[7-E-L'burg-Y2K]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-42 50:12]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]


The new millenium is less than two months away and if you're expecting a lot of problems on January 1st, you may be disappointed.
That's the word from civic and government leaders in Lynchburg who say Y2K problems are more hype than reality.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=About 75 people]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gordon Howell/Crestar Bank; :24]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :33]
[SUPER=01-Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief; :50]
[SUPER=01-Doug Eggleston/American Red Cross; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( About 75 people turned out for this public meeting, wanting to know whether they too should be worried about the computer glitch known as Y2K.
Eighteen officials representing everything from banking to public works were on hand to answer their questions.
The good news is your power should stay on, your phone should work and your money won't vanish overnight.
[SOT 9:33:28]

((GORDON HOWELL/CRESTAR BANK: WE DON'T ANTICIPATE A PROBLEM, WE DON'T EXPECT THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE GETTING MONEY OUT OF THE BANKS. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAVE YOUR MONEY IN THE BANK WHERE IT'S SAFE AND DON'T TAKE IT HOME AND PUT IT UNDER A MATTRESS.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=under a mattress.]

[Standup 00:51:11] ((Officials say if you do run into a problem on January 1st, it's more likely to be related to severe weather than it is Y2K. To that end it still wouldn't hurt to prepare like you would for a big snowstorm.. have some bottled water and non- perishable food on hand as well as a little extra cash.. the key is preparation, not panic.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUT Q=not panic.]
[SOT 9:36:01]

((CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE CERTAINLY CONCERNED ABOUT. IF YOU GO TO AN ATM AND IT DOESN'T WORK ON JANUARY 1ST, IT MAY VERY LIKELY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH Y2K.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=with Y2K.]
[SOT 9:40:53/9:41:03]

((DOUG EGGLESTON/AMERICAN RED CROSS: WE'RE READY TO BE THERE TO HELP YOU OUT IN ALL OF OUR CAPACITIES.. BUT YOUR BEST PREPAREDNESS IS GOING TO BE FOR YOU TO BE READY TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=and your family.]


Officials say if Y2K has done anything, it's helped both government and citizens be better prepared for ANY emergency.. natural or man-made.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))


[7-S-Natural-Bridge]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-27 2:01:53]
[GRAPHIC=Natural Bridge Under Repair]


Work to strengthen the Natural Bridge's historic landmark is underway.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Natural Bridge;]


Crews began drilling yesterday morning.
They're making holes to insert rock bolts that will reinforce the bridge.
They're also planning yearly geological inspections and putting in a monitoring device to measure rock shifts.
If the repair work goes as scheduled, the bridge could re- open by the end of next week.
Visitors can still get close to the bridge, but they can't walk under it until the work is finished.
A falling rock from the landmark killed a tourist last month.
(------------)



[7-Boty-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


Some V-Dot workers stumbled on a fatal accident some four days after it happened.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL SCREEN]
They found the accident scene yesterday afternoon on Route 43 near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Botetourt County.
On October 31, state police believe Thomas J. Guidoy (gi-DOY) of Raceland, Louisiana drove off the road, down and embankment and hit several trees.
He was the only person found in the car.
(------------)



[7Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Here now is a look at your Friday forecast... It will be a mostly sunny day with some winds. Expect highs today near 70. Tonight, clear and cool, with light winds. Lows in the upper 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds SW 5-15/65-70/Clear & Cool/Light W Winds/35-40;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]





[45-E-Noel-Taylor]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-37 1:31:59]
[GRAPHIC=Noel Taylor]


Former Roanoke mayor Noel C. Taylor will be buried today in Bedford County, following services at the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum.
Last night, friends and admirers paid their respects at High Street Baptist Chruch.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


That's the church Taylor pastored for 37 years.
The crowd included city officials past and present, members of the High Street congregation, and Roanokers black and white.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:12:46]
[IN Q=Everyone appreciated him and he appreciated everyone]

((EVERYONE APPRECIATED HIM AND HE APPRECIATED EVERYONE. HE WAS A KIND, RESPECTABLE GENTLEMAN.))
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Pullen Otey/Noel Taylor's Cousin;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=kind respectable gentleman.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Following the wake, Taylor's casket was carried from High Street Baptist Church.
The funeral begins at noon today.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE FULL SCREEN!!!]
WDBJ-7 is working with Cox Communications to bring live coverage of today's funeral to Roanoke Valley Cable Subscribers.
You can see the entire service on Cox Cable Channel 9, starting at 12-o'clock
(-------------)



[45-E-Henry-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-34 1:51:33]
[GRAPHIC=SOLs]


Many administrators don't think the Standards of Learning tests are fair.
Still, with school reputations and students' graduations at stake, some area schools are going to great lengths to prepare for them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]


Staff at John Redd Smith Elementary turned an SOL lesson into a costume party.
Everyone from teachers to the janitor took on roles as historical figures that appear in the SOL.
Students and teachers say the comedy and the costumes make the lesson more memorable.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTs]
[IN Q=I'm going to ]
[SOT 1:11:42 - :44]

((AVA WINCKLER/4TH GRADER: I'M GOING TO PROBABLY DO PRETTY GOOD.))
[SOT 1:21:58 - 1:22:02]

((LISA ANGLE/COUNSELOR: I THINK THEY'LL RETAIN IT MUCH BETTER THAN IF THEY DID SEEING IT ONE TIME IN CLASS AND TAKING IT ON A TEST.))
[SUPER=01-Ava Winckler/4th Grader; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Angle/Counselor; :03]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=and taking it on a test.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Martinsville schools have opted for an 18-thousand dollar computer testing program to practice for the SOLs.
It tracks students' progress and helps them become more comfortable with the test.
Many administrators complain that SOL preparation is now the ONLY school curriculum.
(------------)



[45-E-Planned-Pethood]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-40 1:17:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Planned Parenthood wants to set the record straight, it does not treat four legged customers.
The confusion came to light after the announcement that a
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Franklin County animal clinic would open next spring and call itself Planned PEThood. Leaders of Planned PARENThood want to make sure there's no confusion -- the agencies are NOT related.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:27:03]
[IN Q=Planned Pethood]

((PLANNED PETHOOD IS CLEARLY PLAYING OFF PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S NAME. IT'S A WORTHWHILE ORGANIZATION AND WE HOPE USING THE CONNECTION TO US HELPS THEM. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HURT THEM OR US IN THE PROCESS.))
[SUPER=01-David Nova/Planned Parenthood;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=in the process]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There are five other Planned Pethoods nationwide, and both agencies say Planned Pethood will keep its name here too.
(------------)



[45Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Taking a break from the news to check the forecast...
Mostly sunny again today, with unseasonably mild highs in the upper 60s.
Clear and cool tonight with lows in the upper 30s.
The five day forecast is mostly sunny through the weekend with highs in the 60s and lows i nthe 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds SW 5-15/65-70/Clear & Cool/Light W Winds/35-40;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]





[8-Boty-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


It happened four days ago, but some V-Dot workers just stumbled on a fatal accident yesterday.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE MAP FULL SCREEN]
They found the accident scene yesterday afternoon on Route 43 near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Botetourt County.
On October 31, state police believe Thomas J. (gwi-Doy) Guidoy of Raceland, Louisiana drove off the road, down and embankment and hit several trees.
He was the only person found in the car.
(------------)



[8-Baby-Death]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]



Danville authorities are investigating the beating death of an eight month old baby boy.
An autopsy confirms that Ryheen Lamar Chavious (Ra-HEEN Lamar Sha-VOSS) died of blunt injuries to the head.
The baby already was dead when his mother brought him to the hospital early Wednesday morning.
Police won't say if the baby's parents are suspects in the investigation.

[8-E-Project-Exile]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=99-41 34:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The rash of shootings in the past week have lawmakers on Capitol Hill talking about gun control... and one Virginia project in particular.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[99-27 1:07:23]
[super=03-Richmond/September]


On the agenda: Richmond's Project Exile, that takes guns out of the hands of felons.
Attorney General Mark Earley
[SUPER=03-Washington DC]

[14:58:29] brought along a big gun from the world of national politics to support the program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[14:58:36-14:58:48]
[IN Q=The word is]
[SUPER=01-Charlton Heston/NRA President]

((CHARLTON HESTON: THE WORD IS OUT NOW ON THE STREETS OF RICHMOND. IF YOU ARE A FELON CAUGHT WITH A GUN, YOU WILL GO TO JAIL FIVE YEARS, NO PLEA BARGAIN, NO PROFILE, FIVE YEARS.))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=no profile, five years.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The N-R-A President challenged President Clinton to implement the program nationwide... and focus more on prosecution of criminals who use guns... instead of working for more gun-control laws.
(------------)



[8-S-Natural-Bridge]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-27 2:01:53]
[GRAPHIC=Natural Bridge Under Repair]


The work to strengthen the historic landmark at Natural Bridge continues today, after a falling rock killed a tourist there last month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Natural Bridge;]


Crews began drilling yesterday morning.
They're making holes to insert rock bolts that will reinforce the bridge.
They're also planning yearly geological inspections and putting in a monitoring device to measure rock shifts.
If the repair work goes as scheduled, the bridge could re- open by the end of next week.
Visitors can still get close to the bridge, but they can't walk under it until the work is finished.
(------------)



[8-E-Star-Birthday]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-38 57:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Noel Taylor brought a light of his own to the Star City.
But one of his favorite spots in the Roanoke Valley was the Mill Mountain Star.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


The late mayor would have enjoyed the ceremonies at the Community School yesterday.
Students, staff, and parents held a 50th birthday party for the city's famed landmark.
There was cake, a speech by the current mayor, and the traditional serenade.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=happy birthday to you. ]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]


All in honor of a symbol that turns fifty years old this year, and, like the city it represents, is still shining.
(------------)



[8Weather]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Turning your attention now to weather...
Mostly sunny with a southwest breeze with highs nearing 70.
Clear and cool tonight with lows in the upper 30s.
The five day forecast is calling for lots of sunshine through the weekend, with temperatures staying in the 60s for highs and lows in the 30s.

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Winds SW 5-15/65-70/Clear & Cool/Light W Winds/35-40;]
[SUPER=#555; reset]


by SS