WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/02/99

[Missouri-Wx]

[ANCHOR=Denise]

[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

The storm is already making its presence felt across the midwest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kansas City, MO;]

Snow started to accumulate across northern Missouri and Southern Illinois Friday.
T-W-A has already canceled all of its flights this morning in and out of Saint Louis.
Forecasters in Illinois are warning of blizzard conditions during the day, with winds reaching as high as 45 miles-an-hour.
The winter storm extends as far south as the Gulf Coast states.
A thick layer of ice from a relentless rain is covering trees and power lines in Arkansas -- leaving more than 100-thousand without power.
At least seven deaths are blamed on the weather -- including six from traffic accidents.
(------------)

[City-Preps]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST= Sat Am]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-7]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

And in our region, crews have been hard at work preparing for the storm's arrival here.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Employees at the Roanoke Public Works Service Center were on the job on New Year's Day... making sure snow plows and chemical spreaders would be ready to roll when the snow and ice arrived.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That's a hard job]
((CHARLIE DREWERY/MECHANIC SUPERVISOR: THAT'S A HARD JOB PUSHING SNOW. IT TAKES A TOLL ON THE EQUIPMENT AND THE MEN.))

((GARY YARBROUGH/STREET MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: WE'RE TRYING TO GET ALL OF OUR TRUCKS AND EQUIPMENT READY BEFORE THE SNOW GETS HERE, SO WE'LL BE READY.))
[SUPER=01-Charlie Drewery/Mechanic Supervisor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gary Yarbrough/Street Maintenance Supervisor; :07]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=so we'll be ready.]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The city has about 50 trucks outfitted for snow removal...as well as 14 hundred tons of salt and 75- hundred gallons of liquid calcium chloride on hand.

[2-SHOT TOSS][Cancellation]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

We do have a couple cancellations for today.......
The Knollcrest Bull sale scheduled for today is cancelled. It has been rescheduled for Friday, January 8-th at 12 noon. and The Roanoke Fiddle and Banjo Club's monthly concert at the Roanoke Civic Center is cancelled for tonight.[Furby-warning

]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=sat Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[********Anchor tag******]
There's a warning involving this year's hottest toy...the Furby.
The makers of furbies say they could interfere with medical equipment and even be dangerous on an airplane.
Steve Raible has the story.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Seattle, WA; 00]
[SUPER=01-Julie Rathbun/University of Washington Medical Center ;08]
[SUPER=01-Robert Houff/Bio-Med Tech ;22]
[super=01-Steve Raible/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=And landings]
((Several studies have shown cell phones can interfere with medical equipment like heart monitors and pace makers.
"WE HAVE SIGNS POSTED HERE AT THE MEDICAL CENTER SINCE SOME CELL PHONE SIGNALS INTERFERE WITH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND OTHER DEVICES."

Cell phones are banned from parts of many hospitals around the world, including at the university of washington medical center.
"WE DON'T ALLOW EQUIPMENT THAT WILL TRANSMIT LIKE CELL PHONES IN CRITICAL CARE AREAS LIKE THE O-R, I-C-U, AND THAT INCLUDES THE NEONATAL ICU WHICH IS INTENSIVE CARE FOR INFANTS."
now..there's concern about an unlikely item.. the season's hottest toy:
"I DON'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT FURBIES."

While the furby issue is new to hospitals in western washington...one hospital in Europe has already banned the furry creatures until more information is known.. about the frequencies the toys operate on.

Tiger Electronics the company that makes the Furby.. recommends they furbies not be used in hospitals or emergency rooms where life-sustaining devices are in use."
nats- furby

We tested the Furby in our KIRO-7 engineering lab to see how the furby's transmission compares to a cell phone.
See how the cell phone peaks on one frequency.
The furby covers a broad range, meaning it could effect machines that operate on a variety of frequencies.

The company also advises kids not to play with the Furbies on airplanes during take-offs and landings.))
[Anchor=denise]
[ss=none]

The F-A-A says they were interested to hear about the company's warning.
They plan to take a closer look at the toy and will notify the public if there is a problem.

[2-shot toss][Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

An avalanche in a remote Eskimo village in Canada killed nine and 25 injured others.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec;]

Five of the dead are children.
The avalanche rolled down a 660 foot hillside without warning.
The wall of snow crashed into a school gymnasium where 500 people were celebrating the New Year.
There is speculation that a ceremonial gun salute to welcome the New Year might have loosened some of the snow on a nearby hill.
Regional police say an investigation into what caused the avalanche will begin today.
(------------)

[Bikes-or-Bust]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=sat Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=598-30 1:37:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Wal-Mart says it does not want any of the bikes bike that were allegedlly paid for with bad checks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Last month, 22 year old Jody Pendleton donated 340 bikes to the Bikes or Bust charity event. The Problem : He allegedlly wrote bogus checks for the bikes at a Roanoke Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart Manager Kenny Mabes said, I am not going to take a bike from a kid".
The bikes were distributed to needy Children BEFORE Pendleton's alleged scheme was disclosed. [HEADLINES]
[ANCHOR=Denise 2 shot]
[Music Under]
Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
[SUPER=#4070;weekend headline banner]
Preparation for the latest winter storm is underway.
Roanoke City crews were hard at work on New Years Day making sure the snow equipment would be ready when the storm hits. The city will be ready with 50 trucks to remove the anticipated snow and ice.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
Controversy remains over the leadership of the Roanoke chapter of the N-double-A-C-P. It has been two months since Martin Jeffrey LOST his re-election bid to Brenda Hale, yet he is still president. Chapter officials hope to resolve the issue before their first mass meeting in eleven days.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Denise]
State Police are still investigating a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 100 miles an hour. The chase started in Patrick County, then ended in Henry County when police cars crashed into the vehicle. No additional information is available at this time. The driver's name has not been released.
[ANCHOR=Andrew 2 SHOT]

And that's what's making news on this Saturday January 2-nd .
We'll be back in just a minute.

[Snow-Wrap]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=winter weather]

The wind chill is the story in the Dakotas.
And as John Mills reports, sleet and freezing rain are causing big problems for states to our west.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joel Gherardini/Motorist; :26]
[SUPER=01-Casey Rasbury/Trucker; :39]
[SUPER=01-Shelly Porter/Motorist; :57]
[super=01-John Mills/CBS News; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=Collinsville, IL]
((
(SOT: JOEL GHERARDINI/MOTORIST)

(SOT: Casey Rasbury/Trucker)

IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA, MANY FLIGHTS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY MORNING WERE CANCELLED.
AND, ON THE ROADS OF ILLINOIS, SNOW PLOWS HAD A TOUGH TIME KEEPING UP WITH THE WEATHER.

(SOT) Shelly Porter/Motorist

AS THE POWERFUL STORM MOVED EAST, AN ARMY OF WORKERS IN CHICAGO LINED THE SHORE OF LAKE MICHIGAN WITH SANDBAGS.. TRYING TO PREVENT FLOODING.
AT O'HARE, HUNDREDS OF COTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TRAVELERS WHO MAY BE SNOWED IN.
IN INDIANAPOLIS, PEOPLE SPENT THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY HEADING TO SUPERMARKETS AND HARDWARE STORES TO STOCK UP ON FOOD AND SUPPLIES.

(MOS SOT)

(STANDUP) John Mills/KMOV "More than a foot of snow is expected to
fall in some areas.. with gusty winds creating near-blizzard conditions. Forecasters say this snow storm could turn out to the biggest to hit the Midwest in 20 years. John Mills for CBS News, Collinsville, Illinois. ))

[2-City-Preps]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST= Sat Am]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-?]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

City crews have had plenty of warning, and they've been busy preparing for the storm's arrival.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Employees at the Roanoke Public Works Service Center were on the job on New Year's Day... making sure snow plows and chemical spreaders would be ready to roll when the snow and ice arrived.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That's a hard job]
((CHARLIE DREWERY/MECHANIC SUPERVISOR: THAT'S A HARD JOB PUSHING SNOW. IT TAKES A TOLL ON THE EQUIPMENT AND THE MEN.))

[11Henry-Chase]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Here in Virginia, a high-speed chase reached speeds of 100 miles per hour yesterday, before police cars piled into the vehicle they were chasing. It started in Patrick County and ended with the crash in Henry County. State police say the driver faces a load of charges. At last check, they were not releasing his name.

[Videos]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Saturday Morning]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
When the storm arrives later today, a lot of people will be fully prepared to ride it out ... with movies.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Anyone heading to movie rental stores Friday, like Hollywood video in Roanoke, had plenty of company.
(///////SOT///////)
[RUNS=:09]
[SUPER=07-Charles Ely; :00 (QUICK!!!)]
[SUPER=07-Katrina Baker; :05 (QUICK!!!)]
(([CHARLES ELY] Waiting for the big storm to hit. That's all. Just trying to take it easy at the house. Popcorn, soda pop, movies. [KATRINA BAKER] He got one, I got one, he got one .. oh, he got two.))
[OQ=...oh, he got two.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Many people combined their video store visit with one to the grocery store.[Movieopen]

[ANCHOR=denise]
[NEWSCAST=sat Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=movie open]
[GRAPHIC=Movie review]

Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon team up for the emotional movie Stepmom. Here is Anna Wentworth with a review.

(////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=animation]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=stop animation]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Movie-Review]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=Movie Review]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[wipe wipe wipe wipe]

[show supers anytime]
[IN Q=Excellent acting]
[SUPER=18-Anna Wentworth; :01]
[SUPER=18-"Stepmom"; :]
[SUPER=18-Columbia Pictures; :]
[super=18-Anna's Grade "B+"; :53]
[OUT Q=sad parts]
[RUNS=1:02]
(( Excellent acting and a strong, well-written script make "Stepmom" worth watching even though the ads are very misleading. There are light moments here, but this is NOT a comedy..
Susan Sarandon will probably pick up another Oscar nomination for her role as Jackie, a perfect mother whose marriage to Luke (Ed Harris)ended in divorce. Luke is now involved with a young photographer, Isabel (Julia Roberts) who knows nothing about raising kids. The sparring between the two women is realistic and convincing and is mostly antagonistic until Jackie has a recurrance of cancer and realizes Isabel may have to raise her children, Ben and Anna.. The children are perfectly portrayed by Liam Aiken and Jena Malone; their reactions to their changing world believable. "Stepmom" gets a B+ . It's unavoidably sentimental, and a little long, but over all it is a well crafted movie. But be sure to take a hanky for the sad parts.))

[11NAACP]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat Am]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-03 00:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It may take some national intervention to resolve the leadership crisis in the Roanoke chapter of the N- double- A-C-P.
Despite having lost the election, Martin Jeffrey is still president.. while his would- be successor waits her turn.

Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They celebrated]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Samuel Robinson/NAACP Regional Chairman; :29]
[SUPER=01-Martin Jeffrey/Roanoke NAACP President; :46]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Hale/President-Elect; :58]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=News7, Roanoke.]

(([NATSOT SINGING]
[RUNS:02]
They were celebrating Jubilee Day, but Roanoke- area N-double-A-C-P members still are not free of the controversy surrounding their leadership.
Two months after he narrowly LOST his re- election bid, Martin Jeffrey is still president.
Allegations that some chapter members were prevented from voting in that election have left the outcome in doubt.
Both sides now hope to schedule a meeting with national N-double- A-C-P officials in Baltimore to try and reach a solution.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:52:40]
[IN Q=So what we're]
((REV. SAMUEL ROBINSON/REGIONAL CHAIRMAN: SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE REPRESENTATIVES FROM BOTH PARTIES TO GO DOWN WITH ME SO THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT WHAT IS THERE AND GET A DETERMINATION. HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE THAT WHEN WE COME BACK.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=we come back.]

The stalemate between Jeffrey and president- elect Brenda Hale has left the organization stymied.
Any new initiatives for the coming year are indefinitely on hold.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:47:31]
[IN Q=I'm still committed]
((BRENDA HALE/PRESIDENT- ELECT: I'M STILL COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING CHANGE AND THAT CHANGE IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, BUT I'M STILL COMMITTED TO ALL THE THINGS WE WANT TO IMPLEMENT IN 1999.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=implement in 1999.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:58:29/13:58:47]
[IN Q=Both of us]
((MARTIN JEFFREY/ROANOKE NAACP PRESIDENT: BOTH OF US WANT THE SAME THING, AND THAT IS, AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, TO ERADICATE INJUSTICE IN THE VALLEY. I THINK WE BOTH WANT THE SAME THING AND WE'RE BOTH COMMITTED TO IT, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE OUTCOME IS.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=the outcome is.]

Chapter officials hope to resolve the issue before their first mass meeting in eleven days.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Roanoke.))

[Balloon]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Sat AM]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The U.S.-Austrailian balloon team hasn't even left the ground and already the team is facing setbacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Alice Springs, Australia;]

One of the three pilots must stay behind because the load is too heavy.
The team is trying to be the first to fly around the world in a balloon.
Team Re-Max hasn't announced who will stay behind.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:37:45]
[IN Q=this is]
[SUPER=01-Bob Martin/Balloonist;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=make together]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sources say Bob Martin is the odd man out.
His team includes 35 scientists from New Mexico and they vow to pack up and go home if he does not fly.
The launch set for Friday was postponed because of high winds.
This is the latest trouble for a mission which has already been delayed because of weather and equipment problems.

Barring any more problems the launch is set for Sunday, in Alice Springs, Australia.
(------------)

[Ice-Station]

[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=Saturday AM]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=**note..need to change lead-in if forecast is radically different!!]

Today's forecast is calling for some icy, wintry weather--
But if you'd rather glide on the ice INDOORS, how about a weekend excursion to Roanoke's Ice Station?
Kimberly McBroom takes us for a spin in this week's "Time Off".
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For more than]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :01]
[SUPER=01-Mike Quarles/General Manager; :12]
[SUPER=@Kimberly2; :27]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=McBroom, News 7, Roanoke]

((For more than four years, Roanoke's ice skating community was, well, "put on ice."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:23:45 ]
((MIKE QUARLES/GENERAL MANAGER: SINCE '93, WHEN LANCERLOT COLLAPSED, IT WAS-- THE CIVIC CENTER DID EVERYTHING IT COULD TO CATER TO THE ICE COMMUNITY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THAT ICE COMMUNITY IS ALMOST 30 YEARS OLD NOW AND SO THAT WAS EMBEDDED IN ROANOKE AND SO WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A PRODUCT WHERE THEY CAN GROW THEIR PROGRAMS-- THE FIGURE SKATING HAS TAKEN OFF REAL WELL, THE YOUTH HOCKEY'S GROWING.)) [RUNS:21]
The Ice Station opened in November of '97.
The Roanoke Express practice there-- but it's the PUBLIC for which the arena truly appeals....
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:28:56]
((MIKE QUARLES/GENERAL MANAGER: IT'S A FUN THING. I MEAN, SEEING THESE LITTLE KIDS FLYING AROUND AND SEE THE ADULTS, THEIR MOMS AND DADS HOLDING THEM UP. THE FUNNIEST THING IS THE KIDS, SIX AND SEVEN YEARS OLD, HOLDING UP THEIR MOM AND DAD. THAT'S REALLY FUN TO WATCH, TOO.)) [RUNS:12]
If you don't know HOW to skate, or if it's been a while, the Ice Station offers ice skating and figure skating classes.
And Pierre Paiemont's hockey school is geared toward both children and adults.
The Ice Station also features one of the largest pro shops in Virginia.
With all it has going for it, the Ice Station is making strides in gaining exposure...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:25:55 ]
((MIKE QUARLES/GENERAL MANAGER: THERE IS AN ICE COMMUNITY THAT IS INTERESTED. THE FORTUNATE THING FOR US IS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET OUR EXPOSURE OUT IN OUTSIDE AREAS LIKE I NTHE NEW RIVER VALLEY AND LYNCHBURG AREAS. SO, WE GET CUSTOMER BASE FOR THEM, AS WELL.)) [RUNS:09] [BUTT BUTT BUTT]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:26:38]
((MIKE QUARLES/GENERAL MANAGER: I THINK WE'RE STILL THE BEST-KEPT SECRET IN ROANOKE AND WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THAT NOW BY LETTING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT.)) [RUNS:04]
You can try on your "ice legs" every Saturday and Sunday night during public skating from eight until 11.
And if you're interested in a lunch hour workout-- the "lunch skate" is held Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays afternoons.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Roanoke.))