06:00-01

TEXAS

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


The hostage stand-off in West Texas is over this morning.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fort Davis, TX;


A militant separatist group released two hostages earlier today in exchange for one of its jailed members.
The self proclaimed leader of the group "The Republic of Texas," took two neighbors hostage yesterday in retaliation for the arrest of two members by police.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT

FROM TOP STORIES
IN Q=we've started...
SUPER=01-Richard McLaren/Republic of Texas;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=World politics today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Member of the Republic of Texas believe the annexation of Texas as a state was illegal and demand Texas hold a state-wide referendum on independence.
About 100 federal, state and local police officers remain at the group's remote compound.
(----------------)



E-Goodyear-Strike


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-16
GRAPHIC=Goodyear


It's week two of a strike for nearly two thousand workers at the Goodyear plant in Danville.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

use file tape: 597-10, 97-18
SUPER=03-Danville/Last Week


Negotiators for the United Steelworkers union and management have reportedly made little progress in their ongoing contract talks, taking place in Cincinnati.
Goodyear workers in seven states walked off the job last Sunday.
Pay and benefits appear to the be the major sticking point, but the union also wants all contracts covering Goodyear's 20-thousand union employees to expire at the same time.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=hold


Management has said it will attempt to keep production going at the affected plants.
Goodyear is also reportedly seeking to reduce its labor costs at two of the factories, the Danville plant and another facility in Union City, Tennessee.

E-Wilkins-Putney


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-26
GRAPHIC=none


He's distinguished himself as the General Assembly's only independent and he's served in the state body longer than any other current member.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


But Bedford to Botetourt Delegate Lacey Putney has a new distinction.
He's the man House Republican leader Vance Wilkins likes so much that he's urging fellow Republicans to NOT challenge him for re-election.
G-O-P sources tell News 7 Wilkins has discouraged G-O-P candidates from opposing Putney.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=none


But a Forest attorney is unswayed.
He's set to announce his candidacy in a few weeks.
Putney's refused to join the Republican party after over a decade of heavy lobbying.
So why's Wilkins so fond of the former Democrat?
As one Republican puts it, Putney most often votes with Republicans now... and there's NO need to upset the apple cart.

E-Feedback/4/27


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#=Feedback
GRAPHIC=News-7 Feedback


Viewermail this week focused on a shooting in Danville, and the North Dakota flood.
Here's assignment editor Joe McKean with Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=A ten-year-old
SUPER=03-Danville/April 20; :04
SUPER=03-Grand Forks, ND/Last Week; :45
RUNS=01:31
OUT Q=McKean, News-7.

(( A ten-year-old was shot and wounded at his home in Danville last weekend.
Police didn't release a motive, but the child's mother believed the incident was related to efforts to keep drug dealers out of the neighborhood.
The shooting prompted a participant in our web page forum to write:
"...I send out my hatred for drug users and pushers. They all are weak, cowardly people who have no pride in themselves and care nothing about their own future or the future of this country. Drug users and pushers have no place in our society. The pushers belong in morgues and I hope that users can see the light enough to rethink and rebuild their lives. Let me reiterate that drug users are sick and need help. Let me also reiterate that drug pushers are slime and I would gladly and slowly break off their fingers should I have the opportunity to meet one."
Another viewer commended the continuing coverage of the great flood in Grand Forks.
"I am a native of North Dakota and just moved to Blacksburg in January. This is a temporary move and I will be back in North Dakota within a year. I enjoy being able to watch your evening news knowing that I will get the latest on the greatest natural disaster my state has ever seen. Keep up the great work."
Here's how you can send comments on news stories to News-7.
Write Feedback at P.O. Box 7, Roanoke Virginia, 24022.
The fax number for our Roanoke newsroom is 343-7269.
Email goes to news@wdbj7.com.
To access our web page, just go to www.wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

E-Graybeal


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sta
TAPE#97-23
GRAPHIC=Graybeal, Pat


He's served the New River Valley for twenty years and now he's retiring from the bench.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;


Family and friends helped mark the end of Patrick Graybeal's six years as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=JUDGE GRAYBEAL

((RICHARD CHIDESTER/FRMR. ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY; JUDGE GRAYBEAL IMPRESSED ME AS BEING VERY FAIR, ALWAYS WILLING TO LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT IN JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT, ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN, AND WE'LL CERTAINLY MISS HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Richard Chidester/Frmr. Asst. Comm. Attorney;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=MISS HIM
(----------------)
VO-NAT


He also served as Montgomery County's Commonwealth Attorney from 19-64 to 19-89.
Graybeal lost both hands earlier in his career as a prosecutor after a pipe bomb exploded on his car.
A killer he helped send to prison apparently hired someone to plant the bomb.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


Graybeal will officially step down Wednesday. On Thursday, Bob Viar -- Graybeal's successor will start hearing cases.
Viar is a lawyer in Christiansburg.

Common-Sense


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#Common Sense
GRAPHIC=Common Sense


The financial markets have given people an up and down ride so far this year.
Len Besthoff discusses an investment people may have overlooked in this week's edition of Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The Institute
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00
SUPER=@Len2; :14
RUNS=:54
OUT Q=the newsdesk.

((
The Institute of Certified Financial Planners says that an often neglected asset category is real estate.
It has been in a slump the past decade, but some experts believe it's ready for a rebound.
There are several ways to invest in real estate.
You can buy individual properties, but this type of investing requires knowing the markets and being a landlord.
There are also limited partnerships, in which a small group of people invest in property managed by someone else.
A lot of people are now checking out real estate investment trusts, also known as REITs.
These companies pool a lot of investor money and purchase properties and mortgages.
Some REITs specialize in a certain type of property, or a certain region of the country.
There are also several mutual funds that focus on real estate.
They have the greatest diversity of all the above mentioned investments.
I'm Len Besthoff with this week's edition of Common Sense, let's send it back to the newsdesk.))

Bosnia-Preview


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=THa
TAPE#=97-12
GRAPHIC=Bosnia Peacekeepers


It's been nearly three months since 46 Danville National Guard members left Virginia to help a war ravaged country rebuild.
They're peacekeepers in Bosnia Herzegovina-- a country devastated by years of ethnic and political fighting.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bosnia;


News 7's Teresa Hamilton and photographer Andrea DiRocco (Duh-ROCK-oh) recently returned from a week- long visit with the soldiers.
All this week, they'll show us what being a peacekeeper is all about.
Some of the soldiers patrol the streets, while others deliver mail or supplies to the poor.
Serving overseas has left the National guard members homesick.
But the soldiers believe peacekeepers are needed.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We'd been

((CHRIS WILES/DANVILLE NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER:WE'D BEEN TOLD THINGS WERE PRETTY BAD, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO'D BEEN DISPLACED BECAUSE OF WAR, BUT UNTIL WE ACTUALLY GOT DOWN HERE AND SOME OF THE DESTRUCTION, THAT'S WHEN IT REALLY SET IN HOW BAD IT'S BEEN DOWN HERE DURING THE WAR. CARL KEEN/DANVILLE NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER:IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M DOING SOMETHING WORTH WHILE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE OUT ON PATROL AND THE KIDS COME OUT AND WAVE AT US, IT REALLY MAKES US FEEL GOOD. ))
SUPER=01-Chris Wiles/Danville National Guard; :06
SUPER=01-Carl Keen/Danville National Guard; :14
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=feel good.
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

**TAKE PINNACLE BOARD FULLSCREEN LIVE**
Watch for the first in a series of special reports, "Bosnia Peacekeepers" today on News 7 at 6 and 11.
Teresa and Andrea take us along with a group of hometown soldiers as they search for land mines-- one of the most dangerous jobs being performed by the Southsiders in Bosnia.
(----------------)



Republic-of-Texas


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


A twelve hour ordeal is over for two hostages held by a militant separatist group in West Texas.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fort Davis, TX;


Authorities say early this morning the Republic of Texas traded the hostages for one of ITS jailed members.
The self proclaimed leader of the group took two neighbors hostage yesterday in retaliation for the arrest of two members by police.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT

FROM TOP STORIES
IN Q=WE'VE STARTED
SUPER=01-Richard McLaren/Republic of Texas;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=world politics today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Members of the Republic of Texas believe the annexation of Texas as a state was illegal and demand Texas hold a state-wide referendum on independence.
Dozens of police are still surrounding the Republic of Texas. Negotiations will resume later this morning.
(----------------)



Volunteer-Summit


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


It's a "call for action" for American volunteers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA;


President Clinton, former Presidents Bush, Carter, and Ford, and former First Lady Nancy Reagan are in Philadelphia this morning, to participate in a workshop on volunteerism.
The three-day "Summit for America's future" kicked-off yesterday with calls for Americans to, as Mr. Clinton put it, "redefine the meaning of citizenship."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=a better place.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Retired Army General Colin Powell is chairing the event, which seeks to get adults to give more of their time to the nation's children.
(----------------)



Temptations


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


Roanoke County's Temptations restaurant has closed.
That's the business that was run by undercover drug informant Javier Cruz.
Cruz's attorney contends that publicity about his client's drug activities damaged the restaurant.
Cruz left the state after reports were published last fall about drug smuggling charges against him.
His arrest in 19-91 led to an undercover role infiltrating Colombia's Cali drug cartel.
Investigators said Cruz provided information that helped lead to 136 arrests around the country.

2-E-Wilkins-Putney


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-26
GRAPHIC=none


He's served in the General Assembly longer than any other current member: 35 years.
He's its only independent.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;


But Bedford to Botetourt Delegate Lacey Putney has a new distinction.
He's the man House Republican leader Vance Wilkins likes so much that he's urging fellow Republicans to NOT challenge him for re-election.
G-O-P sources tell News 7 Wilkins has discouraged G-O-P candidates from opposing Putney.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=none


But a Forest attorney is unswayed.
He's set to announce his candidacy in a few weeks.
Putney's refused to join the Republican party after over a decade of heavy lobbying.
So why's Wilkins so fond of the former Democrat?
As one Republican puts it, Putney most often votes with Republicans now... and there's NO need to upset the apple cart.

E-Jackie-Robinson


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#=97-27
GRAPHIC=none


Professional baseball is honoring the man who changed the face of the sporting world fifty years ago.
In 19-47 Jackie Robinson crossed the color line and became the first African American player in the National League.
As Denise Allen reports Robinson's heroic performance still inspires local players.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=YOU'RE A SECOND BASEMAN
SUPER=01-Mac McCadden/Former Minor League Umpire; :07
SUPER=04-File Tape; :13
SUPER=03-Salem; :44
SUPER=01-Bill McGuire/Avalanche Manager; :58
SUPER=01-Stu Cole/Avalanche Coach; 1:19
SUPER=@Denise2; 1:36
RUNS=01:44
OUT Q=News 7
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:23:58
IN Q=YOU'RE A SECOND BASEMAN

((MAC MCCADDEN/FORMER MINOR LEAGUE UMP: YOU'RE A SECOND BASEMAN AS JACKIE ROBINSON WAS AND SOMEONE COMES SLIDING IN HIGH WITH SPIKES AND NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND YOU'VE GOT TO TURN AROUND AND PLAY ANOTHER PLAY AND REMEMBER THAT IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD AND YET CONCENTRATE ON THE NEXT PLAY. THAT'S TOUGH TO DO.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=TOUGH TO DO


Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, the first African American in the American League, inspired Mac McCadden.
Teammates threatened to walkout and Robinson and Doby weren't even allowed to stay in the same hotels with the other players.
McCadden says their triumph over hardship is a good example for today's young people.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:28:54
IN Q=NEITHER OF THEM

((NEITHER OF THEM WANTED ANYONE TO GIVE THEM ANYTHING THEY ONLY WANTED WHAT THEY DESERVED TO HAVE AND THEY JUST WANTED A CHANCE TO PROVE THEMSELVES LIKE ANYBODY ELSE THAT'S ALL THEY EVER WANTED.))
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=ALL THEY EVER WANTED
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=NAT SOT OF GAME

(( ))
RUNS=:02
OUT Q=


While Robinson made his mark in the majors, all aspiring baseball players benefit from his efforts.
This season the Salem Avalanche does not have any African American players, but other nationalities are represented on their roster.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 23:54:35
IN Q=they wouldn't

((BILL MCGUIRE/AVALANCHE MANAGER: THEY WOULDN'T HAVE LET A LATIN AMERICAN PLAYER EITHER, MAYBE AN INDIAN. WHAT HE DID SET THE PRESENT DAY AND WE'RE JUST FINALLY SEEING THE RESULTS OF IT NOW.))
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=OF IT NOW


Those results include the dream of many black players to become major league managers.
Avalanche Coach Stu Cole is working towards that goal.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 23:41:32
IN Q=I'M LOOKING FORWARD

((STU COLE/AVALANCHE COACH: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A BIG LEAGUE MANAGER, MYSELF. I'VE BEEN THROUGH ONLY TWO ORGANIZATIONS IN MY CAREER AND THERE WASN'T A LOT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE FRONT OFFICE, BUT AS TIME HAS CHANGED THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE WHO'VE GOTTEN HIRED.))
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=WHO'VE GOTTEN HIRED


And that's Jackie Robinson's legacy--a pioneer who laid the ground work so today's children can live their dreams.
Denise Allen News 7.))

2-E-Goodyear-Strike


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-16
GRAPHIC=Goodyear


Nearly two thousand workers at Danville's Goodyear plant are entering their second week on strike.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

use file tape: 597-10, 97-18
SUPER=03-Danville/Last Week


Negotiators for the United Steelworkers union and management have reportedly made little progress in their ongoing contract talks, taking place in Cincinnati.
Goodyear workers in seven states walked off the job last Sunday.
Pay and benefits appear to the be the major sticking point, but the union also wants all contracts covering Goodyear's 20-thousand union employees to expire at the same time.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=none


Management has said it will attempt to keep production going at the affected plants.
Goodyear is also reportedly seeking to reduce its labor costs at two of the factories, the Danville plant and another facility in Union City, Tennessee.

2-E-Graybeal


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=sta
TAPE#97-23
GRAPHIC=Graybeal, Pat


A New River Valley judge is retiring after more than twenty years of service.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;


Family and friends helped mark the end of Patrick Graybeal's six years as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=JUDGE GRAYBEAL

((RICHARD CHIDESTER/FRMR. ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY; JUDGE GRAYBEAL IMPRESSED ME AS BEING VERY FAIR, ALWAYS WILLING TO LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY, WHICH I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT IN JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT, ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN, AND WE'LL CERTAINLY MISS HIM. ))
SUPER=01-Richard Chidester/Frmr. Asst. Comm. Attorney;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=MISS HIM
(----------------)
VO-NAT


He also served as Montgomery County's Commonwealth Attorney from 19-64 to 19-89.
Graybeal lost both hands earlier in his career as a prosecutor after a pipe bomb exploded on his car.
A killer he helped send to prison apparently hired someone to plant the bomb.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Kimberly
SS=hold


Graybeal will officially step down Wednesday. On Thursday, Bob Viar -- Graybeal's successor will start hearing cases.
Viar is a lawyer in Christiansburg.

Robertson


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


Two pilots for Pat Robertson's Operation Blessing say that airplanes sent to Zaire for humanitarian relief were used instead for Robertson's diamond mine business.
Operation Blessing flew three planes to Zaire in September 1994.
Chief pilot Robert Hinkle said that only one or two of some 40 flights the planes made in Zaire over the next six months could be considered humanitarian.
He said the rest were mining-related.
A Robertson spokesman said the planes turned out to be unsuitable for medical relief and that Robertson reimbursed Operation Blessing for their use.

E-Mabry-Mill


ANCHOR=Kimberly
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#=97-18
GRAPHIC=none


The Blue Ridge Parkway's most photographed landmark is now open for the tourist season.
Mabry Mill and the park surrounding opened this weekend.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Floyd Co.;


The park had been closed while the staff made some repairs to the mill.
Maintenance workers spent last week dreging the mill's retaining pond.
Creeks and water from roadways filled the pond with mud and in some places the mud was higher than the water.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:31:12
IN Q=IT'S FUNCTIONAL

((LESTER WOOD/BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: IT'S FUNCTIONAL FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. WE GOT THE WATER DREDGED OUT AND WE'RE SIX FOOT DEEP WITH WATER AND ALL THE SEDIMENT IS GONE.))
SUPER=01-Lester Wood/Blue Ridge Parkway;
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=SEDIMENT IS GONE
(----------------)
VO-NAT


The park and restaurant opened this weekend.
Corn meal grinding and black smith demonstrations will start in late May.
(----------------)



Signs


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


A national conservation group says more than one-third of the billboards along federally-funded highways in Virginia don't meet the requirements of Highway Beautification Act.
The group, Scenic America, said Virginia ranks 19th in the country for non-conforming billboards.
Texas is ranked first.
For total numbers of signs, Virginia ranks 26th in the nation with more than 36-hundred billboards. Florida is number one in that category.
by SS