WDBJ 7 morning news for 11/25/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

And explosion may have caused a massive blaze in Elliston that destroyed two mobile homes.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And the travel rush is on. Millions of Americans are on their way somewhere for Thanksgiving.
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Elliston-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-46 Tc24:36]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A late night fire in the Elliston section of Montgomery County destroyed two mobile homes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

Firefighters got the call at about eleven o'clock.
They believe some sort of explosion caused the blaze near the intersection of North Fork Road and Delta Lane.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There were 2 parallel]
[SUPER=01-Pug Wells/Elliston Fire Chief]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=started in there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Firefighters were slowed by a one lane, wooden bridge leading to the property.
The owner of the trailers was not home at the time.
Fire officials were not sure if anyone actually lived in the trailers.
(------------)

[E-Cabin-Lake]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-50 35:49]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

It's been two years since a Thanksgiving Day fire in Danville- Now attorneys for 122 tenants who lost everything say they expect to withdraw their lawsuit next month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/November 1997;]

250 people lost their homes in the fire at Cabin Lake Apartments.
122 of them signed on to sue the management company and owner's association for 12-million dollars.
An attorney for the tenants says plans to withdraw the lawsuit on December first should not be interpreted as negative or meaning there won't be a resolution to the case.
(------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[graphic=HOLD]

The plaintiff's attorney won't comment on the possibility of settling, but says she hopes all sides will come out satisfied.

[HOLIDAY-TRAVEL]

[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=MORN]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]

Thanksgiving is here--and that means lots of folks are heading out of town for the holiday weekend.
Across America, people are piling into cars, trains and planes.
Lisa Hughes has our report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[3:04;39]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Hughes/Reporting; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=CBS News Washington.]
(( (NATS, HURRY UP!) You can arrive early pack light and breathe deeply. But nothing makes Thanksgiving travel any easier. A record-breaking two-point-two million of us are traveling by air this holiday which makes heading home a headache.
(SOT, NO SUPER, WE HAVE ABOUT THREE HOURS TO WAIT HERE, FLY THROUGH PHILADELPHIA WITH A LAYOVER THERE AND FINALLY GET H
OME AT 5-OCLOCK TONIGHT)
(SOT, NO SUPER, I DONT ENJOY THIS PART OF IT)
At Chicagos OHare Airport, the Rockettes tried to make the wait a little less painful. But just try cheering someone up after this-- long-term airport lots in Atlanta FULL by Tuesday afternoon.. In Boston and New York-morning fog delayed dozens of flights. So many travelers opted for plan B.
(all aboard!-10:34:49 )
(nats-10:35:38 DING! DING! DING!)
Amtraks added enough extra cars to accommodate roughly 45-thousand extra passengers. But even here-expect to stand in line.
(10:43:17 I COULD HAVE LEFT A WEEK AGO AND PROBABLY THE SAME THING)
(10:43:56 TICKETS PLEASE! TWO LINES)
An annual test of patience.
(10:46:30 IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?)
(12:02:40 I HAVE THREE TICKETS HERE)
Its the price we pay to be with family. For most of us, its more than worth it.
(10:48:22 FOR ME, I WOULD DO A MILLION TIMES THIS TO GET WHERE I NEEDED TO BE WITH THEM.)
If only we didnt have to do it all again-three short days from now. Lisa Hughes. CBS News. Washington.))

[Macys-parade]

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

What would Thanksgiving be without the big Macy's Parade in New York City?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[3:39:34]
Crews worked long into the night blowing up the huge helium filled balloons.
There's a new addition this year -- a 37-foot Honey Nut Cheerios bee.
The Parade kicks off at 9 A-M along Central Park and winds up in front of Macy's flagship store on Broadway.
Macy's and other retailers are gearing up for what is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year.
With the economy humming along, analysts predict a busy buying season.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, N-C State's head football coach is fired and the N-B-A fines New York's Latrell (Spree-well) Sprewell.
Roy Stanley has the details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=later on Mornin]

[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)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well in 1993 we]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Frank Smith/Community Volunteer; :19]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Milligan/Community Volunteer; :57]
[SUPER=01-Peggy West/Community Volunteer; 1:16]
[SUPER=01-Martha Adkins/Community Volunteer; 2:10(quick)]
[RUNS=2:13]
[OUT Q=call me mrs cook]

[Steve Live]

(Steve tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: Home Alone Thanksgiving))

[E-Loyalty-Oath]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-40 1:48:14]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Republicans]

Virginians who want to help pick a Republican candidate for President: prepare to swear.
Yesterday, the State Board of Elections adopted an oath for primary voters.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

They must swear they "do not intend to participate in the nominating process of any other party other than the Republican party."
The new oath is a less stringent version of what the board had previously adopted.
(------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=Hold]

THAT oath required voters in the February 29th primary to swear they'd vote Republican in November.
The Governor says the oath is intended to discourage Democrats and independents from "creating mischief" with the Republican nominating process.

[S-Hope]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-43 1:05:15]
[GRAPHIC=Thanksgiving]

Thanksgiving is a time to come together for many families.
But for some homeless and disadvantaged people - they can't even afford a phone call to loved ones... until now.

Kate Weidaw shows us how many people are getting help, to stay in touch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I graduated I]
[SUPER=07-Oscar James; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :10]
[SUPER=07-Mark Parker; :32]
[SUPER=07-Mark Pearson; 1:00]
[SUPER=@Kate2; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=kw news 7]
(([SOT 12:29:48]
[INQ=]
((OSCAR JAMES: I GRADUATED I GOT ON THE SUPPORT TEAM AND AS I'M WORKING HERE I'M REALLY ENJOYING MYSELF GAINED A LITTLE WEIGHT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 6]
Oscar James has been living at the Roanoke Rescue Mission for a few months but hasn't spoken to his sister in a while.

[SOT 12:34:47]
[INQ=]
((OSCAR JAMES: I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO MY SISTER WHO I HADN'T TALKED TO IN ABOUT A YEAR BECAUSE I DID WRONG WHEN I WAS AT HOME THEN I CAME HERE AND GOT HELP.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]
This holiday will be a little brighter for many at the Roanoke Rescue Mission. Mark Parker hasn't talked to his mom in quite some time.
[SOT 12:39:46]
[INQ=]
((MARK PARKER: I'M IN VIRGINIA YOU NO I'M IN VIRGINIA SINCE JULY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
U.S. Cellular teamed up with the mission and a program called HOPE otherwise known as the Homeless Outreach Phone Effort to give free long distance phone calls to anyone walking through the door. [NAT SOUND BREAK]
[RUNS= 5]
Some talked to family about how their life is changing while others discussed changes back home.
[SOT 20:31:31]
[INQ=]
((MARK PEARSON: WHAT IS THAT VINYL, WELL YOU FIGURE IT WILL BE A LOT CHEAPER SHE CAN RECYCLE THE ALUMINUM.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
This is the first year for the program and by the expression of happiness on so many faces you can tell many hope it will return every year.
[SOT 12:34:29]
[INQ=]
((OSCAR JAMES: BYE BYE SWEET HEART, LOVE YOU TOO BYE BYE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 3]
Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, it's probably not a big surprise, but there's a big difference between the things women and men crave.
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=1:37]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((How safe is caffeine for pregnant women?
VT=VO
A new study says a couple of cups of coffee is probably okay but don't drink much more than that. The study in the New England Journal of Medicine finds women who drink six or more cups a day more than doubles their risk of miscarriage The bottom line, moderation and when you think about it, six or more cups a day of java isn't good for anyone, pregnant or not. ON CAM So, are you hooked on caffeine, or for that matter, chocolate? If so, you're probably a woman. Addicted to the TV, internet of video games, you're probably a guy. At least that's what researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have to say. They conducted a small study, which looked at cravings and lack of self control when it comes to certain activities. The found women were four times as likely as men to have true addiction to chocolate. But when it comes to being addicted to video games, big surprise, men outnumbered women 25 to 1.
VT=VO
And finally today, the science behind keeping your turkey moist. When you cook a turkey, its easy to keep the thigh meat moist. But because of it's texture, turkey breasts tend to dry out more quickly. So how do you balance the two? Well, two thoughts from the University of Georgia. One put an aluminum foil tent over the breast, so it cooks more slowly than the rest of the turkey. Or number two, ice the turkey breast down. That's right, rub ice on the breast to make it colder before putting it in the oven so it doesn't heat up as quickly. This is why I stay out of the kitchen. ON CAM 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;]

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

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

An explosion may have caused a massive blaze in Montgomery County that destroyed two mobile homes.
The owner of the trailers was not home at the time.
In fact, fire officials were not sure if anyone actually lived in the trailers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

By trains, planes and automobiles -- Americans are making the annual trek to Grandma's house for the big Thanksgiving feast.
The holiday travel crunch did not get off to a good start in Chicago.
About 40 flights were delayed after a Christmas decoration hanging in the rafters of the United Airlines terminal caught fire.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's an annual Thanksgiving tradition -- the big Macy's Parade in New York City.
There'll be marching bands, celebrities and, of course, those famous balloons.
The 73rd annual parade will feature more than 25 balloons, including a new addition -- a 37-foot Honey Nut Cheerios bee.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And that's what's making news on this Thursday, November 25th.
[ANCHOR=patrick]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Elliston-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-46 Tc24:36]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

There was little firefighters could do to save two burning mobile homes in the Elliston section of Montgomery County last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

Firefighters got the call around eleven o'clock.
They believe some sort of explosion caused the blaze near the intersection of North Fork Road and Delta Lane.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There were 2 parallel]
[SUPER=01-Pug Wells/Elliston Fire Chief]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=started in there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Firefighters were slowed by a one lane, wooden bridge leading to the property.
The owner of the trailers was not home at the time.
Fire officials were not sure if anyone actually lived in the trailers.
(------------)

[E-Henry-Sewage]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-44 TC1:01:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Is water safe for residents in Henry County?
It'll be up to a new task force to answer that question.
The group is set up to find out whether privately-owned sewage and water treatment plants in Henry County are doing their best to make water safe.
The task force was created by the departments of health and environmental quality.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./September;]

The move comes in response to the failed operations of a private sewage treatment plant two months ago.
The owner of the Fairway Acres plant was charged with endangering residents' health and the environment.
The task force will probe the effectiveness of about 20 other sewage systems in the county.
(------------)

[NATIONAL-TRAVEL]

[ANCHOR=MELANIE ]
[NEWSCAST=MORN]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holdiday Travel]

Thanksgiving travelers have hit the nation's roadways, airports and railways -- all with visions of turkey, stuffing and a long rest in their heads.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;]
[3:39:34]
But getting there hasn't been easy for everyone.
Passengers at O'Hare International in Chicago were delayed when a Christmas decoration caught fire at the United Airlines terminal.
No one was injured and by late last night, flights were back on schedule. [3:04:39]
Besides planes and cars, Americans are also using trains and buses to get where they need to go this Thanksgiving.

It's the price we pay to be with family. For most of us, its more than worth it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For me, I would do a....]
((TRAVELER; FOR ME, I WOULD DO A MILLION TIMES THIS TO GET WHERE I NEEDED TO BE WITH THEM. TRAVELER:IT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=What are you going to do about it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If only we didnt have to do it all again-three short days from now.
(------------)

[E-Bus-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-41 1:02:40]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]

Three students and their bus driver remain hospitalized following an accident yesterday morning in Bedford County.

(+++++++)
[Take GFX Map Full]
They were headed to Stewartsville Elementary School when their bus ran off the road and hit a tree.
Joe Dashiell has more on the accident that sent more than a dozen to the hospital.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :05]
[SUPER=01-Janet Oakes/School Volunteer; :13]
[SUPER=01-Cindy McCoy/Witness; :30]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :52]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=JD News 7]

((It was a serious accident, that provided some scary moments for students, their parents and the Stewartsville community.
Bus Number eight was headed down a hill... when it left the road and hit the tree.
[SOT JANET OAKES LAWRENCE'S TAPE 01:46:29]
[IN Q=And we were going down]
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=steering wheel.]

Neighbors who heard the impact came running, and helped the children open the emergency exit and escape.
Emergency crews were there quickly tending to bumps, bruises and broken bones.
Thirteen people made the trip to Roanoke hospitals.
[SOT 11:19:59 CINDY MCCOY STEVE'S TAPE ]
[IN Q=But thank the Lord]
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=gone down a steep embankment.]

The driver, Ferris Booth, apparently blacked out at the wheel. He'll face a charge of reckless driving.
A newspaper carrier and a veteran bus driver who enjoys a close relationship with the students on his route, Booth was listed in stable condition following surgery.
Joe Dashiell News 7))

[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=This is geared]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Winiford Roberson/Community Volunteer; :20]
[SUPER=01-Marion Doss/Community Volunteer; :40]
[SUPER=01-Frank Smith/Community Volunteer; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Martha Adkins/Community Volunteer; 2:06(quick)]
[SUPER=01-Ed Turner/Community Volunteer; 2:15(quick)]
[RUNS=2:22]
[OUT Q= good holiday]

[Steve Live]

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

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

[E-Russian-Orphans]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-42 1:14:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Pittsylvania County couple is counting their blessings this Thanksgiving ... SEVEN of them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]

That's how many Russian orphans Brian and Anita Robbins adopted nearly three months ago.
The kids spent two years in a Russian orphanage after their mother died of cancer.
They were going to be split up until the couple and their two biological sons decided to make them part of the family.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:14:00 - :18]
[IN Q=Sometimes I just sit and]
((ANITA ROBBINS: SOMETIMES I JUST SIT AND CRY JUST WATCHING THEM... JUST THE FUN THAT THEY HAVE. AND JUST LOOKING BACK AT PICTURES OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE THERE AND KNOWING WHAT THEIR LIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THERE.))
[SUPER=07-Anita Robbins; ]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=would have been like there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

That's not to say that there haven't been some growing pains for the family.
It takes 70 pancakes to feed the whole family at breakfast.
AND the Robbins are turning their two-bedroom house into a five-bedroom house.
(------------)

[E-Indian-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-37 1:57:43]
[GRAPHIC=Thanksgiving]

You may NOT think of your taxes as a gift you give to the government.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

But two of Virginia's eight Indian tribes do-- partly because they worked out a sweet deal in 1646.
The Mattaponi (MATTA-pa-NYE) and Pamunkey Indians brought deer, beaver pelts, a peace pipe, and words of praise to Governor Jim Gilmore yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:36:50]
[IN Q=We stand]
(("SWIFTWATER" MILES/PAMUNKEY CHIEF: WE STAND READY TO DO ANYTHING WE CAN IN SERVICE FOR THE GREAT COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. I'D ALSO LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS LEADERSHIP IN THE RECENT ELECTION RESULTS.))
[SUPER=01-"Swiftwater" Miles/Pamunkey Chief;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=nat sot music]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The annual Thanksgiving tradition also commemorated the 100-th birthday this week of former Pamunkey Chief Tecumseh "Deerfoot" Cook.
(------------)

[Turkeys]

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

On this Thanksgiving day in Louisiana they're doing more than just eating Turkey.
(////////SOT/////)
[in=]
[3:26:37]
[SUPER=03-Metairie, LA;]
[runs=:03]
[out=Let it slide]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Yes, some people are actually using frozen turkeys as bowling balls.
It's the second annual rock n bock turkey bowl.. a fundraiser to benefit the national multiple sclerosis society.
[SUPER=03-Mt. Bachelor, OR;]
[3:28:22]
And check out this Turkey in Oregon.
Rufus the skiing Turkey is welcoming the holiday season with his annual trip down the slopes of Mount Bachelor.
Rufus has lots of gifts in his sleigh, not to mention pretty good form on that board.
And I guess you could also say he has a lot more to be thankful for than most Turkeys this time of the year.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, Frank Beamer and the Hokies make Thanksgiving and the day after plans.
Roy Stanley has more.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:02]
[OUT Q=day everybody]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/PEV]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

A late night fire in the Elliston section of Montgomery County destroyed two mobile homes.
Firefighters got the call around eleven o'clock.
They believe some sort of explosion caused the blaze near the intersection of North Fork Road and Delta Lane.
Fire officials were not sure if anyone actually lived in the trailers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The Mill Mountain Star is now a national landmark.
Roanoke spent 25-thousand-dollars on a fiftieth birthday party to honor the bright beacon last night.
National and state landmark status can give the city tax breaks and other privileges.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
(Patrick mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Patrick ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Patrick and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Patrick and Steve]
(ad lib bye)