12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

TALENT=Melanie
(----------------)
VO-NAT


A Roanoke jury has just returned with its verdict in the case of Steven Leftwich.
(----------------)


And the jury in the O-J Simpson civil trial gets back to work in Santa Monica.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None


It looks like the snow will NOT materialize for tomorrow, which means the forecast has improved all the way around. I'll have details, as well as highlight of Virginia's A-C-C win last night.
(/////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


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

2Leftwich


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE#97-7
GRAPHIC=leftwich


A Roanoke jury has returned from deliberating the fate of Steven Leftwich this morning.
Leftwich is charged with assaulting four police officers a year ago.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Eric/Microwave


Eric Earnhart is at the court house.
So, what did they say?
Live=Eric Full/Microwave
SUPER=@Eric1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:seriously hurt )
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=it just isn't consistent
SUPER=01-Ann Gardner/Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=back of his head
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


but Leftwich's attorneys say he was beaten by police officers who were playing a sadistic game.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=they tell you that
SUPER=01-Linda Cupit/Defense Attorney
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=they were hired
Live=Eric Full/Microwave
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
( ad lib)



Double Boxes=Melanie and Eric/Microwave




Reed


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-101
GRAPHIC=legal scales


While the jury was deliberating over the Leftwich verdict a plea agreement was reached in a Roanoke slaying.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


18- year- old Robert Reed had been charged with murder, but ended up pleading guilty to manslaughter. need file here
SUPER=04-July 1996;


Back in July, 20- year- old Michael Bent was stabbed to death at the Hurt park Apartment Complex.
SUPER=04-Today;


Reed had been the main suspect. He faces a maximum prison term of ten years and he's scheduled to be sentenced in early May.
(-------------)


SIMPSON


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=simpson


Both sides in the O-J Simpson civil trial are now waiting for a verdict.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Santa Monica, CA;


It's the first full day of deliberations for the jury.
The panel of five men and seven women got the case yesterday after an impassioned finale by plaintiff's attorney Daniel Petrocelli.
The jury's decision requires only nine votes, not 12.
(----------------)




FBI-lab


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


The F-B-I's famed crime lab is under scrutiny.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington DC;


A Justice department review of the lab has found so many problems that the Bureau has removed four of its top lab experts from their jobs.
One of those lab workers was a whistle blower who claims mishandling of evidence may have tainted crime lab work on several high-profile federal cases, including the Oklahoma City bombing and the unabomber cases.
But F-B-I Deputy Director Weldon Kennedy insists no case has been compromised.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT

4:07:43
IN Q=

((WELDON KENNEDY:TO THE CONTRARY THE FBI AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO ENSURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. ))
SUPER=01-Weldon Kennedy/FBI Deputy Director;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=does not happen.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


This is now the second time in three years the bureau's crime lab has been criticized.
(----------------)



P-XGR


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-01
GRAPHIC=session 97


A controversial amendment to the Virginia Constitution was defeated in the Senate yesterday.
Ellen Qualls has more on the very close vote.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=To approve
SUPER=01-Sen. Charles Waddell/(D) Loudon; :00
SUPER=01-Sen. Janet Howell/(D) Reston; :22
SUPER=01-Sen. Bill Bolling/(R) Hanover; :34
SUPER=01-Mike Farris/Home School Legal Defense Assoc.; :53
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:05
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=qualls, news-7 Richmond.


((
sot 13:36:04

((SEN. CHARLES WADDELL: TO APPROVE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS A DANGEROUS AND EVEN RECKLESS ACTION BY THIS BODY.))
runs=:09


That's the Democratic line.
Establishing the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children would mean chaos in schools, immunization programs, libraries, counseling centers, and child abuse investigations around Virginia.
sot 13:51:48 EARL

((SEN. JANET HOWELL: WHERE IS THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AMENDMENT? WHERE IS THE AMENDMENT THAT SAYS CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM CRUEL AND ABUSING PARENTS?))
runs=:12



sot 13:58:25 EARL

((SEN. BILL BOLLING/R-HANOVER: WE'VE HEARD HERE TODAY THAT THE PASSAGE OF THIS AMENDMENT WOULD UNLEASH THE PARENTS OF VIRGINIA TO COMMIT ALL TYPES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE ON THEIR CHILDREN. ALMOST AS IF THEY'RE LYING IN WAIT.))
runs=:10


So now there's a promise from 1993's Republican candidate for lieutenant governor .. who unveiled a poll showing the amendment --
SOT 09:49:20 TAPE ONE

((MIKE FARRIS/HOME SCHOOL LEGAL DEFENSE ASSOC.: HAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN VIRGINIA. AND I THINK WILL HAVE TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THE 1997 ELECTIONS IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOESN'T SEE FIT TO PASS IT IN BOTH HOUSES.))
RUNS=:12
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((ELLEN QUALLS: ))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=NEWS-7 RICHMOND.

))

BABY-ARREST


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


A day long nightmare for two new parents is over and a week-old baby is back in her mother's arms.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

4:18:53 ((I'm so happy...worst 24 hrs we've experienced. ))
SUPER=01-Fabiola Ramos/Mother:
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=WE'VE EXPERIENCED.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


It all began Monday when a woman abducted the infant from a California hospital right in front of a security camera.
Police say this 22- year- old woman took the infant after telling Fabiola Ramos she was a hospital employee.
Investigators say after receiving a tip they located the woman and baby at this store.
(----------------)


Jewell


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=jewell


Richard Jewell is now looking for compensation from "the Atlanta Journal Constitution."
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Jewell filed a lawsuit against the paper yesterday for its portrayal of him as a suspect following last Summer's Olympic Park bombing.
The paper is standing by its coverage.
Meanwhile, Jewell and his mother settled a similar complaint yesterday against C-N-N for an undisclosed sum.
(----------------)


FLU-CURE


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=flu


Researchers have developed a new compound that could lead to a pill to cure the flu.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The compound has cured laboratory animals of the illness within a day.
Researchers at (GIL'-ee-ad) Gilead Sciences in California say the compound also can PREVENT the illness -- if given early enough.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((YOU COULD TAKE THIS PILL ONCE A DAY OR TWICE A DAY, AND YOU WOULD BASICALLY BE PROTECTED FOR AS LONG AS YOU TAKE THE TREATMENT. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Norbert Bischofberger/Gilead Sciences;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=you take the treatment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


It can be given orally, which would make it easy for people to take.
Human trial of the drug could come this year.
(----------------)



E-Frito-Lay


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-99
GRAPHIC=Frito Lay


Construction on Lynchburg's Frito Lay plant is coming along, despite some delays.
City leaders got a glimpse at how the work is progressing.
Steve Smallshaw has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=A lot has
SUPER=04-May 1996; :00
SUPER=04-Yesterday; :09
SUPER=01-Bob Revay/Frito-Lay Company; :25
SUPER=01-Lee Cobb/Lynchburg Economic Development; :48
SUPER=01-Belle Wheelan/CVCC President; 1:05
SUPER=@ssm2; 1:15
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.


((
natsot groundbreaking


A lot has changed since Lynchburg first welcomed the Frito- Lay corporation to this 100 acre patch of land last spring.
Now residing on this rolling hillside is a 400- thousand square foot building that will house the snack food giant's newest processing facility.
So much has changed in the last nine months, Frito- Lay invited city council members and civic leaders back for an update.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:43:43
IN Q=As you can

((BOB REVAY/FRITO- LAY: AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE FLOOR, ROOFING INSTALLATION IS NOT YET COMPLETE, BUT WE'RE WORKING ON IT, AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN BETWEEN THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW.))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=right now.


Even as they dodged mud and water, everyone seemed impressed.
Economic development director Lee Cobb was instrumental in bringing Frito Lay to the Hill City.. he pays a visit to the site almost every day, as if to convince himself that the 150 million dollar project is for real.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:12:32
IN Q=We're about

((LEE COBB/LYNCHBURG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: WE'RE ABOUT TWO THIRDS ON THE WAY TOWARDS COMPLETION, AND I THINK HOW WE'RE REALLY GOING TO START SEEING IT TAKE SHAPE, AND THAT WILL BE EVEN MORE EXCITING, BECAUSE WE'LL KNOW THAT WE HAVE A FACILITY THAT'S READY TO GO TO WORK.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=go to work.


So will an estimated 800 employees.
Pre-training for some of them is already underway at Central Virginia Community College.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:15:23
IN Q=In addition to

((BELLE WHEELAN/CVCC PRESIDENT: IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMIC BOOST THAT IT'S GOING TO BRING TO ALL KINDS OF BUSINESSES, IT'S JUST EXCITING TO HAVE ANOTHER NATIONALLY NAMED PRODUCT THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=to be here.


Weather and contractor delays have pushed back the hiring of those employees about six months.
The first chips should be rolling out of here by next summer.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

E-Amtrak


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Frito Lay


Frito- Lay officials also made a presentation to Lynchburg city council during its bimonthly meeting last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape;


AND council voted unanimously to apply for federal funds to renovate the city's old Amtrak station.
Plans call for refurbishing the building, sprucing up the grounds and making the area more attractive to retail businesses.
Lynchburg's hoping three million dollars in transportation money will pay for the project.
Amtrak has indicated it is willing to contribute a quarter million dollars.
It could be another year before the city knows if the money will be available.
(----------------)



E-State-Song


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=State Song


The Senate did give its final approval to a bill that would retire the state song.
Senators Steve Newman of Lynchburg and Louise Lucas, who represents Halifax County, are pushing the compromise.
It would gracefully retire "Carry Me Back To Old Virginia" as the "state song emeritus."
If the House and Governor approve, a commission would then look for a new state song... that would presumably offend fewer Virginians.
There is, however, a competing bill in the House.
It would make a composition by singer and sausage king Jimmy Dean and his wife Donna the new state song.

S-Flashpoint


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-109
GRAPHIC=Drugbust


Nearly a week after concluding a major drug investigation southside authorities are continuing to round up suspects.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./Last Week;


So far, federal, state and local police have placed 109- suspects under arrest.
The majority were taken into custody last week while authorities had a command post set up at the former Mount Herman Elementary school, near Danville.
At this point, authorities are still searching for more than 30- suspects.
The undercover drug investigation, dubbed "Operation Flashpoint" took more than a year to complete.
Most of the suspects are from the Pittsylvania County area.
(----------------)



BV-Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmo
TAPE#net (edit of 96-107)
GRAPHIC=Education


The possibility of consolidation is once again facing the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors.
Last night they discussed a request from Buena Vista to study the possible consolidation of their schools.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;


The supervisors said the city would have to pay the county an annual per- student tuition.
Buena Vista would also have to share the capital cost for the current school and for any new construction.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:30:34
IN Q=The part that

((BUTCH FLOYD/BUENA VISTA FACILITIES COMMITTEE: THE PART THAT OUR SCHOOLS PLAY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY OF BUENA VISTA IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN CONSIDERATION. NO. IT'S NOT AN EASY DECISION THERE ARE MANY FACETS TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE.))
SUPER=01-Butch Floyd/Buena Vista Facilities Committee;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=this particular issue.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Buena Vista/April 18;


The county based its answers on an agreement signed by Lexington when it consolidated with the county.
Last year a state study found the Parry McCluer School building did not meet minimum state standards.
Buena Vista's facilities committee made a recommendation to city council and the school board several weeks ago that entailed building a new, eight million dollar school.
(----------------)





E-Wrestler


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-102
GRAPHIC=none


The sport of wrestling is gaining popularity.
And you may be surprised at some of the athletes who have decided to hit the mat.
Scott Prince has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's easy
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Otis Timberlake/James River Wrestling Coach; :37
SUPER=01-Heather Cash/High School Wrestler; 1:00
SUPER=@Scott2; 1:13
RUNS=1:28
OUT Q=S.P., N-7, Botetourt County


((It's easy to see that Heather Cash is grappling with a lot these days... and we're not just talking about homework.
You see she's the first girl to ever hit the mat for James River High School... and she's doing it to prove a point.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:57:40
IN Q=I just

((HEATHER CASH/WRESTLER: I JUST WANTED TO SHOW EVERYBODY THAT A GIRL CAN WRESTLE. ))
RUNS=:03
OUT Q=can wrestle


Heather has definitely made the cut.
In fact she's the STARTER in the 125 pound weight class.
(/////SOT/////)
NAT SOT 16:19:37
IN Q=Back to your

((BACK TO YOUR BASE HEATHER. BACK TO YOUR BASE. HIPS UP. C'MON UP. GRAB THE WRIST.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=the wrist


At first, Coach Otis Timberlake wasn't thrilled with the idea of having a girl on the team.
But now that she's proven that she belongs... the coach has reversed his way of thinking.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:28:58
IN Q=I've got

((OTIS TIMBERLAKE/WRESTLING COACH: I'VE GOT A LITTLE MORE ADMIRATION FOR HER FOR COMING OUT AND GIVING IT A TRY-- ESPECIALLY, SHE'S A SENIOR BY DOING THAT-- THAN I HAVE FOR THE FORTY OR FIFTY GUYS WE'VE GOT WALKING THE HALLS AROUND HERE THAT WON'T GIVE IT A TRY. ))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=it a try


According to the Virginia High School League, about a DOZEN girls are wrestling in the Commonwealth this year.
Heather says she'd like to see that number rise... and she's offering up some advice.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:01:52
IN Q=I hope

((HEATHER CASH: I'D LOVE TO SEE A LOT MORE GIRLS... BECAUSE GIRLS CAN DO IT. THEY JUST HAVE TO SET THEIR MIND TO IT, WORK OUT A LOT AND BE AGRESSIVE. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=aggressive


At this point she has more losses than wins.
But Heather says its not because she's a girl.
She attributes her record to a lack of wrestling experience.
And even though she's having some problems taking down the competition... she's scoring big points when it comes to taking down the gender barriers of high school athletics.
Scott Prince, News- 7, Botetourt County.)) WEATHER
SUPER=300-36/32/SW 3mph/30.51f/75/1975/ 4/1977;
SUPER=301-40/34/NE 7mph/30.52f/75/1975/ 5/1940;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Increasing/Clouds/22-26/Mostly Cloudy/& Chilly/34-38;
SUPER=331-Increasing/Clouds/22-26/Cloudy/Flurries Possible/32-36;
SUPER=332-Becoming/Cloudy/20-24/Partly/Cloudy/34-38;
SUPER=333-Increasing/Clouds/18-22/Mostly Cloudy/& Chilly/32-36;
SUPER=334-Mostly/Cloudy/20-24/Partly/Cloudy/34-38;
SUPER=X5001;



UVa


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of VB97-1)
GRAPHIC=UVA LOGO


The Virginia Cavaliers took the win from N.C. State at home last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Charlottesville/N.C. State vs. Virginia; :00


Neither team shot well in the first half of this game, but Curtis Staples was able to knock down this three pointer to cut the State lead to 9-to-8.
Staples would later shoot U-V-a into the lead in the first 10 minutes of the half with this 2 pointer.
Jamal Robinson gets the three point play. U-V-A lead 13-to-9 with six to go.
State's Justin Gainey would break an 11 minute drought for the pack with this Hoop.
SUPER=33-N.C. State/50/Virginia/56;


The Pack led by as many as five in the second half, but Staples would not be denied scoring a game high 27 as U-V-a wins it 56-to-50.
(-------------)


Tech


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of tb97-1)
GRAPHIC=tech hoops


The second ranked Demon Deacons topped the Tech Hokies 61-to-44.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/HTS; :00


Jerry Goolsby lit up the sky with three straight three pointers in the first ten minutes.
Ace Custis would nail this three pointer late in the first half, but the Hokies still trailed 30-to-17 at halftime.
Tim Duncan leads the break for the give and go SUPER=33-Virginia
Tech/44/Wake Forest #2/61;

and gets the assist to Jerry Braswell, as the Demon Deacons pound the Hokies 61-to-44.
(-------------)


Hendrick


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#R-35
GRAPHIC=RICK HENDRICK


It's been an up and down couple of months for NASCAR's Rick Hendrick.
And yesterday the ride hit another bump in the road when it was learned that
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Concord, NC/January 9; :00


the multi-millionaire Charlotte-based businessman is suffering from a life-threatening form of Leukemia.
His condition was revealed in a court document at his money laundering trial in Asheville, North Carolina.
Hendrick's attorneys are asking the trial be moved to Charlotte where he is undergoing treatment for the disease.
(-------------)



Desmond


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#RS96-1
GRAPHIC=SUPER BOWL


N-F-L commissioner Paul Tagliabue has temporarily barred Bill Parcells from negotiating with any other N-F-L team until he rules on his committment to the Patriots.
Parcells says he is free to move on, while the Pats says they have his employment rights in 19-97.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Orlando, FL; :00


The man who beat Parcells' Patriots on Sunday made it to Disney World yesterday.
Desmond Howard the Super Bowl M-V-P was honored with a parade on Main Street, and the ultimate thrill of anyone's life.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="This is..

((DESMOND HOWARD/SUPER BOWL MVP:))
SUPER=01-Desmond Howard/Super Bowl MVP; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=...MICKEY HA HA!!
(-------------)



Hillary-Carnegie


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


In New York City, some 700 people were on hand last night to dedicate
Carnegie Hall to violinist Issac Stern. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;

7:02:31
The first lady was just one of many who spoke of Stern's efforts to save the concert hall from the wrecking ball.
President Clinton sent a video message praising Stern.
In 19-60 Stern won a battle to save the building which was slated to be torn down and replaced with a skyscraper.
Stern has played some 175 concerts in Carnegie Hall. (----------------)
by SS