WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 12/26/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Up next on News 7--

Security remains tight as travelers begin to make their way back home from the holidays.
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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

And, officials say the death toll could reach 10- thousand following this morning's earthquake in Iran.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[SS=None]
[Steve Ad-Lib]
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[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]

Join us for News 7 at noon, straight ahead.

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
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[Terror-Threat]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=N7 @ Noon]

[ENG#=2]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Across the country, holiday travelers are making their way home under the watchful eye of beefed up security teams.
That, as the nation remains under heightened alert.
Scott Rapoport has the story from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=03-Paris, France; :20]
[SUPER=01-Randy Larsen/CBS News Security Consultant; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Scott Rapoport/CBS News; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Rapoport, CBS News, Washington.]

(( Nat- (AIRPORT) AMIDST SOME OF THE TIGHTEST SECUIRTY SEEN SINCE 9-11...CAR SEARCHES AT REAGAN AIRPORT IN WASHINGTON... LONG LINES AT LAX... ...HOLIDAY TRAVELERS AT AIRPORTS AROUND THE NATION ARE BEGINNING TO MAKE THEIR WAY HOME.
(SOT-mos) 10:06:10 "even though it's incredibly inconvenient and
annoying.. I know that we're safe because we're keeping track of everything." :06 IN PARIS TODAY...AIR FRANCE RESUMED SERVICE TO LOS ANGELES...AFTER A TERROR SCARE FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF 6 FLIGHTS OVER CHRISTMAS. U.S. INTELLIGENCE FEARED PASSENGERS WITH SUSPECTED LINKS TO AL-QAEDA ...WERE ON BOARD THOSE FLIGHTS.
(Nat Sound)
7 MEN WERE QUESTIONED BY FRENCH INTELLIGENCE AND RELEASED AFTER NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND CONNECTING THEM TO A TERRORIST PLOT. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY STILL WANT TO TALK TO SEVERAL PASSENGERS WHO WERE BOOKED ON THE FLIGHT - AND DID NOT TURN UP ...INCLUDING ONE WHO IS A LICENCED PILOT.
(Nat Sound)
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT SOURCES SAY THEY FEARED AL QAEDA WAS PLANNING A 9-11 STYLE ATTACK OVER THE HOLIDAYS - WITH LAS VEGAS A REPORTED TARGET ... AS IT LIES IN THE PARIS TO L.A. FLIGHT PATH AND IS SEEN BY AL QAEDA AS A CENTER OF WESTERN DECADENCE.
SOT: Randy Larsen/CBS NEWS SECURITY CONSULTANT One of the important
things is that ninety percent of the fuel that was on that plane would have been used flying from Paris to Las Vegas. So it's demonstrating that they don't feel confident enough to get on a plane in the United States. STAND-UP (TO COME) U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEIR BIGGEST CONCERN NOW: A POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACK AROUND NEW YEARS. SCOTT RAPOPORT, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON. ))

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=3]

Five U-S soldiers have died in Iraq in the past 24 hours.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

One was killed in a rebel ambush, while two others died in bomb explosions today.
A car bomb went off on a highway in western Baghdad.
Yesterday, insurgents shelled a U-S base northeast of Baghdad, killing two more soldiers.
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[Iran-Earthquake]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=4]

In Iran, rescuers continue to search for survivors after today's powerful earthquake.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bam, Iran;]

Officials say the death toll has climbed to four thousand, but could could reach ten- thousand.
The six-point-seven magnitude earthquake devastated the historic town of Bam, which is about 600 miles outside of the capital city, Tehran.
Officials surveying the city of 80-thousand people say 60 percent of the homes there have been destroyed.
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[Benin-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

[ENG#=1]

A Christmas Day plane crash in the waters off the West African county of Benin (beh-NEEN) has now claimed the lives of at least 111 people.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cotonou, Benin;]

Officials say 20 people survived yesterday's crash.
Most of the casualties were Lebanese people headed home for the Christmas holiday.
Divers and fishermen spent the night searching the water near the shore for possible survivors.
No word yet on what caused the the plane to go down.
But airport officials say trouble started right after the plane took off.
They say the back of the plane hit a building at the end of the runway.
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[11Rke-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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[ENG#=2]

Roanoke firefighters were kept on their toes last night. The first call came in around 8 o-clock.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Firefighters responded to the first blaze on the 13-hundred block of Dale Avenue in Southeast Roanoke to find the front porch engulfed in flames. It took five minutes to put it out, but by that point, another fire three blocks away on Dale Avenue had been called in. Crews found the second floor heavily involved in fire and smoke.
That fire was contained in 12 minutes. Both structures were empty at the time and no one was hurt. Since the cause of the fire has not been determined, arson investigators have been called in.
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[CA-Mudslide]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=3]

This year's fire season in California was especially tough, but now heavy rain is causing even more trouble.
Rescuers are searching for at least 10 people who are believed to be trapped in the wake of a mudslide.
Drew Levinson has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-San Bernardino Co., CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Terry Martinez/San Bernardino Fire Department; :40]
[SUPER=04-October; :52]
[SUPER=01-Laura Mills/Resident; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News.]
(( Take Pkg: In Southern California the search continues for survivors after yesterday's heavy rains triggered massive mudslides.
(natsound rescue)
"WE'RE GOING TO WALK YOU OUT, WE''RE GOING TO GET YOU NICE AND WARM OK?"
Last night emergency crews rescued more than a dozen people--none had serious injuries. But conditions there forced rescue workers to delay their search until daylight. They believe more people are still trapped at a youth camp in the San Bernardino Mountains...but getting there is not going to be easy The mud washed out a bridge, so rescue crews are having to slog up and down the mountain on foot to reach the camp. The weather however is clearing up.

(SOT TERRY MARTINEZ/SAN BERNARDINO FIRE DEPT 8:31:32)
"BUT IT IS VERY COLD, THE MOUNTAINSIDE IS STILL VERY VERY SLICK THE CHANCE FOR MORE ADDITIONAL MUDSLIDES IS THERE."
The floodwaters filled with giant boulders are flowing unimpeded down the mountainsides.
(OCTOBER)

Two months ago fires deeply scarred the landscape---detroying hundreds
of homes, thousands of trees and the vegetation below.

(SOT LAURA MILLS/RESIDENT)

"BECAUSE OF THE FIRES, THERE IS NO FOLIAGE THERE TO HOLD THE GROUND IN PLACE"
First fire, now rain...Southern California is not having a happy holiday. Drew Levinson, CBS News.
))
[WX-Tease] ((KIM TOSS TO Steve)) [12/26/2003]
[SS=NONE]

Steve in weather center
[WXPRO/FULL]

[SS=NONE]

(Steve TOSS to KIM)

[TEASE NEXT]

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up - Registers are ringing with returns today....
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[VO-NAT ]

and If you yearn for your face to be on a stamp, it'll just cost you a few yen. We'll explain after the break.
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[COMM BREAK #1][BBB-Returns]

[mini-open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[GRAPHIC=Returns]

[ENG#=1]

Christmas may be over, but the shopping season continues.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday;]
Shoppers are heading to local stores today to take advantage of post holiday sales and to return the gifts that weren't on their wish lists. However, business officials warn shoppers shouldn't expect cash back with all returns. Companies create their own policies and even a receipt of purchase doesn't guarantee cash back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 47:45]
[IN Q=If you do not have a ]
((JULIE WHEELER/BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU: IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A RECEIPT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE YOU CASH BACK. EVEN IF YOU DO HAVE A RECEIPT, BUT THEY HAVE POSTED NO CASH REFUND THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU YOUR CASH BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Julie Wheeler/Better Business Bureau;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=your cash back]
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[VO-NAT]
Wheeler says it's up to the consumer to learn about a store's return policy before making a purchase. She says companies ARE required to refund money when defective merchandise is returned.
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[Personalized-Stamp]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[ENG#=2]

In the U-S, there's some pretty tough criteria for getting your likeness on a postage stamp.
But in Japan, all you need are a few yen and a yearning to get stuck on an envelope.
Barry Petersen reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The thing]
[SUPER=01-Barry Peterson/CBS News; 14]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Petersen, CBS News, Tokyo.]

[tease next] [Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up, Steve Pardon has a look at your weekend forecast
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[VO-NAT ]

Plus, some volunteers roll up their sleeves and roll out the grub to make sure no one goes hungry during the holidays.
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[11Rescue-Mission]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC-1:08:48]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

[ENG#=1]

For many, Christmas is a time of family gatherings and large meals.
But not everyone is that lucky.
That's why some volunteers in the Roanoke Valley were on a mission to make the season bright for everyone, and to make sure no one in the city went to bed hungry.
Jennifer Wishon has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=One Pokemon Box]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Joy Sylvester-Johnson/Rescue Mission; :13]
[SUPER=01-Joanne Summitt/Lunch Guest; :32]
[SUPER=01-Sandy Wills/Lunch Guest; :45]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; :50]
[SUPER=01-David Burgess/Volunteer;1:00]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Burgess/Volunteer; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Judy Saunders/Volunteer; 1:40]
[RUNS=2:12]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Roanoke.]

(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:04]
[IN Q=One pokemon box]
((ONE POKEMON BOX. ONE PET GROOM.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=one pet groom]
Santa's elves were all ready, the pies were all baked and after everyone was seated a holiday feast took place.
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[SOT 2:14]
[IN Q=We just try to make]
((JOY SYLVESTER-JOHNSON: WE JUST TRY TO MAKE A REAL HOME CHRISTMAS EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE AT THE TABLE - MAY BE THE FIRST TIME THEY'VE MET.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=time they've met]
425 pounds of ham, 48 turkeys, dressing and all the fixings were served at the Roanoke Rescue Mission Christmas Day. Joanne Summitt and her family used the occasion to greet old friends.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:43]
[IN Q=That's why I came]
((JOANNE SUMMITT: THAT'S WHY I CAME DOWN HERE TO GO TO CHURCH, BE WITH EVERYBODY, NEIGHBOR'S, FRIENDS, GET THE KIDS OUT A LITTLE BIT.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=kids out a little bit]
Sandy Wills is hoping her new year brings good food and lots of it.
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[SOT 16:11]
[IN Q=Ham, turkey, green beans]
((SANDY WILLS: HAM, TURKEY, GREEN BEANS AND MASHED POTATOES.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=and mashed potatoes]
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[SOT 23:44]
[IN Q=The holiday feast wouldn't]
((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: THE HOLIDAY FEAST WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT VOLUNTEERS. MORE THAN 60 PEOPLE LEFT THE COMFORTS OF THEIR OWN HOMES CHRISTMAS DAY TO HELP COOK FOR AND SERVE THEIR LESS FORTUNATE NEIGHBORS.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=less fortunate neighbors]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:28]
[IN Q=This will be the ]
((DAVID BURGESS: THIS WILL BE THE ONE TIME A LOT OF THEM WILL BE SERVED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR. YOU KNOW WE'RE ACCUSTOMED TO GOING OUT TO EAT AND BEING SERVED EVERY DAY, BUT THESE FOLKS JUST DON'T HAVE THAT.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=don't have that]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:38]
[IN Q=I hope that they]
((DEBBIE BURGESS: I HOPE THAT THEY LEARN AND SEE THE SHINING LIGHT OF JESUS CHRIST AND KNOW WHAT THE REAL MEANING OF CHRISTMAS IS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=of Christmas is]
And at the Rescue Mission it's the little things that make Christmas Day shine.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:55:13]
[IN Q=They bring homemade]
((JOY SYLVESTER-JOHNSON: THEY BRING HOMEMADE DESERTS AND THEY COME AND THEY SERVE AT THE TABLE SO EVERYTHING AT THE TABLE SO EVERYTHING IS LIKE A FIVE STAR RESTAURANT.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=five star restaurant]
((NAT SOUND OF MUSIC))
[RUNS= 04]
Complete with live music to get everyone in a festive mood.
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[SOT 12:06]
[IN Q=It's such a neat idea]
((JUDY SAUNDERS: IT'S SUCH A NEAT IDEA I MAY BE BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN...LAUGHTER.))
[RUNS =07]
[OUT Q=and again... laughter]
The Rescue Mission hopes only to see volunteers year after year, but is happy to supply cheer to anyone in need.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 05:39]
[IN Q=I'm glad there's always]
((JOY: I'M GLAD THERE'S ALWAYS A RESCUE MISSION BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHO'S IT GOING TO BE TOMORROW? TROUBLE COMES TO EVERYBODY. WE TAKE TURNS.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=we take turns]
Sandy Wills took her turn serving her family and finally got to eat some warm green beans and mashed potatoes. Jennifer Wishon, News 7 Roanoke.))

[News/Wx Toss]
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [12/26/2003] [TWO SHOT]

[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
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On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was up 24 points. The Nasdaq gained 5 points.

[super=460-x/24/x/5;]

[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next in sports, area high schools get ready to take on one another in the annual holiday hoopla.
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[VO-NAT ]

And UVA is ready for Pittsburgh, but the Panthers may have other things on their minds.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-Trott]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[TAPE#=SP-155 13111tc]
[GRAPHIC=INSIGHT BOWL]

[ENG#=1]

The Insight Bowl kicks off tonight in Arizona, where the Hokies will be trying to win their second straight postseason game in the wild west. Playing in Phoenix against Cal - is something reserve linebacker Jordan Trott probably never dreamed he'd be doing when he left his home in Torrence, California to play in Blacksburg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I NEVER IMAGINED...]
[SUPER=01-Jordan Trott/Sophomore Linebacker from California; :00]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=...to the challenge."]
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[VO-NAT con't]
Trott played in all 12 games this season and was on the field for 359 plays.
Next year he will challenge for a starting position, and he knows tonight is his first audition.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=ANY TIME...]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM."]
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[S-Panthers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-161 4010tc]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Bowl]

[ENG#=2]

The Virginia Cavaliers and Pittsburgh Panthers are just a day away from the third meeting on the football field in the two schools' history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA; :00]

And while the Panthers have said all week they'll be ready to play, there's still much uncertainty surrounding receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
The sophomore receiver has inquired about entering the NFL draft, even though he is only in his second college season.
The question posed to the Panthers; has this been a distraction?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Walt Harris/Pittsburgh Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=.....gonna happen"(DOUBLE OUT!!!)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One thing is certain for the Panthers-- They will not change their offense, a unit that ranked second in the Big East in scoring this past season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rod Rutherford/Pittsburgh Senior Quarterback; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=.......look to Larry as well"]
(------------)
[anchor=Kim]
[graphic=tire bowl]

Odds makers have the Cavaliers as three point favorites.
Kick off is set for Saturday at 11 AM. Be sure to join Steve Mason in the Queen City tonight with LIVE reports on News 7 at 5 and 6.
And then Saturday morning, Steve will have LIVE field level pre-game reports from Ericsson Stadium on New 7 Saturday Morning between 8 and 9 AM.

[S-Hoopla]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-165 2846tc]
[GRAPHIC=HOLIDAY HOOPLA]

[ENG#=3]

High school hoops will fill up the Salem Civic Center today for the start of the annual Holiday Hoopla tournament sponsored by Member One Credit Union. Eight teams are taking part in the three day event, including defending champion Roanoke Catholic.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WE DON'T...]
[SUPER=01-Dick Wall/Roanoke Catholic Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hicks/Cave Spring Head Coach; :27]
[SUPER=01-Robbie St. John/Patrick Henry Assistant Coach; :47]
[SUPER=01-Grant Smythers/Salem Head Coach; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=...A BIGGER CROWD."]
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[talent=Kim]
[graphic=holiday hoopla]
Salem, PH, Cave Spring and Catholic will be joined by Fleming, Hidden Valley, Osbourn and Gar-Field.
Games begins today at 3pm. The tournament is today, tomorrow, and Monday.

[11Salem-104]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC-41:47]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=]

A Salem woman celebrated her 104th Christmas - and Birthday yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Pearlie Shepard was born in Salem in 18-99. Her father was a farmer and she had one sister and two brothers. Shepard says many things have changed in her lifetime, but she thinks things have gotten better.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:02:57:00]
[IN Q=WE NEVER HAD ]
((WE NEVER HAD AN AUTOMOBILE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. TIL AFTER I WAS MARRIED WE HAD AN OLD MODEL T FORD.))
[SUPER=01-Pearlie Shepard/104 Years Old;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=MODEL T FORD]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
They wouldn't have too many mechanical problems from that Model T.
In 19-15 She left school and married a mechanic. She says she's travelled across the nation to California, New York, and Florida to visit family members, but none of those places compares to home.
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