WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/15/02

[Pearl]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

A death sentence for the man behind the kidnapping and murder of "Wall Street Journal" reporter Daniel Pearl.
This morning, a judge convicted Omar Saeed and three accomplices in a Pakistani courtroom.
Susan McGinnis has details.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Raja Qureshi/Chief Prosecutor; :09]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; 1:09]
[SUPER=01-Susan McGinnis/Reporting; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=McGinnis, CBS News, New York.]
((
PKG

(NATS)

IF HIS APPEALS ARE UNSUCCESSFUL OMAR SAEED (sy-EED') WILL BE EXECUTED.... BY HANGING. THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE KIDNAPPING AND DEATH OF DANIEL PEARL.
02:03:08(SOT-RAJA QURESHI/CHIEF PROSECUTOR)
"life imprisonment has been awarded to the three accused, on the charges of conspiracy, on the charges of kidnapping for ransom, and on the charges of murder"
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTER WAS RESEARCHING PAKISTAN'S ISLAMIC EXTREMIST MOVEMENT WHEN HE CAME FACE TO FACE WITH IT IN KARACHI ON JANUARY 23RD. SHORTLY AFTER HIS DISAPPEARANCE E-MAILS CONTAINING A LIST OF DEMANDS AND THREATENING PICTURES WERE RELEASED. AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY PUT THEIR FOCUS ON SAEED (sy-EED'). THE BRITISH BORN ISLAMIC EXTREMIST HAD TARGETED FOREIGNERS BEFORE.
(file 1994)
IN 19-94 HE KIDNAPPED THREE BRITISH AND ONE AMERICAN TOURIST. HE WAS CONVICTED AND SPENT FIVE YEARS IN AN INDIAN PRISON. AFTER HIS ARREST SAEED TOLD AUTHORITIES PEARL WAS DEAD. AT FIRST THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM. UNTIL THEY RECEIVED A GRUESOME VIDEO... SHOWING PEARL'S EXECUTION AND THEN DECAPITATION. THAT SAME VIDEO WAS SHOWN DURING THE TRIAL. LAWYERS LATER SAID THE FOUR DEFENDANTS SAT MOTIONLESS WHILE IT PLAYED...

(NATS)

AFTER THE KIDNAPPING MARIANNE PEARL PLEADED FOR HER HUSBAND'S RELEASE. NOW HER FOCUS WILL BE TO RAISE HER NEWBORN SON. A CHILD DANIEL PEARL NEVER MET.
STANDUP: TODAY'S VERDICT IS NOT THE END OF THIS INVESTIGATION. AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ARE STILL HUNTING DOWN SEVEN MORE SUSPECTS. SUSAN MCGINNIS, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.

))[Lindh]

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

Attorneys for the so- called American Taliban John Walker Lindh will be in court today in Alexandria.
They'll be asking that statements Lindh made to U-S forces in Afghanistan be thrown out.
They say those statements about al- Qaida and Osama bin Laden were made before Lindh was advised of his rights.

His trial begins next month.

[Traficant]

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

Convicted Ohio Congressman Jim Traficant goes before the House Ethics Committee today.
Traficant was charged last month with engaging in a " continuing pattern and practice of official misconduct."
The allegations include accepting kickbacks and encouraging the destruction of evidence.
The charges followed his April conviction on bribery and racketeering charges.
Traficant could ultimately face expulsion from Congress.

[11YWCA]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-04 TC-1:52:48]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[!!!ANCHOR TAG!!!]
Roanoke's Y-W-C-A is seeking help to keep its aquatics program for kids with mental and physical disabilities afloat.
Justin McLeod has more on the problem and the fight to save the program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :04]
[SUPER=01-Kim Simms/Physical Therapist; :19]
[SUPER=@justin1; :41]
[SUPER=01-Paula Jones/YWCA Executive Director; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-Russ Harbugh/Father; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Roanoke]
((((NAT SOUND OF KIDS IN POOL))
This is a place where no matter how much you try you can't wash away these smiles.
[SOT 20:36:32]
[IN Q=It's a mircale]
((RUSS HARBUGH/FATHER: IT'S A MIRACLE. IT'S A MIRACLE.))
[Runs= 02]
[OUT Q=It's a miracle]

A miracle thanks to the Kids Special Situations Program or KISS as it's commonly known.
It's a program that helps kids with mental and physical disabilities.
[SOT 20:31:29]
[IN Q=We've had children]
((KIM SIMMS/PHYSICAL THERAPIST: WE'VE HAD CHILDREN HERE THAT DID NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH ANYBODY WHEN THEY FIRST CAME INTO THE POOL.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=into the pool]

That's pretty significant when you consider most of these kids need assistance just to walk.
So twice a week they come here to the YWCA in Roanoke for therapy.
The pool allows these kids to move freely, and within time they sharpen their physical as well as their social skills.
[SOT 20:38:28]
[IN Q=It costs nearly 16,000]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: IT COSTS NEARLY 16-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR TO PUT ON THIS PROGRAM. ALL OF THAT FUNDING FOR NEXT YEAR, ON THE STATE, LOCAL, AND FEDERAL LEVEL HAS BEEN CUT. THAT IS WHY THE COMING MONTHS WILL BE CRITICAL AS TO WHETHER THIS PROGRAM STAYS OR GOES.))
[Runs= 13]
[OUT Q=stays or goes]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF KIDS IN THE POOL))
In response to the money crunch, the YWCA plans to hold several fundraisers in the coming months.
First up? A swimathon.
[SOT 20:35:05]
[IN Q=I would encourage everyone]
((PAULA JONES/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF YWCA: I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO JUST BE PART OF THIS OPPORTUNITY AND HELP US, HELP US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE A NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=in our community]

It is a need that is currently used by just eight kids.
The "Y" hopes increased participation, a slight rise in program fees, and help from the community will keep this program from going under.
[SOT 20:37:10]
[IN Q=I think you have to see]
((RUSS HARBUGH/FATHER: I THINK YOU HAVE TO SEE THESE KIDS AND THE EFFECT IT HAS ON THEM BUT IT IS MONEY WELL WORTH IT, WELL SPENT.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=well spent]

An investment that will keep these kids afloat for many years to come. (SHOT AT 20:26:38)
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke.))

(XXXXXX)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE SWIM A THON #1000 FS]

If you would like to take part in the swim-a-thon, you can call 540-345-9922.
It takes place from Friday July 26th to Sunday July 28th.
(XXXXXX)

[11Soft-Girls]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC-26:26]
[GRAPHIC=Softball]

The Roanoke Valley is trying to hit a homerun with another major sporting event.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

The valley is hosting the N-S-A girls "Class B" Fast Pitch "Softball World Series".
The tournament got underway yesterday with the opening ceremonies at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium.
For the players, the week long event is more than just about playing softball.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:06:46; 20:08:48; 20:09:28]
[IN Q=It's just exciting]
((MARIA DOOLEY/ROANOKE PLAYER: IT'S EXCITING AND FUN. AND YOU GET TO MEET SO MANY NEW PEOPLE AND GET TO HANG OUT WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON THE SOFTBALL TEAM.)) ((KAYLA GERHART/PENNSYLVANIA PLAYER: IT'S DIFFERENT CAUSE LAST YEAR WE WERE IN NORTH CAROLINA SO IT IS LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM PENNSYLVANIA LIKE THE DIFFERENT ACCENTS AND MEETING DIFFERENT PEOPLE SO IT'S FUN.)) ((TAWNA DANGER/FLORIDA PLAYER: VERY EXCITED, NOT EVEN NERVOUS. WE'VE COME TO WIN.))
[SUPER=01-Maria Dooley/Roanoke Player; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kayla Gerhart/Pennsylvania Player; :07]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=we've come to win]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Three hundred teams and nearly 20-thousand spectators are expected for this year's world series.
(------------)

[Med-Day]

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

In medical news, a new poll found that a vacation may make you more tired than when you left.
Susan McGinnis has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Susan McGinnis/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

((RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND A GENE THAT APPEARS TO INCREASE THE ODDS A PERSON WILL DEVELOP ASTHMA. THE STUDY, REPORTED IN THE ONLINE ISSUE OF 'NATURE', ADMITS IT'S TOO SOON TO TELL HOW POTENT THE GENE IS. THE MOST RESEARCHERS WILL SAY IS HAVING VARIANTS OF THE GENE, CALLED ADAM 33, INCREASE THE ODDS OF LUNG TROUBLE.
COUPLES WHO HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET PREGNANT AFTER ONE YEAR, WILL PROBABLY CONCEIVE THE SECOND YEAR. THAT INFORMATION FROM A NEW STUDY PRESENTED AT A MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF HUMAN REPRODUCTION. THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT EVEN COUPLES IN THEIR LATE 30'S HAVE A 91 PERCENT CHANCE OF GETTING PREGNANT NATURALLY WITHIN TWO YEARS. DOCTORS SAY THIS SHOULD CONVINCE COUPLES NOT TO RUSH TO FERTILITY CLINICS.
HAVE YOU EVEN RETURNED FROM A VACATION FELLING MORE TIRED THAN WHEN YOU LEFT? YOU'RE NOT ALONE. IN A NEW GALLUP POLL MORE THAN HALF OF AMERICANS SURVEYED SAID THEY CAME HOME TIRED. WHY? MANY PEOPLE STAY UP LATER AND WAKE UP EARLIER ON VACATION. PLUS MANY HAVE A HARD TIME SLEEPING IN UNFAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.
AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE DAY'S TOP HEALTH STORIES. I'M SUSAN MCGINNIS, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

[11Salem-Fair]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-19 TC-1:01:55]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The wet weather didn't dampen spirits at the final weekend of the Salem Fair.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
Officials say attendance was down nearly twenty percent this weekend because of the rainy weather. But they're still confident attendance will top 300-thousand this year making it the largest ever. Those numbers have planners already thinking about next year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:56:48]
[IN Q=We're working on planning]
((CAREY HARVEYCUTTER: WE'RE WORKING ON PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR'S FAIR, TALKING TO CERTAIN ENTERTAINMENT ACTS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BACK, LOOKING AND TALKING TO BOOKING AGENTS ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT ACTS THAT CAN TAKE THE PLACE OF SOME THAT HAVE BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS, LOOKING AT WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE ON THIS YEAR'S EVENT, MAKING IT BIGGER AND BETTER FOR THE 16TH ANNUAL FAIR THAT OPENS NEXT YEAR ON JULY THE 3RD.))
[SUPER=01-Carey Harveycutter/Director of Civic Facilities]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=on July the 3rd]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This weekend's rainy weather is not a total loss for the fair.
Each year, the fair purchases insurance to cover any losses due to the weather.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Henry-Abduction]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Henry County man has been arrested on charges that he abducted and raped his estranged wife. 38- year old William Garrett Foster is being held without bond for allegedly abducting his wife at gunpoint Saturday night. Investigators say this is the second time Foster has been charged with crimes against his spouse. In April-- Foster was arrested and charged with the attempted murder and battery of his wife.

[11Police-Cameras]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC-40:21]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Some high-tech equipment has been added to Botetourt County's patrol cars... The process was sped up after Pittsylvania County Deputy Frankie Betterton was shot and killed during a traffic stop in May. Jennifer Wishon explains the roles cameras will play for both the deputies and public.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's more for the]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :13]
[SUPER=01-David Dillow/Botetourt Co. Deputy; :]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Sprinkle/Botetourt Co. Sheriff; :54]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Wishon/Reporting; 1:37]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7]

(([SOT 1:03:10]
[IN Q=It's more for]
((DEPUTY DAVID DILLOW: IT'S MORE FOR THE PUBLIC THAN IT IS FOR US...IT KEEPS THE OFFICERS IN LINE AS WELL AS THE EVIDENCE.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=as the evidence]
David Dillow is a deputy for the Botetourt County Sheriff's office and he's showing off the camera in his patrol car.

The sheriff's office budgeted for the new technology that has a price tag of about 4- thousand dollars.
[SOT 1:01:48]
[IN Q=I like the]
((DEPUTY DAVID DILLOW: I LIKE THE CAMERA-- EVERYTHING I DO IS RECORDED. AS LONG AS I DON'T MAKE A MISTAKE I'M FINE.))

[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=mistake I'm fine]
Any time the emergency lights are activated, (video of lights) the camera starts recording every move the deputy or his subject makes.
[SOT 59:17]
[IN Q=Sir I need your]
((SIR I NEED YOUR LICENSE AND REGISTRATION))
[OUT Q=and registration]
And the end result can prove very helpful in court.
[SOT 1:01:01]
[IN Q=The major difference]
((DEPUTY DAVID DILLOW: THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IS WITH DUI RELATED INCIDENTS. YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE RIGHT OFF THE BAT AS SOON AS YOU GET BEHIND THE VEHICLE THE EVIDENCE BEGINS. WHEN YOU GO TO COURT YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE...IT'S NOT JUST YOUR WORD AGAINST THEIRS.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=word against their's]
Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle agrees.
[SOT 01:09:45]
[IN Q=A lot of times]
((SHERIFF RONNIE SPRINKLE: A LOT OF TIMES IF AN ATTORNEY KNOWS YOU HAVE A TAPE OF HIS SUSPECT THEN THEY WON'T CONTEST THE TAPE.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=contest the tape]
Deputies also wear microphones... so when an officer enters a building or is out of the camera's eye his conversations are still recorded.
[SOT 01:04:32]
((NATS OF DEPUTY DILLOW TALKING)) About half of the County's 24 squad cars are already equipped with cameras. Sheriff Sprinkle is hoping the cameras will make the officer's better at what they do.
[SOT 01:13:21]
[IN Q=We had one]
((SHERIFF RONNIE SPRINKLE: WE HAD ONE TO MAKE A FELONY STOP THE OTHER NIGHT--WE DID SEE SOME THINGS IN THE STOP WE DIDN'T LIKE...WE PULLED HIM IN AND SHOWED HIM WHAT WE DIDN'T LIKE.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUT Q=we didn't like]
[SOT]
[IN Q=In fact, every]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: IN FACT EVERY TRAFFIC STOP IS REVIEWED... AND THERE'S NO CHANCE OF AN OFFICER ALTERING THE TAPES BECAUSE THEY'RE LOCKED UP IN THE TRUNK. JENNIFER WISHON, NEWS 7.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7]))

[1st-Business]

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

In business news, There's confirmation this morning that Pfizer has agreed to buy rival drug maker Pharmacia for 60 billion dollars in stock. A joint news release from both companies cites a rapidly changing pharmaceutical industry as one of the reasons for the merger. The deal would create the world's biggest drug company.
Here's Trish McShane with a look at the rest morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Trish McShane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=:57]
[OUT Q=in Washington.]

((
THIS WEEK'S FLOOD OF CORPORATE EARNINGS MAY OFFER WALL STREET A BIT OF RELIEF... AFTER LAST WEEK'S BRUTAL SELL-OFF THAT DROVE STOCKS TO THEIR LOWEST LEVELS IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS.
--------------------------

IT'S A WELCOME SIGHT.. DURING THIS SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON.. GASOLINE PRICES HAVE REMAINED VIRTUALLY "UNCHANGED" OVER THE PAST THREE WEEKS.
ACCORDING TO THE LUNDBERG SURVEY OF 8-THOUSAND STATIONS ACROSS THE LOWER FORTY EIGHT.. GAS AVERAGED $1.44 ON FRIDAY.. THAT'S FOR ALL GRADES.
PRICES FELL 1-10TH OF A CENT A GALLON SINCE JUNE 21ST....REGULAR IS AVERAGING $1.41 MID-GRADE IS AT $1.51 AND PREMIUM AT $1.60
ANALYST TRILBY LUNDBERG SAYS CURRENT PRICES ARE ABOUT SIX CENTS LOWER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR.
--------------------------

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

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

[Orca]

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

An orphaned orca is back in the ocean with her friends today--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-British Columbia;]

Over the weekend, the baby orca was released into Canadian waters off Vancouver Island.
Scientists hope she'll join other killer whales in the area.
She was captured a month ago after being found wandering the waters surrounding Seattle by herself.
Authorities were worried about her health and safety.
(------------)

[11Ringgold-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-16 TC-1:43:55]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A Pittsylvania County fire department is beginning to rebuild after last year's devastating fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;]
Construction on the new Ringgold fire department just off of Route 58 is half way completed. You may remember a fire destroyed the old station and three fire trucks last December. The new facility will house a meeting and training room, more trucks, and expanded services.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:17]
[IN Q=We're looking at going]
((MIKE NEAL/FIRE CHIEF: WE'RE LOOKING AT GOING TRANSPORT. WE HAVE ONE TRUCK THAT WE CAN DO THAT WITH NOW BUT WE'RE KEEPING THE FIRST RESPONDER. WE HAVE A NEW TRANSPORT ON THE LINE AND WHEN WE GET MOVED IN AND GET OUT TRUCKS HERE THEN WE'LL LOOK AT GOING TO TRANSPORT SERVICES IN THE AREA HERE.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Neal/Fire Chief]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=in the area here]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new fire station will cost nearly 375-thousand dollars and should be up and running by September. In the meantime, the fire department continues to work out of a nearby business with donated equipment.
(------------)

[Paramount]

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

The stars were shining in Hollywood last night, as one of the entertainment industry's oldest studios celebrated its 90th birthday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

Comedians Jim Carey and Leslie Nielson joined legendary performer Mickey Rooney for Paramount Studios' big night.
The all- star gala was held on the Paramount lot.
Many of the celebrities were asked what their favorite Paramount films were-- most said there were just too many of (------------) them to pick just one.