12:00-01

Noon-Headlines

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Two un-related fires in Roanoke this morning keep firefighters busy,
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ANCHOR=Melanie

and a settlement could be coming soon in the General Motors strike.
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TALENT=Patrick
SS=None
(ad lib)
(////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie

SS-NONE
Don't go away, the news is next.

GM-update


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=gm logo


There may be a break in the 17-day strike at two General Motors plants in Ohio.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Dayton, OH;


General Motors says it's still working out strike issues with the United Auto Workers, but expects to reach an agreement sometime today.
For its part, the U-A-W has called off a news conference that it had planned this morning in Dayton, Ohio.
The strike has led to parts shortages shutting down most G-M operations in North America and idling 177-thousand workers.
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ASSAULT-BAN


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=Washington DC


In Washington --
The Senate is set to vote on a measure to cap damage awards in faulty-product lawsuits.
President Clinton has threatened a veto.
The President and members of his cabinet are also getting ready to fight Republicans who want to repeal the ban against assault weapons.
The ban was imposed by the Clinton administration in 19-94.
House Republicans have set a vote on the issue tomorrow.
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SOT

11:02:57-11:03:20
IN Q=THAT ASSAULT BAN WAS
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=CAUGHT IN THE CROSS FIRE.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;


Attorney General Janet Reno also talked to the press today saying there was clear evidence that the ban has worked and is making the nation safer.
If the bill passes the House, Senate opposition could stall it and it President Clinton promises a veto.
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Roanoke-Fire


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-18
GRAPHIC=fire


Electrical problems appear to have caused two unrelated fires in Roanoke early this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


An assistant fire marshal with the city says the first fire, at this house on Rorer Ave, rendered the building a total loss.
It's lone occupant, Taft-Walker-Senior escaped without injury, thanks to his smoke detector.
Around the same time residents of an apartment building on Memorial Avenue were evacuated after a fire started in one of the units.
No one was hurt in this incident either, thanks to smoke detectors, and tenants will be able to move back in to all but one of the apartments.
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LA-FIRE


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New Orleans, LA;


Firefighters in New Orleans spent the morning battling a five alarm warehouse fire.
The fire started in one of the city's largest warehouses.
About one hundred workers were in the building when the fire broke out but all reportedly made it out safely.
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wipe wipe wipe

ok-derailment


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Latta, OK;


A blaze this morning in southeastern Oklahoma forced some people to leave their homes.
Flames shot 100 feet in the air when a train carrying chemicals derailed and caught fire.
There have been no reports of injuries, but area schools were closed and homes within a half-mile of the derailment site were evacuated.
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menendez


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=legal scales


It was an unusual case of a trial by the numbers.
Two brothers, two trials, and yesterday, two counts of first degree murder.
Lyle and Erik Menendez face sentencing next week, for the shotgun killings of their wealthy parents nearly seven years ago.
Reed Galin reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It was a far
SUPER=03-Van Nuys, CA; :00
SUPER=04-October 1995; :12
SUPER=01-Laurie Levenson/Loyola Law School Professor; :36
SUPER=01-Linda Deutsch/AP Court Reporter; :46
SUPER=01-Reed Galin/Reporting; 1:16
RUNS=1:41
OUT Q=CBS News Los Angeles.

((
It was a far different trial than the first one. And, a far different result for Eric and Lyle Menendez...
GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
This second Menendez trial was a far less sensational affair than the first one. Two years ago, live TV coverage and hung juries helped turn the Menendez case- in the eyes of many critics- into a symbol of a permissive criminal justice system.
But much has happened in the Los Angeles courts since.
After the first trial, and The Simpson case, and other high profile cases in which defendants were perceived as having escaped justice, the brothers' attorneys were more limited in what they could present.
LAURIE LEVENSON, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR/LOYOLA LAW SCHOOL PROFESSOR: Really, the judge helped the prosecution.
He said to the jury the defense of abuse doesn't really apply in this case and gave very limited options to the jury.
LINDA DEUTSCH, AP COURT REPORTER: EVERYONE WAS PRETTY UNEMOTIONAL THIS TIME, YOU GOT THE FEELING EVERYONE WAS JUST WORN OUT. THE BROTHERS SHOWED NO EMOTION, THEY WERE DEATHLY PALE.
In the first trial, defense attorneys effectively argued that a lifetime of abuse and torture at the hands of their parents Jose and Kitti Menendez made the Lyle and Eric believe they had to kill their parents to survive themselves. But this time the judge effectively eliminated the possibility of a manslaughter conviction; giving the jury a stark and more simply choice between guilt or innocence.
Six and a half years after that bloody night, here, in the Menendez family home, the jury now takes up the question of whether Eric and Lyle should be executed. This last faze of the trial may involve dozens of witnesses and last a few more months.
Even then, the case will not be finally settled. An appeal is virtually automatic and, experts say, the conduct of this trial presents some interesting issues.
Reed Galin, CBS News, Los Angeles.))

Drunk-Driver


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-13
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


The sentence for a 16- year- old drunk driver who struck and killed a teacher in Roanoke County was little consolation for the victim's family.
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem/Yesterday;


The Judge said he hoped the teen would think of Mrs. Kitts everyday of his life.
Bonnie Kitts died in December when the young man who lived in the same neighborhood stuck her while she was out for a walk with her husband.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:30
IN Q=There's no justice

((THERE'S NO JUSTICE THAT WOULD REPLACE HER LIFE. I MEAN NOTHING THEY COULD DO IS EVER GOING TO BRING HER BACK. I WAS SAD TO WALK IN HERE TODAY, AND I'M SAD TO WALK OUT TODAY.))
SUPER=01-Gary Kitts/Victim's Husband
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=out today.
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VO-NAT


In court Gary Kitts pointed out that his son, Brian, is junior class president at Glenvar, a gifted boy, just, like the young driver, only "he didn't kill someone.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


The boy is serving an undetermined amount of time.
Youth corrections could keep him until he's 21, but the prosecutor said it's typically more like FOUR MONTHS.
The boy loses his driver's license for five years, and once he's released, he'll have to perform 100 hours of community service.

tease#1

HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


When News 7 returns,
Some nurses at an area hospital are considering legal action over a mock emergency room hostage situation,
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VO-NAT

and at another hospital, a new treatment team is helping patients forget their pain.
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wx-tease music up full
comm1

Coma-Rape


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


A Rochester, New York man has been arrested in connection with the rape of a coma patient.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rochester, NY/Yesterday;


Fifty- two- year old John Horace was arrested yesterday.
Horace has already pleaded guilty to fondling a 49-year old physically disabled patient at the same nursing home where a comatose woman was raped and impregnated last year.
The 29-year old woman gave birth to a baby boy Monday.
Authorities say there appears to be a genetic link with the newborn.
(----------------)



M'ville-Hospital


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


Four Martinsville nurses who were held at gunpoint during a hospital security drill are taking legal action.
They say the drill was too realistic, and traumatized them.
Kimberly McBroom has the story.
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SOT
IN Q=About four A-M
SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00
SUPER=01-Jim Shortt/Nurses' Attorney; :27
SUPER=01-Randy Smith/Martinsville Commonwealth's Atty; :58
SUPER=@Kimberly1; 1:08
RUNS=1:19
OUT Q=News 7, Martinsville


(( About four A-M on January 25th, the E-R at Memorial Hospital was invaded by five masked gunmen-- who took several nurses and other employees hostage.
Turns out, it wasn't a life- threatening situation in the E-R, but a War of the Worlds- type drama.
Now, four nurses who were on duty have sworn criminal warrants against the phony gunmen for brandishing firearms.
They say the make- believe drill caused them emotional trauma.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT shortt tape 16:24:42

((JIM SHORTT/NURSES' ATTORNEY: CERTAIN EMERGENCY ROOM BUZZERS HAVE GONE OFF OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST SIX WEEKS-- THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACT TO THEM WHEN THE BUZZERS GO OFF-- THEY START TO PANIC. ))
RUNS=:11

pre- pro here please
Meanwhile, the hospital had no comment-- and maintains that in order to make it realistic, some employees were not informed about the drill. end pre- pro
Meanwhile, the Martinsville Police Department has been asked to conduct an investigation.
But the Commonwealth's Attorney says if the drill involved actors performing a script-- it'll be hard to prove wrongdoing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:14:28

((RANDY SMITH/MARTINSVILLE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: OBVIOUSLY, IF THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY WAS DOING AND THAT'S WHAT THEY INTENDED TO DO AND NOBODY DEVIATED FROM THAT, THEN I THINK YOU'D FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVE ANY CRIMINAL INTENT. ))
RUNS=:09

STAND UP HERE, SECOND ONE PLEASE
The nurses are receiving psychiatric counseling.
Their attorneys say the'll likely seek punitive damages in a civil suit if the hospital doesn't settle with them first.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Martinsville.))

TB


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=medical news


Tuberculosis is now the world's leading infectious killer.
The World Health Organization says T-B killed a record three million people last year -- and will continue to kill at that pace if something isn't done.
The agency says the spread of the airborne disease has been helped by several factors, including the virus that causes AIDS-- and has become resistant to some vital drugs.
The W-H-O is trying to draw attention to the disease in advance of Sunday's World T-B Day.


Pet-Pals


ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=12noon
WRITER=cst
TAPE#596-07
GRAPHIC=none


A new team of therapists is converging on Roanoke's Community Hospital.
Their mission-- to cheer up pediatrics patients-- just by looking cute and acting like themselves.
They may even lick a few hands.
As Connie Stevens reports-- it's the Pet Pals program, using trained dogs for psycho-social therapy.
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SOT
IN Q=OPEN NAT SOUND
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=01-Amber Via/CHRV Patient; :20
SUPER=01-Janice Wilmer/Therapy Dog Trainer; ::44
SUPER=@Connie2; 1:05
SUPER=01-Michelle Edwards/CHRV Patient Family Specialist; 1:24
SUPER=01-Joan Allan/CHRV Occupational Therapist; 1:54
RUNS=2:12
OUT Q=Connie Stevens, News 7
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=NAT SOUND
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=NAT SOUND


Meet Star, Emma, and Annie-- and of course, Boogie Bear and Goliath.
These are the newest therapists enlisted to make life a little more pleasant for the kids in pediatrics.
By all accounts, this session-- the first of a now weekly schedule-- was a hit.
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SOT 10:10:44
IN Q=They're big and

((AMBER VIA/CHRV PATIENT: THEY'RE BIG AND THEY'RE TREATED NICE AND THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=they know what to do.


These dogs have been through extensive testing, to insure they can calmly withstand being poked, pulled, hugged and kissed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:19:35
IN Q=They have to

((JANICE WILMER/THERAPY DOG TRAINER: THEY HAVE TO BE FAIRLY GOOD TEMPERAMENT AND FAIRLY WELL TRAINED OF COURSE I'M NOT ALWAYS SURE ABOUT THESE GUYS-- AND THEY HAVE TO KNOW THEIR BASIC OBEDIENCE COMMANDS. AND GENERALLY THEY JUST NEED TO BE FAIRLY CALM. IF THEY'RE TOO EXCITABLE THEN IT GETS THE CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY PERSON OR WHOEVER THEY'RE VISITING UPSET.))
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=visiting upset.


The hope is to give these kids just a positive experience, to prove that the hospital doesn't have to be all that bad.
Using simply the powers of touch, and love-- these dogs can quickly turn the course of a day spent in bed.
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SOT 10:28:05
IN Q=Alot of

((MICHELLE EDWARDS/CHRV PATIENT FAMILY SPECIALIST: ALOT OF THE TOUCH CAN BE NEGATIVE WHEN YOU'RE IN THE HOSPITAL. SO WE TRY TO STRIVE TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE TO BE SENSITIVE ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN BUT HAVING PETS AND POSITIVE INTERACTIONS WITH PLAY OR OTHER ARTS AND CRAFTS TYPE ACTIVITIES ANYTHING THAT CAN HELP NORMALIZE THE CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCE IN THE HOSPITAL IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT. ))
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=important.

////////////// butt butt butt
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SOT 10:40:27
IN Q=Dogs make

((JOAN ALLAN/CHRV OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST: DOGS MAKE YOU FEEL WONDERFUL, THEY'VE GOT UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT'S GOING ON MEDICALLY OR IF YOU'RE HAIR IS FALLING OUT OR IF YOU'VE GOT IV'S AND TUBES AND THE KIDS FEEL WONDERFUL ABOUT IT. THE OWNERS OF THE DOGS HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DEAL WITH WHAT THEY MAY SEE HERE IN THE HOSPITAL AND THE OWNERS LOVE BEING ABLE TO TAKE THEIR DOGS AND BRING THEM OUT AND SHOW THEM TO PEOPLE WHO WILL LOVE THEIR DOGS JUST AS MUCH AS THEY DO.))
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=as they do.


Connie Stevens, News 7. ))
Tease#2

SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Snow greets the first days of spring.
When News 7 returns, will find out if it's going to stay,
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VO-NAT

and this winter's record snowfall in Lynchburg gets national attention.
We'll tell you all about it when we come back.
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music up full comm2

Spring-Shapeup


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-9
GRAPHIC=L'burg Seal


They say there's no such thing as bad publicity, and Lynchburg found its way onto the national map today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Mayor Jim Whitaker was one of three East Coast mayors to take part in a segment on winter weather on the CBS "This Morning" show.
Hartford, Philadelphia and Lynchburg all broke snowfall records this year...
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape; :08

and the Hill City exceeded its snow removal budget by 600 percent.
But Mayor Whitaker says the city was prepared.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 1:55:35
IN Q=We have spent

((JIM WHITAKER/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: WE HAVE SPENT OVER 900 THOUSAND DOLLARS THIS YEAR IN SNOW REMOVAL, BUT THE MONEY WAS ALREADY THERE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO RAISE TAXES OR CHANGE ANYTHING THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING. I'M JUST GLAD THAT WE HAVE GOOD STAFF THAT PLANS AHEAD.))
SUPER=01-Jim Whitaker/Lynchburg Mayor; :00
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=that plans ahead.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Whitaker commended Lynchburg's public works department for its hard work this winter.
He says the national attention was nice, but he'd rather see Lynchburg recognized for something other than breaking a snowfall record.
(----------------)



Stocks


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=stocks


Stock prices are narrowly mixed in today's session.
Experts say the market is having little reaction to data that points to a slow-growth economy, with low inflation and reasonable corporate profits.
On Wall Street at noon the Dow was DOWN 12 points.
tease#3

SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


Stick around.
When News 7 returns, Patrick will give us the line-up in tonight's N-C-Double-A action,
(----------------)
VO-NAT

and the UVA women's basketball team is gearing up for its chance to make it to the final four.
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MUSIC UP FULL comm4

NCAA


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=final four


More N-C-Double-A action right here on Your Hometown Station as March Madness continues. ESS/FULL
The Hoyas and Red Raiders open our coverage of the regional semi-finals tonight at 7:30.
Louisville and Wake Forest follow from the Midwest regionals. ESS/FULL
Tomorrow night the action starts at 7:30 with U-Conn tangling with Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech facing Cincinnati in the nightcap at 10:10.
You'll also get some bonus coverage of the other games both nights.

UVA


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#BB96-4
GRAPHIC=WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR


The women's East Regional is set for University Hall in Charlottesville this weekend.
Tennessee, Kansas, Old Dominion and UVa will battle for the right to move onto the Final Four.
Roy Stanley says the Cavs have a legitimate shot at a national title if they can just get through the weekend.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Lady Cavaliers
SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00
SUPER=01-Wendy Palmer/UVa Center; :22
SUPER=01-Jenny Boucek/UVa Guard; :36
SUPER=01-Debbie Ryan/UVa Head Coach; 1:01
SUPER=@Roy1; 1:14
RUNS=1:26
OUT Q=...News 7 sports.

((The Lady Cavaliers are looking at the Sweet 16 as a time to get out and have some fun.
Virginia has dominated two previous post season games at University hall.
But for Senior point guard jenny Boucek and Center Wendy Palmer the fun could end on their home floor when they open the East Regionals this Saturday.)) ((WENDY PALMER/UVA CENTER: THIS IS IT FOR US, IT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOUR YEARS FOR, AND WE HAVE TO GO INTO IT, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN, BUT YOU WANT TO ALSO PLAY HARD, SO, WE DID WORK OUR BUTTS OFF FOR THIS ALL SEASON LONG, SO THIS IS THE FUN TIME. )) ((JENNY BOUCEK/UVA GUARD: WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON ELIMINATING SECOND SHOTS FOR OTHER TEAMS. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG KEY FOR US IN THE UPCOMING GAMES. BECAUSE THESE TEAMS FROM HERE ON OUT ARE GREAT REBOUNDING TEAMS.)) ((Hitting the boards and playing the tough defense has been a strong point of Virginia's game this season.
The old saying that defense wins games is the main focus as the Lady Cavs prepare for state rival Old Dominion.)) ((DEBBIE RYAN/UVA HEAD COACH: THIS TEAM KNOWS THAT ITS GROUNDED I THE DEFENSIVE END AND THE REBOUNDING END, AND THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES THEM OFFENSIVELY. SO I'M NOT REALLY WORRIED ABOUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO FLOW OUT THERE. I THINK THAT AS LONG AS WE PLAY DEFENSE WE'LL BE ALRIGHT. )) ((ROY STANDUP: TENNESSEE WILL OPEN THE EAST REGIONALS AT UNIVERSITY HALL AGAINST KANSAS AND THE LADY CAVALIERS WILL TAKE ON STATE RIVALS OLD DOMINION LATER THAT AFTERNOON. IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, ROY STANLEY, NEWS 7 SPORTS. ))

wrap


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

(******patrick ad lib********) (toss to mel)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Let's check in with Connie Stevens-- to see what medical news is coming up this afternoon on Health Check.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:38:30
IN Q=Well coming up

((COMING UP ON NEWS SEVEN AT FIVE, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST TECHNIQUE TO TREAT WRINKLES AND SUN DAMAGE SKIN-- FROM DUKE MEDICAL CENTER. WE'LL HAVE THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES, AND THE PROCEDURE, ON NEWS 7 AT FIVE'S HEALTH CHECK REPORT. ))
SUPER=@Connie1; :
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=Health Check report.
(--------------)



Albino-Gator


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


Before we go --
The latest addition to San Diego's Wild Animal Park is more than seven feet long, loaded with sharp teeth...and white as a ghost.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-San Diego, CA;


It's an albino alligator, one of just eight in the entire country.
The five- year- old gator arrived at the park yesterday.
Park officials say there's a reason albino gators are so rare.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((LISA GRATTEAU, WILD ANIMAL PARK KEEPER:HE WAS TAKEN FROM THE WILD WHEN HE WAS VERY YOUNG AND THAT'S WHY HE SURVIVED, HAD HE LIVED IN THE WILD HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE NOT MADE IT HAVING NO CAMOUFLAGE HE'D BE PICKED UP BY PREDATORS, SMALL BIRDS, MAMMALS. ))
SUPER=02-Lisa Gratteau/Wild Animal Park Keeper; (voice of)
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=SMALL BIRDS, MAMMALS.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The alligator will officially go on display at the park on March 30th.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


And that's going to do it for News 7 at Noon. Bye. We'll see you back here for News 7 at Five and Six.
by SS