WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/09/02

[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Secretary of State Colin Powell continues his peacekeeping mission as Israeli forces begin to withdraw from two Palestinian locations.
Teri Okita has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-West Bank; :00]
[SUPER=01-King Abdullah/Jordan; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/Reporting; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
((

(TAKE PACKAGE)

IT TOOK SOME U.S. NUDGING, BUT IT APPEARS ISRAEL IS FINALLY GETTING THE MESSAGE. ISRAELI FORCES ANNOUNCED MONDAY ... THAT THEY WERE PULLING BACK FROM THE WEST BANK TOWNS OF QALQILLYA AND TULKAREM. BUT A TOTAL WITHDRAWAL STILL REMAINS IN DOUBT.

(NAT)

ISRAELI FORCES ROUNDED-UP DOZENS OF PALESTINIANS AFTER DAYS OF FIGHTING IN NABLUS. PARTS OF THAT WEST BANK CITY ARE NOW IN RUINS ... AS SCORES OF ITS CITIZENS LAY DYING IN MAKESHIFT HOSPITALS. MEANWHILE, THE BATTLE INTENSIFIED AT REFUGEE CAMP IN JENIN.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, ARIEL SHARON, TOLD HIS GOVERNMENT THE MILITARY ACTION WOULD END WHEN QUOTE "THE TERRORIST INFRASTRUCTURE" IS DISMANTLED. PRESIDENT BUSH SAYS THAT'S NOT FAST ENOUGH.

(SOT: PRESIDENT BUSH)
"I meant what I said to the prime minister of Israel, I expect there to be withdrawal without the delay."

(NAT)

ECHOING THAT DEMAND, SECRETARY OF STATE, COLIN POWELL, ARRIVED IN MOROCCO FOR THE FIRST LEG OF HIS PEACEKEEPING MISSION. BUT HE RECEIVED A CHILLY RECEPTION FROM KING MOHAMMED WHO BLUNTLY ASKED --

(SOT WITH TEXT/do not super)
"Don't you think it would be more important to start in Jerusalem?"
ARAB LEADERS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT PALESTINIAN LEADER, YASSER ARAFAT, IS BEING IGNORED IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.

(SOT: KING ABDULLAH/JORDAN)
"If we go with the line of the Israelis that Arafat is not the man, that Arafat is irrelevant ... do we continue changing the Palestinian leadership until we find someone that is amiable to them."

(STANDUP)
ON TUESDAY, SECRETARY POWELL MEETS WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK. MUBARAK IS URGING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO USE MAXIMUM DIPLOMATIC POWER ... SAYING THE U.S. BEARS SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS IN MOTION.

))[11Blacksburg-Protest]

[ANCHOR=kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-03 TC1:11:50]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

The Israeli and Palestinian flags both waived just off Main Street in Blacksburg yesterday.
About 40 people rallied... some in support of Israel and what it's called a campaign against terrorism.
Others showed support for the Palestinians, and called for an end to the Israeli occupation.
(------------)

[VOB-Tire-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo/tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tire Fire]
The Environmental Protection Agency says its making progress on Roanoke County's smoldering tire dump.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
It's information Senator John Warner and Congressman Bob Goodlate received in person yesterday. The two were not allowed to inspect the tire dump site for themselves, because the E-P-A says the air quality is still too hazardous. But the pair did get to view the tire dump through pictures-- They also flew over the site-- to see the damage for themselves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What we wanted...]
[SUPER=@johnwarner; ]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=by Uncle Sam.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The E-P-A is spending one- point seven million dollars to fight the fire and begin cleanup. Officials hope to have the fires out within a month and the tires removed within three months.
(------------)

[11Warner-Bills]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC14:00]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]

Governor Mark Warner is proposing more than 80 amendments to the state budget that lawmakers approved last month.
The changes would restore about 30- million dollars for a variety of programs including local drug courts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I think they made a very good]
((GOV. MARK WARNER; I THINK THEY MADE A VERY GOOD CASE THAT THESE WERE DOLLARS WELL SPENT AND THE ABILITY TO KEEP THESE FOLKS IN AN ALTERNATIVE TO FULL INCARCERATION MAKES GOOD COMMON SENSE AND GOOD FISCAL SENSE.))
[SUPER=@markwarner;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and good fiscal sense.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Warner's amendment will not restore all of the funding for local drug courts, but he did find enough money to keep the program alive while localities look for other sources of support.
Circuit Judge Diane Strickland said she's encouraged by the Governor's decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I had the good fortune]
((DIANE STRICKLAND/CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE; I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO MEET WITH HIM LAST MONDAY, A WEEK AGO TODAY AND HE TOLD ME DURING THAT MEETING THAT HE RECOGNIZED IT WAS A VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT AND THAT ECONOMICALLY IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE IT WAS SAVING MONEY.))
[SUPER=01-Diane Strickland/Circuit Court Judge; ]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=saving money.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner says other amendments would restore critical funding for education, technology and criminal justice programs.
Lawmakers will consider the amendments when they return to Richmond for the veto session next week.
(------------)

[11Big-Game]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Big Game]

The jackpot for tonight's Big Game drawing continues to grow.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

After 17 straight drawings with no winner, the top prize in the multi-state lottery is up to 153-million dollars -- the third largest jackpot in Big Game history.
Currently, Virginia and six other states are members of the Big Game.
New York and Ohio are set to join next month.
(-------------)

[La-Z-Boy]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Plant Closing]

In business news, La-Z-Boy will close its plant in Chilhowie this summer.
Some 245 people will lose their jobs when the facility closes in mid-June.
The plant makes furniture for the hospitality industry.
A North Carolina plant will also be closed down as the company restructures its wood furniture operations.

[11NRV-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC1:00:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Pulaski County officials are taking another step towards attracting high tech companies to the New River Valley....
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.;]
Yesterday, was the official groundbreaking for Phase One of the region's Commerce Park. Construction on an access road and grading of the property is underway. Congressman Rick Boucher says the property is ideal for technology based 21st century jobs...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 42:53:07]
[IN Q=GIVEN THE]
((US REP. RICK BOUCHER/9TH DISTRICT; GIVEN THE PRESENCE HERE OF THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE AND UNITED STATES CUSTOMS HOUSE GIVEN PROXIMITY OF RADFORD UNIVERSITY AND VIRGINIA TECH AND NEW RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND ALL OF THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE THAT RESIDES THERE I THINK THIS COMMERCE PARK WILL BE IDEAL FOR TECHNOLOGY BASED INDUSTRY.))
[SUPER=@Boucher;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=BASED INDUSTRY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
When completed, the park is expected to be about 1-thousand acres. Officials say construction on actual buildings will depend on when they can attract companies to the site.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Compaq Computer says it expects to meet or beat Wall Street's expectations for its first quarter earnings.
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]
((A JUDGE IN DELAWARE HAS RULED THAT Walter Hewlett can proceed with his lawsuit against Hewlett-Packard. Hewlett has accused H-P of improperly securing votes for its proxy contest regarding its merger with Compaq . A trial is scheduled for April 23.
AND AFTER THE CLOSING BELL COMPAQ COMPUTER SAID PROFITS IN THE LATEST QTR ARE EXPECTED TO MEET OR BEAT ESTIMATES.

(gr)
AOL Time Warner and Walt Disney have changed their retirement plans. THE TWO MEDIA GIANTS WILL allow employees to put matching funds from the corporations into investments other than company stock. Relying on an employer's stock for retirement savings has come under scrutiny since the BANKRUPTCY OF energy trader Enron caused many OF ITS EMPLOYEES TO LOSE THEIR NEST EGGS.
ON WALL STREET, THE STOCK MARKET BATTLED BACK FROM SOME HEAVY LOSSES TO FINISH MIXED.. WORRIES OVER RISING OIL PRICES

(gr)

COUPLED WITH A PROFIT WARNING FROM TECH BELLWETHER IBM MADE IT A BLUE MONDAY FOR INVESTORS..

(gr)
AFTER A TRIPLE DIGIT DECLINE, THE DOW FELL 22 POINTS

(gr)
THE NASDAQ REVERSED AN EARLY SLIDE TO RISE 15 POINTS.

(oc)
WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THE OIL PACTH..OIL Crude oil rose for the first time in four DAYS after Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered a 30-day halt in the country's oil sales to protest Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory.

(gr)
AND FAST FOOD GIANT WENDYS said first-quarter earnings will beat the current consensus estimate of 36 cents a share. WENDYS CREDITS stronger-than-expected sales.

(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]

[Queen-Mother]

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

In a few hours, the British people will bid a final farewell to the Queen Mother.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-London, England;]

In London, many people stayed up through the night to pay their respects to the royal matriarch, lying in state in Parliament.
Her casket will be placed on a horse- drawn carriage-- led by the royal family and soldiers in a procession to Westminster Abbey.
More than 200-thousand people have paid their respects at the coffin since Friday.
The queen mother died March 30th at age 101.
(------------)

[6-Historic-Tours]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC37:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Mention the phrase "historic district" to a Lynchburg resident, and you're likely to get a strong reaction: one that's either in favor or opposed to historic designation.
But one woman is trying to educate people about the beauty of the districts.. and she's taking her argument to the streets.
Lynchburg Bureau Chief Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mary Kathryn]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mary Kathryn McIntosh/Historic Districts Tour Guide; :37]
[SUPER=@ssm2; :53]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( Mary Kathryn McIntosh makes her living talking about other people's houses.
Ordinarily, the owner of Lynchburg Historic Tours does her speaking from the front of a bus.. but this month, McIntosh is hitting the bricks.
[natsot 14:49:04]
((THIS IS R.G.H. KANE'S HOME ACROSS THE STREET FROM HERE.. HE WAS THE SECRETARY OF WAR DURING THE CONFEDERACY..))
[RUNS= 07]

McIntosh.. who makes her home on Diamond Hill.. is offering walking tours of three of the city's six historic districts on three Sundays in April.
This is more than just pointing out the unique architecture of the neighborhoods.. it's reminding people just how much history the Hill City has to offer.
[SOT 14:44:39]
((MARY KATHRYN MCINTOSH/HISTORIC DISTRICTS TOUR GUIDE: I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LED ME TO DO THESE TOURS IS YOU DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THE HOUSES UNTIL YOU'RE WALKING THE STREET. WHEN YOU'RE IN A BUS AND YOU'RE HIGH UP, YOU DON'T GET THE SAME PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU DO WHEN YOU'RE WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=on the sidewalk.]

So from street level McIntosh will share the stories of the people who built these houses and helped to build Lynchburg.. it's information that anyone should find interesting.
[SOT 15:01:11]
((MCINTOSH: I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO COME ON THE TOUR WILL GET A FLAVOR FOR WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE DOWN HERE AND HAVE A REAL SENSE OF PRIDE IN OUR HISTORY AND PERHAPS BE ABLE TO LOOK AT A BUILDING AND THINK THAT IT COULD BE A PARTICULAR STYLE.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=a particular style.]

Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Brush-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC13:52]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
Firefighters have gained the upper hand on a brush fire on Fort Lewis Mountain in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The blaze burned at least 30 acres of trees and brush- starting yesterday morning and going all day into the night. The fire was located along Route 3-11 near the Dark Hollow Girl Scout Camp. Three structures at the camp were threatened by the flames, but they are not occupied. The Scout Camp is used during only the summer. Firefighters say reaching the fire was difficult-- because of the terrain, but say the blaze is now out.
(------------)

[11modi]

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

A husband and wife medical team accused of stealing one-million dollars through phony claims to Medicare and the Department of Labor's Black Lung Program pleaded guilty yesterday.
Prosecutors accused the couple of defrauding the government from 1987 to 2000 at the Miners Medical Clinic in Buchanan County.
According to court documents, Doctor Vinod Modi and his wife Doctor Kailas Modi submitted excessive claims to the Black Lung Program, which reimburses some medical expenses for coal miners suffering from the disease.
They'll be sentenced in August.

[Gas-Prices]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices Up]

Gas prices are going up, and motorists worry the situation in the Middle East could drive them even higher.
But as Drew Levinson reports, concerned drivers can call a government hotline to make sure they're not being cheated at the pumps.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; :14]
[SUPER=01-Spencer Abraham/Energy Secretary; :35]
[SUPER=01-Bill O'Grady/A. G. Edwards Analyst; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, Chicago.]
((
NATSOUND AT THE GAS PUMP)
It's almost like a rite of spring--the prices at the gas pumps across the country are once again on the rise.

(SOT/mos )
"I THINK IT IS RiDICULOUS"

(SOT/mos )
"IT'S TOO MUCH MAN, IT'S TOO MUCH"

(STANDUP: DREW LEVINSON 10:38)

THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS SUMMER DRIVERS WILL PAY AN AVERAGE OF $1.46 A GALLON--THAT'S EIGHT CENTS LOWER THAN LAST YEAR, BUT IT IS STILL EXPECTED TO BE THE THIRD HIGHEST ON RECORD."
The Bush Administration says the higher summer pump prices are normal because of higher demand for vacation travel and it costs more to produce the specially formulated cleaner burning summer gasoline. Still the Administration is concerned over the rising prices.

(SOT SPENCER ABRAHAM/ENERGY SECRETARY )
"BECAUSE THEY STRAIN THE BUDGET'S OF AMERICA'S WORKING FAMILIES, THEY RAISE THE COSTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES AND THEY ULTIMATELY CREATE A DRAG ON THE ECONOMY."
Many at the pumps point the finger at the tensions between the Israeli's and Palestinians.

(SOT 3:32)
"I THINK WE ARE SUFFERING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND I DON'T LIKE IT.
Some experts agree the situation in the Middle East as well as other problems around the world could lead to unexpected price volatility

(SOT BILL O'GRADY/AG EDWARDS (analyst))
"IT IS BRINGING HOME TO ROOST THAT THE INTERNATIONAL TENSIONS SURROUNDING THE WAR ON TERROR ARE GIVING US SOME COLLATORIAL DAMAGE AND THAT IS HIGHER OIL PRICES."
Afraid that some filling stations will take advantage--the Bush Administration is assuring motorists it is watching the prices closely and the energy department has reactivated a consumer hotline for motorists to complain of price gouging. The number is 1-800-244-3301.Drew Levinson, CBS News, Chicago.

)[11Biomedical-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC1:00:53]
[GRAPHIC=Carilion Biomed]
Plans are moving right along on Roanoke's biomedical institute.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The first contract has been awarded to make way for the Riverside Centre for Research and Technology. Later this month--crews will begin tearing down two buildings on South Jefferson Street. This will make way for a 500- space parking garage. The garage will be used by the park's first two tenants which are the Carilion Biomedical Institute and Carilion Health System. Supporters of the park say it could create up to 25- hundred jobs.
(------------)

[11KMart-Closings]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Kmart Store Closings]

Kmart is denying a report that it plans to close more stores than previously announced.
The troubled retailer is closing 283 of its more than two-thousand stores nationwide as part of its bankruptcy re-organization.
But Penske Corporation - which used to run K-marts automotive centers- says K-mart officials told its representative that the chain planned to close as many as 700 stores.
That from a K-mart bankruptcy court filing.
Meanwhile, Penske shut down about 550 auto repair centers at Kmart stores over the weekend.
Kmart got a temporary restraining order to stop the closings.
But attorneys for both Kmart and Penske say that it came too late to stop the centers from shutting down and that there's no way to reopen them.

[2-11Teacher-Pay]

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

Virginia teachers' pay ranks near the middle compared with their colleagues in other states
But over the past decade, Salaries have actually declined after taking inflation into account.
That mixed report came from the National Education Association yesterday.
In its report, the N-E-A said the average teacher in Virginia was paid 40-thousand-197 dollars for the 2000-01 school year.
That figure compares with a national average of 43-thousand-335 dollars.

[6-Flood-Relief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC1:06:56]
[GRAPHIC=Flood RElief]

Federal inspectors have begun inspecting flood-damaged properties in Southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Month]

Nine Southwest Virginia communities ravaged by last month's floods are eligible for federal disaster assistance.
President Bush granted a major disaster declaration for the area last week.
Federal Emergency Management Agency and American Red Cross inspectors are now meeting with residents who have applied for disaster assistance.
(------------)

[6-Telemedicine]

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

Imagine going to your local hospital or clinic and having a specialist hundreds of miles away examine you.
That's what will soon be happening in Patrick County.
A new tele-medicine project will link Patrick County Community Hospital with the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
The hospitals will use a 25-thousand-dollar grant from the U-S Department of Health and Human Services to help buy the equipment.
The hospitals hope to have the program running within five months, and say it will let rural patients get special ized care without having to drive to cities.