WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 08/24/03

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Coming up on News 7-
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[VO-NAT]
Could Verizon and its union workers be making progress? An update is just ahead. Unemployed workers in some parts of the state may find it easier to qualify for benefits. And, partygoers reach for the stars-- or in this case make it "Mars".
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[ANCHOR=Teresa]
Plus Robin says the sunny skies will continue. News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The lines of communication between Verizon and its unions may be improving.
(------------)
Good evening, I'm Teresa Hamilton.

[Verizon]

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[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=03-24 TC-1:46:11]
[GRAPHIC=Verizon]
Negotiators for Verizon and its unions may be making significant progress in their attempt to reach new contracts.

(------------)
[VO-NAT 03-29 tc 1:16:51]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday; ]
Union employees have been working for more than three weeks without a contract. Yesterday-- local workers held a picket in Roanoke saying talks with the company had slowed down. But that may have changed. According to the Associated Press-- a spokesman for the union said quote " we have been working very hard over the weekend" but cautioned that several items still need to be resolved. The tone is a turnaround from last week, when both sides sparred over efforts to gain a P-R advantage.
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[Unemployment-Benefits]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
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The state is relaxing one of the requirements for receiving jobless benefits in Martinsville, Henry and Patrick counties.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape; ]
The Virginia Employment Commission is exempting workers in those areas from a requirement that people drawing unemployment must make at least one contact a week with a prospective employer. The changes only affect workers who filed for benefits at the V-E-C offices in Martinsville, Stuart, or Ridgeway. Last month's shutdown of the Pillowtex plant in Fieldale added nearly one- thousand additional unemployed workers to an area already hit hard by layoffs.
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[Priest-Killed]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
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Convicted child molester and former Catholic Priest John Geoghan was killed in prison yesterday. Today, some of his alleged victims speak out. Drew Levinson has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=01-John King/Alleged Geoghan Victim; :12]
[SUPER=01-Mitchell Garabedian/Victims' Attorney; :54]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/Reporting; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=STD]
((THE NEWS THAT CONVICTED PEDOFILE JOHN GEOGAN WAS MURDERED BROUGHT NO JOY TO 40-YEAR OLD JOHN KING. KING SAYS GEOGHAN ABUSED HIM AS A YOUNG BOY AND HE WANTED TO FACE THE FORMER PRIEST IN COURT.
(SOT: John King/Alleged Geoghan Victim)
"I want my day in court still because I want to see all the supervisors that allowed this to happen. I want them to know that John King exists, that Im a person and that I live with this every day." 68-YEAR OLD GEOGHAN WAS KILLED IN THIS MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON SATURDAY. POLICE SAY HE WAS STRANGLED BY FELLOW INMATE AND CONVICTED MURDERER, JOSEPH DRUCE. GEOGAHAN TOUCHED OFF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL. IN 2002, HE WAS CONVICTED OF ASSAULTING A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY AND STILL FACED TWO MORE CRIMINAL TRIALS. IN ALL HE WAS ACCUSED OF ABUSING MORE THAN 130 CHILDREN. THE CHURCH SETTLED WITH 86 OF THOSE ALLEGED VICTIMS FOR 10 MILLION DOLLARS.
(SOT: Mitchell Garabedian/Attorney for the Victims)This is not going to help victims heal. They feel as though its reo
pened wounds, and they did not need this figurative salt in those wounds. IN MASSACHUSETTS, MASSES WERE HELD FOR GEOGHAN.
(SOT: Michael Linscott/Alleged Geoghan Victim)
I think that's in poor taste at this particular time.
(SOT: Parishioner)
No matter what the man did, Im sure that he has paid for his sins. And Im sure that God is going to welcome home in his living care.
(SOT: Parishioner)I think the leaders still have to hold themselves accountable.
IT MAY BE OVER FOR GEOGAN BUT FOR HIS ALLEGED VICTIMS THE PAINFUL WRONGS MAY NEVER BE RIGHTED, AT LEAST HERE ON EARTH. DREW LEVINSON, CBS NEWS.))

[Oregon-Crash]

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[GRAPHIC=Fatal Accident]
A fiery collision on a remote Oregon highway has killed eight firefighters.
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[VO-NAT 21:17:21]
[SUPER=03-Near Vale, OR; ]
They were all under 23- years old and were returning home from working in Idaho's Boise (BOY-zee) National Forest. Authorities say their van crashed into a semi it was trying to pass on a curved stretch of road near the town of Vale.
After the collision, the van caught fire. The fire- fighters worked for First Strike Environmental, which is a contract fire- fighting company.
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[Roanoke-Fire]

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[TAPE#=03-25 TC-1:58:27]
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Investigators say they have a suspect in what fire marshals are calling a suspicious fire in Roanoke last night.

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night;]
Fire-fighters were called out just after 10 o'clock to 924 Ninth Street Southeast. The first units arrived to find the back of the building in flames that were spreading to the attic. Investigators were brought in overnight to help determine the cause. Fire officials say the home was vacant, and neighbors say it had been abandoned for several years.
[SUPER=04-This Morning;]
Those same neighbors were out today looking at the damage and making sure their own homes were intact. Officials estimate the loss at 25 - thousand dollars.
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[School-Prayer]

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[TAPE#=03-21 TC-1:52:09]
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Encouragement, Inspiration and prayer.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
That was the goal behind tonight's Back to School Prayer Festival at Elmwood Park. The goal was to encourage teachers, staff and children to pray for a successful school year. A Roanoke pastor got the idea last year after organizing a similar event for his church members.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:34:35:25]
[IN Q=My inspiration is to]
((BOYD BULLOCK/HAVEN OF HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH PASTOR: MY INSPIRATION IS TO GIVE THE TEACHERS, FACULTY, STAFF, THE ENTIRE CITY THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT WE BELIEVE IN YOU, YOU'RE CAPABLE AND THIS SCHOOL YEAR'S GOING TO BE THE BEST YEAR EVER.))
[SUPER=01-Boyd Bullock/Haven of Hope Community Church Pastor;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=the best year ever]
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[VO-NAT]
Bullock says teachers are blessed with the job of molding tomorrow's leaders. The event included music and inspirational messages, including one from City Manager Darlene Burcham. City students start school tomorrow.
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[Henry-Schools]

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For one school system, the upcoming year will see a lot of changes.
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[VO-NAT]

Henry County is getting ready to close five schools and consolidate several others.
[SUPER=03-Henry Co./File Tape]

The re-configuration is still a year away but the school system is already getting ready.
Committees will soon be formed to deal with the many issues and problems that may arise.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:33:36]
[IN Q=We have to deal]
((SHARON DODSON/SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERYTHING FROM THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, FROM THE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, TO THE SPECIFIC CURRICULUM ISSUES. SOME SCHOOLS ARE VERY WELL KNOWN FOR CERTAIN CURRICULUM ASPECTS AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE IDENTITY AND THE SUCCESSES OF ALL OUR SCHOOLS GET REFLECTED IN OUR NEW SCHOOLS.))

[SUPER=01-Sharon Dodson/Henry Co. School Superintendent; :05]
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=our new schools]
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[VO-NAT]

Students will be asked to be on the committees, which should be formed within a month.
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[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
A Confederate flag captured during the battle for Fredericksburg is back on its way to Virginia. That story is still ahead on the newscast.
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[VO-NAT]
and one former local official wheeled his way across the country, spreading the word and getting a unique view of America.
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[Sports-preview]

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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=in sports."]
((Hey, everybody. Travis Wells here in the News 7 Sports Office. Coming up later, the Avs stay in the Carolina League's post season hunt with another win over Frederick. The Martinsville Astros prep for the post season, plus Hickam and White weigh in on the breakup of the Blue Ridge. Plus Pennington is gone for the Jets, and Irish eyes are smilin' as Darren Clarke wins on the links. All that and more on the way in sports.))

[Flag-Repatriation]

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[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=none]
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Nearly 141 years after it was taken as a prize of war, a Conferderate flag will soon return to Fredericksburg. The partial "Stars and Bars" flag-- not the better known Confederate battle flag-- was seized by a member of the Fourth Michigan infantry during the Battle of Fredericksburg. A colors sergeant carried it home to Lansing, Michigan-- where it remained in his family until recently. Now, his descendants say it's time to send it home. The flag will be returned next Sunday.

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]
The Red Cross is scaling down its operations in Baghdad after increased threats against the organization. And the hunt continues for Saddam and his squadron of spies. Charles D'Agata has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles D'Agata/CBS News; :46]
[SUPER=01-Gen. Richard Myers/Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:47]
[OUT Q=STD]
(((CHOPPER - SMOKE, ETC) A Blackhawk helicopter rushes across Baghdad's rooftops to the scene of yet another suspected attack against coalition forces. But this is a massive plume of smoke WITHOUT disaster.....a false alarm
(AFTERMATH OF ROADSIDE BOMB)
THIS though was NOT a false alarm. A home-made bomb tucked in a roadside drain - MEANT to target a US military convoy, it ended up destroying an ordinary Iraqi's car . After the bombing of the UN headquarters, and sophisticated attacks on US forces, military command here knows it needs to stop the violence before it happens...in short they need better intelligence -- no-one understands Iraqs streets like Saddam's former spies.... THIS PLACE WAS HOME TO THE MUKHABARAT - SADDAM HUSSEIN'S MOST FEARED SECURITY APPARATUS. COALITION FORCES WANTED THE SYSTEM AND ITS AGENTS GONE. NOW, SADDAM'S SPIES COULD YET BECOME THE US MILITARY'S MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE. But the methods of the Mukhabarat - kidnap, torture and worse - are not the American way...
(Gen Richard Myers, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman)
THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT USE FORMER MEMBERS OF THESE ORGS THAT WERE PART OF TORTURE OR DEATH AND DEGRADED TREATMENT OF IRAQI PEOPLE. THEY ARE NOT OUR ALLIES IN FUTURE. THEY'RE FINISHED. OUT OF THERE. And sadly, so is some of the Red Cross...which announced it's scaling back operations in Baghdad, after receiving threats that it might be the next target. With security in Iraq crumbling, US officials may not relish employing the enemy, but probably realize it's the only option left.CD))

[UN-Jolie]

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[NEWSCAST=11]
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Hollywood star Angelina Jolie was on a humanitarian mission in Russia this weekend.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Ingushetia, Russia;]
She is better know for her role as Lara Croft, but Jolie is also the Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees. She is trying to convince the Russian government not to send thousands of Chechen refugees back to their war ravaged homeland. Today, she toured the refugee camp and spoke with many of the Chechen to get an idea of what conditions are like. Chechens have been fighting Russia for independence since the 18th century.
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[Fish-Kill]

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Thousands of dead fish washed up on a beach in Rhode Island this morning
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Warwick, RI;]
Millions of dead fish have already washed ashore in the past week. Authorities now say it could be pollution causing a lack of oxygen in the water of Greenwich Bay. It is the largest fish kill ever in the state. Most of the fish are small and only used for bait. Long term damage is not expected, but some people are saying it's a sign that Rhode Island's coast is only getting more polluted.
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[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[WRITER=rle]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]

Still ahead on the newscast, people around the world are craning their necks to get a good look at the Red Planet...
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
and also, ever want to vent your frustrations out on cell phones? One competition rang true for these participants. We'll explain a little later.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Rke-Pools]

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[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-30 TC-1:33:54]
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Roanokers took a dive into the city's pools for one last time today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Both Fallon and Washington Park pools closed for the summer this evening. The pools are usually opened through the Labor Day holiday, but Parks and Recreation decided to close them early this year. A spokesman says many lifeguards are students who have to return to school and attendance this time of year is usually low.
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[Ritchie]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
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[TAPE#=03-37 TC-00:35]
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While some spent the summer lounging by a pool, a Roanoke man was burning thousands of calories a day and loving every minute of it. Jennifer Wishon introduces us to a retired city employee who has fulfilled a dream.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Not too many people]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Ritchie/Bicycled across America; :12]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; :48]
[RUNS=1:55]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Roanoke]
(([SOT 10:51:58 ]
((HOW YA DOING)) Not too many people get past Jim Ritchie without hearing a kind word. Maybe that's because he's just returned from a trip where he learned a lot by talking.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:37:58:03]
[IN Q=If I'd been in a car]
((JIM RITCHIE: IF I'D BEEN IN A CAR I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE PEOPLE I MET THIS SUMMER AND ALMOST HOURLY I WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHERE I WAS GOING AND WHAT I WAS DOING.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=what I was doing]
Ritchie's trip fulfilled one of his goals of retirement... Bicycle across America, while sharing his faith.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:40:56:20]
[IN Q=Physically I was ready]
((PHYSICALLY I WAS READY, THANK GOD I WAS READY, BECAUSE THE SECOND DAY OUT OF SEATTLE WE STARTED CLIMBING. [INSERT PICTURE HERE] CLIMBING STEVEN'S PASS WHICH WAS A 25 MILE CLIMB.))
[RUNS= 16]
[OUT Q=a 25 mile climb]
The 60- year- old cycled 4- thousand miles in less than three months with a group called Wheel Power. Surprisingly, the plains posed the biggest challenge.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:42:20:22]
[IN Q=The toughest physical]
((THE TOUGHEST PHYSICAL PART OF THE TRIP WAS NOT THE MOUNTAINS, IT WAS THE HEAD WINDS IN SOUTH DAKOTA.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=in South Dakota]
Ten of them made it all the way across the country with [INSERT ROAD DIRECTIONS HERE 10:48:29] instructions like these to guide their way. But for Ritchie, living his dream has been an uphill battle.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:44:14]
[IN Q=A year and a half]
((A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I WAS PREPARING TO DO A SELF CONTAINED TRIP WITH ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, I SUFFERED BLOCKED ARTERIES AND HAD ANGIOPLASTY.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=and had angoplasty]
Ritchie's team burned thousands of calories per day, but they picked up [INSERT ROAD TREASURES HERE 10:49:16] plenty of "road treasures" to make up for them.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:46:40:19]
[IN Q=I thank God everyday]
((I THANK GOD EVERYDAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AT MY AGE AND PHYSICAL CONDITION TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND TO RIDE A BICYCLE ACROSS AMERICA AND TO SHARE MY FAITH.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=share my faith]
Ritchie says too often we speed through life without stopping to enjoy it, that's why he enjoyed cruising through a summer at 13 miles per hour. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Roanoke.))

[Cambodian-Car]

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The very first Cambodian car has just rolled of the assembly line.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Phnom Penh, Cambodia;]
Actually it is completely hand made by a car wash employee. The Angkor 2003 is named after the famous 12th century temple located in Cambodia. Its motorcycle engine gives it a top speed of only 35 miles per hour, but that's more than enough in a country where most people get around on foot or bicycle. The car took only 9-hundred dollars and four months to build out of spare parts found in workshops. A jeep sized version is now in the works.
(------------)

[Mars-Party]

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

From Dallas to Denmark to New Dehli, amateur astronomers are flocking to star gazing parties. The big draw this week is not a star but a very close encounter with our planetary neighbor, Mars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Villa Rica, GA;]
It has been 60-thousand years since Mars' orbit has brought it this close to the Earth. So now, folks around the world are banding together with high tech equipment, and even low tech, trying to get a good look at the red planet.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=As you're looking...]
(("AS YOU'RE LOOKING AT MARS DO YOU SEE SOMETHING IN THE LEFT HAND CORNER... A LITTLE BRIGHT SPOT? THAT'S THE SOUTH POLAR ICE CAP. SO YOU COULD BE SKIING ON MARS ON CARBON DIOXIDE WHEN YOU GROW UP. WHAT DO YOU THINK? READY TO GO ?))
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=ready to go?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Prime viewing time peaks around Wednesday night, but astronomers say you will still get an exceptional view of Mars for about the next 6 weeks.
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[S-Extra]

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

Coming up, the Avs aren't done just yet, the Martinsville Astros gear up for the post season, and the Jets lose their quarterback, but first in tonight's extra point,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Williamsport, PA/ESPN; :00]

Yutarro Tanaka struck out 14 batters including the first nine, and homered to lift the Japanese team to a 10 to 1 victory over Boynton Beach, Florida in the championship game of the Little League World Series tonight in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
(------------)
[go to scores] [go to break]
[SUPER=#556;]
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[SUPER=0092-j/N.Y. Mets/2//Los Angeles/1////Pittsburgh/9/j/Milwaukee/10///;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUTCUE=last score."]

(------------------)[S-Avs]

[ANCHOR=travis]
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[TAPE#=SP-152 TC3733]
[GRAPHIC=Avalanche]

The Salem Avalanche took care of the Frederick Keys for the second straight night and picked up a half game on idle first place Kinston.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Keys vs. Avalanche; :00]

Jimmy Barrett was on the hill tonight for the Avs and he got plenty of support.
We pick it up in the fourth and Salem already up 2-zip when Brandon Carraway delivers a base knock to left. That scored Trevor Mote and Ryan Stegall for a 4-nothing cushion.
Still in the fourth, the Avalanche looking for more, but Mike Rodriguez gets cut down at the plate on the grounder off the bat of Todd Self.
A little later, Barret gets a little help from his defense. Stegall makes the nice stop and gets the force at second.
[SUPER=37-Frederick/0/Salem/5/;]
Salem went on to post the shutout 5-nothing. Charlton Jimmerson homered in the 8th for the second straight night.
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[S-Baseball]

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The Martinsville Astros will close out the Appalachian League season tomorrow night at Danville. Tonight Martinsville beat the D-Braves 4 to 2. The Stros then turn their attention to the Appy League's Championship series. The best of three gets underway Tuesday night in Elizabethton.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jorge Orta/M-Astros Manager; :00]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=is gonna be wonderful."]
(------------)

[S-Braves]

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[TAPE#=SP-148 TC15217]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Denver, CO/TBS; :00]

In the big leagues, Atlanta's Russ Ortiz became the first 18 game winner this afternoon. Ortiz allowed 7 hits and struck out five Rockies in 6 and two thirds innings of work.
The Colorado air agreed with Gary Sheffield. Sheffield cranked his 33rd bomb of the season as part of a
[SUPER=35-Atlanta/12/Colorado/6/;]
three RBI day. Rafael Furcal and Vinny Castilla also went deep for the Bravos who won it 12 to 6.
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[S-Hickam]

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The high school football season gets underway this Friday night, and the Blue Ridge District is now a league divided. Five teams remain in the Blue Ridge while six former members will form the River Ridge District. And two of the area's veteran coaches aren't particularly fond of the change.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITES]
[SUPER=01-Jim Hickam/30th Season as Northside Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Willis White/21st Season as Salem Head Coach; :27]
[RUNS=:43]
[OUT Q=MOVE ON WITH THAT."]
(---------------)
[talent=mike]
[graphic=ffe]
The split puts Northside and Salem in opposite districts - the Vikes stay in the Blue Ridge while the Spartans now anchor the River Ridge. Northside will be the next team featured in our preseason Friday Football Extra previews on Monday night at six.

[S-NFL]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-149 TC15002]
[GRAPHIC=NFL]

The New York Jets AFC East title hopes took a big hit last night as quarterback Chad Pennington left the game against the Giants after suffering a broken and dislocated wrist.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-East Rutherford, NJ/Fox Sports; :00]

The former Marshall star is expected to miss at least the next 12 weeks. The injury occurred when Pennington was tackled by Brandon Short. Pennington underwent surgery and had seven pins inserted in the left wrist. It will be in a splint for the next week, followed by a cast for four weeks after that. 17 year veteran Vinnie Testaverde becomes the starter for the Jets at quarterback.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Herman Edwards/Jets Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=and play well."]
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[anchor=travis]
[graphic=nfl]

In other NFL news, the New England Patriots have released former Virginia Cavalier Antoine Womack, just a day after linebacker Merrill Robertson, another former Wahoo, was cut by Philadelphia.

[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=travis]
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[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-158 TC2051]
[GRAPHIC=PGA Tour]

Tiger Woods had won 7 World Golf Championship events before this weekend's NEC Invitational. Today Irishman Darren Clarke joined Woods as the only multiple winner.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Akron, OH/WGC-NEC Invitational; :00]

Clarke fired a final round 67 to finish at 12-under par and take a four shot win. He made it look easy with shots like this one. The approach from 153 yards out, safely on the dance floor just a few feet past the cup.
Woods finished 6 shots off the pace after a round of 70. Tiger tied for fourth after three birdies and three bogeys today.
(------------)

[Cell-Throw]

[ANCHOR=Teresa]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=none]

To some people, hidden charges, roaming fees, and talking while driving are just a few of the things that are upsetting about cell phones.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Savonlinna, Finland;]
So today, dozens of people in Finland took out those aggressions at the Fourth Annual Mobile Phone Throwing Competition.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=THIS IS JUST ]
((JOE SUNDERLAND/CONTESTANT-THIS IS JUST THEIR WAY OF GETTING RID OF THIS FRUSTRATION AND TELLING THE PHONE COMPANIES THAT THIS IS JUST NOT ON... IT IS TIME TO LOWER CALL COSTS AND GIVE EVERYONE A BETTER DEAL, I THINK))
[SUPER=01-Joe Sunderland/Contestant; ]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=a better deal, i think.]
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[VO-NAT]
Contestants pick their cell phone from a pool of outdated models and see who can throw it the farthest. This year's winner is a former baseball player threw his phone more than 100 yards. His prize -- a brand new cell phone. (------------)