WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/26/02

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

Ahead on NEWS 7 at six...
Hundreds turn out to remember local golfing legend, Sam Snead.
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[VO-NAT]
And, it was only supposed to be for 30- days... Find out why the Mill Mountain Star is still shining red, white and blue months after the September eleventh attacks.

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[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

in sports, an incredible end to the Memorial PGA event today and the Indy 500 had a controversail finish as well,

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[VO-NAT]

and speaking of racing, we will hear from the men and women who prtect ournation on the special paint scheme on the Wood Brothers 21 car,
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

A cool front is helping fire up some thunderstorms with hail this afternoon. A watch is in effect until 8pm. Details coming up. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=We all know he]
((WE ALL KNOW HE WAS A GOOD GOLFER BUT HE WAS HUMOROUS TOO. MARK TWAIN HAD NOTHING ON HIM.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=on him.]
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[VO-NAT]
Friends and loved ones say good-bye to golfing great Sam Snead. The Virginia native and three time masters champion is laid to rest.
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[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Snead-Funeral]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=02-11 TC-1:37:29]
[GRAPHIC=Sam Snead]

Saint Luke's Episcopal Church in Hot Springs was the site of Sam Snead's Funeral.
Hundreds of people gathered to remember the local golfing legend.
He passed away Thursday after suffering a series of strokes.
As News 7's Jennifer Miele reports, Snead's legacy will live on in the hearts of many.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In a small]
[SUPER=03-Bath Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Bob Girling/Snead's Friend;:24]
[SUPER=01-Robert Harris/Greenbrier Resort;:46]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;1:19]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=Jennifer Miele, News 7, Bath Co.]
(( In a small church almost directly across from the Homestead, golfing legend Sam Snead was eulogized.
Friends and family were joined by the likes of Senator George Allen and golfing great Bob Goalby -- all there to pay respects.
And of course, Snead's golfing buddies turned out in their classic Sam Snead straw hats which they wore Sunday in memory of him.
[SOT]
((BOB GIRLING/FRIEND: HE BROUGHT GOLD INTO THE 20TH CENTURY. IF IT WASN'T FOR HIS CHARISMA IN THOSE YEARS, GOLD WOULD BE NOT A HOLE LOT TODAY.))
[RUNS= 11]
[TAPE#=02-15 TC1:51:32]

Snead won 81 P-G-A tournaments, more than any other golfer.
His friends say his attitude and accomplishments are well worth remembering today.
[SOT]
((ROBERT HARRIS/GREENBRIER: HE WOULD ALWAYS SEE THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THINGS....POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE.))
[RUNS= 14]

Snead died Thursday following a series of strokes since he returned home from the Masters.
His family says his 89 years were filled with love and laughter... be it at his winter home in Florida, or his hometown of Hot Springs.
So many came to remember his life, that the overflow crowd had to be placed in the alcove of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. [STAND UP] ((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: SAM SNEAD EMBRACED THIS COMMUNITY BY BUILDING A RESTAURANT JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM THIS VERY CHURCH. AND IT'S EVIDENT THE COMMUNITY EMBRACED HIM. THAT'S CLEAR BY THE SIZE OF TODAY'S CROWD. JENNIFER MIELE, NEWS 7, BATH COUNTY.))
[RUNS= 13]))

[Rke-Star]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-12 TC-1:30:28]
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The Mill Mountain Star is still showing its patriotic pride.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A week after the September 11th attacks, the city of Roanoke decided to change the star from white to red, white, and blue.
Originally the plan was to keep it that way for only 30 days.
But eight months later, the star is still shining red, white, and blue and the city says for now it will remain that color.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:28:50]
[IN Q=I think there]
((CHRIS SLONE/ROANOKE CITY SPOKESPERSON: I THINK THERE WOULD BE SOME DISCUSSION AMONG COUNCIL. CLEARLY, THE RESOLUTION SAID AFTER 30 DAYS IT COULD GO BACK TO WHITE OR IT SHOULD GO BACK TO WHITE. I THINK FROM THIS POINT FORWARD IS JUST THEM SAYING LOOK WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THIS TRIBUTE TO THE CITIZENS, PATRIOTISM, AND PRIDE.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Slone/Roanoke City Spokesperson]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=patriotism and pride]
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[VO-NAT]

In September, Downtown Roanoke Incorporated also decided to ask local businesses to change their own bulbs to red, white, and blue.
A spokesperson says that was part of the annual winter lights program and that it is now over so businesses can decide on their own whether they want to change the lights back to their original color.
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[Economic-Indicators]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=sun pm]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]

Virginia's economic numbers are in... and Roanoke's growth appears to be stagnant.
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[TAKE PINNACLE 1001EssC FS]
In fact, virtually all new jobs created in the first quarter of 2002 occurred in the three largest metropolitan areas -- Northern Virginia, Richmond and Norfolk. [TAKE PINNACLE 1002 EssC]
But even those cities only yielded point three percent growth rate compared to the three point one percent growth of last year. [TAKE PINNACLE 1003 Essc]
The good news is that hourly production earnings hit record levels to 14 dollars and fifty eight cents. [TAKE PINNACLE 1004 EssC]
The weekly factory wage reached six hundred three dollars.
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[Lake-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-22 TC-43:12]
[GRAPHIC=none]
State officials are watching the area's waterways closely this weekend. The start of the summer season is one of the busiest weekends for boat traffic, and possibly one of the most dangerous. News 7's Jennifer Wishon has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=This is a great weekend]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :05]
[SUPER=01-Allan Busch/Marine Firefighter; :11]
[SUPER=01-Boots Thompson/Boater; :37]
[SUPER=19-Jennifer Wishon/Reporting; 1:20]
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[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Bedford County]
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[SOT 15:31:28]
[IN Q=This is a great]
((THIS IS A GREAT WEEKEND-- THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN FOR MEMORIAL DAY.))
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[OUT Q=for Memorial Day]
Holiday weekends attract more boaters, which means more fun and more business, but also more dangerous waters.
[SOT 15:05:44]
[IN Q=The traffic has increased]
((ALLAN BUSCH/MARINE FIREFIGHTER: THE TRAFFIC HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY ON THE WEEKENDS. ON THE HOLIDAYS IT'S TEN FOLD. AND THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE VISITING HERE OTHER PEOPLE. AND THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VISITING ARE OPERATING THE BOATS AND THEY'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH BOATING.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=familiar with boating]
And it's those drivers unfamiliar with the lake who can cause the most problems... So, more experienced boaters like "Boots" Thompson make sure all safety precautions are on board.
[SOT 15:20:51]
[IN Q=What you really need]
(('BOOTS' THOMPSON/BOATER: WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO DO IS HAVE YOUR PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES ON BOARD - WHICH ARE LIFE PRESERVERS - EVERYBODY CALLS THEM PFD'S NOW FOR SHORT. AND JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FEW FOR EACH PERSON AND WE KEEP A COUPLE EXTRA ONES ON BOARD.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=ones on board]
He also says that if you are going to drink while you boat -- always have a designated driver... Also, officials say when encountering other boats, maintain a safe speed and practice good sportsmanship. And always leave plenty of room between boats when stopping, because when the waters are crowded there's little room for error.
[SOT 15:06:22]
[IN Q=In the Roanoke]
((ALLAN BUSCH/MARINE FIREFIGHTER: IN THE ROANOKE CHANNEL I'D SAY THE BRIDGE TO BERNARDS LANDING-- A COUPLE MILE STRETCH IS LIKE AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS.))
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[OUT Q=on holiday weekends]
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[SOT 15:13:27]
[IN Q=NAT MOTOR AND WATER]
((NAT SOUND WATER AND MOTOR))
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[OUT Q=NAT MOTOR AND WATER]
[SOT 15:15:47]
[IN Q=Even the region's]
((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: EVEN THE REGION'S RECENT DROUGHT HASN'T KEPT HOLIDAY TRAVELERS FROM SETTING SAIL. AND THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND PROMISES TO DRAW AN EVEN BIGGER CROWD. HOWEVER, WHILE FUN IN THE SUN IS IMPORTANT OFFICIALS SAY SAFETY MUST COME FIRST. JENNIFER WISHON, NEWS 7 BEDFORD COUNTY))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=News 7, Bedford County]))

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]
Still to come on News 7 at 6, countless vacationers will be travelling to the beach instead of the lake this summer...

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[VO-NAT]
we'll find out why researchers say when the sun sets, the ocean belongs to the sharks. The story coming up..... but first let's check in with Robin...
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[First-Wx]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER Position #1
[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST WATER LEVELS

[COMMERCIAL][Shark-Survey]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The unofficial start of summer is here and that means more people will be heading to ocean beaches up and down America's coasts.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-off Virginia Beach; ]
Researchers off the coast of Virginia Beach are already thinking sharks as they embark on the first shark census of the season. What they found is that swimmers should be out of the water by dusk. The graduate students found that bigger sharks come out when the sun goes down. Most of the sharks were tagged and released but some of the smaller sharks were numbered and taken back to the lab for further study.
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[SOT 15:47:25]
[IN Q=If there's ]
((IF THERE'S A SAND BAR.....ON THE BACK DECK.))
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=on the back deck.]
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[VO-NAT]
Some of the sharks caught and released were 10- foot long.
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[Coast-Guard]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Coast Guard is looking for a man who disappeared last night when a fishing boat sank about two miles off the Virginia coast. One of the two men aboard was rescued... but the other man remains missing. The 60- foot boat sank last night off Cape Henry, near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

[Feedback]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=FdBack]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Our coverage of a potential controversy over another high school mascot is the topic in our viewer mail this week.

Here's assignment editor Joe McKean, with Feedback.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Animation Open]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/File Tape; :05]
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[OUT Q=Animation Close]
((The Montgomery County school board found itself facing questions over the use of a blue demon as the mascot for Christiansburg middle and high schools.
Some parents believe the symbol violates the county's new policy against emblems that show race, religion, nationality or ethnicity.
One viewer from Christiansburg is against doing away with the demon.
"I can tell you for myself, as well as for other students from Christiansburg, I have dignity, it does show pride and it is in no way negative. Our mascot is here to stay like it or not. Give your son a chance to be a Christiansburg Demon. You will see his pride and love for his school grow and it will in no way be negative."
The mailing address for News-7's letters from viewers is PO Box 7, Roanoke, 24022-0007. Our fax number is 343-7269. And our email address is news@wdbj7.com.
Joe McKean, News-7.))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=NONE]

Still ahead on News 7 at 6... could there be a repeat winner at the Indy 5-00? Steve Mason will have highlights...

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[VO-NAT]
And, we'll take a look at why coaches say this local pint sized gymnast is just as energetic off the mat as on. Stay with us...
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[Miller-Award]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Miller Brewing Company is honoring one of its local suppliers for providing high-quality products and services.
Industrial Technologies of Danville won the brewer's prestigious "Partners in Excellence award" for 2001.
It's the fourth time the company was chosen for the honor.
Industrial Technologies supplies bearings, drive products and rubber products for Miller's production line.
It has been in business for 25 years.

[Gymnastics]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jmi]
[TAPE#=VA Profile]
[GRAPHIC=none]
One local girl is celebrating her second state gymnastics championship in a row. Coaches say seven-year-old Mary Beth Kern is just as talented at friendship as she is at back flips. Jennifer Miele has more in this week's Virginia Profile.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Mary Beth Kearn is]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.;:00]
[SUPER=01-Amber Brooks/Mary Beth's Coach;:13]
[SUPER=01-Mary Jo Kern/Mary Beth's Mother;:33]
[SUPER=01-Mary Beth Kern/State Gymnastics Champion;1:03]
[SUPER=@jennifer1;1:12]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=JM News 7 Botetourt.]

(( Mary Beth Kern is the sweetheart of Botetourt Gymnastics.
Her playful smile and unending enthusiasm make her a friend of many... and a coach's dream.
[SOT]
[tc:] ((AMBER BROOKS/MARY BETH'S COACH: SHE IS JUST VERY TALENTED. I'VE BEEN COACHING HER SINCE SHE WAS THREE YEARS OLD, AND SHE'S VERY CACHEABLE, GREAT TO WORK WITH.)) [RUNS13]
Mary Beth is a two time level five state gymnastics champion.
When she one this year's competition, she didn't even know. [TC:] ((MARY JO KERN/MARY BETH'S MOTHER: WHEN SHE COMPETES, SHE REALIZES HER OWN SCORE, BUT NOT THE OTHER GIRLS, AND SHE GOT HER AWARD AND SAT DOWN AND SAID, MOMMY, WHO WON? I SAID, YOU DID.)) [RUNS13]
It was only about two minutes into our interview with her that she stole our hearts...
She played with her ringlets and flashed us a modest smile... saying simply she'd rather show us than tell us about how fun gymnastics is. [TC:] ((MARY BETH KERN/STATE GYMNASTICS CHAMPION: SO MARY BETH, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS? SINCE I WAS TWO AND A HALF. DO YOU LIKE IT? YES.)) [RUNS06] [STAND UP] ((JENNIFER MIELE/REPORTING: MARY BETH MAY BE A WOMAN OF FEW WORDS, BUT SHE'S CERTAINLY NOT A WOMAN OF FEW FLIPS. AND THAT SORT OF BRINGS OUT THE KID IN ME. MARY BETH, DO YOU THINK I COULD DO THAT? YES. LET'S TRY.)) [RUNS15]
Her coaches say Mary Beth brings the best in everybody.
And even though she doesn't have much to say about her talent, she's got a lot to show for it.
Once, at a bad meet, she won a red ribbon instead of the first place blue she was used to.
Instead of being upset, she was quite thrilled to add another color to her collection.
Mary Beth may not have Olympic dreams yet... but believe me, her dreams are just as sweet as she is.
Jennifer Miele, News 7, Botetourt.))

[Sport tease]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

An exciting finish is the theme of the day. A great end to the Indianapolis 500
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[VO-NAT]

and the end to the Memorial was incredible as Jim Furyk rallies on the back nine to win the title.
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[S-INDY]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-1201:35:05]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]
[SUPER=19-Daron Williams/WDBJ Sports]

Helio Castroneves win the Indianapolis 500 for a second straight year today, the first to accomplish that feat since Al Unser Senior won back to back Indy 500's in 1971.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Indianapolis, IN/ABC; :00]

But the race did not go without controversy. Paul Tracy appeared to pass Castroneves on the second to last lap but race officials said a yellow flag had come out prior to the pass after two other cars crashed.
The win was more about fuel conservation as Castroneves went the final 42 laps on his last tank of gas.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=".....this is not the same...]
[SUPER=01-Helio Castroneves/Indy 500 Winner; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=......i did it again"]
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[ANCHOR=steve]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]

Paul Tracy was second and Felipe Giaffone was third.

[S-Coke]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Lowes speedway]

Now Robby Gordon would attempt to pull a Tony Stewart and run at Indianapolis and then fly to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. Gordon finished eighth at Indy, the last car on the lead lap and did make it in time for the Coke 600 which is on lap ___. Highlights at 11.

[S-WOODS]

[ANCHOR=STEVE]
[NEWSCAST=6PM]
[WRITER=mbr]
[TAPE#=SP-110]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar]
The Coke 600 is underway at this hour at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Pre-race ceremonies for Nascar's longest race featured a fly-over by a United States Air Force B-2 Stealth Bomber. The Air Force is also represented on the track tonight.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC; :00]
Elliott Sadler's Wood Brothers #21 car carries the United States Air Force colors.
The Air Force and the Woods wanted to use this weekend's Memorial Day race as a tribute to America's fighter pilots.
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[SOT]
[IN Q="It's definitely...]
[SUPER=01-Randy Fuller/Air Force Motorsports Program; :00]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=...to that community."]
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[VO-NAT]
The Air Force is an associate sponsor for the Wood Brother's Racing Team. Getting the chance to feature their colors as a primary sponsor for this race and the September race in Dover is part of a long-standing relationship between the parties.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We can't tell..."]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=...and the Wood Brothers]
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[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-111 1:58:50]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
In major league baseball today, the Braves beat the Reds thanks to Vinny Castilla and Wes Helms homeruns and the fact Greg Maddux allowed just three runs and seven hits for the win.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/TBS; :00]
Atlanta also got some help from that guy, Keith Lockhart who hit a three-run homer to lead the Braves to a 7-to-5 victory over Cincinnati. Ken Griffey Junior, making his second start since returning from seven weeks on the disabled list, went oh-for-4 for the Reds.
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[S-Hall]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-113]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]

A big day for three Roanoke Valley coaching legends today as AAU guru JOe Gaither, former William Fleming football Coach George Miller and Fleming girls basketball coach Cynthia Brown
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

are inducted into the Shieks Athletic Hall of fame, an organization that has been in roanoke for over 40 years. Former Fleming graduate and now Wake Forest head coach Charlene Curtis was on hand as the featured speaker.
More on this specialy ceromony at 11.
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[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP_116 ]
[GRAPHIC=PGA]

The fourth and final round of the Memorila teed off today and what an incredible finish to this PGA event.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

There was a four way tie as golfers hit the back nine but Jim Furyk rallied on the final nine holes to pull away from the pack. Her he gets the eagle on the par five 15th with this shot for the sand, he wins the meorial with 14 under totla and a final round of 65.
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[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-117 1:48:06]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]

The Virginia football team opens the season August 22nd against Colorado State in the Jim Thorpe Classic. The Cavaliers will play a school record 13 games next season, something coach Al Groh doesn't blink an eye.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:23]
(--------------) [OUT Q=....young team also"]