WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/18/04

[Power-Plant]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ecu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]
Duke Energy has scrapped a controversial plan for the construction of a gas fired power plant in Wythe County. A company official made the announcement yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT Video from tape 02-50 57:55]
One of the most hotly-contested portions of the plan was the fact that it would have been built next to the New River Trail State Park. The State Corporation Commission also had expressed concerns about the plant's proposed location and the use of water

from an abandoned mine in Austinville.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

At a memorial today, Iraqis pay tribute to a prominent leader, and vow to press ahead with the political process.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

Family, friends, and colleagues gathered today to remember the assasinated leader of Iraq's governing council, who died yesterday in a suicide bomb attack in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, the U-S military reports it may have come across a deadly relic from Saddam Hussein's old arsenal.
Soldiers found a roadside bomb filled with Sarin nerve gas, but need more tests to confirm it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We can't say]
((DONALD RUMSFELD/DEFENSE SECRETARY: WE CANT SAY SOMETHING THAT IS INACCURATE. WHAT WE HAVE TO TRY AND DO THEN IS TO TRY TO TRACK DOWN AND FIGURE OUT HOW IT MIGHT BE THERE. ))
[SUPER=01-Donald Rumsfeld/Defense Secretary;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=how it might be there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, preparations are under way in Baghdad for the first court martial in the Iraqi prison abuse case.
The soldier believed to have taken some of these photos, Jeremy Sivits goes on trial tomorrow.
(------------)

[911-Hearings]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=911]
[ENG#=3]

The 9-11 commission begins hearings today just a couple of miles away from the former World Trade Center site.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

For the next two days, the panel will examine New York City's emergency response to the attacks-- including gaps in communication and coordination between the police and fire departments.
Former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik and former fire commissioner Thomas Von Essen are among those scheduled to testify today.
Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani goes before the panel tomorrow. The commission's final report is to be issued July 26th.
(------------)

[11Methadone]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC55:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

The company that hopes to establish a methadone clinic in Roanoke is moving forward with its plans. And opponents say they're preparing to step up their fight against the proposed location.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

C-R-C Health Corporation is seeking approval to open the clinic on Hershberger Road.
The company says it would consider a different site, but so far no one has suggested a viable alternative.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The important thing to remember]
((JOE PRITCHARD/CRC HEALTH CORPORATION: THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER. IF WE OPEN NEAR HERSHBERGER ROAD, OR IF ANOTHER SITE COMES ALONG, THE KEY WORD IS TREATMENT. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A POSITIVE EFFECT FOR THE CITY OF ROANOKE.)) ((JEFF ARTIS/METHADONE CLINIC OPPONENT: ANY TYPE OF METHADONE CLINIC COMING INTO THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW IT TO HAPPEN.))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Artis/Methadone Clinic Opponent; :17]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=we're not going to allow it to happen.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]

C-R-C hopes to secure state approval in the next 90 days. Opponents say they will follow through on their plans to fight the clinic.

[PKG81-Signs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC 2:01:44]
[GRAPHIC=I-81]
[ENG#=1]

A sticky situation on Interstate 81 Monday prompted V-Dot to use its new electronic alert system.
There was still a major backup but the state has high hopes motorists will eventually take the warnings seriously.
And as Justin McLeod discovered it could make driving safer and easier for everyone.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokesperson; :18]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/State Police; :40]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:29]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF TRUCK BEING UPRIGHTED))
When accidents like this happen on the interstate, backups are not far behind.
It happened Monday afternoon when this tractor trailer overturned dumping 72-thousand bottles of soda and leaving thousands of motorists frustrated.
[SOT 18:09:53]
[IN Q=When drivers know]
((LAURA BULLOCK/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: WHEN DRIVERS KNOW WHAT TO ANTICIPATE THEY ARE MORE PATIENT ABOUT IT. IT'S WHEN THE DRIVER DOESN'T KNOW, DOESN'T KNOW HOW LONG THEY ARE GOING TO BE STUCK, THAT'S WHEN TEMPERS FLARE.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=tempers flare]

But tempers could be eased a bit thanks to these new signs.
They're located on the interstate and many roads leading up to I-81.
They give motorists real time traffic information so if there's an accident you can avoid it altogether.
[SOT 17:54:05]
[IN Q=If we are just able]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER/STATE POLICE: IF WE ARE JUST ABLE TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC FROM COMING ONTO THE INTERSTATE FROM SALEM AND ROANOKE AND THESE OTHER PRIMARY ROADWAYS IT IS GOING TO HELP US MANAGE THE SCENE HERE BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE LESSER VOLUME OF TRAFFIC NEGOTIATE THROUGH THE AREA.)) [Runs :16]
[OUT Q=through the area]

The signs will be used for major incidents like an accident or a construction crew.
They'll tell you where it's located, which lanes are closed, and possibly how long the delay is.
There are 39 of these signs located in the Roanoke and New River Valleys.
The signs cost nearly three million dollars and V-Dot says it's money well spent, despite the fact this technology will never end all the backups.
[SOT 18:09:40]
[IN Q=Unfortunately there is]
((LAURA BULLOCK/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: UNFORTUNATELY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE ON INTERSTATE 81 FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THROUGH AN ACCIDENT AREA EVEN IF THEY GOT ENOUGH INFORMATION AHEAD OF TIME, THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH SPACE OUT THERE FOR THAT.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=enough space out there for that]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=V-Dot is also]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: V-DOT IS ALSO ABOUT TO LAUNCH HIGHWAY ADVISORY RADIO. IT WORKS LIKE THIS. SIGNS ON THE INTERSTATE WILL TELL YOU TO TURN YOUR DIAL TO A SPECIFIC STATION SO YOU CAN GET IMPORTANT INFORMATION DURING MAJOR INCIDENTS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[5-Vick-Case]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=504-05 40:49]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
[ENG#=2]

Virginia Tech says it will punish Quarterback Marcus Vick and two other Hokie Football players convicted in a misdemeanor last week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Vick, tailback Mike Imoh and Wide Reciever Brenden Hill were sentenced to jail for contributing to the delinquency of minors. The three encouraged 14 and 15 year old girls to drink during a late night party. Tech's Atheletic Director says, quote... Although these matters are on appeal, the Athletic Department remains disturbed and disappointed over these actions. Accordingly, I will levy sanctions this coming season. I will be monitoring the appeals process, but if there is no resolution before the season begins, disciplinary measures will be enforced. Sources say the punishment is likely to be suspensions from games. Marcus Vick's attorney filed an appeal to the verdict yesterday afternoon. Imoh and Hill are expected to do the same later this week.
(------------)

[11Echostar]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC38:52]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]
In business news, one of the nation's largest satellite companies is signalling for more workers in the New River Valley.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/File Tape;]
EchoStar Communications has announced plans to hire 300 customer service representatives at its Christiansburg facility. The company says it needs more workers to handle the high demand for the DISH Network satellite- T-V. Officials hope to fill the new positions by the end of the year.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=2]

In other business news, Stocks closed lower yesterday. McDonald's is launching a new line of fries.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((THE STOCK MARKET WAS HIT WITH A TRIPLE WHAMMY THAT SENT ALL THREE MAJOR MARKET INDEXES TO THEIR LOWEST LEVELS THIS YEAR.
THE KILLING OF A KEY FIGURE IN IRAQ'S NEW GOVERNMENT JUST HEIGHTENED INVESTOR WORRIES ABOUT GEOPOLITICAL INSTABILITY AND HELPED PUSH CRUDE OIL TO ANOTHER RECORD HIGH. THE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN INDIA FOLLOWING ELECTIONS THERE ALSO PUT U-S INVESTORS IN A DEFENSIVE MOOD.
THE DOW SANK NEARLY 106 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ TANKED 27.
THE NATIONAL PRICE FOR GASOLINE BUSTED ABOVE THE 2-DOLLAR A GALLON THRESHOLD FOR THE FIRST TIIME EVER.. JUMPING 7.6 CENTS OVER THE LAST WEEK TO A RECORD HIGH 2-DOLLARS ONE CENT A GALLON. THE LATEST PUMP RICE FOR REGULAR UNLEADED GAS IS UP 52 CENTS FROM A YEAR AGO. FUEL PRICES ARE RISING BECAUSE OF STRONG DEMAND FOR GASOLINE AND HIGH CRUDE OIL PRICES, WHICH ACCOUNT FPR ALMOST HALF THE COST OF GASOLINE.
LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES WAS THE STOCK OF THE DAY.. FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS. THE TELECOM EQUIPMENT GIANT WILL PAY A RECORD 25 MILLION DOLLAR FINE FOR NOT COOPERATING WITH AN S-E-C INVESTIGATION INTO A BILLION DOLLARS OF IMPROPERLY RECORDED SALES. THE SEC ALSO ACCUSED NINE LUCENT EXECUTIVES OF SECURITIES FRAUD. IN SETTLING THE CIVIL CHARGES, LUCENT DID NOT ADMIT OR DENY ANY WRONGDOING.
NOW YOU CAN SUPERSIZE YOUR FRIES AT MCDONALD'S AND NOT FEEL SO GUILTY. THE FAST FOOD GIANT IS LAUNCHING "INFINITY FRIES" A NEW LINE OF FRIES WITHOUT THOSE ARTERY CLOGGING TRANS FATS. MCDONALD'S INSISTS ITS INFINITY FRIES TASTE JUST AS GOOD AS ITS REGULAR LINE.
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]

[Middle-East]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

Israeli forces surrounded a Palestinian refugee camp, and launched deadly missile strikes today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rafah, Gaza Strip;]

Troops cut off the camp from the rest of Gaza, then helicopters fired missile.
At least 11 people are dead, and 30 others injured..
The Israeli military said the targets were armed Palestinians.
Hamas reported some of its militants were killed, but civilians are also said to be among the victims.
The advance appears to be the start a major effort to widen a military patrol road between the camp and the nearby Egyptian border.
(------------)

[11Picard]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC06:05]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
[ENG#=2]

A motions hearing for accused murderer, Christopher Picard, was interrupted several times, when the judge scolded the prosecutors and defense for what he called inappropriate and "petty" behavior.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./File Tape;]
At one point yesterday, Picard's attorneys accused Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood of being uncooperative, which Hapgood vehemently denied. The hour-long hearing ended with both sides agreeing to cooperate with each other and follow a gag-order. Christopher Picard was reindicted in February for the 2002 murder of Lori Metts Hodges Boyd. Picard's trial is set for June 28th.
(------------)

[11Boty-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-07TC2:03:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Usually school systems need more money, but for one local county that's not the case - it's giving money BACK.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
Botetourt County schools are returning the one-point-two million dollars the county approved for them just weeks ago.

It seems with the new state budget- schools received more money than expected. Administrators and school officials say its a move that's long overdue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@1:11.00]
[IN Q=It's a tremendous..]
((GERALD BURGESS, BOTETOURT CO. ADMINISTRATOR: IT'S A TREMENDOUS BENEFIT, BUT IT'S ABOUT TIME- THE STATE HAS BEEN PUSHING THESE COSTS OFF ON THE LOCALITIES FOR YEARS AND YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY JLARC STUDIES THAT SAID THAT'S THE CASE, SO THIS SHOULDN'T BE A ONE TIME THING, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO ON SEVERAL YEARS TO BRING IT INTO A PROPER BALANCE.))
[SUPER=01-Gerald Burgess/Botetourt Co. Administrator]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=... a proper balance.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Burgess says this money will help the county plan for the future and have extra money in case of emergencies. Meanwhile, the schools will be able to provide teacher and staff raises, new buses and building maintenance.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[Biz-Brief]

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

In other business news, Stocks fell yesterday. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:05]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((MORE INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS AND RISING ENERGY PRICES AGAIN COMBINED TO DRIVE STOCK PRICES LOWER.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS DROPPED NEARLY 106-POINTS...
WHILE THE NASDAQ LOST 27.

U-S LIGHT CRUDE OIL SETTLED AT A NEW HIGH OF 41-DOLLARS-AND-55-CENTS A BARREL.
THE ASSASSINATION OF THE A LEADING IRAQI OFFICIAL IN BAGHDAD HEIGHTENED CONCERNS THAT TERRORISTS COULD DISRUPT OIL SUPPLIES.

HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILER LOWE'S REPORTS NET INCOME ROSE 8 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO... TO 455-MILLION DOLLARS.
LOWE'S CITES STRONG SALES OF HIGH-PRICED ITEMS SUCH AS OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT AND KITCHEN CABINETS FOR THE IMPROVED RESULTS.
STILL, THE LOWE'S STOCK FELL NEARLY 2 PERCENT.

BUSINESS CONDITIONS FOR FACTORIES IN NEW YORK STATE EASED THIS MONTH AFTER AN APRIL SURGE.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK SAYS ITS EMPIRE MANUFACTURING SURVEY'S BUSINESS CONDITIONS INDEX SLIPPED TO 30-POINT-TWO IN MAY, DOWN FROM 34 IN THE MONTH BEFORE.
THE FED SAYS THE INDEX REMAINS CLOSE TO ITS RELATIVELY HIGH AVERAGE OF THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

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

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

[11Brown-Board]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC1:21:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Civil rights pioneers were honored yesterday in Central Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In 1951, black students at the Moton (MOE-tun) School in Farmville staged a walkout to protest crowded conditions and lack of funding.
Their actions later became part of the famous Brown versus Board of Education ruling that led to the desegregation of America's schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:34:19]
[IN Q=Most people don't]
((M. BOYD JONES/FORMER MOTON SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT OUR OBJECTIVE WHEN WE WERE HERE WAS TO TEACH THESE YOUNGSTERS TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THIS WHOLE OPERATION. THEY DID IT. THEY DID AND THEY KNEW I WAS BEHIND THEM.))
[SUPER=01-M. Boyd Jones/Former Moton School Principal]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=I was behind them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

More than a dozen of the students who took part in the walkout attended yesterday's ceremonies.
(------------)

[11Former-POW]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-19 26:31]
[GRAPHIC=IRAQ]
[ENG#=1]
An American soldier captured by the Iraqis says his 22-days in captivity changed his life.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=04-March 2003;]
Chief Warrant Officer David Williams was flying an apache helicopter when he was shot down and captured in March of last year. He says he was beaten and emotionally tortured and learned to take nothing for granted.
(///// SOT AT :13 /////)
[SOT 23:56:08 - 23:56:22]
[IN Q=Sometimes in day to day life we get...]
((CW2 DAVID WILLIAMS/FORMER POW: SOMETIMES IN DAY TO DAY LIFE WE GET UPSET ABOUT TRAFFIC JAMS AND STUFF. THE LITTLE THINGS, I DON'T GET UPSET ABOUT..))
[SUPER=01-CW2 David Williams/Former POW;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=The little things, I don't get upset about.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Salem]
Williams declined to comment on the current allegations. We caught up with him while he was delivering the key-note address at the First Annual Project Lifesaver Conference in Salem. The program focuses on using state of the art technology to find Alzheimers patients who get lost. (------------)