WDBJ 7 morning news for 12/21/00

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

A witness for the defense fires a dangerous blow to the DEFENDANT--
The admitted gunman testifies against former N-F-L player Rae Carruth in his murder trial.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And some lawmakers aren't sure the numbers add up in Governor Jim Gilmore's budget.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Plus, the complete list of school announcements.
Join us for News 7 Mornin.

[School-Info]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info.]

This week's winter weather is still causing problems for some schools.
Here's the list we have this morning.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Bath County Schools are closed.
Christian Heritage Academy is delayed one hour ... and closing at one PM.
Craig County Schools are closed today.
In Franklin County, classes are delayed two hours, with no early dismissal.
The Minnick Education center in Radford is opening one hour late.
The Pulaski County schools have a one-hour delay.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WEBPAGE FULL SCREEN]
Remember, you can always find an up-to-the minute list on our webpage at W-D-B-J-7- dot- com.
(-------------)

[2Bush-Cabinet]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]

Four key cabinet positions filled-- and several more to go.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Austin, TX;]

President- Elect George W- Bush yesterday announced businessman Paul O'Neill will become his Treasury Secretary.
Bush also named chief campaign fundraiser Don Evans Secretary of Commerce.
Former Cuban refugee Mel Martinez becomes Housing Secretary and Ann Veneman will head the Department of Agriculture.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Future Cabinet nominees will likely include two fellow Republican Governors--
New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman to head the E-P-A.
And Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson is the leading candidate for Health and Human Services.
But Bush still has not named a likely candidate for Defense Secretary.

[11Budget-React]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC26:33]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

Governor Jim Gilmore is encountering some skeptical reaction to the final two-year budget he presented to lawmakers yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

It includes three and six percent budget cuts to state agencies, as well as 600 million dollars in borrowed money for building projects.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well we're not]
[sot tape TWO 10:23:59]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL, WE'RE NOT IN GOOD TIMES. WE'RE IN DIFFICULT TIMES RIGHT NOW. IT'S AGAIN CREATED BY NATIONAL POLICY, NOT BY ANYTHING WE'RE DOING IN THE STATE.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore; ]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=the state.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But Gilmore keeps the NO car tax on track.
The budget assumes the General Assembly will agree.
Before lawmakers even vote in the early spring, many localities will have already sent out bills with 70-percent of the tax phased out.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When this]
[sot tape two 11:05:10]
((SEN. DICK SASLAW/D-SPRINGFIELD: WHEN THIS THING'S AT 100 PERCENT, IT'S 1-POINT-2 BILLION. WHERE ARE WE GONNA FIND THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS? YOU'LL BE GONE.))
[sot tape TWO 11:20:32]
((TRUMBO: IF THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO PUT HIMSELF OUT THERE ON THAT LIMB AND ASSUME WE'RE GONNA PASS IT. THAT'S HIS DECISION. NOT OURS.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Dick Saslaw/(D) Springfield; :00]
[SUPER=@Trumbo; :09]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=not ours.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One of the building projects bond money would pay for in the Governor's budget: a 15 million dollar new Natural History Museum in Martinsville.
(------------)

[Carruth]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A defense witness turns lethal for the EX N-F-L star accused of plotting to kill his girlfriend.
The admitted trigger man says former Charlotte Panther Rae Carruth forced him to do it.
If convicted, Carruth could get the death penalty.
Jennifer Jones reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Van Brett Watkins/Witness; :23]
[SUPER=02-David Rudolph/Defense Attorney; :50]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=Jones, CBS News, Charlotte.]
((

(0pen/Van Brett Watkins taking stand)

For the first time the jury heard from the admitted triggerman in the November 1999 drive-by shooting of Cherica Adams. Van Brett Watkins detailing how Adams murder was plotted and paid for by the father of her unborn child, former NFL star Rae Carruth. -- in:This wasn't a one day affair it was for 6 months, he dragged me into something I didn't want to be involved. (32:05) out: -- Watkins may have sounded more like an ideal witness for prosecutors...but it was the Defense who called him to the stand.
Attorney David Rudolph struggled to convinced jurors that Watkins shot Adams after Carruth reneged on bankrolling a drug deal.
The defense laid out Watkins' history of dealing drug as well as his violent criminal past. -- in:(-3:19) like how you held a meat clever to somebody's face or how you shot some by stander in the face. out: -- The defense also made it clear, that Watkins cut a deal with Prosecutors to avoid the death penalty. But no matter how the Rudolph angled his defense, the triggreman always pointed the finger back at Rae Carruth. -- in:Defense Attorney Rudlolph: 2 weeks after you caused that, I hope the bitch dies, did you say that?
ANS:Watkins: That's the bitch I was talking about (pointing at carruth). Rae Carruth, I'm referring to him who got me in this. He didn't stand up. I stood up for mine I said I did it because he made me do it. (points at Carruth)--that's your client.
NARR; And it is still not clear if that client ....Rae Carruth the former Carolina Panther will testify in his own defense.JJCBSNews Charlotte.

))[1-Sports]

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

In sports, Steve Mason checks in with the Running 'Roos, and the red-hot Hoos.
Good Morning Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good Morning]
[RUNS=2:10]
[OUT Q=have a good Thursday.]

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

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M00-7]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Desk]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll adlib intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I was a]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Wallace/"Soap Maker"; :35]
[RUNS=2:55]
[OUT Q=smell like]

[Steve Live]

(Steve tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: Soap Maker))

[2School-Info]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info.]

Many schools have already started their holiday break, but this week's winter weather is causing problems for a few schools still planning to operate today.
Here's the list we have this morning.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Schools in Bath County are closed today.
Christian Heritage Academy is delayed one hour ... and closing at one PM.
Craig County Schools are closed today.
In Franklin County, classes are delayed two hours, with no early dismissal.
The Minnick Education center in Radford is opening one hour late.
The Pulaski County schools have a one-hour delay.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WEBPAGE FULL SCREEN]
Remember, you can always find an up-to-the minute list on our webpage at W-D-B-J-7- dot- com.
(-------------)

[11Drake]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-39 TC1:43:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Henry County Company is growing ... and that means more jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

Drake Extrusion makes the fiber for trunk lining in automobiles.
Its competitors withdrew from manufacturing, so Drake Extrusion decided now is the time to expand.
The company plans to hire seven new employees, and expand its facility in Martinsville.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you think of]
((GEOFF SCHOFIELD: IF YOU THINK OF COTTON OR WOOL, IT'S WHAT POLYPROPYLENE STAPLE IS MAKE TO PERFORM LIKE. IT'S A MAN-MADE FIBER THAT'S CUT INTO THREE TO FIVE INCH PIECES THEN PROCESSED BY OUR CUSTOMERS.))
[SUPER=01-Geoff Schofield/Drake Extrusion]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=by our customers.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

New hires will make in excess of eleven dollars an hour.
Drake currently employees 210 people in Henry County.
(------------)

[SBA-loans]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Entrepreneurs looking for money to start their own business may now have an easier time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Thanks to the chamber of Commerce and Total Action Against Poverty, entrepreneurs will now be able to borrow up to 75 thousand dollars.
A similar program helped Ellen Harvey get a loan.
Her business called Custom Food Worx is set to open on March first.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[tc:05:36:29]
[IN Q=They've bent over]
((ELLEN HARVEY/SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: THEY'VE BENT OVER BACKWARD TO ACCOMMODATE ME AND IT HASN'T BEEN SOMETHING WE DID IN 30 DAYS. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROBABLY SINCE MARCH.))
[SUPER=01-Ellen Harvey/Small Business Owner]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=since March.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Small Business Development Center at the chamber helped Harvey design a business plan and get pre-approval for a loan.
Her new shop at Towers shopping center will feature made-to-order sandwiches, salads and wood-fired pizza.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a bad marriage can be bad news for your health.
Doctor Dave Hnida has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:17:35]
[IN Q=New advice for]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((NEW ADVICE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN: JUST SAY NO TO JOE.

VT=VO
A STUDY IN THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE FINDS EVEN ONE CUP OF COFFEE DAY INCREASES THE RISK OF MISCARRAIGE- BY ABOUT 30%- AND THE MORE COFFEE- THE THE HIGHER THE RISK. AT 5 CUPS A DAY THE RISK OF A MISCARRAIGE IS 200% MORE. RESEARCHERS BELIEVE IT MAY NOT BE THE COFFEE ITSELF TO BLAME- BUT CAFFEINE- SLIGHTLY HIGHER RATES OF MISCARRAIGE WERE ALSO SEEN IN TEA AND COLA DRINKERS. HOWEVER- ITS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS ONLY ONE STUDY- OTHERS HAVE NOT SHOWN A LINK- BUT THE BEST ADVICE MAY BE TO KEEP YOUR CAFFEINE TO A MINIMUM- ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY.

VT=VO
FROM NOW ON- WHEN YOU BUY ORGANIC- YOU WILL BE ASSURED A BUYING A PRODUCT THAT IS FREE FROM PESTICIDES, IRRADIATION, ANTIBIOTICS OR SEWAGE FERTILIZER. THE USDA HAS JUST RELEASED THE FIRST NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR ORGANICS FOODS- THE STANDARDS WERE TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING- AND WHILE THEY DONT NECESSARILY GUARANTEE A MORE NUTRITIOUS OR SAFER- PRODUCT- THEY DO GUARANTEE "MORE NATURAL".
ON CAM AND FINALLY- DYING OF A BROKEN HEART- A STUDY IN THE JAMA FINDS WOMEN WHO LIVE WITH A SPOUSE THAT DRIVES THEM CRAZY- RUN THREE TIMES THE RISK OF HAVING A HEART ATTACK. MEANING YOU CAN ADD A BAD MARRIAGE TO SMOKING, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AS RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE. THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES,.IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))
(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

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

[On Desk]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll call for Super)
[SUPER=16-(540) 966-5974/"Soap Maker";]

[Double Boxes=SYO & SPA]
(toss to Shannon)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
This week's winter weather is still making headlines for area school systems.
We'll have the complete list of closings and cancellations coming up.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
Even though the temperatures are freezing, many residents are feeling the heat from their latest gas bills.
The higher bills are the result of lower temperatures and higher gas rates.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

While a sleigh is his normal mode of transportation, Santa rode aboard a Troutville fire engine last night.
With only a few days left beforel Christmas-- Santa asked for help from local fire fighters and rescue volunteers to make a few last minute rounds.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Thursday, December 21st .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[3School-Info]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info.]

The list of school cancellations and delays is much smaller this morning ... but we still have a few to pass along.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Bath County Schools are closed.
Christian Heritage Academy is delayed one hour ... and closing at one PM.
Craig County Schools are closed today.
In Franklin County, classes are delayed two hours, with no early dismissal.
The Minnick Education center in Radford is opening one hour late.
The Pulaski County schools have a one-hour delay.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WEBPAGE FULL SCREEN]
Remember, you can always find an up-to-the minute list on our webpage at W-D-B-J-7- dot- com.
(-------------)

[Bush-Cabinet]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]

After lining up four men and women to make up the backbone of his administration, President- Elect George W- Bush is still naming people for his new cabinet.
G-O-P officials say Bush will nominate New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman to head the E-P-A.
Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson is a front-runner to head the Health and Human Services Department.
Terisa Estacio has a wrap- up of yesterday's appointments.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=PResiodent-elect]
[SUPER=03-Austin, TX; :00]
[SUPER=01-Paul O'Neill/Sec. of Treasury Designate; :36]
[SUPER=01-Terisa Estacio/Reporting; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=Estacio, CBS News, Austin.]
(( President Elect George W. Bush announced four cabinet positions, starting with his treasury secretary... Alcoa chairman, Paul O'Neill.

12:04:35 GWB SOT
OUR ECONOMY IS SHOWING WARNING SIGNS OF A POSSIBLE SLOWDOWN, SO ITS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO FIND SOMEBODY WHO HAD VAST EXPERICENCE. :15
O'Neill served with Vice President-elect Cheney in the Ford Administration and will bring to the Bush White House an important asset, a long friendship with Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

SOT: Paul O'Neill, Sec. of Treasury Designate
12:25:50 I've made it my business, at his request, to come by on a regular basis and tell him what I think he's doing wrong and what he's been doing right. :12
O'Neill will be joined in the proposed Bush cabinet by Don Evans as Secretary of Commerce. A chief fundraiser for the campaign, Evans, raised a record 100 million dollars for the presidential race.
Former Cuban refugee Mel Martinez becomes Housing Secretary. Martinez, chaired Bush's Florida campaign and is a close ally of his brother Jeb, the state's Republican governor.
The Department of Agriculture will be headed by Ann Veneman, 51, the first woman director of the California Food and Agriculture Department. Veneman worked in the administration of the president-elect's father.
Standup: ( also met with church leaders... packed up his office including his prized collection of baseball memorabilia.. to resign as TX Gov Thursday) ))

[5Gas-Bills]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=kth]
[TAPE#=500-6 1:37:16]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Gas]

The latest gas bills are arriving ... and they have a lot of people feeling really hot.
The higher bills are the result of lower temperatures and higher gas rates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Roanoke gas has been busy answering phones- Customers want to why the bills are so high.
One customer service rep took over 160 phone calls in one day- from people who want to know what's going on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On average]
((ON AVERAGE WE ARE EXPECTING TYPICAL NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS TO SEE ABOUT A SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLAR HIGHER BILL FOR THEIR DECEMBER USAGE THAN DECEMBER LAST YEAR))
[SUPER=01-John Williamson/Roanoke Gas President;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=December last year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And don't expect the bills to come down any time soon. Officials say if the temperatures keep dropping, the bills are sure to rise. That's because demand is up from past years.
(------------)

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#M00-7]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[On Desk]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
(I'll adlib intro)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well first]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Wallace/"Soap Maker"; 1:18]
[RUNS=2:33]
[OUT Q=to enjoy it]

[Steve Live]
(I'll call for Super)
[SUPER=16-(540) 966-5974/"Soap Maker";]

[double Boxes=SPA & KMC]
(toss to Kimberly)

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[Streaming Video] [BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: Soap Maker))

[4School-Info]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info.]

This week's winter weather is still causing problems for a few schools.
Here's the list we have this morning.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
Schools in Bath County are closed.
Christian Heritage Academy is delayed one hour ... and closing at one PM.
Craig County Schools are closed today.
In Franklin County, classes are delayed two hours, with no early dismissal.
The Minnick Education center in Radford is opening one hour late.
The Pulaski County schools have a one-hour delay.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WEBPAGE FULL SCREEN]
Remember, you can always find an up-to-the minute list on our webpage at W-D-B-J-7- dot- com.
(-------------)

[Santa-Run]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC1:21:19]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
Santa may prefer a sleigh three nights from now ... but he's more than willing to use whatever transportation he can find.
Last night, Santa and his helpers went the more motorized route in Botetourt County.
Teresa Hamilton followed him around.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Ho ho]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; ]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; ]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=th, news 7, Botetourt Co.]
(((//////sot//////)
[sot]
[in q=Ho ho]
((HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q= merry christmas.]
Santa traded in his sleigh and reindeer for a ride aboard a Troutville fire engine. With less than a week until Christmas-- Santa decided to enlist a little help from local fire fighters and rescue volunteers to make a few last minute rounds.
(////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[in q= HO HO]
((HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS)) [runs05]
[OUT Q= merry christmas.]
(////sot////)
[sot 00:15:35]
[IN Q= Had you]
((Had you been excited about him coming? OH, MY HOUSE, I WAS JUMPING UP AND DOWN, I WAS SO EXCITED.)) [runs05]
[OUT Q= so excited.]
5 year old Meredith wasn't the only one excited by Santa's visit. Despite the cold there was no shortage of excited little ones as Old Saint Nick and his helpers made their way through several Botetourt County neighborhoods. The trip also gave Santa an opportunity to brush up on a few Christmas lists from his biggest fans.
((////sot/////))
[sot 00:11:21 ]
[IN Q= What did you]
((WHAT DID YOU TELL HIM? I WANT TRAIN STUFF.)) [runs05]
[out q= train stuff.]
(////sot//////)
[sot 00:13:02]
[in q=He's great]
((HE'S GREAT, I LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE COMES EVERY YEAR WITH PRESENTS AND I LIKE HIS FIRE DOG.)) [runs07]
[OUT Q= like his fire dog.]
Santa also made a house call to check in on seven year old Lauren Robertson... who suffers from cerebral palsy. This is the fifth year... Santa has made his annual trek through the Troutville/Daleville area.
((////SOT////))
[sot 00:21:35]
[in q= We just]
((WE JUST WANT ALL THE KIDS IN THE VALLEY, IN THE AREA, TO HAVE A VERY SAFE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS AND FOR THEM TO KNOW WE'LL BE BACK IN A FEW DAYS TO VISIT THEM.)) [runs06]
[OUT Q= visit them.]
((//////sot//////))
[sot ]
[in q=]
((WAVE TO SANTA, BYE SANTA.))
[SOT]
((BYE, MERRY CHRISTMAS.)) But days from now... you can bet the red glow of the engine will be replaced by another red glow... that of Rudolph's nose. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Botetourt County.))

[Green-Bay]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

If you want see football in Green Bay, Wisconsin, you've got to help dig out the stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Green Bay, WI;]

In what's turned into an annual tradition, hundreds of Green Bay Packers fans flock to Lambeau Field to shovel snow out of the bleachers.
But with forecasters predicting even more snow before the holiday weekend, fans may have to come back and do the job all over again.
By the way-- the going rate for a snow shoveler in Green Bay is seven bucks an hour.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In sports, the high octane Florida State offense has hit a bump in the road this week. Here with details is
Steve Mason.
Good Morning again Steve.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Howdy again]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=have a good Thursday.]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/Syo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(+++++++)
[Schoolwatch full]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

This week's winter weather is still causing problems for a few schools.
Bath County Schools are closed. Christian Heritage Academy is delayed one hour ... and closing at one PM.
Craig County Schools are closed today.
(+++++++)
[Next Schoolwatch page]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

In Franklin County, classes are delayed two hours, with no early dismissal.
The Minnick Education center in Radford is opening one hour late.
The Pulaski County schools have a one-hour delay.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The phones are ringing early and often and Roanoke Gas.
The latest gas bills average about 75 dollars more than those of one year ago, the result of lower temperatures and higher gas rates.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(Shannon mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Shannon ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Jean Jadhon with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Winter officially arrives]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=News 7 at 6]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]