WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 02/03/00

[Toy-Century]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=00-01 20:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

For centuries - kids have fancied toys... from simple marbles to Buzz Lightyear.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I want]
((I WANT THAT ONE.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=that one.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The British Association of Toy Retailers had the task of choosing the TOP toy - of the 20th century.
This was the choice- Lego.
Retailers chose the Danish toy for its enduring popularity across the world - and for its ability to change with the times.
It had some stiff competition -Teddy Bears ranked high-
so did longtime girls' favorite Barbie dolls-
Action figures were also a big hit.
Monopoly was voted Game of the Century, and Yo-yo was voted craze of the century.
Barney didn't make the ranks - but one Roanoke shopper seems to think he's tops.
(------------)

[Close-ID]

[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=]
(Weekday 6 only)
SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
SUPER=x4033; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
(Weekend 6 only)
[SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS]
SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS

[Open]
[SUPER=#4064; News 7 at Eleven Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:56:51]
[IN Q=We always feel]
((WE ALWAYS FEEL THAT THERE IS MORE THAT WE CAN DO. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER FIRE ANOTHER SPARK BEHIND US))
[RUNS=5]
[OUT Q=behind]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A high-profile U-S Congresswoman encourages political activism at a local university .
(------------)

[Maxine-Waters]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:05:08]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Congresswoman Maxine Waters made the trip to Blacksburg today to celebrate Black History Month with Virginia Tech students.
Waters spoke to hundreds of students of all backgrounds on the importance of fighting against injustice.
Joy Sutton has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01- Rep. Maxine Waters/(D) California;00]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;18]
[SUPER=01-Ashley Marshall/Tech Student;27]
[SUPER=01-Janelle Harden/Tech Student;42]
[SUPER=@Joy2;1:28]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=N7 Blacksburg.]
(///// SOT /////)
(([SOT 3:39:28]
[IN Q=No we have not]
((MAXINE WATERS: NO WE HAVE NOT REACHED A POINT IN TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN WE CAN REST. YES A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BUT THERE IS STILL INEQUALITY))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=still inequality]

Congresswoman Maxine Waters says she came to Virginia Tech -- to send a message to students -- that they have the power to make a difference -- and that they should stand-up against inequality...
A message some students say they heard loud and clear.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:56:00]
[IN Q=I think a lot of the students]
((ASHLEY MARSHALL: I THINK A LOT OF THE STUDENTS DON'T REALIZE THAT WE HAVE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE. AND MAKING A CHANGE IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS ESPECIALLY ATTENDING A UNIVERSITY ON THIS LEVEL))
[RUNS= 8]
[OUT Q=on the level]

And some students say they are already working at the University to make changes they feel are necessary.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:51:23]
[IN Q=We have a committe that's]
((JANELLE HARDEN:WE HAVE A COMMITTEE THAT'S HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY THAT'S WORKING ON CHANGING SOME OF THE CORE CLASSES TO INCLUDE VARIOUS DIVERSE AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS. TO GET EVERYONE INCORPORATED AND MAKE IT MANDATORY TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER CULTURES))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=other cultures]

And Congresswoman Waters says standing up for what she believes in is what prompted her to meet with Elian Gonzalez' father in Cuba.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:44:00]
[IN Q=Does not have anything]
((MAXINE WATERS: DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO TO DO WITH WHETHER OR NOT YOU LIKE FIDEL CASTRO. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT... PARENTAL RIGHTS))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=parental rights]

Waters told the students that Elian's father is grieving and desperately wants to get his son back -- and she says that is exactly what should happen..
In the meantime - Waters hopes she inspires students to never underestimate their power to make a difference - no matter what the cause.
Joy Sutton, News 7, Blacksburg. ))
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

As for this year's presidential race - Waters is supporting Al Gore.
She has been a key leader in five democratic presidential campaigns.

[County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-52 1:05:08]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Co. Schools]

The architects designing the new South County High School in Roanoke County are going back to work on the project after a brief delay.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The School Board put the project on hold for nine days, while another firm reviewed the plan for possible savings.
Tonight, the Board approved changes that could save up to 500- thousand dollars... though the architects believe the figure will be much lower.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

The school is scheduled to open in 2002, and site excavation could begin sometime this summer.
[Toss-2-Robin] Jean tosses to Robin in Weather Center

[WX1] [11:00pm] [02/03/2000] [MCU]WEATHER OFFICE [WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP WAKE UP FORECAST

[Toss back to anchor][Rubatex]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=99-47 1:51:37]
[GRAPHIC=Rubatex Strike]

Federal labor officials have dismissed charges that the Rubatex Corporation has bargained unfairly with striking rubber workers in Bedford.
But the company still must explain why it put up surveillance cameras near the picket lines on its property.
Steve Smallshaw has the latest.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The surveillance]
[SUPER=03-Bedford; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Laurin/Rubatex Chief Negotiator; :14]
[SUPER=01-Richard Walker/Union President; :33]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :46]
[RUNS=:59]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford.]

(( The surveillance cameras... eight of them mounted to utility poles around the company's property.. had actually been in the planning for more than five years.
Company officials say they were installed to monitor traffic coming in and out of the property.
[SOT Jim Laurin]

But the union says the cameras are being used to spy on striking workers walking the picket lines.
[SOT Richard Walker]
[Standup] (( The union also plans to appeal a ruling by the labor board on another charge.. that Rubatex unfairly withheld information they needed for fair bargaining. The strike is about five months old now, and neither side sees an end in sight. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford.)) ))

[Trash-Ruling]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-54 59:40]
[GRAPHIC=Va. Trash Imports]

A different ruling is NOT going over well with Governor Gilmore.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Dept. of Environ. Quality]

Federal Judge James Spencer says the state's ban on out of state trash is an UNconstitutional "knee-jerk" response.
So he struck it down, saying it violated the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution.
The new laws would have capped landfill growth, banned garbage barges, and more tightly regulated trash trucks.
(-----------)
[anchor=Jean]
[graphic=Hold]
The Governor has asked Attorney General Mark Earley to appeal.

[Alaska-Airlines]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[waiting on supers and script info]
More details are emerging about the final moments of Alaska Air Flight 261-
Jennifer Jones has the latest from California.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Port Hueneme, CA]
[SUPER=01-John Hammerschmidt/NTSB Spokesman; :42]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Jones/CBS News; 1:27]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=CBS News.]
(((( THE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER -- RECOVERED FROM THE CRASH SITE -- WAS QUICKLY BROUGHT TO SHORE AND SENT TO WASHINGTON FOR ANALYSIS. ITS CONTENTS VITAL TO INVESTIGATORS ... NOW TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHER THE CHILLING MOMENTS BEFORE ALASKA AIR FLIGHT 261 WENT DOWN.
((NAT SOUND))

MEANWHILE, THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS REVIEWING THE PLANE'S OTHER BLACK BOX -- THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER. OFFICIALS SAY THE TAPED CONVERSATIONS REVEAL THE PILOTS' STRUGGLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE MD-83 AIRCRAFT. TROUBLE BEGAN WHEN THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER KEPT MOVING UP, PUSHING THE PLANE'S NOSE DOWN. THE PILOTS TRIED TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM WITH A MECHANIC ON THE GROUND.

((SOT: John Hammerschmidt, NTSB Spokesman)) ))
"He thought the flight crew stated something like we're in a worst situation than we were."
BUT AUTHORITIES SAY REPORTS OF THE PLANE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON EARLIER FLIGHTS ARE UNFOUNDED.

((SOT:)) 20:33:00
"For the two previous flight legs ... of this aircraft flight .. everything was reported fine."
IN LOS ANGELES, FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS MADE A SAD JOURNEY TO THE WATER'S EDGE ... TO SAY GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES LOST. THEY GATHERED AT A BEACH NEAR THE CRASH SITE FOR A PRIVATE MEMORIAL.
AND AT THE ALASKA AIRLINES TERMINAL IN SEATTLE, A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE 88 PASSENGERS AND CREW MEMBERS ABOARD THE ILL-FATED FLIGHT.
((STANDUP))
PIVOTING UP PUSHING THE JET DOWN.))

[American-Legroom]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=American Airlines]

A major airline is proving it's listening to customer complaints -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC]

People flying American Airlines will soon have more leg room.
The Airline says even its cheapest seats will have several more inches of leg room.
American will remove 72-hundred seats from its fleet to make the room.
The cost: 70 million dollars - but the airline says fares won't go up.
The move may force other airlines to follow suit.
(-----------)

[Stamps]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=500-06 12:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Danville mother could be looking at 10 years in prison - after being found guilty of child neglect.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/November 1999;]

An autopsy showed LaShanda Stamps' 8-month-old had bruises on his face and head, and had broken ribs in 13 places.

He also was severely underfed.
The prosecutor said Stamps had failed to keep her boyfriend, Jonathan (sha-VOSS) Chavious, from hitting the child.

Chavious was never charged. He committed suicide soon after the boy's death.
(------------)

[Telemarketers]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-51 1:01:46]
[GRAPHIC=Capitol Telemarketers]

The telemarketers won.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The General Assembly has killed a bill that would have allowed Virginians to put their names on a statewide "do not call" list.
Telemarketers would have had to buy that list every 90 days.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:14:43]
[IN Q=We think]
((JEAN ANN FOX/VA. CITIZENS CONSUMER COUNCIL: WE THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE TELEMARKETING, SELLING FINANCIAL SERVICES TO CONSUMERS, AND THAT FOLKS THAT PAY THE MONTHLY PHONE BILLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY NO I DON'T WANT TO GET THOSE CALLS.))
[SUPER=01-Jean Ann Fox/Va. Citizens Consumer Council; ]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=those calls.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But lawmakers worried about their authority in stopping out of state calls.
And, they thought about the thousands of jobs the telemarketing industry provides in Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:31:02]
[IN Q=Most people]
((JAN SCHWEITZER/TELEMARKETER: MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY RECEPTIVE, AND...DIFFERENT PEOPLE, DIFFERENT ATTITUDES.))
[SUPER=01-Jan Schweitzer/Telemarketer; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=different attitudes.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Federal law currently allows you to tell each individual telemarketing company to put you on their "do not call" list-- and requires THAT specific company NOT to call again.
(------------)

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Still ahead - the latest from the State Capitol on tougher seat belt laws.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And if you had to pick the top toy of the 20-th Century - what would it be?
We'll tell you what one retailer's association says... ahead.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sports preview]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hey folks...]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=BIG 7."]
(( Hey folks this is Mike Stevens in the News 7 sports office with highlights of a Tech win at the Cassell, a Roanoke College win at the Bast Center, and one point thriller for the UVa women in Atlanta. Plus, George Welsh says he ain't ready for your rocking chair. Tonight on the Big 7.))

[Safety-Bills]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=599-18 1:37:18]
[GRAPHIC=Safety Belts]

It's the law that you must wear a seat belt in the front seat in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]

But police officers can't stop you for that alone.
That may change. Today, a House and a Senate committee both passed a bill that would allow police to pull you over for not wearing one.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:09:58]
[IN Q=It's stupid]
((SEN. KEN STOLLE/R-VIRGINIA BEACH: IT'S STUPID AND IT'S CRAZY FOR US TO PASS BILLS THAT MAKE SOMETHING ILLEGAL AND THEN TELL OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS "BUT YOU CAN'T ENFORCE IT."))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Ken Stolle/(R) Virginia Beach;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=enforce it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Opponents -- including Botetourt Senator Bo Trumbo -- say they just don't like more government intrusion.
One Senator says he was first on the scene when two teenagers were killed six weeks ago.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:55:10]
[IN Q=They died]
((SEN. JOHN WATKINS/R-CHESTERFIELD CO: THEY DIED BECAUSE... THIS ACTION WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IOTA OF DIFFERENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Watkins/(R) Chesterfield Co.;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=of difference.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The bill's supporters estimate it will save 80 lives next year if it becomes law -- just because more people will buckle up if they know police are watching.
(------------)

[Bunting]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-50 1:40:57]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

V-M-I may have to cut back - because of its own success.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/1997]

The level of applicants and enrollment has reached its highest level since 1986. There's not enough room in Barracks.
So the Superintendent is proposing that Virginia Military Institute reduce the incoming class to 400- -down from 440.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:50:15]
[IN Q=What we're trying]
((WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO BY LIMITING THE CLASS TO 400 IS BE CONFIDENT THAT BY THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 375 RATS WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF SPACES ON THE FOURTH STOOP.))
[SUPER=01-Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting/VMI Superintendent]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=the fourth stoop.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fourth-year cadets, freshmen or rats are housed on the fourth floor in barracks.
Bunting jokingly says the Barracks should have been built as an inverted pyramid- -with the fourth floor the largest- -descending in size to the ground floor.
(------------)

[Financial-Aid]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-57 42:31]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Paying for college could cost more than you think- if you're taken in by scam artists.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Better Business Bureau says companies are sending out mailers that offer to get financial aid for high school seniors -- for a price.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:49:00]
[IN Q=Whatever they promise]
((WHATEVER THEY PROMISE THEY'RE NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON IT... THAT THEY'RE PAYING.))
[SUPER=01-Julie Wheeler/Better Business Bureau;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=that they're paying.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

School guidance counselors and libraries carry brochures on dozens of scholarships and financial aid packages -- and this information is free.
(------------)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

The fight for the Miss U-S-A title is nothing compared to the fight against cancer.
Just ask one contestant.
The story ahead.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And... a giant hole in the road in Pennsylvania. We'll show you.
Stick around.
(----------------)

[lotto]
[SUPER=135-2 0 3/3 8 8 0/10 14 16 20 24]
NIGHT DRAWING=
Pick 3:
2-0-3

(two, zero, three)

Pick 4:
3-8-8-0

(three, eight, eight, zero)

Cash 5:
10-14-16-20-24

(ten, fourteen, sixteen, twenty, twenty-four)

[Miss-USA]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

One contestant vying for the Miss U-S-A title says she's not only lucky to be in the pageant.. She feels lucky to be alive.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Branson, MO]

Michelle (Gray-see) Graci- Miss New Jersey- was diagnosed with cervical cancer .... one year ago.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:11:02 ]
[IN Q=It was so]
((MICHELLE GRACI/MISS NEW JERSEY: IT WAS SO SCARY... SCARED TO DEATH.))
[SUPER=01-Michelle Graci/Miss New Jersey;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=SCARED TO DEATH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One year later Graci is doing well and happy to have the chance to compete.
Another contestant- Rebekah Keller Miss California was in a car accident- Keller thought she would never be able to compete. But after six months of therapy- she's on stage and ready to go.
You can watch the pageant live from Branson Missouri right here on your hometown station tomorrow night.
(------------)

[Video]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=net h]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A giant sinkhole in Philadelphia makes tonight's Video of the Day.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]
[SUPER=75-Philadelphia, PA]

Take a look at this. The pavement on North Ritter Street in Philly caved in-
People living in the neighborhood were forced out of their homes.
Crews spent the day at the scene cleaning up
No one was hurt.
A broken water main is to blame.
[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]
(------------)

[Snow-Removal]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=99-58 37:43]
[GRAPHIC=Snowplow-Storm Costs]

V-Dot hasn't just been digging through the snow the past few weeks- but also it's budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./January 18;]

So far, the Virginia Department of Transportation has spent about a THIRD of its statewide snow removal budget of 47-point-six-million dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:40:19]
[IN Q=Snow removal]
((LAURA BULLOCK/VDOT SPOKESPERSON: SNOW REMOVAL IS A VERY HIGH PRIORITY WITH US. WE'RE NOT GOING TO NOT DO SNOW REMOVAL. IF THERE'S SNOW OUT THERE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT. SO, THE METER IS STILL RUNNING AND ALTHOUGH WE'VE SPENT AT LEAST 18 MILLION DOLLARS ON SNOW REMOVAL, THAT DOESN'T CAPTURE ALL OF THE COSTS THAT'LL BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS LAST STORM.))
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokesperson;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=associated with the last storm.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Crews are still working to clear secondary roads in those areas hardest hit by the latest storm.
(------------)

[Weather] [02/03/2000] [WXPRO/FULL] Current Statistics Weather Statistics [MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL] [CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES] FORECASTS [ESS/FULL] EXTENDED FORECAST [Forecasts]
[SUPER=#577]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Mostly/Cloudy/28-32/Cloudy And/Windy/35-37]
[SUPER=331-Mostly/Cloudy/30-34/Mostly Cloudy/Wind W-20/40-44]
[SUPER=332-Snow Showers/Possible/25-28/Windy With/Snow Showers/30-33]
[SUPER=333-Snow Showers/Possible/25-28/Windy With/Snow Showers/30-33]
[SUPER=334-Snow Likely/1-2" Possible/22-24/Snow Showers/And Windy/27-29]

[SUPER=X5001][S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=ffe]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Hoops highlights from the Cassell, the Bast center and Hotlanta are on the way, along with George Welsh.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Chapel Hill, NC/JP Sports; :00]
But first in tonight's Extra Point, earlier tonight here on Your Hometown Station, Shane Battier and the Duke Blue Devils put a hurtin' on the Tarheels inside the Dean Dome. Carolina had a few flashes of brilliance like this Chris Lang jam. But Duke cruises to its 19th win of the season. Now let's check that big scores and more of tonight's numbers.
(---------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Duke/90//North Carolina/86//Final In Overtime/j/Cincinnati/70//UNC Charlotte/62///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/St. Joseph's/62/j/Virginia Tech/68////Bridgewater/73/j/Roanoke/76///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Virginia/66//Ga. Tech/65//Women//High Point/37/j/Liberty/73//Women/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/RMWC/63/j/Averett/75//Women/j/W & L/60//Bridgewater/57//Women/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0097-/Patrick Henry/48/j/Fleming/53///j/Martinsville/75//Laurel Park/47///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....last score."]
(------------------)

[S-Hokies]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-54]
[GRAPHIC=A-10]
After three straight losses, the Virginia Tech men were back on the Cassell Coliseum hardwood last night looking to pick up a "W" against A-10 east rival St. Joe's.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/St. Joseph's vs. Va. Tech; :00]
Rolan Roberts was honored last night prior to the opening tip as Ricky Stokes presented with the game ball from last Saturday to commemorate Roberts becoming the 31st player in the school history to hit the 1000 point plateau. The Hokies were hot early on as Brian Chase gets the steal on one end and then converts on the other with the three pointer. Chase had 15 points. St. Joe's got the ball to drop from the outside, as well. They jack up an average of 25 three pointers a game and N'aim Crenshaw gets this triple to fall. Tech would then work the inside as Dennis Mims drains the short jump shot for two of his game high 18 points. The Tech defense also played well, as Roberts throws the hook pass down
[SUPER=33-St. Joseph's/62/Virginia Tech/68;]
court to Tony Dobbins. He drives the lane and knocks down the hoop. The Hokies improve to 10-and-10 with the 68 to 62 A-10 win.
(------------)

[S-Big]

[ANCHOR=MIke]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BIG EAST]

The Hokies found out earlier today that they will be paired with the defending national champs in one of the Big East conference's two basketball division next season.
(-----------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE] The Hokies are bracketed with Boston College, U-Conn, Miami, Providence, St. John's, and Villanova. The Hokies will play each of these six teams twice and then play four schools from the other Big East division during the regular season. That means the Hokies will have a total of 16 conference games.
(--------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=BIG EAST]
It also means they won't have a chance to play against three teams. Syracuse, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Georgetown make up the second Big East division. The top six from each division will advance to the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden, with two teams staying home.

[S-Roanoke]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-51 14743tc]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Roanoke College Maroons played host to Bridgewater in an important ODAC tilt last night at the Bast Center.

The Maroons get their rematch with unbeaten Hampden-Sydney this coming Saturday,
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Bridgewater vs. Roanoke; :00]
But last night the concern was veteran head coach Bill Leatherman and his Eagles. The Maroons got a lucky break early as this pass gets loose on the offensive end and eventually ends up in the hands of Brad Dunleavy who converts the circus shot. Bridgewater would answer that shot with a more conventional two, Jermaine Reed turns the post pass into a short jumper. The Eagles are on top. The Eagles tried to get a little greedy on the break, and Dunleavy goes to the roof and swats down Matt Stevens lay-in attempt.
[SUPER=33-Bridgewater/73/Roanoke/76;]
Roanoke would come back with a hoop from Cliff Jacobs on the wing. The Maroons win 76-to-73 and improve 16 and 3 overall, 11 and 2 in the ODAC.
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[S-Women]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
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[TAPE#=SP-48]
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The University of Virginia women have been one of the hottest teams in the nation for the past month or so, and last night they took their show on the road to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/FoxSS; :00]
Debbie Ryan's team came in having won 12 of their last 13 games. But last night they to fight for everything late in the game, trailing by two, Schuye Larue makes the great pass to a cutting Renee Robinson for the lay-in to tie it at 61. But backs comes Georgia Tech. With just 22 seconds to play, Danielle Donahew calmly scores inside to give Ga. Tech a 65-to-64 lead. Robinson went for the win in the closing seconds but her three pointer bounced, Swetlana Volnaya got the rebound and drew the foul.
[super=33-Virginia/66/Ga. Tech/65;]
She then hit both free throws to lift the Cavs to a 66-to-65 win. UVa is now 9-and-1 in the ACC, 17 and 5 overall.
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((BYE BYE))

[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-49]
[GRAPHIC=UVa football]

George Welsh's says he wants to coach four more years and that stepping down is not an option for him right now Steve Mason has more Charlottesville where recruiting and not retirement was the topic of the day.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=01-George Welsh/Begins 19th Season at UVa; :11]
[SUPER=03-Fort Lauderdale, FL/1999 Micronpc.com Bowl; :20]
[SUPER=04-Friday Football Extra; :45]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:09]
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[OUT Q=news 7 sports"]
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((George Welsh seemed confident about replacing 11 starters, three of which were All-Americans and two veteran cornerbacks with 22 solid recruits. ((GEORGE WELSH:))
just over a month removed from a 63-21 loss to Illinois in the Micronpc.com Bowl Welsh says all of his assistant coaches are staying, but for the first time in 10 years, he will reassess the entire program. ((:)) Salem's Dennis Hailey, who committed to UVa and was offered a scholarship was not accepted by admissions. Sources say he will attend prep school. Former UVa running back Antoine Womack goes before the University Judiciary committee this Saturday. Donnie Green and two other defensive players should be back. ((:)) ((:)) ((:)) Quarterback David Rivers, the hero of the Georgia Tech game, will not return next season. In Charlottesville, Steve Mason News 7 sports.))
((BYE BYE))

[S-Saints]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
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it took more than a month, but the New Orleans Saints finally have a new head coach.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Metarie, LA; :00]
He's Jim Haslett, the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator since 1997 and an assistant coach with New Orleans in 1995 and 96 at the end of the Jim Mora era. He replaces Mike Ditka who fired early last month.
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[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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While the Saints got a new coach, the Panthers got another headache they didn't need.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Spartanburg, SC/Last July; :00]
Reserve running back Fred Lane is free on bail tonight after being arrested earlier today on drug and weapons charges in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee. Police searched Lane and found marijuana and 22 calibre rifle in his possession.
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[wipe to eng#!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[S-XFL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=sp-61]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
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[WIPE TO ENG#!!!!!!!!!!]

And finally in New York today, the World Wrestling Federation's boss Vince McMahon announced that he is forming a professional football league that will kick off next winter right after the Superbowl.
The league will be known as the XFL and will consist of eight teams. McMahon promises it will be much more lively than the NFL.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Vince McMahon/Creator of WWF & XFL; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...A BLAST!]
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