WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/27/99

[Border-Arrest]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Four people have been arrested at the U-S-Canadian border. A Canadian official says at least one of them has links to a terrorist group.
The crossing at Blaine, Washington, was closed for two hours last night, while a car was searched for explosives.
Nothing was found. The international manhunt continues for a second suspect in an alleged plot to smuggle explosives into the U-S. After federal agents followed the suspect's trail through Bellingham, WA there's heightened concern at that local airport.
Todd Pottinger reports.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:02:52]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bellingham, WA]
[SUPER=01-Lois Freeman/California Resident]
[SUPER=01-Neville Hermer/Seattle Resident]
[SUPER=03-Blaine, WA/U.S.-Canada Border]
[Super=01-Martin Nash/British Columbia Resident]
[super=01-Todd Pottinger/Reporting]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=CBS News]

[11Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]

Investigators are still piecing together the events leading up to yesterday's shooting in Franklin County.
Investigators say 26- year old Cletis Roberts, Junior of Bath County was shot in the torso after breaking into a house where his estranged wife, Katherine, was staying.
It happened on Hopkins Road, around two A-M.
The homeowner, 38- year old Arthur Simpson has been charged with firing the fatal shot.
Katherine Roberts' father has also been charged in connection with the crime.
Harold Nelson is accused of breaking into the house with his son-in-law and is also charged with the malicious wounding of his daughter.

[11Y2-K]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-41 1:40:16]
[GRAPHIC=none]

We are only days away to the new year.
While many companies and government agencies say they're Y2-K compliant, the American Red Cross says you should be prepared just in case they are NOT.
Joy Sutton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=American Electric Power]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 9;:00]
[SUPER=07-Jack Eanes;:22]
[SUPER=07-George Jamison;;30]
[SUPER=01-Izzy Menchero/American Red Cross;:40]
[SUPER=@Joy2;2:00]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=js n7]
(( American Electric Power is just one of many local companies that has tested its system this year to make sure it's Y2-K compliant.
While tests have shown the company is in good shape -- No one knows for sure what will happen when the year 2-thousand begins.
Some residents say they're doing little to prepare for potential problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:09:59]
[IN Q=I just don't believe]
((JACK EANES: I DON'T BELIEVE ALL THIS STUFF THAT'S BEEN GOING AROUND I JUST THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER NEW YEARS.))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=new years]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:12:08]
[IN Q=No stocking up]
((GEORGE JAMISON: NO STOCKING UP, NO EXTRA FOOD, NO EXTRA WATER. HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL WORK THE WAY IT SHOULD. And if it doesn't.WELL EVERYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=in the same boat]

But the American Red Cross says it's important to be prepared just in case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :40]
[IN Q=We tell the public]
((IZZY MENCHERO/AMERICAN RED CROSS:WE TELL THE PUBLIC TREAT AS A SNOW STORM, AND ICE STORM THAT IS COMING THAT MIGHT INTERRUPT SERVICES THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO STAY HOME FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS.))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=three]

The American Red Cross is urging people to stock up on additional water -- at least one gallon per person per day -- and to have plenty of canned food on hand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:48]
[IN Q=Flash lights]
((IZZY MENCHERO: FLASHLIGHTS, PLENTY OF BATTERIES AGAIN WE DO NOT RECOMMEND PEOPLE TO USE CANDLES FOR LIGHTING. WE RECOMMENDED A BATTERY OPERATED RADIO TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE NEWS. CELL PHONE WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE JUST IN CASE THE TELEPHONE SERVICE GETS INTERRUPTED))
[RUNS= 21]
[OUT Q=gets interupted]

And if you are on medication it's recommended that you have at least a weeks supply on hand.
The American Red Cross in Roanoke will be staffed 24 hours starting New Years eve to assist with any problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:21]
[IN Q=We will be staffed]
((IZZY MENCHERO: WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY AND IF WE HAVE ANY EMERGENCY THAT WILL HAVE A LARGE IMPACT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND SEEK HELP IF IT'S NECESSARY))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=if it's neccesary]

Menchero says its better to stock-up and be safe rather than sorry come January 1st.
Joy Sutton, News 7.))

[11First-Night]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-56 11:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]
While some are preparing for Y2K, others in the Roanoke Valley are preparing for First Night. It's a New Year's Eve Celebration that has been a tradition for the past 9 years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT tape 98-96]
[SUPER=04-Last Year]

And organizers of this years First Night say the celebration should be even better then last year.
First Night is a celebration of the lively arts --with a variety of activities for the entire family.
And organizers say this New Year's celebration promises to be even more exciting-- with the ringing in of the year two-thousand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:53 first night tape]
[IN Q=We have]
((WENDI SCHULTZ/FIRST NIGHT ROANOKE: WE HAVE AN ALCOHOL FREE CHAMPAGNE TOAST A MIDNIGHT. WE'LL HAVE DANCING IN THE STREET TILL ONE, BANDS. IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION AND THEN OF COURSE FIREWORKS AT MIDNIGHT))
[SUPER=01-Wendi Schultz/First Night Director]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=at midnight]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

First Night is an alcohol free event. [TAKE PINNACLE FULL SCREEN 8700ESSC]
Advanced admission is 7 dollars for adults and 3 dollars for children.
The price goes up to 9 dollars at the door.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Admission buttons are available at WDBJ and at various locations throughout the Valley.

[Discovery]

[ANCHOR=Kimbery]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=space shuttle]

NASA is keeping a close watch on Florida's weather, with the Shuttle Discover scheduled to return to earth early this evening.
Crosswinds could force a delay.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

NASA says otherwise, the weather is favorable for a 5-18 p-m touchdown.
If the winds are too strong, NASA could try later for another Florida landing, or switch the landing site to Edwards Air Force Base in California.
Shuttle managers say they want to bring the orbiter down before Wednesday to avoid any Y-2-K problems.
The shuttle is completing an eight-day mission during which space-walking astronauts repaired the Hubble Space Telescope.
(------------)

[11Kwanzaa]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-45 1:13:17]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It's a holiday that was created 33 years ago by a college professor.
Today it's celebrated across the country by more than 20 million people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

It's called Kwanzaa.
At St. Gerard's Church in Roanoke dozens gathered yesterday to kick-off the first day of this 7 day celebration.
Kwanzaa is Swahili and is based on seven laws designed to help live a righteous life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:23:42]
[IN Q=These principles]
((ROMA WILLIS-TURNER/KWANZAA COORDINATOR: THESE PRINCIPLES SEEM LIKE THE BEST FOR ME TO BE BLESSED. SO THAT'S WHY KWANZAA MEANS TO ME FIRST A BLESSING, FRUIT, HOLY FAMILY. AND TODAY I HOLY FAMILY IT'S UNITY IT'S KWANZAA))
[SUPER=01-Roma Willis-Turner/Kwanzaa Coordinator]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=it's Kwanzaa]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The celebration not only included singing and dancing but remembering ancestors and preparing for a prosperous new year.
(------------)

[11Xmas-Returns]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:38:22]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

Bargain hunters were out in full force at area shopping malls yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Retailers at Tanglewood Mall and across the country hope large discounts will the clear shelves.
For some stores the post Christmas frenzy is lucrative and offsets sometimes disappointing sales before the holidays.
Analysts say last year shoppers did 11 percent of their buying AFTER Christmas.
And, a national survey finds nearly half of Americans return between one and ten holiday gifts each year.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a new study says heavy drinkers run a greater risk of kidney failure.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

Investigators are still piecing together the events leading up to yesterday morning's shooting in Franklin County.
Investigators say 26- year old Cletis Roberts, Junior of Bath County was shot in the torso after breaking into a house where his estranged wife, Katherine, was staying.
The homeowner, 38- year old Arthur Simpson has been charged with firing the fatal shot.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Y-2-K is only days away, and the American Red Cross plans to be staffed 24 hours a day starting a New Year's Eve to help with any problems.
Red cross officials are urging people to stock up on additional water and have plenty of canned food.
And if you are on medication, it's recommended that you have at least a week's supply on hand.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Singer and composer Curtis Mayfield died yesterday in a Georgia hospital.
The singer has suffered from complications since he became paralyzed in 19-90 when a lighting rig fell on him during a performance.
No word yet on the cause of death.
He was 57.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Monday, December 27th .
[ANCHOR=Steve]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[France-Storms]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Storms ripping through Northern France have killed at least five people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Paris, France;]

Winds up to 105- miles- per- hour tore off roofs, cut electricity lines, and ripped down chimneys.
Three people were seriously injured in Paris when they were hit by falling debris.
Even holiday decorations were not spared from damage.
Just north of Paris, a motorist was killed when a tree fell onto her car...another died when the roof of his home collapsed.
The high winds also hit Switzerland yesterday, killing three people there.
(------------)

[Mayfield-Obit]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The music world is mourning singer and composer Curtis Mayfield.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-March 1995;]

Mayfield died yesterday in a Georgia hospital.
No word yet on the cause of death.
In 19-90 Mayfield was paralyzed when he was hit by a lighting rig that toppled while he was performing on stage.

In 19-94, he became a Grammy Legend Award winner.
A year later, he won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:23:13 ]
[IN Q=It has]
((CURTIS MAYFIELD/SINGER: IT HAS ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE PROGRESSED AND I HAVE, IN SOME WAYS, FOUND SUCCESS CONTINUOUSLY, SO I AM VERY PLEASED.))
[SUPER=01-Curtis Mayfield/Singer;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=very pleased]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MTV Central Park Concert;]

He's best known for the success of the soundtrack to the film "Superfly" in 19-72, as well as a string of hits in the '60s.
Curtis Mayfield was 57.
(------------)

[2-11Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morning]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]

Investigators are still piecing together the events leading up to yesterday morning's shooting in Franklin County.

Investigators say 26- year old Cletis Roberts, Junior of Bath County was shot in the torso after breaking into a house where his estranged wife, Katherine, was staying.
It happened on Hopkins Road, around two A-M.
The homeowner, 38- year old Arthur Simpson has been charged with firing the fatal shot.
Katherine Roberts' father has also been charged in connection with the crime.
Harold Nelson is accused of breaking into the house with his son-in-law and is also charged with the malicious wounding of his daughter.

[2-11Y2-K]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-41 1:40:16]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It's only a matter of days until we ring in the new year.
The American Red Cross says you should be prepared just in case there are any Y-2-K related problems.
Joy Sutton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=American Electric Power]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 9;:00]
[SUPER=07-Jack Eanes;:22]
[SUPER=07-George Jamison;;30]
[SUPER=01-Izzy Menchero/American Red Cross;:40]
[SUPER=@Joy2;2:00]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=js n7]
(( American Electric Power is just one of many local companies that has tested its system this year to make sure it's Y2-K compliant.
While tests have shown the company is in good shape -- No one knows for sure what will happen when the year 2-thousand begins.
Some residents say they're doing little to prepare for potential problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:09:59]
[IN Q=I just don't believe]
((JACK EANES: I DON'T BELIEVE ALL THIS STUFF THAT'S BEEN GOING AROUND I JUST THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER NEW YEARS.))
[RUNS= 7]
[OUT Q=new years]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:12:08]
[IN Q=No stocking up]
((GEORGE JAMISON: NO STOCKING UP, NO EXTRA FOOD, NO EXTRA WATER. HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING WILL WORK THE WAY IT SHOULD. And if it doesn't.WELL EVERYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO BE IN THE SAME BOAT))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=in the same boat]

But the American Red Cross says it's important to be prepared just in case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :40]
[IN Q=We tell the public]
((IZZY MENCHERO/AMERICAN RED CROSS:WE TELL THE PUBLIC TREAT AS A SNOW STORM, AND ICE STORM THAT IS COMING THAT MIGHT INTERRUPT SERVICES THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO STAY HOME FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS.))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=three]

The American Red Cross is urging people to stock up on additional water -- at least one gallon per person per day -- and to have plenty of canned food on hand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:48]
[IN Q=Flash lights]
((IZZY MENCHERO: FLASHLIGHTS, PLENTY OF BATTERIES AGAIN WE DO NOT RECOMMEND PEOPLE TO USE CANDLES FOR LIGHTING. WE RECOMMENDED A BATTERY OPERATED RADIO TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE NEWS. CELL PHONE WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE JUST IN CASE THE TELEPHONE SERVICE GETS INTERRUPTED))
[RUNS= 21]
[OUT Q=gets interupted]

And if you are on medication it's recommended that you have at least a weeks supply on hand.
The American Red Cross in Roanoke will be staffed 24 hours starting New Years eve to assist with any problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:21]
[IN Q=We will be staffed]
((IZZY MENCHERO: WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS GOING SMOOTHLY AND IF WE HAVE ANY EMERGENCY THAT WILL HAVE A LARGE IMPACT WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND SEEK HELP IF IT'S NECESSARY))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=if it's neccesary]

Menchero says its better to stock-up and be safe rather than sorry come January 1st.
Joy Sutton, News 7.))

[Person-Century]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

"Time Magazine" has chosen Albert Einstein as its Person of the Century.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Einstein's theories laid the groundwork for 20th century technologies than spanned everything from television to space travel.
The scientist was born in Germany in 18-79, and is best known for developing the theory of relativity.
He later won the Nobel Prize in physics in 19-21.
Time magazine's issue featuring Einstein on the cover hits newsstands today.
In the article, Einstein is described as a "genius, political refugee, humanitarian, and locksmith of the mysteries of the atom AND the universe."
(------------)

[2-11Kwanzaa]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-45 1:13:17]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Kwanzaa began yesterday.
It's a holiday that was created 33 years ago by a college professor.
Today it's celebrated across the country by more than 20 million people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

At St. Gerard's Church in Roanoke dozens gathered yesterday to kick-off the first day of this 7 day celebration.
Kwanzaa is Swahili and is based on seven laws designed to help live a righteous life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:23:42]
[IN Q=These principles]
((ROMA WILLIS-TURNER/KWANZAA COORDINATOR: THESE PRINCIPLES SEEM LIKE THE BEST FOR ME TO BE BLESSED. SO THAT'S WHY KWANZAA MEANS TO ME FIRST A BLESSING, FRUIT, HOLY FAMILY. AND TODAY I HOLY FAMILY IT'S UNITY IT'S KWANZAA))
[SUPER=01-Roma Willis-Turner/Kwanzaa Coordinator]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=it's Kwanzaa]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The celebration not only included singing and dancing but remembering ancestors and preparing for a prosperous new year.
(------------)

[2-11Xmas-Returns]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:38:22]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]

Christmas shopping may be over, but yesterday the bargain hunters were looking for a good deal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Retailers at Tanglewood Mall and across the country hope large discounts will the clear shelves.
For some stores the post Christmas frenzy is lucrative and offsets sometimes disappointing sales before the holidays.
Analysts say last year shoppers did 11 percent of their buying AFTER Christmas.
And, a national survey finds nearly half of Americans return between one and ten holiday gifts each year.
(------------)

[11Penguins]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=nkr]
[TAPE#= Net 20:06:59]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Two endangered penguin chicks finally got up the nerve to pop their heads out in New York.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Niagara Falls, NY]
The penguins are a rare breed called Peruvian penguins. This is the first time these chicks have made a public appearance at the Aquarium of Niagara....even though they were born a month ago. Aquarium officials say baby penguins are covered in brown fluff and don't develop their tuxedos until they get older.
The aquarium has a total of 16 endangered penguins.
(------------)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=kmc/spa]
[ANCHOR=kmc]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
[ANCHOR=kmc]

Investigators are still piecing together the events leading up to yesterday's shooting in Franklin County.
Investigators say 26- year old Cletis Roberts, Junior of Bath County was shot in the torso after breaking into a house where his estranged wife, Katherine, was staying.
The homeowner, 38- year old Arthur Simpson has been charged with firing the fatal shot.
Katherine Roberts' father has also been charged in connection with the crime.
Harold Nelson is accused of breaking into the house with his son-in-law and is also charged with the malicious wounding of his daughter.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Bargain hunters were out in full force at area shopping malls yesterday.
Retailers at Tanglewood Mall and across the country hope large discounts will the clear shelves.
Analysts say last year shoppers did 11 percent of their buying AFTER Christmas.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
At St. Gerard's Church in Roanoke dozens gathered yesterday to kick-off the first day of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa is Swahili and is based on seven laws designed to help live a righteous life.
The celebration not only included singing and dancing but remembering ancestors and preparing for a prosperous new year.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(Steve mic hot)
(///////////////)
(steve ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [2-shot]