WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 07/24/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Coming up on News 7,
An accident last night in Rockbridge County kills one man.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
And 39-and counting... that's the number of recent car vandalisms in Roanoke County. What police are now doing to stop it.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

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

Tonight on News 7 Sports lots of racing news from New Hampshire to the New River Valley - where the Motor Mile Speedway is all set for a big night of left turns.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And Lance Armstrong puts an exclamation point on the 2004 Tour during today's 19th stage.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]

It was all about location today. While some were sunny, others were cloudy. Some warmed up, some stayed cool. Sunday looks about the same, but the workweek looking wetter by the day. Details in the the 7-Day Planner coming up. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:59:19]
[IN Q=Some of the glasses]
((RICK: SOME OF THE GLASSES ARE BEING KNOCKED COMPLETELY OUT, SOME OF THEM ARE JUST BEING CRACKED.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=just being cracked]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :07]
Police work to end a vandalism spree in Roanoke County while residents keep their eyes peeled.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:09:54]
[IN Q=You wonder if]
((BETTIE: YOU WONDER IF THEY'RE COMING BACK AGAIN, WHEN YOU GET IT FIXED, IF THEY'LL BE BACK.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=they'll be back]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Myranda Stephens.

[County-Vandalism]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC-1:30:27]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
An apparent vandalism spree has police and neighborhood watch groups stepping up patrols in Roanoke County communities. It all began last Thursday when the first reports of car vandalism started pouring in. [NEWS 7 AT 6 IN BAM]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Jennifer/BAM;]
Jennifer Wishon is here now with more on the situation. Myranda as of this morning 39 cars have been vandalized in Roanoke County.
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1]
Police say in most cases perpetrators use B-B and pellet guns to shatter the glass in area vehicles. The crimes are being committed county- wide making residents question their sense of security.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When we came out]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :08]
[SUPER=01-Bettie Barnard/Vandalism Victim; :16]
[SUPER=01-Rick Crosier/Roanoke County Police Officer; :30]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=someone knows something]

(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:11:37]
[IN Q=When we came]
((BETTIE BARNARD: WHEN WE CAME OUT SATURDAY MORNING TO GET THE PAPER THIS WHOLE GLASS WAS JUST SHATTERED.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=was just shattered]
Bettie Barnard has lived in this Roanoke County neighborhood for 20- years and never expected she'd be victim of a crime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:09:19]
[IN Q=We called the police]
((BETTIE: WE CALLED THE POLICE AND THEY CAME AND LATER THAT DAY WE FOUND OUT THAT OTHERS IN THIS AREA, ON THIS STREET, HAD BEEN HIT AS WELL.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=been hit as well]
Four others on their street alone. The Barnards were among the first to be hit in an apparent crime spree that's been going on for more than a week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:00:03]
[IN Q=I think the first night we had]
((RICK: I THINK THE FIRST NIGHT WE HAD SIX, OVER THE WEEKEND WE HAD A TOTAL OF 20 AND FROM THEN WE'VE HAD TWO OR THREE A NIGHT.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=two or three a night]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:21:48]
[IN Q=Police are increasing]
((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: POLICE ARE INCREASING PATROLS IN COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT BECAUSE THE VANDALISM IS SO WIDESPREAD IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO KNOW WHERE TO CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=concentrate their efforts]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:00:54]
[IN Q=That's what's so unusual]
((RICK: THAT'S WHAT'S SO UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS. IT'S BEING SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. IT'S NOT ONE AREA - NOT NORTH COUNTY, NOT SOUTH COUNTY, BUT IT'S SPORADICALLY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY SO THERE'S NO REAL PATTERN TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=what they're doing]
Police have now formed a task force to address the vandalism and plan to use other tactics they can't discuss.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:03:24]
[IN Q=I guarantee you people]
((RICK: I GUARANTEE YOU PEOPLE SEE THINGS THAT GO ON. PEOPLE HEAR THINGS THAT GO ON AND I'M SURE IN THIS SITUATION SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=someone knows something]))
(+++++++)
[TAKE CRIMELINE FS] If you have any information about who is causing the damage you're asked to call Crime line at 540-344-8500.
(+++++++)
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
Police also ask parents whose children have B-B or pellet guns to know where they are located at all times.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Jennifer/BAM;]
Myranda, each count of vandalism is a misdemeanor that carries up to 12 months in jail and 25- hundred dollars in fines.

[Rockbridge-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

One man died in a traffic accident last night in Rockbridge County. State Police say the driver of a 1990 Jeep Laredo told them that his accelerator got stuck as he was driving on Interstate 81 just south of the I-64 interchange. The Jeep struck a car which then ran off the road, struck an embankment and overturned. 20 year old Zachary *Parmenper* of Ohio was a passenger in the car and was killed in the accident. Police say he was wearing his seat belt. Alcohol was NOT a factor, and there is no word on whether charges will be filed.

[Soldier-Return]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC-1:09:54]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

A Roanoke County woman received a warm welcome home today after serving 18- months in Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Kathy Garrison's friends and family waited patiently for her plane to land in Roanoke this afternoon. The 38- year- old enlisted in the Army nine years ago and serves as a petroleum supply specialist. She's home on a 15- day leave before returning to Fort Polk, Louisiana. The Private First Class says she's grateful for all the support she's received back home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:26:54]
[IN Q=I'm in the 4th]
((KATHY GARRISON: I'M IN THE 4TH SQUADRON, 2ND ACR AND WE DID NOT LOSE A SOLDIER AND I THINK THAT'S DUE TO THE PRAYERS BACK HOME. I'M JUST DOING MY JOB. THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP TO DO AND I'M GRATEFUL TO SERVE IN THE FINEST NATION - THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.))
[SUPER=01-Pfc. Kathy Garrison/United States Army;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=United States of America]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Alice Garrison, Kathy's mom, says it was tough while her daughter was working in Iraq, but says she's proud of her service. So proud in fact, she's prepared a feast they're probably enjoying right now.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:15:39]
[IN Q=We have fried chicken]
((ALICE GARRISON: WE HAVE FRIED CHICKEN, BARBECUE CHICKEN, MEATBALLS, POTATO SALAD, RICE PUDDING, DEVILED EGGS, HOMEMADE CAKE AND DRINKS.))
[SUPER=01-Alice Garrison/Kathy's Mother;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=cake and drinks]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Kathy Garrison says her enlistment in the Army runs out in February, but she's already been offered a job at Fort Polk.
(------------)

[Boty-Search]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC-36:37]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Botetourt County authorities continued their search for a missing 82 year old man today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
James Clayton Hall was last seen several weeks ago when he left for a solo-camping trip in the Kelly Hollow section of the Jefferson National Forest.
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./Thursday;]
Commonwealth Search and Rescue and the Sheriff's Office have been searching for him this week. They say they've searched for Hall on other occasions- and have found him far from where they thought he was.
Anyone with information about Hall's whereabouts is asked to call the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Still to come on the newscast, free dinners, gift baskets, and sports tickets... Lobbyists spend a record amount in Richmond...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also, Fiddlefest organizers are singing the praises of this year's event.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]

[XGR-Lobbying]

((MINI OPEN))

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-23 TC-46:31]
[GRAPHIC=Gen Assembly]
[ENG#=1]

The extended General Assembly session this year ended up setting more than one record.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/This year;]
State officials say lobbyists spent a record 13-point-six million dollars in expenses this year, surpassing the previous record of 12-million dollars in 2001. Most of the money was spent for lobbyists' salaries, but there also was considerable *wining and dining* of legislators. A total of 946-people registered with the secretary of the commonwealth to lobby in Richmond.
(------------)

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review 34:23]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG#=2]
Winn Dixie is out of Botetourt County, and an underground fire leaves businesses without phone service. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Troutville; :06]
[SUPER=01-Kim Foutz/Winn-Dixie Customer; :21]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :49]
[SUPER=01-Renee' Turk/Saturn of Roanoke Valley; 1:02]
[SUPER=19-Donald Graham/Reporting; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]

(( [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC1:22:06]
Winn Dixie in Botetourt County is no longer there.
The company announced in April it was closing 156-stores, including those in Virginia. Prices were slashed to get rid of merchandise and crews started moving machines and displays. Customers say they feel they're losing more than a grocery store.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@3:56.04]
[IN Q=These are people...]
((KIM FOUTZ, WINN DIXIE CUSTOMER: THESE ARE PEOPLE WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS, YOU GET TO KNOW THEM THEIR FAMILIES, YOU GET TO HEAR ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT STORIES, AND YOU'LL MISS ALL OF THEM BECAUSE YOU WON'T GET TO SEE THEM REGULARLY ANYMORE.))
[RUNS= :14]
[OUT Q=...them regularly anymore.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The manager says a number of the 43-employees have taken jobs with other stores or have accepted other positions within the company outside the state. The remaining Virginia Winn Dixies are set to close between now and April of next year.
[MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-32 TC05:58]

A lack of phone service in parts of the Roanoke Valley took its toll on businesses. An underground fire cut off phone service to about 17-HUNDRED Verizon customers, forcing some businesses to close their doors, and others shuffling to work around it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:38]
[IN Q=it cuts down]
((7:38 IT CUTS DOWN ON YOUR OPPORTUNITY FOR SALE. IN THE SERVICE DEPT. WE TRY TO DO CALL BACKS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS TO KNOW WHEN THE VEHICLES CAN BE READY, WHEN THEY CAN PICK IT UP -- IF YOU CAN'T GET A LINE GOING OUT BECAUSE IT'S ALL STATIC THEN YOU'RE IN LIMBO.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=in limbo]
For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))

[Fiddlefest]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC-1:30:01]
[GRAPHIC=FiddleFest]
[ENG#=3]

Organizers for Fiddlefest are hitting high notes over this year's turnout.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND]
[RUNS=6]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Last year's event was a disappointment for organizers, with low turnout and bad weather. But, they say this year was a complete turnaround, thanks to a number of factors.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2707]
[IN Q=we've had]
((WE'VE HAD WONDERFUL SPONSOR SUPPORT THIS YEAR, WE'VE HAD WONDERFUL SUPPORT FROM THE HOLLINS FOLKS HERE, JUST OPENED THEIR DOORS TO US. SO I ATTRIBUTE IT TO A LOT OF THINGS BUT THE SPONSORS, THE BOARD, FOLKS HERE AT HOLLINS AND WE GOT A LITTLE LUCKY FOR SOME GOOD WEATHER TOO 26))
[SUPER=01-Mike Conner/Fiddlefest Organizer;]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=good weather too]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The event will wrap up tonight with one final concert.
(------------)
[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

Still ahead on News 7 at 6, a mostly dry and pleasant forecast for tomorrow. We'll have the weather details in a few minutes...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also a legislative decision goes against one school system, but now administrators say that's just fine.
(----------------)

[Salem-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-31 TC-11:31]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[ENG#=1]

One area school system says it has learned its lesson.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

The city of Salem wanted to continue starting the school year before Labor Day.
It first needed an exemption from the General Assembly because Salem failed to have enough snow days in order to be eligible.
Lawmakers eventually denied the request after lobbying from the tourist industry.
Administrators however believe beginning later will actually work in their favor because of renovation work at Andrew Lewis Middle School.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:29:27]
[IN Q=While we weren't]
((WAYNE TRIPP/SALEM'S SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: WHILE WE WEREN'T TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT AT THE TIME AS IT TURNS OUT MAYBE THAT'S A FORTUITOUS OCCURRENCE BECAUSE WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A COUPLE EXTRA WEEKS TO GET READY. WE TYPICALLY HAVE STARTED SCHOOL THE LAST WEEK OF AUGUST AND THIS YEAR WE ARE STARTING ON SEPTEMBER 7TH.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Tripp/Salem School Superintendent]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=starting on September 7th]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tripp says the school system has no plans to ask for another exemption from the law anytime soon.
(------------)

[6Shared-Class]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=lfe]
[TAPE#=04-33 TC-2:43]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

After 40 years of informal collaboration, two universities will REUNITE in the Fall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape]
Beginning in August, Virginia Tech and Radford University will share a Mandarin Chinese professor--an idea that started after both schools hired the same professor part-time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:43:01:09]
[IN Q=that opened up]
((WARREN SELF/RU VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS; THAT OPENED UP SOME CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MAYBE THER ARE SOME WAYS THEN THAT MAYBE WE COULD PROVIDE A FULL TIME TEACHING OPPORTUNITY FOR A MANDARIN PROFESSOR THAT WE COULD THEN SHARE.))

[SUPER=01-Warren Self/RU Vice President for Academic Affairs]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=could then share]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Students and professors may commute between schools or work through distance learning. Radford and Tech officials say they may collaborate in other departments such as education, criminal justice, and natural resources.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - Lance rolls, Junior practices, and the Motor Mile is gearing up for a non-stop night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, more than 1000 folks went swimming inside today at the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association's annual City County swim meet.
(------------)

[S-Lance]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-181 3027TC]
[GRAPHIC=tour de france]
[ENG#=1]

Lance Armstrong is one day away from winning an unprecedented 6th Tour de France title, and there's little doubt that he wants to do it in style.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Besancon, France/OLN; :00]
In today's time trial, which was the next to last stage of the event, he simply overpowered all of his rivals. He beat second place Jan Ullrich by 61 seconds in the 34 mile long time trial. What this all means is that he now leads Andreas Kloden by 6 minutes and 38 seconds with Ivan Basso 7 minutes back and Ullrich is over nine minutes behind. The 20th and final stage is tomorrow in Paris.
(------------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-182 3212TC]
[GRAPHIC=MOTOR MILE WDBJ]
[ENG#=2]

Racing of a different sort on the local front is set for tonight at the Motor Mile Speedway in Radford. It's WDBJ-7 100, and intern reporter Allison Perry talked to some the guys hoping to make some noise in the Late Model Stock Car portion of tonight's event.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Motor Mile Speedway; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Deiny, Jr./Late Model Stock Points Leader; :19]
[SUPER=01-Jason Mitcham/Second in Points Race; :41]
[SUPER=01-Alex Yontz/First Race at Motor Mile Speedway; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Allison Perry/Reporting; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=....NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(-------------)

[S-Dale]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-178 3428TC]
[GRAPHIC=DALE JUNIOR]
[ENG#=3]

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. may be more of an active participant in tomorrow's Nextel Cup race in New Hampshire than first thought. Junior went out this morning and ran 8 practice laps, and the team now says the plan is for him to race to at least the first caution, but he could stay in the car even longer. When the pain gets to be too much - Martin Truex, Junior will then take over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=OBVIOUSLY....]
[SUPER=01-Martin Truex, Jr./Dale Junior's Relief Driver; :05]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt, Jr./Will Start Sunday's Race; :21]
[RUNS=:36]
[OUT Q=...PLAYS ITSELF OUT."]
(------------)

[S-Busch]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-168 14139TC]
[GRAPHIC=BUSCH SERIES]
[ENG#=4]
The Busch Series owned the track this afternoon. Today's race marked the 18th Busch event at Loudon - and it produced the 18th different winner.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Loudon, NH/NASCAR Images; :00]
The conditions were cool and cloudy when this one started, but there would be hot cars and hot heads before this thing was over. Tire wear was an issue all day long. Points leader Martin truex Junior lost a right front. He finished 11th. Local favorite Stacy Compton in the 59 car and Joe Nemechek got together today. Stacy would drive on to finish 8th. Kyle Busch was involved in two of the biggest wrecks of the day as he got into the back of Jamie McMurray and sent him for a ride. Then later on the restart watch him tangle with Jason Keller for no apparent reason. Matt Kenseth took the lead with 50 laps to go and never looked back beating Tim Fedewa for his 16th career Busch Series win.
(------------)

[S-Swim]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-174 5557TC]
[GRAPHIC=RVAA SWIM]
[ENG#=1]

The Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association wrapped up its two day City-County swim meet late this afternoon at the Dedmon Center pool at Radford University.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Duane Whitenack Championship; :00]
17 different swimming pools from throughout the Roanoke Valley, Botetourt and Blacksburg supply swimmers of all different abilities for the meet. This year more than 1000 swimmers qualified for the year ending championship, which would not be possible without the tireless work of many volunteers. Hunting Hills and Hidden Valley put the largest number of swimmers in the meet, and those two teams would battle for the title. (------------) Hunting Hills wins the City-County title with Hidden Valley second Stonegate third and the Elks fourth.