WDBJ 7 morning news for 02/21/02

[11Halifax-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-02 TC39:19]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A house fire in Halifax County kills three children and injures a fourth.
Authorities have not determined what started the fire but are treating it as suspicious.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The blaze near Nathalie took the life of 14 year old Lacey Wright, shown here in a yearbook photo... along with her younger sisters Jessica and Christina.
The girls' older brother Wayne managed to escape along with their mother and stepfather.
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.]

Sheriff Jeff Oakes says his deputies are treating the fire as suspicious because it did not start in an area with a heat source like a stove or fireplace.
He's asking anyone with information to call his office.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Anything that we]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Oakes/Halifax Co. Sheriff]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=for us in our investigation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Investigators are sifting through some potential leads.
Sheriff Oakes says the family did not have insurance and lost everything in the blaze.
(------------)

[11Reaction]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC28:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's been a difficult year for the Halifax County School system. Already this year, six students from across the county have died.
Steve Smallshaw has more on what's being done to help students and teachers cope with this latest loss.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Deborah Kipps-Vaughan/Halifax Co. Schools; :22]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=SS, News 7 Halifax.]

[Corpses-Discovered]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The governor of Georgia will be briefed today on the investigation into the discovery of 242 corpses that were never cremated.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Noble, GA;]

Officials say it could take eight months to recover all the bodies from the grounds of the Tri-State Crematorium.
Georgia has already spent five- million dollars on the operation, the governor may ask the Federal Emergency Management Agency for help.
Meanwhile, the operator of the crematorium remains behind bars, charged with theft by deception.
No bond has been set, as officials consider additional charges.
(------------)

[Bush-China]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]

On the final leg of his Asian tour, President Bush goes one-on-one with the leader of China.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Beijing, China;]

Bush arrived in Beijing today.
U-S officials are hoping for a deal to curb Chinese arms sales.
Officials want China to adhere to the terms of a November 2000 agreement restricting exports of ballistic missile technology.
Another topic of discussion-- Roman Catholic bishops now detained in China.
China's President (jahng zuh-MEEN') Jiang Zemin says his country's constitution protects people's right to worship as they choose.
But the Vatican's news agency says more than 50 clergy are detained there.
(------------)

[11Advance-Auto]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-58 TC1:22:09]
[GRAPHIC=Advance Auto]

In business news, sales are up, but so are costs for Advance Auto Parts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Year]

One-time expenses relating to its acquisition of a competitor and its recent public offering .. produced a fourth-quarter net loss of 21-point-3 million dollars.
Sales for the Roanoke-based Auto supply company grew 5 point 2 percent.
Advance says it expects to earn more than two dollars a share this year.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
After a two-day selloff, investors took advantage of lower prices yesterday to give the stock market a generous boost.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]

((THE MARKETS STAGED A LATE DAY RALLY AS INVESTORS SHOOK OFF CONTINUED ACCOUNTING CONCERNS AND WENT HUNTING FOR BARGAINS...RETAIL, DRUG AND BANK STOCKS LED THE RALLY...

(GR)
THE DOW RACED AHEAD 196 POINTS

(GR)
WHILE THE NASDAQ CLIMBED ABOUT 25 POINTS.

(OC)
THE LATEST COMPANY ACCUSED OF FUZZY MATH.. COMPUTER ASSOCIATES...

(GR)
COMPUTER ASSOCIATES WAS PUNISHED ON A REPORT THAT THE FBI IS LOOKING INTO THE SOFTWARE MAKER'S ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. THE COMPANY SAYS ITS' UNAWARE OF ANY PROBE.

(GR)
AOL TIME WARNER WAS JOLTED BY AN ANALYST DOWNGRADE...A LEHMAN BROS ANALYST DOWNGRADED THE STOCK ON CONCERN ABOUT ADVERTISING AND REVENUE GROWTH AT ITS AOL DIVISION.

(OC)
AND THE SLOWING ECONOMY HAS FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH MARTHA STEWART..

(GR)
THE QUEEN OF DOMESTICITY WARNED THAT FULL YEAR EARNINGS MAY MISS ESTIMATES THANKS TO A SLOW ADVERTISING MARKET ... BUT SALES WERE NOT HURT BY THE KMART BANKRUPTCY, WHICH CARRIES MARTHA STEWART PRODUCTS.

(OC)
AMONG THE COMPANIES ON THE EARNINGS DECK TODAY.. AETNA, CIENA, NORDSTROM AND RADIOSHACK
AND A LIGHT DAY ON THE ECONOMIC CALENDAR.. LOOK FOR THE JANUARY LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS.

(GR)
TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ... AT THE NASDAQ

(OC)
I'M AC IN NY.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[School-Vouchers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The controversial school voucher debate is now before the U-S Supreme Court.
Justices are being asked to decide if it's constitutional to use tax dollars to pay for private education-- often at religious schools.
Teri Okita reports from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Suma/School Vouchers Supporter; :38]
[SUPER=01-Nettie Stowers/School Vouchers Opponent; :58]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
((

(LOCATOR: WASHINGTON, DC)

NATSD: (Yelling) What do we want? Vouchers! When do we want them? Now!
AT THE SUPREME COURT, ONE ROAD SEPARATES ADVOCATES FROM OPPONENTS.
NATSD: (Yelling) Public money, public schools!
BUT THEY ARE MILES APART ON THE SCHOOL VOUCHER ISSUE.

(NATSND, ARGUING)

THE CONTROVERSY ERUPTED IN CLEVELAND WHEN A PILOT PROGRAM ALLOWED SOME FOUR-THOUSAND STUDENTS MOSTLY FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES TO GET TUITION VOUCHERS UP TO 25-HUNDRED DOLLARS. PARENTS COULD SEND CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE OFTENTIMES, PICKING PAROCHIAL ONES.

(Super: Chris Suma/For School Vouchers)
SOT: I send my children to an educational institution, not an
evangelizational institution. If religion is part of the curriculum, so be it. It s my choice. (:09)
BUT A LOWER COURT IN CLEVELAND DEEMED THE PROGRAM UNCONSTITUTIONAL SAYING IT VIOLATES SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. OPPONENTS SAY VOUCHERS DRAIN MONEY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TAXPAYERS WILL END UP PAYING FOR EVERYTHING FROM BIBLES TO CHAPELS.

(Super: Nettie Stowers/AGAINST VOUCHERS)
SOT: I honestly believe in my heart and in my mind, that public money
for private schools is wrong. (:13)
LAWYERS FROM BOTH SIDES SAY THEY PRESENTED A STRONG CASE AND EXPECT A CLOSE RULING, POSSIBLY 5 TO 4 ... WITH JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR THE SWING VOTE.
Nighttime standup

))[5-Transplant]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-15 ]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The new film, "John Q" tells the story of a father's desperate attempt to save the life of his son who is in need of a heart transplant. There are nearly 80-thousand people currently waiting for organ transplants. 2-thousand of those are in Virginia. Health check reporter Joy Sutton spoke with a local woman who received a heart transplant. She says the movie "John Q" is very realistic.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mike's heart is useless]
[SUPER=04-New Line Cinema; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :09]
[SUPER=01-Alice Richardson/Heart Recipient; :18]
[SUPER=@Joy2; :51]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=I'm Joy Sutton for News 7 Mornin']
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:05:35]
[IN Q=Mike's heart is useless he's going to die]
((MIKE'S HEART IS USELESS HE'S GOING TO NEED A TRANSPLANT OR HE'S GOING TO DIE)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=going to die]

While the film John Q is the fictional story of a boy in need of a heart transplant --it was all too real for Alice Richardson.
Just like Mike one day Alice was feeling fine --the next she was critically ill after a virus attacked her heart.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT21:51:10]
[IN Q=They found 20 pounds of]
((THEY FOUND 20 POUNDS OF FLUID ON MY CHEST AND MY HEART WAS SO LARGE IT WAS ONLY WORKING 15 PERCENT.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=15 percent]

Without a transplant she would die. Richardson says she can understand how John must have felt knowing his son would die without a transplant. She says the only thing that kept her going was prayer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT21:54:53]
[IN Q=If I had not been a Christian]
((IF I HAD NOT BEEN A CHRISTIAN I HARDLY KNOW WHAT I WOULD'VE DONE SO THAT REALLY HELPED ME)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=really helped me]

In the film, John takes hostages at the hospital --when insurance won't pay for his sons transplant.
While Richardson had insurance, she was on the organ waiting list for three months. Doctors told her she probably wouldn't have lived much longer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT21:56:03]
[IN Q=So I was two weeks away from death]
((SO I WAS TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM DEATH AND I FIGURED OUT THAT WOULD'VE BEEN OUR FIRST GRANDSONS FIRST BIRTHDAY)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=grandsons first birthday]

The green ribbons on this special ornament with her middle name, "JOY", shows the 10 years Richardson has lived since the transplant. She says she now has a new mission in life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT21:57:43]
[IN Q=Now my total mission is to educate]
((NOW TOTAL MISSION IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE GREAT NEED)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=to deserve it]
While the lack of insurance held up Mike's transplant. The shortage of organ donors keeps many children waiting. Currently, there are more than 250 children nationwide in need of a heart.))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11XGR-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-59 TC2:08:44]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

Lawmakers set the stage for a bruising debate on the state budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Both the House and Senate will vote today on the budget proposals that came out of committee over the weekend.
Yesterday, House Democrats questioned the financial stewardship of Republicans, citing problems in the Virginia Department of Transportation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have billions ]
((DEL. KEN MELVIN: WE HAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE MISSING, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. MARK WARNER'S TALKING ABOUT BRINGING IN THE AUDITOR, HE OUGHT TO BE BRINGING IN THE COPS.)) ((DEL. SCOTT LINGAMFELTER: I APPLAUD THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND DIFFER WE WILL, SOME SAY DIFFER WE SHALL, BUT ONE THING I SAY IS FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS NOT BLAMING.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Ken Melvin/(D) Portsmouth; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Scott Lingamfelter/(R) Woodbridge; :12]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=focus on solutions not blaming.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Today's budget session will bring plenty of debate, but Republicans have a solid majority in the House and the work of the Appropriations Committee should pass with few modifications.

[11John-Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-57 TC1:32:44]
[GRAPHIC=John Warner]
Senator Warner wants to boost business at the Radford Ammunition Plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
During a campaign stop in Roanoke yesterday morning, the longtime Virginia lawmaker addressed questions regarding impending layoffs at the Radford plant. The cuts are being blamed on a recent decision to give a munitions contract to a Canadian company instead of the Virginia plant.
(///// SOT at :17 /////)
[SOT 1:24:20-1:24:35]
[IN Q=The key to it is as follows...]
((SEN. JOHN WARNER/(R) VIRGINIA: THE KEY TO IT IS AS FOLLOWS. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THAT ARSENAL MORE COMPETITIVE. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT EVERY CONTRACT WILL BE KEPT THERE BUT, WE'LL TRY AND SEE IF THERE'S OTHER WORK THAT CAN BE BROUGHT.))
[SUPER=@Johnwarner;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=other work that can be brought.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :11]
Warner says its crucial for the U-S to share defense contracts with its allies. The Republican, who turned 75 on Monday, hopes Virginians will re-elect him to a fifth term.
(------------)

[1st-Business]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ckor]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news this morning, Frequent fliers and first-class passengers will have to wait in the same long security lines as everybody else. And, Martha Stewart reports a drop in fourth-quarter earnings.
Here's Barton Eckert with a look at the morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Barton Eckert/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]
(( GOOD MORNING THIS THURSDAY THE 21ST OF FEBRUARY.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING.
--------------------------

FORGET ABOUT THOSE SPECIAL LINES FOR FREQUENT FLIERS OR FIRST CLASS PASSENGERS.
IN ONE OF ITS FIRST ACTS SINCE TAKING OVER AIRLINE SECURITY, THE GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING A STOP TO THE SPECIAL EXPRESS LINES AT THE CHECKPOINTS THAT THE AIRLINES HAD SET UP FOR THEIR BEST CUSTOMERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE A STANDARD WAY FOR DEALING WITH SECURITY.
EARLIER THIS WEEK CONTINENTAL ADDED SEVERAL EXTRA CHECKPOINTS TO PULL OUT PREFERRED CUSTOMERS INTO SHORTER LINES.. OTHER AIRLINES WERE TESTING THE IDEA.. .. BUT THE FEDS SAY ONE SECURITY LINE IS MORE IMPORTANT.
--------------------------

ON WALL STREET....TODAY , REACTION TO INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS AND JANUARY'S LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS.
ON ASIAN MARKETS OVERNIGHT .. STOCKS HIGHER IN TOKYO ON THE BACK OF A BIG BOUNCE ON WALL STREET.
--------------------------

FORMER ENRON EXECUTIVES HAVE NOW REVEALED THAT A BUSTLING TRADER NERVE CENTER SHOWN OFF TO ANALYSTS IN 1998 WASN'T REAL.
IT WOULD OPEN A MONTH LATER.. BUT A GUTTED FLOOR OF A HOUSTON OFFICE WAS OUTFITTED WITH A HALF MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF LARGE T-V'S, COMPUTERS AND TELEPHONES.
EMPLOYEES WERE BROUGHT IN AND TOLD TO LOOK BUSY, MAKING PRETEND DEALS.
ENRON C-E-O'S KEN LAY AND JEFFREY SKILLING EVEN LED A DRESS REHEARSAL.
--------------------------

MARTHA STEWART'S REVENUES ARE DOWN AND SHE BLAMES NOW BANKRUPT "K-MART".
SHE HAS A DEAL TO EXCLUSIVELY MARKET MANY OF HER PRODUCTS.
BUT HER COMPANY SAYS THAT K-MART IS 11 MILLION BEHIND IN PAYMENTS.
--------------------------

AND THAT'S YOUR FIRST BUSINESS CHECK ON THE MORNING'S TOP BUSINESS HAPPENINGS..
I'M BARTON ECKERT IN WASHINGTON.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Knox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC21:09]
[GRAPHIC=Cecil Knox]
Doctor Cecil Knox has been given two more weeks to close out his practice.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February 5]
The 52-year old pain specialist was released from jail two weeks ago on the condition he refer his entire patient case- load to other physicians. He's accused of prescribing OxyContin without a valid medical reason. He tells the court he hasn't even completed the "arduous" process of copying patient files. 258 patients have requested their records, Knox says.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Doctor Knox tried but couldn't find a physician who would assume his practice. Seven doctors have agreed to take on only a very few patients.

[6-3-OxyContin]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC28:35]
[GRAPHIC=Oxycontin]
[**ANCHOR TAG**]
Five doctors in southwest Virginia have already been convicted for over-prescribing narcotics .. charges similar to those facing Doctor Knox. This morining, we hear from one of those convicted doctors .. who gets very little sympathy from prosecutors. Teresa Hamilton has part three of "A Dose of Trouble".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I have a lot of ]
[SUPER=03-Dublin; :10]
[SUPER=07-Dr. Freeman Clark; :27]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:05]
[SUPER=03-Pearisburg; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Ken Walker/Giles Co. Physician; 1:27]
[RUNS=2:16]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.]
(((/////sot/////)
[sot 00:00:30]
[in q=I have a ]
((DR. FREEMAN CLARK/CONVICTED DOCTOR: I HAVE A LOT OF THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCESS AND THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.))
[runs= 06]
[out q= to every story.]
Dr. Freeman Clark is serving a nearly six year sentence for supplying narcotics, including OxyContin to his patients.
Prosecutors say there was NO legitimate reason for the prescriptions-- but the former Bland County family physician says he's a scapegoat for a government eager to pin OxyContin abuse on doctors.
(////sot/////)
[sot 00:05:59]
[in q= I spent ]
((FREEMAN CLARK: I SPENT SO LONG WITH MY PATIENTS, THEY WERE SOMETIMES PEOPLE WOULD WAIT 10 HOURS TO SEE ME AND SOMETIMES I WOULD BE AT MY OFFICE UNTIL THE LATEST 3 THIRTY IN THE MORNING.))
[runs= 10]
[out q= the morning.]
Clark, who's currently housed at the New River Regional Jail, says he worked the extra hours to help the poor and those in chronic pain. But federal prosecutors say Clark was a drug dealer-- supplying his patients with narcotics while pocketing money for the doctor's visit.
(////sot/////)
[sot 00:06:57]
[in q=No, I do not to ]
(( FREEMAN CLARK: NO, I DO NOT TO THIS DAY THINK I DID ANYTHING WRONG EXCEPT FOR I MIGHT HAVE OVER TRUSTED PATIENTS IF YOU CALL THAT SOMETHING WRONG I DID IT. ))
[runs= 09]
[out q = I DID IT. ]

[take stand up] The prosecutor who handled Clark's case says 99 percent of doctors prescribe narcotics to people who legitimately need them... and hopes the medical profession doesn't become reluctant to prescribe the medication. [end su] But OxyContin abuse is having an impact on doctors. Ken Walker is a physician in Pearisburg and member of the Attorney General's Task Force studying OxyContin abuse.
(///sot////)
[sot]
[in q= I think ]
((DR. KEN WALKER/ PEARISBURG PHYSICIAN: I THINK THAT'S CAUSING A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS LIKE MYSELF THAT THEY'RE SCARED TO GIVE IT TO SOMEONE WHO'S JUST COMING IN OFF THE STREETS WHO THEY DON'T KNOW VERY WELL, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S GOING TO BE DIVERTED OR ABUSED.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q= or abused.]
Prosecutors say Dr. Clark was NOT as careful. They say nearly all of Clark's one- thousand patients received some kind of narcotic. Clark says it was up to them to use the pills wisely.
(///sot////)
[sot 00:14:19]
[in q= It comes down to ]
((FREEMAN CLARK: IT COMES DOWN TO PEOPLE AREN'T TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, PATIENTS, YOU KNOW, IF THEY GET A MEDICATION, ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE IT AS PRESCRIBED.))
[RUNS= 10]
[out q= as prescribed.]
But a jury found Clark should also be held responsible-- making him the fifth and latest southwest Virginia doctor convicted of illegally writing prescriptions. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7. ))
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Tonight on News 7 at 6, there are some suggestions that could keep a closer eye on OxyContin abuse .. but it could cost taxpayers to make it work.

[11Noel-Taylor]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-60 TC1:56:21]
[GRAPHIC=Noel Taylor]

The Reverend Noel C. Taylor was remembered in the General Assembly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

During Black History Month, members of the House have highlighted the contributions of African Americans.
[SUPER=04-File Tape; (over Noel Taylor Video)]

Yesterday, Delegate Chip Woodrum spoke of Roanoke's longtime mayor, and respected minister.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:21:45 :15]
[IN Q=Noel Taylor]
((DEL. CHIP WOODRUM: NOEL TAYLOR HAD A CLEAR AND CONTINUOUS AFFECTION FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS OF HIS CITY. THAT AFFECTION MR. SPEAKER WAS RETURNED TO HIM TEN-FOLD BY ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF HIS CITY AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY.)) ((DEL. VANCE WILKINS: THE DELEGATE FROM ROANOKE HAS TOLD ONLY HALF THE STORY. HE WAS AN AMAZING AND OUTSTANDING GENTLEMAN.))
[SUPER=@woodrum; :00]
[SUPER=@wilkins; :18 ( Second Shot)]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=amazing and outstanding gentleman.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The House of Delegates adjourned yesterday in honor of Reverend Taylor.
(------------)

[11Hinson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A South Boston man has been charged with attempted "murder for hire. " A federal indictment says 60-year-old Leo Hinson tried to hire an acquaintance to kill Eric Brown and his wife.
Brown was scheduled to testify against an associate of Hinson in a North Carolina court. Authorities allege Hinson was willing to pay 50-thousand dollars to carry out the killing, and discussed another possible murder. Hinson was arrested earlier this month and is being held without bond.

[11Intermet-Suit]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=02-01 TC56:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Five "steelworker-union" officials are charged with embezzling more than 20 thousand dollars in union funds.. and trying to cover it up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :30]
[SUPER=03-Radford/March 2000]

A federal indictment returned last night charges the officials paid themselves 11-thousand dollars from a relief fund.
Intermet and the union set up the fund after an explosion two years ago that killed three workers and closed the plant for months.
Joseph William Burress, Rhonda Lorraine Creed, William Edward Fricker, Elizabeth Jane George and Edward Alexander Ramsey allegedly took the money
Other workers were not made aware of the fund's existence... and others in greater need were denied fund benefits.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The grand jury also indicted four of the officials for using union funds for personal benefit over several years, going back to 19-96.

[11Tynan]

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

Police say a Blacksburg man used the internet to steal thousands of dollars from people across the country.
24 year old Matthew W. Tynan is charged with 12 counts of larceny.
Blacksburg police say Tynan placed ads to sell mountain bike equipment and collected money using the internet service PayPal, but never delivered the equipment. Victims, mainly on the West Coast and Southwestern U-S, lost more than eight-thousand dollars.