WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 06/19/04

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]

Better late than never.
Local troops are welcomed home months after returning.
(------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT :07]
And, she's 60-years older than your typical high school grad. But that doesn't dampen her pride in her new diploma.
(------------)

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=Travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=2]

Tonight in sports, we'll go camping with Shannon Taylor and friends,
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[VO-NAT]

and check in on the Don Holliday Memorial Scholarship golf tournament.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Brent]
[SS=None]

A passing cold front ushers in pleasant changes for the second half of the weekend. A look at what you can expect for those Father's Day plans coming up. [Video-Open]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]
[ENG#=3]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 50:50]
[IN Q=Everybody we talked]
((KYM RIDDLE: EVERYBODY WE TALKED TO WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND THEY ALL WERE LIKE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP.))
[RUNS=06]
[OUT Q=we do to help]
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[VO-NAT :07 +]
A Franklin County community raises thousands of dollars to give local National Guard Troops the welcome home they deserve.
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[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[GRAPHIC=News7at6]

Good evening, I'm Shannon Young, in for Myranda Stephens.

[Soldier-Party]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-13 TC-1:29:00]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 6]
[ENG#=4]

Army National Guard troops with the 1173rd returned in April after a year- long deployment in Iraq. Since then Franklin County residents have raised thousands of dollars to throw a party in their honor. As Jennifer Wishon reports, today their plans became a reality.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Donald Riddle Jr./Back from Iraq Organizer; : ]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.; : ]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Billy Riddle/1173rd National Guard Transportation Co.; : ]
[SUPER=01-Kym Riddle/Back from Iraq Organizer; : ]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Carlos Trotter/1173rd National Guard Transportation Co.; : ]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. Eddie Hawks/Martinsville National Guard; : ]
[SUPER=@Jennifer1; : ]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=JW, News 7 Franklin County]

(((//// SOT /////)
[SOT 58:24]
[IN Q=Tomorrow when we]
((DONALD RIDDLE: TOMORROW WHEN WE TAKE THE FINAL TRIP THROUGH BAGHDAD I'LL HAVE MIXED EMOTIONS. OF COURSE I'LL BE OVERJOYED THAT IT WILL BE MY LAST TRIP THROUGH WHAT IS ARGUABLY THE WORST PLACE ON EARTH.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=place on earth]
It's still hard for Donald Riddle to read the letters his son Billy sent him while touring in Iraq.
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[SOT 55:12]
[IN Q=There's really no]
((BILLY RIDDLE: THERE'S REALLY NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. YOU GET OVER THERE AND IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD. THERE'S NOTHING BUT DESERT, SAND, HEAT AND THE PEOPLE OVER THERE ARE JUST PITIFUL FOR A LACK OF A BETTER TERM. IT MAKES YOU REALLY APPRECIATE HOW WELL YOU HAVE IT IN THE UNITED STATES.))
[RUNS= 13]
[OUT Q=in the United States]
Riddle's father and step- mother were so touched by the work of the 1173rd they organized this "Back from Iraq" party in Rocky Mount.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 49:59]
[IN Q=We wanted to thank]
((KYM RIDDLE: WE WANTED TO THANK THE SOLDIERS FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR US AND THIS WAS THE ONLY THING WE COULD THINK OF TO HAVE A FREE CONCERT FOR THEM AND TO RAISE SOME MONEY TO GIVE THEM SOME CASH - A LOT OF THEM HAD TO TAKE PAY CUTS OVER IN IRAQ.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=cuts over in Iraq]
In all more than 17- thousand dollars was raised for the celebration. Money left over will be divided and given to soldiers like Carlos Trotter. The eight year veteran Army Sargeant thought he knew what he was getting into when the 1173rd deployed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 41:17]
[IN Q=Things were totally]
((SGT. CARLOS TROTTER: THINGS WERE TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO BE, BUT THINGS WORKED OUT IN OUR FAVOR BECAUSE WE BROUGHT EVERYONE BACK HOME SAFELY.))
[RUNS= 09]
[OUT Q=back home safely]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 37:50]
[IN Q=And God, May]
((EDDIE HAWKS: AND GOD MAY YOU TRUELY GOD BLESS AMERICA.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=God Bless America]
Sargeant Eddie Hawks joined the Martinsville National Guard in 1982. When HIS unit was called up he was just four months from retirement.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 46:35]
[IN Q=I couldn't understand why]
((SGT. EDDIE HAWKS: I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAD TO GO, BUT I KNOW NOW, LOOKING BACK, THAT I GOT TO TALK TO AND COUNSEL A WHOLE LOT OF SOLDIERS THEN AND IT'S MY PRIVELEDGE TO DO THAT AND THEN COME BACK TO MY HOMETOWN AND BE A PASTOR NOW.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=be a pastor now]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 1:01:42]
[IN Q=In a few months]
((JENNIFER WISHON/JWISHON@WDBJ7.COM: IN A FEW MONTHS MEMBERS OF THE 1173RD WHO DIDN'T DEPLOY LAST TIME WILL TAKE THEIR TURNS OVERSEAS, BUT THEIR BROTHERS IN UNIFORM WHO'VE ALREADY BEEN THERE HAVE PLENTY OF ADVICE BEFORE THEY HEAD OUT.))

[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=before they head out]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 42:48]
[IN Q=Be safe, pull together]
((SGT. CARLOS TROTTER: BE SAFE, PULL TOGETHER LIKE A FAMILY - THAT'S THE MAIN THING, YOU'VE GOT TO PROTECT EVERYBODY'S BACK ALWAYS.))
[RUNS= 05]
[OUT Q=everybody's back always]
Sgt. Trotter will continue to be watching after his fellow soldiers, in fact he just re- enlisted for three more years. Jennifer Wishon, News 7, Franklin County.))

[Lake-Drowning]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Authorities are looking for the body of a possible drowing victim on Smith Mountain Lake. An official with the department of Game and Inland Fisheries says the person was last seen swimming in 100 feet of water at the entrance of Betty and Becky's creek, about three miles south of Hale's Ford Bridge. A helicopter is trying to make visual contact, while divers search beneath the surface. Officials say it may take some time to find the body because of the water's depth.

[Gypsies]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Danville police are telling residents to be aware of suspicious people this weekend. The Virginia State Police Criminal Intelligence Division has received information that large numbers of a group called the English Travelers is in central Virginia this weekend for family gatherings. The English Travelers are a well-known group of gypsies. Authorities say the group usually trys to defraud homeowners with home repair scams. Southside residents are asked to report any suspicious activity to local police.

[Minority-Business]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-28 TC-1:09:04]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]
Small business owners who participated in a Roanoke conference today now have a better idea how to work with the city.

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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The Building New Partnerships Conference at the Hotel Roanoke focused on small, minority, women owned businesses. The city offered free workshops on small loans, bonding and certification , insurance, and contracting.
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[SOT 2:34 - 2:49]
[IN Q=In this event the city is the exhibitor.]
[SUPER=01-Sharon Gentry/City of Roanoke;]
((SHARON GENTRY/CITY OF ROANOKE: IN THIS EVENT THE CITY IS THE EXHIBITOR. NORMALLY, THE BUSINESSES EXHIBIT AND WE COME TO THEM. IN THIS CASE, WE'RE ASKING THEM TO COME TO US AND GIVE US THEIR BUSINESS INFORMATION.))
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=and give us their business information.]
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[VO-NAT]
Gentry says, of 26-million dollars spent last year Roanoke dropped only 400-thousand on small, minority, women-owned businesses. The event was a first for the city and included other entities from Lynchburg to Blacksburg, Botetourt County and Virginia Tech and Radford Universities.
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[Kirk-Grad]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC-6:46]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

A Franklin County grandmother celebrated her high school graduation today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]
79- year- old Nellie Kirk graduated from Franklin County High School Tuesday. She decided to go back to school a year ago and got her diploma through a job training program offered by the county.

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:54:00]
[IN Q=It was wonderful]
((NELLIE KIRK: IT WAS WONDERFUL, IT WAS TIRESOME, THE NEXT MORNING... IT'S STILL A DREAM. I WAKE UP EVERY MORNING THINKING I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL. I MISS GOING TO SCHOOL.))
[SUPER=01-Nellie Kirk/Franklin County High School Graduate;]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=going to school]
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[VO-NAT]
Kirk was a senior in high school in 1943 when she decided to drop out and get married. Now she's thinking about going on to college to study world history and computers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:54:38]
[IN Q=I don't know how]
((NELLIE KIRK: I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET ONLINE. I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO EVERYTHING I WANT TO DO. RIGHT NOW I'M IN THE PROCESS OF PLAYING SOLITAIRE.))
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=of playing solitaire]
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[VO-NAT]
In the meantime Kirk's sure to stay busy. She has five grandchildren and another on the way.
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[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Still ahead on the newscast, a hospital system faces allegations that a rescue vehicle actually did more harm than good...
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[VO-NAT]
and, dozens of friends and family take to the court to remember a star athlete whose life was cut short.
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[1st-Wx]

[Carilion-Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A lawsuit filed this week in Roanoke claims that the downdraft from a rescue helicopter forced a Lexington woman to the ground and broke her hip. The suit says Ruby Graves was leaving Stonewall Jackson Hospital in July 2002 after an outpatient treatment when a helicopter passed overhead with a downdraft so strong, it knocked her to the ground. The suit claims Graves broke her hip in the fall. Graves died last year at the age of 84. The suit has been filed on behalf of her estate for 3-hundred thousand dollars. A Carilion spokesman said yesterday that he had not seen the lawsuit.

[Biz-Review]

[ANCHOR=Myranda]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=Biz Review ]
[GRAPHIC=Business Review]
[ENG=1]
In business news this week, some local retirees will most likely lose their benefits, and mall owners say the urge to splurge is alive and well. Donald Graham has more in News 7's Business Review.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[SUPER=03-Bedford Co./File Tape; :06]
[SUPER=03-Big Island; :19]
[SUPER=01-John Key/Losing Retirement Benefits; :29]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :44]
[SUPER=01-Gary Rappaport/Towers Shopping Center Owner; :54]
[SUPER=19-Donald Graham/Reporting; 1:10 ]
[RUNS=1:21]
[OUT Q=MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]

(( [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-15 TC1:48:45]
R-B-X retirees set to lose their retirement benefits say they feel betrayed. In federal court, a judge upheld R-B-X Corporation's motion to terminate all retiree benefits -- including health insurance and prescription cards. By doing that, the bankrupt company can use the money to pay off it debts. But, retiree John Key feels the company owes him for his 37-years of service.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 2:57:52]
[IN Q=it's a hardship]
((JOHN KEY/LOSING RETIREMENT BENEFITS: IT'S A HARDSHIP ON EVERYBODY AND SHOULDN'T HAVE EVER HAPPENED, SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN.))
[RUNS= 06]
[OUT Q=allowed to happen]
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[VO-NAT]
Key retired from Rubatex in 1988 -- one of three R-B-X companies that announced earlier this year it was shutting down due to financial struggles. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC1:21:28]
Business is good at shopping malls in the Commonwealth. At a forum in Roanoke, local and national shopping center business leaders laid out their vision for this summer's season and beyond.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT - 19:31]
[IN Q=Between the job growth...]
((GARY RAPPAPORT/TOWERS SHOPPING CENTER OWNER; BETWEEN THE JOB GROWTH THAT'S OCCURRING NOW AND IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE ARE ACTUALLY ALMOST A VERY LITTLE VACANCY IN ALL OF THE CENTERS ACROSS THE US AND ESPECIALLY IN VIRGINIA.))
[RUNS= 14]
[OUT Q=especially in Virginia.]
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[VO-NAT]
Rappaport adds that high gas prices have NOT deterred shopping. He says customers are making fewer trips, but buying and spending more during each visit. For News 7, I'm Donald Graham and that's Business Review. [MUSIC AND GRAPHICS]))

[Tease#2]
[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[SS=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]
Still ahead on the newscast, look for cooler and less humid weather for Father's day. We'll have your full forecast...
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[VO-NAT]
and in sports, getting some tips from the pros. Local football players with N-F-L experience share stories about what it takes to make it in the big league.
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[Phillipine-Festival]

[ANCHOR=Shan]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC-31:39]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=1]

Dozens of folks gathered in Roanoke County to celebrate their cultural heritage today.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The Philippine Independence Cultural Organization held its bi-annual cultural fair at Hidden Valley High school. The event featured food, songs, and traditional Christian and Muslim dances. Money was raised for charitable causes in the Phillipines. It's all an effort to raise awareness for asian children to embrace their heritage while also celebrating their lives in America. The event started in 1976, and is held every other year.
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[Apple-Ridge]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=504-00 TC-1:09:44]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=2]

A late Salem High School tennis star was the inspiration for new courts in Floyd County.
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[VO-NAT]
Sarah Katherine Hoge was Salem High School's top tennis player during her tenure there. She died last year at the age of 22 after complications from an asthma attack.
[SUPER=03-Floyd Co.;]
Today Apple Ridge Farm dedicated two tennis courts in her name. The farm serves as an educational resource for underprivileged children. Sarah Katherine's mother, Anne, started working with Apple Ridge five years ago and says her daughter would have been proud of the dedication.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 5:54:12]
[IN Q=She would love to]
((ANNE HOGE: SHE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THAT SHE HAD A PART IN PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN TO LEARN THE GAME OF TENNIS BECAUSE SO OFTEN THEY DON'T LEARN.))
[SUPER=01-Anne Hoge/Sarah Katherine's Mother;]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=they don't learn]
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[VO-NAT]
Dozens of residents and contractors donated time and money to the project. Hoge calls her late daughter a beautiful person and says the family feels fortunate to have had her- even for a short time.
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[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

Coming up, an update on the 104th US Open, Shannon Taylor's football and cheerleading camp continues, and
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[VO-NAT]

the Avs try to continue their dominance of Lynchburg tonight at Salem Memorial Stadium.
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[S-Open]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=copy]
[ENG#=]

The third round of the US Open is winding down and finally Shinnecock Hills is baring its teeth. Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Mauryama have some company at the top. Fred Funk is in the mix at 4-under while Reteif Goosen has caught Mickelson for the lead at 5-under thru 15. Mauryama is minus 3. We'll have complete highlights and hear from the leaders at 11.

[S-Don]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-176 TC4003]
[GRAPHIC=Golf]
[ENG#=1]

It's not the US Open but the Don Holliday Scholarship golf tournament was held today at the Botetourt Country Club, selling out for the 18th straight year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]

Nearly 300 golfers teed it up in the name of the scholarship fund. The event has become a reunion of sorts with golfers from as far away as California, Michigan, and Florida.
Around 35 thousand dollars was raised with almost half of that going to the scholarship.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jerry English/Tournament Director; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=fund raising event for us."]
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[S-Salem]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-168 1:24:19]
[GRAPHIC=avalanche]
[ENG#=2]

The Salem Avalanche is the hottest team in the Carolina League as the first half of the season winds down. The Avs have won 11 of their past 13 games and last night eliminated the Hillcats from first half title contention.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]

The Avalanche has now won four of the past five games against Lynchburg, and owns a seven game winning streak with two games left in the homestand starting with tonight's contest at 7pm.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Mark Saccomanno/Avalanche Homerun Leader; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Kochen/Avalanche Left Fielder; :13]
[RUNS=:32]
[OUT Q=.....only goes with those"]
(-----------------)
[anchor=travis]
[graphic=avs]

The series finale is Sunday at 2.

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-170 TC12738]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[ENG#=3]

[WIPE to ENG!!]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chicago, IL/FOX Sports Net; :00]

On the big league diamond, Oakland's Mark Mulder pitched well enough to pick up his 7th consecutive victory today at Wrigley, but the Cubs rallied off the A's bullpen.
Chad Bradford was victimized by this Michael Barrett double down the right field line in the ninth.
[SUPER=35-Oakland/3/Chicago/4/;]
Two Cubbies crossed the plate including Todd Hollandsworth who slid in with the game winning run. Cubs win, I said, Cubs win 4-3.
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[S-Taylor]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-182 10:24]
[GRAPHIC=UVa]
[ENG#=4]

Former UVa star Shannon Taylor wrapped up his football and cheerleading camp today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Nearly 200 boys and girls participated in the two segments of the camp. In addition to the cheerleading drills, the football players were also put through workouts that focused on variety. The athletes were schooled in running the ball, passing as well as kicking. But fun and meeting some stars were the key ingredients.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Shannon Taylor/Football Camp Director; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=.....meet some of those people"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One of Taylor's top draws was five year NFL veteran John St. Clair. The former William Fleming and Virginia standout offensive lineman is now with his second NFL team, the Miami Dolphins. St. Clair is a fan of Taylor's camp system, especially the punt, pass and kick competition and the shuttle drills.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-John St. Clair/Miami Dolphins Tackle; :00]
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=......long run"]
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[S-Nascar]

[ANCHOR=travis]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=twe]
[TAPE#=SP-172 TC12546]
[GRAPHIC=Busch Series]
[ENG#=1]

The Nascar Busch Series races under the lights tonight in Kentucky in the Meijer 300.
[GRAPHIC=Nextel Cup]

Meanwhile, Elliott Sadler and Jeremy Mayfield paced today's practice sessions at Michigan for tomorrow's DHL 400 where speeds will approach 200 miles an hour and passing should be easy.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Ryan Newman/Starts 4th on Sunday; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=from other racetracks."]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Memphis, TN/SPEED; :]

Bobby Hamilton will be wearing his blue suede shoes tonight but he won't be singing the delta blues. That's because the veteran held off youngster Shane Hmiel to win today's O'Reilly 200 Craftsman Truck race at the Memphis Motorsports Park. (----------------)