WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 11/26/03

[1-News-Head]

[ENG#=1]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
By his honor's own choice Ralph Smith will be a one-term Mayor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And re-visiting flood-damaged areas as the Governor requests federal disaster relief.
(------------)

[SportsHead]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=Sports Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Tonight in sports, the Express looks to continue a holiday tradition, West Virginia is definitely Gator Bowl bound,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and we'll find out what this South Carolina attorney has to do with Saturday's battle for the Commonwealth Cup.
(------------)

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

A full plate of weather changes from mild, to wet, to cold in 48 hours. More on the forecast just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
[ENG#=3]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:31:54]
[IN Q=After much soul-searching]
((AFTER MUCH SOUL-SEARCHING AND PRAYER, I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=not to run for re-election.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith says one term is enough.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Today, he said he will look for other ways to serve the city.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Smith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC26:04]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[ENG#=]

Ralph Smith says he's not a quitter and that he believes he could win re-election.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But Roanoke's mayor told reporters today he's now considering other avenues to achieve his political goals. [***SMITH GRAPHIC IN MONITOR***]
[TOISS ACROSS=Keith-Shannon & JoeD /BAM;]

Joe Dashiell attended the mayor's news conference this afternoon.
Keith and Shannon, Ralph Smith says he has been considering this decision for several weeks.
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]

He says he's accomplished many of the goals he set for himself when he first ran for public office... and believes the time is right to move on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In trying to create]
[SUPER=@Smith; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :14]
[RUNS=:52]
[OUT Q=some success in protecting their interests.]
(( [SOT]
[IN Q=In trying to create]
((IN TRYING TO CREATE A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT, AT EVERY TURN I FELT AS IF I WERE ALONE, AS IF I WERE DAVID FACING GOLIATH.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=as if I were david facing goliath.]

Meeting with reporters in the mayor's office, Smith acknowledged frustrations during his time on city council, but said there was no single issue or controversy that prompted his decision.
He says he is proud of his efforts to foster regional cooperation, improve air service, create the new water authority, and make government more efficient and cost-effective...
[SOT]
[IN Q=many times I was outvoted]
((MANY TIMES I WAS OUTVOTED, BUT I THINK I TURNED THE TIDE SOMETIMES BY SIMPLY SAYING HEY, I'M THERE AND I'M GOING TO MAKE PUBLIC THESE DECISIONS THAT YOU'RE REALLY THINKING OF DOING.)) ((I CAME DOWN HERE REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS AND THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS CITY AND I THNK I'VE HAD SOME SUCCESS IN PROTECTING THEIR INTERESTS.))
[RUNS= :20]
[OUT Q=in protecting their interests.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL BAM]

The mayor will serve out his term. At the moment he isn't endorsing a successor, but says he hopes his announcement will encourage potential candidates to come forward. Smith also says he is not leaving politics.
[TOSS ACROSS=Keith-Shannon & JoeD /BAM;]

Keith and Shannon, When we asked what that means, he simply told us to "stay tuned."[Giles-Flooding]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:06:03]
[GRAPHIC=Glooding]
[ENG#=1]

Governor Mark Warner is urging President Bush to declare a federal disaster in seven Southwest Virginia communities hit by last week's flash flooding.
The declaration would open the gates of federal relief money for hundreds of people.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa went to Giles County today, to see how folks there are fairing one week later.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;00]
[SUPER=01-Terri Dickerson/Flood Victim;:11]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;:23]
[SUPER=01-Buddy Kast/Narrows Town Manager;:46]
[SUPER=01-Maj. John Blevins/Salvation Army;1:02]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Rachel DePompa News 7]
((NATS RUBBER GLOVES- 14:00:00 Terri Dickerson's getting used to her rubber gloves. It's a week later and she's still cleaning her house from the flood waters.
QUICK -MOP NATS- 17:58:00
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:09:20:00 ]
[IN Q=I've still got]
((TERRI DICKERSON: I'VE STILL GOT MUD UNDER CABINETS I CAN'T EVEN GET TO GET IT OUT. I'VE GOT A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET AND THEIR HOME'S DEMOLISHED. THERE'S NOTHING LEFT. THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING )) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=have anything.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:21:03:00]
[IN Q=This torn down]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: THIS TORN DOWN FENCE AND MAT OF LEAVES SHOW YOU JUST HOW HIGH THE WATER GOT. WHEN THE DICKERSON'S LEFT IT WAS WAIST HIGH, THEY HAD TO USE FLASH LIGHTS IN THE NIGHT AND CLIMB A HILL TO GET TO SAFETY. 20:40:00)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=get to safety]

Nats- BOX- GOOD THROW- 2:02:00 Nats- sit down
It's stories like Terri's that have THIS chain going. Narrows town workers unloaded two trucks full of help.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:3:04:00 ]
[IN Q=There's storage]
((BUDDY KAST:THERE'S STORAGE BOXES FOR CLOTHING, IF THEY WANT TO PUT THEM IN THERE, BOTTLED WATER, JUICES. WE ALSO HAVE SOME MOPS AND BROOMS.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=and brooms]

even boxes of diapers and baby food.
QUICK NATS-BOXES
They're hoping to deliver it all by Thanksgiving to make the day just a little easier.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:5:40:00 ]
[IN Q=I think it]
((MAJOR JOHN BLEVINS: I THINK IT MAY GIVE SOME CONSOLATION TO THEM THAT THERE IS SOME RESOURCES OUT THERE TO GET.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=there to get.]

But even this help might not be enough to get people like Terri Dickerson through the worst.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:12:26:00]
[IN Q=I'm gonna sell.]
((TERRY DICKERSON: I'M GONNA SELL. WE'RE NOT GONNA DO IT AGAIN. YOU'RE DONE? YEAH, WE'RE DEFINITELY GONNA SELL.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=definitely gonna sell.]

Damage is estimated at 1.7 million dollars in Giles County alone. Rachel DePompa News 7.))

[Police-Pay]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC1:51:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

After months of some very public complaining, Lynchburg's police force will be getting a significant increase in pay.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Police say the salary issue has forced dozens of officers to leave the department for higher-paying jobs in the private sector.
Last night, city council approved a plan to spend about a half million dollars bringing police salaries more in line with the market average.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:26:14]
[IN Q=I think one]
((COL. CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST MORALE BOOSTS WILL BE THE FACT THAT WE KNOW HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING UP TO FULL STRENGTH. WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST TO USE OVERTIME, BRING PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR DAYS OFF TO KEEP MINIMUM STAFFING LEVELS.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=minimum staffing levels.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lynchburg currently has 16 police vacancies.
The new salary plan will also base raises more on performance rather than length of service.
(------------)

[Morris-Recount]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC10:48]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2003]
[ENG#=3]
One of the candidates for the 6th District House of Delegates Seat is asking for a recount.
(------------)
[VO NAT]
[SUPER=04-November 6;]
The state Board of Elections yesterday officially certified Democrat Benny Keister as the winner of the November fourth election. He led Republican Morgan Morris by just 49-votes. Morris is entitled under state law to seek a recount because the vote was so close. He announced today he will assert that right. Keister says he respects Morris' decision but does not anticipate the recount will change the numbers.
(------------)

[Bedford-Election]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=None]

The losers of two Bedford County political races have officially challenged the results. Now the winners have ten days to respond.
Supervisor Tony Ware and School Board candidate Carolyn Dixon are contesting their District 5 races after learning that 41 people voted in the wrong precinct on November 4th.
Ware lost to Steve Arrington by 12 votes. Dixon lost to Betty Earle by just eight votes.
Dixon and Earle have the legal right to respond to the challenge.
A three-judge panel will decide whether a new election should be held.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

Still ahead on News 7, two of Virginia's Indian tribes carry on a tradition hundreds of years old.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And the Red Cross gives thanks for blood donors... by giving them pies.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[LIVE=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.]
(Marya adlibs live tease)
(-------------)

[1st-Wx]
[Travel]
[PAGE#=]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:31:08]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[ENG#=1]

Whether you're driving or flying this Thanksgiving, you'll have plenty of company.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Experts say this will be the busiest travel holiday since 2001, thanks to lower gas prices and an improving economy.
[Roanoke Co. DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Marya /Microwave;]
Marya Jones is out on Interstate 81 tonight with a look at travel conditions.
Keith and Shannon, Here along I-81, it's been a busy, but relatively smooth day.
[LIVE= Marya /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.]
State police say they're writing more tickets and helping a lot of stranded motorists, but problems have been minor. But they caution that the worst isn't over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats cars passing]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/State Police;]
[SUPER=01-Dwain McCray/Holiday Motorist;]
[SUPER=01-Jackie Shuck/Roanoke Reg. Airport Director;]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=happy to see it.]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((nats: traffic.)) [RUNS:01]
If the roads seem busier than usual this Thanksgiving, that's because they are.
Triple-A says 36-million people will travel this weekend ... nearly a million of them in Virginia.
For the state police, it's the busiest weekend of the year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:21:41]
((TOM FOSTER/VA STATE POLICE: RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT 75 PERCENT OF OUR TOTAL MANPOWER OF EACH OFFICE OUT. AND WE'LL HAVE OUR STAFFING UP UNTIL ABOUT 2 A.M.)) [RUNS:13]
Lower gas prices are coaxing more drivers onto the highway.
Dwain McCray and his family are actually enjoying their 14 hour drive from Waldorf, Maryland to Memphis, Tennessee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:14:34]
(( PRETTY GOOD. WE'RE EXCITED AND GETTING READY FOR THE TURKEY AND MAKING IT BACK HOME FOR THE CHRISTMAS TREES. )) [RUNS:07]
The Roanoke Regional Airport is giving also giving thanks this holiday ... for its biggest increase in customer traffic since 9-11.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:00:51]
((JACKIE SHUCK/AIRPORT DIRECTOR: THINGS ARE LOOKING SO MUCH BETTER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS ARE UP .... SO HAPPY TO SEE IT. )) [RUNS:13]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Marya /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]

Today is a big travel day, but at the airport AND on the interstate, the WORST travel day is expected to be Sunday.
State police AND airport officials are advising people to leave early for their destinations and, above all, be patient.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Marya /Microwave;]

keith and shannon?

[LU-Ericsson]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC1:53:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Jerry Falwell's plans to take over the old Ericsson factory in Lynchburg are being scrutinized tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/October;]
The Lynchburg Planning Commission is meeting at this hour to study the rezoning proposal. Falwell wants to relocate Thomas Road Baptist Church and Lynchburg Christian Academy to the building, and use the property to expand Liberty University. The city has concerns over traffic and whether it can afford to lose one of its largest industrial sites. If the planning commission gives its approval, the plan must still be okayed by City Council. We will tell you what is decided today, on News 7 at 11.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#V10]

After drifting for much of the day, Wall Street closed higher for a fourth straight session. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/15.63/9779/x/10.27/1953.31;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW rose 16 points.
NASDAQ gained 10.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.27/81.47/h/1.08/51.90/h/0.23/27.75/h/1.57/72.20/h/0.42/75.47;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.12/39.52/h/0.34/15.98/h/0.15/6.87/h/0.17/60.25/i/0.14/28.77;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.05/6.84/h/0.20/41.82/h/0.07/18.97/h/0.09/21.60/i/0.02/5.68;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.09/9.63/i/0.04/71.06/i/0.27/32.76/h/0.12/45.98/i/0.34/55.70;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Indian-tax]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC12:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Most of us send checks but several Indian tribes paid their state taxes today in venison.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

It is a tradition going back 357 years.
This morning members of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi (MATT'-ah-po-NYE') tribes offered Governor Warner two deer and some vases.
A treaty signed in 1646 calls for the tribes to make an annual offering to the governor in lieu of paying taxes.
Tribal leaders say the annual ceremony is an important part of their history.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:45:23]
[IN Q=IT HELPS US MAINTAIN OUR HERITAGE]
((PAMUNKEY CHIEF WILLIAM "SWIFT WATER" MILES: IT HELPS US MAINTAIN OUR HERITAGE. IT ALSO STRENGTHENS OUR GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE STATE OF VA AND IT HELPS US CONTINUE WITH OUR SOVEREIGNTY THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS.))
[SUPER=01-William "Swift Water" Miles/Pamunkey Chief]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=SOVEREIGNTY THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE YEARS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bucks were donated to charity.
Warner joked that under his tax reform plan, the tribes could offer smaller deer.
(------------)

[Plumbers]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC1:07:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A lot of folks test their kitchen skills around Thanksgiving and the results aren't always pretty.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Wiley McGuire has been operating his plumbing and heating business for almost 50-years. He says business usually picks up during the holidays, when people make the mistake of putting anything and everything down the drain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:16:37]
[IN Q=course greas is]
((WILEY MCGUIRE/MCGUIRE'S PLUMBING AND HEATING: COURSE GREASE IS THE WORSE ONE. THE GREASE WILL BUILDUP DOWN THERE, WHEN YOU POUR IT DOWN THERE HOT AND WHEN YOU RUN DOWN THE LINE A WAYS, IT GETS COLD AND THEN IT STOPS THE DRAIN UP.))
[SUPER=01-Wiley McGuire/McGuire's Plumbing & Heating;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=stops the drain up]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
McGuire says he also gets a lot of calls to fix garbage disposals around the holidays. Over the years he's found just about everything you can think of ... from turkey bones to paper towels.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SportsTease]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up, we'll meet Craig Kelly, the agent for both Al Groh and Frank Beamer,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and the Express gets set for a holiday feast on the ice.
(------------)

[S-Rivalry]

[PAGE#=]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-153 12640TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/UVA HELMETS]
[ENG#=1]

When Virginia Tech and Virginia renew their annual rivalry each season there is no middle ground. You're either for the Hokies or the Cavaliers - unless you happen to be Craig Kelly. Mike Stevens has more on the "Man in the Middle."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Craig Kelly/Attorney for Both Beamer & Groh; :22]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/2001 VT vs. UVa Game; :38]
[SUPER=@mike1; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
((Craig Kelly is a successful attorney in Columbia, South Carolina who will have more than just a casual interest in Saturday's 85th meeting between the Hoos and Hokies. Kelly sits in the most unique position of all - he represents both Frank Beamer and Al Groh. ((CRAIG KELLY:)) Kelly's list of clients is like a who's who of college football. And while he's close to the coaches - he also knows how to keep his distance. He will NOT be in Charlottesville Saturday - instead electing to watch the game on TV. ((CRAIG KELLY:)) Kelly has known both Groh and Beamer for years and understands their business only relationship.)) ((CRAIG KELLY:)) ((MIKE STEVENS:))

[S-UVA]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-155 1:18:04]
[GRAPHIC=UVa/Tech]
[ENG#=2]

Much of the talk surrounding the Tech/UVa game is about Kevin Jones or Matt Schaub. But what about special teams?

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
The Hokies blocked five punts a season a go and former Cave Spring star and UVa punter Tom Hagan experienced one of those in Blacksburg that resulted in a Tech TD. He says he will be ready this time for one of the top special teams units in college football.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tom Hagan/UVa Sophomore Punter; :00]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=.....payed off for them"]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville;]

Hagan is averaging 34.5 yards a punt this season and admits this year has been a struggle. But he says he's mentally and physically prepared for the Hokies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=.....let that affect you"]
(-------------)

[S-Gator]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-152 13810]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Morgantown, WV/October 22nd; :00]

West Virginia fans can make holiday travel plans for Jacksonville as expected. Gator Bowl President Rick Catlett said today that this weekend's games would have no bearing on the selection of the Mountaineers. Catlett told Maryland Head Coach Ralph Friedgen yesterday that the Terps would have WVU as its opponent. That sets up the rematch of the regular season matchup won by the Terps 34 to 7.
(------------)

[S-Hockey]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-159 TC13103]
[GRAPHIC=Express]
[ENG#=]

The Express won't get to eat any turkey Thursday or shop much on Friday. Greenville, the last place team in the division comes to town on Thanksgiving night while the division leading Florida Everblades pay a visit to the Roundhouse on Friday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tony MacAulay/Express Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=one day at a time."]
(---------------)

[Health-Check]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC54:40]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-shot]
[ENG#=1]

Giving blood today in Roanoke had sweet rewards.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Apple pie to be exact. The Red Cross says it wanted to give something back to the donors who gave their time and the gift of life to someone in need this holiday.
The Red Cross says donor turnout is typically lower during the holiday season. That's why it wants to encourage people to give. About 300 pints of blood have to be collected in the Valley each day to meet the needs of the community.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE PINNACLE FS ]
There will be two blood drives on Friday.
One at the Holiday Inn on Starkey Road from 9am to 3pm.
The other at the Red Cross, Roanoke Valley Center in downtown Roanoke from 7:30 am to 1pm. (-------------)