WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 09/09/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

More than two years after the investigation started, police in the New River Valley infiltrate a drug ring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]
And a local woman tells AEP she'd rather she couldn't see the power lines for the trees.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - the Tech 2002 Report is on the road in Huntington as Byron Leftwich and Bob Pruett weigh in on the Hokies. We'll also hear from Al Groh.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And VMI's Joey Gibson is the Southern Conference's player of the week.
(------------)

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

Not even Gustav can bring rain to our parched region. We will check out the reasons why in just a minute.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=SHannon 3-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 02:39:27]
[IN Q=They line their pockets]
((THEY LINE THEIR POCKETS BY DISTRIBUTING POISON TO PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT THEY DO. AND WHEN THEIR DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS ARE CHALLENGED, THEY USE VIOLENCE TO ENFORCE IT.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=to enforce it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

16 people face federal charges, following a two and a half year investigation of drug distribution in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith is off tonight.

[US-Attorney]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC1:49:52]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 6]

Ten people are in custody. And authorities are searching for six more, including the alleged ringleader.
Investigators believe the organization distributed more than a million dollars of cocaine and marijuana, and they say its members were also responsible for a number of violent acts. [***NEWS 7 @ 6 GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & JoeD /Pulpit;]

Joe Dashiell is here tonight with more on the indictments that were unsealed this afternoon.
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]

Shannon, the sixteen were indicted by a federal grand jury in Abingdon back in February... Yesterday, authorities arrested ten of the suspects in Charlottesville, Norfolk and the New River Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Investigators say]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :12]
[SUPER=01-Wes Terry/Radford Police Chief; :18]
[SUPER=01-Randal Duncan/Commonwealth's Attorney; :34]
[SUPER=01-Bart McEntire/Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms; :40]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=terrorizing a whole community down there.]
((Investigators say 28- year- old Malcolm Lewis was the leader of a continuing criminal enterprise that distributed crack cocaine, powder cocaine and marijuana in the Radford and Pulaski areas.
Local, state and federal authorities say they've been working together for two and a half years to put the drug ring out of business.
[SOT]
[IN Q=And because of that partnership]
((WES TERRY/RADFORD POLICE CHIEF: AND BECAUSE OF THAT PARTNERSHIP, A SIGNIFICANT CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN DEALT A DISORGANIZING BLOW.)) ((RANDAL DUNCAN/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR REGION IN REGARD TO THE FLOW OF POWDER AND CRACK COCAINE.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=and crack cocaine.]

They also hope to have an impact on the amount of drug-related violence the region has seen.
[SOT 02:35:04]
[IN Q=If you look at the level]
((BART MCENTIRE/BUREAU OF ALCOHOL TOBACCO AND FIREARMS: IF YOU LOOK AT THE LEVEL THESE GUYS WERE MOVING THE DRUGS ALONG WITH THE VIOENCE THEY HAD, YOU HAD AN ACTIVE ORGANIZATION WHO WERE TERRORIZING A WHOLE COMMUNITY DOWN THERE.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=whole community down there.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Pulpit]

Of the sixteen who were indicted, six including Malcolm Lewis remain at large... Authorities are encouraging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact police.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & JoeD /Pulpit;]

And Shannon, they say the indictments revealed today may be the tip of the iceberg... They say the investigation continues, and they expect more charges against more individuals.

[Boston-Khaliq]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC2:02:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Bedford woman who theatened to blow up the Wal-Mart store where she worked won't be headed to prison for her crime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]

42 year old Roslyn Boston-Khaliq was arrested last October and found guilty by a federal jury in June
Prosecutors had asked that she be given a ten-month prison term, in part because of the timing of the threat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I asked for]
[SUPER=01-Craig Jacobsen/Assistant U. S. Attorney]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=in my opinion.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Judge Norman Moon sentenced Boston-Khaliq to four months of house arrest.
She must also pay 34-thousand dollars in restitution to Wal-Mart.
(------------)

[Parkway-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Bedford County man has died after a motorcycle accident on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The park service says 52-year-old Robert Pugh was critically injured yesterday afternoon near the Fancy Gap section of the parkway.
Authorities say he wrecked after his bike hit a deer.
He died this morning at a hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

[Taylor]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-25 TC1:59:46]
[GRAPHIC=September 11]

One local woman will be among the presenters at a memorial service in New York City on Wednesday. Sue Taylor will help unveil a hospital's tribute to the emergency service workers lost in the September eleventh attacks. Taylor was asked to represent Roanoke's "To The Rescue" Museum.
Rachel Cannon had a chance to talk with her before her trip...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT'S SORT OF]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=@File; :12]
[SUPER=01-Sue Taylor/Museum Manager; :17]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke]
((1:53:51 "IT'S SORT OF SQEEZEABLE AND LOVABLE." The teddy bear Sue Taylor holds will travel with her to the Big Apple...its new home. A gift to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, it will become part of their permanent remembrance to 9-11.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:47:05]
[IN Q=it's a healing]
((SUE TAYLOR/MUSEUM MANAGER; IT'S A HEALING SIGNAL WE'VE HAD LOTS OF TEDDY BEARS GIVEN TO US FROM THE FAMILIES SO OUR TEDDY BEAR WILL ALL JUST ONE OF MANY THAT THEY ARE PLANNING TO OUR HONOR IN THEIR OWN BOX OF MEMORIES.))
[OUT Q=memories.]
Memories and tributes to the EMS profession fill To The Rescue. Located in Tanglewood Mall, you can see the first ambulance and the National EMS Memorial...A tree of life that honors those who died in the line of duty.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:44:05]
[IN Q=THE MEMORIAL]
((THE MEMORIAL WAS STARTED IN 19-91 WE NOW HAVE OVER 3-HUNDRED NAMES ON IT SADLY BUT TRUE.))
[OUT Q=TRUE.]
Among the 139 EMS workers killed on 9-11, four were from Presbyterian Hospital. In New York, Taylor will help unveil the facility's tribute.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:43:19]
[IN Q=It's a ]
((SUE TAYLOR/MUSEUM MANAGER; IT'S 36 FEET HIGH ITS GOT THE ENGRAVING I CAN'T WAIT TO GO THERE ITS AN HONOR TO BE A PART OF IT.))
[OUT Q=OF IT.]
[BUTT BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:49:06]
[IN Q=when]
((SUE TAYLOR/MUSEUM MANAGER; WHEN I GO UP THERE I BRING BACK I LEAVE A PIECE OF MY HEART AND I BRING BACK SO MANY GOOD FEELINGS.))
[OUT Q=FEELINGS]
Taylor says she expects Wednesday will difficult, but that she looks forward to the feeling of camaraderie. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Web-Page]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=9-11 Generic]
There are numerous events and activities scheduled across the region on Wednesday,
(+++++++)
[Take Web Page FS] and based upon all the information sent into us, we have assembled an extensive list of places and times. You can find that list by going to our home page at WDBJ7-dot-com and clicking the 9-11 event icon near the upper left corner.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7 at Six, getting involved in homeland security is only a click away.
We'll show you how.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus avoiding the power company's saws.
We'll have some ideas.
(----------------)

[Dominion-Union]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-31 TC45:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Union workers have approved a new contract with Dominion Virginia Power .. that word late today from company headquarters in Richmond. The utility says wages will rise almost 15 percent over the contract's five years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./August 2]

Nearly four-thousand electrical workers walked off their jobs early last month over a contract dispute with the company's management.
Two weeks later, union officials signed a tentative agreement on a new contract offer, and today, the membership OK's it.
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[Stocks]

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

Stocks reversed course mid-session, going from sharp early losses to some pretty decent gains by the close. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/92.18/8519.38/x/9.31/1304.61;]

The DOW climbed 92 points.
NASDAQ gained nine.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/1.60/51.80/i/0.46/32.37/h/0.90/63.90/i/0.04/69.25/h/0.38/16.83;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.10/6.40/i/0.52/61.29/h/0.38/39.28/h/0.48/28.78/h/0.02/12.74;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.15/45.85/h/0.10/18.18/h/0.08/20.62/i/0.23/2.19/h/1.59/48.10;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.02/11.08/h/1.30/68.70/h/0.02/29.85/h/0.10/36.34/h/0.50/53.28;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[AEP-Trees]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC1:41:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
They're the number one cause of power outages.
But many people get upset when American Electric Power trims trees near powerlines... and sometimes cuts them down alltogether.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens has views from both sides.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Ripplemead; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ruth Blevins/Opposes Tree Cutting; :04]
[SUPER=@Myranda1; :40]
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=News 7, Ripplemead]
((Ruth Blevins loves her trees.
[SOT 33:25]
[RUNS:05] ((RUTH BLEVINS: IT'S RIDICULOUS TO HAVE OUR TREES CUT. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT OUR TREES)) So, it's no surprise that when three were cut without her permission, she wasn't too happy about it.
[SOT 29:31]
[RUNS:02] ((I LOVE MY TREES AND I LOVE MY COUNTY)) But, Ruth says the problem goes deeper than that. She's worried that if the power company continues to cut down trees, it will not only take away the beauty of the entire area, but, eventually pose a real health concern.
[SOT 30:29]
[RUNS:11] ((WE LIVE IN AN AREA IN THE NEW RIVER VALLEY WHERE WE'RE CIRCLED BY MOUNTAINS. THE AIR INVERSION WHEN ATMOSPHERE PRESSURE HOLDS THE DIRTY AIR IN, IT HAS NO WHERE TO GO BECAUSE OF THE MOUNTAINS))
[SOT 44:30]
[RUNS:13 STANDUP] ((SO FAR NONE OF RUTH'S ATTEMPTS HAVE WORKED TO SAVE HER OWN TREES, BUT, SHE'S HOPING THEY WILL TO SAVE THE REST OF THE ONES IN THE COUNTY. AND IF JUST BY TALKING ABOUT IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, MAYBE PLEADING WILL.))
[SOT 35:20]
[RUNS:05] (( PLEASE DON'T CUT MY TREES. YOU KNOW PLEASE JUST STOP THEM BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL))
[SOT 46:03]
[RUNS :07 PLEASE COVER VIDEO] ((TODD BURNS: WHENEVER YOU HAVE TO CUT TREES, PEOPLE LOVE TREES AND NOTEABLY SO, BUT, YOU DO HAVE TO MAINTAIN THEM)) But, A-E-P officials say they don't just cut trees at random--only in places where they interfere with power lines.
[SOT 47:43]
[RUNS:12] (( YOU KNOW IT'S WARM RIGHT NOW, BUT, IN SEVERAL MONTHS IT'S GOING TO BE VERY COLD AND THOSE TREES COULD BE WIEGHTED DOWN ICE AND COULD KNOCK OUT SERVICE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID))

Burn says if people like Ruth want to maintain a clean environment, they should try to plant trees that are compatible with the power lines, meaning won't grow any higher than 30 feet. He says by doing so, they may be able to save energy too.
[SOT 48:28]
[RUNS:07] (( IT'S THE RIGHT TREE FOR THE RIGHT PLACE...THAT'S THE KEY TO IT)) MS, News 7, Ripplemead))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=SHANNON]
[SS=None]
A-E-P officials say customers do have the option of having underground power lines near the homes, but, it could end up costing them thousands of dollars.

[West-Nile]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=West nile Virus]

A horse in Rocky Mount was one of six in the State to test positive for West Nile Virus so far this year.
The horse became ill in mid-August and had to be put down.
There are no drugs to kill the virus in horses or humans, but there is an equine vaccine for West Nile.
The state department of Agriculture suggests calling a vet if your horse exhibits any neurologic symptoms, like a stumbling gate, facial paraylsis, drooping or disinterest in the surroundings.

[VA-Volunteers]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC1:28:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

If you're a Virginian interested in getting involved with homeland security, there's a new website to help you get started.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Virginia Corps is a way of linking interested citizens with volunteer opportunities like Citizen Corps, a national program focusing on local homeland security and preparedness.
Governor Mark Warner says many Virginians wanted to volunteer after September 11th but didn't know where to turn.
The governor says the new web site will make it easier for Virginians to contribute to a variety of causes in their communities.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:50:51]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: I HOPE THIS WILL SPUR A GREAT DEAL MORE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY OVER THE COMING DAYS AND WEEKS.))
[SOT 10:55:35-48]
((CHERYL COOLEY-NEWMAN/VOLUNTARY ACTION OF THE NEW RIVER VALLEY: I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME BUT ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT ITS FINALLY UNDERWAY AND THAT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF COMMUNICATION SO THAT LITTLE PLACES LIKE US CAN FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING IN OUR COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :00 quick!]
[SUPER=01-Cheryl Cooley-Newman/Voluntary Action of the New River Valley; :05]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUTQ=IN OUR COMMUNITY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There is a toll-free number for those looking for volunteer opportunities.
It is 1-866-239-4868.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN BOARD]
The group also has a website.
You can find a link to it on our homepage at wdbj7-dot-com.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - Al Groh talks about his kids growing up. A VMI player is the Southern Conference's player of the week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we're headed to Huntington to see what the Herd's Big Man on Campus Byron Leftwich thinks about the Hokies in tonight's Tech 2002 Report.
(------------)

[S-Tech2002]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-129 5337tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2002]

After having last Saturday off, the Hokies now have just a few short days to get ready for their second straight nationally ranked opponent - Marshall University. In this morning's Tech 2002 Report we're focusing in on the Thundering Herd which rolls into Lane Stadium Thursday night for a nationally televised contest that could put the Marshall program on the national map once and for all.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=01-Bob Pruett/Marshall Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=03-Huntington, WV; :17]
[SUPER=01-Byron Leftwich/Marshall Quarterback; :41]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=...make some plays."]
((BOB PRUETT:)) (( Marshall lost that Florida game last year 49-to-14, but then reeled off 10 straight wins behind the play of six foot six 240 pound quarterback Byron Leftwich. The Heisman trophy candidate already has passed for more than 8000 yards and thrown 63 touchdown passes in his career. He's excited about winging it at Lane Stadium. ((BYRON LEFTWICH:)) ((BOB PRUETT:)) If you don't think the Marshall players believe they win this game - you're sadly mistaken. Marshall practices are usually always open to the media. But on our visit to Huntington last week - Pruett asked that we leave right after the players finished stretching. Their focus? Finding a way to exploit Tech's defense.)) ((PRUETT:)) ((LEFTWICH:))
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2002]
Now the Marshall program has a number of alumni in the area and this year the team has 19 players from the state of Virginia of it.
(--------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE PAGE OF HAIRSTON/MARTIN] Among those 19 are two former Friday Football Extra players of the week from Martinsville High School. Marcus Hairston and Jamus Martin. Both played under Taylor Edwards- both are now starting defensive ends at Marshall. And later this week on Wednesday - Travis Wells sits down with two former Bulldogs to talk about their homecoming in Blacksburg against the Hokies.
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2002]
By the way - Tech is up number nine in the coaches poll this week, while Marshall is ranked 17th. The Hokies are favored by 11 points - the game is a complete sellout - with 65 thousand one hundred and 15 expected to be in attendance.

[S-Groh]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP_132 43:21]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]

One win for the Cavaliers does not mean head coach Al Groh has officially turned around the program, but beating 19th ranked South Carolina with so many freshman does seem to indicate that playing two nationally ranked opponents early has helped his freshman mature. Groh's toughnessas a coach has helped.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Second Year Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=.....back up to the plate"]
(------------)

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
Two UVa players earned ACC honors for their play against South Carolina. Elton Brown a sophomore guard from Hampton is the Offensive lineman of the week. He had 10 knockdown blocks against the Gamecocks and did not allow a quarterback sack. And Angelo Crowell, who had 12 tackles in Virginia's upset of No. 22 South Carolina, is the defensive player of the week. He also recovered a fumble, caused a fumble and had two tackles for loss.

[S-VMI]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-121 11001tc]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

The VMI Keydets are riding high in the saddle after opening the season with back to back wins to move to 2-and-0 on the season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/Last Saturday; :00]
Today the team got some real recognition as quarterback Joey Gibson was named the Offensive Player of the Week in the Southern Conference. The 6-3, 220-pound senior from Jacksonville,completed 19 of 26 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns in helping the Keydets to a 41-16 win over Davidson. Gibson also scored on a one-yard run.
Gibson now has 26 career touchdown passes, second all-time in VMI history.
(------------)

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-128 10257tc]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]

The first week of the NFL season comes to close tonight with the Patriots and Steelers. The biggest surprise of week one occurred last night as the expansion Houston Texans beat the Cowboys 19-to-10 to win bragging right in Texas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Emmitt Smith/67 Yards Rushing; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=...ain't do nothing good."]
(------------)

[S-Avs]

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

Game Two of the Mills Cup championship is set for tonight in Lynchburg. The Hillcats have evened up the best of five series at one game apiece with the Kinston Indians. Game four is tomorrow night in Lynchburg, as well.
[GRAPHIC=AVS]
Last year's champs the Salem Avalanche have scheduled a newsconference for tomorrow to announce the team's major league affiliate for the next several seasons. A number of teams including the the Cardinals and Astros have made a serious run at owner Kelvin Bowles over the summe r. Tomorrow's announcement is set for noon.