WDBJ 7 morning news for 06/21/02

[DDay-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]

Today officials are expected to announce the results of a seven-month investigation into the National D- Day Memorial Foundation's financial trouble.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape;]

U-S attorney John Brownlee has called a news conference for 11 A-M.
The announcement comes just three days after top leaders from the foundation testified before a federal grand jury about the organization's five- million - dollar debt.
Brownlee has not said whether criminal charges will be announced.
(------------)

[11execution-Retardation]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Virginia case has led to a major reversal from the Supreme Court yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

In a six-to-three ruling, the court says executing the mentally retarded violates the Constitution, reversing a ruling made 13 years ago.
Yesterday's, ruling was in favor of Virginia death row inmate Daryl Atkins.
Atkins was convicted of a 1996 kidnapping and murder.
His lawyers say he has an I-Q of only 59.
That's equivalent to a 9 to 12 year old.
(------------)

[11Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC32:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Governor Mark Warner says he supports the high court's decision, but would "not" say how it might affect future clemency requests.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Warner fielded a question on capital punishment during his speech yesterday to the annual Boys State convention in Lynchburg.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:56:24]
[IN Q=I'm not going]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: I'M NOT GOING TO COMMENT ON THE SPECIFICS OF A CASE THAT MAY COME BEFORE ME FOR CLEMENCY. I DO FEEL THOUGH, FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT, AND WAS SUPPORTIVE OF LEGISLATION THIS PAST GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD HAVE PROHIBITED STATES FROM EXECUTING THE MENTALLY RETARDED.))
[SUPER=@markWarner]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=the mentally retarded.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Virginia is one of twenty states that.. until now.. had allowed the mentally retarded to be put to death.
(------------)

[11Grundy-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC1:59:57]
[GRAPHIC=Peter O.]

Two experts will evaluate the accused murderer from a shooting spree at a Virginia law school earlier this year.

(------------)
[VO-NAT :21]
[SUPER=03-Grundy;]
In Grundy yesterday, a judge ordered that competency evaluations for Peter (o-diga-ZOO'-a) Odighizuwa be completed in 40-days. The Commonwealth's Attorney and Defense each picked an expert to speak with him at the New River Valley jail. In court documents, defense attorney's say their client suffers from a long standing, untreated, serious mental illness.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:07:18]
[IN Q=if he's]
((JIMMY TURK/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; IF HE'S NOT COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL THEN THAT EXTENDS THROUGH THE PRELIMINARY HEARING THAT EXTENDS THROUGH ALL PHASES OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDING.))
[SUPER=01-Jimmy Turk/Defense Attorney;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=criminal proceeding.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The judge makes the decision on whether (O-diga-zoo-a's) Odighizuwa's case will go forward to trial based on the competency evaluations.
Odighizuwa faces three capital murder charges.. which are punishable by death.
(------------)

[AZ-Wildfires]

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

Wildfires in eastern Arizona are raging out of control--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Show Low, AZ;]

Last night, firefighters were forced to pull back, because the flames were moving so quickly.
At least a dozen buildings are destroyed or damaged by the blaze.
The 85- thousand- acre fire is threatening several communities.
Thousands of people have been told to evacuate the area.
So far, there are no reports of any injuries.
(------------)

[Middle-East]

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

In the Middle East, dozens of Israeli tanks and troops have moved into the West Bank city of (NOB-lus) Nablus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nablus, West Bank;]

The move comes only hours after Palestinian gunmen infiltrated a nearby Jewish settlement, and killed several Israelis.
Among the victims was a mother and three of her children.
Witnesses say soldiers stormed a hourse seized by gunmen, and killed one of the infiltrators.
(------------)

[11City-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC1:24:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke officials say they WILL address concerns about traffic and parking near the site of the city's proposed stadium.
And yesterday, they expressed the hope that a new lawsuit won't mean more delays for the project.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Williamson Road Area Business Association and Farrell Properties filed suit on Wednesday. They're seeking an injunction to postpone work on the stadium until the city develops a traffic and parking plan.
But yesterday, City Manager Darlene Burcham said the project will insure that long-standing problems are addressed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There have been traffic concerns]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: THERE HAVE BEEN TRAFFIC CONCERNS IN THAT PART OF THE CITY THAT HAVE GONE UNADDRESSED AND THE FACT THAT THE CITY IS MAKING A COMMITMENT TO INVEST 18 MILLION DOLLARS IN THAT PART OF THE CITY TO MY MIND CERTAINLY DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO INSURING THAT WHATEVER IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY WILL HAPPEN.))
[SUPER=@Burcham;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=will happen.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Yesterday, City officials said they couldn't comment on the merits of a lawsuit they hadn't seen, but members of council said they are convinced their votes were proper, and remain confident the stadium will be built.

[11New-Members]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC58:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

They won't take office for another ten days, but Roanoke's new council members are ready for the challenge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday morning, the city's leadership gathered at the courthouse to watch as the winners of the recent council election were sworn in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Clearly we have]
((REV. NELSON HARRIS/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: CLEARLY WE HAVE SOME CHALLENGES THAT ARE HARD, BUT ALSO EXCITING.)) ((ALFRED DOWE/NEW COUNCIL MEMBER: THE FIRST THING THAT I'VE IDENTIFIED AS SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO DO IS JUST SIT BACK AND LISTEN AND LEARN.)) ((RUPERT CUTLER/NEW COUNCIL MEMBER: I CAN SEE ALREADY THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO SORT OUT HOW YOU VOTE ON MORE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, BECAUSE SOME OF MY FRIENDS WILL BE ON ONE SIDE AND SOME OF MY FRIENDS WILL BE ON THE OTHER SIDE. AND I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPORT SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND DISAPPOINT OTHERS.))
[SUPER=@Harris; :]
[SUPER=01-Alfred Dowe/New Council Member; :]
[SUPER=01-Rupert Cutler/New Council Member; :]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=and disappoint others.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

All three begin four year terms on July first. As the candidate with the most votes in the May election, Nelson Harris will serve as Vice-Mayor.

[11Virtual-IT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-20]
[GRAPHIC=none]

In business news, a new technology company will now call Roanoke home.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Virtual I-T makes web-based video surveillance and security equipment for customers which include Fortune 1000 companies and the US Department of Defense.
Company executives and city officials gathered for an official ribbon cutting at Virtual I-T's new headquarters on Church street downtown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The city's economic]
((JULIET SILVER/VIRTUAL IT CEO: THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP ADVISED US OF A NUMBER OF TAX INCENTIVES AVAILABLE AND OF COURSE THAT WAS AN INCENTIVE, AND OF COURSE THE WHOLE TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY THAT IS DEVELOPING IN DOWNTOWN ROANOKE.))
[SUPER=01-Juliet Silver/Virtual IT CEO]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=Roanoke.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The firm employs ten people in Virginia at offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg and Bedford.
The company plans to expand in the Tidewater area soon.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

Wall Street has fallen the closest yet to its post-terrorist attack lows.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]

((SOME GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS WAS OVER SHADOWED BY A WEAK DOLLAR AND MORE MIDEAST VIOLENCE

(GR)
THE DOW HIT AN 8 MONTH LOW, DOWN 129 POINTS

(GR)
THE NASDAQ SANK ANOTHER 32

(GR)
GENERAL MOTORS SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AFTER A MORGAN STANELY ANALYST RECOMMENDED INVESTOR REDUCE THEIR HOLDINGS OF GM AND FORD CONCERN CONSUMER SPENDING WILL SLOW.

(GR)
IMCLONE SYSTEMS TOOK ANOTHER BEATING - ON NEWS IT COULD FACE CHARGES BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR POSSIBLE INSIDER TRADING.
IT WAS BIIG BLUE'S BIG SLIDE - IBM FELL TO A MULI-YEAR LOW AFTER A SLEW OF ANALYST DOWNGRADES.

(OC)
Amid fraud and rising governance issues, CEO'S are jumping out of the hot seat. According to the outplacement firm Challenger Gray and Christmas, so far this month, 44 chief executives have left their jobs. Some, like Joe Nacchio of Qwest were forced out because of poor corporate performance. Others, like Tyco boss Dennis Kozlowski, resigned amid a burgeoning scandal. and still others decided to simply retire after long tenures.

(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]

[6-Gypsy-Moths]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=csc]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC1:15:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
The pests known as "Gypsy Moths" first appeared in Virginia in the 19-80s.
They've been spreading rapidly ever since -- damaging millions of trees along the way.
Now they're moving through Southwest Virginia..
But as Chris Schaffer reports, area residents are not giving up without a fight.
(///// SOT /////)
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charlotte Karns/Bedford Co. Resident; :14]
[SUPER=01-Joyce Coiner/Gypsy Moth Regional Coordinator;: 37]
[SUPER=19-Chris Schaffer; :56]
[RUNS=1:51]
[OUT Q=News-7 Bedford Co.]
(( Charlotte Karns lives in an idyllic setting -- 625 acres of farm-land and forests in Bedford County.
But a closer look shows she's fighting a losing battle against a relentless enemy -- the gypsy moth.

(([SOT]
[IN Q=16:28:55]
"THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE'VE EVER HAD THEM THIS BAD. THEY'VE BEEN ON THE MOUNTAINS BESIDE OF US BUT THIS YEAR THEY'VE MOVED IN ON US" [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q="moved in on us"]))

Oak trees covered with yellow caterpillar nests...
Leaves pock-marked with holes, chewed by gypsy moth larva.

(nats - airplane)

From above, mountains normally draped in green this time of year, shrouded with brown, defoliated trees.

(([SOT]
[IN Q=16:24:00]
"MANY MANY ACRES HAVE BEEN SEVERLY DEFOLIATED THIS SPRING. WE DO NOT SEE THE PROBLEM GETTING ANY BETTER." [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q="getting any better"]))

Gypsy moths damage more trees than any insect in the eastern United States.
Every year they cost Virginians thousands of dollars in lost timber, decreasing property values and money spent on insecticides..

(([SOT (standup) ]
[IN Q=16:41:53]
"THE DEFOLIATION PUTS THE TREES UNDER TREMENDOUS STRESS, BUT UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS MOST OF THEM COULD RECOVER. HOWEVER CONDITIONS RIGHT NOW ARE ANYTHING BUT NORMAL. THE PERSISTENT DROUGHT WILL MAKE THAT RECOVERY DIFFICULT.. HUNDREDS OF TREES ACROSS STATE OF VIRGINIA WILL NOT SURVIVE" [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q="will not survive"]))

Another problem -- damaged leaves drop to the forest floor -- creating ideal conditions for forest fires.

(([SOT]
[IN Q=16:26:25]
"I THINK THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART OF MY JOB IS GETTING THE EDUCATION AND THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE LAND-OWNERS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING POSITIVE THAT THEY CAN DO TO FIGHT THE GYPSY MOTH"
[RUNS= 10 sec.]
[OUT Q="fight the gypsy moth"]))

Experts say land-owners need to work together to fight gypsy moths, using aerial insecticide sprayed over large areas.

(([SOT]
[IN Q=16:29:05]
"I THINK THEY'RE HORRIBLE. THEY KILL THE TREES AND WE NEED THEM FOR THE ANIMALS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE FOREST AND FOR THE MONEY THAT COMES OUT OF THEM WHEN WE SELL THEM." [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q="when we sell them"]))

A pest that's defoliated millions of acres, now moving into Charlotte Karns' back yard.
Chris Schaffer, News-7 Bedford County.))
(-------------)
[**TAKE FULL SCREEN PINNACLE**]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

If you notice gypsy moths on your property you can call 1-800-824-8606, or call your county's extension office.
(-------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11VDOT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC14:03]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The state has approved a watered-down road-building plan.
166 projects didn't make the cut... but a few in our area are now back on track.
The outline passed yesterday cuts funding for highway projects by 28 percent.
Meghan Muldoon has more on how the budget reductions may affect projects in our area.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Commonwealth Transportation Board]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=@File; :09]
[SUPER=@Clement; :16]
[SUPER=@Meghan2; :39]
[SUPER=01-Philip Shucet/VDOT Commissioner; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=MM, News 7, Richmond]
(( The Commonwealth Transportation Board finalized a Six-Year Plan with 166 fewer highway projects than last year.
Transportation officials said that declining state and federal revenues forced VDOT to reduce their budget by two-point-eight billion dollars.
[SOT 11:44:57-21]
[IN Q=we don't have the revenue]
[RUNS:23]
[OUT Q=dealing with the hand that's been dealt us.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

VDOT did, however, restore funding for three lane-widening projects on Interstate 81 which had been scrapped from a tentative plan last month.
The Board also approved speeding up construction of the Route 58 Hillsville Bypass and added three hundred thousand dollars for a curve-straightening project on Route 100 in Giles County.
Transportation officials said that the program is not perfect but is one that the state can realistically afford.

[SOT 11:53:47]
[IN Q=It's unlikely that]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=revenue will ever completely match needs.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Overall, VDOT cut highway funding for the next six years by almost a third.
Until the economy recovers, it looks like many of the state's transportation needs face a long road ahead.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond ))

[11Griffith]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-16 TC1:00:28]
[GRAPHIC=Morgan Griffith]

Salem Delegate Morgan Griffith says southwest Virginia will still be well represented even if he is not speaker of the House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Yesterday, Griffith announced he's not a candidate to become Virginia's next speaker.
He cited his pending divorce and his busy law practice as reasons behind the decision.
The House Majority Leader says the next speaker will have no choice but to hear the concerns of our area.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:02]
[IN Q=I'm still the majority]
((MORGAN GRIFFITH: I'M STILL THE MAJORITY LEADER AND I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GIVING UP THE POST. THATS AN IMPORTANT POST AND I THINK WHOEVER THE NEXT SPEAKER IS WILL RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE OF US IN SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FEEL VERY STRONGLY UP OUR LIFESTYLE AND OUR VALUES AND WILL PAY ATTENTION THE DELEGATES FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA PARTICULARLY THE MAJORITY LEADER.))
[SUPER=@griffith]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=the majority leader]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Republicans will meet next month to pick a successor to Vance Wilkins who resigned a week ago in the wake of a sexual harrasement scandal.
Several people are mentioned as possible candidates but the only one to say publicly he wants the job is Delegate Bill Howell of Fredericksburg.
(------------)

[6-Warner]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC31:19]
[GRAPHIC=Vance Wilkins]

Governor Mark Warner says Vance Wilkins did the right thing by stepping down as speaker, but that it should be up to him and his constituents as to whether he should remain a delegate.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Warner says he and Wilkins had a good working relationship during the past General Assembly, although they didn't agree on several issues.
The governor says he's confident he can cooperate with whoever takes over in the Speaker's chair.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:55:20]
[IN Q=I'm going to]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO REACH OUT IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION THE SAME WAY THAT WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THIS ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK VIRGINIANS LIKE THAT. THEY WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT'S WORKING, THEY WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT'S DEALING WITH THE BUDGET SHORTFALL, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT WHOMEVER IS THE NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE WILLING TO MEET ME HALFWAY.))
[SUPER=@markWarner]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=meet me halfway.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner was in Lynchburg yesterday speaking at the annual Boys State convention.
(------------)

[Mine-Explosion]

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

A gas explosion in a Chinese coal mine has killed more than 100 workers.
A safety official says rescuers are trying to reached four trapped miners, who may still be alive.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Beijing, China;]

State- run television say two dozen other workers were injured in yesterday's explosion.
These blasts are not uncommon in Chinese mines.
More more than five- thousand workers were killed just last year.
(------------)

[Middle-East]

[6-VDOT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC14:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The state has approved massive cuts in state funding for highway construction.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Yesterday, the Commonwealth Transportation Board finalized a watered-down Six-Year program.
Two-point-eight billion dollars, and 166 projects, were recently cut by VDOT following a decline in state and federal revenues.
The board did restore funding for three lane-widening projects on Interstate 81 near Salem but not enough to complete the construction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:44:05-21]
[IN Q=THE PLAIN FACT OF THE MATTER]
[SUPER=@Clement]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=WHAT MONEY WE DO HAVE FOR INTERSTATES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The plan also included 300-thousand dollars for a curve-straightening project on Route 100 in Giles County.
(------------)

[6-Virtual-IT]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-20 TC1:42:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In business news, a company called Virtual I-T Incorporated has decided to headquarter in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Virtual I-T makes web-based video surveillance and security equipment for customers including Fortune 1000 companies and the US Department of Defense.
The firm already has offices in Bedford and Lynchburg -- and continues to expand in Roanoke.
While Virtual I-T employs only 10 in Virginia, its CEO sees that changing, especially in the Tidewater area, as business takes off.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We chose Roanoke]
((JULIET SILVER/VIRTUAL IT CEO; WE CHOSE ROANOKE FOR SEVERAL REASONS. IT'S A WIRED COMMUNITY MEANING THEIR IS A SIGNIFICANT ABOUT OF BROADBAND CAPACITY IN DOWNTOWN ROANOKE THAT WE CAN TAP INTO TO DELIVER A LOT OF OUR WEB-BASED SOLUTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Juliet Silver/Virtual IT CEO]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=based solutions.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The new headquarters is located on Church Avenue in downtown Roanoke.
(------------)

[6-Fire-Crew]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC1:42:45]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

The Rockbridge County forest fire that has burned nearly 3-thousand acres is close to being under control.
However, most of the talk among firefighters there has been the life-saving rescue of one of their own by an unusual team.
Richard Lesko has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Estel Perry/Injured Firefighter; :22]
[SUPER=01-Rob Hendricks/Cold Springs Inmate; :54]
[SUPER=01-Ron Alt/Cold Springs Inmate; 1:16]
[SUPER=01-Rodney Hicks/Cold Springs Inmate; 1:25]
[SUPER=@Richard2; 1:52]
[RUNS=1:58]
[OUT Q=RL, News7 Rockbridge Co.]
(( This group of forest firefighters looks like almost any other fire crew. But there is one major difference -- they are inmates at the Cold Springs Minimum Security Correctional Unit. On Tuesday, they were working on the firelines in Rockbridge County with a forest service crew when fire severely injured one of the federal workers.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 7:33:23]
[INQ=The wind swept...]
((ESTEL PERRY/INJURED FIREFIGHTER; THE WIND SWEPT AROUND AND CAUGHT THE FLAME AND THROWED IT INTO MY FACE. IT ACTUALLY DIDN'T BURN ME BUT I ABSORBED THE HEAT FROM IT, AND ACCORDING TO MY PHYSICIAN, I SEARED MY LUNGS.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUTQ=seared my lungs.]
That's when the Cold Springs unit came to the rescue. An E-M-T with the crew started C-P-R, while the rest of the crew started carrying Perry down the mountain to seek treatment.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 7:21:51]
[INQ=On the way down...]
((ROB HENDRICKS/COLD SPRING INMATE; ON THE WAY DOWN, IF IT WASN'T FOR THESE GUYS RIGHT HERE, I TOOK CARE OF THE MEDICAL PART BUT THESE GUYS ARE THE BACKBONE OF WHAT HAPPENED. HELPED CARRY HIM CUT AWAY WITH THE SAW, MOVING THINGS OUT OF THE WAY. THEY WERE A VITAL PART OF THE WHEEL, AND I COULD NOT HAVE DID IT WITHOUT THEM AT ALL.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUTQ=without them at all.]
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 7:25:27]
[INQ=Everybody had their...]
The Cold Springs crew is said to be the only inmate fire crew east of the Mississippi. The program was started more than four years ago, and participants say they have learned much about life by putting theirs on the line.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT7:10:25]
[INQ=This is just...]
((RON ALT/INMATE; THIS IS JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US. TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME OF THE THINGS WE MAY HAVE HURT IN THE PAST. IT'S JUST REALLY A GREAT PROGRAM))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUTQ=really a great program]
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 7:13:53]
[INQ=It's something that I...]
((RODNEY HICKS/INMATE; IT'S SOMETHING THAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE BEFORE, IT MAKES ME THINK BACK, AND LIKE ALT SAID, JUST GIVING BACK, WHAT YOU TOOK FROM THE COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUTQ=from the community.]
Most forestry officials say they are glad to have a crew as hard-working and dependable as the inmates. So is Estel Perry.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 7:36:55]
[INQ=All those guys...]
((ESTEL PERRY/INJURED FIREFIGHTER; ALL THOSE GUYS WHO WAS INVOLVED WITH THIS THING WITH ME, I'M SO THANKFUL TO GOD FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM...))
[RUNS= 6]
[OUTQ=every one of them.]
And at least some of them hope to make a career of fighting fires once they're released. Richard Lesko, News 7, Rockbridge County.))

[11Gypsy-Moths]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=csc]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC1:59:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's not just fire threatening Virginia's forests... gypsy moths are on the move as well.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

When the moths are in their larva or "caterpillar" stage they eat the leaves off of trees, and sometimes the trees are unable to recover..
In addition to damaging the trees' beauty, gypsy moths can hurt the pocketbook by ruining timber and decreasing home values.
Experts say the best way to fight gypsy moths is for land-owners to work together, to make sure large areas are sprayed with insecticide..
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=16:24:29]
((JOYCE COINER/GYPSY MOTH REGIONAL COORDINATOR; YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE GYPSY MOTH COST SHARE PROGRAM, THAT EACH COUNTY HAS TO OFFER THE LAND-OWNER WHICH WOULD COST THEM 12 DOLLARS AN ACRE TO SIGN UP AND SPRAY NEXT SPRING))
[SUPER=01-Joyce Coiner/Gypsy Moth Regional Coordinator;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q="spray next spring"]
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[**WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PINNACLE**]
If you notice gypsy moths on your property you can call 1-800 -824-8606, or call your county's extension office. (-------------)