[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=JJA]
[TAPE=Heads]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


Coming up on News 7-
The search for a missing teenager is over.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


U-S and Iraqi troops begin their promised crackdown on insurgents...
While a hundred Virginia National guard troops are relieved to be home tonight.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]


And Virginia Tech may be close to naming a new women's basketball coach.
News 7 is next.

[Missing-Girl]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 @ 11]


Many hours of searching has paid off in the case of a missing 14 year old girl. She was found safe this evening.


(XXXXXXX)

[TAKE FS PIC]
Brittany Renee Bibee (Bib-ey) was last seen yesterday afternoon walking along Route 40 in Patrick County.
Today the sheriff's department got a tip and the missing girl was found about 8:20 tonight.
Members of Old Dominion Search and Rescue found her walking along Lee Elgin Road in the Woolwine area.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]


Deputies say she's not hurt and has been returned home.


[Iraq]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Latest]
[ENG#=2]


Explosions and gunfire have been reported in Fallujah, Iraq tonight- as hundreds of U-S and Iraqi troops surround the city.
The operation targets those who killed and mutilated four Americans last week.
Skip Loescher has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Near Fallujah, Iraq; :00]
[SUPER=01-Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt/U. S. Army; :09]
[SUPER=01-Sen. Edward Kennedy/(D) Massachusetts; 1:14 QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Skip Loescher/Reporting; 1:18]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=I'm Skip Loescher.]

((U.S. MARINES RINGED THE CITY OF FALLUJAH MONDAY... APPARENTLY PREPARING TO RETALIATE FOR THE BRUTAL DEATHS OF FOUR AMERICAN CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS LAST WEEK. Brig Gen. Mark Kimmitt/U.S. Army: Iraqi security forces and the first Marine expeditionary force initiated operation vigilant resolve to confront anti-coalition and anti-iraqi elements. IN BAGHDAD, AN IRAQI JUDGE HAS ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT FOR A PROMINENT ANTI-U.S. SHIITE CLERIC ACCUSED OF KILLING A MODERATE CLERIC OUTSIDE A MUSLIM SHRINE ONE YEAR AGO. THE ACTION SPAWNED VIOLENCE AGAINST COALITION FORCES IN BAGHDAD AND NAJAF. EIGHT AMERICAN TROOPS WERE KILLED DURING THE WEEKEND... YET PRESIDENT BUSH PROMISES U.S. FORCES WON'T CUT AND RUN. President George W. Bush: We will stay the course. We will do what is right. We will make sure that a free Iraq emerges. THAT MEANS STICKING WITH THE PLAN TO TURN SOVEREIGNTY OVER TO THE IRAQIS. The intention is to make sure the deadline that we can transfer authority by June 30th. We're working toward that obviously. HERE IN WASHINGTON, SENATOR TED KENNEDY SAYS PRESIDENT BUSH SHOULD HAVE PUT GREATER EMPHASIS ON THE WAR ON TERRORISM...AND LESS ON IRAQ. Sen. Edward Kennedy/(D) Massachusetts: Iraq is George Bush's Vietnam and this country needs a new president. Skip Loescher reporting.))

[National-Guard]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tzi]
[TAPE#=04-07 TC57:21]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq Homecoming]
[ENG#=3]


They left a year ago to fight in Iraq. Tonight more than 100 national guard soldiers are back in Virginia.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Newport News]


Around one Monday morning, soldiers of the 10-32nd Transportation Company were re-united with their loved ones at Fort Eustis.
Members said they dreamed of this day ever since they were deployed.
The group was responsible for ferrying supplies to and from troops in direct combat.
The Gate City based unit was proud of the mission it accomplished and relieved to be home.
(------------)



[Brush-Fire]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-12 TC16:54]
[GRAPHIC=Brush Fire]
[ENG#=4]


Several brush fires kept fire crews busy this afternoon in Montgomery County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montgomery Co.]


The first one broke out after four in the afternoon on Pedlar Road. That's near the Ironto exit off I-81.
Firefighters from Elliston quickly extinguished the flames but then noticed two small fires on a mountain nearby.
A Department of Forestry helicopter was brought in to help contain those fires.
(------------)



[Mexico-Flooding]


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


At least 21 people are dead after flash flooding in Northern Mexico-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Via La Fuenta, Mexico]


Rain is making the search for missing people difficult.
The dead were mostly in a small town just across the Texas border.
Rain forced a river over its banks.
In about 15 minutes animals were overwhelmed by water, cars and homes were in ruins.
[Super=03-Piedras Negras, Mexico;]


Helicopters from the U-S Border Patrol helped carry stranded survivors to safety as water rose above a lone bridge connecting towns.
One woman hung to a tree until she could be rescued.
(------------)



[Cobain]


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


New questions are being raised over the death of rocker Kurt Cobain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02]
[IN Q=]

((NAT SOUND MUSIC))
[Super=04-Smells Like Teen Spirit;]
[RUNS=04]
[OUT Q=nat sound music.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 28]


While his music career soared, Cobains personal life was plagued with drug use.
Ten years ago police say Cobain took a massive amount of heroin and then put a shotgun in his mouth and fired.
But ten years after Cobain's death, a new book claims to have evidence to support a conspiracy theory- It suggests Cobain was killed and claims Cobain's wife Courtney Love's behavior after his death was suspicious.
But some question the author's motives, not loves.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]

((CARYN GANZ/ASST. EDITOR, SPIN MAGAZINE: IT DEFINITELY SEEMS LIKE AN OPPORTUNIST TIME FOR THE SECOND BOOK TO COME OUT ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE DIRE STRAIGHTS COURTNEY LOVE IS IN NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Caryn Ganz/Spin Magazine Asst. Editor;]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=IS IN NOW.]
(--------)
[VO-NAT]


Cobain was just 27 years old when he died.
(------------)



[Dan-River]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Dan River]


Dan River Incorporated says it expects to post a net loss of 152 million dollars for last year.
That's according to a notice filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Danville company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last Wednesday.
Dan River said today it expects to report net sales of 477 million dollars. That compares with a net loss of 13 million dollars on net sales of 613 million for 2002.

[Ferrum-College]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=myr]
[TAPE#=04-06 TC1:03:57]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[***ANCHOR TAG***]
[ENG#=4]


Some major improvements are coming to Ferrum College. Myranda Stephens has more on how the college is making a leap into the future, while preserving the past.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Ferrum; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Braaten/Ferrum College President; :11]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Thompson/Ferrum College V.P. of Business Affairs; 1:01]
[SUPER=@Myranda2; 1:12]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Stephens, News 7, Ferrum. ]

((While the folks at Ferrum College pride themselves on the campus' historic structure and design, they admit some area
s just look -- well, old. [SOT 3354]

[RUNS06] ((JENNIFER BRAATEN/FERRUM COLLEGE PRESIDENT: CERTAINLY AT FERRUM, YOU HAVE A RANGE OF TYPES OF LIVING OPPORTUNITES, BUT NONE OF THEM ARE REALLY NEW.)) Which is why the college plans to build a new 120-bed residence hall that will feature apartment-style living spaces and community areas. Other plans include renovating existing dorms, and classroom buildings, as well as expanding the college's student center to add a new alumni conference center and Internet cafe'.
[SOT 3412]

[RUNS17] ((STUDENTS LIKE TO CONGREGATE, WE CALL IT THE "MALL MENTALITY". THEY GO TO A PLACE IT'S KIND OF WHERE THEY SOCIALIZE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO EXPAND THE SPACE WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND GIVE THEM SOME DRAMATIC NEW SPACE 24 B/C WE ALSO SAY STUDENTS LIKE TO WALK IN A PLACE AND SAY "WOW" THIS IS REALLY NEAT! 29)) And a cool, new campus isn't the only goal. Officials also hope the improvements will help attract new students.
[SOT 2620]

[RUNS10] ((BOBBY THOMPSON/BUSINESS AFFAIRS VP: OUR ENROLLMENT IS IN AN UPWARD TREND RIGHT NOW AND A NEW RESIDENCE HALL WILL CERTAINLY SUPPORT THAT GROWTH IN ENROLLMENT.)) Aside from the new construction, officials say the college will still maintain its historic look. Except now the buildings will just have an older design, versus just being old. Myranda Stephens, News 7, Ferrum. ))
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=NONE]

The 13-million dollar project is scheduled to begin this Fall and be completed by 2006. In the future, officials hope to build a new athletic center and possibly even a new academic building.
[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]


Airlines are climbing in the latest satisfaction survey. Who's flying highest when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]


And forget the running of the bulls... sheep have the run of this town.
(-------------)



[Sports-Preview]


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



[ENG#=1]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=THE BIG 7."]

(( Hey folks - Mike Stevens back in the News 7 Sports Office as the U-Conn Huskies and YellowJackets battle for the National title belts in San Antonio. Bonnie's replacement is ready for a homecoming in Blacksburg. Kurt Busch was in the Noke today. The Express opens the playoffs tomorrow. And the big leagues open today with a bang right here on the Big 7.))
[Airline-Report]

(MINI OPEN)



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


It appears improvements to air travel are getting off the ground. That's the finding of an annual survey released today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]

The report found that on-time flight arrivals were up, but so was passenger bumping. More luggage was lost, but customer service has improved. And as the ranking of the top 14 airlines suggests, lower rates don't mean low expectations.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The lowfare carriers have forced;]

((DEAN HEADLEY/WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; THE LOWFARE CARRIERS HAVE FORCED ALL THE OTHER AIRLINES TO PLAY THEIR GAME -- SO TO SPEAK -- BOTH IN PRICE AND STYLE AND DELIVERY))
[SUPER=01-Dean Headley/Wichita State University;]
[RUNS=:07;]
[OUT Q=both in price and style and delivery;]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Overall air travel performance has improved for the third straight year and for the second year in a row customer complaints to the department of transportation are down by nearly half. In its debut year, Jet Blue was voted number one. The report is a joint project by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Wichita State University.
(------------)



[Jet-Service]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-01 TC1:37:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]


After nearly one year of getting by with some federal help, regional jet service in central Virginia appears ready to fly on its own.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Delta Airlines Video; :00]


A half-million dollar federal grant helped convince Delta Airlines to bring jet service to Lynchburg last year.
Since then, ridership in the larger, faster planes has nearly doubled, thanks in part to more competitive ticket pricing.
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :13]


Delta officials said today they plan to continue the service even after the grant money runs out this spring.
City leaders say the jets are key to economic development.
(------------)



[City-Council]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-03 TC1:02:21]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]

Roanoke Schools should have an acting superintendent in place by June first. School board members met in closed session this morning and decided their search for Wayne Harris's replacement will be conducted both internally and externally. Harris's retirement will be effective at the end of June. Meantime, Roanoke City Council will hear from the public about the applicants for School Board. In closed session today the panel took up the issue of which candidates will be granted interviews. A public hearing on their decisions will be held April 19th.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :14]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Council also heard that the city's budget is on track for this year. Revenues from the sales, room and meals tax are up. Now, leaders are just waiting on word that *state* lawmakers are making progress on *their* budget.
(///// SOT at :14 /////)
[SOT 9:52:28 - 9:52:42]
[IN Q=It's just very unsettling...]

((DARLENE BURCHAM/ROANOKE CITY MANAGER: IT'S JUST VERY UNSETTLING.., THE FACT THAT WE'VE HAD GOOD GROWTH LOCALLY BUT THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE STATE MAKES IT REALLY DIFFICULT TO TRY TO PULL EVERYTHING TOGETHER.))
[SUPER=01-Darlene Burcham/Roanoke City Manager;]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=to try to pull everything together.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=VA Budget]

Burcham says the House and Senate plans differ by as much as 16-million dollars in education funding alone.

[Budget-Cuts]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-02 TC1:59:53]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]


Lynchburg may need to make some cuts to fill a 12-million dollar hole in its budget, but some say lower-income residents should "not" bear the burden of those cuts.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]


Disabled advocates today unveiled a plan that would save the city 900-thousand dollars by eliminating 21 jobs in the Human Services Department.
They say by being more efficient, the city won't have to cut things like night-time bus service which many disadvantaged residents rely on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:20:14]
[IN Q=People need their]

((ROB JARVIS/L'BURG AREA CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING: PEOPLE NEED THEIR JOBS AND NEED TRANSPORTATION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE NUMBER IS, MUSCLE IS MUSCLE, FAT IS FAT. IF WE'VE GOT TO MAKE CUTS WE GOTTA MAKE CUTS.))
[SUPER=01-Rob Jarvis/Lynchburg Area Center for Indep. Living]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=gotta make cuts. DOUBLE OUT]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Jarvis and his supporters will bring their plan to tomorrow night's public hearing on the budget.
City leaders say they expect a big turnout.
(------------)



[Vinton-Rescue]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sba]
[TAPE#=04-08 TC1:08:28]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

After years of operating in cramped quarters, members of a local rescue squad say they need more room.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Vinton]

Right now, Vinton's first aid crew works out of a building on Jackson Avenue. But, things have been tight- space is at premium and storage is non-existant. Vinton town officials realize there is a problem. They commissioned a study on the building, which determined it needed to be replaced- but where they would get the money, remains to be seen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT@2:44:00:16]
[IN Q=IT'S GOING TO BE...]

((KEVIN BOGGESS, VINTON TOWN MANAGER: IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO DETERMINE WHERE MONEY FOR A NEW BUILDING WOULD COME FROM - AS YOU MENTIONED, EVERYBODY'S BUDGET IN THE VALLEY IS TIGHT. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXPENSIVE BUILDING, IN ORDER TO BUILDING AN ADEQUATE BUILDING FOR THE FIRST AID CREW.))
[SUPER=01-Kevin Boggess/Vinton Town Manager]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=.. FIRST AID CREW.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The current proposal has the new building being built in the parking lot next to the Vinton Fire Department. Boggess estimates the building could cost upward of one-million dollars.
(------------)



[Tease2]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=V10]


Robin says a warm-up's on the way.
The forecast is still ahead on News 7.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 08.5]


And when it's time.. it's time... a baby doesn't want for the hospital to make its arrival.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13]
[IN Q=]

((WE ENDED UP LEAVING THE HOUSE AT 20 AFTER ELEVEN AND THIRTY SECONDS AFTER WE LEFT THE HOUSE HER WATER BROKE))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=her water broke.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


The rest of the story.. coming up on News 7.
(------------)



[Olympics]


[ANCHOR=JEan]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=04-05 TC1:18:22]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]


The Olympic spirit is strong in two area wrestlers.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]


Keno Shepherd and Isreal Gilbert will compete this week in the U-S Nationals in Las Vegas. If they make the top eight, they'll move on the Olympic trials.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:34:52]
[IN Q=This is something I really want it's not]

((KENO SHEPHERD/WRESTLER: THIS IS SOMETHING I REALLY WANT IT'S NOT ABOUT ENDORSEMENTS, ABOUT MONEY, IT'S JUST SOMETHING YOU HAVE WITHIN YOURSELF YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO))
[SUPER=01-Keno Shepherd/Wrestler]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=you know you can do]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


Both competitors are former high school champions --but they say even at the age of 30, they still have what it takes to win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT2:25:26]
[IN Q=I have a love for wrestling]

((ISREAL GILBERT/WRESTLER: I HAVE A LOVE FOR WRESTLING. SO I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND COMPETE FOR MYSELF AND THE COMMUNITY ))
[SUPER=01-Isreal Gilbert/Wrestler]
[RUNS=07]
[OUT Q=myself and the community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]


While the two like to grapple with each other --they won't have to actually compete against one other because they're in different weight classes.
If they make it to the Olympic trials --we'll let you know.
(-------------)



[Baby]


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


A man on the way to the hospital with his pregnant wife.. realizes he's not going to make it there in time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT 10.5]


so he pulled into the Massachusetts state police barracks.
And the cavalry came to the rescue.
Before long, Colby Lagrassa was born.. at seven pounds, 10 ounces.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 42]

((TROOPER MICHAEL FORNI/MA STATE POLICE: PROBABLY THE SCARIEST THING I'VE DONE SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THIS SQUAD IT WAS NICE TO BE PART OF SOMETHING GOOD FOR A CHANGE.))
[SUPER=01-Trooper Michael Forni/MA State Police;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=good for a change.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT 05 plus pad]


Troopers say Colby's arrival was a perfect way for them to start their shift for the night.
(------------)



[S-Extra]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

We'll crown the men's national champ. Get ready for the Express playoff opener. And see why Kurt Busch was in town today. But first your Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Houston, TX;:00]

Nolan Ryan was in the house along with former President George Bush and first lady Barbara. In the 8th inning they would see Barry Bonds hit his 659th career homer to move within one of his godfather Willie Mays.
(------------)

[GO TO SCORES] [go to scores]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Connecticut/82//Georgia Tech/73//Men's National Championship/;]
[SUPER=x5010;]
[SUPER=0091-/Chicago/7/j/Kansas City/9///j/Detroit/7//Toronto/0///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Chicago/7//Cincinnati/4///j/Pittsburgh/2//Philadelphia/1///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Milwaukee/8//St. Louis/6///j/San Diego/8//Los Angeles/2///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/San Francisco/5//Houston/4///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUTCUE=last score."]
(---------------)



[S-Final]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-171 3207TC]
[GRAPHIC=ACC/BIG EAST]
[ENG#=1]


The ACC and Big East have been battling for athletic supremacy since last May. For the most - the ACC won big - off the court.
[GRAPHIC=MEN'S FINAL FOUR]

But tonight Connecticut put another feather in the cap of Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese as the Huskies whipped Georgia Tech 82 to 73.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX/CBS-NCAA; :00]

As is often the case in big games whether it be the National Championship or the Super Bowl - this one got mighty one-sided in a hurry. Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor benefited from an up-tempo style of play that fueled the Huskies' offense and put the Jackets in a double digit hole right off the bat. U-Conn led by 15 points at halftime - and never looked back in the final 20 minutes leading by as many as 25.
[super=33-Connecticut/82/Georgia Tech/73;]

Gordon scores 21, Okafor adds 24 more and wins MVP honors as U-Conn wins the title 82-to-73.
(-----------)



[S-Women]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-172]
[GRAPHIC=WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR]
[ENG#=2]


U-Conn can win the women's title, as well tomorrow night. This is the game with the passion - as evidenced this afternoon when U-Conn coach Geno Auriemma was asked if his relationship with Tennessee' Pat Summitt was strained at best.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Geno Auriemma/Connecticut Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=...THAT'S DIFFERENT."]
(-----------)
[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=BETH DUNKENBERGER]

News 7 Sports has learned that Va. Tech has selected Beth Dunkenberger to be the school's next women's head basketball coach. She was an assistant at Tech for 8 seasons and currently she is the head coach at Western Carolina. The Shawsville native was Southern Conference coach of the year in 2002.

[S-MLB]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-161 14532tc]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]
[ENG#=3]


The Yankees and D-Rays began the big league season last week in Japan, while the Red Sox and Orioles opened it up stateside last night. Today, marked the true opening day of the 2004 season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Toronto, Canada/FOX-MLB; :00]

The Detroit Tigers the worst team in the big leagues last season, and one of the worst teams ever opened the season with 7-and-0 win over the Blue Jays. The newest Tiger Ivan Rodriguez hit a homer in his Tigers' debut.
[super=03-Cincinnati, OH/ESPN-MLB;]

And Corey Patterson is healthy once again and so too is his bat. He turned his first at bat into a homer hitting the fourth pitch of the game out of the yard as the Cubs beat the Reds 7 to 4.
[SUPER=03-Kansas City, MO/WGN-MLB;]

But the most dramatic opened of the day was in Kansas City where the largest opening-day crowd in KC baseball history saw one of the most memorable season openers ever for the Royals. Kansas City rallied for six runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-to-7. Carlos Beltran won it with this two-run shot in the ninth.
(---------------)



[S-Express]


[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-167 5304TC]
[GRAPHIC=KELLY CUP]
[ENG#=4]

The Roanoke Express opens up the Kelly Cup playoffs - with game one of the team's best of five series with the Florida Everblades tomorrow night. The game is at the Roanoke Civic Center where the Express won 25 times this season and lost just 8.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

The team is trying to balance the momentum it built up from an incredible unbeaten stretch run that put the team in the playoffs and the reality that all of that will mean absolutely nothing come tomorrow night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=WHAT WE'VE DONE...]
[SUPER=01-Andrew Oke/Express Defenseman; :00]
[SUPER=01-Shaun Fisher/Express Defenseman; :05]
[SUPER=01-Rick Kowalsky/Express Right Wing; :17]
[RUNS=:29]
[OUT Q=...through the playoffs."]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[graphic=express]

Off the ice, the Express informed the ECHL that it will be back in Roanoke next season, in the Roanoke Civic Center, but likely with some new ownership.

[S-Busch]


[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-170 32:32]
[GRAPHIC=Advance Auto Parts 500]
[ENG#=1]


The Advance Auto Parts 500 is set for April 18th at the Martinsville Speedway. And the azaleas may not be on the only "bushes" in bloom that weekend. Steve Mason talked with Nextel Cup points leader Kurt Busch, who was in Roanoke today as part of the circuit's Winner's Cirle program helping promote the upcoming race.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=FIRST AUDIO]
[SUPER=03-Bristol; :00]
[SUPER=01-Kurt Busch/13.5 Average Start This Season; :15]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:06]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=...News 7 sports"]
(--------------)


((Just days away from Easter and Kurt Busch is the king of the Nextel Cup series. Busch finds himself a top the points standings with just one win at Bristol, But finishing no worse that 16th in the first seven races has been good enough. ((:))
Busch's average finish is 8.6. A Performance that resemble is ultra consistent Roush teammate Matt Kenseth, who is right on Kurt's coat tails. ((:)) One of Busch's 8 career victories came at Martinsville in the fall of 2002 where he started 36th only to reach the winners circle.)) ((:)) ((STEVE MASON:BUSCH SAYS HE'S NEVER BEEN A STRONG QUALIFIER AT MARTINSVILLE. HIS AVERAGE START WAS 32ND LAST SEASON. HE FINISHED 13TH AND 39TH IN BOTH RACES AT THE HALF MILE TRACK LAST YEAR. STEVE MASON NEWS 7 SPORTS ))

[Sheep]


[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=cdo]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=1]


The bulls in Pamplona have nothing on the sheep in New Zealand.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Te kuiti/New Zealand;]

As part of the New Zealand sheep shearing championships, where local farmers compete in stripping the animals of their wool, organizers paraded two thousand of the animals through town.
The sheep had an alternate route in mind however. Store keepers and bank tellers had to chase the wayward sheep off of their premises as delighted spectators looked on.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=that was extemely ambitious;]

((THAT WAS EXTREMELY AMBITIOUS, SHEEP BEING SHEEP AND PEOPLE BEING PEOPLE GETTING IN THE WAY))
[RUNS=:04;]
[OUT Q=people getting in the way;]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

After the unexpected romp, the farmers got the last laugh. The reigning sheep shearing champion successfully defended his national title, making this his fourteenth win.
(------------)

by SS