WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 01/29/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up on News 7-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Hours after an explosion at a North Carolina factory, the deadly after-effects are unclear. We'll have a live report. Plus, the U-S inches ever closer to war with Iraq even as Saddam Hussien promises retribution. And, a local restaurant manager trades in one uniform for another as his military unit gets called up for the third time since 9/11.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I never heard anything...]
((I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, IT WAS REAL LOUD, "BOUL-YAW", THOUGHT OH MY LORD THOUGHT IT WAS AN EARTHQUAKE, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.))
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=what was going on.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]

Workers who escaped the fireball and the choking smoke of a factory explosion say they thought the Kinston, North Carolina plant was under terrorist attack. There are fatalities, injuries and people still unaccounted for.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[NC-Explosion]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Explosion]
Good evening. I'm Shannon Young in for Jean Jadhon.
The death toll after a massive explosion and fire at a North Carolina factory is lower than originally thought. Authorities now say today's blast at the West Pharmaceutical plant in Kinston did result in fatalities, but they're not sure how many. Nor do they know what caused the thunderous blast although the factory was cited for a number of safety violations last fall.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Stacy /Newspath;]

Stacy Case is in Kinston tonight with the latest.
[LIVE= Case /FULL Newspath]
[SUPER=@Case1]
[SUPER=05-Kinston, NC]
(adlib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH****]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Kinston, NC]
[SUPER=01-Greg Smith/Kinston Public Safety Dept.]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES. ]
((FLAMES BURNED THROUGH THE NIGHT AT A NORTH CAROLINA PHARMACEUTICAL PLANT -- ROCKED BY A DEADLY EXPLOSION. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE KILLED, WHILE OTHERS REMAINED UNACCOUNTED FOR. RESCUE CREWS SAY THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING THEM.
(SOT: Greg Smith, operations chief of the Kinston Public Safety
Department) "The structure is so compromised that you just can't enter to wander around. I can't even begin to describe the amount of debris on the ground ..." PLUMES OF THICK, BLACK SMOKE COULD BE SEEN FOR MILES, FOLLOWING THE AFTERNOON BLAST IN KINSTON. BUT RESIDENTS DIDN'T SEE IT AT FIRST -- THEY FELT IT.
(MOS)
"The house shook and I could hear glass shattering." "I was shaking in the chair and I said Oh my Lord what in the world is that." WHEN EMERGENCY CREWS ARRIVED, THEY BEGAN RESCUING PLANT WORKERS DANGLING FROM STEEL BEAMS. DOZENS OF VICTIMS WERE TREATED AT NEARBY HOSPITALS FOR BURNS AND OTHER INJURIES. MORE THAN A HUNDRED PEOPLE WERE WORKING AT THE FACTORY, WHICH MAKES SYRINGES AND I-V PARTS FOR WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES. ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Case /FULL Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Kinston, NC;]
(adlib toss back)

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m..]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHICIraq=]

The Bush Administration is reportedly considering plans to send Saddam Hussein into exile -- in an effort to avoid war with Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :25]
President Bush is weighing whether to attack, or try to convince the Iraqi leader and his top aides to go into exile.

But war seems more likely. In last night's State of the Union speech the President laid out the case that Saddam is hiding weapons and cozying up to terrorists. If it does come to war, Saddam Hussien today vowed to - quote - break the neck of the United States. President Bush fired back with his own warning.
(///// SOT at :25 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=In my judgement, you do not...]
((IN MY JUDGMENT, YOU DO NOT CONTAIN SADDAM HUSSEIN. YOU DON'T HOPE THAT THERAPY WILL SOMEHOW CHANGE HIS EVIL MIND.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=change his evil mind.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT :20]
The White House says its beginning its final phase of diplomatic talks with other nations to garner support for a possible war. A lot will depend on the newly de-classified evidence of what the White House calls "Saddam's deception" that Secretary of state Colin Powell presents when he goes before the UN next week.
(------------)

[Ruby-Reserve]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC28:18]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

For the first time since the Vietnam war, Coast Guard forces are headed to a potential war zone.
Eight high-speed patrol boats -- will head to the Persian Gulf region in the next few days.
A spokesman says the cutters will protect ``high value targets'' like Navy ships, oil tankers and military command vessels.
The Coast Guard is also calling reservists to active duty.
One of them is the manager of a Roanoke restaurant.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Teresa /Newsroom Pod;]
Teresa Hamilton spoke with the reservist and his co-workers earlier today.
[LIVE= Teresa /FULL Newsroom Pod]
[SUPER=@Teresa1]
Shannon, it's been a emotional day for Matt Graziani-- who got word of his deployment yesterday and will be leaving behind not one but two families he's come to cherish, to protect the country he also loves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=For the past six months ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Matt Graziani/General Manager; :19]
[SUPER=01-Angela Young/Assistant Manager; 1:05 quick!!!!!]
[SUPER=01-Ben Adams/Waiter; 1:10 ]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=will be great. ]
(( For the past six months-- Matt Graziani has overseen the day to day operations of Ruby Tuesday's here at Valley View Mall. But next week-- the 32- year old husband and father of three will find himself in the midst of a much different operation as a reservist with the United States Coast Guard.
(///sot///)
[sot 09:41: 00]
[in q= i told all ]
(( I TOLD ALL THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH THAT HEY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN, I WAS HOPING IT WOULDN'T BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M PRETTY MUCH PREPARED FOR IT. )) [runs09]
[out q= pretty much prepared for it. ]
On Monday-- Graziani will report for duty in what is actually his THIRD deployment since the events of September eleventh. And, while he's not sure where he'll be stationed or for how long-- he says he's trained for this day and is not hesitant to serve and protect.
(///sot///)
[sot 09:41:55]
[in q= THE DEPLOYMENT ]
(( THE DEPLOYMENT DOESN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF TRAINING, AND PRETTY MUCH THE STUFF WE DO, I'M READY, THE HARD PART IS LEAVING THE FAMILY, THAT'S WHERE THE BUTTERFLIES COME. )) [RUNS13]
[OUT Q= BUTTERFLIES COME. ]
But Graziani acknowledges leaving behind the folks who've become his second- family will also be hard.
(//sot//)
[sot 09:48:49]
[IN Q= WE'RE JUST ]
(( ANGELA YOUNG/ASSISTANT MANAGER: WE'RE JUST PROUD OF HIM, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HE'S GOING TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY WELL, AND THAT HE'S GOING TO COME BACK TO US, SAFE )) [RUNS06]
[OUT Q= COME BACK TO US SAFE.]
(///SOT////)
[SOT 09:56:54]
[IN Q=IT'S GOING TO BE ]
(( BEN ADAMS/WAITER: IT'S GOING TO BE SAD TO SEE HIM GO, BUT HE'S A GOOD MANAGER, I'M VERY PROUD THAT'S HE'S REPRESENTING THE COUNTRY AND I THINK IT WILL BE GREAT.)) [RUNS07]
[OUT Q=BE GREAT.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Teresa /FULL Newsroom Pod]
Matt Graziani is part of the Coast Guard's port security unit and says his mission is to protect American interests overseas by patrolling the water along with a crew of four.
[DOUBLE BOXES= Shannon & Teresa/Newsroom Pod;]
Shannon, today was Graziani's last day at the restaurant. On Monday, he'll be saying goodbye to his wife and children.

[LB-Meningitis]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Meningitis]

A teacher at Lord Botetourt High School is hospitalized with meningitis.
The school sent a letter home today with students describing the symptoms and telling them the health department is investigating.
Meningitis which starts with a feaver, headache and stiff neck, is transmitted only through close contact.
Casual contact, like that in classrooms, does not put students at risk for infection.
Principal Allen Brenner says the teacher is recovering.

[Missing-Child]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:01:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Authorities in Grayson County are calling the disappearance of a five-year-old boy suspicious.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
His name is Logan Nathaniel Bowman.
Police say Logan hasn't been seen for nearly a month, but his mother, Cynthia Davis didn't report him missing until Sunday.
[SUPER=03-Grayson Co.;]

Logan had been living with his mother and her boyfriend Dennis Schemerhorn in a trailer home outside of Galax. Both were later arrested for child endangerment, after police learned Logan had been hurt and wasn't taken to the doctor.
[SOT 32:13]
[IN Q=HE HAD WATER BURNS]
((SHERIFF WILSON: HE HAD WATER BURNS, HOT WATER BURNS. REPORTER: WHERE AT? SHERIFF: ON THE LEGS THE BUTTOCKS THE GROIN AREA 33:22))
[SUPER=01-Jerry Wilson/Grayson Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=GROIN AREA]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Davis is still in jail, but her boyfriend is free on bond. Police say they have questioned Logan's father, Alvin Bowman but have ruled him out as a suspect.
(XXXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN PINNACLE]
Anyone with information about Logan's disappearance is asked to call the Grayson County Sheriff's office at 276-773-32-41.
(-------------)

[Cloning]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The head of the company that claims to have created the first human clone says the baby is in Israel.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :34]
[SUPER=03-Fort Lauderdale, FL;]
Clonaid president Brigitte Boisselier (bwah-suh-lee-AY') made the announcement in a court hearing today in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She also claims two other cloned babies have been born since the birth of the first child -- known as Eve -- late last month. Clonaid has said Eve was born to American parents. The hearing was to determine whether a guardian should be appointed for the baby. A Florida lawyer had called for a guardian to prevent possible abuses. The judge ruled he doesn't have jurisdiction. He also lectured Boisselier about the marketing of cloning as a business.
(///// SOT at : 34 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I just want to make it clear...]
((JUDGE JOHN FRUSCIANTE/BROWARD CIRCUIT COURT: I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS COURT IS NOT TRYING TO SEEK CUSTODY BUT JUST TO ASSURE THE SAFETY OF THE CHILD AND THAT THE PROPER MEDICAL CARE IS BEING GIVEN TO THE CHILD.))
[SUPER=01-Judge John Frusciante/Broward Circuit Court;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=medical care is being given to the child.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]
Clonaid is linked to a group that believes aliens created life on Earth.
(------------)

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

The General Assembly says no to several tax hikes, but some legislators say you'll pay for it in other ways.
More on that when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus an old railway station is on track for new life.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Hey folks..]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=...the BIG 7."]
(-------------------)
((Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office - with a bushel full of basketball highlights from Tech, Radford, UVa. Plus, the Roanoke Dazzle gets a win on the coach's birthday. The Express fires head coach and GM Perry Florio, while it's Miller Time even if you're not a Rusty fan - tonight on t

he Big 7.))[Train-Station]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC15:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]

It was two years ago tonight that fire damaged the former passenger station of the Virginian Railway.
With news that the Norfolk Southern Corporation will donate the property, plans to restore the Roanoke landmark are now moving forward.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Norfolk Southern has agreed to give the station to the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
The group has been working with the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation to secure the building's future, and officials say they will start by repairing the roof.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=My hats off to them]
((BILL TURNER/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: MY HATS OFF TO THEM, AND I JUST PRAISE THE LORD FOR THAT. IT'LL LONG BE REMEMBERED I KNOW IN MY LIFE.)) ((THOMAS VICTORY/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: THEY HAD TWO TRAINS RUN A DAY, NORFOLK AND WEST VIRGINIA, AND IT WAS NICE TO SEE THOSE OLD STEAM ENGINES COMING IN HERE.)) ((BEN HANCOCK/FORMER VIRGINIAN EMPLOYEE: I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD EVER HAPPEN AFTER THE FIRE, I HOPE I LIVE TO SEE IT FINISHED.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Turner/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :00]
[SUPER=01-Thomas Victory/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :07]
[SUPER=01-Ben Hancock/Former Virginian Railway Employee; :13]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=hope I live to see it finished.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The groups have raised enough money to begin repairs, but will seek grants and donations to pay for a full restoration.
(------------)

[XGR]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-49 TC1:15:42]
[GRAPHIC=None]

State legislators said no several times today to higher taxes.
While the session is proving to be easy on taxpayers' wallets, some lawmakers warn it may come at a cost.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

A half dozen tax bills died before Senate and House Committees, including three that would raise the state's cigarette tax, currently the lowest in the nation.
Lawmakers also put the brakes on legislation to bring back the car tax.
Republican lawmakers say it is not the right time to raise taxes.
But some Democrats say Virginians will pay for it one way or another.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:16:22]
[IN Q=YOU PAY FOR IT THROUGH OTHER WAYS]
((SEN. JOHN EDWARDS/D-ROANOKE: YOU PAY FOR IT THROUGH OTHER WAYS SUCH AS RISING TUITION IN HIGHER EDUCATION, RISING INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN ORDER TO COVER THE MEDICAID SHORTFALL AND YOU PAY FOR IT IN THE LOWER QUALITY OF LIFE. SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.)) ((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: WE ARE IN A CONSUMER-DRIVEN ECONOMY. OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH DEPENDS ON PEOPLE SPENDING MONEY. AND IF THE GOVERNMENT KEEPS TAKING MONEY AWAY FROM THEM, THEY CAN'T SPEND IT.))
[SUPER=@Edwards; :00]
[SUPER=@Bryant; :12]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=THEY CAN'T SPEND IT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Lawmakers also defeated a bill that would fund public education through a one cent increase in Virginia's sales tax.
The measure lost by only one vote.
(------------)

[Ted-Turner]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Ted Turner is stepping down from his role as vice-chairman of A-O-L Time Warner. Company chief Richard Parsons says the former cable T-V mogul wants to spend more time on his philanthropic endeavors.
The company announced today that Turner told Parsons late yesterday he would step down, effective in May. Turner told Parsons he did not come to the decision lightly. But, he says, with the current management team in place, he is optimistic ``that the company will be able to move forward and reach its true potential.''

[Gummy-Smile]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Medical News]

A new dental technique can make people self conscious about their smile want to smile more often.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One of four people say they're unhappy with their smile because it is too gummy.
They say too much of their gums show when they smile making their teeth look small.
Ana DePaula is one of those people with a gummy smile who's decided to do something about it by getting a "gum lift."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-1:00]
[IN Q=IN ANA'S CASE]
((R. CLIFFORD WILLIAMS /PERIODONTIST; IN ANA'S CASE... SHE IS A MILD TO MODERATE GUMMY SMILE. SO WHAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO WITH HER IS JUST LITERALLY REDUCE SOME OF THE EXCESS GUM TISSUE THAT SHE HAS))
[SUPER=01-R. Clifford Williams /Periodontist; :03 ]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=GUM TISSUE THAT SHE HAS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Gummy smiles occur when a persons gums don't recede enough from their permanent teeth.
During a four hour operation, dentists are now able to use lasers to cut away the excess gum tissue so the teeth are properly exposed.
(------------)

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

A local auto parts giant and insurance agents hope you'll like killing two birds with one stone.
More on their new collaberation when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And, tired of stale chips and cookies?
An area inventor has a solution.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Advance-Auto]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC1:25:12]
[GRAPHIC=Advance Auto]

Officials with Advance Auto Parts hope a new partnership will insure their place in the market for years to come.

(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The auto parts company has teamed up with Nationwide Insurance to put insurance agents in its stores. The program is currently in a 6 month test run, but company officials hope it will continue beyond that.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - ]
[IN Q=It's another way to greet...]
((BOB RICHMOND/ADVANCE AUTO PARTS PRODUCTS DIRECTOR; IT'S ANOTHER WAY TO GREET OUR CUSTOMERS AS THEY COME IN. IT'S A REAL UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, WE'RE GETTING SOME REAL GOOD RESULTS. OVER THE NEXT 6 MONTHS THE TESTS WILL PROVE VERY POSITIVE.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Richmond/Advance Auto Parts Products Director; ]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=will prove very positive.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :10+]
The kiosks are currently set up at four Advance Auto Parts locations: on Orange Avenue, 13th Street, and Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke, and on Forest Road in Bedford.
(------------)

[Glue-Stick]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC28:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A local entrepreneur hopes you will buy a sticky solution for a common problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
Locke White is developing a food safe glue that seals items air tight. He says he got the idea because things in his kitchen kept going stale. White has a patent pending and is shopping around for a company.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:57:44]
[IN Q=try to find ]
((LOCKE WHITE/PRODUCT DEVELOPER; TRY TO FIND A CORPORATION THAT I CAN WORK WITH WHO HAS THE MONEY AND RESOURCES AND THE MAN POWER THAT I CAN THEN TURN IT OVER TO THEM AND LET THEM RUN WITH IT.))
[SUPER=01-Locke White/Product Developer;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=RUN TO IT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
White says the tacky substance can withstand freezer temperatures, work on various packaging including on bowls to help secure plastic wrap, and will wash off with water. It would only cost a couple bucks if it made it to store shelves but that could take a while. The process of getting a patent is difficult and extensive.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

It's a non-stop night with hoop highlights from Tech, UVa, Radford and the Dazzle. Plus, the latest on the firing of Perry Florio and the passing of Charlie Hammes. But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Rusty Wallace is 0-for39 in races at Daytona and 0-for-21 in the Daytona 500. But his sponsor Miller Lite is hoping this is the year. Miller and Wallace announced today that if he wins each fan of legal drinking age in the stands at Daytona that day will win a free six-pack! Miller will have workers stationed at all exits to pass out the coupons in one of the most unique promotions ever.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES] [GO TO SCORES]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Boston College/95//Virginia Tech/71////Florida State/72/j/Virginia/85//T. Watson - 16 Rebounds/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Roanoke/92//Eastern Mennonite/71//Josh Foster - 18 Points/j/Notre Dame #11/88//West Virginia/69///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Elon/57//Radford/53////North Carolina/68/j/Ga. Tech/88///;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Amherst/67//Rustburg/46///j/Patrick Henry/55//E.C. Glass/47///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Riverheads/76//Parry McCluer/50///j/Greenbrier East/83//James Monroe, WV/74///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Carlisle/68//Halifax Co./37//Girls/j/E.C. Glass/73//Patrick Henry/52//Girls/;]
[SUPER=x5034;]
[SUPER=0122-/Greenville/87/j/Roanoke/100//Cory Alexander - 26 Points/;]
[RUNS=:35]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(-----------------)

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-142 TC1539]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]

The Virginia Tech Hokies wrapped up a four game homestand last night at the Cassell against Boston College. Just a week ago, Ricky Stokes and company were riding high with a two game winning streak, but tonight Tech lost its second straight Big East contest and was thoroughly embarrassed by the Eagles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Eagles vs. Hokies; :00]

The Hokies would have a tough time with All American Troy Bell and the Eagles in this one.
Right off the bat, Nate Doornekamp gets B.C. on the board with the jam and the Eagles led early.
Dimari Thompkins would answer with the easy turn around jumpshot to cut the lead to one, but those were the only points Thompkins would score all night.
Bell would extend the Eagle lead moments later as he slices through the Tech "D" and lays it up off the glass to put the Eagles up three. But BC blew things open from there, going on a 19 to 2 run midway thru the half.
Later, Bell would show off his outside game, knocking down the three. He led all scorers with 27 points tonight including four three pointers.
Bryant Matthews did what he could to keep the Hokies in the game taking the feed from Brian Chase
[SUPER=33-Boston College/95/Virginia Tech/71/;]
and throwing the rock down. Matthews finished with 14, but the Eagles' hot shooting was the story last night. They roll 95-71.
(------------)

[S-Radford]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-143 TC1750]
[GRAPHIC=Radford Basketball]

Just across the New River, Elon paid a visit to Radford University's Dedmon Center.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Phoenix vs. Highlanders; :00]

Byron Samuels' club trailed 31-19 at the break, but went on a 12-oh run to tie things up.
Whit-Holcombe Faye hits Kyle Zaharias who finishes on the break, plus gets the foul. Zaharias finished the game with 12 points.
Later Andre Bynum gets the friendly roll on the jumper in the paint for the Highlanders.
[SUPER=33-Elon/57/Radford/53/;]
But Elon hung on late. Ross Simms buries the jumper from the corner pocket. Elon went on to win it 57 to 53.
(------------)

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-144]
[GRAPHIC=VIRGINIA HOOPS]

The Virginia Cavaliers were home last night trying to keep their unblemished homecourt record intact as they hosted Florida State.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Seminoles vs. Cavaliers; :00]
The Cavs put five players in double figures tonight including the solid Travis Watson who had 20 points and 16 rebounds in the win. But Watson got some great help tonight as Todd Billet hit four three pointers and dropped in 14 points from the outside. Jason Clark also played some inspired ball as he dropped in a dozen points after starting last night. But the man was Derrick Byars. He scored 15 and one point hit 12 straight for the Cavs - who
[SUPER=33-Florida State/72/Virginia/85 ;]
beat Florida State 85-to-72 for their 12th win of the season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=...A GREAT LIFT."]
(------------)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE 12998] Virginia's next game is this Saturday night on the road at Georgia Tech. You can catch this weekend right here on Your Hometown Station with tip-off Saturday set for 4pm.
(-------------)

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-147 1256tc]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]

The Dazzle also was in action last night. The Dazzle came into this evening's game with the Greenville Groove two and half games out of first place in the NBDL.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Groove vs. Dazzle; :00]
Last night was Kent Davison's birthday and you know the Dazzle players had a present for him. Jamal Robinson, the forgotten one finally found his shot as he broke out of a slump in a big way last night with 20 points. Jamal hit 9 out of 17 shots and had 3 steals in 37 minutes of action as the Dazzle shot 60 percent for the game.
[SUPER=33-Greenville/87/Roanoke/100;]
Cory Alexander has a game high 26 and Terrence Shannon threw down 17 as Roanoke gets the Groove 100-to-87.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]
The Dazzle is home each of the next two Wednesdays.

[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-141 3642tc]
[GRAPHIC=Perry Florio]

The Roanoke Express stunned area hockey fans this afternoon by firing successful head coach and general manager Perry Florio. Steve Mason tries to make sense of it all for us in this report.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Lonchar/Express Owner; :]
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Fired as Express Head Coach; :]
[SUPER=01-Tony MacAulay/Interim Express Head Coach; :]
[SUPER=01-Rick Kowalsky/Express Right Wing; :]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :]
[RUNS=2:04]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports"]
(-----------)

[S-Hammes]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-138 3205tc]
[GRAPHIC=FRIDAY FOOTBALL EXTRA]

One of the most colorful coaches from the early days of Friday Football Extra has passed away.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Friday Football Extra - 1985; :00]
Charlie Hammes, the long-time head coach at Cave Spring during the 1960s, 70s and 80s died this afternoon. Hammes had battled cancer and won, only to experience serious liver problems in recent years as he fought the same disease that killed Walter Payton. He had been in Pittsburgh awaiting a liver transplant at the time of his passing today. Hammes, a Yaeger, West Virginia native, was a solid coach, an "Old School Disciplinarian" and a sharp dresser - who always wore a coat and tie on the sideline. He coached his final game at Cave Spring on November 8th, 1985 - a 15-to-6 win over Amherst. Charlie Hammes coached unbeaten teams in 1967 and 1978. He would have turned 67 years old two weeks from today. (-------------)