WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/15/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Fire at a Lynchburg mobile home tonight-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A suspect is named in the Ohio highway shootings.
One person is dead.. police look for a suspect in Halifax.
And going anywhere goes up in price as gas hits a record high.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And high temperatures NOT in the forecast for tomorrow.
News 7 at Eleven is next.

[Video-Open]

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

[ENG#=2]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One school system considers a new extra curricular activities policy that's drawing both praise and criticism.
(------------)
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:51:39]
[IN Q=Students don't shed]
((LARRY MORGAN/OPPOSES IT: STUDENTS DON'T SHED THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT WHEN THEY WALK THROUGH THE SCHOOL HOUSE DOOR.))
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=school house door]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR =Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[County-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:27:25]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 11]

It is controversial every time it is brought up and Roanoke County is no different.
The school system is considering random drug testing. [***DRUG TESTING IN MONITOR***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Justin McLeod attended a public forum tonight on the issue. Justin, what are people saying?
Jean, some are for it, the majority however seem to be against it.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@justin1]

But whether you love or hate it, surveys indicate some teens in Roanoke County are using drugs.
At issue now is whether it's the parent's or school system's responsibility to fix the problem.
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Huddleston/Opposes Random Drug Testing; :12 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Sarah-Tyler Moore/Hidden Valley H. S. Senior; :30 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Larry Morgan/Opposes Random Drug Testing; :44 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Glorietta Bullock/Hidden Valley H. S. Senior; :56]
[SUPER=01-Linda Nader/Parent; 1:13]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=GOING TO BE TESTED FOR THAT?]
((((NAT SOUND OF MEETING))
More than a hundred people came out to Hidden Valley High School for a public forum on random drug testing.
There were plenty of questions and concerns.
[SOT 15:52:02]
[IN Q=It seems to me]
((DAVID HUDDLESTON/OPPOSES RANDOM DRUG TESTING: IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S IT'S A CLEAR INVASION OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS]

The U.S Supreme Court says differently.
In 2002, the high court ruled to allow random drug tests for all middle and high school students participating in extracurricular activities, not just athletes.
[SOT 15:47:53]
[IN Q=I am opposed to illegal]
((SARAH-TYLER MOORE/HIDDEN VALLEY SENIOR: I AM OPPOSED TO ILLEGAL DRUGS AND I WOULDN'T USE THEM BUT I DO NOT FEEL IT IS RIGHT FOR SOMEONE TO TEST ME FOR THAT.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=ME FOR THAT]

Opponents also say the tests would be too costly and wonder whether they are accurate.
Some even question whether random drug tests deter teens from using illegal substances.
[SOT 15:50:24]
[IN Q=One study that I]
((LARRY MORGAN/OPPOSES RANDOM DRUG TESTING: ONE STUDY THAT I, SCIENTIFIC STUDY THAT I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN SAYS IT DOESN'T WORK.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=IT DOESN'T WORK]

But supporters also point to studies showing it does work.
They believe it will make students think twice about using drugs.
[SOT 15:48:27]
[IN Q=How are you going ]
((GLORIETTA BULLOCK/HIDDEN VALLEY SENIOR: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PUT THEM OUT IN THE PUBLIC AND EXPECT THEM TO ACT RIGHT? SO I BELIEVE YOU SHOULD HAVE DRUG TESTING IF THEY ARE GOING TO REPRESENT THE SCHOOL.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=represent the school]

But some are holding off and want more information before deciding.
They have questions about how the testing will be administered and which drugs will be tested for.
[SOT 15:40:45]
[IN Q=You got sports heroes]
((LINDA NADER/PARENT: YOU GOT SPORTS FIGURES THAT ARE BEING CHARGED WITH TAKING ANABOLIC STEROIDS. ARE OUR KIDS GOING TO BE TESTED FOR THAT?)) [Runs11]
[OUT Q=TESTED FOR THAT?]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]

The public will have more opportunities to give their opinions about this issue.
(XXXXXXX)
[TAKE FORUMS PINNACLE FS]
Several additional forums will be held over the next two weeks. As you can see they are all over the county and each begins at seven o'clock.
(-------------)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Justin /BAM;]

Jean, it is important to point out this in the early stages and the school board hasn't decided whether it will even vote to implement this or not.

[City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC1:09:11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

City officials must still crunch the numbers, but Roanoke City Council appears ready to support a 47 million dollar replacement for Patrick Henry High School.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

As the cost of the new high school climbed by nine million dollars, council members were reluctant to earmark more money for the project.
But school board members have confirmed they will finance the added debt without asking council to increase its contribution.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's taking longer than]
((IT'S TAKING LONGER THAN SOME OF US WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN, BUT I THINK WHEN WE GET FINISHED WE'LL BE VERY GLAD WE'RE MAKING THE INVESTMENT WE ARE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND OUR CITY.))
[SUPER=01-Bill Bestpitch/Roanoke City Council;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=our young people and our city.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

City Council must authorize the additional debt for the plan to move forward.
City manager Darlene Burcham says it will take a couple of weeks to analyze the latest financing plan.
(------------)

[L'burg-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC1:35:49]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]
[ENG#=2]

Firefighters are still on the scene of a blaze that gutted a mobile home in Lynchburg tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Several motorists on Route 460 spotted the flames coming from a home in the Lynchburg Trailer Court on Old Courthouse Turnpike.
The building was engulfed in fire when the first crews arrived just after ten.
They had it under control in about twenty minutes.
A primary search of the home indicated "no" one was inside.
The cause will be under investigation.
(------------)

[WX1 NEXT]

[McCoy]

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

Ohio authorities now have a suspect in a series of two-dozen highway shootings... and they're asking for help finding the man.
Chris Lawrence has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Steve Martin/Franklin Co., OH Chief Deputy; :12]
[SUPER=@Lawrence2; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:09]
[OUT Q=CHRIS LAWRENCE, CBS NEWS.]
((AUTHORITIES SAY THEY BELIEVE THIS IS THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN TERRORIZING DRIVERS IN CENTRAL OHIO. HE'S 28-YEAR OLD CHARLES A. MCCOY ... AND POLICE WARN HE'S ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
(SOT: STEVE MARTIN/CHIEF DEPUTY, FRANKLIN COUNTY) -
"That is the key issue right now -- to locate this guy." MCCOY HAS BEEN LINKED TO 24 HIGHWAY SHOOTINGS IN AND AROUND COLUMBUS SINCE LAST MAY. THE TARGETS -- VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS. BACK IN NOVEMBER, ONE OF THOSE BULLETS STRUCK AND KILLED A 62-YEAR OLD WOMAN. INVESTIGATORS WOULD NOT SAY WHAT EVIDENCE CONNECTS MCCOY TO THE CRIMES -- BUT THEY'RE CONCERNED HE'LL STRIKE AGAIN.
(SOT: MARTIN)
"Cause we believe he bought another gun." LAB TESTS SHOWED THAT BULLETS FROM NINE OF THE 24 SHOOTINGS WERE FIRED FROM THE SAME THE GUN. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT HAPPENED ON VALENTINE'S DAY -- AND JUST LIKE TWO PREVIOUS SHOOTINGS -- WITNESSES DESCRIBED SEEING SOMEONE AIMING AT THEM WHILE STANDING NEXT TO A CAR. BOTH MCCOY AND HIS CAR FIT THE DESCRIPTIONS. MCCOY IS 5-FEET 8-INCHES TALL, 185-POUNDS WITH BROWN HAIR AND GREEN EYES. HE DRIVES A FOUR-DOOR, DARK GREEN GEO METRO WITH A BLACK HOOD. AND RIGHT NOW, THE POLICE ARE URGING THE PUBLIC TO BE ALERT. CHRIS LAWRENCE, CBS NEWS.))

[Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-51 TC1:46:28]
[GRAPHIC=Shooting]
[ENG#=2]

Still no word from deputies about the suspect in a Halifax County shooting that left one person dead and another wounded.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.]

Authorities were called to this mobile home on Country Lane near Clover around seven this morning.
One victim was pronounced dead at the scene.. another was transferred to Lynchburg General Hospital.
Investigators have "not" released the names of those involved.
Local law enforcement agencies were asked to be on the lookout for a gray Oldsmobile whose driver may have information about the crime.
(------------)

[XGR-budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC52:25]
[GRAPHIC=VA Budget]
[ENG#=3]

The state Senate has made a counter-offer to the House'e compromise budget.
The proposal delivered tonight contains about 300 million dollars in reductions, including slight cutbacks in its public education and higher education funding.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Earlier in the day, House conferees offered a proposal they said would help break the log-jam.
Their offer includes 625 million dollars in additional spending but does NOT include an increase in the sales or income tax.
The House's chief budget negotiator says everything in the proposal is negotiable EXCEPT general tax increases.
After studying the compromise, Senate conferees said the numbers are too vague.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 01:55:34]
[IN Q=IN CERTAIN AREAS THEY DID MOVE]
((SENATOR JOHN CHICHESTER/R-FREDERICKSBURG: IN CERTAIN AREAS THEY DID MOVE TOWARD OUR POSITION. WHAT WE CAN'T IDENTIFY AND I'VE ASKED THE DISTINGUISHED CHAIRMAN OF APPROPRIATIONS TO HAVE THE STAFF ADVISE US WHERE THE MONEY HAS COME FROM.
DELEGATE KIRK COX/R-HOUSE BUDGET CONFEREE: WE'VE SEEN NOTHING FROM THEM I LOVE THE WAY THEY BREAK DOWN OUR PROPOSAL WHEN I'VE SEEN NOTHING FROM THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Chichester/(R) Fredericksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Del. Kirk Cox/(R) Colonial Heights; :13]
[RUNS=:28]
[OUT Q=I'VE SEEN NOTHING FROM THEM.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
House negotiators do NOT expect to have an analysis or counter-offer ready until tomorrow morning.
(------------)

[Craig-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC44:08]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
[ENG#=4]
Indecision in Richmond is forcing communities across the Commonwealth to make some tough decisions.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New Castle]
Craig County's administrator, Larry Moore says he'll recommend no changes from last year's eight-point-eight million dollar budget. Two-million dollars of that money would go to county schools, and administrators say they need that money to recruit and retain teachers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@3:35:24]
[INQ=Our teacher salaries...]
((ROSE MARTIN/CRAIG CO. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT: OUR TEACHER SALARIES ARE SOME OF THE LOWEST IN THE STATE, YET OUR SCORES ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST- THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. WE NEED TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO SHOW OUR TEACHERS WE BELIEVE IN THEM, WE WANT TO ATTRACT AND OBTAIN THE VERY BEST PROFESSIONALS...))
[SUPER=01-Rose Martin/Craig Co. School Superintendent; :03]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUTQ=.. THE VERY BEST PROFESSIONALS...]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Martin says it would cost the county about 100-thousand dollars to bring teacher salaries into a competitive range.
(------------)

[Gas-Prices]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Gas Prices Up]
[ENG#=1]

You're not imagining it. You are likely paying more at the gas pump.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

Gas prices reached a record high today with an average of 1.77 a gallon.
In the last two weeks the average has gone from 1.34 to 1.77- that includes prices nationwide for all grades of gas.

California's prices are still higher than the rest of the nation at about 2.10 a gallon.
Analysts say the latest spike reflects the rise in crude oil prices and an increase in refinery work to prepare for greater spring and summer gasoline demand.
(------------)

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

They often put their lives on the line.
Still ahead, why some area cops are relieved their jobs aren't being put on the line too.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus one National Guard soldier says he'd rather go to jail than go back to Iraq.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

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

[ENG#=2]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7."]
(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 Sports Office as Chris Paul earns ACC rookie of the year honors. The ACC is getting ready for some serious changes and Steve Mason will see what the Commish and others things about that. Plus, the NCAA schedule of games on WDBJ for Thursday and the start times for the women's event at Tech are coming up on the Big 7.))
[War-Protest]

(MINI OPEN)

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Protest]
[ENG#=1]

Anti war protesters took their message to Washington D-C today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC]

As the one year anniversary of the war on Iraq approaches protesters say they want American troops brought home.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 35]
[IN Q=]
((JOHNNY DUKEOVICH/GULF WAR VETERAN: THIS WAR IS BEING FOUGHT IN THE NAME OF THE WAR ON TERRORISM IS COMPLETE POLITICAL PROPAGANDA AND IT'S A DISASTER FOR THE TROOPS. IT'S A WAR WE SHOULD NOT BE IN AND I WANT TO BRING OUT TROOPS HOME.))
[SUPER=01-Johnny Dukeovich/Gulf War Veteran;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=OUR TROOPS HOME.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This was day two of a demonstration that began yesterday in Delaware and ended today in front of the White House.

(------------)

[AWOL]

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

A Florida National Guard soldier who refused to return to Iraq, has turned himself in.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hanscom, MA;]
Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia (may-he-ah) has been AWOL since October 15th. Today he surrendered at the gate to Hanscom Airforce Base.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I did my job there;]
((STAFF SGT. CAMILO MEJIA/FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD I DID MY JOB THERE. I SAW WHAT WAR WAS LIKE AND I DIDN'T LIKE IT, I AM AGAINST IT AND NOW CONTINUING TO FIGHT BUT THIS TIME I'M CHOOSING NO VIOLENCE AND I'M CHOOSING TO FIGHT FOR PEACE.))
[SUPER=01-Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia/Florida National Guard;]
[RUNS=:10;]
[OUT Q=I'm choosing to fight for peace.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Mejia spent six months in Iraq last year. He is seeking conscientious objector status and an administrative discharge from the Army. The Miami man is believed to be the first U-S soldier to publicly refuse to return to Iraq.
(------------)

[Pulaski-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:38:52]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]

Pulaski Police and firefighters are not as worried about their jobs tonight.
A safety committee is recommending the town "not" consolidate services with Pulaski County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]

After studying the idea, town officials found that combining organizations would put a strain on the county and leave citizens in the town with less protection.
The safety committee agreed with the findings, but also voted to keep communications with the county open about combining other services.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:4:48:57:00 ]
[IN Q=There's going]
((GARY ROCHE/PULASKI POLICE CHIEF: THERE'S GOING TO PROBABLY BE A LOOK AT COMBINING COMMUNICATION CENTERS SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. THAT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE FACT THAT BOTH THE COUNTY SYSTEM AND THE TOWN SYSTEM ARE IN NEED OF AN UPGRADE.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Roche/Pulaski Police Chief;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=an upgrade]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The town council still needs to vote on the committee's recommendation "not" to combine departments.
(------------)

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

It used to be worth a buck.
Still ahead on News 7, why one coin's now worth millions of 'em.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus they're doing hard time... and hard work... for charity.
(----------------)

[Commercial]

[Habitat-Inmates]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC51:41]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

For dozens of Roanoke inmates, serving time does not necessarily mean serving time *behind bars*. Certain offenders are allowed to leave jail to give back to the community they've taken advantage of. Shannon Young shows us how.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's rare that life in the slammer...]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Clinton Thompson/Work Supervisor; :14]
[SUPER=01-Jeff Stephenson/Inmate; :31]
[SUPER=@Shannon2; 1:08]
[RUNS=1:19]
[OUT Q=Young, News 7, Roanoke. ]
(([SOT 15:36:18 - 15:36:20 hammering]
[RUNS:02]
It's rare that life in the slammer includes time with a hammer. But for inmates who qualify for Roanoke's Community Services program, construction work comes with the territory.
[SOT 15:41:49 - 15:41:56]
((SGT. CLINTON THOMPSON/WORK SUPERVISOR: THEY DO EVERYTHING, MOWING, TRASH PICK UP YOU NAME AND WE DO IT.)) [RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=and we do it.]
Monday found 2-four man crews sprucing up a house built by Habitat for Humanity. The home had weathered a water leak and needed extensive repairs.
[SOT 15:38:58 - 15:39:03]
((JEFF STEPHENSON/INMATE: AH, IT WAS IN REAL BAD SHAPE, THE FLOOR WAS ROTTED OUT. WE PUT NEW FLOORING IN, IT WAS IN REAL BAD SHAPE.)) [RUNS:05]
[OUT Q=it was in real bad shape.]
They've been at it for more than a week - putting up drywall and rolling out paint - restoring their spirit as well as the space.
[SOT 15:39:33 - 15:39:37]
((STEPHENSON: IT FEELS GOOD, IT FEELS GOOD TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE.)) [RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=to do something positive.]
It's been nearly 7 years since the program first took to the streets. Citizens once wary of having inmates on their block are now seeing the benefits of free labor.
[SOT 15:42:04 - 15:42:10]
((SGT. THOMPSON: MOST OF EM KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PROGRAM. THEY REQUEST THE INMATES WORK IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.)) [RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=in their neighborhoods.]
Thompson says most of the requests are made by non-profit organizations, churches and neighborhood groups and that the crews will work year-round. Meaning plenty of second chances for local law-breakers to measure up. Shannon Young, News 7, Roanoke. ))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The program is by volunteer only. Sex offenders, drug offenders and violent inmates are not eleigible. Thompson says workers can earn credit for their work and have their sentence shortened.

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA POINT]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
The little man with two first names gets an ACC honor. We'll see what's up for ACC hoops in the new Atlantic Coast Conference. Plus, start times are set for the women's regional at Tech, and the men's madness you'll see Thursday here on WDBJ-7.

First tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Las Vegas, NV;:00]
UNLV hired veteran Lon Kruger to lead the Runnin' Rebels basketball program back to national prominence. Kruger accepted a five-year contract today to return to college. He was fired last season by the Atlanta Hawks and most recently was an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES] [go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-/Toledo/72/j/Marquette/87//NIT First Round//George Washington///Virginia///NIT Opener on Wednesday/;]
[SUPER=x5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Phoenix/99//Houston/97////Orlando/34//L.A. Lakers/27/2//;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[SUPER=0103-j/New Jersey/3//N.Y. Rangers/1///j/Atlanta/1//Carolina/0//Final In Overtime/;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(---------------)

[S-NIT]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-169 3224tc]
[GRAPHIC=NIT]
[ENG#=1]
The 40 team NIT opened tonight. The National Invitational Tournament featured Toledo and Marquette in its opening game.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Milwaukee, WI/ESPN; :00]
The tradition-rich Golden Eagles hosted this game on Al McGuire Court in Milwaukee and the smallest man of the floor would rule the night. Marquette's Travis Deiner threw in a game high 21 points on a barrage of jumpers.
[SUPER=33-Marquette/87/Toledo/72;]
Deiner finished with 21 points as the Golden Eagles easily beat the Toledo Rockets 87-to-72.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=NIT]
UVa plays George Washington on Wednesday night in Charlottesville. The game is NOT being televised. Tickets are $8 bucks for adults and $5 for students. Seating is general admission. Less than two thousand were sold today.

[S-Paul]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-162 13929tc]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]
[ENG#=2]

The ACC handed out its rookie of the year award this afternoon and not surprisingly -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Winston-Salem, NC/This Season; :00]
Wake Forest freshman Chris Paul picks up the honor. The six-foot point guard picked up 53 of the 93 votes to easily outdistance Duke's Luol Deng. Paul, who is from Lewisville, just outside of Winston-Salem - was among the ACC leaders in almost every category averaging 14 points and six assists a game. Twice this season he also hit for 30 points. His mature play helped earn him the nickname at Lawrence Joel Coliseum as the Mayor.
(------------)

[S-ACC]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-164 1:36:32]
[GRAPHIC=acc tournament]
[ENG#=3]
The ACC basketball tournament as we have known it since Florida State joined the league in 1991 ended yesterday as Maryland upset Duke if Greensboro.
With expansion almost upon us Steve Mason talks with the commissioner and others about a league and tournament on the move.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-John Swofford/ACC Commissioner; :14]
[SUPER=01-Pete Gillen/UVa Head Basketball Coach; :32]
[SUPER=01-Terry Holland/Coached UVa to 1975 ACC Tour. Title; :46]
[SUPER=01-Herb Sendek/N. C. State Head Coach; 1:07]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:53]
[RUNS=2:02]
[OUT Q=.......News 7 sports"]
(-----------------)

((The ACC will field 11 men's basketball teams next season in the first wave of expansion that will add Boston College in 2005. The days of playing everyone twice are over and each school will play each member once. ((:))
The concern is that rivalries from the loss of home and away series will suffer. ((:)) ((:)) ((:)) The league is once again traveling beyond tobacco road for the ACC basketball tournament with stops in Washington D.C., Florida and Georgia over the next several years Next year the tourney tips off at the MCI.)) ((:)) ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:THE ACC MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT HEADS TO THE MCI CENTER NEXT YEAR AND THEN RETURNS TO THE GREENSBORO COLISEUM IN 2006. THE SITES FOR THE TOURNEY ARE BOOKED THROUGH THE YEAR 2010 STEVE MASON NEWS 7 SPORTS.))

[S-WDBJ]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Men's final four]
All you bracket men and women who are hoping to pick the NCAA champ for 2004 will get a chance to see if some of your picks pan out. This afternoon we were able to get our Thursday broadcast schedule finalized by CBS Sports.
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[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. AFTERNOON] Things get underway on WDBJ-7 Thursday afternoon with the newly crowned ACC tournament champion Maryland Terrapins taking on UTEP. Coverage will begin at 12:10 with the tip-off set for 12:40pm. The second afternoon game on Thursday will pit the Liberty Flames and St. Joes. That one is set to begin at 2:45.
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[GO TO PINNACLE NCAA THUR. NIGHT] And on Thursday night its more ACC related action from the men of Tobacco road- with Duke Blue Devils and Alabama State at 7:10, and the North Carolina Tarheels and Air Force at 9:40pm. And it's all right here on WDBJ-7.
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[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=hold men's final four]
Friday's schedule will not be finalized until tomorrow. But of the teams in action on Friday is in deep trouble tonight Murray State is scheduled to play Illinois, but tonight two of team's top players have been arrested. Juniors Kelvin Brown and Adam Chiles are facing drug charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. They are free on bond, but right now there is no word on whether or not they will be allowed to play.

[S-Tech]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
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The Virginia Tech women are playing host to the first two rounds of women's NCAA madness this coming Sunday at Cassell Coliseum.
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[GO TO WOMEN'S EAST PINNACLE] Earlier today the game times were announced by the NCAA. Both East Regional games will take place on Sunday afternoon with the Hokies and Iowa Hawkeyes tipping things off at Noon. The Hampton and Penn State game will follow around 2:30. The Hokies are hoping that despite a tough draw - they truly will be the queens of their Cassell.
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[SUPER=01-Bonnie Henrickson/VT Women's Head Coach; :00]
[SUPER=01-Carrie Mason/Virginia Tech Point Guard; :16]
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[OUT Q=...a high advantage."]
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[ANCHOR=Mike]
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Tickets are available for the tournament at Cassell Coliseum box office and at "hokie tickets dot com." An Adult ticket book for all three games is $25.50, the same booklet for youth is $10.50.
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[First-Dollar]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
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These days a dollar won't get you too far... unless your dollar is more than 200-years-old and in that case, worth millions.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Colorado Springs, CO;]
Coin experts say they've found a 210-year-old silver dollar that may be the first one ever coined by the United States. The coin features images of Lady Liberty on the front and an eagle on the back. Although there are 130 surviving U-S dollars minted in 1794, experts say this one is in the best condition. The collector that bought the coin last year insured it for ten million dollars. (------------)