WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 04/01/98

[news-head]

[ANCHOR=jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up on News 7-
A tornado strikes north of Richmond- killing a baby and its mother.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Paula Jones case against the President is thrown out of court-
We'll have a live report.
Plus, new charges of beatings at VMI.
And history mixed with Hollywood tonight in Salem.
(------------)

News 7 is next.[newsbreak ]

[ANCHOR=jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=ssa]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Good Evening.
A federal judge threw out the
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@file;]

Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton this afternoon. Judge Susan Webber-Wright said Jones did not show enough evidence to prove that she was damaged by the alleged harassment.
[SUPER=03-Salem;]

Plus, we'll speak with the descendant of a slave who inspired the early abolitionist movement AND the recent movie "Amistad".
[SUPER=03-Salsomaggiore, Italy;]

And, pizza bragging rights are at stake in the pie's native land. We'll show you what put the Sicilians a slice above the rest.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]

Join us for News 7 at eleven.

[Jones]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=JJA]
[TAPE#net a (if needed)]
[GRAPHIC=Clinton]

It's a victory for President Clinton- defeat for Paula Jones the woman who claims Clinton sexually harrassed her.
A judge today threw the case out today- saying there's not enough evidence.
Byron Pitts joins us with the latest reaction from Washington.
[SUPER=01-Byron Pitts/Reporting;]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=@file;]
[SUPER=01-Susan Carpenter McMillan/Advisor;]
[SUPER=01-Mike McCurry/White House Press Secretary; ]
[SUPER=01-Kenneth Starr/Special Prosecutor;]
[SUPER=01-William Ginsburg/Lewinsky's Attorney;]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=]
[SUPER=05-Washington, DC;]

((Paula Jones had alleged in 1991 that then Governor Bill Clinton made an unwanted sexual advance towards here at this Arkansas hotel. In a stunning development, US district Court judge Susan Webber Wright threw out Jones harassment lawsuit - saying in part; QUOTE 'ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR'S ALLEGED CONDUCT -- IF TRUE -- MAY CERTAINLY BE CHARACTERIZED AS A BOORISH AND OFFENSVE - THE RECORD FAILS TO REVEAL A BASIS FOR A CLAIM OF CRIMIINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT..
In her 39-page ruling the judge wrote THIS DID NOT INVOLVE ANY COERCION OR THREATES OF REPRISAL. Paula Jones SUFFERED NO TANGIBLE JOB DETRIMENT - DID NOT ENCOUNTER A HOSTILE OR ABUSIVE WORK ENVIROMENT - OR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS.
According to her legal advisers, Paula Jones is devastated.
SUSAN CARPENTER MCMILLAN/ADVISER:PAULA WAS SHOCKED, UH, SHE'S DISAPPOINTED. WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPECT FOR JUDGE WRIGHT. WE JUST STRONGLY DISAGREE. President Clinton received word in Africa as he raps up his trip overseas. MIKE MCCURRY/WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: THE PRESIDENT GOT THE NEWS FROM MR. BENNETT. HE ASKED IF IT WAS, IN FACT AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE THAT MR. BENNETT WAS PLAYING ON HIM. THE PRESIDENT SHARED THE NEWS WITH THE FIRST LADY AFTER HE GOT IT FROM MR. BENNETT AND I THINK BOTH OF THEM ARE PLEASED TO GET THE NEWS.."
The big question now. what happens to Special Prosecutor Kenneth's Starr investigation into the Jones matter. as well as President Clinton's alleged sexual encounter with Monica Lewinsky.
KENNETH STARR/SPECIAL PROSECUTOR: WE'VE BEEN GIVEN JURISDICTION TO SEE IF CRIMINAL OFFENSE HAVE BEEN COMMITTED AND IT'S INDEPENDENT FOMR THE CIVL LITIGATION SO WE'RE GOING ABOUT OUR WORK.
WILLIAM GINSBURGH/LEWINSKY ATTORNEY: ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDCUT OF SOME KING ON THE PART OF MY CLIENT INVOLVING THE PAULA JONES HAVE NOW TAKEN ON NEW DIMENSIONS AND UNIMPORTANCE.
BYRON PITTS/CBS NEWS: Despite the Judge's ruling. Paula Jones say. they will appeal. all the way to the US SUPREME court. if necessary.))

[Tornado]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=JJA]
[TAPE#None]
[GRAPHIC=tornado]

A tornado struck tonight north of Richmond killing two people.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Hanover Co.;]

Authorities say a 13- week- old infant and his mother were killed when the twister struck their home.
It happened in Hanover County- about 25 miles North of Richmond.
39- year- old Sheila Giles and her son Jeramiah were home alone at the time.
The tornado came out of a line of thundestorms that crossed central and Northern Virginia-
It damaged several homes, knocked down dozens of trees and left thousands without power.
(----------------)

[VMI-Wade]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-30 TC 13:55]
[GRAPHIC=VMI]

Faculty and staff at Virginia Military Institute now admit they're investigating new beating charges.
That's after attorneys for three freshmen made public documents in which the freshmen and three seniors admit beatings took place.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lexington/File Tape;]

The documents are part of a student-run honor committee probe that will be heard next week.
These are the second public allegations this academic year of upperclassmen spanking freshmen with belts.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:59:26]
[IN Q=I'm not]
((GEORGE WADE, JR./FORMER VMI FRESHMAN: I'M NOT REALLY SURPRISED THAT THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE BEING BEATEN. BUT I'M SURPRISED THAT IT'S OUT IN THE PUBLIC. I'M SURPRISED THAT THERE'S ANOTHER SITUATION THAT'S HITTING THE SPOTLIGHT.))
[SUPER=01-George Wade, Jr./Former VMI Freshman;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=the spotlight.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henrico Co.;]

George Wade, Junior withdrew from VMI in January, after alleging that upperclassmen mentors spanked him and other freshmen twice a week.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 03:54:22]
[IN Q=I felt like]
((I FELT LIKE MAYBE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AT VMI WAS SOMETHING ISOLATED. MAYBE SOMETHING THAT WASN'T THE NORM AT THE SCHOOL. BUT NOW, TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS SITUATION THAT SOUNDS ALMOST EXACTLY LIKE THE SITUATION I WAS IN, IT KIND OF SCARES ME, CAUSE IT'S GOING ON TO MORE PEOPLE THAN I IMAGINED.))
[RUNS=:19]
[OUT Q=than I imagined.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Wade is still hoping a new independent prosecutor takes up hazing or assault charges in his case.
A V-M-I spokesman says there's NO proof beatings are widespread -- and they will NOT be tolerated.
(--------0--------)

[Kids-Health]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-31 9:45]
[GRAPHIC=health insurance]

The fight continues over how to provide health insurance to more children of Virginia's working poor families.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond;]

A bi-partisan coalition of lawmakers left Richmond last month with budget language that could force Governor Jim Gilmore to veto ALL state Medicaid funding if he tries to veto their child health plan.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 02:35:35]
[IN Q=The General Assembly]
((GOV. JIM GILMORE: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CERTAINLY TRIED TO TIE ALL MEDICAID FUNDS TO THIS EXPANSION OF MEDICAID. THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO. BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF CHOICES AND A LOT OF OPTIONS. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN'T DELIVER A GOOD, SOLID, PRIVATE PLAN FOR THE KIDS OF VIRGINIA.))
[SUPER=@Gilmore;]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=kids of Virginia.]
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=Gilmore]

Gilmore's alternative would insure the same number of children-- but with much less generous coverage.
But the Governor opposes the legislature's Medicaid-based plan because he says it would be an expansion of welfare i

n Virginia.[Train-Derailment]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-23 TC 17:18]
[GRAPHIC=Derailment]

Questions remain about how and why a 65- car freight train broke away and derailed yesterday in Lynchburg.
Federal investigators have been called in to try and find the answers.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Cleanup crews]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg/Today; :00]
[SUPER=04-Yesterday; :06]
[SUPER=01-Fred Mills/Lynchburg Fire Chief; :21]
[SUPER=01-Susan Terpay/Norfolk Southern; :40]
[SUPER=01-Russell Goper/NTSB Investigator; :48]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :57]
[RUNS=1:10]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( Cleanup crews finished removing the last of the flammable liquid acetone from its tanker car this morning.
About half of the 20- thousand gallons in the tank spilled and caught fire when 65 freight cars rammed a Norfolk Southern train yesterday morning.
The tank never ruptured, but authorities are wondering whether a safety valve inside failed to shut itself off on impact.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:22:11]
[IN Q=We did have]
((FRED MILLS/LYNCHBURG FIRE CHIEF: WE DID HAVE A HIGH RATE OF FLOW OF ACETONE EARLY ON, BUT WHEN THEY INSPECTED THE VALVE, IT WAS CLOSED.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=it was closed.]

Norfolk Southern officials say the cars were being switched at another station when they broke loose.
They would "not" speculate whether the crew of the stationary train that was hit was given any advance warning of what was coming.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:04:40]
[IN Q=That is all]
((SUSAN TERPAY/NORFOLK SOUTHERN: THAT IS ALL PART OF THE INVESTIGATION, AND I DON'T THINK WE'RE RELEASING A LOT OF THAT INFORMATION YET. WE NEED TO KEEP SOME OF THAT WITHIN THE INVESTIGATION RIGHT NOW.)) [RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=right now.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 11:32:40]
[IN Q=We do know]
((RUSSELL GOPER/NTSB INVESTIGATOR: WE DO KNOW THAT THE BRAKES ON THE CARS THAT ROLLED AWAY, HAD THEY BEEN APPLIED, WOULD HAVE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THEY DID WORK OKAY IN A TEST.)) [RUNS:11]
[OUT Q=in a test.]
(/////SOT/////)
[Standup]
[IN Q=The question is]
((The question is whether those brakes were set before the cars broke away. It may be sometime before we have an answer.. the NTSB says it will take about six months to complete its report. Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.)) [RUNS:13]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]))[Toss-2-Robin]
Jean tosses to Robin in the Chromakey

[Tease1]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

The owners of the Cabin Lake apartments are now facing lawsuits after a Thanksgiving fire.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And from the big screen to the Roanoke Valley....
Amistad comes to Salem.
We'll have the story coming up on News 7 at 11.
(-------------)

[Amistad]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-32 TC]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The descendant of a slave who won his freedom in a landmark U-S Supreme Court decision paid a visit to Salem tonight.
David Johnson spoke with the great-great grandson of (Sing-Bay PEE-Ah), Sengbeh Pieh who touched on a few topics, including the legacy of that case.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Samuel Pieh's ancestor]
[SUPER=04-Dreamworks; :01]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :19]
[SUPER=01-Samuel Pieh/Memphis University Assoc. Prof.; :27]
[SUPER=@David1; :46]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=Djo, News 7.]
(( Samuel Pieh's ancestor, known as Joseph Cinque (SIN-Kay), led a revolt on a slave ship.
When the slaves were recaptured they appealed to the nation's highest court.
The case played a major role in the early abolitionists' movement.
This piece of history formed the basis for the recent controversial film "Amistad". The West African native says playing a bit part in the film made him realize the Amistad scenario presents a difficult view.
[SOT=18:47:02]
[IN Q=THIS HAS BEEN]
((SAMUEL PIEH/MID SOUTH/AFRICA LINK DIRECTOR; THIS HAS BEEN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES GREAT BRITAIN. IT INVOLVES SPAIN. IT INVOLVED THE UNITED STATES TO A GREAT DEGREE. IT INVOLVES CUBA AND THE CARIBBEAN. AND YOU FIND OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT, THE AMISTAD. WHY? BECAUSE OUR EDUCATION HAS NOT BEEN FUNCTIONAL.)) [RUNS:19]
[OUT Q=BEEN FUNCTIONAL.]
[STAND-UP/19:49:27] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; THE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY SAYS THE NEW MILLENNIUM WILL NOT TOLERATE MEDIOCRITY WHEN IT COMES TO FUNCTIONING GLOBALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY.)) [RUNS:08] And he's learned there are certain privileges people can NOT take for granted, priveledges his ancestors were not afforded.
[SOT=18:49:01]
[IN Q=FOR EXAMPLE]
((FOR EXAMPLE, FREEDOM. YES FREEDOM. EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT FREEDOM. BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU MUST FIGHT FOR YOUR FREEDOM. YOU SHOULDN'T JUST BE SO CARELESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE ABOUT YOUR FREEDOM BECAUSE SOME DAY SOMEBODY CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU.)) [RUNS:14]
[OUT Q=AWAY FROM YOU.]
Pieh stressed Amistad's legacy is its example of what good and bad the world can accomplish.

David Johnson, News 7.))[Teacher-Sex]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#NONE]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A teacher in Henry County is accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his students.
Keith Doty (DOE-TEE) has been suspended from his job at Fieldale-Collinsville High School.
He faces five misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
School officials contacted the Henry County Sheriff's Office when they learned of Doty's alleged relationship with the 16-year old girl.
Doty was hired as a communications technology teacher in January, 1995.

[Cabin-Lake]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-29 14:52]
[GRAPHIC=fire aftermath]

They were burned out of their homes in a giant Thanksgiving Day fire.
Now the displaced tenants of the Cabin Lake Apartments in Danville will be thankful if they win a newly filed lawsuit.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Danville;]

Lawyers for 98-tenants filed a ten-and a half million dollar lawsuit this afternoon in Danville Circuit Court.
Named as the defendants are the companies which owned and operated the apartment building.
[SUPER=04-November 1997;]

Fire investigators recently ruled the cause of the fire UNDETERMINED.
But the lawsuit claims faulty electrical wiring and substandard fire walls are to blame.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 5:53:38-:50]
[IN Q=That's not unusual]
((DEBRA CORCORAN/ATTORNEY: THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL IN A FIRE THEY CAN RULE THAT IT'S UNDETERMINED THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE WASN'T A LEGITIMATE CAUSE. IT JUST MEANS THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND IT. BUT THE EVIDENCE IS THERE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT IT.))
[SUPER=01-Debra Corcoran/Attorney;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=able to support that.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

The defendants have 21-days to respond to the lawsuit once they receive the paperwork.
(----------------)

[Social-Security]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=JJA]
[TAPE#net b]
[GRAPHIC=Gingrich, Newt]

House Speaker Newt Gingrich wants to give every working American a slice of any federal budget surplus.
Gingrich is proposing
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC;]
to use surplus money to set up tax-free personal retirement accounts for American workers.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:05:53]
[IN Q=]
((NEWT GINGRICH/R- HOUSE SPEAKER: A SOCIAL SECURITY PLUS SYTEM THAT HAD A TAX FREE INTEREST BUILD UP AND TAX FREE WITHDRAWAL WOULD ACTUALY CREAT A HUGE POOL OF SAVINGS.))
[SUPER=01-Rep. Newt Gingrich/(R) House Speaker;]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=POOL OF SAVINGS.]
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=HOLD]

Gingrich says the accounts would supplement, not replace, Social Security.

[Tease2]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Still to come,
We have some pizza making you have to see to believe,
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And, it's college learning via the Internet, and it's coming from Virgnia Tech.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:54:27]
[IN Q=we are the]
((DR. TIMOTHY MACK: WE ARE THE 800 POUND GORILLA OF DISTANCE LEARNING. WE JUST HAVEN'T USED IT.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=haven't used it]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

We'll explain, when the news continues.
(----------------)

[Pitts-Crime]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#98-24 TC 15:04]
[GRAPHIC=None]

There's proof today your tips to the authorities about crimes can pay off.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Chatham;]

The Pittsylvania County Crimestoppers program awarded the sheriff's office with a check for one thousand dollars.
That money will go to an unnamed informant who called in a tip that led to an arrest and the recovery of ten-thousand dollars in property.
The sheriff says the Crimestoppers hotline is a useful tool in helping his department catch the bad guys.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 3:27:36-:45]
[IN Q=The crimestoppers program]
(( ))
[SUPER=01-Harold Plaster/Pittsylvania Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=get rewarded for it.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Pittsylvania County Crimestoppers presented two other checks today.
One for three-hundred dollars in a break-in case and one for 75-dollars in a fugitive case.
(----------------)

[Summer-School]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=eea]
[TAPE#=98-27 TC 16:32]
[GRAPHIC=Virginia Tech]

Virginia Tech is extending its reach by teaching on the Internet.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg]

Insects and Human Society is one of 20 summer school classes offered on the World Wide Web.
That means students can go home, get a summer job, and still work on their education.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT12:59:20]
[IN Q=you have a feeling]
((JAMES CAUDILL/DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENT; YOU HAVE A FEELING THAT IT'S JUST COMING RIGHT TO YOU, THE LECTURES, THE REAL AUDIO LECTURES THAT YOU GET, YOU DON'T KNOW REALLY THAT THERE'S A CROWD, THAT THEY WERE RECORDED IN AN ACTUAL LECTURE, YOU ALMOST FEEL LIKE HE'S TALKING TO YOU.))
[SOT 12:46:47]
((DR. TIMOTHY MACK/VA. TECH ENTOMOLOGY DEPT.; YOU CAN CLICK ON THAT AND LISTEN TO AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT, THE HUMAN ELEMENT IS THERE, IF YOU DIDNT' UNDERSTAND IT, YOU CAN CLICK ON IT AGAIN, YOU CAN CLICK ON IT 35 TIMES IF YOU WANT TO. THAT'S NOT TRUE IN A CLASS, WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR SAYS IT, IF YOU MISSED IT YOU MISSED IT.))
[SUPER=01-James Caudill/Distance Learning Student;]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Timothy Mack/Entomology Department;]
[RUNS=:25]
[UT Q=you missed it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Web technology allows students to watch video clips, listen to lectures, and even take a quiz, at their convenience.
(------------)
[2 shot]
(Jean tosses to Robin)

[Almanac]

[ANCHOR=Robin]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=pev]
[TAPE#=Almanac TC :11]
[GRAPHIC=None]
March ended on a warm and record breaking note but April often brings a nasty curve just to remind us that it's early spring. Patrick Evans has the numbers in our monthly almanac.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=April is upon]
[RUNS=1:18]
[OUT Q=News 7 Weather]
[Forecasts]
[SUPER=#571;]
[SUPER=X5000;]
[SUPER=330-Clear And/Breezy/48-50/Sunny And Breezy/66-68;]
[SUPER=331-Turning Clear/And Cool/48-50/Mostly Sunny/And Breezy/72-75;]
[SUPER=332-Clear And/Cooler/45-48/Sunny And/Breezy/60-63;]
[SUPER=333-Mostly Clear/And Cool/42-45/Sunny/Windy/58-60;]
[SUPER=334-Clear And/Windy/40-44/Partly Cloudy/And Windy/58-60;]

[SUPER=X5001;][S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra]
[GRAPHIC=]

Iverson lights up the Wizards, the Hokies get the best of the Highlanders, Tech's Shyrone Stith may be out for the rest of the spring, and a current and a former Redskin are making news tonight.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT ENG#]

But first , tonight's Extra Point heads to Roanoke, Texas where as of this morning more than 100 RVs were already in place for this weekend's soldout Texas 500.
This afternoon Dale Jarrett spoke at an area high school, while workers continued trying to fix a drainage problem in turn one.
You can watch the race Sunday at one right here on Your Hometown Station.
(-------------)
[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=x5010;]
[super=0091-/Detroit/8/j/Tampa Bay/11////Kansas City/1/j/Baltimore/10///;]
[super=x5009;]
[super=0091-/Minnesota/2/j/Toronto/3////New York/0//Anaheim/0/1//;]
[super=x5009;]
[super=0092-/San Francisco/6/j/Houston/7///j/San Diego/10//Cincinnati/9///;]
[super=x5009;]
[super=0092j/Pittsburgh/4//Montreal/0///j/Chicago/10//Florida/3///;]
[super=x5012]
[super=0094-j/Jeff. Forest/10//Appomattox/4//Baseball/; ]
[super=x5029]
[super=0104-/Chesapeake/2/j/Toledo/4////Dayton/1/j/Wheeling/4///;]
[super=x5009;]
[super=0104-j/Pee Dee/3//South Carolina/0//Pee Dee Up 2-0//Charlotte/3//Birmingham/1/3//;]
[super=x5012;]
[super=0095-j/Lynchburg/18//Hamp.-Sydney/6//Baseball//Radford/4/j/Va. Tech/7//Baseball/;]
[super=x5009;]
[super=0095-j/Lynchburg/17//Shenandoah///Softball//Liberty/1/j/UNCG/3//Softball/;]
[runs=:45]
[oc=last score]
(------------------)
[go to break]

[S-MLB]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-2]
[GRAPHIC=BAltIMORE ORIOLES]

After getting little run production Monday and dropping their home opener, the Baltimore Orioles bounced back last night to beat the Royals 10 to 1.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Baltimore, MD/Royals vs. Orioles; :00]

Cal Ripken Junior hit his eighth career grand slam to power the O's to a 10-to-1 win. Lenny Webster also cracked a couple of homers as the O's pound out 11 hits in the easy win.
[SUPER=03-Montreal, CAN/MLB; :00]

And Tony Womack, the Gretna native who was inducted into the Roanoke-Salem baseball hall of fame earlier this year led the Pirates to a 4-to-nothing win in their season opener with a two run double in the 7th inning.

(------------)[S-TECH]

[ANCHOR=MIKE]
[NEWSCAST=11PM]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-10]
[GRAPHIC=Tech/Radford]

Virginia Tech and Radford hooked up for a 4th time this season at English Field with the Hokies coming back to take a 7-to-4 win and even the seasonal series between the two rivals at 2 games a piece.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/Hokies vs Highlanders; :00]

The Highlanders would get on the board first. With runners at the corners Chad McQuirk hits into a 6-4-3 double play but Pete Davidson scores from third and the Highlanders took a 1 to nothing lead in the top of the third.
But the Hokies would answer in their half of the third. With a runner on third Matt Griswald hits a ground rule double over the centerfield fence scoring the run to tie the score at 1 to 1.
Radford would take the lead in the top of the fourth Matt Nowak sends this pitch deep over the centerfield
[SUPER=33-Virginia Tech/7/Radford/4;]wall for a three run homer to give the Highlanders a 4 to 1 lead and Tech goes on
to win the game 7 to 4.

(----------)[S-Hokies]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-5]
[GRAPHIC=TECH BASEBALL]

Despite today's come from behind win and yesterday's offensive outburst against Liberty, Tech boss Chuck Hartman still isn't pleased with his team's inconsistent play.
The Hokies are five games above 500, but today they committed two errors and gave up nine hits.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="You know...]
(())
[SUPER=01-Chuck Hartman/Va. Tech Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=...BE OK."]
(--------------)
[TALENT=MIKE]
[GRAPHIC=VT BASEBALL]

The Hokies play at Marshall tomorrow.

[S-Sixers]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-6]
[GRAPHIC=nba]

In the NBA last night the Washington Wizards continue to play like anything but a team with postseason aspirations.
Last night the Sixers whip Washington in the MCI Center 112-to-91.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC/Sixers vs. Wizards; :00]

Why is Allen Iverson smiling and having such a good time?
Well, the Hampton native could no wrong last night as he scored 30 points on an array of jumpers, drives and jams.
The second year point guard also showed his maturity on the break, as he passes up the layin to get the assist and give fellow Tidewater native Joe Smith the easy dunk
[super=32-Philadelphia/112/Washington/91;]
in transition.
The Wizards have now lost four in a row.

(------------)[S-Prov]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-7]
[GRAPHIC=VIRGINIA]

This afternoon at 1:30, the University of Virginia will officially introduce Pete Gillen as the school's new head basketball coach.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NCAA; :00]

At about the same time, Gillen's old school Providence likely will be welcoming this man, Tim Welsh to his new job.
The current Iona coach is expected to officially become the new Providence coach today.

(------------)[S-Stith]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-11]
[GRAPHIC=TECH FB]

The Virginia Tech football team will likely be without running back Shyrone Stith for the remainder of Spring drills.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/1996 Season; :00]

The redshirt sophomore, who sat out last season after starring as a freshman in 1996, tore a ligament in his right thumb during yesterday's scrimmage and likely will need surgery.
Stith had 5 TD's back in 96.

(------------)[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

Still to come tonight on the Big 7, the Hokies Bird is getting ready to flex his biceps in Daytona.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

And I'll tell you why Leslie is accused of being anything but the Good Shepherd.

(------------)[S-Shepherd]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-4]
[GRAPHIC=REDSKINS]

Monday night Redskins' quarterback Gus Frerotte found out he's being sued for more than $300 thousand bucks by a Deck company that say he didn't fulfill his end of an endorsement contract.
Last night it's one of Gus's
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Raljon, MD/Last Season; :00]

main receivers, Leslie Shepherd, who is making the news.
Shepherd has a June first court date for a jury trial as he tries to beat charges that he assaulted a man outside of a Washington nightclub.
The team's top receiver last season could get 6 months in jail.

(------------)[S-Stuff]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-1]
[GRAPHIC=none]
[WIPE TPO ENG#!!!!!!!!!]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-NFL; :00]

Mark Rypien, the MVP for the Redskins in their last Super Bowl victory in 1992 is leaving the Rams to take backup role in Atlanta.
His new two year contract with the Falcons is worth $1 point 8 million. He'll sign it tomorrow.
[super=04-NBA;]

In the NBA Alonzo Mourning is out of the hospital this afternoon after having surgery to repair his broken left cheek bone.
Mourning suffered the break in last night's game with Boston. No word on how long he will out of the lineup.
[super=04-MLB;]

And speaking of surgery, Reds owner Marge Schott is in the hospital having a broken hip repaired. She fell in her driveway last night just hours after her team lost its home opener.

(------------)[S-Mascot]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=Dal]
[TAPE# SP-8]
[GRAPHIC=VA Tech]

In recent years Virginia Tech has put more than its chare of athletes in NFL training camps.
This year that trend may continue, but first there is a small matter of the NCAAs.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg/September 27, 1997;]

The Hokie Bird, is going for a three-peat as the N-C-Double-A Mascot Champion this week.
The Hokie Bird left for Daytona Beach, Florida today with the rest of the cheerleading and dance squads to compete for the national crown.
And in the past, Tech mascots have used this competition as a springboard to a pro career.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We might be]
(( ))
[SUPER=01-Danny Monk/Va. Tech Associate AD; :00]
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=with our mascots ]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT con't]

Tech's dance squad, the High Techs, qualified sixth with its video resume.
The cheerleaders are competing against 20 other squads for top honors has well.
You can catch the finals of the N-C-Double-A Cheer and Dance finals here on your hometown station on Sunday, April 1(----------------) 9th.