WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 05/17/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up on News 7-
A decision is made on Interstate 73.
Tonight reaction from people both good and bad.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

What schools should do to prevent an incident like Columbine-
Plus update Supermodel NIki Taylor's condition. and after a quarter century a concert hall is reopened.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:09]
[IN Q=we were pretty]
((JACK GUNTER: WE WERE PRETTY HAPPY WHEN IT WAS GOING THE OTHER WAY, WHEN IT FIRST CAME UP WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOOD.))
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=it was good.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Disappointed residents learn the future route of Interstate 73 after the Board of Transportation makes its decision.

(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

Good evening...

[I-73]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=slo]
[TAPE#=01-13 TC52:51]
[GRAPHIC=Interstate 73]

Interstate 73 is on the road to existence, the Commonwealth Transportation Board passed the newly revised plan today.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fredericksburg]

Most board members agree that a new Interstate would make for safer travel between Roanoke and the North Carolina border.
However economic development was also an important factor in their decision.
That's why a route that runs between Martinsville and Danville was approved today. Board members say it's promising for both of the cities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:01:46 ]
[IN Q= I saw it]
((HOBIE MITCHELL/AT LARGE BOARD MEMBER; I SAW IT AS A KEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR BOTH CITIES FOR BOTH DANVILLE AND MARTINSVILLE AND UTILIZING AN EXISTING ROAD.))
[SUPER=01-Hobie Mitchel/At Large Board Member]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=existing road.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The new route will connect with routes 57 and 58, and comes close to the southern tip of Martinsville to join route 220 South.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]
Because of funding and federal approval, construction will not begin any sooner than eight years from now. The interstate will displace 506-homes and 42-businesses.

[React-I73]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-19 TC43:27]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The news of the route left some homeowners disappointed and others saying it will boost Martinsville's economy.

Kate Weidaw has their story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;:14]
[SUPER=01-Jack Gunter/I-73 Opponent;:27]
[SUPER=01-Eugene Blair/Lives Along Approved Route;:48]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;1:17]
[SUPER=01-Avis Fulcher/Lives Along Approved Route;1:30 QUCK!!]
[SUPER=@kate2;;1:35]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=News 7, Franklin County.]
(([SOT 21:44]
[INQ=]
((JACK GUNTER: IT WILL START AT THE TRACTOR GO DOWN THAT WAY TO WHERE THE GRASS IS OVER HERE.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS8]
Tears come to Jack Gunter's eyes when he pictures Interstate 73 running through his back yard. Gunter and his wife were the first ones to move onto route 609 in Franklin County back in 1966. Now part of his 30 acres will become a super highway.

[SOT 18:26]
[INQ=]
((JACK GUNTER: WE WERE GOING TO SELL THIS PLACE AND BUILD UP THERE AND NOW THE ROAD WILL BE COMING RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF BOTH OF THEM, SO WE'RE OUT OF LUCK.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS11]
Gunter's neighbor calls I-73 a lucky move for Henry County. As a former truck driver he says he understands how important major highways are for industry.

[SOT 16:40]
[INQ=]
((EUGENE BLAIR: WE DO HAVE INDUSTRIAL PARKS THAT CAN'T BE UTILIZED PROPERLY I BELIEVE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE EQUIPMENT IN TO DO IT, I THINK WITH THESE SUPER HIGHWAYS GOING THROUGH IT WILL HELP THE ECONOMY.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS12]
Blair says if the house he and his wife have lived in since 1977 must be taken in the process, he'll understand.

[SOT 17:24]
[INQ=]
((EUGENE BLAIR: I'M NOT GOING TO STAND OUT HERE WITH A SHOT GUN AND SAY DON'T YOU CROSS MY LINE, I BELIEVE IN PROGRESS.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS7]
Avis Fulcher also believes progress is the right move. As a life long resident on route 657 in Henry County she says if the highway comes through she's staying put.

[SOT 27:47]
[INQ=]
((AVIS FULCHER: WE'LL HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE NOISE AND BUT I'M SURE THERE WE WILL HAVE ACCESS ROADS SO WE CAN GET TO THE OLD 220.))
[OUTQ=]
[RUNS7]
While it may be a decade before bulldozers begin making the highway's path, residents say it's something they'll just have to live with. Kate Weidaw News7 Franklin County.))

[energy-plan]

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

President Bush is warning the nation must adopt his energy plan or face soaring gas prices and rolling blackouts.

But environmentalists say not so fast.
has more on what the President wants to do.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-St. Paul, MN; :00 ]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/(D) Minority Leader; :28]
[SUPER=01-Gov. Gray Davis/(D) California; :59]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/Reporting; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=standard outcue.]
((PRESIDENT BUSH TOURED THIS INNOVATIVE POWER PLANT IN MINNESOTA TO SPOTLIGHT HIS NEW ENERGY PROPOSAL. THE PLANT HAS E
NVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMPONENTS. AND BUSH SAYS HIS POLICY DOES, TOO. BUSH Our energy plan will speed up progress on conservation where it has slowed and restart it where it has failed. BUSH SAYS HIS POLICY WILL EASE THE COUNTRY'S ENERGY SHORTAGE, WHICH HE CALLS THE WORST SINCE THE 1970S. BUT NOT EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE PLAN IS THE ANSWER TO THE COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS. Sen. Tom Daschle/Minority Leader: Their plan offers no solutions for the short-term. We're also concerned about many of the solutions it offers for many of America's long-term energy challenges. THE POLICY HAS 105 RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING INCREASED ENERGY PRODUCTION AND A HEAVIER RELIANCE ON OIL, COAL AND NUCLEAR POWER. BUSH'S PLAN ALSO CALLS FOR 40 CONSERVATION MEASURES. BUT OPPONENTS ARGUE THERE'S NOTHING IN THE PLAN THAT WILL ALLEVIATE HIGH GAS AND ENERGY PRICES THAT AMERICANS ARE FACED WITH NOW, ESPECIALLY IN POWER STRICKEN ..CALIFORNIA.

Gov. Gray Davis/(D)-California: I fault the President for not providing California with any immediate relief.
IN THE MEANTIME, FROM MINNESOTA'S CAPITOL TO THE NATION'S CAPITOL, PROTESTERS ARE DEMANDING A DIFFERENT ENERGY PLAN. T
HEY ARE TROUBLED BY THE PRESIDENT'S CALL TO SEIZE PRIVATE PROPERTY ON WHICH TO PLACE POWER LINES. AND THEY ARE DEAD SET AGAINST A PROPOSAL TO OPEN ALASKA'S ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO DRILLING. ALEEN-STAND UP:))

[Columbine]

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

The Columbine High School Attack could have been prevented and law enforcement needed to act much quicker during the assault.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

Those are just some of the findings just released by an independent commission.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The first]
((THE FIRST DUTY OF THE RESPONDERS THAT COME TO A SITUATION SUCH AS WE HAD AT COLUMBINE WOULD BE TO STOP THE ASSAULT. NO EFFORT WAS MADE IN THAT REGARD."))
[SUPER=01-William Erickson/Commission Chairman;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=in that regard.]
(----------)
[vo-nat]
Erickson says some officers tried to enter the school initially but were kept out by sheriff's deputies.
He says a big problem was that law enforcement did not know who was in charge- and he says communication was difficult because different radio frequencies were used.
The report also says police and educators ignored early warning signs that the two young gunmen were trouble.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For a period]
((ERICKSON: FOR A PERIOD OF A YEAR ERIC HARRIS AND DYLAN KLEBOLD WORKED ON PLANS, CONSPIRATORIAL PLANS TO KILL AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.))
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=as possible.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Among the reports recommendations.. school official should work with students to break their code of silence.. and every school should have a way for students to report threats anonymously.
(------------)

[York-Mayor]

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

The mayor of York Pennsylvania is facing charges of murder- in connection with the 1969 killing of a young black woman.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-York, PA;]

Just two days after winning the primary election in York- Mayor Charles Robertson was arrested and led away in handcuffs.
He claims he is innocent.
[SOT 14:15:30]
[IN Q=]
((CHARLES ROBERTSON/YORK, PA MAYOR; MY HEART IS WITH YORK. I'M NOT A RACIST MY JOB IS TO COMFORT AND HEAL THE CITY OF YORK OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS. ))
[SUPER=01-Charles Robertson/York, PA Mayor;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=over the last seven years. ]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The charges stem from the 1969 killing of a young black woman .. gunned down in the midst of racial riots.
Court documents allege Robertson incited violence at a rally - and may have provided white gang members with bullets.
The next day the woman was shot and killed.
(------------)

[Shaftman-Hall]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-16 TC1:02:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Roanoke Symphony kicked off a week of special performances at the newly renovated Shaftman Performance Hall inside the Jefferson Center.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat Music]
((NAT MUSIC))
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=Nat Music]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The one-thousand seat Shaftman Hall boasts state of the art sound systems and glamorous surroundings.
The last time the Jefferson Center hosted such events, it was a quarter century ago and was known as Jefferson High School.
Performance by Opera Roanoke, the Roanoke Ballet Theatre, the Inflatable Theater Company and the Dukes of Dixieland continue through next Thursday
(------------)

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

Still ahead on News 7, supermodel Niki Taylor continues to fight for her life in an Atlanta hospital... While friends and relatives fight to keep alleged photographs of her from being published.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And kids grow up fast-- even baby snow leopards.
We'll have a progress report.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=MST]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=25]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7"]
(---------)
((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as UVa goes for win number two in the ACC tournament.
The rains ruin the Avalanche's hospitality again tonight. We'll check on NCAA softball in Salem and in Eau Claire Wisconsin. Plus, we're golfing at the Scott Robertson and handed out big checks at the Don Holliday - tonight on the Big 7.))

[Niki-Taylor]

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

Doctors say Supermodel Niki Taylor has made significant improvement-
(---------)
[Vo-nat] but she remains in critical condition at an Atlanta hospital.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:20:09]
[IN Q=]
((DR. JEFFERY NICHOLAS/GRADY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL: NIKI HAS RECENTLY BEEN TAKEN OFF A MECHANICAL VENTILATOR.. SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK WITH HER FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS. SHE'S A STRONG INDIVIDUAL TO HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jeffery Nicholas/Grady Memorial Hospital]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=made it thus far.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile a Georgia man's been charged- when he allegedly claimed he had pictures of the model in the hospital.

The man reportedly contacted Taylors' publicist and asked for thousands of dollars to prevent the alleged photos from being published.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:20:49]
[IN Q=]
((LOU TAYLOR/NIKI TAYLOR'S PUBLICIST: I HONESLTY BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO EXTORT MONEY FROM US.))
[SUPER=01-Lou Taylor/Niki Taylor's Publicist;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=FROM US.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]

Taylor's been in the hospital with liver damage since a car accident April 29th.

[Fulcher]

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

A federal appeals court says a prison inmate caught drug-dealing behind bars should get a new trial.
Michael Fulcher claims his work was part of a federal undercover investigation.
More than a year ago, a federal judge in Roanoke granted a new trial to Fulcher, his wife and his mother, but the government appealed.

[Bike-Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Lawsuit]

A fatal accident during a bike race in Blacksburg has led to a lawsuit against the town.
Sharon Knight is also suing the director of the Greater Blacksburg Triathlon.
Cyclist Gary Wayne Taylor of Lynchburg died after colliding with her car last June.
Knight's lawsuit says the director and the town failed to provide adequate warnings to motorists about the race.
She's asking for 750-thousand dollars in damages.

[Warner-Education]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC13:26]
[GRAPHIC=MArk Warner]

Mark Warner say Virginia has failed to work as a partner with the state's colleges and universities. Today, the Democratic Candidate for Governor outlined a four-point plan to improve higher education.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Warner says he would create a Commonwealth Scholars Program that would offer tuition grants to students who earn a B average, and place in the top 20 percent of their high school graduating class.
He would dedicate 250- million dollars a year to fund capital improvements.
Warner is proposing a commission that would "de-politicize" appointments to boards of visitors.
And he promises to convene a summit of education and business leaders to reduce bureaucracy and encourage innovation on college campuses.
(------------)

[Earley-Drugs]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=01-11 TC1:21:34]
[GRAPHIC=Mark Earley]

Meanwhile, one of the Republican candidates for governor continues to look for ways to control prescription drug abuse.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Abingdon]

Mark Earley met with doctors, sheriffs and drug company officials to talk about abuse of oxycontin.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=My goal is]
((MARK EARLEY/VA. ATTORNEY GENERAL: MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS KIND OF PAIN MEDICATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE PATIENTS WHO NEED IT AND DOES NOT LEAK OUT TO BE ABUSED AND RESULT IN DEATHS AND ADDICTION IN OUR POPULATION.))
[SUPER=@Earley]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=in our population.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

It's the first meeting for the oxycontin task force. The group held a public hearing tonight.
The manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, has come up with a ten-point plan to address the problem.
(------------)

[D-Day-Plane]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-15 TC52:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Sixty years ago, it would have made the trip by air.. but today a vintage World War Two airplane needed a little help making what will probably be its last voyage.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]

This L-3 reconnaissance plane is the same kind of aircraft that took part in the D-Day invasion of France in 1944.
Aviation buffs at the New London Airport have spent the past year reconstructing it.
It was shipped to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford today where it will become part of the permanent display.
(------------)

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

Still ahead on News 7, Roanoke Valley cops take their best shots... at a new location.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And scooters seem to be everywhere these days... now this one is in the record books.
(----------------)

[Firearms]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-09 TC1:40:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke city and county police say a new firing range will help them target crime-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

The Roanoke Regional Firearms Training Center allows officers to hone their skills on moving targets.
The center also boasts a range tower and two classrooms.
Roanoke city and county officials cut the ribbon on it today.
They paid about 250-thousand dollars for the project.
Officers from both jurisdictions spent the last year building it.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=We worked our regular]
[SOT 14:18:18 - :23]
((SGT. JERRY CUSTER/ROANOKE CO. POLICE: WE WORKED OUR REGULAR SHIFT UP HERE IS WHAT WE DID. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT KEPT UP OUR SALARY. INSTEAD OF WORKING THE ROAD, WE WORKED UP HERE.))
[SOT 14:20:16 - :23]
((RAY LAVINDER/ROANOKE CO. POLICE CHIEF: IT MEANS WE CAN GIVE BETTER TRAINING TO OUR PEOPLE AND THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN SOME TACTICAL EXERCISES THAN THEY HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE.))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Jerry Custer/Roanoke Co. Police Department; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ray Lavinder/Roanoke Co. Police Chief; :06]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=able to do before.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Officers demonstrated the range's capabilities and gave the public a shot at it, too.
Roanoke Mayor Ralph Smith even tried his hand at sharpshooting.
(------------)

[Snow-Leopards]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC14:25]
[GRAPHIC=Snow Leopards]

Mill Mountain Zoo is pleased with the progress of it's three newest members.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The two female and one male snow leopard cubs were weighed this morning for the second time since they were born two weeks ago. They've gained almost half a pound a piece to weigh in between 1-point-3 and 1-point-8 pounds. Zoo workers say their mom, Tasha, has been nursing consistantly, but is also learning to take care of her own needs.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:12:49-3:12:59]
[IN Q=She spends enough time in there to nurse...]
((DAVE WOOD/CURATOR: SHE SPENDS ENOUGH TIME IN THERE TO NURSE BUT SHE NEEDS HER LITTLE TIME AWAY, SHE NEEDS HER LITTLE MOM TIME TO HERSELF.))
[SUPER=01-Dave Wood/Curator;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=her little "mom time" to herself.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The cubs have also opened their eyes. The zoo says the blue color will turn brownigh-gold as the cubs age.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
UVa baseball hilites from the ACC tournament. We'll also update you on Tech, Radford and the red hot Roanoke. Plus, there's plenty of local golf news on the way.
But first in tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Kinston vs. Avalanche; :00]
They desperately wanted to play ball tonight in Salem. After the games the last two nights were washed out against Lynchburg - the Avalanche is hoping Kinston would provide a change of scenery. The rains came again but not until they played a full five innings and Kinston got the 5-to-nothing win.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES] [GO TO SCORES] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Kinston/5//Salem/0//Final In 5 Innings/;]
[SUPER=X5010;]
[SUPER=0092-j/St. Louis/12//Pittsburgh/2///j/Colorado/8//Atlanta/3///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Detroit/7//Baltimore/5////Boston/3/j/Minnesota/5///;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Milwaukee/104//Charlotte/97//Series Tied 3-to-3/;]
[SUPER=X5031;]
[SUPER=0103-j/New Jersey/3//Pittsburgh/0//Devils Lead Series 2-to-1/;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=....last score."]
(-----------)
[go to break]

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-93 2124TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

Virginia is trying to advance in the winner's bracket tonight at the ACC baseball tournament in Fort Mill, South Carolina just south of Charlotte. Last night UVa got second seed Clemson, tonight the Cavs were trying to knock off 3rd seeded Wake Forest.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fort Mill, SC/Virginia vs. Wake Forest; :00]
When you're playing in the last game of the day - and it's dark - it never hurts to spruce up the plate with a little paint job. UVa playing smart early as catcher Mark Rueffert throws behind the runner to Jon Benick and doubles up the Wake Forest base runner for the out.
[super=34-Virginia/1/Wake Forest/1/Top of 8th Inning;]
But in the fourth Wake would get a runner to third, and this sacrifice fly to right would chase him home on the tag. Right now this game is in the top of the 8th tied at 1-all.
(------------)

[S-East]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BIG EAST]

Virginia Tech opened play in the Big East baseball tournament last night in Bridgewater, New Jersey with a 4-to-3 win over Notre Dame. Kevin Bice hit the game winning homer in the 7th. Tech plays Seton Hall today at 3:30.
[GRAPHIC=BIG SOUTH]
Radford was ousted from the Big South tourney in Danville. High Point beat the Highlanders 7-to-2. RU finishes the season with a 12 and 38 record. Liberty is still alive and kicking. The Flames play Coastal Carolina this morning at 10.
[GRAHIC=HIGH SCHOOL]
And in one high school note, Rural Retreat pitcher James Smith tossed a no-hitter last night against Chilhowie. He faced just 22 batters, striking out 8 and walking just one. He also scored the winning run.

[S-Roanoke]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ROANOKE COLLEGE]
The Roanoke College women's softball team is rolling at the NCAA division three championship tournament in Eau Claire, Wisconsin yesterday afternoon. Roanoke put the smack down on North Central Illinois 8-to-nothing in a game shortened to 5 innings due to the slaughter rule. Amy Layman, who was named a first team all-American last night, pitched a one hitter. She and Crystal Berry each went 2 for 2. The Maroons play Central College of Iowa today at four.

[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-92]
[GRAPHIC=Softball]

The NCAA division II softball championship opened yesterday afternoon with Nebraska Omaha beating Kennesaw State and Humboldt State knocking off Bloomsburg. Play continued this evening at the Moyer sports complex as Lewis matched up with Eastern New Mexico.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Lewis vs. Eastern New Mexico; :00]

The rain held off at Moyer and the teams would play ball right on schedule at five PM.
In the top of the second the Lewis Flyers would put base runners in scoring position with some strategic bunting.
[SUPER=34-Lewis/1/Eastern New Mexico/0;]

Then, Katie Schaefer connects on a single to left that stays in play and Miranda Fudge scores from 3rd to make it 1-0 Flyers, and they go on to win it by that 1-to-0 count.
(------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=softball]
The final first round game between Alabama Huntsville and Dowling made it to the third before the rains arrived.

[S-Don]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-85 (2:05:53)]
[GRAPHIC=Golf Logo]

William Byrd Senior Bryce Chalkey picked up some serious green stuff today from the Don Holliday scholarship committee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :]

Chalkey maintains a 3 point 5 grade point average and a class rank of 25 out of 245.
He's an avid recreational golfer who enjoys the natural beauty of the game and Chalky plans to use the 16-thousand dollar scholarship to attend Virginia Tech this fall.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It's encouraging...]
[SUPER=01-Bryce Chalkey/Don Holliday Scholarship Recipient; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jason Perdue/Don Holliday Board of Directors; :15]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=.....invest in."]
(---------------)

[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-95 (16:17)]
[GRAPHIC=Golf Logo]

Thanks to Pressel's presence and many other out of this world juniors, tournament officials say this is the strongest field ever in the tournament's 16 year history.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :]

Many of the Junior golfers braved the wet conditions for a practice round this morning.
The fairways were wet and the greens soft from the recent rain. But the course conditions could change drastically by the weekend when the sun returns and things dry out completely.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It can...]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Nooe/PGA Golf Professional; :]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=......at the flag."]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The three day event continues through Sunday at the Roanoke County Club.
(--------------)

[S-Hornets]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-96 2320TC]
[GRAPHIC=NBA PLAYOFFS]

The Charlotte Hornets were home in the Hive last night looking to wrap up their Eastern Conference semi-final against Milwaukee.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/TNT; :00]
Paul Silas and his men were up three games to two coming in last night. And late David Wesley tried to seal the deal with the steal and coast to coast drive. Charlotte leads 90-to-89 with under three and a half minutes to go.
[super=32-Milwaukee/104/Charlotte/97;]
But the Bucks would not be denied as Ray Allen hits the three in the closing seconds as Milwaukee forces game 7 with the 104-to-97 win.
(------------)

[scooter]

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

A new mode of transportation has scooted its way into the Guinness Book of World Records.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 14:18:37]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]
[SUPER=75-Sarcey, France]
A scooter- 13-yards long- made its debut in France. Thirteen people rode the scooter through the streets.
They say navigation could be tricky when going up hills and turning corners. The scooter weighs over 135-pounds and travels up to twelve miles an hour. It is just large enough to set the world record.
(------------)
[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]