WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/22/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Police in Northern California say Ukrainian murder suspect Nikolay Soltys has ALSO killed his three- year- old son.
Authorities have been searching for Soltys since he allegedly killed his wife and other family members on Monday.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And Food Lion recalls its brand of ice cream.
We'll have all the information.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Start your day right here-- News 7 Mornin is straight ahead.

[Sacramento-Murders]

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

A sad end to the search for the three-year-old son of Ukrainian fugitive Nikolay Soltys.
Police found the boy's body in a cardboard box in northern California.
A nationwide manhunt is still on for Soltys, who's now suspected in the murders of six family members.
Chris Lawrence reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA; :00]
[SUPER=01-James Lewis/Sacramento Co. Sheriff's Department; :08]
[SUPER=01-Chris Lawrence/Reporting; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=Lawrence, CBS News, Sacramento.]
((
It took only a note scrawled on the back of a family photo to lead Sacramento police to a gruesome discovery.

(SOT: Sgt James Lewis/Sacramento County Sheriff Dept)

The three-year-old toddler --police say-- became the latest victim of his father-- Nikolay Soltys-- who also allegedly killed his pregnant wife and four other relatives.
Investigators say Soltys attacked his wife Monday morning in their home. He then drove about 20 miles to a relatives' house --where they say --Soltys brutally slashed the throat of his aunt and uncle, then attacked and killed his two cousins. They were only 9 and ten years old.

SOT: Lewis

The 27 year old Soltys is an unemployed shoemaker from the Ukraine. He tried to join the Ukrainian army, but reportedly was turned him down because of "mental instability." Then he moved to the United States two years ago and lived in Binghamton New York as well as Sacramento. His wife had only recently joined him. Police say the crime scene was unforgettable.

(SOT: Lewis)

(LAWRENCE STANDUP CLOSE)

))[11Ice-Cream]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Recall]

You may want to check your freezer for the latest recall.
Some ice cream sold at Food Lion stores in Virginia is being recalled.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
The company is recalling half-gallon packages of Food Lion Fudge Royale ice cream because it may contain peanuts or pieces of peanuts.
Food Lion says people who are allergic to peanuts risk a serious or life-threatening reaction if they eat the ice cream.
The ice cream comes in square half-gallon containers with the U-P-C number 3-5-8-2-6- 0-0-5-7-3 and a code date of 04- Twelve- 02.
(-------------)

[Helms]

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

One of the most conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill is bowing out of politics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms plans to announce he's retiring in 2003.
Sources say 79- year- old Helms will make the official announcement tonight on a Raleigh T-V station.
Helms has been active in politics since 1950.
A conservative DEMOCRAT until he switched parties in 1970, Helms was elected to the Senate in 1972.
In recent years, Helms has suffered from various health problems, including prostate cancer.
(------------)

[11Taylor]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=Whitey Taylor]
The owner of the Franklin County Speedway is making another run for political office.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=403-Franklin Co./October 1999;]
In 1999, Whitey Taylor ran an UNsuccessful campaign against Delegate Allen Dudley. Yesterday-- Taylor registered as an Independent. He'll once again face Republican Allen Dudley for the 9th House District Seat.
(------------)

[11Debates]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC1:21:20]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]

W-D-B-J-7 is scheduled to host the final debate for governor on the evening of Sunday, October 7th.
It is the only agreed upon debate that will be carried on statewide T-V.
While the two candidates have already met, Republican Mark Earley wants up to nine more debates with Democrat Mark Warner.
The Warner campaign has agreed to only three more -- including ours.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :11]
[SUPER=403-White Sulphur Spr., WV/July 14;]

The pair met in July, in front of the Virginia Bar Association.
Yesterday, Mark Earley told reporters by telephone that he thinks that debate left Mark Warner "shell- shocked."

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:02:37 ]
[IN Q=Now he wants to limit the]
((MARK EARLEY/R-CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: NOW HE WANTS TO LIMIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THE SUBSEQUENT DEBATES OCCUR SO THERE'S NOT STATEWIDE TV COVERAGE IN ALL THE MEDIA MARKETS OF HE AND I DEBATING. AND AGAIN, I THINK HE'S HIDING HIMSELF AS A CANDIDATE IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF THE ELECTION. ))
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=last few months of the election.]
(-------------)
[Anchor=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

The Warner campaign points out that our debate will be picked up on T-V stations in every media market.
They also say Warner will debate Earley as many times as Chuck Robb and George Allen debated last year -- and once more than Jim Gilmore and Don Beyer debated in 1997.

[11Hudson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Bank of America says its seized Hudson Automotive Group's Pulaski dealership and closed the business.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
Owner Bob Hudson said earlier this month he would get out of the car business and sell the lot to Roanoke's Berglund car dealer. But the deal recently fell through, and Hudson's creditors stepped in. Bank of America says Hudson signed the property over to them last Friday. The lot is closed, and approximately 80-people are now unemployed. The employment commission's New River Valley office reports an influx of Hudson employees who are shocked, upset and applying for benefits. Some people have said they hope Berglund will have a renewed interest in buying the Pulaski dealership, now that Bank of America has possession. Bob Hudson declined an interview, and calls to Berglund were not returned.
(----------------)

[11Roanoke-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-46 TC18:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The recent controversy over hiring practices in the Roanoke city schools has strained relations between city council and the school board.
Yesterday, leaders of both groups said they hope the debate will bring positive changes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 28:57]
[IN Q=Hopefully we will change]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR: HOPEFULLY WE WILL CHANGE SOME POLICIES AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL ALL BE OVERCOME. NOW WHAT WE ARE FACED WITH, IT'S A LONG DRAWN OUT PROCESS. EITHER WE CHANGE POLICIES OR WE CHANGE PERSONNEL.))
[SUPER=01-Ralph Smith/Roanoke Mayor]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=or we change personnel.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Mayor Smith says he was disappointed with the tone of Monday's joint meeting. He hopes to see additional review by the city auditor.
Meanwhile, School Board Chairman Sherman Lea (lee) says the school system IS trying to correct its mistakes, and will work with city council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:08:31]
[IN Q=I think its important for]
((SHERMAN LEA/SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, NEITHER THE ADMINISTRATION NOR THE BOARD, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HIDE ANYTHING. AND WE WELCOME INTERNAL AUDITING. THAT'S PART OF THE BUSINESS WE'RE IN AND MOST BUSINESSES DO THAT SO THAT HAS TO BE DONE. AND I FEEL CONFIDENT WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE AUDITS AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK THROUGH THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Sherman Lea/School Board Chairman]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=work through this.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Lea says he's hopeful that audit committee members from council and the school board can sit down together in an effort to resolve their differences.

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks tumbled again yesterday after the Federal Reserve cut rates another quarter-point, but failed to predict that a business recovery will occur soon. Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=your local stocks.]

((THE FED'S SEVENTH INTEREST RATE CUT OF THE YEAR WAS MET WITH A BROAD BASED SELLOFF ON WALL STREET. ANALSYTS SAY THE QUARTER POINT CUT IN SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES WAS ALREADY BAKED INTO THE PIE SO INVESTORS LARGELY BOUGHT ON THE RUMOR AND SOLD ON THE NEWS.

(GRAPHIC)
THE DOW SLID 145 POINTS LED BY GENERAL ELECTRIC AND MICROSOFT AND WALMART.

(GRAPHIC)
THE NASDAQ GAVE BACK 50 POINTS LED BY CISCO SYSTEMS

(ON CAM)
THE CUT IN SHORT TERM INTEREST RATES MAKES IT CHEAPER FOR BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS TO BORROW MONEY, GOOD NEWS IF YOU'RE SHOPPING AROUND FOR LOWER RATES ON AUTO LOANS, ADJUSTABLE MORTGAGE AND CREDIT CARDS.
BUT ECONOMISTS SAY DON'T EXPECT FIXED MORTGAGE RATES TO FALL MUCH FURTHER. MORTGAGES STARTED COMING DOWN LATE LAST YEAR EVEN BEFORE THE FED BEGAN ITS SERIES OF RATE CUTS AND AN ALREADY NEAR HISTORIC LOWS.

(GRAPHIC)
RETAIL STOCKS LIKE WALMART SANK ON CONCERN THAT CONSUMER SPENDING WILL SLOW. TARGET AND AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS WERE PUNISHED AFTER WARNING OF LOWER THIRD QTR PROFITS. AND STAPLES SAID THE SLOWING ECONOMY LED CONSUMERS TO TRIM SPENDING ON COMPUTERS AND OFFICE FURNITURE.

(ON CAM)
KEEP YOUR EYE ON INTUIT TODAY...

(GRAPHIC)
TRACK ALL THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM...

(ON CAM)
AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Botetourt-Supervisors]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-51 TC10:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A mediator has been called in to help the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and school board try to solve their differences.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle;]

The two boards have been bickering since the county adopted a budget giving the schools less money than requested.

Supervisors say it's because state contributions fell dramatically... and the school board did not manage its money well.
The school board says it had to increase class sizes in the fourth and fifth grades and cut several programs.
Angry parents confronted supervisors with a petition asking for the reinstatement of fourth and fifth grade teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 38:08 - :19]
[IN Q=I'm sorry that]
((WILLIAM LOOPE/BOARD CHAIRMAN: I'M SORRY THAT THIS HAS HAD TO COME TO A POINT OF MEDIATION BUT IT HAS. WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. ))
[SUPER=01-William Loope/Board Chairman;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=the school board.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Mediated talks between the boards should be finished by the end of the year.
The county says taxes may be increased next year to help solve the impasse.
(------------)

[11Boty-Sheriff]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC06:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Meanwhile, the County is solving a space crunch at its jail by building a new one.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle;]

Supervisors approved the purchase of a three acre site near the General District Court building in Fincastle.
A family that lives on the land agreed to sell it for 240-thousand dollars.
The Sheriff says the jail, built in 1964, has been overcrowded and outdated for too long.
It's built for 38 inmates, but on some days has as many as 75.
Employees are also crowded.
Construction on the new jail and sheriff's office will start in two to three years.
(------------)

[11Covington-Hall]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=501-04 36:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Covington City Council may have delivered the final blow to the old city hall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Covington]
Yesterday, Council approved by 3-to-2 vote to complete the funding for the demolition of the old building. Since 1912, the building has served as city hall and a school, but it's been empty for several years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When the new city hall...]
((TEMPLE KESSINGER/COVINGTON MAYOR; WHEN THIS NEW CITY HALL WAS BUILT, I THINK THE FATE OF THE OLD ONE WAS SEALED. THAT WAS OVER 5 YEARS AGO. IF ANYONE HAD IDEAS OF WHAT TO DO WITH IT OR HOW TO SAVE IT, SURELY TO GOODNESS THEY WOULD HAVE COME UP WITH IT IN THAT TIME FRAME.))
[SUPER=01-Temple Kessinger/Covington Mayor]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=with it in that time frame.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
"Friends of Old City Hall", a group fighting to save the building, says the next battle will be fought in court.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a new study says one 1 in 14 young adults have used over the counter weight loss products, but are they safe?
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=1:24]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
((WHEN IT COMES TO LOSING WEIGHT- SOME PEOPLE WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING- INCLUDING USING OVER THE COUNTER WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE HARMFUL
A STUDY IN THE JAMA FINDS ABOUT ONE IN 14 ADULTS- MAINLY YOUNG WOMEN- USE OR HAVE USED OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS- THE BIG PROBLEM IS SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS CONTAIN INGREDIENTS THAT THE FDA SAYS MAY BE DANGEROUS. THOSE INGREDIENTS INCLUDE PPA AND EPHEDRA- BOTH OF WHICH CAN RAISE BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE. PPA HAS BEEN LINKED TO STROKE.
HORMONE THERAPY AFTER MENOPAUSE HAS BEEN GETTING SOME BAD PUBLICITY LATELY- BUT NOW A STUDY WHICH FINDS WOMEN WHO USE HORMONES MAY AVOID HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AS THEY AGE.
A STUDY IN THE ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE FOLLOWED MORE THAN 200 WOMEN AFTER MENOPAUSE. THE FINDINGS: THOSE WOMEN WHO TOOK ESTROGEN WERE LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE COMPARED TO WOMEN WHO DID NOT.
FINALLY TODAY- AS YOUNGSTERS RETURN TO SCHOOL- ONE THINGS THEY MAY NEED IS A BACKPACK.
BUT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET A SCALE AS WELL.
A BACKPACK THATS TOO HEAVY CAN LEAD TO BACK AND HIP PAIN IN CHILDREN.
THE ADVICE- MAKE SURE THE FILLED BACKPACK WEIGHS NO MORE THAN 10-15 PERCENT OF WHAT THE CHILD WEIGHS.
THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTH STORIES. IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(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.
If you've recently bought ice cream at Food Lion, you'll want to listen up.
The company is recalling half- gallon packages of Food Lion Fudge Royale ice cream.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

California authorities discovery the body of a Ukrainian murder suspect's three- year- old son.
Investigators say Nikolay Soltys killed the toddler, after a rampage in which he also allegedly killed his wife and four other relatives.
But they have not yet been able to catch up with the suspect.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And the economic picture is beginning to look rosier in Franklin county.
That after the area lost 800 jobs last year.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, August 22nd .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Sacramento-Murders]

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

While the manhunt continues for the Ukrainian immigrant believed to have killed several family members, police in Northern California make a horrifying discovery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA;]

Authorities say 27- year- old suspect Nikolay Soltys apparently also killed his three- year-old son.
A note scrawled on the back of a family photo led police to the body.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:02:05 ]
[IN Q=We have located]
((SGT. JAMES LEWIS/SACRAMENTO CO. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: WE HAVE LOCATED THE THREE- YEAR- OLD CHILD INSIDE A BOX...CHILD IS DECEASED.))
[SUPER=01-James Lewis/Sacramento Co. Sheriff's Department;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=child is deceased.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police say Soltys also allegedly killed his pregnant wife, along with other relatives.
Investigators say Soltys attacked his wife Monday morning in their home, then drove 20 miles and killed his aunt, uncle and two cousins.
The cousins were only nine and ten years old.
(------------)

[2-11Ice-Cream]

[11Franklin-Business]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]
Some promising economic news for Franklin County. In the last year-- the area has lost some 800- jobs. But as Teresa Hamilton reports-- there are some positive things on the horizon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Don and Jamie]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Pierce/Business Owner; :12]
[SUPER=01-Richard Huff/Franklin Co. Administrator; 1:00 quick]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:05 ]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Rocky Mount.]
(( Don and Jamie Pierce currently work out of their home in Boones Mill. But the couple is planning to expand their insurance business and say Franklin County was ready to meet their needs.
(///sot////)
[sot 23:37:03]
[IN Q= WE'RE UP ]
((DON PIERCE/BUSINESS OWNER: WE'RE UP TO ABOUT EIGHT EMPLOYEES NOW AND WE'VE TAKEN WALLS OUT AND WE'RE BUSTING AT THE SEEMS AND NEEDED TO MAKE A MOVE QUICKLY.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= MOVE QUICKLY.]
The Pierces will move into the county's new TechStart Facility-- and plan to hire 40- to 50 sales and clerical workers over the next two years. Group Insurance Concepts Inc. currently matches consumers with insurance agents and brokers using the Internet.
(///sot////)
[sot 23:37:13]
[IN Q= The high speed]
((THE HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND ADVANCED PHONE SYSTEMS WE NEEDED WERE A REAL PROBLEM FOR US AND THEY REALLY KICKED IN AND MADE THINGS HAPPEN FOR US VERY QUICKLY.)) [runs10]
[out q= for us very quickly.]
Franklin County is also hoping to attract another business. A company known as Miss Utility says it will locate in Rocky Mount if enough people express interest at an upcoming job fair.
(//sot///)
[sot 23:27:15]
[in q=These are ]
((RICHARD HUFF/FRANKLIN CO. ADMINISTRATOR: THESE ARE 100 VERY SOLID JOBS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AGAIN, IT'S NOT A DONE DEAL SO THIS IS A CHANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THEMSELVES.))
[OUT Q= help themselves.]
[RUNS10]
(///SOT////)
[sot 00:46:12]
[in q=The job ]
((TERESA HAMILTON/REPORTING: THE JOB FAIR WILL BE HELD SATURDAY HERE AT THE CATCE CENTER IN ROCKY MOUNT FROM NINE UNTIL NOON.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q= until noon.]
Miss Utility helps homeowners and contractors locate underground utility lines. County officials say the jobs would pay anywhere from eight fifty to 15 dollars an hour. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Rocky Mount.))

[11KB-Toys]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-37 35:39]
[GRAPHIC=KB Moving In]

K-B Toys in Pittsylvania County has doubled it's workforce in two weeks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blairs/August 10]

K-B took over the old e-Toys facility on August 10th.
And people want the job. At a job fair last week .. nearly one thousand people applied for jobs ranging from management to computer and technical assistants....
The distribution center hired 50 from that pool, and now has almost one hundred employees.
K-B will hire seventy more over the next two weeks.
The on-line toy retailer plans to start shipping toys from Blairs as early as next month.
(------------)

[11Bassett]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC50:14]
[GRAPHIC=Bassett]

Bassett Furniture has announced it will eliminate 250 to 300 jobs this fall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett/File Tape;]

The company says it will close its chair plant and associated rough mill in Bassett late this fall.
Bassett Furniture says it will import occasional chairs and tables instead of making them in Henry County.
The company says its long-term health depends on shifting from just a maker of furniture .. to one that also imports and sells furniture.
(------------)

[Wildfire]

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

Wildfires are still burning out West, but the situation is improving for some residents in Washington State.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Leavenworth, WA;]

The worst appears to be over in Leavenworth.
So far, the massive blaze has spared homes.
Firefighters say the fire is 30- percent contained.
Meanwhile, the weather is not as cooperative in California, Nevada, and Idaho, where the winds are picking up.
42 major fires are still burning across 350- thousand acres in the Western states.
(------------)

[11S-Dale]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 3530TC]
[GRAPHIC=DALE INVESTIGATION]
NASCAR has released the findings of its six month investigation into the crash that killed Dale Earnhardt. The report is 324 pages long and even includes an explanation of the global positioning of Earnhardt's body in the car.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA; :00]
A barrage of technical findings that no doubt sailed over the average fan's head were presented during a news conference in Atlanta that lasted nearly two hours. During the question and answer session - one of the chief experts admitted that no one thing killed Dale Earnhardt.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="it would certainly...]
[SUPER=01-Dr. James Raddin/NASCAR Investigator; :00]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...THIS RESULT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]

Dr. Raddin and the others confirmed that Earnhardt's seat belt did break on impact with the wall and that his entire belt system was not installed the way the manufacturer recommended.
He concluded Earnhardt's life could have been spared - but ---
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THERE IS...]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...IN OTHER CRASHES."]
(------------)
[vo nat con't] As far as other crashes that will occur in the future - NASCAR says starting next year it will install black boxes inside the cars to collect crash data. NASCAR also will have a full-time doctor travel with the circuit, but not a full-time medical staff as the drivers had wanted. Also, NASCAR says it will NOT make head and neck restraint devices mandatory.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THE...]
[SUPER=01-Mike Helton/NASCAR President; :03]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...BAD OUTCOME TO IT."]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=DALE INVESTIGATE]

Earnhardt's widow praised NASCAR for "its good faith effort."[McDonalds-Game]

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

If you've played any of the contests at McDonald's in the last few years, you probably never had a chance of winning the big prizes.
As Teri Okita reports, the government says the games were rigged.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Commercial; :00]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :12]
[SUPER=01-John Ashcroft/U. S. Attorney General; :31]
[SUPER=01-Angela Jackson/McDonalds Customer; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting;1:19]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington]
(
NATSD FULL COMMERCIAL: It s the all-new Pick Your Prize Monopoly Game at McDonald s. When you win, you pick your prize.
ACCORDING TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE DID PICK THEIR PRIZE ILLEGALLY. ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT SAYS THE GROUP WAS HEADED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF SIMON MARKETING A COMPANY HIRED BY MCDONALD S TO OVERSEE GAME PROMOTIONS. ASHCROFT SAYS THEY RIGGED SEVERAL MCDONALD S GAMES AS FAR BACK AS 1995 AND MADE OFF WITH MORE THAN 13-MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF PRIZES.

(Super: John Ashcroft/Attorney General)
SOT:The government is charging that a Simon employee, Jerome Jacobson,
embezzled the winning, high-value game pieces and conspired to have individuals fraudulently claim to be the winners. (:14)
AFTER A NATIONWIDE INVESTIGATION DUBBED OPERATION FINAL ANSWER , THE F-B-I ARRESTED AND CHARGED THE SIX MEN AND TWO WOMEN WITH FIXING THE GAME S OUTCOME. MORE ARRESTS COULD FOLLOW. THE FBI SAYS MCDONALD S FULLY COOPERATED WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND NONE OF ITS EMPLOYEES WAS INVOLVED IN THE SCAM. AND WHILE MCDONALD S LOVES TO SEE ITS CUSTOMERS SMILE, THEY NEVER HAD A CHANCE OF WINNING THE BIG PRIZES.

SOT: NO NAME, Frustrated after all that ... I spent, God's knows how
much on McDonald's, just to play the game. (:06)

(Super: Angela Jackson/McDonald's Customer
SOT:I'll still come but not to get game pieces. I won't come as
frequently.

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: Customers may still find game pieces, like this one, on McDonald s drinks and French Fries, but the company has ended its relationship with Simon Marketing. McDonald s plans to launch a new, 10-million dollar instant-giveaway game so that, win or lose, its customers can play, fair and square. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington. ))

[11Angeline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC1:33:04]
[GRAPHIC=Betty Angeline]

The woman Grayson County prosecutors say killed two of her neighbors was in court yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co.;]
59-year-old Betty Jean Angeline waived her right to a preliminary hearing. The Independence woman faces first degree and capital murder charges for the shooting deaths of 59-year-old Linda McKnight and 62-year-old Glenda Jenkins. Both women were friends with Angeline and killed within a couple of months of each other earlier this year. A grand jury will now hear evidence and determine if there is enough for a trial.
(------------)

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

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
The owner of the Franklin County Speedway is making another run for political office. In 1999, Whitey Taylor ran an UNsuccessful campaign against Delegate Allen Dudley. Yesterday-- Taylor registered as an Independent. He'll once again face Republican Allen Dudley for the 9th House District Seat.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

K-B Toys in Pittsylvania County has doubled it's workforce in two weeks. At a job fair last week .. nearly one thousand people applied for jobs ranging from management to computer and technical assistants....
The distribution center hired 50 from that pool, and now has almost one hundred employees.
K-B will hire seventy more over the next two weeks.

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

Bassett Furniture has announced it will eliminate 250 to 300 jobs this fall.
The company says it will close its chair plant and associated rough mill in Bassett late this fall.
The company says its long-term health depends on shifting from just a maker of furniture .. to one that also imports and sells furniture.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
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[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Shannon Young with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Just a few]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
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[Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
(ad lib bye) [Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]