WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 02/10/03

[Mornin'-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

V-DOT says to use caution as you head out on the roads this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/This Morning]
Officials say all roads are in minor condition. However, in Giles County and the New River Valley, roads are in moderate condition, which means they are snow covered.
(++++++++)
[TAKE FS VDOT BOARD 4491ESSC]
If you would like more detailed information you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-ROAD.

(+++++++++)[7-11Snow-Days]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC-6:22]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

Some schools have closed or postponed classes due to today's snowy weather.
That combined with all of the other missed days-- could amount to a shortened summer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Collinsville]

Many school systems may soon have to adjust their school calendar to make up for the days missed at school.
In Henry County for example, students have already missed six school days this year because of the weather.
The school system has budgeted for nine, but administrators realize winter is far from over.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:03:05]
[IN Q=We constantly reassess]
((SHARON DODSON/SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: WE CONSTANTLY REASSESS WHERE WE STAND AND DECIDE WHETHER WE HAVE TO DO THINGS LIKE EXTENDED SCHOOL DAYS. WE'RE NOT THERE YET BUT IT IS STILL SNOWING. IT'S STILL WINTER.))
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Superintendent of Schools]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=it's still winter]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

State law requires students to be in school for 180 days or 990 hours a year.
(------------)

[7-11Black-History]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC-47:20]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The U.S Postal service in the Roanoke Valley celebrated Black History Month on Sunday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

More than two hundred people attended the postal service's annual black history program yesterday afternoon at Saint Elias Catholic Church in Roanoke.
Those who attended were treated to a free lunch, plenty of local talent, and several children's activities.
The theme for this year's event was "plant a seed, grow a nation."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:20:13]
[IN Q=Basically it is saying]
((RACHEL IVORY/U.S. POSTAL SERVICE: BASICALLY IT IS SAYING THAT IF WE'RE PLANTING A SEED WHICH ARE THE CHILDREN, WE'RE PLANTING SEEDS, THERE WE'RE GROWING A NATION. THESE OUR ARE CHILDREN OF TOMORROW.))
[SUPER=01-Rachel Ivory/U.S. Postal Service]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=children of tomorrow]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Postal Service's black history program has been going strong now for more than a decade.
This is the first year the event also helped a local charity.
Attendees were asked to donate children's items for the Abused Women's Shelter.
(------------)

[Mornin'-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=02-]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

V-DOT says to use caution as you head out on the roads this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/This Morning]
Officials say all roads are in minor condition. However, in Giles County and the New River Valley, roads are in moderate condition, which means they are snow covered.
(++++++++)
[TAKE FS VDOT BOARD 4491ESSC]
If you would like more detailed information you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-ROAD.

(+++++++++)[45-11City-Parking]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC-1:48:26]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Some changes could be on the way for those who find it difficult to find parking in downtown Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The city study found a deficit of more than 450 parking spaces in the Church Avenue corridor alone.
City officials are considering construction of a parking garage that could serve the courthouse, police department, Red Cross, YMCA, and Jefferson Center.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=One of the things]
((BILL BESTPITCH/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM MOST HAPPY ABOUT JOE IS THE FACT THAT WE'RE THINKING MORE IN TERMS OF STRUCTURED PARKING INSTEAD OF SURFACE PARKING. I JUST THINK THAT DOWNTOWN LAND IS WAY TOO VALUABLE TO HAVE SURFACE PARKING WHEN WE CAN USE THAT FOR SO MANY OTHER GOOD ENTERPRISES IN THE CITY.))
[SUPER=@Bestpitch]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=other good enterprises in the city]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The parking study identified at least four possible sites, but city officials say they want to talk with potential partners before deciding where a new parking garage should be located.
(------------)

[45-11Rke-Parks]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC-5:00]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The City of Roanoke's parks will soon be getting a face lift.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The city plans to demolish and rebuild the restrooms at five parks in Roanoke.
They include the parks at Washington, Loudon, Staunton, Breckinridge, and Garden City.
The new facilities will cost 80-thousand dollars a piece but city leaders say it's money well-spent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:43:40]
[IN Q=There was definetely]
((LAURIE WOOD/PARKS AND RECREATION DEPT.: THERE WAS DEFINITELY NEED FOR THEM. THE FIXTURES OR THE BATHROOMS IN MOST OF OUR CITY PARKS ARE REALLY OLD AND REALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED 11 LAST YEAR AND WE'RE WORKING ON THESE FIVE FOR THIS YEAR. WE EVEN HAD THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS COME OUT AND MEET WITH US TO DECIDE WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST BATHROOMS FOR THEIR PARKS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.))
[SUPER=01-Laurie Wood/Parks and Recreation Dept.]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=in their neighborhoods]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The new bathrooms will have stainless steel fixtures and will be designed to prevent vandalism.
The project should be completed by the summer.
(------------)

[Mornin'-Snow]

(+++++++++)[8-11Snow-Days]

[8-11Henry-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC-45:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Many localities are discovering that this budget season is going to be difficult to manage.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

Leaders in Henry County expect revenues to be flat for the upcoming 2004 budget year.
This will also be the first year the county feels the full effects of the recent closing of V-F Imagewear.
The county is set to lose 1.6 million dollars in revenue from V-F.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:09:48]
[IN Q=VF Imagewear was a major]
((TIM HALL/COUNTY SPOKESPERSON: VF IMAGEWEAR WAS A MAJOR TAX PAYER IN HENRY COUNTY AND OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T HAVE A PRESENCE HERE ANYMORE SO THAT'S GOING TO EFFECT OUR BUDGET AND THAT'S WHERE RIPPLE COMES IN. IF IT EFFECTS THE COUNTY'S BUDGET IT ALSO EFFECTS THE SCHOOL'S BUDGET, IT EFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY'S BUDGET, IT EFFECTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S BUDGET SO THERE IS TOUGH CHOICES AND TOUGH DECISIONS TO BE MADE.))
[SUPER=01-Tim Hall/County Spokesperson]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=to be made]
(+++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Hall says he doesn't see the county raising taxes to make up for any budget shortfall.
The county will hold several public hearings in the next few months before the Board of Supervisors adopts a budget.