WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/10/02

[Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Joy]

[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[roll cold out of the open]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=#4070;weekend headline banner]
[SUPER=@Joy1;]
[SUPER=@Jacey1;]
Coming up on News 7 Sunday Morning....... Three people were killed in Chicago after scaffolding fell from a skyscraper onto a busy street...
(------------)
And the General Assembly session might be over-- but the sales tax referendum debate continues... we will have more on those stories in just a few minutes.

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

[2-shot toss to Hello]

[XGR-Adjourn]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC-36:53]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Capitol]
The state budget may have been in the spotlight when the General Assembly session started this year ... but it was the sales tax referendum that took center stage in the final hours.
As Joe Dashiell reports the death of that proposal brought indignant protest from lawmakers on the losing side.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Chatham Senator]
[SUPER=@hawkins; :05 quick]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :09]
[SUPER=01-Del. Brian Moran/(D) Alexandria; :47]
[SUPER=@armstrong; 1:00]
[SUPER=@wilkins; 1:13]
[SUPER=@griffith; 1:20]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:43]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Richmond]

((Chatham Senator Charles Hawkins had an inkling of what was to come.
[SOT SENATE #1 04:18:48 :04]
[IN Q=Strange and curious things happen]
((STRANGE AND CURIOUS THINGS HAPPEN IN THE WANING HOURS OF THIS LEGISLATURE.))
[RUNS= :04]
[OUT Q=of this legislature.]

And curious it was, as a referendum bill approved by House and Senate negotiators went AWOL before all of the conferees were able to sign it. And as a final attempt by the State Senate to force a vote was met in the House with motion to adjourn. [NAT SOUND OF ADJOURNMENT]
[HOUSE #2 07:29:06]
[IN Q=Ayes 57]
((AYES 57, NOS 37 THE MOTION CARRIES. THE HOUSE WILL STAND ADJOURNED SINE DIE.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=will stand adjourned sine die....]

The proposal would have asked voters in northern Virginia to approve a one cent increase in the sales tax to pay for roads and school improvements, but some of the money would have gone to poorer school districts in other parts of the state.
Democrats condemned the abrupt conclusion as an abuse of power.
[SOT 17:38:46 :11]
[IN Q=And we had the opportunity]
((AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY. IT'S BEFORE YOU. WE HAD THE SIGNATURES AND ONLY TO HAVE THE DEBATE CUT OFF AND ADJOURN SINE DIE, IT IS UNCONSCIONABLE AND IT SHOULD BE CONDEMNED.)) [17:44:51 :11] ((AND CERTAINLY I JOIN MY VOICE WITH THOSE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE IN SAYING HOW DISAPPOINTED WE ARE CERTAINLY IN SOUTHSIDE AND SOUTHWEST NOT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS CONFERENCE REPORT.))
[RUNS= :22]
[OUT Q=on this conference report.]

But Speaker Vance Wilkins said House members did speak when they voted to adjourn.
[SOT BITE TAPE #2 WILKINS 18:00:49 :06]
[IN Q=We've taken enough votes]
((DEL. VANCE WILKINS: WE'VE TAKEN ENOUGH VOTES ON THIS ISSUE I THINK FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW WHERE WE STAND. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING NEW GOING TO BE DEVELOPED HERE TODAY.)) [18:15:08 :18] ((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH: HAD WE GONE THROUGH TWO HOURS OF DEBATE AND THEN DEFEATED IT, THE ARGUMENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT AREAS LIKE THE ROANOKE VALLEY WOULD RECEIVE ZERO UNDER THIS PLAN. IS THAT APPROPRIATE AND RIGHT? WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER WHEN WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A DEAL THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO LAST FOR 20 YEARS THAT WE COME UP WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT'S BEEN REVIEWED AND STUDIED INSTEAD OF RUSHING INTO THINGS.))
[RUNS= :24]
[OUT Q=of rushing into things.]

Governor Warner told reporters he was disappointed with the result.
But he insisted the issue isn't dead, raising the prospect of an ammendment to a Hampton Roads referendum that lawmakers approved, or perhaps a special session to address transportation and education needs.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Richmond))

[XGR-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC-35:31]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]

Lawmakers approved the 50- BILLION dollar state budget with comparatively little debate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

They had to close a three- point eight billion dollar gap in state revenues.
And the final two year spending plan brought mixed reviews from area legislators.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The final version]
[11:13:24 :06] ((SEN. ROSCOE REYNOLDS: THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BUDGET IS PROBABLY AS GOOD AS IT COULD BE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE GET HURT.)) [11:35:21 :12] ((DEL. ALLEN DUDLEY: WE KEPT THE PRIORITIES OF TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION. WE BEEN ABLE TO RESTORE A LOT OFF FUNDING IN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES, SO OVERALL I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD BUDGET.))
[SUPER=@reynolds; :00]
[SUPER=@dudley; :08]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=a very good budget.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

The budget bills are now on their way to Governor Warner. He can sign the bills, amend or veto them before the General Assembly meets again in April.

[Afghanistan]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=War on Terrorism]
Army officials say MAJOR fighting is over in Operation Anaconda--- but the entire battle isn't.
Waves of helicopters carrying troops from the front line flew into the U-S base at Bagram early this morning. However, a spokesmen for the tenth mountain division says operations in the area WILL continue. Overnight, Afghan fighters were said to be running low on ammunition as hundreds were holed up around two cave complexes in Eastern Afghanistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :15]
[SUPER=03-Gardez, Afghanistan;]
Afghan allies said there were about 400 al-Qaida and Taliban at one of the cave complexes, and about 100 at the other.
But getting to them wouldn't be easy. Not only is the terrain rough, but there are also land mines to contend with and the weather is bad.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:20:15]
[IN Q=The weather ]
[SUPER=01-Bryan Hilferty/U. S. Military Spokesman;]
((BRIAN HILFERTY/U.S. MILITARY SPOKESMAN:THE WEATHER IS EXTREMELY BAD AS YOU KNOW THEY ARE FIGHTING AT EIGHT TO 12- THOUSAND FEET, THE TEMPERATURES ARE COLD, IT'S RAINING AND SNOWING JUST AS IT'S COLD HERE.))
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=cold here.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :03+]
Operation Anaconda is now entering its second week.
(------------)

[Mid-East]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sun am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A new wave of violence in the Middle East.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[super=03-Gaza]

This time, Israel destroyed Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Gaza City.
Helicopters slammed 30 missiles into the Palestianian Presidents office.
Arafat was not there at the time. That's because for the past three months Israeli forces have confined him to the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Israel launched its attack in response two bloody Palestinian attacks. One left 14 people dead --when a gun man opened fire at a motel. The other, a suicide bombing blew up 11 people at a Jerusalem cafe.
More than a thousand Palestinians and more than 3-hundred Israelis have been killed since peace talks stalled last year.
(------------)

[Scaffold-Collapse]

[ANCHOR=JOy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Several people were killed yesterday when scaffolding from a Chicago landmark fell onto a busy downtown street.

Officials say the victims probably didn't even know what hit them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It dangled for awhile]
[SUPER=01-Madeleine Umans/Witness; :00]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL; 13]
[SUPER=01-Bill Schatz/Chicago Fire Department; :26]
[SUPER=01-Tom Golden/Witness; :43]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=unusally high winds in the area]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:28:25]
[IN Q=It dangled for awhile]
((It dangled for awhile... crushing three cars as if they were toys. It was dreadful))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=it was dreadful]

From her 52nd floor condominium Madeleine Umans witnessed the scaffolding break free from the John Hancock building and fall 43 stories.
Falling debris crushed several cars, killing three people and injuring several others.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:28:36]
[IN Q=These care that were't being driven]
((these were cars that weren't being driven, they were sitting at the light so these people didn't know what hit them?I'm sure they didn't))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=I'm sure they didn't]

Shoppers srambled for safety as the watched fire fighters try to get to the victims. They had to physically move the vehicles from the scene to avoid falling debris.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:28:56]
[IN Q=They all pushed them to the intersection]
((they all pushed them to the intersection of Chestnut & Michigan. There they went to work to try to pull the bodies out))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=pull the bodies out]

The scaffolding had been erected so that crews could repair and clean the surface of the building.
Officials says it's too soon to say what caused the 25 feet of scaffolding to fall --but there were unusually high winds in the area.

))[Memorial-Service]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC-36:36]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A convenience store clerk who was shot and killed almost two weeks ago during an attempted robbery was remembered at a memorial service last night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I thank God]
((I THANK GOD FOR OUR PATHS THAT HAD CROSSED THESE PAST THREE YEARS.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=past three years]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Friends and family gathered to remember Joy Parrish at the Oakland Baptist Church in Roanoke .
Friends say that although she was battling cancer, she never let it get her down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Her name fit]
((JULIE HENEGAR/FRIEND: HER NAME FIT. I MEAN SHE WAS A JOY TO EVERYBODY. SHE NEVER MET A STRANGER, ALWAYS SMILING, TREATED EVERYBODY THE SAME.))
[SUPER=01-Julie Henegar/Friend; :02]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=everybody the same]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One message of the service was that life is short, and Parrish's daughter said that her mother was always there to help anyone...even a dog she found by a dumpster.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=She had this dog]
((ROSE SCIFFLETT/FRIEND: SHE HAD THIS DOG, SHE'S HERE TOO. SHE JUST LOVED THAT DOG- SHE TREATED IT LIKE A CHILD. I MEAN IT WENT EVERYWHERE WITH HER, EVEN TO WORK. AND SHE'D COME IN AT LUNCH TIME AND GET PICKLES AND SALSA AND ALL THAT STUFF FOR LUNCH, AND SHE'D GET THE DOG A HOT DOG. SO SHE WAS JUST A GREAT PERSON. SHE'LL TRULY BE MISSED.))
[SUPER=01-Rose Scifflett/Friend;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=truly be missed]
(+++++++)
[TAKE CRIMELINE FS 4646EssC] Police are still looking for two suspects in the shooting. If you have any information you can call Crimeline at 344-8500.
(+++++++)

[9/11-Anniversary]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Tomorrow morning marks the six month anniversary of the terrorist attacks - and officials in New York City will pause at 8:46 to remember all that was lost.
Authorities will be meeting at the bronze sphere that once stood in the trade center's plaza.
At dusk, 88 lights will be switched on near from Ground Zero - casting twin beams of light into the sky.
The architect who helped design the towers of light says the memorial will remember those who died and express hope for the future.
Both the sphere and the lights are temporary memorials... it could be years before a permanent memorial is in place.

[MDA-Show]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC-1:10:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
An event in Roanoke this weekend is steering attention toward an important point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The 22nd annual M-D-A car show is taking place this weekend at the Roanoke Civic Center.
This year's show features nearly a hundred cars ranging from big and small, to old and new.
There's even a vehicle that was made by some local high school students.
The money raised from this event helps fund research and other programs for people who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy. Locally, the association has raised more than 500-thousand dollars in 21 years.
The show wraps up today at the Civic Center.
(------------)

[Directors-Guild]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Entertainment News]

The Directors Guild of America has spoken...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA]

And Ron Howard was awarded the top film making honor from the organization.
Howard won for the film "A Beautiful Mind", but he's downplaying speculation that this means he will walk away with the Oscar for best director later this month.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 5:05:56]
[IN Q=Now the Oscars]
[SUPER=01-Ron Howard/Director]
((RON HOWARD/DIRECTOR: NOW THE OSCARS ARE FOR THE EPITOMIZING OF HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR AND TRADITION. THE GUILD AWARDS ARE ALL ABOUT THE WORK ETHIC, THE ETHIC THAT IS BEING CELEBRATED.))
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=being celebrated]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JOY]
[GRAPHIC=ACADEMY AWARDS]

The Director's Guild award is considered one of the most accurate predictors of Oscar success.
In the 54 years since the D-G-A started handing out the award, the winner has gone on to claim the golden man for best director all but five times.

[Small-Biz]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-08 TC-36:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]
There are often big obstacles for small business to overcome. They don't have the time or resources to expand or remain competitive.
But as Justin McLeod discovered--- a new program is offering a helping hand and possibly a foot in the door.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:02:18]
[IN Q=Nat sound of Patty opening doors]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Patty Fitzgerald/Small Business Owner; :13]
[SUPER=01-Angela Penn/Redevelopment and Housing Authority; :28]
[SUPER=01-John Gardner/J. M. Turner Company; :52]
[SUPER=@justin2; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NAT SOUND OF PATTY AT HER BUSINESS))
Patty Fitzgerald opened her tile restoration business more than a year ago, mainly catering to residential customer.

She would like larger jobs but knows it won't be easy.
[SOT 58:01]
[IN Q=It's very intensive]
((PATTY FITZGERALD/SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: IT'S VERY INTENSIVE WITH THE DIFFERENT PAPER WORK, THE DIFFERENT CODES AND ALL OF THAT INFORMATION YOU NEED TO GIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT SO THEY CAN FIND YOU.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=can find you]

So Patty found Contractors College.
It is a new program sponsored by Roanoke's Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
[SOT 54:13]
[IN Q=The goal of]
((ANGELA PENN/ROANOKE REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY: THE GOAL OF CONTRACTORS COLLEGE IS TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE WORKSHOP SERIES THAT CAN EDUCATE SMALL, WOMEN-OWNED, AND MINORITY BUSINESS ON HOW TO DO BUSINESS BETTER IN THE ROANOKE VALLEY.)) [Runs 10]
[OUT Q=in the Roanoke Valley]

More than twenty area small businesses are doing just that.
They're taking part in a three week course, learning everything from accounting and licensing, to business planning.

As a result, small businesses may be in a better position to compete for government and commercial contracts.
[SOT 56:41]
[IN Q=The success that any]
((JOHN GARDNER/J.M. TURNER & COMPANY: THE SUCCESS THAT ANY LARGER GENERAL CONTRACTORS FIRMS ARE GOING TO HAVE IS GOING TO BE DEPENDENT ON THE WORK OUR SUBCONTRACTORS DO.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=our subtractors do]

One of those subcontractors could one day be Patty Fitzgerald.
That's because this course also gave her the opportunity to network with other businesses.
She leaves with more contacts, a better knowledge, as well a new outlook.
[SOT 58:57]
[IN Q=With the responsibilities]
((PATTY FITZGERALD: WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF GROWING A SMALL BUSINESS TO A LARGE BUSINESS IT'S A LITTLE STRESSFUL BUT IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE SOMETHING NEW.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=to have something new]

And this course helps cement that foundation. (SHOT OF TILE).
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The three week course is now over.
But the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority does plan to offer this service again in the future.

[Banjo-Picking]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Weekend]
[WRITER=syo ]
[TAPE#=Time Off]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]

Upon winning a handful of awards at the Grammy's, what was once known as "hillbilly" music reached a new level of popularity. But bluegrass is not new... it's echo has long been heard in Southwest Virginia. In this week's Time Off Shannon Young gives us an introductory course in playing the banjo in a style that's stood the test of time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=One of the things I think is so cool...]
[SUPER=01-John Lawless/Musician; :03]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :19]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=STD]
(([SOT 17:00:30-17:00:43]
[IN Q=One of the things I think is so cool...]
((JOHN LAWLESS/MUSICIAN: ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS SO COOL ABOUT THIS NEW RESURGENCE OF BLUEGRASS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE... THEY HAVE NO "HEE-HAW" REFERENCE, NO "DELIVERANCE" REFERENCE; THEY JUST LIKE THE MUSIC.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=they just like the music.]
John Lawless has been pickin' and grinnin' for close to 30-years. He calls himself a member of the "Dueling Banjos" club, a group of musicians who, upon hearing that piece of music, were instantly hooked. After teaching himself to play Lawless says it's a common misconception that the banjo is harder than other instruments to learn. But he notes that the beginning stages can be challenging.
[SOT 17:04:14-17:04:29]
[IN Q=The banjo is a little mroe exacting...]
((THE BANJO IS A LITTLE MORE EXACTING IN THAT THE RIGHT HAND PATTERNS, THEY'RE VERY SPECIFIC PATTERNS THAT YOU HAVE TO PLAY. AND IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO LEARN THAT.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=takes a little while to learn that.]
Once you're comfortable with those patterns and with wearing finger picks you can focus on your left hand and playing chords. Lawless admits learning to pick can be tedious but says not to fret... keeping motivated is as easy as listening to somebody else play.
[SOT 17:10:14-17:10:24]
[IN Q=Just imagine what it feels like...]
((JUST IMAGINE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE IF YOU GO TO A CONCERT AND YOU HEAR A BLUEGRASS BAND AND YOU HEAR THAT BANJO. IT JUST SOUNDS SO COOL. IMAGINE HOW COOL IT FEELS TO BE DOING IT.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=imagine how cool it feels to be doing it.]
The picking style was developed in the South. Lawless says there's a certain amount of prestige that comes with playing an instrument that features so prominently in regional history. And even though banjo music sometimes wanes in popularity, Lawless predicts it will never completely go out of style.

[SOT 17:09:54-17:10:04]
[IN Q=What was it, a Peanut's cartoon...]
((WHAT WAS IT? A PEANUT'S CARTOON YEARS AGO THAT SAID EVERY CHILD SHOULD BE ISSUED A BANJO WHEN THEY'RE BORN BECAUSE YOU CAN'T FROWN WHEN YOU'RE PLAYING THE BANJO. THERE'S TREMENDOUS TRUTH TO THAT.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=there's tremendous truth to that.]
Shannon Young, News 7, Roanoke.)) [ANCHOR TAG]
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
(++++++++)
For more information about the banjo or John Lawless you can log onto our website at wdbj 7 dot com and click on the Time Off suitcase.

(------------)[AIDS-Forum]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-57 tc 1:53:29]
[GRAPHIC=AIDS]

AIDS awareness took center stage in Roanoke this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held an AIDS forum at the Y-M-C-A on Orange Avenue.
The feature speaker was Dale Anthony Edmonston who is a former member of President Clinton's AIDS Advisory council as well as someone who has AIDS.
He along with the other speakers say education is the key to combating such a deadly disease.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:37:13]
[IN Q=So many people]
((SARON McENHEIMER-YOUNG/ORGANIZER: SO MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SEVERITY OF AIDS AND THAT IT REALLY CAN HAPPEN TO THEM AND EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE PROTECTIVE OF AIDS AND THE SEVERITY IT CAN CAUSE.))
[SUPER=01-Saron McEnheimer-Young/Organizer]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=it can cause]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Similar events were held throughout the region and around the country yesterday.
The one in Roanoke ended with an awareness walk to Lee Plaza.
(------------)

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[SS=None]
[BOTH MICS HOT] Coming up on News 7 Sunday Morning - Meet a man who brings new meaning to curbside manor...
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
AND
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
There's nothing like taking a nice cold plunge on a COLD day... But first if you are traveling today........ [Jacey ad-lib the travel forecast -- WX PRO]
(-------------)

[Jacey MIC hot] [ No 2-shot toss go straight to Travel Bump] [soft music under]

[Profile-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Sun-AM]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=Va. Profile]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Profile]

He considers Roanoke's largest hospital his home away from home.
Larry Wray is not a doctor or a nurse, but he's giving patients a welcome prescription.
Marya Jones tells us why patients are praising his curbside manner.
(////////sot////////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[VA-Profile]

[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=Sun. a.m.]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=VA Profile]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning, Mr. Wray]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Larry Wray/Hospital Greeter; :27]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Agee/Executive Vice-President; :51]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Roanoke.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:24:02 - :07]
((GOOD MORNING, MR. WRAY. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. OH, HI. TAKE CARE, THERE. SEE YA. ))
[RUNS= :06]

When patients pull up to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Larry Wray is the first person to treat them, usually with a smile and a greeting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:40:46 - :49]
((HI. GOING PRETTY GOOD. YOU TAKE CARE. SEE YOU LATER.))
[RUNS= :03]

Opening doors and helping people in and out of their cars, Wray is on the front lines of patient care.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:30:19 - :23]
((LARRY WRAY: I GET HUGS EVERY DAY. EVERY NOW AND THEN, I'LL EVEN GET A KISS. (SMILES) ))
[RUNS= :04]

Wray's been a greeter with the hospital for nearly 27 years.
More recently, he added another title: lead valet, helping the hospital provide free valet parking to patients.

But most patients have come to know him by another name:
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:24:14 - :21]
((LARRY WRAY: THE HAT MAN. THEY ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE TALL MAN WITH THE BIG STETSON AT THE FRONT DOOR WHEN THEY COME UP. ))
[RUNS= :07]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:38:19 - :34]
((NANCY AGEE/EXECUTIVE VICE PRES.: WHAT HE DOES FOR PATIENTS IS MAKE THEM FEEL WELCOMED. REALLY ROLLS OUT THE WELCOME MAT. AND WHAT HE DOES FOR US WHO WORK HERE IS SHOWS US WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ALWAYS CARE.))
[RUNS=:15]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:41:32 - :35]
((LARRY WRAY NATS: EASY DOES IT THERE, EASY. ))
[RUNS= :03]

Wray's been a hospital patient himself...
After a car accident shattered his kneecap three months ago, he's had to walk with a cane ... which he does at top speed.
He walks to work every day.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:19:19 - :22]
(( I'M HERE TO SEE THEM WHEN THEY COME IN AND I'M THE LAST ONE TO SEE THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE. ))
[RUNS= :04]

Wray's job may not extend far beyond the driveway, but some folks at the hospital consider him the driving force in patient care.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:40:30 - :32]
((NATS LARRY: TAKE CARE NOW. (SLAM).)) [KEEP SHOT UP OF CAR DRIVING OFF, BUT BUTT BUTT BUTT WITH NATS AT 17:40:36] ((LARRY NATS: FOLKS HAVE A GOOD DAY.))
[RUNS= :06]

Marya Jones, News-7, Roanoke.))

[Polar-Bear]

[ANCHOR=Jacey 2-shot]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=kgu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A chance to win a free wake board for your next beach vacation-- but there was a catch...
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salt Lake City, UT]
You have to jump into a 40- degree pool on a nice snowy afternoon. A local radio station in Salt Lake City sponsored this Polar Bear Plunge Contest. 145- people took off the snow suits and traded them in for swimsuits in a chance to win some free loot. If they could stand the cold long enough to grab a rubber ducky-- they made away with prizes like wake boards, gift certificates, C-D's and some cash. (------------)