[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]

Coming up on News 7,
A local hospital deals with an outbreak of drug-resistant germs.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

And rising gas prices are causing a truckload of problems for some area businesses.
(------------)



[Sports-Head]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]

Tonight on the Big 7 - the Hokies win again in the Big East. The Northside girls have advanced to the final four.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


And the Reverend Jerry Falwell helps cut down the nets as Liberty is invited to the Big Dance - the men's NCAA tournament.
(------------)

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


Enjoy the warm weather while you can, as Winter blows back into the region. The winds will pick up as the mercury drops. The complete details in just a bit. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 21:23]
[IN Q=If fuel prices get much]

((DEAN MONINGTON: IF FUEL PRICES GET MUCH HIGHER THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.))
[RUNS=03]
[OUT Q=going out of business]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :04]

Truckers work to turn a profit after the recent spike in fuel prices.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]


Good evening, I'm Myranda Stephens.

[Gas-Prices]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC-7:13]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices]
[ENG#=4]


The price of Regular gas in Virginia hit one dollar- and- 61- cents this week. The spike has motorists across the region hoping for a reprieve. And as Jennifer Wishon reports, the increase could drive some people out of business.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Darlene Hill and Dennis Shulaw]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Darlene Hill/Truck Driver; :13 ]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; 52: ]
[SUPER=01-Dean Monington/Truck Driver; 1:27 ]
[RUNS=1:54]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Botetourt County]

((Darlene Hill and Dennis Shulaw run a team on a leased truck. They're hauling a load of chocolate ice cream 3000 miles and say the increase in fuel prices is melting their profits.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:19]
[IN Q=Anthing we haul we]

((DARLENE HILL: ANYTHING WE HAUL WE HAVE TO MAKE A PROFIT. WE PULL A LOAD FOR 85 CENTS A MILE-- WE'RE SPENDING ALL OUR PROFIT ON FUEL AND THAT'S NO PROFIT IN IT. WE'RE GOING IN THE HOLE.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=going in the hole]

The two stopped in Botetourt County to fill up Saturday where 118 gallons of diesel cost them 200 dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:37]

((NATS OF DENNIS HANGING UP NOZZLE)) Motorists across the state are feeling the heat of rising fuel prices. Triple A reports regular gas prices in Virginia are now at the same level they were just before Operation Iraqi Freedom began last year.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 24:06]
[IN Q=Local retailers haven't]

((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: LOCAL RETAILERS HAVEN'T BEEN INCREASING THEIR PRICES AT THE SAME RATE CRUDE OIL HAS INCREASED, BUT THIS LATEST JUMP COULD CHANGE THAT LEAVING YOU PAYING RECORD BREAKING PRICES AT THE PUMP.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=prices at the pump]

And truck drivers say an increase in fuel prices will eventually spill into other markets.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 12:58]
[IN Q=It's going to bring]

((DARLENE HILL: IT'S GOING TO BRING UP THE PRICES OF YOUR CLOTHING, YOUR FOOD. ANYTHING THAT A TRUCK HAS TO BRING IT'S GOING TO BRING UP THE PRICES.))
[RUNS= 07]
[OUT Q=up the prices]

Dean Monington has been driving a truck for 15 years. He ended up buying his own a few years ago, but was forced to sell last year after pre- war fuel prices left him broke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 20:11]
[IN Q=I couldn't afford]

((DEAN MONINGTON: I COULDN'T AFFORD IT, I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE FUEL PRICES. THE MONEY I WAS GETTING PAID FROM LEASING IT ON TO A COMPANY - THERE WASN'T ENOUGH LEFT FOR MY FAMILY.))
[RUNS= 12]
[OUT Q=for my family]

Things may get worse before they get better. March 1st OPEC started cutting crude oil production by one million barrels per day. An additional reduction of 1 and a half million barrels is scheduled to start next month. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Botetourt County.))

[Carilion]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC-1:30:51]
[GRAPHIC=Carilion Community]
[ENG#=1]


New precautions are being taken at Carilion's Community Hospital, after a recent outbreak of a drug-resistant bacterium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]

Officials say eight babies in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit have tested positive for a certain staph infection, which can NOT be treated with antibiotics. Officials say they're not sure how the infants got the infection, but they have been isolated from the ward and are being treated with alternative drugs. Officials say staph infections are NOT uncommon in hospitals and just because the bacterium is found on babies, doesn't mean their sick.
(------------)


[Danville-Shooting]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
[ENG#=none]


One man is in the hospital after a shooting in Danville.
Police responded to the 600 Block of Cabell Street just before midnight and found a 20-year old man shot in the thigh. The victim reported that he was near the corner of Berryman Avenue and Cabell Street when he was shot.
He was transported to Danville Regional Medical Center, but the injury does not appear life threatening. The man did not say who shot him.
Danville Police are still investigating.
(XXXXXX)

[Take Danville Crimestoppers FS] Anyone with information is asked to call Danville Crimestoppers at (434) 793-0000.
(XXXXXX)


[B'Burg-Robbery]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Blacksburg police have arrested a suspect in a hotel robbery this morning. 18-year-old Marcus Allen Stewart of Christiansburg faces several charges, including armed robbery and attempting to elude police. Police say Stewart robbed the Best Western Red Lion Inn around three this morning and then led police on a brief chase before crashing his car into a fence. Stewart is now being held in the Montgomery County jail without bond. Police in Radford say a similar incident happened three hours earlier at the Super Eight on Tyler Avenue. No charges have been filed by Radford Police, but they do think the crimes were related.
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

Still to come on the newscast, we'll take a look back at John Elway's visit to the area, and wrap up what made business news the past week...
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

and take a look at what you could have bid on today as the company that now owns Pillowtex sells almost anything that's not bolted down.
(----------------)






[First-Wx]
[ANCHOR=Brent]



[SS=NONE]WEATHER CENTER Position #1


[WXPRO/FULL] WEATHER MAP TOMORROW FORECAST
[COMMERCIAL]
[Pillowtex]

(MINI OPEN)



[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC-45:21]
[GRAPHIC=Pillowtex]
[ENG#=1]


The gavel has fallen on bits of history from the Pillowtex Corporation.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kannapolis, NC/This Week; ]

Items from Pillowtex were auctioned off to the highest bidder today in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Hundreds of people showed up to see if they could take away a bit of history from the defunct company. This is not the last auction involving Pillowtex. One auction will feature office equipment, and another will auction off large machinery used in the production process.
(------------)





[Biz-Review]


[ANCHOR=Joy]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review TC-1:57:39]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG#=2]

John Elway comes to town to see how his new line of furniture is made, and a controversial development in Roanoke County clears one hurdle. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :05]
[SUPER=03-Danville/1999; :26]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :35]
[SUPER=03-Bassett; :54]
[SUPER=07-John Elway/NFL Hall of Fame; 1:07]
[SUPER=01-Bob H. Spilman, Jr./Bassett President and CEO; 1:32]
[SUPER=19-Donald Graham/Reporting; 1:50]
[RUNS=1:56]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]



(([MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC50:34]

V-F-P Incorporated is moving its lightweigh shelter manufacturing operation from Roanoke, to Duffield in far Southwest Virginia. The move will consolodate the company's prodcution under one roof. The company's C-E-O says no more than 35 people will be laid off, and the move should be finished by June. Workers willing to relocate can keep their jobs. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC00:37]


More Southside textile jobs may soon be gone. The V-F Corporation is selling its V-F Playwear subsidiary putting 200 people out of work. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC 1:53]

Plans to build an upscale shopping center in Roanoke County are moving forward despite strong opposition.
Kahn Development wants to build a retail and office complex at the corner of Route 419 and Keagy Road.
The Planning Zoning Commission unanimously voted to recommend the county approve the rezoning. The Board of Supervisors could vote on that at its March 23rd meeting. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=Elway-Bassett Tape with cart in cubby]

John Elway was in Southside, checking out the inner workings of the Bassett plant. Bassett furniture and Elway announced earlier that they are teaming up to launch a line of sofas, sectionals, chairs and entertainment centers called "Elway Home."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:40:47]
[IN Q=I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT]

((I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT. WITH BASSETT BEHIND IT, THE QUALITY OF THEIR COMPANY AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN ABOUT FOR THE HUNDRED YEARS THEY'VE BEEN IN EXISTANCE. IT'S A GREAT RELATIONSHIP THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=LOOKING FORWARD TO]

The new line will be unveiled in August, and will be available at any retailer, but the company also plans to open a new retail store program of their own. Bassett will open 20 to 25 new stores each year for the next five years with a goal of 300 stores nationwide.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 00:40:21]
[IN Q=WE'VE HAD TO DOWNSIZE ]

((WE'VE HAD TO DOWNSIZE SOME OF OUR MANUFACTURING, WE'VE HAD TO GO OVERSEAS, BRING PRODUCTS IN. WE REALLY THINK LIKE RETAILERS NOW. THOSE STORES, THOSE 300 STORES HAVE TO BE REALLY BE SRONG, AND THEY HAVE TO SET THEMSELVES APART FROM THE MARKET. SO WE THINK JOHN AND THAT AFFILIATION WILL HELP US DO THAT)) [RUNS18]
[OUT Q=WILL HELP US DO THAT]


For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))


[Horse-Center]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC-1:34:28]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

The Virginia Horse Center will likely be getting some help in making good on its debts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT - :25+]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co./November 28th;]

This week, the General Assembly passed a bill that would allow Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista to raise the tax on hotel lodging by two percent, with the proceeds going to help pay off the Virginia Horse Center's debt service. Economic leaders have estimated the added tax would generate up to four-hundred thousand dollars a year. In last year's budget, state funding for the Horse Center began to diminish, and is scheduled to be eliminated by 2008.
(------------)




[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]


Still ahead on the newscast, it isn't spring yet, and the upcoming temperatures will fell a bit more like Winter. Brent will have your forecast in a little bit.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

and one community is hoping that a new recruiting effort will help fill teacher vacancies.
(----------------)




[Teacher-Fair]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC-0:01]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]


Teachers reported to Bedford Elementary School today to learn the A- B- C's of getting a job.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford;]

Nearly 200 people attended Bedford County's first teacher job fair. Applicants traveled from as far as New York and Utah to see what the county has to offer. School officials say they wanted to bring applicants to the area to show off the natural beauty and attractions of central Virginia.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:46:38]
[IN Q=It's hard for people]

((MELANIE SIMMONS: IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE TO COME BY AND TALK TO YOU AND LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR COUNTY WITHOUT ACTUALLY BEING HERE. SO WITH THIS THEY ACTUALLY GET TO MEET ALL THE PRINCIPALS. IT'S MUCH MORE PERSONABLE. WE GET TO FIND OUT MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT AN APPLICANT THAN WE WOULD AT A SCHOOL JOB FAIR.))
[SUPER=01-Melanie Simmons/Job Fair Coordinator;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=a school job fair]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Simmons says there's a great need for special education teachers because of new regulations associated with the "No Child Left Behind Act." There's also a need for math, science and foreign language teachers, but officials estimate there will openings in all areas and grade levels this fall.
(------------)



[Science-Fair]


[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC-1:27:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]


Meanwhile, *science* was the theme at William Byrd Middle School today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]

More than a hundred Roanoke County students competed in this year's science fair. Winners were recognized during an awards ceremony in the auditorium. 30- high school students and 10- middle school students will move on to compete in the "Western Virginia Regional Science Fair" at Roanoke College. All first place winners in that competition will move on to compete in the State Fair.
(------------)


[Sports Tease]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - the Hokies beat the Hoyas twice today. The Liberty men capture the Big South title and earn an NCAA invite.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus, the Northside girls get state quarterfinal Saturday underway with an easy win over Carroll County this afternoon.
(------------)


[S-Northside]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-164 TC13150]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL Group AA]
[ENG#=1]


State quarterfinal weekend rolled on today as the Northside Vikings hosted Carroll County at Salem High School.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Cavaliers vs. Vikings; :00]


The Vikings jumped out to a nine point halftime lead, but the Cavs battled back.
Brittany Burnette scores two on the pretty little up and under move, to cut the lead.
Northside was too tough inside though. Corey Fertitta goes to work down low, scoring two of her 11 points on the day.
She got plenty of help from running mate Emery Wallace.
[SUPER=33-Carroll Co./42/Northside/55/;]

Wallace cuts down the lane for the bucket and the foul. Northside advances to the state semis 55 to 42.
(------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=VHSL Group AA]


Tonight, the Botetourt girls take on Magna Vista at Bassett. The Tunstall and Heritage boys are underway down there as are Salem and Martinsville at the Bast Center. Highlights of all those games are coming up at 11.

[S-Hokies]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-171 TC1040]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Hoops]
[ENG#=2]


The Virginia Tech Hokies put the finishing touches on their first winning season in four years today, beating Georgetown in the nation's capital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, D.C./ESPN Plus; :00]

Seth Greenberg had plenty of reasons to smile today as his young players continued to play above the rim if not above their heads. That's Tunstall product Allen Calloway. The Hokies faced a Georgetown team today that was fighting for its own life needing a win to lock up a spot in the Big East tournament. Hoyas led 32-to-29 at the half. But the Hokies would battle back and then take control when mattered most. Zabian Dowdell dropped in 14 points. And then watch the passing as Bryant Matthews ends up with
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/60/Georgetown/55;]

the rock and the slam. He had a game high 26 as Tech improves to 14 and 13 overall and 7 and 9 in the Big East with the 60 to 55 win.
(------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=tech hoops]


The Tech women had to come from behind this afternoon in the opening game of the Big East tournament as they beat the Georgetown women 56-to-47. Tech now has 22 wins on the year. Tomorrow they must play U-Conn in the second round at the Hartford Civic Center.

[S-South]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-172 930TC]
[GRAPHIC=LIBERTY]
[ENG#=3]

The Liberty University men's team is one of the first to earn an invitation to the Big Dance. This afternoon LU got the Big South Conference's
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/espn2; :00]

automatic invite by simply destroying High Point 89 to 44 in one of the most lopsided tournament title games ever. Liberty freshman Larry Blair was the main man for coach Randy Dunton as he threw in a game high 29 points. Blair hit 7 out of 11 three pointers and helped trigger a Vines
[SUPER=33-High Point/44/Liberty/89;]

Center celebration that's likely to carry on into tomorrow morning's sermon. Liberty 89 and High Point 44.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=MT SHOT...]
[SUPER=01-Larry Blair/29 Points in Title Game; :00]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=...even more."]
(-----------)


[S-State]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-165 11753TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC MEN'S TOURNEY]
[ENG#=4]


The ACC men's tournament opens next Thursday in Greensboro and even if you're a betting man - I would keep your money in your pocket.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/CBS Sports; :00]

This afternoon - just a couple of nights after looking absolutely horrible on senior night in a loss to Maryland - N.C. State bounced back to beat Wake Forest on the Demon Deacons home floor. The 81 to 70 win locked up second place for the Pack.
[super=33-N.C. State #16/81/Wake Forest #11/70;]

Meanwhile, Wake must wait until the end of the weekend to see if it will be seeded third, fourth or fifth.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=ACC TOURNEY]

Duke and Carolina play tonight, UVa and Maryland tomorrow.

[S-UVA]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 13418tc]
[GRAPHIC=ACC WOMEN]
[ENG#=]


The quarterfinals of the ACC women's tournament are being played today in Greensboro.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC/Fox-Net; :00]

The UVa women came out knowing they would have to answer the bell against talented North Carolina. Instead, the Heels Nikita Bell rang it all day long as she scored 18 points and played hugeon defense. Carolina ends UVa's season with a 64-to-45 win.
[SUPER=04-Duke vs. Wake Forest;]

The early game today had top seeded Duke and Wake Forest. Iciss Tillis led all scorers with 26 points as the Blue Devils eliminated Wake 77-to-59.
(------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD ACC WOMEN]


Fleming's product Tonia Brown had 12 points in her final game at Wake.[S-Compton]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-154 TC20022]
[GRAPHIC=State Wrestling]
[ENG#=2]


The single A and double A state wrestling tournaments are rolling on today at the Salem Civic Center. The finals are set to get underway in just a few minutes and Christiansburg has its 3rd straight title in sight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]


The Blue Demons B.J. Compton is out to make some history. He's already set the Double A record for wins at 171. If he wins the 135 pound championship he would become just the 4th wrestler to ever win 4 consecutive titles in the double-A ranks.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Dresser/Blue Demons Head Coach; :06]
[SUPER=01-B.J. Compton/Three Time State Champ; :25]
[RUNS=:34]
[OUT Q=listen to them, you'll be fine."]
(----------------)

by SS