WDBJ 7 morning news for 01/06/97

06:00-01

Bedford-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE# 96-98
GRAPHIC=fatal Accident

A young Bedford County girl died after she was run over by a car near her home yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;

The accident happened in this cul-de-sac at the end of Franklin Place off Hawkins Mill Road.
State police say four- year- old Lauren Paige Cobb and two friends were playing in the street when she ran to a nearby driveway to pick up some rocks.
At the same time, a neighbor was backing out of the driveway, and struck Cobb.
Authorities say the driver could not see the girl because of a pickup truck parked in the street.
Cobb died at the scene.
Trooper Rick Snead says it's not likely any charges will be filed, but he will forward the information to the commonwealth's attorney.
(----------------)

Murder-Arrest

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation

Police say the murder of a Roanoke man last week was racially motivated.
Two black men were arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of a white man.
33- year- old Larry Edward Donahue was shot to death Monday night in Southwest Roanoke.
A 17- year- old boy was arrested and taken to the Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Center.
Michael Shrawn Benton was charged several hours later with murder and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Benton had been charged earlier in the day with possession of marijuana.

flooding

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

President Clinton's top emergency official will get a first-hand look at the devastating flooding in Northern California.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Olivehurst, CA;
4:00:00
James Lee Witt plans to fly over some of the worst-hit communities today.
Under pressure from relentless rains and snow melt, a levee about 100 miles northeast of San Francisco broke last week.
The break left six square miles under water and chased more than 90-thousand people from their homes.
The rains have also caused major damage in Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
(----------------)

GINGRICH

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=gingrich

The battle over Newt Gingrich's bid for a second term as speaker of the House comes front and center this week.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

Later today, Gingrich will address House Republicans and ask for their support.
But a few Republicans and most Democrats say Gingrich should step down, at least until a ruling on his admitted ethics violations
That's expected later this month.
(----------------)

Falwell

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 96-97; edit 596-36(Faldwell-Flynt)
GRAPHIC=Falwell, Jerry

The Reverend Jerry Falwell has not seen a movie for 45 years.
And he won't end his boycott to see a new film that deals with a battle he fought in the Supreme Court.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-Columbia Pictures;

"The People vs. Larry Flynt," produced by Oliver Stone, opens in theaters this week.
It chronicles a First Amendment court fight that started when Flynt's Hustler magazine published a parody of Falwell in 19-83.
The Liberty University founder sued for libel.
Falwell says he holds no grudge against Flynt and still prays for him on a regular basis.
(----------------)

Wintergreen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=Dal
TAPE# 96-94
GRAPHIC=Skiing

Now that a chill is in the air the snowguns at a Nelson County ski resort are firing up.
A relatively warm December and a balmy start to January shut down two Virginia ski resorts and melted inches of snow.
The warm spell did not stop skiers at Wintergreen Ski Resort, but it did limit their slope options.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Nelson Co.;

The warm temperatures of the past week have created spring- like snow conditions at the resort.
While it's been perfect for snow-boarding, it has not been cold enough to make snow.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:39:27
IN Q=THE PRINCIPLE
((JOHN KIRCHNER/SKI MANAGER: THE PRINCIPLE INGREDIENT IS COLD AIR. IT NEEDS TO BE BELOW FREEZING AND WE SUPPLY THE WATER.)) ((MARK GLICKMAN/WINTERGREEN SPOKESPERSON: WE ALWAYS ANTICIPATE THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A WEEK OF WARM WEATHER IN VIRGINIA. WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT WE ANTICIPATE IT AND THAT'S WHY WE STOCKPILE SNOW AND WE MAKE SNOW EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE GET. THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A BIG CROWD OUT HERE AND WE'VE HAD A REAL GOOD SKI SEASON SO FAR IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR SNOW MAKING TEAM.))
SUPER=01-John Kirchner/Ski Manager; :00
SUPER=01-Mark Glickman/Wintergreen Spokesperson; :09
RUNS=:26
OUT Q=SNOW MAKING TEAM
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Glickman says the heart of Virginia's ski season is late January and February.
Wintergreen has 17 trails and offers night skiing.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

Both the Homestead Ski area and Bryce Resort closed last week because of the lack of snow.

2-Bedford-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE# 96-98
GRAPHIC=fatal Accident

A four- year- old Bedford County girl died yesterday when a neighbor backed his car into her.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;

The accident happened in this cul-de-sac at the end of Franklin Place off Hawkins Mill Road.
State police say Lauren Paige Cobb and two friends were playing in the street when she ran to a nearby driveway to pick up some rocks.
At the same time, a neighbor was backing out of the driveway, and struck Cobb.
Authorities say the driver could not see the girl because of a pickup truck parked in the street.
Cobb died at the scene.
Trooper Rick Snead says it's not likely any charges will be filed, but he will forward the information to the commonwealth's attorney.
(----------------)

2-L'burg-Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE# 96-95
GRAPHIC=Fire

A Lynchburg man trying to renovate his home ended up nearly burning it down yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Fire authorities say Ryan Ganim (GAN-im) and his landlord were stripping the floors in his James Street home when the fire broke out.
The two men apparently were using a blowtorch to dry up water on the floor. The flames from the torch ignited fumes from the floor and the house caught on fire.
Ganim and the other man escaped the burning home with minor burns.
All but one of the four rooms in the house were gutted by fire.
(----------------)

XGR-Preview

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE# 96-93
GRAPHIC=Allen, George

Virginia's General Assembly opens Wednesday.
Governor George Allen will unveil a proposed ethics reform package.
One part of the plan calls for lobbyists to provide detailed accounts of the money they spend.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Local lawmakers say they don't expect the legislature to make any major changes in the state's tax structure.
And they say there are no other issues that promise lasting controversy.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's the last year
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/D- ROANOKE: IT'S THE LAST YEAR OF THE ALLEN ADMINISTRATION AND I FULLY ANTICIPATE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF COOPERATION ACROSS THE BOARD ON MOST OF THE ISSUES.)) ((DEL. DICK CRANWELL/D- VINTON: I THINK THAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO BE EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT I PERCEIVE THIS TO BE A VERY BORING SESSION. PROBABLY PEOPLE WON'T EVEN BE AWARE THAT WE'RE THERE FOR THE 45 DAYS. THERE ARE NO BIG ISSUES OUT THERE. PEOPLE GENERALLY SEEM TO BE SATISFIED WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, STATE LEVEL, AND NATIONAL LEVEL.))
SUPER=@Edwards; :00
SUPER=@Cranwell; :11
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=and national level.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=va state seal

Virginia lawmakers will be concentrating more on politics than on policies when the General Assembly session begins.
Republicans and Democrats say much of the seven-week session will be spent jostling for position as they prepare for November's election.
Up for election are the offices of governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates.

Marijuana

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=marijuana

For nearly two decades, Virginia law has allowed the medical use of marijuana.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

Now, it's getting new attention since the federal government objected to similar initiatives in California and Arizona.
Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher was the chief state Senate sponsor of the Virginia law when he was in the General Assembly.
He said he does not remember that part of the bill, which generally stiffened penalties for selling large amounts of the drug.
Since the law was passed, there are no records of any court appeals involving it.
(-------------)

Common-Sense

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#Common Sense
GRAPHIC=Common Sense

Renting your home does not mean you can't insure your valuables.
Len Besthoff explains in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Institute
SUPER=@File; :00
RUNS=:43
OUT Q=the newsdesk.
(( The Institute of Certified Financial Planners says a basic renter's insurance policy will pay for personal property that is damaged or destroyed.
These policies cover fire and smoke damage, windstorms, water damage, and many other hazards.
They also cover theft of property, and some will pay temporary living expenses if you're forced out of your rented apartment or home.
But remember: basic renter's policies DON'T cover flood or earthquake damage.
You have to buy separate coverage for that.
Also note that a bare bones policy will pay only the depreciated value of the items you lose.
You can pay extra for a policy that will pay you what it costs to replace everything.
That's this week's edition of Common Sense, let's send it back to the newsdesk.))
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

The Institute of Certified Financial Planners says a basic renter's policy costs about 15- to- 20- dollars- a- month.
It suggests checking with an insurance agent on how much a renter's policy covers things like jewelry, art, and computer equipment.

PACIFIC-WX

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=flooding

President Clinton's top emergency official, James Lee Witt, will tour flood damaged Northern California today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Olivehurst, CA;

The rain has stopped but the area's weather troubles are far from over.
Yesterday levees broke along several bloated rivers flooding homes and farmland and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.
Damage estimates from the rash of western storms are in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
(----------------)
wipe/wipe/wipe

SNOW

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=wipe/wipe/wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Sail Centre, MN;

A major snow storm has closed roads in the midwest.
Almost two feet of snow have fallen so far in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
SUPER=03-United Kingdom;

The worst cold snap to hit Europe in decades has now claimed at least two-hundred thirty lives.
Winter weather there has stranded travelers and left thousands without power or telephone service.
(----------------)

SPEAKER

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

When the 105th congress convenes tomorrow, the first order of business will be Newt Gingrich's bid to be re-elected as Speaker of the House.
Despite his admission of ethics violations, a spokesman for Gingrich says he has no plans to step aside.
Sharyl Attkisson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Matt Salmon/(R) Arizona; :30 QUICK
SUPER=01-Michael Forbes/(R) New York; :41
SUPER=01-David Bonior/Minority Whip; :54
SUPER=01-Dick Armey/Majority Leader; 1:10
SUPER=01-Sharyl Attkisson/Reporting; 1:21
RUNS=1:35
OUT Q=CBS News Washington.

SERBIA

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

Demonstrators in Belgrade have switched from walking to driving to outfox a government ban on protest marches.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Belgrade;

Honking cars clogged city streets yesterday as idle police watched from the curb.
The demonstrators want Serbian president Slobodan Milosovic to honor last year's elections.
Yesterday was the forty-ninth consecutive day of demonstrations.
(----------------)

Payne

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# net; 96-66 (payne)
GRAPHIC=Payne, LF

LF Payne made it official last night.
He will seek the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.
The former Fifth District Congressman formally threw his hat into the ring.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Payne begins a statewide tour in Northern Virginia.
He's planning to tour eleven cities in the next three days.
He'll be in Roanoke today and Danville and Lynchburg tomorrow.
Payne announced his retirement from the House of Representatives earlier this year after serving for almost nine years.
(----------------)

5-Impotence

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cst
TAPE# 596-44
GRAPHIC=men's health

California researchers report a promising new way to treat impotence.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It's called the MUSE system and it involves inserting a drug into the urethra-- in the form of a pellet, instead of by injection.
Scientists say they found it to be effective 65-percent of the time.
The technique is expected to be on the market later this month.
The report is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
(-----------------)

5-Fertility

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#596-45
GRAPHIC=men's health

From the British Medical Journal comes more evidence of a decline in sperm quality over the last 50-years.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Finnish researchers studied men over the age of 35 in 19-81 and ten years later, in 19-91.... and found that they were less fertile.
They say the men suffered from both a drop in sperm quality-- and an increasing number of reproductive organ problems -- like testicular cancer.
Smoking, drug and alcohol-use were ruled out as possible causes.
Some experts believe diet and environmental toxins could be contributing factors.
(--------------------)

Obesity

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=cst
TAPE#597-06
GRAPHIC=obesity

Some 58 million Americans are now obese...translating into some major, long-term, health problems.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Experts say if someone you love is obese-- there are ways you can help them-- by offering your support and understanding.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01:38:48
IN Q=Obesity is a serious health
((DR. THOMAS WADDEN/WEIGHT & EATING DISORDERS SPECIALIST: OBESITY IS A SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEM AND IT'S TOUGH TO BATTLE ALONE. FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN BE A BIG HELP FOR AN OVERWEIGHT PERSON. IT'S IMPORTANT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU ARE THERE TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR WEIGHT CONTROL. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT IF SOMEONE IS SIGNIFICANTLY OVERWEIGHT TO SEEK THE HELP OF THEIR DOCTOR. NOW THERE ARE NEW PROGRAMS OF DIET, EXERCISE AND EVEN MEDICATION THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE TO LOSE WEIGHT AND KEEP THE WEIGHT OFF. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Thomas Wadden/Eating Disorders Specialist; :
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=the weight off.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

One out of every three Americans is overweight.
Even those who are just 20-percent overweight are at risk of having medical problems like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
A weight loss of five-to-ten percent of initial body weight significantly improves an overweight person's risk of serious disease.
(-------------------)

3-Bedford-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE# 96-98
GRAPHIC=fatal Accident

A tragic accident took the life of a four- year- old Bedford County girl yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;

It happened in this cul-de-sac at the end of Franklin Place off Hawkins Mill Road.
State police say Lauren Paige Cobb and two friends were playing in the street when she ran to a nearby driveway to pick up some rocks.
At the same time, a neighbor was backing out of the driveway, and struck Cobb.
Authorities say the driver could not see the girl because of a pickup truck parked in the street.
Cobb died at the scene.
Trooper Rick Snead says it's not likely any charges will be filed, but he will forward the information to the commonwealth's attorney.
(----------------)

2-Murder-Arrest

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation

Two men were arrested yesterday in connection with last week's murder in Southwest Roanoke.
33- year- old Larry Edward Donahue was shot to death Monday night on a sidewalk on Chapman Avenue.
A 17- year- old boy was arrested yesterday and taken to the Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Center.
Michael Shrawn Benton was charged several hours later with murder and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Benton had been charged earlier in the day with possession of marijuana.

slain-girl

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=murder invest.

Police in Boulder, Colorado, are preparing for their first interview with the parents of JonBenet
(jahn-buh-NAY') Ramsey, who was found dead the day after Christmas.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Boulder, CO;

John and Patricia Ramsey have not spoken with investigators since the body of their six- year- old daughter was discovered in the basement of their home -- about eight hours after a ransom note was found.
SUPER=04-CBS News Exclusive;

Police have released few details of the murder, other than to say that the former Little Miss Colorado died by asphyxiation.
Investigators have spent the last ten days searching the house.
(----------------)

L'burg-Fire

Animal-Zoning

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=Dal
TAPE# 96-99
GRAPHIC=None

Franklin County officials say the case of a breeder charged with animal neglect is just one example of a county wide problem.
Humane Society representatives say the county has no ordinances governing the number of animals residents can own.
As Denise Allen reports they say zoning may be an answer.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Poindexters say
SUPER=03-Boones Mill; :00
SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Yesterday; :07
SUPER=07-Rhonda Poindexter; :15
SUPER=01-Donna Essig/Franklin Co. Humane Society; :38
SUPER=07-Mike Dillon; 1:00
SUPER=@Denise2; 1:15
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=News 7
(( The Poindexters say they been trying for months to get county officials to do something about their neighbor's dogs.
Officials say Valery Green had about one hundred dogs and cats on the property.
The Poindexters say the noise and smell made life unbearable.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:07:08
IN Q=WE FOUND OUT
((RHONDA POINDEXTER: WE FOUND OUT THAT WITH NO ZONING, NO RESTRICTIONS OF THE NUMBER OF DOGS THAT YOU CAN HAVE, THAT WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME DEALING WITH THIS.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=DEALING WITH THIS

Investigators began their looking into complaints on November 18th.
And on December second Valery Green was charged with failure of a pet dealer to provide adequate care.
Valery Green says these charges are false and plans to fight them.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:47:08
IN Q=THIS IS A
((DONNA ESSIG/FRANKLIN COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY: THIS IS A GOOD CASE FOR WHEY WE NEED ZONING. YOU COULD NOT OPERATING A BUSINESS IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. SHE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION.))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=TO INSPECTION

Essig says the Humane Society would like to see a limit on the number of animals a person can own.
And that they are in the process of discussing animal control issues with the board of supervisors.
These residents say they hope zoning is in the future.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:13:03
IN Q=THEY'LL HAVE TO
((MIKE DILLON: THEY HAVE TO BE ENFORCED BY COUNTY OFFICIALS OR INVESTIGATED BY COUNTY OFFICIALS FASTER. I THINK ZONING WOULD PROTECT PEOPLE MORE.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=PEOPLE MORE

Humane Society officials say more improperly run kennels will keep cropping up until county ordinances are developed to protect the animals and surrounding property owners.
Denise Allen News 7.))

4-Scores

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=nfl

The Carolina Panthers advanced to Sunday's N-F-C championship game with a 26-to-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
For last night's scores let's check the boards.
(-------------)
WIPE TO SCORES
SUPER=#556
SUPER=X5022;
SUPER=0100-j/New England/28//Pittsburgh/3///j/Carolina/26//Dallas/17///;
SUPER=X5027;
SUPER=0098-j/Duke#13/66//Georgia Tech/56///j/Cincinnati#6/64//Saint
Louis/52///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0098-/Arkansas/62/j/Florida/75///j/Roanoke/85//Goucher/81//Overtime/;
SUPER=X5028;
SUPER=0096-j/L.A. Clippers/93//San Antonio/84////Milwaukee/92/j/New
York/97///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-/Phoenix/102/j/Boston/109////Philadelphia/106/j/Sacramento/107///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-j/L.A. Lakers/95//Vancouver/82///;
SUPER=X5031;
SUPER=0103-/Phoenix/1/j/Buffalo/5///j/St. Louis/5//New Jersey/3///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0103-/Detroit/5//Chicago/5//Overtime/;
RUNS=:56
(-------------) OUT Q=....last score."