WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/10/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
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Coming up on News 7-
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[VO-NAT]

When someone hits a guardrail or stop sign? Who pays? We'll find out.
Ford is recalling over one million vehicles. Which ones and why coming up.
Plus no more blaming the burger and fries in court for making you fat.
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[Talent=Jean]

And one city leader is honored by a national magazine.
News 7 is next.

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[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[ENG#=2]
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[VO-NAT]

If you knock down things like guardrails or stop signs then be prepared to pay up.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 9:40:03]
[IN Q=It can range]
((DANA LONG/BILLING AND COLLECTIONS MANAGER: IT CAN RANGE ANYWHERE FROM TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A STOP SIGN UP TO TWENTY THOUSAND PER INVOICE.))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=twenty thousand per invoice]
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[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[Reimbursement]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-11 TC10:19]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 11]

You know the saying, you break it you pay for it.
But how much is that true if you damage public property? [***NEWS 7 @ 11 IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Justin McLeod did some digging and joins us now with an answer. So Justin what did you find?
Jean, you might assume the taxpayer foots the bill but that isn't always the case.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@justin1]

If you cause the damage, state and local government will then come after you to recover those costs.
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Laura Bullock/Virginia Dept. of Transportation; :38]
[SUPER=01-Chris Thomsen/Virginia Dept. of Forestry; 1:06]
[SUPER=01-Dana Long/Roanoke's Billings & Collections Manager; 1:38]
[RUNS=1:46]
[OUT Q=REPAIR AND REPLACE THAT ITEM]
((((NAT SOUND OF TRAFFIC DRIVING BY))
When you drive along Interstate 81, you often see damaged guardrails.
You may have wondered who pays for its repair.
[SOT 10:59:28]
[IN Q=If someone hits]
((LAURA BULLOCK/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: IF SOMEONE HITS A GUARDRAIL THEN ULTIMATELY THEY ARE GOING TO GET THE BILL.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=to get the bill]

And V-Dot has quite a success rate for reimbursement. [GRAPHIC 1]
Last year for example, there were 24 accidents involving guardrails on I-81 in Botetourt County.
The state billed for all of them and 16 have been paid.
Two were simply written off and another six have been sent to the Attorney General's office for collection. [GRAPHIC 2]
Total Damage?
Nearly 21-thousand dollars.
Total Recovered?
More than 18-thousand dollars.
[SOT 11:00:11]
[IN Q=If it's damaged]
((LAURA BULLOCK/VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: IF IT'S DAMAGED IT ISN'T FAIR TO ASK THE TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=TO PAY FOR IT AGAIN]

The Department of Forestry feels the same way about forest fires.
State law requires them to recover the cost of putting out the fire. [GRAPHIC 3]
In 2003, there were 49 forest fires in the Salem region.
24 were found to have a responsible party and so far 22 have paid. [GRAPHIC 4]
Total Cost?
55-thousand dollars.
Total recovered?
26,000 thousand dollars.
[SOT 11:20:40]
[IN Q=Number one cause]
((CHRIS THOMSEN/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: NUMBER ONE CAUSE IS DEBRIS BURNING AND IT'S PRETTY EASY TO FIND WHO WAS BURNING TRASH OR YARD DEBRIS IN THEIR BACKYARD AND ONCE WE DO THAT WE GO AFTER COSTS OF THAT PERSON.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=costs of that person]
((QUICK NAT SOUND OF ADDING MACHINES))
It is much of the same at the local level.
The City of Roanoke for example seeks reimbursement everytime a motorist damages a street sign, a fire hydrant, or a curb. [GRAPHIC 5]
Last year, there were six such incidents.
Three have been paid, two are active, and one is delinquent. [GRAPHIC 6]
Total owed?
More than 55-thousand dollars.
Total Recovered?
A little over 52-thousand dollars.
[SOT 9:38:56]
[IN Q=We bill and collect]
((DANA LONG/ROANOKE'S BILLINGS AND COLLECTIONS MANAGER: WE BILL AND COLLECT FOR 100-PERCENT OF THE COST, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE MATERIALS, LABOR, AND PARTS EVERYTHING IT WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THAT ITEM.)) [Runs08]
[OUT Q=REPLACE THAT ITEM]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]

Some other things to look out for, Roanoke County recovers costs from arson fires and sees about a 45-percent success rate.
The county even seeks reimbursement from people who buy drugs or cause drunk driving accidents.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM]

Jean, it is important to point out that insurance often pays for the damage caused by motorists.

[Clower-bill]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
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Lawmakers today rejected an effort to give public officials who steal from the taxpayers longer jail terms.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Monday]

The legislation was inspired by the case of former Henry County official, Sid Clower.
The bill would require one year of jail time for every 50-thousand dollars stolen from the public.
Clower spent fourteen months behind bars for embezzling 850-thousand dollars.
But under this legislation, he would have been received a sentence of 17 years in jail.
Opponents of the measure argued that penalty is too harsh.
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

But Henry County Delegate Ward Armstrong says it is justified.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 14:17:46]
[IN Q=IT ALWAYS WRONG TO STEAL]
((DELEGATE WARD ARMSTRONG/D-MARTINSVILLE: IT'S ALWAYS WRONG TO STEAL BUT I THINK ITS MORE WRONG TO VIOLATE THE PUBLIC TRUST AND STEAL FROM ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS.))
[SUPER=@Armstrong]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=STEAL FROM ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS.]
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[VO-NAT]

Clower recently pleaded guilty to federal charges of mail fraud and filing false income tax returns.
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[WX1] [11:00pm]

[MCU] Standing Position #2

[WXPRO/FULL]WEATHER MAP
[Toss back to anchor]

[Burcham]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC03:17]
[GRAPHIC=Darlene Burcham]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham has come under fire in the star city, but a national magazine has named her one of its top 25 "Doers, Dreamers and Drivers."
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[VO-NAT]

Burcham joins New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Los Angeles Police chief William Bratton and Virginia Governor Mark Warner on the list created by Government Technology Magazine.
The magazine says Burcham "played a key role in making Roanoke one of the nation's most tech-savvy cities."
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[School-Board]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC47:34]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Roanoke School Board member Ruth Willson says she won't seek reappointment.
But ten others, including City Council member Linda Wyatt, say they will pursue a school board seat.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Wyatt failed to win the Democratic nomination for council in the recent firehouse primary, but the retired school teacher has filed an application for the school board.
City council will fill two vacancies before May 15th.
Others who met today's deadline include Dennis Binns, Chris Craft, Robert Craig, David Dabay, Roddy Hiduskey, Glenda Lee, incumbent Alvin Nash, the Reverend Samuel Robinson, and Linda Wright.
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[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Willson says she has accomplished many of her goals during two terms on the school board. Now she says she's looking forward to pursuing other interests.

[Women-fertility]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
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[ENG#=1]

A new discovery could re-write medical books and lead to new treatments for infertility and menopause.
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[VO-NAT]

Scientists studying the female ovaries of mice have found they produce egg cells well into adulthood.
If the finding holds true for humans it flies in the face of the old doctrine- that a woman does not produce eggs but is born with a certain amount.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((DR. JONATHAN TILLY/MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL: TO BE ABLE TO OFFER WOMEN A FEW EXTRA YEARS OF FERTILE LIFE SPAN WE THINK THAT'S A VERY REALISTIC GOAL.))
[SUPER=01-Dr. Jonathan Tilly/Massachusetts General Hospital;]
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=VERY REALISTIC GOAL.]
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[VO-NAT]

Scientists say that by taking the cells out of the ovaries early in a woman's life, they can be replaced later regenerating the ovaries and leading to all kinds of treatments from menopause to infertility.
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[Fast-FoodSuits]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
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People filing lawsuits against food restaurants for being fat may soon be a thing of the past.
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[VO-NAT 11.5]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

The House is considering a bill that would ban such lawsuits.
This after several people have blamed fast food chains for making them obese and have taken their cases to court.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 41]
((REP. RIC KELLER/R-FLORIDA: WE'VE GOT TO GET BACK TO THOSE OLD FASHIONED PRINCIPLES OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF COMMON SENSE--AND GET AWAY FROM THIS NEW CULTURE WHERE EVERYBODY PLAYS THE VICTIM AND BLAMES OTHER PEOPLE FOR THEIR PROBLEMS.))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Rick Keller/(R) Florida;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=for their problems.]
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[VO-NAT 12 plus pad]

But others praise the lawsuits saying they've forced fast food restaurants to offer healthier choices.
One high profile case has been dismissed. Of the handful of other cases, none has been successful.
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[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

Over a million cars are being recalled tonight.
The details when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And it's Spring Break for many colleges and that means drinking for many students.
How schools are trying to stop trouble before it starts next.
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[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
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[ENG#=3]
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7."]
(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 Sports Office as the Cavs work out tonight at the Greensboro Coliseum. The Hokies give the Garden a workout and advance to meet Pitt. The Dazzle loses one to Kris Lang and the Altitude. And Steve Mason has Hometown Hoops Weekly - tonight on the Big 7.))
[Spring-Break]

(MINI OPEN)

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

It's almost that time of year when college kids go on spring break.
It's nothing new that many college students drink excessively not just on spring break, but back on campus too.
Now as Julie Vallese reports, some universities are starting to take action-
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-David Roselle/Univ. of Delaware President; :13 QUICK!!]
[SUPER=01-William DeJong/Center for College Health & Safety; :26]
[SUPER=01-Julie Vallese/Reporting; :51]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=I'm Julie Vallese.]
((AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, ALCOHOL HAS BEEN BANNED AT ALL CAMPUS SOCIAL EVENTS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE MAKES SURE PARENTS ARE TOLD WHEN STUDENTS BREAK CAMPUS RULES. David Roselle/University of Delaware President: Parents have leverage that colleges do not have. HE SAYS AT THE TIME HE INSTITUTED THE POLICY IT WAS ILLEGAL, BUT FIGURED SO WAS UNDERAGE DRINKING AND, CONSIDERING THE STATISTICS, IT WAS WORTH THE RISK. William DeJong/Center for College Health and Safety: Students are living with the three V's of campus life violence, vandalism and vomit. APPROXIMATELY 14-HUNDRED COLLEGE STUDENTS DIE IN ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS -- SOME ON SPRING BREAK, OTHERS ON CAMPUS. ANOTHER HALF MILLION ARE INJURED. MORE THAN 70,000 FALL VICTIM TO SEXUAL ASSAULT. A majority of students will support a range of stricter policies and tougher enforcement measures. Julie Vallese/Reporting: AND THAT'S NOT JUST WISHFUL THINKING. A NEW SURVEY OF STUDENTS AT 300 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE SAY THEY SUPPORT STRICTER RULES AND HARSHER PUNISHMENTS FOR BREAKING ALCOHOL LAWS. Stricter disciplinary sanctions for alcohol-related violence was supported by 90 percent of students nationwide. Stricter sanctions for repeatedly violating campus alcohol policies? Approximately 73 percent were in favor. STATISTICALLY, OVERALL, ALCOHOLISM ISN'T ON THE RISE. BUT THE CHANGES IN WHO'S DRINKING HAS CHANGED THE FOCUS AND FOR NOW, THE INSTITUTES OF HEALTH AND THE INDUSTRY HAVE SIGHTS SET ON STUDENTS. IN WASHINGTON, I'M JULIE VALLESE .))

[Malvo]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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[GRAPHIC=Lee Malvo]
[ENG#=2]

Yesterday, John Allan Muhammed was senteced to death for the Washington area sniper shootings. Today, his accomplice got a lighter sentence.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chesapeake;]
At 17-years old, Lee Malvo was old enough to kill, but today at 19, a judge followed the jury's recommendation to spare his life.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=if you ask should Malvo deserve;]
((WILLIAM CHAMBLISS GWU SOCIOLOGY PROF.; IF YOU ASK, "SHOULD MALVO DESERVE THE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE HE'S BEHIND MANY OF THE KILLINGS AND MURDERS?" A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY "NO, BECAUSE HE'S A JUVENILE."))
[SUPER=01-William Chambliss/GWU Sociology Professor;]
[RUNS=:12;]
[OUT Q=no because he's a juvenile;]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Malvo was given a mandatory sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole.
(------------)

[Ford-Recall]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=cdo]
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[GRAPHIC=REcall]
[ENG#=3]

The Ford Motor Company is recalling over one million Ford and Mercury vehicles.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]
Ford Taurus model years 2000 through 2003 are being recalled because of a faulty brake light. Mercury Sable sedans are also being recalled, because of air filters that could smolder or catch fire.
Ford says the supplier put the wrong chemical on the filter papers, making them a possible fire hazard. The Sable recall only affects the 2003 model. Ford is the nation's second largest automaker.
(------------)

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

The ACC tournament gets underway tomorrow.
Mike Stevens has more on UVA's preparations ahead in sports.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus see how one town's pulling for two basketball teams vying for a state title.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Animal-Control]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC1:40:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
Another officer will help Botetourt County take a "bite" out of its animal control problem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.]
That's the word from Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle, who has asked for another officer in his current budget. Right now, the department has two officers in its animal control division, but these officers have to cover nearly 550-square miles, which makes their job tough.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@3:00:23]
[IN Q=AVERAGES ANYWHERE...]
((SGT. DAVID HORTON, BOTETOURT ANIMAL CONTROL: AVERAGES ANYWHERE FROM 10-12 CALLS A DAY, THAT'S ON ONE SHIFT, AT NIGHT, IT AVERAGES A LITTLE SLOWER HERE AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. SUMMERTIME PICKS UP 'CAUSE PEOPLE ARE OUT..))
[SUPER=01-Sgt. David Horton/Botetourt Co. Animal Control]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q= .. PEOPLE ARE OUT..]
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[VO-NAT]
The county administrator and the budget committee *are* recommending Sprinkle's budget for approval. A final budget decision is expected at the end of April.
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[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA & SP-162 13502TC]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=V10]
We'll head to Greensboro for tonight's ACC practices. Travis Wells has that story. Steve Mason has the final Hometown Hoops Weekly of the season. And the Hokies beat Rutgers. But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
Liberty's Katie Feenstra was named a finalist for the Kodak all-America team today. The 6-8 center - who is the Big South player of the year leads LU against Radford tomorrow night in the semi-finals. The 30th annual Kodak team will be announced on April 3rd.
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[go to scores] [GO TO SCORES]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Virginia Tech/61//Rutgers/58//Big East Men's First Round/j/Boston College/68//Georgetown/57//Big East Men
's First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Notre Dame/65//West Virginia/64//Big East Men's First Round/j/Villanova/61//Seton Hall/60//Big East Men's
First Round/;]
[SUPER=x5012;]
[SUPER=0095-j/Ferrum/8//Bridgewater/4//Baseball//Virginia Tech/6/j/UNC Wilmington/9//Baseball/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0095-j/Liberty/13//North Carolina A&T/4//Baseball/j/E.T.S.U./5//Radford/2//Baseball/;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0095-j/Piedmont/10//Washington & Lee/3//Baseball/j/Roanoke/13//Lake Erie/5//Baseball/;]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
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[S-Cavs]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-167]
[GRAPHIC=ACC MEN'S TOURNEY]
[ENG#=1]
The men's ACC tournament opens tomorrow night. This evening Clemson and UVa gave the Greensboro Coliseum a workout - and Travis Wells was there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=@travis1; :00]
[SUPER=01-Oliver Purnell/Clemson Head Coach; :15]
[SUPER=01-Vernon Hamilton/Clemson Guard; :44]
[SUPER=01-J. R. Reynolds/UVa All-Freshman Team Guard; :54]
[SUPER=01-T. J. Bannister/Virginia Freshman Guard; 1:00]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."]
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[S-Hokies]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-169 2715TC]
[GRAPHIC=BIG EAST]
[ENG#=2]
The Tech men made the most of their first Big East tournament appearance today as the Hokies took on Rutgers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY/ESPN; :00]
Bryant Matthews was sick today, he only scored 10 points. That meant reserves like Bryan Randall needed to contribute. Despite that 3 ball the Hokies still trailed at halftime by 8 points. But Zabian Dowdell helped get the Hokies back within a bucket early in the second half. Then watch this passing - Dowdell to Matthews to Tunstall product Allen Calloway for the flush. The Hokies take the lead just before the 14 minute mark. Jamon Gordon also keyed the win defensively. Watch him get one of his game high 5 steals and finish it with a one handed slam. The Hokies still had to hold their collective breath in the final seconds and hope that this three pointer at the buzzer didn't send it to overtime.
[super=33-Virginia Tech/61/Rutgers/58;]
The Hokies win it 61-to-58 and they will now play Pittsburgh tomorrow in the quarterfinals at Noon.
(-------------)

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-171 1328TC]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]
[ENG#=3]
The Roanoke Dazzle hosted Asheville tonight at the Civic Center in a battle of the number two and three teams in the league.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Asheville vs. Dazzle; :00]
Kent Davison came into the game with his team just a game out of first place. Davison likes to feed the post and work his big men and Mike King and Geoff Owens work the pick and roll to perfection as Owens gets the two handed slam. Later in the opening half, the Mike King finds Josh Asselin on the other side, and watch the baseline spin by Asselin as he wheels his way to the hoop for two more. Asheville's Lavor Postell then counters with a perfect bounce pass to a slicing former Tarheel Kris Lang - who gets 2 of his 29 points. But the Dazzle was too tough on the boards.
[SUPER=33-Asheville/116/Roanoke/113;]
Kevin Owens gets the tip but Asheville gets the 116 to 113 win. Roanoke hosts Huntsville Friday and Saturday nights.
(------------)

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-172 12:23]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]
[ENG#=4]
Four days of final four action for area high school basketball teams begin tomorrow in Richmond
Both Radford girls and boys teams open the Group A state tournament tomorrow. It's the first time both have made the tourney together. Steve Mason has more in Hometown Hoops Weekly.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Radford; :00]
[SUPER=01-Trey Mitchell/Radford Senior Guard; :14(QUICK!!!)]
[SUPER=01-Meg Khandan-barani/Radford Point Guard; :18(QUICK!!)]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/March, 2002 3A State Championship; :31]
[SUPER=01-Darris Nichols/Radford Senior Guard; :41]
[SUPER=01-Rick Cormany/Radford Boy's Head Coach; 1:05]
[SUPER=01-Terrell Dobbins/Radford Forward; 1:11]
[SUPER=01-Ashley Hayes/Radford Forward; 1:33]
[SUPER=01-Larry Mannon/Radford Girl's Head Coach; 1:43]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:51]
[RUNS=2:08]
[OUT Q=..hometown hoops weekly"]
(---------------)
((The banners tell a story of success but the boys have not experienced a title in 55 years. It has been over a decade since the girls last state title. Both teams are sharpening each other for tournament play with some friendly competition. ((:)) ((:))
Darris Nichols situation is much like J.J. Redick's. A great talent but can he lead his team to a state title? Redick finally did it his senior year. Nichols, the region player of the year and a favorite for state player of the year, won't let his worth be determined by whether or not his team wins a state crown. ((:))
The Bobcats are on an 18 game win streak after a 5 and 4 start and five seniors that either start or play have been key for a team that learned a great deal from a state championship runner up season last year. ((:))
Larry Mannon was 8 and 15 last year and is 23 and 5 this season. He continues his rebuilding project from a 2002 team that had 8 seniors and went to the state championship with a three junior/two sophomore starting lien up.)) ((:)) ((:))
((STEVE MASON:THE BOBCATS AND THE ALTAVISTA COLONELS MAKE UP JUST FOUR OF THE NINE HOMETOWN HOOPS WEEKLY TEAMS PLAYING IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT. A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SALEM SPARTANS, THE HERITAGE PIONEERS, THE LADY WARRIORS OF MAGNA VISTA, THE NORTHSIDE LADY VIKINGS AND THE GLENVAR LADY HIGHLANDERS. STEVE MASON HOMETOWN HOOPS WEEKLY.))
[TOSS TO BREAK]

[Altavista]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:21:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

The small town of Altavista is normally pretty quiet at night.. tomorrow it may look more like a ghost town.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Altavista]

A large number of residents are expected to head to Richmond to cheer on the Colonels boys and girls basketball teams.
Each is playing in a semi-final game in hopes of nabbing a Single A hoops title.
Officials say the teams' success has generated a lot of excitement both in school and around town.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:48:38]
[IN Q=Kids have put]
((CLAY STANLEY/ALTAVISTA HS PRINCIPAL: KIDS HAVE PUT SIGNS ALL OVER THE BUILDING SAYING GOOD LUCK TO OUR TEAMS, YOU KNOW WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS, THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN RECEIVING LETTERS FROM THE COMMUNITY THANKING THEM FOR THE GOOD WILL THAT THEIR SUCCESS HAS CREATED, AND IT'S JUST BEEN.. IT'S A LOT OF FUN.))
[SUPER=01-Clay Stanley/Altavista H. S. Principal]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=a lot of fun.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Stanley says they've already filled one charter bus for fans to make the trip tomorrow.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean on 3-Shot]
As Mike said earlier Radford High School is also sending two teams to the Final Four this year.