[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

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


Local county supervisors having to decide whether a quarry will be allowed to expand are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And, customers give a second, third and fourth opinion about the proposed merger of two healthcare providers.

[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight on News 7 Sports - Daniel Berthiaume has landed on his feet with another East Coast Hockey League club. Travis Wells checks in tonight from Hampton with a report on last night's all-star basketball game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Dazzle's schedule for next season was announced today and it includes 9 Saturday night games.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[SS=None]


Showers and thunderstorms will linger into the overnight hours, but tomorrow will bring sunshine and cooler temperatures, I'll have your local forecast. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:37:38]
[IN Q=Any lightning fast deal is likely]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=to be flim flam.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


Citizens sound off about the proposed Trigon/Anthem merger.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Is the deal a good one for Trigon members?
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


And I'm Shannon Young.
[Anthem-Trigon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC-1:31:33]
[ANCHOR=Shannon-Shot]


Trigon stakeholders and policyholders spoke out today about the proposed merger with Anthem.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]


Some expressed concern about complaints of Anthem customers in other states.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Sannon & Meghan/State Microwave;]


Meghan Muldoon attended today's hearing. She joins us now from Richmond.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]


The State Corporation Commission held its first public hearing on the proposed merger.
It was a mixed bag for Trigon, the largest managed health care company in the state.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Rebecca Greeb is a Trigon stockholder]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :05]
[SUPER=01-Rebecca Greeb/Trigon Policyholder; :11]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Karsten Konerding/Richmond Acad. of Med.; :33]
[SUPER=01-Larry Glasscock/Anthem CEO; :57]
[SUPER=01-Tom Snead/Trigon CEO; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=probably only thing they'll notice.]


((Rebecca Greeb is a Trigon stockholder and customer.
She believes the merger isn't financially sound and she attacked Trigon's tactics for convincing people otherwise.


[SOT 11:37:53]
[IN Q=If we can't see how wonderful this deal is]

[RUNS:]
[OUT Q=hicks and hillbillies.]


Dr. Karsten Konerding of the Richmond Academy of Medicine submitted a report today detailing complaints filed by Anthem customers in other states.
He says he doesn't oppose the merger as long as conditions are imposed to prevent similar problems in Virginia.
[SOT 11:45:45-03]
[IN Q=we were concerned about the track record]

[RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=patient complaints about service.]


CEO Larry Glasscock says Anthem receives few complaints compared to other companies.
[SOT 11:58:44-55]
[IN Q=]

[RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=We're not perfect.]


Both Anthem and Trigon officials say they're optimistic that the merger will be approved.
Creating the fifth largest healthcare company in the country, they say, is necessary for them to compete in a rapidly consolidating industry.
[SOT 11:58:53-02]
[IN Q=Anthem is an excellent company]

[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=getting together to try to make it even better.]


Trigon officials say that current customers won't see any changes from the merger.
[SOT 11:55:21-25]
[IN Q=At some point, we're going to change the name.]

[RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=probably only thing they'll notice.]

))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]


The State Corporation Commission must decide whether to approve the merger.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]


They didn't rule today but are taking the comments under advisement.


[Halifax-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC-51:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The blaze that killed three Halifax County sisters did NOT involve foul play.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./February; ]

That's the conclusion of county and state police investigators. . The February blaze killed 14- year old Lacey Wright and her younger sisters, Jessica and Christina. Authorities initially treated the blaze as suspicious. But after months of working on the case-- investigators say the fatal fire will be ruled ACCIDENTAL. Authorities were not able to determine how the fire started. But say there is NO evidence it was intentionally set or was the result of criminal activity.
(------------)




[Anthony]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-13 TC-1:55:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A former Henry County building contractor has been ordered to serve 12 months in prison and re-pay the County 31-thousand dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Richard Anthony claimed the health department and the public service authority talked him into building a sewage treatment plant for one of his subdivisions... that the County assured him it would operate the plant, then reneged on the deal. Anthony ran it himself, but allowed the plant to fall into disrepair. By September of 1999, A-E-P pulled the plug on electric service for lack of payment. Raw sewage began flowing into Blackberry Creek. Anthony pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:19:25]
[IN Q=I've given my life]
[SUPER=01-Richard Anthony/Former Sewage Plant Operator]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=would be for.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Magistrate Judge Glen Conrad concluded the 72-year old contractor was not just criminally negligent but intentional.

Anthony told the judge his wife had a heart attack Friday. The Judge will allow Anthony to report to prison, on his own, later this year.
(------------)



[Grant]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC-46:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]


In Lynchburg, a former city official is firing back over new charges that he abused his spending privileges.
Al Grant was indicted last month on 13 counts of embezzlement for allegedly running up improper charges while a member of the Lynchburg electoral board.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Today, the Lynchburg News & Advance reported Norfolk State University is also looking into Grant's spending record while he was a member of the school's Board of Visitors.
On average, Grant's travel reimbursements were six times higher than the other twelve board members.
Today, Grant released a letter from the school's former rector, Bill Miller, who says all of Grant's expenses were found to be legitimate.
(------------)


[Grayson-Quarry]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC-1:44:52]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A fight between neighbors is brewing in Grayson County. A stone quarry company wants to expand...but nearby residents are organizing an effort to stop the plans. The Board of Supervisors will have the final decision, but that's not keeping either side from making its case. New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THE WHOLE SITUATION]
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gina Isom/Concerned Resident; :11]
[SUPER=01-Donald Young/Grayson Co. Administrator; 1:21]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=RC, News 7, Grayson County.]

((NATS 2:07:35 "THE WHOLE SITUATION IS." Gina (Eye-some) Isom doesn't like her neighbor. The Cardinal Stone Quarry operates right up to her property in Grayson County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:01:49]
[IN Q=THERE]

((GINA ISOM/CONCERNED RESIDENT; THERE ARE MANY LANDOWNERS HERE THAT FEEL THAT THEY HAVE DAMAGE FROM THE QUARRY ALREADY AND THE FUMES THE EXHAUST, THE NOISE.))
[OUT Q=THE NOISE.]

(Eye-some) Isom is afraid the problems are going to get worse. Cardinal Stone wants to expand. They're asking the county to re-zone l20-acres from agricultural to industrial so they can extract more stone.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:05:01]
[IN Q=i know]

((I KNOW THAT GRAYSON COUNTY NEEDS INDUSTRY AND WE ALL REALIZE THAT THIS QUARRY IS HERE BUT WE DO NOT FEEL LIKE WITH ANY REASON AT ALL THAT THEY NEED EXPAND 120-ACRES.))
[OUT Q=120 ACRES.]

Cardinal Stone says there is. In a faxed statement late this afternoon, they said the property has adequate reserves for the future. They say they will compromise with residents by filing for a conditional use permit and that it will address concerns about noise, dust and safety. But it may not be good enough.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:03:55]
[IN Q=the ]

((GINA ISOM/CONCERNED RESIDENT; THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY HAVE COME TOGETHER AND THEY ARE STRONG FORCE THEY ARE GOING TO DO WHATEVER THEY HAVE TO DO AT WHATEVER LEVEL TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.))
[OUT Q=HAPPENING.]

The planning commission is expected to take up the issue at their July 24th meeting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:51:43]
[IN Q=]

((JOE YOUNG/GRAYSON CO. ADMINISTRATOR; WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL ALLOW ANY MORE PUBLIC COMMENTS OR NOT I DON'T KNOW BUT IT WILL BE AN ONGOING ISSUE UNTIL THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.))
[OUT Q=supervisors.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:59:05]
[IN Q=opponents]

((RACHEL CANNON/RCANNON@WDBJ7.COM; OPPONENTS ARE PLANNING ON BRINGING THEIR CONCERNS HERE TO THE GRAYSON COUNTRY COURTHOUSE WHEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETS ON THURSDAY, THEY EXPECT ABOUT 1-HUNDRED PEOPLE WHO WILL PROTESTING WITH SIGNS. RACHEL CANNON, NEWS 7, GRAYSON COUNTY.))
[OUT Q=CANNON, NEWS 7, GRAYSON COUNTY]))



[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7 at 6, while Roanoke city's water supply continues to dwindle, officials say it will take some time to develop a regional water authority...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]


And, after years of debate and repair, a historic steel bridge in Rockbridge County is once again ready for traffic.


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






[Water-Authority]


[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC-1:19:56]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Roanoke City and Roanoke County will begin formal negotiations this week.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-shot]

But officials say their discussions toward a regional water authority will take time.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith and Shannon/Joe - BAM set;]

[TAKE LEVEL OF COOP IN BAM SET MONITOR;]
Joe Dashiell is here tonight with more on the developing dialogue.
[LIVE= /FULL]
[SUPER=@Joe1; ]


Keith and Shannon, both sides say they support the concept of a regional water authority, but the devil is in the details.
As they prepare to begin negotiations, there are many difficult issues that will determine the level of cooperation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As the level of Carvins Cove]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove; :00]
[SUPER=@Bestpitch; :09 (HOT CHANGE TO)]
[SUPER=04-Last Week; ]
[SUPER=@Burcham; :25]
[SUPER=01-Joe McNamara/Windsor Hills Supervisor; :43]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :57]
[SUPER=01-Elmer Hodge/Roanoke Co. Administrator; 1:11]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=to work out an agreement.]


((As the level of Carvins Cove has fallen, Roanoke city officials have faced criticism they haven't done enough to insure an ample supply of drinking water.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I was very surprized]

((BILL BESTPITCH/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I WAS VERY SURPRIZED AND I MUST SAY MUCH DISMAYED TO HEAR SOME COMMENTS FROM OTHER FOLKS INDICATING THAT THEY THOUGHT THIS ISSUE HAD NOT RECEIVED A HIGH ENOUGH PRIORITY.)) ((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I WANT TO ASSURE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE COUNCIL THAT YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN PURSUING ALL OPTIONS. ))
[RUNS= :23]
[OUT Q=pursuing all options]


Now with a regional water authority under discussion, County officials are reassuring residents that their investment will be protected.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I would like to reiterate my concern]

((JOE MCNAMARA/WINDSOR HILLS SUPERVISOR: I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE MY CONCERN FOR THE INVESTMENT OF THE WATER USERS OF ROANOKE COUNTY AND MY INTENT TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THAT INVESTMENT THAT THEY HAVE MADE INTO THEIR WATER TREATMENT PLANT, OR EXCUSE ME, THEIR SPRING HOLLOW RESERVOIR AND TREATMENT PLANT.))
[RUNS= :14]
[OUT Q=reservoir and treatment plant.]


And there are many questions that must be answered... What is the value of each system's assets? How much must roanoke city invest for a share of the Spring Hollow Reservoir? How will the authority deal with different rate structures?
All questions that will take time to answer.
[SOT]
[IN Q=The drought we are in today]

((ELMER HODGE/ROANOKE CO. ADMINISTRATOR: THE DROUGHT WE ARE IN TODAY IS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE OVER WE HOPE VERY SOON. BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A YEAR TO MAYBE A YEAR AND A HALF TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT.))
[RUNS= :14]
[OUT Q=work out an agreement.]))



[LIVE=Joe /FULL]


Though officials have had informal meetings Keith and Shannon.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith+Shannon / Joe BAM;]


Negotiations will begin in earnest with the first weekly session on Friday.

[Bridge-Suicide]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC-57:38]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Another state agency has weighed in with ITS opinion on whether a Lynchburg woman's suicide last summer could have been prevented.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]


Teresa Wilkerson died after jumping off the Rivermont bridge last August.
In May, the Department of Rights for Virginians with Disabilities issued a report claiming Wilkerson had been misdiagnosed by the local community services agency.
But now a branch of the state Mental Health Department has found "no" neglect.. local advocates say they're not surprised.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:20:46]
[IN Q=And of course]

((PHIL THEISEN/LYNCHBURG DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS ASSOCIATION: AND OF COURSE THAT HAS CERTAIN LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS IF THEY WERE TO ADMIT THAT THERE WAS ANY WRONGDOING, WHERE DRVD IS NOT CULPABLE FOR THE RESULTS AND THEY'RE REALLY AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY.))
[SUPER=01-Phil Theisen/Lynchburg Depressive Disorders Assoc.]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=an independent agency.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Mental health officials did recommend the C-S-B do a better job documenting patient observations and relocate other clients living near the bridge to reduce the risk of copycat suicides.
(------------)



[Crawford]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-20 TC-2:03:32]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Former Salem High School football star Chance Crawford has taken on Trigon for failure to cover his medical treatments.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Month]

In a motivational talk just a week ago at Cave Spring High School, Crawford sounded upbeat.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:11:05]
[IN Q=I've been very fortunate]
[SUPER=01-Chance Crawford/Quadriplegic]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=since that accident.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

He talked briefly about the play that cost him the use of his legs in the early 80's, but there was no mention of the lawsuit his attorneys filed in federal court today. They say the City's Health Plan Administrator concluded the "pulsed irrigation evacuation" Crawford needs it NOT experimental and SHOULD be covered. But Trigon has turned him down, and now says all of Crawford's appeals have been exhausted.
(------------)




[Bedford-Update]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-28 TC-7:30]
[GRAPHIC=none]

It's taking a little longer than expected to re-open the Eastbound lanes of Route 460 between Thaxton and Bedford.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Monday]

V-DOT had originally hoped to re-open one lane today but were unable to do so because of contaminated soil caused by Monday's tanker accident.
(-----------------)


[Goshen-Bridge]


[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=csc]
[TAPE#=02-16 TC-1:36:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]


After several years of re-construction, the new "Goshen Bridge" is open for traffic.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Goshen]


The new span is in the same location as, and looks like, the original bridge which opened in 1891.
To get that effect, engineers used updated versions of old-fashioned construction techniques..
The old bridge cost 16-thousand dollars to build; the new one -- more than 2-million... paid for by Rockbridge County and state and federal funds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=23:50:32]
[SUPER=01-Claude Napier/Federal Highway Administration]

(("IT IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE DONE WHEN ALL PARTIES CONTRIBUTE TO PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC STRUCTURES."))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=of historic structures]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The old bridge couldn't support the weight of fire trucks but today, a truck from the Goshen volunteer fire department became the first vehicle to cross the new bridge.
(-------------)



[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - the Roanoke Dazzle announces its schedule for next season and it is much improved. Plus, Travis Wells checks in with details of last night's VHSCA all-star hoop game in Hampton.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Bandit - Daniel Berthiaume is headed south for next season. Details of his new deal are on the way.
(------------)


[S-Hoops]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-127 TC720]
[GRAPHIC=Basketball]


Last night in Hampton, J-J Reddick closed out his high school career in the Virginia high school all-star game. The West lost 95 to 82, and Reddick didn't put up monster numbers in the game, but as Travis Wells explains, just the fact that Reddick made it to the game was a feat in itself.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio..]
[SUPER=03-Hampton/VHSCA All-Star Game; :00]
[SUPER=01-J.J. Redick/Scored Seven Points; :10]
[SUPER=@travis1; :50]
[SUPER=01-Chris Smith/West MVP; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]
(----------------)

((J-J Reddick capped off his Tuesday in Hampton the same way he started it 12 hours earlier in Durham, North Carolina.


J.J.:
Reddick tallied just two field goals and finished the game with seven points. Although he endured a tough night, the experience is one that he wouldn't trade.
J.J.:
Travis: Reddick's performance was anything but typical J.J., but he did get everybody else involved, including Northside's Chris Smith who tallied 16 points and took home MVP honors for the West.
Chris : J.J.:
Two other local products also had big nights in their all-star appearance. Martinsville's Kameron King tallied 15 points and Radford's Shane Nichols pumped in nine. In Hampton, Travis Wells, News 7 Sports.))


[S-Dazzle]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-131 0052TC]
[GRAPHIC=Dazzle]


The Roanoke Dazzle released the schedule for its second season in the NBDL this afternoon. The NBDL team will have 25 home dates including 9 Saturday night games.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=AS MUCH AS...]
[SUPER=01-Joe Preseren/Roanoke Dazzle President; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...the FAMILIES."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[super=03-Roanoke;]

The Dazzle also will play two Saturday doubleheaders with the Express. With Hoops taking place at 1pm and hockey in the evening.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I THINK...]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...PRIME DATES."]
(------------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=dazzle]

The team's home opener is Friday night November 15th. The schedule also includes President's Day and New Year's Day games.

[S-Bert]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-125 16:41]
[GRAPHIC=Express]


The Greensboro Generals will hold a news conference tomorrow where the ECHL team will announce the signing of former Roanoke Express goalie Daniel Berthiaume.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]


The Generals are in the Northeast Division with the Express and Berthiaume will play against his old team. Berthiaume also had an attractive offer from Toledo, where former Express assistant Mark Bernard is now coaching, but decided on Greensbooro because the Coliseum where the Generals play is just 93 miles from his home at Smith Mountain Lake. Berthiaume will comute to Greensboro next season and will have the option of an apartment during long homestands.
(------------)


[S-MLB]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-128 832TC]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]


The Major League all-star game last night ended in a tie when both teams ran out of pitchers. It's exactly fiascoes like this that have fans running out of patience for the game. If a work stoppage or strike happens later this summer, remember all-star game night as the sign of things to come.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Milwaukee, WI/Last Night-FOX; :00]

One bright spot for local fans last night was the play of Giles' native Mike Williams. The former Virginia Tech Hokie came on in the third inning for the National stars, struck out two batters and retired the side. Williams, who is now in his 12th season in the big leagues has 25 saves for the Pirates this year with a 1 point 83 ea(------------)rned run average.
by SS