WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/13/04

[VOB-School-Board]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-02 4:29]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

They've tried once before and failed.
Now, supporters of an elected school board in Roanoke are back at it again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Roanoke Education Association wants to put a referendum on the May ballot that if passed, would allow voters to directly elect school board members.
The group needs to collect five thousand signatures, but so far, it only has a little over two thousand.
After recent scandals in the Roanoke school system, supporters thought their job would be easy but have found it to be difficult because of a similar drive that failed last spring.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:19:43]
[IN Q=I think there is]
((ANITA PRICE/ROANOKE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: I THINK THERE IS SOME CONFUSION BECAUSE I KNOW JUST PERSONALLY THAT WHEN I HAVE APPROACHED PEOPLE AND SAID WOULD YOU LIKE TO SIGN THE PETITION FOR THE ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD, AND THEY SAY I'VE ALREADY SIGNED THAT AND THEN I ASKED THEM WHEN DID YOU SIGN IT BECAUSE IF YOU SIGNED IT LAST YEAR, IN THE EARLY SPRING, THEN THIS IS A WHOLE NEW PROCESS.))
[SUPER=01-Anita Price/Roanoke Education Association; ]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=A WHOLE NEW PROCESS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The signatures gathered last spring cannot be used this time around so the group's had to start from scratch.
Supporters concede it will be difficult--but are optimistic they can get the necessary signatures by the February second deadline.
(------------)

[11Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=03-50 TC1:20:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
The Henry County School Board wants to consider the bottom line before it gets to the "bottom" of the consolidation issue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]
Yesterday, the board held a special meeting to get an itemized account of exactly how much the plan to close five schools and combine several others will actually cost. Last summer, the board approved more than one-point-seven million dollars for the project. But according to newly released figures, renovations to two schools that would stay open will add another million dollars to the plan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I get really nervous]
((MARY MARTIN: I GET REALLY NERVOUS WHEN I SEE ANTICIPATED FUNDS ALREADY AT A MILLION DOLLARS AND THERE MAY BE ROADS, THERE MAY HAVE TO BE THIS AND THERE MAY HAVE TO THAT. I GET NERVOUS WHEN YOU GET INTO THAT KIND OF MONEY, IT MAKES ME EDGY AS TO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO NEXT YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Martin/Henry Co. School Board]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=.. to do next year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A public meeting is scheduled tomorrow night at seven o-clock to further discuss school consolidation. School board chairman Curtis Millner says the board will make a decision about the plan then.
(------------)

[Highway-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 81]
[ENG#=3]

Enforcement of Virginia's first Highway Safety Corridor begins today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week; ]
The designated area is a 15 mile stretch of Interstate 81 between Ironto and Salem. State Police will be using aerial speed enforcement, VASCAR and motorcycle patrols to enforce the law.
Those who are caught speeding could be fined anywhere from 5-hundred to 25-hundred dollars. We'll have more on this story tonight on News 7.
(------------)

[11Kaine-transportation]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC34:37]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Virginia's lawmakers can not be trusted with the state's transportation trust fund.
That's according to Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Kaine says he will ask the General Assembly to approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting raids on the funds.
State law says the fund can be used only for road construction but the state budget trumps all other laws.
That has allowed legislators and the governor to dip into the fund for other purposes, as they did in 2002 to help balance the budget.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:39:45]
[IN Q=SOME OF THAT MONEY GOES TOWARD MASS TRANSIT]
((MICHAEL O'CONNOR/VIRGINIA PETROLEUM, CONVENIENCE AND GROCERY ASSOCIATION: SOME OF THAT MONEY GOES TOWARD MASS TRANSIT, RAIL, IT'S NOT ALL GOING TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TIM KAINE: WHEN THE VOTERS SEE THE LEGISLATURE SLOSHING MONEY AROUND FROM DEDICATED FUND TO GENERAL FUND IT CAUSES THEM TO LOSE TRUST THAT THE MONEY WILL BE USED AS ADVERTISED.))
[SUPER=01-Michael O'Connor/Petroleum, Convenience & Grocery Assoc.; :00]
[SUPER=@Kaine; :10]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=MONEY WILL BE USED AS ADVERTISED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kaine says a constitutional amendment is necessary in light of recent proposals to increase the state's fuel tax.

(------------)

[Dean]

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

With less than a week to go before the Iowa Caucus, Democratic front- runner Howard Dean is firing back at his rivals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The former Vermont Governor singled out John Kerry, John Edwards, and Dick Gephardt for supporting the Bush administration's war with Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm going after]
((HOWARD DEAN/D- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'M GOING AFTER EVERYBODY. I'M TIRED OF BEING THE PEN CUSHION HERE. IF YOU DO THAT TOO ME LONG ENOUGH. I'M GONNA RESPOND AND I AM NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Howard Dean/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=and I am now.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

The change comes with the race tightening, and Dean apparently feeling he needs to distinguish himself from the other candidates and answer the criticism.
The latest national polls show Dean and Gephardt close for the lead with Kerry and Edwards battling for third place.

(------------)

[Lion-Attack]

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

The man who was mauled by a lion at a zoo in Argentina over the weekend is undergoing treatment for psychological problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buenos Aires, Argentina;]

Authorities say the 22- year- old man jumped into the lion's pen, and challenged one of the animals to a bull fight.

The lion pounced on him and bit the man repeatedly before a police officer scared the animal off with warning shots.

A doctor reportedly said the man told authorities that "voices from God" ordered him to taunt the animals.
Doctors say the man has only minor injuries to his hands, arms, and face.
(------------)

[6-L'burg-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC1:20:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

It's been talked about for years, but now the idea of creating a regional authority to govern the Lynchburg airport is starting to take off.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Leaders from four area chambers of commerce gathered yesterday to announce their support for the initiative.
The airport currently is run and largely financed by the city of Lynchburg.. but a regional authority would give all the surrounding localities more control.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:03:20]
[IN Q=If an asset]
((MARK COURTNEY/AIRPORT MANAGER: IF AN ASSET LIKE THIS IS SO VALUABLE TO THE REGION, WHY WOULDN'T THE REGIONAL BODIES WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAD SOME CONTROL. AND THE WAY THEY HAVE CONTROL IS WITH AN INDEPENDENT AIRPORT AUTHORITY,))

[SUPER=01-Mark Courtney/Airport Manager;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=independent airport authority.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The authority would be made up of members appointed by the five area governing bodies.
Supporters say fewer and fewer airports are still run by local governments.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Intel and General Electric are among the companies that are expected to release their earnings reports this week. And, Disney is closing its Orlando animation studio.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((IT'S ALL ABOUT EARNINGS ON WALL STREET FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
AMONG THE COMPANIES SLATED TO REPORT THIS WEEK: INTEL, APPLE COMPUTER, YAHOO AND GENERAL ELECTRIC...
INVESTORS ARE EXPECTING THESE COMPANIES TO FORECAST STRONG PROFITS THIS YEAR..
STOCKS WERE HIGHER AHEAD OF THE EARNINGS PARADE...
THE DOW MOVED UP 26 POINTS
THE NASDAQ RALLIED 24 TO A NEW 2 AND A HALF YEAR HIGH.
FRANK QUATTRONE'S RETRIAL WILL STAY IN NEW YORK. THE FORMER STAR INVESTMENT BANKER AT CS FIRST BOSTON WANTED TO TRANSFER HIS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE TRIAL TO SAN FRANCISCO. QUATTRONE'S ATTORNEY ARGUED THAT HOLDING A SECOND TRIAL IN NEW YORK WOULD POSE A FAMILY HARDSHIP FOR QUATTRONE. THIS IS THE SECON TIME THE EX BANKER HAS TRIED TO MOVE THE TRIAL. HIS FIRST TRIAL - WHICH ENDED IN A HUNG JURY - WAS HELD LATE LAST YEAR IN NEW YORK.
IT'S THE END OF AN ERA AT WALT DISNEY. THE MEDIA GIANT IS CLOSING ITS ORLANDO FLORIDA ANIMATION STUDIO, ERASING ABOUT 260 JOBS. THE ANIMATION STUDIO PRODUCED FILMS INCLUDING LEE-LO AND STITCH, MULAN AND THIS YEAR'S BROTHER BEAR. BUT DISNEY HAS HAD MORE SUCCESS WITH COMPUTER ANIMATED FILMS IN PRODUCED WITH PIXAR INCLUDING TOY STORY AND FINDING NEMO.
FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC.))

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

[Bush-Summit]

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

The two- day Summit of the Americas wraps up today in Mexico.
President Bush will turn his attention North, when he meets with Canada's Prime Minister about issues like border security and Mad Cow disease.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Monterrey, Mexico;]

Yesterday, President Bush pushed for a free trade zone spanning the Western Hemisphere.
He also called on his fellow world leaders to promote and defend democracy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Through our democratic]
((THROUGH OUR DEMOCRATIC EXAMPLE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE BRAVE PEOPLE OF CUBA, WHO FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY HAVE ENDURED THE TYRANNIES AND REPRESSION. DICTATORSHIP HAS NO PLACE IN THE AMERICAS.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=no place in the Americas.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, relations have warmed between Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Fox says he supports Bush's new proposal to give temporary visas to migrant workers, and accepted an invitation to the President's ranch in Texas.
(------------)

[Williams]

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

Jury selection begins today in New Jersey for the trial of former N-B-A star Jayson Williams.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Somerville, NJ;]

Williams faces manslaughter charges in the death of a limo driver two years ago.
Prosecutors say the 35- year- old former Nets players shot the driver while playing around with a gun, then tried to make it look like a suicide.
Williams' attorneys have maintained the shooting was accidental.
He could face nearly 55 years behind bars if he's convicted on all charges.
Jury selection is expected to take until the end of the month.
(------------)

[11Disaster-Decalation]

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

More Virginia Counties are being declared disaster areas.
The U-S Department of Agriculture declared Franklin and Roanoke Counties primary disaster areas because of last year's excessive rain.
Patrick County is also a primary disaster area because of damage from Hurricane Isabel.
That means farmers in those counties and the counties that border them are eligible for low-interest federal emergency loans.

[11Danville-SCLC]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-44 TC39:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

With the Martin Luther King holiday fast approaching, civil rights leaders in Danville want to make sure his legacy isn't forgotten.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

The Danville chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is sponsoring three days worth of events celebrating Dr. King's work.
They include a youth night Friday and a candlelight march against violence on Sunday.
Black leaders say drug-related violence and the loss of area jobs are helping reverse some of the civil rights gains made in the 1960's.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:30:00]
[IN Q=Total integration]
((REV. WILLIAM KEEN/DANVILLE SCLC PRESIDENT: TOTAL INTEGRATION, THAT HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE. IF ANYTHING, WE'RE REVERSING BACK TO MORE SEGREGATION INSTEAD OF TOTAL INTEGRATION. SO, WE'RE STILL MAKING A PLEA TO THE WHITE AMERICANS TO GET OUT IN THE FIELD, TO COME OUT AND JOIN THIS MARCH IN STOP THE KILLING.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. William Keen/Danville SCLC President]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=stop the killing.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sunday's march begins at 5 at the corner of Watson and Stuart Streets in Danville.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[11Furniture]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-47 TC1:27:37]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=2]

In business news, several furniture makers in Galax are claiming a victory over China.
They say China is illegally dumping cheaper bedroom furniture into the U-S and it's flooding the market.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Galax]

Now a recent 6 to zero vote by the International Trade Commission says there is a chance the U-S furniture industry is being damaged by cheaper Chinese imports. The ruling means the U-S Department of Commerce will now conduct its own investigation. Local furniture companies say this is a major step forward.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:2:19:16:00]
[IN Q=We got to believe]
((JOHN BASSETT:WE'VE GOT TO BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE. I BELIEVE IN AMERICA AND I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK WITH US IN THESE FACTORIES ARE THE MOST EFFICIENT IN THE WORLD BUT THEY'VE GOT TO BE GIVEN A FAIR PLAYING FIELD TO PLAY ON.))
[SUPER=01-John Bassett/Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=play on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Department of Commerce is expected to release its findings in May. That's when the International Trade Commission could vote to place a duty on China, essentially leveling the playing field for U-S furniture companies.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Now here's a look at your local stocks.

[2-Bush-Summit]

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

The meeting of leaders from 34 countries comes to a conclusion today in Mexico.
Before it ends, President Bush will have a discussion with Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Monterrey, Mexico;]

Yesterday, President Bush pushed for a free trade zone spanning the Western Hemisphere.
He also called on his fellow world leaders to promote and defend democracy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Through our democratic]
((THROUGH OUR DEMOCRATIC EXAMPLE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO STAND WITH THE BRAVE PEOPLE OF CUBA, WHO FOR NEARLY HALF A CENTURY HAVE ENDURED THE TYRANNIES AND REPRESSION. DICTATORSHIP HAS NO PLACE IN THE AMERICAS.))
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=no place in the Americas.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, relations have warmed between Bush and Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Fox says he supports Bush's new proposal to give temporary visas to migrant workers, and accepted an invitation to the President's ranch in Texas.
(------------)

[2-11Disaster-Decalation]

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

The U-S Department of Agriculture has declared Franklin and Roanoke Counties primary disaster areas because of last year's excessive rain.
Patrick County is also a primary disaster area because of damage from Hurricane Isabel.
That means farmers in those counties and the counties that border them are eligible for low-interest federal emergency loans.

[11Towers-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC26:04]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
[ENG#=1]

Investigators in Roanoke are still trying to figure out what caused a man to lose control of his car Saturday night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Saturday;]
It happened shortly after 7:30 on Brandon Avenue near Towers Mall. Police say 62-year-old Joseph Davis' car hit a utility pole, snapping it. the car then flipped over and ended up in the Arby's parking lot. Davis had to be cut out of the car and transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He's listed in fair condition. Police say two other cars hit the pole's wires, but the teens in those cars were NOT hurt. The accident also knocked out power to more than a thousand customers in the area, including Towers Mall. A-E-P says some were without power for as long as seven hours. (------------)