WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 01/17/03

[1-News-Head]

(------------)
[V/O-NAT] New ways to widen and improve I-81. How would you feel about making it a toll road?
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
And police protection at home could suffer as the national guard troops head overseas.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - Ricky Stokes checks in from Blacksburg, plus we will have our first installment of a new college basketball segment - the Friday Night - Atlantic Coast Connection.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And less than a month ago Al Groh hoisted the Tire Bowl trophy - tonight we'll unveil the UVa schedule for next season.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Our current snow will be around for a few days more as mother nature throws a big chill smack down on us. The hard freeze numbers coming up.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 3-Shot]

News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:08:38]
[IN Q=we need]
((ROBERT FORESMAN/COMMUTER; WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION TO MAKE IT SAFER BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING INJURED AND OR KILLED.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=INJURED OR KILLED.]
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=2-Shot]
A new proposal for the future of Interstate-81 is released today but at what cost to drivers.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry. Shannon is off tonight.

[I-81]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC13:33]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Widening]
The latest proposal to widen the heavily traveled highway calls for tolls on both cars and trucks. Fluor Virginia, a team of financial consultants and design build firms, says its plan is cheaper, faster and more economically friendly than a competing plan.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Rachel /Microwave;]

Business Reporter joins us from Interstate-81 with more, Rachel? Keith, the deadline for private companies to submit proposals to V-DOT is today and they now have two to consider.
[LIVE= Rachel/FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
They each have totally different approaches but if either one is put into action, you can expect someone to be paying tolls on this highway.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Robert Foresman]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Robert Foresman/Driver; :11 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=01-Herb Morgan/Fluor Virginia; :36]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :54]
[SUPER=@Edwards; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=IN THEIR TRUCK LANES.]
(( Robert Foresman knows Interstate-81. A hall principal at William Flemming High School, he commutes to Roanoke five-days a week from his home in Lexington.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:08:11]
[IN Q=THERE ARE]
((ROBERT FORESMAN/DRIVER; THERE ARE TIMES THAT IT CAN BE VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OR THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. ))
[OUT Q=TRAFFIC]
Drivers, truckers and V-DOT all agree 81 needs improvements. Fluor Virginia says it can be done by adding a lane to each side. The nearly 2-billion dollar project would be completed in 2-thousand and-11 with toll dollars helping to pave the way.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:00:43]
[IN Q=WE'RE]
((HERB MORGAN/FLUOR VIRGINIA; WE'RE CURRENTLY PLANNING THREE TOLL PLAZAS THAT WOULD BE LOCATED UP AND DOWN THE CORRIDOR.))
[OUT Q=CORRIDOR]
Cars would be charged three-dollars and truckers around ten. Robert Foresman says he doesn't WANT to pay tolls but would. Local lawmakers disagree on whether or not the idea will get the green light from all drivers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:26:46]
[IN Q=IF WE]
((MORGAN GRIFFITH; IF WE HAVE TO PAY SOME TOLLS I THINK PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT DEPEND HOW MUCH THE TOLLS ARE, WHERE THE TOLLS ARE.))
[OUT Q=TOLLS ARE.]
[BUTT BUTT]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:29:12]
[IN Q=poepl are]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/(D) ROANOKE; PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH THE TOLLS ON THE CARS THEY DON'T MIND A TOLL ON THE TRUCKS.))
[OUT=ON THE TRUCKS]
But truckers mind very much. The other plan for V-DOT to consider is from Star Solutions. It looks to separate car and truck traffic and only charge trucks a toll, something the trucking industry very much opposes. That proposal has a price tag of over 6-billion and completion date of 15-years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:09:10]
[IN Q=i think]
((I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD WORK IF THE TRUCKS ARE GOING TO STAY IN THEIR TRUCK LANES.))
[OUT Q=LANES].))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Rachel /FULL Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke Co.;]
V-DOT's is working with a timeline to consider the plans and decide whether or not to go forward with either one. Officials hope to have negotiations completed by September.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Rachel /Microwave;]
But Keith even after that there would be years of environmental work, preliminary design and financial closure. It will be some time before we will see any changes.

[DMV]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC51:50]
[GRAPHIC=DMV]

The D-M-V offices closed by Governor Warner are expected to be reopened in mid-March.
Now, a local lawmaker is questioning whether customers need to wait that long...he thinks they can be opened sooner.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Rocky Mount Republican Allen Dudley says there's no reason why the Governor can't restore services immediately.
He says Warner has the power to reopen the D-M-V offices unilaterally, as opposed to waiting for the General Assembly to officially act.
Dudley is asking his fellow delegates to sign a letter urging the Governor to take immediate action.
He says reopening the offices now will even SAVE money since laid-off workers are receiving severance benefits.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:35:48]
[IN Q=FAILURE TO ACT NOW]
((DELEGATE ALLEN DUDLEY/(R) ROCKY MOUNT: FAILURE TO ACT NOW WILL NOT ONLY COST $1.5 MILLION IN SEVERANCE PAYMENTS BUT ALSO INCREASES THE POSSIBILITY THAT MANY OF THE LAID-OFF WORKERS MIGHT FIND OTHER EMPLOYMENT.)) ((DELEGATE MORGAN GRIFFITH/(R) SALEM: I THINK THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA WOULD RATHER PAY MONEY TO HAVE THE DMVs OPEN INSTEAD OF PAYING MONEY TO HAVE THEM CLOSED.))
[SUPER=@Dudley; :00]
[SUPER=@Griffith; :10]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=HAVE THEM CLOSED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Dudley, who represents an area that lost a D-M-V office, says he already has twenty signatures on the letter.
The governor's office says it is moving as quickly as possible to reopen the offices.
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[D'ville-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-47 TC1:20:57]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

The Department of Emergency Management remains on the scene of a hazardous materials incident in Danville.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

A fire broke out at Paul's Automotive just off Highway 58 around two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Firefighters say the building contained a number of flammable materials.
Some of the toxins leaked but they managed to keep it from reaching a nearby creek that flows into the Dan River.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:09]
[IN Q=When the firefighters]
((WADE COLLINS/DEPT. OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: WHEN THE FIREFIGHTERS PUT THE FIRE OUT THERE WAS WATER INVOLVED WITH SOME CHEMICALS THAT WERE IN THE HOUSE AND AS THEY CAME OUT ON THE PROPERTY WE WERE ABLE TO DIG A DITCH AROUND THE PROPERTY TO CONTAIN THOSE LIQUIDS.))
[SUPER=01-Wade Collins/Dept. of Emergency Management]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=contain those liquids]
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[VO-NAT]

The owner has hired a private contractor to clean up the hazardous materials.
D-E-Q plans to continue to test the air in the area to make sure it is safe.
It will probably be several days before investigators can enter the building to determine what started the fire.
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[Day-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6:00]
[WRITER=eha]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC1:34:55]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]
V-DOT crews made steady progress clearing roadways this afternoon. But as the temperature drops this evening, icy spots could lead to dangerous conditions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
V-DOT workers focused mainly on interstate and primary routes. Lower temperatures and wind are making progress slow in some areas. Interstates 81 and 77 are clear with isolated slick spots. Routes 460 and 114 in the New River Valley are in moderate condition, meaning large parts of the roads are still covered with snow. Crews are also working on secondary roads. V-DOT warns travelers to keep an eye out for ice tonight and allow some extra travel time.
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Danville-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC42:47]
[GRAPHIC=]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

Southside residents awoke to find two to three inches of snow on the ground.
Crews in Danville worked throughout the night clearing major roadways like Highway 58.
By afternoon, all the secondary and residential roads were reported clear.
Law enforcement in Halifax, Pittsylvania, and Henry Counties say there were no major accidents during or following the storm.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]

Area police departments are struggling to protect the home-front as more of their officers are called up to serve overseas.
That's still ahead on News 7 at Six.
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[VO-NAT]

Plus the new effort to get a low-fare airline in Roanoke could include Air-tran.
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[Malpractice-Insurance]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC21:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

While many doctors across the country are fighting for limits on malpractice awards, Virginia's ahead of the game.

The State has a cap on the amount a patient can get for pain and suffering.
And while that has helped with insurance premiums, doctors in our area still face soaring rates.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Joy/Newsroom]

Health Check Reporter Joy Sutton is here with details.
Keith, This year Lewis-Gale Clinic doctors saw a 15-perecent increase in their premiums.
[ANCHOR=JOY FULL Newsroom]
[SUPER=@JOY1;]

The Clinic's medical director says that's very good compared to what he's heard other doctors in other states face, 100 and 200 percent increases.
That's why he believes caps on malpractice awards may be only part of the solution.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I am happy VA's]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Joe Baum/Lewis-Gale Clinic Medical Director;00]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :10]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=one way or the other]
(((///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:41:18]
[IN Q=I am happy Virginia's tort reform]
((I AM HAPPY VIRGINIA'S TORT REFORM HAS PROTECTED US AT THIS POINT TO SOME DEGREE. BUT I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=think we can do better]

Virginia doctors are protected because the state has a 1-point-65 million dollar cap on malpractice awards for pain and suffering.
But Lewis-Gale Clinic's medical director says that only alleviates part of the problem.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:36:00]
[IN Q=Not only the big claims are a problem]
((NOT ONLY THE BIG CLAIMS ARE A PROBLEM BUT THE NUMBER OF SMALLER CLAIMS ARE A PROBLEM. WE HAVE PEOPLE ALL THE TIME WHO SAY I'M NOT HAPPY WITH MY CARE AND I'M GOING TO CALL MY LAWYER. WE HAVE THOSE COMMENTS PROBABLY EVERY WEEK)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=every week]

Baum says it's all the malpractice awards that are costing the insurance companies, who in turn are charging doctors higher premiums.
That's why Baum believes more needs to be done to hinder malpractice suits --because patients will ultimately pay the price.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT15:36:51]
[IN Q=So I really feel in additionto the tort reform and the cap]
((SO I REALLY FEEL IN ADDITION TO THE TORT REFORM AND THE CAP WE HAVE NOW WE REALLY NEED SOME KIND OF SYSTEM WHERE THESE CLAIMS GO TO AN A BOARD, AND EXPERT BOARD THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO GAIN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=one way or the other]))
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[ANCHOR=Joy Full/Newsroom]

Baum says Virginia did have a system in place like this years ago --but it was eventually voted out.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Joy/Newsroom]

Keith,

[Air-Travel]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC1:05:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The effort to improve air service in western Virginia will target a low fare carrier, and encourage businesses throughout the region to pledge their support.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Recent studies have shown that AirTran is the best match for the Roanoke Regional Airport.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Today consultant Barry DuVal announced a campaign to enlist the support of the business community.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((BARRY DUVAL/AIR SERVICE CONSULTANT: IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO LOW FARE CARRIERS THERE IS A DEMAND FROM BUSINESS TRAVEL AND LEISURE TRAVEL TO THE DESTINATIONS THAT THEY SERVE. THIS PLEDGE CAMPAIGN WILL HELP CAPTURE THAT INFORMATION AND IN FACT PROVIDE IT TO THOSE LOW-FARE CARRIERS CONSIDERING PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE ROANOKE REGIONAL AIRPORT.))
[SUPER=01-Barry DuVal/Air Service Consultant]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=Roanoke Regional Airport.]
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[VO-NAT]

Business will be asked how often they travel to AirTran destinations... and how many of those flights they would pledge to the low-fare carrier.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]

DuVal says it will take several months to collect the information and prepare a bid for AirTran service.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Cautious outlooks from Microsoft, I-B-M and General Electric sent stocks lower today. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/111.13/8586.74/y/47.56/1376.19;]

The DOW dropped 111 points.
NASDAQ fell 48.
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[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/0.93/45.07/i/0.30/26.81/h/1.26/60.98/h/0.48/71.48/i/0.20/11.30;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.26/7.18/i/0.90/54.50/h/0.09/37.75/i/0.15/24.88/i/0.10/6.76;]
[SUPER=273-h/0.72/43.75/i/0.02/16.33/i/0.05/19.31/h/0.05/2.70/h/0.18/41.90;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.09/10.09/h/0.74/58.45/i/1.02/38.50/h/0.14/37.88/i/0.33/49.97;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[Police-Reserves]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC54:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Thousands of police officers are among the reservists being deployed to the Persian Gulf.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens says some police departments are having a tough time dealing with depleted ranks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :15]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski/File Tape; :22]
[SUPER=01-Gary Brumfield/Christiansburg Police Chief; :35]
[SUPER=01-Gary Roche/Pulaski Police Chief; :42]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:37]
[OUT Q=Myranda Stephens, News 7]
(([DROPS VIDEO OF TROOPS HERE!!!!!] As thousands of U-S troops answer to the call of duty, many are leaving their posts at home.
[SOT 51:22][COVER BITE!!!]
[RUNS:01] ((OBVIOUSLY IT'LL IMPACT US SOME.)) And for some smaller police departments, losing just one officer can have a tremendous impact.
[SOT 51:51]
[RUNS:05] ((GARY BRUMFIELD/CHRISTIANSBURG POLICE CHIEF: WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR BEING FOUR PEOPLE SHORT SO THAT MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS AS FAR AS SCHEDULING 51:56)) Chief Brumfield says that's about the same number the department lost during the Gulf War. But, he says with a little maneuvering, they were able to get through it then, and they'll get through it now.
[SOT 59:32]
[RUNS:04] ((THE POTENTIAL IS THERE. THE POTENTIAL IS THERE TO AFFECT SERVICE, NO QUESTION 59:36)) But, for police in Pulaski, who are already short-staffed, that may be easier said than done.
[SOT 58:50][COVER PART OF BITE!!!]
[RUNS:08] ((GARY ROCHE/PULASKI POLICE CHIEF: THERE MAY BE A POINT IF WE HAVE A SERIOUS CRIME IT'LL TAKE US A WHILE TO GET TO GET TO OTHER ISSUES OR OTHER PROBLEMS 58:58)) Chief Roche says it's a strong possiblity he will lose two of his key officers--a shift seargent and a division commander.
[SOT 57:24]
[RUNS:16] ((I MIGHT HAVE TO ASSIGN INVESTIGATORS BACK TO THE STREET. I MIGHT HAVE TO HAVE SERVICES PEOPLE BACK TO THE STREET. I MIGHT HAVE TO PULL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OUT OF SCHOOL TO STAFF A STREET POSITION THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS 57:40)) [DROP VIDEO OF TROOPS HERE!!!!] But, even though it won't be easy, both Chief Roche and Brumfield believe where there's a will, there's a way.
[SOT 55:10]
[RUNS:09] ((YOU KNOW, IF THE COUNTRY CALLS THE PEOPLE TO SERVE, OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE TO GO AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE GOT 55:19)) [DROP VIDEO OF TROOPS HERE!!!!!] To protect the citizens, while a few of their own protect the country. Myranda Stephens, News 7.))

[Tech-Commencement]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:25:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia Tech students graduating this Spring will now get their recognition a few hours earlier.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape;]

For years, the school has held its Spring university-wide commencement ceremony on Saturday morning, but, officials say from now on, it will be held Friday evening.
They say the move was necessary because there were too many events taking place on Saturday, and they were beginning to run out of places for individual college ceremonies.
The university says because most people arrive in town Friday evening anyway, it shouldn't cause any big problems for students or their families.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - a Dazzle player is kicked out of the league, UVa's football schedule is released tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And Steve Mason has our first Friday night installment of the Atlantic Coast Connection.
(------------)

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=EXPRESS]

The Roanoke Express is home tonight at the Roundhouse playing host to the Cincinnati Cyclones. This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season. Back on December 13th - the Express tallied a season high 8 goals against the Cyclones. Face off is set for 7:30.

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-137 3013TC]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]

The Roanoke Dazzle lost one of its role players today in 7 footer Kareem Poole.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Wednesday Night; :00]
The National Basketball Development League terminated Poole's NBDL contract effective immediately for violating league policy. Poole averaged 3 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assists in the nine games he played with the Dazzle. He also was suspended last season when he played with Columbus.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=dazzle]
The Dazzle goes for its 6th straight win Saturday night at Fayetteville.

[S-Connect]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-141 23:09]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
Number one Duke is the only undefeated team left in Division I. Maryland is 17th and Wake Forest 19th. [go to pinnacle 6157] With more on that and much more here's Steve Mason with a new weekly Friday night segment - the Atlantic Coast Connection.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@steve1; :00]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC; :15]
[SUPER=01-Travis Watson/15 Points, 10 Rebounds a Game Average; :22]
[SUPER=01-Keith Jenifer/7.1 Points, 5.5 Assists Per Game Average; :35]
[SUPER=01-J. J. Redick/17.1 Points a Game Average; :52]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville; :59]
[SUPER=01-Rashad McCants/Averaging 18.5 Points a Game for UNC; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Chris Duhon/Duke Point Guard; 1:31]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=.....that's a wrap for the WDBJ Atlantic Coast Connection"]
(----------------)
((STEVE MASON:THE WDBJ ATLANTIC COAST CONNECTION WILL TAKE US TO NORTH CAROLINA, DUKE AND VIRGINIA. THE STORY IN CHARLOTTESVILLE SURROUNDS THE EMERGENCE OF POINT GUARD KEITH JENIFER AND THE CONSISTENCY OF SENIOR INSIDE INTIMIDATOR TRAVIS WATSON.
Watson is the nation's ninth ranked rebounder. He has averaged 22 points in the last two games and is the Wahoos leading scorer. ((TRAVIS WATSON:))
UVa point guard Keith Jenifer scored in double figures once in the first 11 games. He is averaging 10 points a contest in his last three. ((KEITH JENIFER:))
Duke's J.J. Redick scored a career high 34 points against Virginia. Playing against two of his former AAU teammates, Jason Clark and Elton Brown fueled his fire. ((J.J. REDICK:))
North Carolina fab freshman Rashad McCants was one of Redick's AAU rivals and the UNC leading scorer expected Redick to be the Blue Devils top offensive weapon. ((RASHAD MCCANTS:))
Duke takes on Maryland Saturday at the Comecast Center and not Cole Field House. The Terps are coming off their first ACC loss since last January 17 against, the Blue Devils. ((CHRIS DUHON/DUKE POINT GUARD:)) YOU CAN CATCH THE ACC RIGHT HERE ON YOUR HOMETOWN STATION SATURDAY IN A DOUBLE HEADER. THE CAVALIERS ARE GUNNING FOR THEIR THIRD WIN IN FOUR TRIPS TO LITTLE JOHN ARENA, TIP OFF AGAINST CLEMSON IS SET FOR 1:30 HERE ON WDBJ. THEN AT EIGHT, 8 AND 4 N.C STATE WILL TRY AND SNAP A TWO GAME LOSING STREAK AT 9 AND 5 FLORIDA STATE, RIGHT HERE ON YOUR HOMETOWN STATION. THAT'S A WRAP FOR THE WDBJ ATLANTIC COAST CONNECTION.))

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-135 4217TC]
[GRAPHIC=VIRGINIA]
The University of Virginia released its much anticipated football schedule for this coming fall.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[go to pinnacle first half of schedule 6170] The first half of the season - the Cavs open at home with Duke and play four of their first six games on the road - including out of conference visits to South Carolina and Western Michigan. Colorado State and Penn State are gone - they are replaced by the Broncos and
(XXXXXXXXX)
[go to pinnacle second half of schedule 6169] Troy State. The Cavs open the second half of their 12 game schedule with a home date against Florida State and they close at home against the Hokies on the 29th of November. The schedule also includes a Thursday night game at Maryland on ESPN.
(--------------)

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]
The NFL conference championships are this Sunday, and Tampa Bay may be shorthanded when it takes on Philly. Receiver Joe Jurivicius missed most of this week's practice's to be with his wife and newborn baby who is having complications. His availability likely will be a game time decision.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[go to pinnacle 12998] The AFC championship is in prime time here on WDBJ7. The Raiders and the Titans tee it up at 6:30 with coverage from CBS beginning at six o'clock Sunday with the NFL Today. (-----------)