WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/18/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Virginia lawmakers Monday-morning qurterback the Superbowl half-time show.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT :06]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And Quarterback Marcus Vick's arrested. What Tech has to say about the criminal charges he and two other Virginia Tech football players face.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]
Tonight on the Big 7 - Joe Gibbs talks about Kevin Jones. We'll have latest on the speedway renovations in the New River.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And former Brave Greg Maddux is returning to Chicago to pitch for the Cubs.
(------------)

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

Climate set on cruise control. Sunshine and warmer temperatures for mid February. Details coming up.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
[ENG#=3]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:30;17]
[IN Q=THIS KIND OF STUFF IS]
((this kind of stuff is not right let's leave this trash where it belongs.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=THIS TRASH WHERE IT BELONGS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The Janet Jackson halftime performance is touching off more controversy.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

This time it is stirring up racial accusations in the House of Delegates.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Keith Humphry. [Jackson-resolution]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC29:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Virginians have had a lot to say about Janet Jackson's appearance at the Super Bowl.
[SUPER=Shannon 2-Shot]

But now one lawmaker is saying Jackson is being treated unfairly because she's black.
Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon has this story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=DELEGATE ALBERT POLLARD IS STILL BOTHERED]
[SUPER=03-Houston/February 1; :03]
[SUPER=01-Del. Albert Pollard/(D) Lancaster Co.; :]
[SUPER=01-Del. Lionell Spruill/(D) Chesapeake; :]
[SUPER=@Meghan1; :]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=MM, NEWS 7, RICHMOND]

(( Delegate Albert Pollard is still bothered by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's halftime peep show.
The Democrat says it was tasteless and is urging his colleagues to adopt a resolution saying so.
[SOT 12:23:25]
[IN Q=THE MANNER AND THE TIMING]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=ITS JUST CULTURAL TRIPE.]

But Delegate Lionell Spruill says he sees a racial tone in the resolution.
[SOT :29:04]
[IN Q=]
((DELEGATE LIONELL SPRUILL/D-PORTSMOUTH: I QUESTION THE GENTLEMAN WHO PUT IT IN WHY DIDN'T HE PUT STUFF IN WHEN MADONNA WAS KISSING BRITNEY SPEARS.))
[RUNS=:07]

Pollard defended his resolution saying the Madonna/Britney kiss was aired on cable and not the public airwaves.
Still, some lawmakers say it is hypocrisy to single out Jackson when the state's own seal depicts a woman with one bared breast.
Pollard says he has no problems with the scantily clad woman on Virginia's seal.
[SOT 12:23:50]
((DELEGATE ALBERT POLLARD/D-LANCASTER CO.: ABSOLUTELY NOT BUT IF THEY PUT HER IN A THONG AND PUT SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS AROUND HER I WOULD.))
[RUNS=:05]

Pollard says he finds nothing obscene about the state seal, but there is evidence that at some point, lawmakers did find the nudity troubling because in this flag from 1865, she's noticably covered up.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond.))

[Vick]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC14:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Tech's Athletic Department will take no action- -at least not right away- -against three Virginia Tech football players charged last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Late yesterday police arrested quarterback Marcus Vick, running back Mike Imoh and wide receiver Brenden Hill on misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape;]

The three are accused of giving teenage girls alcohol and taking pictures of them as they stripped.
Vick is also accused of having sex with a 15 year old girl.
A Tech spokesperson says "the university athletic director has taken the situation under review. He will evaluate the students' conduct within the context of the situation, and take action if and when appropriate. "
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=none]

University officials say nothing will happen until the court cases are resolved.
The three players are free on 25-hundred dollars bond.
[PAGE 4 NEXT]

[Cop-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC22:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

A combination of inexperience and poor road conditions are reportedly to blame for a crash that injured two Lynchburg policemen last week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Week]

Officers Mike Bauserman and Shay Ellis were hurt when their patrol car ran off Florida Avenue and down a steep embankment.
Authorities say Ellis, a rookie, was driving and swerved to avoid construction barrels in the road.
The car then hit a patch of sand that sent it out of control.
Ellis's superiors don't believe he was driving recklessly but he may face sanctions or undergo additional training.
(------------)

[Harris]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A former writer and columnist for the News-Gazette in Lexington admits to sexually abusing a young girl. Today as part of a plea agreement, Jerry Harris pled guilty to felony charges of taking indecent liberties with a minor, sexual battery and forcible sodomy. He also pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of possession of child pornography. Harris will be sentenced in April, and could face up to life in prison.

[Holcomb]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Roger Holcomb]
[ENG#=4]

Testimony is underway in the trial of a former Giles County pastor accused of molesting several children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]

53 year old Roger Holcomb this morning pled not guilty to 7-counts of aggravated sexual battery and 4-counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor.
He's accused of molesting five children, ranging in age from seven to 13 while at Pembroke Church of God.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]
A jury was picked this morning. Lawyers made their opening statements this afternoon.
The trial is expected to last several days.

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

A dispute between 30 doctors and one insurance company could mean bigger charges for some patients.
More on that when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus why neighbors say they're not sold on a proposed shopping development in Roanoke County.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Anthem-ACV]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC49:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
(MINI-OPEN)
[MINI-OPEN]
35 anesthesiologists in western Virginia say they have been unable to reach agreement with Anthem Incorporated.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Today, the doctors announced they plan to withdraw from the Anthem Benefit Network as of March 16th.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Joe/Newsroom;]

Joe Dashiell is in the newsroom tonight with more on the decision and what it will mean for the doctors, hospitals and their patients.
[LIVE=Joe Full Newsroom]
[SUPER=@joe1;]

Keith and Shannon, Anesthesiology Consultants of Virginia is a group practice serving hospitals and surgery centers in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.
At issue are anthem reimbursements. The doctors say they cannot continue to accept such deeply discounted payments and remain in business.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)

[SOT]
[IN Q=We're not the enemy here]
((WE'RE NOT THE ENEMY HERE... THIS IS NOT ABOUT US LEAVING THE AREA. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT MEDICAL CARE HERE. THIS IS REALLY ABOUT COMING TO A REASONABLE RATE WITH A MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANY.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Alex Cardenas/ACV President;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=with a major insurance company.]
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Dr. Alex Cardenas and his associates say anthem reimbursements are substantially lower than the amount other insurance companies in the region are paying... and the amount blue cross blue shield is paying in neighboring states.
(-------------------)
[LIVE=Joe Full/Newsroom]

This afternoon a spokesman said anthem has been able to reach agreement with the vast majority of doctors in its network.
Scott Golden said Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is trying to balance access with affordability for its members... but unfortuntately in this case they were unable to reach an agreement.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Joe/Newsroom;]

Keith and Shannon, Medicare patients will not be affected by the decision.
For others, ACV says the difference between their rates, and Anthem's reimbursement is expected to be about 60 to 90 dollars for most surgeries.

[Draper-School]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC1:54:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Pulaski County may close one of its elementary schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

The Superintendent met with parents last night to discuss the possibility of closing Draper Elementary.
He says enrollment's been dropping for the last five years while maintenance costs have been rising.
The county is considering several options, including closing Draper and sending the kids to the new Pulaski Elementary School.
The Superintendent says the closure is not a done deal and a decision could be several months away.
(------------)

[Shopping-Center]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC1:10:09]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Some Roanoke County residents are lowering the boom on a proposed shopping center before developers even have the proper zoning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
Keagy Village would be a fifteen and a half acre "retail and office complex" at the corner of Keagy Road and Route 419. Most of the property is currently zoned as residential. One woman whose back patio would overlook the development says she worries about an increase in traffic and what she sees as "a poor use of land".
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 16:14:12 - 16:14:30]
[IN Q=Most of us have lived in this area a really long time...]
((BONNIE BARRETT/GREATER HIDDEN VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: MOST OF US HAVE LIVED IN THIS AREA A REALLY LONG TIME. IT'S NOT A TRANSIENT NEIGHBORHOOD. WE ENJOY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND I KNOW WE ALL FEEL THAT WAY BUT, IF YOU LOOK WE ARE MORE RESIDENTIAL THAN ALOT OF AREAS WHERE YOU SEE VACANT LAND AROUND.))
[SUPER=01-Bonnie Barrett/Greater Hidden Valley Neighborhood Assoc.;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=were you see vacant land around.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]
A spokesman for Kahn Development simply says the company "likes Roanoke" and wants to offer the area an "upscale shopping center." Bonnie Barrett and others against the project are holding a neighborhood meeting tonight for those interested in learning more about, or signing a petition against, the proposal. The meeting will start at Hidden Valley Middle School at 7.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]
The planning commission is expected to address the development at its meeting on March second.

[Valley-Machine]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tzi]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC2:05:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

One Roanoke County business has moved into the Ingersoll-Rand building, and developers hope it won't be the last.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The owners of Valley Machine today cut the ribbon on their new 60-thousand square foot office in the nearly vacant building.
The expansion has already created new jobs, but the company hopes to build on that.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:46:19]
[IN Q=There are several projects]
((BILL GOODE/VALLEY MACHINE PRESIDENT: THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW THAT, IF THEY DO COME THROUGH, WE ARE LOOKING AT HIRING PROBABLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10-20 MORE EMPLOYEES.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Goode/Valley Machine President;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=10-20 more employees.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Developers also used the ceremony to announce plans to re-develop the building and the 100 acres of land it sits on.
They say the property is versatile and that some potential tenants are already interested.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:49:18]
[IN Q= We have a number]
((JOHN LIPSCOMB/BOGAR L.L.C.: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROSPECTS WHO HAVE LOOKED AND OTHERS WHO ARE COMING INTO TOWN IN THE NEXT MONTH TO LOOK AT THE BUILDING.))
[SUPER=01-John Lipscomb/Bogar LLC;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=to look at the building.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

This is the same firm that re-developed the Roanoke-Salem plaza and the Singer building.

[Stocks]

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

Investors cashed in on the profits they made yesterday, when stocks rallied on merger news. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/42.89/10671.99/y/3.88/2076.47;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW lost 43 points.
NASDAQ dropped four.
[SUPER=271-i/0.48/42.02/i/0.03/55.12/i/0.12/34.08/i/1.15/82.83/i/0.29/81.57;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.18/37.40/i/0.21/21.98/i/0.04/6.76/i/0.08/63.42/i/0.30/32.75;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.27/8.09/i/0.31/43.44/h/0.02/18.93/h/0.14/22.25/h/0.10/7.42;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.01/12.56/i/0.38/73.30/i/1.09/38.11/i/0.17/47.60/i/0.32/57.20;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]

[Gillette]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC16:35]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=1]

He's made recent headlines as the head of Lynchburg's Academy of Fine Arts, but now a local businessman wants to bring his leadership to city council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Michael Gillette is a former college professor who now runs a medical ethics consulting business.
Gillette was instrumental in last year's merger between the Academy of Music and the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center.
He'll resign his post as president of that board if he's elected to council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:23:32]
[IN Q=I am not]
((MICHAEL GILLETTE/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL CANDIDATE: I AM NOT CONVINCED THAT MY LEADERSHIP STYLE IS GOING TO BE NECESSARY AT THE ACADEMY AFTER WE BRING IN A STRONG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND MOVE FORWARD. WE MAY NEED A DIFFERENT KIND OF PRESIDENT AT THE ACADEMY. I BELIEVE MY LEADERSHIP STYLE IS EXACTLY WHAT CITY COUNCIL NEEDS.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Gillette/Lynchburg Council Candidate]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=city council needs.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gillette is seeking the Ward One seat currently held by Julian Adams.
Adams is seeking re-election.
(------------)

[Vinton-Manager]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC1:30:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
After months of being without, Vinton has a new town manager.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]
Kevin Boggess (BOG-guess) who was the assistant town manager for the past five-years, will take over the top spot. The Roanoke Valley native is a Virginia Tech graduate. Boggess says town council has a number of new projects on its plate.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@10:45:31:00]
[IN Q=We've got a lot...]
((KEVIN BOGGESS, VINTON TOWN MANAGER: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE RESCUE SQUAD BUILDING WHERE IT'S LOCATED, HOW MUCH WE CAN AFFORD TO DO- WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS ARE IF WE BUILD IT HERE, WILL WE LOSE PARKING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, THAT'S OBVIOUSLY AN IMPACT.))
[SUPER=01-Kevin Boggess/Vinton Town Manager]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=.. obviously an impact.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In addition to the rescue squad project, there's talk of improvements to the War Memorial. Boggess says the current low interest rates make it seem like an ideal time to tackle these larger projects.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=V10]
Tonight in sports - Maddux heads back to his roots in Chicago. The ODAC tournament get ready to open three days of wide open play. Plus, we'll check out another race track getting a face lift,

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and the NFL combine begins tomorrow in Indianpolis. We'll see what Joe Gibbs thinks about Kevin Jones.
(------------)

[S-Combine]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-155 TC15948]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
[ENG#=1]

The NFL draft combine gets underway tomorrow in Indianapolis, and Virginia Tech's Kevin Jones left today for Thursday's opening workout. New Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs was in Daytona all weekend, but he's anxious to get a look at the former Hokie.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joe Gibbs/Redskins Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=have to work and see what happens."]
(-----------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=redskins]

The Skins are just a few minor details away from a trade that would bring Mark Brunell to the nation's capital. Reports have the Jags quarterback being traded to Washington for a third round pick in the draft.

[S-Shelor]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-161 TC11634]
[GRAPHIC=Motor Mile Speedway]
[ENG#=2]

With the Nextel Cup season in full swing, that means that the late model stock season is just around the corner in the New River Valley. The New River Valley Speedway is now the Motor Mile Speedway
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :00]

under new ownership. The track is undergoing a major facelift, with five new suites being constructed along the frontstretch, and a new tech center in the infield.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Carroll/Motor Mile Speedway GM; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=anywhere you've been."]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Crews are scrambling to get the construction done in time for the track's opening night on April 3rd.
(----------------)

[S-ODAC]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-169 15:17]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]
[ENG#=3]

The ODAC men's' basketball tournament tips off Saturday and this years event is shaping up to be the most competitive in league history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/2003 ODAC Tournament Championship; :00]

Last years finalists are once again the two top seeds. Defending champion Randolph Macon is number one while the Tigers of Hampden Sydney are the two seed. Between the two of them, they have six conference losses, which translates into a wide open tournament.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Brad Bankston/ODAC Commissioner; :10]
[RUNS=:36]
[OUT Q=.....should be very proud of"]
(-----------------)

[S-Maddux]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 11957TC]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
[ENG#=4]
One of the last remaining free agents in baseball came to terms today with someone other than the Yankees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]
Greg Maddux, who spent the past decade with the Braves, is returning to place where he began his career - Chicago. Maddux is now 37 years old, and on most night good for just six innings, but the Cubs are thrilled to get him. Maddux is just 11 victories from joining the 300-win club. He joins a staff that already was stacked with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Carlos Zambrano. (------------)