WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/31/99

[1-Australia]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

The new year and the new century are about to be celebrated in Australia.
People are already gathered to ring in the year 2000 in grand style.
Organizers say this year's event will be the biggest one ever.
Terisa Estacio is there.
[Live=Teresa Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Teresa Esatcio/Reporting]
[SUPER=05-Sydney, Australia]

(rollcue... )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Sydney, Australia]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=in front of them]
((
------
(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA )

THE RUSH IS ON TO CREATE MAGIC ON THIS MILLENNIUM NIGHT -- FROM SPARKLERS TO CAST A GLOW ON THE GROUND, TO FIREWORKS PROMISED TO DAZZLE ALL LIKE NEVER BEFORE -- SIDNEY IS SET FOR THE WORLD TO WATCH IT GREET THE NEW YEAR IN STYLE.

(TAKE SOT/MOS)

AND WHAT IS A PARTY WITHOUT FOOD? HERE ALONG THE SYDNEY HARBOUR TENTS OFFER SPECIAL TREATS... PLUS PEOPLE CAMPED OUT FOR HOURS TO GRAB A FRONT ROW SEAT BROUGHT COOLERS PACKED WITH JUST ABOUT ANY TYPE OF SNACK YOU CAN THINK OF.

(TAKE SOT/MOS)

LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE PEOPLE BUNDLED IN JACKETS, BLANKETS AND HATS -- IT IS DIFFICULT TO REMEMBER THAT IT IS SUMMER IN THE CITY DOWN UNDER.
SOME EVEN BROUGHT TENTS JUST IN CASE THE WEATHER REALLY GETS ROUGH.

(TAKE SOT/MOS)

NO MATTER -- THESE FOLKS UNIQUELY DRESSED UP.. AS WELL AS OTHERS IN MORE FORMAL WEAR -- EAGERLY AWAIT THE SHOW TO UNFOLD IN FRONT OF THEM.

))

[Live=Teresa Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Sydney, Australia]
(ad lib)

[Lewis]

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

After a chase late last night, a Roanoke police officer shot and wounded the suspect.
The officer first noticed a car in the Williamson Road area, traveling without its lights on.
The officer attempted to stop the car, but the driver 38- year- old Wilbert Wesley Lewis of Northwest Roanoke began going faster.
When Lewis did pull over, authorities say he got out of his car, then reached back in and turned quickly to the officer.
That's when the police officer shot him in the abdomen.
Lewis was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery.
No word yet on his condition.
He's charged with reckless driving, failure to stop for police, impeding police and driving with a suspended license.
Meanwhile, Officer W-G Boucher will be placed on administrative leave until an investigation is complete.

[Hotel-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimbelry]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]

Five people were killed and three injured when a Florida hotel employee went on a shooting rampage yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tampa, FL;]

The Radisson Bay Harbor Hotel was crowded with guests, many in town for a New Year's Day football game.
Police say the gunman was a 36- year- old Cuban on duty at the time of the attack.
After the rampage, authorities say the man then tried to carjack a woman.
When she resisted, he shot and killed her.
Police finally apprehended the suspect near the hotel, a short time later.
(------------)

[11Bath-Y2K]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-39 1:53:20]
[GRAPHIC=Y2K Bug]

In the highlands of western Virginia, local officials say they're prepared for whatever develops on New Year's Day.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Warm Springs]

Bath County has been working on the Y2K problem for over two years, checking its own computer equipment, and developing contingency plans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We are probably more prepared]
((CLAIRE COLLINS/BATH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: WE ARE PROBABLY MORE PREPARED THAN SOME OF THE OTHER RURAL AREAS, BECAUSE WE'VE TAKEN IT EXTREMELY SERIOUSLY. WE FEEL THAT WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS ONE OF OUR NUMBER ONE CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY.)) ((TOMMY BLACK/BATH CO. SHERIFF: MOSTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS JUST TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT THERE. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EXTRA PATROLS. WE'RE GOING TO BE ON THE WHOLE WEEKEND WITH THOSE EXTRA PATROLS. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING JUST GIVE US A CALL.))
[SUPER=01-Claire Collins/Bath Co. Administrator; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tommy Black/Bath Co. Sheriff; :13]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=just give us a call.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

The sheriff's department has a back-up generator that can power the county communications system for up to four days.

[11Airport]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-47 50:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia Tech fans flying to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl are being advised to arrive at the airport an hour or two early.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Airport managers say Hokie fans can expect long lines and crowds at the airport. To avoid parking headaches, they suggest forming carpools or catching a ride to the airport. Tech fans can also park at the old terminal and ride a bus to the airport, but you've got to pay cash in advance. Parking will cost two to five dollars a day.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:27:54]
[IN Q=Sunday what we normally]
((SUNDAY WHAT WE NORMALLY ... ON SUNDAY.))
[SUPER=01-Jacqueline Shuck/Airport Director;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=on Sunday]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
35 charter planes will land at Roanoke Regional Airport on Sunday and Wednesday with Sugar Bowl passengers.
(------------)

[11Bomb-Scare]

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

An "alarming" experience for postal workers in the town of Pulaski.
The post office received a suspicious ticking package and called in authorities.
Pulaski police, the Virginia State police bomb squad and postal inspectors came to check it out.
Authorities say the ticking parcel turned out to be an alarm clock.

[11City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-49 38:13]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Council Pay Raise]

Mayor David Bowers wants City Council to take another look at the pay raise approved last week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/December 20;]

The vote to increase the salaries of the mayor and council members came after all other business had been conducted.
And it wasn't listed as an agenda item.
It also passed by one vote, four to three. And there's some question that it may have needed at least five votes to be legal.
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[graphic=Hold]

Bowers has called a special meeting for this morning to discuss the issue.

[11UVA-Bowl]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-52 25:44]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Illinois pounded U-V-A in the Micron-p-c-dot-com bowl.
But that could not silence a crowd of U-V-A alumni.
Tina Tenret takes us into the Wahoos midst - less than a week before their state rivals go to the national championships.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sot]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :11]
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Reger/UVA Fan; :37]
[SUPER=01-Dave McDonald/Canadian Visitor; 1:16]
[SUPER=@Tina2; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=TT, N7, Rke]
(///// SOT /////)
(([SOT 19:56:27]
((nat sot -- hold this until they slap hands))
[RUNS=:05]
Their spirits were up -- even though their team was down. About 20 U-V-A fans in a neighborhood bar, focused on Wahoos winning a Bowl Game.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:19:10]
[IN Q=How do you feel]
((TINA TENRET/NEWS7: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TECH GOING TO THE SUGAR BOWL? DAN GRAY/UVA FAN: I COULD CARE LESS RIGHT NOW. THIS IS VIRGINIA'S NIGHT RIGHT NOW. THEY GOT THE SUGAR BOWL, WHATEVER, BUT TONIGHT IS VIRGINIA'S NIGHT))
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=VIRGINIA'S NIGHT]
But hope --
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:29:57]
((oh, stands up))
[RUNS=:02]
turned to shock --
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((guy sits back down: what the hell was that?))
[RUNS=:02]
with enough almost-but-not-quite plays to knock these fans back down on their seats.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:22:06]
((Andrew clasps head, woman sits down in chair))
[RUNS=:04]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:30:32]
[SOT 20:43:24]
[SOT 20:38:28]
((NAT SOT: ANN HOLDS HEAD THEN LAUGHS))
((STEPHANIE REGER/UVA FAN: I'M A LITTLE EMBARRASSED RIGHT NOW. IT'S VERY TRAGIC. I DO TRY TO SUPPORT MY TEAM IF AT ALL POSSIBLE BUT I AM EMBARRASSED))
((NAT SOT: IT AIN'T OVER YET))
[RUNS=:14]
As UVA sunk lower, some chose to drown their sorrows --
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:40:49]
((NAT SOT: DRINK IT UP BOYS!))
[RUNS=:02]
while others rallied the troops
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:32:24]
[IN Q=WE'RE GOING]
((NAT SOT: we're going to come back we are))
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=we are]
But it was perhaps a Canadian visitor who spotted this team's strength:
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:51:52]
[IN Q=]
((DAVE MCDONALD/CANADIAN NATIVE: I REALLY NOTICE WITH THE U-S GAMES YOU CAN'T GET BETTER SPIRIT. WE HAVE RELATIVES IN VIRGINIA AND WE ALWAYS KNOW WHEN WE COME DOWN WE'LL HAVE A REALLY GOOD FOOTBALL TIME.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=football time]
And for the most part -- so did these fans. Tina Tenret News7 Roanoke.))

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, there's new information about heart disease and the elderly.

Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((Information:
ONCAM=MIKA
((on cam)) A NEW STUDY FINDS THAT HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 65.

VT=VO
((vo)) THE STATISTIC FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL IS BASED ON DATA COMPILED IN 19-96.
THE NEXT MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH FOR THIS AGE GROUP WERE CANCER AND STROKE.
HEALTH EXPERTS SAY PREVENTATIVE MEASURES LIKE QUITTING SMOKING AND LOSING WEIGHT CAN LOWER THE RISK OF DEATH FROM HEART DISEASE.

VT=VO
((vo)) A BLOOD TEST TAKEN IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PREGNANCY TO DETECT A HORMONE IS NOT THE BEST WAY WAY TO PREDICT BIRTH DEFECTS.
THIS ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT IN THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.
DOCTORS SAY A BETTER WAY TO FIND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS IS TO KNOW A WOMAN'S RACIAL OR ETHNIC BACKROUND.
RESEARCHERS FROM CALIFORNIA STUDIED MORE THAN 28 THOUSAND GIRLS AND WOMAN. THEY FOUND NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HORMONE AND IRREGULARITIES LIKE DIABETES OR STUNTED GROWTH.

VT=VO
((vo)) AND DOCTORS FROM MINNEAPOLIS SAY ACUPUNCTURE CAN HELP MAKE THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS MORE BEARABLE.
THEY SAY THE PAINLESS INSERTION OF NEEDLES INTO THE SKIN AND MUSCLES HELP EASE THE PAIN OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND TUMORS.
UNLIKE OTHER REMEDIES THAT HELP ALLEVIATE SUFFERING, ACCUPUNCTURE HAS FEWER SIDE EFFECTS.

VT=VO
((vo)) AND THAT'S A LOOK AT THE DAY IN MEDICINE. I'M MIKA BRZEZINSKI, 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.
[ANCHOR=Kim]

There's another political crisis for Russia...
Today President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation.
He says he has turned over powers to his Prime Minister.
Elections are to be held within 90 days to replace him.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

The world is counting down to the year 2000.... Among the first to ring in the new year is Australia.
Party organizers there say this will be the biggest event to hit Down Under....they're only worried that bad weather might get in the way.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

And there's word this morning that a deal has been made to end the week- old hijacking aboard an Indian Airlines plane in Afghanistan.
The freed Indian prisoners are to be traded for the 155 hostages aboard plane.
Meanwhile, officials in both India and Afghanistan are expecting the crisis to end peacefully today.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday, December 31st.
[ANCHOR=Andrew]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Australia]

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

The new year and the new century are about to be celebrated in Australia.
People are already gathered to ring in the year 2000 in grand style.
Organizers say this year's event will be the biggest one ever.
Terisa Estacio is there.
[Live=Teresa Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Teresa Esatcio/Reporting]
[SUPER=05-Sydney, Australia]

(rollcue... )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Sydney, Australia]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=in front of them]

[Live=Teresa Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Sydney, Australia]
(ad lib)

[Border-Security]

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

Concerns about Y-2-K terrorism are causing longer lines and waits at U S-Canadian border crossings.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blaine, WA;]

Border patrol officials say this is the most tense they've seen it in decades.
The heightened security is making the drive into Canada much longer for New Year's weekend travelers.
Customs officers are also spending more time searching cars.
All this comes after two suspected terrorists were caught at the Canadian border over the past few weeks.
The extra border patrols are expected to remain in effect until January seventh.
(------------)

[Times-Square]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=New Year's]

The countdown to 2000 is now only a matter of hours.
But the party's already started in Times Square.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Measures are being taken to make sure the big New Year's Eve bash in the Big Apple is a safe one.
Police are patrolling the area..
Some streets are closed.
Cars sitting in the way are being towed away and manholes have been welded shut.
The activities began just a few minutes ago, as other parts of the world like Fiji and New Zealand become the first to ring in the new year.

(------------)

[2-11Bath-Y2K]

[2-11Y2K-Workers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-48 49:08]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Many area residents will spend New Year's Eve at work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

About 50 workers at First National Bank in Christiansburg will be in the office, working to make sure that the Y2K bug doesn't strike.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:57:37]
[IN Q=We're going to pretend]
[SUPER=01-Danny Watkins/First National Bank President;]
((DANNY WATKINS/FIRST NATIONAL BANK PRESIDENT: WE'RE GOING TO PRETEND SOMEBODY THAT'S GOING TO MAKE A LOAN. WE'RE GOING TO PRETEND SOMEBODY'S GOING TO DEPOSIT. WE'RE GOING TO PRETEND AND SEE IF THE PHONE'S WORK AND THE POWER WORKS.. JUST EVERYTHING THAT WE WOULD DO IN A NORMAL WORKING DAY. ))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=a normal working day.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Extra deputies will be on duty at the Montgomery County Sheriff's department ... patrolling in cars and in the dispatch center.
It's an extra precaution on a night that's typically busy for authorities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:40:48 - 1:41:00]
[IN Q=New Year's Eve]
[SUPER=01-Chief Deputy Neil Turner/Montgomery Co. Sheriff's Dept.;]
((CHIEF DEPUTY NEIL TURNER/MONTGOMERY CO. SHERIFF'S DEPT.: NEW YEAR'S EVE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TYPICALLY BEEN A BUSY EVENING, A LOT OF PARTIES, A LOT OF CONCERNS ON OUR PART FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE. ))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=under the influence.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Computer consultants say they're also expecting to spend New Year's evening at work or on call.
(------------)

[2-11City-Council]

[11Howard]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-59 6:21]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

E. Duane Howard says the city of Roanoke is neglecting its neighborhoods. He wants to do something about that... as mayor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Howard is a resident of Old Southwest, active in community organizations.
He announced an independent campaign for mayor yesterday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:19:25]
[IN Q=I'm running for mayor]
((E. DUANE HOWARD: I'M RUNNING FOR MAYOR BECAUSE I FEEL OUR CITY HAS FAILED TO MEET THE SIMPLE, BASIC ISSUES NEEDS AND RESOURCES FOR OUR CITIZENS.))
[SUPER=01-E. Duane Howard/(I) Candidate for Mayor]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=for our citizens.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Republican Ralph Smith is also expected to run for mayor... and incumbent David Bowers may have Democratic opposition if he runs for re-election as expected.

[India-Deal]

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

Officials in India say a deal has been made to end the week- old hijacking aboard an Indian Airlines plane in Afghanistan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kandahar, Afghanistan;]

They say three Islamic militants are flying with India's foreign minister to Afghanistan.
The freed prisoners are to be traded for the 155 hostages on plane.
Meanwhile, an official in Afghanistan also says he expects the crisis to end peacefully today.
A T-V report in India says top Indian government officials are expecting the same.
(------------)

[yeltsin]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Boris Yeltsin]

Another political crisis for Russia...
President Boris Yeltsin has resigned.
Yeltsin, said to be appearing pale, made the surprise announcement on T-V today.
He says he has turned over powers to Prime Minister Vladimir (POO-tihn) Putin, the man he would like to become his successor.
Yeltsin says the elections will be held within 90 days to replace him.

[11Jubilee-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-50 55:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Lynchburg youth center is no longer worried what the New Year will bring, thanks to some generous community support.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The Jubilee Family Development Center had been facing a January 1st deadline to pay back a 200- thousand dollar construction loan.
This week, One Valley Bank extended that deadline six months.. and contributions continue to pour in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:50:42]
[IN Q=So many letters]
((STERLING WILDER/JUBILEE CENTER DIRECTOR: SO MANY LETTERS, I MEAN HUNDREDS HAVE COME IN, AND SOMETIMES YOU GET A CHECK AND A LITTLE NOTE SAYING `KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, WE'RE THINKING ABOUT YOU' OR `I WISH IT COULD BE MORE'. ONE PERSON CAME BY, IT WAS A MOTHER WITH THREE KIDS CAME IN YESTERDAY WITH 27 DOLLARS AND SAID `THIS IS ALL THAT WE HAVE, WE WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU FOR YOUR LOAN, AND GIVE IT TO YOU FOR THE CENTER' AND THAT MEANS A LOT.))
[SUPER=01-Sterling Wilder/Jubilee Center Director]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=means a lot.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jubilee still needs to raise another 50- thousand dollars.
It wants to pay off that loan so construction on a new gymnasium can start later this year.
(------------)

[11-5-Fantasia]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=599-17 1:12:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A new take on a Walt Disney Classic is spreading a little magic on Virginia this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Fantasia 2000;]

"Fantasia 2000" will debut on New Year's Day at Richmond's Science Museum of Virginia.
The original film matched Disney animation with classical music.
That tradition continues with this movie.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When he first conceived]
((NANCY TAIT/SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA: WHEN HE FIRST CONCEIVED OF FANTASIA THE IDEA WAS TO HAVE ANIMATION PUT TO MUSIC AND CHANGE THE SEGMENTS FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT THAT NEVER ENDED UP HAPPENING. SO WHAT FANTASIA 2000 IS DOING IS FOLLOWING HIS WISHES, ADDING 7 NEW SEGMENTS AND KEEPING THE ORIGINAL SORCERER'S APPRENTICE.))
[SUPER=01-Nancy Tait/Science Museum of Virginia;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=Sorcerer's Apprentice.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fantasia 2000 can only be shown in IMAX theaters, such as the one at the science museum in Richmond.
(------------)

[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=KMC AFR]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

An "alarming" experience for postal workers in the town of Pulaski.
The post office received a suspicious ticking package and called in authorities.
Pulaski police, the Virginia State police bomb squad and postal inspectors came to check it out.
Authorities say the ticking parcel turned out to be an alarm clock.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Bath County officials say they are prepared for whatever develops on New Year's Day. The county has been working on the Y2K problem for over two years, checking its own computer equipment, and developing contingency plans.
The sheriff's department has a back-up generator that can power the county communications system for up to four days.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Mayor David Bowers wants City Council to take another look at the pay raise approved last week.
The vote to increase the salaries of the mayor and council members came after all other business had been conducted.
And it wasn't listed as an agenda item.
It also passed by one vote, four to three. And there's some question that it may have needed at least five votes to be legal.
Bowers has called a special meeting for this morning to discuss the issue.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
(andrew mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Andrew ad lib weather)
(-------------)
(toss)
(Kimberly reads promo)

(ad lib bye)

[11Promo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=2000]

And News 7 will spend New Year's Eve and New Year's Day working to bring you the latest news in our area and around the globe as the new year begins.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE FULLSCREEN]
Our coverage starts at 11 o'clock tomorrow night... Then continues with a special broadcast at 11:35 p-m through the start of 2000. (++++++++++)