!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/1999/REC-html401-19991224/loose.dtd"> WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 08/21/00

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

Can the Gilmore Administration follow through on eliminating the car tax AND the food tax- -in the face of

an economic downturn?
We'll hear what the Governor and others have to say about it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And why some Verizon workers are back on the job in some states, but not here.
(------------)


[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight on News 7 sports, Patrick Ewing is being traded to the west coast. Ferrum is picked to win it all this season. The Skins put Derek Smith on injured reserve.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the Hokies put their opponents on notice that Vick is guarding against a sophomore slump.
(------------)


[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]


Tropical storm Debby heads for the Caribbean and our weather suddenly turns cooler than normal. Weather details coming up.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I was]
[sot tape one 09:47:30]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: I WAS ELECTED ON A PROMISE TO CUT THE CAR TAX.))
[sot TAPE TWO 10:42:37]

((DEL. WHITT CLEMENT/D-DANVILLE: I THINK IT WILL COME BACK ON US. IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF WHEN.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=of when.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


No car tax is just barely on schedule.
The food tax cut will need a budget boost.
The Gilmore administration admits an economic downturn has started.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.

[State-Budget]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#00-25 TC1:05:12]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at Six]


When fully phased in, 16 various tax cuts will take a 1-point-6 BILLION dollar bite out of Virginia's budget.
Governor Jim Gilmore says that means an average of 230 dollars a year for every man, woman, and child in Virginia.

But it also means hard choices for future governors.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Ellen/State Microwave]


Ellen Qualls is in our Richmond newsroom.
[Live=Ellen Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Ellen1;]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]


Keith, there's a glass half empty and a glass half full story here.
The Governor says this marks the third consecutive year of double digit revenue growth-- ending the year at 10-point-5 percent.
But his Finance Secretary followed him up with a reminder that next year's is projected to be only half that, at 5-point-5 percent.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We do not]
[SUPER=01-Ron Tillett/Virginia Finance Secretary; :00]
[SUPER=@Trumbo; :21]
[SUPER=@Jackson; :32]
[SUPER=@Gilmore; 1:02 ]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Stafford; 1:08 ]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=that means fiscally]
(([sot TAPE ONE 10:13:11]

((RON TILLETT/VIRGINIA FINANCE SECRETARY: WE DO NOT EXPECT THE ECONOMY TO DRAMATICALLY SLOW IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE WORD IS DRAMATICALLY. HOWEVER, THE SLOWDOWN IS EXPECTED IN THE OFFICIAL FORECAST FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.)) [runs:15]
But today, Jim Gilmore says he can finally promise, the car tax will be fully eliminated by 2002.
[sot TAPE TWO 10:32:14 ]

((SEN. BO TRUMBO/R-FINCASTLE: WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER THE CAR TAX MONEY WOULD END UP LEAVING A HOLE IN THE EXISTING BUDGET. THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT IT'S NOT, BUT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE US SOME GRIEF.)) [runs:11 ]

[sot TAPE TWO 10:36:27]

((DEL. TOM JACKSON/D-HILLSVILLE: WELL I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS JUST HANGING ON BY THE FINGERNAILS RIGHT NOW ECONOMICALLY. BECAUSE THE REVENUE FORECASTS WOULD NOT HAVE ENABLED HIM TO DO THE CAR TAX PHASEOUT HAD CORPORATE INCOME TAX NOT BUMPED UP THE OVERALL FORECAST, WHICH IS PROBABLY NOT GONNA HAPPEN AGAIN.)) [runs:18 ]
And the revenue trigger to cut another half cent from the tax on groceries was NOT met.
So the Governor promises he'll fund that in his December budget anyway.
And he promises more.
[sot tape one 09:57:13]

((GOV. JIM GILMORE: OUR BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD. YOU AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.)) [runs:08]
[sot tape two 10:29:49]

((SEN. JOHN CHICHESTER/R-STAFFORD CO.: I DON'T KNOW WHAT IN THE WORLD THAT MEANS. AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS FISCALLY.)) [runs:08 ]))
(-------------)
[Live=Ellen Full/State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]


Today, nothing was said in public... but there were private rumblings from lawmakers of both parties about how to keep paying for the car tax cut.
A one cent increase in the sales tax was actually mentioned -- by a Republican.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Ellen/State Microwave]



[Verizon]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-31 TC18:49]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon Strike]


While thousands of Verizon workers went back to work today, thousands more in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey are still on strike.
The two-week battle over mandatory overtime and stress in the workplace has left customers fighting for service and managers struggling to provide it.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Jennifer/Microwave]


Jennifer Miele is on the picket line in Roanoke with an update on contract negotiations for the local unions.
[Live= Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=40-Jennifer/Miele;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]


Keith, local union officials say they aren't satisfied yet with the proposed contracts.
The managers replacing them are hoping that an agreement is reached soon.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's been a]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;:00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Rieley/Area Manager;:15]
[SUPER=01-David Layman/Local Union President;1:03]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=try to resolve them.]

(( It's been a long two weeks for managers who have replaced these striking workers on service and repair calls. Mike Rieley says he's been working 19-hour days, and he's ready for the strike to end.
[SOT]

[TC: 00:08:47]
[IN Q=We aren't able]

((MIKE RIELEY/AREA MANAGER: WE AREN'T ABLE TO DO INSTALLATION WORK. WE'RE HAVING TO PRIORITIZE REPAIR WORK, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THE STRIKE WILL BE OVER SOON, GET A CONTRACT AND GET EVERYBODY BACK TO WORK.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=back to work.]


The progress that continues to be made in Washington is not trickling down to customers in Virginia.
[IN Q=ringing phone]

[TC:00:40:33] ((WE'RE SORRY, DUE TO THE WORK STOPAGE, ALL OPERATORS ARE BUSY....)) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q=operators are busy...]


While these picketers aren't satisfied with contract wording about mandatory overtime, stress in the workplace, and vacation time, their counterparts in the North have made substantial progress at the bargaining table.
They've managed to sign a new three-year contract that limits mandatory overtime, provides them with a 12 percent pay increase over the life of the contract, and gives employees stock options for the first time in the company's history.
Still, local unions say they aren't budging.
[IN Q=We negotiated those]

[tc:00:03:41] ((DAVID LAYMAN/LOCAL UNION PRESIDENT: WE NEGOTIATED THOSE STRESS COMMITTEES SINCE 1998, THEY'VE BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE JUNE 26. WE WANT THEM TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND TRY TO RESOLVE THEM.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q=to resolve them.]))
(-------------)
[Live=Jen Full/Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]


50 thousand Verizon workers went back today, 35 thousand are still on the picket lines.
[Double Boxes=Keith and Jen/Microwave]


Keith, they say they hope to be back on the job as soon as possible.

[City-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-19 TC1:43:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Renovations to four Roanoke city schools are still incomplete, and students are due back this week.
But today, superintendent Wayne Harris reassured the school board and city council that classes will start on schedule.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


At Garden City Elementary, teachers got into their classrooms for the first time today.
Preparations that normally take up to a week, must be finished by the time students return Wednesday morning.
Though additions and other major renovations are still incomplete at four schools, Harris says students and teachers will be able to work around the construction.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 06:58:23]
[IN Q=And we're not where we want to be]

((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: AND WE'RE NOT WHERE WE WANT THEM TO BE. WE'RE ABOUT 90 PERCENT READY IN TERMS OF COMPLETION OF THAT WORK, BUT SCHOOLS ARE SAFE, SCHOOLS WILL BE CLEAN AND WE'RE READY TO GO.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke School Superintendent; ]
[RUNS= :12]
[OUT Q=we're ready to go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


In addition to Garden City, work continues at Grandin Court, Preston Park, and James Madison Middle.
(------------)



[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]


Lane Stadium is going to get a lot bigger.
Still ahead on News 7, see what the improved stadium will look like.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]


And next, find out how a Lynchburg shelter is helping folks adopt an animal, without ever taking it home.
(---------------)






[Animal-Shelter]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-32 TC26:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Every year, nine million cats and dogs are put to death in this country for want of a good home.
Overcrowded animal shelters are a problem everywhere, but in Lynchburg, they've come up with a unique way for people to adopt a pet without actually becoming a pet owner.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=natsot]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Diane Prout/Lynchburg Humane Society; :26]
[SUPER=@ssm2; :45]
[SUPER=01-Bunny Goodjohn/Animal Sponsor; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( [natsot barking 1:06:42]
[RUNS= 02]


A visit to your local humane society can make be a noisy one.. as dozens of dogs and cats climb over themselves hoping to catch your eye and a ride home.
But the fact is half these dogs and at least two thirds of the cats will never find a home.. like most others, Lynchburg's animal shelter is overcrowded and underfunded.
[SOT 1:13:10]

((DIANE PROUT/LYNCHBURG HUMANE SOCIETY: NOT ONLY DO WE NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR THEM, EVEN IF WE DID HAVE ENOUGH ROOM, THERE ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH FAMILIES OUT THERE WHO WANT TO ADOPT THEM.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=to adopt them.]


So the Humane Society has come up with a new program.. modeled after the "Save the Children" ads you see on t-v.
[natsot meow 1:11:47]
[RUNS= 01]


Now sponsors can "adopt" a pet without taking it home...their donations help pay for medical procedures like spaying, neutering or rabies shots, making the animal more marketable to a prospective family.
Bunny Goodjohn is a shelter volunteer who took a chance on "Chance".. a young cat that was near death from respiratory problems.
[SOT 1:18:36]

((BUNNY GOODJOHN/ANIMAL SPONSOR: SO SHE NEEDED SOME EMERGENCY TREATMENT TO GET FLUIDS INTO HER, AND THEN SHE WAS HAND-FED FOR FIVE DAYS AND NOW SHE'S BACK AT THE SHELTER WAITING FOR ADOPTION.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=waiting for adoption.]
[SOT 1:14:33]

((DIANE PROUT: I THINK IN THE LONG RUN, YEAH, IT DOES KEEP THEM HERE LONGER BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT A FAMILY HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THEM, NOT ONLY EMOTIONALLY BUT FINANCIALLY, SO WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THOSE ANIMALS HERE UNTIL THEY DO GET ADOPTED.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=do get adopted.]


That's something to get excited about.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))


[Greenfield]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=00-22 TC1:44:26]
[GRAPHIC=None]


It was almost locked up for an extra year in a budget dispute, but this morning, Botetourt County's new Greenfield Elementary School opened to students.
Tina Tenret shows us whether the eight million dollar school was worth the struggle.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They're fast]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;]
[SUPER=01-Sandra Thomas/Principal;]
[SUPER=01-Pahl Pappas/Student;]
[SUPER=@Tina2;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:52:05]
[IN Q=Had to make]
((NAT SOT: HAD TO MAKE A RUN FOR SOME PENCIL SHARPENERS. AND SOME COFFEE FOR THE PRINCIPAL.))

[RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=THE PRINCIPAL]

They're sweeping away the evidence, but Greenfield Elementary School earned its certificate of occupancy only last week.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:03:50]
[IN Q=THIS IS]

((SANDRA THOMAS/PRINCIPAL: THIS IS JUST A FABULOUS, GORGEOUS FACILITY.)) [RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=GORGEOUS FACILITY]

Principal Sandra Thomas is like every child here -- pulled from one of three crowded county schools. So at Greenfield, each grade is splashed with a different color, to guide students and unite them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:10:20]
[IN Q=PART OF THE]

((SANDRA THOMAS/PRINCIPAL: PART OF THE WAY WE'LL DO THAT IS HAVE THEM WORK WITH US TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL MASCOT, SCHOOL COLORS AND A SCHOOL SLOGAN.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=A SCHOOL SLOGAN]

The gym is big enough for a pro basketball game -- adults have already reserved it for their rec games. An outdoor ampitheater stands ready for performances. And no one here seems to mind the landscaping machines.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]
((NAT SOT READING BOOK))

[RUNS:03] This is Pahl's third elementary school.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:27:29]
[IN Q=I'm going ohhh]

((PAHL PAPPAS/STUDENT: I'M GOING OHHHH... WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE LIKE?)) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE LIKE]

Then he took a look.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:26:24]
[IN Q=WE HAVE]

((PAPPAS: WE HAVE AN ART ROOM AND A MUSIC ROOM. WE NEVER EVEN HAD MUSIC AT OUR OTHER SCHOOL.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=OTHER SCHOOL]

But those art teachers will be P-T-A volunteers. And even though the librarian boasts about a digital camera, some shelves stay bare because the school doesn't have the cash to beef them up. Desks are missing, and moving in is a work in progress. Bus routes are longer -- parents say -- but other than that --
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((NAT SOT))

[RUNS:03] the new year at Greenfield seems to be rolling along just fine. Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County))

[Artis-Resignation]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-33 TC17:49]
[GRAPHIC=Jeff Artis]


A local civil rights leader is stepping down from the Roanoke Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/July 24;]


Jeff Artis is leaving as the group's vice president and member of the board of directors at the end of the year.
Artis says an accident at work left him with arsenic poisoning .. which he says has shown him how quickly life can change.
He says the move will also give him more time to develop his web site and other projects.
Artis adds.... he's leaving the S-C-L-C on good terms and has only respect for the president and the organization.

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


[Lawsuit]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]


A woman who worked at Toys 'R Us in Lynchburg has sued W-D-B-J television for one million-350 thousand dollars.
Charlene Rappleyea (RAP-pul-yay) accuses the station of negligence and defamation. Last September, News 7 reported on a criminal warrant sworn out against her by the parents of a seven-year-old girl who was in the Lynchburg Toys 'R Us.
The child's parents claimed in the warrant that Rappleyea stuck her hand in the girl's pants to see if she was concealing shoplifted merchandise. The case was later dismissed in court.
News 7 News Director Jim Kent said today: "We reported on the filing of a criminal warrant. And we reported when those charges were dropped."
The suit was filed today in Roanoke Circuit court.

[Stocks]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]


A slow day on Wall Street ahead of tomorrow's Federal Reserve meeting. [TAKE DOW, NASDAQ & BLOOMBERG PAGE ]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-x/33.33/11079.81/x/22.81/3953.15/y/0.51/116.29;]


The DOW gained 33 points, NASDAQ rose 23.
The Bloomberg News 7 Index lost about half a point.
(-------------)

[VO]
[SUPER=431-ie/35r/ir/31r/ha/53d/ie/26f/u/3!;]
[SUPER=432-ie/51%/h#/29#/ie/41d/hr/56d/i1a/33b;]
[SUPER=433-h1f/22%/i#/17c/id/25d/h@/32@/ib/11g;]
[SUPER=434-he/50f/i2g/51f/hb/42&/u/57!/i1b/49f;]



[Tech-Visitors]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-30 TC1:00:03]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]


A bigger, better, more expensive Lane Stadium is on the way for Virginia Tech football fans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Tech's Board of Visitors gave the 37-million dollar project the go-ahead today.
The improvements will cost 11-million dollars more than planned because of the addition of 15 luxury suites and a rise in the cost of building materials.
When completed in Fall 2002, Lane Stadium will have 11-thousand more seats on its south end.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:08:08 - :21]
[IN Q=Well, we've certainly]

((LARRY HINCKER/UNIVERSITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR: WELL, WE'VE CERTAINLY MANAGED TO FILL THEM ALL THIS YEAR. WE'VE SOLD OUT ALL THE GAMES SO FAR...EXCEED THOSE REVENUE FORECASTS. ))
[SUPER=01-Larry Hincker/University Relations Director;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=revenue forecasts.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Board also released a study showing that Virginia Tech generated 1-point-3 billion dollars in economic activity and 15-thousand jobs in the New River Valley last year.
(------------)



[BV-Heads]


[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=500-16 TC51:09]
[GRAPHIC=None]


York County leaders say they're tacky.
But in a matter of days folks in Buena Vista can judge for themselves.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-York Co./March 17;]


The developer of a theme park has agreed to store three of his giant presidential heads in Maury Park.
A giant bust of Abraham Lincoln and two smaller busts of William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor will be temporarily displayed.
The owner of the giant heads wants to develop a 17- million dollar outdoor attraction called "President's Park" near Williamsburg but is currently in legal battle with York County.
So-- the arrangement is not permanent.
(------------)



[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up tonight on News 7 sports, Pat Ewing is leaving the Big Apple. The Express gets a new player, Michael Vick gets advice on betaing a sophomore slump.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And it's just like old times at Ferrum as the Panthers are the preseason picks to win the belts this August.
(------------)


[S-Smith]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]


The Washington Redskins released 12 players today as they worked to get down to the 65 player limit that all NFL teams must reach by the end of tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ashburn; :00]

The Redskins also placed former Hokie Derek Smith on the Injured reserve list for the second straight year. Last year Smith stayed on the IR rehabbing his left knee, and this preseason he hurt his right one. By going on the injured reserve list now, he will not be eligible for the entire season.
(------------)


[S-Vick]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-70 11254TC]
[GRAPHIC=TECH]


The Virginia Tech Hokies are now settling in to their game preparations for this coming Sunday night's BCA battle at Lane Stadium against the Ga. Tech Yellow Jackets.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]

The game will mark Michael Vick's much anticipated return to the field. Since his coming out party at Sugar Bowl back in January - Vick has been college football's marquee man. He has appeared on the cover of every conceivable magazine and he's the odds on favorite to win the heisman. That is - if he can avoid the dreaded sophomore jinx.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We talked about....]
[SUPER=01-Rickey Bustle/Va. Tech Offensive Coordinator; :11]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=....ONE GAME AT A TIME."]
(------------)

[PINNACLE 1033] Folks, your Hometown Station is all set to get you ready for that season opener as News 7 Sports presents a half hour special this Saturday night at 7 - the Vick Tory. If you tune in we will take you to Michael Vick's hometown of Newport News and inside his home where we'll visit with hits mom and his talented brother, who also is a quarterback. That's this Saturday night at 7 right here on WDBJ-7.
(------------)



[S-Ferrum]


[ANCHOR=Roy]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-67 (1:16:32)]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum Logo]


After a couple of lean years, Ferrum is preparing to take its football program to the top of the Atlantic Central Football Conference.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum; :]


The Panthers have already been put in the hot seat. The coaches in the conference picked Ferrum number one in the pre-season poll.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I don't know...]
[SUPER=01-Dave Davis/Ferrum Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=.....in this thing."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


So, in order to back up that pre season coaches poll, The Panthers have a lot of work to do.
Turnovers were a major factor in last years 6 and 4 record in which the Panthers lost several close games.
But with 17 seniors and a host of skilled players returning on offense winning the conference title is within reach.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Every team...]
[SUPER=01-Dan Baker/Senior Guard; :]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=....and take it."]
(------------)
[TALENT=Mike]
[GRAPHIC=Hold Logo]


The Panthers open the season September second at home against Averett.


[S-NBA]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-64 14346TC]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

There is word this afternoon that one of the biggest deals in recent memory could be finalized in the NBA by tonight.

It's a complicated four team, 15 players deal with the biggest move sending Patrick Ewing from the Knicks to the Sonics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]

The 38 year old Ewing, who has spent his entire career with New York, would head west - and the Knicks would get the Sonics Vin Baker and the Lakers Glen Rice. Los Angeles would get the Knicks Chris Dudley and the Pistons Christian Laetttner. Several other minor players and two draft picks are also involved in the deal.
(------------)


[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=express]


Roanoke Express head coach Perry Florio announced the signing of center Anthony Terzo today. The high scoring center finished last season with 25 goals and 18 assists with the Huntington Blizzard. He has averaged 29 goals a season in his two years in the ECHL, his first coming as a member of the Toledo Storm. Terzo became a free agent when the Huntington team folded. The Express has now signed 19 players and two goalies.

[S-Yankees]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-68 12433tc]
[GRAPHIC=yankees/rangers]

The New York Yankees continue to make their push to the postseason. This afternoon they hammered the Rangers 12-to-3.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/Yanks-MSG; :00]

Jorge Posado was the man for the Yanks this afternoon as collected two hit, scored twice and drive in four runs and hit his fourth homer this season against Texas.
[super=35-Texas/3/New York/12;]

(------------) The Yankees had 13 hits on the day as they push their lead to 3 and half games over the Red Sox.
by SS