WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/22/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Coming up on News 7, a jet skids into a neighborhood in Guatemala, killing dozens.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And more worries and warnings about Y2K terrorism...
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Cloudy and chilly, with some areas of light snow showers in the higher elevations...
There could be a few slick spots on bridges and overpasses, but by and large, no major travel problems as you head to work this morning.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Foutz-Pay]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=VintonPolice]

Tempers flared once again at the Vinton town council, after members voted down a petition that would compensate former police chief Ricky Foutz.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]

The petition would have allowed Foutz to receive his salary until 2003 when he could collect his full retirement.

Council members unanimously voted down the petition saying they did not want to make any payments what so ever until the special grand jury investigation is complete.
Foutz's wife said the vote was an injustice and changes are on the way.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:41:34 tape #1]
[IN Q=Come May there]
((LISA FOUTZ/RICKY FOUTZ'S WIFE: COME MAY THERE IS GOING TO BE A CHANGE YOU WON'T BE SITTING UP THERE AND I WILL PERSONALLY HEAD UP A CAMPAIGN AGAINST YOU.))
[SUPER=01-Lisa Foutz/Ricky Foutz's wife]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=campaign against you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Right now Ricky Foutz is collecting 20 thousand dollars in vacation and sick leave that he earned.
One council member says if Foutz is cleared of any wrong doing when the report comes out in January he will be given full restitution.
(------------)

[Courts-Y2K]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]

Virginia's courts will be closed statewide on January 3rd because of Y2K worries.
The executive secretary of the state supreme court says he doesn't expect any significant computer problems in the courts.
But he said the state wants to avoid losing cases through computer glitches.
It may take as long as six months to determine any Y-two-K impact on the state courts.

[TERRORISM]

[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=MORN]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A new warning about terrorism ABROAD, as the U-S moves to prevent any DOMESTIC attacks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI;]
[3:01:18]
With border patrols already beefed up, federal officials say they're now taking extra security measures at U-S airports.
They promise tighter enforcement of parking regulations, additional bomb-sniffing dogs, and an increased use of devices that check passengers for traces of explosives.
Manhunts are also under way for up to three people suspected of ties to an Algerian accused of sneaking bomb-making materials across the Canadian border, and for a Californian with alleged ties to accused terrorist Osama bin Laden.
Libyan President, Mommar Qadhafi, long accused of supporting terrorism, says he doesn't know if the U-S is in imminent danger but that it has many enemies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[3:01:18]
((MOMMAR QADHAFI/LIBYAN PRESIDENT SOT: AMERICA KNOWS VERY WELL IT IS HATED EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. BECAUSE OF ITS HOST
ILE POLICY, ITS SANCTION, ITS TALONS, THE THREAT IS EVERYWHERE))
[SUPER=01-Mommar Qadhafi/Libyan President;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=threat is everywhere;]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, the State Department has repeated its terrorist warning for Americans traveling abroad, especially large groups assembled for religious festivals or New Year's celebrations.
(------------)

[Guatemala-crash]

[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

At least 26 people are dead after a cuban jet skidded off a rain-slicked runway in Guatemala and into a nearby neighborhood.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Guatemala City, Guatemala;]
[3:12:02]
Nine of the dead were on the ground.
The D-C Ten was carrying 314 when it crashed into a neighborhood.
Many of the passengers were medical students heading home for the holidays.
Authorities say the pilot began his descent too far down the runway and was unable to stop in time.
The accident comes four years after a cargo plane skidded off the end of the same runway and killed eight residents of the neighborhood.
(------------)

[E-Wasena-Park]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-45 1:12:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke prosecutors want cops to videotape people having sex in parks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
18 men were recently charged with asking male undercover cops for oral sex in Wasena Park. But the jury found three men NOT guilty. And prosecutors dismissed charges against two more. Now prosecutors are going to try tougher tactics.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:25:54]
[IN Q=I tend to think]
((DON CALDWELL/PROSECUTOR: I TEND TO THINK RIGHT NOW THE WEAK POINT IS WE'RE MAKING IT ONE PERSON'S WORD AGAINST ANOTHER. WE HAVE THAT TECHNOLOGY TO PUT IT ON FILM AND WE NEED TO USE THAT TECHNOLOGY.))
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=technology]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A dozen men pleaded guilty as long as they were guaranteed an appeal. They hope to strike the law that makes oral sex a felony.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:11:31]
[IN Q=Virginia's sodomy]
((VIRGINIA'S SODOMY LAW IS TOO BROAD, UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE IT INDISCRIMINATELY CRIMINALIZES ORAL SEX, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BY ANY PEOPLE, AT ANY TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Sam Garrison/Attorney;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=at any time]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
This will be the first time a Virginia court considers changing the law against sodomy.
(------------)

[E-Fluvanna-Prison]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=99-43 1:43:35]
[GRAPHIC=VA Prisons]

Reports of sexual misconduct have forced the resignation of 13-employees at Virginia's largest prison for women.
Secretary of Public Safety Gary Aronhalt ordered
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[98-23 TC 7:01]
[SUPER=03-Fluvanna Co./March 1998]
an investigation of the (Flu-Vanna) Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women in October.
That was after dozens of complaints of sexual assaults, harassment and fraternizing.
News of the firings and resignations appeared in a Department of Corrections report compiled as a result of the investigation.
(------------)

[E-Millennium-Tree]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-46 47:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

One Bedford County school was teaching students when George Washington was president.. and now it's putting down roots for the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Students at the New London Academy yesterday planted what they call a "millennium tree" on the grounds of their school.
The seven- foot oak symbolizes what was once a grove of oak trees that surrounded the historic school.
The last was taken down in 1995, the same year the school celebrated its bicentennial.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

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

In sports, notes from last night's college basketball action and highlights from the N-B-A.
Denise Allen has more.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=more sports]

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

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M99-7]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Roll Cold out of Break]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=welcome back]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Csaba Csere/Car and Driver; :20]
[SUPER=04-Car and Driver; :35]
[RUNS=2:48]
[OUT Q=News 7 Mornin' Returns]

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: car and driver 10 best))

[ca-fires]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fires]

It's been tense night for some homeowners north of Los Angeles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Canada, CA;]
[3:04:44]
A fire that started late last night has already blackened at least 100 acres of brush and jumped two freeways.
Officials say the fire is now threatening many homes and at least one large apartment complex.
A number of evacuations have been ordered.
Strong winds helped fan the flames.
But overnight they died down giving the 200 firefighters on the scene a better chance of attacking the fire.
A second blaze, about 60 miles away, has forced about 100 homes to be evacuated.
(--------------)

[Danville-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=che]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=murder Investigation]

The woman found dead in a Danville neighborhood over the weekend was strangled.
That's the finding of the medical examiner.
Police aren't saying if they have any suspects in the murder of 34-year old Angela Terry Newman.

[E-Breast-Feeding]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-44 35:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Montgomery Regional Hospital is leading the nation in breast feeding.
Now the hospital is assisting Virginia Tech, so all mothers there have some place to do it.
Tonya Flory reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Marjorie Young/Lactation Consultant; :09]
[SUPER=01-Jessie Meltsner/Va. Tech Women's Center; :50]
[SUPER=@Tonya2; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Mary Potter/New Mother; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Health Check.]
((Montgomery Regional is helping Tech establish centers located conveniently throughout campus where new moms can privately breast feed and pump breast milk for their babies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 01:37:51]
[IN Q=We will provide]
((MARJORIE YOUNG/LACTATION CONSULTANT: WE WILL PROVIDE THE EQUIPMENT THE PUMPS AND THE SUPPLIES, ALSO PRENATAL EDUCATION, POST-NATAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORT FOR MOMS.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=for moms.]
Tech is the first university in Southwest Virginia to set up lactation rooms. Young says it will help working moms follow the American Academy of Pediatrics new recommended guidelines to breast feed exclusively for six months.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 01:39:10]
[IN Q=One woman said]
((MARJORIE YOUNG/LACTATION CONSULTANT: ONE WOMAN SAID THAT SHE WAS ACTUALLY ALLOWED TO BREAST FEED DURING A LONG INTERVIEW SHE STEPPED OUT, NURSED HER CHILD AND CAME BACK AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE DECIDING FACTORS FOR HER OF BEING EMPLOYED AT VIRGINIA TECH.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=at Virginia Tech]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 02:02:02]
[IN Q=It means ]
((JESSIE MELTSNER/VA TECH WOMEN'S CENTER: IT MEANS MORALE AMONG WORKERS IS HIGHER, STUDIES HAVE FOUND BREAST FED BABIES HAVE FEWER ILLNESSES, MOMS ARE OUT LESS WITH SICK BABIES.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=sick babies]
Instead employees can take a few minutes on a break to feed their babies in a room where they don't have to worry about being interrupted.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 02:18:35]
[IN Q=Where you can]
((MARY POTTER/NEW MOTHER: WHERE YOU CAN TAKE TEN MINUTES...IS WONDERFUL, YOU THINK SO.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=you think so.]
Tonya Flory, News 7, Health Check.))

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, new mothers and pregnant women should think twice before undergoing laser eye surgery.
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=1:29]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((How much of a say do you have when it comes to medical tests or treatments? Well according to a new study in the JAMA the answer is not much.
VT=VO
In 9 out of ten cases, we doctors don't give you the patient enough information to make an informed choice about what we do to you. Researchers analyzed how more than one thousand doctors and patients interacted with each other and we doctors get a failing grade when it comes to letting you in on decisions. The bottom line here: speak up and ask questions.
VT=VO
Also today, the Food and Drug Administration has some recommendations when it comes to medications through the internet. The FDA says with new internet drug stores springing up every day, you need to be cautious. Check to see if a web-site is a licensed pharmacy. Look for phone numbers to contact operators and avoid sites that offer to prescribe drugs without a physical exam or a prescription.
VT=VO
And finally, the hottest thing in vision correction, laser surgery. But a huge caution today for women who have just had a baby or are planning a baby soon. Researchers say the hormone changes that take place with pregnancy and the months afterwards can change the shape of a cornea and effect healing. Don't even think about laser for the eye within six months of having a baby or six months before becoming pregnant. ON CAM And that's a look at the day in health. 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 & 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]

A warning this morning to Americans the world over.
The state department says they may be the target of terrorist attacks as we approach the new millennium.
Most at risk are large groups of people assembled for religious celebrations or festivities marking the new century.
The federal aviation administration is also tightening security at u-s airports.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Thirteen employees at Virginia's largest women's prison have been forced to resign amid reports of sexual misconduct.
The state secretary of public safety ordered an investigation of the Fluvanna correctional center following dozens of complaints of sexual assault, harassment and fraternizing.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

California firefighters are battling two wind-driven wildfires that are threatening dozens of homes.
One blaze near Los Angeles has burned 100 acres and jumped two freeways.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday December 22.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Vinton-Council]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-51 00:16:03]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton PD]

Tempers flared again at Vinton's town council meeting last night after members unanimously voted down a petition that would compensate former police chief Ricky Foutz.
Kate Weidaw has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=a man doesn't]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Foutz/Ricky Foutz's Wife; :00]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :08]
[SUPER=01-Billy Obenchain/Vinton Town Council; :33]
[SUPER=01-Ray Sandifer/Former Town Council Member; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:48]
[OUT Q=kw news 7]
(([SOT 2:41:55]
[INQ=]
((LISA FOUTZ/RICKY FOUTZ'S WIFE: A MAN DOESN'T WORK SOMEWHERE FOR 27 YEARS AND DOESN'T SEE THINGS -- YOU HAVE DONE WRONG.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 5]

Lisa Foutz, the wife of former Vinton police chief Ricky Foutz, says she's tired of not getting any answers from the town council. Before council voted she expressed how much she appreciated residents supporting her husband.

[SOT 2:41:00]
[INQ=]
((LISA FOUTZ/RICKY FOUTZ'S WIFE: IF NOTHING ELSE GOOD COMES FROM THIS INJUSTICE WE HAVE SEEN HOW MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDS WE HAVE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]

But her heartfelt words didn't affect council's decision.

[SOT 2:31:12]
[INQ=]
((BILLY OBENSHIEN/VINTON TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER: I WILL VOTE AGAINST IT BECAUSE SINCE THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON WE DO NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS WHAT SO EVER UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]

Little else was spoken from council after members voted down the petition.
[NAT SOUND 2:37:08] ((NO, NO, NO.))
[RUNS= 5]

Residents say they weren't shocked the petition was voted down -- but they are disappointed that their questions about Foutz's retirement are not being answered.
[SOT 2:46:02]
[INQ=]
((RAY SANDIFER/FORMER VINTON COUNCIL MEMBER: ARE YOU PEOPLE RUNNING THE TOWN WITH CONSCIOUS AND COURAGE?))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 8]

Lisa Foutz says council may get away with this injustice now, but changes are on the way.

[SOT 2:41:34]
[INQ=]
((LISA FOUTZ/RICKY FOUTZ'S WIFE: COME MAY THERE IS GOING TO BE A CHANGE. YOU WON'T BE SITTING UP THERE AND I WILL PERSONALLY HEAD UP A CAMPAIGN AGAINST YOU.))
[OUTQ=against you.]
[RUNS= 11]

[STANDUP] ((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: RIGHT NOW RICKY FOUTZ IS RECEIVING HIS 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN VACATION AND SICK LEAVE. ONCE COUNCIL MEMBER STILL SAYS IF FOUTZ IS FOUND INNOCENT OF ANY WRONG DOING, HE WILL BE GIVEN FULL RESTITUTION. BUT WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL THE GRAND JURY REPORT COMES OUT AT THE END OF JANUARY. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7.))
[RUNS=15]))

[Council-Pay]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-39 1:41:54]
[GRAPHIC=Rke. Council Pay]

Roanoke city council is also in a pay dispute after members narrowly approved a pay raise for themselves.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The raises are less than state law allows... Council members will go from 14- thousand to 16- thousand a year.
The mayor's salary will increase from 18- thousand to 21- thousand.
Mayor Bowers, Alvin Hudson, Carroll Swain and Bill White voted for it... Nelson Harris, Jim Trout and Linda Wyatt voted against.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:43:54]
[IN Q=I think any time]
((NELSON HARRIS/ROANOKE VICE-MAYOR:))
[SUPER=01-Nelson Harris/Roanoke Vice-Mayor;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=but we'll just have to see.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The raises will take effect on July first of next year.

[2-Courts-Y2K]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]

Potential Y2K problems will close Virginia's courts statewide on January 3-rd.
The executive secretary of the state supreme court says he doesn't expect any significant computer problems in the courts.
But he said the state wants to avoid losing cases through computer glitches.
It may take as long as six months to determine any Y-two-K impact on the state courts.

[new-years-terrorism]

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

Security is being tightened at the nation's airports and border crossings, after the apprehension of an Algerian national with bomb making materials in Washington state last week.
And for yet another day, a warning to American travelers overseas.
Lisa Hughes reports from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[3:01:18]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gee/Traveler;:17]
[SUPER=01-David Knowles/Traveler; :26]
[SUPER=01-Joe Lockhart/White House Spokesman; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Hughes/Reporting; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS WASHINGTON.]
((NARR: Government officials say they don't know of any specific terrorist threats against targets in the U-S. But they're not taking any chances. Security is beefed up at border crossings where 300 extra inspectors are working the checkpoints. Searches are more thorough and more common.
(SUPER: Jeff Gee/Traveler
SOT: HE ASKED ME A FEW EXTRA QUESTIONS, YEAH-WAS VERY CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE I WORKED AND WHAT I DID)
NARR: Crossing the border now takes more time. So far, travelers are not complaining.
(SUPER: David Knowles/TravelerSOT: I THINK ITS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. IM FOR IT.)
NARR: Security tightened after an Algerian man was arrested crossing into Washington state from Canada by ferry. Police say Ahmed Ressam was carrying enough bomb-making materials to cause a huge explosion. They're investigating his possible ties to terrorist groups and whether he had an accomplice. Libyan President, Mommar Qadhafi long accused of supporting terrorism says he doesn't know if the U-S is in imminent danger but that it has many enemies.
(SUPER: MOMMAR QADHAFI/LIBYAN PRESIDENT
SOT: AMERICA KNOWS VERY WELL IT IS HATED EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. BECAUSE OF ITS HOSTILE POLICY, ITS SANCTION, ITS TALO
NS, THE THREAT IS EVERYWHERE) That threat seems to be growing
(SUPER: JOE LOCKHART/WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN)
13:43:37 AS WE HEAD INTO THE MILLENNIUM IT PAYS FOR PEOPLE TO BE CAUTIOUS AND VIGILANT. SUPER: Lisa Hughes/Washington POLICE SAY ANOTHER ALGERIAN MAN TRYING TO GET INTO THE COUNTRY WITH PHONY PAPERS MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN TRANSPORTING EXPLOSIVES. THE MAN WAS ARRESTED IN VERMONT. THE FBI IS NOW CHECKING HIS CAR. LISA HUGHES. CBS NEWS. WASHINGTON))

[Three-Steve]

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

[ROLL COLD OUT OF BIRTHDAYS]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=welcome back]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon; :00]
[SUPER=01-Csaba Csere/Car and Driver; :21]
[SUPER=04-Car and Driver; :52]
[RUNS=2:39]
[OUT Q=Back in a moment]

(tape tosses to stocks)

[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: car and driver 10 best))

[2-ca-fires]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fires]

A wind-driven brush fire is burning out of control and threatening several homes near Los Angeles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Canada, CA;]
[3:04:44]
The blaze has burned at least 100 acres and jumped two freeways.
Officials say it's now threatening many homes and at least one large apartment complex.
A number of evacuations have been ordered.
The fire started late last night and quickly spread thanks to 30 mile an hour winds.
Some 200 firefighters and two water-dropping helicopters have been battling the blaze.
A second blaze, about 60 miles away, has forced about 100 homes to be evacuated.
(--------------)

[E-Shelor]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-47 40:14]
[GRAPHIC=Mont. Co. Tax Dispute]

If you haven't heard-- Shelor Automotive is once again moving its inventory out of Montgomery County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Radio ads announcing the move recently hit the airwaves.
The dealership is moving its inventory to Salem and Pulaski to avoid paying the merchant's capital tax... which is a tax assessed on a business's unsold inventory.
Salem does NOT have the tax -- but Pulaski County does.
But Shelor says the rate assessed in Pulaski is much lower than in Montgomery County.
Moving the inventory, though, is expensive.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:06:26]
[IN Q=It's significant]
((LARRY SHELOR/SHELOR AUTOMOTIVE GROUP: IT'S SIGNIFICANT, I WOULD SAY WE'RE SPENDING AS MUCH MOVING OUR CARS AROUND AS THE LARGEST TAX PAYER IN THE COUNTY WOULD ACTUALLY PAY THE COUNTY IN TAXES, I REFER TO WALMART IN THE 60- OR 70- THOUSAND DOLLAR RANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Shelor/Shelor Automotive Group;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=dollar range.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Shelor has filed several lawsuits against the county over the issue.
But a Montgomery County circuit judge recently ruled against the dealership saying it could not avoid the tax.
Shelor has indicated it will appeal.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

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

In sports, Virginia Tech's grid iron success is captured in another magazine.
Denise Allen has the details.
Good Morning Denise.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:16]
[OUT Q=you at five]

[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:
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Virginia's courts will be closed statewide on January 3rd because of Y2K worries.
The executive secretary of the state supreme court says he doesn't expect any significant computer problems in the courts.
But he said the state wants to avoid losing cases through computer glitches.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

A lot of Vinton residents aren't happy that town council voted NOT to compensate former police chief Ricky Foutz.

Council unanimously voted down the petition saying they did not want to make any payments what so ever until the special grand jury investigation is complete.
(----------------)
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Bath County schools are operating on a one hour delay.
And Highland County schools will open two hours late today.

[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]