[HEADLINES]
[TALENT=Melanie]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Security is being tightened at U-S border points amid concerns about Y-2-K-related terrorism.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
And as Cuba kicks off a new round of protests over a young Cuban refugee, President Clinton is being asked to make the boy a citizen.
(/////////////)
[TALENT=Patrick]
[SS=None]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=None]
News 7 at noon is next.
[terrorism-alert]
[ANCHOR=mel]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NEW 7 at Noon]
Three hundred extra customs agents are on high alert this afternoon at entry points across the United States.
The safety precaution was put into place following the arrest of a suspected terrorist.
Vince Gonzales reports from Seattle.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:02:34]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Gene Davis/U. S. Border Patrol; :37]
[SUPER=01-Raymond Kelly/U. S. Customs; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Vince Gonzales/Reporting;]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=CBS NEWS, Seattle]
[ny-preps]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Amid heightened security concerns, a lot of eyes are turning toward New York City where millions are expected to usher in the next century next week.
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is urging everyone to keep warnings about Y-2-K terrorism in perspective.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[10:16:00]
[IN Q=]
((MAYOR GIULIANI:THE CITY HAS DONE THE BEST THAT IT CAN TO DEAL WITH BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL ATTACK THAT IS POSSIBLE IN THIS WORLD.. BUT WHAT I WOULD ACTUALLY CAUTION TO DO IS TO GO ABOUT THEIR LIVES AS THEY NORMALLY WOULD...))
[SUPER=01-Rudolph Giuliani/New York City Mayor;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=THEY NORMALLY WOULD.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[SS=None]
Guiliani says everyone should just relax and enjoy the festivities.
[Carruth]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
Former pro football player Rae Carruth (kuh-ROOTH') has been ordered held without bond in
Charlotte.
Carruth was returned to Charlotte on Sunday after being captured last week in western Tennessee.
He made a court appearance this morning.
Carruth faces charges that he directed a conspiracy to kill his pregnant girlfriend.
[81-Lawyer]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 81]
A Roanoke lawyer is taking his concerns about Interstate 81 to the courtroom.
He wants a judge to declare a ``public safety emergency'' on the heavily traveled road.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-September;]
The complaint filed by Richard Lawrence seeks public hearings on how to improve conditions.
It isn't a lawsuit and no monetary damages are being sought.
The state police and department of transportation are named as defendants.
If it succeeds, the complaint could force state officials to make both short- and long-term
improvements to the interstate.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=HOLD]
We'll have more on this story later today on News-7 at Five and Six.
[School-Board]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Parents in the Rockbridge County town of Goshen want an elementary school built in their town so they won't have to be bused more than 30 miles to class.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.]
Since Goshen Elementary School closed in 1984, students have been bused to Fairfield Elementary-- that's at least an hour drive to and from school everyday.
Students say riding through Goshen Pass - a twisty road without guard rails and 20 foot drops into the river-- is dangerous.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We have to]
((QUENTIN FRIDLEY/STUDENT: WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PASS AND WHEN IT'S ICY WE SLIP.))
[SUPER=01-Quentin Fridley/Student]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=we slip]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Town officials have found land to build the school but so far there are no definite plans.
Parents say they don't want to wait another 15 years before the situation is changed.
(------------)
[cuba-boy]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The tug-of-war continues over Cuban refuge Elian (eh-lee-AHN') Gonzalez.
A group of U-S senators is asking President Clinton to grant the six-year-old American citizenship, even as rallies continue in Havana demanding his return.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Havana, Cuba;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=NAT Protestors]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Around 20-thousand took to the streets of Havana yesterday.
Elian was rescued from the waters off Florida a month ago.
His mother drowned and his father in Cuba is demanding his return.
Elian is with relatives in Miami while federal officials consider his father's claims.
(------------)
[PanAm-anniversary]
[ANCHOR=melanie]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
It was eleven years ago today a terrorist bomb aboard PanAm flight 1-0-3 killed 270.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lockerbie, Scotland/December 21, 1988;]
[6:43:39]
The 7-4-7 blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland killing all on board and eleven people on the ground.
Among the victims were 35 students from Syracuse University who return home for the holidays after participating in a foreign exchange program.
The two Libyans being held in the Netherlands are set to go trial in May on murder and conspiracy charges.
(------------)
[tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
The shuttle Discovery prepares to link up with the Hubble Space Telescope.
That's just one story on News-7 at Noon.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And the ashes of Roanoker Gary Close have joined Discovery and the Hubble in outer space.
First let's talk to Patrick Evans about our messy forecast.
(---------------)
[Talent=Patrick]
[Wx-Tease]
[Weatherpro]
[music up full]
[comm1]
[SHUTTLE]
[ANCHOR=MEL]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Shuttle Discovery]
The shuttle Discovery has a date tonight with the Hubble Telescope.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[6:15:21]
This the view from Discovery.
The shuttle is expected to meet up with Hubble shortly before 8 o'clock.
The shuttle's robot arm will then grab Hubble and pull it into the cargo bay for three day's work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[6:14:56-6:15:11]
[IN Q=I'm sure we're going to achieve all the objectives...]
[SUPER=01-Michael Foale/Mission Specialist;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=fine guidance center.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
If all goes well, Hubble should be back scanning the heavens by the second week of January.
Whether the telescope is working or not, it costs NASA 25 million dollars a month.
(------------)
[Ashes-Orbit]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-51 TC15:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Roanoke man's ashes have joined Discovery and the Hubble space telesope in outer space.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vandenburg A. F. B., CA]
Last night, NASA launched a satellite carrying the cremated remains of 36 people.
The ashes of Roanoker Gary Close will orbit the earth for some 45 years before burning up in the earth's atmosphere.
(-------------)
[E-Rubatex]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=99-45 1:10:25]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex]
For more than a hundred days now, Rubatex workers have been on strike.
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]
That means this is the longest strike in the foam and rubber manufacturer's history.
The union hit the picket lines September 12th.
Many strikers have since found temporary jobs at department stores and other factories.
So far there is no word when the two sides will resume bargaining.
(------------)
[E-Y2K-Readiness]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-44 1:32:58]
[GRAPHIC=Battling the Bug]
Roanoke is ready for Y-2-K, but backup plans will be place, just in case.
Yesterday, acting city manager
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Jim Ritchie told city council that all city computers and equipment are Y-2-K-ready.
Though he only seemed willing to guarantee that the 9-1-1 system will work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 53:38]
[IN Q=while we]
((JIM RITCHIE/ACTING CITY MANAGER: WHILE WE EXPECT SOME MINOR GLITCHES IN OTHER SYSTEMS ... WE DO NOT EXPECT MAJOR GLITCHES RELATED TO Y-2-K.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Ritchie/Acting City Manager;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=related to y-2-k]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[graphic=HOLD]
Ritchie said -- just in case there's a problem -- city staffers will work all day and night on New Year's Eve.
He also said the city will set up emergency shelters... and you should stock up on supplies -- like you're getting ready for a winter storm.
[E-Gilmores]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-47 TC37:30]
[GRAPHIC=None]
If you're NOT doing something else on New Year's Day, the Gilmores are offering an open invitation to their place.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
Virginia's First Family is hosting a New Year's Day open house, to show off the top-to-bottom renovation of the governor's mansion.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:56:36]
[IN Q=We have not]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WE HAVE NOT EVER DONE THIS IN VIRGINIA BEFORE. SO AS A RESULT, NO ONE REALLY QUITE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT WE THINK THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA OUGHT TO HAVE AN OPEN INVITATION TO COME IN AND SEE THEIR MANSION ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND WELCOME IN THE MILLENNIUM.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=the millennium.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The 7-point-2 million dollar job is the first complete renovation in the mansion's 186 year history.
A smaller-than-usual Christmas tree is up, so that movers can still finish furnishing and decorating the mansion before New Year's Day.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:52:36]
[IN Q=We really]
((ROXANE GILMORE/FIRST LADY OF VIRGINIA: WE REALLY LET HISTORY BE OUR GUIDE, WE DIDN'T TAKE A LOT OF PERSONAL LIBERTIES, BUT INSTEAD, LOOKED TO THE HOUSE ITSELF TO TELL US WHAT THE RIGHT THINGS TO DO WERE AS FAR AS DECOR AND RENOVATION GO.))
[SUPER=01-Roxane Gilmore/First Lady of Virginia; ]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=renovation go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Gilmores will be on hand, from two to six in the afternoon, to meet and greet the public.
(------------)
[E-Condemnation]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=99-39 1:39:24]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke City Seal]
The city of Roanoke will not go to court to seize a controversial piece of land.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
City council voted to drop its condemnation case against the man who owns this property at the corner of Franklin Road and Elm Avenue.
Council wanted to build a park to serve as a "gateway" to downtown.
Now it's going to change its strategy and try to buy the land without getting a judge involved.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:12:27]
[IN Q=if we can]
((JIM TROUT/CITY COUNCIL MEMBER: IF WE CAN BUY IT AT A REASONABLE PRICE ... TO BUILD UPSCALE CONDOS.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Trout/Roanoke City Council;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=BUILD UPSCALE CONDOS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Landowner Herbert George wants twice the 123-thousand dollars that the city offered.
No word on how much city council might be willing to pay.
(------------)
[E-Soul-Roots]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tfl]
[TAPE#=99-]
[GRAPHIC=None]
YMCA Family Wellness Center members are attacking fitness problems at the roots.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
The Center offers the areas only Afro-Centric dance class called Soul Roots.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT tc 00:14:04]
[IN Q=They get]
((ONAWA MILLER/WELLNESS DIRECTOR: THEY GET AN EXCELLENT WORKOUT FROM IT, THEY TO LOSE THEMSELVES AND FORGET THEY'RE ACTUALLY EXERCISING AND ARE ABLE TO RELAX AND EXERCISE AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-Onawa Miller/Wellness Director; ]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=exercise as well.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Soul Roots take place every Saturday morning at the Y on Orange Avenue.
The gym also has personal fitness programs designed individually with new members.
The Wellness Center opened almost two months ago and membership is already closing in on 200.
(------------)
[Tease2]
[SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still ahead on News-7 at noon, meet a Virginia postmaster with a holiday stamp of approval.
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
And Australian troops are ambushed in East Timor-- by children hoping to get a Christmas toy.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]
[TIMOR-TOYS]
[ANCHOR=MELANIE]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
With Christmas approaching, Australian troops in East Timor have turned into Santa Claus.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dili, East Timor;]
[10na]
Today they gave out hundreds of toys to orphans living in a Church in East Timor.
They also entertained the children with water canons.
Armed with thousands of donated toys the soldiers were quickly ambushed.
There were a few casualties in the desperate search for toys, but no one left disappointed.
(/////sot///)
[IN=]
(( AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPER: "I NEVER SAW A FIVE-YEAR-OLD KNOCK ME OVER LIKE THAT."))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT=knock me over like that.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Hosannah church has been supporting hundreds of orphans since violence erupted in the territory following the pro-independence vote on August 30th.
(------------)
[E-Xmas-Postmark]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-49 30:51]
[GRAPHIC=Christmas]
Believe it or not, there's one postal employee who has deliberately tried to INCREASE the volume of cards and letters he's handling this Christmas season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Appomattox Co.]
Rick Elkins is the postmaster in the tiny Appomattox County village of Evergreen.
The Christmas-y sounding name generates hundreds of extra letters every year.. all seeking Elkins' special Christmas tree postmark.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:46:32]
[IN Q=The middle of]
((RICK ELKINS/EVERGREEN POSTMASTER: THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER IS RIGHT MUCH OF A RUSH BECAUSE THAT'S THREE STROKES PER ENVELOPE AND IT ADDS UP DURING THE DAY. AND THE CONSTANT INTERRUPTIONS, TAKING CARE OF THE NORMAL DAY TO DAY BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO WANT TO DO IT FOR IT TO HAPPEN.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Elkins/Evergreen Postmaster]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=for it to happen.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Elkins says he's handled mail from 38 states and nine foreign countries.
He started his job in Evergreen six years ago on.. of course.. Christmas Day.
(------------)
[tease3]
[SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
Still to come in sports, the U-V-A and Tech women met on the court last night in Charlottesville,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and the Minnesota Vikings pull out a big win over Green Bay in last night's N-F-L action.
Patrick has those highlights and more, next.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]
[Vikings-Pack]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tar]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
It is a win that keeps playoff hopes alive for the Minnesota Vikings. Last night's 24 to 20 win over Green Bay br
ings the Vikes within one game of first in the N-F-C Central.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Minneapolis, MN/ABC - NFL;]
Randy Moss was the catalyst for the Vikings offense. With the Packers up 13 to 10, Jeff George hits Moss on the one yard T-D to go up 17-13 in the third.
After a Minnesota fumble, Green Bay scores on a little trickery. They fake the field goal then throw it into the
end zone to take the 20-17 lead in the fourth.
Minnesota strikes right back. George hits Randy Moss for 36 yards setting up the game winning T-D, as Leroy Hoard
burrows in for the one yard touchdown.
[SUPER=30-Green Bay/20/Minnesota/24//;]
It's 24 to 20 Vikings.
Green Bay's last minute comeback attempt falls short and Minnesota hold on to win 24-20.
(------------)
[S-AWARDS]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-46 tc 1:33:24]
[GRAPHIC=VT FOOTBALL]
The all state college football selections were announced yesterday, and it's no surprise that Virginia Tech racked up the awards.
(-------------)
[vo-nat]
[super=03-Blacksburg/This Season]
Coach Frank Beamer has been named Virginia Coach of the year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association.
Q-B Michael Vick received the player of the year honor. The Hokies dominated the awards. 12 members were picked to the all state team.
Kicker Shayne Graham was picked for the third straight year.
(-----------------------)
[Anchor=Patrick]
[ss=NCAA football]
James Madison had five players named to the all state team, Virginia four, William and Mary three and Hampton two.
[S-France]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-45 11908tc]
[GRAPHIC=BILL FRANCE]
Bill France Junior, the president of NASCAR has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 66 year old France, would not disclose what type of cancer he has, but he says it is treatable.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/November; ]
France has been in charge of the National Association of Stock Car Automobile Racing since 1972.
In 1997, he had a mild heart attack while NASCAR was in Japan for one of its exhibition races.
Back in February, France turned over some of his day-to-day responsibilities to Mike Helton, the man on the right of your screen.
France's son Brian also is actively involved in NASCAR.
(--------------)
[S-Women]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-49 tc 1:13:45]
[GRAPHIC=vt/uva hoops]
The U-V-A and Virginia Tech rivalry continued on the hardwood as the Tech women traveled to Charlottesville last night.
Tech had only beaten the Cavaliers twice in U-Hall before last night's meeting.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Virginia Tech vs. UVA;]
Virginia was without starting junior guard Erin Stovall, who left the team for personal reasons yesterday.
We pick it up late in the first half. Tech's Amy Wetzel finds Tere (Terry) Williams, who gets two of her 15 on the night. Williams also pulled down 10 rebounds for the Hokies.
U-V-A strikes back, Renee Robinson gets the inbounds pass and downs the three from the top of the key. The Cavaliers led 31-29 at the break.
In the second half Tech strikes first as Wetzel finds Chrystal Starling underneath for the lay up to tie it at 31.
[super=33-Virginia/67/Virginia Tech/62;]
But Svetlana Volnaya drives down the middle for two of her team leading 13 points as U-V-A continues it dominance over Tech in U-Hall with the 67 to 62 win.
(------------)
[anchor=Patrick]
[ss=Tech Hoops]
The Hokies go on a holiday break until they host the Virginia Lottery-Hokie Hardwood Classic on December 29th and 30th.
[S-Ralph]
[ANCHOR=Patrick]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-34:08]
[GRAPHIC=Richmond Rythm]
Ralph Sampson is taking the helm of the Richmond Rhythm of the International Basketball League.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/June;]
The former U-V-A and N-B-A star has been serving as the interim coach since Allan Bristow resigned on December fourth.
Sampson says he's excited to get back into coaching. He spent the '92-93 season as an assistant under Lefty Driesell at JMU.
Sampson will remain the general manager, but will step down as executive vice president of the Rhythm.
(------------)
by SS