WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/03/02

[News-Heads]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

Areas that don't typically see heavy snowfall are apparently making up for lost time--
As much as nine inches are on the ground in Southside.
Transportation officials are advising people to stay off the roads if they can.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

And two Demcratic hopefuls, along with one incumbent, announce their intentions to run for Roanoke City Council.

[WX-Head]
The first winter storm of the season packs a punch in some areas...I'll show you where and another storm heads our way...I'll have the forecast...

[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1;]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If you've been waiting for snow-- here it is.
The winter storm stretching from Louisiana to Virginia has caused hundreds of traffic accidents throughout the Southeast.

(------------)

[Winter-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Kimberley]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-50 1:44:12]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

A winter storm moving north has left portions of our area with as much as 9 inches of snow... closing schools, businesses and government offices in many areas.
Snow accumulations ranged from a light dusting around Roanoke and Lynchburg to 9 inches in South Boston.
[DOUBLE BOXES= Kimberley/Marya Microwave;]

Marya Jones is out in the snow this afternoon in Roanoke to tell us how it's affecting road conditions.
[LIVE=Marya /FULL]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Kimberley, at this point -- no major accidents to report ... but there have been plenty of fender-benders.
State police say that in two hours this morning there were 26 minor weather-related accidents on Interstate 81 this morning from Radford to Roanoke.
On Route 58 through Henry and Pittsylvania Counties, where snow was heavy, there were 16 during that same time period.
(-------------)
[LIVE VO]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Slippery roads causing some problems like this accident this morning on 581 in Roanoke.
A pickup truck ran up under a tanker.
No major injuries in that one.
It happened during some flurries that started this morning that lasted several hours.
But to our south, the snow moved in last night and left much more of a mark.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]

Here's a look at Martinsville last night.
By 11:00 this morning, the city had six inches in some spots.
The biggest accident to report from that area is a trooper who totaled his car while going to a wreck in Pittsylvania County. He had minor injuries.
(-------------------)
[LIVE=Marya FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Highway crews and V-DOT are hard at work keeping roads clear for travel.
But, as with any snow, officials say there are some slick spots and motorists should use caution before heading out there.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kimberly/Marya Microwave;]
kimberley?
[WX-Tease] ((TOSS TO LEO)) [1/3/2002]
[SS=NONE]LEO IN WX-CENTER

[WXPRO/FULL] RADAR AMOUNTS STORY

[SS=NONE]LEO TOSS BACK

[Richmond]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jsc]
[TAPE#=01-60 1:25:30]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Richmond received some post-holiday decorations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The state capital has been hit with up to eight inches of snow in some areas.
Flakes began falling about eleven o'clock last night and continued through this morning.
The city, which is preparing for the inauguration of governor-elect Mark Warner, is expecting more snow throughout the day.
Area roads continue to be cleared, but Virginia State Police and V-DOT are encouraging people to stay home if possible.
Schools, businesses and several government offices have been closed.
Areas around Richmond are expecting up to a foot.
(------------)

[Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]

(XXXXXXXX)
[WEBWATCH FS]
Just a final reminder, if you need to know if the winter weather has had an impact on your schedule,
you can find a list of all school, business, and government closings and delays on our webpage at WDBJ 7 dot com.

(-------------)

[NC-Ice]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Icy weather from the winter storm has knocked out power to nearly 15-thousand customers in North Carolina.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wilson Co., NC;]

Roads are slippery and dangerous across nearly all of North Carolina's midsection.
But the state's three major airports are open.
The post- holiday precipitation has covered much of the state with snow and ice.
Forecasters say double-digit snowfall totals could come by day's end, as the winter weather continues.
(------------)

[ WIPE WIPE WIPE][Atlanta-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

Further south, the first winter storm of 2002 left more than five inches of the white stuff across much of Georgia.

The snow started falling in the early morning hours yesterday, and is expected to last until sometime this afternoon.
The state's transportation department has crews working 12- hour shifts around the clock, covering roads with salt and sand.
The snowy weather may come as a surprise to Georgia residents-- but not to THIS winter- savvy driver.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:12:21 ]
[IN Q=I'm used to]
((I'M USED TO DRIVING IN THIS WEATHER. CAUSE I'M FROM THE NORTH ORIGINALLY. WE'RE GOING TO BOSTON. THERE'S NO SNOW IN BOSTON THOUGH!))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=in Boston, though.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, more flight cancellations are likely today at Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport, the world's busiest airport.

(------------)[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-52 1:31:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke Democrats are holding a March primary to choose their candidates for city council. Today, one incumbent and two council hopefuls announced their campaigns.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Council member Nelson Harris, Planning Commission member Alfred Dowe, and community activist Rupert Cutler joined supporters outside the Roanoke Public Library.
While running individual campaigns for the Democratic nomination, the three are supporting each other.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:01:04]
[IN Q=So I think we're doing]
((REV. NELSON HARRIS: SO I THINK WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN AT THIS POINT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO OUR SUPPORTERS THAT THESES ARE THE FOLKS WE'D LIKE TO ENTER THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH. THESE ARE THE FOLKS WE'D LIKE TO SERVE WITH ON ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Nelson Harris/(D) Candidate for City Council]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=serve with on Roanoke City Coouncil.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Friday is the deadline for candidates to file for the March 5th primary. Others who are expected to seek the Democratic nomination include Xavier Fox, Alvin Nash and Angela Norman. [Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A long time Roanoke businessman says he is shutting his doors for good. We'll have the details after this break,
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Also, as negotiations continue for the surrender of a Taliban leader, a powerful earthquake shakes parts of Afghanistan.
(---------------)
[Streaming Video] [music up full] [comm1]

[War-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon ]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Enduring Freedom]

The U-S is beefing up forces in the hunt for Taliban and al-Qaida leaders.
And, something BESIDES the war has shaken things up in parts of Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.
Cynthia Bowers reports on today's earthquake.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kabul, Afghanistan;]
[SUPER=03-Kandahar, Afghanistan;]
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Bowers/CBS News;]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=Cynthia Bowers, CBS News, Kabul.]
((
SCRIPT Rumbling here today came from the earth not the sky....a 5.8 earthquake that hit around noon local time. The epicenter was an isolated mountain region which means reports of damage or injury may be slow in coming...The quake was also felt in northern pakistan and even in the Indian capital. Here in Kabul the ground shook for about 30 seconds..

(take insert)
US military building continues to the south, where paratroopers from the 101st airborne are arriving in Kandahar, even as negotiations continue for the bloodless surrender of Taliban leader Mullah Omar...But US officials are growing increasing skeptical...They say even if Omar is in the Baghran area, they have no indication he or the thousand or so fighters holed up with him are ready to give up.

(live)
For the past few days US planes have been dropping leaflets in the region warning villagers not to shelter Taliban or Al Qaeda members...and have told tribal leaders in the area to turn over Omar or face airstrikes. Cynthia Bowers CBS News Kabul.

))[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Israel carried out two more raids in Palestinian territory today -- just hours before a U-S peace mediator is scheduled to arrive.
A peace deal drafted by the U-S calls for Israel to stay out of Palestinian-controlled areas.
But Israel's Prime Minister says his country won't implement the agreement until there are seven days of complete calm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ramallah, West Bank;]

As an apparent good faith gesture, Israeli troops lifted blockades on four West Bank towns today.
They withdrew tanks from a fifth town, and partially pulled out of a sixth.
(------------)

[Buddy]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Former President Bill Clinton has lost a good friend--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Clinton's dog, Buddy was struck and killed yesterday by a car near his home in (CHA-puh-kwah) Chappaqua, New York.
Police say the driver was NOT at fault.
Authorities say the chocolate Labrador retriever ran from the house to ''playfully'' chase after a contractor who had just left. The Clintons got Buddy in late 1997, just weeks before the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke.
They say he was a "loyal companion" who brought them a lot of joy.
(------------)

[Juliens-Shoes]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-49 TC1:52:19]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]

After more than five decades in business, Julien's Shoes in Roanoke is closing for good.
As Jennifer Miele tells us, the owner says he's ready to retire.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=64-year-old Wes]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Wes Bowles/Owner;:14]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;:24]
[SUPER=01-Mary Lou Bowles/Owner's Wife;:38]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=JM News 7 Roanoke.]
(( 64-year-old Wes Bowles is hard at work, getting his shoe store ready for a going out of business sale.
Bowles couldn't find a buyer for Julien's at Towers Shopping Center ... so he's decided to trade-in childrens shoes for golf shoes.
[SOT]
((WES BOWLES: I WANT TO...LITTLE SLOWER.)) [RUNS08] [STANDUP] ((BOWLES BOUGHT THE STORE FROM ITS ORIGINAL OWNER, JULIEN SACKS IN 1985 -- AND THE SHOE BUSINESS WAS A PERFECT FIT. THAT'S WHY HE SAYS GETTING OUT OF IT TOOK A LOT OF SOUL SEARCHING.)) [RUNS10]
Bowles' wife Mary Lou helped him buy the store, and now she's helping him close it.
[SOT]
((MARY LOU BOWLES:HE'S MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS....SORT OF SAD.)) [RUNS13]
In shoe terms, Bowles describes himself as a walking shoe -- an ordinary guy taking things one step at a time.
[SOT]
((WES BOWLES: i'VE BEEN....LONG TIME.)) [runs09]
For the next six weeks, Julien's Shoes will liquidate its inventory, and Bowles will continue to look for a buyer.
But even if he doesn't find one, Bowles says his ties to the Roanoke Retail Community will stay tight.
Jennifer Miele, News 7, Roanoke.))
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast, a missed forecast could send a weatherman to JAIL,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and we'll see why several thousand swans- a- swimming are causing problems for some California motorists.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Cop-Olympics]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC53:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Lynchburg policeman is getting ready to head to Utah to help out with the 2002 Winter Olympics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Officer Rick Ruggieri (roo-JER-ee) is one of just a few officers from Virginia chosen for the security force in Salt Lake City this year.
He says he's looking forward to the once- in- a- lifetime opportunity.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:05:48]
[IN Q=The biggest thing]
((RICK RUGGIERI/LYNCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT: THE BIGGEST THING I THINK WAS JUST THE INTERNATIONAL VENUE. I THINK THAT WAS REALLY NEAT, THAT ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE, HERE ON OUR SOIL, TO HAVE THE GAMES, BE PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT WITH INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS, INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES, INTERNATIONAL VENUE. THE EXPERIENCE OF LARGE EVENT PLANNING, SECURITY PURPOSES FOR THOSE THINGS, I JUST THINK WAS REALLY INTRIGUING FOR ME, FOR MY CAREER AND DEVELOPMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Ruggieri/Lynchburg Police Department;]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=career and development.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Ruggieri is taking a three-week leave of absence from his job in the Lynchburg police department.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

More than 500 law enforcement officers from across the country are volunteering for the Games.

[Swans]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Concerns about possible flooding closed a bypass in California for a couple of days--
While it's a pain for motorists and sightseers,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Yolo Bypass, CA;]

it's perfect for thousands of swans that have made the area a sanctuary.
It's not the first time swans have migrated to this region of California for the winter.
The Tundra swans have a wingspan of more than five feet, and flew thousands of miles to get there.
Their journey began along the northernmost coast of Canada and Alaska.
The wildlife area is a winter paradise for about 100- thousand birds each year.
(------------)

[Weatherman]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Authorities in Brazil are threatening to send a weatherman to jail for missing a forecast.
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro is asking prosecutors to seek charges against Luiz Carlos Austin for predicting heavy rain on New Year's Eve -- a prediction that did not come true.
The area had seen torrential rains last week, producing terrible mudslides.
The mayor says Austin was irresponsible to predict more rain at a time when so many people were worried about the weather.
A prosecutor says he'll probably charge Austin with sounding a false alarm -- a crime that could carry up to six months in prison.
Austin has been forecasting weather for 35 years.
He denies acting irresponsibly -- and says a cold front simply broke up sooner than expected.
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [1/3/2002] [TWO SHOT]
[WXPRO/FULL]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[CK/VIEWERNET=]SCHOOL STATS
[SUPER=#573;]
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 49 points.
[super=460-x/49/x/44;]

The Nasdaq has gained 44 points.

(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up next on the newscast, a local N-F-L star will have something to brag about the next time he talks to his brother,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And in college basketball action, Virginia Tech makes a tough showing against U-Conn .
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-116 23:49]
[GRAPHIC=Tech basketball]
Virginia Tech got a cold welcome to the Big East conference schedule from Connecticut.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/ESPN Plus; :00]

UConn's Tony Robertson would help his team to their seventh win with the lay up that would give Connecticut an early four point lead.
Robinson would also show his skills on the defensive side, stealing the ball and going the distance for the lay up. UConn led 12-4 in the first half.
Brian Chase came off the bench for Tech and gave the Hokies a lift with a three pointer to close the gap to 3 points. He had 16 points.
Carlos Dixon would add 12 points for the Hokies, including this two pointer in the first half.
[SUPER=33-Connecticut/86/Virginia Tech/74;]

U-Conn beats the Hokies, 86 to 74.
Connecticut's Caron Butler was one of five Huskies in double figures, including 29 points for Butler as UConn wins by 12. Tech is 6 and 7.
(------------)

[S-MD]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Orange Bowl]

The Florida Gators took a bite out Maryland, 56-to-23 in the Orange Bowl. The loss is a sour ending to a memorable season for Maryland, which won the A-C-C championship under first-year coach Ralph Friedgen (FREE'-jihn).
The fifth-ranked Gators rolled up a game-record 659 yards of total offense in the midst of a 56-to-23 smashing of the Terrapins.

[S-RC]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-101 2:04:13]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke College]
The city of Salem played host to the Roanoke College ninth
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Roanoke vs. Eastern Connecticut; :00]

annual V-Foundation classic last night. A raffle at the game raised 622 dollars for the American Cancer Society and the V-Foundation.
Roanoke's Josh Foster gets the ball under the box, and takes it up for two of his 16 points on the night.
[SUPER=33-Eastern Connecticut/66/Roanoke/75;]

Eastern Connecticut's Rich Vega answers back.
He takes the missed shot rebound, and scores.
Robby Pridgen scored a game high 23.
Roanoke wins 75-66.
(------------)

[S-Maroons]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 23:38]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke College]
One of the Maroons' top players DIDN'T make it to the floor last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

Kenny Harrell, who transferred into Roanoke from Virginia Tech, has taken a leave of absence from the team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="he's done]
[SUPER=01-Page Moir/Roanoke Men's Basketball Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=.....in our program later on"]
(-------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[S-SCAD]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-103]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[VO-NAT wipe to#eng!!!!!!!!!!]
[SUPER=03-Salem/SCAD vs. Averett; :00]

In the early V-foundation game, Savannah College of Arts and Design beat Averett 69 to 61.
The Averett Cougars' Joey Barksdale drives to the hole and gets the friendly roll for the two- point basket.
[SUPER=33-SCAD/69/Averett/61;]

S-C-A-D gets the fast break in the second half, as Paul Otim finishes with the slam, and the Bees win by 8.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-109 56:20]
[GRAPHIC=Express]
And - The northwest division TOP spot goes to... The Dayton Bombers - who slid into the champion spot, beating the Roanoke Express 2 to 1.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Bombers vs. Express; :00]

Before the puck even dropped, the gloves already hit the ice as fights would break out early and often.
The Bombers get on the board first when Tom Nemets finds the back of the net at the
[SUPER=34-Dayton/2/Roanoke/1;]17:41 mark of the first, on a 5 on 3 power play goal.

Roanoke's Duncan Dalmao evens the count at one a piece in the second period at the 8:50 mark. But Dayton gets the game winner in the third from Billy McCally.
(------------)
[anchor=steve]
[graphic=express]

Goalie Daniel Berthiaume has the flu and did not play.
Jordan Willis started and stopped 23 of 25 shots.

[S-Ronde]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-106 57:25]
[GRAPHIC=Ronde Barber]
After five years of playing hard in the NFL, Ronde Barber has made his first NFL PRO- Bowl roster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

Ronde will represent the NFC in the pro bowl as one of three cornerbacks selected.
Ronde is also one of six Buccaneers to make the pro bowl.
Barber racked up 10 interceptions this season, the most in the NFL in 11 years.
He also registered 91 tackles and one sack.
(------------)

[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] FINAL LOOK AT THE WEATHER