WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 07/12/00

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up on News 7-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Robotic surgery- It's the first in the nation and it's being done in Virginia.
Fire tonight at the Hargrave Military Academy-
Plus a teen is attacked by this alligator in Southwest Florida-
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And a free program locally to keep teens out of trouble.
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

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

The first-ever robotic surgery performed in an American hospital was done today in Virginia.
(------------)

[Robot-Surgery]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-17 TC1:37:15]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Eleven]

The surgery took place at Henrico Doctors' Hospital near Richmond.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.]

35- year old Kimberly Briggs went under the blade and into the history books with an ailing gall bladder.
The da Vinci Surgical System got F-D-A approval last night.
It's a leap beyond laparascopic surgery with 3-D images, steady hands, and freedom of movement.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=To be able]
[sot 14:56:09]
((DR. MARK KATZ/CARDIAC SURGEON: TO BE ABLE TO BASICALLY MINIATURIZE YOUR HAND AND PUT IT INSIDE A PATIENT'S BODY AND HAVE THE SEVEN DEGREES OF FREEDOM OF THE WRIST.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Mark Katz/Surgeon]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=the rest.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Henrico doctor William Kelley performed the surgery.
He calls it the biggest advance in surgery in a decade... and he's already got another gall bladder operaton scheduled for tomorrow.
(------------)

[Cholesterol-Drug]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[THERE IS AN ANCHOR TAG!!!]
Millions of Americans rely on cholesterol lowering drugs-
Before long some of those drugs may be available without a prescription- but they may not be a good thing.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Jean on Cart]
[SUPER=01-Dr. David Framm/Mecklenburg Medical Group; 20]
[SUPER=01-John Lambert/Patient; 38]
[RUNS=:47]
[OUT Q=I DON'T KNOW.]
(( They've been called wonder drugs-
The medications are the same class of drugs as mevacor and pravachol- two drugs the food and drug administration may make available over the counter-
But with the drugs come possible side effects- doctors say making the products available without a prescription would be a huge risk.
DR. DAVID FRAMM/MECKLENBURG MEDICAL GROUP: I'VE RUN A RISK WHERE I'VE HAD TO EITHER BACK DOWN ON MEDICAL DOSAGES OR COMPLETELY WITHDRAW MEDICATIONS FROM PEOPLE WHO DEVELOP LIVER ABNORMALITY. THESE ARE ABNORMALITIES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE UNNOTICED AND CAUSED PROGRESSIVE DAMAGE HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO MONITOR THESE PATIENTS.
And there is also the question of cost. JOHN LAMBERT/PATIENT: SAY YOU FILED A MEDICAL CLAIM AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR DRUGS YOU COULDN'T DO THAT WITH AN OVER THE COUNTER, COULD YOU. I DON'T KNOW.))
(-------------)
[Vo-nat]
The F-D-A advisory committee is expected to make its recommendation by Friday- on whether these cholesterol busters are safe enough to buy over the counter.
(-------------)

[Henry-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Fire]

A teenager died in a Henry County house fire this morning.
It happened in the Stanleytown section.
When firefighters got to the house at about 8:30 it was engulfed.
Two people were able to get out- unharmed... but a 15-year-old was taken to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem with burns.
The person who died in the blaze was just 19 years old.
The victims' names haven't been released.

[Hargrave-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-23 TC37:31]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

Fire broke out at the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham]

Officials say the blaze started around 7 and was contained to a dorm area on the fourth floor.
So far there's no word on what started the fire but the area was being renovated.
No one was hurt.
(------------)

[Building-Collapse]

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

One body was found today under the rubble after last night's collapse of a New York brownstone.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Brooklyn, NY;]

Rescuers spent the day searching for two more people that are feared buried in the remains of the building.
Rescue crews worked carefully as they searched through debris piled a story and a half high.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:50:39]
[IN Q= THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT]
((THIS IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT WORK AND THIS IS DANGEROUS WORK. JUST LOOK AT THE RUBBLE THAT IS PILED UP. YOU SAY TO YOURSELF THAT COULD FALL AT ANY MOMENT.))
[SUPER=01-Rudy Giuliani/New York Mayor]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=FALL AT ANY MOMENT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The mayor says out of the six occupants of the two buildings, three have been accounted for.
Authorities say it was probably a gas explosion that leveled the building and most of the one next door.
(------------)

[White]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=500-18 TC16:38]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A Lynchburg man could be spending the rest of his life in prison for a drug- related murder last year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/July 1999]

23- year- old Norman Douglas White was accused of knocking in the door of this home on Stuart Street last July and shooting Morris Anthony six times.
A jury in March could not decide on White's guilt or innocence.. but his second trial ended today with a guilty verdict on first degree murder.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:58:40]
[IN Q=I'm not sure]
((STEPHANIE MADDOX/ASST. COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: I'M NOT SURE.. WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT THIS TIME, WE TRIED IT THE SAME WAS WE DID LAST TIME, THE EXACT SAME EVIDENCE. Reporter: Essentially it's the Commonwealth's contention there was no doubt that it was Mr. White who kicked in the door that night? BASED ON THE EVIDENCE, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT.))
[SUPER=01-Stephanie Maddox/Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=absolutely no doubt.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The jury recommended a total prison term of life plus 28 years on the murder and firearms charges.
White will be sentenced next month.
(------------)

[county-shooting]

[ANCHOR=jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=500-16 TC31:17]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Suicide]
An elderly nurse killed her husband then herself in a Roanoke County murder-suicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Police say 77-year-old Jean Dymond shot her 80-year-old husband Robert inside their home yesterday. Their daughter found the couple. Neighbors say Robert Dymond suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome.
(------------)

[Pulaski-Threat]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-17 TC1:24:18]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A 15-year-old girl pled guilty today to creating the website "Hit-List" that cancelled classes at Pulaski County High School in April.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dublin/April 20;]

The threat shut down the school on the first anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High.
Investigators say the girl -- a freshman who's not being named because of her age- -- created the hit-list in a school computer lab.
The list, labeled "People to Kill" targeted about 100 students and teachers- that's according to school officials.

The girl will NOT be sentenced for several more months.
Making an electronic threat to kill is a felony that can carry up to five years in prison.
(------------)

[Mountain-View]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-16 TC1:36:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Detectives say a janitor sexually abused three women at a home for adults in Botetourt County.
The charges against Jerry Pinion include rape, attempted rape and sexual battery.
The incidents allegedly happened at Mountain View 2 in Fincastle.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle/December;]
[TAPE#=99-46 35:36]

The home's owner, Linda Housman would not comment
Last December, detectives searched Richwood Acres -- Housman's other adult facility -- after resident's said they had money stolen.
That incident is still under investigation.
(-------------)

[Stars-Program]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=00-29 TC13:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The swimming pools have closed for the night and the day camps have wrapped up for the afternoon, so what's left for your kids to do at night? Roanoke City Parks and Recreation has come up with an idea that keeps kids out of trouble while making sure they have fun. Kate Weidaw has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-John Byrd/Participant;:14]
[SUPER=01-Chris Cassell/Participant;:56]
[SUPER=01-Jonathan Rosser/Group Leader;1:09]
[SUPER=@Kate2;1:20]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=NEws 7, Roanoke.]
((It's 6 o'clock and a van full of kids is pulling up in front of the Buena Vista Rec Center in Roanoke. A night of bowling is on the agenda, something John Byrd a soon to be junior at William Fleming has never done before.

[SOT 13:44]
[INQ=]
((JOHN BYRD: I'VE NEVER BOWLED BEFORE I'VE PLAYED EVERY OTHER SPORT BEFORE SO THIS SHOULD BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS6]
This is John's second year taking part in Stars Come Out at Night, a free program with a variety of nightly activities offered by Parks and Rec. Teens are picked up and dropped off free of charge. It's a chance for anyone between the ages of 13 and 16 to spend time together in a structured environment instead of

[SOT 20:49]
[INQ=]
((CHRIS CASSELL: SLEEPING, SLEEPING OR WATCHING T.V.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS5]
14 year old Chris Cassell joined the program two weeks ago and says he's doing activities he would never be able to do because he couldn't afford them. And he's doing more then just having fun he's learning discipline as well.

[SOT 21:05]
[INQ=]
((CHRIS CASSELL: YOU LEARN HOW TO BEHAVE WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND AROUND OTHER PEOPLE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS7]
One of the people many of these teens look up to is Jonathan Rosser. After two years of being a group leader he says being a positive influence goes a long way.

[SOT 24:15]
[INQ=]
((JONATHAN ROSSER: I WANT THEM ALL TO KEEP THEIR BOOKS, STAY IN THEIR BOOKS, GRADUATE, AND GO TO COLLEGE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PARENT WANTS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS10]
And it's not to late to join in on the fun, Rosser says the only thing the program needs is more teens. Kate Weidaw News 7 Roanoke.))
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Celanese and its unionized workers continue their negotiations.
We'll have the latest.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And money made from the harmful effects of tobacco is being used here in Southwest Virginia to find healthy uses.

(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=MST]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=.....in sports"]
(-----------)
((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office with highlights from another slugfest at Salem Memorial. Testing at the Brickyard takes place on the same day Kenny Irwin is laid to rest in Indianapolis. Mark Messier is returning to the Rangers tomorrow. And even if you're quick you may not be able to see Vick. Regular season Tech tickets are history.

Details tonight on the Big 7.))[Tobacco-Grape]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sch]
[TAPE#=00-20 TC1:27:20]
[GRAPHIC=Tobacco Tough Times]

Research on grapes might help tobacco farmers in Southside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.]

Farmers have been looking for alternatives to tobacco. Vineyards could be the best bet.
Now, researchers are testing a variety of grapes.
They say there is a high demand for them in Virginia.
But they comes with a price.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q= 5:37:50]
((LARRY MCPETERS/VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION: THE INVESTMENT ON AN ACRE OF GRAPES IS 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THERE IS NOT RETURN FOR AT LEAST SIX YEARS.))
[SOT 6:04:44]
((BILL CONFROY/WANTS TO GROW GRAPES: THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET. THIS AREA COULD GROW A GOOD QUALITY GRAPE.))
[SUPER=01-Larry McPeters/Virginia Cooperative Extension;]
[SUPER=01-Bill Confroy/Tobacco Farmer; :09]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=good quality grapes.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Researchers are also looking to attract a cooperative wine production facility.
(------------)

[Crop-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo/sbu]
[TAPE#=00-21 TC1:03:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Tobacco plants may have a different face in Blacksburg-- legislators hope it will now help people live healthier lives.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/April 14;]

The state tobacco commission voted today to give some settlement money to two Blacksburg biotechnology firms.
CropTech and (tuh-By-oh) ToBio promise to turn tobacco plants into medicines and vaccines.
The companies asked the commission for 12-million dollars back in April.
The commission says it WILL support them.
HOW MUCH and WHEN will be determined in a meeting next month.
(------------)

[Celanese]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-18 TC1:23:05]
[GRAPHIC=Celanese]

Another meeting down, but still NO contract agreement between Celanese and its workers' union.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Giles Co.;]

The two sides met with a mediator for a round of contract negotiations well into last night.
Celanese workers rejected a contract offered by the company last month, saying it failed to improve mandatory overtime and benefits.
The Giles County acetate plant is the New River Valley's eighth-largest employer, with more than 12-hundred workers.
Both sides will return to the bargaining table for a third meeting next Tuesday.
(------------)

[Burcham]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-19 TC47:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

When it's complete Roanoke's Biomedical Center will have an international connection.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

City Manager Darlene Burcham today unveiled a new research association with an institute in Japan.
Burcham says the international exposure is just what Roanoke needs to diversify itself.
(///// SOT /////)
[TC: 02:22:39]
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is the]
((IT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE INSTITUTE HERE AND KOBE, JAPAN. WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTS AND THIS WILL GIVE THE ENTIRE ROANOKE AREA INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=international attention.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

The agreement will give University of Virginia staff an office in (Ko-bay's) Kobe's own biomedical center, which will be modeled on Carillon's biomedical institute.
Delegates from U-V-A, Virginia Tech, Carilion, and Japan traveled to San Francisco to sign the memorandum.
Burcham says the agreement is the culmination of a year's discussion between the United States and Japan.

[Air-Quality]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-22 TC50:53]
[GRAPHIC=Air Quality]

High levels of air pollution can lead to respiratory problems.
That's according the American lung Association.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

And the problem is magnified for children and others with asthma.
That's reason for concern for those who live in Virginia.
The entire state failed the EPA's standards for air pollution.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:24]
[IN Q=People who have]
((TONI FERGUSON: PEOPLE WHO HAVE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY ASTHMATICS A LOT OF TIMES THEIR EPISODES ARE TRIGGERED BY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: SO IF WE CAN REDUCE THE OZONE PROBLEM THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN REDUCE THE PROBLEMS THAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE ))
[SUPER=01-Toni Ferguson/American Lung Association]
[RUNS=22]
[OUT Q=have]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Roanoke American Lung Association is spearheading a coalition to educate the public about air pollution and ways to eliminate the problem.
The coalition says simple steps like car pooling and using environmentally friendly chemicals can help.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE FULL SCREEN BOARD]
For latest information on ozone levels in our area you can check out the Weather section of our website at WDBJ-7-dot- com.
(-------------)

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

Next on News 7, an alligator attacks a 14-year old boy on one coast...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
while sharks swarm in shallow water off the other.
(----------------)

[Alligator-Attack]

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

A Florida boy is lucky to be alive tonight after an alligator attack-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte Co., FL]

That's the word from Florida wildlife officials.... after this gator grabbed a hold of the 14-year old.
The boy was swimming with friends in Preacher's Lake in Charlotte County- when the gator clamped down on his legs.

The boy told officials he had to pry open the alligators mouth to get away. Wildlife officials say the boy is big for a 14 year old- but they're not surprised the alligator attacked.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:27:52]
[IN Q=They're opportunists]
((DARYL AMERSON/FISH AND WILDLIFE COMM: THEY'RE OPPORTUNISTS. IF THEY SEE SOMETHING THEY THINK THEY CAN OVERPOWER, THEY WILL TRY IT. OBVIOUSLY SWIMMING AND SPLASHING ALLIGATORS WILL SIMPLY GO TO INVESTIGATE IF THERE'S AN EASY MEAL THERE.))
[SUPER=01-Daryl Amerson/Fish and Wildlife Comm.;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=an easy meal there.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The boy was able to walk away. He is at the hospital tonight recovering from injuries.
(------------)

[Sharks]

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

And from alligators to sharks-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]
[SUPER=75-Off San Diego, CA]
check out the scene off the San Diego Coast- Sharks and dozens of them.
These are leopard sharks which can grow to seven feet long.
The sharks have a distinctive slender body with black saddle markings and dozens of small, sharply pointed teeth.
But these guys are NOT considered dangerous to people- They like seafood- crabs, clams, octopus and small fish.
Every June, July and August they like to congregate in the shallow water off the coast of San Diego.
(------------)
[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Highlights from another slugfest at Salem Memorial. Pitching is demand and players are on the move in the big leagues. All the tickets for Tech's home football season are gone. And could Digger Phelps come back to coach the Irish?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=76-NHL; :00]
It's not that far fetches because Mark Messier is coming back to play for the Rangers. Six seasons ago he led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup, tomorrow he will sign a two year, $11 million dollars. Messier became an unrestricted free agent when the Vancouver Canucks bought out his contract on July 1st. Messier, who is 39, had 54 points for Vancouver last season.
(------------)
[go to scores] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Salem/10//Kinston/7////Lynchburg///Myrtle Beach///No Report/;]
[SUPER=X5032;]
[SUPER=0114-/Orlando/72/j/Cleveland/74////Charlotte/70/j/New York/84///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0114-j/Indiana/81//Washington/58////Sacramento/62/j/Houston/77///;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=....last score."]
(-----------)

[S-Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-75 1633TC]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]

The Salem Avalanche played game three of its current four game set with the Kinston Indians last night at Salem Memorial and again this one was an offensive show.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Kinston vs. Salem; :00]
Alan Cockrell and his Indians' counterpart Brad Komminsk shared a few light moments before the first pitch. Kinston wasted little time in scoring as Jason Fitzgerald rocks a solo homer over the right field fence to make it one to nothing Tribe in the top of the first. But the Avalanche would tighten up its defense in the second as catcher Josh Bard throws out Tyler Minges trying to steal second base. But Kinston would score in all kinds of ways. With two outs, Joe Kilburg tries to bunt his way on. He does just that and drives in a runner from third to give the visitors another run.
[SUPER=37-Kinston/7/Salem/10;]
But this one was destined to be Salem's as Justin Hemme, played first last night and hit two homeruns, plus Salem got 6 more in the 8th to come back and win it 10-to-7.
(------------)

[S-Trade]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=YANKEES/REDS]

The all-star break hasn't kept teams from wheeling and dealing. The Yanks acquired pitcher Denny Neagle from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for four minor leaguers. Neagle is 8-and-2 this season, and the Yanks had to give up some top prospects to get him - including Drew Hanson, who will be a quarterback this fall at the University of Michigan.

[S-Braves]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Braves]

The Atlanta Braves also made a move to shore up the team's pitching staff although you have to think it's for immediate help and not a long term fix. The Braves acquired 33 year old Andy Ashby from the Phillies yesterday. His ERA is five point 68 this year. The Braves in return give up Bruce Chen who is just 23 years old. He also is 4-and-0 this season in relief.

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-67 5207TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH FOOTBALL]

The opportunities to see Michael Vick and the Hokies at home this coming football season are all but gone. The Tech athletic department announced yesterday afternoon that all six regular season home games at Lane Stadium are sold out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Last Season; :00]
This marks the first time in school history that Tech has sold out it's entire home schedule before the start of the season. However, you do have one way to see the Hokies in Blacksburg. Tickets are still available for the Black Coaches Association game that will be played on Sunday night August 27th against Ga. Tech.
(------------)

[S-NASCAR]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-77 2302TC]
[GRAPHIC=IRWIN]
More than 500 mourners paid their respects to Kenny Irwin yesterday morning as the former Winston Cup driver was laid to rest in his hometown of Indianapolis. Irwin died last Friday after suffering a fractured skull in wreck at New Hampshire. He was 30 years old.
[GRAPHIC=INDIANAPOLIS]
Just a few miles from the funeral site, NASCAR testing continued at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 today, although the test session was delayed 2 and half hours so many of the drivers could attend the funeral.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indianapolis, IN; :00]
The General Motors guys wrapped up two days of testing at Indy later this afternoon. This week the track was reserved for the Chevrolet and Pontiac drivers Next week the Fords will take their turn on the two and a half mile long flat oval. The race is set for August 5th.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=IRWIN]
In one other note concerning Irwin and his race team. The Bell South Chevy will return to action next week at Pocono on July 23rd. At this time it appears that either Derrike Cope or Hut Stricklin will drive the car and it will carry a new number. The 42 will be replaces with (01) zero-one.

[S-River]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-71 4126TC]
[GRAPHIC=NEW RIVER VALLEY S'WAY]

Local Late Model Stock Car racing returns to Your Hometown Station this weekend for the first time since 1996, as WDBJ-7 presents the Kroger-Pepsi 200 from the New River Valley Speedway.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :00]
This Saturday night we'll head up to Montgomery County as many of the top Late Model drivers from the mid-atlantic region hook up in a 200 lap shootout. They are also hoping to get their sponsors a little free air time.
(------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE] There is no Cup race this weekend, so get your NASCAR fix right here on WDBJ-7 Saturday night from 7 to 9 for LIVE racing on Your Hometown Station.
(------------)

[S-Agassi]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=AGASSI]

Andre Agassi missed making the finals of Wimbledon last week and now he will miss the upcoming Davis Cup semi-finals. Agassi suffered a back injury in car wreck this week when the car in which he was riding was rear ended. At this time he can't raise his right arm above his head. Davis Cup captain John McEnroe says he'll play doubles in Andre's absence.

[S-Irish]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NOTRE DAME]

The search has begun to find Notre Dame's hew head basketball coach, and you'll never guess who has volunteered to come out of retirement. Digger Phelps, who coaches the Irish from 1971 through 1991 says he told the school's athletic director he would gladly come back and coach while some with Notre Dame ties is groomed to take over on a long term basis.

[S-Soccer]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-66 1:00:43].
[GRAPHIC=soccer]

The Roanoke Stars under 15 boys soccer team leaves for Europe tomorrow for another european football adventure.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :00]

The team has been practicing for the last two months at Berglund Soccer Complex in Vinton. The tournaments that the team will play in will be comprised of the top youth soccer talent in the world.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Danny Beamer/U-15 Boys Soccer Team Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...to get better"]
(---------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=SOCCER]
Two other teams from the area that we profiled last week, also leave for the other side of the Atlantic tomorrow.

[S-Wrath]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=WRATH]

In one other soccer note, Deryk Shockley has been named the D-3 pro league's player of the week. The Roanoke Wrath midfielder had three goals and an assist in the team's two wins over this past weekend. The Wrath's next home game is on July 29th.