WDBJ 7 morning news for 03/31/04

[7-Peters-Creek]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']

A power pole that split earlier this morning at Tennessee Avenue and Peters Creek Road in Roanoke is not only responsible for large power outage, it's also affecting the morning commute.
1600 customers lost power around 4:15. An A-E-P spokesman says power was restored to 11-hundred of those customers just before 7 o-clock. The remaining 500 customers will be without power until the pole is replaced. That probably won't happen before 11 A-M. Meanwhile, Peters Creek Road from Hershberger Road to Melrose Avenue is closed. Motorists should take a different route.

[Marina-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC 12:14]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=1]

Fire broke out at the Water Wheel Marina at Smith Mountain Lake.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]
Firefighters responded to the marina last night and found two boats on fire. Crews worked quickly with the owners and moved the boats to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby building. No one was injured. The cause is under investigation.
(------------)

[1181-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-15 00:22]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]
[ENG#=2]
State Police say part of I-81 is still closed this morning after a tractor trailer crashed near Natural Bridge last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

The truck ran off the highway near mile marker 174, ran over a guardrail and down a 100 foot embankment, rolling over several times.
The driver, 55 year old Jacob L. Ryn (Rinn) is recovering from his injuries at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital. He's charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain control of a vehicle.
A southbound lane of I-81 in the section of Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties is closed while crews salvage the truck.
The rig was carrying 50- thousand pounds of grapes. State Police say the truck and cargo are probably a total loss.
(------------)

[AM-Short-Update]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC 5:16]
[GRAPHIC=Jennifer Short]
[ENG#=3]

There's new information in the Short Family murders.
For months, investigators have been waiting on the state crime lab to process the mountains of evidence.
It is finally back, but the Henry County sheriff reveals there is no smoking gun.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./August 2002]

The case began in August 2002 when Michael and Mary Short were found shot to death in their Henry County home.
Their daughter Jennifer was nowhere to be found, and a nationwide amber alert turned up nothing.
Her remains were discovered more than a month later in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
To this day, investigators remain focused on Gary Bowman, a North Carolina carpenter who was implicated by his former landlord.
Sheriff Frank Cassell says he remains a person of interest, and they're keeping eye on him at his current residence in North Carolina.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

As for the evidence at the state crime lab, Henry County deputies have picked up most of the evidence and Sheriff Cassell says despite no major find, it has provided some clues.

[11Mayor-PTA]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Wednesday-AM]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC 10:28]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=4]

A polite campaign produced a few pointed comments last night, as the candidates for Mayor of Roanoke sparred over schools.
Joe Dashiell has the story.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In the wake]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alice Hincker/(R) Candidate for Mayor; :11]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Nelson Harris/(D) Candidate for Mayor; :33]
[SUPER=01-Mac McCadden/(I) Candidate for Mayor; :54]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]

(( In the wake of school safety concerns she helped uncover, Republican Alice Hincker says the central campaign issue is a question of leadership in city government and the school system.
[SOT]
[IN Q=The success of the schools]
((ALICE HINCKER: THE SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOLS BEGINS WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT FORMALIZED SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING WHO THE BEST CANDIDATES ARE TO APPOINT TO THOSE POSITIONS.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=appoint to those positions.]

But as members of the Central Council PTA gathered at Noel C. Taylor Academy, Democrat Nelson Harris said it's time to reject the politics of confrontation.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I want to be the kind]
((REV. NELSON HARRIS: I WANT TO TO BE THE KIND OF MAYOR THAT WHEN WE HAVE AN ISSUE COMES UP RELATIVE TO ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS, I'M NOT AS A FIRST PRIORITY TRYING TO GET A HEADLINE. LET'S TRY AND GET RESULTS AND RESOLUTION.))
[RUNS= :15]
[OUT Q=get results and resolution.]

But Independent Mac McCadden said the damage is done, and added members of council including Harris must share the blame.
[SOT]
[IN Q=They need to let the school board]
((MAC MCCADDEN: THEY NEED TO LET THE SCHOOL BOARD DO THEIR WORK, AND UNTIL THAT HAPPENS THERE'S GOING TO BE FRICTION THERE'S GOING TO BE CONFRONTATION. AND YOU WERE A PART OF THAT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS BEING ON COUNCIL.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=last several years being on council.]

Independent George Sgouros did not attend the forum, but with the May fourth election still over a month away, there are more joint appearances to come.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))

[Iraq]

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

Five more U-S soldiers were killed this morning in Iraq when a bomb blew up beneath their vehicle in the city of Fallujah.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]

Witnesses also say five other people were killed today in Fallujah when rebels attacked two civilian vehicles, setting them on fire.
They say the cars were four- wheel drives, similar to those used by members of the U-S led coalition in Iraq.
The victims were reportedly NOT Americans.
(------------)

[911-Rice]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=911]
[ENG#=2]

The White House is doing an about face and has decided to let National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice testify publicly before the 9-11 commission.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Panel members hope Rice's testimony will resolve some of the confusion and contradiction about the months leading up to the terrorist attacks.
Meanwhile, Bush agreed to allow the testimony under the condition that this will NOT set a precedent for future Congressional requests.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The leaders of Congress]
(( THE LEADERS OF CONGRESS AND THE COMMISSION AGREE- THEY AGREE WITH ME THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CASE ARE UNIQUE, BECAUSE THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11TH WERE UNIQUE.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=September 11th were unique.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In another concession to the 9-11 commission, both Bush and Vice President Cheney have agreed to meet privately with all 10 panel members.
Administration officials say Rice's testimony will likely come at the end of next week.
(------------)

[11M'Ville-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]

Police in Martinsville are looking for two men who robbed a pizza parlor. Two employees were leaving Papa John's on East Church Street Monday night when two men hiding outside approached them and demanded the store's money.
(+++++++)
[Take Suspect FS] Police released a composite sketch of one suspect yesterday. They say he held an employee at gunpoint with a silver revolver, while the other searched for the restaurant's money bag. Once they found the bag, both ran into the woods.
(+++++++)
[Take Crimestoppers FS] Anyone with info is asked to call Martinsville-Henry County Crimestoppers at 276-63- CRIME.
(------------)

[11Federal-Mogul]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-11 26:33]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
[ENG#=1]
In business news, a Blacksburg plant is laying off workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Federal Mogul is letting about 55 employees go. Their last day will be Friday.
The company makes automotive engine parts and currently employees more than 430 people in Blacksburg.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, OPEC meets later today.
Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((With little economic or earnings news on the radar, investors could turn their attention to the OPEC meeting after modest gains on Tuesday.
The Dow added 52 points While the NASDAQ tacked on 8.
Wall Street will be watching OPEC when the group meet later on today. Oil closed above $36 a barrel Tuesday, after heavyweight members Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, said they plan to back the group's pledge, to cut production quotas. There is some speculation, that OPEC may DELAY cuts on quotas, or even INCREASE production, as prices flirt with 13-year highs.
Winners on Tuesday included American Express. It has signed a deal to issue branded credit cards in China; those cards are expected to be launched later this year.
Five trading-specialist firms on the New York Stock Exchange reached a $242 million settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, over charges that they put THEIR trading activity and orders ahead of those of their customers. Those firms include units of Bear Stearns (BSC),Fleet Boston Financial (FBF) and Goldman Sachs (GS).
You can track all your stocks at our website. It's cbs.mw.com. I'm jl, cbs mw in ny.))

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

[Abortion]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

Testimony continues today in the closely watched abortion trials taking place in three cities across the country.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Some doctors are coming out against a law banning them from performing certain types of late- term abortions.
One doctor says the law would stop him from performing abortions that he considers "safer."
The bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush last November carries a two-year prison term for doctors convicted of performing late- term abortions.
But the law's been put on hold by three federal courts, who will decide if the law violates the constitution.
(------------)

[11XGR-budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-10 25:16]
[GRAPHIC=VA-Budget]
[ENG#=2]

House Republicans are warning that state government is in danger of shutting down if immediate action is not taken.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

G-O-P delegates are proposing a one year continuity budget.
They say it would keep state operations running and allow the General Assembly to continue their debate over tax increases.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 05:23:37]
[IN Q=WILL IT BE A PERFECT BUDGET]
((DELEGATE SCOTT LINGAMFELTER/R-WOODBRIDGE: WILL IT BE A PERFECT BUDGET? BY NO MEANS. WILL IT BE ONE WE'LL ALL BRAG ABOUT? BY NO MEANS. WILL IT BE ONE THAT PERMITS PEOPLE TO GET ON WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL DAY TO DAY BUSINESS OF THE COMMONWEALTH? ABSOLUTELY.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Scott Lingamfelter/(R) Woodbridge;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=DAY TO DAY BUSINESS OF THE COMMONWEALTH. ABSOLUTELY!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But Democrats say an interim budget would do more harm than good.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:22:18]
[IN Q=THE SENATE IS NOT GOING TO PASS THIS]
((GOVERNOR MARK WARNER: THE SENATE IS NOT GOING TO PASS THIS. I'M NOT GOING TO SIGN THIS. THIS IS NOT THE APPROACH WE NEED. THIS WOULD BE A GUARANTEED WAY TO LOSE OUR AAA BOND RATING.))
[SUPER=@MarkWarner;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=WAY TO LOSE OUR AAA BOND RATING.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The House and Senate will be in recess today.
But budget conferees are expected to continue meeting.
(------------)

[6-Radford-Tuition]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-03 56:10]
[GRAPHIC=Radford University]
[ENG#=3]

The budget deadlock leaves states colleges with uncertain budgets. But you can add Radford to list of campuses raising tuition next year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

President Douglas Covington says he will recommend a tuition increase at the school's May 7th Board of Visitors meeting.
He will not say how much tuition is likely to go up.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][11Carroll-Burglary]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]
Carroll County authorities have made an arrest in connection with a spree of daytime burglaries.
A three month investigation led the sheriff's office to 31 year old Ricky Dean Parker of the Wards Gap section of Carroll County.
Investigators believe he was involved in dozens of daytime robberies at homes in Carroll and Patrick Counties.
Parker is being held on 40-thousand dollars bond.

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, Stocks closed higher for the second straight day. And Consumer Confidence was down in March. 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.]

((THE MAJOR AVERAGES ENDED TUESDAY ON AN UPSWING.
THE DOW WAS UP 52-POINTS... AND THE NASDAQ GAINED EIGHT.
ACCORDING TO THE CONFERENCE BOARD'S CLOSELY WATCHED INDEX, U-S CONSUMER CONFIDENCE HIT A FIVE-MONTH LOW IN MARCH. THE BOARD SAYS CONSUMER SENTIMENT DROPPED TO A READING OF 88-POINT-THREE FOR THE MONTH...DOWN FROM A REVISED 88-POINT-FIVE IN FEBURARY. THE BOARD SAYS CONCERNS OVER THE JOB MARKET CONTINUED TO WEIGH ON THE MINDS OF CONSUMERS.
INTEL HAS AGREED TO PAY 225-MILLION DOLLARS TO END A DISAGREEMENT OVER PATENTS WITH INTERGRAPH CORPORATION. INTERGRAPH CLAIMED THAT INTEL CHIPS USED IN SOME BUSINESS COMPUTERS INFRINGED ON INTERGRAPH PATENTS. UNDER THE INTEL SETTLEMENT, INTERGRAPH HAS AGREED TO DROP ITS LAWSUIT AGAINST DELL FOR USING THE INTEL CHIPS. IT ALSO AGREED NOT TO PURSUE LAWSUITS AGAINST OTHER P-C MAKERS FOR USING INTEL PRODUCTS.
SHARES OF KRAFT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE A DAY AFTER ANNOUNCING THE PURCHASE OF THE VERYFINE BEVERAGE LINE. THE DEAL INVOLVED AN UNDISCLOSED PRICE TAG AND INCLUDES VERYFINE'S MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES. VERYFINE REPORTED TOTAL SALES OF A 150-MILLION-DOLLARS IN FISCAL 2003.
WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE. ))

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

[11New-River]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-07 51:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

State officials suspect a limestone quarry may be sending chemical contamination into the New River.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]

The Department of Environmental Quality says Holston River Quarry has begun working with federal officials to clean up a site just downstream from Claytor Dam in Pulaski County. D-E-Q says the quarry may be the source of PCB contamination. (------------) Officials say no one was exposed to any contaminated soil.