12:00-01

Noon-open

SUPER=#4054; News 7 Headline Banner
SUPER=@melanie1;
SUPER=@patrick1;



Explosion


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


One man is dead, and another seriously injured following an explosion in Campbell County this morning.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Steve/Microwave


Steve Smallshaw is in our Lynchburg newsroom, Steve what can you tell us about what happened?
Live=Steve Full/Microwave
SUPER=@ssm1;
SUPER=05-Lynchburg;


Melanie, it occurred at a place called W-E-L Incorporated...they're an environmental contractor based in Concord.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Campbell Co.


Part of what W-E-L does is remove old oil and gasoline storage tanks from the ground, and clean up the soil around them.
Around 9:30 this morning, two workers were cutting into a ten- thousand gallon gasoline tank when it exploded.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:42:47
IN Q=Apparently there

((SGT. GERALD WILLIAMSON/VA STATE POLICE: APPARENTLY THERE WAS SOME RESIDUE LEFT INSIDE OF THE TANK, AND THE TANK EXPLODED, INJURING BOTH EMPLOYEES, ONE FATALLY AND THE OTHER VERY SERIOUSLY.))
SUPER=01-Gerald Williamson/Virginia State Police; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=other very seriously.
(----------------)
VO-NAT (Steve)


The injured worker was taken to Lynchburg General Hospital, and then airlifted to the U-V-A medical center in Charlottesville.
Labor investigators have been called to the scene to look into what happened.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:44:39
IN Q=I'm assuming

((SGT. WILLIAMSON: I'M ASSUMING THAT THEY TOOK THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS OF HAVING IT OUT IN THE OPEN FIELD, IT HAD BEEN BULLDOZED, IT WAS JUST DIRT ALL AROUND.))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=dirt all around.
Live=Steve Full/Microwave
SUPER=05-Lynchburg;


Again, the explosion occurred outside, and no other workers were injured.
double boxes=Melanie/Steve Microwave


Authorities have "not" released the names of the two victims.. and it could be several weeks before we know exactly why this explosion occurred.

wythe-school


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=afr
TAPE#net (edit of 597-08)
GRAPHIC=none


Racism is a growing problem at George Wythe High School according to the Concerned Citizens network.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wythe Co.;


The community group of parents, students, and other citizens met last night in response to recent racial incidents at the school.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:51:37
IN Q=we have

((MARRETTA WITCHER/12TH GRADE: WE HAVE PEOPLE THROWING THESE NOOSES AT US AND SPITTING IN OUR FOOD AND EVERYTHING, AND THEY GET AWAY WITH DOING STUFF LIKE THAT. )) ((GLENDA CROCKETT EANS/CONCERNED CITIZENS :THE TREATMENT AND DISRESPECT OF STUDENTS AND PARENTS THAT HAVE GONE SPECIFICALLY TO THE HIGH SCHOOL. ))
SUPER=01-Marretta Witcher/George Wythe Student; :00
SUPER=01-Glenda Crockett Eans/Concerned Citizens Network; :08
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=high school
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The C-C-N is NOT happy with the response its received from George Wythe's principal.
He says his administration has responded appropriately.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 17:38:49
IN Q=EVER SINCE

((R.T. PHILLIPS/GEORGE WYTHE PRINCIPAL: AFTER WE HAD A SMALL PROBLEM TWO WEEKS AGO, I'VE NEVER SEEN THE STUDENT BODY HERE AT GEORGE WYTHE, AS CORDIAL, WORKING TOGETHER, LIKE THEY ARE. THEY ARE A TREMENDOUS GROUP OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS.))
SUPER=01-Dr. R.T. Phillips/George Wythe Principal;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=INDIVIDUALS
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The C-C-N says the state board of education has begun an investigation of its allegations.
(----------------)



E-Halifax-Arrest


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-101
GRAPHIC=Drug Bust Pot


Halifax County high school's star basketball player is on the bench.
He and two other athletes were arrested over the weekend and charged with possesion of marijuana.
Teresa Hamilton has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=They said
SUPER=01-Ray Link/Halifax Co. Sheriff's Department; :00
SUPER=03-Halifax Co./File Tape; :25
SUPER=01-Larry Clark/Halifax High School Principal; :30
SUPER=@Teresa1; :44
SUPER=01-Don Thompson/Halifax Basketball Coach; :54
SUPER=03-Riverdale; 1:13
RUNS=1:21
OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.

((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=They said

((MAJ. RAY LINK: THEY SAID YOU COULD SMELL MARIJUANA OUTSIDE THE DOOR, AND THERE WAS SO MUCH SMOKE IN THE ROOM WHEN YOU WENT IN, IT WAS HARD TO SEE.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=HARD TO SEE.


Sheriff's deputies say, at the time, they had NO idea they were arresting three local athletes.
19- year old Carlos Santana Jackson is a star basketball player-- who just hours before his arrest-- helped his team defeat G-W Danville.
Jackson is also well known on the football field-- he was a quarterback for the Comets.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It does

((LARRY CLARK/HALIFAX HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:IT DOES HURT, IT HURTS THE IMAGE OF THE SCHOOL, THE IMAGE OF THE COMMUNITY, AND IT CERTAINLY IS HURTFUL TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS WHO DO NOT GET INVOLVED IN THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=of activities.

take su
Jackson's arrest could NOT have happened at a worse time.
Just two days after he was taken into custody-- his team entered the playoffs. end su
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=There is

((DON THOMPSON/HALIFAX CO. BASKETBALL COACH:THERE IS NO MORALE PROBLEM AT ALL, EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THAT WE'LL GO ON AND WE'LL PLAY EQUALLY AS HARD AS WE HAVE. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=we have.


The other athletes arrested played football for Halifax.
Cedric Jacobs, number 25- for the team, and number 3- Michael Chappell, are also charged with possession of marijuana.
Three juveniles were also taken into custody but because of their age-- little is known about their identity.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.))

WHITEWATER


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


Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr, warns don't read to much into his decision to leave the Whitewater investigation.
Starr announced yesterday he has taken a job with Pepperdine University as dean of its law school.
Bill Plante takes a closer look.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Little Rock, AR; :00
SUPER=01-Kenneth Starr/Whitewater Prosecutor; :13
SUPER=@File; :30
SUPER=01-Paul Rothstein/Georgetown University Law School; 1:03
SUPER=01-Bill Plante/Reporting; 1:15 (SU)
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=the White House

(( ARRIVING IN LITTLE ROCK LAST NIGHT, STARR CAUTIONED THOSE TRYING TO READ TOO MUCH INTO HIS DECISION TO BECOME DEAN OF A CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL.. AND HE TURNED ASIDE QUESTIONS ABOUT INDICTMENTS FOR THE FIRST FAMILY.

SOT/STARR:

"I can't comment at all on the investigation.. as you know we do our talking in court. I just think it would be wrong to be making predictive judgements.. based upon what one individual may do."
THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AT A CRUCIAL TIME IN THE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION. STARR WON VICTORIES LAST YEAR WHEN A LITTLE ROCK JURY FOUND BUSINESSMAN JAMES MCDOUGAL AND HIS EX-WIFE SUSAN GUILTY OF FRAUD CHARGES. BOTH WERE INVOLVED IN THE COMPLICATED LAND DEAL KNOWN AS WHITEWATER, THAT INCLUDED THE CLINTONS AS PASSIVE PARTNERS.
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR JIM GUY TUCKER, WHO WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE WHITEWATER DEAL, WAS ALSO FOUND GUILTY OF TWO CHARGES.
BUT WITH NO SIGN OF FRESH INDICTMENTS ON THE HORIZON, THERE IS SPECULATION BOTH INSIDE, AND OUTSIDE, THE WHITE HOUSE, THAT STARR'S DEPARTURE, BODES WELL FOR THE FIRST FAMILY.

SOT/ROTHSTEIN

"What it says to me is if there was a big payoff about to take place, high level indictments after so many years of investigations, the top man would not be jumping ship."
PLANTE ON-CAMERA TAG: NOW STARR HAS INDICATED THAT THERE IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT PENDING.. BUT IT INVOLVES ONE OF HIS OTHER INVESTIGATIONS, THAT INTO THE DEATH OF VINCENT FOSTER.
Bill Plante, CBS News, Washington.))

OK-BOMBING


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


A two-day hearing begins today in Denver as defense lawyers in the Oklahoma City bombing case attempt to suppress eyewitness testimony.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


The reason: the widespread publicity surrounding the arrest of Timothy McVeigh.
McVeigh's attorney's say the media attention may have tainted testimony.
Prosecutors have already dropped two potential eyewitnesses.
(----------------)



Dupont


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


Closing arguments have begun in the murder trial of multi-millionaire John Du Pont.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Media, PA;


His lawyers say he's innocent of killing Olympic wrestler Dave Schultz by reason of insanity.
But prosecutors maintain he killed in a jealous rage.
(----------------)


RAMSEY


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=murder investigation


Police from Boulder, Colorado have wrapped up interviews in Georgia in connection with the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roswell, GA;

7:18:08
Investigators conducted more than 20 interview of friends and relatives.
SUPER=@File;

From our file
Jonbenet's body was found in the basement of her home December 26th.
She had been strangled and sexually assaulted.
Yesterday, a medical examiner who has reviewed the autopsy report, said he believed JonBenet was a victim of CHRONIC sexual abuse.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((DR. CYRIL WECHT/FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST: THERE WAS SOME FOREIGN BODY THAT HAD TO HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED...THIS CANNOT BE TALKED AROUND OR RATIONALIZED, THEY ARE FACTS THEY ARE THERE. ))
SUPER=01-Dr. Cyril Wecht/Forensic Pathologist;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=THEY ARE THERE.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


Wecht (weck) was called as an expert witness in the O.J. Simpson criminal trial and the John F. Kennedy assassination.
(----------------)



S-Charter-Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-108
GRAPHIC=Education


The future of charter Schools in Virginia is not looking good.
The governor had tried to revive the issue with a new proposal late Friday.
It was spiked by a legislative committee Sunday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:54:54
IN Q=The most

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: THE MOST UNFORTUNATE ASPECT OF ALL OF THIS IS THAT THEY ARE PLAYING PETTY POLITICS AND OBSTRUCTING THE ABILITY OF OUR CHILDREN IN VIRGINIA TO GET 30 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THIS VERY GOOD IDEA.))
SUPER=@allen
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=good idea.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Some black lawmakers fear charter schools could re-open the door to segregation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:00:28
IN Q=When you go

((BENJAMIN J. LAMBERT, III/D- RICHMOND: WHEN YOU GO THROUGH CERTAIN THINGS AS DESEGREGATION AND SEGREGATION YOUR VERY MUCH ALARMED AND ALERT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN AND MAYBE OVERLY CAUTIOUS. I'D RATHER BE OVER CAUTIOUS THAN TO SET UP A SYSTEM THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.))
SUPER=01-Benjamin J. Lambert, III/(D) Richmond
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=Commonwealth of Virginia.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=State Song


Also yesterday the House unanimously approved the bill to retire "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia" as the state song.
Delegates eliminated a provision calling for a special commission to come up with a NEW state song.
So the Senate will have to consider the measure again.
Governor Allen says he supports the bill.

E-Low-Jets


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-1
GRAPHIC=None


The military may want to fly more jets over Highland County, but officials there have different plans.
Joe Dashiell reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The terrain that makes
SUPER=03-Highland Co.; :00
SUPER=01-Jim Cobb/Retired Marine Colonel; :22
SUPER=03-Langley AFB; :36
SUPER=01-Irv Halter/Langley Air Force Base; :57
SUPER=@Joe1; 1:11
SUPER=01-Melissa Dowd/Highland County Attorney; 1:25
RUNS=1:56
OUT Q=JD News 7 Highland County


((The terrain that makes Highland County postcard perfect, also makes it an excellent training ground for military pilots.
Air Force jets have been flying over Virginia's least- populated county for years, but now a proposal to increase the the flights' frequency and lower the altitude has residents fighting mad.
SOT 14:26:00
IN Q=This is probably

((JIM COBB/RETIRED MARINE COLONEL: THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST PATRIOTIC COMMUNITIES I'VE LIVED IN AND I'VE LIVED ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES. I DON'T THINK ANY ONE PERSON OPPOSES WHAT THE MILITARY IS DOING RIGHT NOW. IT'S JUST THAT THEY OPPOSE HAVING THIS CRAMMED DOWN THEIR THROATS.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=crammed down their throats.


The Air Force wants to increase the number of low-level flights from 66 a year... to as many as twenty two hundred... and lower the altitude of some flights to 300 feet.
Officials say it's unlikely they'll make that many flights, but they say the training is essential to prepare pilots for battle in all types of terrain.

SOT
IN Q=In the air to air business

((COL. IRV HALTER/LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE: IN THE AIR TO AIR BUSINESS WE LIKE TO STAY AS HIGH AS WE CAN AS LONG AS WE CAN, HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE TIMES THAT OUR ADVERSARIES OR OUR TACTICS WILL DRIVE US TO LOWER ALTITUDES. WE ESTIMATE THAT WILL BE LESS THAN FIVE PERCENT OF THE TIME WE SPEND IN THAT AIRSPACE.))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=spend in that airspace.

STAND-UP BRIDGE
Residents say they recognize the need for military training, but they fear the added flights will spook their livestock and mar the quiet beauty of this county.
County officials say the Air Force impact statement did not address those issues.
SOT 14:31:38
IN Q=This environmental assessment

((THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT HAS A LOT OF HOLES. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS AT ALL THE POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK OR TOURISM. THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE. THAT'S WHAT THEY DO IN PENDLETON AND POCAHONTAS COUNTIES. SNOWSHOE SKI RESORT IS IN POCAHONTAS COUNTY AND WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS. THEY DON'T EVEN ADDRESS THAT AS THOUGH IT MATTERED AT ALL.))
RUNS=:19
OUT Q=as though it mattered at all.


The Air Force has extended the public comment period by thirty days, but Highland County officials say they need a six- month delay... as they consider the effects of an air force assault on their quality of life.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Highland County))

E-Glass-Judge


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


The choices students make today can have a profound effect on their future.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg


That was the message from Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes who addressed a large crowd at Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg yesterday in honor of Black History Month.
Hughes graduated from E.C. Glass High School in 19-74... today she's a judge in Philadelphia's court of Common Pleas.
Hughes attributes her own success to her parents who helped her make the right choices.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:57:43
IN Q=There are people

((RENEE CARDWELL HUGHES/E.C. GLASS GRADUATE: THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WHO WILL COME OUT TO SUPPORT YOU AND WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE CHOICES THAT WE EITHER SEND YOU DOWN TIGER WOOD'S PATH, DOMINIQUE MOCEANU'S PATH, DOWN MY PATH... OR THEY'LL SEND YOU DOWN KURT COBAIN'S PATH OR TUPAC SHAKUR'S PATH.))
SUPER=01-Renee Cardwell Hughes/E.C. Glass Graduate; :00
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=Tupac Shakur's path.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Lynchburg mayor Jim Whitaker proclaimed this "Renee Cardwell Hughes Day" and presented her with a key to the city.
(----------------)



S-Child-Life


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=Carilion


A new program at Carilion is trying to make the hospital feel less like an institution, and more like a playground for its young patients.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Child Life Specialist Janice Zack brought the program with her when she came to Carilion five months ago.
Zack uses a playroom environment to help children with illnesses interact with each other, and forget about being sick.
The program also helps parents answer their children's questions about their illnesses.
Zack says she'd like to see the program expand to all Carilion clinics.
(----------------)


DISCOVERY


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


The "Discovery" astronauts have finished their fifth and final spacewalk to work on the Hubble Space Telescope.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


And scientists are beaming about the improvements.
There had been talk about a possible sixth walk to repair Hubble's pointing mechanism, but experts now say it won't be needed.
The astronauts will release Hubble tomorrow and return to earth on Friday.
(----------------)

WEATHER
SUPER=300-53/31/Var 6mph/30.46f/72/1971/ 4/1958;
SUPER=301-53/32/SW 9mph/30.47f/75/1927/ 3/1979;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mostly Clear/& Cool/36-40/Partly Sunny/Breezy & Warm/66-70;
SUPER=331-Mostly Clear/& Mild/34-38/Partly Sunny/Breezy & Warm/68-72;
SUPER=332-Mostly/Clear/32-36/Partly Cloudy/& Warm/62-66;
SUPER=333-Mostly Clear/& Chilly/28-32/Sunny/Breezy & Warm/64-68;
SUPER=334-Mostly/Clear/38-42/Partly Cloudy/& Warm/60-64;
SUPER=X5001;



Venture-Center


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net j
GRAPHIC=business news


It appears the Roanoke Valley's new small business incubator is already breeding success.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;

file from 96-81
Access, Incorporated, one of the New Century Venture Center's first tenants, has won eight Addy awards in the region's annual advertising competition.
Access opened in the New Century Venture Center last October.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Small business incubators assist start- up companies during their initial development stages.
The New Century Venture Center has six tenants since it opened last year.
It's located in the old Advance Auto headquarters in Roanoke.

Roanoke


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


The Roanoke College Maroons wrapped up the ODAC regular season championship last night with a win over Guilford.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Salem/Guilford vs. Roanoke;


The offense would come from the outside, as Kevin Sigafoes buries Jason Bishop's inbound pass from the corner for a 27 point lead.
The Quakers were never in striking distance despite efforts like this one from Kevin Spainhour.
Roanoke was tough on the fast break as well, as Nathan Hungate goes to
SUPER=33-Guilford/60/Roanoke/90;

Tim Braun to Courtney Fitch.
Roanoke tunes up for the tourney with the 90-to-60 win.
(-------------)


NBA


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#TB97-1
GRAPHIC=NBA


A big shuffle in the N-B-A last night-
The Mavericks and Nets exchanged nine players.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-NBA; :00


The Nets send seven foot six inch shot blocking center Shawn Bradley to the Mavericks along with Robert pack, Khalid Reeves and Ed O'Bannon.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=hold


In exchange the Mavs give up Chris Gatling, Jim Jackson, Sam Cassell, George McCloud and Eric Montross.

RVD


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of S6-28)
GRAPHIC=High school hoops


Last night marked regular season playoff tilts for several high school teams. William Fleming and Patrick Henry battled for the Roanoke Valley District title.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Rocky Mount/Patriots vs. Colonels; :00


P-H's Boo Battle turned in the highest numbers for the Patriots, scoring 14 points.
Fleming lead by 30 most of the game. Charles Burnette has the give and go and makes the shot.
Brad Dunleavey steals the rock from Patrick SUPER=33-William

Fleming/72/Patrick Henry/36; Henry's Mike Peery and goes coast to coast for the slam.
Fleming captures the R-V-D regular season title with the 72-36 win.
(-------------)


Blue


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of BB97-4)
GRAPHIC=BLUE RIDGE


The Blue Ridge district also had to hold a special one game playoff last night to determine its regular season champ between Salem and Byrd.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Daleville/Wm. Byrd vs. Salem;


Jason Bailey scores early to give Byrd the early two points lead.
but Salem would come back with a 12 to nothing run in the second quarter.
SUPER=33-Salem/46/William Byrd/34;


Josh Wheeler would get Byrd back in it with this reverse layin.
Salem wins the regular season title with a 46-to-34 victory.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=piedmont


The top seed in the Piedmont tourney was determined last night, as well. Troy Wells Martinsville Bulldogs beat Magna Vista 70-to-64 in overtime.
by SS