WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 07/20/98

[Henry-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=net-G; from 98-31, 5/11/98]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

An indictment is expected today against a Henry County woman accused in the Mother's Day murder of her infant daughter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-May;]

A grand jury is set to consider the case today of Sharon Alley.
Testimony earlier this month indicated that Alley stabbed 8-month-old Brooke Alley after an argument with her estranged husband.
The murder occurred only 7 months after Alley was accused of cracking the newborn child's skull when she threw her across a kitchen.
Attorneys for Alley say they WILL pursue an insanity defense on behalf of their client.
(------------)

[E-Danny-King]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-53; 22:06]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

8 years ago he was convicted of contriving a deadly plot for murder.
This week, Danny King is set to die for killing a real estate agent in Roanoke County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./File Tape]

In 1990, King posed as a potential home buyer to lure realtor Carolyn Rogers to a vacant house.
Rogers was robbed, beaten and stabbed to death.
King's execution is set for Thursday.
(------------)

[Roanoke-Stabbing]

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

A Roanoke woman is in stable condition after she was stabbed yesterday.
City police say 21-year-old Shannon Davis came to her mother's aid during a domestic dispute yesterday afternoon.
Davis's mother, 40-year-old Lenore Drew, was arguing with her husband when he allegedly stabbed her in the leg.
Police say he then stabbed Davis.
When police arrived on the scene the knife was still in her back.
Davis is in the neurotrauma unit at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Police are currently looking for Drew's husband.

[Campbell-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-39; TC 1:55:18]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

The parents of a young girl who was shot and killed by her brother will NOT face criminal charges for her death.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

1- year- old Sabrina Sheppard died after being shot in the head at her Campbell County home July 1st.
Sheppard's four- year- old brother had found a .38 caliber revolver in his father's dresser and was playing with it when it went off.
Commonwealth's attorney Neil Vener (VENN-er) says while Thomas Sheppard may have been negligent, his actions were not "reckless" as required by law.
Recklessly leaving a firearm where a child can access it is a Class Three misdemeanor that carries a 500- dollar fine.
(----------------)

[SML-Accidents]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-40; TC 1:49:53]
[GRAPHIC=Smith Mountain Lake]

Smith Mountain Lake officials are looking into why the resort area has seen more than its fair share of accidents this summer.
One possible cause is growing population.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
That's according to one Franklin County official. There have been reports of jet ski collisions and boat wrecks almost every weekend for the past month. Some accidents are more serious than others. A man died July 5th when his boat crashed near the Smith Mountain Lake Dam. Franklin County's Public Safety Director says the lake's popularity may be partly to blame.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=13:30:21]
[IN Q=AS YOU GET]
((CLAUDE WEBSTER/PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR; AS YOU GET AN INCREASED NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING ONE PARTICULAR FACILITY, YOU OPEN UP THE PROBABILITY OF HAVING MORE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES JUST DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE OUT HERE USING THE LAKE ON A DAILY BASIS.))
[SUPER=01-Claude Webster/Public Safety Director;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=A DAILY BASIS.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The latest accident was a plane crash on the Franklin County side of the lake. The passengers suffered only minor injuries. The craft splashed down after failing to climb high enough to clear trees near the lake's edge.
(------------)

[Crestar-Merger]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#98-42; TC 1:15:32]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

It was just a matter of time.
Another Virginia bank has become the target of a takeover.
This time it's Crestar, which announced today plans to merge with Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks.
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Scott]

Scott Goldberg has been following the deal and joins us from the newsroom with more.
[Live= Full/Scott]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]

Kimberly, this is nine-and-a-half billion dollar deal that will create the country's tenth-biggest bank, with branches stretching across the Southeast.
SunTrust has banks in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, while Crestar is big force in the mid-Atlantic.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Crestar is now the third of what was known as the "Big Three" Virginia banks to be snatched up in a merger.
But this time it looks like the impact won't be too severe.
Crestar reportedly will keep its name and current management.
And because Crestar branches don't geographically overlap with SunTrust, analysts say it doesn't look like many jobs are at risk.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10 39 21]
[IN Q=this is]
((JOHN CLARKE/CATAWBA CAPITAL: THIS IS A REAL GOOD ACQUISITION FOR SUNTRUST, IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE RICHMOND CORRIDOR, GOING TO DC AND MARYLAND. SUNTRUST WAS NOT IN THE MARKET AT ALL. CRESTAR WAS STRONG IN THIS MARKET, SO IT'S A VERY FINE ACQUISITION FOR SUNTRUST.))
[SUPER=01-John Clarke/Catawba Capital;]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=SUNTRUST]
(------------)
[Live=Full/Scott]

The biggest winners in all of this may be Crestar shareholders.
Last week Crestar stock closed at 64 dollars a share.
[Double Boxes=Kimberly/Scott]

Early today, Crestar has been trading at almost 73 dollars.
Kimberly. [Kimberly question] ((QUESTION: There aren't many Virginia banks left -- but any guess on who might be the next takeover target?)) [Scott ad libs answer]

[UAW-Strike]

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

Saturn's president says yesterday's vote in Tennessee to authorize a strike does NOT mean a walkout is imminent.
He also says the Spring Hill plant WILL keep producing cars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Spring Hill, TN;]

Union officials say more than FIVE thousand workers took part in the vote, with 96- percent authorizing the call for a strike.
Union leaders COULD call a walkout in five days, but they say that'll happen only if negotiations stall.
Meantime, U-A-W union heads from across the country will meet at a labor summit today in Flint, Michigan.
That's where more than nine thousand U-A-W workers continue striking at two G-M parts plants.
(------------)

[Caver-Trapped]

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

After spending the weekend stuck underground, cave explorer Craig Douglas was finally pulled to safety this morning.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:02:25]
[IN Q=I'm very happy]
((I'M VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30, CRAIG CAME OUT OF THE CAVE. HE'S BEEN QUICKLY EVALUATED, IN STABLE CONDITION AND HE'S SMILING.))
[SUPER=01-Sheriff John Bates/Schoharie Co.;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=he's smiling.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gallupville, NY;]

Sheriff Bates says the 24- year- old Douglas appears to have suffered only scrapes, and possibly a sprained knee.

He's been taken to the hospital for a more complete examination.
The Massachusetts man was stuck in an 18- inch crevice until rescuers freed him last night.
It then took several more hours for workers to bring him out of the cave.
Douglas was spelunking with a group Saturday.
He became stuck when he slipped into a small slot, and pinned his leg between a rock and the floor of the cave.
(------------)

[Habitat-Folo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A 35-home village planned by Habitat for Humanity is stirring controversy.
Not only among neighbors to the project, but in the Roanoke chapter of the N-double-A-C-P as well.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Fralin and Waldron Realty donated the site of Habitat's 35-home "Village". It's located near Woodbridge Avenue off Peters Creek Road. The N-double-A-C-P says it's not questioning Habitat's effort to construct homes, but the location.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=15:02:14]
[IN Q=EVERYBODY CAN AGREE]
((MARTIN JEFFREY/NAACP PRESIDENT; EVERYBODY CAN AGREE THAT HABITAT MAKES SENSE. THIS IS ABOUT FOLK MAKING PROFIT. THIS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT HERE. THIS IS ABOUT FRALIN AND WALDRON GETTING TAX CREDITS FOR GIVING AWAY LAND THAT'S PROBABLY UNUSEABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Martin Jeffrey/NAACP President;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=PROBABLY UNUSEABLE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Jeffrey says the Habitat homes should be built in inner city neighborhoods. He says there, they can provide stability for areas that need it, instead of unrest among already established communities. Many Woodbridge residents oppose the Habitat project because they believe it will lower their property values and increase crime.
(------------)

[New-Guinea]

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

An international mission to save lives is under way after huge Ocean waves devastated New Guinea.
At least three thousand people are feared dead.
Barry Petersen has an update.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With a new day]
[SUPER=03-Papua, New Guinea; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Tekwiel/Provincial Governor; :30]
[SUPER=01-Bill Skate/Prime Minister; :53]
[SUPER=01-Barry Petersen/Reporting; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Tokyo]

[Brush-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]

It's not Florida this time, but Nevada that's being scorched by brush fires.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Reno, NV;]

The first blaze of the fire season has burnt more than two- thousand acres in northern Nevada.
Officials blame days of intense hot weather, but believe the fire might have been sparked by a passing train.
Hundreds of firefighters, several helicopters, and dozens of tankers are working to get the blaze under control.

But high winds and 100- degree temperatures aren't helping.
Right now, no homes or other structures are threatened.
(------------)

[Yugoslavia-Fighting]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=NET-I]
[GRAPHIC=None]

At least 110 people were killed over the weekend after fighting in Kosovo.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Orahovac, Yugoslavia;]

This before Yugoslavia and Albania traded accusations of territorial violations.
The struggle for control of the town of Orahovac continued into today.
This latest round of fighting is possibly the worst since the beginning of the Serbian crackdown.
Some question whether NATO will follow through with its threats to intervene in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Western leaders are worried the fighting will escalate into another Bosnian war.
(------------)

[E-Teen-Fathers]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-48; 39:01]
[GRAPHIC=none]

For nearly three years, teenage fathers have turned to an area program for help when it comes to coping with new-found responsibilities.
But that program may not be around much longer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The "For Males Only" program organizes the group through the Roanoke City Health Department.
It started in 1995 and teaches young fathers how to care for their children and about their legal rights and responsibilities.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16.50.59 - 16.51.05]
[IN Q=It's a lot]
((CURTIS AUSTIN/TEEN FATHER: IT'S A LOT OF EDUCATION TOWARDS BEING A FATHER, BASICALLY AND TO HELP YOU HAVE A better AND happy HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Curtis Austin/Teen Father;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=and happy home.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Funding for the program runs out at the end of this month.
But, organizers hope its success will help them raise the money they need to continue.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17.08.30 - 17.08.44]
[IN Q=If the guys]
((JOHN MORRIS/FOR MALES ONLY: IF THE GUYS BECOME SUCCESSFUL THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ITSELF. AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO START RECOGNIZING THAT IT IS A WORTHY PROGRAM AND WE WILL PERHAPS BE ABLE TO GET THE RESOURCES WE NEED.))
[SUPER=01-John Morris/For Males Only;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=resources we need.]
(------------)

A total of 10 fathers are enrolled in the program.
(------------)

[E-Putt-Tourney]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-60; 01:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Putt Putt may be just a fun past time to some folks, but to others it's more than just a game.
And those people converged on Lynchburg over the weekend.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The Putt- Putt course on Timberlake Road is the site of the Professional Putter's Association Eastern Open.
Some of the top miniature golfers from around the country are in the Hill City competing for 10- thousand dollars in prize money.
And a team of six Canadians also made the trek down and spent this past week putting in some long hours on the course practicing.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:35:15]
[IN Q=I think it's]
((LIONEL BEAULNE/MINIATURE GOLFER: I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF TRYING IT OUT AND SEEING HOW US GUYS PRACTICE IN THIS WEATHER WHERE IT'S ABOUT 90-95 DEGREES AND WE'RE OUT HERE FIVE, SIX HOURS, WE GO FOR A SNACK AND WE COME BACK OUT. YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE GAME AND THIS IS, IT'S ALMOST LIKE WORK, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A JOB. BUT IF YOU WANT TO PERFORM YOU MUST DO THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Lionel Beaulne/Miniature Golfer; :00]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=must do this.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

This marks the first American tournament for most of the Canadians.
The Eastern Open is one of five major events on the P-P-A tour.
The winner gets two thousand dollars and an appearance in a "skins" tournament to be televised by ESPN.
(----------------)

[Common-Sense]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=COmSen]
[GRAPHIC=Common Sense]

When it comes to investing, you shouldn't rely on one venture to bring in the bucks.
In today's Common Sense, Scott Goldberg explains the importance of diversifying your portfolio.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=when there's]
[SUPER=@Scott1; 00]
[SUPER=01-Ben Hartman/Edward Jones Stockbroker; :17]
[RUNS=:38]
[OUT Q=i'm SG]
(( Anyone who watches the stock market closely knows that feeling you get in your stomach when one of your stocks takes a big hit.
Stockbroker Ben Hartman says the best way to ease that blow is by making sure you have a diverse portfolio.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13 55 50]
["Hartman" tape]
[IN Q=you don't]
((BEN HARTMAN/EDWARD JONES STOCKBROKER: YOU DON'T WANT TO BE OVER WEIGHTED IN ONE PARTICULAR INDUSTRY OR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY. DIVERSIFICATION CERTAINLY HELPS MINIMIZE THAT. THEN THERE'S A COMPANY RISK. YOU DON'T WANT TO BE OVER WEIGHTED IN ONE SPECIFIC COMPANY TO WHERE YOUR PORTFOLIO HAS 50-60 PERCENT OF ONE INDIVIDUAL STOCK.)) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=one individual stock]

Over investing in one company puts you at a big risk if that company takes a downturn.
That's this week's Common Sense.
I'm Scott Goldberg.))

[British]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-25 13:17]
[GRAPHIC=Brititsh Open]

It took him 18 years to win his first major, and now less than 100 days after winning the Masters, 41-year old Mark O'Meara has the British Open crown. O'Meara becomes the oldest player to win TWO majors in the same year, with yesterday's playoff victory over Brian Watts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Southport, England/ABC; :00]

On 17, Tiger Woods makes a play for the lead with this birdie from the rough. Tiger finished one shot off the leaders.
Watch this approach from Watts. He puts the shot 11 inches from the cup to force the playoff with O'Meara. They both finish at 280. (------------) Watts has trouble, and O'Meara putts for par and wins, taking home the British Open trophy.