18:00-01

1-News-Head

ANCHOR=Keith

Looks like an end to the fight over Conrail.
Coming up on NEWS 7 at SIX, some indication of who gets what out of the deal.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


And a long-awaited Spring break in Cancun leaves Tech students stranded in Raleigh. We'll from them and their parents.
(----------------)


Sports-head
ANCHOR=Mike


Tonight in sports, the Roanoke men and women are anxious to open play in the NCAA basketball tournament.
Steve Mason has an uplifting profile of Virginia Tech football player Loren Johnson.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#


And not only is Rusty back in town, but he can keep his trophy!
As NASCAR officially declares him the winner of yesterday's win in Richmond.
(-------------)

WX-Head
TALENT=Robin
SS=None


We break out of the rain and fog and into the sunshine tomorrow with much warmer temperatures. That forecast and our Monday WeatherSchool just ahead.

Rail-Merger


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-110
GRAPHIC=Rail Merger


An often bitter fight between two Virginia railroads over Conrail appears to be over.
While neither Norfolk Southern nor C-S-X is talking, the two carriers have reportedly agreed to split up Conrail's most valuable assets.
Here's Len Besthoff with more.
Double Boxes=Keith and Len/Microwave


Keith we're hearing the potential deal is at a delicate stage, but from all indications it remains on track.
Live=Len Full/Microwave
SUPER=@Len1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=it appears
SUPER=01-Louis Newton/Retired NS Employee;
SUPER=@file;
SUPER=01-George Brammer/A. G. Edwards Stockbroker;
SUPER=01-Phil Sparks/Roanoke Econ. Development;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=Norfolk Southern's Operation
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:44:12 today tape
IN Q=It appears

(( ))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=be competitive.


Thousands of shareholders, employees, and retirees from our area are welcoming reports that after months of spinning their wheels, Norfolk Southern and C-S-X are pulling into the station with an agreement on how to split up Conrail.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT today tape 12:22:13
IN Q=At this

(( ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=fairly soon.


The deal breaks down like this; C-S-X buys Conrail, then N-S pays for Conrail's Pennsylvania Railroad route from the Midwest to Pittsburgh to New York, and Conrail's Erie route from Buffalo to New York...meanwhile C-S-X gets Conrail's New York Central route from Chicago to Buffalo to New York, and a link from its Philadelphia hub to New York.
Word that N-S ISN'T buying the bulk of the Conrail operation should end speculation about any N-S plans to move its headquarters out of state and reduce its operations in places like southwest Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:00:31
IN Q=So I

(( ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=Norfolk Southern's operation.




Live=Len Full/Microwave
SUPER=05-Roanoke


Some rail industry watchers believe this could prompt the next big wave of mergers, creating a pair of TRANSCONTINENTAL railroads.
Double Boxes=Keith and Len/Microwave



Bus-Accident


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=six
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#None
GRAPHIC=None


15 elementary school students in Franklin County were sent to the hospital this morning after a car rear- ended their bus.
The accident happened about 8 A- M on Hardy Road as the children were heading to classes at Dudley Elementary School.
One student who complained of neck and back pain was taken to Franklin Memorial Hospital.
Later, 13 other students were also checked out at the hospital.
The 17- year- old high school student who was driving the car wasn't injured, but he now faces a charge of reckless driving.

Train-Shooting


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-3
GRAPHIC=Shooting


State police believe a b- b gun was used to shoot and wound a train conductor traveling through Pittsylvania County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./Yesterday;


Authorities say 40- year old Robin Lynn Safrit (SAY-FRIT) was shot once in the back yesterday afternoon.
Safrit was riding in the front of the train, along with an engineer, when he was struck near Chatham.
State police believe the shooting was intentional because more than one shot was fired.
Right now, though, they're still searching for a suspect.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We'll

((M. B. ELLIOTT/VA. STATE POLICE:WE'LL PROBABLY GO OUT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NOW AND BASICALLY GO FROM DOOR TO DOOR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF ANYONE KNOWS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. ))
SUPER=01-M. B. Elliott/Va. State Police; :00
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=about this.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Safrit's injury was not serious. He was treated and released from a local hospital.
The Norfolk- Southern train was headed for Crewe, Virginia.
(----------------)



Stranded-Students


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=eea
TAPE#96-109
GRAPHIC=Spring Break


A group of Virginia Tech Students is on the way to Cancun, Mexico tonight, after an agonizing 2-day wait at the Raleigh airport.
Double Boxes=Keith and Eric/Newsroom


Eric Earnhart's here to tell us how it all started...
Keith it was like a row of falling dominos...
Live=Eric Full/Newsroom
SUPER=@Eric1;


The students booked a spring break package with a travel agent, who bought the package from another travel agent, who hired a charter airline who had three planes sidelined with mechanical problems.
That left students going nowhere. (/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=they spent Saturday night
SUPER=03-Raleigh; 00
SUPER=01-Jake Gomoke/Stranded Student; :12
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :27
SUPER=01-Jane Lawson/Student's Mother; :36
SUPER=01-Amy Matson/Stranded Student; :57
RUNS=1:06
OUT Q=say they will


(( They spent Saturday night sleeping on the floor, waiting for an early Sunday flight that wasn't there.
After that, a hotel, and more promises that a plane would be there soon...

SOT 00:02:49
IN Q=i'll believe that

((JAKE GOMOKE/STRANDED STUDENT; I'LL BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GOING WHEN WE FINALLY GET IN THE AIR. OTHER THAN THAT I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD MY BREATH. FRUSTRATING? ABSOLUTELY, THIS IS MY LAST SPRING BREAK OF MY COLLEGE CAREER AND THEY'VE KIND OF DESTROYED IT FOR ME, I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER IT THOUGH, I'LL GIVE 'EM THAT.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=hold my breath.



It was tough for parents back home, waiting and worrying by the phone, wondering whether to let their kids go, or bring them home.

SOT 18:29:41
IN Q=it;s terrible

((JANE LAWSON/STUDENT'S MOTHER; IT'S JUST, IT'S TERRIBLE, AND I HATE THIS FOR HER, SHE'S LOST THREE DAYS OF HER SPRING BREAK IN A HOTEL AND AN AIRPORT, AND THEY'LL BECOMING BACK WITH EXAMS COMING UP AND THEY NEEDED THIS BREAK;))
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=needed this break



Finally students were bussed back to the airport, where the long awaited plane arrived at mid-afternoon.

SOT 00:03:15
IN Q=we have five

((AMY MATSON/STRANDED STUDENT; WE HAVE FIVE DAYS IN CANCUN, THAT'S GREAT, BUT IT'S REALLY DISAPPOINTING THAT YOU CAN'T RELY ON THESE COMPANIES TO GET YOU THERE FOR THE SEVEN DAYS THAT SAY THEY WILL.))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=say they will ))
(----------------)
Live=Eric Full/Newsroom


So it looks like the students will get their break, and a little bit more.
The travel agency says they'll get a third of their money back, Keith?
Double Boxes=Keith and Eric/Newsroom



Tease#1

HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=NONE


Still to come on News 7 at Six--fighting words from two New York-area lawmakers. They claim Virginia's the primary pipeline for guns that end up on the streets of the Big Apple.
(---------------)
VO-NAT


and look what Botetourt County police stumbled upon during a routine
patrol---200 pounds of pot.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Robin

wx ad lib Roll Lake Level MUSIC UP FULL
COMM#1

Roll
TALENT=Robin
SS=NONE
SUPER=80-59/39/1.37''/57/36/1.44''/54/37/1.24''/55/43/0.91'';
SUPER=81-62/34/1.23''/57/37/1.16''/52/36/1.50'';
SUPER=82-1.52''/plus 1.28''/5.91''/plus 0.01'';
SUPER=83-Down 0.91 foot/Down 2.76 feet;Lake levels


Inmate


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-4
GRAPHIC=Jail Break


An inmate who escaped from the Martinsville City Jail after fighting with deputies yesterday remains at large today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


A warrant was issued for 22-year-old Nakoda Swanson for forcible escape.
Swanson's probation was revoked last week and he was sentenced to serve the remaining 16 years of his state prison sentence on cocaine possession and grand larceny convictions.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=Jail Break


Police say Swanson may be dangerous.

Virginia-Guns


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=Virginia State Seal


New York and New Jersey have fired the first shots...but Virginia officials say they don't yet have the ammo to respond.
New numbers show the Old Dominion is the new number one source for guns used in crimes in the Big Apple.
Ellen Qualls separates fact from fiction.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-New York/February 23; :00
SUPER=01-Sen. Bob Torricelli/(D) New Jersey; :07
SUPER=01-Bill Dunham/ATF Agent; :36
SUPER=@Ellen2; :
RUNS=1:24
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.


(( Call it the fallout of a bloody Sunday at the Empire State Building.
SOT

((SEN. BOB TORRICELLI/D- NEW JERSEY: NO ONE IN FLORIDA, THE CAROLINAS OR VIRGINIA SHOULD WANT TO PROFIT BY THE SUFFERING OF PEOPLE IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.))
RUNS=:08


The gun used at the Empire State Building came from Florida.
But when a New Jersey senator and a New York congressman pulled up some numbers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms...Virginia showed up as the new number one provider of guns used in New York City crimes.
But Governor George Allen's office and the ATF say the politicians' spin lacks some facts-- like the "street age" of the guns.
sot 05:51:57

((BILL DUNHAM/ATF AGENT: A LARGE NUMBER OF GUNS THAT WERE TRAFFICKED EARLY ON IN THE '90s PRIOR TO ONE GUN A MONTH LEGISLATION IN VIRGINIA MAY STILL BE ON THE STREETS IN NEW YORK. AND AS THEY'RE RECOVERED AND TRACED, IT'S SHOWING VIRGINIA AS A SOURCE STATE.))
runs=:16


The AVERAGE age for a gun seized in a crime is six years old.
Virginia's one gun a month law is just four years old.
SOT 05:49:11

((BILL DUNHAM/ATF AGENT: WE HAD INVESTIGATED CASES WHERE FIVE AND SIX HUNDRED GUNS WERE TRAFFICKED BY ONE INDIVIDUAL. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE. THERE IS STILL GUN TRAFFICKING GOING ON.)) butt*butt
sot 05:49:29

((BUT IT'S A HANDFUL OF GUNS THAT SOMEBODY WOULD BRING UP VERSUS A TRUNKLOAD.))
RUNS=:18


The A-T-F says gun runners may soon be loading up in West Virginia.
Sales are still unrestricted there.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))

Pot-Bust


ANCHOR=keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=spr
TAPE#96-108
GRAPHIC=None


Botetourt County authorities have a mystery on their hands... along with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of marijuana.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;


Early this morning, during a routine patrol of the Mountain View Plaza in Daleville... a deputy noticed some duffel bags in the rear of the parking lot.
Inside the luggage, he discovered nearly 220 pounds of pot... wrapped in plastic, newspaper and dryer sheets.
At this point authorities don't know who put it there... or why.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:15:11
IN Q=Maybe

((B. REED KELLY/BOTETOURT COUNTY SHERIFF: MAYBE THEY FELT SOME PRESSURE AND OFF LOADED IT TEMPORARILY TO COMEBACK AND PICK IT UP EARLY THIS MORNING. IT COULD BE IT WAS A LEGITIMATE DROP OFF PLACE... WHICH WOULD BE STRANGE. IT COULD BE THAT SOMEONE WAS SUPPOSE TO PICK IT UP ON TRANSFER. ))
SUPER=01-Reed Kelly/Botetourt Co. Sheriff;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=on transfer
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The newspaper wrapped around the marijuana was from McAllen, Texas... located about 10 miles north of the Mexican border.
(----------------)



Stocks


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#=None
GRAPHIC=NONE

A rally for the stock market today. The Dow gained 41 points. NASDAQ up two points.
(//////////)
RUNS=:25
SUPER=x5005;


Roanoke-Gas


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#96-106
GRAPHIC=Roanoke Gas


For the second time in a month, Roanoke Gas has announced it's reducing residential rates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


The company says its billing rate for homeowners will go down 11- percent.
That's on top of a six- percent cut LAST month.
The new rate will be effective for bills distributed after March first.
Roanoke Gas says the reduction is due to further declines in natural gas prices.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Keith
SS=Roanoke Gas


The company is also studying ways to prevent price increases like the ones experienced this winter.

Drummer


ANCHOR=Keith
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=abo
TAPE#97-2
GRAPHIC=None


A group of Roanoke elementary students took a different approach to their study of world cultures today-- they learned by clapping their hands and stomping their feet.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:16:39
IN Q=nat sot

(( ))
SUPER=03-Roanoke
RUNS=:05
OUT Q=nat sot
(----------------)

**Keith on ENG**
Students at Hurt Park Elementary listened to West African, Caribbean and South American music as part of a program called the World Beat Workshop.
Musicians Robert Jospe' (Jos-pay) and Keven Davis used variations of voice, clapping and percussion to showcase global beats.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 5:07:43
IN Q=Most all our audiences

((ROBERT JOSPE'/WORLD BEAT: MOST ALL OUR AUDIENCES LIKE DRUMS- EVERYBODY LIKES DRUMS, AND IT'S A KIND OF UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IMMEDIATELY, AND THEY RESPOND TO IT.))
SUPER=01-Robert Jospe'/World Beat
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=respond to it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT 4:42:46


Besides making music the youngsters danced to it as well-- they learned a Dominican dance called the merengue (mar-an-gay).
(----------------)


Sports Tease


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#sports tease
GRAPHIC=NONE


Coming up tonight in sports, NASCAR finally rules on Rusty's run at Richmond yesterday, the Roanoke men and women are set for the NCAA's.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#


And Steve Mason gives a look at a Virginia Tech football player who is eager to walk a straight line off the field.
(-------------)


S-Wallace


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#R-35
GRAPHIC=RICHMOND RACEWAY


The phones have been burning up today with NASCAR fans all around the region calling and inquiring about Rusty Wallace and his new NASCAR controversy.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Richmond/ESPN; :00


Hours after Wallace had started celebrating his Pontiac Excitement win in Victory Lane, NASCAR still hadn't declared him the official winner of the event.
Rusty's Ford engine initially failed the postrace compression test that would indicate he had too much horsepower.
However, this afternoon NASCAR put the engines through a series of new tests with its engineers in Daytona Beach and ruled the motor was legal.
(-------------)
ANCHOR=Mike
SS=hold richmond


Now that Rusty has been officially declared the winner, those of you keeping score at home can up his career victory total to 47.

S-ODAC


ANCHOR=MIke
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=BB97-3
GRAPHIC=Salem/NCAA tourney


The Roanoke men's and women's basketball teams begin their road to the final 4 this week. The men open the NCAA tourney Thursday night, on the road against Dixie conference champion Methodist.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="We

((PAGE MORI/ROANOKE MEN'S COACH:))
SUPER=01-Page Moir/Roanoke Men's Coach; :00
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=...done all year"
(----------------)
VO-NAT(Con't)
SUPER=03-Salem/Today;


The women play Thomas Moore Wednesday at 7pm at the Bast center.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I

((SUSAN DUNAGAN/ROANOKE WOMEN'S COACH:))
SUPER=01-Susan Dunagan/Roanoke Women's Coach; :00
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=...right now"
(-------------)


S-Colonial


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=COLONIAL HOOPS


The Colonial basketball conference is in the spotlight tonight as James Madison and Old Dominion hook up yet again for in the league's tournament championship game.
The winner gets an automatic bid in the 64 team NCAA tournament.
Highlights for you tonight on News 7 Primetime on WEFC at 10 and on News 7 at 11.

S-Hoops


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=TOURNEY TIME


The high school basketball season has progressed to the State Tournament's quarterfinals.
Seven area team are still in the hunt for a title. go to boards with mike talking over them
In Group Two-A, Martinsville play Liberty Friday night at 7. That game is at Rustburg high school.
Salem plays Saturday night against Gate City at Virginia High in Bristol.
In Group Three A, Fleming hits the road again playing Hayfield Saturday night in Fairfax at Robinson high school.
While the Pulaski girls play james Madison at the Dedmon Center Saturday night at 7.
Speaking of the Dedmon Center, the single a guys play a doubleheader in that building Friday night with J.I. Burton battling Glenvar and Floyd taking on Haysi. GO TO SCORES
SUPER=#556
SUPER=x5027;
SUPER=0097-/Martinsville///Liberty///Friday In Rustburg @ 7pm//Salem///Gate

City///Sat. @ 7pm in Bristol/;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0098-/Fleming///Hayfield///Sat. @ 7pm In Fairfax//J. Madison///Pulaski

Co.///Sat. @ 7pm In Radford/
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0098-/J.I. Burton///Glenvar///6:30pm @ The Dedmon Center//Haysi///Floyd

Co.///6:30pm @ The Dedmon Center/;
(-------------)


S-Loren


ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=6pm
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S6-28
GRAPHIC=Tech Football


21 arrests and 12 suspensions have plagued the Virginia Tech football team over the past two seasons.
SS=Loren Johnson


But Loren Johnson is one Hokie cleaning up Tech's image, through his work with kids. Steve Mason has more on his recent visit to Roanoke's youth based Straight Street organization.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=first audio
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/1995 Season; :00
SUPER=@Steve1; :44
SUPER=01-Loren Johnson/Virginia Tech Defensive Back; :54
SUPER=03-Roanoke; 1:15
SUPER=01-Sameerah Hughes/Jackson 7tht Grader; 1:26
SUPER=01-Hogan Hartzog/Straight Street Participant; 1:40
RUNS=2:11
OUT Q=...News 7 sports"
(-------------)


((Success on the field came quickly for Loren Johnson. In his first collegiate start against Miami as a freshman he broke up a pass near the goal line on the Hurricanes final play of the game to preserve the win. His status has given him other opportunities. ((NAT SOUND)) ((STEVE MASON:)) ((:))
Johnson spoke to the Straight Street kids two saturdays ago at the downtown YMCA. teaches the gospel not to preach, but in hopes that teenagers will learn from his mistakes. The message seemed to hit some of the 150 kids and counselors on hand at the downtown YMCA. ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
There have been 12 suspension and 21 arrests over the past two seasons involving Tech football players and diciplinary problems. ((:)) Loren's success on the field and off it has earned him a return invitation to speak at Straight Street again. In Roanoke Steve Mason news 7 sports.)) ((
(-------------)

Wx-Tape
SUPER=305-59/39/84/1976/10/1980;
SUPER=306-41/37/86/N-7mph/29.94r/6:47am/6:16pm;


Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/Patchy Fog/37-39/Partly Sunny/Wind W-15/64-68;
SUPER=331-Mostly Cloudy/Patchy Fog/37-39/Partly Sunny/Wind W-15/64-68;
SUPER=332-Mostly Cloudy/Drizzle & Fog/37-39/Partly Sunny/And Warmer/62-64;
SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/Wind NE-10/36-39/Partly Sunny/Wind SW-15/50-55;
SUPER=334-Cloudy & Cool/Wind W-10/40-42/Partly Cloudy/And Warmer/60-64;
SUPER=X5001;

Promo
ANCHOR=Keith
(toss to Jean)
NEWSCAST=6
WRITER=afr
TAPE#Promo


Eagle Rock residents aren't giving up their bridge without a fight.
Double Boxes=Keith and Jean/Newsroom


Jean Jadhon has more on the Virginia Department of Transportation's plans to tear down the bridge in Botetourt County.
Live=Jean Full/Newsroom
SUPER=@Jean1;


Keith, VDOT had concrete plans to take down the bridge.
Then two weeks ago, the state offered an alternative which would save the span--
(----------------)
VO-NAT


but the County will have to chip in at least one and a quarter million dollars.
Tonight, State Senator Bo Trumbo will address the community, as concerned residents discuss this latest development.
(----------------)
Talent=Jean Full/Newsroom


We'll have the story, plus all the latest news, weather, and sports tonight on News 7 at 11. Keith? (Ad lib bye) Talent=Keith
by SS