WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 12/18/96

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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

It looks like Virginia Tech will take on Nebraska at the Orange Bowl without two key players.
(----------------)

And Democrats have stopped a Republican bid to win control of the Virginia Senate.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Beth
SS=None

Winter weather is heading our way. Many areas could see several inches of snow by morning. I'll have details in the forecast in a few minutes.
(///////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
ss=none

wx-snow

ANCHOR=Beth
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=bmy
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none

ad lib stormwatch
Weather Pro current forecast

Reynolds

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tha
TAPE#96-89
GRAPHIC=Election 96

The Democratic party went home with a major victory last night. Pinnacle Page 1050
Voters elected delegate Roscoe Reynolds as the 20th District's next state senator.
Teresa Hamilton was in Henry County where Reynolds celebrated his victory.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Roscoe Reynolds/(D) State Senator Elect; :33
SUPER=07-Barnie Day; 1:01
SUPER=@teresa1; 1:10
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=TH, News 7, henry County.

Dudley

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-92
GRAPHIC=dudley

The defeat of Allen Dudley meant a missed opportunity for Republicans to take control of the state senate.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rocky Mount/Last Night;

In his concession speech last night, Dudley thanked supporters for standing by him.
But he says the efforts during his month- long campaign could not measure up to the monumental support Reynolds received from Congressman- elect Virgil Goode.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:01:53
IN Q=I think if you compare
((ALLEN DUDLEY/R-ROCKY MOUNT: I THINK IF YOU COMPARE MY RECORD AND MY OPPONENT'S RECORD WITH THE ISSUES WE PRESENTED, WE DID REAL WELL WITH THAT PRESENTATION. UNFORTUNATELY, WE COULDN'T BEAT ROSCOE REYNOLDS AND VIRGIL GOODE COMBINED. ))
SUPER=01-Del. Allen Dudley/(R) Rocky Mount;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=Virgil Goode combined
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Dudley says he plans to continue working for the good of the commonwealth when he returns to the House of Delegates.
(----------------)

Suspensions

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-91
GRAPHIC=Tech Football

The Hokies will play their biggest football game yet two men short.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-1996 Season;

Tech will travel to the Orange Bowl without starting fullback Brian Edmonds, and receiver James Crawford.
Monday Blacksburg police charged the players with the rape and attempted sodomy of a 19- year- old student.
Tech officials last night said the alleged criminal activity reflects poorly on the integrity of the athletic programs and the university, and apologized to fans, students and the community.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:40:33
IN Q=
((DAVE BRAINE/VA. TECH ATHLETIC DIR.: OUR COURSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO TRY TO BE FAIR. WE'VE TAKEN A DAY TO LOOK OVER EVERYTHING AND TO TALK TO PEOPLE. AFTER A LOT OF SERIOUS THOUGHT WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE PROPER WAY TO GO. ))
SUPER=01-Dave Braine/Va. Tech Athletic Director;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=way to go.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Braine was quick to point out the suspensions should NOT be construed as an indication of the players' guilt.

Tech-Football

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-90
GRAPHIC=tech football

The two players filed a 32 million dollar lawsuit against the alleged victim.
The suit accuses her of trespassing, attempting to extort so-called hush money, slander, and assault.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The woman tells News-7
SUPER=@File; :00
SUPER=03-Blacksburg; 11
SUPER=01-Matt Pethyridge/Players' Lawyer; :22
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Spring Game; :57
SUPER=@Tracy1; 1:13
RUNS=1:22
OUT Q=News 7, Blacksburg.
(( The woman tells News-7 she dated James Crawford in the summer of '95 and is friends with him and Brian Edmonds.
She says after a party Friday night at the players' apartment both men started taking turns with her while she was drunk. She says they ran when she yelled for help.
The players' lawyer says it's ludicrous to think a rape victim would return to the scene of the crime.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
((MATT PETHYRIDGE/PLAYERS' LAWYER: SHE CAME IN THE APARTMENT, THEY WERE ASLEEP AND SHE ACCOSTED JAMES IN HIS BED WHILE HE WAS ASLEEP. SHE EITHER DID THAT OR SHE DID NOT, AND IF SHE DID SHE'S LIABLE FOR DAMAGES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SHE WAS RAPED. SHE WAS, OF COURSE, NOT RAPED BY EITHER OF THESE TWO PLAYERS. ))
RUNS=:15

The woman says she did go back, to hurt the players like they had hurt her.
She admits beating Crawford with her boot, and says he told her he thought she had consented to sex.
She denies the players' accusations that she demanded hush money, and says the only mention of money all evening came during the party, when she asked Crawford to borrow two dollars and he said it would cost her sex.
Meanwhile the players have now filed formal complaints with Blacksburg police, requesting an investigation into THEIR claims.
(/////SOT/////)
((A DOZEN WITNESSES ALL PREPARED TO OFFER INFORMATION SUGGESTING THE INNOCENCE OF THESE TWO PLAYERS. NONE OF THESE PEOPLE WERE INTERVIEWED BY THE BLACKSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT. NONE. ))
RUNS=:08

Blacksburg police chief Bill Brown says his department has consulted with the prosecutor from the beginning and will continue to investigate the case. Tracy Altizer, News 7, Blacksburg.))

Allen-Tech

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=None

Even before the suspensions were announced,
some of Virginia's POLITICAL leaders gave their opinions on what should be done with the two players in question.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Uhhh... Boy.
SUPER=@Allen :00
SUPER=@Beyer; :18
SUPER=@Gilmore; :32
SUPER=@Ellen1; :49
RUNS=1:08
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.
((
sot 11:56:42
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: UHHH. BOY. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT YOU PUNISH SOMEONE BEFORE THEY'RE ACTUALLY PUNISHED. NEVERTHELESS, IT'S FAIRLY SERIOUS, AND IT SEEMS TO ME THE COACH WOULD TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AND THAT THEY, IN MY VIEW, NOT PLAY.))
runs=:14

Allen's NOT alone in his concern about the case.
sot 12:53:12
((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: IF IT LOOKS LIKE EITHER A JUDGE OR A GRAND JURY IS GONNA INDICT THEM AND BIND THEM OVER FOR TRIAL, I WOULD NOT LET THEM REPRESENT VIRGINIA. THEY SHOULDN'T PLAY FOR VIRGINIA TECH WITH THESE SERIOUS CHARGES HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD.))
runs=:13

sot 14:48:47
((ATTORNEY GEN. JIM GILMORE: WELL I'M THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE. I'M NOT THE FOOTBALL COACH AT VIRGINIA TECH OR UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA OR ANYWHERE ELSE. BUT I HAVE ALWAYS CONDUCTED THE PUBLIC LIFE THAT I HAD AND THE PLACES THAT I HAVE RUN AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL AT HIGH STANDARDS, AND THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS.))
runs=:16

sot TACK STANDUP ON HERE

Governor Allen -- who was himself a quarterback at UVA, and whose father a very successful NFL coach -- told us about his own experience coaching 5th through 8th graders one year in Albemarle County.
He said if there were any infractions -- his player sat out the next game.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Still to come,
We'll look at the Citadel's hazing controversy and what it may mean for V-M-I.
(--------------)
VO-NAT

And,
A massive hostage situation continues in Peru.
Some Americans are believed to be among the captive.
(---------------)
music up full comm1

PERU

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

In Lima, Peru, Pro-Cuba rebels continue to hold some 200 people hostage at the home of Japan's ambassador.
The gunmen are threatening to kill the hostages unless their jailed leaders are freed.
At least seven of the hostages are believed to be Americans.
Liz Gonzalez has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=At approximately
SUPER=01-Liz Gonzalez/Reporting;:00
SUPER=03-Lima, Peru; :11
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=entered the residence.
11:00

FBI

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

An F-B-I employee has been arrested on spying charges.
A source says the employee was arrested today at work at the F-B-I Academy at Quantico.
There's no word yet on the suspect's name and rank-- or any information on who he was spying for.

HUNZIKER

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

Meantime, an American man recently freed from North Korea after being accused of spying reportedly has committed suicide.
Police Evan Hunziker (HUHN'-zih-kur) shot himself this morning at his parents' hotel in Tacoma, Washington.
Hunziker was held in North Korea for three months before being freed last month.
His family said he wanted to be a missionary.

UN

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

The United Nations has a new Secretary General.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;

(KOH'-fee ah-NAHN') Kofi Annan of the African country Ghana was formally sworn in yesterday.
He succeeds Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt who was vetoed for a second term by the United States.
Annan says he wants to lobby Congress personally for payment of more than a billion dollars the U-S owes in back-dues.
(----------------)

Citadel-reax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-102
GRAPHIC=Citadel

The attorney representing two female cadets at the Citadel says the women had their clothes set on fire not once, but THREE times.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Charleston, SC;

The attorney says hazing directed at the two began in mid-October and continued after Thanksgiving.
He says fingernail polish was poured on them and set on fire.
Could such a thing happen when women join the corps of cadets at VIRGINIA Military Institute next year?
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:32:35
IN Q=I think the
((COL. MIKE BISSELL/VMI: I THINK THE MONITORING PROCESS IS THERE. THE CADETS ARE THERE AND SURELY IF CADETS, WHICH IS A LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT, SOMETHING HAPPENS, THE MONITORING PROCESS CAN BE KICKED IN AND PEOPLE CAN JUMP IN TO STOP IT, I REALLY DO.))
SUPER=01-Col. Mike Bissell/VMI
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=I really do.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Colonel Bissell points out that- -unlike the Citadel- -V-M-I has a year to prepare for co-education and that it makes first classmen- -seniors- -responsible for the "rats."

Rail-Merger

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-103
GRAPHIC=Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern may still have a chance of winning its bid to purchase Conrail.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/File Tape;

Conrail already signed an agreement to merge with C-S-X, another railroad.
And their deal had a provision that allows them to postpone a shareholder vote on the merger if they don't think it will pass.
But a judge ruled they cannot do that because it would be "fundamentally unfair".
This opens the door for Norfolk Southern.
Conrail shareholders are scheduled to vote on the C-S-X offer Monday, and many favor the N-S bid because they'll get more money.
(-------------)

Tease#2
SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

Up next,
It's flat tire time for the Tour Dupont and it looks like the Roanoke Valley won't be able to find a replacement this year.
(-----------------)
VO-NAT

And,
We'll find out if this kind of weather is coming to our area.
The midwest is suffering through snowfall and bitter cold weather.
Stay with us.
(-----------------)

L'burg-Nuclear

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

A Lynchburg maintenance plant for nuclear power equipment is under investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Framatome Cogema (Co- GEE- ma) Fuels accidentally shipped a loaded fuel assembly to Germany. The container was found intact with its nuclear fuel pellets in mid-November, after a search by company officials.
Both company and N-R-C officials said there was little risk to the public because the fuel was stable and its radiation amount is small. But the mistake could cost the company up to 25-thousand dollars in fines.

Welfare

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-97
GRAPHIC=Welfare in Virginia

They're calling themselves the Governor's Welfare Ambassadors.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

And these business leaders say they have a three-fold mission as they help Virginia speed up its implementation of the final "workfare" part of welfare reform.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:29:10
IN Q=First educate
((TOM FARRELL/WELFARE AMBASSADOR: FIRST EDUCATE. SECOND ANALYZE. AND THIRD, AS IMPORTANT AS THE REST, IS HIRE. EVERYONE HERE MUST DO THEIR BEST TO HIRE THESE TRANSITIONAL WORKERS. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING FOR US NOT TO JUST HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT. AND THE PEOPLE HERE ARE COMMITTED TO FOLLOWING THROUGH.))
SUPER=01-Tom Farrell/Welfare Ambassador;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=following through.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Social Service officials also announced a new program to train welfare recipients to be nursing assistants in 350 of the state's nursing homes.
(------0----------)

Tour-DuPont

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#96-105
GRAPHIC=Tour DuPont

The Roanoke Valley will NOT be hosting an international cycling event next year.
Sources close to Cycle Roanoke Valley says efforts to find new sponsors for the last year of the Tour DuPont have fallen through.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Video Courtesy: Tour DuPont 1996

DuPont announced earlier this month that it was pulling its name and money from the race, after a falling out with promoters.
Since then, organizers have been trying to find the money for a May race.
But the Cycle Roanoke Valley sources say "the logistics just wouldn't work."
The group will work on getting international cycling back to the state by 19-98.
(----------------)

BLIZZARD

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=winter storm

A fierce winter storm continues to blow across the northern plain states.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fargo, ND;
4;26:53
Blizzard conditions have trapped people and closed major highways.
Snow drifts as deep as four feet have closed highways from the South Dakota line all the way up to Canada.
And temperatures in the single digits created windchills of up to MINUS 60 degrees below zero.
(----------------)
WEATHER
SUPER=300-45/60/Calm/29.94s/68/1990/12/1964;
SUPER=301-44/96/Calm/29.93f/79/1924/8/1973;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Winter Storm Watch/Wintery Mix/31-35/Sleet & Snow/Afternoon
Flurries/30-34;
SUPER=331-Winter Storm Watch/Rain & Snow/31-35/Sleet & Snow/Tapering to
Flurries/30-34;
SUPER=332-Winter Storm Watch/3 to 6 Inches Snow/30-34/Snow/4-7 Inches
Total/Falling to 25;
SUPER=333-Winter Storm Watch/Wintery Mix/30-34/Snow/Afternoon Flurries/30-34;
SUPER=334-Winter Storm Watch/3 to 6 Inches Snow/30-34/Snow/4-7 Inches
Total/Falling to 25;
SUPER=X5001;

Stocks

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 35 points.
tease#3
SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie

When we return,
The Bulls/Lakers game in the N-B-A was packed full of All-stars.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And over in Women's Basketball, one player delivers a sucker punch in the All-star game.
All the hard-hitting sports highlights are next.
(---------------)
MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Bulls

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of bb97-2)
GRAPHIC=NBA

In the N-B-A, fans were treated to what many believe is preview of the finals.
(----------------)
VO-NAT ENG#
SUPER=03-Chicago, IL/TNT; :00

Michael and the Bulls welcomed Shaq and the Lakers to town.
Jordan overwhelmed rookie Kobe Bryant with this backdoor spin and flying jam.
Shaq would counter on the other end with some inside muscle as he gets the jump hook to drop.
SUPER=32-L.A. Lakers/123/Chicago/129/Overtime;

Nick Van Exel would have a huge game for the Lakers with 36.
But the Bulls win it 129 to 123 in overtime.
(-------------)

Punch

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-21
GRAPHIC=news 7 sports

From the marquee game in the N-B-A we go to a highlight that literally, packs a punch.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Hartford, CT; :00

Watch Clarissa Davis of the New England Blizzard on the right side of the screen hit Cindy Brown in the A-B-L all-star game on Sunday.
Last night she was fined $15 hundred dollars and suspended for 2 games.
(-------------)

Express

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=ICE-96
GRAPHIC=Express/Johnstown

The Express pushed its win streak to 3 games by beating Johnstown at the Round House last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Chiefs vs. Express; ;00

J-93's Slam Dunkin dropped the game puck in recognition for his efforts in the Bikes or bust campaign.
Another legend was on hand.
N-H-L Hall of Famer Brad Park is temporarily filling in for the Chiefs' coach who is serving a five game E-C-H-L suspension.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="When
((BRAD PARK/NHL HALL OF FAME MEMBER: WHEN HE GOT THE SUSPENSION, I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO, SO I ENDED UP DOWN HERE FILLING HIS SHOES, THE KIDS ARE SO ENTHUSIASTIC.))
SUPER=01-Brad Park/NHL Hall of Fame Member; :00
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=...enthusiastic"
(----------------)
VO-NAT(con't)

The Express played with that same enthusiasm last night. After falling
behind by a goal, Jeff Cowan notches SUPER=38-Roanoke/6/Johnstown/3;
one of his two goals on the night on this power play tally.
Cowan scored his second goal with about four minutes left in the first and Roanoke goes on to win 6-3.
(-------------)

Governor

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of tf96-2)
GRAPHIC=GOVERNOR ALLEN

The Governor's concern about the state of the Tech football team these days, has not hindered his excitement about the team's Orange Bowl appearance.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Shreveport, LA/December 1993;

He is still considered by many to be the team's unofficial good luck charm, dating back to the 19-93 season.
SUPER=03-New Orleans/December 1995;

Last December Allen bet his Texas counterpart on the Sugar Bowl and won.
He now trying to make a wager on Tech with Nebraska Governor Benjamin Nelson.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="Last year..
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: LAST YEAR TECH DID GREAT IN BEATING TEXAS, AND REGAINING THE HONOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AS OUR WAHOOS HAD LOST TO THEM AND HAD A PAGE OF THOSE BRAGADOCCIO TEXANS, BUT WE HAD A GREAT TIME EATING THOSE BEEF RIBS WITH COACH BEAMER AND HIS STAFF AND THE CAPTAINS LAST YEAR AT THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION, AND THAT GOOD TEXAS GRAPEFRUIT. I GUESS WE'LL GET A MESS OF CORN OUT OF NEBRASKA.))
SUPER=@allen; :00
RUNS=:22
(-------------) OUT Q=...OUT OF NEBRASKA."