WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/02/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

It's too cool for school in Craig County.
We'll have the latest on heating problems.
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[VO-NAT :05]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And, Carvins Cove is within inches of being full enough to ease water restrictions.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - we will attempt to sort out the bowl options for Tech and UVa in the the Tech 2002 Report. Plus, Holiday Hoops are coming to Salem.
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[VO-NAT]
And the Hokies Justin Hamilton is the Big East special teams player of the week.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

It may be early in December but a full winter weather forecast is in play for midweek. More on what you can expect in a moment.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

News 7 is next.
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[NEWSCAST=6]
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(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 02:24:44]
[IN Q=you know]
((YOU KNOW PEOPLE JUST NEED TO BE PATIENT YOU KNOW THE MACHINES KEEP BREAKING THEY'RE TRYING YOU KNOW.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=THEIR TRYING YOU KNOW]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Learning takes a back seat to heating in Craig County today.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Students get yet another early dismissal because their classrooms are cold.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Shannon Young.
[Craig-Schools]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-36 TC2:04:23]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
A new heating system in Craig County Schools is turning into a learning experience for both parents and schools officials.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Boiler problems have forced classes to be canceled or let out early FOUR times in the last few weeks. [***COLD CLASSROOMS MONITOR GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-SHannon & Rachel/Pulpit]
Rachel Cannon was at the school today and has the latest on the situation, Rachel? Keith and Shannon, the company that installed the system says a problem with a controls part has been fixed.
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
The Superintendent was at the buildings late this afternoon and says it's working fine and that classes will resume on a normal schedule tomorrow. This morning about 7-hundred students in grades K through 12 were let out at 11:15. In addition to being bused home, many were picked up by their parents
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[SOT 02:23:36 - :12]
[IN Q=SURE SOME]
((TRACY SURFACE/PARENT; SURE SOME OF THEM ARE YOU KNOW AGGRAVATED YOU KNOW CAUSE IT'S HAPPENING MORE AND MORE OFTEN BUT YOU KNOW I KNOW THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THAT THEY CAN AND YOU KNOW THEY'RE WORKING ON TRYING TO GET IT WORKING RIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-Tracy Surface/Parent;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=WORKING RIGHT.]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;]
Tracy Surface was off from work today, so getting her two kids wasn't much of a problem. She says she also has a reliable baby-sitter to help out but many parents are wondering when the problems are going to be completely over with. Today, the issue was heat circulation. The elementary building was being heated but many classes in the High School were cold. The new boiler system is part of a six million dollar addition. From the start there were some problems getting the heat going ... but today, Southern Air, the company that installed the system says... "Today's problem with the heating system at Craig County High School was caused by a controls component malfunction, which has been corrected. This failure of the heating system was unrelated to the previous heating problems, which were caused by the lack of heating oil pressure in the boiler plant."
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[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Pulpit]

Many of the parents I spoke to today are concerned about the school calendar because of the missed days. They're worried days will be tacked on to the end of the year or taken off of the children's Spring break, but the Superintendent says still no changes are necessary at this point.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & RAchel /Pulpit;]
Keith and Shannon, one other note, we got a call from a student today . She says the SOL's are next week and that this week was supposed to be review - she's worried that the heating problems are taking away from that preparation.

[Water-Restrictions]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-42 TC1:39:22]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

The water level at Carvins Cove is approaching the point where city officials will consider easing mandatory water restrictions, but they say it won't be automatic.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove;]

The level at the city's main reservoir has stabilized at 22- point- six feet below the spillway.
Once additional precipitation raises the level to 22 feet, city officials say they'll begin looking at the possibility of relaxing some restrictions.
But they say there are a number of factors to consider.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think first of all]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER; I THINK FIRST OF ALL, WE'D HAVE TO REACH THAT LEVEL, OR PERHAPS EVEN LOWER AND SEE IT SUSTAINED FOR A WHILE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS RECOMMEND A RELAXATION OF THE RULES AND HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND RE-IMPOSE THEM.))
[SUPER=@Burcham;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=turn around and re-impose them.]
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[VO-NAT]

As the city receives additional rain, and develops more wells, officials say they will also consider cutting back the purchase of water from other localities.
But City Manager Darlene Burcham says the cost of that water, and other improvements will likely require an increase in water rates early next year.
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[W&L-Death]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC1:36:54]
[GRAPHIC=Cullum Owings]
Two students from Washington and Lee were involved in an accident on Interstate-81 last night. Senior Cullum Owings was killed in the wreck. His brother, Pierce- -a freshman, was UN-injured.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
They had driven all the way from Atlanta and were just five miles from Lexington when the accident happened. Cullum changed lanes in "stop-and-go" traffic, and a tractor trailer hit the car from behind.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=We're really waiting]
[SUPER=01-Bill Mealor/Sigma Alpha Epsilon President; :11]
[RUNS=:41]
[OUT Q=God bless that family.]
(([SOT 2:29:47]
((WE'RE REALLY WAITING FOR CULLUM TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR.)) [RUNS:03] Stephen Cullum Owings, Junior was 22. He served as rush chairman at Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He would have graduated in May.
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[SOT 2:27:25]
[IN Q=]
((EVERYBODY IN THIS HOUSE LOVED HIM VERY MUCH. W-AND-L IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=]
The Dean of students paid tribute to Fraternity President Mealor- -the way he pulled everyone together last night... not just the 35 members of S-A-E, but the way he handled the crowd that engulfed the Fraternity House as word of Owings' death spread. Mealor had just returned from taking Cullum's brother and their parents to the airport when we spoke with him this afternoon.
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[SOT 2:31:15]
[IN Q=]
((OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO OWINGS AND PIERCE. GOD BLESS THAT FAMILY.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=God bless that family.]))
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]
State police filed reckless driving charges against the truck driver.

[Hudson]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Franklin County mother has been charged with drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter in the auto accident that killed her daughter.
A grand jury indicted 40-year-old Velda Newcomb Hudson today.
On August 14th, the Toyota 4-Runner Hudson was driving overturned, killing her 14-year-old daughter, Amy.
Police say this is Hudson's SECOND D-U-I.

[Monacan-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-43 TC1:31:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Carter Glass has one.. so does John Lynch.
Now some central Virginia residents would like to see the Monacan Indians get one as well.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

They're talking about a bridge.. this one that will be part of the Route 29 Bypass that crosses the James River between Campbell and Amherst Counties.
Local members of the Virginia Organizing Project are asking area legislators to sponsor a bill that would name the structure the "Monacan Bridge".
Supporters say there currently are "no" monuments or public roads that honor the Monacan Indian nation.
Lynchburg state Senator Steve Newman says he supports the idea but wants the entire community to have some input first.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Soccer is spreading in Central Virginia.
See how facilities are trying to keep up with the sports' popularity when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus we'll see if one city's new tobacco tax is has smokers looking for new stores outside the city limits.
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[Tobacco-Tax]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC31:58]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Smokers in Salem seem to value convenience more than cost.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
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[VO-NAT :22]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
The city's new tobacco tax kicked in yesterday. The extra fifteen cents per pack will go towards paying for improvements at Andrew Lewis Middle School. Some merchants were worried smokers would give their business to Roanoke County where the charter prevents the imposition of a cigarette tax. But at least one convenience store has yet to notice a drop in business.
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[SOT 1:18:42-1:18:53]
[IN Q=Alot of people was...]
((BILLY KIRK/AMOCO FOOD SHOP: ALOT OF PEOPLE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE COUNTY WHEN THEY HEARD PRICES WAS GOING UP. IT HAASN'T TAKEN A REAL EFFECT ON 'EM YET. THEY CAN STILL STAY HERE, BUY THEIR CIGARETTES HERE.))
[SUPER=01-Billy Kirk/Amoco Food Shop;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=buy their cigarettes here.]
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=Salem Seal]
Smokers aren't the only ones who'll help pay for improvements to the school. Salem also doubled the car decal tax from ten to twenty dollars, imposed a three dollar cell phone tax and boosted the lodging tax from five to seven percent.

[Patsel]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC28:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Five men have come forward to accuse a Franklin County man of sexually abusing them as boys.
The grand jury handed up indictments today...
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[VO]
56-year-old Danny Lee Patsel (PATE-sul) is charged with forcible sodomy of two boys under the age of 13.
The charges span a period from 1986 to 1995.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

He was also charged back in August with molesting three other boys, who are now adults.
Patsel's attorney says his client is innocent and that the accusations are fabricated.
Patsel is being held in the Franklin County jail without bond.

[Sodomy-Laws]

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

The U-S Supreme Court will consider whether states can punish homosexuals for having sex.
The justices will examine a Texas case to decide whether sodomy laws in 13 states -- including Virginia -- are unconstitutional.
The court must look at privacy issues and whether gays and lesbians should be treated differently than heterosexuals.
Virginia and eight other states ban consensual sodomy for everyone.
In addition, Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma punish only homosexual sodomy.

[Heroin-Busts]

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

A Botetourt County couple accused of selling heroin faces life in prison.
A grand jury indicted 19-year-old Sarah Thrasher and 20-year-old Kenaz (Keen-is) Pritchard today on distribution charges.
Prosecutors say that in July they sold heroin to a 19-year-old Radford University student who overdosed and died.

While out on bond, prosecutors say they were arrested again for selling heroin to an undercover officer.
Prosecutors say they the undercover officer recorded the pair saying "This stuff is so good it killed the last guy."

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
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A disappointing report on the manufacturing sector took some steam out of stocks. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
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[SUPER=440-y/33.52/8862.57/x/6.04/1484.82;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW fell 33 and a half points.
NASDAQ rose six.
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[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Olinger]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-37 TC1:54:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A man who served the Blacksburg community as a firefighter and police officer for more than 35 years was laid to rest today.
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[VO-NAT]

Jerry Olinger died of pancreatitis last Wednesday at the University of Virginia Hospital.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Olinger once served as captain of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad and was a lifetime member of the Volunteer Fire Department.
He also worked at the Virginia Tech police department for 30-years, and in 19-95, ran for Sheriff of Montgomery County.
Olinger was 60-years old.
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[Soccer-Complex]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC59:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

They're already moving some dirt, but the official groundbreaking will take place tomorrow for a new ten-field soccer complex for central Virginia.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

The non-profit group Lynchburg United Soccer bought this 96-acre parcel of land off Route 501 in Campbell County back in June.
Clearing of the land began a couple of months ago but officials will hold a formal ceremony tomorrow morning.
The complex will feature ten full-sized soccer fields, along with concession facilities, restrooms and parking.
The total cost of the project is estimated at more than two million dollars.
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[ANCHOR=shannon]
[SS=None]

Organizers say three thousand children in the greater Lynchburg area play soccer, and there are not enough fields.

The complex should be ready to open by next fall.

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - the Hokies' Justin Hamilton earns Big East player of the week honors.
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[VO-NAT]
And we will attempt to sort out the bowl options for Tech and UVa in the the Tech 2002 Report. Suddenly a hike south may be more realistic than a trip out west.
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[S-TECH2002]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-136 746TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2002]

While the Virginia Tech coaches and players are focused in on Saturday's date with number one ranked Miami - the fans who make up the "Hokie-Nation" are anxious to make their postseason bowl plans. In tonight's Tech 2002 Report - we caution that making plans to head west may be bit premature.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Evan Paoletti/Insight Bowl Representative; :20]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; 1:33]
[SUPER=01-Justin Hamilton/Big East Player of the Week; 2:17]
[RUNS=2:29]
[OUT Q=...TAKE CARE ITSELF."]
(( This past Saturday as the on-the-field celebration was dying down - the Hokies were told that they were all but a shoe-in to play their 10th straight bowl game in Phoenix, Arizona in the Insight bowl. In fact - the itinerary for the cross-country trip already was being mapped out. ((EVAN PAOLETTI:)) The Insight was and still is so interested in Tech - that it isn't even particularly concerned that the distance from Blacksburg and the game's day after Christmas date would limit the number of Tech fans attending the game. ((EVAN PAOLETTI:)) But as Lee Corso would say - "not so fast my friend." Because West Virginia could still end up knocking West Virginia out of Gator Bowl - Neither Tech nor UVa will likely know its bowl destination until next weekend. Also, the Continental Tire Bowl in Charlotte says the Hokies are their number priority. If Tech makes the short trip to the Queen City - then they not only fill Ericsson Stadium - but the Hokies would then also send UVa to Seattle, Washington. If Tech ends up out West - then Tire bowl will likely pit West Virginia against UVa. Lost in all of this speculation is the fact that the Hokies still one little game left this Saturday against number one ranked Miami. Justin Hamilton, who blocked the UVa punt that keyed Saturday night's win over the Cavs was named Big East special teams player of the week today. He says he and his teammates will be ready for the Canes.)) ((JUSTIN HAMILTON:))

[S-BCS]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BCS]
We have learned that the Big East schools are going to have a conference call later today. It may result in Tech learning of its destination. The new BCS standings are out and while Miami, Ohio State and Georgia are one, two, three, Southern Cal is now number 4. Notre Dame is 10th. And the Irish only need to be in top 12 to be eligible for a BCS bowl. If they go to the Orange Bowl, and West Virginia stays in the Gator - look for Tech in Charlotte.

[S-Sign]

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

The Tech football team got a big verbal commitment today as Corey Gordon announced that he plans to sign with the Hokies. Gordon played this season at Hargrave under coach Robert Prunty. The six-three, 205 pound strong safety picked Tech over Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and Louisville. Coach Prunty says he will enroll at Tech in January.

[S-Holiday]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-126]
[GRAPHIC=Hoops]

December 26th, 27th and 28th, local basketball fans will have a chance to watch some of the best high school basketball in the area as the Holiday Hoopla tournament tips off its' fifth season at the Salem Civic Center
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

Today, the tournament committee held its pre tournament luncheon to introduce the teams competing. Four Blue Ridge District teams will play. Fleming, Hidden Valley, Salem and Cave Spring. Patrick Henry will play as will Roanoke Catholic, Garfield and Osbourn.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hicks/Cave Spring Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=.....good local field"]
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[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-134]
[GRAPHIC=mlb]

In a couple of big baseball notes tonight - Jim Thome is leaving the Indians for the Phillies. This afternoon he signed a six year deal worth 87 million.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]
And on a somber note former Orioles great Dave McNally passes away today at the age of 60. The lefty won 87 games and helped pave the way for free agency. He died of cancer.
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[Art]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC1:00:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Finally tonight, a story for those looking to fill their homes with artwork for the holidays.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
A local sale might just have what you're looking for.
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[vo-nat 16.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

More than 80 artists will have their artwork up for grabs at "Art A la carte," an annual fundraiser which benefits the Arts Council of The Blue Ridge.
Mostly local artists are featured-
You can find everything from batik artwork and photographs to traditional pieces.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=When people come out...]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Bower/The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge; :21]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=...or your grandchild.]
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[VO-NAT 08 plus pad]

The sale will be held tomorrow evening from five until eight at the Mostly Sofas store in downtown Roanoke. Admission is free. (------------)