[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

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


An underground explosion and blaze in downtown Roanoke temporarily shuts down traffic and power.
A live update is just ahead.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


And Twenty years after he allegedly kidnapped his daughters from their mother, Stephen Fagan is expected to plead guilty today .
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[SS=None]


You'll need the sunscreen if you're planning to be outside today, or really at all during the Memorial Day weekend.
The holiday forecast is chock full of sunny weather and warmer-than-normal temperatures.
We'll show you that, coming up.
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]


News 7 at noon is next.

[Electrical-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=nte]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Aftermath]


The effects of last night's electrical fire in Downtown Roanoke are still being felt this afternoon.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;]


Flames from the underground blaze shot into the night near the intersection of Luck Avenue, Franklin Road and Jefferson Street.
Firefighters needed more than three hours to put them out--and eventually had to turn off the electricity for a twenty-five block radius.
(-------------)
[CUT to DOUBLE BOXES!!!!]


[Downtown-Update]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#99-26 TC06:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]



[Double Boxes=Melanie and Tina/Microwave]


The power is back on, but repair efforts are still under way this afternoon-- and Tina Tenret is joins us from downtown now with the latest on the situation.
[Live=Tina Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Tina1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)
(Rollcue: new theory. )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Today; :00]
[SUPER=01-Terry McMahan/American Electric Power; :09]
[SUPER=01-Winston Simmons/Roanoke Deputy Fire Chief; :41]
[RUNS=:52]
[OUT Q=in Danger]
[Live=Tina Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]
( ad lib)



[Double Boxes=Tina and Melanie/Microwave]



[Bedford-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-11 TC1:22:59]
[GRAPHIC=Bedford Fire]


Fire gutted a home in the city of Bedford this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]


Around 9:30, firefighters from three local volunteer companies responded to 976 Orange Avenue.
Smoke and flames were pouring from the rear of the single- story home and it took crews about 15 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:29:25]
[IN Q=Started in the]

((DONALD HALE/BEDFORD V.F.D. CHIEF: STARTED IN THE BACK BEDROOM, THEN WORKED ITS WAY UP THE HALLWAY INTO THE OTHER BEDROOMS, THEN STARTED ROUND INTO THE KITCHEN. WHEN WE GOT HERE, WE MET IT AT THE FRONT DOOR AND TRIED TO PUSH IT ALL BACK.))
[SUPER=01-Donald Hale/Bedford V. F. D. Chief]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=push it all back.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The family living in the house escaped the blaze unharmed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
(------------)


[Fleming]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-17 TC32:01]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


It took a Lynchburg jury just ninety minutes this morning to decide on a life sentence for convicted killer Darrell Fleming.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Fleming had been found guilty of stabbing to death 16- year- old Corey Pennix last August, then stealing drugs and money from his body.
The jury at first told Judge Richard Miller they were deadlocked 11 to 1.. one juror told News7 the lone holdout was in favor of a death penalty.
The panel returned to the jury room and came back with a unanimous verdict 30 minutes later.
Fleming will be formally sentenced in July.
(------------)


[Fagan-plea]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


A father accused of kidnapping his two daughters 20 years ago and starting a new life in Florida is expected to plead guilty today in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[7:07:55]
In exchange, Stephen Fagan reportedly will receive a plea bargain that will spare him from jail time.
The Boston Herald reports he will pay a 100-thousand fine and recieve up to 2-thousand hours of community service.

Fagan says he fled with his girls to rescue them from an unfit and alcoholic mother, Barbara Kurth.
She denies the allegations.
Kurth is expected to be in the courtroom today.
It will be her first face meeting with her daughters since 19-79.
(------------)


[E-County-Rezone]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sta]
[TAPE#=99-25 16:03]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke County]


A victory for opponents of a proposed night club on Williamson Road in Roanoke County.
Stacey Martin heard what residents had to say at last night's Board of Supervisors meeting and has the details.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Dozens of citizens showed up]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bob Stull/Concerned Citizen; :14]
[SUPER=01-Ray Barger/Spur's Owner; :49]
[SUPER=@Stacey2; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=SM, News 7, Roanoke.]

((Dozens of citizens showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting with with one goal in mind-- to stop Spur's Lounge and Restaurant from coming to the Hollins community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20.03.11 - 20.03.24]
[IN Q=They can gloss]

((BOB STULL/CONCERNED CITIZEN: THEY CAN GLOSS THESE PLACES OVER ANY KIND OF WAY THEY WANT TO. BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS, ONCE YOU GET IN THERE FORTY-FIVE MINUTES AFTER IT STARTS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE DRUNK. THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE AND WHEN THEY GET IN THE CAR READY TO GO HOME THEY'RE GOING TO KILL PEOPLE. )) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q=to kill people.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20.00.24 - 20.00.33]
[IN Q=We don't drinking out there]

((WE DON'T NEED DRINKING OUT THERE. WE'VE GOT DAYCARE CENTERS ALL THE WAY AROUND THERE. I DON'T CARE IF THEY OPEN AT FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON OR FOUR O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING WE DON'T NEED THAT KIND OF PUBLICITY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=in our neighborhood.]


Earlier rumors indicated three night clubs would be crammed into the former Moore's building--triggering more concern about increased disorderly conduct.
However, the owner of Spur's said their plans had always included opening only two businesses.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17.46.47 - 17.47.01]
[IN Q=We're not doin']

((RAY BARGER/SPUR'S OWNER: WE'RE NOT DOIN' THREE NIGHTCLUBS. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CATTLEMEN'S STEAKHOUSE AND SPUR'S LOUNGE. THE ABC BOARD IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA WOULD NEVER ALLOW THREE NIGHTCLUBS. SO, THAT'S A RUMOR THAT STARTED, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT CAME FROM.)) [RUNS14]
[OUT Q=where that came from.]


But, a majority of the supervisors weren't swayed by promises of strict noise control and peaceful crowds and they denied the permit by a vote of four to nothing. Stacey Martin News 7, Roanoke.)) [tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


First Union may be closing some branches.
That's just one of the stories still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the nation prepares to remember those who died in defense of our country.
First let's talk to Kimberly McBroom about the holiday weekend forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Kimberly]

[Wx-Tease]
The outlook is great for travel, picnics, or any other kind of holiday celebration.
Not much change in the sky conditions, with high pressure anchored over the region.
But you WILL notice a difference in temperatures [Weatherpro] [music up full] [comm1]

[Kosovo]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Serbia Under Attack]


Much of the Yugoslav capital has been left without electricity after a night of air strikes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Belgrade, Yugoslavia;]

[7:22:21]
Power stations in and around Belgrade were among the targets.
NATO says good weather helped pilots hit a wide range of targets.
And with more clear skies forecasted for the next several days, Alliance officials say the play to pound away at Yugoslavia.
Amid the blackout and a war crime indictment against Yugoslav president Slogodan Milosevic, Russian envoy is in Belgrade today trying to seal a peace deal and end the NATO bombings.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

[10:09:36]
[IN Q=]

(("THERE IS NO NEGOTIATION HERE, THE FIVE CONDITIONS ARE THE FIVE CONDITIONS HE IS SIMPLY HEARING FROM CHERNOMYDRIN AS HE DID IN THE PAST FROM OTHER ENVOYS THAT HE HAS TO ACCEPT THESE."))
[SUPER=01-Jamie Shea/NATO Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=has to accept these.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Shea says NATO's strategy will not change even now that Milosevic has been indicted.
At the heart of the indictment is evidence Milosevic ordered the expulsion of more than 700-thousand Kosvar Albanians.
(------------)


[Arlington]


[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Memorial Day]


The nation observes Memorial Day on Monday, but not the folks in Waterloo, New York.
That's where idea of honoring the nation's war dead began more than 130 years ago.
The village still marks Memorial day on its traditional date, May 30th.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Arlington;]

[4;38:41]
Meantime, Memorial Day activities are already underway in Virginia.
Yesterday U-S Servicemen and women honored our war dead by placing small American flags before each gravesite at Arlington National Cemetary.
(------------)



[First-Union]


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


First, there were layoffs.
Now, there are reports that First Union may be closing a large number of its branches.
The Charlotte Observer is reporting that top executives have hinted that First Union may close some of the bank's 24-hundred offices.
A Wall Street analyst tells the newspaper that he anticipated a dramatic reduction in the number of branches.
Officially, no one at the bank is saying how many branches will close or when it might happen, if at all.
In March, the bank announced it was cutting 7 percent of its workforce, or nearly six-thousand jobs system-wide.

[henry-school]


[ANCHOR=noon]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=from tape 99-22]
[GRAPHIC=school shooting]


Spirits are said to be high in Conyers, Georgia, today as Heritage High School seniors get ready to graduate.
It was just over a week ago that a 15 year old gunman opened fire in the school, injuring six students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.]


The shootings in Georgia and Colorado have led to safety summits at schools Henry County schools.
About 40 showed up at Rich Acres Elementary Shcool last night to lear about the newest safety measures, like security cameras.
They'll be in all county high schools next year and later all middle schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]

((STEVE BURTON/BASSETT M.S. PRINCIPAL: THE KIDS KNOW ITS THERE AND I HAVE SEEN LESS THINGS GOING ON IN THE HALLWAY THAN THERE WERE BEFORE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEING WATCHED.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Burton/Bassett Middle School Principal;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=THEY'RE BEING WATCHED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


All school buses will also be equipped with cameras next year.
School administrators are also taking suggestions from parents like visitors badges and bus evacuation drills.
(------------)


[Chickenpox]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Medical New]
It's already the law in Virginia and ten other states and the District of Columbia---- and soon it could be the law

of the land.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

[7:35:00]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all states require chickenpox vaccinations for children entering day care or elementary school.
About four million Americans get chicken pox each year and some of them die.
A vaccine for the disease became available in 19-95.
(------------)

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


The crew of Discovery gets down to work on the International space station.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And we'll get a bird's eye view of Mars.
It's all still ahead on News-7 at Noon.
(-----------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]


[Shuttle]


[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Discovery]


The crew of space shuttle Discovery is on its way to a construction job 235 miles above the earth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Aboard Shuttle Discovery;]

[7:17:42]
Discovery is scheduled to meet up with the incomplete international space station early tomorrow, making it the first vehicle to dock with the station.
This is video of yesterday's shuttle launch from the cockpit's point of view.
Meantime, NASA scientists unveil clear, new, 3-d images of the planet mars, courtesy of a mars probe.
Manuel Gallegus reports.
(------------)


[WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]

[MARS]


[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE/WIPE/WIPE]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-David Smith/Mars Global Surveyer ; :07]
[SUPER=01-Maria Zuber/ Mars Global Surveyor; :46 ]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/Reporting; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Los Angeles]

(((LOCATOR: VIDEO FROM NASA) FOR THE FIRST TIME, SCIENTISTS HAVE A COMPLETE THREE DIMENSIONAL IMAGE OF THE SURFACE OF MARS_
--SOT- DAVID SMITH, MARS GLOBAL SURVEYER, in my opinion many aspects of mars looks more like the moon, than earth.

USING A LASER, THE MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR SPENT THE LAST TWO MONTHS MAPPING THE PLANET'S SURFACE. THE CRAFT TOOK SOME 900-THOUSAND MEASUREMENTS EVERY DAY. SOME OF THE REMARKABLE HIGHLIGHTS, A CANYON CALLED "VALLES MARINERIS" THAT'S 1850 MILES LONG. A CLUSTER OF FOUR ENORMOUS VOLCANOES_ ONE OF THEM 15 MILES TALL. A GIGANTIC CRATER, THE LARGEST IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM. 1300 MILES ACROSS, DEEP ENOUGH TO SWALLOW MT. EVEREST. PROBABLY CAUSED BY A MASSIVE IMPACT WITH AN ASTEROID.
-SOT- MARIA ZUBER, MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR

"the energy corresponds to the energy used in the u.s. in the last 10-billion years_ so it was a whopper." AS FOR THE KEY QUESTION, IS THERE WATER ON MARS , THERE ARE POLAR CAPS, AND POSSIBLY EVIDENCE OF WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN SHORE LINES, AND AN OCEAN.
- SOT-MARIA ZUBER

All of these things are consistent with a past body of water. But wre haven't found a smoking gun yet. SCIENTISTS HOPE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHETHER THERE'S WATER AT THE POLAR CAPS, WHEN THE NEXT MARS CRAFT LANDS HERE THIS DECEMBER. MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS LOS ANGELES.))

[Stocks]


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


On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 61 points.
[tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]


Coming up in your noon sports--
We've got coverage of lots of high school action--
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]


And the Petty team continues to celebrate its 50th birthday during preparations for the race in Charlotte this weekend.
That and more coming up after the break--
(---------------)

[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]


[S-Charlotte]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-43 (1:16:33)]
[GRAPHIC=Charlotte]


Michael Waltrip led second round qualifying at Charlotte yesterday. He turned in a speed of 182 point 877 miles per hour to claim the 26-th spot.
[graphic=petty 50th anniversary]


But yesterday, the Petty's were the show as their 50th anniversary party continued. Mike Stevens has more from Lowe's Motor Speedway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :24]
[SUPER=01-Richard Petty/Petty Enterprises Owner; :42]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt/Hornaday's Car Owner; 1:14]
[SUPER=01-Ron Hornaday/Moves to Busch Series in 2000; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:53]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(----------------------)





[S-Bassett]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-39 (1:02:19)]
[GRAPHIC=High School Baseball]


Bassett has advanced to the finals of the Region four high school baseball tournament.
The Bengals beat Abingdon yesterday 4 to 2.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett/Bassett vs Abingdon; :]


The Basset Bengals huddle before the start of the game.
In the fourth inning, Bassett's Cedric Watkins hits a long shot to centerfield but he stubbles as he rounds second and get caught up in a run down and gets tagged out.
Abingdon's Josh Ringstaff he takes off for first after the bassett catcher fumbles the third strike and he rounds the bases and makes it to third base after the catcher makes a bad throw.
[SUPER=34-Bassett/4/Abingdon/2/;]


Abingdon's Adam Abel hits a grounder to short and Ringstaff scores the run on the fielders choice but Bassett wins the game 4 to 2.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[SS=HOLD]


In other action from the high school diamonds yesterday--
In Region C baseball, John Battle beat Grayson County 9 to nothing Battle's Jimmy Cobble struck out 15 batters.
And Glenvar beat Rural Retreat 4 to 3. It's the Indians first trip to the regionals in 25 years.
[SS=Softball]


In Region C softball, Glenvar beat Parry McCluer 2 to 1 then lost to Patrick Henry glade Spring 4 to 2.
Glenvar still advances to the state tournament.
And Virginia High downed Patrick County 3 to 1.



[S-Glenvar]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-31 (1:32:48)]
[GRAPHIC=Soccer Logo]


Glenvar has advanced to the finals of the Region C soccer tournament.
The Highlanders downed George Wythe 6 to 5 in sudden death overtime.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Glenvar vs George Wythe; :]


The Maroon coach Angelo Semonelli giving some last minute advice to his players during the game.
It was a defensive struggle here Glenvar's Adam Livingston would make some good saves and stops this shot by the Maroon offense.
Both offenses would have a tough time scoring here Glenvar's Ryan Mullen misses the easy put away and the game remained scoreless heading into the second half.
[SUPER=34-Glenvar/6/George Wythe/5/;]


George Wythe had plenty of opportunities but can't find the back of the net and Glenvar goes on to win it in overtime in a penality kick shootout.
(------------)




[S-Soccer]


[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-34]
[GRAPHIC=soccer]


The 13th annual memorial day soccer tournament is this weekend. 155 youth soccer teams will compete.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Year; :00]


ages range from six through 18, girls and boys.. Seven states will be represented.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="The talent]
[SUPER=01-Danny Beamer/Tournament Director; :00]
[RUNS=:17]

(------------------------) [OUT Q=....in two days"]
by SS