12:00-01

UPS

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


U-P-S packages are being delivered this afternoon, at least for now.
U-P-S and the Teamsters union
(----------------)
VO-NAT :11
SUPER=03-Washington, DC;

negotiated until early this morning in Washington, well past a midnight strike deadline.
But for now the union has put strike plans on hold.
Talks are set to resume in less than an hour.
SUPER=03-Roanoke;


Almost two thirds of U-P-S' three-hundred thousand employees are teamsters.
A strike would NOT necessarily stop- all deliveries but management and drivers predict delays.
Benefits, pay and pensions are the key sticking points at the negotiating table.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS
2 SOT 13:21:06-16


13;22:46-54
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=IS GOING TO TAKE MY JOB.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


U-P-S handles about 12 million packages daily.
If there is a strike analysts say Fed Express, the U-S Postal Service and other shippers wouldn't be able to pick up the slack.
(----------------)



React-ups


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tfl
TAPE#net (edit of 597-29)
GRAPHIC=ups


Local businesses who rely heavily on mail order are keeping an eye on the possibility of a strike.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/1994;


Elizabeth Arden had a bad experience back in 19-94 the last time U-P-S workers went on strike.
It was a busy season and transport managers say a lot of their shipments were delayed.
The company has already diverted some of its merchandise to alternative carriers to avoid getting trapped in the U-P-S system.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:26:54
IN Q=We've been

((JERYL ROWE/PRESORT EXPRESS:WE ARE INCREASING EXTRA STAFF TO HANDLE WHATEVER VOLUME IS NECESSARY FOR US TO HANDLE AS FAR AS FIRST CLASS PRIORITY MAIL OR OTHER MAILINGS THAT WOULD BE EFFECTED THROUGH A UPS STRIKE))
SUPER=01-Jeryl Rowe/Presort Express;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=UPS strike
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD


Some other catalog companies that use U-P-S such as Quality Fulfillment Services here in Roanoke say they're sticking with U-P-S, for now.

Decapitation-Burning


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


The N-Double-A-C-P and Justice department are investigating whether race was a factor in the decapitation and burning of a black man in Grayson County.
Police charged 42- year- old Louis Ceparano and 37- year- old Emmitt Cressell Junior with first-degree murder.
Both men are white.
They are being held without bond.
Ceparano and Cressell are accused of killing 40- year- old Garnett Johnson at Ceparano's home in Elk Creek last Friday.

Brooklyn-Bombers


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


There may be a connection between the double suicide bombing in Jerusalem last week and yesterday's discovery of explosive devices in New York.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;


Palestinian sources say the three men arrested were members of the Islamic radical group Hamas based in Jordan.
Hamas claims responsibility for the Israel attack.
The seizure of the bombs may have come just in the nick of time.
An F-B-I official says he believes the suspects were less than a day away from launching an attack on the New York subway system.
President Clinton today commented on the arrests, but would confirm the Hamas connection.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=

11:11;32 ((I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO REACH CONCLUSIONS BEFORE WE HAVE IRON CLAD EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEM, THE THIN WE NEED TO DO IS THANK THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS FOR WHAT THEY DID TO CONTINUE TO HEIGHTEN OUR VIGILANCE AND OUR CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS. ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS.
(----------------)

wipe/wipe/wipe

Israel-arrests


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=wipe/wipe/wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-West Bank;


Meantime, the Israeli army today arrested 51 Palestinians on the West Bank in connection with the Jerusalem bombing.
An army spokesman says most of them are members of HAMAS.
But Israeli officials remain uncertain about the identities of the two suicide bombers.
Fifteen people died in the blast and 150 were injured.
(----------------)



Cycle-Ax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-55
GRAPHIC=accident


Two Elliston residents are hospitalized in stable condition this afternoon following a hit and run accident.
(----------------)
VO-NAT :19
SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;


State police say Anthony Zook's car apparently crossed the center line on North-fork Road striking a motorcycle.
Kenneth and Ann Price of Elliston are listed in stable condition.
Police say Zook fled the scene. They arrested him later and charged him with hit and run and reckless driving.
(----------------)


E-Bank-Fees


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-45
GRAPHIC=Banking


Virginia bank customers may be the ones paying for the the big bank mergers.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;


That's the message from the U-S Public Interest Research Group and the Virginia Citizens Consumer Council.
SUPER=@file;


A new report shows bank profits are way up... but so are fees.
And while Virginia bank fees are "in the middle of the road" nationally, consumer advocates say the recent bank acquisitions may change that.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:11:46
IN Q=The logical

((THE LOGICAL RESULT OF HAVING THESE MERGERS IS THAT BRANCHES WILL BE CLOSED, FEES WILL BE RAISED, AND THAT THERE WILL BE FEWER CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS. AND AS THE RESULT OF THE REPORT SHOWS, THE BIGGER THE BANK THE HIGHER THE FEES.))
SUPER=01-Jean Ann Fox/Virginia Consumer Advocate;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=the higher the fees.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Banking


The consumer advocates say shop around for cheaper accounts, which you're most likely to find at smaller community banks and credit unions.
And, they say, lobby your lammakers about A-T-M fees.

budget


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=washington dc


Congress began its summer recess today after balancing the budget and giving millions of Americans the deepest tax cuts in 16 years.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Capitol Hill;


The Senate yesterday approved a pair of bills that will balance the budget by the year 2002, and cut taxes.
The bills now go to President Clinton, who's expected to sign both next week.
(----------------)




McKinney


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


Another woman is filing a complaint against the Army's top enlisted man.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Five other women already have accused him of sexual misconduct.
The Army says the latest to come forward, alleging assault, is a female sergeant first class.
A hearing is under way to determine if Gene McKinney will be court martialed.
(----------------)



Cunanan


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=mel
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE


The search for a motive continues in the Andrew Cunanan investigation.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@File;


Today's "Miami Herald'' reports that an autopsy shows Cunanan did not have the AIDS virus.
There had been speculation that Cunanan's alleged killing spree began after he learned he had contracted H-I-V.
Cunanan killed himself more than a week ago.
Police believe he killed five men, including fashion designer Gianni Versace.
(----------------)



P-Gray


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-49
GRAPHIC=None


Staying on the run from police may not be too easy for one suspected drug dealer and convicted felon.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Henry Co.;


Thirty-one- year- old Kenny Gray weighs 700 pounds and lives in a double wide mobile home in Bassett.
He was scheduled to face cocaine and gun charges in Roanoke federal court on Wednesday, but never showed up.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=None


Henry County Sheriff Frank Cassell says Gray drives a Ford Bronco custom made with a small steering wheel to fit him.
The sheriff says Gray may head to New York, but thinks he's probably holed up in Henry County.

P-Valley-Metro


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#97-51
GRAPHIC=None


A temporary contract is now in place for bus drivers at Roanoke Valley's
public transportation agency. (----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;


Valley Metro General Manager Kathy Weikel says both management and the union have agreed to extend the terms of the old contract while they continue talks to iron-out a new one.
The most recent contract expired at least three weeks ago.
A joint statement about the status of the talks is expected next week.
(----------------)



E-Death-Tax


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=97-40
GRAPHIC=Farming


Passing a farm from one generation to another is now easier, thanks to the new balanced budget.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;


The measure changes the law for inheritance taxes-- money paid to the federal government once a farm is handed-down from one generation to the next.
The old law set exemptions for the tax at 600 thousand dollars.
But, some farmers claimed that figure was too high and made it difficult to avoid selling-off farm land to pay the tax.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13.04.25 - 13.04.42
IN Q=Farmers are having

((LINDA BOITNOTT/DAIRY FARMER: FARMERS ARE HAVING TO SPEND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY TO TRY TO DO AS MUCH ESTATE PLANNING AS THEY CAN AND CAN'T AFFORD--SO THEY CAN AT LEAST THINK THAT THE FARM WILL BE ABLE TO STAY IN FAMILY HANDS.))
SUPER=01-Linda Boitnott/Dairy Farmer;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=in family hands
(----------------)
VO-NAT


Farmers in the region waged a letter-writing campaign about a month ago to pressure Congress to increase exemptions.
The goal was to raise exemptions to two million dollars, but the new budget will eventually allow only one point three million dollars.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=NONE


The revised exemptions will not go into effect until 19-98 and they'll be phased in over ten years.

S-Mason-Dixon


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#97-48
GRAPHIC=Campaign 97


Statistically the gubernatorial race may be a dead heat,
But the numbers also show that when voters know more about campaign promises... a significant number prefer Jim Gilmore to Don Beyer.
(----------------)
VO-NAT


In our latest NEWS 7/Mason-Dixon poll, 45 percent of voters are unsure which candidate's tax cut and spending plan they prefer.
32 percent say they like Gilmore's.
23 percent say they like Beyer's.
But when given more information, 55 percent say they like a plan like the one Gilmore's proposing.
27 percent are still unsure.
And after hearing the details, only 18 percent would pick Beyer's tax cut and spending priorities.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=News 7 Poll


Overall, Virginia voters we polled think the next governor should place a higher priority on cutting taxes than spending more on education and police.
That's by a margin of almost two-to-one. Take HomePage Address Fullscreen
Remember you can get the latest poll results on the W-D-B-J homepage. The address is W-D-B-J 7 dot com.

E-Pony


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=KHu
TAPE#97-46
GRAPHIC=NONE


Bidders paid a record 153- thousand- 800 dollars at the annual Chincoteague wild pony auction this week.
One Franklin County family was among those placing bids last year.
Keith Humphry has the story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Dad had made
SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; :00
SUPER=03-Chincoteague; :06
SUPER=07-Erin Murphy; :14
SUPER=01-Lee Bogle-Murphy/Erin's Mother; :37
RUNS=1:09
OUT Q=Humphry, NEWS 7.

(( Dad had made it clear they weren't going to be bringing any animals back from their visit to the pony penning at Chincoteague last year.
Erin Murphy and her Mom were there just to watch the annual auction.
Then they trotted out "Buddy," and Mom's hand shot up.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:03:15
IN Q=

((IT WAS A VERY SPOOKY FEELING, BECAUSE I GO "OH OH, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THIS THING?" AND SHE LOOKED AT ME, AND I GO, "MOM, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" AND SHE'S LIKE: "YOU WANT THE HORSE DON'T YOU?" AND I GO, "YEAH." AND SHE GOES, "WELL." AND SHE JUST RAISED HER HAND AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW WE HAD THE HORSE AND WE WERE TRYING TO SIGN THE PAPERS FOR IT.))
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=



(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:55:40
IN Q=

((I THREW MY HAND UP AT THE TIME WHEN NOBODY ELSE DID. AND I GOT HIM. I KEPT BIDDING.))
RUNS=:05


It took a couple of rounds for her to prevail. She didn't say what the winning bid was, but the average foal goes for about 17-hundred dollars.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 11:55:25
IN Q=

((THE AUCTION ITSELF WAS JUST REALLY A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH. AND I THINK YOU JUST GET CAUGHT UP IN WATCHING IT AND WANTING TO DO. I JUST THOUGHT, WELL I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO. SO I WILL. AND I DID. ))
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=


They're boarding space at a neighbor's farm for now. By the Murphy's hope to have a proper pasture of their own for "Buddy" before long.
Keith Humphry, NEWS 7.))

TOWERS-FESTIVAL


ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=five
WRITER=pev
TAPE#97-
GRAPHIC=NONE


Patrick has a special guest in the studio today.
ANCHOR=Patrick/On Record


It's the Good Life, and you can live it today at Towers Shopping Center.
From sidewalk sales, basement bargains to the bloodmobile, you can doa little bit of everything.
With me is Linda McNutt, one of the event's organizers, to tell us more.
SUPER=01-Linda McNutt/"Good Life" Organizer;
(ROLL OVER INTERVIEW)
(----------------)
VO-NAT
RUNS=1:00
(----------------)


My thanks to Linda for coming in on a busy day to tell us all about the Good Life. TRANSITION TO WEATHER N-W-Toss
SUPER=05-Roanoke;

WEATHER
SUPER=300-79/47/Calm/30.30f/97/1953/54/1997;
SUPER=301-81/38/Variable 5mph/30.28f/98/1935/52/1997;

Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Clear/& Cool/58-62/Sunny/& Gorgeous/88-92;
SUPER=331-Clear/& Cool/60-64/Sunny/& Pleasant/90-94;
SUPER=332-Clear &/Quite Cool/56-60/Sunny/Very Pleasant/86-90;
SUPER=333-Clear &/Quite Cool/56-60/Sunny/& Pleasant/86-90;
SUPER=334-Clear/& Cool/56-60/Sunny/& Pleasant/86-90;
SUPER=X5001;




JOBLESS-RATE


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=jobless rate


Good news for job seekers.
The nation's unemployment rate fell to four point eight percent in July after dipping two- tenths of one percent.
That's the lowest it's been in nearly 24 years.
The Labor Department reports 316- thousand more jobs were added to business payrolls, well above expectations.


Druck


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=S7-16
GRAPHIC=49ers


The San Francisco 49ers' top draft pick got to practice early and stayed late yesterday.
SS=Druckenmiller


Jim Druckenmiller signed a six year-- five and a half million dollar contract.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Rocklin, CA; :00


Druckenmiller receives a signing bonus of just over two million dollars. The signal caller arrived in Rocklin yesterday morning and took part in 49er training camp both in the AM and in the afternoon.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="it

((JIM DRUCKENMILLER/SIGNS WITH 49ERS:))
SUPER=01-Jim Druckenmiller/Signs with 49ers; :00
RUNS=:08
OUT Q=...where I was staying"
(----------------)
VO-NAT(Con't)


Druckenmiller is about two weeks behind on the complex west coast offensive playbook, which he studied while in LA.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I was
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=..which really helped"
(-------------)



Trades


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=aje
TAPE#net edit of
GRAPHIC=mlb


In baseball news, It was an action packed night with many players and teams made trading deals.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Oakland, CA/MLB;


The Oakland A's have traded Mark McGuire, who had played his entire career in Oakland, to St. Louis where he is reunited with manager Tony larussa. Oakland gets three pitchers in the deal.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I grew up

(( ))
SUPER=01-Mark McGuire/Traded to Cardinals; :00
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=...that's why I okayed it"
(-------------)
VO-NAT


Also, Texas Rangers' perennial all star catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has decided to stay with the Rangers.
He signs a new five year contract worth 42 million.
(----------------)




Qualify


ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Roy
TAPE#=R-37
GRAPHIC=Indy motor Speedway


Second round qualifying for Saturday's Brickyard 400 gets underway today at two o'clock
SS=Ernie Irvan


At yesterday's Busch Pole Qualifying Ernie Irvan's speedometer produced the most smoke as he captured the pole.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Indianapolis, IN/ESPN; :00


Irvan got major competition from Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip.
But with his mother in the hospital in critical condition; Irvan mustered the strength to put the Havoline thunderbird on the pole with a speed of more than 175 miles per hour.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="The thing is

((ERNIE IRVAN/BRICKYARD POLE WINNER:))
SUPER=01-Ernie Irvan/Brickyard Pole Winner; :00
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=...get the pole"
(----------------)



Mountain-Climber


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE


If you think mountain climbing is a difficult task, one man has found a way to add a new challenge.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

05:29:26, 06:21:08
SUPER=03-Tanzania/WTN;


Sixty-two- year- old Jurgen Gessau (GHEH-sow) of South Africa has successfully climbed Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.... backward.
It took five days to make the more than 19-thousand foot climb.
His son and a local guide accompanied him.
They were a bit more conventional and walked forward.
(----------------)



Peach-Festival


ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=jsu
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE


The Fifth Annual Mountain Peach Festival kicks off today at Crestar Plaza in Roanoke. TAKE FROM R1
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=05-Roanoke;


The two day extravaganza celebrates locally grown Virginia sweet peaches.
Come out to sample the tantalizing desserts, peach cobblers, peach sundaes, peach shortcakes and milkshakes.
And on Saturday enjoy live entertainment.
The festival runs through five today and from 10 to five tomorrow with proceeds benefiting the child development center.
We leave you now with a live look at the festival.
Have a great day and a wonderful weekend. HOLD SHOT FOR CLOSING COVER (----------------)
by SS