WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/24/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Some 28 million hit the roads for holiday travel, ahead on News 7 some tips to make your journey a safe one.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And after months of speculation Mrs. Clinton makes clear her political plans.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Fog is the biggest weather concern this morning, whether you're leaving early for the Thanksgiving holiday, or just driving to work.
Expect rather low visibilities....along with a chance of showers developing later today.
The complete holiday forecast, coming up.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Travel]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-53 5:14:38]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday travel]

Today is one of the busiest travel days of the year as many folks head to out for Thanksgiving.
Kate Weidaw has some tips.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Many folks]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jacqueline Shuck/Airport Manager; :21]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Kevin Harth/State Police; :37]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :49]
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police; 1:04]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.]
(([NAT SOUND 2:07:50]
[INQ=]
((LAST CALL FOR FLIGHTS....))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]
Many folks were getting out of Roanoke early before holiday crowds pack into the Roanoke Regional Airport. The airport will have extra staffing to handle the large number of people expected to walk through the security gate. And with limited parking space, management has one request.
[SOT 2:00:36]
[INQ=]
((JACQUELINE L. SHUCK/AIRPORT MANAGER: HAVE YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY DROP YOU OFF IF AT ALL POSSIBLE THAT WAY WE WILL HAVE PARKING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COME 60 MILES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
If you're planning on driving to your destination watch your speed. State police plan to be out in full force this holiday.
[SOT 4:18]
[INQ=]
((TROOPER KEVIN HARTH/SALEM STATE POLICE: THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS EVERYONE IS IN TOO BIG OF A HURRY THEY ARE DRIVING TOO FAST AND TOO CLOSELY YOU GET TO THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]
Roanoke City police will not only be cracking down on speeders, but also on parents who don't buckle up their children.
The department is joining a nation wide effort to make sure kids are wearing seatbelts. Check points will be set up around the city.
[SOT 2:40]
[INQ=]
((SHELLY ALLEY/EDUC. AND INFO. SPECIALIST: MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN 5 TO 14 YEARS OLD AND SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILD IS BUCKLED UP AND BUCKLED UP CORRECTLY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 9]
The best tip from officials: no matter what your destination, allow plenty of time to get there. [STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON FLYING OUT OF THE AIRPORT TODAY SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER ARE A PHOTO ID, PACK LIGHTLY, AND IF YOU ARE BRINGING WRAPPED GIFTS PLACE THEM IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[81-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=81-Fatal]

A 16-year-old was killed when the jeep she was riding in went off Interstate 81.
It happened shortly after noon yesterday north of Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County.
Apparently the driver, Lucy Smith of Newport News, lost control of the vehicle and ended up 150 feet beyond the guard rail.
Her passenger was pronounced dead at Roanoke Memorial Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Authorities say the teen was not wearing a seat belt.

[Ramdass]

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

The U-S Supreme Court has issued a stay of execution for the man who WOULD have become the 14th person executed in Virginia this year.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FS GRAPHIC]
The high court's stay for Bobby Lee Ramdass (RAM-dass) will remain in effect until the court decides whether to hear his appeal.
Ramdass shot and killed a Fairfax store clerk in 1992. His execution WAS set for last night.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

His appeal is based partly on the fact that the jury didn't know the only alternative to the death sentence would have been life in prison without the possibility of parole.

[E-Tobacco-Commission]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-37 TC1:55:40]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Settlement]

It was the beginning of a long labor of love in Southside yesterday...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
as the group that will decide how to spend two-billion dollars of Virginia's tobacco settlement money met for the first time.
The 31 lawmakers, farmers and residents have to figure out how to compensate farmers who are losing their livelihood ... because of shrinking tobacco demand and lawsuits.
They'll also propose ways of reviving tobacco-dependent economies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:09:58 - 16:10:10]
[IN Q=What we have is]
((SEN. CHARLES HAWKINS/(R) CHATHAM: WHAT WE HAVE IS AN OPPORTUNITY AND AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS COMES ONCE. BECAUSE IT'S OUR CHARGE TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE PROPERLY. WITHOUT THE PROPER LEADERSHIP AND THE PROPER DECISIONS MADE BY THIS BODY, IT WILL BE NOTHING BUT CHAOS.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Charles Hawkins/(R) Chatham;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=nothing but chaos.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The commission expects Virginia to receive 185-million of the settlement money this year.
Officials say losses to state tobacco farmers and the economy already exceed one-billion dollars.
(------------)

[Clinton-Senate]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hillary Clinton]

It's unofficially official.
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will run for Senator of New York.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[20:17;36 8 pm newspath]
She made the announcement yesterday while visiting the Empire State.
It comes after renewed speculation that she had decided not to run.
She also said she will begin to curtail her duties as the president's wife and will be moving to her new home outside Manhattan as soon as the Secret Service gives her the green light.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I should add I will make...]
((HILLARY: I SHOULD ADD I WILL MAKE A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. CHARLES COOK, EDITOR , THE COOK REPORT. "THEY'VE HAD SO MANY MISHAPS THESE LAST FEW WEEKS, THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH DOUBT OUT THERE SHE HAD TO MOVE AND SHE HAD TO MOVE DECISIVELY. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHOICE. ))
[SUPER=01-Charles Cook/"The Cook Report";]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=didn't have any choice.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The worst misstep ...While on recent visit to the middle East Mrs. Clinton sat silent as the wife of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat launched a verbal attack on Israeli security forces.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, Denise Allen has Roanoke Express highlights and national honors for two college football.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:07]
[OUT Q=a little bit]

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

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M99-6]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll intro pkg)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=About 4 years ago]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Herman Lowe/Craftsman; :20]
[RUNS=2:24]
[OUT Q=the company's catalog]

[Steve Live]

(Steve tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: doll furniture))

[E-VA-Prisons]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:01:07]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Prisons]

Virginia has too many prison beds and not enough prisoners.
But the governor who oversaw Virginia's prison building boom says we shouldn't worry-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chesterfield Co.;]
George Allen made the comment.
It came a day after House budget analysts said 44 hundred empty prison beds and the end of several contracts to house out-of-state prisoners mean the state could see a 74 million dollar shortfall in its prison budget.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:28:47]
[IN Q=You can]
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: YOU CAN WORRY ABOUT ALL OF THAT. MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THE VIOLENT CRIME RATE IN VIRGINIA IS DOWN TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IT'S BEEN IN 24 YEARS. AND VIRGINIANS ARE LEADING SAFER LIVES.))
[SUPER=01-George Allen/(R) Former Governor; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=safer lives.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=None]

The out-of-state prisoner contracts had helped fund the new prisons at Sussex II and Wallen's Ridge, as well as an older prison in Chesapeake.
The Gilmore adminstration says the beds will be filled and the budget gap made up.

[E-Higher-Ed]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-47 18:16]
[GRAPHIC=Va. College Funding]

Money for state colleges was also on Gilmore's mind.
The Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission unveiled a sweeping plan yesterday for just how state colleges should be funded and run.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Six year Institutional Performance Agreements would be forged between the universities and the state.
A base funding figure would be set... and then colleges could earn more money by meeting certain performance goals.

The tuition freeze would be extended to keep colleges affordable, and more financial aid would be offered to students.
But the colleges would be pressured to make sure they're doing as much private fundraising as they can.
(---------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, green tea may help you lose weight.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Some good news, if you've got bad joints and a bad stomach.
VT=VO
Two new studies give new backing to a new class of arthritis drugs that work to ease joint pain without triggering stomach problems as severe as what you see with other arthritis drugs. This new class of drugs is called Cox two inhibitors. The products in this class, Celebrex and Vioxx. An important note though, even though the new studies in JAMA say the Cox two inhibitors tend to be easier on the stomach, they are not side effect free and you need to use them with caution. ON CAM Calcium supplements are not created equal. That's the finding of a new study, which compares two popular over the counter calcium products. The study, in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looks at something called bio-availability, which means how much the body is able to absorb then use. Researchers compared the two main types of calcium, calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. The calcium carbonate tested was OS-CAL the citrate product, Citrical. The result, Citrical was two and a half times more bio-available than OS-CAL or Calcium carbonate.
VT=VO
And finally, if a program to lose weight is your cup of tea, than you may want to have a cup of tea. A new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds green tea speeds up the body's metabolism and helps people who go on a diet, lose weight faster. The secret, compounds called flavanoids which increase the rate of calorie burning in the body. And best of all, no side effects. ON CAM And that's a look at today's top health stories. I'm Dr. Dave Hnida for CBS News.))

(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 boards)
[essc#8700]
[essc#8701]

[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]

With Thanksgiving only a day away, the travel crunch has begun.
Highways also are expected to be more congested than last year.
The American Automobile Association says 33-point-eight million Americans will travel 100 miles or more during the holiday weekend -- up from 33-point-six million travelers last year.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Hillary Rodham Clinton told a New York audience she plans a Senate run next year.
The first lady said she'll make an official announcement of her candidacy early next year.
The first lady has been under pressure from New York Democrats to declare her candidacy and spend more time in the state.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And on the subject of Thanksgiving, President Clinton will issue a pardon today-- to the national turkey.
The big bird -- a 60-pounder named Harry -- gets a presidential pass from the Thanksgiving Day ax -- and will spend the rest of his days at a petting zoo.
The Rose Garden ceremony has become an annual Thanksgiving week tradition.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday November 24.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Travel]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-53 5:14:38]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday travel]

Travel experts predict record numbers of people nationwide are traveling to celebrate the holiday -- at least 28 million in cars, 20 million in the air, and more than a-half million by rail.
Airlines say travel is up this week already, but the real crunch will hit today.
Kate Weidaw has some tips.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Many folks]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jacqueline Shuck/Airport Manager; :21]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Kevin Harth/State Police; :37]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :49]
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke City Police; 1:04]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.]
(([NAT SOUND 2:07:50]
[INQ=]
((LAST CALL FOR FLIGHTS....))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]
Many folks were getting out of Roanoke early before holiday crowds pack into the Roanoke Regional Airport. The airport will have extra staffing to handle the large number of people expected to walk through the security gate. And with limited parking space, management has one request.
[SOT 2:00:36]
[INQ=]
((JACQUELINE L. SHUCK/AIRPORT MANAGER: HAVE YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY DROP YOU OFF IF AT ALL POSSIBLE THAT WAY WE WILL HAVE PARKING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COME 60 MILES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
If you're planning on driving to your destination watch your speed. State police plan to be out in full force this holiday.
[SOT 4:18]
[INQ=]
((TROOPER KEVIN HARTH/SALEM STATE POLICE: THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS EVERYONE IS IN TOO BIG OF A HURRY THEY ARE DRIVING TOO FAST AND TOO CLOSELY YOU GET TO THINKING ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO INSTEAD OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 11]
Roanoke City police will not only be cracking down on speeders, but also on parents who don't buckle up their children.
The department is joining a nation wide effort to make sure kids are wearing seatbelts. Check points will be set up around the city.
[SOT 2:40]
[INQ=]
((SHELLY ALLEY/EDUC. AND INFO. SPECIALIST: MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN 5 TO 14 YEARS OLD AND SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILD IS BUCKLED UP AND BUCKLED UP CORRECTLY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 9]
The best tip from officials: no matter what your destination, allow plenty of time to get there. [STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON FLYING OUT OF THE AIRPORT TODAY SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER ARE A PHOTO ID, PACK LIGHTLY, AND IF YOU ARE BRINGING WRAPPED GIFTS PLACE THEM IN YOUR CHECKED BAGS. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))

[E-Kroger]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-46 23:43]
[GRAPHIC=Kroger]

Kroger's new discount card is lowering prices but raising a few concerns.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Kroger has been touting its new Shopper's Card in the last couple of weeks.
It gives you discounts on food ... but also gives Kroger a list of what you like ... information Kroger says is confidential.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:28:31 //// 19:19:23:59]
[****bump sots*****]
[IN Q=the tradeoff]
((KROGER CUSTOMER: THE TRADEOFF IS THEY KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING THAT I'M DOING IN THE STORE. AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN INVASION OF YOUR PRIVACY. //////////ARCHIE FRALIN/KROGER: WE ABSOLUTELY AS WE SAY ON THE APPLICATION WON'T SHARE THE INFORMATION OR RELEASE THE CUSTOMER'S NAME TO ANYBODY.))
[SUPER=01-Nancy Barbour/Kroger Customer; :00]
[SUPER=01-Archie Fralin/Kroger; :10]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=TO ANYBODY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kroger says it's keeping other discounts on top of the card -- like double coupons.
The store says it can afford the promotions because it keeps attracting more customers.
(------------)

[E-Carroll-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-43 1:04:29]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A 15-year old Carroll County girl will be tried as an adult for allegedly shooting her grandfather in the head as he slept.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Galax/July 9;]

A judge made the decision yesterday-- after listening to the state's evidence which included Robin Martin's confession.
The 15-year old told authorities she shot her grandfather with a 12- gauge shotgun back in July because he was keeping her away from one of her friends.
Prosecutor Greg Goad will seek a first degree murder indictment-- when the case goes before a grand jury next month.
(------------)

[2-Ramdass]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Death Penalty]

Just three hours before he was to be executed, the U-S Supreme Court stepped in and halted the proceeding.
(+++++++)
[TAKE FS GRAPHIC]
The high court's stay for Bobby Lee Ramdass (RAM-dass) will remain in effect until the court decides whether to hear his appeal.
Ramdass shot and killed a Fairfax store clerk in 1992. His execution WAS set for last night.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

His appeal is based partly on the fact that the jury didn't know the only alternative to the death sentence would have been life in prison without the possibility of parole.

[E-Henry-Industry]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-39 1:03:34]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]
A new company in Henry County says it must hire 40 people just to handle the demand for its product.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]
Blue Ridge Technology is a start-up company with a recipe for environmentally safe paint and ink. There's no ammonia or alcohol in the paint. Jobs will pay nine dollars an hour, and the company hopes to have 100 people on staff by this time next year. Recent layoffs at Tultex and other textile plants mean there are many Southside workers looking for new jobs.
(------------)

[2-Clinton-Senate]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hillary Clinton]

Hillary Rodham Clinton has finally said the magic words supporters had been hoping to hear.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[20:17:36-8 newspath]
[IN Q=]
((HILLARY: "SO THE ANSWER IS YES - I INTEND TO RUN"))
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=I intend to run...]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There is now no doubt that the first lady hopes to become the next U.S. Senator from New York.
Some political pundits had Mrs. Clinton backing away from the race especially after a new nasty commercial hit the air this week.
(////////SOT/////)
[IN=]
((COMMERCIAL. WHILE ISRAEL SACRIFICES FOR PEACE, ARAFAT SPREADS HATRED AND LIES AND HILLARY EMBRACES HER"."))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT=hillary embraces her.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sponsored by the Republican Jewish coalition the ad is part of the fallout from a recent trip to the mid-east where the first lady embraced the wife of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat something Mrs. Clinton pointed out was part of her White House duty.
Mrs. Clinton plans a formal announcement in January.
(--------------)

[turkeys]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Thanksgiving]

It's all about birds this week.
Big and small...turkeys are making their way into American homes-- although not without a fight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wilmar, MN;]
[3:34:33]
Harry and Troy are two that won't have to put up their drumsticks.
Harry is this year's official national Thanksgiving bird.
Troy is his backup.
In a rose garden ceremony today President Clinton will issue a pardon and send the birds off to petting zoo.
The 60 pounders left their Minnesota farm last night for their trip to Washington.
(------------)

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M99-6]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Record]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=She's my backbone]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Herman Lowe/Craftsman; :11]
[RUNS=2:34]
[OUT Q=like the dolls]

[Steve Live]

(I'll call for board)
[essc#8701]

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

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

[2-E-Vinton-Collapse]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-45 52:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Nurses are already seeing some patients at the Roanoke County Health Department's temporary home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; ]

Flu shots are administered in the old teacher lounge, and environmental health managers are becoming carpenters to adjust to using the old Roland E-Cook elementary school as a temporary health department.
Health workers plan to keep shop at the school for about three to six months.
The public is asked to use the Jefferson Street entrance.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

The office will be fully operational at eight Monday morning.

[E-County-Supervisors]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-42 1:10:01]
[GRAPHIC=Ft. Lewis Mtn. Fire]

Last week's fire on Fort Lewis Mountain has been under control since last Thursday- but there are still hot spots- and crews are still on the mountain mopping up.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Week;]

The fire burned more than 13 hundred acres before it was contained-.
And officials with the Virginia Department of Forestry say if dry conditions continue, last week's fire may just be a preview.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:13:58]
[IN Q=We've gone through]
((RICHARD MILES/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY: WE'VE GONE THROUGH A VERY LONG EXTENDED DROUGHT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK THEY CAN HAVE THE PROBLEMS LIKE THEY HAD IN FLORIDA OR IN CALIFORNIA. AND WE CAN AND I THINK WE CAME REAL CLOSE TO HAVING THAT IN THIS AREA AND THAT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Miles/Virginia Department of Forestry]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=need to be aware of.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

There's no word yet on the cause of the fire. Investigators are still working on that.
(------------)

[Graceland-Christmas]

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

There's be another Elvis sighting this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Memphis, TN;]
[3:36:56]
In fact, you could say the King is flying high over Memphis.
This twelve foot tall Elvis is sitting on top a 100-foot tall tree of lights... a lot of lights.
Crews are setting up two-million lights... some in Graceland Plaza, and other's in the mansions backyard.
All of this a courtesy of legendary Arkansas philanthropist and Christmas light fanatic Jennings Osbourne.
The display will be lit up for the first time on Friday.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, Virginia Tech prepares for its final game of the regular season.
Denise Allen has more.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:31]
[OUT Q=good day everyone]

[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]

Millions of people will take to the roads and sky today to visit relatives and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday.
State police plan to be out in full force this holiday.
Roanoke City police will not only be cracking down on speeders, but also on parents who don't buckle up their children.
Check points will be set up around the city.
The best tip from officials: no matter what your destination, allow plenty of time to get there.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Roanoke County Health Department in Vinton will reopen at its new location at eight Monday morning, but nurses already started seeing patients yesterday.
Flu shots are administered in the old teacher lounge, and environmental health managers are becoming carpenters to adjust to using the old Roland E-Cook elementary school as a temporary health department.
Health workers plan to keep shop at the school for three to six months.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
A new company in Henry County says it must hire 40 people just to handle the demand for its product. Blue Ridge Technology is a start-up company with a recipe for environmentally safe paint and ink. Recent layoffs at Tultex and other textile plants mean there are many Southside workers looking for new jobs.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
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[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]