[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Kimberly]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Authorities say two of the Cubans holding hostages in a Lousiana jail have surrendered...
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
And we'll have a report on Governor Gilmore's budget plans for the next two years.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[Gilmore-Budget]
[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#99-44 TC1:29:02]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
A Virginia governor's mid-term budget is the first one he writes... and the only one he stays to fight for.
Today, Jim Gilmore put his signature spending plan out.
[Double Boxes=Kimberly and Ellen/Microwave]
Ellen Qualls is in our Richmond newsroom with reaction.
[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=@Ellen1;]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
Kim, when you campaign on a car tax cut that will eventually cost a billion dollars a year, and get that passed right off the bat... you limit some of your own options for the next four years.
That was Jim Gilmore's ironic position today, presiding over a booming economy, but leaving lawmakers, even of his own party, a little underwhelmed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What did you]
[SUPER=@Marye; :02]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; :12]
[SUPER=@Woodrum; :18]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :30]
[SUPER=03-Alexandria; :37]
[SUPER=@Trumbo; 1:01]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=cerebral about it.]
(([SOT 10:25:42 ]
((What did you think of the governor's speech? SEN. MADISON MARYE/D-SHAWSVILLE; WELL. IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH. You're underwhelmed? hahaha))
[RUNS:11]
[SOT 10:01:33]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I PRESENT TO YOU A BUDGET THAT DRAMATICALLY CHANGES THE WAY THAT WE WILL APPROACH THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMONWEALTH.))
[RUNS:05 ]
[SOT 10:23:04]
((DEL. CHIP WOODRUM/D-ROANOKE: SOME OF THE DRAMATIC NEW WAY OF THINKING SEEMS TO BE TO NOT GIVE THE TEACHERS THEIR RAISES AND TO CUT BACK ON SOME OF THE THINGS I THINK ARE IMPORTANT. WE'LL SEE.))
[RUNS:09]
Indeed, southwest Virginia lawmakers saw a little favoritism toward Richmond- based museums and cultural centers... and worry what it means that northern Virginia's technology is driving the economy.
[SOT 09:41:30]
((GILMORE: WE ARE BUILDING A TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN GOVERNEMNT THAT REFLECTS A ... INFORMATION-AGE WORKFORCE.))
[RUNS:15]
Even members of his own party thought the speech was a little long on rhetoric and short on specifics.
[SOT 10:34:01]
((SEN. BO TRUMBO/R-FINCASTLE: INDEED WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT..DIFFERENT TYPE OF PRESENTATION THAN WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST. SO MAYBE THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE MORE CEREBRAL ABOUT IT.))
[RUNS:19]))
(-------------)
[Live=Ellen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
He's clearly trying to solidify his national reputation as the Internet governor, focusing heavily on technology and workforce training.
That could be good news for tobacco-dependent communities if they actually see the fruits of that spending.
But already the author of Virginia's largest tax cut ever... and overseer of 15 other small tax cuts, Jim Gilmore's his own tough act to follow at midterm.
[Double Boxes=Kimberly and Ellen/Microwave]
(adlib)
[E-Verna-Lewis]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-38 1:56:11]
[GRAPHIC=Verna Lewis]
Doctor Verna Lewis was scheduled to be sentenced this morning for filing false tax returns.
There's still no word on today's proceedings.
In advance of today's court date, the government filed an answer to her lawyer's complaint about ONE word the prosecutor had used in her closing argument.
(--------------)
[V/O-NAT]
Karen Peters told the jury Doctor Lewis had been "hoodooing" her accountant, a comment Lewis' attorney said had racial overtones.
Prosecutor Peters says that's a "desperate, last- ditch claim of racism, false, frivolous, even malicious."
She says the verb to "hoodoo" means simply to fool, deceive, hoodwink or take advantage of.
Her 50- page response has eight exhibits including information on the Hoodoo Blues Band and the Hoodoo Ski Resort in Oregon.
(--------------)
[Homeless-Results]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Roanoke Valley Task Force on Homelessness is working to reduce the number of homeless people in our area.
(////////SOT/////////)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Yesterday, the Task force announced the results of a study it conducted to determine the number of homeless in the Valley and the issues they are facing.
The survey found that 340 people a night needed a place to stay -- 56 were children.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:41:03 Homeless Survey Tape]
[IN Q=This is a huge problem]
((THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM. WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS THAT A DC, NORFOLK OR RICHMOND MIGHT HAVE. BUT RELATIVE TO OUR POPULATION WE HAVE A HUG AMOUNT OF HOMELESS IN THIS AREA))
[SUPER=01-Janice Dinkins/Trust; ]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=in this area]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Trust is one of the shelters in Roanoke that is filled to capacity every night.
That's why the shelter is expanding its facilities to house 40 people at one time.
The task force hopes the data it collected will help government agencies and organization address the needs of the homeless population --needs such as jobs, transportation, and health care.
(-------------)
[Columbine]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The F-B-I has tracked down the person who posted an online threat to Columbine High School.
Agents say the person is in Florida.
Officials say the F-B-I has a search warrant for the suspect's America Online Account.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Littleton, CO/File Tape;]
The online threat "to finish" what began in April prompted school officials to close Columbine yesterday and today.
This latest incident has upset students, still shaken by the massacre that ultimately left 15 people dead.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:38:56]
[IN Q=I can't believe]
((I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE LIKE THIS CAN RUIN THIS FOR US. IT'S NOT FAIR AT ALL. IT JUST MAKES ME SHIVER.))
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=makes me shiver]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Last Night;]
But the community did get a much- needed holiday treat last night.
The high school hosted a special Christmas concert to thank those who've helped them cope with the aftermath of the shootings.
(------------)
[Clinton-Incentives]
[ANCHOR=Kimbelry]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Bill Clinton]
President Clinton says F-D-R would have been proud....
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
Today Mr. Clinton signed a measure helping many of America's nine-million disabled workers hang onto health care when they take jobs.
The signing of the "Workplace Incentives Improvement Act" was part of a ceremony, honoring America's only wheelchair-bound president.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:02:34]
[IN Q=We are going to]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=of working]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Up until now, those who seek employment rarely are able to get private health insurance.
Mr. Clinton went on to say that it's appropriate that this legislation is the last a President will sign in the 20th century.
(------------)
[Christmas-April]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-42 TC1:48:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The real Christmas is just over a week away, but Lynchburg officials are already planning to celebrate Christmas AGAIN next April.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
City leaders announced this morning the formation of a "Christmas In April" chapter for Lynchburg.
It will be part of a national volunteer organization which renovates the homes of low- income residents.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:11:35]
[IN Q=That is in]
((PETE WARREN/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: THAT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES IN ORDER TO REHABILITATE THE HOMES OF LOW- INCOME HOMEOWNERS ESPECIALLY THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY, SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE IN WARMTH, SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Pete Warren/Lynchburg Mayor]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=safety and independence.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
One Valley Bank helped get the project started with a five thousand dollar donation.
Officials say they will pick one low- income family to work with this year.
(------------)
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
Daycare providers can come to the rescue of some rescue squads.
Find out how when News-7 at noon returns.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And four escaping bank robbers are shot out of the sky in New Guinea.
First, let's talk to Patrick Evans about our Friday forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[Bank-Robbery]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Bank Robbery]
Four would- be bank robbers died when the helicopter they hijacked was shot out of the sky.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Port Moresby, New Guinea;]
The four were among seven, trying to land on the roof of a bank in New Guinea's capital.
Police rushed to the bank just as two of the men were going in.
The other five still on the roof climbed back into the helicopter, but were shot down.
Four of the hijackers were killed, with a fifth being transported to the hospital.
But the pilot, who was hijacked, managed to survive the incident.
(------------)
[Prison-Hostages]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Standoff]
Authorities say two of the Cuban detainees who've been holding hostages at a Louisiana jail have surrendered.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Martinville, LA;]
The men reportedly released one of three prison officials being held hostage
A sheriff says three inmates were also freed.
But he says five other inmates are being kept in the warden's office by six hostage-takers.
The ordeal began on Monday when the group of Cuban inmates took the warden and three deputies hostage at knifepoint.
(------------)
[Carroll-Drugs]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Drug Bust]
21 people face drug charges after a ten month investigation in Carroll County.
Sheriff Warren Manning says the investigation targeted people suspected of distributing cocaine and marijuana.
County deputies, state police and the Twin County Drug Task Force began rounding up suspects yesterday.
[S-Bunting-Book]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-50 50:17]
[GRAPHIC=Josiah Bunting]
General Josiah Bunting is off the hook..
Prosecutor Gordon Saunders questioned the V-M-I's patent and copyright policies, but he concluded Superintendent Bunting did not violate the law.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/August, 1998]
Bunting got 50-thousand dollars in royalties for his book, "An Education for our Time."
Prosecutor Saunders estimates V-M-I employees spent eight to ten thousand dollars worth of time helping to type and edit the book. Saunders found V-M-I received no part of the royalties.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ss=hold]
The president of V-M-I's Board of Visitors says the board was "aware of General Bunting's writings and wholeheartedly approves of these endeavors."
[S-SB-Workers]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=99-41 1;32:45]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Friends and neighbors are pitching in to help laid off Tultex workers in South Boston.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-South Boston;]
Churches and local leaders are collecting donations of food and money for more than 400 workers who lost their jobs at South Boston's Tultex plant almost two weeks ago.
Organizers say the donations will be divided equally and given to each of the displaced workers on December 22 in downtown South Boston.
So far, local businesses have pledged 10-thousand dollars.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[Take Full Screen Graphic=1010]
For information, you can call Operation Care at 8-0-4 5-7-2 1-9-4-8.
(-------------)
[E-Rescue-Daycare]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-49 28:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Amherst County officials say they've come up with a new way to solve an old problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Amherst Co.]
With a shortage of volunteers to handle daytime fire and rescue calls, the county is now recruiting daycare providers to help out.
Those persons would donate their time to care for the children of emergency volunteers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:37:26]
[IN Q=I've often heard]
((SHANNON DAVIS/RESCUE SQUAD VOLUNTEER: I'VE OFTEN HEARD MOTHERS SAY THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DONATE THEIR TIME AND THEY WOULD LOVE TO GET THE TRAINING TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY BUT THEY HAVE CHILDREN. I'VE HEARD THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS UP HERE. BUT I'VE ALSO HEARD OTHER INDIVIDUALS SAY WE'D LOVE TO HELP YOU, LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO, AND THIS IS ONE AREA WHICH THEY CAN HELP US IF THEY'RE WILLING AND ABLE TO DO IT.))
[SUPER=01-Shannon Davis/Rescue Squad Volunteer]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=able to do it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Anyone interested in being a daycare volunteer should contact their local fire department or rescue squad.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Some of Princess Diana's crown jewels went on the auction block.
That's just one story still ahead on News-7 at noon.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And NASA prepares to make another attempt at a holiday mission to the heavens.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[Shuttle-Launch]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Discovery Launch]
After yet another delay, the Space Shuttle Discovery is in the launch pad this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Center;]
The flight was grounded yesterday because of last- minute concerns over welds in the fuel lines.
But aiming for liftoff tonight could present another problem-- worsening weather.
The forecast for tonight's launch is 60- percent No-Go.
If tonight's trip get's scrapped, that leaves tomorrow as the deadline to launch the shuttle in order to avoid Y-2-K problems.
Lift-off is set for 8-47 tonight.
(------------)
[Diana-Auction]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Princess Diana]
A Houston businessman now owns the last piece of jewelry that Princess Diana ever wore in public.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
An auction was held yesterday in New York.
James McIngvale shelled out 525- thousand dollars for the diamond and pearl necklace, along with matching earrings.
He says he'll put the jewelry on display in his furniture store with other collectibles.
"Crown Jewellers" made the ensemble--
Diana wore the necklace at a performance of Swan Lake in England.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=stocks]
On Wall Street at Noon, the Dow was UP 65 points.
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still to come in sports, the Notre Dame football team is in trouble with the N-C-double-A,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and college grid iron teams are set to take the field for tomorrow's Stagg Bowl.
Patrick has a preview, next.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[Notre-Dame]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Notre Dame]
Notre Dame football took a hit today from the N-C-double-A
Today, the association placed the team on probation for two years.
The probation stems from the relationships between players and a former booster who gave them gifts, money, and trips.
The N-C-double-A also stripped the team of two scholarships.
Notre Dame remains eligible for post-season bowls and its multimillion-dollar TV contract with N-B-C remains in place.
[S-Womack]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-58]
[GRAPHIC=UVA Football]
An Albemarle County jury says U-V-A running back Antoine Womack is guilty, but not of the crime he was originally charged with.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/1999 Spring Game; :00]
The star tailback from Hampton was found guilty on one count of assault and battery and fined one-thousand dollars. That is a class one misdemeanor.
He was not given any jail time because he was not found guilty of the two malicious wounding charges he faced.
Those were both class 3 felonies that could have gotten him u to 40 years in jail.
(------------)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[GRAPHIC=UVA FB]
Two other defendants, Adrian Burnim and Kevin Cromarte were each found guilty of two counts of assault and battery and given six months in jail.
[S-Stagg]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-57 (23:51)]
[GRAPHIC=Stagg Bowl]
This year's Stagg Party is set for tomorrow afternoon at one, and teams from Washington State and New Jersey are set to hit the grid iron.
Roy Stanley has a preview of this weekend's activities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="The activities...]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Ragsdale/Gagliardi Trophy Winner; :18]
[SUPER=01-K. C. Keeler/Rowan Head Coach; :40]
[SUPER=01-Frosty Westering/Pacific Lutheran Head Coach; :56]
[SUPER=01-Carey Harveycutter/Stagg Bowl Director; 1:20]
[SUPER=@Roy1; 1:31]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports."]
((The activities kicked off at the Salem Civic Center with the presentation of the Gagliardi Award.
This years winner is Daniel Ragsdale of the University of Redlands. Ragsdale averaged over 400 yards passing a game. And he threw 33 Touchdowns in nine games.))
((DANIEL RAGSDALE/GAGLIARDI WINNER:))
((The two teams held a light workout at Salem High school.
Rowan returns having played in 4 championship games without a win.))
((K.C. KEELER/ROWAN HEAD COACH:))
((Pacific Lutheran is the new kind on the Block but the Lutes finished the season with a 10 and 1 record.))
((FROSTY WESTERING/PACIFIC LUTHERAN HEAD COACH:))
((Fans wanting to attend the game there are plenty tickets left.
Stagg Bowl director Carey Harveycutter says sales are slow but expected to pick up on game day.))
((CAREY HARVEYCUTTER/STAGG BOWL DIRECTOR:))
((ROY STANLEY:))
(---------------)
[S-Glenvar]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-46 13036TC]
[GRAPHIC=HIGH SCHOOL BB]
The three night Big Maroon Christmas Classic basketball tournament tipped off in Vinton last night.
Eight area high school teams from Henry, Bedford, Roanoke and Floyd Counties are taking part in the showcase.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Glenvar vs. Bassett; :00]
In the opening game of the night session first year Glenvar head coach Rick Crotts huddled up the Highlanders.
And then watched his team take the quick lead on the hoop by R. Scott Price.
His three from the top of the key is good.
But on Glenvar's next possession, Torrey Hairston steps in front of the pass and he will take the rock all the way in for the Bassett bucket.
Glenvar would answer that with this Jeremy Cromer basket. He knocks down the little jumper to increase the Glenvar lead to five.
Ball handling was not the forte of either team tonight. Bassett's Vincent Cox feeds Cesar Tatum who throws down the jam.
Bassett beats Glenvar 53-to-49 to advance to tomorrow's semi-finals.
(------------)
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
[S-Byrd]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-53]
[GRAPHIC=WIPE]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Staunton River vs. Wm. Byrd; :00]
The nightcap featured the home town kids from William Byrd taking on their route 24 neighbors from Moneta, the Staunton River Golden Eagles.
Byrd would make its mark first as Andy Goodman benefits from some nice ball movement to get open and hit the hoops for the Terriers.
Goodman, would continue to be a Good-Man on this evening as Curtis Hetherington finds him open for the basket as Byrd takes control.
But the Golden Eagles come right back.
James Gray to Jay Phares who gets the assist for the bucket, but Byrd gets the win 45-to-36 win.
(-------------)
[TALENT=]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD HS HOOPS]
Yesterday afternoon, Martinsville and Jefferson Forest won their openers to advance in the winners' bracket.
[S-Tech-Toasties]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-43 1:37:26]
[GRAPHIC=Hokie fever]
Tech fans are eating up just about anything that has to do with the school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]
The latest company trying to make some money is marketing breakfast cereal.
Sugar-frosted corn flakes, of course, called "Hokie Toasties."
The Hokie Bird dug right in at yeseterday's ceremonies.
The cereal inspired one man at the event to write a song about it.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT SONG]
[RUNS=10]
[OUTQ=Nat Music]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Hokie Toasties will be on sale at Tech bookstores, Kroger and Wal Mart for starters.
The cereal is supposed to make it into campus dining halls by next spring.
(------------)
by SS