06:00-01

MASS-SUICIDE

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


Welcome to News 7 Mornin', I'm Melanie Moon.
"Task completed" are the final words on what is thought to be a video suicide note left by the cult members who took their lives in southern California.
Jennifer Sabih joins us with the latest. ********take from NEWSPATH********
SUPER=01-Jennifer Sabih/Reporting;
SUPER=05-Rancho Santa Fe;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Dr. Brian Blackbourne/San Diego Med. Examiner;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=BACK TO YOU.

((
HE CALLED HIMSELF SIMPLY "DOE." HIS REAL NAME MAY BE MARSHALL APPLEWHITE-- INVESTIGATORS SAY HE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS OF ONE THE 39-PEOPLE-- WHO DIED AT A MILLION-DOLLAR MANSION IN RANCHO SANTE FE.

SOT:

"I CAN BE YOUR SHEPARD.... YOU CAN FOLLOW US BUT YOU CAN'T STAY HERE AND FOLLOW US."
APPLEWHITE APPARENTLY BELIEVED THERE IS AN EXISTENCE BETTER THAN THAT ON EARTH... AND THAT THE HALE-BOPP COMET WAS THE SIGN HE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR... THE SIGN THAT A U-F-O WAS READY TO TRANSPORT HIM AND HIS FOLLOWERS TO THE "HIGHER LEVEL."
CULT EXPERTS SAY "APPLEWHITE" IS A NAME THEY KNOW WELL.... THAT BACK IN 19-75, HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO AND OREGON LEFT THEIR HOMES TO JOIN HIM AND A FEMALE COMPANION -- AND THEIR GROUP WAS KNOWN AS "THE U-F-O CULT."

(NAT:



(PIX OF INSIDE HOUSE)

FORENSIC TEAMS ARE STILL IDENTIFYING AND TESTING THE BODIES --DRESSED IN BLACK-- FOUND NEATLY ON THEIR BEDS AT THE ESTATE. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: ALCOHOL AND PHENOBARBITAL .... MIXED INTO APPLESAUCE AND PUDDING.

SOT: DR. BRIAN BLACKBOURNE/ SAN DIEGO CO. MEDICAL EXAMINER

"IT APPEARS THERE WERE THREE GROUPS...RED CLOTH AFTER THEY DIED."
IN THEIR POCKETS--AUTHORITIES FOUND 5-DOLLARS, A FEW QUARTERS AND AN IDENTIFICATION CARD-- ALONG WITH A BAG OF BELONGINGS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF EACH BED.
BEFORE EATING THE DEADLY DESSERT, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD BID FAREWELL VIA VIDEOTAPE.

SOT:

"I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT TO GO FOR IT--BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON THIS PLANET FOR 31-YEARS AND THERE'S NOTHING HERE FOR ME." ))

P-Standoff


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#597-08
GRAPHIC=standoff


Negotiations paid off last night for Roanoke police in a standoff in Old Southwest.
Police were prepared for the worst, but the situation was resolved quietly after Ernie J. Henderson was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Roanoke police surrounded the home in the 500 block of Elm Avenue after receiving a report that shots had been fired.
Members of the police tactical unit were called in, while a negotiator spoke with Henderson by phone.
Ultimately, officers persuaded him to surrender. He walked out the back door and was taken into custody without incident.
(----------------)



E-Philip-Morris


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-12
GRAPHIC=Gilmore


Tobacco money and Virginia politicians often go hand and hand.
But when the attorney general takes the tobacco side in a legal battle with the federal government- a contribution from Philip Morris draws attention.
Republican candidate for governor Jim Gilmore flew to New York last week on a Philip Morris corporate jet.
There he raked in 50- thousand dollars in campaign donations at a company fundraiser -- including 20-thousand from Philip Morris itself.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In meetings
SUPER=@file; :00
SUPER=@Beyer1; :12
SUPER=@Allen; :45
SUPER=@Ellen1; :55
RUNS=1:09
OUT Q=NEWS 7, rICHMOND

(( In meetings with Virginia reporters when he got back, Gilmore said he had NO plans to withdraw Virginia's friend of the court brief on behalf of the tobacco companies against the FDA regulations on teen smoking.
sot 09:46:43

((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: I THINK AT BEST HE'S GUILTY OF BAD JUDGMENT AND AT WORST, HE'S GUILTY OF GROSS IMPROPRIETY.))
runs=:08


Well that comes from a man who accepted 10- thousand dollars from Philip Morris in 1996.
sot 09:46:53

((BEYER: I'M NOT IN THE POSITION OF ENFORCING VIRGINIA'S TOBACCO LAWS. REMEMBER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS ACTUALLY .. AGAINST THE FDA REGULATIONS.))
runs=:11


Beyer's likely running mate L.F. Payne also accepted 10- thousand dollars last year.
But Republican George Allen admitted Gilmore's donation didn't come at the best time.
sot 08:34:14

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT....DISCLOSED. WHICH MEANS EVERYONE CAN HAVE ALL THEIR POT SHOTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT IT.))
runs=:11



SOT STANDUP


We tried to get Jim Gilmore in front of our cameras ... but he did NOT make himself available by our deadline.
A spokesman called Don Beyer a hypocrite for taking tobacco money in the past and making this an issue.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond. ))

E-Sex-Offenders


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-14
GRAPHIC=Don Beyer


The American Civil Liberties Union says a new get tough on sex offenders proposal from Don Beyer goes "beyond the pale."
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


Beyer's won "two strikes and you're out" laws and a sex offender registry in Virginia in recent years.
But yesterday, at a Richmond schoolyard, the Lieutenant Governor proposed that the worst molesters and rapists be introduced to the community they're moving into- at a public meeting.
He's NOT worried things will get ugly.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:56:36
IN Q=But they

((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: BUT THEY ))
SUPER=@Beyer1;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=children again.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The American Civil Liberties Union calls it a novel idea that fits into a new trend of "public shaming."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:53:14
IN Q=Everyone

((KENT WILLIS/VA ACLU: EVERYONE CARES ABOUT FAMILIES...IN THE FIRST PLACE.))
SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Virginia ACLU;
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=first place.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Beyer says the average repeat child molester has victimized 117 children.
(-------0---------)


S-Green


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-5
GRAPHIC=none


Former animal breeder Valery Green is in trouble again.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co./March 11;


Just a few weeks after a judge said she could no longer own any pets, animal control officers found a puppy inside a fenced in portion of her property.
SUPER=04-January;


Green lost custody of her 120 dogs and cats after a Franklin County judge ruled she mistreated them.
Authorities have issued a "show- cause" warrant against her and she's scheduled to appear in court April 8th.
If Green is found in contempt... she could face a stiff fine, or jail time.
(----------------)


E-DSM-Layoffs


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=tal
TAPE#97-16
GRAPHIC=Layoffs


The reorganization of a Wytheville Company will eliminate up to 50 jobs.
D-S-M Engineering Plastics Products is making the move to stay competitive.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wytheville/File Tape;


The company used to be called Polymer Corporation- Now it's phasing out several product lines.
It's also shifting some of its manufacturing between its plants in Wytheville and Reading, Pennsylvania.
The layoffs will take effect throughout the second half of the year.
D-S-M currently employs about 130 people in Wytheville.
(----------------)



Bedford-Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin'
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-19
GRAPHIC=education


Parents and students in Bedford County are up in arms over staffing changes at Liberty High School.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co./Last Night;


About a hundred people turned out for a school board meeting last night at Body Camp Elementary School.
Five of them spoke out in support of chemistry teacher Tim Overstreet, who is one of three Liberty staff members who reportedly will not be offered a teaching contract next year.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:57:27//8:12:41//8:15:10
IN Q=It has been said

(( ))
SUPER=01-Penny Witt/Parent; :00
SUPER=01-Tabby Wood/Liberty H.S. Student; :16
SUPER=01-Karen Toms/Parent; :32
RUNS=:42
OUT Q=students to learn.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The school board did "not" take any action on Overstreet's contract during an executive session last night.
Superintendent John Kent says he has not met with Overstreet and could not comment on the situation.
(----------------)



CA-SUICIDE


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


More details are emerging this morning on the cult suicide in southern California.
Authorities report the 65- year- old leader of the Heaven's Gate is among the 39 found dead in a Million dollar mansion outside of San Diego.
Jennifer Sabih joins us with the latest. ********take from NEWSPATH********
SUPER=01-Jennifer Sabih/Reporting;
SUPER=05-Rancho Santa Fe;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=01-Dr. Brian Blackbourne/San Diego Med. Examiner;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=BACK TO YOU.

((
HE CALLED HIMSELF SIMPLY "DOE." HIS REAL NAME MAY BE MARSHALL APPLEWHITE-- INVESTIGATORS SAY HE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS OF ONE THE 39-PEOPLE-- WHO DIED AT A MILLION-DOLLAR MANSION IN RANCHO SANTE FE.

SOT:

"I CAN BE YOUR SHEPARD.... YOU CAN FOLLOW US BUT YOU CAN'T STAY HERE AND FOLLOW US."
APPLEWHITE APPARENTLY BELIEVED THERE IS AN EXISTENCE BETTER THAN THAT ON EARTH... AND THAT THE HALE-BOPP COMET WAS THE SIGN HE HAD BEEN WAITING FOR... THE SIGN THAT A U-F-O WAS READY TO TRANSPORT HIM AND HIS FOLLOWERS TO THE "HIGHER LEVEL."
CULT EXPERTS SAY "APPLEWHITE" IS A NAME THEY KNOW WELL.... THAT BACK IN 19-75, HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO AND OREGON LEFT THEIR HOMES TO JOIN HIM AND A FEMALE COMPANION -- AND THEIR GROUP WAS KNOWN AS "THE U-F-O CULT."

(NAT:



(PIX OF INSIDE HOUSE)

FORENSIC TEAMS ARE STILL IDENTIFYING AND TESTING THE BODIES --DRESSED IN BLACK-- FOUND NEATLY ON THEIR BEDS AT THE ESTATE. THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF DEATH: ALCOHOL AND PHENOBARBITAL .... MIXED INTO APPLESAUCE AND PUDDING.

SOT: DR. BRIAN BLACKBOURNE/ SAN DIEGO CO. MEDICAL EXAMINER

"IT APPEARS THERE WERE THREE GROUPS...RED CLOTH AFTER THEY DIED."
IN THEIR POCKETS--AUTHORITIES FOUND 5-DOLLARS, A FEW QUARTERS AND AN IDENTIFICATION CARD-- ALONG WITH A BAG OF BELONGINGS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF EACH BED.
BEFORE EATING THE DEADLY DESSERT, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD BID FAREWELL VIA VIDEOTAPE.

SOT:

"I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE BUT TO GO FOR IT--BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ON THIS PLANET FOR 31-YEARS AND THERE'S NOTHING HERE FOR ME." ))

Saudi


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


Canadian authorities have formally accused a Saudi man of participating in last summer's bombing in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 U-S servicemen.
The action could help clear the way for his extradition to the U-S.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Ottawa, Canada;

4:21:23
Hani Abdel Rahim Hussein Al-Sayegh (ha-nee ahb-del rah-heem hoo-sayn al-say-egh) was arrested last week.
He is a member of a Shiite Muslim fundamentalist group with a violent history and links to similar organizations in Lebanon.
(----------------)


E-Rke-Standoff


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#97-18
GRAPHIC=Standoff


One man is in custody this morning after a tense standoff last night in Roanoke.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Police surrounded the home in the 500 block of Elm Avenue and diverted traffic, after they received a report that shots had been fired.
A negotiator spoke with Ernie J. Henderson by phone, and ultimately persuaded him to surrender.
The stand- off ended about an hour after it began when Henderson walked out the back door of the house and was taken into custody.
(----------------)



E-State-Schools


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-10
GRAPHIC=Education


Virginia is bringing home a good report card this year.
Public school students improved on nearly half of 46 performance indicators in an annual report card released yesterday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 08:05:47
IN Q=There's some

((RICHARD LAPOINTE/VA. SUPERINTENDENT FOR PUB. INSTRUCTION: THERE'S SOME NICE MOVEMENT. I BELIEVE THE MORE RIGOROUS STANDARDS THE BOARD IS MOVING TOWARD WILL TAKE US TO AN EVEN HIGHER PLATEAU.))
SUPER=@LaPointe;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=plateau.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


More students are taking algebra before 9th grade, and more are receiving advanced studies diplomas.
Last year, Virginia students showed NO improvement on nearly two-thirds of the indicators.
(------0----------)


P-Mammograms


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=cst
TAPE#597-13
GRAPHIC=mornin health check


There's been quite a bit of confusion surrounding mammograms lately.
GRAPHIC=BREAST CANCER PREVENTION


But it seems the experts may put the controversy to rest-- announcing the recommendation that women should get mammograms starting at age 40.
Here's Health Check's Connie Stevens.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The National
SUPER=01-Barbara Rimer/Cancer Inst. Advisory Board; :20
SUPER=03-Washington DC; :28
RUNS=1:27
OUT Q=CS, Health Check.

((
The National Cancer Institute has been the last holdout in the controversy over the value of mammograms for women in their forties. And experts at the NCI now say that regular mammograms for women aged 40 to 49 can reduce the death rate from breast cancer by 17 percent.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:46:01
IN Q=For women at

((DR. BARBARA RIMER/NATIONAL CANCER ADVISORY BOARD:FOR WOMEN AT AVERAGE RISK-- FOR WOMEN 40-49 YEARS OF AGE IT IS PRUDENT TO HAVE MAMMOGRAMS EVERY ONE TO TWO YEARS. ))
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=two years


President Clinton, whose own mother died of breast cancer, endorsed the recommendations.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:46:16
IN Q=Breast cancer

((BREAST CANCER IS THE MOST COMMONLY DIAGNOSED CANCER AMONG WOMEN, IT EFFECTS ONE IN EIGHT WOMEN GET BREAST CANCER, AND HAS TOUCHED NEARLY EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY INCLUDING MY OWN.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=including my own.


Now the NCI, The American Cancer Society and breast cancer advocacy groups all agree that women in their forties can benefit from mammograms. Women in high risk groups should seek medical advice to determine if they should begin even earlier and have mammograms more frequently.
But the biggest issue for many women may not be when to start but how to pay.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 16:46:49
IN Q=And we certainly

((AND WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT OUR STATEMENT ENCOURAGING AND REALLY STRESSING THE IMPORTANT OF PAYMENT, THAT THAT MESSAGE GETS OUT TO ALL THIRD-PARTY PAYERS.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=third party payers.


And of course, mammography isn't foolproof.
All women must also have yearly breast exams by a health professional.
Connie Stevens, Health Check.))
(TOSS TO BUMP)


philip-morris


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=amo
TAPE#net (edit of 597-12)
GRAPHIC=Gilmore


Some say attorney general Jim Gilmore may have crossed the line when he recently picked up a 20-thousand dollar check from Philip Morris.
(----------------)
SUPER=@File;


That's because soon after he took the donation, the Republican candidate for governor told reporters he had NO plans to withdraw Virginia's friend of the court brief on behalf of tobacco companies against the F-D-A regulations on teen smoking.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 54:57
IN Q=i think

((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FACES A SERIOUS CONFLICT OF INTEREST RIGHT NOW. ON THE ONE HAND HE'S ACCEPTING SERIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THIS INDUSTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND, HE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENFORCE OUR LAWS AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.))
SUPER=@Beyer1
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=our children.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;


Opponent Democrat Don Beyer picked up 12-thousand dollars himself from Philip Morris last year.
And his prospective running mate L-F Payne picked up a 10-thousand dollar donation.
Governor Allen admits GILMORE'S donation didn't come at the best time.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 23:31 97-12
IN Q=

((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT....DISCLOSED. WHICH MEANS EVERYONE CAN HAVE ALL THEIR POT SHOTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT IT.))
SUPER=@allen
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=comments about it.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


Gilmore was unavailable for comment yesterday.

2-E-Sex-Offenders


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-14
GRAPHIC=Don Beyer


Meantime, Don Beyer yesterday spoke about tougher mandates on sex offenders.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


Beyer's won "two strikes and you're out" laws and a sex offender registry in Virginia in recent years.
But yesterday, at a Richmond schoolyard, the Lieutenant Governor proposed that the worst molesters and rapists be introduced to the community they're moving into- at a public meeting.
He's NOT worried things will get ugly.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 09:56:36
IN Q=But they

((LT. GOV. DON BEYER: BUT THEY ))
SUPER=@Beyer1;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=children again.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The American Civil Liberties Union calls it a novel idea that fits into a new trend of "public shaming."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:53:14
IN Q=Everyone

((KENT WILLIS/VA ACLU: EVERYONE CARES ABOUT FAMILIES...IN THE FIRST PLACE.))
SUPER=01-Kent Willis/Virginia ACLU;
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=first place.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Beyer says the average repeat child molester has victimized 117 children.
(-------0---------)


S-Treeways


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-15
GRAPHIC=None


Area highways are getting a little greener, thanks to some high school volunteers and a program called "America's Treeways".
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Campbell Co.


Hundreds of redbud and willow oak trees were planted yesterday along several major roadways in Appomattox, Campbell and Pittsylvania Counties.
It's all part of a joint effort between V-DOT and the National Tree Trust aimed at beautifying the state's highways.
Since 19-91, the Tree Trust has helped plant nearly five million trees in 48 states.
(----------------)



E-Skywriter


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=spr
TAPE#97-8
GRAPHIC=Big Game


Fifty-six million dollars filled the Virginia sky yesterday.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


The sky-written message loomed over Roanoke, Richmond and Virginia Beach.
It was a promotional tactic from the Virginia Lottery- It's hoping to boost awareness for today's Big Game drawing.
The man who "wrote" the message says there are only about half-a dozen skywriters in the nation.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:30:01
IN Q=It's stick

((JIM BUTLER/SKY WRITER: IT'S STICK AND RUDDER FLYING. ACTUALLY, THE REASON WHY I THINK THEY GOT AWAY FROM IT IS THE DELIVERY CAPABILITY WITH THE WEATHER IS ONLY ABOUT FIFTY PERCENT ))
SUPER=01-Jim Butler/Sky Writer;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=fifty percent
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Butler's plane is nearly 40 years old and was once used for training during the Korean War.
The 56-million dollar Big Game jackpot is the largest ever available in the state.
(----------------)



4-Scores


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=nba


In the N-B-A,
The L-A Lakers rallied for a 102-to-98 overtime win over the Vancouver Grizzlies.
For last night's scores, let's check the boards.
(-------------)

GO TO SCORES
SUPER=#556
SUPER=X5028;
SUPER=0096-j/Chicago/96//Toronto/83////L.A. Clippers/88/j/Atlanta/103///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0096-/Cleveland/89/j/Houston/107////Orlando/93/j/San Antonio/97///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0096-j/L.A. Lakers/102//Vancouver/98//Overtime/;
SUPER=x5027;
SUPER=0098-/Florida State/73/j/Michigan/82//N.I.T.

Championship//Arkansas/64/j/Connecticut/74//N.I.T. Consolation/
SUPER=x5012;
SUPER=0095-j/Richmond/7//Liberty/6///j/Ferrum/22//St. Mary's/11///;
SUPER=x5009;
SUPER=0095-j/Virginia Tech/11//Radford/2///j/Bridgewater/7//E. Mennonite/0///;
RUNS=:42
oc=...LAST SCORE
(-------------)

6-WEATHER
SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE

SUPER=#555;RESET SUPER=316-D/70/52/D/67/53 ;
by SS