WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/08/01

[Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Joy]

[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[roll cold out of the open]

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=#4070;weekend headline banner]
[SUPER=@Joy1;]
[SUPER=@Jacey1;]
Coming up on News 7 Saturday Morning....... The Taliban is losing its hold on Afghanistan...and the hunt for Osama Bin Laden continues.
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And Israeli helicopters attempt to knock out security buildings in Gaza. We will have more on those stories in just a few minutes.

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[2-shot toss to Hello]

[Attack]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Operation Enduring Freedom]

Afghanistan's interim prime minister is promising to find Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Meanwhile --the Taliban have lost their hold on the city of Kandahar.
Jim Acosta has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:01:37]
[IN Q=Bullets are flying]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Franks/U. S. Central Command; :17]
[SUPER=01-Richard Haas/U. S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan; :34]
[SUPER=01-Jim Acosta/CBS News; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=standard]
((BULLETS ARE FLYING, AND TALIBAN FIGHTERS ARE FLEEING. THE RADICAL REGIME HAS REPORTEDLY SURRENDERED ITS LAST CITY KANDAHAR. BUT ITS SPIRITUAL LEADER MULLAH MOHAMMED OMAR IS MISSING.

SOT; GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS/U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND:
``We simply do not know where he is right now but that does not lead me to believe he has vanished.''

(APTN 1945 - nats..u-s forces)

SO U-S FORCES ARE WORKING TO WIPE OUT POTENTIAL ESCAPE ROUTES.

(pakistan)

OFF THE COAST OF PAKISTAN, 100 MARINES SPENT 8 HOURS SEARCHING THIS CONTAINER SHIP FOR ANY AL QUEDA FIGHTERS, BUT FOUND NOTHING.

SOT: (English) Richard Haas, US Special Envoy to Afghanistan
"To put it bluntly, we do not want the problem of al-Qaida exported anywhere else."
IN THE FIRST GROUND OFFENSIVE SINCE ESTABLISHING THEIR DESERT AIR BASE -- MARINES ATTACKED A TALIBAN CONVOY OUTSIDE KANDAHAR AND KILLED SEVEN FIGHTERS. THEY MAY BE ON THE RUN -- BUT THE TALIBAN ARE NOT DROPPING THEIR WEAPONS.
APTN 19:45 SOUNDBITE (English) General Tommy Franks, Commander US Operations in Afghanistan "As long as these Taliban fighters have their weapons and represent a threat, it's a war.")

(14:08:57 - nats..fighting)

IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN FIERCE GUN BATTLES AND HEAVY U-S BOMBING ARE FLUSHING SOME AL QAEDA LOYALISTS OUT OF THEIR CAVE COMPOUND -- TORA BORA.
ANTI-TALIBAN FORCES BELIEVE, IT IS HERE, IN THE MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE OSAMA BIN LADEN IS STILL HIDING.
THEY'VE SEEN A TALL MAN RIDING HORSEBACK AND HEARD RADIO TRAFFIC ABOUT A MAN CALLED "THE SHEIK."

(STANDUP))

[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

There's still no end to the violence in the Middle East.
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[VO-NAT]

Early this morning --Israeli helicopters fired missiles into a refugee camp in Gaza.
The attack was aimed at security buildings.
No one was injured --but several buildings were badly damaged --three belonged to military intelligence.
According to the Israeli army -- this was done in retaliation for the firing of mortar shells at Jewish settlements.
Israel has also renewed its airstrikes on security stations in Palestinian areas.
This latest violence comes a week after suicide bombings in Israel killed 25 people.
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[Bank-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-60 TC54:08]
[GRAPHIC=Bank Robbery]
A man is behind bars in Roanoke this morning for an October bank robbery. Roanoke Police arrested 43-year old Nelson Keyton yesterday afternoon.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 26]

They say he robbed the Valley Bank on Hershberger Road on October 26.
At the time, police said the masked suspect pulled a gun, demanded money and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
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[Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-59 TC12:09]
[GRAPHIC=Henry School Consol.]

Next Friday, the Henry County school board is scheduled to vote on a controversial re-configuration plan.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

The proposal would consolidate high schools, close three elementary schools, and re-organize others.
The school board believes the plan would save more than three million dollars next year.
The district has discussed closings and consolidation for nearly five years and some parents want to know "why" the urgent rush now?.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:03:23 (LAUREL PARK TAPE); 20:14:18 (HENRY CO. TAPE)]
[IN Q=I think they're rushing it]
((DAVID MAXWELL/PARENT: I THINK THEY'RE RUSHING IT. I THINK IT'S DONE DEAL AND THEY WANT TO GET IT IN REAL QUICK BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR AND I THINK THAT SOMEBODY OUGHT TO SIT DOWN AND REALLY ANALYZE WHAT'S GOING ON.)) ((SHARON DODSON/HENRY CO. SUPERINTENDENT: WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS NEXT YEAR THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR TO OPERATE OUR SCHOOLS. THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.))
[SUPER=01-David Maxwell/Parent; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. Superintendent; :08]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=a lot of money]
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[VO-NAT]

Another concern from parents is transportation.
The district plans to re-organize bus routes to ensure that no student is on a bus for more than an hour each way.

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[Party-Planning]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Weekend a.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=Time Off 3]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]
'Tis the season for parties. But what does it take to throw a memorable bash? In this week's Time Off Shannon Young asks caterer Barbara Murphy how to celebrate in style.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=A good party is a combination of...]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Murphy/Piece O'Cake Catering; :00]
[SUPER=03-Bedford; :13]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=STD]

(([SOT 19:41-19:50]
[IN Q=A good party is a combination...]
((A good party is a combination of the guests, food, beverage and just the whole atmosphere, the ambiance.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=whole atmosphere, the ambiance.]
Barbara Murphy owns Piece O'Cake, a catering company she's run for the past 11 years. Her advice to would-be hosts and hostesses is get started early, at least two weeks in advance, and get organized.
[SOT 21:43-21:55]
[IN Q=What you have to do is decide how many people...]
((What you have to do is decide how many people you're gonna have, what do you want your house to look like, or your party, and the number of guests and then you decide on the food.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=then you decide on the food.]
Murphy's clients are usually treated to beef, poultry, some kind of seafood and vegetables. Her menus also feature sweeter stuff.
[SOT 25:26-25:36]
[IN Q=Always fresh fruit...]
((Always fresh fruit because you have to consider that there may be diabetics there and we always have vegetarians nowadays, I think, so you have to plan for them, too.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=plan for them, too.]
Guests can feast on hot and cold fare while mingling, or sit down to a formal meal. But Murphy says all parties, from casual to black tie, can benefit from hors d'ouvres.
[SOT 22:57-23:05]
[IN Q=If you've got this little group of people...]
((If you've got this little group of people who are just talking, talking, talking and they don't seem to want to move then the best thing to do is pass a tray.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=best thing to do is pass a tray.]
As for trends, go with what you like but don't be afraid to branch out once in a while.
[SOT 26:19-26:22]
[IN Q=Mexican's definately in...]
((Mexican's definately in, even for Christmas.))
[RUNS= :03]
[OUT Q=even for Christmas.]
And finally, be willing to ask for help. Your party should result in fun for all, but the preparation could be exhausting.
[SOT 28:32-28:36]
[IN Q=First of all, I'd tell 'em...]
((First of all, I'd tell 'em it's an awful lot of work and they should let a caterer handle it! (laughter)))
[RUNS= :04]
[OUT Q=let a caterer handle it (laughter)]
Shannon Young, News 7, Bedford.))

[DinerOpen]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=bwa]
[TAPE#=Diner Open]
[GRAPHIC=Weekend Diner]

Christmas isn't the only holiday celebrated this month. Hanukah officially begins tomorrow. On this weeks' Diner, Susan Shandler prepares a dish commonly made during the "festival of lights." Here's Brent Watts with Weekend Diner.
[SPONSOR - TIMBERTRUSS 5096ESSC]

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[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[2Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[roll cold out of the open]

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=#4070;weekend headline banner]
Coming up on News 7 Saturday Morning...... Despite his recent scandal...Congressman Gary Condit is running for re-election.
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And many residents face unemployment in Clifton Forge and Lynchburg this morning.
We will have more on those stories in just a few minutes.
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[2-shot toss to hello]

[2-Attack]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Operation Enduring Freedom]

It's a losing battle for the Taliban. The radical regime no longer rules Afghanistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Taliban has reportedly surrendered its last stronghold --the city of Kandahar.
But the hunt is still on not only for Osama Bin Laden --but Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar.
So U-S forces are working to wipe out potential escape routes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As long as these Taliban fighters]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Franks/U. S. Central Command]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=yes they will be engaged]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Afghanistan's interim prime minister is promising to find Osama Bin Laden and bring him to international justice.
He's believed to be hiding in the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan.
(------------)

[Condit]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gary Condit]

The recent scandal involving missing intern Chandra Levy --isn't stopping Congressman Gary Condit from seeking re-election.
(------------)
[VO-NAT5:03:56]
[SUPER=03-Modesto, CA]

The Democrat filed papers yesterday to run in his California district. Condit has come under fire -for his romantic link to the federal intern -who has been missing for seven months.
Prominent Democrats are backing someone else in Condit's district.
Condit has never had any serious opposition in the primaries. He's won re-election three times.
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[SCI-Layoffs]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC1:18:32]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
Central Virginia was faced with a huge layoff yesterday...Lynchburg-based S-C-I Systems cut nearly a third of its workforce.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The announcement came yesterday - after what company officials say has been a downturn in the market for cell phone base systems.
The reduction affects both salaried and hourly workers.
S-C-I says more than half of them volunteered to take the severance package.
S-C-I took over the cell phone infrastructure business from Ericsson a year ago, and still leases about 375-thousand square feet of the facility on Candlers Mountain Road.
The company says affected workers will receive help finding new jobs.
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[Telegate]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-44 TC1:53:48]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Layoffs hit our region again...this time in Clifton Forge.
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[VO-NAT - :18.5]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge;]
130 employees at Telegate U-S-A will lose their jobs next week when the company closes.
The call center currently handles directory assistance calls. Clifton Forge economic officials say they have 12 solid leads on companies interested in the building. They say the building could be used for a variety of things.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 2:50]
[IN Q=At this center...]
((GLYNN LOOPE/CLIFTON FORGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR; AT THIS CENTER THEY WERE PROVIDING DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE FOR AT-T AND VERIZON WIRELESS. AT THE SAME TIME YOU COULD BE AT ANOTHER CORNER TAKING 800 NUMBER RESERVATIONS FOR DISNEYLAND. SO YOU COULD HAVE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS WITH MULTIPLE SYSTEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Glynn Loope/Economic Development Coordinator;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=with multiple systems.]
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[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The efforts to bring in a new employer have gained the support of Congressmen Bob Goodlatte and Rick Boucher, the co-chairs of the Congressional Internet Caucus.

[Covington-Parade]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-48 TC1:44:28]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Covington -
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[VO-NAT - :16]
[SUPER=03-Covington;]
Storefronts and streets in downtown are decorated for today's "An Olde Town Covington Christmas". The focus of the event is to bring shoppers to Covington's downtown. The events are sponsored in part by Old Town Covington, a part of the Mainstreet program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 1:33]
[IN Q=The whole goal...]
((JEREMIAH WALKER/OLD TOWN COVINGTON INC.; THE WHOLE GOAL OF THE MAINSTREET PROGRAM IN COVINGTON IS TO BRING NEW LIFE INTO DOWNTOWN COVINGTON AND IF WE CAN ATTRACT THE FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE BACK TO DOWNTOWN, THEN WE'VE GOTTEN HALFWAY TO OUR GOAL.))
[SUPER=01-Jeremiah Walker/Old Town Covington, Inc.;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=gotten halfway to our goal.]
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[VO-NAT - :12+]
As part of the program, the celebration will feature a breakfast with Santa, Christmas caroling, and "Kidless Shopping", where parents can drop off their children at a supervised location for a small fee.
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[Christmas-Store]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[box shot with Jacey on PS] Buying holiday gifts aren't all fun and games for many families - but Jacey tells us that there is an organization that tries to make the holidays happy for everyone.
[ANCHOR=JACEY]
That's right, Joy. [Jacey FS]
Most of us link christmas shopping with malls and specialty stores.
But not everyone enjoys the luxury of purchasing expensive and brand-new gifts during the holidays.
In Montgomery County... there is one store that helps low-income families afford to fill out their wishlists.
And today we have with us Patsy Dillon-Long and Cheri Houston from the Montgomery County Christmas Store. [jacey one shot-ps]

[SUPER=01-Patsy Dillon-Long/Montgomery Co. Christmas Store]
[SUPER=01-Cheri Houston/Montgomery Co. Christmas Store]

Hi ladies... now you don't sell ornaments and decorations at this christmas store do you?
How do you stock items?
How do people become eligible to shop?
Volunteer needs? Donation needs - (talk about some of the things you can see)?
Benefits you've seen in past years?

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Jacey - from PS]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[SS=None]
[BOTH MICS HOT] The latest star studded event isn't an awards ceremony or premier -
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[VO-NAT]
Instead it's the latest movie to hit the bigscreen - we'll tell you whether or not you should try to catch the wave a little later on News Saturday Morning But first if you are traveling today........ [Jacey ad-lib the travel forecast -- WX PRO]
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[Jacey MIC hot] [ No 2-shot toss go straight to Travel Bump] [soft music under]

[Daniels]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Profiles]

This week's Virginia Profile is definetely in a league of her own.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Her name is Donna Daniels and she is the president of the Roanoke Dazzle basketball team.
She is just one of three female presidents in the National Basketball Development League.
Daniels says she doesn't feel any pressure being a woman in a male dominated sport.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:47:37]
[IN Q=I'm very proud of the]
((DONNA DANIELS/DAZZLE TEAM PRESIDENT: I'M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I'M PRESIDENT OF A MEN'S PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM. I DON'T APPROACH MY JOB BEING A WOMAN. I TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME BUT I AM PROUD OF THAT FACT.))
[SUPER=01-Donna Daniels/Dazzle Team President]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=of that fact]
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[vo-nat]
So what exactly does a team president do?
You'd be surprised.
(+++++++++)
[take fs - 9156essC]
Join us tomorrow for News 7 Sunday morning to find out as we profile Donna Daniels.
(++++++++)
[ANCHOR=JACEY]
Don't go away - News 7 Saturday Morning will be right back. [GRAPHIC=NONE]