WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 12/01/03

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Marya Jones in for Kimberly McBroom.
Remember to take your jacket with you.
Today will be sunny and breezy with highs reaching the mid- to upper 50's.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will have your work week forecast coming up.

[7-11Tractor-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC-1:10:35]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

A number of minor accidents on Interstate 81 caused delays for many holiday travelers going home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Around 3 o'clock yesterday, a seven car pile-up slowed traffic in the northbound lanes near mile marker 135. State police say that's when a tractor trailer carrying 78- thousand pounds of grapes approached the traffic driving too fast. To avoid hitting any vehicles the driver swerved onto the median and crashed into an embankment. He was not injured in the crash, but was charged with reckless driving. Police say holiday traffic along the Interstate increases every year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:03:23]
[IN Q=Usually after 2:00 PM]
((GARY CHAFIN/STATE POLICE TROOPER: USUALLY AFTER 2:00 PM ON EVERY WEEKEND, BUT ESPECIALLY ON HOLIDAYS, THE LAST DAY, EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO GET HOME AND YOU HAVE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. SOME OF THESE WRECKS OCCUR FROM A WRECK ALREADY BEING OUT HERE AND THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE RUBBERNECKING, TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE OUT HERE TONIGHT LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Gary Chafin/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=tonight like that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12+]
Around 5 o'clock, south- bound traffic on the Interstate was backed up for more than 15 miles in Roanoke County.
(------------)

[7-Clower]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]
[ENG#=2]

Former Henry County administrator Sid Clower may be released from the prison system today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./2002;]

Clower has spent the last three months in a Chatham work release program.
He's scheduled to leave after a hearing later today.
He still has to serve 20 years of probation and repay nearly 700-thousand dollars he embezzled from Henry County's Public Service Authority.
He's supposed to serve his probation back in Henry County.
(------------)

[7-11Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]
Halifax County police are looking for a suspect in a robbery and murder at a convenience store. Deputies say a man entered Robert's Quick Stop on Highway 40 around 10 o'clock Saturday night, and shot and killed the manager, 72 year old Lowell Albert Waller of Nathalie. Witnesses say the suspect was wearing a dark hooded jacket and blue jeans, and parked across the highway from the store. Authorities are asking anyone with information on the crime to call the Halifax County Sheriff's Office.

[55-WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Marya Jones......
Be sure to hang on to your hat, it will be cold and windy today with temperatures reaching the 50's.

Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will have your Monday forecast coming up after the news.[55-11Tractor-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC-1:10:35]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

The road home was a long one for holiday travelers in our area yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Around 3 o'clock, a seven car pile-up slowed traffic in the northbound lanes near mile marker 135. State police say that's when a tractor trailer carrying 78- thousand pounds of grapes approached the traffic driving too fast. To avoid hitting any vehicles, the driver swerved onto the median and crashed into an embankment. He was not injured in the crash, but was charged with reckless driving. Police say holiday traffic along the Interstate increases every year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:03:23]
[IN Q=Usually after 2:00 PM]
((GARY CHAFIN/STATE POLICE TROOPER: USUALLY AFTER 2:00 PM ON EVERY WEEKEND, BUT ESPECIALLY ON HOLIDAYS, THE LAST DAY, EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO GET HOME AND YOU HAVE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. SOME OF THESE WRECKS OCCUR FROM A WRECK ALREADY BEING OUT HERE AND THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE RUBBERNECKING, TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE OUT HERE TONIGHT LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Gary Chafin/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=tonight like that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12+]
Around 5 o'clock, south- bound traffic on the Interstate was backed up for more than 15 miles in Roanoke County.
(------------)

[55-11D-Day-Fees]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-38 TC-1:58:39]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]
[ENG#=2]

The New Year will bring new fees for visitors to the National D-Day Memorial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :23+]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape;]
The foundation will charge five dollars for admission for adults and three dollars for children ages six to 16. There will be no charge for children under six. The new fees are effective January second. Until then, the Bedford memorial's old fee policy of ten dollars per vehicle will remain in effect. Foundation officials say many visitors reported they are more accustomed to paying an admission rather than a parking fee.
(------------)

[55-11Xmas-Tree]

[ANCHOR=am cutins]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC-1:56:30]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

As the holiday season gets underway, Christmas tree growers are hoping consumer spending will spill over to decorating.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Tree growers call the Thanksgiving holiday a transitional one and expect business to take root next weekend. The owner of Plant Systems Landscaping has been selling trees for 15 years. He started out growing White Pines, but soon discovered a larger market for Frasier Firs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:42:19]
[IN Q=The branching is much]
((KIRK MCGUIRE/PLANT SYSTEMS LANDSCAPING OWNER: THE BRANCHING IS MUCH BETTER FOR HOLDING ORNAMENTS, THE NEEDLE RETENTION IS VERY GOOD ON THEM AND IT'S FRAGRANCE, A WHOLE LOT OF REASONS WHY PEOPLE LIKE THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Kirk McGuire/Plant Systems Landscaping Owner;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=why people like them]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
It takes seven to ten years for growers to yield a tree crop. McGuire says it's too soon to know if new fire code regulations at nursing homes and apartments will affect tree sales.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Marya Jones in for Kimberly McBroom......
We'll start the week off sunny and cold with the possiblity of showers by Friday.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will have your forecast..right after the news.

[8-11Tractor-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-41 TC-1:10:35]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]
[ENG#=1]

The drive home was slow-going for holiday travelers on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Around 3 o'clock yesterday, a seven car pile-up slowed traffic in the northbound lanes near mile marker 135. State police say that's when a tractor trailer carrying a load of grapes approached the traffic driving too fast. To avoid hitting any vehicles, the driver swerved onto the median and crashed into an embankment. He was not injured, but was charged with reckless driving. Police say holiday traffic along the Interstate increases every year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:03:23]
[IN Q=Usually after 2:00 PM]
((GARY CHAFIN/STATE POLICE TROOPER: USUALLY AFTER 2:00 PM ON EVERY WEEKEND, BUT ESPECIALLY ON HOLIDAYS, THE LAST DAY, EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO GET HOME AND YOU HAVE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. SOME OF THESE WRECKS OCCUR FROM A WRECK ALREADY BEING OUT HERE AND THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE RUBBERNECKING, TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE OUT HERE TONIGHT LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Gary Chafin/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=tonight like that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12+]
Around 5 o'clock, south- bound traffic on the Interstate was backed up for more than 15 miles in Roanoke County.
(------------)

[8-Clower]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]
[ENG#=2]

He's served 18 months for embezzlement... now former administrator Sid Clower may be returning to Henry County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./2002;]

Clower has spent the last three months in a Chatham work release program.
He's scheduled to leave after a hearing later today.
He still has to serve 20 years of probation and repay nearly 700-thousand dollars he embezzled from Henry County's Public Service Authority.
He's supposed to serve his probation back in Henry County, but can ask to go somewhere else.
(------------)

[8-VOBClassic-Toys]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Shopping]
[ENG#=3]

You might remember them from when you were a child... Now toys from the past are making a comeback in the local retail market.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Manufacturers are going back to the future this season in hopes of capitalizing on some classic toys a second time around.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:33:22]
[IN Q=We still have kind of]
((SCOTT LUDDY/TARGET MANAGER: WE STILL HAVE KIND OF A RETRO TREND GOING ON. YOU SEE EVERYTHING FROM THE MUPPETS TO SCOBBY DOO TO THE CARE BEARS BACK THIS SEASON AND SELLING VERY WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Scott Luddy/Target Manager;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=selling very well]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Luddy (Lud- E') says toy sales nearly triple between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. So far Target is above revenue estimates for the season.
(------------)