WDBJ 7 morning news for 07/29/04

[Democratic-Convention]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]

He has the nomination, and tonight he'll accept it.
John Kerry is getting ready for the biggest speech of his political career-- a day after his choice for Vice President warmed up the crowd at the Democratic National Convention.
John Edwards told a national television audience last night that John Kerry is a decisive and strong leader.
And a roll call vote last night officially made the Massachusetts senator the Democratic nominee.
Brian Andrews is in Boston with the latest.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Brian Andrews/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Boston, MA;]

((ROLLCUE:...))
[ENG#=]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA;]
[SUPER=01-John Glenn/Former Ohio Senator;]
[SUPER=01-John Edwards/(D) Vice-Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Boston, MA;]

(( A LATE NIGHT ROLL CALL VOTE OF THE STATES MADE IT OFFICIAL.

(John Glenn, Former Ohio Senator)
GLEN SOT: 00:28:59 we cast a 159 votes for the next president of the
united states john kerry
ANCHORED BY FORMER SENATOR JOHN GLENN THE KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE OF OHIO HOISTED JOHN KERRY OVER THE TOP GIVING THE FOUR TERM MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR ENOUGH DELEGATE VOTES TO BECOME THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT.

(Nat- Edwards, Edwards)
THE CONVENTION WONT OFFICIALLY NOMINATE JOHN EDWARDS UNTIL LATER TODAY.. BUT THE CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT CAPTIVATED THE FLEETCENTER CROWD LAST NIGHT WITH HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.

(John Edwards, Vice Presidential Candidate)
EDWARDS SOT: 22:27:35 you can embrace the politics of hope the politics
of what is possible because this is america, where everything is possible
WITH HIS PARENTS IN THE AUDIENCE.. THE NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR DREW ON HIS HUMBLE ROOTS AS THE SON OF A MILL WORKER TO PLEDGE HE AND JOHN KERRY WOULD BUILD ONE AMERICA NO LONGER DIVIDED BY RACE OR INCOME.

EDWARDS SOT 22:29:11 the heart of this campaign, your campaign, our
campaign is to make sure all Americans have the same opportunities I had
THE FORMER TRIAL LAWYER REFLECTED ON THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS AS HE SET OUT TO MAKE THE CASE THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET WOULD BE STRONG ON NATIONAL SECURITY.

EDWARDS SOT 23:40:17 when were in office it wont take three years to
get the reforms in our intelligence to keep the American people safe we will do whatever it takes to make sure this never happen again in our america

(NAT- )
EDWARDS WIFE ELIZABETH AND HIS THREE CHILDREN ACCENTUATED THE ENERGY HE BROUGHT THE CONVENTION STAGE BUT THE GRAND FINALE IS YET TO COME.
JOHN KERRY ARRIVED IN BOSTON BY WATER TAXI WITH SOME OF HIS CREWMATES FROM VIETNAM WEDNESDAY. TONIGHT HELL DRAW ON THOSE COMBAT CREDENTIALS AS HE ACCEPTS THE NOMINATION AND TELLS AMERICANS WHY HE THINKS HE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT. ))

[Mark-Warner]

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

Don't blink, or you'll miss it--
That's what Governor Mark Warner says about his scheduled appearance tonight at the Democratic convention.
Warner will have just four minutes at the podium to lay out his party's case for a balanced budget, and contrast it with President Bush's projected 420- BILLION- dollar deficit this year.
He's become nationally renowned for persuading the Republican legislature to approve a one-point-four billion dollar tax increase to balance the state's budget.

[Iraq]

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

Terrorists now claim they've kidnapped a Somali truck driver in Iraq working for a Kuwaiti company.
The claim from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group comes on a videotape broadcast today by Al-Jazeera.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Militants also say they've executed two Pakistani contractors.
On a videotape, the kidnappers say their captives were sentenced to death beause Pakistan was discussing sending troops to Iraq.
News of the murders follows yesterday's deadly car bombing outside a police station in Baqouba that killed at least 68 people.
(------------)

[Road-Closed]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=dgr]
[GRAPHIC=none]

State police say a tractor trailer accident has forced V-DOT to close a Floyd county road. Route 750 between Easter Creek Road and Alum Ridge Road, to Dusty Rock Road will probably be closed until mid-morning while crews clean up power lines and remove the tractor trailer. The driver had to be pulled from the truck, but was not seriously injured.

No word on any charges at this time.[11BB-Guns]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-28 TC42:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Vinton police say they've arrested three b-b gun vandals, but it does NOT appear they are the same vandals who have been hitting Roanoke County neighborhoods.
The vandalism in Vinton dates back to June 26 when several vehicles on North Blair Street were shot with B-B guns.

Police say the damage may exceed several thousand dollars.
Yesterday, Vinton officers arrested 20 year old Brandon Maurer of Roanoke County and two juveniles. They also want to question several other juveniles.
Vinton police say they've shared their information with Roanoke County officers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Tuesday]

Several county neighborhoods have been hit by vandals over the last two weeks... the most recent target being Northside Middle School.
County police say they haven't found any connection to the Vinton case so far, but they're continuing to investigate.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Crude oils hits a record high.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm AC.]
((OIL PRICES WILL TAKE CENTER STAGE ON WALL STREET TODAY AFTER CRUDE OIL HIT A RECORD HIGH IN THE LAST SESSION. INVESTORS DROVE UP THE PRICE ON WORRIES ABOUT A POSSIBLE DISRUPTION IN OIL SUPPLY COMING OUT OF RUSSIA. CRUDE OIL SHOT TO A 21 YEAR HIGH OF 43 DOLLARS A BARREL ..THAT'S AFTER RUSSIA'S BIGGEST OIL EXPORTER, YUKOS WAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HALT OIL PRODUCTION. IT'S ALL BECAUSE YUKOS OWES BACK TAXES TO THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. Yukos officials have warned that the company, which produces two percent of the world's oil, is being driven toward bankruptcy.
THE RISE IN CRUDE OIL PRICES IS BAD NEWS FOR DRIVERS.. BECAUSE IT PUTS MORE UPWARD PRESSURE ON GAS PRICES.

SOT: (:13) Ron Walters / Professor Political Science, U of Maryland

RON WALTERS TELLS CBS MARKETWATCH THAT THE JUMP IN OIL PRICES TOGETHER WITH NEGATIVE SENTIMENT ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ COULD SING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN FAVOR OF JOHN KERRY.
THOSE RECORD OIL PRICES DEALT A FRESH BLOW TO THE AIRLINES... ANALYSTS SAY Continental, Delta and Northwest are especially vulnerable to the spike in oil because they are the least hedged against rising fuel prices.
ON WALL STREET.. STOCKS INITIALLY SANK UNDER THE WEIGHT OF HIGHER OIL PRICES, BUT SHOOK OFF THOSE WORRIES BUT DAY'S END...
THE DOW MANAGED TO RISE 31 POINTS WHILE THE NASDAQ GAVE BACK JUST 10.
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]

[11House-fire]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-29 TC25:13]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=1]

No one was injured when a home caught fire in Franklin County, but the residence was a total loss.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

Firefighters from Fork Mountain, Henry and Ferrum responded to the blaze in Log Cabin Estates around 6:30 last night.
They arrived to find the kitchen and living room of the mobile home in flames.
Investigators have not determined the cause.
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[5-Montgomery-Search]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=504-01 58:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Three missing hikers turned up yesterday in Montgomery County.
(++++++++++++)
[TAKE HIKER MAP FULL] They were found in the Elliston area of the County near Alleghany Springs road.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
25 year old Adam Lanter, his 19 year old sister, Whitney and 22 year old Stacey Sain went hiking yesterday at the Nature Conservatory when they got lost. They ended up spending the night in the woods.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:2:55: 58:00 ]
[IN Q=We hiked down]
[SUPER=01-Adam Lanter/Hiker;]
((ADAM LANTER: WE HIKED DOWN, DOWN BY THE CREEK FOR A WHILE. STARTED GETTING DARK ON US. SO WE BUILT THIS LITTLE CAMP FIRE AND SET UP ON A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CREEK THERE. IT WAS TOO TREACHEROUS FOR US TO COME DOWN. ))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for us to come down.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The three did not have any water, but they did have a few sandwichs and a dead cell phone and flashlight. In the morning they started hiking again, this time down the creek. Rescuers searched all night and finally found the hikers around noon yesterday. All three were in good condition, just a little hungry, thirsty and tired. They say they won't go hiking again anytime soon.
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[11Franklin-Teachers]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC1:16:06]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=3]

State money means Franklin County school teachers are getting raises -- but not everyone's celebrating.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
With an additional TWO million dollars in state funding, school board officials THOUGHT they would be able to give ALL of their teachers a raise of at least three-percent. But, when the county reduced the school funding by one million dollars, officials say they were forced to make some changes -- leaving the teachers who've been in the school system the LONGEST with only a one-percent raise.
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[SOT 4933]
[IN Q=certainly we wanted]
((LEE CHEATAM/FRANKLIN CO. SCHOOLS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE; CERTAINLY WE WANTED TO INCREASE THAT TOP STEP FROM ONE TO THREE PERCENT, IT WOULD HAVE TOOK ANOTHER 322-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO DO SO.))
[SUPER=01-Lee Cheatam/Franklin Co. Schools Director of Finance;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=DOLLARS TO DO SO.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials say they value ALL of their teachers, and plan to work harder to improve the salary scale next year.
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(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[PKGPH-Construction]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-32 TC 11:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

Patrick Henry High School is getting a major facelift and that could lead to a major problem for motorists.
Justin McLeod tells us what the city of Roanoke plans to do about it.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Debbie Daniel/Construction Supervisor; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Justin1; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF BULLDOZERS))
You could say it's been a busy summer here at Patrick Henry High School.
Just ask construction supervisor Debbie Daniel.
[SOT 14:36]
[IN Q=More and more]
((DEBBIE DANIEL/CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: MORE AND MORE ACTIVITY EVERYDAY.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=activity everyday]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF BULLDOZERS))
That activity has already led to the demolition of Persinger Hall and next week crews will begin tearing down the administration building.
It all needs to be completed by the first day of school August 23rd.
[SOT 14:54]
[IN Q=We're going to]
((DEBBIE DANIEL/CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: WE'RE GOING TO BE READY.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=GOING TO BE READY]

Getting ready means putting in 12 additional modular units to be used for office and classroom space.
Workers are also turning a field into a parking lot for faculty.
Before, they along with some buses used an entrance on Blenheim Road, but not anymore.
Everyone must now use the front entrance on Grandin Road and the road behind the Governor's School will become one way.
[SOT 16:11]
[IN Q=It's going to]
((DEBBIE DANIEL: IT'S GOING TO BE CRAZY HERE THE FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=COUPLE OF DAYS]

To help ease the craziness, the school has hired additional security.
There will also be a cop at the front entrance to direct traffic before and after school.
Police will also able to control the light at the corner of Grandin and Brandon if traffic backs up.
The school system warns traffic headaches are to be expected.
[SOT 20:21]
[IN Q=Of course we]
((DEBBIE DANIEL: OF COURSE WE ARE FLEXIBLE AND AS WE SEE THINGS ARISE WE CAN ADDRESS THEM IMMEDIATELY AND WE HOPE IT WON'T BE AN INCONVENIENCE AT ALL. BUT HONESTLY IT WILL BE MORE TRAFFIC THAN THEY USED TO IT BUT WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN PLACE WE CAN CONTROL THAT.)) [Runs:14]
[OUT Q=WE CAN CONTROL THAT]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=It could take]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: IT COULD TAKETHE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF SCHOOL TO IRON THINGS OUT AND AS A RESULT ADMINISTRATORS SAY THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO MAKE THINGS RUN MORE SMOOTHLY. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[6-Norfolk-Southern]

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

In business news, the Norfolk Southern Corporation says it set a record in the second quarter, bringing in revenues of one- point eight billion dollars.
Profits rose more than 50 percent.
The railroad says business growth, greater efficiency and cost controls lead to earnings of 213 million dollars, or 54 cents a share for the three months that ended June 30th.
That compares with 137- million dollars for the same period a year ago. Now here's a look at your local stocks.
[Kim TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[11Montgomery-Search]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-18 TC1:49:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Three young hikers say they won't go walking in the woods anytime soon.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE HIKER MAP] The Roanoke County natives got lost Tuesday and were not found until yesterday afternoon in the Elliston area of Montgomery County near Alleghany Springs road.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
25 year old Adam Lanter, his 19 year old sister, Whitney and 22 year old Stacey Sain went hiking Tuesday at the Nature Conservatory when they got lost. They ended up spending the night in the woods.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:2:55:13:00]
[IN Q=We decided to]
((STACEY SAIN: SO WE DECIDED TO GO HIKING.:14 NEXT THING WE KNOW WE SEE A BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL WE GO DONE. AND WE CAN'T GET BACK UP. :18 AND DECIDE TO GO DOWN THE RIVER OR CREEK AND IT GOT TOO DARK OUTSIDE SO WE STOPPED AND SLEPT ON A ROCK.))
[SUPER=01-Stacey Sain/Hiker;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=on a rock.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The three had no water, but they did have a few sandwiches, a flashlight and a dead cell phone. Rescuers from across the region searched all night and finally found the hikers around noon yesterday. All three were in good condition, just a little hungry, thirsty and tired.
(------------)

[11Botetourt-Sewage]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC54:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
Botetourt County and Fincastle are joining forces on a new sewage system...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
Yesterday, Botetourt County supervisors approved an agreement with Fincastle to replace its sewage treatment facility.
Currently the town has a lagoon system which handles about 50-thousand gallons of waste a day.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@2:57:12.04]
[IN Q=The new plant...]
((CARL HYLTON/WASTE WATER OPERATOR: THE NEW PLANT, YOU HAVE MORE EFFICIENT PLANT PLUS HIGH QUALITY GOING INTO CATAWBA CREEK. IT JUST TREATS IT A LOT BETTER- YOU JUST HAVE MORE CONTROL WITH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Carl Hylton/Waste Water Operator]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=.. control with it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new system is set to be up and running next August. It already has the "unofficial" nod from Fincastle's mayor, the town council is scheduled to decide on the plan next month.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[TRIGGER][11Airport-Tower]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC1:01:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

The new control tower at Roanoke Regional Airport could be open by Christmas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :31]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/November 2003;]
A spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration says the airport will switch operations from the current tower to the new one December fifth. The nearly 200-foot tall structure has been under construction for almost three years. The airport had originally speculated the switch over would take place in March of this year but rainy weather last year put construction behind. The airport originally planned on allowing public tours of the 9-million dollar tower, but the FAA says that idea has been scrapped in light of heightened security.
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[11Cognicheck]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC1:38:26]
[GRAPHIC=Medical News]
[ENG#=4]

Forgetfulness can be a normal part of the aging process.. but it also can be a sign of something more serious.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Now people can go on line to test their memory. A Lynchburg doctor who has spent several years studying the cause and effects of memory loss came up with the website.
For about ten bucks, you can go take on line memory tests and see how your results compare to the norm for your age group.
Dr. David Crews says the tests are merely for screening and should be followed up by a visit to your doctor if you feel it's necessary.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE WDBJ WEBPAGE FS]
You can check it out by visiting our web-site w-d-b-j-7-dot-come and clicking on "websites in the news".
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(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM][3-HEADLINES] [Kim at Desk]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Here's what's making news-- Governor Mark Warner claims a bit of the Democratic Convention spotlight tonight.
He's scheduled to outline his party's case for a balanced budget-- but he'll only get four minutes at the podium to do it.
(----------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA]

Last night, Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards warmed up the convention crowd.
Tonight, it's John Kerry's turn, after a roll call vote of the states officially made him the Democratic nominee.
Edwards called Kerry a decisive and strong leader.
(----------------)
[ENG#=2]
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Tuesday]

Vinton police say they've arrested three B-B gun vandals, but authorities don't think they're the same vandals hitting other areas in Roanoke County.
Several neighborhoods have been hit by vandals over the last two weeks... the most recent target Northside Middle School.
(----------------)