WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 01/08/99

[7E-Va-Impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-71 1:24:13]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

Barely into its second day, the impeachment trial has fallen victim to partisan politics.
Senate Democrats and Republicans continue to argue over the trial's ground rules. Meantime, many Virginia residents are taking advantage of the chance to be a part of history.
Ellen Qualls reports from Capitol HIll.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=The senators]
[SUPER=03-Washington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Eric Lundquist/Annandale Resident; :15]
[SUPER=01-Susan Magill/Warner Chief of Staff; :38]
[SUPER=01-Carrington Lundquist/Arlington Resident;1:01 :]
[super=@Ellen1; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=EQ, N7]
(([13:40:34 WARNER SIGNING OATH]
The Senators themselves, in fact, grabbed a souvenir today.
Each took his or her pen after signing the juror's oath.
Amazingly, though, there is room for Virginians who just show up to get into to see it for themselves.
[ sot 14:48:16 ]
((ERIC LUNDQUIST/ANNANDALE RESIDENT: WE DIDN'T THINK WE COULD. WE SAW THE LINE OUT THERE AND SAW THAT IT WAS VERY SHORT SO WE THOUGHT LET'S GIVE IT A GO.)) [runs:07]
At Senator Warner's office, they're fielding more requests for tickets than opinions on impeachment now.
[NAT sot PHONE 14:39:02]
((YOU'LL BE ALLOWED IN FOR 15 MINUTES.)) [runs:03]
That's with a sort of general admission ticket.
Warner requested 500 to start with.
But there are also four rotating tickets per Senator that theoretically have NO time limit.
[ sot 14:53:37]
((SUSAN MAGILL/WARNER CHIEF OF STAFF: WE'RE TRYING TO DO THOSE BASICALLY ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS, BUT I MUST TELL YOU THAT WE ALREADY HUNDREDS OF REQUESTS FOR THOSE TICKETS, SO I THINK PEOPLES' BEST SHOT IS TO GET THE 15 MINUTE TICKETS AND GO IN THAT WAY. THE OTHER THING WE HAVE TO CAUTION PEOPLE IS WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT DAY OF THE TRIAL IS GONNA BE FOR SURE, SO YOU NEED TO CHECK THAT BEFORE YOU JOURNEY TO THE CAPITOL.)) [runs:21]

[ sot 14:47:29]
((How do you feel about this whole process? CARRINGTON LUNDQUIST/ARLINGTON RESIDENT: A LITTLE CONFUSED. BUT KIND OF CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN. NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE. SO IT MAKES IT MORE EXCITING I GUESS.)) [runs:14]
Don't doubt, as exciting as it is for you, it's nerve-wracking for the folks who hold the President's fate in their hands.
Chuck Robb's still NOT even willing to talk about it-- no matter how the question's asked.
[ sot 15:09:53]
((SEN. CHUCK ROBB/D-VIRGINIA: NICE TRY.)) [runs:02] ELLEN: So you can call or e-mail Senator Robb or Senator Warner's offices and find out how to get on their limited ticket list or you can just show up for the 15 minute ticket. But please call ahead or follow the story from home because it is rapidly changing. Ellen Qualls, News 7, Washington.))

[7Elton-Live]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Elton John concert tickets go on sale tomorrow, but if you're planning on buying your ticket at the Roanoke Civic Center, now's the time to go.
Steve Pardon is at the Roanoke Civic Center, where wristbands will be handed out.
[Double Boxes=MEL/Steve Microwave]

Steve, what can music fans expect this morning?

[Live=Steve Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=19-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
[SUPER=01-Robin Schon/Roanoke Civic Center]
[SUPER=01-Ken Luper/First In Line;]
( ad lib interview)

[Double Boxes=MEL/Steve Microwave][7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Taking a look now at your Friday forecast..
A mixed bag of precipitation early, before turning to all rain this afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.
Periods of rain continue overnight. Temperatures won't change much, staying in the 30s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Light Mix Early/Then Just Rain/35-38/Periods Of/Rain And Drizzle/35-38;]
[SUPER=#555; reset][7BIRTHDAYS!] 1/9/99

Saturday:

[SUPER=130-/Mazie Eames/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=130-13/Cory Branch/Bassett]

[SUPER=130-20/Robert Taylor/Dublin]

[SUPER=130-13/Carrie Daniel/New Castle]

[SUPER=130-3/Haylee Simpkins/Christiansburg]

[SUPER=130-/Odessa Woody/Martinsville]

Twin Sisters:
[SUPER=130-70/Ellen Basham/Roanoke]
[SUPER=130-70/Evelyn Clasbey/Salem]

[SUPER=130-13/Latasha Morgan/Draper]

No Pictures:

[SUPER=131-11/Rachel Burris/Roanoke]

[SUPER=131-/Vickie Washburn/Snow Creek]

[SUPER=131-/Cheryl Martin/Snow Creek]
[cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]

[45E-Franklin-Heights]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-73 1:09:40]
[GRAPHIC=Franklin Co. Land Transfer]

Residents in one Franklin County neighborhood are threatening a lawsuit-- hoping it will bring them a good shower.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Residents of the Franklin Heights subdivision say their water pressure's so low -- they can not wash the shampoo out of their hair.
Sometimes they can't even flush the toilets at the local church.
So they've signed a petition to MAKE the town of Rocky Mount incorporate them and build PUBLIC utility lines.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 9:41:51]
[IN Q=Now I would not]
((FRAN VAUGHAN/FRANKLIN HEIGHTS RESIDENT: NOW I WOULD NOT WANT THEM TO ANNEX US AND THEN TAKE FIVE OR TEN YEARS TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO ABOUT OUR WATER SYSTEM. IT'S GOING TO BE AN IMMEDIATE SITUATION FOR THEM. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT IMMEDIATELY.))
[SUPER=01-Fran Vaughan/Franklin Heights Resident;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=take care of it immediately]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The town of Rocky Mount says it will take in Franklin Heights, but only if Franklin County also gives them Wal-Mart for commercial profit.
The town and county are negotiating.
Franklin Heights residents say they will sue later this month if the two governments cannot reach a deal themselves.
(------------)

[45E-SOL]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#98-72 1:34:38]
[GRAPHIC=SOL's]
[***ANCHOR TAG****]
The Virginia Department of Education today will release the pass rates for recent statewide testing.
But as Joe Dashiell reports, some localities have offered an early look.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It was very upsetting]
[SUPER=01-Caroline Butt/Bedford Co. Parent; :00 quick]
[SUPER=03-Bedford; :06]
[SUPER=01-James Blevins/Bedford Co. School Super.; :18]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Tripp/Salem School Superintendent; :40]
[RUNS=1:08]
[OUT Q=JD News 7]
(( [SOT 15:03 ]
[IN Q=It was very upsetting]
[RUNS05]
[OUT Q=to see how Bedford did.]

Caroline Butt has three children in the Bedford County school system. She hopes disappointing results from the first round of testing will spur improvements in the classroom.
That's exactly what Superintendent James Blevins says is already happening.
[SOT 08:38]
[IN Q=We determined]
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q=to do some improvement.]

The news is more encouraging in the city of Salem, another school division that offered an early look at the results.
While some subjects such as Algebra II, fifth grade math, history and social science need attention, individual schools pass rates in Salem exceeded statewide averages in almost every subject and grade level.
[SOT 09:39]
[IN Q=We're not satisfied]
[RUNS18]
[OUT Q=I think we'll get there.]

While performance varies, most school systems face a similar result... some encouraging results... but plenty of problems as well.
Joe Dashiell News 7))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Beginning later today, you can find out how all state schools did on the Standards of Learning tests...
(XXXXXXXXXXXXX)
[Take GFX Page]
by calling up WDBJ-7-dot-com ...
Then click on "Webwatch" -- the scores will appear as soon as the state releases them.
(------------)

[45S-Stamps]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=98-76 46:14]
[GRAPHIC=Postage Rates Up]

Start saving your pennies now.
You will need them to add to your old 32 cent stamps Monday morning when the new postage rate takes over.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

These new 33 cent stamps even wish you a happy New Year. Plenty of people in post offices-- like this group in Christianburg-- were buying the new stamps yesterday.
The postal service will print many other 33-cent designs for the rest of the year.
If you still have your 32- cent stamps, the post office has stocked up on 1-cent stamps to help out. The new rate takes effect on Sunday.
(------------)

[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a look now at your Friday forecast..
Mixed precipitation this morning, before it turns to all rain this afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.
More rain tonight. Temperatures will stay in the upper 30s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=314-Light Mix Early/Then Just Rain/35-38/Periods Of/Rain And Drizzle/35-38;]
[SUPER=#555; reset][cutopen]
[SUPER=19-Melanie/Moon;]

[8E-Va-Impeachment]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-71 1:24:13]
[GRAPHIC=Senate Trial]

Senators this morning will meet behind closed doors to continue their search for a compromise on how to conduct President Clinton's impeachment trial.
Meantime, some Virginia residents are lining up for a chance to see in person the trial of the century.
Ellen Qualls reports from Capitol HIll.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=The senators]
[SUPER=03-Washington; :00]
[SUPER=01-Eric Lundquist/Annandale Resident; :15]
[SUPER=01-Susan Magill/Warner Chief of Staff; :38]
[SUPER=01-Carrington Lundquist/Arlington Resident;1:01 :]
[super=@Ellen1; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=EQ, N7]
(([13:40:34 WARNER SIGNING OATH]
The Senators themselves, in fact, grabbed a souvenir today.
Each took his or her pen after signing the juror's oath.
Amazingly, though, there is room for Virginians who just show up to get into to see it for themselves.
[ sot 14:48:16 ]
((ERIC LUNDQUIST/ANNANDALE RESIDENT: WE DIDN'T THINK WE COULD. WE SAW THE LINE OUT THERE AND SAW THAT IT WAS VERY SHORT SO WE THOUGHT LET'S GIVE IT A GO.)) [runs:07]
At Senator Warner's office, they're fielding more requests for tickets than opinions on impeachment now.
[NAT sot PHONE 14:39:02]
((YOU'LL BE ALLOWED IN FOR 15 MINUTES.)) [runs:03]
That's with a sort of general admission ticket.
Warner requested 500 to start with.
But there are also four rotating tickets per Senator that theoretically have NO time limit.
[ sot 14:53:37]
((SUSAN MAGILL/WARNER CHIEF OF STAFF: WE'RE TRYING TO DO THOSE BASICALLY ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS, BUT I MUST TELL YOU THAT WE ALREADY HUNDREDS OF REQUESTS FOR THOSE TICKETS, SO I THINK PEOPLES' BEST SHOT IS TO GET THE 15 MINUTE TICKETS AND GO IN THAT WAY. THE OTHER THING WE HAVE TO CAUTION PEOPLE IS WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE NEXT DAY OF THE TRIAL IS GONNA BE FOR SURE, SO YOU NEED TO CHECK THAT BEFORE YOU JOURNEY TO THE CAPITOL.)) [runs:21]

[ sot 14:47:29]
((How do you feel about this whole process? CARRINGTON LUNDQUIST/ARLINGTON RESIDENT: A LITTLE CONFUSED. BUT KIND OF CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT'S REALLY GONNA HAPPEN. NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE. SO IT MAKES IT MORE EXCITING I GUESS.)) [runs:14]
Don't doubt, as exciting as it is for you, it's nerve-wracking for the folks who hold the President's fate in their hands.
Chuck Robb's still NOT even willing to talk about it-- no matter how the question's asked.
[ sot 15:09:53]
((SEN. CHUCK ROBB/D-VIRGINIA: NICE TRY.)) [runs:02] ELLEN: So you can call or e-mail Senator Robb or Senator Warner's offices and find out how to get on their limited ticket list or you can just show up for the 15 minute ticket. But please call ahead or follow the story from home because it is rapidly changing. Ellen Qualls, News 7, Washington.))

[8E-Petition]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-75 1:51:47]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Rockbridge area residents are taking their complaints about the trial to Washington.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/December 21;]

They held a rally December 21st, protesting the impeachment of the President -- and circulated a petition.
So far 150 people have signed it.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16.04.59 - 16.05.11]
[IN Q=We were hoping]
((AMY DEHART/RALLY ORGANIZER: WE WERE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT THE PUBLIC HAS SOME KIND OF ROLE TO FULFILL IN THIS PROCESS OF GOVERNING, THAT PEOPLE GET OUT FROM THEIR SOFAS, OUT FROM BEHIND THEIR TELEVISIONS-- TAKING ACTION.))
[SUPER=01-Amy DeHart/Organizer;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=taking action.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

City councilmember Reverend LaVert Taylor and other residents will meet with Senator John Warner, hand over the petition, and voice their concerns.
(------------)

[8-5-Retail-Expansion]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#598-32 1:48:30]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

The New Year means new, national chain stores in Danville.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Some stores, like Kmart, are refurbishing their existing locations.
Other chains, like Office Max and I-HOP, are building brand new stores.
The General Development Company in Danville helped bring two major clothing retailers to the Riverside Centre.
Goody's and Marshall's agreed to move in because of the potential customers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:55-:07]
[IN Q=Most retailers now are]
((R. WINN BISHOP/GENERAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY: MOST RETAILERS NOW ARE LOOKING FOR GROWTH AND DANVILLE HAS THE POPULATION BASE AND THE POPULATION IN THE COUNTY AND THE IMMEDIATE AREA THAT MAKES IT BENEFICIAL TO LOCATE HERE.))
[SUPER=01-R. Winn Bishop/General Development Company;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=to locate here.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

In March, Walmart will open a brand new SUPER Walmart.
The old Walmart will become a Sam's Club by December.
(----------------)

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=CUTIN]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE #=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Taking a look now at your Friday forecast..
Mixed precipitation this morning, before it turns to all rain this afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.
More rain tonight. Temperatures will stay in the upper 30s.
The extended forecast...
[CK/WX PRO=]
MAPS

[SUPER=X5000; set dissolve]
[SUPER=#555; reset][SUPER=314-Light Mix Early/Then Just Rain/35-38/Periods Of/Rain And Drizzle/35-38;]