WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/05/03

[Verizon]

[ANCHOR=Marya]

[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon Agreement]

A tentative, five-year agreement has been reached between Verizon and its unions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/August;]

The deal affects about 78-thousand Verizon workers.
It comes more than a month after contracts expired and the unions threatened to strike.
Members of two unions still must approve the agreement.
Workers will receive immediate cash bonuses of three percent, or an average of 16-hundred dollars, upon approval.

The deal calls for a 2-percent increase in base wages annually.
(------------)

[11Missing-Couple]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Roanoke couple who was reported missing from an assisted living center has been located in Tennessee.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN PICTURE]
Authorities say John and Sara Crow are O-K. The couple called their daughter yesterday from Sparta, Tennessee. She's going to pick them up later today.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=None]
The Crow's were last seen Wednesday night asking for directions at a store off Interstate 81 in Botetourt County. There was some concern about the Crow's disappearance because they are both in in their 70's, and have health problems.

[11Red-Cross]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-36 TC 13:05]
[GRAPHIC=Sept. 11]

In less than a week, Americans will pause to remember the 9-Eleven terrorist attacks.
In response to those attacks, federal, state, and local governments would like everyone to prepare for the unexpected.
Justin McLeod tells us how it's being done locally.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Betty Whittaker/American Red Cross; :19]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Niamke/Disaster Trainee; :39]
[SUPER=01-Carol Beasley/Disaster Trainee; 1:09]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:44]
[RUNS=2:01]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF CREW PUTTING OUT FIRE AT 21:32:50))
Here's something you don't see everyday.....ordinary citizens, like you and me, training to save lives. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF CREW PICKING UP PERSON AT 21:34:49))
It's all part of the Community Emergency Response Training.
[SOT 9:56:38]
[IN Q=It tells them]
((BETTY WHITTAKER/AMERICAN RED CROSS: IT TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO TILL HELP GETS THERE AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IN TIME DISASTER SECONDS ARE CRITICAL SO THIS WILL EMPOWER THE CITIZEN'S TO RESPOND.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=to respond]

This is all in response to the 9/11 attacks.
Last year, Governor Warner asked that Citizen Corps Councils be designated across the state to help train people to respond to emergency situations in their communities.
[SOT 9:58:00]
[IN Q=I could be prepared on my]
((STEPHEN NIAMKE/DISASTER TRAINEE: I COULD BE PREPARED ON MY OWN THAT'S ALL AND GOOD BUT IF A PLANE CRASHED IN MY COMMUNITY I CAN'T RESPOND TO THAT BY MYSELF.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=that by myself]

So Stephen Niamke got several of his neighbors together to take the training which locally is offered by the Red Cross. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF COP TALKING AT 10:08:47))
The 28 hour free course teaches everything from putting out small fires, providing first aid, to search and rescue operations.
[SOT 10:04:49]
[IN Q=We have a railroad]
((CAROL BEASLEY/DISASTER TRAINEE: WE HAVE A RAILROAD HERE, WE HAVE CARVIN'S COVE, WE HAVE 36 SCHOOLS HERE, WE HAVE ALL KIND OF PLACES WHERE TERRORISTS COULD ATTACK AND ALL OF US NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY I FEEL.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=community I feel]

A community effort that could provide medical assistance to victims, volunteers at a disaster site, and support for first responders.
The Red Cross hopes more citizens will take the classes since the agency can train 200 people free of charge, thanks to a 35-thousand dollar grant.
[SOT 9:56:58]
[IN Q=We're looking for teams]
((BETTY WHITTAKER/AMERICAN RED CROSS: WE'RE LOOKING FOR TEAMS OF 10 OR MORE. NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, CHURCHES, COMPANIES, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, ANY OF THOSE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION NOW'S THE TIME TO COME ON BOARD.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=come on board]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=The Red Cross]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE RED CROSS IS OFFERING THE TRAINING FREE OF CHARGE UNTIL THE GRANT RUNS OUT IN DECEMBER.
IT IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS IN ROANOKE CITY, ROANOKE COUNTY, SALEM, VINTON, AND BOTETOURT COUNTY. THE FIRST TEAM LOCALLY WILL GRADUATE NEXT THURSDAY, THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Airport-security]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-40 TC00:18]
[GRAPHIC=Airport Security]

Another reminder of September 11th is tougher airport security.
But despite all the warnings, officials say a record number of airline passengers are packing guns, knives and sharp objects.
And they say it's happening all over the country.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Since the Transportation Security Administration started screening passengers, over 8 million potential weapons have been intercepted at airport checkpoints.
That includes 15-hundred guns and two-and-a-half million knives.
Officials say they are concerned about the increase but don't think it signals a rise in terrorist activity.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=People are]
((CHRIS RHATIGAN/TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION: PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO TEST THE SYSTEM WHAT WE'RE SAYING IS DON'T TRY TO TEST THE SYSTEM USE THE AIRPLANES FOR TRAVEL AND TO DO YOUR BUSINESS BUT IF YOU DO TRY TO TEST THE SYSTEM YOU WILL BE ARRESTED.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Rhatigan/Transportation Security Administration; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=SYSTEM YOU WILL BE ARRESTED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]

What's done with all those items? T-S-A Officials say they're destroyed.
(------------)

[Debate]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]

Democratic presidential contenders are taking aim at President Bush more than at each other.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Albuquerque, NM;]

They met last night in Albuquerque for the first major debate of the 2004 campaign.
They mostly hammered the President for his foreign policy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT @ :09 in pkg]
[IN Q=We have young men]
(( ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) Presidential Candidate; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate; :09]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Dick Gephardt/(D) Presidential Candidate; :17]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=has to be replaced.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This was the first of six debates sanctioned by the Democratic party before the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries in January.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Intel is updating its sales forecast.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((GOOD MORNING... > > A TECH TITAN IS OUT WITH SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS.. THAT JUST MAY ADD MORE > FUEL TO THE RECENT TECH RALLY. > > COMPUTER CHIP GIANT INTEL HAS RAISED ITS THIRD QUARTER SALES FORECAST TO > BETWEEN 7.6 AND 7.8 BLN DOLLARS...FOR THE THIRD QUARTER.. THAT'S ABOVE > WHAT ANALYSTS WERE EXPECTING. > The chip industry is seeing signs of a recovery following its worst > downturn ever. > > A FORMER TOP ECONOMIST AT GOLDMAN SACHS IS ACCUSED OF INSIDER TRADING. > FEDERAL PROSECUTORS CLAIM 44 YEAR OLD JOHN YOUNGDAHL ILLEGALLY TRADED ON > CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT'S PLAN TO STOP > SELLING 30 YEAR BONDS. Goldman itself agreed to pay more than $9 million > to settle > charges by the SEC that it failed to stop traders from buying on the news. > > Another investigation of fraud on Wall Street. Massachussetts regulators > are investigating possible illegal mutual fund trading at Prudential > Financial. No charges have been filed againist Prudential... at this time. > > > ON WALL STREET.. STOCKS PUT IN ANOTHER SOLID PERFORMANCE TO KEEP THE > SEPTEMBER RALLY AFLOAT.. > > THE DOW CLMBED 19 POINTS > > THE NASDAQ UP 16. > > mortgage rates are on the rise again. The rate on a 30 year loan rose to > 6.44 percent this week up from 6.32 percent... that's the highest since > july of 2002. > > TRACK ALL THE PRE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM... I'M AC IN NY.)) >

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

[FL-Storm]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tropical Storm]

As much as 15 inches of rain is expected in parts of Florida today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Citrus Co., FL;]

Citrus County, Florida has already had one of its wettest summers in years.
Residents are gearing up for Tropical Storm Henri -- now brewing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
It's expected to slam ashore late tonight.
(------------)

[Earthquake]

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

A medium-sized earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]

The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 3-point-9.
It sent items crashing from shelves, but caused no major damage or injuries.
It centered in the suburb of Piedmont, 12 miles east of the San Francisco Bay.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A moderate earthquake struck Panama yesterday as well -- but ALSO caused no major injuries or damage.

This one had a 5-point-3 magnitude.[11Holcomb]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Giles County pastor is under arrest on charges he molested a young girl.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN PIC] 52-year-old Roger Holcomb of the Pembroke Church of God is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery on a juvenile. Investigators say the girl attended his church and the abuse went on for about six months before social services reported it to authorities.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=None]
Holcomb has been pastor at the Pembroke Church of God for about a year and a half. He's being held without bond.

[6-Mastrapasqua]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-35 TC25:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A former Lynchburg cop suspected of driving drunk during a motorcycle crash last spring has won a partial victory in court.
Bedford circuit court judge James Updike ruled yesterday that the blood alcohol tests for Chris Mastrapasqua (mass-truh-PASS-kwah) could NOT be used in court against him.
Updike said the investigating state trooper did not have enough probable cause to have the blood drawn the night of the accident.
But prosecutors WILL have access to Mastrapasqua's hospital records, which could still help them prosecute the D-U-I charge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:19:04]
[IN Q=For me to]
((RANDY KRANTZ/BEDFORD CO. PROSECUTOR: FOR ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS APPROPRIATELY I HAVE TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE AND WHAT WE FOUGHT FOR TODAY WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL GET TO SEE THAT EVIDENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Randy Krantz/Bedford Co. Prosecutor]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=see that evidence.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Marya]
[SS=None]

Mastrapasqua has since resigned from the Lynchburg police department.
His trial is set for November.

[11Salem-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE # 03-32 TC48:15]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

The cause of a stubborn fire in Salem last month will be officially listed as "undetermined".
(------------)
[VO-NAT :45]
[SUPER=03-Salem/August 20;]
The assistant chief of the Salem Fire Department says the fire at the True Value Hardware store August 20th started in an area known as "the shed", a once-separate building that had been incorporated into the larger structure. Originally, investigators thought the fire started in the attic and may have been electrical in origin. They now say the exact cause is unclear, although foul play is *not* suspected. The case will remain under investigation. If new information comes to light, the official cause could be changed.
[SUPER=04-August 25;]
Meantime, Salem planned to open its water intake yesterday afternoon. The intake had been closed following the death of hundreds of fish. There'd been concern contaminated runoff from the fire had caused the kill.
(------------)

(Marya tosses to bump)

[bump-chyron]

[comm #3]

[11Warner-Education]

[ANCHOR=Marya]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-28 TC1:13:46]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]
Governor Mark Warner's plan to provide half a billion dollars for schools to pay for Standards of Quality regulations has raised some eyebrows and questions. First, how to pay for it, and second why higher education was left out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :15]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
A host of state and local leaders were there Warner talked about it yesterday in Roanoke. Delegate Jim Shuler says the current General Assembly has favored increases in fees instead of taxes to raise funds, but now may have to take a look at something "more substantial."
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 51:31]
[INQ=If the members of...]
((DEL. JIM SHULER/(D) BLACKSBURG; IF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THEY WILL INDEED, ME INCLUDED, FIND A WAY TO MOVE VIRGINIA FORWARD. ))
[SUPER=@shuler;]
[RUNS=9]
[OUTQ=move Virginia forward.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :10]
Meanwhile, higher education officials say they are happy with Warner's commitment to education. But they wish Virginia's colleges had gotten a slice of the funding pie.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 56:32]
[INQ=Ultimately, you get...]
((DOUGLAS COVINGTON/RADFORD UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT; ULTIMATELY YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I THINKTHE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZES THAT, I HOPE THE CITIZENRY OF VIRGINIA WILL RECOGNIZE THAT AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Douglas Covington/Radford University President;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUTQ=recognize that as well.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT - :10+]
Roanoke County is one of three localities serving as test cases for state auditors to look at the school systems finances to try to save money to pay for the funding.
(-------------)

[11Rail-Solution]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC1:47:54]
[GRAPHIC=none]

As Virginia makes plans to improve Interstate 81, more communities along the highway are calling for a closer look at the corridor's rail lines.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Two dozen local governments have passed resolutions encouraging the state to consider rail improvements as a way to ease congestion on the interstate.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Rail advocates believe the plan would divert a substantial percentage of freight that now moves by truck, and they fear the state is dismissing that option.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:01]
[IN Q=We need more]
((DAVID FOSTER/RAIL SOLUTION MEMBER: WE NEED MORE BALANCED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING IN VIRGINIA, AND WE CAN'T JUST KEEP LOOKING TO BUILDING MORE LANES OF PAVEMENT TO SOLVE EVERY CONGESTION PROBLEM.))
[SUPER=01-David Foster/Rail Solution Member;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=solve every congestion problem.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Roanoke State Senator John Edwards hopes to win General Assembly approval for a rail authority that would help to finance track improvements.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Wall Street extends its winning streak. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((STOCKS CLOSED UP FOR ANOTHER SESSION ON THURSDAY.

THE DOW ENDED THE DAY UP 19 POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ GAINED 16.

FIRST TIME UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS JUMPED ABOVE 400-THOUSAND ONCE AGAIN FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 30TH.
THE LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTS 413-THOUSAND AMERICANS FILED FOR FIRST TIME BENIFITS...THAT'S UP FROM 398-THOUSAND A WEEK EARLIER.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX MONTHS, NEW JOBLESS CLAIMS HAD DROPPED BELOW 400-THOUSAND IN MID-JULY.
ANY READING ABOVE THAT THRESHHOLD INDICATES A WEEK JOB MARKET.
THE U-S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AT SIX-POINT-TWO PERCENT.

NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR REPORTED EARNINGS OF 15-CENTS A SHARE FOR ITS FIRST QUARTER....
THAT'S UP FROM A PENNY PER SHARE A YEAR EARLIER.
THE CHIPMAKER SAYS COST-CUTTING MEASURES AND AN INCREASE IN ITS MARKET SHARE CONTRIBUTED TO EARNINGS FOR THE THE QUARTER.
NATIONAL SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURES VARIOUS TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS INCLUDING MANY USED IN CELL-PHONES.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS AGAIN THROWN OUT THE OBESITY LAWSUIT AGAINST MCDONALD'S.
PLAINTIFFS HAD REFILED THEIR SUIT ALLEGING THE FAST FOOD GIANT MISLED CONSUMERS ABOUT THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF THEIR FOODS.

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

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

[11Gring]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-39 TC05:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

After more than 10 years on the job, Roanoke College's president is stepping down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :30]
[SUPER=03-Salem/August 11;]
David Gring announced his retirement yesterday morning. He says he's *not* sick and he's *not* taking another job, that he just wants to relax and enjoy his kids and grandkids. Gring has headed up the Salem institution since 1989. He says he has accomplished his goals and is especially proud of the school's Phi Beta Kappa members for recently being awarded their own chapter. His retirement will take effect at the end of the academic year.
(------------)
(toss to Steve)