WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/11/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

An argument between neighbors leads to murder.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And in Bedford County the search continues for an escaped prisoner.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Brisk winds this morning, but a gradual SHIFT in wind DIRECTION will warm us up a bit for the first part of the work week.
Besides a few flurries in West Virginia, this Monday looks dry...
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We have a few school announcements to pass along this morning.
(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[Schoolwatch Boards] Bath County and Botetourt County schools are delayed one hour this morning. Grayson County is also on a one hour delay and the Mount Rogers school is closed. Highland County has a two hour delay. Pocahontas County is on a two hour delay.
(-------------)

[E-M'ville-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-65 TC1:53:27]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]

Police say a neighbor is reponsible for the murder of a Martinsville man.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]
Police say Timothy Eugene Smith, of 20 Moss Street, died of a single gunshot wound to his chest around one o'clock yesterday afternoon. Officials say Smith had been arguing with his downstairs neighbor, 42-year old Lane Greer, since Saturday evening.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=01:04:33]
[IN Q=THE INCIDENT LAST]
((SGT. ROBERT RAMSEY/MARTINSVILLE POLICE DEPT.; THE INCIDENT LAST NIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO. HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE THE RESIDENCE AND HE CAME BACK TODAY AND THERE WAS AN ALTERCATION.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Robert Ramsey/Martinsville Police Department;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=AN ALTERCATION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Smith was apparently shot through the window while standing on Greer's porch. Greer faced second degree murder charges. The shooting took place just across the street from the police department. It is Martinsville's first homicide of the new year.
(------------)

[S-Bedford-Escape]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-8; 00:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Police are still trying to catch up with a man who escaped from a Bedford County jail Saturday.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

Randy Lawrence Penkert (pink-ert) disappeared some time before 6-30 Saturday evening.
He was waiting to be sentenced on grand theft auto charges.
Officials say Penkert slipped out of a window while part of the Blue Ridge Regional Jail was under construction.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE PINNACLE]
Penkert is about 5 foot 10 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds.
Due to his non-violent criminal past, Penkert is not considered dangerous.
If you see him you're asked to contact police at 540- 586- 7112 or 540 - 586- 4800.
(-------------)

[IRAQ]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Conflict]

Saudi Arabia and Eygpt are have made unprecedented calls for the Iraqi people to overthrow Saddam Hussein.
The Iraqi parliment quickly fired back.. accusing Saudi Arabia and Kuwait of actively supporting U-S / British airstrikes.
There was an olive branch amid all the rhetoric.. a Saudi official says his nation will propose the easing of U-N sanctions against Iraq.
Allen Pizzey has the latest from Baghdad.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:13:13]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00 ]
[SUPER=01-Mohammed Said Sahaf/Iraqi Foreign Minister; :33]
[SUPER=01-Allen Pizzey/Reporting; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS BAGHDAD]
(( A two-day session of Iraq's parliament opened a new diplomatic front to forestall U.S. air strikes...appealing to the Arab world...while continuing to hurl defiance. Bellicose rhetoric against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia ended up as a watered down resolution urging Saddam Hussein to seek Arab support for an end to UN sanctions. And backing came from an unexpected quarter. Saudi Arabia will reportedly seek UN resolutions to lift the embargo on food and medicine to Iraq. The Iraqi foreign minister welcomed the idea...and then disclosed Iraq's next tactic.
SOT Mohammed Said Sahaf, Iraqi Foreign Minister
"First they should stop in participating in the crime of aggression of imposing no fly zone on south of Iraq."
(Air strike file)
vo: The Iraqis also gave details they said proved Saudi and Kuwaiti co-operation in last month's air strikes...a kind of oblique warning that Iraq is keeping score in case it decides to get even.
SOT Sahaf (partly over pix)
"Cruise missiles ///from the Kuwaiti air space///three hundred and twenty-seven"
(Saddam cabinet)
vo: Saddam Hussein asked his cabinet about preparations for more air strikes...but Iraq denies trying to provoke the U.S. and Britain by defying the "no-fly zones".
SOT Sahaf
"We will continue to resist them. They are violating our sovereignty. They are threatening our independence, our security, we have to defend our country."
(Street scenes)
vo: The tactic of using the effects of UN sanctions on the Iraqi people to win Arab support for an end to the embargo may be paying off. o/c: Iraq's next move...it seems...is an appeal to the Arab world to see the no-fly zone as an affront to Arab dignity...a weapon the U.S. may find much harder to counter than a few aging Iraqi Migs. A...P...CBS News, Baghdad.))

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, Virginia has a tough time with the second- ranked Blue Devils.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:19]
[OUT Q=later on mornin'.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(Melanie ad lib toss to Kimberly/Wx)

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M98-9]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record] [Roll Cold out of Break]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=welcome back]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Hyatt/Author of "The Millennium Bug"; :29]
[RUNS=2:25]
[OUT Q=News 7 Mornin' Returns]

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive:Millennium Bug))

[Schoolwatch]

[S-I81-Truckers]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-2; 04:49]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 81]

Many truck drivers are taking some extra precautions along Interstate 81 following last Sunday's huge wreck.
David Johnson talked with a few truckers yesterday and has this report.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It concerns me]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./January 3; :10]
[SUPER=01-Greg Williams/Truck Driver; :41]
[SUPER=01-Louis Quiceno/Truck Driver; :48]
[SUPER=@David1; :54]
[SUPER=01-Brian Servis/Truck Driver; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=Djo, News 7, Rockbridge County.]
((
[SOT=04:12:27]
[IN Q=IT CONCERNS]
((IT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT YEAH IT CONCERNS ME.)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=]
What has Greg Williams and other tractor trailer drivers so concerned is last week's fatal accident on I-81. Four people died, including a truck driver when eight tractor trailers and seven passenger vehicles slid across an ice covered bridge and crashed. Truckers are worried they or someone they know could be next. [NAT-SOUND/Trucks speeding by in bunches] [RUNS05]
Sunday is a busy day on the Interstate and one of the busiest days for truckers.
I-81 is their main vein for travel, unless they drive an alternate route, like Route-11. But that's not considered an option.
[SOT=04:11:55]
[IN Q=ROUTE ELEVEN]
((GREG WILLIAMS/TRUCK DRIVER; ROUTE ELEVEN, THEY'D HAVE TO WIDEN IT. IF WE TAKE THE ALTERNATE ROUTE THEN IT WOULD CREATE A TRAFFIC JAM OVER THERE.)) ((LOUIS QUICENO/TRUCK DRIVER; MYSELF I LIKE TO STICK TO THE INTERSTATE. IT'S A LITTLE BIT SAFER I THINK.)) [RUNS14] [STAND-UP/02:07:03] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE GENERAL CONSENSUS AMONG TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVERS IS THAT THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE--JUST SLOW DOWN. BUT IS THAT A REAL WORLD SOLUTION? TRUCKER BRIAN SERVIS SAYS IF LIVES ARE GOING TO BE SAVED, IT'S THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE.)) [RUNS12]
[SOT=04:19:05]
((BRIAN SERVIS/TRUCK DRIVER; DON'T TRY TO PUSH YOURSELF. IF THE LOAD'S GOING TO LATE, LET IT BE LATE. NO SENSE IN KILLING YOURSELF OVER SOME BREAD. Or someone else? OR SOMEBODY ELSE. THAT'S HOW A LOT OF US FEEL.)) [RUNS14]
David Johnson News 7.))

[UTAH-OLYMPICS]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Olympic Rings]

There are calls for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee to open up all financial records for public inspection.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salt Lake City, UT;]

The suggestion comes from four Democratic Salt Lake area legislators.
They want the documents disclosed after evidence was uncovered, which may prove that Salt Lake City won the rights to be home to the 2002 Winter Olympics through bribes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:06;04]
[IN Q=]
((STATE SEN. DAVE JONES: "THE SALT WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES WILL DIE THE DEATH OF A THOUSAND CUTS IF WE DON'T OPEN THE DOORS." ))
[SUPER=01-Dave Jones/Utah State Senator;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=if we don't open the doors. ]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

The lawmakers also discussed alternative plans in case the committee fails to act on the order.
This is a real possibility because the committee is a private organization with FEW disclosure requirements.

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, there's a new non-surgical way to treat enlarged prostates.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( THERE'S A GROWING DILEMNA FACING HEALTHCARE INSURERS.

VT=VO

MANY PLANS DON'T COVER COSTLY FERTILITY THERAPY... FORCING MANY COUPLES TO INCREASE THEIR CHANCES BY DEVELOPING FIVE EGGS AT A TIME.
THE HIGHER SUCCESS RATE OF THIS PROCESS HAS RESULTED IN MORE MULTIPLE BIRTHS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN BILLS TO CARE FOR THE BABIES.
FERTILITY DOCTORS SAY INCREASED INSURANCE COVERAGE WOULD ALLOW COUPLES TO DEVELOP FEWER EGGS AT A TIME AND RESULT IN LESS MULTIPLE BIRTHS.

VT=VO

DOCTORS IN KANSAS ARE USING A NEW NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURE TO TREAT AN ENLARGED PROSTATE.
THE TREATMENT USES NEEDLES AND A JOLT OF "ENERGY" TO SHRINK THE PROSTATE BACK TO NORMAL SIZE.
THE PROCEDURE COSTS ROUGHLY HALF AS MUCH AS TRADITIONAL SURGERY.

VT=VO

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE IS CATCHING ON WITH PATIENTS AND INSURERS.
FOUR OUT OF TEN AMERICANS ARE NOW MORE LIKLEY TO TRY PROCEDURES LIKE ACUPUNCTURE AND CHINESE HERBS IN PLACE OF TRADITIONAL WESTERN MEDICINE.
THE LOWER COST OF THESE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS IS ATTRACTIVE TO H-M-O'S.. WHO'VE DOUBLED COVERAGE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
EXPERTS SAY THE TREND IS DUE IN PART TO BABY-BOOMERS WILLING TO EXPERIMENT WITH LOW COST TREATMENTS TO HELP OLD PROBLEMS.

(MIKA)
ONCAM=MIKA
AND THAT'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS, I'M MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]

(I'll ad lib and call for WDBJ web page board)
[ESS#4472]

[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

An argument between neighbors lead to the first murder of the new year in Martinsville.
Lane Greer is charged with 2nd degree murder for allegedly shooting Timothy Eugene Smith.
The shooting took place in an Apartment building right across the street from the police department.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

In Bedford County a police manhunt continues for an escaped prisoner.
Randy Lawrence Penkert escaped Saturday night.
He was awaiting sentencing for grand theft auto.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

A deadline for President Clinton's legal team.
His lawyers have until the end of the day to file motions related to the Senate impeachment trial.
The trial will not stop the President from delivering his state of the Union Address January 19th.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Monday, January 11th.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Schoolwatch]

[2-E-M'ville-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-65 TC1:53:27]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]
Martinsville police say one man is dead after his downstairs neighbor shot him during an argument.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]
Police say Timothy Eugene Smith, of 20 Moss Street, died of a single gunshot wound to his chest around one o'clock yesterday afternoon. Officials say Smith had been arguing with his downstairs neighbor, 42-year old Lane Greer, since Saturday evening.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=01:04:33]
[IN Q=THE INCIDENT LAST]
((SGT. ROBERT RAMSEY/MARTINSVILLE POLICE DEPT.; THE INCIDENT LAST NIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO. HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE THE RESIDENCE AND HE CAME BACK TODAY AND THERE WAS AN ALTERCATION.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Robert Ramsey/Martinsville Police Department;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=AN ALTERCATION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Smith was apparently shot through the window while standing on Greer's porch. Police say Greer is facing second degree murder charges. The shooting took place just across the street from the police department. Officials say it is Martinsville's first homicide of the new year.
(------------)

[S-Train-Escape]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-4; 14:16]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The man who jumped from a train trestle Saturday is still in critical condition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

According to published reports, the man was walking along train tracks near Willow Branch Road in Roanoke County.
The train's conducter saw the man, blew his horn and slammed on the brakes.
The man then jumped from the 30 foot high trestle and was knocked unconcious.
He was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Officials are not releasing his name.
(------------)

[WebWatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=Web Watch]
[GRAPHIC=Web Watch]

If you have Microsoft business software--beware.
The company is warning of a security flaw.
Eric Earnhart has more in WebWatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you use]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=EE, News-7]
(([intro] [RUNS05]
If you use Microsoft Office 97, keep an eye on Excel... the spreadsheet program has a flaw that can allow a website operator to pull files off your computer while you're online...
Microsoft has a patch availble on it's website that should plug up the problem.

The Catholic Church is looking for prospective priests on the web. The Diocese of Providence Rhode Island has a recruiting website, which includes a list of frequently asked questions about the priesthood... such as can priests date? The answer is... no they can't... but YOU can...
At American Singles... a non-profit online dating service. The group is planning one of the world's biggest Valentine's Day parties... held online on the website, and at cyber-cafes across the country,.

Who had the coolest website in 1998... check out the nominees at Cool-site-of-the-day--dot-com.
Browse the different categories, and even register to attend the awards ceremony January 21st in New York City, with Emcee Robin Leach.

Maybe next year they'll have a cool news site category? In the meantime, you can find links to these sites on the WDBJ website...Click on WebWatch at WDBJ-7-dot-com))

[IMPEACHMENT]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

The critical issue of whether witnesses will be called.. still dominates discussions of President Clinton's impending impeachment trial.
Despite pleas to cast aside partisanship.. the debate is clearly spilt along party lines.
At the White House, President Clinton is standing firm with his promise to deliver his state of the union address on January 19th, even though the trial will be underway.
Lee Cowan reports from Capitol Hill.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:02:12]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Lindsey Graham/(R) South Carolina; :22]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Charles Schumer/(D) New York; :33]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/(D) Minority Leader; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Phil Gramm/(R) Texas; 1:22]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=Lee Cowan CBS News, Capitol Hill]
((FOR A SENATE THAT SPENT MUCH OF FRIDAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - THIS WEEK SEEMS DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT.
(NATS)
NEARLY 1/5TH OF THE PRESIDENT'S JURORS MADE THE ROUNDS ON THE SUNDAY TALK SHOWS. SO DID A GOOD PORTION OF THE HOUSE MANAGERS. THE TOPIC: WITNESSES. THE DILEMMA: WHETHER TO CALL THEM. SO FAR IT'S A CHASM WITHOUT A BRIDGE. REP. LINDSEY GRAHAM//R-SC: "What I'm saying here is - to tell that story." SEN. CHARLES SCHUMER//D-NY:
"I think it's going to be a very hard case --- not an expedition into
everything about Bill Clinton." THE PRESIDENT KEPT A LOW PROFILE OVER THE WEEKEND IRONICALLY SPENDING SATURDAY NIGHT OUT WITH ONE OF HIS JURORS; SENATOR BARBARA BOXER - PART OF THE CLINTON EXTENDED FAMILY. PERHAPS THE FIRST DECISION THE WHITE HOUSE HAS TO MAKE IS WHETHER TO DELIVER THE STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IN A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK - ALMOST SURELY TO FALL SQUARELY IN THE MIDDLE OF OPENING ARGUMENTS. LAWMAKERS ARE DIVIDED ON THE QUESTION - AND NOT SIMPLY ALONG PARTY LINES. SEN TOM DASCHLE//MINORITY LEADER:
"Obviously there's a tremendous amount --- keep his date on the 19th."
SEN. PHIL GRAMM//R-TX:
"I think it's a --- on the 19th."
(LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS)
"So far the White House remains steadfast in it's decision not to push back the speech arguing the President must remain focused on the business of the country. But as one Senator put it, right now anyway, this IS the business of the country. Lee Cowan CBS News, Washington."))

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M98-9]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[ROLL COLD OUT OF BIRTHDAYS]
(/////SOT/////)
[IN Q=today on]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Hyatt/Author of "The Millennium Bug"; :32]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=few minutes]

(tape tosses to Break)

[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive:Millennium Bug))

[Schoolwatch]

[Drive-Safe]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-70 TC1:59:47]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 81]
Some tractor trailer drivers say last Sunday's fatal accident on Interstate-81 should serve as a wake up call to all motorists.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./January 3;]
Investigators say speed and ice were the main facotrs in the wreck that killed four people last weekend. Eight tractor trailers and seven other passenger vehicles slid across an ice covered bridge, causing a chain reaction crash in the highway. The accident took place on a Sunday, one of the busiest travel days along I-81 for truckers. But most say an alternate like Route-eleven is not really an option.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=ROUTE ELEVEN]
((BRIAN SERVIS/TRUCK DRIVER; ROUTE ELEVEN TAKES YOU UP MORE STEEP GRADES AND IF YOU'RE REALLY HEAVY, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE TIME GOING THROUGH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Brian Servis/Truck Driver;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=GOING THROUGH IT.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some say the only ways to prevent future accidents are to learn to share the road and stick to the posted speed limit.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=04:12:47 - 04:10:36]
[IN Q=I THINK]
((GREG WILLIAMS/TRUCK DRIVER; I THINK THEY NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND RESPECT THE TRUCK DRIVERS AND THE TRUCK DRIVERS NEED TO RESPECT THE FOUR WHEELERS AND RESPECT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR SURE.)) ((LOUIS QUICENO/TRUCK DRIVER; JUST SLOW DOWN AND TAKE YOUR TIME. YOU JUST HAVE TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BAD WEATHER HITS. THAT'S ABOUT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Greg Williams/Truck Driver; :00]
[SUPER=01-Louis Quiceno/Truck Driver; :07]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=ABOUT IT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Some truckers admitted they speed, saying they are under the pressure of a deadline. But they add it's not worth dying for.
(------------)

[C'Burg-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Tennessee woman died in a Christiansburg accident.
The accident happened just before seven yesterday evening at the intersection of Roanoke Street and Bristol Drive.

Police say a vehicle driven Horst Jahn of Tellico Plains, Tennessee drove into the path of another vehicle.
Jahn's Wife, Hildegard, died at the scene.
Horst Jahn was flown to Roanoke Memorial hospital where he is in critical condition.
No charges have been filed against the driver of the other vehicle.

[Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Feedback]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's new Sex Offender Registry is one of the state's most popular sites on the Internet.
It also generated some viewer mail this week.
Here's Joe McKean with News-7's Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lynchburg bureau chief]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=McKean, News-7.]
((Lynchburg bureau chief Steve Smallshaw brought us the story of a woman whose husband was in the registry.
He'd been convicted of molesting their daughter years ago.
But the family had done much to recover from that and stayed together.
She thought it was harmful and unfair to make his record so readily accessible.
But a Roanoke viewer, who asked that her name be withheld disagreed.
"I am sorry, but she should have thought about that before she allowed him to return to her home with her daughter. It sounds as though she is more worried about her friends and neighbors finding out that she would allow this to happen than she is worried about the welfare of her child. Why try to live a normal life, when her husband has already made it abnormal for this innocent child.
Get real, lets put the blame where it should be and not blame the Law Enforcement Community for doing their jobs and for letting the public know when a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhoods; after all, some of us protect our children and not willingly place them in harm's way."
Your comments on our news coverage and issues in the news are welcome anytime.
The address is News-7 Feedback. P.O. Box 7, Roanoke Virginia, 24022-0007.
You may send a fax to 540-343-7269.
And our e-mail address is news@wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Video-John]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ame]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=none]

When Elton John comes to Roanoke next month, it will be as the All Time Favorite Musical Performer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pasadena, CA; HOT CHANGE!!!]
[SUPER=04-Proctor and Gamble Productions;]

The singer picked up the award during last night's People's Choice Awards.
In accepting his award he said he loves performing because it gets him in contact with people.
On Saturday, tickets to his upcoming concert sold out in just 46 minutes.
John will perform at the Roanoke Civic Center February 19th.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the Jets and Vikings score dominating playoff wins.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=great day everybody.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Martinsville police say an argument turned deadly yesterday afternoon.
Timothy Eugene Smith was shot once in the chest and later died.
Smith's downstairs neighbor-- 42 year old Lane Greer of Martinsville-- faces a second degree murder charge.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Bedford Authorities are still looking for a man who escaped from the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
On Saturday evening, Randy Lawrence Penkert broke out of a section of the jail that is under construction.
Penkert was awaiting sentencing on an auto theft conviction.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

He sold out the Roanoke Civic Center in record fashion.
Last night, Elton John picked up the All Time Favorite Musical Performer honor at the People's Choice Awards.
John will perform in Roanoke on Frebruary 19-th.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-Shot]
(Melanie reads Schoolwatch)
(XXXXXXXXXXXXX)
[SCHOOLWATCH BOARDS]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(ad lib bye)

[Schoolwatch]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We have a few school announcements to pass along this morning.
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[Schoolwatch Boards] Bath County and Botetourt County schools are delayed one hour this morning. Grayson County is also on a one hour delay and the Mount Rogers school is closed. Highland County has a two hour delay. (-------------) Pocahontas County is on a two hour delay.