[Clower]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]
Attorneys for suspended Henry County administrator Sid Clower say he intends to plead guilty to embezzling public funds.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Attorney Scott Austin says Clower has signed an agreement to plead guilty to three counts of embezzlement.
The counts stem from the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Henry County Public Service Authority.
Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell confirmed that the agreement had been reached, but offered no other comment.
(------------)
[Victory-Stadium]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC 1:41:17]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Plans for a new Victory Stadium could be on hold-- after a local business group files suit against Roanoke AND city council.
The lawsuit filed yesterday stems from a decision made by Roanoke city council to rezone land for a new stadium and amphitheater.
As Teresa Hamilton reports, the Williamson Road Area Business Association and Farrell Properties say council should have delayed the decision until a detailed traffic and parking study is completed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The new Victory Stadium]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape; :04]
[SUPER=04-May 20; :32]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; :50]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke. ]
(( The new Victory Stadium and Amphitheater are slated to be built near the Roanoke Civic Center where traffic is already congested.
The Williamson Road Area Business Association says it fully supports the project but says city council acted too quickly in rezoning land for the project.
The group and Farrell Properties are appealing the decision saying they believe the potential exists for the project to cause irreparable damage to the Williamson road community... by not FIRST coming up with a way to handle the additional traffic that will filter into the area.
[nat sound]
In hopes of winning the appeal-- the association and Farrell Properties are trying to have the zoning vote taken by city council thrown out.
When the property was rezoned last month-- it took two different votes by city council.
The first time there weren't enough yes votes to rezone the land-- so a second vote was taken after city council realized that not rezoning the land that night would have delayed the project for a year.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke.))
(-------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=none]
Last night, we contacted City council member Linda Wyatt for comment...
She says council has repeatedly said before ground is ever broken for the project--the traffic issue will be resolved.
She also questioned whether these two groups might be trying to sabotage the project-- saying if the vote is declared null and void it will set the project back and also be costly for the city.
[IT-Inc]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in Roanoke today for Virtual I-T Incorporated.
The company makes web-based video surveillance and security equipment for customers, which include Fortune 1000 companies and the U. S. Department of Defense.
It's employees are often called upon to provide guidance in public policy matters concerning technology -- and has provided assistance to Roanoke County.
Virtual I-T's new office will be located on Church Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
We'll have a full report on the company, and its new Roanoke facility tonight on News 7 at 5 and 6.
[11GOP]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC35:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]
House Republicans will meet on July 20th to name a permanent replacement to ousted Speaker Vance Wilkins.
Meghan Muldoon takes a look at the four lawmakers who have emerged as top contenders.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I HAVEN'T MADE THAT DECISION YET]
[SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/Political Analyst; :15]
[SUPER=@Meghan2; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond]
(([SOT 17:47:24-26 GOP #2]
[IN Q=I HAVEN'T MADE THAT DECISION YET.]
[SOT 18:03:25-28 GOP #2]
[IN Q=AM I WILLING TO MAKE THE SACRIFICES TO DO IT?]
[SOT 14:29:00-01 GOP #1]
[IN Q=IS IT WORTH IT?]
It's one of the most powerful positions in Richmond...so why does it seem nobody wants to be the next Speaker?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:15:51-59]
[IN Q=I THINK THE MAIN REASON]
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=full time job.]
Still the Commonwealth is in need of a permanent Speaker.
As House Majority Leader, Salem Delegate Morgan Griffith is considered the frontrunner.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:27:02-09]
[IN Q=however he has intentions to.]
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=assist bid for Congress.]
Bedford Delegate Lacey Putney automatically became Speaker on June 15th when Wilkins officially stepped down.
Can the Acting Speaker make the job a permanent gig?
[SOT 15:27:22]
[IN Q=He's 73, the longest serving.]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=isn't a full-time Republican.]
Should Griffith not run and Putney remain an Independent, Sabato says Delegates Bob McDonnell and Bill Howell will emerge as attractive compromise candidates.
[SOT 15:27:50-00]
[IN Q=Delegate Bob McDonnell from Virginia Beach is clean as a whistle]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=to become Speaker.]
[SOT 15:28:30]
[IN Q=If you want to reduce.]
[RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=Bill Howell will be a very good choice.]
No Republican has announced their candidacy yet.
But that will likely change in the next week.
So until July 20th, the race is on.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond.))
[White-House]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Life is back to normal at the White House today after it was briefly evacuated.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Officials sprang into action yesterday, after a plane failed to make contact with Reagan National Airport and flew over the Capitol.
The single- engine aircraft was eventually escorted by a military fighter to Richmond.
F-B-I investigators met the plane on the runway.
(------------)
[11Forest-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC1:22:08]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
The forest fire in Rockbridge County is dying down- after scorching 3-thousand acres.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./Tuesday;]
The Forest Service says the fire near the Devil's Marbleyard is 90 percent contained.
Tuesday's effort to fight the fire with helicopters was a success... Now ground crews are finishing the job.
About 200 firefighters are still at work.
At least five have been injured.
One firefighter is hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and another suffered second-degree burns on his hand.
A section of the Appalachian Trail has been closed ... but is should re-open Saturday.
(------------)
[AZ-Wildfire]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
As many as four- thousand people have been evacuated from their homes in eastern Arizona--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-National Forest/Arizona;]
in advance of a 25- thousand acre wildfire.
Flames have been leaping from the top of one tree to another.
Three communities have been evacuated, so far.
The Governor of Arizona has declared a state of emergency.
(------------)
[CO-Wildfires]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Meanwhile, the woman accused of starting the biggest fire in Colorado's history has been indicted for intentionally setting the blaze.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Denver, CO;]
A grand jury in Denver charged forest service employee, Terry Barton with four counts, including damaging federal property AND using a fire to commit a felony.
If convicted, Barton could face up to 65 years in prison, and a million dollar fine.
(------------)
[6-Baby-Sitter]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC1:32:30]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Health Check]
In this morning's Health Check, When you leave your child with a baby-sitter anything could happen... fun and games can easily turn into life threatening situations.
That's why it's important your baby-sitter know some basic first aid.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
It's the reason the American Red Cross offers baby-sitting classes for children 11 years old and older.
Kids learn a variety of skills, from how to help a choking infant to administering CPR on a child.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:49:28]
[IN Q=A lot of times kids]
((CATHERINE EWERES: A LOT OF TIMES KIDS JUST TAKE A JOB AND THEY'RE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO IF AN EMERGENCY SHOULD ARISE. THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND PANIC AND MIGHT GIVE THE WRONG CARE))
[SUPER=01-Catherine Ewers/Red Cross Instructor]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=might give the wrong care]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
After students complete the two day class they receive a baby-sitting certificate.
11 year old Amy Potter can't wait for her first baby-sitting job.
She says she confident about her skills.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:47:20]
[IN Q=Very, now I'm that ]
((AMY POTTER: VERY, NOW THAT I'M TAKING THIS CLASS I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING))
[SUPER=07-Amy Potter]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=know what I'm doing]
(XXXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN]
The Red Cross is offering several baby-sitting classes this summer.
For more information you can call 540-985-3550.
(-------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[11Moore]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC1:14:34]
[GRAPHIC=Moore]
An assistant principal faces fraud charges stemming from his service as treasurer of a Henry County church.
Terry Lynn Moore was indicted by a federal Grand Jury Tuesday night on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]
The 45-year old educator was treasurer of Saint Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church from 1989 until 2000.
During his last six years as treasurer, the government contends, Moore defrauded the church out of nearly 100-thousand dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:05]
[IN Q=In 1999]
((JENNIE WAERING/PROSECUTOR; IN 1999, THE END OF '99 THE CHURCH WAS THINKING ABOUT EXPANDING, AND A BUILDING PROJECT AND THEY WERE TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON EXACTLY WHAT THEIR FUNDS WERE ON HAND.))
[SUPER=01-Jennie Waering/Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=were on hand.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
An audit revealed discrepancies that are the subject of the federal charges.
Terry Moore was temporarily suspended WITH pay yesterday from his job as assistant principal at Bassett High School.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
His wife, Myra- -also named in the federal indictment, was suspended, as well, from her teaching position ...at Irisburg elementary.
[11Steam-Creditors]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kar]
[TAPE#=02-10 TC 1:58:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Roanoke Steam's former owners owe creditors thousands of dollars.
Now, local businesses are wondering if they'll ever get paid.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
One Salem business, FastSigns, is out 55-hundred dollars.
That's two week's pay for Fastsigns owner... Bill Jones.
A lot of money for a small business.
But he's sure they'll survive.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=but we'll rebound]
((BILL JONES/FASTSIGNS OWNER - BUT WE'LL REBOUND, I HAVE A GOOD STAFF AND GOOD CUSTOMERS..WE'LL REBOUND.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Jones/FastSigns Owner]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=we'll rebound. 2nd Ref.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The former owners also owe the Roanoke Civic Center more than eight thousand dollars.
But the Steam will continue to play home games there.... even one coming up this Saturday at 7:30.
Creditors will find out if they'll receive any money on August first... when the bankruptcy proceedings continue.
(------------)
[11City-Market]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC30:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
There are rumors of change at the Roanoke City Market Building, and business owners are asking what the future holds for the downtown landmark.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The market building is a popular midday destination for downtown workers, and an anchor for the market area.
But there are reports that next year may bring new management, and tenants are wondering if the city has other plans for the food court.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've been hearing rumors]
((DAVID ESTRADA/CHICO'S PIZZA: WE'VE BEEN HEARING RUMORS THAT THEY MAY BE DOING SOMETHING ELSE WITH THE MARKET BUILDING, WHICH WOULD PUT US OUT OF BUSINESS. SOME OF US HAVE LONG TERM LEASES, SHORT TERM LEASES AND OUR MAIN CONCERN IS: ARE WE IN BUSINESS OR NOT?))
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR: JUST AS THE FARMER'S MARKET IS IMPORTANT TO THE ATMOSPHERE DOWN THERE, I THINK THE FOOD COURT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT. WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THE NUMBERS WORK.))
[SUPER=01-David Estrada/Chico's Pizza; :00]
[SUPER=@Smith; :12]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=figure out a way to make the numbers work.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A meeting with the mayor brought no commitments, but Ralph Smith says he is a fan of the food court and a frequent visitor.
He says that he hopes the food court can continue to operate in the market building.
(------------)
[11VDOT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC1:14:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
V-DOT's taking a second look at its finances .... and motorists on Interstate 81 may see the results.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Three stretches of interstate between Salem and I-581 were approved for widening and interchange improvements.
But in December, they were cut from the six-year road- building plan, because of a funding shortfall.
Yesterday, V-DOT submitted a plan that adds 102-MILLION dollars worth of projects.
Thirteen were added because V-DOT analysts found savings since presenting a tentative plan earlier this year.
The transportation board is expected to approve the final plan later today.
(------------)
by SS