WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 05/03/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Joy]

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

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

School is back in session for many students in Baghdad, for the first time since the war.
An airman killed in Iraq is laid to rest in his hometown of South Boston.
And a New England Landmark loses face -- but a face lift could soon be in the works.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]

Plus, Brent says sunshine is in the forecast for Sunday. News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Friends and family gather to remember an airman who died in the war with Iraq.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]
Good evening, I'm Joy Sutton, in for Teresa Hamilton.

[Watkins-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC-7:06]
[GRAPHIC=Watkins]
[SUPER=219-Joy Sutton/jsutton*wdbj7.com]

U. S Air Force Major William R. Watkins, the third, was post-humously awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, and the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism.
(///// SOT /////)
[NAT SOT tape 2 around 6:50]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF JET]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND OF JET]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-South Boston]
Watkins was laid to rest at South Boston's Oak Ridge Cemetery today.
The 37 year old was serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and his crew mate were killed when their F-15 went down during a bombing mission.
The military also plans to hold a memorial service for Watkins at the airforce base where he was stationed in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Watkins leaves behind a wife and an eleven month old son. His widow is expecting another child in August.
(------------)

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=After Saddam]

Many students in Baghdad headed back to school today, for the first time since the war began. And the search continues for banned weapons. President Bush said today he's confident they're out there, but it may take time to find them. Teri Okita is in the Iraqi capitol with more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=203-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=201-Teri Okita/CBS News; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=STD]
((THE LOOTERS LEFT THE DESKS, SO THE LEARNING CAN BEGIN AGAIN. IT WAS BACK TO THE BOOKS AT BAGHDAD COLLEGE TODAY.

(nat up of students)
JUST HOURS BEFORE STUDENTS ARRIVED, AMERICAN SOLDIERS, WHOD BEEN CAMPED HERE, PULLED OUT. SOME CAME BACK THOUGH, TO OFFER SECURITY. SCATTERED AROUND CAMPUSWEAPONS LEFT BEHIND BY SADDAMS NATIONAL GUARD.

(SOT - exchange between dad and soldier)
Dad: You are here taking care of them or what? Soldier: Im doing my best. Dad: Its safe to bring our children? Solder: Yes, its safe.

(nat up of children chanting)
MORE THAN 11-THOUSAND STUDENTS HAVE NOW GONE BACK TO SCHOOL IN BAGHDADAND THE LESSONS NO LONGER REVOLVE AROUND THEIR FORMER DICTATOR. BUT THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE PARTS OF A POST-WAR IRAQ. JUST TODAY, TROOPS FOUND, YET ANOTHER MASS GRAVESITE NEAR BABYLON. BAGHDADS NEWLY APPOINTED INTERIM POLICE CHIEF RESIGNED HIS POST. AND TROOPS STILL SEARCH, UNSUCCESSFULLY, FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. BUT PRESIDENT BUSH SAYS HES STILL CONFIDENT THE WEAPONS WILL TURN UP.

(SOT: Bush)
13:25:50 He spent an entire decade making sure that inspectors would never find them. Iraqs the size of the state of California, its got tunnels, caves, all kinds of complexes. Well find them.

(GRAPHIC UP)
THE U-S HAS ALSO OFFERED UP A NEW PLAN FOR A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO STABILIZE IRAQ. AMERICAN TROOPS WILL REMAIN IN BAGHDAD, BRITAIN WILL CONTROL FORCES IN THE SOUTH, AND POLAND WILL COMMAND OTHER EUROPEAN FORCES IN THE NORTH.

(SOT: Teri Okita/CBS News/Baghdad, Iraq)))

[Night-Graham]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC-3:01:30]
[GRAPHIC=Franklin Graham]

The rain may have delayed the Southwest Virginia Festival tonight--but it didn't stop thousands from coming out to hear Franklin Graham.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:11:59]
[IN Q=God sent Jesus Christ]
((GOD SENT JESUS CHRIST DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN TO THIS EARTH ON A RESCUE MISSION. THAT IS TO RESCUE YOU TONIGHT FROM YOUR SINS))
[SUPER=07-Franklin Graham]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=from your sins]
(------------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

The rain seemed to hold off for awhile but still many came prepared for the showers.
Graham's message tonight was on salvation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:12:43]
[IN Q=He's coming back someday soon]
((HE'S COMING BACK SOMEDAY SOON AND TODAY GOD IS WILLING TO FORGIVE SIN BUT YOU'VE GOT TO CONFESS YOUR SINS TO GOD AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS))
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=and ask for forgiveness]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

People from more than 500 churches and 50 denominations are taking part in the festival.
The festival wraps up tomorrow with music and a final message from Graham at 4pm
(------------)

[Graham-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-]
[GRAPHIC=Franklin Graham]
Earlier today children were the focus of the festival as thousands turned out to see Bibleman. But as Jennifer Wishon reports, Bibleman hasn't always been a believer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Southwest Virginia Festival]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Shea Arnold/Festival Runner; :16]
[SUPER=01-Ralph Alfred/Festival Counselor; :37]
[SUPER=01-Nicole Wade/Children's Choir; :52]
[SUPER=01-Willie Aames/Bibleman; 1:08]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; 1:46]
[RUNS=2:14]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Salem]

((((CHOIR 1:07:55:24 SMALL TO BIG)) The Southwest Virginia Festival may have been organized by adults, but children were the focus Saturday morning. While some sang in the choir, others were happy to help out on the field.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:06:48:09]
[IN Q=It makes me feel]
((SHEA ARNOLD/FESTIVAL RUNNER: IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M A BLESSING FROM THE LORD BECAUSE I THINK HE SENT ME HERE FOR A REASON AND I THINK THAT SOMETHING'S GONNA HAPPEN THAT YOU KNOW IS GONNA SAVE SOMEBODY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=gonna save somebody]
And bringing children to know God was the goal of the event. Ralph Alfred of Roanoke went through special training to counsel new Christians.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:12:25:26]
[IN Q=People come up]
((RALPH ALFRED/FESTIVAL COUNSELOR: PEOPLE COME UP SEEKING QUESTIONS OR HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO GIVE THEIR HEART TO GOD AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. WE'RE HERE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT AND PRAY WITH THEM AND BRING THEM INTO THE CHRISTIAN WORLD.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=the Christian world]
But the adult counselors weren't the only ones on a mission to minister.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:19:09:16]
[IN Q=Here you get to]
((NICOLE WADE/CHILDREN'S CHOIR: HERE YOU GET TO SING TO EVERYBODY AND THE PEOPLE THAT YOU BRING, YOU CAN WITNESS TO THEM BY SINGING.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=them by singing]
But of course the main attraction was Bibleman.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:05:37]
[IN Q=I head one time]
((SHEA ARNOLD/FESTIVAL RUNNER: I HEARD ONE TIME HE FLEW ACROSS THE STAGE.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q=across the stage]
The man behind Bibleman's mask hasn't always been one of God.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:28:05:18]
[IN Q=I mean, if anyone]
((WILLIE AAMES/BIBLEMAN: I MEAN, IF ANYONE HAD TOLD ME TEN YEARS AGO THAT I WAS GONNA BE WEARING SPANDEX FOR JESUS. I MEAN YOU GOTTA ADMIT, IT'S A FUNNY IDEA.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=a funny deal]
Willie Aames played the character Buddy Lembeck in the television series Charles in Charge. He spent many of those days under the influence of drugs and alcohol. But about eight years ago he says he turned his life around and soon Bibleman was born. But he doesn't want children to idolize the character.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:29:28:05]
[IN Q=I make it very ]
((WILLIE AAMES/BIBLEMAN: I MAKE IT VERY VERY CLEAR DURING THE SHOW THAT WITHOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD I'M NOTHING, I'M JUST A MAN, JUST A GUY IN A SUIT AND I WILL SAY THAT DURING THE SHOW.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=during the show]
During the show Bibleman and his partner practice verses and fight evil with the Bible. There were also music videos and dancing and everything was smooth until.. [26:28:14 - nats of rain] The heavens opened over Salem Stadium. Bibleman continued to perform but Festival goers hurried to their cars. And by the time of the invitation the stadium was mostly empty. But organizers say it was all part of a plan only a higher power would understand. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Salem.))

[Sanmina]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-15 TC-2:50:15]
[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]
Earlier this week, electronics manufacturer Sanmina (San-MEE-nuh)-SCI laid off 114 employees.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file; ]
A compay spokesperson says the facility just could NOT maintain its work force with the world economy and the electronics industry still suffering. Now fewer than 400 workers remain at the old Ericsson property in Lynchburg. The company has gone through several rounds of layoffs since inheriting 17-hundred-80 employees from Ericsson in October of 2000.
(------------)

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
Still to come on the newscast, two drug investigations have very different endings...
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]
and authorities believe they are closer to figuring out an arsenic poisoning case in Maine.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=in sports."]
((Hey folks. Travis Wells here in the News 7 Sports Office. Coming up later, an update on Jerry Nadeau's condition as the racing goes on in Richmond. We'll head down the stretch at the Kentucky Derby, and provide one final kick at the Cosmopolitan track meet. Plus, Avalanche baseball highlights and the Price isn't exactly right at Bama. All that and

more on the way in sports.))[Arsenic]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11 pm]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

State Police in Maine believe a farmer may have poisoned a church.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Sweden, ME]

53 year old Daniel Bondeson apparently shot himself on Friday. He died hours later.
Bondeson was a member of the church where a coffee pot was poisoned last Sunday with arsenic.
The lethal brew killed one man and sickened more than a dozen congregation members.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=:33,"We have developed..."]
((COL. MICHAEL SPERRY/MAINE STATE POLICE: WE HAVE DEVELOPED INFORMATION WHICH LINKS THAT SHOOTING TO THE DEATH AT THE CHURCH.))
[SUPER=01-Col. Michael Sperry/Maine State Police]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=:"...at the church."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Investigators combed the suspect's property searching for old pesticides containing arsenic that are common on Maine farms. Another possibility is the potato factory where Bondeson worked. Police found it unguarded and full of dangerous chemicals.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=:1:30,"It's so confusing..."]
((DAVE ANDERSON/NEW SWEDEN MERCHANT: IT'S SO CONFUSING SO FRUSTRATING. YOU WANT THE ANSWERS. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY ESPECIALLY.))
[SUPER=01-Dave Anderson/New Sweden Merchant]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=:"...to know why especially."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
More answers could come on Monday if an autopsy confirms that Bondeson took his own life.
(------------)

[Radford-Drug]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC-1:08:38]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
Nearly all of the people accused of participating in a violent drug ring in Radford have pleaded guilty.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
One of them is 28-year-old Malcolm Lewis, who was described as the operation's leader. He was convicted of directing a continual criminal enterprise. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison when he's sentenced in federal court later this year.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
14 others have pleaded guilty to drug charges or money laundering. That leaves one person who has not been arrested, one who plans to plead guilty and a final defendant who is scheduled to go to trial May 12th.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Authorities say the drug ring distributed more than one million dollars in cocaine, crack and marijuana and was responsible for drive-by shootings and other violent crimes.

[Rke-Drug]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=03-07 TC-1:58:53]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
In another drug investigation, charges have been dropped against 12 people accused of participating in another international drug ring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Federal prosecutors asked the judge to drop the charges because the man who was set to testify against the defendants is no longer available.
Javier Cruz is on the run in Colombia. He was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the drug operation.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

But since the charges were based on his information, without his testimony, the judge decided to dismiss the 12 indictments.

[Studio-Tour]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=Time Off]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
Some artists in the area are opening up their doors, to let you see where they get their inspiration. In this week's Time Off, Shannon Young takes us on Roanoke's Open Studio Tour.
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Susan Jamison/Artist; :26]
[SUPER=01-Sarah Muse/Artist; :53]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=STD]

(([SOT 11:19:49-11:19:54]
[IN Q=I have to use really...]
((SUSAN JAMISON/ARTIST: I HAVE TO USE REALLY SMALL BRUSHES TO APPLY THE PAINT. IT'S REALLY IMMEDIATE AND PRECISE.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=really immediate and precise.]
Paint is Susan Jamison's medium of choice. But it's not the only way she expresses her creative side. Her individuality is apparent in the way she defines her living space from which, she in turn, finds inspiration.
[SOT 11:09:30-11:09:40]
[IN Q=I planted all these beautiful...]
((SUSAN JAMISON/ARTIST: I PLANTED ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL LILIES AND THE ANIMALS CAME IN THE YARD AND BIT THE HEADS OFF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.)) [RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=off every single one of them.]
Jamison is one of dozens of artists involved in this weekend's Open Studio Tour, a unique event that allows the public into the artists' domain.
[SOT 11:24:06-11:24:09]
[IN Q= It's kind of an intimate feeling.]
((SARAH MUSE/ARTIST: IT'S KIND OF AN INTIMATE FEELING.)) [RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=intimate feeling.]
Sarah Muse specializes in jewelry and textiles. But her biggest project these days is the renovation of her house. Despite the chaos she says visitors are more than welcome to wander her "work in progress".
[SOT 11:23:43-11:23:48]
[IN Q=Everybody wants to know...]
((SARAH MUSE/ARTIST: EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW HOW AN ARTIST LIVES, WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE, WHAT THEIR PLACE LOOKS LIKE.))

[RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=what their place looks like.]
[BUTT BUTT BUTT]
[SOT 11:05:43-11:06:;10]
[IN Q=I think to see it in the context...]
((SUSAN JAMISON: I THINK TO SEE IT IN THE CONTEXT OF SOMEBODY'S HOME, THINGS THEY COLLECT, THE GARDEN THEY KEEP OR DON'T KEEP, TELLS MORE OF THE STORY THAN JUST SEEING THE ARTWORK IN A COMMERCIAL GALLERY SPACE WHERE YOU'RE PROBABLY DEALING WITH WHITE WALLS AND CERTAINLY NO PERSONAL OBJECTS AROUND OR ANYTHING.)) [RUNS:27]
[OUT Q=objects around or anything.]
Some houses will feature the work of guest artists, who will be on hand for discussions or to sell, if you're inclined to buy. But interaction is not required. Nor, for that matter, is an interest in art.
[SOT 11:06:17-1:06:22]
[IN Q=People are interested as much in seeing...]
((JAMISON: PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED AS MUCH IN SEEING THE KITCHEN RENOVATION AS MUCH AS THE STUDIO AND THAT'S FINE.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=as the studio and that's fine.]
Shannon Young, News 7, Roanoke.))
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[GRAPHIC=none]
The Open Studio Tour continues tomorrow from noon to 5. Maps are available at the Visitor's Center, Market Gallery and Studios on the Square.
[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Joy]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]

Still ahead on News 7 at 11, NASCAR was racing under the lights tonight, we'll have highlights from Richmond.

(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and you've seen his face on quarters and license plates, but the Old Man of the Mountain is no more.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Strawberry-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC-20:47]
[GRAPHIC=none]
As spring continues in full force, it was a perfect weekend to enjoy a sweet treat.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The 23rd annual Strawberry Festival wrapped up at Elmwood Park today. It's organized by the Community School in Roanoke and administrators expected to raise between 50 and 60- thousand dollars for the school. They say the event is lots of fun but takes lots of volunteers and planning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:35:28]
[IN Q=The heavy preparations]
((LAURIE BECK/COMMUNITY SCHOOL DIRECTOR: THE HEAVY PREPARATIONS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN WE HAD BAKING DAYS AND WE BAKED OVER 11,000 SHORTCAKES AND FROZE THEM UNTIL WE GOT TO STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL. AND I'D SAY WE HAVE OVER 150 VOLUNTEERS.))
[SUPER=01-Laurie Beck/Community School Director;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=over 150 volunteers]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
More than 750 flats of strawberries were used along with the shortcakes. Festival goers also indulged in adult sundaes, berries and creme and strawberry slushies. When asked why the festival is so successful Beck said it's because they make the best strawberry shortcake in town.

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

[Old-Man-Mountain]

[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A natural rock formation resembling a man's face that became a New Hampshire landmark fell from its mountainside perch today, destroying not only a familiar landscape, but the symbol of the state.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Franconia Notch, NH; :00]
[SUPER=01-Gov. Craig Benson/(D) New Hampshire; 1:30]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=dead at the age of 100 million.]

[S-Extra]

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

Coming up in sports, highlights from the first night race of the season from Richmond, Funny Cide gets serious at the Kentucky Derby, and Alabama fires Mike Price, but first in tonight's extra point,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]

The Spurs Tim Duncan has won the balloting for NBA MVP. Duncan becomes the first player since Michael Jordan in 1991 and 1992 to win the league's most coveted individual award in back to back seasons. The 27 year old Duncan led the Spurs to an NBA best record of 60 and 22, averaging 23 points per game.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to break]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Myrtle Beach/9//Salem/3////Lynchburg/5/j/Kinston/15///;]
[SUPER=x5012;]
[SUPER=0095-/St. John's/1/j/Virginia Tech/3//Game One//St. John's/3/j/Virginia Tech/7//Game Two/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0095-j/VMI/6//Appalachian State/4//Game One/j/VMI/10//Appalachian State/8//Game Two/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0095-j/Liberty/3//Coastal Carolina/1///;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-/Philadelphia/2/j/Ottawa/5//Sens Lead Series 3-2//Anaheim/1/j/Dallas/4//Ducks Lead Series 3-2/;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]

(-----------------)[S-Richmond]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-136 TC14110]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar 2003]

Nascar driver Jerry Nadeau is still listed in critical condition tonight in intensive care at the Medical College of Virginia. He is being treated for head, lung and rib injuries, but his vital signs are good and team spokesman Jay Frye says that Nadeau is able to communicate with visitors although he hasn't spoken since the accident.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/FX; :00]

Tonight, the Pontiac Excitement 400 went on just outside the state capital with Jason Keller behind the wheel of Nadeau's Pontiac.
For the second straight week, Steve Park crashed out early. Park can blame a blown tire for this spin-o-rama as he meets and greets the wall.
Jimmy Spencer suffered a similar fate bringing out another caution and effectively ending his night.
Then Kevin Harvick catches a case of impatience running right over his teammate Jeff Green. Green then has a few words of wisdom for Harvick's crew.
Ricky Rudd then took a wild ride thanks to a tap from Ward Burton. Mike Skinner has nowhere to go. That brought out another of a record 15 cautions. The race was red flagged with 7 laps to go because of rain. Joe Nemechek was eventually declared the winner--his first win in 47 races.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Joe Nemechek/Wins Pontiac Excitement 400; :00]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=I wanted to go."]
(------------------)
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=X5013;]
[SUPER=0106-1. Joe Nemechek//2. Bobby Labonte//3. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//4. Robby Gordon//5. Mark Martin//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-6. Kevin Harvick//7. Matt Kenseth//8. Kurt Busch//9. Jeff Burton//10. Rusty Wallace//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0106-11. Ward Burton//12. Michael Waltrip//13. Sterling Marlin//14. Johnny Benson//15. Tony Raines//;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=.....last driver."]
(-----------)

[S-Derby]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-141 TC13130]
[GRAPHIC=Kentucky Derby]

There was a different kind of horsepower on display this afternoon at Churchill Downs with the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby. Funny Cide became the first gelding to win the Run for the Roses since 1929, holding off favorite Empire Maker for the win. Jockey Jose Santos kept the 12 to one shot near the head of the pack before grabbing the lead down the stretch from Peace Rules, which finished third. Here's a listen to the stretch call.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Louisville, KY/NBC Sports; :00]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=the 129th Kentucky Derby."]
(-------------------)

[S-Cosmo]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-140 TC13013]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 Sports]

We finish our racing tour on the track at Salem High School where the 38th annual Cosmopolitan track meet wrapped up earlier today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

The athletes dodged the wet stuff most of the afternoon.
Cosmo officials awarded two 1,000 dollar scholarships earlier this morning--one to Rockbridge County distance runner John Crews, an N-C State signee who did not compete because of a leg injury, and another to Lord Botetourt's Koran Leonard.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Randy Lower/Meet Director; :00]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=I was very impressed."]
(---------------)

[S-Avs]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-134 TC13021]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]

The Salem Avalanche managed 7 hits but just three runs today against Myrtle Beach, losing its second straight game to the cellar dwelling Pelicans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Pelicans vs. Avalanche; :00]

Only the diehards were out today at Salem Memorial Stadium.
The Avalanche trailed it 8-nothing in the bottom of the fifth, but Matt Lucas got Salem on the board with the base knock thru the hole in the left side of the infield. John Helquist crossed the dish for the Avs.
But there wasn't enough of that to go around. Renaldo Ruiz smacks a liner to left, but gets robbed by the Pelicans Greg Miller.
[SUPER=37-Myrtle Beach/9/Salem/3/;]
Myrtle Beach went on to win it by a final score of 9 to 3.
(------------)

[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-139 TC13210]
[GRAPHIC=PGA Tour]

The PGA Tour is in the Big Easy this weekend for the HP Classic and former UVa and Appomattox High School golfer Cameron Yancey is right in the mix tied for ninth. Yancey fired his second straight round of 68 today and sits at 14-under par for the tournament, just 7 shots back of leader Scott Verplank.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Orleans, LA/HP Classic; :00]

Verplank shot a third round 67. He is atop the leaderboard at 21 under par. Verplank's best finish this season has been 8th on two different occasions.
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[S-Price]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-149 TC4953]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Football]

The Mike Price era in Tuscaloosa is over before it even really got started. Today the University of Alabama fired its embattled football coach because of improper conduct.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Tuscaloosa, AL; :00]

The termination comes about four months after Price was hired from Washington State.
Price's future was in doubt following his behavior on a trip to Florida for a pro-am golf tournament. Reports say that Price spent hundreds of dollars on drinks and a topless dancer, who then ordered 1,000 dollars worth of room service and charged it to Price's account.
Alabama school President Robert Witt made the decision to fire Price in a meeting with school trustees earlier today.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Robert Witt/University of Alabama President; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Price/Former Alabama Football Coach; :23]
[RUNS=:48]
[OUT Q=second chances in life."]
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