WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 05/17/01

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom - More scattered showers could dabble around the area today with temperatures in the 60's. Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will have your complete forecast in just a couple of minutes.

[7-Memorial-ER]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The emergency department at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital is closed due to a water leak.
The extent of the damage is not known at this time. Hospital officials say they're are not sure when it will re-open.
All emergency traffic is now being diverted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[7-Oxycontin]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=Oxycontin]
Southwest Virginia has seen misuse of the powerful painkiller Oxycontin reach epidemic levels -
But there is another side to the story..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery County;]

.. that of chronic pain sufferers like Jeanette Murray who need the drug to cope and use it the way it was intended.
A registered nurse whose on the job injury left her with nerve damage, she has used Oxycontin successfully.
But because of widespread abuse, officials say many patients are having a hard time finding the drug and doctor who will prescribe it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-2:16:29]
[IN Q=THERE IS]
((JEANETTE MURRAY/CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERER; THERE IS A CRIMINAL PROBLEM AND THEIR IS AN ADDICTION PROBLEM BUT IT LIES IN THOSE HANDS NOT WITH THOSE OF US WHO ARE USING THIS AS IT'S PRESCRIBED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PHYSICIANS.))
[SUPER=01-Jeanette Murray/Chronic Pain Sufferer;]
[OUT Q=PHYSICIANS]
[RUNS=:08]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Later today, Virginia's Attorney General Mark Earley will hold the first statewide oxycontin task force meeting to concentrate on the problem.
(------------)

[7-2-I-73]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=I-73]

The direction of Interstate 73 could be decided today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]
VDOT engineers had recommend placing I-73 from I-81 near Roanoke south to the North Carolina line, running just west of Martinsville. But now several members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board say it would be better to place the new interstate to the east of Martinsville. The Commonwealth Transportation Board is scheduled to vote on the path of I-73 at today's board meeting in Fredricksburg.
Ellen Qualls will have an update tonight on News 7 at 5 and 6.
(------------)

[WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom - Keep the rain jacket handy today - you may see a couple more rain drops today. Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has your complete weather details coming up.

[45-Memorial-ER]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A water leak has caused the emergency department at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital to close.
The extent of the damage is not known at this time. Hospital officials say they're are not sure when it will re-open.
All emergency traffic is now being diverted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[45-11Roanoke-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-29 TC11:27]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
An accident in Roanoke leaves a teenager in critical condition -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Police say the 16- year old was attempting to turn onto Peters Creek Road last night when he pulled into the path of a Ford Explorer. The S-U-V struck the teen on the driver's side. Authorities say the teenager had to be cut from his car and is now in critical condition. The driver of the Explorer is in his 30's and was also taken to the hospital.
(-----------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[45-11Bedford-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC13:09]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

An overturned tractor-trailer shut down Route 122 in Bedford County for hours last night.
State Police believe the rig was rounding a curve when the truck tipped over.
Crews had to unload the truck before it could be righted.
(------------)

[45-11Thomas]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-13 TC52:01]
[GRAPHIC=Vic Thomas]

Roanoke Delegate Vic Thomas will seek re-election.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Despite speculation that Thomas would step down, the veteran lawmaker says he couldn't walk away from the recent turmoil in state government.
He says he made his decision, and began calling supporters with the news yesterday afternoon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:41:23]
[IN Q=I've been agonizing]
((DEL. VIC THOMAS/D- ROANOKE: I'VE BEEN AGONIZING OVER IT FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND ONCE I FELT LIKE I KNEW WHAT I HAD TO DO, I HAD TO RUN FOR RE- ELECTION. I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL GET RE- ELECTED, BUT I DON'T KNOW, I FELT LIKE I HAD TO TRY. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO WALK AWAY WHEN THINGS ARE LIKE THEY ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Vic Thomas/(D) Roanoke]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=when things are like they are.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Thomas was first elected to the General Assembly in 1973. He is a senior member of five House committees including Appropriations.

[45-11DMV-Machines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=DMV Seal]
Renewing your driver's lisence will soon be a lot less of a hassle -
The Department of Motor Vehicles is putting a high-tech gadget in D-M-V offices called extraTeller.
It's a computerized touch-screen machine that works like an A-T-M.
All 73 D-M-V locations should have one by the end of the year.
Motorists with pre-printed renewal forms can renew their licenses and registrations at an extraTeller 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom. More scattered showers could be on the way...then we'll see a clearing trend. Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner will join us with details, in just a few minutes.

[8-Memorial-ER]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM cutin]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A water leak has closed the emergency department at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital.
The extent of the damage is not known at this time. Hospital officials say they're are not sure when it will re-open.
All emergency traffic is now being diverted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

[8-11Tax-Payment]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Covington man has received a bill from the state, informing him that he'd underpaid his income taxes for 19-99 by ONE dollar. Lonnie Morgan pays his state taxes once a year, but he draws disability.
The state says he should be making estimated QUARTERLY payments.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Morgan says he was eventually able to prove he did NOT owe the dollar but he has not been able to wipe out another part of the bill. He was assessed an 18- dollar penalty for not paying his 1999 income taxes every four months. It's called an underpayment charge and angers Morgan who pays his taxes yearly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is not ]
((LONNIE MORGAN/TAXPAYER: THIS IS NOT ABOUT 18- DOLLARS. THIS IS ABOUT PRINCIPLES, THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS. THIS IS ABOUT PEOPLE'S RIGHTS. AND SOMETIME OR ANOTHER WE'VE GOT TO STAND UP AND MAKE OURSELVES HEARD WHEN WE'RE DONE WRONG. ))
[SUPER=01-Lonnie Morgan/Taxpayer;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=we're done wrong.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[ss=None]
State officials would not comment on Morgan's case-- but say people who do not have taxes withheld by an employer need to comply with the law. Morgan says he doesn't want to but will eventually pay the bill.

[8-11L'Burg-Nationwide]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=New jobs]

100- new jobs are coming to Lynchburg.
Nationwide Insurance is bringing a customer claims center to the Hill City.
The office building is scheduled to be complete in September.
The insurer already employs almost 350 people at another facility in Lynchburg.

[8-11Celanese-Jobs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC49:01]
[GRAPHIC=Celanese]

Meanwhile, more jobs are also on the way to Giles County.
But the region is getting the jobs because Celanese is cutting 445 positions at its South Carolina plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co./August;]

Celanese officials say SOME of those jobs will move to the plant in Giles County. No word yet on how many.
The company says consolidating production in Narrows will make it more efficient.
The plant currently employs more than one-thousand workers. (------------)