[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:37:11]
[IN Q=I'm at a time in my]
((JOSIAH BUNTING/VMI SUPERINTENDENT: I'M AT A TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN I WOULD LIKE TO DO SOME OTHER THINGS AND SO I FEEL THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GO.))
[RUNS=:05 ]
[OUT Q=good time to go]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some major changes are coming to Virginia Military Institute.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.
[VMI]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC-20:32]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]
VMI's Superintendent announced today he is stepping down at the end of next year.
Josiah Bunting made that announcement at today's Board of Visitors Meeting.
The board also voted today to leave the Southern Conference for the Big South.
But as Justin McLeod tells us the board did not take up one controversial issue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Josiah Bunting/VMI's Superintendent; :17]
[SUPER=01-Sam Witt/Board President; :39]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Lexington]
((((NAT SOUND OF JOSIAH BUNTING AT PODIUM))
Josiah Bunting arrived at VMI during the last stages of the institute's six-year battle to block female cadets.
Now seven years later, Bunting say his work is done.
[SOT 14:36:46; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=The school during that]
((JOSIAH BUNTING/VMI'S SUPERINTEDENT: THE SCHOOL DURING THAT PERIOD HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT AND I THINK TOGETHER WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT SO IT SEEMS TO BE A LOGICAL BREAKPOINT.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=logical breakpoint]
One of those accomplishments is the decision that ends federal oversight of VMI.
The court ruled the institute has successfully transformed itself into a coed institution.
The decision was welcome news at this weekend's Board of Visitors meeting.
[SOT 12:06:04; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=I think its extraordinary]
((SAM WITT/PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD: I THINK ITS EXTRAORDINARY GOOD NEWS FOR VMI AND TO CONTEMPLATE THAT A SCHOOL WOULD COME OUT OF TEN YEARS OF LITIGATION A STRONGER PLACE WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES IS A GREATLY APPRECIATED.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=great appreciated]
Not everyone is greatly appreciative of the board's decision to leave the Southern conference.
Many alumni opposed the plan.
But in the end, the board of visitors voted 11 to 5 to join the Big South Conference.
[SOT 12:09:08; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=One issue the board]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: ONE ISSUE THE BOARD DID NOT TAKE UP IS THE INSTITUTE'S PREGNANCY POLICY. IT REQUIRES CADETS INVOLVED IN PREGNANCY TO LEAVE SCHOOL OR FACE EXPULSION. ITS A POLICY THAT'S DRAWN A LOT OF CRITICISM ESPECIALLY FROM THE ACLU.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=from the ACLU]
The issue came up after a female cadet became pregnant last year.
The ACLU says the policy violates privacy rights and the constitution's guarantee of equal protection.
[SOT 14:38:51]
[IN Q=We're not interesting]
((JOSIAH BUNTING: WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN SUPPRESSING ANYONE'S RIGHTS. WE ARE INTERESTING IN GUARANTEEING TO ALL VMI CADETS THE FULLEST POSSIBLE PARTICIPATION IN THE LIFE IN THE VMI BARRACKS.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=the VMI barracks]
The ACLU has warned it may sue VMI over the policy.
The Board of Visitors will have to continue to deal with that issue as well as search for a new leader.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Lexington.))[Martinez]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC-1:34:26]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Bedford County judge has rejected an appeal to reduce the sentence of a teenager who killed his father and attempted to kill his mother.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :17]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Last Year]
Eric (MAR-tin-ez) Martinez was 17 at the time.
He was sentenced to two life terms after pleading guilty to first-degree murder, attempted capital murder and two felony firearms charges.
43- year- old Peter Martinez was found dead on his bedroom floor, shot once in the head in December of last year.
(------------)[Rescue-Squad]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC-20:39]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It's been more than a month now since Roanoke County began charging for rescue calls.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./This Week;]
The county began charging a fee for ambulance service November first.
Earlier this week-- Roanoke County's fire and rescue chief submitted a report to the County Board of Supervisors.
Rick Burch says so far-- so good.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've had a couple of ]
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Chief; ]
((WE'VE HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS BUT REALLY NO SO CALLED COMPLAINTS OR CONCERNS IN FACE WE'VE ACTUALLY HAD INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE VOLUNTEERED INFO BECAUSE THEY KNEW WE HAD BEGAN THE PROGRAM NOVEMBER ONE.))
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=program november one.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Supervisors say the move to charge for service was necessary to hire additional rescue personnel to cover the county.
(-----------)[FAO-Schwarz]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-55 TC-34:23]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]
What the sign says is true---
As predicted, a popular toy store is closing in Roanoke...
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :22]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The F-A-O Schwarz in Tanglewood mall is closing its doors.
Store officials say they will be selling off everything in the store at 50-to-75 percent discounts.
The store is scheduled to close on December 24th, but if it hasn't sold all of its inventory by then, the store may stay open a little longer.
The high-end toy store set up shop in the old Brendle's location at the beginning of September, and was orgininally scheduled to be open for two months, but decided to stay open until Christmas.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still ahead on News 7 at 6, Bridgewater was playing to earn a spot as the hometown favorite in the Stagg Bowl. Roy Stanley will have highlights up ahead.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
and folks around the area were getting into the holiday spirit today despite the rainy weather. Let's get a quick peek at the forecast with Jacey in the Weathercenter.
(-------------)
[Salem-Holiday]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-62 TC-10:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Today's rain failed to dampen the holiday spirit at several events that took place across our region.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT :07:11]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND OF CAROLERS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
The city of Salem held its annual "Ye Olde Salem Christmas Celebration" in downtown today.
Carolers dressed in period costumes to go along with the old-fashioned Christmas theme.
At the library, children got to make decorations and get their picture taken with Santa Claus.
They could also mail their letters to santa at the old restored Salem Post Office.
Downtown businesses used the occasion to mark down their prices and even give away goodies.
(------------)
[Jingle-Run]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC-37:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Downtown Roanoke also got into the holiday spirit...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
More than a thousand participated in the 11th annual Lewis-Gale Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.
Each walker or runner tied jingle bells to their shoelaces, some even wore costumes before hitting the streets for a 5-K run or 1 mile walk.
The money raised will help fund programs for the Arthritis Foundation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:08:30]
[IN Q=We have education]
((DAVID WRIGHT/ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION: WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL THAT WE SEND OUT TO THEM AND ACQUATICS PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH ARTHRITIS AND SUPPORT GROUPS AND THAT SORT OF THING.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Wright/Arthritis Foundation]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=sort of thing]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Similar fundraisers take place in more than 150 cities nationwide between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Locally, today's event raised more than forty thousand dollars, a record for the Arthritis Foundation.
(------------)
[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still ahead on News 7 at 6, some high school football championships are settled around the state, Roy Stanley will have highlights in just a few minutes. Stay with us.
[S-Cougars]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-112 - TC-10:35]
[GRAPHIC=Cougars/Lafayette]
Pulaski County came up short today losing to Lafayette 41 to 28 in the Group Two A division four state championship game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Pulaski Co. vs Lafayette; :]
The Pulaski County faithful making the trip to Lynchburg this afternoon, and cheering loud, but it would not last long.
Layfayette would get on the board first as Levince Parrott plunges ahead from 5 yards out for the score.
Later in first half Ram Quarterback Conner Hughes finds a wide open Todd Reyer in the endzone for 6.
Pulaski County Head Coach Joel Hicks looking for answers down 20 - nothing at halftime.
And he found one in Tailback Josh Calfee. He takes the handoff and he's gone....87 yards in all as he scores from way out.
Next possesion for the Cougs, more break away runnning. This time its Fullback Jeremy Porter as he takes it to the house 86 yards, and Pulaski is back in business only down 20-13.
[SUPER=36-Lafayette/41/Pulaski Co./28/;]
But the Rams would calm the rally, as Hughes calls his own number on the end-around and he scores from 12 yards out....
Lafayette wins 41-28 and takes the Division Four State Title....
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We had...]
[SUPER=01-Joel Hicks/Pulaski Co. Head Coach; :]
[SUPER=01-Paul Wheeler/Lafayette Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=....kids deserve it."]
(------------)
[S-Bath]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-114 - TC-08:38]
[GRAPHIC=Bath/Sussex]
The Bath County Chargers got their state championship on their second try in 2 years.
Mike Stevens has the story of the Chargers win over Sussex Central.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio....]
[SUPER=03-Harrisonburg/Bath Co. vs Sussex Central; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Jones/Bath Co. Head Coach; :45]
[SUPER=01-Justin Fry/Blocked A Punt; 1:02]
[SUPER=36-Bath Co./53/Sussex Central/16/; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=...news 7 Sports."]
(----------------)
[S-Floyd]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 - TC-1:38:26]
[GRAPHIC=Floyd Co./W & L]
In the Division 2 state championship game Floyd County hooked up with Washington and Lee and the Buffaloes go down 36 to 21.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harrisonburg/Floyd vs W & L; :]
The Buffaloes were fired up for their second straight championship appearance in three years.
On the first drive quarterback Isaac Spence converts a 4-th and 1 by keeping it and picking up 9 yards and a first down.
Spence then capped the 19 play drive with a three yard touchdown run the Buffaloes took a 7 to nothing lead.
Washington and lee cut it to 7 to 6 then in the second Eagle quarterback Joe Taylor hits Eric Jones across the middle on a 31 yard pass play moving the ball to the Floyd County 31.
[SUPER=36-Floyd Co./21/Wash. & Lee/36/;]
9 plays later Damien Carey covers the final yard Washington and Lee led 12 to 7 at the half and Washington and Lee goes on to win it 36 to 21.
(------------)
[S-Eagles]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 - TC-35:33]
[GRAPHIC=Stagg Bowl]
Bridgewater College has crashed Salem's annual Stagg party. Mike Stevens has more on the Eagles last second win over Rowan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater/Eagles vs Profs; :]
[SUPER=36-Bridgewater/29/Rowan/24/; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Jason Lutz/Three Touchdown Passes; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Devon Cruz/174 Yards Rushing; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=.....news 7 sports."]
(---------------)
[S-VMI]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-98 (2:04:26)]
[GRAPHIC=VMI logo]
V-M-I has been a member of the Southern Conference since 1924. But that's about to change.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :]
V-M-I's Board of Visitors announced today that the Institute's intercollegiate athletic teams will move conference affiliation to the Big South Conference.
Keydet Athletic Director Donny White said the conference is a good match for V-M-I athletics.
But not all associated with the Institute were for the change that passed by a 11 to 5 vote.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I respect......]
[SUPER=01-Donny White/VMI Athletic Director; :]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=.....positive move."]
[ANCHOR=Roy]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]
The change will not take place immediately White says the Southern Conference requires 2 years notice.
The V-M-I Keydet Club issued a statement today supporting the change.
by SS