WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 08/27/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The "when" and "where" part of the sexual allegations against Father Randy Rule emerge. That's our top story tonight

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And even with a little rain FINALLY- -Roanoke COUNTY joins the list of places asking citizens to conserve water.
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[Sports-head]

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

In sports, quarterbacks past and present are making headlines in Blacksburg today, speaking of past and present, Joe Gibbs comments on current Redskins coach Joe Gibbs,
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[VO-NAT]

and words from South Boston's Ward Burton on his season.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Another reinforcing shot of moisture due in later tonight means more rain in the forecast through Wednesday. The latest details are coming up.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 4-SHot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:34:06]
[IN Q=Until]
((UNTIL WE FIND OUT MORE LETS GIVE HIM THE SUPPORT WE KNOW HE DESERVES.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=know he deserves]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Local residents speak out in support of a local priest facing sexual misconduct charges...
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Tonight we learn more details about the allegations against Father Steven Randy Rule.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Rule]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC1:11:00]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
We now know where the alleged incident took place while Father Rule taught at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Goochland County, Virginia.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The now closed Seminary was an all male preparatory high school for those who had an interest in ordination to the priesthood. [***RULE MONITOR GRAPHIC***]
[TOSS ACROSS=Keith-Shannon & Rachel /BAM;]
Rachel Cannon joins us tonight with more.... Rachel? Keith and Shannon ... Rule was there in the early 1970s.
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
At least one other misconduct claims involving a Virginia priest has stemmed from that school. In Rule's case ... he's on administrative leave while the diocese looks into the accusation by one adult male that says there was an incident of sexual abuse when he was a minor.
53-year-old Rule will also undergo a psychological evaluation.
But some people who know him say they don't believe the allegations.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Tom Thomas]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tom Thomas/St. Andrews Parishioner; :]
[SUPER=01-Mike Slenski/St. Andrews Parishioner; :]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=QUICK TO SMILE.]
(( Tom Thomas knows Father Rule more than most parishioners. It was Rule who helped he and his wife through a most trying time ... the death of their young son Cole. Thomas says his priest was always there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:28:16]
[IN Q=to put]
((TOM THOMAS/ST. ANDREWS PARISHIONER; TO PUT US BACK TOGETHER AND HELP US GO FORWARD AND TO REALIZE THAT WE HAD HELP.))
[OUT Q=HELP]
That was in 19-96 and now with years of renewed faith, Thomas, is in way, helping Rule. He believes the allegations may be a misunderstanding.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:22:06]
[IN Q=I have]
((I HAVE GREAT DOUBT FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.))
[OUT Q=DAYS]
For fellow parishioner Mike Slenski, the news came as a big shock.
He says Father Rule has been a wonderful support for his three children, all students at Roanoke Catholic School.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:03:14]
[IN Q=Whether]
((MIKE SLENSKI/ST. ANDREWS PARISHIONER; WHETHER IT BE SAYING THE PRAYER BEFORE AN ATHLETIC EVENT OR JUST ENCOURAGING THE STUDENTS TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES TO THE HIGHEST MORAL CODE THAT'S WHAT I'VE KNOWN OF RANDY RULE SO ITS VERY SURPRISING TO ME THAT ANYTHING LIKE THIS MAY BE SUGGESTED.))
[OUT Q=SUGGESTED]
Like many - Slenski is waiting for more information. A diocese sexual review board is expected to take up Rule's case after Labor Day. For now, Slenski says he will support the priest by talking about the man he knows.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :00:47:24]
[IN Q=he's very]
((HE'S VERY MEETABLE, VERY FRIENDLY, QUICK TO SMILE.))
[OUT Q=TO SMILE.]))
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[LIVE= Rachel /FULL BAM]
Now neither man has spoken with Rule since the news came out about the allegations... We once again called Father Rule but there was no answer at his home.
[TOSS ACROSS=Keith-Shannon & Rachel /BAM;]
Tom Thomas says his faith will play a big role in this situation and that God will sort this out.

[County-Water]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-31 TC35:03]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

Roanoke County is joining the long list of localities asking citizens to conserve water.
Officials say they have ample supplies at this time, but today the board of supervisors approved the call for voluntary conservation.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & JoeD /Newsroom;]

Joe Dashiell has more on the latest effects from the lingering drought.
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Newsroom]
[SUPER=@joe1;]

Keith, Roanoke County is in much better shape than many of its neighbors. But today county officials said they are exercising caution as much of the state faces a growing crisis.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Spring Hollow Reservoir]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=@Hodge; :16]
[SUPER=@Nickens; :27]
[RUNS=:38]
[OUT Q=now approaching crisis stage.]

((The Spring Hollow Reservoir currently stands at more than 70 percent of its capacity... a normal level for this time of year.
But officials say the length of this drought, and its widespread effects have persuaded them to institute voluntary conservation measures sooner rather than later.
[SOT]
[IN Q=We think it's appropriate]
((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: WE THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE TO TAKE THIS STEP AT THIS TIME OR ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS TO AVOID GETTING INTO A MORE SERIOUS SITUATION.)) ((HARRY NICKENS/VINTON SUPERVISOR: WE CANNOT GET BY WITHOUT WATER, SO AYTHING WE CAN DO ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS OR EVEN MANDATORY, I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO DO IT, UNTIL WE GET BEYOND WHAT IS NOW APPROACHING CRISIS STAGE.))
[RUNS= :23]
[OUT Q=now approaching crisis stage.]))
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[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Newsroom]

Meanwhile, the discussions that could lead to a regional water authority also continue.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & JoeD /Newsroom;]

While negotiators are working through some difficult issues, Elmer Hodge says he is pleased with their progress.[

Drought]

[ANCHOR=keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-35 TC13:38]
[GRAPHIC=Drought]

Virginia's drought has worsened significantly in the past month...that's the word from state officials.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Governor Mark Warner's newly appointed drought coordinator met for the first time today with the state's Drought Monitoring Task Force.
They say Virginia is experiencing record low stream flows and groundwater levels.
Officials say despite the worsening conditions, statewide restrictions on water use are unlikely.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:18:05]
[IN Q=WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT]
[SUPER=01-David Paylor/State Drought Coordinator]
[SUPER=01-Terry Wagner/Drought Monitoring Task Force; :13 quick]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=FROM ALL STATE AGENCIES.]
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[VO-NAT]

Officials say the drought is also bringing forest fire conditions to extreme levels.
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[2-SHOT]
(Keith & Shannon toss to Robin)

[L'burg-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-34 TC19:39]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

Five people were hurt in a three-car crash on the Lynchburg Expressway this afternoon.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Police say a woman attempting to change lanes struck another vehicle on the southbound side of Route 29 around 3 o'clock.
The vehicle that had been struck did get out of the lane of traffic... shortly afterwards it was hit by another car headed south.
The impact turned the car upside down. Its driver and two young passengers were taken to Lynchburg General Hospital.
Police say charges are pending.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

More searches, but no new leads in the search for a missing Henry County girl.
That's next on News 7 at Six.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And federal security screeners are now on the job at Roanoke Regional Airport.
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[Missing-Girl]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#02-21 TC1:51:05]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

There are no new leads in the search for Jennifer Short tonight...
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But there are still dozens of investigators working tirelessly to determine who took her and killed her parents 12 days ago.
[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon and Marya/Microwave]

Marya Jones is in Henry County with some new details on the investigation.
[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Henry Co.;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: taking this case personally. )
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Curtis Spence/Investigator; :10]
[SUPER=01-Jay Mason/Investigator; :54]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=after we find her.]
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[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Henry Co.;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith-Shannon and Marya/Microwave]

[Roanoke-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-32 TC1:22:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The next time you fly out of the Roanoke Airport you'll be screened by a federal employee.
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[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Starting today, security checks are being overseen by the Transportation Security Administration. A team of trainers is working with 37-employees who must go through more than 1-hundred hours of classroom and on-the-job training. The federal security director says passengers *will* notice a difference.
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 15:33:44-15:54:06]
[IN Q=Passengers should notice less waiting time...]
((BOB SCHENKEL/TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: PASSENGERS SHOULD NOTICE LESS WAITING TIME, CONSISTENCY AND THAT SHOULD INCLUDE ALERT, CONSCIENTIOUS, POLITE, EFFECTIVE SCREENERS.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Schenkel/Transportation Security Administration;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=polite, effective screeners.]
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[VO-NAT :11]
Roanoke Regional is one of 59-airports to station federal employees at screening checkpoints. By November, federal screeners will replace contracted workers at more than 400-airports.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]
The Lynchburg Airport is expected to find out tomorrow when it will make the switch.

[Appox-Tourism]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-25 TC1:34:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's a county whose name is synonymous with history.
But in Appomattox, tourists have few options when it comes to taking in the sights and spending their money.
Steve Smallshaw explains.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=They come here]
[SUPER=03-Appomattox; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Phelps/Historical Museum; :24]
[SUPER=01-Bill Spriggs/Clover Hill Village; :47]
[SUPER=01-Tina LeValley/Appomattox Co. Tourism Director; :56]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=News7, Appomattox.]
(( They come here by the thousands... drawn by the lure of history.
Beyond the National Historic Park, however, most of Appomattox County's premier attractions remain under lock and key.
[natsot museum 20:00:56]
[RUNS= 02]

The Appomattox Historical Museum is chock full of county history that nobody ever gets to see.
It's roof leaks, the front porch is sagging and it's been closed for months, waiting for renovations.
[SOT 20:05:07]
((WAYNE PHELPS/HISTORICAL MUSEUM: IT'S SAD BUT THAT IS A PROBLEM WITH US, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT MADE RIGHT, YOU MIGHT SAY.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OT Q=you might say.]
[natsot 20:17:42]
((WE'VE GOT SIX ACRES HERE..))
[RUNS= 02]

Just a half mile from the national park sits Clover Hill Village.. a collection of historic buildings that have been moved here to form a living history park.
It too is off limits to tourists.. there's not enough volunteers or money to keep it open.
[SOT 20:27:11]
((BILL SPRIGGS/CLOVER HILL VILLAGE: IT DOES GET DISCOURAGING, YES. WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK OVER HERE, AS YOU CAN SEE, WITH THE FEW PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE WILLING TO HELP AND TO WORK WITH US.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=work with us.]
[SOT 14:56:58]
((TINA LEVALLEY/APPOMATTOX CO. TOURISM DIRECTOR: I WAS JUST ALMOST APPALLED THAT THESE FACILITIES WERE CLOSED TO OUR VISITORS.))
[RUNS= 05]

Tina LeValley was hired just a few months ago to help the area tap into the market created by the national park.
Re-opening its two other major attractions is her top priority.
[SOT 14:57:23]
((I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS AND SOME FINANCIAL BACKING. PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE FACILITIES OPEN, IF YOU CAN HELP OUT EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=bit helps.]

LeValley hopes town and county officials realize soon sometimes it takes money to make money.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Appomattox. ))

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The lowest consumer confidence reading in nine months sent stocks lower. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/94.60/8824.41/y/43.97/1347.77;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW dropped 97 points.
NASDAQ fell 44.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.54/53.49/h/0.06/36.42/i/2.06/62.32/h/0.40/71.40/h/0.02/17.42;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.10/6.15/i/1.35/64.50/h/0.30/39.31/i/0.12/31.95/i/0.09/14.67;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.62/45.77/i/0.03/20.25/i/0.06/21.89//Unchg/2.86/h/0.32/47.90;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.55/11.80/h/0.48/68.65/i/0.53/31.87/h/0.05/36.84/i/0.28/53.12;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Hassell]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-36 TC23:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR=Keith]

It's a historic first for the Virginia Supreme Court...
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
today it elected the state's first black chief justice.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/1989]

Justice Leroy Hassell (hass-SELL) Senior was today elected as the court's new chief justice.
Hassell, seen here at his induction ceremony in 1989, will succeed Chief Justice Harry Carrico as head of the seven-member court.
Carrico plans to retire this winter.
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[Sports tease]

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

Ward Burton talks about being 27th in Winston Cup points, a look at VMI's improved defense,
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[VO-NAT]

and Lee Suggs and his Tech teammates are anxious for some challenging competition, they will get it against LSU.
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[S-Hokies]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-130 3839TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]

When LSU arrives in Blacksburg this Sunday to battle the Hokies it will mark the first time the Tigers have ever played a football game in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mike Stevens tells us why that isn't the only uncertainty the Tigers will face this weekend.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :14]
[SUPER=01-Grant Noel/Will Start at Quarterback vs. LSU; :33]
[SUPER=@mike1; :47]
[SUPER=01-Lee Suggs/33 Career Touchdowns at VT; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(( Senior Grant Noel will start at quarterback against LSU - but that's all coach Frank Beamer will say about his signal callers. ((FRANK BEAMER:)) Beamer was unusually tight lipped about the Tech quarterback situation at his weekly newconference. In fact, Noel seemed to be unaware that he was he was the tabbed starter until the media informed him of the fact. ((GRANT NOEL:)) ((MIKE STEVENS:)) ((BITE:)) The Hokies are favored by a touchdown to beat the Tigers. To a man - the Tech players are anxious to start playing the LSUs instead of ASUs. ((LEE SUGGS:)) In one final Arkansas State note - the 63 points scored in that win are the most scored by the Hokies in a season opening game since 1905 when Tech beat Roanoke College 86-to-nothing. In Blacksburg, Mike Stevens News 7 Sports.))

[S-Keydets]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-127 TC3842]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

The VMI Keydets open the season Saturday at Charleston Southern. New defensive coordinator Johnny Burnett hopes to shore up a defense that
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]

ranked near the bottom of the Southern Conference in nearly every statistical category last season.
Burnett hopes several local products can contribute to the Keydets effort this fall.
Former Heritage star Derik Screen, Jefferson Forest grad Mike Bradley, and Sophomore Brad Miller from Cave Spring would all like to make some noise in Burnette's new 4-3 scheme.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Derik Screen/Keydets Linebacker; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Bradley/Keydets Linebacker; :15]
[SUPER=01-Brad Miller/Keydets Linebacker; :24]
[RUNS=:37]
[OUT Q=ready to go."]
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[S-Burton]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-131 ]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]

Winston Cup drivers head to Darlington for the Mountain Dew Southern 500 this Sunday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockingham, NC; :00]

South Boston's Ward Burton, who tested recently at Richmond International raceway, is 27th in the Winston Cup points. Dealing with the peaks and valleys is his key.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/29th Average Finish Last 5 Races; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=......all in perspective"]
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