WDBJ 7 morning news for 10/21/04

[1181-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-34 TC1:18:22]
[GRAPHIC=81 Accident]
[ENG#=1]

A fiery accident on Interstate 81 in Roanoke County shut down the southbound lanes for a couple of hours last night, but State Police say traffic is moving once again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

It happened before nine o-clock near Mile Marker 133 near Dixie Caverns in Roanoke County.
State police say a southbound tractor trailer ran off the right side of the road, overturned and caught fire.
The driver from North Carolina was able to get out on his own.
He was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hosptial with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries.
The trucker told state police his steering failed before he crashed.
Charges are pending.
Traffic on I- 81 was backed up for about two miles.
The truck was carrying a form of acid used to make tape.
Though it was not marked as hazardous, officials say they're not yet sure if that's the case.
A team will inspect the vehicle this morning.

(------------)

[S-Sox]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-178 11048TC]
[GRAPHIC=ALCS - YANKS-SOX]
[ENG#=2]

For those of you who went to bed before the end of the game seven in the A-C-L-S, the Boston Red Sox won.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/Fox-MLB; :00]
They were trying to become the first major league team in history to win a seven game series after losing the first three. David Ortiz - who has won at least two games all by himself this series opened the game with a two run blast in the first. And Johnny Damon, who has struggled all series long came alive with a two run homer in the fourth, and this grand slam in the second. The Red Sox reverse the curse and win the American League pennant 4 games to 3, taking game 7, 10 to 3.
(------------)

[Fans-React]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

[TAKE NAT SOUND]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=nat sound revelers]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=nat sound revelers]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA]
Thousands of joyous Red Sox fans poured out of bars and into Kenmore Square and around Fenway Park after last night's win. Several small fires were ignited, fireworks were set off and trashcans were thrown at a fast food restaurant's sign. Although police reported no arrests, officers in riot gear and on motorcycles began dispersing the revelers about 1:30 this morning.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
The Red Sox-Yankees game isn't the only one that took place yesterday. We'll have N-L-C-S highlights coming up in sports.

[Campaign-2004]

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

The presidential candidates are battling it out over who has stronger Middle American values.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Senator John Kerry will try to shore up his image as a regular guy, as he hunts for geese-- and votes-- today in Ohio.
On Saturday, supporters there presented him with a new firearm.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I have been a hunter]
((SEN. JOHN KERRY/D- PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I HAVE BEEN A HUNTER SINCE I WAS A KID AND A FISHERMAN SINCE ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:06] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=four years old.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Eau Claire, WI;]

While campaigning in three Midwestern battleground states, President Bush cast his opponent on the far left-- out of step with Middle American values.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He called himself]
((HE CALLED HIMSELF THE CANDIDATE WITH CONSERVATIVE VALUES, BUT HE VOTED AGAINST THE BAN ON THE BRUTAL PRACTICE OF PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION. ))
[RUNS=:07] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=partial birth abortion.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

Today Bush heads to Pennsylvania to talk about health care reform.
Kerry is expected to criticize the President for turning his back on science and technology.
(------------)

[11Voting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-33 TC 1:32:40]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=1]

Republicans and Democrats rarely agree on anything, and that's especially true this election year. Here in Virginia, the parties are squabbling over lawyers and what's being called a pre-emptive strike.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :]

Virginia's Democrats have over 500 lawyers, some who will actually be stationed at the polls.
That angers the GOP which has about 450 lawyers.
They'll only be on standby.
Republicans are also crying foul over a Democratic National Committee manual that encourages lawyers to launch a pre-emptive strike even if no signs of intimidation exist.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :59; :48]
[IN Q=It's one thing]
((SHAWN SMITH/REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA: IT'S ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT HAVING ASSISTANCE FOR LOCALITIES THAT MAY HAVE QUESTIONS ON ELECTION DAY BUT THIS NOTION OF LAUNCHING PRE-EMPTIVE CHARGES WHERE NONE EXIST IS INDEFENSIBLE.)) ((LINDSEY REYNOLDS/DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA: REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR, WE WANT THEIR VOTE TO COUNT. THIS ISN'T ANY PARTISAN TRICKS. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING THAT GOES ON ELECTION DAY, EVERYBODY WHO'S ELGIBIBLE GETS TO VOTE.))
[SUPER=01-Shawn Smith/Republican Party of Virginia; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lindsey Reynolds/Democratic Party of Virginia; :14]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=GETS TO VOTE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

State Democrats say they haven't seen the manual and believe it is not something their party would stand for.
They also argue lawyers may be needed because there are 500-thousand new voters in Virginia, many voting on new equipment.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=HOLD]

Republicans point out the Democrats control the state electoral board and therefore wonder what they have to fear.

[Debate-Promo]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Debate #4374]
WDBJ7 will present the only televised debate for the 9th Congressional District tomorrow night. Your're invited to submit questions you'd like us to ask the candidates.
(+++++++)
[TAKE DEBATE PROMO PAGE E636] The one-hour debate begins at 7 o'clock tomorrow night, and it will include some of the viewer questions submitted on-line.
To pose a question, log onto our home page at w-d-b-j-7-dot-com.
(------------)

[6-Disaster-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Flood Aftermath]
A disaster recovery center is opening in Salem, now that President Bush has approved federal assistance for flood victims.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE BOARD FULL]
The center will open at noon tomorrow, and will be located at 21-45 Apperson Drive.
The office will be open seven days a week, 9:00 to 6:00 Monday through Saturday, and Noon to 5:00 on Sundays.
Staff members will answer questions about disaster aid, though people are not required to go to the center to get help.
You can also call the 800 number: 621-3362
(-------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, E-Bay has released its earnings report.
And X-M Satellite Radio teams up with Major League Baseball.
Marcella Palmer has those stories and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Marcella Palmer/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=in New York, I'm MP]
((ON LINE AUCTIONEER E-BAY SAYS EARNINGS GREW BY MORE THAN HALF THIRD QUARTER... THE COMPANY CREDITS A STRONGER THAN EXPECTED BACK TO SCHOOL BUSINESS AND STRONG BOOK AND COMPUTER SALES WITH THE 77-PERCENT JUMP OVER LAST YEAR... E-BAYS FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR NEXT YEAR IS LOWER THAN WALL STREET EXPECTED.
DELTA AIRLINES MOVES CLOSER TO BANKRUPTCY... THE CARRIERS NET LOSS HAS WIDENED TO 646-MILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANY MADE ANOTHER PLEA FOR PUSHING THROUGH A 1-BILLION DOLLAR COST SAVINGS PLAN WEDNESDAY AS IT REPORTED A HUGE LOSS FROM OPERATIONS, CITING AMONG ITS TROUBLES RECORD FUEL PRICES AND WEAK DOMESTIC PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
ON WEDNESDAY THE BLUE CHIPS STUMBLED ON DISAPPOINTING EARNINGS REPORTS FROM J-P MORGAN AND HONEYWELL...
THE DOW CLOSED THE DAY DOWN 10. THE NASDAQ CLOSED UP 10. CRUDE-OIL CLOSED JUST SHY OF THE RECORD, AT $54.92...
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENNEGER BROKE WITH REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERS AND ENDORSES A MEASURE TO ESTABLISH A 3-BILLION DOLLAR BOND. THE BOND OFFERS TO FUND STEM CELL RESEARCH OVER THE NEXT DECADE FOR CALIFORNIA BASED RESEARCHERS.
XM SATELLITE RADIO HAS SIGNED AN 11-YEAR PROGRAMMING DEAL WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WORTH 470-MILLION DOLLARS OVER 8 YEARS.
FOR MORE ON THE MARKET LOG ON TO OUR 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]

[Japan-Typhoon]

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

Japanese television is reporting as many as 54 people have died from the country's deadliest storm since 19-88.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tokyo, Japan;]

Disaster officials in Japan confirm 48 people are dead and hundreds missing.
A typhoon hit the country hard before heading out to sea earlier today.
Powerful winds uprooted trees, and flood waters submerged cars. Rescue workers and Japanese troops are digging through the mud and debris, searching for dozens who are missing.
(------------)

[CA-Hikers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

An excursion at Yosemite National Park proved deadly for two Japanese climbers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Yosemite National Park, CA;]
The pair was found dead yesterday, dangling from a 32- hundred foot climbing face.
Authorities say the two were apparently caught off guard by an early blizzard that swept through the Sierra Nevadas.

Many hikers wonder why anyone would have attempted such a rigorous climb without being prepared.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Prepare for the worst]
[SUPER=01-Larry Clifner/Hiker;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=in the Suburban.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Rescuers have had to struggle through heavy snow and 50- mile-an-hour winds to reach several stranded backpackers.

(------------)

[11Horse-Racing]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-32 TC1:26:04]
[GRAPHIC=Vinton OTB]
[ENG#=3]
The horses may be off and running at the new betting parlor in Vinton, but the track is dry... Colonial Downs has applied for a liquor license at the new facility, but the request is being contested by an unnamed party.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]
Regardless, business is booming... even though a local statistics professor says visitors are more likely to win at cards, than betting on the ponies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@1:01:49.05]
[IN Q=Probability tells us...]
((JULIE CLARK/HOLLINS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR: PROBABILITY TELLS US WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE LONGRUN. IT CAN'T TELL US WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME WE PLAY THE GAME. SO, THERE'S ALWAYS THE CHANCE NEXT YOU PLAY, WHATEVER THE GAME IS, THERE'S ALWAYS A CHANCE YOU MIGHT WIN REALLY BIG.))
[SUPER=01-Julie Clark/Hollins University Professor]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=.... win really big.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The company's senior vice president tells News 7 gross sales at the new Vinton betting parlor have averaged more than 33-thousand dollars with nearly 300 visitors a day.
(------------)

[11SML-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-30 TC1:45:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Plans to build an airport in Franklin County aren't taking off with the owner of the Smith Mountain Lake airport.
He says a new airport could force him out of business.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Moneta;]
Joe Borgess says he's been struggling to keep his airport going since it opened nearly 30-years ago. Which is why he doesn't understand the need for a new general aviation airport in Franklin County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2830-42 & 4041-49]
[IN Q=to me i feel]
((JOE BORGESS/SML AIRPORT OWNER: TO ME I FEEL IT'S JUST NOT WANTED, 33 IF THEY HAD AN OVERFLOW OF TRAFFIC HERE, AND THEN I CAN UNDERSTAND BUILDING ANOTHER AIRPORT TO TAKE OVER, BUT SO FAR, IT HASN'T BEEN.///RICK HUFF/FC ADMINISTRATOR: THIS AIRPORT WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE SMITH MTN AIRPORT. IT WILL HANDLE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF AIRCRAFT THAT CAN'T BE HANDLED THERE.))
[SUPER=01-Joe Borgess/Smith Mountain Lake Airport Owner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rick Huff/Franklin Co. Administrator; :13]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=that can't be handled there]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
Huff says the fact that Franklin County is closer to Roanoke also gives it an advantage when attracting new business.

(-----------)

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

[Biz-Brief]

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

In business news, E-Bay has posted a third quarter net income of 182 million dollars. That's up nearly 77 percent from a year ago and above expectations. The world's largest online auction company has also reported that its quarterly sales are up 52 percent from a year ago. John Lisk has yesterday's closing numbers and more in the business brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John Lisk/Reporting; :]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=I'm John Lisk.]

((THE STOCK MARKETS CLOSED MIXED.

THE DOW INDUSTRIALS FELL 10-POINTS.
AS THE NASDAQ ADDED 10.

U-S LIGHT CRUDE SOARED A DOLLAR-63, SETTLING AT 54-DOLLARS, 92 CENTS A BARREL.
THAT WAS IN REACTION TO NEWS FROM THE GOVERNMENT THAT CRUDE OIL INVENTORIES ROSE LESS THAN EXPECTED LAST WEEK, WHILE GASOLINE AND DISTILLATE INVENTORIES DROPPED MORE THAN EXPECTED.

DELTA AIRLINES REPORTED A THIRD QUARTER LOSS OF 646-MILLION DOLLARS.
THAT'S NEARLY FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF ITS LOSS A YEAR AGO.
THE GREATER-THAN-EXPECTED LOSS CAME AMID SOARING FUEL PRICES AND WEAK DOMESTIC AIRFARES.
LAST WEEK, THE COMPANY WARNED AGAIN IT MAY HAVE TO SEEK BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION, UNLESS IT CAN RESTRUCTURE ITS DEBT.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTED MARSH AND MCLENNAN SUSPENDED FOUR EMPLOYEES IN THE WAKE OF NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL ELIOT SPITZER'S FAR-REACHING INVESTIGATION INTO THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.
LAST WEEK, SPITZER FILED A CIVIL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE COMPANY, ACCUSING IT OF CHEATING CLIENTS BY BID-RIGGING.
ALSO, THE COMPANY SAID IN A REGULATORY FILING ITS ABILITY TO BORROW MONEY WILL BE LIMITED FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

WITH THE BUSINESS BRIEF... I'M JOHN LISK.))
[TAPE TOSS TO STOCKS] [STOCKS] [WOOD ROGERS SPONSOR BOARD 5185 ESSC] [COMM]

[6-Carilion]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC11:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

You've heard of ground breaking ceremonies....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Yesterday, it was a SKY breaking ceremony to kick off construction on a new multi-story wing to Roanoke Memorial hospital.
The addition will make room for women's and children's services that are currently housed at Community Hospital.
Officials say the project will take about two years to complete.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:14]
[IN Q=When the facility is complete]
((ED MURPHY/CARILION CEO & PRESIDENT; WHILE I CERTAINLY WOULDN'T WANT TO GUARANTEE WON'T BE A GLITCH ALONG THE WAY OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE PATIENT CONVENIENCE AND PATIENTS ARE NOT AFFECTED NOR ARE THEIR FAMILIES AND PRETTY HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THAT ))
[SUPER=01-Ed Murphy/Carilion CEO & President]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=will be successful with that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This is all part of Carilion's plan to consolidate all patient services at Memorial and to turn Community hospital into a health care training center.
Carilion says it will make patient care more efficient and save five million dollars a year.
(------------)
(Kim toss to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[11Flora]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-37 TC42:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
The State Bar has imposed a public reprimand on Roanoke lawyer Barry Flora. His failure to return refunds to 76 individual real estate clients violated ethical standards. *His* attorney emphasizes the sums of money were small and that Flora did not mis-appropriate the funds.
Attorney Bill Hopkins, Junior says "The checks just sat on a desk for a while," before Flora forwarded them to the clients.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/August 1997]
Flora *did* misappropriate some money several years ago. He pled guilty in federal court, but he did not lose his law license. He now works for a title company and is no longer practicing law. (------------)