WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/18/04

[11XGR-budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:01:12]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=1]
Budget talks will continue in Richmond today. In an effort to break the stalemate, Senate conferees dropped a proposed gasoline tax increase yesterday. But both sides remain at odds over raising the sales and income tax. Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=IN THE FIRST DAY OF THE STATE'S SPECIAL]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :08]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :19 quick!]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Janet Howell/(D) Reston; :38]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :57]
[SUPER=@Meghan1; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=MM, NEWS 7, RICHMOND]
(( In the first day of the state's special budget session, the Senate offered what they described as "an enormous sacrifice."
Senate negotiators offered to drop their proposed gasoline tax increase thereby giving up on their hopes of providing one-point-six billion dollars for new road construction.
[SOT 05:15:40]
((SENATOR JOHN CHICHESTER/R-FREDERICKSBURG: THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT CONCESSION TO US TO MOVE VIRTUALLY HALFWAY TO THE HOUSE.)) [RUNS:03]
But in granting the concession, Senators also conceded that halfway is as far as they will go.
They say they will continue to fight for a sales and income tax increase so that the state can pour more money into public education.
[SOT 05:07:59]
((SENATOR JANET HOWELL/D-RESTON: WHAT THIS BATTLE IS NOW TRULY ABOUT, THAT IS EDUCATION THAT'S WHERE THE BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN RIGHT NOW.)) [RUNS:07]
But House Republicans say the tax increases in the Senate's budget are still too high.
They say they appreciate the concession but that halfway is not far enough to get them to a budget agreement.
[SOT 10:38:52]
((DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: I'D SAY WE'RE A LOT CLOSER. THE SENATE JUST NEEDS TO COME DOWN A COUPLE BILLION MORE AND THEN WE'LL BE THERE.)) [RUNS:05]
Once again, lawmakers are stuck on the issue of raising the sales and income tax.
So despite the movement by the Senate, the state budget negotiations are still going nowhere.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Richmond.))

[11Bank-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC14:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

An armed bank robber is still on the loose in central Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

The suspect robbed this Suntrust Bank in the Graves Mill shopping center around 9:30 yesterday morning.
He escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.. police were on the scene quickly with a helicopter and tracking dog but could not find him.
These are photographs from the bank surveillance cameras.. the robber is a black man, weighing about 225 to 250 pounds. He was wearing a blue jacket with white lining and blue jeans.
Anyone with information should call their local police.
(------------)

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=2]

Three more Americans have been killed in Iraq.
Two soldiers died after their base came under fire, and a Marine was killed in a separate mortar attack.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

Word of the latest U-S casualties follows a deadly bomb attack against Iraqi civilians and foreigners.
Yesterday, a car bomb filled with a thousand pounds of explosives ripped through the five- story building killing at least 17.
Authorities suspect an Islamic militant with ties to al-Qaida may have played a key role.
The Bush administration denounced the bombing and vowed to stand strong against terrorism.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Our determination]
((DICK CHENEY/VICE PRESIDENT: OUR DETERMINATION IS UNSHAKABLE. WE WILL STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ AS THEY BUILD A GOVERNMENT BASED ON DEMOCRACY, TOLERANCE, AND FREEDOM. ))
[SUPER=01-Dick Cheney/Vice President;]
[RUNS=:08] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=tolerance and freedom.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=HOLD]

Meanwhile, President Bush is heading to Fort Campbell, Kentucky today to thank 20- thousand troops for their duty in Iraq.
The visit comes on the eve of the first anniversary of the Iraqi war.

[Wesson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]

In Fresno, California, a police chief is defending his department's actions in the arrest of a mass murder suspect.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Authorities are looking into whether officers were outside the home while Marcus Wesson allegedly shot to death nine family members.
After a delay yesterday, the arraignment for 57- year- old Wesson is set for today.
The judge ordered Wesson to come back to court with an attorney after he appeared yesterday without one.
(------------)

[VOBDeer-Hunting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC 28:03]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

The City of Martinsville is taking aim at its deer population and city leaders say so far so good.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :]

Many residents have problems with deer eating their gardens, others complain about deer jumping in front of their vehicles.
As a result, city council decided last June to allow the bowhunting of deer within city limits.
Since September, the city has issued 48 permits and hunters have killed 33 deer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:56:42]
[IN Q=Each hunter has to have]
((MATT HANKINS/CITY SPOKESPERSON: EACH HUNTER HAS TO HAVE FIRST OF A VIRGINA HUNTING LICENSE, AN ARCHERY LICENSE ISSUED THROUGH THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, AND ALSO A CITY OF MARTINSVILLE HUNTING LICENSE. IT'S REQUIRED TO HUNT IN THE CITY OF MARTINSVILLE AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE LANDOWNER'S PERSMISSION BEFORE GOING ON THEIR PROPERTY.))
[SUPER=01-Matt Hankins/City Spokesperson; :]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=going on their property]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

City officials say there have been no major incidents and very few complaints.
The program is set to expire April first.
City council will decide Tuesday whether to renew the program for another year.

(------------)[NCAA-Schedule]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
[ENG#=None]
In sports, The N-C-A-A tournament gets underway later today on your hometown station.
(xxxxxxxxxxx)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. AFTERNOON]
Maryland and UTEP play the opening game. The second game this afternoon has the Big South champion Liberty Flames and St. Joes at 2:45.
(XXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. NIGHT] And Tonight Duke plays Alabama State followed by North Carolina and Air Force. Now let's check the scoreboards.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Virginia/79//George Washington/66//NIT First Round/j/Florida State/87//Wichita State/82//NIT First Round/
;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Villanova/85//Drexel/70//NIT First Round/j/Rutgers/76//Temple/71//NIT First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Notre Dame/71//Purdue/59//NIT First Round/j/George Mason/58//Tennessee/55//NIT First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/West Virginia/65//Kent State/54///j/Rhode Island/80//Boston University/52///;]
[SUPER=x5029;]
[SUPER=0104-j/Alaska/2//Roanoke/1//Final In Shootout/j/Greenville/2//Greensboro/1///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(---------------)

[SUPER=#555;reset]

[S-WDBJ]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-172 2009TC]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
[ENG#=2]

Cox digital cable subscribers will have access to additional games.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
Beginning today, WDBJ-7 is teaming up with Cox Digital Cable and offering many additional choices. Besides the four Thursday games we just showed you - WDBJ-7's digital channels and Cox Cable Roanoke will give digital subscribers remote controls a real workout.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Mike Bell/WDBJ-7 Program Director; 00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Pedelty/Cox Cable Spokesman; :11]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=...very unique."]
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[GO TO WEB SITE PINNACLE] You can get a complete list of the games that are being offered on the sports section of our web site at WDBJ-7 dot com.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to weather)[11Burlington]

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

In business news, Burlington Industries recently got a new owner. Soon it will get a new name.
The bankrupt textile maker was bought out last summer.
Soon Burlington will be combined with another textile company and given a new name-- International Textile Group.

Burlington currently operates plants in Glasgow and Hurt.

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In other business news, the Dow and Nasdaq closed in the green for Saint Patrick's Day.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((> SOME UPBEAT EARNINGS NEWS HELPED STOCKS MARCH INTO THE GREEN. > > A REPORT SHOWING TAME INFLATION IN FEBRUARY ALSO HELPED LIFT STOCKS. > THE DOW RACED AHEAD 115 POINTS > > WHILE THE NASDAQ RALLIED 33. > > CRUDE OIL HIT A 13 YEAR HIGH.. SETTLING ABOVE 38 DOLLARS A BARREL. THAT'S > AFTER A GOVERNMENT REPORT SHOWED A BIGGER THAN EXPECTED DROP IN GASOLINE > INVENTORIES AT A TIME WHEN DEMAND IS GROWING. ANALYSTS PREDICT CRUDE COULD > SOON HIT 40 DOLLARS A BARREL.. WHICH WOULD PUSH GAS PRICES HIGHER JUST IN > TIME FOR THE PEAK DRIVING SEASON. > > BANK OF AMERICA'S BUYOUT OF FLEETBOSTON WAS CLEARED BY SHAREHOLDERS OF > BOTH BANKS. IT'S A 48 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL THAT CREATEES THE NATION'S THIRD > LARGEST BANK IN TERMS OF ASSETS. THE BUYOUT IS EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AS > MANY AS 13-THOUSAND JOB CUTS. > > The National Magazine Awards will pack some extra drama this year, as > Martha Stewart Living was nominated in the general excellence category.The > 39th annual magazine industry awards -- THE OSCARS OF THE PULISHING WORLD > will be handed out May 5 IN NYC. IT'S THE FIRST BIT OF GOOD NEWS MARTHA > STEWART HAS BEEN GIVEN SINCE BEING CONVICTED TWO WEEKS AGO IN THE IMCLONE > STOCK TRADING SCANDAL. > 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]

[Highway-Sniper]

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

The Ohio highway shooting suspect could be back in his home state as early as this weekend, if he doesn't fight extradition.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Las Vegas, NV;]

Yesterday, police arrested 28- year- old Charles McCoy, Junior at a Las Vegas hotel.
Earlier this week, Ohio police released his name and photo, then issued an arrest warrant in connection with one of 24 shootings in the Columbus area.
That shooting left a 62- year- old woman dead.
Authorities say McCoy had stopped taking medication for mental illness.
He's due in a Las Vegas courtroom tomorrow.
(------------)

[Letterman-Love]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Rock's reigning bad girl Courtney Love appeared on David Letter man show last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Worldwide Pants, Inc.;]

Love faces two felony counts of drug possession in Beverly Hills.
Last night she spoke to Letterman about her legal problems.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Let's chat about..]
[SUPER=01-Courtney Love/Musician;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=Ambien, really?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Love will be making another court appearance April 15th, when the judge rescheduled her preliminary hearing.
(------------)

[5-VA-Museum]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=504-02 3:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Last year 60-thousand people visited the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Now, thousands of others will get a chance to tour the facility when national channels like HGTV, A-and-E, and the History Channel feature some of its latest additions. Susan Bahorich shows us how the museum is helping some old railcars get back on track.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bob Dills/Virginia Museum of Transportation; :21]
[SUPER=01-Chris McBride/Director of Restoration; 1:09]
[SUPER=@susan2; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=SB News 7]

(( They once ruled the rails. Locomotives 16-feet high, pulling cars like this 84-foot long executive sleeper.
[NATS] [RUNS:03]
It's cars like this 1916 artifact and an old postal car which will star in the Virginia Museum of Transportation's newest exhibits and national television.

[SOT@18:43:47:27]
[INQ=Living on private...]
((BOB DILLS, VA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION: LIVING ON PRIVATE RAILWAY CAR AT ONE TIME WAS COMMONPLACE. THE ONE HERE IS IN THE ERA OF THE TITANIC AND WHEN YOU STEP ONTO ONE ITS LIKE STEPPING ON THE TITANIC AND GOING BACK IN TIME TO THAT ELEGANT, ELEGANT WAY OF LIVING.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUTQ=.. WAY OF LIVING.]

Bob Dills took the helm at the museum mid-January. The Tazewell native realized the important place in history these behemoths played, and wants to open the doors to all the possibilities. [NATS@19:00:00:02]
[INQ=What's in here..]
(('WHAT'S IN HERE?' "THIS IS A POCKETDOOR WHICH I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THERE'S A RANGE THAT'S SURROUNDED BY STAINLESS STEEL.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUTQ=.. STAINLESS STEEL.]

Chris McBride who in charge of restoration says it's the craftmanship and detail which really make these cars stand out.

[SOT@18:55:10:00]
[INQ=There's so few..]
((CHRIS MCBRIDE, DIR. OF RESTORATION: THERE'S SO FEW LEFT IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE, IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THE MECHANIC AGE, MACHINE AGE- AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE BACK THEN.)) [RUNS:12]
[OUTQ=...BACK THEN.]

Restoring this little bit of history isn't easy. The executive business car will cost about 15-thousand dollars and hundreds, upon hundreds of man hours.
The old mail car will cost about three-thousand dollars.
But, to the museum and McBride, it's a labor or love.
In Roanoke, SB, News 7. ))

[BUMP]

[COMM][11Roanoke-Mill]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC05:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

An agreement with the owners of Roanoke City Mills is clearing the way for construction of the new Riverside Centre in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

After three years of negotiation, the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Mennel (me-NELL) Milling have agreed on a purchase price of eight million dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We've had outstanding]
((JOHN BAKER: WE'VE HAD OUTSTANDING COOPERATION WITH ALL OF THE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE AREA, AND I DO NEED TO COMPLIMENT THE OWNER OF THE MILL. THEY HAVE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THAT'S MADE IT POSSIBLE.))
[SUPER=01-John Baker/Roanoke Housing Authority]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=that's made it possible.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The current mill will remain in place until the company can design and build a replacement.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

But the deal will also free up land across the street for the first project in the Riverside development, a Carilion building that could begin construction this year.

[Tech-Fall]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=]

Authorities have confirmed that a Virginia Tech student fell out of a fourth floor window earlier this morning. The accident happened on campus at the West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall. The student was taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital. There's no word on the extent of his injuries. We do have a crew on the scene and we'll pass along any additional information as soon as we get it.

[3-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news. Authorities have confirmed that a Virginia Tech student fell out of a fourth floor window earlier this morning. The accident happened on campus at the West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall. The student was taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital.

(----------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The state budget negotiations remain at a stalemate, despite what the senate calls a major "sacrifice" on its part.

Senate negotiators offered to drop a proposed gas tax increase, but lawmakers are still stuck on the issue of raising the sales and income taxes.
(----------------)
[ENG#=3]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

In Baghdad today, smoldering rubble is all that remains of a five story hotel ripped apart by a car bomb.
The bombing killed more than a dozen people, and came just days before the one year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war.
(----------------)

[2-11Bobcat-Attack]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:42:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A Narrows woman who faced a bobcat in her family's basement is now talking about her experience.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Narrows;]
Kristy Hahn was actually visiting her mother-in law Tuesday, when a 25-pound bobcat attacked her in the family's basement. The cat bit her on the neck and scratched her arm, back and shoulders before her husband threw a can of vegetables at it and scared it away.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2957]
[IN Q=my husband]
((KRISTY HAHN/VICTIM: MY HUSBAND FIRST THOUGHT, BECAUSE I'M TERRIFIED OF SPIDERS AND HE THOUGHT WHENEVER I COME DOWN THE STAIRS I GOT A COBWEB ON ME AND HE WAS COMING DOWN TO TELL ME TO QUIT HOLLERIN I WAS SCARING THE BABY.))
[SUPER=01-Kristy Hahn/Victim;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=scaring the baby]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The bobcat was still in the basement when animal control officers shot and killed it. Hahn believes it may have gotten in through an opening used by the family's pet cats. The bobcat is now being tested for rabies and Hahn says she expects to get the results tomorrow.
(------------)