WDBJ 7 news at 6 for 01/12/99

[1-News-Head]

[TALENT=Keith]

There's more to high school than a winning football season.

On NEWS 7 at SIX tonight we hear from those who'd rather see higher TEST scores than higher numbers on the score board.
(---------------)
[V/0-NAT SOT]

And we'll ride with county mounties intent on slowing traffic on route 220 headed for Franklin County.
(---------------)

[Sports-head]

[ANCHOR=steve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

In sports, The NASCAR Media Tour is tearing up the Carolinas. MIke Stevens will have a report on the Wood Brothers Elliott Sadler, an update on the Express's complaints to the ECHL,
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]

and Tech challenges Florida for the services of Bud Foster.
(------------)
[WX-Head]
[TALENT=Robin]
[SS=None]

A good day for melting and more mild weather tomorrow, but skies will be cloudy and rain is likely late. [open]
[SUPER=#4054; News 7 at Six Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Keith1;]
[SUPER=@Steve1;]
[SUPER=@Robin1;]
[RUNS=:20]

[Franklin-Football]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#98-72 1:46:56]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Some Franklin County parents say students should score points in the classroom as well as on the football field.
They're attacking a new plan by school officials to improve the football team.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Tina/Newsroom]

Tina Tenret is in our newsroom with the latest.
Keith, when we broadcast our story last night on the school board's new football courses -- parents started calling and emailing.
[Live=Tina Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Tina1;]

One said he'd rather see his child win a college acceptance letter than a football game.
(Rollcue:than a football game)
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=From now on]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Last Fall; :00]
[SUPER=01-Matt Conn/Boones Mill El. PTO; :13]
[SUPER=01-Dr. Chris Corallo/Assistant Superintendent; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:15]
[OUT Q=on the S-O-L test]

From now on, football skills like throwing, catching and kicking will be taught as early as elementary school.
The point is to kick the high school team's losing record.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:10:28]
[IN Q=If we have]
((MATT CONN/BOONES MILL EL. PTO: IF WE HAVE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO CONCERED ABOUT THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM JUST AS CONCERNED AND INVOLVED ABOUT OTHER ISSUES -- SCHOOL CROWDING, THE SOL'S, TEACHER EXCELLENCE, THAT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY.))
[RUNS=:21]
[OUT Q=AT THIS TIME]

In fact, Franklin County schools scored above the state average on most of the standards of learning test.
But they also failed twenty two of twenty-eight categories.
They even failed the computer technology section despite Franklin County's award-winning Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:04:08]
[IN Q=Instructing our children]
((DR. CHRIS CORALLO/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: INSTRUCTING OUR CHILDREN IS THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB. THAT IS OUR MISSION.))
[RUNS=:04]
[OUT Q=THAT IS OUR MISSION]

The school board says it's hired FOUR new people to focus on raising test scores.
High school students can now get tutoring at lunch.
And teachers at the technical center and other schools are going to start using Standards of Learning terms.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 15:01:53]
[IN Q=We've taken what]
((DR. CHRIS CORALLO/ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: WHAT WE'VE REALLY TRIED TO DO IS GIVE TEACHERS EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS OR ASSESSMENTS THAT ARE VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT THEY'D SEE ON THE S-O-L TEST.))
[RUNS=:20]
[OUT Q=ON THE S-O-L TEST]
[Live= Tina full/Newsroom]

So the School Board is taking steps in the academic arena -- one last footnote on the football issue.
Athletic officials told me today people in the community have pushed so hard for a winning record -- but the kids think a lot of other things like teamwork and having fun on the field are also important.
[Double Boxes=Keith & Tina/Newsroom]

They say that's a lesson many adults could learn.

[Poskocil]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]

A federal judge has dismissed a discrimination claim against Roanoke County Schools.
Over the years Sofia Poskocil has applied for 19 different jobs teaching Spanish.
SHE says the foreign language supervisor at Northside High School said "anyone who teaches Spanish 'there' should have English as her first language."
Though Poskocil speaks fluent English, students say they have difficulty understanding her accent. She claimed she was discriminated against, because she's from Columbia.
Judge Sam Wilson disagreed, noting she could have accepted one of the PART-time jobs she was offered and worked he

r way up to a FULL- time teaching position.[Coach-Charge]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#98-65 1:54:58]
[GRAPHIC=None]

We're still waiting for word on whether police will charge the Hampton Roads hockey coach with assault.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

Commonwealth's Attorney Don Caldwell is said to be ready to say tomorrow whether John Brophy's rampage should lead to criminal charges.
Brophy was caught on tape shoving members of the Civic Center events staff -- and a Roanoke police officer -- Sunday night.
The East Coast Hockey Leaque also is considering some action against Brophy.
We'll have more on that in sports.
(------------)

[Monty-Secretary]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=ejo]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=Legal Scales]
A former secretary in the Montgomery county Commonwealth Attorney's office is now under indictment. Linda Hodges Helm worked under prosecutor Phil Keith for about 18 months.
A grand jury indicted her today for possession of cocaine, and for obstructing the Commonwealth's Attorney and law enforcement officers from performing their jobs. We expect to have more details on News 7 at 11.

[Clearbrook]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=99-2 8:01]
[GRAPHIC=None]
One of the area's busiest highways has had more than its share of deadly accidents. Now, Roanoke County police are putting the brakes on speeders, along Route 220 in the Clearbrook area, south of Roanoke. And as David Johnson reports, a lot of drivers are learning a lesson the hard way.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We'd like to]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.; :05]
[SUPER=01-Officer Matt Viar/Roanoke Co. Police Dept.; :18]
[SUPER=01-Pam Kingery/Kingery Bros. Store; 1:21]
[SUPER=@David1; 1:37]
[RUNS=1:45]
[OUT Q=Djo, News 7, Roanoke County.]
((
[SOT=02:17:06]
[IN Q=WE'D LIKE TO]
((WE'D LIKE TO GET THE POINT ACROSS THAT IF YOU SPEED THROUGH CLEARBROOK, YOU'RE GOING TO GET CAUGHT.)) [RUNS04]
[OUT Q=TO GET CAUGHT.]

Roanoke County officers lay in wait in unmarked cars, waiting for overzealous drivers to go by. Matt Viar is one of several officers who explain to offenders that this is part of an educational and life saving process. [NAT-SOUND]
[IN Q=WHAT WE'RE DOING]
((OFFICER MATT VIAR/ROANOKE COUNTY POLICE; WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IS CALLED SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT OF 220. WHEN WE GET SO MANY COMPLAINTS IN ONE AREA, WE HAVE TO COME IN AND SLOW PEOPLE DOWN. THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE DYING ON 220.)) [RUNS10]
[OUT Q=DYING ON 220.]
The speed limit was reduced from 55-miles per hour last September. [NAT-SOUND] ((Sirens blaring as officers go after speeding car.)) [RUNS03] Two months later, officers began enforcing that limit to the tune of 80-to-120 or more tickets a day. Apparently motorists just fail to heed the warning signs.
[SOT=00:46:17]
[IN Q=V-DOT'S POSTED]
((OFFICER MATT VIAR/ROANOKE COUNTY POLICE; V-DOT'S POSTED IT AS WELL AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN. THERE'S ACTUALLY THREE SIGNS OF THE POSTED LIMIT IN ONE AREA. THEN THERE'S ANOTHER SET OF 45-SIGNS BEFORE THEY GET TO US.)) [RUNS15]
[OUT Q=GET TO US.]
The effort has satisfied members of the community who called for more surveillance of the area.
[SOT=02:23:11]
[IN Q=I JUST THINK]
((PAM KINGERY/KINGERY BROS. STORE; I JUST THINK THE POLICEMEN ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE IT, BUT I THINK IT'S MAKING THE AREA MORE SAFE.)) [RUNS12]
[OUT Q=MORE SAFE.]
[STAND-UP/] ((DAVID JOHNSON/REPORTING; SINCE THE MONITORING BEGAN, THERE HAVE BEEN FEW WRECKS AND NO FATALITIES ALONG THIS STRETCH OF ROAD. BUT THE DEPARTMENT IS NOT RESTING ON ITS LAURELS, PROMISING TO CONTINUE THE OPERATION INDEFINITELY TO DETER SPEEDING AND PREVENT ACCIDENTS. DAVID JOHNSON, NEWS 7, ROANOKE COUNTY.))

[RUNS15]))[More-220]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=djo]
[TAPE#=98-77 38:43]
[GRAPHIC=None]
The Clearbrook Civic League is satisfied with the police department's efforts, but says more needs to be done to make the road safe.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
The group still wants the road to be put in the state's department of transportation six-year plan for improvements. Vice president Mike Wray says the area's needs include additional turning lanes.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT=02:17:53]
[IN Q=WE HAVE APPLIED]
((MIKE WRAY/CIVIC LEAGUE VICE PRESIDENT; WE HAVE APPLIED FOR FUNDING TO HAVE A POLICE OFFICER ON DUTY ALL THE TIME AT A SPECIFIC TIME.))
[SUPER=01-Mike Wray/Civic League Vice President;]
[RUNS=11]
[OUT Q=SPECIFIC TIME.]
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[VO-NAT]
V-DOT's six-year plan is updated every spring by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. That agency sets the construction and improvement priorities each year for all state roads. In the meantime, the 220-corridor remains the primary location for construction of Interstate-73... sometime well into the next millennium.
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[Tease#1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=NONE]
The Interstate passed it by in the 60's. Still ahead on New 7, Lynchburg doesn't want to miss another chance.
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[VO-NAT]
And lots of us already carry around beepers. So why is the state issuing them to legislators for the first time?
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[wx ad lib] [Roll] [Lake Level] [MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM#1]

[XGR-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#98-75 1:55:42]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol]

What's a billion dollars among friends?
Virginia's 1999 General Assembly convenes tomorrow at noon for just six weeks of lawmaking this year.
And a billion dollar budget surplus may make the task easier.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 16:12:06]
[IN Q=You're going]
((BOB HOLSWORTH/VCU POLITICAL ANALYST: YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BOTH, TAX REDUCTION AND INCREASED SPENDING... DIFFICULT TO DRAW SHARP LINES...INSIDE BASEBALL TYPE OF AFFAIRS.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Holsworth/VCU Political Analyst;]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=of affairs.]
[TALENT=Keith]
[SS=Hold]

Analysts say you can expect some sharp ideological differences on things like the right to die, a 24 hour waiting pe

riod for abortions, and controversial new license plates for Virginia motorists.[Beepers]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE# 98-74 52:02]
[GRAPHIC=VA Capitol]

They're caving in to technology in the world's oldest continuously meeting legislative body.
All one hundred members of Virginia's House of Delegates will be issued beepers tomorrow that will track them down anywhere in Capitol Square.
Ellen Qualls checked out the latest toys of government.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=That's the sound]
[SUPER=01-Del. Alan Dudley/(R) Rocky Mount; :00]
[SUPER=01-Bruce Jamerson/House Clerk; :]
[SUPER=@Bryant; :]
[SUPER=@Ellen2; :]
[RUNS=:00]
[OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.]

Observe the sound -- and for them the feel -- of legislative duty calling.
[nat sot buzzing]
[runs=:02]

It's called "premises-based paging."
[sot 16:36:54]
((DEL. ALLEN DUDLEY/R-ROCKY MOUNT: WELL IT'S KIND OF LIKE, WHAT'S THE STEAK HOUSE THAT YOU GO TO THAT...TABLE READY?))

[runs=:07]

Friends, family, and constituents can't use it.
Neither can reporters.
But every Delegate can be tracked down within the confines of Capitol Square.
[sot 15:05:22]
((BRUCE JAMERSON/HOUSE CLERK: A NUMBER OF MEMBERS...WAIT...BETTER USE OF TIME.))
[runs=:20]

[sot 16:31:06]
((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT: I DO WASTE A LOT OF TIME...15 HOURS... TO HAVE THE BILL HEARD...CONTROVERSIAL BILL... COULD HAVE BEEN DOING SOMETHING ELSE.))
[runs=:18]

[sot 15:07:17]
((BRUCE JAMERSON: THIS IDEA WAS RECOGNIZED...BY HIS PEERS.))
[runs=:14]

[sot 16:30:50]
((DEL. PRESTON BRYANT/R-LYNCHBURG: I'M PROBABLY ONE OF THE ONLY... TOO MUCH MORE HIGH TECH... STAND IT.))
[runs=:11]

Get ready... the laptops are coming to the hallowed halls.
Ellen Qualls, News 7, Richmond.

[Stocks]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=chr]
[TAPE#=None]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

A day of downsliding on Wall Street. [TAKE DOW & NASDAQ PAGE ]
[RUNS=:25]
[SUPER=x5102;]
[SUPER=430-y/145.21/9474.68/y/63.58/2321.01;]

The Dow 145 points, Nasdaq gave up 64 points..
[SUPER=431-h!/47#/i1a/84e/i3/66*/i1@/53g/ic/21c;]
[ AE/ATT/Bank of America/Bell/Columbia]
[SUPER=432-ir/42a/u/7!/ib/44d/i1%/62f/i1d/46g;]
[Dana/Dimon/Dominion Resources/First Union/First VA]
[SUPER=433-il*/97g/h!/57e/i1$/29b/ie/12f/i*/54#;]
[General Electric/Kroger/Norfolk Southern/Optical Cable/Philip Morris]

[SUPER=434-ie/15e/i1g/77@/hc/36g/i1a/88c/i1e/80b;]
[Roanoke Electric Steel/SunTrust/Trigon/Wachovia/Walmart]

[29-Bypass]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=98-71 1:31:21]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Bypass]

Thirty- five years ago, they blew a chance to attract Interstate 64 and all its economic benefits to central Virginia.. now Lynchburg and Campbell County don't want to make the same mistake again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

This time the road in question is a bypass around Route 29.
One V-DOT proposal would have the bypass run to the east of Lynchburg, along Route 501.
But city and county leaders are pushing for a WESTERN route that would connect with Route 460 and existing businesses.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:30:00//00:35:09]
[IN Q=This proposal saves]
((DAVID LAURELL/CAMPBELL CO. ADMINISTRATOR: THIS PROPOSAL SAVES THE COUNTY FROM HAVING TO MAKE NEW INVESTMENTS IN VITAL SERVICES AND ALLOWS US TO MAXIMIZE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. THE PREFERRED BYPASS ROUTE SATISFIES THE DESIRE OF THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS IN RUSTBURG AND FURTHER NORTH BY DIVERTING HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM THE CENTER OF TOWN.)) ((CHARLES CHURCH/LYNCHBURG CITY MANAGER: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WE THINK THAT THE PROPOSED ROUTING VERY EFFECTIVELY SERVES THAT COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-David Laurell/Campbell Co. Administrator; :00]
[SUPER=01-Charles Church/Lynchburg City Manager; :20]
[RUNS=28]
[OUT Q=serves that community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Two public meetings are scheduled for next week to allow residents to view the plans and voice their opinions.
(------------)

[L'burg-Council]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#98-73 1:11:51]
[GRAPHIC=Lynchburg Seal]

Two major shopping center proposals will be up for debate before Lynchburg city council tonight.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Developers say turning this tract of land near Graves Mill Road into a business center with department and grocery stores would create hundreds of new jobs.
But neighbors say the center will add even more traffic to an already- congested intersection.
After two months of stalling, city council is expected to vote "yea" or "nay" tonight.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 00:42:19]
[IN Q=They've waited a]
((PETE WARREN/LYNCHBURG MAYOR: THEY'VE WAITED A GOOD WHILE AND WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN DRAGGING A LITTLE BIT ON IT, BUT IT'S A PRETTY IMPORTANT DECISION. YOU'RE BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL AND BUSINESS AND I THINK COUNCIL TAKES THAT BALANCE VERY SERIOUSLY.))
[SUPER=01-Pete Warren/Lynchburg Mayor; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=balance very seriously.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Council will also get its first look at plans for ANOTHER large shopping center... this one to be built on 58 acres of land along Wards Road.
(----------------)

[Bedford-Escape]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-3 05:19]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The car thief who broke out of jail in Bedford County has been caught.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Randy Penkert (PINK-hurt) was done in by an informant.
Someone told state police that he was staying at a motel in the Williamsburg area.
[SUPER=03-Bedford/Sunday]

They arrested him early this morning, four days after he slipped away from the Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
(------------)

[Sports tease]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]

The latest news on the Express complains to the ECHL over the Admirals cheap shots and tech gets defensive about it's Bud.
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(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=and this is Mike Stevens]
(())

[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=this season]
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[S-Express]

[ANCHOR=stve]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-29]
[GRAPHIC=express]

Express general manager Tony Mancuso is in Biloxi, Mississippi. He will meet with ECHL director of Hockey Operations Andy Van Hellamond and other league officials.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

In that 7 pm meeting, he will show the tape of the on ice incidents from this past Sunday's Hampton Roads/Roanoke game. The Express put the tape together yesterday after reviewing it. It will show the Admirals Jeff Corbett taking a cheap shot at Roanoke's Jeremy Schaeffer, an incident that Express asssitant coach is familar with.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="the same]
(())
[SUPER=01-Perry Florio/Express Assistant Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=...close to that"]
(------------)

[S-Sadler]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6p]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-28]
[GRAPHIC=Nascar media tour]

The 1999 Nascar Media Tour is making its way through North Carolina, but Mike Stevens says much of the talk early this week has been about some folks back here in Virginia.
He and photograher Lynn Eller join us from Charlotte.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC; :00]
[SUPER=01-Elliott Sadler/Citgo Ford Driver; :18]
[SUPER=@Mike1; :30]
[super=01-Jimmy Spencer/Winston Ford Driver; 1:17]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=News 7 Sports]
(-----------------)

[S-Foster]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-27 tc 59:48]
[GRAPHIC=Tech Fooball]

Frank Beamer said from his hotel room at the National Coaches Conventtion in Nashville Tennessee today, that he and the Univeristy plan to do everything in their power to keep defensive coordinator Bud Foster.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Beamer confirmed Florida has offered Foster a position as defensive coordinator.
He also said Virginia Tech is in the process of making a counter offer, but nothing will be decided until Thursday.

Beamer, Foster, A.D. Jim Weaver and the other Tech coaches met at dinner last night in Nashville. Tech's defense was rated seventh in the nation this past season under Foster's guidance.

(---------------)[S-Jordan]

[ANCHOR=Steve]
[NEWSCAST=Six]
[WRITER=dal]
[TAPE#=SP-31 tc 19:18]
[GRAPHIC=]

The writing is on the wall. Michael Jordan is retiring.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Greensboro, NC;]

The Chicago Bulls aren't commenting but several media organizations are reporting Jordan will retire.
The Bulls will make the official announcement tomorrow at a noon press conference.
The five-time M-V-P and ten-time league scoring led Chicago to six championships in the past decade.
(------------)
[Wx-Tape]
[SUPER=305-56/35/67/1963/5/1981;]
[SUPER=306-50/39/66/SW-8mph/30.09r/7:34am/5:24pm;]

[Forecasts]
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[SUPER=330-Mostly Cloudy/Wind SW-10/40-42/Cloudy With/Rain Late/53-56;]
[SUPER=331-Mostly/Cloudy/38-42/Mostly/Cloudy/56-58;]
[SUPER=332-Cloudy/Wind SW-10/38-40/Cloudy With/Afternoon Showers/50-52;]
[SUPER=333-Mostly Cloudy/Wind SW-15/38-40/Cloudy With/Rain Likely/45-50;]
[SUPER=334-Cloudy With/Isolated Showers/38-40/Rain/Likely/45-50;]

[SUPER=X5001;][Close]

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(Weekday 6 only)
[SUPER=x4032; e-mail/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS]
SUPER=x4033; Fax/Most Watched/Copyright/WEEKDAYS
(Weekend 6 only)
SUPER=x4031; Fax/Copyright/WEEKENDS SUPER=x4030; e-mail/Copyright/WEEKENDS