[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Kimberly]

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


More trouble from Baghdad today--
Iraq is challenging the No- Fly zones patroled by the U-S and Britain by flying its OWN planes in the area.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


And thousands of Virginians are still in the dark after last week's ice storm.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Andrew]
[SS=None]

A Wintry Mix is on tap this afternoon-- then get ready for a big time cold snap. Details are coming up.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Conflict]


Officials say U-S and British planes will NOT be intimidated by Iraq's latest threat to fire at ANY aircraft that they believe violates Iraqi air space.
The threat comes a day after an exchange of missiles between the U-S and Iraq.
Today the Pentagon maintained the U-S will stand firm in its vow to enforce the NO- FLY zones.
Jonathan Freed has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Iraq's latest claim]
[SUPER=@file; :08]
[SUPER=01-Nizar Hamdoon/Iraqi Ambassador to U. N.; :26]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Freed/Reporting; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=CBS News Washington]

((IRAQ'S LATEST CLAIM IS THAT IT IS NOW PATROLLING THE NO-FLY ZONES IN THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

(NAT)

SINCE THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, U-S AND BRITISH WARPLANES HAVE BEEN FLYING OVER THESE AREAS .. PROTECTING KURDISH REBELS AND SHIITE MUSLIMS. IRAQ HAS REPEATEDLY SAID IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE ZONES... AND IS AGAIN VOWING IT WILL FIRE ON WESTERN PLANES-- AS IT DID YESTERDAY.
SOT: NIZAR HAMDOON/IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO UN

THE IRAQI AMBASSADOR'S SENTIMENT WAS echoed by some IN THE STREETS OF BAGHDAD...
MOS SOT: "ANY DECISION ABOUT THE NO-FLY ZONE IS NOT A DECISION MADE BY

THE UNITED NATIONS. IT'S THE DECISION OF AMERICA, SO WE REFUSE IT. WE SHALL FIGHT THEM NOW."
(NAT)

SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE demonstrated AND BURNED AMERICAN AND BRITISH FLAGS TODAY IN THE CAPITAL-- IN OPPOSITION TO THE LATEST U-S LED AIR CAMPAIGN. STANDUP:STANDUP: White House officials are saying the U-S does NOT believe this latest threat is significant...and are insisting that the no-fly zones will be aggressively enforced. J-F Washington.))


[Ice-Storm]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Storm]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
Most of the ice has melted from last week's winter storm, but nearly 50 thousand Virginia Power customers are STILL without electricity.
Power technicians hope to restore electricity by Thursday, just as nighttime temperatures are expected to fall into the teens.
John Hagerty has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Reed/Virginia Power; :31]
[SUPER=01-Chief Jerry Wallace/Petersburg Fire Department; :40 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Pearlie Cole/Virginia Power Customer; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-John Hagerty/Reporting; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Richmond]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]


One of the casualties of last week's storm was a 300 year old tree in Colonial Williamsburg.
The tree-- known as the Great Oak-- was destroyed on Christmas Eve when its five foot diameter trunk split down the middle.

[NW-Flooding]


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


Not ICE, but too much rain and snow melt are causing everything from mudslides to rockslides along the Pacific coast.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Near Hebo, OR;]


Near Hebo, Oregon, the heavy rains caused the earth to move.
West of Portland, the Coast Guard was used as a taxi service for stranded residents.
[SUPER=03-McKenna, WA;]


Near Seattle, Washington, workers are sandbagging as fast as they can--
A local nursing home had to be evacuated as the river waters rose toward flood stage.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:12:06]
[IN Q=WE are probably]

((JOANNA PETERSON/NISQUALLY CARE CENTER: WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE TAKING ABOUT 45 RESIDENTS WITH US. THE REST ARE EITHER GOING TO SISTER FACILITIES, OR ARE GOING HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Joanna Peterson/Nisqually Care Center;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=GOING HOME]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


But the situation will likely get worse before it gets better.
More rain is in the forecast for the region.
(------------)



[Collinsville-Fatal]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


A Fieldale man died late last night when he crashed his pickup truck into a tractor trailer.
It happened just before midnight on Route-220 in Collinsville.
The tractor trailer was backing up into the Best Western parking lot, blocking both southbound lanes.
The pickup truck, driven by 32-year old Calvin Joseph Brooks Junior, ran right underneath the trailer.
Brooks was pronounced dead at the scene.
State Police have not filed any charges in this accident.

[L'burg-Wreck]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-80 TC56:20]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]


Several people were shaken up when a truck crashed through the front of a bargain store in Lynchburg this morning.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Police say the elderly driver of this Ford F- 150 pickup got into the vehicle and started it up when the accelerator apparently jammed.
The truck shot forward, hitting another vehicle, clipping a concrete pillar and smashing through the plate glass front of the Dollar Does It store.
The truck's driver suffered a minor cut to his hand.. two women in the other vehicle were shaken up.
No one in the store was injured.
(----------------)


[81-Ax]


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


If you're heading north on Interstate 81 this afternoon, you'll want to be aware of an accident in the Winchester area.
Both southbound lanes and one of the northbound lanes are closed near the Kernstown exit.
There was a multi-vehicle accident there around five-thirty this morning.
There's still no word on the number of injuries or when the road will completely re-open.

[Tap-Grant]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=98-79 TC17:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Christmas was kinder to the Transitional Living Center in 1998.
The program has received a 750-thousand dollar federal grant that assures its survival for the next three years.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Established by Total Action Against Poverty ten years ago, the T- L- C has helped more than 26- hundred homeless people since then.
But at this time last year, officials were struggling to keep the center open after the Department of Housing and Urban Development rejected a grant application.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:44:21]
[IN Q=A year later ]

((STEVE MUSSELWHITE: A YEAR LATER, I AM THANKFUL TO GOD THAT WE ARE HERE WITH THE NEWS THE GRANT HAS BEEN APPROVED AND THAT THIS TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER WILL BE OPEN FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Musselwhite/TAP Board Chairman;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=for the next three years.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Roanoke City, Roanoke County and the United Way provided funds to keep the center open in 1998... and TAP director Ted (Ed-lick) Edlich says the center will try to broaden its base of financial support, so it won't be so dependent on one source of funding. [tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]


The search for sailors missing from a Pacific yacht race has been called off.
More from Australia is still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And fire rips through a Peru shopping area.
The cause-- fireworks.
First let's check in with Andrew Freiden for the forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Andrew]

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

[Yacht-Race]


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


The death toll from the ill- fated Australian yacht race is now believed to be six.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hobart, Australia;]


Four sailors' bodies have been recovered-- Two others are still missing, but presumed dead.
90-mile-an-hour winds and towering seas forced rescuers to call off their search.
Military helicopters hovered over 35- foot swells to hoist dozens of sailors to safety off Australia's southeast coast.
The race continued despite the fatalities.
Of the 115 yachts that entered the race, 59 were forced out and others were abandoned.
(------------)


[Peru-Explosion]


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


At least seven people are dead and many others injured from a blaze that's believed to have started from an illegal fireworks store in Lima, Peru.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lima, Peru;]


Firefighters say at least 50 shops were destroyed when the blaze spread from the fireworks shop to other businesses.

Since 19-92, it's been illegal to sell fireworks in Peru without a permit.
That's because of the number of deaths and injuries caused by the use of fireworks.
(------------)


[Octuplets]


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


So far, so good for the seven surviving octuplets in Houston--
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]


Their doctors say the babies had a quiet night.
All remain in critical, but stable condition.
Three are still on ventilators.
The rest are breathing on their own with occasional doses of oxygen.
While the babies had fairly normal ultrasounds, doctors say they still have a long road ahead of them.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:13:07 ]
[IN Q=They vary in]

((DR. PATTI SAVRICK/PEDIATRICIAN: THEY VARY IN THE SEVERITY OF THEIR CRITICAL NATURE. SOME ARE MORE SICK TODAY. A WEEK FROM NOW, SOMEBODY ELSE WILL BE MORE SICK. THAT'S JUST HOW IT GOES.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Patti Savrick/Pediatrician;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=JUST HOW IT GOES]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The infants will likely stay in the hospital for the next several months.
Their MOTHER could go home as early as tomorrow.
The smallest of the octuplets died Sunday of heart and lung failure.
(------------)



[Y2K-Promo]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]


Just how bad could the Y2K bug be?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lubbock, TX]


One town in Texas held a disaster drill to find out.
Some Virginia city officials aren't sure quite where to turn.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:29:59 tape 5]
[IN Q=if there are problems]

((HAROLD BANNISTER/FREDRICKSBURG CITY COUNCIL; IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS, WHO DO WE GO TO TO GET THEM TO FIX IT, BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE FIXES TO ALL THE EQUIPENT WE PURCHASED 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO. ))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=30 years ago]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Can everything be fixed in time? Tonight on News 7, we'll talk to the people on the front lines...
Don't miss Battling The Bug tonight on News 7 at Six.
(------------)


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


It's almost time to send a check to Uncle Sam.
Next on News-7 at Noon, we'll have some last-minute tips to reduce your tax bill.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And we're officially in the second-season of the N-F-L.
We'll have more on the battle between the Steelers and Jaguars in the last regular season game of 1998.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[E-Tax-Tips]


[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=98-72 1:22:14]
[GRAPHIC=Taxes]

[*****ANCHOR TAG*******]
A lot of people are thinking about Roth I-R-A's around this time of year.
Scott Goldberg has more on converting your retirement fund to a Roth plan, as well as some other end-of-the-year tax tips.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=With a Roth]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :20]
[SUPER=01-Gary Duerk/Brown, Edwards and Company; :25]
[SUPER=@Scott2; :40]
[RUNS=:48]
[OUT Q=SG N7]

(([pre pro page 1]
With a Roth I-R-A, you pay taxes up front, but don't pay taxes on your earnings or withdrawals. [pre pro page 2]
If you convert your traditional I-R-A to a Roth account by Thursday, the government will let you spread out that up-front tax payment over the next four years.
But you won't be able to deduct Roth I-R-A contributions on your tax returns. [two shot]
Accountant Gary Duerk said it's probably a good idea to get a Roth if you're 50 or younger and expect your income to go up.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:57]
[IN Q=if you]

((DUERK: IF YOU THINK YOUR MARGINAL INCOME RATE WILL BE LOWER, THEN YOU PROBABLY OUGHT TO LET YOUR TRADITIONAL IRA ALONE.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=ira alone]
[pre pro #4]


Some other tax tips to keep in mind this year:
In 19-98, you can deduct 400-dollars for each dependent child in your household who's younger than 17.
And you can deduct another 15-hundred for each child in college.
Scott Goldberg, News-7.))
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


Thursday also is the deadline for giving charitable contributions and gifts.
You can deduct money you donate to charities.
And you can give family members gifts of up to 10-thousand dollars without paying a gift tax.

[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 59 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Still ahead in sports, Pittsburgh's season comes to a jagged end.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And it's a countdown to kickoff in Nashville. We'll have a complete wrap- up of the Hokie's pre-bowl pep rally, when News 7 at Noon continues.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[Steelers]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]


A dismal ending to the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were beaten by an injured Jacksonville offense.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL/ABC Sports]


Mark Brunell and his backup were both on the sidelines.
So, the Jaguars looked to Jonathon Quinn for leadership and he came up big, running in one touchdown, and tossing this 9 yard pass to Fred Taylor to put the Jaguars up 14- 3 at the half.
The first half was a nightmare for Pittsburgh Q-B Kordell Stewart, who fumbled the ball once, before throwing a fourth down interception to Jacksonville's Kevin Devine.
Fred Taylor capped the scoring for the Jags on this 12- yard run in the third, and Jacksonville wins the season finale 21 to 3.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[ss=hold]


The 11 and 5 Jaguars will meet New England in the first round of the playoffs, while the 7 and 9 Steelers go home with their first losing record in seven years.

[Bowl]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=Dal]
[TAPE#=SP-]
[GRAPHIC=Music City]


The Hokies are making final adjustments and getting ready for tonight's five o'clock kickoff in Nashville.
Steve Mason has more on the Music City Bowl's pre-game festivities.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Nashville, TN; :00]
[SUPER=01-Susan Perfater/Turkey Calling Champion; :51 quick!]
[super=01-Pierson Prioleau/Tech Team Captain; 1:01]
[super=01-Loren Johnson/Tech Team Captain; 1:13]
[super=01-Frank Beamer/Tech Head Coach; 1:50]
[SUPER=@Steve1;]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=news-7 sports.]


[Women]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-25 tc 2:03:50]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]


It's a perfect '10' for the lady Hokies, after winning their first game of the Diamond Club Tournament.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Akron vs Virginia Tech;]


Akron invaded the Cassell in hopes of knocking off the tournament host.
But Tech would take the lead early. Katie O'Conner gets the ball to Tere Williams who gets the layup and the points.

Akron's Erica Glover dishes off to Cheryl Bowles, Bowles sinks the turnaround jumper.
Tech's power is just too much. Lisa Witherspoon unleashes the nice outlet pass to Williams for the bucket.
[SUPER=33-Akron/59/Virginia Tech/80;]


But the Zips just don't have enough zip and Tech wins this one 80-to-59.
The Hokies will play Mississippi State in the tournament championsip this afternoon at three.
(------------)

[wipe wipe wipe]

[Hoops]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-31 tc 04:16]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Mississippi St. vs Campbell;]


In the first game, a couple of familiar faces were on the floor last night as Sarah Moore and Kathy Smith psyched up the Lady Camels before the game.
The Campbell defense made an impact. April Cromartie gets the steal and finishes the job with a lay up to tie it early.
The lady Bull Dogs then took command. Angela Harris looks down the court and finds Nitra Perry who puts in the easy lay up for the 10 point M-S-U lead.
[super=33-Mississippi St./83/Campbell/56;]


Later in the half, Harris took things into her own hands. She drives into the lane and bounces the shot off the glass and Mississippi State wins it 83-to-56.
(------------)


[Express]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-28 tc 55:56]
[GRAPHIC=Express]


There could be a million dollar man at the Roundhouse tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Saturday ;]


Roanoke needs just two-thousand-10 fans to reach the million mark.
Once again Express management will have all the fans enter through one door. The one millionth fan will get a special prize package which includes lifetime season passes.
The Express won its 10th home game of the season with a three-to-two win over Chesapeake on Saturday.
Dru Burgess extended his point streak to ten games with a second period goal.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[ss=Express]


Burgess and Duane Harmer will represent the Express in the E-C-H-L All-Star game.
Roanoke is in third place in the Northeast Division-- just one point behind today's opponent-- the Richmond Renegades.
A quick roster note-- The Express signed rookie center Scott Campbell out of Northeastern.
He finished his college career with 96 points.

[Big-Mac]


[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=net-]
[GRAPHIC=N7 Sports]


The Associated Press has named its male and female athletes of the year, and the male half shouldn't surprise you.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB;]


Homerun king Mark McGwire takes home the honors for 19-98.
McGwire smashed a record 70 homers for the Cardinals this season, breaking Roger Maris' old record of 60.
McGwire beat out Sammy Sosa, John Elway, Michael Jordan and Terrell Davis.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Andrew]
[ss=hold]

The 21-year-old South Korean won the L-P-G-A Championship and the U-S Women's Open. The women's award will go to Se Ri Pak (suh-REE' pahk).
by SS