[School-Bus-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]


Two children are dead and five others critically injured after their school bus collided with a freight train near the Georgia- Tennessee border.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tennga, GA;]


Authorities say the C-S-X train slammed into the bus, splitting in two.
The school bus was loaded with elementary students.
Its driver is hospitalized in stable condition.
One witness says the crash sounded like thunder crashing or a bomb exploding.
The bus had crossed into Polk County, Tennessee, to turn around and head back to Georgia when it was hit.
There are apparently no signal lights or bars at that railroad crossing.
(------------)


[Roanoke-Ax]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-60 1:41:55]
[GRAPHIC=accident]


The contents of a tractor trailer that overturned in Roanoke County actually helped with the cleanup.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]


The rig overturned on Route 221 around eight thirty this morning-- at the base of Bent Mountain.
The tractor trailer was hauling 50- pound bags of freshener used in horse stalls.
Some of the bags were later used to contain diesel fuel that spilled from the truck's fuel tanks.
The driver was taken to Roanoke Memorial.
Authorities say his injuries were NOT life threatening.
(--------------)



[Costa-Rica-Arrests]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Police in Costa Rica have arrested a 16- year- old boy for the murders of two American female college students.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Limon, Costa Rica;]


Authorities say they arrested the teen Saturday night, but are also still searching for two other boys in the crime.
The boys are believed to have killed 19-year- old students Emily Eagen and Emily Howell.
[SUPER=03-San Jose, Costa Rica;]


Their bodies were discovered March 15th along a highway.
Both girls had gunshot wounds.
If convicted, the boy faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
(------------)


[Explosion]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]


There's still no word on a cause in a Houston- area chemical plant explosion.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pasadena, TX;]


One worker was killed, and at least 71 others were injured in yesterday's blast.
Investigators are working to determine what caused the explosion.
Those who were injured suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and anxiety- related disorders.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:10:40 ]
[IN Q=Obviously, an]

((JIM ROSS/PLANT G.M.: OBVIOUSLY, AN EVENT LIKE THIS IS DIFFCULT FOR PEOPLE TO PROCESS. SO... FORTUNATELY, MOST OF THESE ARE NOT REAL SERIOUS OF NATURE.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Ross/Plant General Manager;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=serious of nature]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


But this isn't the first deadly explosion at the plant.
One happened in 19-89 that killed 23 workers.
Last June, two employees lost their lives in another accident.
(------------)



[Danville-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-03 TC1:17:11]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Investigation]


The cause of a fire that forced eight Danville residents from their homes is still unknown.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Yesterday;]


The fire started around one yesterday morning on the second floor of this Worsham Street apartment house.
Fire investigators have not been able to determine the cause because of extensive damage.
No one was injured.
(------------)



[Reform-Party]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=00-01 TC1:19:55]
[GRAPHIC=Reform Party]


A federal judge in Lynchburg has ruled that the chairman of the Reform Party is Pat Choate.
Now party officials can start planning a convention for later this year.
But will the party be able to reunite after a bitter court battle?
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Until judge]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Week; :00]
[SUPER=03-Nashville/Last Month; :08]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :41]
[RUNS=1:00]
[OUT Q=News 7, Lynchburg]


(( Until Judge Norman K. Moon issued his 22-page ruling, there actually were two Reform Parties of America.
The party split last month during this out of control meeting in Nashville that saw Pat Choate replace Jack Gargan as party chairman.
Judge Moon ruled that "..the national committee meeting was valid and did not violate the party's constitution.." because proper notice was given and the delegates were properly credentialed.
Gargan's refusal to call that meeting to order was "an improper attempt to subvert the will" of the majority of the party.
Moon concluded that the "Reform Party will suffer irreparable injury if Gargan" and his supporters are not barred from representing the party.)) [Standup] ((Pat Choate says he would welcome Jack Gargan back to the Reform Party, but Gargan says he absolutely will NOT go back. He estimates as much as 80 percent of the Reform Party's membership will leave with him.. and a fourth political par
ty.. one headed up by Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura.. could be in their future. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.)

)

[Sat-TV]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=99-59 TC1:12:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]



EchoStar Communications named Christiansburg as the location of its newest customer service center.
The move will create 14-hundred jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;]


One area businessman believes the call center will translate into good news for Echostar's local customers.
Matt Whitcomb owns a Roanoke based business that sells, installs and services DISH programming in a 30- county area.


He recently visited the company's headquarters in Colorado and says he's convinced the new site will encourage the company to offer local programming to its customers in the Roanoke area.
(///// SOT ///// 23:38:35)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is ]

((MATT WHITCOMB/ACS PRESIDENT: THERE IS LIMITED CAPACITY TO DISTRIBUTE LOCAL SIGNALS BACK DOWN TO THE CUSTOMER BUT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THIS CALL CENTER GOING IN CLOSE TO HOME THAT THE ROANOKE STATIONS ARE PROBABLY A SHOE IN WITHIN THE NEXT 30- TO 60- DAYS.))
[SUPER=01-Matt Whitcomb/ACS President; ]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q= next 30- to 60-days.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=Echostar Generic]


Echostar is also getting involved in the Internet business.
The company has announced its joined forces with another company to provide high speed Internet service to its customers via the satellite.


[Gas-Prices]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#00-03]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices]


OPEC members seem to agree that they should boost oil production...with the exception of Iran.
Saudi Arabia's oil minister says Iran is the only member of the oil cartel still resisting the proposed increase.
The U-S wants OPEC to raise production by at least two- million barrels a day.
So far, OPEC seems to be leaning more toward one-point-seven-million barrels.
Kate Weidaw takes a look at how an increase of some level could mean lower gas prices for everyone.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=07-Bob Hunt; :21]
[SUPER=03-Vienna, Austria; :39]
[SUPER=07-Tom Bartness; 1:02]
[SUPER=@Kate1;1:06]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=News 7 Roanoke]

((You see the high prices for gasoline every where you drive. Bob Hunt and his family are from Texas but still have a ways to go before they reach their destination in Alaska.

[SOT 20:36]
[INQ=]

((BOB HUNT: FROM HERE TO PRICE RUPERT I HAVE 4000 MILES.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 05]


And his annual trip is costing him more then he ever expected.

[SOT 20:44]
[INQ=]

((BOB HUNT: I'M GOING TO BE PAYING A WHOLE LOT MORE BECAUSE THE FUEL'S A LOT HIGHER OTHER PLACES THEN IT IS HERE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 07]


If the price of gasoline is getting you down -- then be thankful you're not overseas [CBS yesterday 21:21:05] where the price is about five dollars a gallon in Britain and close to four dollars in France, Italy, and Germany. [CBS TODAY 16:40:56] That's one reason the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is meeting in Vienna, Austria to reach an agreement on increasing production.
Oil traders expect OPEC ministers to increase production by up to two million barrels day. But experts question if that will really affect prices at the gas pump. Drivers are skeptical too.

[SOT 15:57]
[INQ=]

((TOM BARTNESS: THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO TURN MORE OIL SO THEY SAY THE PRICES ARE GOING TO COME DOWN, HA HA HA, YEH LIKELY STORY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 07]


[STANDUP]
[INQ=]

((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: OPEC DID NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT YESTERDAY TO INCREASE OIL PRODUCTION, HOWEVER IF AND WHEN THEY DO IT COULD STILL BE SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE WE SEE A DROP IN GAS PRICES. KATE WEIDAW NEWS 7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))







[Israel-Indictment]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Netanyahu]


Israeli radio reports say police are recommending corruption charges be brought against Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;]


Netanyahu left his home this morning without speaking to reporters.
He's been under investigation over the last eight months for alleged acceptance of bribes, state funds, and illegal gifts.
Netanyahu had been planning a political comeback, but the indictment could seriously derail those plans.
(------------)


[CUBAN-BOY]


[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=KMC]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Elian Gonzalez]


Relatives of six-year-old Elian Gonzalez met with government officials this morning.
They're trying to reach an agreement on what happens on Thursday, when Elian's temporary immigrant status changes.
Lee Cowan has an update.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]
[SUPER=01-Manny Diaz/Lawyer;]
[SUPER=01-Armando Gutierrez/Family Spokesman;]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=Cowan, CBS News, Washington.]

(( Locator:Miami
NARR:
Attorneys for 6 year old Elian Gonzales left the offices of the INS in Miami with a clear message for the Justice Department.

SOT/MANNY DIAZ, LAWYER 9:39:08

"Shame on you. Shame on you!"
NARR:
The hastily arranged meeting was called to inform Elian's relatives that his temporary parole status would be revoked in two days -- meaning the government would begin arranging for Elian's swift return to Cuba.

SOT/ ARMANDO GUTIERREZ, FAMILY SPOKESMAN 9:42:55

"I don't know.....I'm not sure."
NARR:
What the Justice Department WANTS, it says, is a pledge from the family to surrender the boy to Immigration officials if they lose what is likely to be their last court appeal.

So far, Immigration officials say the family has NOT agreed to that in writing, and THAT is forcing the government's hand.

But Elian's lawyers are protesting -- arguing the agreement prevents them from seeking one more legal option -- review of Ellian's case by the US Supreme Court.

That, they say, is depriving the family of its constitutional rights.
COWAN ON CAM: "There are only two ways now to stop what appears to be the imminent return of Elian to Cuba -- either a stay granted by the Appeals Court in Atlanta -- or his great uncle agreeing to sign the deal the Justice Department said he had agreed to all along. Lee Cowan, CBS News, Washington."

))[Gilmore-Mother]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-58 TC1:30:24 ]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]

Even though Governor Jim Gilmore's mother passed away last week he still kept his meeting with Egypt's President.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Gilmore's mother died Thursday night.
Margaret K- Gilmore was 83 years old, and lived in Henrico County.
Because of her death, the Governor canceled the rest of his public schedule through Wednesday.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]


But he went ahead with a previously scheduled Internet summit yesterday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Mubarak was Gilmore's guest in northern Virginia to talk about how that area's "e-commerce" community could form partnerships with Egypt's growing Internet sector.

[Fulton-Truck]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-56 TC01:44]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]


After 60 years in business, Fulton Trucks Incorporated in Roanoke is closing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The company located on Shenandoah Avenue has been in the area since 1941.
Jay Blake, the General Manager, is retiring after working there 49 years and decided to sell the business.
Blake says he doesn't know what business will take over the property because he sold it to a financial investor in Roanoke.
(------------)



[Tobacco-Settlement]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Settlement]


A California jury has awarded 20- million dollars to a woman dying from smoking- related cancer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]


It's a landmark tobacco settlement.
What was different with this case is that it was the first involving a smoker who took up the habit after the Surgeon General ordered health warnings.
In her testimony, plaintiff Leslie Whiteley said she was misled by tobacco companies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:08:34]
[IN Q=I believe]

((LESLIE WHITELEY/SMOKER: I BELIEVED THE TOBACCO COMPANIES. And what did you think the tobacco companies were saying about whether or not cigarettes could cause serious disease: WHITELEY: THEY DENIED IT CAUSED CANCER.))
[SOT 3:07:27]

((WILLIAM OHLEMEYER/PHILIP MORRIS ATTORNEY: AND IT DEFIES COMMON SENSE TO SUGGEST THAT AN INDIVIDUAL LIKE THAT DID NOT MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ABOUT SMOKING, WASN'T WELL AWARE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING.))
[SUPER=01-Leslie Whiteley/Smoker; ]
[SUPER=01-William Ohlemeyer/Philip Morris Attorney; :14]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=associated with smoking]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Philip Morris plans to appeal.
(------------)



[Sheen]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Actor Charlie Sheen's real life often sounds more like a movie.
But a judge yesterday gave him another chance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Malibu, CA;]


Sheen was released two months early from probation for a misdemeanor battery conviction.
The probation stemmed from a 19-96 attack on a girlfriend.
It was extended after his father, actor Martin Sheen, reported last year that his son had nearly died of a drug overdose.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:40:48 ]
[IN Q=They say the]

((CHARLIE SHEEN/ACTOR: THEY SAY THE LONGEST JOURNEY BEGINS WITH A FIRST STEP AND THE FIRST STEP WAS TAKEN IN THIS COURTROOM ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO...AND SINCE THAT DAY, MY LIFE HAS IMPROVED DRASTICALLY. MY CAREER'S IMPROVED. ))
[SUPER=01-Charlie Sheen/Actor;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=career's improved]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Sheen was recently named Michael J- Fox's replacement on the sitcom "Spin City".
(------------)



[Wirtz-Machine]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-12 TC2:18:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Smith Mountain Lake man is becoming an expert at kicking people's rear ends.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

Bob Boothe geared this waterwheel to deliver a swift punt to the posterior. Now people from New York to California are stopping for a spanking. Boothe controls the impact.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:35:50]
[SOT 10:35:58]
[IN Q=It kicks]

((IT KICKS HARDER WHEN IT GOES FASTER. BUTT BUTT BUTT I'D PROBABLY PUT YOU ON FOR THE FAST SPEED. LAUGHS))
[SUPER=01-Bob Boothe/Inventor;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=nat laughs]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Boothe is a retired building contractor who says he has no enemies, so he tests this machine out on his friends. Two New York tourists were so impressed, they devoted a website to the invention, so even without driving, you can get your kicks.
(------------)

by SS