WDBJ 7 morning news for 04/16/99

[Headlines]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

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

(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Yesterday's rain has left behind patchy dense fog and variable clouds--
Expect temperatures to run a little warmer than they did yesterday.
The latest forecast, straight ahead.
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(ad lib live tease)
[2-shot]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[Kosovo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Serbia Under Attack]

Good Morning, I'm Melanie Moon.
NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia continues, amid reports that thousands more ethnic Albanians have crossed over into Macedonia and Albania.
Some observers think it may be a final Serb push to rid Kosovo of its ethnic Albanians.
Bobbi Harley has the latest from Washington.
[Live=Harley Full/NEWSPATH]
[SUPER=01-Bobbi Harley/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington DC;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jamie Shea/NATO Spokesman; :32]
[SUPER=01-William Cohen/Secretary of Defense; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=]

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

((

A NEW NIGHT OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA...
A NEW SET OF CHARGES AGAINST NATO.
YUGOSLAV TELEVISION SHOWED THESE PICTURES OF BURNING FACTORIES AND GUTTED WAREHOUSES OVERNIGHT.
THE SERBS SAY NATO MISSILES ALSO HIT A REFUGEE CENTER.. IN A TOWN SOUTH OF BELGRADE.
NO ONE WAS SAID TO BE INJURED.
NATO IS DENYING THAT REPORT...
BUT YESTERDAY, IT DID CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ATTACK ON A CONVOY.. THAT MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY KILLED DOZENS OF FLEEING KOSOVARS--
AN EMBARRASSING SCAR ON THE ALLIED MISSION:

((SOT: JAMIE SHEA/NATO SPOKESMAN))

((track))

KEEPING THE AIR CAMPAIGN UP AND RUNNING WILL COST THE U-S ALONE.. AT LEAST ONE BILLION DOLLARS EACH MONTH--
ANOTHER 300-MILLION --MONTHLY-- IF GROUND TROOPS ARE SENT IN.
AND THAT MAY NOT BE AN EASY PILL FOR LAWMAKERS TO SWALLOW.
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN PREDICTS THE FIGHTING WILL LAST WELL INTO THE SUMMER:

((SOT: WILLIAM COHEN/SECRETARY OF DEFENSE))
"THIS IS NOT GONNA BE QUICK OR EASY OR NEAT. THIS IS VERY TRICKY. THERE'S GONNA BE A HIGH RISK OF CASUALTIES INVOLVED."))

[GA-Tornadoes]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Tornado (4396)]

A spring storm spawned a tornado a couple of states to our south .. with devastating consequences.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vienna, GA]
[04NA - 04:23:27] The tornado hit Thursday in Vienna, Georgia. Dozens of homes were damaged, and hundreds of people affected by the storm.
Authorities say at least 30 homes were destroyed and about 300 left homeless..
So far, there have been no reports of casualties, although some two dozen people were reported injured.
(------------)

[Gilmore-Bush]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Governor Gilmore will throw his support today to Texas Governor George W. Bush for the Republican nomination for president in 2000.
Gilmore has scheduled a news conference this morning to discuss the G-O-P presidential nomination.
Virginia has voted Republican in every presidential election since President Lyndon Johnson carried the state for Democrats in 1964.

[Gretzky]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It looks like even a request from Canada's prime minister to play one more year can't stop the "Great One" from retiring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Katana, Ontario, Canada;]

Wayne Gretzky gave his strongest hint yet last night that he'll play his last N-H-L game Sunday.
He told reporters following a Rangers- Ottawa game that he is leaning toward retirement.
Fans gave Gretzky a standing ovation, sensing it would be his last game in his home country of Canada.
The New York Rangers have scheduled a news conference this afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
The 38 year old Ranger's center holds 61 N-H-L records and is the all time N-H-L points leader with 2- thousand 56 points.
(------------)

[1-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In other sports, Daryll Strawberry says he was "just kidding".
Roy Stanley has details.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good Morning]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=later on Morning.]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(toss to Wx)

[One-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=01-Sunny Overbay/Korean Baptist Women;]

(toss to stocks)
[STOCKS] [COMM] ((Archive: local colors))

[E-FL-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-C]
[GRAPHIC=None]

High winds and the Florida heat are combining to create major wildfire problems in the Sunshine State.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 20:10:10]
[SUPER=03-Port St. Lucie, FL]

At least fifteen homes were destroyed as the blazes tore through the Port Lucie area of Florida. Residents were evacuated and school buses even stopped delivering students.
Fire official say the blaze is spreading in three directions.... and is threatening another 200 homes between Miami and Cape Canaveral.
(------------)

[Chase-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

He was wanted for an abduction and armed robbery in Salem, and for killing his father in West Virginia. But when police caught up with Christopher Robert Dart in Wyoming, he shot himself to death. The Highway Patrol in Wyoming says he filled his tank, then took off without paying.

Police say after they caught up with Dart, he killed himself with a handgun.[5-Fulcher]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=599-4 44:25]
[GRAPHIC=Fulcher]

A man and his mother who allegedly made thousands of dollars setting up a Bland Prison drug ring say they have an excuse.
They say they were working undercover for the government.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:12:14]
[IN Q=You never break the golden]
((YOU NEVER BREAK THE GOLDEN RULE. YOU NEVER DO DRUGS OR DEAL DRUGS.))
[RUNS=:02]
[OUT Q=DEAL DRUGS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

As a former D-E-A informant, Mike Fulcher knows all about trapping drug dealers.
He says he joined a Bland Prison drug ring to catch guards selling marijuana to inmates.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:28:09]
[IN Q=A career correctional]
((A CAREER CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, AND HIS FAMILY HAD BEEN CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, DIDN'T LIKE ALL THE BAD GUARDS BRINGING DOPE IN. SO HE WAS AWARE OF MY PAST INVOLVEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND HE BROUGHT ME A RECORDER SO I COULD TAPE THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Fulcher/Defendant;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=could tape them]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Four guards were arrested but federal agents say Mike Fulcher was the drug KINGPIN.
His mother Ethel is charged with laundering more than 10-thousand-dollars in drug money that her son mailed her from prison.
She recently helped the Botetourt County sheriff in a sting operation -- but federal agents say this time, the Fulchers were NOT working for them.
(------------)

[E-Va-Reserves]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-3 1:51:47]
[GRAPHIC=None]

As more and more aircraft are being deployed over the Balkans, there's more preparation in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.; ]

Most of that preparation can be found around Richmond, where Virginia's Air National Guard is headquartered.
Practice bombing runs and dog fights over the North Carolina coast are NOT just an academic exercise for these reservists.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:58:36 ]
[IN Q=Uh, I don't]
((COL. BOB SEIFERT/VIRGINIA AIR NAT. GUARD: UH, I DON'T KNOW. I HEAR THE THINGS YOU HEAR, AND WE ARE READY. AND CERTAINLY, IF WE'RE CALLED UPON, WE'RE READY TO GO, AND I THINK WE COULD BE A BIG HELP.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Bob Seifert/Virginia Air Nat. Guard]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=a big help.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The 192nd Fighter Wing has, after all, flown reconnaisance missions over Bosnia, and patrolled Iraq's "no fly zone."

Its F-16 pilots are well aware of the headlines about Kosovo.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:01:15 ]
[IN Q=You try]
((CAPT. SCOTT CROXTON/VIRGINIA AIR NAT. GUARD: YOU TRY TO LEAVE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ASIDE. YOU LOOK AT THE GREATER PICTURE, THE GREATER MISSION, AND IF WE CAN HELP ACCOMPLISH THAT, WE'RE CERTAINLY PREPARED TO DO THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Capt. Scott Croxton/Virginia Air Nat. Guard]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=do that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Right now, they fly twice a week to stay ready for war.
(------------)

[Health-Check]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Mornin Health Check]

In medical news, bone marrow and breast cancer. A new study still leaves plenty of unanswered questions.
Mika Brzezinski has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mika Brzezinski/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]

(( ((on cam))
A HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF USING BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS TO TREAT BREAST CANCER.. COMES UP WITH NO CLEAR ANSWERS.
VT=VO
((vo))
PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO THIS PROCEDURE RECEIVE HIGH DOSES OF CHEMOTHERAPY--
THEN THEY'RE GIVEN BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS TO REBUILD THEIR DAMAGED IMMUNE SYSTEM.
BUT MOST OF THE CASES LOOKED AT SO FAR... SHOW NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS TYPE OF THERAPY AND STANDARD TREATMENTS.
HOWEVER, RESEARCHERS SAY THEY WON'T REALLY KNOW IF THE TRANSPLANTS WORK.. UNTIL MORE STUDIES ARE DONE.//
VT=VO
((vo))
INSTEAD OF CREATING NEW MEDICINES--
SCIENTISTS HOPE TO DESTROY HIGHLY-RESISTANT BACTERIA... BY ALTERING DRUGS ALREADY ON THE MARKET.
NEW JERSEY RESEARCHERS SAY ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL ANTIBIOTICS NOW AVAILABLE--BECAME EVEN STRONGER-- AFTER SLIGHT CHANGES WERE MADE.
THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR PATIENTS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS-- CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF DRUG-RESISTANT STRAINS POPPING UP AROUND THE COUNTRY.
AND THAT IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S DICAL NEWS. I'M MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))

(ad lib to weather)

[Two-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]

(I'll call for board)
[essc87??]

[Double Boxes=KMC & SPA]
(toss to Kimberly)
[2-HEADLINES]
[2-shot=Mel/Kmc]
[SUPER=#4049; Morning Headlines]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

NATO is continuing its air campaign against Yugoslavia, while offering deep regret for Wednesday's attack on a refugee convoy.
Alliance jets last night and this morning struck at Belgrade and other cities, pounding military installations, T-V transmitters and oil refineries.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
Meantime, as more airpower is sent to the Balkans, military air activity increases stateside.
Some of the action can be found around Richmond, where Virginia's National Guard is headquartered.
Right now pilots are flying twice a week to stay ready for possible deployment.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And the man considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time is giving strong hints that Sunday will his last N-H-L game.
Wayne Gretzky recieved a rousing welcome and perhaps farewell from his fellow Canadians at a Rangers Ottawa game last night.
A Rangers news conference is scheduled for 4 pm today.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Friday April 16th.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[2Kosovo]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Serbia Under Attack]

Belgrade and Montenegro have been targeted in NATO's latest round of attacks.
Serb reports say an airport, a chemical plant and an oil refinery are among the targets.
The strikes continue amid reports that thousands more ethnic Albanians have crossed over into Macedonia and Albania.
Bobbi Harley has the latest from Washington.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jamie Shea/NATO Spokesman; :32]
[SUPER=01-William Cohen/Secretary of Defense; 1:03]
[SUPER=01-Bobbi Harley/Reporting; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]

((

A NEW NIGHT OF AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA...
A NEW SET OF CHARGES AGAINST NATO.
YUGOSLAV TELEVISION SHOWED THESE PICTURES OF BURNING FACTORIES AND GUTTED WAREHOUSES OVERNIGHT.
THE SERBS SAY NATO MISSILES ALSO HIT A REFUGEE CENTER.. IN A TOWN SOUTH OF BELGRADE.
NO ONE WAS SAID TO BE INJURED.
NATO IS DENYING THAT REPORT...
BUT YESTERDAY, IT DID CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ATTACK ON A CONVOY.. THAT MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY KILLED DOZENS OF FLEEING KOSOVARS--
AN EMBARRASSING SCAR ON THE ALLIED MISSION:

((SOT: JAMIE SHEA/NATO SPOKESMAN))

((track))

KEEPING THE AIR CAMPAIGN UP AND RUNNING WILL COST THE U-S ALONE.. AT LEAST ONE BILLION DOLLARS EACH MONTH--
ANOTHER 300-MILLION --MONTHLY-- IF GROUND TROOPS ARE SENT IN.
AND THAT MAY NOT BE AN EASY PILL FOR LAWMAKERS TO SWALLOW.
DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN PREDICTS THE FIGHTING WILL LAST WELL INTO THE SUMMER:

((SOT: WILLIAM COHEN/SECRETARY OF DEFENSE))
"THIS IS NOT GONNA BE QUICK OR EASY OR NEAT. THIS IS VERY TRICKY. THERE'S GONNA BE A HIGH RISK OF CASUALTIES INVOLVED."))

[Clinton-rallies]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=mornin]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

President Clinton is in Detroit this morning for a visit to a military base as he vows NATO'S bombing campaign in Yugoslavia will continue.
He was greeted by demonstrators for and against the U-S involvement in the conflict when he made a stop yesterday in San Francisco.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[4:05:22]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=(nats of crowd)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Hundreds staged a noisy rally outside the Fairmont Hotel where president Clinton was addressing a convention of newspaper editors.
Demonstrators on both sides carried signs and chanted anti and pro war slogans. The protest ended peacefully behind police barricades.
(------------)

[Gilmore-Bush]

[E-American]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-E]
[GRAPHIC=American Airlines]

A federal judge has fined American Airlines pilots union more than 45 million dollars for that illegal sickout in February.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-February]

The sickout caused 67-hundred flights to be cancelled earlier this year.
The figure represents nearly the entire net worth of the Allied Pilots Assocation.
It's president expressed disappointment and says the case is far from over.
(-------------------)

[Three-Steve]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=spa]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

[Small Studio]
[SUPER=15-Steve/Pardon;]
[SUPER=07-Sanela Vugdalic]

(I'll call for board)
[essc87??]

[double Boxes=SPA & MEL]
(toss to Melanie)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
(ad lib toss to bump)
[BUMP-Chyron]
[COMM #6]
((Archive: local colors))

[2Chase-Suicide]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Christopher Robert Dart was wanted for killing his father in West Virginia, and for an abduction and armed robbery in Salem.
His life came to end in Wyoming yesterday when police caught up with him. The Wyoming Highway Patrol says Dart left a gas station without paying. After a chase, Dart was stopped.

Police say at that point, Dart took out a handgun and took his own life.[E-Taxes]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-12 1:44:58]
[GRAPHIC=Tax Day]

Well it's too late now. If you didn't get those tax returns in the mail by midnight, you could face penalties for being late. Most people beat the deadline, of course, but as Stacey Martin reports, many played the annual game of "Beat the Clock."
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Even a drive-by]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=07-Rachel Davin; :14]
[SUPER=01-Mike Spears/IRS; :35]
[SUPER=07-Gary Sparks; :50]
[RUNS=1:06]
[OUT Q=std]
((Even a drive-by tax drop option didn't do much to cut down the lines outside or inside downtown Roanoke's main post office-- where several last-minute filers waited in line to beat the midnight deadline.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17.39.24 - 17.39.30]
[IN Q=I hate paper work]
((RACHEL DAVIN: I HATE PAPER WORK SO BADLY THAT I WAITED 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE ANYWAY. BUT, OH WELL. LIFE'S TOUGH.)) [RUNS 06]
[OUT Q=life's tough.]

Inside help was just down the hall at a few desks manned by IRS officials who were answering last-minute questions and helping taxpayers avoid common mistakes --and take advantage of the new education credit.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17.47.43 - 17.47.51]
[IN Q=That new child]
((MIKE SPEARS/IRS INFORMATION SPECIALIST:THAT NEW CHILD CREDIT--THE NEW 400 DOLLAR CHILD CREDIT. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN AWARE THEY COULD TAKE IT AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST MISS THAT.)) [RUNS 08]
[OUTQ=just miss that.]

After the headache of filing, many people celebrated their relief by trying their luck at a prize wheel and sampling the free food.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17.38.07 - 17.38.22]
[IN Q=I think it's neat]
((GARY SPARKS:I THINK IT'S NEAT. IT RELIEVES YOU OF THE PRESSURE OF HAVING TO PAY IF YOU HAVE TO PAY BUT IT RELIEVES ME OF THE PRESSURE A LITTLE BIT.)) [RUNS 15]
[OUT Q=a little bit.]))

[E-Mormon-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-B]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Salt Lake City police say they still don't know why a 71 year old man opened fire at a Mormon church library yesterday. But they do know he had a history of schizophrenia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salt Lake City, UT]

The man killed two people before being killed by police.
The city's mayor says a library security guard and a patron died- after the gunman began randomly shooting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT14:51:41]
[IN Q=I heard]
((TOM WILSON/WITNESS: I HEARD THIS SHOT AND I RECOGNIZED IT A SHOT NOT JUST A BALLOON GOING OFF, SO I STARTED TO YELL GET DOWN ON THE FLOOR. PEOPLE PROBABLY THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY. PEOPLE STARTED TO GET ON THE FLOOR LUCKILY.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Wilson/Witness;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=THE FLOOR LUCKILY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Swat teams raced in shortly after the shooting began.
Gunfire was exchanged- the gunman was shot and killed by police.
(------------)

[Sea-Rescue]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The coast guard pulled off a difficult sea rescue yesterday, and they had their tapes rolling along the Pacific coast.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Off Gray's Harbor, WA]

The Coast Guard raced to a fishing ship in distress 25 miles out of Westport, Washington.
The crew of a fishing boat reported they were taking in water.
[SUPER=04-Coast Guard Video]

The Coast Guard dropped a pump to them, but something happened on the way back to port and the flooding increased.

They called for help and a Coast Guard motor lifeboat pulled alongside.
The last of the crew leaped to safety just moments before the boat named "Tekie Talk" slipped into the waves.
(------------)

[2gretzky]

[ANCHOR=Mealnie]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The "Great One" has given his strongest hint yet that he'll play his last N-H-L game Sunday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ontario, Canada;]
[4:15]
New York Rangers center Wayne Gretzky says it would take a mirale to chane his mind after retiring.
He made the comments last night after playing what was probably his last game in his home counrty, a 2 to 2 tie at Ottawa.
He recieved a standing ovation at the game.
Gretzky, who is the all time N-H-L points leader, says he'll talk to Rnager management today shortly before the team is expected to hold a news conference.
(------------)

[3-Sports]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=sports cut in]
[GRAPHIC=None]

In other ports, Bobby Hamilton gets his message across in Martinsville.
Roy Stanley has more.
Good Morning Roy.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Good morning]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=day everybody.]

[2GA-Tornadoes]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Tornado (4396)]

The worst we had to put up with yesterday was rain and drizzle, but it was much worse to our south.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vienna, GA]
A spring storm spawned a tornado in Vienna, Georgia, with devastating consequences. Dozens of homes were damaged, and hundreds of people affected by the storm.
Authorities say at least 30 homes were destroyed and about 300 left homeless..
So far, there have been no reports of casualties, although some two dozen people were reported injured.
(------------)

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
(weather toss)
[Local-Recap]
[SUPER=#4059;Local Recap]
[2-Shot=Mel/Kmc]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(++++++++)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
A man wanted for an abduction and armed robbery in Salem, and for killing his father in West Virginia is dead. When police caught up with Christopher Robert Dart in Wyoming, he shot himself to death.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
A lot of people may be a little short on sleep this morning. They're the ones who worked well into the night to beat the midnight tax deadline.
If you didn't get those tax returns in the mail by midnight, and if you owe money,you could face penalties.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[VO-NAT]

As more and more aircraft are being deployed over the Balkans, there's more preparation in Virginia.
Most of that preparation can be found around Richmond, where Virginia's Air National Guard is headquartered.
Practice bombing runs and dog fights over the North Carolina coast are NOT just an academic exercise for these reservists.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(ad lib bye)

[Promo]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Time Off]

Nearly a CENTURY after the first group of surveyors began their work there...Natural Bridge Caverns finally opened to the public.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Natural Bridge;]

Not because it took that long to do the developmental work-- but because of the alleged "ghost" who lives there...

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:09:47]
[IN Q=The original]
((CHARLES MCFADDEN/CAVERNS MANAGER: THE ORIGINAL SURVEYORS GOT TO THAT OPINT RIGHT THERE, WHERE THE LANTERN IS AND THE GHOST SCARED THE OUT OF HERE. OCCASIONALLY THERE WOULD BE A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE TO COME IN AND LOOK AT THE CAVE. BUT THAT'S WHY THE CAVE WASN'T EVER DEVELOPED BEFORE THE LATE 1970S. AT THE END OF THE 19TH CENTURY, WHEN THE OTHER MEN LEFT, NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO BE IN HERE FOR QUITE A WHILE. ))
[SUPER=01-Charles McFadden/Caverns Manager;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=quite a while]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

We'll explore these legendary Natural Bridge caverns...and learn how they stay in their "natural" state.....
(------------)
[TALENT=KIMBERLY]
Coming up tomorrow in "Time Off" on News 7 Saturday Morning. [GRAPHIC=TIME OFF]