[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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


Coming up on News 7-
(------------)

[Vo-Nat]
Is Michael Vick leaving Tech and going pro?
The latest coming up in just a few moments.
Bouncing paychecks for employees of local cable company.
And as the Extreme Football League starts to get off the ground- its blimp does the opposite-
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]


News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]



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


Virginia Tech appears to be losing its star quarterback. All indicators point to Michael Vick giving up his remaining years of college eligibility for the big money of the NFL.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEan]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]


Good evening...

[Vick]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-84 tc 51:54]
[GRAPHIC=Vick]


Good Evening. The Virginia Tech faithful are most probably very disappointed tonight.
Quarterback Michael Vick is likely going pro next season. [2-SHOT]
Denise Allen is here with the latest.
[ANCHOR=Denise 2-Shot]


Everything seems to be pointing in that direction Jean.
[ANCHOR=Denise]


Nothing official has been released, but we know Michael Vick and his mother were on the Tech campus earlier today.


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

[vo-nat]
[super=04-This Season;]


Sources at Tech say Vick, his mother and another man wearing what was described as a very expensive suit, stopped on campus briefly to pick up his college transcripts.
The transcripts are needed to file paperwork to enter the upcoming NFL draft.
Sources also say a press conference on Thursday in Newport News is likely.
Vick would be one of the top picks in the draft, earning millions in signing bonuses and a possible 50 million plus for six or seven years.
(--------------------)

[2-SHOT]
Steve Mason is going to join us later in sports with a more indepth look into the situation and reaction from some of Vick's teammates.


[L'burg-Council]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-44 TC03:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Do gay victims of crime deserve special attention from the police?
A gay rights activist in Lynchburg believes they do.. and he wants his local police force better trained to deal with hate crimes and their victims.
Steve Smallshaw has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=On September]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/September 23; :00]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :11]
[SUPER=01-Bill Connelly/Gay Rights Activist; :15]
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief; 1:03]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( On September 23rd of last year, a man walked into a Roanoke gay bar and opened fire.. leaving one person dead, six others wounded.
It was a crime that made headlines nationwide and left some local residents wondering whether it could have been prevented.
[SOT 00:49:37]

((BILL CONNELLY/GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST: ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE HAD DIFFERENT OUTCOMES HAD THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT OPPRESSION OF GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=not be tolerated.]


So long-time gay rights advocate Bill Connelly is speaking out again.
Connelly wants the Lynchburg police force to undergo FBI training to help them recognize and deal with hate crimes, in particular crimes where gay citizens are the target.
Connelly says the training could help prevent gay crime victims from being mistreated by cops who might be inclined to look the other way.
[SOT 00:55:15]

((CONNELLY: SOMETIMES IN AN ORGANIZATION LIKE THAT, YOU GET 'BOYS WILL BE BOYS' AND IT INTERFERES WITH THEM BEING EFFECTIVE WITH A GAY MAN OR PERHAPS A LESBIAN, THAT THEY MIGHT FIND HUMOROUS, SO THIS KIND OF TRAINING IS A PREVENTATIVE THING.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=preventative thing.]


But police chief Charles Bennett says he's not sure the need is there.
[SOT 00:51:16]

((COL.CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION OR SEXUAL PREFERENCE ARE PROTECTED BY THE EXISTING LAWS, AND THE INSTANCE IN PARTICULAR IN ROANOKE THAT WAS MENTIONED, THE PERPETRATOR WAS CAUGHT, ARRESTED AND IS GOING TO BE TRIED UNDER THE LAW. I'M JUST NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT ELSE COULD OCCUR.))
[RUNS= 19]
[OUT Q=else could occur.]


Bennett says he'll look into Connelly's request.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

[Roanoke-SOLs]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Standards of Learning]

Roanoke city students passed the most recent round of Standards of Learning tests with flying colors. Superintendent Wayne Harris says 100-percent of students who took the December "end of course" World History tests received a passing score. 70-percent of students who took the Algebra S-O-L test passed - most of those students were taking the test for the first time.

[Air-Cable]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-51 TC57:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]


A local digital cable company provides service to a thousand homes in the Roanoke Valley, but it hasn't provided its employees with pay checks in a month.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]


Air Cable employs 40 people Salem and Roanoke.
It uses wireless technology to provide digital quality television.
Employees say their last several paychecks bounced and the company owes them thousands in back pay.
Air Cable says the payroll mishap was a clerical error and employees will "most likely" be paid on Friday.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]


The company says customer service has not been affected by the payroll mishap.
The company hasn't paid the State Corporation Commission either -- that means Air Cable is no longer legally allowed to operate in Virginia.

[Rowe-layoff]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=bre]
[TAPE#=00-45 TC1:09:57]
[GRAPHIC=Rowe Furniture]


Bad news from a company with plants in Salem and Elliston.
Rowe furniture announced 130 lay-offs on Friday.
Company officials say the layoffs were a result of poor retails sales in the furniture industry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Elliston/May 11, 1999]


Everything seemed fine for Rowe when it broke ground on the new plant in Elliston. In fact, work was completed there just four months ago.
But officials say the layoffs are indefinite.
A spokesman for Rowe, says the company was building hoping for a stronger economy.
(------------)



[Abduction]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:38:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Still no sign of two people who may have abducted a North Carolina girl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The 22-month-old baby girl disappeared from her foster home near Greensboro.
Officials believe Hailey Marissa Fuller was abducted by her mother, Alisha Hammond, and Alisha's father, Wesley.
Wesley Hammond is a registered sex offender in Virginia.
The Alleghany County sheriff says Hammond has ties to Allegheny county, so his deputies are on alert.
(------------)



[Houston-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]


A fifth body has been found in connection with a shooting at a Houston business earlier today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]

Police say the woman found dead in a convenience store late today was the estranged wife of the gunman - Officials say the convenience store in north Houston was owned by the gunman and his wife. Authorities found her body hours after the gunman entered Amko - a wholesale clothing and perfume business-- where he killed the store owner, the store owner's wife, and their daughter -- all before taking his own life. Houston police are now trying to figure out a motive.
(------------)



[Chavez]


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


The Bush team is looking for a new secretary of labor.
As Stephen Clark reports- Linda Chavez has taken her name out of the running.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Linda Chavez/Former Labor Secretary Designate; :00]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :09]
[SUPER=01-Stephen Clark/Reporting; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=Standard out.]

((LINDA CHAVEZ : I BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT SEC OF LABOR. Linda Chavez came under intense fire this weekend over allegations she employed an illegal immigrant in the early 90's. She denied Marta Mercado was an employee, but decided to withdraw her name from consideration because of the controversy. CHAVEZ: I HAVE DECIDED THAT I AM BECOMING A DISTRACTION AND THEREFORE I HAVE ASKED PRESIDENT BUSH TO WITHDRAW MY NAME FOR SECRETARY OF LABOR. Chavez insists she was only trying to help someone in need, something she says makes a habit of doing. Several friends came to the news conference to pledge their support, and to thank her. OSHUA REYES: "I really appreciated what she done. The thing is hat I call her sometimes my mother " ADA ITERINO/CHAVEZ FRIEND: "She's been very helpful in my life, especially with my children" The president-elect arrived in Washington late Tuesday night, and he told reporters he was disappointed that Chavez will not be the next secretary of Labor.))

[Ashcroft]


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


Meanwhile it's not smooth sailing for Bush's choice for Attorney General.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]


A coalition of women's and civil rights groups says it will work against John Ashcroft-
Ashcroft is known as a hard line opponent of abortion rights and has come under fire from civil rights groups.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:01:50]
[IN Q=]

((KATE MICHELMAN/ABORTION RIGHTS ACTION LEAGUE; THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF EVERY AMERICAN WOMAN IS AT RISK IN THIS NOMINATION.)) [Butt to 15:02:11] ((NANCY ZIRKIN/ASSOC. OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN; ASHCROFTS EXTENSIVE RECORD AND OPPOISITION TO CIVIL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS MAKES HIM INCAPABLE OF UPHOLIDNG AND ENFORCING CURRENT LAW.))
[SUPER=01-Kate Michelman/Abortion Rights Action League; 00]
[Super=01-Nancy Zirkin/Assoc. of University Women; 07 ]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=ENFORCING CURRENT LAW.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Meanwhile a Bush spokesman says Ashcroft is one of the most qualified attorney general candidates in history.
(------------)


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


More people are arrested for taking part in a Southside pyramid scheme.
That's still ahead on News 7 at Eleven.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And you've probably seen those "hang up and drive" bumper stickers.
The next General Assembly may make cell-phone users do just that.
(-------------)


[Sports-Preview]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sports preview]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=TONIGHT IN SPORTS]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=LATER IN THE NEWSCAST]

((TONIGHT IN SPORTS, WOE ARE THE HOKIES AS QUARTERBACK MICHAEL VICK TAKES HIS ACT TO THE NFL. A TOUGH BATTLE IN U-HALL AND VIRGINIA AND GEORGIA TECH GO DOWN TO THE WIRE. AND A DODGE WILL ROUND THE TRACK THIS NASCAR SEASON. MIKE STEVENS GIVES US A LOOK FROM THE NASCAR MEDIA TOUR. THOSE STORIES AND MORE LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.))

[Driving-Bills]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=500-20 TC1:28:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Teenagers talking to their friends in the car- or just about anyone talking on a cell phone.
Both have proven deadly on Virginia's roads this past year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape]


The 2001 Virginia General Assembly convenes tomorrow, with teen drivers in the spotlight.
Statistics show teens with a carload of passengers are four times more likely to get in a serious collision than one driving alone.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:59:10 ]
[IN Q=It's clear]

((SEN. BILL MIMS/R-LOUDOUN CO.: IT'S CLEAR THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF DRIVING IS ONE THAT IF YOU ARE INEXPERIENCED AND YOU HAVE A DISTRACTION, IN PARTICULAR...VERY SERIOUS CAR CRASH.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Bill Mims/(R) Loudoun Co.;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=car crash.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Senator Mims's bill would raise the driving age by six months, as well as limit the number of teen passengers with a teen driver.
Cell phone users could get stopped by police for chatting while entering or exiting a highway.
That's a new version of a bill that's died in the past that would have banned cell phones in the hands of drivers altogether.
(------------)



[Mental-Health]


[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-47 TC55:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Another hotly contested issue on the General Assembly's plate-- the future of Southern Virginia Mental Institute in Danville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


This week, the Governor announced his intentions to close the facility in 2002.
Under the plan, the state would move away from publicly funded care to more community based care.
And that has many fearing the worst- including residents, hospitals and community services providers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT :00:00:38, :00:00:47]
[IN Q=Our behavorial health system]

((CHRIS MORGAN/DANVILLE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: OUR BEHAVORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM CAN ACCOMODATE ABOUT ANOTHER 17 OR 18 PATIENTS SO WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE PATIENTS.)) ((REV. LARRY HILL/RUNS HOMELESS SHELTER: IF THEY DONT HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEM THEN THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STAY HERE OR WE ARE GOING TO FIND ARRANGEMENTS OURSELVES AND THATS REALLY GOING TO HURT US IN A LOT OF AREAS.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Morgan/Danville Regional Medical Center; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. Larry Hill/Runs Homeless Shelter; :09]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=in a lot of areas]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The state promises to keep Southern Virginia Mental Institute open until the community based services are in place.
The General Assembly has final say on the plan to close the institute.
(------------)



[Menopause]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:06:58]
[GRAPHIC=Menopause]


Menopause is a stage in life that all women will face.
For some it's a gradual process-- for others who have hysterectomies, it happens right after surgery.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]


Charlotte White had a hysterectomy a year ago.
She takes an herbal supplement daily to combat the estrogen loss that happens in menopause.
White says she decided against hormone replacement therapy because of the risk of breast cancer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT3:18:10]
[IN Q=I was very concerned]

((CHARLOTTE WHITE; I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN BREAST CANCER, AND I'M REAL QUESTIONABLE ABOUT DOES IT REALLY PREVENT HEART DISEASE BECAUSE TO ME THERE HAS JUST NOT BEEN ENOUGH RESEARCH DONE THAT IT DOES))
[SUPER=07-Charlotte White]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=that it does]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Doctor Mona Sadek (SAD-ick) says while over-the-counter options may help, there are concerns about them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT19:05]
[IN Q=Problem with them is we don't]

((DR. MONA SADEK/ROANOKE VALLEY WOMEN'S CTR; PROBLEM WITH THEM IS WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH AND WHETHER THERE GETTING TOO MUCH STIMULATION THE BREAST AND UTERUS AND WHETHER THEY'RE AT RISK FOR CANCER ))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Mona Sadek/Roanoke Valley Women's Ctr.]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=for cancer]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Sadek (SAD-ick) says she recommends hormone replacement therapy.
She says the main concern for women is that low estrogen can increase the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.
(-------------)



[Pyramid-Scheme]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=00-48 TC1:10:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]


It's an enticing idea-- invest 2-grand in hopes of making much more.
But tonight 26 Pittslyvania County residents are behind bars tonight charged with taking part in a pyramid scheme.


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


Authorities say each person invested 2-thousand dollars.
They expected to get rich by persuading more people to get involved.
[SUPER=03-Pittslyvania Co.]


The Pittslyvania County Sheriff's Department says many of the participants did not realize they were breaking the law.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 1:30:34]
[IN Q=Ignorance of the law]

((MAJOR GARY GOODSON/CHIEF DEPUTY: IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS NO EXCUSE AND SO EACH PERSON COMMITTED THE OFFENSE IS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY THE CONSQUENCES.))
[SUPER=01-Maj. Gary Goodson/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff's Office]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=Pay the consquences]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The Sheriff's Department expects more arrests later this week.
Two weeks ago, thirteen defendants in Danville pled guilty to taking part in this same pyramid scheme.
The Danville Police Department and the Pittslyvania County Sheriff's Department have been working together on this investigation.
(------------)


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


Still ahead on News 7-- The battle over Main Street in Radford-- and how it could end-up costing business owners.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And an Extreme Football League promotion falls short.
(----------------)



[Train-Station]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC09:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]


O-Winston Link says he's honored by the prospect of a new museum in Roanoke devoted to his work... but the famed photographer says he's also prepared to stop the project.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


A tribute to Link is part of the plan for the old N&W passenger rail station that's now slated for renovation.
But Link believes the project should include the vintage steam locomotive 12-18 as the centerpiece, and he says without the engine he's not interested.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:05:27]
[IN Q=I know it's a tough job]

((I KNOW IT'S A TOUGH JOB. EVERYTHING IS TOUGH. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD CONCEPT. IT'S NOT EASY TO CARRY OUT. IT EITHER TAKES A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF IMAGINATION, SOME VISION AND SOME MONEY.))
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=and some money.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Supporters still hope a Link museum will be part of the project, but they say they can't wait forever, and will ultimately move forward with other plans if Link isn't on board.
(------------)



[Radford-Street]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC46:32]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Some Radford business owners say re-naming the city's main drag is going to cost them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]


City Council voted last month to rename the main thoroughfare "Main Street."
The street goes by "Norwood Street" in East Radford ... and "First Street" in West Radford.
Local business owner Linton Leary says the change will cost him money and customers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 32:54 - 33:01]
[IN Q=Nothing like this]

((LINTON LEARY/RADFORD BUSINESS OWNER: NOTHING LIKE THIS WILL HELP BUSINESS. IT IS AN ADDED EXPENSE. OBVIOUSLY I'LL HAVE TO PASS IT ON TO MY CUSTOMERS.))
[SUPER=01-Linton Leary/Business Owner;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=to my customers.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Leary's equipment and tool rental business has been on First Street for 30 years.
But he says he'd rather move it out of Radford than pay to re-letter trucks and notify thousands of customers and suppliers.
City Council members said renaming Main Street would unify the area and make the street more recognizable.
The change is set to occur in January 2002.
(------------)



[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=extra point]
[GRAPHIC=none]


Coming up the latest on Michael Vick, highlights from the Georgia Tech-UVA game and Mike Stevens checks in from the NASCAR Media Tour.
First here's our extra point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=76-This Season;]


VMI Center Eric Mann has been named the Southern Conference men's basketball player of the week.
Mann averaged 14-point-five points and 11 and a half rebounds in two games last week.
He shot 59-percent from the field and blocked five shots.
(---------------)
(///// GO TO SCORES /////)

[SPORTS CHYRON MOTION]
[IN Q=FIRST SCORE]

[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Galax/59//Narrows/45///j/Salem/75//Rockbridge/28///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Christiansburg/73//Giles/54///j/Martinsville/71//Tunstall/59///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Franklin Co./86//Halifax Co./73///j/Roanoke Catholic/68//Pulaski Co./59///;]
[super=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Lynchburg College/75//E. Mennonite/51//Women/j/#3 Notre Dame/84//St. John's/49//Women/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/#10 Virginia/68/j/Georgia Tech/73////Concord/59/j/Radford/85///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Averett College/64/j/Ferrum/76//Women//RMWC/48/j/Emory & Henry/64//Women/;]
[SUPER=X5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/Pittsburgh/2/j/Boston/5////Florida/3/j/Carolina/7///;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=.....last score."]
(---------------)

[go to break]



[S-Michael]


[ANCHOR=denise]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-83 50:14]
[GRAPHIC=Michael Vick]


It appears Michael Vick is going to forgo his final two years of college eligibility at Virgina Tech for the millions in the NFL.
Tech sources have confirmed that Vick, his mother and an older white gentleman wearing a business suit picked up Vick's college transcripts on campus at Tech yesterday.
Transcripts are required by the NFL for a player to enter the draft.
Up until a few weeks or maybe even a few days ago, Vick, his mom and high school coach Tommy Reamon agreed he should get his college degree.
As Steve Mason reports, sources say his mom's change of heart, whether because of his injuries or the millions of dollars his contract would command, was the overriding factor in Michael's decision to leave Virginia Tech.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/December 15th; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/Va. Tech Quarterback; ::14]
[SUPER=03-Jacksonville, FL; :30]
[SUPER=01-Andre Kendrick/Va. Tech Tailback; ::50]
[SUPER=03-Newport News/August; 1:21]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Boddie/Michael's Mom; 1:29]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:47]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=Mason NEws 7 Sports."]
(---------------)

((December 15th, Blacksburg, Michael Vick announced he would return to Tech for the 2001 season to improve as a player and as a student. ((:)) But less than a week later when News 7 sports sat down with Vick, he seemed to waver on his decision to come back to Tech for his junior season. But the rumors of him leaving Tech surfaced once again at the Gator Bowl. A reporter asked Vick about staying in school or leaving and The quarterback was indecisive. While he later assured everyone in a statement he was staying, his roomate senior running back Andre kendrick, hinted Vick's departure was a done deal. ((:))
What a difference a season, espicially one filled with injury, can make. A re-occuring ankle injury that forced Vick to miss substantial playing time this season was largely responsible for his change of heart. When News7 sports visited Vick and his family in Newport News last August education was his mother's top priority. ((:)) ((:)) News 7 sports spoke to Vick's high school coach Tommy Reamon in Newport News tonight and he indiacated that he seemed surpised byu today's developments and unaware of Vick's decision to leave Tech for the NFL. Sources say Reamon is one person who has dvised Michael to stay at Tech and get his degree. Sources say Vick has also spoken to several of his Tech teammates and informed them that he is entering the NFL draft.
Tech football coach Frank Beamer was also unavaivable.
Vick couldn't be reached at his home in Newport News.
Sources say a news conference has been scheduled there Thursday, when he's expected to make the official announcement that he's leaving Tech for the N-F-L draft.))

[S-Add]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-86]
[GRAPHIC=hold Vick]


Without Michael Vick, Tech would have to turn to either red shirt sophomore quarterback Grant Noel or red shirt freshman Jason Davis.
Last night, Tech tailback Lee Suggs addressed his role and what the Hokies would do without Vick.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...with the quarterback"]
(------------)



[S-Cavs]


[ANCHOR=Denise]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-85 tc 51:57]
[GRAPHIC=acc]


Georgia Tech stung Virginia on the Cavaliers home court last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Georgia Tech vs. Virginia;]


Late in the game Tech's Shawn Fein (fine) shows no fear drives through the paint to tie it at 59.
UVA takes the lead just minutes later when Chris Williams lets go a high arching shot and the Cavs have the 65-63 lead.
[super=33-Georgia Tech/73/Virginia/68;]


Fein would seal the victory for the Yellow Jackets with this bomb just as the shot clock sounds and Georgia Tech beats Virginia 73-68.
(------------)



[S-NASCAR]


[ANCHOR=denise]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-87 tc 33:36]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar media tour]


The 2001 NASCAR season is just around the corner.
Mike Stevens and photographer Lynn Eller are on the preseason media tour in the Carolinas.
Tonight they check in with an old friend and a brand new machine.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/Caterpillar Dodge Driver; :14]
[SUPER=03-Thomasville, NC; :22]
[RUNS=2:01]
[OUT Q=......news 7 sports"]

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by SS