WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 03/19/03

[7-11Sewer-Rates]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC47:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham says that an increase in sewer rates are unavoidable because of necesary and costly improvements to the regional sewage treatment plant.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The cost of the regional project has grown to 48 million dollars. That's 16 million more than estimates a year ago.
In the city of Roanoke, that will mean a sewer rate increase of 20 percent next year and 15 percent the year after that.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:57:28]
[IN Q=I think what residents of the city]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I THINK WHAT RESIDENTS OF THE CITY HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE HAVE AN OLDER SYSTEM AND THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR MANY, MANY YEARS THE LOWEST WATER AND THE LOWEST SEWER RATES, NOT ONLY IN THE REGION, BUT ALMOST ON A STATEWIDE BASIS, SO THE TIME'S NOW COME THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INCREASE THOSE RATES IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS KIND OF A MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. ))
[SUPER=@Burcham]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=major construction project.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIm]
[SS=None]

Mandated by the state, the work is needed to improve the plant's capacity during wet weather.
Roanoke County, Botetourt County, Salem and Vinton are helping to pay for the upgrade, and construction should begin by the end of the year.

[7-6-Smart-Solutions]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC1:01:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Virginia's trucking companies hope that their concerns will not be overlooked in the decision on improvements to Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Star Solutions and Fluor Virginia have presented plans that would use toll revenues to finance major improvements.
Tomorrow, the state's Transportation Commissioner is expected to make a recommendation that could decide if one or both of the plans move forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:03:03]
[IN Q=Right now it looks like]
((GLYNN LOOPE/SMART SOLUTIONS: RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE ON THE TABLE FOR 81 NOW BOTH WOULD DESTABILIZE OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OUR MANUFACTURING BASE, ENHANCE OUR MANUFACTURING BASE AND I THINK THAT MAKES IT A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE THAN HOW IT AFFECTS AN 18-WHEELER. SO WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE ON THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Glynn Loope/Smart Solutions]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=look at the big picture on this.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Members of the Smart Solutions coalition say tolls will have a negative impact on economic development, but they favor Fluor over Star Solutions because the Fluor proposal would apply tolls to cars as well as trucks.
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[45-11State-alert]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC1:49:08]
[GRAPHIC=Terror Alert]
Security in the commonwealth is growing increasingly tighter this week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Governor Mark Warner stepped up the state's security level Monday night in preparation for a war against Iraq.
At the Capitol, public tours have been discontinued and bomb-sniffing dogs are checking cars for explosives.
Warner says Virginians can also expect to see more police officers around bridges, tunnels and historical monuments.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:45:50]
[IN Q=YOU'LL SEE ELEVATED SECURITY AT SOME]
((GERALD MASSENGIL/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: YOU'LL SEE ELEVATED SECURITY AT SOME CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES IN VIRGINIA.))
((MIKE JONES/CAPITOL POLICE: YOU'RE SEEING A PRESENCE OF UNIFORMED OFFICERS ALL OVER THE CAPITOL COMPLEX. WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTED BY THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Gerald Massengil/Virginia State Police Superintendent; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Jones/Capitol Police; :05]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=TO FEEL COMFORTED BY THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Virginia State Police say they are prepared for the new threat level.
The force recently acquired new armored vehicles, automatic patrol rifles, bomb suits and gas masks.
(------------)

[45-11Allen]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mpu]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC51:26]
[GRAPHIC=George Allen]
Senator George Allen had some harsh words in response to Minority Leader Tom Daschle's statement Monday that we're forced into war because "the president failed miserably at diplomacy."
(////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:48:28]
[IN Q: I'm disgusted] ((SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN/(R) VIRGINIA: I'M DISGUSTED BY DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE'S ASSERTIONS. HE IS MAKING THESE REMARKS THAT ARE NOT ONLY WRONG ON THE FACTS, BUT THIS IS THE WRONG TIME TO MAKE THESE PETTY, PARTISAN JABS AT THE PRESIDENT.))
[SUPER=@Allen;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=AT THE PRESIDENT.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]

Yesterday, Daschle said he stands behind his statement, but that he will fully support our troops when the battle begins.

[45-11Protesters]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC1:16:14]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
As the threat of war becomes more imminent, anti-war protesters in Lynchburg say they're more determined than ever to get their message out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

A group of peace activists has been gathering at Monument Terrace every week since shortly after the September 11th attacks.
They're still hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:14:35]
[IN Q=I believe the]
((CHRIS BARRETT/PROTESTER: I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT IS VERY WELL-INTENTIONED. IT'S HIS METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE CONFLICT THAT WE DIFFER WITH. THE U-S HAS MILITARY IN 150 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND IT LOOKS LIKE IMPERALISM.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Barrett/Anti-War Protester]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=looks like imperialism.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Barrett and the others say it's been a mistake for the U-S to move forward without more international support and with public opinion at home so divided.
(------------)

[8-5-Stillwater]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=502-08 1:58:47]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]

A textile company with a long history in our area is shutting down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]
Stillwater Incorporated has been operating for close to 75-years. The owner says they can no longer compete with foreign textile companies. Stillwater's three locations in Goshen, Augusta Springs and Craigsville will close within a month or so. Two hundred people are losing their jobs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:04:34]
[IN Q=IT'S GOING]
((JOSEPH HANNAGAN/STILLWATER INC. GM; IT'S GOING TO DEVASTATE THE COMMUNITY HERE BECAUSE EVEN AT THAT WE WERE MUCH HIGHER IN EMPLOYMENT OVER THE YEARS IT JUST KEPT GOING DOWN AND DOWN BUT EVEN TODAY WITH THAT EMPLOYMENT IT'S A TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR PAYROLL SO IT'S GOT TO DEVASTATE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA TOO.))
[SUPER=01-Joseph Hannagan/Stillwater, Inc. General Manager;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=AREA TOO.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Stillwater is working with the state to arrange extended benefits and re-training for employees. The company is up for sale, but officials say given the current market, it's unlikely a buyer will emerge.
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[8-11Field-Trips]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC2:03:48]
[GRAPHIC=Terror Alert]

The nation's heightened state of alert is causing school field trips to be cancelled...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

William Fleming's senior trip to the Bahamas is called off.
So is a trip to New York that was scheduled this week for Roanoke school kids.
Superintendent Wayne Harris canceled student and staff travel outside the Roanoke Valley because of safety concerns.
Superintendents in Salem and Roanoke County are doing the same.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:02:41]
[IN Q=We've had to pay]
((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SUPERINTENDENT; WE'VE HAD TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE POTENTIAL FOR KINDS OF DISRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF A TERRORIST ACT OR SOMEONE CREATING PARANOIA OR FEAR, BUT WHAT WE'VE ATTEMPTED TO DO IS KEEP OUR BALANCE, BE INFORMED AND TO CONTINUE TO GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING CHILDREN.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=of educating children.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harris says it will be business as usual, with one exception.
Students will be doing more emergency practice drills.
A crisis management team will make unannounced visits to schools in the next few months to see just how prepared they are.
(------------)

[8-VOB-Soldier-Greeting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Almost one year after graduating from Bassett High School in Henry County , 18- year old Sid Lankford is among the thousands of soldiers stationed in Kuwait.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Yesterday morning, Lankford made a brief appearance on the CBS Early Show sending greetings to his family here at home.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]
Lankford is a light armored vehicle scout with the Marines and his mother and sister could NOT be prouder.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:04:23]
[IN Q=He travels]
((HE TRAVELS WITH THE LIGHT ARMORED VEHICLES, SCOUTS FOR BAD GUYS OR BAD THINGS THAT MIGHT HURT THE TRUCKS, BOOBY TRAPS, AND THEN HE GOES BACK AND RIDES IN THE VEHICLES WITH THEM, PRETTY SCARY, BUT HE LIKES IT, HE LOVES IT.))
[SUPER=01-Margie Fretwell/Soldier's Mother;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=HE LIKES IT, HE LOVES IT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Margie Fretwell and her 16- year old daughter are both strong supporters of the military and the President and say they're convinced Sid will come back home safe and sound because of their strong faith in God.
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