[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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


Up next on News 7--
Henry county authorities are starting to unravel the mystery of how a four- year- old boy died.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And a slow-down in the trucking industry means hundreds of Volvo workers are losing their jobs.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)

[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Wake up with us on News 7 Mornin.

[11Child-Death]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-50 TC1:23:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]



Sheriff's deputies say they know how a Henry County boy died last month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./February 5;]


Four-year-old Stephen Kelly lived with his mother and stepfather at this home on Bassett Heights Extension.
On February first, Herbert Norman called 9-1-1 after finding his stepson unconscious in bed.
Efforts to revive the boy were unsuccessful.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


A preliminary autopsy failed to determine a cause of death.
But deputies say later tests found the boy died from blunt force injuries to the head, chest, abdomen and extremities.
No word on what or who may have caused the injuries.

[11Volvo]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC40:58]
[GRAPHIC=Volvo Layoffs]


A slowing trucking industry means Volvo will lay off more workers at its New River Valley plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin/File Tape;]


Approximately 3-hundred hourly and salaried employees at the Dublin plant will be eliminated April 30th.
This move is on top of 400-job cuts in February and 11-hundred last year.
A local union leader is not surprised by the cutbacks or optimistic about the future...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT DON'T]

((BILL BURTON/UAW LOCAL 2069 PRES.; IT DON'T LOOK GOOD, THE FUTURE I MEAN LOOKING AT THE ORDER BOARDS, IT DON'T LOOK GOOD AND YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, HOPEFULLY SOME DOWN WEEKS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT))
[SUPER=01-Bill Burton/UAW Local 2069 President]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=CARE OF IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Volvo is the New River Valley's second largest employer behind Virginia Tech.
(------------)



[11Metalsa]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-19]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]


A Botetourt County manufacturer is cutting back its workforce.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]


(ma-TALL-sa) Metalsa -- formerly Tower Automotive- is letting 18 production workers go.
The company produces frame rails for class "A" trucks.
It's main customers, Volvo, Peterbuilt, and Kenworth, are cutting back as well.
(ma-TALL-sa) Metalsa says its been struggling with a continuous downturn in sales throughout 2000.
But, the company says it may call the furloughed employees back to work by the end of the year, if the truck market picks up significantly.
(------------)



[House-Budget]


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


President Bush's nearly two- TRILLION- dollar budget is passed in the House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


The plan is an outline that'll be filled in later with specifics about tax and spending bills.
It includes Bush's 10- year, one-point-six- trillion- dollar tax cut.
The 222 to 205- vote in the Republican- controlled House chamber followed largely along party lines.
But the budget will face a much tougher fight for passage next week, in the EVENLY- divided Senate.
(------------)



[Marriage-Tax]


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


Also on Capitol Hill--
The House is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would cut the so- called "marriage tax".
The measure would also gradually DOUBLE the 500- dollar child- tax credit.
A House committee will also likely approve legislation to eliminate the ESTATE tax by the year 2011.

[Marketwatch]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]


In business news this morning, both the Dow and Nasdaq ended yesterday with triple digit losses.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=your local stocks.]




(tape tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [COMM]

[Dog-Attack]


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


A California couple whose dogs mauled a woman to death face arraignment today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]


A judge has set bail at two- million dollars for Marjorie Knoller and one- million for her husband, Robert Noel.

In January, the couple's two Mastiff's mauled their neighbor, 33- year- old Diane Whipple in the hallway leading to her apartment.
Knoller was there at the time of the attack, and is charged with second- degree murder.
BOTH are charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The judge says he set the high bail, partly because the couple was arrested more than 100 miles away when they tried to flee.
(------------)


[Bike-Cops]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-06 TC1:26:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some Roanoke city police officers are being put to the test. For the past three days-- they've been hitting the books as well as the pavement. Teresa Hamilton explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday; :00]
[SUPER=01-Chris Perkins/Officer & Instructor; :13 ]
[SUPER=01-Sandy Duffey/Roanoke Police Officer; :48 ]
[SUPER=01-Michael Kochis/Roanoke Police Officer; 1:01 quick!!!!! ]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:16 ]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Roanoke.]

(((START WITH NAT SOUND) By the end of the week-- these Roanoke city police officers will have endured 40- hours of training to become a certified bicycle officer.
(///SOT/////)
[SOT 00:17:24]
[IN Q=WE'RE CONCERNED]

((CHRIS PERKINS/INSTRUCTOR: WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, WE WANT THE OFFICERS TO LEARN HOW TO GET OFF AND ON THE BIKE IT'S NOT LIKE BEING KIDS ANYMORE.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= kids anymore.]

Sergeant Chris Perkins is one of several instructors teaching the week long course which also includes lessons on keeping the appropriate distance from a suspicious subject.
(///sot////)
[sot 00:17:42]
[in q=And then we got ]

((CHRIS PERKINS/INSTRUCTOR: AND THEN WE GOT TO BUILD UP SOME ENDURANCE WE'LL TAKE THEM OUT HERE AND RUN THEM HARD, 15 TO 20 MILES A DAY IS WHAT WE'LL AVERAGE. )) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q= what we'll average.]

On this particular day, though, the officers rode approximately 30- miles to learn what it's like to patrol the city at night.
(///sot///)
[sot 00:33:41]
[IN Q= When I ]

((SANDY DUFFEY/ROANOKE POLICE OFFICER: WHEN I WAS A KID I RODE IT EVERYWHERE BUT NOW YOU KNOW THE STUFF I LEARNED IN CLASS RIDING DOWN STEPS, UP STEPS, UP HILLS YOU NEVER THINK YOU'D MAKE IT AND HOW YOU CAN USE THE BIKE AS A TOOL. I'VE LEARNED A LOT.)) [RUNS14]
[OTU Q= LEARNED A LOT.]
(///sot///)
[sot 00:23:32]
[in q=I spent]

((MICHAEL KOCHIS/ROANOKE CITY POLICE OFFICER: I SPENT SIX YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND THIS IS ONE OF THE HARDEST PHYSICALLY HARDEST SCHOOLS I'VE EVEN BEEN TO.)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q= ever been to.]

But the officers say the intensive training is worth it.
(///sot////)
[sot 00:18:26]
[in q= You know]

((YOU KNOW KIDS ARE GOING TO REMEMBER THREE THINGS, THE HORSE AND CANINE OFFICERS AND BIKE OFFICERS SO YOU KNOW WE BUILD THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q= with them.]
Once this class finishes up--- approximately a third of Roanoke's officers will be certified bicycle officers.

Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.))

[11Swanson]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-07 TC01:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A Salem lawyer has a new job. He's now a judge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Jim Swanson was sworn in yesterday afternoon at the County Courthouse. He's been practicing law in Salem since 1978, occasionally filling in as a substitute judge. He pledged to listen more than he talks, to always be accessible, and to remember that while some cases have an impact beyond the courtroom, every case is important to those involved .
(------------)



[5-Cholesterol]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=5pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-07 2:02:11]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]


In medical news this morning, high cholesterol can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Since there are no symptoms, it's important to have your levels checked regularly to determine if you have high cholesterol.
The American Red Cross and Trigon have teamed up to offer free screenings to people in the Roanoke Valley. Health Check reporter Joy Sutton explains why.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Edna Campbell says]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;00]
[SUPER=07-Edna Campbell;18]
[SUPER=01-Carol Wilson/American Red Cross;35]
[SUPER=@Joy2; :48]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Sarver/Carilion Nurse;1:03]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=News 7 Roanoke County.]

((
Edna Campbell says while she does get her cholesterol checked regularly --she knows people who don't because they can't afford the doctor bill.
That's why she thinks it's important that the Red Cross chose Edinburg Square -- a retirement community - as one of the locations to offer free screenings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT11:13]
[IN Q=It's going to help a lot of people]

((EDNA CAMPBELL:IT'S GOING TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE. I THINK THERE OUT TO BE MORE THINGS LIKE THAT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE NEVER KNOW THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM )) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=anything wrong with them]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT13:35]
[IN Q=Trigon has offered us a grant]

((CAROL /AMERICAN RED CROSS:TRIGON HAS OFFERED US A GRANT TO GO INTO THE VALLEY TO DO 300 SCREENINGS ON CHOLESTEROL FOR PEOPLE THAT WOULD NOT ORDINARILY HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THEIR CHOLESTEROL CHECKED)) [RUNS18]
[OUT Q=their cholestrol checked]


The Red Cross hopes by checking cholesterol levels for people -- they can determine whether they need to reduce their risk factors...
Because a high cholesterol level --can cause a build-up of plaque on the arteries --and eventually cause blockages.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:51:38]
[IN Q=Heart arteries can cause a heart attack]

((LISA /CARILION NURSE: HEART ARTERIES CAN CAUSE A HEART ATTACK, ARTERIES THAT LEAD TO YOUR BRAIN MIGHT CAUSE A STROKE AND CERTAINLY CAN GET BLOCKAGES IT THE ARTERIES IN YOUR LEGS OR LIMBS THAT COULD CAUSE VASCULAR DISEASE, THAT CAN CAUSE LOST PAIN WITH WALKING AND THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEM)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=those kinds of problems]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]


You can reduce your cholesterol level by reducing saturated fats in your diet and eating more fiber.
So far, the American Red Cross has done about 60 screenings. But it plans to continue targeting various communities until it reaches 300 screenings.

(Kimberly tosses to Break)[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 lay-offs are coming to Volvo's Dublin plant.
About 300 hourly and salaried employees will be out of a job by the end of April.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


The news is BETTER at Rubatex.
After months of walking the picket lines, union workers approve a new contract.
Meanwhile, the company's financial outlook is ALSO improving.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And if you want more information about Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, there's a new book coming out next week.
But its proceeds WON'T be going where the book indicates they'll go.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And that's what's making news on this Thursday, March 29th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


News 7 Mornin' will be right back.



[Mideast-Peace]


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


The violence continues escalating in the Middle East--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, West Bank;]


There was heavy exchange of fire in the West Bank overnight.
Palestinians opened fire on Jewish territory AFTER Jewish settlers entered the Palestinian market, burning its shops.
Israeli soldiers fired back, and the gun battle went on for several hours.
On Monday, a 10- month- old Jewish girl was killed in a gunfire attack in the same area.
The Israelis blamed a Palestinian sniper for that attack.
(------------)


[2-11Volvo]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC40:58]
[GRAPHIC=Volvo]


Volvo is laying off more workers at its Dublin plant due to a slowing trucking industry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin/File Tape;]


Approximately 3-hundred hourly and salaried employees at the Dublin plant will be eliminated April 30th.
This move is on top of 400-job cuts in February and 11-hundred last year.
A local union leader is not surprised by the cutbacks or optimistic about the future...
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IT DON'T]

((BILL BURTON/UAW LOCAL 2069 PRES.; IT DON'T LOOK GOOD, THE FUTURE I MEAN LOOKING AT THE ORDER BOARDS, IT DON'T LOOK GOOD AND YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, HOPEFULLY SOME DOWN WEEKS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT))
[SUPER=01-Bill Burton/UAW Local 2069 President]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=CARE OF IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Volvo is the New River Valley's second largest employer behind Virginia Tech.
(------------)



[11Rubatex]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-04 TC1:07:32]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex]



Rubatex has reached a labor agreement with its union.
That's not the only good news, money to save the Bedford facility may soon be on the way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape]


After months of picketing and months at work without a contract, a majority of the union members voted in favor of the new contract.
In bankruptcy court yesterday, a judge approved a loan will help the company pay its debts and keep the Bedford plant alive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We need the]

((JOHN CANTLIN/RBX EXECUTIVE VP: WE NEED THE HELP OF THE EMPLOYEES, ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES, MANAGEMENT AND UNION. BUT WE'RE VERY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO TURN THIS THING.))
[SUPER=01-John Cantlin/Rubatex Executive Vice-President]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=turn this thing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Union members and Rubatex officials expect to put the deal in writing within the next few weeks.
(------------)



[11Gas-Merger]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


Virginia Gas is now owned by a New Jersey-based energy company called N-U-I.
The merger was approved by the State Corporation Commission on Tuesday.
Officials signed a deal yesterday in hopes of creating a natural gas trading hub in the mid-Atlantic region.

[11Hardware-Store]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-10 TC24:11]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]


A long time Roanoke County business is closing its doors.
Joe Dashiell talks to the father and son who built Brambleton Hardware over the last 45 years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Customers came on Wednesday]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Doug Basham/Brambleton Hardware; :13]
[SUPER=@Joe1; :32]
[SUPER=01-Warren Basham/Brambleton Hardware; :49 ]
[SUPER=01-Buck Morgan/Customer; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke County]


((Customers came on Wednesday, but the doors were locked. Employees were busy inside tagging merchandise for a "quitting the business" sale.
Owner Doug Basham says he agonized over the decision to close.
[SOT 14:22:16]
[IN Q=And when I looked]

((DOUG BASHAM/BRAMBLETON HARDWARE: AND WHEN I LOOK AT THE RETAIL GAME TODAY, AND WHAT I HAVE IN MY HAND AND THE CARDS THAT I CAN PLAY, I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY HANDS I CAN WIN.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=not sure how many hands I can win.]


There's no question the competition has gotten tougher, as large retailers including Lowes and Home Depot have established a strong presence in the Valley. [STAND-UP BRIDGE]
[SOT 15:19:29]
[IN Q=Many customers ]

((MANY CUSTOMERS TURNED TO BRAMBLETON HARDWARE FOR SMALLER QUANTITIES, THE ONE OF A KIND, HARD TO FIND PIECES OF HARDWARE... BUT MANY ALSO VISITED LARGER RETAILERS FOR THE BIG TICKET ITEMS.))
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=for the big ticket items.]


And that made it hard to maintain the business that Warren Basham established in the fall of 1956.
[SOT 14:28:48]
[IN Q=Yes, I hate to see]

((YES I HATE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT YOU CREATED DISAPPEAR, BUT IT'S TIME TO LOOK AT IT REALISTICALLY.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=time to look at it realistically.]


and time to say goodbye to the loyal customers.
[SOT 14:10:40]
[IN Q=I hate they're closing their business]

((I HATE THEY'RE CLOSING THEIR BUSINESS. THESE MOM AND POP STORES DON'T SEEM TO BE SURVIVING IN THIS DAY AND TIME.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=in this day and time.]


The Small engine service center will remain open for now... The sale will continue until everything is gone.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke County))

[11Mason-Dixon]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-05 TC1:30:50]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol Car Tax]


In Virginia's Capitol, Newport News Delegate Phil Hamilton has unveiled a "no car tax" compromise that phases out the tax 70 percent this year... but keeps the phase-out at 70 percent until state revenues improve.
A new survey shows House Republicans who've broken with the Speaker and the Governor have some public support.
Ellen Qualls looks at the numbers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Our latest]
[RUNS=:52]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7 Richmond.]

(([Pre-Pro Page ]
Our latest NEWS 7/Mason-Dixon poll shows 53 percent of Virginians would support a car tax compromise.
But 42 percent are for sticking with Governor Jim Gilmore's plan to completely repeal the tax by next year. [Gilmore VO]
In another example of how Virginians are deeply divided on the car tax cut, our pollsters asked if you favor what the Governor's had to do: cut the budget to keep "no car tax" on schedule. [Pre-Pro Page 3]
It's a close one.
47 percent say yes.
44 percent say no. [Pre-Pro Page 4]
Regionally, there are bigger differences.
53 percent of Lynchburg and Southside residents say yes, the budget should be cut to keep "no car tax" on schedule.

Only 39 percent say no. [Pre-Pro page 5]
But in Roanoke and Southwest, the budget cuts are less popular.
Only 42 percent say yes to budget cuts to keep "no car tax" on track.
46 percent say no to budget cuts.
Ellen Qualls, News 7 Richmond.))
(------------)



[McVeigh-Book]


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


A new book about Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh is due out next week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]


In the book, McVeigh says he regrets the deaths of 19- children in the day care center of the Murrah Federal building, ONLY because it diluted his message of revenge for Waco and Ruby Ridge.
Meanwhile, officials with the Oklahoma City bombing memorial say they'll turn down all proceeds from the book.
"American Terrorist-- Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing" is scheduled for release on Tuesday.
(------------)


[11altavista]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC1:30:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]


There are some questions surrounding Altavista's finances and why the town might be in trouble.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Altavista]


This comes one day after town officials laid off 11 people and eliminated ten vacant positions.
One town employee who was just laid off says some restaurants have failed to pay the right amount on their monthly meal tax.
The former town clerk argues the town would be in better financial shape if leaders enforced the meals tax.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:50:05, 16:56:51]
[IN Q=I would say if the town]

((JANE POSTIN/FORMER TOWN CLERK: I WOULD SAY IF THE TOWN COLLECTED REVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF LETS SAY OVER A 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HELP SOMEONE KEEP THEIR JOB.)) ((RAY BURGESS/MAYOR: ANYTIME YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF TAX EVASION, YOU TAKE IT SERIOUSLY. CERTAINLY, WE'VE TAKEN IT SERIOUSLY. WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND WE'RE WORKING TO SEE WHAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR NOT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-Jane Postin/Former Town Clerk;:00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Burgess/Altavista Mayor;:14]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=if there is a problem]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Town officials are conducting a full investigation into Postin's claims.
But they argue the cuts would have to be made regardless since the town only collects 400-thousand dollars from the meals tax every year.
(------------)



[11Bomb-Threat]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-03 TC1:31:15]
[GRAPHIC=Bomb Threat]


Students were evacuated and classes were disrupted at Amherst County High School yesterday because of a bomb threat.
But no bomb was found at the school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]


A student found a note Tuesday that said a bomb would go off at 11:07 yesterday morning.. officials searched the building but no explosive was discovered.
About half the school's 14- hundred students stayed home or left early.. and educators called it a frustrating day.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:00:51]
[IN Q=And in this]

((JOHN DANIEL/AMHERST CO. SCHOOL SUPT.: AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT WAS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE INSTRUCTION IS NOT GOING TO GO ON DURING THAT TIME. A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS NOT CREATED OR NOT PERMITTED IN THIS TIME. SO IT REALLY CREATES A LOT OF DISTURBANCE.))
[SUPER=01-John Daniel/School Superintendent;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=lot of disturbance.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Sheriff's authorities are still trying to determine who wrote the note.
Making a bomb threat carries criminal charges as well as possible expulsion from school.
(------------)


[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]


Sheriff's deputies say they know how a Henry County boy died. Last month, 4 year old Stephen Kelly was found dead in his bed. Deputies say tests have determined that the boy died from blunt force injuries to the head, chest, abdomen and extremities.
No word on what or who may have caused the injuries.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]


A slowing trucking industry means Volvo will lay off more workers at its New River Valley plant.
Approximately 3-hundred hourly and salaried positions at the Dublin plant will be eliminated April 30th.
This move is on top of 400-job cuts in February and 11-hundred last year.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Rubatex has reached a labor agreement with its union.
After months of picketing and months at work without a contract, a majority of the union members voted in favor of the new contract.
Union members and Rubatex officials expect to put the deal in writing within the next few weeks.

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

[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A local]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)

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