WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/24/02

[VOB-County-Supervisors]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-17]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion. But some, including the Roanoke County's Board of Supervisors, believe more needs to be done to make students and others more comfortable to pray in public without fear of repercussions.
(----------)
(////sot////)
[sot 15:05:03]
[in q= To me]
((BUTCH CHURCH/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR; TO ME IT WAS AN EXCITING VICTORY, NOT FOR PERSONALLY, IT'S JUST SOMETHING I BELIEVE IN AND I HAD SOME GOOD SUPPORT.))
[SUPER=01-Butch Church/Roanoke Co. Supervisors Chairman;]
[RUNS=07]
[out q= some good support.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
Chairman Butch Church believes the First Amendment needs to be strengthened..
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Yesterday, he and three other Roanoke County supervisors threw their support behind an amendment to the constitution intended to guarantee religious freedom in the United States.
(////sot////)
[sot 15:04:35]
[in q= My contention]
((BUTCH CHURCH/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR: MY CONTENTION WAS EVERY DISASTER, CATASTROPHE WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT ASKING GOD TO TAKE CARE OF THE UNITED STATES, TAKE CARE OF OUR SOLDIERS, TAKE CARE AND BLESS OUR NATION, OUR CURRENCY IS IN GOD WE TRUST, OUR NATIONAL MOTTO IS IN GOD WE TRUST, IT'S POSTED ALL OVER WALLS OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, WE CONDUCT PRAYER HERE, WHY CAN'T WE GIVE OUR CHILDREN THE SAME CHANCE.))
[RUNS=26]
[OUT Q= the same chance. ]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
The decision by the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors was NOT an unanimous one-- Supervisor Joe McNamara believes the First Amendment does enough to guarantee freedom of religion.
(///sot////)
[SOT 15:06:08]
[IN Q=THE VOTE]
((JOE MCNAMARA/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR: THE VOTE WAS NOT AGAINST PRAYER, PRAYER IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THE ROANOKE VALLEY AND IN PLACES OF WORSHIP, WHAT IT WAS, WAS A VOTE, WAS A VOTE FOR OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, I THINK ANY PROPONENT TO SEPARATE THAT IS A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.))
[SUPER=01-Joe McNamara/Roanoke Co. Supervisors Vice-Chairman;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q= WRONG DIRECTION.]
(-------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[SS=none]
The Board of Supervisors is NOT alone in approving this resolution which will be forwarded to lawmakers. Counties in 44- other states have approved similar measures. But before any of this could become a reality-- Congress and the states would have to approve it.

[6-Danville-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Invest.]

Some Danville students will get another day off as officials try to figure out what started a fire at the Opportunity School.
Police investigators think someone set the blaze in a cardboard box at the corner of the auditorium stage Monday morning.
The school will be closed again today due to smoke damage.

[Train-Accident]

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

Investigators say it may have been a malfunctioning signal that led two trains on a collision course in Southern California.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Placentia, CA;]

Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board say that could explain why a stopped commuter train was hit head-on by a freight train yesterday.
Two passengers died on the Metrolink commuter train.
260 other passengers were injured.
Investigators will examine the black boxes on both trains, and question crew members.
(------------)

[Priest-Abuse]

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

Pope John Paul, along with a dozen cardinals are wrapping up a two- day meeting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rome, Italy;]

12 America's cardinals are discussing the priest sex scandal with the Pope.
There were strong words yesterday from Pope John Paul, the Second.
For the first time, he called sex abuse in the church both a sin and a crime.
He and said that there's no room in the Church for priests who "would harm the young."
One new idea that developed at the meetings is the formation of a national panel to monitor the church's performance.
(------------)

[11L'burg-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC34:58]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

The search for a killer continues in Lynchburg where police are trying to solve last week's double homicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Friday]

Anthony and Rhonda Robinson were shot to death in their home on Sussex Street early Friday morning.
Authorities say it's likely the Robinsons knew their killer and that more than one suspect is involved.. but getting information has been tough.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:19:08]
[IN Q=Some people we've]
((LT. DANNY VIAR/LYNCHBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT: SOME PEOPLE WE TALKED TO THEY'RE NOT TELLING US THE WHOLE TRUTH OR THEY'LL ADD SOMETHING TO IT, WE'VE RUN INTO THAT. AND THEN WE HAVE TO SPEND TIME GOING BACK AND RUNNING DOWN EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE TOLD US, ANYTHING THAT THEY'VE HEARD SOMEONE ELSE MENTION, RUMORS OR WHATEVER, AND THAT'S VERY TIME-CONSUMING.))
[SUPER=01-Danny Viar/Lynchburg Police Department]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=very time-consuming.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Police have still not discussed a possible motive for the killings.
14 investigators from around the region are working the case.
(------------)

[Reagan-Airport]

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

Flying out of Reagan National Airport will soon be just as it was prior to September 11th.
Later today, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is scheduled to announce that full service will occur as soon as the F-A-A can arrange it.
There will be some changes--
Planes larger than Boeing 737s will be allowed to land at National, and flights can be scheduled before 7 a-m and later than 10 p-m.

[Marketwatch]

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

Online retailer Amazon-dot-com has reported a loss, but has easily topped Wall Street's first-quarter expectations.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((AMAZON.COM JUST MIGHT BE THE PICK-ME-UP WALL STREET DO DESPERATELY NEEDS. AFTER A SPATE OF NOT SO GREAT PROFIT REPORTS.. AMAZON.COM SURPRISED INVESTORS WITH A LOSS OF 6 CENTS A SHARE IN THE FIRST QTR.. THAT'S BETTER THAN THE 9 CENT LOSS THE STREET WAS BRACING FOR. SALES AT THE MEGA ONLINE STORE JUMPED 21 PERCENT IN THE QUARTER AND AMAZON IS PREDICTING STRONGER THAN EXPECTED REVENUE GROWTH IN THE CURRENT QTR.. THE STOCK RALLIED IN AFTER HOURS TRADING.. WE'LL SEE IF INVESTORS HOLD ON TO THAT ENTHUSIASM IN TODAY'S TRADING. AMONG THE COMPANIES ON DECK TO REPORT PROFITS TODAY: AT&T, AOL TIME WARNER AND XEROX. DISAPPOINTING PROFITS FROM THE LIKES OF EXXON MOBIL AND DUPONT PUT PRESSURE ON STOCKS. DOW SANK 47 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ SLIPPED 28 POINTS INTEL ROLLED OUTS ITS FIRST EVER MOBILE PENTIUM CHIP TO BE USED IN LAPTOP COMPUTERS... AND THE HEMORRAGING CONTINUED AT WORLDCOM .. THE STOCK SANK ANOTHER 15 PERCENT AFTER MOODY'S CUT ITS CREDIT RATING TO TWO NOTCHES ABOVE JUNK STATUS. TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ... AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NY. ))

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

[11Tire-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC1:17:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Crews will be removing more than just tires from Willie Keeling's illegal tire dump in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Week;]
While putting the fire out, an official with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality says the E-P-A discovered an old trash dump on approximately one acre of Keeling's property. The debris is mostly household garbage and it's buried underneath piles of tires.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:46:33]
[IN Q=IT WAS PROBABLY]
((RICK WEEKS/DEQ REGIONAL DIRECTOR: IT WAS PROBABLY A TYPICAL RAVINE FILL THAT YOU USED TO SEE A LOT OF I WOULD GUESS IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT AN ACRE OF MATERIAL, WE'RE NOT SURE HOW DEEP YET AS TO HOW MUCH IT WILL TAKE TO CLEANUP BUT WE'LL GO AHEAD AND WORK WITH THE EPA TO GET THAT MATERIAL OFF SITE. ))
[SUPER=01-Rick Weeks/DEQ Regional Director;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=GET THAT MATERIAL OFF SITE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Rick Weeks say officials are working to find a place to take the debris. They're also trying to find a trucking firm to haul the garbage.
(------------)

[11Task-Force]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-11 TC49:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A new task force will look into ways Roanoke County's tire fire could have been prevented.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The U- S Attorney for Western Virginia yesterday announced the creation of the Blue Ridge Environmental Task Force. John Brownlee says the group consists of representatives from at least fifteen agencies including local police and fire departments, the EPA, DEQ, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Attorney's office.
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 2:41-3:06]
[IN Q=What we're gonna try to do...]
((JOHN BROWNLEE/U.S. ATTORNEY: WHAT WE'RE GONNA TRY TO DO HERE IS BRING TOGETHER SOME OF THE BEST THINKERS SO THAT WHEN WE HAVE FUTURE PROBLEMS, WHICH WE WILL AND WHICH WE PROBABLY DO NOW, WE CAN TRY TO GET SOME IDEAS AND ESTABLISH STRATEGIES AND PROTOCOL TO TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U. S. Attorney;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=to try to solve the problem.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./March 24;]
Brownlee says the idea for the task force was sparked by the massive fire that broke out on Willie Keeling's tire dump last month. He says, starting later today, the task force will look into ways the tire fire could have been prevented.
(------------)

[11Fast-Facts]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-08 TC1:23:38]
[GRAPHIC=Building OTS]
[**ANCHOR TAG w/FS GRAPHIC**]
We have a long way to go before we are fully settled into our new home, but we are not far away from "full-power digital television."
WDBJ plans to begin digital broadcasts next month.
The high-definition signal is limited to some programs right now, but experts say everything will be broadcast in high def within the next decade.
(++++++++++)
[Building for the Future FS]
Here's Jennifer Miele with some fast facts about High-Def TV from our "Building for the Future."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=No matter how you]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Pace/HDTV Owner; :15]
[SUPER=@jennifer2; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( No matter how you look at it, technology is providing better quality television for us to watch.
The digital signal WDBJ is preparing to send is six times sharper than the one you're watching now.
Those who have it say there's no comparison.
[SOT]
((DON PACE: WHEW, I NEVER KNEW WE WERE LOOKING AT THAT BAD OF A SCREEN.)) [RUNS03]
But if you want an even BETTER picture, try High Definition.
With that technology and WDBJ's new signal, you'll be able to immediately watch certain sporting events, and programs like the Young & The Restless and CSI in high def.
[SOT]
((DON PACE: THEY VERY FIRST PICTURE ITS LIKE LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AT IT.)) [RUNS03]
Here are some fast facts about high def tv's:
You need a special set, a tuner, and an antenna.
The set is not high def unless you see this sticker. So look for one before you buy it.
They range in price from 3 to 14 thousand dollars.
Next, they are more rectangular in shape... so rectangular football and basketball courts will be much more realistic.
Those black bars are for there so that non-rectangular scenes fit the screen.
And finally, right now there is no device on the market that can record HDTV-- but VCR-like machines are in the works.
Experts say everything will eventually be broadcast in high def, most likely within this decade. Until then, you can continue to watch Your Hometown Station on your regular old set.
If we can help you make the transition, let us know.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))
(+++++++)
[TAKE WDBJ HOME PAGE FS]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

For fast facts on digital TV at any time, you can go to our home page at WDBJ7-dot-com.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Eavesdropping]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC50:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The state's highest elected-Republican is finding common ground with Democrats on the eavesdropping controversy.

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

Attorney General Jerry Kilgore was in Roanoke yesterday to honor law enforcement.
He spoke out about the alleged eavesdropping that his office initially exposed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:17:30]
[IN Q=I'M SEEING NOW]
((JERRY KILGORE/VA ATTORNEY GENERAL; I'M SEEING NOW STRONG LEADERSHIP FROM PARTY LEADERS TO STAND UP WITH ME AND SAY THIS IS WRONG. THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE STOOPING TO DIRTY TRICKS, WE SHOULD NOT BE EAVESDROPPING WHETHER ITS ILLEGAL OR NOT. WE SHOULD NOT BE ON PHONE CALLS THAT WE'RE NOT INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ON.))
[SUPER=@Kilgore]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q= TO PARTICIPATE ON.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Democratic state senator John Edwards, could not agree more.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:07:07]
[IN Q=IT'S SLEAZY BUT]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/(D) ROANOKE; IT'S SLEAZY BUT ITS ALSO ILLEGAL UNDER BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW AND I HOPE ITS NOT A PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME. IT'S CERTAINLY NOT IN VIRGINIA'S TRADITION.))
[SUPER=@Edwards]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=IN VIRGINIA'S TRADITION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, the investigation into alleged eavesdropping by GOP officials continues in Richmond.
The former head of the state's Republican party has already been indicted and a top aide to House Speaker Vance Wilkins has been implicated.
(-------------)

[11Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC24:54]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Friends and relatives believe a love triangle may have compelled a Roanoke man to shoot and kill two people before killing himself.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Brad Bundick's grandmother says the 23-year-old seemed happy on Monday.
He left the house telling her he'd be right back.
Bundick went to the home his ex-girlfriend, Monica DeHaven- a home she shared with her boyfriend Nathaniel Clay.
Police say Bundick shot them and then himself after an argument.
DeHaven was 7 months pregnant ... and Bundick's sister says she led both men to believe they COULD be the father.

(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=He was just hurt]
[sot 21:32:08 - :13]
((LAVONNE BUNDICK/SISTER: HE WAS JUST HURT BECAUSE HE REALLY LOVED HER AND HE WANTED TO KNOW IF THAT WAS HIS BABY OR NOT.))
[sot 21:20:44 - :56]
((GWENDOLYN REYNOLDS/BUNDICK'S GRANDMOTHER: I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE CAPABLE OF IT. BUT THEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT PEOPLE WOULD DO.))
[SUPER=01-Lavonne Bundick/Sister; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-Gwendolyn Reynolds/Bundick's Grandmother; :06]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=what people would do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Friends of all three say they saw NO signs that something like this could happen.
They believe the shootings probably occurred in the heat of an argument.
(------------)

[1st-Business]

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

In business news this morning, Amazon-dot-com beat Wall Street's first-quarter expectations.
Here's Barton Eckert with a look at the morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Barton Eckert/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]

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

[11Anderson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-15 TC1:26:04]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Civic leader and politician Wick Anderson has died.
The former Roanoke mayor was 73.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/1998]

A graduate of Washington and Lee's law school, Wick Anderson became the youngest mayor in the city's history in 1960.
[SUPER=03-Richmond/1963]

He was elected to four terms in the House of Delegates, and spent eight years on the state Board of Elections.
Wick Anderson also served on the boards of the Roanoke Symphony and Mill Mountain Theater.
He tried to win the mayor's job back in 1992, but lost to David Bowers.
(------------)

[Med-Day]

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

In medical news, researchers say consuming more dairy products could help prevent diabetes....and a new treatment for your EARS that COULD save your EYES.
Melissa McDermott has those stories and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:03]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((RESEARCHERS SAY MILK AND OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS COULD HELP PREVENT OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE FROM DEVELOPING DIABETES. IN A NEW STUDY PEOPLE CONSIDERED OVERWEIGHT, WHO ATE DAIRY PRODUCTS FIVE OR MORE TIMES A DAY, WERE 70 PERCENT LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP INSULIN RESISTANCE. INSULIN RESISTANCE OFTEN LEADS TO DIABETES.
PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUFFER FROM MEMORY LOSS AND HAVE DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING. NOW SOME ARE TURNING TO A HERBAL SUPPLEMENT THAT MILLIONS OF OTHERS USE. A NEW STUDY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SHOWS THAT GINKGO BILOBA CAN IMPROVE THE MEMORY AND CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE WITH M-S. HOWEVER RESEARCHERS SAY LARGER STUDIES STILL NEED TO BE DONE
AN ESTIMATED 60 MILLION AMERICANS SUFFER FROM FAR SIGHTEDNESS. BUT A NEW TREATMENT, JUST APPROVED BY THE F-D-A, COULD BE MUSIC TO THEIR EARS. IT USES RADIO FREQUENCY ENERGY. THE WAVES SHRINK CERTAIN AREAS OF THE EYE AND INCREASE THE CURVE OF THE CORNEA, CORRECTING FARSIGHTEDNESS. AND THOSE ARE SOME OF TODAY'S TOP HEALTH STORIES. I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[2-Reagan-Airport]

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

In business news, Full service will soon return to Reagan National Airport for the first time since the September 11th attacks.
Later today, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is scheduled to announce that full service will occur as soon as the F-A-A can arrange it.
There will be some changes--
Planes larger than Boeing 737s will be allowed to land at National, and flights can be scheduled before 7 a-m and later than 10 p-m.

[6-Power-Line]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC49:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The U-S Forest service is giving the thumbs up to a power line proposal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :21.5]
[SUPER=03-Bland Co.;]
Yesterday, it released an environmental impact statement accepting American Electric Power's proposed route through the Jefferson National Forest. The agency denied the project in 19-96...but now approves a new route starting in Wyoming County, West Virginia and ending in Jacksons Ferry. The decision is a draft that now opens up a 90-day comment period.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 27:04:25]
[IN Q=we intend]
((DAVID MUHLY/SIERRA CLUB; WE INTEND TO GENERATE QUITE A FEW COMMENTS WE INTEND TO LET THE FOREST SERVICE KNOW THAT WE DON'T RESPECT THIS DECISION WE FEEL THAT THE IMPACTS AS FAR AS AIR POLLUTION ARE SIGNIFICANT.))
[SUPER=01-David Muhly/Sierra Club;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=POLLUTION ARE SIGNIFICANT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A final decision from the Forest Service is expected by the end of the year. A-E-P says the line is needed to serve customers and hopes to have it running by the winter of 2005. Opponents say they will take the matter to court to stop it. (------------)