WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/27/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up on News 7-
(----------)
[Vo-Nat]
New accusations are made surrounding the investigation of Dale Earnhardt's death.
Plus a hard decision for a hardware store owner- closing his shop after nearly half a century- in Roanoke County.
And just what lack of sleep can mean for you- in bed.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

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

Did NASCAR hinder efforts in the Dale Earnahardt Crash investigation. New accusastions tonight.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEan]
[SS=News 7 at Eleven]

Good evening....

[Earnhardt]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Earnhardt Obit]

Good Evening. I'm Jean Jadhon.
Ever since the crash last month- many questions surround the crash that killed Dale Earnhardt.
Now the lead police investigator looking into the death says officials from law enforcement and NASCAR hindered his efforts to examine evidence in the accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL/February 18;]

Daytona Beach police detective Robert Walker told the Orlando Sentinel that he was ordered by a supervisor on the night Earnhardt died not to attend the driver's autopsy.
He says he was also ordered not to inspect and photograph the racer's wrecked car.
Walker also said NASCAR never told him about the broken seat belt it later blamed for Earnhardt's fatal head injury.
NASCAR has locked away the car in North Carolina and kept the findings of its own crash investigation secret from police.
What a police spokesman says and more on this story coming up in sports.
(---------------)

[Amherst-Schools]

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

Amherst County School officials want to inform parents about a bomb threat.
Authorities say a student found a note in a magazine in the High School's library that said a bomb would go off at eleven -oh -seven tomorrow morning.
Police have searched the school and plan to make another search in the morning before students and administration arrive.
The school is planning an evacuation tomorrow from ten forty-five until eleven fifteen.

[County-Supervisors]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC37:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke County supervisors were hoping to lower the county's tax rate in the coming year. But it looks like those plans will be put on hold. Teresa Hamilton has more on that and plans to begin charging a fee for ambulance service.
[LIVE=Teresa FULL/Monkey Bars]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
Jean, the governor took more heat from supervisors tonight. They say without more money coming in from the state-- county real estate taxes won't go up this year but they won't go down either.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Taxes weren't ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Butch Church/Catawba Supervisor; :28]
[SUPER=01-Joseph McNamara/Windsor Hills Supervisor; :55]
[RUNS=1:02]
[OUT Q=all of our figures.]
(( Taxes weren't the only item on the supervisors' agenda. They also made decisions regarding fire and ambulance service. Next month-- 20- new fire and rescue personnel will be on the job. Today the supervisors agreed to begin advertising for 15 more full time positions. Under the plan, Mount Pleasant, Bent Mountain and Catawba would have A-L-S coverage five days a week. Other communities would also benefit.
(////SOT////)
[SOT 02:17:20]
[in q= My goal]
((BUTCH CHURCH/SUPERVISOR: MY GOAL IS TO DO ALL I CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LEAVE ANYONE OUT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE BUT I GUARANTEE THAT'S WHAT I'M OUT FOR.)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q= out for.]
The supervisors also made another decision. Right now-- county residents are not charged for ambulance service. But in about a year-- residents with insurance will be billed to help pay for the additional personnel. Joseph McNamara was the only supervisors to vote against it.
(////sot////)
[sot 02:18:26]
[in q=We don't ]
(JOSEPH MCNAMARA/SUPERVISOR: WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE BUDGET FROM THE STATE YET I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO PUT ANOTHER FE
E ON THE PEOPLE OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY UNTIL WE KNOW ALL OF OUR FIGURES.) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= all our figures.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Teresa FULL/Monkey Bars]
It will be several months before the new positions will be in place.. because they have be hired and then trained.

Jean, the new hires will cost approximately 675-thousand dollars a year.[Brambleton-Hardware]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=01-10 TC22:33]
[GRAPHIC=Business Closing]

Sale signs hang in the windows at Brambleton Hardware-- the long-time Roanoke County store is going out of business.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The 44-year old store will close its doors as soon as all the merchandise is gone.
The owner says there is more retail than the valley can support and calls the decision to close his doors a very emotional one.
The going out of business sale begins Thursday morning.
Everything in the store, including the building itself, is for sale.
(------------)

[Kroger]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-14 TC11:14]
[GRAPHIC=Kroger Contract Vote]

Kroger employees in central and western Virginia have ratified a new four- year contract by a wide margin.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

They voted on the agreement today during a meeting at the Salem Civic Center.
Local 400 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union represents 45- hundred workers at 49 Kroger stores in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
And most who turned out for the meeting, voted to accept the new contract.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:48:53]
[IN Q=We appreciate the fact]
((JIM LOWTHERS/LOCAL 400 PRESIDENT: WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT KROGER WAS WILLING TO WORK WITH US TO TRY TO RESOLVE ISSUES AND WE THINK THEY DID IT IN A REASONABLE FASHION, AND OBVIOUSLY OUR FOLKS ARE PLEASED.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Lowthers/Local 400 President]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=obviously our folks are pleased.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kroger Mid-Atlantic President Pete Williams says he was also pleased with the ratification vote. In a news release this afternoon, Williams said he is proud of the professional way Kroger management and associates handled the process.
(------------)

[Comair]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Comair Strike]

If you're flying Comair anytime soon- call before you go to the airport. It doesn't look the strike is ending anytime soon.
Comair pilots say the airline offers service comparable to a large carrier so it should pay its pilots like one.
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hebron, KY]

That as pilots walk the picket line for another day - no new talks are scheculed between Comair and its pilots union.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=15:47:35]
((CAPT. DUANE WOERTH/AIRLINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INT.: THIS IS NOT A FARM CLUB. THESE GUYS DON'T HAVE TRAINING WHEELS ON... THEY ARE EXPERIENCED PILOTS. THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED THAT WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Capt. Duane Woerth/Airline Pilots' Association;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=compensated that way ]
(-----------)
[vo-nat]
[Super=03-Roanoke;]

Comair has cancelled all flights through 11-am tomorrow- The airline serves 95 cities including Roanoke.
If you have a flight, you may want to call the airline to try and get rerouted on another airline.
The number is at 1-800-354-9822.
(-----------------)

[altavista]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-05 TC1:28:18]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

Hard economic times have forced the town of Altavista to make some major cuts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Altavista]

Town officials will lay off eleven people and eliminate ten vacant positions.
The town will also consolidate emergency dispatch services with Campbell County.
Town leaders expect lower revenues this year because of recent plant closings and the state's budget problems.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 17:11:38]
[IN Q=We are not anticipating]
((BRYAN FOSTER/TOWN MANAGER: WE ARE NOT ANTICIPATING ANY CHANGES IN EITHER THE NUMBER OF SERVICES OR THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT WE OFFER. WE'RE JUST GOING TO CHANGE THE WAY WE DELIVER THEM BUT THE CITIZENSHIP SHOULDN'T REALLY NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Bryan Foster/Town Manager]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=notice any difference]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The layoffs take effect immediately.
The town is paying those workers a severance package based upon their length of service.
The switch over to Campbell County's 9-1-1 center takes place June first.
(------------)

[Tornado-Drill]

[ANCHOR=Robin]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-03 TC1:29:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]

If a tornado ever hits their school, Tomahawk Elementary students will be ready for it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co.]

Students took part in a tornado disaster drill this morning, involving dozens of fire and rescue personnel from around Campbell County.
While students and teachers sought cover in the hallways, firefighters searched the building for missing or injured children.
Authorities say they're pleased with how everyone involved handled the so- called emergency.
(------------)

[Gas-Merger]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-11 TC29:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A merger between two gas companies has been approved by the state.
Now the newly-merged company can go ahead with plans to build a gas pipeline through Southwest Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Brent Riley says he's disappointed the State Corporation Commission approved the merger between Virginia Gas and N-U-I without the stipulation that the new line be built next to an existing one.
He says building a new pipeline along a new route would damage thousands of acres of land.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Not only is it]
[TC:08:22:16] ((BRENT RILEY/PIPELINE OPPONENT: NOT ONLY IS IT NOT NEEDED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LOOK AT THE OTHER OPTIONS. IT'S UNWISE, IT'S GOING TO COST US HIGHER IN TERMS OF OUR RATES.))
[SUPER=01-Brent Riley/Pipeline Opponent]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=in terms of our rates.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Riley says landowners who oppose the new pipeline will take their case to court.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Virginia Gas and N-U-I could not be reached for comment about the merger or the new pipeline.

[Lottery-Drawing]

[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=VA Lottery]

Virginia lottery drawings are coming back to television.
The lottery will bring back live drawings in Mid-June.
It's not known which Roanoke area T-V affiliate will air the drawings.

[Gilmore-Vetoes]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-06 TC1:25:28]
[GRAPHIC=Jim Gilmore]

Six of Governor Jim Gilmore's seven bill vetoes were aimed at Senators within his own party.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/File Tape;]

Three of the four budget negotiators who could NOT agree with Gilmore on how fast to cut the car tax had bills vetoed.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:24:50]
[IN Q=You'd have to have lived]
((TICER: YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE LIVED IN A COCOON FOR THE LAST 90 DAYS TO NOT IDENTIFY THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY WHOSE BILLS THESE ARE THAT HE HAS VETOED.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Patsy Ticer/(D) Alexandria;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=that he has vetoed.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Republican Senator Ken Stolle is the one who asked State Police to investigate the Governor's political action committee, and said its director was acting "like a moron."
He had a bill vetoed.
(------------)
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]

The Governor's spokeswoman says any assignment of political motives to the vetoes is "silly, petty, and false."
She says they were all simply bad bills.

[Hanging-Tree]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=00-55 TC1:55:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It may have been the last public hanging in Roanoke-- not a state-sanctioned execution, a LYNCHING-- right out in front of one of the stately homes on Franklin Road.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

They took down the centuries old tree today. It had died, had become a hazard to motorists, pedestrians and power lines.
Legend has it that a man was brought here and hanged from the tree in 1893, long before the property became Lotz Funeral Home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:17:10]
[IN Q=It's ironic that]
((IT'S IRONIC THAT A PLACE WHERE SOMEBODY WAS SLAIN ENDS UP BEING A FUNERAL HOME.))
[SUPER=07-Scott Ruby]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=being a funeral home.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Ruby says Bill Lotz always felt haunted by the legacy of the 19th century hanging.
Mr. Lotz died last April, but Ruby says he would have been glad to see the tree go.
(------------)

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

Cops are upping the antee in the search for the killer of a Radford woman.
That's just one story still ahead on News 7 at Eleven.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Slavery, money and free speech.
Three issues tied into one that are polarizing Duke University.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=....in sports"]
(----------)
((HEY EVERYBODY, STEVE MASON WITH YOU TONIGHT IN SPORTS. WERE EFFORTS OF INVESTIGATORS WORKING ON THE DALE EARNHARDT DEATH HAMPERED WITH? 15 WINSTON CUP TEAMS WERE AT MARTINSVILLE TODAY. J.J. REDICK RECIEVES A HUGE HONRO FOR A SECOND TIME, THE STEAM HEAT UP THE ROUND HOUSE TURF, ROANOKE COUNTY GIVES SOME PROPS TO NORTHSIDE AND CAVE SPRING, AND ROANOKE SOFTBALL IS ON THE RISE AGAIN, ALL OF THIS IN SPORTS.))

[Duke-Ad]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

A newspaper ad in the Duke University student newspaper is causing some heated discussions among the student population.
The topic of the advertisement... reparations for descendants of slaves... has divided students.
Ken Smith reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:56:40]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC; :22]
[SUPER=01-Tim Griffin/Duke Student; :35 ]
[SUPER=01-Ken Smith/Reporting; :56]
[SUPER=01-Adeola Ogunkeyebe/Duke Student; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=I'm Ken Smith.]

[Power-Woes]

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

As if rolling blackouts weren't enough- now Californians are getting their biggest shock yet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=03-San Francisco, CA;]

Rate hikes of up to 46 percent for utilities.
The Public Utilities commission gave unanimous approval- despite protests.
The higher prices take effect immediately. Famlies that earn less than 30-thousand a year won't see an increase.
(------------)

[Death-Penalty]

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

The fight is on to save mentally retarded inmates from execution.
(-----------)
[vo-nat]
The U-S Supreme Court is re-considering a ruling based on the case of Johnny Paul Penry.
The 1989 ruling says mentally retarded killers can be executed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I asked someone]
((JOHNNY PENRY/DEATH ROW INMATE I ASKED SOMEONE WHY IM HERE AND THEY TELL ME I'VE BEEN A BAD BOY THAT'S ALL I KNOW. ))
[SUPER=01-Johnny Penry/Death Row Inmate;]
[RUNS05=]
[OUT Q=all I know.]
(---------)
[Vo-Nat]
Penry... who has the mind of a 7-year old.... was sentenced to death for murdering a 22-year old woman back in 1979.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There is something]
((ROBERT SMITH/PENRY'S ATTORNEY: THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG ABOUT GIVING THIS VERY SEVERE, THIS HORRIFYING PUNISHMENT TO SOMEONE WHOSE MENTAL STATE IS SO MUCH WEAKER THAN YOURS AND MINE.))
[SUPER=01-Robert Smith/Penry's Attorney;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=yours and mine.]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

The justices are considering two issues.
First how jurors must consider the mental capacity of a defendant- and secondly they must decide if executing the mentally retarded is cruel and unusual punishment.
(------------)

[Pleasants-Reward]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC38:27]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

Radford Police need your help solving a murder case and are offering a 10-thousand dollar reward as an incentive...
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

The money is being provided by the family of Lori Pleasants and the City of Radford.
[SUPER=04-June 19;]

23-year-old Pleasants was found strangled in her apartment last June.
Although police have followed a number of leads since then, including a D-N-A sample... no one has been charged in the case.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT-1:04:40]
[IN Q=THE REWARD]
((SGT SCHWARZER/RADFORD PD; THE REWARD WE HOPE WILL BRING THIS CASE TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION AND WILL DO SO IN A MORE TIMELY FASHION THEN IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE REWARD AND PERHAPS BRING SOMEONE FORWARD WHO HAS YET TO COME FORWARD WITH SOME INFORMATION. ))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Scott Schwarzer/Radford Police Dept.]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=with some information.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Schawrzer says the case is a top priority for the department and anyone with information is encouraged to call.
(------------)

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

If you feel like you're not getting enough sleep, you're not alone.
Stay up a little longer for the results of a new study about Americans and their sleep habits.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And some folks in Colorado are probably extra sleepy tonight-- after they got up early to check out the state's first Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop.
(----------------)

[Sleep]

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

There seems to be a trend that's affecting the way Americans work .. even the way they play.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Americans don't get enough sleep.
Adults should get on average - 8 hours a night.
But a study by the National Sleep Foundation shows only a third of us are getting that.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:45:03]
[IN Q=We tend to]
((DR. DAVID RAPOPORT/NYU MEDICAL CENTER: WE TEND TO SACRIFICE SLEEP THINKING THERE'S NO COST.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. David Rapoport/ NYU Medical Center; QUICK!!!!]
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=there's no cost.]
(-----------)

And less sleep in the bedroom means Americans are having less sex.
In fact - 52% are spending less time having sex than 5 years ago.
And 40% of us say we're working longer hours.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:45:40]
[IN Q=Theses number]
((JAMES WALSH/VP NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION: THESE NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING TO CHANGE FOR THE BETTER UNTIL WE MAKE SLEEP A HIGHER PRIORITY IN OUR LIVES.))
[SUPER=01-James Walsh/National Sleep Foundation]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=in our lives.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

So what can you do?
The Foundation says try to get one more hour of sleep a night.
(------------)

[Krispy-Kreme]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Krispy Kreme]

Some people will do anything for a doughnut- including parking their car along a busy interstate- and walking down an exit ramp just to get to the doughnut store.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lone Tree, CO;]

This was the scene in a Denver suburb- when a new Krispy Kreme doughnut store opened-
It prompted a traffic jam on the streets and inside the store as people clamored to get their doughnuts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:43:00]
[IN Q=]
((I'VE GOT TO TAKE A BOX TO MY SISTER'S WORK AND I MAY SCALP A FEW OUTSIDE.))
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=SCALP A FEW OUTSIDE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Yes.. people going crazy for Krispy Kreme- As one person said- someone abandoning their car on the interstate- could make then a real dough NUT.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Lots of sports but first our extra point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Roanoke Co.; :]
Cave Spring's Chris Gould signed on the dotted line this afternoon to play football for Hampden-Sydney. Gould was told he could make an impact on the Tiger defense as a freshman. Now your numbers.
(///// SPORTS CHYRON MOTION///////)
(--------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/Detroit/63/j/Alabama/74//NIT//Tulsa/61//Memphis/54/2/NIT/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Indiana/110//Washington/102///j/Boston/115//Atlanta/112///;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/Buffalo/1/j/Pittsburgh/4///j/New Jersey/7//Tampa Bay/1///;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OC...LAST SCORE]
(-------------)
[go to break]

[S-Dale]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-85]
[GRAPHIC=Dale Earnhardt OBIT]

Police investigator Robert Walker has told the Orlando Sentinel that his efforts to examine evidence from the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt were hampered by NASCAR.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL/February; :00]

He received orders not to attend Earnhardt's autopsy or to inspect photos of the wreck. Walker's explanation..."I do what they tell me to do. I don't know why and I didn't ask. If left to my own devices, I would have gone to the autopsy and photographed the inside of the vehicle"
(-----------)
[anchor=steve]
[graphic=dale earnahrdt]

Police spokesman sergeant Al Tolley insisted that no one told police how to investigate Earnhardt's death. He also said, that because the death was accidental, it does not require a thorough a probe as a murder case.

[S-Compton]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Stacy Compton]

In racing news, a NASCAR appeals committee upheld the fine and two race suspension given to Stacy Compton's crew chief Chad Knaus for having two undated shoulder-harness belts in the car at Atlanta Motor Speedway last week. Knaus was also fined five thousand dollars.

[S-Gordon]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-88 12506TC]
[GRAPHIC=MARTINSVILLE]

The Martinsville Speedway was buzzing with 15 Winston Cup teams busy getting ready for the Virginia 500. Mike Stevens has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :00]
[SUPER=@mike2; :10]
[SUPER=01-Elliott Sadler/9th In Points Race; :22]
[SUPER=03-Bristol, TN/Fox; :40]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/2nd In Points Race; :50]
[SUPER=01-Eddie Wood/Wood Brothers Team Owner; 1:19]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/1999; 1:41]
[RUNS=1:52]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
(------------)

[S-Packers]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-90 12430TC]
[GRAPHIC=PACKERS]

Football and furniture were the topics in Bassett today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bassett; :00]
Former Green Bay Packer defensive end Willie Davis is a member of Bassett Furniture's board of directors. He also is a 2 time Super Bowl champion, a 5 time pro bowler and the holder of a masters degree from the University of Chicago.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=01-Willie Davis/5 Time All-Pro with Packers; :00]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...GRATIFYING IN THE END."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[SUPER=03-Green Bay, WI/1967; ]
Davis played 12 years in the NFL and played in 162 straight. He played in six NFL title games and 2 super bowls, but nothing will ever match the Ice Bowl against the Cowboys.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...PLAYING THAT GAME."]
(--------------)

[S-Redick]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-87 1:21:41]
[GRAPHIC=J.J. Redick]
Cave Spring's J.J. Redick is the Virginia Gatorade basketball player of the year for a second straight year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
Gatorade makes a 500 dollar donation to the VHSL on behalf of J.J. and Cave Spring. Redick averaged 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game. The award is based on hoops, grades and citizenship. Redick is now in the running for the Gatorade National player of the year award.
(------------)

[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=KRU]
[TAPE#=SP-80 1:54:46]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke]
The Roanoke softball team has it's sights set on the May 17th NCAA finals in Wisconsin. Intern reporter Kara Rucker has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Priscilla Hill/Sophomore Pitcher; :10]
[SUPER=01-Alan Bayse/Roanoke Softball Coach; :23]
[SUPER=01-Amy Layman/43 Strikeouts This Season; :42]
[SUPER=01-Mary Thomas/Roanoke Freshman Infielder; 1:03]
[SUPER=07-Kara Rucker; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:24]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(------------)

((What does Billy Blanks Tae Bo have to do with Roanoke College softball? Plenty. ((:))
The Maroons are 19 and 4 after the Moyer Sports Complex's east coast college fast pitch classic this past weekend.

((:)) Senior pitcher Amy Layman is the backbone. She's 10 and 2 with a 1.04 ERA but isn't shouldering the entire load. Sophomore Priscilla Hill and junior Meagan Cookston are helping. ((AMY LAYMAN:))
Recruiting local talent is always a focus. Cave Spring's Mary Thomas and William Byrd's Heather Stultz give the Maro

ons 8 local athletes on the roster.))[S-Board]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-79]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 sports]

Northside football and Cave Spring swimming were recognized at the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors meeting last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]

A resolution of congratulations was extended to Viking quarterback and defensive standout Tommy Morgan for an outstanding season. Morgan was named to the all state first team and a player of the year recipient.
The Cave Spring swim team was also honored for winning the group 3A state championship for a second consecutive year. (------------)