WDBJ 7 morning news for 05/31/04

[Twisters]

[ANCHOR=Susan]

[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]
[ENG#=1]
It's been a deadly holiday weekend for parts of the Mid-West as tornados battered the area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Marengo, IN]
Dozens of homes have been destroyed in Indiana. An elderly man from Marengo is one of the known victims of the storms. Other people were lucky enough to escape with their lives, but lost their stores, homes and all their belongings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@:51 from IN TORNADO PKG]
[IN Q=Here it comes...]
((STORM VICTIM: HERE IT COMES :WHOOO-WHOOO-WHOOO-WHOOO-WHOO. IT BROUGHT EVERYTHING THROUGH THE WINDOWS IT'S A TOTAL MESS INSIDE.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=... total mess inside.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Tornadoes are also blamed for killing three people in Missouri. High winds are blamed for another death in Missouri and two in Kansas.
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[Memorial-Day]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]
Cities and towns through the country are honoring America's fallen soldiers this Memorial Day.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-PBS]
From the dedication of the World War Two Monument to a concert on the capitol lawn.. dozens of weekend events in the nation's capitol paid tribute to troops past and present. Today President Bush will speak at Arlington National Cemetary and lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns. Meanwhile, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry will be in Virginia today. Kerry will be in Portsmouth for the city's 120th annual Memorial Day Remembrance Parade. Governor Mark Warner will also be onhand.
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[11Holiday-Travel]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-09 1:38:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

It may be a day off for most people, but for area police, Memorial Day means a full work load.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
A record number of people is expected on Virginia's highways by this evening. In fact, travel nationwide is up more than three- percent from last year. That's why State Police are beefing up their presence along area highways.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:57:23]
[IN Q=We have an increased]
((SGT. TOM FOSTER: WE HAVE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF TROOPERS ON THE HIGHWAY THERE TO ENGAGE IN OUR NORMAL ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES, BUT ALSO TO HELP DISABLED MOTORISTS TO HELP OUT WHEN PEOPLE ARE BROKEN DOWN OR NEED ASSISTANCE OR TO HELP OUT WITH ANY THING THEY MIGHT NEED.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Tom Foster/Virginia State Police;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=they might need]
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[VO-NAT]
State Police will enforce their "Click it or Ticket" campaign to encourage greater seat belt use.
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[11Boating-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-22 13:55]
[GRAPHIC=Boating Safety]
[ENG#=4]
[**ANCHOR TAG**] It will also be a busy day for game wardens on Smith Mountain Lake... weather permitting. Two people have already died on area lakes this holiday weekend, the latest on Lake Moomaw in Bath County. Authorities there say 39-year old Elton Edgar Brinkley of Millboro was killed yesterday in a boating accident. No other details are available. This follows a jet skier's death Friday evening on Smith Mountain Lake. State officials say these latest incidents emphasize the need for boating safety. Jennifer Wishon has more on their plan.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=An overcast day didn't]
[SUPER=03-Smith Mountain Lake; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phil Nielsen/Boater; :15]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Karl Martin/Virginia State Game Warden; :43]
[SUPER=01-Fran Nielsen/Boater; :58]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, SML]
((((NATS OF OPENING SHOT)) An overcast day didn't keep boaters from setting sail Sunday. Many people are in town for a Memorial Day vacation, but those who frequent the waters say they're getting congested.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:13]
[IN Q=We've thoroughly enjoyed]
((PHIL NIELSEN: WE'VE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT, BUT WE HAVE NOTICED AN INCREASE IN THE BOAT TRAFFIC.)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=the boat traffic]
And when the waters are crowded there's less room for error. Game wardens suggest boaters use the same common sense they use on the road-- Travel on the right side of the lake, be courteous, wear a life preserver and if alcohol is a part of your recreation always have a designated driver, because drinking alcohol on a boat is different than drinking on land.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:39]
[IN Q=People don't realize]
((KARL MARTIN: PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE NATURAL STRESSORS SUCH AS SUNLIGHT, NOISE, WIND AND VIBRATION INTENSIFY THE AFFECTS OF ALCOHOL BY THREE.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=alcohol by three]
Alcohol-related offenses on the lake have declined over the past few years, and Martin says many people do take every precaution to stay safe on the lake.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:20]
[IN Q=We have a little one]
((FRAN NIELSEN: WE HAVE A LITTLE ONE WITH US AND HAVE THE LIFE JACKET ON JUST WHEN HE'S WALKING AROUND ON THE DOCK. I MEAN YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO SAFE WITH KIDS.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=safe with kids]
Still there are those who disregard the law. That's why, weather permitting on Memorial Day, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries plans to do something it hasn't done since the early 80's- monitor boaters at Smith Mountain Lake using a "float plane."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:28]
[IN Q=We'll have an officer in the]
((KARL MARTIN: WE'LL HAVE AN OFFICER IN THE AIR THAT WILL BE COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOATS THAT WE HAVE ON THE WATER.))
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=on the water]
Game Wardens will also be teaming up with other law enforcement agencies for DUI Checkpoints this summer. Anything they can do to remind boaters to be responsible and safe while having fun. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Smith Mountain Lake.))

(+++++++)
[ANCHOR=Susan]
[Take Boating Safety FS] If you'd like to learn more about boating safety, you can call the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 434-525-7522.
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[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=mornin']
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
[ENG#=1]
Three-soldiers were killed in Iraq yesterday during separate incidents. Meanwhile, the United Nations and coalition authorities will *not* meet the self-imposed end of the month deadline to announce a new government for Iraq. Brian Andrews has more.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=DESPITE A CEASEFIRE..]
[SUPER=03-Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dan Senor/Coalition Spokesman; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Brian Andrews/Reporting; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]

((Despite a ceasefire there s more fighting in Southern Iraq U.S. troops in Najaf engage militia loyal to radical cleric muqtada Al-Sadr. In Kufa, two soldiers are killed one when his tank is attacked the other when his patrol is ambushed.
Iraqi politicians met with sadr aides to try and save truce. Today, Iraqi and U.S. officials will hammer out a new proposal in an effort to make the deal stick.
More trouble for an Iraqi politician at odds with the U.S. Iraqi police stormed the Ramadi offices of Ahmed Chalabi ordering staffers to leave. Police say the building belongs to a government agency.. and not Chalabi s national congress.. in what many consider a political power play. This comes after a raid of his Baghdad offices earlier this month.
In Baghdad meantine, a governing council meeting to select the country s president has been delayed.
Council members say the u-s is pressuring them to choose Adnan Pachachi.. an 81-year-old former exile.. who wants the u-s military to stay in Iraq indefinitely.
The coalition insists it is not playing favorites.
((DAN SENOR, COALITION SPOKESMAN: WE'RE NOT PRESSURING OR ENGAGING ANYONE URGING THEM TO GO ONE DIRECTION VERSUS ANOTHER.))
The majority of the council favors Ghazi Mashal Ajil Al-Yawer.. he enjoys broad based support from political and religious factions.. but has been critical of the u-s occupation.
((BRIAN ANDREWS, REPORTING : AN OCCUPATION OF WHICH MANY HERE AT HOME REMAIN CRITICALTHE NUMBER OF U.S. FORCES KILLED SINCE THE START OF OPERATIONS IN IRAQ NOW PAST 800. BRIAN ANDREWS, CBS NEWS, WAHSINGTON.)) ))

[Stock-Market]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=none]

In business news, Traders are enjoying a three-day weekend in honor of the Memorial Day holiday. The markets will re-open tomorrow morning. News 7 Mornin' will be right back.
(Susan tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS = ONE PAGE]
[WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[11DUI-Checkpoint]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=None]
DUI check points are popping up around the Roanoke Valley, in an effort by police to put the brakes on drunk driving.
Roanoke County police conducted two DUI checkpoints Saturday night...
(+++++++)
[Take DUI FS] and tell us they arrested nine drivers for DUI, and another for refusing to take a breath test. In addition, the checkpoints led to four charges for driving under suspension.
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[11NAACP-Awards]

[ANCHOR=Susan]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=sra]
[TAPE#=04-12 1:14:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Wayne Harris was given a Lifetime Achievement award as Roanoke's N-Double-A-C-P branch held its sixth annual Citizen of the Year Awards.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Organizers invited nationwide performers to attend this year's ceremony, and they honored 15-local community leaders for their achievements.
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[SOT 10:28:09]
[IN Q= This is ]
((THIS IS A GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA, SO WE ARE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE TALENT HERE. GOD BLESS TALENT FROM TOLEDO, OH. NIKKI "D" & THE BROWNS AND CALANDRA GANTT FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA. ALONG WITH OUR VERY OWN LYONNEL STARKY AND THE SPIRITUAL SEVEN. SO WE JUST HAVE A WEALTH OF TALENT HERE THIS EVENING.))
[SUPER=01-Brenda Hale/Roanoke NAACP President]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=this evening]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Organizers called this year's event a *big success* with attendance higher than ever before.
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(Susan tosses to bump)
News 7 Mornin' will be right back. [COMM][BUMP]