WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/16/96

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None

A North Cross High School star athlete dies suddenly from apparent cardiac arrest.
There's word of a new hostage situation in Chechnya.
And five years later, remembering the Gulf War.
(/////////////)
TALENT=
SS=None
It looks like it's going to be a bit chilly and damp this afternoon. We may see some afternoon drizzle. I'll have the forecast for you in a few minutes.
(////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
ss=None

Don't go away, the news is next.

Hooper

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cst
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE

An 18-year-old North Cross student died yesterday afternoon of an apparent heart attack.
Grayson Hooper of Salem was the Captain of the Football Team, and a member of the wrestling team.
He complained he wasn't feeling well while working out on the track at the school.
While resting, he passed out, and could not be revived through C.P.R.
He was pronounced dead at Lewis Gale Hospital.
A counselor is on hand today at the Roanoke County school to help students deal with the tragedy.

high-rise

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=fire

Some terrifying moments this morning for office workers in downtown Boston.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Boston;

A seven- alarm fire broke out in a 10 story office building shortly before eight.
The fire started on the fifth floor and the smoke quickly spread to the upper floors.
More than a dozen people found themselves trapped on the top floor.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((WILLIAM OATS: I WAS ON THE TENTH FLOOR AND WERE WERE LUCKY TO GET OUT OF THERE AS YOU CAN SEE I'M IN A SHAMBLES. GORDON BARRETT: IT GOT SCARY AT THE END BECAUSE THE OFFICE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND THEY COULD ONLY BREATH BY STANDING AT THE WINDOW...FIREFIGHTERS CAME AND SAVED THEM. THANK GOD AND THANKS TO THE BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT. ))
SUPER=07-William Oats; :00
SUPER=07-Gordon Barrett; :08
RUNS=:26
OUT Q=BOSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Six people, including a firefighters were injured.
Damage is estimated at half a million dollars.
(----------------)

Barber-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=am
WRITER=spr
TAPE#95-114
GRAPHIC=Fire

What was one of Rocky Mount's oldest buildings, is now in ruins after a blaze ripped through it yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;

Fire gutted a barber shop and an adjacent auction house yesterday morning.
They were located in the Old Mount Theater...a 60-year old building.
Fire officials think the blaze started in the back of the barbershop.
They suspect a kerosene heater could be the source.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:57:05
IN Q=i think
((CHIEF POSEY DILLON/ROCKY MOUNT FIRE DEPARTMENT: I THINK FROM WHAT... I HAVE TO GATHER IT WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE WAS ONE LOCATED WITHIN, WHETHER THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, WE'RE NOT SURE. ))
SUPER=01-Chief Posey Dillon/Rocky Mount Fire Department;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=not sure.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

A fire fighter suffered a heart attack during the blaze.
He is in stable condition at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

RUSSIA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

The hostage crisis in southern Russia drags-on despite a massive attack on the hostage-takers--
Chechen rebels are holed-up in a small and now heavily-damaged village.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Chechnya where 30 workers were seized at a power plant in the capital, Grozny and taken away in buses.
Tom Fenton has the latest from Moscow.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Pervomayskaya, Russia; :00
SUPER=01-Tom Fenton/Reporting; 1:10
RUNS=1:27
OUT Q=Tom Fenton, CBS News, Moscow.

GULF-WAR

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

Five years ago today Americans watched and listened as the Persian Gulf War began.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-January 16, 1991;.

The campaign against Iraq and Saddam Hussein, led by 450-thousand U-S troops, lasted six weeks.
Some analysts are still debating whether the U-S-led coalition should have tried to oust Saddam after driving his forces from Kuwait.
Today he still has a firm grip on power but foreign policy experts say Iraq's economy is in trouble and its 20 million people are suffering.
(----------------)

whitewater

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=washington dc

The Senate Whitewater committee resumed its hearings this morning, and it now appears the committee will be working far past its February 29th deadline.
The chairman says he expects to extend the investigation another two or three months.
Meanwhile, a White House aide reportedly will appear before a Whitewater grand jury in Arkansas today.
A source says investigators want to quiz Carolyn Huber about how she recently found some old law-firm billing records for Hillary Rodham Clinton.
The records were subponaed two years ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

Yesterday in an interview with National Public Radio Mrs. Clinton said she would be willing to testify before the Senate Whitewater panel, if it would clear things up.
But she says the committee is very partisan and fears she wouldn't be treated fairly.
(----------------)

tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

When News 7 returns,
Virginia's state song hits a sour note once again with politicians.
(---------------)
VO-NAT
And a man who may have provided a huge chunk of the cocaine sold in the U-S is behind bars.
(----------------)
wx While it is fairly chilly out there today, we're still expecting warmer air for the week. Highs tomorrow should reach near 50 degrees. This afternoon may be a little drizzly with more rain in the forecast by Thursday. I'll tell you more about that in a few minutes. music up full
comm1

DRUG-LORD

ANCHOR=MEL
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

One of the world's most wanted drug traffickers faces a U-S magistrate today in Texas.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Juan Garcia Abrego arrived in Houston last night after being arrested Sunday in Mexico.
The alleged leader of mexico's cocaine cartel was also on the F-B-I's ten most wanted list, indicted in 19-93.
His arrest is being seen as a victory on both sides of the border.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((MANUEL PEREZ/MEXICO CONSUL: I THINK THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS ABOUT EFFORTS THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DOING IN THE PAST YEARS FOR PREVENTING DRUG TRAFFICKING. ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=DRUG TRAFFICKING.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Authorities say Garcia Abrego may have provided up to one-third of all the cocaine sold in the United States.
(----------------)

Ramos

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=am
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=State Police Investigation

A Lexington police officer has been cleared of any wrong doing after an investigation into a citizen's complaint.
Last Fall a woman filed a warrant against officer Mark Ramos, charging him with assault and battery during an arrest.
Ramos had been suspended with pay, pending a state police investigatation.
He was back on duty yesterday.

Cardwell

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-01
GRAPHIC=scales

A lawsuit against Pittsylvania County officials for allegedly using bogus subpoenas during child abuse investigations has been settled out-of-court.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./Nov. 1995;

The Home School Legal Defense Association last fall agreed to represent Daniel and Laurie Cardwell-- who home school two of their four children.
Their attorney says a social worker tried to use an illegal subpoena to force the family into cooperating with an investigation of alleged child abuse.
No charges were ever filed.
The Cardwell's were awarded three-thousand dollars.
Their attorney says the Pittsylvania County Department of Social Services also has to sign an agreement promising not to use unauthorized subpoenas.
(----------------)

State-Song

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#95-112
GRAPHIC=State seal
"Carry Me Back to Ole Virginny" isn't the tune some people want to carry--
Once again the state song is being criticized for what some say are objectionable lyrics.
Ellen Qualls has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Carry me back
SUPER=03-Richmond/January 1995; :00
SUPER=03-Richmond; :17
SUPER=01-Del. Bob Marshall/(R) Manassas; :33
SUPER=@Marye; 1:00
SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:26
RUNS=1:36
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( nat sot
((Carry me back to ole Virginny.))
runs=:07

So far so good.
But when you get to the part about the "darky's heart" and "Ole Massa," that's where the voices of historic preservation lose a little volume.
But hey, check out "The Old Dominion," written in 1987 and pitched ever since as a non- threatening substitute.
nat sot
((MY SONG IS FOR THE OLD DOMINION, HOW I LOVE THIS LAND!))
runs=:10

sot 03:48:12
((DEL. BOB MARSHALL/R-MANASSAS: MUSIC IS A FORM OF INSTRUCTION. THE ORIGINAL SONG WAS INTRODUCED TO EDUCATE THE KIDS ABOUT VIRGINIA. WE CAN'T USE THAT SONG ANYMORE. AND IT'S KIND OF A SITUATION THAT IF WE GO BACK TO THE REASON FOR THE ORIGINAL STATE SONG, WE SHOULD CHANGE IT AND HAVE THIS SONG RIGHT NOW. AND IF YOU'RE GONNA ASK ME TO SING IT, I'LL JUST TELL YOU MY FRIEND. I'M AGAINST EUTHANASIA.))
RUNS=:19

Northern Virginia arch-conservative Bob Marshall is NOT what political observers would call a voice for "political correctness."
But that doesn't mean he's got a better shot with this bill.
SOT 05:02:11
((SEN. MADISON MARYE/D-SHAWSVILLE: I THINK THAT A STATE SONG SHOULD SPRING FROM THE PEOPLE, I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE POPULAR. I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE WIDELY KNOWN AND SUNG BEFORE IT BECOMES THAT STATE SONG.))
RUNS=:13

Marye's given it a lot of thought.
He was the last one, last year, to fight for the song to be changed.
He only tried--
SOT 05:02:41
((SEN. MADISON MARYE: OH JUST ONE TIME. AND I TOOK A LICKING ON IT. AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO DO IT AGAIN.))
RUNS=:07

nat sot 14:39:42
((NOW THE REST IS UP TO YOU AND ME.))
runs=:03

And Bob Marshall's ability to twist some arms on a very sensitive issue.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))
Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come on News 7,
Will the snow of 96 become the flood of 96?
(----------------)
VO-NAT

and Deputies at the Bedford Sheriff's Department are spending more time on the streets.
We'll tell you how these ladies have helped.
(-------------)
music up full comm2

Bedford-Volunteers

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#95-107
GRAPHIC=NONE

Another force has been added to the Bedford County sheriff's department.
The price tag? Nothing.
Steve Smallshaw explains.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Meet Carol and
SUPER=03-Bedford; :00
SUPER=01-Mike Brown/Bedford Co. Sheriff; :16
SUPER=01-Bevie Johnson/TRIAD Volunteer; :46
SUPER=01-Carol Duus/TRIAD Volunteer; 1:09
SUPER=@ssm2; 1:16
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.

((Meet Carol and Bevie...the two newest members of the Bedford County sheriff's department.
natsot 2:06:48
((LET ME GET THIS OFF HERE AND WE CAN MAKE OUR COPIES...))
RUNS=:04

They may not wear badges and guns, but these two senior citizens are providing valuable assistance to Sheriff Mike Brown and his staff.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:36:08
IN Q=Whether you're
((SHERIFF MIKE BROWN/BEDFORD CO.: WHETHER YOU'RE WITH THE STATE POLICE, THE CITY OR COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS JUST SHORTHANDED. WE NEED ASSISTANCE.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=need assistance.

That's where Carol and Bevie come in.
They're both members of Bedford County's TRIAD program, which provides links between law enforcement and senior citizens.
Starting this week, ten elderly volunteers are lending their time and expertise to chores like sorting through the department's daily avalanche of paperwork.
All that helps free up deputies for more important law enforcement duties.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:14:20
IN Q=I've worked some
((BEVIE JOHNSON/TRIAD VOLUNTEER: I'VE WORKED SOME WITH COMPUTERS, I ENJOY WORKING WITH COMPUTERS. I AM RETIRED NOW AND I HOPE TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE AND IT ALSO HELPS ME.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=helps me.

After less than two hours on the job, both women seemed right at home in their new part- time careers.
They hope to get other senior citizens involved as well.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:21:12
IN Q=We would like
((CAROL DUUS/TRIAD VOLUNTEER: WE WOULD LIKE OTHER PEOPLE TO GET INTERESTED BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A FUN THING TO GET OUT AND SEE NEW PEOPLE AND NEW ADVENTURES. AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE BEFORE WE'RE FINISHED.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=we're finished.

It's a partnership both sides seem thrilled with.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))

No-Flooding

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#95-110
GRAPHIC=NONE

Will all the melting snow now cause flooding problems?
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The warm temperatures combined with the threat of rain in the forecast later in the week has created some concerns.
But the National Weather Service isn't sounding any alarms just yet.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:34:11
IN Q=
((JEFF STEWART/NWS METEOROLOGIST: RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. THE RIVER LEVELS AND STREAM LEVELS AROUND THE AREA ARE VERY LOW RIGHT NOW, MAINLY BECAUSE WE HAD SUCH A VERY DRY DECEMBER. ))
SUPER=01-Jeff Stewart/NWS Meteorologist;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=very dry December.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Rain is in the forecast for Thursday.
The National Weather Service is predicting less than an inch of rain.
Stewart says as long as it doesn't amount to more than an inch there shouldn't be any problems with flooding.
(----------------)

WEATHER
SUPER=300-34/66/SE-7/30.46/F/70/1974/-4/1972;
SUPER=301-32/53/NE-6/30.51/F/69/1953/-4/1972;

Working-Women

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=biz news

When it comes to pay, there's still a sizeable gender gap.
A new survey by Working Woman magazine reports that for every dollar a man earns on the job, a woman earns 85 to 95 cents, on average.
The research found the pay gap narrowed in some industries, but widened in others in 1995.
The magazine says discrimination appears to play some role in the difference.

Montcalm

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmo
TAPE#94-22
GRAPHIC=HOLD

It opened less than two years ago, now a Buena Vista company is closing its doors.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Buena Vista/File Tape;

Friday, the Montcalm Corporation shut down all operations.
It employed about 20 people.
The company made fuel pellets out of recycled paper.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

The company said the difficulties in obtaining raw materials and management oversights made operating difficult.

HOUSING-STARTS

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=housing

The first economic report in weeks is out -- and there's good news.
NOVEMBER'S housing starts were up five-point-seven percent.
That's the biggest gain in a year.
The report had been delayed because of the partial government shutdown.

Home-Survey

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#95-103
GRAPHIC=Housing

Does the Roanoke Valley offer affordable housing compared to other cities in the country?
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The Coldwell Banker real estate company ranks 300 U-S cities on the average price of a four bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house.
Roanoke is number 78.
Oklahoma City comes in as the number one in affordability.
A 22-hundred-square-foot home there costs 97- thousand dollars.
In Roanoke, the same size house averages about 155- thousand dollars.
Housing costs are the highest in Beverly Hills.
A home there will run you an average of 745-thousand-dollars.
(-------------)

Stocks

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cro
TAPE#none
SS=Stocks

On Wall Street at Noon the Dow was UP nearly four points.
tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Stick around.
When News 7 returns, we'll tell you about the night the lights went out in....Radford,
(----------------)
VO-NAT

the lights were shinning bright on the Hokies, though, as they win another one on the road.
(----------------)
MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Tech

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=TB96-1
GRAPHIC=Tech hoops

The Virginia Tech Hokies entertained over 6 thousand fans at the Roanoke Civic center last night as they beat Atlantic-10 foe George Washington 79-71.
Steve Mason has a wrap on the Hokies' continuing run through their new conference.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00
SUPER=01-Terry Holland/Virginia Athletic Director; :19
SUPER=01-Ace Custis/Virginia Tech Forward; :34
SUPER=01-Mike Jarvis/George Washington Coach; :55
SUPER=34-Va. Tech/=79/Geo. Washington/=71; 1:07
SUPER=01-Bill Foster/Va. Tech Coach; 1:11
SUPER=@Steve1; 1:17
RUNS=1:29
OUT Q=News 7 sports"

((The Hokies hit foreign ground for the second straight game thanks to a lot of snow and a Cassell Coliseum roof with not enough support. But the nations 11th ranked team shrugged off being the second traveling team on the floor and beat The Colonials by 8.
A win that even impressed ESPN-2 color commentator Terry Holland. ((TERRY HOLLAND:))
four hokies were in double figure scoring. Ace Custis did the most damage, registering 18 points. ((ACE CUSTIS:))
The Hokies fast start and unanswered run before the half proved to be a winning combination. A one/two punch that knocked out Mike Jarvis and his Colonials. So is the conference now second guessing adopting this rising heavy weight? ((MIKE JARVIS:))
The respect is mutual, especially when the Hokies addressed the fact they were hardly giant killers when it came to stopping 7'1" goliath Alexander Koul; who finished with 20. ((BILL FOSTER:))
Tech leads the west division outright and playing the last two games away from home could yield positive results down the road.))

Radford

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mst
TAPE#vb96-1
GRAPHIC=college hoops

Saturday the Hokies had to play in the Dedmon Center at Radford University.
Last night the Highlanders were back on their own turf playing Big South rival Liberty.
And both teams shot the lights out!
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Radford;

A few minutes into intermission, the electicity went out in the building.
American Electric Power says the outage was not limited to the Dedmon Center--it also blacked out the campus, the city and parts of Pulaski County.
Fans found some ways to entertain themselves during the 37 minute delay, However Radford officials were concerned.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="Power going off...
((RICK ROGERS/RADFORD INFORMATION DIRECTOR:))
SUPER=01-Rick Rogers/Radford Information Director; :00
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=...heat was lost."
(----------------)
VO-NAT con't
SUPER=04-Flames vs. Highlanders; :00

Liberty stormed out to a 15-to-2 lead before Radford went on its run.
Anthony Walker scored his one-thousandth career point on this three-pointer.
Then Chibi Johnson dishes to Eric Bowens for the easy bucket off the glass.
Bowens had six points in the first half.
Liberty extended its lead late in the half on this lean-in by Larry Jackson.
SUPER=33-Radford/71/Liberty/65;

Radford answered with some great passing as Johnson goes to Walker to Jason Landsdowne for the hoop and Radford moves to the 500 mark on the season with the 71 to 65 overtime win.
(-------------)

Camby

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S5-27
GRAPHIC=ATLANTIC 10

The Atlantic 10 conference's marquee player will be benched for at least two weeks, until doctors can find out what is wrong with him.
University of Massachusetts center Marcus Camby
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-Sunday; :00

passed out in the hallway after warmups before the U-Mass game with St. Bonaventure and was taken by helicopter to the hospital.
After spending the night undergoing tests he was released yesterday and says he feels 100-percent.
Doctors say his heart is fine and that the flu may have weakened him to the point of collapsing.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=college hoops

U-Mass has remained in the number one spot since Christmas-- The latest A-P top 25 poll ranks the Minutemen again number one-- followed by Kentucky and Cincinnati.

wrap

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=amo
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NONE

Coming up today on Health Check-- more on the death of North Cross student-athlete Grayson Hooper, who died yesterday of an apparent heart attack.
Connie Stevens talks with a Roanoke cardiologist, for some understanding of untimely cardiac events.
Join us for the story, plus all the days news, sports and weather-- on News 7 at FIVE. Thanks for joining us. That's it for News 7 at NOON.