WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/31/01

[Video-Open]

[NEWSCAST=6]

[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:07:33 - :37]
[IN Q=You're waking]
((YOU'RE WAKING UP SO THAT YOU THOUGHT YOU WAS DREAMING AND THEY'RE TELLING YOU THAT YOUR BUILDING IS ON FIRE.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=is on fire.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A Pittsylvania County volunteer fire department wakes up to a nightmare....
Now neighbors are helping it bounce back from a devastating fire.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

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

[Ringgold-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-53 TC1:11:21]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]

It was Ringgold fire company's worst nightmare:
Firefighters watched helpless as their station burned down Sunday ... with all their firefighting equipment inside.
As Marya Jones reports, their loss has already sparked an effort in the community to build a bigger, better fire station.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATs: pounding]
[SUPER=03-Ringgold; :00]
[SUPER=01-Walter Henderson/Firefighter; :17]
[SUPER=01-Mike Neal/Ringgold Fire Chief; :38 QUICK!]
[SUPER=@Marya1; :48]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Ringgold.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[NATS: 1:15:26 ] ((NATS: POUNDING ON CEMENT.)) [RUNS:02]
This cement block in the floor is the only piece of history that firefighters at Ringgold's Station 23 could preserve.
Sunday morning, they awoke to see the 40-year-old building and all its contents consumed by flames.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:17:11 - :21]
((WALTER HENDERSON/FIREFIGHTER: WE JUST ALL FELT HELPLESS. WE KNEW WE COULDN'T GET TO OUR TRUCKS AND WE COULDN'T GET TO OUR TANKER, SO THERE WAS NOTHING REALLY WE COULD DO. )) [RUNS:10]
Station 23 lost its three fire trucks and all its equipment.
Damage estimates top 600-thousand dollars.
Investigators are still looking for the cause ... but they believe it started in the area where fire trucks were kept.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:13:50 - :14:56]
((MIKE NEAL/FIRE CHIEF: I COULD NOT IMAGINE ANYONE THAT WOULD BURN A COMMUNITY FIRE DEPARTMENT UP.)) [RUNS:06]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:19:23 - :33]
((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: INSURANCE WILL REPLACE MOST OF WHAT WAS LOST BUT IN THE MEANTIME, NEIGHBORS ARE HELPING FILL IN THE GAPS, PROVIDING EVERYTHING FROM MONEY AND EQUIPMENT TO EVEN A GARAGE TO HOUSE THE FIRE TRUCKS.)) [RUNS:10]
(///// SOT /////)
[NATS: 1:05:34 check presentation] ((NATS: THIS IS SOMETHING FROM ON BEHALF OF ALL THE REALTORS IN DANVILLE, PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY.)) [RUNS:03]
Donations are already coming in.
Local businesses have already given the station checks totaling 15-hundred dollars.
Area fire stations are loaning Ringgold their trucks and equipment, so they can continue to answer calls.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:11:07 - :14]
((mike neal: WE'VE HAD PEOPLE CALL ALL THE WAY UP TO THE NORTHERN TOP OF VIRGINIA, OUT OF STATE, WANTING TO GIVE US STUFF, LET US BORROW STUFF. )) [RUNS:07]
The station was already raising money for a newer, larger building... with the help of the county.
Now those efforts have renewed urgency.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:18:24 - :34]
((walter henderson: NATURALLY WE'LL HAVE TO BUILD A NEW FIRE STATION, BUY NEW TRUCKS BUT I'M HOPING IN THE LONG RUN IT'LL PULL OUR GUYS TOGETHER BECAUSE NOW WE KNOW HOW EVERYBODY FEELS WHEN THEY'RE WAITING ON US. )) [RUNS:10]
But Station 23 isn't being kept waiting...
The community it protects and serves is coming to its aid.
Marya Jones, News-7, Ringgold.))

[L'burg-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Two men are still at large after police say they shot and robbed a Lynchburg man at his home yesterday.
It happened in the 1700 block of Texas Avenue early Sunday morning.
Police say both were black males in their mid- 20's, wearing dark clothing.
One of the suspects was armed with a handgun, and fired several shots, hitting 43- year- old Mahdeen Shahiid (sha-HEED) in the leg
The pair then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Shahiid is in stable condition at Lynchburg General Hospital.
No arrests have been made.

[First-Night]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC1:25:32]
[GRAPHIC=New Years]
The new year is already getting old in some parts of the world. Of course we have a six hours to go on the East Coast. In Blacksburg, preparations are underway for the only First Night celebration in this area.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and Rachel /Microwave;]

New 7's New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon joins us with more on what to expect tonight... Keith, the festivities are beginning in less than an hour.
[LIVE=Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Activities include concerts, magic shows, storytelling and even some square dancing. Organizers are expecting over 2-thousand people to attend...despite the cold temperatures.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats MUSIC]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Coffin/Musician; :19]
[SUPER=01-Dean Crane/Parks and Recreation Dir.; :48]
[SUPER=01-Steve Eanes/Fireworks Technician; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=WHEN YOU WALK]
((NATS TC 1:20:19 Music is major part of Blacksburg's second annual First Night celebration. Jeff Coffin is one musician who will help fill downtown with sound. He will play with The Apartment Projects when they take the stage at The Lyric for an hour and a half set of jazz and funk.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:23:37]
[IN Q=OBVIOUSLY]
((JEFF COFFIN/MUSICIAN; OBVIOUSLY IT'S FIRST NIGHT AND ITS COOL BRINGING IN 2002 BUT FOR ME THE MOST EXCITING PART OF BEING ABLE TO PLAY WITH THESE GUYS AND BEING ABLE TO DO JUST SOME CREATIVE MUSIC YOU KNOW AND MAKE IT INTERESTING AND FUN FOR EVERYBODY.))
[OUT Q=FOR EVERYBODY]

Everybody's looking to Parks and Recreation Director Dean Crane for last minute preparations. He says they're expecting almost 25-hundred participants at First Night, in part because Roanoke canceled theirs. Admission buttons have been flying out of stores.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:16:13]
[IN Q=PRETTY BRISK]
((DEAN CRANE/PARKS AND RECREATION DIR.; PRETTY BRISK AFTER CHRISTMAS IT'S BEEN PRETTY BRISK WE'VE BEEN GOING TO DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ALMOST TWICE A DAY TO COLLECT THE MONEY AND GIVE THEM MORE BUTTONS.))
[OUT Q=MORE BUTTONS]
NATS TC 1:14:02 "JUST TAKE THAT AND KINDA LAY IT OUT" It's taking a crew about 4-hours to set up the new year's party grand finale. A five-minute fireworks show...with the best viewing spot on Virginia Tech's Henderson Lawn.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:12:28]
[IN Q=it's all]
((STEVE EANES/FIREWORKS TECHNICIAN; WE'LL HAVE TAILS ON THEM PALM TREES THAT WILL BREAK OUT, A LOT OF VIVID COLORS, IT'S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHOWS I'VE SEEN THE COMPANY PUT OUT.))
[OUT Q=THE COMPANY PUT OUT.]
Crane's guessing not ever the weather will put a chill on tonight's event.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:16:30]
[IN Q=NAHH LAST YEAR]
((NAHH, LAST YEAR IT WAS 5 DEGREES SO THIS WARMER THAN LAST YEAR THIS IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL VENUES ARE NICE AND WARM MAY BE A LITTLE CRISP WHEN YOU WALK. ))
[OUT Q=when you walk.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
First Night is running from 7 p-m to midnight. Admission buttons can still be purchased for 10 dollars...kids under 12 are free. And if folks are worried about the cold...
[DOUBLE BOXES=Rachel & Keith /Microwave;]
a reminder that a Blacksburg Transit shuttle will be running for free every 10-minutes.

[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC42:28]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Council]

The New Year will bring a busy political season in Roanoke, where city council candidates are lining up for a March primary and the May election. [***NEWS 7 @ 6 MB GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Joe /MB Set;]

And with two council incumbents bowing out, Joe Dashiell reports the race is wide open.
[LIVE=JoeD /FULL MB SET]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]

Keith, city Democrats have scheduled a March 5th primary, and the Democratic candidates face a Friday deadline to get their names on the ballot... so they are the first out of the gate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Rupert Cutler spent part of his New Year's Eve]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brian Shepard/City Democratic Chairman; :32]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=come out with a strong ticket.]

((Rupert Cutler spent part of his New Year's Eve on the sidewalks of south Roanoke, collecting the signatures of registered voters.
He plans to announce his council campaign on Thursday morning alongside two other candidates: incumbent Nelson Harris, and planning commission member Alfred Dowe.
And the list doesn't end there. Other Democrats lining up for the March 5th primary include Xavier Fox, and previous council candidates Alvin Nash and Angela Norman.
[SOT 00:59]
[IN Q=I think it's going to be]
((I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REAL EXCITING WITH THAT NUMBER OF CANDIDATES. THAT MANY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN GETTING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION. IT SHOULD GENERATE A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM FOR OUR CANDIDATES. IT SHOULD GET PEOPLE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES EARLY AND GIVE THEM A REAL KICK START IN THE GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=general election campaign.]

Because longtime member Bill White, and former sheriff Alvin Hudson have announced they will not seek re-election to city council... the May 7th election will bring new blood to city council.
[SOT]
[IN Q=Both of those guys]
((BOTH OF THOSE GUYS ARE GOING BACK TO A WELL-EARNED AND WELL-DESERVED RETURN TO PRIVATE LIFE. AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN FILLING THOSE SEATS. A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AND I THINK WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD PEOPLE. WE'RE GOING TO COME OUT WITH A STRONG TICKET.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q= we're going to come out with a strong ticket.]))
(-------------)
[***NEWS 7 @ 6 MB GRAPHIC***]
[LIVE=JoeD /FULL MB Set]

City Republicans also expect to come out with a strong ticket, but they do not face a Friday deadline, so the line-up of GOP hopefuls is still up in the air.
Today, Mayor Ralph Smith said a number of Republicans are considering bids for city council, and he expects the party to offer a full slate.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & JoeD /MB Set;]

Of course, Keith we will have more on them as the Republican campaign comes into focus.

[Stocks]

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

Wall Street ended a bear of a year with a losing session. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/115.35/10021.64/y/36.24/1951.02;]

The DOW dropped 115 points.
NASDAQ fell 36.
Both indexes ended the year below where they started, the second straight down year for stocks.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/2.70/49.75/h/0.25/43.53/i/0.58/62.95/i/0.55/13.88/h/0.22/7.20;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.50/60.10/i/0.36/50.76/i/0.65/40.08/i/0.32/23.81/h/0.27/38.54;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.13/20.87/i/0.34/18.33/i/0.07/1.63/i/0.16/45.85/i/0.20/13.80;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.08/62.70/h/0.09/69.45/i/0.81/47.46/i/0.48/31.36/i/0.80/57.55;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[WV-Skiing]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC38:04]
[GRAPHIC=Skiing]

West Virginia's ski industry is hoping to hit the million-visitor mark this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Snowshoe, WV]

A record number of people skied in West Virginia last year.
Governor Bob Wise says this season can be even better, despite a late start.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:29:31]
[IN Q=We're within]
((GOV. BOB WISE/WEST VIRGINIA; WE'RE WITHIN ONE SAYS DRIVE OF 75 MILLION PEOPLE, GAS PRICES ARE LOW. WE HAD 800-THOUSAND SKIERS LAST YEAR IN WEST VIRGINIA AND WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Bob Wise/West Virginia]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=to go over that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

West Virginia resorts have enjoyed record numbers of skiers over the past week.
(------------)

[Sports tease]

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

Mike Stevens will have some final thoughts from Jacksonville, Florida as the Hokies gear up for the Gator Bowl, more other bowling action from today
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Notre Dame has a new head football coach, his name in a few.
(------------)

[S-Gator]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-116]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]

It's new years eve in Jacksonville and the party is definitely on for Tech fans. Mike Stevens and photographer Greg Moore give us a peek at today's activities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL; :14]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/149 Career Wins; :35]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Bowden/322 Career Wins; :44]
[SUPER=01-Don Nehlen/Gator Bowl Hall of Fame Inductee; 1:29]
[RUNS=2:19]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(---------------)
[PLEASE WIPE TO PINNACLE OVER THE LAST 5 SECONDS OF MIKE'S STANDUP!!!!!]
[@PAGE--------6741]

[S-Irish]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-111]
[GRAPHIC=Notre dame]

Notre Dame has a new head football coach and it's former Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA Football; :00]

According to reports, Willingham has accepted a six year deal worth between two million and three million dollars a year. It is believed his contract will make him just the third coach in all of college football to make over two million annually. Willingham coached Stanford the last seven years and posted a 44-36 and 1 record during that time. (------------)