12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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


Will it be a life sentence or execution for the convicted killer of a Virginia Tech student?
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie


And a multi- million dollar jury award may finally put the O-J Simpson case to rest.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick



(//////////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


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

Ben-Lilly


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=Ben Lilly


A judge has ordered Benjamin Lilly to die for the murder of Virginia Tech student Alexander DeFilippis.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;


A Montgomery County jury recommended the death penalty when it convicted Lilly last year.
The conviction was based in part on the statement the defendant's younger brother gave police, naming Ben as the triggerman.
Today, Mark Lilly recanted that statement.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:17:58
IN Q=

((MARK LILLY/BEN LILLY'S BROTHER: I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE WHO KILLED HIM, EITHER PARTY. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE. QUESTION: WHY IS THAT? ANSWER: BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING I WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR THROWING UP ALL THE LIQUOR AND BEER THAT I'D BEEN DRINKING THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ))
SUPER=01-Mark Lilly/Ben Lilly's Brother;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q= throughout the day.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Mark Lilly and a third defendant, Gary Barker, are each serving more than 50 years in prison for their part in the crime.
(----------------)



Simpson


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


The parties in the O-J Simpson saga will try to move forward with their lives, now that the second trial is over.
For Simpson, though, life certainly will not be the same if the jury's punitive damages are left intact by the judge.
Jennifer Sabih (SAW-BEE) reports from Los Angeles.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Santa Monica, CA/Yesterday;:00
SUPER=01-Daniel Petrocelli/Goldman Family Attorney;:32
SUPER=01-Richard Khouri/Memorabilia Dealer;1:06
SUPER=01-Steve Strati/Jury Foreman; 1:36
SUPER=01-Jennifer Sabih/Reporting;1:55
RUNS=2:13
OUT Q=CBS News, Los Angeles.

((
O.J. Simpson was reportedly on the golf course yesterday when the jury ordered him to pay 25-million dollars in punitive damages. neither he nor his lawyers have commented on the massive judgement, which really amounts to over 33-million when you add in the compensatory damages. the judge has 10 days to decide whether or not to reduce the dollar amount. some experts say that is likely. but the lead lawyer for the plaintiffs said this morning the high amount was apparently designed to stop simpson from ever profiting from his notoriety.
DANIEL PETROCELLI, GOLDMAN FAMILY ATTORNEY:THIS IS A MAN WHO BUTCHERED... NOT APPROPRIATE.
But simpson's earning potential in future years is already a question mark.
This seller of sports memorabilia says Simpson items, once prized among collectors, are quickly losing their value. RICHARD KHOURI/ MEMORABILIA DEALER: AS FOR THE REASONS FOR SIMPSON'S DOWNFALL IN THIS SECOND TRIAL, THE JURORS ALL CITED OVERWHELMING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WERE THOSE PICTURES OF SIMPSON WEARING THE BRUNO MAGLI SHOES. BUT SEVERAL ALSO SAID THAT SIMPSON WAS HIS OWN WORST ENEMY WHEN HE TOOK THE WITNESS STAND, SAYING HIS STORY HAD TOO MANY HOLES.
STEVE STRATI/ JURY FOREMAN: "INCONSISTENCIES...
Jennifer Sabih, CBS News, Los Angeles.))

Rail-Merger


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net h
GRAPHIC=rail merger


Norfolk Southern is keeping up its aggressive tactics in pursuit of Conrail.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

NORFOLK SOUTHERN-NORFOLK HQ, LAMBERTS PT. lbstock 1 01:02:50
N-S, which owns nine- point- nine- percent of Conrail's stock, now says it seeks to remove all but three members of Conrail's current board of directors. conrail ceo levan...lbstock 10
Among those it wants to oust: the head of Conrail, C-E-O David LeVan
(la-van).

csx/conrail...lbstock 10
N-S is battling with cross- state rival C-S-X for the opportunity to purchase Conrail. pre pro of price difference
Conrail's board has recommended shareholders take the C-S-X offer, even though N-S is willing to pay more per- share.
(-------------)


E-Tobacco-Suit


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=Tobacco


Both sides in the battle over government regulation of tobacco are watching a court case in Greensboro this week.
Tobacco makers are challenging new restrictions on cigarette marketing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=04-File Tape;


The new rules are scheduled to go into effect on February 28th.
They include no tobacco sponsorships of sporting events and a ban on hats, t- shirts and other promotions.
SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC;


Lawyers representing both sides are arguing whether the F-D-A has the authority to control tobacco.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:20;12
IN Q=Congress has...

(( SUPER: BERT REIN//ATTORNEY, BROWN AND WILLIAMSON "CONGRESS HAS THE FREEDOM TO REGULATE TOBACCO OR NOT TO. IT HAS CHOSEN TO REGULATE IT IN VERY SPECIFIC WAYS. IT HAS NOT IN OUR VIEW, CHOSEN TO GIVE THE F-D-A CARTE BLANCH.")) (( SUPER: JOHN BANZHAF//ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH " EVEN TODAY, NICOTINE PATCHES, NICOTINE CHEWING GUM...NICOTINE IN ALL OTHER FORMS IS REGULATED BY THE F-D-A. BUT ACCORDING TO THE TOBACCO COMPANIES, WHEN IT WINDS UP IN TOBACCO, IT SUDDENLY IS GRANTED IMMUNITY??...THAT'S A STRANGE ARGUMENT." ))
SUPER=01-Bert Rein/Attorney for Brown and Williamson;:00
SUPER=01-John Banzhaf/Anti-Smoking Activist;:10
RUNS=:24
OUT Q=strange argument
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The judge- -who is a former tobacco lobbyist- -says it could take up to ten weeks to reach a decision.
(----------------)



5-Third-District


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-02
GRAPHIC=virginia seal


No word yet on whether Virginia will appeal last week's court decision which strikes down the state's only black majority congressional district.
If such an appeal is made, Attorney General Jim Gilmore would argue the Commonwealth's case.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


Gilmore sat with third district Congressman Bobby Scott yesterday as the state's Congressional delegation lunched with the Governor.
Governor George Allen says much thought still needs to go into whether Virginia should just give up and re-draw its districts.
(-------0---------)


JACKSON


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


The Reverend Jesse Jackson will be back in court in Chicago today after spending the night in jail.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Chicago, IL;


Jackson was arrested yesterday during a protest at a white-owned construction company that is a member of his own civil rights coalition.
Jackson is unhappy with the company's decision to terminate a subcontract with a black-owned trucking company.
The construction company denies any racial motive.
(----------------)



shuttle


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=discovery launch


Turning night into day, the shuttle "Discovery" blasted into space this morning to rendezvous with the Hubble Space Telescope.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Ctr.;
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=(nats 4 seconds)
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The shuttle and its seven man crew should catch up to the Hubble Thursday morning.
The two billion dollar telescope will then be plucked from space with a crane so that parts can be swapped.
The new parts will allow the device to peer deeper into space.
The astronauts are also scheduled to conduct four spacewalks.
(----------------)



E-I-73


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=I-73


The proposed Interstate 73 may end up costing Virginia taxpayers more than originally thought.
The highway, which would originate in Detroit, would pass through Roanoke and Martinsville, on its way to Charleston.
Ellen Qualls reports on new concerns over how to pay for Virginia's portion.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=John Warner
SUPER=03-Richmond; :00
SUPER=@Warner; :12
SUPER=@Martinez; :38
SUPER=01-George Lester/Job Link; :52
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:12
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=News 7 Richmond

(( John Warner says he's filing a bill immediately to re-authorize the six year ISTEA road building act that helps pay the bills.
But even with a formula that's more generous to Virginia...
sot tape two 05:07:34

((SEN. JOHN WARNER: IT'S GONNA BE A BATTLE ROYAL. WE'RE FIGHTING THE NORTHEAST STATES. ANOTHER CHAPTER OF THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION. WE'RE GONNA HAVE A REAL FIGHT.))
runs=:09


So IF Warner wins, that means Virginia gets between 60 and 280 million more dollars a year -- and the Roanoke to state line portion of I-73 could cost a BILLION dollars by itself.
And it's in competition with projects in Virginia that are just as near and dear to lawmakers' hearts.
sot TAPE ONE 04:37:14

((ROBERT MARTINEZ/VA. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: PUT IT REAL STARK FOR YOURSELVES. I-81 GOES THROUGH MANY OF YOUR DISTRICTS.... DESIGNATED ROUTE.))
runs=:11


Southside manufacturers are NOT cheering.
sot TAPE TWO 05:18:18

((GEORGE LESTER/JOB LINK: WELL I'M EXCITED THAT WE'RE MOVING ALONG AS WE ARE. I'M FRUSTRATED THAT WE'RE NO FURTHER ALONG THAN WE ARE.... 15 YEARS TO 20 YEARS -- THAT'S A LONG TIME....MAY BE SHELVED ALTOGETHER. AND THAT'S A CONCERN OF MINE.))
runs=:19



sot standup


So far, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has authorized only six million dollars over the next few years for picking the exact route out of a five mile wide corridor.
Money beyond that is anybody's guess.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.
runs=:00))


S-Brown


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-105
GRAPHIC=Troy Brown


A Lynchburg jury will attempt to sort out what happened during a fight outside a Hill City night club last summer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;


20- year- old Troy Brown is charged with gunning down 18- year- old Derrick Crews in the early morning hours of July 27th.
The two men had argued outside the Pepper Baux (box) restaurant when Brown allegedly shot Crews in the chest.
Defense attorneys claim Brown was in fear for his life when he killed Crews.
Prosecutors call it cold- blooded murder.
The jury will hear closing arguments today.
(----------------)



S-Medical-Marijuana


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-108
GRAPHIC=Marijuana


The federal agency in charge of the nation's drug enforcement policies is not about to let up on marijuana users and growers, just because some doctors advocate its use in certain medical cases.
That according to the deputy director of the D-E-A.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Greg Williams spoke to a meeting of Virginia police chiefs in Roanoke yesterday.
He maintains referendums passed in California and Arizona allowing medical marijuana are part of a national-wide effort to legalize drugs.
On the other hand, Williams acknowledged that some people distributing the drug are simply trying to relieve suffering.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:54:19
IN Q=will DEA go out

((GREG WILLIAMS/ DEA DEPUTY DIRECTOR; WILL DEA GO OUT AND ARREST ALL PRACTITIONERS? PROBABLY NOT. IF WE IDENTIFY PRACTITIONERS THAT ARE TRULY IN IT JUST FOR MAKING MONEY AND PROFITING BY THIS, WE WILL MAKE INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS. ))
SUPER=01-Greg Williams/DEA Deputy Director;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=the local departments
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Efforts to overturn Virginia's law legalizing medical marijuana are currently stalled in a state senate committee.

Visitors-Bureau


ANCHOR=mel
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-6
GRAPHIC=none


After a six month search... The Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau has a new chief.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


David (KOHL-heed) Kjolhede was introduced this morning as the C- V- B's executive director.
He has 25 years of experience in the tourism industry... and is the former marketing director for the state of Iowa.
(KOHL-heed) Kjolhede says the Roanoke Valley has plenty to offer.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:27:29
IN Q=There's very

((DAVID KJOLHEDE/CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: THERE'S A VERY STRONG CONVENTION MEETING COMPONENT AND A VERY STRONG TOURISM COMPONENT. THAT'S A PLUS. CERTAINLY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE AREA. THIS IS A GORGEOUS AREA. IT IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST... THE WARMTH AND FRIENDLINESS AND THE HOSPITALITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE VALLEY. ))
SUPER=01-David Kjolhede/Executive Director;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=in the valley
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


The search for a new executive director took nearly six months.
(KOHL-heed) Kjolhede says his first order of business is to meet with local tourism leaders and government officials.

P-hENRY-INDUSTRY


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=AFR
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NEW industry


An announcement of new jobs is expected when executives from an Ohio based embroidery company come to Martinsville this week.
Published reports have linked the "Five-B's Embroidery Company" of Zanesville Ohio, to the location of a major plant in the Martinsville- Henry County area.
The report said as many as 500 new jobs could be created.
Henry County economic development leaders would not comment.
A news conference is scheduled for later this week.

E-Clark


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-3
GRAPHIC=NONE


It's time to strike down long standing sanctions against Iraq and Cuba.
So says former U-S Attorney General Ramsey Clark, speaking to students at Radford University.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Radford;


Clark has visited Iraq each year since the Gulf War, and says ongoing U.S. sanctions have led to inadequate food and medical supplies, and death.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:30:38
IN Q=

((RAMSEY CLARK/FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: 500 THOUSAND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE DEAD AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE SANCTIONS. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE WORTH THAT? NOTHING. IT'S A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. ))
SUPER=01-Ramsey Clark/Former U.S. Attorney General;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=crime against humanity.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Clark says the U.S. is also crushing Cuba.
He called on President Clinton to respond to the United Nation's 107-to-two vote condemning the U.S. embargo.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 6:26:54
IN Q=

((TO STAND UP THERE AND SAY YOU'RE RIGHT AND WE'RE BIG ENOUGH TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND WE'RE BIG ENOUGH TO SAY WE'RE WRONG AND WE'RE RIGHTEOUS ENOUGH TO STOP IT. ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=to stop it.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=HOLD


Clark is active in world- wide efforts to end political repression and human rights violations.
He visited Radford for its Peace and World Security Studies Week.

E-Forbes


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-110
GRAPHIC=Forbes


Another high profile name in politics, former Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes, told a Liberty University audience that he has NOT ruled out a second attempt at the White House.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg


While he bowed out of the presidential race early on, yesterday's speech sounded like it came straight from the campaign trail.
Forbes attacked the federal government for what he calls excessive regulations that stifle economic progress.
Even still, Forbes says he remains an optimist.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:05:19
IN Q=So while we

((STEVE FORBES/FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: SO WHILE WE FACE ENORMOUS PROBLEMS, WE ALSO FACE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES. WE HAVE THE ENERGY, WE HAVE THE FUNDAMENTALS IN FAVOR OF US, ALL WE HAVE TO DO NOW IS MAKE IT HAPPEN.))
SUPER=01-Steve Forbes/Former Presidential Candidate; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=make it happen.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts will visit Liberty next month.
(----------------)



P-Ski


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cst
TAPE#597-06
GRAPHIC=winter wx


After an up and down winter, ski resort operators say the Presidents Day Holiday weekend will be important to their revenues.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Nelson Co./Last Month


The snow has been hit and miss at Virginia's resorts this season--
Business actually started with a boom in November, stalled in December and took back off again this month.
(------------------)


WEATHER
SUPER=300-33/56/W 7mph/30.20f/67/1959/ 3/1971;
SUPER=301-34/56/S 8mph/30.20f/82/1932/-3/1899;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Partly/Cloudy/24-28/Variable Clouds/Flurries Possible/36-40;
SUPER=331-Partly/Cloudy/26-30/Variable/Clouds/40-44;
SUPER=332-Partly/Cloudy/24-28/Mostly/Cloudy/36-40;
SUPER=333-Variable/Clouds/20-24/Mostly Cloudy/Flurries Possible/34-38;
SUPER=334-Mostly/Cloudy/20-24/Mostly Cloudy/Snow Showers/34-38;
SUPER=X5001;



Liberty


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=twe
TAPE#=BB97-4
GRAPHIC=Big South


The top two teams in the Big South, Liberty and U-N-C-Asheville, took to the court at the Vines center in Lynchburg.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Bulldogs vs. Flames;


Asheville's Robert Stevenson got things started, taking the feed and punching in 2 of his 11 first half points for an early 6 point lead.
The Flames then went to Peter A-luma, who gets the hoop. He led the Flames with 22.
Brian Richerson would stroke this trey just before the half, but the visitors still trailed by 3 at the break.
SUPER=33-UNC Asheville/68/Liberty/65;


Liberty held on in the second half, but U-N-C Asheville pulls out the 68-65 victory.
(-------------)


Radford


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of BB97-2)
GRAPHIC=Radford


The Radford Highlanders improved to 6 and 4 in the Big South by dropping Winthrop at the Dedmon Bubble.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Radford/Eagles vs. Highlanders;


The Highlanders waisted little time lighting up the scoreboard. Marquis Williamson drives through traffic for the lay up.
Tyson Watterman drains the three pointer from the top of the key.
SUPER=33-Radford/88/Winthrop/74;

But R-U was just too strong. Anthony Walker, who had a team high 16 points, gets one of his 5 assists, dishing to Eric Bowens for the bucket and Radford goes on to win 88-74.
(-------------)


Maroons


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of BB97-3)
GRAPHIC=ODAC


The Roanoke men's basketball team broke a five game losing streak last night by downing Lynchburg 84-71.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Salem/Hornets vs. Maroons;


In the second half, Nathan Hungate works the entire floor, passing to John Mayer for the basket.
Roanoke's Jason Bishop would lead all Maroon scorers with 18 points
including this trey from the wing. SUPER=33-Roanoke/84/Lynchburg/71;


The Hornets tried to stay within striking distance. Chris Wheeling hits the jumper but the lead for Roanoke was still 20.
Derek Byrant would tie Roanoke's all time career three point basket record with three on the night. Roanoke wins 84-71.
(-------------)


Parcells


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S7-2
GRAPHIC=New York Jets


Valentine's day came early for the N-F-L's worst team.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00


Former Patriots coach Bill Parcells will be able to coach the New York Jets next season, thanks to N-F-L commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who worked out a deal with New England.
The Patriots will get the Jets' third and fourth round draft picks this year, a second round pick next year, a first round pick in 19-99 and 300- thousand- dollars for team charities.
(-------------)



oscars


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=academy awards


Its Oscar time in Hollywood.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its nominees this morning.
The English Patient picked up a dozen nominations, including best picture.
Fargo and Shine are also up for best picture, they each picked up seven nominations.
Rounding out the best picture category are Secrets and Lies and Jerry Maguire.
Tom Cruise's lead role in Jerry Maguire won him a best actor nomination.
SUPER=03-Beverly Hills, CA;


Lauren Becall picked up her first oscar nomination.
It's for Best Supporting Actress in The Mirror Has Two Faces.
Winners will be announced March 24th. (----------------)
by SS