[11Garden-City]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-33 TC02:50]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Investigators believe that someone intentionally set fire to Garden City Elementary School in Roanoke.
Someone saw smoke coming from the back of the school last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
They called the fire department around 8:45.
Firefighters found a small blaze inside a classroom and quickly put it out.
Investigators say it looks like arson.
They believe someone got in through a first-floor window and set fire to a pile of cloth and leaves.
They're not yet sure if the window was already open, or if it was forced open.
The fire didn't cause much damage.
(------------)
[Iraq]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Casualties]
A U-S soldier died today and two others were wounded when a bomb exploded as their convoy drove along a highway west of Baghdad.
[SS=BUSH]
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding President Bush's claim about Iraq seeking uranium continues.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
C-I-A director George Tenet is expected to take the heat for the statement during Bush's State of the Union address.
Administration officials say Tenet did not insist
the information be removed from the President's speech.
As he's grilled by lawmakers today, the main question could be how information that lacks credibility is broadcast to the nation...and the world.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This administration]
((SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN/D- CONNECTICUT: THIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN IT COMES TO IRAQ IS IN THE PROCESS OF GIVING A AD NAME TO A JUST CAUSE.. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Joe Lieberman/(D) Connecticut;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=to a just cause]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrives in Washington tomorrow.
Britain is credited with providing the uranium information to
the U.S.
(------------)
[Claudette]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Texas gulf coast will be cleaning up today after an unwelcomed visit from Hurricane Claudette, which has been downgraded to a tropical storm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kemah, TX;]
Claudette left behind a 200- mile trail of destruction, and is blamed in the deaths of two people who were struck by either falling trees or branches.
80- mile- an- hour winds ripped the roofs off of homes, and destroyed others.
Resident Ron Wheeler was also concerned about his boat-- he drove nearly four hours to secure it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We came from Austin]
((RON WHEELER/EVACUEE:WE CAME FROM AUSTIN AND YESTERDAY WHEN WE HEARD THE HURRICANE WAS GOING TO HIT O'CONNOR WE DECIDED WE BETTER COME DOWN AND BATTEN DOWN SOME HATCHES."
))
[SUPER=01-Ron Wheeler/Evacuee;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=batten down some hatches.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The governor of Texas has signed a disaster relief proclamation, and called out the National Guard to help with recovery efforts.
(------------)
[11River-Search]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC4:27:08]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The search for a missing fisherman has been called off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
Officials believe 78-year old Graham Smith drowned Monday in the Maury River near Lexington.
A fisherman for more than 40 years, Graham was with his brother Marshall in knee-deep water.
As the water rose, Marshall turned around and saw his brother was gone.
Crews were out all day yesterday, with no success.
No more large-scale searches are planned, but officials say they'll keep checking the area to see if anything turns up.
(------------)
[AMLake-Plan]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-34 TC 3:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Not everyone is happy with American Electric Power's new shoreline management plan.
It will control how the shorelines along Smith Mountain and Leesville Lake are developed.
But many lake residents say the current plan needs to be revised.
(---------------)
[vo-nat]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]
Last night, Franklin County's Board of Supervisors heard from some of those residents.
It also heard from A-E-P.
A company representative was on hand to brief the supervisors on the shoreline plan, which was released to the public July third.
Right now, the plan is ONLY a DRAFT, and A-E-P says it's open to suggestions from the public until August 15th.
Two public meetings are also scheduled next week for A-E-P to answer questions and take comments.
But some residents and even one supervisor at last night's meeting say more time is needed.
(///sot///)
[sot01:17:25]
[in q= I think ]
((PAT BAILEY/HOMEOWNER; I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO LIMIT A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH WHICH CAN BE A GOOD THING BUT CAN ALSO HARM THE PROPERTY AT THE LAKE. ))
((CHARLES POINDEXTER: MORE TIME IS NEEDED TO GO THROUGH ANOTHER CYCLE AND MAKE ANOTHER CYCLE OF CHANGES AND I THINK WE'LL BE MUCH CLOSER. ))
[super=01-Pat Bailey/Homeowner; :00]
[super=01-Charles Poindexter/Franklin Co. Supervisor; :08]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=much closer. ]
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[ss=none]
An A-E-P spokesman says it's unlikely it will extend its deadline for suggestions.
A-E-P says the comments it receives by mid- August will be evaluated by a committee that's helping to draft the shoreline plan.
The company will then submit a FINAL draft to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at the end of August.
[11Clifford]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC1:01:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It could be just a matter of days before the assault charge against Patrick Henry High School's former head football coach is dropped.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :22]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./Last Month;]
The attorney for Kevin Clifford says he hopes the paperwork associated with the "order of dismissal" will be completed today.
The charge stems from November, when Clifford was accused of slapping player Brett Moyer after a game in Halifax County.
Moyer's parents indicated they would consider dropping the charge if Clifford resigned as coach.
He gave up the position last week.
(///// SOT at :22 /////)
[SOT 8:59:38 - 8:59:49]
[IN Q=And I think in consideration of what...]
((TONY ANDERSON/CLIFFORD'S ATTORNEY: AND I THINK IN CONSIDERATION OF WHAT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TEAM AND ITS PLAYERS COACH CLIFFORD PUT THEIR INTERESTS AHEAD OF HIS AND CHOSE TO RESIGN NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Tony Anderson/Clifford's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=chose to resign now.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
News 7 had hoped to talk to Clifford yesterday, but Anderson advised him against commenting on the case until all the paperwork is signed.
[6-Dollar-Tree]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-29 TC22:44]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, more shopping deals are coming to Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
City officials say paperwork has been submitted this week to build a Dollar Tree store on Ferncliff Road near Home Depot in Roanoke.
There is some surveying being done on the property and the city planning office has to complete site plan reviews.
No word yet on when construction will start and how long it will take.
(------------)
[Marketwatch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Intel and Motorola have released their earnings reports.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((A PAIR OF EARNINGS REPORTS FROM TWO HIGH-TECH HEAVYWEIGHTS COULD HELP SET
> THE TONE FOR THE MARKETS TODAY...
>
> A GLOWING PROFIT REPORT FROM INTEL.. THE COMPUTER CHIP GIANT DOUBLED its
> second-quarter net income to 14 cents a share, REVENUE JUMPED ABOUT 8
> PERCENT TO $6.8 billion INTEL WAS ALSO OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE THIRD
> QUARTER...
>
> THE CELLPHONE GIANT MOTOROLA EKED OUT A PROFIT OF 5 CENTS A SHARE BUT
> SALES WERE WEAK DUE TO SLACK DEMAND IN ASIA. MOTOROLA ALSO WARNED OF A
> SLUGGISH THIRD QUARTER.
>
>
> SEARS IS UNLOADING ITS TROUBLED CREDIT CARD UNIT TO CITIGROUP FOR 6 BLN
> DOLLARS IN CASH.
> The acquisition would expand Citigroup's position in the retailer-based
> credit card market and remove a business that became a distraction for
> Sears because of growing consumer defaults.
>
> THE FED STANDS READY TO CHOP INTEREST RATES AGAIN TO AID THE ECONOMIC
> RECOVERY. .IN HIS SEMI ANNUAL TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESS, FED HEAD ALAN
> GREENSPAN GREENSPAN SAID THE CENTRAL BANK IS READY TO TAKE RATES EVEN
> LOWER IF THE ECONOMY FAILS TO MOUNT A SUSTAINED RECOVERY. That could
> happen as soon as the next scheduled Fed meeting in August.
>
> but those comments did little to boost the market...
>
> THE DOW GAVE UP 48 POINTS
>
> WHILE THE NASDAQ DIPPED A POINT AND A HALF.
>
> Vivendi Universal has rejected MGMs $11.5 billion offer for Vivendi's
> U.S.-based entertainment assets, MGM had increased its offer for the
> assets by $300 million but demanded that Vivendi turn over more detailed
> financial information.
>
> track all the premarket action at cbs.mw.com.. in new york i'm ac))
>
>
(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Wildfires]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Wildfire]
Wildfires are still raging across the west.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Whiteriver, AZ;]
In Arizona, fire crews dug breaks along the fire line north of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.
Just a year ago, the reservation was devastated by the largest wildfire in state history.
Nearly five thousand people have had to evacuate the area this week.
Meanwhile, in Wyoming, more than a thousand acres have gone up in flames.
The fire there has shut down highways and closed several campgrounds.
Special teams have been called in to battle the blaze.
(------------)
[11Stanley]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-32 TC04:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
One of America's most wanted is captured in this region.
She is a woman investigators call one of the greatest bank fraud artists they've ever seen. Now she's been nabbed at a hotel near Lynchburg.
F-B-I agents and the Virginia State Police staked out the Howard Johnson's on Route 29 in Madison Heights Monday night,
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
waiting for 51-year-old Lottie Mae Stanley.
Stanley was wanted in at least 20 jurisdictions on numerous fraud charges. She had been featured on "America's Most Wanted" back in March.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
Agents also arrested 38-year-old Aaron R. Telke (TELL-kee) and recovered a child from the hotel room whom they believe had been abducted from Ohio.
Both Stanley and Telke are being held without bond.
[5-NTSB-Vans]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=503-07 47:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The NTSB believes changes need to be made to 15 passenger vans.
They made safety recommendations yesterday, two years after 14 year old Jessika Lewis of Roanoke was killed in accident involving one of the vans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :24]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
The National Transportation Safety Board is now recommending stricter safety controls.
The NTSB says the vans, used mostly by churches and day care centers, are more likely to roll over.
The board wants the federal government to require the vans to meet the same safety standards as cars.
They reccommend lap and shoulder belts on all seats and that drivers should get additional training before driving one.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((DRIVING A 15 PASSENGER VAN .... DRIVING 15 PASSENGER VAN.))
[SUPER=01-Ellen Engleman/NTSB Chairwoman;]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=DRIVING A 15 PASSENGER VANS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
In 2001 ... 91 people died when the vans rolled over.
(------------)
[11Bluffwalk]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC1:21:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
After six years in the planning, a multi-million dollar hotel and conference is on its way in downtown Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Ground was officially broken yesterday for the Bluffwalk Center between Jefferson and Commerce Streets.
Architect Hal Craddock and a group of investors plan to turn two old warehouses into an upscale hotel with restaurants, a microbrewery and shopping.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:10:57]
[IN Q=Downtown is]
((CARL HUTCHERSON/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: DOWNTOWN IS TAKING SHAPE AND THIS PROJECT THE BLUFFWALK IS GOING TO REALLY, REALLY MAKE IT EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE FOR FOLKS WHO VISIT OUR COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Carl Hutcherson/Lynchburg Mayor;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=visit our community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
City leaders say Bluffwalk will help anchor the rest of downtown revitalization.
Work continues on the overhaul of Monument Terrace and the Ninth Street corridor near Amazement Square.
(------------)
(Kimberly tosses to bump)
[bump-chyron]
[comm #3]
[Biz-Brief]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
In business news, Intel posted its second quarter earnings after the closing bell yesterday.
The chipmaker reported earning 14 cents per share.
That doubles its earnings a year ago.
Stan Case has more on yesterday's closing numbers in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((STOCKS SLIPPED LOWER TUESDAY AS INVESTORS SAW ANOTHER DAY OF LACKLUSTER EARNINGS REPORTS AS AN EXCUSE TO TAKE PROFITS.
THE DOW FINISHED THE DAY DOWN 48 POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ LOST ONE-AND-A-HALF.
MERRILL LYNCH POSTED SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF A DOLLAR-FIVE PER SHARE--UP FROM 66 CENTS A YEAR AGO.
THE BROKERAGE AND INVESTMENT BANK SAYS BOND TRADING CONTRIBUTED TO A 61-PERCENT JUMP IN PROFITS.
MERRILL LYNCH REVENUES INCREASED SEVEN PERCENT TO FIVE-POINT-THREE-BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE QUARTER.
MAYTAG POSTED A 63-PERCENT DROP IN ITS SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS.
THE COMPANY REPORTED NET INCOME OF 32-CENTS A SHARE.
THATS DOWN FROM 86-CENTS A YEAR AGO.
PART OF THE BLAME WENT TO A DECREASE IN FLOOR-CARE SALES.
MAYTAG OWNS HOOVER AND IS THE NATION'S THIRD LARGEST HOME APPLIANCE MAKER.
BOEING SAYS ITS SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS REPORT WILL SHOW CHARGES OF JUST MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS.
THE AEROSPACE GIANT CITED LOWER DEMAND FOR SATELLITE LAUNCH SERVICES AND HIGHER MISSION COSTS IN ITS DELTA IV PROGRAM.
BOEING SAYS THE BOTTOM LINE WILL TAKE A HIT OF 87-CENTS PER SHARE.
THOSE SHARES WERE OFF THREE PERCENT ON THE DAY.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS]
[STOCKS]
[COMM]
[Early-Years]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Early Years]
Studies show that many TEENAGERS throw caution to the wind when they get behind the wheel.
But a NASCAR driver and his sponsor want to make teens aware of the risks by putting them in the drivers seat of simulator.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE FS EARLY YEARS]
Christy Ferer has more in today's Early Years segment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/NASCAR Driver; :22]
[SUPER=01-Christy Ferer/Reporting; :45]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=Christy Ferrer reporting.]
(( IT'S NOT MURDER, SUICIDE, OR HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT KILL AND INJURE MOST TEENAGERS--IT'S CAR ACCIDENTS! MORE THAN 5,000 TEENS WILL DIE THIS YEAR, SAYS THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
MOS: " We were driving normally in the rain, and this guy hits us from behind."
THE CRASH RISK IS PARTICULARLY HIGH DURING THE FIRST FEW
YEARS THAT TEENAGERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO DRIVE.
SOT GORDON: "half the kids out there in the first twelve months that get their license are getting in accidents and to
me that's just ridiculous. Its something that we really need to focus on, we need to change"
JEFF GORDON, A FOUR-TIME NASCAR WINSTON CUP CHAMPION, HAS TEAMED UP WITH DUPONT TO WIN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF TEENAGE DRIVERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS, AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT IS TRAVELING TO CONCERTS, FAIRS AND NASCAR EVENTS, URGING TEENS TO GET REAL BEHIND THE WHEEL.
SOT: "I just really want to be able to just take what I've learned over the years as a driver, a race car driver and tr
y to apply it to teenagers and hope that they'll be more aware of being safe out there on the road. "
THE KIDS GET TO TEST THEIR HAZARDOUS DRIVING SKILLS IN A SPECIALLY DESIGNED SIMULATOR.
DUPONT, WHICH IS SPONSORING THE TOUR, HAS HELPED TO DEVELOP MANY AUTO SAFETY FEATURES LIKE SHATTER RESISTANT GLASS THAT HELPS KEEP PASSENGERS IN, DURING A ROLLOVER CRASH.
WHY DO TEENS HAVE SO MANY CRASHES? EXPERTS SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF RISKY BEHAVIOR: THEY UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGERS IN A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BECAUSE THEY FEEL OVERCONFIDENT.
MOS: "A lot of times teenagers don't necessarily care about safety or don't necessarily think about the repercussions of their actions"
THEY SPEED MORE, RUN MORE RED LIGHTS, ARE MORE LIKELY TO RIDE WITH AN INTOXICATED DRIVER, AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO USE A SEAT BELT THAN OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
MOS: "I don't wear a seat belt when I'm in a car. A lot of students don't!"
WELL STUDIES SHOW THAT PARENTS CAN AFFECT THAT. THE CAN ENFORCE LIMITS ON TEENAGE DRIVERS CAN ACTUALLY BRING DOWN THE LEVEL OF FATAL ACCIDENTS.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TEEN AUTO SAFETY AND THE GET REAL BEHIND THE WHEEL TOUR, LOG ONTO WWW.DUPONT.COM
IN NY, CHRISTY FERER REPORTING.))
(+++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[TAKE FS WEB ADDRESS]
You can find a link to the website just mentioned by logging on to our website at wdbj-7 dot com.
News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
(+++++++)
[COMM]
[11Partnership]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC 45:20]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
Blacksburg officials are teaming up to attract more business to the area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The Blacksburg Partnership is a non-profit organization made up of leaders from the town, Virginia Tech and the business community.
Its mission is to help stimulate the local economy through downtown revitalization and retail and urban economic development.
Officials say it's a win-win situation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4611]
[IN Q=the quality of life]
((LARRY HINCKER/VT SPOKESMAN: THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE UNIVERSITY ARE REALLY INTERMESHED, THEY'RE INTERLINKED. AND SO TO THE DEGREE THAT WE CAN HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY, THEN WE'VE HELPED THE UNIVERSITY.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Hincker/Virginia Tech Spokesman;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=helped the university]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Although most of the funding for the projects will come from donations and grants, officials say the organization has already committed 150-thousand dollars of its own money to spread over the next three years.
(------------)
(Kim tosses bump)
[COMM][BUMP]
by SS