WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/22/03

[11Lewis]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca/tha]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC 1:31:32]
[GRAPHIC=Butch Lewis]

The school resource officer who was reassigned to patrol duty has offered to drop his grievance against the city of Roanoke, but there is a catch.
(------------)
[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.

[AM-Victory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-21]
[GRAPHIC=Victory]
Until recently, the city of Roanoke was moving forward with plans to replace Victory Stadium. But it looks like plans to build a new stadium- amphitheater at a new location 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=19]
[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.

[Lynch-Homecoming]

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

After months in a Washington, D-C hospital, former P-O-W Jessica Lynch is coming home to West Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Elizabeth, WV;]

Welcome banners and ribbons can be found throughout Wirt County.
The small town of Elizabeth has put up a sign, proclaiming their most famous resident, even though she lives a few miles away in Palestine.
It won't be a quiet homecoming.
Journalists from around the nation are there, getting ready to hear from the war hero for the first time since her ordeal in Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm real excited..]
((DEBBIE WILLIAMS/AREA RESIDENT:I'M REAL EXCITED THAT SHE'S COMING HOME AND WE'RE ALL REAL HAPPY. AND WE'LL BE HAPPY WHEN THE MEDIA GOES AWAY TOO. ))
[SUPER=01-Debbie Williams/Area Resident;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=goes away, too.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Yesterday, Lynch was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War medals.
Meanwhile, controversy continues surrounding her rescue from an Iraqi hospital.
Some Democrats of accused the Pentagon of exaggerating the facts.
(------------)

[11Bassett-Lynch]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=03-31 29:51]
[GRAPHIC=Jessica Lynch]

Bassett Furniture is playing a part in Jessica's homecoming.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
A truck left Bassett late yesterday afternoon en route to Palestine, West Virginia with some made in America furniture inside.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08:40]
[IN Q=We've received some]
[SUPER=01-Jay Moore/Bassett Furniture]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=any way that's possible.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And not just a headboard, but an entire "Amercian Beauty Collection" bedroom set. The company expects to have it all set up when Jessica arrives home.
(------------)

[Dennehy]

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

Hope is fading for the family and friends of missing Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

That, after police charged Dennehy's former roommate with his murder.
Carlton Dotson is being held in his home state of Maryland, but faces the charges in Waco, Texas.
While being escorted by authorities, Dotson told a reporter he didn't confess to anything.
Dennehy's body has NOT been found.
(------------)

[114H-Fights]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-19 1:30:13]
[GRAPHIC=4-H Investigation]

Several young people may soon face charges for alleged organized fist fights at the Four-H camp in Franklin County.
(------------)
[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.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Microsoft teams up with the cable industry.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((> Microsoft is taking another shot at the cable industry. The software gaint > has inked deals with Comcast and Time Warner Cable to test out its set-top > box technology. > The software is intended to be used with currently installed set-top boxes > and promises to let cable operators present easily accessed > video-on-demand and other features on devices such as set-top boxes. > > on wall street, stocks stumbled as investors mull the possibility of a > weak second half of the year for the economy and profits. > > the dow sank 91 points > > while the nasdaq tumbled more than 27. > > Adding to the market's jitters was a savage sell-off in the bond market > that catapulted the yield on 10-year Treasury note to its highest level > so far this year. The move in bonds sparked fears rising yields could lure > investors out of stocks and hurt the market for mortgage refinancing. > > on the stocks to watch list > Texas Instruments - the company whose computer chips powered half the > mobile phone sold last year its quarterly profit and revenue rose as > weakness in its wireless business was offset by strength in other markets. > but texas instruments warned that revenue will be less than expected in > the third quarter. > > > track all the premarket action at cbs.mw.com.. in new york i'm ac)) > >

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

[OH-Flooding]

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

A 10- year- old Ohio boy out riding his bike drowned after he waded into a drainage ditch that was swollen by floodwaters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Warren, OH;]

Rescuers say the boy's foot was stuck in a drain about five feet underwater.
He was pulled from the ditch unconscious and pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Severe storms in the region downed trees and caused other flash flooding.
[SUPER=03-Youngstown, OH;]

In Youngstown, Ohio, a tornado with speeds up to 110- miles- an- hour uprooted trees and damaged about 100 homes. No injuries were reported.

(------------)[Liberia]

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

Liberians are begging for America's help in ending their civil war.
More than 90 people were killed in the capital city, Monrovia yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Monrovia, Liberia;]

Hundreds of others were injured.
A barrage of mortars shook the capital, with one even hitting the commissary in the U-S Embassy compound.
President Bush says he's sent more Marines to protect the embassy.
Thousands of U-S forces are being ordered into positions closer to the West African country.
(------------)

[11Grayson-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
There's too much mold in a Grayson County school, so it will be closed when school bells ring again.
(+++++++)
[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.

[Hollywood-Minute]

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

A memorial mass will be held today in New York City today for Celia Cruz.
Adam Anshell has more in today's Hollywood Minute.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :06]
[SUPER=04-"American Idol"/FOX; :31]
[SUPER=03-Nana Glen, Australia/April 7; :46]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=I'm Adam Anshell.]
(( WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M ADAM ANSHELL.
CELIA CRUZ'S FANS HAD ANOTHER CHANCE TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS, AS THE SINGERS BODY RETURNED TO NEW YORK CITY TO BE BURIED. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FANS TOOK TO THE STREET MONDAY TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF THE HEARSE CARRYING HER BODY BACK TO A MADISON AVENUE FUNERAL HOME. THE QUEEN OF SALSA WILL BE REMEMBERED AT A MEMORIAL MASS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT NEW YORK'S ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL. CRUZ DIED OF CANCER LAST WEDNESDAY AT HER NEW JERSEY HOME.

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

AMERICAN IDOL JUDGE RANDY JACKSON SAYS HE PLANS TO LIGHTEN UP--LITERALLY! IN AN EFFORT TO LOSE WEIGHT, JACKSON IS PLANNING TO UNDERGO GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY. HE TELLS PEOPLE MAGAZINE THAT HE ALREADY SHED ABOUT TWENTY POUNDS LAST SPRING BY CUTTING BACK PORTIONS AND WORKING OUT.

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

MEANWHILE, ACTOR RUSSELL CROWE IS GETTING READY FOR A NEW ROLE... AS A FATHER! CROWE AND HIS NEW BRIDE, DANIELLE SPENCER ARE EXPECTING A CHILD! THE BUNDLE OF JOY IS REPORTEDLY DUE IN JANUARY. WITH THE HOLLYWOOD MINUTE, I'M ADAM ANSHELL.))

[11Fiddlefest]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC 29:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Fiddlefest kicked off yesterday.
(------------)
(///// 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.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, The Dow and the Nasdaq closed lower yesterday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS CLOSED LOWER MONDAY, LED BY DECLINES IN TECHNOLOGY. PROFIT TAKING CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECLINE.

THE DOW LOST 91 POINTS ON THE DAY...
THE NASDAQ DROPPED 27.

3-M POSTED SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF A DOLLAR-56 PER SHARE--UP 33 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO.
THE COMPANY SAYS THE WEAK U-S DOLLAR STRENGTHENED RETURNS ON SALES OVERSEAS AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE JUMP.
3-M MANUFACTURES A BROAD RANGE OF ITEMS THAT INCLUDES POST-IT NOTES AND FIBER OPTIC CONNECTORS.

MERCK REPORTED SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF 87 CENTS PER SHARE.
THAT'S UP FROM 77-CENTS A YEAR EARLIER.
HOWEVER, THE WORLD'S THIRD LARGEST DRUG MAKER MISSED ANALYSTS EXPECTATIONS BY A PENNY.
THE COMPANY SAYS FAVORABLE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES ALSO BOOSTED THEIR EARNINGS FOR THE QUARTER.
MERCK LOWERED CURRENT YEAR SALES FORECAST FOR ITS BEST SELLING ZOCOR (ZOH-KOHR).
PATENTS FOR THAT CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION HAVE ALREADY EXPIRED IN SOME OVERSEAS MARKETS.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES' SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS EASILY TOPPED ESTIMATES, RISING SHARPLY FROM A YEAR AGO.
AND THE COMPANY BOOSTED ITS FORECAST FOR THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS.
EXCLUDING A CASH REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR SECURITY-RELATED COSTS, THE NATION'S SIXTH-LARGEST AIRLINE EARNED 13 CENTS A SHARE, UP 23% FROM THE YEAR-AGO QUARTER.
ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED 11 CENTS.
WITH THE GOVERNMENT GRANT ADDED IN, THE AIRLINE EARNED 30 CENTS A SHARE.

WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF, I'M STAN CASE.))

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

[11Street-Crime]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-29 33:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Despite Roanoke's new commitment to fighting violent crime, some say gang violence will continue to climb. 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."
(------------)
[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 TTO 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.

[11Railwalk]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=cda]
[TAPE#=03-22 TC 1:12:24]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A unanimous decision by Roanoke City Council will permamently "link" a renowned photographer with the city's rails.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
A railwalk alongside the downtown tracks has been named after the late O. Winston Link, who is known world-wide for his photographs of steam locomotives in the 19-50's. The walk stretches from the City Market to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. City officials are working to make the railwalk more interactive, complete with rail artifacts, audio and visual aids (------------) and interpretives.