[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Coming up on News 7--
A small plane has crashed near Bluefield, West Virginia.
One man is confirmed dead.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And an out- of- court settlement is reached the case of a Texas woman who was paralyzed in an accident blamed on Firestone tires.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]
(adlib)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[Plane-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Plane Crash]
One man is dead after a small plane crashed near Bluefield, West Virginia.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
Sheriff's officials say the plane went down about a half-mile west of the Mercer County airport just before seven this morning.
The single-engine Cessna 3-10 was on a flight from Lewisburg to Bluefield.
According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the unidentified pilot was alone.
The cause of the crash has not been determined but visibility was poor and about two inches of snow had fallen at the time of the crash.
(-------------)
[School-Info]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info]
Some parts of the viewing area are seeing snow today-- others just rain.
But some schools are changing their schedules.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FS]
(adlib schools)
(-------------)
(toss to Shannon)
[WX-One]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
(Kim tosses to Shannon)
[WX CENTER]
(Shannon Adlibs Forecast)
[WXPRO=FULL]
(toss back to Kimberly)
[Firestone]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Attorneys for a paralyzed woman from Texas confirm they've reached a deal with Ford and Bridgestone-Firestone.
Donna Bailey was paralyzed in an accident blamed on defective Firestone tires.
Bailey's 100- million- dollar lawsuit would have been the first to go to trial since the massive tire recall last summer.
Sharyl Attkisson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX; :00]
[SUPER=04-Home Video - Plaintiff's Atty.; :06]
[SUPER=01-Donna Bailey/Plaintiff; :35]
[SUPER=01-Sharyl Attkisson/Reporting; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=on the horizon.]
[American]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
In other transportation news, financial trouble is looming for Trans World Airlines.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]
Several media reports say American Airlines is about to purchase the financially- strapped T-W-A.
T-W-A, however, is NOT confirming those reports.
In a brief statement, T-W-A says the airline is "open to consideration of business combinations that will be beneficial.''
American Airlines is also taking a "no comment" approach to the report.
American will reportedly announce the deal on Wednesday, after T-W-A files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
No word yet on a dollar amount for the deal.
(------------)
[Bush]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Confirmation hearings may not go smoothly for a couple of President- Elect Bush's cabinet nominees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Democratic senators are criticizing Bush's selection of John Ashcroft for Attorney General.
[SUPER=04-NBC "Meet the Press";]
On news programs yesterday, legislators debated over whether Ashcroft will be able to pursue the civil rights laws that he's argued against for two decades.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:02:09]
[IN Q=I think]
((SENATOR JON KYL/R- ARIZONA: I THINK TO LAUNCH PRE- EMPTIVE ATTACKS ON JON ASHCROFT.... TRYING TO PROMOTE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Jon Kyl/(R) Arizona;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=trying to promote.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Meanwhile, Bush's Labor Secretary nominee Linda (Shah-vez) Chavez is in the hot seat for offering a home and financial aid to an illegal alien during the early '90s.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:02:32]
[IN Q=This is the labor]
((SEN. TOM DASHLE/D- SOUTH DAKOTA: THIS IS THE LABOR SECRETARY... ALL OF THESE LAWS.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/(D) South Dakota;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=all of these laws]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Meanwhile, the incoming Bush administration is defending Chavez.
A spokesman says Chavez has a long history of taking needy people into her home.
[Clement]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Clement]
Danville Democrat Whitt Clement formally announced his candidacy for attorney general about a half hour ago.
Clement says he's raised almost a half million dollars during a month-long exploratory campaign.
He's served Danville for 13 years in the House of Delegates.
[SS=Campaign 2001]
Also seeking the Democratic nomination for attorney general is Richmond-area Delegate Don McEachin (``muh-KEECH'-in'') and Roanoke Senator John Edwards.
[Mideast-Peace]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Mideast Peace]
President Clinton is facing tough odds if he's still hoping to broker a Middle East peace agreement before he leaves office.
Kimberly Dozier has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Kimberly Dozier/Reporting;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Dozier, CBS News, London.]
((The answer on the street to the proposed American peace deal...was unanimous.
Many Israeli Jews say it gives much of their city, and their country, away --
The government has accepted it as a starting point, but tens of thousands of Israelis plan to rally against it, in what could be one of the biggest demonstrations Israel has ever seen.
It was the same on Palestinian streets, and from Palestinian official circles.
They called President Clinton's last ditch offer, an Israeli proposal with American packaging.
President Clinton had spelled out what he called a painful proposition, which required sacrifices on both sides. He's giving it his last moments in office, before leaving what's left of the deal...to an uncertain fate.
The Bush administration has spoken of a less hands-on approach.
Israeli leaders...and would-be leaders...are trying to press their own advantage in the frantic dash to the finish -- right-wing leader Ariel Sharon is campaigning for votes, arguing only a firm hand will bring
peace...after fourteen weeks of violence.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak is reminding Israelis...the last time Sharon applied a 'firm hand,' against violence like this (show Palestinian violence and Israeli armaments again), it was in Lebanon...and it took
Israel decades, and thousands of lives, to get out.
KD, CBS News, London))
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Roanoke Express players and coaches talk about the indictment of two former team executives.
We'll hear from them next on News 7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And later, this dog really raised a stink-- after he fell into a collapsed septic tank.
(---------------)
[Streaming Video]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[E-Mancuso]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-46; 1:14:19]
[GRAPHIC=Mancuso]
Former Roanoke Express General Manager Tony Mancuso was indicted last week.
A pair of three- count indictments charge Mancuso and his former assistant James Higginbotham with embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretenses, and grand larceny.
All of the allegations stem from the 1998-99 season.
But, as Kate Weidaw reports, some Express officials say the problems still persist today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/1998; :00]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :13]
[SUPER=01-Mike Peron/Express Captain; :49]
[SUPER=01-Steve Hartman/Lee Hartman & Sons; 1:47]
[SUPER=@Kate1; 2:19]
[RUNS=2:36]
[OUT Q=kw news 7 Roanoke.]
((During the 1998-99 season Tony Mancuso was considered by Express players and the coaching staff as a manager who gave his employees what they wanted.
[SOT 23:45:44]
[INQ=]
((PERRY FLORIO/HEAD COACH: TONY TOOK GOOD CARE OF HIS EMPLOYEES IN THAT HE TREATED THEM VERY WELL FOR THE MOST PART HE GAVE THEM WHAT THEY WANTED.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]
Head Coach Perry Florio was an assistant while Mancuso was the General Manager. Florio says at the time, he didn't realize Mancuso was allegedly making trade out arrangements intended for the benefit of the team that winded up being used for Mancuso's personal use. Mike Peron, the team's Captain, says he thought some of the perks Mancuso provided was a sign of the times for the organization.
[SOT 1:09:48]
[INQ=]
((MIKE PERON/EXPRESS CAPTAIN: WE HAD FELT LIKE THINGS HAD PROGRESSED HERE AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP HAD INCREASED OR TICKET SALES WERE INCREASING AND REVENUE WAS LARGER THEN IT WAS IN THE PAST AND THAT'S THE MAIN REASON THESE GUYS FELT THESE THINGS WERE COMING OUT.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 20]
But Florio says that wasn't the case.
[SOT 23:49:06]
[INQ=]
((PERRY FLORIO: PROMISES WERE MADE TO SPONSORS AND BUSINESSES AND THEN NOTHING WAS EVER GIVEN TO THEM OR FOLLOWED THROUGH, AND I THINK THAT HURT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FRANCHISE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 13]
The team's current general manager, Mark Fackrell, says it wasn't until after Mancuso and his assistant James Higginbotham left the organization that they realized it was "swimming in red ink". Payments to several businesses were late or never paid. One of those businesses was Lee Hartman and Sons. As a result it stopped sponsoring the team for two years.
[SOT 3:30]
[INQ=]
((STEVE HARTMAN: DURING THE INVESTIGATION WE WERE BEING INVESTIGATED TO SEE WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE WITH THE ROANOKE EXPRESS ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO WRONG DOING ON OUR PART WE JUST FELT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO BACK AWAY FROM THE SITUATION.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 14]
Hartman says they resumed sponsoring the team this season but were not as generous as they were in the past.
Florio says while the organization is paying its past bills, there's another problem.
[SOT 23:51:05]
[INQ=]
((PERRY FLORIO: WHILE WE'RE TRYING TO REPAY BILLS AND PLAY CATCH UP, ATTENDANCE IS DROPPING ITS A DOUBLE EDGED SWORD, LESS PEOPLE ARE COMING AND NOW WE OWE MORE MONEY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS= 10]
[STANDUP]
[INQ=]
((KATE WEIDAW/REPORTING: MEANWHILE MANCUSO'S ATTORNEY SAYS HE'S "OUTRAGED" BY THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE THREE COUNT INDICTMENT.
THE ATTORNEY SAID MANCUSO WAS NOT FIRED IN 1999 FOR STEALING FROM THE HOCKEY TEAM.. HE WAS MERELY LET GO.
CURRENTLY MANCUSO IS EMPLOYED IN WHAT HIS ATTORNEY SAID WAS A "HIGH LEVEL JOB" NOT IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT. KATE WEIDAW NEWS7 ROANOKE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS=]))
[Roanoke-Suicide]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:33:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke police say a man found hanging from a tree limb committed suicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Sunday]
An off-duty officer walking his dog on Roanoke Avenue southwest discovered the body yesterday afternoon.
The man had a plastic bag over his head, and his hands were tied behind his back.
He had on a coat and several other layers of clothing.
Police say there were no signs of a struggle.
The man has been identified, but his name has not been released.
(------------)
[Hodges]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Anonymous tips led Roanoke police to a man facing federal drug charges.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE PICTURE FS]
27-year old Christopher W. Hodges was wanted by the Drug Enforcement Agency and local police.
Police say several anonymous tips lead authorities to believe Hodges was at the Villager Motel in Roanoke County yesterday evening.
He was arrested without incident.
(-------------)
[SOL-Hearings]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=SOL's]
Virginians can voice their opinions on changes to the Standards of Learning tests today.
Hearings are scheduled in several Virginia cities for public comment on proposed changes in the history and social science S-O-Ls.
The nearest hearing in our area takes place at Marion Senior High School. It begins at seven tonight.
A handful of committees, mostly made up of teachers, recommend rewriting the history curriculum from kindergarten to 12th grade.
The proposed changes are designed to address concerns that the 19-95 standards were too broad and failed to reflect cultural diversity.
The state Board of Education could vote on the changes next month.
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Castaway is all alone at the top of the box-office list this week.
That's just one of the stories still ahead on News 7 at Noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And we'll take you to the world's largest man-made snow and ice garden.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[Dog-Rescue]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
This dog is REALLY in need of a bath--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Reno, NV;]
13- year- old Gus fell into a collapsed septic tank over the weekend in Reno, Nevada.
Firefighters went to the rescue after Gus' owners heard his cries for help.
His owners said they didn't even realize there was a septic tank on their property.
Even though Gus was trapped for several hours, rescuers were able to save him.
He's heading to the vet today, but his owners say he's okay, just a little shaken up...
(------------)
[Box-Office]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Cast Away has a strong hold on the box office.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT 03NA - 03:40:37]
[SUPER=04-"Cast Away"; HOT CHANGE]
[SUPER=04-20th Century Fox;]
For the third straight weekend, the movie starring Tom Hanks finished number one.
Cast Away took in an estimated 24 million dollars this weekend. In the 17 days since its release, ''Cast Away'' has earned more than 143 million dollars.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE FS SUPER]
[SUPER=77-Cast Away/What Women Want/Traffic/Miss Congeniality/The Family Man;]
Mel Gibson's romantic comedy ''What Women Want,'' remains in second
place, Traffic is number three, Miss Congeniality and the Family Man wrap up this week's list.
(-------------)
[Super=#555;reset]
[Ice-Festival]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
When you're shivering, sometimes it's easy to forget the beauty of snow and ice--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harbin, China;]
But that's not the case in northern China.
Residents there have built a winter fantasy world for the 17th annual International Ice and Snow Festival.
Boasting the world's largest man-made ice and snow garden, it covers 34- hundred square feet.
Six man-made suns, laser lights, and colored ice lights go to make the Ice and Snow world a spectacular winter wonderland...
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 28 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Coming up, a Hurricane hit the Cassell last night, but the Lady Hokies were on guard.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And the Giants were looking for their NINTH straight win over the resurgent Eagles yesterday.
We'll have N-F-L playoff highlights up next in sports.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[S-Giants]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-91 (18:40)]
[GRAPHIC=GIANTS/EAGLES]
The New York Giants returned the opening kickoff all the way to the N-F-C Championship game yesterday, in a 20-to-10 win over Philadelphia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-East Rutherford, NJ/FOX SPORTS; :]
Both teams were fired up at the Meadowlands as the kickoff was just minutes away.
The Giants got the early lead. On the game's opening kickoff, Ron Dixon cuts it back up the middle and he takes it 97 yards to the house and the Giants took the 7 to nothing lead and set the tone of the game.
New York's defense was just as good. The defense accounted for six sacks and held Donovan McNabb to 20 of 41 passing and 141 yards.
[SUPER=30-N.Y. Giants/20/Philadelphia/10/;]
The defense continued to apply the pressure. On this play Jason (SEE-horn) Sehorn makes the diving interception and he takes it 35 yards for the touchdown and the Giants beat the Eagles 20 to 10.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Our defense...]
[SUPER=01-Jim Fassel/Giants Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=....to keep him."]
(--------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]
With the win, the Giants host next weekend's N-F-C title game against the Minnesota Vikings. It's New York's first tr
ip to the title game since 1991.
[S-Titans]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-81 (38:57)]
[GRAPHIC=Titans/Ravens]
Baltimore is headed to California to take on the Oakland Raiders in the A-F-C championship game.
Two fourth quarter touchdowns sent Tennessee packing 24 to 10.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nashville, TN/CBS SPORTS; :]
The Titans opened the scoring in the first quarter when Eddie George takes it in from the 2, to make it 7 to nothing.
But the Ravens answered in the second quarter when (juh-MAHL) Jamal Lewis takes the pitch and scores from one yard out to tie it at 7 to 7.
Tennessee's Al Del (GREH-coh) Greco missed two field goals in the first half. Then in the third this attempt is blocked.
Baltimore's Anthony Mitchell scoops it up and takes it 90 yards for the score, to make it 17 to 10 Ravens.
[SUPER=30-Baltimore/24/Tennessee/10/;]
The Ravens sealed the win when Ray Lewis intercepts this Eddie George miscue.
He takes it 50 yards for the score.
The Ravens beat the Titans 24 to 10.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="if it...]
[SUPER=01-Ray Lewis/Scored T-D on Interception; :]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=....right now."]
(-------------)
[Coaches]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=BUFFALO BILLS]
While the Giants and Ravens are rolling, Buffalo is looking for a new head coach.
The Bills fired Wade Phillips after 3 years.
Buffalo finished 8-and-8 this season and did not make the playoffs.
[GRAPHIC=BOSTON CELTICS]
Meanwhile in basketball, Rick (pih-TEE-noh) Pitino has stepped down as head coach and president of the Boston Celtics after 3-and-a-half-years.
Celtics assistant Jim O'Brien will take over as interim head coach.
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-89 (11:59)]
[GRAPHIC=Big East]
In Blacksburg, The Lady Hokies of Virginia Tech scored their first Big East win by beating Miami at the Cassell 64-to-51.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/HTS; :]
The Hokies jumped out to the early lead.
Sarah Hicks sets up in the corner and hits the three pointer and the Hokies led 16 to 9.
Tech led by 7 until Miami's Shelia James pulled up and hit this three cutting the lead to 4, 18 to 14.
But the Hokies went on a 11 to 2 run--
(terry) Tere Williams scores the short jumper in the paint, and the Hokie lead was 8.
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/64/Miami/51/;]
Then point -guard Amy Wetzel hits the jumper, drawing the foul.
Tech led by 8 ,and the Hokies win the game 64 to 51.
(------------)
[S-UVA]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-85 (49:50)]
[GRAPHIC=ACC Logo]
The Lady Cavaliers of Virginia suffered their first A-C-C loss yesterday losing to Georgia Tech 70 to 65.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/HTS; :]
Debbie Ryan and the Lady Cavs on the road in Atlanta.
It was a close first half.
When Virginia's (tuh-LEE-shuh) Taleshia Quarles hit the baseline jumper, the game was tied at 27 to 27.
But Georgia Tech would answer.
Alex Stewart drives to the hoop and scores, and the game was tied again 37-37.
Virginia took the lead early in the second half when Sky Larue hits the jumper to make it 45 to 44.
[SUPER=33-Georgia Tech/70/Virginia/65/;]
But Georgia Tech's Alex Stewart turned it around late in the half.
Georgia Tech wins it 70 to 65.
(------------)
by SS