WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 05/30/03

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

The man who admits to shooting a tourist outside a Roanoke hotel could face more than three life sentences.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :05]
And, police and family are looking for a motive in the murder of a Franklin County man.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Tonight on News 7 sports - the NASCAR crews head north to Dover as Ryan Newman wins another pole.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and the ACC wraps up its two day junket in Miami - and for the most part everyone is all smiles. Comments from Swofford and Dee later in the newscast.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

A big time weather system will bring rain and high wind Saturday before clearing out on Sunday. Details coming up.

(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 3-Shot]

News 7 at Six is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:49:46]
[IN Q=We're pleased]
((NEIL HORN/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: WE'RE PLEASED THAT HE'S DONE THIS AND WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVED TOWARDS A SENTENCING ON THIS CASE.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=on this case]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A Roanoke man admits to shooting a Florida tourist outside a local motel in March.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young. Keith is off tonight.

[Smith]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC22:44]
[GRAPHIC=Guilty Plea]

Derrick Wakie Smith pled guilty today.
He now faces lengthy prison time for gunning down Ryan Taboada outside the Holiday Inn Express in Roanoke. [***SMITH IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /Pulpit;]

Justin McLeod was in the courtroom today and he has more on today's plea. Justin?
Shannon, Smith faces three life sentences plus another 31 years.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]
[SUPER=@justin1]

Today's guilty plea comes days after his preliminary hearing where it was revealed he confessed to the crime.
After that hearing, the Commonwealth's Attorney offered a plea agreement.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

And today, Smith pled guilty to eight counts including attempted capital murder, attempted robbery, car jacking, abduction, and multiple firearm charges.
It was on the night of March 27th that Ryan Taboada (Tah--BOH-duh) and his family were about to check into the Holiday Inn Express on Gainsboro Road.
Smith shot Taboada after he refused to give him money and then took off in the family's SUV with a three year old girl strapped in the backseat.
The victim is now recovering at his home in Florida.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 4:51:03]
[IN Q=This man was shot full of holes]
((NEIL HORN/COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY: IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME BEFORE HE IS EVEN ABLE TO TRAVEL SO THIS DOES SAFE A LOT OF MORE EXPENDITURE RESOURCE BY THE FAMILY AND A LOT OF EMOTIONAL AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO RELIVE THIS OVER AGAIN SO WE BELIEVE THIS WAS A GOOD OUTCOME FOR THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Neil Horn/Commonwealth's Attorney; ]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=outcome for them]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Smith also pled guilty today to robbing a Roanoke woman a week before the Holiday Inn Shooting.
By pleading guilty, the Commonwealth's Attorney agreed not to pursue other charges in these cases.
(------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL Pulpit]

When the judge asked Smith whether he felt his public defender discussed all defense options with him, he replied quote "I don't gotta defense."
[DOUBLE BOXES=Shannon & Justin /Pulpit;]

Shannon, Smith will be formally sentenced on July 22nd.

[Franklin-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-10 TC1:52:15]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Invest.]

Franklin County investigators are puzzled over what led a Callaway man to kill his brother- in- law. Investigators say Howell Scott, his common- law wife Evon Custer, their two children and a grandchild
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.]
were riding towards their home on Bridges Lane when they encountered Custer's brother, Joseph Edison Bridges. They say, when the two cars met drivers door to drivers door Bridges fired a shot, hitting Scott in the head. Scott died at the scene and a few hours later Bridges turned himself in.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 7:57:12]
[IN Q=We got a call]
((QUINT OVERTON/FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF: WE GOT A CALL THROUGH THE DISPATCHER THAT HE HAD CALLED AND REQUESTED THAT THE SHERIFF COME TO HIS HOME AND HE WOULD SURRENDER HIMSELF TO THE SHERIFF.))
[SUPER=01-Quint Overton/Franklin County Sheriff;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=to the sheriff]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Bridges is being held at the Franklin County jail and is charged with first degree murder.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Investigators say Scott's family hasn't been able to think of a reason why Bridges would want to kill his brother- in- law.

[I-81]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC3:31:57]
[GRAPHIC=I-81 Widening]

The Virginia Department of Transportation says an environmental review will come first, before officials decide how to move forward with major improvements to Interstate 81.
Today, Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet (shoo-KET) insisted the changes will not delay construction.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

V-DOT had set a summer deadline for detailed proposals from Flour (floor) Virginia and Star Solutions, the two groups competing for the public- private partnership.
But after talks with the Federal Highway Administration, V-DOT has decided to complete the environmental review first, a process that could take three to five years.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:36:49]
[IN Q=The overall schedule]
((THE OVERALL SCHEDULE FOR INTERSTATE 81 IMPROVEMENTS HAS NOT CHANGED AT ALL.)) ((WE'RE MAKING APPROPRIATE USE OF THE PPTA LAW AND ALL OF THE BENEFITS IT PROVIDES TO ALL VIRGINIANS AND AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE MEETING OUR OBLIGATION TO ASSESS AND DISCLOSE POTENTIAL SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS.))
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=environmental impact.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Shucet (shoo-KET) also said the Federal Highway Administration has given conditional approval to the use of tolls on I- 81.
Both proposals call for some form of tolls to pay for widening the highway.
(------------)

[Pipeline]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-11 TC1:32:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Construction of the controversial Duke Energy Patriot Pipeline is already under close watch. But, as New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens tells us, today it got even closer.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Wytheville; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rick Smith/Duke Energy; :20]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; :56]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=News 7, Wytheville]
(( Developers of the new Patriot natural gas line say they have nothing to hide. On Friday, members of the media visited the site for an organized show and tell.
[SOT 16]
[RUNS=16]
((RICK SMITH/PROJECT DIRECTOR: CERTAINLY THE NEW RIVER HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC WITH RESPECT TO THE PATRIOT PROJECT 24 DUKE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OPEN TO SHARING INFORMATION AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAD INSIGHT INTO THE ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW RIVER AND HOW SUCCESSFUL THE DRILL WAS GOING 32)) Drilling for the 94-mile pipeline extension began in March.
It will run from the current East Tennessee Natural Gas pipeline near Wytheville, cross four counties in Virginia and connect to another natural gas line in North Carolina. Although Duke says the line will sit 50-feet below the bottom of the New River, many opponents of the project say it's a threat to the environment. Project director, Rick Smith says that's why the company's taking every necessary step to make sure that doesn't happen.
[SOT 43]
[RUNS=15]
(( WE DID HAVE SOME DRILLING MUD THAT SEEPED FROM THE SUB SURFACE WE TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION IN TERMS OF HAY BAILS FENCE. WE NOTIFIED THE STATE WORKED WITH THEM AND TO ENSURE THAT WE COMPLYING WITH REQUIREMENTS 58)) Developers say they hope to have the first part of the pipeline extension in the ground next week, and in service by this Fall.
Myranda Stephens, News 7, Wytheville. ))

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]

Southside leads Virginia in unemployment yet again.
More on that when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

And they may be enemies on the football field, but U-V-A's President says he's still trying to make sure the Hoos and Hokies become friends in the A-C-C.
(----------------)

[Bath-Trailer]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-09 TC2:02:51]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents of The Bath County Trailer Park are relieved to not be moving this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :12]
[SUPER=03-Bath Co.;]
The park's owner planned to close the park on June 1st. That would have forced most of the residents to find new homes. But earlier this month Cedar Creek Associates agreed to buy the property and keep it open.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 14:10:34 / 14:03:57]
[IN Q=We get to stay...]
((NANCY COLVIN/PARK RESIDENT; WE GET TO STAY, WE HAVE GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD NEIGHBORS. EVERYBODY HELPS EACH OTHER OUT.))
((RHONDA ROBERTSON/PARK RESIDENT; EVERYBODY'S KINDA ON EDGE WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH THE PAYMENTS ARE GOING TO BE, RENT AND STUFF, I DON'T CARE IF IT GOES UP A LITTLE BIT. IT'S A PLACE TO STAY.))
[SUPER=01-Nancy Colvin/Park Resident; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rhonda Robertson/Park Resident; :07]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=it's a place to stay.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :13+]
Bath County officials hope to hear soon if they have been awarded a 1-point-4 million dollar state grant that would pay for repairs to the park's roads, and provide financial assistance and workforce development services for residents.
(------------)

[Trooper-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=jwa]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC35:02]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

In the event of an accident, law enforcement is often the first to arrive at the scene.
But today, two officers were INVOLVED in an accident that slowed traffic for about an hour.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

This was the scene off the Hollins exit ramp on Interstate 81 just after noon today.
A jeep Cherokee and a state vehicle were involved in the accident.
The driver of the Jeep and two commercial vehicle enforcement officers were not injured.
Investigators have not said how the accident occurred.
(------------)

[County-Races]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=jwa]
[TAPE#=03-12 TC1:15:48]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2003]

Despite what some thought, there WILL be a contest tomorrow when the Roanoke County Republicans meet to nominate candidates for county offices and the board of supervisors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Susan Simmons was the GOP's only candidate for County Treasurer, until Wednesday, when investment consultant Kevin Hutchins announced his candidacy.
Simmons and Hutchins agree that the computer migration project will be one of the biggest issues facing the new treasurer.
In 2006, Hewlett Packard will no longer support the County's computer software.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 01:30:15-01:30:32]
[IN Q=The system that we're]
((SUSAN SIMMONS/SEEKING GOP NOMINATION FOR ROANOKE CO. TREASURER: THE SYSTEM THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IS NEW. IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT IN BY SOMEONE WHO'S FAMILIAR WITH THE COLLECTIONS PROCESS, FAMILIAR WITH THE TAXATION PROCESS AND SOMEONE THAT ACTUALLY HAS THE EDUCATION TO UNDERSTAND THE SYSTEMS THAT WILL BE INSTALLED.)) ((KEVIN HUTCHINS/SEEKING GOP NOMINATION FOR ROANOKE CO. TREASURER: THERE ARE NEW TECHNOLOGIES OUT THERE THAT EXIST THAT IF WE DO FINANCIALLY GET THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR, THAT COULD IN THE LONG RUN REDUCE THE COST OF HOW THE OFFICE IS RUN AND MAKE IT RUN BETTER. AND THE FIRST PLACE TO START WITH IS THE INTEGRATION.))
[SUPER=01-Susan Simmons/(R) Roanoke Co. Treasurer Candidate; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Hutchins/(R) Roanoke Co. Treasurer Candidate; :18]
[RUNS=34]
[OUT Q=with is the integration.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]

Mike Wray was to face Mark Harrell for the nomination for the Cave Spring Supervisors seat.
Harrell now says if he runs, he'll do so as an Independent.
The GOP will meet tomorrow morning at 10 at Cave Spring High School.

[VA-Unemployment]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Virginia's unemployment rate fell slightly in March, but Martinsville still leads the state.
The statewide jobless rate was 4.3 percent, about the same as a year ago.
Martinsville's rate of 15.4 percent led the Commonwealth.
Henry, Patrick and Halifax Counties all saw double-digit unemployment.
Fairfax City boasted the lowest rate in Virginia at two-percent.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Stocks have put in three straight months of gains, a feat not seen in nearly two years. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-x/139.08/8850.26/x/20.96/1595.91;]

The DOW gained 139 points for the day.
NASDAQ rose 21.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-h/0.38/59.48//Unchg/41.30/h/1.00/29.04/i/0.23/73.35/h/0.62/74.20;]
[SUPER=272-h/0.26/8.91/h/0.34/7.00/h/0.74/63.00/h/1.29/43.00/h/0.45/28.70;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.04/6.52/i/0.09/33.00/h/0.37/16.05/h/0.87/21.92/i/0.11/6.31;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.08/7.35/h/0.94/59.30/h/0.81/37.85/h/0.82/40.18/i/0.20/52.61;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]

[UVA-Visitors]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC1:09:20]
[GRAPHIC=ACC/Big East]

Even though Virginia Tech didn't make the cut with the A-C-C, U-V-A officials say they have not given up hope that Tech can score a slot.
Meghan Muldoon was in Charlottesville today where the A-C-C expansion was part of the discussion at the Board of Visitors meeting.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=EVEN BEFORE THE UPCOMING SEASON'S]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville]
[SUPER=01-John Casteen/University of Virginia President]
[SUPER=01-L. F. Payne/UVA Board of Visitors]
[SUPER=@Meghan2;]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=MM, NEWS 7, CHARLOTTESVILLE]
(( [cover with Tech football here] Even before the upcoming season's opening kick-off, Virginia Tech's winning football program is already registering a loss.
[cover with Tech football here]A-C-C officials, in their quest to expand are courting Miami, Boston College and Syracuse but they won't be stopping in Blacksburg.
Still Virginia, the only school to stick up for their intra-state rival, the Hokies, isn't ready to throw in the towel just yet.
[SOT 13:18:08]
[IN Q=I'VE HAD A STRONG INTEREST FOR YEARS]
((JOHN CASTEEN/PRESIDENT OF UVA: I'VE HAD A STRONG INTEREST FOR YEARS IN HAVING VA TECH BELONG TO THE A-C-C AND WE CONTINUE TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THAT.))
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THAT.]

While many question whether there is anything that UVA can do at this point in the game to turn the tide, University President John Casteen insists that it's not too late for Tech.
[SOT 13:19:28]
[IN Q=WE'RE LOOKING PRETTY CAREFULLY]
((JOHN CASTEEN/PRESIDENT OF UVA: WE'RE LOOKING PRETTY CAREFULLY AT THE ALIGNMENT OF DIVISIONS IN OUR CONFERENCE, WHO BELONGS TO WHICH DIVISION. AND I GUESS IN THE LONGER VIEW OF THINGS, IF A CONFERENCE OF NINE WORKS AND A CONFERENCE OF TWELVE WORKS, MAYBE A CONFERENCE OF THIRTEEN OR FOURTEEN WORKS. SO AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED ITS ANYTHING BUT A FINISHED DISCUSSION. ))
[RUNS= :18]
[OUT Q=ANYTHING BUT A FINISHED DISCUSSION.]

[COVER WITH UNC B-ROLL]Some A-C-C members, like the University of North Carolina have expressed concern that the latest expansion plans would cause their academic standards to suffer.
But that is one issue that UVA's Board doesn't seem concerned with.
[SOT 13:24:18]
[IN Q=I THINK THEY ARE ALWAYS VALID]
((L.F. PAYNE/MEMBER, UVA BOARD OF VISITORS: HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA WE CERTAINLY HAVE STRUCK THE BALANCE AND HAVE EXCELLENT ACADEMICS AND EXCELLENT ATHLETICS AND WE SEE BOTH OF THOSE PROGRAMS JUST GETTING BETTER AND BETTER IN THE FUTURE AND WE THINK THIS EXPANSION WILL HELP THAT.))
[RUNS= :13]
[OUT Q=WILL HELP THAT.]

[cover with Tech football here to end] Meanwhile, the Hokies are waiting to see if the Wahoos have anything left in their playbook.
Meghan Muldoon, News 7, Charlottesville. ))

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - the ACC wraps up its visit to Miami. We'll hear from John Swofford and Paul Dee.
Plus, UVa's new arena gets a name -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and Ryan Newman gets yet another pole at Dover.
(------------)

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-136 20201TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC/BIG EAST]

The ACC courtship of Big East member Miami wrapped up today. The league's commissioner John Swofford says he will tour Syracuse and Boston College next week. If the ACC big wigs like what they see - the formal invites will follow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THEY COULD BE...]
[SUPER=01-John Swofford/ACC Commissioner; :00]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...fairly quickly."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]
[super=03-Miami, FL; :00]
While the ACC has a great opportunity this week, the Big East may end up with the last word. School President Donna Shalala has invited several of her fellow Big East presidents to meet with her next Wednesday.

Those close to her say that she is surprised by the public outcry condeming Miami's move. Still, the ACC likes it's position.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I DON'T REALLY...]
[SUPER=01-Paul Dee/Miami Athletic Director; :23]
[RUNS=:41]
[OUT Q=...very,very well."]
(-----------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=tech]
And as for the meeting next week - News 7 sports has learned that Tech president Charles Steger will be one of those in attendance.

[S-UVa]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-138 13510TC]
[GRAPHIC=UVA LOGO]

The Virginia Cavaliers officially broke ground on the new speical events center that will replace Univeristy Hall today and the school gave the building a name, as well.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/This Afternoon; :00]
As the earth started moving across the street from U-hall, the school announced that the new facility will be known as the John Paul Jones arena. The namesake's son, Paul Tudor Jones donated $35 million dollars to this project and in return he gets to name it in his dad's honor. John Paul Jones graduated from UVa's law school in 1948, his son is a 1976 grad.
(------------)

[S-Qualify]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-139 TC14642]
[GRAPHIC=nascar 2003]

After spenging a month in Charlotte - the Winston Cup circuit is in Dover, Delaware this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dover, DE/SPEED; :00]

Ryan Newman destroyed the competition today at the Monster Mile to earn the pole for Sunday's race with a hot lap at 158.716 miles per hour. It's 11th career pole and 4th of the season. Newman starts right next to his teammate Rusty Wallace.
(------------)
[WIPE TO QUALIFYING BOARDS]
(XXXXXXXX)
[IN CUE: FIRST DRIVER] [WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5016;]
[SUPER=0107-1. Ryan Newman//2. Rusty Wallace//3. Jeremy Mayfield//4. Matt Kenseth//5. Jimmie Johnson//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-6. Sterling Marlin//7. Kurt Busch//8. Terry Labonte//9. Jeff Gordon//10. Steve Park//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-11. Tony Stewart//12. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.//13. Bobby Labonte//14. Bill Elliott//15. Greg Biffle//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-16. Michael Waltrip//17. Elliott Sadler//18. Mike Wallace//19. Jamie McMurray//20. Ricky Craven//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-21. Todd Bodine//22. Casey Mears//23. Kevin Harvick//24. Ricky Rudd//25. Ken Schrader//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-26. Dave Blaney//27. Kyle Petty//28. Jeff Burton//29. Dale Jarrett//30. Johnny Benson//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-31. Jimmy Spencer//32. Mark Martin//33. Jeff Green//34. Brett Bodine//35. Mike Skinner//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-36. Kenny Wallace//37. Joe Nemechek/Prov/38. Robby Gordon/Prov/39. Ward Burton/Prov/40. John Andretti/Prov/
;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0107-41. Jack Sprague/Prov/42. Tony Raines/Prov/43. Larry Foyt/Prov/;]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=.....last driver."]
(-----------)

[S-Collins]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-137 TC13330]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

In one NBA note, the Wizards have fired Head Coach Doug Collins.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NBA; :00]

Collins was the choice of Michael Jordan as coach, when Jordan returned to the court. Jordan spent the last two seasons playing for Collins, but M-J was not invited to remain in the front office after his playing days. The club is apparently interested in taking with Larry Brown, but Brown has said that he would not talk with the Wizard(------------) s while Collins, a close friend, was under contract.