WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/19/03

[1-News-Head]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Opening doors to new business and closing deals in a hurry. The Governor makes dual announcements in the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And the higher cost of higher education in Virginia.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight - school is still out but the Blue Ridge district games are on - highlights from this afternoon's session - plus if you have an extra $15 thousand laying around you can own Earnhardt.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and the Virginia General Assembly honors Redskins' great Darrell Green by naming a street in his honor in Northern Virginia.
(------------)

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

More clouds than sun but temperatures in the 40s helped clear the way for some. Lots of rain in this forecast. Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 19:36:17]
[IN Q=THIS ANNOUNCEMENT]
((THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE CITY COMBINED WITH THE 350 NEW JOBS IN THE COUNTY MEAN IT'S A BANNER DAY FOR THE WHOLE VALLEY.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=THE WHOLE VALLEY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith2-Shot]
Roanoke and Roanoke County share the Governor's attention today.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
He makes two stops in the Valley to announce hundreds of new jobs.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Keith Humphry.

[SOL-Delay]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

This winter's snow days could mean a delay for some of the Standards of Learning tests.
State officials are considering pushing back the writing portion of the SOL's because so many schools have missed so much instructional time.
The writing test was originally scheduled for March 3rd through the 5th.
A State Department of Education spokesman says officials may postpone the test until March 13th, or later.
The department expects to make a final decision by the end of the week.
Other S-O-L's are not scheduled until later this spring.

[City-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC1:43:45]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Along with snow days, expenses have been piling up this winter.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The city of Roanoke budgeted more than 200- thousand dollars for snow removal, but frequent storms have taken their toll.
City officials said they will need another 250- thousand dollars to replenish chemicals and pay overtime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In fact, this time last year]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: IN FACT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY BOUGHT AN EXCESS SALT SUPPLY. SO WE WERE IN GOOD STEAD FOR THE SNOWS THAT WE HAVE HAD, BUT HAVING VERY QUICKLY GONE TO THE FARMER'S ALMANAC AFTER READING HOW GOOD A PREDICTOR IT WAS FOR LAST WEEKEND'S SNOW, I DON'T THINK WE'RE OVER IT YET.))
[SUPER=@Burcham]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=don't think we're over it yet.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

City Council approved the funding, and praised employees who have worked long shifts during recent storms to clear city streets.
(------------)

[XGR]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC30:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

State lawmakers voted today to place further restrictions on minors who want abortions.
And, for some Virginians, the cost of a college education just got higher.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan/State microwave]

Meghan Muldoon has been following these stories in Richmond.
She joins us now from the State Capitol.
[LIVE=Meghan Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=@meghan1;]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

SHannon Lawmakers have only three more days to complete their work.
The session is winding down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=SUPPORTERS SAY THEY ARE NOT SURPRISED]
[SUPER=01-Del. Dick Black/(R) Sterling; :00]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; 28]
[SUPER=@Edwards; 1:01]
[SUPER=@Putney; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=INTO THE AREA AND INTO THE STATE.]
(( [SOT 16:09:19]
[IN Q=IT REFLECTS A MAJOR SHIFT]
[RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=EVER ENVISIONED.]

Supporters say they are not surprised that both chambers have approved a bill that requires girls 17 and under to obtain a parent's consent before getting an abortion.
They say it will help reduce the number of abortions performed in the state.
Governor Mark Warner has threatened to veto it.
[SOT 16:10:55]
[IN Q=IT'S JUST SAYING LET'S PUT THAT]
[RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=DECISION LIKE THIS.]

The Senate also agreed not to give illegal aliens the benefit of in-state tuition.
But opponents say the legislation places a huge burden on Virginia's colleges and universities.
[SOT 05:58:56]
[IN Q=THIS WOULD TURN]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=SUPPOSED TO DO.]

Lawmakers are scheduled to adjourn on Saturday.
First they must agree on a budget.
Negotiations have stalled on whether to give one-point-two-six million dollars to the Lexington Horse Center to cover its debts.
Budget conferee Delegate Lacey Putney says the state has an obligation to pony up the money.
[SOT 16:16:34]
[IN Q=IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT OF JOBS]
[RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=AND INTO THE STATE.]))
(--------------)
[LIVE=Meghan Full/State microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Lawmakers have extended their budget deadline to midnight tonight.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan/State microwave]

Delegate Putney

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

They know who he is, but cops have no idea how he fell from a bridge or even why he was in the area.
More on this mystery next on News 7.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus, the workout's almost over for good at one area fitness center.
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[Bedford-Fall]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC1:49:45]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

There are still many unanswered questions about a teenager who fell from a bridge in Bedford yesterday.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Authorities say the 16-year-old boy suffered head injuries when he fell from the bridge where Route 460 crosses Blue Ridge Avenue.
Police won't release his name, but say he's from Williamsburg and that his parents had no idea why he was in the Bedford area.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:10:36]
[IN Q=I think they]
((MILTON GRAHAM/BEDFORD POLICE CHIEF: I THINK THEY WERE VERY SURPRISED THAT HE WAS UP HERE. HE HAD, ACCORDING TO THEM, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPENDING THE NIGHT OR THE NIGHT BEFORE LAST WITH A BROTHER WHO LIVES IN THE NORFOLK AREA.))
[SUPER=01-Milton Graham/Bedford Police Chief]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=the Norfolk area.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The teenager remains hospitalized in Roanoke.
Police recovered his car near Montvale late this afternoon.
They're asking anyone who may have seen what happened to call the Bedford police department.
(------------)

[Easter]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC04:55]
[GRAPHIC=Melvin Easter]
Three decades ago an armed man invaded a Carroll County home- -intent on robbery and murder. Though still serving time for that crime, Melvin Easter has continued to advocate similar schemes FROM PRISON.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Bob Leonard almost became Easter's victim 28 years ago. His mother and grandfather were killed instead. Sixteen-year old Bob got the drop on Easter, shot him and got away. He has spent the last 14 years trying to keep Easter from being paroled.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:44:10]
[IN Q=It's his twisted]
((BOB LEONARD/VICTIM: IT'S HIS TWISTED MIND. HE BLAMES ME FOR KEEPING HIM IN PRISON. THAT'S THE REASON IN HIS MIND THAT HE'S PULLING TIME, BECAUSE I'VE KEPT HIM THERE, NOT FOR HIS CRIME THAT HE COMMITTED.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Leonard/Victim]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=he committed.]
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[ * * * Keith on ENG * * * ]
Easter sent a map to a newly released inmate, describing how the ex-con could find Leonard's apple orchard and cattle farm, asking Edward Dehart, Junior, to rob Leonard and "beat the living hell out of" him. "A couple shots in the knee caps would be nice..." Easter wrote.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:46:20]
[IN Q=Very detailed]
((BOB LEONARD/VICTIM: VERY DETAILED. Keith Humphry: News 7: It must be chilling to take a look at that. BOB LEONARD/VICTIM: YEAH. MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT THESE GUYS BEHIND PRISON BARS, THEY STILL HAVE ACCESS TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN THE REAL WORLD.))
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=the real world.]
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]
Easter pled guilty to three charges today that could cost him up to ten years in prison on each count. Leonard intends to testify when Easter is sentenced.

[Conner]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC43:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The former supervisor of the Blacksburg Community Center was convicted today of sexual charges involving young boys.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
Phillip Conner pled guilty to 23-charges of carnal knowledge, taking indecent liberties and aggravated sexual battery.
Prosecutors say the 41-year-old admitted to sexually abusing six boys over a 13-year period. Until today, Conner was free on a five-thousand dollar bond. A judge will determine next week if he should remain in jail until sentencing which is scheduled for April.
(------------)

[Wilson]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC2:03:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An 18-year-old faces life in prison for taking part in the murder of a Martinsville track star.
A judge found Christopher Wilson guilty of first degree murder
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
in the shooting death of 19-year-old Delvin Hairston.
Hairston was gunned down after leading the Martinsville High School track team to victory against Laurel Park last May.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/May 2002;]

20-year-old Curtis Robertson Junior is already serving an 18-year prison sentence for SECOND degree murder in the case.
Three others teenagers are awaiting trial on first degree murder charges.
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[Henry-PSA]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC55:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The embezzlement of more than 800-thousand dollars from Henry County's Public Service Authority was the work of one thief.
That's the finding of an independent auditor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./July;]

A Maryland accounting firm concluded that former county administrator Sid Clower acted alone.
But it adds some P-S-A employees made the fraud easier by turning a blind eye.
Clower is serving a 15-month sentence.
He'll be eligible for release in August.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The accounting firm recommends a long list of changes, including tighter controls on P-S-A money and thorough employee background checks.

[Stocks]

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

Profit-taking put an end to Wall Street's two-day rally. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/40.55/8000.60/y/12.22/1334.32;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW dropped 40 and a half points.
NASDAQ lost 12.
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[VO]
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[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Carilion-Wellness]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:28:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Memberships will soon expire at a fitness center in Radford.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
The Carilion Radford Wellness and Fitness Center says it will close its doors April 30th. Officials say the center began losing business after the city built a new parks and recreation center, which offers many of the same services for free. Although Carilion is a non-profit organization, officials say some its subsidiaries are NOT.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:58:44]
[IN Q=We would like]
((BUD GREY/CARILION V. P. FOR WELLNESS & FITNESS; WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE JUST COULDN'T CONTINUE THE WAY WE WERE OPERATING.))
[SUPER=01-Bud Grey/Carilion V. P. for Wellness & Fitness;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=the way we were operating.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
About five full-time and 40-part time employees will lose their jobs. Grey says the facility will donate most of its equipment to the parks and recreation center. The fitness center has been in business for 16-years.
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[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SPORTS TEASE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Tonight on theBig 7 - Darrell Green is honored in the Virginia General Assembly. Fleming and Blacksburg are battling at the Salem Civic Center at this hour.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, top seeded Alleghany and Montel Watson barely survive the first round of the Blue Ridge tournament with a 2 point win.
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[S-Alleghany]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-141]
[GRAPHIC=Blue Ridge District]

The Blue Ridge District boys basketball tournament tipped off this afternoon at the Salem Civic Center.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Mountaineers vs. Spartans; :00]

Alleghany won a coin toss with Blacksburg for the tournaments top seed and would battle Salem in todays opener.
Watch Alleghany all state star Montell Watson drive to the basket, make the Salem defender commit and then dish to Josh Carter who scores.
The Spartans would hardly lay down for for the Mountaineers. Ben Motley makes the pass to A.J. Dowell, he spots up and hits the short jumper for Salem.
[SUPER=33-Salem/61/Alleghany/63;]Alleghany's Chance Dobbs saves the rock, gives to Randall Allen, who dishes back to
Dobbs and he buries the trey from the corner.
Jeremy Haskins then drives and scores for the Spartans and Salem nearly pulls off the upset, but falls short, losing to Alleghany 63-61.
(------------)

[S-Fleming]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-143 3105tc]
[GRAPHIC=blue ridge]

The Blacksburg Indians lost the coin toss - and that meant they had to deal with dangerous William Fleming in their opener.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Indians vs. Colonels; :00]
Doug Day's team won the upper division of the Blue Ridge and is already in the regionals. But this afternoon - the Indians wanted to roll - Jarhon Giddings with the steal the pass ahead to Cory Price and then the return pass for a layin as the Indians are rolling. But Fleming had some quality wins this year and with the spin move - the Colonels' lone senior Marcus Brower gets the hoop to drop for Rick Hall's team.
[super=33-William Fleming/43/Blacksburg/54;]
But Giddings was too much on the inside as he turn the entry pass into another hoops and Blacksburg beats Fleming 54 to 43.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=blue ridge]
Tonight at 6:30 - Northside takes on William Byrd and at 8:15 this evening - Cave Spring battles Pulaski County.

[S-Green]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-146 3351tc]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]

One of only two Redskins to ever have his number retired, was in Richmond today picking up some more honors at the General Assembly.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
Darrell Green, who proudly wore the burgundy and gold for 20 years was recognized today in both the house and senate.
Green was honored for his years with the Redskins - but mostly he was honored for his work with the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. The assembly named a stretch of Route 28 in Loudoun County Darrell Green Boulevard this afternoon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=YOU CAN'T RELATE...]
[SUPER=01-Darrell Green/20 Years with the Redskins; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...SERVING OTHERS."]
(--------)
[VO NAT CON'T] Green spent some time talking to the pages and urging them to set goals for themselves - he also had to honor a request by lieutenant governor Tim Kaine.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=and now....]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=CALPPING FADES."]

(---------)[S-Hargrave]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-140 5229TC]
[GRAPHIC=NATIONA SIGNING DAY]

National signing day for high school football players was two weeks ago today. At that time - Hargrave Military sent an amazing 45 players to either division one or division one double a schools on scholarships.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/Last Season; :00]
Today Robert Prunty's program added another D-one scholarship to the list. Keith Saunders, wearing number 88, a six-four 235 pounder signed today with Alabama. Saunders can play defensive end of tight end. He originally was recruiting by North Carolina.
(------------)

[S-Pulaski]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-142 3331tc]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[WIPE TO ENG#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Friday Football Extra; :00]
In one other football note - Jack Turner is the new head coach at Pulaski County high school. Turner played at Pulaski, later at Ferrum, and he has been an assistant at Franklin County and under Joel Hicks at his alma mater. The shows he must fill aren't big - they are enormous.
(------------)

[S-Dale]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-139 5249tc]
[GRAPHIC=DALE OBIT]

And finally tonight, the two year anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death is being marked in a rather unusual way by one North Carolina man.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Nick Rosseter, a renowned craftsman from the Tarheel state, has put one of his prized works on ebay. It's a six-foot one inch 450 pound statue of Dale Earnhardt. Rosseter began carving out a slab of oak the day Earnhardt died. Most of his work is done with a chain saw. (------------) If you would like to own the life-like wooden statue - the current bid is at $15 thousand dollars.