08:25-01

cutopen

SUPER=@Melanie1

---

7P-Tobacco-Reax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 597-06
SS=tobacco

For the first time, a tobacco company admits smoking is addictive.
In settling lawsuits by 22 states, the Liggett Company says it'll include such a warning on every cigarette pack it sells.
Even though Liggett admits it marketed a deadly and addictive product TO CHILDREN,
SS=gilmore
Virginia Attorney General -- and candidate for governor -- Jim Gilmore says he still has NO plans to sue any tobacco companies.
GRAPHIC=tobacco

Meantime, anti-smoking activists say they're not surprised the Liggett Group is settling.
But they're interested to see what's in the agreement.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:32:29
IN Q=We think
((TED GLICKMAN/AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF VA.: WE THINK IT'S A VERY HISTORIC DAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF COURSE APPLAUDS THE LIGGETT GROUP'S DECISION TO ADMIT SOMETHING THAT THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS, THAT CIGARETTES ARE ADDICTIVE AND THEY'RE DEADLY.))
SUPER=01-Ted Glickman/American Lung Assoc. of Virginia;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=they're deadly.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

The Chairman of "Concerned Friends for Tobacco" says Southside farmers are worried about the economic impact this announcement could have on their livelihood.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=You have
((CLARENCE BRYANT/CONCERNED FRIENDS FOR TOBACCO CHAIRMAN:YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT A FARMER, LIKE MYSELF, MOSTLY, EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN ASSETS IS TIED, YOU KNOW, TO OUR FARMS, SO YOU KNOW, OUR LIVELIHOOD IS REALLY AT STAKE. ))
SUPER=01-Clarence Bryant/Concerned Friends for Tobacco; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=at stake.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

22 percent of adults in Virginia are smokers, as are one in four teenagers.

---

7P-Cole

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tbr
TAPE#597-11
GRAPHIC=legal scales

A Hillsville man admits to killing his girlfriend's toddler.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Hillsville/File Tape;

Steven Wayne Cole was being tried for first degree murder in the death of two- year- old Joshua Blevins.
Cole told police he was high on drugs when he shoved the child into a wall.
During testimony, Cole agreed to plead guilty to SECOND degree murder.
Charles Blevins, Joshua's father, hopes the end of the trial will bring some closure.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=he was
((CHARLES BLEVINS/JOSHUA'S FATHER: HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY AND I MISS HIM SO MUCH. AND THE PART THAT'S JUST SO HARD IS I'D GIVE ANYTHING IF I COULD'VE SPENT MORE TIME WITH HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Charles Blevins/Joshua's Father;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=time with him.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

Cole faces five to 40 years in prison-- he'll remain behind bars until his May sentencing.

---

7VA-Tech

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=va tech

Two Virginia Tech football players have dropped a multi-million dollar lawsuit against a student who accused them of rape.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/February;

Brian Edmonds and James Crawford had accused the woman of extortion and defamation.
They charged that she was inhibiting their ability to earn money as professional football players.
Edmonds and Crawford face rape and attempted sodomy charges in the December 14th incident that followed a party in the players' off-campus apartment.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=VA TECH

An attorney says Edmonds plans to file another suit against the woman after the National Football League draft.

---

7p-Salem-VA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#597-05
GRAPHIC=VETERANS AFFAIRS

Some area veterans are voicing their support for the director of Salem V-A Medical Center.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

Members of the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council and other Presley supporters demonstrated at the front entrance of the center yesterday.
SUPER=@file;

They say Dr. John Presley has improved patient care and working conditions at the facility, and they believe charges made against him are unfounded.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Any time
((WAYNARD CALDWELL/ROANOKE VALLEY VETERANS COUNCIL: ANY TIME THAT SOMEBODY IS A SUPERVISOR, THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME ENEMIES, THAT IS REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE. YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE ENEMIES, BUT I THINK HE'S GOT MORE PEOPLE SUPPORTING HIM THAN HE DOES ENEMIES.))
SUPER=01-Waynard Caldwell/Roanoke Valley Veterans Council;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=than he does enemies.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Both Presley and Associate Director William Delamater (DELL-uh-MAY-tuhr) have been placed on administration leave.
(----------------)

---

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Time now to check the Friday forecast--
Mostly sunny and very mild-- highs will warm up to near 70.
Nightime temperatures will be in the upper 40's.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind SW 10-15/68-72/Partly Cloudy/& Breezy/45-49;
SUPER=#555; reset
7BIRTHDAYS! 3/23/97
Sunday:

SUPER=130-6/Chad Raines/Shawsville;


SUPER=130-48/Rhonda Godfrey/Clifton Forge;


SUPER=130-7/Blake Alley/Hardy;


SUPER=130-18/Benjamin McCall, Jr./Wirtz;


SUPER=130-3/Taylor Early/Roanoke;


SUPER=130-/Sean Gavin/Hurt;


SUPER=130-23/Adrian Hammach/Chatham;


SUPER=130-6/Larry Bernard/Rocky Mount;

Monday:

SUPER=130-62/Joe Grizzel/Lewisburg WV;


SUPER=130-8/Kevin Martin/Spencer;


SUPER=130-32/Fred O'Neal/Galax;


(Twins)
SUPER=130-9/Bryan & Michael Massie/Lynchburg;


SUPER=130-7/John Wright/Roanoke;


SUPER=130-24/Junior Craghead/Bassett;


SUPER=130-67/Ora Starkey/Wirtz;

No Pictures:

SUPER=130-/Rose Hylton/Horsepasture;


SUPER=130-/Jimmy Miller/Buchanan;


SUPER=130-54/Margie Vuncannon/Hurt;


cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1

---

55P-Rail-merger

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=amo
TAPE#597-04
GRAPHIC=Washington DC

Norfolk Southern and C-S-X executives were on capitol hill yesterday discussing with lawmakers their deal to split up Conrail.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

Pennsylvania representatives are worried if the two Virginia based railroads divide Conrail, it could mean jobcuts in the Keystone state.
SUPER=03-Washington DC;

N-S Chief Executive David Goode testified before a Senate subcommittee-- addressing concerns about shutting down a repair shop in Altoona, Pennsylvania-- similar to the one Norfolk Southern has in Roanoke.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 42:35
IN Q=we're in a position
SUPER=01-David Goode/Norfolk Southern CEO;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=we're gonna need them
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Goode would NOT speculate on any job cuts the deal might create-- saying only the transaction is based on growth.
N-S and C-S-X agree breaking up Conrail will open up the Northeast for competitive rail service.
(----------------)

---

55P-Dysentery

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#597-13
GRAPHIC=dysentery

Health officials believe that outbreak of dysentery at a Bedford Elementary School is over.
In all, 20 cases were diagnosed at Stewartsville Elementary.
There have not been any new cases since Tuesday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File; :

Dysentery can result in diarrhea, high fever, nausea and often severe stomach cramps.
Dysentary is a fecal infection transmitted by hand-mouth contact.
It's believed the outbreak started in late January.
Other children at a Vinton Day Care center also became ill.
(---------------)

---

55VA-Tech

ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=va tech

Two Virginia Tech football players have withdrawn a 32-million dollar lawsuit against a student who accused them of rape.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/February;

Brian Edmonds and James Crawford had accused the woman of extortion and defamation.
They face rape and attempted sodomy charges in an incident that followed a December party in their off-campus apartment.
Edmonds is no longer with the team and Crawford is suspended.
An attorney says Edmonds will file another suit against the woman after the N-F-L draft.
(----------------)

---

55weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Let's take a look now at the forecast--
We'll start the weekend off with plenty of sunshine today, and temperatures around 70.
Partly cloudy and cooling off tonight into the upper 40s.
Some clouds tomorrow, with highs around 60.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind SW 10-15/68-72/Partly Cloudy/& Breezy/45-49;
SUPER=#555; reset
cutopen
SUPER=@Melanie1

---

8Fire

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=aje
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=fire

An early morning fire destroyed a house in Montgomery County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;

No one was home when the blaze broke out. It was spotted from the interstate.
The house was completely consumed by flames and heavy smoke when fire officals arrived on the scene.
No word yet on the cause.
(----------------)

---

8P-Tobacco-Reax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=jmo
TAPE# 597-06
SS=tobacco

From now on, the Liggett Company will include a warning on every cigarette pack it sells-- stating that smoking is addictive.
The new labeling is part of the company's settlement in lawsuits by 22 states.
Even though Liggett admits it marketed a deadly and addictive product TO CHILDREN,
SS=gilmore
Virginia Attorney General -- and candidate for governor -- Jim Gilmore says he still has NO plans to sue any tobacco companies.
GRAPHIC=tobacco

Meantime, anti-smoking activists say they're not surprised the Liggett Group is settling.
But they're interested to see what's in the agreement.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:32:29
IN Q=We think
((TED GLICKMAN/AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF VA.: WE THINK IT'S A VERY HISTORIC DAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF COURSE APPLAUDS THE LIGGETT GROUP'S DECISION TO ADMIT SOMETHING THAT THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS, THAT CIGARETTES ARE ADDICTIVE AND THEY'RE DEADLY.))
SUPER=01-Ted Glickman/American Lung Assoc. of Virginia;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=they're deadly.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

The Chairman of "Concerned Friends for Tobacco" says Southside farmers are worried about the economic impact this announcement could have on their livelihood.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=You have
((CLARENCE BRYANT/CONCERNED FRIENDS FOR TOBACCO CHAIRMAN:YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT A FARMER, LIKE MYSELF, MOSTLY, EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN ASSETS IS TIED, YOU KNOW, TO OUR FARMS, SO YOU KNOW, OUR LIVELIHOOD IS REALLY AT STAKE. ))
SUPER=01-Clarence Bryant/Concerned Friends for Tobacco; :00
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=at stake.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

22 percent of adults in Virginia are smokers, as are one in four teenagers.

---

8P-Cole

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

A Hillsville man has confessed to the murder of his girlfriend's small child.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Hillsville/File Tape;

Steven Wayne Cole was being tried for first degree murder in the death of two- year- old Joshua Blevins.
Cole told police he was high on drugs when he shoved the child into a wall.
During testimony, Cole agreed to plead guilty to SECOND degree murder.
Charles Blevins, Joshua's father, hopes the end of the trial will bring some closure.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=he was
((CHARLES BLEVINS/JOSHUA'S FATHER: HE WAS A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE BOY AND I MISS HIM SO MUCH. AND THE PART THAT'S JUST SO HARD IS I'D GIVE ANYTHING IF I COULD'VE SPENT MORE TIME WITH HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Charles Blevins/Joshua's Father;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=time with him.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=hold

Cole faces five to 40 years in prison-- he'll remain behind bars until his May sentencing.

---

8VA-Tech

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Two Virginia Tech football players have withdrawn their lawsuit against the woman who accused them of rape.
But the players' attorney says one of them plans to re- file the 32-million dollar suit later.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/February;

Brian Edmonds and James Crawford had accused the woman of extortion and defamation.
They face rape and attempted sodomy charges in an incident that followed a December party in their off-campus apartment.
The 19- year- old woman said Edmonds and Crawford took turns holding her down and raping her.
(----------------)

---

8p-Salem-VA

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#597-05
GRAPHIC=VETERANS AFFAIRS

Some area veterans are voicing their support for the director of Salem V-A Medical Center.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

Members of the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council and other Dr. John Presley supporters demonstrated at the front entrance of the center yesterday.
SUPER=@file;

They say Presley has improved patient care and working conditions at the facility, and they believe charges made against him are unfounded.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Any time
((WAYNARD CALDWELL/ROANOKE VALLEY VETERANS COUNCIL: ANY TIME THAT SOMEBODY IS A SUPERVISOR, THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME ENEMIES, THAT IS REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU ARE. YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE ENEMIES, BUT I THINK HE'S GOT MORE PEOPLE SUPPORTING HIM THAN HE DOES ENEMIES.))
SUPER=01-Waynard Caldwell/Roanoke Valley Veterans Council;
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=than he does enemies.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Both Presley and Associate Director William Delamater (DELL-uh-MAY-tuhr) have been placed on administration leave.
(----------------)

---

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cut-in
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to weather--
Sunny and pleasant today, with highs warming to near 70.
Becoming partly cloudy and breezy tonight.
Lows will drop into the 40s.
Cooler tomorrow, with clouds-- highs will be near 60.
SUPER=X5000; set dissolve
SUPER=#555; reset SUPER=314-Mostly Sunny/Wind SW 10-15/68-72/Partly Cloudy/& Breezy/45-49;