WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/31/96

06:00-01

sw-shooting

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=shooting

Roanoke Police are trying to figure out what led to a fatal shooting on Chapman Avenue in Southwest Roanoke last night.
An officer found an unidentified man dead on the sidewalk when he responded to a call.
Police say several witnesses saw a white car leave the scene.
Roanoke Police are interviewing residents and searching for suspects this morning.
If police rule this a homicide that would make thirteen this year in the city.

Day-Murder

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-91
GRAPHIC=murder Investigation

Roanoke Police released the names of the two men found shot to death in a Day Avenue apartment last week.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday;

One of the men, 54- year- old Spencer Jackson Dickason, lived in the apartment.
The other man, 44- year- old Odell Hairston, had a Northwest Roanoke address.
A weekend autopsy found both men died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Police suspect a murder suicide, because the fatal bullets are the same caliber as a gun found at the scene.
They say an additional test could tell them whether either of the men fired the fatal shots.
(----------------)

Pulaski-Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-89
GRAPHIC=NONE

A medical examiner has officially ruled the deaths of an estranged Pulaski County couple as a murder-suicide.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Sunday;

Deputies were called to the home of Betty and Douglas Burgess Saturday night after neighbors heard gunshots.
They found the bodies lying in the front yard of the home on Alum Spring Road.
Investigators say Douglas Burgess was holding a large caliber handgun.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Autopsies indicate that both victims died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Dr. William Masello says Douglas Burgess had a single bullet wound, while his wife had more than one.

PACIFIC-WX

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=winter weather

There is no end in sight to the weather troubles in the Pacific Northwest.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Seattle, WA;

More rain is expected from Washington to Southern California today.
The rain could bring severe flooding.
Rain that fell yesterday on top of two feet of snow is already causing flooding in Washington and in Oregon.
The winter storms are now blamed for at least ten deaths.
(----------------)

israel

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=mideast peace

Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat says he hopes to close a deal on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Hebron today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;

Arafat says he could meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later today to finalize the agreement.
Officials from both sides have been in marathon negotiations over details of a pull-out.
(----------------)

PERU

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=none

Disappointment at the hostage stand-off in Lima, Peru.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lima, Peru;

A top government official there had predicted the stand-off would end last night after a negotiator paid a surprise visit to the Japanese Ambassador's residence.
But the negotiator left the area.. apparently without resolving the crisis.
Later today, reporters and cameras expect to be allowed in the compound where Marxist guerrillas still hold eighty-three people.
(----------------)

Chewing

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#96-77
GRAPHIC=NONE

A dog can be a great companion, but when he or she starts chewing on the furniture there is something you can do.
Beth Myer explains.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Pet experts say
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Pam Jackson/Dog Trainer; :08
SUPER=@Beth2; :21
RUNS=1:00
OUT Q=Myer, News-7.

3-sw-shooting

ANCHOR=melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=shooting

Roanoke Police are searching for suspects in a fatal shooting on Chapman Avenue in Southwest Roanoke last night.
An officer found an unidentified man dead on the sidewalk when he responded to a call.
Police say several witnesses saw a white car leave the scene.
If ruled a homicide that would mark the 13th this year in the city.

Weight-Loss

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-103
GRAPHIC=weight loss

It's New Year's Eve and time to make those resolutions for 19-97.
And if losing a few pounds is at the top of your New Year's Resolutions, you're not alone.
Kimberly McBroom has the story of a woman who fought the battle of the bulge, and won.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Ronda Parr did what most people
SUPER=03-Salem; :00
SUPER=01-Ronda Parr/Weight Loss Counselor; :28
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :40
SUPER=01-Dianne Rhodes/Roanoke Athletic Club; :48
SUPER=01-John Ware/Roanoke Athletic Club; 1:00
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:23
RUNS=1:33
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7
(( Ronda Parr did what most people promise to do on New Year's Day--
She kept her resolution.
This is Parr before she started the program at the Beverly Hills Weight Loss Clinic.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:07:25
((THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PICTURE IS ME. THEY DO NOT BELIEVE IT. ))
RUNS=:03

Since February, she's shed nearly 50 pounds.
Besides being the clinic's most prominent client, Parr's also a counselor.
Her recipe for success?
Cut down on the fats and starches, and heap on the determination.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:08:38
((RONDA PARR/WEIGHT LOSS COUNSELOR: THEY HAVE TO MAKE UP THEIR MIND FIRST-- THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES. DON'T LET ANYONE ELSE PRESSURE THEM INTO IT. DO IT FOR THEMSELVES. ))
RUNS=:07

New Year's is traditionally the busiest time for fitness clubs-- as faithful members renew their commitment, and new members hope to change their lifestyles.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:00:44
((DIANNE RHODES/ROANOKE ATHLETIC CLUB: IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR. THEY'VE DECIDED-- IT'S THE SAME NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION THEY PROBABLY HAD LAST LAST YEAR-- BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE IT A SHOT AGAIN AND WE WELCOME THEM.))
RUNS=:08
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:03:06
((JOHN WARE/ROANOKE ATHLETIC CLUB: THIS IS THE HOLIDAY TIME OF THE YEAR, SO EVERYBODY TENDS TO KIND OF CENTER THE ACTIVITIES AROUND MEALS. AND PEOPLE TEND TO GET KIND OF GUILTY ABOUT THEM. GUILT CAN BE A POWERFUL MOTIVATOR IN TERMS OF FITNESS. ))
RUNS=:10

Ware suggests combining cardiovascular exercise and strength training with proper nutrition.
He also says it's a good idea to consult a physician if you've never worked out before.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:36:58
((KIMBERLY MCBROOM/NEWS 7: FITNESS AND DIET EXPERTS SAY YOU SHOULD PACE YOURSELF, AND NOT EXPECT THE PERFECT BODY RIGHT AWAY. AFTER ALL, THE IMPORTANT STEP IN GETTING INTO SHAPE IS GETTING STARTED. KIMBERLY MCBROOM, NEWS 7 ))
RUNS=:11
))

Reynolds-Resignation

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=voting

Some Southside voters will get a chance to go to the polls for a third time in just over two months.
January 14th is the latest election day for voters in parts of Carroll, Henry, Pittsylvania, and Patrick counties.
State Senator- elect Roscoe Reynolds faxed a letter yesterday to the Governor resigning his House of Delegates seat.
Governor Allen then set the 14th as the date for the special election to fill that House seat.
That means the district will go UN-represented from the January 8th opening gavel of the General Assembly until a new delegate can be sworn in.
Both parties accused the other of foot-dragging over setting the election.
Democrat Barnie Day is expected to face Republican Phil Plaster for the House seat.

P-Goode

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#596-38
GRAPHIC=goode

And the man who got these special elections rolling is on his way to Washington.
Virgil Goode says he'll look at the example set by his predecessors as he takes his seat in Congress.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

Goode promises to vote his conscience, and remain true to the conservative philosophy that he followed during more than 20 years in the state senate.
But as he heads to Washington, Goode says he also considers L.F. Payne and Dan Daniel to be excellent role models.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:39:34
IN Q=Dan Daniel was a very fine
((VIRGIL GOODE/CONGRESSMAN-ELECT: DAN DANIEL WAS A VERY FINE LEGISLATOR AND IF ONE COULD DO JUST A A PART OF THE THINGS HE DID IN THE AREA OF CONSTITUENT SERVICE WOULD BE GOOD. AND I THINK L.F. PAYNE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB. AND I THINK BOTH OF THOSE ARE GOOD ROLE MODELS FOR ANYONE FROM THE FIFTH DISTRICT OR VIRGINIA TO LOOK TO.))
SUPER=01-Virgil Goode/Congressman-Elect;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=to look to.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

Goode has been appointed to the House Agriculture Committee. He'll be sworn in January 7th.

nw-wx

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=winter weather

New Year's Eve brings yet another storm system to rain- soaked Washington state.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Seattle, WA;
4;00:00
The National Weather Service says a rain storm with high winds will reach the western part of the state later today.
The rain could bring severe flooding.
Rain that fell yesterday on top of two feet of snow is already causing flooding in Washington-- and in Oregon.
The winter storms are now blamed for at least ten deaths.
(----------------)

MIDEAST

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=mideast peace

On the Eve of the new year an agreement could be reached on an Israeli pullout from the West Bank City of Hebron.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;

P-L-O Chief Yassir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly will meet later today to initial a draft of the agreement.
Israel radio says the two leaders could hold a formal signing later in the week.
(----------------)

GINGRICH

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=gingrich

There is new political trouble for Newt Gingrich over his ethics violations.
For the first time, one of those calling for him to step aside as House Speaker-- is a House Member-- from his own party.
Sharyl Attkisson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=04-1995; :00
SUPER=01-Michael Forbes/(R) New York; :12
SUPER=01-John Linder/(R) Georgia; :56
SUPER=01-Sharyl Attkisson/Reporting; :1:25
RUNS=1:38
OUT Q=CBS NEWS, Capital hill.
4:08:42

Partners-Parenting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#96-95
GRAPHIC=Education

First Union is giving the Roanoke County school system some help with a parenting program.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./May 19

The Partners in Parenting program is getting a six-thousand dollar grant from the bank's Excellence in Education fund.
The school system will use the money to help pay for seminars on topics important to parents and teachers.
The program also tries to develop greater community involvement in the school system.
More than 60 schools in 12 states competed for the grants.
(----------------)

Hair-Attack

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cst
TAPE# net p
GRAPHIC=none

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has stopped short of ordering a RECALL of hair-eating cabbage patch dolls, issuing only a WARNING to parents.
Lee Cowan reports complaints about the dolls have surfaced across the country.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:02:13
IN Q=It says so
SUPER=01-Hanna Spears/South Carolina; :08
SUPER=07-Christy DeLong; :33
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=Lee Cowan,CBS News, Charlotte.
((
It says so right on their box...my mouth really moves.....boy does it. HANNA SPEARS//SOUTH CAROLINA: I WAS LAYING DOWN AND IT GOT HOLD OF MY HAIR, AND IT KEPT CHEWING UP TO MY HEAD.
Another hair raising attack in Connecticut... JOSE GOMEZ/CONNECTICUT:IT KEPT PULLING, AND PULLING, AND PULLING.
She strikes again in California... SHE WANTED TO EAT IT BECAUSE SHE WAS HUNGRY FOR HAIR!
All across the country...nearly a dozen attacks...and the "cabbage patch snack time kid" still has an appetite....not only for hair...but fingers too.... CHRISTY DELONG: IT CHEWED IT UP TO HERE, THEN IT COULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER AND LATCHED ON AND WE COULDN'T GET IT OFF.
So these tiny mechanical mouths, the ones that don't make a sound, are being heard nonetheless...the message: HEBRY NEWTON:THIS IS A DANGEROUS DOLL.
But not dangerous enough to pull from toy shelves-- yet.
In a written statement released today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says no serious injuries have been reported.
And while it issued a warning to parents, that's as far as it went. The investigation continues.
Mattel insists the toys are safe....and that rigorous testing has already been done.
But the publicity nightmare for Mattel has already begun.
Some parents are consulting lawyers...others are returning the dolls for refunds or exchanges.
The doll designed to gobble up toy food, is swallowing a toy makers good name as well.
Lee Cowan, CBS News, Charlotte.))

Defibrillators

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=mornin
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-94
GRAPHIC=heart attack

The Danville fire department is ringing in the New Year with about 60- thousand dollars in new equipment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Danville;

The city purchased seven defibrillators-- which are used with heart attack victims.
The Danville life saving crew already uses the machines but experts predict the new machines will save even more lives.
When a person has a heart attack every second counts and Danville fire fighters generally have a quicker response time of three and a half to four minutes.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=What happens
((DR. STUART SMITH/DANVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER:WHAT HAPPENS WITH A HEART ATTACK IS THAT THE HEART WILL GO INTO FIBRILLATION AND NO BLOOD IS EFFECTIVELY PUMPED SO THE PERSON STOPS BREATHING, THERE IS NO PULSE, YOU HAVE ABOUT A TEN MINUTES OPPORTUNITY TO GET THAT HEART TO BEAT NORMALLY AGAIN.))
SUPER=01-Dr. Stuart Smith/Danville Regional Medical Center; :00
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=normally again.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

An estimated one thousand Americans die each day from a heart attack.
The city bought seven machines so that every station in Danville will have access to one.
(----------------)
toss to bump

2-sw-shooting

2-Day-Murder

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-91
GRAPHIC=murder Investigation

Roanoke Police identified the two men found shot to death in a Day Avenue apartment last week.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday;

One of the men, 54- year- old Spencer Jackson Dickason, lived in the apartment.
The other man, 44- year- old Odell Hairston, had a Northwest Roanoke address.
A weekend autopsy found both men died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Police suspect a murder suicide, because the fatal bullets are the same caliber as a gun found at the scene.
They say an additional test could tell them whether either of the men fired the fatal shots.
(----------------)

2-Pulaski-Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-89
GRAPHIC=NONE

The deaths of an estranged Pulaski County couple have been ruled a
murder-suicide by a medical examiner. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Sunday;

Deputies were called to the home of Betty and Douglas Burgess Saturday night after neighbors heard gunshots.
They found the bodies lying in the front yard of the home on Alum Spring Road.
Investigators say Douglas Burgess was holding a large caliber handgun.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Autopsies indicate that both victims died from gunshot wounds to the head.
Dr. William Masello says Douglas Burgess had a single bullet wound, while his wife had more than one.

2-Reynolds-Resignation

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=voting

January 14th will be the third election in just over two months for some Southside voters.
That's the date of the latest special election for voters in parts of Carroll, Henry, Pittsylvania, and Patrick counties.
State Senator- elect Roscoe Reynolds faxed a letter yesterday to the Governor resigning his House of Delegates seat.
Governor Allen then set the 14th as the date for the special election to fill that House seat.
That means the district will go UN-represented from the January 8th opening gavel of the General Assembly until a new delegate can be sworn in.
Both parties accused the other of foot-dragging over setting the election.
Democrat Barnie Day is expected to face Republican Phil Plaster for the House seat.

L'burg-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-98
GRAPHIC=Fire

A Lynchburg family may start the new year looking for a new home after a mid- day fire heavily damaged their house.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

Firefighters were called to the 200 block of Payne Street yesterday after a neighbor spotted smoke coming from this house.
Crews quickly contained the blaze, but not before a front living room suffered extensive fire damage.
Smoke damage throughout the rest of the house has left it uninhabitable for the family of three.
Investigators say a battery charger for a child's Christmas toy had been left near a recliner, apparently sparking the blaze.
(----------------)

Diet

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#net (edit of 96-103)
GRAPHIC=weight loss

Many people vow to trim their waistlines at the start of the new year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

Few actually follow through with it.
But Ronda Parr lost nearly 50 pounds since making her 19-96 New Year's Resolution.
She's now a counselor at the Beverly Hills Weight Loss Clinic.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:07:48
IN Q=I've cut down
((RONDA PARR/WEIGHT LOSS COUNSELOR: I'VE CUT DOWN ON MY FATS, CUT DOWN ON MY STARCHES, CARBOHYDRATES, AND I'VE LEARNED TO EAT,IS WHAT IT IS. I'VE LEARNED TO EAT. ))
SUPER=01-Ronda Parr/Weight Loss Counselor;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=learned to eat (double out!)
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

Area fitness clubs typically see a dramatic rise in new memberships around this time of year.
But exercise experts agree that watching what you eat is crucial to slimming down.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:03:53
IN Q=Nutrition is a huge part
((JOHN WARE/ROANOKE ATHLETIC CLUB: NUTRITION IS A HUGE PART OF IT. IN FACT, I THINK IT'S THE BIGGEST PART, IS EATING RIGHT. AGAIN, IF YOU'VE FALLEN OFF THE WAGON, GET BACK ON THE WAGON AGAIN AND START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT. ))
SUPER=01-John Ware/Roanoke Athletic Club;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=year off right
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Fitness and diet experts say you should pace yourself, and not expect the perfect body right away.
The important step in getting into shape is getting started.
(-------------)

4-Scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=nba

In the N-B-A,
New York's backcourt was responsible for a 98-to-86 victory over New Jersey.
For last night's scores let's check the boards.
(-------------)
WIPE TO SCORES
SUPER=#556
SUPER=X5028;
SUPER=0096-/New Jersey/86/j/New York/98///j/Charlotte/101//Washington/92///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-/Minnesota/96/j/Cleveland/108////Orlando/85/j/Detroit/97///;
SUPER=x5009
SUPER=0096-/Indiana/79/j/Chicago/81////Seattle/91/j/Houston/99///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0096-j/Boston/104//Denver/102///j/Phoenix/100//Sacramento/88///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0096-j/San Antonio/95//Vancouver/88///j/L.A. Clippers/115//Utah/101///;
SUPER=x5027
SUPER=0098-j/Kansas #1/90//Washburn/65///j/Clemson #6/73//Marshall/57///;
SUPER=x5009
SUPER=0098-j/Duke #12/104//Western Carolina/54///j/Villanova/87//NC
Wilmington/38//;
SUPER=x5009
SUPER=0098-/Delaware/66/j/Virginia/76////UMBC/58/j/James Madison/71///;
SUPER=x5009
SUPER=0098-j/Radford/64//East Tenn. State/59//Robinson 12 Pts.//Loyola of
MD./55/j/Virginia Tech/58//Women/; (-------------) RUNS=1:03