WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/22/03

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Several days of snow and now hours of rain bring creeks, streams and rivers out of their banks. Coming up on NEWS 7 at six... how flooding is closing roads and forcing hundreds of families from their homes.
(---------------)
[anchor=Teresa]
Plus, a long time Democrat announces his retirement.

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight in sports, the wet weather claims this afternoon's Busch race at the Rock, plus plenty of college hoops,

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

including ODAC tourney quarterfinal action from the Salem Civic Center.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent IN WXCENTER]
[SS=None]

Streams and rivers have had about all they can take. And the rain is not over just yet. We'll check out the river levels plus your forecast coming up. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Flooding sends creeks and streams out of their banks, and families fleeing from their homes throughout the viewing area.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[First-Wx]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[SS=NONE]
There's some good and some bad news in terms of the forecast. The rain is tapering off but high winds are expected to follow later tonight.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa/Brent WX CENTER]
Brent Watts is in the weather center this evening with an update on the forecast.
[ANCHOR=Brent]
WEATHER CENTER Position #1
[SKYTRACKER/FULL] WEATHER MAP [WEATHERPRO/FULL] River Levels Forecast
[DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa/Brent]

[Gen-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC-37:29]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
Many eyes are on the Roanoke River tonight. The river is already two feet above flood stage and it could go higher.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa / Justin Microwave;]

Justin McLeod joins us now live along Wiley Drive with more on conditions at this hour. Justin?
Teresa,
[LIVE=Justin/FULL]
[SUPER=@justin1; ]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke; ]
((ROLLCUE:...causing a headache for just about everyone.))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darless Catalan/Rockbridge Co. Resident; :17]
[SUPER=01-April Stiff/Roanoke Resident; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-John Spicer/SPCA; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=hope it doesn't.]
((((NAT SOUND OF WATER RAGING NEAR NATURAL BRIDGE ON ROUTE 608))
Route 608 near Natural Bridge could have used a bridge of its own Saturday. ((NAT SOUND OF WATER))
Flooding prompted V-Dot to close the road and residents to keep a close eye outside.
[SOT 13:13; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=We woke up]
((DARLESS CATALAN: WE WOKE UP AND KINDA HEARD RUSHING, YOU CAN KINDA SMELL THE RIVER SORT OF THE CREEK WHEN IT FLOODS AND WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND IT WAS WAY UP OVER THE BANK HERE.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=the bank here]
((NAT SOUND OF CARS DRIVING OVER HIGH WATER STREETS))
It wasn't as high but it was just as dangerous on many roads throughout Rockbridge County. ((NAT SOUND OF MOUNTAIN RUN OFF AT 3:16))
Much of the water came from run off that ran down mountainsides onto roadways like Route 501 in Glasgow. ((NAT SOUND OF WATER ON ROUTE 220 IN FRANKLIN COUNTY))
Even major roads like Route 220 saw considerable water, from this river behind several businesses in Boones Mill to this Exxon station near Hunting Hills.
The water was so intense on Orange Avenue in Roanoke it forced this man hole cover to pop up. ((NAT SOUND OF RAINING AT APRIL STIFF'S HOUSE))
And if it wasn't on the roads it was in someone's yards, front and back.
[SOT 10:01:11 TAPE 1]
[IN Q=I don't know]
((APRIL STIFF/ROANOKE RESIDENT: I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO GET SANDBAGS GO GET STRAW, AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT MYSELF AND MY NEIGHBORS ARE VERY CONCERNED.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=very concerned]
((QUICK NAT SOUND AT ANIMAL SHELTER ON TAPE 3))
They were also very concerned at the animal shelter on Eastern Avenue in Roanoke.
High water forced workers to move some animals to higher ground.
[SOT 3:24 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=If the river continues]
((JOHN SPICER/SPCA MANAGER: IF THE RIVER CONTINUES TO RISE UP ABOUT ANOTHER TWO FEET IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD HAVE TO TAKE THE ANIMALS OUT OF THE SHELTER.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=of the shelter]

Some near the Roanoke River chose to pack it in much earlier.
Several residents in this neighborhood in Southeast Roanoke spent the day packing up their belongings, all hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
[SOT 12:05; TAPE 3]
[IN Q=I'm hoping it]
((CHRISTY COLEMAN/ROANOKE RESIDENT: I'M HOPING IT DON'T COME OVER AND COVER OUR HOUSE, HOPE IT DOESN'T.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=hope it doesn't]))
[LIVE= Justin/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa/Justin Microwave;]

[River-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC-18:11]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]

Authorities are trying to rescue two people from the North Fork of the Roanoke River.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

Officials say they have been trapped in the water for a couple of hours.
One has a flotation device, the other does not.
Several area rescue squads and firefighters are involved in the rescue attempt off North Fork Road in the Ironto section of the county.
No idea yet how the two people ended up in the water.
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[Willow-River]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC-44:30]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]

The flooding forced the evacuation of hundreds of families at a Salem apartment complex.
300 units at Willow River Apartments had to be cleared out in just a few hours.
Marya Jones has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS Knocking, fire department]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alicia Ford/Resident;:19 ]
[SUPER=01-Jack Flurnoy/Resident; :34]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Eddie Hile/Salem Fire Department; :48]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Salem.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:03:23]
((NATS: FEMALE FIREFIGHTER: KNOCKING... FIRE DEPT. FIRE DEPT. ANYBODY HERE? ))
[RUNS= :04]

As flood waters rose alarmingly in the Willow River apartments, firefighters went door to door, clearing out residents.
Alicia Ford and her family live in a ground floor unit... and had only hours to move their belongings to safety.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:10:04]
((ALICIA FORD: WE JUST PUT EVERYTHING UP THAT'S IMPORTANT AND NOW WE'RE PUTTING THE FURNITURE UP. HOPEFULLY, IT WON'T HURT IT. ))
[RUNS= :06]

With a 4 o'clock deadline to get out of the complex and the water rising rapidly, residents were working fast to pack up cars, trunks and trailers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:06:05]
((JACK FLURNOY: WE LET PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE BOTTOM APARTMENTS TAKE THEIR STUFF AND PUT IT IN OUR APT, SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO MOVE EVERYTHING OUT OF HERE. ))
[RUNS= :08]

The complex faces a threat both from the river and from the drains that flow into it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:14:51]
((LT. EDDIE HILE/SALEM FIREFIGHTER: THAT DRAIN SYSTEM HAS NOW BACKED UP ... AND NOW OUR CONCERN IS IF THAT WATER DOES START COMING OVER THE BERM, THE COMPLEX WILL FILL UP RAPIDLY, JUST LIKE A BOWL. ))
[RUNS= :17]

Firefighters say at least two people elected to stay behind, even though the power was cut off for safety reasons.

Those who don't have friends and relatives to stay with are going to the Roanoke Civic Center.
But as they watch the river rise, all are hoping it will leave the homes they're having to abandon untouched.
Marya Jones, News 7, Salem.))

[Salem-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC-1:08:49]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]

Many mobile home owners in Salem were among the hardest hit by today's rain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

At the Salem Village Mobile Home Park the water was waist high in some locations. Residents were encouraged to evacuate their homes.
The mobile home manager says if we don't get any more hard rain, the water should recede in a few hours --but he says this is the worst flooding he's seen in awhile.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:56:58]
[IN Q=This is about as high as it's]
((THIS IS NO WHERE CLOSE TO WHAT HAPPENED IN 85, BUT THIS IS ABOUT AS HIGH AS IT'S BEEN SINCE 85. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE WATER HAS GOTTEN THIS FAR UP THE STREET SINCE THE FLOOD IN 85))
[SUPER=01-Mark Miller/Salem Village Mobile Home Park Mgr.]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=since the flood of 85]
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[VO-NAT]

Just down the way at Rameys mobile home park --the scene was much the same. Residents helped one another move vehicles from the path of the flooding and many who lived near the creek, left their homes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I just got everythinng out]
((I JUST GOT EVERYTHING OUT OF MY HOUSE MY IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND WHAT HAVE YOU. AND I'M JUST GOING TO GET OUT OF HERE AND LET IT DO WHAT IT'S GOT TO DO))
[SUPER=01-Andrew Atkins/Mobile Home Owner]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=what it's got to do]
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[VO-NAT]
If there is any good news, it's that this area is in a flood plain so the residents are required to have flood insurance.
(-------------)

[Shelter-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC-1:01:12]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for anyone flooded out of their home.
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[VO-NAT - :15+]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Evacuees can go to the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The Red Cross says anybody who feels like it is unsafe to stay in their homes are welcome. The Red Cross HAD set up shop at the Salem Civic Center, but all evacuees have been transferred to the Roanoke location.
(------------)

[NRV-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Teresa ]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC-12:00]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
Flooding in the New River Valley has caused problems for many folks, including police.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Teresa/Microwave;]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens joins us now to explain. Teresa, the flooding is so bad in the Shawsville and Elliston area, that police are warning folks they will be ticketed if they attempt to travel through the area.
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Now, that does NOT include people who are trying to get home or bring someone home. But, many of the roads have been closed because of the flooding and they just want to keep people safe. And that is what the picture has looked like all day today--staying safe and staying dry.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=in just a matter of days]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Randolph Altizer; 12]
[SUPER=01-Mary Early; :30]
[RUNS=:53]
[OUT Q=pumping it out]
((In just a matter of days, it's gone from this. [SNOW VIDEO] To this. [CARS THRU WATER]
[SOT 2:48][COVER PART OF BITE!!!!]
[RUNS 14] ((RANDOLPH ALTIZER: WELL I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET THE WATER TO RUN THROUGH THE DRAIN HERE SO IT WOULDN'T FLOOD OUR CHURCH BASEMENT AND HELP OUT A LITTLE BIT IN WHAT I COULD TO KEEP IT FROM FLOODING ACROSS ROUTE-8 AND MAYBE KEEPING SOMEONE FROM HYDROPLANING OR WRECKING. 3:02)) Up to two inches of rain fell across some parts of the New River Valley, washing out bridges and roads...and turning land into lakes.
[SOT 11:11]
[RUNS :05] ((MARY EARLY: WELL I LIVED NEXT TO LAKE MICHIGAN FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AND IT MAKES ME FEEL AT HOME 11:16)) For many, the heavy flooding also turned backyards into backyard swimming pools. And the mess wasn't just outside.
[SOT 7:52]
[RUNS 10] ((MY SON WENT AND GOT A GAS-POWERED PUMP AND THEY GOT ONE IN THE BASEMENT AND IT'S GOING OUT THAT WAY AND WE'RE JUST PUMPING IT OUT 8:02))))
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. We do want to remind folks again to avoid traveling in the Shawsville and Elliston area unless it's absolutely necessary,
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Teresa/Microwave;]
Police have closed several roads there, and they will ticket you if you try to get through them.

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

Still ahead on News 7 at 6, the General Assembly agrees on a budget for the state.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and after more than 20 years in the House of Delegates, one prominent democrat is calling it quits.
(----------------)

[Woodrum]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC-1:55:01]
[GRAPHIC=Woodrum]

Roanoke lawmaker Chip Woodrum is calling it quits after 24 years in the House of Delegates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The Democrat says he will not run for another term.
Woodrum says serving the people of the Roanoke Valley has been a wonderful experience.
But he says it is time for somebody else to shoulder the responsibility.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:19:57]
[IN Q=I WANTED TO LEAVE]
((DELEGATE CHIP WOODRUM/RETIRING FROM HOUSE: I WANTED TO LEAVE BEFORE I GOT TO THE POINT THAT PEOPLE SAID WELL, WHAT'S HE DOING DOWN THERE. YOU KNOW IT'S JUST TIME. TWENTY-FOUR YEARS IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME. YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE SHOULD BE DOWN HERE 35 YEARS, SOME PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE DOWN HERE AT ALL. TWENTY FOUR YEARS FEELS ABOUT RIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Chip Woodrum/Retiring from House]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=FOUR YEARS FEELS ABOUT RIGHT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Woodrum says he plans to enjoy himself and take it easy.
Governor Mark Warner says the lawmaker's retirement is a "great loss" to Western Virginia.
Woodrum is the second Roanoke area Democrat to announce his retirement this month.
Delegate Vic Thomas has also said he will not run again.
(------------)

[XGR]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC-1:37:50]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

The 2003 session of the General Assembly is now history.
Lawmakers completed their work and adjourned just a few hours ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Legislators approved the state's budget before departing Richmond.
But not before the floor debate got heated.
Democrats accused Republicans of crafting a financially-flawed budget.
And the majority party shot back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:40:08]
[IN Q=THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE]
((DELEGATE FRANK HALL/HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE WE FACED, WAS TO PUT OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER. MR. SPEAKER, IT APPEARS TO ME THAT WE NOT ONLY DID NOT SUCCEED BUT WE HAVE FAILED THAT TEST.)) ((DELEGATE VINCE CALLAHAN/HOUSE APPROPS CHAIRMAN: I AM ACTUALLY DISGUSTED WHEN I HEAR THIS KIND OF BLABBER COMING FROM THIS SIDE OF THE AISLE. DISTORTING WHAT WE DID. WE INHERITED A TWO BILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM HOLE FROM THE THIRD FLOOR AND WE FIXED IT. GIVE US SOME CREDIT FOR THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Frank Hall/(D) Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan; :18]
[RUNS=:36]
[OUT Q=some credit for that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lawmakers will return to the State Capitol on April 2nd for the veto session.
(------------)

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Coming up on the newscast Brent Watts will be along with your complete forecast.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we'll tell you how some Patrick County High School students are attending college for free.
(----------------)

[Averett]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC-1:34:31]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some Patrick County High School students are about to get a free ride to college.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape]

Averett University in partnership with the Patrick County Education Foundation will offer financial aid for ten Patrick County High School graduates per year.
The students will have 100-percent of their college costs paid for.
Averett plans to do this through grants and scholarships as well as through state and federal aid programs.
(------------)

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight in sports, it's a hoop lovers dream which includes ODAC Tournament highlights, where
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

both Roanoke and Randolph-Macon have advanced to the semifinals. Tonight, four more teams will try to do the same. Sports is on the way next.
(------------)

[S-Noke]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-148 TC150]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Salem Civic Center has been a busy place this week, first hosting the Blue Ridge District Tournament, and then giving way to the ODAC's post season party this afternoon. Four quarterfinal games were on tap including the Roanoke College Maroons taking on Guilford in the 4-5 game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Quakers vs. Maroons; :00]

Page Moir's team split the season series with the Quakers.
Early on, Roanoke's Drew Crowder spots up and nails the trifecta from the top of the key giving the Maroons an 18-9 cushion.
Guilford responded when Jevon Clarke slashed to the tin for the pretty finish with the left hand.
[SUPER=33-Guilford/69/Roanoke/91/;]
But Roanoke then ran some offense, working the rock to Nate Stewart. Stewart strokes the turnaround jumper and Roanoke moves on 91 to 69.
(------------)

[S-Macon]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-140 TC5434]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

In the opener, top seeded Randolph-Macon had little trouble taking care of Washington and Lee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Generals vs. Yellow Jackets; :00]

The Yellow Jackets led from the outset in this one.
Early on, Macon pushing it up to Patrick Gill. Gill gets the tough shot off the window and in.
Then later, Jim Silcox goes to work down low. He hits the soft baby hook and the Jackets led by 20.
[SUPER=33-Washington & Lee/53/Randolph-Macon/71/;]
W&L managed to score just 12 points in the first half. Phil Landes gets the friendly bounce from the iron, but Randolph Macon cruises into the semis by beating up on the Generals 71 to 53.
(------------)
[anchor=travis]
[graphic=odac]

Bridgewater and Hampden-Sydney are underway at this hour. Emory & Henry and Virginia Wesleyan will finish things off in the nightcap.

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]

The Virginia Tech men rallied to cut a 12 point deficit to just one in the second half today against Notre Dame, but the Irish pulled away down the stretch to win 98 to 76. Terry Taylor was the Hokies lone bright spot, scoring 27 points.
The Tech women didn't fare much better, losing at Villanova by a final of 71 to 61. Ieva Kublina led the way for the Hokies, scoring 23 points and snaring a career high 17 rebounds.

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=traiv]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-142 TC3622]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]

The Roanoke Dazzle welcomed the Huntsville Flight to the Civic Center hardwood this afternoon. Kent Davison's club was hoping to break a 2 game losing skid.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Flight vs. Dazzle; :00]

Roanoke native and former UVA star Curtis Staples suited up for the Flight today after being picked up by the club this week.
The Dazzle built on a 2 point halftime cushion when Mikki Moore took flight for the big jam. He scored 18 points and grabbed 12 boards.
Moore got some help from Cory Alexander who led the way with 25 points on the afternoon.
[SUPER=33-Huntsville/75/Roanoke/91/;]
Alexander went at it all day long with former Indiana standout, A-J Guyton who tallied 18 points for the Flight, but Roanoke pulled away to win 91 to 75.
(------------)

[S-Busch]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar]

Mother Nature has once again played games with Nascar. Rain, wind, and a tornado watch postponed this afternoon's Busch Series race at Rockingham. The wet stuff also wiped out both Winston Cup practices. The Busch drivers will now have to stick around and watch tomorrow's Subway 400 and then race Monday morning at 11am.