[News-Heads]

(---------------)

[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]


Nearly two dozen people left homeless after their apartments catch fire are now receiving help from the Red Cross.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]


And, an outspoken opponent of a new stadium in Roanoke says he's running for city council.









[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]

Clouds are on the increase this afternoon, with daytime highs only a few degrees warmer than yesterday. Details on a one day warm-up that's on the way, plus a sneak peak at our weekend weather coming up.
(------------------)
[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]


Stay with us News 7 at noon, starts right now.
[Noon-open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]
[SUPER=@brent1;]


[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Help is on the way for victims of an early morning fire in Roanoke.
(------------)



[Nursing-Home]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Fire]



[ENG#=4]



Meanwhile, there was a deadly fire at a nursing home facility near Knoxville, Tennessee last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Maryville, TN;]


Authorities are still looking for a cause of the blaze that killed three people and injured at least a dozen others.
Emergency workers helped residents wrapped in blankets escape in freezing cold temperatures.
One witness says he heard an explosion before the fire began.
It took firefighters about two hours to get control of the flames.
(------------)



[Watergate-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]



[ENG#=1]



Fire was also an un- welcomed guest at the Watergate Hotel late last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


No one was injured in the two- alarm blaze that destroyed one room on the 14th floor of the hotel.
As a precaution, officials evacuated the hotel-- leaving guests wondering what was going on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I am not really sure]

(( AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT HAPPENED. HE WAS HAVING DINNER AND WE HEARD AN ALARM AND WE DECIDED TO COME DOWN THE STAIRCASE, AND COME OUTSIDE.))
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=come outside]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Watergate Hotel gained national attention more than 30 years ago, when President Nixon and other representatives in his cabinet arranged to have the Democratic party offices at the hotel broken into and bugged.
(------------)



[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12pm]
[WRITER=cja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]

Three U-S soldiers were injured in Iraq today after a roadside bomb exploded. The U-S military say the explosion was west of the city of Mosul. Iraqi police say seven Iraqis were also injured.
They also say an Iraqi police officer was killed last night in Kirkuk.
He'd reportedly been shot by Iraqi guards after an apparent misunderstanding.

[Wishneff]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-52 1:00:00]
[GRAPHIC=Wishneff]



[ENG#=2]



Brian Wishneff says the controversy over Victory Stadium is indicative of bigger problems in city government, and today he announced he will seek the Democratic nomination for City Council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Wishneff gathered with supporters at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, one of many projects he helped to plan.

Formerly Director of Economic Development for the city, and now a consultant, Wishneff says it's time to redefine the relationship between city council and the people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:54:50]
[IN Q=I think what Victory]

((BRIAN WISHNEFF/(D) CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE: I THINK WHAT VICTORY STADIUM IS SYMBOLIC OF A BIGGER PROBLEM, THAT THE PUBLIC THINKS WE HAVE WITH COUNCIL AND THAT IS THEY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THE PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY WHETHER IT'S VICTORY STADIUM, WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS, THERE'S JUST NO PUBLIC ANY MORE IN THE PUBLIC DEBATE.))
[SUPER=01-Brian Wishneff/(D) Roanoke City Council Candidate;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=in the public debate.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Wishneff says he and Sherman Lea will run as a team.
Both will be taking part in the firehouse primary February 7th at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibit Hall.
(------------)


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


The Governor says there is a way to speed up improvements to Interstate 81. We'll tell you what it is after the break.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Also President Bush takes his State of the Union message on the road, but not everyone wants to hear it.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]



[State-Union]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]



[ENG#=1]



Inspiring, or out of touch?
Americans are reacting to President Bush's state of the union speech, and so are some of his potential Democratic opponents.
Teri Okita reports from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Wesley Clark/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]

((

TRACK: JUST HOURS AFTER HIS ELECTION-YEAR ADDRESS, PRESIDENT BUSH WAS ALREADY ON THE ROAD PROMOTING HIS NEW INITIATIVES.
TRACK: (graphic) WHEN ASKED IF THEY APPROVE OF MR. BUSHS PROPOSALS, 60-PERCENT OF AMERICANS POLLED SAY THEY DO ALTHOUGH MOST DONT THINK THE COUNTRY CAN AFFORD THEM.

(NATSD OF BUSHS SPEECH TALKING TAX CUTS)


TRACK: THE PRESIDENT HAILED HIS TAX CUTS AS HELPING REBOUND THE ECONOMY. (graphic) AFTER THE SPEECH, 39% OF THOSE POLLED SAY HIS PLAN WAS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY. ONLY 12-PERCENT SAID IT WAS BAD, BUT ALMOST HALF SAID IT HAD NO EFFECT AT ALL. THAT'S WHY DEMOCRATS SAY THE PRESIDENT IS OUT-OF-TOUCH.

(Super: Sen. John Kerry/Democratic Presidential Candidate)
SOT: All of us heard a very different speech from the America that

people are living today.

(NATSD OF PROTESTORS)


TRACK: THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH FAILED TO CONNECT WITH THESE VOTERS IN OHIO WHO ARE PROTESTING HIS VISIT AND HIS POLICIES, DOMESTICALLY AND ABROAD.
TRACK: (graphic) HIS ADDRESS DIDNT CONVINCE MOST AMERICANS THAT THE WAR IN IRAQ WAS WORTH THE COST. 41-PERCENT IT WAS. 52-PERCENT SAID IT WASNT.

(Super: Wesley Clark/Democratic Presidential Candidate)
SOT: Now that we are there, we are going to have to succeed. He got us

into a war we didnt have to fight.

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)

STANDUP: Many pundits say the President played it safe last night offering few bold plans, but touting his successes and reaching out to his conservative base. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington.
))

[5-Roads]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=503-02 1:40:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG=2]

Legislators on a House panel are asking Governor Mark Warner to resubmit his budget proposal without the tax hikes.
The House Rules Committee passed a resolution this morning urging the governor to rewrite his budget bill this session using existing fiscal resources.
Warner's 59 BILLION dollar, two-year budget proposal includes a number of tax increases. The resolution was approved by all Republicans on the panel.
Two Democrats voted against the resolution.
Meanwhile the Governor says passage of his tax reform plan will speed up improvements to Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Warner says his proposed plan would free up one-point-three billion dollars over the next six years for transportation projects.
He says that amounts to the equivalent of a four-cent increase in the gas tax.
The additional funding would pump more tax dollars into the General Fund which would protect the Transportation Trust Fund.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:16:57]
[IN Q=THE BEST THING WE CAN DO]

((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: THE BEST THING WE CAN DO FOR TRANSPORTATION IS START WITH A STABLE GENERAL FUND. SO THAT WE DON'T END UP REPEATING WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST WHEN TRANSPORTATION FUNDS ARE RAIDED TO PAY FOR EXISTING OBLIGATIONS. DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITHOUT A TAX INCREASE FIRST. ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THE GOVERNOR DID WRONG HE TOOK THE TAX INCREASE IN FIRST WITHOUT TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE MONEY WE HAVE.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :00]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :13]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=what can we do with the money we have.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Several lawmakers are proposing an increase in the state's gas tax to raise money for transportation.
Warner says he is not opposed to that funding option.
(------------)



[School-Violence]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-54]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=3]


The task force studying safety in Roanoke's schools took time to hear from the community last night.
Justin McLeod has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Jones/Parent; :32]
[SUPER=01-Karen Pillis/Parent; :43]
[SUPER=01-Jaye Jones/Parent; 1:01 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Jim O'Hare/School Safety Task Force Member; 1:21]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND OF FACILITATOR GIVING INSTRUCTIONS))
What you see here could be described as a meeting of the minds. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
It was an informal setting, designed to allow the public to tell the school safety task force exactly how it feels.


[SOT 1:09:04]
[IN Q=I'm ready to hear]

((KATHRYN HATAM/WILLIAM FLEMING SENIOR: I'M READY TO HEAR IT ALL, IT'S MY JOB TO LISTEN.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=job to listen]


They listened at four separate forums, all in different sections of the city.
Participants were first asked to fill out a survey about school safety.
They then gathered in small groups to talk about it.
[SOT 1:07:48]
[IN Q=Yeah, I do believe]

((DEBBIE JONES/PARENT: YEAH, I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE SAFETY PROBLEM, VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS, IT'S THERE.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=it's there]


But some say violence in Roanoke schools is not as widespread or that uncommon from any other school system.
[SOT 1:22:03]
[IN Q=I think we have]

((KAREN PILLIS/PARENT: I THINK WE HAVE A WIDE DIVERSITY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE INCIDENTS IN SUCH A SCHOOL SYSTEM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=over the country]


But the focus here is how to help the Roanoke school system.
Participants were asked to come up with the most pressing safety needs and then prioritize those needs.
[SOT 1:05:46]
[IN Q=Communication between]

((JAYE JONES/PARENT: COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE PARENTS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO US.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=important to us]


There were many concerns brought up.
They include bullying, disrespect, parental involvement, gang violence, better discipline, and too much negative press.
Safety task force members will now take all this information and try to come up with solutions.
[SOT 1:03:14]
[IN Q=We don't come]

((JIM O'HARE/COMMITTE MEMBER: WE DON'T COME UP WITH MANY ANSWERS. WE'RE COMING TO ASK QUESTIONS AND SEE WHAT QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ASKED INORDER TO MAKE THE SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY IN A WHOLE A SAFER PLACE.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=A SAFER PLACE]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE NEXT STEP FOR THE TASK FORCE IS TO GET STUDENT INPUT. A SURVEY WILL SOON BE HEADING OUT TO STUDENTS IN GRADES FOURTH, SIXTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, AND ELEVENTH. THE TASK FORCE WILL THEN TALLY THOSE RESULTS, COME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, AND ISSUE A REPORT BY MID-MARCH. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]


If you were unable to attend last night's forums but would still like to give your opinion, you can do so online at the school system's website.
(+++++++)

[TAKE WDBJ WEBSITE PINNACLE]
We've put a link to that website on ours at wdbj7.com. Go there and click websites in the news. You have until February 28th to give your opinion which will remain anonymous.
(-------------)



[Trumbo]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Bo Trumbo]
[ENG#=None]


The General Assembly has unanimously elected former State Senator Bo Trumbo to a judgeship in the 25th circuit, effective February 1st. Trumbo will replace Duncan Byrd, who died in a traffic accident last summer. The 25th circuit extends from Craig and Botetourt Counties north to Highland County.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]


Coming up next on the newscast, we'll see how you move a very large shark.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Then we'll tell you why millions of Chinese aren't monkeying around with their fortune this year.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]



[Year-Monkey]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=1]



Whether it's in the form of dollar bills or coins-- in China, it's all about money this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Taipei, Taiwan;]


According to the Chinese New Year Calendar, it's not only the year of the monkey.
It's the year of the GOLDEN monkey, which is believed to bring in money and wealth.
The word for Monkey in Chinese is ' Yuan Ho', which sounds similar to the word for 'resources' which is interpreted as RICH resources.
And following that train of thought-- that means more money during the year.
(------------)



[Shark-Moved]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[ENG#=2]



After eight years of swimming in circles, Charlie the Shark is heading to different waters--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]


The popular, black- tipped reef shark is migrating south to Long Beach, while his longtime home at the Steinhart Aquarium is being re-built.
The challenge is moving him out of the tank, which requires a good plan and protection.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We will have gloves]
[SUPER=01-Pam Schaller/Aquatic Biologist;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=cut you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Once the new Steinhart Aquarium is built, Charlie and all of the other residents will have a tank 30- times the size of the current one.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]


On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 11 points. The NASDAQ has lost 19.

[super=460-x/11/y/19;]


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


Up next in sports, NASCAR unveils its plans for the 2004 season.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the Virginia Tech's men basketball team suffers its second loss of the season.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-151 TC15711]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]



[ENG#=1]



Notre Dame got busy at Cassell Coliseum last night, handing Seth Greenberg's Virginia Tech Hokies their second straight Big East loss.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Fighting Irish vs. Hokies;]


The Fighting Irish got the loose ball and a dunk from Torrin Francis for a ten point lead.
Francis finished the night with 22 points.
Freshman Zabian Dowdell bounced back from Saturday's bad outing against Miami by scoring 18 points last night.
Bryant Matthews did more than his share for Tech.
The senior tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds.
He also played some defense, getting the steal and assist to Coleman Collins at the other end for the flush.
But Notre Dame's Chris Thomas poured in 23 points.
[SUPER=33-Notre Dame/74/Virginia Tech/63/;]

The Irish won it 74-63, despite a late comeback by Tech.
The Hokies visit Seton Hall on Saturday.
(------------)



[S-UVA]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-158 TC15808]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]



[ENG#=]


The Virginia Cavaliers didn't win any style points last night, but they did pick up their second ACC win of the season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Comcast Sports Net;]


Pete Gillen's Cavaliers were tied with the Clemson Tigers at 20 at halftime after an ugly opening 20 minutes.
But Roanoke's JR Reynolds got UVA started in the second half with a three pointer for three of his 11 points on the night, which led the Cavaliers.
Another freshman, Donte Minter came up big as well.
He finished with 10 points.
[SUPER=33-Clemson/50/Virginia/61/;]

Virginia went on to win it 61 to 50.
(------------)



[S-Golf]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-161 TC5420]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]



[ENG#=3]



One of the world's most famous golf course architects was in Blacksburg yesterday.
Pete Dye has been commissioned to re-design the River Course at Virginia Tech.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]


Dye's signature is on the likes of the TPC at Sawgrass, the Harbourtown Golf Links in Hilton Head, and PGA West in California.
Known for enhancing the existing landscapes, Dye will work around the New River in his renovation.
The course will be closed for play until April 15th, but construction will continue through next April.
When it's finished, it'll include a practice facility for Jay Hardwick and the Hokie golfers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Pete Dye/Renowned Golf Architect;:02]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=these very often."]
(------------)



[S-Media-Tour]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=SP-162]
[GRAPHIC=Media Tour]



[ENG#=4]


Nascar unveiled its plans for the 2004 championship chase yesterday afternoon in Charlotte, but Mike Stevens says not everyone is happy about it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Helton/NASCAR President; :33]
[SUPER=01-Brian France/NASCAR Chairman and CEO; :47]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :57]
[SUPER=01-Richard Petty/Seven Time NASCAR Champion; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Ray Evernham/Evernham Motorsports Owner; 1:50]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/October; 1:58]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports.]
(-------------------)


[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] Quickcast
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS