[Alabama-Live]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#NONE -- ROLLED FROM CBS]
[GRAPHIC=Tornado]


The killer tornadoes have left the Southeast, but evidence of their destruction remains.
On this Good Friday, members of at least two churches in storm- ravaged Alabama must find OTHER places to worship.
Meanwhile, Vice President Al Gore arrived in Alabama earlier this morning to help survey the damage.
Authorities say those who were reported MISSING after the storms are now accounted for--
But the search for casualties continues.
At least 32 people were killed in Alabama alone.
For the latest on recovery efforts, we go now to Maureen Maher.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[Super=01-Maureen Maher/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Jefferson Co., AL;]
[SUPER=03-Jefferson Co.,AL;]
[SUPER=01-Gary Petti/Meteorologist;]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Rick Cooper/Open Door Church;]
[Super=05-Jefferson Co., AL;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]

(( THIS WILL BE AN EASTER WEEKEND LONG REMEMBERED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA, WHERE WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S TORNADO HAS KILLED 32 PEOPLE AND DEVESTATED HUNDREDS OF HOMES AND AT LEAST TWO CHURCHES. MAUREEN MAHER REPORTS FEDERAL AID ARRIVED THIS MORNING. VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE CAME TO THE STORM RAVAGED AREA TO SEE THE DAMAGE FIRST HAND. PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARED PARTS OF ALABAMA AND GEORGIA DISASTER AREAS..MAKING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL AID. SO MUCH DESTRUCTION WAS CAUSED BY THE TORNADO, THAT THOUSANDS OF LIVES WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THE STORM PACKED WINDS OF UP TO 260 MILES AN HOUR..WHAT IS CALLED AN F-5 TORNADO. GARY PETTI, METEROLOGIST, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: "AN F-5 IS A VERY RARE EVENT. IF THERE IS ONE OR TWO ACROSS THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR THAT IS A LOT. SOME YEARS WE GO WITHOUT SEEING ANY F-5'S. IT IS A RARE EVENT. ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES..LET ALONE ALABAMA." MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES WERE FROM THIS AREA WEST OF BIRMINGHAM. MANY OF THE MISSING HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR AND ARE SAFE, BECAUSE THEY LEFT THEIR HOMES TO STAY WITH RELATIVES. STILL OTHERS PUT THEIR FAITH IN GOD AND PAID ATTENTION TO STORM WARNINGS. PASTOR RICK COOPER OF THE OPEN DOOR CHURCH LOST HIS CHURCH BUT NOT ITS MEMBERS. RICK COOPER/ PASTOR, OPEN DOOR CHURCH WE CAME DOWNSTAIRS AND CAME INTO THE HALLWAY AND WE WERE SINGING AND PRAYING AND REALLY KEEPING EACH OTHER CALM. WE WERE AFRIAD BUT WE REALLY THOUGHT IT WOULD PASS US BY..AND WITHING 15 MINUTES OR SO THE RONADO HIT AND EVERYTHING WAS GONE. EXCEPT US. IT WAS MIRACULOUS. GOD GAVE US A MIRACLE. ))

[Duff]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-]
[GRAPHIC=Duff]


A Lynchburg man accused of stalking News 7 Anchor Melanie Moon plead guilty this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]


David Duff was due in court on a bond revocation hearing, after allegedly writing a letter to another female news anchor, Frances Scott of the Roanoke Fox affiliate WJPR.
This morning, he surprised prosecutors by pleading guilty to the misdemeanor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Obviously]

((MARY BLANEY/ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: OBVIOUSLY, I'M VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT. I THINK HE'S ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY TO THE EXTENT THAT, YES THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT OCCURRED.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Blaney/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=exactly what occurred.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Duff]


The judge ordered a sentencing investigation, but did not revoke Duff's bond this morning. He could face a fine and up to six months in jail when he's sentenced in May.

[N-Ireland]


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


It looks like a deal is close to being reached in Northern Ireland.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Belfast, Ireland;]


Negotiators worked through the night, well past a midnight deadline.
The deal would mean PERMANENT peace for Northern Ireland, ending three decades of violence.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]

[7:13:08]
[IN Q=]

(( LORD JOHN ALDERDICE/ALLIANCE PARTY LEADER:I THINK IT'S QUITE EXTRAORDINARY, I REALLY DO. WE'VE ALL BEEN WORKING TO THIS FOR SUCH A LONG TIME AND UNTIL RELATIVELY RECENTLY THE DISTANCES BETWEEN SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS WERE HUGE. BY SETTING A DEADLINE, BUT PUTTING ENORMOUS ENERGY INTO IT, ENORMOUS COMMITMENT, GAPS HAVE BEEN CLOSED. ))
[SUPER=01-Lord John Alderdice/Alliance Party Leader;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=HAVE BEEN CLOSED.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The formal announcement of a peace deal between Protestant unionists and Catholic nationalists is expected within a matter of hours.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=clinton]


If an agreement is reached President Clinton is expected to make an announcement from the oval office.[E-Anderson]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=98-24]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


According to police testimony, a Martinsville woman confessed to the murder of an elderly Roanoke County man last fall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./September 1997]


Barbara Anderson is accused of beating James Beane to death, at his home near Cave Spring Corner.
Police found Anderson at the house and arrested her for the murder.
In court testimony yesterday, a police officer said that Anderson told him -- quote -- "take me to jail, arrest me, because I did it."
Anderson's hearing has been delayed several times for psychiatric examinations.
The case was sent to the June grand jury.

(------------)[UN-Death-Penalty]



[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=virginia death penalty]


The life of a Virginia death row inmate may be spared for now if orders from the United Nations World Court are heeded.
The World Court has never intervened in a U-S death case before, but now it has ordered the United States to halt next week's execution of Angel Breard.
Breard is a citizen of Paraguay -- and that country says Virginia officials violated a treaty by not telling Breard of his right to contact the country's consulate after his arrest.
Breard is convicted of murdering an Arlington woman 6 years ago.

[E-POW-Memorial]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-30 TC 27:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A monument honoring those held captive while serving their country now stands in Salem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]


The Roanoke Valley Chapter of the American Ex- Prisoners of War dedicated the memorial yesterday afternoon.
It stands outside of the V-A Medical Center, and pays tribute to those who sacrificed their own freedom to protect the nation's.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ub 15:26:02]
[IN Q=Former prisoners of war]

((ROBERT GRAY/FORMER PRISONER OF WAR: FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR, WE CAN ENJOY SOME OF THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE. THOSE MEN GAVE EVERYTHING THEY HAD. WHEN YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE, YOU'VE GOT NO MORE. THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO ME THAT WE ARE TRYING TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO GAVE EVERYTHING THEY HAD THAT I MIGHT BE HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN CEREMONIES LIKE THIS))
[SUPER=01-Robert Gray/Former Prisoner of War]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=ceremonies like this.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The group has been working for ten years to honor former P-O-Ws with a monument. The V-A Medical Center has assume

d responsibility for its care and maintenance.[GOOD-FRIDAY]


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


It's a holy day for much of the world.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jerusalem, Israel;]

[5:34:17]
Christians are marking Good Friday, the day on which Jesus Christ was crucified.
In Jerusalem, the annual procession along the Via Dolorosa began.
It is a reenactment of the last steps of Jesus before the crucifixion. Thousands of people are tracing the route through the city, many carrying crosses.
[SUPER=03-Phillipines;]

[5:37:01 ]
And in the Phillipines, believers are allowing themselves to be nailed to crosses in a reeanactment of the crucifixion.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=none]


Sundown will also mark the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Biblical exodus from slavery in Egypt.

[Pope]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Good Friday is also a day of confession at the Vatican--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vatican City]


Pope John Paul, the Second heard confessions of 16 Catholics chosen at random.
At Saint Peter's Basilica, the Pope listened to mostly young people.
The pontiff delivered both his advice and absolution.
The ten Italians and six foreign believers came from Poland, Spain, and the U-S.
Pope John began the Good Friday tradition of hearing confessions back in 1979.

(------------)[Cigars]



[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=tobacco]


A National Cancer Institute report is warning that cigars can be just as lethal as cigarettes.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[597-46 or 597-30 ( also 5-94-32)]
Today's Baltimore sun says the report finds that the difference between cigarette and cigar smokers is not whether one group gets cancer more frequently than the other, but where the malignancy occurs.
It says regular cigar smokers have risks of oral and esophageal cancers similar to those of cigarette smokers, but they have lower risks of lung and throat cancers and heart disease.
It also says cigars are just as addictive.
The report could be released as early as today.
(----------------)


[Health-Plan]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=morn]
[GRAPHIC=Health Care]


At least one official is offering his support of Governor Gilmore's child health insurance plan.
Yesterday State Secretary of Health and Human Resources Claude Allen went on the stump for Governor Gilmore's alternate child health insurance proposal.
Allen made stops in Abingdon and Lynchburg.
He says a bill passed by the General Assembly to expand Medicaid health benefits to children would hurt working Virginians.

[Clifton-Forge]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-21]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The former Mayor of Clifton Forge is once again running for public office--this time as a candidate for city council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Clifton Forge;]


Johnny Wright said if elected he'd improve cooperation among city officials, in order to resolve pressing issues facing Clifton Forge.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16.12.21 - 16.12.44 tape# 2]
[IN Q=I think the]

((JOHNNY WRIGHT:CANDIDATE, CLIFTON FORGE CITY COUNCIL: I THINK THE THING THAT I'D REALLY LIKE TO DO IS SIT DOWN WITH THE PEOPLE INVOLVED--THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, THE CITY WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THE CITY AND ASK THEIR SUGGESTIONS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.))
[SUPER=01-Johnny Wright/City Council Candidate;]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=we can do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Wright and other candidates running for city council, including Kenneth Yeagley (YEAH-GLEE), say they're concerned about the city's dire financial situation.
The former mayor favors reverting back to town status to solve financial problems.
(YEAH-GLEE) Yeagley, opposes that idea.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=none]


Wright and (YEAH-GLEE) Yeagley are two of eight candidates running for three seats on city council.
The others include: Meredith Mills, Marilew Barnes, John Dotson, Dorsey Huffman, James Morris and Glen Simpson.

(------------)[E-City-Council]



[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=98-33 TC 8:54]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City]


Roanoke council candidates are not seeing eye to eye when it comes to how the city should handle the cleanup of a hazardous waste site.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The city hired an outside attorney and a public relations firm to help deal with the discovery of some barrels buried at the public works yard.
At a candidates forum last night, incumbents Bill White, Nelson Harris and Jack Parrott said the expenses are justified, because this involves complex legal and environmental issues.
Alvin Hudson agreed, although he said he thinks the city has a habit of hiring consultants a bit too often.
Challengers Bill Bestpitch, Joe Nash and Chris Muse could see not see the need for the P-R firm. They said all the city has to do is tell the truth.
A spokesman for Harris says the candidate also told the city manager that he didn't like the idea of hiring the P-R firm.

(-------------)[E-Moonlink]



[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-29 TC 23:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Botetourt Couny high school students are lending a helping hand to NASA scientists exploring the moon.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:12:25]
[IN Q=We have ignition]

((WE HAVE IGNITION AND WE HAVE TAKEOFF))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=we have takeoff]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


Twenty-four mission members are launching a satellite into orbit -- they navigate online, guided by NASA representatives.
It's a replica of NASA's voyage earlier this year, and students will gather real data.
They're hoping to surprise the experts with new metals or sources of water.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:32:25]
[IN Q=For an individual]

((STEVE DUNN/STUDENT: FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO ACTUALLY LOOK AT WHAT THE MOON IS MADE OF I THINK THAT'S EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Dunn/Student;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=someone like me]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


These two-person teams spent weeks studying the moon and learning the various crew positions.
They say they not only learned to work together -- but some hope to work for NASA.
(------------)


[Avalanche]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-10]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]


A storm is brewing... The Carolina League season opens tonight and the Salem Avalanche opens a seven game homestand as Winston Salem comes to town.
Fans can expect to see some excitement in the yard this year.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="They are looking...]

((DAVE OSTER/AVALANCHE GENERAL MANAGER:))
[SUPER=01-Dave Oster/Avalanche General Manager; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...two years ago."]
(----------------)




[Danville]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=RST]
[TAPE#SP-11]
[GRAPHIC=DANVILLE 97S]


League play is returning to Danville as the 97s open their season tonight against the Prince William Cannons.
The 97s arrived in Danville on Wednesday night after a very successful spring in Orlando, Florida.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We were able...]

(())
[SUPER=01-Paul Runge/Danville 97s Manager; :00]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=...training with."]




[Playoff]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=lfi]
[TAPE#=from SP-8]
[GRAPHIC=Express/Admirals]


A little luck, lots of skill, and one injury -- those were just a few of the ingredients for a great game in last night's Express victory over Hampton Roads.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Dave Gagnon stopped all 29 shots he faced. Gags played for the Admirals eights years ago under winning head coach John Brofey.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:16:13]
[IN Q=I guess I've]
[SUPER=01-Dave Gagnon/Had 29 Saves]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=beat the best.]


((I GUESS I'VE ALWAYS GOT SOMETHING TO PROVE WHEN IT COMES TO BROF AND YOU KNOW, HE WAS ALWAYS GOOD TO ME AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT HIM OR THE ORGANIZATION AND I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TRYING TO BEAT THE BEST.))
And Gags was at HIS best. Tim Christian opened the scoring in the second period, collecting another Dave Stewart loose cannon for a 1-nothing Express lead.
(////////SOT//////)
[SOT 00:16:35]
[IN Q=Yeah, I think we just]
[SUPER=01-Tim Christian/Scored First Express Goal]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=didn't see it.]


((YEAH I THINK WE JUST WON THE DRAW AND WE GOT IT BACK TO STEWIE AND HE SHOT, I WENT FOR THE REBOUND AND SOMEHOW I FLARED IN OVER HIM, I THINK I GOT TIPPED, I DON'T KNOW, I DIDN'T SEE IT.))
Roanoke kept Hampton Roads sniper Victor Jervais in check as the Express finished the night perfect on penalty kills. The only loss of the night -- playoff leading scorer Mike Peron re-injured his shoulder.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Game Two faces off tomorrow night at 7:35 at the Round House.

[Braves]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-7]
[GRAPHIC=BRAVES]


The Atlanta Braves' Ryan Klesko shined for his team yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA/Braves vs. Pirates; :00]


In the second inning yesterday afternoon against the Pirates, Klesko delivered with this homerun to right field, his first of the season to put Atlanta in front 1 to nothing.
Then in the 4th Klesko poked a two run homer over the
[super=35-Atlanta/4/Pittsburgh/3;]

opposite side fence driving in Andres Gallaraga.
The Braves beat the Bucs 4-to-3. (-------------)
by SS