[Task-force]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=alcohol abuse]


A rash of alcohol-related deaths on Virginia's college campuses is bringing a state task force together today.
The task force meets at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg at 3 p-m.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


Tech student Mindy Somers was just one student who died in the Commonwealth last year.
The 18-year-old fell to her death from a high-rise dormitory in October.
Autopsy results showed that the Somers had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit when she died.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[SS-UVa]
Meantime, U-Va President John Casteen says alcohol is the reason he is postponing the University's fall fraternity rush until January.
Some fraternities are angry about the measure... but Casteen says he took the action after the fraternities refused to endorse an alcohol-free ``rush.''

[Underfunded-Training]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-27]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Is a lack of funding costing the Virginia Army National Guard when it comes to training?
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Roanoke-based officials say no- at least not yet.
The local battalion is one of many that have been feeling the cutbacks for nearly a year.
The reduced funding is resulting in rations on food, supplies and gas.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=09:21:34]
[IN Q=THOSE ARE THE]

((MAJOR BOB HUNT/VA. NATIONAL GUARD; THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR TRAINING READINESS. IN THE PAST WE'VE BEEN TOLD TO DO MORE WITH LESS. IT'S GETTING TO WHERE WE HAVE TO DO LESS WITH LESS.))
[SUPER=01-Major Bob Hunt/Va. National Guard;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=LESS WITH LESS.]


The situation is causing a difference of opinion among the rank and file.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=09:10:54/09:17:43]
[IN Q=IF WE EVER]

((SGT. MIKE MITCHELL/VA. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD; IF WE EVER DO GET ACTIVATED AND WE DON'T HAVE THE PROPER TRAINING, IT COULD COST LIVES.)) ((PFC CAROL SABO/VA. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD; WE ADAPT AND OVERCOME. JUST BECAUSE WE CAN'T BE EXACTLY WHERE WE NEED TO BE DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T BE PREPARED.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Mike Mitchell/Va. National Guard; :00]
[SUPER=01-PFC Carol Sabo/Va. National Guard; :08]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=BE PREPARED.]
(----------------)

[vo/nat]
[super=03-Roanoke]


Officials say the unit's combat readiness is not being affected-- for now.
(----------------)


[ASSAULT-RIFLES]


[ANCHOR=mELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=none]


President Clinton has issued executive order permanently banning the import of nearly 60 foreign made assault weapons.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]


The President made the announcement today from the White House Rose Garden with a wall of uniformed police officers as his backdrop.
[SUPER=@File;]


Most of the affected guns are variations of AK-47's and uzi's.
A Treasury Department review found the guns in question don't meet requirements for import for sporting purposes, mainly because they can be fitted with large capacity magazines.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]

[11:00:12-29]
[IN Q=as everyone knows you don't need...]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=for a night on the streets.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Importers will be allowed a 30-day period to appeal the Treasury findings.
(----------------)

[wipe wipe wipe wipe]

[pena-resignation]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=wipe wipe wipe]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


President Clinton's Energy Secretary is stepping down.
Federico Pena announced his resignation at a press conference just minutes ago.
Pena is the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Clinton administration. He also served in Clinton's first term, as transportation secretary.
(----------------)



[PEACE-TALKS]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Pivotal peace talks are underway this afternoon in Northern Ireland.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Belfast;]

[7:02:35 and 7:04:11]
Former U-S Senator George Mitchell is outlining his much- awaited plan for a compromise on how rival Protestant and Catholic factions can govern Northern Ireland.
Negotiations began back in June Negotiations began back in June 1996. Mitchell wants talks between the eight parties involved to wrap up by Thursday, before the four-day Easter holiday begins.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]

[7:04;11]
[IN Q=]

(( DAVID ANDREWS, IRISH FOREIGN MINISTER: "IT IS CERTAINLY THE LAST CHANCE FOR PEACE IN THIS GENERATION. I THINK THAT THE PARTIES ARE DETERMINED THE STRONG LEADERSHIP OF SENATOR MITCHELL WILL BRING THE PROCESS TO A POSITIVE CONCLUSION BY THURSDAY." ))
[SUPER=01-David Andrews/Irish Foreign Minister;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=by Thursday.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Ireland's prime Minister has kept up a steady dialogue with with the I-R-A'S political wing, Sing Fein, promising them that the deal will protect their minority rights even though it will not give them independence.
(----------------)


[TAP]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=TAP]


Community action is taking on an international focus this month for two non-profit agencies in our area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Total Action Against Poverty and the United Way of Central Virginia are hosting five professionals from Perm, Russia.
The group is studying non-profit management during a three week visit to central and western Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT UB 09:38:54]
[IN Q=]

((VASILI V'IUZHANIN: AND I PERSONALLY WANT TO LEARN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THEIR LIFE, ABOUT THEIR CULTURE, ABOUT THEIR TRADITIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Vasili V'iuzhanin/Russian Visitor]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=their traditions.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=TAP]


Since 1994, more than 100 Russian and Ukrainian business people, government officials, and law professionals have

visited our region through the Community Connections program.[Breast-Cancer]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=breast cancer]


Thousands of women at risk of getting breast cancer may have a new weapon.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


Today the National Cancer Institute is expected to announce the results of a six year study on the drug (tuh-MAHX'-ih-fin) Tamoxifen.
For years Tamoxifen has been used to treat cancer.
This new study shows that it also cuts the risk of cancer by nearly half.
One specialist calls it a major breakthrough.
(----------------)


[E-Hinton]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#98-22]
[GRAPHIC=none]


A Botetourt County civic group wants to rename a historic black school, and they want the input of the N-double-A-C-P.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


Botetourt County officials plan to preserve the original slave cabins on the Greenfield Plantation, but have changed the name of Central Academy, the area's first black school, to William Clark Middle.
The group says that selectively excludes part of the county's black history.
So it is trying to cut funding for the Greenfield Development-- until the name of the school is restored.
(////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We're a multicultural]

((VEE HINTON/COUNTYWIDE LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE; WE'RE A MULTICULTURAL COUNTY AND WE FEEL THAT THE POWER OF THE NAACP IS NEEDED DUE TO A LOT OF ISSUES FACING US. WITH THE RENAMING OF THE SCHOOL, THE RESURRECTION OF SLAVE QUARTERS. WE JUST FEEL THE PRESENCE OF THE NAACP IS VERY NEEDED HERE IN BOTETOURT.))
[SUPER=01-Vee Hinton/Countywide League Rep.;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=here in Botetourt.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Members of the group met with Roanoke N-Double-A-C-P President Martin Jeffrey yesterday about starting their own chapter of the organization in Botetourt.
The group expects to have its branch of the N-Double-A-C-P up and running by next month.
(------------)


[HOLY-WEEK]


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


The Christian holy week is now underway.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rome;]

In Rome yesterday, Pope John Ppaul the second marked Palm Sunday by blessing palms and celebrating mass in St. Peter's square. And in Jerusalem, Christians re-traced the route Jesus is believed to have taken five days before he was crucified.
(----------------)

[WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]

[PILGRIMAGE]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=wipe/wipe/wipe]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mecca, Saudia Arabia;]


Today is one of the most sacred days of the Islamic calendar.
More than two million Muslims stood in prayer today at Mount Arafat, overlooking the holy city of Mecca.
It's the site where muslimis say the Prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon 14 centuries ago.
The annual pilgrimage is a sacred and life-long obligation for many of the world's muslims.
(----------------)


[Dig-Folo]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-25]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Some Radford University anthropology students may be onto something...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The group is looking for unmarked graves in the "McClanahan Cemetery". At least eight pits were found during the archaeological dig.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=12:51:04]
[IN Q=IN A WAY]

((CLIFF BOYD/ANTHROPOLOGY PROFESSOR; IN A WAY WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OUR MISSION IN SEEING THAT THERE ARE SOME GRAVES WIDELY SCATTERED IN THIS AREA. THEY AT LEAST HAVE SOME BETTER BOUNDARIES NOW TO SAY THIS IS A CEMETARY. THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD PROTECT. THIS IS WHAT WE SHOULD MAINTAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Cliff Boyd/Anthropology Professor;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=we should maintain.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

As many as 100 people are believed to be buried in the cemetery, including an 1812 war colonel. It has not been determined how long it will take to locate each pit. Boyd says he may return in the fall with another class to continue the search. The Sons of the American Revolution plan to restore the private lot once all of the graves are located.
(------------)


[E-Fisher-Peak]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-24; 27:17]
[GRAPHIC=none]


It will soon become reality...
The Fisher Peak Music Center, a tourist attraction that celebrates the area's traditional music, is coming to Southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co./File Tape;]


Congress has appropriated five- point- two million dollars for the first phase of construction. And the land has been acquired along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Carroll and Grayson Counties.
Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher says the project is now on track for a groundbreaking later this year.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TIME CODE 13:55:31]
[IN Q=We are now looking at ways]

((REP. RICK BOUCHER/D- NINTH DISTRICT: WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT WAYS TO REVISE THE PLANS TO MAKE EVEN A BETTER STRUCTURE THAN THE PLANS THAT ARE NOW ABOUT FOUR YEARS OLD CONTEMPLATE. AND SO WE'RE NOT BREAKING GROUND THIS MONTH OR NEXT, BUT DURING THE SUMMER WE'LL GET THIS WORK UNDER WAY.))
[SUPER=@Boucher;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=get this work underway.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Boucher says enough money has been set aside to build infrastructure, an amphitheater and hiking trails. A second phase of construction will require additional funding.
About two million people travel on the parkway in Virginia every year. And Boucher says the Fisher Peak project wi

ll enhance tourism throughout the region.[titanic-space]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The Titantic will once again set sail in the Atlantic.
A Swiss-U-S partnership is building a 500 million-dollar replica that will cross the Atlantic on the tragedy's 90th anniversary in April of 20-02.
Tickets are expected to run from ten to 100- thousand dollars.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lost In Space/New Line Cinema;]

[4:12:12]
Meantime, at the box office the science fiction film "Lost In Space" knocked "Titanic" out of its number one spot.


The movie version of the campy 1960's T-V show is now number one, ending ``Titanic's'' 15-week reign.
(----------------)


[Common-Sense]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=comsen]
[GRAPHIC=common sense]


Everyone likes watching a stock market surge, but just how significant is a market surge for a typical investor?
Scott Goldberg takes a look in this week's Common Sense.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Scott1; :00]
[SUPER=01-George Brammer/A.G. Edwards & Sons; :19]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=i'm SG]


((When the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 9000 last week it was a milestone.
It was a reminder of how fast the market is growing and how strong the U-S economy is.
What does it mean for you -- the investor?
Stockbroker George Brammer says it's more important for you to keep track of your own portfolio, and not spend too much time watching the Dow.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15 06 03]
[IN Q=THE DOW]

((GEORGE BRAMMER/A.G. EDWARDS AND SONS: THE DOW JONES AVERAGE IS IMPORTANT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY WATCHES. BUT IT REPRESENTS 30 STOCKS. 30 GOOD STOCKS THAT REPRESENT A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF AMERICA BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP IS. AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T OWN THE 30 STOCKS THAT ARE IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE.)) [RUNS 18]
[OUT Q=INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE]


Investing in strong companies with lots of potential is still the best strategy.
That's this week's Common Sense.

I'm Scott Goldberg.))[MERGER]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=none]


It's being called the biggest corporate merger on record.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


Citicorp and Travelers Group plan to unite, combining the nation's second-biggest bank and a leading financial services company.
The new company would be called Citigroup.
(----------------)


[Race]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=Roy]
[TAPE#SP-7]
[GRAPHIC=Texas Logo]


Mark Martin took home his second win of the season after the Texas 500 yesterday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ENG#]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke, TX/CBS SPORTS; :]


The Drivers got a little anxious on the second lap of the race. Cars get together in the middle of the track causing a wreck that involved 10 cars including Dale Earnhardt, Rick Mast and John Andretti, who's car caught on fire.
Jeff Gordon was also caught up in the crash but he managed to take his car to the pits.
The Race was red Flagged while the tracks crew made some minor repairs.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It's a one]

((RICK MAST/OUT OF RACE: ))
[SUPER=01-Rick Mast/Out of Race; :]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=......things happen."]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT (cont.)]


After the re-start the lead would change several times. Jeff Burton pulled to the front and he was the leader with 240 laps to go.
Another caution came out moments later when Greg Sacks and Geoff Bodine get together Sacks slams into the outside wall he had to be cut out of the car.
Jeremey Mayfield the leader at the halfway mark blew a tire and had to pit he went a lap down before returning to the track.
The cars went about 50 laps before the 8-th caution came out when Dave Marcis blew an engine with less than 30 laps to go.
Martin came out of the pits in first place and he pulled away from Chad Little taking the checkered Flag in the Texas 500.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio]

((MARK MARTIN/TEXAS 500 WINNER: ))
[SUPER=01-Mark Martin/Texas 500 Winner; :]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=......take a chance."]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[SS=Hold Logo]


Little, Martin's teammate was second, Robert Pressley third, Joe Nemechek fourth and Johnny Benson fifth.

[Orioles]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-8]
[GRAPHIC=Orioles/Tigers]


You can chalk up another on for the "O's".
The Baltimore Orioles won their fifth game in a row yesterday by routing Detroit 6 to 3.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD/FOX SPARES; :]


The Tiger dugout looks relaxed at the start of the game.
Baltimore would come out and score in the bottom of the first. Rafael Palimerio hits this line drive to left centerfield scoring a run to make it 1 to nothing.
But the Tigers rallied in the top of the second Raul Casanova hits this shot off the scoreboard in right field scoring Luis Gonzalez to tie the score at 1 to 1.
The next batter Billy Ripken sends this pitch up
[SUPER=35-Baltimore/6/Detroit/3/;]

the middle into centerfield scoring Casanova to make it 2 to 1 but Baltimore wins it 6 to 3.

(------------)[Braves]



[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=Roy]
[TAPE#SP-2]
[GRAPHIC=Braves/Phillies]


Curt Schilling had his second straight performance yesterday as the Phillies brought down the Braves 2 to 1.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ENG#]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/WTBS; :]


Bobby Cox checking the action from the dug out.
The Braves got on the board first. Chipper Jones sends this Schilling pitch over the right field wall for a solo homer and a 1 to nothing Atlanta lead.
Schilling, who pitched 8 innings on opening day, Struck out 15 in a complete game five hitter.
Philadelphia would score the
[SUPER=35-Philadelphia/2/Atlanta/1/;]

winning run in the 8-th. Scott Rolen hits this sacrifice Fly scoring a runner from third and the Phillies win it 2 to 1.

(-------------)[E-charity-golf]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=98-21]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Roanoke Valley Professional Firefighters are calling all golfers to the scene of their annual spring golf tournament, to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


All you have to do is show up at the Ole Monterey Golf Club, this Wednesday.
Tee time is nine a-m.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we're looking for]

((CHUCK WELLS/PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 1032: WE'RE LOOKING FOR DONATIONS FOR DOOR PRIZES AND A RAFFLE. JUST DONATION, MONEY CONTRIBUTIONS. ANY CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE. WE STILL HAVE ROOM FOR TEAMS TO COME OUT AND PLAY IN THE CAPTAIN'S CHOICE TOURNAMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Chuck Wells/Prof. Firefighters Local 1032;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=CAPTAIN'S CHOICE TOURNAMENT]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Prizes are awarded to the first, second, third and LAST place finishers.
The entry fee is 45-dollars a person or 180-dollars for a four man team. All the proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. That covers green and cart fees and lunch.
by SS