[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


A massive snowstorm hits the East Coast.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


In Richmond a state of Emergency has been declared because of blizzard like conditions.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-53 TC1:46:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]


[OPEN]
[WIPE TO ENG]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Another blast of winter weather has blanketed central and southside Virginia, closing schools and making for hazardous travel conditions.
Close to a foot of snow could fall before the storm is over.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=News-7 at Noon]


Good afternoon, I'm Melanie Moon.

[Lynchburg-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#00-02 TC TC13:25]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


While most of the Western half of the viewing area didn't see a flake, Lynchburg and surrounding counties were hit full force.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Lynchburg Bureau]


Steve Smallshaw is in our Lynchburg bureau.. Steve, what are conditions like there today?
[Live=Steve Full/Lynchburg Bureau]
[SUPER=@ssm1;]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg;]


About as good as could be expected.. most of the main roads are passable, but it's one of those days where you'll probably want to stay home and let the road crews do their work.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mother Nature]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Booth/Lynchburg Public Works; ]
[SUPER=01-"G. W."/Snow Entrepreneur;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=supposed to snow.]

(( Mother Nature threw a surprise party early this morning and virtually all of central Virginia was invited.
What was supposed to be just a light snowfall overnight had turned into eight to ten inches by morning..
Lynchburg's snow plow crews were among those caught off guard.
[SOT 21:41:12]

((RAY BOOTH/LYNCHBURG PUBLIC WORKS: IT JUST TOOK A LITTLE LONGER.. ...LOOKING FOR IT.)) [RUNS22]
[OUT Q=looking for it.]
[natsot snowplow 21:45:45]

[RUNS03]
The plows weren't the only ones pushing snow this morning.. this man's day started at six a-m.. armed only with a shovel and a list of regular customers he'd earned more than 200 dollars in just a few hours.
[SOT 21:47:28]

(("G.W."/SNOW ENTREPRENEUR: I GOT THE.. .. SHOVELING SNOW.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=shoveling snow.]
[natsot shoveling 21:47:55]

[RUNS02]
And then there are those who chose to do it themselves.. shoveling, scraping and pushing this white stuff that wasn't supposed to be here.
[natsot bite 21:46:36]

((I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SNOW.)) [RUNS02]
[OUT Q=supposed to snow.]))
[Live=Steve Full/Lynchburg Bureau]
[SUPER=05-Lynchburg;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave]




[Danville-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-58 TC32:36]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


Meanwhile, it's the wintry scene in Danville....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]


Heavy snow was a problem all morning long, with eight to 10- inches on the ground.
Although the primary roads are plowed, there are still icy spots.
Most of the secondary roads are snow- covered.
A winter storm warning is remains in effect here for up to a foot of snow by this afternoon.
Gusty winds are also causing snow drifts, which could hamper drivers' ability to see the road ahead.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE VDOT FULL SCREEN]
If you need more detailed road information for anywhere in the state, you can call V-Dot's hotline at 1-800-367-ROAD.
(XXXXXXXX)

[TAKE Hospital Phone Number Full Screen]
Meanwhile, the Danville Regional Medical Center still needs volunteers with four-wheel- drive vehicles for later this afternoon and tonight.
They say so far today, they've had good response from the community.
(-------------)



[Richmond-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-59 TC17:22]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


They're also looking for volunteer drivers in the Richmond area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Between eight and 12 inches of snow is making driving hazardous.
Interstate 64 between Charlottesville and Hampton Roads, and Interstate 95 between Fredericksburg and North Carolina are covered in most places.
Many secondary roads are impassable.
Richmond's airport and bus stations have shut down.
(------------)



[WX-One]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


The snow may be tapering off, but when will the wind die down?
Let's talk to Patrick Evans. [Patrick in WX Center]
(adlib)
[WXPro=Full]



(toss back to Melanie)



[east-snow]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


Virginia isn't the only state getting snow today.
The winter weather has hit much of the east coast with a vengeance.
In Washington it's shut down the federal government.
And from North Carolina to Massachusetts flights are being canceled and schools closed.
Cindy Pena has the details.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[11:30 update window]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA;]
[SUPER=01-Cincy Pena/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=for CBS NEWS.]

((THE STORM TOOK NEARLY EVERYONE BY SURPRISE, INCLUDING MANY FORECASTERS WHO DIDN'T PREDICT THE HEAVY SNOWFALL UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT. AND SOME CALLED FOR JUST 3 INCHES.
(NATSOT -TRAIN)

IN NEW YORK, WHERE SOME AREAS SAW AS MUCH AS A FOOT OF ACCUMULATION WAS REPORTED COMMUTERS OPTED FOR THE TRAINS AND SUBWAYS INSTEAD OF TAKING TO THE HIGHWAYS. DRIVERS ALONG THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE MANEUVERED THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SLIPPERY MESS
(SOT-COMMUTERS)

IN PHILADELPHIA THE STREETS WERE DESERTED WHERE THE MAYOR CLOSED CITY OFFICES. WINTER STORM WARNINGS WERE POSTED IN VIRGINIA WHERE THE HEAVY SNOW MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR COMMUTERS THERE AS WELL ))

[Giles-Fatals]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


Three men were killed in an early morning accident in Giles County.
State police say 20-year-old Clarence Lee Conley was driving too fast and ran into the back of a dump truck.
His passengers, 19-year-old Travis Clayton Davis and 22-year-old David Lee Shrader were also killed.
It happened at about three o'clock on Route 100, one-half mile south of Pearisburg.
No word on the condition of the dump truck driver.
[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


The grandmothers of Elian Gonzalez are meeting with members of Congress today.
That's one of the stories still ahead on News 7 at noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the Presidential front-runners come out ahead in Iowa-- while one of the trailing Republicans calls it quits.

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

[music up full] [comm1]

[iowa]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]


The presidential candidates are converging on New Hampshire today, following yesterday's Iowa caucuses.
But there is one less Republican on the campaign trail.
Senator Orrin Hatch is quitting the race after getting just one percent of the vote in Iowa.
Lee Cowan has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[11:30 update window]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Des Moines, IA;]
[SUPER=01-Al Gore/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Bill Bradley/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Des Moines Iowa.]

(((LOCATOR: DES MOINES)

NAT SOT GORE

22:12:48 We've just begun to fight! NARR:
The word fight is something voters in New Hampshire will hear a lot of in the coming week.
Its the slogan of a jubilant Al Gore who won the Iowa Caucuses last night not just overwhelmingly, but in his words, historically.
SOT/GORE 22:12:30

Thank you for the biggest victory in the history of the contested here in caucuses in Iowa. NARR:
It left his Democratic challenger, Bill Bradley, going into New Hampshire beaten by an almost two to one margin despite spending more than twice the amount of time in Iowa and spending even more money.
SOT/BILL BRADLEY, D-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

5:19:48 Its great to be back in New Hampshire, were coming here to win one, this energy is going to carry us all the way. NARR:
On the Republican side, George W. Bush walked into New Hampshire with another historic victory his reaction: simple: he was humbled.
SOT/GEORGE W. BUSH, R-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

2:04:40 I'm energized, I'm excited, my spirits are high, and I really like our chances, I really like our chances! NARR:
But with strong showings by both millionaire Steve Forbes, AND Alan Keyes, Bush now faces a tougher fight than he envisioned having to battle both the left and the right for votes in the crucial New Hampshire primary, now only a week away.
It is there he will face Republican John McCain who at last count was leading Bush in the polls. COWAN ON CAM: What Iowa usually does is narrow the field, not pick the winner. This time around, it has also served to complicate a race few here thought had any drama left. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Des Moines Iowa.))

[Bowers]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-03 TC03:19]
[GRAPHIC=Bowers]


Roanoke Mayor David Bowers announced his intention to run for re- election this morning... promising a new agenda and a new effort to promote harmony on city council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


With family, local Democratic officials, and three of his council colleagues standing behind him, Bowers said he is prepared to take the blame for recent controversies.
But he said he hopes the voters won't lose sight of many positive achievements during his tenure as Roanoke's Mayor.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There have been some problems]

((THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS. THERE'S BEEN THOSE TIMES THAT WE'VE STUMBLED OR STUBBED OUR TOES OR DROPPED THE BALL, BUT THERE'S A WHOLE SLEW OF GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THIS CITY, OF PROGRESS FOR THIS CITY. AND THE PUBLIC WILL, THEY'LL LOOK AT THE BAD, BUT THEY'LL ALSO LOOK AT THE GOOD AND WEIGH THAT.))
[SUPER=@Bowers;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=and weigh that.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


Bowers must win the Democratic nomination, but at the moment it doesn't appear that he will have opposition within his own party.
Republican Ralph Smith and Independent Duane Howard are expected to challenge Bowers, and others may enter the race before the filing deadline in March.

[E-Casteel]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-46 1:46:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A Roanoke County fire fighter is behind bars-- charged with attempted murder- after allegedly tampering with a vehicle his wife was in.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.]


31 year old Phillip Casteel lives in the Bent Mountain area of Floyd County .. on County Line Road.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


He was arrested yesterday morning at the Clearbrook fire station. Casteel has been working there for the last 6 months.
He has been placed on administrative leave WITHOUT pay.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Floyd County sheriff's deputies have charged Casteel with one count of attempted murder. He also faces three counts of felony child abuse and neglect, for allegedly tampering with a vehicle his wife and the children were in.

[CUBAN-BOY]


[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]


There's no word on whether the snow storm will keep the grandmothers of Elian Gonzalez from traveling to capitol Hill today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

[3:26:47]
They're scheduled to meet with congressional members.
Yesterday they flew to Miami in hopes of seeing their grandson,
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL; ]

but the re-union never happened.
They could not agree on a meeting place with Elian's American relatives.
Meanwhile one member of congress has set into motion, a process to make Elian a U-S citizen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[3:27:36-51]
[IN Q=I rise today...]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Connie Mack/(D) Florida;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=but by a family court.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba;]

[7:06:09]
Back in Havana, Elian's father and grandfathers were honored at a rally.
The rally was held in Cuba's National Theater and was attended by elderly Cubans.
(------------)


[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Virginians are a step closer to taking an I-D along to the polls.
We'll have the latest when News 7 at noon returns.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And Jerry Falwell says he's been blacklisted-- by the White House.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[S-Falwell-Suit]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-54 51:38]
[GRAPHIC=Falwell]


The Reverend Jerry Falwell says the Clinton White House and Justice Department have illegally been keeping tabs on him and now he's suing over the violation of his privacy rights.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]


In a release late yesterday afternoon, the Washington- based group "Judicial Watch" claims it has uncovered a secret database used to store secret information on religious and pro- life leaders in the United States.
Falwell says efforts to learn whether he was included in that database have been stonewalled by the White House.
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


Now Falwell has filed suit in federal court to order the release of that information.

[Voter-ID]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Voter ID]


Virginia voters may soon be required to show a picture I-D.
A bill to require such I-D's passed the state Senate.
A pilot program passed last year was thrown out in court because it did not cover the entire Commonwealth.
This new bill DOES cover all of Virginia. It goes next to the House of Delegates.

[E-Textile-Relief]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-51 52:28]
[GRAPHIC=Va Capitol Textile Relief]


[TAKE VIDEO]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Saturday;]


Saturday's meeting with laid-off textile workers apparently left quite an impression on many state lawmakers from other parts of Virginia.
A lot of them have signed on to support the Textile Workers' Relief Act of 2000.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=Textils Relief]


The proposal increases jobless benefits for workers laid off in areas of double digit unemployment... and it would expand Medicaid to cover their health needs.

[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 22 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still to come in sports, Virginia Tech and U-V-A's rivalry continues to excite as the Hokies and Hoos meet on the court.
We'll have the highlights,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and the teams have arrived.
Saint Louis and Tennessee are in Atlanta for Super Bowl 34.
Patrick has more, next.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[Aussie-Open]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Australian Open]


Two of the U-S's top mens and womens tennis stars will meet in the semifinals of the Australian Open.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Melbourne, Australia]


Number one ranked Andre Agassi defeated Hicham Arazi (HEE'-shuhm ah-RAH'-zee) to advance to a semi-final showdown with number three Peter Sampras.
On the women's side, Jennifer Capriati continues the impressive play.
She breezed to a straight set win over Ai Sugiyama (eye soo-gee-YAH'-mah).
Capriati will face second seeded Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals.
(------------)



[Super-Bowl]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]


Super Bowl 34 is just a few days away, and the city of Atlanta is gearing up for the pro grid iron championship.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]


Yesterday afternoon, the Cinderella St. Louis Rams arrived in the city to begin their preparations.
Several players came equipped with camcorders to record their time in the Super Bowl spotlight.
After a whirlwind of activity after Sunday's victory, the Titans touched down in Atlanta last night.
The Titans flag flew proudly from Tennessee's plane as taxied to the airport.
(------------)



[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-58 TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/UVA BB]


72-hundred fans packed the Richmond Coliseum to watch the Hokies and Cavaliers face off in an in-state rivalry.
Most figured the game would be one-sided , but Tech said no way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Cavaliers vs. Hokies; :00]


The contest was a home game for the Hokies even though it was played at the Coliseum. They came out dressed in white.
We pick up the action in the second half with UVa getting one of the few transition baskets of the night as the Tech turnover is turned into an Adam Hall hoop. He turns the Roger Mason steal into two.
UVa had a 12 point lead with 11 minutes to go thanks in part to the completed pass down court to Hall for the slam. It's 53-to-41.
The Hokies would not die. Instead they mount an impressive comeback outscoring UVa 19-to-7 the rest of regulation. Rolan Roberts steals the inbounds pass and goes the distance for the throwdown.
Brendan Dunlop provided some spark off the bench for Tech. He scored 15 points and routinely burned guard Donald Hand. The game goes to overtime tied at 60-all.
[SUPER=33-Virginia/71/Virginia Tech/66/Overtime;]


But UVa would outscore Tech 11-to-6 in the extra period, as Hand gets the hoop and the harm and UVa hangs on to beat the Hokies 71-to-66 in overtime.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Donald Hand...]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ricky Stokes/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :16]
[RUNS=:49]
[OUT Q=...BE ON TV SOMEWHERE."]
(------------)



[S-VMI]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-46 tc 1:52:07]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]


VMI was also in action last night taking on UNC-Greensboro.
The Keydets were looking for its first conference win and hoping to end an 11 game skid.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/UNC-Greensboro vs. VMI;]


The corps has returned to Lexington and the Keydets looked to the sixth man to give them an edge over the Spartans.

But UNCG jumped out to an 11-nothing lead. James Maye downs the three, he led the Spartans with 20 points.
VMI kept battling on the boards, Eric Mann gets the rebound, survives the struggle and gets the deuce.
Then the Keydets create a turnover Mark Grigsby with the pass to Jeremy Harper to convert the Greensboro mistake into points. Harper led VMI with 19.
[super=33-UNCG/75/VMI/61;]


But the Keydets losing streak extends to 12 games as UNCG beats VMI 75 to 61. (------------)
by SS