WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 10/19/03

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Coming up on News 7,
Area hospitals prepare in the event of a bio-terrorism attack.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the city of Roanoke says it has a cool new spot for folks to call home.
(------------)

[Sports-head]

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

Tonight in sports, Virginia tries to regroup after last night's setback against Florida State, week 7 NFL highlights, and
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jeff Gordon breaks out the broom for the Martinsville sweep.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]

Mother nature is cooperating 100% this weekend with all of your outdoor plans. After a clear and cool overnight, tomorrow is a repeat performance. The full forecast coming up.
[ANCHOR=Myranda 3-shot]
News 7 at 6 starts right now. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:26:03]
[IN Q=You don't have to]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=a farm everyday]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A Wythe County farmer cashes in on a seasonal crop that almost drowned.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]

Good evening, I'm Myranda Stephens.

[Pumpkin-Patch]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC-38:02]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]

While spring rains were replenishing area watersheds, they were causing problems for some area farmers. As Jennifer Wishon reports, one family is thankful their fall harvest didn't go down the drain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For farmers, Fall]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lorri Umberger/Williams Orchard; :09]
[SUPER=01-Patrick Umberger/Williams Orchard; :42]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Williams/Williams Orchard; 1:18]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:37]
[RUNS=2:20]
[OUT Q=STD]
((For farmers, Fall is the time of year the fruits of the land become ripe for the picking. And at William's Orchard, the pumpkins are abundant.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:27:46]
[IN Q=It's a lot of fun]
((LORRI UMBERGER))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=all the pumpkins]
Every October for the past 15 years or so the family has invited the public to share in the pumpkin harvest, and every year the event gets more elaborate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:45:32]
[IN Q=Last year's cannon]
((PATRICK UMBERGER))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=about half this size]
He's talking about his Punkin Chunkin Machine that's bigger and better than ever and a popular attraction at the William's Orchard Fall Festival.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:46:56]
[IN Q=So we let 200 pounds]
((PATRICK UMBERGER))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=half a mile away]
For those with less spectacular aspirations, the apple gun is a good way to let out frustrations on the unsuspecting scarecrow. Hundreds have visited the farm this year, but unlike the pumpkins that are chunked into the field, owner Bobby Williams once feared his pumpkin crop wouldn't get off the ground.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:23:12]
[IN Q=This year was challenging]
((BOBBY WILLIAMS))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=except for maybe corn]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT13:23:24]
[IN Q=Pumpkins were a different story]
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=flooded out]
Another festival attraction is the family maintained corn maze that sports another Fall theme, football. Both the Hokies and the Hoos are represented, but the family tends to favor the orange and maroon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:29:22]
[IN Q=The VT endzone]
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=towards the VT side]
But no matter which team you root for, William's Orchard promises fun for the entire family and only the occasional debate about ammunition for the pumpkin cannon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:47:17]
[IN Q=I want the best]
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=letter for me]
Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Wythe County.))

[Bio-Drill]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC-33:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Suspicious cases are popping up in hospitals across the Commonwealth, but officials don't want anyone to panic.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-October 2001;]
That's because it's all part of a bioterrorism drill being conducted by the Health Department and hospitals statewide.
As mock illnesses pop up, health care officials will be able to measure their preparedness and ability to respond. Wednesday, the health department will practice treating large numbers of people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:33:45]
[IN Q=We will be doing]
((JOHN O'SHEA/EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNER: WE WILL BE DOING A DISPENSING SITE OPERATION WHICH IS A MASS TREATMENT PROTECTIVE, PROPHYLACTIC TYPE TREATMENT FOR THE PUBLIC IN THE EVENT THAT SOME AGENT WAS DISPERSED AND WAS IN FACT AFFECTING THE POPULATION.))
[SUPER=01-John O'Shea/Emergency Response Planner;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=affecting the population]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
O'Shea (O-Shay') says they'll practice dispensing antibiotics which means health histories will have to be checked. In the case of a real attack he thinks the department would be ready, but more staff would have to be called in.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The health department says anyone interested in volunteering for Wednesday's disbursement, should be at the Salem Civic Center between nine and 10:30.

[Arts-Council]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC-54:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The city of Roanoke is hoping to attract more people to the downtown area, by first getting them to live there.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge and Downtown Roanoke, Incorporated hosted a "This Is Living" tour today, to showcase apartments that were renovated out of old office buildings. Organizers say they hope this is just the beginning to make downtown Roanoke a hip, cool place for people to live and work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:11]
[IN Q=and economically]
((BOB FETZER/ARTS COUNCIL OF THE BLUE RIDGE: AND ECONOMICALLY IT'LL BE A STEAM ENGINE FOR ROANOKE TO BUILD ON IN THE FUTURE AND JUST RECYCLING A NUMBER OF THESE BUILDINGS THAT HISTORICALLY BEEN USED FOR OFFICE SPACE AND TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEM BACK IN A NEW LIFE WITH COOL APARTMENTS AND GREAT SPACES TO LIVE.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Fetzer;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=spaces to live]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 300-apartments were showcased today. Organizers say they hope to add even more.
(------------)

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

Still to come on the newscast, two companies announce a bleak economic forecast,
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and tomorrow will mark the beginning of arguments against suspected serial sniper John Muhammad.
(----------------)

[Sniper]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Muhammad]
Opening statements in Washington area sniper suspect John Muhammad's capital murder trial are due in a Virginia Beach court tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :21+]
Muhammad is being tried in the killing of a Vietnam veteran who was gunned down outside a northern Virginia gas station last October. He faces a possible death penalty. Muhammad and Lee Malvo are charged in last year's series of sniper attacks in the Washington, D-C-area. Ten people died. Malvo arrived in Virginia Beach this morning, but prosecutors won't say why he's there.
(------------)

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review 11-02 tc 1:12:54 ]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
Montgomery County lowers it's merchant's tax, but not all businesses are happy with it. Plus two area companies announce poor economic news. Donald Graham has more in Business Review.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.; :08]
[SUPER=01-Larry Shelor/Shelor Automotive; :41]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape; :58]
[SUPER=03-Radford; 1:16]
[SUPER=01-Joey Altizer/Plymouth, Inc.; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
(( [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] This week in review.... Montgomery county voted to cut it's Merchant's tax by one fourth, rather than half -- as many business owners had hoped. It will be reduced from a dollar and 21 cents per 100 dollars, to 90 cents per 100 dollars -- plus the first one thousand dollars of inventory will be exempt. Stock will be assessed twice a year and businesses will pay the average. Larry Shelor, of Shelor automotive says the only reason taxes will be assesed twice a year is to try and make it too expensive for them to move their cars to another county and avoid paying any taxes altogether.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5841]
[IN Q=and half]
((LARRY SHELOR/SHELOR AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY: AND HALF WOULD ACCOMMODATE THE ECONOMICS OF IT SO WE CAN BE COMPETITIVE. AND SO WE'LL BE FORCED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE OUR CARS AND THE OTHER CAR DEALERS FEEL THE SAME WAY.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=the same way]
The Board of Supervisors Chair says the tax cut is a fair compromise. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] Danville's largest employer says it will shut down periodically this winter in order to move inventory. Dan River Fabrics announced earlier that the company had failed to meet third quarter forecasts. The company is planning to release a new product line for department and specialty stores in February. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] Dozens of people are with out jobs in Radford. Plymouth Incorporated makes back to school paper products for brands like Crayola and C-V-S. Officials say the company has been struggling for the past three years and filed for bankruptcy in August.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 26:52]
[IN Q=the entire]
((JOEY ALTIZER/PLYMOUTH, INC. CFO; THE ENTIRE BACK TO SCHOOL INDUSTRY HAS BECOME SUCH A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY ITSELF WITH COMPETITION OVERSEAS, THAT U.S. MANUFACTURING AGAIN, WAS COMING UP SHORT.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=coming up short]

An Ohio based company bought the company's assets and will move manufacturing overseas. For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
Still to come on the newscast, Jeff Gordon takes the checkered flag at the Subway 500 in Martinsville. We'll have the highlights in a live report.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

but before that, the holiday season is just around the corner, and today some folks got out to help children in need.

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

[Pastor-Honor]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC-14:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]

They were singing a lot more than hymns today at Cave Spring United Methodist Church.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:21:28]
[IN Q=Hello brother]
((Dan Chitwood singing: HELLO BROTHER, PREACHER, TEACHER AND FRIEND.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=and friend.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Churchgoers packed the pews to pay tribute to Reverend Art Wingfield.
The 71-year-old is celebrating 50 years as an ordained minister in Virginia.
He got a surprise recognition during today's services.
The church gave him a plaque and named him "pastor emeritus" (Em-AIR-uh-tus) in a resolution signed by the bishop.

Wingfield also got a dogwood tree planted in his honor, a chandelier presented in his name and an original song composed just for him.
(------------)

[Christmas-Store]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-34 TC-1:47:11]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Some Roanoke Valley residents took a ride to help stuff some stockings today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
The 5th Annual "Ride Round the Valley" took off in Salem this afternoon. Motorcycles, antique cars and just plain old vehicles rode 20- miles through the valley to help raise supplies and money for the Community Christmas Store. Today's event was just one of many that volunteers hold throughout the year in order to raise the 60- thousand dollars it takes to stock the store.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:43:31]
[IN Q=We serve around 700]
((ANGIE APGAR/COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS STORE: WE SERVE AROUND 700 FAMILIES SO WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS WORKING YEAR ROUND GETTING DONATIONS IN, HOLDING VARIOUS FUND RAISERS. WE ALSO WORK WITH SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY WE NEED.))
[SUPER=01-Angie Apgar/Community Christmas Store;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=money we need]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Apgar says the sluggish economy has kept businesses from donating as much as usual, but donations are accepted at any time. Community Christmas Store benefits families in Salem, Roanoke County and Vinton who need a little help around the holidays. Families that qualify get to shop for toys, clothing and household items at no cost for two days in December.
(------------)

[Sports tease]

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

Coming up, Mike Stevens checks in from the Martinsville Speedway where Jeff Gordon grabbed another grandfather clock today,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

plus Duke University gives Carl Franks a pink slip.
(------------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-164]
[GRAPHIC=Subway 500]

The last driver to win both Martinsville races from the pole in the same season was Fred Lorenzen way back in 1964.
Today's Subway 500 provided Jeff Gordon the opportunity to do the same.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Travis/Microwave;]

Mike Stevens joins us now from the Martinsville Speedway where Gordon made history on the same day in which an 11 time Martinsville winner was honored..Mike....
[LIVE=Mike /FULL]
[SUPER=@mike1; ]
[SUPER=05-Martinsville]

((Mike ad libs to package)) ((ROLLCUE:...63rd career win.))
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darrell Waltrip/3 Cup Titles, 84 Career Wins; :21]
[SUPER=04-1985; :30]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/5th Career Martinsville Win; 1:45]
[SUPER=01-Jimmie Johnson/Finished 2nd; 2:00]
[SUPER=01-Rick Hendrick/#24 & #48 Car Owner; 2:13]
[RUNS=2:20]
[OUT Q=that's what it's about."]
(-----------------)
[LIVE=Mike/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Martinsville]
((Mike ad libs and tosses back to Trav))

[DOUBLE BOXES=Travis/Microwave;]

[S-UVA]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-165 2:51]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

The Virginia Cavaliers came up just short in their bid to upset Florida State last night. But there was one bright spot for the Wahoos as Steve Mason explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alvin Pearman/16 Catches, 134 Yards Receiving; :20]
[SUPER=01-Chris Rix/12 of 25, 189 Yards Passing; :51]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Football Coach; 1:06]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=......News 7 sports"]
(--------------)

[S-Franks]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-150 TC11932]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Football]

The Duke Blue Devils dropped their 29th straight ACC game yesterday against Wake Forest, and today the ax fell on Head Coach Carl Franks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-ACC; :00]

Franks was fired after posting a record of 7 wins and 45 losses in four and a half seasons. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof will run the team for the remainder of the season.
(------------)

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-154 TC5026]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]

The Carolina Panthers fell from the ranks of the unbeatens this afternoon getting whipped by the Titans at home.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/Titans vs. Panthers; :00]

Tennessee converted four Panther fumbles into points as Steve McNair got it done with both his arm and his feet.
His 7 yard scamper got the Titans on the board in the first quarter.
Later he found Drew Bennett on a 22 yard TD strike and the Titans rolled to the 37-17 win to stay perfect.
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/Fox Sports; :]

In Philly, the Eagles dropped the Giants to 2 and four and they can thank Brian Westbrook for that. Westbrook returned this Jeff Feagles punt 84 yards for the game winning touchdown with a buck 35 to go. The Eagles won it 14 to 10.(------------)