WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/05/04

[11Disaster-Declaration]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-37 TC19:45]
[GRAPHIC=Flood Aftermath]
[ENG#=1]

Governor Mark Warner has asked President Bush to declare 20 Virginia cities and counties disaster areas.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Week]

Initial reports show 570 homes and nearly 50 businesses were damaged or destroyed in last week's flooding.
If aid is approved, victims would be eligible for low interest loans and grants, and unemployment and housing assistance.
Governor Warner says the cumulative effects of recent disasters in Virginia are beyond the Commonwealth's ability to address without federal help.
(------------)

[PKGVictory-Stadium]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-40 TC10:38]
[GRAPHIC=Victory Stadium]
[ENG#=2]

Could a flood wall have prevented flood damage at Victory Stadium last week?
Two city leaders are bitterly at odds about the answer, with one even calling the other a liar.
Justin McLeod has the story.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Week; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phil Schirmer/Roanoke City Engineer; :31]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF CLEANING AT 22:19:07 ON TAPE LABELED VICTORY STADIUM ONE))
The flood waters may be gone, but the debate over Victory Stadium lingers.
At issue now is whether the Roanoke River flood reduction project would have prevented last week's flooding.
City Councilman and Victory Stadium supporter Brian Wishneff says yes.
[SOT 8:39:40]
[IN Q=Had the flood reduction]
((BRIAN WISHNEFF: HAD THE FLOOD REDUCTION PROJECT BEEN IN AFFECT IT WOULD HAVE TOTALLY PREVENTED ANY WATER FROM THE ROANOKE RIVER INTO VICTORY STADIUM.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=into victory stadium]

But the city engineer says differently.
[SOT 4:10:40]
[IN Q=Would it have]
((PHIL SCHIRMER/CITY ENGINEER: WOULD IT HAVE GONE OVER OR WOULD IT HAVE NOT? THE ONLY THING I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY CLOSE, WITHIN LESS THAN A FOOT.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=than a foot]

That's not what he said last week when flood waters began to rise.
That prompted Brian Wishneff to send a letter to the city manager accusing Schirmer of lying.
The city engineer now admits he made a mistake but says it was an honest one.
[SOT 4:11:06]
[IN Q=It was wrong]
((PHIL SCHIRMER/CITY ENGINEER: IT WAS WRONG BUT IT WAS BASED UPON THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD WITH A MUCH HIGHER FLOOD CREST THAN WE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=actually experienced]

Forecasters originally predicted the Roanoke River would crest at 19 feet.
It ended up peaking at 17.9.
But councilman Wishneff isn't buying that excuse.
[SOT 8:42:50]
[IN Q=His answer]
((BRIAN WISHNEFF: HIS ANSWER IS THE SAME ANSWER HE'S BEEN GIVING FOR FOUR YEARS. HE'S BEEN MISLEADING THE PUBLIC ON THIS ISSUE AND COUNCIL FOR FOUR YEARS.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=FOR FOUR YEARS]

Regardless of who is right and who is wrong, the reality is the flood reduction project is now on hold.
[SOT 4:12:54]
[IN Q=There are no funds]
((PHIL SCHIRMER/CITY ENGINEER: THERE ARE NO FUNDS IN THE FEDERAL FYO5 BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT THIS YEAR. WE'RE HOPEFUL OF GETTING SOME MONEY NEXT YEAR SO WE CAN BEGIN WORK ON THE PROJECT.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=WORK ON THE PROJECT]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN mcLEOD/REPORTING: CONGRESSMAN BOB GOODLATTE IS WORKING TO GET THOSE FEDERAL FUNDS RESTORED BUT SAYS IT COULD BE THE END OF THE YEAR BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[1181-Sinkhole]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC02:25]
[GRAPHIC=I-81]
[ENG#=3]

VDOT is working to fill a sinkhole on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]

The hole opened up at exit 118 in Montgomery County.
One of the southbound collector lanes that parallel the highway may be closed until Friday.
(------------)

[VP-Debate]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=4]

It'll be a showdown between the experienced Washington insider versus the charismatic former trial lawyer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tonight the vice- presidential candidates will meet for their one and only debate.
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio is hosting the match-up.
Vice President Dick Cheney continues hammering the message that John Kerry isn't consistent enough to lead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=His endless back and forth]
((DICK CHENEY/R- VICE-PRESIDENT: HIS ENDLESS BACK AND FORTH ON IRAQ SENDS A MESSAGE OF CONFUSION AND SHOWS HE IS NOT READY FOR RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMANDER IN CHIEF.))
[SUPER=01-Dick Cheney/(R) Vice-President;]
[RUNS=:08] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=commander in chief.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, Democrat John Edwards is throwing jabs at President Bush's handling of the economy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He is the first]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/D- NORTH CAROLINA: HE IS THE FIRST PRESIDENT IN MORE THAN 70 YEARS NOT TO CREATE JOBS AND NO PLACE UNDERSTANDS THAT MORE THAN OHIO. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) North Carolina;]
[RUNS=:07] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=more than Ohio.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Edwards plans to warm up for the debate by hosting a town hall meeting.
Cheney arrives in Cleveland this afternoon.
(------------)

[Campaign-2004]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bush/Kerry]
[ENG#=1]

With only a few days until round two of the presidential debates, the two candidates are focusing on domestic issues.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clive, IA;]

While campaigning in Iowa, President Bush signed an extension of the middle class tax cuts, and charged that his Democratic opponent John Kerry voted against them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With my signature]
((WITH MY SIGNATURE, FEDERAL LAW WILL EXTEND VITAL TAX RELIEF FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES AND ADD MOMENTUM TO OUR GROWING ECONOMY.))
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=growing economy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Portsmouth, NH;]

Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, Kerry promised to support stem cell research, while criticizing the President for limiting federal funding.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Time and time]
((SEN. JOHN KERRY/D- PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: TIME AND TIME AGAIN.. HE'S PROVEN THAT HE'S STUBBORN.. OUT OF TOUCH.. UNWILLING TO CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Nominee;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=unwilling to change.]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]

Both candidates are challenging their opponents' claims.
(------------)

[11Burrow]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-36 TC35:23]
[GRAPHIC=Richard Burrow]
[ENG#=2]

Two weeks of testimony and a day of closing arguments have put Richard Burrow's case in the hands of a jury.
As Steve Smallshaw reports, prosecutors hope the second time will be the charm as they try to convict the former president of the D-Day memorial on federal fraud charges.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Depending on who]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :48]
[RUNS=1:01]
[OUT Q=News7, Charlottesville.]

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, Shares of National Instruments fell yesterday. Marcella Palmer has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marcella Palmer/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=in NY, I'm Marcella Palmer.]
((ONES TO WATCH TODAY... SHARES OF AUTOMATION SOFTWARE COMPANY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS FELL AFTER THE BELL MONDAY AFTER ISSUING A QUARTERLY PROFIT WARNING. WHILE FOREST LABS GOT A BOOST FROM BEEFED UP FINANCIAL TARGETS.
STOCKS TRADED HIGHER MONDAY, GETTING A BOOST FROM THE TECH SECTOR, AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK ON THE ECONOMY, AND LOWER CRUD-OIL PRICES. OIL SETTLED JUST UNDER 50 DOLLARS A BARREL. THE DOW CLOSED THE DAY UP 23... THE NASDAQ CLOSED UP AS WELL...10
AIG, ONE OF THE WORLDS LARGEST INSURANCE FIRMS SAYS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION MIGHT BRING CIVIL ACTION AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR ALLEGEDLY PROVIDING FALSE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION IN 3 PRESS RELEASES.
AND AS HE CAMPAIGNED THROUGH NEW HAMPSHIRE MONDAY, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JOHN KERRY PLEDGED IF ELECTED .. HE'D LIFT FEDERAL FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON STEM CELL RESEARCH...
FOR MORE ON THE MARKET LOG ONTO OUR WEB SITE AT CBS DOT MARKETWATCH DOT COM... IN NEW YORK I'M MARCELLA PALMER.))

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

[Rodeo-Collapse]

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

It was a frightening day at the rodeo for spectators in Ecuador, when the stands collapsed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Naranjito, Ecuador;]

A camera captured the incident that injured at least 150 people, some of them seriously.
As the audience watched the rodeo, a section of wooden seating set up for the crowds caved in-- crushing those occupying the area.
Witnesses say two children were among those crushed, as the structure collapsed.
So far, police haven't reported any deaths.
They're blaming the accident on bad construction and overcrowding.
(------------)

[11Chatham-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=04-31 TC2:03:42]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]
[ENG#=2]

Authorities are looking for the cause of a fire that killed a child near Chatham.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

On Sunday, Firefighters found the body of the 6-year-old boy inside his home on Rison Street.
Officials say Daquan Barley was unable to escape the intense fire.
His mother, Katherine, and others in the house were able to get out.
Investigators believe the fire started either in the living room or front bedrooms.
But the fire did so much damage that they're having a hard time pinpointing the cause.
(------------)

[11Airport-Alert]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-32 TC 1:01:08]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

A plane bound for Atlantic City was diverted in Roanoke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
About 40-passengers were on the Delta Com-Air jet when the pilot reported hydraulic problems yesterday. The plane was diverted to Roanoke, where it landed safely. The flight originated in Cincinnati, and made a stop in Atlanta before it was supposed to head to Atlantic City. All of the passengers were transferred to another plane, while airline officials worked on the problem.
(------------)

(kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP]

[COMM][Biz-Brief]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
[ENG#=1]

In business news, the U-S Supreme Court rules against telemarkters. Stan Case has more on that plus a look at yesterday's closing numbers in today's business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Stan Case/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I'm Stan Case.]
((STOCKS HUNG ON TO END WITH MODEST GAINS.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS ADDED 23-POINTS.
WHILE THE NASDAQ GAINED 10.

THE SUPREME COURT LET STAND A LOWER-COURT RULING THAT THE FEDERAL "DO NOT CALL" LIST DOES NOT VIOLATE THE FREE SPEECH OF TELEMARKETERS.
THE GOVERNMENT'S "DO NOT CALL" PROGRAM ALLOWS CONSUMERS WHO DO NOT WANT TO BE CONTACTED BY TELEMARKETERS TO ADD THEIR NUMBER TO A LIST THAT THE COMPANIES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CALL.

THE COURT ALSO LET STAND A RULING THAT FOUND MASTERCARD AND VISA VIOLATED FEDERAL ANTI-TRUST LAW.
THE VIOLATION CAME WHEN THEY BARRED THEIR MEMBER BANKS FROM ISSUING CREDIT AND CHARGE CARDS FROM THE RIVAL NETWORKS OF AMERICAN EXPRESS AND MORGAN STANLEY'S DISCOVER CARD.
SHARES OF AMERICAN EXPRESS ROSE NEARLY TWO-PERCENT ON THE NEWS.

AMID INCREASING COMPETITION, CHARLES SCHWAB ANNOUNCED ITS SECOND CUT IN TRADING FEES SINCE JUNE.
THE LARGEST DISCOUNT BROKERAGE SAID THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE TRADING VOLUME... BUT SCHWAB SAYS IT COULD REDUCE REVENUES BY TWO PERCENT OVER A YEAR.
AMONG THE CHANGES, STANDARD ONLINE COMMISSIONS FOR THE FIRST ONE-THOUSAND SHARES WILL GO DOWN 10-DOLLARS TO 19-DOLLARS-AND-95-CENTS.
SCHWAB SHARES FELL 15-CENTS.

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

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

[6-Wiley]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
New charges have been filed against the father of a four-year old boy who accidentally shot and killed himself in Roanoke a month ago. Isaiah Wiley was indicted yesterday for involuntary manslaughter and felony child neglect. He was initially charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The 23-year old was released on bond after spending Labor Day weekend in jail. September 3rd Wiley' son, Asadi, had found a gun in his father's Cadillac, picked it up and pulled the trigger. Since then Isaiah Wiley was arrested again for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He's being held without bond on that charge.

[6-Stonewall-Jackson]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-38 TC43:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Carilion wants to make Stonewall Jackson Hospital part of its health system. That's why Carilion has put an offer on the table.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/File Tape]

The hospital's Board of Directors plans to solicit interest from other health systems before making a final decision.
In the meantime, Carilion will continue to provide interim management for Stonewall Jackson through the end of the year.
(-------------)

[11Breast-Cancer]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-35 TC45:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=]

She's in the middle of her third fight with breast cancer --
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]

But that didn't stop Susie Parrish from holding her annual golf tournament as part of the Susan G. Komen Rally for a Cure.
The event has grown from 30 women golfers to more than 2-hundred men and women.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT6:00]
[IN Q=Thanks to places like the Komen]
((SUSIE PARRISH/GOLF TOURNAMENT ORGANIZER; THANKS TO PLACES LIKE KOMEN FOUNDATION I HAVE NEW DRUGS TO TAKE NEW TREATMENTS TO TAKE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. SO THEY'RE REAL POSITIVE WITH MY PROGNOSIS THAT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD AND 12 IT ONLY REITERATES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RALLY FOR A CURE))
[SUPER=01-Susie Parrish/Golf Tournament Organizer]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=the rally for a cure]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Although the event raises money, it's also about breast cancer awareness.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:50]
[IN Q=It' not even just just]
((EILEEN HONEY/RALLY FOR A CURE; IT'S NOT EVEN JUST GOLFERS, SHE'S RAISING AWARENESS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND UNTIL WE HAVE A CURE IF YOU CATCH IT EARLY YOU SURVIVE AND SHE'S LIVING PROOF OF THAT))
[SUPER=01-Eileen Honey/Rally For a Cure]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=living proof of that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Parrish and this golf tournament will be featured in next October's edition of Southern Living Magazine.
(---------------)

(kim tosses to bump) [BUMP] [COMM]

[11Meth-Labs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-30 TC1:17:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
The methamphetamine problem in Southwest Virginia is growing faster than police agencies can keep up with it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Galax]
Attorney General Jerry Kilgore and Delegate Bill Carrico called a meeting with law and drug enforcement officials to find out what can be done. Police have found 61 meth labs in the state this year and more than 90-percent of them in the New River Valley and far southwest Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 52:08:00]
[IN Q= I can see]
((BILL CARICO: I CAN SEE THAT THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE SITUATION AND THE WELL BEING OF MY CONSTITUENTS ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA AND WE WANT TO TRY TO STOP THIS BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Bill Carrico/(R) Independence;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q= out of hand.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The solutions mentioned yesterday include stiffer penalties for the first meth offense and the need for more money to help fight the problem. (-------------)