[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Your local grocery store could be closing.
We'll show you which Food Lion is checking out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And more than 100 school superintendents check in with lawmakers in Richmond to make sure their plight's not forgotten.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


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


Tonight in sports testing from Daytona for the trucks. Kevin Rogers on Vick and Randall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Roanoke Dazzle has won four in a row and the team now has a new player for Wednesday's home game.
(------------)

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


Warm weather fans will be disappointed as cold air is the story for this week with a chance for some snow showers Thursday night. Details just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-SHot]


News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]



(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is important]

((IT IS IMPORTANT TO FUND THE PROGRAMS NECESSARY TO EDUCATE ALL THE CHILDREN.))
[RUNS=:04 ]
[OUT Q=all the children.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


School superintendents from around the Commonwealth plead for continued assistance from the state.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


Without it, they say some programs here in Southwest and Central Virginia will disappear.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


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


And I'm Keith Humphry.
[School-funding]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:18:28]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-SHot]


Virginia's school superintendents gathered in Richmond today to educate lawmakers about the fiscal needs of their school districts.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-SHot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


118 of the state's superintendents urged legislators to resist efforts to cut education funding in order to fill the state's budget gap.
Educators say they are grateful that public education has been spared, thus far, from cuts.
But they add that special education, technology, school construction and teacher salaries remain underfunded.
Many say they support legislation like that offered by Fairfax delegate Jim Dillard, to raise the sales tax by one cent in order to beef up education spending.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:53:09]
[IN Q=THERE IS A STRONG NEED]
[SUPER=01-Bob McCracken/Giles Co. School Superintendent]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=EDUCATION IS A TOP PRIORITY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The group also called on lawmakers to preserve funding for programs like class size reduction and early reading intervention.
And they say any efforts to lump the incentive grants with basic aid could result in the loss of some of the programs.
(------------)



[Incentive-Programs]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC46:31]
[GRAPHIC=none]


School officials in western Virginia say the incentive funds pay important dividends.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & JoeD /Newsroom Pod;]


This afternoon, Joe Dashiell visited two schools where teachers and administrators say the state money is making a difference.
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Newsroom Pod]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]


Shannon, these funds help schools systems reduce class sizes, bring older students up to speed on algebra, and help the younger ones build a strong foundation before they ever enter first grade.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=OPENS ON NAT SOUND]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :03]
[SUPER=01-LaDawn Avis/Early Childhood Teacher; :18]
[SUPER=01-Sandi Clemmer/Round Hill Principal; :36]
[SUPER=01-Mary Hackley/Executive for Elementary Programs; :45]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=this successful after-school program.]

(([OPENS ON NAT SOUND OF TEACHER AND STUDENTS]
[IN Q=Martin's father was a ]

((MARTIN'S FATHER WAS A MINISTER. MARTIN GREW UP LISTENING TO HIS FATHER SPEAK IN CHURCH.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=speaking in church ]


Teacher LaDawn Avis knows that pre-school programs make a difference. Among the fifteen five -year -olds learning about Martin Luther King are five who were with her as four year- olds.
[SOT]
[IN Q=Oh they have made great progress]

((OH THEY HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS. AND YOU CAN REALLY TELL A DIFFERENCE FROM LOOKING BACK WHAT THEY KNEW WHEN THEY FIRST CAME TO ME AS A LITTLE BITTY FOUR YEAR OLD AND WHAT THEY KNOW NOW.)) [RUNS :09]
[OUT Q=know how.]


Early childhood programs at Round Hill Montessori Primary, and other city schools help to prepare students for the classroom routine, and set the stage for their success later on.
[SOT]
[IN Q=The readiness]

((THE READINESS SKILLS THAT THEY LEARN IN PRE-SCHOOL REALLY HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFULAS THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN.)) ((IF WE GET TO THE PROBLEMS EARLY ENOUGH, AS IN MY PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS WE WON'T HAVE THAT DROP-OUT PROBLEM, WE WON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM OF YOUNG PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPETE WITH THEIR PEERS.)) [RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=compete with their peers.]


At Breckenridge Middle School, it's an algebra readiness class that has a group of sixth and eighth graders quietly working at their computers.
State incentive funds pay for the teachers, software, transportation even a snack in this successful after- school program.))
(-------------)
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL Newsroom Pod]


And there-in lies the problem. These costs will not be easily absorbed if the state incentive funds go away.

[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & JoeD /NEwsroom Pod;]


While Wayne Harris and other superintendents are lobbying lawmakers, Shannon, teachers and administrators will be crossing their fingers that these programs will survive and continue to thrive.

[Pitts-Fire]


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


A two-year-old boy died this afternoon, after being rescued from a house fire in Pittsylvania County.
(+++++++)

[TAKE FS Map]
The home is located along Franklin Turnpike near the community of Whitmell, northwest of Danville.
Fire officials say the home was consumed by smoke and fire when they brought the toddler out of the house.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]


He later died at Danville Regional Medical Center.
The fire marshal and a state trooper are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

[Washington]


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

A federal judge has thrown out the case of a former Roanoke Parks & Rec employee who says she was raped by a co-worker on the job. By her account, the two of them were taking a nap at the Garden City Recreation Center when Michael Washington raped her at knife point. The pair was supposed to be working at Mill Mountain. She waited a month to report it, but Washington was dismissed once she did. The ruling entered Friday cites "shocking allegations." Michael Washington has denied raping the woman and says any activity between them was consensual.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]


Is a tuition hike stalling Spring Semester plans at Virginia Tech?
We'll find out when News 7 at Six returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


Plus, Monticello gets ready to kick off an epic commemoration of Lewis and Clark's epic journey.
(----------------)


[Boty-Property]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC47:48]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Botetourt County is holding off on a plan to post residents' property values on its website ... after opposition from law enforcement officials.
[ANCHOR=SHannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


The county had planned to post the information on its website this month.
But after calls of protest from state and local law enforcement, officials decided to postpone the move until it could be debated further.
Officers were concerned that having their addresses on the website would threaten their safety.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:04]
[IN Q=I can see]

((BILL LOOPE/SUPERVISOR: I CAN SEE THEIR CONCERN ... IT'S A TRICKY THING... A BALANCE BETWEEN PUBLIC INFO AND WHERE TO PUT IT..))
[SUPER=01-Bill Loope/Botetourt Co. Supervisor;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=where to put it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Property value information is already available on the websites of several other local governments.... the city of Roanoke, Roanoke County and Bedford County, to name a few.
(------------)



[VA-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC09:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Officials at Virginia Tech say Spring start-up looks good, despite a tuition increase.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]


Students returned to class today, following a three week break.
About a month before the break, the university approved a 400-dollar tuition hike to go into effect this Spring.
However, officials say the increase has NOT caused any problems for students who rely on financial aid.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:12]
[IN Q=WE REALLY HAVE]

((BARRY SIMMONS: WE REALLY HAVE ONLY RUN ACROSS ONE STUDENT WHO WAS EXPERIENCING EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN RETURNING TO THE UNIVERSITY AND, UH, WE'VE SEEMED TO HAVE GOTTEN THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THAT PERSON YESTERDAY 12:22))
[SUPER=01-Barry Simmons/VT Financial Aid Dir.;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=THAT PERSON YESTERDAY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


To help students deal with the increase, the university also set aside an additional 700-thousand dollars this year in financial aid.
Officials say students could receive up to 360-additional dollars toward tuition, based on their financial need.
(------------)


[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Blacksburg-Parking]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC03:44]
[GRAPHIC=]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]


Many students have noticed the cost of tuition isn't the only thing that's gone up this year.
This month, the town of Blacksburg increased its parking meter rates downtown and has added a late fee for unpaid parking tickets.
Which means if you don't pay the ten dollars ticket within two weeks, you will be fined an additional 50-bucks.
Officials say the changes are part of a plan to decrease downtown parking problems.
(------------)



[Ingersoll]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC1:29:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke County is eager to get a new company into a successful business location.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Since Ingersoll Rand decided to move a majority of its operations out of our region, the plant's building and property has been up for sale. Within the last month, it has been listed with Hall and Associates to drum up interest. Economic development officials with the County say getting the right business and good fit for the area is a top priority. Officials say they are talking with prospects but that no deal has been made. Ingersoll Rand still employees about 40-people at the location.
(------------)



[Internet-Taxes]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC37:20]
[GRAPHIC=George Allen]

Despite the revenue possibilities, Senator George Allen says there should be no internet sales tax. The Republican today introduced a bill to permanently extend the moratorium on Internet access taxes and discriminatory taxes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :04]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

He says the internet should continue to be accessible to everyone.
(///// SOT at :04 /////)
[SOT 15:57:29-15:57:39]
[IN Q=The goal of my legislation...]

((SEN. GEORGE ALLEN/(R) VIRGINIA: THE GOAL OF MY LEGISLATION IS CLEAR. THE INTERNET SHOULD REMAIN JUST ONE CLICK AWAY FOR ALL AMERICANS, ALWAYS.))
[SUPER=@Allen;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=all Americans, always.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

Allen says the more it costs to use the internet, the less the internet will be used. Meantime, a California lobbyist says sales taxes on Internet purchases could help make up that state's huge budget deficit. Studies show, without the tax, states are losing out on anywhere from 200-(M) million to one (B) billion dollars. Internet shopping is expected to reach 40 (B) billion dollars nationwide this year, up from 30 (B) billion last year.
One research firm says, in five years, Internet shopping could surpass 100 (B) billion dollars.


[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Wall Street took a breather following two weeks of gains. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/1.09/8785.98/y/1.64/1446.08;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


The DOW gained a point.
NASDAQ dropped two.
(-------------)

[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.56/45.85/i/1.34/27.09/h/0.28/60.64/h/0.58/72.38/i/0.24/11.78;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.09/6.72/i/0.26/56.21/i/0.13/37.80/i/0.01/25.64/h/0.08/7.14;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.36/42.01/h/0.28/16.38/i/0.11/20.40/h/0.30/2.70/h/0.18/41.38;]
[SUPER=274- /Unchg/10.00/i/0.25/58.20/h/0.51/40.65/h/0.23/38.09/i/0.34/51.28;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]


[Food-Lion]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC58:08]
[GRAPHIC=Business news]


Keeping prices low for customers. That's what Food Lion says it's trying to keep doing by closing forty-one grocery stores across the country.
Two are in Virginia.
Business Reporter Rachel Cannon is at the affected Roanoke location and joins us with more, Rachel?
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]

Keith, the Food Lion behind me in
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

the East Market Square shopping center on Route 460 has been open since 19-82. But after being open for just over 20-years, it will close its doors on Thursday as part of a cost saving move for the company.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Officials say the stores they're closing are simply not profitable. About 40-part and full time workers will lose their jobs at the Roanoke location. Long time shopper Mary Keeling says she will miss the store because it's small and convenient.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:20:11]
[IN Q=I COULD ]

((MARY KEELING/SHOPPER; IT COULD BE, I WONDERED I NOTICED IT HASN'T BEEN BUSY BUT I'LL MISS IT IF IT'S CLOSING.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Keeling/Shopper;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=IF ITS CLOSING]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

41 of more than 12-hunded stores across the U-S are closing. Officials say Food Lion made the decision after an extensive cost analysis during the fourth quarter of 2002. The study identified ways the company could improve efficiency and reduce costs.
(------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

They're also laying off workers at their headquarters in North Carolina as well as in distribution, transportation and field management.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]

Keith, at this point it's too soon to know when, who or what store may come in the shopping center to take its place.


[Lewis-Clark]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC1:25:16]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


Two centuries ago, three men from central Virginia set in motion a project that ultimately changed the face of America.
As Steve Smallshaw reports, the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition should help bring their story to more Americans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was a vision]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dan Jordan/Thomas Jefferson Foundation President; :15]
[SUPER=01-Kat Imhoff/Event Planner; :44]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :59]
[SUPER=01-Carol McBryant/National Park Service; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=News7, Charlottesville.]

(( It was a vision worthy of one of America's most visionary presidents.
Two hundred years ago this week, Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to finance a three year, 42-hundred mile journey that would ultimately stretch America's boundaries to the Pacific Ocean.
[SOT 10:25:10]

((DAN JORDAN/THOMAS JEFFERSON FOUNDATION PRESIDENT: JEFFERSON WANTED TO STAKE A CLAIM TO THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT, ACROSS WHICH HE WOULD HOPE WOULD SPREAD AN EMPIRE OF LIBERTY.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=empire of liberty.]


Today, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are familiar faces in downtown Charlottesville, but the details of their epic voyage to the Pacific Northwest are not widely known.
So hundreds of scholars, authors and tourists are descending on Monticello and the University of Virginia for a week-long celebration of the explorers and their accomplishments.
[SOT 10:45:38]

((KAT IMHOFF/EVENT PLANNER: I THINK THERE'S A PIVOTAL MOMENT HERE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. IT'S AN EXCITING STORY, IT'S EPIC, IT'S MOSTLY A GOOD STORY. THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLAYERS, IT'S NOT TOLD FROM ONE PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW, AND SO YES, THE INTEREST SEEMS TO JUST BE GOING HIGHER AND HIGHER.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=higher and higher.]

[Standup 12:22:59] ((If you can't make it to the events in Charlottesville this week, don't despair. Over the next three and a half years, this exhibit that tells the story of Lewis and Clark will be traveling all over the United States, including a stop in Lynchburg next month.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=Lynchburg next month.]


The National Park Service says it's eager to bring the Lewis and Clark story to Americans everywhere.
[SOT 11:59:47]

((CAROL MCBRYANT/NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING ALL THE COMMUNITIES ALONG THE TRAIL AND SEEING PEOPLE FROM PLACES THAT ARE NOT ON THE TRAIL AND SEEING THEM BE SPARKED BY THE STORIES OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF HISTORY.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=years of history.]
[SOT 10:28:06]

((DAN JORDAN: EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY IT'S AN UNTOLD STORY AND WE HOPE THE BICENTENNIAL WILL GET THE WORD OUT AND REMIND PEOPLE OF JEFFERSON'S CENTRAL ROLE IN IT.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=role in it.]


Jordan expects interest in Lewis and Clark to bring another 25 thousand visitors to Monticello this year.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Charlottesville. ))


[Sports Tease]


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


Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - the red hot Dazzle gets a new player. The trucks are on the move at Daytona.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the hype surrounding Marcus Vick already has begun. We'll hear from the one man who really matters - Tech quarterback coach Kevin Rogers.
(------------)



[S-College]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-141 1937tc]
[GRAPHIC=acc]


The ACC continues to reign supreme in college basketball this week as the Duke men and the Duke women once again hang on to the number one spots in their respective polls. This Wednesday night UVa plays at Duke in men's hoops. And despite being harrassed in the ost all season long - Virginia's Travis Watson says he's not upset with a 10-and-3 record at this point.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Travis Watson/191 Points In 13 Games; :07]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=..ADJUSTING FROM THERE."]
(---------)

[VO NAT CON'T] This afternoon - UVa sharpshooter Todd Billet was named the ACC co-player of the week along with Duke's Dahntay Jones.

(-----------)


[S-Dazzle]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-134 41:14]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]


The Roanoke Dazzle has two new players on the roster. Gabe Moeneke is the Dazzle's leading scorer, averaging 18 points after three games.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]


The Dazzle has signed seven foot center Darrell Johns. He practiced with Roanoke for the first time today. He played in NBDL with Fayetteville last year and is hoping to help the Dazzle on the defensive side of the court.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Darrell Johns/Dazzle Center; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...block shots here and there"]
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Dazzle has won a franchise record four in a row heading into this Wednesday's home game against the Asheville Altitude.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Kent Davison/Dazzle Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=......early in the year"]
(------------------)



[S-Vick]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-143 4:20]
[GRAPHIC=Tech football]

Virginia Tech begins spring football in two months and already the buzz around Blacksburg and especially on the internet surrounds the pending quarterback competition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]

Incumbent Bryan Randall finishes as the nation's 10th rated passer but knows he must improve on taking care of the football. While Randall is aware the talented Marcus Vick is right behind him on the depth chart his quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers says Bryan is at peace with what the coaches decide to do.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Rogers/Virginia Tech Quarterbacks Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...guy that is on the field"]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Rogers says Marcus is much improved after a season in practice and on the sidelines. He says Vick has incredible touch and his arm strength is solid. But it is the mental game that must get better.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=.....then you really have something"]
(--------------)



[S-Trucks]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-141 1937TC]
[GRAPHIC=PRESEASON THUNDER]


The Winston Cup drivers who did not test last week at Daytona will get their first laps on the rough two and a half mile track tomorrow. This weekend the Craftsman Truck Series owned the track.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL; :00]

Among those running full-time in that division this season is Bobby Hamilton - the 14 year Winston Cup veteran is one of several drivers forced to make a career change this year. Lucky for Hamilton - he owns three truck series teams.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT'S SORT OF...]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Hamilton/Will Drive Trucks Fulltime This Year; :00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...THERE FOR."]

(------------)
by SS