WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 10/27/03

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Dr. Knox's Office Manager tells US why she's innocent- -after passing up the chance to tell her story to the jury.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And a farmer wants to know if the person who shot his cows has a beef with *him*.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - this week's edition of the Tech 2003 report is coming up. We'll also see what's up at UVa.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, Jeff Gordon makes it two in row with today's win under caution in Atlanta.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

A chilly evening now that the showers have tapered off. The new long range forecast is rather quiet. We will explain.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

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

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18:28:55]
[IN Q=If I thought]
((IF I THOUGHT I HAD DONE SOMETHING ILLEGAL, I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THERE.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=out of there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The woman who ran the office for Dr. Cecil Knox tells her story.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Beverly Boone is among those charged in the OxyContin case now pending in federal court.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Shannon Young.
[Knox]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC1:03:14]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The jury resumed deliberations today.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
While awaiting the verdict, Knox's office manager sat down with us today- -without her attorney- -for an in-depth interview.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Beverly Boone did]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Beverly Boone/Dr. Knox's Office Manager;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=they weren't intent.]
(( Beverly Boone did not testify at the trial. She felt the government hadn't made out a case against her, so she decided not to take the stand. Though she maintains her license as a registered nurse, she was not working as a nurse. She managed the business side of Knox's office. [18:19:45] ((I'M NOT CHARGED WITH ILLEGALLY PRACTICING MEDICINE WHICH THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE. I'M CHARGED AS A PHYSICIAN.)) [RUNS:07] Dr. Knox IS a physician of course, licensed to practice medicine. The government argues that nothing happened at Southwest Virginia Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation without Boone's approval. She AND Knox are charged with practicing medicine "outside the scope of professional practice and not for a legitimate medical purpose." [18:19:19] ((I'M ALWAYS OUTSIDE THAT SCOPE. :02 And you are charged with everything the same as he is. EXACTLY. :06 WHETHER I WAS IN THE OFFICE, OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR NOT.)) [RUNS:11] Her step-son testified she WAS out of town when three of the prescriptions in question were written. If she's convicted on one count, she faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 to life. The judge would immediately revoke her bond. He'd have no discretion, under tough federal sentencing guidelines requiring prison time for drug distributors... whether it's abuse of prescription drugs or street drugs. [18:41:35 Starts on two-shot] ((IT'S A HORRIBLE THING TO PUT SOMEBODY THROUGH THIS, WHEN I KNOW I'M INNOCENT. I WOULDN'T WISH THIS EVEN ON THE PROSECUTION.)) [RUNS:10] Our interview touched on many specifics of the case. [18:29:10] ((THERE WAS MISTAKES. BUT THEY WERE MISTAKES, THEY WEREN'T INTENT. )) [SUPE:03]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith ]
[SS=None]
In part two: criminal behavior or pain management... on NEWS 7 at Six tomorrow.

[Methadone-Clinic]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC18:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Life Center of Galax has filed two appeals with Roanoke County, in an effort to win approval for a controversial methadone clinic.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The center wants to establish the clinic near the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Ogden Road.
But last month, the county zoning administrator ruled the plan was not in compliance with the zoning ordinance.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Today, an attorney representing Life Center of Galax appealed that decision. The center is also challenging whether restrictions placed on the property in a 1989 rezoning remain in effect.

[Holcomb]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC1:13:25]
[GRAPHIC=Roger Holcomb]
A Giles County pastor accused of molesting young children was in court today. 52 year-old Roger Holcomb of Pembroke Church of God faces 16-charges of aggravated sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child. Holcomb was in court today for a preliminary hearing,
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Shannon/Microwave;]
Myranda Stephens was at that hearing. She joins us live from our Blacksburg newsroom with more details. Shannon, all of the alleged victims had developed a close relationship with Holcomb through his church and at their schools, where he was a substitute teacher.
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
They said he would take them to McDonald's and to the park, and even invited them to spend the night at his house, where they said he would then take advantage of them.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]
One of the girls, who was nine at the time of the alleged incident, says it was one of those nights when Holcomb got into bed with her and began fondling her. The little girl says after that she told him to take her home, although she didn't tell her mother what happened until she knew he was in jail and couldn't hurt her.
(-------------)
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
In all, Holcomb is accused of molesting FIVE children, ranging in ages seven to 13.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Shannon /Microwave;]
More witnesses were being called to the stand when we left the courtroom. We'll have an update tonight at eleven, whether the judge felt there was enough evidence to certify the charges, and forward the case to a grand jury.

[Cow-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-34 TC1:57:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents of Little Montgomery are concerned that someone's randomly shooting livestock.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
Larry and Sandra Hollandsworth say one of their eight pregnant cows was shot at least three times and killed this weekend. The couple says 11-year old Blossom was bottlefed and raised by hand and was more like a pet then a farm animal. Another cow was shot twice. Larry says he thinks someone was just playing around.
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 3:19:29-3:19:42]
[IN Q=It's hard to think like people..]
((LARRY HOLLANDSWORTH/LIVESTOCK OWNER: IT'S HARD TO THINK LIKE PEOPLE WHO DO THINGS LIKE THAT. REPORTER: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY TO THEM? HOLLANDSORTH: I'D BETTER NOT SAY WHAT I'D LIKE TO SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Hollandsworth/Livestock Owner;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=I'd better not say what I'd like to say.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :22]
The Hollandsworths aren't sure if the second cow will survive and say her calf, which his due in January, is most likely already dead. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is investigating. A sergeant says shooting livestock is a felony and that other charges could be levied depending on the circumstances of the case. No arrests have been made.
(------------)

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7, we'll profile the race for sheriff in Henry County... where the murder of a little girl and her parents has become a central issue.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus the Roanoke Times rolls out a new press and a new look.
(----------------)

[Henry-Sheriff]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-33 TC1:43:54]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

In Henry County, a three-term sheriff is facing the first serious political challenge of his career.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Former trooper Michael McPeek says it's just time for a change.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=Campaign 2003]

But Sheriff Frank Cassell asks: why change a department that works? Especially when it's on the brink of solving the Short family murders.
Marya Jones has a look at both candidates, running as independents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For more than]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Cassell/Henry Co. Sheriff; :10]
[SUPER=01-Michael McPeek/Candidate for Henry Co. Sheriff; :58]
[SUPER=@Marya2; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Henry Co.]
(( For more than a year now, Sheriff Frank Cassell has kept a picture of 9-year-old Jennifer Short on his desk...
A reminder of why he's seeking another term.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:55:07]
((FRANK CASSELL: WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THE SHORT CASE. I'M REASONABLY SURE IT WON'T BE SOLVED BEFORE THE ELECTION, BUT HOPEFULLY, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS YOU'LL SEE THAT CASE SOLVED.)) [RUNS:11]
He says the investigation into the family's murders has recently picked up speed -- but won't say anything more than that federal charges COULD be months away.
But THAT's not the reason he says voters should re-elect him.
It's the 12 years he's spent running a department that's solving crimes at twice the state average.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:56:40]
((FRANK CASSELL: I HAVE ALL THESE THINGS THAT MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE AND HE DOESN'T HAVE. HE'S A TRAFFIC OFFICER. )) [RUNS:10]
Michael McPeek retired from 29 years as a Virginia State trooper in Henry County to run for sheriff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:42:54]
((MICHAEL MCPEEK: I'M PLANNING ON DRIVING A MARKED CAR WHEN I BECOME SHERIFF. I'M PLANNING ON WEARING A UNIFORM THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. WHEN I'M NOT DOING ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES, I'M GONNA BE OFF PATROLLING. I'M GOING TO BE BACKING UP DEPUTIES. I'M GOING TO BE MAKING ARRESTS. )) [RUNS:15]
McPeek wants to change some patrol shifts, address pay inequities and hold monthly community forums.
But he WON'T discuss the Short case yet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:45:41]
((MICHAEL MCPEEK: I WILL NOT SECOND GUESS ANOTHER DEPARTMENT DOING AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION, SO I'M STAYING AWAY COMPLETELY FROM THE SHORT CASE UNTIL I INHERIT IT. )) [RUNS:09]
Both men hope the voters will turn out November 4th. McPeek is counting on them to be looking for a change.
Cassell hopes they won't be.
Marya Jones, News-7, Henry County.))

[Cline-Sheffield]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC1:09:08]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2003]
It's a tale of different ideas, and very different personalities in the race for the 24th District House of Delegates seat.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]
Republican Delegate Ben Cline is not facing a Democratic challenger in the race. Last year, he was elected to take over Vance Wilkins' vacant seat in a special election. He says being without major party opposition does NOT change his outlook about the campaign.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 9:20]
[IN Q=I approach every election...]
((DEL. BEN CLINE/(R) 24TH DISTRICT; I APPROACH EVERY ELECTION THE SAME, I RUN 110%, I RUN HARD AND FOCUS ON THE ISSUES, AND HOPEFULLY THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT WILL RESPOND.))
[SUPER=@cline; ]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=the district will respond.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]
Cline's opponent, Independent candidate Eric Sheffield owns a wood crafting business in Rockbridge County. He says he's in favor of protecting farmland, lowering prescription drug costs, and campaign reform. In fact, he's not accepting campaign donations of more than one hundred dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 17:40]
[IN Q=I have run...]
((ERIC SHEFFIELD/(I) CANDIDATE FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES; I HAVE RUN ON THE ISSUES, IT'S BEEN A VERY POSITIVE ISSUED BASED CAMPAIGN. SO WHATEVER LEVEL OF SUPPORT THERE IS IN THE END, THOSE PEOPLE WILL HAVE VOTED ON THE ISSUES, AND I FEEL THAT WILL BE A SUCCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Eric Sheffield/(I) House of Delegates Candidate;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=that will be a success.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Sheffield has raised about 9-thousand dollars. Cline has raised more than 65 thousand dollars in his campaign efforts.
(-------------)

[Tech-Graduation]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC24:22]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Graduation]

Seniors at Virginia Tech are getting an early Christmas present, one that will last a lifetime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/December 2002]

Last year, budget cuts prompted the university to cancel fall commencement.
It ended up taking place only after hotels in the area donated the thirty thousand dollars needed to put on the ceremony.
This year the university will use money raised from the parents fund.
More than a thousand students are expected to pick up their diplomas at graduation scheduled for December 19th.
(------------)

[Stocks]

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

Stocks finished modestly higher on Wall Street today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/25.70/9608.16/x/17.32/1882.91;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW rose 26 points.
NASDAQ gained 17.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/1.85/77.01/i/0.29/45.31/i/0.47/28.78/i/6.21/71.05/i/8.29/73.57;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.40/37.73/i/0.01/15.89/h/0.17/7.33/h/0.05/60.55/i/0.08/28.22;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.05/6.34/h/0.14/36.53/i/0.09/17.56/i/0.30/18.55/i/0.02/6.75;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.09/9.10/h/3.72/67.22/i/0.01/33.23/i/0.54/44.81/i/0.32/57.79;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Roanoke-Times]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC37:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Roanoke Times unveiled a major re-design this morning, as it made the transition to the new Heidelberg press.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Minor problems with the new equipment created delays. In some areas, papers were from one to three hours late.
But the readers we spoke with this morning told us they were generally pleased with the new look.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You know I like]
((ROBERT KIRK: LIKE TO SKIM THROUGH A PAPER FAIRLY FAST. THIS PAPER HERE, PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE ME A WHILE TODAY. I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF PEOPLE GETTING USED TO IT, I RECKON.)) ((CAROLYN COFFMAN: WE'LL HAVE TO ADJUST AND BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH THE NEW LOOK, BUT SO FAR IT LOOKS GOOD.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Kirk; :00]
[SUPER=01-Carolyn Coffman; :12]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=but so far it looks good.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Janet Hollowell spent the morning passing out free copies downtown.
The newspaper is inviting feedback from readers, and free papers will be available in area Kroger stores this week.
(------------)

[Lottery-Anniversary]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC28:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

15 years... that's how long the Virginia Lottery has been making millionaires.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Since it began in 1989, the state lottery has taken in 13 BILLION dollars.
More than half of that was returned as prize money, while four and a half BILLION dollars has gone to the state to fund public education.
Lottery sales have defied the odds by continuing to grow despite economic downturns, advertising restrictions and what experts call "jackpot fatigue."
That sets in when players lose interest in million-dollar prizes.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports Jeff Gordon gets a win in Hotlanta. Steve Mason checks in from Charlottevsille,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and the Hokies will need to get some serious intensity this week in practice with the Hurricanes rolling into town.
(------------)

[S-Tech2003]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-156 10159tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2003]
Virginia Tech's lackluster effort didn't go unnoticed by the Big East. This afternoon the league made two West Virginia Mountaineers Big East players of the week. Their names, the start time for the Pitt game, and how an intense week practice may be just what the doctor ordered as preparation for Miami are all a part of this week's Tech 2003 report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Morgantown, WV/Wednesday; :00]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :28]
[SUPER=01-Vegas Robinson/Virginia Tech Linebacker; :44]
[SUPER=01-DeAngelo Hall/VT Cornerback & Receiver; 1:02]
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=....on espn or espn2."]
(( The man who set the Mountaineer massacre in motion last Wednesday night is the Big East defensive player of the week. Senior Brian King, who had two drive stopping interceptions for WVU also posted 7 tackles and 3 pass breakups. And Quincy Wilson has been named the Big East offensive player of the week for his 178 yard rushing performance against Tech. Seven of his runs were for 10 or more yards. Can Tech bounce back from season altering setback? If so it will take an incredibly intense week of practice complete with a few flareups - to get everybody's attention.
((DE ANGELO HALL:)) ((VEGAS ROBINSON:)) The oddsmakers have not given up on Tech - Miami is no more than a three and half point favorite for Saturday's 7:45pm kickoff. ((NAT SOUND OF HIT:)) Also, the kick-off time for the Hokies game the following week at Heinz Field in PIttsburgh against the Panthers has been set for 7:45pm, as well. It will be shown on either ESPN or ESPN2.))

[S-BCS]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BCS]
The Hokies were kicked completely out of the new BCS standings that were released a few minutes ago. Tech falls all the way from third to nowhere. Oklahoma and Miami remain 1 and 2.

[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-161 9:50]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
UVa takes on N.C. State Saturday. Steve Mason has more on a fast approaching "Nervous November".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Saturday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/12-9 ACC Record at UVa; :13]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :20]
[SUPER=01-Almondo Curry/4 Interceptions This Season; :33(QUICK!!!!!!)]
[SUPER=01-Jermaine Hardy/UVa's Leading Tackler; :37]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
(----------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-152]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR 2003]

Rain yesterday at Atlanta forced the Winston Cup series to spent an extra night in a hotel and race today in Bass Pro Shops 500.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hampton, GA/TNT; :00]
Kevin Harvick finished 20th today and lost any chance of catching Matt Kenseth - who now has a 268 point lead in the race for the Winston Cup. Ryan Newman's crash with just five laps to go dropped the pole sitter from 5th to 29th and cleared the way for Jeff Gordon to win the race under caution. It's Gordon's second straight win on the circuit and third this season. Tony Stewart was second, followed by Jimmie Johnson, Bill Elliott and Bobby Labonte.
(------------)
[WEATHER] [6PM WEATHER] [10/27/2003] [SS NONE]
[WXPRO/FULL]CLIMATE STATS WXSCHOOL QUESTION
[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]
[CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET]
[SUPER=#562]VIEWERNET LOCATION

[CK/WXPRO]WXSCHOOL ANSWER WEATHER MAPS FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST [Byrd-Transplant]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC15:35]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Students at William Byrd High School are more than a third of the way to covering the out of pocket costs of a classmate's heart transplant.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :38]
Andrew Spradling is in Minnesota, awaiting a donor heart at the Mayo clinic.
His mother says the 15-year old was born with his heart on the wrong side of his body.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./October 9;]
Andrew's classmates learned about his situation earlier this month, and immediately went to work raising money. In just over three weeks they've raised close to 13-thousand dollars. Teacher Carol Webster says they're now working on raising another 10-thousand with help from local businesses. Insurance is expected to pay for all but 30-thousand dollars of Andrew's operation. For donation information contact William Byrd High School. (------------)