WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 07/23/04

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Coming up on News 7--

Halifax county authorities are investigating an apparent murder- suicide.
(---------------)
[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

And, after saying "No" to the N-Double-A-C-P, President Bush heads to Detroit to court another minority organization.

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

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=brent]
[SS=None]
An approaching cold front may help trigger a few afternoon showers, otherwise a fairly warm summer day. Cooler changes are on the way for the weekend. The full forecast coming up.
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]

One week after coming under fire for refusing to address the N-Double-A-C-P, President Bush is speaking to a different civil rights group.
(------------)

[Campaign-2004]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign]
[ENG#=]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
President Bush is wooing the minority vote today, with a speech to the national urban league.
But he's facing an uphill battle for votes in the black community.
Aleen Sirgany has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Detroit, MI;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate;]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Washington.]
((
UNDER FIRE FOR NOT SPEAKING AT THE N-DOUBLE A-CP CONVENTION LAST WEEK....PRESIDENT BUSH MADE A CAMPAIGN STOP AT THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE CONFERENCE THIS MORNING IN DETROIT.

SOT: BUSH

THE PRESIDENT IS FIGHTING AN UPHILL BATTLE WITH BLACK VOTERS...IN A NEW BET-CBS NEWS POLL, 79 PERCENT OF REGISTERED AFRICAN-AMERICANS SAY THEY'LL VOTE FOR DEMOCRATIC RIVAL JOHN KERRY.

(NATZ FULL KERRY..."VALUES MEAN HELPING ALL AMERICANS...")

KERRY SPOKE THURSDAY AT THE SAME URBAN LEAGUE GATHERING...PROMISING TO CREATE JOBS, IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADDRESS GAPS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

SOT: JOHN KERRY/DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTAL CANDIDATE
"WE ARE GOING TO STOP BEING THE ONLY INDUSTRIAL NATION ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT HEALTH CARE IS NOT A PRIVILEGE FOR THE WEALTHY."

(NATZ BUSH)

FOR HIS PART, THE PRESIDENT IS HOPING TO IMPROVE HIS RECORD WITH MINORITIES. IN THE LAST ELECTION HIS PERFORMANCE WITH BLACK VOTERS WAS THE LOWEST SINCE BARRY GOLDWATER RAN IN 19-64.

SOT: BUSH

(STANDUP)

THE BUSH CAMPAIGN SAYS THE PRESIDENT WILL KEEP A LOW PROFILE DURING NEXT WEEK'S DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN BOSTON....AND THEN PLANS TO HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL...THE MOMENT IT IS OVER.
ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, WASHINGTON
))

[Halifax-Murder]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Murder Investigation]
[ENG#=None]

Police in Halifax County are investigating what they are calling an apparent murder suicide.
Chief K-B Tribble says the the bodies of 52-year-old Charles Ricky Hammock and 19-year-old Derick Hammock were found in the bedrooms of their home Wednesday morning. A handgun was found at the scene.
The elder Hammock was general manager of Sunshine Mills, the town's largest employer.
Derick Hammock worked at Sunshine Mills part time as a security guard.

[Passenger-Rail]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=12]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-30 8:49]
[GRAPHIC=Passenger Rail Service]

[ENG#=4]

The trains aren't ready to roll, but the effort to restore passenger rail service in western Virginia appears to be picking up steam.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Almost 25 years have passed since the last regular passenger trains stopped in the Roanoke Valley.
But supporters of the Trans Dominion Express have been working to restore service from Bristol through Roanoke and Lynchburg to Washington DCTERMS.
While funding remains a major hurdle, the Trans Dominion Express is preparing to purchase five passenger rail cars. And it now appears that the Norfolk Southern Corporation is open to the prospect of passenger service on its rail lines in western Virginia.
(---------------)

[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Iraq]

[ENG#=1]

U-S military officials aren't saying yet whether there are any casualties from what they call a "precision attack" today on suspected Iraqi insurgents.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]

A physician says five civilians- including three children- were injured in the U-S air strike.
The strike left a large crater in front of the house, where women and children were said to be sleeping.
[SUPER=03-Kandahar, Afghanistan;]

In Afghanistan, a car bomb hit an American military convoy today, wounding at least four U-S soldiers.
The attack happened on a busy road that runs between downtown Kandahar, and a U-S base on the outskirts of the southern city.
(------------)

[Turkey-Train]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=Net]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Government officials have ruled out sabotage as the cause of a deadly train derailment in Turkey.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pamukova, Turkey;]

Yesterday's crash killed 36 people and injured more than 80 others.
It's being called one of Turkey's worst ever rail disasters.
Critics, meanwhile, are lashing out at the Turkish government for ignoring warnings that the old railroad tracks were NOT designed to handle the newer express train.
Sources say police have detained the train's conductor and his assistant for questioning.
(------------)

[Schoo-Closing]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Schooltouch]
[ENG#=None]

A water problem is giving some students in the New River Valley an early start to their weekend.
(------------)
[TAKE SCHOOLTOUCH FULL] Afternoon and evening classes have been cancelled at the New River Valley Community College in Dublin.
(------------)

[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next on the newscast, several families in Roanoke lose their homes to fire.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Plus authorities are trying to determine what caused an eight story building to collapse in the heart of Manila.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]

[Building-Collapse]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[MINI-OPEN]

[ENG#=1]

An eight- story building collapsed today in the heart of Manila's busy commercial area.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Manila, Philippines;]

Businesses in the Philippine capital came to a halt, and nearby structures were damaged as a result of the collapse.
Authorities say no one was injured.
All of the tenants in the building, including a small savings bank, had been safely evacuated before the five-year-old structure started to tilt.
Officials are still trying to figure out what caused the collapse.
(------------)

[11Roanoke-Fire]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=04-20 TC1:27:53]
[GRAPHIC=Fire]

[ENG#=2]

Several families lost their apartments to a fire in Roanoke last night.
It broke out just before nine o-clock last night on Mountain Avenue.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Firefighters say all of the residents escaped unharmed.
Crews quickly knocked down the flames, but they had already destroyed two of the four apartment units inside the building and caused some 40-thousand dollars in damage.
Investigators are still trying to figure out what started the blaze.
The Red Cross is providing housing for the seven residents of the building.
(------------)

[PKGGolf-Course]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-21 TC 48:13]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=3]

A change in the route of Interstate 73 has one developer seeing green... as in golf greens.
Now that the interstate has bypassed southeast Roanoke County, he wants to build a golf course.
But as Justin McLeod tells us, not everyone is thrilled about the idea.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lester George/George Golf Design; :09 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Linda Faltz/Nearby Resident; :25 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Mike Altizer/Roanoke Co. Supervisor; :58]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:22]
[RUNS=1:30]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF RAIN AT THE PROPOSED SITE))
The sound of nature here in the Mt. Pleasant Community of Roanoke County could one day be replaced with the sounds of golf swings.
[SOT 7:45:00]
[IN Q=In my seventeen]
((LESTER GEORGE/GEORGE GOLF DESIGN: IN MY SEVENTEEN YEARS THIS IS PROBABLY THE FOURTH BEST SITE I HAVE SEEN IN THE UNITED STATES.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=IN THE UNITED STATES]

That site would be located here on the old Saul Farm located on Pitzer Road.
It is here where Lester George wants to build a 250 acre golf course, similar to the one you see in these pictures.

[SOT 7:42:35]
[IN Q=I think that would]
((LINDA FALTZ/NEARBY RESIDENT: I THINK THAT WOULD BE FINE. I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL TO HAVE THAT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=IN THE COMMUNITY]

Many who attended this community meeting feel the same way.
But some do have concerns over traffic in the area and what this will do to the rural setting.
[SOT 7:40:10]
[IN Q=I'm not talking]
((RESIDENT BITE: I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT REAL ESTATE I'M JUST TALKING ABOUT DESTROYING THE COUNTRY SIDE.)) [Runs03]
[OUT Q=destroying the country side]

That countryside could one day have up to 70 homes surrounding the golf course.
That has some residents fearing the impact on services such as water and sewer as well as the schools.
But county leaders point out the way the land is zoned right now it could allow for the construction of up to 250 homes.
[SOT 7:43:44]
[IN Q=I think they understand]
((MIKE ALTIZER/ROANOKE CO. SUPERVISOR: I THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THAT WOULD FAR GREATER IMPACT THE SCHOOLS AND THE ROADS THAN THE ACTUAL GOLF COURSE THERE.)) [Runs06]
[OUT Q=the golf course there]

That golf course could be under construction by the end of the year and it would have nine holes on either side of Pitzer Road.
[SOT 7:46:51]
[IN Q=I don't care]
((LESTER GEORGE/GEORGE GOLF DESIGN: I DONT' CARE IF THEY EVER BUILD A HOUSE OUT THERE. I JUST KNOW THERE IS A WONDERFUL GOLF COURSE THERE AND OUR EXPERIENCE IS THAT WHEN YOU FIND A SITE LIKE THAT YOU NEED TO TRY TO MAKE SURE IT HAPPENS OR CAN HAPPEN.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=SURE IT HAPPENS OR CAN HAPPEN]
[SOT ]
[IN Q=He must however]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: HE MUST HOWEVER FIRST GET A SPECIAL USE PERMIT FROM THE COUNTY AND HE COULD GET THAT AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING AUGUST 24TH. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[Tech-Drug]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=504-05 1:21:11]
[GRAPHIC=Healthcheck]

[ENG=4]

A more effective version of the cancer-fighting drug Taxol could soon be availalbe to patients thanks to a Virginia Tech professor.
David Kingston has been working for year to find a way to improve the drug that's mainly used for treating breast and ovarian cancer.
Joy Sutton has more.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Inside this lab at Virginia Tech]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;00]
[SUPER=01-David Kingston/Virginia Tech Professor;10]
[SUPER=@Joy2;]
[RUNS=1:12]
[OUT Q=js news 7.]
((
Inside this lab at Virginia Tech, research scientist Thota Ganesh (Toe-TUH GONE-ish) is making the compound that professor David Kingston helped to develop.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:53:44]
[IN Q=Taxol is a great drug it's been the best selling]
((TAXOL IS A GREAT DRUG IT'S BEEN THE BEST SELLING ANTI-CANCER DRUG IN HISTORY BUT IT'S NOT PERFECT. ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT IS THAT CANCER CELLS CAN DEVELOP RESISTANCE TO IT, THEN IT LOSSES IT'S EFFECTIVENESS. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS EVERYBODY WANT TO DO IS FIND A NEW TYPE OF TAXOL )) [RUNS19]
[OUT Q=it losses it's effectiveness]

That's exactly what Kingston has done -- and this new version appears to be two to twenty times more effective than Taxol.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:56:40]
[IN Q=It is very well that this could be]
((IT IS VERY WELL THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL DRUG. WE HAVE NOT YET DONE ANIMAL TEST WITH IT. SO WE DON'T KNOW YET HOW WELL IT WORKS IN ANIMALS, THAT IS THE NEXT THING WE'RE GOING TO DO)) [RUNS08]
[OUT Q=we're going to do]

Besides modifying Taxol -- Kingston is also looking at developing a whole new class of drugs -- that unlike Taxol -- are not derived from plants.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT20:57:09]
[IN Q=We've now designed other molecules]
((WE'VE NOW DESIGNED OTHER MOLECULES WITH THAT SAME SHAPE BUT WITH A LOT LESS SIMPLER STRUCTURE THAT WE COULD MAKE FROM A CHEMICAL STORE --INSTEAD OF TRYING TO ISOLATE TAXOL FROM NATURE AND MODIFY THAT STRUCTURE)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=modify that structure] Joy Sutton News 7))

[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

Coming up next, we'll see waht could be described as an authograph collector's dream,
(-----------------)
[VO-NAT ]
and we'll learn more about cyclist Lance Armstrong as he prepares for a record breaking win in the Tour De France.
(-----------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[11Fiddlefest]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=04-31 TC09:17]
[GRAPHIC=Fiddlfest]

[ENG#=1]

Blue skies were scarce, but the bluegrass abundant yesterday as the second edition of Fiddlefest got under way at Hollins University.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NAT MUSIC]
((NAT MUSIC))
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]
[RUNS=:03]
[OUT Q=NAT MUSIC]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

"Acoustic Endeavors" kicked off last night's concert, and the show went on despite the rainy weather.
Yesterday afternoon, the history of bluegrass was in the spotlight, as veterans of Roanoke radio and television got together for a roundtable discussion.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I didn't like it]
((DON MURRAY/FORMER WDBJ BROADCASTER: I DIDN'T LIKE IT. IT WAS STRANGE TO ME, BUT A COUPLE OF YEARS OF WORKING WITH THE GREAT PEOPLE WHO PLAYED BLUEGRASS MUSIC FOR US AT 'DBJ EVERY MORNING WHILE I WAS IN THE STUDIO TRYING TO DO NEWS IN BETWEEN THEIR SETS, I LEARNED. )) ((LEE GARRETT/FORMER WSLS BROADCASTER: THEY DIDN'T CALL IT COUNTRY WESTERN. IT WAS COUNTRY OR IT WAS HILLBILLY, BUT I FOUND THAT WE HAD QUITE AN AUDIENCE FOR THAT KIND OF SHOW EVEN THEN.))
[SUPER=01-Don Murray/Former WDBJ Broadcaster; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lee Garrett/Former WSLS Broadcaster; :19]
[RUNS=:27]
[OUT Q=that kind of show even then.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Fiddlefest continues through Saturday night with a full slate of workshops, concerts and competition on the Hollins campus.
(------------)

[Celeb-Autographs]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Some of the most coveted signatures in show biz history are now on display at the Hollywood Museum.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hollywood, CA;]

Among the prized autographs-- Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh from when they were filming "Gone with the Wind," a Humphrey Bogart signature at the time of "Casablanca," and the whole cast from "The Wizard of Oz."
The collection is said to be the largest of its kind in the world.
It belonged to the late Joe Ackerman, known as "Hollywood's beloved autograph hound."
Ackerman spent seven decades collecting autographs.
The exhibit is open through the summer.
(------------)
[Weather] [NOON WEATHER] [7/20/04] [TWO SHOT]
[WXNET/FULL] Live Conditions
[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]
[CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [WXPRO/FULL] FORECASTS EXTENDED FORECAST

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly 2-Shot]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE# none]
[GRAPHIC=None]

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was DOWN 54 points. The NASDAQ has lost 26.

[super=460-y/54/y/26;]
[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[ENG#=V10]

There's a new face taking a win in the Tour de France.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT ]

And we'll find out who'll be racing Earnhardt Juniors car on Sunday.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[S-TOUR]

[ANCHOR=KIM]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Tour]

[ENG#=1]

There's a new face crossing the finish line first in today's stage of the Tour de France.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Outdoor Life Network;]
This is Juan Miguel Mercado's first stage win in the Tour de France.
This is only his second Tour. He is still more than an hour behind Lance Armstrong. Armstrong finished about ten minutes later, but maintains nearly a four minute lead overall. He should win a record sixth tour, barring any unfortunate accidents.
(------------)

[Armstrong]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=2]

Jim Acosta profiles the man in yellow.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Jim Acosta/CBS News; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lance Armstrong/Going for His 6th Tour Win; :37]
[RUNS=1:26]
[OUT Q=Acosta, CBS News, Paris.]
(( WHEN ARMSTRONG PEDALS INTO PARIS ON SUNDAY, ALL BETS ARE THAT HE WILL SHOW ONCE AGAIN WHY THIS RACE IS CALLED THE "TOUR DE LANCE."
THE YELLOW JERSEY IS BECOMING OLD HAT TO LANCE ARMSTRONG... WHO IS ON THE VERGE OF RACING INTO CYCLING'S HISTORY BOOKS... BY SETTING TWO TOUR DE FRANCE RECORDS... SIX VICTORIES... AND ALL IN A ROW. HE IS ONCE AGAIN DOMINATING THE FIELD... A WHOPPING FOUR MINUTES AHEAD OF HIS CLOSEST COMPETITION AT THE END OF THE LAST STAGE.

(nats: Armstrong across finish line) "announcer: Lance Armstrong"

(sot: Armstrong, sports 5, may have to clean up 2nd half of byte...
he stumbles... please cover) "When I put my first one one, I was the happiest man in the world /EDIT/ So to put on 60 more and hopefully wear it for another five days /EDIT/ I never thought of it like that."

(nats: cycling then newspath spitting tape)

THE 32 YEAR OLD CANCER SURVIVOR HAS OVERCOME MORE THAN JUST THE SOARING ALPS... WITH SOME BLATANTLY ANTI-AMERICAN FANS SPITTING ON HIM ALONG THE WAY..

(sot: Armstrong, sports 2, Stage 17) "Some of them, and who knows,
have been drinking all day and then they get a little angry and stuff, and stuff can happen, so I was lucky I made it through."
BUT WITH PARIS SETTING THE STAGE FOR SUNDAY'S FINISH... AND WITH HIS NEW GIRLFRIEND AND POP STAR SHERYL CROW AT HIS SIDE... ARMSTRONG IS IN CRUISE CONTROL. ONLY AN ACCIDENT COULD STOP HIM NOW.

(live tag: IF ARMSTRONG WINS... SOME IN THE CYCLING WORLD ARE
SPECULATING THAT THIS WILL BE HIS LAST TOUR DE FRANCE... EVEN THOUGH THE TEXAN HAS SAID HE'D LIKE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR.)))

[Earnhardt]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=tbr]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NASCAR]

[ENG#=3]

Dale Earnhardt Junior will be behind the wheel of his car for this Sunday's race, but don't expect him to stay there long.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Sonoma, CA/Sunday;]

Earnhardt suffered second degree burns on his legs and face following a crash in Sonoma last weekend.
Martin Truex, Junior will qualify in Earnhardt's car today.
Then on Sunday, Junior will start the race to get the driver's points, but he will give up the seat to Truex at the first opportunity.
Earnhardt says despite the pain from his burns, he quit taking painkillers to be ready to get back on the track this weekend.
(------------)

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=KIM]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-180 3832tc]
[GRAPHIC=mlb]

The Montreal Expos will likely be playing in the Washington, DC area next season, according to several reports last night. The decision could at any time, and it appears the Northern Virginia and DC are both now ahead of Las Vegas.

[S-ECHL]

[ANCHOR=KIM]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-179 26:03]
[GRAPHIC=Roanoke Express fold]

[ENG#=4]

If you're like a lot of folks, you're probably wondering how the Express owners could be courting multiple buyers for months, and then not get a single nibble as the league's deadline approached.
Former Roanoke Express minority owner and general manager Chris Pollock says that he DID have an offer on the table from a local businessman to buy the team, and keep it in the Star City.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The offer came at 1:44 PM Tuesday, 44 minutes after the deadline that ECHL commissioner Bryan McKenna set for the Express ownership to get a deal working. According to Pollock, he immediately called the commissioner and told him about the buyer, but was told that by then the ECHL had already voted and would not revisit the offer.
According to Pollock, the Express paid the ECHL about 5 thousand dollars in dues each month this past season. McKenna could not be reached for comment yesterday.
(-------------)

[S-Bandit]

[ANCHOR=KIM]
[NEWSCAST=NOON]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-178 32:31]
[GRAPHIC=ECHL]

[ENG#=1]

Former Express goalie Daniel Berthiaume was hit with a double whammy on Tuesday. Not only did his current team Greensboro shut down, but his former team the Express also ceased operations.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hardy;]

Berthiaume spoke to Steve Mason from his Smith Mountain Lake home yesterday afternoon. He was hoping to possibly come back and play for the Express this coming season and then retire.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Daniel Berthiaume/Played for Express 1997-2002]
[RUNS=:30]
[OUT Q=have here"]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Berthiaume played in Roanoke from 1997 to 2002, and has spent the last two seasons in a Greensboro Generals uniform.

He does not want to retire, and has spoken with a former Greensboro teammate- who now plays in the United Hockey League, the league that is interested in putting a new franchise in Roanoke.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=for a few years"]
(------------)

[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL] QUICKCAST
[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]