[Plant-Explosion]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]
Investigators are on the scene of yesterday's explosion at a plant in North Carolina.
Authorities in Kinston say at least three people are dead and dozens are injured.
Jim Acosta is there and has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kinston, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Carolyn Merritt/Chemical Safety Investigator; :12]
[SUPER=01-Greg Smith/Kinston Public Safety Department; :36 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Jim Acosta/CBS News; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Acosta, CBS News, Kinston, NC.]
((
PKG
(NATS)
INVESTIGATORS CAN NOW SIFT THROUGH THE CHARRED RUINS OF A NORTH CAROLINA
MEDICAL PRODUCTS COMPANY AFTER A MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT THE PLANT RATTLED
THIS QUIET HOMETOWN OF KINSTON.
(SOT-CAROLYN MERRITT/CHAIRMAN AND CEO US CHEMICAL SAFETY AND HAZARD
INVESTIGATIVE BOARD)
"the first thing we'll do is try to determine what might have caused
this whether it was a chemical, mechanical or human failure"
FOR HOURS THE BUILDING WAS SO UNSTABLE... FIREFIGHTERS COULDN'T GO IN.
LAST NIGHT CREWS FINALLY WENT INSIDE.... DIGGING THROUGH FEET OF RUBBLE
TO PULL THREE BODIES OUT OF THE TWISTED DEBRIS.
(SOT-Greg Smith/Kinston Public Safety Dept)
"I can't even begin to describe the amount of debris on the ground."
THE BLAST WAS SO SEVERE IT COULD BE FELT FOR MILES.
WITNESSES SAW DEBRIS FLY HUNDREDS OF FEET IN THE AIR.
WINDOWS SHOOK THROUGHOUT THE SMALL TOWN OF KINSTON AS NEIGHBORS COULD
ONLY GUESS WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
(SOT-MOS-butted)
"to me it seemed like an airplane had hit the house"
"I had never anything like it before, it was real loud, boul-yaw, I
thought oh my lord it was an earthquake to tell you the truth, I didn't
know what was going on":11
ABOUT 1-HUNDRED AND 30 PEOPLE WERE INSIDE THE PLANT AT THE TIME.
THE FIRST EMERGENCY CREWS ON THE SCENE RESCUED WORKERS WHO WERE DANGLING
FROM STEEL BEAMS IN THE REAR SECTION OF THE BUILDING.
STANDUP:
ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY THE PLANT MAKES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDING
SYRINGES AND PARTS FOR I-V'S.
AUTHORITIES WON'T SPECULATE INTO WHAT 'MIGHT' HAVE CAUSED THIS EXPLOSION.
THEY DID SAY THE INVESTIGATION COULD TAKE SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.
JIM ACOSTA, CBS NEWS, KINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA.))
[Towers-Fire]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=03-01]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Several Roanoke businesses were damaged as a result of a fire early this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/This Morning]
Firefighters responded to Towers Shopping Center around 1:30.
They say the fire began in the heating and air conditioning unit on the roof above Heartland Bread Company.
That business sustained smoke and water damage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have minimal damage]
[SUPER=01-Bob Hartman/Heartland Bread Company Co-owner;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=baking bread real soon.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
Smoke also affected Radio Shack and Groovy's, but both businesses plan to open on time this morning.
(------------)
[11Missing-Child]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:01:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Authorities in Grayson County are calling the disappearance of a five-year-old boy suspicious.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
His name is Logan Nathaniel Bowman.
Police say Logan hasn't been seen for nearly a month, but his mother, Cynthia Davis didn't report him missing until Sunday.
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co.;]
Logan had been living with his mother and her boyfriend Dennis Schemerhorn in a trailer home outside of Galax.
Both were later arrested for child endangerment, after police learned Logan had been hurt and wasn't taken to the doctor.
[SOT 32:13]
[IN Q=HE HAD WATER BURNS]
((SHERIFF WILSON: HE HAD WATER BURNS, HOT WATER BURNS. REPORTER: WHERE AT? SHERIFF: ON THE LEGS THE BUTTOCKS THE GROIN AREA 33:22))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Wilson/Grayson Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=GROIN AREA]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Davis is still in jail, but her boyfriend is free on bond.
Police say they have questioned Logan's father, Alvin Bowman but have ruled him out as a suspect.
(XXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PINNACLE]
Anyone with information about Logan's disappearance is asked to call the Grayson County Sheriff's office at 276-773-32-41.
(-------------)
[VOB-Ruby-Reserve]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A Floyd County native, husband and father will be temporarily trading in his "day" job to serve his country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Matt (grah-zee-ahnee)Graziani is general manager of the Ruby Tuesday at Valley View Mall.
Earlier this week, the 32- year old found out he's been called to active duty as a reservist with the United States Coast Guard.
Graziani says he's eager to serve his country-- but found it hard yesterday to say good-bye to his co-workers.
The father of three will be leaving on Monday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 09:44:55 09:48:49]
[IN Q=WE'VE GOTTEN TO ]
((MATT GRAZIANI/GENERAL MANAGER: WE'VE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE WE REALLY HAVE A BLAST COMING TO WORK, AND DEVELOPED A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE, AND I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE ARE ANGRY WITH ME LEAVING, ALMOST AS MUCH AS MY WIFE, BUT THEY ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT DUTY CALLS.))
((ANGELA YOUNG/ASSISTANT MANAGER:
WE'RE JUST PROUD OF HIM, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HE'S GOING TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY WELL, AND THAT HE'S GOING TO COME BACK TO US, SAFE.))
[SUPER=01-Matt Graziani/General Manager; :00]
[SUPER=01-Angela Young/Assistant Manager; :19]
[RUNS=26]
[OUT Q=TO US, SAFE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
This is actually Graziani's third deployment since the events of September eleventh.
He says he's not certain where he'll be stationed, or for how long, but knows his mission is to protect American interests overseas.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
Saddam Hussein says he's ready to ``destroy and defeat'' the United States.
In remarks televised on Iraqi T-V, the Iraqi leader says Americans have no right to attack his country, but says he's prepared for the worst-possible scenario.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell says he has evidence that Saddam has been hiding weapons of mass destruction.
Powell says when he presents the findings to the United Nations next week, he'll also offer evidence of Iraqi links to al-Qaida
(------------)
[Shoe-Bomber]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The so- called shoe bomber Richard Reid could learn his fate today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
A sentencing hearing for Reid is scheduled for this afternoon in Boston.
He faces life in prison.
A little over a year ago, Reid attempted to light bombs hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.
His attorneys are asking for a postponement so that they can review classified documents.
(------------)
[6-Norfolk-Southern]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern]
In business news, Norfolk Southern's earnings rose 12 percent in the fourth quarter.
All of the company's lines of business, except coal, saw increased revenues despite a difficult economic environment.
For the year, Norfolk Southern's profit totaled 460 (m) million dollars, up 23 percent from 2001.
[11Glue-Stick]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC28:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A local entrepreneur hopes you will buy a sticky solution for a common problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Locke White is developing a food safe glue that seals items air tight.
He says he got the idea because things in his kitchen kept going stale.
White has a patent pending and is shopping around for a company.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:57:44]
[IN Q=try to find ]
((LOCKE WHITE/PRODUCT DEVELOPER; TRY TO FIND A CORPORATION THAT I CAN WORK WITH WHO HAS THE MONEY AND RESOURCES AND THE MAN POWER THAT I CAN THEN TURN IT OVER TO THEM AND LET THEM RUN WITH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Locke White/Product Developer;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=RUN TO IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
White says the tacky substance can withstand freezer temperatures, work on various packaging including on bowls to help secure plastic wrap, and will wash off with water.
It would only cost a couple bucks if it made it to store shelves but that could take a while.
The process of getting a patent is difficult and extensive.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Business News]
Now here's a look at your local stocks.
[STOCKS]
[COMM][11XGR]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC1:15:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
State legislators have said no several times to higher taxes.
While the session is proving to be easy on taxpayers' wallets, some lawmakers warn it may come at a cost.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
A half dozen tax bills died before Senate and House Committees, including three that would raise the state's cigarette tax, currently the lowest in the nation.
Lawmakers also put the brakes on legislation to bring back the car tax.
Republican lawmakers say it is not the right time to raise taxes.
But some Democrats say Virginians will pay for it one way or another.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:16:22]
[IN Q=YOU PAY FOR IT THROUGH OTHER WAYS]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/D-ROANOKE: YOU PAY FOR IT THROUGH OTHER WAYS SUCH AS RISING TUITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION, RISING INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN ORDER TO COVER THE MEDICAID SHORTFALL AND YOU PAY FOR IT IN THE LOWER QUALITY OF LIFE. SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.))
((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: WE ARE IN A CONSUMER-DRIVEN ECONOMY. OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH DEPENDS ON PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY. AND IF THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THEM, THEY CAN'T SPEND IT.))
[SUPER=@Edwards; :00]
[SUPER=@Bryant; :12]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=THEY CAN'T SPEND IT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Lawmakers also defeated a bill that would fund public education through a one cent increase in Virginia's sales tax.
The measure lost by only one vote.
(------------)
[11LB-Meningitis]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Meningitis]
A teacher at Lord Botetourt High School is hospitalized with meningitis.
The school sent a letter home yesterday with students describing the symptoms and telling them the health department is investigating.
Meningitis which starts with a feaver, headache and stiff neck, is transmitted only through close contact.
Casual contact, like that in classrooms, does not put students at risk for infection.
Principal Allen Brenner says the teacher is recovering.
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[11Train-Station]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC15:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Fire damaged the former passenger station of the Virginian Railway two years ago.
With news that the Norfolk Southern Corporation will donate the property, plans to restore the Roanoke landmark are now moving forward.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Norfolk Southern has agreed to give the station to the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
The group has been working with the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation to secure the building's future, and officials say they will start by repairing the roof.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=My hats off to them]
((BILL TURNER/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: MY HATS OFF TO THEM, AND I JUST PRAISE THE LORD FOR THAT. IT'LL LONG BE REMEMBERED I KNOW IN MY LIFE.))
((THOMAS VICTORY/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: THEY HAD TWO TRAINS RUN A DAY, NORFOLK AND WEST VIRGINIA, AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE THOSE OLD STEAM ENGINES COMING IN HERE.))
((BEN HANCOCK/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD EVER HAPPEN AFTER THE FIRE, I HOPE I LIVE TO SEE IT FINISHED.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Turner/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :00]
[SUPER=01-Thomas Victory/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :07]
[SUPER=01-Ben Hancock/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :13]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=hope I live to see it finished.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The groups have raised enough money to begin repairs, but will seek grants and donations to pay for a full restoration.
(------------)
by SS