WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/18/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

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

He is from Henry County, but tonight he is in Kuwait awaiting orders that may put him in combat.
Spring may begin this week, but it sure doesn't look like it in some parts of the nation.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And how will a possible war in Iraq affect the N-C-A-A tournament.
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

(------------)
[VO-NAT 22.5 ]

America is on alert for possible terrorist attacks.
Local schools are cancelling field trips for safety reasons-
and one local mom talks about her son who is in Kuwait and may be involved in combat.
This as the clock ticks toward Saddam Hussein's deadline- to leave Iraq or face war.
This as the United States troops gear up to go in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 08]
[IN Q=]
((I'M SURE WE'LL WIN. I HAVE NO DOUBTS.)) [BUTT TO 34] ((YOU COULD SAY WE'RE PUTTING OUR GAME FACES ON SIR.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=GAME FACES SIR.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[SS=News 7 @11]

[Iraq]

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

And the game faces will apparently be needed, but this isn't a game. It is war and it could be just a matter of hours away.
The United States could be at war by tomorrow night- almost certainly by Saturday night at the latest.
Tomorrow night is the deadline President Bush gave Saddam to get out of Dodge.
But Today Saddam said in effect he's not going anywhere.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Chris /Newspath;]

Chris Lawrence is in Kuwait City where it is morning.
[LIVE= Chris /FULLNEwspath]
[SUPER=@lawrence1;]
[SUPER=05-Kuwait City, Kuwait]
(adlib)
[***ROLLED FROM NEWSPATH***]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=@Fleischer; :15]
[SUPER=03-Kuwait; :33]
[SUPER=01-Pvt. Kent Renk/U. S. Army; :49]
[SUPER=01-Capt. Stephen Norgard/U. S. Army; 1:06]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q= we have confidence in it]
((THEY HAVE LESS THAN 24-HOURS TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY, BUT SADDAM HUSSEIN AND HIS SONS AREN'T BUDGING. THE IRAQI PRESIDENT WORE MILITARY FATIGUES AS HE MET WITH TOP COMMANDERS. AND SADDAM DISCUSSED WAR PLANS NOT PLANS TO TRAVEL.
ARI FLEISCHER/WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN: "Saddam Hussein, if he doesn't leave the country will make his final mistake." PROTESTERS IN BAGHDAD DISAGREE. BUT U.S. OFFICIALS SAY MANY OF SADDAM'S TROOPS HAVE ALREADY OFFERED TO SURRENDER. THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE PENTAGON, WHICH HOPES TO LAUNCH AIR AND GROUND ATTACKS AROUND THE SAME TIME. IN CAMPS ACROSS KUWAIT AMERICAN TROOPS ARE PACKING UP AFTER MONTHS OF PREPARATION. CHRIS LAWRENCE/KUWAIT: All that training could pay off in an instant because when these marines get the word, they've got to be ready to go within an hour. AND THEY'RE NOT ALONE. SOME ARMY UNITS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO BE READY AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. PVT. KENT RENK/U.S. ARMY: "You can say everybody's starting to get their game faces on." ANY INVASION WOULD INCLUDE SOME TROOPS SEIZING THE SOUTHERN CITY OF BASRA ... WHILE THE MAIN FORCE ADVANCES ON BAGHDAD. BUT THERE WILL BE DANGERS. THEY MAY RUN INTO LAND MINES ALONG THE WAY OR REPUBLICAN GUARD UNITS ARMED WITH CHEMICAL WEAPONS. CAPT. STEPHEN NORGARD/U.S. ARMY: "There's all kinds of unknowns, but the plan is strong, the leadership is strong, and we have confidence in it." BUT THESE SOLDIERS AREN'T ALONE. SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL SAYS 30 NATIONS HAVE JOINED THE COALITION OF THE WILLING -- AND ANOTHER 15 HAVE QUIETLY PROMISED THEIR SUPPORT. CHRIS LAWRENCE, CBS NEWS, KUWAIT.))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Lawrence /FULL Newspath]
[SUPER=05-Kuwait City, Kuwait;]
(adlib toss back)

[French-Ship]

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

The French are not backing the war with Iraq, but ironically U-S sailors are operating on a ship with a french name.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 20 plus pad server]
[SUPER=03-Northern Persian Gulf;]

Warplanes have launched intenstive day and night reconnaissance missions from the ( U.S.S. Bon-om Ri-chard) U-S-S Bonhomme Richard ... A U-S warship with a French name.
The ship is a Harrier plane carrier staffed with nearly one thousand marines.
The vessel is named after a Revolutionary War sailing ship captained by John Paul Jones.
(------------)

[Soldier-Greeting]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC12:16]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
A soldier from Henry County is among those already waiting in the Middle East. Sid Lankford hasn't seen his family and friends for more than a month now...
But this morning--- they got a glimpse of him.
Teresa Hamilton reports--
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hi, I'm ]
[SUPER=01-Margie Fretwell/Soldier's Mother; :20 ]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville; :36]
[SUPER=01-Bobbie Jo Lankford/Soldier's Sister; 1:00]
[SUPER=@Teresa2; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS7, Martinsville. ]
(((///sot///)
[sot 08:30:12]
[IN Q= HI, I'M PRIVATE]
((HI, I'M PRIVATE FIRST CLASS LANKFORD, I'M A SCOUT AND 18 YEARS OLD AND I'D LIKE TO SAY HEY TO MY MOM AND MY STEP-DAD BACK HOME IN BASSETT, VIRGINIA.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q= BASSETT, VIRGINIA.]
Sid Lankford's appearance on the CBS Early Show may have been brief-- but for family and friends it was just what the doctor ordered although the Marine's proud mom had to catch it later on videotape.
(///sot///)
[sot]
[IN Q= MY BROTHER]
((MY BROTHER CALLED ME, AND SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM CHURCH CALLED ME AND SAID SID WAS ON TV THIS MORNING, AND I MISSED IT.)) [RUNS09]
[OUTQ= I MISSED IT.]
What Margie Fretwell misses even more is her son-- who graduated just last year from Bassett High school. On her desk-- she keeps a collection of photos and while he's a constant presence in her heart she says faith keeps her going.
(///////SOT//////)
[SOT 00:02:36]
[IN Q= SID'S A ]
((SID'S A CHRISTIAN AND HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO THE LORD, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS LIFE TO THE MARINES SO IT DOES MAKE IT EASIER, I CAN'T IMAGINE PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE OVER THERE WHO AREN'T SAVED.)) [RUNS11]
[OUT Q= WHO AREN'T SAVED. ]
Margie says she's behind the President 100- percent... along with her 16- year old daughter who also plans to join the military.
(///sot///)
[sot 00:09:23]
[in q= We may lose]
((BOBBIE JO LANKFORD: WE MAY LOSE A FEW NOW, AND IT MAY BE MY BROTHER, BUT EVEN AT THAT, IN FIVE YEARS WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THOUSANDS BECAUSE THEIR WEAPONS ARE ONLY GOING TO DEVELOP.)) [runs10]
[out q= to develop. ]
But Margie is convinced her Marine will return home safe and sound.
(///sot///)
[sot 00:06:30]
[in q= i always tell him]
((I ALWAYS TELL HIM, SAY HIS PRAYERS, KEEP HIS HEAD DOWN AND KICK BUTT.)) [runs07]
[out q= ends with laughter.]
In the meantime-- mom and sister will keep the care packages and letters flowing. Teresa Hamilton, NEWS7, Martinsville.))

[Jordan-WX]

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

Soldiers are not the only ones dealing with persistent sandstorms near Iraq.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ruwasheid, Jordan]

This sandstorm was caught on tape at a United Nations refugee camp being set up in Jordan.
The thick brown haze is making work difficult for troops.
It also forced U-N workers to halt work today. They're getting ready for an influx of Iraqi refugees.
Jordan is expecting 300-thousand Iraqis to try to cross its border... but warns it can not afford to take that many.
(------------)

[Homeland-Security]

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

The threat of war means the threat of terrorism in America.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 18]

Police are stepping up patrols around the nation including in New York's Times Square- and around the Golden Gate Bridge and other landmarks. [09]
Officials say the 9-11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed told interrogators before his capture Al Qaeda was planning attacks to coincide with a U-S invasion of Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 33 ]
((TOM RIDGE: THERE WILL BE MORE SECURITY AT AIRPORTS AND RAILYARDS AROUND THE COUNTRY.))
[SUPER=@Ridge;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=around the country.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 12.5]

Security is also being higher at the nations ports as well as around petroleum plants and nuclear facilities.
The food supply is being monitored and an alert is also going out to medical workers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:41]
[IN Q=]
((THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAS ALERTED STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPTS, HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS TO REPORT ANY UNUSUAL DISEASE OR DISEASE PATTERNS.))
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=OR DISEASE PATTERNS.]
(------------)

[State-alert]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=02-53 TC1:49:08]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

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

Governor Mark Warner stepped up the Virginia's security level in preparation for a war against Iraq.
At the Capitol, public tours have been discontinued and bomb-sniffing dogs are checking cars for explosives.
Warner says Virginians can also expect to see more police officers around bridges, tunnels and historical monuments.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:45:50]
[IN Q=YOU'LL SEE ELEVATED SECURITY AT SOME]
((COL. GERALD MASSENGIL/VIRGINIA STATE POLICE: YOU'LL SEE ELEVATED SECURITY AT SOME CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURES IN VIRGINIA.)) ((MAJOR MIKE JONES/CAPITOL POLICE: YOU'RE SEEING A PRESENCE OF UNIFORMED OFFICERS ALL OVER THE CAPITOL COMPLEX. WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTED BY THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Gerald Massengil/State Police Superintendent; :00]
[SUPER=01-Maj. Mike Jones/Capitol Police; :05]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=TO FEEL COMFORTED BY THAT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Virginia State Police say they are prepared for the new threat level.
The force recently acquired new armored vehicles, automatic patrol rifles, bomb suits and gas masks.
(------------)

[Field-Trips]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=02-50 TC2:03:48]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Most school field trips are on hold -- thanks to the nation's heightened state of alert.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

William Fleming's senior trip to the Bahamas is called off.
So is a trip to New York that was scheduled this week for Roanoke school kids.
Superintendent Wayne Harris canceled student and staff travel outside the Roanoke Valley because of safety concerns.
Superintendents in Salem and Roanoke County are doing the same.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:02:41]
[IN Q=We've had to pay]
((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SUPERINTENDENT; WE'VE HAD TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE POTENTIAL FOR KINDS OF DISRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF A TERRORIST ACT OR SOMEONE CREATING PARANOIA OR FEAR, BUT WHAT WE'VE ATTEMPTED TO DO IS KEEP OUR BALANCE, BE INFORMED AND TO CONTINUE TO GO ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING CHILDREN.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=of educating children.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harris says it will be business as usual, with one exception.
Students will be doing more emergency practice drills.
A crisis management team will make unannounced visits to schools in the next few months to see just how prepared they are.
(------------)

[Allen]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mpu]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC51:26]
[GRAPHIC=George Allen]
Senator George Allen had some harsh words for one of his colleagues today. He was responding to Minority Leader Tom Daschle's statement yesterday that we're forced into war because "the president failed miserably at diplomacy."
(////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:48:28]
[IN Q: I'm disgusted] ((SENATOR GEORGE ALLEN/(R) VIRGINIA: I'M DISGUSTED BY DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE'S ASSERTIONS. HE IS MAKING THESE REMARKS THAT ARE NOT ONLY WRONG ON THE FACTS, BUT THIS IS THE WRONG TIME TO MAKE THESE PETTY, PARTISAN JABS AT THE PRESIDENT.))
[SUPER=@Allen;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=AT THE PRESIDENT.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]

Daschle said today he stands behind his statement, but that he will fully support our troops when the battle begins.

[Protesters]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC1:16:14]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]

Even as the U-S moves closer to war, anti-war protesters in Lynchburg say they're more determined than ever to get their message out.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

A group of peace activists has been gathering at Monument Terrace every week since shortly after the September 11th attacks.
They're still hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:14:35]
[IN Q=I believe the]
((CHRIS BARRETT/PROTESTER: I BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT IS VERY WELL-INTENTIONED. IT'S HIS METHODS OF DEALING WITH THE CONFLICT THAT WE DIFFER WITH. THE U-S HAS MILITARY IN 150 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND IT LOOKS LIKE IMPERALISM.))
[SUPER=01-Chris Barrett/Anti-War Protester]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=looks like imperialism.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Barrett and the others say it's been a mistake for the U-S to move forward without more international support and with public opinion at home so divided.
(------------)

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

The man and woman suspected of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart now face formal charges, including sexual assault.
That's next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus another area textile company is going out of business.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="Hey folks..]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=...the BIG 7."]
(-------------------)
(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as head of the NCAA says the war will not stop March Madness. That threat has however stopped the big leagues trip to Japan tomorrow. The ACC honors a couple of talented Demon Deacons. And we'll tell you what former Tarhell jeff Lebo has to do with the Tech coaching vacancy tonight on the Big 7.))[Smar

t]

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

Charges have been filed against the two people accused of kidnapping Elizabeth Smart nine months ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Brian Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee have been charged with kidnapping, assault, burglary, and sexual assault.
Today is the first time prosecutors have confirmed any type of sexual abuse Elizabeth may have suffered.
The Smart family has been reclusive since she was returned last week.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT:59]
[IN Q=THE FAMILY WOULD RATHER HER NOT ]
((CHRIS THOMAS/FAMILY SPOKESMAN-THE FAMILY WOULD RATHER HER NOT TAKE THE STAND BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO ENSURE THAT THESE TWO INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE THE PROPER PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR CRIME))
[SUPER=01-Chris Thomas/Family Spokesman]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=PROPER PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR CRIME]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Smart family has agreed to help prosecutors, but have asked the media to refrain from asking them or Elizabeth any questions that may relate to the sexual assault charges.
Prosecutors say Mitchell kidnapped Elizabeth at knifepoint in her Salt Lake City home last October and forced her to walk four miles to a hidden campsite where they kept her chained to a tree.
Bond has been set for the two at ten MILLION dollars each.
(------------)

[Roanoke-Death]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC12:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The man who was found dead last night in Roanoke may have been murdered.
Roanoke Police have confirmed they are investigating the case as a homicide.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The 52-year old man was found in a parking lot on Orange Avenue shortly after ten last night.
Authorities have identified the man, but aren't releasing his name until relatives have been notified.
Police aren't revealing the cause of death, but workers in the area said they believe the victim was a homeless man who may have been beaten.
(------------)

[Scott]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC36:50]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A man accused in a gang shooting last fall in Lynchburg remains on the streets tonight after his alleged victim and an eyewitness refused to testify at his trial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/September 23, 2002]

Antoinette Watkins was shot in the arm and chest September 23rd.
Police later identified 23-year-old Mario Antwane Scott as the shooter, but Watkins and her sister failed to show up for his trial today on malicious wounding charges.
Prosecutor Cary Payne asked the court to drop the charges, after the judge refused to postpone the trial.
(------------)

[Stillwater]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=02-54 TC2:06:02]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
A struggling textile company is closing down and laying off 2-hundred workers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]
Stillwater Incorporated works with woven fabric in Goshen, Augusta Springs and Craigsville. Officials say they're unable to compete with foreign competition. The company will NOT file for bankruptcy but business at all three locations will be tapered down and closed by May.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:06:01]
[IN Q=been in business]
((JOSEPH HANNAGAN/STILLWATER INC. GM;THE COMPANY HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS HERE FOR 74 YEARS THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER THERE IS NOT ONE FAMILY THAT DOESN'T GET TOUCHED SOMEBODY IN THAT FAMILY HAS WORKED HERE AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER.))
[SUPER=01-Joseph Hannagan/Stillwater, Inc. GM;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=TIME OR ANOTHER.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Janie Bryant has five family members working at the Goshen location. After 27-years at the plant, she says it's hard to start all over again. Stillwater officials say they're working with the state to provide extended benefits and re-training.
(------------)

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

Big improvements to an area sewage system may mean a big jump in fees.
That's next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus Winter may be over Thursday, but it's getting in one last punch out west.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Sewer-Rates]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC47:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham says costly improvements to the regional sewage treatment plant and a corresponding increase in sewer rates are unavoidable.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The cost of the regional project has grown to 48 million dollars. That's 16 million more than estimates a year ago.
In the city of Roanoke, that will mean a sewer rate increase of 20 percent next year and 15 percent the year after that.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:57:28]
[IN Q=I think what residents of the city]
((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: I THINK WHAT RESIDENTS OF THE CITY HAVE TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE HAVE AN OLDER SYSTEM AND THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR MANY, MANY YEARS THE LOWEST WATER AND THE LOWEST SEWER RATES, NOT ONLY IN THE REGION, BUT ALMOST ON A STATEWIDE BASIS, SO THE TIME'S NOW COME THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO INCREASE THOSE RATES IN ORDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS KIND OF A MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. ))
[SUPER=@Burcham]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=major construction project.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Mandated by the state, the work is needed to improve the plant's capacity during wet weather.
Roanoke County, Botetourt County, Salem and Vinton are helping to pay for the upgrade, and construction should begin by the end of the year.

[CO-snow]

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

While we saw mid sixties today- other parts of the nation saw snow-and lots of it.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 10]

It is the worst blizzard to hit Wyoming and Colorado in more than 15 years- with two feet of snow promised in some areas before the storm moves on late tomorrow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((VISIBILITY IS DOWN TO ZERO. SOUND LIKE WE'LL GET MORE TODAY AND TONIGHT.)) [***NO SUPER***]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=TODAY AND TONIGHT.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 19 plus pad]

Roads and schools were closed, power was knocked out to six thousand customers in Colorado. Phone service was out for some places too.
Denver International was opened, but both American and united airlines cancelled flights for the day.
Heavy snow and high wind is forecast into Wednesday for that region.
(-------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA POINT]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Hoop highlights from tongiht, an update on the Tech coaching situation, and the NCAA says March Madness will go on as scheduled. But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB;:00]
Major league baseball has cancelled its scheduled trip to Japan. The Mariners and A's were supposed to leave tomorrow for Tokyo. But tonight the trip was cancelled due to the uncertainly in Iraq. The players would have been in the air when the 48 deadline expired tomrorow night.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/UNC Asheville/92//Texas Southern/84//NCAA Play-In Game/j/North Carolina/83//DePaul/72//NIT First Round/;]

[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Georgetown/70//Tennessee/60//NIT First Round/j/Temple/68//Drexel/59//NIT First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Boston College/90//Fairfield/78//NIT First Round/j/Siena/74//Villanova/59//NIT First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Detroit/94//Washington/90///j/New Jersey/87//Boston/74///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Philadelphia/103//Miami/83///j/Minnesota/96//Memphis/80///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(------------------)

[S-NCAA]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-141 10435tc]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
The NCAA has decided to snub its nose at Saddam. In a surprisingly bold move yesterday afternoon the NCAA said March Madness will not be altered by the war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We will...]
[SUPER=01-Myles Brand/NCAA Executive Director; :00]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...WILL GO ON."]
(------------)

[S-WDBJ]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]

Whether or not it goes on here on Your Hometown Station is up to CBS. If the network goes wall-to-wall with war coverage the games will move. The best thing we cam all do is stay tuned, and we'll keep you informed.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE THUR. AFTERNOON] Right now the game plan is for coverage from to begin here on WDBJ-7 at 12:10 after an abbreviated News 7 at Noon Thursday with these two games.
(XXXXXXXXX)
[GO TO PINNACLE THUR. NIGHT] The night session will showcase Duke - the ACC champs and J.J. Redick against Colorado State.
(------------)
[GO TO PINNACLE FRIDAY AFTERNOON] The Friday games as the tournament stands at this hour will have Kentucky in the early game, followed by Wake and ETSU later in the afternoon.
(----------)
[GO TO PINNACLE FRIDAYNIGHT] The Friday night action has Louisville and Austin Peay followed by Maryland and UNC Wilmington. Again stay tuned for any changes.
(-----------)

[S-South]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-144 3754TC]
[GRAPHIC=men's final four]
The tournament actually opened last night with UNC Asheville representing for the Big South Conference.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dayton, OH/ESPN; :00]
Asheville beat Radford in the Big South final to get the automatic bid. In last night's play in game against Texas Southern Andre Smith scored 28 and Bryan McCullough got 15 as Asheville became the second team in tourney
[super=33-UNC Asheville/92/Texas Southern/84/Overtime;]
history with a losing record to win a game. The final 92-to-84 in overtime. Asheville now plays Texas on Thursday.
(------------)

[S-UT]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-148]
[GRAPHIC=nit]

The NIT did postpone a game last night - not for the war reasons- but because of snow in the Dakotas.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Knoxville,TN/ESPN2; :00]
No snow in Knoxville last night, but plenty of Hoya fast breaks. Mike Sweetney had 17 points Ashanti Cook scored a career-high 16 points and Gerald Riley added 15 more as the Hoyas scored a mild upset over UT 70-to-60.
[super=33-Georgetown/70/Tennessee/60;]
Ron Slay finished his Volunteer career with 17 points.
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[S-NIT]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-146 50:20]
[GRAPHIC=bam]

The Virginia Men's basketball opens NIT play tonight at 7:30 at home against Brown. It's yet another chance for UVa to make amends for a sorry season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Men's Basketball Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=.....everyone's good in the ACC"]
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[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=bam]
The Virginia-Brown game will not be televised. We will have highlights for you on News 7 at 11 tonight.

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-145 4953tc]
[GRAPHIC=acc]

Wake Forest crushed the competition when it came to picking up ACC honors yesterday.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC/Last Week; :00]
Head coach Skip Prosser is a unanimous pick for the league's coach of the year honor. His Wake Forest team was picked to finish sixth in the league and instead won the school's first outright regular-season title in 41 years.
He received all 92 votes cast by members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Prosser is 45-18 in his two seasons at Wake. His star Josh Howard is also a unanimous selection today for ACC player of the year honors. Howard is a senior from Winston-Salem by way of Hargrave who led the ACC in scoring. In one other ACC note - Jason Rogers the inspiring senior from UVa who started the last two games - is now out the rest of the year. He has been diagnosed with mononucleosis. (-------------)