[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


A combination of tornadoes, high winds and thunderstorms leaves parts of the midwest looking like a war zone.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


An a convicted cop killler is executed in Jarratt.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


We'd had a variety of severe weather watches and warnings across the viewing area--
Scattered thunderstorms continue rumbling, but should clear out by later this afternoon and this evening.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Eaton]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-34]
[GRAPHIC=Dennis Eaton]


Last night Dennis Wayne Eaton became the 51st Virginia inmate to be executed in modern times.
Nearly a decade ago, Eaton killed four people -- including a state trooper -- in an 8-hour crime spree.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[IN Q=maria hines]
[SUPER=03-Jarratt;:00]
[SUPER=01-Henry Heller/Death Penalty Opponent;:17]
[SUPER=03-Salem/February 1989;:35]
[SUPER=01-Ron Angelone/Virginia Corrections Director;:47]
[SUPER=01-David Meeks/Media Witness;1:02]
[SUPER=01-Maria Hines/Slain Trooper's Sister;1:14]
[SUPER=@ellen1; 1:43]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=EQ, NEws 7, Jarratt.]





[Nat'l-Wx]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#Net]
[GRAPHIC=Severe Weather]


They're cleaning up in the midwest this afternoon.
Severe storms ripped through the region yesterday spawning several tornadoes and turning a Circus into a nightmare for hundreds of children.
Rick Jackson reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-West Salem, WI; :11]
[SUPER=01-Analia Galarreta/Circus Performer; :19]
[SUPER=01-Cornell Nicholas/Sterling & Reed Bros. Circus;:30]
[SUPER=03-Cedar Rapids, IA; :37]
[SUPER=03-Bismarck, ND; :47]
[SUPER=03-Kansas City, MO; :50]
[SUPER=01-Hawthorne Woods, IL; :56]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS NEW YORK]

((HIGH WINDS...TORRENTIAL RAINS...
YOU NAME IT, AND IT'S PROBABLY HAPPENING SOMEWHERE IN THE U-S. THE NATION HAS BEEN DEALING WITH SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM COAST TO COAST.
IN WISCONSIN, THE BIG TOP TURNED INTO A MAJOR FLOP WHEN STRONG WINDS TOPPLED A CIRCUS TENT, INJURING AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE:
IN IOWA... RESIDENTS ARE CLEARING AWAY FALLEN TREES... AND SALVAGING WHAT'S LEFT OF THEIR DAMAGED HOMES.
MEANWHILE... OTHER PARTS OF THE MIDWEST ARE KNEE-DEEP IN WATER.
THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IN NORTH DAKOTA... WHERE ROADS HAVE QUICKLY TURNED INTO LAKES.
THESE DRIVERS IN MISSOURI COPED WITH A DIFFERENT PROBLEM-- HAIL THE SIZE OF GOLF BALLS.
Hawthorne Woods, IL: LIGHTENING ALSO STRUCK SEVERAL HOUSES--SENDING THEM UP IN FLAMES.
FORECASTERS SAY BAD WEATHER IN THE REGION SHOULD CLEAR UP WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I'M RICK JACKSON FOR CBS NEWS.))

[FL-FIRES]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#Net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]


Residents of Waldo, Florida, should be getting word today on whether it's safe to go home.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Waldo, FL;]


The town's one-thousand residents have been chased out by a dangerous brushfire.
The rain finally came yesterday but it was not enough to douse the stubborn flames.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((CAPTAIN KEVIN WALTON/JACKSONVILLE FD YEAH IT RAINED HERE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. IT WAS KIND OF A CRUEL JOKE, IT WAS A CRUEL JOKE BY MOTHER NATURE. ))
[SUPER=01-Capt. Kevin Walton/Jacksonville Fire Dept.]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=by mother nature.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


At least 107 fires have erupted in 28 of Florida's 67 counties since May 25th.
(----------------)


[E-Amtrak-Crash]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=lba]
[TAPE#=98-45 30:12]
[GRAPHIC=Train Crash]


A South Boston man was killed when an Amtrack train collided with his tractor-trailer in North Carolina.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC;]


The collision ripped the truck apart, throwing 39-year old John Allen Wilkerson from the cab.
Ten people on board the train were injured.
The train was headed for New York.
(------------)


[AIDS]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#Net]
[GRAPHIC=AIDS]


The New York General Assembly today passed an AIDS notification bill.
Under the new bill, doctors in the state would have to report the names of patients infected with the AIDS virus and notify their sexual partners.
Meantime, in the search for a cure,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Researchers say they've mapped out a 3-D image of a complex protein known as the "key".
It is this protein that H-I-V uses to invade healthy cells.
The project is considered a major breakthrough because scientists now have a detailed view of how the virus works.
The next step is to use this knowledge to create better drugs--and eventually a vaccine.
(----------------)


[Strickler]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sly]
[TAPE#=Net I]
[GRAPHIC=Tommy Strickler]


Convicted killer Tommy Strickler's bid for a new trial was short-lived.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]


Last October a judge nullified Strickler's conviction in the abduction and murder of a 19 year old woman in Augusta County.
The judge ruled prosecution evidence was improperly withheld from his lawyers.
But now a three judge panel of the Fourth U-S Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed that decision.
The appeals court judges said Strickler's lawyers had enough information.
The panel said by not raising the issue in state court, Strickler is barred from raising it now.
(------------)






[E-Buena-Vista]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-31 1:39:22]
[GRAPHIC=Education]


A new religion class at Parry McCluer High School is drawing a lot of attention.
Some say the class would violate the separation of church and state.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buena Vista]


The course is about western religions.
It'll be offered in the fall if at least six more students sign up to take it.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 09.27.58 - 09.28.05]
[IN Q=The Supreme Court]

((SUPT. JAMES. C. BRANDFORD/SUPT. BUENA VISTA SCHOOLS: THE SUPREME COURT IS VERY POIGNANT THAT WE MAY TEACH THE HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS IN OUR SCHOOLS.))
[SUPER=01-James C. Bradford/Buena Vista Schools Supt.;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=in our schools.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The American Civil Liberties Union says it opposes the idea of local ministers teaching the course.
However, Parry McCluer administrators say the school's current Spanish teacher would be the instructor.
They say, local ministers would then be invited as guestspeakers to occasionally lecture students.
So far, only two students have signed up.
School administrators say at least six more students are needed for the course to be offered in the fall.
(------------)



[Grundy-Move]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=12PM]
[WRITER=TST]
[TAPE#98-42]
[GRAPHIC=Flood Relief]


Momentum is building for a plan to relocate a southwest Virginia town.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board has indicated it supports the plan to move the town of Grundy away from a flood plain.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Grundy/1984;]


Downtown Grundy is regularly devastated by the Levisa (luh-VYE-suh) Fork river.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has proposed moving businesses on the Levisa's eastern bank to a site on the other side.
The cost of the project is set at 100-million dollars, which would be split between the Corp and the state.
The state Transportation Board's support means the state money is much more likely to come through.
(--------0--------)


[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Should convicted sex offenders be treated in state mental facilities after they get out of prison?
The question is causing concern for those who work in the hospitals.
That story is coming up on News 7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And G-M workers are still on strike in Michigan --and there is concern the walkout could impact the national economy.

First though we check in with Kimberly in the Weather Center.
(---------------)
[Talent=Kimberly]

[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro]
It's been a busy morning back here, Melanie.
A big storm system is dumping some locally heavy rain and thunderstorms...
Let's take a look at the current radar...
[music up full] [comm1]

[IRAN]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Iran is rejecting an offer of friendlier relations with the U-S.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]


Yesterday, in a major foreign policy shift, the U-S called for a new dialogue between Tehran and Washington.
In a taped statement to be broadcast when the U-S and Iranian soccer teams meet at the world cup this weekend--President Clinton says he's convinced an end to nearly two decades of hostility and violence is near.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((I AM PLEASED THAT OVER THE LAST YEAR PRESIDENT KHATAMI' AND I HAVE BOTH WORKED TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO PEOPLE EXCHANGES AND TO HELP OUR CITIZENS DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR RICH CIVILIZATIONS." ))
[SUPER=04-Univision;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=of our civilizations.]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


Tehran says Washington must renounce violence against Iran, free frozen Iranian assets and apologize for a half-century of "wrong policies."

[GM]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#Net]
[GRAPHIC=Strike]


Strikes at two G-M parts plants in Michigan could soon throttle the U-S economy.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Flint, MI;]


Nearly 90 percent of G-M's production capacity is down.
Car dealers say the walkout is choking off their supply of new vehicles and cutting into their profits.
Talks with the United Auto Workers resumed this morning.
(----------------)


[S-Bowman]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-38 TC 58:42]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]


A Botetourt County man says he didn't realize the entire building would be damaged when he set fire to the curtains in his Hotel Botetourt room.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]


31-year-old Dwayne Bowman pled guilty to arson, still claiming he was mentally disturbed at the time of the fire. He was living in the historic Hotel, when it was a home for disabled adults.
[SUPER=04-August 23, 1997;]


Bowman says he saw an image of his stepfather calling him no good, and he was angry at his counselor, so he lit his bedroom curtains on fire with a cigarette lighter.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=I did help]

((DWAYNE BOWMAN/DEFENDANT: I DID HELP THE SECOND FLOOR TO GET OUT OF THEIR ROOMS BECAUSE LIBBY SAID, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING BOY? ARE YOU CRAZY? AND I SAID, I GUESS I AM. BUT I SAID, LIBBY, WE AIN'T GOT TIME TO TALK. LIBBY WE GOT TO GO.))
[SUPER=01-Dwayne Bowman/Defendant;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=we got to go]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


No one was hurt in the fire.
Bowman will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and be sentenced on September 10th.
Meanwhile the town of Buchanan is trying to restore the 19th century hotel into a home for the elderly.
(------------)


[E-Sex-Offenders]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=98-40 1:05:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Legislation is being considered in Virginia that would allow violent sex offenders to be put in state mental health facilities after being released from prison.
(-------------)

[VO NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; ]


The state mental health department is already training its medical staff about treatment of sexually violent criminals.
Opponents to the proposal say it's just a way of keeping sex offenders out of communities, at the expense of the mental health system.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11 13 13]
[IN Q=The financing]

((HELEN HARRAH/ADULT MENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR:THE FINANCING OF TREATMENT IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED BECAUSE ULTIMATELY WE'LL END UP COMPETING AGAINST OURSELVES FOR DOLLARS TO SERVE THIS POPULATION.))
[SUPER=01-Helen Harrah/Blue Ridge Community Services; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=population.]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


The estimated cost of the program is approximately 100-150 thousand dollars a year.

[E-County-School]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ach]
[TAPE#=98-44 32:55]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Seal]


More tension between the Roanoke County School Board and Board of Supervisors--now the Supervisors don't want the School Board moving forward with any construction projects.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]


That is until the School Board lives up to a list of demands submitted by the Board of Supervisors.
The Supervisors are creating a committee to oversee spending and ensure tax money is not wasted.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 18.50.35]
[IN Q= we certainly]

((WILLIAM IRVIN/CHARIMAN-SCHOOL BOARD: WE CERTAINLY WANT TO GET THE PROJECTS DONE. WE THOUGHT THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DID BUT IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE OBSTACLES THAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME.))
[SUPER=01-William Irvin/School Board Chairman]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q= we have to overcome]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


The two boards are still at odds over the make up of the committee.
The School Board will present a preliminary budget to the Supervisors next week.
(-------------)[Tease2]

[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Fox's Mulder and Scully are coming to the big screen--
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

This weekend you can go to the movies to see "The X-Files" -- or you could access some at home with your computer. We'll have that story and more coming up on News 7 an Noon.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[E-XFiles-FBI]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=WebWatch 15:43]
[GRAPHIC=Web Watch]

[**Note Anchor Tag**]
"The X-Files" will be in theaters nationwide today.
But if you would rather investigate mysteries from home you can find some REAL x-files by way of the FBI web site.


Eric Earnhart has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=this was laid]
[SUPER=04-20th Century Fox; :00]
[SUPER=@eric2;]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]

((
[natsot-10:42:53]

(("This was laid recently, no irrigation system, somebody's covering their tracks")) [RUNS04]

But the FBI is uncovering its tracks, posting hundreds of files from old investigations on its web page... many of the cases are bizarre, unexplained, and still waiting for answers...

[natsot-10:43:31]

(("we're fbi agents. You're not FBI agents. How do you know? You look like door to door salemen.)) [RUNS06]

You don't have to be an agent to dig into these files... and they're not really called the X-files, they're the FOIA files... the documents most commonly requested under the freedom of information act... And of course they cover those American mysteries that still seem just beyond our grasp...

[natsot 10:43:47]

((they left here an hour ago... going that way)) [RUNS06]

There are the Marilyn Monroe files... that make you wonder who's names are blacked out...
There are investigations of of unexplained cattle mutiliations...
A single criptic teletype about a flying disc in Roswell...
And 16 hundred pages relating to U-F-O's...
Could it be, the truth... is in here?

[natsot 10:42:34]

((All I told them was the truth. They're trying to divide us and we can't let them)) [RUNS05]

Then you'd better dust off your dark suit and get online... the mysteries... the REAL mysteries... are waiting.... Eric Earnhart, News 7,))
(-------------)

[**Wipe to WDBJ7 fullscreen]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


You can find the link to the FBI website on the News 7 Homepage, at WDBJ7-DOT COM.
(-------------)

[WEATHER]
[SUPER=300-71/87/West 9/29.99F/95/1994/48/1959;]
[SUPER=301-69/93/NE 5/29.98F/96/1944/49/1959;][Forecasts]
[SUPER=X5000;]
[SUPER=330-Becoming Partly/Cloudy/68-72/Mostly Sunny/& Hot/88-92;]
[SUPER=331-Showers Ending/Partly Cloudy/68-72/Mostly Sunny/Winds NW 10-15/90-93;]
[SUPER=332-Turning Partly/Cloudy/60-64/Partly Sunny/Very Warm/85-89;]
[SUPER=333-Partly Cloudy/& Breezy/62-66/Mostly Sunny/Very Warm/82-86;]
[SUPER=334-Showers Ending/Slow Clearing/60-64/Partly/Sunny/82-86;]


[SUPER=X5001;][Stocks]



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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was DOWN 38 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still ahead in sports, "tin cups" all over the country
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


are reaping the benefits of advanced technology.
But the U-S-G-A thought about putting an end to that. What did they decide to do? Find out, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[Avalanche]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-19]
[GRAPHIC=Salem Avalanche]


The Avalanche seem to have put a stop to their recent slide downhill- with a win Tuesday-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/Avalanche vs 97's; :]

and a come-from behind victory last night in Danville.
The 97's got on the board first. Jarred Wong hits a double to left centerfield scoring a run and the 97's would take the 1 to nothing lead.
Then in the third the 97's come up with the double play Blake Anderson hits it to second the runner is tagged out then the throw goes to first getting Anderson the Avalanche trailed 2 to nothing.
The Avalanche would get on the board in the fourth
[SUPER=37-Salem/6/Danville/2/;]

Brian Anthony hits an R-b-I single up the middle to make it 2 to 1 97's and Salem goes on to win it 6 to 2.
(------------)





[USGA]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-15]
[GRAPHIC=Golf Logo]


Some say they give golfers confidence.
Others say they ruin the game.
The United States Golf Association weighed both sides and decided AGAINST banning the innovative clubs and equipment that continue to bombard the market.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]


Concerns have been raised that science and technology- that produce clubs such as the Callaway "Biggest" Big Bertha and the Mega 350 Confidence- are ruining the integrity of golf.
Doug Kenney, who owns Dr. Golf in Roanoke County, says leaving the market place alone benefits everyone.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio]
[SUPER=01-Doug Kenney/Dr. Golf Owner; :00]
[super=01-Wes Swope/Hanging Rock Teaching Pro; :18]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=...equipment."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]


Both Swope and Kenney say the biggest thing the big clubs offer golfers is confidence they can hit the ball.
But Kenney says the only real way to help every golfer is make the hole bigger.
(------------)




[E-Flower-Express]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-43 34:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Many places have drive thru service for customers in a hurry -- now you can even order flowers from your car.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


George's Flowers and Gifts is at the corner of Brandon and Franklin Roads in Southwest Roanoke.
THERE-- customers in a real hurry can get their roses, geraniums and tulips to go.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17.42.31 - 17.42.41]
[IN Q=With all the]

((GEORGE CLEMENTS/OWNER: WITH ALL THE RAIN STORMS WE'VE HAD RECENTLY IT'S BEEN REAL POPULAR- PEOPLE PULL UP AND ROLL THEIR WINDOW DOWN AND SAY GIVE ME A BOUQUET, I'M IN A HURRY AND DON'T WANT TO GET WET.))
[SUPER=01-George Clements/Owner;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=to get wet.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The store has only been open for eight weeks at that location.
George said he got the idea from other florist shops around the country.
Right now, almost any floral arrangement or plant is available through the express lane. (------------) But, soon George plans to limit requests to those listed on a menu.
by SS