[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR= Shannon]
The best gift would be to have their sons home from war.
We'll meet two local families who will wait to celebrate Christmas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we'll show you how to keep your holiday from bursting into flames with some potentially life-saving tips.
(------------)
[Sports-head]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
In sports, the UVa basketball team is on the move in the rankings and a player is recognized by the ACC, the Dazzle offers it's Christmas list
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and two former Friday Football Extra stars attend a Tech practice over the weekend.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[SS=None]
Although Christmas doesn't call for snow this year... it does call for some very cool temperatures. We'll tell you how low the mercury will go... in just a few minutes.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:38:21]
[IN Q=we've just told]
((WE'VE JUST TOLD HIM SANTA CLAUS WILL BE HERE WHEN YOU GET HERE, HE'S JUST GONNA HAVE TO MAKE TWO RUNS THIS YEAR.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=THIS YEAR.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Christmas is on hold for two local families.
They say celebration will begin when their sons return home from war.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
Keith is off tonight.
[Military-Family]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC1:33:07]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Six]
Brad Hale and Waylon Arehart have been best friends since kindergarten.
Their friendship only grew stronger when they both enlisted in the United States Airforce.
Now overseas serving their country, their families are at home in Roanoke, missing their boys during Christmas.
News 7's Rachel Cannon has their story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Teresa Arehart/Son in Military; :15]
[SUPER=01-Heather Hale/Brother in Military; :55]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Hale/Son in Military; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Roanoke.]
((Nats
The Areharts and Hales can't help but smile while looking through old pictures.
There was basketball, ROTC and even a time when the boys looked alike.
Fast forward 10-years and they're both gone on Christmas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:14:19]
[IN Q=it's like]
((TERESA AERHART/SON IN MILITARY; IT'S LIKE PART OF US IS GONE YOU JUST DON'T HAVE THAT COMPLETE CLOSURE OF HAVING YOUR WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER CHRISTMAS MORNING.))
[OUT Q=MORNING.]
21-year-old Waylon left his base in California for Greece in October.
He has had some contact with the family thorough calls and e-mail.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:32:26]
[IN Q=YOU CAN'T REALLY]
((YOU CAN'T REALLY DESCRIBE HOW YOU FEEL YOU KNOW YOUR PROUD OF HIM YET YOUR SAD AT THE SAME TIME THAT HE HAS TO BE WHERE HE IS AT AND DOING WHAT HE'S DOING.))
[OUT Q=HE'S DOING.]
The Areharts expect Waylon back in the states by February.
NATS TC
The Hales aren't so sure about 22-year-old Brad.
As special operations weapons technician, his information is top secret.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:25:29]
[IN Q=we know]
((HEATHER HALE/BROTHER IN MILITARY; WE KNOW THAT HE WORKS ON THE AC 130 GUNSHIP WHICH WE SAW ALL OVER THE NEWS A FEW DAYS AFTER HE WAS DEPLOYED AND IT WAS IN AFGHANISTAN))
[OUT Q=IN AFGHANISTAN]
Based out of Florida, Brad has called home quickly twice since being deployed.
The family is hoping for the phone to ring tomorrow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:40:13]
[IN Q=IF SOMEONE]
((IF SOMEONE HAS TO DEFEND THIS COUNTRY THEY DON'T GET A BETTER MAN THAN MY SON.))
[OUT Q=than my son]
The first Christmas without their sons is hard for both families...they're leaning on each other and looking to the future for peace.
(///// SOT /////) (COVER WITH PIC OF THEM)
[SOT 18:09:01]
[IN Q=I CANNOT]
((I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE DAY WHEN BOTH OF THEM ARE BACK WITH US.))
[OUT Q=BACK WITH US.]
Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke.))
[Bedford-Death]
[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
An autopsy will be performed on a North Carolina man who died last night after fighting with three Bedford County deputies.
A spokesman says 35-year old Barry Newman called for help from his mother's house saying he was having difficulty breathing.
But before help could arrive authorities say the Mount Airy man, armed with a handgun, drove up the road to the home of an elderly man.
When rescue crews tracked him down Newman refused to be treated and became violent, hitting a female deputy in the face.
After a lengthy fight involving pepper spray, a canine unit and restraints Newman went limp and lost his pulse.
CPR was unsuccessful.
The sheriff's department says crack cocaine was found in the car Newman had been driving and that he may have been under the influence of drugs.
Virginia State Police are investigating.
[New-Home]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=01-57 TC41:01]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
Many families are facing tough financial times this holiday season.
But tonight Joy Sutton has the story of a man named Joseph and his pregnant wife... on the road and with no where to stay... who now have something to be thankful for on Christmas.
[SOT]
[IN Q=We had nothing]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Perkins;00]
[SUPER=03-Vinton;10]
[SUPER=01-Joseph Perkins, Jr.;26]
[SUPER=@Joy2;]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=News 7 Vinton]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:09]
[IN Q=We had nothing]
((WE HAD NOTHING --ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ..IT'S JUST BEEN A MIRACLE))
[RUNS06]
[OUT Q=it's just been a miracle]
The miracle for Brenda Perkins and her family is that they now have a home. While it's not fully furnished --everything inside has been given to them.
Even their bed was donated by a couple they didn't even know.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT14:20]
[IN Q=It meant so much to me that]
(( IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME THAT THERE ARE SOME KIND LOVING PEOPLE OUT HERE IN THIS WORLD...IF WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING THEN THE RIGHT STUFF WILL COME BACK TO US AND WE WILL BE BLESSED IN THE PROCESS))
[RUNS13]
[OUT Q=blessed in the process]
But it's been a rough year for the Perkins --they lost almost everything --their home --car --and even an unborn child.
They came to Roanoke from Illinois with only the clothes on their backs.
And for the first time in their lives --the had to stay in a shelter. But they say even that was a blessing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:24]
[IN Q=It's been rough]
(( IT'S BEEN ROUGH I NEVER DREAMED THAT THINGS WOULD JUST BLOSSOM LIKE THEY'VE DONE))
[RUNS06]
[OUT Q=just blossom lik]
While the Perkins haven't officially moved into their apartment--they will be spending Christmas here.
And thanks to the Rescue Mission their 11 year old daughter Cassie even has gifts.
The Perkins hope their story will inspire others --that no matter how hard times get --there is always light at the end of the tunnel. They says they owe all their blessings to God and the generosity of others.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT36:02]
[IN Q=I'm just so happy]
((I'M JUST SO HAPPY ---I'M SO JOYFUL.. AND I KNOW IF HE CAN DO IT FOR US HE CAN DO FOR ANYBODY ))
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q=can do for anybody]
Joy Sutton, News 7, Vinton.))
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
The man who helped revitalize downtown Roanoke talks about its future... even as he prepares to leave the Star City.
That's still ahead on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
And a mother tries to get back on her feet after a weekend fire destroyed her home and her business.
(----------------)
[Roanoke-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tsa]
[TAPE#=01-58 TC25:57]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]
The victim of a weekend fire is working to get her life back in order this Christmas Eve.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Susan Sellers ran Ola's Cafe on Bridge Street.
The restaurant and an upstairs apartment burned Saturday afternoon.
Today Sellers is getting help from the Red Cross with donations of food and household items.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:05:53]
[IN Q=Right now I need a home]
((SUSAN SELLERS/FIRE VICTIM: RIGHT NOW I NEED A HOME, YOU KNOW, AND OF COURSE THINGS YOU NEED IN A HOME CAUSE EVERYTHING'S GONE. MY DAUGHTER'S CHRISTMAS IS GONE.))
[SUPER=01-Susan Sellers/Fire Victim]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=My daughter's Christmas is gone.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Sellers and her daughter are living with family nearby until a new home can be found.
There's still no word on the cause of Saturday's fire.
(------------)
[Fire-Safety]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=501-11 TC1:00:55]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Safety]
Roanoke County fire officials say they've responded to nearly a dozen fires in the past few weeks that could have been prevented.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
Fire officials say overloading extension cords is extremely dangerous.
They recommend a serge protector to eliminate the possibility of a short.
Also, be on the look-out for pets around candles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A stick]
((ADAM FLEMING/READ MOUNTAIN FIRE CHIEF: A STICK OF WAX WITH A WICK ON TOP, THEY BURN DOWN. PEOPLE AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION. THEY CATCH SOMETHING ELSE ON FIRE. THE BEST ONES TO USE ARE CANDLES PROTECTED IN A GLASS BOWL.))
[SUPER=01-Adam Fleming/Read Mountain Fire Chief]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=glass bowl.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire in North America.
Provide smokers with large, deep non-tip ash trays.
(------------)
[Anchor=Shannon]
[SS=HOLD]
Chief Fleming says people's number one priority should be to have a fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies.
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Stock prices ended little changed in a shortened and quiet Christmas Eve trading session.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440- /Unch/10035.34/y/1.31/1944.52;]
The DOW was unchanged for the day.
NASDAQ fell a point.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.46/45.80/h/0.73/43.00/h/0.20/61.80/h/0.28/14.32/h/0.01/7.39;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.25/58.30/h/0.82/51.76/i/0.22/41.13/i/0.15/23.65/h/0.20/38.15;]
[SUPER=273-/Unchg/20.50/h/0.17/18.45/h/0.15/1.50/h/0.57/46.37/h/0.26/13.66;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.19/62.09/h/1.09/68.53/h/0.05/47.20//Unchg/31.50/i/0.44/57.13;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Kennell]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-48 TC2:03:03]
[GRAPHIC=Matt Kennell]
Matt Kennell (KEN-nuhl) will ring in the new year in a new city.
But the man who has led Downtown Roanoke Incorporated for seven years, says he's leaving the Star City in good hands.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 17]
Last week's ribbon cutting at the Gainsboro Parking Garage was one of Kennell's last official acts in Roanoke.
He said he feels very good about the future of downtown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:12]
[IN Q=I feel very]
((MATT KENNELL/I THINK THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT'S DEEPLY VESTED IN ITS DOWNTOWN. THEY REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT HAVING A VITAL CENTER CITY IS IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE REGION. AND I THINK OUR JOB NOW IS JUST TO CONTINUE BUILDING ON THE SUCCESSES THAT WE HAVE. AND KEEP GOING PROJECT BY PROJECT TO BUILD A STRONG CENTER OF THE CITY.))
[SUPER=01-Matt Kennell/Downtown Roanoke Inc.]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=build a strong center of the city.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Kennell is taking a similar position in Charleston, South Carolina.
[Sports tease]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Words from the nations number ranked college tennis player, the latest on the recruiting wars for two former Friday Football Extra stars,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and speaking of college football powers, our Virginia Tech Gator Bowl pre game reports continue.
(------------)
[S-Hackett]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 19:37]
[GRAPHIC=Tech football]
The 15th ranked Virginia Tech football team welcomed two high profile recruits to campus recently.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
Saturday, Northside standout linebacker Justin London and former Glenvar star defensive back and receiver Anthony Hackett attended the Hokies practice in an unofficial visit.
Hacket, who played at Hargrave last season, now weighs 195 pounds, and has dropped his 40 time to 4.4. Hackett took his official visit to Syracuse, which Anthony says has offered him a full scholarship, last week and will visit Maryland January 11th. Hackett, a defensive back, says if Tech offered him, he would go there.
Sources say London's choices have come down to Maryland, Tennessee and Tech and that both London and Hackett, who grew up together, will make their decisions around January 11th, both want to play college football together.
(------------)
[S-FSU]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-106 330TC]
[GRAPHIC=GATOR BOWL]
Virginia Tech is favored to beat Florida State in this season's Gator Bowl on New Year's day.
But Mike Stevens says the Hokies know better than to think the Seminoles will be a pushover.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THE HOKIES]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/December 1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Tallahassee, FL/This Season; :12]
[SUPER=01-Andre Davis/Virginia Tech Senior Flanker; :24]
[SUPER=01-Jake Houseright/Va. Tech Senior Linebacker; :38]
[SUPER=@mike1; :50]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va. Tech Head Coach; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(----------------)
[S-Dazzle]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-113 24:34]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]
Fans looking for something to do after opening all of their presents can head over to the Roanoke Civic center to watch the 6 and 11 Dazzle play the Greenville Grrowl at two .
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
The Dazzle held a voluntary practice today. Starting point guard Danny earl will miss his fourth start with an abdominal strain. Enough about basketball, what do the players want for Christmas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Boese/Dazzle Forward; :00]
[SUPER=01-Skip Youngblood/Dazzle Power Forward; :13]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=....you know"]
(--------------)
[S-UVA]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP_109 52:11]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]
UVa has climbed to number four in the latest national polls. The 8 and OH Cavs beat Rutgers 76-68 last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Last Night; :00]
Elton Brown was named A-C-C Rookie of the Week after averaging nine and a half points and three and a half rebounds in three Cavalier victories. Brown was 8-of-20 from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range.
(------------)
[S-KJ]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-103 1:49:36]
[GRAPHIC=KJ Hippensteel]
Former North Cross standout and Stanford senior KJ Hippensteel won't have to look under the Christmas tree tomorrow to find out he's the nation's number ranked college tennis player, he's already got that.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
The Stanford senior got another Christmas present early, how about tickets to another event on another kind of court.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="i'm]
[SUPER=01-K. J. Hippensteel/Nation's Top Ranked Player; :00]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=...forward to that"]
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
A week and a half ago, KJ hit with tennis pros Michael Chang and Todd Martin, he's also hit with Jim Courier and the experience was priceless.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=......really positive"]
(----------------)
[Christmas-Card]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC27:24]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
Your mailbox has probably been full with Christmas cards and packages lately.
We have one more for you tonight... Our Holiday greeting from all of us here at WDBJ-7 to you and yours.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Music]
[RUNS=5:25]
[OUT Q=Happy Holidays dissolves in]
[MUSIC ENDS]
by SS