[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
He admits killing a mother and her two young sons... But Askia Shabazz will avoid the death penalty.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
Plus it's been serving lunch for more than 75 years... which could be on reason why a grease fire got so serious.
(------------)
[SportsHead]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=Sports Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Tonight on News 7 sports - we'll check in with the UVa men's basketball team.
Frank Beamer says he feels the fans' pain.
(------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
And Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones is now a finalist for the Doak Walker award.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]
The passage of a cold front today brought windy conditions and will usher in 4 or five days of below normal temperatures. The full forecast and your December Almanac coming up.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[ENG#=3]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT:46:10 - 2:46:24]
[IN Q=I don't think it was...]
(( I DON'T THINK IT WAS AGONIZING AT ALL. HE HAS ACCEPTED HIS RESPONSIBILITY.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=ACCEPTED HIS RESPONSIBILITY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A plea agreement spares the life of an admitted Roanoke killer.
Now Askia Shabazz will spend that life in prison.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=SHAN]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Shannon Young
Keith has the night off.
[Shabazz]
[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC1:59:29]
[GRAPHIC=Guilty Plea]
[ENG#=4]
There will be no parole for Askia Shabazz.
The 29-year old is headed for five consecutive life sentences after today pleading guilty to what even the defense called "heinous crimes".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I apologize to Ms. Jackson..]
[SUPER=01-Askia Shabazz/Defendent; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :15]
[SUPER=04-May 2002; :25]
[SUPER=01-Chris Kowalczuk/Defense Attorney; :33]
[SUPER=01-John McNeil/Commonwealth's Attorney; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=PUT HER IN THAT POSITION]
(([SOT 2:42:51 - 2:43:05]
[IN Q=I apologize to Ms. Jackson...]
((ASKIA SHABAZZ/DEFENDENT: I APOLOGIZE TO MS. JACKSON AND IN PARTICULAR I APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT I DID TO THE CHILDREN. THERE'S NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY THAT I DON'T REGRET MY ACTIONS.))
[RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=that I don't regret my actions.]
Askia Shabazz held back tears as he apologized for killing Alice Jackson and her two young boys.
As part of a plea agreement the 29-year old admitted to strangling and smothering Jackson before lighting her Hurt Park apartment on fire in May of last year.
The boys died of smoke inhalation.
[SOT 2:45:51 - 2:46:01]
[IN Q=He has been remorseful for months...]
((CHRIS KOWALCZUK/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: HE HAS BEEN REMORSEFUL FOR MONTHS. THAT WAS HIS DOING, THOSE WERE HIS WORDS, COMPLETELY ON HIS OWN.))
[RUNS:10]
[RUNS=completely on his own.]
Shabazz pled guilty to four counts of capital murder and one count of arson.
Attorneys on both sides say the agreement benefits not only Shabazz, who will avoid the death penalty, but his mother, Peggy Helms.
Helms called police after Shabazz confessed.
Without her help, prosecutors say they might not have solved the case.
[SOT 2:48:51 - 2:49:12]
[IN Q=It's a very unusual situation...]
((JOHN MCNEIL/PROSECUTOR: IT'S A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT IT'S A DEATH PENALTY CASE. SO YOU NOT ONLY HAVE A MOTHER TESTIFYING AGAINST HER SON BUT IT WOULD PROVIDE THE MECHANISM FOR GIVING HIM THE DEATH SENTENCE. I DON'T THINK THE COMMONWEALTH WAS WILLING TO PUT HER IN THAT POSITION.))
[RUNS:21]
[OUT Q=put her in that position.]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=SHAN]
[SS=HOLD]
Judge Clifford Weckstein accepted the plea and punishment of five consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole.
[Overdose-Death]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]
A Salem teenager charged in a methadone overdose death worked out a plea agreement today.
The prosecutor dropped a felony homicide charge and another count against 15-year-old Kenneth Jacob Shelton.
Shelton pled no contest to illegal distribution of methadone in the death of 18-year-old Joey Lawrence last May.
The prosecutor says he wasn't sure he could have gotten a murder conviction under state law.
Shelton will be sentenced in February, as a juvenile.
[City-Council]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC1:56:09]
[GRAPHIC=Wayne Harris]
A Roanoke minister and former teacher delivered a passionate defense of the city schools and superintendent Wayne Harris today.
The Reverend Bill Lee told members of Roanoke City Council that he speaks for many who believe the City Schools are safe, and the superintendent is doing a good job.
[***NEWS 7 @ 6 IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Joe/Newsroom;]
Joe Dashiell is in the newsroom tonight, with the latest exchange in a continuing controversy.
[LIVE=Joe Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
Shannon, Bill Lee is the pastor of Loudon Avenue Christian Church, and Wayne Harris is a member of his congregation.
Today, Lee said he believes that while the community may have concerns, there is no crisis in the city schools.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have ample time]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Bill Lee/Loudon Ave. Christian Church; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :11]
[SUPER=@Dowe; :50]
[SUPER=@Smith; :59]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=and the challenges we have.]
(( [IN Q=We have ample time]
((WE HAVE AMPLE TIME AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO START TURNING THIS SHIP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, IF INDEED SHE IS OFF COURSE.))
[RUNS= :09]
[OUT Q=if indeed she is off course.]
Ten days after members of city council expressed a lack of confidence in the school administration, Bill Lee encouraged them to reconsider.
He said he is convinced the schools are safe, and worries that negative perceptions will create a lasting crisis of confidence in the schools.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've been a patron]
(( I'VE BEEN A PATRON OF THE CITY A LONG TIME OF THE SCHOOLS A LONG TIME, AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SAFE SCHOOLS, NOT PERFECT SCHOOLS. I KNOW THAT KIDS WILL BE KIDS, BUT I THINK THEY'VE BEEN MALIGNED. I THINK THAT OUR SYSTEM IS AN EXCELLENT SYSTEM. AND WE'VE GOT AN EXCELLENT SUPERINTENDENT.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=got an excellent superintendent.]
Earlier in the day, council member Alfred Dowe expressed concern with the retreat two weeks ago, that left members of council and the school board at odds over Harris' performance.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think add the direction]
((ALFRED DOWE: I THINK ALL THE DIRECTION KIND OF ENDED UP ON ONE PERSON, AND I'M STILL NOT CONVINCED ALL OF THOSE ACCOUNTABILITIES NEED TO LAND ON ONE PERSON.))
(( I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYONE ENJOYED THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THE JOINT SESSION WE HAD LAST WEEK. I CAN'T SAY I ENJOYED IT, BUT I THINK IT WAS PART OF THIS JOB IT WAS NECESSARY TO FACE THE REALITIES AND THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE.))
[RUNS= :21]
[OUT Q=and the challenges we have.] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Joe Full/Newsroom]
Also this afternoon, members of city council made plans to fill the vacancy on the city school board created by Melinda Payne's resignation.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Joe/Newsroom;]
Shannon, they set a December 12th deadline for applications, and December 15th public hearing.
[Schoolfield]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC1:57:28]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=2]
Dozens of hungry customers were turned away today at one of Danville's oldest and most popular restaurants.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
A grease fire broke out around nine this morning at the Schoolfield Lunch restaurant on West Main street.
The fire was contained to the kitchen area, but the restaurant was closed, leaving some of its regular customers disappointed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4017]
[IN Q=yup, you get tired]
((STANLEY SMITH/FREQUENTS SCHOOLFIELD LUNCH RESTAURANT: YUP, YOU GET TIRED OF EATING A CHEESEBURGER SOMEWHERE, YOU COME HERE AND GET A HOMEMADE MEAL...YEAH SO WE GONE MISS THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Stanley Smith/Frequents Schoolfield Lunch Restaurant;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=gone miss that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Damage is estimated at five-thousand dollars.
Officials believe the fire was more intense because of all of the grease that built-up over the years near the stove.
Schoolfield Lunch has been serving customers since 1927.
The owner says he's not sure how long it will take to clean-up the damage, but he hopes to reopen the restaurant within the next few days.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Keeping Central Virgnia healthy.
One hospital has big plans. We'll tell you about them next.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, learning from disaster.
The state begins looking at its performance during Hurricane Isabel and applying the lessons to future plans.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Isabel-Hearing]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC1:11:55]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Isabel]
There was not enough communication or enough ice.
Those were two of the problems the state encountered while responding to Hurricane Isabel.
Lawmakers are now addressing those and other issues.
[DOUBLE BOXES=SHannon & Meghan/State Microwave;]
Meghan Muldoon joins us from Richmond with more on this story.
The Senate and House Commerce committees are holding public hearings today.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]
Their goal is to identify what the state did well and where there is room for improvement.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF HURRICANE ISABEL]
[SUPER=03-Virginia Beach/File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. William Wampler/(R) Bristol; :25]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Robert Stroube/Virginia Health Commissioner; :54]
[SUPER=@Bryant; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=SOMETHING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD DO.]
(( nat sound
The 2003 hurricane season is officially over but one storm promises to live on in the history books.
Hurricane Isabel left 33 people dead.
And her winds created enough debris to cover 200-thousand football fields
As destructive as she was, state legislators are hoping she can have a positive effect on the state's future.
[SOT 16:16:04]
((SENATOR WILLIAM WAMPLER/R-BRISTOL: WE KNOW OF PEOPLE BEING OUT OF POWER AND THE FRUSTRATION NOT HAVING TELEPHONE SERVICES HOOKED BACK UP IN A TIMELY MATTER THAT'S WHERE WE LEARN LESSONS HOPEFULLY CAN COMMUNICATE BETTER AND HAVE A MORE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE CAN DO IN THE FUTURE.))
[RUNS:13]
Isabel has helped highlight some problems.
In her aftermath, 231 boil water advisories were issued.
That has prompted the Virginia Board of Health to look into requiring that all public drinking water facilities install back-up systems.
[SOT 14:37]
((THESE ARE VERY CRITICAL TIMES ON IT AND I THINK THE BLACKOUT WE SAW UP IN NEW YORK, OHIO, INDIANA, MICHIGAN AREA SHOWS THERE IS A VULNERABILITY THERE IN THE POWER GRID NOT JUST TO NATURAL EVENTS BUT ACCIDENTS TOO ON IT.))
[RUNS:16]
Isabel's most memorable feat is her assault on the state's power lines.
One-point-eight million households lost electricity.
Although the power outages grew into a major source of frustration, there still may be no affordable way for the state to prevent such blackouts in the future.
[SOT 16:17:40]
((DELEGATE PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: THESE STORMS COME ALONG VERY VERY INFREQUENTLY THANKFULLY AND THE COSTS OF BURIED LINES ROUTINELY IS JUST ASTRONOMICAL SO FROM JUST A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS SOMETHING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD DO.))
[RUNS:11]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
The price tag from Isabel is expected to surpass one-point-six billion dollars.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]
That doesn't even account for lost wages or lost tourism.
[Clower]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-43 TC1:14:31]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]
[ENG#=2]
Former Henry County administrator Sid Clower has left the state prison system.
The superintendent of a community diversion center in Pittsylvania County says the convicted embezzler was released this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./Last Year;]
Clower spent three months at the Chatham center.
He's still on probation which he will serve in Henry County.
Clower also has to repay some 700-thousand dollars he took from the county's Public Service Authority.
(------------)
[81-Fatal]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=81 Fatal Accident]
[ENG#=None]
A man from Kentucky died in a traffic accident in Rockbridge County this morning.
State police say the 36-year-old man veered into the emergency lane of I-81 northbound and slammed into the back of a disabled tractor-trailer.
The accident happened about 5 o'clock, at mile marker 183.
No charges have been filed.
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#V10]
A broad-based rally sent the major averages to their highest close is well over a year.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/116.59/9899.05/x/29.56/1989.82;]
The DOW jumped 117 points today.
NASDAQ gained 30.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.78/82.40/h/0.35/52.35/h/0.11/27.80/h/0.75/72.87/h/0.92/76.35;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.30/39.66/h/0.21/16.38/h/0.14/6.89/h/0.61/60.88/h/0.36/29.03;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.06/6.81/h/0.45/42.36/i/0.33/18.53/h/0.40/21.81/i/0.05/5.70;]
[SUPER=274- /Unchg/9.65/i/0.16/70.89/i/0.07/32.77/h/0.61/46.36/i/1.14/54.50;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Centra-Health]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC1:36:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
As central Virginia's population gets bigger AND older, the area's largest health care provider says it needs to expand, as well.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Centra Health today announced it hopes to spend 80 million dollars building a new five-story patient tower and a cancer treatment center.
The move will add more than a hundred patient beds to Lynchburg General Hospital and help consolidate the radiation and oncology units into one building.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:43:19]
[IN Q=We feel like]
((BILL VARNER/CENTRA HEALTH VP: WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS PHASE ONE THAT WILL HAVE US FULLY POSITIONED TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT EIGHT TO TEN YEARS AND WE WILL BE REVISITING A LOT OF OUR ASSUMPTIONS AND A LOT OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE'VE MADE THROUGH THE COURSE OF THIS PLANNING EFFORT.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Varner/Centra Health VP]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=this planning effort.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The city's old Human Services building will be torn down to make way for the new cancer treatment center.
And the existing Fine Arts Center will also be demolished to meet the need for more parking.
Construction should start next fall.
(------------)
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - Kevin Jones makes the final three for the Doak Walker.
Tuberville hangs on at Auburn,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and the UVa men's basketball team is off to quick start with some youngsters and a slimmed down oldster.
(------------)
[S-Jones]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-160 14536]
[GRAPHIC=KEVIN JONES]
[ENG#=1]
Kevin Jones has made his mark in the Tech record books this season, and while he's out of the Heisman running, he just may end up being the named the best running back in the nation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/This Season; :00]
This afternoon, KJ was named one of three finalists for the Doak Walker award.
Jones rushed for 20 TDs and a school record 1494 yards this year.
His competition now comes from Michigan's Chris Perry and Kansas State's Darren Sproles.
The winner will be announced on February 12th.
(------------)
[S-Frank]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-161 2725tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
[ENG#=2]
The Hokie nation has been in an uproar since Saturday night's loss to UVa.
And while the Tech players and coaches are having trouble pin-pointing their problem, the Tech fans are not at a loss for words.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I UNDERSTAND...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/17 Seasons at Virginia Tech; :00]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...haven't played, as well."]
(-----------)
[VO NAT CON'T]
They have until the December 26th Insight Bowl to correct some of the in-house attitude problems that have contributed to the poor play.
(----------)
[S-Tommy]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 2415]
[GRAPHIC=COLLEGE FOOTBALL]
[ENG#=3]
Forget about asking Tommy Bowden, just ask Tommy Tuberville, the head coach at Auburn.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Auburn, AL/This Afternoon; :00]
During an emotional news conference today he announced that he is staying on to coach the Tigers.
Auburn was a preseason number one in some publications, but instead finished 7 and 5.
Some fans wanted him out, but not as badly as his bosses did.
It was so bad that the Auburn president, William Walker and athletic director David Housel had already lined up his successor and began courting him before the season was even over.
Tuberville has been at Auburn 5 seasons.
(------------)
[S-UVA]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-155 1:18:57]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]
[ENG#=4]
The UVa men's basketball team heads into Wednesday's home game against Minnesota unbeaten.
The Cavs are off to a good start, but Steve Mason says success this season "weighs" heavily on one player's mind and body.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Todd Billet/Averaging 12 Points a Game; :12]
[SUPER=04-UVa vs. Mount Saint Mary's; :20]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :34]
[SUPER=01-Elton Brown/12 Points, 4.3 Rebounds a Game; :48]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Coach; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(------------)
((Just three games in to their season and the Cavaliers are all business, especially in the fitness and weight room departments.
((TODD BILLET/UVA GUARD:))
One p layer who has shaped up more than any other is six foot 9 junior Elton Brown.
((PETE GILLEN/UVA HEAD BASKETBALL COACH:))
((STEVE MASON:))
((ELTON BROWN/AVERAGING 12 POINTS A GAME:))
Brown is averaging close to 25 minutes a game, a significant jump from last season. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))
[S-Seth]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-153 13006TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]
[ENG#=1]
The Tech men are home tonight for the first of three games this week.
Tonight at seven, the Hokies play host to Morgan State.
(----------)
[VO NAT ENG#]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/November 23; :00]
Also, the Tech women - are ranked 23rd in the new Associated Press poll that is out tonight. The Tech women just returned home after winning the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands.
Bonnie's team is home on Wednesday night against ODU.
(----------)
[WX-Almanac]
(3 Shot Toss)
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=almanac]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
November brought a mix of unseasonably warm days, cold days, breezy conditions and even snow showers in some places. What can we expect for the month of December?
Here's Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner with this month's Almanac.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@leo1 :03]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner.]
[music continues for 2:00]