[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
Ahead on NEWS 7 at six...
The phrase "Buckle up for Safety" could save more than your life.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
It could also protect your wallet.
Coming up-- a look at what Governor Warner is doing to encourage people to wear their seat belts.
(------------)
[Anchor=Teresa]
[ss=]
Plus, an update on the Chatham judge seriously injured in a traffic accident.
[Sports-head]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight in sports, college hoops from the ACC, the Redskins battle the Eagles, plus
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[VO-NAT]
the Seahawks Vick-timize the Falcons in Atlanta.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
Things were much calmer on the homefront for the second part of the weekend. Sunny skies, temperatures near 50. The first half of your workweek looks almost as good. We'll take a peek coming up in the forecast.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:42]
[IN Q=2/3's of the traffic]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: 2/3'S OF THE TRAFFIC FATALITIES LAST YEAR IN VIRGINIA WERE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T WEAR A SEATBELT.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=didn't wear a seatbelt]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Governor Warner wants to give you a good reason to buckle up.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.
[Seat-Belts]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC-17:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]
It is the law here in Virginia, you must wear your seat belt.
But unless you're pulled over for another traffic violation, officers cannot write you a seat belt ticket.
Governor Warner hopes to change that.
Justin McLeod tells us how he plans to do it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phillip Copley/Motorist; :09]
[SUPER=@markwarner; :24]
[SUPER=@justin1; :46]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. C.D. Jessee/Virginia State Police; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke County]
(( Every time he gets behind the wheel, Phillip Copley makes a point to buckle up.
[SOT 30:41]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO WEAR MY SAFETY BELT ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING IN THREE AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=automobile accidents]
But not everyone does what Phil does.
Only about 70-percent of motorists here in Virginia buckle up.
Now Governor Warner is pushing tougher traffic safety laws.
[SOT 19:30]
[IN Q=We're going to propose]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE'RE GOING TO PROPOSE A PRIMARY SEAT BELT LAW SO THAT FAILURE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL BECOME A PENALTY JUST LIKE SPEEDING OR ANY OTHER KIND OF THE RULES OF THE ROAD INFRACTION.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=road infraction]
That penalty would be a twenty five dollar fine.
Currently, police may ticket motorists only if the officer initially pulls the driver over for another traffic violation.
[SOT 50:31]
[IN Q=17 states including]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SEVENTEEN STATES INCLUDING NORTH CAROLINA HAVE PRIMARY SAFETY BELT LAWS. NOW THIS ISSUE HAS COME UP HERE IN THE PAST IN VIRGINIA BUT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN DEFEATED. THE LAST TIME WAS IN THE YEAR 2000 WHERE THE LEGISLATION FAILED BY A 50/50 VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=in the House of Delegates]
Governor Warner plans to push for the seat belt law in the upcoming legislative session which begins January 8th.
Opponents argue the law could lead to an invasion of privacy.
[SOT 31:27]
[IN Q=Eventually you will be]
((PHILLIP COPLEY/MOTORIST: EVENTUALLY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PULLED OVER FOR EVERYTHING AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=not right]
But law enforcement supports the measure arguing it could save lives.
[SOT 41:35]
[IN Q=It's very important]
((SGT. C.D. JESSEE/VA STATE POLICE: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE FOR JUST A SIMPLE THING OF JUST NOT BUCKLING UP THEIR SEAT BELTS AND IF YOU CAN SAVE ONE LIFE BY DOING IT THEN IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT TO DO IT.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=effort to do it]
The General Assembly will have the final say but it's clear this is not going to be an open and shut case.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke Co. ))
[Judge-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC-15:51]
[GRAPHIC=Judge Jones]
A Chatham area judge involved in a head on collision Friday afternoon remains in guarded but stable condition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 02-40 tc 1:53:39]
Judge George Jones was seriously injured in the crash-- along with his mother Doris who's in critical condition.
Jones has served as a General District Judge in Franklin and Pittsylvania counties for the past eight years.
(----------)
[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=Jones]
The accident happened in Cumberland County... when state police say the driver of another vehicle crossed the center line.
[220-Snow]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC-1:14:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A recent traffic nightmare will be the topic at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./December 4th]
Two weeks ago, dozens of drivers found themselves stuck on U.S. 220 south of Roanoke for up to eight hours.
That prompted many angry complaints from motorists who felt police and rescue failed to help.
Tomorrow morning, officials from the Roanoke County Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff's Department, V-Dot, and the State Police will meet to discuss the issue.
They plan to discuss what happened and figure out a way to ensure it doesn't happen again.
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[Armstrong-73]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC-43:14]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 73]
One state legislator says the decision to suspend work on the Route 58 expansion for lack of money could also affect the future of a proposed interstate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :26+]
[SUPER=03-Patrick Co./File Tape;;]
Delegate Ward Armstrong says a 272 million dollar shortfall in funding for Route 58 projects revealed last week is likely to put the Interstate 73 project on indefinite hold.
Armstrong says he's not sure if the Virginia Department of Transportation will ever commit to the needed planning and development for I-73.
The proposed interstate has been on the drawing board for years, and in our area would connect Interstate 81 to the North Carolina border.
(------------)
[Bedford-Ride]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC-51:48]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A Bedford program is riding to success.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]
Last week, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors heard a presentation about how the "Bedford Ride Program" is changing lives.
The idea for the program came about a few years ago when a task force determined non-emergency transportation was a major need in Bedford and surrounding areas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:59:38]
[IN Q=As you know we]
((ROGER HENDERSON/BEDFORD COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION: AS YOU KNOW WE HAVE NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM HERE AND THERE ARE A TREMENDOUS NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCESSING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM DUE TO INABILITY TO GET A RIDE TO AND FROM THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE, TO AND FROM CHEMOTHERAPY, TO AND FROM DIALYSIS, PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MANY OTHER HEALTH DESTINATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Henderson/Bedford Community Health Foundation;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=other health destinations]
[VO-NAT]
(------------)
The program got off the ground about a year ago and now serves clients in Bedford City, Bedford County and surrounding areas.
Eleven vehicles and more than one- hundred drivers help transport people to medical appointments or to a pharmacy.
Henderson says the program is so successful because it involves neighbors helping neighbors.
(------------)
[Girl-Scouts]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC-1:54:39]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Some area girl scouts today proved you need more than cookies to throw a holiday party.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:30:31]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF GROUP SINGING]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND OF GROUP SINGING NAUGHTY OR NICE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The girl scouts held their holiday extravaganza this afternoon in the building that houses the Roanoke Festival of Trees.
125 troops from all over Southwest Virginia helped to decorate the "Celebrating the Spirit of Giving" tree.
The girl scouts have also collected more than 350 bears as part of this year's holiday service project.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:31:44]
[IN Q=They get a lot]
((FRANCES JENNINGS/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: THEY GET A LOT OUT OF IT. THEY REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVERY YEAR AND THEY HAVE LITERALLY DONATED THOUSANDS OF GIFTS THROUGH THE YEAR FOR THIS PROJECT, 16 YEARS AS A MATTER OF FACT.))
[SUPER=01-Frances Jennings/Executive Director]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=as a matter of fact]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The teddy bears will be donated to four area agencies after Christmas.
The girl scouts chose bears because this is the 100th anniversary of the teddy bear.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still to come on News 7, trout streams could feel the heat from a proposed pipeline through Southwest Virginia .
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
plus, while Trent Lott fights to keep his job, a local attorney says the senate leader didn't mean any harm.
(----------------)
[Pipeline]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC-22:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Trout streams could feel the impact of a 95- mile natural gas pipeline through southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Construction on the Patriot Extension is set to begin next year... connecting Wythe County to Rockingham County, North Carolina.
Virginia's wildlife department says the company has secured permission to build the pipeline across five trout streams even during the spawning season--
(-----------)
[anchor=Teresa]
[ss=none]
The company will pay for any fish that are killed, plus 100-thousand dollars for the state wildlife agency to use in restoring streams that aren't involved in the pipeline project.
But some environmental groups are still angered over the news.
[Sewer-Work]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC-30:42]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Traffic is back to normal at this hour on a busy Roanoke roadway.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Roanoke Utility Line Services replaced a sewer main today in the 2200 block of Orange Avenue near Gus Nicks Blvd.
One westbound lane was shut down for more than eight hours while the work was completed.
Sewer service to the area was not affected.
(------------)
[Garrison-Lott]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC-20:54]
[GRAPHIC=Trent Lott]
Virginia Senator John Warner is one of the Republicans calling for a leadership vote on Trent Lott.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Senator Majority Leader said recently the country would have been better off if the segregationist candidate had taken the White House in 1948.
Senator Lott has repeatedly apologized for comments some have called racist.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
One person who knows Lott is former Commonwealth's Attorney Sam Garrison.
He worked with Lott during Nixon's impeachment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:29:26]
[IN Q=Over those months]
((SAM GARRISON: OVER THOSE MONTHS I PROBABLY HAD SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND I HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS AND FRANKLY I NEVER HIM UTTER A THING THAT CAME ACROSS TO ME AS RACIST.))
[SUPER=01-Sam Garrison/Former Commonwealth's Attorney]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=me as racist]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Garrison says he can't defend what Lott said but believes the Majority Leader did not mean any harm.
(------------)
[Burrow]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC-1:22:48]
[GRAPHIC=Burrow]
The federal fraud case against the former D-Day president will resume tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Friday]
Richard Burrow is accused of defrauding the state and two banks of millions that he used to help build the D-Day Memorial in Bedford.
Prosecutors say Burrow misrepresented the foundation's financial health when he applied for loans.
Burrow testified Friday that he fully expected donors to make good on millions in outstanding pledges.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin tomorrow morning.
(------------)
[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still ahead on the newscast, highlights of early action in the N-F-L.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and before that, we'll meet one woman who is hoping to break down barriers through a unique blend of dance.
(----------------)
[VA-Profile]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=VaProfile - #6 - TC-25:23]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Profile]
Hip-hop music has taken the music world by storm over the years, and has progressed from break dancing to breaking down racial barriers.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens has more in this week's Virginia Profile.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=SHE GREW UP]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Shauntrece Hardrict/Founded 'Fusion' Dance Group; :11]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=MS, NEWS 7, BLACKSBURG]
((She grew up in Saint Louis.
And went to school in D-C.
So, when Shauntrece Hardrict came to Blacksburg for graduate school, she didn't know what to do.
[SOT 26:32]
[RUNS :08]
((NEEDED AN OUTLET BASICALLY. NOT USED TO A SMALL TOWN, HADN'T BEEN USED TO A SMALL TOWN. JUST THOUGHT I'D DO WHAT I DO BEST WHICH IS DANCING. 26:40))
Since the age of five, Shauntrece has studied tap, ballet and jazz.
But, when she started the dance organization Fusion, she wanted to bring something different to the community.
[SOT 28:14][COVER BITE!!!]
[RUNS :12]
((IT'S A COMBINATION OF THE TWO, HIP HOP AND JAZZ IT'S NOT HARDCORE BREAK DANCING, BUT, IT'S NOT STRICTLY JAZZ BALLET EITHER. SO, IT'S DEFINITELY A FUSE OF THE TWO, HENCE THE NAME FUSION 29:26 ))
Fusion is a two-part dance organization.
There's a dance class, which is offered through the week to the public, and a dance troupe, which performs at a variety of events, including Virginia Tech basketball games.
[SOT 27:23][COVER BITE W/B-BALL VIDEO]
[RUNS :11]
((WE'VE DONE AWARDS BANQUETS, FASHION SHOWS. WE'VE DONE SOME WEIRD THINGS BUT IT'S ALL BEEN GOOD PUBLICITY AND A LOT OF FUN AND EXPOSURE FOR EVERYONE 27:34))
And while the organization's name refers to the diversity of it's style of music, Fusion also stands for the diversity of its dancers.
[SOT 30:15][COVER WITH CLOSE-UPS OF DANCERS]
[RUNS :08]
((IT'S NOT JUST FOR BLACK PEOPLE, HIP HOP IS NOT JUST FOR BLACK PEOPLE. IT'S NOT JUST FOR WHITE PEOPLE IT'S NOT JUST FOR DANCERS, IT'S NOT JUST FOR CLUBBERS, IT'S FOR ANYONE INTERESTED 30:23))
And the interest is growing.
Since it began in March, the class has expanded from about six participants a night, to 30.
But, even with all of her success, Shauntrece says she doesn't want to dance professionally.
For now, it's just a hobby...that has given her that outlet to small town life.
Myranda Stephens, News 7, Blacksburg.))
[Sports tease]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up, Michael Vick and the Falcons try to wrap up a playoff spot, and
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
the Redskins won't make the post season, but they did have a chance to spoil a retirement party for Veteran's Stadium. Highlights on the way next.
(------------)
[S-Skins]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-125 TC15312]
[GRAPHIC=Redskins]
The Washington Redskins are out of the NFC playoff race, but today they had a chance to make history by winning the last regular season game at Veterans Stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/Redskins vs. Eagles; :00]
Things went bad for the Skins though right from the start. Stephen Davis makes a nice run for the first down, but then he coughs up the pigskin and gets slammed to the turf to boot. Davis left the game with a separated shoulder and did not return.
Deuce Staley rushed for 62 yards and touchdown for the Eagles today who led it 17-nothing.
That's when Patrick Ramsey went to work, finding Chris Doering for the 15 yard touchdown cutting the deficit to just 10.
A-J Feeley then rolled out and found former Hokie Antonio Freeman in the endzone for a 6 yard scoring
[SUPER=30-Washington/21/Philadelphia/34/;]
hookup. The Eagles go on to beat the Redskins 34 to 21 and claim the NFC East title.
(------------)
[S-Falcons]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-132 TC15445]
[GRAPHIC=Falcons]
The Falcons and Michael Vick tried to rebound from last week's loss to the Bucs today against the Seahawks. Atlanta needed a win plus a Giants loss later to clinch a playoff spot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/Fox Sports; :00]
Vick would probably like to forget about this one.
Early in the game, his pass over the middle sails on him and it's picked off by the Hawks Ken Lucas. The I-N-T was just Vick's 5th of the season. The lefty was intercepted once more and fumbled leading to a Seattle score.
This wouldn't help things either. Vick falls on on already sore right thumb.
He did recover to throw a 12 yard TD pass to Trevor Gaylor late in the fourth quarter. That sent the game to overtime tied at 24.
In the extra frame, Vick got the Dirty Birds in position, but Jay Feeley missed a potential game winning field goal.
[SUPER=30-Seattle/30/Atlanta/24/;]
The Seahawks took advantage when Shawn Alexander found the endzone from 27 yards out and Seattle pulls the upset 30 to 24.
(------------)
[S-Panthers]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-136 TC2015]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Sports; :00]
To the Steel City where the Carolina Panthers came a callin' at Heinz Field. Two fumbles by John Fox's team led to two Jerome Bettis TD's.
Tommy Maddox chipped in as well. He threw for 209 yards and a touchdown as the Steelers stayed atop the AFC North by beating up on the Panthers
[SUPER=30-Carolina/14/Pittsburgh/30/;]
by a final of 30 to 14.
(------------)
[S-Stuff]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-137 TC706]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI/Fox Sports; :00]
In Detroit this afternoon, rookie quarterback Joey Harrington left the Lions game with the Bucs after 2 plays and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Harrington was suffering from an irregular heartbeat, and is undergoing tests as a precautionary measure.
[SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH/Colts vs. Browns; :]
In Cleveland, the Colts Marvin Harrison set the NFL single season record for catches by making his 124th reception of the year. Harrison broke the old mark of 123 set by the Lions Herman Moore in 1995. Now here's a look at all of today's NFL numbers.
(------------)
[S-Scores]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5022;]
[SUPER=0100-/Carolina/14/j/Pittsburgh/30////Washington/21/j/Philadelphia/34///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/Oakland/17/j/Miami/23///j/Jacksonville/29//Cincinnati/15///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/San Diego/13/j/Buffalo/20///j/Seattle/30//Atlanta/24///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/N.Y. Jets/13/j/Chicago/20///j/Indianapolis/28//Cleveland/23///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Baltimore/23//Houston/19///j/Minnesota/32//New Orleans/31///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-j/Tampa Bay/23//Detroit/20////Kansas City/7//Denver/21/3//;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0100-/Green Bay/17//San Francisco/6/3///Dallas/0//N.Y. Giants/27/3//;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(------------------)
[S-Hoops]
[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-134 TC2055]
[GRAPHIC=Basketball]
March Madness is a long way off, but quality wins in December should county for something. This afternoon in the Peach Bowl Classic, Georgia whipped Gonzaga 95 to 83.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/Comcast Sports Net; :00]
In the nightcap, host Georgia Tech squared off with the Tennessee Vols and Buzz Peterson.
Ron Slay had 10 points in the opening minutes for U-T including the big slam.
But the Jackets run the break and Marvin Lewis stops and pops a long three ball and Georgia Tech led 29-21.
[SUPER=33-Tennessee/70/Ga. Tech/69/;]
It came down to this. The Vols John Higgins from halfcourt for the win. He nails it and Tennessee beats Ga. Tech 7(------------)
0 to 69.
by SS