WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 11/24/04

[1-News-Head]

(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Getting no place fast, as the holiday travel season begins- -the weather takes a turn for the worse.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

And now we can tell you why the case of Dr. Cecil Knox was postponed with no new trial date.

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

In sports, a local high school basketball star is offered a scholarship by Virginia, Tech's Seth Greenberg speaks up on a tough injury, the Hokies talk about UVa's running game
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

while the Cavaliers are hardly passive about just how big a challenge their passing offense faces.
(------------)

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

This rainy spell is going out with a bang. What follows is a cold wind indeed. Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]

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

[ENG#=3]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Many air travelers aren't getting very far on this day before Thanksgiving.
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]
Inclement weather in the south, midwest, and even the Roanoke Valley creates big travel headaches.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Jean Jadhon.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

And I'm Keith Humphry.
[Air-Travel]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-40 TC2:32:16]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Many people across the country are waiting at this hour -- instead of flying.
[ANCHOR=JEan 2-Shot]
Waiting to head home or for someone to arrive. They're sitting in terminals, wondering when the skies will clear.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Richard/Microwave;]
Richard Lesko is among those waiting at the Roanoke Regional Airport. Keith and Jean, the key word is wait. At Roanoke, low clouds and fog are making it difficult to planes to take off or land,
[LIVE=Richard Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@richard1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
and in the south and Midwest, inclement weather has not helped the situation. It's been a long and a frustrating day, especially for those waiting to see a family member who has been away for a very long time.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Rogers/Mother of Soldier; :13]
[SUPER=01-Amanda DeHaven/Roanoke Regional Airport Commission; :50]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=sure to catch a flight.]
(( The family of Bill Southers has something to be thankful for. He's been serving in Iraq since this past June, and is on his way home to the Rockbridge area on his twenty second birthday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 3:15:35]
[IN Q=They took him...]
((BRENDA ROGERS/MOTHER OF SOLDIER; )) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=and supposedly to here.]
In two weeks Southers will be heading back to Iraq, which makes his family realize every second that he's here is precious.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 3:16:15]
[IN Q=I never thought...]
((BRENDA ROGERS/MOTHER OF SOLDIER; I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE WEATHER BEING AN OPTION, I JUST KNEW THAT MY SON WAS COMING, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HIM.)) [RUNS9]
[OUT Q=wait to see him.]
Airport officials say Wednesday is not usually that busy of a travel day, and hope that the forecast across the nation clears up before the weekend.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 2:42:12]
[IN Q=Saturday and sunday...]
((AMANDA DEHAVEN/AIRPORT SPOKESWOMAN; SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ARE GOING TO BE VERY HEAVY DAYS, OUR HEAVIEST DAY WAS LAST FRIDAY WHEN STUDENTS WENT OUT, BUT THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ARE GOING TO BE VERY BUSY, SO IF YOU'RE DEPARTING THE AIRPORT GET HERE AND HOUR TO AND HOUR AND A HALF AHEAD OF TIME, SO YOU'LL BE SURE TO CATCH A FLIGHT.)) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=sure to catch a flight.]))
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[LIVE=Richard Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Richard/Microwave;]

[First-Wx]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Weather trouble isn't limited to low clouds and fog tonight.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Fast-Moving Thunderstorms and strong winds are also in the picture.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Robin/WX CENTER]

For more on that let's turn to meterologist Robin Reed.
[ANCHOR=Robin]

[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER Position #1

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[SKYTRACKER7/FULL]STORMS ON RADAR
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[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Robin/WX CENTER]

[Mad-Cow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-35 TC2:03:47]
[GRAPHIC=Mad Cow Disease]
[ENG#=1]

Cattlemen across the country have reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving after a suspected case of mad cow disease turned out to be a false alarm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./December 2003;]

Virginia Cattlemen say the market appears to be rebounding after a week of concern and depressed prices.
They're hoping the latest scare will bring changes in the way the U-S Department of Agriculture notifies the public.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have a responsibility]
((BILL MCKINNON/VIRGINIA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION; YES WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AS AN INDUSTRY TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED, BUT CERTAINLY WE HATE THIS SCARE THAT WAS RUN PAST CONSUMERS, THAT THE INDUSTRY WOULD LIKE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A POSITIVE TEST BEFORE ANY ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE.))
[SUPER=01-Bill McKinnon/Virginia Cattlemen's Association; ]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=before any announcement is made.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Bill McKinnon says he believes adequate safeguards are now in place to protect the nation's food supply.
(------------)

[Knox]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-50 TC21:08]
[GRAPHIC=Cecil Knox]
[ENG#=2]
Dr. Cecil Knox has had a relapse of his Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That's why his trial did not begin as scheduled the first of the month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/October, 2003]
Knox was due in federal court November 1st to be re-tried on the OxyContin fraud and racketeering charges that ended in mis-trial and acquittal a year ago. But no one would say *why* it was continued... until now. The defense filed a motion today, saying Knox's doctor is exploring "treatment options" but won't have an assessment before January.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]
Attorney Tony Anderson confirmed for NEWS 7 that Dr. Knox has had a re-occurance of the cancer, but he says "we're no closer to knowing how we're going to treat it."

[Holiday-Tree]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-39 TC1:12:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
At one point it stood 82-feet tall in the woods of Highland County- but now a Red Spruce is on a specially built tractor trailer making its way to Washington, D.C. The tree has been selected as this year's Capitol Holiday Tree.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Susan & Jean /Microwave;]
Susan Bahorich has been following the tree as its toured around our region. She's on the Roanoke City Market tonight.
[LIVE= JEan /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@SUSAN1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
Jean The tree rolled into town about xx. Now, the Roanoke City Market has been turned into a Christmas Tree lot- of sorts. The tree and its handlers have been busy- earlier today it visited the town of New Castle.
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nats - nothing was stopping..]
[SUPER=03-New Castle; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kenneth Harden/Craig Co. Resident; :11]
[SUPER=01-Gwen Johnson/Craig Co. Resident; :36]
[SUPER=01-Shannon Mobley/Florida Resident; :45]
[RUNS=:49]
[OUT Q=.. exciting to see it..]
(( [NATS@12:07:31.18] ((OH, IT'S ALL WRAPPED UP - LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT THING...)) [RUNS:04]
...Nothing was stopping the residents of Craig County as the Capitol Holiday Tree made a pit stop in New Castle. It was the 27th stop of the Commonwealth tour.

[SOT@12:01:46.00]
[INQ=I've been around...]
((KENNETH HARDEN, CRAIG CO. RESIDENT: I'VE BEEN AROUND HERE FOR 62-YEARS, I FIGURE ITS ONCE IN A LIFETIME...)) [RUNS:04]
[OUTQ=.. once in a lifetime.]

For the first time ever- the Capitol tree is from Virginia and the state is celebrating by bringing it to 34 sites, before eventually taking it to D.C. on November 29th...

(nats- rain /if there..)
[runs=:03]

On this day- rain was a factor. Early on the downpour kept school children from getting a closer look, but most donned a hat or a hood and were ready for anything.

[SOT@11:58:35.01]
[INQ=It's been a day..]
((GWEN JOHNSON, CRAIG CO. RESIDENT: IT'S BEEN A DAY FOR DUCKS, BUT EVERYONE HAS COME OUT AND EVERYONE HAS HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUTQ=.. a wonderful time.]

The Mobley family was visiting from Florida. After three hurricanes, this weather wasn't enough to keep them inside.

[SOT@12:01:16.15]
[INQ=It was huge...]
((SHANNON MOBLEY, FLORIDA RESIDENT: IT WAS HUGE. THE TRUCK WAS HUGE AND IT WAS EXCITING TO SEE...)) [RUNS:04]
[OUTQ=... exciting to see it.]))
(-----------------)
[LIVE= Susan /FULL microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]
The 79-year-old tree will be on the market until xx tonight, so xx, xx and xx roads will be closed until then... If you missed the tree coming through your area- there is still time.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE WEBSITE FS] Log onto our web site at WDBJ7-dot-com and go to web sites in the news to track the process of the tree.
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[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Susan /Microwave;]
The tree will be lit from December 9th through the first of the new year.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[WRITER=dse]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=APRISA]

Methamphetamine is Virginia's fastest growing drug problem.
How law enforcement plans to put the brakes on speed next on News 7.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

Plus think you know who will win this weekend's game between Tech and UVA?
How computers are beating the odds when News 7 returns.
(----------------)

[Meth3]
(MINI OPEN)
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-38 TC1:45:30]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The region's fastest growing drug problem-- Methamphetamine-- isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]
Police are on pace to bust more than 100 labs this year.
[ENG#=1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Up to Speed Animation] So what do we do about it? New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa gets us up to speed on several proposals to fight this highly-addictive drug. [WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]
[ENG#=2]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=The battle]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bill Carico/(R) Independence ;:08]
[SUPER=@Kilgore; :19]
[SUPER=01-Tammy Mcelyea/Lee Co. Commonwealth's Attorney; 1:16]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Emily Jennings/The Life Center of Galax; 1:36]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; 1:44]
[RUNS=2:28]
[OUT Q=RD, news 7.]
((The battle against Methamphetamine is about to go from the streets of Southwestern Virginia to the Capitol halls of Richmond.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:51:38:00]
[IN Q=We want ]
((BILL CARICO: WE WANT TO TRY TO STOP IT BEFORE IT GETS REAL WIDE SPREAD.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=wide spread]

Lawmakers will consider new legislation intended to get ahead of the problem.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT57:33:00]
[IN Q=We want]
((JERRY KILGORE: WE WANT TO DEAL WITH THE PRODUCTION, THE DISTRIBUTION AND THE USE. AND WE WANT TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS FOR EACH AND EVERY ANGLE.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=every angle]

[TAKE GRAPHIC] Kilgore and Carico propose stiffer penalties for making or selling meth. They want it to be a separate crime to make meth in front of a child. And they want uniform state standard for cleaning up labs, with convicted dealers picking up the tab. [END OF GRAPHIC]
But police say they also need more money for training. With 71 labs already busted in this region so far this year, agencies say they are swamped -- and working overtime just to catch up. This undercover agent is one of the only people in the New River Valley trained to clean up a meth lab.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 1:24:03:00]
[IN Q=As far as]
((UNDERCOVER: AS FAR AS THE QUALITY OF STUFF WE'RE SEEING. WE'RE DEFINITELY UNDERMANNED TO DEAL WE'RE DOING THE BEST WITH WHAT WE'VE GOT. NOT HAVING ENOUGH PEOPLE DOES MAKE A HINDRANCE.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=a henderance.]

Prosecutors say ANY new laws just for meth would help.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:08:38:00]
[IN Q=The united states]
((TAMMY MCELYEA: THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS OFFICE HAD TRIED TO ASSIST US WITH PROSECUTION BECAUSE OUR LAWS ARE VERY LENIENT AND THEY'RE LAWS ARE VERY STIFF, PARTICULARLY IF CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=are involved.]

But doctors and addicts both urge more attention to help addicts beat the habit. Experts say 93-percent of people who use meth fail in their efforts to kick it.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((EMILY JENNINGS: There's not standard detoxification. We don't use any medications. There's nothing we can really give them except to help them feel more comfortable.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=According to]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: ACCORDING TO A COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY STUDY, FOR EVERY STATE TAXPAYER DOLLAR SPENT IN VIRGINIA FIGHTING SUBSTANCE ABUSE ONLY ONE PENNY GOES TO TREATMENT.)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=treatment.]

And Police say the public can help in this fight as well. Store clerks are starting to notice when someone buys massive quantities of cold medicines or other strange household products.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT59:37:00]
[IN Q=We're not]
((JERRY KILGORE: WE'RE NOT ASKING THE CLERK TO STOP THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT MERELY TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REPORT THAT INDIVIDUAL. IT'S PROACTIVE, WE THINK IT'S CREATIVE, IT'S WORKED IN SEVERAL OTHER STATES.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUT Q=other states.]

This drug isn't being sold on street corners. The dealers usually work right out of their homes. Police say... acknowledging this region's newest problem is the first step towards stopping it. Rachel DePompa, News 7. ))

[Stocks]

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

It was a relatively quiet session on Wall Street ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/27.71/10520.31/x/18.26/2102.54;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW gained 28 points.
The NASDAQ rose 18.
[SUPER=271-h/0.19/42.24/h/0.17/57.36/h/0.37/35.20/h/0.12/97.94/h/0.06/46.46;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.03/42.70/h/0.12/16.86/i/0.04/6.51/h/0.15/66.73/i/0.17/35.64;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.05/12.48/i/0.04/39.43/h/0.08/16.26/h/0.17/34.21/i/0.01/5.47;]
[SUPER=274- /Unchg/16.50/h/0.52/72.20/i/0.08/40.89/h/0.13/52.88/i/0.15/55.50;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]
[Football-Betting]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-37 TC1:37:21]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

When it comes to college football rankings... fans look to the BCS.
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

One local professor has a hand in putting those stats together.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Thursday; 01 ]
[SUPER=01-Ken Massey/Hollins' Univ. Asst. Professor; 11]
[Super=03-Salem; 38]
[SUPER=01-Roland Minton/Roanoke College Math Professor; 49]
[Super=03-Clemson, SC/Saturday; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=that hasn't happened. ]
(( The BCS rankings are made up of the A-P poll, the coaches poll and six computer models around the nation- including one done by a Hollins University professor. KEN MASSEY/HOLLINS UNIVERSITY ASST. MATH PROFESSOR: EACH COMPUTER RANKS THE TEAMS FROM ONE TO 117 AND THEN THE AVERAGE RESULTS AND FEED THEM INTO THE BCS FORMULA.
Computers are not just used to RANK teams but also to predict winners.
Massey says if people had today's computer power 30 years ago they could've won big.MASSEY: AND IN FACT IN THE EARLY 80'S A GROUP CALLED THE COMPUTER GROUP MADE A LOT OF MONEY IN VEGAS USING A MATHEMATICAL SYSTEM TO BEAT THE SYSTEM.
Math professor Roland Minton started his own football computer model 15 years ago.. It used to consistently beat the Vegas odds... but that's not so today. FOOTBALL IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE HARDEST SPORTS TO ACTUALLY WIN MONEY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE BETTING AND THEY'VE ALL GOTTEN SO SOPHISTICATED.
Knowing which team is psyched up for a game can help.. but this weeks Clemson game proved that's not a sure thing either. SOUTH CAROLINA HAD A RETIRING COACH LOST TO CLEMSON BY 50 POINTS THE YEAR BEFORE IT
With math equations and computer programs has anyone figured out a way to consistently beat the system? well none that i know of.. laughs. NO I HAVEN'T WON ANY MONEY LOOK AT MY CAR AND SEE THAT HASN'T HAPPENED.))
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[ANCHOR=Jean 3-Shot]

Minton has Tech beating Uva by four because of a home field advantage.

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=APRISA]

Our Virginia Tech and Virginia pre game reports roll on today, Pete Gillen courts a local basketball standout
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and a Lord Botetourt senior signs on the dotted line to play softball at Radford.
(------------)

[S-Kenny]

[ANCHOR=STEVE]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-183 1:26:46]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=1]

ACC basketball contender Virginia has offered Salem high school basketball standout Kenny Belton a full scholarship.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

Belton is only a sophomore at Salem and said today that he has NOT committed to any college and will not do so at this time however he is humbled by the interest shown by Pete Gillen and UVa. Belton also said that his focus at this time is on his Salem team and the season before them. The 6 foot 7 forward averaged 10 points and seven rebounds a game as the sixth man for the Spartans last year.
(------------)

[S-Seth]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-179 12143tc]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
[ENG#=2]

The Virginia Tech men's basketball team is 2-and-0 heading into this Sunday's game at William & Mary thanks to inspired play of some of the new freshman. However, the team has suffered one big setback - a season-ending injury to veteran guard Marcus Sailes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Seth Greenberg/VT Second Year Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...gonna be our challenge."]
(-------------)

[S-VT]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-175 1:13:51]
[GRAPHIC=UVa/VT]
[ENG#=3]

Virginia Tech boasts the nations third ranked scoring defense, allowing just 13.1 points a game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]

The Hokies defense has also been solid against the run, holding teams to just 114 yards on the ground. That unit faces UVa's run attack which is ninth best in the country piling up 246 yards each time out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va. Tech Head Football Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Davis/Va. Tech Defensive End; :28]
[RUNS=:41]
[OUT Q=.....go along"]
(--------------------------)

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-185 1:29:48]
[GRAPHIC=UVa/VT]
[ENG#=4]

The Cavaliers offense will have its hands full with Tech's defense. The Hokies secondary is giving up just 154 yards through the air a game which is fifth in the nation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Football Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Elton Brown/UVa Senior Offensive Guard; :27]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=.....very athletic"]
(-------------------)

[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-187 14:33]
[GRAPHIC=Radford]
[ENG#=1]

Lord Botetourt high school has yet another proud student athlete to sign scholarship papers with an in state university
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daleville; :00]

Earlier today, Anna Tatum signed on the dotted line to play softball at Radford university. She gets a scholarship to play for the highlanders.
(------------)

[Turkey-Tax]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-34 TC2:04:12]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

Two Virginia Native American tribes paid their annual taxes today and the price was deer.
[ENG#=1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
The Mattaponi (Matta-po-ni') and Pamunkey (Puh- Monkey) tribes presented Governor Mark Warner with two freshly killed deer and one goose. It's a tradition dating back to 1646. (------------)