[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

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


After tens of thousands of man-hours stocking shelves and organizing aisles-- the former Harris Teeter stores begin opening for business.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And a Florida woman could end her own life support in just a few hours.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]



[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Kroger]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#99-25 TC12:42]
[GRAPHIC=Kroger]


It took ten thousand man hours to stock 50-thousand different items at one store.
That's the kind of work Kroger has been doing since last Thursday.
Today two new stores opened at old Harris Teeter's in Roanoke.
[Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Microwave]


Scott Goldberg is at one of them, the biggest local Kroger in Cave Spring.
[Live=Scott Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue:former Harris Teeter shoppers)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[RUNS=:43]
[OUT Q=on the farm.]




[Live=Scott Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Melanie and Scott/Microwave]
(QUESTION: Did all nine new Krogers in Southwest Virginia open today?)


[Right-to-die]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Right to Die]


A Florida judge called it a difficult choice... but he granted an Orlando woman the right to have herself removed from life support.
When that happens later today... her own mother may be charged with murder.
The daughter was paralyzed when her mother allegedly shot her.
The mother had alledgely just learned that her daughter was planning to put her in a nursing home.
Byron Pitts reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[10:02:35]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Orlando, FL;]
[SUPER=01-Candace Smith/Georgette Smith's Daughter;]
[SUPER=01-Matt Ozolnieks/Florida Right to Life;]
[SUPER=01-Byron Pitts/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS]


[Gun-Control]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Gun Control]


President Clinton is cheering the Senate's vote to require child safety locks on handguns.
The measure passed by a lopsided margin last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]


It was one of a series of gun controls President Clinton wants attached to a juvenile justice bill.
[SUPER=03-Littleton, CO /April 20;;]


The legislation has been caught up in partisan wrangling for a week as lawmakers continue to react to the Columbine high school shootings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

(( I COMMEND SPEAKER HASTERT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING BACKGROUND CHECKS AT GUN SHOWS, AND FOR RAISING THE AGE OF HANDGUN OWNERSHIP TO 21. I URGE THE SENATE TO KEEP WORKING ON THE JUSTICE BILL, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL, AND TO BRING THESE COMMON-SENSE MEASURES TO A VOTE.))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=measures to a vote.]
(------------)

[vo-nat]
President Clinton is due to visit Littleton, Colorado, tomorrow.
President Clinton is also sending Congress a big education funding bill.
(-------------)
[SS=Education]


The 15 billion dollar package requires requires schools to use teachers certified in their subject.
And includes accountability provisions, to mandate that states intervene to turn around failing schools -- or shut them down -- and to issue report cards on each school.

[L'Burg-School]


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


The Columbine High School shootings and other threats have lots of people worried about school safety.
Lynchburg educators are hoping a popular crime prevention program will work in the classroom.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg;]


Officials want to expand the Crimestoppers program into Lynchburg's two high schools.
Students who observe crimes or suspicious activity would be encouraged to call a toll-free number and report it.


(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Some Students]

((LT. ANDY VEST/LYNCHBURG POLICE: SOME STUDENTS ARE WORRIED THAT THEY'LL BE LABELLED AS A SNITCH OR AN INFORMANT, AND THIS WOULD GIVE THEM TOTAL ANONYMITY.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Andy Vest/Lynchburg Police; ]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=total anonymity]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


But some school board members were worried the crime line would replace the face- to- face relationship students already have with teachers and administrators.
They also fear it could encourage students to rat out their peers, even if the information is false.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's something that's]

((TRACEY SHAW/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S INSTINCTIVELY TROUBLING TO ME, TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM WHEREBY NINTH GRADERS OR WHOEVER ARE MAKING ANONYMOUS CALLS AND REPORTING ON OTHER NINTH GRADERS.))
[SUPER=01-Tracey Shaw/Lynchburg School Board Member; ]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=other ninth graders]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


But both high school principals support the idea.. they see it as just another tool for keeping their kids safe.
The board approved the Crimestoppers pilot program.. it takes effect next fall.
(------------)


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


The waiting is finally over.
Still ahead on News-7 at Noon, we'll hear what fans had to say about Star Wars after the midnight premiere.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And is it a cure for the common cold?
Researchers say a new drug cuts cold symptoms in half.
More on that in a moment, but first let's talk to Patrick Evans.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]

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


[Cold-Cure]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Common Cold]


Even with today's advances in medicine, scientists are still baffled by the common cold.
But now there's an experimental treatment... that could snuff out those sniffles.
Researchers say an experimental remedy called tremacamra (tray-mah-KAHM'-rah)
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[7:37:14]
cuts sneezing, runny noses and congestion nearly in half -- but only on one kind of virus.
The volunteers in the study all were given type 39 rhinovirus.
Rhinoviruses commonly cause colds, but at least 100 subtypes exist.
Whether the drug will work on the many other viruses known to cause colds hasn't been determined.
(------------)


[Tamoxifen]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=wipe/wipe/wipe]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[7:37:14]
And the nation's largest group of cancer specialists is recommending that the breast cancer drug, tamoxifen, be given to women at high risk for getting the disease.
The American Society of Clinical Oncology based its decision on research.. which showed Tamoxifen can cut a woman's risk of developing breast cancer almost in half.
But critics say Tamoxifen's potentially fatal side effects could end up harming healthy women.
(------------)


[Star-Wars-React]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=99-16 TC26:17]
[GRAPHIC=Star Wars Premiere]


More than a million people nationwide are expected to play hooky from work or school today so they can see the new Star Wars movie.
Others stayed up late to catch the midnight premiere.
And while many critics didn't like it, the consensus from the people who count is that ``Star Wars: Episode One _ The Phantom Menace'' is a hit.
Eric Earnhart reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=they waited for hours]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Melissa Smith/Fan; :31]
[SUPER=01-Jason Hutchins/Fan; :38]
[SUPER=01-Eric Wolley/Fan; :44]
[SUPER=01-Amy Ratcliffe/Fan; :50]
[SUPER=@Eric1; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=EE, News 7]

(( They waited for hours for tickets....
They waited for hours for the best seats....
They've been wait for years to see the beginning of story we ALL know the ending to...
At 12:01 this morning, the waiting was over....
The Phantom Menace was here....

[natsot]



Two hours and fifteen minutes later they emerged.... tired, and, for the most part, thrilled.

[SOT 02:28:16]
[IN Q=it was incredible]

(( MELISSA SMITH/FAN; IT WAS INCREDIBLE, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO COME OUT AND SEE THIS MOVIE, IT'S AWESOME DID IT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE? I THINK IT WAS EVEN MORE SO..))
[RUNS= :07]
[OUT Q=even more so.]




[SOT 02:29:23 ]
[IN Q=it was awesome]

(( JASON HUTCHINS; IT WAS AWESOME, I LIKED IT A LOT, THE SWORD FIGHT GAVE ME CHILLS. ))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=gave me chills]



[SOT 02:31:14]
[IN Q=let me just]

(( ERIC WOOLLEY/FAN; LET ME JUST TELL YOU, WHEN THE MUSIC STARTED PLAYING AT THE END THERE, YOU'VE JUST GOTTA SEE IT.
AMY RATCLIFFE/FAN; IT WAS THE MOST UNBELIEVABLE THING I HAVE EVER SEEN, IT WAS WORTH EVERY CENT AND EVERY SECOND THAT WE WAITED. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO SEE IT AGAIN? TOMORROW. ))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUT Q=tomorrow]


[standup] ONE SURE SIGN OF A SUCCESSFUL FILM, PEOPLE STANDING AROUND OUTSIDE THE THEATER TALKING ABOUT IT, AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING. IN ROANOKE COUNTY, ERIC EARNHART, NEWS 7.))
[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


How would you represent Virginia on a quarter?
The governor wants to hear your ideas.
More on that when News-7 at Noon returns.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And a Minnesota town celebrates a new bridge with a bang.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[Reenactor]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-24 TC08:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]


This morning, students at Roanoke's Grace Academy heard a first-hand account of the Civil War...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Well, sort of..
Reenactor Bud (Dairy) Derey travels around the area, portraying his great- grandfather, who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg.
In his performance, Derey speaks to an imaginary grandson in the monologue.
This group of kindergartners through fifth graders are beginning to learn about the Civil War in the classroom, but Derey say his show helps put the history lesson into perspective.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:04:51]
[IN Q=History, in general]

((BUD DEREY/CIVIL WAR REENACTOR: HISTORY, IN GENERAL, I THINK THAT IF WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO US IN THE PAST, WE'RE SUBJECT TO REPEAT MISTAKES IN THE FUTURE. SO, I JUST THINK EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW WHERE THEY CAME FROM AND HOPEFULLY, THAT'LL PUT THEM IN THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO IN.))
[SUPER=01-Bud Derey/Civil War Reenactor;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=we need to go in]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Derey began performing this year for students, as well as other groups.
(------------)


[Virginia-Quarter]


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


Want to help design a quarter?
Governor Gilmore is asking for help to design the coin that honors Virginia.
Each year the federal government is releasing five new quarter designs, each with a tails design specific to a state.
Virginia, the 10th state, gets its coin in 2000.
The four finalists for Virginia's quarter are the Colonial Williamsburg Capitol, Jefferson's design of the state Capitol in Richmond, Mount Vernon and the 400-year celebration of the founding of Jamestown.
Gilmore has until mid-June to decide.
He's asking Virginians to mail, e-mail or phone in their suggestions to his office by June 4th.

[Cannon-man]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Minnesota town is getting the construction season off --with a bang.
(/////sot////)
[IN=]

[7:25:-]
[SUPER=03-Two Harbors, MN;]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT=(nats of man shooting)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


David "the BULLET" Smith was shot from a cannon down main street in the town of Two Harbors, while some 15- hundred people looked on.
It's meant to kick off the construction of a new railroad bridge.
No word yet when the work will be finished.
(------------)


[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 23 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Coming up in sports--
The Indy Racing League makes some changes to track rules in light of the deadly accident in Charlotte earlier this month.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the route 460-series is back as the Salem Avalanche and Lynchburg Hillcats meet for the first time this season.
That and more coming up after break.
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[Fences]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=nte]
[TAPE#=Sp-32]
[GRAPHIC=Charlotte]


At the top of sports this Noon--
Some resolution in the wake of the fatal crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte earlier this month.
The Indy racing League announced plans to increase the height of fences at tracks in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Fort Worth--and Charlotte.
The I-R-L also will start requiring wheel tether systems beginning at next week's Indy 500.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC/May 1;]


Three spectators were killed and eight were injured by debris that flew over the 15 foot fence--including pieces of a wheel--in that crash on May first.
The fences will be raised to 21 feet.
(-------------)


[S-Winston]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-41 5845tc]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


The Winston Cup stars are getting for their annual all-star race in Charlotte this Saturday as they return to the Lowe's Motor Speedway for the 15th anniverary of the Winston.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[super=04-"The Winston";]


Over the years time this race has always had a way of producing its controversial and crash-filled moments.
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC/Last Week; ]


Current points leader Dale Jarrett will be in the field. He tested for 2 days at the track last week and talked about why it's so wild.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Probably because...]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/Winston Cup Points Leader; :00]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...in that position."]
(------------)


[S-Hillcats]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-40]
[GRAPHIC=hillcats/avalanche]


The Salem Avalanche and Lynchburg Hillcats battled for the first time this year last night, as the two renewed their Route 460 rivalry with game one of a three game set in Lynchburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Avalanche vs. Hillcats; :00]


It was a beautiful night for a little baseball in the Hill City as the rain stayed away from City Stadium.
We pick it up in the top of the second with Salem down one to nothing and looking to come back. Mark Hamlin doubles down the left field line to drive home Jose Gonzalez and we're tied at 1-all.
It stayed that way until the bottom of the third when the Hillcats came alive. Victor Gutierrez singles to get the inning started. he would later score to make it 2-to-1 Hillcats.
In the bottom of the frame, the Avalanche's Brian Keck starts things off with a single up the middle that looks like a harmless base hit.
Until you factor in the next batter, Andres Mitchell, who clobbers the pitch, sending
[SUPER=37-Salem/8/Lynchburg/2;]

it over the left field fence for a two run homer. Salem goes on top 3-to-2, eventually winning 8-to-2.
(------------)


[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=Sp-35 tc 1:03:17]
[SS=VA TECH baseball]


Tech is all set for this week's A-10 Baseball Championship.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]


The Hokies boarded a bus yesterday and headed to Boyertown, Pennsylvania.
Tech enters the tournament with an 18 and three conference mark and the West Division regular season title.
The Hokies are also on a 13 game winning streak.
Tech won the Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 1997.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we have]
[SUPER=01-Barry Gauch/Senior Catcher; :02]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Hartman/Virginia Tech Head Coach; :15]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=For us]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Two Hammerin' Hokies have been invited to tryout for the Olympic Team.
Former Franklin County star Larry Bowles' and pitcher Pat Pinkman will get a shot at making team USA.
(------------)
[talent=Patrick]
[graphic=tech regular]


In one other Tech note, the Hokies won the Hanes Atlantic 10 commissioner's Cup Tuesday. It is given to the top atheltic department in the conference. The Hokies won two regular season and 7 tournament titles in men's and women's spo rts.
by SS