WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 12/18/02

[1-News-Head]

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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
A citizen finds a dead body in the woods along Shenandoah Avenue.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And where do you go when you've just lost everything to fire? We'll find an answer in Central Virginia.

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Tonight in sports, Uva's Al Groh gets a big commitment, Salem gets ready for its Stagg party,
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[VO-NAT]

but Trinity quarterback Roy Hampton won't be on hand for the festivities.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Locked with clouds and cold readings today. The clouds stick around but warm air is on the way. Details just ahead.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

News 7 at six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
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(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It is a ]
((IT IS A SUSPICIOUS DEATH))
[RUNS=:02]
[OUT Q=suspicious death.]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The remains of a woman discovered in a wooded area in Roanoke.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The body was only about 100 feet from a busy roadway.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And I'm Shannon Young.
[Body-found]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-44 TC1:18:15]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-shot]
The woman appears to be in her thirties.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
If police know who she is, they're not saying just yet.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
The investigation began with a tip. Authorities pronounced the woman dead on the scene.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:35]
[IN Q=We received a]
((SHELLY ALLEY/ROANOKE POLICE DEPT. SPOKESWOMAN; WE RECEIVED A 911 CALL ABOUT 9 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING THAT A PASSERBY THOUGHT WHAT LOOKS TO BE A BODY IN THE WOODS IN THE 3800 BLOCK OF SHENANDOAH AVENUE JUST OFF OF SHENANDOAH AND HONEYSUCKLE STREET IN THE WOODS.))
[SUPER=01-Shelly Alley/Roanoke Police Dept. Spokeswoman]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=in the woods.]
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[VO-NAT]
It's unclear whether the woman was carrying any identification. At first officials said she wasn't, then declined to re-confirm that. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. That may also help determine the woman's identity. City police say they have already received some calls, resulting from earlier reports of this morning's discovery. But they're still asking for help from anyone who saw anything unusual near Honeysuckle and Shenandoah yesterday or early this morning.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]

Another body was found at the Jefferson Motor Lodge this afternoon.
Roanoke police say the body of a 52 year old man was found in one of the rooms by the lodge's manager.
Officers are calling it suspicious.

[Salem-Shooting]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC22:06]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]

A Roanoke man remains in the hospital tonight, after being wounded by a Salem police officer.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Last Night;]

State Police say 20- year- old Michael Scott Peery was shot in the abdomen by Salem Officer Michael H. Brightwell Junior.
Authorities say it was an accidental shooting that happened as officers were making an undercover drug buy.
Two suspects fled. One of the men tripped and fell, and the officer moved in to make an arrest. Police say the suspect reached for the officer's weapon, and the gun discharged.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Peery remains in the hospital, but officials aren't releasing any information about his condition. The second suspect, 21- year- old John Crozier Draper Junior of Roanoke, faces charges of drug possession with intent to distribute. Officer Brightwell has been placed on administrative leave until a State Police investigation is complete.

[Warner-budget]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC23:00]
[SS=Virginia Budget]

Virginia's budget crisis has meant layoffs for state workers, longer lines at the D-M-V and higher college tuition.

Now Governor Mark Warner says he has a plan to help the state avoid those problems in the future.
[DOUBLE BOXES=SHannon & Meghan/State Microwave;]

Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon joins us with the details.
The governor wants the state to save more money during the good times
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]

and take corrective action sooner during the bad times.
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[IN Q=GOVERNOR WARNER IS PROPOSING.]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=@MarkWarner; :16]
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[OUT Q=PART OF POLITICS.]
(( Governor Warner is proposing a number of reforms designed to prevent a repeat of the budget crisis that has dominated his first year in office.
He says that in order for the state to stay fiscally sound, it should reforecast revenues at the first signs of an economic downturn.
[SOT 02:23:02]
[IN Q=ANY WELL-RUN BUSINESS]
[RUNS:09]
[OUT Q=STATE SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT.]

Warner's reforms would also require a 50 percent increase in the amount of money the state stashes away in its so-called Rainy Day fund.
He says Virginia would have an additional 160-million dollars on hand today had this law been in place during the economic boom of the 90s.
[SOT 02:24:15]
[IN Q=JUST AS ANY FAMILY]
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=WHEN TIMES ARE GOOD.]

The Governor says the cuts he will announce on Friday may not be as "draconian" as expected because his administration reacted quickly to the crisis.
Meanwhile, Republicans continue to criticize Warner for refusing to share the documents submitted by state agencies that the governor used in preparing his budget.
Salem delegate and House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith says the governor is breaking the law.
Warner denies the accusation.
[SOT 02:38:14]
[IN Q=I THINK THE MAJORITY LEADER]
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=THAT'S PART OF POLITICS.]))
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[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

He want the state to do a better job determining the long-term costs of new programs.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]

And sunset new boards and commissions so they don't live on forever.

[Victory-House]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-39 TC1:34:55]
[GRAPHIC=None]

People in need usually call on one of three resources: the police department, fire department or their local church.
Now, all three are teaming up to help central Virginia families caught in desperate situations.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Fire and police]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; :00]
[SUPER=01-Buddy Martinette/Lynchburg Fire Chief; :13]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :21]
[SUPER=01-Col. Charles Bennett/Lynchburg Police Chief; :38]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :49]
[SUPER=01-Jim Whitaker/Victory Christian Fellowship; 1:05]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( Fire and police authorities say they've seen it happen countless times.
After responding to a fire or serious car accident, they finish their work and head home.. often leaving behind homeless or stranded victims.
[SOT 11:29:27]
((BUDDY MARTINETTE/LYNCHBURG FIRE CHIEF: AND I THINK GREAT FIRE DEPARTMENTS DO A MUCH BETTER JOB AND GREAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS DO A BETTER JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CITIZENS THAN THAT.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=than that.]

So the Lynchburg police and fire departments and Victory Christian Fellowship church are banding together to make a difference.
Through generous contractors and private donations, they plan to build Victory House.. a three bedroom home where families can walk in with just the clothes on their back and be fed, clothed and sheltered for up to 90 days.
[SOT 11:31:07]
((COL. CHARLES BENNETT/LYNCHBURG POLICE CHIEF: IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND I JUST THINK IT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DO FOR ITS CITIZENS AND FOR ITS VISITORS AS WELL.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=visitors as well.]
[Standup ] ((Officials say the Victory House is a project that can be duplicated anywhere in the U-S, and in some sense, it already has been right here in Lynchburg. On Friday, the local Community Action Group will unveil two homes here on Rivermont Avenue that have been renovated to provide transitional housing for up to four families in need.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=families in need.]
[SOT 11:21:17]
((JIM WHITAKER/VICTORY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: EVERYONE'S ON THE SAME PAGE. I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS SPEAKING TO MORE THAN ONE GROUP TO MEET A NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=in our community.]

Officials figure it will cost 50-thousand dollars to build and furnish the house.
They hope to break ground and have it open next spring.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

One area school system faces a tough decision thanks to state budget cuts.
Find out which schools may be consolidated or closed when News 7 at Six returns.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Plus a historic house in the New River Valley is on the move.
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[Rockbridge-Schools]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-41 TC1:32:45]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Rockbridge County is just one of countless schools systems trying to figure out how to deal with expected budget cuts.

[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
One approach could end up changing the mission of schools, or even shutting them down. Richard Lesko has more.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jake Burks/Rockbridge Co. School Superintendent; :17]
[SUPER=@richard2; :36]
[SUPER=01-Ronnie Campbell/Rockbridge Co. School Board; 1:02]
[RUNS=1:44]
[OUT Q=RL, N7, Rockbridge County.]
(( While students pore over arithmetic books, Rockbridge County School administrators are looking at a different sort of math problem. The good news is that the state has maintained funding of basic aid for schools at about the same level as last year,

(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 2:20:27]
[INQ=The bad news is...]
((JAKE BURKS/ROCKBRIDGE CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT; THE BAD NEWS IS IN INCENTIVE AND CATEGORICAL PROGRAMS, LAST YEAR A NUMBER OF THEM WERE ELIMINATED AND SOME OF THE MONEY WAS PUT BACK INTO THE BASIC AID, WHICH MADE IT APPEAR THAT BASIC AID FUNDING HAD INCREASED, BUT OVERALL THE BUDGETS ARE GOING DOWN.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUTQ=budgets are going down.]
Last year, the Board of Supervisors made up a half million dollar loss in state funding for programs like teacher training and maintenance. With costly capital projects on the horizon, the county may not be able to make up that difference again. To deal with additional cuts next year, the school board and administrators are looking at plans that could consolidate the two middle schools, or close Mountain View and Effinger elementary schools.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT - 2:31:45]
[INQ=What we don't want...]
((RONNIE CAMPBELL/ROCKBRIDGE CO. SCHOOL BOARD; WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS TO INVEST A LOT OF MONEY IN BUILDINGS AND COME UP SHORT IN THREE OR FOUR YEARS, LOOK AT IT AND SAY WE SHOULD HAVE CLOSED THIS, OR THIS WAS A BAD DECISION.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUTQ=was a bad decision.]
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[SOT - 2:24:43]
[INQ=We need to make...]
((JAKE BURKS/ROCKBRIDGE CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT; WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE USE THAT MONEY WISELY AND THAT GETS COMPLICATED BECAUSE TWO OF THE SCHOOLS ARE VERY SMALL AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT NEEDS TO BE ASKED IS CAN THE COUNTY AFFORD TO CONTINUE FUNDING THE SCHOOLS THAT WE HAVE.))
[RUNS= 17]
[OUTQ=the schools that we have.]
Officials say closing schools would be the last resort, but add there may be little else they can do without more money from the state. Richard Lesko, News 7, Rockbridge County.))

[Augusta-NOW]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC35:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A new website is naming some Virginia based companies in the latest effort to pressure the Augusta National Golf Club to admit women.
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[VO-NAT]
The "Hall of Hypocrisy" launched by the National Organization for Women, lists businesses with ties to the all-male club. Those in Virginia include Norfolk Southern, Bassett and Dan River. Each links shows a company's information. N-O-W says the site is for consumers so they can make informed choices. Norfolk Southern and Bassett say it's a personnel matter and have no comment. C-B-S is also on the website. The network broadcasts the Master's golf tournament held at Augusta.
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[Riverviews]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-40 TC1:59:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It took more than ten years of planning, organizing and fundraising, but Lynchburg's newest downtown venture is ready to take off.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Officials with Riverviews Artspace today celebrated the start of construction on a seven story artist colony on Jefferson Street.
The old shoe warehouse is being renovated into apartments, retail space and artist galleries... city leaders say they're excited about what the project will bring to the riverfront.
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[SOT 15:51:26]
[IN Q=It's very exciting]
((STUART HERSHEY/URBAN VENTURES INC.: IT'S VERY EXCITING. I THINK THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF LEGS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BEING JUST ONE OF MANY REVITALIZATION EFFORTS GOING ON DOWNTOWN.))
[SUPER=01-Stuart Hershey/Urban Ventures, Inc.]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=going on downtown.]
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[VO-NAT]

A 900-thousand dollar loan is helping fund the renovation.
More than half the colony's 36 residential spaces have been reserved.
Construction should finish next summer.
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[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=None]

Roanoke's Center in the Square is also celebrating today.
The law firm of Gentry, Lock, Rakes and Moore donated 100-thousand dollars to the Center's endowment fund.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

War worries, rising oil prices and profit disappointments combined to send stocks lower. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/88.04/8447.35/y/30.56/1361.49;]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

The DOW fell 88 points.
NASDAQ dropped 31.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.50/49.36/h/0.13/27.50/i/1.15/61.70/i/0.94/68.47/i/0.23/11.77;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.29/6.15/h/0.32/53.98/i/0.47/36.75/i/0.34/25.66/i/0.42/6.91;]
[SUPER=273-h/1.39/42.90/i/0.24/15.15/i/0.32/19.38/i/0.08/2.36/h/0.13/41.33;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.13/9.88/i/0.22/57.76/h/0.09/39.25/h/0.40/36.70/i/0.48/50.38;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Black-House]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC45:18]
[****ANCHOR TAG****]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Construction on a new development project in Blacksburg appears to be moving ahead, literally.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens explains.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=with cameras]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Heather Browning/Blacksburg Town Spokesperson; :11]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:22]
[OUT Q=News 7, Blacksburg]
((With cameras and babies in hand, dozens of people stood by and watched as a piece of their town's history made history.
[SOT 41:20][PARTIALLY COVER BITE!!!]
[RUNS:07] ((IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT DAY FOR US. ONE THAT WE'RE PROUD OF THAT WE CAN PLAY SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PRESERVING A HISTORIC STRUCTURE IN TOWN 41:27)) The Alexander Black House was named after a prominent local businessman, who built the house in the late 1800s. Since then, it has stood in its same location on Main Street. So, when the house got in the way of a new downtown parking project, officials knew tearing it down was not an option, so instead they just moved it across the street.
[SOT 43:04]
[RUNS:08] (( WE THOUGHT THAT THE HOUSE WAS OF SUCH HISTORIC VALUE THAT WE REALLY SHOULD PRESERVE IT AND KEEP IT IN THE COMMUNITY AND KEEP IT AS A STRUCTURE THAT COULD ACTUALLY BE USED 43:12)) The town now hopes to restore the house to its orginal condition, and develop it into some type of cultural facility, like a museum. But, officials say in order to do that, they're going to need the community's help.
[SOT 43:18]
[RUNS:06] ((WE'RE ESTIMATING THAT THE RESTORATION OF THIS HOUSE WOULD COST IN THE RANGE OF 250-TO 400-THOUSAND DOLLARS 43:24))
[SOT 43:31]
[RUNS:07] ((SO WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL RALLY TOGETHER TO HELP US WITH THAT EFFORT AND TO MOVE FORWARD AND TO HELP US RAISE MONEY, SO THAT WE CAN RESTORE IT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL INTEGRITY 43:38)) In the meantime, history will live on in the house that Black built, only now, it lives across the street. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Blacksburg.))
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

The Kent Square Development project will include a parking garage with 400-new parking spaces.
Officials say work should begin early next month.

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up, Mike Stevens checks in from Salem Stadium where the Stagg Bowl is set to roll on Saturday, UVA gets some good recruiting news, plus
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[VO-NAT]

Jason Jaffray will represent the Express in the ECHL All Star game.
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[S-Bowl]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-134 2216TC]
[GRAPHIC=STAGG BOWL 6150]

The 30th annual Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl kicks off this Saturday at high noon at Salem Stadium. Earlier today, Mike Stevens caught up with some of the individuals who make the game happen each and every year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=04-October 26; :15]
[SUPER=01-Carey Harveycutter/Stagg Bowl Director; :27]
[SUPER=@mike1; :52]
[SUPER=04-2001 Stagg Bowl; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Wayne Burrow/NCAA Director of Championships; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Bill Klika/Division Three Football Chairman; 1:22]
[SUPER=03-Alliance, OH/Saturday; 1:49]
[RUNS=2:04]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports."]
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(( Spring may be the time to spruce up things for most folks - but for Salem Stadium manager Scott Sampson and his crew Stagg Bowl week is the time to get one's house in order. The splash of color is cosmetic - the amount of work it has taken to get the field in shape after the way it was ripped apart back on October 25th - during the heaviest rain of the season has been a much bigger project. ((CAREY HARVEYCUTTER:)) ((MIKE STEVENS:)) ((WAYNE BURROW:)) ((BILL KLIKA/DIVISION THREE FOOTBALL CHAIRMAN:)) ((CAREY:)) Fans who attend Saturday Stagg Bowl, will get to see the best player in the nation. Mount Union Running Back Dan Pugh was just named the winner of this year Gagliardi Award - given annually to the top player in the all of division three football. In Salem Mike Stevens News 7 Sports.))

[S-Hampton]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-135 TC2146]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[WIPE to ENG!!]

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bridgewater/National Quarterfinals; :00]

The Trinity Tigers will be without starting quarterback Roy Hampton who will not even make the trip to Salem. The 23 year old Hampton was arrested on a public intoxication charge earlier this week.
He threw for over 4 thousand yards and 43 TD's this season. Hampton's suspension opens the door for backup Dan Desplaines who saw action in nine of Trinity's 14 games this season, throwing for three touchdowns.
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[S-Brooks]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-131 15151tc]
[GRAPHIC=UVA]

Virginia football fans have plenty to celebrate tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham/This Season; :00]
Their top recruit from a season ago, linebacker Ahmad Brooks, has been officially accepted at Virginia. Earlier this winter Brooks finally achieved the required SAT scores needed for admission. Today, Hargrave head coach Robert Prunty received the official paperwork from Virginia, and Brooks will enroll in January and take part in UVa's spring practice.
(------------)
[anchor=travis]
[graphic=hold uva]

Wahoo fans got more good news today when offensive lineman Ian-Yates Cunningham verbally committed to UVA. Cunningham is a 300 pounder from Lewisville, Texas.

[S-ECHL]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-132 TC15622]
[GRAPHIC=Express]

To the ice, where the East Coast Hockey League has named its Northern Conference All Stars. Roanoke's Jason Jaffray has made the team and will represent the Express in the January 21st game in Florida.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

The forward is the Express's leading scorer with 17 goals. Jaffray has also tallied 20 assists in 24 games. Not bad for a rookie. The Express is on the road tonight at Atlantic City.
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[S-Kent]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-140 TC810]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

We finish up with a baseball note. Infielder Jeff Kent is on his way from San Francisco to Houston where he'll sign a two year contract.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]

The 34 year old Kent won the NL MVP Award two seasons ago before hitting .313 last year with 37 homers and 108 RBI's. The move effectively sends the Astros' Craig Biggio to the outfield, because Kent will man second base. (------------)