WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 11/11/96

23:00-01

News-Heads

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Coming up on News 7-
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VO-NAT

After a controversial first year review- how is the Radford President Doing now? We'll have some answers.
A huge explosion at a gasoline storage facility near Mexico City.
Plus want to laugh?
We'll tell you about the newest comedy club in town.
(----------------)

News 7 is next.

Newsbreak

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Good Evening.
Radford University's President says
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VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Radford;
he got a postive evaluation from the Board of Visitors.
Tracy Altizer will have a report on President Douglas Covington.
SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH;

An early winter blast hits Northeast Ohio and it's not over yet.
Another foot of snow is forecast for Cleveland, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania.
SUPER=03-Near Mexico City;

Plus an explosion rocks a gasoline storage facility near Mexico City- sending flames hundreds of feet in the air.
(----------------)
ANCHOR=Jean

Robin tells us if we'll get a break from the cold temperatures. Join us for News 7 at Eleven.

Radford-Visitors

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=tal
TAPE#96-81
GRAPHIC=Radford University

Radford University's board of visitors is giving president Douglas Covington a two-and-a-half percent performance raise, and plans to offer him a contract.
That's in the wake of a controversial evaluation of Covington's first year in office.
Tracy Altizer reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=If whatever prompted
SUPER=03-Radford; :00
SUPER=01-Douglas Covington/Radford Univ. President; :08
SUPER=01-Jim Stutts/Board of Visitors Rector; :40
SUPER=01-Rev. John Price/Montgomery Co. NAACP Pres.; 1:00
SUPER=@Tracy2;1:13
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=Altizer, News 7.
(( If whatever prompted the review of Douglas Covington was negative...he and the board of visitors say it had a positive result.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 22:00:59
((DOUGLAS COVINGTON/RADFORD UNIV. PRESIDENT: I BELIEVE THAT THE EVALUATION LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A VERY PRODUCTIVE AND MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENT GROUPS OF THE UNIVERSITY IN THE FUTURE.))
RUNS=:16

Covington and the board are not releasing details.
But the board passed a resolution stating the consultants reported Covington is responsible for a number of improvements in his 15-month tenure.
It pledged to work candidly and harmoniously with the president and to develop an employment contract for him.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 22:06:41
((JIM STUTTS/BOARD OF VISITORS RECTOR: SO IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT WE WERE NOT WORKING HARMONIOUSLY IN THE PAST. CERTAINLY WE CAN ALL IMPROVE AND I THINK THERE'S SOME ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT THERE. BUT I THINK THERE WERE INTENTIONS TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE PAST, BUT I THINK THERE ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE ON THAT. ))
RUNS=:12

While the board and Covington appear ready to put the matter to rest, a citizens group which charged the evaluation was racially-motivated does not.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:23:46
((REV. JOHN PRICE/MONTGOMERY CO. NAACP PRES.: IF THAT INJUSTICE, WE DO NOT OVERCOME THAT INJUSTICE, IT WILL REFLECT NOT ONLY ON THIS BOARD BUT ALSO ON THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS STATE. ))
RUNS=:10

Rector Jim Stutts maintains race had nothing to do with the evaluation, and says the board takes seriously its obligations to ensure fair employment practices. Tracy Altizer, News 7.))

Liberty-Bonds

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-85
GRAPHIC=Liberty University

Liberty University dodged a financial bullet today by making more than one million dollars in late interest payments to its creditors.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Creditors had threatened to foreclose on the school's Lynchburg campus unless that payment was made.
Liberty owes about fifteen million dollars on a bond issue the school made in the 1980's.
It had offered to pay bondholders about half that amount in one lump sum.
Liberty says it stopped making interest payments while it waited to see if that offer would be accepted.
But the committee handling the account reportedly never informed bondholders of the offer.
Instead, that same committee threatened to foreclose on the school's property unless the interest payments were made.
Liberty says it paid the money today to avoid putting the school and its students in jeopardy.
(----------------)

Mexico-Blast

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=NONE

A spectacular fire after a gasoline storage tank blew up outside of Mexico City-
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Near Mexico City;

More than four million gallons of gasoline went up in flames- filling the sky with thick black smoke and flames.
One firefighter was overcome by flames- No word on his condition.
At least eleven other people are hurt.
Authorities evacuated people within a mile of the plant- until they could bring the blaze under control.
(----------------)
wipe wipe wipe

Fire-Texaco

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=NONE
wipe wipe wipe
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Wilmington, CA;

Gasoline also fueled a fire in Southern California.
This one also started with a bang- The explosion sparked a huge blaze at a Texaco Refinery 20 miles south of Los Angeles.
Flames shot one hundred feet in the air- a plume of smoke could be seen for miles.
Firefighters sprayed streams of water and foam to keep the area cool and prevent the spread of fire.
No one was hurt. No word on what caused the blast.
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Clinton-VDay

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Clinton

President Clinton is singling out Gulf War vets this Veterans Day.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Arlington;

Clinton pledged help for gulf war veterans who are sick.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 14:05:32
IN Q=
((I WANT TO ASSURE ALL OF YOU WE WILL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED IN OUR EFFORT TO INVEST THESE CASES AND TO PROVIDE OUR GULF WAR VETERANS WITH THE MEDICAL CARE THEY NEED.))
RUNS=:12
OUT Q=CARE THEY NEED."
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VO-NAT

The President then placed a wreath at the Tomb of the unknowns in Arlington.
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Tease#1
HARD MUSIC UNDER
ANCHOR=Jean
SS=NONE

Still to come on the broadcast, as police warn local residents about auto break ins, a man in Roanoke has truck stolen at gunpoint,
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VO-NAT

and we'll tell you how the Great Lakes area celebrated Veteran's Day with two feet of snow.
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Robin in WX CENTER Roll Lake Levels
MUSIC UP FULL
COMM#1
Roll
TALENT=Robin
SS=NONE
SUPER=80-39/28/Trace/40/24/Trace/31/24/Trace/34/25/Trace;
SUPER=81-45/27/0.00''/45/21/0.00''/30/23/Trace;
SUPER=82-2.23''/plus 1.10''/49.67''/plus 13.57'';
SUPER=83-Down 0.37 foot/Down 1.13 feet;Lake levels

Mini-Open

ANCHOR=Eric
NEWSCAST=11pm

Carjacking

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11 p.m.
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none

Police are investigating an apparent carjacking that happened this morning in northwest Roanoke.
48-year old John Alexander Carter told police he was driving along Center Avenue, when a man gestured for him to stop.
Carter said another man wearing a white stocking cap opened the passenger-side door.
The man then allegedly displayed a semi-automatic handgun and demanded money.
When he didn't find any cash, the man reportedly fired shots through the driver's side window.
Carter then jumped out of his truck-- and the suspect drove away.
Earlier tonight, authorities found Carter's abandoned pickup truck-- but are still searching for the suspect.

Auto-Thefts

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#96-84
GRAPHIC=Lynchburg

Holiday shoppers in Lynchburg beware: the number of automobile break-ins has skyrocketed this year.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Lynchburg;

Police say thieves have stolen nearly two hundred thousand dollars of goods from vehicles since January first.
They're urging shoppers to be more careful, and put valuables in the trunk to avoid tempting criminals.
Authorities related the story of one man who spotted two suspicious people casing his neighborhood.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 13:43:27
IN Q=Knowing that he
((LT. EUGENE WINGFIELD/LYNCHBURG POLICE: KNOWING THAT HE THOUGHT A CRIME WAS GOING TO OCCUR, HE IMMEDIATELY GOES TO HIS PHONE TO CALL THE POLICE. HE ESTIMATED IT TO BE NO MORE THAN TWO MINUTES, AND IN THAT TWO MINUTES THEY'D BROKEN THE WINDOW OUT, COMPLETELY REMOVED THE IN-DASH RADIO FROM THE CAR AND WERE GONE. SO THESE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND SOMEBODY'S GOTTEN A LOT OF PRACTICE AT THIS.))
SUPER=01-Lt. Eugene Wingfield/Lynchburg Police; :00
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=practice at this.
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VO-NAT

Lynchburg police have started a reward program aimed at catching car burglars.
Here's a phone number for you. If you have information about an automobile break-in call Lynchburg police.
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Prisons-1

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=equ
TAPE#96-90
GRAPHIC=Prisons Under Pressure

George Allen led the way.
Voters and lawmakers followed along.
Abolishing parole and appointing a tough new parole board to keep those still eligible behind bars longer may be paying off in safer streets.
But the 11-thousand Virginians who work for the Department of Corrections got the dark side of deal: work conditions that range from stressful to terrifying, in prisons bursting at the seams.
SS=Fullscreen Prisons Under Pressure

Ellen Qualls has the first in a four-part series: "Prisons Under Pressure."
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=We want to
SUPER=03-Nottoway Co./File Tape; :00
SUPER=01-Russ Ford/Prison Chaplain; :09
SUPER=01-Ron Angelone/Va. Corrections Director; :52
SUPER=01-Laura Rinier/Va. CURE; 1:19
SUPER=@Ellen2; 1:58
RUNS=2:10
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

(( We want to show you what's going on behind the perimeters of Virginia's prisons... but for 18 months, cameras and microphones have been banned.
sot 10:06:15
((RUSS FORD: THE FEELING WE HAVE AROUND THE STATE IS THAT THE LID'S GONNA BLOW OFF. AND THE MEDIA WHO ARE KEPT OUT OF IT WON'T EVEN KNOW. AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE LID HAS BLOWN. THAT IT'S ALREADY OCCURRED. AND ALL WE'RE SEEING NOW IS DAMAGE CONTROL.))
runs=:15

Russ Ford's been ministering to Virginia inmates AND victims for two decades.
sot 09:58:38
((RUSS FORD: RON ANGELONE IS THE BUSIEST DIRECTOR OF CORRECTIONS THAT WE'VE EVER HAD. THERE IS NOTHING TO COMPARE IT TO. AND HE'S LEFT WITH THE FEWEST RESOURCES.))
runs=:10

Over 36 months, Virginia's prison population has increased 48 percent, from 17-thousand-and-19 to 25-thousand-242 inmates.
Local jails are finally clear of state inmates.
sot t2 11:14:00
((RON ANGELONE: YOU GOTTA REMEMBER. THIS IS THE FIRST ADMINISTRATION THAT SAID LET'S GET THE 10- THOUSAND INMATES OUT OF THE JAILS AND LET'S GET THEM INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM, AND LET'S TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT. WELL, PROBLEMS COME WITH THAT.))
runs=:13

Currently, over 27- hundred inmates, or about 11 percent, are NOT eligible for parole.
A long sentence with NO parole means nothing to lose.
Laura Rinier's with Virginia Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants.
sot tape 2 10:42:26
((LAURA RINIER: THAT WAS ONE OF OUR ARGUMENTS DURING THE PAROLE ABOLITION DEBATE. YOU KNOW, THE HOPE, THE DANGLING CARROT OF PAROLE WAS OFTEN-TIMES A TREMENDOUS INCENTIVE TO THE INDIVIDUALS INCARCERATED TO MAINTAIN THEIR GOOD BEHAVIOR.))
runs=:18

Ron Angelone points to facts his department supplied:
The rate of assault on inmates is down, from 5.7 per 1,000 inmates in 1993 to 3.6 per 1,000 in 1996.
The rate of assault on staff is down too, from 4.7 in 1993 to 3.7 in 1996.
Tomorrow, presiding over a prison boom requires tough new rules.
But are some of them making matters worse?
That's part two of Prisons Under Pressure.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.))
Tease#2
Soft Music Under
ANCHOR=Jean
SS=none

Coming up a little later in the newscast, we'll see the world's largest cruise ship,
(----------------)
VO-NAT

and we'll meet two people who are hoping to conquer the Rowdy world of Comedy clubs. For them it IS a laughing mater.
(----------------)
MUSIC UP FULL
COMM#2

Snow

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#Net
GRAPHIC=Snow

A Delta Airlines jet tonight slid off the runway in Cleveland.
No immediate reports of injuries.
It is the second jet to slid off the runway there in two nights. Last night's incident involved an American airlines plane.
It's blamed on a snow storm that left up to two feet of snow in the Great Lakes region- and another foot is in the forecast.
Nannette Hanson reports on this early blast of winter- that so far has claimed nine lives and left thousands without power.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=
SUPER=03-Cleveland, OH; 00
SUPER=03-Cabell Co, WV; 33
SUPER=01-Nanette Hanson/Reporting;
RUNS=:51
OUT Q=CBS News, New York."

((After a foot of snow fell this weekend, residents in northwestern Pennsylvania got ready for a predicted 10 additional inches. Road crews which were scheduled for leaf pickups, hurried to attach snow plows and scatter salt. Drivers struggled with icy roads and poor visibility.
STUDENT: FOR FIVE OR TEN MINUTES I COULDN'T EVEN SEE WHERE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS JUST DRIVING, HOPING THAT I WOULD STAY ON THE ROAD.
Sheets of ice covered roads and bridges in West Virginia. Twenty cars slid into each other on Interstate 64. Falling trees and limbs heavy with wet snow caused power lines to collapse, leaving thousands without electricity. While adults let out a collective groan, children revelled in the autumn snow and the day off that came with it. Randall Pinkston, CBS News, New York.))
Wx-Tape
SUPER=305-39/28/77/1985/16/1973;
SUPER=306-31/17/56/NW-8mph/30.43f/6:56am/5:12pm;

Forecasts
SUPER=#560;
SUPER=X5000;
SUPER=330-Near Record Cold/Wind NW-15/22-24/Mostly Sunny/Wind NW-15/43-46;
SUPER=331-Partly Cloudy/Wind NW-10/24-28/Sunny Skies/Wind NW-10/44-48;
SUPER=332-Partly Cloudy/Wind W-10/15-20/Sunny Skies/Wind W-15/35-39;
SUPER=333-Cloudy Skies/Wind NW-15/13-16/Partly Sunny/Wind NW-10/30-33;
SUPER=334-Mostly Cloudy/Wind W-10/15-19/Sunny Skies/Wind W-15mph/35-39;
SUPER=X5001;

S-Score

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#ICE-96
GRAPHIC=NONE
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Season; :00

Ilya Dubkov is coming back to the Roanoke Express.
Dubkov already has left Moscow and is waiting final immigration clearance before rejoining the team.
Dubkov left Roanoke to play with the red Army team, but he says he's committed to returning to the Express and helping stabilize this year's young team.
(----------------)

S-Tech

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#TB97-1
GRAPHIC=TECH HOOPS

The new look Virginia Tech Hokies have to pleased after beating Yugoslavia last night in a preseason exhibition at the Cassell.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00

After undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this Fall, Ace Custis was anxious to get back on the court.
But first wasn't it nice of the Yugoslavians to bring Bil Foster some retirement gifts.
Once things got started, freshman Andre Ray makes the bounce pass inside to Ace, and the Hokies lone returning starter knocks down 2 of his game high 20 points.
Then Keefe Matthews, who will be counted on heavily this season, fights his way through the defense for the hoops. Keefe had 10 points.
Roanoke senior Troy Manns will then bottom out the nice jumper from the top of the key to give Tech an early lead.
SUPER=33-Yugoslavia/53/Virginia Tech/69;

And watch this. Matthews inside to Ace, then back to Matthews for the dunk as Tech beats the Yugoslavians 69 to 53.
(-------------)

S-Poll

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=NCAA HOOPS

The Hokies failed to crack the AP's preseason Top 25 college basketball poll that was released tonight.
Tech picked up 20 votes, while UVa received 8.
Cincinnati is number one, with Kansas 2, Kentucky 3, and Wake Forest 4.

S-Bulls

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#BB97-2
GRAPHIC=BULLS

In the NBA last night, the unbeaten Bulls were home at the United Center hosting the winless Phoenix Suns.
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=03-Chicago, IL/Suns vs. Bulls; :00

Phoenix with al of its new talent has found it difficult to gel as a unit so far this season.
But Michael Finley say forget the gel, I've got the jam as he follows his own miss.
But only one guard can take it to the hole with real flair.
SUPER=33-Phoenix/79/Chicago/97;

Michael Jordan beats Finley on the drive and elevates to the top as the Bulls win it 97 to 79.
(-------------)

S-Howard

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#BB97-1
GRAPHIC=NBA

Off the court the news was much more sobering for one superstar
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#
SUPER=04-NBA;:00

as Washington Bullets forward Juwan Howard, was arrested early this morning around 3:45 for speeding in downtown DCTERMS.
SUPER=03-Washington, DC;

Howard was also charged with drunk driving. Police say he was in this Club near the 22 hundred block of L street before getting in his car.
He has a December 6th court date.
(-------------)

Vets-Day

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JoeD
TAPE#96-83
GRAPHIC=HOLD vets day

The Roanoke Valley honored its veterans today with a pair of ceremonies.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke;

The Roanoke Valley Veterans Council got together at William Fleming High School.
World War II Combat veteran Clyde Easter says he hopes a new generation will recognize the tremendous price that's been paid for freedom.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 2:04:10
IN Q=Freedom does have to be protected
((CLYDE EASTER/COMBAT VETERAN: FREEDOM DOES HAVE TO BE PROTECTED, AND CHERISH THAT FREEDOM. PUT VALUE ON THAT FREEDOM THAT WE HAVE TODAY. DON'T ABUSE THAT FREEDOM. I DO SEE OUR FREEDOM BEING ABUSED TODAY AND I BELIEVE IF WE ABUSE IT LONG ENOUGH, WE'LL LOSE IT.))
SUPER=01-Clyde Easter/Combat Veteran;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=we'll lose it.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Lieutenant Governor Don Beyer was also in Roanoke today for ceremonies at the Virginia Veterans Care Center.
During a time of federal cutbacks, he says the nation must not retreat from its commitment to quality health care for veterans.
(----------------)

S-Smoltz

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#s6-21
GRAPHIC=BRAVES

The Braves didn't win the World Series, but last night their top pitcher in 1996 picked up the National League Cy Young award.
John Smoltz says when the season began he was more worried about staying healthy, then keeping up with teammates Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="I had no...
((JOHN SMOLTZ/1996 CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER:))
SUPER=01-John Smoltz/1996 Cy Young Award Winner; :00
RUNS=:24
OUT Q=...OFF OF THAT."
(----------------)
VO-NAT CON'T
SUPER=04-MLB; :00

Smoltz is now a free agent and he could leave Atlanta and sign with another team.
Here are his thoughts on that possibility.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q="My ideal...
((JOHN SMOLTZ: ))
RUNS=:10
OUT Q=...GO SOMEWHERE ELSE."
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S-Citadel

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=THE CITADEL
VMI hosts the Citadel this Saturday at Alumni Field in the Military classic of the South. Tonight, the Citadel fired football coach Charlie Taaffe, who was suspended back in August for his second drunk driving arrest. Interim coach Don Powers was given a two year contract today.

S-College

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=none
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pinnacle page (18074)
Your Hometown station has two big games on tap for your this Saturday afternoon.
At Noon, NC State tries to derail Clemson's postseason plans.
(-------------)
PINNACLE PAGE (18075)
And then at 3:30, the game of the day for many folks as the Virginia Tech Hokies ranked, 13th in the coaches poll this week heads to Miami to battle the Hurricanes.
(-------------)

S-FFE

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#none
GRAPHIC=FFE LOGO

One game involving two Friday Football Extra teams had to be postponed from last Friday until tonight.
And in a mild upset, Floyd County beat playoff bound Grayson County 38-to-34.
Grayson opens the regionals Saturday at Chilhowie. go to tease

Sports Tease

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#sports tease
GRAPHIC=NONE

Still to come Steve Mason checks in from Charlottesville where
(----------------)
VO-NAT eng#

where Virginia may find its bowling game in the gutter if it can't find a way to beat North Carolina this Saturday.
(-------------)

S-Virginia

ANCHOR=Mike
NEWSCAST=11pm
WRITER=Mike
TAPE#S6-25
GRAPHIC=VIRGINIA FOOTBALL

Before the 5th of October, folks were wondering if the Virginia Cavaliers might be able to finish this football season unbeaten, or at worse with one loss.
Now a little over a month later, those same folks are wondering if they can even make it into the Poulan Weed Eater Independence Bowl. Steve Mason has more on their must win meeting with UNC this Saturday.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=FIRST AUDIO
SUPER=03-Charlottesville/Last Saturday; :00
SUPER=01-Tiki Barber/1,116 Yards & 14 TDs This Season;14
SUPER=03-Chapel Hill, NC; :33
SUPER=01-Ronde Barber/UVa Defensive Back; :44
SUPER=01-George Welsh/UVa Head Coach; 1:07
SUPER=@steve1; 1:16
SUPER=01-Todd White/UVa Co Captain; 1:29
RUNS=1:46
OUT Q=...NEWS 7 SPORTS."
(-------------)

S-Score

Slap-Happy's

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11 p.m.
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#96-89
GRAPHIC=None

If laughter is the best medicine, Slap Happy's may be just what the doctor ordered.
The owners of Roanoke's newest comedy club hope to succeed where others have failed.
Kimberly McBroom gives us a look.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=In the comedy world
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Friday; :12
SUPER=08-Frank "Rowdy" Lunney/Slap Happy's; :31
SUPER=@Kimberly2; :44
SUPER=00-Maureen "Mo" Dickerson/Slap Happy's; :57
RUNS=1:39
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

(( In the comedy world they're known as Rowdy and Mo-- and they just want to make you laugh.
The comedians- turned- entrepreneurs opened Slap Happys in the basement of the Patrick Henry Hotel over a month ago.
Featured acts have included standup comic and magician Great Scott, Mistress of Comedy Monique, and former Ringling Brothers clown T.C. Hatter.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT tape 1 21:53:29
IN Q=nat sound of clown performance
(( ))
RUNS=:08
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:21:35
IN Q=It was always
((FRANK "ROWDY" LUNNEY/SLAP HAPPY'S: IT WAS ALWAYS MY DREAM TO HAVE MY OWN CLUB BECAUSE I WANTED TO BRING COMEDY TO PEOPLE AND YELL AT MY FRIENDS. SO, FOR THE ONE WEEKND, I'M MY BUDDY'S BOSS. "HEY, YOU MESSED UP. YOU'RE FIRED." LAUGHS. ))
RUNS=:11

Rowdy's own act is often of the Triple X- rated variety-- while co- owner Mo tends to be more subtle.
Mo used to manage the Roanoke Comedy Club.
After it went out of business-- she and Rowdy decided Roanoke still needed a place to chuckle.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:28:26
((MAUREEN "MO" DICKERSON/SLAP HAPPY'S: EVERYBODY NEEDS TO LAUGH. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE SEE ARTICLE AFTER ARTICLE AND THERE'S QUOTES ALL OVER THE WALLS HERE. JUST EVEN DOCTORS AND SCIENCE STUDIES AND MEDICAL STUDIES ABOUT LAUGHTER'S THE BEST MEDICINE. ))
RUNS=:11

The duo says Slap Happy's offers patrons great food, along with a more intimate dose of comedy-- something they can't get from T-V or film.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 18:27:30
((FRANK "ROWDY" LUNNEY/SLAP HAPPY'S: YOU'RE UP HERE, SWEATING ON STAGE, AND THREE MINUTES INTO IT YOU'RE GOING, "OH GOD, WHAT'S MY NEXT JOKE?" EVERYBODY'S GOING, "YOU STINK. GET OFF. IT'S HORRIBLE!" THAT'S THE MOST BARE, NAKED ESSENCE OF YOUR SOUL RIGHT HERE. ))
RUNS=:14

You can catch the shows on Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and 10-30. Thursdays at 8-30.
Kimberly McBroom, News 7.))

Cruise-Ship

ANCHOR=Jean
NEWSCAST=11
WRITER=JJA
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=NONE

How would you like to escape the cold on a cruise ship?
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-New York;

This is the largest cruise ship ever built-
The Carnival Ship Destiny is 14 decks high - and as long as three football fields.
When you're on board, you can try out this 214 foot waterslide- or take a ride on the glass elevater-
The ship features a nine deck high glass domed atrium and it carries more than 34 hundred passengers.
The ship begins sailing from Miami through the Caribbean November 24th. (----------------)