[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
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[VO-NAT]
Next on News7--
The Chinese are accusing the crew of a grounded American spy plane of violating international law.
A live update, coming up.
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And roadway re- construction is putting a damper on afternoon traffic in Lynchburg.
We'll tell you which road to avoid.
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[TALENT=Jacey]
[SS=None]
We started with cloudy skies again today but the sun will make it's late entrance... just like yesterday. Next up in the forecast... a warming trend!
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
Keep it tuned here-- News 7 at noon is straight ahead.
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
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[VO-NAT]
A care package is sent the U-S navy crew members held in China--
Despite the goodwill gesture, there's still no sign that the stand-off will end anytime soon.
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[Hale]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=01-08]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A Roanoke man charged with murder appeared in court this morning .. after more than three months on the run.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Earl Allen Hale was arrested in Petersburg last night, on murder, malicious wounding, and firearms charges.
Allen stands accused of killing 27 year old Charlene Ramsey at the Hot Rods Car Care in Roanoke in January.
Hale is currently being held without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May.
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[Pulaski-Body]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-14 TC18:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Authorities have identified a body that was discovered in the town of Pulaski...
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
Police say it is 50-year-old William Lee Hurley.
He was found in a coal yard at the end of First Street yesterday.
Hurley is reportedly a Pulaski resident.
Investigators do not suspect foul play in the case but are waiting for a report from the medical examiners office before releasing more details.
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[220-AX]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jen]
[TAPE#=01-04]
[GRAPHIC=accident]
An accident tied up traffic for about a half an hour this morning -
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
On 220 North in front Hunting Hills Plaza, police say two cars collided head- on.
One person was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
There is no word yet on her condition.
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[Post-Office]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Postal Service Reward]
The U-S Postal Service is offering a 50-thousand dollar reward for information about the robbery of the Nathalie Post Office.
The post office was robbed about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon.
The suspect is described as a black male wearing a dark mask, red flannel shirt and blue jeans.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN PHONE #]
Any one with information is asked to call the Postal Inspector's office at (540) 985-8755.
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[Postal-Rates]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=US Postal Service]
Meanwhile, postal RATES are on the minds of many people these days--
In order to solve its financial problems, the postal service is considering closing some offices and possibly eliminating Saturday service--
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:02:40]
[IN Q=The financial problems]
((WILLIAM HENDERSON/POSTMASTER GENERAL: THE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS OF THE POSTAL SERVICE RIGHT NOW COME FROM THE SOFTENING OF THE DEMAND FOR MAIL. IT'S WAY UNDER WHAT WE EXPECTED. I THINK YOU SEE THAT IN BUSINESSES ACROSS THE U.S...SO WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS OF COST- CUTTING. ))
[SUPER=01-William Henderson/Postmaster General;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=of cost- cutting.]
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The postal service is projected a two- to- three- BILLION- dollar loss this fiscal year.
[Waterlick]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
V-DOT is urging motorists traveling through Lynchburg to avoid Waterlick Road.
Roadway re- construction is causing major delays and congestion on Waterlick, between Lawyer's and Leesville Roads.
This portion of the re- construction will continue for about a month.
Drivers should try to use alternate routes.
[Fishing-Boat]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Hopes are fading that rescuers will find any survivors from a fishing boat lost at sea off the coast of Alaska.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bering Sea, AK;]
Bad weather is hampering the Coast Guard's efforts.
15- fisherman were aboard the Arctic Rose, which sank Monday morning.
So far, only the body of the ship's captain is recovered.
It's one of the worst commercial fishing disasters ever in Alaskan waters.
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[Osprey-Crash]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Marine officials say failure of the hydraulic system led to last December's fatal crash
of an Osprey plane in North Carolina.
They say a computer software problem made the situation even worse.
According to the report, crew members reacted correctly and are NOT considered at fault in the crash that killed four people.
[Mascot]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-03 TC1:39:10]
[GRAPHIC=Mascot]
The Montgomery County School board will address the Blacksburg high school Indian mascot issue next week.
One member of the board says chances are the mascot will be voted out.
Some in the community find it offensive to Native Americans while others see it as a symbol of pride.
Teresa Hamilton has more on two proposals that will be put forward by the school board.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Indian]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Friday Football Extra; :00]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/February; :13]
[SUPER=@teresa2;]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.]
(( The Indian logo has been associated with Blacksburg high school and its sporting events for at least 50- years.
[nat sound]
[runs03]
But under two proposals put forth by the Montgomery County school board Blacksburg High may have to find another symbol to represent its teams.
Under one proposal...
The Indian mascot and Indian name would both be eliminated.
The school board has also put forth another option which board member Jim Klagge describes as a middle of the road approach.
This policy would eliminate the mascot but would keep the Blacksburg Indian name.
Both policies will likely generate debate next week.
That's when the school board will hold a public hearing.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.))
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[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]
[SS=HOLD]
The public hearing will be at Blacksburg high school next Tuesday at 7:30 pm.
Board member Jim (clog-uh) Klagge says chances are the board will adopt one of the policies at its April 17th meeting.
[Ericsson]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC51:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Com-Net Ericsson has been sold.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]
Published reports say Bermuda- based Tyco International has purchased Com- Net, which makes mobile radio systems for local governments and emergency personnel.
Com- Net employs about 650 people at three different facilities in Central Virginia.
It's not clear whether any jobs will be affected by the move which still must be approved by the federal government.
Com-Net bought the mobile radio division from Ericsson in January of last year.
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[11Welcome-Center]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=Jus]
[TAPE#=501-03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Visitors to Danville now have a place to turn to on weekends.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]
The city's Visitors Center will now open on Saturdays so people can easily get information on Danville's attractions and events.
The Chamber of Commerce says the center received requests from the public asking for the extended hours.
Danville has also seen an increased amount of traffic on weekends due to the Virginia International Raceway and Averett College football games.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:08:30]
[IN Q=If they stop in]
((MARGARET McMANN/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: IF THEY STOP IN AS JUST A QUICK VISITOR THEY MAY SEE SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT TO COME BACK. WE ARE VERY BIG ON THE CIVIL WAR TRAILS HERE, VICTORIAN HISTORY AND SO THAT MAY ENTICE THEM A LITTLE BIT.))
[SUPER=01-Margaret McMann/Chamber of Commerce]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=them a little bit]
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[VO-NAT]
Right now, the Visitors Center will be open from 9 to 2 on Saturdays.
If there's enough interest, the center will consider extending those hours even further.
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by SS