WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/04/03

[Iraq-Attacks]

[ANCHOR=Marya]

[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Casualties]

The U-S military now says at least 10 American soldiers were wounded in a mortar attack on a U-S base near Baghdad.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

This morning, another soldier was killed by sniper fire in Baghdad ... and around 20 troops were injured by mortar fire at a base.
There have been four attacks in the last two days.
The Bush administration believes the violence will decrease if Iraqis believe Saddam Hussein is not coming back.

The government is now offering 25 million dollars for information leading to his capture or confirmation of his death.
(------------)

[11Iraq-Casualties]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Casualties]

Two Army National Guard Soldiers from Franklin County are the latest troops from our area hurt in Iraq. 21- year- old Lindsey Perdue of Rocky Mount injured his arm in an accident about ten days ago. His parents were told their son was sent to a military hospital in Germany, but have been unable to talk to doctors about his condition. Wes Heims, of Wirtz, was injured Tuesday in a separate incident. The Perdues say Heims was hurt in an explosion when his Hum-Vee was attacked. Both men are juniors at Emory and Henry College and are members of the 10-32nd Transportation Company.

[11Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda/jwi]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC45:17]
[GRAPHIC=Butch Lewis]

The Roanoke City School Board says it did not intend for Resource Officer Butch Lewis to be reassinged when it sent a letter to Police Chief Joe Gaskins.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Yesterday, School board Chairman Gloria Manns sent the chief a second letter stating some members of the board believe the officer's return would be an asset to the school.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:51:17:19]
[IN Q=There were board members]
((GLORIA MANNS/ROANOKE CITY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN: THERE WERE BOARD MEMBERS WHO FELT THEY WERE IN SUPPORT OF OFFICER LEWIS BEING RETURNED TO PATRICK HENRY BUT THE BOARD DID NOT FEEL AS A WHOLE THAT WE COULD MAKE THAT STATEMENT. IT WAS SIMPLY TO CLARIFY THAT WE IN NO WAY OR HAD ANY INTENTIONS OF HAVING ANY INFLUENCE OVER A DECISION FOR A PERSONNEL MATTER FOR THE CITY.))
[SUPER=01-Gloria Manns/Roanoke City School Board Chairman;]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=for the city]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday;]
Officer Lewis worked at Patrick Henry for ten years, but was recently re-assigned after he discussed concerns about school safety with a newspaper reporter. Lewis' attorney, Gary Lumsden, says his client has been offered a position as a resource officer at William Fleming High School, but would ultimately like to return to P-H.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=HOLD]
Lumsden says he thinks yesterday's letter from the school board was the right move and reflects the sentiment of the community. Both Lumsden and Manns say they hope the issue can be resolved soon.

[11Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC1:57:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

As many as five schools could soon close in Henry County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Collinsville]

At a work session held yesterday afternoon, the school board voted to move forward with plan two.
That option would save the school system nearly one point four million dollars a year.
Administrators believe that could help offset a budget shortfall that has grown to nearly two and half million dollars in the last two years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 26:42]
[IN Q=We're out of money]
((SHARON DODSON/HENRY CO. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: WE'RE OUT OF MONEY TO OPERATE A QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND THE BOARD HAD TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION TO ENSURE THE YOUNGSTERS IN HENRY COUNTY DON'T HAVE AN EDUCATION COMPROMISED BY ECONOMICS.))
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. Superintendent of Schools]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=by economics]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Option two would close four elementary schools and one middle school.
It would also reduce the number of high schools from four to two with Laurel Park and Fieldale Collinsville slated to become middle schools.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[Graphic=None]

The public will be able to give it's opinion at a public hearing scheduled for Monday July 14th.
It takes place at Fieldale Collinsville High School from four until seven.

[4th-AAA]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Holiday Travel]

Today will be a busy one on the nation's roads.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A Triple-A survey finds nearly 37-million Americans are heading out of town.
About 32 and a half are traveling by car ... up two percent from last year.
Four point three million are going by air ... that's down two percent.
Despite all the travelers, the government is keeping the national terror alert at yellow.
(------------)

[Fireworks]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=4th of July]

No matter where your travels take you, there's bound to be a Fourth of July fireworks display nearby. Here's a list of some of the lightshows you can checkout tonight in our area.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nat sound music]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=nat sound music]

[11Wal-Mart]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC1:20:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In the news this morning, Wal-Mart's decision to include gay workers in its anti-discrimination policy is getting applause and criticism.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The decision will not affect benefits, but sexual orientation will now be added to the company's diversity awareness training. John Goodhart Senior is a spokesman for a gay and lesbian group in Roanoke. He says the change is a major step towards equality and will protect people from being discriminated against in the workplace.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:05:19]
[IN Q=it can]
((JOHN GOODHART, SR.; IT CAN HAPPEN ANY PLACE AND IT SHOULDN'T, EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO WHO THEY ARE AND EVERYONE ELSE OUGHT TO LEAVE THEM ALONE.))
[SUPER=07-John Goodhart, Sr.;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=LEAVE THEM ALONE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]
But a local church leader thinks Wal-Mart is making the wrong decision and that this kind of trend in gay rights is discouraging.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:10:05]
[IN Q=i would ]
((WARREN B. KING/SHENANDOAH BAPTIST CHURCH; I WOULD SAY NO PERSON SHOULD BE HARASSED WHAT I THINK IS IN ERROR IS GIVING SPECIAL RIGHTS TO BIBLICALLY IMMORAL BEHAVIOR.))
[SUPER=01-Warren B. King/Shenandoah Baptist Church;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=IMMORAL BEHAVIOR]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Company officials say they've been considering the change for months and it's now in effect. Wal-Mart is the world's largest retailer and the nation's biggest employer.
(------------)

[11Barr-Labs]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC4:00:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Bedford County company has earned a new Defense Department contract.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Yesterday, Barr Laboratories dedicated a new 20-thousand square foot manufacturing facility where it will make the adenovirus (ADD-ih-no-virus) vaccine for the U-S military.
Defense officials say their new recruits lose valuable training time every year to the flu-like illness.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:21:25]
[IN Q=And if we]
((WILLIAM HOWELL/DEFENSE DEPARTMENT: AND IF WE TAKE THEM OUT OF THAT LINE, THAT LITTLE BIT OF TRAINING THEY GET IN THE THREE MONTH WINDOW BEFORE THEY GO INTO THEIR UNIT AND GO TO WAR AS WE JUST SAW WITH THE MARINES AND THE REST, THEN WE REALLY ARE HURTING THEM IN PREPARING THEM FOR THEIR FUTURE. SO WE NEED TO KEEP THEM ONLINE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.))
[SUPER=01-William Howell/Defense Department]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=as much as possible.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The contract is worth about 35-million dollars over the next six years.
Barr hopes to win F-D-A approval for the vaccine by 2007.
The expansion could also add at least a dozen new jobs at the facility.
(------------)

[Stock-Market]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

In business news, Wall Street is closed for the Independence day holiday. Here's a look at how the Nikkei wrapped up today's session. [STOCKS-ONE PAGE] [COMM]

[FL-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Three people are missing after a warehouse full of fireworks exploded in Texas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kilgore, TX;]

Investigators say the three workers were the only people in the building at the time of the blast.
The warehouse was leveled and five other people were injured.
[SUPER=03-Bonita Springs, Florida;]

In Florida, investigators retrieved the bodies of four victims of a fireworks explosion.
It happened Wednesday on a beach in the southwest part of the state. A fifth person died later at the hospital.

(------------)

[Liberia]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Liberia's president has been given an ultimatum to leave the country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Monrovia, Liberia;]

A senior source in the Liberian government says the U-S gave Charles Taylor a 48-hour deadline.
Taylor's a former warlord, under U-N indictment for crimes against humanity.
Rebels have been fighting a bloody battle with his troops for years.
They've asked the U-S to help oust him.
In an interview with CBS Radio, Taylor pledged to leave the country ... but with certain conditions.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ 1:03 IN PKG.]
[IN Q=i do not]
(("I do not want to attach time. I'm not talking about one year. I'm looking at a period anywhere from between 30 to 90 days." ))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=30 to 90 days.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

President Bush is still deliberating whether to send troops to Liberia.
(------------)

[11Shoreline-Plan]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC4:16:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It can't please everyone, but American Electric Power says its new shoreline management plan strikes a fair balance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

The plan will control how the shorelines along Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake are developed.
The first draft is available on the internet and at several locations around the lake.
It grandfathers in existing docks and structures, but imposes new guidelines for future ones.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=It's very important]
[SOT 21:24:03]
((STAN SMITH/SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE ASSOCIATION: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOME MORE PRECISE REGULATION FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.))
[SOT 15:39:46 ON SEPARATE JOHN WHITE INTERVIEW TAPE]
((JOHN WHITE/DEVELOPER: ANYTHING THAT NEGATES WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS IMPACTING THE TAX DOLLARS OF CITIZENS IN BOTH COUNTIES. ))
[SUPER=01-Stan Smith/Smith Mountain Lake Association; :00 QUICK!]
[SUPER=01-John White/Developer; :06]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=in both counties.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A-E-P says the plan tries to balance needs at the lake for recreation, development and preserving the environment.
The power company will take public feedback until August 15th.
(-------------)
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE WEBPAGE FS]
You can check the plan out by going to our website at wdbj7.com and clicking on Websites in the News.
(-------------)

(Marya tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Motor-Madness]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC55:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The young and the young at heart rolled onto Williamson Road for the start of Motor Madness.
Jennifer Wishon takes us on a cruise back in time where the music was good, the cars were hot and a couple bucks bought dinner for you and your date.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats of motor]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steven Bryant/Car Enthusiast; :16]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; :23]
[SUPER=01-Twig Gravely/Lendy's Enthusiast; :38]
[SUPER=01-Pat Dotson/Former Lendy's Employee; :52]
[SUPER=01-Darrell McGuire/Car Enthusiast; 1:14]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Roanoke]
(([SOT 5:06:51:17]
((NATS OF MOTOR)) Traffic was fierce on Williamson Road Thursday night, but no one seemed to mind. Instead it took them back to the days when the more people on the road the better.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:07:38:26]
[IN Q=Cruise up and down]
((STEVEN BRYANT/CAR ENTHUSIAST: CRUISE UP AND DOWN WILLIAMSON ROAD ALL THE TIME. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS DEFINITELY. REPORTER: DO YOU MISS IT? YEAH, THE WAY IT USED TO BE.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=used to be]
It used to be that if you got tired of cruising a couple quarters would buy you a Buddy Boy at Lendy's. Lendy's Restaurants like these dotted the landscape from Radford to Richmond. They were high tech for the time with bright lights and teletrays.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:02:56:18]
[IN Q=It's amazing how]
((TWIG GRAVELY/LENDY'S ENTHUSIAST: IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE STILL REMEMBER LENDY'S AND TALK ABOUT ALL THE HAPPY TIMES THEY HAD THERE.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=they had there]
Pat Dotson worked for Lendy's and spent hours making Buddy Boys and Longfellas for hungry clients who just couldn't get enough.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:58:58:07]
[IN Q=Six of us used]
((PAT DOTSON/FORMER LENDY'S EMPLOYEE: SIX OF US USED TO STAND IN LINE FOR FOUR HOURS FROM 5 TO 9 DOING NOTHING BUT THIS. I WAS JUST TELLING HIM YOU REALLY HAD TO LIKE THE WORKERS BECAUSE YOU WERE DOING THIS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=BUMP BUMP BUMP]
Everyone agreed the food tasted just like they remembered. The only thing that's changed is the prices.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:09:05:19]
[IN Q=Oh what fun]
((OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO RIDE IN A BEAT UP CHEVROLET.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=beat up Chevrolet]
Down at Happy's Flea Market hundreds of classic car owners proudly displayed their vehicles.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:11:18:01]
[IN Q=A lot of the new]
((DARRELL MCGUIRE/CAR ENTHUSIAST: A LOT OF THE NEW GUYS ARE DOING THE LITTLE CARS. THE HOT ROD HONDAS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. THAT'S NOT REAL CARS, THESE ARE REAL CARS.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=are real cars]

[BUTT BUTT BUTT]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:08:13:25]
[IN Q=All the old cars come out]
((STEVEN BRYANT/CAR ENTHUSIAST: ALL THE OLD CARS COME OUT FOR THIS. NOT YOUR LITTLE HOT RODS AND WHAT NOT.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=and what not]
Back in the 50's and 60's these were the hot rods. Enthusiasts say they hope the event continues for many years to come. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Roanoke.))

[DOUBLE BOXES=Marya and Steve]

(toss to Steve)[2-11Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC1:57:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Henry County School Board is moving forward with a plan that would close as many as five schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Collinsville]

At a work session held yesterday afternoon, the school board voted to move forward with plan two.
That option would save the school system nearly one point four million dollars a year.
Administrators believe that could help offset a budget shortfall that has grown to nearly two and half million dollars in the last two years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 26:42]
[IN Q=We're out of money]
((SHARON DODSON/HENRY CO. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: WE'RE OUT OF MONEY TO OPERATE A QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM AND THE BOARD HAD TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION TO ENSURE THE YOUNGSTERS IN HENRY COUNTY DON'T HAVE AN EDUCATION COMPROMISED BY ECONOMICS.))
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. Superintendent of Schools]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=by economics]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Option two would close four elementary schools and one middle school.
It would also reduce the number of high schools from four to two with Laurel Park and Fieldale Collinsville slated to become middle schools.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[Graphic=None]

The public will be able to give it's opinion at a public hearing scheduled for Monday July 14th.
It takes place at Fieldale Collinsville High School from four until seven.

[Hollywood-Minute]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The troops oversees will get a chance to see "Terminator 3" this weekend. Brooke Anderson has more in today's Hollywood Minute
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With the]
[SUPER=04-"Terminator 3" - Warner Brothers; :06]
[SUPER=04-"Shrek" - DreamWorks; :27]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA- January 12;]
[RUNS=1:04]
[OUT Q=I'm Brooke Anderson]

((WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE...I'M BROOKE ANDERSON.
WELL, HE MAY NOT BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR JUST YET, BUT THE TERMINATOR IS HITTING THE ROAD TO STUMP FOR THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER IS TAKING HIS LATEST FLICK --T-3 RISE OF THE MACHINES--TO THE PERSIAN GULF FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND. HE'LL TRAVEL TO SEVERAL MILITARY STATIONS ACROSS THE GULF AS PART OF A U-S-O TOUR, SCREENIN
G THE MOVIE FOR TROOPS ON DUTY. ------------------------------------------MEANWHILE--THAT GREEN MONSTER SHREK IS HEADED
FOR THE GREAT WHITE WAY. ACCORDING TO USA TODAYDREAMWORKS SAYS ITS DEVELOPING A MUSICAL BASED ON THE HIT MOVIE. AMERICAN BEAUTY DIRECTOR SAM MENDES IS A POSSIBILITY TO DIRECT.

-----------------------------------

AND ACTRESS SHARON STONE AND HER HUSBAND ARE APPARENTLY FOLLOWING THEIR BASIC INSTINCTS. NEWSPAPER EDITOR PHIL BRONSTEIN HAS FILED FOR DIVORCE FROM STONE, CITING IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES.
THE NEW YORK POST REPORTS THE PAIR WERE ALREADY LIVING APART IN SEPARATE HOMES IN L-A AND SAN FRANCISCO. WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTEI'M BROOKE ANDERSON. ))