[News-Heads]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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


Fierce thunderstorms and deadly tornadoes made it a weekend not soon forgotten from the East coast to the Midwest.

At least three people died in a twister that struck Maryland.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR= Kimberly]


Meanwhile, the clean-up begins in Bedford-- where federal officials will decide whether or not it was a tornado that caused the damage.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]

Today we're seeing the calm after the storm with sunshine and decreasing winds....I'll have your sunny forecast.....

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]


News 7 at Noon starts right now...

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=It was just..]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=over with]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Bedford residents narrowly escape what some believe was a tornado.
Last night's storm destroyed dozens of homes and businesses....now the rebuilding begins.
(------------)



[Bedford-Tornado]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#02-06 1:32:50]
[GRAPHIC=News 7]


The skies over Bedford and Campbell County opened up around 4:30 yesterday afternoon. The clouds let loose rain, hail, and also brought treacherous winds.
The storm took its toll on the city of Bedford, leaving some buildings unsafe.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Kimberly/Jennifer Microwave;]


Jennifer Miele has been in Bedford since early this morning. Jennifer, how are the cleanup efforts going this afternoon?
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1;]
[SUPER=05-Bedford;]


((ROLLCUE:..take weeks to rebuild.))
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]
[SUPER=01-Tom Robinson/Bedford Business Owner; :15]
[SUPER=07-Carl Boggess; :57]
[SUPER=01-Patsy Graves/Bedford Hardware; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=one nail at a time.]



[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Bedford;]




[DOUBLE BOXES=Kimberly/Jennifer /Microwave;]




[National-Tornado]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Meanwhile, states from Missouri to Maryland are picking up the pieces after a weekend of tornadoes and thunderstorms left a path of destruction.
A twister in Maryland claimed three lives.
Aleen Sirgany has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-La Plata, MD;]
[SUPER=01-Nina Voehl/Charles Co. Public Information Officer; (third bite!!)]
[SUPER=01-Bill Eckman/La Plata Mayor;]
[SUPER=01-Eugene Mann/Trailer Park Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, ]
(

Plata (luh-PLAY'-tuh) in Maryland was especially hard hit... TORNADO BARRELED THROUGH THE CENTER OF TOWN RIPPING APART
EVERY THING IN IT'S PATH. SOME OF THE RESIDENTS OF LA PLATA, MARYLAND SAY THEY NARROWLY ESCAPED WITH THEIR LIVES. SOT:

(Resident (no name) "IT STARTED BUSTING ALL THE WINDOWS OUT, I LOOKED DOWN AND THE BOARD LANDED RIGHT BETWEEN MY LEGS.
" SOT: Resident ( not name) "MY CAR IS TOTALED, IT'S GO A TELEPHONE ON TOP OF IT, THEY SAY IF IT WASN'T FOR THE POLE, T

HE TORNADO WOULD HAVE PICKED US UP AND THROWN US, SO WE REALLY LUCKED OUT." OTHERS WEREN'T AS LUCKY.... AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE DIED and DOZENS WERE INJURED. PROPERTY DAMAGE IS MASSIVE....INCLUDING AN HISTORIC WATER TOWER BUILT IN THE 1920'S. S
OT: NINA VOEHL/CHARLES COUNTY PUBLIC INFO. OFFICER "HUNDREDS OF HOMES, hundreds of thousands in damage." SOT: BILL ECKM

AN /MAYOR, LA PLATA. "AS I LOOK AT THE HISTORIC TOWN, IT'S WIPED OUT, THE COMMERCIAL, THE BUSINESSES." (NATZ) LA PLATA MAY BE THE HARDEST HIT.... BUT FROM MISSOURI TO MARYLAND...PEOPLE ARE ASSESSING TORNADO DAMAGE TODAY. 15 HOMES IN THIS
VIRGINIA TRAILER PARK WERE DAMAGED...THE GOOD NEWS....NO ONE WAS HURT. SOT: EUGENE MANN/MOS, Trailer park Resident "I'M

JUST GLAD TO BE ALIVE, THAT'S ALL." (STANDUP: TO COME....NOT VERBATIM) BACK HERE IN LA PLATA....WITH PROPERTY DAMAGE SO SEVERE.. RESCUE CREWS ARE STILL PICKING THROUGH DEBRIS SEARCHING FOR ADDITIONAL VICTIMS... another big priority...is restoring power to thousands who are still in the dark. ))

[Trigon]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]


One of the Valley's biggest employers is merging with another company.
(--------------)

[VO]
Trigon Healthcare is merging with Anthem.
Anthem is based in Indianapolis, and company officials say that they plan to acquire the Virginia-based Trigon for about four BILLION dollars.
Under the agreement, Trigon's shareholders will receive 30 dollars in cash and just over one share of Anthem common stock per Trigon share.
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


Officials with both companies say they hope to close the deal in three to six months.
It must be approved by state and federal regulators, and by shareholders.
Trigon -- formerly Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia, turned for-profit in 1997.
It's the largest managed health care company in Virginia with about two MILLION members.

[Dupont]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


Dupont is cutting more jobs.
The chemical giant is slashing two thousand jobs at its textiles and interiors factories.
Dupont will close a plant in New York, and part of its spandex plant in Waynesboro.
The Virginia facility employs more than 14-hundred people, and cut nearly 200 jobs last spring.

[6CMI]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC-55:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A major announcement concerning Patrick County's future could come as early as today.
C-M-I Industries is expected to announce whether the company plans to close its plant and move to another county.
Justin McLeod has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Priscilla Lawson/Stuart Resident; :29]
[SUPER=@justin1; :44]
[SUPER=@armstrong; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Patrick County]

((((NAT SOUND OF WOMAN PUTTING GROCERIES INTO TRUNK))
As residents here in Stuart go about their daily routine, many have one thing on their mind...will the county's largest employer stay or go.
[SOT 11:44:24]
[IN Q=I feel for the people]

((JOANNE SPANGLER: I FEEL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE, I REALLY DO.))
[Runs= 03]
[OUT Q=I really do]


She's talking about employees of C-M-I.
It is a company located in downtown Stuart that manufactures elastic materials.
Employees of C-M-I have told elected officials the company is thinking of relocating, taking with it nearly three hundred jobs.
[SOT 11:48:02]
[IN Q=It would be a great]

((PRISCILLA LAWSON: IT WOULD BE A GREAT LOSS SINCE BASSETT WALKER CLOSED ALSO AND IT PUT PEOPLE OUT AND THEY WENT DOWN THERE AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOSE IT AGAIN.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=lose it again]


Whether that will come true is still unknown.
A company spokesperson declined to comment regarding the company's future plans.
[SOT 11:40:58]
[IN Q=Sources have told News 7]

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SOURCES HAVE TOLD NEWS 7 THE COMPANY IS THINKING OF RELOCATING TO HENRY COUNTY. A COUNTY SPOKESPERSON THERE WOULD NOT CONFIRM OR DENY, ONLY TO SAY THAT THE COUNTY EXPECTS TO MAKE A MAJOR ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT WITHIN WEEKS, ONE THAT WOULD BRING HUNDREDS OF JOBS TO HENRY COUNTY.))
[Runs= 15]
[OUT Q=to Henry County]

((NAT SOUND OF CARS DRIVING BY THE PLANT))
The company is also reportedly looking at plants in North Carolina and other parts of Virginia.
Area lawmakers would rather see those jobs remain right here in Patrick County.
[SOT 20:54:13]
[IN Q=While I represent]

((DEL. WARD ARMSTRONG: WHILE I REPRESENT HENRY COUNTY AS WELL I DON'T WANT TO SEE ONE LOCALITY IN SOUTHSIDE BENEFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER. I'D PREFER TO SEE NEW JOBS, A NET NEW JOBS NOT JUST SHIFTING FROM ONE LOCALITY TO ANOTHER.))


[Runs= 14]
[OUT Q=locality to another]


We should know what C-M-I plans to do sometime this week.
A company spokesperson says the company would make an announcement late Monday or early Tuesday.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Patrick County.))
[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


As tensions momentarily ease in the Middle East, Israel attacks some Palestinian sites on the west bank.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


Also after the former baseball star violates probation for the sixth time, a judge sends Darryl Strawberry to prison.

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


[music up full] [comm1]


[Middle-East]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Israel has attacked new Palestinian targets in the West Bank.
This, shortly after okaying an end to the siege of Yasser Arafat's headquarters .
Tom Fenton reports from Tel Aviv.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, West Bank; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gideon Meirt/Israeli Government Spokesman; :22]
[SUPER=01-Tom Fenton/CBS News; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=Fenton, CBS News, Tel Aviv.]

(( SCRIPT RTV In this grinding conflict, for every action there is a reaction. CBS The slaughter of four Jews Saturday in a settlement near RTV Hebron was followed today by an Israeli incursion into the heart of the Palestini Hebron was foll
owed today by an Israeli incursion into the heart of the Israeli government said the aim is to root out terror. (SOT G

IDEON MEIR, ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN) WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GO INTO HEBRON IN ORDER TO GO AFTER THE TERRORISTS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF TERRORISM WHICH IS ROOTED IN HEBRON. Hebron was one of the few Palestinian cities which had not been invaded in the Israeli offensive. The Israeli army, which made a number of arrests and confiscated explosives, said it would withdraw as quickly as possible. The explosives, said it would withdraw as quickly as possible. The ISRAELI GOVERNMENT BY TAKING THIS STEP OF REOCCUPYING HEBRON IS IN FACT DECLARING THAT ITS INTENTION IS TO CONTINUE THE WAR AGAINST THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. Meanwhile, preparations are being made to end the standoff at Yasir Arafat's compound in Ramallah, where the Palestinian leader has been surrounded by Israeli tanks for more than a month. (ON CAM TAG) IN A DEAL BROKERED BY THE WHITE HOUSE, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN WILL GUARANTEE CUSTODY OF WANTED TERRORISTS WHO ARE HOLED UP WITH ARAFAT. ARAFAT WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE THE COMPOUND, BUT APPARENTLY NOT FREE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. TOM FENTON CBS NEWS TEL AVIV. ))

[Germany-Silence]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]


In Germany, a moment of silence today to remember the 17 victims of the deadliest school shooting in the country's history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Erfurt, Germany;]


Students, parents, and teachers mourned outside the school before heading to the nearby city hall for counseling.
On Friday , 19- year- old former student Robert Steinhauser shot and killed 13 teachers, two students and a policeman before turning the gun on himself.
The school will remain closed until this fall.
Meanwhile, the mass murder has sparked criticism that teachers are not trained to look for signs of violence in their students-- and that Germany's school system may be too demanding.
(------------)




[Strawberry]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Former baseball star Darryl Strawberry say he's ready to do his time in prison and get it over with--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tampa, FL;]


Today a Florida judge sentenced the former New York Yankee to 18 months behind bars for violating his probation.
It stems from his 19-99 conviction on drug charges, and for solicitation of prostitution.
Strawberry was originally sent to a drug treatment center.
But he was kicked out last month for violating the rules.
Now he says he's ready to accept responsibility for his actions--
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[SOT 10:18:50]
[IN Q=My life is going]
[SUPER=01-Darryl Strawberry/Former Baseball Player;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=get this behind me.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The judge told Strawberry he hoped he's sincere for the sake of his friends, relatives and ``the community at large.''
(------------)



[Grammy-Prez]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The man who made the Grammy Awards a global television event is stepping down as president of the recording academy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA/February 27;]


Michael Greene made the announcement at an emergency board meeting on Saturday.
The meeting was called to discuss a sexual harassment investigation, in which Greene was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Industry insiders say that's just ONE of many reasons why Greene may have resigned.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:10:40 ]
[IN Q=It could have]

((PHIL GALLO/DAILY VARIETY VIDEO: IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT IT COULD HAVE BEEN ADMINISTRATIVE THINGS THAT HE DID. IT COULD HAVE BEEN "THE MUSIC CARES", AND THE WAY THAT WAS HANDLED, THEIR PHILANTHROPICAL ORGANIZATION.))
[SUPER=01-Phil Gallo/Daily Variety Video;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=philanthropical organiation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


At two million dollars a year plus perks, he was the highest paid non-profit executive in the country last year.


(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Greene will reportedly receive up to eight million dollars in a severance buyout.
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


Coming up next on the newscast,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

fans desperate to see the Statler Brothers may still have a small chance to get tickets. We'll tell you how after the break.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]



[Statler]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=NEt]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Salem Civic Center is now offering limited-view seats to the Statler Brothers concert in October.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :27]
[SUPER=@File;]

The Statlers will play the final concert of their Farewell Show in Salem on Saturday October 26th.
[SUPER=03-Salem/Last Week;]

Tickets to the show sold out in less than an hour and a half last week. Now, the Civic Center says the Statler Brothers' manager and promoter are authorizing the sale of 4-hundred side-view seats. Tickets for the additional seats will go on sale this Wednesday, May 1st, at 10 a.m. They can be purchased at the Salem Civic Center or through Ticketmaster.
(------------)



[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]


On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN six points. The NASDAQ has GAINED two points.

[super=460-y/6/x/2;]


[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

In sports, the Sixers try to catch up in the best-of-five series against the Celtics.....
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

...And even though he didn't win the race, Jeff Gordon was celebrating in victory lane yesterday. We'll tell you why after the break.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]



[S-Race]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-113 1:26:04]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]


Jimmie Johnson gave his hometown fans something to cheer about by winning the NAPA Auto Parts 500 in California.
The 26-year-old driver grew up only 100 miles from the Speedway - so in his case - home court advantage DID make a difference.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fontana, CA/FOX; :00]


Shawna Robinson is gonna bring out the first caution as she spins on lap 18.
Ricky Craven brings out the second yellow flag on the day, this one flies on lap 142.
The big crash is on lap 229 in the fourth turn.
Dale Earnhardt Junior and Kevin Harvick get together for the day's fifth caution.
Junior is taken to the hospital as a precaution, and has a bruised right ankle.
Car owner Jeff Gordon was extremely proud as Jimmie Johnson's crew then made a key call.
Giving him gas only on the final stop, he beats 23 year old Kurt Busch.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Jimmie Johnson/First Winston Cup Victory; :00]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=in victory lane"]



[ANCHOR=Kim]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]


Ricky Rudd was third, then Bill Elliott, and Mark Martin in fifth.
Points leader Sterling Marlin was 7th, Jeff Gordon 16th, Ward and Jeff Burton 18th and 19th, Rick Mast 32nd, Elliott Sadler 39th and Stacy Compton 41st.

[S-Sixers]


[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 1:44:36]
[GRAPHIC=NEWS 7 Sports]

The Philadelphia 76ers are staying in the game. They pulled out their first win - 108 to 103 - in the best-of-five series with Boston.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/NBC; :00]

The Celtics still lead the best-of-five series 2-games-to-1.
Allen Iverson scored 42 points for the Sixers, including eleven of his team's last 15.
Derrick Coleman scored the go-ahead basket on an over-the-head tip-in with 46 [SUPER=32-Philadelphia/108/Boston/103

;]seconds left.
Paul Pierce had 29 points and Antoine Walker added 27.
Walker hit seven three-pointers in the first half.
Series game four is Wednesday night in Philadelphia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Allen Iverson/Scored 42 Points; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=..something is wrong with you"]
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[S-AVS]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-117 1:26:28]
[GRAPHIC=avalanche]

The Salem Avalanche is hoping to blow out the Kinston Indians this afternoon... first pitch today is set for 1:05.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Indians vs. Avalanche; :00]


Yesterday, both teams would go in opposite directions on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately for the Avs, the direction was not good. IN the top of the fourth, Kinston infielder Eric Crozier goes to the opposite field with this three run homer, and the score is 3-nothnig, Indians out in front.
[SUPER=37-Kinston/12/Salem/3;]


Salem did show some fight in this one.
Justin Lincoln also used his bat to bounce this one way out --- he says bye bye to this pitch, over the left field w

all, 3-1 Kinston in the bottom of the fifth and the Indians roll 12-3.
(------------)


[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] FINAL LOOK AT THE WEATHER
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]
by SS