12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None
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VO-NAT


The field of G-O-P presidential contenders narrows, as Phil Gramm gets ready to end his campaign,
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ANCHOR=Melanie

and a Martinsville schoolteacher's 33- year career may be over amid charges she sexually abused a former student. (/////////////)
TALENT=Beth
SS=None


Expect cloudy skies this afternoon with temperatures in the low to mid 50s! Tonight, will a little messier. I'll have the forecast for you in a few mintues.
(/////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


Stick around. News 7 at Noon is next.

gramm


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=campaign 96


The G-O-P presidential hopefuls are in New Hampshire today campaigning for next week's primary, but later this afternoon they'll likely be turning an ear toward Washington.
SS=Gramm


That's when Texas Senator Phil Gramm is expected drop out of the race after poor showings in Louisiana and Iowa.
The remaining candidates are already vying for Gramm's supporters.
Elizabeth Kaledin has more.
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SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Elizabeth Kaledin/Reporting; 1:13
RUNS=1:29
OUT Q=Elizabeth Kaledin, CBS News New Hampshire.


Clinton-floods


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC/This Morning;


President Clinton is expected to do a little campaigning in New Hampshire this weekend, but first he's headed to the Pacific Northwest.
The President says he wants to see firsthand flood damage in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
White House officials deny the trip is politically motivated.
(----------------)



Griffis


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-8
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


The Franklin County man whose infant son died Sunday- -under suspicious circumstances- -will be held in Roanoke WITHOUT bond.
Roanoke's Commonwealth Attorney asked the judge to hold Jerry Griffis, based on information from the State Attorney in Florida.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=He was actually

((DON CALDWELL/ROANOKE PROSECUTOR: HE WAS ACTUALLY A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE, FOLLOWING A CONVICTION BY A JURY OF OFFENSES INVOLVING SEX OFFENSES AGAINST A MINOR.))
SUPER=@caldwell
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=against a minor.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


Griffis faced 25 years to life on four of the six convictions, but he skipped town before he could be sentenced.
Griffis' lawyer asked the judge to let his client out, so that he could attend Friday's funeral for his 5-MONTH old son.
The judge refused.
The defense attorney told the court Griffis has lived in Franklin County for the past three years, has been married two years, and that his wife is pregnant.

Teacher-Abuse


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-20
GRAPHIC=NONE


Allegations of sexual abuse have led to the suspension of a veteran grade school teacher in Martinsville.
59- year old Anna Corbin was indicted Monday on charges she took indecent liberties with a former female student, 18 years ago.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:06:21 corbin tape
IN Q=I have talked

((HAROLD LAMM/MARTINSVILLE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: I HAVE TALKED WITH HER. I WILL TALK WITH HER AGAIN. SHE IS SUSPENDED, WITHOUT PAY, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND WE WILL EXPECT THE LEGAL COURT SYSTEM TO RUN ITS COURSE-- TO MAKE A FINAL DETERMINATION. ))
SUPER=01-Harold Lamm/Martinsville School Superintendent;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=a final determination
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Martinsville;


Corbin teaches at Albert Harris Elementary School.
The alleged victim is now 29.
She says the abuse dates back to 1978-- when she was 11.
Officials say she first revealed her story to her sister-- fearing her sister's children might also be at risk.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:31:11
IN Q=I would assume

((RANDY SMITH/MARTINSVILLE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: I WOULD ASSUME THERE'D BE A LOT OF PUBLIC CONCERN. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I COULD SAY ABOUT IT, BUT TO SAY THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME-- THERE CERTAINLY IS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY OTHER CHILDREN WERE INVOLVED OR ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. ))
SUPER=01-Randy Smith/Martinsville Commonwealth's Attorney;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=affected by this
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TALENT=Melanie
SS=NONE


Corbin will appear in court March fourth.

Craig-County


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=spr
TAPE#95-114
GRAPHIC=NONE


In Craig County last night, parents packed a meeting to talk about the school board's request for the resignation of the school superintendent.
The board's action stemmed from a fuel leak at the high school in January.
Scott Prince has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=This is going
SUPER=03-Craig Co./Last Night; :07
SUPER=01-Ernie Johnson/Craig Co. Minister's Association; :30
SUPER=01-Mellisa Wright/Craig Co. Resident; :48
SUPER=01-Jim Cady/Craig Co. School Board Chairman; :58
SUPER=@Scott1; 1:03
RUNS=1:15
OUT Q=s.p. news 7 craig county

Nat sound
(( ((THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONTROVERSIAL HOUR.))
There was definitely something different about this Craig County School Budget meeting.
Compared to others, the turnout was doubled, and members of the Sheriff's Department were on hand to make sure things didn't get out of control.
Here's why.
Last week, the school board asked Superintendent Dallas Helems to hand in his resignation.
He has refused to do so.
This time around residents were given an opportunity to talk about the situation... but only as it pertained to the budget. ((ERNIE JOHNSON/CRAIG COUNTY MINISTER'S ASSOCIATION: IN OUR DEALING WITH HIM IN REGARD TO SERVICES, SOFTBALL GAMES AND OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES, HE;S ALWAYS DEALT FAIRLY AND RESPECTFULLY WITH US. ))
There were some who stormed out... saying those comments were out of line, and they shouldn't have been made during this particular meeting. ((MELLISA WRIGHT/CRAIG COUNTY RESIDENT: I DIDN'T THINK THE MINISTER'S COMMENTS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT WAS ALLOWED.))
School Board Chairman Jim Cady tried to answer that question. ((JIM CADY/CRAIG COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN: I THINK THEY WERE LEGALLY WITHIN THE BOUNDS. I THINK THEY WERE PUSHING THOSE BOUNDS VERY CLOSELY. ))
The school board will completely open the floor Thursday night to discuss the Dr. Helems issue.
However it's doubtful the school board will take any action.
Scott Prince, News 7, Craig County. ))

tease#1

HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Stick around.
We'll take a look at how this year's Tour Dupont will wheel its way through the Roanoke Valley,
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VO-NAT

and we'll check up on the fundraising that followed a fatal fire in southeast Roanoke.
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beth in wx Enjoy the warm afternoon, tonight will get colder. We're expecting some rain mixed with snow. THere may be some accumulations in the higher elevations. I'll tell you more about this in the forecast in just a few minutes. music up full
comm1


Trigon


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=bmy
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=trigon


The Labor Department believes Trigon Blue- Cross Blue- Shield may owe nearly 59- MILLION dollars to businesses that hired it to run their health insurance programs.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


The money came from discounts the insurer negotiated with hospitals but did NOT pass on to the businesses. A letter obtained by the "Richmond Times-Dispatch" indicates the Labor Department believes Trigon may
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

have violated the federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act.
A Trigon spokeswoman says the company is cooperating with the department and hopes to convince the agency it did not violate the law.

White


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=cst
TAPE#=96-5
GRAPHIC=NONE


Meantime, a word to the wise from the new president of the Roanoke Academy of Medicine concerning health coverage.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem; :


Paul White, an allergist at Lewis Gale Clinic, wants the public to know the Academy is available to answer questions about health issues.
SUPER=@File; :


Dr. White also advises patients to take a more pro-active stance in formulating their insurance and managed care policies.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:31:42
IN Q=People should watch

((DR. PAUL WHITE/ROANOKE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE: PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT COVERED. THE CONCERN THAT I HAVE AMONG OTHERS, WITH MANAGED CARE IS THAT IT CAN ALWAYS BE MADE LESS EXPENSIVE, AND IT CAN BE MADE LESS EXPENSIVE BY PURELY BY REDUCING SERVICES AVAILABLE. THIS IS FINE UNTIL YOU NEED THOSE SERVICES.))
SUPER=01-Dr. Paul White/Roanoke Academy of Medicine; :
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=those services.
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VO-NAT


Dr. White advises that health care IS still in a state of reform....he says what we have now is far from a final product.
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Benefit-Leftwich


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-2
GRAPHIC=NONE


Residents of the Roanoke Valley opened their hearts and their pocketbooks after a fatal fire in January.
More than 500 people and businesses contributed to a fund for the Leftwich family.
Joe Dashiell has more on where that money is going.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=On Sunday night
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Sunday Night; :00
SUPER=01-Mark Leftwich/Father; :08
SUPER=04-January 20; :20
SUPER=04-January 25; :33
SUPER=01-Rev. Wayne Harrison/Belmont Baptist Church; :47
SUPER=@Joe2; 1:06
RUNS=1:15
OUT Q=JD News 7 Roanoke


((On Sunday night, musicians donated their time and talent to a benefit for the Leftwich family at a Roanoke nightclub.
SOT
IN Q=It makes me feel

((MARK LEFTWICH/FATHER: IT MAKES ME FEEL WONDERFUL. IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT US AND REALLY CARES ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=in the neighborhoods.


Since the fire that killed Christine Duncan and her four grandchildren, more than 500 individuals and businesses have cared enough to contribute to a fund administered by Belmont Baptist Church.
And those donations won't be needed for major funeral expenses.
Oakey Funeral Service paid for the caskets and other services. Evergreen Burial Park provided the vaults. Frank Roupas donated the cemetery plots. Gerry's Florist contributed flowers. Even the Roanoke Times donated the obituary.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=So far as the funeral expenses

((REV. WAYNE HARRISON/BELMONT BAPTIST CHURCH: SO FAR AS THE FUNERAL EXPENSES THEMSELVES ARE CONCERNED, THERE ARE ONLY SOME VERY MINOR BILLS THAT ARE STILL OWED ON THAT AND DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF THOSE FOLKS AND THOSE COMPANIES THERE JUST WASN'T A BILL THERE TO BE PAID.))
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=there to be paid.


The funds haven't been distributed yet...
but church officials say they intend to to see that most of the money goes to relocate Patricia Leftwich, the woman who lost her mother, four children and most of her belongings in the Stewart Avenue fire.
Joe Dashiell, News 7.))

Tour-DuPont


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tho
TAPE#96-1
GRAPHIC=none


The Roanoke Valley is already gearing up for the Tour DuPont in May.
Racers will begin stage five of the race in Mount Airy
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

and finish with a dramatic ending in Roanoke.
This is the third year that Roanoke has participated in the event, but this is the first time that the Star City has been part of the ACTUAL road race.
In years past, the Valley has been the site for mountain time trials.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:31:41-10:31:50
IN Q= What you're going

((STEVE BRUNNER/TOUR DUPONT; WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THIS YEAR IS A BIGGER BETTER RACE AND I THINK THE EXCITEMENT THAT WE CAN BRING TO ROANOKE IS GOING TO BE IN A DIFFERENT FORM.))
SUPER=01-Steve Brunner/Tour DuPont;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=a different form.
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VO-NAT


This year racers will not go over Twelve O'clock Knob or Mount Chestnut.
Racers will have to travel over Lynville Moutain toward the end of stage five-right before coming into downtown Roanoke.
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


Cyclists are expected to end May 5th's 113-mile leg at about 4:30 in the afternoon.

Tease#2

SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Up next,
African-Americans celebrate Black History Month,
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VO-NAT

and how would you like to be married for eight decades -- to the same person?
Coming up, a Valentine's Day story that proves love can last forever.
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music up full comm2

Black-History


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=rjo
TAPE#96-7
GRAPHIC=None


February is Black History month.
African-Americans across the country are sharing their heritage and culture with many.
double box=mel/ron/microwave


Ron Jones is at the Harrison Museum in Roanoke to tell us what it's all about.
LIVE=Ron/Full
SUPER=@Ron1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
(ron ad libs)
SUPER=01-Aletha Bolden/Harrison Museum Director;
(********roll tape on second question*********)
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke
RUNS=:40
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(ron toss back to mel)


OLDEST-COUPLE


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=Valentines Day


Okay, so you've heard the statistics, half of marriages in this country end in divorce.
Well on this Valentine's Day a story that proves true love can last forever.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Swanton, VT;


Meet Lucile and Fred Bell, they've been man and wife for nearly 80 years.
They are believed to be America's longest married couple.
They met at church and married in 19-16.
In the days where couples divorce at the drop of a hat, 98- year- old Lucile shares the secrets of their success.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((FRED BELL: WORK TOGETHER AND IF YOU HAVE A DIFFICULTY, IRON IT OUT BY YOURSELVES. ))
SUPER=01-Lucile Bell/Longest Married Couple;
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=it out by yourselves.
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VO-NAT


But Lucile says the most important ingredient is love.
The Bells have three children.
The oldest is 78, the youngest 72.
(----------------)



L'burg-Council


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#95-115
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg City Seal


A controversial sports complex for Lynchburg is one step closer to reality.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Last Night;


City council last night approved the creation of a sports authority, a non- profit group that would oversee the funding and construction of the 17- million dollar complex.
The same residents who don't want the project in their neighborhood also objected to the authority.
But supporters say this is NOT a neighborhood issue.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:17:21
IN Q=But we ask

((JEFF DOWNIN/LYNCHBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: BUT WE ASK THAT ALL THE ARGUMENTS REGARDING THE DETAILS SURROUNDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS AUTHORITY, ISSUES RELATED TO THE COMPLEX LOCATION, FINANCES, ETC. BE SEEN IN THE CLEAR LIGHT OF WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE THEIR TRUE ROOT-- NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS.))
SUPER=01-Jeff Downin/Lynchburg Chamber of Commerce; :00
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=neighborhood concerns.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Council okayed the measure by a 6 to 1 vote, with Mayor Jim Whitaker the lone opponent.
Whitaker said he will be seeking another four- year term on council, and he admits the sports complex has become a political hot potato.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:04:26
IN Q=I live in

((JIM WHITAKER/R- LYNCHBURG MAYOR: I LIVE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD... THOSE ARE REAL CONCERNS.))
SUPER=01-Jim Whitaker/(R) Lynchburg Mayor; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=those are real concerns.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Whitaker currently is unopposed for the Ward Four seat.
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Stocks


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


On Wall Street at noon the Dow was DOWN almost 27 points.
tease#3

SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


We've got sports, next, including another update from Daytona,
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VO-NAT

and we'll show you how the Liberty Flames put the heat on Virginia Tech.
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MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Tech


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


The 10th ranked Virginia Tech Hokies were almost burned last night.
SS=Liberty


The Liberty Flames engulfed the Cassell, giving Tech an upset scare.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Flames vs. Hokies; :00


Early in the first, Liberty's Marcus White nails a shot for 2 of 15 points on the night.
Barry Taylor gets the ball and gives it to Peter Aluma.
He powers in and scores.
Liberty went into the half up 29 to 21, but The Hokies regrouped at intermission.
Shawn Good gets the steal and goes coast to coast - he makes the basket, and draws the foul.
Bill Foster's troops tie the game at 44 with a shot by Jim Jackson.
SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/=56/Liberty/=53;


Then, Damon Watlington snaps the bottom of the net with a hit for three of his 11 and Tech escapes with a 56-53 win.
(----------------)



Daytona


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mst
TAPE#=R-31
GRAPHIC=Daytona SpeedWeeks


Speedweeks '96 continues in Daytona.
Yesterday was a day of practice and qualifying, and while the weather has been anything but cooperative this week, the drives rare getting along just fine.
Mikes Stevens has this report.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=04-Winston Cup Practice; :00
SUPER=01-Rusty Wallace/Driver - Miller Ford; :22
SUPER=01-Ernie Irvan/Driver - Havoline Ford; :38
SUPER=01-Rick Mast/Driver - Hooters Pontiac; 1:06
SUPER=@Mike1; 1:22
RUNS=1:35
OUT Q=News 7 sports"
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ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Mike's live coverage from Daytona continues tonight on News 7 at Five and Six.

Wrap


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


That's it for News 7 at NOON.
We hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!
by SS