[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

A company that was once part of the unemployment solution in Southside is now part of the problem.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT :05]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And, Virginia refuses to hold its peace for same-sex couples who want to tie the knot.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]

Tonight on News 7 sports - Travis Wells check in from Daytona with a law firm that is definitely in the fast lane,

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and more than 600 swimmers are in the pool this weekend at the Dedmon center as day of the state meet is winding down.

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


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


It's a sweet Valentine's day forecast but will our luck hold for the entire weekend? Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]


News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]



[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:15:21]
[IN Q=Textile manufacturing]

((TEXTILE MANUFACTURING AS WE KNOW IT IN THIS COUNTRY IS JUST ABOUT OVER.))
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=just about over]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

It was once a sign of hope for hundreds of unemployed southside residents.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

But today, Active Wear in Martinsville, closed its doors for good.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


Good evening, I'm Shannon Young.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Activewear]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC1:09:17]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The textile manufacturer made the decision to close its doors today.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

That means more than 200 people out of a job. [***NES 7 @ 6 IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith Shannon & Jennifer/ NEwsroom;]

Jennifer Wishon spoke with a company spokesman today and has the details. Keith and Shannon, Active Wear now plans to sell its assets and go out of business.
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1;]

At one point the company looked strong and grew to 350 employees, but last year an unexpected increase in cotton prices and decrease in orders started the company on a decline it couldn't recover from.
[ENG#=4]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/November 2002]

Active Wear is housed in the old V-F Imagewear plant and employed many people who've worked in textiles their entire lives. Company leaders thought they had a good strategy, but say extenuating circumstances forced the plant to shut down.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:15:29]
[IN Q=They had a niche]

((A. CARTER MAGEE/ATTORNEY: THEY HAD A NICHE MARKET FOR HIGH COTTON CONTENT PRODUCT AND THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK AND THAT'S THE THING THAT REALLY HURTS THESE FOLKS IS THAT THEY DID EXACTLY WHAT THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PEOPLE TELL THEM TO DO, THE BUSINESS CONSULTANTS, AND IT DIDN'T WORK. NOT FOR LACK OF TRYING, BUT FOR LACK OF A MARKET AND FOR A SPIKE IN THE COTTON PRICES.))
[SUPER=01-A. Carter Magee/Active Wear Attorney;]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=in the cotton prices]
(------------)
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL Newsroom]

Magee says the company is nearly 6- million dollars in debt, but WILL honor the payroll owed to employees. Officials will now try to find a buyer for the company's machinery.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Jennifer/Newsroom;]

Keith and Shannon, ironically, Magee is told the market is good right now for used textile manufacturing equipment.

[KB-Toys]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-08 2:52]
[GRAPHIC=KB Closing stores]
[ENG#=1]

A national toy store chain is pulling out of Virginia. K-B Toys has announced it plans to close 11 stores statewide, including locations in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Christiansburg. Officials say those stores are "under performing" and don't fit the company's strategic plan". 35- hundred positions will be lost nationwide,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./File Tape;]

but jobs at the company's Internet fulfillment center in Blairs are safe. The toy chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month, but officials say the company's Internet business should NOT be affected.
(------------)



[EC-Glass]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC1:04:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


Five students at Lynchburg's E-C Glass High School face assault charges after a series of fights there today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Police say a student who was wearing gang colors and carrying a cellphone was arrested after he assaulted a school resource officer who confronted him.
Two fights inside the cafeteria at lunchtime led to the arrest of four other students.
Police stood by this afternoon as school let out to make sure there were no more problems.
(------------)



[Roanoke-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC15:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


The Roanoke City School Board wants more information before moving forward with a new high school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


On Tuesday, members learned the new Patrick Henry High School will cost nine million dollars more than expected.
Today they decided to seek more information on the cost estimate, and more input from the public.
The board will hold two public hearings in March, before deciding how to proceed in April.
(------------)



[Gay-marriage]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC20:34]
[SS=None]


In THEIR eyes, they are married.
But in the state's eyes, they are not.
Homosexual couples in Virginia are trying to change that but they are up against a formidable foe -- the General Assembly.
[DOUBLE BOXES=SHannon & Meghan/State Microwave;]


Meghan Muldoon has more.
Shannon, for the first time in Virginia, an organized group
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

of gay and lesbian couples today tried to get what most Virginians would have little problems obtaining...a marriage license.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER TWO YEARS.]
[SUPER=01-Sheila Bishop/Seeking Marriage License; :00]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :06]
[SUPER=01-Mary Gay Hutcherson/Seeking Marriage License; :13]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Robin Gorsline/Seeking Marriage License; :44]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bob Marshall/(R) Prince William Co.; :1:00]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=YOU CAN HAVE A SQUARE CIRCLE. YOU CAN'T DO IT.]
(([SOT 13:33:41]

((SHEILA BISHOP/SEEKING MARRIAGE LICENSE: WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER TWO YEARS. WE'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. )) [RUNS:05]
Sheila Bishop and Chris Earle say they are joined in a holy union.
Yolanda Farnum and Mary Gay Hutcherson say they were married two years ago.
[SOT 13:47:45]

((MARY GAY HUTCHERSON/SEEKING MARRIAGE LICENSE: WE HAD A LOVELY WEDDING AND WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE MARRIED BEFORE GOD AND CERTAINLY MARRIED IN OUR HEARTS AND THE ONLY PIECE WE'RE MISSING IS A LITTLE PIECE OF PAPER FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.)) [RUNS:12]
So they along with seven other same-sex couples entered a Richmond courthouse to apply for that little piece of paper.
They walked in clutching pink "bride" and blue "groom" application forms but walked out with nothing.
They were told that the state only recognizes heterosexual marriages.
To make that point clear, legislators were three blocks away affirming the state's ban on gay marriage.
Still same-sex couples are vowing to fight on.
[SOT 13:34:52]

((REVEREND ROBIN GORSLINE/SEEKING MARRIAGE LICENSE: WE'LL KEEP COMING BACK UNTIL IT HAPPENS.)) [RUNS:02]

[SOT 13:48:24]

((MARY GAY HUTCHERSON/SEEKING MARRIAGE LICENSE: OUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT JUST AS DEEP AND JUST AS LOVING AS ANYONE ELSES.)) [RUNS:05]
But opponents of gay marriage say that is not the point.
[SOT 09:03 ]

((DEL. BOB MARSHALL/R-PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY: THE QUESTION IS NOT LOVE. THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS MARRIAGE, IS TO SAY YOU CAN HAVE A SQUARE CIRCLE. YOU CAN'T DO IT. )) [RUNS:10]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]


Same-sex couples admit that Virginia may be the last state to give
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]


up the ban but they are confident that even thought they didn't get the license today, they say some day, they will.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]


Still ahead on News 7, why Radford University's looking for a new president tonight.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


And later, we'll talk to country music star Phil Vassar... as he gets ready for tonight's homecoming concert.
(----------------)

[1st-Wx]
[Covington]
(MINI OPEN)
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC1:53:49]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Radford University's president is officially retiring.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


Douglas Covington made the announcement today at the University's Board of Visitors meeting.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]


New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa has the details. Rachel?
Keith and Shannon the news wasn't a shock on campus.
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]


Covington's contract expires next year and he's said all along he would retire in 2005.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After a decade]
[SUPER=03-Radford;:00]
[SUPER=01-Douglas Covington/Radford President;:07]
[SUPER=01-James Lollar/Former Faculty Senate President;:33]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=my first choice.]

((After a decade of service, Douglas Covington is stepping aside as president of Radford University.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:25:08:00 ]
[IN Q=I've really ]

((DOUGLAS COVINGTON:I'VE REALLY ENJOYED THE ASSOCIATE WITH RU STUDENTS THEY HAVE BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND I'VE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL FROM THEM. I HOPE THAT THEY'VE LEARNED AS MUCH FROM US AS WE'VE LEARNED FROM THEM. :15)) [RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=from them.]


Covington took the reins in 1995. His contract was renewed in 2000, but he says "He" and everyone else always knew his last day on the job would be June 1st, 2005.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:3:38:00 ]
[IN Q=Dr. Covington]

((JAMES LOLLAR:DR. COVINGTON CAME AT A VERY IMPORTANT TIME AT THE UNIVERSITY, IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY. THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT HAD BEEN HERE FOR 20 PLUS YEARS)) [RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=20 plus years.]


Covington says during his tenure the school's had many accomplishments and even weathered a few storms. But of everything, he says he'll miss the students most of all.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:27:24:00 ]
[IN Q=If I were]

((COVINGTON:IF I WERE OF AN AGE TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO A COLLEGE OR UNIVERISTY RADFORD WOULD BE MY FIRST CHOICE)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=my first choice.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Blacksburg]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]


Covington says he and his wife have bought a house in Blacksburg and plan to stay in the area.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & RAchel /Microwave;]


The University will begin a search for its sixth president in the next few weeks.

[County-Burglary]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=cja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A call from a concerned citizen yesterday helped Roanoke County police recover thousands of dollars in stolen goods. Officers followed the tip to a car where they say 41-year old Donald Lee Ferris was stockpiling stolen property.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

They also found stolen items at Ferris' apartment including hand tools, a power washer, and a stolen car. Two firearms and other tools were found at an apartment linked to Ferris in Roanoke city.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]

19-year-old Arnold Frith was arrested at that apartment after police found marijuana growing inside. Ferris is charged with grand larceny and burglary.

[L'burg-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC21:38]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
[ENG#=3]


One person was hurt, another taken into custody after a shooting outside a Lynchburg restaurant last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night]


Police say an argument between two men outside the Ale House on Wards Road ended in gunfire just before midnight.

29-year-old Vincent E. Clark of Madison Heights was shot in the leg.
Police arrested 22-year-old Reginald Lorenzo Anthony a few minutes later near River Ridge Mall.
A gun was recovered from Anthony's car.
He faces malicious wounding and firearms charges.
(------------)



[Altec]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-05-23:52]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=4]

[**ANCHOR TAG**] A Roanoke area plant is getting busier, and the help wanted sign is out. Local officials hope to bring in more companies like Altec Industries, a company that chose to expand in the valley several years ago. Susan Bahorich has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tom Richmond/Altec Industries; :14]
[SUPER=@SUSAN1; :42]
[SUPER=01-Phil Sparks/Economic Development Partnership; :53]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q= News 7, Roanoke]

(([NAT SEQUENCE] [21:03:45:09] ((hammering)) [21:03:51:05] ((welding)) [21:07:02:14] ((sanding))
[RUNS= :08]


Altec - a company that makes aerial lifts, moved to Botetourt County's technology center nearly two and a half years ago after eyeing a number of different sites.

[SOT@21:01:45:03]
[INQ=It's a competitive market...]

((TOM RICHMOND, ALTEC INDUSTRIES: IT'S A COMPETITIVE MARKET OUT THERE FOR A COMPANY TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST. CERTAINLY MARKET CONSIDERATION, THE EAST COAST OFFERS A LARGE MARKET SEGMENT AFTER WHERE THIS PARTICULAR EQUIPMENT IS USED IS PART OF THE CRITERIA, BUT ALSO THE LIVABILITY OF THE AREA.))
[RUNS= :17]
[OUTQ=.. of the area.]


Altec came to the area starting small, but thinking *big.* The jobs, production lines and number of employees are growing everyday.

[SOT@21:13:22:29]
[INQ=In addition...]

((SUSAN BAHORICH, REPORTING: IN ADDITION TO A SKILLED AND EAGER WORKFORCE THE COMMONWEALTH OFFERS INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES LIKE ALTEC TO RELOCATE HERE, A MOVE WHICH PAYS OFF FOR THE COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUTQ=.. and the community.]



[SOT@20:55:22:17]
[INQ=What makes Virginia...]

((PHIL SPARKS, ROANOKE VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP: WHAT MAKES VIRGINIA DIFFERENT THAN OTHER STATES IS WE OFFER CONSERVATIVE BUSINESS PACKAGES. IF IT'S A LOCAL GOVERNMENT- THEY'LL WANT A RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT IN 3 TO 5 YEARS, SO IF THEY PUT IN "X" AMOUNT OF DOLLARS, THEY EXPECT TO GET MONEY BACK IN FORM OF TAXES.))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUTQ=.. form of taxes.]


...Which helps the Valley reach new "heights"[shot of crane extending] in revenue and strength in employment. Susan Bahorich, News 7, Roanoke.))
(+++++++)

[Take Altec Phone FS]
[ANCHOR=Shannon ]

Altec Industries is still growing, and looking for about 25 new workers. If you're interested, you can call the company at (540) 992-5300.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The stock market closed the week with a loss. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/66.22/10627.85/y/20.05/2053.56;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


The DOW fell 66 points.
NASDAQ lost 20.
[SUPER=271-i/0.17/41.90/i/0.58/54.66//Unchg/33.45/i/0.33/84.20/i/0.08/81.57;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.07/37.37/i/0.59/21.30/h/0.07/6.86/i/0.18/63.02/i/0.14/32.72;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.01/8.71/h/0.11/44.12/i/0.23/18.91/i/0.17/22.30/i/0.16/7.60;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.17/12.67/i/0.15/73.78/h/0.04/37.65/i/0.03/47.52/i/0.66/56.32;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]


[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]

[Bedford-Guard]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]


More Virginia National Guard troops face the possibility of active duty.
Some 550 soldiers of the Third Battalion, 116th Infantry, including soldiers from Bedford, have been placed on alert status.
The alert's in effect for 90 days, but it doesn't guarantee that the unit will be called up.
If they are activated, the soldiers would help with homeland defense operations in the U-S or overseas.

[Vassar]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:04:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


Country Musician Phil Vassar opened an 11- city tour last night in Philadelphia.
Tonight, the Lynchburg native is playing for family and friends.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT OF MUSIC VIDEO]
[IN Q=An]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=American Child.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Vassar has two hit records behind him, and a third album due this spring.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


Today,Vassar joined Star Country fans for lunch at the Texas Steakhouse.
He said he hopes to make tonight's homecoming concert an annual event.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:54]
[IN Q=For me it's where I'm from]

((PHIL VASSAR: FOR ME IT'S WHERE I'M FROM, BUT I REALLY HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN A LONG TIME. I HAVEN'T DONE A LOT OF SHOWS HERE, SO ONCE PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT IT HOPEFULLY THEY'LL SAY HEY IT WASN'T TOO BAD. COME BACK AND SEE HIM NEXT TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Phil Vassar/Country Musician;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and see him next time.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Vassar is expecting former classmates from Brookville High School and J-M-U at tonight's show, and says he'll probably be late leaving Roanoke for his next gig in Connecticut.
(------------)



[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - an update on the State Group Two a swim meet,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and unusual sponsors are nothing new to NASCAR - but how about one law firm slapping its logo on nearly a dozen cars during Speedweeks. Travis Wells with the verdict in a moment.
(------------)



[S-Daytona]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-169 1244TC]
[GRAPHIC=SPEEDWEEKS]
[ENG#=1]


Speedweeks at Daytona is rolling today. Tonight the trucks race under the light. This afternoon the Busch cars qualified -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL; :00]

and then went out for their final practice and wrecked the pole winner. Martin Truex Junior was an innocent victim when Michael Waltrip cut down a tire and spun in front him. Neither driver was hurt. The Valentine's Day race tomorrow is appropriately the Hershey Kisses 300.
(------------)



[S-Lawyer]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-156 TC15921]
[GRAPHIC=nextel cup]
[ENG#=2]


Unless you were Kurt Busch or Jimmy Spencer last season, Nascar drivers usually don't have the need for a personal injury lawyer at the track.
[graphic=spedweeks 2004]


But Maryland attorney Frank Jenkins and his two brothers are offering several teams another service this season, associate sponsorship. Travis Wells has there unusual story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Daytona, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Jenkins/Attorney and Nascar Fan; :27]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/NetZero Chevy Driver; 1:18]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Hamilton/Square D Dodge Truck Driver; 1:33]
[SUPER=@travis1; 1:46]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]
(--------------------)



[S-Swim]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=KCO]
[TAPE#=SP-167 646TC]
[GRAPHIC=HIGH SCHOOL SWIM]
[ENG#=3]

Many of the top swimmers in the state are in Radford this weekend for the Group Two A state swimming and diving championships.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Group AA Championships; :00]

Virginia High is the host school and the Dedmon Center pool and arena are housing the swimmers. And there are plenty of them. 646 swimmers from 58 Double A schools from across the Commonwealth are trying to make a splash and squeeze into a small amount of space.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT'S GETTING...]
[SUPER=01-Terry Caldwell/Group AA Swim Meet Director; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...RIGHT NOW."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]

The local team with the best chance of winning the a state team title by the time the pool calms tomorrow afternoon is Hidden Valley. So far - the Titans are right in the thick of things.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Scott Bowser/Hidden Valley Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...here on out."]
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD SWIMMING]

The finals are tomorrow morning.
by SS