WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/26/01

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Flight delays are hitting US Airways customers after illness struck the airline's employees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And, will Big Tom be Survivor's big winner? We'll catch up with Southwest Virginia's local celebrity.
(------------)

[Sports-head]

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

Coming up in sports, the Hokies opt to drive the Jacksonville and not fly, speaking of taking flight, Tech receiver Andre Davis hopes to do that against the Seminoles,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and the latest on the coaching status of Denver Nuggets head man Dan Issel.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[SS=None]

A little front is going to sneak through the area, bringing a reinforcement of cold air to the region, I'll tell you all about it.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]

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

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Reports of long lines at U-S Airways counters after about a dozen employees call in sick.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
Keith is off tonight.

[US-Airways]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#01-61 TC33:02]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]

The lack of crew members on this busy travel day has meant waits of up to 90 minutes at some U-S Airways counters.
[Double Boxes=Shannon and Teresa/Microwave]

We sent Teresa Hamilton to the Roanoke Regional Airport to scope out the situation there.
Teresa, what did you find?
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:as well as lines at other counters.)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa White/Traveler; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :07]
[SUPER=01-John Bedson/Traveler; :36]
[RUNS=:48]
[OUT Q=so far.]
(-------------)
[Live=Teresa Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Teresa and Shannon/Microwave]

[White]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tsa]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC2:01:01]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Council]

Another member of Roanoke City Council says he will not seek re-election.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape]

Bill White says he will not run in the May council elections.
White has served three terms spanning twelve years on city council.
He tells News-7 he's leaving the city in fine shape.
He says it's time to look at other options, which may include running for higher office, but first he's wants to take a break.
White joins Alvin Hudson as the second council member not seeking re-election.
(------------)

[Telegate]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC1:19:36]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Alleghany Highland economic leaders are still looking for a business to take over the Telegate U-S-A building in Clifton Forge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :14.5]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge/File Tape;]
The call center is operating on a reduced staff, and all employees are expected to be out of jobs by the beginning of the year. Virginia's incoming governor says the economic health of the state can't get better without high tech jobs in rural areas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 30:58]
[IN Q=If all the good jobs...]
((MARK WARNER/GOVERNOR-ELECT; IF ALL THE GOOD JOBS, PARTICULARLY HIGH TECH JOBS ARE ONLY GOING TO BE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA WE'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT IN VIRGININA. ONE OF THE GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OF THE INFORMATION AGES IS TO BRING INFORMATION JOBS THROUGH TELECOMMUTING, BROADBAND CAPABILITY TO COMMUNITIES LIKE CLIFTON FORGE.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=to communities like Clifton Forge.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :10]
Telegate U-S-A had handled directory assistance calls for A-T-and-T and Verizon Wireless. Economic leaders say they have more than 12 businesses interested in locating there.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Warner-Shuler]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-55 TC50:23]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT - :24.5]
[SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.]
Warner was in Alleghany County to attend a campaign event for Democratic Delegate Jim Shuler. In November, Shuler's reelection bid was ended in the redrawn seventh district. But (CREE) Creigh Deed's win for the 25th District Senate seat last week has opened the door for Shuler in the 12th house district. Since Shuler has represented the New River Valley, he says there are plenty of new faces to meet in the Highlands.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 26:07/30:05]
[IN Q=]
((DEL. JIM SHULER/(D) BLACKSBURG; IT IS A LARGE DISTRICT, BUT EVERYBODY'S CONCERNED ABOUT 2 ISSUES. 1: EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND 2: IS A GOOD JOB WITH BENEFITS AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE WORKED FOR IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY.)) ((MARK WARNER/GOVERNOR-ELECT; WESTERN VIRGINIA, ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS, AND THE NEW RIVER VALLEY NEED A STRONG VOICE IN RICHMOND, PARTICULARLY IN THESE TIMES WHERE WE'RE FACING A FISCAL CRISIS.))
[SUPER=@Shuler; :00]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :15]
[RUNS=28]
[OUT Q=where we're facing a fiscal crisis.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :05+]
Shuler will face Republican Larry Linkous in the January Eighth special election.
(------------)

[Accidents]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Highway Safety]

A new report shows distracted drivers are the leading cause of all crashes statewide.
The Transportation Safety Training Center studied 444 fatal crashes caused by driver inattention, but were unable to pin down the cause in 79 percent of them.
About 80 of the accidents happened because the driver fell asleep or was tired.
Male drivers were involved in 74 percent of the crashes, even though they make up only half of Virginia's licensed drivers.

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

It will still be an air force, but it won't be the Confederate Air Force for much longer.
We'll tell you why when News 7 at Six returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And he's survived Africa so far... when we come back we'll see how Rich Valley's Big Tom is surviving his new-found fame.
(----------------)

[Returns]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-60 TC1:17:37]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]

Good-bye season of giving.
Hello season of returning and exchanging.
December 26th begins what's known as "the second holiday shopping season."
[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya & Shannon /Microwave;]

And nowhere was that more obvious than at Valley View Mall today.
That's where we find Marya Jones now.
[LIVE= Marya/FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Shannon, Roanokers stormed the stores today ... not only to swap what Santa gave them, but also to take advantage of some big discounts.
Nationally, retailers are reporting their worst holiday season in a decade.
But in Roanoke, the crowds tell a different story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Terry Welch/Shopper; :18]
[SUPER=01-Erin Welch/Shopper; :27]
[SUPER=01-Meagan Downie/Shopper; :47 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Allison Reed/Shopper; :52]
[SUPER=01-Louise Dudley/Valley View Manager; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Cindy Hively/Shopper; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=OF THE BACK ROOM. ]
(( 'Twas the day after Christmas and all through the mall, Roanoke shoppers were returning things too large and too small.
(///// SOT /////)
[NATS 25:15] ((NATSOUND REGISTER)) [RUNS:02]
Terry Welch and her kids came to make some returns, but found the sales too good to resist.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 33:14 - :22]
((TERRY WELCH: WELL, I THINK I GOT TOO MANY VIRGINIA TECH ITEMS, SO I GOT TO RETURN SOME OF THOSE. AND ERIN MY DAUGHTER IS LOOKING FOR HER BOYFRIEND SOMETHING. )) [RUNS:08]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 34:24 - :31]
((ERIN WELCH: I NEED TO GET THREE GIFTS FOR MY FRIENDS... I FORGOT TO GET THEM SOMETHING. )) [RUNS:07]
Stores around the mall are cutting prices as much as 40 to 60 percent, hoping to lure bargain hunters.
Allison Reed and Meagan Downie's pockets were fat with Christmas money ... and they were only too willing to take the bait.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 28:16 - :21]
((MEAGAN DOWNIE: GIVES YOU EXERCISE AFTER EATING ALL THAT HAM AND TURKEY AND STUFF LIKE THAT THAT WE ATE. )) [RUNS:05]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 26:24 - :35]
((ALLISON REID: BEFORE CHRISTMAS I WAS LOOKING FOR THE REALLY GOOD SALES BUT I DIDN'T HAVE AS MUCH MONEY, SO I WAS HOLDING OFF. BUT NOW THAT I HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND, I'M SPENDING A LOT MORE THAN I WAS BEFORE. )) [RUNS:11]
Nationwide, retailers have been reporting their worst holiday season in a decade.
Not so in Roanoke ...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:57 - 21:06]
((LOUISE DUDLEY/VALLEY VIEW MANAGER: THE ANALYSTS PROJECTED GLOOM AND DOOM FOR RETAIL.... VERY GOOD SALES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.)) [RUNS:09]
Bargain prices have even helped some stores like Aeropostale run short on merchandise.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 30:56 - 31:06]
((CINDY HIVELY: WE HAD TO PUT SOME SPRING THINGS OUT ON MONDAY TO GET READY FOR THIS DAY BECAUSE WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A FULL STORE, SO WE HAD TO GET THAT OUT OF THE BACK ROOM. )) [RUNS:10]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Marya/FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya & Shannon/Microwave;]

[Confederate-Air Force]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jsc]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC1:34:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Confederate Air Force will officially ground its name this January.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]

The flying club will change its name to the Commemorative Air Force in an effort to acquire more sponsors.
The group said businesses were reluctant to finance C-F-A events due to the name.
Members also said the current name does not reflect their objective of preserving vintage aircraft and their history.
The Hampton Roads-based organization has 100 members.
It also has the last B-29 and one of only two B-24's still in flying condition.
(------------)

[Stocks]

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

A late round of profit-taking cut Wall Street's gains in the post-Christmas session. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/52.73/10088.07/x/16.22/1960.70;]

The DOW gained 53 points.
NASDAQ rose 16.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.20/46.00/h/0.10/43.10/h/0.56/62.36/i/0.25/14.07/i/0.11/7.28;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.51/58.81/h/0.06/51.82/i/0.58/40.55/h/0.25/23.90/i/0.11/38.04;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.01/20.49/i/0.12/18.33/h/0.18/1.68/h/0.14/46.51/h/0.74/14.40;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.56/62.65/h/0.99/69.52//Unchg/47.20/i/0.03/31.47/h/1.02/58.15;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Saltville-Survivor]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC37:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Will a local farmer be the ultimate survivor on CBS's hit reality show? Friends and fans of Smyth County resident Tom Buchanan say he has what it takes. News 7's New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon caught up with the CAMERA SHY Survivor contestant today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS "THERE OUR LITTLE PRIZE"]
[SUPER=03-Smyth Co.; :00]
[SUPER=04-CBS Productions; :06]
[SUPER=01-Shirley Lowry O'Neil/Tom's Friend; :12 QUICK]
[NO SUPER TOO QUICK]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; :38]
[NO SUPER TOO QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Hal Campbell/Tom's Friend; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Smyth County.]
((NATS TC 30:47:17 "THERE OUR LITTLE PRIZE POSSESSIONS" The buzz around Smyth County is that they have the true Survivor. Rich Valley resident Tom Buchanan is still sweating it out in Africa.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 31:06:18]
[IN Q=i have]
((SHIRLEY LOWERY O'NEIL/TOM'S FRIEND; I HAVE A FEELING HE'S GOING TO BE THE FIRST ONE, I REALLY DO.))
[OUT Q=I rally do.]
First place that is. The self-employed farmer has already survived nine-episodes and now has a one in six chance of winning the million-dollar prize.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35:37:29]
[IN Q=he's witty]
((HE'S WITTY HE'S FUNNY EVERYBODY LIKES TO HAVE HIM AROUND.))
[OUT Q=HIM AROUND]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 31:42:13]
[IN Q=HE'S A ]
((HE'S A CELEBRITY, HE'S PUT US ON THE MAP.))
[OUT Q=the map]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 43:49:08] (cover top with store sign video)
[IN Q=it didn't]
((RACHEL CANNON/RCANNON@WDBJ7.COM; IT DIDN'T TAKE US LONG TO FIND BIG TOM WE CAME TO KJ'S KOUNTRY KORNER AND WE FOUND HIM SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AND TALKING WITH CUSTOMERS HE SAYS HE DOESN'T MIND AT ALL THE FAME THAT SURVIVOR HAS BROUGHT HIM BUT ONCE HE SAW OUR TELEVISION CAMERA HE WENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.))
[OUT Q=CLOSED DOORS.]
TC 36:31:13 "HE CAN'T TELL, THAT'S FOR SURE." FILE NATS TC BETA 23:24:00 Under contract, the 46-year-old can't tell anything about the show until it happens on screen. TC 41:49:28 He also says he can't be filmed...we only got this small glimpse. NATS TC 33:27:00 "THEIR TOM BUCHANAN FANS"
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35:49:19]
[IN Q=EVERYBODY]
((EVERYBODY WANTS TO MEET HIM WE'VE SOLD ABOUT CLOSE TO 4-THOUSAND SHIRTS HERE IT'S HELPING BUSINESS OUT THE ECONOMY IS
SLOW.))
[OUT Q=IS SLOW.]
Lifelong friend Hal Campbell says Buchanan is still the same guy he grew up with and that he's even using his celebrity status for good. Visiting local schools and clubs to talk with kids.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 38:59:22]
[IN Q=HE SAID]
((HE SAID I'M STIL THE SAME BIG TOM AS I ALWAYS WAS EVERYBODY ELSE HAS CHANGED AND HOW THEY WHAT THEY THINK OF ME THEIR PERCEPTION OF ME HAS CHANGED.))
[OUT Q=Changed.]
A whole lot more may change if he is the final survivor. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Smyth County.))

[Sports tease]

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

The Dazzle talks about limiting turnovers, is Dan Issel still the coach of the Denver Nuggets,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and we will see how the Express goalies are getting along around this holiday season.
(------------)

[S-Davis]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-106 508tc]
[GRAPHIC=GATOR BOWL]

If Virginia Tech is beats Florida State in the Gator Bowl, rest assured that senior Ben Taylor and Andre Davis will have a huge hand in the victory. Mike Stevens has more on a man who hits opponents and a man who hits the books.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/This Season; :00]
[SUPER=01-Andre Davis/Academic All-American; :28]
[SUPER=@mike1; :46]
[SUPER=01-Ben Taylor/Va. Tech Senior Linebacker; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(-------------)

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]

Virginia Tech football players would rather drive than fly. Nearly every Hokie is taking a car to Jacksonville for the January first Gator Bowl.
Under N-C-A-A rules, universities can compensate players at 26 cents a mile if they drive to a bowl game. Reports indicated that nearly every Hokie player is headed to Florida by car for the big game on New Year's Day.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE!!!!!!!]
[@PAGE--------6741]

And don't forget to check out our new years eve special on the Hokies, "Tech 2001, Back to the Beach" which hits your Hometown Station airways at seven PM. Join Mike Stevens for all of the Tech and Florida State pre game notes.
(-------------)

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-108]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]

The 6 and 11 Roanoke Dazzle looks for it's eighth win of the season tomorrow night on the road against Fayetteville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00]

Last night, the Dazzle got some big play from it's bench and held a lead to beat Greenville 94-86. While the team won , turnovers are still high. Roanoke is averaging almost 20 turnovers a game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Boese/Dazzle Forward; :00]
[SUPER=01-Andre McCollum/Dazzle Guard; :15]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=.....into the games"]
(--------------)

[S-Issel]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-103]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

The future is still up in the air for Denver Nuggets coach Dan Issel, who, in a recent game, shouted a profane and ethnically insensitive remark at a fan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]
Issel met with Denver Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe (VAN'-duh-way) today and interim coach Mike Evans ran practice again. There have been reports that Issel is going to resign as head coach, but there's been no confirmation of those reports. Denver and Issel will issue a statement at seven tonight on Issel's future. Sources say he will resign as head coach of the Nuggets.
(----------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-117]
[GRAPHIC=express]

The Roanoke Express is on the road, traveling to Atlantic City for tomorrow night's game against the Boardwalk Bullies.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

The team has held strong in second place in the Northeast thanks, in large part to the play of the goalies. Veteran Daniel Berthiaume has a .914 save percentage and is giving up just 2.56 goals a game. He is also helping along back up Jordan Willis, who, in 13 games is allowing 3.37 goals a game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Berthiaume/12-5 and 4 This Season; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jordan Willis/6-4 and 2 This Season; :14]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=learn something from"]
(------------)

[S-Earnhardt]

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

The late Dale Earnhardt will be inducted next month into the Eastern Motorsport Press Association's Hall of Fame.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NASCAR; :00]

Earnhardt will be enshrined at the organization's awards banquet on January 19th. Earnhardt died in a last-lap accident at the Daytona 500 in February. He was a seven-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion. (------------)