WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 04/09/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up on News 7-
A fiery wreck on Interstate 81 tonight- near the Roanoke exit.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In Patrick County.... people hear about plans for a gas pipeline.
Plus S-U-V's and safety? Which had the most damage in crash testing?
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

and baseball loses a legend.
News 7 is next-

[81-Accident]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-19 TC11:08]
[GRAPHIC=81 accident]

A fiery accident on Interstate 81 tonight. Crews are still trying to clean it up.
The accident has brought traffic to a standstill near the 81-581 interchange.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

It happened just before 10 when a tractor-trailer driver headed Northbound lost control on an overpass.
The rig hit the guard-rail and bridge-- spilling diesel fuel.
The fuel caught fire and destroyed the truck.
Amazingly the driver escaped unharmed.
(------------)

[Patriot-Pipeline]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-22 TC02:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A fired up crowd turned out in Patrick County tonight.
Duke Energy wants to build a natural gas pipeline that will go right through Patrick and Henry Counties.
The company says the pipeline will produce cleaner fuel, create jobs, and help attract new businesses to the area.

But as Justin McLeod reports some residents believe the project will do more harm than good.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of room]
[SUPER=03-Stuart; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rick Smith/Duke Energy; :13]
[SUPER=01-Cornelia Lewis/Resident; :35]
[SUPER=01-Marolyne Neabors/Resident; :54]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=News 7, Patrick County]
((((NAT SOUND OF ROOM))
It has sparked a major debate.
Thats why several hundred Patrick County residents came out for an open house on the proposed natural gas pipeline.
This forum gave Duke Energy the chance to make its case to the public.
[SOT 5:53:11]
[IN Q= We want them to take this information]
((RICK SMITH/DUKE ENERGY: WE WANT THEM TO TAKE THIS INFORMATION AWAY AND VIEW IT TO SHOW THAT THEY KNOW WE ARE GOING TO BE COMMUNITY ORIENTED AND LANDOWNER FRIENDLY.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=and landowner friendly]

The project is called the Patriot Extension.
Duke Energy wants to build a 95 mile pipeline beginning in Wythe County and ending in Rockingham County North Carolina.
The pipeline would go right through Patrick and Henry Counties including this woman's front yard.
[SOT 5:39:42]
[IN Q=That is my home]
((CORNELIA LEWIS/RESIDENT: THAT IS MY HOME. I WORKED VERY HARD FOR IT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE THERE WITHOUT THIS INTERFERENCE.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=without this interference]

Residents also have concerns over safety.
Duke Energy says it's an industry leader when it comes to building safe pipelines.
Then there is the environmental impact.
[SOT 5:47:47]
[IN Q=From where I can see the]
((MAROLYNE NEABORS/RESIDENT: FROM WHERE I CAN SEE THE SURVEYORS ARE LAYING THINGS OUT THEY ARE AIMING RIGHT AT THE DENNING SITES OF OUR LOCAL MOUNTAIN LIONS.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=local mountain lions]

Duke Energy says it's environmentally friendly and is willing to work with residents on all their concerns.
Some residents left with a better understanding of the project.
Others are convinced more than ever this pipeline is bad for Patrick County.
[SOT 5:57:59]
[IN Q=Duke energy plans to]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: DUKE ENERGY PLANS TO FILE AN APPLICATION THIS SPRING WITH THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION. IF THEY GET APPROVAL, THE COMPANY HOPES TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN THE SUMMER OF 2002 AND HAVE THE PIPELINE UP AND RUNNING BY THAT NOVEMBER. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7, PATRICK COUNTY.)) [Runs15]
[OUT Q=News 7, Patrick County]))

[Bedford-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-08 TC54:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An emotional appeal tonight to the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]

Superintendent Jim Blevins wants the county to increase the real-estate tax rate by eight-cents.
This would give teachers a ten-point-six percent pay raise.
Blevins told the board this would not only help keep current teachers, but make the county more competitive in hiring new ones.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I've already]
[SUPER=01-Jim Blevins/Bedford Co. Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=us for ten years.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Under an eight cent increase, the starting salary for a teacher in Bedford County would be 28-thousand-500 dollars.
The board will vote on the tax issue Thursday.
(------------)

[China-Plane]

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

Some analysts say it's a sign the Chinese military is taking an American spy plane apart to study it.
Photos taken by a commercial satellite company show what appear to be several trucks lined up near the plane.
It is week two on Chinese soil for 24 crew members of an American spy plane-
(-----------)
[Vo-nat]
China keeps insisting that the U-S make a formal apology for the mid-air collision the u-s refuses to blink first.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
(( EVERYDAY THAT GOES BY INCREASES THE POTENTIAL THAT OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA COULD BECOME DAMAGED, AND OUR HOPE IS THAT THE MATTER GETS RESOLVED QUICKLY.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=RESOLVED QUICKLY.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But as day nine drags on, some damage has already been done with congressional delegations and business people canceling trips to China.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((RICHARD BOUCHER/STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: THE DAMAGE THAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR IS REVERSIBLE. BUT CLEARLY, THE PUBLIC EFFECT AND THE EFFECT OF THESE CANCELLATIONS IS TO MAKE IT HARDER TO PURSUE THE KIND OF PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP THAT WE WANT.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Boucher/State Dept. Spokesman;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=that we want.]
(-----------)
[vo-nat]
U-S Officials say the talks are intense but are not revealing much more about the negotiations.
After a fourth meeting with U-S crew members, diplomats report all 24 are in good spirits, especially after receiving e-mail from home.
(--------------)

[TWA-American]

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

American Airlines will soon be much larger.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

The airline buys Trans World Airlines- The new airline will be a big one- it'll offer travel to more than 300 cities worldwide on more than 900 aircraft.
Travellers wont' see a change immediately though- The two carriers will continue to operate independently for a time.. with separate reservations systems, payrolls, aircraft and policies.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Northwest]

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

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Minneapolis, MN]

Meanwhile the head of Northwest Airlines says go ahead and book your travel-
That after the airline and it's mechanics union reached a tentative contract settlement.
The deal ends a four and half year stalemate- that could have meant a strike and a disruption in air service.
(------------)

[Verizon-Split]

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

Verizon controls 96 percent of all telephone lines in Virginia-- competitors say changing that could lead to lower prices for customers.
That's why the four companies are asking the state to separate Verizon's wholesale and retail businesses.
But Verizon says splitting the company in two would result in higher phone costs and increased confusion for customers.

[Roanoke-Body]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC19:12]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A body found yesterday near Campbell Avenue has been identified as a Roanoke man-- 33-year-old Billy Ray Green.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday]

Police found Green's body yesterday morning in a cement canal in front of the Norfolk Southern Machine Shop.
He was lying face down in the water with a cut on his head.
Police say the cause of death will be determined after an autopsy tomorrow.
(------------)

[Enchanted-Castle]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-07 TC1:22:32]
[GRAPHIC=Enchanted Castle Fire]

The fire that destroyed a Natural Bridge tourist attraction may have been set deliberately.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Natural Bridge/Home Video;]

State police arson investigators are trying to determine how the Enchanted Castle caught fire around two this morning.
Its owner, Mark Cline, says the building was a total loss.
For the last decade, it's been a workshop and showplace for fiberglass creatures that he sells to theme parks and restaurants worldwide.
Cline fears it was arson ... because of some hate mail he discovered in his mailbox.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:29:04 - :09]
[IN Q=I just want to]
((MARK CLINE/ENCHANTED CASTLE OWNER: I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. IF I'VE GOT TO START AGAIN, I'VE GOT TO START AGAIN.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Cline/Enchanted Castle Owner;]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=to start again. DOUBLE OUT!!!!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Authorities are not releasing the fire's cause or origin, but Cline says it started in his office, which was unlocked.
He had planned to open the castle Memorial Day.
He hopes to rebuild it for next season.
(------------)

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

Still ahead on News 7, a judge rules in the custody battle over the Internet Twins.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the rising cost of protecting against foot and mouth disease.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=...in sports"]
(------------)
((ALRIGHT SPORTS FANS, STEVE MASON IN THE 7 HOUSE TONIGHT WITH SOCCER, THE BLACKSBURG INDIANS ARE IN HOT PURSUIT OF A 4TH STRAIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT'S COOKIN WITH THE EXPRESS, RADFORD SALUTES SOME SMART PEOPLE, A TIRED COWBOY MAKES A SMART DECISION, THE CIVITAN CLUB SAYS IT REALLY DOES PAY TO BE A GOOD SPORT AND A LEGEND BID FAREWELL , ALL OF THIS IN SPORTS.))

[Meat-Inspections]

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

If you ever eat Beef, Pork or Chicken you've probably wondered what would happen if Foot and Mouth disease hit this nation.
Now the government is launching an all out assault to make sure that doesn't happen.
Chris (Ca-Mora) Chmura reports that assault includes a lot of cash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[SUPER=01-Ann Venemen/Agriculture Secretary;15]
[SUPER=01-Chris Chmura/Reporting ; 39]
[SUPER=01-David Schardt/Food Safety Expert; 55]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Chris Chmura, reporting.]
((THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT FEARS FOOT AND MOUTH OR MAD COW DISEASE COULD INFECT THAT NATION'S FOOD SUPPLY.
AND, THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW BUDGET REFLECTS HOW SERIOUSLY AUTHORITIES ARE TAKING THAT THREAT.
WHILE INSPECTIONS AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES FOR EXISTING THREATS WILL REMAIN THE SAME, THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES SPENDING AT LEAST AN EXTRA 200 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF AN OUTBREAK ON U-S SOIL. ANN VENEMAN/AGRICULTURE SECRETARY: What we're doing is making sure we've got the resources available to take every precaution to ensure we don't get this devastating disease in this country.
IN ADDITION, 32 MILLION MORE DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT NOW TO BEEF-UP CHECK-POINTS AT AIRPORTS. THAT MONEY COMES FROM A 3-DOLLAR-PER-PASSENGER FEDERAL FEE. IN ALL, IT MEANS HUNDREDS MORE INSPECTORS TO KEEP AND EYE OUT FOR THREATS TO MEAT IN THE U.S.
IF CONGRESS APPROVES THE FUNDING INCREASES THERE WILL BE 35-HUNDRED PEOPLE ON THE FOOT AND MOUTH-MAD COW CASE.))

[Bush-Budget]

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

President Bush's budget is out- it includes just what he promised a one point six trillion dollar tax cut over the next ten years-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

Today the President Called in the cabinet to give the budget a big sendoff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:34:32]
[IN Q=]
((BUSH: IT'S A BUDGET THAT PROTECTS TAXPAYERS PROTECTS CHILDREN.. PROTECTS OUR SURPLUS.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=protects our surplus.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The budget includes more money for defense and for education- but cuts money for several other programs.
(----------------)

[Internet-Babies]

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

The so called "Internet-Twins" will grow up in the U-S.
(-----------)
[Vo-Nat]
A British couple today lost their bid to regain custody of the twins, so they will go back to their natural parents in Missouri.
Judith and Alan Kilshaw used the internet to try to adopt the little girls.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=16:39:44]
((THEY ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE DECISION . THEY'LL LOOK AT THE LEGAL POSITION AND DECIDE WHETHER TO APPEAL IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Charles/Kilshaw's Attorney;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=next few days]
(------------)
[vo-nat]
The girls are now 9-months old.
And when they do come home, they'll be caught in a battle between their estranged natural parents. Separately, both are seeking custody."
(------------------)

[Rivera]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-05 TC1:48:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It came down to an issue of credibility.. and today a judge decided he believed the people who say they saw a 16-year old Lynchburg boy attack another man with a knife.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/January 16]

It happened January 16th in the parking lot of Heritage High School.
Authorities say there had been bad blood between 16-year old Robert Michael Rivera and 20-year old Eric Beard.
Rivera claimed he acted in self- defense, but witnesses testified they watched him run at Beard and stab him in the stomach and arm.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:37:31]
[IN Q=I think the]
((MIKE DOUCETTE/PROSECUTOR: I THINK THE JUDGE LOOKED AT THE LACK OF BIAS ON THE PART OF THE WITNESSES FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, YOU HAD AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL TESTIFTY CONSISTENT WITH ALL THE OTHER COMMONWEALTH WITNESSES AND I THINK THAT WAS CERTAINLY A VERY COMPELLING PIECE OF THE EVIDENCE, WAS THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Doucette/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=he had to say.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Rivera was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding.
He'll be sentenced in June.
(------------)

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

Coming up-
One candidate for Governor- and what he thinks about a confederate history month.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus just how do pickup trucks- and small s-u-v's fare in crash testing. Results coming up.
(----------------)

[Hager]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC56:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Sons of Confederate Veterans say in a full page newspaper ad today that April will be Confederate History Month
"from this day forward through eternity" in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

And one of the Republicans running for governor is giving them hope that the state could celebrate it again.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I am not presumptious enough to]
[sot 14:07:33]
((LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER: I AM NOT PRESUMPTIOUS ENOUGH TO SAY WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WERE ELECTED GOVERNOR. I SAY I WOULD WORK WITH THESE GROUPS AND I HAVE SYMPATHY WITH THEIR CAUSE.))09
[sot 14:10:16]
((LT. GOV. JOHN HAGER: THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO RESPOND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. IT IS ABOUT PEOPLE. AND IF CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT CERTAIN ISSUES, THEN YOU'VE GOT TO RESPOND TO THESE VARIOUS GROUPS.))14
[SUPER=@Hager;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=respond to these various groups.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

S-C-V officers say Hager privately promised them to declare a Confederate History Month.
But former governor Doug Wilder says it's a losing strategy for what he calls a "desperate" candidate.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They have that right.]
[SOT 13:11]
((DOUG WILDER/FORMER GOVERNOR: THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT. THAT'S WHAT THE WAR WAS FOUGHT FOR. EVERYONE COULD HAVE A RIGHT. I DON'T DENOUNCE THAT RIGHT. SURELY GO AHEAD AND DO IT. AND GET BEATEN IN THE PROCESS. AS THEY WILL FIND OUT.))
[SUPER=01-Doug Wilder/Former Governor;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=as they will find out.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=None]

Governor Jim Gilmore chose instead to declare Civil War Remembrance month this year.
Wilder says that took the issue off the table for any future governor to have to decide.

[Bumper-Tests]

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

Bumpers are supposed to prevent serious damage to your car, but that's not the case for some trucks and S-U-V's.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Insur. Inst. for Highway Safety;]

A consumer group tested seven vehicles and the bumpers on all ... but one allowed for excessive damage.
The Dodge Ram fared worst among the trucks tested-- racking up more than eight-thousand dollars in damage in four low-speed accidents.
The Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 also fared poorly.
Of the S-U-V's tested, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Rav-4 turned in poor performances, according to the Institute.
The Ford Escape was the only SUV with an acceptable bumper test.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=Extra Point]
[GRAPHIC=Sports Logo]

Radford University honors it's scholar athletes, the Express holds a team cookout, and Blacksburg boy's soccer looks to go 3 and OH.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
First our extra point. Tiger Woods is being honored with a special edition Wheaties box, following Sunday's victory. The package commemorates Woods' current status as the only golfer to simultaneously hold all four Grand Slam titles.
(------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-/Lynchburg/3/j/Potomac/7///;]
[SUPER=X5010;]
[SUPER=0091-/Tampa Bay/1/j/Toronto/8////Detroit/4//Minnesota/11/9//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/New York/13//Kansas City/4////Cleveland/2/j/Chicago/9///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Atlanta/4/j/N.Y. Mets/9///j/Cincinnati/8//Pittsburgh/2///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Colorado/2/j/St. Louis/3////Chicago/5/j/Montreal/7///;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-/Boston/95/j/Philadelphia/108//Iverson 37 pts//Atlanta/69/j/Detroit/81///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0096-/Charlotte/98/j/New York/113////Washington/78/j/Indiana/100///;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUT Q=...last score."]
(------------)

[S-Indians]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-79 tc 2:00:22]
[GRAPHIC=Soccer]

Blacksburg is continuing its dominance in high school soccer.
The Indians are undefeated in three games this season with a home win last night over Northside.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Vikings vs. Indians;]

Blacksburg scored 21 goals in its first two outings and the Vikings defense played up to the challenge for the first 25 minutes of the game.
But then the Indians went on the offensive, Benjamin Price sends the penalty kick to the far end of the field. Shawn Cruise is in the right place to receive the header and puts it in for Blacksburg's first goal.
[Super=34-Northside/0/Blacksburg/5;]

The second half was all Indians, Stuart Dowling gets one of four second period goals and Blacksburg wins it five to nothing.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-87]
[GRAPHIC=Express/Toledo]

Game three of the Roanoke/Toledo first round playoff series is Thursday at the Round House and we are tied 1 all.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Last night, the team held a cookout at head coach Perry Florio's house. While Florio cooked hotdogs, players tried another sport...keep you day jobs fellahs....
The wrest and relaxation was good for everyone.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=we]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Calvin Elfring/Express Defenseman; :09]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=..playoff stretch"]
(-----------)
[VO-NAT]

The day was a real stress reliever for defenseman Travis Smith and his former girlfriend.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Travis Smith/Express Defenseman; :00(VERY QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!!)]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=...happy day"]
(-------------)

[S-RU]

[ANCHOR=STeve]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=sp-80 tc 2:05:24]
[GRAPHIC=Radford]

Radford University honored its student athletes and let's put the emphasis on the student, folks.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

Last night 133 athletes, cheerleaders and RU Rockers were recognized at the annual Academic Achievement Banquet.
All of these college athletes have at least a 3-point-oh GPA.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:56:17]
[IN Q=I't's all]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Boyd/Scholar Athlete Award Winner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Laura Dickinson/3.3 GPA, Tennis Team; :07]
[SUPER=01-Laura Gagnon/Senior Golf Captain; :17]
[SUPER=01-Patrick Wales/Scholar Athlete Award Winner; :26]
[RUNS=36]
[OUT Q=comes first]
(-------------------)

[S-Cowboys]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-83 15715tc]
[GRAPHIC=COWBOYS]

Dallas Cowboy three time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman officially retired from the NFL yesterday after 12 seasons.
Nine concussions and back problems led to Aikman's decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I know...]
[SUPER=01-Troy Aikman/Retires From the NFL; :00]
[RUNS=:31]
[OUT Q=can't do it anymore."]
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=COWBOYS]

The 34 year old had 188 career TD passes.

[S-Belt]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-84]
[GRAPHIC=DALE OBIT]

The controversy surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death isn't going away anytime soon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockingham, NC/February 23; :00]
This afternoon NASCAR officials confirmed that they have hired an accident reconstruction crew to take an extensive look at what happened to Dale Earnhardt in the crash that took his life on February 18th. NASCAR said five days after Earnhardt's death that his seat belt broke, but nothing more has been said about that finding since it was disclosed. President Mike Helton issued a statement today in a teleconference, but took no questions. NASCAR says it will be August at the earliest before the investigation is finished.
(------------)

[S-Jarrett]

[ANCHOR=11pm]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-87 13116TC]
[GRAPHIC=DALE JARRETT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Virginia 500; :00]
Dale Jarrett picked up his 3rd win of the season yesterday by capturing the Virginia 500 at Martinsville. Jarrett led only once, the final 6 laps as he passed teammate Ricky Rudd on lap 495. Jarrett's victory was his first ever at Martinsville.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="I've seen...]
[SUPER=01-Dale Jarrett/Winston Cup Points Leader; :05]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=...SPECIAL TO WIN."]
(----------------)

[S-Civitan]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-82 13908 tc]
[GRAPHIC=CIVITAN AWARD]
The Civitan Club of Roanoke passed out its annual Good Sportsmanship award yesterday at the Patrick Henry Hotel.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

This year's winner combines a bonafide winner who has also demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship.
The Bassett high school girls basketball team, the Group Two A champions, was given this year's honor in voting done by high school refs throughout southwest Virginia.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
((LISA BLACK:)) ((ERNIE BRADD:))
[SUPER=01-Lisa Black/307 Wins at Bassett; :02]
[SUPER=01-Ernie Bradd/Former Officials Commissioner; :15 ]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...comes to that."]
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[VO-NAT con't]
The Civitan Club also presented Bassett senior captain Triaillyn (Tree-LYNN) Copening with a $500 scholarship. She plans to attend Winston Salem State.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=IT WAS A ...]
((TRIAILLYN COPENING:))
[SUPER=01-Triaillyn Copening/Scholarship Recipient; :00]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=...FEEL HONOR."]
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[S-Stargell]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=sp-86 12504tc]
[GRAPHIC=Pirates]
One of the members of the "we are family" crew that made the Pointer Sisters song a huge hit is gone. Pirates legend Willie Stargell died today of a stroke in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB;]
Stargell, was 61 years old, but his health had been failing for several years with a kidney disorder. He led the Pirates to World Series Championships in '71 and '79 and hit 475 career homers.
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA/This Afternoon; ]
The Pirates opened their new ballpark Saturday and unveiled a 12-foot bronze statue of Stargell. Today fans turned the statue into a memorial and honored the man known as "Pops". (------------)