WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/10/02

[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

The standoff at the Church of the Nativity is finally over--
But there could soon be more violence in the Middle East, as Israel prepares to retaliate for this week's suicide bombing.
Melissa McDermott has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bethlehem, West Bank; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ron Ben Ishai/Military Analyst; :23]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=McDermott, CBS News, New York.]
((PKG THE STANDOFF IS FINALLY OVER. EARLY THIS MORNING 39 MILITANTS AND 80 CIVILIANS LEFT THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY IN BETHLEHEM. SOME KISSED PRIESTS GOODBYE, WHILE OTHERS WAVED TO THEIR FAMILIES. IN A COMPLICATED DEAL 13 OF THE MILITANTS WILL EVENTUALLY BE SENT TO EIGHT DIFFERENT EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. 26 OTHERS HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO THE GAZA STRIP. BUT THIS BREAKTHROUGH IN ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN RELATIONS LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE SHORTLIVED. (NAT) EARLY FRIDAY GUNFIRE ERUPTED AS ISRAELI TANKS ROLLED INTO THE TOWN OF RAFAH AND OTHER PARTS OF THE GAZA STRIP. ISRAEL HAS CALLED UP THOUSANDS OF
RESERVISTS ... POSSIBLY PREPARING FOR A RETALIATION ATTACK AFTER TUESDAY'S SUICIDE BOMBING THAT KILLED 15. (SOT RON BEN
ISHAI/MILITARY ANALYST) "GOING INTO THIS AREA YOU MIGHT GET HURT WHICH MEANS YOUR SOLDIERS MIGHT GET HURT. LET'S SAY GAZA AND THE REFUGEE CAMPS AROUND IT YOU HAVE OVER A MILLION PEOPLE LIVING TOGETHER IN A VERY CONDENSED VICINITY, AND THE REFUGEE CAMPS YOU CANNOT GO WITH TANKS THERE. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT." THE PEOPLE LIVING IN GAZA ARE GETTING READY. THEY
HAVE ERECTED BARRICADES AT STRATEGIC POINTS. EXPLOSIVE CHARGES ARE IN PLACE. (SOT-RON BEN ISHAI) "THE GAZANS ARE PREPA
RED. THEY HAVE STARTED TO PREPARE THEMSELVES WHEN OPERATION"THE GAZANS ARE PREPARED. THEY HAVE STARTED TO PREPARE THEMSELVES WHEN � BANK OFFENSIVE, THE MISSION IN GAZA IS EXPECTED TO BE SHORTER AND MUCH MORE LIMITED IN SCOPE. BUT FIGHTING THERE WILL ALSO BE RISKIER ... BECAUSE OF GAZA'S DENSE POPULATION. MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK. ))

[Pipe-Bomb]

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

A 21- year- old art student will appear in an Iowa court today on federal charges that he planted pipe bombs in mailboxes across the Midwest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Reno, NV;]

The F-B-I says Luke Helder planted 18 bombs with anti-government notes in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado and Texas. Six of them exploded last week -- injuring six people.
If convicted, Helder could go to prison for life.
Friends say they're not surprised Helder knew how to build a bomb, but they can't believe he did it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:08:02 ]
[IN Q=This is totally]
((JIM DEVINE/HELDER'S ROOMMATE: THIS IS TOTALLY UNLIKE HIM AT ALL, MOST SHOCKING THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED, ON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT HIS MOTIVES WERE. SORRY, MAN))
[SUPER=01-Jim Devine/Helder's Roommate;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=sorry,man.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The F-B-I tracked him down after Helder's father called police about letters from his son that included references to death, anti-government comments. and the phrase ``mailboxes are exploding.''
(------------)

[SCLC-Convention]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The annual Virginia Southern Christian Leadership Conference is underway in Danville but not without controversy.

A Bedford County man says he's the rightful president and that any election held during the convention is illegal.

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

Jack Mills who is white claims he's being discriminated because of his race.
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

But S-C-L-C board members disagree saying his conduct prompted them to dump Mills after first nominating him as president.
Mills contends he is still president elect.
But some SCLC members see it a different way.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:00:14]
[IN Q=The board can make a recommendation]
((REV. WILLIAM KEEN/INTERIM SCLC PRESIDENT: THE BOARD CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE STATE OF OFFICERS FOR AN OFFICE TO BE IMPOSITIONED BUT THAT DOESN'T SECURE YOUR ELECTION. YOU HAVE TO BE ELECTED AT THE CONVENTION BY THE CONVENTION MEMBERS.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. William Keen/Interim SCLC President]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=convention members]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The board has since thrown its support behind Danville's William Keen who is currently the interim president.
S-C-L-C hopes to elect a new president this weekend.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIM]
[SS=none]

But Jack Mills is not giving up just yet.
He has filed an injunction to halt the state conference and election.
But there is no indication a judge will actually make a decision before that election which is scheduled to take place Saturday morning.

[11Danville-Tourism]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC20:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The city budget also took center stage in Danville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

City council held a public hearing on the proposed budget for next year.
One part that's generating a lot of debate is who should handle tourism for the city.
The local Chamber of Commerce is fighting a plan to take all of the city's tourism funding away from the Chamber and give it to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:25:05; 12:20:43]
[IN Q=We feel like tourism]
((BOB CHILDRESS/CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER: WE FEEL LIKE TOURISM SHOULD BE A FULL-TIME RESPONSIBILITY OF SOMEONE WHO THINKS IT, DRINKS IT, EATS IT EVERYDAY AS A OPPOSED TO BE A LINE ITEM AND PART OF A RECREATION DEPARTMENT.)) ((JOHN HAMLIN/DANVILLE MAYOR: WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT PROPOSAL AND LOOKING AT WHAT THEY WANT TO OFFER AND THEN COMPARING IT WITH WHAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION AND OUR PRESENT BUDGET SITUATION WOULD DEEM THEM HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Childress/Chamber Board Member; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Hamlin/Danville Mayor; :13]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=make a choice]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Chamber is asking for an additional 60 thousand dollars this year added to the 80-thousand the Chamber already receives in tourism funding.
City Council is expected to vote on the proposal at its May 21st meeting.
(------------)

[11Bridge-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-09 TC1:33:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Mental health advocates say a Lynchburg woman's suicide last year could have been prevented if she'd had better professional care... or if the city had listened to concerns about the safety of its Rivermont Avenue Bridge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
48- year- old Theresa Wilkerson jumped to her death from the bridge last August. The Department of Rights for Virginians with Disabilities issued a report last week claiming local mental health professionals ignored or misdiagnosed Wilkerson's suicidal tendencies.
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]
Now the state Mental Health Department is reopening its investigation into her death.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:02:53]
[IN Q=I hope they find]
((DON WILKERSON/SUICIDE VICTIM'S FATHER: I HOPE THEY FIND THE TRUTH. I'D LIKE FOR EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES TO KNOW... ...GO THROUGH THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Don Wilkerson/Suicide Victim's Father;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=no more.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Wilkerson's friends and family continue to push the city to erect a higher fence on the Rivermont Bridge to prevent future suicides.
(------------)

[Open-House]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Building for the Future]

Now that we have been in our "Building for the Future" for three weeks, we hope you can join us for a tour this weekend.
(+++++++)
[Take Open House FS]
Our Digital Broadcast Center Open House runs today from 2 until 9, and tomorrow from 9 until 5.
We'll offer autographs and answer your questions about digital television.
Take I-581 in Roanoke to Hershberger Road West.
(--------------)

[S-HORNETS]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mbr]
[TAPE#=SP-119]
[GRAPHIC=News-7 Sports]
In sports, the Charlotte Hornets returned to the Hive and finally broke through with a win in their best of seven Eastern Conference semi-final series with the New Jersey Nets.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/TNT Sports; :00]
Nets coach Byron Scott had a long night in the "Queen City" For starters, his point guard Jason Kidd butts heads with the Hornets David Wesley. Kidd had to leave the game and get stitches over his right eye. The Hornets then ran the nets off the floor. Lee Nailon leads the break, pulls up, and rolls in this 15-footer as the Hornets pull away in the second half. Then Baron Davis drives, draws the defense and dishes it to Roanoke's George Lynch for the bucket along the baseline. Charlotte beats New Jersey 115-to-97. They now trail the best of seven series 2-games-to-1.
Now let's check the scoreboards.
(------------)
[GO TO SCOREBOARD] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Charlotte/115//New Jersey/97//Nets Lead Series 2-to-1/j/Sacramento/125//Dallas/119//Kings Lead Series 2-t
o-1/;]
[SUPER=X5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/Montreal/3/j/Carolina/4//Series Tied at 2-to-2//St. Louis/3/j/Detroit/4//Red Wings Lead 3-to-1/;]
[SUPER=x5010;]
[SUPER=0092-/Chicago/4/j/Milwaukee/9//Sosa Hits 15th Homer/j/Philadelphia/3//Houston/1///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/San Francisco/4//New York/3////Los Angeles/2/j/Atlanta/6///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-/Cleveland/3/j/Kansas City/5///j/New York/3//Tampa Bay/1///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Boston/5//Oakland/1///j/Texas/4//Chicago/1///;]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Salem/5//Winston-Salem/3//Final In 11 Innings/j/Lynchburg/4//Frederick/2///;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=....last score."]
(-----------------)
[SUPER=#555;reset]
(weather toss)

[11Civic-Development]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]

In business news this morning, Martinsville has a New Jersey-based teleservice firm to thank for creating 125-new jobs. Civic Development says it will add 75-positions at its facility on Lavinder Street and 50 more through an affiliate, Millennium Telemarketing. The city's Economic Development Director, Tom Harned, says the move "confirms to other companies that they can maintain a quality workforce in Martinsville."

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, The market's efforts to extend its Wednesday rally fizzled yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((WHAT THE MARKET GIVETH, THE MARKET TAKETH AWAY... AS MANY HAD PREDICTED, STOCKS GAVE BACK SOME OF WEDNESDAY'S STUNNING RALLY. (gr) ON THE HEELS OF A 300-PLUS RALLY YESTERDAY, THE DOW GAVE BACK 104 POINTS TODAY. (gr) THE NASDAQ FELL BACK 45 LED LOWER BY TECH STOCKS. (gr) CISCO SYSTEMS EXHALED A BIT AFTER IGNITING WEDNESDAY'S BIG RALLY.. GIVING BACK ABOUT 3 PERCENT OF A 24 PERCENT GAIN. (oc) RAINY WEATHER THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE COUNTRY PUT A DAMPER ON RETAIL SALES IN APRIL. IT WAS THE DISCOUNTERS THAT SUFFERED THE MOST.. (gr) SALES AT WALMART ROSE LESS THAN EXPECTED.. AMONG THE BRIGHT SPOTS.. CLOTHING CHAINS LIKE JC PENNEY AND THE GAP SAID SALES FELL BUT LESS THAN EXPECTED. (gr) WORLDCOM HAD ITS DEBT RATINGS CUT TO JUNK BOND STATUS. FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE INVESTIGATING WORLDCOM'S ACCOUNTING AND LOANS TO ITS FORMER CHAIRMAN. (oc) In a STATEMENT, WorldCom said the downgrade would have "no impact" on its financial status or existing credit agreements (on cam) MORTAGE RATES ARE INCHING HIGHER.. . But with rates overall remaining near historic lows, home buyers are out in record numbers as the prime spring season progresses. (gr) Freddie Mac said the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.79 percent THIS WEEK. (gr) TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ... AT THE NASDAQ (oc) I'M AC IN NY. ))

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

[11Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-07 TC1:46:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's specialty tags program will continue despite the recent confederate flag controversy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]

The state battled the Sons of the Confederate Veterans over the use of the confederate flag logo on the plates... and lost.
Last week the Attorney General's Office decided not to appeal the case further.
Some have been calling for the elimination of the license plates program to prevent future controversy.
[SUPER=04-Yesterday]

Governor Warner said yesterday he has no plans to halt the program because it offers benefits.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:05:37]
[IN Q=SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES DO]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES DO GENERATE FOUR AND ONE-HALF MILLION DOLLARS AND THOSE ARE NEEDED BUDGET REVENUE. AND AS THE U.S.S. COLE SIGNING THE OTHER DAY, THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR MEMORIALIZATION.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=APPROPRIATE FOR MEMORIALIZATION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner says he does support improving the process for obtaining the specialty tags.
He thinks members of the General Assembly currently spend too much time reviewing the applications.
(------------)

[5-Exercise]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=502-04]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]

Int his morning's health check, If you're concerned about how you will look in your swimsuit this summer, there is still time to do something about it.
But what is the best way to get the quickest results?
Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton has the answer.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With summer only weeks away]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=07-Jaime Stockner; :10]
[SUPER=01-Bill Zazynski/YMCA Branch Director; :21]
[SUPER=@Joy2; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=I'm JS for News 7 Mornin'.]
((
With summer only weeks away, Jaime Stockner says she's concerned about how she will look like in last years clothes, especially her swimsuit.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:26]
[IN Q=I probably focus more on my ]
((I PROBABLY FOCUS MORE ON MY LOWER BODY THIS TIME OF YEAR. I THINK THAT'S WHAT WOMEN TO WORK ON MORE ANYWAY)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=on more anyway]

But what can YOU do to get the quickest results.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:25]
[IN Q=It's total wellness it's not just]
((IT'S TOTAL WELLNESS IT'S NOT JUST COMING IN AND WORKING OUT. IT'S YOUR EATING HABITS , YOUR SLEEP HABITS)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=your sleep habits]
While studies have shown that running and swimming tend to burn the most calories --- it's important to find somethi
ng you enjoy or you won't stick to it.
If you want the most results you have to workout at your target heart rate --that's when you start to burn fat... and you need to do it for at least 20 minutes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT5:18]
[IN Q=When you're working out]
((WHEN YOU'RE WORKING OUT YOUR BASICALLY BURNING YOUR ENERGY STORES OF FOOD FIRST, THEN YOU'RE SLOWLY PROGRESSING TOWARDS BURNING CALORIES)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=towards burning calories]

To determine your target heart rate,The American Heart Association recommends subtracting your age from 220.
And if you're looking for that toned look --you will need to do weight training at least twice a week to get optimal results.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT8:45]
[IN Q=If you're at home it can be anything]
((IF YOU'RE AT HOME IT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM FINDING SOME DUMBBELLS TO USE TO JUST PICKING UP SO GALLONS OF MILK OR WATER WHERE THERE IS SOME RESISTANCE)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=there is some resistance]

Don't worry if you don't see results right away --it takes time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT9:20]
[IN Q=To see the physical results it's going to take]
((TO SEE THE PHYSICAL RESULTS IT'S GOING TO TAKE 4 TO 6 WEEKS OF EXERCISE AND THE DIET AND REST ALSO)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=and rest also]))
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

And if you need some motivation, try working out with a partner. That way you can encourage each other. Or you can try a personal trainer. They'll help keep you in line.

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[5-Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=502-03]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Governor Warner says his work has been unaffected by recent allegations that Republican officials may have listened in on a Democratic conference call.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday that they're joining in the state inquiry.
Warner says he supports the involvement of the U.S. Attorney's office if it speeds up the probe.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:03:47]
[IN Q=MY HOPE IS THAT]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: MY HOPE IS THAT WE'LL GET ALL THE FACTS OUT ON THIS INVESTIGATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THE INVESTIGATION WILL CONCLUDE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE NEED TO REMOVE THIS CLOUD FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=FROM THE POLITICAL PROCESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The former head of the state Republican Party, Ed Matricardi, is facing wiretapping charges.
His next court date is May 14th.
Former aides to Speaker Vance Wilkins and Majority Leader Morgan Griffith have also been implicated in the case but not charged.
Warner says the controversy has not affected bipartisanship in Richmond.
(------------)

[6-Pulaski-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC1:49:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some Pulaski County parents are unhappy with plans to close two elementary schools. Officials want to shut down Northwood and Claremont Elementaries and put all the students into a new facility. New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon has both sides of the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donna Dalton/Northwood Elementary Parent; :11]
[SUPER=01-Don Stowers/Pulaski Co. Superintendent; :51]
[SUPER=@rachel2; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Pulaski.]
((Nats Donna Dalton lives next to Northwood. It's convenient because she's raising her nephew and he's in second grade. But a short walk isn't the only reason she's fighting to keep the facility open.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 58:18:07]
[IN Q=they have]
((DONNA DALTON/CONCERNED PARENT; THEY HAVE VERY SMALL CLASS SIZES THEY GET VERY INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION I THINK MAYBE THE LARGEST CLASS MIGHT HAVE 20-CHILDREN IN IT.))
[OUT Q=IN IT]
Dalton is leading a petition drive among Northwood supporters to convince the school board to reconsider plans. Her main point...of the 8-elementary schools in the County, Northwood is one of only two receiving accreditation this year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1"02"41]
[IN Q=these teachers ]
((THESE TEACHERS DO A WONDERFUL JOB AT THIS SCHOOL.))
[OUT Q=this school.]
Pulaski County School Superintendent Don Stowers praises faculty too. But says declining enrollment numbers and outdated buildings are why a new facility is a good move.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:13:51]
[IN Q=THESE TWO]
((DON STOWERS/PULASKI CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT; THESE TWO BUILDING PARTICULARLY ARE 50-YEARS OLD THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR USEFULNESS FOR US AND HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL FOR US OVER THESE YEARS BUT THEY HAVE SINGLE PANE WINDOWS THEY'RE NOT AIR CONDITIONED.))
[OUT Q=AIR CONDITIONED.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:00:40]
[IN Q=they say ]
((THEY SAY THEY CAN'T USE IT BECAUSE THE SECOND FLOOR IT'S NOT HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE BUT THEY CAN THEY CAN PUT THAT ON THE FIRST PART AND HAVE THE OTHER CHILDREN GO ON THE SECOND FLOOR I BELIEVE THERE IS ROOM ENOUGH HERE.))
[OUT Q=ENOUGH HERE.]
Dalton says she plans to provide the board with alternatives. Stowers says they will listen but,
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:15:55]
[IN Q=we have]
((DON STOWERS/PULASKI CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT; WE HAVE TO THINK OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE EQUITABLE FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN.))
[OUT Q=our children]
The earliest a new school would be ready is Fall 2004. Rachel Cannon, News 7, Pulaski.))

[1st-Business]

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

In business news this morning, The Federal Trade Commision is keeping a close eye on gas prices. And business couldn't be sweeter for Krispy Kreme.
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=1:28]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[11City-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-08 TC1:46:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke officials have come up with a plan to trim more than a million dollars from the city's proposed budget, but the cost- cutting won't include the elimination of three fire department positions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The city was already facing a cut in state funding, when officials recently learned that local revenues were lagging as well.
Despite the shortfall, council members moved to reinstate three fire department positions, and they encouraged the city manager to fill vacancies in the police department, if possible.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 03:03:17]
[IN Q=Obviously with less flexibility]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/CITY MANAGER: OBVIOUSLY WITH LESS FLEXIBILITY WE'VE GOT TO CUT SOMETHING, EITHER CUT SOMETHING OR FIND SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUES. AND I DON'T THINK THE LATTER IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE. ON THE OTHER HAND, I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE FACT THAT THE BALANCE OF THE BUDGET COUNCIL DID FIND TO BE SATISFACTORY.))
[SUPER=@Burcham]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=find to be satisfactory.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Meanwhile, Council member Bill White says the city must do a better job of collecting and monitoring its local tax revenues. He proposed an audit review board that would examine the city's collections on a monthly basis.

[S-STEAM]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mbr]
[TAPE#=SP-115]
[GRAPHIC=News-7 Sports]
In sports, The Roanoke Steam is back home at the Roanoke Civic Center tomorrow night to face the Norfolk Nighthawks in an Arena Football 2 game. The Steam is riding a three-game winning streak.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Steam Practice; :00]
They'll face a Norfolk team that just won its first game of the season last Saturday. Steam coach Steve Jerry says he's concerned his players will overlook the 1-and-3 Nighthawks and allow their three-wins in a row to cause a case of over-confidence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Actually them...]
[SUPER=01-Steve Jerry/Steam Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=...we do best."]
(-----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sports]
Kickoff for tomorrow night's game at the Civic Center is 7-30. Also, the steam has announced that the starting time for their May 25th home game has been moved to 2-30.
(------------)

[11Pulaski-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-06 TC1:51:30]
[GRAPHIC=NOne]

Some Pulaski County parents are fighting to keep a local elementary school open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
A petition with 2-hundred signatures asks school officials to re-consider a consolidation plan. School officials want to close Northwood and Claremont Elementary to build a new facility for all students. But some Northwood parents say they don't want to lose their small, community school.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 58:18:07 // 1:15:55]
[IN Q=they have]
((DONNA DALTON/CONCERNED PARENT; THEY HAVE VERY SMALL CLASS SIZES THEY GET VERY INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION I THINK MAYBE THE LARGEST CLASS MIGHT HAVE 20-CHILDREN IN IT.)) ((DON STOWERS/PULASKI CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT; WE HAVE TO THINK OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN WE HAVE TO CONSIDER ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT ARE EQUITABLE FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN.))
[SUPER=01-Donna Dalton/Northwood Elementary Parent; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Stowers/Pulaski Co. School Superintendent; :09]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=ALL OUR CHILDREN.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Stowers says declining enrollment numbers and outdated buildings are why a new facility is a good move. The school board still has to vote to approve the consolidation plan.
(------------)

[1181-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC1:10:34]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]

State police say it may take a few days to sort out the chain of car wrecks that caused a 40-car pileup on Interstate 81 near Salem on Wednesday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

Two people remain in the hospital -- one man with a broken collarbone and another with severe cuts to his face.
Six others were treated and released.
Right now, state police attribute the accidents to rain-slicked roads and motorists who were following too close.

They say some motorists may be charged.
Hundreds of other motorists spent hours stuck on the interstate.
V-DOT says that in the future, they'll get advance warning of trouble ahead.
The highway department plans to install several overhead message signs on 81, 581 and 460 by the end of the year.

(------------)

[2-Military-Spending]

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

The House has passed a 383- BILLION dollar military spending bill-- the largest in more than three decades.
Officials say it indicates Congress is starting to dig out of a budget hole.
Democrats are upset that the measure would exempt the Pentagon from major environmental laws.
But they were still eager to support an overall increase in spending.
The Senate, meanwhile, is working on its own version of the bill.