WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/28/98

12:00-01

State-Emergency

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=Winter storm

Governor Jim Gilmore is being briefed at this hour on storm conditions in the western half of the state.
A spokesman for the Governor says he's likely to name several localities in a state of emergency declaration today.
That would free up the Virginia National Guard to help with disaster relief efforts.

EARLY-WX

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=pev
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE

Good afternoon Melanie, the precipitation in various forms continues around the region, but the storm is lifting out of the area, heading North and out to sea. STORMWATCH/FULL
As you can see here, flooding is now becoming the main concern, with the Dan River already a couple of feet above flood stage, and Blacks Creek in Rockbridge county also caused the national weather service to issue a flood warning for that area. WX-PRO/FULL
On the regional satellite, watch the storm pulling out of the area, with still a fair amount of rain and snow lingering in its wake. It will be several hours before we clear the rain/snow shield entirely, but things should steadily improve as we progress through this afternoon.
Tonight, lows will dip into the twenties, likely freezing many spots, so beware of icy patches and treacherous driving condition first thing tomorrow. TWO SHOT TOSS
Coming up, we'll have a full accounting of the next day's weather, Melanie.

Roanoke-Snow

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-97
GRAPHIC=winter storm

From snow to slush to rain, Southwest Virginia is experiencing a wide range of weather conditions, and none of it looks good.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Tina/Carport

Tina Tenret's been hitting the roads in our region -- Tina, what's out there?
Live=Tina Full/Carport
SUPER=@Tina1;
SUPER=05-Roanoke;

Melanie - rain in Roanoke, snow in Botetourt, and sleet near Lynchburg -- no matter where you are, stick to the main roads and stay off the side streets.
(Rollcue:stay off the side streets)
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In the low-lying areas
SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT; :00
SUPER=03-Roanoke; :13
SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :31
RUNS=:52
OUT Q=significant accumulation
(((/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:31:12
IN Q=In the low lying
((LAURA BULLOCK/VDOT: IN THE LOW-LYING AREAS, ESPECIALLY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY AND IN HENRY COUNTY WE HAVE SOME REPORTS OF SECONDARY ROADS BEING BLOCKED BECAUSE OF HIGH WATER. PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THAT THROUGHOUT THE DAY.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=throughout the day

Roanoke streets are flooding too -- steady rain and melting snow could make those floods worse.
Secondary roads are particularly bad because VDOT's clearing main roads first.
Roanoke police are still reporting no major accidents.
But head up the interstate to Botetourt County and you'll need to slow down -- there's very little traction in this slippery slush.
Cars are sliding off the road, trucks pulling over rather than forging further north.
Some residents have decided to dig themselves out -- but again, it all depends on which neighborhood you live in.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:30:30
IN Q=In the Henry County
((IN THE HENRY COUNTY AREA THE PAVEMENT IS MOSTLY WET BUT IN PATRICK COUNTY WHICH IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT ACCUMULATION.))
RUNS=:07
OUT Q=significant accumulation))
Live=Tina Full/Carport
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
( ad lib)

Double Boxes=Melanie and Tina/Carport

NRV-Snow

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=THa
TAPE#97-89
GRAPHIC=winter storm

The New River Valley is also digging out from this latest blast of winter weather.
Residents are not only dealing with slushy roads but also thousands of power outages.
Double Boxes=Melanie and Teresa/Microwave

Teresa Hamilton joins us from Blacksburg with the latest.
Live=Teresa Full/Microwave
SUPER=@Teresa1;
SUPER=05-Blacksburg;

Melanie-- here in the New River Valley most primary roads are in good shape-- but the secondary roads are altogether a different story.
(Rollcue:a different story)
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Definitely
SUPER=01-Dan Brugh/VDOT Resident Engineer; :00
SUPER=03-Pulaski Co./Yesterday; :13
SUPER=01-Bill Madison/Business Owner; :59
RUNS=1:05
OUT Q=and disappear.
(((/////SOT/////)
45:42:15
SOT
IN Q=Definitely
((DAN BRUGH/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER:DEFINITELY THE WORST ONE THIS YEAR, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, SO FAR AS, AS, THE OPERATIONS DURING THE DAY YESTERDAY, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THEY RANK UP THERE WITH THE 93 AND 96 BLIZZARD. ))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=blizzard.

Yesterday-- definitely wasn't a good day-- for VDOT crews.
Interstate 81-- in Montgomery and Pulaski Counties-- provided one of the biggest headaches.
Simply put-- the snow was falling faster than crews could scrape the roads.
And-- the numerous fender benders on the interstate-- didn't help matters.
As a consequence-- VDOT is behind schedule-- in terms of secondary roads.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=They
((DAN BRUGH/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER:THEY ARE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TRAVEL, AND WIT THE QUANTITY OF SNOW, AS HEAVY AS IT IS, IT'S GOING BE A VERY SLOW PROCESS. ))
SUPER=
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=slow process.

In fact-- some secondary roads-- in Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties probably won't get scraped today.
But despite the headaches-- some are actually enjoying this latest gift from Mother Nature.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I'd like
((BILL MADISON/BUSINESS OWNER:I'D LIKE TO SEE IT STICK AROUND A LITTLE LONGER-- BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO TURN TO RAIN AND DISAPPEAR. ))
RUNS=:06
OUT Q=and disappear.))
Live=Teresa Full/Microwave
SUPER=05-Blacksburg;
(Ter adlib about power outages)

Double Boxes=Melanie and Teresa/Microwave
(Question: Are there any shelters open?)

Lake-Level

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#97-90
GRAPHIC=Winter storm

The water level at Smith Mountain Lake is on the rise.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Bedford Co.

American Electric Power says the lake will be over full pond this morning.
The power company says the best estimate at this point is that it will be about six inches higher than normal.
Officials say that shouldn't cause any major problems.
But heavy rain could push that level higher.
(----------------)

CLINTON

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=Clinton

President Clinton is in the nation's heartland this afternoon to push the proposals he highlighted in last night's State of the Union address.
Meantime, back in Washington the Whitewater grand jury continues its probe into the sex scandal involving Mr. Clinton and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Drew Levinson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Capitol Hill/Last Night;
SUPER=04-May 8, 1996;
SUPER=@File;
SUPER=01-William Ginsburg/Lewinsky's Lawyer;
SUPER=03-Portland, OR;
SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting;
RUNS=:00
OUT Q=cbs news washington
(( THE PRESIDENT IS ON THE ROAD TAKING HIS STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE TO THE NATION'S HEARTLAND...AND DISTANCING HIMSELF LITERALLY FROM THE NATION'S CAPITAL WHERE HE'S EMBROILED IN A SEX SCANDAL.
His programs for ECONOMIC STRENGTH, and THE SALVATION OF THE NATION'S SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM got a mostly warm reception...he also got to talk tough to iraq:
But THE SCANDAL-IN WHICH CLINTON IS ALLEGED TO HAVE HAD A SEXUAL AFFAIR WITH THEN 21-YEAR OLD WHITE HOUSE INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY WAS NOT MENTIONED.WHILE THE PRESIDENT IS OUT OF TOWN-A FEDERAL GRAND JURY CONTINUES ITS PROBE INTO THE ALLEGED AFFAIR AND SUBSEQUENT COVERUP-A CHARGE THE PRESIDENT DENIES. FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF LEON PANETTA appeared this Morning...LEWINSKY STARTED HER WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP IN PANETTA'S OFFICE... no word yet on if and when lewinsky will make her appearance...or on whether the independent counsel will accept her terms for not being prosecuted.... her lawyer this morning tells cbs news...that beyond feeling isolated..she's holding up:
William Ginsburg/lewinsky lawyer "she's mentally very tough"
MEANWHILE A MAN PROFESSING TO BE HER FORMER LOVER CAME FORWARD LAST NIGHT...WITH STORIES OF A FIVE YEAR EXTRA MARITAL AFFAIR. HE CLAIMS SHE SPOKE OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH A HIGH LEVEL FEDERAL OFFICIAL.
S/U:DREW LEVINSON/CBS NEWS.))
Ethics-Clinton
NEWSCAST=noon
ANCHOR=Melanie
WRITER=eea
TAPE#=97-92
GRAPHIC=Clinton

Press coverage of the White House scandal is not sitting well with a Washington and Lee Journalism Ethics professor.
(------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lexington

Lou Hodges calls the coverage "disastrous".
He says in the rush to get stories on the air, the press is bypassing the editorial process that separates rumor from fact.
He also says the press is allowing itself to be used by both sides of the conflict.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 3:08:01
IN Q=the press has
((LOU HODGES/W&L ETHICS PROFESSOR; THE PRESS HAS SIMPLY BEEN DRAGGED ALONG LIKE A LITTLE DOG, FOLLOWING AND BEING WILLING TO BE MANIPULATED BY THE ACTORS IN THIS WHOLE DRAMA. THAT IS A TERRIBLE ROLE FOR THE PRESS TO PLAY, A TERRIBLE WAY TO ACT.))
SUPER=01-Lou Hodges/W&L Ethics Professor;
RUNS=:14
OUT Q=way to act
(------------)
VO-NAT

Hodges says while the press has damaged itself, it can redeem itself, by slowing down, stepping back, and separating fact from hearsay.
(------------)

IRAQ-reax

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#net
GRAPHIC=iraq conflict

President Clinton's speech last night included a strongly worded warning to Iraq.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;
7:23:04
Mr. Clinton said Baghdad cannot defy the will of the world.
There was defiant reaction to that statement on the streets of Baghdad today.
Some Iraqis said they were not scared by the threats and would fight until the embargo is lifted.
The U-S warning comes as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright travels to Europe and the Persian Gulf today seeking backing for a military response to put maximum pressure on Iraq.
(----------------)

GHANDI-SENTENCE

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=NOON
WRITER=MEL
TAPE#NONE
GRAPHIC=NONE

Death sentences are rare in India -- but today a judge sentenced 26 people to death for the assassination of former Prime Minister (rah-ZHEEV') Rajiv Gandhi.
Gandhi and 17 others were killed in an explosion at a political rally in 19-91.
Their killers were linked to a Sri Lankan separatist group.
Lawyers say the man who built the bomb and another person were convicted of murder.
The others helped plan the bombing.

E-Barnette

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=jmc
TAPE#598-3
GRAPHIC=Legal scales

A North Carolina jury returns to court tomorrow to decide if a Charlotte man should be executed for the deaths of two people, including a Roanoke woman.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/January 6

(A-keel-lia) Aquilia Barnette was convicted of killing Robin Williams in June 19-96.
Prosecutors said he killed her after murdering a man at the Charlotte airport and stealing his car.
The trial is the first federal capital case in North Carolina since the federal death penalty was reinstated a decade ago.
(----------------)

E-Liberty-Teacher

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

A different type of Drug problem at a Bedford County school.
A TEACHER has been charged with buying marijuana from one of her students.
37- year- old Suzanne Renee Hudson was picked at Liberty High School yesterday.
Authorities say Hudson had a small amount of marijuana on her when she was arrested.
She's charged with possession and three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Charges against the student may be pending.

E-L'burg-Council

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#97-94
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg

It's full steam ahead for Lynchburg plans to renovate its old train station.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg

Last night, city council voted to spend nearly 200-thousand dollars on the second phase of the project.
That matches twenty percent of the 900-thousand dollars the city has already received in federal grants.
SUPER=@file;

The money will help to buy up the surrounding land and to stabilize the 80- year- old building.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 7:59:43
IN Q=We anticipate the
((BOB WHITE/SPECIAL PROJECTS PLANNER: WE ANTICIPATE THE NEXT STEPS FOR THE PROJECT TO INCLUDE TAKING APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO STABILIZE THE EXISTING TRAIN STATION AS WELL AS THE A.C.S. BUILDING, TO CONTINUE IDENTIFYING FUNDING SOURCES AND DEVELOPING A MARKETING PLAN TO PROMOTE THE PROJECT BOTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND TO OTHER POTENTIAL SOURCES OR AVENUES OF SUPPORT.))
SUPER=01-Bob White/Special Projects Planner; :00
RUNS=:20
OUT Q=avenues of support.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

The cost of the entire project is expected to exceed three million dollars.
(----------------)

S-Deregulation

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Noon
WRITER=equ
TAPE#98-5
GRAPHIC=Session 98

Another topic of debate in Richmond is deregulation of the electric power industry in the Commonwealth. But one Virginia senator wants to shed some light on the subject.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

For A-E-P customers who are shown in yellow on this state map-- deregulation in the industry could actually drive some of the lowest rates in the nation UP.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT REASOR TAPE 06:09
IN Q=AEP territory
((A-E-P TERRITORY, SINCE THAT'S WHERE I LIVE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE EVEN BETTER RATES THERE THAN PERHAPS OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE. BUT ON AVERAGE, THE RATES ARE VERY GOOD, AND IT IS RELIABLE SERVICE. WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN THE DEBATE'S OVER AND THE DECISIONS ARE MADE, THAT CONTINUES. AND I THINK TO DO THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS AND VERY SLOW IN OUR APPROACH.))
SUPER=01-Sen. Jack Reasor/(D) Bluefield;
RUNS=:17
OUT Q=our approach.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

So Bluefield Senator Jack Reasor has introduced his own bill to compete with one from Virginia Power.
Virginia Power's bill is carried by a northern Virginia delegate.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT bruce 12:22:34
IN Q=Some have
((DEL. KEN PLUM/D-RESTON: SOME HAVE SAID MAYBE WE NEED TO STUDY IT FURTHER. AND BASED ON MY TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE I'LL TELL YOU YOU CAN STUDY IT FROM HERE ON OUT. BUT THE THING BEING AT SOME POINT THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT PENS TO PAPER. YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING ON THE TABLE.))
SUPER=01-Del. Ken Plum/(D) Reston;
RUNS=:15
OUT Q=on the table.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=HOLD

Senator Reasor says Virginia Power's push for deregulation this year would benefit the company more than the customers.

E-Botetourt-Water

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=tte
TAPE#97-100
GRAPHIC=none

The town of Fincastle has levied a hefty water bill against Botetourt County.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Fincastle;

Botetourt's new courthouse needs a sprinkler system in case of fire.
It must pay Fincastle fifty thousand dollars for the hookup, about eight times what the job would cost in Roanoke.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 10:36:54
IN Q=Our contractor
((KURT HODGEN/ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: OUR CONTRACTOR WILL PHYSICALLY MAKE THE CONNECTION AS WELL. WE'RE JUST SENDING THEM $51,000 JUST FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF CONNECTING TO THEIR MAIN LINE.))
SUPER=01-Kurt Hodgen/Assistant County Administrator;
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=their main line
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Fincastle's water rates have been the same for eight years.
In this tiny town, the money is more than just a drop in the bucket.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:49:34
IN Q=We do not
((HELEN MORRIS/FINCASTLE MAYOR: WE DO NOT HAVE A TOWN TAX. WE HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO RECEIVE ANY INCOME SO WE HAVE THIS TO PROTECT OURSELVES.))
SUPER=01-Helen Morris/Fincastle Mayor;
RUNS=:09
OUT Q=to protect us
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Botetourt County says it will pay the bill but will not forget the financial hit.
(----------------)

N-W-Toss
SUPER=05-Roanoke;
WEATHER
SUPER=300-33/100/Northeast 8mph/30.15f/71/1944/ 2/1987;
SUPER=301-32/96/North 9mph/30.16f/74/1944/ 3/1982;
Forecasts
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Clearing/& Colder/26-30/Partly Sunny/& Warmer/50-53;
SUPER=331-Clearing/& Colder/28-32/Partly Sunny/& Warmer/52-55;
SUPER=332-Partly Cloudy/& Colder/25-29/Partly Cloudy/Showers/43-46;
SUPER=333-Partial/Clearing/24-28/Partly Cloudy/Showers/43-46;
SUPER=334-Partly/Cloudy/26-30/Cloudy/with Showers/42-45;
SUPER=X5001;

Tech

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=sma
TAPE#=net (edit of TB98-1)
GRAPHIC=Atlantic 10

Virginia Tech couldn't end their losing streak last night as La Salle chalked up another win.
(----------------)
VO-NAT #eng
SUPER=03-Blacksburg/ESPN; :00

In the first half; the Hokies faced the Explorers full court pressure. Andre Ray finds a seam for the basket off the pass from Roland Roberts.
The Explorers answered. The Hokies lose the handle and the turnover leads to this two handed jam by La Salle's Mike Gizzi.
SUPER=33-La Salle/72/Va. Tech/68;

The Hokies took the lead early in the second half. Russ Wheeler finishes the play with the shot; 42-39 Tech. La Salle wins it 72-68.
(-------------)

UVa

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#net (edit of VB98-1)
GRAPHIC=ACC

The Virginia Cavaliers lost to Wake Forest to split their seasonal series with the Deacons.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/JP Sports; :00

Wake's Robert O'Kelley would end a lackluster first half for both teams with this three pointer as Wake led 22-to-21 at the break.
Tony Rutland would help get the Wake lead up to 10 in the second half with this nice assist.
But Curtis Staples 24 point effort put U-V-a on top late.
SUPER=33-Virginia/55/Wake Forest/62;

But Wake would pull away again and beat Virginia down the stretch 62 to 55. U-V-a is now 10 & 11 overall.
(-------------)

Henson

ANCHOR=Patrick
NEWSCAST=noon
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S8-4
GRAPHIC=BO HENSON

E.C. Glass head football coach Bo Henson found out last November that his services as the Toppers' head football coach were no longer needed.
Since that time he has declined to comment on the dismissal.
But yesterday he broke his silence and said among other things that his superiors weren't happy with the makeup or the behavior of his football team.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="The only...
((BO HENSON/GLASS HEAD COACH FOR 19 YEARS: THE ONLY REASON GIVEN IS I WANT THE PROGRAM TO GO IN A NEW DIRECTION. FOOTBALL PLAYERS FATHERING BABIES, WE NEED MORE WHITES ON THE TEAM, WE NEED MORE WHITES IN THE STANDS. YOU KNOW I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THIS. AND THESE WERE THE THREE BASIC PROBLEMS THAT EVIDENTLY SOMEONE HAS AND THIS IS WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ME AND IT WAS A VERY SHORT MEETING AND WE DIDN'T HUG AND KISS WHEN WE LEFT BUT THIS WAS IT AND THAT'S ALL THE COMMENT I'M GOING TO MAKE ON IT.))
SUPER=01-Bo Henson/Glass Head Coach for 19 Years; :00
RUNS=:35
OUT Q=...ON IT."
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Patrick
SS=henson

Bo says at this time he's not sure if he wants to coach again at another school.

Promo

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

Don't forget to tune in to News 7 every weekend morning take Wknd Am Promo 9403essC
(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)

From 8 to 9 Denise Allen and Andrew Freiden will have the latest news, weather and sports on News 7 Saturday Morning and News 7 Sunday Morning.
(----------------)

BALLOON-LAUNCH

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

Another attempt to circle the globe non- stop in a hot air balloon is underway this afternoon.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Switzerland;

A Swiss pilot, along with a Belgian and a British crew member, took off this morning from the Swiss Alps.
They're planning to spend the next two weeks in the air, heading across Europe to North America.
Virgin Record executive Richard Branson will begin his round the world attempt this weekend with a launch from Morocco. (----------------)