WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/04/01

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

An elderly Collinsville man is the victim of murder.
We'll tell you how you can help in the case.
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[VO-NAT]
And, the bills aren't the most taxing part of tax-time in Montgomery County. Officials say technology is taking a toll.
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[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

in sports, the Express brightens the lives of some kids in the hospital, the Eagles of Bridgewater look to land at the Stagg Bowl,
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[VO-NAT]
and the ACC will have a presents in the BCS as Maryland accepts a major bowl bid today.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

The weather world has entered some sort of silly season. December 5th will bring record temperatures to much of the eastern US. Details ahead.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have a potentional motive...]
((WE HAVE A POTENTIAL MOTIVE AND IT APPEARS TO BE ROBBERY. IT'S STILL EARLY IN THE INVESTIGATION TO KNOW THE DETAILS OF WHAT DID AND DIDN'T OCCUR BUT THAT'S JUST A THEORY AT THIS TIME.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=that's just a theory at this time.]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
Law enforcement officials in Martinsville and Henry County are looking for a murderer.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith Humphry has the night off.

[Henry-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC1:59:42]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
[***ANCHOR TAG***] 72-year old Ralph Alvin Hubbard was presumed to be on his way home last night when police say he may have picked up a hitchiker. If so, the move may have cost the Collinsville man his life.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Just hours before his...]
[SUPER=01-Capt. Kimmy Nester/Henry Co. Sheriff's Department; :09]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :19]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :28]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=please give us a call.]
((Just hours before his pickup truck was found burning in a ravine, Ralph Hubbard had used the vehicle to serve his community.
[SOT 2:47-2:54]
[IN Q=He'd been helping the regional...]
((He'd been helping the regional library in Collinsville... They're moving to a new facility and he was helping them move into that facility.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=move into that facility.]
After that, the story gets murky. At 8:20 Martinsville Police were called about a body lying in a parking area across the street from Clearview Elementary School. It was Hubbard. He'd been shot in the head. Shortly thereafter, the Henry County Sheriff's Department and Virginia State Police responded to a vehicle fire just outside Martinsville City limits. The burning truck was Hubbard's.
[SOT 3:29-3:46]
[IN Q=There are two theories...]
((There are two theories... the vehicle drove in there as it was rapidly leaving, accidentally and an accident occurred and a fire ensued, or the vehicle was intentionally pushed down into the ravine to hide the vehicle and was set on fire to cover any physical evidence.)) [RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=any physical evidence.]
Investigators are combing the charred Toyota for clues. They're also asking the public for help. In order to put together a timeline of events leading up to the murder they need to know where Hubbard was between 6 and 8:30 Monday night.
[SOT 2:33-2:44]
[IN Q=We don't know if he picked...]
((We don't know if he picked somebody up at a convenience store or walking along the road and offered them a ride. So, if anyone knows Mr. Hubbard or knows anything , please give us a call.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=please give us a call.]))
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[ANCHOR=Shan]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

[Monty-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-49 TC1:16:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's tax time for real estate and personal property holders in Montgomery County. Collection of some 75-thousand bills is causing headaches and long lines at the courthouse.
As New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon explains, technology may be to blame.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats clerk]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ellis Meredith/Montgomery Co. Treasurer; :14]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; :25]
[SUPER=01-Robert Parker/Montgomery Co. Spokesman; :51]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, MC.]
((Nats Clerk Since getting the MUNIS computer system in 19-99, Montgomery County Treasurer Ellis Meredith says it's been nothing but trouble.
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[SOT 2:22:03]
[IN Q=IN MY ]
((IN MY 30-YEARS THIS IS THE WORST THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.))
[OUT Q=EVER EXPERIENCED.]
[BUTT, BUTT]
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[SOT 2:10:47]
[IN Q=problems anywhere]
((ELLIS MEREDITH/MONTGOMERY CO. TREASURER; PROBLEMS ANYWHERE FROM TICKETS NOT PRINTING TO DOUBLE ASSESSMENTS TO MISSING NUMBERS.))
[OUT Q=MISSING NUMBERS.]
Problems, Meredith says, are costing the county money. He cites approximately 2-million dollars in overdue taxes. Bills he says he's unable to mail because the computer system won't pull them up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:14:26]
[IN Q=THERE'S SOME]
((THERE'S SOME TALK AMONG SOME OF THE COUNTY PEOPLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT PEOPLE AND THE ADMINISTRATION THAT I DON'T WANT TO USE THE SYSTEM, AND ITS NOT THAT AT ALL I'M DELIGHTED TO USE THE SYSTEM IF IT WAS WORKING.))
[OUT Q=IT WAS WORKING]
The county spokesman says other administrators believe in the program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:32:50]
[IN Q=we believe]
((ROBERT PARKER/MONTGOMERY CO. SPOKESMAN; IT IS IMPLEMENTED AND WORKING IN THE FINANCE OFFICE ITS IMPLEMENTED AND WORKING IN THE PAYROLL OFFICE ITS 90-PERCENT IMPLEMENTED IN THE COMMISSIONER'S OF REVENUE OFFICE NOW IN THE TREASURERS OFFICE OF COURSE THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.))
[OUT Q=A DIFFERENT STORY.]
Parker notes the county is a test site for MUNIS...one of three locations in Virginia.
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[SOT 2:30:14]
[IN Q=with any new]
((WITH ANY NEW PRODUCT THERE ARE BUGS WITH ANY NEW SOFTWARE THERE ARE BUGS /cut middle of bite/ WE DON'T THINK THAT THEY RISE TO THE LEVELS OF A COMPLETE DISASTER.))
[OUT Q=THE DISASTER]
Parker says they will continue to work through problems in the treasurers office. If you are a resident with a question about your bill or lack of one, contact the county. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Montgomery County.))

[Bus-Pedestrian]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=501-08 TC1:18:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Valley Metro bus hit a pedestrian near the City Market today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The accident happened about 12:15 on Salem Avenue, between Jefferson and First Streets.
55-year-old Stephen Sheets of Meadowcrest Drive was hit after he entered a crosswalk.
He had injuries to his head and face, and was taken to Carilion-Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Police closed off the street and spent most of the afternoon investigating the accident.
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[C'Burg-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
An elderly Blacksburg woman was killed in a car crash. Officials say 71-year-old Panzie Elmore Dennis died yesterday in Christiansburg. She was involved in a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Laurel and Sycamore Streets and died at Montgomery Regional Hospital. No charges have been filed.

[County-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#01-48 TC1:36:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke County officials are watching their budget closely as the nation's exconomic downturn and the state's financial troubles come into focus.
They are NOT expecting a drastic local impact,
[Double Boxes=Shannon and JoeD/Microwave]
but tonight tight Joe Dashiell reports they are preparing for the possibility of a significant decline in revenue.
[Live=JoeD Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:the news isn't good.)
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[SOT]
[IN Q=As I've said]
[SUPER=01-Bob Johnson/Hollins Supervisor; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :09]
[SUPER=]
[RUNS=:44]
[OUT Q=as best as possible.]
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[Live=JoeD Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Shannon and JoeD/Microwave]

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]

Virginia's next Attorney General says he'll take aim at terrorists as soon as he takes office.
That story's still ahead on News 7 at Six.
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[VO-NAT]

And some Washington and Lee students get national exposure as they trade stock tips with the pros at CNBC.
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[Optical-Cable]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC17:16]
[GRAPHIC=Optical Cable]

Industry experts call the removal of Optical Cable's president a strategic business move.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./File Tape]

Scott Hoover, a Washington and Lee Finance Professor says former president Bob Kopstein's personal financial troubles took a serious toll on the company's stock price, so his removal by the board of directors WAS warranted.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=OH, I think he]
[SUPER=01-Scott Hoover/W&L Finance Professor]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=stake like that.]
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=Bob Kopstein]

Hoover says Kopstein's fiber-optic experience is still of importance to the company, so he is anxious to see if Kopstein will accept the consultant position offered him yesterday.

[WL-Stocks]

[ANCHOR=SHannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-44 TC1:46:07]
[GRAPHIC=Stock Market]

Some local student-investors at Washington and Lee University made an appearance on C-NBC's "Power Lunch" today.
Their management of a million-dollar school portfolio caught national attention, as did their top stock picks.
As Business Reporter Jennifer Miele found out, the students are turning out to be top picks themselves.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nick Sayers/W&L Investment Club;:18]
[SUPER=01-Hall Shaw/W&L Investment Club;:35]
[SUPER=01-Samantha McLemore/W&L Investment Club;1:08]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;1:15]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=JM News 7 LEXINGTON.]
(([NAT SOUND] [RUNS04]
Say hello to your future broker, soon-to-be investment banker, or, maybe your company's up-and-coming CEO.
CNBC is so sure these W&L students can talk stocks, they sent a camera crew to Lexington to get their picks.
[SOT]
[TC:02:04:30] ((NICK SAYERS/W&L INVESTMENT CLUB: I THINK IT WENT PRETTY WELL, IT WAS FUN. THEY TOLD US TO HAVE FUN WITH IT AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.)) [RUNS04]
Thirty five students in the William's Investment Society manage a million dollar account for the school.
Students say diversity in their portfolio and in their club are keys to success.
[SOT]
((HALL SHAW/W&L INVESTMENT CLUB: YOU'LL HAVE ART HISTORY STUDENTS IN THERE, AND BIOLOGY STUDENTS, IT ALLOWS FOR DIVERSE OPTIONS.)) [RUNS04] [NAT] [RUNS05]
The entire club and its advisors got a good laugh from the appearance on CNBC's Power Lunch.
Their advice today... HOLD Royal Caribbean, BUY VeriSign. [NAT] [RUNS07]
It seems the time these kids have invested in the club is about to pay off.
[SOT]
((SAMANTHA MCLEMORE/INVESTMENT CLUB: I HAVE A FEW OFFERS IN INVESTMENT BANKING IN NEW YORK, OR WORKING FOR BILL MILLER IN BALTIMORE FOR THE VALUE TRUST FUND.)) [RUNS06] [STAND UP] ((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: WASHINGTON AND LEE IS RANKED 13TH AMONG LIBERAL ARTS SCHOOLS. ITS BUSINESS SCHOOL IS NOT RANKED, BUT ITS A TOP PICK FOR THESE STUDENTS. JENNIFER MIELE, NEWS 7, LEXINGTON.)) [RUNS07]))

[Stocks]

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

Strength in the technology sector sparked a late-session rally on Wall Street. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/129.88/9893.34/x/58.17/1963.07;]

Thw DOW climbed 130 points.
NASDAQ gained 58.
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[VO]
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[Kilgore]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC18:54]
[GRAPHIC=Jerry Kilgore]

Virginia's new attorney general wants the death penalty for some terrorists.
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[VO-NAT :09]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Jerry Kilgore says terrorists convicted of orchestrating a major incident should pay with their lives.
And he believes most lawmakers support the idea.
(///// SOT at :09 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think they'll be receptive]
((JERRY KILGORE/ATTORNEY GENERAL-ELECT: I THINK THEY'LL BE RECEPTIVE TO ANY BILL IN THIS SESSION THAT DEALS WITH TERRORISM OR TERRORIST ACTS TO MAKE IF YOU WILL OUR LAWS TOUGHER AND CERTAINLY TO MODERNIZE OUR LAWS TO DEAL WITH THREATS WE KNOW WILL COME.))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Kilgore/Attorney General-Elect;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=we know will come.]
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[VO-NAT]

Among Kilgore's proposals: making it a felony to possess biological, chemical or nuclear substances, and increasing the penalties for using computers in terrorist acts.
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[Va-Foundry]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=501-11 TC55:14]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A small fire caused some problems at a Roanoke business today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A machine inside Virginia Foundry on McDowell Avenue overheated.
Firefighters had to use dry chemicals to put the fire out.
Damage came to about 20-thousand dollars.
No one was hurt.
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[Longwood]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Longwood College]

Longwood College is a step closer to becoming Longwood University.
The board of directors has approved the name change -- now the General Assembly must sign off on it.
Supporters say the name change will reflect the scope and nature of Longwood's academic programs.

[sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

The Tech mens basketball team talks about guarding it's Cassell, the Express gets a jump on the holiday spirit with a hospital visit
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[VO-NAT]
and the Bridgewater Eagles are in flight looking for a runway that reads Stagg Bowl.
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[S-VT]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-114]
[GRAPHIC=Tech hoops]

The Virginia Tech men's basketball team's next home game is December 12th against Western Michigan. The Hokies are off to a 5 and 2 start this season.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Night; :00]

Last night Tech escaped Cassell Coliseum with a 74-73 win over a feisty VMI team. The Hokies are now 4 and OH at home and two Cassell Coliseum wins away from equaling their win total at home all of last year when Tech went 6 and 19.
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[SOT]
[IN Q="we]
[SUPER=01-Brian Chase/Virginia Tech Guard; :00]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=.....with a victory"]
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[S-FSU]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=sp-107]
[GRAPHIC=Florida State]

Florida State men's basketball coach Steve Robinson, a Roanoke native and former William Fleming standout, and his Seminoles are back in action tonight, taking on Birmingham Southern at home. The Noles are 2 and 2.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Steve Robinson/Florida State Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=.....gonna be better"]
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[S-express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-109]
[GRAPHIC=express]

The Roanoke Express made it's annual pilgrimage over to Carillion Community Hospital today to visit with some children a little under the weather.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

The players are spending a couple of hours with youngsters in the hospital, these are children with health problems. The team signed autographs and sang kareeokee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=keeps everything in the proper perspective"]
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[S-Eagles]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-110 556TC]
[GRAPHIC=STAGG BOWL 6586]

Salem's annual Stagg Party could feature a new kid on the block on December 15th. If Bridgewater College can knock off perennial power Rowan in this Saturday's division three national semi-finals, the Eagles will be the toast of the town. Mike Stevens has more on Bridgewater's challenge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater/November 24th; :00]
[SUPER=01-Henry Eggleston/Bridgewater Captain from Franklin Co.; :29]
[SUPER=01-Michael Clark/Bridgewater Head Coach; :49]
[SUPER=01-Devon Cruz/Bridgewater Senior Tailback; 1:22]
[SUPER=@mike1; 1:46]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
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(( The Bridgewater College Eagles are the only unbeaten college football team in the state. They are also the first team from the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to make it to the final four since Emory & Henry did so back in 1987. They are averaging a gawdy 52 points a game in the playoffs - but this week they will face a Rowan team out of New Jersey that has 17 division one transfers on its roster. ((MICHAEL CLARK:)) ((HENRY EGGLESTON:)) Four years ago Rowan was in Salem preparing to meet Mt. Union in the Stagg Bowl. Four years ago Bridgewater was wrapped up an 0-and-10 season. Saturday this amazingly resilient senior class will try to improve its record to 12-and-0.)) ((DEVON CRUZ:)) ((MIKE STEVENS:))

[S-MD]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-98]
[graphic=ACC]

The Bowl Championship Series will have an ACC flavor to it. Today Maryland accepted a bid to the Orange Bowl.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-College Park, MD; :00]

The seventh ranked Terps finished the regular season 10 and 1 and will play in the January second Orange Bowl for the first time in 46 years. It's Maryland's first bowl since 1990. Maryland's opponent will be announced Sunday, following the SEC championship game. The Terps could face either Florida or UT or Nebraska. (------------)