[VOB-Safety-Corridor]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC 34:36]
[GRAPHIC=I-81]
[ENG#=]
It's one of the most dangerous parts of Interstate 81 and it's right here in our area.
Now a new highway safety corridor law could make things safer, but it comes at a cost.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
V-Dot held a public hearing last night to explain the new law, which allows the state to create highway safety corridors on certain highways.
To meet the criteria, state officials have to review crash data, accident reports, and traffic volume.
The first proposed corridor is for I-81 from Ironto to just south of 581 in Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:35:05]
[IN Q=It is one where we]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: IT IS ONE WHERE WE EXPERIENCE HIGHER THAN NORMAL CRASH FREQUENCY AND THE CRASHES ARE OFTEN QUITE SEVERE.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=OFTEN QUITE SEVERE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In the last three years, this stretch of I-81 has seen more than 450 accidents, a third of which resulted in injuries.
If it's designated a highway safety corridor, the state can lower the speed limit and impose fines that are double what they are now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:39:38]
[IN Q=The fines can be]
((CONNIE SORRELL/VDOT CHIEF OF POLICY: THE FINES CAN BE UP TO 500 DOLLARS FOR A MOVING VIOLATION WHICH IS SPEEDING AND THE MONEY DOESN'T GO TO THE STATE POLICE OR V-DOT IT GOES TO THE STATE LITERARY FUND.))
[SUPER=01-Connie Sorrell/VDOT Chief of Policy;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=state literary fund]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
If it's approved for I-81 between Montgomery County and Roanoke, it could be up and running by mid-January.
The state must first put up signs warning motorists they are about to enter a highway safety corridor.
(----------)
[11School-Violence]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC03:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
She is one of his harshest critics, but Alice Hincker says she could work with Roanoke's school superintendent if she becomes a school board member.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Alice Hincker is founder of the Roanoke School Violence Protection Coalition, or RSVP for short.
It's a group made up of local citizens who meet to discuss ways to prevent violence in Roanoke schools.
In addition to that role, Hincker now wants to be on the school board.
She plans on applying for the job left by the recent resignation of Melinda Payne.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:54]
[IN Q=I've worked with Dr. Harris]
((ALICE HINCKER/RSVP COALITION FOUNDER: I'VE WORKED WITH DR. HARRIS FOR YEARS AND WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS SEEN EYE TO EYE. ONE OF MY KIDS IS A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE OTHER IS A FRESHMEN AND OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE HAVE DISAGREED ON BUT I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS AND HE CONTINUES TO DO HIS JOB AS THE SUPERINTENDENT.))
[SUPER=01-Alice Hincker/RSVP Coalition Founder]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=as the superintendent]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 25 people showed up last night's for R-S-V-P's second meeting.
Across town, the city's appointed school violence task force met again as well.
At that meeting, some members expressed concerns that city council and school board may not implement its final recommendations.
(------------)
[11City-Audit]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC59:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
One year after an audit revealed problems in the maintenance department of the Roanoke City Schools, there are more questions.
The Director of the department has been placed on leave, one week before school board members are to consider a follow- up review.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
School officials confirm that William Sharpe has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Assistant Superintendent for Operations Dick Kelley says the decision was the result of management issues, and does NOT involve any allegations of fraud.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Sharpe was hired about a year ago, AFTER a city audit revealed that maintenance department employees had falsified bid information. The city auditor is expected to present a follow-up report next week.
Efforts to contact Sharpe yesterday afternoon were unsuccessful.
[Prison-Riot]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]
A Southern California prison is under lockdown after a riot by inmates last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baker, CA;]
Authorities say 17 inmates were injured -- and most of them were stabbed.
More than 100 were involved in the disturbance.
They set fire to one building, but it was put out and the prison was secured.
The minimum security facility is run by a private firm.
There's no word on what caused the rioting.
(------------)
[Terror-Alert]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
There are new warnings about possible terror attacks aimed at Americans overseas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/Last Month;]
The U-S government says its received tips that American interests in Saudi Arabia and Kenya could be targeted.
Al-Qaida bombers have struck both areas before.
Embassy officials say a housing compound in Saudi Arabia has been under "active surveillance" by terrorists.
They've also received threats that two hotels in Nairobi, Kenya, will be hit in next few days.
(------------)
[11Bedford-Ax]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC2:00:14]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]
[ENG#=2]
Nine Bedford County school children and their bus driver were taken to the hospital after they were hit from behind by a pickup truck.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]
Authorities say 39-year-old Curtis Dale Wood was going about 40 miles per hour when his pickup rear-ended Bus Number 159 on Joppa Mill Road around 7:45 yesterday morning.
The impact sent nine students to the hospital for treatment of bumps and bruises.. Wood and the bus driver also were injured in the crash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:05:18]
[IN Q=One boarded]
((HAROLD JONES/BEDFORD CO. SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION: ONE BOARDED AND ANOTHER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BOARDING THE BUS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE BUS.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Jones/Bedford Co. Schools Transportation]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=back of the bus.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bus driver.. 61-year-old Sandy Bays.. was held overnight at Bedford Memorial Hospital.
Wood told police he was blinded by the sun and never saw the bus.
He's been charged with reckless driving.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=]
In business news, Strong Financial's C-E-O has stepped down.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((
> MORE FALLOUT FROM THE MUTUAL FUND INVESTIGATION.. RICHARD STRONG HAS
> STEPPED DOWN AS CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF STRONG FINANCIAL..STRONG FOUNDED THE
> FIRM IN 1974. IN SEPT NY ATTORNEY GENERAL ELIOT SPITZER NAMED STRONG
> FINANCIAL AND THREE OTHER FIRMS IN HIS 40 MLN DOLLAR SETTLEMENT WITH HEDGE
> FUND CANARY CAPITAL.. SPITZER MAY NOWCONSIDER FILING CRIMINAL CHARGES
> AGAINST RICHARD STRONG.
>
> FEDERAL REGULATORS HAVE filed civil charges against the mutual fund group
> Invesco. Invesco is accused of allegedly allowing clients to engage in
> short-term trading in its funds.
>
> ON WALL STREET.. INVESTORS BOOKEDPROFITS AFTER YESTERDAY'S RUNUP TO NEW
> YEARLY HIGHS..STILL SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE DOW IS UP 17 PERCENT, THE NASDAQ
> UP 46 PERCENT.
>
> THE DOW LOST 45 POINTS
>
> THE NASDAQ SLIPPED NEARLY 10
>
> THE CLOCK IS TICKING FOR FAO SCHWARZ. IF THE FAMED 141 YEAR OLD TOY
> STORE CAN'T FIND A BUYER BY DECEMBER 15TH... IT WILL BE LIQUIDATED ALONG
> WITH ITS SISTER STORE, RIGHT START. IT "WILL" LIQUIDATE ITS ZAINY BRAINY
> TOY CHAIN OF EDUCATION TOYUS. FAO WARNED INVESTORS LAST MONTH THAT A CASH
> CRUNCH MIGHT FORCE IT TO CLOSE ITS DOORS THIS MONTH. THIS IS FAO'S SECOND
> TRIP TO BANKRUPTCY COURT THIS YEAR. IT PLANS TO DELIST ITS STOCK FROM THE
> NASDAQ.
>
> GENERAL MOTORS LED THE PACK LAST MONTH.. SLAES OF GM jumped 22 percent in
> November - that's the largest reported year-over-year increase for any
> automaker so far.
> Ford Motor said its domestic sales fell slightly down 2 percent from a
> year ago, but that the U.S. economy is gaining strength and that bodes
> well for the industry as a whole.
>
> track all the pre market action at cbs.mw.com.))
>
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[OH-Shootings]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
Police in Columbus, Ohio, say 12 shootings along a stretch of interstate are connected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Columbus, OH;]
They're following up on hundreds of leads.
The shootings began in May ... but no one was hurt until last week, when a 62-year-old woman was killed.
Officers say ballistics tests have linked four of the shootings, but they aren't saying what kind of weapon it is.
(------------)
[11Victory-Stadium]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC45:45]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]
[ENG#=2]
Supporters of Victory Stadium marked the anniversary of the Roanoke landmark with a tribute to World War II veterans, and a call for the stadium's renovation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=God Bless America]
((GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THAT I LOVE))
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=land that I love.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Salute Victory Committee organized the ceremony at the National Guard Armory to mark the 61st anniversary of the stadium's dedication.
Speakers described the stadium site as hallowed ground.
They noted its role as a significant landmark for half of the city's history, and they urged officials not to dismantle one of the last vestiges of World War II.
(------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
[11King-Bridge]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC18:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Meanwhile, a new committee began molding the First Street Bridge into a memorial to Martin Luther King, Junior.
Yesterday, committee members talked about making the century-old span a destination in itself, as well as a means of getting downtown from the Henry Street area.
They discussed ways of identifying the bridge as a memorial to the late civil rights leader... whether by a sign, a plaque, or statue... and how to recognize LOCAL civil rights leaders.
The committee gave itself six months to come up with specific recommendations.
(------------)
[5-Dueling-Nutcrackers]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=503-06 1:34:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
When the curtain goes up on The Nutcracker later this month, the audience will be sitting in two seperate venues.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :23]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
That's because the traditional holiday ballet is being performed by two local dance companies on the same weekend.
December 12th, 13th and 14th will find Clara and her doll brought to life at the Jefferson Center by Roanoke City Ballet and the Radford University Dance Department.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Southwest Virginia Ballet will stage its own production that same weekend at the Roanoke Civic Center.
(///// SOT at :23 /////)
[SOT 9:2:22 - 9:2:29 on TAPE 1]
[SUPER=01-Terri Post/Southwest Virginia Ballet Executive Director;]
[IN Q=It's extremely important...]
((IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. FOR MANY COMPANIES IT'S THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=it's their bread and butter.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :10]
Terri Post says it's not uncommon for multiple companies to stage The Nutcracker, but that they usually work together to make sure the performances don't overlap.
(------------)
(Marya tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
by SS