has proved he has a knack for making the big plays.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITES]
[SUPER=01-Julius Peppers/UNC Defensive End; :03]
[SUPER=01-John Bunting/UNC Head Coach; :17]
[RUNS=:24]
(------------)
[OUT Q=...see that in them."]
by SS