[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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


The Roanoke Regional Airport passes an aviation analysis with flying colors.
But researchers say the airport does need come down to earth a little bit when it comes to ticket prices...
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And police arrest a man wanted for the robbery of a Roanoke motel.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Wake up with us-- News 7 Mornin is next.

[Airport]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-34]
[GRAPHIC=Regional Airport]

The Roanoke Regional Airport is receiving high marks from aviation analysts. They say the airport stacks up well compared to similarly sized ones. The only exception is higher than average airfares. Meredyth Censullo reports, researchers say the key to lowering ticket prices for flights in and out of the Star City is to up economic development.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Passenger traffic...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Boyd/The Boyd Group President; :18]
[SUPER=01-Jay Turner/Airport Commission; :46]
[SUPER=@Meredyth1;1:18]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=mce, New7, Roanoke.]

(( Passenger traffic in and out of Roanoke has grown consistently for the past 38 months. But even more folks might pack their bags, if fares were lower. Researchers say some frequent flyers choose to drive to other airports to catch a cheaper flight.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 21:39:45 - 21:40:01]
[IN Q=In terms of..]

((MICHAEL BOYD/THE BOYD GROUP: IN TERMS OF ACCESS, IT'S VERY GOOD. IN TERMS OF FARES, ITS NOT AS LOW FARE AS SOME FARES FROM GREENSBORO...BUT OVERALL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER COMMUNITIES OF THIS SIZE, IF YOU WANNA LIVE IN COMMUNITIES OF THIS SIZE AND GET THE BENEFITS OF THAT, THERE'S CERTAIN TRADEOFFS - THAT'S ONE OF THEM.)) [RUNS16]
[OUT Q=one of them.]



The study says local economic development could entice airlines to increase flights in and out of the airport. The more competition, the lower the airfare - which in turn can strengthen the local economy.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 21:35:22 - 21:35:36]
[IN Q=The more opportunities...]

((JAY TURNER/AIRPORT COMMISSION: THE MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND THE MORE COMPETITIVE THE AIRFARES ARE, THE EASIER IT IS FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PEOPLE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS INTO ROANOKE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET IN AND OUT EASILY AND ALSO ENJOY THE QUALITY OF LIFE WE HAVE HERE.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=have here.]


A strength of the airport is it's direct access to major hubs - such as Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Atlanta. [map goes here] And the number of direct flights could be increasing within three to five years, with the possible addition of flights to Memphis, St. Louis, Raleigh and Cleveland. Along with an increase in departures, the study predicts more small jets might begin touching down in Roanoke in the future - which could help lessen the impact of the proposed merger between USAirways and United. Meredyth Censullo, News7, Roanoke.))

[11Motel-Robberies]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC44:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Authorities have arrested a man wanted in connection with the robbery of a Roanoke motel earlier this month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT @ 00-28; TC 1:26:06]

Roanoke police issued a warrant for the arrest of 44-year-old Ronnie Lee Cooper after he was identified on this security videotape- allegedly robbing an Extended Stay America. Police think Cooper fled Virginia after information about the warrants was released.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

Cooper was arrested Sunday in Atlantic County, New Jersey. He's charged there with being a fugitive from justice. Extradition procedures are under way.

[11Textile-Tour]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-30 TC1:43:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Some Virginia lawmakers have wrapped up their tour of Southside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]


The House Appropriations Committee began a tour of the Martinsville area Sunday.
Yesterday, lawmakers visited several businesses in the Danville area.
Each year, the House Appropriations Committee tours a different region to see how the state can help improve the area.
[sot]
[in q=I hope]

(( WHITT CLEMENT: I HOPE THESE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE NOT FROM AROUND HERE WILL TAKE BACK A BETTER APPRECIATION OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE JOB SKILLS, THE JOB MARKET, THE KIND OF TECHNOLOGY WE HAVE HERE..AS OPPOSED TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF JOBS AS OPPOSED TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=@Clement;]
[runs=19]
[out q=Northern Virginia.]
(-----)


The committee decided to tour Southside because its been hard hit by textile layoffs and cuts in the tobacco quota.


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



[CO-Wildfires]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Wildfires]


Cloudy, cooler weather is allowing firefighters to get the upper hand on a wildfire near Boulder, Colorado.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boulder Co., CO;]


The 11- hundred- acre blaze was moving toward dozens of homes.
But by last night, the fire was 60- percent contained.
Fire officials expect full containment later today.
They've allowed more than 200 residents to return to their homes.
But electricity was cut, and the power could remain off for a few more days.
Authorities believe the fire started from an illegal campfire set Friday, which grew quickly over the weekend.
(------------)


[Tropical-Storm]


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


Parts of the Southeast are beginning to dry out after a visit from Tropical Storm Gordon and his soaking remnants...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cedar Key, FL;]


Gordon fell apart over land after coming ashore along Florida's Gulf Coast Sunday.
Meanwhile, Florida residents are picking up debris and trying to get life back to normal.
[SUPER=03-Fort Myers, FL;]


In the Fort Myers area, there was some flooding-- but mostly downed trees and power lines.
Gordon's leftovers left a trail of heavy rain across other parts of the southeast, as well.
It dumped as much as 10- inches on coastal areas of South Carolina yesterday before moving out to sea.
(------------)


[11Fitzpatrick]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-33 TC46:50]
[GRAPHIC=Bev Fitzpatrick]


Beverly Fitzpatrick Senior served as a Roanoke judge for more than 25 years... In retirement he continued as a civic leader.
Yesterday, he was remembered for his public service, and his personal compassion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Mourners filled the sanctuary, chapel and fellowship hall of Second Presbyterian Church... where they honored his service to the court and the community.
[Super=04-File Tape]


Twenty years after Fitzpatrick's retirement from the bench, colleagues say his presence is still felt in the Roanoke City Courthouse.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What did he do as a judge]

((WHAT DID HE DO AS A JUDGE? IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. HE LISTENED PATIENTLY AND DECIDED WISELY. HE APPLIED HUMOR AND COMMON SENSE. THE WORD SOLOMONIC IS PROBABLY OVERUSED. HE WAS AS MUCH OF A SOLOMON AS A JUDGE AS ANY OF US WILL EVER KNOW.))


[SUPER=01-Clifford Weckstein/Circuit Court Judge]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=as any of us will ever know.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Fitzpatrick's public life and professional accomplishments are well-known... chief judge of the General District Court, and a leader of the effort to renovate Jefferson High School.
He was also remembered as a man of strong faith, integrity, and compassion.
(----------------)



[11Rail-Trail]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-28 TC1:37:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

About 40 residents are opposed to a new biking, hiking and horseback riding trail along Craig Creek.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;]

The proposed trail would cover 26 miles of abandoned railroad track from Eagle Rock to New Castle. The trail would cost an estimated two to three million dollars, including picnic tables, portapotties and horse stalls.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:48:07]
[IN Q=All amenities]

((BOB PRICE/TRAIL OPPONENT: ALL AMENITIES SHOULD BE ANCHORED SECURELY TO DISCOURAGE THEFT AND OR VANDALISM. NOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT WITH ALL OF OUR PROPERTY TOO -- TIE IT UP, LOCK IT UP?))
[SUPER=01-Bob Price/Trail Opponent;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=lock it up]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

About 40 residents say these narrow roads are too dangerous for cars, let alone hikers and bikers. Developers would block portions of the trail to car traffic -- and allow only property-owners to drive on other parts.
Planners say the trail would boost tourism. The public can comment at a meeting October 5th at Craig County High School.
(------------)



[Health-Check]


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


In medical news, a new study backs up the importance of getting a mammogram.
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=1:16]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((Information: ON CAM SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT MAMMOGRAPHY- IT DOES SAVE LIVES.

VT=VO

NOW THIS MAY SEEM OBVIOUS TO YOU- BUT THERE ARE MANY DOCTORS AND RESEARCHERS WHO SAY IT DOES NOT. BUT A STUDY IN THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL SHOWS REGULAR MAMMOGRAMS CUT THE DEATH RATE FROM CANCER BY 21% OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. PART OF THAT DROP IS DUE TO BETTER TREATMENTS- IT ALL MEANS FIND IT EARLY- THE BETTER YOUR CHANCE FOR A CURE.

VT=VO

ALSO TODAY- ARE YOU STRESSED OUT AT WORK? IF SO- AND YOU DO A LOT OF REPETITIVE TASKS- SUCH AS TYPING OR KEYBOARD WORK- A STUDY IN THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL SAYS YOU'RE AT A HIGH RISK FOR REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURIES- INCLUDING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. THE STUDY FOUND THE RISK OF PAIN WAS HIGHEST IF YOU'VE GOT A ROTTEN BOSS OR DON'T LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH.

VT=VO

FINALLY TODAY- DO YOUR LEGS CRAMP UP OR HURT WHEN YOU GO FOR A WALK- THE PROBLEM MAY BE BLOCKAGES IN THE ARTERIES IN YOUR LEGS- ITS CALLED PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE. AND IF YOU'VE GOT HARDENING OF THE ARTERIES IN YOUR LEGS- YOU MAY ALSO HAVE IT IN YOUR HEART AND BRAIN. THIS WEEK- FREE SCREENINGS FOR BLOCKED LEG ARTERIES ARE BEING DONE ACROSS THE COUNTRY- FOR A SITE NEAR YOU- CALL YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL.
ON CAM THAT'S 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=KMC/SYO]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


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


More tire recalls-- but this time, they're not from Firestone.
Continental General Tire plans to recall the 16- inch tire that was standard equipment on most 19-98 and '99 Lincoln Navigators.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


Three people are jailed in connection with the stabbing death of a Roanoke man.
A housekeeper found the body of 50-year old John Milton Bird inside his hotel room a week ago.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And Taco Bell taco shells may pose an allergy risk to some people-- that's according to several environmental groups.
They say the shells contain gene- altered corn.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Tuesday, September 19th .
[ANCHOR=shannon]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[Tire-Recall]


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


There are apparently MORE dangerous tires on the road-- and they're not Firestones.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


Continental General Tire plans to recall the 16- inch tire that was standard equipment on most 19-98 and '99 Lincoln Navigators.
Ford makes the S-U-V.
Both companies say they'll brief the Feds on the tire's warranty and claims information today.
Officials say most of the problems focus around pieces of tread coming off.
But they emphasize NO reports of serious accidents, fatalities, or serious injuries as a result of the tires.
(------------)



[11Biomed-center]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC51:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The city of Roanoke thought a scrap yard was contaminated, but the Department of Environmental Quality says it's not. Yesterday was the first time Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal was inspected for contamination and the DEQ found no violations.
Jennifer Miele has more.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Standing in the]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager; 1:01]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=News 7, Roanoke.]


(( Standing in the midst of plans for the region's first biomedical research center is Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal. Last week this site could have been considered a deal breaker.
City Manager Darlene Burcham called it "highly contaminated," and estimated clean-up costs to reach 30 million dollars.
Carilion wouldn't purchase the land, V-DOT wouldn't build on it, and the city said it would cost too much to clean up.
Then News 7 learned that the 30 million dollar estimate didn't come from a city study, or a state study, but was instead, a guess.
D-E-Q analyzed the site and found NO violations of solid waste regulations.
The scrap yard's owner would not talk on camera, but he did say he was upset by Darlene Burcham's comments. He says no one has ever set foot on his property to investigate it, and the allegations of contamination were completely unwarranted.
Burcham says she's pleased that the site is not contaminated, but also says there will be more studies before construction begins. [00:38:36]
[SOT]
[IN Q=I know that]

((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN HIRED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HAVE ALREADY BEGUN THAT PROCESS, SO CLEARLY THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT EACH AND EVERY SITE IN THAT PROPOSED 70 PLUS ACRE AREA BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.))
[OUT Q=the calendar year.]

[RUNS13] [STAND-UP]
[SOT]

[JEN'S STANDUP tc: 00:02:58] ((JENNIFER MIELE: 30 MILLION DOLLARS TO CLEAN-UP THIS SITE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FEASIBLE FOR THE CITY OR CARILION. BUT AS IT STANDS, THIS PROPERTY LOOKS TO BE FREE OF CONTAMINATION.
THAT MEANS THE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTER DEAL IS STILL ON, FOR NOW.
JENNIFER MIELE, NEWS 7, ROANOKE.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=JM News 7, Roanoke] ))



[11Bird]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#00-35 TC31:31]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]


Myrtle Beach police have arrested three people in connection with the murder of a Roanoke man.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Myrtle Beach, SC/Last Tuesday;]


A housekeeper found the body of 50-year old John Milton Bird inside his Myrtle Beach hotel room last Tuesday.
He had been stabbed to death.
Authorities have charged Amanda Rankin, Jeremy Chad Shaw and Douglas Hooper with murder.
All three are from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Investigators say the three were in Bird's hotel room late Monday night.
Police say after the three left... they went back to their own motel, grabbed their belongings and left before signing out.
They three were arrested in Charlotte.
(------------)



[11L'Burg-Housing]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-26 TC1:47:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A partnership between a private developer and federal housing authorities will help put some lower- income families in new homes by next spring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Officials helped kick off the construction of the Vistas at Dreaming Creek apartment community in Lynchburg yesterday.
The 20- million- dollar project is partly funded by tax- exempt bonds through the Fannie Mae Foundation.
The developer will be required to make 40 percent of the apartments available to families in lower income brackets.
Construction should be completed by January.
(------------)



[Taco-Bell]


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


Environmental groups are charging that Taco Bell taco shell sold in grocery stores contain a gene- altered corn that may pose an allergy risk to people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


There are no known reports of injury.
But the environmental coalition says there IS potential danger in some gene- altered food, and it's demanding a recall.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:12:02]
[IN Q=This is a]

((JANE RISSLER/UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS: THIS IS A POTENTIAL ALLERGEN THAT IS ILLEGALLY ON THE MARKET.))
[SUPER=01-Jane Rissler/Union of Concerned Scientists;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=on the market]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The gene- altered corn is called Starlink.
It's one variety of corn, gene- spliced to make the plant an insecticide.
Meanwhile, an Iowa lab tested the taco shell.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:13:00]
[IN Q=We found]

((ANNE HEAGERT/GENETIC I.D. LABORATORY: WE FOUND THE D.N.A. OF THE VARIETY OF CORN THAT CONTAINS THAT PROTEIN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.))
[SUPER=01-Anne Feagert/Genetic I.D. Laboratory;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=without any doubt]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The finding is a windfall for biotech critics who have long complained the government never tests gene- altered food.
The F-D-A is now testing the shells, but says it has no reason to believe they're unsafe.
Shell maker Kraft Foods says it'll also test the shells, but will not order an immediate recall.
(------------)



[11AEP]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal scales]



American Electric Power has taken Mitchell's Point Marina to court.
AEP says camping trailers recently set up on cinder blocks at the edge of Smith Mountain Lake would be under five feet of water if the lake reaches full pond.

[11Cat-Man]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC1:35:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A Blacksburg man says caring for homeless cats has cost him his own home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]


Dick Cupp, a 60-year-old artist, was evicted from his McDonald Street apartment.
Cupp feeds and cares for more than 30 stray cats.
They live outside his apartment complex.
Cupp was evicted for being late on his rent, but he says the company told him the cats were the problem.
He says he'll take them with him ... and try to find some new homes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:14 - :19]
[IN Q=They're therapy]

((DICK CUPP/CAT LOVER: THEY'RE THERAPY. EVERYBODY SAYS THAT I'M GOOD WITH CATS. ACTUALLY, THE CATS ARE GOOD WITH ME.))
[SUPER=01-Dick Cupp/Cat Lover;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=good with me.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Cupp says most cats were abandoned by college students.
Both the town of Blacksburg and Montgomery County have no place for homeless cats and no laws on how many people can have.
Cupp says until they do, he'll take in as many cats as he can ... even though feeding them costs 45 dollars a day.

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


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


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

New Jersey authorities have arrested 44-year-old Ronnie Lee Cooper who is wanted in connection with the robbery of a Roanoke motel earlier this month. Roanoke police issued a warrant for Cooper's arrest after he was identified on this security videotape- allegedly robbing an Extended Stay America.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


Myrtle Beach police believe they've found the people responsible for the murder of 50-year old John Milton Bird of Roanoke.
Authorities have charged Amanda Rankin, Jeremy Chad Shaw and Douglas Hooper with murder.
All three are from Charlotte, North Carolina.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


A partnership between a private developer and federal housing authorities will help put some lower- income families in new homes by next spring.
Officials helped kick off the construction of the Vistas at Dreaming Creek apartment community in Lynchburg yesterday.
The 20- million- dollar project is partly funded by tax- exempt bonds through the Fannie Mae Foundation.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(Shannon mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Shannon ad lib weather)
(-------------)

[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's Mike Stevens with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)



(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)

(ad lib bye) [Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
by SS