WDBJ 7 morning news for 06/25/02

[Wildfires]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

President Bush will tour fire- ravaged Arizona today.
The wildfire-- now knocking on the door of the small town of Show Low-- has burned more than 330 thousand acres.
Teri Okita has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Near Show Low, AZ;]
[SUPER=01-Jim Paxon/Firefighter;]
[SUPER=@Okita2;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Near Show Low, AZ.]
((

(TAKE PACKAGE)

AS THE FIRE BURNED EVER-SO-CLOSE TO SHOW LOW'S FRAGILE BORDERS, FIREFIGHTERS PATROLLED THE TOWN ... DOING THEIR BEST TO PROTECT HOMES AND PUT OUT MINOR FLAMES.
FIRE CREWS SAY STRATEGIC AERIAL ATTACKS -- AND GOOD WEATHER -- ARE HELPING THEM FIGHT THE BLAZE.

(SOT: JIM PAXON/FIREFIGHTER)
"What that means is that we're beginning to get a handle on this fire. We're beginning to get the upperhand."
BUT THIS WILDFIRE STILL POSES A MAJOR THREAT. IT'S ALREADY BURNED MORE THAN 330-THOUSAND ACRES -- AN AREA BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF LOS ANGELES. THE FIRE HAS ALSO DESTROYED AROUND 350 HOMES AND BUSINESSES.
ABOUT 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE GRABBED WHAT THEY COULD -- AND FLED THEIR THREATENED COMMUNITIES -- BEFORE THE FLAMES CAUGHT UP TO THEM.

(MOS)
"Just got out with the clothes on their backs some people"
HUNDREDS HAVE FOUND SHELTER AT THIS EVACUATION CENTER IN THE NEARBY TOWN OF EAGER A TELEVISION SET REMAINS THEIR ONLY LINK TO WHAT'S GOING ON BACK HOME.

(NAT)

RESIDENTS SAY IF THEY HAVE TO START OVER -- THEY WILL.

(MOS)
"If necessary we'll live in a tent until I can get it rebuilt. That's home to us and I don't want to go anywhere else."

(MOS)
"I just want to see it. I want to go home."

(STANDUP)
PRESIDENT BUSH PLANS TO VISIT ARIZONA ON TUESDAY ...
TERI OKITA, CBS NEWS, NEAR SHOW LOW, ARIZONA.
Music:))

[Middle-East]

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

The Palestinian security chief and about 20 others have surrendered to Israeli authorities in the West Bank city of Hebron.
Troops stormed the Palestinian headquarters there early today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, West Bank;]

The Israeli army says the mission is to arrest terror suspects.
It's happening as President Bush calls for new Palestinian leadership in the place of Yasser Arafat.
The President also wants Israel to end settlement activity in the occupied territories.
(------------)

[11Police-Chase]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=accident]

A high speed chase near Farmville ended in a crash that sent several people to the hospital.
State police say around 7 o-clock last night, a Prince Edward County deputy was going to serve a warrant when he observed the suspect drive away from his home.
The deputy gave chase and was joined by two state troopers.
The pursuit ended near the Appomattox- Prince Edward County line, when all four vehicles reportedly collided.
Those injured were taken to the hospital in Farmville... authorities say none of the injuries was life-threatening.

[11Clower]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC1:29:23]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]

He admits he stole more than three-quarters of a million dollars from Henry County...
Prosecutors say some of it went to women he had affairs with.
Suspended Henry County Administrator Sid Clower now faces up to 60 years in prison.
As Marya Jones reports, the judge has warned him - expect to serve time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Sid Clower's]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Prosecutor; :37 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Guy Harbert/Clower's Attorney; :58]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Stuart.]
(( Sid Clower's plea in court was uneventful -- nothing like the tale of lies, adultery and embezzlement behind it.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:48:00 - :03]
((DON CALDWELL/PROSECUTOR: IT HAS SOAP OPERA WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.)) [RUNS:03]
Prosecutors say Clower stole 778-thousand dollars over nine years ... using a fake company to divert funds from Henry County's Public Service Authority into his personal account.
Investigators found that the money went to vacations, credit card debt and support for a child born from an affair with a coworker.
Prosecutors say three women Clower had personal relationships with ALSO received P-S-A money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:42:57 - 3:43:02]
((DON CALDWELL/PROSECUTOR: THIS MAN'S A CON ARTIST AND HE'S GOING TO BE CONNING WHEN HE COMES IN TO BE SENTENCED.)) [RUNS:05]
Clower left court without comment ...
His attorneys say he pled guilty to three counts of embezzlement to "set things right."
At his sentencing next month, he'll take the stand to offer an explanation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:36:14 - :26]
((GUY HARBERT/CLOWER'S ATTORNEY: WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT MR. CLOWER'S CONDUCT IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. HE REGRETS THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS AND HE DOES ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE.)) [RUNS:12]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 3:49:51 - 3:50:02] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: CLOWER WILL BE SENTENCED IN HENRY COUNTY ON JULY 30TH. THE JUDGE WARNED HIM TO GET HIS AFFAIRS "IN ORDER" BEFORE THEN ... SAYING HE OFTEN SENDS THIEVES TO PRISON. MJN7, STUART.)) [RUNS:11]))

[11Mineta]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta says he's confident Amtrak can avoid a shutdown.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Westwood, MA]

Mineta says the railroad has to cut its expenses and the federal government has to help stabilize its short-term finances.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Everyone who depends]
((NORMAN MINETA/SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION; EVERYONE WHO DEPENDS ON THIS VITAL RAIL SERVICE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION AND AMTRAK WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH CONGRESS TO MAKE SURE PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE CONTINUES.))
[SUPER=01-Norman Mineta/Secretary of Transportation; ]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=rail service continues.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Amtrak officials welcomed Mineta's pledge, but say it doesn't prevent a shutdown, it only delays it.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[11Amtrak]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-20 TC1:48:52]
[GRAPHIC=wipe]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]

Anywhere from 30 to 50 people a day catch the Amtrak train during its two stops in Lynchburg.. numbers that have increased slightly since September 11th.
One of Lynchburg's two ticket agents says he considers passenger rail an "essential option" for travelers that should be preserved.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:36:39]
[IN Q=Our president says]
((GARLAND HARPER/AMTRAK TICKET AGENT: OUR PRESIDENT SAYS WE'RE GOING TO RUN OUT OF CASH, AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR DIESEL FUEL AMONG OTHER THINGS, WHAT CAN YOU DO? AND IF THE BANKS WON'T LET US MONEY BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID WE WON'T BE IN OPERATION THEN WE'RE REALLY CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE.))
[SUPER=01-Garland Harper/Amtrak Ticket Agent]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=and a hard place.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lynchburg also hopes to become a hub for regional passenger rail if the TransDominion Express becomes a reality.

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

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, The Federal Reserve begins a two day interest rate meeting later today, but the central bank isn't expected to release a decision until tomorrow.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((FEDERAL RESERVE POLICYMAKERS KICK OFF A TWO DAY MEETING IN WASHINGTON TODAY TO TALK INTEREST RATES. ONLY TWO MONTHS AGO, MARKETWATCHERS WERE PREDICTING A RATE HIKE.. NOW SOME SAY, GIVEN THE DISMAL STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE AND AN ECONOMY RECOVERING MORE SLOWLY THAN FIRST THOUGHT, ANOTHER RATE CUT MAY BE A POSSIBILITY. IN ADDITION TO THE FED, MORE ECONOMIC DATA THIS WEEK: (gr) INCLUDING EXISTING HOME SALES AND CONSUMER CONFIDENCE NUMBERS LATER TODAY. (oc) ON WALL STREET.. IT WAS TURNAROUND MONDAY.. THE DOW SAVED ITSELF FROM ITS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TRIPLE DIGIT LOSS. (gr) ENDING WITH A GAIN OF 28 POINTS, G-E AND MICROSOFT LED THE ADVANCE (gr) THE NASDAQ ALSO WIPED OUT AN EARLIER LOSS TO CLIMB 19 POINTS. (gr) SHARES OF MARTHA STEWART'S COMPANY FELL ANOTHER 20 PERCENT as new information threatens to further implicate THE DOMESTIC DIVA IN THE ImClone insider-trading scandal. (oc) Congressional lawmakers are now investigating whether Stewart tipped off a friend before the biotechnology company's shares plunged on a regulatory setback. (gr) UNITED AIRLINES ASKED THE GOVERNMENT FOR 1.8 BILLION DOLLARS IN LOAN ASSISTANCE. THE NATION'S NO. 2 AIRLINE HAS LOST MORE THAN 2-BLN DOLLARS SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS. (oc) IT'S THE THIRD MAJOR CARRIER TO SEEK FEDERAL GUARANTEES FOLLOWING AMERICA WEST AND US AIRWAYS. (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]

[Conjoined-Twins]

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

Doctors at the U-C-L-A Medical have completed the first step in separating conjoined twin babies.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

The 11-month-old Guatemalan girls are joined at the skull.
Two balloons have been inserted under their shared scalp.
The balloons will be gradually filled with water to stretch the scalp, creating a flap of skin that'll cover their heads, once they're separated.
Meanwhile, doctors in Dallas are evaluating twin Egyptian boys joined in a similar way.
(------------)

[Med-Day]

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

In medical news, medicated eye drops might help slow the progression of glaucoma.
Melissa McDermott has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Melissa McDermott/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((TODAY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION BEGINS AN EMERGENCY THREE DAY MEETING. WHAT THEY WANT TO EVALUATE IS THE ALARMING NEWS, FROM NEW STUDIES, INDICATING THAT POTATO CHIPS, FRENCH FRIES AND CERTAIN TYPES OF BREAD CONTAIN A SUBSTANCE THAT MAY CAUSE CANCER. THE SWEDISH STUDY FOUND THAT SOME STARCH-BASED FOODS CONTAIN ACRYLAMIDE (A-CRY-LA-MYDE) THE CARCINOGENIC IS USED TO PRODUCE PLASTICS AND IS SUSPECTED OF CAUSING CANCER.
SCIENTISTS HOPE A MOLECULE CAN REPAIR THE BRAIN AFTER A STROKE. DURING TESTING ON RATS... INOSINE (IN-A-SEEN) WAS INJECTED DIRECTLY INTO THE UNDAMAGED HALF OF THE BRAIN. HEALTHY NERVES STRETCHED ACROSS BRAIN HEMISPHERES, REPLACING THE DAMAGED ONES. IT WILL TAKE MUCH MORE TESTING BEFORE (IN-A-SEEN) CAN BE TRIED ON PEOPLE.
RESEARCHERS IN OREGON BELIEVE THEY'VE DISCOVERED A NEW THERAPY THAT CAN SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF GLAUCOMA. LEGACY HEALTH SYSTEM IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE STUDY ON THE POTENTIALLY BLINDING DISEASE. THEY FOUND THAT DURING THE EARLY SIGNS OF GLAUCOMA MEDICATED EYE DROPS CAN SLOW DOWN THE DISEASE. HOWEVER, THE STUDY IS NOT YET COMPLETE.
AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE DAY'S TOP HEALTH STORIES. I'M MELISSA MCDERMOTT, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

[6-Donnelley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC2:02:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An award to a Roanoke County company means help for homeless women and children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Yesterday, The R.R. Donnelley Company won top honors from the state for workplace health and safety.
The printing plant is one of just 16 manufacturing facilities in Virginia to make the grade.
The company celebrated by announcing a donation of 35-thousand dollars to the Roanoke Rescue Mission, for its new women's and children center.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[2-11Clower]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC1:29:23]
[GRAPHIC=Sid Clower]

Sid Clower faces up to 60 years in prison.
The Suspended Henry County Administrator admits he stole more than three-quarters of a million dollars from Henry County...
Prosecutors say some of it went to women he had affairs with. As Marya Jones reports, the judge has warned Clower - to expect to serve time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Sid Clower's]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Prosecutor; :37 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Guy Harbert/Clower's Attorney; :58]
[SUPER=@Marya1; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=MJN7, Stuart.]
(( Sid Clower's plea in court was uneventful -- nothing like the tale of lies, adultery and embezzlement behind it.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:48:00 - :03]
((DON CALDWELL/PROSECUTOR: IT HAS SOAP OPERA WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.)) [RUNS:03]
Prosecutors say Clower stole 778-thousand dollars over nine years ... using a fake company to divert funds from Henry County's Public Service Authority into his personal account.
Investigators found that the money went to vacations, credit card debt and support for a child born from an affair with a coworker.
Prosecutors say three women Clower had personal relationships with ALSO received P-S-A money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:42:57 - 3:43:02]
((DON CALDWELL/PROSECUTOR: THIS MAN'S A CON ARTIST AND HE'S GOING TO BE CONNING WHEN HE COMES IN TO BE SENTENCED.)) [RUNS:05]
Clower left court without comment ...
His attorneys say he pled guilty to three counts of embezzlement to "set things right."
At his sentencing next month, he'll take the stand to offer an explanation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:36:14 - :26]
((GUY HARBERT/CLOWER'S ATTORNEY: WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUT MR. CLOWER'S CONDUCT IN ITS PROPER PERSPECTIVE. HE REGRETS THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS AND HE DOES ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE.)) [RUNS:12]
(///// SOT /////)
[SU 3:49:51 - 3:50:02] ((MARYA JONES/NEWS-7: CLOWER WILL BE SENTENCED IN HENRY COUNTY ON JULY 30TH. THE JUDGE WARNED HIM TO GET HIS AFFAIRS "IN ORDER" BEFORE THEN ... SAYING HE OFTEN SENDS THIEVES TO PRISON. MJN7, STUART.)) [RUNS:11]))

[11Speaker]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-14 TC1:51:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Two more leading contenders to replace Speaker Vance Wilkins dropped out of contention yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Bedford Delegate Lacey Putney and Virginia Beach Delegate Bob McDonnell both announced yesterday that they're bowing out of the Speaker race.
They join Salem Delegate Morgan Griffith who announced last week that he won't be a candidate, leaving Stafford Delegate Bill Howell as currently the only lawmaker seeking the post.
Putney said yesterday he will continue as Interim Speaker until the General Assembly convenes in January.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:14:25-37]
[IN Q=I had never intended to seek the Speakership]
[SUPER=@Putney]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=if I'd been asked to do it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

House Republicans will meet on July 20th to officially nominate the next Speaker.
(------------)

[11Henry-Supers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC38:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Henry County is looking ahead to better financial days- by creating its next budget-
(------------)
[VO-NAT :26]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]

Taxes and existing fees will not go up.
During a meeting yesterday morning, the panel approved a 96-million dollar budget for fiscal year 2003.
Schools and law enforcement will be allotted about one percent more than in the 2002 budget.
Acting County Administrator Benny Summerlin says the board's being cautious in preparation 2004.
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

That's when the full financial effect of the VF Imagewear closing will most likely be felt.
(///// SOT at :26 /////)
[SOT 6:41-7:01]
[IN Q=The VF Imagewear impact this year...]
((BENNY SUMMERLIN/ACTING HENRY CO. ADMINISTRATOR: THE VF IMAGEWEAR IMPACT THIS YEAR IS ABOUT A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. NEXT YEAR IT'LL BE MORE THAN A MILLION BECAUSE MOST OF THE MACHINERY WAS STILL IN PLACE JANUARY FIRST OF THIS YEAR SO THEY PAID TAXES ON IT BUT THAT MACHINERY WILL BE RELOCATED BY NEXT YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-Benny Summerlin/Acting County Administrator;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=be relocated by next year.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Summerlin says the development of new jobs will help finances in general. That's why the 2003 budget includes one million dollars for the Office of Commerce, almost 767-thousand dollars more than last year.

[1st-Business]

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

In business news this morning, LA-Z-BOY is celebrating its 75-th anniversary. And Coca-Cola hopes its new dairy drink will be a hit with school children this fall...
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=1:25]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]

((GOOD MORNING THIS TUESDAY THE 25TH OF JUNE.
HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MORNING.
--------------------------

ON WALL STREET TODAY LOOK FOR SOME REACTION TO MAY DURABLE GOODS ORDERS.. NEW HOME SALES.. AND THE FED BEGINS A TWO DAY ROUND OF MEETINGS ON INTEREST RATES.
-------------------------

AMERICAN AIRLINES IS THE LATEST TO CHARGE YOU FOR A PAPER TICKET.
STARTING JULY 2ND, A HARD COPY WILL COST YOU 20 DOLLARS.
SEVERAL OTHER AIRLINES ALREADY CHARGE PASSENGERS FOR PAPER TICKETS WHERE ELECTRONIC ONES ARE AVAILABLE.
------------------------

THE FRIENDLY SKIES IS LOOKING FOR SOME FRIENDLY MONEY....
UNITED AIRLINES WANTS 1.8 BILLION IN FEDERAL LOAN GUARANTEES
THEY PRETTY MUCH HAD TO WHEN CONCESSION TALKS WITH FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FELL THROUGH...
--------------------------

AN INDUSTRY NEWSLETTER SAYS COCA-COLA IS GOING TO TEST TWO NEW FLAVORED DAIRY DRINKS IN THE NORTHEAST WHEN MILLIONS OF CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL, IT'S "CHOGLIT" AND IS A JOINT VENTURE WITH NESTLE.
IT'LL ALSO TEST CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA FLAVORED VERSIONS IN THE MIDWEST AND SOUTHWEST.
--------------------------

ANNIVERSARY TIME.. 75 YEARS FOR THE LA-Z-BOY RECLINER.. CREATED BY TWO COUSINS IN MICHIGAN WHOSE SMALL BUSINESS EXPANDED INTO A TWO BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY.
THE COMPANY HAS CREATED CHAIRS THAT CAN ROCK, SWIVEL, GLIDE, LIFT, AND EVEN GIVE YOU A MASSAGE.
--------------------------

FORD WILL END PRODUCTION ON THE LINCOLN BLACKWOOD LUXURY PICKUP THIS SUMMER.
WITH A PRICE TAG OF NEARLY $53,000, IT LACKED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. AND LIKE HENRY FORD'S OLD MODEL T, IT ALSO ONLY CAME IN BLACK.
--------------------------

AND THAT'S YOUR FIRST BUSINESS CHECK ON THE MORNING'S TOP BUSINESS HAPPENINGS..
I'M BARTON ECKERT IN WASHINGTON.))

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

[11Dickson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
The mother of a fourth grader is taking on Botetourt County school administrators and sheriff's deputies over an incident at Colonial Elementary last Fall. Ten- year old Meghan Dickson was summoned to the principal's office, based on reports from other students that Meghan had taken a gun to school. According to the complaint filed yesterday in U-S District Court, the child was detained, interrogated and her bookbag was searched. Meghan says she asked school officials to call her mother, but they refused. A week later the school sent a letter home to parents indicating: "no weapon was ever found."