WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 02/20/04

[News-Heads]

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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

A Salem man enters a plea this morning in the death of his sister.
David Hunter was drunk behind the wheel at the time of last summer's fatal accident.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]

And, a group of children discovers the body of a missing Pulaski County man.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]

One more day with temperatures in the 60s as a cold front will bring a few showers overnight and then temperatures return to a more seasonable reading. I'll have your weekend forecast.

[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]

Stay with us News 7 at noon, starts right now.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=net]
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[ENG#=2]

(------------)
[VO-NAT :06]
A Salem man pleads guilty to aggravated involuntary manslaughter today, saying "it was because of him he lost his sister".
(------------)

[Hunter]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-03 23:41]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]

[ENG#=3]

19- year- old David Lee Hunter entered the plea in Roanoke County court this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Hunter told the judge it's his fault his sister is dead, even though he initially denied driving the night of the June accident.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./June 12;]
23- year- old Tiffany Christina Allen was killed when Hunter's car struck a pickup truck on Route 3-11 near Mason's Cove. Hunter was intoxicated at the time of the crash and tested positive for both cocaine and marijuana.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:48:18]
[IN Q=He has a prior driving record]
((MARIAN KELLEY/ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: HE HAS A PRIOR DRIVING RECORD OF NEGATIVE 16 POINTS INCLUDING CONVICTIONS FOR DRIVING REVOKED SEVERAL TIMES, POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, SPEEDING, RECKLESS DRIVING. HE'S NO STRANGER TO THE COURT SYSTEM.))
[SUPER=01-Marian Kelley/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=to the court system]
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[VO-NAT]
Allen was the mother of two young children and eight months pregnant with a third child at the time of the wreck. Hunter will be sentenced in June.
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[GCS]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=Net]
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[ENG#=4]

A Pulaski call center says it needs to hire more than a hundred people as soon as possible.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski/Last Week;]
Global Contact Services announced that the company has signed a contract with a major telecommunications company, and could hire 110 workers immediately. The telemarketing firm is based out of the old A-E-P building in downtown Pulaski. G-C-S will be accepting applications and conducting interviews on Monday at the Virginia Employment Commission in Radford.
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[Bowers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=12pm]
[WRITER=cja]
[TAPE#= 03-54 TC1:02:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

A missing Pulaski man was found dead yesterday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.]

The body of 30-year old Howard James Bowers, Jr. was found behind Claremont Elementary school about 5:30 p.m.
He had been missing since January second. With help from police, friends and family formed a search February tenth, where Bowers was last seen at his job at Volvo Logistics in Dublin.
That search turned up with nothing.
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A group of children found the body while playing near the school yesterday. Police say the body was in a wooded area, and NOT visible from the school. The case is still under investigation; while an autopsy today should determine the cause of death.

[Japan-Terror]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=None]

Japan has raised its terror alert to the highest level. A government official says it's guarding against a possible terror attack.
But officials won't say whether that's based on any NEW information.
Heavily armed police are being put in place around airports, nuclear plants and government offices.
It's the first time Japan has gone on such heightened alert since the U-S led invasion of Iraq.

[Moroccan-Plane]

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

[ENG#=2]

A Moroccan- bound jetliner is back on course today after authorities diverted it because of a bomb scare.
As Teri Okita reports, the F-B-I detained one passenger after he allegedly called home, saying he'd been captured by al-Qaida.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-James Osterrieder/F. B. I. Agent;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
(( TRACK: THE MINUTE 27-YEAR-OLD ZUBIAR GHIAS CHECKED-IN TO THE ROYAL AIR MAROC FLIGHT, RED FLAGS WENT UP. THE CANADIAN INVESTMENT BANKER HAD NO LUGGAGE AND, AS AUTHORITIES WOULD LATER PIECE TOGETHER, HED BEEN REPORTED MISSING SINCE SATURDAY.
TRACK: GHIAS WIFE CONTACTED THE FBI AFTER HE CALLED HER FROM THE PLANE BOUND FOR MOROCCO, ALLEGEDLY SAYING HE WAS GOING TO BLOW IT UP.
(graphic) IVE BEEN CAPTURED BY AL-QAEDA. THEY WANT ME TO DO SOMETHING
FOR THEM," HE SAID.

(Super: James Osterrieder/FBI Agent)
SOT: He basically told his family that he was forced onto the plane by
some Arabic people, of, he basically said his family was threatened.
TRACK: AS WORD LEAKED OUT, THERE WAS CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER A BOMB WAS ACTUALLY ON-BOARD. (graphic) AUTHORITIES TOOK NO CHANCES AND IMMEDIATELY DIVERTED THE PLANE WHICH DEPARTED FROM NEW YORKS JFK AIRPORT TO BANGOR, MAINE.

SOT: Osterrieder: It was diverted because the airline received some
information from a media outlet in Chicago about the possibility of someone with a bomb on board. That did not pan out to be true.
TRACK: THE FBI CONTINUES TO SORT THROUGH THE DETAILS BUT NOW SAYS IT DOES NOT APPEAR GHIAS IS A REAL THREAT OR HAS ANY TERRORIST TIES.

Poss sot (to follow)

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: Authorities re-screened all crewmembers and the passengers on-board, as well as the baggage. The airline resumed its flight to Morocco early this morning. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington. ))

[Mega-Millions]

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

[ENG#=3]

If you're feeling lucky, this is a good time to buy a lottery ticket--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
The Mega Millions jackpot has skyrocketed-- it's now at 222 million dollars.
Virginia is among eleven states that take part in Mega Millions. Lottery officials estimate more than three milion tickets will be sold today in the Commonwealth alone.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

But even lottery officials admit it's a tough game to win-- the odds of taking home the huge jackpot are only one in 135- MILLION.
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]
Still to come on the newscast, the Hotel Roanoke has to be evacuated for a short time. We'll tell you why after the break.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

The woman called Martha Stewart's best friend gives potentially damaging testimony against the domestic diva.
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[COMM BREAK #1]

[VO-Hotel-Roanoke]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC 17:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[MINI-Open]

[ENG#=1]

The Hotel Roanoke was evacuated for a while last night..
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Firefighters responded just after nine o'clock to reports of an explosion on the fifth floor.
It actually turned out to be a sprinkler pipe bursting.
As a result, the hotel was evacuated for nearly a hour.
The problem caused significant water damage to several rooms on the fifth floor and some damage to rooms on the floor down below.
Some guests had to be relocated to other rooms because of the damage.
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[11Road-construction]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC1:55:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Road construction contractors from Southwest Virginia were on the road to Richmond yesterday.
They were telling lawmakers, Virginia's highways are need of some urgent help.
Meghan Muldoon has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF HORNS]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Buck/W and L Construction and Paving; :17]
[SUPER=01-Dave George/Fort Chiswell Construction; :37]
[SUPER=01-Del. Scott Lingamfelter/(R) Woodbridge; :58]
[SUPER=@Meghan2; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=MM, NEWS 7, RICHMOND]
(([NAT SOUND] [RUNS:02]
They brought their equipment, they set up orange cones and they wore their vests and hard hats.
But these highway construction workers are not in Richmond to build roads but, rather to build a case for more transportation money.
[SOT 12:55 ]
((FRANK BUCK/W & L CONSTRUCTION AND PAVING: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT OF WORK WE COULD SURE USE SOME EXTRA FUNDS. IF THERE'S ANY WAY THEY CAN DO TAXES OR WHATEVER THEY GOT TO DO.)) [RUNS:08]
The road workers say that while there are more drivers on Virginia's roads, there has been no significant funding increase for highway projects since 1986.
They say the state needs to raise more money.
[SOT 21:43]
((DAVE GEORGE/FORT CHISWELL CONSTRUCTION: IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TAXES WHEN YOU SPREAD IT OUT OVER THE WHOLE STATE TO MAKE A LOT OF MONEY PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN'T EVEN FEEL IT. )) [RUNS:10]
But many House Republicans question whether V-DOT is using the state's transportation dollars wisely.
And they are not convinced that raising taxes is the best path to take.
[SOT 11:37:30]
((DELEGATE SCOTT LINGAMFELTER/R-WOODBRIDGE: SHOULD WE GO TO PARENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO BUY BOOKS AND BUY CLOTHES AND SAVE FOR COLLEGE TUITION AT THE VERY SAME TIME TAKE THEIR MONEY AWAY WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THOSE THINGS FOR ADDITIONAL STATE SPENDING. I THINK WE NEED TO SPEND WITHIN OUR MEANS.)) [RUNS:19]
But the state's highway workers say that without better roads, Virginia is going nowhere.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond.))

[Gay-Marriage]

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

[ENG#=3]

A hearing today in San Francisco could spoil some wedding plans.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

The issue of gay marriage is back in court.
A hearing will take place to see if a lawsuit filed by a second conservative group can move forward.
A judge is already considering a challenge from ANOTHER group trying to halt gay marriages.
Yesterday, the city of San Francisco sued the state of California, challenging its ban on same-sex marriage on constitutional grounds.
Some 28-hundred gay marriages have taken place in San Francisco since the city sanctioned it last week.
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[Stewart]

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

Martha Stewart is coming under FRIENDLY fire, as a longtime friend provides some damaging evidence against her.
Sharyn Alfonsi has the latest from the Manhattan courthouse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Sharyn Alfonsi/Reporting;]
[SUPER=01-Lawrence Kobelinski/Forensic Expert;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Alfonsi for CBS News.]
(( Martha Stewart may be hoping she doesn't see any more friends in court. Mariana Pasternak, one of Stewart's best friends for more than 20 years is delivering what could be the most damaging testimony yet against the domestic diva.

(graphic) Testifying for the prosecution, Pasternak recalled on Thursday
that while the two were vacationing in Mexico, Stewart told her that ImClone founder Sam Waksal, "was selling or trying to sell his stock." adding, "Isn't it nice to have brokers who tell you those things?"

(Faneiul fille and pics of Peter and Martha) Damaging
evidence...because it backs up the testimony of the governments star witness Douglas Faneiul. Tthe former assistant to Stewart Stockbroker and co-defendant Peter Baconovic testified that he passed along secret stock tip to Stewart that ultimately led to her sale of more than 200 thousand dollars worth of ImClone shares.
BRIDGE: But all along Stewart and her Baconovic have maintained they sold the stock for an entirely different reason. They say they had a pre-existing agreement to sell the stock when it fell to 60 dollars and their attorney said they had proof.
---
(pic of worksheet) This worksheet of Stewarts stock holdings. Next to Imclone, an "60" notation. Thursday, a top FBI ink analyst testified for the prosecution that the notation was not made at the same time as the other entries on the worksheet. But under cross examination, admitted that it was impossible to tell exactly when it was made.
---.
(Lawrence Kobelinski/John Jay College/Forensic expert - "It looks very
suspicious when you have one ink used throughout a document and there is one item in another ink, sure it could be innocent circumstances but it raises questions...")
----.

...and raises the stakes for Stewarts attorneys who are trying to pick apart Pasternak story today. Next week, they'll be forced to decide if they need to put Stewart on the stand to keep charges from sticking. In New York, Sharyn Alfonsi for CBS News. ))
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next, the Hokies and the Hoo's try to cash in on their rivalry.
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[VO-NAT ]
Also we'll tell you why actor Robert Downey junior is making a hasty appearance at Harvard.
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[Downey]

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

[ENG#=1]

Robert Downey, Junior is back in the news--
But this time it's for an honor, NOT an arrest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cambridge, MA;]

The actor's made headlines because of his struggles with drug abuse, but it's his career that's attracting attention this week.
The 38- year- old Downey became the most recent recipient of Harvard's prestigious Hasty Pudding's Man of the Year Award.
It's given to performers who have used their careers to make an impressive contribution to entertainment.
Before accepting the award, Downey took part in skits with members of the theatrical group.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Furthermore, I am doubly]
((ROBERT DOWNEY, JR./HASTY PUDDING'S RECIPIENT: FURTHERMORE I AM DOUBLY BLESSED THAT NOT ONLY AM I THE MAN OF THE YEAR BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT A CONVICTED FELON HAS WON THIS AWARD. ))
[SUPER=01-Robert Downey, Jr./Hasty Pudding's Recipient;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=has won this award.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Downey earned an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of Charlie Chaplin.
He also won an Emmy for his role on T-V's "Ally McBeal".
(------------)

[Hokie]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=SP-167 TC14:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Bitter rivals Virginia Tech and U-V-A are cooperating off the athletic field.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

For the first time, U-V-A and Tech have both agreed to license rivavlry products such as shirts and hats that take little digs at each other.
Officials say its the first of many new things to come now that Tech's headed to the A-C-C.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:3:10:33:00]
[IN Q=We're having an]
((LOCKE WHITE/DIRECTOR OF LICENSING AND TRADEMARK:HAVING AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR THIS YEAR AND WE WANT TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING AND WE WANT TO KEEP ALL OUR FANS AND ALUMNI BUYING VIRGINIA TECH PRODUCTS.))
[SUPER=01-Locke White/Director of Licensing and Trademark;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=tech products.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This year's Tech merchandise is already outselling last year's products.
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[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [2/20/2004] [TWO SHOT]

[WEATHERNET/FULL] CURRENTS TIMELAPSE
[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]

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

[Stocks]

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 39 points. The NASDAQ has lost 13 points.

[super=460-y/39/y/13;]

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

We'll have the results from last night's high school basketball tournaments coming up next in sports.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And it looks as if Joe Gibbs is getting his man. We'll have latest on the Redskins after the break.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-PUJOLS]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=NOne]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
[ENG#=None]
The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to announce Albert Pujols' (POO'-hohlz) new nine-figure contract today. Last year's National League batting champ has agreed to a seven-year deal worth 100 (m) million dollars. Pujols is a lifetime .334 hitter with 114 homers and 381 R-B-I's. No player has ever hit more homers in his first three seasons than Pujols.

[Brunell]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Redskins]

[ENG#=1]

The Washington Redskins have landed the veteran quarterback that Joe Gibbs wanted.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Jacksonville's Mark Brunell has agreed to a seven-year, 43 million-dollar deal with the Redskins, paving the way for a trade next month.
The contract includes an eight million-dollar signing bonus, according to agent Leigh Steinberg.
The deal can't become official until the offseason trading period begins March third.
Washington has offered the Jaguars a third-round pick for the 33- year old quarterback.
(------------)

[S-Salem]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-162 1:20:42]
[GRAPHIC=high school hoops]

[ENG#=2]

There's plenty of high school basketball tournament action across the region.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Titans vs. Spartans; :00]

We'll start at the Salem Civic Center, hosting the River Ridge District boys' final four.
In the first game, Grant Smythers and his Spartans battled the Titans of Hidden Valley and their coach Chris Morris.
We pick it up in the second half.
Salem's on the move.
Carter Tate and Kenny Belton would lead the Spartans.
[SUPER=33-Salem/49/Hidden Valley/32;]

The Titans struggled in the third quarter, but came alive in the fourth.
But Belton and the Spartans would hold back the Titans with the 49-to-32 win.
(------------)
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

In other tournament action, Pulaski beat Blacksburg 51 to 50.
Salem will meet Pulaski tonight for the Blue Ridge title.
In the Piedmont district, Martinsville beat Laurel Park, and Fieldale- Collinsville lost to Tunstall.
In the Seminole, Heritage beat Staunton River.
And it took overtime to do it, but Brookville beat Amherst 55 to 53.
Plus, in Group 3-A action, Franklin County squeaked by Patrick Henry, 43 to 40.

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-163 1:17:08]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=3]
If you're a betting person- you may want to steer clear of the ACC the rest of this season. Steve Mason says right now the league is too tough to tame.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mike Krzyzewski/Duke Head Coach; :19]
[SUPER=01-Gary Williams/Maryland Head Coach; :32]
[SUPER=01-Oliver Purnell/Clemson Head Coach; :52]
[SUPER=03-Chapel Hill, NC; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Rashad McCants/ACC Leading Scorer; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Brad Daugherty/TV Basketball Analyst; 1:20]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:36]
[RUNS=2:02]
[OUT Q=...your wdbj acc connection"]
(------------------)

((Duke is number three, Wake Forest is 15th, Georgia Tech 16th, N.C State 18th and North Carolina 19th. Not only are five of the nine ACC basketball schools ranked in the top 20 put they have maintained those rankings while playing the 13th toughest combined schedules according to CollegeRPI.com. ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
But why is the ACC among the nations best conferences, there are varying opinions.)) ((:)) ((:)) (( BE SURE TO TUNE INTO YOUR HOMETOWN STATION THIS WEEKEND AS THE ACC JOINS FORCES WITH THE BIG TEN AND BIG EAST. SATURDAY NOTRE DAME AND CONNECTICUT SET THE STAGE FOR UVA AND CLEMSON.
THEN SUNDAY CATCH BIG TEN RIVALS WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MARYLAND DUKE GAME, RIGHT HERE ON WDBJ-7 STEVE MASON FOR YOUR WDBJ-7 ACC CONNECTION.))
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