WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/29/02

[Storm-Aftermath]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Though last night's storm likely caused thousands of dollars in damage to homeowners, no lives were lost and only minor injuries were reported.
Structural damage in downtown Bedford forced authorities to close off the city last night.
This morning, it is re- opened, for the most part.
Jennifer MIele is in Bedford this morning.
Jen, have you had a chance to look around?

[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /Jen Microwave;]

[LIVE=Jen /FULL]
[SUPER=@jennifer1]
[SUPER=05-Bedford]

[DOUBLE BOXES=Kim /Jen Microwave;]

[Sunday-Weather]

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

The massive storm system also wreaked havoc in other parts of the country--
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-LaPlata, MD;]

In Maryland, authorities say a tornado touched down--causing a number of injuries, and damaging homes.
[SUPER=03-Willow Springs, MO;]

Folks in Missouri are cleaning up after a tornado ripped through their area.
The twister hit Saturday night.
High winds knocked down trees and power lines.
Residents spent most of yesterday clearing away debris scattered across their yards.
[SUPER=03-Canton, OH;]

Clean-up will be expensive, near Canton, Ohio, where rain and winds tore through several homes.
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[Middle-East]

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

In other news--
Witnesses say several Palestinians were killed after Israeli troops invaded the West Bank city of Hebron.
The violence happens only one day after Israel agreed to a peace deal in Ramallah.
Melissa McDermott has the story.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, West Bank; :00]
[SUPER=01-Irene Khan/Amnesty International General Secretary; 1:14]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=McDermott, CBS News, New York.]

( PKG: IT'S A SCENE ALL TOO FAMILIAR IN THE WEST BANK. AMBULANCES COLLECTING THE DEAD AND INJURED AFTER AN ISRAELI ATTA
CK. IN HEBRON THIS MORNING TANKS ROLLED IN AND MACHINE GUN FIRE FOLLOWED SOON AFTER. WITNESSES SAY SEVERAL PALESTINIANS WERE KILLED. (nats...tanks) BUT JUST NORTH OF HEBRON ISRAEL HAS AGREED TO A PEACEFUL DEAL . IF ALL GOES AS PLANNED, TANKS WILL SOON ROLL OUT OF RAMALLAH, FREEING YASSER ARAFAT FROM HIS COMPOUND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A MONTH. IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PALESTINIAN LEADER'S FREEDOM.... THE U-S AND BRITAIN WILL GUARD PALESTINIAN MILITANTS WANTED BY ISRAEL. PRESIDE
NT BUSH SAYS THE AGREEMENT MARKS A HOPEFUL DAY FOR THE MIDEAST. (SOT - PRESIDENT BUSH "This is a time for all of us to
commit to fight terror, and promote peace in the middle east." ) (nats...jenin refugee camp) BUT WHILE ISRAEL IS WORKING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WORLD IN RAMALLAH.... THEY'RE GO AGAINST THEM IN JENIN. PRIME MINISTER ARIEL SHARON IS STILL BLOCKING A UNITED NATIONS INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSAULT ON A JENIN REFUGEE CAMP. SHARON SAYS NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR A FACT FINDING MISSION. BUT HUMANITARIAN GROUPS WANT TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS THAT DOZENS OF PALESTINIANS WERE MASSACRED HER
E. (SOT - IRENE KHAN/GENERAL SECRETARY OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - "This was systema(SOT - IRENE KHAN/GENERAL SECRETARY
OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - "This was syste�d surrendered...simply appalling.") (STANDUP) AND BAD NEWS IN BETHLEHEM AS WELL. NEGOTIATIONS TO END THE 27-DAY STANDOFF AT THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY ARE NOW DEADLOCKED. NEGOTIATORS SAY IT ISN'T CLEAR WHEN THEY WILL RESUME. MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[11CMI]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
A big announcement is expected as early as today in Patrick County.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stuart]
C-M-I Industries in Stuart is expected to announce whether it plans to close the plant and move to another county. C-M-I manufactures elastic materials and employs about 300- people. Workers have told elected officials the company is thinking of relocating-- possibly to Henry County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02-12 tc 55:12]
[IN Q=It would be a great ]
((PRISCILLA LAWSON: IT WOULD BE A GREAT LOSS SINCE BASSETT WALKER CLOSED ALSO AND IT PUT PEOPLE OUT AND THEY WENT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE IT AGAIN.)) ((DEL. WARD ARMSTRONG: WHILE I REPRESENT HENRY COUNTY AS WELL I DON'T WANT TO SEE ONE LOCALITY IN SOUTHSIDE BENEFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER. I'D PREFER TO SEE NEW JOBS, A NET NEW JOBS NOT JUST SHIFTING FROM ONE LOCALITY TO ANOTHER.))

[SUPER=01-Priscilla Lawson/Stuart Resident; :00 quick]
[SUPER=@armstrong; :07]
[runs=20]
[OUT Q=locality to another]
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[VO-NAT]
The company is also reportedly looking at plants in North Carolina and other parts of Virginia. A company spokesperson declined to comment on future plans-- but did say C-M-I would make an announcement later today or early tomorrow.
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[11VIR]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC-57:16]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Virginia International Raceway in Halifax County is getting revved up for its third season.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.]

Several things are new this year including the Motorsports country club.
The 1800's plantation house is decorated with a Ralph Lauren motif which includes an Irish pub.
The number of televised events will also increase to eleven this year.
V-I-R believes the exposure will have a major impact on the local economy since more than a million specators are expected to visit this year.
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[SOT 10:54]
[IN Q=That's the bigggest thing]
((LAURA COMSTOCK/VIR SPOKESPERSON: THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING I WOULD SAY IS THE BIGGEST NEWS IS WITH THE GROWTH AND WHAT ITS DOING HAVE FOR THE ECONOMY, THE IMPACT IS JUST UNBELIEVEABLE. WE'RE HAVING NEW RESTAURANTS COME IN, WE'RE HAVING NEW HOTELS BEING BUILT IN DANVILLE AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS, THAT'S REALLY GOOD.))
[SUPER=01-Laura Comstock/VIR Spokesperson]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=that's really good]
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[VO-NAT]

More improvements are on the way.
Construction will soon begin on several new rally courses.
V-I-R will also build a hotel and conference center beginning this summer.
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[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, several key economic reports are due out this week.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]

((INVESTORS WILL ATTEMPT TO BOUNCE BACK FROM ONE OF THE WORST WEEK'S FOR STOCKS SINCE SEPTEMBER.. THERE WILL BE PLENTY TO REACT TO ..INCLUDING A FRESH BATCH OF ECONOMIC DATA INCLUDING APRIL CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, PERSONAL INCOME AND SPENDING, FACTORY ORDERS AND THE APRIL UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT. THE TORRID PACE OF EARNINGS BEGINS TO SLOW.. AMONG THE BIG NAMES THIS WEEK, PROCTER AND GAMBLE, PRICELINE.COM, CABLEVISION. ON WALL STREET, reduced earnings forecasts from companies including General Mills Inc. and JDS Uniphase fed concern a profit rebound will be weaker than expected. THE DOW TUMBLED 124 POINTS , DOWN MORE THAN 3 PERCENT FOR THE WEEK. WHILE THE THE NASDAQ FELL BACK NEARLY 50 POINTS , OFF NEARLY 7 PERCENT FOR THE WEEK. TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ... AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NY. ))

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

[VO-Bedford-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Bedford Police closed off the city's downtown last night, because of concerns over structural damage to downtown buildings. Two streets remained closed this morning.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

But the storm apparently became even more destructive just outside Bedford, ripping a damaging path that began near the Wal-Mart east of town .. and extended eastward toward Big Otter and New London.
At least 20 homes were damaged in that area alone.
Witnesses report hearing the "freight train" sound that is common when tornadoes pass through, and at least person reports seeing a funnel cloud.
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[Campbell-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC 5:59]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The storm continued its swath of destruction as it then headed eastward into Campbell County, south of Lynchburg.
Dozens of homes were damaged .. including some mobile homes that were lifted off their foundations and flipped upside down. Steve Smallshaw has more from Campbell County.

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[SOT]
[IN Q=Just minutes before]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Karen Martin/Homeowner; :17]
[SUPER=01-Roy Branham/Homeowner; :32]
[SUPER=01-Cindy Tyree/Storm Witness; :58]
[SUPER=01-Carl Weiser/Hyland Heights Baptist Church; 1:25]
[SUPER=01-Steve Coleman/Campbell Co. Rescue Squad; 1:41]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=Steve Smallshaw, News 7.]

(Kim tosses to bump)

[11Tire-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC-8:30]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Work is moving right along at Willie Keeling's illegal tire dump in Roanoke County.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./This Month;]
The E-P-A and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality says clean up at the site is well underway. An official with the D-E-Q told Roanoke County supervisors about 10- thousand tires have been removed from the site. The tires in question are still intact-- they did NOT catch fire when the dump went up in flames last month. Meanwhile-- soil sampling is continuing at the burn site and also where crews discovered a one acre trash dump on Keeling's property.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:46:10]
[IN Q=The EPA has ]
[SUPER=01-Rick Weeks/DEQ Regional Dir.]
((THE EPA HAS ALREADY DONE SAMPLING IN THE BURN AREAS AND THEY'LL DO SOME ADDITIONAL SAMPLING WHEN WE CONTINUE TO REMOVE SOLID WASTE AND THEN WE'LL EVALUATE ONCE WE GET ALL THOSE SAMPLING RESULTS BACK AND DETERMINE WHAT FURTHER WORK MAY NEED TO BE DONE.))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=may need to be done.]
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[VO-NAT]
The D-E-Q estimates fewer than 10- thousand UN-burned tires remain at the site-- and say clean-up is going quickly.
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[Severe-Weather]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-23 - TC-29:09]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Severe weather ripped through parts of the viewing area yesterday.
Starting around 4:30, the skies turned black over the hills of Bedford County.
Within minutes, homes were destroyed, trees uprooted, and lives turned upside down from Bedford County to parts of Campbell County.
Justin McLeod reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Tresea Owen/Homeowner; :24 ]
[SUPER=01-Milton Graham/Bedford Police Chief; :57 QUICK]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Bedford]

[VO-Campbell-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The storm continued its swath of destruction as it then headed eastward into Campbell County, south of Lynchburg.

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.;]

Hardest-hit areas there include Leesville Road, Briarwood Trailer Park and the Hyland Heights area along US 29.
Dozens of homes were damaged .. including some mobile homes lifted off their foundations and flipped upside down.

Authorities say about 10 people were injured, but it in most cases, those injuries were minor. The winds reportedly sucked one woman out of her home and threw her into her yard.
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[Bedford-Damage]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Parts of downtown Bedford saw extensive damage from yesterday's severe storms.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

This steeple off the First Presbyterian Church came crashing down during the storm.
Police had to block off several streets in a six block radius throughout the downtown region.
Authorities say two streets, Plunkett and South Bridge, remain closed this morning until crews have time to check ea(------------) ch building to make sure they are structurally sound.