WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 01/16/03

[1-News-Head]

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[V/O-LIVE Shot] It's coming down out there... we're expecting up to six inches of snow tonight. We'll see whether there's likely to be a repeat of December's back-up on 220.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
And the Governor puts the D-M-V on a budget, accounting for its weekly cash flow, following a new audit.

[Sports-Head]

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

Tonight on News 7 sports - we'll head down to Durham and check in with Steve Mason and JJ Redick. Rick Mast will not race this season - in any division.
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[VO-NAT]
And the state's senators honor our own Roy Stanley this afternoon.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Warnings for significant snows but for most we are expecting about 3 inches. Windy and very cold on the backside.
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[ANCHOR=Keith 3-Shot]

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

(XXXXXXXX)
[LIVE=Marya Cam Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

The snow is falling. Two to six inches are on the way.
But it remains to be seen whether V-DOT, law enforcement and drivers have learned from the last snow-related mess on Route 220.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry. Shannon Young is off tonight.
[First-Wx]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=Winter Storm Warning]

This latest winter storm is already moving through the viewing area.
Snow is covering much of the New River Valley and numerous accidents have been reported by state police.
[TOSS ACROSS=Keith & Robin]

Let's go right to Meteorologist Robin Reed.
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER Position #1

[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP WINTER WARNINGS
[TOSS ACROSS=Keith & Robin]
(TOSS BACK TO KEITH)

[Route-220]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC1:18:30]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Storm Warning]

Officials hope the storm won't bring a repeat of what happened on Route 220 the last time we got some snow.
In December, hundreds of motorists were stranded for up to eight hours in Roanoke County without a snow plow or emergency vehicle in sight.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Marya /Microwave;]

Marya Jones talked to highway and safety officials today about how they prepared for tonight's storm.
Keith ,
[LIVE= Marya /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
(Marya ad libs)
((ROLLCUE:... they hope motorists will notice the difference.))
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Capt. Wayne Haynes/Roanoke Co. Police Department; :16]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./December 4; :25]
[RUNS=1:01]
[OUT Q=HOOK THOSE TWO UP]
(( Roanoke County has 13 officers on patrol this evening ... and more will be called in if necessary.
But, most importantly, it's coordinating with Franklin County, state police and V-DOT, so everyone can respond if problems arise on 220.
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[SOT 1:42:40]
((CAPT. WAYNE HAYNES/ROANOKE CO. P.D.: WHETHER CITIZENS WILL ACTUALLY NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT, IDEALLY, NO THEY WON'T BECAUSE THINGS WILL GO AS SMOOTH AS THEY NORMALLY DO. )) [RUNS:10]
The storm on December 4th took motorists, V-DOT and public safety officials by surprise, leaving motorists stranded for hours ... and emergency crews with no way to reach them.
Now, officers and VDOT crews along the 220 corridor have set up better lines of communication by radio and phone, so plows and police who are standing by can be mobilized quickly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:43:56]
((CAPT. WAYNE HAYNES: WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO TALK PERSON TO PERSON AND TO TALK TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT SITTING THE HIGHWAYS VERSUS THE PEOPLE SITTING IN A ROOM SOMEWHERE SAYING, "WELL, THIS IS WHAT MY PERSON SAID." WE CAN ACTUALLY HOOK THOSE TWO UP. )) [RUNS:14]))
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[LIVE= Marya /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

VDOT has plows and salt trucks positioned all along 220.
It also introduced a new weapon: A tanker truck covered 220 from Roanoke to Boones Mill with a salt solution that's supposed to keep the road from getting icy.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Marya /Microwave;]

Keith?

[Snow-Preps]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:24:24]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

While western Virginia was waiting for the winter storm, many were preparing for the possibility of significant snowfall.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

State and local road crews spent the morning loading chemicals onto waiting trucks, and making sure their equipment was ready.
Many schools throughout the region sent their students home early.
And employees of American Electric Power watched the weather radar, and prepared for the possibility of power outtages.
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[SOT 19:28]
[IN Q=Wet, heavy snows]
((TODD BURNS/AEP SPOKESMAN; WET HEAVY SNOWS GIVE US PROBLEMS. THAT'S REALLY WHAT STACKS UP ON THE LINES AND CAN BRING POWER LINES DOWN. AND ICE CAUSES PROBLEMS. WITH THE TYPE OF STORM WE'RE GETTING HERE PERHAPS ACCIDENTS AND PEOPLE HITTING POLES ARE THE THINGS YOU PREPARE FOR.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/AEP Spokesman; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=things you prepare for.]
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[VO-NAT]

Lisa and Nathan Ewoldt (EE-walt) were also busy this afternoon. They made several stops in search of a snow shovel, and finally found what they were looking for at Northwest Hardware.
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[Danville-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#1:35:04 on 02-46]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

After what Robin said a moment ago, it comes as no surprise that they're expecting significant snow in Southside.
The city of Danville plans to send out a full fleet of trucks about an hour from now.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Justin/Starlink]

Justin McLeod is along highway 58 in Danville with more on the preparations.
[Live=Justin Full/ Starlink]
[SUPER=@Justin1;]
[SUPER=05-Danville;]
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[SUPER=03-Danville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tom Spicer/Danville Public Works Department; :32]
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[OUT Q=last to be plowed.]
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[Live=Justin Full/Starlink]
[SUPER=05-Danville;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith and Justin/Starlink]

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

An Elliston mother is off the hook in the death of her six day old baby.
Details on that when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]

Plus a new state report shows problems at the D-M-V go beyond long lines.
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[DMV]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC52:35]
[GRAPHIC=DMV]

Governor Mark Warner pledged today to do something about the D-M-V...
He wasn't referring to their long lines but rather the long list of problems at the agency uncovered by a new audit.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Meghan/State microwave]

Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon joins us now from the State Capitol with the details.
Keith The D-M-V has received a lot of attention ever since the governor laid off 587 of its workers and closed 12 offices.
[LIVE=Meghan Full/ State Microwave]
[SUPER=@meghan1;]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Now, the agency is getting noticed for another reason. This report, due out tomorrow .
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[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST THERE WERE THE CLOSINGS]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=@Reynolds; :]
[SUPER=01-Del. Morgan Griffith/(R) Salem; :]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bob Marshall/(R) Manassas; :]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :]
[RUNS=:]
[OUT Q=AFFECTED BY IT.]
(( First, there were the closings and the layoffs.
Then came the long lines.
Now the state auditor says D-M-V is poorly managed, has cash-flow problems and is in need of more stringent fiscal controls.
[SOT 12:04:41]
[IN Q=THERE ARE SOME INHERENT]
((SENATOR ROSCOE REYNOLDS: THERE ARE SOME INHERENT PROBLEMS IN D-M-V THAT ARE COMING TO LIGHT.)) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=COMING TO LIGHT.]

In light of those problems, the governor has asked Secretary of Transportation Whitt Clement to clean up the agency.

And Warner will start requiring D-M-V officials to submit weekly reports detailing what corrective actions they are taking.
It is just one of the D-M-V issues the governor is dealing with.
For the fourth day in a row, House Republicans have taken to the floor to criticize the governor's D-M-V cuts and the long lines they created.
[SOT 02:41:32]
[IN Q=WHAT WAS GOING ON]
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[OUT Q=OTHER OPTIONS.]

[SOT 02:20:57]
[IN Q=BECAUSE YOU MAY BE STANDING THERE]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=STANDING THERE SO LONG.]

Warner says finding a way to fund public education and mental health services would be a better use of the legislature's time.
[SOT 13:28:49]
[IN Q=DMV IS IMPORTANT, YES BUT]
[RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=VAST MAJORITY OF VIRGINIANS.]

Republicans are making D-M-V closings a political issue.
Yet, even Democrats are having a difficult time defending Warner's cuts.
[SOT 12:05:26]
[IN Q=THERE'S NO WAY TO CLOSE]
((SENATOR ROSCOE REYNOLDS: THERE'S NO WAY TO CLOSE A D-M-V OFFICE WITHOUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF SCREAMING BY THOSE AFFECTED BY IT.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=AFFECTED BY IT.] ))
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[LIVE=Meghan Full/ STate Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

House Republicans say restoring D-M-V services is one of their priorities this session.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Meghan/]

They want the offices to reopen on Wednesday. they say to allow auto dealerships to handle a number of transactions.

[Harris]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC41:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Charges have been dropped against an Elliston woman accused of drugging her baby.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./August 27;]

Regina Harris was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance...in connection with her infant son's death.
Toby Robert Harris was six-days-old when he died last May. At the time the medical examiner's office believed it was a drug overdose.
But, the office has now changed the ruling of Toby's death from a HOMICIDE to undetermined.
Because of this, prosecutors say they will not proceed with the case, at least for now.
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[Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC51:18]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Burrow]
One month after the mis-trial of former D-Day Memorial President Richard Burrow, and we still don't know whether he'll be tried again.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/December 16, 2002]
A federal jury in Lynchburg ended up deadlocked, seven to five in favor of acquittal. That night, the U-S Attorney said he'd need a couple of weeks to decide whether to pursue the fraud charges against Burrow. Now, one month later John Brownley is still not saying. His First Assistant says no decision has been made, yet.
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[Stocks]

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

U-N inspections in Iraq and worries about earnings sent the market into a holding pattern. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/24.27/8698.91/y/14.44/1424.36;]

The DOW dropped 24 points.
NASDAQ lost 14 and a half.
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[VO]
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[Health-Insurance]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC1:01:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Businesses and employees alike are having a hard time dealing with rising health care costs.
Just this week, unionized employees at General Electric walked off the job over premiums and co-pays. Business Reporter Rachel Cannon takes a look at one local small business trying to cope.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=As a small]
[SUPER=01-Bart Wilner/Business Owner; :10]
[SUPER=@file; :33]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :46]
[SUPER=01-Carter Garrett/Benefits Consultant; 1:00]
[SUPER=@Rachel2; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke.]
(( As a small business owner, Bart Wilner makes decisions every day. One of the biggest is how to handle rising health care costs.
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[SOT 01:44:18]
[IN Qt= premiums]
((BART WILNER/BUSINESS OWNER; PREMIUMS CONTINUE TO GO UP THE COVERAGE GETS LESS AND NOW THE PREMIUMS ARE SO EXPENSIVE IT'S BECOMING A MAJOR, MAJOR, EXPENSE .))
[OUT Q=EXSPENSE]
His company, Entre Computer Center, is rare in that Wilner pays 1-hundred percent of cost for 10-employees, rather than a percentage. He says when he started the business it was important to him to provide good benefits, 20-years later, it's still important but a lot more costly.
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[SOT 01:48:41]
[IN Q=we pay]
((WE PAY APPROXIMATELY 40-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS IN ONE YEAR.))
[OUT Q=one year.]
As a benefits consultant, Carter Garrett works as a middle man between insurance companies and businesses like Wilner's. He says it's common for small ventures to see hikes of six to 27-percent each year.
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[SOT 02:03:52]
[IN Q=]
((CARTER GARRETT/BENEFITS CONSULTANT; THE ROANOKE AREA WE HAVE A LACK OF COMPETITION NOT AS MANY CARRIERS HAVE BEEN HERE AS WE HAD 5-YEARS AGO.))
[OUT Q=AGO]
Garrett says other reasons include high malpractice costs, utilization, lack of government payments and employees not getting a good education on their health care plan. Bart Wilner knows he can't avoid increases, but as a business owner he may have to make some changes.
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[SOT 01:45:15]
[IN Q=not paying]
((NOT PAYING 1-HUNDRED PERCENT OR REDUCING THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHICH MEANS THEY WOULD HAVE LESS BENEFITS.))
[OUT Q=BENEFITS.]
Or maybe both. Options to deal with the cost of health care. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - Rick Mast says he will not race this season and soon he and NASCAR will reveal what forced him to the sideline. Plus, Rick's good buddy the late Roy Stanley is honored in the state senate today.
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[VO-NAT]
And Steve Mason checks in from Durham with the Roanoke Rifle - JJ Redick.
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[S-Redick]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-135 39:46]
[GRAPHIC=J.J. Redick]

Former Cave Spring star J.J. Redick scored a third of Duke's 104 points last night as his number one ranked Blue Devils remained undefeated by downing Virginia in Durham. Steve Mason has more from Cameron Indoor Stadium.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-J. J. Redick/Set Duke Freshman Record With 34 Points.; :20]
[SUPER=01-Mike Krzyzewski/Duke Head Basketball Coach; :49]
[SUPER=01-Chris Duhon/Duke Point Guard; 1:01]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Johnny Dawkins/Duke Associate Head Coach; 1:25]
[SUPER=01-Travis Watson/26 Points, 5 Rebounds vs. Duke; 1:56]
[RUNS=2:16]
[OUT Q=.....news 7 sports"]
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[S-Mast]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-142 TC748]
[GRAPHIC=Rick Mast]

With Daytona just around the corner, Rick Mast knows that he won't be behind the wheel of a race car in the Great American Race, and in fact won't drive at all in the upcoming season.
For now, he's feeling better, and enjoying life at home.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rick Mast/Out of Racing Due to Medical Condition; :00]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=what the future holds."]
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[S-Roy]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-136]
[GRAPHIC=ROY OBIT]

Finally tonight, since his passing last April - our man Roy Stanley has been honored by everyone from the Virgnia HIgh School League to the Cave Spring girls softball league.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
Now, our comrade has made it to the big time. Today in the General Assembly, Senate Joint Resolution number 297 was introduced. Legislation honoring the late WDBJ-7 sportscaster.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Roy was..]
[SUPER=@Reynolds; :00]
[SUPER=@Armstrong; :10]
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