WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 12/02/02

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

New information in the Kenya attacks and a claim of responsibility.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Cigarettes now cost more in one local city.
No heat meant no school this afternoon in one district.
Plus hauling in the holiday season in D-C. Not one.. but two trees arrive.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And is snow in the forecast?
News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Planning for the future.... It's the question facing the city of Salem... but with no easy answers.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]

[Salem-Planning]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC19:17]
[GRAPHIC=Salem]
For more than a year-- a group of citizens has worked to develop a footprint for the city. Tonight-- the group presented its findings to the public. But as Teresa Hamilton reports-- reaction was less than favorable.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The citizens ]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ann Thompson/Salem Resident; :13]
[SUPER=01-Bill Modica/Salem Resident; 1:02]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:29]
[OUT Q=News 7, Salem. ]
(( The citizens sitting on this review committee want to guide the city of Salem into the future-- Here at the Salem Civic Center-- the group showcased its many ideas before turning the floor over for citizen comment.

(////sot///)
[sot 18:43:36]
[IN Q= We don't ]
(( WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS YOU'RE TRYING TO DO... OR IF WE DO, WE DON'T LIKE IT. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE. )) [runs10]
[out q= MAKE SENSE. ]
Anne Thompson's sentiment was shared by most who spoke... Residents urged the committee to re-think its position on nearly everything from land use to economic development.
(////sot///)
[sot 18:49:16]
[in q=We're just going to ]
((WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO FACE THE FACT THAT WE ARE LANDLOCKED... THERE IS NO MORE SPACE... AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STOP TRYING TO BRING IN INDUSTRY...BECAUSE WE CAN'T... WE JUST HAVE NO PLACE TO PUT THEM. )) [runs14]
[out q= to put them. ]
Most residents urged the committee to focus on promoting tourism and the area's many historical attributes. Preserving the Elizabeth Campus was also a top priority.
(///sot///)
[sot 18:08:57]
[in q= i realie]
((I REALIZE.... GATHERING MORE INFORMATION.. TO GET MORE INPUT. )) [runs12]
[out q= more input. ]
At this point-- the committee's plan is only a draft. The group says it will make changes based on citizens comment-- before presenting its final recommendations to the planning commission and city council... which will both hold public hearings. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Salem .))

[Tobacco-Tax]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC32:41]
[GRAPHIC=Salem Tobacco Tax]

Salem is moving into the future with a tax on cigarettes.
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[VO-NAT :28]
[SUPER=03-Salem;]
The city's new tobacco tax kicked in yesterday. The extra fifteen cents a pack will help pay for improvements at Andrew Lewis Middle School. Some store owners have been concerned smokers will take their business to Roanoke County where the charter prevents the imposition of a cigarette tax. Salem will also use revenue from the doubled car decal fee, a new cell phone tax and an increase in the lodging tax to pay for improvements to the school.
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[Craig-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-36 TC2:05:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Craig County students are heading back to school tomorrow ... after yet another early dismissal today.
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[VO-NAT :19.5]
[SUPER=03-Craig Co.;]
Problems with a new heating system forced school to be canceled or let out early FOUR times in the last few weeks. Today the elementary building was heated, but classrooms in the High School were cold. A problem with a controls part was found and fixed. Today 700-students in grades K through 12 were sent home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:24:20 - :17]
[IN Q=THEY DO HAVE]
((TRACY SURFACE/PARENT; THEY DO HAVE BUILT IN DAYS BUT A LOT OF THE SNOW DAYS AND WE DO GET A LOT OF SNOW AROUND HERE SO I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THEY'LL END UP TACKING ON DAYS AT THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE KIDS ARE GOING TO LOOSE THEIR EASTER VACATION AND WHATEVER I'M WORRIED ABOUT THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Tracy Surface/Parent;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=ABOUT THAT.]
(------------)
The Superintendent of Schools says no changes are necessary for the school calendar at this point.
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[Water-Restrictions]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC13:23]
[GRAPHIC=Water Restrictions]

The water level may be going up at Carvins Cove, but that doesn't necessarily mean water restrictions will be coming down.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carvins Cove]

The level at the city's main reservoir has stabilized at 22- point- six feet below the spillway.
If more rain or snow raises the level to 22 feet, city officials say they'll begin looking at the possibility of relaxing some restrictions.
But city leaders say that decision won't be automatic.
City Manager Darlene Burcham says the cost of water purchased from Roanoke County and other improvements will likely require an increase in water rates early next year.
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[Olinger]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-37 TC1:54:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

For more than 35 years he served Blacksburg as a firefighter and police officer... he was even Frank Beamer's bodyguard.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Jerry Olinger (Oh-ling-er) died of pancreatitis last Wednesday and was laid to rest today.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Olinger once served as captain of the Blacksburg Rescue Squad and was a lifetime member of the Volunteer Fire Department.
He also worked at the Virginia Tech police department for 30-years, and in 19-95, ran for Sheriff of Montgomery County.
Olinger was 60-years old.
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[W&L-Death]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC1:38:15]
[GRAPHIC=Cullum Owings]
"A friend in all situations." That's how a fellow fraternity officer described Cullum Owings. The 22-year old college senior died last night in a traffic accident near Lexington... just minutes away from completing an eight-hour drive from Atlanta.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington]
Owings was on his way back to Washington and Lee with his brother, Pierce, a W-and-L freshman. Pierce survived the wreck UN-harmed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:28:45]
[IN Q=It's the closest]
((BILL MEALOR/OWINGS' FRIEND; IT'S THE CLOSEST FAMILY I'VE EVER SEEN. AMAZING GUY. HIS FATHER & MOTHER BOTH ADMIRABLY STRONG THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL, THIS TRAGEDY.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Mealor/Owings' Friend]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=ordeal, this tragedy.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Stephen Cullum Owings, Junior, had been Rush Chairman at Sigma Alpha Epsilon and was due to graduate in the Spring.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]
The driver of the tractor trailer that hit their '92 Lexus from behind has been charged with "reckless driving"

[Hudson]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]

A Franklin County mother has been charged with drunk driving and involuntary manslaughter in the auto accident that killed her daughter.
A grand jury indicted 40-year-old Velda Newcomb Hudson today.
On August 14th, the Toyota 4-Runner Hudson was driving overturned, killing her 14-year-old daughter, Amy.
Police say this is Hudson's SECOND D-U-I.

[Cruise-Ship]

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

A Carnival Cruise Ship is headed back out to sea... after getting a scrub down earlier today.
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[VO-NAT 16]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL;]

85 people who were booked to sail on the "Fascination" opted to reschedule- That still leaves about one thousand others headed out to sea.
The ship returned this morning from a three day voyage-
About 200 of the 35-hundred on board got sick- with a stomach virus.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35]
[IN Q=]
((DAVID CONE/SICK PASSENGER: THROWING UP. STOMACH CRAMPS. DON'T FEEL GOOD.))
[SUPER=01-David Cone/Sick Passenger;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=don't feel good.]
(-----------)
[Vo-nat 04]
This is what Carnivals president had to say.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 27]
[IN Q=]
((BOB DICKINSON/CARNIVAL PRESIDENT: THERE IS AN NATIONAL OUTBREAK SECOND MOST COMMON AFTER THE COMMON COLD. PEOPLE CAN GET IT RESTAURANTS AND SCHOOLS SHOPPING MALLS ETC.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Dickinson/Carnival President;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=SHOPPING MALLS.]
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[VO-NAT 16.5]

The Fascination underwent a cleaning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It's now on its way on a four day cruise to Key West and Cozumel.
Dickinson says it is impossible to completely prevent the virus because people bring it on board.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT45]
[IN Q=]
((WE CAN HAVE THIS SHIP PERFECTLY SANITIZED AND I WOULD SUBMIT TO YOU. AND I WOULD LAST FRIDAY MORNING ARE FOR NAUGHT.))
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=ARE FOR NAUGHT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 05 plus pad]

The bug has made about 1-thousand people ill on ships over the past few months.
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[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

A local couple arrested for selling heroin may have bragged about its deadly strength.
That story when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]

Plus al-Qaida takes credit for a suicide attack in Kenya... its first attack againts Israelis.
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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 Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as we attempt to sort through some of the bowl options for Tech and Uva and give props to the Big East special teams player of the week. The Tech basketball team gets outsmarted by the kings of SATs and court tonight. Texas A & M is down to 11 men after its head coach is fired. And the Holiday Hoopla is returning to Salem this month - details tonight on the Big 7.))

[Kenya]

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

A statement is posted on the Internet about the Kenya attacks-
U-S officials say it is apparently from Al-Qaida-
(------------)
[VO-NAT 19.5]
[SUPER=03-Mombassa, Kenya/Last Week;]
claiming responsibility for the suicide bombing and airplane attack.
The statement calls the Kenya attacks a greeting to the Palestinian people for the holy month of Ramadan.
U-S counterterrorism officials consider it credible.
Osama Bin Laden has made no secret his hatred for Israel but he has so far gone after Americans.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:23]
[IN Q=]
((ABDEL BARI ATWAN/AL-QUDS EDITOR; I THINK NOW HE SAID TO EVERYONE look EVERYBODY I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ISRAEL.. BULLS EYE. I'M ATTACKING THE ISRAELIS.))
[SUPER=01-Abdel Bari Atwan/Al-Quds Editor; ]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=attacking the Israelis]
(---------)
[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile U-S officials say the missile launchers recovered after the failed attack on an Israeli jumbo jet- offer physical clues.
They say the launchers come from the same production batch as one an al -Qaeda operative fired at a U-S military plane in Saudi Arabia several months ago.
(------------)

[Iraq]

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

A U-S led war with Iraq seems more likely.
Today President Bush said he does not like the way United Nations weapons inspections are going.
He made it clear the U-S intends to enforce a deadline- this coming Sunday for Saddam Hussein to deliver a complete list of weaponry.
Drew Levinson has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=@Fleischer; :35]
[SUPER=01-Brigadier Samir Ibrahim Abbas; :47]
[SUPER=01-Jack Straw/British Foreign Secretary; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Dick Cheney/Vice President; 1:19]
[Super=@Levinson1; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]
((AS UN WEAPONS INSPECTORS DISCOVERED MISSING EQUIPMENT FROM A FORMER MISSILE PLANT--PRESIDENT BUSH FIRED ANOTHER SHOT OF HIS OWN AT THE IRAQI LEADER.
(BUSH)
"Has Saddam Hussein changed his behavior of the last 11 years? So far the signs are not encouraging." AFTER SPENDING SIX HOURS AT A BALLISTICS PLANT IN BAGHDAD--THE INSPECTORS SAID VITAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT THAT HAD BEEN DISABLED FOUR YEARS AGO BY INSPECTORS COULD NO LONGER BE FOUND. THE IRAQIS CLAIM SOME IF WAS DESTROYED DURING U-S AIRSTRIKES AND SOME WAS TRANSFERRED. THE WHITE HOUSE BELIEVES THE IRAQIS ARE ONCE AGAIN HIDING SOMETHING.
(SOT ARI FLEISHER/WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON)
"Iraq is a country the size of France, if they desire to hide things, they have the means and the ability and the history of doing so." IRAQ CONTINUES TO DENY IT HAS ANY OF THE PROHIBITED WEAPONS.
(SOT BRIGADIER SAMIR IBRAHIM ABBAS)
"All that has been said, and all that has been written about the country is a false lie." PRESSURE CONTINUES TO ALSO MOUNT FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. A REPORT ACCUSES SADDAM OF GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, RANGING FROM RAPE TO MASS EXECUTION.
(SOT JACK STRAW/BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY)
"abuses of the Iraqi regime extend far beyond its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction ." AND THE VICE PRESIDENT ONCE AGAIN SOUNDED WHAT HAS BECOME A FAMILIAR CRY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.
(CHENEY)
"Delay and defiance will invite the severest consequences."
(S/U DREW LEVINSON)
With Such harsh words coming from the Administration--Sunday's deadline may mean very little in the eyes of the United States. That's the day Iraq is supposed to provide a list of its weapons of mass destruction.))

[Heroin-Busts]

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

A Botetourt County couple accused of selling heroin faces life in prison.
A grand jury indicted 19-year-old Sarah Thrasher and 20-year-old Kenaz (Keen-is) Pritchard today on distribution charges.
Prosecutors say in July they sold heroin to a 19-year-old Radford University student who overdosed and died.
While out on bond, prosecutors say they were arrested again for selling heroin to an undercover officer.
Prosecutors say they the undercover officer recorded the pair saying "This stuff is so good it killed the last guy."

[Patsel]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC28:27]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Five men have come forward to accuse a Franklin County man of sexually abusing them as boys.
The grand jury handed up indictments today...
(------------)
[VO]
56-year-old Danny Lee Patsel (PATE-sul) is charged with forcible sodomy of two boys under the age of 13.
The charges span a period from 1986 to 1995.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

He was also charged back in August with molesting three other boys, who are now adults.
Patsel's attorney says his client is innocent and that the accusations are fabricated.
Patsel is being held in the Franklin County jail without bond.

[Monacan-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-43 TC1:31:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Two of central Virginia's most famous residents have bridges named after them.. now some people would like to see the area's OLDEST residents honored in the same way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

The local chapter of the Virginia Organizing Project is asking area legislators to sponsor a bill that would name the new Route 29 Bypass bridge after the Monacan Indian nation.
The bridge spans the James River between Campbell and Amherst Counties.
State senator Steve Newman says he likes the idea but wants the entire community to have some input as well.
(------------)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]

Some Winter Weather's in the forecast.
Robin will be here with the details in just a moment.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, these Navy Seals have a tough mission ahead... but it's not hunting terrorists or attacking Iraq.
They're fundraising.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Capitol-Tree]

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

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the nation's capital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]

This special delivery from Oregon arrived today- It is the Capitol Holiday tree-
The 70 foot Douglas Fir was cut November 7th-
The tree then made the 32-hundred mile trek through ten states-
The tree was hoisted into place today-
It'll adorn the capitol lawn- decorated with 10- thousand lights and ornaments made by Oregon residents.
The official tree lighting takes place December 12th.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[DC-Tree]

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

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]

The official White House Christmas Tree also arrived today- brought in on a horse drawn wagon.
It is a Noble fir- from the Hedlund Family of Elma, Washington.
The family won the National tree growing contest.
First Lady Laura Bush says because Thanksgiving was so late this year, workers at the White House are scurrying to get all the decorations done in time.
(------------)

[Seals-Kayaking]

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

U-S Navy SEALS usually operate in secret.
But four SEALS want all the publicity they can get for this mission.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Norfolk]

The team members are kayaking approximately 170 miles from Norfolk to Washington, D-C to raise money for the children of their fallen brothers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's basically to]
((IT'S BASICALLY TO ATTRACT ATTENTION TO THE FOUNDATION, SOMETHING CRAZY, SOMETHING TO WHICH PEOPLE WILL SAY OH MY GOD, LOOK WHAT THEY'RE DOING, LET'S GIVE THEM SOME CASH.)) [NO SUPER]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=give them some cash.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation helps educate children of special forces members killed in training or combat.
The Kayakers say their biggest challenge will probably be dealing with the wind on the bay and river.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

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

Bowl scenarios, a Wofford Whooping - a Texas sized firing and Holiday Hoops. But first in tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]
The Indians lost fan favorite Jim Thome to the Phillies today as he signed a six year deal worth $87 million dollars.

He hit 334 homers as an Indian and had his mentor Charlie Manuel not been fired last year - Thome likely would have never have considered leaving.
(------------)
[go to motion] [go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5022;]
[SUPER=0100-/N.Y. Jets/10//Oakland/20/3//;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Wofford/79//Virginia Tech/77////Marquette #13/60/j/Notre Dame/92///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Longwood/76//Queens/72///j/Washington & Lee/89//Southern Va./58///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Bridgewater/60//Washington & Lee/30//Women/j/Longwood/89//Queens/57//Women/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Southern Va./37/j/Radford/87//Women/j/Ferrum/74//Lynchburg/57///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(------------------)

[S-BCS]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=BCS]
The Bowl Championship Series standings for this the next to last week are out and while Miami and Ohio State remain one and two the interesting thing is what happens below them.
(------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE] Georgia, which plays for the SEC title this week is third and now USC is fourth. Iowa is fifth and the important things for both West Virginia and Tech fans and even UVa fans to note is that Notre Dame is 10th. The Irish only need to be in the top 12 of the final BCS standings to qualify for a BCS spot. Right now you would have to think the Orange Bowl would have Florida State against Notre Dame.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/UVA]
The fear that Notre Dame would drop into the Gator Bowl and knock West Virginia out thus creating somewhat of a domino effect put everything on hold today. Some of bowl uncertainty could be ironed out tomorrow. Basically thought - if Virginia Tech ends up in Charlotte - UVa is headed all the way to Seattle. The Tire bowl in Charlotte wants Tech, but it also would like a UVa vs. West Virginia matchup.

[S-Groh]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-122 15959TC]
[GRAPHIC=uva]

After the Tech game on Saturday night Al Groh took a shot at the so-called "soft" Maryland out of conference schedule as he planted his tongue firmly in his cheek and gave this assessment of one of Maryland's foes this season the Wofford Terriers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Al Groh/UVa Head Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=...ON THE SCHEDULE."]
(-------------)

[S-Wofford]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-127]
[GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS]
Well, Groh may want Wofford - but the Tech men's basketball team won't have anything to do with them in the future. After opening the season with a promising 3 and 1 mark, Tech not only outsmarted by the brainy ones from Wofford, but they also were outplayed.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Wofford vs. Virginia Tech; :00]
First year Wofford coach Mike Young is a Radford native. A lot of friends and family members were in the house last night and they would see his team rain down a barrage of three pointers on the Hokies. Wofford jumped on top off the opening tap and never looked back, as they led by 17 points at the half. Terry Taylor powered the Tech attack with 21 points.
[SUPER=33-Wofford/79/Virginia Tech/77;]
But Tech never led against the second smallest school in division one. Wofford wins it 79-to-77.
(----------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]
The Tech men next play VMI on Thursday night at the Cassell.
[GRAPHIC=UVA]
Tonight the Tech women host the UVa women at 7.

[S-Justin]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-131]
[GRAPHIC=tech]

In a couple of other Tech notes from the gridiron. The team got a big verbal commitment today from Corey Gordon. Gordon played this season at Hargrave under coach Robert Prunty. The six-three, 205 pound strong safety picked Tech over Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and Louisville.
(------------)
[VO NAT ENG#]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Saturday; :00]
Earlier today the Hokies' Justin Hamilton - the redshirt freshman from Clintwood, was named the Big East special teams player of the week. His blocked punt last Saturday keyed the Hokies 21-to-9 win over UVa.
(-------------)

[S-Slocum]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-132]
[GRAPHIC=TEXAS A&M]

One of Tech's victims this season has victimized one of its own last night as head coach R.C. Slocum was fired after 14 seasons as the head coach of the Texas A & M Aggies.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-College Station, TX; :00]
Slocum won 123 games and lost just 47 on that span, but this season they lost to Tech and their 3-5 finish in the Big 12 was their first losing record in league play since 1984.
The 58 year old Slocum was in the 4th year of a 7-year deal he signed in 1999. A&M was 6 & 6 this season.
(------------)

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-125 1:43:56]
[GRAPHIC=BASKETBALL]

The Salem Civic Center is already getting ready for some after Christmas Hoops at the "house that Harveycutter built."
The fifth annual Holiday Hoopla boys basketball tournament begins on the 26th of the month and here's Steve Mason with the details.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dick Wall/Roanoke Catholic Head Coach; :25]
[SUPER=01-Billy Hicks/Cave Spring Head Coach; :56]
[SUPER=01-Randy Meck/Tournament Director; 1:31]
[RUNS=2:10]
[OUT Q=..news 7 sports"]
(------------)

[Santas]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=kco]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
As the saying goes - "Practice Makes Perfect"... and that's what hundreds of Santas are doing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Berlin, Germany]
About 400 Santa Clauses - along with the helping hands of 75 angels -gathered this weekend to sharpen their voices, bell-ringing techniques and "Ho, Ho, Ho's" for the season. For a small fee - the Santas visit children and deliver gifts to charity organizations as well. Every year, about 10-thousand families in Berlin and the surrounding area order a visit from one the jolly fellows. (------------)