WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 02/23/99

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

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[SOT]
[4:05:36-43] [4:05:45-50]
[IN Q=Thought the doctors...]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=when it happened.]
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[VO-NAT]

Jurors are about to begin considering the gruesome testimony they've heard as they weigh the fate of John King.
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[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And the deadline has passed, and but there may be a peace deal for Kosovo.
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[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
(ad lib)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

[Schoolwatch]

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

Snow is falling in parts of the viewing area.
We'll have more on the forecast in few moments, but first we want to tell you about some schools that are closing early.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[TAKE SCHOOLWATCH FULL SCREEN] They are....
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[Dragging-Death]

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

It was one of the most shocking crimes in recent years.
And today, the murder trial stemming from the brutal murder of James Byrd Junior is headed for a jury in Jasper, Texas.
The judge in the case has just given the jury it instructions.
The alleged white supremacist is one of three men accused of dragging Byrd, a black man, to his death last year.

King is the first of the suspects to be tried for Byrd's murder.
Andrew Colton is in Jasper with an update.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Jasper, TX;]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Colton/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=jasper, tx.]
((JOHH WILLIAM KING MAY KNOW BY THE END OF THE DAY WHETHER A JASPER JURY HAS FOUND HIM INNOCENT OR GUILTY OF MURDERING 49 YEAR OLD JAMES BYRD.
IN FIVE FULL DAYS OF TESTIMONY, ATTORNEYS FOR KING PUT JUST THREE WITNESS ON THE STAND... BUT PROSECUTORS PRESENTED MANY MORE... THEY TOLD JURORS THAT KING IS A WHITE SUPREMACIST WHO CHAINED BYRD TO THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK, THEN DRAGGED HIM TO HIS DEATH JUST TO GET ATTENTION.
THEY SHOWED JURORS RACIST TATTOOS ON KING'S BODY, INCLUDING A BLACK MAN HANGING FROM A TREE.
THEY SHOWED THIS PRISON CELL WHERE KING DREW RACIST GRAFITTI.
AND BEFORE RESTING THEIR CASE, PROSECUTORS SHOWED JURORS THIS VIDEO IN SILENCE... OF HOW FAR BYRD'S BODY WAS DRAGGED _ HOW MUCH DISTANCE THERE WAS BETWEEN HIS HEAD, ARMS, AND OTHER BODY PARTS.
IN THE FINAL DAY OF TESTIMONY, PATHOLOGIST THOMAS BROWN STUNNED JURORS WHEN HE TOLD THEM BYRD WAS ALIVE FOR MOST OF THE TORTURE. HOW HE CONSCIOUSLY SACRIFICED ONE PART OF HIS BODY TO SAVE ANOTHER_UNTIL THE TRUCK PULLED HIM OVER THIS DRAIN PIPE. THAT, BROWN SAID SAID, IS WHEN BYRD WAS DECAPITATED.CBS NEWS JASPER, TEXAS.))

[kosovo]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

After two controversial extensions at the Kosovo peace talks in France, there is word today of a signed peace agreement.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rambouillet, France;]

That word comes from a State Department spokesman.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((JAMES RUBIN/STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN:THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION HAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE AGREEMENT...AFTER THEY CONSULT WITH EACH OTHER, THEY WILL SIGN IN TWO WEEKS.))
[SUPER=01-James Rubin/State Department Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=sign in two weeks..]
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[VO-NAT]

So far there has been no agreement from the Serbs.
But international diplomats say another peace coference will be held next month.
[SUPER=03-Yugoslavia;]

Meantime, as the talks were underway in France, fighting resumed in northern Kosovo today.
Albanian rebels targeted a Serb village where a civilian was killed the night before.
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[congress-clinton]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bill Clinton]

The U-S policy in Kosovo is among the issues President Clinton is discussing with Congressional leaders today at the White House.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]

It's the President's first meeting with leaders from both parties in more than a year.
(///////SOT/////)
[in=]
(( (CLINTON): I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE SERBS EXERCISE RESTRAINT ON THE GROUND AND THAT THE KOSOVARS RESPOND IN KIND. THEY'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS AND THEY DON'T NEED TO LET THIS THING GET AWAY FROM THEM.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT=GET AWAY FROM THEM.]
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[VO-NAT]

Other topics include Social Security and education.
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[AVALANCHE]

[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

More deadly avalanches today in Europe.
At least one person was killed when an avalanche crashed into a Village in the Italian Alps.
Two more were killed and 30 are missing following an avalanche that engulfed a mountain restaurant in Austria.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Valais, Switzerland;]
[8:10:22]
Meantime, in Switzerland search parties continue to look for survivors from a weekend avalanche that killed at least two people.
Eight French tourists are still missing, and fresh snowfalls overnight have raised the threat of new avalanches.
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[Cheap-Gas]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-3 TC49:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It's getting a whole lot cheaper to travel along Route 460 between Roanoke and Lynchburg.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

In an attempt to attract customers, the newly- opened Sheetz gas station in New London is selling "87" octane gas for 69 cents a gallon.
That's more than a nickel cheaper than its nearest competitors.
Nationwide, the average price of a gallon of gas has dipped below one dollar for the first time in decades.
Experts say prices will probably rebound this spring.
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[tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Thousands packed the Roanoke Civic Center on Friday
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[VO-NAT ]
to get a glimpse of Elton John in concert.
So what's the next big act on the Civic Center's list.
We'll talk to marketing director Robin Schon when we return.
Right now, let's talk to Patrick Evans.
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[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease] [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]

[Civic-Center]

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

Following the success of the Elton John concert last weekend, a lot of people are wondering who's next on the Roanoke Civic Center's list.
Joining us to talk about the Civic Center's future
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Robin/Microwave]
is Robyn Schon, marketing director of the Civic Center.
Robyn, thanks for joining us.
Will the Elton John concert lead to bigger and better things for the Civic Center?
[Live=Robyn Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=01-Robyn Schon/Roanoke Civic Center;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

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[VO-NAT]
(roll during first question)
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Friday;]
[RUNS=:30]
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[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

Do you have to do anything special to attract an act like Elton John?
Some people had problems with the ticket distribution system. Are there any plans to change that?
( ad lib)

[Double Boxes=Melanie and Robin/Microwave]

[Mexico-G]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Going South]

The hard part is taking jobs away from Americans.
But apparel companies say understanding the story behind the layoffs is easy.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Matamoros, Mexico;]

Companies send work to Mexico to save money.
And one reason they have to do it, they say, is Americans aren't willing to pay higher prices for clothes that are made in America.
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[SOT mexico 2 -- 10:36:14]
[IN Q=the severe]
((LARRY MARTIN: THE SEVERE COMPETITION IN THE APPAREL AND RETAIL INDUSTRY IS PROVIDING GREAT BARGAINS FOR CONSUMERS THESE DAYS BUT MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR COMPANIES TO OPERATE.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Martin/American Apparel Mfrs. Assoc.;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=OPERATE]
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[VO-NAT]

The solution companies have found is sending work to Mexico, where they pay sewers a fraction of what they paid workers in the U-S.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE Full Screen Board]
Tonight on News-7 at six, we continue our look at the apparel industry that's Going South.
We'll hear from the companies as they explain why they've had to lay off so many people.
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[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

There's snow in the forecast-- Patrick will have the details in just a couple of minutes.
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[VO-NAT ]

And next on News-7 at Noon-- after more than 30 years of service to Virginia Tech, Paul Torgersen is stepping down.

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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[Tech-President]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Torgersen]

After six years as president of Virginia Tech, Paul Torgersen is stepping down.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

Torgersen announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of the year.
Before becoming president in 1993, he taught in the engineering department for more than 30 years.
Torgersen says he'll most remember the achievements Tech has made in the area of information technology.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=I take great pride]
((PAUL TORGERSEN/VIRGINIA TECH PRESIDENT TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN THAT, VERY FEW INSTITUTIONS HAVE DONE WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUT IN A MORE GENERAL SENSE I TAKE SATISFACTION WITH THE SENSE OF FAMILY THAT ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STAFF, I THINK IN SOME WAYS, I HAVE ADVANCED THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Torgersen/Virginia Tech President]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=have advanced that]
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[VO-NAT]

A search committee has already been formed to help the Board of Visitors in its search for a new president.
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[School-Bond]

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

Voters in Danville will decide next week whether to support a 36- million dollar bond referendum to pay for school improvements and building projects.
Last night, people got a chance to hear why they should vote YES.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

The P-T-A sponsored forum addressed plans for Glenwood Elementary and the city's other schools.
And speakers pleaded for a YES vote on the 36- million dollar bond referendum.
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[SOT 44:47-45:00]
[IN Q=A no vote on this]
((LINWOOD WRIGHT/FORMER MAYOR: A NO VOTE ON THIS BOND REFERENDUM IN MY OPINION IS A DECLARATION FOR THE ULTIMATE AND UNTIMELY DEATH OF THE CITY OF DANVILLE.)) [BUTT BUTT BUTT BUTT] ((BARBARA PLEASANT/PARENT: IF WE'RE WILLING TO PROVIDE A TOP QUALITY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WE ARE SENDING A STRONG, POSITIVE MESSAGE TO NEW INDUSTRIES AND NEW BUSINESSES WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING TO COME TO DANVILLE.))
[SUPER=01-Linwood Wright/Former Mayor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Barbara Pleasant/Parent; :13]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=come to Danville.]
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[VO-NAT]

The school bonds would be paid for with year tax increases-- 1.8 percent in real estate and just over 3- percent in personal property.
While there were no vocal opponents at the forum, some people say passage of the referendum would put the city way over its debt limits.
Voters will decide this issue at the polls March 2nd.
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[Stocks]

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 15 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still ahead in sports, the Minnesota Vikings mourn a sudden loss.
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[VO-NAT]

And Dennis Rodman makes an appearance in tinseltown, but he's still not in uniform.
We'll have the latest from "the Worm", when News 7 at Noon continues.
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[COMM BREAK #3]

[ODAC]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-38]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

It's three in a row for the Tigers.
Hampden- Sydney took the sting out of Randolph Macon at the Salem Civic Center in front of 1,286 fans.
Steve Mason has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Yellow Jackets vs. Tigers; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Garst/Scored 5 Points; :13]
[SUPER=01-T. J. Grimes/Scored Game High 21 Points; :43]
[SUPER=33-Hampden-Sydney/73/Randolph-Macon/61; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Tony Shaver/6-0 in ODAC Championship; 1:21]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
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[College]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-42]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Salem Civic Center will also host the ODAC women's tournament. Play begins on Thursday.
[GRAPHIC=SOUTHERN]

In the Southern Conference, the Keydets will take on Furman at noon on Thursday at the Greensboro Coliseum.
[graphic=big south]

The Liberty men open the Big South tournament in Asheville, North Carolina Thursday night at eight. The winner of that game will play Radford Friday night in the semi-finals.
As for the Big south women, Radford will play Asheville Thursday afternoon. The Liberty Flames are the top seed and they have a first round bye.
[graphic=a-10]

The Tech women closed out their regular season with a two point win over George Washington.
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[VO NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

The Hokies are 25-and-1 and the top seed in the Atlantic 10 Western Division. They have a first round bye and don't play until Saturday at Noon against the winner of the Temple-Dayton game.
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[talent=Patrick]
[graphic=ACC]

The ACC women's event tips-off at Independence Arena in Charlotte on Friday. The UVa women will play their opener Saturday at 3:30.

[Sixers]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-37]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

In the professional ranks, the Seventy- Sixers continue their magical season.
Last night they beat the Cavaliers on the road 106-to-97.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH/Fox;]

The Sixers got out to an early lead. Allen Iverson gets the ball back to Matt Geiger who buries the jumper for two of his 18 points.
Danville's Johnny Newman would try to keep things close with this drive to the hoop for two.
[super=32-Philadelphia/106/Cleveland/97;]

But the Sixers come up big again.
George Lynch scored 15 and Iverson chipped in 37 to lead Philly to the nine point win. The Sixers are now one game above 500.
(------------)

[Rodman]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-41]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

The worm is slowly making his way to L-A.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollywood, CA; :00]
Dennis Rodman held a newsconference yesterday to announce that he plans to sign with the Lakers--POSSIBLY. Rodman says after taxes he will only make about $200 thousand this season, and he plans to donate $100 thousand of that to charity.
Reports indicate Rodman will report to practice tomorrow and make his debut at the Forum Friday night.
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[Vikings]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Vikings]
Minnesota Viking's offensive coordinator Chip Myers has died of an apparent heart attack.

Affiliate W-C-C-O is reporting that the assistant coach died this morning at his Minneapolis home.
Myers was named to his post in January, when Brian Billick left Minnesota to take the Ravens' head coaching job.

Chip Myers was fifty-three.

[Niners]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-27]
[GRAPHIC=Forty-niners]

Jim Drunkenmiller may be geting a new lease on life in San Francisco.
The Forty-Niners are reportedly on the verge of trading backup Ty Detmer to the Cleveland Browns. Detmer has a no trade clause in his contract, but he he apparently has agreed to the trade because he will be the Browns' starter in camp.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA/1997;]

Druckenmiller was relegated to third string last season after Detmer was signed.
He appeared in just one game last season and didn't even attempt a pass.
If the deal goes through, San Francisco will either give him some playing time, or trade him by next season.
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