WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 08/04/99

[HEADLINES]

[TALENT=Melanie]

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

Senate continues the farm-aid debate after voting down a Democratic plan.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

And a moment in silence in Atlanta for the victims of last week's office building shooting.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]

News 7 at noon is next.

[disaster-aid]

[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=DROUGHT]

Democrats and Republicans agree farmers are facing an economic crisis because of a drought, flooding and depressed crop prices --but the can't seem to agree on how much emergency aid they need.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[4:45:17]
Yesterday, the Senate voted down an eleven billion dollar Democratic aid plan after Democrats NARROWLY failed to kill the seven billion dollar Republican package.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[4:10:36-43]
[IN Q=the farm crisis is truly an emergency..]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Richard Gephardt/Minority Leader;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=emergency measures.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But there may be a new plan on the table when lawmakers go back to work today.
Republicans and Democrats want to work out a deal on an aid package before lawmakers leave for the August recess.
(-----------)

[Roanoke-Sign]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jbi]
[TAPE#=99-21 1:19:40]
[GRAPHIC=Water Supply]

Roanoke City residents now have a way to track their progress with water conservation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The city's "wave to save" campaign put a sign in front of the Civic Center today. It lists how many millions of gallons of water have been saved in the past week. This is just the latest step in the campaign that began a month ago with mandatory water conservation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:14:13]
[IN Q=We have]
((DIANE AKERS/ ASST. CITY MANAGER: WE HAVE BUMPER STICKERS THAT WE'RE SAYING "JOIN THE WAVE TO SAVE" AND WE'RE MEETING WITH CITIZEN GROUPS, WE'RE PUTTING INFORMATION ON THE CITY PAGE.))
[SUPER=01-Diane Akers/Assistant City Manager]
[RUNS=8]
[OUT Q=city page]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The goal of 28 million gallons will remain the same but the sign will be updated weekly for motorists to see. The city is planning on adding more signs if this first one is successful.
(------------)

[tax-plan]

[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=taxes]

G-O-P leaders are preparing to do battle with the White House over taxes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[4:45:17]
After two days of closed door negotiations, Republicans in the House and Senate have agreed on a huge tax cutting plan.
The seven hundred and ninety two billion dollar proposal calls for a gradual cut in the personal income tax.
It would also raise the standard deductions for married couples.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[4:06:59-16 and 4:07:21]
[IN Q=i'm very proud.]

((WILLIAM ROTH:I'M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT....AS MUCH AS 5-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
BILL ARCHER:BUT I HOPE THE PRESIDENT....IN THEIR OWN HOMES.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. William Roth/(R) Delaware;]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Bill Archer/(R) Texas;]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=in their own homes.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

President Clinton vows to veto the plan saying its too big and would waste the government surplus.
(------------)

[atlanta-plane]

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

A man is still being held by federal officials in Atlanta after what appeared to be a terrorist threat aboard a Delta passenger jet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA;]

Just before the plane was set to takeoff last night for Istanbul, Turkey, F-B-I agents stopped the flight and made all 217 passengers get off the plane.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
(( Tom Bush/FBI "The F-B-I received information from our Valdosta office which lead us to believe that there was a potential threat to national security of a terrorism nature."))
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Tom Bush/FBI;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=of a terrorism nature.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The F-B-I says the terrorism concern has been resolved but the man is still being held for other, unspecified reasons.
One published report states airport officials became suspicious when the man paid cash for his one way ticket and then retrieved his luggage from a U-Haul truck.
(------------)

[memorial]

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

As the city of Atlanta dealt with one crisis last night, today it tries to move forward following another.
Stunned and grieving residents are coming together this afternoon to remember the 12 people killed last week by a suicide gunman.
Jennifer Jones reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[11:30-UPDATE]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA; :00]
[SUPER=01-Calvin Lewis/Police Chaplain; :24]
[SUPER=04-Thursday; :36]
[SUPER=03-Dunwoody, GA/Yesterday; :46]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/Reporting; :53]
[RUNS=1:07]
[OUT Q=CBS news]
(( IT'S BEING CALLED A SERVICE OF HOPE AND REMEMBRANCE.. A CITY-WIDE MEMORIAL FOR VICTIMS OF RECENT VIOLENCE IN ATLANTA.. INCLUDING LAST WEEK'S MASSACRE AT TWO OFFICE BUILDINGS.
ABOUT TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND TODAY'S SERVICE.. HERE AT THE PEACH TREE ROAD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. CHURCH OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE THE GATHERING WILL BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MOURN AND MOVE FORWARD.

(SOT, CALVIN LEWIS, POLICE CHAPLAIN)

(locator: Thursday)

LAST THURSDAY, MARK BARTON SHOT AND KILLED NINE PEOPLE AT TWO ATLANTA STOCK TRADING OFFICES WHERE HE WAS A DAY TRADER. BARTON ALSO ALSO KILLED HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN BEFORE EVENTUALLY TAKING HIS OWN LIFE.

(locator: )

YESTERDAY, TWO MORE OF BARTON'S VICTIMS WERE LAID TO REST.. AS FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS GATHERED TO SAY THEIR FINAL FAREWELLS.

(JONES STANDUP CLOSE)))[VMI]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

The Justice Department is unhappy with Judge Jackson Kiser's latest order in the VMI case.
The government is appealing his ruling to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.
The notice was filed yesterday, without an explanation.
Kiser ruled a few weeks ago that VMI would have to continue sending him reports on the assimilation of women into the corps of cadets.
But Kiser admitted that his ruling didn't go as far as the Justice Department wanted.

[Lottery]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=rsp]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Big game]

One lucky ticket holder has hit the lottery pot of gold.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lottery officials say a single player won the grand prize in the Big Game lotto drawing.
Last night's drawing winning ticket is worth an estimated 116-million dollars. The ticket was purchased in Rossville, Georgia.
(------------)
[Anchor=Melanie]
[ss=Big game]

In addition to the grand prize winner, 13 people will receive prizes of 150 thousand dollars each for matching five numbers.
As well another 112 players matched four numbers and the Big Money Ball number entitling them to 5-thousand dollars each.
The grand prize winner has not come forth yet.

[Boy-Scouts]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=legal scales]

The New Jersey Supreme Court says the Boy Scouts of America can't ban homosexuals.
(---------)
[V0-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
[update-window11:30] Today's ruling is a victory for Assistant Scoutmaster James Dale.
Dale was dismissed after the scouts found out that he was gay.
Last year, an appeals court found that Dale's dismissal violated New Jersey's anti-discrimination laws.
And Today, the state high court agreed.
(---------------)

[Social-Security]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=599-8 49:59]
[GRAPHIC=Social Security]

Collecting Social Security benefits may seem like years away for people in their 20's, but soon you will start receiving yearly Social Security statements in the mail.
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Social Security Administration's Deputy Commissioner was in Roanoke yesterday.
She says the new statements will explain exactly what Social Security is ...
And how much younger workers would get if they retire or become disabled.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:44:25]
[IN Q=you often hear]
((CAROLYN COLVIN: YOU OFTEN HEAR THAT THEY DON'T THINK SOCIAL SECURITY WILL BE THERE FOR THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT. AND IT'S THERE FOR THEM NOW. IF THEY BECOME DISABLED THEIR BENEFIT CERTAINLY WOULD BE GREATER THAT ONE THEY COULD GET ON THE PRIVATE MARKET.))
[SUPER=01-Carolyn Colvin/Deputy Commissioner]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=PRIVATE MARKET]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Carolyn Colvin also says she's confident Congress and the President will find a way to keep Social Security solvent.

Right now ... by the year 2034 ... retiring baby boomers will be taking more money out of the trust fund than younger workers will be putting into it.
(------------)

[Night-Out]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-30 37:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Two Southside communities fought back against crime with a party.
Marya Jones takes a look at what the two communities did for National Night Out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND...Oh what a night.]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff; :13]
[SUPER=03-Danville; :24]
[SUPER=01-Shirley Coles/Neighborhood Watch Participant; :35]
[Super=@Marya2;]
[RUNS=1:13]
[OUT Q=MJN7.]
(([NAT SOUND: Oh what a night song - beg. Pitts. Night Out tape] ((NAT SOUND: Oh, what a night))
[runs= :03]

It was a night to party with a purpose....
In Pittsylvania County, local law enforcement mixed with thousands of residents, taking pride in their joint efforts to fight crime.
[SOT 1:54:28 - :39]
((HAROLD PLASTER/PITTSYLVANIA CO. SHERIFF: ANYTIME YOU CAN GET NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, WE KNOW THAT CRIME IS GOING TO GO DOWN IN THAT COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE NEIGHBORS ARE LOOKING AT THE NEIGHBORS.))
[RUNS= :00]

In Danville, residents celebrated seven years of neighborhood watch programs that they say have visible results.

Shirley Coles says residents in her neighborhood are no longer afraid to leave their houses at night because of drive-by shootings.
[SOT 1:26:52 - 1:27:05]
((SHIRLEY COLES/DANVILLE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PARTICIPANT: WE HAD SOME THINGS HAPPEN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE RESIDENTS WERE READY TO MOVE OUT, BUT BECAUSE THE NEIGHBORS HAVE TAKEN OWNERSHIP AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD BACK, WE DON'T SEE THAT ANYMORE.))
[RUNS= :13]

But all the emphasis on crime prevention came wrapped in a fun package.
Face painting made the fingerprinting easier to bear.
And kids learned where to sit in a fire engine and where NOT to sit in a squad car. [1:25:05]
[NAT SOT SQUAD CAR: 1:25:05]
((NAT SOT: KEEP YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK.))

Law enforcement and residents say that National Night Out highlights how neighborhood watch programs are taking a bite out of crime and making a big splash in Southside.
[NATSOT: SPLASH]
((NAT SOT: GRIMES SPLASH, OOOH))
[RUNS= :03]

Marya Jones, News 7.))

[Block-Party]

[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Bethel Baptist Church and the Acts-two ministry held a block party at Lincoln Terrace.Crime prevention was just one motive behind the message.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

There was free food, games, and door prizes plus Gospel music last night.
Organizers say these kinds of parties are a great way to bring a community together.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:07]
[IN Q=It's just]
((TODD MEYER/EVENT ORGANIZER: IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY TO LOVE THE COMMUNITY FOR AN AFTERNOON AND GET IN ROADS INTO THEIR HOMES SO THERE WE CAN MAKE A LASTING CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Meyer/Organizer]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=lasting change]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Act 2 Ministry has held 10 block parties over the last two years across the city.
(------------)

[Clinton-book]

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

A new book about President Clinton's marriage hits bookshelves today on the heels of the first lady's candid magazine interview.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[10:01;05]
Christopher Anderson's new book "Bill and Hillary" dissects the couples marriage, and alleges new details about Bill Clinton's extra-marital affairs.
Anderson says his sources include friends, colleagues, aides and staffers from the Clintons' days in Little Rock and in Washington.
[SYOER=@File;]
His book also claims Hillary Clinton had an affair with former law partner and white House lawyer, Vince Foster.
(////////Sot /////)
[SOT]
(( ."There's no doubt in my mind that Hillary and Vince Foster had an affair. She was seen many, many times in public and in a clinch with him, so to speak. We're not talking about a friendship, we're not talking about that kind of affection, we're talking about a romantic situation here."))

[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Christopher Anderson/Author;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=romantic situation.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Anderson attributes the story of Foster and Hillary Clinton to Arkansas state troopers and claims the affair was well known in Little Rock.
(------------)

[queen-mother]

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

A royal celebration today in London.
(////SOT////)
[IN=]
[SUPER=03-London, UK;]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT=(band playing...)]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[10:11:29]
Some five thousand well wishers were outside the home of Queen Elizabeth's mother this morning to wish her a happy 99th birthday.
The Queen Mother used only a silver handled cane to walk along the line of admirers, then made the return journey in a golf cart driven by a uniformed chauffeur.
Prince Charles and the Princes William and Harry were on hand for the celebration.

(-----------)[Japanese-Students]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-22]
[GRAPHIC=nONE]

Nine Botetourt County teenagers are stateside after a student exchange trip Asia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]

The students spent two weeks on the second largest Japanese island.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:29:04]
[IN Q=The kimono]
((JOSH SKILES/EXCHANGE STUDENT: THE KIMONO IS A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE GARMENT WORN MOSTLY ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS - NOT COMMONLY WORN. SOMETIMES OLDER PEOPLE STILL WEAR THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Josh Skiles/Exchange Student;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=still wear them]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Dynax -- an automotive parts company with a branch in Botetourt -- paid ten thousand dollars toward their trip.
Dynax officials in Japan offered a special dish to commemorate the program.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:27:54]
[IN Q=It's sort of a goodluck]
((IT'S SORT OF A GOOD LUCK CHARM ... BELIEVE IN.))
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=believe in]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Now this will be an annual program.
Japanese students visit Botetourt next spring.
(------------)

[S-Champ]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-42 13805tc]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS CAMP]
[DO NOT EDIT ON THIS TAPE!!!!]
He's ready to put to the rest all the bad luck the Washington Redskins have had with first round picks in the last several years. Mike Stevens talks with a rookie Champ Bailey who entering the NFL ring ready to fight.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Carlisle, PA; :00]
[SUPER=03-Frostburg, MD; :09]
[SUPER=01-Champ Bailey/Redskins Top Draft Pick;:18]
[SUPER=@mike1; :48]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(---------------)

[S-Ox]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-41 1:46:09]
[GRAPHIC=Falcons]

Atlanta Falcons fans aren't the only ones paying some attention to Ken Oxendine's temporary move up the depth chart. His former coach, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer has also noticed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greenville, SC/Falcons Training Camp; :00]

Jamal Anderson is holding out of camp in Greenville, South Carolina and Beamer says the extra work bodes well for his former running back.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Ken...]
((FRANK BEAMER/VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL COACH:))
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Virginia Tech Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=....just fine"]
(-----------------------)

[S-Football]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-43 tc 1:48:39]
[GRAPHIC=FFe]

In local football, one of Friday Football Extra's favorite coaches is bidding good-bye at the end of this season.
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

William Fleming Coach George Miller announced this would be his last.
Miller says he's moving on to other academic opportunities and he's cherishing every moment he has with this team.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Basically]
[SUPER=01-George Miller/William Fleming Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=a long time also]
(------------------)
[Vo-NAt]
[super=03-Roanoke Co.;]

On the other end of the spectrum, Cave Spring is welcoming a new addition. Ben Foutz has experience both at the college and high school level, most recently at Northside High School.
But this is the Cave Spring graduate's first head coaching job.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I feel]
(())
[SUPER=01-Ben Foutz/New Cave Spring Head Coach;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=in this business for]
(----------------------------)

[S-AVS]

[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-35 1:54:16]
[GRAPHIC=avalanche]

The relief from the heat brought the fans out to Salem last night for the opener of a three game home stand against the Winston-Salem Warthogs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Warthogs vs. Avalanche; :00]

This young fan was strutting his dance moves.
The Avs bust a move in the bottom of the first when Jody Gerut drives the ball to center and Todd Sears is gonna come on down. It's 2-nothing Salem.
This dance team gave an encore in the third, Gerut goes to center once again and
[SUPER=37-Salem/9/Winston-Salem/4;]
Sears passes go, collects 200 dollars and scores another run for the Avs.
Then, Miguel Correa, speaking softly and using a big stick, bunts, the throw to first is short and two more runs come on down.
Brian Anthony closes out the inning by knocking in Correa and Salem wins 9-4.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Partick]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-34]
[GRAPHIC=Express]

It may be off-season for the Roanoke Express, but the team roaster is coming together. Head coach Scott Gordon said yesterday that 16 of 20 players have either signed or have committed to play for Roanoke this coming season. Eight players from last year's team have agreed to terms and seven recruits are signed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Tim Christian has agreed to play for the Express, as has J.F. Tremblay and Doug Searle, the team captain and popular defense man.
Calvin Elfring wants to come back, his agent is aiming for higher leagues, and Duane Harmer wants to return, but how much money he wants is a factor. (------------)