WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 11/12/98

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Conflict]

Time appears to be running out for Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's Arab neighbors today washed their hands of Hussein's continued defiance against U-S weapons inspections.
Meantime, U-S troops, planes, ships and missiles continue to pour into the Gulf region in preparation for a possible military strike.
The U-N withdrew all of its 103 weapons inspectors out of Iraq yesterday and today evacuated many of its relief workers.
And in Israel they're getting the gas masks ready
Jonathan Freed is at the White House with the latest.
[Live=Jonny Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Freed/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Benjamin Netanyahu/Israeli Prime Minister;]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-Mitch Mitchell/Military Consultant]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=more sustained strikes.]

[Live=Jonny Full/Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)

(NATS)
In Israel, they're preparing for the worst. The government is handing out gas masks. If there is fighting between Iraq and the United States, Israel could get caught in the middle, like it did during the Gulf War.

(SOT: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister)
"Well, we're examining now the situation and the various implications of what is developing, and we'll take precautions as necessary. Israel understands it has a grave responsibility to take all the step to defend itself and its citizens and we never fail to do so."

(LOCATOR: BAGHDAD)

(NATS)
In Iraq, more United Nations weapons inspectors packed their bags and left. They boarded a bus for the long trip across the desert to Jordan.
Despite the threat of a strike, the streets of Baghdad remained quiet. And Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is showing no signs of allowing UN weapons inspectors to resume their job.
U-S warships, bombers and troops continue to mass in the Persian Gulf. With more B-52 bombers leaving for the Middle East from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.
The warning from American officials to Saddam Hussein is still comply with the United Nations or suffer the consequences. The White House has said an attack could come at any time. But some military experts are saying action could still be a few days away.

(SOT: Mitch Mitchell, Military Consultant)
"There are two options_.strike now and do some damage. Or wait a few days to get troops In place and do more sustained strikes.

(STANDUP)

A GROUP OF ARAB COUNTRIES INCLUDING EGYPY, JORDAN AND SAUDI ARABIA ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING ON IRAQ TO COMPLY WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. THE STATEMENT DID NOT INDICATE WHETHER THE STATES WOULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS. J-F_WASHINGTON.

[Israel-REsponse]

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

Meantime, Palestinians are making threats of their own-- but against Israel.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Har Homa, West Bank;]
[10:23:12]
They're promising a serious response if Israel goes ahead with plans for the West Bank.
Israel's Cabinet finally passed the peace deal, but now the government is starting construction on a new Jewish neighborhood -- in an area where the Palestinians wanted their future capital.
(----------------)

[RUDOLPH-SEARCH]

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

The search for suspected bomber Eric Rudolph has led to an overnight shooting in North Carolina.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[7:00:40]
The F-B-I says someone fired shots outside the headquarters of the Southeast Bomb task force near Andrews, North Carolina.
One bullet grazed the head of a federal agent.
Agents from the task force are combing the woods for Rudolph, who's wanted in a series of bombings, including the Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta and explosions at abortion clinics in Georgia and Alabama.
(----------------)

[Pritchett]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bud Pritchett]

A capital murder suspect's trial was delayed last month so he could find new lawyers.
But now his time is almost up and it seems he's sticking with his original attorneys.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Livingston Bud Pritchett is charged with robbing and murdering a Roanoke man last year at the Ironto rest area.
But last month, just when jury selection was set to start, he complained his court-appointed attorneys had not done enough to prepare for his trial.
A judge gave Pritchett until tomorrow to find new counsel.
But his court-appointed attorney Jimmy Turk says he's still representing Pritchett.
He says the family has hired no other attorneys.
Pritchett's family and a civil rights group is holding a press conference today at 4:30.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

We'll have more on that at five and six.

[Pepper-spray]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A trial date has been set for a 77-year old Roanoke County woman charged with reckless driving on the way to her mailbox.
Goldie Dillon Akers claims county police officer R-L Metcalf sprayed her in the face with pepper spray and dragged from her 1982 Buick.
County police say she drove off and ignored the officer's request to produce her license and registration.
At her arraignment this morning, the judge set a January trial date for the criminal charge and the traffic citatio

n.[Electric-Steel]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Electric Steel]

Roanoke Electric Steel is trying to get bigger.
The company says it plans to buy Steel of West Virginia Incorporated for about 117-million dollars.
Steel of West Virginia's board members will recommend that shareholders accept the offer.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

If the deal goes through, Steel of West Virginia would keep its name and become a subsidiary of Roanoke Electric Steel.
Roanoke Electric Steel employs more than 11-hundred people in Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio.
Steel of West Virginia employs 600 workers in West Virginia and Tennessee.
(-------------)

[Switched-Babies]

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

A custody battle is brewing for one of the two little girls switched at birth at the U-V-A Medical Center.
Two sisters of Kevin Chittum say the parent's of his fiancee asked for sole custody of Rebecca Chittum.
Both Kevin Chittum and Whitney Rogers were killed in a July Fourth car crash on Interstate 81.
Since then, both sets of grandparents have been taking turns caring for Rebecca.
A Lawyer for the Rogers family wouldn't say if a custody petition had been filed because juvenile court records are confidential.

[GACY]

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

In Chicago, police may re- open the case of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, looking for more victims.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, Il;]
[7:17:43]
Gacy was executed four years ago for killing 33 young men.
But new technology has sparked the possibility that more evidence may be buried in a parking lot where Gacy once worked.
A ground radar survey indicates the presence of as many as four bodies at the site.
Gacy never mentioned the site to authorities but one of Gacy's prosecutors says the man he helped send to his death was capable of anything.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[7:18:26-40]
[IN Q=]
(( TERRY SULLIVAN/GACY PROSECUTOR: HE HAD THE ABILITY...HOW MANY IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, I DON'T THINK I'LL KNOW. ))
[SUPER=01-Terry Sullivan/Gacy Prosecutor ;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=DON'T THINK I'LL KNOW.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gacy was first arrested in 19-78.
A search of his home uncovered 27 murder victims in crawl spaces.
The bodies of six others were found elsewhere.
(----------------)

[E-Cook-Composites]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-65 48:46]
[GRAPHIC=Hazardous Waste]

A Pittsylvania County plastics plant and the Environmental Protection Agency have reached a settlment.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co./October 1997;]

Cook Composites in Chatham has agreed to pay a fine of nearly 110-thousand dollars.
The company has also agreed to correct the violations it was cited for last year involving the disposal of hazardous waste.
As part of the settlement, Cook Composites will conduct a 50-thousand dollar study to investigate recycling options that could reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated by its manufacturing process.
(----------------)

[E-Middle-School]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#98-69 56:59]
[GRAPHIC=Education]

The majority of the Montgomery County school board would like Blacksburg to have TWO middle schools to alleviate overcrowding.
That would mean building a new middle school and renovating the current one.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The majority of the board would also like to see a new HIGH school built in the near future.
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

The Board's decisions are only recommendations-- the ultimate decision is up the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors.
Now last night's decision was the same decision the school board reached in December.
They decided to revisit the issue after the Supervisors indicated the school board should consider building a new high school and converting the currrent one into a second middle school.
The recommendation angered many parents and faculty who voiced their opinions -- before the school board decided to stick by its original position.
(/////SOT/////)
[7:51:00]
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you sink]
((GARY MCCOY/BLACKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL:IF YOU SINK MILLIONS INTO A NEW HIGH SCHOOL IT IS DOUBTFUL THERE WILL BE MONEY LEFT OVER TO RENOVATE THE PRESENT MIDDLE SCHOOL OR THE VACATED HIGH SCHOOL SO WE AS MIDDLE SCHOOLS WIL AGAIN INHERIT OR BE LEFT WITH ANOTHER BUILDING THAT WE MUST USE THAT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY. ))
[SUPER=01-Gary McCoy/Middle School Principal; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=school philosophy.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meets tonight and will likely discuss the issue.
(----------------)

[E-Mitch-Medic]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=98-62 1:16:00]
[GRAPHIC=Mitch Aftermath]

A Vietnam veteran is preparing for a humanitarian tour-of-duty in Hurricane ravaged Nicaragua... and he's asking others to join him.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Many hospitals in the Central American country are overcrowded.
So, Curtis Cloud is working with the Penn Forest Church of God to get doctors and nurses to volunteer their services.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12.08.06 - 12.08.17]
[IN Q=They're going to be]
((CURTIS CLOUD: THEY'RE GOING TO BE EXPECTED TO GO OVER THERE FOR A ONE TO TWO WEEK MINIMUM AND A MONTHS TO TWO MONTHS MAXIMUM. I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO OVER THERE AND SPEND MUCH MORE TIME THAN THAT.))
[SUPER=07-Curtis Cloud;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=more time than that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Cloud is hoping to organize teams of 5 to 10 volunteers.
The Penn Forest Church of God is overseeing the effort and will hold a meeting for volunteers November 18th and 19th.
You can contact the church if you'd like to help.
(------------)

[E-2-Infertility]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=98-60 1:34:53]
[GRAPHIC=Conceiving a Miracle]
Researchers are making great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. But local doctors say they're seeing an increase in female fertility problems. Tonya Flory reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[IN Q=It's called the]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dr. James Holman/Infertility Endocrinologist; :14 ]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Robert Slackman/Infertility Endocrinologist; :31]
[SUPER=@Tonya1; :50]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=Health Check]
(( It's called the miracle of childbirth -- but for some couples it seems like an impossibility. The chances for an infertile couple to conceive in any given month are 15-percent compared to 25-percent for a couple with no problems.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 22 55 41]
[IN Q=Generally, if they've]
((DR. JAMES HOLMAN/INFERTILITY & REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST: GENERALLY, IF THEY'VE BEEN TRYING FOR A YEAR AND THEY HAVEN'T CONCEIVED, THEN IT'S APPROPRIATE TO SEE SOMEONE.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=to see someone]
But for women beyond the age of 35 -- doctors recommend waiting only 6 months before seeking medical help. In fact, age is the number one reason doctors say infertility is becoming a growing problem.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ub 23 21 51]
[IN Q=More and more women]
((DR. ROBERT SLACKMAN/INFERTILITY & REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST: MORE AND MORE WOMEN ARE PUTTING OFF HAVING CHILDREN UNTIL LATER IN LIFE DO TO FAMILY CONCERNS AND DO TO CONCERNS OF THE JOB SITUATION, YOUR CAREERS, SO AS WOMEN GET INTO THEIR MID THIRTIES AND LATE THIRTIES IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GET PREGNANT.)) [RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=to get pregnant]
(/////STAND UP/////)
[SOT ub 16 22 31 tape 3]
[IN Q=Delays in]
((DELAYS IN STARTING A FAMILY HAVE BECOME COMMON IN THE UNITED STATES WITH TWENTY PERCENT OF FIRST CHILDREN BEING BORN TO MOTHERS OVER THE AGE OF 35. AND WITH NEW FORMS OF TREATMENT ON THE HORIZONS AND RESEARCH INTO GENETICS WOMEN CAN POSTPONE GETTING PREGNANT WELL INTO THEIR 30S, EVEN 40S.))
[RUNS:16]
[OUT Q=even 40s]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ub 23 23 51]
[IN Q=Probably the biggest]
((DR. ROBERT SLACKMAN/REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST: PROBABLY THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS GOING TO BE THE ABILITY TO TAKE IMMATURE EGGS FROM THE OVARIES AND MATURE THEM IN THE LABORATORY WHICH WE CANNOT DO AT THIS POINT, BUT WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF BEING ABLE TO DO THAT AND THEN THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE BIG CHANGES IN THE FUTURE IN TERMS OF HELPING WOMEN WHO ARE OLDER, 35-40, GET PREGNANT WITH THEIR OWN EGGS.)) [RUNS:19]
[OUT Q=with their own eggs]
[Pre-Pro] The American Society for Reproductive Medicine reports pregnancy rates are higher among infertile women who participate in support groups. An Infertility Support Group for those experiencing problems conceiving is held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 at the Fralin Center for Community Health Education. Tonya Flory, News 7, Health Check. ))

[Express]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS/JOHNSTOWN]

Chris Lipsett tallied two goals and Dave Gagnon racked up 30 saves in the net as the Roanoke Express got its fifth straight victory last night in Johnstown.
Drew Burgess got the game-winner in the seventh round of a shootout, to put the Express on top 3 to 2.

Roanoke is now 7 and 2 heading into Friday's game at Hampton Roads. [Tech]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-27]
[GRAPHIC=Big East]

West Virginia is at the center of the game plan for both Virginia Tech and Syracuse, as the two teams prepare for Saturday's game at the Carrier Dome.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Morgantown, WV/Last Saturday; :00]

After beating the Mountaineers in Blacksburg two weeks ago, the Hokies were off last Saturday. And they were able to watch Syracuse lose in Morgantown.
And while the Orangemen's loss is good for the record books, the Hokies know it will make for a tougher Syracuse team come Saturday.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=First audio]
[SUPER=01-Loren Johnson/Virginia Tech Cornerback; :02]
[SUPER=01-Lorenzo Ferguson/Virginia Tech Linebacker; :07]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=....right out."]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]

Saturday night's game kicks off at 8, and Syracuse is favored to win.

[ROCKAFELLER-TREE]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=MEL]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas (ornaments)]

It's beginning to look a lot Christmas in the Big Apple.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[9:40:37]
A seven ton, 73 foot spruce was put into its giant tree stand this morning at Rockefeller Center.
The tree was flown in from Cleveland yesterday on the world's largest cargo plane.
Over the next few weeks, the tree will be decorated with 25- thousand lights. (----------------) The ceremony to turn the tree on is scheduled for 9 p-m, Dec. 2nd.