WDBJ 7 news at Noon for 01/25/05

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Kim]

Up next on News 7--

A Vinton man is killed early this morning in a collision with a tractor trailer.
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[ENG#=1]
[VO-NAT]

And, an American being held hostage in Iraq is shown on a new video, begging for his life.
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[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Leo]
[SS=None]
Some sunshine this afternoon will help temperatures climb into the 40s across the region. I'll have your forecast.
[ANCHOR=SUSAN]

Stay with us. News 7 at noon, starts right now.

[Roanoke-Fatal]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=dgr]
[TAPE#=05-01 TC 14:45]
[GRAPHIC=Fatal Ax]

[ENG#=3]

Roanoke police are investigating an early morning accident Roanoke that left a man dead.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/This Morning;]
Police say they think a car driving south on Williamson Road ran the red light at Orange Avenue and crossed the path of a tractor trailer headed east on Orange. 30 year old David Underwood of Vinton was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor trailer driver has not been charged. Police are still investigating and ask anyone who may have seen the accident to call them.
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[Iraq]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

Another American hostage in Iraq is begging for his life .
Roy Hallums has been missing since November first.
Charlie D'Agata has more on the video of the hostage just released today.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Roy Hallums/American Hostage;]
[SUPER=01-Charlie D'Agata/CBS News;]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=D'Agata, CBS news, Baghdad.]
(( Insurgents proved their power on videotape, showing a captured american hostage pleading for this life.
NATS MY LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE IT'S BEEN PROVED THAT I WORK FOR AMERICAN FORCES.
With a gun to his head, 56 year old Roy Hallums calls on Arab leaders -- NOT President Bush -- for help.
I'M NOT ASKING FOR HELP FROM PRES. BUSH BECAUSE I KNOW OF HIS SELFISHNESS AND UNCOCERN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN PUSHED INTO THIS HELLHOLE.
Hallums was working for a Saudi Arabian catering company when he was taken hostage along with five other men in Baghdad last November:
D'AGATA BRIDGE: IN FIVE DAYS - IRAQIS WILL GO TO THE POLLS - IN THEIR FIRST ELECTION IN DECADES. INCREASINGLY DESPERATE INSURGENTS KNOW, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THEM IS BY SPREADING FEAR. AND IT'S WORKING.
NATS: TODAY VIOLENCE
Today militants waged a coordinated campaign of violence.
Deadly mortar attacks on a police station, street fights with insurgents, and ambushes...a senior Iraqi judge and his son were assassinated.
Each attack triggering new threats against those who plan to vote.
NATS: THIS IS A BALLOT BOX
Iraqi election officials vow ... despite the violence, Sunday's vote will go on.
They illustrated the voting process for Iraqis -- and foreign media alike -- saying 6,000 polling places will be open and ready come election day.
And they insist, the vote will be fair -- with teams international monitors standing by as Iraqi's cast their ballots. Charlie D'Agata, CBS News, Baghdad.
))

[Tarkett-Wood]

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

A factory in Campbell County is expanding.
Tarkett Wood will invest one-point seven MILLION dollars in its Brookneal hardwood flooring plant.
The explansion will create 26 new full time jobs by the end of the year.

[TX-Plane]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=4]

Federal officials are questioning some suspected illegal immigrants who were aboard a plane forced to land in San Antonio.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-San Antonio, TX;]

Five people, including the pilot, are reportedly being questioned about a possible smuggling operation involving Chinese nationals.
A Texas newspaper says the group was flying illegally in American airspace in a single- engine Cessnam when authorities intercepted the flight.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=The plane has been]
((JEFF HUMPHREY/SAN ANTONIO, TX POLICE DEPT.: THE PLANE HAS BEEN RENDERED SAFE, AGENTS HAVE INSPECTED THE PLANE, LOOKED AT THE PLANE, AND EVERYTHING IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME. ))
[SUPER=01-Jeff Humphrey/San Antonio, TX Police Dept.;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=at this time.]
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[VO-NAT]

Meanwhile, there's been no comment yet from the Department of Homeland Security, F-B-I, or the Federal Aviation Administration.
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[11XGR]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jwi]
[TAPE#=04-50 TC1:19:36]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

Republicans in the House of Delegates will try to resurrect the car tax phaseout.
House G-O-P leaders announced today they will push to remove a cap put in place last year on the popular tax cut.

Resuming the rollback on the tax on personal cars and pickup trucks comes as state revenues pile up.
Meanwhile some member of the House wants to keep Virginians out of trouble with easy money.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke/File Tape;]
The General Assembly legalized pay- day lending three years ago. More than two- million loans were issued in 2003 alone.
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]
Yesterday, the House passed a bill that would keep borrowers from taking out more than one loan at a time. It would require the State Corporation Commission to set up a database- allowing lenders to see if prospective borrowers have outstanding loans. It would also keep military spouses from securing loans against their husband's or wife's pay without permission.
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[SOT 2:28:03]
[IN Q=This language was requested]
((DEL. HARVEY MORGAN/(R) GLOUCESTER: THIS LANGUAGE WAS REQUESTED BY THE MILITARY BECAUSE APPARENTLY A LOT OF PAY DAY LENDERS SET UP AROUND MILITARY BASES AND THEY THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A SAFE GUARD FOR THEIR PERSONNEL.))
[SUPER=01-Del. Harvey Morgan/(R) Gloucester;]
[RUNS=12]
[OUT Q=a safe guard for their personnel]
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[VO-NAT]
The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
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[Tease1] [HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]

Still to come on the newscast, it's one of the few days people in Hollywwod would get up early.
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[VO-NAT ]

The Academy Award nominations are out. We'll let you know who is nominated after the break.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]

[Academy-Awards]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
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[ENG#=]

``The Aviator'' is soaring high above everyone else-- leading with eleven Oscar nominations.
All of the nominees for this year's Academy Awards were announced this morning in Hollywood.
But you'll have to wait until February 27th to find out who will take home a trophy.
Manuel Gallegus reports.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Manuel Gallegus/CBS News;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=Gallegus, CBS News, Hollywood.]
((
SOT-AVIATOR

NO SURPRISETHE AVIATOR LEADS THE OSCAR RACE WITH ELEVEN NOMINATIONS INCLUDING BEST PICTURE AND BEST DIRECTOR FOR MARTIN SCORCESEBEST ACTOR LEONARDO DICAPRIO, AND TWO BEST SUPPORTING NOMINATIONS ONE FOR CATE BLANCHETT. AND ALAN ALDA WHOSE NEVER BEEN NOMINATED BEFORE.
OTHER BEST SUPPORTING ACTORS

-SOT-5:39;59
Thomas hayden church, sideways, Jamie fox, collateral, moregan freeman million dollar baby, and clive owen closer.
THE OTHER NOMINEE FROM CLOSER IS NATALIE PORTMAN FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESSROUNDING OUT THAT CATEGORY

-SOT-5:39;41
LAURA LINNEY IN KINSEY, VIRGINIA MADSEN IN SIDEWAYS SOPHIE OKONEDO IN HOTEL RWANDA

-NAT SOT-RAY
CRITICS SAY JAMIE FOXXS PORTRAYAL OF RAY CHARLESIS THE ONE TO BEATHIS COMPETITION FOR BEST ACTORLEO DICAPRIO, DON CHEADLE FOR HOTEL RWANDA , JOHNNIE DEPP FOR FINDING NEVERLAND AND CLINT EASTWOOD FOR MILLION DOLLAR BABY.
-STAND-UP- THIS MAY BE EASTWOODS YEARTAKING THREE NOMINATIONS INCLUDING BEST DIRECTORALTHOUGH SCORCESE HAS BEEN NOMINATED 7 TIMES AND HAS NEVER WON.

-SOT-SWANK FROM MILLION DOLLAR BABY

FOR HER POTRAYAL OF A BOXER IN MILLION DOLLAR BABY HILLARY SWANK IS NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS OTHER BEST ACTRESS NOMINEES, ANNETTE BENING FOR BEING JULIA, CATALINA SANDINO MORENO, FOR MARIA FULL OF GRACE, IMELDA STAUNTON FOR VERA DRAKE, ND KATE WINSLET FOR THE ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND.
AND FOR BEST PICTURE BESIDES AVIATOR AND MILLION DOLLAR BABY, THERES FINDING NEVERLAND RAY AND SIDEWAYS.
ONE BLOCKBUSTER FILM THAT WAS OVER LOOKED IN THE MAIN CATEGORIES -THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST MANUEL GALLEGUS,CBS NEWS HOLLYWOOD. ))

[PKG-Public-Safety]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-56 TC 29:58]
[GRAPHIC=none]

[ENG#=2]

Roanoke County has more needs than just a new jail which has generated a lot of attention lately.
It also needs a new public safety building.
Justin McLeod has the story.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Donna Furrow/Assistant Roanoke Co. Police Chief; :31]
[SUPER=01-Dan O'Donnell/Assistant Roanoke Co. Administrator; :51 (QUICK)]
[SUPER=01-Patti Askew/Roanoke Co. Resident; 1:08]
[SUPER=01-Georgia Frances Marshall/Roanoke Co. Resident; 1:26]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:39]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF DISPATCH CENTER))
If you were ever to visit Roanoke County's Public Safety building here on Peters Creek Road you'd see it's a very crowded place.
[SOT 10:50]
[IN Q=Too crowded]
((DONNA FURROW/ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF: TOO CROWDED FOR WHAT WE HAVE.)) [Runs02]
[OUT Q=WHAT WE HAVE]

What they have are six police officers working in an office made for one.
Down the hall in the 9-1-1 dispatch center, space is so limited it brings a whole new meaning to a corner office.
There's also very little storage space (shot of boxes on desk) and since the building is more than sixty years old, it's technology is completely outdated.
[SOT 11:23]
[IN Q=Now we have]
((DONNA FURROW/ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF: NOW WE HAVE 35 DISPATCHERS AND EVERYTHING IS COMPUTERATED. IT MEANS ROOM FOR MONITORS AND ELECTRICAL CAPABILITIES THAT THIS IS BUILDING IS MAXED OUT IN.)) [Runs09]
[OUT Q=IS MAXED OUT IN]

So the county plans to build a new 28 million dollar public safety facility.
It will be located on Cove Road in front of the current school board offices.
[SOT 22:00:43]
[IN Q=Our existing]
((DAN O'DONNELL/ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR: OUR EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING IS 40-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET SO WE ARE ALMOST DOUBLING THE SIZE.)) [Runs04]
[OUT Q=doubling the size]

Many nearby residents want to know how that will affect their neighborhood.
So the county held a community meeting Monday night to address their concerns.
First up? Traffic.
[SOT 21:57:02]
[IN Q=Speed is definitely]
((PATTI ASKEW/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: SPEED IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM ON THE ROAD BUT I THINK INCREASED TRAFFIC IS JUST GOING TO CAUSE INCREASED ACCIDENTS.)) [Runs07]
[OUT Q=INCREASED ACCIDENTS]

Some also have concerns about safety but the county stresses no suspects will be held at this facility.
At least one resident believes safety in the area will improve.
[SOT 21:58:47]
[IN Q=I have a little]
((GEORGIA FRANCES MARSHALL/ROANOKE CO. RESIDENT: I HAVE A LITTLE A DOG THAT I TAKE OUT A NIGHT AND I HAVE TO GO OUT AND I THINK I AM GOING TO FEEL SAFER GOING OUT AT NIGHT.)) [Runs05]
[OUT Q=SAFER GOING OUT AT NIGHT]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: SHE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AWHILE FOR THAT SENSE OF SECURITY. CONSTRUCTION IS SET TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND SHOULD TAKE TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Paradox]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jus]
[TAPE#=04-54 TC41:09]
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[ENG#=3]

A popular nightspot in downtown Roanoke is temporarily closing.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

The Paradox restaurant and lounge located on the market has shut down for major renovations.
The work includes expanding the dance area and adding a sports bar, and space for more outdoor dining.
The owners had hoped to stay open during the work but decided against it.
Paradox should re-open in four to seven months.
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[Tease2] [SOFT MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]

Henry County schools are getting noticed across the state. Coming up after the break we'll take a look at how they are embracing technology -- and winning awards.
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[VO-NAT ]

And archeologists in Greece are laboring on a task of their own. Scientists there say they've discovered an alter to Hercules.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #2]

[6-Henry-School]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=04-43 TC2:00:14]
[GRAPHIC=None]

[ENG#=1]

Computers in school are nothing new... but one Southside district is taking high tech to a new level with no strings attached.
Jean Jadhon explains.
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[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale; 00]
[SUPER=01-Joshua Hall/8th Grader; 13]
[SUPER=01-Crystal Hankins/8th Grader;20 quick!]
[SUPER=@Jean1; 44]
[Super=01-Janet Lewis/English Teacher; 1:07]
[Super=01-Janet Copenhaver/Henry Co. Schools Dir. of Technology;1:30]
[RUNS=1:41]
[OUT Q=JJ, News 7.]
(( This is probably not like the classroom you remember. This is the class of a new generation.
Eighth graders at Fieldale Collinsville Middle school are working on lap top computers- with wireless access to the internet. JOSHUA: YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK IN THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AND FIND RESOURCES OUT OF BOOKS CAN GO STRAIGHT TO THE INTERNET. CRYSTAL: IT'S KIND OF LIKE AN ENCYCLOPEDIA CAUSE IT HOLDS ALL THE INFORMATION AND FACTS.
Here's a fact for you- School officials here say Henry County was the first district in the region -one of the first in the state actually - to have wireless laptops in the classroom.
They started a laptop initiative in 1998- Now all 8th through 12th grade students use it. JEAN JADHON: WHAT MAKES THIS SYSTEM SO UNIQUE IS THAT IT IS TRULY WIRELESS FOR EXAMPLE I CAN WALK OUT OF THE CLASSROOM INTO THE HALLWAY AND I'M STILL LOGGED ON TO MRS. LEWIS'S ENGLISH EIGHT WEBPAGE.
That means students don't have to go a computer lab... the computers instead come to them... They're portable... turning any classroom into a lab. JANET LEWIS/TEACHER: THEY ARE SO POWERFUL CAUSE THE KIDS ARE EXCITED TO GET A CHILD EXCITED IN EIGHT GRADE ENGLISH IS A BIG DEAL AW WE'RE GOING TO USE THE COMPUTERS TODAY. JANET COPENHAVER: HENRY COUNTY IS VISIONARY.
The districts' director of technology has a vision that's led the district. She hopes the results help Henry County attract high tech business and prepare students for good jobs in the future. COPENHAVER: BECAUSE OF OUR ECONOMIC PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IN HENRY COUNTY ACROSS THE BOARD I THINK WE DECIDED OUR KIDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE BEHIND. THAT WE WERE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND HAVE THE BEST TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION THEY COULD HAVE. Jean Jadhon, News 7.))

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[ANCHOR=Kim]
[SS=None]

Henry County students now take tests on computers.
Tonight on News 7 at 6, Jean explains how new technology allows students to write a paper without using a keyboard or even a pen.

[Hercules]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Noon]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=]
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[ENG#=2]

It's a discovery of Herculean proportions-- literally.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Thebes, Greece;]

Some Greek archaeologists believe they've unearthed a shrine to the mythological hero, Hercules.
The site is about 45 miles north of Athens. Dubbed "Hercules' House", the latest excavation began last February.
It's revealed the remains of an altar and ancient dwellings used for more than three- thousand years.
The dig began when construction workers were moving earth to build a hotel.
Construction of the hotel has been suspended indefinitely
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[Stocks]

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

On Wall Street at Noon, the DOW was UP 109 points. The NASDAQ has gained 19.
[super=460-x/109/x/19;]

[Tease3] [SPORTS MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]

Coming up in Sports, the NASCAR Media Tour is rolling on down in Charlotte.
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[VO-NAT ]
Plus the players and fans charged in last November's basketball brawl will all face each other again today --- IN cou
rt rather than ON the court.
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[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #3]

[NBA-Brawl]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=NBA]

[ENG#=1]

Five pro basketball players may not be ON the court today-- instead they'll be in court.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Auburn Hills, MI/Nov. 19, 2004;]

Players and fans charged in the basketball brawl in Auburn Hills, Michigan, are scheduled to appear in the same courtroom today.
A judge has ordered five Indiana Pacers players and five Detroit Pistons fans to attend a pre- trial conference.
Most have been charged with misdemeanors.
But one of the fans faces a felony charge for allegedly hurling a chair during the November 19th fight.
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[S-Wood]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-187 5027TC]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar Media Tour]

[ENG#=2]

NASCAR is hosting its annual Media Tour down at the Lowe's Motor Speedway.. Mike Stevens checks in with the veterans and the newcomers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Mooresville, NC/Last January; :00]
[SUPER=01-Keven Wood/2003 National Legends Champion; :35]
[SUPER=01-Len Wood/Wood Brothers Owner - Keven's Dad; :44]
[SUPER=03-Radford; 1:55]
[SUPER=01-Jon Wood/Busch Series Driver & Keven's Cousin; 2:05]
[RUNS=2:27]
[OUT Q=...Mike Stevens news 7 Sports."]
(( The legendary Wood Brothers made headlines last January when they moved their shop from their home base in Stuart to Mooresville, North Carolina. This year Jon Wood is making the jump from the truck series to Busch Grand National, and another Wood also is starting to make a name for himself. Keven Wood, the 20 year old son of Len Wood is set to make his move to the late model stock ranks after winning a national title in the Legends cars and winning more than half the races he entered the last two years. ((KEVEN WOOD:)) ((LEN WOOD:)) Quick is the word when it comes to Keven these days. At 20, he's almost considered old at this stage of his career in what has become a skewed fast track to track. ((KEVEN WOOD:)) Like many young men, Keven got into racing out of necessity - as a way to channel his energy so to speak. ((LEN WOOD:)) This year he's hoping to wake up the Motor Mile Speedway and several other tracks on the Late Model circuit - the same way his cousin Jon did just a few years ago.)) ((JON WOOD:))

[S-McNabb]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=cutins]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-182 20334TC]
[GRAPHIC=SUPER BOWL]

[ENG#=3]

It took four seasons, but the Eagles finally made it to the Super Bowl. They've arrived this year largely due to their ability to keep it all in perspective.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I THINK...]
[SUPER=01-Donovan McNabb/Eagles Quarterback ; :00]
[RUNS=:17]
[OUT Q=...MADE THINGS HAPPEN."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Philadelphia, PA/Fox-Yesterday;]
Unfortunately, McNabb will not have the man who caught two TD passes Sunday. Chad Lewis has to have ankle surgery today and he will miss the Super Bowl. The Eagles are early 7 point underdogs for the February 6th game.
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[REPRS@CL] SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends [SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]