WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 10/03/02

[News-Heads]

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[VO-NAT]

Authorities are investigating a shooting spree that happened last in the suburbs just outside D-C.
Five people were killed.
We'll have the latest.
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And authorities are looking closely at a Rockingham County, North Carolina man and his possible connection to the Jennifer Short case.

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

As hurricane Lili pounds Louisiana where seeing hazy sunshine with near record highs...will any of Lili's moisture make it into your hometown...I'll let you know in the forecast...
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[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

News 7 at Noon starts right now...
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@Leo1; ]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's still a]
(("IT'S STILL A HURRICANE, AND WE COULD STILL HAVE LOSS OF LIVES. IF PEOPLE EXERCISE COMMON SENSE HERE, WE'LL BE FINE. "))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=will be fine.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hurricane Lili has made landfall, but forecasters say the storm isn't as powerful as it once was.
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[Lili]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NEWS 7 AT NOON]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
[SS=HURRICANE LILI]

Hurricane Lili has hit land along Louisiana's coast.
Lili weakened before washing ashore, but was still packing winds of 100 miles an hour.
She may have weakened today, but her gusting winds and pouring rains have Gulf coast residents bracing for the worst.
The entire region is under a tornado warning.
Stacy Case is in Louisiana this afternoon, and brings us up to the date on the hurricane.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Stacy Case/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Lafayette, LA;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lafayette, LA;]
[SUPER=01-Max Mayfield/National Hurricane Center;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]
((
(natz of wind/rain)

AS SHE INCHES HER WAY NORTH...HURRICANE LILLI IS PACKING A PUNCH.

(MORE NATZ)

POWERFUL, LIFE THREATENING, WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAIN ARE BATTERING COASTAL LOUISIANA, ALONG WITH PARTS OF TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI. FORECASTERS SAY LILLI COULD DUMP UP TO 10 INCHES OF RAIN AND CREATE A STORM SURGE OF 20 FEET.
AND IF THAT HAPPENS...MANY LOW-LYING COASTAL TOWNS COULD BE UNDER WATER WHEN IT'S ALL OVER.

SOT: MAX MAYFIELD/DIR. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER.
(may have weakened but still cause damage)

AND LILI COME'S RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF LAST WEEK'S FLOODING FROM TROPICAL STORM ISIDORE ...THAT CAUSED 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE.

(NATZ)

NEARLY A HALF MILLION PEOPLE WERE ASKED TO FLEE THIS STORM...MANY HEEDED THAT CALL AND CAME HERE TO LAFAYETTE... WHERE THE STREETS ARE EMPTY.. BUT THE HOTELS ARE PACKED.

SOT: MOS HUSBAND AND WIFE
(our daughter who's home had been destroyed by Andrew got us a room on
the internet and told us to come here.)

(STANDUP)WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW..
))

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Lafayette, LA;]

[WX1 NEXT]
[WX-Tease] ((TOSS TO Leo)) [10/03/2002]
[SS=NONE]LEO IN WX-CENTER

[WXPRO/FULL] EARTH WATCH STORY

[SS=NONE]
(LEO TOSS BACK to Kim)

[Shooting-Spree]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Police in suburban D-C are trying to solve a series of fatal shootings that happened overnight.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co., MD;]

Authorities aren't sure if the crimes are related.
Police are looking for two people in a white S-U-V after several witnesses said they saw the vehicle leaving the scene of some shootings.
In the first incident, a man was shot and killed in the parking lot of a grocery store.
Other shootings happened at a gas station and at a retirement community.
One man was gunned down while riding a lawnmower.
In response to the shootings, Montgomery county and D-C public schools have issued a Code blue alert-- that means the schools are locked down.
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[11Missing-Girl]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-43 TC13:58]
[GRAPHIC=Jennifer Short]
Neighbors say Rockingham County, North Carolina man who disappeared almost seven weeks ago - after Jennifer Short was abducted and her parents found dead in their home is being investigated by police.
They say investigators have searched his rental property and interviewed them about his connection to the Jennifer Short case.
We're not identifying the man because investigators have not named him as a suspect.
But, as neighbors tell Marya Jones, investigators say he may be connected.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Crime scene]
[SUPER=03-Rockingham Co., NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sam Page/Rockingham Co., NC Sheriff; :28]
[SUPER=@Marya1; :54]
[RUNS=1:08]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Rockingham Co.]
(( Crime scene tape lines this property in Rockingham County, about five miles from where a child's remains were found last week.
Authorities have been here the last four nights, searching the property and interviewing nearby residents.
Neighbors say the man who rented this land beside a vacant house left here nearly seven weeks ago in a hurry, taking his mobile home with him.
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page won't discuss the man's role in the investigation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:24:58 - 16:25:08]
((SAM PAGE: WE HAVE INTERVIEWED SOME PERSONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO INTERVIEW SOME PERSONS THAT SEEM TO BE CONNECTED AS IT COMES IN .. BUT AS FAR AS IDENTIFYING ANY SPECIFIC SUSPECT FOR AN ARREST, THAT HAS NOT COME.)) [RUNS:10]
This isn't the first time investigators have zeroed in on this man.
Neighbors say after Michael and Mary Short were found dead in their home in August, authorities searched and sealed off the man's rental property.
Neighbors tell News-7 that police were interested in the man because he may have hired Michael Short to move his mobile home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 2:07:35 - :50] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: BOTH ROCKINGHAM AND HENRY CO. AUTHORITIES SAY THEY'RE LOOKING TO TALK TO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ABOUT THIS CASE AND THEY WON'T DISCUSS ANY POTENTIAL WITNESSES OR SUSPECTS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THEY SAY, IS IDENTIFYING THIS LITTLE GIRL. MJN7, ROCKINGHAM CO.))

[RUNS:15]))[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The Senate is set to debate on a resolution that allows President Bush to use military force against Saddam Hussein.
At the same time, U-N weapons inspectors are pushing forward with a return to Iraq.
Teri Okita is in Washington with the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tony Blair/British Prime Minister; :34]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/Senate Majority Leader; 1:13]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
((

PKG.
TRACK: LEAD U-N WEAPONS INSPECTOR, HANS BLIX, IS BRIEFING SECURITY COUNCILMEMBERS ON HIS MEETING WITH IRAQI OFFICIALS. IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, INSPECTORS COULD BE BACK IN IRAQ WITHIN TWO WEEKS. BUT PRESIDENT BUSH IS STILL URGING KEY MEMBERS RUSSIA, FRANCE, AND CHINA TO PLAY HARDBALL WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN.

SOT: Bush: The choice is up for the United Nations to show its resolve
Saddam Hussein fulfill his word.
TRACK: THE PRESIDENTS ALLY ON THE COUNCIL, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, TONY, BLAIR REITERATED THE CALL FOR A STRONG, NEW U-N RESOLUTION.

(Super: Tony Blair/British Prime Minister)
SOT:

TRACK: BUT GETTING KEY MEMBERS ON BOARD CONTINUES TO BE A TOUGH SELL. THIS MORNING, RUSSIA CRITICIZED U-S AND BRITISH EFFORTS TO GET A NEW RESOLUTION THREATENING MILITARY ACTION SAYING INSPECTIONS SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR NOW.
TRACK: THE PRESIDENT SEEMS TO BE HAVING AN EASIER TIME CONVINCING LAWMAKERS BACK HOME. THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO EASILY PASS A RESOLUTION GIVING THE PRESIDENT AUTHORITY TO ACT WITH FORCE, IF NECESSARY. A SIMILAR RESOLUTION IS ALSO GAINING MOMENTUM IN THE SENATE, BUT WITH SOME OPPOSITION.

(Super: Sen. Tom Daschle/Senate Majority Leader)
SOT: THERE ARE WAYS TO MAKE MORE EXPLICIT THE PURPOSE OF THIS EFFORT AND
TIE DOWN WHAT WE'RE MAKING THE ABILITY OF THE USE OF FORCE FOR.

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: Some Senators, like Daschle, want to see more specifics in the resolution. Others want to see what happens with inspections first. Debate in the Senate could start today. It will most likely be heated. But the resolution is expected to pass. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington.

))[AM-National-Guard]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Two Lynchburg-based National Guard units prepare for active duty today.
They'll head to Fort Pickett for processing and weapons qualification. They're members of the 116th Infantry .. and today's activities are the first step toward their official mobilization and assignment next month. They'll head first to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but beyond that, their mission or destination is not being released.

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Still to come on News 7 at Noon -
The ballot battle in New Jersey over who's name will appear is heading to the U-S Supreme Court...
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

But first - a deadly tanker crash explodes in front of a women's jail... we'll have details coming up...
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[music up full] [comm1]

[Tanker-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]

A fuel tanker explodes in Miami, killing the driver and turning a parking lot into an inferno.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]

Police say the tanker rolled off an interstate exit ramp and then blew up in the parking lot of a women's jail early this morning.
At least 10 vehicles in the lot went up in flames, including some police cars.
No other injuries were reported, and the more than 400 female inmates at the jail are safe.
The accident and fire caused a back-up of rush hour traffic this morning in parts of Miami.
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[NJ-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2002]

With control of the Senate hanging in the balance, Democrats and Republicans are slugging it out in New Jersey.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Trenton, NJ;]

The G-O-P will appeal yesterday's unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court ruling.
It allows Democrats to replace Senator Robert Torricelli's name on November's ballot with former Senator Frank Lautenberg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is a]
((SEN.JOE KYRILLOS/NJ REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN: THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR NJ. NJ IS OFTEN THE BUTT OF NATIONAL JOKES. ))

[SUPER=01-Sen. Joe Kyrillos/NJ Republican Party Chairman;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=national jokes.]
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[VO-NAT]

Today, Republicans will ask the U-S Supreme Court to stay the ruling, effectively freezing Lautenberg's name off the ballot.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=HOLD]

The G-O-P argues it's too late to make the change in candidates because some ballots have already been mailed overseas to military voters.
Democrats, meanwhile, are being ordered to put up 800- thousand dollars to pay for re- doing election ballots.

[11Warner-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]

Governor Mark Warner says he will cut his office staff by 15 percent, and may give up his own 125-thousand dollar salary, to help balance the state budget.
Though he offered no specifics on where he would cut his own office, yesterday's comments were his most specific yet on the subject.
The governor says he is also contemplating an October 15th statewide prime time telecast to outline where cuts are going to be made throughout state government.
The state is facing a nearly two-billion dollar budget shortfall.
Warner has ordered all state agencies to present him with a range of proposed cuts -- up to 15 percent of their current budgets.

[Toy-Museum]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

We're not playing--
A museum in upstate New York is now home to the National Toy Hall of Fame.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rochester, NY;]

The Strong Museum in Rochester holds the world's largest toy and doll collection.
It has more than 70- thousand in all-- including timeless favorites like jump ropes, Slinky, Play Doh, and Lincoln Logs.
The Toy Hall of Fame had outgrown its former home in Salem, Oregon.
It opened there in 19-98 at A-C Gilbert's Discovery Village.
Now that it's moved east, it's just as much fun to visit.
(------------)
[TEASE NEXT] [Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up -
Hunters may have to keep out of the woods for a bit longer this season - we'll explain after the break ...
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Plus - A Typhoon sweeps across Russia wreaking havok on residents along the country's pacific coast... Stay with us - there's much more News 7 at Noon just ahead.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Typhoon]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=MET]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

A typhoon hits Russia's Pacific coast, killing seven people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sakhalin Island, Russia;]

Eight others are still missing.
A huge wave swept several crewmen into the sea.
Two men were able to climb onto a life raft, and were rescued by a passing ship.
The typhoon has brought heavy rain and winds-- which toppled trees and interrupted power on much of the island.
(------------)

[11Drought]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC2:03:37]
[GRAPHIC=Drought]

The state's drought may shoot down hunting season according to Virginia's drought coordinator.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

David Paylor said the state is considering limiting or delaying the start of this year's hunting season, a move that hasn't been made since 1981.
He says the lack of rainfall has created dry conditions conducive to forest fires.
The drought coordinator says its too early to tell but that more rainfall is needed to ensure hunting season opens as scheduled.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:50:46-01]
[IN Q=IF THERE]
[SUPER=01-David Paylor/State Drought Coordinator]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=FOREST FIRES WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Paylor also said that the state's ban on watering lawns and washing cars is having an impact.
He says water usage in the affected areas is down about 12 to 14 percent.
(------------)

[N-W TOSS NEXT] [Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [10/03/2002] [TWO SHOT]
[WXPRO/FULL]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[SUPER=#561;]
[CK/VIEWERNET;]

[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Asia-Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Stocks]
Wall Street's dramatic drops yesterday contributed to Asian markets tumbling today. Tokyo shared dipped to a 19-year low - while Hong Kong traders pushed blue chips below nine thousand points for the first time in more than a year. European markets are also down in morning trading.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]

A mixed morning on Wall Street... at Noon,

[super=460-x/4/y/11;]

, the Dow was up 4 points. Nasdaq lost 11 points.

(x=up y=down)

[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up in sports... Sterling Marlin lost his chance for the Winston Cup title last weekend in more ways than one...

(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And the lady Eagles in Riner are flying on an unbeaten record... Steve Mason has a look at the team in this week's Hometown Hoops Weekly...
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Marlin]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-126 11901TC]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR POINTS RACE]

The man who has dominated NASCAR's Winston Cup points race almost from start to finish is off the leader board and out of the circuit. Sterling Marlin, who led the points battle for 25 weeks is out for the rest of the season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kansas City, KS/Sunday; :00]
Marlin crashed out of this past weekend's race in Kansas.
Test results indicate that he has a broken vertebrae in his neck. The tests results came back yesterday in Charlotte.
They're a huge disappointment for the Columbia, Tennessee native, who took over the points lead after Rockingham and held on to the lead until three weeks ago. Jamie McMurray will take his place the rest of the season.
(-------------)

[S-Twins]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-128]
[GRAPHIC=TWINS/A'S]
The American League series is even at 1- game apiece after Oakland took yesterday's game with a 9- to- 1 win...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Oakland, CA/ABC-Family; :00]
The Series was again in Oakland at Network Associates Coliseum. The A's got a three run homer in the first, and then put the game away in the fourth with this bases- clearing triple by Dave Justice.
[super=35-Minnesota/1/Oakland/9;]
Three runs come home, including one from former Danville Brave Jermaine Dye. Oakland wins game two 9-to-1.
(------------)

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-133 10338tc]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sports]
In this week's edition of Hometown Hoops Weekly- Steve Mason checks in the Lady Eagles in Riner.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Riner; :17]
[SUPER=01-Karen Underwood/Auburn Guard; :30]
[SUPER=01-Richard McElwee/Auburn Second Year Head Coach; :40]
[SUPER=01-Brittany Kritner/Auburn Forward; :59]
[RUNS=2:10]
[OUT Q=..hometown hoops weekly"]
(--------------)

((A week before the 2001 season began, Richard McElwee, already coaching the boys, was handed the girls head coaching job. He went in to meet his new team, trouble was, the players didn't even know they had a new coach. ((:)) ((:))
Since Amelie took over, the Eagles are 27 and 7. ((:)) ((:)) The team is led by 8 seniors who contribute to a seven player rotation. The Eagles margin of victory at this point is in the mid 20's. But they understand that district play is about to begin, a district that has the two teams who played for the group A state championship last year in Glenvar and Radford. ((:)) A few days ago, An email sparring match started on the Virginia Preps.com web page. Some Floyd County supporters question Auburn's strength of schedule, Auburn fires back that the Eagles have beaten double A schools in their 12-OH run, setting the table for an explosive Floyd/Auburn battle.))

[Afghan-Lions]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Finally today -
A special delivery has arrived in Afghanistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kabul, Afghanistan]
A pair of lions and several other animals donated by China have taken up residence at the country's war-battered zoo.

A cargo plane arrived in Kabul yesterday with the animals - including lions, bears, pigs, deer and a wolf. The zoo has no running water or electricity.
Chinese veterinary experts will make trips to Kabul to help local officials raise the animals living in the zoo's dilapidated cages. This is the first time a foreign country has donated animals to the zoo.
(------------)
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] FINAL LOOK AT THE WEATHER
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]