WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/30/03

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[WRITER=jen]
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[SUPER=219-Marya Jones/mjones*wdbj7.com; ]
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Coming up on News 7 Sunday Morning.......
As Virginia Tech celebrates a historic anniversary, many alumni speak out about the board's decision.
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[LIVE= Justin /FULL via Microwave]
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[ANCHOR=Marya]
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[WRITER=jen]
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Many of us are in fact waking up to what could be called a Sunday suprise. If you're having trouble believing it, you are not alone.
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Justin McLeod is one of them and joins us now live outside. Justin?
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[LIVE= Justin /FULL]
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[Affirmative-Action]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jen]
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[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
All eyes at Virginia Tech will be on the U-S Supreme Court this week.
It's scheduled to hear arguments in a case that could decide the future of affirmative action.
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Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors is expected to meet again soon to reconsider its recent decision barring consideration of race, gender and other factors in admissions and hiring. But the decision whether to keep the policy may not be completely up to the Board members.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday on a Michigan affirmative action case. It's not expected to hand down a ruling until summer. Virginia Tech is believed to be the ONLY institution in the country to alter its policy while the case is pending.
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[11Black-Alumni]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC-1:34:22]
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In the meantime, yesterday Virginia Tech celebrated the 50th anniversary of the school's first black student. Several hundred alumni returned for the festivities - but many of those honored are critical of the university's new policy. Justin McLeod has more.
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[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charlie Yates/Virginia Tech Alumnus; :13]
[SUPER=01-Irving Peddrew/Virginia Tech Alumnus; :35]
[SUPER=@justin1; :49]
[SUPER=01-Charles Steger/Virginia Tech President; 1:21]
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[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Blacksburg]
((((NAT SOUND OF CHOIR SINGING AROUND 51:17))
It is a day of celebration (QUICK NAT SOUND) one that seemed unthinkable fifty years ago.
[SOT 1:39:41]
[IN Q=It's good to be back]
((CHARLIE YATES/VIRGINA TECH ALUMNUS: IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK ON CAMPUS. I SPENT A LOT OF YEARS HERE ON THE CAMPUS SO IT IS INDEED LIKE COMING BACK HOME.))
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[OUT Q=coming back home]

It is a home that honored Charlie Yates Saturday afternoon for being the first black graduate from Virginia Tech.
The university also recognized Irving Peddrew for being the first black student. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF UNVEILING OF PLAQUE))
These two pioneers now have a residence hall named after them.
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[IN Q=This is all]
((IRVING PEDDREW/VIRGINIA TECH ALUMNUS: THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME AND I HAD EVEN RESERVATIONS ABOUT COMING HERE.))
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[OUT Q=about coming here]

Reservations because of the Board of Visitors recent decision to ban consideration of race during admissions.
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[IN Q=Public outcry from]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: PUBLIC OUTCRY FROM STUDENTS, FACULTY, ALUMNI AND EVEN THE GOVERNOR HAS PROMPTED THE BOARD OF VISITORS TO HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING NEXT SUNDAY. IT WILL MEET TO DISCUSS ITS RECENT DECISION BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION ON WHETHER THEY'LL ACTUALLY CHANGE THEIR MINDS.))
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[OUT Q=their minds]
((NAT SOUND OF WOMAN SAYING "WE REFUSE TO GO BACK TO THE POLICIES AND THE PRACTICES OF THE 1950'S AT 1:05:21))
Many black alumni used this occasion to speak out and protest against the board's recent decision.
Some even wore white buttons that said "we won't go back."
Virginia Tech's president says the university has no intention of doing so.
[SOT 1:38:24]
[IN Q=We actively recruit]
((CHARLES STEGER/VIRGINA TECH PRESIDENT: WE ACTIVELY RECRUIT THEM. WE WANT THEM TO FEEL WELCOME HERE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PLAY TO MAKE IN LIFE AS YOU GO FORWARD.))
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[OUT Q=you go forward]

But many black alumni fear the university is moving backward rather than forward.
[SOT 1:47:28]
[IN Q=I hope we can]
((IRVING PEDDREW/VIRGINIA TECH ALUMNUS: I HOPE THAT WE CAN CORRECT THAT, MAYBE RESCIND IT, OR MAYBE MODIFY IT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WON'T HAVE THE TREMENDOUS NEGATIVE EFFECT THAT I THINK IT WILL HAVE.))
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[OUT Q=it will have]

And for that reason, on this day as Tech celebrates its past many worry about its future.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Blacksburg. ))

[scores next][Health-Review]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=sun am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=502-03 tc 1:10:32]
[GRAPHIC=Health Review]

In health review,
Ten minutes is all it takes to find out your metabolism.
And health officials say it's time to start protecting yourself against the West Nile virus.
Joy Sutton has details.
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[SUPER=04-File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=03-Kathy Highfill/Environmental Health Specialist; :15]
[SUPER=01-Eliane Niemann/The Health Shelf; 1:05]
[SUPER=07-Sandra Wilson; 1:24]
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[503-06, 7:44] (( It's mosquito breeding time again--and that means the threat of the West Nile Virus. Mosquitos transfer the virus to humans and other animals. And Health officials say the virus is in the Roanoke area.
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[IN Q=As far as what we discovered]
((AS FAR AS WE DISCOVERED FROM LAST YEAR WE HAD ABOUT 36 POSITIVE BIRDS FROM THE AREA. WE HAD ABOUT 15 TO 20 POSITIVE MOSQUITO POOLS AND I POSITIVE PERSON WITH WEST NILE))
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That's why they are urging people to take precautions. Ways to reduce your exposure include wearing long, loose and light-colored clothing, using insect repellent, cleaning out birdbaths weekly, and eliminating any standing water around your home which could be a breeding ground.
[TAPE#=503-07 7:48]

In other health news, Want to find out how many calories you burn at rest or your resting metabolic rate? This device known as the body gem can tell you in less than 10 minutes.
Knowing that number can help you tailor a weight loss plan.
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[IN Q=You need to stay within the range of that]
((YOU NEED TO STAY WITHIN THE RANGE OF THAT BECAUSE IF YOU EAT AS LITTLE AS 250 CALORIES A DAY ABOVE YOUR BURN RATE WHICH IS EQUAL TO A SMALL FRY OR CANDY BAR. YOU WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL AT WEIGHT LOSS EITHER YOU'LL HOLD STEADY OR YOU'LL GAIN))
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[OUT Q=or you'll gain]

Sandra Wilson say this information has helped her drop two clothes sizes.
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[IN Q=I can have 1660 calories a day]
((I CAN HAVE 1660 CALORIES A DAY. I DO NOT EXERCISE A LOT. IF YOU DO EAT YOUR THREE MEALS A DAY YOU BURN THE CALORIES YOU DO. I LOSE WEIGHT BUT I HAVE LOST MORE INCHES THAN I HAVE POUNDS))
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[OUT Q =than I have pounds]

That's health review I'm Joy Sutton. ))
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[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Sun Am]
[WRITER=jen]
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[VO-NAT]
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Coming up on News 7 Sunday Morning......
Fans can drink more, but the Roanoke Civic Center has made limitations.
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[LIVE= Justin /FULL via Microwave]
[SUPER=@Justin1; ]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
((Justin ad lib headline))
[NO DOUBLE BOXES-STRAIGHT TO ANCHORS]

[2-shot toss to hello]

[11Civic-Beer]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-06 TC-53:50]
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The Roanoke Civic Center says it has policies in place to ensure additional alcohol sales don't lead to more problems.
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Currently, anyone who wants to buy a beer at a Civic Center event must first go to an I-D station to get a wristband.
Concession stand workers then mark the wristband each time someone buys alcohol.
Fans can only buy one beer at a time with a limit of three for the entire event.
Workers also go through several hours of alcohol awareness classes.
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[SOT 1:14:10]
[IN Q=There are certain]
((ROBYN SCHON/CIVIC CENTER SPOKESPERSON: THERE ARE CERTAIN RULES THAT ARE REQUIRED AS FAR AS SELLING ALCOHOL IN A FACILITY OR A VENUE AND WE TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER. WE ARE VERY CONSCIENTIOUS ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF SELLING ALCOHOL.))
[SUPER=01-Robyn Schon/Civic Center Spokesperson]
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[OUT Q=selling alcohol]
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[VO-NAT]

An A-B-C hearing officer ruled last week that a license for more beer and wine sales should be granted to the Civic Center.
A group of ministers plans to appeal that decision.
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[11Mike-Wray]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC-54:18]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2003]

A Roanoke County man who works for Norfolk Southern hopes he is on the right track to become the county's next supervisor.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Michael Wray yesterday announced his candidacy for the Board seat in the Cave Spring district.
He hopes to replace retiring supervisor Fuzzy Minnix who currently serves the area.
Wray plans to make education, economic development, and regional cooperation the focus of his campaign.
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[SOT :38]
[IN Q=I feel like I can]
((MICHAEL WRAY/(R) BOARD OF SUPERVISOR CANDIDATE: I FEEL LIKE I CAN HELP THE PEOPLE IN THE CAVE SPRING AREA AND ROANOKE COUNTY. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN COUNTY ISSUES, SCHOOL ISSUES, COMMUNITY ISSUES WITH THE CITIZENS AND I FEEL LIKE I CAN BE THE LIAISON FOR THE CAVE SPRING SEAT.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Wray/(R) Board of Supervisor Candidate]
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[OUT Q=Cave Spring seat]
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[VO-NAT]

Republicans will choose their nominee in a mass meeting May 31st.
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[anchor=Marya]
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Businessman Mark Harrell plans to announce his candidacy for the seat on Wednesday. [toss to wx]

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Sun AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[SS=None]
[BOTH MICS HOT] When time took its toll on one Lynchburg landmark, one woman decided to take on time.
[ANCHOR=Brent]
Coming up -
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[VO-NAT]
We'll introduce you to a lady who's dedicated years to giving a final resting place a little serenity..
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[LOTTO] [BREAK]

[Profile-Open]

[ANCHOR=Brent]
[NEWSCAST=Sun-AM]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=Va. Profile]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Profile wx monitor]

It's not everyone who enjoys spending most of their time with dead people, but then most people are not like Lynchburg's Laura Munson.
Munson has spent the past five years almost single-handedly restoring a cemetery that served as the final resting place for some of the city's most prominent black residents.
Steve Smallshaw tells us more about her efforts in this week's "Virginia Profile".

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[VA-Profile]

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[IN Q=Laura Munson]
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[SUPER=01-Laura Munson/White Rock Cemetery; :08]
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(( Laura Munson first discovered White Rock cemetery five years ago.. about twenty-five years after most others had forgotten it.
[SOT 21:08:10]
((LAURA MUNSON/WHITE ROCK CEMETERY: AND I THOUGHT THIS IS JUST THE MOST WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S ALMOST NO WRITTEN HISTORY AND IT WOULD BE LOST AND I SAID 'YUP, I CAN DO THIS'.))
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[OUT Q=can do this.]

That simple declaration turned into thousands of hours of work.
[natsot raking 21:06:15]
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On any given day, Munson can be found here raking, weeding, hauling and restoring.
Her efforts have transformed acres of thick brush into a lush, rolling landscape.. dotted with the graves of a forgotten black population.
[SOT 21:12:05]
((MUNSON: IT IS THE MOST SPIRITUAL THING I'VE EVER DONE. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A RELIGIOUS PERSON, NEVER SPIRITUAL REALLY, BUT IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL, SPIRITUAL THING REALLY. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INTERESTED, THE FAMILIES, THE THINGS THAT I'VE UNCOVERED, THE HEADSTONES I UNCOVER.. AND I KNOW THAT IT HAS TO BE DONE FOR THE DIGNITY OF THE FAMILIES HERE.))
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[OUT Q=the families here.]

Each day brings a new discovery..
[natsot 21:17:57]
((THAT'S A CEMENT.. THAT'S A POURED CEMENT STONE.. I'VE FOUND THREE OF THEM OUT HERE..))
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..and a new challenge.
[SOT 21:08:30]
((MUNSON: THERE ARE DAYS WHEN I'VE SAID 'I CAN'T DO THIS, BUT THEN SOMEONE WONDERFUL COMES ALONG AND HELPS AND WE'RE ALMOST FINISHED.))
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[OUT Q=almost finished.]
[Standup 21:32:37] ((Even after almost five years of constant work there's more to be done. Munson figures they have another acre left of this heavy overgrowth that needs to be cleared out, so that headstones like this which toppled over years ago, can be restored.))
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[OUT Q=can be restored.]
[SOT 21:13:50]
((MUNSON: IT WILL GIVE THE FAMILIES, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME FROM NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT, BALTIMORE, ALL OVER TO LOOK UP THEIR FAMILIES AND IT JUST GIVES EVERYBODY A SENSE OF BELONGING.))
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[OUT Q=sense of belonging.]
[natsot State/City 7:41:27 clapping]
[RUNS= 02]

Last month, Munson was recognized for her work with a well-deserved Mayor's Achievement Award.
But she prefers the silent thanks the inhabitants of White Rock give her.. on a quiet, sunny hillside in early Spr Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. )) ing.