[7-11Tourism-Boycott]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#00-06 TC1:18:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Governor Gilmore and state N-double-A-C-P leaders sat down yesterday to discuss Confederate History Month.
The civil rights organization will not call for a national boycott of Virginia...at least for now
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The morning]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Barbour/Sons of Confederate Veterans; :08]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :33]
[SUPER=01-Salim Khalfani/Virginia NAACP; :52 ]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:19]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=News 7, Richmond]

(( The morning kicked off with Roanoke's Sons of Confederate Veterans commander declaring himself a Confederate American, and addressing the Governor.
[sot 11:19]

((ROBERT "RED" BARBOUR/SONS OF CONFED. VETERANS: PLEASE STAND YOUR GROUND AGAINST A GROUP THAT ONE TIME STOOD FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. THAT NOW, THEY STAND FOR HATRED OF ANOTHER GROUP'S HISTORY. AND THAT MAKES THEM A HATE GROUP.)) [runs:21]
But inside the Capitol, nothing but respect for the N-double-A-C-P from Jim Gilmore.
[sot 11:59:42]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I BELIEVE THAT WE AGREE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE NAACP AND OUR ADMINISTRATION ON A FORMAL BASIS.)) [runs:09]
After the meeting Gilmore announced he wants at least quarterly meetings with the group.
But first, he needs to meet with a host of other Virginians on the issue of memorializing Confederate History. ((SALIM KHALFANI/VIRGINIA ACP: YOU KNOW THIS IS A VERY EMOTIONAL AND GUT ISSUE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE. SO WE WILL WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WORKING WITH BOTH SIDES ON THIS.)) [runs:16]
[SOT 12:10:24]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT MISUNDERSTOOD...NOT GOOD. THAT'S NOT GOOD.)) [RUNS:14 ]

[sot standup]
[runs=:00]))
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[7-11Evans-Paint]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-08 TC1:13:46]
[GRAPHIC=Hazardous Waste]


Whether or not a former paints store's underground tanks hold hazardous materials will not be known for several weeks. The Environmental
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Protection agency says some of the 600 tanks at the abandoned Evans Paint warehouse in Roanoke do hold hazardous materials. Some have already leaked, but the fluid's solidified on warehouse floors. Now agents must check the underground tanks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:53:08]
[IN Q=If we do]

((MICHAEL TAURINO/EPA: IF WE DO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THINGS HAVE LEAKED, THEN WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT PROBLEM ONCE WE FIND OUT WHETHER WE HAVE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE TANKS. TINA TENRET/NEWS7: YOU'RE NOT PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT, THOUGH. TAURINO: AT THIS POINT NO.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Taurino/EPA;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=at this point no]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Federal agents say they should finish cleanup by summer's end. If they cannot find the owners of the containers -- taxpayers must foot the bill.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD] Anyone with information on the Evans Paint warehouse or its owners is asked to call the Department of Environmental Quality at 540-562-6812 or the E-P-A at 703-235-1113.
(------------)



[7Weather]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Here now is a look at your Thursday forecast...
Mostly sunny and windy today with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s.
Tonight, partly cloudy with light winds.
Lows in the upper 50s to 60s.
The extended forecast...

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[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind W-10/78-82/Partly Cloudy/Light SW Winds/56-62;]
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[45-Powerline]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=AEP Powerline]


After much input, it still may take several months for the State Corporation Commission to decide whether American Electric Power can build a new powerline in Southwest Virginia.
The S-C-C completed its sixth and final day of hearings on the proposal yesterday.
The utility says it would be happy with either of two possible routes for the 765-thousand volt line. An S-C-C consultant recommended approval of the Jacksons Ferry route.
Opponents say the line isn't needed at all.


[45-11Park-Inn]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=don]
[TAPE#=00=]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]


Park Inn International is suing the estate of a murdered hotel operator for trademark infringement.
It's been over three months since Betty Desai's murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/January]


The Park Inn filed a complaint Tuesday night in Roanoke federal court stating the Desai's failed to pay "reservation fees."
According to the home office, the Desai's have been in default of their franchise agreement since 1998.
The hotel chain is seeking liquidation damages of more than 100-thousand dollars.
(------------)



[45-11Tultex]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-05 TC1:17:52]
[GRAPHIC=Tultex Chap. 11]


A lawsuit may bring in some money for the bankrupt Tultex.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The company is in the middle of bankruptcy court proceedings, but now Tultex says a New York company owes them money.
In an emergency court hearing yesterday, the company sued Eagle Apparel Group for fraud, breach of contract, and failing to pay nearly 200 thousand dollars for the goods.
[SUPER=03-Ridgeway;]


Trucks, ordered by the New York company, came here yesterday to pick up thousands of pounds of yarn at a Ridgeway warehouse, only to be stopped at the gate.
The courts ordered U-S Marshals to seize all material so Eagle Apparel would not be allowed to transport any yarn.


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



[45-11Brookneal]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=don]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A Brookneal police officer is on suspension while authorities look into charges that he assaulted his wife and pointed a gun at her.
24-year old Brian Carr was off-duty Sunday, when the incident allegedly took place in a supermarket parking lot.
Carr has been with the force for one year, and is only one of four police officers in Brookneal.

[45-11Festival]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-14 TC19:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


This year's Festival in the Park promises to have a little something for everyone.
There will be not one-- but TWO circuses
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Other new features at this year's festival include a fifties party with costume contests -- a Christian Celebration night -- a Renaissance Faire -- and various races. The proceeds will fund five scholarships for art students -- but the Festival in the Park also boosts other businesses.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:56:54]
[IN Q=The latest]

((THE LATEST ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY WE DID SHOWED WE BROUGHT IN THE OVERALL FESTIVAL ABOUT FOUR POINT FIVE MILLION DOLLARS TO THE ROANOKE VALLEY.))
[SUPER=01-Wendi Schultz/Festival Director;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=Roanoke Valley]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The group says that four million plus is an annual figure -- The festival runs from May 26th through June 4th.
(------------)



[45Weather]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Taking a break from the news to check the forecast..
Mostly sunny and pleasant today with a high near 80.
Turning partly cloudy tonight, with lows near 60.
The five day forecast is calling for a return of hot weather tomorrow....with partly cloudy skies and scattered showers possible on Saturday.
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[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind W-10/78-82/Partly Cloudy/Light SW Winds/56-62;]
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[8-11Sales-Tax]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#00-12 TC41:26]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]


Lynchburg voters say they're willing to pay more taxes for schools.
This November, they will get the chance to let state law makers know.
(----------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]


Tuesday night, city council okayed a referendum where voters could approve a one cent hike in the state sales tax.


But Republican lawmakers say even if the referendum passes, it won't survive the General Assembly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:42:44]
[IN Q=I will certainly]

((SEN. STEVE NEWMAN: I WILL CERTAINLY OPPOSE IT, THEY KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL VETO IT, SO IT IS IN MY OPINION MORE ABOUT POLITICS BECAUSE THEY KNOW DOWN THERE THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR TEN MILLION DOLLARS AND THE FACT IS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE INCREASED THEIR MONEY BY TEN MILLION DOLLARS.))
[SUPER=@Newman]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=ten million dollars.]
(---------------------)
[VO-NAT]


State lawmakers have the final say over whether a locality can increase the state sales tax.
Lynchburg's plan would also include REDUCING the real estate tax by ten cents.
(----------------------)



[8-11Fort-Early]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-11 TC35:14]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Civil War enthusiasts have a new reason to sight see in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


A ceremony marked the addition of three Lynchburg sites to the states Civil War Trails program.
New signs now point the way to Fort Early, the old Court House Museum and the City Cemetery.
The trails program links more than 260 Civil War sites across the state.
(------------)



[8-11Pres-Park]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-10 TC1:05:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The statues of 41 American presidents may not be coming to Buena Vista.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-York Co./March 17;]


The statues were constructed for a theme park near Williamsburg but developers ran into a snag over zoning.
That's when city leaders in Buena Vista stepped forward.
Right now, the developers are optimistic the theme park will go up in Tidewater as planned.
But they haven't forgotten Buena Vista.
In fact, they're considering the city for a second theme park that would include giant statues of famous Virginians like Stonewall Jackson and Robert E- Lee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:25:35]
[IN Q=The city]

((THE CITY COUNCIL, ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY AND CITY OF LEXINGTON JOINTLY OPERATE A REGIONAL TOURISM FACILITY SO WE'RE TRYING TO PROMOTE TOURISM.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Collins/Buena Vista City Manager;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=promote tourism.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]


Buena Vista's city manager gave project leaders a tour of the Glen Maury Park-- which city leaders hope will be considered as a possible location.
(--------)



[8-Walker]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A Roanoke County man gives new meaning to taking a long walk. Everyday, Bob Egbert walks...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


four and a half miles to and from work.
Egbert has walked from his home in Masons Cove to his job at Catawba Hospital for two years.
The walk takes about 90 minutes, and he makes the trek no matter what the weather is like.
Egbert says he sold his car after his daughter was in a traffic accident.
The girl was fine, but the accident made him think about car safety.
Egbert says he hopes more people will join him in leaving their cars at home.
(------------)



[8Weather]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


Let's turn to the forecast once more...
Mostly sunny and not as windy today...highs near 80.
Partly cloudy tonight with lows around 60.
The five day forecast is calling for a return of hot weather tomorrow....with partly cloudy skies and scattered showers possible on Saturday.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind W-10/78-82/Partly Cloudy/Light SW Winds/56-62;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]



by SS