WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/05/01

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Resident in Campbell County aren't exactly rolling out the red carpet for their new neighbor, a 300- million- dollar power plant.
The county approved the project last night.
We'll have reaction.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And Ukrainian murder suspect Nikolay Soltys MAY enter an insanity plea for the alleged killings of six family members in California.
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(ad lib weather)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Join us for News 7 Mornin, straight ahead.

[11Campbell-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC29:08]
[GRAPHIC=Power Plant]

A 300 million dollar power plant gets a thumbs up from Campbell County, despite citizen concerns about noise, water and traffic.
The project would give a jolt to central Virginia's economy...but some neighbors are worried a new natural gas- fired power plant will destroy their quality of life.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After months of]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ken Towler/Concerned Resident; :10]
[SUPER=01-Linda Evans/Concerned Resident; :41]
[SUPER=01-Carmine Iadarola/Kinder Morgan Power Co.; :57]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]
(( After months of public hearings and neighborhood meetings, at least one resident seemed resigned to the fact his new neighbor would be a 550- megawatt power plant.
[SOT 7:11:56]
((KEN TOWLER/CONCERNED RESIDENT: WE KNOW THE COUNTY NEEDS THE MONEY, AND FOR WHAT CAN BE BUILT THERE, THIS IS THE LEAST.. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BETTER SOLUTIONS.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=better solutions.]

Colorado- based Kinder Morgan wants to spend 300 million dollars building a gas- fired power plant just off Route 501 in northern Campbell County.
In addition to electricity, the plant would generate about a million dollars in new revenue each year, and 25 new jobs once it's up and running.
But neighbors along Eastbrook Road are worried about construction noise, traffic and dropping property values.
[SOT 7:35:47]
((LINDA EVANS/CONCERNED RESIDENT: AS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT, I ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES AND IT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO SELL A HOME ADJACENT TO A POWER PLANT.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=a power plant.]

Kinder Morgan says it's done all it can to address the residents' concerns.
[SOT 7:49:59]
((CARMINE IADAROLA/KINDER MORGAN POWER CO.: GOD HASN'T COME DOWN TO ME AND WHISPERED IN MY EAR ABOUT HOW TO DO THINGS PERFECTLY, NOR HAS HE COME TO RICHARD KINDER OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT WAY. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, THERE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, ALL WE CAN DO IS EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MITIGATE AND ALLAY THOSE CONCERNS.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=allay those concerns.]
[Standup ] ((Getting Campbell County's okay was just a first step.. Kinder Morgan still needs to clear several state hurdles before it can break ground. The company also must nail down exactly where it will get the up to five million gallons of water per day the plant will need to operate.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Campbell County.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]))

[11City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC37:21]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke City and Roanoke County are moving forward with plans to cooperate on fire and rescue services.
But what is being hailed as a model for regional cooperation is also raising red flags among some local leaders.

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

Yesterday morning, city and county officials met new recruits at the regional training center, and they celebrated the agreement that will assign six city firefighters to the county's Clearbrook Station.
They say the agreement is a significant step toward more regional cooperation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This truly could be]
((FUZZY MINNIX/SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN: THIS TRULY COULD BE A SPRINGBOARD TO A NEW AND UNITED ROANOKE VALLEY.)) ((DARLENE BURCHAM/CITY MANAGER: AND I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOLKS, BECAUSE WE REALIZE THIS IS WHAT OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WANT, WE REALIZE WHAT THE CITIZENS OF THIS VALLEY WANT AND WHAT THEY DESERVE.))
[SUPER=01-Fuzzy Minnix/Roanoke Co. Supervisors Chairman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager; :08]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=and what they deserve.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]

But when city council considered the issue a few hours later, council member Linda Wyatt said she has concerns about combining the city's paid firefighters with the county's paid staff and volunteers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:42]
[IN Q=These are philosophical issues]
((LINDA WYATT/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: THOSE ARE PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED. YOU TWEAK THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NOT THE PHILOSOPHY OF AN ORGANIZATION. AND THAT PHILOSOPHY, WHAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY AND WHAT THEY HAVE IN THE COUNTY ARE FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT.))
[SUPER=01-Linda Wyatt/Roanoke City Council;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=are fundamentally different.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Council ultimately approved the plan with two members voting against it. Other members said the plan will benefit citizens by bringing quicker response times in the 220 corridor.

[11Bedford-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC41:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Mold was no longer a subject as students started the school year at Jefferson Forest High School.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

The more than 12-hundred students and staff returned to find new floors, ceilings, fresh paint and a brand new ventilation system.
The school system spent 1-point-6 MILLION dollars and three months renovating the 30-year-old high school.
Last year, stachybotrys (stacky-BAH-tris) bacteria found throughout the school made some teachers and students sick.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:19 - :31]
[IN Q=Oh wow.]
((BRANDON WISHON/SENIOR: OH, WOW. WHEN I WALKED IN HERE, IT WAS SO MUCH CLEANER, THE AIR SMELLED SO MUCH NICER, IT'S NICE THEY TOOK THE CARPET OUT, SO THE MOLD'S ALL GONE AND THEY HAVE NICE FLOORS, THE LOCKERS ARE PAINTED, IT LOOKS SO MUCH NICER. ))
[SUPER=01-Brandon Wishon/Senior;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=so much nicer.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The changes may only be only a temporary fix.
The school board still has to decide whether to build a new high school or renovate the present one.
(------------)

[Soltys]

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

The attorney for Ukrainian immigrant Nikolay Soltys says he MAY consider an insanity plea for his client.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sacramento, CA;]

Soltys is charged with seven counts of first - degree murder for the deaths of six family members and his unborn child.
Soltys made no comment during his arraignment yesterday.
Prosecutors haven't decided yet whether to seek the death penalty.
His next court date is October second.
Authorities captured the 27- year- old fugitive last week after a 10- day, nationwide manhunt.
(------------)

[Nichols]

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

Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols is willing to waive his appeals and accept a federal life sentence.
Nichols' attorney says his client will do so IF he can avoid a state trial in Oklahoma.
The announcement comes as the Oklahoma County District Attorney prepares to announce today whether he'll pursue state charges against Nichols.
Nichols was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 19-95 bombing.

[Bahamas-Fire]

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

A popular tourist market and three other major landmarks are now smoldering ruins in the Bahamian capital of Nassau.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-ZNS Bahamas;]

It took firefighters eight hours to bring a blaze under control that tore through Nassau's main street.
The fire began in the Straw Market, where vendors sell straw hats, handbags and souvenirs from wooden stalls.
The flames spread quickly to the Tourism Ministry and several restaurants.
No injuries were reported.
No word yet on what caused the fire.
(------------)

[2-11Wachovia]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC1:53:39]
[GRAPHIC=Wachovia/FU Merger]

In business news this morning.... It's final....Wachovia and First Union have merged into one company.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/August 3]

The merger that Wachovia shareholders approved last month took effect yesterday.
Customers may now use their ATM cards at both banks without paying an extra charge.
The new company will be called the Wachovia Corporation, and trade on the New York Stock Exchange using the symbol "WB".
(------------)

[Fed-Ex]

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

Fed-Ex is offering its smaller business customers a ten-percent discount on many express services online. The delivery company says customers can apply for the discount through November. They can sign up for the Fed-Ex Ship Manager program at the company's Web site which is www-dot-fed ex-dot-com.

[Marketwatch]

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

In other business news, The markets closed mixed yesterday.
Stocks failed to sustain an early rally.
At one point, the Dow was up more than 200 points.
But by the end of the day it only posted a double digit gain.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=your local stocks.]

((WALL STREET OBJECTED TO THE MARRIAGE OF TWO TECH GIANTS.

(graphic)
SHARES OF COMPAQ FELL TO A FIVE YEAR LOW, HEWLETT PACKARD SLID TO A THREE YEAR LOW AFTER H-P AGREED TO BUY ITS BIGGER RIVAL FOR 21 BLN DOLLARS IN STOCK.
ANALYSTS WONDER WHETHER THE DEAL WILL REALLY JUMPSTART SALES AND PROFITS. AND WHETHER THE TWO COMPANIES WILL BE STRONGER TOGETHER THAN THEY WERE INDIVIDUALLY...

(on cam)
THE DEAL, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN 15-THOUSAND JOB CUTS IS ALSO EXPECTED TO UNDERGO SCRUTINY BY ANTITRUST REGULATORS. TOGETHER, HEWLETT PACKARD AND COMPAQ WILL CONTROL TWO THIRDS OF THE RETAIL P-C BUSINESS.
ON WALL STREET... AN EARLY RALLY FIZZLED.

(graphic)
AFTER A 200 POINT RUNUP , THE DOW FINISHED WITH A GAIN OF JUST 48 POINTS

(graphic)
WHILE THE NASDAQ WIPED OUT AN EARLY GAIN AND FELL 34 POINTS.

(on cam)
STOCKS INITIALLY RALLIED AFTER A REPORT SHOWED A PICKUP IN THE DEPRESSED MANUFACTURING SECTOR..
LATER TODAY, WE'LL GET A REPORT ON SECOND QTR PRODUCTIVITY.

(graphic)
JOHNSON AND JOHNSON WAS A BIG WINNER AFTER A STUDY FOUND ITS NEW STENT DEVICE USED IN HEART SURGERY STOPPED ARTERIES FROM RE-CLOGGING.

(graphic)
AUTO SALES FELL OFF A CLIFF IN AUGUST. FORD AND GM EACH SAW SALES FALL MORE THAN 7 PERCENT, BUT THAT WAS STILL A BIT BETTER THAN Expected truck sales, including SUVs, propped up results. Chrysler, however, noted a strong overall decline... sales there tanked 24 percent.

(graphic)
AND KEEP YOUR EYE ON INTEL, THE CHIPMAKER IS OUT WITH A MID-QUARTER UPDATE AFTER THE MARKETS CLOSE THURSDAY.

(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]

[Garland]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Richmond man has pleaded guilty to strangling and suffocating his girlfriend in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 00-53 1:24:46]
[SUPER=04-March 3;]
Prosecutors say that 31-year-old Antonio John Garland told police that he killed Debra Ann Jackson Jones of Roanoke because she tried to break up with him. Jones' estranged husband called police on February 26-th after she failed to turn up at his house. About a week later, Garland confessed to police after he was pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk.
(------------)
[Anchor=Kim]
[SS=Legal Scales]
The judge convicted Garland of first-degree murder. Under the terms of a plea agreement, Garland could get life in prison when he is sentenced November 13th. [11Danville-

Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-26 TC1:48:40]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Danville police are still deciding whether a pizza delivery man acted in self defense when he shot a teenager who allegedly tried to rob him at gunpoint.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

It happened Sunday night in the dead- end portion of Buford Street.
Authorities say James Lester had dropped off a pizza nearby when two men approached his car, held a gun to his neck and demanded money.
After giving them his money and a pizza, Lester shot 18- year- old Kenneth Lamont Clayborne four times.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:56:35]
[IN Q=We're looking at]
((NEAL MORRIS/DANVILLE POLICE CHIEF: WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL POSSIBILITIES, WHO'S THE VICTIM AND JUST EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE WITH THAT. WE HAVE NOT MADE A DETERMINATION AT THIS POINT ABOUT THE CHARGES IN THIS SITUATION.))
[SUPER=01-Neal Morris/Danville Police Chief]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=in this situation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Clayborne is in good condition at Duke Medical Center.
Morris says Lester did have a permit to carry a concealed weapon, but Domino's owner Tom Messick says company policy forbids employees to carry firearms.
(------------)

[11Bank-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-32 TC1:27:32]
[GRAPHIC=Bank Robbery]
Authorities are looking for a man who robbed a New River Valley bank.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
It happened at about eleven yesterday.. when the gunman walked into the First Virginia Bank in Christiansburg. Authorities are now looking for the suspect who police think took off in a burgundy sedan. He's described as a white male, six feet tall in his 30's. The suspect was last seen wearing a gray, hooded sweatsuit.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

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

In medical news, you should avoid eating at night if you're trying to lose weight.
Melissa McDermott explains why in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((If youre like most people who are trying to loose weight, nighttime can be the most difficult time to avoid food. According weight management experts, the reason is simple. When people are not eating enough during the day, they overeat at night to satisfy the cravings. In the end, you consume far more calories than your body needs to maintain an ideal weight.
The problems don't stop there. People tend to be less active at night so they aren't burning excess calories the way they might during active daylight hours. Besides weight gain, overeating after 8 PM may also disturb your sleep.
Sleeping through the digestion process is not easy for some people and research has found that a full stomach can actually interrupt normal sleep patterns, so you might even feel a little tired when you wake up in the morning. If you're eating enough during regular meal times you should wake up hungry, ready for a good breakfast.
Experts say the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to keep things in moderation. Don't deny yourself food if you're truly hungry and if you are going to have a snack, make it a healthy one and do your best to make sure that nighttime is the right time for sleeping, not eating.
Thats todays look at the world of medicineIm Melissa McDermott, CBS News, New York.))

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

Campbell county officials give the thumbs-up to a 300- million -dollar natural gas- fired power plant.
But some neighbors feel they're getting burned in the deal.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

The Roanoke Times' expansion plan will likely be the subject of debate later this week.
Friday, Roanoke's board of zoning appeals is scheduled to take up the paper's request to build a 60- thousand square foot printing plant.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And Franklin County native Dan Tyminski may be growing accustomed to accolades for his bluegrass music.
But last night, the musician was commended in a resolution from the General Assembly.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, September 5th .
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2-11Campbell-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC29:08]
[GRAPHIC=Power Plant]

Campbell County says yes to a 300 million dollar natural gas- fired power plant. The project would energize central Virginia's economy. But some neighbors are worried the plant will destroy their quality of life.
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=After months of]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ken Towler/Concerned Resident; :10]
[SUPER=01-Linda Evans/Concerned Resident; :41]
[SUPER=01-Carmine Iadarola/Kinder Morgan Power Co.; :57]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]
(( After months of public hearings and neighborhood meetings, at least one resident seemed resigned to the fact his new neighbor would be a 550- megawatt power plant.
[SOT 7:11:56]
((KEN TOWLER/CONCERNED RESIDENT: WE KNOW THE COUNTY NEEDS THE MONEY, AND FOR WHAT CAN BE BUILT THERE, THIS IS THE LEAST.. THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BETTER SOLUTIONS.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=better solutions.]

Colorado- based Kinder Morgan wants to spend 300 million dollars building a gas- fired power plant just off Route 501 in northern Campbell County.
In addition to electricity, the plant would generate about a million dollars in new revenue each year, and 25 new jobs once it's up and running.
But neighbors along Eastbrook Road are worried about construction noise, traffic and dropping property values.
[SOT 7:35:47]
((LINDA EVANS/CONCERNED RESIDENT: AS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT, I ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO TO THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES AND IT WOULD BE NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO SELL A HOME ADJACENT TO A POWER PLANT.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=a power plant.]

Kinder Morgan says it's done all it can to address the residents' concerns.
[SOT 7:49:59]
((CARMINE IADAROLA/KINDER MORGAN POWER CO.: GOD HASN'T COME DOWN TO ME AND WHISPERED IN MY EAR ABOUT HOW TO DO THINGS PERFECTLY, NOR HAS HE COME TO RICHARD KINDER OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT WAY. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS, THERE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS, ALL WE CAN DO IS EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MITIGATE AND ALLAY THOSE CONCERNS.))
[RUNS= 18]
[OUT Q=allay those concerns.]
[Standup ] ((Getting Campbell County's okay was just a first step.. Kinder Morgan still needs to clear several state hurdles before it can break ground. The company also must nail down exactly where it will get the up to five million gallons of water per day the plant will need to operate.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Campbell County.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=Smallshaw, News7.]))

[VOB-Roanoke-Times]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-46]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A proposed expansion by the Roanoke Times is expected to be the subject of debate later this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Roanoke Times wants to build a 60- thousand square foot printing plant near its current building. On Friday-- Roanoke's board of zoning appeals is scheduled to take up the company's request which has touched off debate. Yesterday-- several downtown residents met to go over their strategy for Friday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:27:25]
[in q=I don't ]
((ROGER ROBERTS/PROPERTY OWNER: I DON'T THINK THAT DESIRABILITY TO LIVE THERE WILL BE VERY NICE WHEN YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU WALK OUT ON THE BACK PORCH AND LOOK AT A BRICK WALL OR LISTEN TO TRUCKS ALL NIGHT.)) ((ERIN MONTGOMERY/DOWNTOWN RESIDENT: I THINK THERE'S A MUCH BETTER POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING THAT AREA RIGHT WHERE I LIVE FOR OTHER USES, LIKE RESIDENTIAL HOUSING, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT LOFT APARTMENTS OVER IN WAREHOUSE ROW.))
[SUPER=01-Roger Roberts/Property Owner; ]
[SUPER=01-Erin Montgomery/Downtown Resident; :13]
[RUNS=28]
[OUT Q=in warehouse row.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 91/2 plus pad]
The paper says it needs the plant, and the press will keep 400 jobs downtown. The newspaper has said without a new facility-- it may have to move out of downtown to build.
(------------)

[11Sheriffs-Earley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

40 million dollars in state cuts means 40 deputy sheriffs positions are going unfilled around Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :23]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/March 22;]

It's the crisis sheriffs predicted to lawmakers in March.
But today, the State Compensation Board may come up with some emergency money to help.
That's good news for Republican Mark Earley -- whose bid for governor could be hurt by unpopular budget cuts.
After all, the politically muscular, but non-partisan Virginia Sheriffs Association says the cuts are directly linked to the car tax cut.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:35:56]
[IN Q=Well I think it is]
((JOHN JONES/VIRGINIA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION: WELL I THINK IT IS. I THINK WHEN THE GOVERNOR BALANCED THE BUDGET HE HAD TO FIND 421 MILLION DOLLARS ON MARCH THE 12TH TO BALANCE THE BUDGET TO PAY FOR THE CAR TAX. WHEN THAT HAPPENED 53 MILLION DOLLARS OF THAT CAME FROM THE COMPENSATION BOARD. SO THERE'S A DIRECT CONNECTION.))
[SUPER=01-John Jones/Virginia Sheriffs Assoc.;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=So there's a direct connection.]
(-------------)
[Anchor=Kim]
[SS=None]

Governor Jim Gilmore appoints two of the three Compensation Board members.
The Sheriffs Association says there appears to be a coincidental link between Democrat Mark Warner making an issue of the sheriffs' budget cuts -- and the Board saying it will come up with some emergency funding today.
But it's a coincidence the Sheriffs Association says it welcomes.

[Fox]

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

Making national news--
President Bush will host his first state visit today at the White House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Andrews AFB, MD;]

Mexican President Vicente Fox arrived in Washington last night for summit talks with Bush.
Fox is hoping to sell the U-S Congress on the first "integrated" approach to immigration problems.
President Bush says he'll have a lot of "selling" to do to convince Congress that comprehensive immigration reform with Mexico is needed.
Bush adds he hopes to reach in an agreement soon.
(------------)

[Stem Cell]

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

President Bush's plan to limit federal funding for embryonic stem cell research goes before Congress today.
Critics will express doubts about the 64 stem cell colonies identified as meeting Bush's criteria.
They fear those stem cell lines may NOT be viable.
They also wonder if they offer the diversity needed to support all the research that scientists envision.
Scientists are hoping the research will help them find treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes.

[11Tyminski]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC37:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Franklin County native Dan Tyminski is up for a number of international bluegrass awards this year.
Last night, he got one from the Commonwealth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount]

Tyminski was commended in a resolution from the General Assembly presented by Rocky Mount Delegate Allen Dudley.
Dudley said he planned to present the musician with the resolution during the General Assembly session last winter, but Tyminski was too busy recording.
Among other projects, Tyminski supplied the singing voice for George Clooney in the movie, "Oh Brother Where Art Thou."
(------------)

[5-Diabetes-Marathon]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=501-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Ron Poff is going to run a marathon for the first time in his life. His motivation is his five year old son who is battling diabetes.
Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton introduces us to a family taking great strides to help find a cure for the disease.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He's only five years old]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;00]
[SUPER=07-Ron Poff]
[SUPER=@Joy2;]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=js, News 7, Blacksburg]
((
He's only five years old --but already Andy Poff knows how to test his blood sugar level. He does this at least 4 times a day --along with taking insulin shots -- just to stay alive.
To his family he is a young hero.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:50]
[IN Q=To see him suffer through that]
((TO SEE HIM SUFFER THROUGH THAT IS A MOTIVATING FACTOR)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=motivating]

It's motivated Ron Poff -- to take on a challenge of his own -- complete a 26.2 mile race -something he has never done before -- to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT19:01]
[IN Q=There were 187-thousand that died]
((THERE WERE 187-THOSAUND THAT DIED JUST LAST YEAR WHICH IS MORE THAN HIV AND BREAST CANCER COMBINED)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=breast cancer combined]

While Andy has learned to manage his diabetes with the help of his parents -- it's still a life long challenge-- one that even Andy understands.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT16:04:49]
[IN Q=I have to watch out for sugar]
((I HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR SUGAR)) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q=for sugar]

But his father hopes that each stride -- and each dollar raised -- will bring researchers one step closer to finding a cure.
Ron has until January to gear up for the race in Disney World. The family has already raised more than 25-hundred dollars.
And he says whenever the road gets too tough and he feels like giving up he thinks about Andy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT16:54]
[IN Q=I have a chant that I say.]
((I HAVE A CHANT THAT I SAY -- I'LL CHANT OUT DIABETES --AND EVEN THINK ABOUT ANDY -- I CARRY A PICTURE TOO ON MY LONG RUNS AND KIND OF LOOK AT HIM )) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=and look at him]
He says Andy is his hero --because at five years old he's facing challenges -- that some adults could not overcome.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Blacksburg.))
(XXXXXXXX)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE FS WEB ADDRESS 4472ESSC]
If you'd like to find out more about the Poff's fundraising effort. You can find a link to their website on our webpage at wdbj7-dot -com.
(XXXXXXXX)

[11Fire-Grant]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Safety]

Rocky Mount is getting money from the federal government for its fire protection programs .
The town's fire department will get 36-thousand dollars from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Some 200 other departments across the country also got FEMA grants.
[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]
A proposed expansion by the Roanoke Times is expected to be the subject of debate later this week. The Roanoke Times wants to build a 60- thousand square foot printing plant near its current building. The newspaper has said without a new facility-- it may have to move out of downtown to build. On Friday-- Roanoke's board of zoning appeals is scheduled to take up the company's request.

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

A 300 million dollar power plant gets a thumbs up from Campbell County.
Colorado- based Kinder Morgan wants to build a natural gas- fired power plant just off Route 501 in northern Campbell County. Kinder Morgan still needs to clear several state hurdles before it can break ground.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Jefferson Forest High School students and staff returned yesterday to find new floors, ceilings, fresh paint and a brand new ventilation system. Last year, stachybotrys (stacky-BAH-tris) bacteria found throughout the school made some teachers and students sick.
The school system spent 1-point-6 MILLION dollars and three months renovating the 30-year-old high school.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Leo]
(Leo mic hot)
(///////////////)
(Leo ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[2-SHOT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Now here's Keith Humphry with a preview of News 7 at Six.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's delinquent]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=on News 7 at 6.]
(-------------)
[Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Desk=Kimberly/Leo and Steve]
(ad lib bye)