WDBJ 7 morning news for 09/15/04

[Hurricane-Ivan]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Ivan]

No matter where Hurricane Ivan hits, everyone in the target area is preparing for a mess.
Nearly two million people are being urged to get out of Ivan's way, from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana.
New Orleans is especially vulnerable-- the storm could submerge the entire city sitting below sea level.
Manual Gallegus is in Panama City, Florida this morning and joins us now with the latest on the approaching hurricane.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Manual Gallegus/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-Panama City, FL;]

[ENG#=none]
(///// SOT /////)

[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Panama City, FL;]
[SUPER=01-Jim Hunter/Boat Owner;]
[SUPER=01-Ivor Van Heerden/Hurricane Researcher;]
[SUPER=01-Manual Gallegus/CBS News;]
[SUPER=01-Aaron Broussard/Jefferson Parish, LA President;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=back to you.]

[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Panama City, FL;]

((
FROM PANAMA CITY.. TO MOBILE.. TO NEW ORLEANS.. THE MAD DASH TO GET AWAY FROM IVAN.. IS BUMPER TO BUMPER.
NEARLY TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN FOUR STATES HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EVACUATE NOW.
WITH THE POWERFUL STORM CHURNING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.. A 300 MILE STRETCH OF COASTLINE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING LIES MOSTLY DESERTED.

(NAT-POP)
A FEW STRAGGLERS ARE STILL BOARDING UP THEIR HOMES.. AND TRYING TO SECURE THEIR BOATS.

(Jim Hunter, Boat Owner)
HUNTER SOT 14:15:58 I think you do the best you can and then whatever
happens happens
FORECASTERS EXPECT IVAN TO REACH LAND THURSDAY.. BUT STILL CANT SAY EXACTLY WHERE THE EYE OF THE STORM WILL STRIKE. THERE ARE GROWING FEARS NEW ORLEANS MAY BE THE MOST VULNERABLE.. DIRECT HIT OR NOT.

(Ivor Van Heerden, Hurricane Researcher)
SOT VAN HEERDEN: "...this is kind of our worst case scenario"

AT LOUISIANA'S HURRICANE RESEARCH CENTER...COMPUTER ANIMATION SHOWS HOW IVAN COULD EASILY SWAMP THE CITY LYING 8 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL.

SOT VAN HEERDEN: "...a total disaster. I mean catastrophe."

BRIDGE: EVEN IF IVAN MAKES LANDFALL FURTHER WEST.. IT WOULD STILL CAUSE TROUBLE HERE IN PANHANDLE SINCE HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND MORE THAN 100 MILES FROM THE EYE.

(Nat- Caribbean damage)
IVAN'S DESTRUCTIVE FORCE WAS EVIDENT THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN.. WIPING OUT POWER.. FLATTENING HOMES.. AND KILLING AT LEAST 68 PEOPLE.

(Aaron Broussard, President, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana)
BROUSSARD SOT:"..If you want to take a chance, buy a lottery ticket, but
don't take a chance on this hurricane."
))

[D'ville-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morning]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Robbery]

Danville Police are investigating an armed robbery at a gas station. The clerk at the Texaco Service Station on North Main Street says two men came into the store shortly before eleven last night -- one carrying a pistol -- and demanded money from the register. Both men fled the store on foot with an unknown amount of money.
(+++++++++++++)
[TAKE CRIMESTOPPERS FS E530] Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Danville Crimestoppers at 434-793-0000.
(++++++++++++++)

[11Brown]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-34 TC36:57]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
[ENG#=1]

Radford's first Capital Murder case in more than 25 years appears headed for trial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/File Tape]

Yesterday, a grand jury indicted Aamir Darrin Lewis Brown on 15 charges, including capital murder.
Brown's accused of shooting two men, one of them fatally, during a drug robbery.
No trial date has been set.
(------------)

[11L'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC1:22:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A dance company for Lynchburg's inner city children will soon OWN the building it's called home for the last four years ... meanwhile, Walgreens is still hoping it can do business in the Hill City.
Steve Smallshaw has more from last night's city council meeting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lynchburg first]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Helgeson/Lynchburg Council Member; :19]
[SUPER=01-Joan Foster/Lynchburg Council Member; :35]
[SUPER=01-Robyn Askew/Walgreens Representative; 1:02]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( Lynchburg first allowed the Dance Theatre to occupy this building on Commerce Street rent-free.
Four years and 250-thousand dollars worth of improvements later, the dance group is ready to buy it for 40-thousand dollars ... well below its current assessed value, and a year after its option to buy the property expired.
[SOT Tape #1 20:19:29]
((JEFF HELGESON/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: TO SELL IT AT THIS POINT FOR 40-THOUSAND CONSTRUES A GIFT OF 115-THOUSAND DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=taxpayer funds.]

But the rest of council felt the deal has been a worthwhile investment in both downtown and the lives of hundreds of children.
[SOT Tape #1 20:36:20]
((JOAN FOSTER/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: THEY TOOK A BUILDING WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THERE AND MADE SOMETHING REALLY GREAT THERE AND BROUGHT OTHER PEOPLE THERE.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=other people there.]

Meanwhile, the debate continues over whether Walgreens can locate a store on this corner of Langhorne and Murrell Roads.
The city still has concerns over the site plan, but Walgreens' representative says every day of delay is costing them money ... and that time may be running out.
[SOT Tape #2 21:01:42]
((ROBYN ASKEW/WALGREENS REPRESENTATIVE: IF IT CAN BE SOONER THAT'S GREAT. AND IF IT'S GOING TO BE.. BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF PREDICTING THE FUTURE. I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE WHAT I CAN OFFER YOU IS CONTINGENT ON WHAT I CAN GET OUT OF WALGREENS.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=out of Walgreens.]

Askew will meet with city planners next week ... council is expected to vote up or down on the project in October.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))

[11Vinton-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-28 TC 1:24:28]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]
After nearly two-years of planning, Vinton's new rescue squad building is one-step closer to becoming a reality.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]
Plans for a new rescue squad building have been unveiled. Officials say the current building is too small and there's not enough room for all the equipment, people and storage.
The new building would essentially be an addition to the town's fire department. The town's mayor says the more than 12-thousand square foot building would solve the crowding problems. A public hearing on the project is scheduled for September 21st.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Stocks posted modest gains yesterday. Jean Lee has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jean Lee/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm JL.]
((Investors will continue to watch oil in Wednesday's session, as Hurricane Ivan forces oil producers to shut down facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.
On Tuesday, oil concerns helped keep a cap on gains. The Dow edged up a modest 3 points, While the Nasdaq added 5.
Shares of Oracle are higher in after-hours trading. The software company announced first quarter earnings that beat expectations. The company saw strength in its core database business. Oracle also recently had a COURT victory, in the antitrust trial surrounding its hostile bid for PeopleSoft.
We'll see if shares of Office Depot recover from their drop. The stock slid nearly 7-percent, after the retailer lowered its earnings expectations for the third quarter and for the year. Office Depot blamed its lower sales expectations on hurricane disruptions and soft business in Europe. The price of its stock fell nearly 7 percent on the news.
And shares of several drugmakers rose in Tuesday's session. Hearings being held by the Food and Drug Administration, have revealed no startling new data, linking the use of antidepressants by children with suicidal behavior.
Find all the latest market news at our website. Cbs.mw.com In ny I'm jl.))

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

[Barry]

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

Scandal and health problems drove him out of political office-- but now it appears former Washington, D-C Mayor Marion Barry is heading back to city hall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Barry-- who was once caught on tape smoking crack-- has retained his popularity among many D-C residents.
Last night, he claimed victory in the race for a city council seat in the inner- city Ward eight district.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=And I've given service]
((MARION BARRY/D- DC CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE:AND I'VE GIVEN SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE DONE, BUT I'VE GIVEN SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. I'VE GIVEN MY BRAINPOWER, MY ENERGY, MY EVERYTHING TO THIS COMMUNITY. YOU SEE, I WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT TODAY BECAUSE WHEN YOU CLAIM THE VICTORY, GOD GIVES IT TO YOU. GOD GIVES IT TO. ))
[SUPER=01-Marion Barry/(D) D. C. City Council Candidate;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=God gives it to you.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The former four- term mayor holds a large lead over his opponent, but final numbers have been slow to come in from the city's election board.
(------------)

[5-Mayor-Harris]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=504-02 1;58:09]
[GRAPHIC=Harris]

[ENG#=2]

A recent meeting with airline officials did not produce any promises, but Roanoke Mayor Nelson Harris says he remains optimistic about bringing in a low cost air carrier.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Harris and other Valley leaders recently travelled to northern Virginia to court Independence Air.
Yesterday, as he delivered his first state of the city address, Harris said he believes they made a persuasive pitch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Could they give us]
((COULD THEY GIVE US A FINAL DECISION ON THAT DAY? OF COURSE NOT, BUT I TRULY BELIEVE THE ROANOKE REGION CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE VISION AND DEDICATION OF SO MANY FROM ROANOKE COUNTY, ROANOKE CITY THIS ORGANIZATION AND VIRGINIA TECH WORKING TOGETHER.))
[SUPER=01-Nelson Harris/Roanoke Mayor;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=working together.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harris told members of the regional chamber of commerce that he is optimistic about the city's future, and the leadership of City Manager Darlene Burcham, City Council and the School Board.
(------------)

[11Preas-Hotel]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-31 TC46:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Blacksburg is losing a major stopping point for many Hokie fans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The Best Western Red Lion Inn on Prices Fork road will close after the last home football game of the season. George Preas (Preeze), a legendary hokie alumnus, built the hotel in 1973 when there were few places to stay in the area. Preas is getting out of the lease early because of health problems. The Virginia Tech Foundation owns the property and has no immediate plans for the land.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][5-NRV-Drowning]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=504-03 1:37:20]
[GRAPHIC=Drowning]

[ENG#=1]

Montgomery County authorities have released the identity of the man who drowned in the New River.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co./Monday;]
Sheriff's officials say 27 year old Christopher Merix jumped in the New River to save a friend who had fallen off some rocks on Monday. Witnesses say Merix appeared to have a problem and was swept away. The water was fast moving and very high. His body was recovered a mile and a half down the river near Eggleston Bridge in Giles County.
(------------)

[11Rescue-Disk]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-26 TC2:02:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
It may look like a toy, but the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office says its a lifesaving tool which is sure to come in handy during water rescues.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
It's called the "Res-Q Disc" and is designed to save drowning victims. The disc is like a Frisbee.
[SUPER=04-ResQ Disc Video]
A deputy throws the disc slightly upstream from the victim who can grab at the rope or the disc itself. Sheriff officials say the "Res-Q Disc" will keep deputies from having to go into the water. The department bought 70 of them, a total cost of about 14-hundred dollars.
(------------)

[11Peer-Mediation]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-35 TC 29:51]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke area schools are teaching students to talk through their problems.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The City and County schools are offering conflict resolution training, in some cases to students as young as 9 years old. Those kids can then be recommended to help solve disagreements between peers.
(///// SOT at :13 /////)
[SOT 11:11 - 11:27]
[IN Q=They're taught how to listen...]
((KATIE ZAWACKI/PRPECENTION SPECIALIST: THEY'RE TAUGHT HOW TO LISTEN, HOW TO SEE ANOTHER PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW AND ARE ACTUALLY QUITE PROFICIENT AT LEADING THE OTHER STUDENTS THROUGH THIS FOUR STEP PROCESS.)) [BUTT BUTT BUTT]
[SOT 6:34 - 6:41]
[IN Q=It's fun working with other kids...]
((AMANDO LUCADO/PEER MEDIATOR: IT'S FUN WORKING WITH OTHER KIDS INSTEAD OF HAVING GROWNUPS TALK TO THE KIDS. YOU CAN BE REAL WITH PEOPLE YOUR OWN AGE.))
[SUPER=01-Katie Zawacki/Prevention Specialist;]
[SUPER=01-Amanda Lucado/Peer Mediator;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=people your own age.]
(------------)
[VO NAT:17] Roanoke *City* has implemented the program at fewer than ten schools although a recent task force report on preventing school violence has suggested more schools be included. All Roanoke *County* schools teach 4th, 7th and 10th grade students some form of conflict resolution.
(------------)

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, KMart stock hit an all time high. Stan Case has more in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((STOCKS ENDED LITTLE CHANGED.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS ADDED THREE-POINTS.
WHILE THE NASDAQ GAINED FIVE.

SHARES OF KMART ROSE MORE THAN FOUR PERCENT, TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH, AFTER AN ANALYST WITH UBS RAISED HIS PRICE TARGET ON THE STOCK.
COMPANY SHARES ARE UP ABOUT 38 PERCENT SINCE LAST MONTH.
THAT'S WHEN THE RETAILER REPORTED STRONG SECOND-QUARTER PROFIT AND GAVE ITS CHAIRMAN AUTHORITY TO INVEST THE COMPANY'S BILLIONS OF EXCESS CASH.

YAHOO SAYS IT WILL BUY MUSIC SOFTWARE COMPANY MUSICMATCH FOR 160-MILLION DOLLARS.
THE PURCHASE OF THE PRIVATE COMPANY IS A BID BY YAHOO TO BOLSTER ITS ONLINE MUSIC SERVICES.

RETAIL PURCHASES FELL IN AUGUST AS THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SALES PERIOD CAME IN WEAKER THAN WALL STREET EXPECTED.
THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT REPORTS RETAIL SALES FELL THREE-TENTHS OF A PERCENT FROM JULY.

U.S. LIGHT CRUDE ROSE 52-CENTS TO SETTLE AT 44-DOLLARS-AND-39 CENTS A BARREL.
THAT'S AS HURRICANE IVAN HEADED TOWARD THE GULF OF MEXICO, WHERE ENERGY COMPANIES EVACUATED THOUSANDS OF WORKERS AND SHUT DOWN REFINERIES AND OFFSHORE OIL RIGS.

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

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

[College-Costs]

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

Colleges and universities are getting an ``F'' when it comes to affordability.
A new report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education says net college costs are outpacing family income.
California, Utah and Minnesota were the only states to get a grade higher than a ``D'' among individual states.

The report contradicts other recent studies that argue increases in financial aid have kept pace with tuition hikes.

[Early-Years]

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

September is National College Savings Month, but it's something that parents need to think about all year round.

A recent survey shows that 96- percent of parents believe their kids will go to college, but only 75- percent are putting aside money for it.
(++++++++++)
[Take FS Early Years]
In this week's "Early Years" segment, financial expert Jim Lauterwasser offers advice to help parents prepare for that first tuition bill.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jim Lauterwasser/Financial Expert; :00]
[RUNS=2:19]
[OUT Q=News 7 Mornin will be right back.]

[Tape tosses straight to break] [COMM]

[PKGWard-Burton]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin']
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-27 TC 1:46:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]
It's not everyday you'll find a Nascar driver, a former baseball player and a reality-tv star all under the same roof.
But, that's exactly what hundreds of people saw last night in Lynchburg, for the 12th annual Return to Nature Dinner and Benefit. Myranda Stephens has more on the organization, and it's big night.
[ENG# 3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/NASCAR Driver; :20]
[SUPER=01-Mike Roberts/Return to Nature Executive Director; :40]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :47]
[SUPER=01-John Rocker/Former Baseball Player; :58]
[SUPER=01-"Big" Tom Buchanan/Survivor All-Star; 1:17]
[SUPER=@Myranda1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:36]
[OUT Q=ms, news 7]
([SOT 2:08][COVER BITE W/SHOTS OF EACH!!!]
[RUNS04] ((EVENT ANNOUNCER: AND YOU'LL MEET WARD, AND BIG TOM AND JOHN ROCKER YOU CAN GET THEIR AUTOGRAPHS.)) They each represent three very different forms of entertainment -- but on this night, Nascar, baseball and reality-tv all shared one stage for one important cause.
[SOT 254]
[RUNS13] ((WARD BURTON/NASCAR DRIVER: MIKE ROBERTS HAS REACHED SINGLE HANDEDLY OVER A 150 THOUSAND KIDS THROUGHOUT VA IN FOUR YEARS AND IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF PASSING ON THE MESSAGE ABOUT CONSERVATION TO THE CHILDREN.)) The celebrity trio came together in Lynchburg, to help raise money for the Return to Nature organization -- an affiliate of the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.
[SOT 1339]
[RUNS07] ((MIKE ROBERTS/RETURN TO NATURE FOUNDER: OUR MESSAGE IS TO HELP YOUNGSTERS UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, THEY'RE PART OF THAT ENVIRONMENT AND THEY HAVE TO USE IT WISELY.)) Former Atlanta Braves star John Rocker says he supports any program that focuses on the future of children -- and says he's beyond his controversial past.
[SOT 657]
[RUNS11] ((JOHN ROCKER/FORMER BASEBALL PLAYER: IT'S IN THE WAY PAST, AND I'M FIVE YEARS REMOVED FROM ALL THAT, AND I'M JUST THANKFUL TO BE HERE WITH WARD AND GIVING BACK TO A CHARITY EVENT AND CHARITY FOUNDATION AND JUST FOCUSING ON THAT AND MY FUTURE.)) And even though he's no longer a Survivor -- Big Tom still has a love for the great outdoors.
[SOT 108]
[RUNS09] (("BIG TOM"BUCHANAN/SURVIVOR ALL-STAR: BEING A FARMER AND INTO ANIMALS AND IN SURVIVOR, I'VE BEEN IN AFRICA WITH ALL THE ANIMALS, SO IT'S KIND OF A SOMETHING DEAR TO ME SO IT WORKS OUT PRETTY GOOD. The event is expected to raise more than 60-thousand dollars. That's money organizers hope to use to expand the program to areas outside Virginia.))) [Tape tosses to bump] [BUMP]
[TRIGGER!!!!]

[Craig-School]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A court battle between Craig County residents and the school system has been averted- at least for now. Residents are suing the school system to have an audit performed on school finances. On Monday, Judge Bo Trumbo sat down with both sides to streamline the case and see what, if anything, could be done to avoid a court battle. The judge will draft an order on the case and have a conference with both parties on November 29th.