[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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


Coming up on News 7-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The moneys on the way... but not for everyone.
The latest on tax refund checks.
This is what it looks like when a plant filled with rubber catches fire.
Plus what do Michael Vick's new coaches think of his first days at training?
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]


A report coming up...
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


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



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


We've all heard the saying "the check's in the mail" but this time it's really true.
The first federal "tax rebate checks" are on the way.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]


Good evening...

[Refund-Checks]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NEws 7 at Eleven]


The I-R-S says if your social security number ends in the two digits between zero-zero and zero-nine... your check was mailed today... and you can expect it next week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Austin, TX]


The federal government will return 39-billion dollars to Americans over the next three months.
It's part of the tax bill passed by congress earlier this year.
President Bush says the taxpayers should not look at the money as a gift... rather as money they're owed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:03:01]
[IN Q=This is a ]

((THIS IS A REFUND OF YOUR OWN MONEY. MONEY YOU'VE EARNED AND YOU'LL NOW BE ABLE TO SPEND.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=able to spend.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Some Democrats say the president is overstating the tax rebates... many Americans won't receive any money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:03:46]
[IN Q=I Don't know what]

((SEN TOM DASCHLE/SENATE MAJORITY LEADER; I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO THE 20 TO 25% OF TAXPAYERS THAT WON'T GET A CHECK IN THE MAIL AND MAY BE EXPECTING ONE AND THEY HAPPEN TO BE THE PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY NEED THE CHECKS THE MOST.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. Tom Daschle/Senate Majority Leader;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=the checks the most.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


More than 34-million taxpayers won't get a check because they got refunds that ultimately reduced their income tax to zero or were claimed as dependents on someone else's return.
Those individuals who qualify will receive up to 300 dollars, heads of households will get up to 500 dollars, and up to 600 dollars will go to married couples filing jointly.
(-------------)



[Echostar]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-37 TC23:48]
[GRAPHIC=Echostar]


Up to a thousand new jobs are headed to the New River Valley thanks to booming business in the satellite television industry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/Last Year;]

A spokesman for Echo-star says the digital dish provider will START by hiring an additional 3-hundred employees at its Christiansburg center. Within the next few months the total number of new employees is expected to reach 1-thousand. Second quarter earnings showed a profit for the state of the art facility and EchoStar officials are gearing up for a busy Fall season. The new jobs will be in the customer service and promotions departments. The facility currently employees 1-thousand people at the Falling Branch Industrial Park.
(------------)



[City-Schools]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-21 TC1:47:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The Roanoke City School Superintendent is defending the system's hiring practices.
This comes after an audit found the Human Resources Department hired more than 30 people with criminal backgrounds. [***NEWS 7 @ 6 MB GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Kate /MB SET;]


Kate Weidaw joins us now to tell us what the Superintendent has to say.
[LIVE= Kate /FULL MB SET]
[SUPER=@Kate1]


Superintendent Wayne Harris released this report today that explains the school system's hiring practices.
Harris says even before this audit was released the school already changed its hiring practices.
As of May any applicant who says they have not been convicted of a crime will be fired if the criminal background check shows otherwise.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The audit]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Tuesday;:15]
[RUNS=:43]
[OUT Q=the applicant is applying.]

(([take pre-pro] The audit shows that 17 employees of the school are working despite criminal backgrounds. However Harris says only 11 of the 17 are still employed. Out of the 17 a portion hasn't been convicted in the last five to 20 years. [take vids 01-45] The school board says all applicants must submit to a background check. However it usually takes 4 to 6 months for the check to be completed and sometimes the position has to be filled immediately. [take pre-por] Harris states in his report, "the fact that an applicant has a criminal conviction and discloses it on the application does not necessarily preclude his or her consideration for employment. Consideration depends on the offense, when it occurred and its relationship to the position for which the applicant is applying."))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Kate /FULL MB SET]


Names of the employees and schools where they worked were not included on the audit.
But we do know that some of the employees with a criminal background include a teacher and an assistant football coach.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean and KAte /MB SET;]


Harris concludes his report by saying some employees have been fired in the past once the criminal background report has come back and it does show the applicants convictions.

[G8-Summit]


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


Italian police say a deadly shooting at a protest outside a summit of world leaders was police acting in self defense.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 29:40:41]
[IN Q=]

((NAT SOUND GUNFIRE))
[SUPER=03-Genoa, Italy;]
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND GUNFIRE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 27 ]


An Italian demonstrator died in the streets- shot twice in the head by police.
Then within minutes the battle was on again.
Demonstrators are intent on disrupting the G8-summit.
It was a spectacle of tear gas, water cannons and rocks.
The Bill Clinton White House had a vision that the G-8 was a powerful institution
But the Bush white house.. says the group should be limited to a more causal yearly meeting of the minds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT ]
[IN Q=]

((CONDOLEEZZA RICE/NAT'L SECURITY ADVISOR: WE ARE DETERMINED THAT IT SHOULDN'T BECOME ANOTHER ORGANIZATION.. WE REALLY DON'T NEED ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.))
[SUPER=01-Condoleezza Rice/National Security Advisor;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The G-8 is mostly a symbolic organization.. but it's meetings have been marked with chaos in recent years.
(-----------------)



[Hudson]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=kwe]
[TAPE#=01-38 TC30:03]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]


A 15 year old charged with capital murder was found guilty of a lesser charge of robbery this afternoon.
(//////SOT/////)

[NAT SOUND 14:14:29]
[INQ=We the jury]

((WE THE JURY FIND THE DEFENDANT ALEXANDER HUDSON GUILTY OF ROBBERY AS CHARGED IN THE INDICTMENT.))
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount]
[RUNS=10]
[OUTQ=in the indictment.]
(----------)
[VO-NAT]


A jury in Franklin County spent 8 hours deliberating Alexander Hudson's case.
The prosecution claimed Hudson along with his cousin and friend killed and robbed 61-year old Ralph English of Rocky Mount on New Years Eve.
The defense said Hudson was only "a lookout" while the other two committed the crime.
Both sides agree the trio split the stolen money and bought clothes.
Following the verdict the 15 year old was taken back to the Franklin County jail where he will stay until his sentencing on October 5-th.
He faces at least five years to life in prison.
(------------)



[Pitts-Murder]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC1:00:59]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]


Authorities have very few leads and no motive in a drive by shooting that killed a Pittsylvania County man overnight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hurt]


It happened at this home on Rockford School Road just before one this morning.
Witnesses say as many as two men got out of a car, started shooting, got back in the car and kept firing.
That's when 22-year old Marcus Dawson stepped out of the home and was hit by a bullet in the upper body.
The vehicle is described as a dark colored compact car.
It was last seen heading north towards Hurt.
(------------)



[South-Boston]


[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


A woman was found dead early this morning in South Boston.
Police responded to Briggs Street just before three a.m.
They found 21-year old Kimberly Ann Martin dead on the couch.
Authorities are not saying how she died.
A first degree murder warrant has been issued for 22 year old Lawrence Maurice Watson.
Police also discovered a 14 month old child who was not hurt.

[Bedford-Death]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-29 TC40:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]


Three days after he died, the family of Ronald Overstreet Junior says it's no closer to learning what happened to him inside the Bedford County jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Overstreet died Tuesday after being transported to Lynchburg General Hospital with a head injury.
His family says he was an alcoholic and may have struck his head during a seizure..
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

but they wonder if the jail staff handled the case properly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:41:25]
[IN Q=I would like]

((MARGARET OVERSTREET/MOTHER: I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM SO IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO ANOTHER YOUNG MAN. I MEAN, WHATEVER HAPPENED SOMEBODY DOWN THE ROAD NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND SEE IF THEY COULD GET IT CORRECTED.))
[SUPER=01-Margaret Overstreet/Mother]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=get it corrected.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Jail administrators say they do not suspect foul play in Overstreet's death and that staff acted appropriately.
State police are investigating.
(------------)



[Wachovia]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Wachovia/First Union]


A North Carolina Judge has decided NOT to block the proposed merger between Wachovia and First Union.
Now it's up to SunTrust Bank to appeal.. it is also pursuing Wachovia.
The judge also rejected a non-termination clause that would have forced Wachovia to wait several months if choosing to merge with another bank.

[Stanley]


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


Some disappointing news for Stanley furniture-- sales dropped nearly 30-percent in the second quarter of 2001.
The company blames a weak retail furniture environment.
Several area furniture retailers are struggling with similar financial reports.
(XXXXXXXXX)

[TAKE FULL SCREEN PINNACLE]
That's why we'll take an in-depth look at the furniture manufacturing industry.
"Turning the Tables" begins Monday on News 7 at six.
(-------------)


[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]


Investigators head back into Washington's parks, looking for clues in the dissapearance of Chandra Levy.
Details next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And firefighters try to control a blaze they say could burn for days.
(-------------)



[Sports-Preview]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=Sports-Preview]
[GRAPHIC=None]



(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Hey folks...]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...THE BIG 7"]

((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as we check on the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games. We'll meet a participant who isn't letting her handicap get in the way this weekend. Plus, KP comes back to drive and mourn. Vick goes through the day two rigors at camp.

And the Barber Twins look like Osh Kosh kids tonight on the Big 7.))[Levy]


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


81 days after Chandra Levy disappeared, police still have almost NO clues to go on.
Police say the missing intern visited the Go France website and the L-A times site... among others.. shortly before she disappeared.
Aleen Sirgany has more.
(///SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Ramsey/Washington, DC Police Chief; :18]
[SUPER=01-Lou Canon/Fraternal Order of Police; :36]
[SUPER=01-Susan Levy/Chandra's Mother; :47]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/Reporting; 1:07]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=Allen Sirgany, CBS News Washington]

((POLICE WRAP UP THEIR FIRST WEEK OF SEARCHING A POPULAR DC PARK..WITHOUT A SINGLE USEFUL FIND. THE SEARCH OUTSIDE THE PARK CONTINUES TO BE FRUITLESS, AS WELL. DC'S POLICE CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY SAYS WITH MOST MISSING PERSONS CASES, DETECTIVES WOULD HAVE FOUND SOMETHING BY NOW...ALL THEY HAVE IS THEORIES. CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY/DC METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT W have two theories. one is that she's missing but she's missing of her own accord. The other is that she fell to foul play. we have nothing to support either of those right now. RAMSEY DENIES ALLEGATIONS THAT THE LEVY INVESTIGATION IS TAKING TOO MUCH TIME AND MONEY AWAY FROM OTHER MURDER CASES, A CLAIM MADE BY UNION OFFICIALS. Lou Cannon/Fraternal Order of Police "Some of the resources are coming from officers that should be doing other things on duty." WITH THEIR DAUGHTER STILL MISSING, CHANDRA'S PARENTS HOPE FOR THE BEST BUT SAY WITH EACH PASSING DAY, ITS HARDER TO REMAIN STRONG. SUSAN LEVY/CHANDRAS MOTHER Were very highly stressed, we still want to keep up faith, its very hard at this time. MEANTIME, CONGRESSMAN GARY CONDIT CONTINUES TO TRACKED ROUND-THE-CLOCK BY THE MEDIA. BUT HE LEARNED THAT FOR NOW AT LEAST HE WILL NOT FACE AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE ON ALLEGATIONS THAT HE OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE. POLICE HAVE NOW RELEASED A LIST OF WEBSITES CHANDRA LEVY VISITED HOURS BEFORE SHE DISAPPEARED ON MAY 1ST. THEY INCLUDE SITES AS VARIED AS THE LA TIMES, THE DRUDGE REPORT, BASKIN ROBBINS. COM AND GO-FRANCE-DOT-COM. POLICE HOPE IS THAT IF SHE USED THESE SITES TO GO SOMEWHERE, THIS LIST WILL SPARK A MEMORY AND SOMEONE WILL REMEMBER SEEING HER. Allen Sirgany, CBS News Washington.))

[Tar-Fire]


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


Los Angeles firefighters are battling an amazing
(------------)
[VO-NAT 19:01:08]
[SUPER=03-Irwindale, CA;]

fire in the San Gabriel Valley this afternoon-
If you're wondering what's burning... it's rubber.
That's what maknig the huge plume of black smoke and the job DIFFICULT for firefighters.
The blaze broke out at the Dunn Brothers fencing comapny... and is burning at a high intenhsity... perhaps at about 1-thousand degress.
The blaze is out of control.. and is expected to burn for a day or so.
Still no word on what started this huge fire.
(------------)


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[JF-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-23 TC1:10:36]


[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.]


Fire crews knocked down a blaze at Jefferson Forest High School this afternoon in a matter of minutes.
A 15-by-15 foot area of the roof was burned.. the same area where workers had been replacing the roof earlier in the day.
The school is being renovated to get rid of bacteria and ventilation problems.
(------------)



[Poff]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-47 TC07:16]
[GRAPHIC=Rick Poff]

Rick Poff has the next 30- days to prepare for prison.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 14.5]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The Christiansburg bookkeeper was sentenced today for stealing some 760- thousand dollars from charities in the New River Valley. Poff was ordered to pay the money back and to spend 30- months in prison. Afterward-- he kept his comments brief.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:50:30]
[IN Q=I THINK ]

((RICK POFF/DEFENDANT: I THINK YOU HEARD EVERYTHING THEY SAID IN THAT COURTROOM AND IF YOU PRINT IT YOU'LL DO SOMETHING YOU HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE.))
[SUPER=01-Rick Poff/Defendant;]
[RUNS=04; ]
[OUT Q=HAVEN'T DONE BEFORE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 8.5]

Poff will begin serving his sentence in late August. But some of Poff's victims say he should have been taken into custody immediately.
(////SOT////)
[sot 02:51:32]
[in q=Frankly it would have]

((TOMMY HESS: FRANKLY IT WOULD HAVE SERVED ME BETTER IF THEY'D TAKEN HIM INTO CUSTODY TODAY I THINK FOR HIM TO WAIT THIS LONG AND THEM TO GIVE HIM 30- MORE DAYS TO ME IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE BUT THE JUDGE IS THE JUDGE.))
[SUPER=07-Tommy Hess; ]
[runs=:15]
[OUT Q= the judge is the judge.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=JEAN]
[SS=HOLD]

Rick Poff told the court he was sorry but disputed the amount the government says he stole. Poff contends it was much less.

[Habitat]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-46 TC08:23]


[TAKE VIDEO]

(------------)
[VO-NAT :21]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]

Because of Poff, the New River Valley Chapter of Habitat for Humanity had to make some changes.
6-homes had to be put on hold. Frances Dalton was supposed to move in her house before Spring but had to wait until now for new donations to cover costs. Habitat says they also had to let go of some paid employees, relocate and re-organize their accounting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 31:29:04]
[IN Q=People stepped up]

((TERRI FITZWATER-PALMORE/HABITAT FOR HUMANITY; PEOPLE STEPPED UP FIRST NATIONAL BANK GAVE US A NEW VAN, WE GOT A NEW OFFICE DONATED IN A CENTRAL LOCATION THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN OR EVEN MOVED TO SO A LOT OF PEOPLE PULLED TOGETHER.))
[SUPER=01-Terri Fitzwater-Palmore/Habitat for Humanity;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=people pulled together.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The judge for the Poff case, Judge Turk also has a connection to Habitat for Humanity. Several years ago he and his wife donated more than four acres in Radford to be used by the organization.
(------------)


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


Next on News 7, a Salem couple says goodbye to their family's landmark roadside motel.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And Ford says hello again to it's famous Thunderbird roadster.
(----------------)


[WEB-ADDRESS]
(///// SOT /////)

[Web Address Announce] [Pinnacle 4885ess]

[Windsor-Motel]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-34 TC18:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]


The Windsor Motel is one of the last "family-owned" motor courts in the area, but soon the Salem landmark will make way for a new business.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]


It was an emotional week for Rubye Nixon and Charlie Snead, as they prepared for the estate sale that would disperse the furnishings of the motel their parents built 55 years ago.
Effie and Charles Snead had operated a small motel on Lee Highway, and in 1946 they decided to build on West Main in Salem.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:17:51]
[IN Q=My father usually stayed]

((MY FATHER USUALLY STAYED IN THE BACKGROUND. HE ALWAYS LET HER BE THE BOSS, AND SHE WAS QUITE A LADY AND WE REALLY MISS HER. BUT SHE WORKED AWFULLY HARD HERE, AND SHE HAD ASKED US TO TAKE CARE OF IT TO THE END, BUT I KNOW SHE KNOWS THAT THE TIME IS HERE AND IT HAS TO GO.))
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=and it has to go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The motor court will be replaced with a gas station and convenience store.
The familiar neon sign will soon be history, but family members are confident the Windsor's half-century in West Salem won't soon be forgotten.
(------------)



[Thunderbird]


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


A famous roadster is making a comeback, but the first 2002 Ford Thunderbird is not up for sale.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 16:03:08]
[SUPER=03-Dearborn, MI]

Instead, the car is on its way to the Henry Ford Museum. This is the first T-Bird roadster made in forty years. Chairman of the Board Bill Ford decided the history making, black convertible should be preserved. Don't despair- if you're in the market, you can purchase one of the 25 thousand cars that will be made every year. The automobile should be on showroom floors this summer.
(------------)



[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-97 & Exta]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The big weekend of action for the Commonwealth Games is underway. We'll check in with Vick at Falcons' camp again tonight. Plus, Gordon wins the pole at New Hampshire, and the Avalanche opens a four game set with Frederick.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Sports Illustrated is featuring the Roanoke Valley's own Tiki and Ronde Barber in this week's issue. The good natured Twins are dressed like children on a playground for a two page picture that opens a 7 page article that also features photos of the Barbers as babies, their wives and of course their mom, Geraldine.
(------------)

[GO TO SCORES] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=x5011;]
[SUPER=0093-/Myrtle Beach/2/j/Salem/3//Final In 14 Innings/j/Lynchburg/7//Potomac/3///;]
[SUPER=X5010;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Toronto/10//New York/4///j/Boston/7//Chicago/2///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Detroit/7//Cleveland/3///j/Seattle/4//Minnesota/0///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Chicago/2/j/Houston/5///j/Montreal/6//Atlanta/3///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Cincinnati/3/j/Florida/5////New York/1/j/Philadelphia/10///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...last score."]
(------------)

[go to break]

[S-Common]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-104 1542TC]
[GRAPHIC=COMMONWEALTH GAMES]


More than 10 thousand athletes from all corners of the state have arrived in the Roanoke Valley for this weekend's Commonwealth Games of Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Last night the athletes paraded into the Roanoke Civic Center for the annual opening ceremonies. This weekend the spotlight will be shining on participants like those shooting clays in Lexington to speed skaters in Lynchburg to the thousands who will be playing everything from softball to Rugby in the Roanoke Valley. Last night the athletes also got some words of wisdom from former VMI football star Gene Williams. He has been a member of the school's board of visitors and each year he runs a program to introduce minority kids to life on the post.
(---------------)



[S-Hoops]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-99 (34:16)]
[GRAPHIC=Commonwealth Games]


The Commonwealth Games are for folks of all ages and abilities, and even some with disabilities.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :]


For example, 11 year old Kayla McAlexander of Floyd County is deaf.
But she's competing in the games with the Floyd County 10 and under basketball team.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="She was...]
[SUPER=01-Steve McAlexander/Kayla's Coach & Father; :]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=......what we're doing."]
(-----------)

[VO NAT]
Despite being deaf, Kayla's made the all star team two years in a row at Virginia Tech's basketball camp.
And while on the court, She receives the plays through sign from her mother Wanda.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="She's always...]
[SUPER=01-Wanda McAlexander/Kayla's Mom; :]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=......to play."]
(------------)



[S-Avs]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-105 2449TC]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]


The Salem Avalanche closed out its three game series with Myrtle Beach last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Pelicans vs. Avalanche; :00]

It was CiCi's batting helmet night at the Salem Memorial as the first thousand kids in the gate got a free hard-hat. In the 1st inning, Dan Phillips smacks a shot down the third base line. The fielder can't make the play and as a result, Garrett Atkins is able to score from second. 1-to-nothing Avalanche. In the second, the Pelicans would come back Junior Brignac lifts one out of the infield to center. Choo Freeman makes the catch, but doesn't throw to the plate. The runs scores and it's 1-to-1. Salem would get a double to the wall in right by Atkins in the third. Javier Colina scores
[SUPER=37-Myrtle Beach/2/Salem/3;]

and the Avs win 3-to-2 in 14 innings.
(------------)



[S-Vick]


[ANCHOR=]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-102 2943TC]
[GRAPHIC=FALCONS]


Day two of Atlanta Falcons training camp and former Hokie Michael Vick is finding out that a rookie is still rookie no matter what his name happens to be. Steve Mason has more from Greenville, South Carolina.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Greenville, SC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Vick/NFL's Top Draft Pick; :15]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :26]
[SUPER=01-Ray Buchanan/Falcons Defensive Back; :51]
[SUPER=01-Chris Chandler/Falcons Quarterback; :58]
[SUPER=01-Dan Reeves/Falcons Head Coach; 1:14]
[SUPER=01-Jack Burns/Falcons Quarterback Coach; 1:35]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=Mason, News-7 Sports.]

(--------------)[S-Tech]



[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/LSU]

The much-talked about Tech-LSU football series has now been formally finalized. LSU will come to Tech on August 31st of 2002 and Tech will return the favor going to Baton Rouge in 2004.
[GRAPHIC=CAROLINA]

North Carolina also helped Tech out on this deal by moving it's 2002 date with the Hokies to September 18th, so the Hokies would not be playing LSU and Carolina back to back.
[GRAPHIC=STEAM]

Carolina alum and Steam head coach Steven Jerry has to be disappointed last night. Roanoke lost its season finale on the road at Norfolk 49-to-21 to finish the season 7 & 9.

[S-Race]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-101 2249TC]
[GRAPHIC=NEW HAMPSHIRE]

Jeff Gordon will start on the pole for Sunday's New England 300. But more importantly, Kyle Petty will race.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Loudon, NH/CNN-SI; :00]

Kyle's son Adam died here last May, and Kyle hadn't been back to the track to race since. He thought about skipping this weekend's race, as well, but instead he's racing in an all-black Dodge with the words "Adam Petty - Forever in our Hearts" on the side. Kyle qualified 26th. Here's the qualifying rundown.
(------------)

[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5016;]
[SUPER=0107-1. Jeff Gordon/131.769/2. Mark Martin//3. Jeremy Mayfield//4. Bobby Hamilton//5. Steve Park//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-6. Todd Bodine//7. Robert Pressley//8. Ken Schrader//9. Dale Jarrett//10. Jeff Burton//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-11. Ron Hornaday//12. Bill Elliott//13. Jimmy Spencer//14. Ricky Rudd//15. Johnny Benson//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-16. Hut Stricklin//17. John Andretti//18. Michael Waltrip//19. Rick Mast//20. Ricky Craven//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-21. Matt Kenseth//22. Mike Wallace//23. Rusty Wallace//24. Kevin Harvick//25. Tony Stewart//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-26. Kyle Petty//27. Casey Atwood//28. Joe Nemechek//29. Dale Earnhardt Jr.//30. Terry Labonte//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-31. Ward Burton//32. Kurt Busch//33. Elliott Sadler//34. Dave Blaney//35. Bobby Labonte//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-36. Robby Gordon//37. Sterling Marlin//38. Jerry Nadeau//39. Brett Bodine//40. Stacy Compton//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-41. Jason Leffler//42. Kevin Lepage//43. Buckshot Jones//;]
[RUNS=:45]
[OUT Q=...last driver."]

(------------)
by SS