[11Amherst-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-15 TC08:07]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=1]


It's been a long night for firefighters in Central Virginia. They're still putting water on a fire at Bryant Salvage Company in Madison Heights. The blaze was first reported around seven o-clock last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Madison Heights]


Tightly-packed bales of paper and cardboard inside the main storage building caught fire and were burning out of control.
Crews spent more than an hour attacking the flames from the ground and the air before getting the fire contained.


Individual bales had to be moved out by forklift while firefighters attacked the blaze.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:07:11]
[IN Q=The hardest part]

((ANDY AIKEN/MONELISON FIRE CHIEF: THE HARDEST PART IS THESE BALES, THEY'RE PACKED IN SO TIGHT, THAT AFTER WE KNOCKED DOWN THE INITIAL FIRE, WE HAVE TO BRING EACH ONE OUT, BREAK IT OPEN AND HOSE IT DOWN AND KEEP DOING THAT REPEATEDLY.))
[SUPER=01-Andy Aiken/Monelison Fire Chief]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=doing that repeatedly.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Authorities believe the fire started near the compactor area inside, but aren't sure how.
Amherst County firefighters got help from the Lynchburg Fire Department which provided three trucks as well as manpower.
(------------)



[Rice-Testimony]


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


The 10 members of the 9- 11 commission have been working on their questions, the national security adviser has been practicing her answers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nothing would be better]

((CONDOLEEZZA RICE/NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: NOTHING WOULD BETTER FROM MY POINT OF VIEW THAN TO BE ABLE TO TESTIFY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DO THAT. ))
[SUPER=10-Condoleezza Rice/National Security Advisor/"60 Minutes";]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=like to do that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


Today Condoleezza Rice will have that chance.
Just last week, in the face of mounting public pressure, President Bush decided to allow Rice to go before the 9-11 panel.
When Rice takes her oath, commissioners hope to resolve some of the confusion about the months leading up to the 9-11 attacks.
In her opening statement, Rice will explain how the Bush administration considered terrorism a priority before the attacks, but she is NOT expected to apologize to victims' families.
She'll begin her testimony at nine A-M.
(------------)



[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=3]


The battle and bloodshed continue in Fallujah.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]


U-S Marines on the ground and warplanes in the air are pounding insurgents said to be using a mosque in Fallujah as a firing base. Since Sunday, about three dozen coalition soldiers and more than 200 Iraqis have been killed.
Meanwhile, some American troops may be staying longer than expected.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says that may be necessary in order to ensure that enough seasoned troops are there.
He says commanders on the ground will get as many troops as they need.
(------------)


[11National-Guard]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC00:57]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Homecoming]
[ENG#=4]


Some Southwest Virginia soldiers may be out of Iraq and away from war, but they're now facing a new battle....getting home for Easter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


First Sergeant Steven Burnette, from Galax is among several soldiers of the 9-46th Transportation company that finally arrived in the U-S on Tuesday.
[SUPER=03-Galax/Last Week;]


He is now in Fort Dix, New Jersey awaiting de-mobilization.
The soldiers were in Iraq for more than a year and much longer than anticipated.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]


Congressmen Rick Boucher had to help get them home. Now he's fighting for their four days off at Easter.
Boucher's office says the soldiers were promised the days off and many family members are currently in route to New Jersey, but the leave was cancelled yesterday afternoon.

[11XGR-budget]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC59:41]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=1]


Republicans in the House say the end is near.
A vote is scheduled for next week on a compromise measure they say could break the budget impasse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Some Republicans say they have enough votes to pass a bill that raises almost a billion dollars in taxes.
The bill would boost the state sales tax by half a penny and add thirty cents to the price of cigarettes.
The Senate has agreed to drop its push for an income tax hike if the House passes the plan.
But many Republicans say the Senate needs to do more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:34:38]
[IN Q=THE SENATE IS SEEING THE MOVEMENT]

((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: THE SENATE IS SEEING THE MOVEMENT BY THE HOUSE IN A POSITIVE LIGHT THE GOVERNOR IS SEEING THE MOVEMENT BY THE HOUSE IN A POSITIVE LIGHT NOW THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR NEED TO SEE THE SENATE MOVING.))
[SUPER=@Bryant]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=NEED TO SEE THE SENATE MOVING.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The House is scheduled to vote on the compromise measure on Monday.
(------------)



[VOBTech-Parking]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC 2:01:58]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Parking 4630]
[ENG#=2]


Virginia Tech is known for its academics, its football team, and nowadays its parking problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]


The university has 69 parking lots and more than 13-thousand parking spaces.
But with more than 20-thousand parking permits issued, students say finding an ideal parking spot is nearly impossible.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 46:33; 52:33]
[IN Q=It's difficult]

((KRISTAL GRAY/VIRGINIA TECH FRESHMEN: IT'S DIFFICULT. IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT HAVING TO PARK ALL THE WAY ACROSS CAMPUS AND WALKING BACK.)) ((STEVEN MOURAS/VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR: WHAT THEY NEED TO DO IS DURING THE BUSY TIME PERIODS TEN AND TWO ON WORKDAYS, THEY NEED TO NOT BOTHER DRIVING TO THE SO CALLED CONVENIENT LOCATIONS BUT TO THE MORE OUTLINING LOTS.))


[SUPER=01-Kristal Gray/Virginia Tech Freshman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Steven Mouras/Virginia Tech Transportation Director; :08]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=more outlining lots]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The university has commissioned a parking study, which should be completed by the summer.
Some of the options being looked at include building several parking garages, adding more buses, and incentives to encourage car pooling.
(------------)



[Marketwatch]


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


In business news, The Dow is making some changes today. And, Yahoo has released its earnings report.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:49]
[OUT Q=in New York.]

((> THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE IS ABOUT TO GET A MAKEOVER. TODAY, THREE > LONG-TIME BLUE CHIP COMPANIES WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE BENCHMARK > INDEX...AT&T, EASTMAN KODAK AND INTERNATIONAL PAPER WILL MAKE WAY FOR > VERIZON, PFIZER AND THE INSURANCE GIANT A-I-G. DOW JONES SAYS THE MAKEOVER > BETTER REFLECTS OUR CHANGING ECONOMY. > > EARNINGS SEASON IS IN FULL SWING ON WALL STREET... AMONG THE NOTABLES... > > YAHOO - THE INTERNET PORTAL POSTED PROFITS OF 14 CENTS A SHARE.. THREE > CENTS BETTER THAN EXPECTED. YAHOO ALSO ANNOUNCED A TWO FOR ONE STOCK SPLIT > > COMPANIES EXPECTED TO SHOW US THEIR PROFIT REPORTS CARDS TODAY INCLUDE: > APPLE COMPUTER, CITGROUP, GENERAL ELECTRIC AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. > > LEA FASTOW,the wife of former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow, > withdrew her guilty plea and will stand trial June 2. THAT'S AFTER A JUDGE > REJCTED A PLEA BARGAIN THAT WOULD HAVE LIMITED LEA FASTOW'S PRISON TERM > TO AS LITTLE AS 10 MONTHS. > THE JUSTICE DEPT CLAIMS Lea Fastow helped her husband conceal kickbacks > from the off-the-books partnerships he ran WHILE AT ENRON. ANDREW FASTOW > FACES 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ORCHESTRAING THE BIGGEST ACCOUNTING FRAUD IN > U-S HISTORY. > > KEEP YOUR EYE ON SHARES OF TASER.. THE MAKER OF STUN GUNS SAW ITS STOCK > HIT A NEW HIGH YESTERDAY - A DAY AFTER THE COMPNAY ANNOUNCED ITS SECOND > STOCK SPLIT IN AS MNAY MONTHS. TASER ALSO REBUTTED A REPORT THAT ITS STUN > GUNS WERE LETHAL. > > ON WALL STREET,A COUPLE OF DISAPPOINTING PROFITS REPORTS AND INCREASED > VIOLENCE IN IRAQ KEPT INVESTORS AWAY. > > THE DOW SANK 90 POINTS > > WHILE THE NASDAQ GAVE BACK 10 > > TRADING IS EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT AHEAD OF THE LONG EASTER HOLIDAY WEEKEND. > > find out more at cbs.mw.com in ny i'm ac in ny.))


(tape tosses to stocks)

[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]


[Train-Derailment]


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


Today federal investigators will interview crew members of the Amtrak train that derailed in Mississippi.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Yazoo City, MS/WBLT Television;]


One woman was killed and nearly 60 people were injured when the train jumped the tracks Tuesday night.
The National Transportation Safety Board says the train was traveling at 78 miles-per-hour when it came to a dead stop.
Meanwhile, the F-B-I has examined the scene and found no reason to believe it was anything but an accident.
(------------)


[11Vick-Case]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC09:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


A Montgomery County Judge is deciding whether the media be allowed in the trial of Marcus Vick and two other Virginia Tech football players.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Vick, wide receiver Brenden Hill and running back Mike Imoh are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
All three are accused of giving teenage girls alcohol and taking pictures of them as they stripped.
Marcus Vick is also accused of having sex with a 15 year old girl.
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]


Defense Attorneys and the Commonwealth's Attorney do not want the media at the trial because they do not want the identity of the victims revealed.
Lawyers for the media argued the case is of national and local interest and involves grown men.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]


The judge will rule in the next few days.

[11Used-Cars]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC1:21:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


If you're in the market for a used car you might want to solicit a little legal help, at least on paper...
(------------)
[VO-NAT :24]

The Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley is offering pamphlets to walk consumers through the process of buying a previously-owned vehicle.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Experts say buyers should find out about the kind of car they want to buy and always have an independent mechanic check the vehicle before paying any money. At least one attorney says deceptive practices in the used car market are "unfortunately common".
(///// SOT AT :24 /////)
[SOT 10:30:21 - 10:30:37]
[IN Q=I'm sure the dealers would say...]

((HENRY WOODWARD/LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF ROANOKE VALLEY: I'M SURE THE DEALERS WOULD SAY THAT ITS JUST HARD TO KNOW ABOUT ALL THE CARS THEY'RE SELLING AND OFTEN SELL THEM "AS IS". AND THAT TELLS YOU SOMETHING, THAT THE CAR SIMPLY CAN'T BE TRUSTED.))
[SUPER=01-Henry Woodward/Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=car simply can't be trusted.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :06]

The pamphlets can be found in libraries, social service agencies or at the offices of Legal Aid.
(------------)



[11Market-Cannon]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC20:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]


How would you like to get a glimpse down the barrel of a Civil War era cannon?
You can at the community market in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


The old firing piece had been stored in the Market's basement for about 15 years before a group known as Friends of the Market decided to restore it.
They raised 45-hundred dollars to have Amherst County carriage maker Ted Hughes bring the cannon back to its original glory.
The group now hopes to raise money to restore a second cannon which is also stored in the basement.
(------------)



[Times-Square]


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


100 years ago today, one of the best known corners of the world was christened "Times Square--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]


The centennial celebration got under way early-- with some unique performances.
The Times Square Alliance says it's planning nine months of festivities leading up to the New Year's Eve bash that'll usher in 2005.
Upcoming activities include a museum exhibit, a public art program and the development of new designs to ease pedestrian congestion.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)

[BUMP]

[COMM][Biz-Brief]


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


In business news, Stocks fell yesterday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]


((
A LATE RALLY FADED WEDNESDAY, BUT STOCKS DID MANAGE TO CLOSE ABOVE THEIR SESSION LOWS.


THE DOW INDUSTRIALS LOST 90 ON THE DAY...
THE NASDAQ WAS OFF BY NINE.


THE MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS ITS MEASURE OF DEMAND FOR REFINANCINGS DECLINED BY 15 PERCENT LAST WEEK.
THE GROUP SAYS A RISE IN MORTGAGE RATES DAMPENED DEMAND FOR HOME LOAN REFINANCINGS.
REFINANCINGS ACCOUNTED FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THE LOANS PROCESSED LAST WEEK BY MORTGAGE LENDERS.
AVERAGE 30-YEAR MORTGAGE RATES, EXCLUDING FEES, INCREASED 26 BASIS POINTS TO FIVE-POINT-SEVEN-FIVE PERCENT.


OIL PRICES CLIMBED NEARLY FOUR PERCENT WEDNESDAY.
A DECLINE IN U-S CRUDE AND GASOLINE INVENTORIES REIGNITED SUMMER SUPPLY CONCERNS.
U-S LIGHT CRUDE JUMPED A DOLLAR-33 TO 36-DOLLARS-30-CENTS A BARREL.
LONDON'S BRENT CRUDE WAS UP A DOLLAR-TEN TO 32-DOLLARS-45 CENTS A BARREL.


LOCKHEED MARTIN CUT ITS OFFER FOR TITAN CORPORATION BY ABOUT NINE PERCENT WEDNESDAY TO 20-DOLLARS A SHARE.
THE COMPANY CITED A GOVERNMENT PROBE INTO ALLEGED IMPROPER PAYMENTS MADE BY TITAN CONSULTANTS TO FOREIGN OFFICIALS.
LOCKHEED TOLD TITAN THAT FOR THE DEAL TO CLOSE, TITAN MUST OBTAIN WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO PURSUE ANY CLAIMS AGAINST TITAN.


WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M STAN CASE.))

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


[11Training]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC16:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


A former Roanoke department store is now the site for emergency personnel training.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Roanoke Fire and E-M-S began search and rescue training this week at the old Heironimus Warehouse. The 40-thousand square foot building is currently up for sale, but the owners decided to let the department use it for training in the meantime. The month-long training focuses on what officials call the three main principles of a successful interior rescue operation -- leadership, teamwork and discipline.
(------------)



[11Fire-Station]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC59:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


In Lynchburg, the future of an old fire station is in the hands of a new owner.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Station Number Four closed in 1991 and it's been a private residence for the past ten years.
It recently was featured on H-G-T-V's "Building Character" show.
The firehouse.. which still has the pole in the master bedroom.. was auctioned off yesterday.
Graphic designer Nancy Marion bought it for 86-thousand dollars.
Marion's not sure what her plans are for the building.
(------------)



[6-Shell]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC41:27]
[GRAPHIC=Robert Shell]
[ENG#=2]


A Radford Photographer may face federal charges in connection with an overdose death of one of his models.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]


Bob Shell already faces state charges of giving 19 year old Marion Elizabeth Franklin liquid morphine, which led to her death.
Commonwealth's Attorney Randal Duncan says U-S Attorney John Brownlee has agreed to seek federal indictments against Shell.
Brownlee declined to comment.
Shell is under house arrest. (------------)
by SS