WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 04/12/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

With a government shutdown looming, Virginia lawmakers will once again tackle a budget vote.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT :05]
And a developer gives Southside the land on which to plant a new crop of students.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]

In sports, we will check in on one of Virginia Tech's rising football defensive stars, it is do or die for the Express, J.R. Reynolds talks about Gillen staying
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and we will head to Martinsville as Nextel Cup drives talk tires.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]
Much needed rainfall was abundant across the region today. Anywhere 1 to 2 inches fell today. More is on the way tomorrow. Even a few storms possible. The full forecast in just a bit.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

[ENG#=3]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]

Just a day until what could be the deadlock-breaking vote on Virginia's budget.
It's expected to be close and few are willing to predict an outcome.
(/////SOT at :09 /////)
[SOT 12:53:17 - 12:53:22]
[IN Q=I don't know...]
((DEL. WILLIAM FRALIN/R-ROANOKE: I DON'T KNOW... I REALLY DON'T KNOW. IT'S IN SUCH A STATE OF FLUX.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=in such a state of flux.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith is off tonight.

[XGR-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC1:02:47]
[SS=VA Budget]

Will enough Republicans buy an increase in the state sales tax?
The House is scheduled to vote tomorrow on a controversial proposal that COULD end the budget impasse and prevent a government shutdown.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]

Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon joins us from the State Capitol with a preview.
Shannon, the special budget session is heading into its it fifth week,
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

House Republicans were lobbied over the weekend by the both sides of the tax debate and the hopes for a budget agreement is coming down to one make-or-break vote tomorrow morning.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I DON'T THINK ITS A DONE DEAL]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Watkins/(R) Chesterfield Co.; :]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bill Howell/(R) Speaker of the House]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=THERE'S A CLEAR MAJORITY THAT WOULD NOT.]
(([SOT 14:02:12]
((DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: I DON'T THINK ITS A DONE DEAL. I THINK IT WILL BE VERY CLOSE.)) [RUNS:02]
Despite the backing of 17 Republican delegates and all but one or two Democrats, the fate of a controversial budget bill is still far from certain.
[SOT 14:03:46]
((DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: I THINK MOST MEMBERS KNOW HOW THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE BUT THERE ARE STILL A NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT MADE UP THEIR MINDS AND A LOT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON WHAT KIND OF INDICATIONS WE RECEIVE FROM THE SENATE.)) [RUNS:08]
The House leadership is looking for assurances from the Senate that it will accept the 972 million dollar package without any additional tax hikes.
But the Senate is not offering any guarantees.
[SOT 15:20:38]
((SENATOR JOHN WATKINS/R-CHESTERFIELD COUNTY: WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST TURN RIGHT AROUND AND SAY YES THAT'S ALL WE EVER WANTED TO BEGIN WITH. IF THAT'S ALL WE EVER WANTED, WE WOULD HAVE ADOPTED THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET.)) [RUNS:12]
The compromise measure is being offered as a way to break the month long budget stalemate.
The bill would raise the sales tax by half a penny, add 27 and a half cents to the price of a pack of cigarettes AND add some tax relief by cutting the food tax and eliminating the estate tax.
House Republicans fear that nearly one billion dollars in new revenue may not be enough to satisfy the money-hungry Senate that originally sought a budget with four times the revenue.
House Speaker Bill Howell says tacking on more tax hikes would be a deal breaker.
[SOT 15:14:09]
((HOUSE SPEAKER BILL HOWELL: I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD SUPPORT ADDITIONAL REVENUES BUT I THINK THERE'S A CLEAR MAJORITY THAT WOULD NOT.)) [RUNS:06]))
(------------)
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Delegate Morgan Griffith described the upcoming vote as a fluid situation
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan/Microwave;]

He also says the ball is in the Senate's court.

[Fralin]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC34:29]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=1]

He says he doesn't want to do it but a Republican delegate from Roanoke says voting for a tax increase may be the only way to arrive at a budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Delegate William Fralin says he's backing the House "compromise plan" which includes a half-penny increase in the sales tax.
(///// SOT AT :10 /////)
[SOT 12:50:29 - 12:50:46]
[IN Q=I've said it before...]
((DELEGATE WILLIAM FRALIN/R-ROANOKE: I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, I DON'T BELIEVE TAX INCREASES ARE THE FIRST RESORT. IN FACT, THEY'RE THE LAST RESORT. WHERE I MAY DIFFER FROM SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES IS I BELIEVE WE'RE AT THE POINT OF LAST RESORT`.))
[SUPER=@Fralin]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=we're at the point of last resort.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shan]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The compromise bill would also add more than 27 cents to the price of a pack of cigarettes but would eliminate the estate tax and marriage penalty.
The Senate has agreed to drop its push for an income tax hike if the House passes the plan.

[New-jobs]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tzi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]

New jobs are on the way to Southside.
Shenandoah Furniture announced plans to expand its Henry County facility over the next two years.
The process will add 50 new jobs and the company will spend over one million dollars. Shenandoah Furniture says it will take on new clients it previously had to turn down because of a lack of space.

[Richardson]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:28:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Charges against an Alleghany County man have been upgraded after his alleged beating-victim died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.]

22-year-old William Riley Richardson initially faced several felony charges including attempted murder, after police say he attacked his ex-girlfriend and a wheelchair-bound man in her care last week. Today, one of the charges was upgraded to first degree murder after the death last night of 65-year-old Richard Sarver.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@6:07:10:12]
[IN Q=He's ruined many, many...]
((DEBBIE SARVER, WIFE: HE'S RUINED MANY, MANY LIVES ON SOMETHING THAT'S THERE WAS TOTALLY, ABSOLUTELY NO REASON FOR. RICHARD COULDN'T COME AFTER HIM. IT WAS TOTALLY SENSELESS.))
[SUPER=01-Debbie Sarver/Wife]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=... TOTALLY SENSELESS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Friends and family remembered Sarver as a man who loved riding and showing horses. Arrangements for his funeral are being handled by Rader funeral home in Daleville.

[81-Accidents]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tzi]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC12:12]
[GRAPHIC=I-81]
[ENG#=3]

Several accidents tied up traffic along sections of Interstate 81 today from Botetourt County to Christiansburg.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The most serious happened near the Roanoke-Montgomery County line around 12:30 this afternoon.
That's where State Police say the driver of this dump truck slammed on his brakes to avoid traffic backed up from another wreck.
The truck then skidded and overturned into the median.
Tbe driver was taken to Lewis-Gale hospital with minor injuries.
The wreck tied up traffic for nearly five miles.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

A multi-car accident in Botetourt County also closed one lane of I-81 and sent one man to the hospital.
Traffic in that area is now running smoothly.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

The mother of a missing 5 year old is headed to jail for his murder.... but that's little comfort to other family members.
More from Logan Bowman's relatives when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]

Plus find out how donations could turn this field into a state university in Southside.
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[1st-Wx]
[Southside-University]

(MINI OPEN)

[ANCHOR=Shannon ]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC1:31:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia estimates an additional 60-thousand students will attend Virginia colleges over the next 10 years. Which is all the more reason why state officials are pushing the idea to build a new four-year university in Southside Virginia. [***NEws 7 @ 6 IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Shannon/Newsroom;]
Myranda Stephens is here now... why that area? Shannon, with all of the plant closings and job losses in Southside recently,
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
officials hope a new college will help stimulate the area's struggling economy.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bill Adkins/Developer; :20]
[SUPER=01-Harry Cerino/The Harvest Foundation Exec. Dir.; :42]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=session in January 2005. ]
(([SOT 2359]
[RUNS03] ((BY ALL MEANS WE NEED IT 02)) Picture, if you will, replacing this 100-acres of brush and weeds with busy college students and academic buildings. That's the image developer Bill Adkins envisioned, after he heard Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine's proposal in January to build a four-year state college in Southside.
[SOT 2207]
[RUNS06] ((WELL HENRY COUNTY NEEDS SOME BREAKS AND THAT WOULD HELP US A LOT IF WE COULD GET A UNIVERSITY HERE 13)) Adkins offered to donate part of his land, which he has mostly used to develop homes. But, it's going to take more than land to build a college or university. Which is why the Harvest Foundation in Martinsville offered to donate 50-million dollars toward the project to get things going.
[SOT 2518]
[RUNS11] ((ANYTHING THAT CAN IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT AND HELP GENERATE ADDTIONAL ENERGY FOR THE COMMUNITY WOULD OBVIOUSLY HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT 29)) That impact could soon be felt. Last month, the General Assembly passed a resolution ordering the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to conduct a study to move forward with the idea ... and then present its findings by the next General Assembly's next session in January 2005. ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Myranda /FULL Newsroom]
SCHEV officials say they hope to begin the study in July, when the next fiscal year begins, and hopefully when the state's budget will be securely in place.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Shannon /Newsroom;]
In the meantime, Shannon, the Harvest Foundation is conducting its own study, and has set ITS goal to have a college established by 2006.

[Bowman]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:11:43]
[GRAPHIC=Logan Bowman]
[ENG#=2]
The disappearance of Logan Bowman remains a mystery and continues to plague a Grayson County family.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The five year old disappeared more than a year ago. His body has never been found.
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co./File Tape;]
On Friday the boy's mother, Cynthia Davis, entered a guilty plea to felony murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. A relative of Logan Bowman's told News 7 today, the conviction doesn't bring any closure to the family. She went on to say, the family still hopes Davis or someone else will come forward in the next few weeks and tell them where to find Logan.
(------------)

[Fisherman]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC23:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
A body was found floating in the New River in Carroll County this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fries;]
On Saturday, three fisherman found the body near the Low Water Bridge in Fries. Investigators say it is that of 25-year-old James Wray Lawson of Woodlawn. He was last seen several months ago by his parents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:1:01:00]
[IN Q=I've known the boy]
((WARREN MANNING/CARROLL CO. SHERIFF: I'VE KNOWN THE BOY FOR YEARS, EVER SINCE HE'S BEEN YOUNG. KNOWN HIM A PRETTY GOOD WHILE, BEST I KNOW HE HADN'T BEEN SEEN SINCE DECEMBER, THE FIRST OF DECEMBER. ))
[SUPER=01-Warren Manning/Carroll Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=first of december.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Investigators say it appears the body had been in the water for some time. It's been sent to Roanoke for an autopsy.
(------------)

[Carroll-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC36:28]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]
[ENG#=4]
Another body was discovered on Sunday in a Carroll County fire.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carroll Co.;]
A mobile home caught fire in Cana (Kay-na) around 8:30 in the morning. A 17-year-old escaped the flames and called the fire department. Investigators say the body appears to be that of the owner of the home, 25-year- old Angel Marie Towe. Police don't know what started the fire. Towe's body was sent to Roanoke for an autopsy.
(------------)

[Dog-Attack]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tzi]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC1:50:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Bedford County authorities believe they've caught both dogs that attacked a horse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Last Week]

The dogs allegedly attacked Tater, a four year old miniature horse, while he was roaming in his owner's pasture eight days ago.
Animal control officers will meet with the Commonwealth's Attorney Thursday to discuss whether any charges will be filed against the dogs' owners.
Tater's owner, Carol Simmons, says she hopes the dogs are the ones involved in the attack, but she wasn't able to make a positive I-D.
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[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Upbeat earnings sent Wall Street higher today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/73.53/10515.56/x/12.60/2065.48;]

The DOW gained more than 73 points.
NASDAQ rose 13.
[SUPER=271-h/0.13/41.16/h/0.24/55.61/i/0.82/31.28/h/1.13/94.85/h/0.92/81.97;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.17/34.90/i/0.32/20.80/h/0.28/7.20/i/1.38/62.99/h/0.21/31.62;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.40/9.04/h/0.35/42.45/h/0.18/17.28/h/0.02/21.94/h/0.03/6.03;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.23/12.92/i/0.22/69.93/h/0.26/37.57/h/0.35/46.62/h/0.65/57.34;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]

[Burton-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Ward Burton]
NASCAR driver Ward Burton apparently fell asleep at the wheel today -- not on the track, but on a highway just south of Danville. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says Burton's vehicle left U.S. 29 this morning and crashed into a guardrail. Investigators say the only injury was a bump to the head -- and Burton's wife Tabatha picked him up at the scene.

[NASCAR-Ballet]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC18:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Roanoke Ballet Theatre is condensing three performances of an innovative production into two.
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[VO-NAT :28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week;]
Tickets sales for NASCAR Ballet have been slow to pick up speed. The Jefferson Center says it's sold just 185 of the more than 27-hundred seats available. The production is set to debut this Thursday. Two performances had been scheduled for Saturday but the matinee has now been cancelled. Dancers will simulate a stock-car race with each performance ending with a different "winner." The creation was born of the ballet company's desire to attract a new audience through popular culture.
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[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]

The Martinsville Advance Autoparts 500 is this weeknd, drivers talk tires today, the Express talks about stopping the Everblades tonight,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and a Virginia tech defensive lineman is creating a stir in Blacksburg.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-170 39:16]
[GRAPHIC=echl playoffs]
[ENG#=1]

Win or pack up for the summer. That's the situation the Express faces tonight against Florida at the Teco Arena in game four of the ECHL playoffs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joe Dusbabek/Express Right Wing; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=.....be ready for them"]
(---------------)
[anchor=steve]
[graphic=express]

We will have highlights tonight at 11.

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-162 1:56:50]
[GRAPHIC=advance autoparts 500]
[ENG#=2]

Nextel Cup drivers invade Martinsville Speedway this Sunday for the Advance Autoparts 500 and much of the topic during recent testing was tires. Here'e Dale Jarrett's take.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/20th in Nextel Points; :00]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=.....as close as it is"]
(-------------------)

[S-Reynolds]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-168 38:50]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]
[ENG#=3]

Pete Gillen's job is safe and now the UVa men's basketball coach can start preparing for next season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
Part of his plan has to include sophomore guard J.R. Reynolds, who attended the Dazzle game over the Easter weekend. Reynolds averaged 15 points over his final four games and is relieved coach Gillen will return next season
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-J. R. Reynolds/UVa Sophomore Guard; :00]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=...a coach i'm real comfortable with"]
(---------------)

[S-Davis]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-173]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]
[ENG#=4]
The Hokies are in their next to last week of spring football workouts, and one player they are thrilled to have back in pads is defensive end Jim Davis. Mike Stevens has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/March 22, 2003; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Davis/VT Redshirt Senior Defensive End; :16]
[SUPER=04-2002 L.S.U. Game; :25]
[SUPER=@mike2; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(( Right before the 2003 spring workout period opened - Jim Davis tore a pectoral muscle while he was swinging a golf club of all things. The recovery has taken him almost a year. ((JIM DAVIS:)) Two seasons a go Davis was a force to be reckoned with - his absence last season was not only noticeable but almost intolerable. ((JIM DAVIS:)) Davis has beefed up 276 pounds and says he hopes bring back the excitement at defensive end that the likes of Bruce Smith and Corey Moore used to create. In Blacksburg, Mike Stevens News 7 Sports.))

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-172 40:32]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=1]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT wipe to #eng!!!!!!]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/Braves vs. Mets; :00]
To Major League baseball. The Reds beat the Phillies 4-1 to stay a top of the NL central
In New York, the Mets battled the Braves and pitcher Mike Hampton would struggle and struggle a lot. The count was 10-nothing New York at one point.
[SUPER=35-New York/10/Atlanta/6;] IN the Bottom of the fourth, Mike Cameron goes deep to center field and off the wal
l. Todd Zeile comes all the way from first to score. Mets win 10-6.
(------------)

[S-Pilat]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-163 1:52:26]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]
[ENG#=2]

One of the ODAC's top coaches, Roanoke men's lacrosse coach Bill Pilat will have his jersey retired this weekend.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
Pilat was a three time all-American lacrosse goalie for the Maroons during the early mid 80's. He is still number one on Roanoke's all time save list with 710.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
[SS=HOLD]
He was also named Division III goalie of the year in 1985.
As a coach, he led Roanoke to the 1992 national championship game and has produced 43 All Americans . His jersey will be retired at halftime of this Saturday's game against Guilford.