WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/26/02

[Snowstorm]

[ANCHOR=Marya]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

It may have been TOO MUCH of a white Christmas for millions of people in the Northeast.
Today, they're digging out from under more than two feet of snow in some places.
As Bonnie Behrend reports, the effects will be felt everywhere from the roadways to runways.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS... yesterday]
[SUPER=01-Ed Carroll/Meteorologist;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=BB, CBS news, NY.]
(((nats) YESTERDAY IT WAS THE GIFT OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS. TODAY MILLIONS WISH THEY COULD RETURN THE PRESENT. NEW ENGLAND IS THE LATEST VICTIM OF A STORM THAT HAS DUMPED SNOW FROM NEW MEXICO ALL THE WAY TO MAINE. (NATS) BOSTON COULD BREAK A SNOWFALL RECORD BUT THE WORST OF IT IS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSSETTES AND NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT'S PILING UP TO 2 FEET IN PLACES. DRIVERS TRYING TO GET HOME FROM THEIR HOLIDAY FIESTS FOUND THE STREETS IMPASSABLE. AND THOSE WHO CAN DRIVE COULDN'T
READ THE SIGNS. (SOT-MOS) "cars everywhere, off the road, it's just horrible" (NATS) TODAY THERE COULD ALSO BE PROBL
EMS AT THE AIRPORTS. MILLIONS TRYING TO GET HOME WILL FEEL YESTERDAY'S BACKLASH. THERE WERE MAJOR CANCELLATIONS AND DELAYS IN ALBANY, BOSTON AND HARTFORD. IN NEW YORK CITY AIRPORTS ACTUALLY STOPPED FLIGHTS FROM GOING IN AND OUT FOR A WHILE. AND WHILE THE SNOW WON'T BE AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM TODAY THE WIND WILL. THERE ARE GUSTS OF UP TO 35 MILES PER HOUR. (NATS) FOR MUCH OF THE NORTHEAST THE STRUGGLE WILL BE GETTING BACK TO WORK. MANY WILL SPEND THEIR DAY DIGGING OUT. PARTS OF EASTERN PENNSLYVANIA AND UPSTATE NEW YORK GOT HIT WITH 30 INCHES. THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY HAD TO SHUTDOWN 1-HUND
RED MILES OF ROAD BECAUSE SNOW PLOWS COULDN'T KEEP UP. (SOT-ED CARROLL/WBZ METEOROLOGIST) "much of the eastern half of
the country should be fairly quiet through thursday and friday so if you can hold off and try to get back to work maybe late thursday... you're probably going to be better off" THE SAYING GOES "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR". FOR MANY THE DREAM OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE. BONNIE BEHREND, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[11Power-Outages]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
More than 3-thousand people in the Roanoke area are still without power this morning. Last night, high winds knocked trees into power lines or knocked them over, disrupting power to about 55-hundred customers. The hardest-hit areas have been in Roanoke County and Roanoke City. Officials say it could be later today before power is restored. A-E-P has brought in extra crews to deal with the disruptions.

[Narrows-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Authorities are investigating an armed robbery in Narrows.
Deputies say a man entered the store, showed a gun to the clerk and got away with an undetermined amount of money.
He's described as a white male in his 20's, wearing a dark green hooded jacket and jeans.
Police say a woman entered the Super Value convenience store on Route 460 and paid for gas right before him.
They want to question the woman, but aren't sure if she was involved.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS DESCRIPTION BOARD]
They're also looking for a 1998 blue, 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.
(+++++++++++)

[11Charities]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC-40:20]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Area charities work to make sure no one goes hungry or without a gift on Christmas.
But that is proving more difficult since charitable giving is down while the need is up.
Justin McLeod tells us some of the reasons why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:39:04]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF SERVING]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joy Sylvester-Johnson/Rescue Mission; :23]
[SUPER=@justin1; :44]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Meadows/Samaritan's Inn; 1:13]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Carter/RAM House; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NAT SOUND OF SERVING AT 15:39:04))
Roanoke's Rescue Mission opens it's doors to feed the homeless every day of the year.
One of it's largest meals is usually on Christmas.
It attracts nearly 900-people.
[SOT 15:29:54]
[IN Q=We just try to make]
((JOY SYLVESTER JOHNSON/RESCUE MISSION: WE JUST TRY TO MAKE IT FAMILY FOR EVERYBODY.))
[Runs= 02]
[OUT Q=for everybody]

That is proving quite difficult this year.
Charitable giving is down nearly 12-percent while the need here in Roanoke is up by 35-percent.
[SOT 15:31:46]
[IN Q=I think we're still]
((JOY SYLVESTER JOHNSON/RESCUE MISSION: I THINK WE'RE STILL SUFFERING FROM WHAT HAPPENED SEPTEMBER 11TH, WE STILL HAVE A POOR ECONOMY, AND WE HAVE A HEALTHCARE CRISIS.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=healthcare crisis]

To make do, the Rescue Mission has had to cut five positions.
Programs so far remain intact but it won't be adding any new ones this year.
The Rescue Mission also needs to raise another million dollars for its new women's shelter.
[SOT 15:58:45]
[IN Q=Some organizations run]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SOME ORGANIZATIONS RUN ENTIRELY ON PRIVATE DONATIONS, MEANING THEY RECEIVE NO LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDREAL GRANTS. ONE SUCH PLACE IS THE SAMARTIAN'S INN HERE IN ROANOKE. IT TYPICALLY TAKES 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO RUN THIS PLACE EVER YEAR BUT THIS YEAR IT ONLY RAISED ABOUT 36-THOUSAND.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=about 36-thousand]
((NAT SOUND INSIDE SAMARITAN'S INN))
The Christmas dinner here at the Samaritan's Inn attracted nearly two hundred people.
That is slighty up from last year.
And since donations are down, the organization has to put its capital imporvement projects on hold.
[SOT 15:47:09]
[IN Q=I just put it in the hands]
((WAYNE MEADOWS/SAMARITAN'S INN: I JUST LEFT IT IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD AND SO FAR IT'S BEEN WELL. WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE IT DAY BY DAY AND SEE WHAT GOES ON.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=what goes on]

Also taking it day by day is the RAM House in Roanoke.
Workers saw more families seeking help this Christmas.
[SOT 15:53:34]
[IN Q=Please give because we]
((RONNIE CARTER/SHELTER MANAGER: PLEASE GIVE BECAUSE WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED YOUR HELP HERE. WE TRY TO KEEP THE PLACE RUNNING, I KNOW THE DIRECTORS UPSTAIRS WORK HARD TO KEEP THIS PLACE GOING, WE JUST HOPE PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED HELP HERE.))
[Runs= 16]
[OUT Q=need help here]

Help that is needed because many of these places don't turn anyone away.
But that is proving more difficult as charities try to do more with less.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Powerball]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Someone who purchased a Powerball lottery ticket in West Virginia got an amazing Christmas present.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One person matched all the numbers in last night's Powerball drawing... but we don't know WHO yet.
It's the biggest lottery jackpot ever won by a single ticket.
The winner opted for a cash prize, which will come to a lump-sum payment of about 170-million dollars -- before taxes.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news, It's back to business on Wall Street today.

Ed Crane has that story plus a look at Tuesday's closing numbers in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ed Crane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=I'm EC, CBS Marketwatch, NY]
((
ESS=closing dow

HERE'S WERE THINGS LEFT OFF AFTER AN ABBREVIATED XMAS EVE SESSION. DOW LOSING 44 POINTS, IN A SESSION MARKED BY CONCERN OVER GEO POLITICAL EVENTS, AND A SURPRINGLY BAD REPORT ON SALES OF DURABLE GOODS.

ESS=closing nasdaq

THE NASDAQ FELL 9 POINTS.

ONCAM=ED

INVESTORS WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH A GOVERNMENT REPORT SHOWING SALES OF DURABLE GOODS..LONG LASTING ITEMS LIKE APPLAINCES, HEAVY EQUIPMENT AND NEW CARS FELL ONE POINT FOUR PERCENT LAST MONTH. THE ONLY BRIGHT SPOT, A BIG BOOST IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT SALES, WITHOUT WHICH SALES OF DURABLES WOULD HAVE DROPPED ALMOST TWO AND A HALF PERCENT.
AMONG STOCKS TO WATCH WHEN TRADING RESUMES TOMORROW, SUN MICROSYSTEMS, WHICH HAS BEEN TRADING HIGHER AFTER A FEDERAL COURT DECISION COMPELLING MICROSOFT TO INCLUDE SUN'S UPDATED JAVA PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE IN THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM. MICROSOFT SAYS IT WILL APPEAL.
MC DONALD'S WHICH HAS BEEN MAKING HAMBURGERS THE SAME WAY FOR DECADES NOW SAYS IT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE RECIPE IN IT'S HAMBURGER MEAT AND WILL ALSO CHANGE IT'S HAMBURGER BUNS IN THE COMING MONTHS.THE FAST FOOD GIANT MAKING CHANGES AFTER REPORTING IT'S FIRST LOSING QUARTER EVER.
AFTER GETTING POUNDED MONDAY RETAILERS ATTRACTED SOME BUYING INTEREST, WAL MART WAS HIGHER AS WAS F-A-O SCHWARZ, THE STRUGGLING TOY STORE CHAIN WHICH ANNOUNCED IT WILL CLOSE 70 SHCWARZ AND ZANY BRAINY STORES.
WE'LL BE WATCHING TO SEE IF AS EXPECTED, THIS TURNS OUT TO BE ONE OF THE SOFTEST HOLIDAY SEASONS FOR RETAILERS IN YEARS. KEEP AN EYE ON RETAIL STOCKS LIKE TARGET, FEDERATED AND JC PENNEY.
GET MORE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS AT CBS DOT MARKETWATCH.COM
I'M ED CRANE CBS MARKETWATCH NEW YORK.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[Grenade-Attack]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Three people are dead after a Christmas Day attack on a Christian church in Pakistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lahore, Pakistan;]

The church was conducting Christmas service when two people lobbed grenades.
The attackers are still at large.
Police say they were wearing burqas -- the traditional head-to-toe garment worn by Islamic women in some countries.
More than a dozen policemen were posted outside the church at the time.
(------------)

[PA-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Police in Pennsylvania say a woman and her two daughters were found shot to death in their home Christmas Day.
They're looking for her estranged husband for questioning.
The woman's nine-month-old baby was found unharmed.
Police say the 15-year-old and 20-year-old girls who were killed had accused their father of molesting them.
He was free on bond, awaiting trial on those charges.

[11Salvation-Army]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC-59:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It appears to be a difficult year for the Salvation Army.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The charity saw more people turning out this year for the annual Christmas dinner at its facilities on Salem Avenue.

Its annual kettle campaign in the Roanoke Valley also failed to meet expectations.
Giving was down by nearly 20-percent and the Salvation Army collected only about 130-thousand dollars.
Officials blame the reduction on a late Thanksgiving, tough ECONOMIC times...and new rules at some businesses that restricted where they could set up.
(------------)
(Marya tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Fire-House]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC-1:37:01]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

Some of the area's firefighters spent Christmas Day on the job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The men and women who serve and protect have to work 365 days a year.
To show its appreciation, fire captains in Roanoke typically buy the main course for the Christmas dinner.
Several area grocery stores and some nearby neighbors also donate food and baked goods.
Many of the firefighter's families also stop by.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 52:18]
[IN Q=You'll have your families]
((DALE BARKER/ROANOKE FIRE DEPARTMENT: YOU'LL HAVE YOUR FAMILIES AND THOSE WHO HAVE KIDS WILL USUALLY COME BY AND VISIT. A LOT OF THEM COME AND EAT SOMETIMES, IF IT WORKS OUT, SOMETIMES IT DON'T. YOU MAY BE SITTING DOWN WITH YOUR FAMILY AND GET A CALL.))
[SUPER=01-Dale Barker/Roanoke Fire Department;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=and get a call]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Firefighters say Christmas Day is usually a typical day when it comes to answering calls.
Station seven in Roanoke handles on average 12-hundred calls a year. (------------)