WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/01/98

[E-Train-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-40 12:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Buena Vista police say the man who threw himself in front of a train yesterday was trying to commit suicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista;]

At about five thirty last night, police say 59-year-old Thomas Brown threw himself into the path of a moving train.

A witness claims to have seen the victim shortly before the tragedy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16.56.56 - 16.57.18]
[IN Q=I seen him]
((GREG NICK/ACCIDENT WITNESS: I SEEN HIM WALKING DOWN THERE--WALKING THE TRACK AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING AND I WAS WALKING UP THE FLOOD WALL, WALKING AS I USUALLY DO AND I SAW HIM. I GUESS HE WAS WAITING ON THE TRAIN I DON'T KNOW. THAT'S ALL I SEEN THEN I KEPT ON WALKING AND THE TRAIN--I HEARD HIM HOLLERING REAL LOUD AND I KEPT WALKING. I DIDN'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED.))
[SUPER=01-Greg Nick/Witness;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=to get involved.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

According to police, Brown was a Buena VIsta resident.
(----------------)

[Northwest Fires]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=12pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=fire investigation]

Roanoke police are looking for two men who may be responsible for setting fires in northwest neighborhoods.
Investigators confirm they have issued warrants for the arrests of the two men, on arson charges.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/April 8]

Among the fires was one last month in a vacant house on Harrison Avenue.
The fire spread next door and left a 103-year-old woman, Gertrude Jumper, homeless.
Police won't release the identities of the men they're looking for, until they're arrested.
Police and fire officials have been investigating several suspicious fires in vacant homes over the last few weeks.

(------------)[E-Winckler]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-27 TC 54:25]
[GRAPHIC=Death Penalty Virginia]

Last year's beating death of a Lynchburg woman will not result in an execution.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Domica Winckler escaped a jury-recommended death sentence with the help of a Chesterfield County judge yesterday.
[SUPER=03-Chesterfield Co./July 1997;]

Winckler is one of four defendants who beat, stabbed, and drowned a Lynchburg woman last year.
She's the only one who got a death sentence from the jury.
She was also the only black defendant.
(----------------)
[TALENT=Melanie]
[SS=none]

Virginia had NOT executed a woman since 17-year old Virginia Christian -- also a black woman-- was put to death in 1912.

The judge yesterday reduced the jury's recommendation for death- to life in prison.[E-JMU-Murders]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=lba]
[TAPE#=98-38 11:35]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A man accused in the murders of 2 JMU students could get 20 years behind bars after a filing a plea yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harrisonburg/October 1996;]

Brent Simmons entered an Alford plea on two counts of second-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his ex-girlfriend Ann Olson and her boyfriend, Keith O'Connell in October 19-96.
In an Alford plea, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but concedes the prosecution has enough evidence to convict him.
(------------)

[Fatal-Ax]

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

An early-morning car accident claimed the life of a 35-year-old Martinsville man yesterday.
State Police in Salem say Michael Dean Grogan died after a Ford Explorer crossed the center line and struck his camaro on Route 687 in Henry County.
Authorities say the juvenile driving the Explorer was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The accident is still under investigation.[HUBBELL-tapes]

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

Prison tape-recordings of Webster Hubbell have been released --one day after new charges were brought against the long-time friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[10:01:01]
On the tapes, he worries about how his actions might open the door to more investigations of Hillary Clinton.
Hubbell was serving 21 months for defrauding the law firm where he and the first lady worked.
Now he and his wife and two others face new charges of tax evasion.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[10:01:01]
[IN Q=]
((WEBSTER HUBBELL: THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT COUNCIL CAN INDICT MY DOG INDICT MY CAT BUT I WILL NOT LIE ABOUT PRESIDENT NOR LIE ABOUT THE FIRST LADY OR LIE ABOUT ANYONE ELSE. ))

[SUPER=07-Webster Hubbell;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=anyone else]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hubbell says the release of the tapes is politically motivated and his comments were taken out of context.
(----------------)

[IRS]

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

It's the final day of testimony in the Senate I-R-S hearings.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[11:14]
After listening to three days of taxpayer horror stories, I-R-S Commissioner Charles Rossotti is telling the Senate
panel what he has been doing to clean up the tax paying agency.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[11:14:47]
[IN Q=]
((OVER TIME WE NEED TO DEMYSTIFY..PAID CORRECT TAX LIABILITY. ))
[SUPER=01-Charles Rossotti/IRS Commissioner;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=correct tax liability.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Senate has heard tales of armed I-R-S agents bullying citizens, and I-R-S managers winking at debts owed by powerful corporations.
Rossotti has testified that reforming the I-R-S will take time but progress will be made step by step.
(----------------)

[E-Fleming-Guns]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=598-15 20:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]

One Roanoke high school is turning to metal detectors to keep guns off campus.
William Fleming staff will talk with students about plans for weapons searches.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

They will be un-announced and done with hand-held metal detectors.
Fleming used to do them, but stopped about six years ago.
Administrators say the searches are being revived, for one reason:
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We don't want guns]
((ANN HARMAN/ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS: WE DON'T WANT GUNS ON OUR CAMPUS. AND I THINK THIS IS A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH TO LETTING OUR KIDS KNOW WE MEAN BUSINESS.))
[SUPER=01-Ann Harman/Roanoke City Schools]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=mean business.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Twice in the past few weeks, guns have been found in the possession of students at William Fleming.
A letter went home to parents this week outlining the new policy.
At this point, Fleming is the only city school that plans to do this.
(------------)

[E-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-37]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Efforts to prevent operation of an airstrip in Rockbridge County ended in dissappointment for many residents last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.]

Harold Hotinger said he began building the airstrip so a friend could land his plane there.
But, it's sparked heated debate from neighbors and residents concerned about their safety.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15.10.39 - 15.10.44]
[IN Q=We had a]
((HAROLD HOTINGER/AIRSTRIP OWNER: WE HAD A FEW PEOPLE THAT WERE UPSET WITH IT AND THEY JUST STIRRED UP A WHOLE LOT OF OTHERS. THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Harold Hotinger/Airstrip Owner;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=all I can say.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18.37.10 - 18.37.26]
[IN Q= I think this]
((DAVE PARKER/AIRSTRIP OPPONENT: I THINK THIS ISSUE IS ABOUT A FEW PEOPLE RECREATING OVER EVERYBODY ELSE'S PRIVACY AND THEIR REAL ESTATE AND HOME VALUES. AND, I ALSO THINK IT'S AN ISSUE ABOUT SAFETY. I MEAN THEY'RE GOING TO BE FLYING WHAT 20 FEET OVER TOP OF A SCHOOL BUS.))
[SUPER=01-Dave Parker/Airstrip Opponent;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=a school bus.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[GRAPHIC=none]

The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors voted to permit the airstrip to operate for one year with certain restrictions.

[Derail-Loss]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=from 98-23, 4/1/98]
[GRAPHIC=Norfolk-Southern]

Norfolk-Southern will foot most of the 700-thousand bill for damages from a train derailment in Lynchburg.
(-------------)
[vo-nat]
[super=03-Lynchburg/March 31;]

The March 31st collision occured between two freight trains.
A total of ten rail cars and three locomotives were derailed or damaged when the two trains collided and ignited a fire near the Kemper Street station.
Norfolk Southern will have to pay for most of the damage.
The ctiy's insurance company will cover 50-thousand dollars.
(----------------)

[NATO]

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

NATO today is applauding the U-S Senate's vote to bring three new members into the alliance.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Capitol Hill/Last Night;]

Last night the Senate voted 80 to 19 to add Polance, Hungary and the Czech Republic to NATO.
The pact does not go to the House or require President Clinton's signature, but must be ratified by all 16 current NATO members.
An official from NATO's headquarters in Brussels says the vote sends a powerful signal of hope to Central and Eastern Europe.
(----------------)

[MURDER-CONFESSION]

[ANCHOR=mELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#NET-]
[GRAPHIC=MURDER]

A San Diego computer programmer has been arrested after confessing to murder on the internet.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

One night in March Larry Froistad gave a detailed confession to members of an online support group for problem drinkers.
He says he got "wickedly drunk" and killed his five year old daughter by setting fire to his house during a custody fight.
Only three members turned him in.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[7:01:43]
[IN Q=]
(( ELISA DECARLO/SAW CONFESSION IT'S A CONFESSION, A LONG DETAILED CONFESSION TO MURDER. ))
[SUPER=01-Elisa DeCarlo/Reported Confession;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=to murder]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Five days after the posting appeared Froistad was arrested and charged with murdering his daughter in 19-95 in North Dakota.
The case has set off a debate about the confidentiality of online support groups.
(----------------)

[BOYS-FOUND]

[ANCHOR=mELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#NET-]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

In Colorado, a tragic ending in the four day search for some young hikers.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Canyon City, Co;]
[7:02:15]
The bodies of two young boys were discovered last night just a half mile from their campsite.
The 27 year old stepfather of one of the boys is still missing.
Authorities say the three set off for a short hike Saturday.
A short while later a spring snowstorm suddenly move in.
Authorities say it appears the boys, ages 10 and eleven died of exposure.
(----------------)

[E-Barn-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-33 26:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Residents of the Patrick Henry Home for girls say a devastating barn fire will not put an end to their horse riding program.
The blaze earlier this week killed 8 show horses.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rustburg]

The phone has been ringing off the hook with offers of money, equipment and horses for the facility which takes in girls from broken homes.
Crews began removing the rubble of the old barn yesterday.. they hope to have plans for a new one drawn up soon.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:33:14]
[IN Q=It's amazing]
((GINA WRIGHT/RIDING PROGRAM VOLUNTEER: IT'S AMAZING, WE'VE HAD SOME WONDERFUL PEOPLE CALL, THE HORSES THAT THEY'RE OFFERING TO DONATE ARE JUST FABULOUS, THEY'LL BE JUST PERFECT FOR THE PROGRAM. WE JUST REALLY CAN'T THANK THE HORSE COMMUNITY ENOUGH FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND THE OUTPOURING OF SYMPATHY THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING.))
[SUPER=01-Gina Wright/Riding Program Volunteer; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=we've been getting.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Despite the fire and loss of the horses, plans are still on for a riding show at the Girls Home on May 23rd.
(----------------)

[5-Philip-Morris]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-18 32:20]
[GRAPHIC=Philip Morris]

The world's most recognized tobacco brand-- Marlboro-- has led Philip Morris to finally rule more than half of domestic tobacco sales.
In fact, profits are up throughout the divisions of the world's largest producer of consumer packaged goods.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chesterfield Co.;]

But at Philip Morris's annual stockholder meeting -- at its manufacturing plant right outside Richmond -- the tone's a little different this year.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE TWO 11:49:48]
[IN Q=Oh this]
((BOB LUECK/STOCKHOLDER: OH THIS WAS AN EXCELLENT MEETING. THE ONLY THING IS OUR COMPANY IS BEING THREATENED BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT. AND YET WE REMAIN THE LARGEST TAXPAYER IN THIS COUNTRY. AND THEY WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT. WHY?))
[sot TAPE TWO 11:42:47]
((ED SWEDA/TOBACCO PRODUCTS LIABILITY PROJECT: WELL I THOUGHT THE TONE WAS EDGIER. WE WERE SEEING ANGER CLOSER TO THE SURFACE THAN WE HAVE IN PRIOR YEARS.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Lueck/Stockholder; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Sweda/Tobacco Products Liability Project; :12]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=prior years.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Philip Morris C-E-O Geoffrey Bible addressed over 11- hundred stockholders and industry critics in a meeting the media can't tape.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT TAPE ONE 11:32:46]
[IN Q=He threw]
((MARTIN FELDMAN/INDUSTRY ANALYST: HE THREW THE NET WIDER IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT SHAREHOLDERS KNEW WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSALS OF THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE MIGHT BE. HE ENCOURAGED SHAREHOLDERS TO COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THEIR LEGISLATORS. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE'VE SEEN BEFORE. IT'S THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY TAKING A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH TO LEGISLATION, AND I THINK IT'S AN APPROACH THAT WILL PROBABLY BE QUITE SUCCESSFUL.))
[SUPER=01-Martin Feldman/Industry Analyst;]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=quite successful.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Geoffrey Bible told shareholders the Senate tobacco bill proposed now would be "devastating" to Philip Morris.

(-------0---------)[E-First-National]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-31 32:52]
[GRAPHIC=Banking]

An old banking name is coming back to Roanoke.
But its a new bank.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

First National Exchange Bank opened four new branches yesterday.
Each will offer no-fee checking accounts.
None will have an A-T-M.
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

First National was a popular local bank before it was bought out by Dominion and then First Union.
Officers at the NEW F-N-E-B hope to take advantage of the old bank's popularity.
The new First National has two branches in Roanoke, one in Bedford and one in New Castle.
The bank wants to open more branches this summer.
(------------)

[Byrd]

[ANCHOR=aNDREW]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-12]
[GRAPHIC=HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL]

A big Roanoke County clash came to Vinton last night as William Byrd hosted Cave Spring in high school baseball.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Knights vs. Terriers; ;00]

Cave Spring broke out of the huddle and then broke bad on Byrd.
But not before the Terriers scored a good old fundamental play. Bo Royal's sacrfice fly scores Nick Jones and it's 1-to-nothing after one.
But the Knights cleared the air so to speak.
The leadoff man, Gregg Wells rips a solo shot to left center field. The monster blast ties the game up in the second.
Then a couple of batters later with two men on, Tyler Kirby would clear the base paths with another shot. This one flies over the left field wall to make
[super=34-Cave Spring/6/William Byrd/9;]
it 4-to-1.
But Byrd got two homers and 7 runs in the 4th to come back and win it 9-to-6.

(------------)[NBA]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-5]
[GRAPHIC=NBA PLAYOFFS]

A first for Larry Bird.
His Indiana Pacers took the first round playoff series last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH/TBS; :00]

Bird's Pacers took care of the Cavaliers at the Gund arena.
Reggie Miller would key the victory with 19 points on the night.
Big Rik Smits also swept in for 17 more as the Pacers win the best of five 3 games to one with the 80-to-74 win.
[super=03-New York, NY/MSG;] They will meet the winner of the Knicks-Heat series that is tied at 2 games apiece after
New York's 5 point win last night. Mourning and Johnson got in a fight at the end of this game look for suspensions to affect game five.

(---------------)[UCLA]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA]

To college hoops, the NCAA lowered the boom on the UCLA men's basketball team last night.
The program was placed on three years probation for violations during the Jim Harrick reign.
UCLA gave improper benefits to athletes.

The penalties will not keep the Bruins off TV or out of the NCAA tournament should they qualify.[Dillon]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-13]
[GRAPHIC=california speedway]

Area race fans will recognize Dale Earnhardt's teammate in the Lowes Chevy this weekend in California.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00]

Mike Dillon, who drove late models at New River Valley Speedway will drive the Lowes Cup machine this weekend in the NAPA 500.
Dillon is filling in for Mike Skinner.
He also is car owner Richard Childress's son in law.

(------------)[Extra]

[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Finally today, it's Derby time...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

the stage is set for the Kentucky Derby tomorrow at Churchill Downs, and one of the horses to watch is "Halory Hunter."
The majority owner of the horse is none other than Boston Celtics boss Rick Pitino, the man who also coached Kentucky to a national title in basketball.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="So, I'm...]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=...ENJOYMENT.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]

The highly respected Nick Zito trains his throughbred.
(------------)

[Promo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]

He was a former President of the United States AND he wrote the Declaration of Independence.
But Thomas Jefferson also knew how to relax.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.;]

This is where Jefferson went when he needed a little R-and-R.
Jefferson designed his Poplar Forest retreat to getaway from the constant round of visitors at Monticello.
But in the last 12 years, Poplar Forest has also seen its share of visitors as a growing tourist attraction.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:44:44 ]
[IN Q=They can see that]
((SHERYL KINGERY/POPLAR FOREST: THEY CAN SEE THAT HE USED THIS TIME HERE-- IT WAS VERY FEW VISITORS COMING, ONLY A FEW NEIGHBORS WOULD COME AND VISIT. SO, JEFFERSON WAS REALLY INTRESTED IN THE QUIET TIME. HE LOVED TO-- AS HIS GRANDDAUGHTERS SAID-- TO THINK, TO READ, AND TO STUDY.))
[SUPER=01-Sheryl Kingery/Poplar Forest ;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=and to study]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Poplar Forest is undergoing a major exterior restoration that's nearing completion.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[Time Off Graphic Full Screen]
We'll take you INSIDE the historic home in this week's "Time Off" segment, coming up tomorrow on News 7 Saturday morning.
(ad lib bye)