WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/08/04

[1181-Fatals]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-48 TC 1:02:18]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 ]
[ENG#=1]
Preliminary numbers indicate 2003 saw the lowest number of fatalities on I-81 in more than a decade.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The number of fatalities on I-81 are especially down in southwest Virginia, specificially from Wytheville to Rockbridge County.
Statistics provided by the State Police show there were just nine deaths on the interstate in our region last year.
That is half what it was four or five years ago when it hit a high of 18 in 1999.
Troopers say there are several reasons for the decrease and not one thing in particular.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:37:26]
[IN Q=It's a combination]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: IT'S A COMBINATION OF DRIVING HABITS AND BEHAVIORS, IT'S ENGINEERING ON THE PART OF AUTO MANUFACTURERS AND V-DOT AND OF COURSE WE FEEL THROUGH ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES THAT OUR AGENCY AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES UTILIZE.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=agencies utilize]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Although the number of fatalities are down on Interstate 81, accidents and injuries are actually up significantly.

2002 saw 200 accidents more than the previous year, and when the final numbers are calculated for 2003 it is expected to be even higher.
(------------)

[11Wythe-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-52 TC47:24]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]
[ENG#=2]

An unusual accident held up traffic on Interstate 81 in Wythe County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wythe Co.]

Troopers say Southbound traffic came to a standstill near Fort Chiswell yesterday afternoon after an overhead highway sign fell on a tractor-trailer.
No one was hurt, but the southbound lanes were blocked for about two hours.
Officials are now trying to figure out why the sign fell.
(------------)

[11Texas-Terrorism]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=03-46 TC1:19:40]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

A domestic terrorist plot may have been in the works and the people involved may have been planning at least one covert meeting in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 27.5]
[SUPER=03-Noonday, TX;]

The case stretches all the way to Texas- where a common law couple pleaded guilty - after agents found illegal machine guns, homemade bombs and components needed to make a cyanide bomb capable of killing thousands.
The feds also arrested a man in New Jersey and seized papers indicating plans for a covert operation.
One document mentions code words for meeting places in nine cities- Those cities include Winchester, Roanoke and Bristol, Tennessee.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:48]
[IN Q=IT'S SCARY ]
((DANNY COULSON/FORMER FBI AGENT: IT'S SCARY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CAPABILITIES LOOK AT THE VULNERABILITIES OF OUR SOCIETY . WE DON'T HAVE TO CONCERN OURSELVES SO MUCH WITH ONLY FOREIGN TERRORISTS BUT WE NEED TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH DOMESTIC TERRORIST TOO AND THESE GUYS ARE DANGEROUS.))
[SUPER=01-Danny Coulson/Former FBI Agent;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=guys are dangerous.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Texas man arrested, 62 year old William Karr, has ties to White Supremacist Groups.
He so far has refused to cooperate with authorities- officials fear there could be more members of the terrorist ring still at large.
(------------)

[AM-Bowman]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Logan Bowman 2058]
[ENG#=1]
Today marks an unwelcome anniversary for many people who knew Logan Bowman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT From 03-20 TC1:26:46]

The five year old boy was last seen alive one year ago today
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co./Last Year;]
outside his Galax area home, although his mother Cynthia Davis did not report him missing for another two weeks. Logan had been living with his mom and her boyfriend, Dennis Schemerhorn (SKIM-er-horn). Both were charged with murder several months later, but the boy's body has never been found.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa will update us on the investigation tonight on News 7.

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq casulaties]
[ENG#=none]

One American soldier has died and nearly three dozen others have been wounded after insurgents attacked a U- S military camp in Iraq.
Officials say six mortar rounds exploded last night near living quarters at the base west of Baghdad.
The troops are members of an Army maintenance battalion based at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesman says some of those wounded returned to duty shortly after the attack.

[Immigration-Bush]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush]
[ENG#=1]

President Bush has formally announced his plan to give legal status to millions of un-documented foreign workers.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Out of common]
((OUT OF COMMON SENSE AND FAIRNESS, OUR LAWS SHOULD ALLOW WILLING WORKERS TO ENTER OUR COUNTRY AND FILL JOBS THAT AMERICANS ARE NOT FILLING.))
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=are not filling]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The visas would be for three years, and renewable only one time to encourage the workers to go home.
But the plan has its critics.
One group argues the President has not gone far enough to help the people doing the jobs that Americans aren't willing to do.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He is in fact]
((CECILIA MUNOZ/NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA:HE IS IN FACT CREATING A DUAL CLASS OF WORKERS. HE'S CREATING A CLASS OF WORKERS WHO WILL HAVE TO WORK HARD BUT WON'T HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS. ))
[SUPER=01-Cecilia Munoz/National Council of La Raza;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=same rights.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, both Republicans and Democrats are also criticizing the plan, but the Senate Majority Leader says he expects the measure will pass because it's a matter of national security.
(-------------)

[Elvis-Birthday]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

The King of Rock n' Roll would have turned 69 years old today--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Memphis, TN;]

And there's a big party going on at Graceland.
Fans have flocked to the Memphis mansion to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday.
They'll be treated to birthday cake, and will also get to meet some of Presley's former backup singers.
Along with the birthday bash, Graceland is launching a 50th anniversary of Rock n' Roll celebration.
(------------)

[6-Maple-Leaf]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC1:18:55]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, a Roanoke bakery is being inundated with job candidates.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :33]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday;]
Now that it's completed a 12-million dollar expansion, Maple Leaf Bakery hopes to fill 30 to 40 positions. The plant's manager told News 7 he hoped the jobs would attract displaced textile workers and it looks like he got his wish. The Human Resources department says several applicants from Martinsville were waiting at the door at 6 o'clock yesterday morning and that more than two hundred applications have been accepted so far. If you're interested in a job you should stop by the bakery at 1955 Blue Hills Drive. Applications will be accepted until Monday.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In other business news, Enron's former finance chief is negotiating a plea bargain.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((FORMER ENRON FINANCIAL MASTERMIND ANDREW FASTOW AND HIS WIFE LEA ARE > REPORTEDLY NEGOTIATING A PLEA BARGAIN FOR THEIR ROLES IN THE ACCOUNTING > SCANDAL THAT BROUGHT DOWN THE ENERGY GIANT. THE PLEA BARGAIN REPORTEDLY > INCLUDES A 10 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR FASTOW AND A 5 MONTH PRISON > SENTENCE FOR HIS WIFE. FASTOW IS CONSIDERED THE ARCHITECT OF HUNDREDS OF > OFF BALANCE SHEET PARTNERSHIPS THAT ENRON USED TO INFLATE PROFITS AND HIDE > DEBT. > IT MAY BE PAY BACK TIME FOR DICK GRASSO...THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE HAS > ASKED NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ELIOT SPITZER TO FORCE THE FORMER > BIG BOARD CHAIRMAN TO GIVE BACK PART OF HIS 140 MILLION DOLLAR > COMPENSATION PACKAGE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HELPS REGULATE > NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NYSE. > > ON WALL STREET... > THE DOW LOST SOME GROUND.. DOWN 9 POINTS AS INVESTORS WAIT FOR EARNINGS > SEASON TO KICK IN NEXT WEEK... > > THE NASDAQ MADE IT FOUR WINNING SESSIONS IN A ROW HELPED IN PART BY AN > ANALYST UPGRADE OF CHIP GIANT INTEL. > > THE NASDAQ CLOSING AT A NEW 2 1/2 YEAR HIGH. > > PROCTER AND GAMBLE IS A STOCK TO WATCH TODAY. P&G SAYS THE EARLY FLU > SEASON WILL HELP DRIVE SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS 2 TO 4 CENTS ABOVE > ESTIMATES. > > AS ALWAYS, FIND OUT MORE AND TRACK YOUR STOCKS AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M > ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS.)) > >

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[Jackson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Jackson]
[ENG#=1]

Prosecutors want Michael Jackson's attorney to stop discussing details of the child molestation case in public.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

They've filed a motion seeking a gag order against attorney Mark Geragos.
It's similar to the one in place against him in the Scott Peterson murder case.
Several major news organizations have also filed a motion in Santa Barbara, California Superior Court.
They're asking the judge to unseal records related to the search of the pop star's Neverland Ranch.
Jackson's scheduled to be arraigned January 16th.
(------------)

[11Drug-Seizure]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Bedford County authorities say they've made one of the largest drug seizures in southwest Virginia outside of the interstate highway system.
Sheriff Mike Brown says his department recently seized six and a half kilos of cocaine worth more than 1-point-2 million dollars.
They also took control of more than 30-thousand dollars in cash and a car.
More details will be released at a press conference later today.

[11Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC34:22]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Burrow]
[ENG#=2]
The new indictment against Richard Burrow has once again injected the word fraud in the public debate over development at the D-Day Memorial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape]
Fund raising for the memorial remains clouded by pending allegations against Burrow. Now that new charges have been brought, the man who chaired the Foundation while Burrow was President fears the complex will not be completed until many of the D-Day veterans are gone.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:27:55]
[IN Q=We were hoping]
((BOB SLAUGHTER/FORMER FOUNDATION BOARD CHAIRMAN; WE WERE HOPING THIS WOULD BE SETTLED WHILE WERE STILL LIVING AND HAVE A GREAT VICTORY IN BEDFORD, I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Slaughter/Former Foundation Board Chairman; ]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=to happen now.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Slaughter and fellow members of the 29th Infantry Division gathered for their monthly meeting yesterday and found they had plenty to talk about one day after Burrow was re-indicted for fraud and perjury.
(------------)

[11Hamlar]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC20:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Lawrence Hamlar was remembered yesterday as a modest man who made major contributions to the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Family and friends gathered at First Baptist Church to celebrate the life of the businessman and civic leader. He died New Year's Eve at the age of 82.
Hamlar was the co-founder of Hamlar and Curtis Funeral Home, and a leader of many civic organizations. He worked behind the scenes in the 1960s to help end segregation in Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm going to remember him]
((I'M GOING TO REMEMBER HIM AS A GENTLE GIANT. A MAN WHO ACCOMPLISHED A LOT IN LIFE BUT DID NOT ALLOW HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO GO TO HIS HEAD.)) ((A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION. HE BELIEVED EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION, AND IF THEY DID THERE WAS NO END TO THE SUCCESS POSSiBILITIES REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, BACKGROUND AND HE PROVED THAT THAT WAS RIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Floyd Davis; :00]
[SUPER=01-Warner Dalhouse; :12]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=proved that that was right.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hamlar's list of accomplishments is extensive, but Pastor Kenneth Wright said it was Hamlar's humility, integrity and concern for others that cast a long shadow.
(------------)
(kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP-LOW KEY MUSIC] [COMM]

[2-6-Maple-Leaf]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC1:18:55]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, a Roanoke bakery put the word out that its hiring and potential employees are answering the call.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :33]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday;]
Now that it's completed a 12-million dollar expansion, Maple Leaf Bakery hopes to fill 30 to 40 positions. The plant's manager told News 7 he hoped the jobs would attract displaced textile workers and it looks like he got his wish. The Human Resources department says several applicants from Martinsville were waiting at the door at 6 o'clock yesterday morning and that more than two hundred applications have been accepted so far. If you're interested in a job you should stop by the bakery at 1955 Blue Hills Drive. Applications will be accepted until Monday.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In business news, The government has lifted its ban on M-C-I winning federal contracts. The decision was announced yesterday after the closing bell. M-C-I, now known as Worldcom, has been barred from receiving the contracts because of the company's recent accounting scandel. In other news, The Nasdaq composite index begins the trading day from its highest level since August 2001. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]

((THE MAJOR AVERAGES ENDED MIXED ON WEDNESDAY AS THE NASDAQ HIT ANOTHER HIGH.

THE DOW LOST NINE-POINTS...
AND THE NASDAQ WAS UP 20.

MONSANTO REPORTS A LOSS OF 37-CENTS PER DILUTED SHARE FOR ITS FIRST FISCAL QUARTER.
THIS IS THE FIRST QUARTERLY REPORT ON MONSTANO'S NEWLY REVAMPED FISCAL CALENDAR.
THE AGROCHEMICAL COMPANY SAYS A WRITE-OFF AND A RESTRUCTURING CHARGE CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS.
DESPITE THE BOOKKEEPING LOSS, MONSANTO REPORTED A 22-PERCENT INCREASE IN QUARTERLY SALES.

CIRCUIT CITY POSTED A DECLINE IN SALES NUMBERS FOR DECEMBER.
THE NATIONS NUMBER TWO ELECTRONICS RETAILER SAYS ITS SAME STORE SALES FELL TWO-PERCENT FOR THE PERIOD DESPITE HOLIDAY VOLUME.
CIRCUIT CITY SAYS A WEAKNESS IN SALES OF VIDEO GAMES AND HOME AUDIO SYSTEMS CONTRIBUTED TO THE NUMBERS.

A BANKRUPTCY JUDGE HAS APPROVED A REORGANIZATION PLAN FOR ENRON.
THE COLLAPSED ENERGY GIANT IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO EMERGING FROM CHAPTER 11.
ENRON MAY NOW SUBMIT THE PLAN TO ITS CREDITORS FOR A VOTE.

IN OTHER ENRON DEVELOPMENTS, THE COMPANY'S FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND HIS WIFE ARE CLOSE TO A PLEA AGREEMENT.
SOURCES SAY THE DEALS FOR ANDREW AND LEA FASTOW COULD BE FINALIZED BY THURSDAY.
THE AGREEMENTS REPORTEDLY INCLUDE JAIL TIME.

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

[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[2-11Drug-Seizure]

[11Bedford-Cameras]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-49 TC 1:01:10]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

They've become a staple of police reality shows on t-v, but not every police car in central Virginia is equipped with its own dash-mounted video camera to record chases and traffic stops.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

Two area Congressmen are working to change that.
Yesterday, Virgil Goode and Bob Goodlatte handed over 40-thousand dollars in federal grant money to the city of Bedford and Bedford County.
The money will help buy ten new cameras for the departments' patrol cars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:16:53]
[IN Q=We've found it]
((MILTON GRAHAM/BEDFORD CITY POLICE CHIEF: WE'VE FOUND IT TO BE INVALUABLE IN INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING CITIZENS COMPLAINTS. WE'VE USED IT EXTENSIVELY FOR THAT OVER THE YEARS, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU IT WOULD BE HARD FOR ME TO IMAGINE RUNNING A DEPARTMENT WITHOUT HAVING THESE UNITS IN THE VEHICLES.))
[SUPER=01-Milton Graham/Bedford City Police Chief;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=in the vehicles.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities say the cameras help ensure the safety of both officers and citizens.
(------------)

[11Disability-Worker]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC01:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

A Roanoke man hasn't let cerebral palsey stop him from being self sufficient.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

52-year old Bobby Johnson not only works at Kroger, he also drives and lives on his own.
This month he's celebrating his fifth year on the job -- the longest he's ever been employed.
But getting and keeping a job hasn't always been easy.
Johnson recalls the words of a former employer..
(/// SOT /////)
[SOT, on pre-pro tape with words over video]
[IN Q=He says Bobby there are a lot of people]
((HE SAYS BOBBY THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO JUST WISH YOU WOULD JUST GO AWAY))
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=just go away]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Johnson was able to get this job at Kroger with help of Commonwealth Supportive Services.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT10:28:45]
[IN Q=You get employers]
((LANAYE FERGUSON/COMMONWEALTH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES; YOU GET EMPLOYERS WHO GET NERVOUS, THEY HAVE THIS STEREOTYPE AND THE THINK THEY SHOULD JUST STAY HOME AND LIVE OFF THE STATE ))
[SUPER=01-Lanaye Ferguson/Commonwealth Supportive Services]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=live off the state]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Johnson has too much pride for that and hopes to be inspiration to others with cerebral palsy or other disabilities.

(+++++++++)
[TAKE FS PHONE NUMBER]
For more information about Commonwealth Supportive Services you can call 540-537- 6767.
(-------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[COMM] [BUMP]