WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 02/23/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=1]

Off track betting prepares to open in Vinton..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

but you can bet people are still fighting it. The latest on when the betting will begin.
The state of the city address tonight in Lynchburg. Plus a group of co-workers from this region wins some cash in the lottery- and they're not the only ones.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]

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

[ENG#=2]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:58:41]
[IN Q=It's time to take a stand]
((REV. JUAM BARR/MIDLAND BAPTIST CHUCH: IT'S TIME TO TAKE A STAND. IT'S TIME TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND AND SAY RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WRONG IS WRONG AND WE'VE HAD ENOUGH.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=we've had enough]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Opponents race to block an off track betting facility in Vinton.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[Vinton-Racing]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC57:42]
[GRAPHIC=Off Track Betting]

If you are a betting man, than you should count on a betting parlor in Vinton.
Even so, opponents are still fighting the project and tonight they took their concerns to the state's racing commission. [***OTB GRAPHIC IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Justin McLeod was there and joins us now with more. So Justin is this a done deal?
Jean, not entirely but for the most part yes.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@justin1]

Voters already approved a referendum on the issue back in November.
It is now up to Virginia's racing commission to decide not whether this is right or wrong but rather whether the proposed site is appropriate.
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Vinton; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lorraine Bratton/Vinton Resident; :26]
[SUPER=01-Anne Poulson/Virginia Commission Chairwoman; :48]
[SUPER=01-Debra Brogan/Vinton Resident; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Ian Stewart/Colonial Downs President; 1:24]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
It is an issue that still has people fired up.
[SOT 3:58:11; 3:52:14]
[IN Q=I don't think it's]
((REV. JUAM BARR: I DON'T THINK IT'S THE BEST INTEREST IN THE TOWN OF VINTON.)) ((MIC NICOLSON: I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THIS THAT IT WILL BE A VERY POSITIVE THING FOR US.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=THING FOR US]

That thing is an off track betting parlor.
Colonial Downs wants to build the satellite facility behind the Lancerlot Sports Complex just off the main roadway here in Vinton.
It is an already congested road and some residents say it will only get worse.
[SOT 3:47:10]
[IN Q=At the intersection]
((WOMAN BITE; AT THE INTERSECTION OF VINEYARD AND HARDY ROADS THERE IS A TRAFFIC LIGHT BUT IT HAS NO LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON EITHER SIDE.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=ON EITHER SIDE]

Opponents also have concerns about security and crime.
Colonial Downs says it will install cameras and will employ off duty police officers.
The chairwoman of Virginia's racing commission says fears about crime are unfounded.
[SOT 16:56:21]
[IN Q=We have found]
((ANNE POULSON/VIRGINIA RACING COMMISSION CHAIRWOMAN: WE HAVE FOUND WITH ALL THE OTHER SATELLITE WAGING FACILITIES THAT THE CRIME IN A PARTICULAR AREA HAS GONE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=HAS GOWN SIGNIFICANTLY]

Although the majority who spoke at this commission meeting oppose a betting parlor in Vinton, there were several who spoke in favor of the project.
[SOT 3:57:37]
[IN Q=Vinton needs to grow]
((DEBRA BROGAN/VINTON RESIDENT: VINTON NEEDS TO GROW. WE NEED TO DRAW IN MORE YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE NEED TO HAVE MORE REVENUE.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=HAVE MORE REVENUE]

Revenue that could add up to 200-thousand dollars a year for the town of Vinton.
Colonial Downs plans to hire 45 employees and operate seven days a week from noon until midnight.
The company hopes to begin construction on the 15-thousand square foot facility by April.
[SOT 16:53:31]
[IN Q=I'm hopefuly we will]
((IAN STEWART/PRESIDENT OF COLONIAL DOWNS: I'M HOPEFUL WE WILL HAVE IT UP AND RUNNING BY LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=LATER SUMMER, EARLY FALL] ))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]

Colonial Downs must first receive a state license.
The racing commission is expected to grant it at its March 3rd meeting in Richmond.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Jean, the commission has never rejected a license once voters approved it.

[Blacksburg-Robbery]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Blacksburg Police say a group of teenagers is responsible for a Friday night crime spree.
The first incident happened on Hunt Club Road around 10:30 at night.
A man says he was knocked to the ground from behind, beaten and had his wallet taken.
While officers were investigating that robbery, another one happened on Patrick Henry Drive.
A man says he was jumped from behind, and his jacket stolen, but he was able to direct police to the suspects using his cell phone.
19 year old Sidney Terry is charged with 2-counts of robbery.
Three teenage boys also face robbery charges.

[L'burg-Mayor]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC32:48]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

There was good news and bad news for Lynchburg residents in this year's State of the City message from its mayor.

The Hill City's crime rate is at an all-time low and existing companies continue to make major investments there.

But the city's also preparing to deal with a budget shortfall city leaders call "unprecedented".
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Lynchburg's budget]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Carl Hutcherson/Lynchburg Mayor; :17]
[SUPER=01-Bert Dodson/Lynchburg Vice Mayor; :47]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:02]
[SUPER=01-Art Lipscomb/L'burg Firefighters Association; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]
(( Lynchburg's budget glass may not be half empty, but it is short at least five million dollars.
As Mayor Carl Hutcherson delivered the annual State of the City message, he made clear that funding and tax problems at the state level were having a trickle-down effect on the local economy.
[SOT 7:14:18]
((CARL HUTCHERSON/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: TAX RESTRUCTURING IN VIRGINIA IS AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME. IF WE ARE TO SAVE OUR CITIES, THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MUST STEP UP WITH COURAGE AND DETERMINATION TO WORK SERIOUSLY ON RESTRUCTURING A TAX SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TO PLACE OUR CITIES AT RISK.))
[RUNS= 19]
[OUT Q=city in mind.]

The decision-making process starts March 9th, when city manager Kimball Payne delivers the budget to council.
Members made it clear that whatever bucks there are, they stop in council chambers.
[SOT 7:32:15]
((BERT DODSON/LYNCHBURG VICE MAYOR: WE AS A GROUP WILL DO OUR UTMOST TO DELIVER THE SERVICES TO OUR CITIZENS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE MANNER. AT THE END OF THE PROCESS, WHEN THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED, ANY CREDIT OR BLAME SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND NOT AT OUR CITY MANAGER.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=our city manager.]

Also present were about 60 Lynchburg firefighters, acting as a silent reminder that their pay concerns, like their police counterparts, need to be reckoned with.
[SOT 8:21:03]
((ART LIPSCOMB/L'BURG FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION: WE JUST WANTED TO SHOW OUR CONCERN FOR THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY AND MAKE SURE COUNCIL KNEW THAT WE WERE THERE AND WE'RE TRYING TO SUPPORT THEM AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL LOOK OUT FOR US AS WELL.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=us as well.]

Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg. ))

[Haiti]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

U-S marines are on the ground in Haiti tonight-
(------------)
[VO-NAT ]
[SUPER=03-Port au Prince, Haiti]

50 in all arrived to protect the American embassy and its staff-
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((RICHARD BOUCHER/STATE DEPT SPOKESMAN: THE FLEET SECURITY TEAM IS THERE TO MAINTAIN SECURITY, NOT TO PULL PEOPLE OUT.))
[SUPER=01-Richard Boucher/State Dept. Spokesman;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=pull people out.]
(------------)
[Vo-Nat]
Rebels have now taken over half of the country.
Opposition leaders want President Jean Bertrand Aristide out.. they say its impossible to negotiate with him.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((CHARLES BECKER/OPPOSITION LEADER. IT'S TEN YEARS OF NEGOTIATING BACK AND FORTH AND THREE YEARS OF VERY HARD NEGOTIATIONS.))
[SUPER=01-Charles Becker/Opposition Leader;]
[RUNS=05]
[OUT Q=VERY HARD NEGOTIATIONS.]
(----------)
[Vo-Nat]
The rebels are attacking and detaining supporters of Aristide.
Political experts say there must be a quick compromise between the government and the rebels. But even if there is a deal, no word on whether that would halt the violence.
(------------)

[Franklin-Missionary]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC1:10:05]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A Franklin County man knows first-hand what the situation is like in Haiti.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
Gerald Saint-Vincent returned home Friday from Haiti, after spending 17-days there performing missionary work through his church. He says although he spent most of his time in villages away from the violence, it was hard to ignore what was going on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1150]
[IN Q=we heard about]
((GERALD ST. VINCENT/MISSIONARY: WE HEARD ABOUT THE GUINEVERE, THE VILLAGE UP THERE WHERE THE POLICE OFFICERS WERE EXECUTED AND THE HYNCH AREA PONDESU, WE HEARD ALL THAT NEWS 01 1203 AND POLICEMEN THEY WERE FEARING FOR THEIR LIFE, THEY WERE OUTNUMBERED.))
[SUPER=01-Gerald St. Vincent/Missionary;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=they were outnumbered]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
Saint-John says he was still able to accomplish his goals. In fact he's already making plans for his SEVENTH missionary trip there next year.
(-------------)

[National-guard]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC1:16:15]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

They help out overseas and here at home.
Lawmakers are saying thanks to Virginia's National Guard.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Delegate Kirk Cox has introduced a resolution commending the 75-hundred soldiers and 12-hundred airmen in the state's National Guard.
Cox says they have served with courage in Iraq as well as helping out Virginians during times of natural disaster.

Major General Claude Williams says there are many ways Virginians can show their appreciation.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 06:46:18]
[IN Q=IF SOMEONE KNOWS OF A GUARD PERSON]
((MAJ. GEN. CLAUDE WILLIAMS/ADJUTANT GENERAL VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD: IF SOMEONE KNOWS OF A GUARD PERSON IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT HAS LEFT THEN TAKE THE TIME TO WALK DOWN THE STREET AND SEE IF THE PLUMBING IS OKAY OR IT THE GUTTERS NEED CLEANING OUT. BECAUSE THINGS HAPPEN WHEN THESE SOLDIERS ARE AWAY AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A TEAM EFFORT, KIND OF A COMMUNITY EFFORT, TO FIX THOSE THINGS.))
[SUPER=01-Maj. Gen. Claude Williams/Virginia National Guard]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q= a community effort, to fix those things.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

14-hundred National Guard soldiers are currently deployed away from home.
(------------)

[Rooster-Beheaded]

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

He beheaded a rooster as part of a ritual.
Today, the Pittsylvania County man was convicted of refusing to bury a dead bird and fined 30 dollars.
Osung bemi Ola-seni identified himself as a high priest of the Ifa religion.
He said he made the sacrifice to Shango, the god of enemies, because he had been embroiled in a property line dispute with a Pittsylvania County cement plant.
Olaseni has said he was told by the god Shango to hang the rooster from a tree on his property line, facing the concrete company.
His wife has defended the sacrifice, saying it was NOT meant as a threat, but to help the couple.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Should women have to see a doctor, or just their pharmacist, for birth control.
More on the debate when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And what do you do when 650 pounds of explosives barely puts a dent in an old Virginia dam? Try again.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

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

[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7."]
(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 Sports Office as Hampden-Sydney wins the ODAC tournament championship belts tonight with a come from behind win. We'll check on the Radford women in Birmingham. Plus, the Hillcats get a new look - along with Giles native Marty Smith - of NASCAR dot com fame, all that and the return of the Ryan Express - on the Big 7.))
[OTC-Birth-Control]

(MINI OPEN)

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

Some women may be able to get birth control pills without seeing a doctor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Seattle, WA]

Instead the women would go through a pharmacist for their birth control needs.
A new study at the University of Washington is examining just how it would work.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((SUSY HEFFRON/SHOPPER; I'M VERY FOR IT. IT'S MORE ACCESSIBLE OVER THE COUNTER. THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH A DOCTOR.)) ((SHARON WOODWARD/PHARMACIST; SO I THINK IT'LL HELP THEM SEE A DOCTOR FOR THE OTHER SCREENINGS THEY NEED.))
[SUPER=01-Susy Heffron/Shopper; 00]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Woodward/Pharmacist; 05]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=SCREENINGS THEY NEED.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But others worry it may keep women from seeking out a doctor when they should.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((KASEY DOWNING/SHOPPER; I JUST WONDER HOW THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT PARTICULAR BIRTH CONTROL TO PRESCRIBE FOR ME. MY DOCTOR HAS DONE BLOOD TESTS. THEY KNOW ME.)) ((HELEN PASIEKA/SHOPPER; BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT WOMEN WOULDN'T GO GET YEARLY EXAMS FROM THEIR GYNECOLOGIST.))
[SUPER=01-Kasey Downing/Shopper; :00]
[SUPER=01-Helen Pasieka/Shopper; :07]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=from their gynecologist.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Those conducting the study insist that pharmacist recommendations to see a physician would be part of the process.
The Washington State association of Ob-gyns is supporting the project.
(-----------)

[Bird-Flu]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]

A bird flu found on a Texas Chicken Farm is apparently deadlier than first thought, but this flu is just for the birds- NOT humans.
Even so authorities are still concerned.
Dr. Mallika Marshall tells us why.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Gonzales Co., TX; :00]
[SUPER=01-Glen Sachtleben/Gonzales Co. Sheriff; :13]
[SUPER=01-Mark Michalke/Field Veterinarian; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Mallika Marshall/CBS News; :39]
[Super=01-Dr. Phillip Tierno, Jr./Infectious Disease Specialist; :48]
[RUNS=1:28]
[OUT Q=CBS News. ]
((THE STRAIN OF AVIAN FLU FOUND ON THIS SOUTHERN TEXAS CHICKEN FARM IS NOW CONSIDERED FAR DEADLIER TO POULTRY THAN FIRST THOUGHT... AND THAT'S BAD NEWS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GONZALES COUNTY. Glen Sachtleben/Gonzales County Sheriff: "this could make us a ghost town because we depend on the poultry industry." AND IT MIGHT NOT ONLY BE GONZALES COUNTY... THE SICKNESS HAS SPREAD TO LIVE BIRD MARKETS IN HOUSTON... WHICH MEANS THOUSANDS OF CHICKENS WILL HAVE TO BE DESTROYED. Mark Michalke/Field Veterinarian: "In the infected flock there is 15-thousand birds involded, they will be destroyed." Mallika Marshall/CBS NEWS/Boston, MA: THIS STRAIN OF THE FLU IS HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS, HOWEVER IT'S ONLY CONTAGIOUS TO BIRDS. RIGHT NOW IT DOES NO POSE A THREAT TO HUMANS.... BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT COULD CHANGE. Dr. Phillip Tierno, Jr./Infectious Disease Specialist: "We have to be careful that it does not genetically rearrange itself or recombine with lets say a human strain, becoming easier to transmit." IF THAT HAPPENS IT COULD LEAD TO A SITUATION LIKE THE ONE ASIA, WHERE PEOPLE ARE NOW BEING SICKENED AND KILLED BY THE SAME FLU THAT IS INFECTING THE BIRDS. HOWEVER, RIGHT NOW THAT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY. IN RECENT WEEKS STRAINS OF THE VIRUS WERE FOUND IN PENNSYLVANIA, DELAWARE AND NEW JERSEY AND NEVER POSED A THREAT. Tierno again: "There are enough people on top of this so that no one should panic." BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STILL CONCERNED..... AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT TESTS... MAKING SURE THAT THE SICKNESS REMAINS ONE FOR THE BIRDS. DOCTOR MALLIKA MARSHALL, CBS NEWS.))

[Dam-Break]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

The second time was the charm in the attempt to take out a dam near Fredericksburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fredericksburg]

The first attempt to blow up about 650 pounds of explosives fizzled this morning, when only ten percent of them went off.
Hours later, a second blast knocked a 100 foot hole in the dam and the Rappahannock River started to pour through.
The dam's removal will allow migratory fish to freely swim upstream to spawn. It also opens up the river to canoeists and kayakers.
The Embrey Dam was built in 1910 to provide electricity to Fredericksburg. It stopped producing power in the 1960s.
(------------)

[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Second prize isn't too shabby for some lottery players from Central Virginia.
Find out why when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus die-hard sailors take to the lakes... even if they're frozen over.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Ice-Sailing]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

We normally think of sailing as a warm weather sport, but what happens when the weather turns cold and the water freezes?
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Geist Reservoir, IN;]
A courageous few break out their ice yachts and take part in a chilly sport called ice sailing. The sport sends sailors speeding across open ice at 3 and a half times the speed of the wind and at windchills that are off the chart.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=the ice sailing community;]
((RUSS DILLEY/ICE SAILOR THE ICE SAILING COMMUNITY IS VERY RESILIANT. THESE GUYS WILL HAVE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MICHIGAN SOMEWHERE, THEY'LL GET THERE AND THERE WILL BE SIX INCHES OF SNOW ON THE ICE. SO THEY PACK UP AGAIN AND DRIVE ANOTHER 500 MILES TO FIND OPEN ICE.))
[SUPER=01-Russ Dilley/Ice Sailor;]
[RUNS=:13;]
[OUT Q=500 miles to find open ice;]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Dilley says the most important thing to do when ice sailing is to first scout the ice on foot to make sure its safe for sailing.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHICnone]
[ENG#=V10]

Hampden-Sydney comes from behind to win the ODAC title. The Radford women look for success on the road tonight. Plus, the Hillcats get a new look. But first tonight's Extra Point.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-MLB;:00]
Nolan Ryan is coming out of retirement to join the Houston Astros. The hall of famer has signed a five year contract - BUT - he will not be pitching. Ryan will have a personal services contract with the Astros - basically serving as the team's ambassador. Ryan also owns the Astros' double A team.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Hampden-Sydney/75//Virginia Wesleyan/69//ODAC Men's Championship/j/Radford/57//Birmingham-Southern/56//Bi
g South Women/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/Radford/85//Lebanon/48//Region C Quarterfinals/j/Bath Co./68//Galax/61//Region C Quarterfinals/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0097-j/George Wythe/58//Glenvar/53//Region C Quarterfinals/j/Parry McCluer/63//Grayson Co./48//Region C Quarterf
inals/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Detroit/76//Philadelphia/66///j/Cleveland/104//New Orleans/100///;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(-----------------)

[S-ODAC]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-171118TC]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]
[***ANCHOR TAG***]
[ENG#=1]

The Old Dominion Athletic Conference crowned its men's basketball champion tonight with Hampden-Sydney prevailing over Virginia Wesleyan in a what was a Tale of Two Halves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Marlins vs. Tigers; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brandon Randall/18 Points for Hampden-Sydney; :27]
[SUPER=33-Hampden-Sydney/75/Va. Wesleyan/69; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Bubba Smith/Hampden-Sydney Head Coach; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:38]
[OUT Q=....GET THE WIN."]
(( With a crowd of nearly 2000 fans on hand at Salem Civic Center and an automatic berth in next month's Division Three tournament on the line - the Tigers came out much flatter than a veteran team should. Behind the play of all-tounament team selections David Doino (DUH-WAN-OH) and Brandon Adair the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins jumped out to a 36 to 28 halftime lead on the Tigers. ((BRANDON RANDALL:)) The Marlins stayed on the attack early in teh second half as they pushed their lead to an even dozen. But that was it, but the 7 and a half 30 miniute mark - the Tigers had roared from behind and shot themselves into the lead. Randall dropped in 18 points and and earned all-tournament honors, while running mate Jeff Monroe scored a team high 19. The Tigers outscore the Marlins by 14 points in the second half to beat Virginia Wesleyan 75-to-69 and capture the ODAC tournament title.)) ((BUBBA SMITH:))
(----------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD ODAC]
The Sydney win might help Macon get an at large bid for the ODAC. We'll find out on on Sunday.

[S-Radford]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-168 359tc]
[GRAPHIC=RADFORD]
[ENG#=2]

The most exciting win of the night was turned in by the Radford University women on the road in Birmingham.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Birmingham, AL/WDRL-Big South; :00]
Amanda Neby and the Lady Highs needed a win to get to the 500 mark on the season as they battled Birmingham Southern.

Neby was on her game in the first half as she hit for 8 points and helped RU take a 26-to-23 lead into the lockeroom.

The Highlanders were led by Taryn Causey - she scored a game high 17 points and had 6 steals. But Causey almost lost it - only to win it in the same breath. Down by a point with clock running out - Causey loses the ball -
[super=33-Radford/57/Birmingham-Southern/56;]
recovers it and finds a wide open Sarah Stephens for the hoop and the harm. Radford beats Birmingham-Southern 57-to-56.
(------------)

[S-WDBJ]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
There are two big games in the ACC tomorrow night that will affect the bottom and not the top of the conference standings. UVa, Maryland and Clemson are trying to avoid the play-in game in the ACC tournament. Only one will escape it.
(XXXXXXXXXX)
[go to pinnacle 12994] Tomorrow night the Cavs can take a major step toward staying out of that mess as they host North Carolina. A win over the Tarheels would give the Cavs four wins in the conference. Catch the Heels and Hoos at 8 tomorrow night right here on WDBJ-7.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=hold acc]
Also tomorrow night Clemson takes on Maryland.

[S-Hillcats]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=dpe]
[TAPE#=SP-179 354TC]
[GRAPHIC=HILLCATS]
[ENG#=3]

The Lynchburg Hillcats are sprucing up their look from foul pole to foul pole and head to toe for the upcoming season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]

Team officials today unveiled the Hillcats' new home, away and batting practice uniforms.
The colors are still green, gold and white.. but they've changed the lettering style to more closely match their parent club - the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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[SOT 1:15:12]
[IN Q=You'd be surprised]
((MATT PROVENCE/HILLCATS BROADCASTER: YOU'D BE SURPRISED, I MEAN ANYBODY WHO USED TO PLAY SPORTS AT ANY LEVEL, THE UNIFORM IS A REAL BIG PART OF THEIR PRIDE, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE AND A SOURCE OF PRIDE WHEN YOU PUT ON THE UNIFORM AND I THINK THAT A NEW UNIFORM WITH A NEW LOOK WILL HELP. BUT ESPECIALLY I THINK THE ROAD ONE, BECAUSE A LOT OF GUYS IN THE PAST HAVE COMPLAINED THAT WE WERE A LITTLE BIT TOO TRADITIONAL, AND SO WE TRIED TO INTEGRATE THE PIRATES A LITTLE BIT AND MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEY'RE PART OF THE FAMILY AND I THINK THE PLAYERS KIND OF LIKE THAT.))
[SUPER=01-Matt Provence/Hillcats Broadcaster]
[RUNS=20]
[OUT Q=kind of like that.]
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[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, construction crews are putting the final touches on the five million dollars worth of improvements to historic City Stadium.
They are on schedule to be finished before Opening Day on April 9th.
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[S-Nascar]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-172 14319tc]
[GRAPHIC=nextel series logo]
[ENG#=1]
The Nextel Cup series is off this weekend - and that apparently is giving folks a chance to work on their wardrobes before heading to Las Vegas. Earlier today the Hendrick Motorsports Museum was turned into a fashion runway as
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harrisburg, NC; :00]
Nextel Cup driver Jimmie Johnson and his model fiancee Chandra Janway joined forces with LEVIS signature clothes to give some NASCAR folks a make over today. Among those getting the treatment - Giles native Marty Smith - who is the chief writer for NASCAR dot COM.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Marty Smith/Giles High School and Radford U. Grad; :00]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...I AM COOL."]
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[***TOSS TO BREAK***]

[Lottery-winners]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:12:10]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

They didn't win the big prize, but second place provided a handsome pay-off for a Bedford County couple and a group of co-workers from Lynchburg.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Enos Blankenship used family birth dates to choose five out of six winning numbers in Friday night's Mega Millions drawing.
He and his wife Linda spent the weekend considering how to spend their winnings, 124- thousand dollars after taxes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=There's bass boats and SUVs]
((ENOS BLANKENSHIP/LOTTERY WINNER: THERE WAS BASS BOATS AND SUVS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT AFTER WE DAYDREAMED ABOUT THAT ALL DAY SATURDAY WE DECIDED THAT WHAT WE WOULD DO IS PAY FOR A LOG OR TWO ON OUR LOG HOME AND GET OUR BILLS DOWN TO WHERE WE CAN SIT BACK AND RELAX A LITTLE BIT.))
[SUPER=01-Enos Blankenship/Lottery Winner]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=sit back and relax a little bit.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A group of employees from American Hofmann Corporation in Lynchburg also matched five out of six numbers.
They divided their winnings into 14 shares of more than eight thousand dollars each, after taxes.
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