[1-News-Head]
[TALENT=Keith]
Tonight NEWS 7 focuses on school violence.
Bomb threats, rumors, media coverage, the psychology behind all of that.
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[V/O-NAT SOT]
A Stewartsville blaze sends fire trucks racing to ROANOKE County for water.
And Roanoke's controversial landlord Frank Roupas has his day in court.
(-----------------)
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight in sports, the Avalanche game tonight in Salem is on.
Steve Mason profiles the two goalies in this week's Roanoke-Richmond series.
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[VO-NAT]
And pass the cake - Dale Earnhardt turns 48 today.
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[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]
If you want snow showers, head south. If you want warmer weather, head north.
Go figure! Your forecast is next.
[open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]
[News-Open]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Rampant Rumors]
When will it end?
The bomb threats are bad enough, but along with them are rumors that have many families afraid to send their children to school.
(---------------)
[VTR-VO]
Tonight we'll check out some of the latest trouble spots.
We'll try to separate rumor from the facts.
We'll show you how one district is dealing with disruptive rumors.
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[School-Threat]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#99-7 1:25:32]
[GRAPHIC=Rampant Rumors]
We begin in Roanoke County, where the bomb threats and rampant rumors seem to have many families especially on edge.
The school district and county police are sending a letter home tonight, promising parents they'll work diligently to make sure the learning process is not interrupted.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Scott/Microwave]
One school where was class WAS interrrupted today is Northside Middle School. That's where Scott Goldberg is tonight.
[Live=Scott Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: safe to go to school)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
[SUPER=01-David Blevins/Hidden Valley Principal;]
[SUPER=01-Cheryl Brenton/Hidden Valley Parent;]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jim Gallion/Roanoke Co. Asst. Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=zero tolerance.]
The rumors running through the halls of Hidden Valley Junior High were that something bad might happen on Friday.
The reality, Principal David Blevins told students, is that the rumors have run out of control.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:49]
[IN Q=if you stay]
((DAVID BLEVINS/HIDDEN VALLEY PRINCIPAL: IF YOU STAY HOME TOMORROW ... THAT THE PEOPLE WHO START THE RUMORS, THE PEOPLE WHO WRITE THE NOTES ON BATHROOM STALLS ... THE COWARDS WHO HIDE BEHIND DARK CORNERS AND MAKE YOU AFRAID WIN AND I DON'T WANT THEM TO WIN.))
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=to win]
The latest rumor is about a website threatening disaster at the school.
But so far, administrators say, nobody looking for that website has actually found it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:52]
[IN Q=and the reason]
((BLEVINS: AND THE REASON THEY CAN'T FIND IT IS, I BELIEVE BECAUSE IT'S NOT THERE. IT NEVER WAS.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=NEVER WAS]
Cheryl Brenton plans to send her 13-year-old to school tomorrow... but like all parents wants to be sure her daughter feels safe.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 32:41]
[IN Q=we'll see what]
((CHERYL BRENTON: WE'LL SEE WHAT TONIGHT BRINGS. IF SHE HAS A LOT OF ANXIETY, I THINK WE'LL TAKE EACH STEP AT A TIME.))
[RUNS=step at a time]
[OUT Q=06]
County schools are taking steps of their own to ease parent's concerns:
Twenty P-T-A members patrolling Hidden Valley.
Police officers at all high schools and junior highs.
And a promise to all would-be pranksters:
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:24:15 -- sgt tape]
[IN Q=if you are making]
((DR. JAMES GALLION/ROANOKE CTY ASST. SUPERINTENDENT ADMINISTRATION: IF YOU ARE MAKING A THREAT..YOU BETTER THINK THROUGH THAT THREAT AND BEFORE YOU DO IT..WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH IT WITH..A ZERO TOLEARNCE.))
[Live=Scott Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith & Scott/Microwave][Psychologist]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Rampant Rumors]
Could school administrators in Roanoke County and elsewhere be doing more to calm the fears of parents and students?
[2-shot Keith/Chiglinsky]
Mike Chiglinsky is a counselor from the Appalachian Counseling Center who teaches psychology at Randolph Macon Woman's College.
Dr. Chiglinsky, you've been counseling some of these anxious Roanoke County students. What are you hearing?
[SUPER=01-Mike Chiglinsky/Clinical Psychologist]
[County-Board]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Rampant Rumors]
In fact, the Roanoke County School Board IS expected to meet tonight to talk about all the rumors and threats, and how to handle them.
The board plans to take up those issues at a meeting already scheduled for 7-pm.
The meeting will be held at Northside Middle School Auditorium off Peters Creek Road.
[Pitts-School]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=99-10 1:22:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Many schools in the area had to deal with the disruptions of bomb threats today.
Among them, Carroll County and Gretna, which sent students home early.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gretna]
Classes at Gretna Middle School were suspended this morning, after kids found a bomb threat written on a bathroom wall. Police are still investigating.
And at Gretna High School, police arrested 18-year-old Robert Desaay (duh-SAY) Davis for allegedly calling in a bomb threat from inside the school.
State police brought in a bomb-sniffing dog to check out both schools. No explosives were found at either location.
Pittsylvania County school and law enforcement officials say they'll crack down hard on any copycat threats.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:23:42]
[IN Q=In talking to]
[SUPER=01-W.C. Scruggs/Principal, Gretna High School]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=around the country]
((W.C. SCRUGGS/GRETNA H.S. PRINCIPAL: IN TALKING TO THE POLICE TODAY, THEY WISH TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF ANYONE WE CATCH -- AND I CAN'T BLAME THEM -- AND I THINK THE COURTS WILL DO THAT IN LIGHT OF ALL THAT'S HAPPENED AROUND THE COUNTRY.)) 1:23:52
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Despite all the recent threats here and elsewhere, we have no evidence that any actual bomb has been found in any school in the region.
(------------)
[Wilson-arrest]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=98-82 2:03:29]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]
But the arrests ARE real.
At least two Roanoke CITY students have been charged with making bomb threats. The first was a Patrick Henry student last week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday]
Now a seventh- grader at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has been arrested for an incident
that prompted officials to evacuate the school on Monday.
The 13-year old student is charged with placing a device in the boys room that may have been designed to look like a bomb.
It was actually a couple of batteries wrapped in duct tape.
The arrest was made yesterday, based on information provided by other students at Woodrow Wilson.
(------------)
[Amherst-Schools]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-8 1:44:38]
[GRAPHIC=None ]
Officials in Amherst County wanted to get the word out about the threat they dealt with yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst]
[File shot of school :08]
No schools were closed or even evacuated.
The high school resource officer and sheriff's deputies did investigate rumors that a bomb would be placed at the school today.
[Shots from news conference :06]
Nothing turned up.
But Amherst officials say they'll do everything they can to find anyone who starts such stories.
(------------)
[Media-Coverage]
[Anchor=Keith]
[Nescast-=6pm]
[writer=ssi]
[TAPE=#99-11 41:15]
[graphic=Rampant Rumors]
Bomb scares, fears and rumors ... what should the media's role be in reporting it all?
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday]
Bomb threats at schools are usually not reported unless a bomb is actually found.
But in the past eight days, reports of threats have been all over T-V.
Some viewers say this is causing more chaos, while others complain that their child's school had a threat that wasn't covered.
Media expert Wat Hopkins says in this situation the media can provide a means of rumor control.
(++++++++)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What a reasonable]
[02:27:07]
[SUPER=01-Wat Hopkins]
((WAT HOPKINS/VA. TECH COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSOR: WHAT A REASONABLE VIEWER, A CONCLUSION THAT A REASONABLE VIEWER CAN DRAW IS THAT THE MEDIA ARE COVERING THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NEWSWORTHY. AND SO WE GO BACK TO THE OLD CLICH�, NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. IF YOU DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT US FINDING A BOMB IN YOUR SONS HIGH SCHOOL, THAT'S BECAUSE WE DIDN'T FIND A BOMB.))
[SUPER-01=Wat Hopkins/Va. Tech. Communications Professor]
[Runs=:19]
[OUT Q=find a bomb.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Watkins says the media have a responsibility to report on the rumors to say that they are unfounded.
He says right now there is a lot of talk, interest and concern about violence in schools, and until the country returns to a state of normalcy, newsworthy topics must be addressed.
(------------)[Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]
Roaring flames, little water, and damaging results. That story is still ahead on News 7 at 6.
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[Ellen live/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Ellen1]
[SUPER=06-Richmond]
(Ellen live ad-lib)
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[ANCHOR=Robin]
[wx ad lib]
[Roll]
[Lake Level]
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]
[Roll]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=NONE]
[SUPER=80-52/44/0.06''/50/46/0.01''/46/40/0.01''/39/36/0.69'']
[SUPER=81-48/45/-.--''/46/45/0.68''/55/41/0.02'']
[SUPER=82-2.71''/minus 0.30''/11.32''/minus 0.83'']
[SUPER=83-Down 0.69 foot/Down 0.24 foot]
[SUPER=84-Down 17.7 feet/Voluntary Conservation In Effect][Philip-Morris]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#99-5]
[GRAPHIC=Philip Morris]
The head of the world's leading tobacco company is talking about social responsibility.
But Philip Morris C-E-O Geoffrey Bible urged his shareholders to "hunker down" and fight ...at their annual meeting in Richmond today.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Ellen/Starlink]
Ellen Qualls is in Marlboro country with more.
[Live=Ellen full/Starlink]
[SUPER=@Ellen1;]
[SUPER=06-Richmond;]
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[IN Q=The protestors]
[super=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Sweda/Tobacco Protester; :18]
[SUPER=01-Harold Vaughan/Shareholder; :33]
[SUPER=01-Margie Dixon/Shareholder; :49]
[SUPER=01-F. C. Sprouse/Shareholder; :58]
[RUNS=1:01]
[OUT Q=I'm happy (nats laughter).]
[Live=Ellen full/Starlink]
[SUPER=06-Richmond;]
( ad lib)
[Double Boxes=Keith & Ellen/Starlink]
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Same story on Wall Street again today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-x/32.93/10878.38/y/21.93/2528.44;]
The Dow was up ...33 points.
Nasdaq down ...22.
[SUPER=431-hc/41@/i1!/53a/ic/73/hc/58&/ia/24f;]
[ AE/ATT/Bank of America/Bell/Columbia]
[SUPER=432-h1d/49@/ha/4e/h%/41e/h$/55$/he/50;]
[Dana/Dimon/Dominion Resources/First Union/First VA]
[SUPER=433-i3d/107c/i1!/54%/h1/32%/ha/10f/hc/35@;]
[General Electric/Kroger/Norfolk Southern/Optical Cable/Philip Morris]
[SUPER=434-u/13*/h@/71r/h*/31*/h!/89/i2#/46d;]
[Roanoke Electric Steel/SunTrust/Trigon/Wachovia/Walmart]
[Bedford-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-17 14:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Firefighters say they had trouble putting out a fire in Bedford County today due to a water shortage.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]
A flea market and produce stand called the Yard Sale House went up in flames this morning.
No one was hurt.
But the nearest hydrant was three miles away in Roanoke County.
Firefighters say it took them about two hours to control the fire because they had to call in a tanker and extra manpower from nearby departments.
(------------)
[Roupas]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-15 12:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A judge has dismissed charges against Roanoke landlord Frank Roupas (ROO-puss).
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
A home Roupas owns on Centre Avenue was condemned in December after a building inspector found a faulty wood stove, falling plaster, and other problems.
Repairs were not completed in 21 days as the city required, but today a contractor testified he made the most critical repairs immediately, and finished all of the work within 60 days.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:42:16]
[IN Q=We're not trying to get by with murder]
((WE'RE NOT TRYING TO GET BY WITH MURDER. I DON'T LIKE THAT WORD. WE'RE TRYING TO FIX UP OUR PROPERTIES, AND IT TAKES TIME TO DO THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Roupas/Roanoke Landlord]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=takes time to do this.]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Despite today's dismissal, the prosecutor says city officials will continue to prosecute similar violations.
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - Dale Earnhardt is celebrating his 48th birthday today. The Cubs have already won this afternoon,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and Steve Mason talks to Express netminder Daniel Berthiaume about facing off against a netminder who grew up idolizing him as a child.
(------------)
[S-Avalanche]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-26]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]
After getting washed out last night, the Salem Avalanche is ready to play ball tonight at Salem Memorial. Game time tonight with Winston-Salem is seven o'clock.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL/MLB-Cubs; :00]
Already today in the Big leagues the Cubs manhandled the Marlins by posting a 5-to-2 win as Glen Allen Hill went three fo four and scored four runs.
Kyle Farnsworth got the win in his major league debut by striking out five.
(------------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=mlb]
The Dodgers, Devil Rays, Astros, Mets and Rockies are also winners this afternoon. [S-Goalies]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-35 50:26]
[GRAPHIC=Express/Renegades]
Tomorrow, the Express opens the Northern Conference finals against Richmond.
[GRAPHIC=full screen round house wrap up ---18050]
Steve Mason takes a closer look at goalies Daniel Berthiaume and Maxime Gingras in Round House Wrap up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :05]
[SUPER=01-Maxime Gingras/2.26 Goals Against Average; :20]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Berthiaume/6-1 Playoff Record; :54]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=...Round House Wrap up"]
(-----------------------)
((STEVE MASON:))
((MAXIME GINGRAS/2.26 GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE:))
((Gingras sees Berthiaume as a king and at one time, he was, when he played for Los Angeles. He played with superstars o the ice like Gretsky and visited with moviestars off it, like Tom Hanks. Now he is helping a rising star, and it all started with a simple signature.
((DANIEL BERTHIAUME/6-1 PLAYOFF RECORD:))
Although Berthiaume has provided Gingras with some direction, the former NHL stopper has been reluctant about giving him advice, especially now.
((:))
Berthiaume splits time with Dave Gagnon successfully but still hates spending anytime on the bench, promting one piece of advice.
((:))
If Berthiaume should tire, Gagnon is more than ready. He is 2 and OH against Richmond. allowing only 1.50 goals per game. Steve Mason Roun House Wrap up.))
[S-Gretzky]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-27]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[WIPE TO ENG#]
(------------)
[SUPER=04-NHL;]
Elsewhere on the hardwater today in a move concerning the "Bandit's" former LA King mate, the Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee voted unanimously to eliminate the usual three year waiting period in order to speed up the induction of Wayne Gretzky.
The move will allow Gretzky to enter the hall of fame later this year in November.
He holds 61 NHL records.
(------------)
[S-Dale]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-38]
[GRAPHIC=DALE EARNHARDT]
Finally tonight, the man affectionately known as "Iron Head" is celebrating a birthday.
Dale Earnhardt turns 48 today.
And as he looks at the state of NASCAR in 1999 - he blows out the candles on his cake by saying simply - NASCAR is just too nice.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It's not....]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt/Turns 48 Years Old Today; :00]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=.,.see it happen."]
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[Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=305-52/44/88/1974/33/1967]
[SUPER=306-51/39/63/S-6mph/30.12f/6:27am/8:08pm]
[Forecasts]
[SUPER=#578]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/Light Winds/42-44/Partly Cloudy/Wind NE-10/60-62]
[SUPER=331-Mostly/Cloudy/42-44/Partly/Cloudy/60-64]
[SUPER=332-Cloudy And/Cool/38-42/Partly Cloudy/And Milder/60-62]
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[SUPER=334-Mostly/Cloudy/38-40/Partly Cloudy/Light Winds/58-60]
[SUPER=X5001][Promo]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=None]
As we mentioned earlier Roanoke County School Board Members are meeting tonight to talk about how to handle all the bomb threats and other recent school disruptions.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Stacey/Microwave]
Stacey Martin has spoken to a few board members and tells us more about what we can expect..
[Live=Stacey Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Stacey1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
Keith, as you mentioned earlier the meeting will take place at the auditorium here at Northside Middle School.
Everything is expected to get underway at 7.
Now, mid-way through that meeting Superintendent Deanna Gordon is expected to give a report to the school board about recent bomb threats and how officials should handle them.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Stacey/Microwave]
And, we of course will be here throughout the evening covering the meeting and providing a wrap-up of the day's events tonight on News 7 at 11.
[Close]
[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
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(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
SUPER=x4033; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
(Weekend 6 only)
SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS
SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS
by SS