WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 05/07/98

[E-Eye-Center]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-37]
[GRAPHIC=Medical News]
[****Note Anchor Tag****]
Residents of the Roanoke Valley may soon have more options when it comes to eye care.
David Johnson reports on last night's approval of a new surgery center by a local health agency.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It will do]
[SUPER=01-Dr. John Wood/Vistar Eye Center President; :02]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :11]
[SUPER=01-Bill Merkt/Carilion Health Systems; :26]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Elizabeth Roycroft/Board Member; :47]
[SUPER=01-Elton Pruitt/Board Member; :57]
[SUPER=@David1; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=news 7]
(([SOT=15:31:18]
[IN Q=IT WILL BEST]
((DR. JOHN WOOD/VISTAR EYE CENTER PRESIDENT; IT WILL DO THINGS JUST AS EFFICIENTLY, JUST AS SAFELY WITH GREATER PATIENT SATISFACTION AND AT A LOWER COST.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=LOWER COST.]
Wood made that argument to the Southwest Virginia Health Systems Agency. He says an optional surgery center would benefit patients' pocketbooks. But Carilion Health Systems opposes the project, arguing the customers' savings would cost Carilion three-million dollars annually.
[SOT=19:58:06]
[IN Q=WHAT WILL HAPPEN]
((BILL MERKT/CARILION HEALTH SYSTEMS; WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS WE'LL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN OPTHALMOLOGY SERVICES AT CARILION BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA CENTER STATUS. AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY ROOM COVERAGE, WE ANTICIPATE THAT OUR COST WILL GO UP.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=WILL GO UP]
Carilion says the center would only provide "duplicate" services. But board members disagreed.
[SOT=20:31:46/20:35:18/20:35:37]
[IN Q=I FEEL IT'S]
((DR. ELIZABETH ROYCROFT/BOARD MEMBER; I THINK IT WILL BE EASIER FOR PATIENTS TO ACCESS THIS TYPE OF UNIT RATHER THAN GOING TO A GENERAL HOSPITAL.)) ((ELTON PRUITT/BOARD MEMBER; PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO LOOK AFTER THE BENEFIT OF THE CONSUMER. I THINK THE MONEY THAT THEY WILL SAVE BY NOT HAVING THE EXPENSE OF THE HOSPITAL TO ME WAS A BIG FACTOR.)) [RUNS23]
[OUT Q=GENERAL HOSPITAL.]
[STAND-UP/20:49:55] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD AGREED, AS 22 OF ITS 23 MEMBERS VOTED TO APPROVE THE PROJECT. THE PLAN IS ALSO BEING REVIEWED BY THE STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. IF VISTAR RECEIVES A DOUBLE SEAL OF APPROVAL, THE SURGICAL CENTER COULD BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF THE YEAR. DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7.)) [RUNS17]))
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=Hold]

If the center is approved by the state board, it could mean faster service for eye patients, who are currently not a top priority.

[E-Giles-Teacher]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Allegations of a teacher having a sexual relationship with a student have led investigators in two states to a former Giles County teacher.
NO charges have been filed against former high school science teacher and assistant football coach Jarrod (Jer-id) Hines.
But Giles County Sheriff's officials and the West Virginia State police are investigating.
West Virginia authorities are involved because the incidents allegedly occurred at Hines' home in Monroe County.
Sheriff's officials say three other students were allegedly propositioned at school.

Hines' attorney says he denies the allegations.[E-Duff]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=KHu]
[TAPE#98-34 45:06]
[GRAPHIC=Duff, David]

No jail time for the man who stalked News 7 anchor Melanie Moon. But David Duff will have to undergo six months of intensely supervised probation.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Duff pleaded guilty last month, but the prosecutor wanted the judge to hear from the News 7 news anchor.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:19:40]
[IN Q=The phone messages]
((MELANIE MOON/NEWS-7 NEWS ANCHOR: THE PHONE MESSAGES SOUNDED LIKE I WAS COMMUNICATING THROUGH THE TELEVISION SET AND I WAS SHARING HIS FEELINGS.))
[SUPER=01-Melanie Moon/NEWS7 Anchor]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=his feelings.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Judge Jackie Talevi (ta-LEVY) told Duff he had not only taken something from Moon, he had taken from the entire community.
The judge ordered the 47-year old Lynchburg man to have "no contact whatsoever" with Moon and to continue in his mental health treatment program.
(----------------)

[S-29-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-36 21:43]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A crane accident killed a man in Lynchburg yesterday when he ran into the Main Street Bridge.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

It happened while 51- year- old James Winfree Scott was driving the crane north on Route 29.
Scott was trapped in the wreckage for more than an hour.. he died shortly after being taken to Lynchburg General Hospital.
Traffic along Route 29 was backed up for miles while emergency crews were on the scene.
(----------------)

[Tractor-Train]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=Train Accident]

The driver of a tow truck that was hit by a Los Angeles commuter train has died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

Police say HE was at fault for last night's collision that also injured 17 people.
Authorities say the tow truck was sitting on the tracks in an L-A neighborhood when the train hit it--but there was NO rail crossing at the location.
Those investigating the accident say the impact of the crash pushed the wreckage a block down the track.
(------------)

[CHRYSLER]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net-]
[GRAPHIC=Chrysler]

In London this morning two car manufacturing giants Chrysler and Germany's Daimler Benz (DYM'-lur behnz) announced a merger that's being called the largest industrial merger ever.
Vicki Mabrey reports from London.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[10:13:23]
[IN Q=It's like a merger]
[SUPER=03-London, England; :00]
[SUPER=01-Juergen Schrempp/Daimler-Benz Chairman; :41]
[SUPER=01-Robert Eaton/Chrysler CEO; 1:01]
[SUPER=01-Vicki Mabrey/Reporting; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=Mabrey, CBS News, London]

((Vicki Mabrey:It's like a merger of champagne and beer. Daimler is the parent company of Mercedes Benz and is synonomous with class. Chrysler, which is known for Jeep cherokees and minivans, made a comeback in the 80's with the slogan "Buy American". The lines are blurred now with this, what's being called the largest industrial merger ever.
The companies are expected to continue their separate product lines, and say they can cut costs without cutting jobs.))
((Juergen Schrempp: This does not involve plant closures or layoffs or an undergoing cost reduction program. What we estimate is with a combined strength we will grow, we will add volume, and we will be adding jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.))
((Mabrey: While some other car manufacturers are considering the idea of merging, the new Daimler/Chrysler corporation, as it's being called, has already raised the bar.))
((Robert Eaton: This is just the beginning. We are leading a new trend that we believe will change the future and the face of this industry.))
((Mabrey: Meaning other auto manufacturers may have to merge just to stay competitive. But there are questions as to whether this deal is truly a merger. Some analysts say it's a takeover of Chrysler by the dominant corporation, Daimle

r-Benz. Vicki Mabrey, CBS News, London.))[S-Smart-Highway]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-30 53:12]
[GRAPHIC=Smart Road]

A car test facility that would be part of Blacksburg's smart highway was put to the test yesterday.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

The world class facility was the subject of arguments before a federal appeals court in Richmond.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:06:51]
[IN Q=Whether]
((THOMAS LINZEY/COMMUNITY ENVIRO. LEGAL DEFENSE FUND: WHETHER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT WAS DONE COMPLETELY OR NOT-- THAT'S WHAT THE FIRST SUIT WAS ABOUT. THIS SUIT IS ABOUT SEGMENTATION, WHICH IS WHETHER IT WAS CUT UP OR CHOPPED UP INTO DIFFERENT ELEMENTS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PROJECT TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND TO GET PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR IT, WHICH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUE.))
[SOT 23:00:39]
[IN Q=It was]
((PAUL JOHNSON/VDOT SALEM DISTRICT: IT WAS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE ON THE PART OF THE PLAINTIFF TO BRING THIS ARGUMENT FORWARD WHEN THE FIRST LAWSUIT WAS FILED.))
[SUPER=01-Thomas Linzey/Comm. Envir. Legal Defense Fund;]
[SUPER=01-Paul Johnson/VDOT Salem District; :17]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=was filed.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/April 3;]

Opponents say the recent dissolving of the National Automated Highway System Consortium means there's NO demand for smart road technology in the U-S anyway.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:08:46]
[IN Q=Ray Pethtel]
((SHIREEN PARSONS/SIERRA CLUB: RAY PETHTEL, WHO'S VIRGINIA TECH'S LOBBYIST FOR THE SMART ROAD SAYS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE PROTOTYPE ANYWAY. FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, THAT'S KIND OF LIKE HAVING A PARTY WHEN YOU KNOW NOBODY'S COMING.))
[SUPER=01-Shireen Parsons/Sierra Club;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=nobody's coming.]
[TALENT=Kmc]
[SS=Smart Road]

But Virginia Tech says the road's unique all-weather simulator towers, road lighting poles, and wireless communications equipment are already generating strong international interest.
The two mile test bed should be done in October.

[E-Spangler]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-33 31:30]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

The commonwealth's attorney in Giles County is finding himself on the defensive.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pearisburg/File Tape;]

The Virginian Leader newspaper in Pearisburg is suing Garland Spangler for allegedly failing to pay for advertising.

The eleven hundred dollar bill is for ads related to his 1995 campaign.
The paper is also suing Spangler for allegedly failing to pay for ads for his private practice.
That bill totals 24-hundred dollars.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=NOne]

Spangler is already under investigation by the Virginia State Bar for allegedly mishandling several criminal cases.[

italy-mudslides]

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

Flooding and mudslides in Italy have claimed at least 46 lives.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sarno, Italy;]
[7:00:36]
The death toll is expected to climb even higher as rescue workers continue to search for those feared trapped beneath mounds of mud.
Raging flood-waters have sent rivers of mud and muck oozing through several towns carrying away cars and flattening houses.
Thousands have been left homeless.. many people have headed to higher ground.
(----------------)

[Apartment-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
Hundreds of families lost their homes when fire destroyed an apartment building in Minnesota.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Cloud, MN;]

It took more than 100 firefighters to get the mid- afternoon blaze under control.
The fire gutted more than 40 apartments.
Investigators say it apparently started in a first- floor unit, but they're not sure what caused it.
Fire officials say it was lucky that the blaze did NOT occur at night, when residents were sleeping.

(------------)[Construction-Ax]

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

A California construction worker WASN'T so lucky--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Anaheim, CA;]

He became trapped when the sides of a trench caved in around him.
Before calling 9-1-1, co- workers were able to dig enough of the dirt to help 28- year- old Jose Guerrero breathe.
When a rescue crew arrived, they gave the victim oxygen and soon freed him.
But by that time, Guerro was already in full cardiac arrest and was prounounced dead at a local hospital.

(------------)[E-Roanoke-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-26 1:15:17]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City]

The Democrats now control city council after Tuesday's election but council members pledge that won't change their focus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

With Alvin Hudson's election, Democrats will hold all seven seats on city council.
Members say their decisions have rarely fallen along party lines... and they're discounting the significance of the Democratic sweep.
(////////////////)
[(sot 20:53:18)]
[IN Q=I don't see any dramatic changes]
((NELSON HARRIS/ROANOKE CITY COUNCIL: I DON'T SEE ANY DRAMATIC CHANGES. I THINK COUNCIL HAS A HISTORY OF WORKING WELL TOGETHER. WE'LL CONTINUE ON THAT PATH. I'VE NEVER FELT THAT LOCALG GOVERNMENT ESPECIALLY CITY COUNCILS ARE PARTISAN BODIES. SO I THINK WE'LL BE FINE.))
[SUPER=01-Nelson Harris/Roanoke City Council;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=so I think we'll be fine.]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]

Harris says voters had to make a difficult choice on Tuesday. He says he does not believe that party labels were

the deciding factor.[E-Danville-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-29 58:46]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Danville Regional Airport is hoping a longer runway will mean more air traffic.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Yesterday the commission dedicated its latest construction project.
The runway was extended to encourage more corporate and commercial air service.
Lieutenant Governor John Hager was among the dignitaries present at the dedication ceremony.
The new extension is 15-hundred feet-- making the total length of the runway 65-hundred feet.
Officials say what's good for Danville is also good for surrounding counties.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 59:10-59:27]
[IN Q=This runway extension]
((SEN. CHARLES HAWKINS/R- CHATHAM: THIS RUNWAY EXTENSION IS NOTHING MORE THAN A REFLECTION OF A COMMITMENT FOR THE REGION. IT'S REGIONAL. IT'S NOT CITY, IT'S NOT COUNTY. IT'S REGIONAL. WHAT WE DO TODAY MUST TRANSCEND LINES THAT ARE DRAWN ON THE MAP FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=@Hawkins;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=betterment of the community.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The airport commission says a longer runway will also mean safer take-offs and landings.
(----------------)

[Bulls]

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

We begin with something you haven't heard a lot of lately... The Chicago Bulls lost last night in post-season play.

The Charlotte Hornets delivered the sting with a final score of 78-to-76 on Chicago's home floor, rounding out series play at 1-1.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL/FOX; :00]

The bench did it for the Hornets as Dell Curry came in and scored 15, including 13 in the fourth quarter alone.
And Dell got some help from fellow guard B.J. Armstrong.
The former Bull iced the win on this shot as he runs Michael Jordon into a Vlade Divac's pick and then hits
[super=32-Charlotte/78/Chicago/76/Series Tied at 1-1;]
the jumper with 18 seconds to go.
Charlotte wins 78-to-76. Game three is tomorrow in Charlotte.

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

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=]

20 batters down for the 20 year old rookie.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL/Astros vs. Cubs; :00]

Yesterday pitcher Kerry Wood struck out 20 batters to carry the Cubs to a 2-nothing victory over the Astros.
And Wood tied the all-time major league record of 20 k's set by Roger Clemens.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Tell you what...]
(())
[SUPER=01-Kerry Wood/20 Strikeouts; :00]
[super=01-Mark Grace/Cubs First Baseman; :06]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=...from him.]
(--------------)

[King]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-13]
[GRAPHIC=SENIOR TOUR]

A homecoming of sorts for Blue Hills Pro Billy King, as the PGA Senior makes his way to Charlotte.
[GRAPHIC=BILLY KING]

Roy Stanley made the trip to the TPC course at Piper Glen and spoke to King about his new career as a pro.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Billy King/Senior PGA Pro; :29]
[SUPER=@Roy1; :44]
[RUNS=:57]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports."]
(----------------)

[Paul]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-12]
[GRAPHIC=PAUL HORNUNG]

Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung made his way to the Hidden Valley Country Club in Salem last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

SEPCO, Specified Engineered Products of Roanoke a lighting design company brought him back to Roanoke for the first time in some 25 years.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I wanna say...]
[SUPER=01-Paul Hornung/NFL Hall of Famer; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...back in Salem."]
(------------)
[talent=Patrick]
[graphic=hornung]

Tonight on the early news we'll hear what Hornung has to say about the skyrocketing salaries in the pros and get his

thoughts on Notre Dame football.[PARIS-SPORTS]

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

For you sports enthusiasts, the biggest sports store in Europe opened in Paris today.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Paris, France;]
[7:28:24]
It's Located next to the new Stadium of France, and built just in time for the opening of the soccer World Cup next month.
The store covers 30- thousand square feet.
There's enough space for sports buyers to try out roller blades, soccer balls, running shoes or other sports equipment. [2-shot wrap](----------------)