WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/29/96

06:00-01

Headlines

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=mel
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The death toll continues to rise in a mass shooting in Australia.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And a three- year- old child drowns at Smith Mountain lake. wx-head
(beth ad lib)
live-head
(larry ad lib)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None

Don't go away, News 7 Mornin is next.

Lake-Drowning

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=drowning

The Bedford County Sheriff's Department says a three- year- old child drowned in Smith Mountain Lake yesterday.
It happened at about four p-m in Moneta.
It's reported rescue squad members tried to revive the child but it later died at the hospital.
The sheriff has yet to release any additional information.

Australia

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=shooting

A gunman accused of committing the worst mass murder in Australian history is in custody this morning.
The suspect, described as a 29-year old "surfer-type" allegedly opened fire on tourists in the Tasmanian town of Port Arthur yesterday, killing at least 34-people.
Police caught him after the cottage where he was believed to be holding hostages caught fire.
Vicki Mabrey has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Port Arthur, Australia/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Vicki Mabrey/Reporting; 1:00
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=Vicki Mabrey CBS News London.
((
THE GUNFIRE CAUGHT TOURISTS OFF GUARD AT FIRST, AS THIS AMATEUR VIDEO SHOWS.
BUT SURPRISE QUICKLY TURNED TO TERROR AS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THE SHOOTING WAS REAL.
THOSE WHO COULD ESCAPE CROWDED INTO WHATEVER SHELTER THEY COULD FIND, AS THE GUNMAN ROAMED THE TASMANIAN TOURIST ATTRACTION, USING A HIGH-POWERED RIFLE TO PICK OFF HIS VICTIMS.
POLICE SAY THE 29-YEAR-OLD ALLEGED GUNMAN HAS BEEN TREATED FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.
WITNESSES DESCRIBE HIM AS A BLOND SURFER TYPE WHO CALMLY HUNTED FOR TARGETS IN A CAFE, A PARKING LOT, AND A HOTEL ON THE SITE.
EYEWITNESS:HE SAID THERE'S A LOT OF WASPS AROUND HERE TODAY, THERE'S NOT MANY JAPS AROUND, AND THEN HE STARTED MUTTERING TO HIMSELF, AND THEN HE WALKED INSIDE AND THAT'S WHEN ALL THE GUNSHOTS STARTED GOING OFF.
MOST OF THE DEAD ARE BELIEVED TO BE AUSTRALIANS, ASIANS AND CANADIANS.. INCLUDING SOME CHILDREN.
AN AMERICAN FROM WASHINGTON STATE WHO IS AMONG THE INJURED IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION.
POLICE RADIO: HE'S GOT SOME POLICE OFFICERS DOWN THERE.. HE'S SHOOTING AT THEM.
After the shooting, the gunman fled to a nearby guest cottage where he held three people hostage overnight and continued firing at the 200 officers who had surrounded the house. as police kept their distance, the house caught fire.
The suspected gunman came out alone. he was arrested and taken to the hospital... treated for burns.
Vicki Mabrey CBSNews, London.))

L'burg-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-31
GRAPHIC=fire

Lynchburg authorities say a fire that heavily damaged a downtown building early this morning may have been deliberately set.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

The blaze at 24- hundred 12th Street was reported just after one.
The back porch to the Alco Vinyl Siding Company apparently had been set on fire, and the flames quickly spread to the rest of the building.
Firefighters spent more than an hour knocking the fire down.
Authorities say that neighborhood has had other arson problems before.
Fire marshals are waiting to talk to a man who was arrested on a drunk in public charge at the same time the fire broke out.
(----------------)
wipe wipe wipe

New-Mexico

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=mornin
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Near Santa Fe, NM;

A huge forest fire in New Mexico is coming closer to the Los Alamos Nuclear Research Lab.
Officials say there is no danger of any radioactive release, but grass is being cut down around the facility, and explosives are being moved.
The fire has destroyed more than 11-thousand acres.
(----------------)
WIPE/WIPE/WIPE/

STANWOOD-FIRE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Stanwood, WA/Yesterday;

A fire destroyed A vegetable packing plant in Stanwood, Washington yesterday and forced the evacuation of much of the town.
Witnesses say they heard an explosion before the fire sent ammonia-smelling smoke and huge flames into the air.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire had not been determined.
(----------------)

Balcony-Collapse

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# edit 96-21
GRAPHIC=None

Inspections of the Blacksburg apartment complex where second and third floor balconies collapsed early Saturday morning are now complete.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday;

The two balconies at the Terrace View Apartment complex fell under the weight of nearly 40 students.
Three people remain hospitalized.
Thirteen others were treated at local hospitals for injuries ranging from cuts and broken bones to emotional trauma.
The apartment manager says the rental policy states only 10 people should be on the balcony at one time.
Town Manager Ron Secrist says he expects to get the results of the inspection early this week.
(----------------)

Amtrak

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=amtrak

The Amtrak bus from Roanoke to Clifton Forge is no more.
The bus made its last journey yesterday.
Amtrak officials say they canceled the service because of low ridership and high costs.

Farris

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE# 96-38
GRAPHIC=Farris, Mike

The conservative Christian Republican defeated by Don Beyer for the Lieutenant Governor job has a book and movie deal in the works.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/June 1993;

Loudoun County constitutional lawyer Mike Farris hasn't ruled out another political run since his '93 defeat --
SUPER=03-Purcellville;
but he's ruled IN a sideline career as a novelist.
His first novel is called "Anonymous Tip" and is due out in October.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 07:48:57
IN Q=It's about
((IT'S ABOUT A SINGLE MOM WHO WAS TURNED IN FOR A FALSE CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATION BY HER EX-HUSBAND. AND SHE HAS TO FIGHT FOR HER CHILD AND THEN HER RIGHTS. AND IT'S A CHRISTIAN, JOHN GRISHAM-STYLE NOVEL. SO THEY'VE SIGNED ME TO A FIVE NOVEL CONTRACT. AND I'M ACTUALLY WRITING NUMBER TWO RIGHT NOW.))
SUPER=07-Mike Farris;
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=two right now.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=farris

The deal is through a Southern Baptist publishing house -- which is also considering two offers from filmmakers to bring "Anonymous Tip" to the movie screen.
Meanwhile, Farris continues his work as a national advocate for home- schoolers, and a national co- chairman for Pat Buchanan's Presidential effort.

Common-Sense

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

Time now for another edition of "Common Sense."
This week, Len Besthoff explains how investors can cash in on retail stocks.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=when a
SUPER=@Len1; :00
SUPER=01-Ken Gassman/Consumer Analyst-Davenport & Co.; :13
RUNS=:41
OUT Q=back to the newsdesk

2-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=nba logo

In the N-B-A --
Sacramento and Seattle are tied at a game apiece.
Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=96-Chicago/106/Miami/=75//Sacramento/=90/Seattle/=81;
SUPER=96-Orlando/=92/Detroit/=77//San Antonio/110/Phoenix/105;

SUPER=103-Detroit/==4/Winnipeg/==1//NY Rangers/==5/Montreal/==3;
SUPER=103-Pittsburgh/==3/Washington/==2;

2HEADLINES

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The death count has risen to 34 in the worst mass slaying in Australian history.
A 29-year old man is accused of opening fire on tourists on the island of Tasmania.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

In the future, Israel will know if there's an enemy attack.
The U-S has agreed to share intelligence with Israel against any sneak attacks by countries that are not friendly to the Jewish State.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And arson is suspected in an early morning fire in downtown Lynchburg.
The blaze heavily damaged a building on 12th street.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And that's what's making news on this Monday April 29th.
ANCHOR=Beth
(ad lib)

Gunman

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=shooting

A 29-year-old man with a history of mental problems is in custody and will be charged in the worst massacre in Australian history.
At least 34 people were killed yesterday when a gunman opened fire at a historic site on the island of Tasmania.
Vicki Mabrey has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Port Arthur, Australia/Yesterday; :00
SUPER=01-Vicki Mabrey/Reporting; 1:00
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=Vicki Mabrey CBS News London.
((
THE GUNFIRE CAUGHT TOURISTS OFF GUARD AT FIRST, AS THIS AMATEUR VIDEO SHOWS.
BUT SURPRISE QUICKLY TURNED TO TERROR AS IT BECAME OBVIOUS THE SHOOTING WAS REAL.
THOSE WHO COULD ESCAPE CROWDED INTO WHATEVER SHELTER THEY COULD FIND, AS THE GUNMAN ROAMED THE TASMANIAN TOURIST ATTRACTION, USING A HIGH-POWERED RIFLE TO PICK OFF HIS VICTIMS.
POLICE SAY THE 29-YEAR-OLD ALLEGED GUNMAN HAS BEEN TREATED FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.
WITNESSES DESCRIBE HIM AS A BLOND SURFER TYPE WHO CALMLY HUNTED FOR TARGETS IN A CAFE, A PARKING LOT, AND A HOTEL ON THE SITE.
EYEWITNESS:HE SAID THERE'S A LOT OF WASPS AROUND HERE TODAY, THERE'S NOT MANY JAPS AROUND, AND THEN HE STARTED MUTTERING TO HIMSELF, AND THEN HE WALKED INSIDE AND THAT'S WHEN ALL THE GUNSHOTS STARTED GOING OFF.
MOST OF THE DEAD ARE BELIEVED TO BE AUSTRALIANS, ASIANS AND CANADIANS.. INCLUDING SOME CHILDREN.
AN AMERICAN FROM WASHINGTON STATE WHO IS AMONG THE INJURED IS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION.
POLICE RADIO: HE'S GOT SOME POLICE OFFICERS DOWN THERE.. HE'S SHOOTING AT THEM.
After the shooting, the gunman fled to a nearby guest cottage where he held three people hostage overnight and continued firing at the 200 officers who had surrounded the house. as police kept their distance, the house caught fire.
The suspected gunman came out alone. he was arrested and taken to the hospital... treated for burns.
Vicki Mabrey CBSNews, London.))

Colby

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=none

Former C-I-A director William Colby is reported missing.
The U-S Coast Guard says it discovered a canoe Colby was using capsized near his home in Maryland's Charles County.
The Coast Guard says Colby was reported missing last night, prompting a search of the lower Potomac River until just after midnight.
That search is scheduled to resume today.

Peres

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=peres

Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres sits down today for a chat with
SS=bob dole
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

Peres is in Washington discussing security issues.
Yesterday President Clinton promised him, the U.S. would help modernize Israel's defense system, offering technology that instantly detects enemy launches.
Israel is in the third day of a ceasefire with Hezbollah Guerrillas.
(----------------)

Whitewater

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=clinton

President Clinton was carrying out his official duties with Peres just hours after testifying as a defense witness in the criminal trial of his former Whitewater partners.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The President testified for some four and a half hours yesterday, on behalf of former partners Susan and James McDougal who are facing fraud and conspiracy charges.
The McDougals had subpoenaed the President to rebut allegations by former Arkansas judge David Hale that then Governor Clinton pressured Hale to make an illegal loan to Susan McDougal.
Jim McDougal says he is satisfied with the president's testimony.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
(( JIM MCDOUGAL:I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT DAVID HALE IS A LIAR AND A THIEF AND A CON ARTIST AND I WOULD IMAGINE IF YOU STOPPED HIM ON THE STREET THE PRESIDENT WOULD PROBABLY AGREE WITH THAT CONCLUSION. ))
SUPER=07-Jim McDougal;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=with that conclusion.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The taped deposition has been sealed and all sides have 30 days to file arguments as to how to handle the videotape.
The White House is hoping it won't become material for campaign attack ads.
(----------------)

Freemen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=freemen standoff

More talks are planned today between former Green Beret James ``Bo'' Gritz and the anti-government Freemen in Montana.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Jordan, MT/Yesterday;

Gritz described his seven hours of talks yesterday as ``verbal judo.'''
He says the Freemen are all willing to surrender, but only if federal officials can disprove the group's anti-government beliefs.
(----------------)

Torch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE# net
GRAPHIC=olympics

The olympic torch is on its way to Atlanta.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-San Diego Co., CA/Yesterday;

Yesterday, the second day of the 15-thousand mile journey, thousands of people lined a coastal road in San Diego County, California to cheer the relay.
The torch will travel across 42-states before arriving for the opening ceremonies July 19th.
(----------------)

3-Sports

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cro
TAPE#=sports cut in
GRAPHIC=none

In other sports-related news -- Roy Stanley has highlights of a scary Winston Select 500.
Good morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=thank you
RUNS=2:20
OUT Q=everybody
$CCOFF
Birthdays
TALENT=Larry
SS=none
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=(nat sot music)
RUNS=2:34
out= back to you.

Alco-Fire

Lake-Drowning

Lexington-Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE# 96-32
GRAPHIC=Pickral, John

The weekend death of another child is the focus of an investigation.
Scott Prince reports from Lexington.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Family members
SUPER=03-Lexington/Saturday; :08
SUPER=03-Salem; :24
SUPER=@Scott1; :30
SUPER=01-Rick Birnbach/Valley Guns; :43
SUPER=03-Lexington; :56
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=Scott Prince, News- 7
(( Family members describe 10- year- old John Pickral as a boy full of life.
He loved sports... especially hunting.
But his life came to an abrupt halt after a gun went off at the Virginia Military Institute Rifle Range.
Pickral was there to take a skeet shooting lesson from rifle coach Jim Thorp... the man left holding the 3-80 caliber pistol.
Police say the bullet went through Thorp's hand and into the chest of the 4th grader.
Before the incident happened, conversation focused on the gun show at the Salem Civic Center. standup 16:24:20
That's when Thorp took out the 3- 80... saying he had bought it at a gun show.
He retracted the slide to see if there was a round in the chamber.
What Thorp didn't know was that the magazine was loaded.
As he tried to put the gun away, it went off.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:05:52
IN Q=A .380
((RICK BIRNBACH/VALLEY GUNS: A .380 WOULD BE TREATED JUST LIKE ANY OTHER SEMI- AUTOMATIC PISTOL. IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE ITS CHECKED, HAVE THE MAGAZINE WITHDRAWN, MAKE SURE THAT WAS EMPTY, BRING THE SLIDE BACK LOOK DOWN THE ACTUAL BARREL AND IN THE MAGAZINE WELL, LOOKING FOR ANY CHANCE OF A LOOSE ROUND. ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=loose round

Pickral was pronounced dead at Stonewall Jackson Hospital... the same place where Thorp is recovering.
At this point no charges have been filed against the rifle instructor.
But V- M- I has turned the case over to the Lexington commonwealth's attorney.
Scott Prince, News- 7.))

C'Burg-Shooting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=Police Shooting

Christiansburg Police shot a woman yesterday while responding to a suicide call at the Old Farm Village apartments.
According to a press release, a woman called 9-1-1 dispatchers and told them she was considering committing suicide.
Officers arrived and heard a shot fired.
Police say Stella Arcaro (ARE-CAR-ROW) then exited the apartment pointing a rifle at an officer.
The officer fired, striking Arcaro in the leg.
She's in stable condition at Montgomery Regional Hospital.
Police do not say if Arcaro is the woman who made the call to 9-1-1.

Ultra-Light

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE# 96-26
GRAPHIC=None

Some say it's little more than an airborne go- kart, while others call it a parachute with a motor.
And while it may not be the fastest mode of transportation, it certainly looks like the one of the most fun.
Steve Smallshaw shows us what "IT" is.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Like most small
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00
SUPER=@ssm1; :27
SUPER=01-Jeff Jensen/Buckeye Flying Parachutes; :37
SUPER=01-Dale Wilson/Owner; :52
RUNS=1:40
OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.

(( Like most small airports, the New London landing strip has seen all types of flying machines over the years... nothing, however, quite like Jeff Jensen's contraption.
Jensen is the only person in Virginia who sells the Buckeye Powered Parachute.
It's essentially a lounge chair with wheels, a 66 horsepower engine and prop, and one giant parachute.
Crank it all up and you've got yourself a flying machine.natsot takeoff
RUNS=:03
(/////SOT/////)
SU 19:49:59 (#2)
IN Q=Since he became
((Since he became a dealer in December, Jeff Jensen has sold two of the Buckeye machines. Judging from the attention they get from people on the ground, these flying parachutes practically sell themselves.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=sell themselves.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:34:29
IN Q=It's very
((JENSEN: IT'S VERY INTRIGUING, PEOPLE ARE VERY INTRIGUED BY IT. THEY SEE 'EM AND THEY JUST WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT 'EM.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=more about 'em.

Count Dale Wilson among that group.
He spotted Jensen in the air one day, tracked him down and went up for a two hour flight.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:33:23
IN Q=Didn't know what
((DALE WILSON/PARACHUTE OWNER: DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS WHEN I FIRST SAW IT. HE WAS SO LOW, AND YOU COULD JUST SEE HIM REAL WELL AND HE WAS WAVING, HE HAD ANOTHER GUY IN IT WITH HIM AND THEY WERE WAVING, NEATEST THING I EVER SAW. SO I HAD TO RIDE IN IT AND ENDED UP BUYING IT.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=buying it.

On this night, it took a few hours for the wind to calm down enough to take off.
As he soared leisurely over the airport, Jensen says the trip was worth the wait.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 19:24:50
IN Q=It's absolutely
((JENSEN: IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. SUN'S SETTING OVER THE MOUNTAINS, OVER THE PEAKS THERE IN ROANOKE, IT'S JUST GORGEOUS UP HERE THIS EVENING.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=this evening.

Believe it or not, Jensen says it doesn't take long to get the hang of piloting the parachute.
Once you've done that, the rest is a breeze.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:31:05
IN Q=Most of the
((JENSEN: MOST OF THE TIME YOU CAN JUST KICK YOUR FEET OFF THE PEDALS, JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=enjoy the ride.
natsot
RUNS=:02

Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County.))

4-scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=mlb logo

The Montreal Expos enjoyed the ride yesterday as they cruised to a club-record run total and a win over the Colorado Rockies.
Let's take a look at the scoreboards.
(////////////)
SUPER=#C-200;
SUPER=92-NY Mets/==7/Pittsburgh/==5//Montreal/=21/Colorado/==9;
SUPER=92-Houston/==3/San Diego/==2//Chi Cubs/==3/Los Angeles/==0;
SUPER=92-San Francisco/=10/Florida/==4;

SUPER=91-Oakland/==6/Detroit/==3//Cleveland/=17/Toronto/==3;
SUPER=91-Kansas City/==9/Boston/==7//NY Yankees/==6/Minnesota/==3;
SUPER=91-White Sox/=10/California/==1//Texas/==5/Baltimore/==4;
SUPER=91-Milwaukee/=16/Seattle/==9;