WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/17/02

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

The White House is dismissing Iraq's offer to allow U-N weapons inspectors to return, no strings attached.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

A spokesman says the key issue isn't inspections, but disarmament.
Iraq made the offer Monday to the United Nations.
No word on when the security council will meet to consider the offer.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=none]

Meanwhile, the White House continues to press for a new U-N Security Council resolution that could pave the way for a military campaign against Iraq.

[Terrorism]

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

The U-S government is trying to decide the future of the suspected September 11-th plotter who's now in custody.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Karachi, Pakistan;]

While Pakistani authorities arrested Ramzi (Bin - AL- sheeb) last week, it's the Bush administration that will decide if he faces a civilian court or a military tribunal.
Legal experts say bin al-sheeb fits all the criteria for a military tribunal.
He's not a U-S citizen.
He was captured abroad.
And he's allegedly a member of al-Qaida.
But the first priority for U-S officials is getting information from him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Binalshibh is in position]
((KEN KATZMAN/CONGRESSIONAL TERRORISM EXPERT:BINALSHIBH IS IN POSITION TO UNRAVEL THE ENTIRE SEPTEMBER 11TH PLOT FOR US. IF HE WERE TO TALK I BELIEVE HE ALSO KNOWS THE FATE OF BIN LADEN. ))
[SUPER=01-Ken Katzman/Congressional Terrorism Expert;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=of bin Laden.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Intelligence officials also believe he may have key information that could prevent future terrorist attacks.
(------------)

[11Drought]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-28 TC1:14:10]
[GRAPHIC=Drought]

The National Weather Service says the rain we got over the weekend was just "a drop" compared to what we actually need.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The Weather Service reports about one to three inches of rain fell across the area over the weekend-- enough to help the drought situation short-term, but, not nearly enough to make it go away.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:21]
[IN Q=we're looking]
((STEVE NOGUEIRA/NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: WE'RE LOOKING AT MANY MANY MONTHS OF BELOW NORMAL RAINFALL, THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO STRAIGHTEN THAT OUT IS WITH MANY MONTHS OF ABOVE NORMAL RAINFALL.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Nogueira/National Weather Service;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=normal rainfall]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Officials say over the last 20-months, the total rainfall for our area is about 32-inches below the average.
But, because we've been in a dry period for so long, they say we should enter a wetter period sometime in the near future, possibly this winter.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[11Cove]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=02-35 TC31:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove]

Carvins Cove remains 33-point-2 feet below the top of the dam.
77 percent of its capacity is gone.
Officials say the rain the past couple of days may bring the cove's feeder creeks up a bit.
So, the water level in the reservoir could go up slightly.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]

Meanwhile, city officials say they don't anticipate tougher water restrictions.
City manager Darlene Burcham told city council she is impressed with residents' conservation. And she said the city continues to develop other sources of water.

[11Amherst-Water]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-27 TC1:43:16]
[GRAPHIC=Drought]
Much- needed water is finally being pumped into the Amherst County reservoir, now that crews have completed a three- and - a- half mile pipeline from the James River.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]
The county plans to pump about a million gallons of water every day from the James to offset extremely low levels in the Graham Creek reservoir. Officials say mandatory restrictions will still remain in effect.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Extremely serious]
((DAN FRENCH/AMHERST CO. SERVICE AUTHORITY: EXTREMELY SERIOUS, THIS IS THE WORST DROUGHT OF THE LAST 100 YEARS, INCLUDING THE 1930'S DROUGHT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ALL GOT TO DEAL WITH AND CONSERVATION IS A GOOD MODE OF OPERATION EVEN IN NON-DROUGHT YEARS, BECAUSE IT MAXIMIZES THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AVAILABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Dan French/Amherst Co. Service Authority;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=we have available]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The county's reservoir is about seven feet below capacity. Restrictions have cut water usage by about twenty percent... the county's goal is a thirty percent reduction.
(------------)

[6-Campbell-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

A third suspect is in custody for the murder of a Campbell County man last month.
Authorities arrested a 17-year old male yesterday morning and charged him with murder and the use of a firearm in the killing of 26-year old Tony O'Brien Stone August 13th.
Two other men have also been charged with Stone's murder.
Authorities say the motive appears to have been robbery.

[11Officer-Hit]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC 2:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Police are looking for the driver who hit a Roanoke City officer last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Officers were responding to a shooting call at a home in the 18-hundred block of Center Avenue Northwest around 10:30 last night.
Police were at the front and back of the house when a car pulled into the driveway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The officers told]
((LT. BILL BEASON/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT.; THE OFFICERS TOLD HIM THEY WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO HIM A MINUTE. HE GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, PUT IT IN GEAR AND DROVE DIRECTLY AT THE THREE OFFICERS WE HAD BACK THERE. AT THAT TIME, ONE OF OUR OFFICERS WAS STRUCK IN THE LEG.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Bill Beason/Roanoke Police Dept.]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=was struck in the leg.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The driver hit another car parked near the house and took off.
The officer who was hit was not seriously injured, though he was taken to an area hospital.
The shooting call turned out to be a false report.
(------------)

[11Missing-Girl]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-36 TC43:25]
[GRAPHIC=Jennifer Short]

Henry County authorities know more about a man who harassed Jennifer Short's mother... and they're asking the public for help finding him.
Investigators say a white man confronted Mary Short while she was working at Pluma ten years ago... and the man had to be forcibly removed.
They NOW say the man was spotted outside the plant several other times in a white pickup truck.
Employees didn't remember his name, but they helped create two sketches of the man.
They're not being made public.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE PINNACLE]
If you have any information, you're asked to call 276 - 638 - 8751.
Authorities say an obscene answering machine message is apparently NOT related to the murders OR the kidnapping.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The obscene message was left on the family's answering machine for Mary Short two days before the couple was killed and their daughter was snatched from her bed.
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Sheriff Frank Cassell would not disclose WHO left the message... but says investigators identified the person through phone records.
Cassell says the caller has been ruled out as a suspect.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Oracle is expected to release its profit report later today.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((The tech event of the week takes place later today. That's when software giant Oracle releases its profit report. Shares of Oracle slid more than 4 percent ahead of the company's first quarter report, which is slated for release after today's closing bell. Analysts are looking for earnings of 7 cents a share on revenue of more than 2 billion dollars. They especially want to hear Oracle's outlook for future business conditions.
On Wall Street... a possible war with Iraq continues to loom over the markets and this is the week companies will confess if earnings will meet the mark or not.

(graphic)
The dow was able to rally 66 points.
(graphic)
The nasdaq slipping 15-and a half points.

(oc)
Oil stocks continue to be in the spotlight. Members of OPEC meet Thursday to discuss oil production amid fears a U.S. attack on Iraq could devastate global oil production.

(graphic)
Military contractors such as Boeing and United Technologies rallied... that's after Saudi Arabia and Jordan joined the U.S. in calling for Iraq to allow the return of United Nations weapons inspectors.

(animation)
For more go to CBS-dot-marketwatch-dot-com.

(oc)
At the nasdaq, Im Alexis Christoforous in NY.))

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

[Westerfield]

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

A San Diego jury has recommended the death penalty for David Westerfield.
It was the same jury that convicted him of kidnapping and killing seven- year- old Danielle Van Dam in February.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;]

Danielle's parents wept when the jury recommended the death sentence, but left the courtroom will making any comment to reporters.
Despite the jury's recommendation, the judge can sentence Westerfield to life without parole-- instead of death-- at a hearing in November.
(------------)

[11Dutch-Inn]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-37 TC21:37]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local landmark is back in business "100- percent" after rebuilding from a devastating fire...
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Collinsville;]
Collinsville's Dutch Inn is once again a full service hotel, restaurant and lounge. Parts of the location opened earlier this month.
[SUPER=04-March 2001;]
The Inn was closed for 17-months after a fire last March. Officials say renovations are making the business more modern and more accommodating for larger groups.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:08:13 /BUTT/ 23:09:41]
[IN Q=I THINK]
((PAT FLINT/RESTAURANT MANAGER; I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT WITH THE REOPENING BECAUSE WE'VE REALLY HAD GREAT BUSINESS. // WE STARTED SELLING GIFT CERTIFICATES LIKE 3 MONTHS BEFORE WE OPENED AND THAT WAS SO ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE WERE REALLY READY FOR US TO BE BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Pat Flint/Restaurant Manager; :05]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=US TO BE BACK.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Flint says regular customers are back. The Dutch Inn had been operating in Collinsville for over 30-years. It's back just in time to serve fans coming to Nascar's race at Martinsville in October.
(------------)

[6-Bassett]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A furniture giant is relying on a giant size chair to rev up business...
(------------)
[VO-NAT :16]
[SUPER=03-Bassett;]
Yesterday Bassett Furniture introduced "The Big Chair." A 5-thousand pound project ... it took 10-men five months to make. The chair will travel the country to Bassett Furniture Direct store openings as a promotional tool. Its first stop this weekend is Texas...
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:00:44]
[IN Q=right now]
((ROB SPILMAN/PRES. & CEO BASSETT FURNITURE; RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR THE BIG CHAIR WE WANT TO USE IT AS A SELLING TOOL IN FRONT OF OUR STORES AND WE PLAN ON OPENING 20 STORES IN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO WE WANT THIS TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE AND AS WE OPEN STORES WE'RE HOPEFUL WE'LL BE SEEING SOME TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Rob Spilman/Bassett Furniture CEO; ]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=SOMETIME.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The chair was modeled after the company's number one selling Grove Park collection. This is not the first time Bassett has built big - - in 1958 built a big chair for a customer. It still stands in Washington D.C.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Rail-Service]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-39 TC 10:59]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Advocates of passenger rail service hope that one day soon, the TransDominion Express will link Bristol and Richmond, Lynchburg and Washington, DCTERMS.
They're lobbying Virginia lawmakers, but they're also looking toward the Pacific Northwest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:15:54]
[IN Q=It is impressive]
((KAY STRICKLAND/TDE COMMITTEE MEMBER: IT IS IMPRESSIVE HOW THEIR RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE HAS REALLY GROWN IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AND IT'S PROJECTED TO HAVE PHENOMENAL GROWTH.))
[SUPER=01-Kay Strickland/TDE Committee Member]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=have phenomenal growth.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Backers of the TransDominion Express recently visited Oregon and Washington State to ride the Amtrak Cascades.

The train features modern equipment and european style coaches. And on most trips there are few empty seats.
Passenger rail advocates say the state-financed, Amtrak- operated service is an excellent model for Virginia.
(//////////////////)
[SOT 02:19:39]
[IN Q=They started with one train a day]
((ROBERT MANETTA/CARILION HEALTH SYSTEM: THEY STARTED WITH ONE TRAIN A DAY. NOW THEY'RE MAKING HARD PLANS FOR HAVING ONE TRAIN AN HOUR, GOING ALL UP AND DOWN THAT CORRIDOR. WITH 85 PERCENT OCCUPANCY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A HELL OF A SUCCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Manetta/Carilion Health System;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a hell of a success.]
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Given the state's budget problems, additional funding will be hard to come by next year.
But more planning is required, and advocates believe they will have the support of lawmakers when the funding becom

es available.[1st-Business]

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

In business news this morning, -- Industrial production numbers are due out later today.
And, video game lovers will soon be able to play their OWN game.
Here's Stan Turner with a look at the morning's top business stories..
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Turner/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Turner.]
(( GOOD MORNING, HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS TUESDAY, THE 17TH OF SEPTEMBER
-------------------------

WITH MILLIONS OF AMERICANS REPAYING COLLEGE LOANS... ONE LENDER SAYS ANOTHER LENDER IS KEEPING BORROWERS FROM SAVING MONEY.
COLLEGE LOAN CORP CLAIMS SALLY MAE, A NATIONAL STUDENT LOAN COMPANY, IMPROPERLY DENIED THOUSANDS OF BORROWERS THE RIGHT TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR EDUCATIONAL LOANS WITH THE LENDER OF ITS CHOICE.
THAT MEANS PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOANS WITH SALLIE MAE COULD NOT TRANSFER THE LOAN TO ANOTHER LENDER WITH LOWER INTEREST RATES.
SALLIE MAE TOLD THE WASHINGTON POST IT BELIEVES ITS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER COMPANIES IN THE STUDENT LOAN MARKET.
--------------------------

THE ECONOMY WILL STILL GROW EVEN IF THE U-S GOES TO WAR WITH IRAQ.
THAT ACCORDING TO TREASURY SECRETARY PAUL O'NEILL.
TODAY THE MARKETS REACT TO INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION DATA WHICH LOOKS AT THE OUTPUT OF THE NATION'S FACTORIES, MINES, AND UTILITIES.
--------------------------

VIDEO GAME LOVERS WILL SOON BE ABLE TO DESIGN THEIR OWN GAME.
A NEW COMPANY CALLED "INTER-SPACES" PLANS TO ALLOW GAME-MAKERS TO MAKE THEIR OWN WORLDS AND CHARACTERS.
THE COMPANY ALSO PLANS TO ALLOW USERS TO HOST THEIR GAMES ONLINE TOO.
THE INTERACTIVE GAME ASSOCIATION SAYS COMPUTER GAME SALES GREW ALMOST EIGHT PERCENT TO SIX-BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR.
SO FAR, NO WORD ON A PRICE FOR THE SOFTWARE.
-------------------------- AND THAT'S THIS MORNING'S CHECK ON
TUESDAY'S BUSINESS NEWS.
I'M STAN TURNER.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[Tech2002]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=TECH 2002 4854TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH 2002]

It's been said that "You can run, but you can't hide!" With more on HOW that saying applies to this Saturday's Virginia Tech game - here's Mike Stevens with this morning's Tech 2002 Report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[RUNS=2:52]
[OUT Q=...see you later today."]
(---------------)
(( The battle with Texas A & M on Saturday afternoon will feature one of those classic science experiment from the sporting arena - the unstoppable force versus the immovable object. Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones - The Untouchables have helped the Hokies rush for 849 yards in the first three games. That's 283 yards a contest and an average of 5 and half yards a carry. A&M on the other hand - leads the nation in rushing defense. The Aggies have given up just 67 yards all season on 62 carries. That's just one yard a rush. ((R.C.SLOCUM:)) ((LEE SUGGS:)) The other half of the Untouchables - Kevin Jones has been named the Big East offensive player of the week. He had 171 yards and three touchdowns in the rout of Marshall last Thursday. For the season he is averaging 91 yards a game and nearly 7 yards carry. Linebacker Mikal Baaque earned Big East defensive honors. In his third game as a starter the sophomore had 8 tackles a pass breakup and this key interception. Also, Frank Beamer has made it official - Bryan Randall will start against A&M. ((BRYAN RANDALL:)) For the first time this season - the seventh ranked Hokies are not a double digit favorite in the eyes of the oddsmakers. Tech is favored by just 3 points against 19th ranked A&M. Take care folks, I'll see you later today.))
[TAPE TOSSES TO BREAK]
[COMM]

[11Angelone]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-33 TC59:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The head of Virginia's prison system is no longer on the job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wise Co./File Tape]

Ron Angelone, the architect of the state's two super-maximum prisons in Wise County, announced his retirement earlier this year.
The often-controversial prison chief has been on the job for eight-and-a-half years.
A department spokesman says Angelone spent the day cleaning out his office and saying goodbye to staff.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:25:57]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY KILGORE: HE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB IN REDUCING ASSAULTS ON STAFF AND OUR PRISONS AND MAKING OUR PRISONS THE SAFEST IN THE NATION. THE ESCAPE RATE WAS NEGLIGIBLE IN HIS LAST FEW YEARS IN OFFICE WHICH IS A GREAT RECORD TO LEAVE UNDER. HE'S LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT IN A LOT BETTER SHAPE THAN HE FOUND IT.))
[SUPER=@Kilgore]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUTQ=than he found it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Angelone plans to remain in Richmond in semi-retirement, perhaps serving as an expert witness and doing part-time work for other prison systems.
Governor Mark Warner's spokeswoman says the governor is "very close" to naming a new prisons director. (------------)