12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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


After several days of closing arguments the jury today may begin deciding the civil case against O-J Simpson.
(----------------)
Talent=Melanie


And a Roanoke jury is hearing a case that charges police brutality, but officers say they were the ones being attacked.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None


Temperatures have been pushing into the middle and even upper forties, but that wil change as we head into this afternoon. Looking dropping mercury, and a cold night to follow. That and Ladies Hoops in the ACC.
(//////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


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

SIMPSON


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=OJ Simpson


At the O-J Simpson civil trial, it appears to be the fifth and final day for closing arguments.
Jurors still have to listen to a few more hours of rebuttal from the plaintiffs.
But they are expected to get the case late this afternoon.
Jennifer Sabih reports from the Santa Monica courthouse.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Santa Monica, CA; :00
SUPER=01-Jennifer Sabih/Reporting; :42
RUNS=1:06
OUT Q=for CBS News

((
Seven lawyers ranting, raving, pleading, pontificating and pushing their points for close to a week of closing arguments.
Aand today it's time for them to sit down, clam up and let the jurors do the talking.
But first the 7 woman, 5 man panel will talk among themselves in the jury room, weighing evidence. among the factors they'll consider is the one argued yestrday by oj simpson's lead lawyer, Bob Baker, who told jurors that his client was a victim of a police conspiracy.
But in his rebuttal, plaintiff lawyer daniel petrocelli said the conspiracy theory is nothing but a fantasy. they have invented arguments, he said, it's a fraud. it's a big lie. it never happened.
It's what guilty men do.
Jennifer Sabih, CBS News, Santa Monica.))

Leftwich


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-106
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


A Roanoke man accused of starting a fight with police says HE was the one who was attacked.
Now, a jury will decide who is telling the truth.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


His attorney says Steven Leftwich was attacked by police officers who ganged up on him after finding marijuana in his car during a traffic stop.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 11:34:48
IN Q=9 or 10 officers

((HAROLD BARNES/DEFENSE ATTORNEY; 9 OR 10 OTHER OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED WITH THE BEATING, THE KICKING, THE CLUBBING, OF MR.LEFTWICH AS HE LAY ON THE GROUND DEFENSELESS. ))
SUPER=01-Harold Barnes/Defense Attorney;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=on the ground defenseless
(----------------)
VO-NAT


But police officers say Leftwich started the fight, and made the situation worse by twice trying to grab an officer's weapon.
(//////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE 4 2:40:49
IN Q=officer Forbes was on his knees

(( EARL WILSON/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT.; OFFICER FORBES WAS ON HIS KNEES FACING NORTH, AND THERE WAS SOMEONE BEHIND HIM PULLING UP ON HIS WEAPON, AND THIS WAS SUCH FORCE I COULD ACTUALLY SEE HIS RIGHT SIDE COMING UP. ))
SUPER=01-Earl Wilson/Roanoke Police Dept.
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=coming up
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The defense will begin presenting its case today.
(----------------)




KIDNAPPING


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=None


In California, the hunt is on for a one-week old baby after she was taken from a hospital by a woman claiming to be a volunteer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bellflower, CA;


Hospital surveillance cameras caught the suspect, a pregnant woman in her 20's, as she carried the infant away.
After telling the mother she would help get a crib for the baby, the woman then asked if she could show the newborn to friends in another part of the hospital.
She never returned.
(----------------)




olympic-bombing


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Olympics Explosion


F-B-I officials call it one of their strongest leads yet in their probe of the Olympic Park bombing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Atlanta/July 27, 1996;


Investigators today will be interviewing an Atlanta architect who may have information about the bombing.
SUPER=03-Spokane, WA/October 1996;


The man reportedly contacted agents after seeing weekend news reports about a possible link between the summer bombing and some men being held in Washington state on another bombing charge.
The architect thinks he may have seen one of the men carrying a military style knapsack near the bombing site before the explosion.
(----------------)



Goodlatte


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#97-7
GRAPHIC=Bob Goodlatte


The punishment fit the crime--
That's what Congressman Bob Goodlatte says about House Speaker Newt Gingrich's 300- thousand- dollar fine for violating ethics rules.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;


Goodlatte was at Northside Middle School this morning, speaking to eighth graders about how government works.
He told News-7 that while Gingrich deserves to make amends-- he hopes the case will prevent frivolous charges from being filed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:46:46
IN Q=While the speaker

((REP. BOB GOODLATTE: WHILE THE SPEAKER WAS FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THOSE TWO HOUSE RULES, IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT MORE THAN 600 COMPLAINTS WERE FILED AGAINST HIM THAT WERE THROWN OUT.)) ))
SUPER=@Goodlatte;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=were thrown out
TALENT=MELANIE
SS=Newt Gingrich


Gingrich admitted ethical wrongdoing in connections with a college course financed by tax exempt groups.

Armed-Robbery


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=None


Police are searching for three suspects in the armed robbery of a Blacksburg convenience store.
It happened at about 7:30 last night at the A and J Quick Shop on North Main Street.
Authorities say two men wearing dark ski masks went into the store and pointed a handgun at the clerk, ordering her into a back room.
A third suspect stood outside the store as a lookout.
The three fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police ask anyone with information to call the Blacksburg police department.
tease#1

HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


Still to come on News 7 at Noon,
At what age do you need to watch what you eat?...Health officials say its younger than you think.
(--------------)
VO-NAT


And,
Two area colleges have received a big gift--a two MILLION dollar donation. We'll have the story but first here's Patrick.
(---------------)
Talent=Patrick

Wx-Tease music up full comm1

Schewel


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=12
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-9
GRAPHIC=Education


Two colleges in central Virginia will benefit from the generosity of Elliot and Rosel (roe-ZELL) Schewel.
The Schewels have made a two- million dollar gift to Lynchburg College and Randolph Macon Woman's College.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/March 1995;


Elliot Schewel represented Lynchburg in the state senate for twenty years, and he served on the Randolph Macon Board of Trustees for fifteen.
Rosel Schewel earned graduate degrees from Lynchburg College, worked as an associate professor there, and now serves on that school's Board of Trustees.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Education


In a news release, the Schewels say they feel privileged to support two colleges that have meant so much to them and to the Lynchburg community.

healthy-eating


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=None


Even teenagers may have to ``hold the fries.''
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


New research says that what young people eat and whether they smoke can put them at risk for heart attacks later in life.
A study finds those who ate a fat-rich diet or smoked had begun to build up fatty deposits in their aortas and coronary arteries.
Researchers at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans studied autopsies of young men and women who had died violent or accidental deaths between the ages of 15 and 34.
(----------------)



P-Melvin


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#596-43
GRAPHIC=Greg Melvin


The charges against a former Virginia Tech football player have been dropped.
A Montgomery County judge decided yesterday Greg Melvin will not have to stand trial for the beating of a Virginia Tech track team member.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;


Just before Melvin's trial was to get under way, the judge dismissed the charges, at the request of Montgomery County prosecutor Phil Keith.
Keith said the alleged victim, Hilliard Sumner, could not pinpoint Melvin as one of his attackers.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:45:48
IN Q=

((PHIL KEITH/MONTGOMERY CO. PROSECUTOR: THEREFORE WE FELT IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF JUSTICE NOT TO PROSECUTE MR. MELVIN. ))
SUPER=01-Phil Keith/Montgomery Co. Prosecutor;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=prosecute Mr. Melvin.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Melvin, a new father, says he just wants to move on with his life.
His lawyer says it was a case of guilt by association--and it's been hard on Melvin's whole family.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:56:51
IN Q=

((BEV DAVIS/MELVIN'S LAWYER: THEY'RE ALL DISTRAUGHT OVER IT. THEIR NAME HAS BEEN SOILED THROUGHOUT ALL THISS. IT WAS ALL UNFORTUNATED, IT WAS GUILT BY ASSOCIATION AND NOT GUILT BY FACTS OR TRUTH. ))
SUPER=01-Bev Davis/Melvin's Lawyer;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=facts or truth.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


In a taped conversation with Davis--, Sumner, the alleged beating victim named football players Brian Edmonds, Sean Sullivan, Michael Hawkes and Angelo Harrison as his attackers.
(----------------)



Saul


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=Christopher Saul


In Roanoke County a 20-year old killer has been sentenced to 42- years in prison for beating a man to death last year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./November 1996


Christopher Saul, seen here in a court appearance in November, used two different weapons to fatally beat 26-year-old Christopher Wilson.
The victim had given Saul a ride to the garage where he worked.
Saul yesterday apologized for his actions, claiming Wilson made sexual advances and that prompted him to over-react.
Judge Roy Willett focused on the brutality of the crime, which he said could have supported a capital murder charge.
Saul got 35 years to serve on the first-degree murder conviction, plus 7 years for the robbery.
(----------------)




C'burg-shoot


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Police Shooting


When Stella Arcaro called 9-1-1 in Christiansburg last April she reportedly was depressed and threatening to commit suicide.
Half a dozen town police responded to the call.
One of them opened fire when Arcaro stepped out the back door with a rifle, wounding her in the leg.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke


Her yesterday filed suit against Officer Alicia Smith and the Town of Christiansburg.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:14:03
IN Q=It's our position

((IT'S OUR POSITION IN THIS CASE, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFEND YOUR HOME. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO POSSES ARMS. AND CERTAINLY A POLICE OFFICER HAS NO RIGHT TO COME UP ON YOUR PREMISES. AND IF THEY DO, THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. SHE, IN THIS SITUATION, HAD EXPRESSLY SAID: "DO NOT SEND POLICE OFFICERS."))
SUPER=01-Bill Cruey/Arcaro's Attorney
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=police officers
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Lawsuit


The complaint filed in federal court seeks five million dollars in damages.
Tease#2

SOFT MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


Still ahead on News 7 at Noon,
Bike riding may soon become more than just exercise or a hobby in Roanoke -- it may be an answer to traffic congestion problems in some areas.
(-----------------)
VO-NAT


and, if you're a Roanoke Symphony fan, you'll soon be able to enjoy a performance in the comfort of your own home.
(-----------------)


Bikeways


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-6
GRAPHIC=NONE


If you enjoy cycling, you'll be glad to know regional planners are now working on a blueprint for bikeways.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


There is little room to spare along many of the Roanoke Valley's major roadways.
Planners believe bicycles can help the area minimize traffic congestion and pollution, if the area can develop a safe and useful network of bikeways.
(/////////////)
SOT
IN Q=And we found

((BARBARA DUERK/ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER: AND WE FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE BICYCLE RIDER IN VIRGINIA IS OVER 50 YEARS OLD, SO THERE'S A LOT OF US BABY BOOMERS OUT THERE THAT ARE FINDING BICYCLING FOR RECREATION AND TRANSPORTATION TO MEET OUR NEEDS.)) ((DON MANKIE/BICYCLIST: OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY DO IT. OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE, ASIA IT'S DONE. WE HAVE TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO DO IT.))
SUPER=01-Barbara Duerk/Advisory Committee Member; :00
SUPER=01-Don Mankie/Bicyclist; :14
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=a commitment to do it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;


The plan is ultimately headed to local governments for their approval.
The bikeways would be built in phases over the next 20 years as new roads are constructed and existing ones are improved.
(----------------)



Symphony


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Symphony


Coming to a record store near you: the Roanoke Symphony and Roanoke Valley Choral Society.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;


During a concert last night at the Civic Center Auditorium, Conductor David Wiley announced plans for a live recording of Beethoven's Symphony Number 9.
The performance, and recording session, are scheduled for April 28th.
A grant from Symphony Society Board member Eldon Grover will make it possible to record the concert. Cassettes and CDs should be available by summer.
(----------------)


WEATHER
SUPER=300-44/55/NW 16mph/30.16f/73/1975/ 4/1963;
SUPER=301-50/68/NW 7mph/30.11r/77/1944/ 4/1963;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Clear/& Cold/14-18/Morning Sun/Afternoon Clouds/34-38;
SUPER=331-Clear/& Cold/18-22/Morning Sun/Increasing Clouds/34-38;
SUPER=332-Clearing/& Colder/16-20/Increasing/Clouds/34-38;
SUPER=333-Clear/& Cold/10-14/Sunny Morning/Cloudy Afternoon/30-35;
SUPER=334-Clearing/& Colder/14-18/Partly/Cloudy/34-38;
SUPER=X5001;



Singer


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-8
GRAPHIC=Singer


The Singer Furniture empire continues to crumble.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;


The company, which only a few years ago had several hundred employees in Roanoke, announced it plans to get out of the United States furniture business entirely.
Singer says it lost 20- million- dollars during the fourth quarter of last year, blaming most of that on its furniture division.
Singer has about one thousand remaining employees at two plants in North Carolina.
A majority of the functions at the Roanoke plant shut down last summer.
Singer had just made another big restructuring announcement last month.
(-------------)



tease#3

SPORTS MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Melanie


Up next in sports,
We have all the Ferrum hoop action, as the Panthers try to maintain their winning record.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


and,
You would think that ice would be something to count on in this cold month of January -- The Roanoke Express did, until Sunday that is.
Stay tuned News 7 Sports is next.
(---------------)

MUSIC UP FULL comm4

Ditka


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Melanie
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=NFL


It looks like former bears coach Mike Ditka is headed to the Big Easy.
Ditka told the Chicago Tribune today he's agreed to a three year deal to coach the New Orleans Saints.
Ditka led the Chicago Bears to six N-F-C Central titles, three N-F-C Championship games and a victory in Super Bowl 20.

Ferrum


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=BB97-4
GRAPHIC=Ferrum


The Ferrum mens basketball team improved to 10 and 6 on the season last night, beating the Chowan Braves 74-71.
Steve Mason has more from Ferrum.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first score
SUPER=03-Ferrum/Braves vs. Panthers; :00
SUPER=33-Ferrum/74/Chowan/71; :29
SUPER=01-Marcus Toney/Ferrum Guard; :38
SUPER=01-Larry Mangino/Ferrum Head Coach; :46
SUPER=@Steve1; 1:00
RUNS=1:11
OUT Q=...News 7 sports"
(-------------)


UVa


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#vb97-1
GRAPHIC=UVA LOGO


In womens basketball, Sixth ranked North Carolina was 0-and-10 at University Hall under head coach Sylvia Hatchell--that was before last night's game with 8th ranked UVa.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Charlottesville/HTS; :00


And the Lady Tarheels would come out smoking, as Jessica Gaspar scores the hoop to give Carolina a 10-to-nothing lead out of the blocks.
Another big problem for UVa was Tracy Reid, who scored 22 points in the opening half to keep UVa at a double digit deficit.
Tora Suber did her best to keep things from getting completely out of hand as she hits the long three, but it's 45-to-31 Carolina at the half.
Thanks to Reid the lead would balloon to as many as 17 as she makes the steal and scores on the breakaway.
But UVa went on a 19-to-2 run, fueled by Suber's bombs. Tora would finish with a career high 35 points as UVa took the lead.
SUPER=33-North Carolina #6/75/Virginia #8/71;


But Reid was the real deal as she scores the game winner with 2 point 4 second to play. She finishes with 41 points and 16 rebounds as UNC beats UVa 75-to-71.
(-------------)



Baseball


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#s6-24
GRAPHIC=SPORTS CLUB


Baseball was the hot topic at the Monthly meeting of the Roanoke Valley sports club.
SS=north carolina


Former big league pitcher Jim Bibby, and Mike Solomon, the man leading the charge to bring a Major league team to North Carolina, were the featured speakers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Salem; :00


Solomon hopes to land a team in the Piedmont Triad area between Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point by the turn of the century.
And he and his backers believe that parts of Virginia are crucial to landing either an expansion team or an existing franchise looking to relocate.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((MIKE SOLOMON/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR N.C. BASEBALL:)) ((JIM BIBBY/LYNCHBURG HILLCATS PITCHING COACH:))
SUPER=01-Mike Solomon/N.C. Baseball Executive Director; :00
SUPER=01-Jim Bibby/Lynchburg Hillcats Pitching Coach; :30
RUNS=:46
OUT Q=...DOWN THERE."
(----------------)
VO-NAT CON'T


A referendum will held in August to see if voters are interested in funding a new stadium in the triad.
(-------------)



Canseco


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-24
GRAPHIC=Major League Baseball


The Oakland A's say they have boosted their offense at the plate after a big trade that
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-MLB; :00


brings Jose Canseco back to the West Coast to be reunited with "Bash Brother" Mark McGuire.
The A's acquire the slugger from the Redsox for pitcher John Wasdin.
(-------------)


Express


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#ST5-26
GRAPHIC=EXPRESS/KNOXVILLE


If you have tickets for the Express game originally scheduled for tonight.. you'll have to wait 24 hours because the game has been moved to tomorrow night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Roanoke/October 20, 1994;


A mechanical problem with the Civic Center's refrigeration system, similar to the one experienced back in October of 1994 when a gasket interrupted ice makin, is causing a few headaches.
Civic Center officials say the ice that was in place over the weekend lacked the key ingredient known as glycol.
The bad ice was removed early Sunday morning, the system has been repaired and new ice is being made as we speak and will be ready by tomorrow. (-------------)
by SS