WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 03/25/97

12:00-01

NOON-HEADLINES

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

A Virginia Tech player will spend some time behind bars for his part in an on-campus brawl.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie

And Federal Reserve board meeting today in Washington is to end with higher interest rates.
(/////////////)
TALENT=Patrick
SS=None

Showers will roll in on the wings of a cold front, and will last through much of the night. We'll examine how long the rain will last, and we'll check out the latest from the world of sports, too.
(////////////////)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE

News 7 at Noon is next.

P-Tech-Brawl

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tal
TAPE#597-05
GRAPHIC=va tech

Two days in jail is the price a Virginia Tech player will pay for his part in an on-campus brawl.
Tyron Edmond was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery in the beating of another student.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Christiansburg;

After the incident, Edmond admitted he hit Jonathan Nelson.
Nelson also identified Edmond as one of the people in a mob who landed a punch.
But Edmond now says he was really only protecting himself after SOMEONE ELSE struck Nelson.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 20:37:49
IN Q=
((TYRON EDMOND: AND AS HE WAS FALLING BACK, AS HE FELL BACK I NUDGED HIM LIKE THAT AND GOT HIM OFF OF ME. ))
SUPER=01-Tyron Edmond/Tech Football Player;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=him off of me.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Montgomery Circuit judge Ray Grubbs did not buy it, and ordered Edmond to serve two days of a 30- day jail sentence.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:55:22
IN Q=
((DUTTON OLINGER/EDMOND'S LAWYER: WITH THAT TYPE OF SENTENCE ONE DAY KILLS TWO. SO HE'LL HAVE 24 HOURS THAT HE'LL HAVE TO SERVE. ))
SUPER=01-Dutton Olinger/Edmond's Lawyer;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=have to serve.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none

Charges were dismissed against three other players.
Four more are still awaiting trial.

interest-rates

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

Economists predict the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

The central bank's policy-makers have begun a meeting in Washington and an announcement is expected this afternoon.
Fed chairman Alan Greenspan has been hinting a short term interest rate hike is needed to keep inflation in check.
It would be the first increase in two years.
(----------------)

Israel

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

First the arrest and now release of three Arabs suspected of taking part in last week's deadly suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv cafe.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Tel Aviv/Friday;

The three men were arrested Saturday.
Israel radio says investigators released the men today, believing they had no connection to the bomber.
The explosion killed the bomber and three Israeli women.
One of the women killed was the mother of a seven- month- old baby who was seriously wounded in the attack.
SUPER=04-Today;

Today the wife of Israel's president visited the little girl and other children who were injured.
(----------------)

Gore

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=gore, al

In China today Vice President Al Gore was on hand as Beijing sealed deals with two major U-S companies worth more than two BILLION dollars.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Beijing, China;

One, is a one- point- three billion dollar joint venture between G-M and a Chinese firm.
The other is 700 million dollar order with Boeing for five jetliners, a deal Boeing says was long delayed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((RONALD WOODARD/PRESIDENT - BOEING COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE GROUP) "THERE ARE TIMES WHEN POLITICS ARE INVOLVED AND CERTAINLY COMPLICATE THE OVERALL PROCESS. (EDIT) THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CONTRACT WAS NOT EXECUTED WHEN IT WAS READY TO BE EXECUTED BECAUSE OF TENSION BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA. ))
SUPER=01-Ronald Woodard/Boeing President;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=AND CHINA.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

And while the deals are evidence of growing stability in U-S Chinese relations, Gore has offered sharp words of criticism.
In one meeting he reprimanded Beijing for selling missile technology to Iran and other nations the U-S considers unfriendly.
(----------------)

P-Gilmore-Beyer

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#597-07
GRAPHIC=campaign 97

The election may be months away, but the race to become Virginia's next Governor is already fired up.
Tobacco is the candidates' latest battle field.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer yesterday accused Attorney General Jim Gilmore of "blessing" illegal cigarette sales to children by fighting F-D-A regulations in court.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 21:19:18
IN Q=
((LT. GOV. DON BEYER/D-CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: TO FIGHT THE BEST NATIONAL ATTEMPTS TO KEEP TOBACCO FROM KIDS IS ESSENTIALLY TO BLESS THE SELLING OF TOBACCO TO KIDS. IT'S TO DRAW BACK INTO A SITUATION IN VIRGINIA WHERE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE IN VIRGINIA WE'VE NEVER EVEN HAD A CONVICTION FOR SELLING TOBACCO TO KIDS.))
SUPER=@Beyer1;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=to kids.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

A spokesman for the Republican called Beyer's remarks "the most ridiculous thing" he'd ever heard.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=gilmore

Gilmore's made efforts to strengthen Virginia's laws against children buying cigarettes.
But he says he still has NO intention of withdrawing Virginia's "friend of the court" brief AGAINST the F-D-A regulations.
Gilmore says tobacco is too important to Virginia's economy.
SS=campaign 97

The candidates do agree the state should NOT sue any tobacco companies over the health- related costs of smoking.

Allen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Allen

Facing last night's midnight deadline, Governor Allen vetoed eleven parts of the state budget.
Among the vetoes issued by Allen was budget language that he said would undermine welfare reform.
The language would have exempted full-time students who receive welfare from the requirement to get a job.
The General Assembly will take up Allen's vetoes at its April 2nd override session.

E-Richards

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=abo
TAPE#97-9
GRAPHIC=NONE

She went from teacher and mother of four to Governor of the Lone Star State.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Salem;

Now former Texas politician Ann Richards wants women to know they have more opportunities now than ever.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:23:35
IN Q=Women should get
((ANN RICHARDS/FORMER TEXAS GOVERNOR: WOMEN SHOULD GET OVER THE BUSINESS OF ALWAYS BEING THE GIVERS AND THE CARETAKERS- WOMEN HAVE GOT TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT MAKING A LIVING, PUTTING MONEY IN THE BANK, BECOMING FINANCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY SECURE, SHOULD BE ONE OF THEIR NUMBER-ONE GOALS.))
SUPER=01-Ann Richards/Former Texas Governor
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=their number-one goals.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Richards visited Roanoke College yesterday.
She says women who want to make a career out of public service should donate their time to a political campaign, focus on their education, and travel.
Richards was the governor of Texas from 19-90 until 19-94.
(----------------)

E-Tractor-Ax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#97-16
GRAPHIC=Accident

Roanoke motorists on route 2-20, near Walmart had a scare yesterday when a truck lost its breaks.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

In all, the delivery truck hit three cars while swerving through a red light.
The driver said he was going down a hill leading into the plaza, when he lost control of the vehicle.
Richard Spencer has been charged with driving with defective brakes.
Several people were hurt but their injuries are not life threatening.
(-------------)

MISSING-GIRLS

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

A happy ending in the search for two Michigan girls kidnapped Friday from their bus stop.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
10:28:46
The F-B-I says Jessica and Teresa Hainer, ages six and nine, were found this morning in Daytona Beach, Florida.
The three men found with them are in custody.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-James J. Gregor/Prosecutor;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=under michigan law.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Jessica and Teresa had not been seen since Friday, when they got off their school bus in Galesburg, Michigan, and into a car with the three men.
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Education

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=education

State education officials are planning to test, of all things, a new test.
Officials have released sample questions of the exams that students will have to pass starting in four years to graduate.
The tests are designed to show whether students are learning revised curriculum standards that were adopted in 19-95.
The tests will consist mostly of multiple-choice questions.
The field trial during the week of April 28th will involve students in grades three, five, eight and eleven.

E-Harrison-Museum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-8
GRAPHIC=Black History

More people are getting the chance to learn from the past as the Harrison Museum of African American Culture continues to grow.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Yesterday, museum officials and supporters dedicated the new annex on Rutherford Avenue.
The building will provide more space, and proper conditions for the museum's artifacts and memorabilia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Not only will it add
((ALETHA BOLDEN/MUSEUM DIRECTOR: NOT ONLY WILL IT BE ADDED STORAGE SPACE, BUT IT WILL ALSO BE ADDED WORK SPACE FOR OUR CURATOR. SHE'LL BE ABLE TO SPRAWL THINGS OUT AND WORK ON A LARGER SCALE. WE'VE HAD TO TURN SOME THINGS AWAY, BUT HOPEFULLY NOW THAT WE HAVE A LARGER BUILDING, A QUALITY CONTROLLED BUILDING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT A LOT OF MEMORABILIA THAT'S STILL OUT THERE.))
SUPER=01-Aletha Bolden/Museum Director;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=still out there.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

The annex was built with public and private grants on a lot donated by Central Fidelity Bank.
The building still needs shelving and equipment, and officials are hoping to secure more grants and contributions to cover the cost.

E-Bedford-Museum

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-15
GRAPHIC=NONE

Officials at Bedford's City-County Museum say they have more items than room to display them.
Steve Smallshaw reports they're looking to expand.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=They've been drawn
SUPER=03-Bedford; :00
SUPER=01-Ellen Wandrei/Museum Director; :25
SUPER=@ssm2; :42
RUNS=1:21
OUT Q=News7, Bedford.

(( They've been drawn by artifacts ranging from 12- thousand year old arrowheads to World War Two uniforms... and there's even more here that visitors CAN'T see.
natsot 2:41:45
((I HAVE SEVERAL BOTTLES FROM WAVERLY BOTTLING COMPANY, THEY WERE BOTTLED RIGHT HERE ON DEPOT STREET.))
RUNS=:06

Crammed into the third floor of this building are hundreds of pieces of county history that the museum doesn't have room to display.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:10:40
IN Q=Because we have
((ELLEN WANDREI/MUSEUM DIRECTOR: BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY ITEMS FROM BEDFORD THAT NOBODY GETS TO SEE FROM THE COUNTY. ALL THESE FARM TOOLS THAT WERE MADE IN THE COUNTY, AND NO ONE OTHER THAN THE PERSON WHO DONATED THEM, PROBABLY DOESN'T KNOW THEY'RE HERE.))
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=they're here.

Renovating the third floor is a costly proposition, but officials hope to raise enough money to match a state historic grant to make it possible.
But even if the room is opened up, that's no guarantee tour- goers will get to see it.
Wandrei estimates close to 60 percent of their visitors are over the age of 50.. making it up the stairs to the third floor is difficult if not impossible for some.
So the grant also would pay to install an elevator on the back of the building, making the entire museum handicapped accessible.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:09:12
IN Q=These people
((WANDREI: THESE PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN OUR COLLECTION, AND THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO SEE THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE ON DISPLAY.))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=have on display.

Fund-raising should begin over the next few months.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford.)

MISSILE-BOPP

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

The first of four rockets is off and running after the Hale-Bopp comet.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-White Sands, NM;

It took off last night from New Mexico.
Scientists are sending up the rockets in hopes of getting a closer look at Hale-Bopp as it swoops past Earth.
They hope to trace certain gases that could tell the history and origin of the comet, and reveal more about the the universe.
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oscars

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=academy awards

"The English Patient" wins big at the Oscars.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;

The wartime drama won nine Academy awards last night, including best picture and best director.
Its star, Juliette Binoche (bih-NOHSH'), beat out sentimental favorite Lauren Bacall for the supporting actress Oscar.
Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of real-life pianist David Helfgott won him an Oscar for best actor in "Shine."
Cuba Gooding Junior picked up best supporting actor honors for his role in "Jerry Macguire."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I LOVE YOU...
SUPER=01-Cuba Gooding, Jr./Best Supporting Actor;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=TOM CRUISE, I LOVE YOU MAN.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Frances McDormand won for best actress for "Fargo,"
(----------------)

Ice-Show

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JJa
TAPE#97-13
GRAPHIC=NONE

The Academy Awards may have been the place to see movie stars last night, but Roanoke had stars of its own.
Big names in skating graced the ice for the Discover Stars on Ice Tour.
Jean Jadhon reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Roanoke; 00
SUPER=@Jean1; :32
SUPER=@File; :42
SUPER=01-Ekaterina Gordeeva/Olympic Gold Medalist; :55
SUPER=@file; 1:02
RUNS=1:29
OUT Q=News 7 Roanoke.":

((There's so much gold on the ice- it glittered. Olympic Gold that is.
1992 gold medalist Kristi Yamagucchi wowed the crowd- and led an all star cast. including Ekaterina Gordeeva-
Gold medalists Torvill and Dean also skated into the crowds hearts-
so did silver medalist Paul Wylie. these blades on ice kept the crowd alive with plenty of jumps- spins and lifts- JEAN JADHON: WHILE THE ICE IS FILLED WITH OLYMPIC MEDALISTS, THERE IS ONE SKATER NOTICEABLY ABSENT- 1984 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST SCOTT HAMILTON. Hamilton left the tour just last week- after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.
He's now in Cleveland undergoing treatment- Friend and fellow skater Gordeeva took a moment out of practice to talk with us. EKATERINA GORDEEVA/OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: THIS IS THE WORSTEST THING WE HAD THIS TOUR IS THAT WE MISS HIM. SCOTT RIGHT NOW.
Hamilton is the skater who always has a smile on his face- even during this trying time. YOU KNOW SCOTT IS ALWAYS JOKING. HE WAS JOKING YESTERDAY ON THE PHONE HE IS IN A GOOD MOOD. HE'S GONNA TAKE REST WE ALL PRAY WITH HIM ALL OUR STRENGTH.
Meanwhile the show goes on with Hamilton on the skaters minds- his positive outlook and smiles seen on the skaters' faces. nat sound of skaters.)) WEATHER
SUPER=300-42/79/SE 8mph/30.33f/81/1959/17/1971;
SUPER=301-41/67/Var 3mph/30.35f/86/1910/20/1971;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Showers/ & Storms/48-52/Partial Clearing/& Breezy/62-66;
SUPER=331-Showers/ & Storms/50-54/Partial Clearing/& Breezy/64-68;
SUPER=332-Rainy/& Windy/44-48/Rain Early/Windy & Clearing/56-60;
SUPER=333-Showers/ & Storms/46-50/Partial Clearing/& Breezy/56-60;
SUPER=334-Rainy/ & Windy/40-44/Rain Early/Windy & Clearing/50-54;
SUPER=X5001;

Group-A

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-24
GRAPHIC=all-state

The Associated Press announced their Group-A all-state basketball team last night and some local athletes made the grade.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-1996-97 Season;

Glenvar's Art Lawrence who took a team that started the season 3-and-9 all the way to the state semi-finals was named Group A coach of the year.
And the man who knocked his Highlanders out of the state tournament heads up the first team. Travis Cantrell of Floyd earns first team all-state honors.
Glenvar's Josh Williamson, the Highlanders leading scorer earned second team all-state honors.
(-------------)

NCAA

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S7-2)
GRAPHIC=ncaa hoops

The women's N-C-A-A elite eight fought it out last night.
In the East, Notre Dame beat George Washington 62-to-52, while Tennessee beat U-Conn 91 to 81 and Stanford blew away Georgia 82 to 47.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-W. Lafayette, IN/ESPN; :00

Last night in the Mideast final, the Lady Monarchs found themselves in front of Florida 53-to-39 with 6:35 to play.
But O-D-U failed to score the rest of the way, and Florida almost forced
SUPER=33-Old Dominion/53/Florida/51;
overtime on this shot that just bounces off the rim.
O-D-U survives to win it 53-to-51.
(-------------)

Million-Shot

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=news 7 sports generic

A kindergarten teacher from Norfolk has been randomly selected to try the million-dollar shot between the semifinal games of the N-C-Double-A women's Final Four.
Heather Jankovich says she's never shot a basketball before.
Even if she shoots an airball, she'll take home 50-thousand-dollars.

Barnes

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-25
GRAPHIC=CLEMSON

Clemson's Rick Barnes has been courted heavily by Tennessee in the past week, but last night he decided to stay put in the A-C-C with
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-NCAA; :00

a Tiger team that won 23 games this past season.
Barnes agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at Clemson through the year 2004.
His new contract will also give him a significant salary increase. Barnes will now make six- hundred- sixty- eight- thousand- dollars a year.
(-------------)

ODAC

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of S6-28)
GRAPHIC=ODAC

The Old Dominion Athletic conference introduced a young commissioner yesterday at the Salem Civic Center.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Salem; :00

Brad Bankston, the league's assistant commissioner since 19-95, takes over for the retiring Dan Wooldridge - the league's first and only other commissioner for the past 21 years.
(----------------)

NHL

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of RS96-1)
GRAPHIC=NHL

The marquee matchup in the N-H-L last night pitted the Penguins against the Rangers,
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00
in the 15th career meeting between Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
Lemieux had to watch Gretzky set up the game winning goal and then score an
SUPER=31-Pittsburgh/0/N.Y. Rangers/3;
empty netter as New York rides Mike Richter's shutout to a 3-to-nothing win over the Pens.
(-------------)

BUSH

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

Former President George Bush takes to the skies over Arizona today -- to make a parachute jump.
As a Navy pilot in 19-44, Bush was forced to bail out of his torpedo bomber after it was riddled by Japanese bullets.
He says he vowed that someday he'd try a parachute jump just for fun.
No other American president has ever jumped from an airplane.

POPE-WEBSITE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=pope jp II

The computer age has finally hit the Vatican.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vatican City;

Yesterday it unveiled its own web site.
Pope John Paul has not abandoned his pen for the keyboard. He still plans to write his speeches by hand, but as of next Sunday every word he utters in public will be available through web page W-W-W-dot-VATICAN-dot-V-A.
Three computers -- Raphael, Michael and Gabriel -- will power the system.
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