[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Melanie]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
After a day of protests that saw more than 100
arrests, the scene is a quieter one today in Miami.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The power to create knowledge is also the
power to create havoc.
That's how President Clinton describes the
threat of cyber-terrorists.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[CUBA-BOY]
[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Noon]
Supporters of 6-year old Elian Gonzalez promise another day of protests in Miami, as they fight the decision by the U. S. government to send the boy back to cuba.
Jennifer Jones is there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[11:30 UPDATE]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=cbs news, Miami.]
((To watch him play, Elian Gonzalez appears no different than any typical 6 year old boy unaware, it seems, of the protests that surround him.
(nat break)
peaceful street demonstrations that by midnight turned into chaos...
(natz)
... Cuban Americans blocking Miami interections, clogging traffic forcing police to fire tear gas. In the end, more than 130 arrests.
(MOS, NO NAME)
The street protests began Wednesday, following the INS decision to return Elian to Cuba to be with his father. The young boy was rescued from the Florida straits Thanksgiving day. His mother and ten others
drowned while fleeing Cuba. Now, Elian's Miami relatives are fighting to keep him in the states, despite the U.S. government's order to send him back to Cuba.
(sot clinton)
Jones standup:
Elian's relatives here hope to begin the appeal process today in federal court. They are also working to get an emergency hearing scheduled next week, racing against that January 14th deadline to have Elian back in
Cuba.
Jennifer Jones, CBS News, Miami.))
[cyber-terrorism]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Clinton]
The White House is launching a new battle against a high-tech threat.
The target is no longer the Y-2-K bug, but cyber-terrorists who President Clinton says could ''paralyze'' a company or a government by attacking computers.
Today he announced a
91 million-dollar plan to put more scientists to work on computer security.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[11;02:57-11:03:15]
[IN Q=We are releasing....]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=with the private sector.]
(-----------)
[vo-nat]
Mr. Clinton is proposing creation of a national Institute for
Information Infrastructure Protection -- to fill gaps in research and development.
(------------)
[anchor=Melanie]
[SS=None]
And he wants to offer college students tuition aid
in exchange for a period of government service in the computer security field.
[copy-Cat]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-56 TC21:44]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]
A printing and copying chain has closed its stores in Virginia.
Copy Cat Graphics closed its stores in Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond and Virginia Beach.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Ikon Office Solutions says the printing centers will be consolidated into Ikon's digital production plants in Richmond and Norfolk.
60 jobs were eliminated in Virginia.
Ikon is attempting to find other positions in the company for the laid-off employees.
Ikon's stock went from 38-dollars per share in April 1998, to a little over 7-dollars a share yesterday.
(-------------)
[Railroad-Checks]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
At least 500 railroad retirement pension checks destined for Roanoke and New River valley retirees are lost in the mail.
Complaints have flooded into the Railroad Retirement Board this week.
A board spokesman says these are the only two areas in the country with a problem.
The U-S Treasury Payment Center in Philadelphia mailed the checks to post offices nationwide December 29th so they could be delivered starting on Monday.
But Roanoke Postmaster Billy Martin said the checks never arrived.
[E-Ericsson]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-51 31:29]
[GRAPHIC=Ericsson]
Lynchburg's Ericsson Corporation is getting out of the private radio systems business, but its 500 local employees can stay right where they are.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Ericsson announced it is selling its radio division to Pittsburgh- based "Com-Net" Critical Communications.
Com-Net plans to lease local production space, allowing current Ericsson workers to stay in Lynchburg.
The division makes radio systems for police, fire and rescue agencies.
(------------)
[E-Patrick-Hospital]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=599-17 1:16:02]
[GRAPHIC=Patrick Co. Hosp. Layoffs]
The Patrick County hospital facing financial reorganization has laid off more than 20 percent of its employees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Stuart/June;]
Patrick Community Hospital has filed for bankruptcy protection, and the layoff is part of the effort to reduce expenses.
The move should save about 700- thousand dollars a year.
(//////////////////)
[SOT 01:42:23]
[IN Q=The employee base]
((THE EMPLOYEE BASE, ON THE PAYROLL, MAKES UP ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE HOSPITAL AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S THE MOST LOGICAL PLACE TO START. THERE ARE OTHER CONTRACTS AND OTHER EXPENSES WE'RE LOOKING AT, BUT WE WERE OVERSTAFFED AND WE HAD TO MAKE SOME CUTS AND THAT WAS THE OBVIOUS PLACE.))
[SUPER=01-Chip Magee/Hospital Attorney]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=was the obvious place.]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT SOT]
The hospital is eliminating 40 positions, but the acting administrator says the facility still has adequate staff to provide quality care.
(------------)
[Wilder-Song]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=State Song]
The man who started the successful campaign to retire Virginia's old state song says no replacement is needed.
Douglas Wilder told The Washington Post that he sees nothing wrong with the commonwealth remaining tuneless.
He also says he doesn't know who would teach, learn or sing the song if one is chosen.
Wilder says that Virginia didn't have a state song until 1940 and it doesn't need one now.
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still ahead, find out how you can celebrate Virginia Tech's success with a new license plate.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And could Jesse and Donald be joining forces for 2000?
First, let's talk to Andrew Freiden about our weekend weather.
(---------------)
[Talent=Andrew]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[ventura-trump]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura and billionaire Donald Trump have a lunch date today that could have an impact on
Campaign 2000.
Jacqueline Adams reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:05:41]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Brooklyn Park, MN;]
[SUPER=01-Gov. Jesse Ventura/(I) Minnesota;]
[SUPER=01-Donald Trump/Businessman;]
[SUPER=01-Phil Madsen/Minnesota Reform Party;]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS][City-Council]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Democrats aren't wasting any time preparing for the upcoming elections for Roanoke City Council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The Democratic Committee in Roanoke voted yesterday to hold a mass meeting on February 15-th to determine which candidates it will endorse for city council.
Holding a primary was not an option -- because the deadline to have one had already passed.
Currently, all seven council seats are held by Democrats.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT4:09:22]
[IN Q=I think people are watching]
((GEORGE MCMILLAN/SHERIFF: I THINK PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THE DEMOCRATS TO SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. I THINK IN THE END AFTER WE HAVE THIS MASS MEETING . I THINK YOU'LL SEE THE DEMOCRATS COMING TOGETHER TO SUPPORT WHOEVER WE DO NOMINATE))
[SUPER=01-George McMillan/Roanoke Sheriff]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=we do nominate]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
Mayor David Bowers, Linda Wyatt, Jim Trout, and Carroll Swain hold the four seats that will be up for grabs.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The mass meeting will be held February 15th at 7 p-m at a local school.
[E-Goalposts]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-50 1:04:18]
[GRAPHIC=VT-Goalposts]
A piece of Hokie history is in a Blacksburg bar and it's causing some Virginia Tech officials to call a personal foul.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Fans tore down the goal posts after Tech won the game against Boston College ... ending its first 11 and O regular season.
Now a 30-foot section of the goal post is on display in Big Al's bar, where fans left it after the game.
Tech's athletic director has made attempts to reclaim it, but the bar is holding out.
And many Tech fans say it should.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 57:42 - :48]
[IN Q=It is for the fans.]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Keeney/Virginia Tech Junior;]
((JEFF KEENEY/VIRGINIA TECH JUNIOR: IT IS FOR THE FANS. THEY TOOK IT, THEY PUT IT THERE, THE PARADE DOWN MAIN STREET, THEY TOOK IT THERE. I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO STAY THERE. I THINK THE FANS WILL KEEP IT THERE. ))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=keep it there.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Tech officials say MOST of the goalpost pieces have been returned.
They intend to go after those that have NOT.
Tech still hasn't said what it plans to DO with them.
[Tech-Plates]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Plates]
There is another way to show your Hokie pride.
(+++++++++)
[TAKE TAG FULLSCREEN]
The state Department of Motor Vehicles is offering souvenir Virginia Tech license plates on-line.
These are not regular registration tags, and cannot be used as standard plates.
But you can display your Hokie spirit anywhere else.
[TAKE WEBWATCH FS]
You can check out the DMV Hokie plate website by logging onto our home page at WDBJ7-dot-com, then click on "Webwatch".
(-------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Virginia is holding out so far against a devestating flu season.
That's one of the stories still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And we'll roll into the year 2000 in the newest Rolls Royce convertable.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[E-Flu]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-49 48:55]
[GRAPHIC=Flu]
Some hospitals are scrambling to add extra staff, while others have to turn people away because they're too crowded.
The flu is reaching epidemic proportions in some states including Pennsylvania, Georgia and neighboring Maryland.
But as Tonya Flory reports- so far, Virginia is escaping the worst flu season in years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ; :01]
[SUPER=01-Cami Jones/Lewis-Gale ER Director; :08 ]
[SUPER=01-Lucas Snipes/Carilion Hospital Director; :34 ]
[SUPER=@Tonya2; ]
[RUNS=:59]
[OUT Q=News 7.]
(( The Emergency Department at Lewis-Gale Medical Center has added 35-percent more staff to adjust for this years flu season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:14:17]
[IN Q=There has been]
((CAMI JONES/LEWIS-GALE ER DIRECTOR: THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE INCREASE IN VOLUME NOT ONLY IN OUR ER, BUT IN DOCTOR'S OFFICES AND OTHER HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND IN THIS REGION. WE HAVE INCREASED OUR STAFFING TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THAT.))
[RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=accomodate that.]
Neither hospital has canceled any elective surgeries like one Baltimore hospital.
Right now the only inconvenience patients in the Roanoke Valley will notice is a longer wait.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:08:37]
[IN Q=It may]
((LUCAS SNIPES/CARILION HOSPITAL DIRECTOR: IT MAY TAKE US A LITTLE LONGER TO FIND A BED AND GET IT READY FOR PATIENTS TO OCCUPY IF THEY NEED TO BE ADMITTED.))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=be admitted.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:15:28]
[IN Q=Sometimes patients have]
((CAMI JONES/LEWIS-GALE ER DIRECTOR: SOMETIMES PATIENTS HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, SOMETIMES PATIENTS THAT ARE ADMITTED HAVE TO WAIT A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE THEY GET UP TO THEIR ROOM.))
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=to their room.]
Still, flu levels are average in Southwest Virginia right now.
But we're not out of the woods yet, remember last years peak flu season occurred in mid-February.
Tonya Flory, News 7.))
[NEW-ROLLS]
[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Most of us can't afford it, but it doesn't hurt to look.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
[3:36;09]
This is the new Rolls Royce convertible.
It's the car manufactures first new convertible five years and the most expensive car ever to be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto show.
The price tag, 359-thousand dollars.
And I guess if you can afford to buy it, you don't really care about gas mileage.
It gets 11 miles per gallon in the city and 16 on the highway.
(------------)
[jobless-numbers]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=unemployment]
Good news on the employment front.
The Labor Department says the nation's jobless rate held steady at a 30-year low of 4 point 1 percent in December -- as 315-thousand workers found jobs.
That's the biggest gain since July.
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 135 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still to come in sports, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer receives another coach of the year award,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and the Tech women's hoop squad continues its stellar play and picks up a blowout victory over conference rival Rhode Island.
Andrew has the highlights, next.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Women]
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-48 (1:44:56)]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]
Virginia Tech's Lady Hokies showed no mercy as they rolled over Atlantic 10 rival Rhode Island last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Tech vs Rhode Island; :]
Rhode Island coach Belinda "Boe" Pearman tried to rally her troops.
And it works...the Lady Rams come out with good ball movement and knock down the short jumper.
It didn't last long, Tech soon took control.
Tere Williams gets it down low and scores the easy hoop for two of her 12 points in the game.
Then Amy Wetzel dishes inside to Christina Strother who hits the easy bucket and the Hokies opened up a big lead.
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/81/Rhode Island/38/;]
The back door approach worked for the Hokies and Tech beats Rhode Island 81 to 38.
(------------)
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]
The Tech men were also in action last night, hitting the road to take on Xavier.
Xaiver beat the Hokies 86 to 67.
Tech trailed by 30 at the half and never got back in the game.
Dennis Mims led the Hokies with 17 points.
[S-Beamer]
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-46 14235TC]
[GRAPHIC=FRANK BEAMER]
Tech coach Frank Beamer has another award to add to his already extensive collection.
Last night, Beamer received the Bear Bryant coach of the year award in Houston, Texas.
Beamer was one of seven finalists that also included Bobby Bowden and Marshall's Bob Pruett.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Orleans, LA/Tuesday Night; :00]
Before leaving for Texas, he told us that despite the disappointment of losing the national title to Florida State, he's proud of being part of such an amazing year for Tech Football.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I fully understand...]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Bear Bryant Award Finalist; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=....kinda fit."]
(------------)
[S-Coach]
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-51 (1:30:39)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]
Florida State assistant Chuck Amato celebrated a lot this week.
First, his team wins the national championship, and a few days later, he has a new job.
Amato is now the head football coach at his alma mater, N-C State.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="My wife...]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Amato/N.C. State Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=.....this school."]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
Amato replaces Mike O'Cain who was fired in November after 7 seasons.
[Belichick]
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
He resigned as New York Jets head coach on Tuesday, now Bill Belichick has filed a grievance with the N-F-L.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Tuesday]
Belichick's attorneys filed the grievance apparently as an attempt to get out of his contract with the team.
The N-F-L has asked the Jets to respond by Monday.
Belichick stunned the organization when he stepped down just one day after accepting the position.
He says uncertainties about the teams impending sale sparked his decision.
(------------)
by SS