WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 04/16/03

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Authorities said it was murder-for-hire. The jury said they failed to prove it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And an ambitious plan to refurbish empty buildings on the grounds of the state capitol.
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[Sports-head]

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

Tonight in sports, changes are on the way for the Winston, VMI gets ready for the Big South, and
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[VO-NAT]

the Hokies and Hoos battle on the baseball diamond.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Back to regular spring weather tomorrow with 60s and showers in the mix. Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT - 14:51]
[IN Q=And I know...]
((GRACIE DEVINS/VICTIM'S MOTHER; AND I KNOW THE LORD IS WITH THIS FAMILY BECAUSE I COULDN'T HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR WITHOUT THE LORD. ))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=without the lord.]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
A second emotional trial... This time, a verdict is reached in an alleged murder for hire scheme.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Billy Ray Manns is found NOT guilty on all charges.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Manns]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC2:47:28]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
After hearing nearly two days of testimony, a Martinsville jury needed just two hours to decide the prosecution had NOT proven its case.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
19 year old Billy Ray Manns was acquitted on all charges associated with the September 2000 murder of Lisa Nicole Muhammad.
Richard Lesko has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joan Ziglar/Commonwealth's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/September 2001; :20 ]
[SUPER=01-Gracie Devins/Victim's Mother; :40]
[SUPER=01-Steve Mahar-Milani/Defense Attorney; 1:09]
[SUPER=@Richard2;1:22]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville]
(((//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 15:37]
[INQ=Now that the trial...]
((JOAN ZIGLAR/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY; NOW THAT THE TRIAL IS CONCLUDED I WILL TELL ANYONE BILLY MANNS HAS MADE IT CLEAR, WITH NO QUESTION THAT HE PULLED THE TRIGGER ON LISA THOMAS. HE IS THE KILLER, AND HE DID IT BECAUSE HE WAS HIRED TO DO IT.)) [RUNS14]
[OUTQ=he was hired to do it.]
Lisa Nicole Muhammad was shot to death in September of 2000 at DeMarco's Clothing, a store she owned with her husband, Maverick. The state argued it was murder for hire, and Maverick Muhammad had hired Billy Ray Manns to shoot his wife. The case against Manns first went to trial last October, but the jury deadlocked. This time the jury needed just two hours to come up with a NOT guilty verdict.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 13:30]
[INQ=I don't think justice...]
((GRACIE DEVINS/VICTIM'S MOTHER; I DON'T THINK JUSTICE WAS SERVED, CAUSE I THINK IT'S SO SAD FOR MY CHILD TO BE SHOT LIKE SHE WAS SO MANY TIMES, AND NOTHING BE DONE ABOUT IT.)) [RUNS17]
[OUTQ=nothing be done about it.]
During the trial several witnesses testified that Manns told them he did the shooting, and was going to get paid for it. But Defense attorneys say the physical evidence just didn't add up.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - :08:28]
[INQ=]
((STEVE MAHAR-MILANI/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY DIDN'T PROVE THE CASE. AND IT'S THE COMMONWEALTH'S DUTY TO SEEK THE ENDS OF JUSTICE )) [RUNS7]
[OUTQ=]
[butt butt butt]
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 8:44]
[INQ=I just felt...]
((STEVE MAHAR-MILANI/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; I JUST FELT LIKE WITH THE EVIDENCE THEY PUT ON, THAT A FINDING OF NOT GUILTY IS PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE. )) [RUNS8]
[OUTQ=perfectly legitimate.]
Prosecutors would not comment on whether the state will seek charges against Muhammad. Richard Lesko, News 7, Martinsville. ))

[Hunter-Death]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The death of a turkey hunter in Rockbridge County has prompted a reward fund and a plea for more information.
44- year- old David Stack of Maryland was hunting between South Buffalo Road and Bluegrass Trail on Saturday when he was shot in the back. His body was found Sunday morning.
Today, state game officials announced a one thousand dollar reward from the National Wild Turkey Federation for information leading to an arrest. They say this is the first Virginia hunting fatility since 1990, in which the shooter remains unknown.

[Liberty-Arson]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC1:25:56]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A Liberty University student is being held without bond after police linked him to a string of arson fires on campus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The fires, six in all, were set over a three-day period last week.
Most were minor, but one blaze on April 8th caused about two thousand dollars damage to the school's library.
18-year-old Christopher L. Lee, a freshman from New Jersey, was arrested after investigators talked with him at the scene of the latest fire.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:04:08]
[IN Q=Throught the course]
((DOUG DEJARNETTE/LYNCHBURG FIRE MARSHAL: THROUGH THE COURSE OF OUR INTERVIEWS WITH THE SUSPECT AND BASED ON PHYSICAL EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE NOW, WE BELIEVE THAT HE IS IN FACT INVOLVED.))
[SUPER=01-Doug DeJarnette/Lynchburg Fire Marshal]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=he is in fact involved.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

So far Lee has been charged with just one count of arson.
Authorities say they are not aware of a motive for the crime.
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[Bradley]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Jennifer Short]

A Martinsville man is charged with giving false information to investigators in the murders of Jennifer Short and her parents.
The Henry County Sheriff's Department says it spent a day pursuing a fake tip from 21-year-old James Maurice Bradley.
Investigators declined to say what the tip was.
Bradley is charged with a misdemeanor that carries a fine of one-thousand dollars and up to 12 months in jail.

[Route-11]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-11 TC32:14]
[GRAPHIC=none]

"It's amazing no one was killed."
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
That's what witnesses of a rock slide in Botetourt County say about the mess on Route-11. V-DOT is finishing the clean up of slate rock, dirt and trees from a collapsed bluff. Part of the highway just North of Read Mountain Road has been closed to traffic since around 3:P-M. Officials believe excessive moisture caused the debris to fall. Witnesses say no drivers were on the busy road at the time of the collapse. V-DOT will apply soil sealant to the area tomorrow to avoid further slides.
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[Lake-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC1:34:39]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
It was an elderly friend of Sherm and Kelli Ann Dellis who was the third victim in that fatal accident near Smith Mountain Lake yesterday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]
Kelli Ann Dellis was taking Dillard Lee Grubb to the doctor, when Cleve Watkins crossed the center line in his pick-up truck and struck her Blazer head on. State Police Sergeant Ken Keesee says gouges in the roadway connect Watkins' truck to the on-coming lane of travel. Sgt Keesee says his experience tells him it was Watkins who crossed the line. Grubb was a passenger in the Dellis S-U-V. While he did not live with Dellises, the 88-year old Huddleston man spent a lot of time at Sherm's Boat Shop.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Just in time for Virginia's big anniversary, the state's capitol is getting a big overhaul.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

More on that when News 7 at Six returns.
(XXXXXXXX)
[LIVE=Justin Full/Microwave]
(Justin Adlibs Live Tease)
[SUPER=@justin1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
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[Def-Beast]
[NEWSCAST=6 Pm]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC23:46]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Rock-N-Roll goes head to head with Broadway tonight in Roanoke.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Thousands are expected to attend two separate events at the Civic Center.
And that could lead a traffic mess.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Justin /Microwave;]

Justin McLeod is here to tell us all about it. Justin?
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@justin1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
(adlib)
((ROLLCUE:may be out on the roads.))
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Robyn Schon/Roanoke Civic Center; :33]
[RUNS=:44]
[OUT Q=for convenince.]
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[LIVE= Justin /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Justin /Microwave;]

[Pilot-Flag]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-06 TC1:21:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Virginia's flag will be added to a National Memorial Honoring the Wright Brothers this weekend.
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[VO-NAT :20]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]
Michael Davis of Danville was chosen by the Experimental Aircraft Association and the National Park Service to participate in an event commemorating the centennial anniversary of the duo's first flight. The pilot will take the Commonwealth's flag with him this Saturday when he flies to North Carolina is his rebuilt 1939 Piper J-3 Cub.
(///// SOT at :20 /////)
[IN Q=It had, um, got caught in ...]
[OUT Q=torn up and was rebuilt.]
[BUTT BUTT BUTT]
[SOT 1:37:07-1:37:15]
[IN Q=And then the plane was flown...]
((MICHAEL DAVIS/PILOT; AND THEN THE PLANE WAS FLOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND UNDED UP BEING IN ANOTHER CRASH AND SOMEBODY PUT IT IN A BARN AND JUST FORGOT ABOUT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Davis/Pilot;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=and just forgot about it.]
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

The "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" program will go on until December 17th, the one hundredth anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight. On that date, festivities will include a flight by an exact reproduction of the Wright flyer.

[State-Capitol]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC1:24:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's old and has mold... that's what officials are saying about Virginia's Capitol building.
But help for the Thomas Jefferson-designed structure is on the way
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Governor Mark Warner today signed into law a bill to authorize the sale of bonds to pay for repairs to the Capitol and the vacant buildings nearby.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1::]
[IN Q=THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BUILDINGS]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BUILDINGS SITTING ON CAPITOL SQUARE EMPTY AND WE'RE OFF RENTING BUILDINGS IN THE OTHER PART OF THE CITY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT USING OUR EXISTING BUILDINGS DOESN'T MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE.)) ((SENATOR BO TRUMBO: A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PROBLEMS NOW AREN'T VISIBLE, LIKE THE WATER, THE SEWER, THE FOUNDATIONS, THE DOME ITSELF INSIDE. THERE ARE A LOT OF ARCHITECTURAL PROBLEMS. SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TRY TO RECONSTRUCT IT AS JEFFERSON WOULD HAVE.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :05]
[SUPER=@Trumbo; :10]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=AS JEFFERSON WOULD HAVE.]
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[VO-NAT]

The 118-million dollar project is expected to be completed by 2007, in time for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.
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[Stocks]

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

The urge to take profits was stronger than the excitement of some better than expected earnings. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/144.75/8257.61/y/3.71/1394.72;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW dropped 145 points.
NASDAQ lost four.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/1.01/46.84/i/0.75/31.70/h/0.11/24.82/i/3.04/64.74/i/0.69/71.99;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.14/7.93/i/0.17/5.85/h/0.45/58.41/i/0.73/40.02/i/0.47/27.83;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.01/4.89/i/1.05/27.85/i/0.61/13.69/i/0.07/19.71/h/0.02/4.90;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.12/7.42/i/1.01/55.57/i/1.21/33.33/i/0.37/36.22/i/0.75/54.54;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Burnt-Chimney]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC1:04:45]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

It's lights, camera, action at Booker T. Washington National Monument this week.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But all the action is being provided by a group of fourth graders.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

As Marya Jones reports, Burnt Chimney Elementary School is re-creating history at the park for people who CAN'T visit it themselves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=These stones]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :07]
[SUPER=01-Terri Robertson/Assistant Principal; :52]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:15 QUICK;]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Franklin County.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:43:29]
((NATS GIRL: THESE STONES MARK WHERE THE BURROWS HOUSE USED TO BE. IT BURNED TO THE GROUND IN 1950.)) [RUNS:04]
It's not just any day at the park for these Burnt Chimney fourth graders.
They're re-creating history for a video about Booker T. Washington and the Franklin County farm where he was born a slave.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37:36]
((NATS ADDISON: ALMOST EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE WAS DEVOTED TO SOME KIND OF LABOR. )) [RUNS:04]
Addison Poindexter is one of several fourth graders tackling the title role.
Telecommunications students from Franklin County High School are shooting and editing the kids' performances.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:53:24]
((NATS: BELL.)) [RUNS:03]
In a two-day shoot, the kids are creating a virtual tour of the park for its website, as well as a video and C-D ROM for those who CAN'T tour it themselves.
Their school won a 25-thousand-dollar grant from the state that will pay for the video and buy them classroom computers, software and digital cameras ... and, perhaps, something more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:51:56]
((TERRI ROBERTSON/ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: THE CONFIDENCE, THE SELF ESTEEM, THEY'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS PROJECT AND I THINK IT'S HELPED THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE PROUD OF ONE'S COMMUNITY. )) [RUNS:13]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:46:50]
((NATS TAYLOR: INDEED, THE CABIN WAS COLD IN THE WINTERTIME. THERE WERE NO GLASS WINDOWS, NO HARDWOOD FLOORS AND NO BEDS.)) [RUNS:06]
The kids have hardly even noticed they've been learning history, oral and written communication skills and preparing for the SOLs.
For them, it's been mostly about one thing...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37:59]
((ADDISON POINDEXTER/4TH GRADER: I WANT TO SEE MYSELF ON THE TV.)) [RUNS:02]
And when the website goes up on May 12th, they will. Marya Jones, News-7, Franklin County.))

[Sports tease]

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

Coming up, baseball highlights from Blacksburg, more college coaching news and
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Winston is just a month away. We'll let you know about some changes to Nascar's All Star event in just a few.

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

[S-Baseball]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-145]
[GRAPHIC=Baseball]

It was a great day for America's favorite past time, and an in state baseball rivalry, as Virginia Tech played host to Virginia in Blacksburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Cavaliers vs. Hokies; :00]

Virginia's Dennis Womack and Tech's Chuck Hartman had a friendly chat before the first of three meetings this season between the two.
In the bottom of the first, the Hokies jumped out to a 2-nothing lead when Mark Tugwell crushes a two run homer over the left center field fence bringing in Matt Kalish as well.
A couple of batters later--The Hokies strike again, this time with some hustle on the bases-- Brad Bauder slaps a two bagger into the outfield that plates Spencer Harris from second and it was 3-oh Hokies.
In the top of the third, the Wahoos got two back, one coming on this infield sacrifice grounder that scores Ryan Zimmerman from third.
[SUPER=34-Virginia/3/Virginia Tech/5/;]
Then check out Kyle Werman as he threads the needle with a double to left and Chris Sweet crosses the dish, but Tech went on to win 5 to 3.
(------------)

[S-Winston]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-149 TC4041]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar 2003]

Nascar's All Star race is a month away and today R-J Reynolds announced that this year's winner will receive a cool million dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]

That's the bulk of the 3.5 million dollar purse, which translates to about 50 thousand dollars per lap. As for the Winston Open, two drivers have advanced to the big race in the past, but now there will be a 20 lap race which will send the top 14 drivers to a ten lap shootout. Only the winner will advance, and the No Bull Sprint has been eliminated.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Burton/Citgo Ford Driver; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Martin/Viagra Ford Driver; :17]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=over the years."]
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[S-VMI]

[ANCHOR=TRAVIS]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-140 1:19:46]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

After nearly 80 years in the Southern Conference, the VMI football program is making the switch to the Big South. Steve Mason says that's just part of what should be a year of transition for the Keydets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/2002 Season; :00]
[SUPER=01-Cal McCombs/VMI Head Football Coach; :13]
[SUPER=01-Josh Lyles/VMI Junior Quarterback; :40]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :53]
[SUPER=01-T. J. Snelling/VMI Senior Slot Back; :100]
[SUPER=01-Derik Screen/VMI Senior Linebacker; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports"]
(---------------)

((Gone is Joey Gibson and his 38 touchdown passes, over 56 hundred yards through the air and his senior leadership. The air to the quarterback throne is between four talented athletes. ((:)) Josh Lyles played in five games a season ago but is getting stiff competition from k irk Monteleone, David Poldiak and former Rockbridge star Jonathan Wilson. ((:)) ((:)) ((:)) One of the keys to the defense is former Heritage standout Derek Screen, one of four returning starters on a young unit. ((:))
The Keydets have five returning starters back on offense. Steve Mason news 7 sports.))

[S-Self]

[ANCHOR=TRAVIS]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-146 TC10211]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA]

The NCAA coaching carousel continues to turn and the University of Kansas has focused on Illinois Head Coach Bill Self to replace Roy Williams. The Jayhawks have received permission to talk with Self who had this to say at last night's post season banquet for the Fighting Illini.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Bill Self/Illinois Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=not to talk about a coach."]
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[Troops-Packages]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC49:43]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
They may not be old enough to fight in the war, but some students in Pulaski are still hoping to do their part.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Pulaski;]
Today, the fifth graders at Claremont Elementary organized care packages for a Virginia National Guard unit, which is scheduled for deployment to Kuwait any day now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:55-6:05; 5:39-549]
[IN Q=OUR PRESIDENT]
((KYLA BOWMAN: OUR PRESIDENT OF P.T.O, TERRY FITZWATER-PALIMORE'S SON IS IN THE 229TH DIVISION AND WE FIGURED IT WOULD BE NICE IF CLAREMONT SUPPORTED HIS DIVISION AND BRINGING HIM STUFF 605)) ((5:39 REPORTER: WHAT KIND OF STUFF IS IN THERE? DEMI MILSTEAD: WE HAVE RAZORS, TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, MOUTHWASH, STUFF THAT THEY'LL REALLY NEED 5:49))
[SUPER=201-Kyla Bowman; :02]
[SUPER=201-Demi Milstead; :15]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=THEY'LL REALLY NEED]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The kids made 109 packages, one for each soldier in the unit. They say they also plan to write letters thanking the troops for their service. (------------)