WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 07/16/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

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

Coming up on News 7-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Firefighters in one local department won't just be fighting fires.. they'll be fighting fat.
And just how are America's children when it comes to weight and overall health. Results of a report.
Plus cell phones on planes??? The talking takes flight.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And showers on the way?
News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

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

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

As wildfires rage across several Western states,
Botetourt County residents remember the scene five years ago...
and look forward to the continued recovery of Purgatory Mountain.
(------------)
[ANCHOR =JEan]
[GRAPHIC=News 7 at 11]

[Western-Wildfires]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jbu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Wildfires]
[ENG#=3]

Thousands of firefighters are battling hundreds of blazes out West.
In Nevada, firefighters kept an explosive wildfire from destroying more homes near the state capital, but warn that the blaze remains unpredictable.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Carson City, NV]
It's suspected teenagers may have started the blaze outside of Carson City.
The fire remains volative but firefighters are gaining some ground. They do warn however that if the winds blow the fire into nearby Carson City it would be catastrophic.
[SUPER=03-Lake Hughes, CA]
Forestry officials in California have spotted 200 fires in two days and say the worst of the season lies ahead. In the Lake Hughes area, high winds have pushed a three day old wildfire across more than 14-thousand acres and have forced thousands from their homes.
(------------)

[Forest-Fires]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC1:18:23]
[GRAPHIC=Fire Recovery]

Wild fires are common here in Virginia but not usually as intense as the ones out west.
But every once in awhile we do get a big fire such as the one in Botetourt County several years ago. [***FIRE RECOVERY GRAPHIC***]
[DOUBLE BOXES=JEan & Justin /BAM;]

Justin McLeod returned to Purgatory Mountain today. So Justin what did you find?
Jean, we saw a mountain that is slowly on the road to recovery.
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]
[SUPER=@justin1]

Fire years after the fire, Purgatory Mountain has clearly come a long way but still has a long way to go.
[ENG#=4]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=04-August, 1999; :11]
[SUPER=01-Louise Thomasson/Botetourt Co. Resident; :31 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Charles Hutsell/Dept. of Forestry; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=IN THE WINTER IT'S UGLY]
((((NAT SOUND OF LOUISE TALKING))
When Louise Thomasson looks out her front porch these days she sees a view that's clearly not what it used to be.
[SOT 21:44]
[IN Q=It's real ugly]
((LOUISE THOMASSON/BOTETOURT CO. RESIDENT: IT'S REALLY UGLY NOW.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=UGLY NOW]

That ugliness was the result of a brush fire on Purgatory Mountain in Botetourt County nearly five years ago. ((NAT SOUND OF THE FIRE))
The fire was so massive it took firefighters five days to contain it. It even forced Interstate 81 to close several times.
The fire ended up burning nearly 13-hundred acres and threatened a number of nearby homes.
[SOT 20:27]
[IN Q=Sitting on that porch]
((LOUISE THOMASSON/RESIDENT: SITTING ON THAT PORCH AND WATCHING IT, IT WAS REALLY SCARY.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=it was really scary]

That was then, this is now.
Parts of the mountain have seen some re-growth but you can still clearly see holes where everything was burnt.
[SOT 2:52]
[IN Q=It does take time]
((CHARLES HUTSELL/DEPT. OF FORESTRY: IT DOES TAKE TIME FOR NATURE TO HEAL ITS WOUNDS.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=heal its wounds]

In fact it can take years even decades.
Firefighters say the intensity of the fire usually determines when the forest will recover.
Grasses and plants are usually the first to come back and there are signs of that here on Purgatory Mountain.
[SOT 4:22]
[IN Q=You know 10 to 15]
((CHARLES HUTSELL/DEPT OF FORESTRY: YOU KNOW TEN, FIFTEEN YEARS YOU'LL START TO GETTING THE VARIOUS TREES BACK IN, EARLY SUCCESSIONAL TREES, SUMAC AND THOSE TYPES OF TREES.)) [Runs10]
[OUT Q=TYPES OF TREES]

Until that day comes, residents who live near the mountain will have to remember the good old days.
[SOT 21:28]
[IN Q=It was really]
((LOUISE THOMASSON: IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL BUT NOW IT'S DEAD TREES AND IT'S GROWING UP WHERE IT'S COVERING MOST OF IT BUT IN THE WINTER IT'S UGLY.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=WINTER IT'S UGLY]))
(-------------)
[LIVE= Justin /FULL BAM]

Wildfires in Virginia are only going to get more dangerous because more and more people in our area are building in or near forests.
[DOUBLE BOXES=JEan & Justin /BAM;]

Jean, the Department of Forestry even goes out to some neighborhoods now to teach residents how to minimize the risk from wildfires.

[Firefighters]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=04-24 TC45:56]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

A recent study shows a large number of Lynchburg's firefighters could be too large themselves.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/File Tape]

That's prompted the chief to find ways to get his department eating healthier and working out.
He's asked local gyms and fitness centers to consider offering firefighters a reduced-cost membership.
He's also hoping to secure grant money that would help buy fitness equipment for each of the city's eight fire stations.
(------------)

[Martha-Stewart]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=MArtha Stewart]
[ENG#=2]

Martha Stewart asked a judge for mercy and got it- the lightest possible sentence for lying about a stock sale.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY]

She'll spend five months in prison and five under house arrest- and pay a 30 thousand dollar fine.
Martha Stewart's voice shook as she asked for lenience in court-
But outside court stewart sounded confident as she talked about her future.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3;16]
[IN Q=]
((AND I'LL BE BACK. I'LL BE BACK WHATEVER I HAVE TO DO IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS I HOPE THE MONTHS GO BY QUICKLY. I'M USED TO HARD WORK I'M NOT AFRAID WHATSOEVER.))
[SUPER=07-Martha Stewart;]
[RUNS=16]
[OUT Q=not afraid whatsoever.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Stewart thanked her supporters and asked them to continue showing their support by buying her products.
Her former Stockbroker, Peter Backoniv also got five months in prison, five months house arrest and a four thousand dollar fine.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Both are free while awaiting an appeal.

[Bryant-Martin]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC43:33]
[GRAPHIC=Church Vandalism]
[ENG#=3]
The two men who vandalized a black church in January were in FEDERAL Court in Roanoke today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/January]
They admitted desecrating Mount Moriah Baptist, BECAUSE it's an African American church. Following the hearing, the pastor suggested the vandals need help, not prison time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 22:00]
[IN Q=I don't know]
((REV. THOMAS PLEASANT/MT. MORIAH BAPTIST CHURCH: I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT ASTRAY. BUT IF YOU COME IN TO A SCENE, THE DAMAGE THEY DONE TO THAT CHURCH. WE'RE JUST A POOR CONGREGATION, LESS THAN 10 PEOPLE. JOHN BROWNLEE/US ATTORNEY: THESE GUYS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING. THEY INTENTIONALLY WENT INTO THAT CHURCH, DESECRATED IT BECAUSE OF THE RACE. I ADMIRE A MAN LIKE REV. PLEASANT WHO HAS THE CAPACITY TO FORGIVE. BUT WE HAVE A JOB TO DO.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Thomas Pleasant/Mt. Moriah Baptist Church; :04]
[SUPER=01-John Brownlee/U. S. Attorney; :09]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=a job to do.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The FEDERAL government pursued the case
[SUPER=04-June]
against Zachary Lee Bryant and his co-defendant, Christopher Martin, making it a civil rights violation.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]
The Information unsealed in court today indicates there was evidence that Martin had suggested *burning* the church ....again BECAUSE of its African-American congregation.

[Pulaski-Noise]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-17 TC1:17:27]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=4]
Pulaski Police say they are hearing the latest citizen complaints, loud and clear.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
The number of people violating the town's noise ordinance is on the rise. More people are complaining about bad mufflers on vehicles and loud stereos of passing cars. Police can write a ticket if your music can be heard 25 feet from your car.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT: 22:05:00]
[IN Q=Just be]
((GARY ROCHE/PULASKI POLICE CHIEF: JUST BE AWARE THAT WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR VEHICLE OR ANYTHING YOU MIGHT BE USING CAN AFFECT OTHERS AND IF IT'S SUCH A PROBLEM THAT IT CAUSES COMPLAINTS THAN YOU'RE SUBJECT TO BEING CITED FOR THEM.))
[SUPER=01-Gary Roche/Pulaski Police Chief;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=being cited for them.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Police are sending warning letters in the mail to violators. If you get too many warnings, you'll get a ticket the next time an officer catches you breaking the law.
(------------)

[State-Radios]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mmu]
[TAPE#=04-22 TC1:00:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG=1]

The Virginia State Police communications system is getting old, but it is about to get better.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond]

Officers are using the same radio system that was first installed in 1977.
Today the state signed a 329-million dollar contract with Motorola to replace the old system.
The 27-year-old analog radios are prone to dropped signals, static and are frequently inaudible.
The head of the State Police, Colonel Steve Flaherty, says the new radios will help save lives.
The system will be up and running throughout the state in 2009.
(------------)

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

Parents in one school system may soon have some reading to catch up on.
Why the school system want a refresher course on the rules next.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Plus how healthy are out kids? A new report tonight.
(-------------)

[Sports-preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=MST]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[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 opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games highlight the first day of competition. We'll check out some of the day one action, plus the Avalanche still can't a grip on the K-Tribe as they fall again. And Lance makes his move at the Tour - tonight on the Big 7.))
[Childrens-Health]

(MINI OPEN)

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

Just how healthy are America's children?
A new report outlines several key indicators of the overall health and well being of the nation's young.
Julie Vallese joins us with a report card on children's health.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Duane Alexander/Nat. Inst. of Child Health & Human Dev.; :17]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Edward Sondik/Centers for Disease Control; :54]
[SUPER=01-Julie Vallese/Reporting; 1:16]
[RUNS=1:32]
[OUT Q=I'm Julie Vallese.]
((Children make up 25 percent of the US population that's about and 73 million under the age of 18. And because today's children are tomorrow adults there is a lot of focus put on their general well-being and health. THINGS ARE LOOKING UP FOR THE YOUNGEST AMERICANS. IN SOME AREAS - AN ALL TIME BEST. TEENAGE PREGNANCIES ARE AT AN ALL TIME LOW. ALSO AT AN ALL TIME LOW, VIOLENCE ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDREN AND THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE OF SMOKING AMONG TEENS. Dr. Duane Alexander/Nat'l Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Overall the trends have been positive and I think its safe to say that most kids have a better future in terms of their health, their education, their social status, than they had when we started this report eight years ago. 12 DIFFERENT FEDERAL AGENCIES COMBINE INFORMATION AND RELEASE A REPORT EACH YEAR. OTHER FINDINGS - VACCINATIONS ARE UP AGAINST DISEASES SUCH AS CHICKENPOX AND HEPATITIS. MORE TEENS ARE FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL AND MORE PARENTS ARE READING TO THEIR CHILDREN. BUT NOT EVERYTHING IN THE REPORT IS POSITIVE. ONE AREA THAT RESEARCHERS SAY IS GOING THE WRONG WAY - THE WEIGHT OF CHILDREN. Dr. Edward Sondik/Centers for Disease Control: Back in 1980 six percent of children were overweight, and the figure in 2000 is that its 16 percent. AND THAT THEY SAY HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE NOT JUST FOR THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN BUT FOR THE NATION. AS OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN GET OLDER THERE'S A GREATER CHANCE OF HEART PROBLEMS, DIABETES AND CANCER. THE REPORT IS AN OVERALL LOOK AT THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN BUT HEALTH EXPERTS SAY PARENTS MAY HOLD THE KEY TO HEALTHIER INDIVIDUALS - ONE PLACE TO S
TART GET THEM TO DO WHAT KIDS DO BEST ---- GET THEM OUTSIDE AND PLAY. ))

[City-Schools]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11 p.m.]
[WRITER=syo]
[TAPE#=04-19 TC1:19:29]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=2]
The next time you visit a doctor's office your choice of reading material could include the Roanoke City School's Student Handbook.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :08]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The school board today discussed changes not only to the conduct code itself, but to the way the book is distributed.

(///// SOT at :08 /////)
[SOT 21:16:31 - 21:16:48]
[IN Q=The handbook does come home...]
((KATHY STOCKBURGER/CHAIR, ROANOKE SCHOOL BOARD: THE HANDBOOK DOES COME HOME ALONG WITH A HUNDRED OTHER THINGS. IF WE CAN DISTRIBUTE IT THROUGH OTHER VENUES LIKE CHURCHES, LIBRARIES AND DOCTORS' OFFICES IT MIGHT HAVE WIDER COVERAGE.))
[SUPER=01-Kathy Stockburger/Roanoke School Board Chair;]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=might have wider coverage.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT :17]
The board wants to be consistent in the way it punishes students who engage in delinquent behavior and, it wants parents to be well-versed on the consequences, as well.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]
Stockburger says, informing the public about the board's expectations will make it that much easier to determine when those expectations have not been met.
[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[WRITER=dse]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[SS=None]
[ENG#=V10]

A new life-saving option is taking off from the Roanoke Regional Airport. We'll show you when News 7 returns.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And we've all heard this announcement before.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=You can use]
((YOU CAN USE CELLULAR PHONES WHILE WE ARE AT THE HANGER. WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THEY MUST BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY FOR DEPARTURE.))
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=away for departure.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

But new technology may make that rule a thing of the past.
(-------------)

[Commercial]

[Air-Service]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-28 TC29:59]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=1]

A low- fare air carrier WILL move to Roanoke, but travelers shouldn't count on it any time soon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
That from consultant Michael Boyd, who spoke to business leaders in Roanoke today. He says air service in the region is good and fares are comparable with other markets. Competition to attract a low- fare airlines is fierce, but Boyd says Roanoke will eventually get one.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:09]
[IN Q=I think people have]
((MICHAEL BOYD/THE BOYD GROUP PRESIDENT: I THINK PEOPLE HAVE GOT TO RECOGNIZE THERE AREN'T MANY LOW FARE CARRIERS OUT THERE. THE BAR TO GET THEM HAS BEEN RAISED TIME AND AGAIN SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU CAN'T JUST GO TO THE AIRLINE STORE AND GET A LOW FARE CARRIER.))
[SUPER=01-Michael Boyd/The Boyd Group President;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=a low fare carrier]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Local economic leaders say they can attract new businesses with or without a low- fare carrier.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 8:44]
[IN Q=In trying to attract]
((DOUG CHITTUM: IN TRYING TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES IT IS A SUBJECT THAT COMES UP, HOWEVER, WE REALLY DON'T SEE IT AS BEING A BIG NEGATIVE AND HASN'T BEEN SO FAR ON OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT COMPANIES.))
[SUPER=01-Doug Chittum/Roanoke Co. Economic Development Dir.;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=to attract companies]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Air traffic at Roanoke Regional is up nine- percent compared to this time last year.
(------------)

[WIPE WIP WIPE]

[Carilion-Jet]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=Eleven]
[WRITER=lmc]
[TAPE#=04-23 TC39:28]
[GRAPHIC=]

[ENG#=2]
[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
Virginia's new fixed wing air ambulance will be operating out of the Roanoke Regional Airport. The jet will be used when a ground ambulance is not available or appropriate for transportation. It can fly at more than 500- miles an hour and can travel more than 15-hundred miles without stopping for fuel.
Charlie Alpha Air Ambulance and Carilion Health System shared resources to create the service.
(------------)

[Plane-Cellphone]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jbu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]
[ENG#=3]
They invaded the movies, restaurants, and public parks, and now you won't even escape the chatter at 30-thousand feet.

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Dallas, TX]
Yesterday was the maiden voyage of a new system that would allow you to make calls from your cell phone while in flight. A feat that was not only illegal in the past but impossible at high altitudes.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Imagine the benefits of being]
((DAN GARTON/EVP MARKETING AMERICAN AIRLINES:IMAGINE THE BENEFITS OF BEING ABLE TO PICK UP YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND TEXT MESSAGE THE SCORE OF YOUR DAUGHTER'S SOCCER GAME.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Garton/EVP Marketing American Airlines;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=the score of your daughter's soccer game.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
The Qualcom system will collect the signals in the cabin, pass them to a satellite transmitter on top of the plane, and send them to a cellular system on the ground. There are still some kinks to be worked out but those aboard this maiden flight expect the system to be up and running in two years.
(------------)

[S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA & sp-177 5530tc]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]
[ENG#=V10]

The Avs try to tame the wicked K-Tribe again tonight. The Commonwealth Games are rolling. And the locals linksters are tearing up the State Open. But first tonight's Extra Point -
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Mongie, France/OLN; :00]
Lance Armstrong finally made a major move at the Tour De France today in the first stage in the Pyrenees mountains. He finished second in the stage, and is now second in the overall standings just five minutes and 24 seconds behind Frenchman Thomas Voeckler. It's Lance's best move of the Tour. As you know - riders cannot afford to lose a single second - so this guy decided to get a pedicure while he kept moving during today's stage.
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES] [go to scores]
(------------)
[GO TO SCORES]
[SUPER=#556;]
[SUPER=x5011;]
[SUPER=0093-j/Kinston/7//Salem/6///j/Lynchburg/9//Myrtle Beach/7///;]
[SUPER=x5012;]
[SUPER=0105-j/Johnson City/5//Pulaski/4///j/Danville/5//Burlington/3///;]
[SUPER=x5010;]
[SUPER=0091-/Baltimore/0/j/Tampa Bay/2////New York/0/j/Detroit/8///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0091-/Boston/1//Anaheim/0/3//j/Kansas City/12//Minnesota/3///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/St. Louis/7//Cincinnati/5////Atlanta/1/j/Montreal/5///;]
[SUPER=x5009;]
[SUPER=0092-j/Pittsburgh/6//Florida/2///j/Milwaukee/3//Chicago/2///;]
[RUNS=:30]
[OC=LAST SCORE]
(--------------)

[S-Avs]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-180 3413TC]
[GRAPHIC=AVS]
[ENG#=1]

The Salem Avalanche continued what has been a brutal four night, five game home stand with the Kinston Indians tonight.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Indians vs. Avalanche; :00]
Coming into tonight - the Avs had lost the first three games of the series. Things started promisingly tonight as Wade Robinson gets all of this one and gives it a ride to the base of the wall in center for the double. But he was stranded. Kinston would get the bats rolling in the top of the fourth as right fielder John Fagan makes a great catch on the Indians' sinking line drive. The runner tags at third and Fagan's throw has him nailed, but the ball gets past the catcher. 1-to-nothing. The K-tribe would blow it wide open in the fourth with 4 runs as Rodney Choy-Foo slams one to the right field wall and chases home two runs.
[SUPER=37-Kinston/7/Salem/6;]
Kinston beats Salem 7 to 6 to make it four in a row over the Avs. They play again tomorrow night at Salem Memorial at 7:05.
(------------)

[S-Games]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-181 2424tc]
[GRAPHIC=COMMONWEALTH GAMES]
[ENG#=2]

The Commonwealth Games of Virginia are in their 15th year of existence. And while folks around here may occasionally take them for granted - they are big doings each July for athletes from all over the state.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/Opening Ceremonies; :00]
Tonight the opening ceremonies had an Olympic flavor to them in more ways than one. The athletes marched into the Civic Center and took their places on the floor as parents and relatives cheered them on. They were treated to a variety of sports demonstrations from their fellow athletes. And where else can you catch cheerleaders dancing to Guns and Roses, an all out laser show and an appearance by former Olympic gold medal gymnast Kerri Strug. She's headed to Athens later this summer and we asked her what she'd heard about any current security concerns.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=EVERYBODY...]
[SUPER=01-Kerri Strug/1996 Olympic Gold Medalist; :00]
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=...THE BEST YOU CAN."]
(-----------)
[vo nat con't] We'll have more on Kerri Strug Saturday on News 7 at Six.
(-----------)

[S-Base]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ape]
[TAPE#=SP-178 2744tc]
[GRAPHIC=COMMONWEALTH GAMES]
[ENG#=3]

The full fledged Commonwealth Game began this morning with the relatively new Junior Legion Baseball. This is only the second year that the Junior Legion has been a part of the Games.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]
Different from All-Star baseball, the Junior Legion is meant for 15-to-17 year olds who might not be eligible to play for the All-Star teams, but still want a chance to compete during the off-season. The mix of JV and Varsity players are spread among 16 teams, each team representing several high schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="It's hard to come together..."]
[SUPER=01-Kyle Rose/Roanoke Third Baseman; :02]
[SUPER=01-Jason Taylor/Baseball Coordinator; :16]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=...a great opportunity for the younger kids."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT con't]

Each team is guaranteed 3 games in the round robin portion of play. The championship games will be played on Sunday.

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

[WIPE TO ENG#!!!!!!!!!!!]

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ape]
[TAPE#=SP-179 2045tc]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=4]
[WIPE TO ENG#!!!!!!!]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Basketball for 11, 12, and 13 year olds girls was one of the first sports to fire up this afternoon.
A total of 34 teams are participating in these age groups alone. Basketball has proven to be one of the most popular of the 48 sports in the Commonwealth games and has attracted teams from all over the state. Just for basketball alone, 19 gyms are being used throughout the Roanoke Valley. And before the weekend is over with, 250 games will be played.
(------------)

[WIPE WIPE WIPE]

[S-Open]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=VSGA LOGO]
A number of local golfers are right at the top of the leaderboard at the Sun Trust State open in Richmond at the Willow Oaks Country Club. Faber Jamerson leads at 9 under par. But Chip Sullivan is now at 6 under par heading into the weekend in second place. Joining him in second is Ryan Sypniewski of Radford who shot a 68 today. Keith Decker is two under par. And Ryan Stinnett is also back in contention just six shots back after shooting a 66 today. Scott Wise was four over today, and is now one over par of the tournament. You can watch round three of the State Open tomorrow from 2pm - 4pm right here on WDBJ-7.

[S-British]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-176 5418TC]
[GRAPHIC=BRITISH OPEN]
[ENG#=2]

The British Open championship at Royal Troon has hit the halfway point with an unknown at the top of the leader board.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Troon, Scotland/TNT; :00]
Skip Kendall - an American who has played more than 300 PGA Tour events without ever winning is all alone in first place by a stroke at seven under par. A couple of the guys who are just three shots behind also had some amazing shots today. Here's Ernie Els following up Thursday hole in one with this sweet chip in from the rough for birdie. Tiger Woods was up and down again today shooting an even par round. He's at one under par for the tournament. Masters' champ Phil Mickelson was red hot today shooting a five under par round. He's three under for the tourney. One of the guys at four under par, Todd Hamilton had the shot of the day. Take a look at what is almost a blind shot out of the fairway on the 7th hole. It falls right in the cup for the eagle.
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[TOSS TO BREAK]

[Dairy-Cener]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rde]
[TAPE#=04-16 TC2:00:48]
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[ENG#=1]
Virginia Tech will soon be milking a new dairy building for all it's worth.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]
The school unveiled a brand new dairy science facility this afternoon. The new building will hold more than 230 cows and features a state-of-the-art milking center. Dairy specialists say the new 5-point-3 million dollar facility is a major upgrade in terms of technology and cow care.
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[SOT:17:35:02:00]
[IN Q=This offers the]
((CHARLES MILLER/FORMER DAIRY SUPERINTENDENT: THIS OFFERS THE STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY. A FACILITY THAT'S UP TO DATE. THE FACILITY WE ARE MOVING OUT OF WAS BUILT IN 1960 SO WE'RE UPGRADING BY 40 PLUS YEARS. :14))
[SUPER=01-Charles Miller/Former Dairy Superintendent;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=by 40 plus years.]
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[VO-NAT]
The school will begin moving the cows in on Monday. The center should be fully operational by the time students arrive this fall. (------------)