WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/25/04

[911-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC 4:18]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]
[ENG#=]

Lightning struck the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office dispatch center shortly after 2 o-clock this morning.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/This Morning]
As a result, officials say the 9-1-1 system was down for several hours, but it is now back up and running. While it was down, all calls were answered by the Christiansburg Police Department and handled by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department.

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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]
Meanwhile, a state of emergency has been declared in Tazewell County because of flash flooding. 4 to 6 inches of rain fell in the past 6 hours. The National Weather Service says a mobile home park is underwater near the Richlands area

. Significant flooding is expected to continue along the Clinch River.[Twisters]

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

No rest for the storm weary in the Midwest--
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chillicothe, MO;]

More tornadoes have hit northwest Missouri, blowing houses and barns off their foundations and damaging one hospital.
Several people were injured.
Four tornadoes reportedly touched down in about an hour last night.
[SUPER=03-Hallem, NE;]

In Hallam, Nebraska, residents were allowed back into town only to be chased out again by threatening weather.
Storms began pounding the region this weekend, flattening hundreds of homes, businesses, and crops.
[SUPER=03-Gurnee, IL;]

In Illinois, too much rain is the problem there.
Rising waters have forced evacuations, and closed schools and businesses.
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[Iraq]

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

With the June 30th handover date looming, President Bush outlined his plan to help Iraq achieve democracy.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]

But the violence there hasn't let up--
Firefighters worked to put out the flames of an apparent car bomb near a Baghdad hotel.
The U-S military reports five Iraqis were injured in the blast, including a 10- year- old boy.
Authorities believe the Australian embassy 100 yards away MAY have been the target.
In an effort to dispel doubts about the war, Bush delivered the first of several speeches aimed at showing Americans he has a clear strategy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We will do]
(( WE WILL DO ALL THAT IS NECESSARY -- BY MEASURED FORCE OR OVERWHELMING FORCE -- TO ACHIEVE A STABLE IRAQ.))
[RUNS=:07] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=a stable Iraq.]
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[VO-NAT]

Bush acknowledges the job may call for more U-S troops, and warned that tough times lay ahead.
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[AM-Quarry]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]

Botetourt County Supervisors have the chance to okay -- or kill -- a proposed stone quarry today, even though the company proposing wants the matter withdrawn.
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[VO-NAT from 04-19 TC11:20]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./May 6;]
Timber Ridge Properties wanted more than 300-acres between Fincastle and Eagle Rock rezoned make the quarry and processing plant possible. It's now up to the board of supervisors to accept the withdrawal request or to go ahead and decide on the proposal. The county's Planning commission voted against the rezoning earlier this month, but Supervisors have the final say.
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[11Merchants-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC03:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The first summer assessment of Montgomery County's controversial Merchant's Tax may NEVER happen.
Last night, supervisors came up with a proposal to eliminate the August First assessment and reduce the tax rate even further.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]
The tax is on all inventory at local businesses, but several car dealerships have long said it's too high. The Board of Supervisors lowered the tax last year, but decided to assess it twice and take the average of the two days. Now some businesses are complaining the tax is becoming costly and disruptive.
The board will hold a public hearing on June 28.
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[11Festival-License]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-09 TC01:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
The group that battled the Roanoke Civic Center on expanded alcohol sales will be watching partiers at Festival in the Park.
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[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/May 2002;]
The ABC Board yesterday morning gave agents permission to grant the annual attraction several special events licenses.
A group of local churches had challenged Festival's application saying alcohol should not be served at a community event. Concerned Christians of the Valley even accuses Festival of violating ABC regulations.
(///// SOT at :19/////)
[SOT 3:43:48 - 3:44:06]
[IN Q=Well, obviously we're disappointed.]
((BARNEY ARTHUR/CONCERNED CHRISTIANS OF THE VALLEY: WELL, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE DISAPPOINTED. WE KNEW THAT WE HAD STRONG EVIDENCE THAT THESE VIOLATIONS HAD OCCURRED AND THERE NEEDED TO BE SOME TYPE OF SANCTION.))
[SUPER=01-Barney Arthur/Concerned Christians of the Valley;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q= TYPE OF SANCTION.]
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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Arthur says C-C-O-T-V members will be keeping an eye on drinkers and servers at this year's event to kick off Friday.

Festival organizer Stu Israel says anyone trying to buy alcohol will have their ID checked by trained personnel. He adds that in 34 years, Festival has never been cited for breaking a single ABC regulation.

[Phone-Strike]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=]

Phone workers are hanging up a four- day strike--
There's now word of a tentative contract agreement at S-B-C Communications.
Major differences over health care and job security issues triggered nearly 100- thousand workers in 13 states to walk off the job.
Union officials say the tentative deal improves wages and strengthens employment security.

[Marketwatch]

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

In other business news, Former New York Stock Exchange Chairman Dick Grasso faces a lawsuit. And, oil prices hit another record high.
Alexis Christoforous has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((IT'S ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED LAWSUITS IN RECENT HISTORY.
NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL ELIOT SPITZER FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT MONDAY AGAINST FORMER NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN DICK GRASSO.... SPITZER WANTS GRASSO TO GIVE BACK TWO THIRDS OF HIS 187 MILLION DOLLAR PAY PACKAGE.. A PACKAGE THAT FORCED GRASSO TO STEP DOWN AS HEAD OF THE EXCHANGE LAST SEPTEMBER. ALSO NAMED IN THE SUIT, THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE FOR FAILING TO COMLY WITH NON-PROFIT LAW. AND KEN LANGONE, A PERSONAL FRIEND OF GRASSO AND FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE NYSE'S COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.
SPITZER CLAIMS GRASSO BULLYED AND MANIPULATED MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.
ROBER HEIM IS A FORMER PROSECUTOR WITH THE SEC.
SOT:
SUPER: ROBERT HEIM/Former S-E-C Prosecutor

IN A MAJOR LEGAL DEFEAT FOR DICK GRASSO, TWO FORMER MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION BOARD HAVE CUT A DEAL WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. IN RETURN, THEY'VE AGREED TO TESTIFY AGAINST GRASSO AT TRIAL..
ON WALL STREET.. STOCKS FINISHED MIXED AS OIL PRICES HIT ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, DESPITE A PROMISE FROM SAUDI ARABIA THAT IT WILL PUMP MORE OIL. THE DOW SLID 8 POINTS THE NASDAQ MOVED UP 11.
TOBACCO STOCKS GOT BURNED ON NEWS OF A LEGAL DEFEAT. A judge denied a request by cigarette makers to block the Justice Department from attempting to collect $280 billion in profits allegedly earned by defrauding smokers.
FIND OUT MORE AT CBS.MW.COM IN NY I'M AC.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[Gay-Marriage]

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

The same sex marriage debate heads before the state Supreme Court in California today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The case isn't about the legality of the unions themselves, but about how much leeway elected officials have to interpret the law.
The justices will hear arguments about whether San Francisco's mayor over- stepped his authority by allowing same sex couples to marry.
Mayor Gavin Newsom issued four thousand marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples before the court shut down the process.
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[11Franklin-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC01:05]
[GRAPHIC=MURDER INVEST]
[ENG#=2]
Franklin County authorities are investigating a murder.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
9-11 dispatchers say they got a call around two o'clock yesterday morning, that a woman was shot inside a home on Water's Edge Road, near Smith Mountain Lake. When deputies arrived, they found the body of 28-year-old Charmane Tamika Davis of Danville. Authorities believe Davis went to the home looking for her boyfriend, whom she suspected of cheating. An autopsy is now being performed to find out exactly how she died. Investigators say Davis was driving a friend's car, which they found parked not too far from the home. Authorities are holding another car -- one they believe may lead to a suspect.
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[11Buckner-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=04-23 TC04:05]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=3]
Fire damaged a duplex in Roanoke.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
It's believed the fire started in the bedroom of the Buckner Street home. A person driving by the home noticed smoke and flames coming from a window air conditioning unit and called the fire department. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. No one was injured in the blaze.
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[VOBCell-Phone]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-25 TC 4:18]
[GRAPHIC=Cell Phones 4156]
[ENG#=4]

Want to ditch your cell phone provider, but don't want to hand out your new number to everyone you know?
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[VO-NAT - :22]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Now it's no problem. Cell phone portability started yesterday nationwide. That means you can change service providers and keep your same number. Cell phone sales officials say to make the process easier take a bill to the office when you sign up for new service, and and let your new provider cancel your old service. Otherwise you could end up losing the number you're trying to save.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 9:10:44]
[IN Q=The last thing is making sure...]
((JOHN SIGGINS/VERIZON STORE MANAGER; THE LAST THING IS MAKING SURE THAT CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND THE CONTRACT THEY ARE IN. BECAUSE IF THEY ARE COMING OVER THERE MIGHT BE SOME TERMINATION FEES OR CHARGES APPLIED TO THAT ACCOUNT IF THEY COME OVER BEFORE THE END OF THEIR CONTRACT WITH THEIR OTHER PROVIDER.))
[SUPER=01-John Siggins/Verizon Store Manager;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=with their other provider]
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[VO-NAT - 11+]
Portability has been available in larger cities since November. Under the new regulations, you can also take your landline number and transfer it to a cell phone.
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[11Warner-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC08:02]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=2]

After months of talk about budget deficits and tax increases, it's possible Virginia could finish the year with a 200-million dollar budget surplus.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

But Governor Mark Warner says one month of "better-than-expected revenues" is no reason to ditch the tax reforms lawmakers agreed on earlier this month.
Warner says the recent compromise should help convince credit rating agencies to keep Virginia at its Triple-A level.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:23:02]
[IN Q=My gut is]
((GOV. MARK WARNER: MY GUT IS THEY WILL REAFFIRM OUR TRIPLE-A BOND RATING. WE'VE MET ALL THE CRITERIA THEY OUTLINED LAST SEPTEMBER. BUT UNTIL THEY ACT, I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.))
[SUPER=@markWarner;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=my fingers crossed.]
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[VO-NAT]

Warner says the state should know by mid-June whether its bond rating will remain the same.
The governor was in Lynchburg yesterday, explaining the final product of all those budget negotiations.
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[11Police-Dogs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Botetourt County citizens can rest a little easier now that the Sheriff Office's two newest deputies are on the job.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
Murphy and Torro joined the force earlier this spring. Today they were put through the paces as part of their federally mandated monthly training. The dogs have been certified in drug tracking, area searches and aggression work. The two cost nearly 12-thousand dollars, but didn't cost the taxpayers a cent- they were paid for through grants. Most recently Murphy was called out to Read Mountain Middle school to search for drugs after five-students there Overdosed on drugs. (------------)