WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/05/03

[11L'burg-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC10:45]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Lynchburg has been grappling with how to make up for lost school time because of snow. Officials have found a way to add time without subtracting from spring break.
Steve Smallshaw has more on their decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's payback]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kelsey Green/Student; :20]
[SUPER=01-Mac Frankfort/Lynchburg School Board Member; :45]
[SUPER=01-James McCormick/Lynchburg School Superintendent; 1:03]
[SUPER=@ssm1; 1:20]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( It's payback time.
Winter storms have kept Lynchburg students out of class for 14 days so far this winter.. now the bill for those unscheduled vacations has come due.
Faced with having to make up nine of those days, the Lynchburg school board wrestled with several options, but not before hearing from some of those who would be most affected.
[SOT 5:51:38]
((KELSEY GREEN/STUDENT: SPRING AND SUMMER PLANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE INCLUDING MINE.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=including mine.]

The consensus was the board shouldn't touch spring vacation.. or extend the school year beyond its already scheduled graduation date of June 14th.
So members decided to hold school Memorial Day and on June 12th and 13th.. and starting March 17th, the school day will be stretched an extra 30 minutes: 15 in the morning, 15 in the afternoon.
[SOT 6:14:12]
((MAC FRANKFORT/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE MY POSITION THAT THAT'S THE BEST OF THE WORST, THE BEST OF A LOT OF BAD ALTERNATIVES, I THINK IT'S THE BEST WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=do right now.]

Superintendent Jim McCormick says it's possible to extend the school day and still keep the buses running on time.

[SOT 6:02:45]
((JAMES MCCORMICK/LYNCHBURG SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: IF YOU KEEP THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME BETWEEN THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL DISMISSALS YOU CAN PICK THEM UP. SO YOU COULD EXPAND YOUR DAY AS LONG AS YOU DO IT CONSISTENTLY AT EACH OF THE THREE LEVELS AND PICK THE STUDENTS UP.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=the students up.]
[Standup ] ((That extra 30 minutes should also allow the school system to bank enough time it could miss another day to snow without penalty. Looking ahead to next winter, the school board also plans to petition the state yet again for permission to start classes before Labor Day.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.] ))

[11Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC18:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke officials gave city school board members a progress report on the new stadium-amphitheater that's slated to replace Victory Stadium.
The project for Orange Avenue and Williamson Road has been a controversial one. Many residents in the area raised concerns over parking, traffic and noise.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :21.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
But City officials say they're addressing all those issues as they work toward getting construction bids on the project. It's expected to cost 18-million dollars and be a one of kind location ... with its stadium for sports and an amphitheater for various events. Architects say they've been working with the school board to assure that students needs are met.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT00:16:44]
[IN Q=they've participated]
((CHARLES ANDERSON/ROANOKE CITY ARCHITECT; THEY'VE PARTICIPATED TO A HIGH LEVEL IN OUR PROGRAMMING MEETINGS IN THESE WORKSHOPS THAT WE'VE HELD AND YEAH THEY'VE BEEN VERY VERY HELPFUL.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Anderson/Roanoke City Architect;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=VERY HELPFUL.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-January;]
Actual groundbreaking on the site is expected in August. Officials will start the bidding process early to mid summer.
(------------)

[Pledge-Allegiance]

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

The Pledge of Allegiance will remain a daily routine for students in nine western states, at least for the next few months.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

A federal appeals court is holding off on enforcing its ruling that the pledge is unconstitutional in public schools.
The stay allows for a California school district to petition the Supreme Court.
If the stay hadn't been ordered, the western schools would have been banned from reciting the pledge beginning next Monday.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

The United Nations is keeping mum about reports that it has a secret plan for post- war Iraq.
The "London Times" says it's obtained a copy of the plan that calls for the U-N to steer Iraq toward self- government after Saddam Hussein's removal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

Meanwhile, the Bush administration says it's optimistic the U-N security council will go along with a resolution authorizing military action in Iraq.
The measure could come to a vote next week.
White House confidence comes despite the fact that Russian leaders have again threatened to veto the resolution.
(------------)

[Philippine-Blast]

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

Authorities say they've arrested nine people in connection with yesterday's deadly bombing at an airport in the Southern Philippines.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Davao, Philippines;]

21- people were killed, including an American missionary based out of Richmond.
150- others were injured.
The President of the Philippines said this morning that she doesn't want the U-S military getting involved in going after any Muslim rebels.
(------------)

[AM-Agee]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net G]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A state judge from Salem is about to take it to a higher court. Steven Agee will be sworn in later today to the Virginia Supreme Court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT from 00-48 1:02:22]
[SUPER=03-Salem/January 2001;]
It was just over two years ago when Agee joined the bench on Virgnia's Court of Appeals.
At the time, that was his first experience as a judge. Agee is a long-time area attorney and former Delegate. The Virginia Supreme Court will hold a special session at Roanoke College today to welcome its newest member.
(------------)

[11Ntelos]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news, Ntelos (en-TELL'-ohs) --has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Officials of the Waynesboro-based telephone company say the bankruptcy filing is part of a plan to restructure and reduce debt.
The company says it will continue operating while it reorganizes.
At the news, Ntelos stock fell to just seven cents a share.

[Marketwatch]

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

Both the Dow and the Nasdaq lost ground yesterday. And "Hot Topic" is giving Wall Street something to talk about.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=your local stocks]
((IT WAS AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR THE STOCK MARKET... RISING OIL PRICES, A FALLING DOLLAR, CONTINUED WAR WORRIES AND THAT TERRORIST BOMB BLAST IN THE PHILIPPINES HAD INVESTORS RUNNING FOR THE EXITS.
THE DOW HAD ITS LOWEST CLOSE IN FIVE MONTHS, DOWN 133 POINTS TO 7704.
THE NASDAQ SLIPPED 12 AND 1/2
ON THE STOCKS TO WATCH LIST:
DESPITE THE TROUBLED ECONOMY, CLOTHING RETAILER "HOT TOPIC" REPORTED RECORD PROFITS AND A NEARLY 10 PERCENT JUMP IN STORES OPEN AT LEAST A YEAR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
REPAILER "KOHL'S" REPORTED HIGHER QUARTERLY EARNINGS, HELPED BY NEW STORE OPENINGS THAT DROVE A NEARLY 17 PERCENT SALES GAIN.
AND "CORNING'S" CFO PREDICTS THE COMPANY WILL BE PROFITABLE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
DOMESTIC DIVA MARTHA STEWART TOLD INVESTORS "THE LEGAL TROUBLES THAT HAVE TARNISHED HER IMAGE MAY SOON BE RESOLVED. SPEAKING DURING HER COMPANY'S CONFERENCE CALL... STEWART HINTED THAT THE THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO SHARES OF HER COMPANY, MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA SANK 4 PERCENT. EXECUTIVES SAID THE WEAK ECONOMY AND TARNISHED IMAGE OF THE COMPANY'S NAMESAKE WILL LEAD TO A LOSS INSTEAD OF A PROFIT IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
THE PARENT COMPANY OF BANKRUPT UNITED AIRLINES LOST ALTITUDE FALLING 8-CENTS TO CLOSE AT 98 CENTS A SHARE. UAL SAID IT LOST $382 MILLION FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. THE BANKRUPT AIRLINE IS PUSHING AHEAD WITH LABOR TALKS TO CEMENT LONG-TERM CONTRACT CHANGES BEFORE A MARCH 17 DEADLINE.
TRACK ALL THE PRE-MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM... THE NASDAQ I'M AC IN NEW YORK.))

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

[Shuttle-Columbia]

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

New clues for investigators looking into the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]

They say a spray of molten aluminum has been found on much of the Columbia debris.
One theory is that hot gases penetrated a damaged spot on the shuttle's wing, and caused it to break apart on re-entry last month, killing all seven crew members.
(------------)

[11Elsakaan]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC38:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A federal judge in Roanoke has ordered two Egyptian men to face document fraud charges in Richmond.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
Ahmed Muhammed (El-sa-kahn) Elsakaan and his brother, Hatem Elsakaan were arrested in Roanoke Monday night. Federal marshals will transport them to Richmond.
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]
Court documents say they tried to obtain a Virginia I-D card and Driver's license at a Richmond D-M-V office using a false address.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
An investigation led officials to the Roanoke bus station.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:53]
[IN Q=this group]
((DAVID BURCH JR./FBI AGENT; THIS GROUP AS I CONFIRM FOR YOU WAS MERELY PASSING THROUGH RIDING A BUS WHEN WE ARRESTED THEM IN ROANOKE I'M SURE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHERE ROANOKE WAS AND WILL REMEMBER ROANOKE NOW.))
[SUPER=01-David Burch, Jr./FBI Agent; :04]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=ROANOKE NOW.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Knoxville, TN;]
Ahmed Muhammed (El-sa-kahn) Elsakaan raised suspicions at a hydro-electirc dam in Tennessee over the weekend. He was questioned about taking pictures of the site.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The I-N-S is also detaining a third man, a friend of the brothers, for possible immigration violations.

[11Prices-Fork]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC 53:06]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Montgomery County residents have another reason to look forward to summer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
That is when officials say the new Prices Fork Water System should be up and running.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:53]
[IN Q=THE DIGGING]
((JIM POLITIS/PSA CHAIRMAN: THE DIGGING HAS ALREADY STARTED. THEY'VE RUN PROBABLY ABOUT TWO MILES OF PIPES SO FAR ON THE GROUND RIGHT ALONG PRICES FORK HERE AND THE PROJECT SHOULD RUN PROBABLY THROUGH JUNE AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL TURN ON THE TAP AND BE READY TO ROLL.18:10))
[SUPER=01-Jim Politis/Public Service Authority Chairman;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=READY TO ROLL]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials from the county took part in a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday morning. They say the new system will be safer and more reliable than the current one, because it will pump water directly from the New River, rather than local wells. About 300-customers have had to rely on a single-well, after the other became contaminated nearly two years ago.
(------------)

[11Cher-Hair]

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

Cher may be the victim of a thief, but it wasn't money or jewelry that was stolen.
Police in Richmond are searching for her hair.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February 24]

Just a night after performing in Roanoke, Cher wore a black and teal braided wig for a performance in Richmond.

Somewhere between that performance and the next night's show in Baltimore, the wig disappeared.
The manager of the Richmond Coliseum says the tour never asked for a security guard to be posted outside the wardrobe room and the room was NOT locked.
Cher's tour manager estimates the wig's worth 8 to 10-thousand dollars.
(------------)

(Kimberly tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news, fears of war and terrorism continue to bring the markets down. John Lisk has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John Lisk/Reporting; :]
[SUPER=04-Martha Stewart Living;]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm John Lisk]
((INTERNATIONAL UNREST AND A DISAPPOINTING REPORT FROM CATERPILLAR SENT THE MARKETS DOWN TUESDAY. THERE WAS BROAD SELLING OF BLUE CHIPS, 28 OF THE DOW 30 LOST GROUND. THE DOW TUMBLED DOWN 132 POINTS. THE NASDAQ LOST 12 POINTS. CATERPILLAR, A DOW COMPONENT, PREDICTS THAT PROFITS IN 20-03 WILL FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS. THE MAKER OF EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT SAYS EARNINGS SHOULD BE FIVE-PERCENT BELOW LAST YEAR'S AND BLAMES GEOPOLITICAL CONCERNS AND A SLUGGISH ECONOMY FOR THE NEGATIVE OUTLOOK. ROLLS-ROYCE SAYS PROFITS FELL 50 PERCENT IN 2002. BUT THE JET ENGINE MAKER TOLD INVESTORS IT WON'T HAVE TO CUT ITS DIVIDEND AND IT'S STICKING TO ITS FORECAST FOR HIGHER PROFITS IN 2003. FEWER AIRLINERS ARE BEING BUILT, AND ENGINE ORDERS ARE DOWN. THE COMPANY NO LONGER PRODUCES ROLLS-ROYCE AUTOMOBILES. THAT NAME IS OWNED BY B-M-W. MARTHA STEWART OMNIMEDIA INCORPORATED ANNOUNCED BETTER THAN EXPECTED FOURTH QUARTER OPERATING INCOME, BUT EXPECTS TO TAKE A LOSS IN THE FIRST QUARTER. SHARES OF THE HOME FURNISHINGS AND PUBLISHING COMPANY ARE DOWN 68 PERCENT SINCE LAST YEAR'S ALLEGATIONS OF INSIDER TRADING AGAINST NAMESAKE MARTHA STEWART. M-S-O SHARES LOST 4 PERCENT ON THE DAY. WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M JOHN LISK.))

[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [COMM]

[11Logging-Protest]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC1:22:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

You'll soon get to check out the Forest Service's newly revised plans for the management of national forests.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Members of The Sierra Club yesterday joined 8-foot tall "reformed logger" Paul Bunyan yesterday at a rally outside the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Supervisor's office. Protestors were taking issue with the dropping of "Alternative C", a proposal that would have banned commercial logging on national forests.
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 1:14-1:27]
[IN Q=Now, the commercial logging program...]
((KATE SMOLSKI/SIERRA CLUB: NOW, THE COMMERCIAL LOGGING PROGRAM USES ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN TAXPAYER MONEY EVEYR YEAR. IT DESTROYS WILDLIFE HABITAT. WE NEED OUR FORESTS FOR A CLEAN WATERSHED AND FOR THE TOURISM DOLLARS THAT THEY PROVIDE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES.))
[SUPER=01-Kate Smolski/Sierra Club;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=provide to local communities.]
(-------------)
[VO NAT] The Forest service says "Alternative C" was lacking in its coverage.
[SOT at :04]
[SOT 10:21-10:32]
((ALICE CARLTON/DEPUTY FOREST SUPERVISOR: THE SPECIFIC ISSUES IT DIDN'T ADDRESS THAT MOST OF THE PUBLIC IS SO INTERESTED IN IS DIVERSITY OF WILDLIFE HABITAT AND FOREST HEALTH ALONG WITH CLEAN WATER.))
[SUPER=01-Alice Carlton/Deputy Forest Supervisor;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=forest health along with clean water.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :06]
The Forest Plan will be released in a few days and will be followed by a 90-day public comment period.
(------------)

[11Trumbo]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-06 TC24:46]
[GRAPHIC=Bo Trumbo]

He has served in the General Assembly since 1990, but State Senator Bo Trumbo says his current term will be his last.
Yesterday, the Fincastle Republican confirmed that he will not seek re-election in November.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:19:12 ]
[IN Q=It's a tough decision]
((IT'S A TOUGH DECISION, BUT I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT ONE FOR ME AT THIS POINT. ))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=right one for me at this point.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle]

Trumbo says he has enjoyed his work in the legislature and believes he has done a good job representing his constituents.
But with a recent diagnosis of diabetes, Trumbo says he must focus on his health.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:18:48]
[IN Q=Because the district is so large]
((SEN. BO TRUMBO/R- FINCASTLE: BECAUSE THE DISTRICT IS SO LARGE, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU MEET DURING A CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS AFTERWARD, I FELT AS THOUGH TO DO THE THINGS I FELT I NEED TO DO FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY, THAT IT WAS TIME AT THIS POINT AND TIME TO REFOCUS. )) ((GOV. MARK WARNER: HE WILL BE MISSED BY MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES. HE WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO FORGED COMPROMISE ON VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES.))
[SUPER=@Trumbo; :00]
[SUPER=@markwarner; :18]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=on very difficult issues.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Southwest Virginia will also miss Trumbo's influence in Richmond, now that he plans to join veteran Delegates Vic Thomas and Chip Woodrum in retirement.
(------------)

[Hollywood-Minute]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Micheal Jackson's nose... And, The nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards have been announced.
Elise Wuhl has more in today's Hollywood Minute.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With Hollywood minute]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery, AL/1955;]
[SUPER=04-Miramax Films; at chicago footage]
[SUPER=01-Elise Wuhl/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=I'm Elise Wuhl.]
((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M ELISE WUHL. FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE NOSY ABOUT THE KING OF POP'S NOSE.. VANITY FAIR MAGAZINE SAYS MICHAEL JACKSON WEARS A FAKE NOSE TIP BECAUSE HE HAS NO MORE CARTILAGE.. DUE TO YEARS OF PLASTIC SURGERY. ACCORDING TO THE MAGAZINE ..ONE PERSON WHO'S SEEN JACKSON WITHOUT THE TIP SAYS HE LOOKS LIKE A MUMMY WITH TWO NOSTRIL HOLES. ACTRESS, BRIDGET FONDA IS RECOVERING FROM A CAR CRASH LAST WEEK WHICH LEFT HER WITH TWO SLIGHTLY FRACTURED VERTIBRAE. FONDA WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR AND FLIPPED IT INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE 39-YEAR-OLD IS REPORTEDLY EXPECTED TO MAKE A FULL RECOVERY. AND NOMINEES FOR THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. LEADING THE PACK IS TOBY KEITH WHO HAS BEEN NI'M ELISE WUHL AND THAT'S THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE.)) OMINATED FOR EIGHT AWARDS INCLUDING SONG AND SINGLE OF THE YEAR. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 21ST IN LAS VEGAS.