WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 04/06/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up on News 7-
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors has a change of heart-- voting to reinstate affirmative action on campus. Hundreds gather in the New River Valley to rally behind U-S troops serving overseas.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
Plus, Brent says be prepared for a wet and cold start to the work week. News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:13:59 TAPE 4]
[IN Q=I think the board]
((STERLING DANIEL: I THINK THE BOARD OVERALL MADE THE RIGHT DECISION AND MAYBE SOME DIDN'T AGREE WITH THEM BUT OVERALL I THINK THEY DID THE RIGHT THING.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=did the right thing]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors reverses itself on its controversial policy.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Tech-BOV]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-03 TC-1:48:03]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]
Several weeks after voting to end affirmative action, Virginia Tech's board reversed itself this evening and reinstated the policy. But today's vote was far from unanimous. Justin McLeod has reaction to today's decision.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sterling Daniel/Virginia Tech Student; :13]
[SUPER=01-Charles Steger/Virginia Tech President; :38]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:04]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Smith/Board of Visitors Member; 1:26]
[SUPER=01-John Rocovich/University Rector; 1:43]
[RUNS=2:00]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7, Blacksburg]
((((NAT SOUND OF VOTE AND THEN CLAPPING ON TAPE 3))
It was a meeting that saw plenty of debate, questions, protests, and passionate speeches.
[SOT 53:07; TAPE 1]
[IN Q=Our university]
((STERLING DANIEL/VT STUDENT: OUR UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN CAST INTO THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AS ONE THAT DOES NOT WELCOME FREE SPEECH NOR DOES IT WELCOME MINORITIES, GAYS, OR LESBIANS.))
[Runs= 08]
[OUT Q=gays, or lesbians]

It is that perception that prompted the university's rector to call this special meeting.
It came nearly a month after the Board of Visitor's unanimously voted to end affirmative action.
At this meeting, the university's president put forth a resolution urging the board to reverse its decision.
[SOT 1:17:09 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=The issue had]
((CHARLES STEGER: THE ISSUE HAD BECOME QUITE CONTROVERSIAL IN THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND WE NEEDED TO STEP BACK.))
[Runs= 06]
[OUT Q=to step back]

Not everyone agreed.
The Deputy Attorney General for Virginia told the board that policies based on race violate federal law.
But representatives from the faculty and student body warned dismantling affirmative action would do more harm than good.
After nearly four hours of debate, the board was ready to vote.
[SOT 1:17:04; TAPE 4]
[IN Q=The vote was]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE VOTE WAS ORIGINALLY 7 TO 5 TO RESCIND POLICY WITH ONE MEMBER RODMAN LAYMAN ABSTAINING FROM VOTING. HE THEN CHANGED HIS MIND AND VOTED YES MAKING THE FINAL VOTE 8 TO 5.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=vote 8 to 5]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF CLAPPING AFTER VOTE))
The vote to reinstate affirmative action produced a standing ovation from the crowd.
Some board members say it's now time to move on.
[SOT 1:15:33 TAPE 3]
[IN Q=We have to get out]
((BRUCE SMITH/VT BOARD OF VISITOR: WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS NEGATIVE PUBLICITY FOR THIS UNIVERSITY BECAUSE THIS UNIVERSITY BEFORE ALL THESE DECISIONS CAME ABOUT YOU ONLY GREAT THINGS ABOUT IT AROUND THE COUNTRY.))
[Runs= 11]
[OUT Q=around the country]

But some still believe the March 10th vote to end affirmative action was the right one.
[SOT 1:22:43]
[IN Q=Yes I believe]
((JOHN ROCOVICH/UNIVERSITY RECTOR: YES I BELIEVE WE MADE THE CORRECT DECISION TO PROTECT THE OFFICIALS, THE BOARD, AND THE UNIVERSITY.))
[Runs= 05]
[OUT Q=and the university]

It is clear at this university that even though affirmative action is back the debate over whether it's right or wrong is far from over.
Justin McLeod, News 7, Blacksburg. ))

[Iraq-Latest]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
Coalition forces have tightened their grip on Baghdad virtually surrounding the city. Also, at the Baghdad International Airport, the first U-S military transport plane landed earlier today. Chris Lawrence has the latest from Kuwait.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq; :12]
[SUPER=201-Chris Lawrence/CBS News; 1:25]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=back to you.]
((ANYONE WHO ENTERS BAGHDAD OR LEAVES IT WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THEM.
(nat - marines)
AMERICAN TROOPS HAVE SET UP CHECKPOINTS ON ALL MAJOR ROADS IN AND OUT OF THE CAPITAL WHILE OTHERS CONDUCT RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS INSIDE THE CITY.
(nat - airport)
AMERICAN SOLDIERS ALREADY HAVE A FIRM GRIP ON THE BAGHDAD AIRPORT. THEY PATROLLED THE STRIP SUNDAY AS THE FIRST MILITARY PLANE LANDED ON THE REBUILT RUNWAY CONSIDERED A KEY IN ANY FIGHT TO CONTROL THE CAPITAL.
(nat - bombs)
THAT BATTLE INTENSIFIED SUNDAY WHEN MORTARS SMASHED INTO THE CENTER OF BAGHDAD FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE EXPLOSIONS DESTROYED SEVERAL HOMES AND A MARKET AND TOOK A TOLL ON FAMILIES THERE.
(nat - hospital)
DOCTORS SAY THEY'VE BEEN FLOODED WITH WOUNDED CIVILIANS -- AND COULD BE ON THE VERGE OF A HEALTH CRISIS -- IF HOSPITALS DON'T GET THE HELP THEY NEED.
(nat)
MORE CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED NORTH OF BAGHDAD WHEN A U-S PLANE BOMBED ITS OWN CONVOY OF SPECIAL FORCES AND KURDISH FIGHTERS. MORE THAN A DOZEN WERE KILLED OR WOUNDED ON THEIR WAY TO HELP FIGHT IRAQI TROOPS.
(nat)
TO THE SOUTH BRITISH COMMANDERS LOST THREE MEN FIGHTING SADDAMS FEDAYEEN BUT HAVE NOW SECURED THE CITY OF BASRA WHERE WELCOMING CROWDS CHEERED THE TROOPS AND A TEMPORARY END TO THE FIGHTING.))

[Lynch]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
Former P-O-W Jessica Lynch has been reunited with her family at a U-S military hospital in Germany.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 20:42:16]
The reunion comes after the family learned that eight members of Lynch's unit were killed in the same ambush that resulted in her capture.
[SUPER=03-El Paso, TX;]
Today- -a memorial service was held for the soldiers who were shot dead in an ambush two weeks ago after their supply convoy took a wrong turn. Since Lynch's rescue, movie offers and proposals for book deals have been coming in. Her family has been cool to the offers, calling them "moneymaking schemes.''
(------------)

[Chopper-Maintenance]

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

One major concern for troops in the Persian Gulf region is maintenance on equipment.
The fourth Infantry just arrived last week and their Apache helicopters need constant work.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kuwait]

Before the helicopters can go into battle, they must be inspected and repaired.
Inside the hangar preventative measures are being taken to preserve the Apache's blades.
A rubber coating is applied to protect them from the sand.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=YOU'RE LIKE SANDBLASTING]
((TOM HICKOK/RAYTHEON-YOU'RE LIKE SANDBLASTING THE BLADES WHEN YOU FLY HERE, UH IT'S ABOUT THE MOST HARSH ENVIRONMENT YOU CAN BE IN FOR THESE HELICOPTERS. I CAN'T IMAGINE MUCH WORSE.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Hickok/Raytheon]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=IMAGINE MUCH WORSE]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Maintenance is just one issue.
Pilots are going through environmental training to adapt to the heat.
The temperature was much cooler when they were training at Fort Hood, Texas.
The pilots say the key to landing in the blinding dust bowls is to fly into the wind.
(------------)

[Red-Cross]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC-1:39:32]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
Military families may want to be on the lookout for a scam.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Roanoke]

The Red Cross says a caller pretending to be with the Red Cross has notified families that their loved ones in the service have been killed, injured, or taken prisoner.
There have been 10 victims so far including a Hopewell, Virginia woman who was told her son is now a prisoner of war.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35:11]
[IN Q=We want to stress to folks]
((AMY WHITTAKER/AMERICAN RED CROSS: WE WANT TO STRESS TO FOLKS THAT WHEN THERE IS A NOTIFICATION LIKE THIS IT IS THE U.S. MILITARY WHO NOTIFIES THE FAMILY, NOT THE AMERICAN RED CROSS. SO ANYBODY SAYING THEY ARE AN AMERICAN RED CROSS REPRESENTATIVE AND OFFERING A NOTICE OF THIS SORT IT IS OBVIOUS A HOAX.))
[SUPER=201-Amy Whittaker/American Red Cross]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=obviously a hoax.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The Red Cross is investigating the matter and will turn over any information to the Defense Department.
(------------)

[Support-Rally]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-02 TC-1:48:34]
[GRAPHIC=Homefront]
Patriotism was NOT in short supply in the New River Valley today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=with faith and hope.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Christiansburg]

Several area churches in the New River Valley organized a prayer service at the Christiansburg High School stadium.

It was a chance for the community to pray for those who are serving in the military, those who have lost their lives in the war with Iraq and their families.
Today's service attracted several hundred people.
(------------)
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
Nearly 70 prisoners are dead following a riot in Honduras. That story still ahead on News 7 at 11,
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
and more details surface regarding the investigation into the murders of Jennifer Short and her parents.
(-------------)

[Prison-Riot]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Sixty nine inmates at a Honduras prison are dead after a gang fight turned into a riot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Ceiba, Honduras]

Four of the dead were found decapitated.
It started between two rival gangs but spiraled out of control when some inmates set fire to mattresses and furniture.
Some gang members were killed, but most of the deaths came from flames or smoke inhalation.
Some of the bodies were so badly burned that they were counted twice.
Fire quickly engulfed part of the prison's wood and corrugated metal buildings.
All of the inmates are accounted for with 31 injured.
(------------)

[Short-Investigation]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-04 TC-1:07:46]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]
More details have emerged about a federal grand jury that met last week to investigate the Short family murder case.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Friends of Gary Bowman confirm they were called to answer questions before a federal grand jury in Charlottesville last Tuesday.
Bowman's friends from North Carolina -- Danny Sizemore and John Beasley -- were called.
So was Gary Lemons -- the man who first pointed investigators in Bowman's direction.
Sizemore says he's still doesn't understand why investigators continue to focus on his friend.
He says Bowman has moved to Michigan, in part to escape the intense scrutiny he was under in North Carolina.
Authorities say they're in touch with Bowman.
They've returned several times to search the area where Jennifer Short's remains were found in North Carolina.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

The state crime lab is still conducting DNA tests on items removed from Bowman's van.
Investigators say it could be six months to a year before those tests are completed.

[FEMA]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC 2:38:46]
[GRAPHIC=Flooding]
[***ANCHOR TAG***] It's been several weeks now, since flood waters destroyed or damaged businesses and homes in western Virginia. But the incident is still fresh in the minds of those who lived through the ordeal. Jennifer Wishon has the story of a Salem family trying to pick up the pieces with help from the federal government.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats of water]
[SUPER=04-February; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Moore/Flood Victim; :17]
[SUPER=01-Joli Moore/Flood Victim; :38]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :44]
[SUPER=01-Justo Hernandez/FEMA; :52]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:33]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Salem.]
((((Nats of Water)) It's been more than a month since flood waters invaded the Willow River Apartment Complex.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:53:29]
[IN Q=And this is actually]
((AND THIS IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE WALL, I MEAN IT JUST FELL DOWN.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=just fell down]
Charles and Joli Moore lived in a first floor apartment like this one and lost everything.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:57:29]
[IN Q=Everything was thrown]
((CHARLES MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: EVERYTHING WAS THROWN AROUND THE CEILING IN THE BEDROOM WAS LAYING IN THE FLOOR. IT WAS LIKE SOMEONE CAME IN AND JUST TOSSED STUFF ALL OVER THE PLACE.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=over the place]
The Moore's say they were lucky because they had a lot of friends who pulled together to help them. They also got a lot of immediate help from the Red Cross, but now they're looking to FEMA for financial assistance.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 18:26:13]
[IN Q=We had money in savings]
((JOLI MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: WE HAD MONEY IN SAVINGS, LUCKILY, SO IT WILL PUT THAT MONEY BACK.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=that money back]
FEMA has set up a Disaster Recovery Center at the Department of Forestry building in Salem. There, federal money is available for both renters and homeowners.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:35:55]
[IN Q=Anyone that suffer]
((JUSTO HERNANDEZ/FEMA: ANYONE THAT SUFFER ANY KIND OF LOSSES. ANYONE THAT WAS DISPLACED BY THE FLOODING, ANYONE THAT COULDN'T GET HOME, THAT HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL. ANYONE THAT HAD A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=in the family]
Hernandez says it only takes about 15- minutes to register and there's up to 25- thousand dollars in assistance money available.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 17:40:07]
[IN Q=You can still]
((YOU CAN STILL SMELL IT, THAT'S A SMELL YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO SMELL.))
[RUNS= 04]
[OUT Q=want to smell]
Back at the Moore home memories of the flood are still all too clear. They say federal help is coming just as the shock of losing everything sets in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 19:00:21]
[IN Q=My kids lost everything]
((JOLI MOORE/FLOOD VICTIM: MY KIDS LOST EVERYTHING AND SO REPLACING THAT RIGHT NOW IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME RIGHT NOW THAN REPLACING, YOU KNOW, A FEW MORE MATERIAL THINGS FOR US.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=THINGS FOR US]
And while no amount of money will ever replace the memories damaged by the water, it will help some families get back on their feet. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Salem.))
(+++++++)
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[TAKE FEMA FS #]
If you qualify for federal disaster money or would like more information on the funds available you can call 1-800-621-FEMA.
(+++++++)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]

The Final Four on the women's side hit the hardwood in Atlana tonight,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and Dale Junior made history at Talladega, winning his fourth in a row at the track. We'll have highlights and more in sports.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[D'ville-Bridge]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC-1:17:22]
[GRAPHIC=none]
A major road project in Danville has hit the halfway mark.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville]

The structure for the new Main Street bridge in downtown is in place.
Workers will now spend the next several months laying down the concrete on the deck.
V-DOT hopes to have motorists on the new bridge by mid-July.
After that, they'll begin renovating the current Main Street bridge.
The entire project is costing more than 14-million dollars and should be completed by next spring.
(------------)

[Sat-School]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-06 TC-1:04:30]
[GRAPHIC=none]
With the nice weather this weekend, you may be surprised some kids were GLAD to be in school.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A number of teachers and students at Garden City Elementary School in Roanoke have volunteered to attend school on Saturday.
They're using the time to sharpen their skills for the upcoming Standards of Learning tests.
Several teachers came up with the idea after the students missed so many days of school because of snow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:33]
[IN Q=I had one little]
((DEBRA SPRINKLE/TEACHER: I HAD ONE LITTLE GIRL THAT BEGGED TO COME, SHE SAID PLEASE LET ME I'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF COMING TO SCHOOL ON SATURDAY. TEACHERS WERE A LITTLE RELUCTANT BUT AFTER THE FIRST SATURDAY WE ALL AGREED THIS IS THE WAY SCHOOL SHOULD BE.))
[SUPER=01-Debra Sprinkle/Teacher]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=school should be]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Teachers and students are hoping the extra work will pay off on the S-O-L's.
Garden City Elementary is very close to becoming fully accredited.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:31]
[IN Q=We've been doing]
((ELIZA BRITTON/STUDENT: WE'VE BEEN DOING PRACTICE SOL TESTS ON THE LAPTOPS AND WE'VE BEEN LEARNING SOCIAL STUDY WORDS THAT WE'VE LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO AND TODAY WE DID MATH.))
[SUPER=01-Eliza Britton/Student; ]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=we did math]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

25 students are currently volunteering to come to school on Saturday and plan to do so for another four weeks.
(------------)

[S-Duke]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-137]
[GRAPHIC=Women's Final Four]

The Women's Final Four tipped off tonight in Atlanta, pitting Duke and Tennessee in the opener. The Devils had knocked off the Lady Vols by 20 earlier this season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/ESPN; :00]

Pat Summitt got a huge contribution from her bench in this one.
Brittany Jackson goes right down the lane for two in the second half, giving Rocky top a 3 point lead.
But Alana Beard scored 29 for Duke including two on the nice up and under.
[SUPER=33-Tennessee/66/Duke/56/;]
Gwen Jackson scored 25 of her own for the Lady Vols who took the lead for good on this three and Tennessee is headed to the finals, winning 66 to 56.
(------------)

[S-Uconn]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-139 TC11536]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Atlanta, GA/ESPN; :00]

In the nightcap, defending champ Connecticut drew Texas.
And Huskies star Diana Taurasi struggled early as the Horns led by 2 at the half.
In the second half, Heather Schreiber buried the 3 ball from the corner for Texas. Right now the UComn leads 69 to 66 late in the second half.
(------------)

[S-Final]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-143 TC5548]
[GRAPHIC=Men's Final Four]

The men from Syracuse and Kansas are primed and ready for one shining moment tomorrow night in New Orleans. Both teams scored over 90 points in the semis, so tomorrow night's title tilt could be a shootout with a frenetic pace.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jim Boeheim/Syracuse Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Nick Collison/Kansas Center; :20]
[RUNS=:43]
[OUT Q=who plays better."]
(------------------)
[TAKE PINNACLE #13040]

The Jayhawks and Orangemen will tip around 9-20 in the championship game. You can catch all the hoops right here on Your Hometown Station.

[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-148]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

Roanoke College and Randolph Macon met in a softball doubleheader today, but the two also pitched in to help the Easter Seals. Steve Mason checks in now from Salem with more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Wendy Trail/Roanoke Catholic Softball Coach; :13]
[SUPER=01-Sid Witt/Challenger Baseball League; :40]
[SUPER=01-Alan Bayse/Roanoke College Softball Coach; :44(QUICK!!)]
[SUPER=01-Michele Seher/Randolph Macon Pitcher; :58]
[SUPER=01-Robin O'Connor/Roanoke College Second Base; 1:07]
[SUPER=@Steve2; 1:19]
[SUPER=01-Amy Layman/Roanoke College Softball Assistant Coach; 1:26]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=....news 7 sports"]
(------------)

((The Moyer Sports Complex welcomed competitors, encouragers, fund raisers and all willing to help Easter Seals. Roanoke Catholic's softball team worked the gate for coach Wendy Trail, mother to a three year old with autism. ((:))
Only the auction was silent for Easter seals that also included a 50/50 raffle. On the field bonds were being made as players extended a hand in a one inning game. Many of these kids play in the Challenger league. ((:)) ((:))
Roanoke beat the Yellow jackets in game one, but the game of life and overcoming the adversities that come with it put perspective on wins and losses. ((:)) ((:))
Thanks to sponsors Advance Auto and Southern Health, the benefit game raised over seven thousand dollars. ((:)) The money raised will go towards sending 10 of these kids to t he Easter Seals camp this summer. In Salem, Steve Mason news 7 sports.))

[S-Lax]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-141]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

The Roanoke Lacrosse team stepped out of the ODAC today to battle Catawba.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Indians vs. Maroons; :00]

Tim Morse didn't have to do much work today in the goal for the Maroons who led 11-3 early.
Justin Bloom tried to shoot Catawba back into it with shots like this one, but Andy Bonasera and Kris Davis combined for 23 Roanoke points.
Dan Reed chipped in by firing in this goal from out front.
[SUPER=34-Catawba/13/Roanoke/24/;]
And then, Bonasera finishes things off with the wrap around goal and Roanoke went on to win it 24 to 13. The Maroons will travel to Guilford on Wednesday.
(------------)

[S-Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-144 TC5024]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]

The Salem Avalanche dropped its first game of the season today, losing to Potomac in the last of a three game set.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Cannons vs. Avalanche; :00]

The Avs had plenty of offense this afternoon, but so did the visitors.
The visiting Cannons got on the board first when Brian Petersen smokes a homerun off the foul pole in left field. The two run shot put Potomac on top.
To the bottom of the fourth now. Salem strikes back as T-J Soto bloops a single to right field. Michael Rodriguez and Brandon Carraway cross the dish cutting the Cannons lead to 3-2.
[SUPER=37-Potomac/10/Salem/8/;]
Still in the fourth, Joe Lydic lifts a sac fly to center scoring Todd Self, tying things at 3, but the Cannons won a slugfest this afternoon 10 to 8.
(------------)

[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-149 TC3153]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar 2003]

We finish up on the track where Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated has now won 8 of the last 10 restrictor plate races thanks to Dale, Junior's 4th straight win at Talladega this afternoon in the Aaron's 499.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Talladega, AL/Fox Sports; :00]

Jeremy Mayfield started on the pole, but just four laps in, things got ugly. Ryan Newman cuts down a tire and triggers a 27 car pileup. Over half the field was taken out, but fortunately there were no serious injuries.
With just 2 laps to go, Junior led the pack when Jimmie Johnson got turned around by Kenny Wallace, but the caution never came out. Dale, Jr. then held off Kevin Harvick to complete the weekend sweep.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt, Jr./4th Straight Talladega Win; :]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=it was crazy."]
(-------------------)
[go to boards]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=X5013;]
[SUPER=0106-1. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//2. Kevin Harvick//3. Elliott Sadler//4. Ricky Craven//5. Terry Labonte//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-6. Sterling Marlin//7. Ward Burton//8. Jeff Gordon//9. Matt Kenseth//10. Robby Gordon//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-11. Kyle Petty//12. Dale Jarrett//13. Bill Elliott//14. John Andretti//15. Jimmie Johnson//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-16. Tony Raines//17. Kenny Wallace//18. Jeremy Mayfield//19. Kurt Busch//20. Steve Park//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-21. Joe Nemechek//22. Greg Biffle//23. Dave Blaney//24. Michael Waltrip//25. Tony Stewart//;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=.....last driver."]
(-----------)