06:00-01

SPRING-BREAK

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


A spring break getaway to the beaches of Mexico has turned into a nightmare for hundreds of college students.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Raleigh, NC;


Virginia Tech and Appalachian State students are among those who have been stranded at airports in Raleigh and Baltimore waiting for flights to Cancun.
The students booked flights through two travel agents, Take a Break Travel and Surf N Sun.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=PEOPLE PAID...
SUPER=01-Jeanine Pierson/Stranded Traveler;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=NOT GOING TO CANCUN.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The students spent last night in hotels or at the airports and were told their flights would take off early this morning.
We contacted the Raleigh-Durham Airport and B-W-I this morning but neither could confirm whether the students had left yet.
(----------------)



E-Inmate


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE# 97-4
GRAPHIC=Jail Break


Police in Martinsville are still searching this morning for an inmate who escaped early yesterday morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Officials say Issac Swanson was hiding in a shower, and overpowered a deputy who was bringing in a prisoner.
Swanson and another inmate got out of the building.
The other inmate was caught near the jail.
Swanson is described as five feet 11 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds.
Officials say he has a history of assaulting police officers and is considered dangerous.
If you see someone fitting Swanson's description, contact the Martinsville- Henry County Communications Center.
(----------------)



storms


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=tornado


From Arkansas to West Virginia, residents are recovering from a weekend of killer storms.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Arkadelphia, AR;


At least 40 people are dead.
More than half the deaths were in Arkansas were tornadoes hit.
President Clinton heads to his home state tomorrow to survey the damage.
Yesterday, he declared nine Arkansas counties disaster area, releasing federal aid for clean up and recovery efforts.
(----------------)


E-Rail-Merger


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=mor
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 96-110
GRAPHIC=conrail


The battle over Conrail may soon end for Norfolk-Southern and C-S-X.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Sources tell The Washington Post that Norfolk Southern and C-S-X will split up Conrail's rail lines under the proposed deal.
It says the agreement could be announced this week if it is approved by Conrail's board of directors.
The deal would end Conrail's Eastern monopoly and give C-S-X and Norfolk Southern direct access to New York.
C-S-X has offered to buy Conrail for 110-dollars a share in cash and stocks.
But Norfolk Southern proposed a hostile offer of 115-dollars a share in cash.
Conrail's board of directors supported the C-S-X deal.
But in January shareholders rejected a proposal to proceed with the C-S-X merger.
(----------------)



E-Foster


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=Dal
TAPE# 96-106
GRAPHIC=Foster, Bill


Students and alumni packed the Cassell Coliseum yesterday to bid their coach farewell.
Bill Foster led the Hokies into the Cassell for the last time.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;


When the smoke cleared Foster emerged to lead his Hokies against Xavier.
In his six years at Tech, Foster has won 100 games and an N-I-T Tournament Championship.
Fans say he's a class act.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:47:00
IN Q=i think he's

((KEVIN MEEHAN/HOKIE FAN: I THINK HE'S GOT A PRETTY GOOD TEAM. HE'S UPPED THE GRADUATION RATE HERE AT TECH. AND I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST.))
SUPER=01-Kevin Meehan/Hokie Fan;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=ALL THE BEST
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Fans and alumni gathered before the game at the coliseum for the 12th annual Hokie Celebration.
More than a thousand people came to the party which raised ten thousand dollars.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:49:18
IN Q=THE MONEY WILL

((TERRY BOLT/HOKIE CELEBRATION: THE MONEY WILL GO TO ATHLETIC AND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS. WE'RE REAL EXCITED BECAUSE WE GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME GET AN EDUCATION WITH THAT MONIES.))
SUPER=01-Terry Bolt/Hokie Celebration;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=WITH THAT MONIES
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The Hokies lost to Xavier 81 to 72.
(----------------)



E-D'Ville-Shooting


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tha
TAPE# 97-3
GRAPHIC=Shooting


A railroad conductor was shot yesterday while riding through Pittsylvania County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;


40- year- old Robin Lynn Safrit was riding in the front of the train when a shot shattered a double pane window and struck him in his upper back.
It happened near Chatham.
Authorities believe it was either a pellet or b-b gun.
Safrit was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The train was hauling mixed freight on its way to Crew, Virginia.
(--------0--------)


S-Feedback 3/2/97


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#FEEDBACK
GRAPHIC=Feedback


A viewer in Franklin County had some harsh words for C-B-S News.
Assignment editor Joe McKean has this week's Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The day after
SUPER=03-New York, NY/February 23; :01
SUPER=00-Dan Rather/CBS Evening News Anchor; :13
SUPER=01-Rudolph Giuliani/New York Mayor; :24
RUNS=2:07
OUT Q=McKean, News-7.

(( The day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the Empire State Building, the CBS Evening News followup coverage included a live interview with New York's mayor.
One issue that came up: gun control.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=How is is that

((DAN RATHER/CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHOR: HOW IS IT THAT A MAN FROM OVERSEAS COMES INTO THE COUNTRY AND WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS SEEMINGLY WITH NO PROBLEM IS ABLE TO PURCHASE A HANDGUN? RUDOLPH GIULIANI/NEW YORK MAYOR: BECAUSE IN SOME PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY THE LAWS WITH RESPECT TO GUNS ARE INSANE, DAN. IT MAKES NO SENSE IN A CIVILIZED, SENSIBLE SOCIETY THAT A TRANSIENT LIVING IN A MOTEL FOR ONE DAY CAN BUY A NEW SEMI-AUTOMATIC ATTACK WEAPON.))
RUNS=:34
OUT Q=attack weapon.


After seeing that exchange, a viewer from Ferrum wrote:
"While no one can deny the tragedy of these reprehensible acts of an obvious madman, I feel the coverage was nothing more than the sensationalizing of this act for purely political gain. It was like watching a free commercial for Handgun Control Incorporated.
Mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution to state his opinion, and I am protected by the Second Amendment to own firearms. For him to denigrate my rights without any balance, and to basically paint the millions of legal, law abiding gun owners in this nation with the same brush as an alien madman made me sick to my stomach.
I am all for the responsible and prudent ownership of guns. But it is more than high time for people to realize that a gun cannot pull its own trigger.
I thank you for this forum to speak my mind. I will not, however, write a similar letter to CBS News in New York. That is to me tantamount to trying to persuade an atheist to believe in the existence of God."
If you have a comment on news coverage or topics in the news, write to News-7 Feedback at P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, 24022.
Faxes should be sent to 343-7269.
Our E-mail address is news@wdbj.com.
And try our new on-line moderated forum on our home page: www.wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7. ))

Common-Sense


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#Common Sense
GRAPHIC=Common Sense


Lots of folks look forward to getting a tax refund, and there's a good reason why.
Len Besthoff explains in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=You ever
SUPER=@Len1; :00
SUPER=01-Bill Williams/H&R Block; :09
RUNS=:29
OUT Q=the newsdesk.

((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 06:24:37 tape one
IN Q=You ever

((You ever wonder how many folks get tax refunds and what's the average refund? Well Bill Williams with H&R Block has the stats.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=the stats.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE ONE 06:00:03
IN Q=Last year

((BILL WILLIAMS/H&R BLOCK: LAST YEAR ABOUT 80 MILLION TAXPAYERS OUT OF 117 MILLION RECEIVED REFUNDS AVERAGING ABOUT ONE- THOUSAND- TWO- HUNDRED- DOLLARS. IT'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THE TREASURY HAS DURING THE YEAR. IT'S ALSO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT THAT GOES INTO THE ECONOMY IN THE FEBRUARY- MARCH- APRIL PERIOD.))
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=April period.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT TAPE TWO 06:30:21
IN Q=I'm Len Besthoff

((I'm Len Besthoff with this week's edition of Common Sense, let's send it back to the newsdesk.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=newsdesk.))



tornadoes


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=tornado


President Clinton heads to his home state of Arkansas tomorrow to visit areas hit by tornadoes and thunderstorms over the weekend.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Arkadelphia, AR;


Yesterday, Mr. Clinton declared nine counties major disaster areas.
At least two dozen people were killed and more than 200 others injured in the storms.
Hundreds of homes and other structures were destroyed or damaged along a 260-mile path.
The same huge system of thunderstorms is also blamed for up to 16 deaths in Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio.
(----------------)


Fatal-Fire


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=fatal fire


Six children from the same family died overnight in a Baltimore rowhouse fire.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD;


Officials say the two-story house had no smoke alarm and the family was asleep when the blaze broke out.
The children's parents escaped with a 23- month- old sibling.
Authorities say the father tried to rescue the other children, but was turned back by heavy smoke.
(-------------)


CLONING


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


First a sheep, now two monkeys.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Beaverton, OR;


Researchers in Oregon say they've created brother and sister rhesus monkeys using D-N-A from an embryo.
Scientists at the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center say this clears the way for producing identical monkeys to use in scientific research.
But scientists say the monkeys are less technically impressive than the cloned scottish sheep "Dolly".. which was created from an adult.
(----------------)


2-E-Inmate


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=eea
TAPE# 97-4
GRAPHIC=Jail Break


Martinsville police are on the look out this morning for an inmate who escaped early yesterday morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Officials say Issac Swanson was hiding in a shower, and overpowered a deputy who was bringing in a prisoner.
Swanson and another inmate got out of the building.
The other inmate was caught near the jail.
Swanson is described as five feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds.
Officials say he has a history of assaulting police officers and is considered dangerous.
If you see someone fitting Swanson's description, contact the Martinsville- Henry County Communications Center.
(----------------)



E-Rockbridge-Book


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE# 96-109
GRAPHIC=None


Rockbridge County plans to go down in history.
The Rockbridge Genealogical Society is now compiling a collection of stories written about the area.
As Kimberly McBroom reports, this won't be an ordinary history book.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We're asking the public
SUPER=01-Angela Ruley/Rockbridge Area Genealogical Soc.; :00
SUPER=03-Lexington/Wednesday; :08
SUPER=07-Barry Nall; :20
SUPER=@Kimberly2; :38
SUPER=07-Martha Watkins; :56
SUPER=07-Jessie Clark; 1:14
RUNS=1:32
OUT Q=News 7, Rockbridge Co.

((
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:36:26

((ANGELA RULEY/ROCKBRIDGE AREA GENEALOGICAL SOC.: WE'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO SEND IN STORIES ABOUT THEIR FAMILY, THEIR COMMUNITY, THEIR CHURCH, THEIR ORGANIZATION. ))
RUNS=:07


It won't be a book of historical facts--but instead, a compilation of personal recollections and tales by authors who have ties to Rockbridge County, even if they never knew it.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:53:04

((BARRY NALL: I BEGAN TO RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT MY FAMILY HAD SETTLED HERE IN VIRGINIA IN THE EARLY 1700S AND I FOUND ALL THIS OUT IN ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, AND I NEVER KNEW-- I ALWAYS FELT AT HOME IN VIRGINIA, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHY-- SO MAYBE NOW I KNOW WHY. ))
RUNS=:13


Black- and- white photographs also tell the story of the area-- some of which date back to the late 19th century.
A few stories even have the feel of folklore-- such as the one about hunter Frank Arnold, for whom Arnold's Valley is named.
As the tale goes, Arnold made an unusual offer to a stranger passing through the area.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:50:25

((MARTHA WATKINS: HE OFFERED THE MAN, IF HE'D GIVE HIS JUG OF LIQUOR, HE'D GIVE HIM HIS WIFE AND HIS LOG CABIN. SO, ARNOLD GAVE HIM HIS CABIN AND HIS JUG OF LIQUOR, AND THE MAN ACCEPTED, AND ARNOLD LEFT WITH HIS JUG OF LIQUOR AND NEVER WAS SEEN ANYMORE SINCE. ))
RUNS=:18


The book also promises to spotlight local figures who weren't quite as notorious.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:47:20

((JESSIE CLARK: SO, MANY BOOKS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ABOUT THE MORE PROMINENT FAMILIES, AND THIS WILL GET THE LITTLE FELLER IN THERE--AS WE WOULD SAY. ))
RUNS=:07

pre-pro here please
If you'd like to submit a story or photograph, you can send it to the Rockbridge Heritage Book Committee.
The deadline is March 15th.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7, Rockbridge County.))

Med-Wrap


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cst
TAPE# 597-14
GRAPHIC=Mornin Health check


A new study says the death toll from second-hand smoke is rising, and not just from cigarettes-- but also, increasingly popular pipes and cigars.
And for years, it's been said around the world that garlic has special powers....helping to prevent heart disease, arthritis, and even cancer.
Here's Connie Stevens with Health Check.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Researchers at
SUPER=03-Chicago; :05
SUPER=01-Dr. Larry Bracke/University of Illinois; :29 QUICK!!!
SUPER=03-Orlando, FL; :51
SUPER=@Connie2; 1:09
RUNS=1:21
OUT Q=CS. Health Check.

((
Researchers at the University of Illinois are finally taking a SCIENTIFIC look at garlic-- with the first study ever on just how garlic affects your L-D-L, your so-called bad cholesterol.
So far, they've found that if you want to lower your cholesterol, the best way to eat garlic is not to eat raw garlic, but to eat garlic oil
Second-- they tested several odor-free garlic supplements-- and found-- when it comes to your CHOLESTEROL level, if they don't have any odor-- they may not have any effect.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=If you're

((DR. LARRY BRACKE/UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS: IF YOU'RE TAKING THE GARLIC TO LOWER SERUM CHOLESTEROL, PROBABLY YOU NEED THE ODOR.))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=need the odor.


Unfortunately, the chemicals that are so good for your body are the same ones that smell so bad.
And smoking cigars-- it's not just a boys club anymore.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:02:37
IN Q=We're bridging

((WE'RE BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN. IT'S NOT A GENDER ISSUE ANYMORE. ))
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=anymore.


But this trend may come with health risks-- even if you don't light up.
Second-hand smoke, including that from cigars, has been traced to more fatal heart attacks and strokes than previously thought.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 00:03:22
IN Q=This is more

((THIS IS MORE OF A RITUAL TYPE THING. IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU GET ADDICTED TO. IF WE'RE GOING TO PLAY WITH THE BIG BOYS, WE CAN TAKE IT. ))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=we can take it.


But the particle emissions-- including carcinogens-- that come from smoking one cigar exceed those from three cigarettes.
Carbon monoxide emissions are 30-times more potent.
Connie Stevens, Health Check.))
(-----------------)
(TOSS TO BUMP)


STRANDED


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


A spring break trip to paradise has turned into heartbreak for hundreds of college students.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Raleigh, NC;


Virginia Tech and Appalachian State students are among those who have been stranded at airports in Raleigh and Baltimore waiting for flights to Cancun.
Their planes never showed up.
The students booked flights through two travel agents, Take a Break Travel and Surf N Sun.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT

20:51
IN Q=WHEN ARE PEOPLE
SUPER=01-Mandy Feldman/Stranded Traveler;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=WHERE IT GOES.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The students spent last night in hotels or at the airports and were told their flights would take off early this morning.
We contacted the Raleigh-Durham Airport and B-W-I this morning but neither could confirm whether the students had left yet.
(----------------)



2-E-D'Ville-Shooting


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=tha
TAPE# 97-3
GRAPHIC=Shooting


A day on the rails turned into a trip to the hospital for one railroad conductor yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;


40- year- old Robin Lynn Safrit was riding in the front of the train when a shot shattered a double pane window and struck him in his upper back.
It happened near Chatham.
Authorities believe it was either a pellet or b-b gun.
Safrit was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
The train was hauling mixed freight on its way to Crew, Virginia.
(--------0--------)


Fatal-Ax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=fatal accident


A two car accident in Christiansburg leaves one woman dead.
Police say the accident occurred at the intersection of Roanoke Street and Simmons Road last night.
The driver of one vehicle was transported to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The other driver and passenger of the other car were unharmed.
Police are not releasing the names.

E-Roanoke-Fire


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=dse
TAPE# 97-6
GRAPHIC=Fire


An abandoned home in Roanoke went up in flames last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Fire crews were called to the two-thousand block of Rorer Avenue.
Flames had already overcome the house when they arrived.
Fire officials say the abandoned house has been set on fire several times before.
The blaze is being considered suspicious.
It is under investigation.
(----------------)


E-DMV


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 96-108 ; 96-88 (car travel)
GRAPHIC=Virginia State Seal


Uninsured drivers will soon be getting more attention from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Its computers are now linked up with insurance companies.
All motorists who have dropped or changed their policies since January First have had their information sent electronically to the D-M-V.
Previously, D-M-V officials and insurance companies shared paperwork manually.
That meant the agency sent out 12-hundred random notices a day to drivers asking them to provide documentation that policy information provided on their registrations was correct.
(----------------)


S-Soup


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=dse
TAPE# 97-2
GRAPHIC=None


Call it one of the most valuable soup cans around.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Centreville;


Jeanna Dodd picked up what looked like an ordinary can of soup from a Fairfax foodbank this week.
But when she opened it, it turned out to be a tiny safe containing seven- thousand dollars in jewelry.
The owners of the jewelry came forward Saturday to reclaim their goods.
Dodd was NOT left empty handed though.
The owners gave her a thousand- dollar reward for her honesty.
(----------------)



4-Scores


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=NBA


In the N-B-A,
Phoenix rallied from a 27-point third quarter deficit to beat Dallas in overtime 109-to-108.
For last night's scores, let's check the boards.
(-------------)

WIPE TO SCORES
SUPER=#556
SUPER=X5028;
SUPER=0096-/L.A. Lakers/85/j/Indiana/101///j/Utah/93//Vancouver/86///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-j/Seattle/109//Orlando/101////San Antonio/72/j/Miami/79///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-j/Charlotte/108//Minnesota/96////Atlanta/75/j/Detroit/82///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-/Cleveland/82/j/New York/90///j/Phoenix/109//Dallas/108//Overtime/;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0096-/L.A.

Clippers/107/j/Denver/109//Overtime//Philadelphia/95/j/Portland/112///;
SUPER=X5027;
SUPER=0098-j/ODU/62//William & Mary/57///j/JMU/60//N.C. Wilmington/57///;
SUPER=X5009;
SUPER=0098-/Maryland#16/74/j/Virginia/81///j/Xavier#14/81//Virginia

Tech/72///;
RUNS=:49

(-------------) OUT Q=....last score."
by SS