[1-News-heads]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The Tsunami Disaster hits close to home at Virginia Tech- A former Tech student is one of those killed.
[ENG#=1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]


There's more to Mondays fatal fire than originally thought.
Plus could a new- kind of transportation be rolling into Roanoke?
(---------------)



[Sports-head]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


Tonight in sports, the Hurricanes lose a junior to the NFL draft
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


and the Lady Hokies face a familiar foe later tonight at Cassell Coliseum.
(------------)


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


Breezy and chilly weather on the way tonight but it sure doesn't last long. We are back on the warm side this weekend.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]


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



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

Virginia Tech waits to hear from hundreds of students who live in tsunami-ravaged countries.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Meanwhile some students are stranded in Blacksburg, wondering what will be left when they go home.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT: 5:08:00 ]
[IN Q=The first thing]

((DULAN WATHUGALA: THE FIRST THING I THINK IS HOW ARE WE GOING TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER. ))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=this diaster.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


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


And I'm Jean Jadhon.
[Tech-Quake]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC1:08:22]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

At least one Tech alumnus died in the South Asian Tsunami.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The former graduate student and his family were killed when the tidal wave hit a train in Sri Lanka.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Rachel /Microwave;]

New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa visited the University's International Center today.
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]

Rachel, how is Tech dealing with the situation?
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

Keith/Jean There are more than 700 Tech students from the countries affected by the Tsunami. University officials say it could be weeks before they can account for all of those students. In the meantime, there are many from the region who did not go home for break and are very worried about their hometowns.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is never]
[SUPER=03-Sri Lanka;:00]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;:10]
[SUPER=01-Dulan Wathugala/VT International Student;:38]
[SUPER=01-Kim Beisecker/Cranwell Internation Center;1:03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=a mass grave.]

((This is never before seen video in the U.S. of the Tsunami destruction. It's a digital newscast from the Sri Lankan Independent Television network or ITN. Sri Lankan native Dulan Wathugala got it from a friend.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 10:30:00 ]
[IN Q=i couldn't believe]

((DULAN: I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS THIS MUCH DISASTROUS.)) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=disastrous.]


Wathugala has been in the U.S. for only 3 months. He's a graduate student at Tech. These are pictures from his hometown, the city of Galle. He says these are streets he used to walk to get home, everything looks familiar, though now destroyed.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 5:13:00 to :28]
[IN Q=Most of some]

((DULAN: MOST OF SOME AREAS ARE TOTALLY WIPED OUT. SO WE HAVE TO BUILD IT FROM THE BEGINNING. PEOPLE HAVE TO START THEIR LIFE FROM THE START. SOME PEOPLE LOST MOST OF THEIR FAMILIES. :28.)) [RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=their families.]


This train was swept away by the water. 1500 hundred people were on board, including a VA Tech Alumnus. The University is not releasing his name but says he graduated from the school about 10 years ago.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 30:08:00 ]
[IN Q=We know ]

((KIM BEISECKER: HE WAS KILLED IN THE TRAIN, ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND SON. FROM WHAT WE KNOW NOW, ONE SON APPARENTLY DID SURVIVE BECAUSE HE WAS AT HOME. WE DO BELIEVE HIS BODY WAS BURIED IN A MASS GRAVE.)) [RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=a mass grave.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]

University officials are meeting tomorrow with the Red Cross and dozens of international students to develop some sort of plan of action.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Jean & Rachel /Microwave;]

Keith and Jean, in the meantime.. they've sent out two email to all 700 of the international students from that region. All they can do now is wait to hear if all of them are okay.

[Tsunami-Donations]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-45 TC1:07:43]
[GRAPHIC=Tsunami]
[ENG#=1]

It's not too late to make a contribution for tsunami relief AND take it off your taxes for LAST year. Congress approved the bill today. It now goes to President Bush. It'll let you take a deduction on your 2004 tax return, even if you haven't made your donation yet. But you'll have to act fast. You have until the end of JANUARY to make a donation and claim it for '04.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indonesia]

As great as the need may be overseas, however, generally only U-S-based charities qualify for tax write-offs. And you have to itemize your deductions to take advantage of this. Long-standing tax-exempt organizations such as the American Red Cross obviously qualify, but a telemarketer or even a legitimate spur-of-the-moment relief agency may not.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:40]
[IN Q=I think the main]

((MARY MACKENZIE/ROANOKE IRS OFFICE; I THINK THE MAIN THING IS TO CHECK TO BE SURE YOU ARE DEALING WITH A VALID ORGANIZATION.))
[SUPER=01-Mary MacKenzie/Roanoke IRS Office]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=valid organization.]
(XXXXXX)
[WIPE TO IRS PHONE # FS]

To help you determine which ones qualify for a tax deduction, you can call the I-R-S at 877-829-5500 [TAKE WDBJ Web Page FS] or go to our web site at W-D-B-J-7- -dot.com and click on "Web Sites in the News" to find the I-R-S web site. It'll let you review the full list of tax- exempt charities.
(-------------)



[County-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Roanoke County man was killed in a an accident this morning. Police say around 7:30 this morning... 57-year old George Brogan ran off Bradshaw Road and struck a tree. He died a short time later at a local hospital. Police say Brogan was wearing his seatbelt, and alcohol was NOT a factor.

[Woodland-Fire]


[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-50 TC49:08]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Invest.]
[ENG#=2]


The fatal fire in Roanoke Monday apparently was no accident.
Fire officials say the blaze was set and the man died not just from the fire but from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
But no one except for 45 year old Terrance Palmer- may ever know exactly what happened.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ralph Tartaglia/Asst. Roanoke Fire Chief; :14]
[SUPER=@Jean1; :43]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=some type of force.]

(( One Roanoke Fire Chief calls it one of the most complex fire scenes he's come across.
Remains found inside a burning house- most of the evidence charred- and a lot of work for investigators.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:17:24]
[IN Q=]

((TARTAGLIA: THEY SPENT ABOUT 13 OR 14 HOURS AT THE SCENE THE OTHER DAY...)) [RUNS06]
Confirmation now that this fire was intentionally set- Terrence Palmer died not just from the fire but from a self inflicted gunshot wound.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:17:04]
[IN Q=]

((ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED FIRST THE FIRE OR THE GUNSHOT WOUND? TARTAGLIA: WE HAVE NO WAY TO TELL THAT RIGHT NOW.)) [RUNS06]
Palmer owned the Woodland Road home with his girlfriend Caroline Huff- She was not at home when the fire started.


(///// SOT /////)
[SOT standup take #1 at 3:09 or take# at 7:31 ]
[IN Q=]

((JEAN JADHON/NEWS 7: THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND WHILE FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THEY KNOW THE FIRE WAS SET THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS USED TO SET IT.)) [RUNS10]
Police and fire officials are awaiting lab test results to figure out what fueled such a strong fire.
and there are other questions- was there an explosion?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:19:29]
[IN Q=]

((THERE WAS SOME GLASS BREAKAGE AND SOME GLASS FOUND IN THE DRIVEWAY THAT WAS THE RESULT OF SOME TYPE OF FORCE.)) [RUNS08]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]


And of course there is the question Why? The Fire chief today says that's something we may never know.

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


Trolleys haven't travelled the streets of Roanoke for decades.
Still ahead, a new plan to bring them back
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]


Plus what's in a name- we'll have the latest effort to rename a Hill City Street-
(----------------)

[1st-Wx]
[MLK-Street]
(MINI OPEN)
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-49 TC46:56]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]


Nearly forty years after his death, and almost twenty years after the last attempt, a Lynchburg group wants to re-name a city street after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Steve Smallshaw has more on the plans.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's not a]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-James Coleman/Providence Ministries; :23]
[SUPER=01-Frances Thornhill/Frances' Flowers; :55]
[SUPER=01-Garnell Stamps/National Action Network; 1:07]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( [natsot traffic ]
[RUNS= 02]


It's not a new idea.
In the late 1980's, another proposal to rename Lynchburg's Fifth Street after Dr. Martin Luther King failed to make it out of city council.
But local activists are trying again ... they say putting the slain civil rights leader's name on one of Lynchburg's main thoroughfares will send a strong message to the community.
[SOT 13:27:42]

((JAMES COLEMAN/PROVIDENCE MINISTRIES: WHAT THAT WILL MEAN TO WALK THIS STREET, TO BRING PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO THIS AREA, THAT WILL FOSTER POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM AND POSITIVE BEHAVIOR AND A SPIRIT IN THE 21ST CENTURY THAT WILL ALLOW THE THEMES OF KING TO BE EMBODIED AND MANIFESTED WITHIN LYNCHBURG VIRGINIA AND BEYOND.))
[RUNS= 21]
[OUT Q=Virginia and beyond.]


In the past, some businesses have expressed concern about the cost and confusion that a name change might bring.
But one owner says she has no problem with doing business on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.
[SOT 19:52:52]

((FRANCES THORNHILL/FRANCES' FLOWERS: IT'S LONG OVERDUE, NUMBER ONE. AND THEY'VE MADE SO MANY PROPOSALS ABOUT SO MANY NAMES FOR FIFTH STREET, NONE OF WHICH HAVE MATERIALIZED, SO MAYBE THIS WILL COME TO FRUITION.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=come to fruition.]
[SOT 13:31:48]

((GARNELL STAMPS/NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK: IF THEY WANT TO HAVE UNDERNEATH THE SIGN SAYING MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD AND BRIDGE, THAT'S FINE, AND IF THEY WANT TO PUT FIFTH STREET UNDER THAT, WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=problem with that.]


Stamps says his group will send a letter to city council this week asking for the change.
Council members have indicated they'll want more public input before making a decision.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))


[Stocks]


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


Blue Chips managed their first win in seven days. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/25.05/10622.88/y/1.24/2090.00;]
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]


The DOW gained 25 points today.
The NASDAQ fell about a point.
[SUPER=271-i/0.04/43.30/i/0.43/60.51/h/0.01/33.50/i/0.07/45.22/i/0.05/42.00;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.18/17.01/i/0.03/6.49/h/0.36/67.06/h/0.29/36.22/h/0.29/14.63;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.17/39.50/i/0.13/16.42/h/0.52/36.41/i/0.17/5.48/h/0.28/19.18;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.15/71.57/i/0.08/39.55/i/0.04/52.17/h/0.76/54.05/h/0.18/115.40;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]


[COMMERCIAL]

[Social-Security]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC1:54:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Roanoke officials say they are disappointed, but not surprised by a decision to move the local Social Security office out of downtown. They are now exploring options to reverse the decision.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

City officials were recently advised that the Social Security Administration will move from the old Stone Printing Building near the Hotel Roanoke, to an unspecified location near the Roanoke airport. City Manager Darlene Burcham says the city has done everything it could to encourage a downtown location.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:56]
[IN Q=I just feel]

((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I JUST FEEL LIKE, AND I KNOW THE COUNCIL DOES, THAT A DOWNTOWN LOCATION IS BEST SUITED NOT ONLY FOR THE BUILDING AND ITS EMPLOYEES BUT FOR THE CITIZENS WHO NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SERVICES. AND I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACCESSIBILITY VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FOR ANY KIND OF PUBLIC AGENCY, SOCIAL SECURITY INCLUDED.))
[SUPER=@Burcham; 08]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=social security included.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Burcham will meet with federal officials who are planning the relocation. And she encourages anyone who wants the offices to remain downtown to contact their representatives in Congress.

[Trolley]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-47 TC1:04:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


City Council isn't ready to climb on board, but a new study suggests that streetcars could roll again in Roanoke.

Joe Dashiell has a look at the possibilities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Fifty years have passes]
[SUPER=01-James Graebner/Trolley Consultant; :15]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :40 quick]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :46 quick]
[SUPER=01-Bev Fitzpatrick/Roanoke City Council; :50]
[SUPER=03-Little Rock, AR; :1:08]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke]

((Fifty years have passed since the last steel- wheeled electric trolley rolled down a Roanoke city street. But streetcars have made a comeback in more than a dozen cities across the country, and consultant Jim Graebner believes they could work in Roanoke as well.
[SOT]
[IN Q=What I have seen]

((WHAT I HAVE SEEN IN TEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS WORKING WITH LINES LIKE THIS IN CITIES LIKE MEMPHIS, KENOSHA, LITTLE ROCK YEAH IT CAN HAPPEN AND IF YOU DO IT AS PART OF AN OVERALL CAMPAIGN TO MAKE THE CITY MORE ATTRACTIVE AND ROANOKE ALREADY IS IT CAN CERTAINLY ADD TO IT, AND CERTAINLY ENHANCE THE NEIGHBORHOOD IDEA.))
[RUNS= :20]
[OUT Q=neighborhood idea.]

In Little Rock, trolleys began running through river market area November first. In Roanoke, Jefferson Street is the likely route. The pricetag could runs as high as 17-million dollars, but officials expect the federal government to pick up at least half of the cost.
[SOT35:15 ]
[IN Q=Carilion]

((CARILION BIOMEDICAL INSTITUTE WOULD BE THE ANCHOR ON THE SOUTH END AND DOWNTOWN WOULD BE THE ANCHOR ON THE NORTH END AND ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IS TO SEE SOME GROWTH ALONG THAT ENTIRE CORRIDOR. WHEN YOU GO TO OTHER CITIES ALMOST TO HUNDRED PERCENT EVERY WHERE THEY'VE DONE IT RIGHT THEY'VE SEEN TREMENDOUS INVESTMENT.))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUT Q=seen tremendous investment.]

Bev Fitzpatrick and other city council members say it's too early to tell if the plan is really feasible... but they're seeking a grant for a detailed study, that will help determine if the Star City has a streetcar in its future. Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mst]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=APRISA]


Coming up, the Tech ladies tune up for Sunday's trip to Duke against Fordham tonight, Drew Brees is the NFL's comeback kid, and
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Roscoe Parrish is leaving Miami for the pros.
(------------)



[S-Hoops]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-182 TC15651]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
[ENG#=1]


The Virginia Tech women have cracked the top 25 for the first time this season. The ladies are riding an 8 game winning streak entering tonight's home contest with Fordham, including two victories over ranked opponents, making the coaching transition from Bonnie Henrickson to Beth Dunkenberger look easy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Carrie Mason/Averaging 10.8 Points per Game; :00]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=I think it's gone real well."]
(-------------------)
[anchor=travis]
[graphic=roanoke college]


The Roanoke College men and women are also in action tonight in a rare doubleheader at the Bast Center--the men against Ferrum and the women taking on Emory & Henry. We'll have highlights of all three games at 11.

[S-Roscoe]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-183 TC14851]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=2]


The Miami Hurricanes' top receiver from this season has decided to enter his name in the April NFL Draft, forgoing his senior season in South Florida.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA; :00]


Roscoe Parrish caught 43 passes for 693 yards, and was also a prolific kick returner, averaging 16 yards a return and taking two for touchdowns. Parrish was the very first player that Larry Coker offered a scholarship upon taking the job four years ago. The Peach Bowl MVP is the 4th Miami player to leave early the past two seasons.
(------------)



[S-Carroll]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-178]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
[ENG#=3]


Immediate speculation for the 49'ers vacant head coaching position has centered on USC Head Coach Pete Carroll, who has barely had time to celebrate his 2nd straight national title with the Trojans. He is a Bay area native, and the Niners are clearly impressed with his credentials.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John York/49'ers Owner; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=evaluate our team."]
(-------------)



[S-Unit]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-188 TC4333]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
[ENG#=4]


Speaking of the NFL, Chargers quarterback Drew Brees has been honored as the league's comeback player of the year.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]


Brees was expected to be the odd man out when the Bolts picked up Phillip Rivers in the draft, especially considering he threw 31 interceptions in his first two seasons. This season he rebounded by throwing 27 TD passes and just 7 picks in leading the Chargers to the AFC West title. San Diego opens the post season Saturday night against the Jets.
(------------)



[S-Turf]


[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-189 TC3957]
[GRAPHIC=none]



[ENG#=1]

[WIPE TO ENG!!]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Riddleville, GA; :00]


Brees hopes to lead his team to the SuperBowl at Alltell Stadium. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue cut the first piece of NFL Super Bowl sod that is headed to Jacksonville for the big game in just a few weeks. The turf is a mix of perennial ryegrass, kentucky Bluegrass and bermuda that has been grown on a central Georgia farm for the past 18 months.
(------------)


[Jamestown]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-44 TC1:37:25]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


It's alsmot time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown.
[ANCHOR=Jean 2-Shot]


Now the anniversary bash wll have some help from a nearby ally.
[ENG#=1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Colonial Williamsburg today pledged its support to the three- year commemoration set to begin next year. Colonial Williamsburg will offer its expertise as the most popular tourist attraction in the state, along with three- million dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:28]
[IN Q=We think the 2007]

((MARK WARNER: WE THINK THE 2007 COMMEMORATION IS GOING TO ADD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO OUR TOURISM ECONOMY AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A BENEFIT NOT ONLY IN 2007 BUT FOR MANY YEARS AFTER THAT FACT. SO WE'RE ALL GOING TO COMMIT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A WORLD CLASS SUCCESS.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=A WORLD CLASS SUCCESS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jamestown 2007 eventually wants to attract 13- corporate sponsors to mirror the 13- original American colonies. Norfolk Southern became the first sponsor last year. The first event kicks off next summer when a replica of the ship "Godspeed" sets sail.
(------------)

by SS