WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 04/17/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
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Coming up on News 7
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[VO-NAT]

Not one or two, but at least four brush fires in the region tonight.
He told people to eat steaks and eggs and skip the potatoes. Diet maven Dr. Atkins passes away.
Plus we'll tell you about a giant pipeline that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Roanoke.
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[Talent=Jean]

News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[WRITER=jja]
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(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 6:56]
[IN Q=Still, it's being]
((JIM FIELDS/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: STILL, IT'S BEING PUSHED ON US. WE'RE NOT AT ALL HAPPY ABOUT IT AND CERTAINLY WE'LL LOBBY OUR SUPERVISORS NOT TO SUPPORT IT.))
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=not to support it]
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[VO-NAT]

Some school board members vow to fight to the bitter end over the future plans for one Bedford County school.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[Jefferson-Forest]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 Pm]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-05 TC1:37:55]
[GRAPHIC=NEws 7 @ 11]

It's been more than eight months since the Bedford County school board made the controversial decision to renovate rather than build a new Jefferson Forest High School.
Tonight, the school board voted on a budget to pay for the renovations. [***NEWS 7 @ 11 in MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /Newsroom Pod;]

But the project is far from a done deal. Justin McLeod is here to tell us why. Justin?
Jean, Rome wasn't build in a day and it appears the same goes for Jefferson Forest.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL NEwsroom Pod]
[SUPER=@justin1]

After years of debate and several plans later, the school board is divided now more than ever.
Some board members say it's time to move forward, others feel the board needs to slow things down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

At a special meeting tonight, the board voted to approve a 24 point six million dollar budget to pay for renovations to Jefferson Forest High school.
They agreed to move forward with a plan called concept "D"
That would include adding among other things a math and science wing, a band and chorale facility, and relocating the cafeteria to accomodate more people.
Tonight's vote was 6 to 2 with the opposition coming from the two members who represent the Forest district.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:25; 8:23]
[IN Q=We've got a school]
((JIM FIELDS/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: WE'VE GOT A SCHOOL THAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND 25 MILLION DOLLARS TO RENOVATE AND ESSENTIALLY END UP WITH A BUILDING THAT IS INADEQUATE WHEN IT OPENS AND THAT'S REALLY MY OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT, WE'RE GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF TAX PAYER MONEY FOR VERY LITTLE.)) ((JIM BLEVINS/SUPERINTENDENT: I BELIEVE WE'RE ONE STEP CLOSER I BELIEVE ONE STEP THAN WE CURRENTLY HAVE BEEN SO WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING FORWARD. WE WILL BE SENDING OUR NUMBERS OVER TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS SO OUR PROJECT CAN NOW START.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Fields/School Board Member; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Blevins/Bedford Co. Superintendent; :13]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=can now start]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Before the project can officially start, the Board of Supervisors must approve the funding and they could do it at its next meeting in May.
But that could be an uphill battle.
(------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Newsroom Pod]

School Board member Jim Fields says he plans to advocate that the Board of Supervisors vote down the funding for renovating Jefferson Forest.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /NEwsroom Pod;]

Jean, if however the project moves forward, construction would probably begin next spring and it would take about three years to complete.

[Brush-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC04:01]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fires]

Forestry workers are already stretched thin, battling several brush fires across the area.
Now there's another to worry about.
(XXXXXXXX)
[TAKE MAP FULL]
About 30 acres have burned on Read Mountain in near the Botetourt-Roanoke County line.
The fire is under control at this time. A skeleton crew will be fighting the fire all night and a full crew will return in the morning.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]

Foresters say a fire on Poor Mountain in Montgomery County only about 20 percent contained.
They fought it with a helicopter but later had to stop because of mechanical problems.
Crews had to hike miles in on foot. Their work was slow-going because of the steep incline and rocky terrain.
Foresters say no homes or other structures are in danger.
A downed power line ignited the fire Wednesday evening.
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Draper-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

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[VO-NAT :18 + ]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski Co.]
About 65 acres are burning out of control on Draper Mountain in Pulaski County, and forestry officials expect more than one hundred to be burned by morning.
High winds caused the flames to jump fire lines throughout the day... only 20 percent of the blaze is contained right now. Crews are fighting the blaze from the air and the ground and more have been called in from surrounding departments in the mid-atlantic.
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[Goshen-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[TAPE#=03-04 TC1:28:35]
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[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

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[VO-NAT - :24+]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

A prescribed burn went out of control in Rockbridge County scorching hundreds of acres.
By this afternoon, hundreds of acres of the wildlife management area near Goshen had burned, and officials say the fire could burn up to eleven-hundred acres before it can be contained.
The fire is on Department of Game and Inland Fisheries land, and no private lands or homes are threatened.
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[Iraq]

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

Saddam Hussein's half brother in U-S custody tonight
While U-S troops work to keep the law and order.
Today they stopped a Baghdad Bank Robbery.
Teri Okita has the latest from Kuwait City.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq; :00 QUICK]
[SUPER=201-Staff Sgt. Scott Peterson/U. S. Marine Corps; :07 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=201-Staff Sgt. David Mansfield/U. S. Marine Corps; 28 QUICK]
[SUPER=219-Teri Okita/CBS News; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=CBS News, Kuwait.]
((U.S. MARINES ARE PUTTING BANK ROBBERS ON NOTICE: IT'S TIME TO GET A REAL JOB. STAFF SGT. SCOTT PETERSON/USMC: "They don't value much at all, they're just thieves." THESE YOUNG MEN WERE CARTED OFF TO JAIL ... AFTER AMERICAN TROOPS FOILED A BRAZEN BANK HEIST. THE THIEVES DUG A HOLE THROUGH ONE OF THE BANK'S VAULTS ... LOWERED CHILDREN INSIDE ... AND HAD THEM HAND UP FIST-LOADS OF CASH. IT WAS ALL GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN -- UNTIL THE MARINES ARRIVED. STAFF SGT. DAVID MANSFIELD/USMC: "It was pretty intense. They were just wide-eyed, they didn't expect anyone to be in here." ACROSS TOWN ... FORCES NABBED ANOTHER GROUP OF BANDITS ... TRYING TO MAKE OFF WITH MORE THAN 4-MILLION U.S. DOLLARS. THE MARINES ALSO RAIDED THIS BAGHDAD HOSPITAL. DOCTORS SAY THE OFFICES ACTUALLY BELONG TO SADDAM'S MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE ... BUT FINDING OUT EXACTLY WHAT WENT ON HERE HAS BEEN DIFFICULT. "You point out the rooms or otherwise I'll have the Marines rip through every door in here." THE BIGGEST CAPTURE OF THE DAY WAS THIS MAN -- BARZAN HASAN -- SADDAM'S HALF-BROTHER. BARZAN ONCE HEADED IRAQI INTELLIGENCE ... AND LATER SERVED AS SADDAM'S ADVISER. AND THERE WAS A PUZZLING ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE IRAQI CAPITAL. THIS POLITICIAN DECLARED HIMSELF THE ELECTED MAYOR OF BAGHDAD -- THIS MAN SAID HE'S IRAQ'S NEW GOVERNOR. BUT THE PENTAGON DISMISSED THE CLAIMS ... SAYING A NUMBER OF IRAQI LEADERS ARE STILL EMERGING.
Syria may be preparing to expel some members of the Iraqi government who have sought refuge inside its borders TERI OKITA, CBS NEWS, KUWAIT.))

[Lalush]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC02:50]
[GRAPHIC=Mike Lalush]

A Botetourt County Marine is among the first members of Operation Iraqi Freedom to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
(------------)
[VO]
Sergeant Michael Lalush was buried today with standard military honors.
His parents did not want television cameras at the funeral.
Lalush was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq on March 30th.
He was 23.
[SUPER=203-Arlington;]

Another Marine and an Air Force major killed in Iraq were also buried in ceremonies at Arlington today.
Lalush is the seventh person from the war to be buried there.
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[SARS]

[ANCHOR=jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=SARS]

More than 3-thousand people around the planet have contracted SARS... and 159 people have died from the illness.
Until now, there has not been a test to diagnose people.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Today, at the Centers for Disease Control, scientists confirmed they have developed a test.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:26]
[IN Q=WE'RE DOING THIS AS ]
((DR JIM HUGHES/NATIONAL CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE-WE'RE DOING THIS AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE BUT RECOGNIZING THERE'S A NEED TO VALIDATE THIS RECENTLY DEVELOPED TEST))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jim Hughes/National Center for Infectious Disease]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=RECENTLY DEVELOPED TEST]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The C-D-C plans to distribute the SARS test to doctors in the next two weeks... even without approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
Officials in Singapore are using thermal imaging to screen passengers in the airports.
A thermal camera measures body heat... anyone with too much red fails the screening.
SARS was spreading by airplane at first... now health officials are expanding their watch to cruise liners and other ships.
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[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Never forget.
That's the vow from the parents and classmates of a murdered Galax High School student as graduation approaches.

More on that when News 7 returns.
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[VO-NAT]

And a verdict in the wrongful death lawsuit against rocker Tommy Lee.
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[Sports-preview]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
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(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=in sports."]
((Hey, everybody. Travis Wells here in the News 7 Sports Office. Coming up later, the Hillcats pound the Avs tonight in Salem. Hermie Sadler rolls into Blacksburg with a Hokie set of wheels. And these Hokies are making a pitch for Big East supremacy, while this guy is now a Gamecock. All that and more on the way in sports.))

[Billings]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-08 TC1:09:38]
[SS=None]
A senior tradition at Galax High School took on special meaning today.
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[VO-NAT]
Senior Brandon Billings will not be a part of the 74-member class that will graduate this June. He was murdered last October, just hours after his 18th birthday.
[SUPER=03-Galax;]
Today, Brandon's parents spoke to his classmates during senior picture day and gave them each a token to remember him by.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:21]
[IN Q=WE FIXED THE CARDS]
((SHERRY BILLINGS/BRANDON'S MOTHER: 1621 WE FIXED THE CARDS AND PUT BRANDON'S PICTURES IN THEM AND IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO GIVE THE KIDS FOR REMEMORY OF HIM.))
[SUPER=01-Sherry Billings/Brandon's Mother;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=REMEMORY OF HIM]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Authorities say they still have no suspects into Brandon's murder. His family, however, is hoping to change that. They've created a website where people can go to learn more about Brandon and the investigation.
(XXXXXX)
[WIPE TO WDBJ WEBPAGE FS] You can find a link to Brandon's website on our homepage at WDBJ7-dot-com.
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[Hudson]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-01 TC2:02:37]
[GRAPHIC=Death Sentence]

A Halifax County man is set to die for murders he committed last year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
James Bryant Hudson admitted to killing Walter Stanley Cole, his brother Thomas Cole and Patsy Cole.
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co./July;]
Prosecutors say Hudson had long disagreed with his victims over a private access road. Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker says the judge cited Hudson's lack of remorse in sentencing him to death. Hudson's execution is scheduled for October.
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[Tommy-Lee]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
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[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A jury says Tommy Lee isn't responsible for the death of a four year old at Lee's pool party.
(------------)
[VO-NAT08.5 ]
[SUPER=03-Santa Monica, CA; ]
The child drowned during a birthday party Lee was throwing for his son. Jurors deliberated less than three hours before returning the verdict.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:07]
[IN Q=]
((JIM BARATTA/LEE'S ATTORNEY: WE DO NOT TAKE A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE IN THEIR LOSS DURING THE VERDICT. I DO FEEL THAT TOMMY WAS TOTALLY VINDICATED HE WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS.)) [butt to 1:34] ((HOWARD POLLACK/JURY FOREMAN: ACCORDING TO THE LAW TOMMY LEE WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF THE CHILD. IT WAS AN ACCIDENT AND A SERIES OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT.))
[SUPER=01-Jim Baratta/Lee's Attorney; 00]
[Super=01-Howard Pollack/Jury Foreman; 12]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=that caused the accident.]
(-----------)
[Vo-nat 27 plus pad]
The boy's parents sued the drummer for wrongful death, claiming he was negligent for not having a lifeguard or someone trained in C-P-R present during the party. Lee testified he did everything he could to keep the guests safe, including requiring all children to have an adult on hand to supervise them. The caretaker of the boy who died left the party to attend a concert. Both sides say he placed the boy in the care of a nanny who was there to watch other children.
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[Vandross]

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

Grammy-winner Luther Vandross is recovering in a New York hospital after suffering a stroke.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file]

The veteran R-and-B crooner, who turns 52 this month, suffered a stroke yesterday, according to a statement from his business manager.
His manager says family and friends are hopeful for a speedy recovery, but wouldn't release any details about his condition.
Vandross won four Grammy awards in the 1990s.
(------------)

[Atkins-Obit]

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

He is known for starting a diet revolution- telling people to cut out carbs and eat high protein to lose weight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 13.5]

Dr. Robert Atkins has died from a head injury he suffered in a fall nine days ago.
Atkins was a young cardiologist when he read about a new low carbohydrate diet. He tried it himself and it worked- so well he preached it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 43]
[IN Q=]
((DR. ROBERT ATKINS/CARDIOLOGIST/1999: IF YOU CUT OUT CARBOYHYDRATES YOU AUTOMATICALLY BURN STORED FAT. THAT'S THE BASIC PRINCIPLE. IT'S BEEN KNOWN FOR ABOUT 35 YEARS.))
[SUPER=10-Dr. Robert Atkins/Cardiologist/1999;]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=for about 35 years.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The government has never endorsed his diet, but several recent medical studies showed people on the Atkins diet lost weight without compromising their health.
Some even saw health benefits.
Dr. Atkins "Diet Revolution" sold more than 15 million copies. His latest book, "Atkins for Life" is at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.
Dr. Robert Atkins was 72 years old.
(------------)

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

Still ahead on News 7, more than a hundred sky divers go after a world record.
We'll show you.
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[VO-NAT]

And it spent 140 years underwater.
Now modern technology is helping preserve the ironclad Monitor's engine.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Monitor-Engine]

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

Scientists are steadily working to restore and preserve recovered pieces of the Civil War ironclad Monitor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Newport News]

They're now digitally mapping the ship's steam engine.
This step is necessary to preserve a 3-D image of the engine so scientists will have an idea of what the original looked like.
Once barnacles and other debris are removed from the artifact, it will be disassembled.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=This is the]
((JEFF JOHNSTON/MONITOR MARINE SANCTUARY; THIS IS THE HEART OF THE VESSEL. THIS IS WHAT PROPELLED THE VESSEL INTO COMBAT AND IT AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF MARITIME EQUIPMENT ON IT'S OWN.))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Johnston/Monitor Marine Sanctuary; ]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=equipment on it's own]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The engine was brought to the Mariner's Museum in Newport News shortly after its recovery in 2001.
(------------)

[Plantation-Pipeline]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC2:26:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Have you ever wondered where all those tanker trucks get the fuel they deliver to the gas station?
(--------------------)
[V/O-NAT SOT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
They pull in... off Starkey Road... and fill up at the terminal. What you may not know is that these big white fuel tanks are fed by an underground pipeline that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Roanoke. It's 11-hundred miles long, and it's called the Plantation Pipeline. This part of the line is almost forty years old.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:15:35]
[IN Q=We didn't]
((MARY HYPES/TANK FARM NEIGHBOR; WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THAT IT WAS DOWN BY THE RAILROAD TRACKS.))
[SUPER=01-Mary Hypes/Tank Farm Neighbor]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=railroad tracks]
(--------------------)
[V/O-NAT ] The pipeline is entirely underground in Virginia, and is clearly marked by yellow signs and a broad right of way that crosses roads and creeks, railroad tracks and climbs steep hills. Nancy Markhoff lives near the pipeline. While she's very much aware of it- -even posted the Plantation Pipeline beside her door- -she doesn't lose much sleep over it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:57]
[IN Q=I think]
((NANCY MARKHOFF/PIPELINE NEIGHBOR; I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IN LIFE HAPPENS, BUT I DON'T WORRY ABOUT GOING AROUND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.))
[SUPER=01-Nancy Markhoff/Pipeline Neighbor]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=going to happen.]
(--------------------)
[V/O-NAT ] The same system that brings gasoline and diesel fuel to Roanoke County, ships jet fuel directly to Dulles and National Airports.
(--------------------)

[Skydivers]

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

A large group of skydivers is trying to jump into the record books.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tampa, FL]

They are going for the record in the category of "largest formation."
120 divers jumped from five different airplanes and attempted to join together in a formation while falling to the ground.
The current record is 118 skydivers.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

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

Coming up, the Avs and Hillcats brave the cool temperatures at Salem Memorial, we'll hear from Chuck Hartman on his Hammerin' Hokies, and Hermie Sadler takes a spin in Blacksburg with the Hokie Bird on his hood, but first in tonight's extra point,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :]

Lenny Wilkens is looking out of a job. Today the Toronto Raptors let Wilkens go after he won just 24 games against 58 losses this season. It was the worst season of his 30 year career.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to break]
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[SUPER=0103-j/New Jersey/3//Boston/0//Devils Win Series 4-1//N.Y. Islanders/1/j/Ottawa/4//Sens Win Series 4-1/;]
[RUNS=:40]
[OUTCUE=last score. "]
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[S-Avs]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-145 TC10440]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]

We start on the diamond tonight at Salem Memorial Stadium where the Avalanche entertained old rival Lynchburg. The Hillcats are among the Carolina League's early season offensive leaders, and tonight they showed no signs of slowing down.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Hillcats vs. Avalanche; :00]

It was chilly, windy night at the ole ballpark.
But the Lynchburg bats did their best to warm things up. In the top of the second, with the bases loaded, Jeremy Harts cranks a deep fly to center field. It gets to the wall on one hop, allowing three runs to cross the dish. Chris Shelton, Walter Young, and Jose Bautista all score for a 3-nothing Lynchburg lead.
Still in the second, Vic Butler singles to right field scoring Harts from third and it was 4-oh Hillcats.
Then in the 4th, Salem's Trevor Mote bloops a single to shallow center field.
[SUPER=37-Lynchburg/10/Salem/2/;]
Mote has now hit safely in eleven straight games, but Lynchburg wins tonight by a final of 10 to 2.
(------------)

[S-Hokies]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-144 56:38]
[GRAPHIC=Tech baseball]

In the college ranks yesterday, Virginia Tech dropped both games of a double header with West Virginia, 15-5 and 3-1. But Tech has already won 24 games this season and as Steve Mason explains, the Hokies are well on their way to surpassing last year's total of 33 victories thanks to a young pitching staff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Kennedy/VT Freshman & Big East Leading Pitcher; :18]
[SUPER=01-Chuck Hartman/1,362 Career Wins at Tech; :45]
[SUPER=@Steve1; :58]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=News 7 sports]
(---------------)

((With four starting pitchers lost to either the draft or graduation, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year on the hill, but Tech's infant staff is playing like a bunch grown ups. The Hokies have a Big east leading 2.87 ERA, well below last seasons totals. ((:))
Tech is batting .306, fifth out of 11 conference teams. Perhaps no one deserves more of the credit than Chuck Hartman who is in his 25th season at Tech. With nine new players including seven freshman, Hartman has already won more road games this season than all of 2002. ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:)) ((:))
The Hokies will try and win a piece of a second straight Big East regular season title before the conference tournament May 22nd through the 24. Steve Mason News 7 sports.))

[S-Beamer]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=SP-137 TC11349]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech's football season opener against Central Florida will now happen a day later than originally planned. The Tech athletic department announced yesterday that the game has been moved from Saturday, August 30th to Sunday, August 31st. The move was made to accommodate a national television audience for ESPN, which will televise the game at 3 PM.
(//////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="As far as..."]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va.Tech Head Football Coach]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q="...a little more focused maybe."]
(-------------)
[Take Pinnacle #12998]

In one related Big East Football note, in yesterday's New York Daily News, league commissioner Mike Tranghese ripped the ACC as being a bunch of hypocrites for trying to lure Big East members Tech, Miami, Syracuse, and Boston College. Apparently the ACC is interested in forming a 12 member conference for the purpose of a post season college football playoff with a very big payday.
(-------------)

[S-Hokie-Car]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=cpa]
[TAPE#=SP-138 TC11230]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

On a lighter note, Hermie Sadler and the Hokie race car were in Blacksburg today promoting Team Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

The number 0-2 car will attempt to qualify for 11 races this NASCAR season, two of which will carry the Tech colors. Also attending the promotion was Coach Beamer, who is proud to have the university represented on the track.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="We're proud..."]
[SUPER=01-Frank Beamer/Va.Tech Head Football Coach]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q="...win that race."]
(------------)

[S-Signing]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-143 TC10509]
[GRAPHIC=Basketball]

We finish up with good news for Roanoke Catholic hoopster Paulius Jonelunias today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Season; :00]

This week the big man inked his letter of intent with the University of South Carolina. The 6-10, 260 pound center averaged 12 and a half points per game and 10 rebounds per contest this past season at Catholic. The Lithuanian native is now officially a Gamecock.
(------------)

[Fiddlefest]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC23:00]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke officials say a new summer music festival could become a signature event for the city. Today, organizers of Fiddlefest revealed more of their plans to make that happen.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

A six- day event, Fiddlefest will feature concerts, competition, workshops and other activities celebrating traditional string band music.
Organizers say Roanoke has the history. Now they hope to build a national reputation as a destination event for fans of bluegrass music.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:30:33]
[IN Q=We have the facilities]
((MIKE CONNER/FIDDLEFEST CO-CHAIR; WE HAVE THE FACILITIES. WE HAVE A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN, WHERE A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE. BEAUTIFUL CAMPUS AT HOLLINS, NICE FACILITY AT VICTORY STADIUM. EVERYTHING IS ALREADY HERE, WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Conner/Fiddlefest Co-Chair;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=what we're going to do.]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

Beginning on Monday, July 21st, Fiddlefest will include concerts at Elmwood Park, activities on the City Market including the world's largest square dance, and a day-long bluegrass jamboree in Victory Stadium.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

The centerpiece of the event is an invitational fiddle and banjo competition at Hollins University. The contest will award a 10- thousand dollar top prize and the title, Master of Traditional String Music, to the winners.