WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 12/03/01

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=JEan]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
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Coming up-
A warning goes out to all Americans-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Also reaction after three Americans are reportedly found fighting for the Taliban.
The man who started a multi million dollar local company is booted from his job.
So you want to go to the Gator Bowl... we'll check on ticket sales.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
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(///// SOT /////)
[SOT16:55:26]
[IN Q=]
((TOM RIDGE/HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR: OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS OUR INTELLIGENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT THE LEVEL OF ACTIVITY AND VOLUME HAS INCREASED THE THREATS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=of terrorist attacks.]
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[ANCHOR =Jean]
[SS=News 7 at Eleven]

[Warning]

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

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge is once again warning Americans... be on alert- don't let your guard down.
Ridge says Americans must not let that happen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:55:37]
[IN Q=]
((TOM RIDGE/HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR: THE INFORMATION WE HAVE DOES NOT POINT TO ANY SPECIFIC TARGET IN AMERICA OR ABROAD. IT DOESN'T SPECIFY WHAT TYPE OF ATTACK. HOWEVER THE ANALYST LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION BELIEVE THE VOLUME AND LEVEL OF THREATS ARE ABOVE THE NORM AND ONCE AGAIN WE FEEL IT'S NECESSARY TO PUT THE PUBLIC ON GENERAL ALERT.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Ridge/Homeland Security Director;]
[RUNS=23]
[OUT Q=ON GENERAL ALERT.]
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[Taliban-Americans]

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

It seems the unthinkable to many- Americans fighting FOR the Taliban, but it's apparently happening.
Tonight at least three people claiming to be Americans are in custody of the allied forces. One was a holdout in the prison riot in Mazaree- Shareff.
A coalition spokesman says it's too soon to say if he'll be prosecuted by the U-S for treason.
Tonight Manuel Gallegus has more from John Walker Lindh's hometown.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Bill Jones/Neighbor & Family Friend; :17]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/Reporting; :30]
[RUNS=1:14]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Los Angeles.]
((HE'S AN AMERICAN, WHO IS NOW AN AMERICAN PRISONER OF WAR. 20 YEAR OLD JOHN WALKER LINDH WAS CAPTURED AMONG TALIBAN AND AL-QUEDA FIGHTERS LAST WEEK DURING A BATTLE IN AFGHANISTAN. REACTION FROM HIS HOMETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH OF SAN FRANCISCO IS ONE OF SHOCK. BILL JONES, NEIGHBOR/FAMILY FRIEND This whole thing is not computing to any of us when we watched it on TV the parents were crying of course because they haven't seen their son in about six or seven months. THE YOUNG MAN, DESCRIBED AS INTELLIGENT AND SOFT SPOKEN, HAD GONE TO PAKISTAN WITH AN ISLAMIC HUMANITARIAN GROUP TO HELP THE POOR. HOW HE MAY HAVE HOOKED-UP WITH TALIBAN FIGHTERS IS UNKNOWN. DURING A BLOODY THREE DAY REVOLT WITH THE NORTHERN ALLIANCE, LINDH WAS WOUNDED BY A GRENADE AND BULLETS. HE IS NOW IN AMERICAN MILITARY CUSTODY IN AFGHANISTAN. ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS CAN THINK OF IS THAT HE WAS BRAINWASHED. BILL JONES/NEIGHBOR/FAMILY FRIEND my thought and the thought of the parents too was Patty Hearst. When you're brainwashed. Its an American term but we sincerely feel that he was brainwashed. WHATEVER THE REASON, THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS AMERICAN FAMILY ARE CAUGHT IN AN INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS LOS ANGELES.))

[Afghanistan]

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

Tonight Four Afghan factions meeting in Germany have agreed on a framework for a post Taliban government.
They've decided on a 29-member council. Who will be on it.. has not been decided.
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[VO-NAT 15.5]
[SUPER=03-Afghanistan;]

In Afghanistan, Tribal fighters are battling the Taliban at the Kandahar airport- and U-S Marines today began sending out teams to cut off Khandahar.
U-S officials say the Taliban have probably stockpiled weapons to make one last stand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:27:00]
[IN Q=]
((REAR ADM. JOHN STUFFLEBEEM/PENTAGON SPOKESMAN: WE ASSUME THAT THEY HAVE A SIZEABLE AMOUNT OF INVENTORY OR THEY WOULDN'T BE IN THE POSITIONS THEY ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Rear Adm. John Stufflebeem/Pentagon Spokesman;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=POSITIONS THEY ARE.]
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[VO-NAT 07.5]

U-S marines have reported an increase in anti-aircraft fire.
Their other enemy.. is the desert.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:27:19]
[IN Q=]
((MARINE: THE DUST IS OUR BIGGEST THREAT. BASICALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE TYPE OF ROTOR SYSTEM THAT PUTS OA A HURRICANE TYPE VELOCITY AND IT BLOWS IT UP ALL THE DUST PARTICLES YOU LOSE YOUR VISUAL REFERENCE.)) [BUTT TO 20:27:38] ((I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY RIFLE THERE IS NOT GOING TO JAM. I KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO JAM. I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY RIFLE DOESN'T EITHER.))
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=doesn't either.]
(------------)
[Vo-Nat]
B-52's continue to bomb cave and tunnel complexes where Osama bin laden is hiding- while the hunt also continues on the ground.
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[County-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-54 TC33:59]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

A Roanoke County family lost most of its furniture and its pet in a fire tonight.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Firefighters were called to the home on Martin Creek Road around 8:30.
Three people inside the home got out safely but the family dog did not.
Most of the family's furniture was damaged by smoke and water.
Firefighters aren't sure how the blaze started.
(------------)

[Cox-Cable]

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

Cox "At Home Internet" customers shouldn not have to deal with an interruption in service.
The company said it's reached an agreement with Xcite to keep high speed internet service running until Cox gets its own network operational.
Last Friday, a federal judge cleared the way for bankrupt Excite-At-Home to turn off its high-speed Internet cable network.
About 15 percent of "At-Home" customers nationwide lost their internet access over the weekend.

[Optical-Cable]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=01-53 TC 45:37]
[GRAPHIC=Bob Kopstein]
Some big changes are in store for Optical Cable in Roanoke County. The company's board of directors today decided to fire the company's president and C-E-O. Teresa Hamilton has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Bob Kopstein is ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :07]
[SUPER=01-Brian Gottstein/Legg Mason Financial Advisor; :30]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 58 ]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS7, Roanoke County.]
(( Bob Kopstein is no longer chairman and C-E-O of the company he founded nearly 20- years ago. According to a news release issued by Optical Cable-- the company's board of directors made the decision based on a recommendation by a special committee. The committee was formed in October shortly after the board learned that Kopstein was losing his shares in the company because of debts he incurred trading stocks. Brian Gottstein is a financial advisor with Legg Mason in Roanoke.
(////sot/////)
[sot]
[IN Q= QUITE]
(( QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED THAT THE FOUNDER OF AN 18 YEAR OLD COMPANY AND CEO WAS REMOVED FROM HIS POST. )) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q= FROM HIS POST.]
According to the company's news release--- the special committee recommended that Kopstein be removed from the helm be
cause it felt Kopstein NO longer had the time to his focus on his duties as President and C-E-O because of ongoing disputes with brokerages firms and other litigation.
(/////sot/////)
[TAKE STANDUP] ((AN ACTING PRESIDENT HAS BEEN NAMED-- NEIL WILKIN THE COMPANY'S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT WILL TAKE OVER THE ROLE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR CAN BE FOUND.)) [RUNS10] Wilkin spoke with NEWS 7 by phone... He says he considers Kopstein an incredible entrepreneur... who's created a company with 60- million in annual sales while bringing jobs into the Roanoke Valley. Wilkin would NOT say if Kopstein will receive a severance package. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Roanoke County.))

[Econ-Development]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-50 TC1:12:03]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke County Supervisors hope the first company to move into the Center for Research and Technology will become an anchor in the area's biotechnology industry.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :19]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Novozymes Biological today announced plans to move into the business park. The company was recently purchased by Denmark based Novozymes A-S, the world's leader in enzyme production. County Supervisors hope Novozymes' decision to stay in the Roanoke Valley will bring other biotechnology related businesses to the area.
(///// SOT at :19 /////)
[SOT 24:17-24:38]
[IN Q=I believe it will give other companies...]
((JOE "BUTCH" CHURCH/ROANOKE COUNTY SUPERVISOR: I BELIEVE IT WILL GIVE OTHER COMPANIES A NEW VIEW OF ROANOKE COUNTY. WE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE CHOOSY BUT YET PROGRESS TO THE POINT THAT WE CAN HAVE A MORE CURRENT AND RECENT SEQUENCE.))

[SUPER=01-Joe "Butch" Church/Roanoke County Supervisor;]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=a more current and recent sequence.]
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[VO-NAT]
President Ted Melnik says Novozymes' expansion plans will result in the creation of 25-jobs.
(------------)

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

Governor Gilmore says brace for more tough economic times.
That's next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And later, the Olympic Flame begins its long journey to Salt Lake City.
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[Sports-Preview]

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

(///// 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 the Keydets and Hokies go to the wire tonight at the Cassell. Steve Mason will drop by with a profile of Virginia's Travis Watson. The finalists for the Dudley Award are announced. A Roanoke Catholic running machine get some props and the injury bug bit both Tech and Miami hard this past Saturday. Details on the Big 7.))

[Gilmore-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=01-61 TC18:17]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]

More bad news about Virginia's economy from Governor Jim Gilmore.
Today, Gilmore reduced the state's official revenue estimate by an additional 112- million dollars.
That puts the hole in the state budget at one billion dollars.
Gilmore would NOT discuss plans for spending cuts today... but said he would NOT propose a tax increase in his budget.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:22]
[IN Q=My goal is]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE; MY GOAL IS TO LEAVE THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA AND MY SUCCESSOR THE MOST FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT I CAN. IT IS ALSO MY GOAL TO LEAVE A BUDGET THAT MAKES THE HARD CHOICES SO THERE'S NO NEED TO RAISE THE TAXES ON THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=on the people of Virginia.]
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[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]

Gilmore said he made the decision after business leaders and economic advisors told him the recession would last longer and economic recovery would be more gradual than projected.

[City-Council]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=01-48 TC1:35:59]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

State lawmakers are telling local officials to prepare for more bad news.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

This afternoon, members of Roanoke City Council and the city school board sat down to discuss the upcoming General Assembly session.
Area legislators said expect the state budget shortfall and the prospect of significant funding cuts to continue to grow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's going to be tight]
((DEL. VIC THOMAS/(D) ROANOKE: IT'S GOING TO BE TIGHT. A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE PUT ON HOLD. AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WORK HARD TO STAY ON TOP OF THINGS.)) ((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/(D) ROANOKE: IT'S GOING TO HURT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS PROBABLY MORE THAN ANY OTHER COMPONENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH. OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN HURTING FOR THE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS, ANY WAY AND THIS IS JUST GOING TO AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Vic Thomas/(D) Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Edwards/(D) Roanoke; :09]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=to aggravate the situation.]
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[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

With the budget shortfall continuing to grow, lawmakers say a freeze of the car tax cut may not be enough. They say the General Assembly may have to consider a roll back to something less than 70 percent.

[Bryant]

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

Jim Gilmore's Secretary of Education is quitting early.
Wilbert Bryant will resign tomorrow to take an education job with the Bush administration.

[NRV-Body]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A hunter's discovery over the weekend has authorities looking for answers.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department says a few very old bones and what looks like part of a human skull were found. A hunter came across the material on the mountains off Meadowbrook Road on Sunday. Authorities are investigating and will send the bones to the medical examiner for evaluation tomorrow.

[ATV-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=01-52 TC31:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]

An ATV accident kept rescue crews busy in Lynchburg this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

42 year old Barry McCrickard was riding his four-wheeler alone near Top Ridge Road when he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over.
McCrickard used his cell phone to call his wife who then phoned paramedics.
Rescue workers on the ground coordinated with a helicopter to help locate the injured man.
McCrickard is in stable condition this evening at Lynchburg General Hospital.
(------------)

[Pierre]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=01-39 TC1:59:02]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A third Muslim is charged with trying to illegally obtain a handgun. The U-S Attorney for the Western District of Virginia says (bill-AL benYOO) Bilal Benu lied about his police record in order to get a pistol in late 1998. Benu's also charged with possessing a box of AK-47 ammunition. Owning the ammo was illegal in light of a former conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
Last Friday, two other members of the same Charlottte County community were found guilty on similar charges. Authorities say 44-year old convicted felon Vincente Pierre used his wife, 37 year old Traci Elaine Upshur, to obtain a 40 caliber handgun in March of 19-99. Pierre has been linked to the Muslim Al-Fuqra terrorist organization.
(------------)

[Olsen]

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

First she plead not guilty- then she entered a guilty plea..
Now Sara Jane Olson is trying to withdraw that guilty plea.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles, CA;]

A judge though would not allow it..
Olson is charged with conspiring to blow up two Los Angeles Police cars in 1975.
Olson said she did not believe she could get a fair trial after the September 11th attacks- that's why she entered the guilty plea.
Olson faces sentencing in January.
(------------)

[Mideast]

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

A sunset raid as Israel retaliates for the weekend suicide bombings.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 15]
[SUPER=03-Gaza Strip]

Today two Israeli attack helicopters destroyed Yasser Arafat's two presidential helicopters and the hangars nearby.

Arafat's headquarters and residence were untouched.
Israeli Prime Minister says Arafat is the leader of a terrorist coalition.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:18;10]
[IN Q=]
((ARIEL SHARON/ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: ARAFAT NO DOUBT HE IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TERRORISM AND WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS WHICH WILL BE DECIDED IN TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Ariel Sharon/Israeli Prime Minister;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=DECIDED IN TIME.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 13 plus pad]

That after a bloody weekend of suicide bomb attacks in Israel.
The Palestinian authority says it condemns the targeting of civilians- and under pressure has arrested more than 100 Islamic militants.
(------------)

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

Next on News 7, if you're thinking about going Gator Bowling... you better get moving.
Tickets are going fast.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And it's not a scene from a sci-fi movie... it's two-wheeled reality that inventors hope will change the way you get around downtown.
(----------------)

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

[Gator-Tickets]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=01-45 TC2:03:28]
[GRAPHIC=Gator Bowl]

They're going fast...but there are still some seats available to see Virginia Tech play in this year's Gator Bowl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
Director of Ticket Services, Sandy Smith says more than 9-thousand seats have been sold. Smith says Tech has a total of 12-thousand 5-hundred in Jacksonville. Kickoff is 12:30 New Year's Day against Florida State... tickets cost 40-dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:33:52]
[IN Q=we did a preorder]
((SANDY SMITH/DIRECTOR TICKET SERVICES; WE DID A PRE ORDER FOR OUR CONTRIBUTORS AND SEASON TICKETS HOLDERS, THEY'VE BOUGHT UP ALL OF OUT 60 DOLLAR TICKETS WHICH IS THE CLUB SEATS.))
[SUPER=01-Sandy Smith/Director of Ticket Services; :]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=IS THE CLUB SEATS.]
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[VO-NAT]
Smith says Tech is known for a loyal fan base willing to travel with the team. To purchase tickets you can go to or call the University box office.
(------------)

[IT]

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

"It" has finally been revealed. The secret invention that has kept the high-tech world wondering turns out to be a motorized scooter.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The device is nicknamed "It" but is actually called Segway. It's controlled by mimicing the human body's sense of balance through complex gyroscopes and computers. When the user leans forward, it goes forward.
The hope is for the battery-powered two-wheeled device to eventually replace cars in crowded downtown areas. Inventor Dean Kamen is optimistic about Segway's capabilities.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's the missing]
((DEAN KAMEN/SEGWAY INVENTOR; IT'S THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN YOUR SNEAKERS AND BIG VEHICLES))
[SUPER=01-Dean Kamen/Segway Inventor;]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=and big vehicles]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The U-S Postal Service plans to test the Segway for its letter carriers. "It" can reach speeds of up to 17-miles-an-hour and travel roughly 17 miles without re-charging. A consumer model of the Segway should be available for about 3-thousand dollars within the next year.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - the Hokies barely scrape by the Keydets at the Cassell. We'll profile the Cavs big man Travis Watson. Plus, we'll check with the Dudley finalists and the BCS fallout. But first on tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
The injury bug bit a couple of linemen hard at the Tech Miami game this past Saturday. Tech's Jim Davis torn a pectoral muscle. He will have a MRI to determine the severity on Thursday. And Miami's all-American left tackle Bryant McKinnie had arthroscopic knee surgery today but he is expected to be ready for the national championship game. The 6-foot-9, 335-pound senior injured his left knee and had bone chips removed today. [GO TO SCORES]
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[MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5022;]
[SUPER=0100-/Green Bay/7//Jacksonville/13/3//;]
[SUPER=X5034;]
[SUPER=0122-/Roanoke Dazzle/90/j/N. Charleston/97//Asheville at Roanoke - Friday//Asheville/67/j/Columbus/88///;]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/VMI/73/j/Virginia Tech/74///j/Ferrum/73//Lynchburg/67///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Connecticut/65/j/Maryland/77///j/Temple/70//Wisconsin/67//Three Overtimes/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Marshall/71//Winthrop/65////Providence/48/j/South Carolina/67///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....last score."]
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[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-103 13620TC]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

The VMI Keydets invaded the Cassell last night and almost stole a win on the Hokies home floor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Keydets vs. Hokies; :00]
Shoes and shirts are required to enter Cassell Coliseum but once you're inside - anything goes! VMI led by 4 heading to the second half and Tech needed a lift desperately. Carlos Dixon's three pointer cut into the lead. He had 15 points. The Keydets would not go away quietly, however. Ben Rand hit five 3-pointers from way behind the arc. He finished with 21 and kept the Keydets in front. But Tech would keep coming with its inside game as Joe Hamilton gets two of his 10 points on the baseline drive and jam. Tech is now on top 54-to-52. VMI's Jason Conley led all scorers tonight as he threw down 29 on the Hokies. Conley also led all rebounders with a dozen boards.
[SUPER=33-VMI/73/Virginia Tech/74;]
But Tech would nip the Runnin' Roos 74-to-73 as Carlton Carter scores a team high 18 points. Here with the Hoop and Harm as the Hokies win by 1.
(------------)

[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-101 1:44:47]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]

The Virginia men's team is 4 and OH, ranked seventh in the country, and taking it easy tonight after its come from behind win over the Hokies on Saturday night. Steve Mason takes a look at Cavalier big man Travis Watson - one of the big reasons the Hoos are so hot.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Travis Watson/10.8 Points & 10 Rebounds a Game; :14]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :26]
[SUPER=01-Jason Rogers/UVa Junior Center; :41]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=.....News 7 sports"]
(------------)

((The junior have proven himself as a worthy giant killer. Last year the six foot 8 Watson fought through several injuries and had a streak of 45 straight starts before a hamstring injury sat him down. Thanks to an aggressive fitness program, Travis is tougher than ever. ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
Watson is averaging a double double through four games and has benefited from 6 foot 9, 265 pound freshman forward Elton Brown who scores over 10 points a game. But Watson, even as the shortest center in the ACC, won't relax. ((:)) Watson and the Cavaliers next take on Auburn, this Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))

[S-Dazzle]

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

The Roanoke Dazzle's five game road swing continued last night as the team lost to North Charleston Lowgators 97-to-90. Marshall Phillips led the way for Roanoke with a game high 29 points as Roanoke falls to 4-and-4 on the season. They are now off until Friday night when they host Asheville at the Roanoke Civic Center.

[S-Dudley]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-98 20152TC]
[GRAPHIC=DUDLEY AWARD]

The 2001 Dudley Award, which is given annually to the top college football player in the state, will be handed out tonight at the Downtown Club in Richmond.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Last December; :00]
Last year the pride of Roanoke - Lee Suggs - dominated the voting by winning the award in unanimous fashion. But this year the award is up for grabs. The three finalists are UVa wideout Billy McMullen, William and Mary quarterback David Corley and Tech linebacker Ben Taylor. The award will be presented tonight at seven.
(------------)
[Anchor=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=UVA FB]
Two UVa players earned ACC player of the week honors yesterday. Punter Mike Abram was named specialist of the week and John Duckett gets the ACC's defensive award for his play against Penn State.

[S-BCS]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MIAMI]
Thanks to its win over the Hokies, Miami is the clear cut number one team in the new BCS rankings. The Canes are in the Rose Bowl, but will have to wait until this Saturday night to see who they will play.
[GRAPHIC=TENNESSEE]
Tennessee is the new number two team in the Bowl Championship series standings and folks it is this simple. If Tennessee beat LSU in the SEC title game Saturday night - the Vols play in the Rose Bowl.
[GRAPHIC=NEBRASKA]
If Tennessee loses - then Nebraska will play Miami for the title. That is not what the BCS people want. If Nebraska sneaks in that will mean a team that didn't even qualify to play for its conference title, will get a shot at the national title.
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[TO TO PINNACLE] The good news is that you can have to go no farther than your Hometown Station to see what happens. The SEC title game is right here on WDBJ-7 this Saturday night at 8.
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[S-Catholic]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-112 7:57]
[GRAPHIC=track & field]

Roanoke Catholic's high flying basketball team isn't the only group up on the hill making headlines.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Celtics' runner Brian Doherty received a proclamation and a star from Mayor Ralph Smith during today's city council meeting. Doherty has been named the top high school male athlete in Virginia and was one of 102 finalists for the Wendy's high school Heisman award
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=01-Brian Doherty/High School Heisman Candidate; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=an honor in itself"]
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[Olympic-Torch]

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

The Olympic flame is on its way to the United States for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Athens, Greece]

The flame that will burn at the games in Salt Lake City began its journey today.
Salt Lake organizers used the torch to light a miner's lamp- They'll carry the flame on the flight to Atlanta, which hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics.
The U-S torch relay is scheduled to start tomorrow in Atlanta and follow a 65-day, 46-state course to arrive in Salt Lake City on February 8. (------------)