WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/13/00

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Roanoke county is looking into staffing problems in its Fire and E-M-S squads.
County Supervisors are considering options like CHARGING for ambulance service and forming a mutual aid agreement with the city.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And police say housekeepers found a Roanoke man dead inside a Myrtle Beach hotel room.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

We'll also have a preview of the upcoming Taste of the Blue Ridge Blues and Jazz Festival...
All that straight ahead on News 7 Mornin.

[11Bird]

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

A Roanoke man was found dead in his Myrtle Beach hotel room.
Now police are treating it as a homicide.
Police say it was housekeepers at the Poindexter hotel who found the body of John Milton Bird early yesterday morning. The Poindexter is an ocean front resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
An autopsy will be performed today in Charleston, South Carolina.

[Firestone]

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

Executives from Ford and Firestone were once again in the hot seat on Capitol Hill.
Politicians grilled the tire and car makers at a hearing yesterday, looking for the reasons the public wasn't informed about the tire problems earlier.
Lee Cowan reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jacques Nasser/Ford C.E.O.; :10]
[SUPER=01-John Lampe/Bridgestone-Firestone; :26]
[SUPER=01-Sue Bailey/N.H.T.S.A.; :56]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Cowan, CBS News, Washington.]
(( The cordial relationship between Ford and Firestone began to collapse in front of the Senate's eyes. With A fierce battle over documents.

(SOT/JAQUES NASSER, CEO FORD 12:25:05)
"Firestone failed to share critical claims data with Ford that might have prompted the recall of these bad tires sooner."

(NARR:)

But Firestone says Ford never asked until just two months before the tire recall.

(SOT/JOHN LAMPE, EXECUTIVE VP BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE 11:51:05)
"We have absolutley no knowledge of any requests for claims prior to that from Ford."

(GRAPHICS:)

Whether Ford requested them or not -- internal documents show Firestone KNEW they had a problem and it was getting worse. The company's own records show tread separation problems involving the Wilderness AT model jumped 194 percent between 1998 and 1999."

(SOT/JOHN LAMPE, EXECUTIVE VP BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE 11:58:01)
"We made some bad tires and we take full responsibility for those."

(NARR:)

But Firestone ALSO claim's Ford Explorers are partly to blame. Federal regulators aren't so sure.

(SOT/SUE BAILEY, NHTSA 11:18:36)
"At this time I think we are dealing with a tire problem."

(NARR:)

Firestone has already replaced more than 2 million of the 6 million recalled tires -- and announced it would now pay to replace an additional million and a half tires that federal regulators say could be dangerous.

(COWAN ON CAM:)
"But it may be too late to save Firestone from losing its biggest customer. Ford announced Firestone tires would no longer be standard equipment on it's 2002 Explorers. Instead, it's leaving it up to the customer to decide. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington." ))

[11County-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-33 TC39:36]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Seal]

The Roanoke County Supervisors have ordered an urgent review of staffing problems in the county's Fire and E-M-S squads.
Board members say that all options, including a controversial proposal to charge for ambulance service, are back on the table.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Yesterday, board members were briefed on some immediate steps including a mutual aid agreement with the city of Roanoke.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Under that proposal, the city would provide weekday coverage in the Mount Pleasant area, in exchange for help from the county along the route 220 corridor.
But the rising number of calls, and the difficulty of recruiting new volunteers have created serious staffing problems in other areas as well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:01:15]
[IN Q=So yes I would say]
((BOB JOHNSON/HOLLINS SUPERVISOR: SO YES I WOULD SAY EVERYTHING FROM FEE FOR SERVICE TO MORE EMPLOYEES IN THE DEPARTMENT, BUT WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT STAFFING THAT, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A SIX, EIGHT, TEN MONTH PERIOD. WE CAN'T AFFORD EIGHT MINUTES.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Johnson/Hollins Supervisor]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=afford eight minutes.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The supervisors asked Chief Rick Burch and other county officials to come up with a staffing proposal within 30 days.

[11Radford-Police]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-30 TC1:26:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Due to a high turnover rate, new Radford police officers are being asked to put in three years of service... or repay the city up to 36-thousand dollars in training costs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

That's the department's answer to the high turnover.
It's lost more than 40 percent of its officers in the last three years.
Many go to area police and sheriff's departments that pay more ... after Radford invests 36-thousand dollars to train them.
City Council estimates that the turnover has cost the city half a million dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:51:23 - :43]
[IN Q=I just think it's]
((GUY GENTRY/RADFORD CITY COUNCILMAN: I JUST THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA FOR THE POLICE OFFICER TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITIZENS TO KNOW THEM ... OVER AND ABOVE THE COST, THAT'S A GOOD REASON TO SLOW THE TURNOVER.))
[SUPER=01-Guy Gentry/Radford City Councilman;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=slow the turnover.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Radford's City Council has appointed a blue ribbon panel to study the high turnover rate and how salaries compare to others in the area.
The study should be completed in November.
(------------)

[11Minority-Health]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC1:23:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Danville leads the state in Syphilis cases-- The majority involve African Americans.
Last night representatives from the state health department addressed the issue and most of all, how minorities can get better access to health care in Southside. Surae Chinn has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The state office of]
[SUPER=01-Sherman Saunders/Pittsylvania Co. Community Action; :24]
[SUPER=01-Delilah Mangum/Concerned Danville Resident; :32]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jeff Smith/Danville Health Department; 1:02]
[SUPER=@Surae2; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News7, Danville.]
(( The state Office of Minority Health says the lack of access to health care is a challenge facing minorities.

It was also the focus of a town Hall meeting in Danville.
Church members, community action groups, doctors and other concerned residents had plenty to say about the difficulties of obtaining health care.
[SOT 5:37:50]
((SHERMAN SAUNDERS/: TRANSPORTATION IS A BIG PROBLEM IN OUR REGION. PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY IS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN VIRGINIA.)) [RUNS:08]
Cost is also an issue
[SOT 11:48:40]
((DELILAH MANGUM/DANVILLE RESIDENT: OFTEN TIMES IT MEANS THE DIFFERENCE IN GOING TO THE DOCTOR, BUYING FOOD OR BUYING GAS SO THIS CAN BE A LOT OF PROBLEMS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.)) [runs:09]
There is a new program that could answer some of the prayers of both cost and transportation needs.
It's called the HOPE Bus which stands for Healing Oppressed People Everywhere. It's a clinic on wheels created by local church members.
The Hope Bus will have two examining rooms for eye exams, screening, dental care and other medical needs.
[SOT 5:51:18]
((DR. JEFF SMITH: I THINK THE FAITH BASED ORGANIZATION THE CLERGY ARE REALLY COMMITTED TO EDUCATION THE CONGREGATIONS HAVE A BIG ROLE AND ARE TRUSTED.))
The HOPE Bus will not solve the problems for all minorities without health care but a few volunteers say they can make a difference.
The state health representatives will take all the suggestions from the town hall meeting and present them to the state health commissioner. Surae Chinn News7, Danville.))

[Selma-Mayor]

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

For the first time in the city's history, Selma, Alabama has a black mayor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Selma, AL;]

The third run for office was truly the charm for 47- year- old businessman James Perkins.
He defeated a NINE- term incumbent AND former segregationist in yesterday's election.
A resident summed up the election in one of the nation's most pivotal communities in the Civil Rights battle, as a dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior would have wanted.
(------------)

[11Cherry-Hill]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-40 TC05:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some members of Roanoke City's zoning board say one decision about the Cherry Hill Condo project was a BIG mistake, but they didn't take any action on the issue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

More than eight months ago, the board approved construction of this five million dollar project.
When developers ran into trouble with rock and tree removal, the zoning administrator, NOT the board, approved a 90 degree rotation in construction.
Some board members say that decision was a big mistake.
A work stoppage order was issued, but developers continued construction while the decision was appealed.
They say there was too much at stake to stop.
(///// SOT /////)
[tape #1 tc:00:22:09]
[SOT]
[IN Q=Contractors were committed]
((BILL TERRY/DEVELOPER'S ATTORNEY: CONTRACTORS WERE COMMITTED, MATERIALS HAD BEEN PURCHASED, SUBCONTRACTORS WERE ON THE JOB. A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE DEVELOPER WERE THE MANY GOOD PEOPLE WHO WERE ALREADY COMMITTED.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Terry/Developer's Attorney]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=were already committed.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Board could not take a vote to continue construction or to stop it because all the members were not present.

Another meeting will be held on October third.
(-------------)

[11Lewis-Gale]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lewis Gale Clinic]

With the resignations of three more physicians, Lewis Gale Clinic now has a total of 40 doctors who have resigned in the last year. Lewis Gale says these recent resignations are routine, and are not related to previous management problems.
Doctors Tim Hormel, Preston Waldrop and Gregory Reibel (REE-bell) did not want to discuss their resignations.
Since regaining independence from parent company PhyCor, 11 new physicians have joined the Lewis Gale Clinic Staff.

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a combination of treatments may help cure low grade prostate cancer in men.

Melissa McDermott has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((Information:
ONCAM=MELISSA
((on cam)) THERE'S AN IMPORTANT NEW STUDY FOR MEN DIAGNOSED WITH LOW GRADE PROSTATE CANCER.

VT=VO
((vo)) THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THE BEST TREATMENT MAY BE A COMBINATION OF TWO THINGS..RADIATION AND HORMONE BLOCKING DRUGS.
MANY MEN ARE TOLD TO JUST DO THE RADIATION. THIS STUDY SHOWS THE CURE RATE IS MUCH HIGHER WHEN YOU COMBINE THE TWO.

ONCAM=MELISSA
((on cam)) THERE'S YET ANOTHER WARNING ABOUT WASHING YOUR MEDICATIONS DOWN WITH GRAPEFRUIT JUICE.
A STUDY FROM THE MAYO CLINIC SAYS SOME MEDICATIONS CAN TURN DEADLY WHEN MIXED WITH THE JUICE.
THAT'S BECAUSE IT CAUSES BLOOD LEVELS OF SOME DRUGS TO SKYROCKET.
SOME OF THOSE DRUGS INCLUDE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS, DRUGS TO LOWER CHOLESTEROL, TRANQUILIZERS AND SOME ANTIHISTAMINES.
YOU BEST BET IS TO WASH ALL PILLS DOWN WITH WATER.

VT=VO
((vo)) AND FINALLY, GOT A BAD BACK? WONDERING WHAT'S THE BEST SLEEPING SURFACE IF YOU DO?
A STUDY IN MEDSCAPE GENERAL MEDICINE SUGGESTS USING AN ADJUSTABLE AIR MATTRESS.
IN THE STUDY, IT WORKED MUCH BETTER THAN A CONVENTIONAL INNER SPRING MATTRESS.
IN FACT, EIGHTY EIGHT PERCENT OF PEOPLE SAID IT MADE THEIR BACKS FEEL BETTER THAN A REGULAR MATTRESS.
ITS NOT CLEAR WHETHER AN ADJUSTABLE AIR MATTRESS ACTUALLY MADE THE BACK BETTER OR JUST GAVE A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP.
BUT IF YOUR BACK HURTS DAY IN AND DAY OUT, YOU MAY WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY.

ONCAM=MELISSA
((on cam)) AND THAT'S A LOOK AT THE DAY IN HEALTH.I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
Authorities say housekeepers found a Roanoke man dead inside a hotel room at Myrtle Beach.
Police are treating the death as a homicide.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

The Senate Commerce committee put executives from Ford and Bridgestone-Firestone on the hot seat again.
The tire maker, meanwhile, says it'll pay to replace another million-and-a-half tires that federal regulators say could be dangerous.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And a Federal Trade Commission report says exposure to some forms of entertainment can lead to agression and violence in children.
But does that include popular sporting events like wrestling?
We'll find out.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, September 13th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[11Violence]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-28]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A Federal Trade Commission report released this week says exposure to some forms of entertainment including explicit movies, video games and music can cause aggression, insensitivity, even violence in children. Where do sports that are sometimes classified as violent fit in? Meredyth Censullo was at last night's World Championship Wrestling match-up in Roanoke where she talked with some parents who say, it might be tasteless, but it isn't harming their kids...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tony Dye/Wrestling Fan; :20]
[SUPER=07-Johnny Padgett; :33]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Deyerle/Wrestling Fan; :45]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1; :59]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=mce, News7, Roanoke.]
(([NAT SOT @ 21:11:21]
((WCW ROCKS!!!))
Call it a family affair. Parents with their kids, Uncle's with little nephews... [vo @ 21:05:28] Never mind the threats, body slams
((NAT BODY SLAM/CHEERING))
or scantily clad girls...
[vo of Dye and nephew] Some folks think professional wrestling is child's play...

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 20:59:22]
[IN Q=It's a typical]
((TONY DYE: IT'S A TYPICAL MALE SPORT...IT'S A TYPICAL MALE THIS - AS FAR AS KIDS GROWIN UP, DADS BEING ROUGH WITH THEIR KIDS, WHATNOT, IT'S THAT TYPE ATMOPHERE...)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=atmosphere.]

An atmosphere, some say, that teaches kids a few moves that could end up on the playground. That's why this Dad left his son at home...

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 20:57:09]
[IN Q=He just gets..]
((HE JUST GETS CRAZY WHEN HE WRESTLES, HE WANTS TO WRESTLE ALL THE TIME - JUST THE MOVES THEY DO COULD HURT HIM.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=hurt him]

But most people we talked to say it's all in good fun -

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 20:56:04]
[IN Q=If anything...]
((CHUCK DEYERLE: IF ANYTHING I THINK IT YOU KNOW KIDS GETTING OUT TOGETHER THEY ALL GO OUT THERE AND EMULATE THE MOVES, THEY HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH IT - YOU KNOW I DON'T SEE ANYBODY SACRIFICING ANYONE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD...)) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=in neighborhood.]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 20:56:32]
[IN Q=I like]
((I LIKE WRESTLING...IT'S NOT REALLY BAD, IT'S JUST ENTERTAINMENT.)) [RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=entertainment.]
The F-T-C report did NOT propose any legislation that would force the entertainment industry to change it's content or the way the market its products. Meredyth Censullo, News7, Roanoke.))
(-------------)

[2-11Bird]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Murder ]

South Carolina authorities are investigating the death of a Roanoke man.
He was found dead in his Myrtle Beach hotel room.
Now police are treating the death as a homicide.
Police say housekeepers at the Poindexter hotel found the body of John Milton Bird early yesterday morning.
The Poindexter is an ocean front resort in Myrtle Beach.
An autopsy will be performed today in Charleston, South Carolina.

[2-Firestone]

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

The Senate Commerce committee took its turn spinning tough questions for executives from Ford and Bridgestone-Firestone.
The tire maker, meanwhile, says it'll pay to replace another million-and-a-half tires that federal regulators says could be dangerous.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

As politicians pursued an answer as to why the public wasn't told about the problems with Firestone tires earlier, the two companies battled over documents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:05:28 ]
[IN Q=Firestone failed to]
((JACQUES NASSER/FORD C.E.O.: FIRESTONE FAILED TO SHARE CRITICAL CLAIMS DATA WITH FORD THAT MIGHT HAVE PROMPTED THE RECALL OF THESE BAD TIRES SOONER.))
(/////SOT//////)
[SOT 3:05:43]
((JOHN LAMPE/BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE EXEC. V.P.: WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY REQUESTS FOR CLAIMS PRIOR TO THAT FROM FORD.))
[SUPER=01-Jacques Nasser/Ford C.E.O.;]
[SUPER=01-John Lampe/Bridgestone-Firestone;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=to that from Ford.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Whether Ford requested claims information or not, the paper trail proves Firestone KNEW it had a problem and it was getting worse.
Firestone's records show tread separation problems on the Wilderness A-T model leaping 194 percent, in just one year.
The recalled tires are linked to dozens of fatal accidents, most of them involving Ford Explorers.
(------------)

[Lee]

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

Former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee has another chance for freedom.
A court hearing that could lead to Lee's release is scheduled for today.
The proposed deal calls for 58 counts of mishandling nuclear secrets to be dropped, leaving ONE count and no more jail time.

[11Leonard]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC46:03]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A murder trial in Halifax County continues today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./February;]

Joseph Eric Leonard is accused of shooting 21 year old William Joseph (Fan-kur) Fancher to death.
The defense is expected to finish today and the jury will then decide Leonard's fate.
Authorities say the shooting happened after an argument at a party on Chapel Trail last February.
(------------)

[11Underwood]

[ANCHOR=shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-24]
[GRAPHIC=none]

They managed to run a lingerie shop out of the Wasena area in Roanoke last Spring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/March 10]

Yesterday, one of the women who worked there was convicted of prostitution.
Dorothy Underwood had gone to court, protesting her innocence, but struck a deal with the prosecutor.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:43:10]
[IN Q=So you're out]
((Keith Humphry/NEWS 7: So you're out of the business? DOROTHY UNDERWOOD/FORMER PROSTITUTE: YOU RIGHT. YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. I MAKE BETTER MONEY, AND I'M NOT IN AS MUCH TROUBLE. Doing what? IT'S LEGAL. You're flying straight? YOU GOT THAT RIGHT, TRYING TO ANYWAY.))
[SUPER=01-Dorothy Underwood/Former Prostitute]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=trying to anyway.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

She pled guilty in exchange for a suspended sentence, meaning she won't have to serve any jail time.
(------------)

[11School-Donations]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-36 TC24:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]

28- thousand dollars is going towards Lynchburg's public schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

That's how much profit the PTA- PTO Thrift Shop turned in its first year of existence.
The store takes in and sells donated clothes and household goods.. parents and teachers from each of the city's 18 public schools volunteer their time at the shop.
How many hours they put determined how much their school got back.. and yesterday those checks ranged from 800 to nearly four thousand dollars.
(------------)

[Fatal-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=fatal accident]

One woman was killed following a single car accident on Interstate 81.
It happened around 3:30 yesterday afternoon in the southbound lanes at the 177 mile marker in Rockbridge County.
That's near Natural Bridge. State Police say the driver, Kara Ann Shirley ran off the road and the car overturned several times. Her passenger, Peyton Elizabeth Floyd of Austin, Texas was thrown from the vehicle. Floyd was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital where she later died.

No word on the condition of the driver.[11Forestry-Board]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-23 TC2:00:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

One group says the state forester and the board that advises him are turning a blind eye to illegal logging-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Madison Co.;]

And, Wytheville-based Virginia Forest Watch is asking two state Forestry Board members to resign -- alleging conflicts of interest with their own logging operations.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I come to you]
[sot tape ONE 09:57:36 ]
((RUPERT CUTLER/VIRGINIA FOREST WATCH: I COME TO YOU TODAY IN SORROW WITH WHAT I REGARD AS SERIOUSLY DISTURBING INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE FORESTS AND WATERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.))
[sot tape ONE 10:29:25 ]
((STEVE HOFFMAN/VIRGINIA FORESTRY BOARD: I AM A PERSONALITY MUCH LIKE YOURS. I INVENTED BEING RUDE.))
[sot tape ONE 10:29:50 ]
((HOFFMAN: BUT IF I TOOK BOTH YOUR PRESENTATIONS LITERALLY, I SWEAR, THE DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY'S NOT DOING ANYTHING CORRECT. AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S A TRUE STATEMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Rupert Cutler/Virginia Forest Watch; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steve Hoffman/Virginia Forestry Board; :11]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=true statement.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Board member Bill Rilee (riley) says he'll resign if the Governor asks.
But he says his logging company has always taken steps to comply, after getting citations from the Forestry Department.
Board member John Root of Blue Ridge Lumber says only that Virginia Forest Watch ought to be ridden out of town on a rail... and says he'll furnish the rail.
(------------)

[11Mobile-Clinic]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A special clinic is set to help Hispanics and other minorities in Southside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

The clinic is a BUS that's being transformed into two examining rooms. Local church members in Danville wanted to help the growing populations of minorities who have no health care.
It's being called the HOPE Bus which stands for Healing Oppressed People Everywhere. The bus was donated and volunteers will help run it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :40]
[IN Q=Even though we]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Orlando Alvarez/HOPE Bus Volunteer Doctor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Woodard/HOPE Bus Co-Founder; :12]
((DR. ORLANDO ALVAREZ/HOPE BUS VOLUNTEER DOCTOR: EVEN THOUGH WE GOTO CENTRAL AMERICA TO HELP THE NEEDY, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF NEED IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CHURCH.))
[SOT 5:34]
((KEVIN WOODARD/HOPE BUS CO-FOUNDER: I THOUGHT IT WAS A FABULOUS IDEA AND A GREAT WAY TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE AND HISPANICS NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY BUT SPIRITUALLY AS WELL.))
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=spiritually as well.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bus will provide eye exams, screening, dental care and other medical needs. The HOPE Bus should be ready by the end of the month. [Pinnacle Page]
If you would like to donate your time or money you can contact the organization at 804-835-0070.
(------------)

[Atlantis]

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

The astronauts and cosmonauts on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis are spending the early morning
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

installing fresh batteries in the Russian modules in space.
The seven- member crew will stay in space an extra day.
During the next five days, they'll be inside the international space station unloading about three tons of supplies.
NASA added a 12th day onto the mission, because the crew had conserved enough fuel and power.
Atlantis is scheduled to un-dock from the space station Sunday, and return to Earth next Wednesday.
(------------)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Kmc/Syo]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Authorities say a Roanoke man was found dead in his Myrtle Beach hotel room yesterday morning.
Now police are treating it as a homicide.
An autopsy will be performed today in Charleston, South Carolina.

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]

A murder trial in Halifax County continues today.
Joseph Eric Leonard is accused of shooting 21 year old William Joseph (Fan-kur) Fancher to death.
Authorities say the shooting happened after an argument at a party on Chapel Trail last February.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

28- thousand dollars is going towards Lynchburg's public schools.
That's how much profit the PTA- PTO Thrift Shop turned in its first year of existence. The store takes in and sells donated clothes and household goods.. Parents and teachers from each of the city's 18 public schools volunteer their time at the shop.

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

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Children from]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
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[Desk=Kimberly/Shannon]
(toss)
(ad lib bye) (live ad lib, tease tomorrow)