WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/26/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

After a one day break, shoppers are back in the stores.
We'll check on post-Christmas retail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]
And, a gusty winter storm leaves hundreds of local power customers INSIDE in the cold.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 Sports - Steve Mason takes a spin with the Cavs and Mountaineers at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Ho Ho hoops are happening this week - with two tournaments right here in the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)

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

A cold night's ahead of us but wait for the weekend it's looking good. I'll have your forecast.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]

NEws 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#video open]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:07:50]
[IN Q=With as many]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: WITH AS MANY CASES OF TROUBLE AS WE'VE GOT TO RESPOND TO IT COULD BE ON TOMORROW BEFORE WE HAVE ALL THE POWER RESTORED.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=the power restored]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

American Electric Power is asking customers to be patient as it works to restore power.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NEws 7 @ 6]

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

[Power-Outage]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC17:53]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Six]

The strong winds that blew through our region Christmas Day have left thousands in the dark.
The Roanoke Valley has been especially hard hit.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /NEwsroom Pod;]

Justin McLeod joins us now in the newsroom with an update. Justin?
Shannon, it could be a long cold night for many in the Roanoke Valley.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Newsroom Pod]
[SUPER=@Justin1]

More than eight hundred A-E-P customers remain in the dark this evening.
A-E-P has called in extra crews to help restore power and they plan to work throughout the night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:07:02]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF CHAINSAW]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chip Garst/Roanoke Co. Resident; :11]
[SUPER=01-Alan Miller/Without Power; :27]
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power; :43]
[SUPER=01-Ann Miller/Without Power; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=GOT PRETTY COLD]
((((NAT SOUND OF CHAINSAW AT 10:07:02))
It was a day of cleanup around the Roanoke Valley as many woke up to find this....downed trees and powerlines.
[SOT 10:09:21]
[IN Q=A big Christmas surprise]
((CHIP GARST/RESIDENT: A BIG CHRISTMAS SURPRISE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE FAMILY RELATIVES HERE AND YOU GOT TO CUT TREES JUST TO GET BACK DOWN THE ROAD SO THEY CAN GO HOME.)) [Runs:06]
[OUT Q=they can go home]

Some had it worse.
Take the Miller family who live in the Windsor Lake subdivision.
They were about to sit down for Christmas dinner when the lights went out.
[SOT 10:13:36]
[IN Q=We still had a great]
((ALAN MILLER/WITHOUT POWER: WE STILL HAD A GREAT CHRISTMAS BUT IT KINDA RUINED THE REST OF THE DAY SO IT WASN'T THAT GREAT.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=wasn't that great]

And they were not alone.
At one point, 55-hundred A-E-P customers lost their power in the Roanoke Valley.
By morning, only 15-hundred people remained in the dark.
[SOT 23:06:03]
[IN Q=This storm has been]
((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: THIS STORM HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR US IN THAT WE HAVE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF SMALL CASES OF TROUBLE TO RESPOND TO.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=to respond to]

Since the outages are so scattered, A-E-P warns it could be another day before everyone's power is restored.
That's not the news the Miller family wants to hear.
[SOT 10:18:55]
[IN Q=We've probably heard]
((ANN MILLER/WITHOUT POWER: WE'VE PROBABLY HEARD FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT STORIES FROM AEP BUT I REALIZE THEY ARE JUST GUESTIMATING.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=just guestimating]

So the family has had to live by candlelight and without any water for more than a day.
[SOT 10:13:53]
[IN Q=My dad and my sister]
((ALAN MILLER/WITHOUT POWER: MY DAD AND MY SISTER ACTUALLY GOT A HOTEL BECAUSE THEY HAD TO GET UP THIS MORNING AND WE THOUGHT WE WOULD JUST STAY, IT WASN'T THAT BIG OF A DEAL AND IT GOT PRETTY COLD.)) [Runs:10]
[OUT Q=got pretty cold]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL NEwsroom Pod]

That is why the rest of the Miller family will most likely end up in a motel tonight and for good reason.
A-E-P says they are still working 131 different cases across the Roanoke Valley and that is why it will most likely be tomorrow before the lights are back on for everyone.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /Newsroom Pod;]

Shannon, A-E-P says it does hope to have a majority restored by eleven o'clock tonight.

[Narrows-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC00:54]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Authorities in Giles County are searching for a man who stole a car in Roanoke, and then used the car in a convenience store robbery in Narrows. Police say the man held a West Virginia woman at gunpoint in Roanoke, and stole her car after dropping her off in Botetourt County.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Surveillance Video;]
The man entered the Super Value convenience store on Route 460 around 10-o'clock, and showed a gun to the clerk.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 18:08]
[INQ=She gave him...]
((THOMAS GAUTIER/NARROWS POLICE CHIEF; SHE GAVE HIM THE CASH, HE EXITED THE STORE, HE WAS WEARING A BLUE TOBOGGAN, A GREEN HOODED SWEATSHIRT, AND BLUE JEANS. AND WHEN HE EXITED, HE WENT TO THE WEST END OF THE STORE, AND THAT'S THE LAST TIME HE'S BEEN SEEN.))
[SUPER=01-Thomas Gautier/Narrows Police Chief;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUTQ=last time he's been seen.]
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS DESCRIPTION BOARD]
Police are looking for a blue 1998, 4-door Chevy Prism with a white pin stripe.
It has West Virginia tag 4-Z-8-4-9-9.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE FS PHONE NUMBER BOARD]
If you have any information, you're asked to call the Giles County Sheriff's Office at 540- 921 - 3842.
(+++++++++)

[Iraq-Money]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC16:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A judge in Seattle has set bond for an Iraqi-American accused of violating federal law by funneling millions of dollars to Iraq.
That decision could have implications for a local man also charged in the case.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Malik Al Maliki is the Roanoke resident accused of conspiring to launder money and send it to Iraq.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday;]

Earlier this week, supporters in western Virginia said he was helping them wire money to their families.
He's due in federal court for a second bond hearing tomorrow.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=Malik Almaliki]

On Monday, a U-S magistrate said he would consider Al Maliki's request for bond after the main defendants had their detention hearings.
On Tuesday, a U-S Magistrate in Seattle set bond for the alleged ringleader in the case at 100- thousand dollars.

[Eastern-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC28:47]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Authorities are looking into the cause of a fire in northeast Roanoke this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It broke out around 2:30 in the 18-hundred block of Eastern Avenue.
Officials say the fire started in the floor of a duplex.
Smoke did some damage before firefighters had the flames under control.
No one was hurt.
(------------)

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

Area police are gearing up to battle drunk driving.
That's next on News 7 at Six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus see how V-Dot is keeping an eye on the highways in hopes of making them safer.
(----------------)

[Drunk-Driving]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC1:00:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tis the season for parties --but if your celebration spills over onto the road, law enforcement will be looking for you.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

In fact, there will be several sobriety check points this holiday season to catch drunk drivers. Last year 23 people were killed in Virginia between the Christmas holiday and the New Year in alcohol-related crashes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:27]
[IN Q=Of course we want to reduce]
((SGT. DAN JESSEE/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: OF COURSE WE WANT TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE IT DOWN TO ZERO. SO WE'RE TRYING TO REDUCE THE NUMBER DOING THESE CHECK POINTS WE HOPE THERE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT EFFECT IN DOING THAT))

[SUPER=01-Sgt. Dan Jessee/State Police]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=in doing that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities are also asking motorists to report drunk drivers by dialing pound 7-7 on a cell phone or 9-1-1.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT6:22]
[IN Q=Get the direction of travel]
((GET THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL, COLOR OF THE VEHICLE, STYLE, TAG NUMBER AND INFORMATION. GET IT TO US AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN ALERT OUR PEOPLE ON THE HIGHWAY))
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=on the highway]
(------------)
[VO-NOT] Authorities say there will be a zero tolerance policy for drunk drivers. If you are caught you will be arrested and could face a fine or a suspended license.
(--------------)

[Cameras]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC1:38:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Drivers in the New River Valley are being watched as well. Not just by cops on the road, but also by V-Dot cameras.
As New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens shows us, the technology could one day save your life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Thompson/VDOT; :33]
[SUPER=01-Buster Horn/Against Road Cams; :49]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=News 7, Montgomery County]
((No matter how camera shy you are, these days it's almost impossible to avoid being videotaped. While you shop. While you bank. And while you drive.
[SOT 10:04]
[RUNS06] ((JOHN THOMPSON/VDOT WE'VE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THAT PARTICULAR ROAD IN THE PAST)) But, the cameras installed along Peppers Ferry Road outside of Christiansburg, are NOT there to punish bad drivers, but, to protect them. It's part of a research project by Virginia Tech and V-Dot, to develop a warning system for wrong way drivers, BEFORE they cause an accident.
[SOT 11:14]
[RUNS:16] ((A SIGN WITH SOME SORT OF WARNING ON IT WITH SOME FLASHING LIGHTS ATTACHED TO IT AND THERE WILL BE A DETECTOR ON THE SIGN THAT WILL DETECT THE WRONG WAY DRIVER AND INACTIVATE THE WARNING SYSTEM 11:30))
[SOT 25:04]
[RUNS:04] ((THEY ARE INTRUDING, IN MY OPINION, THEY ARE INTRUDING ON OUR PRIVACY IN MY OPINION 25:08)) But, not everyone is for the project. Some of the residents who live along the road, believe the cameras are not only an invasion of privacy, but, will end up doing more harm than good.
[SOT 25:25]
[RUNS:05] (( YOU LOOKING AT THAT CAMERA INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THE ROAD, THAT'S MY OPINION 25:30)) Officials say they have gotten a number of calls from people asking about the cameras, but, once they find out what it's for, most think it's a good idea.
[SOT 14:12]
[RUNS:09] ((WE'VE ENSURED THEM THAT THEY'RE JUST FOR MONITORING PURPOSES ONLY. THEY'RE STATIONARY AND THEY CAN'T BE MOVED FROM THAT STATIONARY POSITION. 14:21)) Like it or not, officials say the cameras will stay put at least until next Spring, when the project is expected to be completed. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Montgomery County.))

[Smallpox]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC1:45:38]
[GRAPHIC=Smallpox]

It used to be a routine vaccination but the U-S stopped inoculating the general public against smallpox in 1972.
Starting next month,Virginia will once again begin administering the vaccine.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

Due to the threat of bioterrorism, the state plans to start vaccinating thousands of health care workers.
The vaccine will not be available to the general public for at least another year.
Even then, health officials say about 40 to 50 percent of the volunteers will be ineligible for the vaccine due to pre-existing conditions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THERE ARE MANY MORE]
[SUPER=01-Jim Ferrell/VA Dept. of Health]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=EXTREMELY THOROUGH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Historically, the vaccine has been effective in preventing smallpox in 95 percent of those inoculated.
(------------)

[Stocks]

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

A post-Christmas rally on Wall Street fizzled late today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/15.50/8432.61/y/4.58/1367.89;]

The DOW dropped 15 and a half points.
NASDAQ lost five.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.53/49.11/h/0.72/27.96/i/0.56/62.55/h/0.09/69.84/h/0.13/11.90;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.08/6.45/h/0.47/55.08/h/0.21/37.12/i/0.09/25.24/h/0.08/6.71;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.63/41.69/h/0.25/15.45/h/0.28/19.78/i/0.05/2.16/h/0.32/41.80;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.50/10.00/h/0.33/57.46/h/0.19/39.69/h/0.20/37.00/h/0.06/49.76;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Shopping]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC59:55]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas Shopping]

Retailers and savvy shoppers know today is not merely the day after Christmas but one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Meghan Muldoon went to New River Valley Mall to see what is luring Virginians back to the stores.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Raja Masri/Sale Seeker; :10]
[SUPER=01-Marcella Hopkins/Bargain Hunter; :14]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Finn/Shopper; :23]
[SUPER=@Meghan1; :27 ]
[SUPER=01-Rob Masri/Returning Gifts; :38]
[SUPER=01-Pao Hsiu/Tis the Season Manager; :59]
[SUPER=01-Whitney Bond/Totally Gifts Sales Associate; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=MM, NEWS 7, Christiansburg]
(( For bargain hunters, it's a favorite time of year. [nat sound of cash register]
As the Christmas trees come down, the sale signs go up.
[SOT 15:09:32]
[IN Q=LOOK AT BELK THEY HAVE FIFTY PERCENT]
[RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=I LOVE IT.]

[SOT 15:17:08]
[IN Q=OH I'M SHOPPING]
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=PAPER AND CARDS.]

[SOT 15:19:56]
[IN Q=THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS]
[RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=BUY ALL THE GOOD STUFF.]

[SOT 15:22:14]
[IN Q=SHOPPERS ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE TODAY]
[RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=SANTA GOT WRONG.]

Many people came to the mall not to pick up something but to give something back.
[SOT 15:09:11]
[IN Q=I GOT SOME SWEATERS]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=RETURN THEM.]

While nationally many store chains and retail analysts have said this will go down as the worst shopping season in three decades,
Area retailers say they are happy with holiday sales.
[SOT 15:13:23]
[IN Q=IT'S PRETTY BUSY]
[RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=ALL SEVENTY PERCENT OFF.]

[SOT 15:15:46]
[IN Q=WE DEFINITELY GOT A]
[RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=BUSIER THIS YEAR IT SEEMS.]

So whether shoppers are searching for bargains, returning unwanted presents, redeeming gift certificates, or just trying to work off the Christmas cookies and egg nog they consumed the day before, they are still filling the mall.
After all, there are only 355 shopping days before Christmas, next year that is.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Christiansburg))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SPORTS TEASE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - post-Christmas high school hoop events open in the valley, while UVa and West Virginia fire up the Lowe's Motor Speedway with our own Steve Mason.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Air Force Academy will be disciplined if nothing else - Tech talks about just that in just a moment.
(------------)

[S-Lowes]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-127 20134TC]
[GRAPHIC=TIRE BOWL]

The UVa and West Virginia teams just wrapped up an eye opening afternoon at the Lowe's Motor Speedway just outside of Charlotte in Concord. Tomorrow each team will have a news conference and then after firing their final parting shots they'll get ready for the early 11am kickoff on Saturday morning. Al Groh not only likes the matchup, but he likes how both teams got to Charlotte.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THIS IS WHAT...]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:39]
[OUT Q=...SEE AGAIN ANYWAY."]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD MATCHUP]
Steve Mason talked with Groh and WVU coach Rich Rodriguez today after they took some hot laps in the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Join us tonight at 11 for Groh's thoughts on LIFE in Nascar's fast lane.

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-138 921tc]
[GRAPHIC=WALNUT BOWL]

Virginia Tech just wrapped up the longest trip in the history of the football program. The team was on tight schedule today - busing to Greensboro and 7am and then taking a non-stop flight to San Francisco. It's a disciplined pace they will need to continue to match the style exhibited by their opponents from Air Force.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=YOU KNOW...]
[SUPER=01-Shawn Witten/Virginia Tech Flanker; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Coach;:16]
[RUNS=:32]
[OUT Q=...very disciplined preparation."]
(---------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=hold matchup]
The Hokies will hold their first practice in California tomorrow at Laney College in Oakland.

[S-Glass]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-137 1422TC]
[GRAPHIC=NORTHSIDE INV.]
The day after Christmas means plenty of high school basketball in the area. Eight teams from the region are running the floor in the Northside Invitational. The opening day today pitted Martinsville against E.C. Glass.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./E. C. Glass vs. Martinsville; :00]
The Hilltoppers are coached by Bill Hodges - the man who coached Larry Bird and Indiana State in the 1979 national title game. He would see his point guard Ryan Caylor step up and hit this three pointer from the top of the key. Glass is in front. Martinsville has a young team, but the Dogs play hard on defense. Andre Benton gets the steal and the hoop and the Ville takes the lead. Back on the other end of the floor - the Hilltoppers' Jeremy Anderson bangs in another long jumper for the men from Lynchburg. Durron Mitchell gets another steal for Martinsville and with
[super=33-E. C. Glass/54/Martinsville/50;]
some nice team play underneath - he gets the hoop. But Glass gets the victory 54-to-50.
(------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=viking inv.]
Tonight at 8 - Northside takes on Glenvar.

[S-Fleming]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-136 3011TC]
[GRAPHIC=holiday hoopla]

The Salem Civic Center is playing host to eight teams, as well this weekend. The event opened today with Fleming taking on Roanoke Catholic.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Catholic vs. Fleming; :00]
Fleming opened the afternoon with guard Cameron Johnson driving in the lane and getting the bucket. The Colonels have the early lead on the Celtics. Roanoke Catholic on the other end hollars back with a three ball. Matt Nowlin hits the jumper from the wing and Catholic makes its mark. The Colonels come back on the fast break and watch Taurus Boyd turn the assist into a bucket in transition. Paulius Joneliunas then asserts himself as he blocks the shot and triggers the hoop on the other end.
[SUPER=33-Roanoke Catholic/86/William Fleming/52;]
Nowlin will be the benefactor of the Good "D" by hitting the jumper.
Catholic wins the opener 86 to 52.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=hold holiday]
The three day event continues tonight. Cave Spring plays at 8.

[S-Dazzle]

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

The Roanoke Dazzle plays tonight at Greenville. Earlier today the team acquired center Kareem Poole and waived forward Cypheus Bunton. Poole is seven feet tall and 230 pounds.