WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/13/03

[Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Joy]

[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[roll cold out of the open]

[ENG#1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Coming up on News 7 Saturday Morning....... Is it media hype or educated concern that has so many American's flocking to get the flu shot?
[ENG#2]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

More of the vaccine is on its way to the State Health Department, but it may not be distrubityed to all districts. We will have more on those stories in just a few minutes.
(-------------)

[2-shot toss to Hello]

[Flu-Hype]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Flu Season]

[ENG#=3]

Is the media over-hyping the lack of the flu vaccine? Some doctors seem to think so.
Ross Palombo explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Vaccination lines stretching for block]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA; :04]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Guido Gores/Saint Francis Hospital; :21]
[SUPER=01-Kyle Winans/Saint Francis Hospital; :43]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=I would probably say not to panic]
((VACCINATION LINES STRETCHING FOR BLOCKS...
EMERGENCY ROOMS SNOWED UNDER WITH STUFFED-UP PATIENTS.
Dr. Guido Gores/Saint Francis Hospital says, "There is a certain amount of worry..."
DOCTOR GUIDO GORES (gee-dough gore-ease) SAYS THERE MAY BE MORE WORRY THAN ALL THIS IS WORTH...
Gores says, "This is not the plague... not SARS... not something people have to come running... and everyone has to have the flu vaccine."
BUT PEOPLE HAVE COME RUNNING...
CLOGGING SAINT FRANCIS' E-R... THE SECOND BUSIEST IN THE CITY... WITH AT LEAST 10-PERCENT MORE PATIENTS...
Kyle Winans, RN/ Saint Francis Hospital says, "We have seen an increased number of people..."
Winans says, "I do think there's a lot more acuity created from the media hype from the flu..."
ALTHOUGH WE'VE ALL SEEN THE SCARY HEADLINES ON T-V...
Wendy says, "Doctors say the outbreak may have killed two people..."
EVEN WITH CHILDREN'S DEATHS NOW TRAGICALLY TOTALING AT LEAST TWENTY...
DOCTORS SAY THIS YEAR... THE FLU SEASON SO FAR IS EARLY... SAD... INTENSE... BUT NOT STATICALLY STAGGERING.
Gores says, "We have one relatively ill person in our hospital, be we have not seen a huge amount..."
Gores says, "Flu deaths are relatively rare in America..."
BUT STILL... PEOPLE ARE SCARED...

DRUGSTORE-DOT-COM SAYS SALES OF ROBITUSSIN... NYQUIL... TYLENOL... ARE ALL UP 46-PERCENT IN THE LAST MONTH. WALGREENS... AND WALMART SAY THEIR SALES HAVE ALSO SOARED.
BUT UNLESS YOU'RE VERY YOUNG... VERY OLD... OR ALREADY VERY SICK... YOU DON'T NEED TO SELF-PRESCRIBE YOURSELF SICK...
Gores says, "Are you ill, elderly, young... then, yes, I'd try to find a vaccine..."
FOR ANYONE ELSE... DOCTORS SAY TREATING UNREALISTIC WORRY... ... IS ALWAYS WORSE THAN THE CURE.

Gores says, "I would probably say not to panic...: )) (---------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

That was Ross Palombo reporting.

[11Flu-Vaccine]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC49:13]
[GRAPHIC=hold]

[ENG#=4]

More flu vaccine is on the way to the State Health Department - but it's possible not all districts will get some of the serum.
Officials say an additional 24-hundred doses will be distributed among the state's 35 health districts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

There are few places left to turn for the flu shot. Although many lucked out at this clinic at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:48:44]
[IN Q=Very hard this fifth attempt]
((KATE HARSHBERGER; VERY HARD THIS IS MY FIFTH ATTEMPT. THE FIRST TWO ATTEMPTS THEY RAN OUT OF THE VACCINE BEFORE I GOT MINE))
[SUPER=07-Kate Harshberger]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=i got mine]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

All 370 doses the hospital had available were gone in matter of hours.
Some traveled from as far away as West Virginia just to get the shot.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Health officials say three central Virginians recently died of flu-related illnesses. All three were over 50. In far western Virginia, Buchanan County closed schools yesterday because so many students were sick.

[11Meeting-Prayer]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

Should you be allowed to pray at work and should your boss encourage it?
The city of Roanoke says no.
Justin McLeod has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=@justin1; :36]
[RUNS=:54]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
(( ((NAT SOUND OF WORK))
It all happened here at the city facilities management division where employees take care of building maintenance, custodial services, and security.
On Thursday, the facilities manager informed his workers through a memo that he planned to have a prayer at meals and at the beginning of staff meetings.
Gareth McAllister made it clear they were not required to be present and if the prayer offends them they could simply excuse themselves until it is over.
He goes onto to say there would never be any repercussions for anyone that chose not to participate.
Finally, he asked his workers to sign a form if they approve of the new policy.
[SOT ]
[IN Q=City found leaders found]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: CITY LEADERS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE MEMO FRIDAY AND BY AFTERNOON McALLISTER RETRACTED IT. ROANOKE'S HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR SAYS THERE IS NO CITY POLICY REGARDING PRAYER BUT SAYS IT WOULD FALL UNDER DIVERSITY ISSUES AND THEREFORE IT IS NOT ALLOWED. WE TRIED TO GET GARETH McALLISTER'S SIDE OF THE STORY BUT HE DID NOT RETURN OUR PHONE CALLS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Stadium-Amphitheater]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC24:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Solid waste found on the site of Roanoke's new stadium and ampitheater is causing more problems for the city.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has cited Roanoke for violating state regulations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Notice of Violation follows three recent incidents in which workers discovered waste on the construction site.
D- E- Q officials have not determined the amount of the penalty, but they say it will probably amount to less than 10- thousand dollars.
Roanoke's Environmental Administrator, Paul Truntich (trun-tich) says the city is now reviewing the notice and the officials plan to issue a response next week.
(------------)

[11United-Way]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC19:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

The United Way is taking its lastest fundraiser to the bank.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The agency's teaming up with B-B-and-T, Wachovia, SunTrust, and the Roanoke Times to conduct a "star search" in the Roanoke Valley. Donation forms will appear in the newspaper, and displays will be exhibited at select Wachovia banks, and all B-B-and-T and SunTrust branches. Without this latest fund drive, the United Way is expected to fall about 200-thousand dollars short of its 6-and a half million dollar fundraising goal for the year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As the economy...]
((JIM HINSON/BB&T; AS THE ECONOMY IS SLUGGISH, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SERVICES, AT THE SAME TIME THE GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS CUT BACK FOR THESE AGENCIES THEY DEPEND MORE ON THE UNITED WAY DOLLARS. IT'S JUST CRUCIAL THAT WE MEET OUR GOAL AND RAISE THIS MONEY AND HELP THE PEOPLE OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY. ))
[SUPER=01-Jim Hinson/BB&T;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=people of the Roanoke Valley.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Contributors will receive a star pendant that has become a collector's item in the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)

[11Bedford-Y]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-45 TC1:11:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=4]

The Bedford-area Y-M-C-A is getting into better shape.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Officials broke ground yesterday on a 1-and a half million dollar addition to the facility.
The new gym will feature six basketball goals and an indoor jogging track. The entrance to the building and the locker rooms will be upgraded.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:55:02]
[IN Q=We lost a]
((MARY JO BOONE/BEDFORD YMCA DIRECTOR: WE LOST A LOT OF MEMBERS WHEN WE CONVERTED WHAT WE HAVE NOW A STATE-OF THE ART FITNESS CENTER, WAS THE OLD GYMNASIUM AND WE LOST A LOT OF MEMBERS WHEN WE LOST THE GYMNASIUM. BUT IT WAS A STEP IN THE PHASE OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS SO NOW WE WILL OPEN THAT UP, WITH THE NEW GYM NOW WILL BRING ALL THOSE MEMBERS BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Jo Boone/Bedford YMCA Director]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=those members back.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The new gym is part of a five year, three- million dollar overhaul of the Bedford Y.
(------------)

[Focus-Health]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=1]

(-------------)
[start animation]
[runs=04]
[end animation]
(--------------)

[JOY ONE SHOT]
While many of us have heard that stress can take a toll on her health -- you may not know it can increase your risk of gum disease. [JOY/GUEST TWO SHOT]
[SUPER=01-Dr. George Levicki/Delta Dental President]

Here to explain is Dr. George Levicki, the President of Delta Dental Plan of Virginia
-how can stress affect oral health -what have studies shown -why does it impact -does it matter the type of stress

Don't go away. News 7 Saturday Morning will be right back.

[bump][Kelly-Mullens]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=1]

You've probably heard all of the Christmas classics thousands of times before, so today we are changing things up a bit with our sounds of the season with a very NON traditional song for the holidays. Here's Kelly Mullens with "Merry Christmas from the Family.".

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nats in]
[SUPER=07-Kelly Mullens]
[SUPER=04-"Merry Christmas from the Family";]
[BRING BUMP UP FS OVER MUSIC] [FADE FS AND MUSIC TO BREAK]
[RUNS= @ 2:00]
[OUT Q=nats out]

[FADE TO BREAK]

[Know-Bump]
[Take full screen bump] [Chyron 7155] Did You Know?

[COMM#4]

[Wknd-Calendar]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[JOY MIC HOT] [Take full screen calendar board] [Chyron 7157] [4 pages!!!!!!]
[BUMP]

[2Open-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[roll cold out of the open]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ENG#1]
[SUPER=#4070;weekend headline banner]
Coming up on News 7 Saturday Morning....... A texas company with ties to Vice President Cheney is accused of overcharging the government millions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ENG#2]
The "boys only" sign remains on the White House door as the only female candidate falls out of the primary. We will have more on those stories in just a few minutes.
(-------------)

[2-shot toss to Hello]

[Halliburton]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=3]

An audit reveals a company with ties to the Vice President overcharged the government millions for gas.
David Martin explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A subsidiary of Halliburton,]
[SUPER=01-David Martin/CBS News; :37]
[SUPER=01-Howard Dean/Democratic Presidential Candidate; :49]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=DM, CBS News, Pentagon]

(( A SUBSIDIARY OF HALLIBURTON, THE TEXAS FIRM ONCE HEADED BY VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY,
MAY HAVE OVERCHARGED THE PENTAGON BY MORE THAN A DOLLAR A GALLON FOR GAS DELIVERED TO IRAQ.

AND THE PRESIDENT, NO DOUBT HOPING TO CONTAIN THE POLITICAL FALLOUT, SAYS HE WANTS THE MONEY BACK.
BUSH: IF THERE'S AN OVERCHARGE LIKE WE THINK THERE IS WE EXPECT THAT MONEY TO BE REPAID.

A PENTAGON AUDIT SAYS THE OVERCHARGES COULD TOTAL $61 MILLION. THE AUDIT ALSO DISCOVERED A POTENTIAL $67 MILLION OVERCHARGE FOR PROVIDING MESS HALL SERVICES FOR U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ, BUT THAT ONE WAS SPOTTED BEFORE A BILL WAS EVER SUBMITTED.

THE APPEARANCE OF PRICE GOUGING ON PENTAGON CONTRACTS AWARDED TO A FIRM ONCE HEADED BY THE VICE PRESIDENT GAVE THE PRESIDENT'S DEMOCRATIC OPPONENTS WHAT THE MILITARY WOULD CALL A HIGH VALUE TARGET.
DEAN: I FIND IT DISCOURAGING TO SAY THE LEAST THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES APPEARS TO VALUE HIS CONNECTIONS WITH HALLIBURTON MORE THAN HE VALUES HIS CONNECTION WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE AUDIT FOUND THE HALLIBURTON SUBSIDIARY WAS CHARGING $2.27 FOR A GALLON OF UNLEADED GAS TRUCKED INTO IRAQ FROM KUWAIT WHILE THE SAME GALLON SHIPPED IN FROM TURKEY COST $1.18.
THE AUDIT ATTRIBUTES THE $1.09 DIFFERENCE TO THE HIGH PRICE CHARGED BY THE KUWAITI OIL COMPANY WHICH SOLD THE GAS TO HALLIBURTON AND SAY HALLIBURTON DID NOT POCKET ANY OF THE $61 MILLION. HALLIBURTON BLAMES THE COST ON THE HAZARDS AND UNCERTAINTIES OF SHIPPING OIL INTO A WAR ZONE.

SINCE THE WAR BEGAN, THE PENTAGON HAS PAID HALLIBURTON A TOTAL OF $5 BILLION ON CONTRACTS THAT COULD EVENTUALLY TOTAL MORE THAN $15 BILLION.

HALLIBURTON FIRST WENT INTO IRAQ TO PUT OUT OIL WELL FIRES SET BY RETREATING IRAQI TROOPS. THOSE FIRES ARE OUT, BUT YOU CAN BE SURE THE DEMOCRATS WILL DO THEIR BEST TO KEEP THIS FIRE BURNING.
DM, CBS NEWS, THE PENTAGON))

[11Dem-primary]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC2:00:00]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]

[ENG#=4]

All the guys made it.
But the only female candidate vying for the White House will not be on Virginia's presidential primary ballot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Of the nine major Democratic contenders, only Carol Moseley Braun failed to garner the required signatures to get her name on the ballot.
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Friday was the deadline for candidates to file with the State Board of Elections.
Ten thousand signatures are needed to qualify for the February Tenth primary.
The chairman of the state's Democratic party says he is disappointed that not all of the candidates will be considered.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:56:36]
[IN Q=obviously we would like to have all nine]
[SUPER=01-Kerry Donley/Democratic Party of Virginia]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=our form of government.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[SS=HOLD]

Lyndon LaRouche also filed papers to qualify for Virginia's presidential primary even though the state's party does not recognize him as a Democrat.

[11Bear-Followup]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC30:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

The search continues for a wounded bear that escaped from the Natural Bridge Zoo earlier this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]
Sarah is an Asiatic Black Bear like the ones in this video. She and her mate, Festus, escaped from their cage Thursday evening after a zoo keeper forgot to secure it. Festus broke into a nearby home causing thousands of dollars in damage. He was then shot and killed by the owner of the zoo. Sarah was also shot in the shoulder, but ran away. Zoo officials are hoping to find the pregnant bear and return her unharmed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:37:02]
[IN Q=We have her cage]
((KARL MOGENSEN: WE HAVE HER CAGE STOCKED WITH FOOD AND CHANCES ARE SHE'LL PROBABLY GO RIGHT BACK INTO HER CAGE WHERE SHE FEELS SECURE. MOST ANIMALS DO THAT UNDER STRESS.))
[SUPER=01-Karl Mogensen/Natural Bridge Zoo Owner;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=that under stress]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Anyone who encounters the bear is advised to throw food to it and immediately call the Zoo or Rockbridge County Sheriff's Department.
(------------)

[Deer-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=sat am]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

An unBEAR-able situation for two deer --trapped in icy lake last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Byram Township, NJ]

Only their heads stuck of the lake. Their bodies were completely submerged when rescuers used ropes to pull the deer to safety.
The deer were then wrapped in blankets to stay warm up and then later released back into the woods.
(------------)

[11Roanoke-Christmas]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC21:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

Roanoke was full of the Holiday spirit last night.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF BAND OR DRUMMING]
((NAT DRUMMING))
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND OF BAND OR DRUMMING]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hundreds lined the streets of downtown for the city's annual Christmas parade.
44 groups took part this year. The event included everything from marching bands, floats, and antique cars, to several dance troupes.
While many of the participants were decked out in costume, those watching the parade bundled up to stay warm.
Despite the cold weather, most seem to get a kick out of the holiday celebration.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[SS=None]

One scheduling note if you're planning on attending Bedford's holiday parade.
It starts at 11 o-clock today, not one as originally reported.

[Tease#2]

[ANCHOR=Joy one shot]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=jen]
[SS=None]

[ENG#=V10]

Coming up, meet a group of area cheerleaders that's not just a champion on the court, but also in the community.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and its Jack and Diane together like never before, but has "Something Gotta Give" for fans to fall in love with the couple? We'll take a look in today's Movie Review.
(-------------)
[LOTTO] [Break]
[Wx-Hello]

[ANCHOR=LEO]
[LEO HAS WX HELLO @ wx center]
[WXPRO/Full]
[toss to movie review animation]

[2-Kelly-Mullens]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=3]

Earlier we heard a non-traditional tune for the holidays by Kelly Mullens. Now he's joining us with a contemporary classic for you to enjoy.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nats in]
[SUPER=07-Kelly Mullens]
[SUPER=03-"Silver Bells";]
[BRING PARADE BOARD FS OVER MUSIC] [BRING BUMP UP FS OVER MUSIC] [FADE FS AND MUSIC TO BREAK]
[RUNS= @ 1:30]
[OUT Q=nats out]

[Cheerleaders]

[ANCHOR=Joy @ PS]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

[ENG#=]

A group of cheerleaders from James Madison Junior High are proving they not only have school spirit, but community spirit as well. The team won the E-C-A regional championship last week and when they aren't cheering, they are working to improve the community.
Here to tell us more are team members Ebony Willis and Briana Dobbs.

[SUPER=01-Ebony Willis/Cheerleader;]
[SUPER=01-Briana Dobbs/Cheerleader;]

[Joy toss to break]

[Parade-Close]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

[ENG#=2]

We're going to leave you now with scenes from last night's Christmas Parade in Downtown Roanoke. Have a safe weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;]
[christmas music under]
(------------)

[roll to net]
[2BIRTHDAYS!] 12/14/02
Sunday:

[SUPER=130-/Josephine Clark/Clifton Forge]

[SUPER=130-81/Kirby Phillips/New River]

[SUPER=130-3/Austin Tucker/Buchanan]

[SUPER=130-4/Savannah Farris/Callaway]

[SUPER=130-/Mack Farmer/Radford] located on bridge computer in birthday file

[SUPER=130-8/Cody Claxton/Shawsville]

[SUPER=130-10/Kyle Goad/Blue Ridge]

[SUPER=130-14/Richelle Perry/Roanoke]

Twins:
[SUPER=130-3/Dalton & Sealey/Axton]

[SUPER=130-14/Meghan Dalton/Stuart]

[SUPER=130-2/Ian Norris/Glade Hill]

[SUPER=130-12/Kristen Davis/Fries]

[SUPER=130-50/Alfred Gallimore/Blacksburg]

[SUPER=130-/Carter Radford/Roanoke]

No pictures:
[SUPER=131-/Patsy Smith/Lexington]