WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 08/02/02

[1-News-Head]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A proposal to create separate lanes for cars and trucks on I-81 gets pulled over on the shoulder.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
And Virginia needs to get out the liquor store business, according to a former governor.

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

In sports, UVa basketball standout Travis Watson earns a huge preseason honor, a former Hokie and Cavalier are trying to make the Redskins,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and a Northside soccer senior is headed to England to try out with the pros.
(------------)

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

Not a bad weekend as long as you think cool thoughts. Nineties and not much of a shower threat. Details coming up.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 3-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:17]
[IN Q=There is no doubt]
((PHILIP SHUCET: THERE IS NO DOUBT I DON'T BELIEVE IN ANYONE'S MIND THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH INTERSTATE 81.))

[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=with interstate 81]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

V-DOT's commissioner makes an important decision regarding the future of Interstate 81.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
Shannon is off tonight.

[Star-Solutions]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-26 TC43:29]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 6]

One plan to improve I-81 came to a screeching halt this afternoon.
A coalition of road construction companies calling themselves Star Solutions wants to widen the roadway and charge trucks a toll to pay for it.
But today V-DOT sent back the proposal.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Justin /Microwave;]

Justin McLeod is out on Interstate 81 to tell us why. Justin?
Keith, V-DOT says the decision had nothing to do with the proposal itself and everything to do with timing.
[LIVE= /FULL]
[SUPER=@justin1]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.]

V-DOT is currently conducting its own study on the future of this interstate.
And although it won't be completed for several months, V-DOT says it will accelerate not halt plans for I-81.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF COMISSIONER TALKING]
[SUPER=01-Philip Shucet/VDOT Comissioner; :00]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=IN THE WISEST FASHION]
((((NAT SOUND OF COMMISSIONER TALKING AT THE PODIUM))
And with that, Star Solution's proposal has hit a roadblock.
[SOT 21:34]
[IN Q=It's not competely dead]
((PHILIP SHUCET/V-DOT'S COMMISSIONER: IT'S NOT COMPLETELY DEAD IN MY MIND. IT GOES BACK TO THEM.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=back to them]

What goes back is this-- a proposal to widen the interstate and create seperate lanes for cars and trucks.
Star Solutions didn't want to rely entirely on taxpayers and would charge truckers a toll to pay for the project.
Construction was set to begin in 2005 and be finished by 2020.
[SOT 21:52]
[IN Q=When we put our vision]
((PHILIP SHUCET: WHEN WE PUT OUT OUR VISION FOR I-81 WE MAY FIND OUT THE STAR SOLUTIONS IS THE BEST PROPOSED SOLUTION.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=proposed solution]

But first, V-DOT wants to look at all proposals.
It's conducting a study of I-81 that should be completed by October first.
[SOT 23:25]
[IN Q=I believe we can]
((PHILIP SHUCET: I BELIEVE WE CAN SPEED THE SCHEDULE OF I-81 NOT DELAY IT BECAUSE WE WILL CLEARLY IDENTIFY SOMETHINGS THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=are of importance]

An importance that includes improvements to I-81 right away.
More than 37 million dollars worth of safety measures have already been given the green light.
But as for a final solution for the interstate, V-DOT is asking motorists to be patient.
[SOT 11:35]
[IN Q=I take very dearly]
((PHILIP SHUCET: I TAKE VERY DEARLY THE OBLIGATION TO MAKE SURE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S YOUR MONEY I'M SPENDING AND THAT YOUR MONEY IS SPENT IN THE WISEST FASHION.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=the wisest fashion] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]

Star Solutions faxed us a statement this afternoon.
They don't see this as a setback in fact they plan to move forward and re-introduce this proposal in the future.

[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Justin /Microwave;]

Keith, one other note, you may remember the trucking industry strongly opposes the Star Solutions proposal.
The commissioner says that opposition did not play any role in this decision.

[77-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
An accident in Carroll County on Interstate-77 is causing long delays for drivers... V-DOT says one of the southbound lanes near mile marker two is closed and will remain so until about 9 pm. Drivers are encouraged to take another route.

[Virginia-Power]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-17 TC1:56:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Union Workers at Virginia Dominion Power are on the picket line tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clover]

Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers went on strike at noon, after eight months of negotiations failed to produce an agreement.
In Halifax County, 97 hourly workers walked off the job at the Clover Power Plant.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're not trying to bankrupt the company]
((MARK NICHOLS/CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR: WE'RE NOT TRYING TO BANKRUPT THE COMPANY OR DO ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Nichols/Control Room Operator;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=maintain what we have.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The union represents 37- hundred workers in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina... including linemen, electricians, meter readers, and power plant staff.
(------------)

[Henry-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

A Collinsville man is accused of shooting a woman in the head, then fleeing to North Carolina.
Henry County Sheriff's deputies say early this morning they found 39-year old Concepcion Romero on the floor of her apartment.
She was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem with a head wound. Sheriff Frank Cassell says her last reported condition is "stable but serious."
Investigators later arrested 23-year old Jose Rafael Gomez Romero in Winston-Salem and charged him with malicious wounding.
Deputies say he's not related to the victim.

[L'burg-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=02-24 TC1:05:07]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Closing time turned into shooting time outside a Lynchburg restaurant and night club.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]
Police say a "fairly large crowd" was gathered outside "Mario's Pizza" on Bedford Avenue around two AM, when two vehicles pulled up the lot .. and words were exchanged.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=And then at]
((00:48 LT. WAYNE DUFF/LYNCHBURG POLICE: AND THEN AT LEAST ONE PERSON, PROBABLY TWO PEOPLE, FIRE HANDGUNS, AND AS A RESULT, WE HAVE TWO ADULT MALE VICTIMS THAT WERE SHOT IN THE COURSE OF THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Wayne Duff/Lynchburg Police Department;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=in the course of this.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The victims are identified as 18 year old Greg D. Usury (Usher-ee) and 26 year old Jamal R. Davis. No word on their conditions. So far, police have made no arrests.
(------------)

[Wilder-Commission]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-21 TC1:18:10]
[SS=None]

Former Governor Doug Wilder is chiming in on the state's budget problems.
He says cutting inefficient agencies could save the state up to a billion dollars.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Meghan/State Microwave;]

Meghan Muldoon spoke with the former governor today. She joins us now from Richmond.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

Wilder heads up a commission to streamline state government.
He says Governor Warner asked him to identify wasteful spending and that's exactly what he did.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IN A LETTER TO WARNER]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Doug Wilder/Commission Chairman; :19]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=THAT'S MONEY, REAL MONEY.]

((In a letter to Warner, Wilder proposed eliminating five state boards and one cabinet position.
[INSERT PRE-PRO #1 HERE] On his hit list: the Commissions on Local Government and on Human Relations, the State
Competition Board, the Commonwealth Competition Council and the Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council.
[INSERT PRE-PRO #2 HERE] He also thinks the state doesn't need a Secretary of Administration.
[SOT 11:33:20]
[IN Q=THE CRITERIA IS ARE THEY EFFECTIVE?]
[RUNS:18]
[OUT Q=THE TIME TO CUT IS NOW.]

Wilder says these are just his first recommendations and he has several others.
[SOT 11:30:35-44]
[IN Q=I CONSIDER THE SECRETARY OF TECHNOLOGY.]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.]

Wilder said the Commission is also looking into ways the state can save money in their business dealings.
With the state facing its worst revenue shortfall in 40 years, Wilder says his ideas offer real savings.
[SOT 11:35:27]
[IN Q=I THINK WE'LL BE COMING UP WITH PROPOSALS]
[RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=THAT'S MONEY, REAL MONEY.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Wilder also says its about time the government got out of the liquor business.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Meghan /State Microwave;]

He proposes privatizing the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

He's already been jailed and deported by the Israelis... now a local student's ready to head back into harm's way... in Iraq.
He'll tell us why when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus many say this 19th century courthouse just can't handle 21st century business.
But will voters say yes to replacing it?
(----------------)

[Rockbridge-Courthouse]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-18 TC-1:55:24]
[GRAPHIC=02-18 TC1:55:24]
It's a debate that has gone on for years, and now the people will have a final say.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith/Richard/Newsroom;]
Court officials say Rockbridge County's courthouse needs replacing, but just how could it be done? Richard Lesko joins us with more...
[LIVE=Richard /FULL]
[SUPER=@Richard1;]
Well Keith, Rockbridge County and the City of Lexington are both officially on board to replace the courthouse, now they have until November to convince the voters.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-George Honts/Circuit Court Judge; :06]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; ]
[SUPER=01-Jon Ellestad/Lexington City Manager; :54 ]
[SUPER=01-Nancy Stagner/Rockbridge Co. Board of Sups.; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=job done, that's the problem.]
(((//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 13:04]
[INQ=I don't know that...]
((GEORGE HONTS/CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE; I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYBODY KNOWS HOW OLD THE WIRING IN THIS BUILDING IS. BUT THOSE OF US WHO WORK HERE DO KNOW THAT IT'S NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY THE CURRENT WE NEED FOR CURRENT TECHNOLOGY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUTQ=need for current technology.]
Almost everybody agrees that Rockbridge County's aging courthouse is inadequate. Water damage marks the walls on two floors, and the exterior is cracking. Security is another issue. Defendants are dropped off by deputies on a public street, and are held on a courtroom bench while they await their case. Also, officials say the building simply doesn't have enough storage space. Historical documents dating back to the 17 hundreds are stored in the basement along with outdated equipment. Now voters will have to decide whether to build a new courthouse on a new site in a referendum in November's elections.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 01:46]
[INQ=It is a complicated issue...]
((JON ELLESTAD/LEXINGTON CITY MANAGER; IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE. IT'S CERTAINLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CAPITAL ISSUES WE'LL BE FACING IN THE NEXT MANY MANY YEARS, SO IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT QUESTION FOR VOTERS.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUTQ=question for voters.]
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors recently voted 3-to-2 to approve the project. Some are wary of undertaking so massive a project, but others think the 12 million dollar price tag could be absorbed into the county's budget.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 1:14:19]
[INQ=I'm sure that 100...]
((NANCY STAGNER/ROCKBRIDGE CO. BOARD OF SUPS.; I'M SURE THAT 100 YEARS AGO WHEN THIS FINE BUILDING WAS BUILT THERE WAS PROBABLY AS MUCH LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AS THERE IS THIS YEAR. WHEN YOU START CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN TAXES, AND EVERYTHING, IT'S A CONCERN.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUTQ=it's a concern.]
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 18:22]
[INQ=We can't keep...]
((GEORGE HONTS/CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE; WE CAN'T KEEP LIVING IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND GET OUR JOB DONE, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.))
[RUNS= 4]
[OUTQ=that's the problem.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Richard/FULL Newsroom]
Voters still have to approve the referendum to spend more than 12 million dollars to build the courthouse and parking deck.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith/Richard/ Newsroom;]
However, it also takes a vote of the people to move a courthouse to a non-contiguous site. If that part fails, under Virginia law the issue can't be brought up for a vote for another ten years.

[Cinema-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-23 TC59:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Police have one suspect in custody and are looking for a second in connection with a robbery inside a local movie theater...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
19-year-old Brandon Andrews was arrested yesterday. The Blacksburg resident is being charged with armed robbery. He's being held without bond at the Montgomery County jail.
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]
Last month a couple told police they were held up at gunpoint while sitting in a theater at the Regal Cinemas in the New River Valley Mall. No one was hurt. Authorities say they're still looking for a second suspect in the case.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

On Wall Street a week that opened with a big rally, ended in a big sell-off. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/193.49/8313.06/y/32.12/1247.88;]

The DOW dropped 193 points.
NASDAQ fell 32.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/1.43/47.17/i/1.35/31.06/i/2.19/66.70/i/1.29/63.51/i/0.81/15.36;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.27/5.45/i/0.29/58.08/i/0.11/54.77/i/1.90/29.50/i/1.69/15.71;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.30/46.70/i/0.30/18.88/i/1.23/18.96/h/0.01/2.09/h/0.09/45.21;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.30/11.93/i/0.57/63.17/h/0.62/31.98/i/0.79/34.01/i/1.30/46.10;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Musselman]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-25 TC1:09:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The young peace activist from Roanoke- -held prisoner by Israeli forces last May- -has a new mission. Deported by Israel for siding with Palestinian protesters, Nathan Musselman is now preparing to take part in a project to block a U-S attack on Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
He leaves for Chicago Sunday to join a group headed for Iraq, despite the fact that U-N sanctions prevent Americans from going to Iraq without special permission.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:20]
[IN Q=If we do]
((IF WE DO THE JOB RIGHT AND WE'RE TO SOME DEGREE LUCKY AND WE GET SUPPORT FROM OTHER AMERICANS, MAYBE OUR HIGHEST HOPES WE BE WE COULD EVEN PREVENT A U.S. ATTACK ON IRAQ.))
[SUPER=01-Nathan Musselman/Peace Activist]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=a U.S. attack on Iraq.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]
He hopes Voices in the Wilderness- -as the group is called- -can at least let Iraqi's know that not all Americans favor U-S bombing of Baghdad. Musselman responds to some tough questions on Iraq and his unconventional views on the Midddle East... in an extended interview on News-7 Sunday morning.

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
We will watch Cave Spring punter Tom Hagan's first boots for the Virginia Cavaliers, a Northside soccer player will play with the big boys overseas,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and former Hokie receiver Emmitt Johnson is trying to make the Redskins.
(------------)

[S-Watson]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-132]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]

Virginia forward/center Travis Watson has been named to the 50 member 2002-2003 Wooden Preseason All-American Basketball team.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
The 6 foot 8 senior led the ACC in four statistical categories last season. Watson averaged 14.1 points a game and was a second team All conference selection.
(------------)

[S-Football]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-126]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]

Freshman UVa punter and former Cave Spring star Tom Hagan
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
practiced with his new team for the first time yesterday. Hagan felt good about the first practice and welcomed advice from coach Groh.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tom Hagan/UVa Freshman Punter; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=..help us get better]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Now the Cavaliers got a brief scare after practice yesterday when former Fleming star and UVa defensive back Jermaine Harder had to be carted out of the locker room do to cramps and exhaustion after conditioning. He was OK and practiced in the afternoon.
(---------------)

[S-Longshots]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-104 13724TC]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]

The Redskins are in Osaka, Japan preparing for tomorrow night's American Bowl against the 49ers. Tonight, Mike Stevens talks with a former Hokie and a former Cavalier who hope to make the Skins roster.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Carlisle, PA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Emmett Johnson/Redskin Rookie Receiver; :28]
[SUPER=01-Dustin Keith/Redskins Center from UVa; :39]
[SUPER=@mike2; :56]
[RUNS=2:09]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(( Steve Spurrier has promised that most of the young guys on his first NFL roster will play the most while in Japan. He wants to see if someone on the bubble is capable of stepping up and making the team. Perhaps no on fits that bill more than free agent rookie receiver Emmett Johnson out of Tech, and former UVa lineman Dustin Keith. ((EMMETT JOHNSON:)) ((DUSTIN KEITH:)) Keith knows from past experiences that anything can happen when you're six-five and 300 pounds. He was a senior during George Welsh's final season and he was constantly on the move during his career as a Cavalier.

((DUSTIN:)) Johnson played in 22 games his final two season with the Hokies but was limited to just 11 catches last season. He is longshot to make any thing other than the practice squad, but he at six three he's begin given every chance to impress. ((EMMETT JOHNSON:)) Both players hail from the eastern side of the state - Johnson from Chesapeake and Keith from Tabb high school in Yorktown. At the Redskins Training camp - Mike Steven News 7 Sports.))

[S-Soccer]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mdo]
[TAPE#=SP-127 2032TC]
[GRAPHIC=SOCCER]

Rising Northside senior Danny Karbassiyoon has earned a two week training sport with the Arsenal professional soccer team in London, England.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
Karbassiyoon was selected to be one of one hundred and fifty players to attend the Adidas Elite Soccer Program at the beginning of July. He was named the winner of the golden boot award, which means he was the best offensive player at the camp. There were close to two hundred college scouts at this camp, and also the chief scout from Arsenal's program.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="About a week..."]
[SUPER=01-Danny Karbassiyoon/Northside Soccer Player; :00]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q="sorted out."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Karbassiyoon will be with the reserve team, which is a step below the top team. He will be training, working out, and living with these players while he is there. (------------)