WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/15/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE PINNACLE]
Botetourt county officials are looking for a woman who's been missing since Monday
They're asking the public for help in finding 45- year- old Betty Jo McNeil.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And a 14- year delegate announces he will NOT run for re- election.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Join us for all that and more on News 7 Mornin.

[11Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=nne]
[GRAPHIC=Whitt Clement]

He's represented Southside for 14 years, but Danville Delegate Whitt Clement says he's had enough.
Clement says he will NOT to run for re-election.
Although he enjoyed campaigning, Clement said he did not look forward to returning to Richmond if re-elected.
He's looking forward to spending more time with his family and practicing law.

[Danville-Fires]

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

Firefighters in Danville have been busy this morning....
They responded to a house fire at 404 Bryant Avenue around 1:30.
The first units reported heavy fire in the rear of the home.
The blaze was brought under control in 15 minutes.
Officials say the fire is under investigation. They say no one was home at the time. Moments later, firefighters responded to a second fire at an apartment at 614 Holbrook Avenue.
That fire was quickly put out.
Officials say an electrical short is to blame.
The occupant was not home at the time of that fire.

[11Missing-Woman]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Botetourt County Sheriff's Department is investigating the case of a missing woman.
Authorities are turning to the public for help.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE PINNACLE] The agency's trying to locate 45- year old Betty Jo McNeil who's been missing since Monday. Family members say the last time they talked to McNeil she was on her way to the Fincastle Library.
(--------)
[anchor=Kim]
[ss=None]
The sheriff says there is no evidence of foul play but adds that "leaving without telling someone" is out of character for McNeil who did not take along any extra money or clothing.

[11L'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC11:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some C-B radio traffic is interfering with a Lynchburg couple's daily lives.
They say the conversations can be graphic and the language vulgar.
But despite all their efforts, the couple can't get rid of the problem.
Now they, along with their neighbors hope City Hall can help.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The problem started]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Stella Slade/Resident; :16]
[SUPER=01-Walter Erwin/Lynchburg City Attorney; :51]
[SUPER=01-Paul Waltz/Ham Radio Operator; 1:09]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( The problem started for Al and Stella Slade about a year ago, when they noticed voices creeping into their t-v, their computer.. even their telephone.
The problem, according to the Slades, is a neighbor whose C-B radio traffic overrides electrical devices in their home.
[SOT 7:47:09]
((STELLA SLADE/RESIDENT: FOR OVER A YEAR, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD HAS BEEN HARASSED BY C-B OPERATORS, DROWNING OUT OUR T-V'S, COMPUTERS, PHONES AND RADIOS WITH OBSCENE LANGUAGE AND CURSING, AT TIMES EVEN THREATENING TO KILL SOMEONE.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=kill someone.]

The Slades have tried everything including filters and shields but the problem persists.
Now they and 26 of their neighbors are asking city council to help.
The F-C-C now allows local governments to enforce the regulations for citizens band radios.. but whether the city can afford to do the federal government's job is another question.
[SOT 7:53:58]
((WALTER ERWIN/LYNCHBURG CITY ATTORNEY: THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING, IT WILL REQUIRE EQUIPMENT TO BE ABLE TO MONITOR, IDENTIFY INTERFERENCE LEVELS, SO IF COUNCIL WANTS TO GET IN THIS AREA, IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=additional resources.]

Local radio enthusiasts hope the problem can be worked out without government interference.
[SOT 8:27:07]
((PAUL WALTZ/LOCAL HAM OPERATOR: I THINK THEY CAN BE WORKED OUT. BECAUSE AS FAR AS THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND WHAT WE GO BY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT, WE OURSELVES NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE IN USING IT TO START WITH.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=to start with.]

City staff have promised to investigate the problem.. the Slades have promised to take their case to Washington if necessary.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

[OR-Wildfire]

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

Making national news--
Dozens of wildfires rage on across the Western states.
More than 10- thousand firefighters have been called in to help.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Ashland, OR;]

In eastern Oregon town of Ashland, helicopters are carrying up to 100-thousand gallons of water from the city reservoir to fight a 51-hundred- acre fire.
National Guard troops are on their way to help firefighters.
Dry weather and 100- degree temperatures are hampering efforts to douse the flames.
Meanwhile, fires are burning in nine other Western states, including California, Montana and Texas.
(------------)

[Beazley-Execution]

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

The execution of a Texas man is scheduled for tonight--
Napoleon Beazley was only 17 when he killed the father of a prominent northern Virginia judge in 1994.
63- year- old John Luttig was killed during a botched car jacking.
The victim's son, Judge Michael Luttig sits on the fourth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals.
Three Supreme Court justices abstained from voting on the execution because they know Judge Luttig.

[11Dove-Hunters]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=01-49]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
It's a crime to bait and hunt "federally- protected" migratory birds.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
William Guthrie- -of Guthrie's Hardware in Brookneal- -found out the hard way. He admitted he's been baiting doves for many years. A state Game Warden found grains of wheat an inch deep in the Halifax County field where Guthrie, his son-in-law and a friend went hunting on opening day last year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=It wasn't as]
((WILLIAM GUTHRIE/DOVE HUNTER; IT WASN'T AS BAD AS IT SOUNDS. IT'S BAD TO SPREAD BAIT, BUT THERE WAS MORE TO IT THAN WHAT YOU SAW. Tell me about that. NO. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO FOOL WITH YOU TODAY.))
[SUPER=01-William Guthrie/Dove Hunter]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=fool with you today.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Guthrie will have to pay the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2-thousand dollars. The magistrate told him and his son-in-law, Tom Short, to spread the word that baiting is a serious offense.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:29:15]
[IN Q=It takes the sport]
((JENNIE WAERING/PROSECUTOR: IT TAKES THE SPORT OUT OF IT. IT HARMS THE HUNTING FOR THE LEGAL HUNTER. IT'S LIKE SHOOTING BIRD'S IN A CAGE.))
[SUPER=01-Jennie Waering/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=bird's in a cage.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

James Hickson of Bedford, also admitted to hunting over a baited field. He and Short had to pay 1-thousand dollars apiece to the Wildlife Fund.
(------------)

[11Franklin-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A traffic accident claimed the life of an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Franklin County.
State police say Hubert Ruff, Junior died at the scene of the crash early yesterday morning.
Ruff was heading north on Route 220 near Rocky Mount, when he ran off the road, crossed four lanes of traffic, and overturned.
The 54-year-old attorney had been with the Franklin prosecutor's office for 12 years.

[11Plane-Crash]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]

Two people are dead after a single-engine plane crash in western Virginia.
State Police say a flight instructor from Rockingham County and his Harrisonburg student died when their plane crashed shortly before 4 p-m yesterday near the Massanutten Resort.
A state police spokewoman says it was unclear who had control of the plane when it hit an oak tree and slid to the ground in a man's back yard.

[11Keister-Shuler]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-33 TC44:26]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]

Two Democratic Delegates plan to return to Richmond, but this time they'll represent new districts if re-elected.

(------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
[SUPER=403-Dublin;]
Jim Shuler says he'll run in the 7th House of Delegates District after serving eight years in the 12th. Democrat Benny Keister, who's recovering from a recent stroke, is in the process of moving so he can run for re-election in the 6th District. Both candidates are eager for economic development in the New River Valley.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 28:55 / 34:01]
[IN Q= A LOT OF CHALLENGES]
(( JIM SHULER/(D) 7TH DISTRICT DELEGATE CANDIDATE; A LOT OF CHALLENGES TO BALANCE UNMET EDUCATION NEEDS HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS WITH LIMITED STATE RESOURCES BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO RETURN TO RICHMOND TO REPRESENT ALL THE CITIZENS OF THIS REDRAWN DISTRICT.)) ((BENNY KEISTER/(D) 6TH DISTRICT DELEGATE CANDIDATE; EDUCATION IS ALWAYS NEAR AND DEAR TO ME BECAUSE I'M A RETIRED TEACHER BUT AT THE SAME TIME I LOOK AT HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.))
[SUPER=401-Jim Shuler/(D) 7th District Delegate Candidate; :00]
[SUPER=401-Benny Keister/(D) 6th District Delegate Candidate; :15]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=HEALTH CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Keister is up against Republican Billy Ashworth, a Wytheville businessman. Shuler will face the G-O-P's Dave Nutter, a spokesman at Virginia Tech.
(-----------)

[6-Nickens]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-23 TC1:37:25]
[GRAPHIC=Harry Nickens]
A longtime Roanoke County Supervisor is running for re-election.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :25]
[SUPER=403-Roanoke Co.;]
Yesterday, Harry Nickens announced his candidacy for the November election. After being appointed to the board of supervisors in 1982, Nickens was elected to represent the Vinton district for four consecutive terms. He says his top priorities include education and public safety. He's also determined to boost support for Explore Park. The board recently agreed to spend more than three million dollars over five years to keep the attraction afloat.
(///// SOT at :25 /////)
[SOT 14:36:59-14:37:14]
[IN Q=In years past we supported Explorer Park from the beginning...]
((HARRY NICKENS/ROANOKE COUNTY SUPERVISOR: IN YEARS PAST WE SUPPORTED EXPLORER PARK FROM THE BEGINNING. I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH IT FOR OVER 15 YEARS... WHEN WE WERE MEETING IN HOMES FOR POTLUCK LUNCHES TO EXPLAIN EXPLORE TO THE PEOPLE. THEY WEREN'T EMBRACING IT AT THAT TIME. THEY EMBRACE IT NOW IN THAT COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=401-Harry Nickens/Roanoke Co. Supervisor;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=embrace it now in that community.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Campaign 2001]
For the first time, Nickens has competition for the seat. He's running against Mike Altizer, a district manager for Monroe Muffler and former vice president of the Mount Pleasant Civic League.

[5-AED]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-01 46:14]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]

In this morning's Health Check, thousands of people die each year as result of cardiac arrest. But now Roanoke County has taken a major step in reducing those odds.
It's now the first community in Southwest Virginia to install Automated External Defibrillators inside government buildings.
As Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton tells us, with A-E-D's easily accessible, patients don't have to wait for the rescue squad. This life-saving technology can be administered by almost anyone.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Roanoke County says]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fuzzy Minnix/Roanoke Co. Supervisor; :09]
[SUPER=01-Rick Burch/Roanoke Co. Fire Chief; :45]
[SUPER=@Joy2; :]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=I'm JS for News 7 Mornin'.]
(( Roanoke County says it's bringing the gift of life to its employees and residents by installing AED's inside several buildings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:47:20]
[IN Q=It's just a great opportunity]
((FUZZY MINNIX/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR:IT'S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HEALTH BENEFIT FOR THAT INSTANT HEART ATTACK THAT NO ONES EXPECTING BUT YOU NEED JUST SOME LITTLE HELP TO HAVE THAT PERSON SURVIVE UNTIL FIRE AND RESCUE GETS THERE)) [RUNS18]
[OUT Q=and rescue gets there]

The AED uses an electric shock to restart the heart of someone whose gone into cardiac arrest. When someone's heart stops beating --every second counts.
And what makes this device so unique--is that can be used by non-medical people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:50:48]
[IN Q=It's is very --it's made]
(( RICK BURCH: ROANOKE CO. FIRE CHIEF:IT IS VERY EASY.... IT'S MADE TO BE VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE PROVIDER AND THE INSTRUCTORS. ONCE YOU OPEN BOX --IT WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN THROUGH IT BEFORE )) [RUNS17]
[OUT Q=through it before]

The County has trained dozens of its employees to use the device. For now four AEDs will be placed inside government buildings. And 27 of the devices will be given to rescue squads and placed on fire trucks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT1:46:52]
[IN Q=I'm looking forward to the day]
(( FUZZY MINNIX: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN WE CAN PUT THEM IN PLACES LIKE TANGLEWOOD MALL)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=I'm JS for News 7 Mornin']))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Roanoke County paid 60-thousand dollars for the AED's. The rest of the money to purchase the devices came from a state grant.
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron] [Streaming-Video]
[comm #3]

[2-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
A fire breaks out early this morning at an apartment in Danville.
Firefighters responded to the blaze in the 600- block of Holbrook Avenue just before two A-M.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The checkered pasts of some of its employees are still causing headaches for the Roanoke city school board.
Last night, board members discussed the results of an audit that found several employees who were hired have criminal records.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE PINNACLE]
And 45- year- old Betty Jo McNeil has been missing since Monday.
The Botetourt county sheriff's department is turning to the public for help in finding her.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, August 15th .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-11Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=nne]
[GRAPHIC=Whitt Clement]

Danville Delegate Whitt Clement says he will NOT run for re-election.
Although he enjoyed campaigning, Clement said he did not look forward to returning to Richmond if re-elected.
He's looking forward to spending more time with his family and practicing law. Clement has represented Southside for 14 years.

[2-Danville-Fires]

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

Firefighters in Danville have been busy this morning....
They responded to a house fire at 404 Bryant Avenue around 1:30.
The first units reported heavy fire in the rear of the home.
The blaze was brought under control within 15 minutes.
Officials say the fire is under investigation. They say no one was home at the time. Moments later, firefighters responded to a second fire at an apartment at 614 Holbrook Avenue.
That fire was quickly put out.
Officials say an electrical short is to blame.
The occupant was not home at the time of that fire.

[2-11Missing-Woman]

[11City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Roanoke city school board took up an issue that's raised concern among some in the community. Last night, board members discussed the results of an audit. Teresa Hamilton reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=A recent audit]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bart Edwards/Former Roanoke Coach; :18 ]
[SUPER=01-Melinda Payne/Roanoke School Board Member; :46 ]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City Superintendent; 1:13]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.]
(( A recent audit of the school system's human resources department found a number of employees had been hired with criminal records. Since then-- some have been let go. Bart Edwards is a former football coach who turned out hoping to salvage his job. He has convictions for bad checks.
((sot////))
[sot 00:55:59]
[IN Q= TWO AND A ]
((TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO I WAS INFORMED BY COACH SMITH I COULD NOT WORK BECAUSE I'M A CONVICTED FELON-- YES, I AM. I HAVEN'T HIDDEN THAT FACT. I HAVE PAID MY DEBTS HOW MANY MORE TIMES MUST I PAY MY DEBTS.)) [RUNS16]
[OUT Q=pay my debts.]
Board Member Melinda Payne wanted to discuss Edward's case in more detail but the board voted NOT to take up the issue. Payne also argued that the school system's hiring policy needs to be more rigid.
((///sot////))
[sot 01:45:38]
((MELINDA PAYNE/ROANOKE SCHOOL BOARD: I JUST THINK THAT IF YOU'VE GOT A SET OF STANDARDS TO FOLLOW THEN THERE'S NO QUESTION NOW THAT PERSON GOT HIRED AND FOLKS CAN'T PUT US UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AND... YOU HIRE SOMEONE.)) [RUNS15]
[out q= you hire someone.]
Superintendent Wayne Harris disagrees... he says the school system's hiring policy adheres to state law and that discretion is needed.
((///sot////))
[sot]
((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: IF THEY WERE TO TAKE AWAY ALL DISCRIMINATION ULTIMATELY WE WOULD HAVE MANY JOBS THAT WOULD BE VACANT I DON'T BELIEVE THE BOARD WOULD DO THAT.)) [runs09]
[out q= would do that.]
The man who performed the audit would also like to see the hiring policy become more rigid-- The Superintendent has assembled a team that will look at the issue in more detail-- and report back to the board later this year. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.))

[Bush]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]

President Bush was the headliner at a Republican fundraising dinner last night in Denver.
The speech capped a day designed to be about the environment and family values.
But PROTESTORS ended up capturing some of the spotlight.
Jennifer Miller reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Denver, CO; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Miller/Reporting;1:08]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=Miller, CBS News, Denver.]
((
President Bush used the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountain National Park to send a signal...he DOES care about the environment. REPAIRING A TRAIL AND clearing brush, one day after his administration backed a plan to give Western states and local governments more latitude in fighting wildfires.

SOT Bush
(there are some who would let our forests fall apart..we are not gonna
let that happen)
BUT AWAY FROM THE TRAILS MR BUSH'S WELCOME WASN'T EXACTLY BRACING.
ENVIRONMENTALISTS POSTED FULL-PAGE ADS IN THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST NEWSPAPERS, QUESTIONING HIS COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRNOMENT. Among the criticism..HIS PROPOSAL to allow road construction in millions of acres of national forests.
MR. BUSH TRIED TIME AND TIME AGAIN.. TO PURSUADE THOSE CRITICS ....THEY NEEDN'T BE CONCERNED.

SOT: BUSH
(this administration is going to be wide and full of concern.. to
preserve our beauty)
BUT IT WASN'T JUST THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS ON THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA..IT WAS FAMILY VALUES.

BUSH SOT
(...we must teach our children the values of respect)

(STANDUP)
SO THE PRESIDENT JOINED YMCA FAMILIES FOR A BARBECUE LUNCH. WHAT COULD BE MORE AMERICAN THAN A PICNIC WITH BARBECUED BEEF AND GRILLED CHICKEN.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTERS, WHO CAME TO THE PARK, WERE KEPT AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENT ... AND-- TUESDAY NIGHT MORE PROTESTERS ... THIS TIME AT A FUNDRAISING DINNER AT THE ADAM'S MARK HOTEL IN DENVER. DOZENS MARCHED THE STREETS ... SUPPORTING ANARCHY AND PROTESTING EVERYTHING FROM CAPITALISM TO BUSH'S ENERGY PLAN. BUT THE FUNDRAISING DINNER WAS STILL SUCCESSFUL ... RAISING 1-POINT-4 MILLION DOLLARS FOR REPUBLICANS. JENNIFER MILLER, CBS NEWS, DENVER.

))[Midway-Bankruptcy]

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

Financial problems have grounded North Carolina- based Midway Airlines at five eastern airports.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

The airline has filed for bankruptcy protection and is discontinuing service to several cities, including Pittsburgh and Washington D-C.
Midway is also laying off half of its workers, including nearly 200 pilots, immediately.
Citing a drop in business, higher fuel costs, and tough competition from other regional cariers, Midway officials say drastic measures were necessary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The principal cause]
((ROBERT FERGUSON/MIDWAY AIRLINES C.E.O.:THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF THE FILING OF CHAPTER 11 AT THE TIME IT OCCURRED WAS A PRECIPITOUS DROP IN BUSINESS TRAFFIC IN RALEIGH-DURHAM. ))
[SUPER=01-Robert Ferguson/Midway Airlines C.E.O.;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=in Raleigh-Durham]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

More flights will be discontinued next week in cities like Los Angeles and Birmingham, Alabama.
(------------)

[11Cole-Monument]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=USS Cole]

The Norfolk Naval Station will be home to a monument that remembers the 17 people killed in the terrorist bombing of the U-S-S Cole. It will be dedicated this fall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Pittsylvania County native Timothy Saunders was among those killed in the blast.
[SUPER=03-Pascagoula, MS]

The Cole is being repaired in Mississippi and is expected to return to Norfolk next spring.
The ship's crew came up with the idea for the memorial which will be dedicated on October 12th, the first anniversary of the attack.
It's expected to cost up to 150-thousand dollars.
(------------)

[11Roanoke-Times]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-44 TC16:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Roanoke Times says a new printing plant would enhance the central city and keep 400 employees downtown.
Representatives of the paper said the facility WILL be a good neighbor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, the newspaper outlined the proposal for members of the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Attorney Stan Barnhill said the new plant would have less impact on the neighborhood, than other projects that are allowed under current zoning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In fact, I would contend]
((STAN BARNHILL/ROANOKE TIMES ATTORNEY: IN FACT I WOULD CONTEND AND HOPEFULLY THE BOARD WILL AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT AS I GO THROUGH SOME OF THESE OTHER ITEMS, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONCEIVE OF A MANUFACTURING FACILITY WITH LESS IMPACT ON ITS SURROUNDINGS THAN THIS BUILDING WILL HAVE.)) ((DAVID BOWERS/OPPONENTS ATTORNEY: WE THINK THAT AS A MATTER OF LAW, THE ROANOKE TIMES CANNOT PREVAIL ON THIS SITE.))

[SUPER=01-Stan Barnhill/Roanoke Times Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Bowers/Opponents Attorney; :18]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=cannot prevail on this site.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Two members of the board were absent, so the newspaper asked for a delay on its petition.
The board will consider the proposal again next month.
(------------)

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

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Danville Fire officials are investigating an early morning house fire at 404 Bryant Avenue.
They say the blaze was brought under control within 15 minutes. Officials say no one was home at the time. Moments later, firefighters responded to a second fire at an apartment at 614 Holbrook Avenue.
That fire was quickly put out.
Officials say an electrical short is to blame.
The occupant was not home at the time of that fire.

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Danville Delegate Whitt Clement says he will NOT to run for re-election.
Although he enjoyed campaigning, Clement said he did not look forward to returning to Richmond if re-elected.
He's looking forward to spending more time with his family and practicing law.

(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[TAKE FS McNeil GRAPHIC] The Botetourt County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in finding 45 year old Betty Jo McNeil. She's been missing since Monday. Family members say the last time they talked to McNeil she was on her way to the Fincastle Library.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Steve Mason with a preview of News 7 at Six.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Coming up]
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[OUT Q=tonight at 6.]
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[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Double Boxes=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]