[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]
More local troops are being called to service.
The teens who vandalized a local church find out their punishment.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
And you won't see Salvation Army kettles at Target stores anymore- we'll tell you why.. plus how others are ringing in with help.
(------------)
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Tonight on News 7 sports - former Virginia Cavalier coach George Welsh enters the hall of fame tonight.
Tech and UVa dominate the all-ACC teams.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Hokies Bryan Randall earns first team all-ACC honors at Quarterback - we'll hear from his Dad.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
Our winter weather tips continue tonight in the face of another 60 degree day. But that's ok, the WDBJ 7 day planner shows colder weather just a week away.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean 3-Shot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[ENG#=3]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
A local Marine reserve unit is called up for the first time in more than a decade.
Their mission? Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:29:38]
[IN Q=I'm expecting]
((TIM DEGRAUWE/FIRST SERGEANT: I'M EXPECTING TO HAVE A GOOD DEPLOYMENT AND BRING ALL MY MARINES BACK.))
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=marines back]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Jean Jadhon. Keith is off tonight.
[Company-B]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC34:40]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 6]
B Company based in Roanoke has received its marching orders.
It will soon be heading to Iraq.
This Marine Corps reserve unit was last activated during Operation Desert Storm.
[***IRAQ IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /NEwsroom;]
Justin McLeod is in the newsroom with details on its latest mission. Justin, how many Marines are being deployed?
Jean, approximately 90 Marines are heading to Iraq.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Newsroom]
[SUPER=@justin1]
They'll be activated just after the first of the year and they could be IN Iraq, for up to a year.
[ENG#=4]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
B Company is already in pre-mobilization mode.
The Marines are spending the entire week training and taking part in drills.
Although they still don't know exactly what they'll be doing over in Iraq, these Marines say they're ready.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:36:32]
[IN Q=We try to]
((LANCE CORPORAL ALEX KALOUF/B COMPANY: WE TRY TO PREPARE AS WELL AS WE CAN FOR IT. OF COURSE THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME ANXIETY HEADING INTO SOMETHING LIKE A WAR IN THE IRAQ BUT I FEEL WE CAN OUR JOB EFFECTIVELY.))
[SUPER=01-Lance Cpl. Alex Kalouf/B Company; :]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=job effectively]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-December, 1990]
The last time B Company was activated was nearly fifteen years ago during the first Gulf War.
No one was killed during that mission and one of the wounded received a purple heart.
One Marine who served during Operation Desert Storm is still part of this reserve unit.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:27:02]
[IN Q=I was literally]
((CAPT. JOHN KNAPP/B COMPANY: I WAS LITERALLY OUT IN THE WIDE OPEN DESERT. WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN THE CITIES. SOME OF OUR MARINES HAVE DEPLOYED TO OPERATION IRAQ FREEDOM ONE OR TWO COULD PROBABLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION A LOT BETTER BUT WE WILL BE DEALING WITH BOTH PROBABLY URBAN AREAS AS WELL AS THE WIDE OPEN DESERT AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Capt. John Knapp/B Company; :]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=open desert as well]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
After being activated, some of the Marines will train at Camp Lejeune North Carolina, others in 29 Palms California before heading to Iraq.
(------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL NEWSROOM]
It is unclear when exactly they'll arrive in Iraq but should be there by spring.
As we mentioned they'll be deployed up to 12 months.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /NEWSROOM;]
But Jean, they could be re-activated for an additional year.
[Walker]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-42 TC1:00:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
A former Alleghany County magistrate will himself spend time in jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
27-year-old Jeremiah Walker was sentenced today to 60-days in jail after pleading No Contest to shooting at his childhood friend.
In February, Walker and Christina Paxton left a Roanoke restaurant where they had drinks, when Walker suddenly began shooting at Paxton as she ran into her apartment.
Walker's attorney says he has a drinking problem that apparently took over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 752-:57 & 6:48-:59 ]
[IN Q=it's just a]
((THOMAS BLALOCK/WALKER'S ATTY: IT'S JUST A TRAGIC OFFENSE, AND IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU WHAT ALCOHOL CAN DO AND WHAT THE AVAILABLITY OF GUNS CAN TDO BUT WE'RE PLEASED WITH THE SENTENCE.////BETTY JO ANTHONY/ROANOKE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTY: THE DEFENDANT HAD LITTLE RECORD, NO RECORD BEFORE THIS, BUT OUR OPINION WAS THAT THAT DIDN'T EXCUSE THE VERY SERIOUS NATURE OF WHAT HE DID ON THIS NIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Blaylock/Walker's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Betty Jo Anthony/Asst. Roanoke Commonwealth's Att.; :08]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=on this night]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=none]
The judge suspended six years of Walker's sentence and ordered him to three years of probation.
[Church-Vandals]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-47 TC29:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Two teens who desecrated two Bedford County churches will spend some time in juvenile detention for their crimes.
As Steve Smallshaw reports, the boys have apologized ... and church members are ready to forgive them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The words]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/August 29th; :00]
[SUPER=01-Linda Willis/Defense Attorney; :16]
[SUPER=01-Georgianna Terry/Prosecutor; :39]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :49]
[SUPER=01-Rev. William Watson/First Baptist Church; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.]
(( The words ... and the destruction ... sent shock waves through Bedford County.
Two black churches near Goode were the target of racially-motivated vandalism in late August.
Four days after they were indicted, the two teenagers responsible pleaded guilty to the crimes.
[SOT 16:15:06]
((LINDA WILLIS/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: TAKING A CASE LIKE THAT TO TRIAL WOULD HAVE BEEN RISKY AND MY CLIENT NEVER EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN DOING THAT. HE WANTED TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COURT FOR WHAT HE HAD DONE AND PUT IT BEHIND HIM.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=behind him.]
15-year-old Christopher Little and 16-year-old Joshua Little told the court, their victims and their family they were sorry for what they had done.
A plea deal left them with a ten-year suspended prison term ... and up to two years in juvenile detention.
[SOT 16:19:49]
((GEORGIANNA TERRY/PROSECUTOR: IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO BALANCE THAT BECAUSE THESE WERE OUTRAGEOUS ACTS. WHAT THEY DID WAS MORE THAN JUST JUVENILE MISCHIEF.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=juvenile mischief.]
[Standup 16:21:05]
((In accepting the plea agreement, Judge James Updike told the teens their crimes were hateful, hurtful and incredibly stupid. And whatever their motivation was, he hopes they spend the next 18 to 24 months addressing the problem.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=addressing the problem.]
They'll have help ... church members say they'll be praying for them.
[SOT 16:17:42]
((REV. WILLIAM WATSON/FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH: WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM IN OUR PRAYERS. WE PRAY EACH DAY THAT THEY WILL MAKE PROGRESS AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD WITH THEIR YOUNG LIVES AND GROW UP AND BE DECENT, GOOD, YOUNG MEN.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=good, young men.]
Both teens must also pay restitution and serve five years probation.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County. ))
[Colonial-Downs]
[ANCHOR=6pm]
[NEWSCAST=Jean]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=504-01 TC1:42:07]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton OTB]
[ENG#=3]
Gamblers will soon be able to toast their winnings and drown their sorrows in Vinton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/October]
The state has approved a license to serve alcohol at the Colonial Downs off-track betting parlor.
The ruling announced today allows the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks.
Critics had argued that the type of meals Colonial Downs sold in Vinton failed to meet state A-B-C requirements.
But the agency official who endorsed the license disagreed.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=APRISA]
Residents facing eviction from a Bedford County trailer park may not be out in the cold.
What's being done to keep them in their homes when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus new Hokie merchandise is flying off the shelf.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Hardy-Road]
(MINI OPEN)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-40 TC1:23:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents of the Hardy Road Trailer Park who are fearing eviction, may have more time than they thought.
[***TRAILER PARK GRAPHIC IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & JoeD /BAM;]
Joe Dashiell has been following the situation and is here tonight with these developments.
Jean, residents say they were told over the weekend, they have a month to move.
[LIVE=JoeD /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@Joe1;]
But today federal prosecutors said a section of the Virginia Landlord Tenant Act dealing with manufactured home parks requires written notice of at least 60 days, and in some cases 120.
And the lawyer representing owner D. J. Cooper indicated that when written notice is issued, the terms may be different than what residents have heard.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I really don't want]
[SUPER=01-Libby Thrush/Hardy Road Park Resident; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Marcus Wilhelm/Hardy Road Park Resident; :04]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :15]
[SUPER=01-Jennie Waering/Assistant U. S. Attorney; :35]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=find some other solution.]
((OPENS ON SOUND FROM RESIDENTS
[IN Q=I really]
(( I REALLY DON'T WANT TO MOVE I LIKE WHERE I'M AT.))
((WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GO ARE WE GOING TO PUT IT IN STORAGE. YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THAT TO MOVE . YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME,. YOUR CASTLE BEHIND. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=don't think it's right.]
Residents of the Hardy Road trailer park say they're angry and anxious about their future.
Owner D.J. Cooper is under court order to prevent any discharge from a sewage lagoon on his property, and residents whose homes are connected to the pond say he has told them they will have to move within 30 days.
Federal prosecutors are encouraging Cooper to give them more time.
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're looking at all of the options]
[RUNS= :17]
[OUT Q=find some other solution.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= JoeD /FULL BAM]
Cooper has declined comment, but today his attorney said there are vacant spaces in the trailer park where some of the residents could move.
Paul Thomson says Cooper is trying to come up with a workable solution that would honor the court order and allow residents to remain.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & JoeD /BAM;]
Jean, Thomson says the ultimate answer is to find alternative means to deal with the sewage stream, but he says it's not as simple as flipping a switch.
[Radford-Prosecutor]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-39 TC1:36:58]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2004]
[ENG#=2]
Nearly a month after the vote, Radford has its official election results.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
A recount today upheld all the winners from the November election for Commonwealth's Attorney and Sheriff.
Democrat Chris Rehak beat Republican challenger Patrick Moore by just one vote.
The race was a special election for a one year term.
Both candidates plan to run again in a few months.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:42:30:00 ]
[IN Q=At this point]
((PATRICK MOORE/(R) FORMER COMMONWEALTH'S ATT. CANDIDATE: AT THIS POINT I'M PLANNING TO RUN AGAIN, IT'S A JOB I REALLY WANT AND IT'S ONE VOTE. AND I 'M GONNA GET OUT AND WORK A LITTLE HARDER NEXT YEAR OR A LOT HARDER AND PLAN ON RUNNING AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Patrick Moore/(R) Former Commonwealth's Att. Candidate;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=plan on running again.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Chris Rehak was unavailable for comment.
A second recount also confirmed that Republican Mark Armentrout beat Democrat Terry Alley by 26 votes in the sheriff's race.
(------------)
[Meth-Summitt]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-43 TC49:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
As more and more methamphetamine labs pop up in Virginia, law enforcement officers say they need a uniform way of dealing with the drug.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
200 officials met in Richmond today to discuss the problem.
Crank, as it's commonly known, is made of up of common household chemicals and cold remedies.
It's highly addictive and helps some people stay awake longer with a high for days.
Officials say some teens and women are now using the drug to help them lose weight.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:06:47]
[IN Q=But it also attacks]
((JOHN BROWNLEE/UNITED STATES ATTORNEY: BUT IT ALSO ATTACKS THE BODY AND CAUSES SORES. IT ALSO TAKES AWAY THE ENAMEL OF ONE'S TEETH. AND SO WE TALK ABOUT THE ONE WOMAN WHO LOST 40 POUNDS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME LOST SIX TEETH.))
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U. S. Attorney;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=same time lost six teeth]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Attorney General Jerry Kilgore will ask state legislators to approve tougher penalties for meth offenders during the upcoming session.
He hopes today's summit will help him garner support for the legislation.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After several weeks of gains, investors took some profits today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/102.20/10444.86/y/35.02/2116.23;]
The DOW lost 102 points today.
The NASDAQ fell 35.
[SUPER=271-i/0.07/41.68/i/0.21/57.74/h/0.18/34.25/i/0.65/45.85/i/0.44/42.02;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.32/16.23/i/0.19/6.35/h/0.32/66.50/i/0.36/35.31/i/0.22/12.53;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.08/40.08/h/0.23/16.23/i/0.46/35.01/i/0.17/5.24/h/0.12/17.92;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.30/71.27/i/0.55/41.39/i/0.66/52.16/i/0.02/52.50/i/3.90/102.90;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]
[Wythe-AX]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-45 TC27:08]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Accident]
[ENG#=1]
Two tractor trailers tied up traffic on Interstate 81 in Wythe County this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co.;]
State Police say one tractor trailer crossed over the median and into the path of another rig.
It happened around noon near milemarker 77.
Police say several other tractor trailers and a motorist in a stranded car just barely missed the collision.
Both drivers were taken to Wythe County Hospital in stable condition.
Police are still trying to figure out what caused the accident.
(------------)
[Tech-ACC]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-49 TC19:22]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
[ENG#=2]
Some "sweet" Hokie merchandise is finally here.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Sugar Bowl and ACC Championship tee shirts went on sale today.
There are shirts, hats and banners as well, and shop owners say many more items are being made and are on the way.
Hokie fans were crowding around the gear this afternoon at the Tech book store.
Store owners say the merchandise is flying off the shelves and they already have to re-order.
(------------)
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mst]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=APRISA]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - Bryan Randall is the ACC's first team quarterback.
George Welsh is headed to the hall of fame tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And UVa places more players on the ACC first team than any other school in the conference.
(------------)
[S-Randall]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-189 2427TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=1]
The All-ACC football teams were released this afternoon, and not surprisingly, the first team quarterback is the Hokies Bryan Randall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-This Season; :00]
He completed 149-of-268 passes for just under 2000 yards this season along with a career-high 19 touchdowns.
Randall also rushed for 466 yards and three scores. He is Tech's all-time leader in consecutive starts by a quarterback, total offense and passing yards.
Plus, he is a class act.
Not once last year when Marcus Vick forced him to the sideline did he ever complain about anything.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BRYAN...]
[SUPER=01-Edgar Randall/Bryan Randall's Dad; :03]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=...PLAYING OFF."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The senior from Williamsburg is a finalist for the Dudley Award, which will be announced Wednesday night, and one of the frontrunners for the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, which will be released at the end of the week.
He also is in New York tonight picking up an $18 thousand dollar post graduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation and College hall of fame.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I WAS...]
[SUPER=01-Bryan Randall/Receives $18,000 Grant; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=...FOUR POINT OH GPA."]
(------------)
[vo nat con't]
[super=04-Last Season;]
His older brother Brandon played basketball at Hampden-Sydney where he was a Rhodes Scholar finalist.
(-------------)
[S-Hokies]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-181 14911tc]
[GRAPHIC=VT]
[ENG#=2]
Randall has plenty of company as three of his teammates join him on the all-ACC first team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
He is joined on the first team by linebacker Darryl Tapp, a junior from Chesapeake. He was the leading vote-getter among defensive linemen in the league.
Also on the first team from the Hokies is place kicker Brandon Pace. He was 21-for-26 on field goals and his 105 points leave him three away from a new school single-season mark for kickers.
The final first team selection from Tech is cornerback Jimmy Williams - who has four interception this season including one he returned for a TD.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=BAM]
Jim Davis, Jeff King and Jon Dunn earned second team honors.
Four Hokies - Vinny Fuller, Jimmy Martin, Will Montgomery and Jonathan Lewis were honorable mention picks.
[S-UVA]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-188 2209TC]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]
[ENG#=3]
UVa placed five players on the ACC first team, more than any other team in the conference.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/This Season; :00]
Leading the way is senior offensive guard Elton Brown who is also a recipient of the Jacobs blocking trophy, which goes to the conference's best blocker.
Alvin Pearman was named first team at running back. The senior rushed for 1,024 yards and nine TD's. He also averaged 167 all purpose yards a game.
Heath Miller was selected first team all ACC at tight end. Miller hauled in 5 TD passes for 475 yards this season.
Linebacker Ahmad Brooks was named first team all conference as well. He led the Wahoos in tackles with 85 and had 6.5 sacks.
(------------)
[ancho=mike]
[graphic=HOLD UVA]
D'Brickashaw Ferguson was also named first team all ACC.
Darryl Blackstock and Zac Yarbrough were second team selections while Andrew Hoffman was honorable mention.
[S-Fame]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-183 13051tc]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA]
[ENG#=4]
Tonight in New York City - former UVa head coach George Welsh will be inducted into the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame.
Welsh produced winners at both Navy and UVa, and while he was often under appreciated - he's finally getting his due.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WELL, IT WAS....]
[SUPER=01-George Welsh/Hall of Fame Inductee; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=...a part of it."]
(----------)
[Salvation-Bells]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC1:12:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
The target is holiday shoppers willing to give, but the Salvation Army won't reach those shoppers at Target stores this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Target stores nationwide are not allowing Salvation Army kettles this year.
That could hurt the campaign locally.
Last year the Lynchburg store brought in 16 thousand dollars. The Roanoke Target raised 12-thousand dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:02:46]
[IN Q=]
((JONATHAN LEE/SALVATION ARMY: IT MAKES A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE LAST YEAR FOR OUR BELL RINGING CAMPAIGN OUR TARGET STORES IN THE ROANOKE VALLEY WAS THE NUMBER ONE LOCATION.))
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Lee/Salvation Army;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=number one location.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
For its part, Target says its policy has always been not to allow solicitors. It says it actually made an exception for the Salvation Army in past years.
Target says it is not fair to say yes to one group while turning down all other worthy groups.
Meanwhile other stores are jumping in to help.
At Belk stores, a three day Bell ringing blitz is underway- where the store is giving out coupons to people who donate.
Books a Million is also welcoming a Salvation Army Kettle for the first time.
(------------)