WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 08/19/03

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[7Wx-Headline]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]
Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom. We should see plenty of sunshine today, and temperatures right around normal for this time of year.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the complete forecast after the news.

[7-VOB-L'burg-Police]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CutIn]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Police]
Some Lynchburg police officiers say they're not paid enough, and they hope public awareness will help to put an end to it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; ]
The officers, who held a press conference yesterday evening, want the city to increase the pay for police officers. They say since two- thousand one, about a third of the department's sworn personnel have left. The officers say the city doesn't pay enough to recruit and retain veteran officers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:29:20]
[IN Q=OFFICERS ARE LEAVING]
((OFFICERS ARE LEAVING AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURES AND CRUNCH THE NUMBERS THEY'RE ACTUALLY LEAVING EACH YEAR AT A HIGHER RATE, THE RATE AT WHICH OFFICERS ARE LEAVING IS INCREASING EACH YEAR... AND THERE HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF STOP GAP MEASURE BEFORE THINGS BECOME DANGEROUS.))
[SUPER=01-Ryan Zuidema/Lynchburg Police Officer; ]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=BECOME DANGEROUS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The officers say they're working overtime to keep the department going while they try to fill about 20- vacancies. Next week, the city manager and city council will meet for a retreat and the officers hope the two will decide to increase the department's rate of pay in the near future.
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[7-11Bob-Shell]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM CutIn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE=03-28 TC57:38]
[GRAPHIC=Robert Shell]
Prosecutors have dropped charges against Radford photographer Robert Shell, but they say the case is hardly closed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Shell was facing sexual charges in connection with the death of his model and assistant, Marion Franklin. Franklin was found dead in Shell's studio June Third of an apparent drug overdose. But yesterday, prosecutors filed a motion to drop the charges while they wait for an autopsy report. Then they'll also decide whether to charge Shell with homicide. Meanwhile Shell says he's innocent and ready to put the matter behind him.
(/////SOT////)
[SOT 5914]
[IN Q=i know]
((ROBERT SHELL/PHOTOGRAPHER: I KNOW THERE'S NO REAL CASE AGAINST ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF ESTABLISHING THAT NOW IN COURT.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Shell/Photographer;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=now in court]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Shell was released on bond and is under house arrest. His attorney is working to have that order dropped as well.
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[7-11Pools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM-Cut-In]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=03-27 TC1:09:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]

If you're thinking of dipping into Roanoke's public pools before summer ends, you'd better get in the swim by this Sunday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Washington Park and Fallon Park pools usually stay open until Labor Day.
But not this year.
Both pools will close for the season this Sunday.
City officials say it's hard to find enough lifeguards because most of them are back in school.
And the number of people who use the pools on that holiday weekend has been pretty low.
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[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
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[WRITER=kor]
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[LEO IN CHROMAKEY]

WEATHER PRO

[Desk 2-Shot=Kim and Leo]

(Good Bye!)

[7Goodbye]

[ANCHOR=KMC-LEO]
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[WRITER=kor]
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[Desk 2-Shot]

[SUPER=@Leo1;]

(AD-LIB Bye)

[SUPER=#4057; Copyright]

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[55-WXHeads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]
Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-80's .. pretty much the norm for this time of year .. and that's what we expect today.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the forecast details in a couple of minutes.

[55-West-Nile]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM CutIn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=West Nile Virus]
Virginia has its second probable human case of the West Nile virus.
This time, it's from Norfolk, where officials say the patient is improving.
The lab samples that indicate West Nile will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation, a process that usually takes several weeks. This comes about a week after a Botetourt County man tested positive, the first such case in Virginia this year. Health officials say he's doing fine.

[55-11Trolley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-32 TC37:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Roanoke City Councilman thinks going back in time may help Roanoke in the future.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Bev Fitzpatrick is trying to bring back Roanoke's old trolley system as a tourist attraction.
His plan would run restored trolleys between the transportation museum downtown, Crystal Spring and the top of Mill Mountain.
Fitzpatrick and the Commonwealth Coach and Trolley museum are talking about the idea with city council.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:30:08]
[IN Q=We have a trolley]
((BEV FITZPATRICK/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL; WE HAVE A TROLLEY .... HAVE THEM RUNNING, AS OPPOSED TO SITTING STILL, IF WE COULD.))
[SUPER=01-Bev Fitzpatrick/Roanoke City Council;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=if we could.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fitzpatrick says he's looking into state and federal grants to help get the project on track.
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[55-11Tax-Reform]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM CutIn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=503-00 35:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A state commission is taking a close look at Virginia's taxes.
The General Assembly's Tax Reform Commission may help decide which ones go up -- and down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

In their second meeting yesterday, panel members indicated that some taxes may be on the way out.
They proposed repealing the estate tax, finishing the phase out of the car tax and reducing the tax on food.
But they also made it clear that some Virginians will see higher tax bills.
Among those voicing their concern yesterday were federal retirees and dry cleaning businesses.
That's because the panel is thinking about doing away with the age deduction on personal income taxes and applying the state sales tax to services as well as goods.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:19:15]
[IN Q=IN ANY TAX REFORM]
[SUPER=01-Del. Leo Wardrup/(R) Va. Beach; VERY QUICK :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Walter Stosch/(R) Richmond; Very QUICK :03]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR US.]
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Committee made no formal recommendations yesterday.
It will meet again in September.

[55WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=cut -ins]
[WRITER=kor]
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[LEO IN CHROMAKEY]

WEATHER PRO

[Desk 2-Shot=Kim and Leo]

(Good Bye!)

[55Goodbye]

[ANCHOR=KMC-LEO]
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[WRITER=kor]
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[Desk 2-Shot]

[SUPER=@Leo1;]

(AD-LIB Bye)

[SUPER=#4057; Copyright]

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[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

[8Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin' Report]

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
Most of us will be basking in the sun today, with temperatures climbing into the 80s this afternoon.
Metereologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the full forecast, right after the news.

[8-AM-Roanoke-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Butch Lewis]

Back to school also means back to WORK for a school resource officer in Roanoke who's been at the center of controversy this summer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
After ten years at Patrick Henry, Butch Lewis was reassigned to traffic duty in June after talking to a reporter about school safety. He was recently given his job back pending a task force review.
(///// SOT at :17 /////)
[SOT 17:30:33-17:30:45]
((BUTCH LEWIS/PH SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER: HOPEFULLY, THE TASK FORCE WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WON'T CHANGE THE S-R-O PROGRAM. I'M HOPING THEY'LL LOOK AT THE PROGRAM AS IT IS NOW AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Butch Lewis/School Resource Officer;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=and nothing will change.]
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[VO-NAT]

Teachers at Patrick henry gathered for a faculty meeting yesterday after a district-wide address by the school superintendent. In light of recent concerns about school safety, Wayne Harris outlined plans to maintain what he called a "wholesome learning environment". Teachers say most of their problems with students are minor.
(///// SOT at :20 /////)
[SOT 17:25:48-17:26:05]
[IN Q=I've never had any issues...]
((KATHLEEN DUNCAN/PATRICK HENRY TEACHER: I'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES IN MY CLASSROOM. I THINK IT'S JUST BY VIRTUE OF HAVING 17-HUNDRED STUDENTS ON A CAMPUS, THERE'S GONNA BE THINGS THAT TAKE PLACE. BUT I'VE NEVER FELT UNSAFE.))
[SUPER=01-Kathleen Duncan/Patrick Henry Teacher; ]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=I've never felt unsafe.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
There are three school resource officers at Patrick Henry.
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[8-11Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=AM CutIn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC1:34:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Meanwhile, Henry County Schools are starting the year off with a good progress report.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]

At a teacher assembly yesterday morning, the school system announced 80-percent of its schools are fully accredited.

Administrators consider that quite an achievement when the state average is just 65-percent.
Teachers consider the news to be bittersweet since the school system will soon close five schools including several that are doing so well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:36:02]
[IN Q=It's going to be tough]
((GENELL BROWN/TEACHER: IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO LET GO OF THE BUILDING ITSELF BUT YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT AND LOOK AT IT'S JUST A BUILDING AND NO MATTER WHAT ROOF THEY PUT US UNDER WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST JOB WE CAN.))
[SUPER=01-Genell Brown/Teacher; :02]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=job we can]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Superintendent also unveiled a new logo for the school system.
It reads "Henry County schools, ahead of the learning curve."
The flag resembles the curve of a racetrack to symbolize that area's rich history for racing.
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[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Leo]
[NEWSCAST=cut -ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[LEO IN CHROMAKEY]

WEATHER PRO

[Desk 2-Shot=Kim and Leo]

(Good Bye!)

[8Goodbye]

[ANCHOR=KMC-LEO]
[NEWSCAST=cut-ins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[Desk 2-Shot]

[SUPER=@Leo1;]

(AD-LIB Bye)

[SUPER=#4057; Copyright]