12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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


Ahead on News 7 at Noon, A Roanoke connection to the F-B-I and its infiltration of a major Columbian drug cartel.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie


And more than a dozen Roanoke college students face hazing charges.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None





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


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

Cruz


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


Federal law enforcement agents say they have infiltrated the highest levels of the Cali Cartel in Columbia, thanks to the work of two men right here in Roanoke.
It's a long complicated tale- -six years in the making.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Keith/Microwave


Keith Humphry is here to tell us about it.
Live=Keith/Full/Microwave
SUPER=@keith1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;


It began with the arrest of a low-level drug distributor in North Carolina who said his distributor was a guy named "Jimmy" Cruz.
JAVIER Cruz worked for Leo Rivera, a major cocaine trafficker.
Eventually U-S Drug Enforcement Agents brought the two men to Roanoke. Cruz and Rivera agreed to talk and try to turn the tables on the Cali Cartel.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;


They spent nearly a year housed in two cells on the sixth floor of the Roanoke county jail.
From there they managed to maintain contact with their suppliers in Florida and South America... providing the D-E-A a road map through the maze of international drug trafficking.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((BOB CROUCH/U.S. ATTORNEY FOR WESTERN VA: ))
SUPER=01-Peter Gruden/DEA Agent;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=pick ups followed
Live=Keith/Full/Microwave;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;


Once they'd proven themselves as informants, Cruz and Rivera settled here in the Roanoke Valley, working for the government, making frequent trips to Columbia, South America.
They located cocaine conversion labs, money laundering operations... even fingered corrupt Columbian officials.
Back home Rivera and Cruz maintained the appearance of average, law-abiding citizens... sending their children to public and parochial schools in Roanoke and Roanoke County.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Keith/Microwave


In fact, Melanie, Rivera was placed in the witness protection program just a month ago and both men have been recently relocated.

Hazing-Arrests


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=12pm
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Roanoke College


Police have charged 17 young people, including several Roanoke College students, with hazing, trespassing and being drunk in public.
The charges come after an incident which was reported just after midnight, near Carvins Cove.
Roanoke County police were checking a noise report, when they found four students blindfolded and face down in the water.
The other students said it was an exercise in bonding, and learning to trust each other.
Police say no one was hurt.
A spokeswoman for Roanoke College says school officials are investigating the incident, and that if they find any violations of the student conduct code they will take appropriate action.

E-Nelson-Body


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-12
GRAPHIC=NONE


An autopsy scheduled for today should help identify a body found in a burning car in Nelson County yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Nelson Co.


Deputies were called to this area off Route 6-26 near (win-JY-nuh) Wingina, after a road crew spotted smoke in the woods.
They found a two-door hatchback parked fifty yards off the highway on a logging road.
It was engulfed in flames- and deputies found a body in the driver's seat.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:30:23
IN Q=It does appear

((Reporter: It does appear to be a suspicious fire? SHERIFF RON WOOD/NELSON CO.: IT'S A SUSPICIOUS FIRE... ..TERRAIN IT WAS IN.))
SUPER=01-Ron Wood/Nelson Co. Sheriff; :03
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=terrain it was in.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Sheriff Wood says a five-gallon gas can was also found inside the car.
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McDonalds


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-4
GRAPHIC=none


Some tense moments during what witnesses call a botched armed robbery in Roanoke last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;


Police say around closing time a customer at the McDonald's on Franklin Road went into the restroom.
When he entered, he found a man inside, who pointed a gun at him.
While the customer struggled to escape, the gun went off.
The gunman then came out of the bathroom, waving the weapon.
He left through the drive- thru window, since the doors to the business were locked.
Police say none of the employees or the customer was hurt and no money was taken.
They are still searching for the gunman.
(----------------)



empire-open


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


The observation deck of the Empire State Building re-opened to the public this morning under tighter security.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;


Yesterday, the landmark building was fitted with metal detectors and a baggage scanner following Sunday's shooting rampage.
A Palestinian man opened fire on a crowd of tourists, killing one person and wounding six others before taking his own life.
(----------------)


ATLANTA-BOMB


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


There's another claim of responsibility for the bombing of a gay nightclub in Atlanta.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/Friday Night;


The F-B-I reports a group calling itself "the Sons of Confederate Klan" says it planted the explosives.
Meantime, a letter by "the Army of God" claims IT bombed the nightclub AND an an abortion clinic last month.
The group threatened a total war against the federal government and promised future attacks.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

((I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE TO AWARE OF IS THE FACT THAT IN THE MONTH OF APRIL YOU HAVE SEVERAL EVENT TAKING PLACE. YOU HAVE THE ANNIVERSARY OF WACO AND ALSO THE BOMBING OF THE FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE BEGINNING OF THE MCVEIGH NICHOLS TRIAL. ))
SUPER=01-Bob Fink/Former ATF Agent; :10
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=MCVEIGH NICHOLS TRIAL.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The bombs used in both attacks reportedly were very similar, they were dynamite packed with nails.
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TRUCK-FOUND


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


Meantime, a bomb scare involving a U-Haul truck has ended in Atlanta.
A senior F-B-I official confirms agents found the truck early this morning and determined it was not carrying bomb making materials.
A nationwide alert had been issued after witnesses said the truck was loaded with diesel fuel and fertilizer.
Those ingredients combined to make the Oklahoma City bomb.
Tamron Hall has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Tamron Hall/Reporting; :00
SUPER=03-Haltom City, TX; :10
SUPER=03-Oklahoma City, OK; :37
SUPER=03-Waco, TX; :42
RUNS=:50
OUT Q=For CBS News.



E-Wiley


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=eea
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=wiley


Testimony continues today in the murder trial of Cepada (se-PAY-da) Wiley.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Wiley is charged with killing Jesse Ferguson at the Embassy Inn July fourth.
On the stand this morning the victim's former girlfriend told police Jesse Ferguson had a reputation for violence.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold


Kim Bonds says Ferguson was enraged to find her at a motel with Cepada Wiley's brother Ron.
She said Ferguson threw Ron Wiley through a plate glass window, then came after Cepada Wiley, saying "It's your turn."
After that Cepada Wiley opened fire.
The case will likely go to the jury this afternoon.

E-Tech-Visitors


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-1
GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech


Athletes at Virginia Tech will now face an automatic team suspension if they are arrested on felony charges.
And the ATHLETIC DIRECTOR will dole out punishment for misdemeanors as he sees fit, taking those decisions out of the hands of coaches.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;


The sanctions are part of a three-pronged plan aimed at ending an embarrassing string of arrests.
Athletic Director Dave Braine told the Board of Visitors, athletes must remember taking part in inter- collegiate sports is a PRIVILEGE.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:44:15
IN Q=

((DAVE BRAINE/VA TECH ATHLETIC DIRECTOR: WE WILL BE HARD LINE AND BASICALLY, I NEVER WANT TO HAVE TO BE UP HERE BEFORE YOU ALL AGAIN TO TALK ABOUT THIS. ))
SUPER=01-Dave Braine/Va. Tech Athletic Director;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=talk about this.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The plan also calls for better background checks in recruiting.
And it provides for mentors and advisors, as well as educational programs to encourage appropriate behavior.
(----------------)



P-VMI


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#597-04
GRAPHIC=VMI


The Virginia Military Institute has already accepted 21-women out of 43 applicants so far.
Perhaps the real story is that the number of applications- -overall, male AND female- - has INCREASED 21-percent since the school agreed to admit women last year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lexington/Thursday;


In the latest status report filed yesterday in federal court, V-M-I sets out a plan to exchange six cadets with other military schools.
It's partly designed to have a few upperclassWOMEN on post when the first co-ed class of "rats" arrives in August.
The female exchange students at V-M-I will team up with male mentors, called "dykes," to help the "rats" get used to barracks life and the rigors of the "rat line."
(----------------)



p-Wythe-Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=spr
TAPE#597-13
GRAPHIC=race relations


Wythe County's school superintendent says the administration is working to smooth racial relations within the classroom.
Jim Vaught points to a task force assembled a few years ago.
The group promotes multi- cultural differences.
And one of its first courses of action was to require Wythe County eighth graders to take an ethnic diversity class.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:09:58
IN Q=This has

((JIM VAUGHT/WYTHE COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT: THIS HAS BEEN IN PLACE AND I THINK AS WE GO ON AND GO FORWARD, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD VEHICLE IN PROMOTING WORKING TOGETHER TO MAINTAIN THE KIND OF CLIMATE THAT WE WANT IN OUR SCHOOLS. ))
SUPER=01-Jim Vaught/Wythe Co. Schools Superintendent;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=our schools
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wythe Co./Last Week;


Last week a hate message aimed against blacks was spray painted on the road leading up to George Wythe High School.
Before that, several students were suspended for knotting their jacket drawstrings to resemble nooses.
One day later, the same incident happened at Scott Memorial Elementary School.
(----------------)



E-VA-Economy


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-104
GRAPHIC=Virginia Economy


The Virginia economy has had its ups and downs, but it's always changing.
Len Besthoff reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=A University
SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :09
SUPER=01-John Knapp/UVa Business and Econ. Researcher; :37
SUPER=@Len1; :43
RUNS=1:33
OUT Q=LB, News-7.


(( A University of Virginia study headed by Professor John Knapp at the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service says the Commonwealth's "traditional" industries have declined in relative size over the past decade.
While business is booming at places like Hooker Furniture in Roanoke, Knapp's research shows that as a share of income, sectors like coal, tobacco, textiles, furniture, shipbuilding, and civilian and military government operations have dropped from nearly 22- percent of total earnings in Virginia, to just above 16- percent.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA-ECONOMY TAPE ONE 12:04:50
IN Q=If you

((JOHN KNAPP/UVA BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCHER: IF YOU COMPARE 1995 WITH TEN YEARS EARLIER, 1985, THEIR SHARE HAS SLIPPED QUITE A BIT. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=quite a bit.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA-ECONOMY TAPE ONE 14:44:25 lbstandup
IN Q=Knapp says

((Knapp says one of the main reasons behind this decline is not that companies are leaving the Commonwealth in mass numbers, but rather that automation has allowed them to have fewer employees. ))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=fewer employees.


These findings beg the question, which industries are picking up the slack?
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA-ECONOMY TAPE ONE 12:05:22
IN Q=Certainly

((JOHN KNAPP/UVA BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC RESEARCHER: CERTAINLY IN THE SERVICES SECTOR WE'VE HAD A LOT OF GROWTH. FINANCE, INSURANCE, THAT AREA HAS GROWN, AND HEALTH SERVICES.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=health services.


Surprisingly, many seem aware of which industries are growing.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA ECONOMY TAPE THREE 11:01:41
IN Q=Health

((HEALTH CARE.))
RUNS=:01
OUT Q=care.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA ECONOMY TAPE THREE 11:20:24
IN Q=Well I'd

((WELL I'D SAY BANKING.))
RUNS=:02
OUT Q=say banking.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT VA ECONOMY TAPE THREE 11:16:55
IN Q=Uh,

((UH, HOSPITAL.))
RUNS=:01
OUT Q=hospital.


Knapp's numbers bear this out.
Virginia's growing sectors now account for nearly 20- percent of the Commonwealth's total earnings, edging out traditional industries by almost four- percent.
Len Besthoff, News-7. ))

P-Spelling-Bee


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=cst
TAPE#597-14
GRAPHIC=education


In some circles, words like lumbago and belfry don't come into everyday conversations.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :


It's one thing to know their meaning-- but can you also spell them?
Those are NOT all the words they nailed, at the Roanoke Academy of Math and Science.
25 champion spellers took to the stage, in front of some anxious parents.
After four rounds, it was down to two competitors.
Wilson Middle School's Bethany Jones EVOKED a win.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:51:31
IN Q=Evocative.

((EVOCATIVE. E-V-O-C-A-T-I-V-E. There's your champion ladies and gentleman. CLAP ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=clapping NAT SOUND
(----------------)
VO-NAT


And yes, that was Robin Reed doing the calling!
(----------------)


E-L'burg-Hoops


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-8
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal


It may be hard to find a room in Lynchburg in the next few weeks.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Saturday


Five different high school and college basketball tournaments are coming to town.
It started with the Hill City Shootout on Saturday, where some of the nation's top high school stars were in action.
The success of the Big South tournament helped bring the Shootout to Lynchburg.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:09:01
IN Q=The most important

((CHRIS ELLIS/SPORTS CAPITAL OF VA: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT IT IS I REMEMBER THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOURNAMENT SAYING THAT ONE OF THE REASONS HE WANTED TO COME TO LYNCHBURG IS BECAUSE HE HAD SEEN WERE THE BIG SOUTH AND THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT COMPLIMENT.))
SUPER=01-Chris Ellis/Sports Capital of Virginia; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=a great compliment.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Liberty University plays host to the Big South's men's AND women's tournaments this year.
And the Virginia High School League championships arrive March 13th.
(----------------)


WEATHER
SUPER=300-50/36/SW 9-16mph/30.31f/73/1996/ 4/1967;
SUPER=301-45/37/Var 3mph/30.33f/81/1930/ 6/1967;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Increasing/Clouds/26-30/Cloudy/Showers Possible/52-56;
SUPER=331-Increasing/Clouds/28-32/Cloudy/Showers Possible/54-58;
SUPER=332-Partly/Cloudy/30-34/Cloudy/Rain Possible/54-58;
SUPER=333-Increasing/Clouds/26-30/Cloudy/Showers Possible/52-56;
SUPER=334-Partly/Cloudy/26-30/Cloudy/Afternoon Rain/52-56;
SUPER=X5001;



ODAC


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


Hampden-Sydney captured the ODAC men's basketball title last night.
Steve Mason has more from the Salem Civic Center.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=03-Salem/Tigers vs. Hornets; :00
SUPER=01-Otis Tucker/Scored Game High 20 Points; :12
SUPER=01-Elson DeVan/Scored 11 Points, 4 Assists; :41
SUPER=33-Hampden-Sydney/102/Lynchburg/70; 1:01
SUPER=01-Tony Shaver/Hampden-Sydney Head Coach; :58
SUPER=@Steve2; 1:11
RUNS=1:18
OUT Q=....News 7 Sports"
(-------------)

(( A bitter sweet ending to Ottis Tucker the Third's career. The Lynchburg senior earned the ODAC tournament MVP award for averaging 19 points and over 9 rebounds in 3 games. ((OTIS:))
Judging from the first basket of the game, it appeared Otis's luck would continue. Both teams exchanged the lead 6 times in the opening minutes, before the Tigers took control. Senior Elson DeVan snapped the nylon for 3 of his 11 and Sydney went into the break up 48-39. ((ELSON:))
After the half, The Tigers continued to pour it on and when they had finally taken off their running shoes; Tony's Tigers had gone on a 30 to 2 run that gave reserves like Carlos Holland a chance to shine. ((:))
Hampden-Sydney wins its 3rd ODAC title of the 90's and 4th in school history. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))
(-------------)


Hornets


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S7-1)
GRAPHIC=HORNETS


The Charlotte Hornets continues their success on the road, minus Dell Curry.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX/Hornets vs. Spurs; :00


Dominique Wilkins had 20 points.
But the Hornets Glen Rice was unstoppable scoring a game high 33, as Charlotte beats the Spurs 96 to 84 for their 35th game of the year.
SUPER=03-Orlando, FL/Pistons vs. Magic;


And in Orlando, the Magic remained unbeaten under interim head coach Richie Adubato beating the Pistons 93-to-84.
Penny Hardaway scored a game high 29 to lead the Magic.
(-------------)


Eagles


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


If you've ever gotten in a tight spot and had trouble getting out.. you may understand how a pair of eagles felt.
(----------------)
VO-NAT 04:36:58, 05:13:05, 06:09:20
SUPER=03-Springfield;


Two bald eagles were evidently fighting when they got wedged between tree branches...upside down.
There was little rescuers could do, but the eagles did finally manage to free themselves. (-------------)
by SS