WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 07/18/97

12:00-01

danny

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=hurricane

Hurricane "Danny" is threatening coastal Mississippi and Alabama today with high winds and heavy downpours.
Danny gained Hurricane status early this morning and is now packing sustained winds of 75 miles per hour.
The erratic storm is slowly churning its way to the Gulf Coast.
In Louisiana its already downed trees and power lines and caused flooding.
Folks in Alabama are now bracing for for Danny.
Officials advise residents in low-lying areas, mobile homes and recreational vehicles to seek more secure shelter.
Lee Cowan has an update from Pascagoula, Mississippi. ****take from NEWSPATH*****
SUPER=05-Pascagoula, MS;
SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=

Cunanan

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=murder investigation

In Miami today celebrities, supermodels and friends have gathered to remember fashion designer Gianni Versace in a memorial service.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Meantime, a nationwide manhunt continues for his suspected killer, Andrew Cunanan.
SUPER=03-Miami Springs, FL/Yesterday;

Investigators are still not sure whether Cunanan is connected to the murder yesterday of a Miami physician at home some ten miles from the Versace murder scene.
But investigators believe Cunanan is still in South Florida based on phone tips to police hotlines.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
((ANNE FIGUERIAS:WE HAVE HAD A VOLUMINOUS NUMBER OF CALLS THAT HAVE COME IN SINCE MR. CUNANAN WAS IDENTIFIED AS OUR NUMBER ONE SUSPECT. THESE CALLS HAVE PROVED VERY FRUITFUL.))
SUPER=07-Anne Figuerias;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q= very fruitful.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Cunanan is so far suspected of killing five men in four states.
(----------------)

Henry-Murder

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=murder investigation

A Henry County man is dead after being shot several times last night.
Danny Hall is in jail today charged with the murder of 23- year- old David Lawson.
Hall allegedly shot his wife and Lawson at their home.
Sheriff's deputies found Hall with an assault rifle near the scene.
Sandra Hall is satisfactory condition this afternoon at Baptist Hospital.
The murder and malicious wounding remain under investigation.

Execution

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

Nine years ago Roy Bruce Smith shot and killed a Manassas police officer.
Last night the 50- year- old was executed at the Greensville Correction center.
Smith declined to ask Governor Allen for clemency, and the Supreme Court denied a stay.

E-Mary-Dalton

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-34
GRAPHIC=Legal Scales

The jury is deliberating whether a 19- year- old woman robbed and murdered an elderly man.
Her brother was convicted of the crime last year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.;

Both sides agree...
Mary Katherine Dalton relied on 72- year- old Aubrey Adkins for money and drugs.
SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./December 1995;

But Mary Dalton's brother Michael says in 19-95, she lured Adkins to the side of the road and left the passenger door wide open moments before her boyfriend shot and killed Adkins.
Mary Dalton wept yesterday as her brother testified against her.
Michael Dalton was convicted a year ago of murdering and robbing Adkins but says he confessed to protect his sister.
The DEFENSE argued Mary Dalton would have no reason to want Adkins dead.
(----------------)

army-sex

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

The Army's top enlisted man is facing new charges.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

A fifth woman has come forward alleging sexual misconduct against Sergeant Major of the Army Gene McKinney.
Today he was charged with assaulting a female officer and with solicitation of adultery.
Mckinney's hearing on sexual misconduct charges is already underway in Washington.
(----------------)

E-Boty-Growth

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#97-40
GRAPHIC=NONE

Botetourt County has become a popular place.
(TONE-ya) Tonya Flory has the story of one of the fastest growing localities in Southwest Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:57:58:10
IN Q= In the 90's
SUPER=01-Jerry Burgess/Botetourt Co. Administrator; :01
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :07
SUPER=01-Jim Johnson/Virginia Cattlemen's Association; :18
SUPER=01-Ray Sprinkle/Realtor Developer; :48
SUPER=@Tonya1; :57
RUNS=1:27
OUT Q= News 7.
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:57:58:10
IN Q= In the 90's
((JERRY BURGESS:IN THE 90'S IT'S BEEN THE FASTEST GROWING LOCALITY IN THE ROANOKE VALLEY, AVERAGING ABOUT TWO-PERCENT A YEAR INCREASE IN POPULATION))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q= in population.
The trend of outmigration from the cities is a mixed blessing, demanding more services and schools in suburban and rural areas, and sometimes putting a strain on those who make their living off the land...
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:31:53
IN Q= We were here
((JIM JOHNSON:WE WERE HERE AND OUT AGRICULTURE WAS HERE AND SOME PEOPLE ARE MOVING IN AROUND US AND IT GETS A LITTLE TOUGH))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q= little tough
But if they're willing to sacrifice the family farm they grew up on, the value of the property is double or even triple.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:59:27
IN Q= Farming is very
((JERRY BURGESS:FARMING IS VERY TOUGH NOW AND SO THEY'RE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL THAT LAND AT A GOOD PRICE IS SOMETHING THEY FEEL LIKE THEY DESERVE))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=like they deserve
although in most cases the sentimental attachment is stronger than the dollar...
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:
IN Q= In some situations
((JIM JOHNSON: IN SOME SITUATIONS YOU'LL SEE HOUSES SPROUT UP ALL THE WAY AROUND THE FARM AND WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THAT ALSO))
RUNS=:05
OUT Q= of that also
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:03:50
IN Q= There basically running
((RAY SPRINKLE:THEY'RE BASICALLY RUNNING SHORT OF GOOD LAND TO BUILD ON IN ROANOKE COUNTY. WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF BEAUTIFUL LAND IN BOTETOURT WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND THAT'S WHY PEOPLE WANT TO COME DOWN HERE))
RUNS=:08
OUT Q= come down here
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:38:14:56
IN Q= This wide open
((TONYA FLORY:THIS WIDE OPENED FIELD WILL SOON BE DOTTED WITH HOMES, BUT THE INFLUX OF RESIDENTS WON'T COST BOTETOURT COUNTY TAXPAYERS. ACCORDING TO ZONING REGULATIONS, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO BUILD THE WATER AND SEWER SYSTEM))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q= sewer system
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:01:16
IN Q= We built
((JERRY BURGESS:WE BUILT AND OPENED TWO NEW MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AND WE'RE RENOVATING AND EXPANDING THE HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, SO WE'RE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q= good shape
Subdivisions and industrial parks continue to crop up along route 220 and all over this once rural community...Tonya Flory, News 7.))

MIR

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

Yesterday's accidental blackout aboard MIR may set back repairs to the damaged space station one month.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;

NASA says it depends on how well the Russian orbiter rebounds.
Officials say right now the power situation on the station remains marginal and would have to be improved before they would allow astronaut Michael Foale to take part in a risky repair mission.
SUPER=03-Star City, Russia;

NASA's comments are in response to Russian officials, who said earlier today that further repairs would likely be put off until a new crew arrives on Mir in August.
(----------------)

VOLCANO

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

It's a union of fire and water as a volcano continues to erupt in Hawaii.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Near Hilo, HI;
10:17:46
Hot lava continues to flow from Hawaii's longest active volcano, Kilauea.
The lava is flowing six miles down to the coast where there is a cataclysmic meeting between the 18-hundred degree flow and the cold sea water.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
(( CARL THORNBER/U.S.G.S GEOLOGIST: THE VOLUME OF LAVA ERUPTING HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY WE'RE NOW UP TO RATE OF OVER 125, THOUSAND GALLONS PER MINUTE BEING ISSUED FROM THE VENT. ))
SUPER=01-Carl Thornber/Geologist;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=from the vent.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Scientists are actually relieved to see the volcanic activity because it releases pressure from the cone of the volcano.
SUPER=04-1983;

Over the years Kilauea has destroyed close to 200 homes, now only a few remain within the closest range of the lava.
(----------------)

Abortion

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=abortion

A juvenile court judge in Charlottesville says a 17- year- old may have an abortion, without her parent's knowledge.
She's the first to get a judicial waiver under Virginia's new parental notification law.
Planned Parenthood officials say she asked the judge for the exemption because she said her parents would kill her if they found out she wanted an abortion.
David Nova of Planned Parenthood of the Blue Ridge says his group has discussed the judicial waiver provision of the law with several clients.
But Nova says so far, none of them has applied for it.

FireFighters

ANCHOR=Mel
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#97-32
GRAPHIC=none

The winds of change have been blowing in the Roanoke City Fire Department for some time now.
And today the first recruits under the merged Fire-Emergency Medical Services department received their badges and certificates.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Six new recruits graduated from rookie school.
They were joined by 28 members of the former E-M-S department in finishing their fire fighting training.
All total five of the graduates are women.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q= They're assigned
((CHIEF JIM GRIGSBY/ROANOKE FIRE-EMS: THEY'RE ASSIGNED AS A FIRE COMPANY WITH THE ENGINE AND THE AMBULANCE WHICH IS A PART OF THAT FIRE COMPANY SO WHETHER THEY'RE ASSIGNED TO THE ENGINE OR AMBULANCE DEPENDS ON STAFFING. THEY COULD VERY WELL BE RIDING AN ENGINE THE FIRST DAY OR THE FIRST TWO OR THREE MONTHS.)) ((MARCI DEAL/ROANOKE-EMS ROOKIE: WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING ON OUR OWN. WE HAVE TO PASS THE SAME TESTS AS THE GENTLEMEN. THEY DON'T TREAT US ANY DIFFERENTLY.))
SUPER=01-Chief Jim Grigsby/Roanoke Fire-EMS; :00
SUPER=01-Marci Deal/Roanoke Fire-EMS Rookie; :16
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=US ANY DIFFERENTLY
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The 13 week rookie school teaches fire fighting strategy and other rescue techniques.
Recruits also had to pass a physical agility test.
The six new recruits start on the job next week.
(----------------)

E-Valley-Metro

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-47
GRAPHIC=NONE

Contract negotiations continue today between Valley Metro officials and drivers, who have been on the job for weeks with NO contract.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

One bus driver who spoke to News 7 said the company is reluctant to pay drivers more money.
He believes the company is just trying to cut costs at the drivers' expense.
About one million dollars of Valley Metro's budget comes from federal subsidies.
It's suspected that the company may not receive that money next year.
In that case, company officials plan to raise revenue by increasing fares or cutting back on service.
(----------------)

Ferrum-Police

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#net (edit of 597-32)
GRAPHIC=Ferrum College

Students at Ferrum College may feel a bit safer coming back to campus this fall.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;

The Public Safety Office has gone from a private security department to a police department.
Training is the same as any other law enforcement agency in the state of Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:52:10
IN Q=It's given our
((MIKE GRICE/DIRECTOR OF FERRUM COLLEGE P.D.:IT'S GIVEN OUR OFFICERS SOME OPTIONS AND GIVEN THEM SOME AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO NOT ONLY ON PROPERTY, BUT OFF THE PROPERTY AS WELL))
SUPER=01-Mike Grice/Ferrum College Police Director ;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=as well.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

It's a mutually beneficial relationship for the Franklin County Sheriff's department and Ferrum Police Department.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 4:06:26
IN Q=The sheriff's department
((PHILLIP YOUNG/FERRUM POLICE DEPARTMENT:THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS A LITTLE FREER TO USE US NOW BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE TRAINED TO HANDLE SITUATIONS THAT MAY ARISE IN THE AREA.))
SUPER=01-Phillip Young/Ferrum Police Officer;
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=in the area
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The new status also benefits students.
Working alongside sworn police officers, criminal justice students can take what they've learned from books and put it into action.
(----------------)

P-Little-Sorrel

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#597-23
GRAPHIC=VMI

Horse and master are together again.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lexington/1994

The cremated skeleton of Stonewall Jackson's horse, Little Sorrel (Sore-ol) will be buried at the base of his master's statue, on the V-M-I parade ground.
Jackson rode Little Sorrel (Sore-ol) in his famous Shenandoah Valley Campaign in 18-62.
And he was riding the horse a year later when he was mortally wounded by his own men at the battle of Chancellorsville.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=VMI

Little Sorrel's mounted hide will remain on display at the V-M-I Museum.

GROWIN'-IT

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=PEV
TAPE#597-34
GRAPHIC=Growin' It.

Hosta is a popular plant with many gardeners because it grows well in shady areas, which can be hard to plant.
Patrick Evans highlights an alternative to hosta, today on Growin' It.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Well, we're here
SUPER=@Patrick1;
SUPER=01-Bob Lyons/Horticulture Garden Director;
SUPER=03-Blacksburg;
RUNS=1:46
OUT Q=today on Growin' It.

WEATHER
SUPER=300-89/44/N 10/29.99F/102/1977/53/1976;
SUPER=301-88/45/NW 7/29.88S/102/1887/55/1924;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Variably Cloudy/Wind W 5-10/65-70/Partly Sunny/Not as Hot/88-92;
SUPER=331-Partly Cloudy/Cooling Off/65-70/Partly Sunny/Wind NW 10/88-92;
SUPER=332-Partly Cloudy/Chance of Storms/62-66/Mostly Sunny/& Hazy/82-86;
SUPER=333-Mostly Clear/& Comfortable/60-64/Partly Sunny/& Cooler/82-86;
SUPER=334-Partly Cloudy/Storms Possible/62-66/Mostly Sunny/& Hazy/82-86;
SUPER=X5001;

Salem

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of CL-97)
GRAPHIC=Avalanche

The Salem Avalanche wrapped up its 3 game series with the Frederick Keys Wednesday night over at Salem Memorial Stadium.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Salem/Keys vs. Avalanche; :00

In the bottom of the first; the Keys second baseman miss fired on a throw to second base; the error allows Salem's Kyle Houser to score and the Av's lead 1-nothing.
Still the same inning. Frederick again gift wraps a run. This time an errant pitch gets by the catcher and Fory Wells comes in for a 2-nothing
SUPER=34-Frederick/8/Salem/7;
advantage.
To the fourth we go. Vincente Garcia gets all of this pitch; hammering the rock over the left field wall. Wells scores as well; But Frederick comes back to win 8-7.
(-------------)

Cats

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of S7-8)
GRAPHIC=Hillcats

The Hillcats also did not fare well in their game. The Carolina League North Division leaders fell to Wilmington 2-1.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Blue Rocks vs. Hillcats; :00

It would be a pitchers duel. In the top of the seventh; Wilmington leading 1-nothing. Tony Longueira connects on a soft grounder to third and Lynchburg third baseman Aramis Ramirez; cannot find the handle and Gary Coffey comes on home. 2-nothing Rocks.
SUPER=34-Wilmington/2/Lynchburg/1;
Ramirez takes a shot at redemption with this sacrifice fly to right that plates Tony Robinson from third; 2-1 Cats; but the Rocks spoil Lynchburg's final game of the homestand by that count.
(-------------)

British-Open

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=Golf

And onto the green, Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke is the leader at the end of the second round of the British Open.
Clarke started the day with a pair of birdies and wound up with eight in all for the day.
Clarke's co-leader in round one, Jim Fuyrk (FYOOR'-ihk) is a distant six shots off the pace.
Masters champ Tiger Woods is having his problems. He's 4-over for the day through 15 holes.
The lowlight of the round so far is a quadruple bogey 8 on the tenth hole. Woods is 5-over for the championship.

Barber

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S7-11
GRAPHIC=Tiki

Former Cave Spring and Virginia star Tiki Barber signed an N-F-L contract last night.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00

Tiki has come to terms with the New York GIants. His contract is for three years. No monetary terms have been released at this time because other players' contracts are still being negotiated.
Brother Ronde is still negotiating his contract with Tampa Bay. Sources say Ronde has a good shot at starting for the Bucs this season at defensive back.
(-------------)

Donnelley

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=lbe
TAPE#net (edit of 97-45)
GRAPHIC=NONE

The Roanoke region will be highlighted in a new book, set to be published in November.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, R-R Donnelley- and- Sons, Platinum Publishing, and other local business will produce a book very similar to ones written about other cities in the U-S.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:21:33
IN Q=We're gonna
((JOHN STROUD/ROANOKE. REG. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: WE'RE GONNA PRODUCE A BOOK A HUNDRED AND SIXTY PAGE FULL COLOR BOOK, ON THE ROANOKE, NEW RIVER VALLEY, COVINGTON, LEXINGTON, SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE REGION. WHAT WE CALL THE ROANOKE ECONOMIC REGION. AND IT'S ABOUT PRIDE.))
SUPER=01-John Stroud/Chamber of Commerce;
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=pride.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The book will be even be printed here, at the new, state- of- the- art plant R-R Donnelley has built in Valley Techpark along route 4-60 on the western end (-------------) of Roanoke County.