[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

Coming up on NEWS 7 at six...
Despite this weekend's rain-- Roanoke inches closer to mandatory water restrictions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And, the spring fire season takes a costly toll on the state of the Virginia. Just ahead-- what state forestry officials are doing to cover the cost.
(------------)





[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


In sports, a recap of the Cup race at Talladega, highlights of the Avalanche/Hillcats game today
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


and an update on Tech quarterback Grant Noel and his injured knee.
(------------)


[Wx-Head]


[ANCHOR=Jacey]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Rain showers began falling around Sunday brunch time and now we face the threat for severe thunderstorms this evening. Details on the wet weather next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18:31]
[IN Q=We are just having]

((CHRIS THOMSEN: WE ARE JUST HAVING BIGGER FIRES. THEY'RE HARDER TO PUT OUT. THEY LAST LONGER. AND THAT TREND IS GOING TO CONTINUE.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=is going to continue]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


We're NOT out of the woods just yet-- even as the the danger of forest fires fizzles out.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]


Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Spring-Fires]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC-1:50:21]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]


It sparked major concern and for good reason.
Thanks to the continuing drought, this year's spring fire season was one of the most damaging and costly on record.


And as Justin McLeod explains--- some of the problems are just beginning even as the spring fire season comes to an

end.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Thomsen/Dept. of Forestry; :30]
[SUPER=01-Justin McLeod/jmcleod@wdbj7.com; :54]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News, Roanoke County]

((((NAT SOUND OF CHRIS WALKING UP HILL))
Putting out this spring's forest fires has been nothing but an uphill battle.
Just ask Chris Thomsen.
[SOT 17:18]
[IN Q=It just keeps]

((CHRIS THOMSEN/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE EVERY FIRE SEASON.))
[Runs= 03]
[OUT Q=every fire season]


And the numbers prove it.
Typically, five thousand acres burns in Virginia each year.
Just four months into 2002, we've already seen that number double and we still have eight months to go.
But there is some good news, the spring fire season is almost over.
[SOT 19:04]
[IN Q=Everything greens up.]

((CHRIS THOMSEN/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: EVERYTHING GREENS UP. THE LEAVES, THE GRASS, THE VEGETATION THAT WOULD NORMALY BURN IS GREEN AND IT DOESN'T BURN AND SO USUALLY BY EARLY MAY WE'RE OUT OF THE FIRE SEASON, OUT OF THE WOODS SORT OF SPEAK WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE DANGER.))
[Runs= 12]
[OUT Q=come to fire danger]


That's why the state wide fire ban which prohibits all outdoor burning before four o'clock will officially come to an end April 30th.
[SOT 22:25]
[IN Q=Now that the spring]

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: NOW THAT THE SPRING FIRE SEASON IS COMING TO AN END, THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY CAN CONCENTRATE ON MORE PRESSING MATTERS MAINLY ITS MONEY PROBLEMS. SO FAR THIS YEAR THE AGENCY IS MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS OVER BUDGET AND THAT COULD REACH TWO MILLION BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=this fiscal year]

((NAT SOUND OF FIRES))
As a result of the budget crunch, 50 open positions will not be filled.
To help allievate the problem, the Department of Forestry has applied for a FEMA grant to pay for this year's fire season.
And as those fire fighting funds dry up, state officials also worry what will it happen if the forests continue to stay bone-dry.
[SOT 20:22]
[IN Q=What we're going to see]

((CHRIS THOMSEN/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS SUMMER AS THIS DROUGHT CONTINUES, IT WEAKENS TREES, IT KILLS TREES ESPECIALLY THE OAKS AND AGAIN THAT JUST ADDS MORE FUEL TO THE FOREST FOR NEXT FIRE SEASON.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=next fire season]


It a season that could see more fires, additional damage, and an even bigger price tag.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))


[Carvins-Cove]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-22 TC-1:41]
[GRAPHIC=none]


This weekend's rain failed to help Roanoke's main water supply.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


Carvin's Cove is currently twenty four point two feet below the spillway.
Mandatory water restrictions will kick in once the cove hits 26 feet below the spillway.
City leaders believe that will most likely happen sometime in early May.
In the meantime, construction on the new Crystal Spring pumping station is ahead of schedule due to the nice weather.
Once completed in December, the station will supply roughly 20- percent of the city's total water.
(------------)


[SW-Flooding]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC-7:46]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Help could be on the way for agencies and organizations in far southwest Virginia damaged by last month's flooding.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Month; ]

Federal and state officials say private non-profit organizations that provide essential government services in the federally declared disaster area may be eligible for assistance. This could include nursing homes, volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, community centers and certain hospitals.

State and federal officials will hold an information session on Wednesday at the Russell County public library in Lebanon.
(------------)


[Train-Derail]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Twelve cars from a Norfolk Southern train derailed and spilled coal along a stretch of tracks in Montgomery County early yesterday morning. The cars were part of a 174-car coal shipment headed from Bluefield to Roanoke. No one was injured, and the cause of the derailment is under investigation. Crews were cleaning up the wreckage last night, and the tracks have since re-opened.

[New-Building]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC-1:33:32]
[GRAPHIC=Building for the Future]


We're happily on the air at our brand new digital broadcasting center ... but behind the scenes, the work is far from over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Engineers and operations staff are still working seven days a week, more than 12 hours a day, connecting cable and setting up equipment.
That work will probably continue for months.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:19 - :37]
[IN Q=The first thing]

((CARL GUFFEY/OPERATIONS & ENGINEERING DIRECTOR: THE FIRST THING WE DO IS GET THE LITERAL ON-AIR PRODUCT ... NOW WE'RE COMING BACK AND FILLING. IT'S LIKE YOU GO DOWN A ROW OF CORN AND PLANT TWO PIECES. AND NOW I'VE GOT TO PLANT THE OTHER 150 THAT GO WITH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Carl Guffey/Operations & Engineering Director;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=that go with it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


News-7 engineers hope to have the closed captioning and the time and temperature back up on your screens in the next few days.
We'll also be broadcasting a full-power digital signal on Digital Channel 18 -- a spectacular picture that will be ready for you when you're ready to receive it.
In the meantime, Your Hometown Station will continue to broadcast on Channel 7 for AT LEAST four years.
(------------)



[Downtown-Roanoke]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-20 TC-1:15:37]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Downtown Roanoke Incorporated is basking in a state-wide spotlight.
It's being recognized for its involvement in the redevelopment of the Historic Norfolk Southern Railway buildings.

Virginia Business Magazine awarded the agency with the "Most Significant Real Estate Transaction 2001 Award."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:53:32 - :08]


The old NS General Office Building is now the Roanoke Higher Education Center thanks to the help of Downtown Roanoke Inc.
[TAPE#=99-59 TC1:14:32 - :07]


Renovation of another building will yield nearly 90 upscale housing units called Eight Jefferson Place.
[TAPE#=01-54 TC45:04 - :07+]


And the 1905 passenger station will be a visitor's center and museum honoring railroad photographer O. Winston Link.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


Downtown Roanoke Incorporated also has a new leader.
David Diaz will take over the chief position in early May.
He was formerly an assistant to Roanoke's city manager.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7 at 6, the home of the nation's first president isn't quite the draw that it used to be...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

and some local Navy reservists pitched in today to help out the D-Day Memorial... We'll have that and more coming up, stay with us...
(----------------)






[Navy-Reservists]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC-26:32]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]


Some Navy reservists landed at the D-Day memorial in Bedford this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


They are part of a Construction Battalion unit from Roanoke.
C-B's help build forts, air strips, and other projects for the military.
From time to time, they also do community service work.
This weekend, the reservists helped construct an army tent for the D-Day site.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:05]
[IN Q=As far as these guys]

((LT. MAX CARROLL/NAVY RESERVIST: AS FAR AS THESE GUYS GO THOUGH IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO HONOR THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED IN AND WHAT WE BELIEVE IN AND THATS WHY WE'RE WORKING FOR THE MILITARY.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Max Carroll/Navy Reservist]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=for the military]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The tent will be used as a classroom that will house period costumes and other artifacts from D-Day.
The D-Day Memorial expects more than 6-thousand school children to visit the site in the month of May.
(------------)



[Mt-Vernon]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC-2:15]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Tourism is not what it used to be at George Washington's historic home in Mount Vernon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Mount Vernon/1998; ]

Unlike other area landmarks-- tourism at Mount Vernon has not bounced back after September 11th. Officials say foot traffic at the historic home is down 20- to 30- percent compared to last year. Visits by school groups are also down 50- percent. The home's executive director suspects that months ago, when out of town school districts were making decisions about whether to travel to Washington, the feeling was the area was unsafe and not easily accessible. Mount Vernon does NOT receive federal money-- it relies on gate receipts for its budget.
(------------)



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

Still ahead on the newscast, if you had hopes of hitting one of the largest lottery jackpots in the nation, the odds may have been against you, and the state...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

and we'll take a test drive in one local man's hobby, that can make some of your dreams come true... Stay with us, NEWS 7 at six will be right back.
(----------------)






[Lottery]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Virginians just don't seem to have much luck when it comes to playing the Big Game lottery. It seems players from Virginia almost never win.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Week; ]

The state got shut out again Tuesday when three players from Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey walked off with the 331- million dollar prize. 22- of the 73 jackpot winners since the game started in 1996 have been from Illinois. Only three jackpot tickets have been sold in Virginia, the lowest number among the seven states that participate. A Virginia Lottery spokesman says the state is long overdue for a winner. But he says the statistics make sense since Virginia ranks among the bottom three states in Big Game ticket sales.
(------------)


[Knight-Rider]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#= 02-07 TC 1:12:33]
[GRAPHIC=none]

One Franklin County man can help you feel like you are realizing dreams of being a television star... Don Colie constructs replicas of KITT -- the car in the 1980s TV series "Knight Rider." In this week's Virginia Profile, Marya Jones takes a spin around Colie's workshop.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS air hose]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Colie/Car Customizer; :11 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Marya Jones/mjones@wdbj7.com; 1:09]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=MJ, News 7.]

((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]

((NATS: AIR HOSE.))
[RUNS=:02]


Don Colie found his calling while just fiddling around in his basement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:25:19 - :34]

((DON COLIE: I STARTED WITH A CAR, PULLED IT APART AND REBUILT IT FROM THE GROUND UP.))
[RUNS= :07]


What he created was a replica of KITT -- the Trans Am made popular in the 1980s TV show "Knight Rider."
And, as Colie soon found out, when some people saw his car ... THEY wanted one, too.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:27:26 - :41]

((DON COLIE: YOU GET BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS. IS THIS THE CAR FROM THE SHOW? DOES IT REALLY TURBO-BOOST? DOES IT TALK?))
[RUNS= :12]


Colie is now the owner of two converted Trans Ams.
And he does the same work for others ... so much that he's made a full-time job out of it.
He sells customized parts to Knight Rider fans from here to Japan ... customers who will pay from one-thousand to 35-thousand for his work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:26:00 - :09]

((DON COLIE: WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNET .... MY CUSTOMER BASE IS WORLDWIDE. ))
[RUNS=: 09]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:46:09 - :22]

((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: COLIE CAN EVEN MAKE THE TRANS AMS TALK ... BUT UNLIKE THE ONE ON TELEVISION, THIS ONE DOESN'T COME WHEN IT'S CALLED. I NEED YOU BUDDY. HELLO? ... (LOOKS AT CAR, SHRUGS).))
[RUNS= :13]


But the cars DO boast some other neat tricks.
Like the trademark scanning lights on the front ...
Inside, there's a detailed dash, with light up displays and TV monitors that Colie hooks up to cameras on the front and rear of the car.
A lot of painstaking detail for a man who claims he's not a Knight Rider fan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:33:05 - :07]

((DON COLIE: PERSONALLY, I'M NOT FOND OF THE SHOW.))
[RUNS= :02]


And though the show went off the air 15 years ago, Colie is riding its popularity into a new century.
Marya Jones, News-7, Franklin County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

((DON COLIE: NATS CAR ON ROAD???))
[RUNS= :02]))






[Sports tease]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


The latest on Tech QB Grant Noel, a few other Hokies and and Cavaliers are drafted,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


and highlights from the Hillcats win over the Avalanche today at Salem Memorial.
(------------)


[S-Race]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]


The NASCAR Winston Cup series was at Talladega today for the Aaron's 499. Dale Earnhardt Junior takes the checkered flag and was just a car length in front of Michael Waltrip in a four lap shoot out to end the race. Kurt Busch was third, Jeff Gordon fourth and points leader Sterling Marlin fifth. Jeff Burton finished ninth, brother ward 15th, Stacy Compton 27th and Elliott Sadler 40th. We will have race highlights at 11.

[S-AVS]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-120 1:08:03]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche/hillcats]


The Salem Avalanche and the Lynchburg Hillcats would wrap up their three game series today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Hillcats vs. Avalanche; :00]

To Salem Memorial Stadium we go where some serious little leaguers were juiced up for a foul ball. A pair of doubles would bring in the Hillcats first run. Nate McLouth rips this shot down the third base line and that gets one run in.
[SUPER=37-Lynchburg/2/Salem/1;]


The Hillcats would allow just one Avs run all day. Here the Lynchburg right fielder makes the nice throw home to prevent a run, Cats win 2-1.
(------------)


[S-Hit]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-117 1:21:06]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]


The Avalanche came into this series with Lynchburg leading the Carolina League in hitting with a .271 batting average.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;00]

That average has dipped to around .265 but that is still second in the league behind Kinston.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stu Cole/Avalanche Manager; :00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...in crucial situation"]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=steve]
[GRAPHIC=avalanche]


Speaking of Kinston, the Avalanche begins a six game road swing this week, starting with a three game set against the Indians. Game one is tomorrow.

[S-Grant]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-108 20003TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH LOGO]


The Virginia Tech football team wrapped up spring practice yesterday and no was more disappointed than rising senior quarterback Grant Noel - who was unable to play due to the anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered last Wednesday. Noel has opted NOT to have surgery, so he can rehab and have a chance to play his final year at Tech.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I'm not gonna...]
[SUPER=01-Grant Noel/Virginia Tech Quarterback; :07]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=...mental part."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Spring Practice; :00]

Noel already is willing himself to play, putting all of his faith in the team's doctors and trainers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I FEEL...]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=...CARE OF."]
(------------)



[S-Shannon]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-114 1:44:02]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]


UVa wrapped up its' spring football festival yesterday in Charlottesville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;00]


Speaking of the Wahoos, former Cavalier and Patrick Henry star Shannon Taylor is now with the Baltimore Ravens after a stint with the San Diego Chargers. Taylor had surgery on his shoulder recently and is rehabbing. Rounds 4 through seven of the NFL draft kicked off today. Shannon, like many talented NFL players, has not yet exploded onto the big name, big money scene. One reason why Taylor likes what the low profile New England Patriots did when they won the super bowl.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Shannon Taylor/Baltimore Ravens Linebacker;00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=....nfl soon"]
(--------------)


[S-Draft]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 1:40:20]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]


Some Virginia Tech and Virginia players were taken in rounds four through seven of the NFL draft today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA; :00]


In the fourth round, Tech linebacker Ben Taylor was the 111th pick. Taylor will join his teammate Andre Davis in Cleveland.
Virginia Tight End Chris Luzar was the 118th pick in the fourth round. He goes to Jacksonville from the Redskins.
Tech defensive tackle David Pugh was taken in the sixth round, 182nd overall by Indianapolis.
(------------)
[anchor=steve]
[graphic=tech football]

The Cowboys take Tech tight end Bob Slowikowski, 211th, the last pick in the sixth round. In the fifth round, Tech defensive back Kevin McCadem was taken 148th overall by the Atlanta Falcons.
by SS