WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 09/05/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Governor Gilmore steps up efforts to ensure Virginia's shore is safe for swimmers - Meanwhile, experts say sharks may be changing their views on humans.
A survivor castaway visits this region.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]

And 'life tastes good' for Virginia Tech students. Coke gets exclusive dibs on the Hokies. News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

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

Two fatal shark attacks off the Virginia-North Carolina coast prompt advice and action from the Governor, while experts try to figure out why the sharks were so vicious.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

Good evening...

[Gilmore-Sharks]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC29:12]
[GRAPHIC=Shark Attacks]

The two fatal shark attacks in 48-hours have people talking... including Govenror Jim Gilmore.
Today Gilmore is taking action to get more information- on sharks off the Virginia coast.
He also offered advice-
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14 ]

Don't go in the ocean at feeding times.
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

Gilmore appointed a task force today to study how to spot sharks near shore, prevent attacks, provide the quickest emergency response, and educate the public.
But he had a clear warning.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:30:05]
[IN Q=Well, again, as Governor,]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: WELL, AGAIN, AS GOVERNOR, I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M QUALIFIED TO GIVE PEOPLE ADVICE. I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT SWIM AT DUSK MYSELF. AND I WISH I WERE BETTER QUALIFIED, BUT AT THIS POINT I WANT TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE BETTER QUALIFIED.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=get people who are better qualified.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :09]

The shark task force expects to report back to the Governor in 30 to 60 days.
Gilmore says he sees NO need for immediate state action.
(------------)

[More-Sharks]

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

Meanwhile, a researcher says the two deadly attacks on swimmers don't follow the usual hit and miss pattern.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Experts say most attacks happen when sharks mistake people for fish. They bite and then swim away.
But George Burgess of the International shark Attack File says the intensity of the fatal maulings off Virginia and North Carolina suggest that the sharks involved in these particular attacks viewed people as "an appropriate food item.''
In the Saturday attack, Burgess notes that the shark fought to keep a grip on a Virginia boy, even as the boy's father punched it.
A Russian man was fatally bitten Monday while swimming off North Carolina's Outer Banks. His girlfriend was injured and remains in critical condition.
(---------------)

[Festival]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-30 TC1:43:38]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Some fresh events with some old favorites-- that's what's in store for Roanoke's Festival in the Park.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The organization introduced its new executive director tonight.
Stu Israel says the possibilities are endless.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:11:51]
[IN Q=We need to find]
((STU ISRAEL/FESTIVAL IN THE PARK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; WE NEED TO FIND THINGS THAT ARE FRESH AND KEEP IT FRESH SO THAT PEOPLE WILL COME BACK AND WE ATTRACT NEW FESTIVAL-GOERS. WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NEW ON THE DRAWING BOARD RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO FIND NEXT YEAR.))
[SUPER=01-Stu Israel/Festival in the Park Executive Director;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=going to find next year.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Israel says some events, like the A-E-P run and the 1964 Beatles tribute concert, will continue because they're so popular.
Israel also says he'll make every effort to bring the Festival Cup Bicycle Race back next year.
(------------)

[Skupin]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC38:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Each week-- millions tuned in for "Survivor 2". Tonight-- one of the program's former contestants brought his inspirational message to Lynchburg. Teresa Hamilton has more from the man who says life in the Outback was an answer to a prayer.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=By now ]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=04-CBS - Survivor II; :15 ]
[SUPER=01-Mike Skupin/Former Survivor Contestant; :23 ]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:18 ]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Lynchburg.]
(( By now-- Mike Skupin is used to finding himself in front of the cameras. Here it was at Liberty University.... [nat sound] [runs03] But earlier this year-- the software publisher was in front of even more cameras as a contestant on the show Survivor... a show he'd never seen but one his children encouraged him to try out for.
(///sot////)
[sot tc 17:53:46]
[in q= They said]
((MIKE SKUPIN/SURVIVOR CONTESTANT: THEY SAID IT'S THIS REALLY COOL SHOW YOU GET TO SLEEP IN THE DIRT AND EAT BUGS, BOIL IN THE DAY AND FREEZE AT NIGHT AND GO DAYS WITHOUT EATING, ALL THE WHILE PEOPLE ARE STABBING YOU IN THE BACK AND THEY SAID, DAD THE WINNER GETS A MILLION DOLLARS.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q= million dollars.]
Skupin never won that million dollars-- but says what he took from the show was worth even more. While in the Outback-- he says God touched his life when he fell into a fire.
(///SOT/////)
[SOT 17:51:21]
[IN Q= I had third]
((I HAD THIRD DEGREE BURNS OVER 30- PERCENT OF MY HANDS AND THEY SAID THEY'D HAVE TO DO SKIN GRAFTS AND SURGERIES ON MY HANDS AND THEY NEVER DID. MY HANDS ARE PERFECT.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= hands are perfect.]
After the accident-- Skupin had to leave Australia. But he says the experience enriched his life-- and made him realize he was destined to spread the word of God.
(///////sot////////)
[sot 17:50:42]
[in q= I've gotten ]
((I'VE GOTTEN OUT OF THE BUSINESS WORLD AND I'M IN THE MINISTRY FULL TIME NOW SO GOD USED SURVIVOR TO BIRTH THIS MINISTRY AND IT'S JUST AMAZING.)) [RUNS]
[OUT Q= it's just amazing.]
Skupin may end up making even more appearances in Lynchburg. While here-- he signed up for theology training at Liberty University which he'll complete over the internet. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Lynchburg.))

[McNeil]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-31 TC1:04:10]
[GRAPHIC=McNeil]

A Botetourt County woman reported missing last month is back home tonight, but Betty Jo McNeil now faces a criminal charge.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fincastle]

McNeil was arrested last night in Orange County where she's been staying for the last three weeks, and she was arraigned this morning on a charge of embezzlement.
After her disappearance August 13th, family and friends were left wondering what happened to her, and authorities quietly investigated the possibility that she embezzled funds from a local 4-H club where she served as treasurer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=She's going to get some help]
((CHARLES PHILLIPS/MCNEIL'S ATTORNEY: SHE'S GOING TO GET SOME HELP AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK INTO RESTITUTION AND TRY TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING WITH HER AND ANY FAMILY PROBLEMS SHE MAY HAVE.)) ((RONNIE SPRINKLE/BOTETOURT CO. SHERIFF: WE'RE JUST GLAD SHE'S HOME, BACK WITH HER FAMILY AND GLAD WE PUT AN END TO THIS.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Phillips/McNeil's Attorney; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Sprinkle/Botetourt Co. Sheriff; :11]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=and glad we put an end to this.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

McNeil is due back in court for a preliminary hearing in mid-October.
(------------)

[Simmington]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=01-24 TC1:33:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Martinsville's assistant police chief has escaped criminal prosecution after a month-long investigation into drunk driving allegations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]

State police say Major Clarence (SIME-ing-ton) Simington smelled of alcohol when they found him asleep in his severely damaged pickup truck on August 8th.
[SUPER=03-Martinsville;]

Special prosecutor Don Caldwell says he agrees with the state police's decision not to charge Simington because they could find no crash site, no injuries and no witnesses.
(///// SOT /////)
[BUMP SOTS]
[IN Q=The charge would be]
[SOT 23:47:58 - 23:48:15]
((DON CALDWELL/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: THE CHARGE WOULD BE A DUI AS A COMMON SENSE MATTER. BUT AS A LEGAL MATTER TO PROVE THAT IN COURT, I DON'T THINK THEY HAD THE EVIDENCE TO DO THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Don Caldwell/Special Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=evidence to do that.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Simington remains on administrative leave from the Martinsville Police Department, pending the results of an internal investigation.

[Pitts-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

Authorities in Pittsylvania County say a man who left jail on work release this morning shot a woman and then killed himself.
The shootings happened at a mobile home park near Brosville.
The sheriff's department says 52-year-old Gerry Wayne Dillard shot himself in the head, after shooting Coretha Clark in the face.
The 38-year-old woman was taken to the Danville hospital, her condition is not being released.
Officials don't know what led to the shootings.
Dillard had been in jail since July on a perjury conviction.

[Denver-Plane]

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

A passenger plane catches fire tonight at the Denver
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Denver, CO]
International Airport.
The fire broke out as the British airways jet was refueling.
No passengers were on board the plane.... but one person was injured. That person was refueling the jet when the fire started.
Crews used foam to put the fire out
(------------)

[Nassau-Fire]

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

Someone apparently set that big fire in the Bahamas last night.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nassau, Bahamas/Last Night;]

Police say arson is suspected in the blaze that swept through downtown Nassau.
The fire destroyed a popular tourist market and forced the evacuation of hundreds of tourists.
Witnesses have apparently told police they saw a man using gasoline or some other flammable liquid to set the fire.
Four people were hurt in the blaze.
(------------)

[Cole]

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

The crew of the U-S-S Cole gets high honors from the Navy today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk]

Crew members received the Combat Action Ribbon and a Navy Unit (Commen- dation) Commendation.
The crew was honored for efforts to keep the Cole afloat after it was attacked by a terrorist bomber on October 12, 2000.
Seventeen sailors, including one from Pittsylvania County, died in that incident and nearly forty others were injured.
(------------)

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

You probably know the old saying never talk politics at the dinner table.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Well, it's a little hard to do at your first state dinner.
More on President and Mrs. Bush's night and a surprise political request.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="hey folks...]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=....in sports."]
((Hey folks this is Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as the Avalanche wins the southern division title in Kinston. The Express re-signs a key ingredient. Steve Park won't be driving in Richmond. Bridgewater College football gets some national pub for the ODAC. We're in the boothe with Tim at Ferrum, and we're being serenaded by the Fleming basketball team tonight on the Big 7.))
(--------------)

[Bush-Immigration]

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

Mexican President Vincente Fox took the Bush administration by surprise... challenging the President to allow Mexicans to work legally in the U-S by the end of the year.
Tonight at a state dinner... it wasn't so serious at first... as Fox recalled the first time he met George Bush five years ago in Texas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He gave me]
[SUPER=01-Vincente Fox/Mexican President; 00]
[Super=04-File Tape; 22]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC; 28]
[SUPER=01-Allan Lichtman/Political Analyst; 43 quick!]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=answers to migration.]
((VINCENTE FOX/MEXICO PRESIDENT: HE GAVE ME A BASEBALL.. I DON'T FORGET THAT. LAUGHTER. FOX: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PURPOSE WAS. AUDIENCE: LAUGHS.
But behind the laughs Fox comes to America with a specific request. He's calling for an accord on illegal immigration- that would legalize undocumented Mexican aliens.
President Bush is mulling over a guest worker program that would allow three million Mexicans to work in the United States Temporarily.
But it's likely Bush would face stiff opposition in Congress. THE VISIT OF VINECENTE FOX IS FOCUSING NEW ATTENTION WITH REGARD TO HISPANICS THAT GEORGE BUSY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER.
One thing both leaders seem willing to deliver though is cooperation.. BUSH: THE UNITED STATES HAS NO MORE IMPORTANT PARTNER.. EACH COUNTRY PROVIDES FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY. FOX: THIS IS WHAT MAKES ME SURE .. CONFIDENT WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A FUTURE.. COME UP WITH ANSWERS TO MIGRATION.))
(-------------)
[Anchor=Jean]
[SS=None]

Tonight's state dinner is the first for President and Mrs. Bush... On the menu, Bison, Crabcakes with Mexican sausage and a mango coconut ice cream dessert-
The dinner and dancing will be followed by fireworks.

[Nichols]

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

Terri Nichols could face the death penalty for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT-16NA - 16:52:17]
[SUPER=03-Oklahoma City, OK]
Oklahoma County District Attorney Wes Lane announced he will pursue STATE charges against Nichols for the bombing that killed 168 people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The interest of]
((WES LANE/DISTRICT ATTORNEY; THE INTEREST OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CANNOT BE VINDICATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR A BLIND RELIANCE ON TERRY NICHOLS. WITH THAT IN MIND I HAVE DECIDED THAT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WILL PROCEED WITH THE PROSECUTION OF TERRY NICHOLS.))
[SUPER=01-Wes Lane/District Attorney]
[RUNS=19]
[OUT Q=prosecution of Terry Nichols.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Earlier this year, Timothy McVeigh was put to death for his role in the bombing. Nichols has already been convicted in federal court of conspiracy and manslaughter charges and sentenced to life in prison.
(------------)

[FU-Discrimination]

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

A judge has disbanded a class-action lawsuit by 160 former employees who claimed they were victims of age discrimination after First Union takeovers.
The federal judge says the workers did not show evidence of a discriminatory pattern, and their jobs were too different to justify keeping everyone together under a single lawsuit.
The decision allows the workers to pursue their cases individually.
Complaints ranged from firings to unpaid vacation time.
[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

The fight to quench Virginia Tech's thirst is over.
Will it be Coke or Pepsi?
Find out when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the candidates for Attorney General face off in their last scheduled debate before November's election.
(----------------)

[WEB-ADDRESS]
(///// SOT /////)
[Web Address Announce] [Pinnacle 4885ess]

[AG-Debates]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=01-20 TC44:05]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2001]

Flip-flops or evasions?
That's what reporters were trying to sort out today after what may be the last joint appearance of the two men on the ballot for Virginia's Attorney General.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=403-Richmond;]

Richmond newspapers in 1995 cite Democrat Donald McEachin as critical of the parole abolition adopted the previous spring by a General Assembly he was NOT a part of.
Today, in a debate, McEachin denied he had ever opposed parole abolition.
Republican Jerry Kilgore was incredulous.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You know I have read]
((JERRY KILGORE/(R) CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GEN.: YOU KNOW I HAVE READ THOSE ARTICLES...AND YOU RAN AS FAR TO THE LEFT AS YOU COULD GO.))
[SUPER=401-Jerry Kilgore/(R) Candidate for Attorney Gen.;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=the left as you could go.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]

But as soon as the debate was over, Jerry Kilgore was distancing himself from his own stance of this summer: to repeal Virginia's one handgun a month limit.
Kilgore now says he doesn't like the law -- but wouldn't work to repeal it.
He still wants to allow guns into bars.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They've got to decide whether]
[sot 13:17:02]
((DONALD MCEACHIN/(D) CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GEN.: THEY'VE GOT TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO WILL BACK THE BAN ON GUNS IN BARS, OR WHETHER THEY WILL REPEAL THE BAN ON GUNS IN BARS. SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO REPEAL ONE GUN A MONTH -- A GOOD CRIME FIGHTING TOOL -- OR SOMEONE WHO SUPPORTS ONE GUN A MONTH.))
[SUPER=401-Donald McEachin/(D) Candidate for Attorney Gen.;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=supports one gun a month.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]

Today's debate is the last Attorney General's debate currently scheduled.
(------------)

[Tech-Coke]

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

A change of tastes is on the way to Virginia Tech.
The school has signed a contract that will make Coca-Cola the primary beverage on campus for the next ten years.
Coke is paying Tech 17-million dollars, which the school will use mostly for student life and other academic programs.
The contract makes Coke the primary soft drink at dining centers, convenience stores, vending machines and athletic events.

[Farm-Family]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-32 TC1:29:16]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Meanwhile Tech officials say today's high attendance at the first Farm and Family Showcase will likely make it a yearly event.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :20.5]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
The university is opening its Kentland Farm for the two-day farming and agricultural showcase. Modeled after programs at other universities, it features seminars, demonstrations and displays. Some local schools are making the event a field trip. Students are given the chance to find their way in, through and hopefully out of a corn maze.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:41:26 / 14:48:09 ]
[IN Q=it was like fun / ALONG THE WAY]
((HEIDI MOCK/STUDENT; IT WAS JUST LIKE FUN, I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A CORN MAZE BEFORE SO I LIKE DOING THIS IT WAS LIKE A NEW EXPERIENCE FOR ME.)) ((STEVE BICKLEY/VT ART PROFESSOR; THERE'S LOTS OF INFORMATION ABOUT CORN SO ITS SORT OF A VERY GOOD EDUCATIONAL, SCIENCE TEACHER, KIDS THAT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT CORN AND THEN PEOPLE JUST WANT AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE.))
[SUPER=01-Heidi Mock/Student; :00 ]
[SUPER=01-Steve Bickley/VT Art Professor; :07]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=an interesting experinece.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Virginia Tech art students actually designed and cut out the maze. The farm showcase continues all day tomorrow with free admission and parking.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Avalanche looks to win the southern division title tonight in Kinston. The Express gets back a key member of the team. Bridgewater and Ferrum football are making news.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
But first in tonight's Extra Point, William Fleming's girls basketball team is celebrating its entry into the Blue Ridge district with some early season success. But tonight the Colonels are celebrating something else - the birthday of their head coach Cynthai Brown. Hit it ladies.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Happy Birthday...]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...BIRTHDAY TO YOU. END OF SONG]
(--------)
[GO TO SCORES] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Salem/3//Kinston/1//Avs Win Series 2-1//Frederick/0/j/Wilmington/13//Blue Rocks Wins Series 2-1/;]
[SUPER=X5010;]
[SUPER=0091-j/New York/4//Toronto/3////Cleveland/7/j/Boston/10///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Minnesota/12//Texas/2////Baltimore/6/j/Oakland/12//3 Late Games/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Atlanta/4/j/Montreal/0///j/New York/7//Philadelphia/4///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Houston/10//Cincinnati/3////Chicago/6/j/Florida/7//3 Late Games/;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....last score."]
(---------------)

[S-Avs]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-94 11938tc]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]

For the first time since 1987 Salem is playing for the Carolina League championship. Last night the Avalanche pulled off the improbable by winning the Southern Division Championship on Kinston's home turf 2 games to 1.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kinston, NC/Game Three; :00]
Kinston won 89 games during the regular season but only 12 hundred fans showed up for this evening's title game. John Lindsey provided the big hit last night as he came on as a pinch hitter and ripped a towering two run homer to deep centerfield. Salem took a 3-to-nothing lead into the ninth inning. But then had to had to weather this Ryan Church homer to right field. It's 3-to-1 with no one out. But Colin Young gets the ground ball and the Avs turn a wicked 5-4-3 double play to get within an out of the win.
[super=37-Salem/3/Kinston/1/Salem Wins Series 2-1;]
Young then seals the deal with the strikeout. The Avs will now play Wilmington for the Carolina League title after beating Kinston 2 games to one.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=avalanche]
The Mills Cup will be decided in a best of five game format. Games one and two are tonight and tomorrow night in Wilmington. Game Three will be in Salem on Saturday , as will games four and five if needed.

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-104 4024TC]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS]

Express head coach and general manager Perry Florio continues to add players to the roster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Season; :00]
Yesterday he got a key signing as Mike Omicioli, the team's best skill player a season ago, signed a two way contract with the Express and their partners the Hershey Bears. Omicioli had 11 goals and 19 assists in 28 games with Roanoke last season. If he doesn't make the Bears roster - he will be back in the Star City.
(------------)

[S-Park]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-101 4936TC]
[GRAPHIC=RICHMOND RACEWAY]

NASCAR begins three wickedly long and event filled days at the Richmond International Raceway today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Mooresville, NC; :00]
But Steve park will not be a part of the festivities. Park has a concussion and a bruised collarbone, and doctors say there is evidence of bruising on his brain. He suffered the injuries last Sunday at Darlington. Kenny Wallace will take his place at RIR.
(------------)

[S-Tennis]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-97 10454tc]
[GRAPHIC=US OPEN]

The US Open is winding down a big day of quarterfinal action. Earlier today Jennifer Capriati and Venus Williams advanced to the women's semi-finals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/USA; :00]
Venus just overpowered Kim Clijsters (KLY-STERS) 6-3 and 6-1 despite a lackluster overall performance. Venus committed 43 unforced errors and had 8 double faults, but still won easily.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD LOGO]
Tonight Agassi and Sampras are battling in the quarters. This Friday WDBJ-7 has 7 hours of semi-final coverage from 11am to 6pm.

[S-ODAC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 4702TC]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference is making national headlines this week thanks to the Bridgewater College Eagles. The 6th ranked Eagles opened the season with a victory over 5th ranked Western Maryland.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater; :00]
In that game quarterback Jason Lutz, wearing number two, was named the national offensive player of the week in D-3. He passed for 200 yards and two TDs and rushed for 157 more. The Eagles who hope to end the season with an ODAC title, another trip to the NCAA playoffs and maybe even the Stagg Bowl host Shenandoah on Saturday.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FOR ALL THE...]
[SUPER=01-Michael Clark/Bridgewater Head Coach; :02]
[SUPER=01-Henry Eggleston/Bridgewater Captain from Franklin Co.; :24]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=...PLAYING AT LAST YEAR."]
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[S-Boothe]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-96 (1:39:04)]
[GRAPHIC=Ferrum Logo]
Ferrum hits the road this weekend for a tough non-conference game against Emory & Henry. Roy Stanley says one of the key ingredients for the Panthers will again be former William Byrd Terrier Tim Boothe.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Boothe is...]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dave Davis/Ferrum Head Coach; :14]
[SUPER=01-Tim Boothe/Ferrum Senior Lineman; :27]
[SUPER=@Roy1; :58]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports."]
((Boothe is a fifth year senior at Ferrum. Last year he anchored the Panthers offensive line and his performance earned him Conference Player of the year honors.)) ((DAVE DAVIS/FERRUM HEAD COACH:)) ((TIM BOOTHE/FERRUM SENIOR LINEMAN:)) ((Boothe's experience and leadership will play a key role in the development of this years offensive line.
Boothe and one other starter is back while the rest of the lineman are young and have limited experience.)) ((BOOTHE:)) ((ROY STANDUP:)) ((If the Panthers win the conference title they receive an automatic bid to the N-C-Double-A Playoffs.
Roy Stanley News 7 sports.))
(-------------)

[S-Tech]

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

If you want some concrete evidence that Virginia Tech's game two opponent is no UConn, just check out the Vegas odds. After being a 46 point favorite a week ago, the Hokies are favored by just 16 points over dangerous Western Michigan i n Saturday's Noon kickoff.