WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 09/15/03

[News-Heads]

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

[VO-NAT]

The East Coast is getting ready for Isabel.
The Category Four hurricane is expected to head our way as early as Thursday.
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And one woman is dead after a fire at a Henry County assisted living facility.
Now, authorities are seeking the cause.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]
Your weather play by play, scattered showers and storms today, sunshine returns Tuesday and Wednesday and we're watch Isabel for Thursday or Friday. I'll have your forecast
(------------------)
[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]

News 7 at Noon starts right now...

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(------------)
[WX-PRO]
Hurricane Isabel is on course to strike the East Coast as early as Thursday, but the exact destination is still unknown.
(------------)

[Hurricane-Isabel]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Isabel]

One thing forecasters seem fairly sure of it that Isabel's powerful enough to be taken seriously.
And from Massachusetts to the Carolinas, officials and residents are taking heed.
Lee Cowan has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Along the beaches]
[SUPER=03-Wrightsville Beach, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sam Proffitt/Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue; :16 VERY QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/CBS News; :28]
[SUPER=01-Stacey Stewart/Hurricane Specialist; :37]
[SUPER=01-Jaclyn Mathis/Tourist; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Samone Thuyns/NC Resident; 1;26]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=Wrightsville Beach, NC.]
((NARR: Along the beaches of "Hurricane Alley" -- a stretch of Carolina coast that has seen five hurricanes in 7 years
-- NAT/SOT LIFEGUARD TOWER "Scoot it back, scoot it back!" NARR: ---the beaches are being cleared - just in case nu
mber 6 comes along. SOT/SAM PROFFITT, WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH OCEAN RESCUE "It was like 160 mile an hour winds We're gettin
g prepared for it though." GRAPHIC: And for good reason - Hurricane Isabel isn't only a powerful storm -- it's a giant -- with tropical force winds extending more than 200 hundreds miles from its center. COWAN ON CAM: "That means virtually everyone living along the Atlantic seaboard will be affected by Isabel this week in one way or another - whether th
ey're under the eye of the storm or not." SOT/STACEY STEWART, HURRICANE SPECIALIST NY FEED 00: "Almost a day in advanc
e of the eye making landfall, people will begin to feel tropical storm winds and you can start seeing damage long befor
e the center makes landfall." NARR: And the run on supplies has already begun. NAT/SOT "You're going to figure out
the things you want to run to keep yourself going." NARR: Some stores have sold out of generators twice since last wee
k. NAT/SOT "We're trying to be prepared there buddy." NARR: And lines are forming for plywood from one store to ano
ther. SOT/JACLYN MATHIS, BEACH GOER tape 1 19:03:57 "My brother works at Loews in Charleston and he said they sold $60
-thousand dollars worth of stuff for the hurricane just by 9 o'clock yesterday morning." NARR: Even residents as far north as New York City aren't taking any chances. SOt "It's very busy this morning - busier than normal." People are g
etting ready just in case. NAT/SOT WAVES NARR: And while some are trying to squeeze in the last few days of summer at
the beachothers like Samone Tines knows the clock is ticking. SOT/SAMONE THUYNS, RESIDENT "If we get struck trying t
o leave and it comes, ya know who know what might happen so we're going to prepare to leave early." NAT/SOT BOARD CUTT
ING "..cutting board" NARR: Advice that's being heeded even though the storm remains far out to sea. Lee Cowan, CBS News Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. ))

[Brown]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The capital murder trial of Kevin Eugene Brown is under way in Lynchburg Circuit Court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Brown is accused of helping murder Anthony and Ronda Robinson in their Sussex Street home in April of last year.
His co-defendant, Leon Jermain Winston, has already been convicted and sentenced to death.
Prosecutors say Brown and Winston broke into the Robinsons' home and shot the couple to death while their two young daughters were in the house.
The crime reportedly was over a drug debt.
Jury selection is expected to last all day and the trial should finish Friday.
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[Fatal-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
A fire at the Caregivers Assisted Living Facility in Henry County has claimed the life of a resident.
Two employees discovered the fire just before 10:45 last night in the laundry room of the facility on Greensboro Road near the Martinsville Speedway. Authorities say 79 year old Cornelia Sink was killed. The home's seven other residents were evacuated and taken to Memorial Hospital of Martinsville.
Their injuries were NOT life threatening.

[Floyd-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A passenger on a motorcycle lost her life in an accident yesterday in Floyd County. State police say the Harley-Davidson ran off route 221 just north of Floyd. It went down an embankment and hit a fence. 55 year old Alisa Marie Duncan of Floyd was killed. Investigators say charges are pending against the driver, 55 year old Lehman Leroy Horne of Pilot. He's being treated at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Another American soldier is dead in Iraq ... the 156th since major combat was declared over in May.
The death came just after troops raided Saddam Hussein's hometown, arresting five men suspected of bankrolling attacks on American soldiers.
Jennifer Miller has more from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATS fighting]
[SUPER=03-Tikrit, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-Colin Powell/Secretary of State;]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Miller/CBS News;]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]
(NATS OF OVERNIGHT FIGHTING)

IN THE MORNING HOURS, AMERICAN FORCES ROUNDED UP FIVE MORE IRAQIS ...SUSPECTED OF FUNDING SADDAM HUSSEIN LOYALISTS. THE ARRESTS WERE MADE IN THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S HOMETOWN OF TIKRIT ... WHERE SOLDIERS, RAIDING HOMES, ALSO UNCOVERED ASSAULT RIFLES, ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADES AND AMMUNITION.

(NATS OF POWELL)

ELSEWHERE IN IRAQ, SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL KEPT THE FOCUS ON SADDAM'S REIN OF TERROR, BY VISITING A MASS GRAVE OF SOME FIVE THOUSAND IRAQIS. THEY WERE KILLED BY THE SADDAM REGIME IN A CHEMICAL WEAPONS ATTACK 15 YEARS AGO.

(NATS OF POWELL)

WHILE REMEMBERING THE PAST, POWELL IS DISMISSING PRESSURE ON HOW TO HANDLE IRAQ'S FUTURE.
FRANCE IS LEADING THE CHARGE DEMANDING A STRONGER ROLE FOR IRAQIS AND SO FAR HAS REJECTED A U-N DRAFT RESOLUTION TO BROADEN INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT.
STANDUP: SOLDIER -- FROM THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION -- BECOMES THE 156TH TO DIE IN IRAQ SINCE PRESIDENT BUSH DECLARED AN END TO MAJOR COMBAT.
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Still to come on the newscast, a suspect is arrested in the murder of Venus Williams' sister.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Plus authorities are searching for clues in a pond where two small children were apparently left for dead.
(---------------)
[music up full] [comm1]

[FL-Pond]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Divers in Florida have headed back to a murky pond where two children were found yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Maitland, FL;]

The body of a two year-old girl was discovered in an office park pond -- near a small boy who was barely alive.
The boy is in the hospital in critical condition.
Investigators say his name is Randall. They believe he's about 5 years old.
Police still don't know how they came to be in the pond.
No one has reported the children missing.
A fisherman found them Sunday morning.
(------------)

[Williams-Sister]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Murder investigation]

Police in Compton, California have arrested the alleged triggerman in the murder of the sister of Venus and Serena Williams.
Donna Tetreault (TAY-troh) reports from Los Angeles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Compton, CA/Yesterday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Scott Butler/LA County Sheriff's Department;]
[SUPER=01-Donna Tetreault/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS LOS ANGELES]
(( LOS ANGELES POLICE BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE MAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED THE OLDER SISTER OF TENNIS STARS VENUS AND SERENA WILLIAMS. 24 YEAR OLD AARON MICHAEL HAMMER HAS BEEN BOOKED FOR INVESTIGATION OF MURDER AND IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND.
THE VICTIM IS 31 YEAR OLD YETUNDE PRICE...SHOT IN THE CHEST EARLY SUNDAY MORNING...NOT FAR FROM THE INFAMOUS COMPTON COURTS WHERE SERENA AND VENUS LEARNED TO PLAY WORLD CLASS TENNIS.
POLICE SAY PRICE WAS SITTING WITH A MAN IN A SUV AFTER SOME TYPE OF DISPUTE WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS WHEN SHE WAS SHOT. THE SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED AFTER INTERVIEWS WITH RESIDENTS AND HAMMER HIMSELF.

SOT: Scott Butler/LA County Sheriff's Dept.
"THERE WAS AN ASSAULT RIFLE RECOVERED AT THE LOCATION AND WE STILL BELIEVE THERE MAY BE TWO MORE SHOOTERS INVOLVED, WE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S ASSISTANCE."
PRICE FREQUENTLY ATTENDED HER SISTER'S MATCHES AND WAS KNOWN AS A ROLE MODEL AND PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO SERENA AND VENUS.

(STANDUP)
A SECOND MAN HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY, BUT IS NOT BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING. THE WILLIAMS SISTERS HAVE ISSUED A STATEMENT IN WHICH THEY CALL YETUNDE THEIR NUCLEUS AND ROCK..AND IT GOES ON THE SAY THE DEATH LEAVES A VOID THAT CAN NEVER BE FILLED.))

[11Fire-Academy]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-29 1:44:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's fall wildfire season is still a month away, but that doesn't give local firefighters much time to get ready.
That's why the Wildland Fire Academy is one of their most important tools.
Jennifer Wishon has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF PEOPLE WALKING]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Pete Schula/Firefighter Instructor; :18]
[SUPER=01-Richard Miles/Wildland Coordinator Bedford County; :34]
[SUPER=01-Brad Bradfield/U.S. Forest Service; :58]
[SUPER=01-Mike Kesling/Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department; 1:20]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:33]
[SUPER=01-Randy Sutton/Public Information Officer; 1:48]
[RUNS=2:03]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Bedford County]
((((NATS OF FIREFIGHTERS WALKING)) Many of these firefighters are used to saving structures, but they're attending a Bedford County Academy in hopes of protecting America's wildlands.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:49:03]
[IN Q=This gives them a]
((PETE SCHULA: THIS GIVES THEM A BACKGROUND IN WHERE WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING COMES IN AND WHERE THE TWO MERGE AND WHAT THE DIFFERENCES ARE BECAUSE WE WORK WITH RURAL FIREFIGHTERS A LOT.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=firefighters a lot]
That's because there's a specific problem in this corner of the Commonwealth, where many homes are built in the woods. Fire officials have their own lingo for it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:37:18]
[IN Q=We have a lot of]
((RICHARD MILES: WE HAVE A LOT OF WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THIS PART OF THE STATE. BEDFORD COUNTY AND JOINING COUNTIES ARE ALL FACED WITH PEOPLE MOVING INTO A RURAL SETTING WHICH CREATES OUR LIKELIHOOD OF URBAN INTERFACE FIRES.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=urban interface fires]
And these firefighters are learning that it takes a different set of skills to fight a raging forest fire. That's because wildland fire fighters have to carry their gear with them, sometimes uphill for miles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:18:00]
[IN Q=These pumpkins we]
((BRAD BRADFIELD: THESE PUMPKINS WE USE THESE FOR REMOTE FIRE LOCATIONS WHEN WE A WATER SOURCE. THEY CAN TAKE THESE AND USE A HELICOPTER AND DROP THEM ON A MOUNTAIN TOP. WE CAN GRAVITY OUT OF THEM OR PUMP OUT OF THEM, WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=we need to do]
Mike Kesling's learning the nuts and bolts of basic firefighting. He has some experience with the Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department, but he's still learning about things like "snags."

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:07:12]
[IN Q=It's when a tree]
((MIKE KESLING: IT'S WHEN A TREE BURNS AND IT'S STILL STANDING, BUT AFTER IT GETS DONE IT WEAKENS IT AND IT FALLS, YOU DON'T HEAR IT FALLING OR NOTHING.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=falling or nothing]
Getting federal, state and volunteer firefighters from six states together was no easy task, but the groups pooled their money to create one of the largest Wildland Fire Academies on the East Coast. That many people together promoted healthy rivalries.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:01:28]
[IN Q=We have a lot]
((RANDY SUTTON: WE HAVE A LOT OF STRUCTURAL FOLKS HERE, ALONG WITH THE WILDLAND FIRES, AND WE LIKE TO SAY TO THEM THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES THEY NEED WITH THE HYDRANTS AND STUFF AND THEY TELL US WELL ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS PUT THE BUSHES OUT.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=put the bushes out]
Instructors hope the weekend's training makes putting the bushes out a little easier. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Bedford County.))

[11Mega-Millions]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Mega Millions]
Virginia Lottery officials haven't hit the jackpot they thought they would with the Mega Millions lottery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Friday;]
Last Friday's 65-million dollar jackpot was nothing to sneeze at, but more than a year after the multi-state lottery was created, the top prizes haven't reached the record-breaking levels hoped for. That leaves Virginia and the other Mega Millions states still waiting for a lottery windfall to cushion falling tax revenues. The Mega Millions group has reason to hope its fortunes will improve. Texas will join in later this year... meaning more players, faster jumps in the jackpot, and maybe the record-breaking prize.
(------------)

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Coming up next on the newscast,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
we'll tell you why spectators at one air show got more of a show than they expected.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Plane-Crash]

[ANCHOR=marya]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

There was a close call at an air show in Idaho Sunday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mountain Home AFB, ID;]

A pilot was performing in his F-16-C Fighting Falcon when he began to have problems.
He managed to eject to safety just seconds before his jet crashed. He received only minor injuries.
Witnesses say he'd just finished a barrel roll and maneuvered into a dive when the engine appeared to fail.
No one on the ground was hurt.
The Air Force is investigating what went wrong.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 22 points. The NASDAQ has lost four points.

[super=460-y/22/y/4;]

[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Jimmy Johnson continues his winning ways on the flat-track this weekend. We'll have the highlights next.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Jamal Lewis may have joked about breaking records going into the game, but the real joke was on the Browns. Stay tuned to News 7, we'll be back after the break.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-159 TC4040]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar]

Jimmie Johnson completed a sweep of New Hampshire yesterday with his latest win at Loudon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Loudon, NH/TNT; :00]

It was an eventful day for Johnson's crew as Michael Waltrip squeezes Jeff Gordon on the pit road.
Gordon has no where to go and runs over three of Johnson's crew members.
All three were just a little banged up but did continue in the race.
A long weekend continued for Dale Jarrett as he gets turned around by Jimmy Spencer on a restart.
Jarrett turned in a 41st place finish.
Johnson's crew came up big during a quick stop for fuel just 25 laps from the finish.
As the other contenders were forced to pit for gas late in the race, Johnson gradually made his way to the front, holding off Ricky Rudd for the checkers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jimmie Johnson/Swept New Hampshire Races This Season; :06]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=that they do everyday."]
(------------)
[go to chyron] [go to motion]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=X5013;]
[SUPER=0106-1. Jimmie Johnson//2. Ricky Rudd//3. Joe Nemechek//4. Bill Elliott//5. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-6. Rusty Wallace//7. Matt Kenseth//8. Elliott Sadler//9. Ryan Newman//10. Jamie McMurray//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-11. Jeremy Mayfield//12. John Andretti//13. Kevin Harvick//14. Dave Blaney//15. Kurt Busch//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-16. Bobby Labonte//17. Casey Mears//18. Terry Labonte//19. Jeff Gordon//20. Tony Stewart//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-21. Robby Gordon//22. Mike Skinner//23. Jimmy Spencer//24. Scott Wimmer//25. Johnny Benson//;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last driver."]
(------------)

[SUPER=#555;][S-Ravens]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-152]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]

Earlier this week, the Ravens Jamal Lewis joked that he would break the single game rushing record against Cleveland on Sunday.
The real joke was on the Browns as Lewis went out and did just that.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD/Browns vs. Ravens; :00]

The former Tennessee Volunteer ran for an 82 yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage on his way to a 295 yard afternoon.
Lewis carried the pigskin 30 times, adding a 63 yard touchdown jaunt in the 4th quarter as Baltimore
[SUPER=30-Cleveland/13/Baltimore/33/;]
whipped Cleveland 33 to 13.
Lewis shattered the old mark of 278 yards set by the Bengals Corey Dillon in 2000 against Denver.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jamal Lewis/295 Yds. Rushing, 2 TD's; :05]
[SUPER=01-Brian Billick/Ravens Head Coach; :10]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=it was special to watch."]
(------------------)

[S-Skins]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-150 TC5305]
[GRAPHIC=Redskins]

Steve Spurrier coached Doug Johnson at Florida, but Sunday the two were on opposite sidelines in the Georgia Dome as the Redskins battled the Falcons.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/Fox Sports; :00]

Trailing 17-nothing, Skins quarterback Patrick Ramsey got off to a rocky start as he fumbles.
Former Virginia standout Patrick Kerney recovered for the Falcons.
After cutting the deficit to 17-14, Johnson gave the Falcons a ten point cushion by completing the one yard T-D pass to Alge (Al-GEE) Crumpler.
It was 24-17 Atlanta at the half.
But the Skins defense took back the momentum in the third quarter. Jesse Armistead got to Johnson for the safety and then Ramsey and the offense did the rest.
[SUPER=30-Washington/33/Atlanta/31/;]

Ramsey fired a dart to Lavearneus Coles for the score.
The Redskins won a shootout 33 to 31. Ramsey threw for 356 yards including 180 to Coles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Steve Spurrier/Redskins Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=sorta growin' up."]
(------------)

[S-Poll]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

The Virginia Tech Hokies check in at number 8 this week in both the A-P and the Coaches Polls.
Thursday night's opponent, Texas A&M is number 20 in the coaches' poll.
[GRAPHIC=uva]

Virginia is just outside of each after yesterday's blowout win over Western Michigan.

[Quickcast]

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