[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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


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


Not again. More wet stuff is falling tonight.
How are the roads and what can you expect tomorrow?
A deadly accident on Route 220 in Botetourt.
Plus what went wrong at a Chicago club- Tonight some possible answers.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]


And is the Roanoke Express on the selling block?
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=]



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

Road crews are forced to throw it in reverse as they deal with another round of precipitation.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]



[Night-Update]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC12:00]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]

The sleet and freezing rain falling tonight is not adding up to much. But it is still enough to cause problems on the already wet pavement when coupled with temperatures in the 20's.

[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Teresa /PorchCam;]

Teresa Hamilton was on the roads earlier tonight and joins us now with an update on conditions.
[LIVE= Teresa /FULL Porchcam]
[SUPER=@Teresa1;]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke]

Jean, icy roads continue to be a problem throughout the viewing area tonight... a situation made worse when more sleet and freezing rain fell this afternoon.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It will no doubt ]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[RUNS=:56]
[OUT Q=much needed traction. ]

((
(///sot///)
[sot]
[in q=NAT SOUND]

(( NAT SOUND )) [RUNS05]
[OUT Q= NAT SOUND.]

It will no doubt be another long night for VDOT along with city and town workers as they try to gain the upper hand on a storm that just doesn't want to let up. Throughout the day-- VDOT says its crews were able to make significant headway on Interstate 81, 581 and Route 460 only to retrace their steps this evening after another small round of sleet and freezing rain entered the picture.
(///sot///)
[sot]
[in q= nat sound]

((nat sound)) [runs05]
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Tonight-- VDOT is urging drivers to use caution. Officials say most of the main roads in the Roanoke and New River Valleys are in good condition with a few exceptions.
However, they say secondary roads remain slick and icy. Tonight-- VDOT says it will be using a mixture of salt, stone and sand to treat both the primary and secondary roads in hopes of giving motorists some much needed traction.))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Teresa /FULL Porchcam]
[SUPER=05-Roanoke;]

VDOT says conditions are much the same throughout the entire viewing area. Again, most of the main roads are in decent shape with some exceptions such as in Rockbridge and Alleghany County... .
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Teresa /Porchcam;]

But Jean the secondary roads throughout the viewing area are in rought shape.

[Southside-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-48 TC1:48:08]
[GRAPHIC=Winter Weather]


Ice was a big problem for people in Southside, knocking out power to some and making travel hazardous.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]


People who had to get to work at the Danville Regional Medical Center made it there with help from volunteers in four wheel drives.
About one hundred hospital workers took advantage of the rides to get to and from the medical center yesterday and today.
Meanwhile, ice-covered trees and branches contributed to scattered power outages throughout the area.
(------------)



[PM-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=92047 TC2:01:44]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]


The weather did not stop service at a local cab company ... but it did put a strain on it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]


Under the weight of all the ice, the roof at the Yellow Cab Company started to buckle over its auto repair shop.
Workers got out and quickly called in the fire department.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 48:28]

((STEVE ROBERTS/YELLOW CAB CO-OWNER: WE HEARD A LARGE CRACKING NOISE AND AS WE LOOKED UP WE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE BEAMS WERE CRACKING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE SNOW THAT HAD ACCUMULATED ON THE ROOF, SO WE EVACUATED THE BUILDING AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ))
[SUPER=01-Steve Roberts/Yellow Cab Co-Owner;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=called the fire department.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Despite the roof problems, the cabs kept rolling.
The company moved its dispatch to another building so it could keep up service.
The roof is being repaired.
(------------)



[Blizzard]


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


It is the worst blizzard the Northeast has seen in seven years- Some places have seen as much as four feet of snow.
The snow is still coming down in some places.
Manuel Gallegus has more from New York.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[Super=03-Boston, MA; :16]
[Super=03-Philadelphia, PA; :38]
[Super=03-New York, NY; :55]
[SUPER=@Gallegus1; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=CBS NEws, New York.]

((BY NIGHTFALL, THE NORTHEAST LOOKED LIKE A GHOST TOWN ... COVERED IN WHITE. A SLOW-MOVING BLIZZARD CONSIDERED BEAUTIFUL WHEN IT FIRST ARRIVED ... WAS QUICKLY TURNING INTO A NUISANCE. THE STORM HAS STARTED MOVING AWAY FROM NEW YORK AND TOWARD NEW ENGLAND, WHERE AS MUCH AS TWO FEET OF SNOW IS EXPECTED.
THEY CAN FORGET ABOUT FLYING, BOSTON'S LOGAN AIRPORT HAS ALREADY CANCELED FLIGHTS. FOR STRANDED PASSENGERS, IT WAS LIKE A BAD DREAM. A SENTIMENT SHARED BY CLEAN-UP CREWS IN PHILADELPHIA, WHO HAD TO CRAWL OVER MOUNDS OF SNOW TO GET TO WORK. THE BLIZZARD VIRTUALLY SHUTDOWN THE NATION'S CAPITAL. FEDERAL OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, DC WILL BE CLOSED FOR ANOTHER DAY ... WHILE THE CITY TRIES TO DIG OUT. FOR OTHERS, THE STORM COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER *TIME ... AFTERALL IT WAS A HOLIDAY. AND NEW YORKERS WE SPOKE TO TOOK FULL ADVANTAGE. THE SNOW TRANSFORMED CENTRAL PARK INTO A WINTER WONDERLAND ... AND FOR SOME ... A SKI RESORT. "Having a great day. People are in the park enjoying it." FOOTBALL, SNOWMEN AND A QUICK SPIN AROUND THE PARK, COURTESY OF MOM. IT WILL LIKELY TAKE A FEW DAYS BEFORE ALL OF THE SNOW IS PLOWED OFF STREETS ... AND BY THE END OF THE WEEK, THE WEATHER IS SUPPOSED TO WARM UP...MAKING EVERYTHING VERY ICY. MG CBS NEWS NEW YORK.))

[Subway-Fire]


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


A suspected arson attack on a subway train has killed dozens in South Korea.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Taegu, South Korea]


An unspecified number of people are still trapped in the city of (Tie-goo) Taegu.
Firefighters are still on the scene and aren't even sure how many passengers were involved.
South Korean television puts the number of injured between 60 and a hundred.
No word on who may be to blame.
(------------)



[NKorea]


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


Meanwhile, North Korea is threatening to abandon the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean war.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]


If North Korea abandons the armistice, it would remove the main mechanism that's keeping the peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.
Tension has been rising over the North's recent decision to restart its nuclear programs in violations of international treaties.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]


The North is also accusing the U-S of plotting an attack on the communist state.
It's official news agency quotes a North Korean army source as saying the U-S is building up reinforcement around the Korean peninsula.

[Iraq]


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


The international community moves closer to agreeing on how to handle Iraq, while Saddam Hussein appears to be cooperating with U-N weapons inspectors more.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Today, the European Union held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
There was broad agreement that Iraq has to disarm but the fifteen nation group was split on how long to wait before declaring Saddam Hussein had failed to do so.
This comes after NATO was able to agree to defend Turkey in case Iraq attacked the nation in retaliation to a U-S led war.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the European community is finally coming together on a tough issue.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-:58]
[IN Q=THOSE POINTS OF AGREEMENT SEND]

((TONY BLAIR/BRITISH PRIME MINISTER-THOSE POINTS OF AGREEMENT SEND A STRONG SIGNAL TO IRAQ. THIS REALLY IS THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO DISARM PEACEFULLY. PEOPLE WANT THIS CONFLICT RESOLVED PEACEFULLY. BUT IT CAN ONLY BE DONE ON THE BASIS OF THE FULL AND TOTAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Tony Blair/British Prime Minister]
[RUNS=21]
[OUT Q=FULL AND TOTAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Meanwhile, U-N chief weapons inspector Hans Blix is giving Iraq two more weeks to comply before he gives his next report to the security council.
Inspectors visited eight sites today and destroyed mustard gas at a chemical company near Baghdad.
U-2 spy planes flew overhead to help with finding sites that may be producing illegal weapons.
(------------)



[Human-Shields]


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


Dozens of peace activists have arrived in Baghdad from London-
(------------)
[VO-NAT 16.5]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq]


They say they'll serve as human shields against a possible war on Iraq.
Two double decker buses left London for Baghdad late last month picking up supporters along the way.
While the protestors say they are human shields, few say they are ready to lay down their lives.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 29]
[IN Q=]

((GOIDEN SLOAN/"HUMAN SHIELD" PROTESTOR; NO ONE COMES HERE TO DIE EVERY LIFE NON ONE IS PREPARED TOD DIE. EVERYBODY'S LIFE SHOULD BE VALUED THE SAME. WE'VE COME HERE TO SAY WE DON'T AGREE WTIH THE POLICIES OF SOME OF OUR GOVERNMENTS.)) [Butt to 1:07] ((KATHARINE SOEDERHOLM/HUMAN SHIELD; I'M HERE AS A HUMAN SHIELD BECAUSE I SEE MYSELF AS A OF TRUTH AGAINST CIVILIANS AGAINST THE IRAQI PEOPLE.))
[SUPER=01-Goiden Sloan/"Human Shield" Protestor; 00]
[SUPER=01-Katharine Soederholm/Human Shield; 14]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=AGAINST THE IRAQI PEOPLE.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The protestors say they hope they can help deter a war on Iraq.
(------------)


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


Still ahead on News 7, an accident involving a propane truck creates some tense moments in Botetourt County.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Sanchez1]
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[OUT Q=story coming up][Sports-preview]



[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
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[TAPE#=]
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(///// 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 the Hustling Highlanders look for another shorthanded win. Maryland and Wake wade through the snow to play in College Park, while Charlene Curtis might as well laugh - cause Duke can make you cry. Plus, Steve Mason on the possible sale of the Express.

Tonight on the Big 7.))[Boty-Wreck]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC28:19]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]


A man involved in an accident with a propane truck in Botetourt County has died.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]


70-year old Isaac Merchant's pickup truck collided with the tanker on Route 220 about three p-m.
The Eagle Rock man died an hour and a half later.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT-18:09:00]
[IN Q=I DON'T THINK]

((TROOPER RUSTY LAMBERT/STATE POLICE; I DON'T THINK IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ROADS BEING WET. I JUST THINK THAT THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP TRUCK MAY HAVE FELL ASLEEP OR SOMETHING.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Rusty Lambert/State Police]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=ASLEEP OR SOMETHING]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]


State police say it appears Merchant veered into the opposite lane and sideswiped the propane truck.
The propane truck flipped onto it's side and it began leaking small amounts of propane.
Police say there was no danger.
The driver of the propane truck was shaken up, but not seriously hurt.
(------------)



[Danville-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC1:24:16]
[SS=None]


A man Danville police say shot two people yesterday ended up killing himself after a lengthy standoff today.
36-year-old Darin Edward Barksdale was suspected of shooting two people in a home on Swanson Street early Sunday.


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


Barksdale later called police from the Travel Inn on West Main Street and authorities, with the help of a family member, tried to negotiate his surrender.
Barksdale reportedly cut off communications Sunday night and officers kept surveillance on his room until about noon today.
That's when police found Barksdale dead on the bed from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The two people he reportedly shot remain hospitalized.
(------------)



[Chicago-Club]


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


Chicago police say a nightclub should have never been opened in the first place- it was barred from operating.
But the club WAS opened and early this morning a holiday night out ended in panic and death- 21 people died in a stampede.
Elizabeth Sanchez has more on what went wrong.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL; :00]
[SUPER=01-James Joyce/Chicago Fire Commissioner; :50]
[SUPER=@Sanchez1; 1:26]
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[OUT Q=CBS News, Chicago.]

(( Investigators now say the owners of the Epitome nightclub ignored a court order and it turned out to be a deadly decision. The club was operating illegally after a court order was issued in July, barring the owners from operating any business on the second floor. "The owners chose to violate the law, they chose to open up anyway." Early Monday morning a wave of panic triggered a deadly stampede after a fight erupted. Security moved in and sometime during the confrontation, pepper spray or mace was used. The choking fumes spread and patrons were trampled when the crowd rushed for the exit. "My cousin died from the direct use of whatever chemical they sprayed into the audience. " Paramedics were already on the scene for an unrelated call on the first level. They responded to the commotion and found the stairwell clogged with bodies.
James Joyce/Chicago Fire Commissioner "We did find bodies right at the door, I don't know how that happened, I can't say security stopped them from leaving. " When the crowd spilled outside, another scene of chaos developed. As rescue workers loaded tended to the injured, clashes broke out between angry patrons and police. Several area hospitals were overrun with victims ranging from the critically injured to those suffering from breathing difficulties. "As family members came in and were given information you can imagine it was a very traumatic and horrific sort of occasion." Sanchez Close: The investigation is now focused on why the nightclub was open in the first place. The city has been battling the owners in court for months, after repairs failed to meet building codes. Officials say they will be in court again as early as Tuesday, this time they're planning to file charges of criminal contempt. ES CBS News, Chicago.))

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


Still ahead on News 7, why the price of wine is just fine.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


Plus find out why farmers are loving this year's winter weather.
(----------------)


[Commercial]

[Wine]


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

Wine drinkers may be thanking Dionysus.. the god of wine.
Prices are at their lowest level in a decade. Wine sales wine rose four percent in the last year. The biggest buzz involves the lower end of the market. "Two Buck Chuck" sells for as little as a dollar ninety nine. At a rate of one million cases sold a month it is the fastest selling new wine in the history of the business... it's supposed to have the quality of an expensive brand. The higher end is also doing well, with moderately priced wines- say about seven bucks a bottle... struggling the most.

[Farms-Snow]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC16:14]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

After years of drought, local farmers are happy about the winter weather.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

They say ice is better than rain because it takes longer to soak into the ground and results in less run-off. An agent with the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension says he wouldn't mind seeing still more snow this year, although it'd be nice to take a break before the next storm.
((SOT at :17))
[SOT 1:17:13-1:17:20]
[IN Q=we've still got plenty of time...]

((JOHN HAMRICK/EXTENSION AGENT: WE'VE STILL GOT PLENTY OF TIME FOR THIS TO DISTRIBUTE AMONGST THE SOIL PROFILE BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE'RE REALLY GETTING BACK INTO THE FIELD IN THE SPRING.))
[SUPER=01-John Hamrick/Extension Agent;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=the field in the spring.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :11]


Despite the unusual number of winter storms received by Southwest Virginia this year, Hamrick says it would most likely take another storm or two to push the ground to the saturation point.
(------------)




[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra & SP-142 3141TC]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Radford University cancels classes - but plays hoops! Maryland does the same as it hosts Wake, and the Wake women hosts Duke. Highlights from all three - plus is the Express really for sale? But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]

Pitcher Greg Maddux and the Braves agreed to the largest one-year contract in baseball history today. The 37 year old right hander and the Braves today avoided salary arbitration when they settled on a $14 million - 750 thousand dollar deal. Had they gone to arbitration - Maddux would have been asking for $16 million bucks.
(------------)

[GO TO SCORES]
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[SUPER=0098-/Charleston Southern/57/j/Radford/59//Whit Holcomb-Faye - 20 Points//Coastal Carolina/73/j/Liberty/79//Flam

es Now First in Big South/;]
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[SUPER=0098-/Wake Forest #10/67//Maryland #13/90////Longwood/73/j/Anderson/77///;]
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[RUNS=:30]

[OC...LAST SCORE]
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[S-Terps]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-147 2816TC]
[GRAPHIC=acc]


We begin this segment in College Park, Maryland where two week of snow forced the Maryland-Wake game to be postponed Sunday night. Most figured they would move it to next month, but the Terps wanted to play yesterday. So at noon yesterday - it was decided the game would be played at 5pm.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-College Park, MD/Deacons vs. Terps; :00]

Fans had to walk to the Comcast Center - because the parking lots were full of snow. No one expected much of crowd, but nearly all of the 17 thousand 900 seats in the arena were full. Those who made it inside got to see the guards dominate as Steve Blake led the Terps with a solid 21 point effort. And Drew Nicholas chipped in another 19 as Maryland handed Wake its worst loss of the season.
[super=33-Wake Forest #10/67/Maryland #13/90;]

The Terps take over first place in the ACC and tune up for their visit to Duke on Wednesday with a 90-to-67 win.
(------------)



[S-Radford]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-145]
[GRAPHIC=RADFORD HOOPS]


Locally, almost no one played last night except the Radford University Highlanders - who hosted Charleston Southern in Big South play.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Charleston Southern vs. Radford; :00]

For the second straight game the Highlanders had to play with just 7 available players as the rest served out the end of their suspensions. One of those in uniform Matt James will take the pass from Aaron Gills on the interior and James will put in two off the window for the Highlanders. Charleston answers back with Nathan Ball and he will pull off an inside job on the other end. In the second half Olumuyiwa Popoola (POP-POLE-UH) passes to Whit Holcomb-Faye who lays the rock in. He had a game high 20 points for RU. Holcomb-Faye will later get shutdown at the top - but he will deliver to Popoola who delivers from three ball land with career high 18 points.
[super=33-Charleston Southern/57/Radford/59;]

Radford gets its second straight win - with half the team in street clothes winning it 59-to-57.
(------------)



[S-Duke]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=Mike]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-143 2924TC]
[GRAPHIC=radford]


Speaking of Radford - Highlander alum, former player, former coach and a member of the University's sports hall of fame -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/FoxNet; :00]

Charlene Curtis was on her home court last night as Wake Forest played host to Duke. The Deacons gave the Devils all they wanted earlier in the year, but that would not be the case last night. Duke just dominated the game from start to finish thanks to Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis. Those two combined to score 23 points and all 10 Blue Devils played and scored. Wake had a few moments of excellence as Tonia Brown gets the assist to Tiffani Listenbee who had a game high 17.
[super=33-Duke #2/83/Wake Forest/41;]

But Duke - the top team in the ACC shoots 63 percent for the game and beats last place Wake Forest with ease 83-to-41.

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



[S-ACC]


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



(xxxxxxxxxxx)

[GO TO PINNACLE 12998] The Hoops from the ACC are right here on WDBJ-7 tonight. Tune in at 8 as Virginia try to get back on track and keep its NCAA tournament hopes alive as Clemson visits University Hall - right here on Your Hometown Station.
(-------------)



[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-146]
[GRAPHIC=Express]


The Roanoke Express seems to be sold on new coach Tony McCaulay, but the question yesterday was is the team just plain SOLD!
Steve Mason sat down with owner Ashby Coleman to clear the ice.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ashby Coleman/Express Owner; :33]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Tony MacAulay/Express Interim Head Coach; 1:55]
[RUNS=2:06]
[OUT Q=....News 7 sports"]
(-----------------)


((Express owner Ashby Coleman spent part of a snowy Monday preparing on ice signage that will be installed under the Roanoke Civic Center ice this week. The graphics promote next seasons ticket sales. But the Augusta Chronicle, a newspaper out of Georgia reports that the Express is on the market for 600 thousand dollars and that one potential buyer, an Augusta businessman told the Chronicle that he and a small group of investors are putting together a strong bid to purchase the Express and relocate the team to Savannah for the 2003-2004 season. ((ASHBY COLEMAN:EXPRESS OWNER:))
The newspaper article also said that the Express could suspend operations or fold after the season unless a new buyer is found. Coleman did say the team is losing money but that the ownership group is working hard to sell more tickets. ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:THE ECHL IS ALSO HELPING THE EXPRESS. EACH MOTH, THE EXPRESS JOIN S LEAGUE PRESIDENT BRIAN MCKENNA AND THE OTHER ECHL TEAMS ON A CONFERENCE CALL TO TALK ABOUT TICKET PROMOTIONS. ONE IDEA SUBMITTED BY ONE OF THE TEAMS IS ALREADY GOING INTO AFFECT FOR THE EXPRESS.)) ((:))
The Express has also already submitted dates for next years season to the ECHL. Next season, the Express should have 25 Friday and Saturday dates, four more than this season. There is change on the ice. Express goalie Sebastian Laplante was called up to AHL Norfolk late Monday afternoon because the Admirals back up goalie is sick. Evan Lindsay steps into a starting role to replace a hot Laplante. ((:))
The Express is looking for a temporary goalie to back up Lindsay. Steve Mason News7 sports))

[S-Orioles]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-138 4724TC]
[GRAPHIC=mlb]


The Baltimore Orioles are already hanging their heads in spring training, but for reasons off the field. 23 year old pitcher Steve Bechler died this afternoon - a day after he collapsed during routine conditioning drill in Ft. Lauderdale.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB; :00]

Doctors say he died of multiple organ failure due to heatstroke. His temperature at one point reached 108 degrees. Reportedly a supplement containing ephedrine (UH-FED-RIN) was found in Bechler's locker. Ephedrine is a stimulant that is available over the counter and that has been linked to heatstroke and heart attacks. The county medical examiner says an autopsy has been scheduled.
(-------------)


[Dr.Phil]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=5]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]


If you watch the Late Show with Dave Letterman you know he's been picking on Dr. Phil for awhile now.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Worldwide Pants, Inc;]


Tonight Dr. Phil is a guest with Dave, so what does he think of Dave's antics?
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 33]
[IN Q=]

((DR. PHIL: I WANT MY CHECK I'VE BEEN WORKING HERE FOR SIX MONTHS. I WANT MY CHECK. I WANT MY MONEY. DAVE: WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR SIX MONTHS WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT? DR. PHIL: WHEN I FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT YOU'RE A LOT OLDER THAN MNE SO WHEN I WAS GROWING UP I WATCHED YOU. LAUGHTER. NOW I'VE WATCHED A LOT OF EM.))
[RUNS=30]
[OUT Q=watched a lot of em.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

You can catch the full interview with Dave and Dr. Phil coming up next.
by SS