[Tire-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Marya]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-01 TC-1:33:19]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

It will get worse before it gets better... thick smoke is blanketing much of the Roanoke Valley as the area deals with the effects of two separate fires that continue to burn. One is at the Keeling Tire Dump in Roanoke County. The other is a brush fire that's consuming hundreds of acres. As Teresa Hamilton reports, crews have put a plan in motion to bring an end to the brush fire.
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Zeph Cunningham/Park Ranger; :26]
[SUPER=01-Chris Thomsen/Department of Forestry; 1:28]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:39]
[RUNS=1:49]

[OUT Q=NEWS 7, Roanoke Co. ][1-Live-Steve]



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

If you are heading out this morning there are several areas in Roanoke County you will want to avoid.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya /SteveMicrowave;]

Steve Pardon joins us now for an update.
[LIVE=Steve /FULL]
[SUPER=@spa1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.]


(+++++++++++)
[Take FS Road Info]
(+++++++++++)
[LIVE=Steve /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]



[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya /SteveMicrowave;]


[11Keeling]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC-52:58]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

The owner of the tire dump says he's not to blame.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

69-year old Willie Keeling has owned the dumping ground for more than fifty years.
He was convicted of operating the illegal dump more than a decade ago.
Since then, state and local authorities have unsuccessfully tried to force him to clean up the site.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 39:23]
[IN Q=You feel any responsibility]
((WILLIE KEELING/PROPERTY OWNER: YOU FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY THOUGH WHAT'S HAPPENED? NO, I DON'T FEEL NO RESPONSBILITY WHEN I COME HERE I WAS LEGAL. I WAS 100-PERCENT LEGAL, M2 ZONE ON THIS PLACE AND EVERYTHING AND WERE I AM RESPONSIBLE. NO, I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE.))
[SUPER=01-Willie Keeling/Property Owner;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=I'm not responsible (double out)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Keeling did sign an agreement with the Department of Environment Quality and Roanoke County to authorize them to clean up the site.
(------------)

[11Back-Creek]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=01-58 TC-2:05:23]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

Along with air quality, another major environmental concern is potential contamination of groundwater and nearby streams.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The State Department of Emergency Management says there have been no such problems, and they're taking steps in hopes of preventing, or limiting, any possible effects.
Back Creek is near the fire, and crews are doing their best to protect it. They have created an "underflow" designed to take in any toxic runoff from the fire.
They're also digging ravines nearby to catch any oil or runoff.
(------------)

[11County-React]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC-25:18]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

Roanoke County has been trying to get the site cleaned up for nearly 40 years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - 15.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
County officials say they were prepared to start on site work as early as this week, and may have started removing some of the tires within two months. Officials say they tried all available means to work with Willie Keeling to get the dump cleaned up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 7:13:30 - TF 10:30 Press Conf.]
[IN Q=We've utilized lawsuits...]
((PAUL MAHONEY/ROANOKE CO. ATTORNEY; WE'VE UTILIZED LAWSUITS, WE'VE UTILIZED NEGOTIATIONS, WE'VE UTILIZED ALL THE VARIOUS TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR SYSTEM TO ADDRESS THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. WE HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE LAND OWNER ON MANY OCCASIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Mahoney/Roanoke Co. Attorney;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=...land owner on many occasions.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :14+]
County officials say its much too early to discuss any lawsuits that may be filed against Keeling. So far, there is no estimate on how much it will cost to fight the fire, and then clean up the area, but county officials say they know it will be expensive.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]


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

In business news, several economic reports are due out this week including today's release of existing home sales for February.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((IT'S A HOLIDAY SHORTENED WEEK ON WALL STREET. THE MARKETS WILL BE CLOSED GOOD FRIDAY.
BUT THERE IS NOT SHORTAGE OF ECONOMIC REPORTS INCLUDING NEW AND EXISTING HOME SALES, DURABLE GOODS ORDERS AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.
INVESTORS ARE ALSO NERVOUS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF RISING INTEREST RATES AND THE UPCOMING EARNINGS SEASON.

(gr)
ON FRIDAY, THE DOW SLIPPED 52 POINTS, AND CLOSED OUT ITS FIRST LOSING WEEK IN FIVE, DOWN 1.7 PERCENT.

(gr)
THE NASDAQ SLIPPED 17 POINTS FIRDAY, DOWN NEARLY 1 PERCENT FOR THE WEEK.

(gr)
IN A POSITIVE SIGN FOR THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY UNITED AIRLINES IS RECALLING 13-HUNDRED WORKERS IN FIVE MAJOR CITIES AS AIR TRAVEL DEMAND PICKS UP.

(oc)
In a search for new ways to make money, YAHOO said it will start charging for some Yahoo Mail services that it once offered for free to lure new members. FOR EXAMPLE, effective April 24, Yahoo Mail will no longer provide so-called "Pop3 access" or auto-mail forwarding FOR FREE.

(oc)
AND HERE'S A NEW TWIST ON ADVERTISING. TROPICANA PLANS TO SPEND 2 MLN DOLLARS ON AN ENTIRE TELEVISION SHOW TARGETED AT ORANGE JUICE CONSUMERS. THE 28 MINUTE SHOW, WILL AIR WITHOUT COMMERCIAL INTERRUPTIONS AND GO THRU THE HISTORY OF ORANGE JUICE. IT'S SET TO AIR MORE THAN 450 TIMES OVER FIVE WEEKS STARING WITH A SHOWING ON CBS IN EARLY APRIL

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

(oc)
AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NY.))



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

[County-Fires]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

Thick black smoke continues to blanket the Roanoke Valley as the area deals with the consequences of a massive tire fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The illegal Keeling Tire dump in Roanoke County caught fire Saturday.
As of last night, firefighters estimated that more than 60 percent of tires and nearly 500 acres of brush were burning.
The brush fires are under control, but the tire fire could burn for weeks.
Governor Warner has declared a state of emergency for the area.
That means it will be eligible for additional assistance, including use of the National Guard.
Firefighters say the safest thing is to let the tire fire burn -- but they've already contained the brush fire.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:34:09 - :26]
[IN Q=The method here]
(())
[SUPER=01-Zeph Cunningham/Park Ranger;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=itself burn out.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Health Department officials have tested the air twice -- and say both tests have come back safe.
Health officials recommend that people with respiratory and heart problems stay inside and contact their doctor if they have problems.
(------------)

[11Road-Info]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]
Several roads around the area are still closed because of the fire.
Roanoke County officials are asking motorists to avoid the following areas.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE ROADS PAGE FS 1000] They include the intersection of Starkey and Merriman and the Intersection of Buck Mountain and Starkey. Starlight Lane is also closed.
(XXXXXXX)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Meanwhile, the seventeen mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway between Routes 2-20 and 221 is still closed.

[11Residents]


[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-15 TC-1:55]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]

The fire prompted several families to evacuate their homes.
They're either staying with friends or at a shelter set up by the American Red Cross.
Justin McLeod tells us why some of those families are in no rush to move back home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Hale/Evacuated Resident; :14 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Annie Fountain/Evacuated Resident; :32]
[SUPER=@justin1; :40]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Molly O'Dell/VA Dept. of Health; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke County]
((((NAT SOUND IN SHELTER))
These are some of the people who are affected the most by the fire.
They've been asked to leave voluntarily for health and safety reasons.
[SOT 1:46; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=It's really been]
((ROBERT HALE/EVACUATED RESIDENT: IT'S REALLY BEEN HARD TO DO BUT WE JUST PUT OUR FAITH IN THE LORD AND EVERYTHING.))


[Runs= :08]
[OUT Q=the lord and everything]

They'll need that faith now more than ever.
Officials have told these residents it could be days before it is safe to return home.
They were allowed to go home Sunday morning to gather some belongings.
[SOT 7:10; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=The snoke was actually]
((ANNIE FOUNTAIN/EVACUATED RESIDENT: THE SMOKE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE HOUSE. YOU GO FROM ROOM TO ROOM, EVEN THOUGH THE BEDROOM DOORS AND THINGS WERE CLOSED BUT THE SMOKE WAS IN EVERY ROOM.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=was in every room]
[SOT 15:18:49; TAPE 3]
[IN Q=To give you an idea]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHAT SITUATION THESE RESIDENTS ARE LIVING WITH TAKE A LOOK BEHIND ME, THIS IS WHERE THE TIRE DUMP FIRE IS GOING STRONG. RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET THERE ARE SIX OR SEVEN NEARBY HOMES. AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU CAN'T SEE ANY SMOKE HERE BUT YOU CAN DEFINITELY SMELL IT AND FOR SOME RESIDENTS THAT'S A PROBLEM.))
[Runs= 17]
[OUT Q=that's a problem]
((NAT SOUND))
Virginia's Department of Health has tested the air several times.
Those test came out normal.
But that brings little comfort to residents who fear they may have to breathe those fumes for several months.
[SOT 6:48; TAPE 2]
[IN Q=I can't breathe]
((ANNIE FOUNTAIN/EVACUATED RESIDENT: I CAN'T BREATHE A LOT OF THAT STUFF BECAUSE I'VE HAD LUNG PROBLEMS BEFORE AND THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR ME.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=good for me]

The Department of Health says anyone who has problems with their eyes or lungs should seek medical attention immediately.
As for any long term effects to breathing that air, officials say we simply don't know.
[SOT 15:13:07]
[IN Q=There haven't been any]
((DR. MOLLY O'DELL/VA DEPT. OF HEALTH: THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY LONG TERM STUDIES FOR CHRONIC EXPOSURES TO THOSE THINGS BUT WE KNOW IN THE SHORT TERM EFFECT THAT IT OBVIOUSLY IRRITATES LUNG DISEASE AND AGGRAVATE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.))

[Runs= :11]
[OUT Q=cardiovascular disease]
((NAT SOUND OF CAR DRIVING OUT OF DRIVEWAY))
That's the main reason why some residents are in no rush to move back home, as they continue to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke County.))
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=none]
(Marya tosses to bump)
News 7 Mornin' wil be right back [bump-chyron]

[comm #3]


[Oscars]


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

Denzel Washington and Halle Berry have made Oscar History.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollywood, CA;]

Washington was named best actor for ``Training Day,'' and Berry was named best actress for ``Monster's Ball.''
Berry is the first black actress to win an Oscar for a lead role. Washington is the second black actor to win in a leading role. (------------) ``A Beautiful Mind' won best picture, while Ron Howard won best director for the film.
by SS