WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 12/22/97

12:00-01

E-Internet-Drugs

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=Drug Bust Marijuana

Local law enforcement officers may have made Virginia history.
Authorities went on line to catch a drug dealer.
Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown says the suspect was setting up drug transactions in an Internet chat room.
As a result of what they found on-line, police raided a home near Vinton yesterday and arrested 52- year- old Kirby Adams of Drewry's Hill Road.
Charges against Adams include possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

AEP

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=sgo
TAPE#97-73
GRAPHIC=AEP

The company that supplies power to most of Southwest Virginia is growing.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=@file;

American Electric Power announced today it is merging with Central and Southwest Corporation, a utility based in Dallas.
Together, the companies supply electricity to four- and- a- half million people in eleven states...
Plus another four million overseas.
Stockholders and federal regulators need to approve the deal.
If it passes, A-E-P says the merger will cost 13-hundred jobs.
But the company says its electric rates--well below the national average--will not go up.
(----------------)

Clinton-Bosnia

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Clinton, Bill

President Clinton's decision to extend the U.S peace keeping efforts in Bosnia is getting mixed reaction.
The President and his family arrived in Sarajevo, to visit troops and stress the need for their presence in the area.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Washington, DC;

Supporters of his decision say America's presence in the peace-keeping mission is paramount to its success.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 04:03:07
IN Q=I think
((SOT/WILLIAM COHEN, SEC. OF DEFENSE)
I THINK IF WE PULLED THE TROOPS OUT I'M SATISFIED THAT OTHER NATO MEMBERS WOULD ALSO DO LIKEWISE, AND THAT THE ENTIRE EFFORT WOULD PROBABLY COLLAPSE. AND THAT WE'D SEE A RESUMPTION OF FIGHTING ON SCALES THAT MIGHT EVEN EXCEED WHAT TOOK PLACE BEFORE.))
((SOT/SEN. JAMES INHOFFE, R-OKLAHOMA
IT'S GOING TO GO INTO CHAOS WHEN WE LEAVE/ WHETHER IT'S TOMORROW OR 6 MONTHS FROM NOW OR 10 YEARS FROM NOW. IN THE MEAN TIME WE'RE SPENDING 2 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR THAT COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE DEFENSE BUDGET. AND THAT'S SERIOUS))
SUPER=01-William Cohen/Secretary of Defense; :00
SUPER=01-Sen. James Inhofe/(R) Armed Service Committee; :13
RUNS=:23
OUT Q=and that's serious
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Sarajevo, Bosnia;

The Administration wants to ensure a strong economy and government in Bosnia, before the U-S pulls out.
But some Republicans in Congress say that may be impossible.
The President and his family will return to Washington tomorrow.
(----------------)

E-Christian-Layoffs

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sta
TAPE#=none
GRAPHIC=Layoffs

The focus of the Christian Coalition is shifting and so is the work force.
The group says it plans to layoff about one-fifth of its workers and end production of its magazine--Christian American by the end of this month.
Other items on the chopping block include the Samaritan Project--which reached out to black Americans.
It will now become an independent group.

Early-Abortion

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=planned parenthood

Improved pregnancy tests have paved the way for an early abortion procedure.
Kelli Bur-Keen explains one technique that doctors can perform just days after conception.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=This simple syringe
SUPER=03-Houston, TX; :00
SUPER=01-Dr. Jerry Edwards/Houston Planned Parenthood; :28
SUPER=01-Joe Scheidler/Pro-Life Action League; :57
RUNS=1:29
OUT Q=CBS News
(( THIS SIMPLE SYRINGE SIGNIFIES THE ERA OF "EXPRESS" ABORTION. NEW TESTS ALLOW WOMEN TO DETECT PREGNANCY LONG BEFORE MISSING A MENSTRUAL PERIOD. THEN, IN ONLY TWO MINUTES--WITHOUT THE NOISE AND EXPENSE OF THE MORE INVASIVE VACUUM PUMP--DOCTORS CAN END THE PREGNANCY. THE PROCEDURE, PIONEERED IN HOUSTON, IS DESIGNED FOR USE JUST DAYS AFTER CONCEPTION.
(SOT)
DR. JERRY EDWARDS "Women are really pleased to get this over with. A woman can take a pregnancy test on Tuesday. Come into the clinic on Wednesday and by the end of the week, be back to normal activity." DOCTORS PERFORM THE EARLY ABORTION PROCEDURE WHEN THE GESTATIONAL SAC IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A MATCHSTICK TIP. BUT ABORTION OPPONENTS ARE NOT IMPRESSED. TO THEM, ANY METHOD OF ABORTION IS MORALLY WRONG.
(SOT)
JOE SCHEIDLER "One way is just as bad as another. Abortion is abortion whether it is in 10 days, the day of conception or the day before birth. It is still taking a human life." EACH YEAR IN THE U-S, ONE AND A HALF MILLION WOMEN CHOOSE ABORTION. HOUSTON PHYSICIAN JERRY EDWARDS' TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN USED ON 24-HUNDRED PATIENTS IN A HANDFUL OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINICS NATIONWIDE. IT HAS FAILED, EDWARDS SAYS, ONLY THREE TIMES.
KELLI BURKEEN FOR CBS NEWS.))

Date-Rape

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

Two veterinary clinics were burglarized and doses of the "date-rape" drug stolen.
The break-ins happened within a week of each other.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bradford, PA;

Officials in Bradford, Pennsylvania, say the thieves took all the doses of Ketamine.
Doctors say the drug is odorless and colorless and when placed in drinks causes a hypnotic state.
SUPER=03-Portville, NY;

The same drug was stolen from a clinic in Portville, New York.
In this case a 450 pound safe containing the drug was taken.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 04:13:56
IN Q=THEY BASICALLY
((DR. BRADLEY MCNEILL/VETERINARIAN: THEY BASICALLY HAVE A SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS AND PEOPLE CAN ABUSE OTHER PEOPLE AS A RESULT OF IT.))
SUPER=01-Dr. Bradley McNeill/Veterinarian;
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=RESULT OF IT
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Police have no suspects in either robbery.
(----------------)

Car-Tax

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=lba
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=personal property tax

Jim Gilmore's pledge to get rid of the car tax has been credited as a major reason for his victory...
but there may be another way to lighten the personal property tax load and this one's already on the books.
A provision in the law allows localities to adjust the book value of vehicles, saying officials can take into account the condition of the car or truck.
But counties often don't get the word out because it's so much less complicated to use the book value across the board.

Controversial-Santa

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=NONE

Art or sacrilege? That's the question being asked in Manhattan.
A painting of Santa Claus has some religous groups in an uproar.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York, NY;

The work in question depicts a crucified Santa Claus with gifts at his feet.
The painting is part of a window display outside the Art Student's League on West 57th Street.
The Catholic League wants the painting taken down because they say it's unnecessarily offensive.
But the artist insists it's a satire on Christmas being commercialized.
(----------------)

E-Danville-Church

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=djo
TAPE#=97-82
GRAPHIC=none

One church is trying to take the commercialism out of Christmas and put the faith back in as members try to help those in need.
David Johnson has more.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Supplies
SUPER=03-Danville; :00
SUPER=01-Bill Motley/Abundant Life Pastor; :13
SUPER=19-David Johnson; :27
SUPER=01-Gracie Wilson/Attends Outreach Church; 1:01
SUPER=01-Angela Saunders/Attends Outreach Church; 1:15
RUNS=1:37
OUT Q=News 7 Danville.

((Families lacking a holiday meal and gifts for their children can get those items at the Abundant Life World Outreach Church.
But before getting their hands on the goods, each family must attend services.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-02:16:32
((BILL MOTLEY/ABUNDANT LIFE PASTOR; WE'RE DOING THIS TO IMPACT FAMILIES. IT'S NOT SO MUCH WHERE THEY END UP GOING TO CHURCH AFTER THEY VISIT HERE. BUT WE WANT TO IMPACT THEIR LIFE BOTH PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. ))
RUNS=:08

STAND-UP/03:03:33 ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE CHURCH STARTED DOING THIS FOUR YEARS AGO. IT BEGAN FEEDING 100-FAMILIES AND ADDED 50-FAMILIES EACH YEAR. THIS YEAR MORE THAN 250-FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE A 15-POUND TURKEY AND THREE BAGS OF GROCERIES FILLED WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. ADDED TO THAT 400-BICYCLES WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN IN THOSE FAMILIES. TOTAL COST FOR THIS COMMUNITY GIFT, AROUND 30-THOUSAND DOLLARS.))
RUNS=:21
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-02:16:36
((SOME OF THE LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE COME IN AND HELPED US PURCHASE ONE OR TWO BICYCLES. BUT PRIMARILY, THE SOURCE IS GOD. GOD'S OUR SOURCE AND OUR CONGREGATION HAVE ALL REALLY CHIPPED IN AND GOTTEN INVOLVED. WE JUST ALL WANT TO BE A BLESSING TO THIS COMMUNITY.))
RUNS=:12

Recipients like the initial gift, but say the long term benefits are what make the difference.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-03:20:56
((GRACIE WILSON/ATTENDS OUTREACH CHURCH; I FOUND A NEW PERSON IN ME. I HAD GOT JOBS THAT I THOUGHT WOULDN'T AMOUNT TO NOTHING BUT THEY DID. WORKED AT MAURICE'S FOR A YEAR. I WORKED AT FOOD COURT IN THE MALL FOR TWO YEARS. ))
RUNS=:12
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-03:23:59
((ANGELA SAUNDERS/ATTENDS OUTREACH CHURCH; I'M BUYING A HOME AND I'M DRIVING. I DIDN'T HAVE A DRIVER'S LICENSE WHEN I CAME HERE, I'M DRIVING. I'VE HAD ANOTHER CHILD AND I'M MARRIED NOW.))
RUNS=:09

The church feeds several hundred people throughout each year, but Pastor Motley says Christmas is the season for giving and the one big time when people respond best to the church's offerings.
David Johnson, News 7, Danville.))

S-Feedback

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#=Feedback
GRAPHIC=Feedback

The spirit of giving may be a big part of Christmas, but for many the holidays mean endless trips to the toy store to find what the little ones are asking for.
That task can often be daunting and some people turn to other sources.
A story we ran about buying toys on line or from the classifieds attracted one person's attention.
Here's Joe Dashiell with this week's Feedback.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=A viewer from Bedford
RUNS=:59
OUT Q=Joe Dashiell News 7

((A viewer from Bedford says she was "appalled" by our story on individuals who are re- selling the season's most popular toys at a premium.

She writes, "There are some honest parents out there that are searching at great lengths to find these items for their children. Most parents would do anything to make their child's Christmas as wonderful as can be, but not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money to do so. If your child only asks for one certain toy and you are not able to spend a lot of money, you would want at least to be able to get that one thing for them.
Whatever happened to the spirit of Christmas and giving?"

If you would like to comment on a News 7 story, please write us at P.O. Box 7, Roanoke, 24022-0007.
Fax us at 343-7269.
Our email address is news@wdbj7.com.
And you'll find a moderated online forum on our web page, www.wdbj7.com.
Joe Dashiell News 7.))

E-Japanese-Students

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=djo
TAPE#=97-83
GRAPHIC=none

Roanoke for the holidays.
That's the order for some college students from Tokyo who arrived this weekend.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

Twenty-one Japanese students from Kawaguchi College are staying with Roanoke-area residents for three weeks.
During their stay, the young women will go shopping, spend a day downtown meeting the mayor and perform at Friendship Manor.
It's all part of a Cultural-Homestay, where the students get to learn about American life while teaching their host families about the Japanese culture.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT-06:15:36
IN Q=ROANOKE VIRGINIA
((RAY MCKEE/PROGRAM COORDINATOR; ROANOKE VIRGINIA WILL BE FOR THEM THEIR FIRST EXPOSURE TO THE UNITED STATES. ))
SUPER=01-Ray McKee/Program Coordinator;
RUNS=:04
OUT Q=UNITED STATES.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The students stay will finish-up about mid-January with a trip to Disney World.
After that they'll prepare a Japanese meal for their host families as a way of saying "thank you".
The program was put together by Roanoke citizens. Directors say there are already enough volunteers for next year's homestay to accommodate around 40-visitors.
(----------------)

E-Invention-Convention

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Dal
TAPE#=97-79
GRAPHIC=none

Patents all around...that could be the next step, now that some students at Grandin Court Elementary are using inventing to make their lives easier.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday;

The results were displayed at the second annual Invention Convention on Friday.
The assignment was to create something that would help people by saving time, energy or space-- making everyday life a little easier.
If you're a tennis fanatic, and the weather is bad-- don't worry.
With this you can practice inside.
Big laundry day--no problem.
The easy roller will help you get your clothes to the washing machine.
And the light-bulb learner makes a good study guide.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:13:58
IN Q=you put the
((NOAH WRIGHT/INVENTOR: YOU PUT THE NAIL ON ONE SCREW AND THE QUESTION IS LIKE "WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE FEMALE CAT GARFIELD TRIES TO IMPRESS?" AND YOU PUT IN ON 'C' ARLENE AND IT'S RIGHT AND THE LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP, BUT IF YOU SAY ITS NAME IS LOCO THEN YOU'RE NOT RIGHT AND IT WON'T LIGHT UP.))
SUPER=01-Noah Wright/Inventor;
RUNS=:21
OUT Q=won't light up
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Teachers hope their fifth graders learn how to use their creativity and ingenuity to help others.
And if you own cats--here's one for you.
The little black box records your cat's meow.
When your cat is outside and ready to come in all he has to do is meow and the kitty door opens.
(----------------)

WEATHER
SUPER=300-35/89/Calm/30.20F/65/1949/0/1989;
SUPER=301-34/96/Variable 3/30.21F/73/1889/4/1989;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/Steady Temperatures/35-39/Partly Sunny/& Warmer/52-57;
SUPER=331-Mostly Cloudy/Winds W 10/35-39/Partly/Sunny/55-59;
SUPER=332-Partial Clearing/Steady Temperatures/35-39/Partly/Sunny/50-55;
SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/Winds W 10/30-35/Variable/Cloudiness/48-52;
SUPER=334-Mostly Cloudy/Chance of Drizzle/35-39/Partly Cloudy/& Milder/45-50;
SUPER=X5001;

Common-Sense

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=SGO
TAPE#Common Sense
GRAPHIC=Common Sense

Spending too much on gifts can add up to a real holiday hangover.
But as Scott Goldberg reports in this week's Common Sense, there are services
to help people who build up big debts. (/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=@Scott1; :00
SUPER=01-Tom Garman/Virginia Tech; :16
RUNS=:49
OUT Q=Scott Goldberg
((12/22 standup at 12:26:32 runs :14 Most years the joy-filled holiday season leaves in its wake months of anxiety, stress and even depression for people who spend more than they can afford.
Virginia Tech Professor Tom Garman says it's important to get help before getting buried under all that debt.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 12:36:47
COMMON SENSE #1
IN Q=most of us
((PROF. TOM GARMAN/VIRGINIA TECH: THERE ARE AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY. IN ROANOKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICES. THEY HAVE AN 800 NUMBER, CCCS. AND PEOPLE CAN CALL THEM UP AND GET SOME BUDGET COUNSELING. AND GET SOME ADVICE. AND IF NECESSARY THEY CAN GET ON A DEBT REPAYMENT PROGRAM WHERE THE CREDITORS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.))
RUNS=:22
OUT Q=ORGANIZATION
12/22 standup at 12:28:16 runs :10
Credit counseling services are listed the yellow pages.
And because most ARE non-profit organizations, they don't charge you for their services.
That's this week's Common Sense.
I'm Scott Goldberg.))

Giants

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (fb97-4)
GRAPHIC=cowboys/giants

The Giants will open the playoffs against the Vikings next Saturday at home, but yesterday they were in Dallas roping the Cowboys.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Irving, TX; :00

The Giants jumped out to a 20-to-nothing lead as Danny Kanell tossed this TD to a wide open Cris Calloway, and Rodney Hampton came back and scored one on a short run to complete New York's worst to first transformation.
SUPER=30-New York/20/Dallas/7/Tiki Barber - 82 Yards;

Dallas finishes the season at 6-and-10, and rest assured some wholesale changes are on the way.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="As I...
((BARRY SWITZER/DALLAS HEAD COACH:)) ((TROY AIKMAN/DALLAS QUARTERBACK:))
SUPER=01-Barry Switzer/Dallas Head Coach; :01
SUPER=01-Troy Aikman/Dallas Quarterback; :07
RUNS=:13
OUT Q=...CAUGHT UP WITH US."
(-------------)

Lions

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (FB97-5)
GRAPHIC=LIONS/JETS

The Redskins last hope to make the postseason rested with the Jets who needed to tie or beat the Lions to help them out.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Pontiac, MI/NBC; :00

And things looked good for the Skins and Jets as New York and former West Virginia star Adrian Murrell jumped out to a 10-to-nothing lead.
But Barry Sanders was going after the 2000 yard plateau.
He was bottled up early, but broke off two big runs in the second half to finish with 184 yards on the game and 2 thousand 53 for the season.
The Lions won 13-to-10 and Sanders joins Eric the Great Dickerson and OJ as the only three men to top 2000 in one season.
(-------------)

Vikes

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (fb97-3)
GRAPHIC=vikings/colts

The Skins then needed the Vikings to lose to the Colts to put them in the N-F-C playoffs as a wildcard team.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Minneapolis, MN/NBC; ;00
But Minnesota veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham tossed four touchdown
passes.
Three of the scoring strikes were caught by Cris Carter, as the Vikings beat
the Colts 39-to-28 to snap a five SUPER=30-Indianapolis/28/Minnesota/39;
game losing string and get themselves in the playoffs.
(-------------)

Express

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=EXPRESS/WHEELING

And from the football to hockey. The Roanoke Express moved into third place in the Northeast Division last night with a character building road win at Wheeling.
The Express was down 2-to-nothing in the third, but scored three unanswered goals to win the game 3-to-2.

Four-Year-Old

ANCHOR=Denise
NEWSCAST=Morn
WRITER=lba
TAPE#Lucy Hold
GRAPHIC=NONE

A special little girl in Salisbury North Carolina is making a lot of noise.
David Whisenant (wizz-net) tells us at four- years- old, McKenna Bernhardt is taking to the radio airwaves every day.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Salisbury, NC;:00
SUPER=01-Kent Bernhardt/McKenna's Dad;:20
SUPER=01-Cindy Bernhardt/McKenna's Mom; :49
SUPER=01-David Whisenant/Reporting; 1:19 (no SU)
RUNS=1:32
OUT Q=CBS NEWS