WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 05/28/03

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Shan]

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

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

VDOT is working to make you safer on Interstate 81. We'll show you how. Plus, police in California calm an angry gunman with a carbonated beverage. And, a new movie acts as a kind of holy directory assistance.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Shan]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF CARS FLYING BY]
((NAT CARS.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=NAT SOUND OF CARS FLYING BY]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If you're traveling this summer, expect to see some major changes on one of our busiest roadways.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[81-Improvements]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC18:30]
[GRAPHIC=81 Improvements]

VDOT's been talking about them for years.
And this summer, you'll actually be able to see them.
The agency is spending millions of dollars to make safety improvements to several highways including Interstate 81.
[***81 IMPROVEMENTS IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /Pulpit;]

Justin McLeod is here to tell us all about it. Justin?
Shannon, these improvements total more than 37 million dollars.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@justin1]

They've already put in more rumble strips, extended the off ramps and merging lanes.
The state says it is money well spent because it will end up saving lives and could put I-81 on the road to recovery.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT SOUND OF CREWS INSTALLING GUARDRAILS]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/VDOT Spokesperson; :11]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=CHANGE THEIR PLANS]
((((NAT SOUND OF CREWS INSTALLING GUARDRAILS))
If you travel I-81 over the next few weeks, you'll probably run into a lot of work crews. ((QUICK NAT SOUND OF WORK))
They're working to prevent deadly accidents.
[SOT 18:04:40]
[IN Q=We have installed]
((LAURA BULLOCK/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: WE HAVE INSTALLED GUARDRAILS, DOUBLESIDED GUARDRAIL TO HELP PREVENT CROSS OVER ACCIDENTS AND WE'VE SPENT ABOUT SIX AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO DO THIS.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=to do this]

They're located in specific places where vehicles have been known to cross the median.
Workers have already installed these guardrails in Botetourt County near the Arcadia exit as well as a 10 mile stretch of roadway in Pulaski County.
V-Dot would like to see more of them, on 1-81 in Roanoke County and parts of 581.
[SOT 18:05:21]
[IN Q=However funding is]
((LAURA BULLOCK/V-DOT SPOKESPERSON: HOWEVER FUNDING IS A QUESTION AT THIS POINT AND TIME. WE DO THINK THAT IT IS A GOOD SAFETY ENHANCEMENT THOUGH AND WILL PROCEED WITH PURSUING THAT FUNDING.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=that funding]

That maybe a good idea.
Just last week, there were two accidents in our area where vehicles crossed the median.
One resulted in a death and backed up traffic for miles.
It is problems like this that has prompted V-Dot to add another safety feature.
Crews have begun installing 39 permanent message boards like this one, just a little smaller in size.
[SOT 18:07:01]
[IN Q=If they know there is]
((LAURA BULLOCK: IF THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AHEAD THEY ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE PATIENT THEN IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHY TRAFFIC IS TIED UP. ALSO IF WE CAN GIVE THEM INFORMATION IN PLENTY OF TIME THEY MAY WANT TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=change their plans] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]

These new message boards will be up and running by the end of the year and will be located on the interstate or roadways leading up to them.
In the future, V-Dot is also considering providing real time traffic information over the radio.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /Pulpit;]

But Shannon, V-Dot acknowledges these improvements are just a bandaid until the state comes up with a future solution for I-81.

[Festival-Venue]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Festival Venue]

Festival in the Park is heading indoors again.
Organizers have decided to move Friday's Celebration Night into the Roanoke Civic Center.
The concert featuring contemporary Christian singer Crystal Lewis was supposed to take place in Victory Stadium.
Civic Center doors will open at 5:30 and the show'll start an hour later.
Only 10,500 people will be allowed inside.
Parking may also be limited because the James H. Drew Exposition is set up in the Civic Center parking lot.

[Axiom]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=rca]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC33:01]
[GRAPHIC=Business News]
A promising jump start for Martinsville's sluggish economy is now on hold.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/Last December;]
Axiom Technologies is delaying its move into its intended headquarters, the former Coca Cola plant. Last December, economic development officials along with Governor Mark Warner welcomed the start up communications component company to Virginia. Officials said it meant a five-million dollar investment and 250-jobs for the area. A release from the city says national economic conditions have slowed the company's financing but that it will be working to keep the deal alive. State and local grants for the project had not been spent and Axiom has offered to reimburse the city about seven-thousand dollars for engineering work.
(------------)

[Hooker-Furniture]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=02-37 TC34:11]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Meanwhile, the closing of a furniture plant in North Carolina will mean more work in Roanoke and Martinsville.
Hooker Furniture announced today it will shut down its plant in Kernersville, North Carolina this summer.
About 270 employees will lose their jobs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/File Tape]

The company will shift production to its remaining plants in Martinsville and Roanoke, as well as two locations in North Carolina.
Hooker blames the closings on the economic dowturn and a flood of lower-priced imported products.
(------------)

[Missing]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=jwa]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC1:06:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The search for TWO people seen falling from Pittsylvania County bridges over the last five days moved to the air today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pittsylvania Co.]

Authorites searched 13 miles of the Staunton River by helicopter after a man was seen falling from the Staunton River Bridge in Hurt last night.
A boat search was not possible because of debris and dangerous river conditions.
The search lasted more than an hour and could resume as early as tomorrow, weather permitting.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Meanwhile, the sheriff's department is still looking for a woman seen going over the railing on Stateline Bridge Road in Cascade over the weekend.
Investigators searched eight miles of the Dan River today after suspending the search Sunday.

[Kilgore-Gangs]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC1:12:02]
[GRAPHIC=Jerry Kilgore]

Attorney General Jerry Kilgore says its time for the state to gang up on gangs.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Kilgore is creating a task force to combat growing gang violence in the state.
The Attorney General pointed to the recent gang-related murder of a Rockbridge County man as evidence that it is not just an urban problem anymore.
He says gang activity is happening all across the state.
The task force will look at increasing penalties for gang involvement and creating an automated system to track gangs.
Kilgore also wants the group to develop school programs to help steer children away from joining gangs.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:41:55]
[IN Q=WE HAVE A GANG PROBLEM]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY KILGORE: WE HAVE A GANG PROBLEM IN VIRGINIA. THE REALITY IS THAT WHERE THERE ARE DRUGS AND ILLEGAL GUNS -- THERE ARE GANGS. THE BREAKDOWN OF THE FAMILY IS INEVITABLE WHEN GANGS ARE ALLOWED TO FLOURISH.))
[SUPER=@Kilgore]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=GANGS ARE ALLOWED TO FLOURISH.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Kilgore says the task force will include law enforcement officials, prosecutors and community leaders.
He says they will begin meeting this summer.
(------------)

[CA-Standoff]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A gunman who took two hostages at a Southern California post office is now in custody.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :32]
[SUPER=03-Lakeside, CA;]
Authorities say the suspect gave up his two hostages shortly before ten tonight in exchange for a six-pack of soda, then surrendered himself. The man stormed the San Diego area post office this evening and threatened to kill his hostages. No one was hurt despite claims by the man that he had a bomb in a backpack and was "not afraid to use it." Authorities say the suspect is not, nor has he ever been, a postal employee. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department says he is frustrated by the Postal Service's response to an accident involving one of its vehicles.
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[Bob-Hope]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=none]

He's traveled all over the globe but an entertainment legend is about to enter what, for him, is uncharted territory.
Funny man Bob Hope will celebrate his one hundredth birthday tomorrow.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :15]
[SUPER=03-Toluca Lake, CA;]
Today, his hometown of Toluca Lake California honored Hope with a citizen of the century award.
(///// SOT at :17:17:20 /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=He's overwhelmed by all...]
((LINDA HOPE/DAUGHTER: HE'S OVERWHELMED BY ALL OF THIS.......ABOUT IT ALL.))
[SUPER=01-Linda Hope/Daughter;]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=ABOUT IT ALL]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :12]
Hope is known for keeping active on screen and on the golf course. He may have spent a century on the earth but, according to his webpage, "if he could live his life over again -- he wouldn't have time."
(------------)

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

Still ahead on News 7, we'll shed some light on the growing stadium controversy in Roanoke County.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, in Bruce Almighty, God speaks to Jim Carrey over the telephone.
Now movie-goers are trying to call-in too, but they're ending up with a wrong number.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=...THE BIG 7."]
((Hey folks, Mike Stevens back in the News 7 sports office as the kings of soccer are still alive - but barely - we'll get our kicks in region 3 as Blacksburg and Hidden Valley make the state tourney. Baseball and softball battles highlight the intensity of regional play tonight. Plus, the commissioner of the SEC talks about the slim chances of expansion in that league, and Funny Cide gets an early peak at the Belmont track tonight on the Big 7.))

[Tax-Cuts]

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

President Bush signed a tax cut bill this afternoon that he says will put more money in your pocket, stimulate the economy and create jobs.
Opponents think resulting deficits will do long-term damage to the economy.
Gary Nurenberg has a look at both sides.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rep. Rahm Emanuel/(D) Illinois; :42 ]
[SUPER=01-Howard Gleckman/"Business Week" Senior Correspondent; :57]
[SUPER=01-Gary Nurenberg/Reporting; 1:09]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=I'm Gary Nurenberg.]
((THE 330 BILLION DOLLAR TAX CUT IS THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY. " What we're doing today is the right thing to do on behalf of all Americans. " THE BILL CUTS INCOME TAX RATES FOR EVERYONE BEGINNING NEXT MONTH. IT INCREASES THE TAX CREDIT FOR CHILDREN BY 400 DOLLARS PER CHILD AND CUTS TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS AND CORPORATE DIVIDENDS. "Altogether 34 million families with children, including 6 million single moms, will receive an average tax cut of 1549 dollars per year. " BUT DEMOCRATS ARGUE THE BILL'S BIGGEST BENEFITS GO TO THE COUNTRY'S WEALTHIEST FAMILIES INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON MORE PRODUCTIVE STIMULUS. THEY SAY IT WILL CAUSE THE LARGEST DEFICITS, EVER. " Running up a deficit for the sake of a deficit without targeting those resources to the economy is not good economic either short-term or long-term policy. " THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THE PLAN MAKES BOTH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SENSE. "this successful war in Iraq is going to be a distant memory if the economy is still rotten a year and a half from now and the president know this. that's what happened to his father and he's doing everything he can to make sure it doesn't happen to him. THE TAX CUTS BEGIN IMMEDIATELY. AMERICAN WORKERS SHOULD SEE MORE MONEY IN THEIR PAYCHECKS WITHIN WEEKS. GARY NURENBERG WASHINGTON ))

[Laundromat-Mom]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A mother stands charged with felony child endangerment after putting her 2 year old daughter in a washing machine.

It happened in a Pomona California laundromat Saturday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Erma Osborne allegedly put the girl in a washer.
It began operating when the door closed because it had unexpired time.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=None]

Police were called after the woman and bystanders were unable to unlock the machine.
Officers used batons to break open the washer's glass window and rescue the girl.
She spent about 4 minutes in the machine and is hospitalized in stable but guarded condition.
Osborne is in custody with bail set at 50-thousand dollars.

[Hidden-Valley]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-11 TC1:29:06]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Roanoke County school officials say a shared football stadium and lighted soccer fields are the best options for two south county high schools.
Critics say the plan represents a broken promise.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Today, the school construction committee approved a plan that calls for renovations to Bogle Field at Cave Spring Middle School.
With 25- hundred seats on each side, the stadium would serve both Cave Spring and Hidden Valley High Schools.
Soccer games would be played on lighted fields at each high school, and that's the part of the plan now generating complaints.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lighting wasn't an issue]
((MICHELE MORGAN/HIDDEN VALLEY NEIGHBOR: LIGHTING WASN'T AN ISSUE, BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LIGHTING ON THE FIELDS AT HIDDEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL. BOTTOM LINE, WE WERE TOLD THAT.)) ((MIKE STOVALL/ROANOKE CO. SCHOOL BOARD: WE'RE ONCE AGAIN I'M SURE GOING TO HAVE SOME CITIZENS WHO ARE GOING TO DRAG US ACROSS THE COALS FOR THE FACT WE WANT TO PUT LIGHTS ON THE SOCCER FIELDS, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE'RE DOING IT FOR KIDS. BOTTOM LINE.))
[SUPER=01-Michele Morgan/Hidden Valley Neighbor; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mike Stovall/Roanoke Co. School Board Member; :12]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=we're doing it for kids. bottom line.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The school board must still approve the plan, but board members serve on the construction committee, and three out of five supported the proposal today.
(------------)

[Tech-Airport]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC2:00:39]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Virginia Tech flight school is being grounded for good.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The school's Airport says it will officially end its flight training program this Saturday. The decision comes after the university announced two years ago it was getting out of the airport business.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 352]
[IN Q=when virginia tech]
((STEVE MOURAS/DIRECTOR OF TRANSPORTATION: WHEN VIRGINIA TECH GOT OUT OF THE AIRPORT BUSINESS WE REALLY DIDN'T THINK THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT COMPLIMENTED THE UNIVERSITY'S GOAL AND FOCUS AT THAT TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Steve Mouras/VT Director of Transportation;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=at that time]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Virginia Tech now operates the airport through a partnership with Montgomery County, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg. Its flight training program began during World War Two, when the R-O-T-C trained pilots for combat. Eventually it opened to the public, where it has since averaged about 25 students per year.
(-----------)

[Movie-Phone]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

You can't pick up a telephone and call God but some movie goers think you can.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :13]
[SUPER=04-Courtesy: Universal Pictures;]
The movie "Bruce Almighty" contains a scene in which God leaves a number for Jim Carrey to return. Rather than use a generic number the studio went with an existing one.
[SUPER=03-Sanford, NC;]
Now a church in North Carolina is taking dozens of calls.
(///// SOT at :13 /////)
[SOT 19:39:17-19:39:33]
[IN Q=All of a sudden...]
((BRUCE MAACINNES/PASTOR: ALL OF A SUDDEN... CAN'T DO IT ON A PHONE.))
[SUPER=01-Bruce MacInnes/Pastor;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=can't do it on a phone.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
MacInnes says he's received phone calls from as far away as Scotland. More than one hundred other people around the US share the same seven-digit phone number but all have different area codes. By the way, Pastor Bruce hasn't seen the movie and doesn't plan to.
(------------)

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

He's used to rocking big crowds. Now one former Beatle will be rocking the cradle.
We'll explain next on News 7.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And later, hundreds of hostile sea-lions land at a California marina.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[McCartney-Baby]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=tco]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

He and the Beatles sang Take Good Care of my Baby.
Now Paul McCartney will be able to do it himself.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]
The former Beatle and his wife Heather Mills announced today that they are expecting a baby later in the year. In a written statement, both McCartney and Mills say they are delighted with the news. The two met at a charity event three years ago, and married in June 2002. He has three children from his previous marriage to Linda McCartney, who died of breast cancer in 1998.
(------------)

[Rock-Climbing]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The ultimate in four wheeling is going on these days.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :18]
[SUPER=03-Moab, UT;]
70 of the world's best 4x4 rock crawlers today took on the slick rocks of Moab, Utah for the second of four stops on the Rock Crawler Association of America Nationals tour. Each driver has a spotter to help him or her navigate two treacherous courses. The two day event offers a purse of $380-thousand dollars.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA & SP-141 14913tc]
[GRAPHIC=BAM]

Regional action from the soccer field, the softball and baseball dimonds. Plus, the latest on the Big East-ACC situation, and words from the commissioner of the SEC on the possibility of expansion. But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Elmont, NY; :00]
Funny Cide, the Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner, got in its first workout since winning the second leg of the Triple Crown on May 17th. The gelding, that is based out of up-state New York, had to deal with a muddy track, but according to its handlers performed flawlessly. The Belmont is set for Saturday, June 7th. Funny Cide will workout just one more time before trying to become the 12th Triple Crown winner.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Wilmington/6//Salem/1///j/Lynchburg/2//Potomac/0//Hillcats Lose Game Two 5-to-4/;]
[SUPER=x5010;]
[SUPER=0091-/Boston/5/j/New York/6///j/Cleveland/8//Detroit/2///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-j/Minnesota/6//Oakland/5///j/Baltimore/6//Anaheim/2///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/Cincinnati/3/j/Atlanta/15////Pittsburgh/4/j/Chicago/5///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-/New York/3/j/Philadelphia/11////Houston/1/j/St. Louis/3///;]
[SUPER=x5012;]
[SUPER=0094-j/Jefferson Forest/9//Heritage/5//Region III Semi-Finals/j/G.W. Danville/14//Potomac/0//Northwest Region/;]

[RUNS=:30]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(----------------)

[S-Indians]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-142 13540TC]
[GRAPHIC=SOCCER]

The defending state champions from Blacksburg faced a do or die situation tonight in the Region Three semi-finals on the their turf at Bill Brown Stadium. The Indians had to beat William Byrd or the show was over for this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Terriers vs. Indians; :00]
Byrd beat the Indians during the regular season and the Terriers appeared to be in great shape again. Ben Lott's throw-in gets lost in traffic, but Jeff Highfill finds it and nails it for a 2-to-1 Byrd lead with 29 minutes to go. But the Indians got two unanswered to win it. Take a look at the unbelievable effort from senior Richard Troy, who beats three defenders and then whips the goalie with a ricochet rocket off the cross bar. Blacksburg comes from behind to beat Byrd 3-to-2
[SUPER=34-Blacksburg/3/William Byrd/2;]
and advance to the state quarterfinals one more time as Indians.
(------------)

[S-Titans]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-145 13350TC]
[GRAPHIC=SOCCER]

With the Indians back in the state tournament, it was then up to the new kids of the block from Hidden Valley to see if they could join them.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Titans vs. Governors; :00]
The Titans may be a team of destiny - they have been on a mission playing with heavy hearts and serious intensity ever since the step dad of starter Sal Puzzo passed away. He was laid to rest today and the Titans were all business tonight. Phil Hartman would get the eventual game winner in the first half as he rips this penalty kick in the back of the net.
The Titans would win it 2-to-nothing as Phillip Coldiron helped
[SUPER=34-Hidden Valley/2/Nelson County/0;]
pitch a shutout in goal. The Titans play Blacksburg Friday night at 7.
(------------)

[S-Softball]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-148 5238TC]
[GRAPHIC=SOFTBALL]

The Region Three softball tourney will play its semi-finals tomorrow at the Moyer Complex - but today Northside and Gretna met in the quarterfinals.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Gretna vs. Northside; :00]
Lynn Richmond and the Vikings were postponed a day due to the rain and this one started slowly. Northside gets on the scoreboard on an error. The wild pitch gets Vanessa Mejia (MA-HE-UH) home and Nancy Furhman (FUR-MAN) wasn't far behind as the Vikes take a 2-to-nothing lead in the third. Later in the third, Bekah Strutt bloops one between first and second, Connie Fertitta (FER-TEEETA) rounds third and she will be awarded home on the interference call. In the fourth, Maria Dooley bunts one up the third base line and
[SUPER=34-Gretna/4/Northside/16;]
Kalyn Thornburg comes home to give the Vikes their fifth unanswered run and they beat Gretna 16 to 4.
(-----------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=ANGELA TINCHER]
James River and ace pitcher Angela Tincher beat John Battle 2-to-nothing today. Tincher pitched her 8th no-hitter of the season, and also today - she was named Gatorade's player of the year.

[S-Baseball]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-144 11540TC]
[GRAPHIC=BASEBALL]

Part of the Region C baseball tournament was played at Kiwanis Field in Salem tonight as Glenvar hosted Ft. Chiswell.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Fort Chiswell vs. Glenvar; :00]
This game featured a scary moment in the fourth inning as Evan Noell tries to steal home. But he will collide with Fort Chiswell catcher Adam Hodge head first. Emergency personnel came out and Noell left with a concussion, but he should OK. His teammates made sure he would get a win. In the fifth -
[SUPER=34-Glenvar/5/Fort Chiswell/3;]
Glenvar pitcher Ryne Mueller hits one sharply to right to bring in Cody Kidd and Glenvar wins it 5 to 3.
(------------)

[S-Miami]

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

The executive committee of the University of Miami's board of trustees met today to discuss the move from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami will host the first of the three ACC site visits this Friday. The word now is that nothing definite will be said until those visits are completed.

[S-Congress]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ACC/BIG EAST]

While Miami continues to play its cards, nine U.S. Senators are condemning the proposed change. In a letter sent to Miami, Syracuse and Boston College Joseph Lieberman, Robert Byrd, George Allen, John Warner, Arlen Spector and others say the move would devastate women's sports and send a troubling message to student athletes across America.

[S-SEC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-139 14415TC]
[GRAPHIC=SEC]

Meanwhile, the Southeastern Conference is holding its annual spring meetings this week in Destin, Florida. Hokies everywhere have been hoping that if the Big East crumbles they might find a way to slide into the SEC.
[GRAPHIC=TECH/SEC]
But the league's commissioner says that "expansion" is not a formal agenda item this week for the athletic director and coaches this week, but he admits they are watching what takes place in the Big East-ACC shuffle.
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[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mike Slive/SEC Commissioner; :00]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=...as you are."]
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[VO-NAT con't]
[SUPER=04-SEC; :00]
While the SEC appears to be locked in on holding at 12 teams for now, Slive says he believes a variety of odd or even numbered combinations can make for a successful league.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=...PERFECT NUMBER."]
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[talent=mike]
[graphic=hold tech sec]
Slive says right now he would call the SEC quote "comfortable" with 12 members.

[S-Teen]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-149 10411tcTC]
[GRAPHIC=TENNIS]
The French Open continues to provide a wealth of entertainement on a daily basis.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Paris, France/espn2; :00]
Today, American Ashley Harkleroad a home schooled 18 year old from Roseville, Georgia - today "schooled" ninth seeded Daniela Hantuchova 7-6, 4-6 and 9-7. She has yet to graduate from high school, but today she learned a valuable lesson on the road - never give up. She blew a 5-1 lead in the third set, but rallied to win the match.
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[talent=mike]
[graphic=tennis]
Agassi and Serena also advanced today.

[Sea-Lions]

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

It's a dock party that many boat-owners hope will end soon.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Monterey Harbor, CA]

Sea lions are invading the Monterey Harbor in California.
Hundreds of the animals are taking over the local launch ramp and hopping on-board boats.
The problem is so bad city workers are closing the area down and telling boaters to stay away.
Sea lions are federally protected which prevents fishermen and boat owners from harming the animals even if they've moved onto their property.
The only thing to do is have patience and hope they leave. (------------)