WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 02/19/02

[News-Heads]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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

The blue light goes out at two K-Mart stores in our region.
Court records indicate the retail chain is planning what COULD be the largest liquidation sale in history.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

And a new future for the old DuPont factory in Henry County.
Details, straight ahead.
[WX-Head]
Temperatures will continue to climb this afternoon as some rain showers head our way...I'll have your hometown forecast.....

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

[Henry-County]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]

The former DuPont factory near Martinsville will soon be put to a new use, one officials hope is just the start of a high-tech future for Martinsville and Henry County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry County/1993;]

Officials today announced the creation of a Technology Campus there .. along with its first tenant.
Cerxon (SERKS-on) Microtechnologies plans to employ 250 within three years. The company supplies high-tech components for the automobile, cell phone and medical industries.
State and local governments will contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to renovate the former factory, relocate (SERKS-on) Cerxon equipment, and provide worker training.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The company is currently headquartered in South Carolina.
More on this announcement, and where the money is coming from, tonight on News 7 at 5 and 6.

[Kmart]

[ANCHOR=KImberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=01-58]
[GRAPHIC=Kmart]

Bankruptcy court records suggest K-mart is making plans for what could be the largest merchandise liquidation sale in history.
Two of the chain's stores in our region will close as a result.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

The stores in Radford and Madison Heights are on the list of 291 stores that will shut down.
Stores in Richmond and Burke will also close.
In court documents filed Friday, the nation's second-largest retailer stated that it will sell the inventory of hundreds of unprofitable stores to save 250 (m) million dollars a year.
A federal bankruptcy judge is scheduled to rule on K-mart's plan next month.
K-mart would complete its liquidation sale this summer.
(------------)

[Germany-Rampage]

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

Authorities in Germany say a shooting rampage has ended with the camouflage- wearing gunman killing himself.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Munich, Germany;]

Police say the ordeal began when the man went to the home furnishings company, from which he'd recently been fired-- and fatally shot his former boss and another colleague.
They say he then traveled about 12 miles by train to his former school, where he fired shots and set off two homemade pipe bombs.
The principal of the school was killed and several other people were injured.
During a search of the school, police discovered the gunman's body inside.
(------------)

[Bush-Korea]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]

President Bush says weapons of mass destruction have no place on the Korean peninsula.
Bush arrived in South Korea today, as part of an Asian tour.
But his recent remarks concerning NORTH Korea are triggering some protests during his visit.
Bill Plante reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Seoul, South Korea; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Plante/CBS News; 1;08]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Plante, with the President in Seoul.]
((

THIS STOP MAY BE THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP. IT BRINGS HIM WITHIN SHOUTING DISTANCE OF NORTH KOREA, ONE MEMBER OF WHAT HE CALLS THE "AXIS OF EVIL." THE FEAR THAT THE U.S. IS WILLING TO GO TO WAR HAS PUT MR. BUSH AT ODDS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA AND SPARKED PROTESTS HERE.

(SOT UP - NAT SOUND OF PROTEST)

Yankee go home!

(VO)

WHILE LEFT-WING DEMONSTRATORS ARE GENERALLY OPPOSED TO THE U.S. PRESENCE HERE, THERE'S A BROADER FEAR THAT MR. BUSH COULD UNDERMINE SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM DAE JUNG'S EFFORTS TO MAKE PEACE WITH THE NORTH. A MEMBER OF KIM'S RULING PARTY SET OFF A SCUFFLE IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BY CALLING PRESIDENT BUSH "EVIL INCARNATE."
IN TOKYO EARLIER, MR. BUSH SOFTENED HIS TONE.

(SOT BUSH)

We seek a peaceful region where no power, or coalition of powers endangers the security or freedom of other nations...

(VO)

WITH HEAVY SECURITY HERE, THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED BY HELICOPTER AT AN AMERICAN BASE, TO THE CHEERS OF SOME OF THE 37,000 U.S. TROOPS STATIONED IN THE SOUTH TO HELP DETER A NORTH KOREAN ATTACK.

(CLOSE)

THE U.S. IS DELIBERATELY PLAYING THE HEAVY, HOPING TO GET NORTH KOREA TO DEAL. BUT, IN A GESTURE TO SOUTH KOREA'S PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT BUSH WON'T MENTION THE AXIS OF EVIL WHEN HE SPEAKS HERE. BP CBS NEWS WITH THE PRESIDENT IN SEOUL. ))

[Seattle-Plane]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Airline Security]

Some tense moments for passengers aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Seattle, WA;]

Two fighter jets escorted Flight 22 to Seattle last night after someone phoned in a bomb threat to police. The plane- which originated from Honolulu-- landed safely, and passengers were allowed to leave. Authorities brought bomb-sniffing dogs onto the plane, but no explosives were found.
(------------)

[11XGR-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-56 TC1:34:33]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

Despite differing views on the proposed state budget, lawmakers don't expect another budget impasse like there was last year.
But after house and senate committees offered their own spending plans this week, the governor and legislators are staking out their positions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

House Speaker Vance Wilkins believes he has a good budget in bad times... a spending plan that preserves core services and spreads the pain fairly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Like I said]
((DEL. VANCE WILKINS; LIKE I SAID THIS IS THE BEST JOB I'VE EVER SEEN DONE ON THE BUDGET OF CUTTING OUT THE PORK IN THERE IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT THAT. AND NOT ALL THOSE THINGS WERE BAD THINGS, I DON'T MEAN TO SAY THAT BUT THEY WERE THINGS THAT WERE NOT OF A STATEWIDE APPLICATION, THEY WERE LOCAL THINGS HERE AND YONDER AND THEY HAD THE COURAGE TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS HEAD ON.))
[SUPER=@wilkins]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=courage to address those things head on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But Governor Warner questions whether lawmakers trimmed only pork from the budget proposal.
He criticizes cuts in terrorism preparedness, and economic development among others.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've been able]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING HUNDREDS OF JOBS TO SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA MUCH NEEDED JOBS IN LAST 35 DAYS. FOR THEM TO CUT BACK ON THOSE FUNDS, WHEN SO MANY PARTS OF VIRGINIA ARE STRUGGLING AND NEED THAT JOB CREATION TOOL IS VERY SHORTSIGHTED.))
[SUPER=@markwarner;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=is very shortsighted.]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Each house has until Thursday to complete work on its own budget bill.
There will be more give and take after that, and hopefully a budget compromise within the next three weeks.

[11Tech-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-01 TC54:32]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech says it will have to eliminate hundreds of jobs to meet budget reductions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Spokesman Larry Hincker estimates a loss of 250-positions. He says personnel costs are 80-percent of the school's budget. According to Hincker all positions will be affected including outreach, instructional, and other staff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:51:09]
[IN Q=however]
((LARRY HINCKER/TECH SPOKESMAN; HOWEVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT PROVOST MACNAMEE HAS SAID TO THE DEGREE POSSIBLE WE ARE GOING TO PROTECT THOSE POSITIONS IN THE ACADEMIC DIVISION THE TENURE TRACK POSITIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Hincker/Virginia Tech Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=TRACK POSITIONS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The exact cuts won't be known until late April or May.
(------------)

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast, we will see how a drug called a miracle by some is causing massive problems for others.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Also America's hospital emergency rooms are dealing with a flood of patients. There are so many of them, patients with life threatening conditions are having to go elsewhere.
(---------------)
[Streaming Video] [music up full] [comm1]

[1-OxyContin]

[ANCHOR=Kimbelry]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-59 TC02:04]
[GRAPHIC=Oxycontin]
Many people in pain consider OxyContin a miracle drug that helps deal with the chronic pain that interferes with their day to day living But the drug is also widely abused, especially in southwest Virginia. This week, Teresa Hamilton examines OxyContin abuse in a series of reports titled, "A Dose of Trouble."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=22- year old ]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jason Davis/OxyContin Addict; :10 quick!]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:08]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski; 1:19]
[SUPER=01-Jim Davis/Pulaski Co. Sheriff; 1:33 quick]
[RUNS=2:07]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.]
((22- year old Jason Davis is paying a four-year price behind bars for his addiction to the potent painkiller, OxyContin.
(//sot////)
[sot 00:5:23]
[in q=The drugs meant ]
((JASON DAVIS: THE DRUGS MEANT MORE TO ME THAN MY KIDS, MY WIFE, MY MOTHER.))
[runs= 05]
[out q= my mother. ]
At first Davis snorted OxyContin. Then a friend convinced him to start injecting it.
(////sot/////)
[sot]
[in q=It was ]
((IT WAS A RUSH AND I JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME I DID IT I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT, I GUESS.))
[runs= 07]
[out q = in love with it, i guess.]
Soon Davis was hooked on OxyContin. He says he tried to stop-- but coming off the drug is hard. Davis says when you try to quit you miss the high and become physically sick-- so he kept using.
(//sot////)
[sot 00:29:10]
[in q=I had ]
((I HAD A DOCTOR WRITE ME 90- 40 MILLIGRAM OXYCONTIN FOR NO REASON, NO X-RAYS, NO NOTHING.))
[runs= 08]
[out q= no nothing.]
When Davis returned to Pulaski, he sold some of his pills to an informant and was questioned by police. But Davis was soon back on the streets-- and in need of another fix. That's when he used a pellet gun to rob a drug dealer-- a decision that would send him to prison.
(////sot////)
[sot 00:22:34]
[In q= The way i ]
((THE WAY I STOLE OFF MY FAMILY AND HURT EVERYBODY IT WAS JUST A DARK TIME.))
[runs= 06]
[out q= just a dark time. ]
[take su] Davis is sharing his story here at the New River Regional Jail in hopes of helping other OxyContin addicts, like himself, realize they're not alone. [end su] In Pulaski County- police say arrests for crack cocaine and marijuana have dropped dramatically. Here- the drug of choice among addicts and dealers is the prescription painkiller OxyContin. A drug that's easy to find-- and profitable when sold on the streets.
(////sot///////)
[sot ]
[in q= In Pulaski County ]
((IN PULASKI COUNTY, IT'S SOMEWHAT OF A SMALL EPIDEMIC I WOULD THINK.))
[runs= 05]
[out q= i would think.]
Sheriff Jim Davis, who's no relation to Jason, says 50 - to 60 percent of crime here is related to OxyContin abuse. Jason Davis used to be part of the problem-- but says those days are over.
(////sot////)
[nat sound 00:44:35] ((I ASK LORD THAT YOU BLESS JASON'S FAMILY.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q = jason's family.]
For Jason- it took jail and religion to come clean.... as more and more people become hooked on a drug that's heaven for some and hell for others. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.))

[11Falwell-Suit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-02 TC30:42]
[GRAPHIC=Falwell]

Attorneys for the Reverend Jerry Falwell are pleased that the state Senate has passed a bill that would get rid of the limit on how much land a church can own.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]

Falwell is suing the state over the land restrictions AND the law that forbids churches from incorporating.
He's building a new sanctuary for Thomas Road Baptist Church on 60 acres of land in Lynchburg.. but state law limits churches to just 15 acres.
Attorney General Jerry Kilgore says the law is probably unconstitutional.. the repeal must now clear the House of Delegates.
Falwell's suit challenging the corporation rules is still moving forward in federal court.
(------------)

[Emergency-Rooms]

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

Patients in need of urgent, even life saving, medical care pour into hospital waiting rooms every day.
The problem is so many are pouring in, the hospitals do not have any place to put them.
Wyatt Andrews has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH; :00]
[SUPER=07-Elmer Newman; :09]
[SUPER=01-Wyatt Andrews/CBS News; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Alasdair Conn/Massachussetts General Hospital; 1:28]
[RUNS=2:23]
[OUT Q=I'm Wyatt Andrews.]
((Nats Elmer: MY HEART WAS BEATING FAST.....
Narr When 82 year old Elmer Newman felt a sensation in his chest one day he didn't hesitate. He called 9-1-1.
Elmer: I FELT UNEASY- MY CHEST HURT - MY HANDS TINGLED.

(Ambulance leaving station)

Narr It was a heart attack, and Newman expected he'd go to the closest hospital, University Hospital in Cleveland. But the ER there was full and it turned his ambulance away.
Elmer 04-40 I WAS IN THE AMBULANCE AND THEY WERE ON THE PHONE TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO HAVE ME ADMITTED.
Narr Newman recovered, but the nation's ERs are on the critical list. Critical because they are overflowing.
Nat Sot siren
Narr And when an ER is full is goes on what is called diversion. In Boston ER diversions are so common, ambulances keep track with computers.
Sarino tape 1 03-51-37 Nats Paramedic: JUST TOO MANY PATIENTS AND NOT ENOUGH PLACES TO PUT 'EM
Narr Diversion is partly the result of a downsized hospital system.
ON CAM After cost cuts by insurance companies and the federal government there are 15% FEWER hospital beds then there were ten years ago. So today, when the emergency room is full, its usually because the hospital upstairs is full.

SOT: CONN: YESTERDAY WE HAD NO MEDICAL BEDS ANYWHERE IN THE HOUSE.....

Narr At Massachusetts General Hospital, one of the nation's most prestigious, the ER chief Dr. Alasdair Conn says too often the waiting room and the ER are the same.

SOT: COHN: 04-29-15 WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE WAITING ROOM WITH IV'S GOING
ON (great motioning) INTRAVENOUS ANTIBIOTICS BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE TO TREAT 'EM. Wyatt: Is this a life and death problem? CONN 30-10 ..DID SOMEBODY DIE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THE DIVERT PROBLEM? UMMMM I WISH I COULD ANSWER YOU AND SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT. BUT I CAN'T.
Narr Just to add a twist to this confusion, under federal law the same ER that can turn away a patient in an ambulance, has to accept a patient who walks in. So last March, when Elmer Newman felt his symptoms again, he didn't call 911, he asked his wife to drive.

SOT: ELMER : I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THE SAME ROUTINE I DID BEFORE.
LET'S TAKE A CHANCE SO I TOOK A CHANCE.
Narr Some would call this the real emergency.....that an 82 year old with chest pains cant risk calling an ambulance.
In Boston I'm Wyatt Andrews.))

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Still to come on the newscast,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
we'll see what goes into the amazing costumes worn by the Olympic figure skaters.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Skating-Costumes]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[NOTE ANCHOR TAG!!!!!]
A major part of a cool figure- skating performance is a HOT costume.
Jon Frankel talks with a major league fashion designer, who ALSO had a turn on the ice.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Park City, UT; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Lund/International Figure Skating Publisher; :06]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Kwan/U. S. Figure Skating Team; :12 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Vera Wang/Fashion Designer; :27 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Jon Frankel/CBS News; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=one of her dresses]
(----------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=]

That was Jon Frankel reporting.

[Stocks]

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW has lost 72 points. The NASDAQ has dropped 38.

[super=460-y/72/y/38;]

(x=up y=down)[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still to come in the newscast, it may cost a lot, but an N-F-L team has finally gotten its man. We'll have the details.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
...also a former U-V-A football star is becoming a Texan.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-106 12754tc]
[GRAPHIC=nfl]

In an NFL note - The Houston Texans, the NFL's newest member, began hand picking its team in the expansion draft. The Texans' first pick for Jaguar lineman was Tony Boselli.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Owings Mills, MD/January 2001;:00]
The Texans used their fifth pick in the expansion draft to select former UVa great Jamie Sharper. The Ravens' linebacker had been making close to $3 million a season, and Baltimore thought it could afford to lose him. Houston is thrilled to get him. The Texans also got his teammate Jermaine Lewis, the Jets' Aaron Glenn, and Redskin Matt Campbell.
(------------)

[Gruden]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=Extra & SP-113 5228TC]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[******WIPE*****]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

Jon Gruden is leaving the Oakland Raiders to coach the Tampa Bay Bucaneers.
Yesterday afternoon the two sides agreed to a five year contract.
Gruden is the NFL's youngest head coach at 38 years old.
It is expected the Bucs will have to give up at least one of their top players and maybe as many as three high draft picks for Gruden, who still had a year left on his contract with the Raiders.
(------------)

[S-Rankings]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]

The UVa men's basketball team suffered a devastating drop in the new Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Cavs, who have lost five of their last seven games, fell from 15th to 22nd.
The Cavs had been ranked as high as eighth.
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
The Virginia Tech women also dropped a bit in rankings this week. The Hokies are now 24th in both the Associated Press and coaches polls.
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]