WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 09/03/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

A 4-day Campbell County murder trial ends with a guilty verdict.
We'll have the latest on the Elizabeth Farinacci case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]
And, much-needed rain today may have slightly elevated the level of Carvin's Cove but Roanoke says a different water source is truly pumping up the volume.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - Bud Foster offers an early assessment of the high flying Marshall defense. The rain finally gives way to some tennis at the US Open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Grant Noel's arthroscopic knee surgery this morning goes better than expected.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Scattered soaking thunderstorms and a wandering tropical system in Florida headline tonight's weather. More details just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:14:59-16:15:09]
[IN Q=Based on average persons this size...]
((RICK MOORER/INVESTIGATOR: BASED ON AVERAGE PERSONS OF THIS SIZE, AGE AND GENDER, IT'S THE BEST WE CAN DO AS FAR AS ACCURACY.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=best we can do as far as accuracy.]
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[VO-NAT]
Investigators recreate the facial features of a man who's body was found along the Parkway in hopes somebody might recognize him.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith has the night off.

[Parkway-Body]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC1:43:09]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 6]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
The body was found last May by a group of sightseers at the Poages Mill Overlook. Since then, police have followed several leads searching for the man's identity and cause of death but, for the most part, they say they're stuck.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=So, they've turned to a technique...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./May 5; :07]
[SUPER=01-Rick Moorer/Investigator; :13]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=find out who the person is...]
((So, they've turned to a technique rarely used in the Roanoke Valley called facial, or forensic, reconstruction. The process starts with the recovery and cleaning of the human remains, in this case the skull.
[SOT 16:14:12-16:14:28]
[IN Q=Then a specialist will...]
((RICK MOORER/INVESTIGATOR: THEN A SPECIALIST WILL PUT MARKERS ON THE SKELETAL REMAINS AND THEN USE CLAY TO MAKE THE FACE ITSELF WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.)) [RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=what it should look like.]
Clay is applied directly over the bone, guaranteeing many of the facial characteristics are accurate. But, as for hair and eye color and a portion of the nose which was unavailable, Moorer says the artist made an educated guess. The sculpting took about two days and was a last resort for investigators who've followed several leads straight to a dead end, although they say various tests are still being conducted.
[SOT 16:15:31-16:15:41]
[IN Q=We do have fingerprints from him...]
((RICK MOORER: WE DO HAVE FINGERPRINTS FROM HIM, AND DENTAL RECORDS AND, OF COURSE, MULTIPLE AMOUNTS OF SOURCES TO RUN THIS INFORMATION THROUGH AND THAT'S TIME CONSUMING.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=and that's time consuming.]
The man is described as having been white, between 55 and 75 years old, and between 150 and 170 pounds. He is believed to have had light brown or grey hair and stood about 6 feet tall. But investigators need your help to be sure.
[SOT 16:14:54-16:14:58]
[IN Q=We will know exactly how accurate...]
((RICK MOORER/INVESTIGATOR: WE WILL KNOW EXACTLY HOW ACCURATE IT IS WHEN WE FIND OUT WHO THE PERSON IS.)) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=find out who the person is.]))
(++++++++)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN BOARD]
[ANCHOR=SHannon]
If you have any information about the man's identity you can call the FBI at 344-5561, Roanoke County Police at 561-8064 or the National Park Service at 767-2213, extension 18.
(------------)

[Farinacci]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC1:55:04]
[GRAPHIC=Farinacci]
A Campbell County woman could spend up to 53 years in prison for the February shooting death of her husband.
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[VO-NAT :31]
[SUPER=03-Rustburg;]
It took the jury less than three hours today to determine Elizabeth Farinacci shot her husband Frank and left him to die in their garage. The 48-year old showed no reaction to the verdict.
[SUPER=04-Friday;]
Last week, she'd testified in her own defense saying she'd been threatened into confessing to the crime and was afraid for her own life. But Friday, Farinacci cried on the stand saying she wasn't capable of hurting her husband. The four day trail wrapped up today with a conviction on first degree murder and firearms charges.
(///// SOT at :31 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm sure she'll appeal]
((CRAIG TILLER/FARINACCI'S ATTORNEY: I'M SURE SHE'LL APPEAL THE VERDICT. SHE'S MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE CASE AND SHE TESTIFIED IN COURT WHILE SHE WAS ON THE WITNESS STAND THAT SHE DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RAP FOR A MURDER SHE DID NOT COMMIT. NEIL VENER/CAMPBELL CO. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: GIVEN THE EVIDENCE THAT SHE CONFESSED TO THE UNDERCOVER TROOPER AND THE FACTS OF THE CASE AND SHE TESTIMONY OF ALL THE OTHER WITNESSES IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR THIS WAS A COLD-BLOODED MURDER AND SHE WAS THE ONLY PERSON GUILTY OF IT.))
[SUPER=01-Craig Tiller/Farinacci's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Neil Vener/Campbell Co. Prosecutor; :17]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=person guilty of it.]
(-------------)
[VO NAT] Jurors will recommend Farinacci be sentenced to fifty years in prison for murder and an automatic three years for the use of a weapon in commission of a felony. Sentencing is scheduled for November 27th
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[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC1:34:41]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]
The water use restrictions imposed by Governor Warner for most of the state last week are nothing new for Roanoke City residents. Roanoke City Council imposed similar orders for its residents earlier this summer to deal with falling water levels at the region's water source ...Carvins Cove.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]
And that's where we find Rachel Cannon tonight. Rachel, did last week's rain help with the situation? Shannon, The cove is currently at 32-feet below the spillway.
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Carvins Cove;]
The city's Director of Utilities says the rain did little but soak the ground. He says it was not enough to raise levels in the cove. But starting this afternoon, the city is getting some water from another source...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape; ::00]
[SUPER=04-Today; :11]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager; :17]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove; :47]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=RESTRICTIONS WAYS.]
(( The Muse Spring Well is now producing 1-million gallons of water a day. Located on city property in southeast Roanoke, it was drilled last summer but only just put on-line. Today, city council learned about the new source and that no additional measures are in store for residents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:36:43]
[IN Q=WE BELIEVE]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER; WE BELIEVE YOU ALLOWED US TO PUT IN PLACE AT EARLIER POINTS RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE REALLY PUT US RIGHT IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS.))
[OUT Q=COMMENTS.]
Officials say setting up the well cost about 1-hundred thousand dollars and took total of three months. The City's Director of Utilities says all the water it provides will be utilized while we remain under drought conditions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:36:54]
[IN Q=WE CLEARLY]
((WE CLEARLY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR, DO AS WE FEEL NECESSARY.))
[OUT Q=NECESSARY.]
Officials say efforts by residents have been making a difference. During peak summer months, water use in the city could easily climb to 18-million gallons a day. With the restrictions, officials say we're averaging 14-million gallons.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:37:20]
[IN Q=We continue]
((WE CONTINUE TO ASK OUR RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WATER CONSERVING AND THE RESTRICTIONS WAYS.))
[OUT Q=RESTRICTIONS WAYS.]))
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[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Carvins Cove;]
The City of Roanoke is also looking to start wells similar to the new Muse Spring Well.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]
A geologist has identified five other locations that appear to be promising locations for them. Shannon?

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

It will cost nearly 850 million dollars, but would provide Virginia's colleges and universities with much needed funding.
We'll tell you about it next on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And one of the nation's biggest trucking companies shuts down... so what's in store for its facility here in Southwest Virginia?
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[Bond-vote]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC1:19:47]
[SS=None]

Educators and lawmakers are joining together to promote two bond initiatives on this year's ballot.
Money raised from the bonds will go toward Virginia's colleges, universities and state parks.
[DOUBLE BOXES=SHannon & Meghan/Satellite;]

Meghan Muldoon attended a rally held by bond supporters today in Richmond. She joins us with more.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL Satellite]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Supporters of the higher education bond say its a way of raising money for state colleges without tax increases or tuition hikes.
They're going to spend the next 60 days to convince voters to support it.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=TO MUCH FANFARE, A BIPARTISAN GROUP.]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=@Kaine; :10]
[SUPER=01-Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting/VMI Superintendent; :40]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=THE MESSAGE WE HAVE TO GET OUT.]
(( To much fanfare, a bipartisan group of elected officials and college presidents launched a 60-day campaign to raise money for higher education and open spaces.
[SOT 13:29:37-47]
[IN Q=IF YOU WANT TO GROW]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=FOR THE NEXT SIXTY DAYS.]

The referendum is expected to raise 846 million dollars for colleges and universities in every region of the state.
Virginia Tech is slated to receive 72 million dollars from the bond, Radford University 27 and a half million dollars and VMI 35 million dollars.
[SOT 13:49:09-19]
[IN Q=VMI IS RANKED SIXTH IN THE COUNTRY]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=WE WOULD BENEFIT IN A VERY BIG WAY.]

Supporters of the initiatives have encountered little opposition so far, but do admit that the sluggish economy may make voters wary of the state incurring more debt.
The long term investment, supporters say, is what the economy needs.
[SOT 13:58:39]
[IN Q=THE FACT THAT THIS WILL CREATE]
[RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=IS ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT TIME.]

Supporters say failure to approve the bonds will hurt Virginia's ability to stay competitive.
[SOT 13:56:12]
[IN Q=WE'RE GOING TO HAVE 32 THOUSAND ADDITIONAL STUDENTS.]
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=TO HOUSE.]
[SOT 13:51:12-17]
[IN Q=THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL MATTER.]
[RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=THE MESSAGE WE HAVE TO GET OUT.]))
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[LIVE= Meghan /FULL Satellite]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Voters will also have a chance on November 5th to approve a parks and recreation bond.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /Satellite;]

It seeks to raise over 119 million dollars for Virginia's 34 state parks.

[CF-Bankruptcy]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-28 TC55:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Still no word as to how the bankruptcy of one of the country's biggest trucking companies will affect its facility here in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The entrances to Consolidated Freightways operation on Plantation Road are blocked today.
Yesterday, C-F announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and laying off as many as 15-thousand people around the country.
In letters being mailed to workers, Consolidated says it simply doesn't have enough money to continue operations.

The terminal manager of C-F's Roanoke facility was unavailable for comment today.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

September is historically the worst month of the year for stocks -- and this one is shaping up to be a real bear.
A weaker-than-expected report on manufacturing sent Wall Street tumbling today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/355.45/8308.05/y/51.01/1263.84;]

The DOW plunged 355 points.
NASDAQ dropped 51.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/2.05/50.20/i/1.72/32.38/i/2.90/60.21/i/2.95/67.13/i/0.82/16.12;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.07/6.54/i/1.18/61.53/i/0.70/38.56/i/1.69/28.46/i/0.91/12.61;]
[SUPER=273-i/1.95/44.60/i/0.17/17.91/i/0.50/20.43/h/0.01/2.59/i/0.49/49.51;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.51/11.00/i/2.71/64.80/i/1.64/29.36/i/1.36/35.49/i/1.61/51.87;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Grant]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-27 TC1:19:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A former Lynchburg official says he's been cleared of charges of improper spending at Norfolk State University.
Al Grant says a special internal audit found no apparent fraud or abuse in travel and other expenses he incurred while on that school's board of visitors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape;]

Grant was indicted in June on 13 counts of embezzlement. He was accused of running up improper expenses while a member of the Lynchburg electoral board.
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[Short-Benefit]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-25 TC1:55:04]
[GRAPHIC=Jennifer Short]
The family of Jennifer Short is still praying for the girl's safe return.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./File Tape;]
They're also trying to keep active in the search for the missing nine- year old. This weekend-- Michael Short's uncle is planning a cook-out to raise money for a reward fund established in Jennifer's name at First National Bank in Boones Mill. But Frank Arrington says he needs the public's help. He's hoping the community and local businesses will donate food and other supplies.
(//// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:15:17]
[IN Q=BOTH ]
((BOTH MICHAEL SHORT'S FAMILY AND MARY'S FAMILY MEMBERS FROM BOTH SIDES WILL BE THERE TO HELP OUT WITH THIS, I THINK IT'S GOING TO TURN OUT TO BE A GOOD THING AND SHOULD RAISE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND 100- PERCENT OF WHATEVER'S RAISED WILL GO RIGHT BACK INTO THE FUND FOR HER SAFE RETURN. ))
[SUPER=01-Frank Arrington/Michael Short's Uncle; ]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=SAFE RETURN.]
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[VO-NAT]
The cook-out will be held Saturday, from one until five, at Dudley's Truck Stop on Route 220- just North of Rocky Mount. If you'd like to make a donation-- you can contact Arrington at 540- 721-2850.
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[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - US open tennis highlights, plus good news concerning Grant Noel's knee surgery this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Bud Foster says he knows the Thundering Herd will be armed and dangerous when it rolls into Blacksburg a week from this Thursday.
(------------)

[S-Grant]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-104 15534tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]

Let's get started tonight in the operating room where the Virginia Tech Hokies got some excellent news concerning quarterback Grant Noel's left knee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
Noel had arthroscopic surgery on knee this morning to evaluate what was causing the discomfort he had been experiencing the past three weeks. Trainer Mike Goforth says it went better than expected. Orthopedic surgeon Marc Siegel not only found no serious damage, but they also determined that part of his Anterior cruciate ligament is still in tact. Dr. Siegel trimmed some cartilage - but overall - the procedure was deemed a complete success. Noel will begin his rehab tomorrow morning at seven. Goforth says other than the rehab, Noel will stay off of the knee as much as possible for the next four days He is still probable for the Marshall game on September 12th.
(------------)

[S-Marshall]

[ANCHOR=MIke]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-126 5703TC]
[GRAPHIC=MARSHALL]

As for the quarterback on the other side - Marshall's Byron Leftwich will be worth the price of admission on September 12th. In last week's opener against Appalachian State Leftwich passed for 469 yards and four TDs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Huntington, WV/Last Saturday; :00]
To put that in some kind of perspective Leftwich passed for 404 yards more than Bryan Randall and Grant Noel threw for collectively against LSU. He is without question a bona fide Heisman Trophy candidate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=COLLEGE FOOTBALL...]
[SUPER=01-Bud Foster/Va. Tech Defensive Coordinator; :01]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...THE TOP OF OUR GAME."]
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[S-College]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA]

And folks the college football season really cranks up this coming weekend, and Your Hometown Station is the place to be. Saturday at five - we'll have the much-anticipated Miami versus Florida game as the two hook up in the regular season as the Canes look to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 24 games. Again, the Cane and the Gators tee it up Saturday at 5 right here on WDBJ-7.

[S-Hillcats]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-128]
[GRAPHIC=HILLCATS]

The Lynchburg Hillcats wrapped up the wildcard spot in the northern division last night by coming from behind and pounding Salem 18-to-6 to close out the regular season. The Hillcats will have to move through the playoffs the hard way - mush like Salem did last season. The Cats will play a best of three game series starting tomorrow with all three games in Wilmington.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-This Season;]
Whatever happens, this has been a tremendous season for the Hillcats under manager Pete Mackanin. (McCANNON) He not only led the Cats to a record setting first half, but his team stayed right in the thick of things right up until the end. Mackanin also has taken longtime baseball folks on stroll down memory lane. He played a total of 15 years of professional baseball after leaving the University of Illinois. He played 548 of those in the big leagues, but many folks remember him getting his start playing for the Wytheville Senators. He played his rookie league ball at Withers Field in Wytheville where he was a third baseman. That's young Pete right there. The Hillcats series with Wilmington opens up on Wednesday night.

(---------------)[S-Tennis]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-129 5022TC]
[GRAPHIC=US OPEN]

After two days of rain the sun finally came out at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center in New York as the US Open began a furious attempt to get caught up on all of its rain out and rain delayed matches from the Labor Day weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/USA; :00]
The wait was well worth it for many folks who had a chance to see the Venus Williams Chanda Rubin match. After winning the first set 6-2, Venus found herself on the ropes and Rubin won the second set 6-to-4. By that time she had confidence and the crowd was picking up momentum in her favor. She had Venus down at double break point in the third set, but Venus took over from that point on to win the third and final set 7-5 and advance to the quarterfinals. (------------)