[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]

[7:05:51]
[IN Q=]

((BUZZ ALDRIN/FORMER ASTRONAUT: "MAYBE THIS MISSION CAN BE THE BEGINNING OF THE OPENING UP OF SPACE FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS." ))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


John Glenn prepares to rocket back into space, 36 years after his first trip.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And jury selection continues in the high profile murder trial of Emmitt Cressell Junior.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[glenn]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=DISCOVERY LAUNCH]


John Glenn will soon be going where he went 36 years ago, making him the oldest astronaut in space.
The 77 year old former Senator and his six crewmates will rocket into space in less than two hours aboard shuttle ``Discovery.''
Back in 19-62 Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.
A quarter of a million people -- including President Clinton, members of Congress and a number of celebrities will be on hand to witness the historic liftoff.
Lee Cowan has more from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Lee Cowan/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Kennedy S. C., FL;]
( ad lib)

[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Buzz Aldrin/Former Apollo Astronaut;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]

(((LOCATOR: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL)
(( NAT ))
AFTER DOING IT DOZENS OF TIMES IN TRAINING, THIS ONE WAS FOR REAL -SUITING UP FOR AN IGNITION THAT WILL HURDLE JOHN GLENN AND 6 OTHER ASTRONAUTS INTO THE HEAVENS AT 17-THOUSAND MILES AN HOUR.
(( NAT ))
OUT AT THE PAD, FINAL PREPARATIONS WERE UNDERWAY - CHECKING FOR THE SLIGHTEST IMPERFECTION IN THE 4 AND A HALF MILLION POUND GIANT BEFORE ITS IMPENDING JOURNEY INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS.
AS FOR THE ASTRONAUTS THEIR DAY BEGAN WITH A NASA TRADITION - A BREAKFAST OF STEAK AND EGGS. IF THERE COULD BE A RELAXING PART 0F THE DAY, THIS WAS IT.
(( NAT ))
AS THEY LEFT FOR THE LAUNCH PAD, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO COMPARE IT ALL ANOTHER HISTORIC DAY SOME 36 YEARS AGO, WHEN JOHN GLENN MADE HIS WAY TO A SMALLER, FASTER, MORE UNPREDICTABLE ROCKET TO BECOME THE FIRST AMERICAN TO ORBIT THE EARTH.
EVEN THOSE WHO WALKED ON THE MOON SAY THIS MISSION IS TRULY DRAMATIC.
(( SUPER: BUZZ ALDRIN//FORMER APOLLO ASTRONAUT )) " I think a lot of people in America and worldwide think, well if John Glenn can do this at his age, maybe there's hope for me one day."
HOPE AND HEROES SEEM TO GO TOGETHER - A COMBINATION THAT DREW TENS OF THOUSANDS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD TO WATCH IT ALL UNFOLD -- EVEN IF MOST OF IT WILL TAKE PLACE HUNDREDS OF MILES ABOVE THE EARTH.
(( LEE COWAN//CBS NEWS )) "The mission's experiments will begin almost immediately - they have 8 days to do a lot of work. For Glenn, it may seem like an eternity. His last trip in space lasted only a matter of hours --))

[Live=Lee Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Kennedy S. C., FL;]
( ad lib)


[Cressell]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Emmitt Cressell]


Jury selection resumed this morning in the capital murder trial of Emmitt Cressell Junior.
The 37-year old is accused of burning and later beheading Garnett G-P Johnsin in Elk Creek more than a year ago. [Full Screen Locator Map]
Teresa Hamilton is at the Grayson County Courthouse in Independence where the second day of jury selection began at 9-30 this morning.
Teresa, how are things progressing? [Teresa via Phone] [Teresa Phoner Graphic]
(ad lib)



[ANCHOR=Melanie][81-Ax-Suit]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]


The estate of the Buena Vista man killed in the July Fourth accident on Interstate 81 is being sued for a million dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co./July 4]


Kevin Chittum, five passengers in his car and tractor-trailer driver Jerry Gregory were all killed when Chittum's car crossed the rain-slicked median and ran into the path of Gregory's fuel truck.
The suit filed this month in Botetourt County claims Chittum was negligent when he passed a tractor trailer in the rain and his car hydroplaned.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


Published reports indicate that Gregory's sons filed the suit.
Kevin Chittum was also the father of one of the girls switched at Birth at the U-V-A Medical Center.

[Cross-Creek]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Plant Closing]


Cross Creek Apparel in Floyd County will be shutting down earlier than expected.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Floyd/October 14;]


The sewing plant was due to close in December.
But the parent company now says the 160 employees will be out of a job as of next week.
The closing date was moved up because there isn't enough work to keep it running.
(------------)

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


Burning bans are popping up around the area-- but it's too late in the Shenandoah National Park.
More on the fire burning there is still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And Hurricane Mitch is getting weaker but it's continuing to pound the coast of Latin America.
For more on the stats, let's check in with Patrick Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]

[mitch]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Mitch]


It's the Hurricane that just won't go away.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Ceiba, Honduras;]


Hurricane Mitch is still stalled over the Honduran Coast, dumping heavy rain.
But the storm is considerably weaker, with winds down to 80 miles per hour.
Mitch is blamed for more than 30 deaths.
Flooding from the storm has forced tens of thousands to be evacuated.
Downpours have flooded at least 50 rivers, and left more than 200 towns and villages without power, phones or clean drinking water.
(----------------)


[GAZA-BOMBING]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Bombing]


An attack on a Israeli school bus this morning threatens to blow up the Mideast Peace deal.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip, Israel;]

[7:12:08]
A Palestinian drove a car filled with explosives into an Israeli convoy of army jeeps that was escorting a school bus full of children.
The blast killed an Israeli soldier and the attacker.
But none of the children was injured.
The Islamic militant group Hamas has claimed responsibility.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


In the first such response to a terrorist act, the Palestinian Authority has placed the leader of Hamas under house

arrest.[PROM-Baby]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A New Jersey woman has been given a lengthy prison sentence for killing her newborn.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[10 newspath na025]
Melissa Drexler was 19 years old when she secretly gave birth at her high school prom last year and threw her baby's body into a trash can.
She pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter.
A judge today sentenced her to 15 years in prison.
But the judge told Drexler she could be out in three years with good behavior.
(----------------)



[S-Singer-Dirt]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=98-67 33:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Contaminated soil is turning up in Northeast Roanoke-- tons of it
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


According to freshly- filed documents in federal court, Singer Furniture buried more a dozen 55-gallon drums full of chemicals before the firm went out of business in 1996.
Star City Lumber bought part of the property in May of this year.
When grading and site preparation began in June, they discovered leaking oil drums just beneath the surface.
A total of 260 tons of contaminated soil and debris had to be removed before Star City could begin building.
Court records list benzene and toluene- -along with traces of arsenic and lead in the soil.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


Star City Lumber says it cost 37-thousand dollars to clean it all up.
The site borders Tinker Creek.

[Burning-Ban]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Burning Ban]


Several burning bans are being issued because of the very dry conditions.
(------------)

[Take GFX Page]
Pittsylvania County has issued an emergency burning ban, effective today.
The county-wide ban on outdoor burning is in effect until further notice.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


A ban on campfires and outdoor smoking in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests goes into effect tomorrow.

Authorities say the ban will stay in effect until there is a hard soaking rain.[Shenandoah-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]


A brush fire has already torched 600 acres of the Shenandoah National Park in Augusta County.
The fire began Sunday and does not threaten any private property.
It was only about a quarter-mile from the Appalachian Trail, but the trail is still open.
The cause is not known.

[S-Nature-Center]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-58 1:37:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Lynchburg College will soon have a 470-acre outdoor classroom in Bedford County.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


The farm is being donated to the college by A. Boyd Claytor in memory of his late wife.
The college plans to turn the property into the area's first Nature Study Center.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:09:21]
[IN Q=It's really turning]

((BOYD CLAYTOR/DONATED FARM: IT'S REALLY TURNING OUT TO BE SOMETHING REALLY TERRIFIC AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH IT. AND MY WIFE WHO DIED LAST JANUARY, I THINK, WILL BE LOOKING DOWN ON US AND THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA TOO.)) ((DR. JULIUS SIGLER/LYNCHBURG COLLEGE: WE HOPE THAT WE CAN ATTRACT AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO NOT JUST COME AND LOOK BUT TO COME AND EXPERIENCE AND TO COME AND LEARN ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Boyd Claytor/Donated Farm; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Julius Sigler/Lynchburg College Professor; :15]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=about our environment.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The center will include nature trails, formal gardens and an educational laboratory.
(----------------)


[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


It's not quite a handyman's special, but Bob Vila is set to take on the renovation of the Virginia Governor's Mansion.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And as John Glenn returns to space, Roanoke's own rocket will soon return to the Star City's skyline.
More on that in a few moments on News-7 at Noon.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[E-Chatham-Issue]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-65 37:30]
[GRAPHIC=Liquor Vote]


Voters in Chatham will decide next week if restaurants can serve mixed alcholic drinks.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Chatham;]


Restaurants in Chatham can already serve beer and wine.
If the referendum passes, these establishments will be allowed to serve mixed alcoholic drinks as well.
Chatham lawyer Victor Millner believes the change might be good for the economy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 23:59:02-:16]
[IN Q=We think that alcohol]

((VICTOR MILLNER/MIXED DRINK SUPPORTER: WE THINK THAT ALCOHOL IS A LAWFUL PRODUCT AND UNDER THE CONDITIONS AT RESTAURANTS THAT IT WILL BE AN INCENTIVE FOR RESTAURANTS TO EXPAND AND HOPEFULLY NEW ONES TO OPEN AND PEOPLE TO COME TO THIS AREA.))
[SUPER=201-Victor Millner/Mixed Drink Supporter;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=come to this area.]


Maury Moses is against the referendum and says public safety is more important than economic gain.
His son Hal was killed by a drunk driver almost 30-years ago.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 2:00:07-:17]
[IN Q=Why if that's what it's]

((MAURY MOSES/MIXED DRINK OPPONENT: WHY IF THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE CHATHAM MODERN WHY GOODNESS SAKES LET'S STAY OLD FASHIONED. WE'D BE A LOT BETTER OFF.))
[SUPER=201-Maury Moses/Mixed Drink Opponent;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=we'd be a lot better off.]
[VO-NAT]


This is the first time a mixed drink referendum has ever been on the ballot in Chatham.
(----------------)












[5-SOLs]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#598-27]
[GRAPHIC=Education]


The state Board of Education is in the middle of a three-day score-setting session.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


Board members will decide what's an "advanced" score and what's a "proficient" score for 27 of Virginia's new Standards of Learning tests.
[SUPER=@file;]


The first official round of testing this spring had some disappointing results.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:02:03]
[IN Q=What we're]

((BRANDON BELL/VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION: WHAT WE'RE GONNA BE FOCUSING MOST OF OUR ATTENTION ON ISN'T SO MUCH THE SCORES, BUT WHAT THE TEACHERS REVIEW OF WHAT THEY THINK CERTAIN, THEY THINK QUALITY OR THE LEVEL THEY NEED TO BE AT FOR A KID TO BE PROFICIENT. TEACHERS HAVE GIVEN US THEIR REVIEWS SAYING IT'S 50 QUESTIONS, SOME MAY THINK 10, SOME MAY THINK 40, AND WE'VE GOT TO SET A RANGE WITHIN THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Brandon Bell/Virginia Board of Education; :00]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=within that.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The scores mean a great deal.
Schools that don't have 70-percent of their students getting "proficient" scores by the year 2007 will lose state accreditation.
(-------0---------)



[S-Bob-Vila]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-59 TC1:48:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Virginia's Executive Mansion is NOT your average fixer-upper.
But Bob Vila will be stepping in with his cameras when the First Family moves out in April.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]


America's best-known home renovator joined the Gilmores yesterday to announce 13 episodes of his "Home Again" series will feature the restoration of the mansion.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:37:49]
[IN Q=We were just]

((BOB VILA/"BOB VILA'S HOME AGAIN": WE WERE JUST LOOKING AT A MANTLEPIECE, THE FIRST LADY AND I, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF LAYERS THAT KIND OF GET BUILT UP ON OLD HOUSES LIKE THIS THAT SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STOP EVERYTHING AND PEEL THEM AWAY TO GET BACK TO THE ORIGINAL VENEER.))
[SOT 15:27:49]

((ROXANE GILMORE/FIRST LADY OF VIRGINIA: AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS: HIS WEBSITE, BOBVILA.COM, WILL REALLY HELP US WELCOME THE WORLD TO THE THRESHOLD OF MORE THAN 185 YEARS OF VIRGINIA HISTORY.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Vila/"Bob Vila's Home Again"; :00]
[SUPER=01-Roxane Gilmore/First Lady of Virginia; :12]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=Virginia history.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Virginia's Executive Mansion is the oldest continuously-occupied governor's residence in the nation.
The Gilmores are still looking for a temporary residence.
(-------0---------)



[S-Wasena-Rocket]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-68 TC36:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke's rocket has been out of sight for several weeks, but soon it will be part of the city's skyline once again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


The Jupiter rocket was removed from its old perch near the Wasena Bridge in August.
It's now in a Roanoke warehouse, where it's being repaired and repainted.
Built in 1959 and brought to Roanoke in '65, it will take its place near the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the Second Street Bridge in a couple of weeks.
(------------)


[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 72-points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still ahead in sports, the N-B-A loses another chunk of its season.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Plus, the Blackhawks get their wings clipped in Carolina. We'll have hockey highlights coming up, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[NBA]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-26]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]


Meetings between N-B-A players and owners lasted well into last night.
The two groups are still negotiating an end to the lockout.
But another 95 games were cancelled yesterday- bringing the grand total to 194.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=in terms]
[SUPER=01-David Stern/NBA Commissioner; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Robinson/San Antonio Center; :09]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=move forward]
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=hold]


The earliest the season could start is December first.

[NHL]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-23 tc 1:11:58]
[GRAPHIC=NHL]


The Blackhawks were swept back to Chicago last night by the Carolina Hurricanes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC;]


Hawks goalie keeps Chicago in the game with the nice glove save.
But Carolina would have their way on the ice. The Hurricanes Ron Francis gets the empty net goal and the Canes win it 2-nothing.

(------------)[Hokies]



[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-27 15:45]
[GRAPHIC=Big East]


The Big East Conference title could be up for grabs Saturday, as the Mountaineers travel to Blacksburg to take on the Hokies.
West Virginia's loss to Miami has given the Hokies new life.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Everybody]

(())
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...win it or not"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Morgantown, WV/Hurricanes vs. Mountaineers; :00]


West Virginia brings the conference's third rated offense into Lane Stadium, averaging about 450 yards per game.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="their defense]
[SUPER=01-Don Nehlen/West Virginia Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...question about it"]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=PATRICK]
[SS=HOLD]


Saturday's game kicks off at 12-oh-5 in Blacksburg.

[Cavs]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-20]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]


In the A-C-C, Virginia will go south of the border to meet up with Wake Forest in Winston-Salem.
U-V-A claims the leagues top two running backs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Last Saturday]

Last week against NC State, Thomas Jones collected 117 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns.
He's the Conference's number one rusher.
His back up- Antwoine Womack- sits at number two. He tallied 109 yards and got the game's final T-D.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They do as fine...]
[SUPER=01-Jim Caldwell/Wake Forest Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=...they can run the ball]
(-----------)


[PRINCE-SPICE]


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


Former Ginger spice Gerri Halliwell may have lost contact with her spice mates but she's still friends with the royals.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-London, England;]


Stealing a scene from Marilyn Monroe and President Kennedy, Halliwell sang a breathy Happy Birthday to Britain's Prince Charles at a Royal gala performance celebrating his 50th birthday.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Geri Halliwell/Former Spice Girl;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=(singing happy birthday and blowing a kiss)]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


The show helped raise 400-thousand dollars for the Prince's Trust charity, ahead of Prince Charles' birthday on Novem(----------------) ber 14th.
by SS