WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/28/04

[VOBGolf-Course]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-30 TC12:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

A mistake by a county planner now means a new course of action for a proposed golf course in Roanoke County.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Golf course designer Lester George wants to build a 250 acre course on the old Saul Farm located on Pitzer Road in Mt. Pleasant.
At first, county leaders thought the entire land was already zoned for agricultural and residential.
As a result, the golf course only needed a special use permit.
But the county now says a 115 acres are zoned just agricultural, therefore, it needs to be rezoned.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:17:31]
[IN Q=We just didn't know it]
((JANET SCHEID/ROANOKE CO. CHIEF PLANNER: WE JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT. IT WAS A MISTAKE A STAFF PERSON MADE. NO ONE ELSE CAUGHT IT WHEN I SAT DOWN LATE LAST WEEK TO START PUTTING TOGETHER THE STAFF REPORT FOR THE GOLF COURSE IS WHEN I FOUND THE MISTAKE.))
[SUPER=01-Janet Scheid/Roanoke Co. Chief Planner;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=found the mistake]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

That mistake was found after a public meeting was held with nearby residents last week.
Some expressed concern over increased traffic, but the majority who came out supported the golf course and county leaders believe that won't change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:18:39]
[IN Q=I don't think]
((JANET SCHEID/ROANOKE COUNTY'S CHIEF PLANNER: I DON'T THINK THIS REZONING WILL MAKE TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE TO THEM. IF APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IT STILL GOING TO BE A GOLF COURSE.))
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=be a golf course]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It will make a difference to the man who wants to build the golf course.
To make amends, the county has agreed to push back the Planning Commission's public hearing from August 3rd to August 10th. But a vote by the Board of Supervisors is still scheduled for August 24th.
(-------------)

[11Keagy-Village]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC38:07]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Meantime, a controversial development in Roanoke County is now a done deal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Last Month]

Last month, the Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 1 in favor of the Keagy Village Project.
It's an upscale shopping center planned for the corner of Route 419 and Keagy Road next to Allstate Insurance.
Opponents had 30 days to file an appeal in circuit court but that deadline has now passed.
Kahn Development hopes to begin construction by the end of the year.
(------------)

[Democratic-Convention]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=3]

The momentum is building at the Democratic National Convention.
Vice Presidential hopeful John Edwards is preparing to make his acceptance speech,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]

while Presidential candidate John Kerry's cross- country tour will bring him home to Boston today.
Last night, it was his wife who claimed the spotlight as she praised her husband's character.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=John is a fighter]
((TERESA HEINZ KERRY/JOHN KERRY'S WIFE: JOHN IS A FIGHTER AND HE EARNED HIS MEDALS THE OLD FASHIONED WAY. ))
[SUPER=01-Teresa Heinz Kerry/John Kerry's Wife;]
[RUNS=:05] (estimated runs time)
[OUT Q=the old- fashioned way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Ron Reagan, son of the former President, also took the podium.
He didn't make any endorsements, but he did make an appeal.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Whatever else you]
((RON REAGAN/PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN'S SON: WHATEVER ELSE YOU DO COME NOVEMBER 2ND PLEASE CAST A VOTE FOR EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH. ))
[SUPER=01-Ron Reagan/President Ronald Reagan's Son;]
[RUNS=:08] (estimated runs time)
[OUT Q=stem cell research.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Keynote speaker, Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama told the crowd that John Kerry could reach across the country's cultural and political divides.
(------------)

[Cheney]

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

President Bush's campaign co- chairman says there's no positive, unifying theme coming from the Democratic Convention-- and that the attacks on Bush continue.
Meanwhile, Vice President Dick Cheney will stump for the Republican ticket today in Salt Lake City.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Camp Pendleton, CA;]

Yesterday, he told Marines at Camp Pendleton that al-Qaida is a relentless foe that must be defeated.
Cheney praised President Bush for his leadership during and after 9-11 and aimed to portray the Bush administration as more qualified than the Democrats to defend America's security.
(------------)

[11Electronic-Voting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-28 TC41:07]
[GRAPHIC=Election 2004]
[ENG#=1]
For many voters, this November will be the first time they'll use a computer to vote.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
But election officials like those in Roanoke County, say voters have nothing to worry about. In fact, they say the electronic voting machines are not only more accurate, but also easier to use.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5248]
[IN Q=and it gives you]
((DIANE HENSON/ROANOKE CO. REGISTRAR; AND IT GIVES YOU A SUMMARY SCREEN THAT YOU NEVER HAD BEFORE THAT SHOWS YOU EXACTLY WHO YOU VOTED FOR.))
[SUPER=01-Diane Henson/Roanoke Co. Registrar;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=voted for]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
But critics say the machines certified in Virginia don't come with a paper back up system -- which is their biggest concern.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1803]
[IN Q=one of the]
((CRAIG BRIANS/VIRGINIA TECH POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR; ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS IS THAT THE MACHINES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE. THE PAPER BACK UP COST ABOUT 15-HUNDRED DOLLARS EXTRA PER MACHINE, BASED ON THE CURRENT MARKET PRICES.))

[SUPER=01-Craig Brians/Virginia Tech Political Science Professor; ]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=on the current prices]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Right now, there are FIVE "E-voting machines" certified in Virginia. However, the state wants to certify THREE more -- two of which WILL have paper back-up systems.
(------------)

[Flooding]

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

The rain has come too hard and too fast for eastern parts of our region.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Officials say nearly four inches of rain fell around in and Richmond yesterday.
The high water covered many roadways, making it difficult for motorists to get around.
[SUPER=03-Bethesda, MD;]

Likewise, farther north in Bethesda, Maryland--
Fire and Rescue crews rescued people from dozens of cars that were stuck in high water.
There were no reports of any serious injuries.
(------------)

(weather toss)[Marketwatch]

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

In other business news, Stocks rallied yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((STOCKS BOUNCED BACK AFTER A FEW DOWN DAYS GIVING THE DOW ITS BIGGEST ONE DAY GAIN IN NEARLY TWO MONTHS. STOCKS STAGED A POWERFUL RALLY THANKS REPORTS SHOWING A TWO YEAR HIGH IN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND NEW RECORD NEW HOME SALES... BETTER THAN EXPECTED PROFITS FROM PHONE GIANT VERIZON ALSO HELPED LEND SUPPORT.

THE DOW SHOT UP 123 POINTS, TO CLOSE BACK ABOVE THE 10K LEVEL.

THE NASDAQ CLIBMED 30.

A SHAKEUP AT MARTHA STEWART'S LIVING OMNIMEDIA.Jeffrey Ubben is stepping down as chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia after more than a year in the post.Thomas Siekman, a director, will replace Ubben as chairman.
The move comes more than a week after Martha Stewart, the company's founder, was sentenced to a minimum jail term.. 5 MONTHS IN PRISON AND FIVE MONTHS HOUSE ARREST.

SOME DISAPPOINTING NEWS FOR SHAREHOLDERS OF ELECTRONIC DATA SYSTEMS OR EDS.. THE COMPANY IS CUTTING ITS QUARTERLY DIVIDEND FROM 15 CENTS TO 5 CENTS A SHARE AS IT TRIES TO SHORE UP ITS BALANCE SHEET.

Discount retailer Kmart and several other retailers got a boost in the markets YESTERDAY after a Deutsche Bank report said the company's assets were undervalued.
stay on top of your stocks and all the biz news at cbs.mw.com in ny I'm Alexis Christoforous.))

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

[Iraq]

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

A roadside bomb has claimed the life of an American soldier in Iraq.
Three others were injured when their armed humvee came under attack just northwest of Baghdad.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baqouba, Iraq;]

In Baqouba, Iraqi officials say 51 people are dead after a suicide attacker blew up a car bomb outside a police station.
The station was also used as a recruiting center for Iraqis wanting to join the police.
(------------)

[11Northside-Windows]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-29 TC24:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Vandals are at it again in Roanoke County.
First it was vehicles, now they're targeting schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The latest incident happened at Northside Middle School.
Someone shot out 19 windows with a B-B gun sometime Tuesday morning.
This in addition to a brick that was thrown through a window the night before.
Police say they have several leads but admit this has been a tricky case to solve.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:05:26]
[IN Q=It's late at night]
((R. G. CROSIER/ROANOKE CO. POLICE OFFICER: IT'S LATE AT NIGHT. EVERYONE IS ASLEEP WITH AIR CONDITIONERS RUNNING AND THINGS LIKE THAT. YOU CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE, THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO LOOK OUT OCCASIONALLY DURING THE NIGHT AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN SEE.))
[SUPER=01-R. G. Crosier/Roanoke Co. Police Officer;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=what you can see]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Charges will be elevated to a felony because damage estimates at the school top one thousand dollars.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Police believe these are the same vandals who have shot out 43 car windows in the county in the last several weeks.

[VO-11Blacksburg-Construction]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC1:37:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]
It's taking longer to complete improvements to Downtown Blacksburg than originally expected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Officials are going to double the number of crews working on the project to try and get everything finished by the first week of September. By the first home football game, the downtown is suppose to have new brick sidewalks and new lighting, trash cans, trees and benches. Next week, new trees will be planted. The town is also still planning to hold it's annual "Stepping Out" ceremony next Friday.
(------------)

[Pony-Swim]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]

Wild ponies will be making waves in Eastern Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chincoteague/Last Year]

Today's the day that the ponies will swim across the channel from Assateague to Chincoteague. Some of the ponies will be auctioned later in the week.
The proceeds will go to the island's volunteer fire department.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][2-Cheney]

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

Vice President Dick Cheney is again hitting the campaign trail hard for the Republicna ticket.
Today he'll make a stop in Salt Lake City.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Camp Pendleton, CA;]

Yesterday, he told Marines at Camp Pendleton that al-Qaida is a relentless foe that must be defeated.
Cheney praised President Bush for his leadership during and after 9-11 and aimed to portray the Bush administration as more qualified than the Democrats to defend America's security.
(------------)

[11Minorities-Crime]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC1:46:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Commitment, involvement and money... those are just some of the suggestions offered by community leaders to stop crime in minority neighborhoods.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Local officials offered suggestions yesterday's to members of Governor Warner's "Preventing Crime in Minority Communities" Task Force. The group has traveled across the Commonwealth listening to problems and solutions within each region. Suggestions include programs which would build trust between citizens and law enforcement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@10:00:08.09]
[IN Q=Even though our community...]
((JOE GASKINS/ROANOKE CITY POLICE CHIEF : EVEN THOUGH OUR COMMUNITY IS INVOLVED, I THINK IT HAS TO BE MORE INVOLVED. MORE INVOLVED IN THE POLICE, AND THEY HAVE TO BE MORE WILLING TO GET INVOLVED IN THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY. AND, NUMBER TWO, I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO BE RECRUITING FROM THE MINORITY COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Joe Gaskins/Roanoke City Police Chief]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=.. the minority community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The task force will present a report to the Governor by the end of this year outlining its findings.
(------------)

[Norfolk-Southern]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern]

In business news, Norfolk Southern has increased its quarterly dividend from eight to ten cents a share.
The railroad made the announcement yesterday afternoon on the eve of its second quarter earnings report.
Norfolk Southern stock closed yesterday at 25 dollars 90 cents, up 45 cents a share. Now let's take a look at your local stocks. [Kim TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [TRIGGER]

[6-Resource-Officer]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-25 TC55:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

After weeks of debate, Montgomery County has decided to hire extra protection in the middle schools.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/File Tape;]
The county will set aside 30-thousand dollars to fund a school resource officer at Auburn, Christiansburg and Shawsville middle schools. The county has already committed money for resource officers in the *high* schools. The positions will have to be renewed each year, and that concerns some supervisors. It's estimated that three years from now the positions will cost about 200-thousand dollars a year.
(------------)