WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 02/07/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Coming up on News 7,
Another presidential candidate makes a visit to Southwest Virginia.
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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]
And it's a packed house for the Firehouse. Hundreds turn out to vote in Roanoke's Firehouse primary.
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[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
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[ENG#=2]

Tonight in sports, rule changes for high school wrestling, the Roanoke College women look to get back on track, and
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[VO-NAT]

Virginia tries to avoid its 4th consecutive ACC loss.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Snow showers continue in the mountains but everyone stays cold overnight with wind chills down to single digits. [Video-Open]
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[SOT 10:28:08]
[IN Q=This is one of the biggest]
((ROSANA ANDERSON: THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TURNOUTS I'VE SEEN SINCE I'VE LIVED HERE.))
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=since I've lived here]
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[VO-NAT :08]
Roanoke Democrats pick their candidates at today's Firehouse Primary, in hopes of molding the future of the city.
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[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Good evening, I'm Myranda Stephens.

[Firehouse-Primary]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6m]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-42 TC-1:56:57]
[GRAPHIC=CAMPAIGN 2004]
[ENG=4]
Votes are still being tallied, but Party leaders say they're thrilled with the number of people who turned out to vote today at the Firehouse Primary.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda/Jennifer;]
Jennifer Wishon has been monitoring the process and is here now with more. As one candidate put it, the people of Roanoke have spoken and Myranda, their voice was strong today.
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1;]
About 22- hundred people cast ballots today in an effort to determine who'll move on to the general election in May.
[ENG#=4]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=Democratic nominee hopefuls]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rosana Anderson/Democratic Voter; :08 ]
[SUPER=01-John Neal/Democratic Voter; :45 ]
[SUPER=01-Jim Brubaker/City Democratic Chairman; 1:04 ]
[RUNS=1:43]
[OUT Q=moves forward from here]
((((NATS OF CANDIDATES TALKING))
[RUNS= 03]
Democratic nominee hopefuls took their places in front of the Roanoke Civic Center early.
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[SOT 10:28:24]
[IN Q=YOu know you see]
((ROSANA ANDERSON: YOU KNOW YOU SEE DIFFERENT CANDIDATES ON TELEVISION BUT FOR THEM TO BE OUT FRONT TO MEET THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, I THINK THAT'S GREAT.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=think that's great]
Voters also turned out early and in full force. 15 minutes after doors opened a line of people snaked around the exhibit hall. For many, it was an effort to beat this. ((NATS OF MONSTER TRUCK)) The Monster Truck show previously scheduled for Saturday night was so popular a daytime show was added after the primary was scheduled- making parking a challenge for afternoon voters. But citizens kept their focus on the issues.
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[SOT 10:25:44]
[IN Q=I just want people]
((JOHN NEAL: I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO RECOGNIZE THE CITIZENS OF ROANOKE A LITTLE BETTER AND STOP PUSHING STUFF DOWN OUR THROATS.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=down our throats]
Party leaders say it's hot issues like what to do with Victory Stadium, taxes, school safety and administration issues that have increased the number of candidates and voters.
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[SOT 10:11:21]
[IN Q=I've been involved]
((JIM BRUBAKER: I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE PARTY FOR ABOUT 18 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN THIS MANY AND I THINK IT'S AN EXCITING TIME.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=an exciting time]
Voters agreed and seemed pleased with the number of choices to be made on the ballot. The contest pitted David Bowers against Nelson Harris for Mayor. City council incumbents Bill Bestpitch, Bev Fitzpatrick and Linda Wyatt were challenged by Sherman Lea, Randy Leftwich, Michael Palmer and Brian Wishneff.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:12:35]
[IN Q=Now as we move]
((JIM BRUBAKER: NOW AS WE MOVE FORTH TO THE MAY FOURTH GENERAL ELECTION TO PUT IN PLACE A NEW MAYOR AND THREE COUNCIL FOLKS THAT I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE CITIZENS IN ROANOKE CITY WANT TO HAVE A SAY IN HOW THE CITY MOVES FORWARD FROM HERE.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=forward from here]))
[LIVE=Jennifer/FULL]
Party officials began counting the votes around 2:00 today.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Myranda/Jennifer;]
Myranda again, they are still counting, but we will pass the results along as soon as they come available.

[Clark]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
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[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-01 tc-32:24]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
[ENG#=1]

Retired General Wesley Clark delivered his campaign message in Virginia today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Democratic presidential hopeful started the day by greeting nearly 100 supporters at Tudor's Biscuit World in Roanoke. There he outlined the reasons why he's the best Democrat to battle President Bush for the White House. Clark decided against campaigning in Michigan in order to focus on Tuesday's primaries in Virginia and Tennessee. He calls himself a southerner all Virginians can relate to.
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[SOT 22:03:43]
[IN Q=I've lived in Virginia]
((WESLEY CLARK/(D) CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT; I'VE LIVED IN VIRGINIA SEVERAL TIMES - IN THE TIDEWATER REGION AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA. TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY - HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS IN SOUTHERN AND SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA AND I JUST LOVE VIRGINIA. IT'S JUST A GREAT STATE AND I THINK THE VALUES I REPRESENT - THE WAY I GREW UP - WHAT I BELIEVE IN PATRIOTISM, FAITH, FAMILY. THESE ARE VALUES THAT ALL VIRGINIANS AND ALL PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY CAN IDENTIFY WITH.))
[SUPER=01-Wesley Clark/(D) Candidate for President; ]
[RUNS=24]
[OUT Q=can identify with]
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[VO-NAT]
Clark left Roanoke on his way to the D-Day Memorial in Bedford before making a stop in Lynchburg. The latest Mason Dixon poll shows Clark in third place behind Senator John Kerry and Senator John Edwards.
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[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2004]
Clark will end his race across Virginia tonight in Richmond, where he John Kerry, John Edwards, and Al Sharpton are expected to meet at the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner. We'll have a full report of that event tonight on News 7 at 11.

[Campbell-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
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[GRAPHIC=Accident]
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An accident in Campbell County last night sent four people to the hospital.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Campbell Co./Last Night;]

Officials say three cars collided in front of Lacks' Auto Body on Waterlick Road just before midnight.
Three victims were immediately taken to Lynchburg General with injuries. Another was taken later after complaining of chest pains.
One of the victims was trapped inside the vehicle for 15 minutes.
There's no word yet as to what charges - if any - will be filed.
The victims names have not been released.
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[Police-RMH]

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Roanoke City Police are looking for two people who brought an injured man to the hospital last night.
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[TAKE PICTURE 1030 FS] 53 year old James David Johnston suffered a serious neck wound. He was brought to Roanoke Memorial Hospital by a man and a woman seen here in security camera pictures. Johnston is listed in critical condition. [TAKE PICTURE 1031 FS] Roanoke City Police are looking for the pair to see what their connection is with the wounding. [TAKE PICTURE 1032 FS] They left the hospital in a dark-colored Ford Explorer before police arrived. Anyone with information on the couple's identity, or the wounding is asked [TAKE CRIMELINE FS] to call Roanoke City police, or Crimeline at 344-8500.
(+++++++)

[Halifax-Arrests]

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Halifax County authorities have arrested three men on drug charges, and seized a "substantial" amount of crack cocaine.
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[TAKE WILLIAMS FS] Deputies have charged 19 year old Jonathan Kennard Williams of Nathalie (NATH-uh-lee) with five counts of distribution of crack cocaine, and three counts of trading crack for a firearms. Williams is being held without bond. [TAKE WOMACK FS] 19 year old Brian Womac of Nathalie also faces distribution of crack cocaine. He is free on 10-thousand dollar bond.

(++++++)
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=]
A juvenile also faces charges related to the bust. He is being held without bond.

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Layoffs hit a Galax textile manufacturer.
More on that when News Seven returns.
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[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
Plus, a new learning center in Roanoke County hopes it can make a difference by getting personal.
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[Galax-Plant]

(MINI OPEN)

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
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[WRITER=rle]
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[GRAPHIC=Layoffs]

Fleece and jersey material-maker National Textiles will lay off nearly 200-workers at its Virginia and North Carolina plants. More than 80 workers will lose their jobs in Galax ... the rest from the company's facility in Forest City, North Carolina. The company says production must be reduced because its sales are down for its goods. National Textiles employs about four-thousand workers in Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Tennessee.

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
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[TAPE#=Biz Review ]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG=1]
A local restaurant closes, Bedford loses a plant, and Roanoke continues to try and get a low cost airline. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Bedford/2001; :06]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :24]
[SUPER=@Smith; :58]
[SUPER=19-Donald Graham/Reporting; 1:16]
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[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
(([MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] Another plant in the region shuts down. R-B-X Industries in Bedford will close in April. Officials say they have to close because there is an overcapacity in the rubber industry and continued weakness in the manufacturing industry overall. The Bedford plant is one of three nationwide and will leave 64 people out of work. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] A Roanoke restaurant will soon close its doors. The Greenhouse will clear its tables for good when Heironimus closes at the end of February. Some employees have worked there for decades -- some have jobs lined up, some don't, others say they'll go to school. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS] The idea of landing a low cost airline at the Roanoke Regional Airport hasn't been grounded. Local had pledged 2 million in business, but that campaign hasn't worked. Now city officials say they hope to woo Atlantic Coast Airlines, which operates as United Express, but plans an independant low cost airline.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 10:27:36]
[IN Q=We've not given up]
((RALPH SMITH/ROANOKE MAYOR; WE'VE NOT GIVEN UP ON AIRTRAN BUT THIS IS ANOTHER AIRLINE COMPANY THAT IS A POSSIBLE FIT FOR US. I SEE A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY, AND WE WANT TO JUMP THROUGH THAT WINDOW IF WE POSSIBLY CAN.))
[RUNS= :14]
[OUT Q=if we possibly can.]
Roanoke Council members asked the city manager to look for ways to interest Atlantic coast airlines, or other low cost carriers. For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Up ahead on the newscast, a blustery and cold forecast for tonight. Robin will be back with your complete forecast.
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[VO-NAT]
and also, it's not the holiday season, but it was a little busy at Tanglewood Mall today. We'll explain when we return.
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[Learning-Center]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC-56:16]
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[ENG#=1]

A new learning center opened its doors today in Roanoke County.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The Huntington Learning Center is located in the Old Country Shopping Center off Starkey Road. It's part of a supplemental learning franchise, but is locally owned by area residents Diana and Rob Barrett. The center's mission is to help students of all ages achieve their goals through skills, motivation and confidence.
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[SOT 14:37:22]
[IN Q=For every student]
((DIANA BARRETT: FOR EVERY STUDENT THERE'S A DIFFERENT STYLE AND SOMETIMES IT'S AUDITORY AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE TIME TO LEARN. EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT AND YOU HAVE TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE.))
[SUPER=01-Diana Barrett/Huntington Learning Center;]
[RUNS=18]
[OUT Q=where they are]
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[VO-NAT]
Interested students are first given a diagnostic test to find out their strengths and weaknesses. A personalized program is then developed to meet the student's needs. The center is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday and employs three full time and five part time instructors. Anyone interested can call 1-800-Can-Learn for more information.
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[Tons-Fun]

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[TAPE#=03-49 TC-1:43:33]
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[ENG#=2]

The mall looked like a circus today in Roanoke County, and it wasn't because of all the big sales.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Tanglewood Mall played host to the 5th annual Tons of Fun Children's Event, sponsored by the Roanoke County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Tons of Fun features a variety of games and activities for children 12 and under, at no cost to parents.
Organizers say while the event is called tons of fun, the kids get a lot more out of it than they think.
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[SOT 2127]
[IN Q=i think]
((LESLIE ROOP/ROANOKE CO. RECREATION, PARKS & TOURISM: I THINK THEY GET A GREAT HANDS ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU KNOW WE HAVE ANIMALS THEY CAN TOUCH FROM MILL MOUTAIN ZOO, WE HAVE INTERACTIVE GAMES FROM THE LIBRARY, INSTRUMENTS DANCE CLASSES IT'S JUST A WIDE VARIETY... NON-STOP FUN.))
[SUPER=01- Leslie Roop/Roanoke Co. Parks, Recreation & Tourism;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=non-stop fun]
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[VO-NAT]
Some of this year's favorites were the life-size games, the Bubble Wrap Stomp, and a larger than life sand sculpture.

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[Sports tease]

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Coming up, Virginia tries to right its ACC ship against NC State, a former Olympian visits the Valley, and
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[VO-NAT]

we'll set the table for tonight's Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.
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[S-UVA]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-162 TC10745]
[GRAPHIC=UVA Hoops]
[ENG#=1]

Pete Gillen has now tried 6 different starting lineups in Virginia's last 6 outings, but nothing has seemed to work for the Cavaliers. Today, Gillen gave Majestic Mapp the starting nod against NC State.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Wolfpack vs. Cavaliers; :00]

But Virginia simply had no answer for the Pack's Julius Hodge. Hodge torched the Hoos for 26 points including 15 in the first half as State led by 11.
Devin Smith tried to rally the home team. Smith put in this jam on the break to keep UVA in it. He scored 14.
JR Reynolds then finished with the tough drive for 2 more, but the Wolfpack pulled away down the stretch
[SUPER=33-N.C. State/79/Virginia/63/;]
dropping Virginia to 2 and 7 in the league with a 79-63 win.
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[S-Noke]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
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[TAPE#=SP-154 TC14842]
[GRAPHIC=RC Hoops]
[ENG#=2]

The Roanoke College women tried to improve on their 8 and 12 mark today, hosting the ladies from Emory & Henry.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Wasps vs. Maroons; :00]

Susan Dunagan's team was fresh off a loss to Randolph-Macon Women's College earlier this week.
Jennie Schafer got the Noke started by scoring two with the strong move down low.
But Emory hung tough thanks to shots like this one from Alleghany product Shannon Brown who goes down the lane for the bucket.
[SUPER=33-Emory & Henry//Roanoke//;]

Roanoke got this bomb from Kayce Smith to lead by four at the break. We'll have a final at 11.
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[S-Shootout]

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[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-165]
[GRAPHIC=Bud Shootout]
[ENG#=3]

The first racing action of the Nascar season is now just over an hour away with the running of the Budweiser Shootout. Defending race champ Dale Earnhardt, Jr. starts dead last in 19th while Jeremy Mayfield will start on the pole with Jeff Gordon on the outside.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Gordon/Starts 2nd in Shootout; :00]
[RUNS=:33]
[OUT Q=get reacquainted with your spotter."]
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[S-Wrestle]

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[GRAPHIC=Wrestling]
[ENG#=4]

This year, high school wrestling in Virginia and over a dozen other states has received a heavy dose of new rules and regulations. Intern sports reporter Kate Collins has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Vinton/Big Orange Tournament; :00]
[SUPER=01-Adam Moore/Franklin County Wrestler; :21]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Dresser/Christiansburg Coach; :42]
[SUPER=01-Eugene Brown/Franklin County Coach; :59]
[SUPER=01-Matt Epperly/Christiansburg Wrestler; 1:10]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Joyce/Patrick Henry Wrestler; 1:15]
[SUPER=01-Kate Collins; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q="...Kate Collins, News 7 Sports"]
((The rules have given the phrase Weight Watchers new meaning. Grapplers must maintain seven percent body fat at all times and, even if a wrestler is well above the required percentage, he or she cannot lose more than 1.5 percent of that fat with in a seven day period. The goal, to avoid dehydration and drastic weight loss. ((Adam Moore:)) Under the new regulations, wrestlers were weighed one week proir to this season's official start and they continue weighing at practices and before matches. ((Kevin Dresser:)) While there are some positive affects on the athletes health, the work load has increased for coaches and school officials. ((Eugene Brown:)) ((Matt Epperly:)) ((Jeff Joyce:)) ((KATE COLLINS:))))

[S-Rowdy]

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[ENG#=1]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]

Local swimmers got a treat today as former Olympian Rowdy Gaines paid a visit to the Carter Athletic Center pool at North Cross.
Gaines won gold at the 84 Games in the 100 meter freestyle, the 400 meter freestyle relay, and the 400 meter medley relay.
He put on a clinic for about 50 local youth swimmers this morning and his message was a simple one.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rowdy Gaines/Three Olympic Gold Medals; :02]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=have fun man, enjoy it."]
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[S-Swim]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
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[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Swimming]
[ENG#=]

Speaking of swimming, the Region Three Championships were held today at Sweet Briar College. Hidden Valley won the boys title while Blacksburg was second and Jefferson Forest third. The Titans also took the girls hardware. William Byrd was second followed by Cave Spring. The state meet is next weekend at Radford University's Dedmon Center.