WDBJ 7 morning news for 08/24/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Marya]

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

Congressman Gary Condit breaks his silence -- talking to the national media about missing intern Chandra Levy.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]

And a state task force meets in Roanoke to plan its attack on OxyContin.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

News-7 Mornin' is next.

[Condit]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gary Condit]

Congressman Gary Condit has finally broken his silence about Chandra Levy's disappearance.
He did his first two interviews this week with national media.
But Condit remained mum on details of his relationship with the missing intern.
Teri Okita has details on the interview -- which marks the congressman's first public attempt to save his political career.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After months of silence]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=Teri Okita, CBS News.]
((After months of silence, Congressman Gary Condit stepped into the media spotlight for his first public response to questions about 24 year old Chandra Levy. But he remained elusive, stopping short of admitting to a sexual relationship with the missing intern.

SOT: Congressman Gary Condit:
"I'm not a perfect man, I've made mistakes."
The interview opened a media blitz by Condit who is granting interviews with a host of broadcast and print outlets in what many believe is an attempt to salvage his political career.
On Thursday the Congressman sent a letter to his colleagues and California constituents including Chandra's parents, who have kept her name in the headlines since her disappearance almost four months ago. The letter said that although he did not look forward to facing the media, things had gone on long enough. Chandra s parents had no comment on the letter or the broadcast bit the Levy s lawyer is still calling on Condit to meet with their investigators.
Condit maintains that he has truthfully answered every question from police and has no idea what happened to Chandra and police are still no closer to solving the mystery of her disappearance.))

[Soltys]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Sacramento man accused of killing six of his family members has been added to the F-B-I's Most-Wanted List.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

As the nationwide manhunt continues for Nicolai Soltys, details are emerging of his criminal history.
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA]

Investigators think the man is a career criminal who's been preying on the elderly and other members of the community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:05:02 - :21]
[IN Q=Withing the community]
((CAPT. JOHN MCGINNESS/SACRAMENTO SHERIFF'S DEPT.: Within the community from which he comes, poverty is pretty much the norm and I think he s been depriving other people from their welfare money and part time employment and anything they can get their hands on and doing through intimidation and in some cases physical force. ))
[SUPER=01-John McGinness/Sacramento Sheriff's Department;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=physical force.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities say Soltys may have stolen several thousand dollars from the California home where he allegedly killed his aunt, uncle and two young cousins Monday.
(------------)

[11Discrimination]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-32 TC 1:12:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After just two days on the job, a Montgomery County man says he was fired because he's disabled.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]
Garland Conner lost his right hand in a hunting accident when he was 16. Conner says he was fired from Willcar Courier Service, and was never paid for his two days of work. A complaint filed in federal court yesterday seeks compensation for Conner, including punitive damages for what it calls the company's "unlawful conduct."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They made me feel]
((GARLAND CONNER: THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS CHEWING GUM ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR FOOT. LIKE THEY'D LIKE TO GET RID OF ME. I'VE DONE A LOT OF PRAYING OVER THIS, CAUSE I'M A CHRISTIAN PERSON. I DON'T BELIEVE IN TAKING PEOPLE TO COURT. I HAVEN'T DONE IT SO FAR. BUT MY WIFE SAID IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, YOU WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT ANYTHING.))
[SUPER=07-Garland Conner]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT=do anything about anything.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=None]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is involved.
It says when Willcar's president learned of Conner's disability he "expressed concern over the impression that Conner's physical appearance would have on clientele." Willcar has not returned our calls.

[11Oxycontin]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-35 TC53:32]
[GRAPHIC=Oxycontin]
Industries are coming together to stop the abuse of the prescription drug Oxycontin. A task force
(------------)
[VO-NAT :22]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
created by former Attorney General Mark Earley met for the second time in Roanoke yesterday. The group consists of medical personnel, pharmacists, law enforcement officers, school officials and even the company that makes the drug. In its effort to be part of the SOLUTION, and not the problem, Purdue Pharma created tamper resistant prescription pads to cut down on prescription fraud.
(///// SOT at :22 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're also working on a new formulation of medications...]
((DR. DAVID HADDOX/PURDUE PHARMA: WE'RE ALSO WORKING ON A NEW FORMULATION OF MEDICATIONS THAT ARE ABUSE RESISTANT. SO, IF YOU TAKE THE MEDICATIONS LIKE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO YOU GET GOOD PAIN CARE. IF YOU TRY TO ABUSE THEM YOU GET NOTHING.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. David Haddox/Purdue Pharma;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=abuse them you get nothing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Virginia State police say crimes associated with Oxycontin are levelling off, but that the number of FEMALE offenders is increasing. The task force expects to have its report completed this fall.
(------------)

[11Power-Line]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-31 TC44:04]
[GRAPHIC=AEP Powerline]

Residents say they can't live WITH it.
A-E-P says it can't live WITHOUT it.
This week the U.S. Forest Service is holding public hearings on A-E-P's plans to build a high voltage power line in Southwest Virgnia.
Justin McLeod tells us why the final hurdle may be the most difficult.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of meeting]
[SUPER=03-Bland Co.]
[SUPER=01-John Dodson/Rocky Gap Resident; :10]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lambert/Bland Resident; 36:]
[SUPER=01-Ken Landgraf/U. S. Forest Service; :54 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; :58]
[SUPER=01-Molly Thompson/Bland Resident; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Bland County]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
It's a powerful debate that's has sparked major opposition for more than a decade, especially Bland County.
[SOT 6:07:29; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=Its known for its scenic beauty]
((JOHN DODSON/ROCKY GAP: IT'S KNOWN FOR ITS SCENIC BEAUTY AND A LINE LIKE THIS THIS KINDA THING THAT DESTROYS WHATEVER THIS COUNTY STANDS FOR.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=stands for]

Bland County is just one of many areas affected by the proposed 765-thousand volt power line. [MAP GRAPHIC]
The project would begin in Wyoming County West Virginia, going through portions of Tazewell, Bland and Wythe Counties before ending in Jacksons Ferry.
The proposed line would go right through this woman's property.
[SOT 6:04:28; TAPE 2]
((JEAN LAMBERT/BLAND: YOU WORK ALL YOUR LIFE AND THINK YOU GOT SOMETHING AND SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT WANTS TO TAKE IT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT=wants to take it]

The state already gave the project the green light.
A-E-P must now get approval from the U.S Forest service since the line would cross the National Forest.
The Forest Service said no to the project five years ago.
[SOT :30:37; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=Things have changed]
((KEN LANDGRAF/U.S FOREST SERVICE: THE ROUTES THAT WE STUDIED IN 1996 WERE COMPLETEY DIFFERENT THAN THE ROUTE THAT'S BEFORE US RIGHT NOW.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=that's before us right now]
[SOT 6:09:57; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=The U.S. Forest Service]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE ISN'T THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY INVOLVED IN THIS DECISION. THE CORP OF ENGINEERS MUST ALSO DECIDE WHETHER THE LINE CAN GO THROUGH THE NEW RIVER WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED UNDER ANY OF THESE PLANS. SO IF THE CORP SAYS NO TO THE PROJECT, ITS PRETTY MUCH DEAD IN THE WATER.)) [Runs14]
[OUT Q=dead in the water]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
This week's three public hearings attracted more than a hundred people, all hoping the federal government will see it their way.
[SOT 6:01:55; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=This is our only hope]
((MOLLY THOMPSON/BLAND: THIS IS OUR ONLY HOPE (LAUGH) BUT YES AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP HOPE UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=the last moment]

The Forest Service will make its decision by November.
A-E-P still hopes to have the line up and running by winter of 2005.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Bland County.))

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Cisco Systems is reorganizing its operations.
Under the new plan, Cisco's engineering organization will focus on eleven technology groups. Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=your local stocks.]
(on cam)
((SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS FROM A TECHNOLOGY BELLWHETHER COULD GIVE A BOOST TO THE STOCK MARKET TODAY...
AFTER THE CLOSING BELL CISCO SYSTEMS SAID IT WILL RESTRUCTURE ITS BUSINESS INTO 11 TECHNOLOGY GROUPS. IT ALSO SAID SALES IN THE FIRST QTR ON IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS AND THAT IT SEES SIGNS THAT BUSINESS IS STABILIZING.
IN ADDITION.. ANOTHER BIG NAME EARNINGS REPORT TRICKLED IN..THE SOFTWARE MAKER NOVELL SAID PROFIT BEAT THE STREET BY 4 CENTS A SHARE...
ADC TELECOM LOST LESS MONEY THAN EXPECTED IN THE THIRD QTR BUT WARNED THAT FOURTH QTR RESULTS WILL BE BELOW ESTIMATES...
AND ON THE ECONOMIC CALENDAR.. EPECT REPORTS ON DURABLE GOODS ORDERS AND NEW HOME SALES FOR JULY.
A VOLATILE DAY ON WALL STREET ENDED WITH STOCKS ON THE DOWNSIDE...

(graphic)
THE DOW SANK 48 POINTS LED LOWER BY GM AND MERCK

(graphic)
NASDAQ ERASED AN EARLY GAIN TO FINISH 17 POINTS LOWER

(on cam)
ALL OF THOSE LAYOFFS IN CORPORATE AMERICA ARE MAKING THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINES A LOT LONGER. THE OVERALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS LAST WEEK SURGED TO OVER 3-MLN, THAT'S A NINE YEAR HIGH.

(graphic)
KRISPY KREME IS ROLLING IN THE DOUGH. THE DOUGHNUT CHAIN POSTED PROFIT THAT BEAT THE STREET AND FORECAST TASTIER THAN EXPECTED PROFITS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

(graphic)
LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES TOLD ANALYSTS IT'S STILL ON TRACK TO RETURN TO PROFITABILITY LATE NEXT YEAR EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T SEE A RECOVERY IN THE TELECOM INDUSTRY UNTIL 2003.

(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]

[11Storms]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC24:53]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]

Last night's storms brought some much needed rain to parts of the viewing area.... but they left behind some damage.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Strong winds blew down many trees in Southeast and Southwest Roanoke and in the Tanglewood mall area of Roanoke County.
This tree on 27th street in South Roanoke fell on a car.
Luckily, the two people inside were not hurt.
(------------)

[11PETA-Website]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC23:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The animal rights group PETA has been fighting a man who created a parody of its website.
Yesterday, an appeals court ate him alive.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The U-S Fourth Circuit in Richmond affirmed a lower court ruling against Michael (DOH-nee) Doughney.
PETA sued when he registered the domain name "peta-dot-org".
Web surfers found they were looking at "People Eating Tasty Animals" instead of "People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=None]

The appeals court says Doughney infringed on PETA's trademark.

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, a new study suggests you should take it easy on your heart this weekend.
Doctor Dave Hnida explains why in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Dave Hnida/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((STUDIES SAY THE MOST DANGEROUS DAY OF THE WEEK - AT LEAST FROM A HEART STANDPOINT - MONDAY. THATS THE DAY MOST HEART ATTACKS HAPPEN. BUT A NEW STUDY OUT OF FRANCE SAYS THE WEEKEND MAY ACTUALLY BE HEART UN-HEALTHY ESPECIALLY IN MEN. THE REASONS: GUYS TEND TO SIT AT THEIR JOBS ALL WEEK- THEN GO OUT AND BECOME OVERACTIVE WEEKEND WARRIORS.- AND THAT PUTS A BIG STRAIN ON THE HEART PLUS MANY MEN SPEND THE WEEKEND WORRYING ABOUT THE WEEK AHEAD.

WOMEN- HERES ANOTHER REASON TO KEEP YOUR WEIGHT DOWN. A NEW STUDY SHOWS STAYING SLIM CAN INCREASE YOUR chance of survival -- IF YOU DEVELOP BREAST CANCER. THIS SEEMS TO BE ESPECIALLY TRUE IN WOMEN UNDER AGE 45- THE LESS VERWEIGHT THE WOMAN- THE HIGHER HER CHANCES OF BEATING THE CANCER.

FINALLY TODAY- ODDS ARE AT SOME POINT IN YOUR LIFE- YOULL BE IN A CAR ACCIDENT- BUT HOPEFULLY YOU WONT CARRY ANY SCARS FROM THAT ACCIDENT- PHYSICAL OR MENTAL. A REPORT IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY SHOWS EVEN A MINOR ACCIDENT CAN LEAD TO MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS- MORE OFTEN THAN YOU'D THINK. IF THAT HAPPENS TO YOU- ITS IMPORTANT TO GET SOME HELP.

THATS A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DAYS TOP HEALTHSTORIES.- IM DR DAVE HNIDA FOR CBS NEWS.))

(Marya tosses to bump)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
Stay with us.....News 7 Mornin' will be right back. [bump-chyron] [Streaming-Video]
[comm #3]

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

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

The U-S Forest Service is AEP's next hurdle in putting up a high-voltage power line.
The forest service is holding public hearings on the plan to cross the national forest with a 765-Kilovolt powerline.
The forest service said NO to the project five years ago.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]

A new computerized bus routing system is forcing two students to travel A LOT farther to school.
They live on the Floyd-Montgomery County line, but for the first time in 6 years, the two kids will have to go to Floyd County High School... even though Montgomery County schools are closer.
(----------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT OKITA TEASE 4:58:35]
[IN Q=Congressman Gary Condit]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=details coming up.]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]

And that's what's making news on this Friday August 24-th .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-Condit]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gary Condit]

Congressman Gary Condit spoke out for the first time last night about Chandra Levy's disappearance.
But Condit remained mum on details of his relationship with the missing intern.
Teri Okita has details on the interview -- which marks the congressman's first public attempt to save his political career.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After months of silence]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=Teri Okita, CBS News.]
((After months of silence, Congressman Gary Condit stepped into the media spotlight for his first public response to questions about 24 year old Chandra Levy. But he remained elusive, stopping short of admitting to a sexual relationship with the missing intern.

SOT: Congressman Gary Condit:
"I'm not a perfect man, I've made mistakes."
The interview opened a media blitz by Condit who is granting interviews with a host of broadcast and print outlets in what many believe is an attempt to salvage his political career.
On Thursday the Congressman sent a letter to his colleagues and California constituents including Chandra's parents, who have kept her name in the headlines since her disappearance almost four months ago. The letter said that although he did not look forward to facing the media, things had gone on long enough. Chandra s parents had no comment on the letter or the broadcast bit the Levy s lawyer is still calling on Condit to meet with their investigators.
Condit maintains that he has truthfully answered every question from police and has no idea what happened to Chandra and police are still no closer to solving the mystery of her disappearance.))

[11Bedford-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC07:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The chairman of the Bedford County School board could lose his title because of an ongoing conflict between two school board members.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Members Betty Earle and Mark Goode want Jim Fields removed as school board chairman for allegedly leaking confidential student information to the press.
Earle says Fields suggested to the media her son got preferential treatment when he was appointed to the Governor's School this semester.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:55:05]
[IN Q=There's been student]
((MARK GOODE/BEDFORD CO. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: THERE'S BEEN STUDENT INFORMATION RELEASED, NAME OF THE STUDENT HAS BEEN RELEASED TO THE PRESS, AND WHEN WE'RE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE'RE TOLD FROM THE GET-GO THAT EVERYTHING WE DO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS STAYS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.)) ((BETTY EARLE/BEDFORD CO. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I DON'T THINK THE MAN DESERVES TO BE CALLED THE CHAIRMAN. AS I READ THE ETHICS CODE WE JUST SIGNED MAY 24TH, HE'S ALREADY ABUSED 7 OUT OF THE 12 ETHICS CODES WE ALL SIGNED.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Goode/Bedford Co. School Board Member; :00]
[SUPER=01-Betty Earle/Bedford Co. School Board Member; :13]
[RUNS=28]
[OUT Q=we all signed.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fields declined to comment after the meeting.
The board will vote next month on whether to remove him as chairman and from the Governor's School committee.
(------------)

[11Monty-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC23:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A new computerized bus routing system in Montgomery County is forcing two students to switch schools after six years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.;]
The (Debagees) Dabagahi's live on the Floyd-Montgomery County line. Their children, an 8th and 10th grader, have attended Montgomery Schools without a problem until this year. Days before classes started, they were told the children had to switch to Floyd County High School because they were outside district lines.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 49:45:28]
[IN Q=if we were notified]
((M.G .DABAGAHI/PARENT; IF WE WERE NOTIFIED AT THE END OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR WE WOULD HAVE PLANNED IT BETTER WE WOULD HAVE PREPARED THE KIDS, WE WOULD HAVE MOVED THEIR FILES.))
[SUPER=01-M. G. Dabagahi/Parent;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=MOVED THEIR FILES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Montgomery County Superintendent declined an interview but says the new busing system showed the family out of district. The (Debagees) Debaghi's offered to pay tuition for the kids to stay in the same school but the offer was rejected.
(------------)

[2-11Power-Line]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-31 TC44:04]
[GRAPHIC=AEP Powerline]

The U-S Forest Service hasn't made a final decision on AEP's plan to build a high voltage powerline in Southwest Virginia.
That won't come until later this year.
But it is addressing the issue this week with a series of public hearings.
Justin McLeod tells us why the final hurdle may be the most difficult.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of meeting]
[SUPER=03-Bland Co.]
[SUPER=01-John Dodson/Rocky Gap Resident; :10]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lambert/Bland Resident; 36:]
[SUPER=01-Ken Landgraf/U. S. Forest Service; :54 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; :58]
[SUPER=01-Molly Thompson/Bland Resident; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Bland County]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
It's a powerful debate that's has sparked major opposition for more than a decade, especially Bland County.
[SOT 6:07:29; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=Its known for its scenic beauty]
((JOHN DODSON/ROCKY GAP: IT'S KNOWN FOR ITS SCENIC BEAUTY AND A LINE LIKE THIS THIS KINDA THING THAT DESTROYS WHATEVER THIS COUNTY STANDS FOR.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=stands for]

Bland County is just one of many areas affected by the proposed 765-thousand volt power line. [MAP GRAPHIC]
The project would begin in Wyoming County West Virginia, going through portions of Tazewell, Bland and Wythe Counties before ending in Jacksons Ferry.
The proposed line would go right through this woman's property.
[SOT 6:04:28; TAPE 2]
((JEAN LAMBERT/BLAND: YOU WORK ALL YOUR LIFE AND THINK YOU GOT SOMETHING AND SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT WANTS TO TAKE IT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT=wants to take it]

The state already gave the project the green light.
A-E-P must now get approval from the U.S Forest service since the line would cross the National Forest.
The Forest Service said no to the project five years ago.
[SOT :30:37; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=Things have changed]
((KEN LANDGRAF/U.S FOREST SERVICE: THE ROUTES THAT WE STUDIED IN 1996 WERE COMPLETEY DIFFERENT THAN THE ROUTE THAT'S BEFORE US RIGHT NOW.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=that's before us right now]
[SOT 6:09:57; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=The U.S. Forest Service]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE ISN'T THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY INVOVLED IN THIS DECISION. THE CORP OF ENGINEERS MUST ALSO DECIDE WHETHER THE LINE CAN GO THROUGH THE NEW RIVER WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED UNDER ANY OF THESE PLANS. SO IF THE CORP SAYS NO TO THE PROJECT, ITS PRETTY MUCH DEAD IN THE WATER.)) [Runs14]
[OUT Q=dead in the water]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
This week's three public hearings attracted more than a hundred people, all hoping the federal government will see it their way.
[SOT 6:01:55; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=This is our only hope]
((MOLLY THOMPSON/BLAND: THIS IS OUR ONLY HOPE (LAUGH) BUT YES AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP HOPE UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=the last moment]

The Forest Service will make its decision by November.
A-E-P still hopes to have the line up and running by winter of 2005.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Bland County.))

[Powerball]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Powerball has caused such a frenzy in one Connecticut city that lottery officials are giving it permission to suspend ticket sales for today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greenwich, CT;]

The jackpot is now worth 280-MILLION dollars.
The border town of Greenwich, Connecticut, has been flooded with New York and New Jersey residents hungry for the tickets.
But police officers there say the crowd control is taking them away from more serious crimes... and causing MORE accidents and congestion.
Ticket sales will resume there on Saturday.
(------------)

[Myers]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=am]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

President Bush is expected to announce his choice for the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today.
It's expected to be Air Force General Richard Myers.
Incumbent Hugh Shelton retires next month.
Myers is the current vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and a former head of the U-S Space Command.
Bush has described his choice as someone willing to "think differently" about the military's goals.

[11Martin]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=01-26]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]
He is a businessman who's never been elected to office before.
That's not stopping Dana Martin.. who says he's running for the House of Delegates in the 8th district.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=403-Salem]
A self described conservative democrat, Martin is challenging House majority leader- Morgan Griffith. Martin says the republican leadership in Richmond has ignored the people of Virginia by not agreeing on a budget.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[INQ=]
((DANA MARTIN/(D) CANDIDATE FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES; THE BENEFIT TO UNSEATING OUR DELEGATE IS THAT IF WE HAVE A MAJORITY LEADER WHO IS NOT EFFECTIVELY REPRESENTING US, THEN WE MIGHT AS WELL HAVE A FRESHMAN WHO IS EFFECTIVELY REPRESENTING US.))
[SUPER=401-Dana Martin/(D) Candidate for House of Delegates; :00]
[RUNS=13]
[OUTQ=is effectively representing us.(Double OUT)]

(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
Martin received backing from democratic leaders from around the state including gubernatorial candidate Mark Warner.
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[Local-Recap]
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[ANCHOR=Marya]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
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[ANCHOR=Marya]
Virginia's Oxycontin task force is reporting some progress. Purdue Pharma, the company that makes the drug, has created tamper resistant prescription pads to cut down on prescription fraud. And, Virginia State police say crimes associated with Oxycontin are leveling off, but that the number of FEMALE offenders is increasing. The task force met for the second time in Roanoke yesterday.
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[ANCHOR=Marya]

Bedford County School Board Members Betty Earle and Mark Goode want Jim Fields removed as school board chairman for allegedly leaking confidential student information to the press.
Fields declined to comment after last night's meeting.
The board will vote next month on whether to remove him as chairman and from the Governor's School committee.

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Marya]
Last night's storms left behind some damage.
Strong winds blew down many trees in Southeast and Southwest Roanoke and in the Tanglewood Mall area of Roanoke County.
This tree on 27th Street in South Roanoke fell on a car.
The two people inside were not hurt.
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[ANCHOR=Leo]
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[ANCHOR=Marya]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
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[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
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[Double Boxes=Marya/Leo and Steve]
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[ANCHOR=Steve]
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