[Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Fire rips through the Enchanted Castle in Natural Bridge.
We'll have details.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And a man's body is discovered in front of the Norfolk Southern machine shop over the weekend.
Authorities still don't know who he is.
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Get your work week started here-- on News 7 Mornin.
[Enchanted-Castle]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Fire ripped through the Enchanted Castle in Natural Bridge.
Authorities received the call shortly after 2 this morning.
They say the building is a total loss.
There's no word yet on the cause.
[11Roanoke-Body]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC 18:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]
An engineer aboard a passing train spotted a body near Campbell Avenue in Roanoke.
Roanoke police say the body was in the cement canal in front of the Norfolk Southern machine shop.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Police received the call around 10:15 yesterday morning.
The man was found lying face down in the water. He had apparently suffered a head wound.
He's a white male, 35 to 40 years old, with long brown hair, and tattoos.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 06:13:44]
[IN Q=FOUND HIM]
((SGT. STAN SMITH/ROANOKE CITY POLICE: FOUND HIM LYING IN FOUR OR FIVE INCHES OF WATER IN THE CULVERT. IT APPEARED HE HAD BEEN THERE FOR SOMETIME AND THAT SOME OF THE SEDIMENT HAD FORMED OVER HIM. WE SEARCHED FOR IDENTIFICATION IN HIS POCKETS AND WE DIDN'T FIND ANY SO WE HAVE TO USE OTHER MEANS TO DO IDENTIFICATION))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Stan Smith/Roanoke City Police;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=to do an identification]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The body has been sent to the Roanoke Medical Examiners office to determine the cause of death and the man's identity.
[11Redistricting]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=VA Redistricting]
Legislative re- districting is becoming a key issue across the Commonwealth--
Tonight, there are several public hearings planned.
They're are scheduled for South Boston, Abingdon, Newport News, Annandale and Richmond.
The meetings will be held at seven p-m.
The General Assembly will vote on new state Senate and House of Delegates boundaries later this week.
[2-China-Plane]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
In national news--
U-S diplomats will be granted another visit today with crew members of the Navy spy plane still grounded in China.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The 24-member crew has now been in the hands of the Chinese for more than a week.
Its mid- air collision with a Chinese fighter jet left the Chinese pilot missing and presumed dead.
The U-S refusal to apologize for the incident is a major sticking point in the standoff.
And American officials say the longer it lasts, the larger impact it'll have on relations between the two countries.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 0:19:05]
[IN Q=It's in China]
((SEN. JOHN WARNER/R- VIRGINIA: IT'S IN CHINA'S OWN INTEREST TO GET THIS BEHIND THEM AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE. THEY'VE GOT SOME HIGH STAKES ISSUES BEFORE THEM- TRADE,
OLYMPICS, THEIR OWN IMAGE IN THE WORLD.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Warner/(R) Virginia;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=image in the world.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, the Chinese military continues demanding an end to all surveillance activities off China's coast.
(------------)
[Vietnam-Helicopter]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Investigators are still searching for the cause of a helicopter crash in Vietnam that killed 16 people.
Seven Americans are among the dead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Thanh Tranh, Vietnam;]
The Russian- made chopper crashed into a mountainside in central Vietnam on Saturday.
Officials say bad weather may have played a role in the crash.
The group aboard the chopper was part of an M-I-A task force, out searching for the remains of Americans missing in action from the Vietnam War.
The crash victims' bodies have been recovered and officials say the Americans will be sent home.
(------------)
[One-Steve]
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[Microwave]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Bill Moore/Framescapes;]
[SUPER=11-Roanoke;]
(I'll call for Campin' Board)
[essc#8200]
(toss to Kimberly for Marketwatch)
((Archive: art))[American-Airlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news this morning--
[SS=American Airlines]
American Airlines is soaring to new heights.
Today, it could become the nation's largest airline.
American's parent company is expect to pay 742- million- dollars for Trans World Airlines.
American will also assume three-point-five-billion- dollars in T-W-A debt.
The Justice Department granted its approval of the deal on Friday.[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In other business news... More earnings reports are due out this week.
Renay San Miguel has that story and a look at the week ahead in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Renay San Miguel/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:57]
[OUT Q= CBS MARKETWATCH DOT COM, NEW YORK.]
((Information:
ONCAM=Renay
AS WE GET DEEPER INTO APRIL, YOU'LL START TO NOTICE A LOT OF YOUR
CO-WORKERS WANDERING AROUND WITH RED EYES AND SNIFFLING.. AND WHILE IT'S
ALL THAT POLLEN IN THE AIR.. IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO VOLATILE STOCK
MARKETS, GET READY TO REACH FOR YOUR FAVORITE MEDICATION BECAUSE WE'RE
ABOUT TO WADE KNEE-DEEP INTO A BIG FIELD OF COMPANY EARNINGS...
ESS=earnings
THE WEEK BRINGS REPORTS FROM YAHOO!, MOTOROLA, SAFEWAY, ABBOTT LABS,
BIOGEN, RESEARCH IN MOTION, DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON.
ONCAM=
IT WAS MORE EARNINGS WARNINGS, ALONG WITH A LESS-THAN-STELLAR JOBS
REPORTS, THAT BROUGHT AN END TO LAST THURSDAY'S BIG RALLY..
ESS=dow
FRIDAY ENDED WITH THE DOW DOWN 126 POINTS TO 9791..FINANCIAL STOCKS,
CYCLICALS, AIRLINES AND PAPER COMPANIES WERE DOWN..
ESS=nasdaq
THE NASDAQ WAS BACK TO ITS SELLING WAYS..DOWN 64 POINTS ON FRIDAY TO
1720..FIBER-OPTIC NETWORKING AND CHIP STOCKS SLID..
ESS=tellabs & sycamore
TELLABS AND SYCAMORE NETWORKS, TWO FIBER OPTIC COMPANIES, BOTH GAVE
PROFIT WARNINGS, BOTH BLAMING A SLOWDOWN IN ORDERS FOR THEIR EQUIPMENT..
ESS=pcg
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC, THE NATION'S LARGEST UTILITY..SAID THE
CALIFORNIA ENERGY CRISIS WAS FORCING IT TO FILE FOR CHAPTER ELEVEN
BANKRUPTCY..
ESS=motorola
MOTOROLA LOST 27 PERCENT OF ITS VALUE AFTER CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
ISSUED A NEGATIVE NOTE ON THE CELL PHONE AND CHIP MAKER..
ONCAM=
ALL OF THIS DIDN'T TOTALLY ERASE THURSDAY'S GAINS, WHICH WERE HELPED BY
DELL REITERATING ITS INTENTION TO MEET WALL STREET ESTIMATES FOR ITS
QUARTER. CEO MICHAEL DELL SAID CORPORATE DEMAND FOR P-C'S MAY BE WEAKER,
BUT CONSUMERS ARE CREATING NEW USES FOR COMPUTERS.
VT=SOT
Michael Dell/CEO Dell Computer 9:14 "I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S HOT RIGHT
NOW, IT'S DVD'S, CD-REWRITES, AND WIRELESS, WIRELESS IN THE HOME, WITH
CABLE MODEMS AND DSL COMING IN AND DISTRIBUTING WIRELESS TO MANY
DIFFERENT COMPUTERS THROGHOUT THE HOME."
ONCAM=
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE DISTRIBUTING MORE ECONOMIC REPORTS THIS
WEEK..INCLUDING THE PRODUCERS PRICE INDEX, RETAILS SALES AND BUSINESS
INVENTORIES.
ESS=mktw
FOR MORE ON THE MARKETS CLICK ON CBS DOT MARKETWATCH DOT COM.
ONCAM=renay
I'M RSM, CBS MARKETWATCH DOT COM, NEW YORK.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Fargo-Flood]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
While HEAT is the weather story here--
In North Dakota, they're worrying about FLOODING.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fargo, ND;]
Authorities are concerned mostly about the Red River, which flows northward between North Dakota and Minnesota.
It caused a devastating flood four years ago.
Workers are putting in sandbags, in hopes of stopping the water from pouring over if the river rises.
(------------)
[11Hiking-Safety]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-04 TC1:20:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A father and son were lost in the dark on (Mac-uh-fees) McAfee's Knob in Roanoke County for several hours Saturday night.
But smart thinking by the pair led rescuers to their location.
What do you need to know before lacing up your boots to go hiking?
Kate Weidaw has the answer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;:00]
[SUPER=01-Teresa Stanley/Hiker;:32]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Saturday;:49]
[SUPER=01-Zeph Cunningham/Park Ranger;:58]
[SUPER=@Kate1;1:10]
[SUPER=01-Neil Tucker/Hiker;1:25]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Bedford.]
(([NAT SOUND OF BOOTS WALKING]
[RUNS= 3]
The steep and rocky terrain attracts thousands of visitors to the trails off the Blue Ridge Parkway every year. But do you really know what you're getting yourself into before taking the hike?
[SOT 7:41]
[INQ=]
((ZEPH CUNNINGHAM/PARK RANGER: THE TRAILS HERE ARE NOT THE SMOOTHEST IN THE WORLD, THEY'RE ROUGH.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 4]
And if you look at the signs at the bottom of trails like Sharp Top in the Peaks of Otter, you'll find the hike up is two hours.
Teresa Stanley and her 7 year old son Davis like to take the challenging hike when the weather's nice.
[SOT 13:56]
[INQ=]
((TERESA STANLEY: WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BRING WATER OR SOMETHING TO DRINK LIKE JUICE AND WHEN I BRING MY CHILDREN WE ALWAYS LIKE TO BRING A SNACK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
One thing the Stanley's always remember is to never get off the marked trail. Saturday afternoon a pair of hikers got lost and couldn't find their way out when it got dark. But search crews say because the hikers didn't continue walking, they were able to find them.
[SOT 8:58]
[INQ=]
((ZEPH CUNNINGHAM: IF YOU GET LOST, THE SECOND YOU GET LOST SIT DOWN ON THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS SOMEONE WILL FIND YOU ALSO IF YOU HEAR PEOPLE YELLING AT YOU CALL BACK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
[SOT 29:56]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: ANOTHER THING YOU DON'T WANT TO FORGET WHEN YOU'RE HIKING ON THE TRAILS IS YOUR CELL PHONE THAT WAY IF YOU GET HURT OR LOST YOU CAN CALL FOR HELP.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 7]
[20:00 NAT SOUND OF NEIL CLOSING CAR DOOR]
((LET'S GO.))
[RUNS= 5]
Day hikers like the Tuckers make sure they bring along a whistle in case they get lost and a fanny pack with supplies.
[SOT 23:58]
[INQ=]
((NEIL TUCKER: THESE THINGS ARE HANDY, THESE WALKIE-TALKIES ARE NOT THAT EXPENSIVE AND IF WE WANT TO SPLIT UP WE KNOW WE CAN ALWAYS TALK TO ONE ANOTHER.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 12]
So before you put on your walking shoes make sure you're prepared for a challenging climb so you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings safely. Kate Weidaw News 7 Bedford.))
[11Confederacy]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-03 1:44:56]
[GRAPHIC=none]
April is no longer recognized as Confederate History and Heritage month in Virginia.
But one official with the group Sons of Confederate Veterans has found his own way to declare the observance.
Henry Kidd shelled out seven-thousand dollars for an ad that will run in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch.
(-------------)
[super=03-Richmond/Last Month;]
Last year's Confederate proclamation by the governor upset civil rights
activists.
So this year, Gilmore's proclamation recognized
Virginians who fought for the Union as well as those who fought for
the Confederacy.
(------------)
[Health-Check]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]
In medical news, a CAGE Test may help doctors pinpoint alcoholism in their patients.
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=1:09]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((
Information:
DAVE ON CAM
RESEARCH SHOWS THERES MORE ALCOHOLISM NOW IN THE UNITED STATES THAN
EVER BEFORE - WITH ALCOHOL KILLING FIVE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE AS ALL
ILLICIT DRUGS COMBINED. THE BAD NEWS IS WE DOCTORS ARE NOT DOING A VERY
GOOD JOB SCREENING FOR ALCOHOL PROBLEMS IN OUR PATIENTS- AND PATIENTS
FAMILIES ARENT CLUING US IN THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM---- AS A RESULT
ALCOHOLISM FREQUENTLY GOES UNDIAGNOSED AND UNTREATED. ONE STUDY
RECOMMENDS WE DO WHAT'S CALLED THE CAGE TEST TO SCREEN FOR ALCOHOL
PROBLEMS- A TEST YOU MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE.
CG STILL- THE C STANDS FOR "HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO CUT DOWN ON YOUR
DRINKING"
THE A- HAS ANYONE EVER BEEN ANNOYED BY YOUR DRINKING.
G- HAVE YOU EVER FELT GUILTY ABOUT YOUR BEHAVIOR WHEN YOU'VE BEEN UNDER
THE INFLUENCE.
AND E: HAVE YOU EVER USED ALCOHOL AS AN EYE OPENER TO MAKE YOU FEEL
ALL RIGHT. -
DAVE -
EVEN ONE YES ANSWER MAY MEAN AN PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL- TWO OR MORE MEANS
SOME HELP IS NEEDED. CALL YOUR DOCTOR, OR YOUR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH
ASSOCIATION FOR ASSISTANCE. ))
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[Streaming-Video]
[comm #3]
[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]
This Natural Bridge amusement park was destroyed in an overnight fire.
Authorities say the Enchanted Castle is now a total loss.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
A body is found over the weekend in the cement canal in front of the Norfolk Southern machine shop.
The man was found face down in the water and had apparently suffered a head injury.
(----------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:42:51]
[IN Q=It's been]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=The latest coming up.]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And that's what's making news on this Monday, April 9th .
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
[2-Enchanted-Castle]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Enchanted Castle owner Mark Cline says he will bounce back and rebuild his studio after fire destroyed it this morning.
Authorities received the call shortly after 2.
Five area fire companies responded to the blaze.
They say the building is a total loss.
There's no word yet on the cause.
Enchanted Castle is located off Route 11 in Natural Bridge.
That road is still blocked this morning because of the fire.
[2-11Roanoke-Body]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC 18:24]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Roanoke police say a body was found in the cement canal in front of the Norfolk Southern machine shop near Campbell Avenue in Roanoke.
An engineer aboard a passing train first spotted the body.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Police received the call around 10:15 yesterday morning.
The man was found lying face down in the water. He had apparently suffered a head wound.
He's a white male, 35 to 40 years old, with long brown hair, and tattoos.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 06:13:44]
[IN Q=FOUND HIM]
((SGT. STAN SMITH/ROANOKE CITY POLICE: FOUND HIM LYING IN FOUR OR FIVE INCHES OF WATER IN THE CULVERT. IT APPEARED HE HAD BEEN THERE FOR SOMETIME AND THAT SOME OF THE SEDIMENT HAD FORMED OVER HIM. WE SEARCHED FOR IDENTIFICATION IN HIS POCKETS AND WE DIDN'T FIND ANY SO WE HAVE TO USE OTHER MEANS TO DO IDENTIFICATION))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Stan Smith/Roanoke City Police;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=to do an identification]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The body has been sent to the Roanoke Medical Examiners office to determine the cause of death and the man's identity.
[China-Plane]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
China says American diplomats will be able to see the crew of the grounded Navy spy plane again today.
U-S officials are continuing to press for daily access to the crew members.
Jennifer Jones has an update.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Neal Sealock/Defense Attache; :13]
[SUPER=01-Colin Powell/U.S. Secretary of State; :43]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Warner/(R) Virginia; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Jones, CBS News, Washington.]
((
(NATZ FULL, U-S AMABASSADOR JOSEPH PRUEHER SAYING TALKS ARE GOING WELL)
WHILE TALKS CONTINUE TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF THE CREW OF THE AMERICAN
SPY PLANE.... U-S OFFICIALS ARE ALSO PUSHING FOR DAILY ACCESS TO THE MEN
AND WOMEN.
SOT: Brigadier General Neal Sealock/Defense Attache
"WE WERE NOT PERMITTED TO SEE THEM YESTERDAY, WE'RE HOPEFUL WE'LL SEE
THEM TODAY. WE'RE CONTINUING TO DELIVER THE SAME E-MAILS THAT HAVE COME
IN..."
THE 24 MEMBER CREW HAS NOW BEEN IN THE HANDS OF THE CHINESE FOR MORE
THAN A WEEK FOLLOWING THEIR EMERGENCY LANDING ON HAINAN ISLAND IN
SOUTHERN CHINA. THEY WERE FORCED TO LAND THEIR BADLY DAMAGED
RECONNAISSANCE PLAN AFTER IT COLLIDED IN MID-AIR WITH A CHINESE FIGHTER
JET. WITH THE PILOT OF THE FIGHTER MISSING AND PRESUMED DEAD, CHINESE
OFFICIALS HAVE DEMANDED AN APOLOGY.
SOT: COLIN POWELL/U-S SECRETARY OF STATE
"WE HAVE NO REASON TO APOLOGIZE AND THEY HAVE FELT STRONGLY ABOUT IT AND
WE'RE TRYING TO WORK OUR WAY THROUGH IT."
THE U-S REFUSAL TO APOLOGIZE APPEARS TO BE THE MAJOR STICKING POINT IN
RESOLVING THIS STANDOFF. BUT, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE LONGER IT DRAGS
ON.... THE GREATER IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON LONG TERM RELATIONS BETWEEN
THE TWO NATIONS.
SOT: SEN. JOHN WARNER/R-VA
"IT'S IN CHINA OWN INTEREST TO GET THIS BEHIND THEM AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE. THEY'VE GOT SOME HIGH STAKES ISSUES BEFORE THEM- TRADE,
OLYMPICS, THEIR OWN IMAGE IN THE WORLD."
(STANDUP)
CHINA HAS A 84 BILLION DOLLAR TRADE SURPLUS WITH THE U-S.... THAT COULD
BE THREATENED IF THIS DOESN'T END SOON.
JJ, CBSN, WASH.
))
[11VDOT-Safety]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-15 TC 14:35]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Virginia Department of Transportation is declaring this week "Work Zone Safety Awarenesss Week".
That's in the wake of the 10 deaths in Virginia last year from traffic accidents in work zones.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
Officials say men between the ages of 18 and 24 cause the most accidents in work zone areas.
And while highway construction can be a dangerous job, seven out of every 10 people killed in work zone accidents are motorists.
V-DOT is urging everyone to slow down to prevent accidents, and avoid getting a ticket.
(------------)
[11Copter-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-18 - TC-12:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Two people were slightly injured after a helicopter crashed in Pittsylvania County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]
It happened just before ten o'clock yesterday morning as the pilot was attempting to pick up two passengers at this home on Fall Creek Road just off Route 729.
Witnesses say the helicopter was about to land when then the tail came up.
That's when the main rotor touched the ground.
The pilot and one passenger suffered minor injuries and were transported to Danville Regional Hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board was called in to investigate.
(------------)
[11Food-Stamps]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Food Stamps]
Virginia's food stamp program is changing.
In the future, those using the stamps will no longer be given paper coupons.
The coupons are being replaced with electronic debit cards beginning this fall.
Officials say it will take about a year to introduce the cards statewide.
[11Feedback, April 8]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=Feedback]
[GRAPHIC=Feedback]
Evening prayer at V-M-I and a P.E.T.A. protest top our viewer mail this week.
Here's assignment editor Joe McKean with News 7's "Feedback".
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Two cadets at VMI...]
[RUNS=2:05]
[OUT Q=McKean, News 7]
((Two cadets at VMI are challenging the requirement to say grace before evening meals.This dispute hasn't ended up in court, yet, but the ACLU is thinking about filing suit. A Vietnam veteran (J.D. Hobbie IV) from Roanoke wrote:
"These two young men are enjoying the freedom to attend the institution of their choice. How dare they challenge the right to prayer before their dinner?...They are about to become Officers in the US Military, the leaders of men...I would love to be there with them when they are caught in a crossfire between the enemy and OUR forces and all hell is breaking loose and if I ever heard one of them ask God to get them through this I would whisper in their ear. 'You can't do that, you may offend someone.' Keydets, get real, get perspective and Pray to God because He's the only one that will get you through life and will get you home."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals brought its campaign against cruelty to circus animals to the Roanoke City Market, and with help from a local radio station created a bit of a spectacle. One of the demonstrators (Teresa Humphreys/Clifton Forge) appreciated our coverage, but growled about some of it.
"I think each individual who was there standing up for what they believe in was extremely important and there should have been an overall shot of the crowd, not just Tarina (Keene) stepping out of her robe and preparing for the demonstration. Only our signs were shown, not our faces and that to me seemed a bit rude of WDBJ-7 as if we weren't as important as the crowd drawing attraction...I'm glad to see that your station took this seriously and considered it important enough to cover, unlike another local station who is located only blocks away but sent no one to cover the events of this day."
Send your thoughts about the issues of the day and how we handle them to PO Box 7, Roanoke, 24022-0007.
Here's our fax number: 343-7269.
And our e-mail address, news@wdbj7.com.
Or take part in an on-line forum at our website.
Joe McKean, News-7.))
[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]
Fire ripped through the Enchanted Castle in Natural Bridge this morning.
Authorities received the call shortly after 2.
Five area fire companies responded to the blaze.
They say the building is a total loss.
There's no word yet on the cause.
Route 11 is still blocked this morning because of the fire.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
An engineer aboard a passing train spotted a body near Campbell Avenue in Roanoke yesterday.
Roanoke police say the body was in the cement canal in front of the Norfolk Southern machine shop.
The man was found lying face down in the water. He had apparently suffered a head wound.
The body has been sent to the Roanoke Medical Examiners office to determine the cause of death and the man's identity.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
The Virginia Department of Transportation is declaring this week "Work Zone Safety Awarenesss Week".
That's in the wake of the 10 deaths in Virginia last year from traffic accidents in work zones.
V-DOT is urging everyone to slow down to prevent accidents, and avoid getting a ticket.
(-------------)
[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=Ronald Wright]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye)
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Shannon and Steve]
by SS