[Bedford-DMV]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net C]
[GRAPHIC=DMV Re-opening]
The long drive to D-M-V is about over for Bedford County residents.
The department re-opens its Bedford Customer Service Center later today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT From 02-42 1:16:19]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/October]
The office was one of a dozen shut down last October as a budget-cutting measure. Now it is among the first six to re-open.
It means that anyone needing D-M-V services in the Bedford area no longer has to drive to Roanoke or Lynchburg.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The department promises to re-open the Rocky Mount center four weeks from today.
[VOB-SOL-Delay]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC 2:02:42]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The snow days that are continuing to pile up are creating a new set of problems for state education officials.
In a little less than two weeks, students around the state are scheduled to take a portion of the standards of learning exam.
But with so much "time off" because of snow, the state is considering delaying the test by a week or more.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
Students in 5th, 8th and 11th grade are scheduled to take the writing exam beginning March 3rd.
Yesterday, state education officials contacted school systems around Virginia for input including Roanoke County where students have missed eleven days.
(//////SOT/////)
[sot 00:00:14]
[in q=Not every]
((DAVID WYMER/TESTING AND REMEDIATION ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR; NOT EVERY SCHOOL DIVISION IN THE STATE IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED THE SAME WAY BY THE WEATHER INTERRUPTIONS, I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING AT REALLY THREE OPTIONS, MAINTAINING THE SCHEDULE, MOVING IT BACK OR YOU KNOW GIVING THE SCHOOLS SYSTEMS THE OPTION TO EITHER KEEP IT WHERE IT IS OR MOVE IT BACK.))
[SUPER=01-David Wymer/Testing & Remediation Associate Director; :00]
[runs=18]
[out q= move it back.(double out)]
(---------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=none]
Virginia is somewhat limited in what it can do because the essay section of the test is supposed to be administered to students on the same day, because all schools in the state use the same exam.
State officials are expected to make a decision either today or Friday.
[11City-Snow]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC1:44:40]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
This winter has been hard on government budgets as well.
The city of Roanoke has replenished its supplies of salt twice this week alone, and officials predict they'll need more before the threat of snow has passed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday;]
Roanoke budgeted more than 200- thousand dollars for snow removal this year, but that won't be nearly enough.
City officials say they'll need 250- thousand dollars more to pay for chemicals and overtime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In fact, this time last year]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: IN FACT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE ACTUALLY BOUGHT AN EXCESS SALT SUPPLY. SO WE WERE IN GOOD STEAD FOR THE SNOWS THAT WE HAVE HAD, BUT HAVING VERY QUICKLY GONE TO THE FARMER'S ALMANAC AFTER READING HOW GOOD A PREDICTOR IT WAS FOR LAST WEEKEND'S SNOW, I DON'T THINK WE'RE OVER IT YET.))
[SUPER=@Burcham;]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=don't think we're over it yet.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
City council approved the added expense, and praised employees who have been working long hours to clear city streets.
(------------)
[Armed-Pilots]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly ]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Transportation Security Administration has announced a
preliminary plan for arming pilots.
They'll have to undergo mental health and background checks, along with a five day training program.
But afterwards, commercial airline pilots will be able to fly with guns.
The plan could change between now and next week's congressional deadline, but the first group of pilots could begin handgun training in a month.
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
The White House says the clock is winding down for
Turkey to accept a financial offer.
Turkey wants a multi- billion- dollar aid package to allow U-S troops use its land for a northern front against Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Turkey;]
Cargo ships full of military gear are sitting in a Turkish port, and dozens more are on the way.
But they can't off- load until the two countries come to a financial understanding.
If Turkey rejects the offer, those ships will head to Kuwait, with only one way to invade Iraq.
But the military says the U-S could still get the job done.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is much]
((SCOTT WALLACE/U. S. ARMY:IT IS MUCH MORE CONVENIENT, MUCH MORE UNCERTAIN ON THE PART OF THE ENEMY IF WE'RE COMING FROM TWO DIRECTIONS, BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US ARE WEDDED TO HAVING A TURKISH OPTION, ))
[SUPER=01-Scott Wallace/U. S. Army Lieutenant General;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=Turkish option.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, the troops in Kuwait stand trained and ready.
(------------)
[UN-Resolution]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
Despite strong negative world opinion, the Bush administration says it'll offer a new U-N resolution this week or next.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
It's expected to give Iraq a deadline to show that it's cooperating with inspectors, or face military action.
The brief resolution would declare Iraq in "material breach" of its U-N obligations.
Yesterday, President Bush said he would rather disarm Saddam Hussein through diplomatic means, but is skeptical that approach will work.
(------------)
[11New-Jobs]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC1:32:28]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]
In business news, about 450 new jobs are headed to the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Governor Mark Warner helped local officials welcome two new companies yesterday.
The Vidette Groups is opening in downtown Roanoke at the InSystems Technologies building.
The web-based sales firm will hire one-hundred people by Fall.
Sales representatives will sell advertising space on the Internet to companies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:37:15]
[IN Q=this is]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER/(D) VIRGINIA; THIS IS LIVING PROOF THAT THE KIND OF KNOWLEDGE BASED JOBS THAT MAYBE IN THE PAST WOULDN'T HAVE CHOSE ROANOKE AND WOULD HAVE STAYED IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA OR THE RESEARCH TRIANGLE BUT BECAUSE OF THE BROAD BAND CONNECTIVITY BECAUSE OF FIBER OPTICS WE CAN HAVE THIS BUSINESS.))
[SUPER=@markWarner;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=CAN HAVE THIS BUSINESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Meanwhile in the County, Marvin Windows and Doors says an available workforce and quality of life are the reasons it's building a new production facility here.
The building, to go up in the Valley Gateway Commerce Park on Route 460 East, will employ about 150 people within two and half years and 200-more within five-years.
The location will manufacture the company's integrity line of windows and doors.
Marvin will hire some professional positions this year while assembly line positions will be filled early next year.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Wall Street has put an end to its winning streak.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((CONTINUED WORRIES ABOUT WAR OFFSET A STRONG HOUSING REPORT AND A BULLISH
CALL ON SEMICONDUCTOR STOCKS...SO AFTER TWO DAYS OF BIG GAINS, INVESTORS
DECIDED TO CASH IN AND TAKE SOME PROFITS.
(GR)
THE DOW SLID 40 POINTS TO 8-THOUSAND
(GR)
WHILE THE NASDAQ GAVE BACK 12.
(OC)
ONE BRIGHT SPOT -
(GR)
SEMICONDUCTOR STOCKS INCLUDING INTEL AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS WERE UPGRADED
BY MORGAN STANLEY. THE FIRM BELIEVES THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY STOCKS
WILL OUTPERFORM THE REST OF THE MARKET OVER THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
(OC)
DESPITE THE SNOW AND COLD TEMPERATURES IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY, NEW HOME
CONSTRUCTION SOARED TO A 16 YEAR HIGH IN JANUARY... UP 2-TENTHS OF A
PERCENT..NEW HOME BUILDING WAS EXPECTED TO DROP. IT'S NO SECRET WHAT'S
DRIVING THE HOUSING MARKET.. THE LOWEST MORTGAGE RATES IN OVER 40 YEARS
THE BLIZZARD OF 2003 SOCKED IT TO MANY OF THE THE NATION'S BIG RETAILERS
IN THE NORTHEAST.
(GR)
JC PENNY, KOHL'S AND MACY'S ALL SAW SALES DROP BY HALF OVER THE LONG
PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND. THE BLIZZARD IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE COST THE BIG
RETAILERS OVER 420 MILLION DOLLARS IN SALES.
(GR)
KEEP YOUR EYE ON LOCAL TELEPHONE STOCKS SUCH AS VERIZON, BELLSOUTH AND
SBC COMMUNICATIONS. LATER TODAY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTED TO
MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER TO RELAX RULES FORCING THE CARRIERS TO GIVE
COMPETITORS ACCESS TO THEIR SYSTEMS.
(OC)
ON TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR, REPORTS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE APPLIED FOR
FIRST TIME UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LAST WEEK ... AND A REPORT ON INFLATION
AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL.
(GR)
TRACK ALL THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM ..
(OC)
AT THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Iran-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]
Air traffic controllers say the pilot of a military plane radioed about bad weather before crashing into the mountains of southeastern Iran.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kerman, Iran;]
They say the Russian- made aircraft lost contact with the
control tower late yesterday afternoon, as it was preparing to
land.
State-run media say there was heavy snowfall in that part of
Iran.
All 302 people aboard were killed.
It is Iran's worst plane crash ever.
(------------)
[Paycheck]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Country singer and songwriter Johnny Paycheck has died.
He was best known for his 19-77 anthem to the working man, "Take this Job and Shove It."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Take this job]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=working here no more..]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
A spokeswoman for the Grand Ole Opry says Paycheck had been bedridden in a nursing home for some time, and was suffering from both emphysema and asthma.
He died Tuesday.
Fellow singer George Jones had known Paycheck for more than 50 years said "the world will miss a great country singer and I will miss my friend."
Johnny Paycheck was 64.
(------------)
[11Academy-Music]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC1:25:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
At a time when many are us thinking about all the tax dollars we have to send TO Washington, some of that money is coming back to the area to help restore a century-old theater.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]
Yesterday, Sixth District Congressman Bob Goodlatte announced Congress has included in its latest spending bill more than 200-thousand dollars for the Academy of Music in Lynchburg.
The Academy is in the midst of a nine-million dollar renovation and expansion which it hopes to complete by the year 2005.
Organizers say the project is crucial to Lynchburg's downtown revitalization.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[11XGR]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC31:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Virginia may soon lose the distinction of having the most restrictive deadline for convicted felons who are trying to prove their innocence.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Yesterday, the House of Delegates approved a bill that extends the 21-day rule to a 90-day rule.
It would give those seeking to prove their innocence ten additional weeks to submit new evidence.
Opponents say ninety days is still not long enough to help those wrongfully convicted.
[SOT 04:50:11]
[IN Q=INNOCENCE SHOULD ALWAYS TRUMP]
((DEL. KEN MELVIN/D-PORTSMOUTH: INNOCENCE SHOULD ALWAYS TRUMP FINALITY. I DON'T KNOW WHO COULD ARGUE WITH THAT. IF YOU'RE INNOCENT YOU SHOULDN'T BE IN THE PENITENTIARY.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Ken Melvin/(D) Portsmouth; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Dave Albo/(R) Springfield; :10]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=IS A DISASTER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bill would do nothing to help Aleck Carpitcher.
The Roanoke County man is serving a 38-year prison term for sex crimes that his accuser now says never occurred.
(--------------)
[Wrong-Organs]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A 17 year old girl who received mismatched organs in a heart-lung transplant is getting a second chance.
A spokeswoman for the girl says another organ donor has been found for Jesica Santillan (sahn-TEE'-yahn).
She was said to be near death at Duke University Hospital after getting organs with the wrong blood type in an operation earlier
this month.
The spokeswoman says Santillan (sahn-TEE'-yahn) will undergo surgery at 8 this morning and there's a 50-50 chance of success.
She doesn't know who donated the organs, but they were donated directly to the girl.
[11Carilion-Wellness]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:29:23]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
A new facility is stepping on business at a popular fitness center in Radford.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
The Carilion Radford Wellness and Fitness Center says it will close its doors April 30th.
Officials say the center began losing business after the city built a new parks and recreation center, which offers many of the same services for free.
Although Carilion is a non-profit organization, officials say some its subsidiaries are NOT.
Nearly 50-workers will lose their jobs.
Officials say the facility will donate most of its equipment to the parks and recreation center.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[COMM][BUMP]
by SS