[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(XXXXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE LIVE VO]
[SUPER=#43; Live Headline Banner]


A successful job fair in Montgomery County could bring a major employer to the region.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And an accident in Bedford County sends some middle schoolers to the hospital.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Job-Fair]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#00-02 TC27:03]
[GRAPHIC=New Jobs]


A job expo in Christiansburg is giving a major telecommunications company a sneak peek at the New River Valley workforce.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Marya/Microwave]


Marya Jones is inside the Montgomery County Enterprise Center, where the expo is just getting underway.
Marya, what are organizers and workers hoping to get out of this?
[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Marya1;]
[SUPER=05-Christiansburg;]
( ad lib)
[SUPER=01-Melissa Lucas/Potential Job Applicant;]



[Live=Marya Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Christiansburg;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Melanie and Marya/Microwave]



[Bus-Accident]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]


Four Staunton River Middle School students were slightly injutrf in a bus accident in Bedford County this morning.
State police say Bus Number 1-52 was pulling onto Route 7-46 near Chamblissburg when it hit a pick-up truck.
24 students were on the bus..the four that were injured were expected to be treated and released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The driver of the pick-up truck, James Ashworth, was also taken to R-M-H with minor injuries.
State police say the bus driver, Herman Lee Morris, was charged with failing to yield the right of way.

[Council-Demos]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-04 TC14:20]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


The field is set for next Tuesday's Democratic Mass Meeting in Roanoke.
Seven candidates, including three challengers, will be seeking the party's nomination for city council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


This morning, two of the candidates, Angela Norman and Bill Bestpitch, watched as party officials determined the order of names on the ballot.
They're expecting a large turnout for the mass meeting next Tuesday night at William Fleming High School.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:26]
[IN Q=If you look at the list]

((VERN DANIELSEN/ROANOKE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE: IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST OF CANDIDATES, YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF THE CITY. IT'S A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF BOTH INCUMBENTS AND CHALLENGERS AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE A SPIRITED MEETING.))
[SUPER=01-Vern Danielsen/Roanoke Democratic Committee]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=expect to have a spirited meeting.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


Roanoke Mayor David Bowers has no Democratic opposition.
Incumbents Carroll Swain, Jim Trout, and Linda Wyatt are seeking re-election.
In addition to Bestpitch and Norman,--- Alvin Nash is seeking a seat on city council.



[Forbes]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]


A four-year campaign for the White House that cost Steve Forbes tens of millions of his own dollars is coming to an end.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[10-newspath]
Aides to the millionaire publisher say Forbes is dropping out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
An official announcement is expected tomorrow.
The news comes the day after Forbes finished third in the Delaware Republican primary.
(------------)


[WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]

[delaware-primary]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=wipe/wipe/wipe]


[WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Wilmington, DE;]

[3:13:29]
George W. Bush came in first in the primary.
The Texas Governor captured 51 percent of the vote.
Senator John McCain finished second with 25 percent.
[SUPER=03-Columbia, SC; ]

[3:14;33]
Bush has now moved on to South Carolina, campaigning for the next primary February 19th.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((BUSH:I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA FOR THE PEOPLE TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE OF DELAWARE LISTENED TO THE VOICES AND MADE THEIR DECISION. I KNOW I'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO. I'M IN A TOUGH FIGHT. ))
[SUPER=01-George W. Bush/(R) Presidential Candidate;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=I'm in a tough fight.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[3:14:33]
Bush says show that he's going to work hard to appeal to Forbes' supporters.
(------------)



[E-Party-Labels]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-58 45:41]
[GRAPHIC=Voting]


If you've ever gone to vote, and wondered what political party your delegate, senator, or congressman is affiliated with, this bill is for you.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]


Both the state Senate and House have now signed off on putting party labels next to candidates' names on Virginia ballots.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:40:26]
[IN Q=I'm supporting]

((DEL. TERRIE SUIT/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: I'M SUPPORTING THIS BILL FOR TWO REASONS. ONE, BECAUSE PEOPLE DO WANT TO KNOW. AND TWO, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF RUNNING THE GAUNTLET AT THE POLLING PLACES, AND ANYTHING THAT WILL HELP CUT BACK ON THE PEOPLE STANDING OUT THERE SHOUTING WOULD YOU LIKE THE REPUBLICAN TICKET? WOULD YOU LIKE THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET?))
[sot 03:41:30]

((DEL. CHIP WOODRUM/D-ROANOKE: WE SEND 'EM MAIL SAYING I'M A DEMOCRAT. I HAD AN OPPONENT TOO, SENDS OUT MAIL SAYS I'M A REPUBLICAN. AND YOU KNOW MR. SPEAKER, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM. FORTUNATELY THEY DON'T SEEM TO COME FROM THE ROANOKE VALLEY.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Terrie Suit/(R) Virginia Beach; :00 ]
[SUPER=@Woodrum; :16]
[RUNS=:32]
[OUT Q=the Roanoke Valley.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


Existing Virginia law only requires party labels next to Presidential candidates.
Governor Jim Gilmore asked for the bill -- so it's a cinch he'll sign it.

[ALASKA-AIRLINES]


[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]


It could be a significant clue to the cause of the Alaska Airlines crash.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[3:11:37]
Divers have pulled up a damaged piece of the plane's horizontal stabilizer mechanism.
But it's not clear if the damage took place during the flight, or as a result of the crash into the Pacific.
Metal experts are expected to arrive in California this morning to examine the piece.
(------------)



[clinton-health]


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


President Clinton is appealing to Congress to revive the Patients' Bill of Rights.
He spoke about it this morning, before heading to Texas for a day of politicking.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((CLINTON: CONGRESS SHOULD SEIZE THIS MOMENT OF OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE HEALTH OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY. TO SEIZE THIS MOMENT TO STAND WITH DOCTORS, NURSES AND PATIENTS. TO RESTORE TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.))
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=in our health care system.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]


A White House-backed version of the bill disappeared into a House-Senate conference committee last year.
But under election-year pressure, that panel is to take up the issue again this week.
(------------)


[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still ahead on News 7 at noon, a daring espcape from a hijacked Afghan jetliner.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And some 22-thousand Boeing workers just walked off the job.
First let's talk to Patrick Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]

[hijacking]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Hijacking]


The night brought freedom for the flight crew of the Afghan airliner sitting on the runway at Stansted Airport outside of London.
Kimberly Dozier reports the crew escaped, much to the chagrin of the hijackers still holding over 150 hostages.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[11:30-UPDATE WINDOW]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Stansted, England;]
[SUPER=01-Joe Edwards/Essex Police;]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Dozier/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=Kimberly Dozier, CBS News, Stansted]

((This was not in the hijackers' plans. Their ticket out of here, the four man flight crew, slipped out a cockpit window. When the hostages takers figured it out, they released, possibly pushed, another flight steward down the back steps. He's only bruised and all five are being questioned. There were then some heated exchanges between the hijackers and their police handlers. SUPER: Joe Edwards, Essex Police
"Inevitably the escape of these men did upset the calm atmosphere for a time and we've been working to restore that calm. There's obviously tiredness and some frustration among those on board. A tense two hour silence followed the escape... broken finally by a request for breakfast. Two men armed with what looked like handguns picked up a planeload's worth of meals off the tarmac, and talks resumed. Still no definitive word on why the 6 to 10 hijackers are doing this. A UN representative from Afghanistan is now here, police say, to observe. But the British media believe it's to facilitate a bid for political asylum. All police will confirm is that the sensitive negotiations are back on track for now . Kimberly Dozier, CBS News, Stansted.))

[WEB-HIT]


[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Full service has been restored to the on-line auction site e-Bay -- one of several sites that came under attack yesterday from Internet vandals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[6:13:14]
Others included Amazon, C-N-N and Buy-dot-com.
An e-Bay spokeswoman says Vandals used powerful computers to generate false data and send it to the unwitting Web sites.
On Monday, Yahoo's Web site was unavailable for hours because of similar hacker activity.
The F-B-I is investigating.
(------------)



[Boeing]


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


Engineers and technical workers at Boeing are expected to hit the picket line at this hour.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Everett, WA;]

[3:04:59]
The move comes after two days of federal mediation failed to produce an agreement between the aerospace company and the union representing more than 22-thousand workers.
Union members rejected two sets of contact offers -- one in December and the other last week.
(------------)



[L'Burg-Council]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]


An ongoing feud between neighbors in one of Lynchburg's historic neighborhoods has forced the city to spend ten thousand dollars on outside help to try and solve the problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


The problems in Lynchburg's Diamond Hill Historic District have been simmering for years.
Residents who support the strict architectural regulations have clashed with those who say the rules are too burdensome and expensive.
Now the city wants to pay professional mediators ten thousand dollars to try and get the two sides to sit down and talk out their differences.
Some council members say that's a waste of
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((ROBERT GARBER/LYNCHBURG COUNCIL MEMBER: I THINK IT'S UP TO THE CITIZENS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD TO DECIDE AMONGST THEMSELVES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SIT DOWN AND TALK LIKE ADULTS.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Garber/Lynchburg Council Member; ]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=talk like adults.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


But others feel outside mediation is the only thing the city hasn't tried.
Council itself was equally divided over the issue.. the final vote was 4 to 3 in favor of spending the money.
Mediators will begin their work this spring.
(------------)



[SML-Project]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-60 TC1:03:38]
[GRAPHIC=SML]


Smith Mountain Lake may get a new development.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]


Last night the Franklin County Planning Commission approved a plan that would allow the construction of retail shops, restaurants, and a marina, as well as a 96 unit condominium complex.
Supporters of the plan are excited about the job opportunities and additional boat slots, while opponents think the development would ruin the landscape.
The Board of Supervisors will vote on the plan Tuesday.
(------------)


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


State assitance for laid-off textile workers may have hit a snag, but private assistance is on the way.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the latest punishment could have jaywalkers singing a different tune.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[E-Southside-Rising]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noojn]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=99-51 TC1:12:51]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Warner]


A former U-S Senate candidate and now a likely candidate for governor... Mark Warner... says he can help revive a troubled economy in Southern and Central Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville]


In Martinsville yesterday morning, the Virginia businessman announced a multi-million dollar project to attract businesses to the area.
Warner and some 85 private investors think they can do it with a 7 million dollar venture capital fund called "Southside Rising."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 39:15:00]
[IN Q=What happens]

((MARK WARNER/BUSINESSMAN: WHAT HAPPENS WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE COMPANY THEY COME TO THE FIRM, WE REVIEW, DECIDE...AND WE BECOME PARTNERS WITH THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Warner/Businessman]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=partners with them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


If all goes according to his plan, Warner says they will attract 10 to 20 high tech businesses or other small companies just starting out in the next few years.
(------------)



[JAYWALKING-PENALTY]


[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Jaywalking has become a big problem in Manila, so Filipino police have come up with a rather embarrassing punishment.
(//////SOT///////)
[IN=(SHOT OF JAYWALKERS SINGING)]
[SUPER=03-Manila, Philippines;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUTQ=Nat Singing]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[10:33:18]
Singing the national anthem with their right hand on their chest.
Jaywalking has always been classified as an offense, but many seem to ignore the no jaywalking signs.
So a law passed last Friday requires offenders to either sing the national anthem, or pay a fine of one dollar 25 cents.
Many opt to sing because they don't have money for the fine.
(------------)



[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 130 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still to come in sports, the N-F-L is saying goodbye to Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

and Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker's suspension may be over after a meeting in New York today.
Patrick has the details, next.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[Rocker]


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


Major League Baseball's players union will try to overturn pitcher John Rocker's suspension today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB]


The union was scheduled to take Rocker's case before an arbitrator in New York this morning.
Commissioner Bud Selig suspended the Atlanta Braves reliever was suspended until May for making offensive comments against homosexuals, minorities, and foreigners.
(------------)



[S-Thomas]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-47 tc 1:57:06]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]


The N-F-L is mourning the death of one of respected stars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL;]


The Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas died of a heart attack yesterday in a Miami Hospital.
The 33 year old was being treated for spinal injuries he received in a January 23rd car accident.
K-C's coach last talked with Thomas during the Super Bowl.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I Saw]
[SUPER=01-Gunther Cunningham/Chiefs Head Coach;]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=be strong]
(------------------)


Thomas had 126 and a half quarterback sacks in his career, but he was also known for the work he did with children.

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



[S-Arena]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-52 12713 TC]
[GRAPHIC=Steam]


Roanoke's new arena football team now has two Tech alumni to heat up the Steam.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]


Former Hokie play caller, Al Clark has joined the club to play quarterback.
He's joined by former Tech defensive lineman Kerwin Hairston.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THIS IS...]
[SUPER=01-Al Clark/Signs with the Steam; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kerwin Hairston/Signs with the Steam; 16]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=...FAMILIAR WITH ME."]
(------------)



[S-Ferrum]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-45 tc 1:46:48]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum]


It's been a tough year for the Ferrum College's men's basketball team, but the obstacles have given the Panthers a new perspective on the game.
Last fall team member Brian Reed died after working out in the weight room.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:39]
[IN Q=he died of ]
[SUPER=01-Larry Mangino/Ferrum Head Coach;]
[RUNS=31]
[OUT Q=he tore his ACL]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum/February 2;]


Curtis Lipscomb is out for the season.
Two of the Panthers next four games are at home.
But former William Fleming star, R-J Reynolds, has dedicated the entire season to his family and former roommate Brian Reed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=he motivated me]
[SUPER=01-R. J. Reynolds/Junior Guard;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=she does that for me]
(------------)
[Anchor=Patrick]
[ss=hold]

Ferrum hosts North Carolina Wesleyan Saturday.
by SS