12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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


A Montgomery County grand jury will determine if two Virginia Tech football players will be charged with rape.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie


And the Citadel's president is raising doubts about hazing allegations made by two female cadets.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None


Showers and thunderstorms are on the way over night, with breezy conditions that will usher in cooler temperatures. Stay tuned for your complete weekend forecast.
(///////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Stick around News 7 at Noon is next.

E-Crawford-Edmonds


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-1
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales


A grand jury will hear rape allegations against two Virginia Tech football players.
The woman who says she was raped by James Crawford and Brian Edmonds told her story yesterday in court.
Joe Dashiell has more from Blacksburg.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The 19- year- old
SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00
SUPER=01-Matt Pethybridge/Defense Attorney; :34
SUPER=@Joe1; :44
RUNS=:58
OUT Q=JD News 7 Blacksburg


((The 19- year- old Virginia Tech student attended a party at the defendants' Blacksburg apartment on December 14th.
As she searched for a friend, the woman says Edmonds pulled her into his room.
She told the judge that Crawford removed her clothing, and both men had sexual intercourse with her, while she called out for her friends.

Crawford and Edmonds have denied the charges, and the two football standouts have filed a 32- million dollar lawsuit against their accuser.
The timing of events is critical to the case, and defense attorney Matt Pethybridge says "there wasn't a whole lot of time, for a whole lot of activity."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 07:39:23
IN Q=The story is out there

((MATT PETHYBRIDGE/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: THE STORY IS OUT THERE. THE TIMELINE IS OUT THERE FOR YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT. YOU ALL CAN GET YOUR OWN TRANSCRIPTS AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT, AND SEE WHAT CONCLUSIONS YOU CAN REACH FROM THAT.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=can reach from that.

STAND-UP CLOSE
Some of the defendants family and friends cried in the courtroom after the judge announced his decision, but the attorneys said they were not surprised by his ruling.
The charges are now headed to a Montgomery County grand jury.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Blacksburg))

P-wythe-schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#597-13
GRAPHIC=None


Racial tension is heating up in Wytheville and some civic leaders fear the situation could turn violent.
Earlier this week black students spoke out when a group of white students tied their jacket drawstrings into nooses.
Those students were suspended, but the problems are far from over.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wytheville;


Yesterday morning, students and teachers were greeted with a racial slur painted on the road leading up to the school.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((ROBERT GREEN/CONCERNED CITIZENS NETWORK: THEY HAD WROTE BURN NIGGER OUT TOWARD THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE AND THAT'S ALL I KNOW ABOUT THAT. ))
SUPER=01-Robert Green/Concerned Citizens Network;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=know about that
(----------------)
VO-NAT


News 7 spoke with George Wythe principal R-T Phillips.
He calls this latest incident "very unfortunate," but says at this point there's very little the school can do.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


The principal says since the racial slur was painted on public property, the school is not really involved in the investigation.
Phillips adds that right now there is no evidence it was done by a student.

Citadel


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


The president of the Citadel is casting doubt on hazing allegations by two former female cadets.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Clifton Poole says he's not dismissing the claims, but he says they may not hold up under scrutiny.
Kim Messer and Jeanie Mentavlos claim they were hazed, harassed and their clothes were set on fire.
Poole also says the two women were disciplinary problems from the beginning.
A lawyer for Mentavlos says Poole's remarks are "absurd."
(----------------)




COURT-MARTIAL


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


More trouble for the U-S military, but this time the accused is a female officer.
A spokesman for Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota says First Lieutenant Kelly Flinn is to be court-martialed on adultery charges.
Flinn is the first female bomber pilot qualified to fly in combat.

E-Floyd-Murder


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#96-101
GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation


A Floyd County man may have been shot to death this week over a rifle and a 20- year- old car.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Floyd Co./Wednesday


The body of 38- year- old Stanley W. Harmon was found Wednesday morning at his home in the Buffalo Mountain area.
His rifle was missing, along with a 19-77 Pontiac Firebird.
Police in West Virginia found the car in Greenbrier County.
SUPER=04-Last Night;


That led to the arrest of 18- year- old Mark Anthony Beavers and 21- year- old Jerry Wayne McKinney on auto theft and fugitive warrants.
(----------------)


E-Giles-Shooting


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-7
GRAPHIC=Shooting


A 25- year- old Giles County man faces second degree murder charges.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Giles Co./Wednesday;


Police say Benjamin Scot Elliot shot his girlfriend in the head with a large-caliber hand gun Wednesday night.
Twenty-year old Misty Dawn Dellinger died at the mobile home the couple shared near Newport.
Elliot admits he shot Dellinger, but says it was an accident.
He is in the county jail.
His bond has been set at 50-thousand dollars.
(----------------)



ALBRIGHT-YELTSIN


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


Secretary of State Madeleine Albright continues her whirlwind trip to Europe and Asia with a stop in Moscow.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Moscow;


Earlier today she met with Boris Yeltsin.
She is trying to get Yeltsin's support on the thorny issue of NATO's eastward expansion.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, SECRETARY OF STATE: "NATO TODAY IS A NEW NATO. IT NOT THE NATO OF THE COLD WAR. ITS GUIDING PRINCIPLES HAVE CHANGED AND ITS STRUCTURE HAS CHANGED. ))
SUPER=01-Madeleine Albright/Secretary of State;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=structure has changed.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Albright's next stop is South Korea.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


Meantime, South Korea is expressing cautious optimism about NORTH Korea's decision to take part in preliminary peace talks.
The North made the announcement today.
It had refused to participate in previous sessions.
The talks are set to take place March 5th in New York.

E-Breakout


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 97-6
GRAPHIC=VMI


It may look strange to outsiders, but some who've made it up the hill say it's not so bad.
Jay Moore has the story from V-M-I, where the rat line "Broke Out" of the seniors' control.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=nat sound
SUPER=03-Lexington; :00
SUPER=01-John Hartsock/Former VMI Rat; :20 Quick!!!
SUPER=01-David Merchan/Former VMI Rat; :29
SUPER=01-Josiah Bunting/VMI Superintendent; :49
SUPER=01-Mike Strickler/VMI Spokesman; 1:05
SUPER=@jay2; 1:17
RUNS=1:30
OUT Q=News 7 Lexington.


(( Odds are if you went to college, you didn't go through this....that is unless you went to the Virginia Military Institute.
"Breaking Out"...it's the last chance for rats to prove they're ready to take their place in the ranks of everybody who's done it before.
The final obstacle is making it to the top of this hill.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:31:57
IN Q=When we hit

((JOHN HARTSOCK/FORMER VMI RAT FROM VINTON: WHEN WE HIT THE HILL ALL THE THOUGHTS WENT AWAY AND JUST WANTED TO GET TO THE TOP OF THE HILL. ))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=of the hill.

nat sound
RUNS=:04
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:21:45
IN Q=It's just the

((DAVID MERCHAN/FORMER VMI RAT: IT'S JUST THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. IT'S LIKE FREEDOM. IT'S JUST LIKE BEING KEPT IN PRISON AND TODAY IS YOUR LAST DAY AND YOU GET OUT INTO THE FREE WORLD. IT'S LIKE BEING BORN AGAIN ALMOST.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=again almost.


The annual ritual establishes a bond between first and fourth classmen.
The school's superintendent, a V-M-I alumnus, knows all too well about the experience.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:36:58
IN Q=I remember how

((MAJ. GEN. JOSIAH BUNTING/VMI SUPERINTENDENT: I REMEMBER HOW TOUGH IT WAS BUT AT THE SAME TIME YOU'RE SO EXCITED YOU KNOW YOU'RE SO CLOSE TO FINALIZING THAT IT'S NOT THAT BAD.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=not that bad.


Activities like this one are a tradition at the institution..and don't expect that to change because the school goes co-ed this fall.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:07:49
IN Q=We don't think

((LT. COL. MIKE STRICKLER/VMI SPOKESMAN: WE DON'T THINK THE WOMAN THAT ARE COMING WANT THINGS TO BE CHANGED. THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE VIRTUALLY ALL TOLD US. DON'T CHANGE THE SYSTEM THAT'S WHY WE'RE COMING WE WANT TO GET THE VMI EXPERIENCE AND THIS IS CERTAINLY PART OF IT. ))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=part of it.


In the meantime...what's next for these rats?
We'll they're now recognized as members of the corp.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:37:16
IN Q=For the next

((BUNTING: FOR THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS THEY CAN DREAM ABOUT AUGUST WHEN THEY GET TO DO IT TO SOMEBODY.))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=it to somebody.


Jay Moore, News 7 Lexington. ))

Shuttle


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


The space shuttle discovery made a spectacular and rare nighttime landing early this morning at the Kennedy Space Center.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=twin sonic
SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Ctr.;
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=the landing area
(----------------)
VO-NAT


It was only the 9th landing in darkness out of 82 space shuttle touchdowns.
It also ended what's being hailed as a very successful mission to fix the hubble space telescope.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=It's like having...
SUPER=01-Steven Hawley/Discovery Astronaut;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=from space.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Pictures from the upgrade Hubble won't be visible until May.
The next visit to Hubble is scheduled for late 19-99.
(----------------)



E-XGR


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


The General Assembly decided yesterday that pregnant teens must notify a parent before having an abortion.
Ellen Qualls has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=House Democratic
SUPER=03-Richmond; :00
SUPER=01-Del. Thelma Drake/(R) Norfolk; :25
SUPER=@Ellen1; :46
RUNS=1:01
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( House Democratic leaders have tried every trick in the book, and some would say invented some new ones, to support abortion rights in the past.
But with a different committee assignment in the Senate this year -- for the first time in 18 years there wasn't the guarantee of help on the other end of the capitol.
The Senate said yes days ago.
The House finally got down to business -- after working backwards through the calendar to delay the controversy.
But there was none to be had.
sot

((DEL. THELMA DRAKE: ))
runs=:15


With NO further debate, the board lit up with a 74- to 26 approval.
sot standup


The 18 year irony of parental notification in Virginia is that it has often had majority support among voters, but been defeated by the General Assembly committee system or a Democratic Governor.
Governor Allen campaigned on it.
He will sign it into law.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

P-Carroll-Liquor


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-03
GRAPHIC=none


It's a fight over mixed drinks in Carroll County.
The County Board of Supervisors must now take its fight to the Governor.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


The Senate yesterday passed a bill that would allow the Olde Mill Golf Resort to sell mixed drinks in its restaurant.
tape #96-106 Olde Mill
SUPER=03-Carroll Co.;


That's even though Carroll County voters have NOT approved liquor by the drink.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:59:26
IN Q=I know there

((SEN. ROSCOE REYNOLDS: I KNOW THERE ARE MANY PARTS...COMMUNITIES.))
sot 16:02:14

((SEN. MADISON MARYE: THIS HAS BEEN DONE...BY THE DRINK.))
SUPER=@Reynolds; :00
SUPER=@Marye; :20
RUNS=:36
OUT Q=the drink.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The bill was sponsored by Roanoke Democrat Chip Woodrum.
(-------0---------)



E-Pitts-Investigation


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=NONE


A special prosecutor has exonerated two prominent Pittsylvania County men accused of violating the state's conflict of interest laws.
Roanoke Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Betty Jo Anthony says the pair did nothing wrong.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Chatham;


Anthony has been looking into whether Ben Davenport Junior personally benefited from economic development in the Pittsylvania County industrial park.
The board of supervisors requested the investigation after allegations were raised by a group of county residents.
Davenport and Wallace Collie, the other resident targeted, sit on boards which deal with economic development in the county.
Anthony says although the men were cleared the investigation was appropriate.
(/////SOT/////)

11:06:00
SOT
IN Q=I believe

((BETTY JO ANTHONY/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR:I BELIEVE IT WAS WARRANTED, IN THE FACT THAT, THE SUPERVISORS WANTED TO KNOW AND THAT'S THEIR JOB TO WATCH FOR THE COUNTY'S BEST INTEREST. ))
SUPER=01-Betty Jo Anthony/Special Prosecutor; :
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=best interest.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


Now that the investigation is over, the state will reimburse Anthony's office about 150 dollars for expenses.


Truckers


ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#96-
GRAPHIC=none


If you're a frequent traveler around the Roanoke Valley you might be aware of what the American Trucking Association calls "hot spots."
The A-T-A has identified five hot spots or dangerous intersections in the valley.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


The organization hopes to make motorists aware of the safety hazards.
According to state police, in 72-percent of accidents involving trucks and cars the fault lies with the driver of the CAR.
Truckers suggest not cutting in front of an 18 wheeler and don't tailgate.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 9:53:44
IN Q=IF YOU'RE

((PAUL TODOROVICH/TRUCK DRIVER: IF YOU'RE GOING TO PASS A TRUCK, FIRST OF ALL TRY AND PASS ON THE LEFT SIDE. WE CAN SEE BEST AND WHEN YOU DO MAKE THAT PASS MAKE IT AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS YOU CAN SO YOU'RE NOT STAYING IN OUR BLIND SPOTS.))
SUPER=01-Paul Todorovich/Truck Driver;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=IN OUR BLIND SPOT
(----------------)
VO-NAT

fullscreen pinnacle
The A-T-A says the trouble spots include: the 5-81 corridor, the intersections of Franklin Road and Roy Webber, Orange Avenue and Williamson Road, Hershberger Road and Williamson and the Roanoke College area.

Radford


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=business news


A new business center at Radford University could enhance economic opportunity in southwest Virginia.
The United States Department of Education is providing a 175- thousand dollar grant to establish the International Trade Center.
The goal of the center is to provide information to many Southwest Virginia trade firms working in foreign markets.
Radford University will match the federal funds.

Hollins


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=education


Hollins College is now three- million dollars richer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT 96-68, 09/02/96
SUPER=@file


Julian and Josie Robertson donated the money to honor Robertson's sister, Wyndham Robertson.
She was instrumental in launching a capital campaign which funded renovations to the library, which was yesterday named in her honor.
Robertson is vice chair of the college's Board of Trustees.
(-------------)

WEATHER
SUPER=300-55/86/E 14mph/30.01f/68/1992/12/1963;
SUPER=301-58/72/S 8mph/30.03f/75/1930/ 6/1896;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mild/Showers Likely/50-54/Cloudy/Showers & Storms/62-66;
SUPER=331-Mild/Showers Likely/50-54/Cloudy/Showers & Storms/62-66;
SUPER=332-Windy/Showers & Storms/50-54/Windy with/Showers Early/58-62;
SUPER=333-Mild/Showers Likely/48-52/Cloudy/Showers & Storms/52-56;
SUPER=334-Windy/Showers & Storms/46-50/Morning Showers/& Storms/50-54;
SUPER=X5001;



Shenandoah-Life


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=shenandoah life insurance


Another strong performance by the only insurance company based in our region.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Shenandoah Life of Roanoke told policyholders at its annual meeting that for the second straight year it's posting record earnings.
The company reports a profit for 19-96 of 11- point- three- million- dollars.
That represents a 27- percent increase over the year before.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Shenandoah Life C-E-O Robert Clark says the company will increase its tie- in programs with community banks and continue its expansion into North Carolina and the midwestern United States.

Tech


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of TB97-1)
GRAPHIC=ATLANTIC 10


The Virginia Tech Hokies struggled miserably last night as they lost to the George Washington Colonials.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Washington DC/HTS; :00


It took the Hokies almost eight and a half minutes in the first half to score.
Finally, Russ Wheeler would get this basket to fall from the baseline, but the Hokies still trailed G-W 30-to-16 at halftime.
G-W also tried to physically take the Hokies out. J.J. Brade jerks Jim
SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/52/G.Washington/69;

Jackson to the floor by his jersey.
The Hokies fall to 13-and-13 with the 69 to 52 loss.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=hold


The Tech women beat Duquesne as Lynette Nolley scored 16 points to lead the way.

Piedmont


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of S7-1)
GRAPHIC=Piedmont District


The Piedmont District semi finals tipped off down in Bassett last night in what turned out to be a double thriller for the fans.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Bassett/Bulldogs vs. Lancers;


In the opener, Troy Wells and his region bound Martinsville Bulldogs battled
Frank Scott's Laurel Park Lancers. In the fourth quarter, watch Lancer Jeff Slade snap the nylon from just inside the perimeter for 2 of his game high 18 points.
SUPER=33-Laurel Park/53/Martinsville/51;


With the game tied at 51 and nine seconds left, Eric Jones scores the game winner and Laurel Park tops Martinsville 53-51.
SUPER=04-Warriors vs. Cavaliers;


The Lancers will meet Fieldale Collinsville in the finals Saturday. The Cavaliers beat Magna Vista 61-56.
Trailing by 3 in the 4th, Travis Preston steals the ball and goes in for
SUPER=33-Fieldale/61/Magna Vista/56;

the lay up, F-C led 55-54.
With less than one minute remaining on Phillip Hairston's drive and hoop, and Fieldale Collinsville tops Magna Vista by 5.
(-------------)



Three


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of s6-28)
GRAPHIC=three rivers


Top seeded Floyd County took on hot shooting Radford in the Three Rivers district boys basketball semi-finals.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Radford vs. Floyd Co.;


The Bobcats Adam Artrip would step outside and drill the three pointer from beyond the arc.
Floyd senior Derek Saunders crashes the offensive board and gets the putback.
SUPER=33-Radford/54/Floyd Co./56;


And Junior Travis Cantrell creates a jumper off the drive and Floyd County advances to Saturday night's title game with the 56 to 54 win.
(-------------)



BONDS


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=mlb


The San Francisco Giants and three-time National League Most Valuable Player Barry Bonds is still the highest paid player in baseball.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Last night he agreed to the terms on a two-year contract extension worth close to 23- MILLION.
Bonds last year became just the second player in baseball history to collect 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season.
(----------------)


WORLD'S-OLDEST


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


Chocolates and a cake full of candles -- 122 of them -- are what greeted Jeanne Calment (zhahn kal-MAWN') today as she celebrated her birthday in southern France.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Arles, France;


She is also celebrating this year on the Internet.
At 122 she's officially the oldest person in the world.
Calment (kal-MAWN') has been on earth longer than films, telephones, cars and airplanes.
She says the secret to her longevity is olive oil. (----------------)
by SS