WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 02/07/03

[News-HEads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

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

A high terror alert is issued .. What that means coming up.
Staffing, courses and athletic programs. All could suffer in Henry County schools- Justin McLeod will have a report.

Plus these lawmakers are putting some punch into their work.
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[Talent=Jean]

News 7 at Eleven.

[Video-Open]

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

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[VO-NAT 06]

Americans are put on High Alert for a possible terror attack.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12]
[IN Q=]
((THIS DECISION FOR AN INCREASED THREAT CONDITION DESIGNATION IS BASED ON SPECIFIC INTELLIGENCE RECEIVED AND ANALYZED BY THE FULL INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.))
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY..]
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[SS=News 7 @ 11]

[Terror-Alert]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 11]

Security has been stepped up at the nation's borders, airports, and government facilities.
That after the government today raised the terror threat level to high risk.
There is also word that so called soft targets, such as hotels and apartment buildings could also be at risk.
Teri Okita has the latest on what officials are telling the American people.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Ashcroft]
[SUPER=@Ridge]
[SUPER=@Okita1]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Washington.]
((THE GOVERNMENT SAYS NEW INTELLIGENCE SHOWS AL QAEDA LEADERS COULD BE PLOTTING ATTACKS ON AMERICAN HOTELS, APARTMENTS, AND OTHER PLACES WITH MINIMUM SECURITY. SO, THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION PUT (graphic) THE U-S ON HEIGHTENED ALERT FROM ELEVATED TO HIGH FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME SINCE THE 9-11 ATTACKS. John Ashcroft/Attorney General: Recent reporting indicates an increased likelihood that Al Qaeda may attempt to attack Americans in the United States and/or abroad in or around the end of the Hajj, a Muslim religious period ending mid-February. U-S OFFICIALS SAY MOST SPECIFIC THREATS ARE GEARED TOWARDS U-S TROOPS IN THE PERSIAN GULF; AT TARGETS INSIDE EUROPE, INCLUDING GREAT BRITAIN; AND IN WASHINGTON D-C AND ALONG THE EAST COAST. THEY SAY, THE AL QAEDA COULD BE AIMING FOR MASS CASUALTIES. Ashcroft: Al Qaeda continues to demonstrate a very serious interest in chemical, biological, as well as radiological devices the impacts of which would, obviously, be adverse. AMERICANS SHOULD EXPECT TIGHTER SECURITY AND POSSIBLE DELAYS AT AIRPORTS, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND AT THE BORDERS. Tom Ridge/Homeland Security Secretary: Increased security personnel at points-of-entry may, in fact, limit points-of-entry and exit, enhanced identification checks, restrictions to travel around federal facilities and airports. Teri Okita/Reporting: Officials are asking Americans to stay alert and be vigilant, but they're not recommending any events or travel be cancelled or postponed. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington.))

[Local-Alert]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC1:11:16]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Until a specific target is identified, local police say they'll just have to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :12]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/July 12;]
Roanoke Police have engaged in six homeland defense training classes since the beginning of last year. The city's homeland defense officer says every community has unique areas of focus.
(///// SOT at :12 /////)
[SOT 17:13:43-17:14:04]
[IN Q=Here in Roanoke, probably the railroad system...]
((CHRIS BOLLING/HOMELAND DEFENSE OFFICER: HERE IN ROANOKE, PROBABLY THE RAILROAD SYSTEM AND TRAIN TRACKS. DOWN NEAR THE COAST, THE LARGE RIVERS, BRIDGES AND TUNNELS THAT RESTRICT MOVEMENT. SO TRAFFIC'S THE BIG PROBLEM FOR THEM SO, THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC THINGS THAT EACH JURISDICTION HAS TO LOOK AT.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Bolling/Homeland Defense Officer;]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=jurisdiction has to look at.]
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[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]
Officer Bolling DOES say police will be more likely to stop and question people hanging out around government buildings.

[Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:07:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Schools in Henry County will stay open for another year, but it will come at some cost.
School administrators have come up with a preliminary school budget that calls for cuts of hundreds of thousands of dollars. [***HENRY SCHOOL BUDGET FS***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /Pulpit;]

Justin McLeod joins us now to tells where some of the cuts will be made. Justin?
Jean, the cuts will be felt across the board.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@justin1]

Everything from staffing, course offerings, and althetic programs are on the chopping block.
The news comes just as a survey reveals county residents may be willing to give school consolidation a second look.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. Superintendent; :16]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=THE REVENUE FOR EDUCATION]
((((NAT SOUND OF SUPERINTENDENT TALKING SAYING "IT'S ALL BASED ON THE CODE OF VIRGINIA" AT 1:06:05))
After months of crunching numbers and public surveys the preliminary budget for the Henry County school system is complete.
It is a budget put together with a 600-thousand dollar cut in state aid.
[SOT 55:19]
[IN Q=It's always a challenge]
((SHARON DODSON/SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS: IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH DIMINSHED REVENUE SO YOU HAVE TO OFF SET IT, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE SOMETHING.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=change something]

And that's exactly what is about to happen.
The proposed budget eliminates 17 positions including 11 teachers. [GRAPHIC]
Those who survive will have to pay more for healthcare.
As for course offerings, the school system wants to phase out the school of practical nursing and eliminate all competitive althletic programs at the middle school level.
[SOT 1:00:00]
[IN Q=We put that on the table]
((SHARON DODSON: WE PUT THAT ON THE TABLE BECAUSE AGAIN THAT IS NOT AN INSTRUCTIONAL ISSUE AND I DID SO VERY RELUCTANTLY.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=very reluctantly]

That's because a recent survey indicated that many county residents want to keep althletic programs at the middle school level.
That survey conducted in the last month or so also revealed an unexpected find. [GRAPHIC]
Of the more than 5-thousand county residents who filled out the survey, 48-percent said they would like the school board to ask the board of supervisors to reconsider consolidating and closing several schools.
[SOT 1:01:33]
[IN Q=I guess you could say]
((SHARON DODSON: I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT THE PEOPLE WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY VERY MUCH WANTED TO EXPLORE EVERY OPTION ON MAXIMUMIZING THE REVENUE FOR EDUCATION.)) [Runs14]
[OUT Q=for education]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]

Dr. Dodson said however there are no plans to take another look at consolidation at this time.
There was one piece of good news from the proposed budget, it calls for an almost 3 1/2 percent raise for teachers.

[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /Pulpit;]

Jean, that is an effort to find and retain quality teachers.

[Henry-Parks]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-52 TC1:45:27]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Changes could also be on their way for recreation in Henry County.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Collinsville]

The county and the city of Martinsville have agreed to study combining the county's Parks and Recreations Department and the city's Leisure Services Department.
County and city leaders want to know if a combined department could provide more services and save money.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:07:41]
[IN Q=Most localities]
((TIM HALL/COUNTY SPOKESPERSON: MOST LOCALITIES AND WE'RE NO DIFFERENT ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CONTAIN COSTS, CUT COSTS OR PROVIDE A BETTER PRODUCT FOR THE COSTS SO WE'RE GOING TO STUDY IT. WE HAVE NO IDEA IF IT WILL WORK, IF IT'S COST EFFECTIVE OR IF IT WILL ACHIEVE ANY OF THE OBJECTIVES THAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE BUT THAT'S WHY YOU STUDY IT.))
[SUPER=01-Tim Hall/Henry Co. Spokesperson]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=you study it]
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[VO-NAT]

The two localities have hired a company out of Roanoke to conduct the survey and it should be complete by the spring.
(------------)

[School-Snow]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-55 TC48:39]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

The Roanoke City School Board will re-evaluate a snow day policy next week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Right now the city operates with a blanket cancellation policy. It means if classes are cancelled, after-school activities such as athletics, performances and meetings are as well. The Superintendent of Schools says he thinks board should consider looking at them case by case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:06:16]
[IN Q=WE WILL ]
((HALLIE CARR/PRINCIPAL WILLIAM FLEMING HS; WE WILL STILL LOOK AT IT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS BECAUSE SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN, SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THEN WHETHER OR NOT YOU WIN OR LOSE AN ATHLETIC EVENT.))
[SUPER=01-Hallie Carr/William Fleming H. S. Principal;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=AN ATHLETIC EVENT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Principal Carr says rescheduling games is time consuming but that all schools are dealing with it and trying to work together. The school board will address the matter on Tuesday. If passed, it could be effective immediately.
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[WIPE TO FULL SCREEN]

[Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=School Info.]

(+++++++)
[WIPE TO Schooltouch Full] One School announcement for tomorrow. The W-V-P-E-C "Career Switcher" classes are canceled.
(------------)

[VDOT-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC25:15]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

This latest storm did more than cancel classes and sporting events.
It also broke the bank at V-DOT and its 48-million dollar snow-removal budget.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/Last Night]

A spokeswoman says Virginia had already spent 42-million dollars to clear snow from the roads, and the department will assuredly spend more than six-million dollars on this storm.
She says it's NOT uncommon for the state to exceed its annual snow removal budget.
V-DOT spent 120-million bucks in the winter of 1995-96, when a blizzard dumped several feet of snow on the state.

(------------)

[Shuttle]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Columbia]
An important find today in the investigation of the Columbia disaster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Searchers found a large piece of one of Columbia's wings-- a major clue in figuring out what caused the shuttle to break up as it tried to land. Officials are still trying to determine which wing the debris is from.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:45:48]
[IN Q=Obviously given the]
((MICHAEL KOSTELNIK/NASA: OBVIOUSLY GIVEN THE ANOMALIES WE HAVE ON THE DESCENT COMING THROUGH THE LEFT WING-- OBVIOUSLY THIS STRUCTURE IS VERY IMPORTANT.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Kostelnik/NASA;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=is very important]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A high- definition picture taken just before Columbia broke apart is also being analyzed. Taken by an Air Force camera in New Mexico, it shows a fuzzy silhouette of the shuttle with a dark gray streak behind the left wing. NASA officials say the picture is not very revealing, but will continue to examine it. Earlier today, a memorial service for the seven person crew was held on the runway of Kennedy Space Center.
(------------)

[Repo-Man]

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

A Texas mother walked outside to take her children to school this morning only to find them gone- along with her car.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 15:52:25 30 +]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;]
The children were waiting for their mother inside the family S-U-V when a repo man pulled up and towed it away. The young boys say they thought they were being kidnapped. For some reason the driver stopped a short ways down the road. The boys banged on the window and say the driver gasped with surprise when he saw them. He then drove the children home and apologized to their parents but didn't wait for police to arrive. Ironically, the entire situation could have been avoided-- the man towed the WRONG vehicle.
(------------)

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

Americans are being advised to leave some Middle Eastern countries as a war with Iraq edges closer.
We'll have the latest next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus new research shows a childhood back problem may not be as serious later in life.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Hey folks..]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=...the BIG 7."]
(-------------------)
((Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as high school hoops take a back seat to volleyball as Cave Spring looks for perfection on seniors night. We're on POST at VMI and inside historic Cocke Hall as the Keydets go to the mat against Appy State. The final practice for the Bud Shootout is in the books at Daytona, and Steve Mason is in the house with this week's Atlantic Coast Connection tonight on the Big 7.))

[Iraq]

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

The State Department has advised nonessential U-S diplomats, family members and private citizens to leave Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The advisory comes amid rising tensions with Iraq over weapons inspections.
It is possible that the British may vote on Monday to use force against Iraq- but still no vote regarding Iraq from the United Nations Security Council.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 06.5]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]

President Bush says it's time for the council to make up its mind about Iraq and Saddam Hussein.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14]
[IN Q=]
((THE MAN HAS BEEN TOLD TO DISARM FOR TWELVE LONG YEARS. HE'S IGNORED THE DEMANDS OF THE FREE WORLD. SO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL HAS TO MAKE UP ITS MIND SOON AS TO WHETHER OR NOT ITS WORDS MEAN ANYTHING.))
[RUNS=25]
[OUT Q=ITS WORDS MEAN ANYTHING.]
(---------)
[Vo-nat 16 plus pad]
President Bush went on to say the choice between war and peace is up to Saddam Hussein.
Meanwhile the top U-N nuclear arms monitor says inspections are an alternative to war- He's hoping for more Iraqi cooperation.
U-N inspectors will meet with Iraqi officials this weekend.
(---------------)

[RI-Fire]

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

Firefighters say a blaze at a chemical plant was so intense- they couldn't see from one end of the building to the other.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Cranston, RI]

The fire began at the Technic plant in Rhode Island when a pipe exploded.
The flames were so hot they melted pipes.
Authorities say 12 people were hurt- one critically.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[NJ-Bus]

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

[WIPE WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Manahawkin, NJ]

New Jersey officials now say a tour bus was weaving through traffic before its fatal crash today.
The crash on the Garden State Parkway killed two people.
Police say witnesses told them the bus was going in and out of traffic inappropriately before rolling on its side.

The bus was on its way from New York to Atlantic City.
(------------)

[Hudson]

[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=02-51 TC1:16:43]
[SS=Guilty Plea]

A man accused of killing his neighbors today pled guilty in Halifax County court.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

James Bryant Hudson was charged with killing his neighbor Walter Stanley Cole, his brother Thomas Cole, and Pasty Cole.
Today, Hudson pled guilty to two counts of capital murder and one count of first degree murder.
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./July]

Prosecutors say the murders stemmed from years of controversy over a private access road.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker plans to ask for the death penalty.
A judge will make the decision at a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 14th.
(------------)

[Meningitis]

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

Virginia Tech is trying to identify students who had close contact with a sophomore who contracted meningitis.
The 19 year old lived in the main Eggleston dorm.
Health officials say she's in stable condition at a Fairfax hospital.
Symptoms of the bacteria include sudden high fever, an intense headache, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally a rash.

The meningitis case is the second in Virginia this year.

[Scoliosis]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=02-45 TC2:05:29]
[GRAPHIC=Scoliosis]

For years doctors have believed if they did not treat scoliosis in children it could lead to health problems.
But a new study proves otherwise.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

The 50-year study found that people who avoided treatment did not develop impairments later in life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:48:11]
[IN Q=This gives us some indication that people]
((DR. GREG RIEBEL/VIRGINIA ORTHOPAEDIC; THIS GIVES US SOME INDICATION THAT PEOPLE WITH MILD TO MODERATE SCOLIOSIS MAY DO QUITE WELL WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF TREATMENTS AND THEY MAY NOT NEED ANY MODIFICATIONS IN THEIR LIFESTYLE))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Greg Riebel/Virginia Orthopaedic]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=in their lifestyle]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Scoliosis affects children, mainly females. It's a condition that occurs during the growth cycle, when the growth plates are developing.
Doctor Riebel (REE-bull) says children should be checked for the condition on a regular basis starting in the first grade.
(------------)

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

A fight over money and power in Richmond.
Find out who's on the losing end of this battle when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus a new rule was supposed to make this political body more civil. It apparently isn't working too well.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[XGR]

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

Democrats say Republican lawmakers are getting too partisan with the state's budget...and they point to the budgets of two of Virginia's top officeholders as proof.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

The House and Senate voted to CUT the Lieutenant Governor's staff allowance but BOOST the Attorney General's budget.

Delegate Morgan Griffith says it's not personal.
But he says the lieutenant governor's staff allowance should be in line with the House Majority Leader's.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:22:43]
[IN Q=HE IS A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE]
((DEL. MORGAN GRIFFITH/R-SALEM: HE IS A PART-TIME EMPLOYEE, JUST LIKE THE LEGISLATORS AND WHY HE HAS ENOUGH STAFFING ALLOWANCE TO HAVE SIX PEOPLE OR SEVEN PEOPLE, I DON'T UNDERSTAND. WE SHOULD HAVE CUT IT BACK YEARS AGO.)) ((LT. GOVERNOR TIM KAINE: HE'S NOT MENTIONED IN THE CONSTITUTION. HE'S NOT IN THE LINE OF SUCCESSION TO THE GOVERNOR, I AM. HE DOESN'T GO TO CABINET MEETINGS, I DO. HE'S NOT CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE'S DISABILITY COMMISSION. I AM. THIS ISN'T ABOUT LOOKING AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS IS JUST ABOUT THE ARROGANCE OF POWER.))
[SUPER=@Griffith; :00]
[SUPER=@Kaine; :10]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=THE ARROGANCE OF POWER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kaine, who has four full-time employees, says he already reduced his budget voluntarily in light of the state's fiscal crisis.
He says cutting his budget further is "nothing but partisanship."
(------------)

[Russia-Fight]

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

We often report on political fights, but an argument today in Russia's parliament turned into a real fistfight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Moscow, Russia]

Emotions were running high during today's session as an independent deputy fired an obscenity-ridden tirade against a Communist leader.
One of the Communist leader's party-mate reacted by taking a swing at the deputy.
The incident took place just a day after the parliament approved a bill banning the use of foreign or offensive words, which have been used by politicians to spice up thier public addresses.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Wrestling from VMI, volleyball from Cave Spring, plus the latest from Daytona and this week's Atlantic Coast connection are on the way.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pebble Beach, CA; :00]
But first tonight's Extra Point. The Pebble Beach Pro-Am is at the halfway point. But the fans don't care about the pros they're checking out the celebs like Kevin Costner with the goatee. Jim Furyk leads by one after 36. Catch the final two rounds right here on WDBJ-7 this weekend.
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[GO TO SCORES]
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[S-VMI]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-137 4045TC]
[GRAPHIC=vmi]

We begin this morning with the VMI Keydets wrestling program. Yesterday evening the Keydets welcomed Southern Conference bad boy Appalachian State to town.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; :00]
VMI wrestling has always been solid, but this year the program got a big lift after it gave folks a place to sit down.
Cocke Hall has been the home of VMI wrestling for 76 years, but before this season the seating was upgraded so the "Thunderdome's" seating could increase from 300 to 700.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=EACH AND EVERY...]
[SUPER=01-John Trudgeon/VMI Head Wrestling Coach; :04]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...great sport."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]
[SUPER=03-Keydets vs. Mountaineers;]
The venue was fabulous again tonight, but the opponent was just too nasty. Appalachian State beat VMI 26-to-6 as the visitors won 8 out of the 10 matches. With tonight's win - the Mountaineers clinch the regular season title in the Southern Conference. VMI is now 4-and-3 on the season. The Keydets have another match this morning at 11:30 against UNC-Greensboro.
(------------)

[S-Cave]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-140 4342TC]
[GRAPHIC=news 7 sports]

Most of last night's high school basketball action was either postponed or in a few instances just plain cancelled. However, there was some net action in at least one Roanoke Valley gym.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Salem vs. Cave Spring; :00]
When Cave Spring split this year to fill Hidden Valley - drop-off in one school's athletic programs and struggles in the other were inevitable. But someone forgot to tell the members of the Knights' volleyball team. It was seniors night last night as Cave Spring looked to complete a 20 and 0 regular season against Salem. The Knights would have yet another easy night at the office as the seven seniors on the team including Abelyn Austin and Courtney Fitzpatrick contributed to the 15-to-2 and 15-to-8 win over the Spartans. Cave Spring win "A" division of Blue Ridge and tunes up for next week's district championship by completing a perfect 20-and-0 regular season under first year head coach Tamalyn Tanis.
(------------)

[S-Bud]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-145 2154TC]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]

The 19 drivers who are taking part in tonight's 70 lap Bud Shootout All-star race got in two practice sessions yesterday. One yesterday afternoon and one under the lights. Five drivers in all topped the 188 mile an hour mark tonight and the fastest of them all was Terry Labonte. Dale Junior was second, Tony Stewart third and Mark Martin fourth.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Daytona Beach, FL/This Afternoon;:00]
Ward Burton, the defending Daytona 500 champ was fifth fastest in practice last night. Burton - won the 500 last year by missing the big wreck and being patient. That's a virtue he may or may not need in tonight's 70 lap dash for cash.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Ward Burton/Starts 10th In Bud Shootout; :04]
[RUNS=:32]
[OUT Q=...FULL OF DRAMA I'M SURE."]
(------------)

[S-Coast]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-142 23:35]
[GRAPHIC=50th ACC anniversary]
In past year's the ACC has had a definite front runner and a clear division between the top and bottom halves. But this year it appears that ACC stands for
[graphic=wdbj atlantic coast connection]
always constant competition. Steve Mason has more on the parity in this week's edition of the Atlantic Coast Connection.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-College Park, MD/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gary Williams/Maryland Head Basketball Coach; :12]
[SUPER=01-Chris Duhon/Duke Point Guard; :35]
[SUPER=03-Durham, NC; :47]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :57]
[SUPER=01-Johnny Dawkins/Duke Associate Head Coach; 1:11]
[SUPER=04-ACC Tournament File Tape; 1:32]
[SUPER=01-Davis Whitfield/ACC Director of Championships; 1:46]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=.....atlantic coast connection"]
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((Maryland joins Duke and Wake Forest as the three ACC teams ranked in the top 25. The defending national champions were stunned 86-78 by Virginia Thursday night, a team with a 1 an 6 road record. ((GARY WILLIAMS:MARYLAND HEAD BASKETBALL COACH:))
The Terps fall to the unranked as did Coach K and his Blue Devils to unrated Florida State, proving just how tough the ACC is this season. ((CHRIS DUHON/DUKE POINT GUARD:))
J.J. Redick is still Duke's second leading scorer, averaging 16.2 points a game. ((STEVE MASON:)) ((JOHNNY DAWKINS/DUKE ASSISTANT COACH:))
The intense competition in the conference should make the 50th anniversary celebration ceremony at the ACC men's basketball tournament March 13th through the 16th at the Greensboro Coliseum even more exciting. ((:))
Catch the Seminoles and the Tarheels right here on WDBJ Saturday at one. Then Sunday on your Hometown Station, Maryla nd takes on Georgia Tech, also at one o'clock. Steve Mason for your WDBJ 7 Atlantic Coast Connection.))