12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
SS=None
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Some Kroger workers may be leaving the check out line, for the picket line,
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

and the waiting game continues in Montana as a government stand-off with a militia group enters its second week.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None


Rain will continue to fall through the afternoon, with gusty conditions pushing their way into the region overnight. Stay tuned for the first of hte week forecast coming up.
(///////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


Don't go away, the news is next.

Kroger


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe

TAPE96-23
GRAPHIC=Kroger Vote


More than three-thousand people from our area who work for the Kroger supermarket chain could be on strike by early this evening.
Last night the union representing these workers voted on a new contract, and they decided to turn it down.
DOUBLE BOXES=Melanie/Len/microwave


Len Besthoff is here to bring us up- to- date on this story.
Len, why was this deal rejected?
(//////////)
LIVE=LEN/FULL
SUPER=@Len1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;


It appears wages are the big sticking point, Melanie.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

*******Len's Mike Hot Under********
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; (VERY QUICK!!!!!)


Last night local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union met at the Roanoke Civic Center to vote on the deal.
They turned it down by a moderate margin.
538 people were for the deal.
But 613 were against it.
Kroger offered to maintain the workers' existing health benefits, and to increase wages by a dollar-ten-an-hour.
(-------------)
LIVE=LEN FULL
SUPER=@Len1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;


But that wasn't enough, apparently, and with us now we have Tom McNutt, the president of Local 400.
SUPER=01-Tom McNutt/President Local 400;
(len toss to mel)
ANCHOR=Melanie

ess/full
And here's a quick reminder again.
Local 400 members are meeting tonight about a possible strike at seven o'clock at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Drug-Bust


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=rjo
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=drug bust


State Police in Rockbridge County say they stopped a South Carolina couple and netted a kilo of cocaine, ten thousand dollars in cash, and an exotic gun.
It all took place this weekend as the two were driving an R-V.
Police also say the F-B-I wants to question the married couple regarding a murder that took place in Delaware or Virginia.
A third person has already been arrested in South Carolina for the same murder.
State police have not released the names of the suspects or details surrounding the traffic stop.

MONTANA


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=freemen standoff


In Montana federal law enforcement officials are still trying to wait-out the so-called "Freemen."
Some out of state sympathizers plan a rally today in support of the militia group.
Randall Pinkston has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In the small community
SUPER=03-Jordan, MT; :00
SUPER=01-Rev. Barry Van Wagner/Jordan Assembly of God; :15
SUPER=01-Tom & Claudia Stanton/Neighbors; :52
SUPER=01-Randall Pinkston/Reporting; :59
RUNS=1:14
OUT Q=CBS News Jordan, Montana.

((
In the small community of Jordan, Montana, population less than 600, local residents continue to hope the Freemen, who remain on a remote ranch, will listen to reason.
REV. BARRY VAN WAGNER/JORDAN ASSEMBLY OF GOD LET'S PRAY AT THAT THE RANCH THAT THERE WON'T BE BLOOD SHED. AMEN.
With the surrender over the weekend of Richard Clark, one of the group's leaders, authorities continue a non- confrontational approach... allowing relatives and friends to appeal to the remaining fugitives to give up their anti-government rhetoric and face charges ranging from bank and mail fraud to threatening public officials.
Tom and claudia stanton have been victims of the threats, but say they ready to forgive if their former neighbors give up.
TOM AND CLAUDIA STANTON/NEIGHBORS: WE'RE NOT GONNA TURN EM PLUMAWAY JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY COMES IN HEE AND MESSED UP THEIR MINDS IF WE CAN GET EM BACK WE'LL WELCOME EM. 34 00 AND BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER.. (LAUGH)
Randall on cam close later today, freeman richard clark, who swrrendered on saturday, is scheduled to be arraigned. meanwhile, U.S. attorney for Montana Sherry Matteucci says she is very optimistic that the standoff will end peacefully.
Randall Pinkston, CBS News, Jordan, Montana.))



KEVORKIAN


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=kevorkian


Dr. Jack Kevorkian says he dressed for the part, as he appeared in court today for the start of his third trial on assisted suicide charges.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pontiac, MI;


That was the only statement Kevorkian made as he entered the courtroom in a colonial costume.
He has criticized assisted suicide laws in Michigan as being out of date.
Kevorkian is charged in the October 19-91 deaths of two women, one suffering from multiple sclerosis, the other from severe pelvic pain.
(----------------)




Simpson


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=Simpson


Meantime, allegations of jury tampering have surfaced in the O-J Simpson trial.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Appearing on the C-B-S News broadcast "60 Minutes," dismissed juror Francine Florio- Bunten maintains she was improperly dropped from the jury on the basis of an anonymous letter that accused her of writing a book on the trial.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=How would you

((REPORTER:HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED. FLORIO-BUTEN:GUILTY, I THINK IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUNG JURY.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=a hung jury.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Simpson lead attorney, Johnny Cochrane strongly denies the accusations.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=There's no jury

((COCHRANE: THERE'S NO JURY TAMPERING IN THIS CASE, NO OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE BY ANYONE THAT I KNOW OF AT ANY RATE. ))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=at any rate.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


A Los Angeles district attorney's office is now investigating the allegations.
(----------------)



tease#1

HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Still to come on News 7,
You could be paying for the cost of convenience the next time you stop at the A-T-M,
(--------------)
VO-NAT

and supporters join an Okinawan landowner as he tries to win back his land currently occupied by American soliders.
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wx-tease music up full
comm1

PROTEST


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


Tension continues to mount in Okinawa, Japan over the rape of a schoolgirl by three U-S servicemen.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Okinawa, Japan;


Today, a landowner on the island marched with dozens of supporters to the gate of a U-S Navy base, trying to reclaim his land.
The man claims the lease on the land is now up and he has filed suit seeking an eviction.
But Japanese riot police turned away the demonstrators.
The Okinawa base will be discussed during President Clinton's visit to Tokyo later this month.
(----------------)

WIPE/WIPE/WIPE

merger


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Tokyo;


Also in Japan --
The world's largest bank is now in business.
The Mitsubishi Bank and the Bank of Tokyo merged today.
The banks hold combined assets of more than 704 BILLION dollars.
(----------------)



ATM


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=banking


Three major automated teller machine networks today begin allowing double user fees.
Now, you can be charged not only by your bank but by the A-T-M's owner, if that's another bank.
Fees are expected to range from a quarter to two dollars and fifty cents.

AEP


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=AEP Logo


What you lose at the A-T-M you may save on your electric bill.
A state examiner has determined American Electric Power does NOT need the rate increase it imposed in 1994 to maintain profits.
If a full commission agrees, customers paying about 61-dollars-a-month could see their bills drop by about two-dollars.
The same customer would also receive a ONE-TIME refund of approximately 30-dollars.


Tease#2

SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


When News 7 returns,
News anchors in Britian are being fired because of their height - at least that's what some people believe on this April Fool's Day,
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VO-NAT

and you may think this next story is an April Fool's joke but it's not.
A dog in Roanoke is rolling in the dough after he inherits his owner's money.
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music up full comm2

Dog-Inheritance


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE# 96-28
GRAPHIC=None


When it comes to collecting inheritance money, it can be a dog-eat-dog world.
But not for one pooch, whose owner left him a 10- thousand dollar estate.
Denise Allen has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=when Donna Wood
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Dick Brown/Leigh's Friend; :18
SUPER=01-Claude Carter/Ambie's Attorney; :54
SUPER=@Denise2; 1:20
RUNS=1:34
OUT Q=News 7


(( When Donna Wood picked up Ambie from the pound she didn't know she'd inherited a rich pooch.
Wood's friend Leigh Jones had just died and relatives were unable to take the dog.
Jones had few friends and was described as a recluse who cared for his ailing mother for 18 years. ((DICK BROWN/LEIGH'S FRIEND: HE WAS A FINE GENTLEMAN AND AMBIE WAS HIS FAMILY. IT WAS HE AND AMBIE AGAINST THE WORLD.))
Now Sir Abercombie Of Danlin, or Ambie, has an attorney who doles out his 10-thousand dollar inheritance.
The 13 year old dog has medical problems which cost about 100- dollars a month.
The inheritance covers that and his new owner gets a small food stipend.
Ambie also bought a fence which affords him plenty of running room. ((HE LEFT MONEY TO HIS DOG, MONEY HE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE BUT I GUESS HE DID HAVE IT IN A WAY. HE KNEW THE HOUSE WOULD BE WORTH SOMETHING.)) ((CLAUDE CARTER/AMBIE'S ATTORNEY: PEOPLE BECOME VERY ATTACHED TO THEIR ANIMALS AND WANT THEM TO BE CARED FOR. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE THE AMOUNT WAS THE THING I THOUGHT WAS SIGNIFICANT.)) ((dog barking))
Dick Brown says Jones poured all his affection into Ambie.
Needless to say Ambie was spoiled. ((THE DOG HAD NO TRAINING WHAT SO EVER. HE WAS A NUISANCE TO BE AROUND BECAUSE HE JUMPED ALL OVER YOU.))
Medical bills are depleting Ambie's trust fund.
His attorney says when Ambie dies, the remainder of HIS estate goes to Leigh Jones' relatives.
But until that time, it's not a dog's life for Ambie.
Denise Allen News 7.))

April-Fools


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


Everyone loves a good practical joke, including the sometimes serious Brits.
London papers today invented some April Fools' news.
One paper carried stories about a water company dyeing its reservoir orange to prevent theft by a rival utility-- and Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana setting up rival WEB pages on the Internet.
Another paper, The ``Daily Telegraph,'' reported that T-V newscasters were too tall for the job and all those over six feet would be fired.
One newscaster is quoted as saying that his hair added an unwanted inch to his height, so he was planning to shave it off.



AETNA


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
SS=Health Care


Aetna Life and Casualty says it plans to buy the U-S Healthcare company.
The nine billion dollar deal would create the nation's biggest medical benefits company in the nation.
Combined, the companies provide health care services to about one in every 12 Americans.

Common-Sense


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# common sense
GRAPHIC=common sense


Another thing Americans need in addition to health care -- child care.
Every parent knows it's a big part of a family budget, and here's another expense -- the Nanny Tax.
Len Besthoff explains in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=a lot
SUPER=01-Gary Duerk/Brown, Edwards, & Company; :05
SUPER=@Len1; :48 (screen left/quick!)
RUNS=:54
OUT Q=back to the newsdesk




Stocks


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


Stocks began the second quarter with an advance, amid news of big mergers in the telephone and health care industries.
In those deals, S-B-C Communications said it is buying Pacific Telesis.
And as we mentioned earlier, Aetna is buying U-S Healthcare.
On Wall Street at noon the Dow was UP 15 points.

tease#3

SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


Stick around -
Mother Nature is playing tricks with the first full day of the baseball season.
Some games have already been cancelled,
(----------------)
VO-NAT

and the women's N-C-Double-A tournament is over and the Vols net another championship.
Patrick has sports next!
(---------------)

MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Women


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S6-4
GRAPHIC=Women's final four


In the Women's Final Four --
Tennessee picked up another national championship, beating Georgia 83 to 65.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/ESPN; :


Georgia's La'Keisha Frett takes it in the paint and scores the basket drawing the foul to tie it at 14.
But Tennessee comes back strong.
Michelle Marciniak takes it to the hoop and Georgia falls behind 24 to 19.
The Vols take control of the game in the second half Tiffany Johnson going inside for the 68 to 52 lead.
Tennessee maintains a double SUPER=33-Tennessee/=83/Georgia/=65; figure

lead throughout the second half to win it 83 to 65.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="We got

((PAT SUMMITT/TENNESSEE HEAD COACH: WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD LOOKS IN THE FIRST HALF, AND I KNEW GEORGIA WOULD MAKE A RUN ON US, I'M SO PROUD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO HANDLE THEIR PRESSURE AND I THINK OUR MENTALITY OF LAY UP OR SET UP GOT US A LOT OF EASY SHOTS.))
SUPER=01-Pat Summitt/Tennessee Head Coach; :
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=.......easy shots."
(-------------)
ANCHOR=pattick
SS=hold


It's Tennessee's fourth national title and the first since 1991.

NCAA


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S6-2
GRAPHIC=Final four


Syracuse is making its first trip back to the Championship since 1987 when they lost to an Indiana team on a last second shot.
Jim Boeheim remembers the game well and he's talked to his team about.
But the pressure is on Kentucky.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I told the

((JIM BOEHEIM/SYRACUSE HEAD COACH: I TOLD THE PLAYERS THAT AFTER THE REGIONAL "NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, YOU'RE HAVING THE MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, AND IF YOU LOSE IN THE FINAL FOUR, YOU'LL HAVE THE WORST MOMENT." WE HAVE PREPARED THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY TO GO OUT AND GIVE IT ALL THAT THEY HAVE. IN '87, WE GAVE IT ALL WE HAD AND OUR PLAYERS HAVE NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF, BUT IT STILL HURTS.)) ((RICK PITINO/KENTUCKY HEAD COACH: I THINK THE PRESSURE IS THERE BECAUSE IT'S ONLY BEEN ONE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SO MANY YEARS, AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAD A TASTE EARLY ON. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE IT GOOD PRESSURE, TO TRY AND FOCUS MORE, RUN FASTER, AND JUMP HIGHER...DO ALL THE GOOD THINGS. THERE'S NO ESCAPING THEM. ))
SUPER=01-Jim Boeheim/Syracuse Head Coach; :00
SUPER=01-Rick Pitino/Kentucky Head Coach; :24
RUNS=:42
OUT Q=.......no escaping that."
(-------------)
ANCHOR=patrick
SS=Hold Logo


The game tips off tonight at 9 and you can watch it right here on Your Hometown Station.









Race


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#R-32
GRAPHIC=Bristol Logo


Jeff Gordon sinks his teeth into a very wet Food City 500.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Bristol, TN/ESPN; :


After a 45 minute rain delay the drivers are anxious to get started.
Ward Burton gets under Mike Skinner and slides into the inside wall.
Skinner remains on the track but several laps later he gets lose and also hits the wall.
Rick Mast is second behind leader Bill Elliott with 100 laps in the book.
But Rusty Wallace finally works his way to the front with a strong run and leads at the halfway mark.
Another shower hits and the cars are red flagged on lap 324.
The race resumes but after a couple of laps Darrell Waltrip hits the wall in turn one bringing out another red flag.
Then the rain came again, forcing NASCAR officials to call off the race and declare Gordon the winner.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="It's just

((JEFF GORDON/FOOD CITY 500 WINNER: IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME, I KNOW, BUT IT'S PRETTY AMAZING THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING FOR US. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WE JUST WON AT BRISTOL THIS WAY. THIS IS AMAZING))
SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/Food City 500 Winner; :
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=.........IS AMAZING."
(-------------)
ANCHOR=patrick
SS=Hold Logo


Terry Labonte was second, Mark Martin third, Earnhardt fourth and Wallace fifth.

BASEBALL


ANCHOR=patrick
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=mlb logo


Unpredictable spring weather is plaguing the opening day of baseball.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH;


Snow is covering the playing surface at Jacobs Field, forcing the postponement of Cleveland's opener against the New York Yankees.
They'll try again tomorrow.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=patrick
SS=hold


And rain has claimed the Orioles' home opener against Kansas City.
President Clinton was set to throw out the first ball.
It's the first time Baltimore has had to postpone an opening game since 19-72.

WRAP


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=AMO
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE
(****patrick toss to mel******)

Thanks for joining us, and have a good day. That's it for News 7 at Noon.
by SS