WDBJ 7 morning news for 02/08/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

The world mourns the passing of a popular King.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And president Clinton's impeachment trial moves to closing arguments.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Still breezy in the wake of a cold front that brought some showers yesterday--
Morning clouds will gradually clear out, allowing for a mostly sunny Monday with continued unseasonably mild temperatures.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[hussein-funeral]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Jordan and the world today are mourning the passing of a king.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amman, Jordan;]

Air Force One landed in Amman this morning.
President Clinton and former Presidents Bush, Carter and Ford are among world leaders and dignitaries paying respects today to King Hussein.
Hussein ruled Jordan for almost half a century.
Shopkeepers have closed for business today and put up black flags of mourning.
For many, Jordan without Hussein defies imagination.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:02:21]
[IN Q=]
(KING HUSSEIN IS LEAVING BUT HE GONNA STAY IN OUR HEARTS, HE GONNA
STAY IN OUR LIVES FOREVER.)
[RUNS=:06 ]
[OUT Q=OUR LIVES FOREVER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

King Hussein was celebrated for his skills not only as a statesman..but for his compassion and connection to the common man.
His son, King Ab-duh-lah, now holds the reins of power.
(------------)

[impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

It looks like the entire impeachment drama could be finished by the end of the week.
Monica Lewinsky's testimony was shown over the weekend.
And now there is talk among Senators of a censure resolution that could actually unify Republicans and Democrats.

Closing statements will be delivered today
Maureen Maher reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Jordan; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Robert Byrd/(D) West Virginia; :23]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Joseph Lieberman/(D) Connecticut; :43]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Robert Bennet/(R) Utah; :51]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Phil Gramm/(R) Texas; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Maureen Maher/Reporting; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=cbs news Capitol Hill]
((AS PRESIDENT CLINTON MOURNS THE DEATH OF KING HUSSEIN IN JORDAN... SENATORS BACK IN WASHINGTON ARE GETTING READY TO HEAR CLOSING ARGUMENTS TODAY.. IN THE PRESIDENT'S MONTH-LONG IMPEACHMENT TRIAL. DELIBERATIONS are set to begin after that, but MANY HAVE ALREADY GIVEN SOME INDICATION ON HOW THEY'LL VOTE. FOR SENIOR DEMOCRAT, ROBERT BYRD, THAT MAY MEAN AQUITTAL... EVEN THOUGH HE BELIEVES THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS DO RISE TO THAT OF HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS: ((SUPER: SEN. ROBERT BYRD//D-WV)) "The American people don't want him removed, and in the interest of our country I may come to the conclusion that we should not remove him ((track 2)) SOME SENATORS FEAR A SIMPLE YES VOTE WILL APPEAR AS IF THEY'RE CONDONING THE PRESIDENT SO THEY'RE PUSHING FOR A STRONGLY-WORDED CENSURE RESOLUTION: ((SUPER: SEN JOSEPH LIEBERMAN//D-CT)) "I think we have an opportunity here to speak to the common values that the President's behavior has violated." ((SUPER: SEN. ROBERT BENNET//R-UT)) "There is an overwhelming sense among the Senate that the president should not walk away from this with any sense of vindication or great rejoicing that everyone has embraced his actions." ((track 3)) OTHERS, WHO QUESTION THE NEED FOR CENSURE AT ALL, PLAN TO FIGHT THE MOTION: ((SUPER: SEN. PHIL GRAMM/R-TX)) "Censure is about politicians trying to get political cover, politicians trying to be on both sides.. saying the President's not guilty and saying the President's guilty at the time."))

[Martin]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Alfred Martin]

The man who walked away from the Martinsville prison farm 25 years ago will be sentenced today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

Alfred Martin served less than two days of a one year sentence for selling marijuana.
Last year, he was found living in Michigan and returned to Virginia.
Martin pleaded guilty to escape charges less than a month ago.
Judge Charles Stone could force Martin to serve as many as five years on the escape charges.
He'll aslo have to serve the remainder of his original sentence.
(------------)

[S-Lynchburg-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-78; 1:01:52]
[GRAPHIC=Murder]

Lynchburg police have made an arrest in the Satruday murder of a Rustburg woman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]

Lynchburg Police say 34-year old Donna Lynn Whiteman was found slumped over her car's steering wheel.
She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Early yesterday morning officers made an arrest in the case.
19-year old Adrian Jerome Toler (Toe-lur) was picked up at his Lynchburg apartment.
He faces murder and firearms charges.
Police aren't sure why Whiteman was shot, they're still investigating.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, the Lady Hokies rock the crowd at the Cassell.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:50]
[OUT Q=later on mornin'.]

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

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M98-10]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record] [Roll Cold out of Break]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=welcome back]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Toy Cobbe/Piedmont Arts Center; :21]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :32]
[RUNS=2:11]
[OUT Q=News 7 Mornin' Returns]

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

[S-Salem-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-76; 1:28:54]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

The next school year will start a little earlier for Salem students-- if school officials get their way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

The administration is requesting a waiver from the General Assembly allowing them to begin classes on August 23rd--two weeks before Labor Day.
Lawmakers have turned down other school districts because the tourist industry needs high-school age workers to stay on the job through the holiday.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=00:11:14]
[IN Q=WE DON'T HAVE]
((MIKE BRYANT/SCHOOL ASST. SUPERINTENDENT; WE DON'T HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF STUDENTS THAT WORK IN THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE HAVE TRIED TO START BEFORE LABOR DAY AND IT HAS BEEN OUR BOARD'S OPINION THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SET THE TIME WHEN SCHOOL STARTS.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Bryant/Assistant Superintendent;]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=WHEN SCHOOL STARTS.]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Mleanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Bryant expects an answer from the General Assembly in the spring.

[S-BV-Golf]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-77;1:14:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Buena Vista officials are hoping a new 18-hole golf course will bring more money to the city.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

They're now in negotiations with The Highland Group--a company based in the Richmond area.
The company wants to build the golf course in the city--as part of a private-public partnership.
The company would get all profits from the course for the first 40 years, then turn over ownership and management of the course to the city.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11.39.43 - 11.39.56]
[IN Q=The golf course]
((DAN COLLINS/BUENA VISTA CITY MANAGER: THE GOLF COURSE IS A HIGH MAINTENANCE ITEM BECAUSE OF THE GRASS AND FERTILIZER. BUT ONCE YOU PASS THAT IF YOU HAVE THE TRAFFIC AND ROUNDS OF PLAY IT BECOMES A SIGNIFICANT CASH COW.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Collins/City Manager;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=significant cash cow.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]

Officials plan to build the course in Glen-Maury Park.
The Highland Group plans to put up most of the initial costs which are estimated to be from 16 to 20 million dollars.
If city council approves the idea, construction will likely begin in the spring.
(-----------)

[tanker-aground]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

What's the size of two football fields, weighs more than eighty million pounds and has about four hundred thousand gallons of fuel on board?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Coos Bay, OR;]
[4:30:36]
A 600-foot freighter that has run aground near Coos Bay, Oregon.
Salvage crews say they're confident they can re-float it.

(----------------------------)[stardust]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Running one day late because of a radar problem, NASA's eleven-hundred MILLION dollar Stardust probe is on its way to a date with a comet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cape Canaveral, FL;]

Stardust blasted off late yesterday afternoon from Florida aboard a Boeing Delta rocket.
The spacecraft is headed for Comet (vihlt) Two, where's its expected to arrive in January 2004.
If all goes well, it will bring back samples of the comet to Earth in 2006.
Scientists think comets can shed some light about the history of the early solar system .
This marks the first attempt to gather material from beyond the moon and return it to Earth.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, new evidence of a connection between diet and blood pressure.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( A NEW STUDY SHOWS THAT HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE CAN BE GREATLY REDUCED.. SIMPLY BY EATING A HEALTHY DIET-- AND WITHOUT THE NEED FOR SPECIAL DRUGS.
VT=VO

RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR -SIGNIFICANTLY- REDUCED THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS.. AFTER EATING A LOW-FAT DIET RICH IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.
NONE OF THE PATIENTS INVOLVED WAS ON HYPERTENSION MEDICATIONS.
VT=VO

WE ALL KNOW THE BENEFITS OF LOW CHOLESTEROL--
BUT DOCTORS SAY LEVELS THAT ARE TOO LOW COULD CAUSE STROKES.
ACCORDING TO A STUDY PRESENTED AT AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE...
EXTREMELY LOW CHOLESTEROL LEVELS INCREASED THE RISK FOR A TYPE OF STROKE THAT CAUSES BLOOD VESSELS TO BURST.
HOWEVER, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IT'S STILL WISE TO KEEP CERTAIN CHOLESTEROL LEVELS DOWN.
ONCAM=MIKA

AND THAILAND MAY HAVE THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS FOR LIVING A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE.
THAT COUNTRY'S HEALTH MINISTRY HAS COME UP WITH A SPECIFIC LIST OF DO'S AND DON'TS..
MANY OF THE SUGGESTIONS ARE TYPICAL--LIKE EATING THREE MEALS A DAY AND EXERCISING REGULARLY.
BUT SOME OF THE MORE INTERESTING ONES INCLUDE BATHING TWICE A DAY, WEARING CLEAN CLOTHES, AND KEEPING A TIDY HOME. 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 call for info)
[SUPER=03-Through March 28/Remembering the Holocaust;]
[SUPER=03-February 25 & March 8/Holocaust Survivor;]
[SUPER=03-March 23/"Music from Terezin";]
[SUPER=16-(540) 632-3221/Piedmont Arts Association;]

[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]

The people of Jordan are showing their grief.
They packed into mosques today for prayers, and bought so many newspapers the stores ran out. Security is extra-tight in Amman, with police and soldiers lining the streets.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

President Clinton is out of the country, but that won't stop his Senate impeachment trial.
Closing arguments get under way this afternoon, with House prosecutors up first.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And 25 years after he walked out of a Martinsville prison farm Alfred Martin will be sentenced today.
He could get up to five years on escape charges.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Monday February Eighth.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-hussein-funeral]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The funeral of King Hussein is underway this morning in Jordan.
(--------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amman, Jordan;]

The 63 year old ruler died yesterday of cancer.
World leaders have gathered in in Amman for the funeral.
President Clinton is joined by former president's Bush, Carter and Ford, as well as Russian Leader Boris Yeltsin and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
President Clinton praised Hussein yesterday at the White House.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:02]
[IN Q=]
(CLINTON:THE WORLD MOURNS THE LOSS OF ONE OF ITS GREAT LEADERS,
KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN. I MOURN THE LOSS OF A PARTNER AND A FRIEND. )
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=and a friend.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Distraught Jordanians are showing their grief over the death of King Hussein.
For many, he's the only ruler they've ever known.
Half a million people -- about a sixth of Jordan's population -- are expected for today's funeral procession.
Hussein ruled Jordan for nearly half a century.
He is succeeded by his eldest son Abdullah.
(------------)

[2-impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

Even though President Clinton is out of the country, that won't delay his Senate impeachment trial.
Closing arguments get under way this afternoon, with House prosecutors up first.
Final votes on whether to convict Clinton could come later in the week.
Maureen Maher reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Jordan; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Robert Byrd/(D) West Virginia; :23]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Joseph Lieberman/(D) Connecticut; :43]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Robert Bennet/(R) Utah; :51]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Phil Gramm/(R) Texas; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Maureen Maher/Reporting; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=cbs news Capitol Hill]
((AS PRESIDENT CLINTON MOURNS THE DEATH OF KING HUSSEIN IN JORDAN... SENATORS BACK IN WASHINGTON ARE GETTING READY TO HEAR CLOSING ARGUMENTS TODAY.. IN THE PRESIDENT'S MONTH-LONG IMPEACHMENT TRIAL. DELIBERATIONS are set to begin after that, but MANY HAVE ALREADY GIVEN SOME INDICATION ON HOW THEY'LL VOTE. FOR SENIOR DEMOCRAT, ROBERT BYRD, THAT MAY MEAN AQUITTAL... EVEN THOUGH HE BELIEVES THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS DO RISE TO THAT OF HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS: ((SUPER: SEN. ROBERT BYRD//D-WV)) "The American people don't want him removed, and in the interest of our country I may come to the conclusion that we should not remove him ((track 2)) SOME SENATORS FEAR A SIMPLE YES VOTE WILL APPEAR AS IF THEY'RE CONDONING THE PRESIDENT SO THEY'RE PUSHING FOR A STRONGLY-WORDED CENSURE RESOLUTION: ((SUPER: SEN JOSEPH LIEBERMAN//D-CT)) "I think we have an opportunity here to speak to the common values that the President's behavior has violated." ((SUPER: SEN. ROBERT BENNET//R-UT)) "There is an overwhelming sense among the Senate that the president should not walk away from this with any sense of vindication or great rejoicing that everyone has embraced his actions." ((track 3)) OTHERS, WHO QUESTION THE NEED FOR CENSURE AT ALL, PLAN TO FIGHT THE MOTION: ((SUPER: SEN. PHIL GRAMM/R-TX)) "Censure is about politicians trying to get political cover, politicians trying to be on both sides.. saying the President's not guilty and saying the President's guilty at the time."))

[2-Martin]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Alfred Martin]

25-years ago, he walked away from the Martinsville prison farm.
Today he'll be sentenced on escape charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

Alfred Martin served less than two days of a one year sentence for selling marijuana.
Last year, he was found living in Michigan and returned to Virginia.
Martin pleaded guilty to escape charges less than a month ago.
Judge Charles Stone could force Martin to serve as many as five years on the escape charges.
He'll aslo have to serve the remainder of his original sentence.
(------------)

[2-S-Lynchburg-Murder]

[S-Chimney-Collapse]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-80;1:28:09]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A construction worker is recovering at a local hospital after a chimney fell on him yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

A deputy with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department said workers were moving a home in Blacksburg when the chimney collapsed on top of Michael Gilbert.
It happened around 7-45 yesterday morning along Jannell Road.
Gilbert was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
He was listed in serious condition.
Meanwhile, police are still investigating the accident.
(------------)

[Fatal-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

House fires claimed the lives of two people this weekend.
Lacy William Caul III died yesterday morning when fire engulfed his home in Covington at 333 Pine Street.
And, 33-year old Daniel Nelson died Friday night from a blaze that started in the basement of a home at 604 Newbern Road in Pulaski.
Another man, Garland Smith, suffered minor injuries in that fire.

[Feedback-02/07/99]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Feedback]
[GRAPHIC=Feedback]

The viewer mail this week brought comments on a football player's morality, and a high school's reputation.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has News-7's Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The coverage of Atlanta]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/January 31; :02]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape; :35]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=McKean, News-7.]
((The coverage of Atlanta Falcons' Eugene Robinson troubles with the law got a Roanoke viewer thinking about the impeachment trial of President Clinton.
"The President of the United States not only solicited but took part in oral sex in the Oval Office and a cloud has been over the White House for over a year now but it has been defended vigorously.
Hypocritically, the news media and Clinton supporters have excused the president's behavior while jumping on the report about a professional athlete with both feet...Do we hold our professional athletes to a higher standard than we hold the President of the United States to?"
Our story on the drug dog search at William Fleming High School prompted another Roanoke viewer to write:
"William Fleming has always gotten a bum rap ever since I can remember. This was even when my children went to school there. Yes, drugs are wrong, but here Patrick Henry was searched two weeks ago and nothing was said until they found some somewhere else."
Here's how to share your comments on issues in the news, or our news coverage:
The address for conventional mail, is News-7, P.O. Box 7, Roanoke Virginia, 24022-0007.
The number for faxes is 540-343-7269.
Our e-mail address is news@wdbj7.com.
And you'll find a moderated on-line forum at our web site, wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M98-10]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record] [ROLL COLD OUT OF BIRTHDAYS]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Today on]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Anne Miller/Piedmont Arts Center; :20]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :31]
[RUNS=3:01]
[OUT Q=Holocaust or not]

[Steve Live]

(I'll call for info)
[SUPER=16-(540) 632-3221/Piedmont Arts Association;]

[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive:art))

[WebWatch]

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

Legal software is not a substitute for a real lawyer--according to a judge in Texas.
And, celebrate Valentine's Day on the web.
Eric Earnhart shows us how in this week's WebWatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Your computer can be]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=EE, News-7]
(([intro] [RUNS:05]
Your computer can be many things, but its not allowed to be your lawyer, according to a Texas judge. He's trying to ban the Quicken Family Lawyer software.... He says it's practicing law without a license.
It's not clear whether the judge has to power to stop the software, or the free legal document downloads and basic legal advice offered at the Qicken, and other legal websites.
If you're ready for daytona, rev up your mouse and click on over to GoRacing-dot-com. find out what all the teams are up to... and expect to see Jeff Gordon's face a lot...
While you're there, click over to the Speedmall... an interactive on-line shopping center where you can pick up souveniers, toys and collectibles.
Roses cost an arm and a leg this time of year... but Valentine-dot-com is free. Fill out a questionaire, and find out which celebrity is your valentine dream date. You can send your valentine a free on-line greeting, or if you're a little more creative... you can put them inside their very own internet tabloid news story.
For links to these sites, click on WebWatch, on the WDBJ website at WDBJ7-dot-com.))

[S-Skate-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-74; 1:32:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Roanoke's first skate park is only a few weeks away from its official opening.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Workers are still building jump ramps and other skating attractions.
Construction on the project started last October.
Depending on the weather, they expect to have it complete by the end of this month.
Once it's finished, the skaters may be allowed to put the finishing touches on it.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=00:19:31]
[IN Q=YES, THIS IS]
((RAY BAYSE/GROUNDS ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR; YES, THIS IS ONE OF OUR FIRST THOUGHTS IS TO LET THEM COME OVER AND DO SOME PAINTING OR ARTISTIC DRAWINGS...AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN GOOD TASTE.))
[SUPER=01-Ray Bayse/Assistant Grounds Supervisor;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=IN GOOD TASTE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The skate area is under the bridge in Wasena Park.
It's a joint effort by the Roanoke City and County parks and recreation departments.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, winning the pole for the 500 didn't help Jeff Gordon in the pits at Daytona.
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:40]
[OUT Q=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]

25 years ago, he walked away from a one year drug-related sentence.
Today, Alfred Martin will be sentenced on escape charges.
He faces as many as five years in prison and will have to serve the remainder of his original sentence.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A 19-year old is charged with murdering a Lynchburg woman.
34-year old Donna Lynn Whiteman was found shot to death Saturday night.
Police aren't yet sure why she was killed.
Adrian Jerome (Toe-lur) Toler faces murder and firearms charges.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Buena Vista officials are hoping a new golf course will drive more money into the city.
The course would be built as a public-private partnership-- the developer would get the profits for forty years, then turn the course over to the city.
If it's approved by city council, work could begin this spring.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]