12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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

The president sends the Olympic torch off on its journey through Virginia.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And the California Supreme Court has dealt a crippling blow to that state's "three strikes" law.
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TALENT=Beth
SS=None

It's sunny and hot today... and that sounds a lot like the weekend forecast. I'll tell you about it in a few minutes.
(///////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Don't go away, News 7 at Noon is next.

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Three-Strikes

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Gavel/Scales

A rise in crime, and the rising cry to fight back, brought the so-called three strikes law to 20- states in this country, including Virginia.
Criminals with three felony convictions could be sentenced to 25 years to life.
Yesterday, the California Supreme Court took a second look at the three strikes law, and called it too confining.
Bill Whitaker reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
10:00:00
IN Q=The California Supreme
SUPER=03-Los Angeles; :00
SUPER=01-Curt Pringle/California Assembly Speaker; :16 (QUICK!!)
SUPER=03-San Jose, CA/Tuesday; :20
SUPER=01-David Bristow/Former Dep. District Attorney; :49
SUPER=01-Marc Klaas/Murder Victim's Father; 1:17
SUPER=01-Bill Whitaker/Reporting; 1:21
RUNS=1:31
OUT Q=CBS News, Los Angeles;
((
The California Supreme court said the three-strikes law, mandating 25-years to life for three time felons, doesn't just restrict crime, it restricts judges too...their discretion in meting out punishment. State officials were outraged.

SOT: Curt Pringle, CA Legislature Speaker/ THE OPINION IS BAD AND
IT'S IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
Tues, San Jose NARR: Californians demanded "three-strikes" for violent felons like Richard Allen Davis, the killer of Polly. Crime in California has gone down, but jails are overflowing with three-strikers...most for non-violent crimes. This man got 25 years for stealing a slice of pizza.
Cases like that sparked a rebellion. David Bristow was fired by the San Bernardino DA for refusing to prosecute a small time drug case. He's now a public defender.

SOT: David Bristow/Fmr. Deputy District Atty.
NORMALLY THIS GUY WOULD BE LOOKING AT MOST THREE YEARS IN PRISON, NOW HE'S GONNA LOOK AT LIFE IN PRISON FOR A QUARTER OF A PACK OF EQUAL OF COCAINE. AND THAT STRUCK ME AS UNJUST.
NARR: Judges began refusing to impose the mandatory sentences.

SOT: Judge (No super necessary)/(5915) THIS WOULD BE A SENTENCE THE
COURT FINDS THAT WOULD SHOCK THE CONSCIENCE AND OFFEND THE FUNDAMENTAL NOTIONS OF HUMAN DIGNITY.
NARR: Today, even Polly Klaas' father agreed the law needs reforming.

SOT: Marc Klaas/Murder Victim's Father I THINK THE JUDGES HAVE TO HAVE SOME
KIND OF DISCRETION, THAT'S WHAT WE PUT THEM THERE FOR.
Whitaker on cam/ Nevertheless, supporters of the law plan new legislation to put a guaranteed bite back into three strikes. Bill Whitaker, CBS News, Los Angeles.))

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Jens

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-54
GRAPHIC=Soering

The state Supreme Court is now asking whether prosecutors withheld evidence that could have cleared convicted murderer (Yenz SIR-ing) Jens Soering.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co./File Tape;

(SIR-ing) Soering was found guilty in 1990 of the stabbing deaths of his girlfriend's parents, Derek and Nancy Haysom, in Bedford County.
Elizabeth Haysom pleaded guilty as an accessory and is serving a 90-year prison term.
(SIR-ing) is appealing HIS conviction, claiming investigators never told defense attorneys about other suspects who could have committed the crimes.
But lead investigator Ricky Gardner says (SIR-ing) Soering's attorneys got everything they were entitled to.
As far as Gardner is concerned, the real killers are already in jail.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:27:10//16:27:43
IN Q=Everything was
((SGT. RICKY GARDNER/HAYSOM MURDERS INVESTIGATOR: EVERYTHING WAS DOCUMENTED, WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO BACK UP EVERYTHING THAT WE DID IN THE CASE FROM THE FORENSIC ASPECTS OF THE CASE TO THE INTERVIEWS OF WITNESSES, ANY SUSPECTS THAT WE DID HAVE AT THE TIME UP UNTIL THE TIME THAT THEY WERE INDICTED. I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE DID WAS ABOVE BOARD AND EVERYTHING THAT THE DEFENSE WAS ENTITLED TO THEY RECEIVED.))
SUPER=01-Sgt. Ricky Gardner/Haysom Murders Investigator; :00
RUNS=:30
OUT Q=entitled to they received.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Bedford Circuit Court Judge William Sweeney will set a date for the appeal hearing within the next couple of weeks.
(----------------)

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Cranwell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-47
GRAPHIC=Kevorkian, Jack

Dr. Jack Kevorkian has attended his third death in ten days.
His lawyer says Kevorkian assisted in the suicide of an Ohio woman last night who was in extreme pain from a neurological disease.
At the same time Kevorkian now plans to give his patients the option to make their organs available for transplanting.
Earlier this week, a Chesterfield County woman became the first Virginian to seek assistance from Kevorkian.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/February 13;

Now, Republicans are pointing out to reporters that it was House Democrats who blocked a bill this year making physician-assisted suicide a class six felony.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 23:05:32
IN Q=This bill
((DEL. BILL MIMS/R-LEESBURG: THIS BILL DEALS WITH ASSISTED SUICIDE, MERCY KILLING. THOSE THINGS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE HEALTH CARE DECISIONS ACT. THE REASON WHY THIS BILL IS NECESSARY IS THAT THERE IS A GROWING MOVEMENT NATIONWIDE TOWARDS ASSISTED SUICIDE.))
sot 23:06:54
((DEL. DICK CRANWELL/D-VINTON: IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME THAT WE CANNOT GET ANY CONSENSUS ON THIS, SO THIS BILL NEEDS TO GO BACK TO COMMITTEE WHERE WE CAN HAVE YEAR TO SORT THESE EIGHT, OR NINE, OR TEN AMENDMENTS, WHATEVER THEY MIGHT BE OUT.))
SUPER=01-Del. Bill Mims/(R) Leesburg; :00
SUPER=@Cranwell; :18
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=might be out.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The bill was in its second year of consideration in Richmond.
It was referred again to Dick Cranwell's sub-committee on a party line vote at the hands of Democrats.
There is currently NO law specific to physician-assisted suicide in Virginia.
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Hurwitz

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=cst
TAPE#96-43
GRAPHIC=NONE

It will be another several weeks before a Washington D-C doctor who specializes in treating patients with chronic pain finds out if he can continue practicing medicine in Virginia.
Doctor William Hurwitz is accused of over-prescribing narcotics to pain patients.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Hurwitz's hearing before the state board of medicine has been continued until next month.
This patient of the doctor takes some 50 painkillers a day-- combinations that would usually cause at least addiction, or disorientation-- but with chronic pain patients, that's often NOT the case.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:14:20
IN Q=If it takes
((DR. WILLIAM HURWITZ:IF IT TAKES ONE PILL OR IT TAKES 100 PILLS OR IT TAKES, 1,000 PILLS, THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES. ))
SUPER=07-Dr. William Hurwitz; :00 QUICK
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=what it takes.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Some say it's that kind of talk that's getting Dr. Hurwitz in trouble.
That, and the fact that two of his patients-- a 37 year-old woman, and a 36-year old man, died-- possibly because of his treatment.
Hurwitz does have the support of some of the top pain specialists in the country-- who agree chronic pain patients build up tolerance, and require stonger doses to relieve pain.
(-------------------)

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Italy-Flood

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sly
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Flooding

Italian authorities report at least 11 people have been killed in massive mudslides and flooding.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lucca, Italy;

Another 25 people are missing in the Tuscany region of the country.
Heavy rain over a six hour period yesterday triggered the mudslides and the collapse of a bridge.
Two people died when their car was swept away by rising waters.
Some Italians are blaming the government for neglecting the flood threat and for the lack of a comprehensive flood prevention policy.
(----------------)

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pittsburgh-rescue

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

Some Pittsburgh workers were left hanging last night, literally.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsburgh;

Two men were in a cherry picker on the Smithfield Street Bridge when their truck fell over.
Both men were wearing harnesses, but one man was hanging out of the bucket.
A passing party boat came to their rescue by positioning itself below the men, they were then lowered onto the boat.
Both men suffered only minor injuries.
(----------------)
wipe/wipe/wipe

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Philly-save

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Philadelphia;

And in Philadelphia, a bridge inspector was left dangling from a bridge for more than 15- minutes after the crane holding his bucket overturned.
Rescue workers were finally able to bring the man to safety.
The inspector's bucket was suspended from a crane parked in a closed lane in the center span of the bridge.
(----------------)


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

Stick around for more NEWS-7-- the town of Iron Gate will soon be without its one man police force,
(--------------)
VO-NAT
and it's old news, literally, as some Virginia Tech researchers study dinosaur eggs dating back 70-MILLION years.
(---------------)
wx-tease/viewernet music up full comm1

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Iron-Gate

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 96-52
GRAPHIC=Phillips, Jim

Controversy has been surrounding Iron Gate's only police officer for months.
Now, the town has eliminated his job and Officer Jim Phillips has been forced to resign.
Jay Moore has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The next time
SUPER=03-Iron Gate/File Tape; :05 Quick!!!
SUPER=01-Otis Payne/Iron Gate Mayor; :16
SUPER=@Jay1; :25 Screen Right!!
SUPER=01-Lethia Fisher/Iron Gate Mayor-Elect; :56
RUNS=1:18
OUT Q=Jay Moore News 7
(( The next time drivers in Iron Gate hear this sound....
It won't be coming from the patrol car driven by officer Jim Phillips.
That's because town council has eliminated his job.
Council worked out a deal with Phillips ... leading to his resignation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:34:39
IN Q=I would say this
((OTIS PAYNE/IRON GATE MAYOR: I WOULD SAY THIS. IF HE HADN'T RESIGNED THE CONSENSUS AMONG COUNCIL PEOPLE THAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED OR DISMISSED.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=fired or dismissed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:51:58
IN Q=Phillips didn't
((JAY MOORE/REPORTING: PHILLIPS DIDN'T ATTEND THE MEETING. BUT IN A LETTER TO COUNCIL HE SAYS HE'S ALWAYS BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND FAIR AND HOPE SOME GOOD WILL COME WITH THE TIME HE HAS SPENT WITH CITIZENS.))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=spent with citizens.

Payne says he's had a number of problems with Phillips.
The sargent was put on administrative leave in March after his reckless driving conviction.
A judge ruled Phillips endangered the public during a police chase.
Phillips will be payed sick, comp, and vacation time up to the point he was put on leave.
And who will now patrol the area?
The mayor- elect says the county and state police will pick up the slack left by Phillips' absence.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:42:54
IN Q=We hope this
((LETHIA FISHER/IRON GATE MAYOR-ELECT: WE HOPE THIS WORKS OUT FINE. OUR CHARTER GIVES US ENOUGH LATITUDE TO PROVIDE POLICE PROTECTION THROUGH THE COUNTY. WE HOPE THIS WORKS WELL. IF IT DOESN'T THEN WE'LL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER SOLUTION. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=another solution.

Technically, Phillips will be employed by the town until July 31st while he finishes up some out of town police training.
But he will remain on administrative leave without pay and without legal authority.
In Iron Gate, Jay Moore, News 7.))

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Greenways

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#596-22
GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal

A Roanoke greenway has aquired almost a quarter of a million dollars from the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The total was about half of the amount the city requested, but greenway supporters say they're delighted with the news.
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

The greenway will provide a seven- mile trail for pedestrians and cyclists, stretching from the city market along the Roanoke River to Mill Mountain.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We see lots of people
((JOHN MARLLES/ROANOKE PLANNING DIRECTOR: WE SEE LOTS OF PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE HOTEL ROANOKE IN DOWNTOWN THAT WANT TO JOG OR RIDE A BIKE. THIS IS GOING TO GIVE THEM A PATH TO DO THAT IN. WE THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT RESIDENT OF ROANOKE ARE REALLY GOING TO ENJOY ONCE THEY SEE IT.))
SUPER=01-John Marlles/Roanoke Planning Director;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=once they see it.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None

The Transportation Board also earmarked federal funds for the Uptown Rail Trail in Martinsville, and The Draper Mountain Overlook and Wayside in Pulaski County.

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Dinosaurs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-46
GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech

A group of scientists at Virginia Tech are stepping back in time.
They're studying two duckbilled dinosaur eggs they believe were laid in China's Yellow River Basin more than 70 million years ago.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;

Yesterday the eggs underwent a C-T scan at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Close scrutiny indicated the fossilized eggs had most likely hatched.
Researchers had hoped to find at least one fossilized embryo for further study.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:08:42
IN Q=
((DR. BILL GREENBERG/VA. TECH PROFESSOR: UNLESS YOU COULD SEE THE EMBRYO'S STRUCTURE VERY CLEARLY, YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT SPECIES OF DINOSAUR IT WAS. AND OF COURSE BY STUDYING THE EMBRYO'S STRUCTURE YOU ALSO FIND OUT A LOT ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF DINOSAURS. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Bill Greenberg/Va. Tech Professor;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=development of dinosaurs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The eggs were found in China and exported several years ago to a group of paleontologists in Colorado.
The eggs will soon be on display at Virginia Tech.
(----------------)

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Trash

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

Eight-hundred-thousand cigarette butts and 14 refrigerators.
They're among the trash found in ONE day on the beaches of the nation's rivers and coastlines.
Clean- up officials say it's not trash from passing ships that's fouling the coastlines these days, but trash from individuals.
Cigarette butts make up 20 percent of the trash, followed by chunks of plastic and foam.
Other junk found includes 24-thousand disposable cigarette lighters, eight-thousand car tires, and 27 T-V's.
The beach trash survey is based on a one-day cleanup last September involving 43 states and U-S territories.
Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

Still to come - Is fungus attacking your trees?
That's the topic of today's Growin It...
(----------------)
VO-NAT
and the Olympic torch has crossed the line into Virginia on it's way to the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.
(----------------)

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torch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=1996 Olympics

The Olympic flame is now traveling through Virginia.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

It got a presidential send off this morning.
The president and first lady presided over a departure ceremony at the White House.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In the past...
((IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS WE'VE DEALT WITH A DIFFERENT FLAME, THIS FLAME REPRESENTS THE BEST PART OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The flame is on a 15-thousand mile, 84 day cross country journey on its way to Atlanta and the opening day ceremonies for the 19-96 summer olympics.
The flame is expected to arrive in Atlanta July 19th.
(----------------)

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GROWIN-IT

ANCHOR=BETH
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=PEV
TAPE#96-50
GRAPHIC=GROWIN' IT

Cetain types of pine trees in your yard may be under attack.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;

Austrian Pines, like the ones you see here, as well as other non-indigenous varieties, may be subject to a fungal disease which can evetually kill the trees.
The fungus can be treated if any of your trees are showing symptoms, but it's best to use preventative measures BEFORE your trees are in trouble.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Well, if you've planted...
((MARY ANN HANSEN/PLANT PATHOLOGIST: ))
SUPER=01-Mary Ann Hansen/Plant Pathologist;
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=as many infections.
ANCHOR=BETH
SS=HOLD

Fungicides are available at your local garden shop, be sure to follow all the directions when using them.
WEATHER
SUPER=300-79/64/NW-9/29.95/R/98/1964/47/1980;
SUPER=301-83/56/N-8/29.94/R/98/1933/46/1980;

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Stocks

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

Stocks are mostly higher in heavy trading today as investors square their positions for the quarterly expiration of options and futures contracts.
On Wall Street at noon the Dow was UP almost 19 points.
tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Coming in sports, the coach with the best winning percentage in N-B-A history is sticking around for another year,
(----------------)
VO-NAT
and we'll head back to the Roanoke Valley Horse Show to see how riders and trainers prepare for their events.
(---------------)
MUSIC UP FULL comm4

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Jackson

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-11
GRAPHIC=BULLS

The Head Bull in Chicago is coming back for one more round.
Head Coach Phil Jackson,
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Deerfield, IL/Last Night; :00

had talked of taking a sabbatical or even taking another job, but last night he signed a one year contract extension.
The new deal is worth nearly two and a half million bucks.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="This one season...
((PHIL JACKSON/SIGNS ONE YEAR CONTRACT:))
SUPER=01-Phil Jackson/Signs One Year Contract; :00
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=...THAT'S FOR SURE."
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD BULLS

The Bulls begin trying to re-sign Jordan and Rodman July first.

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Orioles

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-9
GRAPHIC=ORIOLES

The Orioles have finally lassoed the Texas Rangers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT CON'T
SUPER=03-Baltimore/Rangers vs. Orioles - HTS; :00

Texas had beaten the O's eight out of nine games this season before Brady Anderson pulled the Orioles even with a homerun...his 25th of the year to make it a two-all game in the third.
Then with two outs in the inning, Rafael Palmiero got the eventual game
SUPER=35-Baltimore/==3/Texas/==2;
winner as he lifted this solo shot to left center.
The Orioles beat the Rangers 3-to-2.
(-------------)

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River-Dawgs

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=RIVERDAWGS

Ian Spooner of the Roanoke RiverDawgs has been named the U-S-I-S-L co-player of the week.
He scored four goals in two Roanoke wins last week.
Spooner will be helping his team out tonight when the Dawgs host South Florida.
The soccer game gets underway at 7:30 at Cave Spring Junior High.

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Horse

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#S6-7
GRAPHIC=Horse Show

In preperation for one of the jumping events at the Roanoke Valley Horse Show it's not the horse that gets the first peek at the ring.
Roy Stanely tells us it's the rider or trainer who first sees what they're up against.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="If this looks...
SUPER=03-Salem; :
SUPER=01-Pierre Jolecoeus/Trainer; :17
SUPER=01-Lynne Little/Raylyn Farms; :49
SUPER=@Roy1; 1:17
RUNS=1:28
OUT Q=......news 7 sports."
(-------------)
((NAT SOUND: )) ((If this looks like mass confusion in the ring trust me its not.
Riders and trainers were on the course inside the Civic Center going to school.
Its a pre-ride ritual called a walk through.)) ((PIERRE JOLECOEUS/TRAINER: )) ((And that's important especially in the High School Jumping category.
The majority of the horses are young and inexperienced.
And because of that the Rider must know exactly what steps the horse must take to successful complete the course.)) ((LYNNE LITTLE/RAYLYN FARMS: )) ((PIERRE JOLECEUS: )) ((ROY STANDUP: ))
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

The horse show continues today.
Tonight, you can catch the ten-thousand dollar Open Jumper competition.
Also, the famous Budwiser Clydesdles and Jack Russell Terrier races are on tap tonight beginning at 7:00.

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WRAP

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

Coming up on Health Check on NEWS-7 at FIVE tonight --
Connie Stevens reports on the latest treatments for enuresis-- more commonly, known simply as bed-wetting.
It's a problem that plagues up to seven million children over the age of six.
Also, a report on treating phobias in adults.
Join us for those stories, plus all the days news, sports and weather-- on Have a great weekend. News 7 at FIVE.