[PKGB'burg-Sewer]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC 33:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

After months of debate, a lawsuit and a landslide election... the controversial Toms Creek Sewer Project is no more. Last night, the Blacksburg Town Council stopped construction of the sewer line before it ever began. New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa has the story.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Blacksburg's plans ]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jane Goette/Blacksburg Resident;:10]
[SUPER=01-Mary Kay Goette/Blacksburg Resident;:30]
[SUPER=01-Frank Lau/Blacksburg Resident;:54]
[SUPER=01-Paul Lancaster/Blackburg Council Member-Elect;1:08]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;1:15]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=News 7.]

((Blacksburg's plans for a 12 mile sewer line, here, along the Tom's Creek basin went down the drain... To the quiet glee of many who fought the project.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 13:43:00 ]
[IN Q=I'm delighted]

((JANE GOETTE:I'M DELIGHTED AND I'M NOT SURPRISED. I THINK I EXPECTED COUNCIL TO HONOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AS WAS SHOWN QUITE DRAMATICALLY IN LAST WEEK'S ELECTION AND THEY'VE DONE THAT. )) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=done that.]


A record number of voters turned out to last week's election and ousted two incumbents in favor of three candidates who were against the project.


(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:16:25:00 ]
[IN Q=Their attitude]

((MARY KAY GOETTE: THEIR ATTITUDE SEEMED TO BE THAT WE DID NOT REPRESENT THE TOWN, THAT THERE WAS A SILENT MAJORITY THAT WANTED THE SEWER TO GO THROUGH. AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE AN ELECTION TO DETERMINE WHAT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS ))

[RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=of the people is.]


Town council voted to reject the bids for construction, stop any offers to buy land and stop the bond issue for the project. Those who fought against the project are now actually applauding council's actions.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:11:42:00 ]
[IN Q=There were]

((FRANK LAU: THERE WERE OTHER ALTERNATIVES THAT WERE NOT GIVEN SERIOUS EXPLORATION AND NOW IT GIVES THE COUNCIL A CHANCE TO GO BACK AND REALLY STUDY OTHER OPTIONS. )) [RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=other options.]


and that's exactly what the new council members say they plan to do.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:13:00:00 ]
[IN Q=We're going ]

((PAUL LANCASTER: SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS AGAIN. IT SOUNDS REDUNDANT BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT THIS FOR SO LONG. BUT IT'S A NEW COUNCIL, ITS TIME TO TAKE A NEW LOOK.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q= new look.]

The new council takes office on July first. In Blacksburg, Rachel DePompa, News 7.))


[VOBL'burg-Council]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC 1:04:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]


Taxes are going up in Lynchburg as the city struggles to balance its 141-million dollar budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


City council approved the first reading of a budget that includes hikes in the real estate, personal property, meals and amusement taxes.
Not everyone agreed that those increases were necessary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:38:23//8:39:26]
[IN Q=I have a very]

((ROBERT GARBER/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: I HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME VOTING FOR A BUDGET WHERE WE IN THIS PAST YEAR GAVE AWAY ONE-POINT-TWO MILLION DOLLARS TO A NON-PROFIT AND ALSO STILL FUNDING BUSES RUNNING AT NIGHT-TIME FOR 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS WITH NO PASSENGERS ON THEM.)) ((BERT DODSON/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: YOU SIT THERE EVERY YEAR AND VOTE AGAINST THE BUDGET, BUT YOU NEVER, HARDLY EVER COME UP WITH SUGGESTIONS HOW TO CUT EXPENDITURES.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Garber/Lynchburg Council Member; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bert Dodson/Lynchburg Council Member; :16]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=how to cut expenditures.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Council also heard requests from the city's 9-1-1 dispatchers and firefighters who want the same kind of pay raise Lynchburg police got last winter.
(------------)



[American-Killed]


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


The White House has pledged to hunt down the executioners of American civilian Nick Berg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


A video on an al-Qaida website shows a group of masked men beheading the 26- year- old.
In a statement the killers claimed the murder was revenge for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, and that there would be more executions.
Berg was in Iraq on his own doing telecommunications work.
His father says his son had planned to return home in late March, but was jailed by Iraqi officials at a military checkpoint.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He was arrested]

((MICHAEL BERG/NICK BERG'S FATHER: HE ARRESTED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. HE WAS NEVER CHARGED WITH ANYTHING. HE WAS NEVER GIVEN ANY OF HIS DUE PROCESS." ))
[SUPER=01-Michael Berg/Nick Berg's Father;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=his due process]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Berg's body was discovered Saturday, and could arrive back in the U-S as early as today.
(------------)



[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=4]


The army reservist photographed smiling and pointing at naked Iraqi prisoners say she was following orders.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Army Private Lynddie England says the pictures at the Abu Ghraib (Guh- rayb) prison were not only condoned, but were applauded by her superiors.
She's one of seven soldiers facing court martial on charges from assault to conspiracy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To all of us.]
[SUPER=01-Lynndie England/U. S. Army Private;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=getting what we need.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


21- year -old England has been assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
(------------)



[11M'Ville-Manager]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC02:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


Martinsville has a new city manager.
Robert "Dan" Collins will take over the job on July First.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista/1998]


Collins used to be the city manager in Buena Vista and currently is the top executive of Moberly (mow-ber-lee), Missouri.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]


He's no stranger to Martinsville either, having lived there as a teenager.

[11Vick]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC30:01]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
[ENG#=2]

Marcus Vick and two Virginia Tech teammates will go to court on Friday after all. The judge yesterday denied a prosecution request for a continuance. Commonwealth's Attorney Joey Showalter said he needed more time to review cell- phone records and talk with lawyers for the complaining witnesses. Three underage girls reported drinking alcohol in Vick's apartment.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Tech quarterback is charged- -along with Brenden Hill and Mike Imoh- -with contributing to the delinquency of minors. In addition, Vick- -who was 19 at the time but has since turned 20- -is accused of having sex with one of the girls, a 15-year old.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=Legal Scales]

A full case load yesterday prevented Judge Robert Viar from saying WHY he declined to give the prosecutor more time to prepare.

[Marketwatch]


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


In other business news, Cisco Systems released its profit report. And, the Dow is back above the 10-thousand mark.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]

((> TECHNOLOGY HEAVWEIGHT CISCO SYSTEMS WILL BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON WALL > STREET TODAY. > > AFTER THE CLOSING BELL, THE NETWORKING EQUIPMENT GIANT > SAID THIRD QUARTER PROFITS SOARED 23 PERCENT TO 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS > REVENUE TOPPED 5.6 BILLION. CISCO SAYS IT ADDED HOME-NETWORK PRODUCTS AND > SOLD MORE INTERNET ROUTERS AND SWITCHES TO CORPORATIONS. > > President Bush is banning all U.S. exports to Syria except food and > medicine. The White House says the sanctions are punishment for the > Syria's support of militant groups and allowing terrorists to cross its > border into Iraq. U.S. trade with Syria totals about $300 million > annually. > > THE DOW SNAPPED A FOUR DAY LOSING STREAK AND IS NOW BACK ABOVE 10-K. ON > MONDAY, THE BLUE CHIP AVERAGE CLOSED BELOW THAT MILESTONE FOR THE FIRST > TIME IN FIVE MONTHS.. > > THE DOW ROSE 29 POINTS, LED HIGHER BY WALT DISNEY AND EXXONMOBIL > > THE NASDAQ RALLIED 35 POINTS ON STRENGTH IN SEMICONDUCTOR STOCKS. > > OIL STOCKS GUSHED HIGHER AS > CRUDE OIL CLOSED ABOVE 40 DOLLARS A BARREL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 13 > YEARS... ANTICIPATION OF HIGH DEMAND FOR GASOLINE DURING HTE SUMMER MONTHS > OUTWEIGHED THE IMPACT OF SAUDI ARABIA'S CALL FOR AN INCREASE IN OIL > OUTPUT. > > TRACK YOUR STOCKS AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS.)) >

(tape tosses to stocks)

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


[TX-Tornado]


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


So far, we've escaped the twisters that have hit other parts of the country this week--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Conroe, TX;]


Yesterday, a tornado touched down in the town of Conroe, Texas.
It came from a severe storm that brough high winds, heavy rain and plenty of thunder and lightning.
Authorities say the tornado touched down near the local hospital.
According to reports, the twister tore the roofs off at least 10 homes, and downed lots of tree limbs and power lines.
Several minor injuries were reported, as well as injuries to livestock.
(------------)


[11Slate-Hill]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC42:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


Roanoke County officials say the Slate Hill property is NOT ready for rezoning.
Yesterday, County Administrator Elmer Hodge encouraged the supervisors to defer action on the controversial project until changes are made.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


Hodge and members of the board said they believe the project can work, but only if the developer addresses concerns about traffic, erosion and other issues.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Working through]

((MIKE WRAY/CAVE SPRING SUPERVISOR: WORKING THROUGH GIVING A LITTLE MORE TIME WITH THIS, I'D RATHER SEE IT GIVEN THE TIME, MAKE IT A NICE PROJECT, AND THEN IT WILL BE BETTER ALL THE WAY AROUND.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Wray/Cave Spring Supervisor;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=and then it will be better all the way around.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Developer Hunter Smith told board members that many of the issues raised at the work session are being addressed.
The supervisors are currently scheduled to consider the petition on May 25th.
(--------------)



[11Airport]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC 17:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]


The city of Roanoke is considering traffic improvements that could bring better access to the airport and nearby shopping areas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Planners recently outlined the proposal for members of city council. It would extend two- way traffic on Towne Square Boulevard to Airport Drive.
A new traffic signal and upgraded intersection would funnel traffic into the airport and onto Thirlane Road.
The project will cost approximately one million dollars, but city officials hope that businesses in the area will contribute to the improvements.
(------------)



[VOBStudent-Court]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC 17:15:18]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]


There's a new type of justice in Roanoke City Schools and you may be surprised to hear who is sitting on the jury.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Patrick Henry High School is the first in Virginia to offer youth court.
It is an intervention program where students serve as jurors to hear cases of fellow students who have committed minor offenses.
The five member panel then comes up with an appropiate punishment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:52:03; tape 1]
[IN Q=You want a punishment]

((TAMRA HASH/PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR: YOU WANT A PUNISHMENT THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THEM THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY DID AND A PUNISHMENT THAT IS GOING TO MAKE THEM REALIZE WHAT THEY DID IS WRONG.))
[SUPER=01-Tamara Hash/Patrick Henry High School Junior;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=what they did is wrong]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


By taking part in youth court, an offender avoids suspension but must admit guilt.
Punishments can include restitution, community service, or counseling.
Parents must agree to youth court and are encouraged to attend the proceedings.
(------------)



[11Workforce]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC 1:09:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


She says she let "boys" get in the way of her finishing school, but now 60-years later, one Franklin County woman will finally get her diploma.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

78-year-old Nellie Kirk was about to start her senior year of high school in 1943, when she dropped out. She says she wanted to get married, rather than finish school. Now, through a workforce training program, Kirk will get her diploma and says this time, nothing's going to stop her.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:43:27]
[IN Q=and when]

((NELLIE KIRK: AND WHEN MY MONEY RAN OUT I SAYS I'M GONE GRADUATE IF I HAVE TO BEG, BURN, STEAL GAS TO GET THERE ... AND KEEPS GOING UP I'LL HAVE TO BEG AND STEAL 39))
[SUPER=07-Nellie Kirk;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=beg and steal]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kirk's birthday is May 31st, so she'll actually be 79 when she graduates. On top of that, she was also chosen as this year's speaker for the ceremony.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)

[BUMP] [COMM]

[6-Global-Contact]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sra]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:58:12]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]


Pulaski has officially welcomed a new call center and hundreds of new jobs to town.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski]


Global Contact Services says Pulaski County was able to provide an attractive as well as easily accessible location for a new center.
The company has invested more than one million dollars into the new facility.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 51:13]
[IN Q=I think]

((MICHAEL SCHEWEL/VIRGINIA SECRETARY OF COMMERCE & TRADE; I THINK IT WAS GOOD EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS WHO WENT OUT AND REALLY MADE THESE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME AND WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE THIS ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR THEM WHERE THEY COULD GET UP AND RUNNING VERY QUICKLY.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Schewel/Virginia Secretary of Commerce & Trade]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=very quickly]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Local officials say they are excited about the new industry and looking forward to future growth.
(------------)



[11Bus-Accident]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC1:53:07]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]
[ENG#=3]

A Salem man faces a reckless driving charge after a school bus accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]

39-year-old Thomas Hicks usually works at the Roanoke County School's transportation department, but yesterday morning he was filling in, DRIVING a bus. Police say Hicks cut a corner too close, pinning a car between a utility pole and the bus off Tinker Avenue in Vinton.
No one was injured in the accident, but Hicks was charged with reckless driving. School officials say Hicks will continue to work with the school system. They say he is certified to drive a bus and has a clean record.
(------------)



[Early-Years]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Early Years]
[ENG#=4]

Far too many teenagers are putting themselves at risk when they dial their cellphones from behind the wheel. Now, some California lawmakers are proposing to ban teens from using their cellphones while driving.
(++++++++)

[TAKE FS EARLY YEARS] Rusty Dornin explains why in today's Early Years segment.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Anthony Gilmore/Teen Driver;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Deborah Bowen/California State Legislator;]
[SUPER=01-Rusty Dornin/Reporting]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=Rusty Dornin - San Francisco]

((LIKE MANY TEENS, WHEN SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD ANTHONY GILMORE GETS BEHIND THE WHEEL, HE LIKES TO MULTI TASK...
Like I can hold it and dial like this and if necessary and phones are fairly easy...alot of people have speed dial sets..."
THAT'S WORRISOME TO SOME LEGISLATORS IN CALIFORNIA WHO ARE CONSIDERING A BILL TO BAN CELL PHONE USE FOR DRIVERS UNDER 18. TEEN DRIVERS, ACCORDING TO THE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY, ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO CRASH THAN OLDER DRIVERS....CELL PHONES OR NO.
I looked at the accident risk, I looked at the risk not only to the driver but to everyone else on the road, and it's so clear that this group of inexperienced drivers poses a much greater risk than more experienced drivers.
SEVERAL STATES ARE CONSIDERING MAKING A SIMILIAR CALL FOR DRIVERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21. SOME TEENS AGREE THAT A BAN MIGHT BE SAFER...EVEN ONE WHO COULDN'T PUT DOWN HER CELL LONG ENOUGH TO ANSWER THE INTERVIEWER'S QUESTION
yeah you can get distracted and you're not old enough and aware enough to have been driving for a long time to, you know, to be talking on the phone and driving at the same time so I think that's a good idea
A HARVARD STUDY FROM 2002 SAYS THE USE OF CELL PHONES LEADS TO ABOUT 2,600 DEATHS AND 330,000 INJURIES. NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND WASHINGTON D.C. HAVE BANNED ALL CELL PHONE USE BY DRIVERS.
BUT THE YOUNG ARE INVINCIBLE........OR SO THEY THINK.
As long as you're a little cautious and pay attention it's not very difficult to operate a hand phone while driving.
BUT FOR CALIFORNIA'S TEENS, LAW MAKERS ARE CONSIDERING TELLING THEM TO JUST HANG UP AND DRIVE.
RUSTY DORNIN CNN SAN FRANCISCO.))

[Tape tosses to break] [COMM]

[Winner]

[ENG#=D1]



[ROLL OUT BREAK]
(///// SOT /////)




[SUPER=45-Gina Lang/Floyd;]


[LOCAL RECAP NEXT]

by SS