WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/05/05

[PKGAmherst-TB]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-53 TC 24:03]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Mornin']
[ENG#=1]

Tuberculosis is not a disease that's easily caught.
It's also treatable and curable but parents from one Amherst County school are still unsatisfied.
Justin McLeod attended a public forum to find out why.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Katherine Nichols/Central Virginia Health District; :14]
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Cash/Parent; :42]
[SUPER=01-Jackie Slight/Parent; :58]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF WOMAN SAYING AT 4:27:16 "HE HAS A LOW IMMUNE SYSTEM AND I AM CONCERNED FOR HIM, IS THAT SOMETHING I SHOULD REALLY BE WORRIED ABOUT?"))
Parents will always fear for their child's safety but the Health Department did what it could to alleviate panic about tuberculosis.
[SOT 4:15:59]
[IN Q=I think it's important]
((DR. KATHERINE NICHOLS/CENTRAL VA HEALTH DISTRICT: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A CATCHABLE INFECTION IT IS NOT VERY EASY TO CATCH IT.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=to catch it]

But someone at Elon Elementary did catch it.
Health officials won't say whether it's a student, teacher or school employee who has TB.
They will say about sixty people at the school had enough close contact with the victim that they should be tested.

Many are kindergarten age like this woman's daughter.
[SOT 4:17:52]
[IN Q=I know the school]
((STEPHANIE CASH/PARENT: I KNOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO SAFE AND YOU'RE WORRIED WHY YOU'RE SENDING YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL, YOU FEEL SCARED.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=you feel scared]

About 100 parents who attended this public forum feel the same way.
Many want the health department to test all the students.
[SOT 4:35:53]
[IN Q=I have two children]
((JACKIE SLIGH/PARENT: I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AT THE SCHOOL AND NEITHER ONE OF THEM GOT THE LETTER TO THAT THEY NEED TO BE TESTED BUT THEY ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SEVERAL OF THE CHILDREN THAT I KNOW HAVE TO BE TESTED.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=HAVE TO BE TESTED]

Health officials point out those simply exposed TB don't pose a risk.
Someone would also need close contact with an infected person over a long period of time, like several hours.
[SOT 4:18:18]
[IN Q=It's comforting]
((STEPHANIE CASH/PARENT: IT'S COMFORTING TO AN EXTENT BUT I WILL BE GLAD WHEN I GET THE TEST RESULTS.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=GET THE TEST RESULTS]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL TEST THE SIXTY PEOPLE AT THE SCHOOL ON FRIDAY. DESPITE PARENTS CONCERNS, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS NO NEED TO TEST THE ENTIRE SCHOOL. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Tuberc

ulosis]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-43 TC1:24:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Treatment of an active case of T-B usually involves several months of antibiotics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

At one time T-B was the leading cause of death in the U-S, but these days it can be treated and cured.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT12:31:22]
[IN Q=It's a hard bacteria to break down and kill]
((LEX GIBSON/HEALTH OFFICIAL; IT'S A HARD BACTERIA TO BREAKDOWN AND KILL SO IT TAKE QUITE A BIT OF TIME TAKE THE MEDICINE. EVEN IF YOU FEEL WELL WHICH YOU WILL VERY QUICKLY YOU STILL HAVE TO CONTINUE ON THE MEDICINE 6 TO 9 MONTHS))
[SUPER=01-Lex Gibson/Health Official]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=six to nine months]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Patients are typically monitored to make sure they take all of the medicine. If they don't, it can lead to a resistant strain of the disease which is much more serious.
(------------)

[11Police-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-45 TC1:04:18]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
[ENG#=3]

A Roanoke police officer is in the hospital after being injured in an accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Officials say the officer was responding to a call just before nine o-clock last night when he hit a utility pole on Bennington Street and ran down an embankment.
The officer was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be serious.
His name has yet to be released.
Investigators aren't yet sure how the accident happened.
(------------)

[11Company-B]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-56 TC13:21]
[GRAPHIC=Active Duty]
[ENG#=4]

While deployment is still days away, the families of about 90 Roanoke-based marine reservists are preparing themselves.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
After the men filled out paperwork yesterday, a luncheon was held for family and friends. Parents, wives, girlfriends and children were on hand to meet company commanders and wish the men well. And, even though the families were supporting their marines, one mom says its still hard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@21:37:15.22/company b family tape]
[IN Q=We think this is...]
((DIANE MILLS, COMPANY B PARENT: WE THINK THIS IS A JUST CAUSE, FREEDOM HAS NEVER BEEN FREE AND FREEDOM WILL NEVER BE FREE. I THINK OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WILL HAVE TO ALWAYS GO AWAY TO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM AND WE'RE JUST PROUD AND HONORED THAT HE'S DOING THIS...))
[SUPER=01-Diane Mills/Company B Parent]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=.. that he's doing this..]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Company officers say the average age of the reservists is 20 and most are college students. The marines will leave for training in North Carolina or California Saturday. After that- they'll most likely head to Iraq.
(------------)

[VOB-Tsunami]

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

The U-S military is out in force, providing badly needed relief to tsunami victims across South Asia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sri Lanka;]

Personnel and equipment are pouring into the region.
More than ten thousand marines and sailors are now engaged in the mission, along with as many as 20 military ships.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush are continuing their tour of the region, while spreading American goodwill.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It does give]
((COLIN POWELL/SECRETARY OF STATE:IT DOES GIVE THE MUSLIM WORLD AND THE REST OF THE WORLD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AMERICAN GENEROSITY AND AMERICAN VALUES IN ACTION. ))
[SUPER=01-Colin Powell/U. S. Secretary of State;]
[RUNS=:09] (estimated bite runs time)
[OUT Q=values in action.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The relief operation is the largest conducted by the U-S military in Asia since the Vietnam War ended in 19- 75.
So far, the military has delivered 430- thousand pounds of supplies.
(------------)

[National-WX]

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

The wild weather that froze over and flooded parts of California earlier this week has now pushed east-- leaving a trail of snow and ice.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Now the nation's heartland is taking the hit with heavy accumulations expected from Nebraska to Michigan.
Ice as much as three-inches- thick has been spotted in some areas.
[SUPER=03-Flagstaff, AZ;]

In Flagstaff, Arizona, two feet of snow has already fallen with several more inches likely.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well I haven't seen]
((JULIE MASURI/TOURIST:WELL, I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. SO, IT'S NICE, AND BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT'S COLDER. ))
[SUPER=01-Julie Masuri/Tourist;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=but it's colder.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The latest round of wintry mix stretches all the way to New York, where mild temperatures have been a trademark of the season so far.
(------------)

[Marketwatch]

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

In business news, concerns about inflation sent stocks lower yesterday.
Alexis Christoforous has that story and more in this morning's Marketwatch.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Alexis Christoforous/Reporting; :00]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=in New York.]
((STOCKS ARE LOOKING TO CLOCK THEIR FIRST GAIN OF 2005... STOCKS FINISHED LOWER AGAIN TUESDAY AFTER THE FEDERAL RESERVE EXPRESSED CONCERNABOUT INFLATION AND OIL PRICES SURGED TO NEARLY 44 DOLLARS A BARREL.
THE DOW TANKED 98 POINTS THE NASDAQ TUMBLED 44 POINTS TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN FIVE WEEKS.
GOOD NEWS ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT.. FACTORY ORDERS ROSE 1.2 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER ..THE BIGGEST GAIN IN FOUR MONTHS.
TECHNOLOGY SHARES INCLUDING AMAZON.COM AND DELL LOST GROUND ON ANALYST DOWNGRADES
GENERAL MOTORS dropped 1 percent after the car maker posted a 6 percent decline in U.S. vehicle sales in December... FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTED A MEAGER ONE PERCENT RISE IN DECEMBER SALES
Shares of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts were battered, DOWN 15 percent... a published report that said a shareholder lawsuit alleges the company padded sales by doubling shipments to wholesale customers at the end of fiscal quarters. KRISPY KREMEM ALSO SAID it would restate financial results for the fiscal year ending February 2004, and the last three quarters of that fiscal year, to correct certain errors.
Shares of Sirius Satellite Radio rose modestly after the company said its product will be offered as a factory-installed option in as many as 21 Ford and Lincoln Mercury models beginning next year.
TRACK ALL THE MARKET ACTION AT CBS.MW.COM I'M ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS IN NEW YORK.))

(tape tosses to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM]

[Smart]

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

The father of kidnapping victim Elizabeth Smart says he wants a quick resolution to the charges filed against his daughter's alleged abductor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Brian Mitchell, a self- proclaimed prophet, and his wife are both charged with kidnapping 14- year- old Elizabeth at knifepoint from her bedroom in 2002.
Ed Smart says the important thing is that Mitchell stays in jail.
Mitchell was arrested after he was found with Elizabeth nine months after she disappeared.
(------------)

[11L'burg-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-46 TC1:07:08]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

A quick response by Lynchburg police helped them nab a man suspected of holding up an insurance office at gunpoint.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Around two yesterday afternoon, the suspect robbed the Hundley, Wilkins & Bowles agency of checks and cash after forcing the owner to the floor.
Police spotted him a block away and made a quick arrest.
He's been identified as 30-year-old Angel Medina of Lynchburg.
Medina faces assault, abduction, robbery and firearms charges.
(------------)

[11Transportation]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-41 TC1:51:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

A three- part plan to improve Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
That's what Delegate Ben Cline will propose this year. The Rockbridge County lawmaker wants more State Troopers patrolling the highway. He also wants to add more passing lanes on steep parts of the Interstate to keep tractor- trailers from slowing motorists down. In an effort to improve Virginia rail lines, Cline wants to offer tax incentives to rail companies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:22:03]
[IN Q=So we'll let some widening]
((DEL. BEN CLINE/(R) ROCKBRIDGE CO.: SO WE'LL LET SOME WIDENING PROPOSALS GO FORWARD BUT WE'LL ALSO INJECT A RAIL COMPONENT, A STRONGER RAIL COMPONENT THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE 81 FOR THE LONG TERM.))
[SUPER=@Cline;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=for the long term]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Delegate says his proposals fit nicely into the 938- million dollar plan announced by House Republicans yesterday.
That plan invests 33- million dollars in rail initiatives. It would also spend 90- million- dollars to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund. The Republican plan is similar to Governor Mark Warner's plan released last month. Republican leaders say they look forward to working with the governor "for the good of all Virginians."
(------------)

[11Toms-Creek]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-47 TC 1:03:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
Sewer improvements are back on the table in Blacksburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
It's been just ten months since the town scrapped controversial plans to build a sewer line in Tom's Creek. The council decided yesterday it will create a committee to help select a firm to study Blacksburg's sewer needs. The committee will tentatively be made up of two council members and two utility board members. Seven firms are vying for the job.
(------------)

(Kim tosses to bump) [BUMP]

[COMM] [6-Workout-Resolution]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-44 TC1:32:48]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=]

If you're a regular at the gym, you've probably noticed a few new faces lately.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
One of the most popular and probably most broken New Year's resolution is to get in shape. And each New Year, area fitness centers see an increase in new membership. The Roanoke Valley Y-M-C-A says it had more than 20-new memberships just in its first two days of operation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT :35]
[IN Q=we've been lined]
((BILL ZAZYNSKI/ROANOKE VALLEY YMCA: WE'VE BEEN LINED UP THROUGHOUT THE DAY W/38 PEOPLE COMING IN TO SIGN UP GETTING A TOUR, TRYING THINGS OUT, AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Zazynski/Roanoke Valley YMCA;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=things like that]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Many places, including the Y-M-C-A, are offering deals on enrollment fees through the month of January. The Roanoke Athletic Club is cutting its enrollment fee to 50-dollars. And Gold's Gym in Roanoke County is eliminating its fee altogether.
(------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]

[Early-Years]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Early Years]
[ENG#=3]

American companies have promised to provide more than 60-million dollars in cash and supplies to tsunami stricken southern Asia. And many citizens, including children, are taking steps to help disaster victims.
(++++++++)
[Take FS Early Years] Mary Snow has more on how they're helping in today's Early Years segment.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=04-Reuters; :13]
[SUPER=01-Eileen Burke/Save the Children; :25]
[SUPER=01-Cat Lyddon/Save the Children; :57]
[SUPER=01-Carolyn Miles/Save the Children; 1:11 QUICK]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=good in people's hearts.]
((PHONE: "SAVE THE CHILDREN..."
Half a world away from the destruction in affluent American suburb ....
PHONE: CAN I HELP YOU?
The phones don't stop ringing.
People desperate to help the smallest victims of the tsunami...
DO YOU HAVE A LIST OF THINGS THAT WOULD BE USEFUL TO DONATE?
People walk in the door to give...
And Eileen Burke is heading out the door, destined for Indonesia ....
I THINK YOU CHECK THE EMOTIONAL STATE AT THE DOOR
THIS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME FOR CHILDREN AS WELL WHERE THEY'LL BECOME VICTIM TO DIAHREEA, CHOLERA AND OTHER OUTBREAKS OF DISEASE.
Burke is heading to help fellow staff members of Save the Children in Banda Aceh...where some of the group's own aid workers were killed.
YOU REALIZE HOW LITTLE IT TAKES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, IT'S EXTREMELY MOTIVATING...
NAT "SAVE THE CHILDREN."
The group says it's seen the biggest outpouring in its 70 year history...more than 2 million dollars in the last few days..some of it from children.
WE HAD SOMEONE CALL WITH THE AMOUNT OF 700 AND 13 AND I SAID THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PIGGY BANK...AND IT WAS HIS KIDS' PIGGYBANK
But it's not just money...
WE HAD A TRUCKER DRIVER CALL FROM THE MIDWEST --EDWARD--HE WANTED TO DRIVE A TRUCK BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HE COULD DO.
I EVEN TOOK A COUPLE OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ADOPT CHILDREN
With images that some here find hauntingly familiar.
I THINK ALSO IT MAY HAVE BROUGHT BACK SOME MEMORIES OF 9/11 WITH PICTURES OF PEOPLE ON THE WALL LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS....
Eileen Burke considers herself fortunate to be able to help survivors first hand.....others find comfort in witnessing the generosity.
JUST WHEN YOU THINK THE WORLD IS ROTTEN, SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENS AND YOU FIND OUT THAT PEOPLE ARE OKAY...AND ..YOU KNOW..THAT THERE IS GOOD IN PEOPLE'S HEARTS.))

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=none]
That was Mary Snow reporting. News 7 Mornin' will be right back. [Kim tosses to bump] [BUMP] [COMM]

[11Workout-Resolution]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-44 TC1:33:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

Getting in shape for the New Year is one of the most popular and probably most short-lived resolutions of all-time. Myranda Stephens tells us what some area gyms are doing to help keep you on track.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=this is our group]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Carol Allman/New YMCA Member; :07QUICK!!]
[SUPER=01-Bill Zazynski/Roanoke Valley YMCA; :16]
[SUPER=@Myranda1; :41]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=NEWS 7, ROANOKE]
(([NATS OF CLERK @ 8:25] [RUNS01] ((THIS IS OUR GROUP EXERCISE ON THE BACK HERE.)) It's obvious what Carol Allman's New Year's resolution is this year.
[SOT 9:20]
[RUNS04] ((CAROL ALLMAN/NEW YMCA MEMBER: I HAD SOME HEALTH PROBLEMS LAST YEAR AND I HOPE TO HAVE SOME BETTER HEALTH THIS YEAR.))
So she, like so many others, will join a gym. [NATS OF KEY SWIPING @ 610] [RUNS01]
[SOT 245]
[RUNS08] ((WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A PEAK SEASON PEAK OPPORTUNITY FOR US, SO WE WANT TO CAPTURE PEOPLE'S INTEREST IN IT, ABSOLUTELY.)) Fitness experts say hot new workout trends like pilates and yoga have helped reel in new people to the gym.
[SOT 4:27][COVER BITE!!!!!]
[RUNS05] ((ALSO OUR GROUP CYCLING PROGRAMS, THOSE ARE SOME BIG ONES TOO.))
[SOT :13]
[RUNS09] ((REPORTER: BUT, STICKING TO THE RESOLUTION CAN BE JUST AS CHALLENGING AS THE WORKOUT ITSELF. AND MANY PEOPLE SLACK OFF JUST AS QUICKLY AS THEY SIGN-UP.))
[SOT 306]
[RUNS14] ((ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE HAVE A 12-WEEK PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAM THAT'S FREE TO OUR MEMBERS, THEY CAN COME, WHEN THEY JOIN, WE CAN SIGN THEM UP FOR THIS, AND BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS IS, THEN FOR THE FIRST 12-WEEKS OF THEIR PROGRAMMING WE CAN HOLD THEIR HAND A LITTLE BIT MORE.)) So health problems people like Carol Allman experienced in 2004, stay in 2004. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Roanoke. ))
(XXXXXXX)
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[WIPE TO FS GRAPHIC] Many places, including the Y-M-C-A, are offering deals on their enrollment fees through the month of January. The Roanoke Athletic Club is cutting its enrollment fee to 50-dollars. And Gold's Gym in Roanoke County is eliminating its fee altogether.
(-------------)
(Kim tosses to bump)
[BUMP] [COMM]