WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 04/27/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

A billion dollar tax increase sails through the Senate but still may be in trouble in the House.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And the inside, on-board -the- bus account of a school-bus field-trip mis-hap.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]
Tonight on News 7 sports UVa gets a verbal commitment from real Wildcat. A Bridgewater player will get his shot in the NFL,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and Duke's Luol Deng is ready to try his luck in the NBA after just one season at Duke.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Frost on the blossoms by tomorrow morning. But the chill-down is quick. We'll explain and have a Tuesday WeatherSchool session as well.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

News 7 is next.
[XGR-budget]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=16:00 on 04-16]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And I'm Shannon Young.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The budget ball is back in the House's court.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The Senate passed a billion-dollar-plus tax plan this afternoon but the House is still bouncing it around.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan /Starlink;]

Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon joins now from the State Capitol.
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL Starlink]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

The car tax freeze is the engine behind the more than one billion dollars in new revenue in the Senate plan but right now it is proving to be a roadblock in the House. [***ROLLED FROM STARLINK***]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF VOTE]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Steve Newman/(R) Lynchburg; :]
[RUNS=:]
[OUT Q=GOING TO HURT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.]
(([SOT 14:15:35 NAT SOUND OF VOTE]
[RUNS:02]
It was a major step forward in the slow march to a budget resolution.
The Senate passed a bill that would raise the state sales tax and cigarette tax and freeze the phaseout of the car tax.
[SOT 14:36:45]
((SENATOR JOHN CHICHESTER/R-FREDERICKSBURG: I'M VERY PLEASED WITH IT IT'S A GOOD DAYS WORK.)) [RUNS:04]
But not every legislator is happy with the compromise.
Lynchburg Senator Steve Newman is one of seven Senators who opposed the measure.
[SOT 14:35:43]
((SENATOR STEVE NEWMAN/R-LYNCHBURG: WHAT WE ENDED UP GETTING OUT OF THIS BILL IS NOT LESS THAN WHAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THIS ENDS UP BEING ONE-POINT-THREE-EIGHT-NINE BILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS A TREMENDOUSLY LARGE TAX INCREASE AND I THINK IN THE END ITS GOING TO HURT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.)) [RUNS:15]))
(------------)
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Starlink]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
(adlib)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan/Starlink;]

[Monty-budget]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC51:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
Whatever happens in Richmond, taxes are going up in Montgomery County. The Board of Supervisor's has approved a 3-cent increase to the real estate tax. But the hike still won't raise enough money to cover the 115-million dollar budget. The board is still more than 450-thousand dollars short.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
The hike was largely needed to help cover the costs of renovations to the county courthouse and upgrades to several athletic fields.
(------------)

[Bus-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC29:48]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]
A field trip got a little hairy this morning in Montgomery County. A school bus, carrying nine Auburn High School students and three adults flipped over along Camp Carrysbrook Road in Riner. And while no one was seriously hurt, it wasn't the only accident on that same section of road today.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel/Microwave;]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa has more. Rachel?
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Shannon, in fact a dump truck took an unexpected tumble at the exact same spot as the school bus just hours after the first accident. People in Riner tell me, it's not just a coincidence.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nine teenagers]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Gennosa/Auburn High School Junior;:09]
[SUPER=01-Trooper Tim Stuart/State Police;:31]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;1:04]
[SUPER=01-Wilbur Mullins/Riner Resident;1:20]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=my car over]
((Nine teenagers, never expected their school field trip to "turn out" like this. Their school bus completely on its side.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 10:33:00 ]
[IN Q=I could feel]
((ANTHONY GENNOSA: I COULD FEEL IT START TO LEAN OFF AND GO OFF THE TURN. I JUST KIND OF GRABBED ONTO MY SEAT AND HELD MYSELF UP. I ENDED UP BEING OKAY. TWO PEOPLE GOT HURT THOUGH.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=hurt though.]

No major injuries, just two students with a hurt shoulder and a sore back. State Police say the driver, 61 year old Bradford Charles Grems, of Blacksburg was trying to maneuver around a blind curve.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:9:11:00 ]
[IN Q=Basically he]
((TROOPER TIM STUART: BASICALLY HE GOT TO FAR TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD WHERE THE SHOULDER WAS SOFT AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT JUST SIMPLY OVERTURNED DOWN THE BANK. )) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=the bank.]

Grems been driving buses for 3 years without a mark on his record. He's been charged with reckless driving and has been suspended with pay from the school system, pending its own investigation. But, just hours after the first wreck... another one in the same spot. A dump truck carrying gravel to fix this dirt road also fell off the edge. The driver's fine and no charges are being placed.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:09:57:00 ]
[IN Q=The folks]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA: THE FOLKS THAT LIVE DOWN THIS ROAD SAY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW THEY SAY THEY KNOW BETTER THAN TO DRY ANYWHERE NEAR THE EDGES.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=the edges.]

Wilbur Mullins has lived along Camp Carrysbrook road for 30 years. He says he's seen a lot of accidents here. He's even flipped his car over, near the same blind curve a few years ago.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:11:32:00 ]
[IN Q=I stopped]
((WILBUR MULLINS: I STOPPED, LET THE CAR GO BY THAT I'D MET AND JUST STARTED TO PULL OUT IT BROKE OFF AND TURNED MY CAR OVER.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=my car over.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
The road was re-graded and slightly widened this afternoon, but neighbors say more needs to be done to improve the shoulders..
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Rachel /Microwave;]
Shannon, We'll have to wait and see if that becomes a new project for the county. In the meantime, everyone involved in these accidents today are just thankful no one was seriously hurt.

[Clearbrook]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:53:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A volunteer rescue squad in Roanoke County may have "shot itself in the foot" according to the medical director for the state office of emergency services.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :30]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The Clearbrook squad recently had its license suspended after the resignation of its operational medical director. Dr. Cheryl Haas (Hoss) stepped down after learning the squad was under investigation for what one county official described as possibly "inappropriate" financial action. Trauma surgeon Dr. Carol Gilbert, who also serves as the medical director for the Virginia Office of EMS, says Clearbrook approached her about taking over for Dr. Haas. She says she offered the squad a written agreement.
(///// SOT at :30 /////)
[SOT 13:47:44 - 13:47:59]
[IN Q=At that time I had...]
((DR. CAROL GILBERT/MEDICAL DIRECTOR, VA OFFICE OF EMS: BUT APPARENTLY, THERE WERE ENOUGH CONCERNS THAT THEY DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SIGNING WITH ME AS A MEDICAL DIRECTOR. AND I JUST DIDN'T FEEL DESPERATION WAS A GOOD REASON TO ENTER INTO THE RELATIONSHIP OF MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND CREW.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Carol Gilbert/VA Office of EMS Medical Director;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=into the relationship of medical director and crew.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]
Ultimately, Gilbert did not take the position. The squad has a matter of days to find a new OMD or risk losing its license completely.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

Before they can count votes, the candidates for Roanoke mayor have to count dollars.
Find out who's got the fundraising edge when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus cleaning up Smith Mountain Lake's a big job... and now volunteers will get an even bigger thank-you.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Campaign-Spending]
(MINI OPEN)
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC1:17:32]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The votes won't be counted until next week.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

But the fundraising fight is shaping up as a photo finish between two of the candidates for Roanoke Mayor.
[ENG#=1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Counting loans of almost nine thousand dollars, Republican Alice Hincker has raised more than 28- thousand.

Democrat Nelson Harris has loaned his campaign one thousand dollars, and collected 25- thousand more from contributors.
Independent Mac McCadden has raised more than eight thousand seven hundred dollars.
While Independent George Sgouros (SCORE-us) has raised and spent just over two hundred.
(------------)

[Roanoke-Mayor]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC1:57:57]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=2]
Mac McCadden came close four years ago, and he's aiming to win next week, when Roanokers choose a new mayor. Tonight, we continue our profiles of the candidates, with a closer look at McCadden's independent campaign.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On a sunny Saturday]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mac McCadden/(I) Candidate for Roanoke Mayor; :31]
[SUPER=@Joe2; :55]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke]

((On a sunny Saturday, Mac McCadden is prospecting for votes in south Roanoke, and he's encouraged by the response.
McCadden has worn many hats in his public life, the former ref and longtime sports booster who works the sidelines for the Dazzle... the former USAIR District Sales Manager now employed as the Coordinator of Student Services with Roanoke County Schools.
He's served on City Council, elected as a Republican in 1992.
And four years ago, as an independent, he came in a close second in a four-way race for mayor.
[SOT 16:30:18]
[IN Q=I don't think people]
((I DON'T THINK PEOPLE GAVE ME A SHOT TO WIN THIS THING IN 2000 AND I CAME CLOSE. AND I THINK WHEN I STARTED THIS I WAS STILL THE PERSON WHO WAS NOT THOUGHT OF AS A PRIMARY CONTENDER, BUT I AM FORMIDABLE I AM A PRIMARY CONTENDER AND I FEEL GOOD.))
[RUNS= :14]
[OUT Q=a primary contender and I feel good.]

While other candidates have hit hot- button issues such as school safety, the new stadium, or the state of city's leadership... [NAT SOUND OF MCCADDEN SPEECH]
[IN Q=I run because I have a passion]
((I RUN BECAUSE I HAVE A PASSION FOR THE CITY))
[RUNS= :03]
[OUT Q=because I have a passion for the city.]

McCadden has focused on what he considers a fundamental issue, reversing the decline in Roanoke's population. And he hopes Roanokers will respond to that on Tuesday.
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'm going to be last on that]
((I'M GOING TO BE LAST ON THAT MAYOR'S LIST, BECAUSE ALPHABETICALLY I'M GOING TO BE LAST, BUT A VOTE FOR ME IS A VOTE FOR HELPING TO PRESERVE WHAT WE HAVE HERE THE GOOD THINGS, AND HOPING TO INSTILL BETTER THINGS IN ROANOKE SO OUR KIDS DO STAY HERE.))
[RUNS= :16]
[OUT Q=so our kids do stay here.]

Four years ago, 532 votes separated first and second place... proof McCadden says that he can be competitive and an Independent can win.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Roanoke))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=HOLD]

Tomorrow on News 7 at Six, we'll profile Democrat Nelson Harris.

[Boty-Water]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC40:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
It's been 15-years since Botetourt County adjusted its water and sewer rates, but that's about to change.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Today the board of supervisors decided to raise the rates. For residential customers water rates will NOT increase, but sewer rates will by two-dollars a bill, while sewer connections for residents will go up 500-bucks. For commercial properties, the water rates will increase six-dollars for the first four-thousand gallons. And, the county will now charge a new rate of more than three-dollars for every thousand gallons over that. Sewer rates will increase by 20 to 25 percent depending on the size of the meters.
(------------)

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A mixed day on Wall Street. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/33.43/10478.16/y/4.24/2032.53;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

The DOW rose 33 points.
NASDAQ lost four.
[SUPER=271-h/0.96/44.15/h/0.33/55.91/i/0.23/30.59/h/0.49/93.34/h/0.60/81.79;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.22/34.92/h/0.53/21.90/h/0.10/7.40/i/0.22/63.50/i/0.20/30.55;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.03/9.16/h/0.44/41.60//Unchg/17.50/h/0.55/24.48//Unchg/6.39;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.08/13.86/i/0.59/69.13/i/0.24/37.50/h/0.35/46.25/h/0.46/58.60;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]

[Craig-Body]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=503-04 TC1:45:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
An elderly man found dead in the woods near the Paint Bank Fish Hatchery most likely died of a heart attack.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.]
That's the word from the Craig County Sheriff's Office. Rescue workers responded to the area North of the hatchery just after nine o'clock last night to find the body of 74-year-old John Morgan Sweeney of Salem. Sheriff Clifford Davidson says Sweeney had a cabin in Craig County and would regularly visit the area to hunt and fish.
(------------)

[Lake-Cleanup]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:38:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Organizers for the 'Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake" day say they're doing something a little bit different this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Instead of the event being a half-a-day, as in past years, organizers say it will take all-day Saturday. Officials say it's not because there's more trash and debris to pick up, but that they need more time to properly thank volunteers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:00:37]
[IN Q=what happens]
((ERNIE HOCH/TAKE PRIDE IN SML CHAIR: WHAT HAPPENS IS WE HAVE A "THANK YOU" PARTY FOR THE VOLUNTEERS AND WE HAD HAD THAT IN THE PAST ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WELL THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO DO IT ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON BECAUSE WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WERE STILL OUT THERE WORKING AND A LOT OF HARDEST VOLUNTEERS AT THE DROP OFF SITES, THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE PARTY.))
[SUPER=01-Ernie Hoch/"Take Pride in SML" Chair;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=to the party]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 700-volunteers participated in the Smith Mountain Lake cleanup day last year. Hoch says they've just about reached that number already this year.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up tonight on News 7 Sports - Duke's Deng is ready for the NBA. UVa gets another commitment from a Friday Football Extra lineman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and Steve Mason will visit with UVa transfer quarterback - Christian Olsen from Notre Dame.
(------------)

[S-Wildcats]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ROCKBRIDGE/UVA]
The Rockbridge Co. Wildcats continue to open the pipeline to UVa's football program. This afternoon Wildcat junior Aaron Clark made a verbal commitment to play for Al Groh after his senior season. Clark is a six six, 230 pounder who played tight end and defensive end this past year for coach Billy Mills in the Valley district. Clark is considered a tenacious, aggressive competitor who will do anything and play anywhere for the good of the team. Last year Rockbridge's Jon Kirchner signed with the Cavs and he will be a freshman this fall.

[S-QBs]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-175 1:49]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]
[ENG#=1]

New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub has created a vacancy in Charlottesville. Steve Mason introduces us to the new UVa quarterback race.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Christian Olsen/UVa Sophomore Quarterback; :16]
[SUPER=01-Marques Hagans/UVa Junior Quarterback; :52 Quick!!!!]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Football Coach; 1:18 Quick!!!!!!]
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC/September 6, 2003; 1:29]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Martinez/UVa Sophomore Quarterback; 1:39]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
(--------------------)

((You've heard abour him, even read about him, but who is this heralded transfer from Notr Dame. Christian Olsen is a six foot 3 and 226 pound strong armed quarterb ack who wishes he had started his college career in Charlottesville.
((:)) Olsen is now eligible and will have to beat out Anthony Martinez ,Kevin McCabe and the team favorite Margues Hagans, who, with his return-slash-receiving versatility will be on the field somewhere next season. In the spring, he took more snaps thatn anyone at QB. ((:))
((:)) ((STEVE MASON:)) ((:))
What about Anthony Martinez. The sophomore played in three games last season, starting one. But his 2 interception performance against South Carolina burried him on the depth chart. ((:))
A starter has not been named and Al Groh says the wide open quarterback competition will continue when practice for the 2004 season begins. Steve Masion news 7 sports.))

[S-Deng]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-163 20325TC]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]
[ENG#=2]

It looks like the NBA is about to get the services of Duke Blue Devil hoopster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Season; :00]
Freshman standout Luol Deng is planning on turning pro after just one season in college if all goes according to plan.
Deng's dad says his son is making himself available for the NBA Draft, but will keep open his option of returning to school by not hiring an agent. Aldo Deng also told The News & Observer newspaper in Raleigh that his son would attend classes at Duke during the summer in preparation for the June 24 draft in New York City.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=nba]
The only other Duke player to leave after just one season was Corey Maggette in 1999. He was a first round pick.

[S-Auburn]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-176 14803TC]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]
[ENG#=]
One ODAC football player who had hoped to turn pro after his senior season is about to get his chance.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater; :00]
Jermaine Taylor, the first team all-American linebacker from Bridgewater College has been invited to the Green Bay Packers three day mini-camp later this week. Taylor had more than 20 tackles for losses this past season. Taylor was a four year starter for the Eagles. (----------)