WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 03/03/04

[7Wx-Headline]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Partly cloudy today with highs again reaching the upper 60s.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the full forecast details, coming up.

[7-AM-Mayfield]

[ANCHOR=kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-]
[GRAPHIC=Mayfield 2145]

[ENG#=1]

A Roanoke school teacher took his own life last October after being accused of assaulting a student and was placed on leave. Ron Mayfield's death has now raised questions about the way the allegations were handled, and yesterday the family's attorney called for "a thorough examination" of the school system's policies and procedures.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Frank Rogers says he believes all three investigations by the school system, child protective services and police would have concluded favorably for mayfield, and would have cleared his return to the classroom.
[SUPER=04-October 16;]

But the teacher did not know that when he jumped to his death from the Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge over the Roanoke River.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I am satisfied from my investigation]
((FRANK ROGERS: I AM SATISFIED FROM MY INVESTIGATION THAT RON MAYFIELD'S TORMENT WAS DUE SOLELY TO THE ACCUSATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM AND THE EVENTS WHICH FOLLOWED. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I FOUND IN RON MAYFIELD'S HISTORY TO SUGGEST TO THAT HE WAS PRE-DISPOSED TO SUICIDAL NOTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Rogers/Mayfield Family Attorney;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=predisposed to suicidal notions.]
(-----------------)
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Rogers urged school officials to review policies that isolate a teacher on administrative leave even though the vast majority of complaints prove to be unfounded.

(-----------------)[7-11Slate-Hill]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC1:31:21]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

The vote on a hillside project on the corner of 419 and 220 is delayed by the planning commission.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Monday]

The developer for the project is already clearing the hillside, even though the property has not been rezoned.
The commission put off a decision on the Slate Hill project for 30 days, so it can gather more information about traffic and other issues.
(------------)

[7-11Youth-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC39:49]
[GRAPHIC=]

[ENG#=3]

The number one killer of teenagers in America is car accidents, and the numbers are on the rise in the Commonwealth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
In 2002, nearly 180-teenagers died in auto accidents in Virginia. That's about 30-more than the year before. In about half of those cases, the victims were NOT wearing seat belts. Organizations like Youth of Virginia Speak Out hope to reduce those numbers, by teaching students to teach each other about traffic safety.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 29:16]
[IN Q=instead of saying]
((JESSICA BLAND/YOVASO COORDINATOR; INSTEAD OF SAYING HERE'S A PROBLEM, WE WANT YOU TO DO THIS FIX IT, WE SAY HERE'S A PROBLEM WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP.))
[SUPER=01-Jessica Bland/"Youth of Virginia Speak Out" Coordinator;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=do to help]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Students from more than 35-schools across Southwest and Central Virginia participate in the program.
(------------)

[55-WXHeads]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
Clouding up today with a chance of showers by this evening.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the mid- week forecast, coming up.

[55-VOBKeagy-Road]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC 1:53]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=1]

Despite strong opposition from nearby residents, plans to build an upscale shopping center in Roanoke County are moving ahead.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Kahn Development wants to build a retail and office complex at the corner of Route 419 and Keagy Road.
The Planning Zoning Commission unaimously voted last night to recommend the county approve the rezoning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:05:38; tape 3]
[IN Q=I am very disappointed]
((EARLE ATKINS/OPPOSES PROJECT: I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I LIVE RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THE PROJECT AND THE MAN GOT UP AND SAID MY PROPERTY VALUE WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND I KNOW GOOD AND WELL IT WILL.))
[SUPER=01-Earle Atkins/Opposes Project]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=well it will]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Nearby residents also have concerns over increase noise and traffic in the area.
As a result, the developer has agreed to add more buffers and make road improvements.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:36:54 tape 1]
[IN Q=We're going to add]
((MARY ELLEN GOODLATTE/KAHN DEVELOPMENTS ATTORNEY: WE'RE GOING TO ADD A TURNING LANE TO 419 AT THE INTERSECTION AND WE'LL ADD LANES TO KEAGY ROAD SO KEAGY ROAD RIGHT NOW WILL GO FROM THREE LANES AT ITS INTERSECTION WITH 419 TO FIVE LANES.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Ellen Goodlatte/Kahn Developments Attorney;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=TO FIVE LANES]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Opponents now plant to take their fight to the Board of Supervisors which has the final say.
A vote could come at its March 23rd meeting.
If approved, Kahn Development hopes to begin construction this fall.
(------------)

[55-11School-Board ]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC08:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Winter weather is to blame for a shortened spring break for students in Roanoke City Schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The school system must make up four days because of recent snow.
Last night, the school board decided to trim three days from spring break, and add another to the end of the school year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 07:32]
[IN Q=People want to be off when it snows]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City Schools Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=you can't have it all.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The school board also approved a budget that includes a six million dollar increase in state and local funding.

And officials held the first of three public hearings on the plan to replace Patrick Henry high School.

[55-11Shawsville-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC24:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

A mother and her small child were taken to the hospital after their car crashed through the front of a store.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Shawsville;]
Police say the woman left her 19-87 Jeep Wagoneer running last night when she got out to talk to a friend. Her child pulled the gearshift into drive, and the car crashed through the front of the building. The mother and her friend tried to stop the vehicle but were not able to. Both mother and child were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries.
(------------)

[8Wx-Headline]

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

Good morning, I'm Kimberly McBroom......
It's another spring-like forecast, with high temperatures again climbing into the upper 60s.
Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner has the seven day outlook, right after the news.

[8-AM-Mayfield]

[ANCHOR=kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-]
[GRAPHIC=Mayfield 2145]

[ENG#=1]

After being accused of assaulting a student and being placed on leave, Ron Mayfield took his own life in October.

His death raised questions about the way allegations of abuse are handled, and yesterday the family's attorney called for "a thorough examination" of the school system's policies and procedures.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Frank Rogers says he believes all three investigations by the school system, child protective services and police would have concluded favorably for mayfield, and would have cleared his return to the classroom.
[SUPER=04-October 16]

But the teacher did not know that when he jumped to his death from the Blue Ridge Parkway Bridge over the Roanoke River.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I am satisfied from my investigation]
((FRANK ROGERS: I AM SATISFIED FROM MY INVESTIGATION THAT RON MAYFIELD'S TORMENT WAS DUE SOLELY TO THE ACCUSATIONS MADE AGAINST HIM AND THE EVENTS WHICH FOLLOWED. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I FOUND IN RON MAYFIELD'S HISTORY TO SUGGEST TO THAT HE WAS PRE-DISPOSED TO SUICIDAL NOTIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Frank Rogers/Mayfield Family Attorney;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=predisposed to suicidal notions.]
(-----------------)
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Rogers urged school officials to review policies that isolate a teacher on administrative leave even though the vast majority of complaints prove to be unfounded.

(-----------------)[8-11Methadone-clinics]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:24:30]
[GRAPHIC=NOne]

[ENG#=2]

A House Committee has approved legislation that would help keep methadone clinics away from children.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file; ]

Senator William Wampler's bill would require the state to notify localities when it receives an application to open a clinic in their area.
The legislation also prohibits the clinics from operating within a half-mile of a school or day-care center.
[SUPER=03-Richmond; ]

Opponents of the bill say the school-proximity restriction would effectively ban methadone clinics in many urban areas.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I JUST THINK THAT WHEN YOU PUT]
((DEL. ADAM EBBIN: I JUST THINK THAT WHEN YOU PUT A RESTRICTION THAT SOMETHING CAN'T BE CLOSE TO SOMETHING ELSE YOU'RE TAKING AWAY LOCAL ZONING AUTHORITY. IN AREAS WITH A LOT OF SCHOOLS ITS NOT AN EASY LOCATION TO FIND OTHERWISE.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Adam Ebbin/(D) Arlington]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=AN EASY LOCATION TO FIND OTHERWISE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The measure now heads to the House floor for a vote.
(------------)

[8-6-Tech-Assault]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=am cutins]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC1:22:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

A Virginia Tech student is being held without bond for an alleged sexual assault on campus. 19 year old Kwad-wo Yed-oah- -Kan-kam is charged with attempted rape and attempted forcible sodomy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

A 19 year old woman told police she met Kankam through a website. She says they met in person outside her dorm and then again at his Pritchard Hall room last Tuesday. The victim tells police Kankam tried to assault her while in his room, but didn't she report it until last Friday. (------------)