[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

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

Coming up on News 7-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The town of Blacksburg gets ready to ring in the New Year in an alcohol-free environment. Plus-- a live report from New York where a terrorist threat isn't putting a damper on the Big Apple. Also, some helpful hints if you're planning to take to the friendly skies.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


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



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

The town of Blacksburg holds its third alcohol-free celebration... while thousands of police officers spread out across New York's Times Square as folks across the country prepare to welcome in the New Year.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]

Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton, in for Jean Jadhon tonight.

[New-Years]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=New Years]

The countdown is on. In less than an hour, Americans will usher in 2- thousand three. In New York city, the party is going strong as residents packed shoulder-to-shoulder await the magic moment. But tonight's celebration also includes a massive police presence brought in to watch over the crowd in light of terrorist threats against the city.
[NYC DOUBLE BOXES=Teresa & Case /Newspath;]

Stacy Case is in New York's Time Square tonight and joins us now with an update on the party which includes some new twists this year.
[LIVE= Case /FULL NEwspath]
[SUPER=@case1;]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY]
(Adlib)

[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What better way ]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; ]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=without incident. ]

((WHAT BETTER WAY TO USHER-IN 2003 THAN IN TIMES SQUARE ... WITH A HALF-MILLION HOLIDAY REVELERS ... AND A GIANT BALL ... SET TO DROP JUST BEFORE THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT.
(MOS)

A TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH ... WITH AN ADDED TWIST. ORGANIZERS ARE HANDING OUT THOUSANDS OF BELLS ... SO THE CROWD CAN REALLY "RING-IN" THE NEW YEAR. THIS MAN SHOWED UP SEVERAL HOURS EARLY TO MAKE SURE HE HAD A GOOD SPOT.
(MOS SOT)
(NAT)

THE BIG EVENT CALLED FOR EXTRA-TIGHT SECURITY. ABOUT 2000 POLICE OFFICERS WERE OUT IN FORCE ... CHECKING BAGS, PATROLLING STREETS, AND SETTING UP POSITIONS ON ROOFTOPS. THE CONCERN -- A POSSIBLE TERRORIST ATTACK ON NEW YORK CITY. INVESTIGATORS SAY THAT MAY BE THE GOAL OF THESE MEN -- SUSPECTED OF ENTERING THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY AND WANTED FOR QUESTIONING BY THE FBI. BUT TERRORISM CONCERNS ARE NOT PUTTING A DAMPER ON CELEBRATIONS HERE AT HOME -- OR ABROAD. IN CITIES LIKE LONDON .... PARIS ... AND MOSCOW ... FIREWORKS LIT UP THE NIGHT SKY WITHOUT INCIDENT. ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Case /FULL Newspath]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]
(adlib)



[First-Night]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:04:50]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
If you were looking for a non- alcoholic, family- oriented News Year's Eve party Blacksburg was the place to be tonight. As Jennifer Wishon explains there was something for everyone.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat Sound]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dean Crane/Parks and Recreation Director; :11]
[SUPER=01-Bernie Karr; :53]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=Jennifer Wishon, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND Irish dancers)) From Irish Step dance ((Nat big band)) to Big Band music, First nights in Blacksburg seemed to have it All.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:13]
[IN Q=From Middle Eastern]

((DEAN CRANE/PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: FROM MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE TO BLUES SINGING TO IRISH STEP DANCE TO COMEDIANS TO MAGICIANS TO EVERYTHING. WE WANT TO MAKE IT SO PEOPLE CAN GO TO ONE PLACE FOR ONE FAMILY MEMBER AND ANOTHER PLACE FOR ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER JUST MAKE IT A REAL NIGHT ON THE TOWN.))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=on the town]

Events were held at five different venues but getting from place to place was made easy with these shuttles. ((Nats belly dancers)) Belly dancers entertained at the Lyric, but over at the community center children seemed to only have one performer on their minds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:05:15]
[IN Q=The Chicken]

((ALAYNA RADFORD: THE CHICKEN GUY))
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=Chicken guy]

[BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 254:27:19]
[IN Q=He's doing a]

((MIA KARR: HE'S DOING A LOT OF FUNNY TRICKS.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=funny tricks]

[BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:36:27]
[IN Q=When the chicken]

((KYLE STONE: WHEN THE CHICKEN GUY AND HE CALLED ME UP TO CATCH THE BALL.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=catch the ball]

Bernie Karr brought his entire family to the event and says he's thrilled with the way it turned out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:18:14]
[IN Q=]

((BERNIE KARR: WELL IT SURE IS NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY YOU KNOW IT'S NOT SO EASY SOMETIMES TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL PARTICIPATE IN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH AND YOU KNOW IT'S GREAT TO FIND SEE THE KIDS HAVING SUCH A GREAT TIME. IT'S SO WHOLESOME AND WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME TOO.))
[RUNS=26]
[OUT Q=]

Parks and recreation services started planning the event back in July
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:01:00]
[IN Q=]

((DEAN CRANE/PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL IS TONIGHT AND THAT'S SURE GONNA HURT US I'M SURE, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE OUT HERE SUPPORTING US AND WE SURE APPRECIATE IT.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 29:27:24]
[IN Q=]

((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: THE DIAMOND WALNUT BOWL MAY HAVE KEPT SOME PEOPLE AWAY FROM FIRST NIGHT'S, BUT FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE TRIP TO CALIFORNIA THEY CAN COME HERE AND WATCH THE GAME START TO FINISH POPCORN AND ALL.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=]

But with our without a hokie victory ... at first nights parents and children were all winners. Jennifer Wishon, News 7.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=HOLD]

Fireworks are planned at midnight to help ring in the New Year and organizers say they expect as many as 3- thousand people to watch the display from Henderson Lawn on the campus of Virginia Tech.

[Drunk-Driving]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-46 TC1:04:33]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD ]


Every New Year's Eve, a Rocky Mount family observes a grim anniversary with the man who killed their loved one.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]


The family visits Charles Muse's gravesite, bringing flowers to remember the man who left behind six kids and 14 grandkids.
They're joined by the man who killed him in a drunk driving accident on New Year's Eve in 1998.
Aaron Mathis served eight months in jail for D-U-I and involuntary manslaughter -- and was sentenced to visit Muse's grave every December 31st for nine years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:06]
[IN Q=It's hard on the]

((DONNA MUSE/VICTIM'S DAUGHTER: IT'S HARD ON THE FAMILY, ESPECIALLY THE GRANDKIDS, TO COME AND SEE HIM. HE DON'T HAVE ANY REMORSE FOR WHAT HE DONE. ))
[SUPER=01-Donna Muse/Victim's Daughter;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=for what he done.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Mathis had no comment today, but his wife said he's been deeply affected and has stopped drinking.
The Muse family hopes people will remember their story and NOT drink and drive this New Year.
Local and state authorities will be conducting sobriety checkpoints to catch drunk drivers.
(------------)



[First-Night]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:04:50]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
If you were looking for a non- alcoholic, family- oriented News Year's Eve party Blacksburg was the place to be tonight. As Jennifer Wishon explains there was something for everyone.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat Sound]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Dean Crane/Parks and Recreation Director; :11]
[SUPER=01-Bernie Karr; :53]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=Jennifer Wishon, News 7]

((((NAT SOUND Irish dancers)) From Irish Step dance ((Nat big band)) to Big Band music, First nights in Blacksburg seemed to have it All.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:23:13]
[IN Q=From Middle Eastern]

((DEAN CRANE/PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: FROM MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE TO BLUES SINGING TO IRISH STEP DANCE TO COMEDIANS TO MAGICIANS TO EVERYTHING. WE WANT TO MAKE IT SO PEOPLE CAN GO TO ONE PLACE FOR ONE FAMILY MEMBER AND ANOTHER PLACE FOR ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER JUST MAKE IT A REAL NIGHT ON THE TOWN.))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=on the town]

Events were held at five different venues but getting from place to place was made easy with these shuttles. ((Nats belly dancers)) Belly dancers entertained at the Lyric, but over at the community center children seemed to only have one performer on their minds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:05:15]
[IN Q=The Chicken]

((ALAYNA RADFORD: THE CHICKEN GUY))
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=Chicken guy]

[BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 254:27:19]
[IN Q=He's doing a]

((MIA KARR: HE'S DOING A LOT OF FUNNY TRICKS.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=funny tricks]

[BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:36:27]
[IN Q=When the chicken]

((KYLE STONE: WHEN THE CHICKEN GUY AND HE CALLED ME UP TO CATCH THE BALL.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=catch the ball]

Bernie Karr brought his entire family to the event and says he's thrilled with the way it turned out.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 23:18:14]
[IN Q=]

((BERNIE KARR: WELL IT SURE IS NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING THE WHOLE FAMILY CAN ENJOY YOU KNOW IT'S NOT SO EASY SOMETIMES TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL PARTICIPATE IN AND HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH AND YOU KNOW IT'S GREAT TO FIND SEE THE KIDS HAVING SUCH A GREAT TIME. IT'S SO WHOLESOME AND WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME TOO.))
[RUNS=26]
[OUT Q=]

Parks and recreation services started planning the event back in July
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:01:00]
[IN Q=]

((DEAN CRANE/PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL IS TONIGHT AND THAT'S SURE GONNA HURT US I'M SURE, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE OUT HERE SUPPORTING US AND WE SURE APPRECIATE IT.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 29:27:24]
[IN Q=]

((JENNIFER WISHON/REPORTING: THE DIAMOND WALNUT BOWL MAY HAVE KEPT SOME PEOPLE AWAY FROM FIRST NIGHT'S, BUT FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T MAKE THE TRIP TO CALIFORNIA THEY CAN COME HERE AND WATCH THE GAME START TO FINISH POPCORN AND ALL.))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=]

But with our without a hokie victory ... at first nights parents and children were all winners. Jennifer Wishon, News 7.))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[SS=HOLD]

Fireworks are planned at midnight to help ring in the New Year and organizers say they expect as many as 3- thousand people to watch the display from Henderson Lawn on the campus of Virginia Tech.

[National-Guard]


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


More Virginia National Guard troops are being called to active duty.
About 600 soldiers will enter federal service next month, but they won't go far.
Their mission is to protect military installations around Washington DC for an initial period of one year.
Among the 11 units being activated is the Headquarters and Support Company of the 429th Forward Support Battalion, based in Staunton.

[Airport-Screeners]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC40:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]


New screening requirements at the nation's airports may change the way you pack.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :27]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Roanoke Regional today implemented its new trace detection equipment in accordance with the federal government's December 31st deadline. The process has screeners rubbing luggage and, if necessary, indivual items, with strips of paper that are then checked for traces of explosives. Searchers can go so far as to unpack everything you've packed. So the Transportation Security Administration is offering tips to make the process go smoothly.
(///// SOT at :27 /////)
[SOT 21:18:40-21:19:03]
[IN Q=One of the tips is to...]

((JACKIE SHUCK/AIRPORT DIRECTOR: ONE OF THE TIPS IS TO PUT TOILETRIES IN CLEAR, PLASTIC BAGS TO DECRESE THE CHANCES ANYBODY'LL PICK UP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND THEY CAN SEE CLEARLY WHAT'S INSIDE. ANOTHER IS TO PUT YOUR SHOES ON TOP. SHOES ARE SORT OF DENSE AND IT MAKES THE INSPECTION EASIER IF THEY'RE ON TOP. THEY CAN REMOVE THEM AND LOOK THROUGH THE REST OF YOUR MATERIALS.))
[SUPER=01-Jackie Shuck/Airport Director;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=look through the rest of your materials.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Other hints can be found on the TSA's website at tsa-dot-DOT-dot-gov.
(------------)



[Power-Line]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

American Electric Power cleared another hurdle today. The U-S Forest Service gave A-E-P final approval to cut through the Jefferson National Forest. A-E-P needed the path to build a 90- mile high voltage power line from West Virginia to Jacksons Ferry in Wythe County. As part of the agreement, forestry officials have instructed A-E-P to use darkened steel for its towers. They've also ordered the power company NOT to clear trees within a five-mile radius of the Indiana bat habitat during the summer. A-E-P is now waiting for a final permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to build across the New River near Jackson's Ferry.

[D-Day-Bankruptcy]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC28:03]
[GRAPHIC=D-Day Memorial]

Today was the deadline lawyers set to reach a settlement with the creditors of the D-Day Memorial Foundation. But it seems there isn't one.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/November]

They'd hoped to have a plan in place by the end of the year to pay the millions of dollars the Foundation owes the architect who designed the Memorial and the construction company that built it. The lawyers got together with a mediator in early December, and now say they are "close" to a settlement. But Foundation attorney Rich Maxwell said today he's not at liberty to discuss the details.
(------------)



[Unemployment]


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


The percentage of people without jobs in Virginia went down last month.
The unemployment rate fell to 3-point-6 percent, the lowest it's been in about 18 months.
The Virginia Employment Commission says merchants were adding workers for the holiday rush; builders completed projects ahead of winter and school system hiring was at a peak.
Roanoke's jobless rate held steady at 3-point-2 percent.
Every other metro region saw a decline.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]


A local woman's love for an abused animal goes into print.
We'll show you next on News 7.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=President Bush]
[SUPER=@Okita1;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=story coming up.]



[Sports-preview]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]



(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=in sports"]
(----------)



[Cat-Ad]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC30:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A full page ad in today's paper may have left some people wondering.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg]

If you knew Grace... AMAZING Grace, the cat, then you knew what it was about. But you might not have known the kitty had just died. It was an ironic end to a life punctuated by unspeakable abuse. She'd been rescued and resuscitated after having been tortured almost to death. Grace died of kidney failure ten days ago.
[SOT 1:56:16 -- with the ad held up]
[IN Q=I wanted ]

((I WANTED TO PUT A MEMORIAL IN THE NEWSPAPER, SO PEOPLE COULD KNOW THAT SHE PASSED ON AND ALSO WHAT SHE MEANT TO ME AND WHAT SHE DID AND WHAT SHE ACCOMPLISHED FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FOR JUST PEOPLE IN GENERAL.))
[SUPER=01-Lila Wills/Grace's Owner]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=people in general.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Grace had spent her short life visiting schools and nursing homes. Wills paid for the ad herself, though she didn't want to say what it cost. The Roanoke Times indicates a full-page color ad on a Tuesday this month would be 29-hundred dollars.
(------------)



[Iraq-Korea]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=George W. Bush]

President Bush took some time out from a New Year's eve break at his Texas ranch to reflect back on the past year and to look forward to the next. Teri Okita brings us details from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=President Bush says ]
[SUPER=@okita1; 1:11]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]

((PRESIDENT BUSH SAYS HE'S MAKING A NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO BRING INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS TO A PEACEFUL END. BUT WITH PROBLEMS IN BOTH IRAQ AND NORTH KOREA, IT WILL TAKE SOME SKILLFUL DIPLOMACY TO DIFFUSE THE SITUATIONS. WITHOUT RULING ANYTHING OUT, MR. BUSH APPEARED CONFIDENT OF REACHING A DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION IN THE NORTH KOREA DISPUTE OVER NUCLEAR WEAPONS BUILD-UP.
SOT: (Bush)

I believe this can be done peacefully all options remain on the table. TRACK: THE PRESIDENT SEEMED LESS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME WITH IRAQ SAYING SADDAM HUSSEIN STILL ISN'T COOPERATING WITH THE U-N. MR. BUSH HAS YET TO DECIDE WHETHER TO WAGE WAR AGAINST IRAQ, BUT SAYS MILITARY ACTION MAY BE NECESSARY TO PROTECT AMERICANS AND THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
SOT: (Bush)

Any attack of Saddam Hussein or a surrogate of Saddam Hussein would cripple our economy. This economy cannot afford to stand an attack. TRACK: UNDER CRITICISM FOR TREATING IRAQ AS A GREATER THREAT THAN NORTH KOREA, THE PRESIDENT CONTINUED TO DEFEND HIS POLICIES SAYING SADDAM HAS BEEN CLOSE TO DEVELOPING A NUCLEAR WEAPON FOR YEARS AND HAS BEEN DEFYING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR 11-YEARS.
(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)

STANDUP: There are reports the Bush administration is prepared to spend between 50-60 Billion dollars on a potential war with Iraq, but the President says its really up to Saddam whether he wants to resolve this peacefully by following through with U-N orders. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington.))

[Missing-Woman]


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


There is still no sign of a pregnant California woman who was reported missing on Christmas Eve.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


This afternoon, police acknowledged publicly for the first time that Laci Peterson could be the victim of foul play.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THE CIRCUMSTANCES ]

((DET. DOUG RIDENOUR/MODESTO POLICE DEPARTMENT; THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HER DISSAPEARANCE AND IN VIEW OF THE TIMING OF THE HOLIDAY SEASONIT BECOMES MORE APPARENT THAT HER DISSAPEARANCE IS A RESULT OF FOUL PLAY.))
[SUPER=01-Det. Doug Ridenour/Modesto Police Department]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=RESULT OF FOUL PLAY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Modesto, CA]


California officials say it now appears that Peterson may have left her home in a car, not by foot as previously thought.
Modesto police brought in a bloodhound to try to track the woman and the dog led them to a road.
A 500-thousand dollar reward has been offered for the woman's safe return.
(------------)


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


Still ahead on News 7, Diana Ross gets stopped, in the name of the law.
We'll explain.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And if you're wondering what to do with your Christmas tree... we'll show you some elephants that would love to have it.
(----------------)


[Commercial]

[Ross]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The new year is not getting off to a supreme start for one well-known singer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

Police in Tucson, Arizona arrested Diana Ross on suspicious of drunken driving earlier today. A spokeswoman says the singer's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. The spokeswoman says police pulled Ross over after getting a call about a swerving vehicle. Police say the former lead signer of the Supremes was polite and cooperative.
(------------)



[Elephant-Trees]


[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Elephants at the Berlin zoo in Germany could hardly wait for Christmas to be over...
(------------)
[VO-NAT 14:28:05]
[SUPER=03-Berlin, Germany;]

That's when they get to chow down on left-overs... left over Christmas trees that is. Since the fall-- the elephants haven't had any fresh branches to munch on. But all that changed this week when nearby vendors delivered Christmas trees they were unable to sell. According to the zoo's elephant keeper the animals enjoy eating the bark and breaking the trees apart-- but says you really can't call it eating. He says it' more like tree destruction.
(------------)



[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=]


Six bowl games today, we will take you to some of them, highlights from the tech/Radford women's hoops game as well as the Roanoke men against Maryville and news surrounding Roanoke basketball product Curtis Staples,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carlisle, PA; :00]

But first our extra point. Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis is said to be on the short list of candidates for the Cincinnati Bengals head coaching job. Lewis is also a candidate for the head coaching job with the Detroit Lions but only if team president Matt Millen is retained. Lewis has been looking for a head coaching position for the past few seasons.
(------------)

[go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5020;]
[SUPER=0101-j/Boise State #18/34//Iowa State/16//Humanitarian Bowl//Washington/24/j/Purdue/34//Sun Bowl/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0101-/Colorado State #23/3/j/TCU/17//Liberty Bowl/j/Fresno State/30//Georgia Tech/21//Silicon Classic/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0101-j/Maryland #20/30//Tennessee/3//Peach Bowl//Virginia Tech #21/7//Air Force/10/1/San Francisco Bowl/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-/Memphis/89/j/Boston/96////Portland/87/j/Chicago/102///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0096-/San Antonio/91/j/Washington/100////Indiana/87//New Orleans/83/4//;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/Pittsburgh #2/67/j/Georgia/79////Creighton/73/j/Xavier #19/75///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Maryville/79//Roanoke/75//Pridgen 34 Pts.//VMI/48/j/Georgetown/85///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-/Radford/56/j/Virginia Tech/78//Women/j/Indiana #17/76//American/62///;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/Anaheim/1/j/Minnesota/4////St. Louis/1/j/Detroit/5///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-j/N.Y. Islanders/1//Buffalo/0//Final in OT/j/N.Y. Rangers/2//Carolina/0///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0103-j/Ottawa/6//Tampa Bay/3////Pittsburgh/2/j/Columbus/5///;]
[RUNS=:55]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(----------------)



[S-Tech]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-135]
[GRAPHIC=Walnut Bowl]


Lets start with the Hokies. Virginia Tech and Air Force are playing as we speakin in the first annual Diamond Walnut San francisco Bowl.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Francisco, CA/ESPN2; :00]

The Falcons took an early 10-nthing lead but the Hokies would cut into that with their vintage ground game. Lee Suggs scores his 21st touchdown of the season on this run. Tehc trails 10-7 in the Second quarter.
(------------)


[S-Peach]


[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-127 2:03:58]
[GRAPHIC=ACC football]


Maryland entered last night's game against Tennessee in the Peach Bowl looking to even the ACC's post season record at 1 and 1 on new years eve. Georgia Tech lost to Fresno State earlier in the day.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/ESPN; :00]


Two great coaches going at it last night as the Terps Ralph Friedgen matched wits with Phillip Fulmer of UT.
In the first quarter, Maryland fools the Volunteer defense when quarterback Scott McBrien pulls off the boot leg and goes in untouched. 7-nothing Terps.
You might ask why UT quarterback Casey Clausen is battling the Maryland defender?
Because his pass was intercepted by Curome Cox at his 46. He weaves his way through traffic on his way to the [SUPER
=34-Tennessee/3/Maryland/30;] 54 yard touchdown return and Maryland went up 14-nothing in the second quarter.


In the third quarter, McBrien again finds a seem and crosses the goal line from six yards out. 27-3 Terps and they win the Peach Bowl over Tennessee 30-3.
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[S-Sun]


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Washington blew a 17-to-0 lead to Purdue as the Boilermakers pulled out a 34-to-24 victory over the Huskies in the Sun Bowl at El Paso.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-El Paso, TX/Boilermakers vs. Huskies; :00]


Kyle Orton led the Boilermakers comeback while preserving coach Joe Tiller's record of never having a losing season at Purdue. Orton was 25-of-37 for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
[SUPER=34-Purdue/34/Washington/24;]Purdue took its first lead when Joey Harris scored on a ten-yard run late in the thi

rd period. Harris finished with 93 yards on 23 carries. The Boilermakers outgained the Huskies 400-to-316 while ending the season 7-and-6. Washington also finishes 7-and-6. The Huskies managed just 44 rushing yards on 24 carries.
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[S-Bowls]


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[VO-NAT wipe to #eng!!!!!!]
[SUPER=03-Boise, ID/ESPN; :0]

15th ranked Boise State topped Iowa State 34-16 in the Humanitarian Bowl yesterday. Brock Forsey scored three touchdowns to lead the Broncos to their third Humanitarian Bowl win in four seasons.
[SUPER=34-Iowa State/16/Boise State/34;]The Cyclones finished 1 and 6 after a 6 and 1 start. Former Hesiman hopeful S

enaca Wallace was injured in the first quarter and had 190 yards of offense.
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[S-Maroons]


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The Lewis Gale-Dominos-Jimmy V Foundation charity basketball tournament finished up yesterday at Roanoke College. Mount Union beat Transylvania 72-69 in the consolation game. Roanoke took on Maryville in the championship.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Fighting Scots vs. Maroons; :00]


Fans had one last chance to bid on and participate in the silent auction for some really cool college and NBA stuff.


[SUPER=33-Maryville/79/Roanoke/75;]To the action. Robby Pridgen rips rope from just inside the three point line, but

his Maroons trailed by 2.
Maryville's Josh Tummel gets the inside position and is gonna jam and the Fighting Scots were up by 3.
The Maroons Josh Foster gets the no look and he hits from three ball land, but Maryville wins 79-75.
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[S-Staples]


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Former Patrick Henry and UVa basketball star Curtis Staples could play in the NBDL in the near future!
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[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :00]


The NCAA career three point leader told News 7 sports yesterday that his name has been put into the NBDL pool of new arrivals and he is a player a team could pick up if a salary can be decided on. If Staples is not signed today by an NBDL team, he is a free to sign with a European pro team.
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[S-VT]


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The Virginia Tech women downed Radford 78-56 at the Cassell today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Highlanders vs. Hokies; :00]


The Hokies were gunning for their third win in a row and would get it in front of a crowd of two thousand, 834 fans.
The go to gal was former Carroll County star Erin Gibson. She knocks down a career high 24 points and pulled [SUPER=

33-Radford/56/Virginia Tech/78;]down 8 rebounds as well.
She got some help inside from Ieva Kublina. She takes the nice bounce pass from Carrie Mason, no relation, and hits two of her 17. Tech improves to 9 and 2 while RU falls to 4 and 6
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[S-Pitt]


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Three top 25 men's college basketball teams were in action on New Years Eve. Lets check out number two ranked Pittsburgh and unranked Georgia.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsburgh, PA; :00]

And the Panthers have blown a chance to move to the top of the next Associated Press men's basketball poll by losing at Georgia 79-to-67.
[SUPER=33-Pittsburgh/67/Georgia/79;]The Panthers were given a chance to grab a number-one ranking for the first tim

e ever when Alabama lost at Utah Monday. But Ezra Williams scored 20 points to lead the Bulldogs' upset.
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[S-NBA]


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The N-B-A has approved the 360 (m) million-dollar purchase of the Boston Celtics by a local group of longtime fans.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boston, MA/Grizzlies vs. Celtics; :00]

The celtics then went out and beat Memphis today. Antoine Walker had 33 points and eleven rebounds to lead Boston to a 96-to-89 win over the visiting Grizzlies.
Boston's Walter McCarty had 16 points and Paul Pierce added 15 to help Boston end a three-game losing [SUPER=32-Memphi

s/89/Boston/96;]streak. The Grizzlies own the worst road record in the Western Conference at 1-and-13.
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[S-NHL]


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On to some NHL action where 18 teams hit the hard water in nine games. Lets feature the Anaheim Ducks and the Minn
esota Wild in a game the Wild would win.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Minneapolis, MN/Ducks vs. Wild; :00]
This would be a game that highlights some young talent. Three members of the Minnesota Wild scored their first goals of

the N-H-L season in a 4-to-1 victory over Anaheim. Jeremy Stevenson, Matt Johnson and Nick Schultz each netted goals for the Wild, who got 20 saves from Dwayne Roloson at the other end of the ice.
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by SS