[AM-Career-Center]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC 02:44]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
Eight months ago, Roanoke County's alternative school was in danger of closing.
Last night, the school board discussed a plan that would keep the school open but with major changes.
Justin McLeod has more on that and reaction to it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :00]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Hartless/Roanoke Co. Career Center Student; :16]
[SUPER=01-Lorraine Lange/Assistant Superintendent of Instruction; :35]
[SUPER=01-Kirsten Mengerink/Roanoke Co. Career Center Student; :52]
[SUPER=01-Drew Barrineau/Roanoke Co. School Board Member; 1:16]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND ON TAPE ONE AT 29:08 OF PARENT SAYING "THIS YEAR MY SON HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME."))
One by one, parents got up and expressed their gratitude for the Roanoke County Career Center.
It is an alternative school for students who often fail in the traditional classroom.
[SOT 11:29]
[IN Q=This school has]
((DANIEL HARTLESS/RCCC 8TH GRADER: THIS SCHOOL HAS LONGER CLASS PERIODS, MORE TEACHERS, LESS STUDENTS AND IT'S REALLY GREAT FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO LEARN.))
[Runs06]
[OUT Q=want to learn]
But those kids may soon see some major changes.
Currently, the Roanoke County Career Center takes students in grades 8 through 11.
The school system now wants R-C-C-C to become a six through eight school.
[SOT 7:53]
[IN Q=Research tell us that]
((LORRAINE LANGE/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT INSTRUCTION: RESEARCH TELL US THAT THE EARLIER THAT WE GET THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE PROBLEMS THE MORE SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE GOING TO BE LATER IN LIFE.))
[Runs06]
[OUT Q=later in life]
But many of the 135 students who currently attend R-C-C-C disagree.
If the plan goes through, students in grades nine through eleven would return to high school.
[SOT 13:21]
[IN Q=People back at my]
((KIRSTEN MENGERINK/ROANOKE CO. CAREER CENTER STUDENT: PEOPLE BACK AT MY SCHOOL I DON'T REALLY GET ALONG WITH TOO WELL, THE PEOPLE HERE ONCE AGAIN THEY ARE REALLY NICE.))
[Runb05]
[OUT Q=are really nice]
((NAT SOUND ON TAPE 2 AT 4:09 SAYING "IF WE GET RID OF THIS SCHOOL WE ARE GOING TO HAVE PILES OF KIDS LEFT BEHIND."))
Many parents fear the worst if their kids return to the mainstream classroom.
The school system promises those students will be kept in small classes where they can receive plenty of academic support.
Administrators believe the move will also create more opportunities.
[SOT 17:28]
[IN Q=What you're doing]
((DREW BARRINEAU/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS TAKING A PROGRAM WHAT'S BEEN PROPOSED TO TAKE THIS PROGRAM ACCELERATING GRADES SIX THROUGH EIGHT AND THEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE HIGH SCHOOL YOU ARE GOING TO EXPAND THE CURRENT PROGRAM TO BRING MORE KIDS INTO THE PROGRAM THAT MAY NEED CONCENTRATION.))
[Runs11]
[OUT Q=that may need concentration]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=The school board]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE SCHOOL BOARD IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE PLAN AT ITS NOVEMBER 20TH MEETING AND IF APPROVED WOULD TAKE EFFECT NEXT FALL. ONE PROBLEM THAT WILL STILL EXIST IS THE CONDITION OF THE OLD WILLIAM BYRD HIGH SCHOOL WHICH CURRENTLY HOUSES THE ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL. ADMINISTRATORS SAY THEY'LL DEAL WITH THAT IN THE LONG TERM AND THAT MAY MEAN HAVING TO MOVE THE PROBLEM TO ANOTHER SCHOOL IN THE FUTURE.))))
[Wildfires]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Wildfire]
In Southern California, the death toll is mounting from wildfires still raging out of control.
Officials say most of the 15 people killed had ignored orders to evacuate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Bernardino Co., CA;]
A half- million acres are scorched, and more than 11- hundred homes are in ruin.
The blazes have torn a path of destruction from the L-A suburbs all the way to the Mexican border.
Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters, the situation isn't getting any better.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There's not enough]
((DOUG SMITH/WILDFIRE VICTIM:THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FIREMEN TO HELP THESE GUYS OUT RIGHT NOW. I MEAN,
LOOK OVER THERE, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GO AROUND. ))
[SUPER=01-Doug Smith/Wildfire Victim;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=to go around.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Diego Co., CA;]
In San Diego County, officials are worried that three wildfires could eventually merge into one giant blaze.
President Bush has declared the entire region a major disaster area, while Governor Gray Davis is preparing to send in the National Guard.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
President Bush is taking some heat for comments
he made about the suicide bombings in Iraq.
The President said U-S progress has made the enemy more desperate, but his critics say what's happening in Iraq is "disorder," not progress.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
The multiple suicide bombings yesterday left more than 30 people dead and hundreds injured.
But unlike previous attacks, these were well- planned and coordinated.
U-S officials blame Saddam Hussein loyalists--
However, one attacker who was captured before he could strike was carrying a Syrian passport.
And unlike the other attacks, the victims were not Americans, but Iraqis.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This was an individual]
((MARK HERTLING/U.S. ARMY: THIS WAS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO NOT ONLY WANTS TO TAKE IRAQ BACKWARDS, BUT
IT'S AN INDICATOR OF WHAT THE OLD REGIME WAS, HE'S WILLING TO KILL IRAQIS TO DO IT. ))
[SUPER=01-Mark Hertling/U. S. Army;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=he's willing to kill Iraqis to do it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, Bush administration officials say they will NOT be deterred by the attacks.
(------------)
[11Holcomb]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC1:14:23]
[GRAPHIC=Roger Holcomb]
A grand jury will hear the case of a Giles County pastor who faces child molestation charges.
A judge made that decision after a six hour hearing yesterday in which several of the victims testified.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]
52 year-old Roger Holcomb of "Pembroke Church of God" faces charges of aggravated sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child.
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.
One of the alleged victims testified in court that when she spent the night at Holcomb's house, he got into bed with her and began fondling her.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
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.
In all, Holcomb is accused of molesting FIVE children, ranging in ages from seven to 13.
[11Methadone-Clinic]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC18:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Life Center of Galax has filed two appeals in an effort to open a methadone clinic in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
The drug treatment center is planned near the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Ogden Road, but the project has drawn strong opposition from residents in that area.
Yesterday, an attorney representing the center appealed a recent zoning decision. He is also challenging whether restrictions placed on the property in a 1989 rezoning remain in effect.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Yesterday's appeals are the last adminsitrative steps before the case goes to court.
The Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to consider the issue in December.
[11Lottery-Anniversary]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC28:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Virginia Lottery is celebrating 15 years of 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.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
We'll show last night's winning numbers in just a few minutes.
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, Sony Corporation says it cutting 20-thousand jobs as part of a plan to turn the company around.
The layoffs amount to 13 percent of its global work force and will be phased in over three years.
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola expects to lay off nearly 28-hundred workers this year, primarily in North America, Germany
and Asia.
The layoffs are part of the company's streamlining initiatives.
In other news, Alexis Christoforous has more on the merger of two tobacco companies in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((> GOOD MORNING..
>
> MERGER MANIA CONTINUED AFTER THE CLOSING BELL.
>
> THE LATEST DEAL IS IN THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY. RJ REYNOLDS WILL BUY BRITISH
> AMERICAN TOBACCO IN A DEAL ESTIMATED AT 750 MILLION DOLLARS. THE TWO WILL
> MERGE THEIR US TOBACCO BUSINESSES.. CREATING A NEW COMPANY WITH AN
> ESTIMATED 10 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN REVENUE.
>
> The deal calls for RJR shareholders to own 58 percent of the new company,
> to be called Reynolds American. It would combine the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
> unit with British American's Brown & Williamson subsidiary.
>
> BANK STOCKS ARE STILL FRONT AND CENTER FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S BLOCKBUSTER
> 47 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL BETWEEN BANK OF AMERICAN AND FLEETBOSTON..
> THE DEAL WILL CREATE THE NATION'S SECOND BIGGEST BANK WITH 33 MILLION
> CUSTOMERS AND 57 HUNDRED BANK BRANCHES.
>
> IT WAS THE BUSIEST DAY FOR MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS IN ABOUT 4 YEARS..
> INITIALLY ALL THAT DEALMAKING SPARKED A BIG STOCK RALLY.. BUT THE MARKET
> SETTLED DOWN BY DAY'S END..
>
> THE DOW ROSE 25 POINTS
>
> THE NASDAQ FINISHED UP 17.
>
> ALL THIS DEALMAKING MAY PUSH PROFIT REPORTS TO THE BACK BURNER.. BUT
> EARNINGS SEASON IS STILL FAR FROM OVER.. AMONG THE COMPANIES DUE TO REPORT
> THIS WEEK. AVON, BIOGEN AND VERIZON.
>
> OTHER BIG HEADLINERS TODAY: THE FEDERAL RESERVE MEETS IN WASHINGTON TO
> TALK INTEREST RATES.. NO MOVE IS EXPECTED AT TODAY'S MEETING..
>
> AND WE FIND OUT HOW AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND THE ECONOMY WITH
> THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT.
> TRACK THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM IN NEW YORK I'M AC.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Roddy-Obit]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
For nearly two decades, his booming voice invited audience members to "Come on down!"
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
"Price is Right" announcer Rod Roddy died yesterday afternoon in a Los Angeles hospital.
His longtime agent says Roddy had been hospitalized for two months because of colon and breast cancer.
Host Bob Barker said Roddy had been ill for
more than two years, but continued to work on the game show as much as possible.
Roddy's announcing stints included ``Love Connection'' and
``Press Your Luck.''
Rod Roddy was 66.
(------------)
[6-Tech-Graduation]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[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.
(------------)
[11Byrd-Transplant]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC15:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Students at William Byrd High School continue to give from the heart.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :38]
Andrew Spradling is in Minnesota, awaiting a heart transplant 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.
(------------)
[Space-Station]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Three space travelers are now safe and sound and back on earth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Astana, Kazakhstan;]
An American astronaut, a Spaniard, and a Russian cosmonaut have returned from the International Space Station, landing safely in a Soyuz capsule.
The three-and-a-half hour descent to earth was only the second time an American has landed in a Russian craft.
NASA put manned flights on hold following the Columbia accident last February.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, The Federal Reserve will met later today in Washington to discuss the economy and interest rates.
The policy-setting panel is widely expected to keep its benchmark short-term rate at a 45-year low of one percent.
Now here's a look at your local stocks.
[TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[11Cow-Shooting]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC 17:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Montgomery County farmer says he doesn't think he's made anybody mad enough to shoot his livestock.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
Larry and Sandra Hollandsworth say one of their eight pregnant cows, named Blossom, was shot at least three times and killed this weekend.
The couple says the 11-year old had been bottle fed and raised by hand.
(///// SOT at :13 /////)
[SOT 3:18:56-3:19:12]
[IN Q=The one that got killed...]
((LARRY HOLLANDSWORTH/LIVESTOCK OWNER: THE ONE THAT GOT KILLED, SHE WAS JUST A BIG PET. I RECKON YOU CAN'T GET ATTATCHED TO ANYTHING IF SOMEONE'S GONNA DO SOMETHING TO IT. IT'S RIGHT PITIFUL.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Hollandsworth/Livestock Owner;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=It's right pitiful.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14]
Another cow was shot twice.
The Hollandsworths aren't sure if she'll survive and say her calf, which his due in January, is most likely already dead.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is investigating.
No arrests have been made.
(------------)
[S-Tech2003]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=TECH 2003 153814TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2003]
The Hokies are out to prove to the rest of the country that their performance against West Virginia was extremely uncharacteristic.
Here's Mike Stevens with this week's Tech 2003 report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[RUNS=2:21]
[OUT Q=....A GREAT DAY."]
(-----------)
(( 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.
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.
Tech fell completely out of the new BCS standings - falling from 3rd to nowhere.))
[COMM][Tape tosses to break]