WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 03/31/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

Ahead on NEWS 7 at six...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Easter Sunday is filled with hope for members of a Roanoke church-- after structural problems leave the congregation without a permanent place to worship.
(------------)
[Anchor=Teresa]
[ss=]
And, a contractor begins work at the site of the Roanoke County tire dump fire.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports, we are almost at the end of the road to the final four. NASCAR was off this weekend, but rust never sleeps as Dale Jarrett will attest in moment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Express puts not on, but an unprecedented 2 players on the all-ECHL first team squad announced this afternoon.

(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[SS=None]

Rain showers covered our Easter Sunday... but sunshine looks to take center stage for April Fool's Day. The real forecast, no jokes, is ahead. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 58:30]
[IN Q=Our faith is still strong]
((CHENITA TAYLOR/CHURCH MEMBER: OUR FAITH IS STILL STRONG AND WE STILL TRUST IN GOD AND KNOW THAT WHAT'S TO COME IS BETTER THAN WHAT'S BEEN.))
[RUNS=:05 ]
[OUT Q=than what's been]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A story of resurrection this Easter Sunday as a Roanoke church rises up from the rubble.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]

Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Solid-Rock]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-05 TC-1:15:17]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]
[*****ANCHOR TAG*****] The spirit at Solid Rock Penetcostal Church remains solid as a rock.
This--- less than a week after its old building came down, piece by piece, leaving the church without a place to call
home. But as Justin McLeod discovered church members have faith that will soon change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of singing]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Terri Crowder/Church Member; :19]
[SUPER=01-Chenita Taylor/Church Member; :41]
[SUPER=@justin1; :58]
[SUPER=01-George Taylor/Pastor; 1:28]
[RUNS=2:01]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NAT SOUND OF SINGING))
This is a church where the will to worship is alive and well, even as it continues to do so without a permanent home.
[SOT 59:57; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=We're still praising]
((TERRI CROWDER/CHURCH MEMBER: WE'RE STILL PRAISING THE LORD. I MEAN EVEN THOUGH THE BUILDING IS GONE I SAY SOLID ROCK IS STILL STANDING.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=is still standing]
((NAT SOUND OF SERVICE))
Pretty amazing when you consider what this congregation has been through.
Two weeks ago, the city condemend its building after a foundation wall broke, leaving the facade in danger of collapsing.
Last weekend crews came in and demolished the more than fifty year old building.
[SOT 59:11; TAPE 2]
[IN=I had been there]
((CHENITA TAYLOR/CHURCH MEMBER: I HAD BEEN THERE FOR ELEVEN YEARS AND I WAS MARRIED THERE AND A COUPLE OF MORE OF MY SISTERS AND COUSINS WERE MARRIED THERE SO IT.....THE BUILDING MEANT A LOT BUT WE'RE GOING TO STILL KEEP GOING.))
[Runs= 12]
[OUT Q=still keep going]
((NAT SOUND OF SERVICE))
They'll keep going here at Greater Life Ministry Church until further notice.
[SOT 2:41:28; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=It would have cost]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: IT WOULD HAVE COST THE CHURCH MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX ITS FACILITY HERE ON CAMPBELL AVENUE, MONEY THE CHURCH DID NOT HAVE. ALSO ADDING TO THE PROBLEM WAS THE FACT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED THE CHURCH'S CLAIM.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=the church's claim]
((NAT SOUND))
Church leaders have hired lawyers to look into the matter.
But right now the focus is finding a new church building, one that will most likely cost anywhere between fifty and eighty thousand dollars.
[SOT 56:56]
[IN Q=A lot of people are looking out there]
((GEORGE TAYLOR/PASTOR: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING OUT THERE TO ACTUALLY SEE IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING TO SEE IF THE CHRUCHES CAN PULL TOGETHER AND HELP. WE NEED TO JUST GO AHEAD AND PULL TOGETHER AND LET THE DEVIL KNOW HE IS A LIAR. WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND PULL TOGETHER AND WE'RE GOING TO GET BACK WHERE WE NEED TO BE.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=we need to be]
((NAT SOUND OF WOMAN IN ORANGE DANCING))
Where the church is now is evident this Easter Sunday.
As the congregation worked to bring the house down, the message was clear, Solid Rock Penetcostal church has nowhere to go but up.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=none]

If you would like to help the church find a new home, a fund for donations has been set up at First Union Bank on Melrose Avenue in Roanoke.

[Tire-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC-55:50]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

A contractor hired by the E-P-A is now on site at the tire dump fire in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

They'll be spending the next few days figuring out ways to smother the fire and clean up the site.
Crews are looking into using several gels and foams to control the smoke that continues to cause problems for nearby residents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:54:39]
[IN Q=In the zone where]
((CARRIE DEITZEL/ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: IN THE ZONE WHERE THE WORKERS ARE THEY ARE USING PROTECTION BECAUSE IN THAT AREA THEY HAVE PICKED UP SOME READING OF TOXIC CONSTITUENTS BUT OFF SITE WHERE THE RESIDENTS ARE IT HAS BEEN A PARTICULAR CONCERN AND THAT'S A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, ASTHMA, HEART AND LUNG CONDITIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Carrie Deitzel/EPA]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=heart and lung conditions]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Once the smoke is supressed, workers will devise a plan to actually put out the fire.
That may include smothering the pile or breaking into it since some of the fire is burning underground.
(------------)

[D'ville-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC-1:32:54]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Firefighters in southside have a new tool to help put out fires.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

The city of Danville along with Pittsylvania County recently opened a new state-of-the-art fire training Center.
It will provide useful training to more than a thousand emergency personnel from all over the area.
Firefighters say this is as close as you'll get to on the job training.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:41]
[IN Q=Let them feel the]
((B.G. LEWIS/DANVILLE FIRE CHIEF: LET THEM FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE HEAT, SEE WHAT THE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION AND WHAT FLAMES AND FIRE WILL DO IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE BUT IT HAVE WHERE IT'S DONE SAFELY, DONE CONTROLLABLY, AND TO KEEP OUR INSTRUCTORS WHERE THEY CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING, WHERE THEY CAN STOP IT IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG THEY HIT A SWITCH, IT ALL GOES AWAY.))
[SUPER=01-B.G. Lewis/Danville Fire Chief; :13]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=all goes away]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The project was fiananced with money from a state grant as well as city and county funds.
The new center is located in the Riverview Industrial Park next to the Danville Airport.
(------------)

[Sans-Souci]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-08 TC-56:08]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Residents at a Roanoke County apartment complex had plenty of water both inside and outside today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Night;]

Residents at the San (SOO-see) Souci apartment complex say a broken water line has been fixed and water service was restored at about two o'clock this morning.
Several of the apartment buildings were affected when a water line broke leaving some residents without water for about a day and a half.
Sans Souci management was not available for comment today.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7 at 6, a decision involving prayer at V-M-I could have an impact at other military schools around the nation...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and we'll check in with a local university that hopes to be on the grow in the near future... We'll have that and more coming up...
(----------------)

[COMM#1]

[Baptist-Choir]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC-30:19]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A choir like no other took the stage in Roanoke today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND FULL OF CHOIR]
[RUNS=:06]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Valley Baptist Association held its first ever Easter concert at the Jefferson Center this afternoon.
What makes it unique is the 130 member choir is made up of churches from all over the Roanoke Valley.
Today's concert featured traditional and modern hymns as well as gospel music.
The event was free and more than nine hundred people came out for the performance.
(------------)

[SVU-Expansion]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC-8:41]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista has big dreams for expansion. But the school could run into some growing pains along the way. Richard Lesko explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista; :00]
[SUPER=01-Curtis Fawson/SVU President; :16]
[SUPER=@Richard2; 1:28]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=RL, N7, Buena Vista.]
(( Southern Virginia University has big plans. It expects to have 520 students attending this fall, a far cry from having fewer than 80 just a few years ago. But the plans don't stop there...
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 5:42]
[INQ=If you were to come...]
((CURTIS FAWSON/SVU PRESIDENT; IF YOU WERE TO COME BACK IN 10 YEARS, WE HOPE TO HAVE ABOUT 2500 STUDENTS. AND THAT'S ABOUT WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO BE.))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUTQ=would like to be.]
To do that, Southern Virginia would have to construct new dormitories and academic buildings on 150 acres of land the school already owns. Already under construction are soccer and baseball fields on the upper end of the property, but some Buena Vista residents think the school has ideas other than education.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 13:39]
[INQ=I think someone mentioned...]
((CURTIS FAWSON/SVU PRESIDENT; I THINK SOMEONE MENTIONED THE UNIVERSITY IS THINKING OF BUILDING A STRIP MALL. WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT INTERESTED IN THAT, WE'RE INTERESTED IN THE ACADEMIC INTERESTS OF OUR STUDENTS.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUTQ=of our students.]
Southern Virginia is best known as a religious school, but has no official ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and does not receive money from the church. Officials want to stress Southern Virginia isn't just for Mormons, and everyone is welcome.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 15:29]
[INQ=Many people in the community...]
((CURTIS FAWSON/SVU PRESIDENT; MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WONDER ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES, WHETHER WE EMPLOY EVERYBODY FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T. OVER A THIRD OF OUR EMPLOYEES COME FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUTQ=the local community.]
There have been a few questions from Buena Vista residents about the university's expansion plans, but school officials say the city and the school have to share similar goals to make both prosper.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 12:55]
[INQ=If we don't work...]
((CURTIS FAWSON/SVU PRESIDENT; IF WE DON'T WORK TOGETHER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT WE'VE GOT TO BE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE COMMUNITIES NEED TO GROW, THEY NEED TO DEVELOP. BUT WE NEED TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT WE CAN DO IT WITH THE COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUTQ=with the community.]
And the city and school will have to reach an understanding for Southern Virginia's dreams for expansion to come true.
Richard Lesko, News 7, Buena Vista.))

[VMI-Prayer]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC-10:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A court ruling that mealtime prayers at Virginia Military Institute are UN-constitutional could mean the end of prayer at the U-S Naval Academy. Naval Academy officials say they have begun to review the legality of prayers said before lunch.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :19+]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/January; ]
The concern arose after a Virginia judge ruled in January that saying grace before dinner at V-M-I is unconstitutional, citing separation between church and state. The Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the school last May on behalf of two cadets who had complained about the prayers.
(------------)

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Still to come, the final four matchup is set... Mike Stevens will have a preview of tomorrow's game coming up...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and one state agency is trying to hook you onto a new program that will give biologists a helping hand. The story when NEWS 7 at six returns...
(----------------)

[VA-Profile]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=Profile]
[GRAPHIC=VA Profile]
35 Virginia Tech Alumni are currently serving in the Peace Corps overseas. It's a number that's helped rank Virginia Tech among the top 25 schools in the country sending students to the Peace Corps. In this week's Virginia Profile, News 7's Rachel Cannon introduces us to the man who has a hand in the success.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For Christopher ]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Christopher Doherty/Virginia Tech Peace Corps Representative; :20]
[SUPER=04-Peace Corps; :32]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; :52]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Blacksburg.]
((NATS For Christopher Doherty the peace corps has been more than a brief adventure. He spent three years overseas as a volunteer, then seven years as an employee in their D-C headquarters. Now he's the Peace Corps representative at Virginia Tech.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:49]
[IN Q=to me]
((CHRISTOPHER DOHERTY/PEACE CORPS VT REP.; TO ME IT'S ALL ABOUT BUILDING BLOCKS OF UNDERSTANDING.))
[OUT Q=UNDERSTANDING]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:06:03]
[IN Q=AND IT'S]
((CHRISTOPHER DOHERTY/PEACE CORPS VT REP.; AND IT'S ALSO ABOUT THAT HUMANITARIAN WORK RELATED SIDE YOU TRYING TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF HEALTH ISSUES OR EDUCATION ISSUES.))
[OUT Q=EDUCATION ISSUES.]
On campus, Doherty talks about peace corps opportunities. He also interviews candidates...looking for just the right person to make a two year commitment to serve in one of 78-countries.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 51:29:19]
[IN Q=there has]
((CHRISTOPHER DOHERTY/PEACE CORPS VT REP.; THERE IS SORT OF A NEW REBORN INTEREST NATIONALLY AND BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT HAS MENTIONED IT AND WANTS TO GROW THE PEACE CORPS BY TWO TIMES TWO FOLD IN THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.))
[OUT Q=FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.]
In addition to Doherty's peace corps duties he's a doctoral student studying environmental design and planning. He says had it not been for his peace corps experience in the Dominican Republic..he may not have met his wife...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:04:14]
[IN Q=She's]
((CHRISTOPHER DOHERTY/PEACE CORPS VT REP.; SHE'S FROM A VERY RURAL AREA VERY SORT OF CONSERVATIVE RESERVED CULTURALLY DATING WAS ABSOLUTELY OUT OF THIS WORLD WHERE I MEAN YOU REALLY DIDN'T DATE AND I MADE SOME FAUX PAUS ALONG THE WAY BUT.))
[OUT Q=WAY BUT]
...things ended well. Doherty and wife Julia have two young sons. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Blacksburg.))

[Striper-Tagging]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-16 TC-5:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is offering a reward to anyone who can help them learn more about of one of the area's most popular game fish.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :31+]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
The Game Department has been working with the Smith Mountain (STRY-per) Striper Club to tag striped bass caught since last fall. Anyone who catches a tagged fish is asked to send the weight, length, and where the fish was caught to an address on the tag. The information is worth anywhere from 5 to 50 dollars per fish. The tags are about 3 inches long, and are found on the abdomen of some striped bass.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 on this Easter weekend, the Roanoke Express cleans up in the ECHL postseason with several nice honors.
The men and women are set to claim NCAA titles - but it will be ladies first tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Winston Cup stars were off this weekend, but we'll visit with Dale Jarrett and get his take on a number of topics including when the UPS Ford has been unable to deliver performance this season.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-120 5210tc]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS]

The Roanoke Express opens the playoffs this Tuesday night against Trenton. But today the team got some huge news as both winger Rick Kowalsky and defenseman Duncan Dalmao were named the seven man all-ECHL team. It's a huge honor, considering the only other Express player to earn first team honors was Jeff Jablonski in the 1996-97 season. Now Kowalsky and Dalmao hope to lead the Express to a first round upset of the mighty Titans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Rick Kowalsky/First Team All-ECHL Selection; :00]
[SUPER=01-Duncan Dalmao/First Team All-ECHL Selection; :17]
[RUNS=:37]
[OUT Q=...THEY SHOULD."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]
Dalmao, wearing number 7, led all ECHL defensemen this year with 22 goals and 55 points. Yesterday he was named the ECHL's defenseman of the year.
(------------)

[S-Terps]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-116]
[GRAPHIC=FINAL FOUR]

The final words have been spoken before tomorrow night's national title game in Atlanta. This afternoon, both Indiana and Maryland faced a full court press for the final time. Maryland will be trying to win the school's first ever national title, and the Terps will rely on a tough as nails guard to lead them to the promised land.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FOR US...]
[SUPER=01-Juan Dixon/33 Points Last Night; :00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...GET IT DONE."]
(------------)

[S-Indiana]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-116 12035TC]
[GRAPHIC=FINAL FOUR]

As for Indiana - the Hoosiers are the "Bracket Busters" - the team that upset Duke and ruined office pools all across the nation. They also are very good. And no longer can you call this number 5 seed, that is in search of the school's 6th national title, a Cinderella.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Dane Fife/Indiana Guard; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tom Coverdale/Indiana Guard; :10]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...really matter."]
(-------------)
(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE 6999] What does matter is that you can only catch the game tomorrow night at nine right here on Your Hometown Station as coverage begins from CBS Sports in Atlanta. Tomorrow here on WDBJ-7.

(-----------------)[S-NASCAR]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-119 3812TC]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]

As is tradition every year, NASCAR is off this weekend in observance of the Easter weekend. Many of the drivers spent time in church and with family. Some headed to the beach for some R & R, and Kyle Petty even managed to work in a testimonial speech in front of 10 th
ousand folks at the University of Minnesota.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Last Week; :00]
Last week before the drivers headed their separate ways, a handful were at the Martinsville Speedway testing for the upcoming Virginia 500 on April 14th. One of those was Jimmie Johnson, the rookie who is fourth in the points race after 6 events.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Jimmie Johnson/Fourth in Points Standings; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...really after."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
The defending Virginia 500 champion Dale Jarrett was at the track when Johnson and fellow rookie Ryan Newman took their first spin on the tough half mile oval. Jarrett wished them both good luck!
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/Virginia 500 Defending Champion; :00]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=...A PASS."]
(------------)
[VO NAT CON'T] Jarrett has been getting passed quite a bit this year. He 24th in points - 379 out of the lead. Last year he was the points leader at the Easter Break. DJ says even another dominating win at Martinsville in two weeks won't solve his team's problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...OUT OF IT."]
(--------------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=martinsville]
The Virginia 500 Cup race is on April 14, the Advance Auto parts 250 trucks race is Saturday the 13th. Tickets are available for both events.
[graphic=texas]
Later this week the drivers head to the Texas Motor Speedway.