WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/06/04

[11Hillsville-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC10:36]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

Residents of Hillsville looking for emergency transportation will not be served by the Hillsville Rescue Squad anymore.
As of last night, THAT service has been indefinitely shut down.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hillsville/1997;]
Captain Donald Trotter says that shortly after six p-m yesterday, county and town officials locked the buildings down.
Reading from a statement, Carroll County's attorney said the board of supervisors unanimously voted to temporarily suspend the use of vehicles and resources by the squad because of numerous citizen complaints including: missed calls, a history of personnel problems within the department and unauthorized use of county owned vehicles for personal use.
(----------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]
Captain Trotter admits to once using a county vehicle to move furniture and said he offered to resign when confronted about it last week. Carroll county 9-1-1 has been instructed to dispatch all emergency calls from the Hillsville area to Carroll E-M-S, a separate rescue service in Hillsville.

[11Roanoke-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:57:23]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2004]
[ENG#=2]

Some votes may not have been counted in Ronaoke's mayoral race.
Roanoke election officials are looking into a possible voting machine malfunction that may have robbed votes from Republican Alice Hincker.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday;]

The machine at Grandin Court Elementary recorded 182 votes for Democrat Nelson Harris, 74 for Independent Mac McCadden and none for Hincker or Independent George Sgouros (Score-ess).
Bertrand Mullen and his wife both voted for Hincker at the school, and believe many of their neighbors did as well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:20:15]
[IN Q=At first ]
((BERTRAND MULLEN/VOTER; AT FIRST IT DIDN'T HIT ME AND THEN I THOUGHT I'M IN GRANDIN COURT, SO HOW COULD SHE HAVE ZERO. AT LEAST SHE HAD ONE.)) ((ALICE HINCKER/(R) CANDIDATE FOR ROANOKE MAYOR: IT WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE RACE, BUT IT MAKES PEOPLE WONDER IF THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH MACHINES, PROBLEMS WITH MACHINES IN OTHER PRECINCTS. SINCE THAT TIME I'VE ALSO GOTTEN CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO VOTED IN OTHER PRECINCTS THAT SAID THEY DID HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE MACHINES.))
[SUPER=01-Bertrand Mullen/Voter; :00]
[SUPER=01-Alice Hincker/(R) Candidate for Roanoke Mayor; 07]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=did have problems with the machines.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Members of the electoral board plan to check the Grandin Court machine this morning, but don't believe it will change the final outcome.

[11B'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC 1:28:46]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2004]
[ENG#=3]
Blacksburg's controversial sewer project could be the first issue taken up by the new council members.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The candidates against the current plan to put a 12 mile sewer line to Toms Creek swept the town elections Tuesday night. Incumbent Ron Rordam and newcomers Paul Lancaster and Don Langrehr won the election by a wide margin and with a record voter turnout. The three new council members say the sewer project will be one of their top priorities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:6:24:00 ]
[IN Q=We'll have ]
[SUPER=01-Ron Rordam/Blacksburg Council Member;]
((RON RORDAM: WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT COMES UP, BUT WE KNOW THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THAT'S ONE ISSUE THEY'D LIKE TO SEE US LOOK AT A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY BEFORE JUST MAKING A DECISION.))
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=making a decision.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new council members take office July first. Blacksburg is still facing a lawsuit over the Toms Creek sewer project. A court date is set for next week.
(------------)

[11XGR-budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC48:04]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=4]

The final vote won't come until tomorrow, but the House and Senate have agreed on a budget.
The two year, 60 billion dollar deal-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

will provide three percent raises this year for most state employees.
State police will get a four-point-eight percent raise.
And judges will see a pay increase of more than five percent.
The budget provides no money for teacher raises but local school districts will receive much of the proceeds from the half-cent sales tax increase.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:38:51]
[IN Q=THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT]
((DELEGATE LEO WARDRUP/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF NEW MONEY GOING IN TO MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, THAT IS CLEARLY AVAILABLE FOR TEACHERS RAISES. THAT THEN BECOMES A LOCAL DECISION.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Leo Wardrup/(R) Virginia Beach]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=THAT THEN BECOMES A LOCAL DECISION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The new budget also provides money for the Science Museum of Western Virginia.
The agreement clears the way for a final vote on the budget tomorrow morning.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

A suicide car bomb has exploded at a checkpoint, just outside U-S administrative headquarters in Baghdad.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

The military says seven people are dead, including an American soldier.
More than two dozen others were injured.
The latest violence comes amid growing revelations of abuse at U-S prisons in Iraq.
Many American officials have offered apologies for these photos.
While he stopped short of saying he was sorry, President Bush is trying to calm the anger.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I want to tell]
((I WANT TO TELL THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST THAT PRACTICES THAT TOOK PLACE ARE ABHORRENT AND DON'T REPRESENT AMERICA.))
[RUNS=:07] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=don't represent America.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In two Arab T-V interviews, Bush promised justice, but few are satisfied.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The response of ]
((SEN. JOHN KERRY/D- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: THE RESPONSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION PARTICULARLY THE PENTAGON HAS BEEN SLOW AND INAPPROPRIATE. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:05] (estaimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=slow and inappropriate.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, some senators have been especially critical of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld-- even calling for him to step down. Rumsfeld is scheduled to testify about the prisoner abuse tomorrow on Capitol Hill.
(------------)

[Bush-Jordan]

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

The Middle East peace process is on the agenda today when President Bush welcomes Jordan's King Abdullah to the White House.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The Jordanian leader cancelled a visit last month after Bush gave Israeli assurances it did NOT have to give up all of its West Bank settlements.
Jordan and other Arab nations want a complete Israeli pullout from the West Bank.
To help patch things up, Bush is expected to give King Abdullah a letter today saying that Palestinians and Israelis must negotiate these key issues.
(------------)

[11Edwards]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC1:00:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
For thirty years, he's been talking to listeners of National Public Radio through the microphone. For the next few months Bob Edwards will be addressing them in person.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT :28]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The longtime host of NPR's Morning Edition was in Roanoke last night to give a talk at the Jefferson Center. The Star City is the first stop on Bob Edwards' book tour. He's promoting "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism", a look at one of broadcasting's pioneers. Edwards is a pioneer of sorts in his own right. He hosted Morning Edition on NPR for three decades until recently being re-assigned. He says by the time the last show rolled around he was "relieved".
(///// SOT at :28////)
[SOT 19:38:48 - 19:39:02]
[IN Q=I think we should all be concerned...]
((BOB EDWARDS/RADIO PERSONALITY, AUTHOR: I WAS DOING TOO MANY THINGS AT ONCE. I WAS FRAZZLED AND HAPPY TO LEAVE ONE OF THEM... UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS MORNING EDITION.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Edwards/Radio Personality & Author]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=it was morning edition.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :06]
Edwards says the best part about touring is meeting the people who listen to NPR.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks closed mixed yesterday. And Martha Stewart will not get a new trial.
Jean Lee has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
(( A multi-Billion dollar bank deal failed to propel the Dow higher, while the Nasdaq stayed above the green.
The Dow closed down 6 points, while the Nasdaq gained 6.
Martha Stewart's request for a new trial was turned down. The decision comes about 2 months after she was convicted of trying to tamper, with a government investigation into her sale of Imclone stock. Even though she is now expected to ask an appeals court to overturn her conviction, Stewart's June 17th sentencing, will proceed as scheduled. The one-time domestic diva is expected to receive a sentence of between of between 10 to 16 months.
A 10 1/2 billion dollar merger in the banking industry could keep bank stocks active on Thursday! Charter One Financial, which has branches in states including Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, is being bought out by Citizen's Financial.
Dell Computer (DELL) could climb again. On Wednesday, the stock got an upgrade from Banc of America. The firm says it sees growth over the next several years, and says Dell has a better outlook when it comes to the PC and notebook computer markets.
And Gemstar- TV Guide plunged in after-hours trading. Results from the publisher of TV Guide disappointed Wall Street.

Get up to date on all the day's business news. Log on to CBS.MW.com I'm jl in NY.))

(tape tosses to stocks)

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

[CA-Wildfires]

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

In Southern California, Mother Nature is lending a helping hand to firefighters.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Corona, CA;]

Cooler weather and lighter winds are helping to contain wildfires that have burned more than 22- thousand acres and destroyed more than a dozen homes. The fire season started three weeks early this year because of dry weather and a bark- beetle infestation of trees.
[SUPER=03-Grand Canyon Nat'l. Park, AZ;]

Meanwhile, in neighboring Arizona, firefighters face a controlled burn that's now burning out of control.
The fire in Grand Canyon National Park is just a mile from camgrounds, lodges, and restaurants.
(------------)

[Bobby-Brown]

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

A judge has ruled there's enough evidence for singer Bobby Brown to stand trial on charges that he hit his wife, pop star Whitney Houston.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

The couple arrived together at the courthouse for yesterday's preliminary hearing, but neither spoke to reporters.
Brown is charged with misdemeanor battery for hitting Houston in the face.
The incident took place at their home near Atlanta in December.
Brown is ordered to turn himself in to be fingerprinted in July.
Meanwhile, the judge warned him not to have any ``violent contact'' with Houston.
(------------)

[11Radford-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-14 TC1:01:34]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
[ENG#=3]

One man has died from his injuries sustained in the shooting near Radford University.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
It happened around 10:45 Tuesday night at an apartment in the 600 block of Downey Street. Police say 25-year old Brian Keith Gray died around 1 o-clock yesterday morning from a gunshot wound to the head. The other male victim is not being identified at this time, but was shot in the lower back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 14:53:00:00;16:41:00]
[IN Q= Well I was]
((MATT NEESE:WELL I WAS SITTING THERE STUDYING AND ALL OF SUDDEN I JUST HEARD SOMETHING LIKE SOMEONE WAS KICKING IN A DOOR. IT WAS REALLY SCARY, I'M FROM NORTHERN VIRGINIA WHICH I GUESS IS MORE VIOLENT THAN HERE, YOU WOULD THINK, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFE PLACE SO ITS REALLY SCARY. ))
[SUPER=01-Matt Neese/Neighbor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Clance/Neighbor; :06]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=it's really scary]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
No arrests have been made in the case. Police are calling the shooting part of an apparent robbery.
(------------)

[6Project-Access]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC58:27]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

Uninsured residents in the Roanoke Valley may no longer have to worry about access to medical care, thanks to a new program.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Project Access of the Roanoke Valley kicked off yesterday -- with nearly 3-hundred doctors agreeing to donate services.
That means Maribell Wormley can now have the knee surgery she couldn't afford.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT7:31]
[IN Q=When you need things and you're]
((MARIBELL WORMLEY/PROJECT ACCESS PATIENT; WHEN YOU NEED THINGS AND YOU'RE IN A LOT OF PAIN AND YOU CAN'T TAKE CARE OF IT AND THEN YOU CAN IT'S JUST OVERWHELMING))
[SUPER=01-Maribell Wormley/Project Access Patient]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=it's just overwhelming]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The program is designed for the working poor.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:31]
[IN Q=If they meet the criteria they will be]
((DR. FRANK COTTER/PROJECT ACCESS OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY; IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA THEY WILL BE ENROLLED AND ASSIGNED A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER AND IF THEY HEALTHCARE NEED ARISES FOR A SPECIALIST THEN WE WILL REFER THEM TO A SPECIALIST))

[SUPER=01-Dr. Frank Cotter/Project Access of the Roanoke Valley]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=to a specalist]
(+++++++++++)
[WIPE TO FS PHONE NUMBER] For more information on Project Access call 540-344-4200.
(-----------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[PKGFestival-Park]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC 23:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Roanoke's Festival in the Park.
Event organizers plan a big celebration, but not in the way they had hoped.
Justin McLeod tells us why.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nat sound]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last May; :00]
[SUPER=01-Stu Israel/Festival Director; :32]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:10]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF MUSIC OF DRUMS ON TAPE 03-18 AT 1:02:07))
Remember this?
It seemed everytime you went outside last May it was raining, and that put a damper on Roanoke's Festival in the Park.
[SOT 19:45:14]
[IN Q=It's depressing]
((STU ISRAEL/FESTIVAL DIRECTOR: IT'S DEPRESSING. IT'S LIKE GIVING A PARTY AND NOBODY COMING.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=and nobody coming]

The party was over even before it began.
The weather forced the kick-off concert indoors.
By moving it to the Civic Center, the festival had to give up all the profits from the concessions.
The rain continued throughout the week, keeping attendance down, leaving the event nearly 90-thousand dollars in the red.
[SOT 19:38:30]
[IN Q=Unfortuantely the rain]
((STU ISRAEL/FESTIVAL IN THE PARK DIRECTOR: UNFORTUNATELY THE RAIN GODS DIDN'T SEE SMILE ON US BUT ONE OF OUR NEW POLICIES IS TO PURCHASE RAIN INSURANCE FOR ALL OUR EVENTS.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=ALL OF OUR EVENTS]

That's not the only change.
All events must now have a sponsor.
Organizers have also cut some of the children's activities and have booked a less expensive musical act for the main concert.
If you plan on buying a beer, expect to pay a dollar more and fees for some vendors have also gone up.
The only thing missing? Cooperation from mother nature.
[SOT 19:44:49]
[IN Q=We'll make sure]
((STU ISRAEL/FESTIVAL IN THE PARK DIRECTOR: WE'LL MAKE SURE ROBIN TAKES CARE OF THE FORECAST FOR US BUT WE KNOW IF IT RAINS WE'LL BE COVERED BY THE OUR INSURANCE BUT THE MAIN THING IS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE FUN.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=IS FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE FUN]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=To offset]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: TO OFFSET THE DEFICIT ORGANIZERS THOUGHT ABOUT RAISING THE PRICE FOR THE ADMISSION BUTTON BUT DECIDED TO KEEP IT AT TEN DOLLARS. FESTIVAL IN THE PARK RUNS FROM MAY 28TH TO JUNE 6TH. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, Stocks closed mixed yesterday. And, Disney is apparently not on board with Michael Moore's new documentary. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((THE NASDAQ GAINED WEDNESDAY, WHILE THE BROADER MARKET WAS MIXED.

THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL DROPPED SIX-POINTS...
THE NASDAQ ADDED SIX.

FILM DIRECTOR MICHAEL MOORE SAYS DISNEY HAS BARRED ITS MIRAMAX FILM STUDIO FROM DISTRIBUTING HIS NEW FILM...
"FAHRENHEIT 9/11". IT'S A DOCUMENTARY CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT BUSH... AND INCLUDES HIS ALLEGED LINKS TO PROMINENT SAUDI FAMILIES.
A MIRAMAX SPOKESMAN SAYS THE STUDIO IS DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH DISNEY.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS REJECTED MARTHA STEWART'S MOTION FOR A NEW TRIAL.
THE JUDGE RULED THAT THE FAILURE OF A JUROR TO DISCLOSE HIS CRIMINAL BACKGROUND DURING JURY SELECTION DID NOT MEAN THE ORIGINAL TRIAL WAS UNFAIR.
STEWART, CONVICTED OF OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CHARGES IN MARCH, WILL BE SENTENCED JUNE 17TH.
SHE FACES UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND A MILLION DOLLARS IN FINES.
HER LAWYERS STILL PLAN TO APPEAL THE VERDICT.

THE INSTITUTE FOR SUPPLY MANAGEMENT SAYS THE U-S ECONOMY'S SERVICE SECTOR GREW FOR THE 13TH STRAIGHT MONTH IN APRIL -- AND GREW AT A MUCH FASTER PACE THAN ECONOMISTS EXPECTED.
THE I-S-M REPORT ALSO SAID THE EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK IS BRIGHTENING.

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

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

[6-Iron-Gate]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:50:24]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2004]
Results are in for Iron Gate's three open Town Council seats.
(+++++++)
[TAKE LEADER FS RACE 375] Chris Fisher was reelected, and was the top vote-getter. Jennifer Tyree is a new addition to town council with 86 votes, and Roxanne Nicely heads back to council. She received 26 votes, the most of any write-in candidate.
[ENG#=4]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Iron Gate;]
Fisher and Tyree were the only ones on the ballot and 8 candidates received write-in votes. Voters were supposed to use computerized devices, but had to revert to paper ballots.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Alleghany County did get...]
((ALAN WILLIAMS/IRON GATE MAYOR; ALLEGHANY COUNTY DID GET SOME ELECTRIC MACHINES IN, WE HAD ONE ON DISPLAY YESTERDAY BUT WE DIDN'T GET IT IN ON TIME TO SET IT UP TO HAVE OUR ELECTION.))
[SUPER=01-Alan Williams/Iron Gate Mayor;]
[RUNS=9]
[OUT Q=to have our election.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Williams says he's pleased with the results, because it affirms the citizens of Iron Gate want to remain an independent town. A few years ago Iron Gate had considered giving up its charter.
(------------)

[WIPE TO LEADER 295]

[6-Fincastle]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE LEADER 295] Write-In votes helped re-elect all six Fincastle Town Council members, even if one of them wasn't running. Edward Bordett, Phebe Cress, Mitchell Bowman and Malanie Parker Jones all won their seats. [Next Page] Karen E. Willis and Mary Smith will also return to council. Smith received half of the town's 44-write in votes.
(-------------)
(Kim tosses to bump) [COMM] [BUMP]