[paraguay]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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


Paraguayan's say the United States has disrepected international treaty with the execution of a Virginia inmate.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


Angel Francisco Breard was executed last night in Jarratt for the 19-92 stabbing death of an Arlington woman.
[SUPER=03-Jarratt;]


The U-N World Court had called for stay of execution because Virginia had failed to notify Paraguay of Breard's arrest as required under the Vienna Convention.
In Washington, the Paraguyan government issued a statement.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]

[9:00:11-35]
[IN Q=]

(( THE SACRED RIGHT TO LIFE AS ESTABLISHED....TAKE PLACE WITHOUT ANY COMPASSION. ))
[SUPER=01-Ricardo Aquino Caballero/Paraguay Official;]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=WITHOUT ANY COMPASSION.]
(----------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=Madeline Albright]


Secretary of State Madeleine Albright also sought to block the execution fearing retaliation against Americans arrested abroad.
[ss=Jim Gilmore]


The Supreme Court declined to stop the execution so Governor Gilmore says he elected to proceed to protect Virginians.
(----------------)


[8Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-g]
[GRAPHIC=shooting]


A young Roanoke mother remains in critical condition this afternoon after being shot, allegedly by her boyfriend.
(----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


28 year old Michelle Saunders was shot at her home in the Lee-hy Apartment complex.
Police are holding 35 year old David Lee Mason in the city jail after he apparently turned himself in.
Neighbors of the couple called police late yesterday afternoon after hearing gunshots.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((ROSCOE CHASE/NEIGHBOR: WE HEARD A LITTLE POP SOUND LIKE A FIRECRACKER. NO ONE PAID ATTENTION AND THE LADY CAME DOWNSTAIRS, SAID CALL EMERGENCY. THAT'S WHEN WE WENT IN, CALLED POLICE AND FOUND OUT HE HAD SHOT HER. ))
[SUPER=01-Roscoe Chase/Neighbor;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=he had shot her.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Saunders has two young daughters, ages nine and ten, who may have witnessed the shooting.
Mason has been charged with malicious wounding.
(----------------)


[Coach-Indictment]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal]


A former Shawsville wrestling coach has been indicted in Montgomery County on charges that he had sex with three minors.
Thirty four- year old Michael Dwayne Blevins was already facing a 30-count indictment with similar charges handed down in Smyth County in February.
The latest indictment alleges that Blevins gave the girl before having sex with them.

[CLINTON-STARR]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=Ken Starr]


A showdown is brewing between Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Star and the White House over the testimony of Secret Service officers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-McLean;]

[9:10:31]
Starr reportedly has filed a court motion to force uniformed officers to testify about President Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
[super=04-File Tape;]


The Clinton administration argues that forcing officers to testify would create a breach of trust that would undermine the agency's security function. 17
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

(( KENNETH STARR:THE SECRET SERVICE HAS TRADITIONALLY COOPERATED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. SECRET SERVICE AGENTS HAVE TESTIFIED BEFORE GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS. ))
[SUPER=01-Kenneth Starr/Whitewater Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=grand jury proceedings.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pratt City, AL;]


President Clinton meantime, is in Alabama today visiting a town that was devastated last week by tornadoes.
Later today he heads to South America for an economic conference.
(----------------)


[CzECH-NATO ]


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


The Czech Republic is another step closer to becoming one of the first former Soviet Bloc members of NATO.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Prague, Czech Republic;]

[10:09:35]
The lower house of the Czech Republic's parliament voted today to join the North Atlantic Treaty.
The 200-seat lower house debated the measure two days before deciding.
The upper house--the Senate--is also expected to approve it.
The Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland were invited to join NATO last July in its first round of expansion expected in 19-99.
(----------------)


[GENERAL-ASSEMBLY]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Melanie]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=gilmore]


With the 19-98 General Assembly wrapping up Governor Gilmore has bought a little insurance.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


Yesterday he signed an executive order establishing plans to spend 447 million dollars for his car tax relief and 110 million for school construction.
Gilmore also signed the 40 billion-dollar budget for the next two years.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((SEN. EDD HOUCK/D-SPOTSYLVANIA: HE HAS SOLICITED COMMENTS FROM BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS. HE'S CONTINUING TO DO SO. THE GOVERNOR LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN. AND I THINK THAT IS, AGAIN, A GOAL-ORIENTED GOVERNOR WHO'S TRYING TO WORK TOWARD THOSE GOALS AND HE REALIZES IT TAKES BOTH SIDES TO DO THAT.. ))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Edd Houck/(D) Spotsylvania;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Senate Caucus leader expects legislators will go along with the budget.
(----------------)


[E-Monty-OD]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-36 TC 3:33]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


More legal troubles for a man already charged with murder in Montgomery County.
42-year old Robert Crook, Senior is now charged with two counts of assault.
Authorities say Crook struck a sheriff's deputy and rescue squad volunteer who were attempting to take him to the hospital yesterday afternoon.
Sheriff's officials say Crook left a suicide note and then took an overdose of prescription medication.
He is expected to make a full recovery.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co./March 22;]


Crook was charged with first degree murder last month for allegedly shooting and killing Michael Durham.
(----------------)



[UVA-Pulitzer]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]


A University of Virginia English professor has become the latest Pulitzer Prize winner.
Charles Wright says he never expected to win the coveted honor.
He won in the poetry category for his collection entitled ``Black Zodiac.''
He's the third U-V-A professor to win.
In 1987, English professor Rita Dove received a Pulitzer for poetry, and Peter Taylor won the award for fiction.

[IRELAND-LATEST]


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


A Northern Ireland religious leader is urging protestants to reject the historic peace accord.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Belfast, Northern Ireland;]


The Reverand Ian Paisley, who has wrecked PAST peace efforts, held a press conference today outlining a series of rallies aimed at opposing Friday's agreement.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

(( THE AGREEMENT GUARANTEES IRA, SINN FEIN A RIGHT IN THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND. THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THE HANDING OVER OF ILLEGAL WEAPONRY IN ADVANCE OF IRA, SINN FEIN JOINING THE EXECUTIVE. ))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Ian Paisley/Unionist Party;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=the executive.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Paisley's Unionist Party didn't take part in the Talks.
The British and Irish governments see his group as a threat to the May 22nd referendum.
(----------------)



[botha]


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


In South Africa, the last hard-line apartheid leader of South Africa is standing trial today.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-George, South Africa;]


P-W Botha (BO- TAH) who worked AGAINST equal rights for blacks while he was president in the 19-80's, faces a black judge.
Botha (Bo- Tah) is on trial for ignoring a subpoena to testify about his role in a campaign AGAINST anti-apartheid groups while he was president.
(----------------)



[L'burg-Budget]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-30 36:13]
[GRAPHIC=L'burg]


There's good news and bad news for Lynchburg residents in this year's city budget.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


The 103- million dollar document was unveiled this morning.
City leaders say there will be NO new taxes or tax increases.. but at the same time, citizens can't expect any tax relief.
There's also a million dollar gap between requests for new services and what the city can afford.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:04:57]
[IN Q=This year's budget]

((BOB DAVENPORT/LYNCHBURG VICE MAYOR: THIS YEAR'S BUDGET AS FAR AS NEW ACTIVITIES ARE CONCERNED WILL ALLOW SOME BUT IT IS TIGHT. IT IS A TIGHT BUDGET, IT'S TIGHTER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR, IT'S A TIGHT BUDGET IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Davenport/Lynchburg Vice Mayor; :00]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=experienced recently.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Davenport also says city employees can expect an average raise of about three percent.
(----------------)


[liberty-road]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#98-30]
[GRAPHIC=hold]


Meantime, Lynchburg City Council has given Liberty University the go ahead with plans for expansion.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]


But Before the first shovelful of earth can be turned, Liberty University MUST make good on a ten- year- old deal to build a highway access ramp from Route 4-60 to ease traffic congestion on Candlers Mountain Road.
Liberty says it's always been willing to comply with the city's conditions, but the school denies any promises were broken.
Construction could get underway this spring.
(----------------)


[S-Big-Boy]


[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=KHu]
[TAPE#98-35 TC 13:26]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]


The Star City Diner in Roanoke is feeling some heat from Big Boy for its use of a portly child in checkered overalls as a symbol.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/1995]


Elias Brothers Restaurants has gone to court, demanding Macher take down the roof-top statue.
In correspondence over the past three years, Macher has indicated he doesn't believe it's a Trademark infringement... apparently because he added an earring, blond hair and a tattoo.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Mel]
[SS=lawsuit]


The lawsuit in U-S District Court rejects that notion and seeks an injunction.[E-Power-Line]


[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-25 TC 34:32]
[GRAPHIC=AEP Powerline]


The State Corporation Commission has reached the halfway point for a series of hearings on a controversial power line proposal.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bland Co.;]


Yesterday in Bland County, the agency heard more testimony from people who said a power line would ruin the scenery near their homes.
At the end of the month, the judge who is in charge of these hearings will take a tour of the communities that sit along the line's proposed route.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 46 07 (ub)]

["bland hearings" tape]
[IN Q=he's going to]

((KEN SCHRAD/STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION: HE'S GOING TO SPEND TIME OUT HERE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT AREAS HE'S HEARD OF IN THESE HEARINGS. IT'S ONE THING VISUALIZE THEM, IT'S ANOTHER TO WALK THROUGH THE AREA AND SEE WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Schrad/State Corporation Commission;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=TALKING ABOUT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The commission has to decide two things:
Is there a need for the line?
And if so, what route is best for the environment and people who live nearby?
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14 00 18 (ub)]

["bland hearings" tape]
[IN Q=it's the hearing]

((TODD BURNS/AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER: IT'S THE HEARING EXAMINER'S RESPONSIBILITY... TO TAKE THIS EVIDENCE ... AND DIRECT AEP TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IF NECESSARY, ACCORDINGLY.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/American Electric Power;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=accordingly]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=AEP Powerline]


The next public hearing is April 21st in Giles County.

[Matthews]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-28]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Saturday's big concert at Victory Stadium sold out yesterday afternoon.
The Dave Matthews Band will perform before 30-thousand, the largest crowd ever for a Roanoke event.
David Johnson previews more of the city's big event.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :01]
[SUPER=01-John Coates/Roanoke Parks and Recreation; :15]
[SUPER=01-Jim Evans/Roanoke Civic Center; :36]
[SUPER=@David1; :48 QUICKLY!!]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Ramey Bower/Roanoke Police Department; :57]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=DJ, N7]

(( City work crews are putting the finishing touches on 30-thousand dollars worth of improvements to the stadium where the Charlottesville-based band will begin an international tour. An additional fence is part of the sprucing up.
[SOT=14:16:56]
[IN Q=WE'RE TRYING TO]

((JOHN COATES/ROANOKE PARKS AND RECREATION; WE'RE TRYING TO SET UP A SECURE AREA. THE STAGE ACTIVITIES AND ALL THE PERFORMERS WILL HAVE THIS WHOLE AREA FROM THE FRONT STAGE BACK SECTIONED OFF FOR ALL THEIR NEEDS.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=THEIR NEEDS.]

Parking will not be permitted nearby, but the Roanoke Civic Center has designated five parking areas and will provide a shuttle service.
[SOT=17:02:55]
[IN Q=WE FIGURE WE'RE]

((JIM EVANS/ROANOKE CIVIC CENTER; WE FIGURE WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING ABOUT 25-THOUSAND PEOPLE ON BUSES. IT'LL TAKE ABOUT FIVE TRIPS PER BUS. PEOPLE CAN FIGURE IT MAY TAKE A WHILE GETTING OUT OF THERE. COULD TAKE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO GET EVERYONE BACK TO THEIR CARS.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=TO THEIR CARS.]

[STAND-UP/15:14:41] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE CIVIC CENTER WILL ALSO PROVIDE A POTPOURRI OF SECURITY PERSONNEL, WHICH WILL BE HEADED UP BY THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT.)) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q=POLICE DEPT.]
[SOT=13:24:33]
[IN Q=ALL OF THESE]

((LT. RAMEY BOWER/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT.; ALL OF THESE OFFICERS ARE OVER AND ABOVE OUR REGULAR COMPLIMENT. THEY WOULD NORMALLY HAVE BEEN OFF AND ARE WORKING O.T. THEY'LL BE IN TO WORK THIS EVENT. IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE NORMAL STAFFING OF THE DAY AT ALL.)) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=DAY AT ALL.]

The concert falls on the same day that weddings at two nearby churches take place. Members of the wedding parties have hired their own security, in hopes of ensuring parking and minimal traffic concerns for their guest.

David Johnson, News 7.))[Tax-Day]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=tax day]


Today is one of the most dreaded days of the calendar.
If you haven't filed your tax returns yet, you're down to two options:
Get your returns to the post office before midnight, or put in a request for more time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

[from web]
Filling out form 48-68 gives you an automatic 4-month extension.
You can download the form from websites like "secure-tax-dot-com."
Be careful, though.
Even if you file for an extension, you must send the government a check for the amount you expect to pay.
(------------)


[Cats]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-9]
[GRAPHIC=Hillcats]


The Lynchburg Hillcats won their home opener last night against Frederick.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Hillcats Home Opener; :00]

Perhaps the highlight of the night was the ceremony before the first pitch as the defending Carolina league champions offically brought the trophy home to Lynchburg.
The players from the championship team came out of the dug out one by one and were greeted by team owner Calvin Fallwell and the league president.
The players also signed autographs for the fans that came out early.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=none]


The Cats won the game 8-6.

In other carolina league action; the danville 97's beat Kinston 6-2.[Avs]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-11]
[grahic=Avalanche]


Salem made it two straight at home last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]


And Roanoke Symphony Conductor, David Wiley, tried to make beautiful music with the Avalanche last night, by throwing in the first pitch.
But it was the Blue Rocks that struck a cord last night. Jason Layne's base hit to right field brings home Pat Hallmark from third and Wilmington is up 1-nothing in the first inning.
Jose Amado extends the Blue Rock lead, by knocking a two run homer off the Miller sign and Wilmington is cruising with a four to one advantage in the fourth.
[SUPER=37-Salem/8/Wilmington/7/;]


But Salem changed its tune. Mark Hamlin's broken bat single brings home a run, the Avalanche hits the high note beating the Blue Rocks 8-to-7

(------------)[Welsh]



[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-4]
[GRAPHIC=UVa football]


UVa football coach George Welsh made an appearance at the Farmhouse in Chrisitiansburg last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk; :00]


Among the topics addressed, the defection of Hampton national player of the year and quarterback Ronald Curry to North Carolina.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="he]
[SUPER=01-George Welsh/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Thomas Jones/UVa Tailback; :15]
[SUPER=01-Aaron Brooks/UVa Quarterback; :]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...at virginia"]

(---------------)[Harkes]



[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-13]
[GRAPHIC=Soccer Generic]


Now to the latest on World Cup Soccer...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]


The captain of the U. S. national soccer team has been cut.
Coach Steve Sampson told reporters that John Harkes was dropped from the team because of a conflict between the two over team leadership. (------------) The U. S. team opens World Cup competition against Germany on June 15th.
by SS