WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 03/16/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The Governor steps in just as lawmakers are ready to throw in the towel.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
A bobcat attacks a resident in Narrows.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT :04]
And Blacksburg proposes drivers pay more to register their cars.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]
Tonight on News 7 sports - the Dazzle is home tonight. The March Madness is providing games here on the Big 7 for you and ulcers for coaches -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and tomorrow night the Express returns home - still on the outside looking in at the ECHL playoff picture.
(------------)

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

On the cool side tomorrow then a bit warmer by the weekend. WeatherNet 7 rain totals also just ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

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

[ENG#=3]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The General Assembly won't be going home anytime soon.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The governor's stepping in to keep the House and Senate working on a state budget.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

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

And I'm Shannon Young.
[XGR-budget]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC53:40]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The House and Senate remain stuck on the issue of tax increases and with another budget deadline looming, Governor Warner called legislators into a special session.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Warner used his constitutional powers to order lawmakers back to their desks tomorrow to work out a budget.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]

Meghan Muldoon joins us from the State Capitol with more.

There was a lot of back and forth today
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

((ROLLCUE:...))
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With negotiations still stalled]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Ken Stolle/(R) Virginia Beach; :]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=THAT INCLUDES TAX REFORM]
(( With negotiations still stalled over general tax increases, House Republicans started the day repeating their calls for a voter referendum.
and asking anew for a cooling off period.
[SOT 01:51:14]
((HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER MORGAN GRIFFITH: IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO HOME, TO BE THERE ON MAIN STREET, TO EAT AT THE LOCAL DINER, TO HEAR WHAT THE AVERAGE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMONWEALTH ARE SAYING.)) [RUNS:09]
House leaders said they were confident that if Senators go home, they would get an earful from constituents who oppose the tax hikes.
[SOT 10:25:55]
((DELEGATE KIRK COX/R-COLONIAL HEIGHTS: I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME CHANGE. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET A VERY STRONG MESSAGE THAT THEY'RE ON THE WRONG SIDE HERE. :59)) [RUNS:04]
But House Democrats and the Senate said that it is important for members to stay in Richmond until there's a budget agreement.
[SOT :50:34]
((senator ken stolle/r-virginia beach: we've got to do our work now. we can't go home for two weeks and say were going to put off our responsibilities for two weeks. we've got to do our work now.)) [RUNS:08]
The House overwhelming rejected a Senate measure that would extend the session for another three days.
But they eventually agreed to a resolution asking the Governor to call a special session right away to work on the budget.
Which he promptly did at 5:27 this afternoon, ordering lawmakers to start back to work on Wednesday.
[SOT 10:34:35]
[IN Q=I DO HEREBY SUMMON]
[RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=THAT INCLUDES TAX REFORM.]))
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[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Knew the special session was possible

[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan/Microwave;]

[Bond-Rating]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:29:10]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=1]

A Roanoke financial advisor says Governor Warner is right to be concerned about Virginia's bond rating.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Paul Higgins of Legg Mason says the credit rating allows the state to borrow money at a low interest rate. Once lost, the privilege is hard to get back.
(///// SOT at :09 /////)
[SOT 12:36:53 - 12:37:09]
[IN Q=Then you start the spiral...]
((PAUL HIGGINS/FINANCIAL ADVISOR: THEN YOU START THE SPIRAL BECAUSE IT COSTS MORE TO BORROW THE MONEY WHICH INCREASES THE BURDEN ON TAX PAYERS. IF IT GETS TOO EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN THE STATE... PEOPLE VOTE WITH THEIR FEET, AS WE SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Higgins/Financial Advisor;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=people vote with their feet, as we say.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Virginia is one of only eight states to boast a triple-A bond rating and has for decades. But it's been slowly eroding over the past few years because of a downturn in the economy and the technology boom and bust in the northern part of the state.

[Glass-Foundation]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC45:00]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=2]

With the state budget in a mess, supporters of local education are looking for new ways to help out their public schools.
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[VO-NAT]

In Lynchburg, residents are forming the E-C Glass High School Alumni Foundation.
The group hopes to raise one million dollars from thousands of Glass graduates and supporters.
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The money will help teachers with expenses the school budget doesn't cover.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:31:48]
[IN Q=We want to]
((DAVID BICE/EC GLASS ALUMNI FOUNDATION: WE WANT TO UNDERWRITE THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION, ASSIST THOSE TEACHERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ACHIEVING NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR NATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS.))

[SUPER=01-David Bice/E. C. Glass Alumni Foundation]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=for national memberships.]
(XXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WDBJ WEBPAGE FS]
The foundation already has non-profit status and its own web site.
You can find a link on our homepage at wdbj-7-dot-com.
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[B'burg-Budget]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC1:47:13]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

A few tax and fee increases might be the only way to balance Blacksburg's budget.
The town got its first look at the new multi-million dollar spending plan today during a work session.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa crunches the numbers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Real Estate]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;:00]
[SUPER=01-Roger Hedgepeth/Blacksburg Mayor;:17]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;:41]
[SUPER=01-Marc Verniel/Assistant Town Manager;:50]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News 7]
((Real estate tax won't be going up in Blacksburg... but many other fees and taxes could be.
QUICK NAT- Meeting talking sounds
Town officials say they've found a way to balance next fiscal year's nearly 40-million dollar budget, but to do it, they had to raise some money.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:7:39:00 ]
[IN Q=They're ]
((ROGER HEDGEPETH:THEY'RE AREAS WHERE THE REVENUE CAN BE RAISED WITHOUT YOU MIGHT SAY CAUSING A LOT OF PAIN TO THE FOLKS INVOLVED AND WE'RE HAPPY WE CAN DO THAT.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=can do that.]

The town is proposing a five dollar increase to vehicle decals to make an extra 60-thousand dollars. There's also talk about new zoning and building fee increases that could bring in another 160-thousand.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:18:14:00]
[IN Q=And blacksburg is thinking about]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: AND BLACKSBURG IS THINKING ABOUT RAISING THE AREA LODGING TAX AT LOCAL HOTELS FROM 4 PERCENT TO 6 PERCENT... RAISING ABOUT 140-THOUSAND DOLLARS NEXT YEAR.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=next year.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:9:56:00 ]
[IN Q=We have so many]
((MARC VERNIEL: WE HAVE SO MANY VISITORS COMING TO TOWN FOR TECH FOOTBALL GAMES AND WITH BASKETBALL IN THE ACC AND EVERYTHING THAT'S COMING UP WE THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE MORE PALPABLE TO THE CITIZENS TO INCREASE THAT TAX RATHER THAN OTHERS.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=than others]

Mayor Hedgepeth says the "town's" budget isn't being affected by the budget stalemate in Richmond, but it's still on the minds of many in the New River Valley.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:8:24:00 ]
[IN Q=The county's]
((ROGER HEDGEPETH: THE COUNTY;S BUDGET IS PRIMARILY TO FUND EDUCATION. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO REALLY AND THEY CAN'T PUT THEIR BUDGET TOGETHER UNTIL THE ASSEMBLY FINISHES THEIR WORK.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=their work.]

Blacksburg town council will vote on its budget proposal after a public hearing in April. Rachel DePompa, News7.))

[Narrows-Bobcat]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A woman in Narrows is recovering from an attack by a bobcat in her home. Police say the woman was in her basement when the cat jumped on her back and bit her. She was able to get away and call police. Officers used a shotgun to kill the cat. Officials believe it may have gotten in through an opening used by the family's pet cats. Health officials are now examining it for rabies.

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

Still ahead on News 7, the family of a Roanoke teacher who committed suicide wants to know if the school system's learned its lesson.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Plus a new plan to ensure a healthy future for the nursing profession.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Mayfield]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC53:26]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The family of Ron Mayfield wants to know how school officials have responded to the Roanoke teacher's death.
[ENG#=1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Mayfield was placed on administrative leave last Fall after he was accused of hitting a student.
He jumped to his death from a Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge, not knowing that the investigations would clear his name.
Today, members of Mayfield's family said they are disappointed that no change in school system procedures has occurred, or if it has occurred, that the change has not been formally announced.
But school officials say a committee HAS been considering the issue, and the school system is implementing many of the recommendations.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:38:25]
[IN Q=the toughest part]
((PAUL BRITT/ROANOKE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS; THE TOUGHEST PART IS THE BALANCE BETWEEN SHOWING THE EMPLOYEES THAT WE SUPPORT THEM AND WE DO, BUT ALSO SHOWING THE PARENT AND THE STUDENT THAT WE SUPPORT THEM AS WELL. BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE BALANCE IS RIGHT THERE, BUT WE BELIEVE THAT THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THIS COMMITTEE WILL HELP DO THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Britt/Roanoke City Public Schools]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=will help do that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Britt says the school system is getting the word out, with memos, brochures, the internet, RVTV, and two town hall meetings.
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[Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC1:10:10]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
[ENG#=2]

Authorities have identified one of the two men who were shot during an apparent drug-related robbery in Halifax County yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./Yesterday]

Police were called to this mobile home on Country Lane near Clover just before eight Monday morning.
They found two men inside, both suffering from gunshot wounds to the head.
20-year-old Tremain Marcus Walker of South Boston remains in critical condition at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Authorities have "not" identified the second victim who was pronounced dead at the scene.
No arrests have been made.
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[Grayson-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC1:45:32]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
[ENG#=3]

DNA test results are holding up a Grayson County murder trial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co./File Tape;]

37 year old Cynthia Davis was supposed to go on trial this week for the alleged murder of her 5-year old son Logan Bowman.
The boy disappeared more than a year ago and his body has never been found.
Both the prosecution and the defense want to see lab results from forensic evidence before they go to trial.
Davis will be back in court in April.
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[Mastrapasqua]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC36:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

A guilty plea today from a former Lynchburg police officer who admitted to drinking before riding his motorcycle in Bedford County last spring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Christopher Mastrapasqua was off-duty when he wrecked his bike near Forest May 6th.
He plead guilty today to a charge of reckless- driving- after- consuming- alcohol and got a two-month suspended jail term.
The judge also restricted Mastrapasqua's license and fined him 625 dollars.
He resigned from the Lynchburg police force last year.
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[Franklin-Water]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Franklin County hopes to move one step closer to building the county's first public water system. A public hearing is scheduled for tonight on the proposed water rates and fees for phase one of the project, which includes the area between Hales Ford Bridge and Westlake. The recommended monthly rate for the average household is a minimum of 32-dollars. Officials say if approved, construction could begin start as early as next month.

[Stocks]

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

Blue chips rebounded after the Federal Reserve announced it'll leave interest rates unchanged. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/81.78/10184.67/x/3.88/1943.08;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW rose 82 points.
NASDAQ gained four.
[SUPER=271-i/0.09/39.72/h/0.20/53.97/h/0.27/33.60/h/0.90/89.90/h/0.72/80.11;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.21/36.41/i/0.19/19.47/h/0.06/7.10/h/0.04/64.37/h/0.20/30.50;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.26/7.84/i/0.05/41.25//Unchg/16.49/i/0.16/20.82/i/0.01/5.61;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.12/13.25/h/0.98/70.53/i/0.05/37.25/h/0.41/47.89/h/0.07/57.97;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]

[Malpractice]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC46:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The U-V-A doctor accused of malpractice in the death of a Franklin County man will keep his license.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
David Hudson died eleven weeks after having skin graft surgery in May of 2000. His family settled a lawsuit out of court, but filed a complaint against Hudson's anesthesiologist, Thomas Pajewski (Py-yeh-skee). Last week, the state board of medicine determined Pajewski overmedicated Hudson and failed to monitor him after surgery.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]
The infraction will remain on Pajewski's permanent record, but he will be allowed to continue practicing medicine.

[Nursing-Shortage]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC18:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Virginia could soon have a plan to deal with a severe nursing shortage.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Week;]

It's estimated the state could fall short by more than 20-thousand nurses in the next 15 years if nothing is done now.
Today the State Council of Higher Education released a strategic plan to ensure there are enough nurses.
The council is calling for more nursing professors at local colleges like Radford, as well as more money to increase enrollment in nursing programs.
It's estimated the state will need to spend several million dollars to solve the problem.
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[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - the Dazzle has a chance to move into first place tonight. The broadcast schedule for Friday's NCAA games is now set.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and with March Madness tip-offs set to begin on Thursday - Steve Mason check in with some ACC coaches tonight about the stress level this time of year.
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[S-WDBJ]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
[ENG#=None]
The broadcast schedule for all of the first round games on Thursday and Friday here on Your Hometown Station is now set.
(xxxxxxxxxxx)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. AFTERNOON] As we told you yesterday - on Thursday it's Maryland and UTEP in the opening game. The second afternoon game Thursday has Liberty Flames and St. Joes at 2:45.
(XXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. NIGHT] And on Thursday night Duke plays Alabama State followed by North Carolina and Air Force.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA FRIDAY AFTERNOON] Then Friday afternoon - more from the ACC as NC State takes on Louisiana Lafayette, followed by Ga. Tech and Northern Iowa. The second game should get underway around 2:50.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA FRIDAY NIGHT] Friday night - we open with Wisconsin - Richmond at 7:20 and then wrap up with Xavier and Louisville. If you don't see you favorite team - do not worry.
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[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
Besides getting bonus coverage here on WDBJ-7 - tomorrow we will be announcing another bonus for you Cox Digital Cable subscribers.

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 14014TC]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]
[ENG#=1]
The Roanoke Dazzle has a big opportunity tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Charleston In Green; :00]
The team plays host to Charleston - and with a win over the Lowgators - the Dazzle can move into a tie for first place in the NBDL. Roanoke has just five home games left this season - counting tonight. Tip off is set for 7.
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[S-Coaches]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-165 1:23:32]
[GRAPHIC=Final Four]
[ENG#=2]

The Big Dance is stressful for coaches. Utah's Rick Majerus retired due to health and stress and Louisville's Rick Pitino took a leave of absence. Steve Mason tell us how stress affects those in the ACC.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC/2004 ACC Tournament Championship; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gary Williams/314 Wins at Maryland; :12]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/1 NCAA Bid, 4 NIT Bids at UVa; :46]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :58]
[SUPER=01-Skip Prosser/2003 ACC Coach of the Year; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(----------------)

((Gary Williams took Maryland to the ACC tournament title and is considered one of the most intense coaches in the country, yet Majerus and Pitino's problems changed him. ((:)) Williams has a national championship and an ACC crown. Pete Gillen has neither and his return to Charlottesville is in question. Jokes seem to mask the stress. ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:)) ((SKIP PROSSER/WAKE FOREST HEAD COACH:))
Prosser joins Gillen as two of only 14 coaches to have led three teams to the Big Dance and is again puzzled by the UVa coaches job security. ((:))
UVa tips off the NIT Wednesday night against George Washington at U-Hall. Steve Mason news 7 sports.))

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-172 19:19]
[GRAPHIC=express]
[ENG#=3]

The Express made no roster changes as the ECHL trade dead line came and past at three o'clock today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tony MacAulay/Express Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=..make the last push for it"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

The Express is six points out of the playoffs with 10 games remaining in the regular season and the team is aware that they must win most of their remaining games to have any chance at the post season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-David Belitski/Roanoke Goalie; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=......getting her going"]
(----------------)

[Danville-Churches]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC1:37:46]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Regardless of your race or religion- some Danville church leaders want you to come celebrate with them.
[ENG#=1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]
This morning several ministers, along with the city's mayor announced the third annual Glory Days event. Glory Days is a chance for people of all races and religions to come together and give thanks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@8:58:24]
[IN Q=WHEN WE COME.. ]
((PASTOR DOROTHY GLASS, GLORY DAY 2004: WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE FORGET OUR DIFFERENCE, DENOMINATIONS, CULTURE, BACKGROUND, BUT WE COME TOGETHER FOR ONE PURPOSE AND THAT'S TO LOVE THE LORD.))
[SUPER=01-Pastor Dorothy Glass/Glory Day 2004]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUTQ= LOVE THE LORD.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Glory Days 2004 will take place on Saturday, March 27th from ten a-m to two p-m at Averett University's North Campus in Danville.
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