[1-News-Head]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
LIVE reaction from Blacksburg and from Richmond on rumors that Tech is going to be invited to join the A-C-C.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
And the D-day Memorial Foundation is liberated from bankruptcy.
(------------)
[Sports-head]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
In sports, Virginia Tech's Jim Weaver and Senator George Allen talk about the Hokies possible invitation to the ACC, a local football recruit talks ablout the Big East/ACC uncertainty
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and NASCAR introduces its new title sponsor for 2004.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
Time to think of the official start to summer due in this weekend. We do that by checking out the beach forecast. Details ahead.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 4-Shot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Sources say Virginia Tech has an offer to join the A-C-C.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
But so far school officials say they've been kept out of the huddle.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
Good evening, I'm Keith Humphry.
[ANCHOR=shannon 2-Shot]
And I'm Shannon Young.
[Tech-ACC]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-13 TC1:42:19]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-shot]
Virginia Tech officials say they have NOT been invited to join the A-C-C, either formally or informally.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
The Associated Press reported yesterday that the A-C-C presidents have included the Hokies in their expansion plans, along with Miami, Syracuse and Boston College.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda/Keith/Shannon/Microwave;]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Myranda Stephens has reaction from Virginia Tech.
Keith and Shannon, Tech board of visitors rector John Rocovich said earlier
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=@Myranda1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
that if Tech got an invitation to be a part of the expansion mix, someone forgot to tell him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Rocovich says he's actually]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/File Tape;]
[SUPER=10-Charles Steger/Virginia Tech President/June 6;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=YOUR COLLEAGUES OF THAT. ]
(( Rocovich says he's actually quite puzzled by these rumors and would like to know where they're coming from.
He went on to say that if the opportunity came for Tech to join the conference, he would be interested in exploring the option, but he can NOT speculate on something that doesn't exist.
[TAKE PINNACLE FULL]
His words echo a statement the university put out this morning regarding the issue, which says Virginia Tech has NOT been extended an offer, either formally or informally, to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.
We do not know if one is forthcoming. We are not in a position to comment on news reports.
[TAKE FOOTBALL VIDEO]
But, if an invitation is forthcoming, Tech has a legal obligation to notify the other Big East members before any negotiations are made.
Something President Charles Steger said Miami and Boston College failed to do when the offer came to them.
[SOT 1323]
[RUNS14]
((CHARLES STEGER/VT PRESIDENT:EACH OF THE PRESIDENTS MAKES UP THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE BIG EAST AND I THINK THAT IF ONE IS IN NEGOTIATIONS TO LEAVE THE CONFERENCE YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO INFORM YOUR COLLEAGUES OF THAT. ))))
(-----------------)
[LIVE=Myranda/FULL]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
What happens next will have a lot of ramifications for Tech, not the least of which are legal. For those issues,
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Meghan/State Microwave;]
we go to Meghan Muldoon who spoke today with the Attorney General.
[Kilgore-ACC]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-14 TC3:51:29]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda & Meghan/State Microwave;]
Myranda, Virginia Tech may not know whether they will actually receive an invitation from the A-C-C.
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]
One thing for certain is that no matter what the outcome, the lawyers are going to be very busy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=JUST TWO WEEKS AGO]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC/June 4; :00]
[SUPER=@Kilgore; :15]
[RUNS=:54]
[OUT Q=OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRGINIA TECH.]
(( Just two weeks ago, Virginia Tech filed a lawsuit against Miami, Boston College AND [INSERT TECH/UVA COVER HERE TO END OF LINE]the Atlantic Coast Conference, the very organization that it MAY soon be joining.
Kilgore says that situation raises a lot of sticky legal questions.
[SOT 11:00:38]
[IN Q=IF THE PRESS REPORTS ARE ALL]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY KILGORE: IF THE PRESS REPORTS ARE ALL TRUE THERE WILL BE LEGAL ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH ARISING FROM THE LAWSUIT FILED IN CONNECTICUT, ARISING FROM OTHER ISSUES AS TECH OR UVA WILL GO FOWARD INTO A NEWLY DEVELOPED CONFERENCE.))
[RUNS:15]
[OUT Q=NEWLY DEVELOPED CONFERENCE.]
[COVER ENTIRE SEGMENT WITH TECH/UVA B-ROLL]The Attorney General acts as both Tech's and UVA's legal representative, and says any final decision is entirely up to Tech's Board of Visitors.
But he says his office is continuing to advise Tech about all of their legal options.
[SOT 11:03:10]
[IN Q=SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED]
((ATTORNEY GENERAL JERRY KILGORE: SOMETIMES WHEN YOU'RE INVOLVED IN LITIGATION YOU SETTLE BEFORE IT GOES ANY FURTHER THIS COULD BE A GOOD SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRGINIA TECH.))
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=GOOD SETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR VIRGINIA TECH.] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
Kilgore also said that timing is a factor.
Any Big East school, including Tech, that leaves the conference is subject to a one million dollar fine.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & Meghan /State Microwave;]
But after June 30, that fee doubles to two million which will likely play into any decision as well.
[Webster]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC23:28]
[GRAPHIC=Claude Webster]
A state police investigation has cleared two deputies of any wrongdoing in the fatal shooting of Franklin County's former public safety director.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount/January;]
A report from the special prosecutor says Claude Webster's death was the "willful culmination of a process of self-disintegration that began several years earlier."
[SUPER=03-Boones Mill/April 22;]
Webster was killed at his mother's home in Boones Mill by deputies trying to serve a warrant for his arrest on charges of stalking an ex-girlfriend.
When Webster pulled out a gun and pointed it at them, they shot and killed him.
The report says Webster's blood alcohol content was POINT-THREE-OH at the time of the shooting.
(------------)
[Lake-Water]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=mjo]
[TAPE#=03-12 ]
[GRAPHIC=none]
Health officials say it may not be healthy to swim at another popular Smith Mountain Lake destination.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./File Tape;]
The health department is issuing a water quality advisory for the Crazy Horse Campground and Marina.
Officials say heavy rainfall washed too much bacteria into the area.
They advise people not to swim, wade or water ski there until the advisory is lifted.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The same warning is still in effect for the upper Blackwater River section of the lake.
[Alleghany-Water]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-23 TC29:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Residents in one Alleghany County community are being told to boil their tap water before drinking.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Alleghany Co.;]
The Virginia Department of Health has issued a warning about the Valley Ridge Water Company, saying recent rains have contributed to an unacceptable level of coliform bacteria, and excessive turbidity.
Residents say they this isn't the first time they've had toubles with the water.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 1:30:27]
[IN Q=For a long time...]
((WAYNE HONTS/ALLEGHANY CO. RESIDENT; FOR A LONG TIME, EVERYTIME THE RIVER COMES UP WE HAVE A PROBLEM CAUSE THERE'S NO FILTRATION JUST STRAIGHT SPRING WATER.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Honts/Alleghany Co. Resident]
[RUNS=7]
[OUT Q=just straight spring water.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
About 170 customers are affected, including Alleghany County High School, the Jackson River Technical Center, two medical offices, a country club, and numerous homes.
County Supervisor Doodlebug Dressler who owns the spring was not available for comment.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]
Has the government declared war on pain doctors?
We'll look at the cases against a doctor from our area, and one from Utah when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
Plus the National D-Day Memorial wins the war against bankruptcy.
(----------------)
[D-Day]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-21 TC42:38]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
You can strike the word "bankrupt" from any description of the National D-Day Foundation.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/File Tape]
A federal judge today released the organization from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the memorial showed it was sticking to a court-approved repayment plan with its creditors.
Memorial officials say the step should help convince some major donors that now is the time to help out the foundation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:17:31]
[IN Q=There's several others]
((BILL MCINTOSH/D-DAY FOUNDATION PRESIDENT: THERE'S SEVERAL OTHERS IM CONFIDENT IN THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS PROCESS WITH INTEREST AND WE CAN COUNT ON THEIR SUPPORT BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR. Reporter: So you anticipate some rather large donations coming in in the near future? MCINTOSH: WELL I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD HAVE SOME BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER.))
[SUPER=01-Bill McIntosh/D-Day Foundation President]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=end of the summer.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Foundation has five years to repay 3-and a half million dollars in design and construction costs.
(------------)
[Knox]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=03-17 TC1:02:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Few physicians lie awake nights wondering whether they're about to be arrested... or do they? ...SHOULD they?
The National Foundation for the Treatment of Pain says as many as 600 doctors are currently targets of what the N-F-T-P calls the "war on doctors."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/February, 2002; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donna Knox/Dr. Cecil Knox's Wife; :08]
[SUPER=04-"60 Minutes"; :20]
[SUPER=10-Dr. Perry Fine/University of Utah/March 2002; :44]
[SUPER=10-Dr. Robert Weitzel/Psychiatrist/March 2002; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=all be thinking about.]
(( Roanoke pain specialist Cecil Knox is one of them. He's preparing his defense for trial in September.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:32]
[IN Q=]
((HE'S CONFIDENT. HE KNOWS THE KIND OF PRACTICE HE HAS. AND HE'S READY. I THINK HE'S READY.))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=I think he's ready.]
The doctor's WIFE spoke with us this week, after his attorneys turned down our request for an interview with him.
Dr. Robert Weitzel has already been through the legal ringer in Utah. He was charged with homicide after five of his terminally ill patients died. He'd prescribed morphine, so they wouldn't die in pain.
Weitzel was convicted... on lesser charges, and only later learned why one of the prosecution witnesses was not called to testify.
It came out on 60 Minutes in an interview with Ed Bradley.
((DR. PERRY FINE SAYS: AN INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER WHO IN HIS
BEST ESTIMATION WAS PRACTICING A LEGITIMATE FORM OF MEDICINE. AND IF THAT
CAN HAPPEN TO HIM, THEN IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY PHYSICIAN. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY
THE WRONG MESSAGE TO GIVE PHYSICIANS. THEY WILL PULL BACK. AND WHO WILL
SUFFER IS YOU, ME AND ANYBODY WE CARE ABOUT.))
[RUNS:24]
Perry Fine specializes in "end-of-life" care. He didn't approve of everything Dr. Weitzel had done, but he concluded Weitzel had not killed his patients.
Weitzel got a new trial and was acquitted, based on Doctor's Fine testimony.
((DR. WEITZEL: AT LEAST IN UTAH- -AND IT SEEMS LIKE PROBABLY EVERYWHERE
NOW, YOU KNOW, A DOCTOR WHO'S JUST TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE IS WALKING
A REAL THIN LINE BETWEEN GOING TO PRISON AND GOING HOME AT NIGHT.".))
[RUNS:14]
[19:42]
((Is that overstating it at all, I mean an exaggeration? Certainly not every physician goes to bed at night in fear of being rousted by the DEA or being sent off to prison. PROBABLY NOT, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THEY SHOULD ALL BE THINKING ABOUT.))
[RUNS:15]))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=Cecil Knox]
For now, Dr. Knox is out of business, his practice shut down by the government at least until after the trial set to begin September 8th.
[Project-Exile]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-20 TC41:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]
An illegal gun will STILL get you five years in federal prison.
That's the message the state's law enforcement community is trying to get across.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]
Virginia will receive 343-thousand-dollars from the federal government to help promote Project Exile.
The program aimed at reducing gun violence.
The money will pay for an ad campaign warning potential violators about the consequences of committing gun crimes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:11:01]
[IN Q=IF YOU'RE A FELON OR YOU HAVE]
((JOHN BROWNLEE/U.S. ATTORNEY: IF YOU'RE A FELON OR YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENSE YOU CANNOT POSSESS A FIREARM AND IF YOU DO YOU WILL BE CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PROSECUTED AND YOU WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED.))
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U. S. Attorney]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=YOU WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The message will appear on billboards in Roanoke and Lynchburg.
Project Exile has been recognized nationally for its effectiveness in decreasing gun violence.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Stocks fell to profit-taking today.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/114.27/9179.53/y/28.55/1648.59;]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]
The DOW dropped 114 points.
NASDAQ lost 29.
(-------------)
[VO]
[SUPER=271-i/1.37/59.10/i/0.61/43.63/h/0.17/30.96/i/2.87/79.15/i/1.32/78.41;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.08/11.65/i/0.17/7.05/h/0.14/65.22/i/0.68/43.92/i/0.87/29.86;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.29/6.72/i/0.15/33.33/i/0.15/16.48/i/0.46/20.49/i/0.13/8.05;]
[SUPER=274-i/0.21/6.70/i/1.24/59.86/i/0.13/40.11/i/1.01/41.27/i/0.75/54.49;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[Resource-Officer]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC08:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Roanoke School Superintendent Wayne Harris says he had nothing to do with the recent reassignment of a school resource officer.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Officer Butch Lewis has worked at Patrick Henry High School for the last ten years, but was recently reassigned to patrol duty, after he discussed concerns about school safety with a newspaper reporter.
Lewis' supporters have questioned whether the superintendent had something to do with the officer's reassignment, but this afternoon Harris said he did not complain to police officials.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I have had]
((WAYNE HARRIS/ROANOKE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: I HAVE HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY ASSIGNMENT OR ANY REASSIGNMENT OF ANY SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT ANY POINT IN MY TEN YEAR CAREER HERE. I'VE HAD NO CONVERSATION ABOUT IT. I'VE NOT PARTICIPATED IN ANY DISCUSSION WITH THE CURRENT CHIEF OR THE PREVIOUS CHIEF ABOUT THE REASSIGNMENT OF ANYONE.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Harris/Roanoke City School Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=about the reassignment of anyone.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Lewis' supporters say they hope to have him reinstated at Patrick Henry.
[Youth-Survey]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-18 TC1:31:33]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Lynchburg students feel safer in their schools than they did three years ago.
And fewer kids are using tobacco too.
That's the good news from a survey of Hill City students.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]
Those are just some of the results from a youth survey conducted among sixth, ninth and twelfth grade students last year.
The survey is a follow-up to another questionnaire three years ago that probed students' attitudes about drug and alcohol use, suicide and abstinence.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:31:20]
[IN Q=It's also helping]
((DR. BRENDA STOKES/HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD: IT'S ALSO HELPING US TO SEE WHERE WE WANT TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE SCHOOLS, AND ACTUALLY A LOT OF COMMUNITY PEOPLE USE THIS AS WELL TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN OFFER TO STUDENTS JUST IN THE COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Brenda Stokes/Health Advisory Board]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=just in the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Officials say Lynchburg students are close to or below the national average in most of the behavioral categories.
(------------)
[Sports tease]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Nextel officially replaces Winston Cup today for the 2004 racing season, a local recruit talks about Tech's pending ACC/Big East decision,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and comments from Tech athletic director Jim Weaver and U.S. Senator George Allen on the Hokies possible ACC invite.
(------------)
[S-Tech]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-147 TC15112]
[GRAPHIC=ACC/Big East]
Virginia Tech is no closer to bolting the Big East for the ACC than it was 24 hours ago. The university is in a wait and see mode.
[***TECH/ACC GRAPHIC IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Steve & Travis /BAM;]
Travis Wells checks in now with words from Tech A-D Jim Weaver and U-S Senator George Allen.
[LIVE= Travis/FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@travis1; :00]
Steve, no one in Blacksburg is ready to admit it, but the Hokies probably already have one foot out the door. If Tech does leave the Big East, while it may soil the school's reputation, the decision will be all about business.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@Allen; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Weaver/Virgina Tech Athletic Director; :]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=non-revenue sports."]
(---------------)
[LIVE=Travis/FULL BAM]
Some in the Hokies camp feel that the current situation is just a ploy by the ACC to persuade Duke and North Carolina into voting yes for a three team expansion, as opposed to four because of revenue issues.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Steve & Travis /BAM;]
But sources tell News 7 Sports that if Tech is invited, the Hokies will accept.
[S-Holland]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-143 1:40:58]
[GRAPHIC=Tech]
Whatever happens to Tech, this issue has to be settled soon for recruiting purposes.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
Northside junior defensive end Brandon Holland, who recorded over 60 tackles and had five sacks this past season, has been offered a full ride by Tech. He wants to play at Tech but has to also consider the uncertainty in this situation.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Brandon Holland/Northside Junior Defensive End; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=.....where I want to go"]
(-------------)
[S-Nascar]
[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-148 1:02:00]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar]
Nextel is the new title sponsor for Winston Cup. The wireless company made an official announcement this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; :00]
Saying the Nextel Cup will take some getting used to. The company has inked a ten year contract worth 700 million dollars. RJR had sponsored the Cup since 1971.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dale Earnhardt, Jr./Budweiser Chevy Driver; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/Dupont Chevy Driver; :25]
[RUNS=:38]
[OUT Q=being put together."]
(------------)
[S-Roy]
[ANCHOR=STEVE]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-142 1:47:28]
[GRAPHIC=Roy Stanley]
The Roy Stanley Memorial Golf tournaments are just eight days away and there are spots available.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Click on to your hometown station's web site at WDBJ7.com to get the details. The celebrity golf outing is next Friday at Hanging Rock. There, you can ask recently retired NASCAR driver Rick Mast about Nextel taking over as primary sponsor, or you can talk with Express center Mike Peron about playing teams from the west coast this coming season.
(---------------)