[1-News-Heads]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jja]
A Virginia Tech student falls four stories from a dorm room. We'll have a report from campus.
[ENG#=1]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
and some union workers in Southside say they'll walk if a contract isn't reached by midnight.
(------------)
[Sports-Head]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]
March Madness begins from coast to coast - and right here at home as the division three championship is ready to roll in Salem
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
And the Express is closer to finalizing a deal with the Roanoke Civic Center for next season.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]
A mix of clouds and sun over the next few days with a few passing showers as well. Details from the Hometown WeatherNet in just a few moments.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=JEan 3-Shot]
News 7 is next.
[Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[ENG#=3]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT:45:23:00 ]
[IN Q=The primary concern]
((MARK OWCZARSKI::23THE PRIMARY CONCERN RIGHT NOW IS THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE STUDENT WHO IS AT THE HOSPTIAL))
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=at the hospital.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
A Virginia Tech student is in stable condition tonight after falling out a fourth floor dorm window.
Tech Police say alcohol was definitely a factor in the fall.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
Good evening, I'm Jean Jadhon. Keith and Shannon are off tonight.
[Tech-Fall]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-04 TC56:09]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 6]
[ENG#=4]
The 19 year old student fell out of a bathroom window of the West Ambler Johnston Residence Hall. It happened at around 4:00 this morning.
The student is expected to fully recover from his injuries.
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel DePompa tells us what happened.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=No one actually]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Owczarski/VA Tech Spokesperson; :15]
[SUPER=01-Andy Carroll/VA Tech Student; :32]
[SUPER=01-Sam Sawyer/VA Tech Student; :38 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=@Rachel1; :42]
[RUNS=1:31]
[OUT Q=News 7, Blacksburg]
((No one actually saw 19 year old Michael Bury fall from the fourth floor window. Police are still trying to piece together exactly what happened. The only "partial" witness... a female student who decided to go outside and smoke a cigarette.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:45:09:00 ]
[IN Q=A student]
((MARK OWCZARSKI: A STUDENT WAS PASSING BY AT ABOUT 4:00 THIS MORNING AND FOUND HIM ON THE GROUND UNCONSCIOUS AND CALLED VA TECH POLICE. ))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=]
Bury is expected to recover from his injuries. Police say alcohol was definitely a factor in the fall.
Students who live in Bury's building a little shocked by the news this morning.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 41:20:00]
[IN Q=That's pretty ]
((ANDY CARROL:THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING I MEAN THAT'S JUST NOT SOMETHING YOU HEAR ABOUT ALL THE TIME. PEOPLE NEED TO LEARN TO BE MORE CAREFUL. ))
[RUNS:06]
[OUT Q=more careful.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:42:25:00]
[IN Q=It is kind of ]
((SAM SAWYER: IT IS KIND OF WEIRD I'VE NEVER HEARD OF PEOPLE FALLING OUT OF WINDOWS BEFORE I GOT HERE. ))
[RUNS:03]
[OUT Q=I got here.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:38:36:00 ]
[IN Q=At least ]
((RACHEL DEPOMPA:AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE HAVE FALLEN OUT OF WINDOWS OR BALCONIES IN AND AROUND THE TECH CAMPUS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. TECH OFFICIALS A LOT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THESE FALLS ARE VERY DIFFERENT. A LOT OF ITS COINCIDENCE.))
[RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=its coincidence.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT:47:17:00 ]
[IN Q=The one's]
((MARK OWCZARSKI: THE ONE'S IN THE FALL WERE OFF CAMPUSES, THIS WAS ON CAMPUS. ONE INVOLVED A WINDOW, ONE INVOLVED A BALCONY, ONE INVOLVED A VERY CROWDED SITUATION. :25 IN ALL OF THESES INCIDENCES THE COMMON ELEMENT IS THE TRAGEDY AND THE FACT THAT STUDENTS ARE BEING HURT, BUT EACH INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCE IS VERY, VERY UNIQUE.))
[RUNS:18]
[OUT Q=very, very unique]
Tech officials are hoping students will start to pay more attention to their surrounds, especially if they chose to drink. The school is offering counseling to students who may know Bury. Tech Police continue to investigate exactly why he fell from the window.
Rachel DePompa, News 7 Blacksburg))
[Bus-Fatal]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sra]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=School Bus Accident]
A pickup truck and school bus collided in Pittsylvania County this morning, with deadly results.
(+++++++)
[Take Accident Map FS]
The accident occured around 8-30 on route 649 near Climax. State police say 28 year old Cecil Todd Brown of Penhook died at the scene.
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
They say Brown's pickup veered onto the wrong side of the road, hit the bus and two utility poles, then caught fire. There were no children on the bus, and no one else was injured.
[XGR-budget]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:31:36]
[SS=VA Budget]
Legislators have been at work now for 65 days.
But a budget agreement may still be weeks away.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Meghan /State Microwave;]
Richmond Bureau Chief Meghan Muldoon joins us from the State Capitol with the latest.
Jean, it was another tense day of procedural and political manuevering in the House of Delegates.
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=@Meghan1]
[SUPER=05-Richmond]
House Republicans aren't supporting any general tax increases but they are once again going after business tax breaks.
[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING]
[SUPER=01-Del. Phil Hamilton/(R) Newport News; :00]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :14]
[SUPER=01-Del. Bill Howell/(R) Speaker of the House; :34]
[SUPER=01-Del. Frank Hall/(D) Richmond; :56]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=TAX BREAKS THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM.]
(([SOT :08:32]
((DELEGATE PHIL HAMILTON/R-NEWPORT NEWS: BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT INCREASING TAXES ON VIRGINIANS WE OUGHT TO BE WILLING TO REMOVE CERTAIN SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS FROM MAJOR CORPORATIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH.))
[RUNS:10]
In their second day of a special budget session, House Republicans resurrected a bill that eliminates more than half of a BILLION dollars in business tax breaks.
The bill is identical to one the House passed earlier in the session with one exception.
Republicans added MEDIA COMPANIES to the list of affected industries in order to raise an extra twenty million bucks a year.
[SOT 02:26:12]
((SPEAKER BILL HOWELL/R-FREDERICKSBURG: IT CLOSES SOME CORPORATE LOOPHOLES AND IT GENERATES REAL MONEY THIS IS REAL TAX REFORM WHAT THEY'RE TALKING THIS IS TRUE TAX REFORM. :25))
[RUNS:13]
Republicans say the state can no longer afford to provide special tax breaks to business.
But House Democrats say the measure could cost jobs.
[SOT 02:33:51]
((DELEGATE FRANK HALL/D-RICHMOND: THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES HERE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH THAT CREATE A LOT OF JOBS THAT ARE IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE THEY NEED THE TAX BREAKS THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM.))
[RUNS:14]))
(------------)
[LIVE=Meghan /FULL State Microwave]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]
The House is expected to work through the weekend but Republicans are still saying they plan to recess perhaps on Sunday.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Jean & Meghan/State Microwave;]
It is all part of their strategy, Jean, House Republicans want Senators to go home so they can hear from constituents. They think that will convince the Senate to back off from any tax increases.
[Monty-Budget]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:02:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
People in Montgomery County may be facing a tax increase.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.;]
The county is looking at a 5-percent increase to the real estate tax in its nearly 116-million dollar budget.
The proposed tax hike is expected to generate an extra 2 point 3-million dollars.
Much of the money would help pay for the renovations to the county courthouse and improvements to school athletic fields.
(XXXXXXX)
[WIPE TO PINNACLE FULL]
The Board of Supervisors will work on the budget tonight at 7:15 at the county government center.
(------------)
[Goodyear]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC39:11]
[GRAPHIC=Gooyear Negotiations]
[ENG#=3]
Unionized workers at Danville's Goodyear plant say they're ready to walk if an agreement on their local contract isn't reached.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville/File Tape;]
Workers overwhelmingly approved a master contract back in September, and are now trying to hammer out local issues.
Union leaders say major issues include mandatory overtime, the placement of local holidays and the mandatory purchase of safety shoes.
Negotiations have been on- going for weeks and leaders say a strike is a strong possibility if an agreement is not reached by noon tomorrow.
The Local 831 represents more than 2-thousand employees.
(------------)
[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
A dam's in danger of bursting... and efforts to drain the water aren't moving fast enough.
How the state's moving in when News 7 returns.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus the construcion business is booming in parts of Central Virginia... and so is crime against contractors.
(----------------)
[1st-Wx]
[Green-Trial]
(NO MINI)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC47:40]
[GRAPHIC=Sentencing]
[ENG#=1]
A jury says a Roanoke man should spend 54-years in prison for a November 2001 murder.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Early this morning 22-year-old Brandon Thomas Green was found guilty of first degree murder, attempted robbery and gun charges in the death of 28-year-old David Tickle, Junior.
Police say Green shot Tickle two-times in the back after a drug deal went bad.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@10:08:01]
[IN Q=I ALWAYS THINK...]
((SHERI JONES, ASSISTANT COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY: I ALWAYS THINK THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN PROSECUTING A CASE LIKE THIS BECAUSE PEOPLE REALIZE WHEN YOU ENGAGE IN INHERENTLY DANGEROUS CONDUCT LIKE DRUG DEALING THERE ARE FATAL CONSEQUENCES TO BOTH SIDES.))
[SUPER=01-Sheri Jones/Assistant Commonwealth Attorney]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=.. BOTH SIDES.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The judge will sentence Green on April 28th after a pre-sentencing investigation.
(------------)
[Bedford-Thefts]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=03-53 TC1:43:20]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
For years, Bedford County has been one of the fastest-growing areas of Virginia where new homes and subdivisions seem to pop up overnight.
But the area's also become a popular target for thieves who target construction sites.
Steve Smallshaw talks with one contractor who hopes to put a stop to it.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Building a new]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Larry Rempfer/Rempfer Construction; :17]
[SUPER=01-Lt. Tom Lawton/Lynchburg Police Department; :43]
[SUPER=@ssm2; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:23]
[OUT Q=News7, Bedford County.]
(( Building a new home can be an expensive proposition.. not only for the new homeowners but now for the contractors as well.
Larry Rempfer owns a window and siding company in Bedford County.. in the last three months, he's had materials and equipment stolen eight times from different job sites.
[SOT 12:35:58]
((LARRY REMPFER/REMPFER CONSTRUCTION: I'VE PROBABLY SPENT A THOUSAND DOLLARS ON JUST CHAINS AND LOCKS AND TRYING TO GET THINGS TO WHERE PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO STEAL IT. IT JUST DON'T SEEM TO BE WORKING.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=to be working.]
It's not a new problem, but Rempfer says the thefts seem to have picked up in recent months.
In central Virginia, police say tools are the most popular target because they're quickly resold.
Lt. Tom Lawton says construction sites can be easy targets.
[SOT 15:28:19]
((LT. TOM LAWTON/LYNCHBURG POLICE: AT NIGHT THERE AREN'T THAT MANY PEOPLE AROUND AND PEOPLE TEND TO SHY AWAY FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES, THEY'RE USUALLY NOT WELL-LIT, PRETTY DARK AND NOBODY'S GOING TO USUALLY BE WALKING THROUGH THESE AREAS.))
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q=through these areas.]
But Rempfer says in many places, there ARE residents living nearby.
He's appealing to them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
[SOT 12:37:58]
((LARRY REMPFER: BUT NOBODY KNOWS WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE THERE, BUT NOBODY KEEPS TRACK. AND IT'S JUST IF PEOPLE WOULD LOOK FOR MORE SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE AND JUST KEEP IT IN MIND, AND IF THEY HEAR MORE ABOUT IT MAYBE THEY'LL GET CAUGHT AND THAT WILL BE THE ONLY THING WE CAN REALLY DO.))
[RUNS= 15]
[OUT Q=can really do.]
Rempfer says he's lost about five thousand dollars so far.. it may not be long before contractors like him pass on those costs to their customers.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Bedford County. ))
[Pulaski-Goat]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Pulaski police are investigating the weekend killing of a goat and the theft of its babies.
Fred Rumley says one of his Nigerian goats was shot with a bow and arrow sometime late Sunday or early Monday morning.
Police say two baby goats were also taken from a "fenced-in field," but one was later found.
Police are asking for help from the public. They say whoever killed the goat will likely face animal cruelty charges.
[Water-Main]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=cja]
[TAPE#=03-55 TC1:40:22]
[GRAPHIC=Water Main Break]
[ENG#=3]
People who live near Roanoke's Thrasher Park are still feeling the effects of a water main break.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
A busted water line caused low water pressure-- Some people had no water at all this morning.
City crews diverted water from another line while repairing the break.
Around 30 households were affected. Those residents may temporarily have discolored water.
(------------)
[Augusta-Dam]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-10 TC19:02]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
Too much water is the problem in Southern Augusta County.
The state has started draining a pond nearly two months after engineers determined the dam was in danger of failing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Augusta Co./January 27]
A spokesman for the Department of Conservation and Recreation says the work started yesterday.
The owner of the dam had attempted to lower the water level himself with several small pipes. But the 4-acre pond had dropped only a foot when it was checked in February.
Under state law, the landowner will be responsible for reimbursing the state the full cost of draining the pond.
(------------)
[Stocks]
[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Stock prices closed lower on Wall Street.
[TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE]
[RUNS=:30]
[SUPER=x5000;]
[SUPER=440-y/4.52/10295.78/y/14.32/1962.44;]
The DOW dropped four and a half points.
NASDAQ lost 14.
[SUPER=271-i/0.11/39.80/h/0.26/55.04/i/0.06/33.84/h/0.12/90.06/i/0.37/80.08;]
[SUPER=272-i/0.24/36.39/i/0.04/19.75/i/0.17/6.98/i/0.46/64.40/i/0.04/30.72;]
[SUPER=273-i/0.17/7.81/i/0.14/41.96/h/0.19/16.90/i/0.09/21.06/i/0.16/5.51;]
[SUPER=274-h/0.23/13.34/i/0.26/70.39/h/0.03/37.37/i/0.20/47.73/h/0.59/58.94;]
[SUPER=#555; Reset]
[SPONSOR ANNOUNCE]
[COMMERCIAL]
[Concept-One]
[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC47:40]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]
A school for troubled youth and dozens of new jobs "are" coming to Radford.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Radford;]
After months of wrangling, city council gave final approval last night to a rezoning request. The vote was 3 to 2.
Concept One wants to renovate the old New River Industries building and turn it into a school for at-risk boys.
The school is expected to create at least 50 new jobs for the city.
(------------)
[Dublin-Obesity]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Earlier today, we told you we'd report tonight on unusual efforts by a Dublin school to battle obesity. Because other news in the New River Valley kept our crew there busy today, we won't have that story tonight. We plan to bring it to you tomorrow.
[Lex-Courthouse]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=03-54 TC1:47:25]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
Plans are progressing for Rockbridge County's new courts facility in downtown Lexington.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington; ]
The county and the city are under a court order to update their facility, and the planning stage is winding down.
The drawings still need final approval, but as of now, it appears the First National bank building will be knocked down, and a new general district court will be built.
The plan also calls for excavating under a grassy plaza to build room for the clerk.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 12:03]
[IN Q=It's going to be an...]
((TOM HIGGINS/ROCKBRIDGE CO. ENGINEER; IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING CONSTRUCTION JOB IN LEXINGTON BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SPACE. AND IT'S GOING TO CAUSE SOME DISRUPTIONS, BUT I THINK MOST PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THAT, AND ARE READY TO ACCEPT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Higgins/Rockbridge Co. Engineer; ]
[RUNS=15]
[OUT Q=ready to accept it.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
City leaders say construction could start by the end of this year, or early next year.
(------------)
[Sports Tease]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]
Coming up tonight on News 7 sports - the Express is closing in on a Roundhouse deal - and the Madness has officially begun with upsets in the first round.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, the March Madness is ready to roll in Salem as Williams College and three others are ready to battle for the division three title.
(------------)
[S-Madness]
[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-168]
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]
[ENG#=1]
March Madness lived up to its name today with one point wins, nail biters and upsets in the first round.
12th seed Manhattan sent number five Florida home.
Liberty tried to be the first ever 16 seed to knock off a number one.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Buffalo, NY/CBS Sports-NCAA; :00]
No one told St. Joe's all-American Jameer Nelson.
He torched the Flames for 33 points on 11 of 17 shooting.
The Hawks soar past the Flames with a 82-to-63 win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Mantlo/Liberty Senior Guard; :02]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=...OUT THERE GUARDING HIM."]
(-----------)
[vo nat con't]
[super=03-Raleigh, NC/CBS-NCAA;]
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons barely survived today as this jam from Jamal Levy helped Wake seal a 79-to-78 win over a stubborn VCU squad.
(XXXXXXXX)
[go to tonight board 1011]
Later tonight here on WDBJ-7 - two more ACC teams will try to advance. Duke plays Alabama State and then it's North Carolina and Air Force. The game starts at seven.
(-----------)
[S-Salem]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-167 TC3851]
[GRAPHIC=Division Three Final Four]
[ENG#=3]
Four teams have converged on Salem this weekend in search of a Division Three National Championship, including two which are separated by just 55 miles in Massachusetts. Travis Wells previews the national semifinals.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Phil Wall/Former Roanoke Catholic Star; :14]
[SUPER=01-Dave Paulsen/Williams Head Coach; :35]
[SUPER=01-Dave Hixon/Amherst Head Coach; :56]
[SUPER=@travis1; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports."]
((Williams College made itself right at home in Salem winning last year's national title. The Roanoke Valley is home for the Ephs Phil Wall, who was a four year starter for his dad at Roanoke Catholic.
Phil:
Amherst stands in the way of a repeat championship. The two teams will meet for the 4th time this season. Williams has won two of the three matchups.
Dave:
Dave:
Travis: Amherst and Williams will get things started in Friday night's opener at 6pm. That one is followed by Wisconsin Stevens Point and John Carroll. Stevens Point is the alma mater of Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach and former NBA great Terry Porter. In Salem, Travis Wells, News 7 Sports.))
[S-Jostens]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-170]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=4]
[WIPE to ENG!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
The Salem Rotary got the day started with the Jostens Award luncheon. Emory & Henry's Justin Call captured the men's award for Division Three's player of the year after averaging nearly 25 points this season. He is only the second Wasp to score over 15 hundred points in his career.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Justin Call/Jostens Award Winner; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=means a lot."]
(----------------)
[S-Express]
[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-169 34:17]
[GRAPHIC=express]
[ENG#=2]
The Express picked up a point in the overtime loss to Alaska last night, which gets the team a little closer to a distant playoff spot.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
Roanoke has inched closer to a new lease with the Roanoke Civic Center, according to Express general manager Chris Pollock. Civic Center director Mina Boyd has offered a cheaper lease where the Express would get SOME profits from concessions. The civic center would also offer a break with ushers and ticket takers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mina Boyd/Roanoke Civic Center Facilities Dir.]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=......operating efficiently"]
(---------------------)
[VO-NAT]
Negotiations for a new lease are on going. The Express has until April first to let the ECHL know if the team will play in Roanoke next season.
(----------------)
by SS