WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 07/22/03

[7-AM-Victory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=Victory]
Roanoke City's plan to replace Victory Stadium with a new stadium- ampitheater at a new loation may be increasingly in jeopardy.
(///sot///)
[sot 03:59:44 - 52]
[in q=some people]
((SHERMAN LEA/VICTORY STADIUM SUPPORTER: SOME PEOPLE SUPPORT THE STADIUM BECAUSE OF SENTIMENTAL FEELINGS, THE HISTORY OF VICTORY STADIUM, LIKE HOTEL ROANOKE, EVERYONE HAS A MEMORY.))
[super=01-Sherman Lea/Victory Stadium Supporter; ]
[runs=08]
[out q= has a memory.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Sherman Lea was one of approximately 25 people to speak last night in favor of preserving Victory Stadium. In making his case, Lea also presented city council with a petition bearing the signatures of more than seven thousand people... folks who want Roanoke city council to let voters decide the fate of the landmark through a referendum. Last night's meeting was a passionate one, with people applauding speaker after speaker frustrating the mayor who actually called a quick recess to give people a chance to settle down. The Mayor also lectured the crowd, after some people interrupted the lone speaker who wants to the city to proceed with its current plan to build a new facility.
(///sot///)
[sot 03:49:44]
[in q=the fact of the matter is...]
(( MARK HURLEY: THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT RENOVATING A GREAT STADIUM LIKE VICTORY STADIUM, IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT OF MONEY, A LOT MORE THAN A NEW FACILITY TO MAKE IT A QUALITY, QUALITY STADIUM... IT'S NOT FAIR TO RENOVATE IT HALF WAY, ))
[super=01-Mark Hurley/New Stadium Supporter; ]
[runs=12]
[out q=renovate it half way.]
(------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]
[SS=none]
City council announced last night that it will hold a public forum on the stadium issue July 31st.

[7-11Street-Crime]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-29 33:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Yesterday, city police announced the creation of a "street crimes unit". Starting August first, six officers will concentrate on patrolling "drug hot spots" and preventing what the department calls "group criminal activity." Many residents however, remain skeptical.
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[VO-NAT :12]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Chairman of the Roanoke Southern Christian Leadership Conference says officials need to identifiy the groups for what they are-- GANGS-- and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.
(///// SOT at :12 ////)
[SOT10:13:29-10:13:50]
[IN Q=If Johnny steals a car...]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Artis/Chairman, Roanoke SCLC;]
((JEFF ARTIS/CHAIRMAN, ROANOKE SCLC: IF JOHNNY STEALS A CAR THEN HE HAS TO DEAL WITH LEGISLATION AIMED AT CAR THEFT. IF JOHNNY, WHO'S A MEMBER OF LTP OR VH-1 STEALS A CAR THEN JOHNNY HAS TO ALSO DEAL WITH OTHER LEGISLATION THAT'S AIMED AT GANGS STEALING CARS.))
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=legislation that's aimed at gangs stealing cars.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
When asked whether the creation of the "street crimes unit" was an acknowledgement of gang presence in Roanoke, City Manager Darlene Burcham would only say that police are aware of certain groups that engage in criminal activity.

[45-11State-budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-25 1:15:05]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Budget]

It meant laying off state workers and shutting down D-M-V offices, but the state is finally on the plus side of the ledger.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

Governor Warner says the state ended the fiscal year with a 55-million dollar surplus.
Warner and the General Assembly had to cut jobs and services, dip into reserves and raise fees to finish the year in the black.
Still, the governor warns that the crisis is not over, and that Virginia will probably start next year's budget cycle with a shortfall.
(------------)

[45-4H-Fights]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-19 1:30:13]
[GRAPHIC=4-H Investigation]
Alleged organized fist fights at the Four-H camp in Franklin County may soon leave several young people facing charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./July 7]

Volunteer counselors between the ages of 14 to 19 are accused of staging fights between campers, charging admission and taking bets on the outcome.
Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood says the initial investigation is complete and that he has now submitted his recommendations for charges.
Hapgood declined to give specifics as to what the charges might be.
A juvenile intake officer must decide in the next day or so whether to pursue those charges.
(------------)

[45-11Grayson-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
When schools re-open in the fall, one Grayson County School will remain closed because of an overabundance of mold.
(+++++++)
[Take School Mold GFX Map] School officials say crews will need several months to remove the bacteria and mold at Fries (Freeze) Middle School.

Until the work is done, students will be bused to Independence Middle School.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Officials had the building checked after parents complained their children developed breathing problems.

[45-6-Abuse-Walk]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A West Virginia man is taking big strides to end child abuse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
Carl Kennedy began his walk to Washington last Wednesday in Princeton, West Virginia. The 69-year-old says he was abused as a child, and wants Congress to do more to fight the problem. Kennedy says he was diagnosed with cancer last year, but that the disease won't stop him from completing his mission.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 612]
[IN Q=i realize]
((CARL KENNEDY/WALKING FOR ABUSED CHILDREN: I REALIZE I CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD. I'M JUST LITTLE POOR MAN WALKING ALONG THE ROAD BUT IF I COULD GET SOMEBODY TO LISTEN MAYBE THEY COULD GET SOMEBODY TO LISTEN AND THE CHANGE COULD TAKE PLACE.))
[SUPER=01-Carl Kennedy/Walking for Abused Children;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=take place]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Kennedy walks with his 16-year-old pal, Nathan Arms, to help him along the way. The two say they try to walk at least 12-miles a day and hope to make it to Washington by the end of August.
(------------)

[8-AM-Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=rca/tha]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=Butch Lewis]
The resource officer that was taken from his post at a Ronaoke City high school has laid a new offer on the table for Roanoke City Council..
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Butch Lewis met with City Manager Darlene Burcham yesterday, but still doesn't have his job back as a school resource officer at Patrick Henry High School. Lewis was moved to patrol duty after talking about school violence concerns with a reporter. Yesterday, Lewis once again turned down an offer to be a resource officer at Fleming High School. Then last night, a new development in the case.
Lewis went before city council offering to drop his grievance and to continue as a patrol officer-- if the school resource program were allowed to continue as it has for the past 20 years or so.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:48:34]
[IN Q=This program is not about me ]
((BUTCH LEWIS/ROANOKE CITY POLICE OFFICER; THIS PROGRAM IS NOT ABOUT ME..... ABOUT RESOURCE OFFICERS. ))
[SUPER=01-Butch Lewis/Roanoke City Police Officer;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=about resource officers. ]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Lewis is upset because after investigating the school resource officer situation, city officials have decided to make some changes to the program. Resource officers will now be rotated. A resource officer can be in the program for a maximum of six years and an officer can be at a specific school for a maximum of three years. City Manager Darlene Burcham says the changes are not because of officer Lewis' situation but they're meant to make the program stronger. City council did NOT respond to Lewis' offer.

[8-11Grayson-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
When schools re-open in the fall, one Grayson County School will remain closed due to an overabundance of mold.
(+++++++)
[Take School Mold GFX Map] School officials say crews will need several months to remove the bacteria and mold at Fries (Freeze) Middle School. Until the work is done, students will be bused to Independence Middle School.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Officials had the building checked after parents complained their children developed breathing problems.

[8-11Fiddlefest]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutin]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=None]
They're already pulling strings at the first- ever Fiddlefest.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((NAT SOUND BURST ON FIELD TAPE ))
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollins;]
This is just one of the many workshops being held at Hollins University. The six-day event also features discussions, concerts and competitions. There is more than 60-thousand dollars up for grabs in prizes. Organizers have been planning Fiddlefest for over two -years and say people are coming from all over to the country to be a part of it. (------------) While this year is Fiddlefest's first, it's on its way to becoming an annual festival.