WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/02/04

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

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

Military leaders have pledged an "overwhelming" response to the murders of four U-S civilians in Iraq this week.

While a showdown is looming, troops won't be rushing into a city where many residents say they hate Americans.
Aleen Sirgany has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Kimmitt/Deputy Chief of Operations; :45]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]

(( IT IS A PROMISE FROM TOP US OFFICIALS IN IRAQ- SOLDIERS WILL HUNT DOWN THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HORRIFIC SCENE. TO FIND THEM.. TROOPS WILL HAVE TO COMB THROUGH THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN IRAQ.
THE BRUTAL MURDERS OF FOUR CIVILIAN U-S CONTRACTORS HAPPENED IN FALLUJAH. RESIDENTS THERE PROSPERED UNDER SADDAM HUSSEIN.. AND WHEN THE REGIME FELL THE CITY BECAME A SANCTUARY FOR IRAQI INSURGENTS AND FOREIGN TERRORISTS.
RIGHT NOW IRAQI POLICE ARE CHECKING WHO IS COMING AND GOING FROM FALLUJAH.. THEY RETRIEVED THE CONTRACT WORKERS REMAINS AND TURNED THEM OVER TO U-S FORCES.
THE MARINES WHO ARE THERE NOW.. ARRIVED JUST SHORTLY BEFORE THE ATTACKS. THEY HAVE ENCIRCLED THE TOWN, BUT ONLY GO INSIDE WHEN THEY CONDUCT AN OPERATION.

(SOT Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, Deputy Chief of Operations)
"We will be back in Fallujah. It will be at the time and place of our choosing. We will hunt down the criminals. We will kill them, or we will capture them."
U-S MARINES PLAN TO PURSUE NOT ONLY THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK, BUT ALSO THE MOB CAUGHT ON TAPE MUTILATING THE BODIES. THEY INTEND TO REESTABLISH CONTROL OF FALLUJAH.
SOME RESIDENTS THERE HAVE ALREADY VOWED A FIGHT. SAYING ANY AMERICANS WHO COMES WILL MEET THE SAME FATE.
A U-S COUNTERTERRORISM OFFICIAL SAYS THE SURGE OF ATTACKS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS SUGGESTS A HIGHER LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION AND PLANNING. THE UPSWING IN VIOLENCE COMES AS THE U-S MOVES CLOSER TO ITS DEADLINE FOR A HANDOVER OF CONTROL TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE.
STAND-UP CLOSE: SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL IS NOW SAYING THE U-S WILL SEEK A NEW U-N RESOLUTION BEFORE THE TRANSFER OF POWER. OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING FRANCE AND SPAIN HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR A GREATER U-N ROLE IN IRAQ AFTER THE HANDOVER. ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON. ))

[11Galax-Troops]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-01 1:33:07]
[GRAPHIC=Delayed Homecoming]
[ENG#=2]

A Carroll County Army reservist doesn't want to his homecoming put off any longer.
Members of the 946th Transportation Company have been bumped from not one, but three flights now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
First Sergeant Steven Burnette's been in Iraq for 426 days. He completed his initial mission in November and has been on guard duty waiting for a flight home.
[SUPER=03-Galax;]
His family says, they're proud of Burnette's service to the country, but he's been there long enough and they want him out of harms way.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:24:25:00]
[IN Q=He will ]
[SUPER=01-Krista Burnette/Galax Soldier's Wife;]
((KRISTA: HE WILL GIVE US A DATE, AND WE KIND OF KNOW NOW NOT TO PUT ALL OUR HOPES INTO.. .AFTER BEING BUMPED 3 TIMES. YOU KIND OF GO WITH THE FLOW AND SAY WELL WHEN YOU GET ON A PLANE THEN WE'LL KNOW.))
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=then we'll know.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Congressman Rick Boucher is now working on the case.
Boucher says he could have an official date for Burnett's return in the next day.
(------------)

[11Explore-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=04-07 54:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Would an amphitheater attract more visitors to Virginia's Explore Park?
That's the question many are asking after a proposal was presented at a news conference last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./2002;]
Right now, there is a specific zoning restriction for Explore Park called a "conservation overlay".
It places strict limits on any construction and activities that involve private businesses. But many officials say that prevents public-private partnerships that could create new possibilities for the park, without changing the historic look or purpose of the park's central area.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:03:27]
[IN Q=We owe it]
[SUPER=01-Mike Altizer/Roanoke Co. Supervisor;]
[RUNS=17]
((MIKE ALTIZER/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR: WE OWE IT TO EVERYONE WHO'S CONTRIBUTED TO EXPLORE PARK TO DO WHAT WE CAN WITHIN THE REALM OF THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT PLAN TO MAKE THAT A WONDERFUL PARK AND A POINT OF DESTINATION. AND I THINK THIS WILL HELP ENCOURAGE THAT.))
[OUT Q=this will encourage that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Altizer says the authority that operates Explore Park will petition Roanoke County's Planning Commission later this month to consider the change. County Supervisors would have the final say.
(------------)

[11Warner-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-02 1:53:46]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=4]

If Virginia is ever going to produce a balanced two-year budget, some taxes will have to be raised, according to Governor Mark Warner.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

Warner talked with local leaders in Danville yesterday about the ongoing budget stalemate in the General Assembly.

He says the House and Senate need to find some common ground and agree on a spending plan before localities start to suffer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:40:58]
[IN Q=We're going to]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN MID-APRIL SCHOOL DIVISIONS HAVING TO NOTIFY THEIR TEACHERS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE A JOB NEXT YEAR. I MEAN, THAT'S JUST IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE LEGISLATURE NOT TO FINISH THEIR CONSTITUTIONALLY-MANDATED JOB OF PROVIDING A RESPONSIBLE TWO-YEAR BUDGET.))
[SUPER=01-Gov. Mark Warner]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=responsible two-year budget.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

House Republicans have maintained that any tax increase should be approved by the voters in a statewide referendum.
Warner thinks a compromise is possible within the next two weeks.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news,
Gateway's rebooting its sales strategy and closing its retail stores.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
(( ALL EYES ARE ON THE MARCH UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT ON WALL STREET. INVESTORS ARE LOOKING FOR SIGNS THAT THE JOB MARKET IS IMPROVING...ECONOMISTS ARE LOOKING FOR THE ECONOMY TO HAVE ADDED 120-THOUSAND JOBS LAST MONTH. THE LAST TIME THAT NUMBER WAS ABOVE A HUNDRED THOUSAND WAS IN FEBRUARY 2001. ON WALL STREET.. STOCKS KICKED OFF THE MONTH OF APRIL AND THE SECOND QUARTER WITH A MODEST RALLY.. THE DOW ROSE 15 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ MOVED UP MORE THAN 20 MARCH WAS GENERALLY A GOOD MONTH FOR CARMAKERS.. General Motors, Ford and Toyota said U.S. sales rose LAST MONTH, as they sold more light trucks BUT Sales at DaimlerChrysler FELL For the first time in six months as minivan sales declined. GM FORD AND CHRYSLER ALSO ANNOUNCED NEW REBATE OFFERS ON SOME 2004 MODELS RANGING FROM 500 TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS. COMPUTER GIANT GATEWAY SAYS IT WILL CLOSE its 188 retail stores April 9. The closings will result in a loss of 2,500 jobs. GATEWAY PLANS TO OUTLINE HOW MUCH IS PLANS TO SAVE FROM THE STORE CLOSINGS when it delivers its profit report later this month. CHANGES ARE COMING TO THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE. AS OF APRIL 8TH, AT&T, EASTMAN KODAK AND INTERNATIONAL PAPER WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CLOSELY WATCHED BENCHMARK INDEX. THEY WILL BE REPLACED BY FINANCE SERVICES GIANT A-I-G, DRUGMAKER PFIZER AND PHONE COMPANY VERIZON. THEY ARE THE FIRST CHANGES FOR THE DOW SINCE1999. AND DOW JONES SAYS THE COMPANIES BETTER REFLECT THE GROWING INDUSTRIES OF THE DAY.
FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC ))

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

[11Cave-Spring]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-06 56:35]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[eng#=1]

You may remember the journey last year when some area runners went the extra mile .
They ran across the country to highlight the need for new athletic facilities at Cave Spring High School.
Justin McLeod updates their efforts to raise money through miles and momentum.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Fain Perrin/Cave Spring High School Freshmen; :25]
[SUPER=01-Laurence Loesel/Cave Spring High School Alumni; :42]
[SUPER=01-Kay Harvey/Campaign Organizer; 1:21]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
(( ((NAT SOUND OF RUNNING))
When you run around the track as much as these Cave Spring students, you're bound to see some wear and tare, but this bad?
[SOT 24:17]
[IN Q=It's pretty]
((FAIN PERRIN/CAVE SPRING FRESHMEN: IT'S PRETTY BAD.))
[Runs= 02]
[OUT Q=PRETTY BAD]

So bad there are numerous cracks in the concrete and grass is actually growing on the track.
Inadequate drainage causes puddles to form making the practice field muddy.
The solution?
Build a new track.
[SOT 25:11]
[IN Q=It will allow us]
((FAIN PERRIN/CAVE SPRING H.S. FRESHMEN: IT WILL ALLOW US TO PRACTICE MORE EFFICIENTLY THEREFORE MAKE US NOT ONLY A BETTER TEAM BUT GIVE US A STEP UP ON THE COMPETITION.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=ON THE COMPETITION]

To do that takes money, 1.5 million dollars to be exact. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF CHEERING FROM FILE TAPE 03-27 29:12))
The fundraising campaign kicked-off last spring when three alumni ran across the country.
[SOT 17:30]
[IN Q=I don't really]
((LAURENCE LOESEL/CAVE SPRING ALUMNI: I DON'T REALLY KNOW TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT IT AT ALL SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY HOW IT HAS TURNED OUT.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=has turned out]

It turns out the school has raised 145-thousand dollars since the runners returned.
Cave Spring hopes to break ground on the new synthetic track sometime this fall and have it completed along with a renovated practice field by 2006.
[SOT 18:48]
[IN Q=We'll be able]
((LAURENCE LOESEL/CAVE SPRING H.S. ALUMNI: WE'LL BE ABLE TO HOLD MAJOR INVITATIONALS HERE. WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE IN HERE.))
[Runs= 04]
[OUT Q=STATE IN HERE]

That's only the beginning. The school also hopes to build a field house complete with an indoor field, lockerooms, and several training areas.
Organizers admit money is stretched thin (SHOT OF STRETCHING) but are confident they can overcome the hurdles. (SHOT OF GIRL JUMPING OVER A HURDLE)
[SOT 12:17]
[IN Q=It takes awhile]
((KAY HARVEY/CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN: IT TAKES AWHILE TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF ROANOKE THAT THIS IS FOR REAL, THAT WE'RE STICKING WITH IT UNTIL IT'S DONE.))
[Runs= 07]
[OUT Q=UNTIL IT'S DONE]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD: ORGANIZERS HAD HOPED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE PROJECT COMPLETED BY THE SCHOOL'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2006 BUT IT NOW LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE 2008 BEFORE IT'S ALL SAID IN DONE. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Lottery-winners]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-04 1:10:30]
[GRAPHIC=MegaWinner]
[ENG#=2]

Virginia's newest mega-millionaires have come forward.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Yesterday J-R Triplett and his wife Peggy produced the winning Mega-Millions ticket and claimed the 239 million dollar jackpot.
The couple waited nearly six weeks before claiming the second-largest lottery jackpot in history.
The winners opted for the lump sum which before taxes comes to 141 million dollars.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:33:04]
[IN Q=I'M GOING TO SPEND IT SOMEWHERE]
((J.R. AND PEGGY TRIPLETT/MEGA-MILLION WINNERS: I'M GOING TO SPEND IT SOMEWHERE I DUNNO PROBABLY IN REAL ESTATE, INVEST A LOT OF IT. I'M GOING TO SPEND IT WISELY I'M GOING TO SHOP UNTIL I DROP.))
[SUPER=01-J. R. & Peggy Triplett/Mega-Millions Winners]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=I'M GOING TO SHOP UNTIL I DROP.(LAUGHTER)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The grandparents of two plan to invest in real estate and will probably take a second honeymoon.
But first, the couple bought a tombstone for J.R.'s boyhood friend who died 25 years ago.
(------------)
((Toss to bump)) [toss to bump]

[Middle-East]

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

Israeli prime minister Arial Sharon is lobbing threats at Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat.
In a newspaper interview today Sharon said quote, "Arafat has no insurance policy."
Meanwhile, U-S envoys were in the Middle East yesterday for talks on an Israeli pullback plan.
Drew Levinson reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Rafah, Gaza; :00]
[SUPER=03-Jericho, West Bank/Yesterday; :24]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, Jerusalem.]
((

(LOCATOR: RAFAH, GAZA)
Calling it a limited operation--Israeli Tanks rolled into a Gaza refugee camp on the Egyptian border this morning. The mission is designed to find and destroy tunnels used by Palestinians to smuggle weapons from Egypt. Witnesses say there were heavy exchanges of fire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen and theres a report that at least one Palestinian was killed.

This latest violence in Gaza comes one day after U-S envoys met with Palestinian Prime Ahmed Qurie and Israeli Prime Minister Aerial Sharon about Israels plan to pull of out the area. Sharon visits Washington in two weeks to unveil his proposal to President Bush.
Sharon also came just shy of personally threatening Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat. In an interview published in todays Israeli papers and broadcast on national televison, Sharon said Arafat has no insurance policy, meaning he is not safe. Sharon said quote-anyone who kills a Jew or harms an Israeli citizen or sends people to kill Jews is a marked man. Period.

(STANDUP: DREW LEVINSON/JERUSALEM)

AND IN ONE NEWSPAPER HERE MAARIV DAILY -SHARON BLAMED ARAFAT FOR THE STALLED PEACE PROCESS. HE SAID-TODAY EVERYONE KNOWS THAT ARAFAT IS THE OBSTACLE FOR ANY PROGRESS.
Sharon also gave a hint about the withdrawl plan from Gaza and some settlements in the west bank. By this time next year he said he hopes the process will have begundisengagement-the prime minister said is good for Israel. He added, we need to get outnot be responsible anymore for what happens there. Drew Levinson, CBS News, Jerusalem.
))

[G'boro-Beating]

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

A North Carolina fifth grader is charged with assault for punching another boy over a snack cake.
School officials in Greensboro say nine- year- old Kevin Logan had skipped breakfast, and began eating a Little Debbie Zebra Cake on the school bus.
They say when the boy sitting next to him asked for a bite, Kevin said no, and was smacked in the face with a stuffed Tweety Bird.
Kevin hit back, but was slammed against a window and hit in the back. Then he fell in the aisle, and was stomped.
Kevin was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released.

[11College-pennies]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-13 12:54]
[GRAPHIC=hold]
[ENG#=3]

Some Virginia college students are hoping some loose change will change the state's sales tax.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Students from Virginia-21 delivered over 200-thousand pennies to the state treasurer today to show their support for a one penny increase in the sales tax.
The group says the sales tax hike will help keep college tuition rates from soaring.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:41:08]
[IN Q=RATHER THAN CONTINUING TO]
((JESSE FERGUSON/ VIRGINIA21 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: RATHER THAN CONTINUING TO SEE IMPORTANT PROGRAMS GUTTED, WE ARE WILLING TO PAY A PENNY. RATHER THAN WATCHING OUR BEST PROFESSORS LEAVE FOR PUBLIC COLLEGES IN OTHER STATES, PROFESSORS GOING FROM UVA TO U OF MD AND FROM WILLIAM AND MARY TO RUTGERS, WE ARE WILLING TO PAY A PENNY.))
[SUPER=01-Jesse Ferguson/Virginia21 Executive Director]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=WE ARE WILLING TO PAY A PENNY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The pennies, 2-thousand dolllars worth, were collected on college campuses across the state.
Organizers said students from Virginia Tech and William and Mary collected the most change.
(------------)

[VOBCave-Spring]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-09 36:02]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Students at Cave Spring High School will have to clear several more hurdles before they're completely on track.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

For more than a year, the school has been raising funds to build a new track and fieldhouse.
So far, they've raised 145-thousand dollars but still need at least another million.
The athletes say it will be money well spent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:55; 12:11]
[IN Q=It's just decaying]
((LAURENCE LOESEL/CAVE SPRING TRACK COACH: IT'S JUST DECAYING UNDERNEATH. THE FOUNDATION IS PRETTY MUCH COMPLETELY DECAYED SO WHAT YOU HAVE NOW IS A COMESTIC FIX.)) ((KAY HARVEY/CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN: AFTER PEOPLE START TO FEEL THIS IS A VIABLE PROJECT THEY ARE GETTING ON BOARD MORE AND MORE BUT IT TAKES AWHILE TO CONVINCE THE PEOPLE OF ROANOKE THAT THIS FOR REAL THAT WE ARE STICKING WITH IT UNTIL IT'S DONE.))
[SUPER=01-Laurence Loesel/Cave Spring Track Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kay Harvey/Campaign Chairman; :09]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=UNTIL IT'S DONE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The school hopes to have the new track and a practice field renovated by 2006.
It will probably be another two years after that before the fieldhouse is completed.
(------------)

[two shot toss to Steve] [weekend preview next]

[11Salem-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-08 1:05:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

A Radford man is in good condition after his car was hit by a train yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
Police say 63- year- old Cary Tolbert turned off Apperson Drive in Salem and into the path of a train.
His Toyota sedan was pushed about 50 feet and then thrown to the side of the tracks. Witnesses say the crossing signal WAS working. Salem Police are still investigating, but so far, no charges have been filed.
(------------)

[Doo-Dads]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly @ PS]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Doo Dads]
[ENG#=]

You wouldn't know it by the weather over the last few days, but Easter is just a little over a week away.
In last Friday's "Doris' Doo Dads", Doris May showed us how to make some welcoming door hangers--
(++++++++++)
[Take FS Doo Dads]
She hopped in again THIS morning with another colorful idea.
(+++++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Kim @ PS]

Good Morning, Doris.

[SUPER=01-Doris May/WDBJ-7 Receptionist;]

(+++++++++)
[FULL SCREEN WEB ADDRESS]
If you'd like directions for this, or any of Doris' creations, just log onto our web site, W-D-B-J-7-DOT-COM and c(--------------)lick on the Mornin' icon.