[1-News-Head]
[TALENT=Keith]
(------------)
[V/O-NAT]
The Roanoke Express is for sale! The hockey team that was "swimming in red ink" not long ago is the topic of our top story tonight.
(------------)
[TALENT=Keith]
And we'll check in on the Virginia gas pipeline hearings before the S-C-C.
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
We will expound on the Express situation tonight on News 7 Sports, plus UVa hoops are on Your Hometown Station tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Dave Winfield is headed to the baseball hall of fame.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]
We are heading into a lengthy period of clouds and eventually showers as well. Details coming up.
[Video-Open]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=: ]
[OUT Q=]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[Express]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-81 49:29]
[GRAPHIC=Express]
The Roanoke Express hockey team could be sold in the next two weeks.
[DOUBLE BOXES]
Steve Mason joins us from our newsroom with more on this breaking story. Steve.
[anchor=steve]
[SUPER=@Steve1;]
Keith, sources say the team is seeking a potential buyer and the Express could be sold with in a month.
Who will buy the team? Sources say a local business group, whose identity is not known at this time, is interested in buying the team.
According to sources, former owner John Gagnon is also interested in partnering with this local business in buying the Express.
Right Wing Ben Schust commented on this situation and News 7 sports spoke to John Gagnon by phone earlier today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=01-Ben Schust/Express Right Wing; :]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=..."]
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Steve Full/Newsroom]
Sources say John Gagnon could be in Roanoke as early as this Saturday to talk with the other potential buyers. The Express ownership feels that at this time, it is in the best interests of the ownership group, and the team and the fans not to comment.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Steve/Newsroom]
More on this in sports. Keith
[Carvins-Cove]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-02 TC1:22:10]
[GRAPHIC=Carvins Cove]
City officials say they are watching the water level at Carvins Cove... but at this point they say conditions there are NOT cause for concern.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove]
This morning, the level at Carvins Cove was fourteen feet below the spillway. In April of 1999, the city called for voluntary conservation when the level dropped to 18 feet below full pond.
Normally, the reservoir recharges during the first three months of the year, and City Manager Darlene Burcham says officials are not sounding any alarms.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=And I think you have to look at]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: AND I THINK YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TIME OF THE YEAR AND WHAT THE EXPECTATION IS FOR PRECIPITATION. OBVIOUSLY WE'D LIKE TO BE MORE COMFORTABLE, BUT I DON'T SEE IT AS A MAJOR CONCERN AT THIS POINT AT ALL.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=at this point at all.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
The level of Carvins Cove fell to almost 30 feet below the spillway in the summer of 1999, before rains began to replenish the reservoir. Since then, the city has also signed a water-sharing agreement with Roanoke County.
[City-Council]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-43 TC1:45:34]
[GRAPHIC=Rail Service]
Members of Roanoke City Council say they're supportive of efforts to restore passenger rail service and renovate the former Norfolk and Western station, but today members also said they must weigh the cost of any improvements.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Plans to renovate the passenger station are now moving forward, and today members of the passenger rail service committee asked council to consider a contribution of one and a half million dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:19:35]
[IN Q=I don't think there's many people]
((I DON'T THINK THERE'S MANY PEOPLE IN THE VALLEY THAT OPPOSE PASSENGER RAIL. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE IT BACK. I CERTAINLY AM A SUPPORTER OF PASENGER RAIL. NOW IT HAS TO BE AFFORDABLE.))
[SUPER=01-Ralph Smith/Roanoke Mayor;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=has to be affordable.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Members of city council said they support the effort to restore passenger rail service, and they indicated they will consider the request when they begin working on next year's budget.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=keith]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 73]
Tonight the issue is I-73, as city council holds a public hearing at 7 P-M in the municipal building.
[Heritage-Stabbing]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=00-52 TC1:12:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A Lynchburg teenager is hospitalized after he was stabbed during a fight in the parking lot of Heritage High School this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
19- year- old Eric Beard was stabbed in the stomach and shoulder. Friends drove him to a nearby fire station where paramedics then rushed him to the hospital.
Investigators are still trying to determine what happened.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:46:58]
[IN Q=I personally do]
((LT. WAYNE DUFF/LYNCHBURG POLICE: I PERSONALLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE MOTIVE THAT LED TO THIS OCCURRING. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF ARGUMENT OR ALTERCATION BUT AS TO THE SPECIFICS, I DO NOT KNOW.))
[SUPER=01-Lt. Wayne Duff/Lynchburg Police]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=do not know.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Beard is listed in good condition at Lynchburg General Hospital.
A 16- year- old suspect turned himself in to police this afternoon and is still being questioned.
(------------)
[Intermet-Fines]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=00-53 TC27:08]
[GRAPHIC=New River Castings]
Intermet Corporation and the labor department reached a settlement agreement today in the deadly explosion at New River Castings last year.
It's one that spares the company from criminal prosecution ... but opens the door to lawsuits from victim's families.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/March;]
The agreement calls for the auto parts maker to pay 761-thousand dollars in fines ... a five percent reduction from the original amount.
It's still the largest fine in state labor history.
The fines stem from a March 5th gas explosion that killed three workers.
As part of the settlement agreement, the City of Radford will NOT pursue criminal charges against the company or its workers.
The labor department and Intermet both agree that leaking gas caused the blast, but they disagree on what KIND.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=]
We'll explain that on News-7 at 11... and tell you what it means for victim's families who are planning legal action.
[Virginia-Gas]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=00-49 TC54:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Opponents of a new gas pipeline turned up the heat today .. at hearing that had nothing to do with the project .. at least not officially.
At issue: should Virginia Gas be permitted to merge with a New Jersey gas distributor.
But as News 7 business reporter Jennifer Miele reports, the outcome has a very direct effect on the pipeline's future.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What was supposed to]
[SUPER=03-Salem;:00]
[SUPER=01-Brent Riley/Pipeline Opponent;:20]
[SUPER=01-Michael Edwards/Virginia Gas Co.;:38]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2;1:00]
[RUNS=1:28 QUICK OUT!!!!!]
[OUT Q=JM News 7.]
(( What was supposed to be a public hearing about a gas company merger ended up being a public debate about a new gas pipeline.
[NAT SOUND ON PICKET LINE]
Dozens of residents say a merger between Virginia Gas and N-U-I would cost more than just money.
If the merger goes through, chances are a new pipeline WILL be built -- and it WON'T be built next to an existing one.
[tc:00:03:36]
[SOT]
((BRENT RILEY/PIPELINE OPPONENT: PROCEEDING WITH THIS PROJECT RESULTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, SCARS OUR VIEWS OF POOR MOUNTAIN.))
[RUNS07]
N-U-I acknowledged that a new pipeline may have some environmental impact -- but building next to an existing pipeline could cost twice as much as just building on a new site.
[tc:00:29:40]
((MICHAEL EDWARDS/VIRGINIA GAS: IF YOU HAVE TO BUILD AT A SLOW PACE VERSUS A RAPID PACE, YOU'LL HAVE TO PAY YOUR MEN MORE AND THEREFORE YOUR COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP.))
[RUNS08]
And in the end, he says, it's customers who would foot the bill if pipeline costs go up.
In its attempt to approve or deny the merger, the S-C-C tried to steer away from pipeline arguments and simply determine the following:
[PRE-PRO]
"That adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates, will not be impaired or jeopardized."
[END PRE PRO]
That's why the hearing examiner made it clear at the beginning of the day -- he didn't want this to turn into a debate about the pipeline.
He didn't get what he wished for.
[NAT SOUND]
[RUNS10]
Virginia Gas already has state approval to build the new pipeline. But it doesn't have the money to build it unless the merger goes through.
So the S-C-C decision will affect two companies ... one pipeline, and quite possibly, some views of Poor Mountain.
Jennifer Miele, News 7.))
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]
Organ donation can be a difficult decision. Now it's getting tougher for families to change their minds.
That's just one of the stories still ahead on News 7 at six.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
And we'll get a first-hand account of this weekend's El Salvador earthquake from a Roanoke native living there.
(----------------)
[State-Revenues]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-50 TC51:38]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
The number keeps shrinking.
Virginia's House Appropriations Committee heard today that state revenue growth for the year is a measly two-tenths of one percent.
The Gilmore administration had projected three-point-eight percent growth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
Usually, lawmakers find another 100 or 200 million dollars in unexpected revenues by the end of their session, which is February 24th this year.
But for the first time in memory, NO new money is expected over what the Governor had budgeted.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:32:22 ]
[IN Q=What you're]
((MARIAN VAN LANDINGHAM/D-ALEXANDRIA: WHAT YOU'RE NOW TELLING US BASICALLY IS THAT WE CAN TELL ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT THERE IS NO HOPE. THAT THERE ARE NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS... FOR US TO TRY TO FILL THOSE HOLES.))
[SOT 16:16:00]
((DEL. VINCE CALLAHAN/R-FAIRFAX: AND I GUESS WE SAW THE WRITING ON THE WALL... IT'S SLID, AND SLID, AND SLID, AND SLID TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.))
[sot 16:16:32 ]
((RON TILLETT/FINANCE SECRETARY: WE ARE AT POINT-TWO PERCENT FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Marian Van Landingham/(D) Alexandria; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Vince Callahan/(R) Fairfax; :24]
[SUPER=01-Ron Tillett/Finance Secretary; :31]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=absolutely correct.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Governor Jim Gilmore says the flat revenue picture will NOT stop the car tax phase-out.
It has meant cuts to state agencies and a plan to borrow money for colleges-- which is now in political jeopardy.
(------------)
[Welfare-Fraud]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mce]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A 77-year-old Southeast Roanoke man faces welfare fraud charges, after police say they found "a large quantity" of illegally-purchased food stamps in his home.
The suspect allegedly told police he deals mainly with citizens who visit the Roanoke Rescue Mission.
The Rescue Mission's director says the homeless shelter has nothing to do with the case - and that it doesn't deal with food stamps or welfare services.
[Earthquake]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-41 TC2:01:53]
[GRAPHIC=Earthquake]
A Roanoke native now living in El Salvador is facing the challenge of his life.
He's caught dead-center in the aftermath of Saturday's devastating earthquake.
As Teresa Hamilton reports, he is doing his best to help those in need.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Obviously prayer]
[SUPER=03-El Salvador; :20]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:40]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7.]
(((////sot/////)
[sot 16:58:57]
[in q=Obviously]
((OBVIOUSLY, PRAYER IS THE FIRST THING, ABSOLUTELY THE FIRST THING WE NEED.))
[runs07]
[OUTQ= we need.]
Gary Powell and his family moved from Roanoke to San Salvador about two years ago.
Powell is a missionary and manages a hotel there.... which is where he was when last week's earthquake hit.
(////sot/////)
[sot 17:01:32]
((BASICALLY I HID UNDER A DESK AND ONE LEARNS TO STAND BESIDE A TALL PIECE OF FURNITURE OR IN THE CORNER OF THE ROOM SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE DAMAGE.))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q= have the damage.]
Since Powell was at work... he didn't know the fate of his wife and five children who were at home.
To make matters worse... the phones weren't working and Powell didn't have access to a car.
His only option was to run.
(///sot////)
[sot 17:02:16]
[in q= It was]
((IT WAS TWO MILES OF RUNNING WITH ANTICIPATION AS TO WHAT I WAS GOING TO FIND AND ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE WORST BUT I'M HAPPY TO TELL YOU THE FAMILY WAS SITTING IN THE PARK ACROSS FROM OUR HOME AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY FINE.))
[OUT Q= completely fine.]
[runs18]
But that wasn't the case for more than 600 people who've since lost their lives.
Powell says most of the victims are the poor who lived in shacks that were unable to withstand the earthquake.
He says many are now living on the streets.
(///sot////)
[sot]
[in q=It really moves]
((IT REALLY MOVES YOU BECAUSE YOU SEE THAT THERE IS GREAT DESPAIR AND LITTLE HOPE.))
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q= and little hope.]
Late this afternoon, Powell sent us some photos to illustrate living conditions.
This family is now living on the street with a newborn.
But despite all that's happened... there also seems to be hope measured in the smile of a child.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7.))
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Blue chips powered higher on Wall Street today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/127.28/10652.66/y/7.97/2618.53;]
The DOW climbed 128 points.
But NASDAQ fell eight.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.19/40.69/i/0.44/24.00/h/1.88/50.94/h/0.63/18.00/h/0.50/6.00;]
[SUPER=272-i/1.81/56.44/h/1.50/32.25/h/0.81/46.81/h/1.69/47.38/i/0.89/37.30;]
[SUPER=273-h/1.00/23.44/h/0.69/16.13/h/2.06/15.44/h/0.31/42.56//Unchg/11.25;]
[SUPER=274-h/1.50/62.44/i/0.44/60.06/i/1.13/54.38/h/1.13/64.38/h/1.75/54.69;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Transplant]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=01-01 TC01:04]
[GRAPHIC=Organ Donation]
A new Virginia law now guarantees a person's wish to have his or her organs donated .. even if family members don't approve.
Under the law, an indication on a drivers license or donor card, or even a living will is sufficient legal authority for the procurement of organs and tissue following death.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]
Around 70-thousand people in the U-S are on waiting list for a transplant.
Transplant Coordinators say the new law will not only save lives-- but uphold the donor's wish.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT6:34]
[IN Q=If the digs in and says]
((TIM JOHNSON/LIFENET TRANSPLANT COORDINATOR: IF A FAMILY DIGS IN AND SAYS ABSOLUTELY NOT. I KNOW HE WANTED TO DO IT BUT I DON'T WANT TO DO IT OUR AGENCIES POLICY IS TO FOLLOW THE WISHES OF THE DONOR AND WE'LL PROCEED TO RECOVER ONLY ORGANS IN THE STANDPOINT OF THEIR LIFE SAVING VALUE))
[SUPER=01-Tim Johnson/LifeNet Transplant Coordinator;]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=saving value]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Johnson says if the family can prove a loved one changed his or her mind, LifeNet will not take the organs.
(-------------)
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight in Sports, Steve Mason will have much more on the for sale sign going up in front of the Roanoke Express franchise.
Two former big league stars are headed to the hall.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the final piece of the Dodge puzzle is finally in place.
(------------)
[S-Express]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-80]
[GRAPHIC=Express]
The Roanoke Express ownership, especially current general manager Mark Fackrell, has succeeded in not only erasing much of the debt the franchise accumulated over the last two years, but they have restored the organization's integrity that was damaged in the 1998-99 season. But Steve Mason says, after lots of hard work, this ownership group might be making a hard decision in the next few weeks. Steve.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Today; :]
[SUPER=04-March, 1999; :]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :]
[SUPER=01-Tim Christian/All-Time Leading Scorer; :]
[RUNS=2:14]
[OUT Q=..Back to mike in the studio"]
(--------------)
((SOURCES HAVE CONFIRMED THAT THE ROANOKE EXPRESS HOCKEY TEAM IS FOR SALE. WHO WOULD BUY THE TEAM? FORMER OWNER JOHN GAGNON IS INTERESTED IN NOT ONLY BECOMING AN OWNER BUT, JOINS CURRENT OWNERSHIP, IN A DESIRE TO KEEP THE TEAM RIGHT HERE IN THE VALLEY.
Out of respect for the team and it's fans, Express general manager Mark Fackrell feels it would be premature for he and the other Express owners to comment on the sale of the Express.
John Gagnon owned the Express from 1993 through mid 1997. Sources say he could be in Roanoke in the next week to discuss becoming a part owner of the Express again. He spoke to News 7 sports by phone Tuesday afternoon.
((:))
Gagnon's passion for the Express and the city is widely known. He attended a game and talked with Dicky Yancey, one of the Express owners, in March of 99. The Express fans have also kept in touch with him.
((:))
The Express has tremendous markteing potential. The team has won three straight Northeast Division titles and a Northern Conference championship.
((:))
Express A ssistant coach Tim Christian, the team's all time leading scorer, has been embraced by the Star City. He has experience playing for another team when he was traded to Dayton.
((:))
SOURCES ALSO SAY THAT JOHN GAGNON MAY BECOME PART OWNER OF THE EXPRESS WITH A LOCAL ROANOKE BUSINESSS, WHOSE IDENTITY IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. GAGNON IS CURRENTLY THE MAJORITY OWNER OF THE ECHL'S MISSISSIPPI SEA WOLVES AND THE DAYTON BOMBERS. THE ECHL CONFIRMED TODAY THAT IT IS WITH IN LEAGUE RULES THAT ONE PERSON HAVE OWNERSHIP IN THREE TEAMS.))
[S-Fame]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-90 ]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are headed to the baseball hall of fame.
Both men were voted in today by the Baseball Writers of America.
Winfield began his career in 1973 and never played a day in the minor leagues and never dreamed he make it to Cooperstown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="you play it for...]
[SUPER=01-Dave Winfield/Elected to Hall of Fame; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=...baseball player."]
(------------)
[S-UVa]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
The Virginia men's basketball team hopes to get back on the winning track tonight as the Cavaliers take on Florida State.
(---------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE 1206]
You can catch the game in its entirety tonight at 8 right here on Your Hometown Station as the Hoos and Noles tip it off from University Hall.
(--------------)
[S-Cave]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-89 tc 17:10]
[GRAPHIC=basketball]
Cave Spring is facing the number one high school basketball team in the country Saturday Night in the Suntrust Classic at the Salem Civic Center.
But before the Knights meet Oak Hill, they're putting their undefeated record and number two state ranking on the line tonight against Pulaski County.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we don't]
(())
[SUPER=01-Billy Hicks/Cave Spring Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-J.J. Redick/Cave Spring Junior; :11]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=so far]
(---------------)
[S-Nascar]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=DAYTONA TESTING]
The 10 Dodge teams got their first test laps at Daytona today, but not before the final Dodge team named its new driver. Car owner Chip Ganassi today gave his second Winston Cup ride to 24 year old Jason Lefler. This is the Dodge that most felt would go to Rick Mast several weeks ago.
Tonight on News 7 at 11, we'll check some of the test speeds.
by SS