WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 03/08/04

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[VO-NAT]

Former Henry County administrator Sid Clower was back in court this morning to enter a plea on federal charges.
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[ANCHOR=Kim]

Meanwhile, a plea agreement today for a former Bedford County Supervisor accused of forging public documents.
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]

Windy and cooler weather has arrived will it bring us some snow. I'll let you know in your forecast.
[ANCHOR=KIM 2-Shot]

Stay with us News 7 at noon, starts right now.

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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[VO-NAT]
A former Henry County administrator pleads guilty to a number of crimes in Federal Court.
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[Clower]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
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[TAPE#=04-01 58:55]
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[ENG#=3]

Sid Clower was back in court today to answer for federal charges ranging from mail fraud to tax perjury.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Clower plead guilty to all six-charges. In a plea agreement, he agreed to accept responsibilty for his crimes which could result in a 15-year prison sentence and one-point-five million dollar fine. Clower was accused of fraudulently taking more than 818-thousand dollars from Henry County when he served as County Administrator, and failing to report the money from 1997 to 2001.
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[SOT@14:42:24]
[IN Q=Today's an important..]
((JOHN BROWNLEE, U.S. ATTORNEY: TODAY'S AN IMPORTANT DAY- WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE TODAY IS HOLD MR. CLOWER IN ACCOUNT FOR HIS FEDERAL CRIMES. AS YOU KNOW, HE PLEAD GUILTY TO STRAIGHT CRIMES EARLIER ON- HE WAS PUNISHED AND SERVED PRISON TIME. TODAY WERE CRIMES IN FEDERAL COURT AND PLEAD GUILTY HIS FEDERAL CRIMES AND HE'LL BE PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY FOR THOSE AS WELL.))
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U.S. Attorney]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=... as well..]
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[VO-NAT]
U.S. Attorney John Brownlee says Clower will be sentenced in the next six to eight weeks. We'll have more on the story tonight on News 7 at five and six.
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[Richardson]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[TAPE#=04-02 1:17:01]
[GRAPHIC=Kirby Richardson]

[ENG#=4]

Guilty pleas this morning from a former Bedford County supervisor accused of forging public documents to get a road project approved for his district.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

Kirby Richardson had faced an 82-count indictment, but a plea agreement reduced it to just three felony charges.
Authorities say Richardson and his secretary Angela Hampton forged 39 public comment forms to help win approval of a controversial road widening project by V-DOT.
Richardson's attorney says the forgeries were entirely Hampton's idea, but a jury probably wouldn't have agreed.
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[SOT 10:34:40]
[IN Q=She's a criminal]
((CARTER GARRETT/DEFENSE ATTORNEY: SHE'S A CRIMINAL ACTOR.. ..INDEPENDENT OF MY CLIENT.))
[SUPER=01-Carter Garrett/Defense Attorney]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=of my client.]
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[VO-NAT]

Special prosecutor Joel Branscom says investigators have never determined a motive.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:32:19]
[IN Q=I'm kind of]
((JOEL BRANSCOM/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: I'M KIND OF THE BELIEF.. ..HOW I'M GOING TO DO IT.))
[SUPER=01-Joel Branscom/Special Prosecutor;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=going to do it.]
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[VO-NAT]

Richardson faces up to thirty years in prison when he's sentenced in May.
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[Haiti]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=1]

U-S Marines in Haiti say they're responsible for at least ONE of the deaths that took place yesterday during a demonstration in the capital city.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Port-au-Prince, Haiti;]

Officials say the Marines shot and killed a gunman who had opened fire during a march celebrating the ouster of former President Jean Bertrand- Aristide.
Five people were killed.
[SUPER=03-Central African Republic;]

Meanwhile, Aristide appeared in public for the first time since he left Haiti.
He called for peaceful resistance to what he called the "occupation " of his homeland, and insists he's still president.
Aristide also repeated his accusation that U-S forces kidnapped him and forced him from power.
Washington denies the allegation.
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[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=2]

It's a done deal in Iraq.
After two failed tries, the Governing Council finally signed an interim constitution today.
The council president called it a ``historic moment.''
Teri Okita reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-Mahmoud Othman/Kurdish National Struggle Leader;]
[SUPER=01-Hamid Al-Kifai/Governing Council Spokesman;]
[SUPER=01-Teri Okita/CBS News;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Okita, CBS News, Washington.]
(( PKG.
TRACK: IT TOOK MONTHS TO GET HERE, BUT THE INK IS FINALLY DRY ON IRAQS NEW, INTERIM CONSTITUTION A DOCUMENT MEANT TO GUIDE THE COUNTRY TOWARD SOVEREIGNTY AND DEMOCRACY IN THE YEARS AHEAD. AFTER TWO DELAYS, THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE OF A BIG CEREMONY WAS ABANDONED FOR A MORE LOW-KEY AFFAIR.

(Super: MAHMOUD OTHMAN/LEADER, KURDISH NATIONAL STRUGGLE)
SOT: I feel proud that I was part of the people who made this law.

TRACK: MORE VIOLENCE ERUPTED IN BAGHDAD JUST BEFORE TODAYS SIGNING. INSURGENTS ATTACKED AN IRAQI HOME AND POLICE STATION WITH MORTARS AND GRENADES . YESTERDAY, THE COALITION HEADQUARTERS IN BAGHDAD WAS ATTACKED, AND U-S SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEEN ON HIGH ALERT FOR MORE VIOLENCE.
TRACK: THE FIRST SIGNING CEREMONY WAS DELAYED LAST WEEK WHEN ALMOST 200-PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN BOMB ATTACKS NEAR SHIITE HOLY SITES ACROSS IRAQ.
TRACK: AND LAST FRIDAY, SHIITE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL ABANDONED THE SIGNING OBJECTING TO A CLAUSE IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT ALLOWS IRAQS KURDISH MINORITY VETO POWER ON AUTONOMY ISSUES. SHIITE MEMBERS GAVE IN AFTER WEEKEND CONSULTATIONS WITH THE POWERFUL CLERIC, AYATOLLAH ALI AL-SISTANI.

(Super: HAMID AL-KIFAI/GOVERNING COUNCIL SPOKESMAN
SOT: This constitution is the first constitution in Iraq's history which
has something fro every Iraqi.)

(Super: Teri Okita/Reporting)
STANDUP: The next target date is June 30th when an interim Iraqi government is scheduled to take over from the U-S. If all goes as planned, elections for a transitional assembly will be held next January, but thats IF all goes as planned. Teri Okita, CBS News, Washington. ))

[Wind]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=3]

Some people are still without electricity after high winds of more than 50 miles an hour knocked down trees and power lines throughout the viewing area.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; ]
In many areas, large trees could not stand up to the force, and a number of roads were blocked. Some houses suffered damage,. But most of the power outages appear to be small and localized. Fieldale was the hit hardest. Four thousand customers were still in the dark this morning. A-E-P officials say it could be tomorrow evening before power is restored to all customers.
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[WX-Tease] ((KIM TOSS TO LEO)) [3/8/2004]
[SS=NONE]

LEO in WX-CENTER

[WXPRO/FULL] RADAR SATELLITE STORY

[SS=NONE]

(LEO TOSS to KIM)

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next on the newscast, the expiration of a contract does NOT mean some local workers will walk the picket lines.
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[VO-NAT ]
Also recovery teams in Baltimore look for the bodies of three people who are believed drowned in a boating accident this weekend.
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[Water-Taxi]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=1]

Searchers are back at work in the cold waters of Baltimore Harbor, looking for three people still missing after this weekend's accident involving a water taxi.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD;]

One person is confirmed dead--
A man, woman, and a six- year- old child are still unaccounted for.
They were among the 25 people on board the water taxi, when a sudden gust of wind capsized the vessel Saturday afternoon.
A nonprofit group, the Living Classroom Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for Maryland youth, runs the water taxis.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=As recovery efforts continues]
[SUPER=01-James Bond/Living Classroom Foundation;]
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[OUT Q=very sad]
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[VO-NAT]

Investigators believe it was the sudden wind that toppled the boat, but they're still screening the captain as a precaution.
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[Kozlowski]

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[ENG#=2]

Closing arguments are scheduled today at the trial of the former C-E-O of Tyco International.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Dennis Kozlowski is charged, along with former Chief Financial Officer Mark Swartz, of stealing 170- million dollars from the company, by hiding pay and bonuses and abusing loan programs.
They're also accused of illegally making another 430 million dollars by pumping up the value of Tyco stock by lying about the company's finances.
The jury is expected to get the case either Thursday or Friday.
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[Stewart-Verdict]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
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[ENG#=3]

Martha Stewart had a date with a probation officer today, following her conviction in her stock trading case.
It's just the beginning of what's likely to be a long and unpleasant day for the homemaking mogul.
Drew Levinson reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]
[SUPER=01-Dennis Kneale/Forbes Magazine Managing Editor;]
[SUPER=01-Amos Mellenger/Juror;]
[SUPER=01-Drew Levinson/CBS News;]
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[OUT Q=Levinson, CBS News, New York.]

((Now that she's been convicted, Martha Stewart now enters a new phase of the justice system--she's meeting today with federal probation officers.
The meeting is in a building close to the courthouse where jurors found her guilty Friday of lying in a stock trading case.
It won't last long-- probably about ten minutes...it's designed to explain to Stewart what's ahead for her in the coming months. She'll give profile information and answer some basic questions. Probation officials later write a report for the judge handling the sentence.
She will be sentenced on June 17th....and is expected to get up to 16 months in prison.

(SOT Dennis Kneale/Managing Editor, Forbes Magazine)

"WE HAVE A LIFE DESTROYED BEFORE OUR VERY EYES"
On this Monday morning--this is still a lot of Monday morning quarterbacking going on...did Stewart's lawyers--who only put up a defense for an hour do all they could...are they to blame for the vedict?
"OBVIOUSLY THE BIGGEST PERSON TO BLAME IS MARTHA STEWART HERSELF AND SHE CLEARLY...SHE TOLD A FIB.
At least one juror says Stewart may have helped herself had she taken the stand--he wanted to hear her say something.

(SOT AMOS MELLENGER/JUROR)

"I GUESS IN THE IDEAL WORLD EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SHOW THAT SHE WASN'T GUILTY.
STANDUP: DREW LEVINSON) AND STEWART HAS MORE ON HER PLATE TODAY THAN JUST A VISIT WITH PROBATION OFFICERS. SHE IS EXPCTED TO RESIGN FROM THE BILLION DOLLAR EMPIRE SHE CREATED.
Marth Stewart once said she and her company were one in the same.

(SOT MARTHA ON 60 MINUTES)
MARTHA STEWART THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BECOME MARTHA STEWART THE BRAND
And Martha Stewart the individual has also become Martha Stewart the convicted felon. Drew Levinson, CBS News, New York. )

[Hubbell-Lighting]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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[ENG#=4]

Hubbell Lighting's contract with its union workers expired last night at midnight. The union voted yesterday NOT to accept the company's proposed contract, but as Jennifer Wishon reports, employees will continue to work without one.
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[IN Q=All 230 members of]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brenda Hurd/Hubbell Lighting Employee; :13 ]
[SUPER=01-Jason Langford/Hubbell Lighting Employee; :40 ]
[SUPER=@Jennifer2; :55 ]
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[OUT Q=JW, News 7, Christiansburg]

((All 230 members of IUE-CWA Local 160 showed at Christiansburg Middle School Sunday to discuss the conditions of Hubbell Lighting's proposed contract.
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[SOT 9:15]
[IN Q=It's a non contract]
((BRENDA HURD))
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[OUT Q=all these years]
Employees say the sticking points included no caps on their insurance premiums, no raises and no pension increases for the next four years. The union overwhelmingly voted the contract down, but will return to work as scheduled.
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[SOT 7:58]
[IN Q=We're hoping to get]
((JASON LANGFORD: WE'RE HOPING TO GET BACK TO WORK AS NORMAL AND THEY'LL WORK THINGS OUT AND WE'LL HAVE A BETTER CONTRACT AND THEY'LL HAVE A MORE DEDICATED WORKFORCE.))
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[OUT Q=more dedicated workforce]
Hubbell Lighting manufactures outside, sport and industrial lighting and employees more than 300 people in the New River Valley. Union president Jim Waddell says he hopes to sit down with the company soon and work out an agreement both sides can live with. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Christiansburg.))
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[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next, some weight loss plans want you to eliminate dairy from your diet.
But we'll hear from a dairy spokeswoman who says that's not the best way to go.
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[VO-NAT ]
Then coming up later, a college basketball coach from our region says he will NOT finish his contract.
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[Dairy-Council]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly on BAM]
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[ENG#=None]

When you think of a diet plan, you probably don't immediate think about milk or cheese--
But research shows that a high- calcium diet can make you burn fat more quickly, even while you're asleep.
The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association is trying to get the word out about dairy's role in maintaining a healthy weight.
And here today to talk more about it is nutritionist Janet Grubbs.
Good afternoon, Janet.

(Tell us about the "big loser" campaign..despite the negative connotations...this is something that's good for folks to
do...)

[SUPER=01-Janet Grubbs/Nutritionist;]

(What is the first step to getting on the path to losing weight?)

(What advice do you have for people who can't drink milk, but still want to benefit from this weight loss program?)

(You also have some recipe ideas on your web site....are these fairly simple?)

[ANCHOR=KIMBERLY]

Thanks for talking with us today, Janet.

[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [3/8/2004] [TWO SHOT]

[WEATHERNET/FULL] CURRENTS TIMELAPSE
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[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
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On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 23 points. The NASDAQ has lost two.
[super=460-x/23/y/2;]

[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Next on the newscast, it's a safe bet NASCAR's reigning champion had fun yesterday in Las Vegas.
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[VO-NAT ]

Also we'll see if the Cavaliers can head into the A-C-C tournament on an "UP" note.
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[S-Sherman]

[ANCHOR=KIM]
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[ENG#=1]

Bassett native Sherman Dillard just completed his 7th season as Head Basketball Coach at James Madison University.

But he won't be around at his alma mater for an 8th season.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Harrisonburg; :00]

Yesterday Dillard resigned, with one year left on his contract.
The Dukes won just 46 percent of their games under the 48 year old coach.
JMU was just 7 and 21 this season, including a 3 and 15 mark in the CAA.
The school has had just 8 losing seasons in its history.
Five of those were under Dillard's watch.
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[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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[ENG#=2]

The Virginia Cavaliers will be the 8th seed in the ACC Tournament, taking on Clemson Thursday night.
UVA had a chance to finish as high as 6th with a win at Maryland, but were outscored by 18 in the second half by the Terrpins.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-College Park, MD/Comcast Sports Net; :00]

We head to College Park, where Pete Gillen's team played well for about 35 minutes.
J-R Reynolds gave Virginia a 7 point lead headed to the half by knocking down a 3 point shot at the buzzer.
Reynolds and the Wahoos led by as many as 11 in the opening minutes of the second half.
But the Terps got a career high 20 points from Chris McCray including 2 points off the turnover.
[SUPER=33-Virginia/61/Maryland/70/;]
Maryland won it 70 to 61.
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[S-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
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[GRAPHIC=Nextel Cup]

[ENG#=4]

Last season points champion Matt Kenseth won just a single race, at Las Vegas.
He's already doubled that this season, thanks to yesterday's victory at the same track in the Daimler Chrysler 400.

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Las Vegas, NV/Fox Sports;]

Pit road was a dangerous place to be, as Kevin Lepage clips the car of Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson had a fast car leading in the early going, but that didn't help.
A little later, Ryan Newman does a spin into the wall.
Newman would finish way back in the field.
Dale Earnhardt Junior, the points leader coming in, struggled with handling most of the race, eventually taking his car behind the wall.
His teammate Michael Waltrip would join him there soon after.
Waltrip got a nudge from Bill Elliott, and backed the 15 machine into the wall and was done for the day.
In the end, Kenseth won for the second straight race.
Finishing second for the second consecutive event was rookie Kasey Kahne (Kane).
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[S-Golf]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
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[TAPE#=SP-165 TC11825]
[GRAPHIC=PGA Tour]

[ENG#=1]

Craig Parry won the Ford Invitational at Doral with an improbable eagle on the first hole of a sudden death playoff against Scott Verplank.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Miami, FL/NBC Sports; :00]

Parry took a crack at it with a 6-iron from 176 yards away.
It bounces in front of the green and rolls right in the cup.
The 38 year old Australian said he didn't see the ball go in, but he could tell by the crowd's reaction.
The 18th is the Blue Monster's signature hole, and also the toughest on the PGA Tour.
Parry's 2nd career tour win earned him 900 thousand dollars.
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