WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/19/00

[Church-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Joe]

[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-19 TC57:38]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

The Lexington Presbyterian Church is being called a total loss after yesterdays fire that tore through the building. It took fire fighters six hours to bring it under control. Kate Weidaw explains what happened.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington;:00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Foresman/Lexington Fire Chief;:37]
[SUPER=01-Joe Martin/Church Member for 44 Years;:58 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Cammy Bryan/Church Member;1:04]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:18]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News 7, Lexington.]

[11Drowning]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-16 TC1:49:03]
[GRAPHIC=Drowning]

Nearly 20 hours after he drowned in the New River, searchers recovered the body of a West Virginia boy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

13-year-old Cody Cash was discovered around one by divers.
His body was found on the river floor -- in water about 20 feet deep.
He was only a short distance from the area where he was sucked under by the strong current Monday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:43 - :55]
[IN Q=Diving work]
((JOHN CASEY/RESCUE WORKER: DIVING WORK IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. IT'S VERY REWARDING BECAUSE YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING TO CLOSURE FOR THE FAMILY, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT AS REWARDING BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING A RECOVERY VERSUS RESCUE OPERATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-John Casey/Rescue Worker;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=versus rescue operations.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cody and his 8-year-old sister went to the river to fish with a 10-year old friend and his mother.
All four got caught in the river's current.
All but Cody were pulled to safety.
About 40 people -- most of them volunteers -- showed up to help with the recovery.
(------------)

[Mideast-Peace]

[ANCHOR=JoeD]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Mideast Peace talks]

President Clinton is delaying his scheduled departure for Japan in the morning as Mideast peace talks continue at Camp David, Maryland.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Camp David;]

The White House isn't saying whether the one-day delay means a peace deal is near, but in an announcement early today, it says Clinton thinks the delay is in the best interest of the peace process.
The goal is still an agreement before Clinton leaves for the weekend economic summit in Japan.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has canceled a scheduled trip to London today.
(------------)

[Marriage-Tax]

[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Senate voted Tuesday afternoon to eliminate the "marriage penalty" from federal income tax law despite President Clinton's threat to veto the measure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]

Eight Democrats joined 53 Republicans in voting for the bill. Only one Republican voted against the measure.
President Clinton has said he will veto the bill unless a bill creating a prescription drug benefit in the Medicare program accompanies it.
But Republicans hope to raise the issue at their upcoming national convention --- if the
President uses his veto.
(------------)

[coverdell]

[ANCHOR=JoeD]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Washington is mourning the death of Georgia's Senior Senator.
Paul Coverdell died Tuesday following surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Flags are flying at half staff on Capitol Hill.
Coverdell was first elected to the Senate in 1992. He served as the Director of the Peace Corps in the Bush Administration.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Paul has been a close friend]
((PAUL WAS A CLOSE FRIEND AND CONFIDANT, AND OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THIS BODY. AND WE WILL MISS HIM GREATLY.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Trent Lott/Senate Majority Leader;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=we will miss him greatly.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=JoeD]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Coverdell was admitted to the hospital Saturday night after complaining of severe headaches. He apparently suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 61 years old.

[11Casteel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-20 TC1:30:43]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A wife's forgiveness is keeping a Floyd County man from going to prison for 15 years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd/June 1;]

Philip Casteel pled guilty last month to attempted malicious wounding.
The former Roanoke County firefighter admitted cutting the brake lines on the family van and letting his wife and children drive away.
They weren't hurt.
Yesterday, a circuit court judge said he was giving Casteel a suspended sentence, because the couple had reconciled.
(------------)

[6-Mason-Dixon]

[ANCHOR=Joe]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-17 1:30:47]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

Presidential candidate George W. Bush is leading democratic rival Al Gore in Virginia.
That's according to the latest News 7 poll. Jennifer Miele shows us the numbers for campaign 2000.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=More than]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;:00]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2;:06]
[RUNS=:57]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
[TAPE#=99-53 41:53]
(( A recent poll done for News 7 by Mason-Dixon shows Bush's lead slowly declining in Virginia from 52 percent in June of 1999 to 49 percent this month. [PRE-PRO page 1]
More than 600 registered voters in Virginia were asked who they would vote for if the presidential election were held today.
Statewide numbers put Bush on top by 11 points.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)
[PRE-PRO page 2]
Looking at the regional breakdown, Bush is coming out on top with a 15 point lead in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia and an 11 point lead in the Lynchburg area.
It's a close race in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, the poll shows a 2-point Bush lead.
The Richmond area posts the most support for Bush, he racks up 54 percent of the vote. [PRE-PRO page 3]
The gender gap remains, with Bush holding a wide 54 percent to 34 percent leading among men, but a slim 44 percent to 42 percent margin among women.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXX)

Reform party candidate Pat Buchanan and Green Party candidate Ralph Nader were favored by less than 3 percent of Virginia voters.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a new study says young adults should be concerned about their cholesterol levels.

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=1:33]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((: ON CAM IF YOU THINK PEOPLE IN THEIR 20'S AND 30'S DONT NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR CHOLESTEROL- THINK AGAIN.

VT=VO
A NEW STUDY IN THE JAMA FINDS YOUNG MEN RUN A HIGH RISK OF A HEART ATTACK WHEN THEY HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL READINGS.RESEARCHERS FOLLOWED MORE THAN 81-THOUSAND MEN FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. WHAT THEY FOUND WASN'T PRETTY. MEN WHO HAD HIGH CHOLESTEROL IN THEIR 20'S- DID NOTHING ABOUT IT- HAD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE RISK OF DYING AT AN EARLY AGE THEN YOUNG MEN WITH NORMAL CHOLESTEROL. AND TO BREAK IT DOWN INTO PRACTICAL NUMBERS- MEN WITH HIGH CHOLESTEROL DIED ON AVERAGE ALMOST 10 YEARS SOONER THAN THOSE WHO HAD NORMAL CHOLESTEROL AT A YOUNG AGE. RIGHT NOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS SAY START DOING CHOLESTEROL TESTS AT AGE 20- IF ITS NORMAL CHECK IT AGAIN IN 5 YEARS- IF ITS HIGH- CHECK MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THAT.
ON CAM ALSO TODAY- TATTOOS- THE LATEST RAGE- BUT A FASHION STATEMENT THAT COULD CAUSE YOUR MUSCLES TO MELT. A STUDY IN THE ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE REPORTS SEVERAL CASES OF MEN WHO'VE HAD TATTOOS- HAD THEIR MUSCLES SHRINK UP- NO MORE BULGING BICEPS- IN FACT THEY HAD MORE LIKE BABY BICEPS. THE POSSIBLE CAUSE: TATTOO INK ATTACKING THE MUSCLES AND NERVES- AND CAUSING THE MUSCLES TO ATROPHY.

VT=VO
FINALLY TODAY- BABY SHOTS- ROUGH ON KIDS AND PARENTS ALIKE. BUT IMAGINE GETTING A VACCINE FROM EATING A BANANA OR A BOWL OF CORN FLAKES. RESEARCHERS AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY REPORT THEY GAVE IMMUNIZATIONS TO 20 PEOPLE IN THE FORM OF POTATOES- AND 19 OF THEM DEVELOPED IMMUNITY TO VIRUS THAT CAUSES STOMACH FLU.
ON CAM THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

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

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

It took firefighters six hours to control a blaze that destroyed the Lexington Presbyterian Church yesterday. Fire officials say the landmark was a total loss.
(---------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

Searchers have recovered the body of a 13- year- old West Virginia boy who drowned in the New River on Monday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=JoeD]

And Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam says he has no objection to Confederate History Month...
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Joe]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday July 19-th
[ANCHOR=Kim]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Church-Fire]

[ANCHOR=JDA]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-19 TC57:38]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Lexington has lost a historic landmark.
It took firefighters 6 hours to the bring yesterday's blaze at Lexington Presbyterian Church under control. Kate Weidaw explains what happened.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington;:00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Foresman/Lexington Fire Chief;:37]
[SUPER=01-Joe Martin/Church Member for 44 Years;:58 QUICK!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Cammy Bryan/Church Member;1:04]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:18]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News 7, Lexington.]

[2-11Drowning]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-16 TC1:49:03]
[GRAPHIC=Drowning]
Searchers recovered the body of a West Virginia boy who drowned in the New River.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]

13-year-old Cody Cash was discovered around one by divers.
His body was found on the river floor -- in water about 20 feet deep.
He was only a short distance from the area where he was sucked under by the strong current Monday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:43 - :55]
[IN Q=Diving work]
((JOHN CASEY/RESCUE WORKER: DIVING WORK IS A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. IT'S VERY REWARDING BECAUSE YOU'RE CONTRIBUTING TO CLOSURE FOR THE FAMILY, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT AS REWARDING BECAUSE YOU'RE DOING A RECOVERY VERSUS RESCUE OPERATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-John Casey/Rescue Worker;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=versus rescue operations.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cody and his 8-year-old sister went to the river to fish with a 10-year old friend and his mother.
All four got caught in the river's current.
All but Cody were pulled to safety.
About 40 people -- most of them volunteers -- showed up to help with the recovery.
(------------)

[11Farrakhan]

[ANCHOR=Joe]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-15 1:34:59]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Sons of Confederate Veterans are getting support from the Nation of Islam.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan says Virginia's Confederate History Month is a good idea, because history should be remembered.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:10:13 ]
[IN Q=Why shouldn't]
((LOUIS FARRAKHAN/NATION OF ISLAM: WHY SHOULDN'T ROBERT E. LEE'S PICTURE BE HELD HIGH? HE FOUGHT FOR WHAT HE BELIEVED. HE LOST. BUT HE'S AN INTEGRAL PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY. THE CONFEDERATE FLAG IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY. WHAT IT REPRESENTED YESTERDAY, IT CAN'T REPRESENT THAT TODAY. WE'RE TOO AWAKE. WE'RE TOO AWARE. SO YOU CAN FLY IT ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.))
[SUPER=01-Louis Farrakhan/Nation of Islam;]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=I'm concerned.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Farrakhan was in Richmond promoting his October "Million Family March."
But he told reporters African Americans are wrong to focus on symbols of the past.
(------------)
[TALENT=Joe]
[SS=none]

Virginia chapters of the N-double-A-C-P and Southern Christian Leadership Conference are considering a national boycott of the Commonwealth.
The groups say they will mobilize after Labor Day if Governor Jim Gilmore does NOT promise he won't declare another Confederate History Month next spring.

[Southwest-Heat]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Summer Heat]

The deep south will face another miserable day, as temperatures soar into triple digits once again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX]

The scorching heat has plagued the region for the last week, causing 17 deaths in the Houston area alone.
Texas health officials have declared a heat emergency.
Forecasters predict temperatures will continue to hover in the hundreds, with the possibility of a brief break next week,
(------------)

[West-Nile-Virus]

[ANCHOR=JoeD]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

After the discovery of mosquitoes with the West Nile virus, the New York City area has again declared war on the bugs.
So far, there have been no reports of infection in humans this season.... but Elizabeth Kaledin reports officials are taking no chances.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In the quiet neighborhoods]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Neal Cohen/NYC Health Comissioner; : 18]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jonathan Day/Entomologist; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Kaledin/Reporting; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=EK CBS News NY]

(( In the quiet neighborhoods of Staten Island...the first unsettling evidence that West Nile Virus is back in New York City for another summer.
Two dead crows...found seven miles apart...are now confirmed to have been infected with the rare virus that killed 7 people and infected more than 60 last summer.
[SOT]
((Dr. Neal Cohen/NYC Health Comissioner: It does not signal step up in the amount of viral activity but it puts us on the alert.))
The virus can cause encephalitis in people and is a particular threat to the very young and very old. Counties outside the city have already confirmed the virus's return...and many have started spraying.
A government hotline was buzzing in New York...with questions from anxious residents.
[SOT]
((it's going to be mostly ground based spraying))
Health officials tracking the spread of the exotic virus which seems to travel from birds to mosquitos to people....are not suprised at it's return...but there is a new twist in the tale.
Last summer the virus was found only in two species of mosquito...this summer entomologists have discovered it in a third species: the "aedes Japonicus"
[SOT]
((Dr. Jonathan Day/Entomologist: If there are new mosquito species involved in transmitting this disease..then the risk to humans is greatly Increased.))
the aedes japonicus is a particular concern because it feeds at day...the other mosquitos feed at night...meaning people could face a 24 hour threat.
Last summer city officials were criticized for not responding quickly enough to this strange new virus. This summer they are not wasting any time. With just 2 dead crows and NO human cases reported...pesticide spraying is scheduled to begin today. EK CBS News NY))

[Distracted-Drivers]

[ANCHOR=JoeD]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Federal safety officials are warning drivers to keep their eyes on the road and off their cell phones, mirrors and newspapers.
Bobbi Harley reports on the problem of distracted drivers and the deadly consequences.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Fax machines]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :09]
[SUPER=01-Liz Talbert/Driver; :17]
[SUPER=01-Bobbi Harley/Reporting; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=BH CBS News New York]

((fax machines, phones, even navigational systems - this is not some office - instead these hi-tech gadgets are now regular fixtures on the road - in cars - and experts warn the toll being paid is a deadly one.
((drivers use of cell phones and other devices is causing crashes.))
by some counts - its a distraction thats causing as many as four to eight thousand car accidents each day.
the national highway transportation safety board wants to know more - thats why hearings on capitol hill are now getting underway.
for some drivers the solution is simple - cut out the distractions. ((LIZ TALBERT/DRIVER:they can barely concentrate on what they're doing, they're so busy in their conversation that they cant concentrate on their driving and its just very unsafe.))
Its also balancing act for automakers - who want to install cutting edge technology - all the comforts of home and office - but also guidelines that keep drivers safe.
its something researchers say may not work - because the bottom line is not necessarily the device causing the distraction - but the drivers lack of focus. ((Conversation itself is the most prevalent single behavior associated with phone related crashes - what this means is hands-free phones will not totally solve this problem.)) ... Bobbi Harley CBS News NY))

[11Incubator]

[ANCHOR=Joe]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-18 TC1:30:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Small businesses in the area have more reasons to stay in Danville and Pittsylvania County.
As Surae Chinn tells us there's a plan to help those businesses survive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mark Gignac is]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]
[SUPER=01-Mark Gignac/E. D. S. President; :19]
[SUPER=01-Harold Garrison/Dan River Business Dev. Center; :45]
[SUPER=@Surae1; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=News7, Pittsylvania County.]
(( Mark GIGNAC is president of Engineering Design and Sales or E.D.S. It's become a thriving business in Danville.

He never thought it would be this way when his dad started the business in their basement years ago.
[SOT 12:13:06] (NATS OF WORKERS)

((MARK GIGNAC/E.D.S. PRESIDENT: 25 YEARS AGO VIRTUALLY NO HELP YOU WERE ON YOUR OWN.)) [RUNS:07]
Gignac is not alone anymore, he employs 80 people in his power supply and battery charge manufacturing business. But it took his family a quarter of a century. Now Danville and Pittsylvania County have teamed up to help new and struggling small business owners get to the top quicker.
[SOT 16:40:31]
((HAROLD GARRISON/DAN RIVER BUSINESS DEV. CENTER PRES: AN INCUBATOR IS APLACE WHERE SMALL BUSINESS CAN START UP AND NUR
TURED.)) [SOT 1:40:40](( WE ARE ACTUALLY AND MOVE OUT WITHIN A 3 YEAR PERIOD.))
[RUNS:10] [nats of ground breaking]
And plans are currently in the works for that. The Dan River Business Development Center broke ground for an incubator.
[SOT 12:14:00]
((MARK GIGNAC/E.D.S. PRESIDENT: WHAT WE HOPE TO DO WITH THE INCUBATOR IS HELP WITH IDEAS AND ENSURE THEY SUCCEED SOMETHING THAT DID NOT EXIST YEARS AGO.)) [RUNS:09]
[SOT 23:38:58]
((SURAE CHINN/REPORTING: THIS IS CONSIDERED BY MANY A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME 30 INCOMING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS A PLACE THAT COULD INCREASE THE ODDS FOR STRUGGLING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.)) [RUNS:10]
[SOT 16:43:16]
((HAROLD GARRISON/DAN RIVER BUSINESS DEV. CENTER: IT IS THE ONLY AND BEST PLACE TO START A BUSINESS QUADRUPLE RATE OF SUCCESS FOR STARTING ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT ASSISTANCE.)) [RUNS:10]
And the assistance is what these business savvy people say will make or break your success. Surae Chinn, News7, Pittsylvania County.))
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Joe/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Joe]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Joe]

The Lexington Presbyterian Church is being called a total loss after yesterdays fire that tore through the building. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but officials believe painters on the roof may have sparked the blaze by using a hot iron to scrap the paint off.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Nearly 20 hours after he drowned in the New River, searchers recovered the body of 13-year-old Cody Cash around one yesterday.
His body was found on the river floor -- in water about 20 feet deep.
He was only a short distance from the area where he was sucked under by the strong current Monday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Joe]

A circuit court judge gave Phillip Casteel a suspended sentence yesterday, because Casteel and his wife have reconciled.
Casteel pled guilty last month to attempted malicious wounding.
The former Roanoke County firefighter admitted cutting the brake lines on the family van and letting his wife and children drive away.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Joe]

Now here's Jean Jadhon with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A historic]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Joe/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Joe/Kimberly and Steve]