WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/06/03

[11Water-Restrictions]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC-8:29]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

The City of Roanoke will hold a press conference later today to discuss water conservation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :25+]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove;]
Carvins Cove is currently sitting at 9-point-6 feet below the spillway.
That's about three feet shy of the 6 feet the cove normally sees during the month of January. It's not known whether the city will relax or suspend water restrictions today, or continue to ask citizens to conserve. Partial mandatory water restrictions were imposed last February.
(------------)

[11Courthouse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC1:09:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Roanoke City courthouse has beefed up security. Visitors will have to pass through metal detectors upon arrival.
(------------)
[V/O-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The sheriff's office says it'll be no different than airport security measures already in effect. In fact, like the airport, the sheriff recommends people arrive an hour before they're scheduled to be in court in order to get to the courtroom on time. The stepped up security was brought on by September 11th. It has just taken a while to get a plan in place.
(------------)

[Suicide-Bombings]

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

It was a bloody weekend in Israel.
Two terrorists blew themselves up in Tel Aviv, killing at least 23 people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza City, Gaza Strip;]

Israel quickly retaliated by firing missiles on a metal workshop in Gaza City.
Several people were injured.
Israeli officials say the shop was used for making weapons.
[SUPER=03-Tel Aviv, Israel;]

The strike came just hours after the double terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, which tore through a crowded mall.
It was the bloodiest attack in six months, but police say it was almost inevitable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We said time and time]
((GIL KLEIMAN/ISRAELI POLICE SPOKESMAN: WE'VE SAID IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT A HUNDRED PERCENT SUICIDE BOMBING (VO) JUST ONE GETS THROUGH AND YOU SEE THE DEVASTATION LIKE HERE TODAY".))
[SUPER=01-Gil Kleiman/Israeli Police Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=see here.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=none]

Israel is also finding non- violent ways to retaliate.
Its Cabinet is blocking Palestinian leaders from attending talks in London aimed at reforming the Palestinian Authority.
Three Palestinian universities are also being closed.

[Bush]

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

House Democrats will un-veil their economic stimulus plan today, one day before President Bush is expected to announce his own plan.
Democratic leaders say it'll create jobs and won't cost as much as Bush's proposals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Meanwhile, the President is back in Washington after a two- week holiday break.
When he presents his economic package tomorrow, it'll likely include an acceleration of tax cuts and tax incentives to prompt more spending by businesses.
(------------)

[11Lexington-Church]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC-1:58:49]
[GRAPHIC=none]

One area congregation is counting its blessings. Yesterday morning, members of Lexington Presbyterian Church returned to the sanctuary a fire destroyed more than two years ago.
Justin McLeod has more on the fire, the finished product, and the faith that kept the church going.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Olivia Patton/Church Member; :15]
[SUPER=01-Francile Elrod/Church Member; :29 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=@justin1; :49]
[SUPER=01-Randy Harrison/Former Pastor; 1:27]
[SUPER=01-Mike Strickler/Church Member; 1:40]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Lexington]
((((NAT SOUND OF CONGREGATION SINGING AT 1:15:34; COVER WITH OUTSIDE LOBBY SHOT AT 1:28:10))
It's a day that's more than two years in the making. (NAT SOUND OF SINGING)
Now Lexington Presbyterian has a permanent place to call home again.
[SOT 50:10]
[IN Q=We're so excited]
((OLIVIA PATTON/CHURCH MEMBER: WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. AND IT'S JUST SEEMS, I REMEMBER THE DAY OF THE FIRE AND IT SEEM THIS DAY WOULD NEVER COME.))
[Runs= 09]
[OUT Q=never come]

Here's the reason why.
In July of 2000 a fire destroyed the sanctuary and the steeple.
[SOT 53:13]
[IN Q=I'm just amazed]
((FRANCILE ELROD/CHURCH MEMBER: I'M JUST AMAZED THAT THEY'VE GOT IT, IT LOOKS IDENTICAL TO THE WAY IT HAD BEFORE.))
[Runs =04]
[OUT Q=it had before]

Just take a look at the pews.
They look exactly like the ones that local craftsman added in 1899.
Outside the church, workers restored the steeple to look the way it did before the fire.
This whole restoration project cost nearly four million dollars.
[SOT 45:27]
[IN Q=Since the fire]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SINCE THE FIRE, WORSHIP SERVICES HAVE TAKEN PLACE HERE IN THE AUDITORIUM. IN MANY WAYS, CHURCH MEMBERS SAY IT HAS BROUGHT THE CONGREGATION CLOSER TO TOGETHER AND THE CHURCH EVEN GREW DURING THAT TIME. THAT IS WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO BEGIN THE SERVICE HERE IN THIS ROOM.))
[Runs= 16]
[OUT Q=in this room]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF BAGPIPES AT 1:00:01))
From there, a procession took place through the streets of downtown Lexington.
The congregation then gathered in front of the church.
The minister knocked on the door and the usher welcomed the congregation in. ((NAT SOUND OF USHER TALKING AT 1:01:40 "MAY YOUR FAITH IN GOD BE AS STRONG AS THESE OLD WALLS. PLEASE JOIN US."))
Many who did saw the restored sanctuary for the first time.
[SOT 49:08]
[IN Q=I wanted to]
((RANDY HARRISON/FORMER MINISTER: I WANTED TO GET THE IMPACT WITH CONGREGATION MARCHING IN AND HAVING THE FIRST SERVICE THERE.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=service there]

Those services will see even more improvements in the future.
The arrival for the church's organ is still five years away.
[SOT 48:05]
[IN Q=We've got a organ]
((MIKE STRICKLER/CHURCH MEMBER: WE'VE GOT AN ORGAN THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT IT IN THAT WAS BEING BUILT FOR A CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO THAT ISN'T QUITE READY FOR THEIRS AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT IN A MONTH OR TWO.))
[Runs= 10]
[OUT Q=month or two]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF HYMN BUT SHOTS OF PEOPLE WALKING OUT AT 51:08))
For now, Lexington Presbyterian is back on its feet.
It is a church whose history is well cemented in the past (SHOT OF FIRE), present, (SHOT OF SERVICE) and the future. (SHOT OF SIGN AT 49:46)
Justin McLeod, News 7, Lexington.))

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, General Motors is expected to announce later today that it's planning to offer a variety of hybrid cars over the next four years. Hybrids draw power from two different energy sources, typically a gas or diesel engine combined with an electric motor. The hybrid options will be offered later this year with the G-M-C Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado pickups for use in commercial fleets. In other news, Wall Street opens the first full trading week of 2003 after a mixed close on Friday.
Ed Crane has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ed Crane/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=I'm EC, CBS Marketwatch, NY]
((GOOD MORNING. THE ANSWER IS NO, THE DOW COULD NOT SUSTAIN THE BIG RALLY THAT OPENED 2003. BUT TRADERS SAY, THE FEARED WAVE OF PROFIT TAKING OFF THURSDAY'S TRIPLE DIGIT GAIN DIDN'T HAPPEN.

(gr)
THE DOW LOST ABOUT 6 POINTS

(gr)
WHILE THE NASDAQ HELD ON FOR A 2 POINT GAIN.

(oc)
ONCE A DOW DARLING HOME DEPOT HAS BECOME A FIXER UPPER STOCK.

(gr)
FRIDAY IT SLID TO A 5 YEAR LOW...THE COMPANY BLAMES POOR HOLIDAY SALES AS IT ISSUES IT'S SECOND EARNINGS WARNING IN 2 MONTHS. HOME DEPOT WAS THE WORST PERFORMER ON THE DOW LAST YEAR. DOY-CHA BANK HAS PUT A SELL RATING ON THE CHAIN

(gr)
EVEN AS IT PUT A BUY RATING ON EASTMAN KODAK.KODAK WAS THE BEST PERFORMER OF THE DOW 30 IN 2002, AND DOY CHA BANK LIKES THE WAY THE COMPANY'S ADJUSTING TO THE ADVENT OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

(oc)
IT WAS A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER FOR CARMARKERS, EACH OF THE BIG 3 POSTING GAINS LAST MONTH, BUT ALL 3 POSTED LOSSES FOR THE FULL YEAR. G-M IS EXTENDING IT'S REBATE AND ZERO FINANCING PROGRAM AFTER SALES SIZZLED UP 36 PERCENT IN DECEMBER

(gr)
STARBUCKS REPORTS A BILLION DOLLARS IN SALES FOR IT'S LAST QUARTER, THATS A LOT OF LATTES, BUT THE STOCK CLOSED LOWER FRIDAY. OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE WAS ALSO GRILLED BY INVESTORS AFTER REPORTING HOLIDAY SALES WERE DOWN 3 PERCENT.

(oc)
WALL STREET PERSONNEL SHOULD BE BACK AT FULL STRENGTH TODAY, AFTER LONG HOLIDAY VACATIONS, THAT COULD CUT DOWN THE VOLATILITY OF RECENT SESSIONS, BUT THERE ARE TWO WILD CARDS THIS WEEK. OIL IS TRADING ABOVE 33 DOLLARS A BARREL AND GOLD HAS HIT A 7 YEAR HIGH CLOSING ABOVE 350 DOLLARS PER OUNCE.

(gr)
GET MORE BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS ROUND THE CLOCK AT CBS DOT MARKETWATCH.COM

(oc)
AT THE NASDAQ MARKETSITE, I'M ED CRANE CBS MARKETWATCH.))

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

[Daschle]

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

The new year brings another name to the list of Democratic candidates running for President in 2004.
Senator Tom Daschle says he's considering a run for the White House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

After meeting with constituents in South Dakota this weekend, Daschle says he's leaning in that direction.
If Daschle decides to run, he would join Senators John Kerry and John Edwards.
Congressman Dick Gephardt is expected to form an exploratory commitee, and Senator Joe Lieberman is expected to announce soon that he, too, will run.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

Defiant words today from Saddam Hussein.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

In a televised speech marking Iraq's Army Day, Saddam accused U-N inspectors of engaging in "intelligence work" instead of searching for weapons of mass destruction Iraq denies having.
But he didn't say if Iraq would stop cooperating with the inspectors.
Saddam also accused the U-S of trying to push the U-N inspectors to go beyond their duties, saying America is trying to get inspectors to be more aggressive in their questions about Iraq's arms programs.
(------------)

[11Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=FdBack]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A story about an unusual sentence for a drunk driving fatality is the topic in our viewer mail.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has this week's Feedback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Animation Open]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount/December 31, 2002; :06]
[SUPER=01-Donna Muse/Victim's Daughter;]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=Animation Close]
((As part of his sentence for drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter, Aaron Mathis has to visit the grave of the man he killed.
As before, on this past New Year's Eve, relatives of the victim were there too. ((DONNA MUSE/VICTIM'S DAUGHTER: IT'S HARD ON THE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY THE GRAND KIDS, TO COME AND SEE HIM. HE DON'T HAVE ANY REMORSE FOR WHAT HE DONE. )) [RUNS:09]
That comment about remorse brought a letter from a viewer in Roanoke (Patricia Edwards).
"His punishment was dealt out by the law, and he is having to deal in his heart and mind, and his conscience what he has done. He is the one that has to live with it. I don't appreciate or agree with the remarks the family member made about him not showing remorse. I think the fact he has stopped drinking says enough...He is there when they're there, and he's doing his part. Let peace and forgiveness do the rest."
Your thoughts about our news coverage and issues in the news are always welcome at News-7.
Send them along by mail...fax...or email.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[General-Assembly]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The General Assembly returns to Richmond on Wednesday to commence a 48-day session.
Lawmakers will focus on fixing a budget two-point-one Billion dollars out of balance. Money issues aside, Republicans have an ambitious conservative social agenda this year on such issues as new restrictions on abortion, tuition tax credits for private school students, gun rights and additional tax breaks. Legislators will also discuss a constitutional amendment that would allow Virginia governors to run for a second consecutive term.

[11Car-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC-1:03:10]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed four cars in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19+]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Police say this white car caught on fire on Fourth Street downtown shortly after 8 o'clock last night. The driver then turned into a gated parking lot, and got out of the car. The car then rolled into two tow-trucks, igniting both. Eventually the fire spread to a van parked nearby. (------------)