WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 03/05/99

[News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=]

Coming up on News 7--
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

They're putting drug dealers out of business in Halifax County.
Authorities round up a number of suspects.
And, Christy Brzonkala's case could be headed for the Supreme Court--following a ruling handed down by an appeals court today.
(--------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=none]

News 7 is next.

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=Video Open]
[GRAPHIC=N7 at 11]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

A federal appeals court rules against Christy Brzonkala.
But, the woman who sued Virginia Tech and two football players may have another day in court.
(------------)

[Brzonkala]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-4; 59:01]
[GRAPHIC=Christy Brzonkala]

Good Evening, I'm Melanie Moon.
Former Virginia Tech student Christy Brzonkala filed a lawsuit under the Violence Against Women Act, passed by congress in 1994.
But today the federal appeals court in Richmond ruled that the legislation is unconstitutional.
Joe Dashiell has more on the ruling, and the future of Brzonkala's case.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Brzonkala's attorney]
[SUPER=@File; :00]
[SUPER=01-Larry Hincker/Va. Tech Spokesman; :40]
[SUPER=@Joe2; 1:04]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=Joe D News 7]

((Brzonkala's attorney had argued that her civil rights were violated by the two Virginia Tech football players who were accused of raping her.
But on a vote of seven to four, the appeals court affirmed Judge Jackson Kiser's earlier ruling that Congress had overstepped its authority when it approved the Violence Against Women Act.
Chief Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote: "to sustain this provision would signal that state governments are due no more than the sweet pieties of lip service and that no limits whatsoever exist on the exercise of congressional power."
Virginia Tech was sued under a different law that forbids discrimination on the basis of gender.
Officials at Tech said they were pleased with the court's ruling.
[INQ= I think]
((LARRY HINCKER/VT SPOKESMAN: I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY, A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY THIS INCIDENT, CERTAINLY CHRISTY BRZONKALA WAS TRAUMATIZED BY HER INCIDENT HERE AT VIRGINIA TECH, AND WE'RE SORRY FOR THAT, AND TWO FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY THIS INCIDENT AND REALLY THE BOTTOM LINE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND TRYING TO FIND BLAME, FAULT IN PEOPLE, FAULT INSTITUTIONS FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS, WHERE THE TRUTH MAY NEVER BE KNOWN AND WE'RE GLAD AT LEAST WITH THIS RESPECT THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN EXONERATED.)) [RUNS24]
[OUTQ= been exhonerated.]

Still, the latest ruling may not be the last word on this case.
The lawsuit is viewed as a test case and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court may decide if the Violence Against Women Act is constitutional.
Joe Dashiell News 7))

[Drug-Bust]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=chu]
[TAPE#=99-5; 31:13]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A drug investigation in Halifax County will net dozens of arrests before the night is out.
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Halifax Co.;]

Officers with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office, the South Boston Police Department and the State Police are in the process of arresting a total of 42-drug suspects.
They've already confiscated thousands of dollars in drugs and several weapons.
This initiative is called Operation Street Sweep and targets mainly street level drug dealers.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:57-4:14]
[IN Q=These are mostly]
((D.J. OAKES/HALIFAX CO. SHERIFF: THESE ARE MOSTLY LOWER LEVEL PLAYERS SOME THAT RISE TO THE MID LEVEL RANGE. BUT MOSTLY LOVER LEVEL, THE REAL NUISANCE PEOPLE YOU SEE EVERY DAY AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY CALL IN ABOUT AND ASK FOR US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AND WE'RE MAKING THAT EFFORT.))
[SUPER=01-D.J. Oakes/Halifax Co. Sheriff;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=making that effort.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Several of the suspects will face federal prosecution because of their alleged connection to a major cocaine ring.
These arrests are a result of a six-month investigation and more arrests could follow.
(-------------)

[Road-Construction]

[ANCHOR=Mel]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=98-82; 1:14:39]
[GRAPHIC=Highway Improvement]

V- DOT expects construction to be complete this fall on the interchange that will eventually connect Route 4-60 and Interstate 81 in Christiansburg.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Construction on the road began a year ago.
The project is considered phase ONE of what's known as the THREE-A Bypass.
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

Phase TWO began this week along South Main Street in Blacksburg with road crews removing trees and vacant buildings.

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=The Blacksburg]
((DAN BRUGH/VDOT RESIDENT ENGINEER:THE BLACKSBURG INTERCHANGE AND THE BYPASS, AS FAR AS JENNELLE ROAD, STARTED ON MARCH FIRST AND THAT IS ALSO A MASSIVE PROJECT WITH A LOT OF BRIDGE WORK AND IT WILL TAKE ABOUT THREE, A LITTLE BETTER THAN THREE YEARS, TO COMPLETE THAT WORK.))
[SUPER=01-Dan Brugh/VDOT Resident Engineer; :00]
[RUNS=15 APPROX.]
[OUT Q=complete that work.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg;]

Phase THREE of the THREE- A project is expected to begin in a few months and includes building a new interchange at the intersection of Routes 1-14 and 4-60 in Christiansburg.
(------------)

[Franklin-Wreck]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#=599-4 13:31]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]

A wreck on highway 2-20 this morning knocked down a power line and backed up traffic for miles.
But it didn't result in any HUMAN casualties.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Boones Mill;]

Most injuries were suffered by concrete GNOMES and lawn ornaments.
They were on display at a gas station when a tractor trailer slammed into them.
Police say they planned to charge the truck driver with reckless driving, even though he wasn't speeding.
The truck spilled nearly a hundred gallons of diesel fuel, but wasn't enough to harm residents or the environment, according to police.
There was no estimate on the amount of damage done.
(------------)

[Severed-Head]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-3; 59:57]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Authorities in Richmond have identified a man found decapitated on Monday-- as 39-year old Henry Northington.
The victim had been living in Richmond but was a native of Brunswick County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Monday]

On Monday, a couple walking along the north bank of the James River found Northington's head, which had been carefully placed in the middle of a walkway.
Later that afternoon, authorities located his torso about three quarters of a mile downstream, partially submerged in the river.
Homicide investigators are still looking into the case.
(------------)

[Columbia-Americans]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=eleven]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=none]

A mission of mercy has ended in tragedy for three Americans.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

U-S Authorities say the bodies of a man and two women found today in Venezuela are those of Americans kidnapped last week in Colombia by leftist rebels.
The three had been working with a native tribe, trying to help the group preserve its identity.
They were found bound and hooded.
(------------)

[Clinton-Italy]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Eleven]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=Bill Clinton]

President Clinton is again apologizing to Italy for last year's ski lift tragedy.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington DC;]
[16 NA--4:35:03]
Earlier today he spoke at a joint news conference after a White House meeting with Italy's prime minister.
[SUPER=03-Camp Lejeune, NC/Yesterday;]
[4:55:29]
Their meeting came one day after a military jury acquitted Marine pilot Richard Ashby of involuntary manslaughter for flying his jet into a ski lift cable.
Twenty people were killed.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[4:35]
[IN Q=As I said]
((PRESIDENT CLINTON:AS I SAID WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE UNITED STATES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. AGAIN I WANT TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF ITALY ON BEHALF OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE ARE PROFOUNDLY REGRETFUL AND APOLOGETIC FOR WHAT HAS OCCURRED."))
[RUNS=13]
[OUT Q=Has occurred.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The two leaders also issued a joint call for a peace settlement in Kosovo.
Mr. Clinton said NATO is still committed to the use of force if the Serbs do not agree to a settlement on the disputed province.
(------------)

[King-trouble]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Eleven]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Rodney King is in trouble with the law again.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Los Angeles;]

The man who gained international attention when he was beaten in 19-91 by Los Angeles police has turned himself in to face charges that he struck his 16 year old daughter and her mother.
King allegedly hit the two last January.
In 19-97 King served a sentence for a domestic violence conviction.
(------------)

[Wall-Street]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=Eleven]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#=NET]
[GRAPHIC=none]

March has come in like a BULL on Wall Street.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY;]

The Dow surged 268 points today, pushing it over the 97-hundred mark for the first time.
The catalyst was the February job numbers.
While the economy created 275-thousand NEW jobs, the unemployment rate edged up slightly to 4 point 4 percent.
To Wall Street that signaled inflation is under control and erased fears that the Fed Chairman would raise interest rates.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When the Fed]
((WACHTEL: When the Fed is your friend everything wonderful happens. When Alan Greenspan goes against you...Goodbye Charlie. Leave town.))
[SUPER=01-Ted Weisberg/Seaport Securities;]
[RUNS=08]
[OUT Q=Leave town.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Today's gain was the fifth biggest for the Dow Industrials.
(------------)

[Toss-2-Robin] Jean tosses to Robin in the Chromakey

[Tease1]

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

Still ahead--a former Carilion worker pleads guilty to taking thousands of dollars from the company..
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And, the state of West Virginia is a little closer to getting its first casino.
More when the news continues.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=Mike]
[TAPE#=Sports-Head]
[GRAPHIC=None]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="O-K....]
[RUNS=:26]
[OUT Q=....ON SPORTS."]
((Hey Melanie this is Mike Stevens back in the sports office welcoming you and everyone else youtr there to the weekend! Glenvar gets the party started by earning a trip to the state final four.
Labonte wins the Cup pole in Vegas - while Gordon finally pulls out the Pepsi.
And their cuttitng weight but are they cutting corners at the state wrestling meet. All those stories and more tonight on the Big 7.))
(------------)

[Carilion-Fraud]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=98-83; 1:09:13]
[GRAPHIC=Carilion]

Among the bogus bills racked up by Carilion's in house recruiter before she left the Health System: flowers and dinners- -including a bill at The Outback Steak House for 3-thousand dollars.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

Cathy Fulton pleaded guilty to two fraud counts today, admitting she collected more than 200-thousand dollars in bonuses and expenses in a little more than a year at Carilion.
Right after she left at the end of 19-97, auditors discovered what had happened and notified Roanoke Police.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=They got search]
((SHARON BURNHAM/PROSECUTOR: THEY GOT A SEARCH WARRANT, SETTING OUT PROBABLY CAUSE. THE BANK FREEZES THE FUNDS IN PLACE.))
[SUPER=01-Sharon Burnham/Prosecutor]
[RUNS=13]
(--------------)
[OUT Q=in place.]
[TALENT=Melanie]

Carilion managed to recover 187-thousand dollars from Fulton's bank accounts, but she and her co-defendant still owe Carlion another 226-thousand dollars..

[Greenbrier-Casino]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=dse]
[TAPE#=99-2; 47:20]
[GRAPHIC=Greenbrier Gambling]

Legislators in West Virginia's Senate have signed off on a bill to allow a casino to open at the Greenbrier Resort if county voters approve it in a referendum.
State senators approved the bill by a vote of 22 to 12.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-White Sulphur Springs/File Tape;]

The casino would be open only to overnight hotel guests and would make a minimal profit for the hotel.
The state would recieve most of the profit.
The bill must still be approved by the House of Delegates.
(------------)

[Farmers-Aid]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=98-81; 1:29:55]
[GRAPHIC=Farming]

Farmers have a month to get money from the government-- and it's in cash, not a loan.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co./Last November;]

The U-S-D-A is compensating farmers hit hard by the drought and falling market prices.
It's the first such program in seven years and it covers farming losses since 19-94.
There is more than two billion dollars available nationwide.
The only catch -- farmers who get money MUST register for federal crop insurance.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 14:25:09]
[IN Q=Some farmers]
((SOME FARMERS DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE CROP INSURANCE BUT THEY ARE OFFERED A 30% LOWER PREMIUM FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. IT IS A MEASURE OF PRICE PROTECTION AND INCOME PROTECTION FOR FARMERS.))
[SUPER=01-G.B. Washburn Jr./Farm Service Agency;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=for farmers]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Farmers like James Woods and his son who lost three-quarters of their apple crop to hail last year..
(///// SOT ///// )
[SOT 13:40:07]
[IN Q=A young man]
((A YOUNG MAN OR LADY COULDN'T COME OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE AND START FRESH. YOU CAN'T AFFORD LAND, EQUIPMENT, AND YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.))
[SUPER=01-Mark Woods/Farmer;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=you can't afford it]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Applications are due by April ninth.
They are available in the Farm Bureau office.
(------------)

[Tease2]

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

Straight ahead--a retired judge leaves his mark on an area courthouse..
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And, we'll crawl alongside rock climbers in the star city-- when the news continues.
(----------------)

[Rock-Climbing]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=99-8; 36:05]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Rock Climbing is a sport that requires endurance, strength, and an agile mind.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

This weekend, climbers from Virginia and other midatlantic states are testing those skills in Roanoke.
The Mountain Hardware Eastern Rock Ramble will bring about 85 competitors to the Rocwood Climbing Wall at the Roanoke Recreation Department.
[SOT]
[IN Q=You have to have]
((ELISABETH HARDWICK/NORTH CAROLINA CLIMBER: YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF BALANCE AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO HAVE TENACITY TO KEEP TRYING AND NOT GIVE UP.)) ((LISA LAGE/NORTH CAROLINA CLIMBER: I ENJOY CLIMBING BECAUSE OF THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGE AND THE PHYSICAL CHALLENGE, AND YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO STUFF TOO, IT'S PUZZLE SOLVING.))
[SUPER=01-Elizabeth Hardwick/North Carolina Climber; :00]
[SUPER=01-Lisa Lage/North Carolina Climber; :08]
[RUNS=:16]
[OUT Q=puzzle solving.]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

Climbers of all ability levels are taking part in the event, but some of the region's best will be flexing their muscles and their minds.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=It's going to be real strong]
((TOM CLARKE/OUTDOOR RECREATION COORDINATOR: IT'S GOING TO BE REAL STRONG BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL DIFFERENT LEVELS, MALE FEMALE, JUNIOR DIVISION, RECREATION INTERMEDIATE AND WHAT WE CALL OPEN WHICH IS VERY ADVANCED CLIMBERS AND VERY SKILLED.))
[SUPER=01-Tom Clarke/Outdoor Recreation Coordinator;]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=and very skilled.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The event continues all day Saturday at the Parks and Recreation Headquarters on Reserve Avenue. There is no admission charge for spectators.
(------------)

[Judge-Davis]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=99-1 TC55:49]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The Franklin County courthouse holds hundreds of opinions written by former judge B.A. Davis.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rocky Mount;]

Today, his name was put on the building.
Davis was on hand for the unveiling of a plaque, naming the place where he spent most of his career: the B. A. Davis Courthouse Complex.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16.49.22 - 16.49.25, 16.49.44 - 16.49.58]
[IN Q=There are many]
((B.A. DAVIS/FORMER JUDGE: THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE THAT I'D LIKE TO THANK. TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS--PAST AND PRESENT, COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIADUALLY. THEY'VE BEEN EXTREMELY GOOD TO ME.))
[SUPER=01-B.A. Davis/Former Judge;]
[RUNS=17]
[OUT Q=good to me.]
(--------------)
[VO-NAT]

Davis was on the bench for 25 years, until he retired in January of last year.
(------------)
[Lotto]
[anchor=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[newscast=11]
[tape=none]
[graphic=]

[SUPER=136-3 9 7/9 3 7 7/3 4 12 16 22/3 20 26 29 36 16]
[Forecasts]
[SUPER=#577]
[SUPER=X5000]
[SUPER=330-Increasing/Cloudiness/38-40/Morning Showers/Wind SW-10/55-60]
[SUPER=331-Partly Cloudy/And Chilly/35-40/Cloudy With/Showers Likely/56-58]
[SUPER=332-Increasing/Cloudiness/34-36/Rain Showers/And Mild/53-56]
[SUPER=333-Increasing Clouds/Wind SE-10/34-36/Showers Likely/Early/54-58]
[SUPER=334-Rain Likely/Wind S-10/34-36/Showers Likely/Wind S-15/45-49]

[SUPER=X5001][S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=extra/sp-36]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Glenvar advances with ease to the single-A final four, the ACC final four is all set, Bobby Labonte hits the jackpot in Vegas, and Steve Mason checks in from the state wrsetling events in Salem.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Rocky Mount; :00]

But first in tonight's Extra Point - earlier in the newscast you saw the dedication and renaming of the Franklin County courthouse to the B. A. Davis courthouse complex.
A number of Judge Davis' friends were on hand for the ceremony including, "Big Daddy" Hank Norton the greatest football coach in Ferrum history.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 53121tc]
[IN Q="In fact...]
((HANK NORTON:))
[SUPER=74-Hank Norton/Former Football Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=....play tackle (ha ha ha!)]
(------------)
[go to scores]
(------------)
[WIPE TO CHRYON]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5027;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Temple/76//Xavier/64//A-10 Semi-Finals//Rhode Island/94//G. Washington/78/2/A-10 Semi-Finals/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/Maryland/93//Florida State/69//ACC Quarterfinals/j/North Carolina/78//Ga. Tech/49//ACC Quarterfinals/;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=0098-j/N.C. State/66//Wake Forest/52//ACC Quarterfinals/j/Kentucky/83//Mississippi/73//SEC/;]
[SUPER=X5029;]
[SUPER=0104-/Roanoke/2/j/Johnstown/3//In OT Shootout//Toledo/1/j/Chesapeake/3///;]
[SUPER=X5028;]
[SUPER=0096-j/Miami/89//Philadelphia/78//Lynch - 12pts & 11 Rebs//Charlotte/85/j/Washington/86///;]
[RUNS=:25]
[OUT Q=....LAST SCORE."]
(---------------)

[go to break][S-Glenvar]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-37]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]

We begin in the Group-A state basketball quarterfinals in Roanoke County where Glenvar came in looking to prolong its season and the career of coach Art Lawrence who is stepping down at season's end.
(----------)
[VO NAT ENG#]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co./Group A Quarterfinals; :00]

Lawrence and his Highlanders had their intensity level going through the roof at Northside High School as they battled Clintwood.
The Highlanders intensity carried over to the court as Bryan Fasnacht zips the half-court pass to Jason Underwood for the easy two to get Glenvar off to a fast start. It's 14-0.
They would not stop there as Fasnacht pulls up off the dribble to drain the jumper getting two of his game high 24 points.
The Highlanders were firing on all cylanders last night as they work the ball around the perimeter finally finding Charlie Wright who nails the open three-pointer to put Glenvar up 27-18.
The Highlanders would hold onto that lead throughout the second-half with Seth
[super=33-Glenvar/65/Clintwood/51;]
Noonkester putting the finishing touches on victory with the breakaway slam and Glenvar is headed to the final four at the Scope next week with the 65 to 51 win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=We Didn't Think]
((We didn't think they were deep benchwise so we thought if we could get into an up tempo, full-court game and get into the bench we would have an advantage.))
[SUPER=01-Art Lawrence/Glenvar Head Coach; :00]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=would have an advantage]
(---------------)

[S-VHSL]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=VHSL]

The Virginia High School state quarterfinals continue today in Single-A as Auburn plays Pound on at seven down in Lebanon.
(---------------)
[go to pinnacle 7508]
In the Group Two A quarterfinals, Salem takes on Grundy at Roanoke College at seven, while Gretna travels to Bristol to play Virginia High at 7. [go to pinnacle 7509]
In the triple-A ranks, defending champ GW Danville plays Maury tonight at 8 at Halifax Co. high school.
The Cave Spring girls play Deep Creek later today at 4 at Northside.
(---------------)

[S-Acc]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-33]
[GRAPHIC=ACC]

The ACC final four matchups are all set for this afternoon.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Charlotte, NC/raycom-JP Sports; :00]

Last night North Carolina became the final piece of the semi-final puzzle as the Tarheels broke open a close one point game with Ga. Tech in the second half.
The Heels whipped the Jackets 78-to-49 as they begin their quest to beocme the first team in 30 years to three-peat in the tourney.
(------------)
[wipe to pinnacle]
Later today right here on WDBJ you can see Duke and N.C. State at 1:30, and then the Heels meet Maryland at four in the semi-finals.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Mike]

(ad lib byes)

[S-Tigers]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=rst]
[TAPE#=SP-27 (1:28:17)]
[GRAPHIC=NCAA Logo 6495]

The the top seed in the south region of the Division Three tournament, the Hampden-Sydney
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/ODAC Finals; :]
Tigers swing into action tomorrow night at home against Randolph-Macon as the Tigers begin their run to make the Division Three final four in Salem later this month.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="You're going to...]
[SUPER=01-Tony Shaver/Hampden-Sydney Head Coach; :]
[RUNS=:22]
[OUT Q=....chance to get there."]
(--------------)

[S-Vegas]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=sp-40 1641TC]
[GRAPHIC=LAS VEGAS]

The Winston Cup drivers are out in the desert this weekend for Sunday's Las Vegas 400.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Las Vegas, NV/espn2; :00]

In time trials yesterday afternoon, Michael Waltrip was the man until Bobby Labonte went out late. He was the next to last driver on the track, the 51st person to qualify and he stole the pole with a lap at 170 points 643 miles an hour.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Bobby Labonte/Las Vegas 400 Pole Winner; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michael Waltrip/Qualified Second; :09]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=...HOPES UP."]
(------------)
[VO-NAT CON'T]

Jeff Gordon qualified 11th in his Dupont Chevy, but Jeff also is making is 1999 Busch Series debut this weekend in his new Pepsi Chevy.
This is the first time Gordon has raced on the Busch series since 1992.
He qualified second for today's race, but now here's the Winston Cup top 25.
(------------)
[WIPE TO CHYRON BOARDS]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5016;]
[SUPER=0107-1. Bobby Labonte/170.643/2. Michael Waltrip//3. Joe Nemechek//4. Tom Hubert//5. Mike Skinner//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=107-6. Ricky Craven//7. Jeremy Mayfield//8. Jerry Nadeau//9. Dale Jarrett//10. Kenny Irwin//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=107-11. Jeff Gordon//12. Terry Labonte//13. Mark Martin//14. Bill Elliott//15. John Andretti//;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=107-16. Ken Schrader//17. Kevin Lepage//18. Wally Dallenbach//19. Jeff Burton//20. Tony Stewart;]
[SUPER=X5009;]
[SUPER=107-21. Rich Bickle//22. Rick Mast//23. David Green//24. Derrike Cope //25. Elliott Sadler//;]
[RUNS:25] [OC...last driver.]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Mike]

(ad lib)

[Sports Tease]

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

Still to come tonight Steve Mason will check in from the State wrestling extravaganza in Salem
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

and take on the weighty issue of accelerated weight loss in order to make one's weight class.
(------------)

[S-Wrestle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sma]
[TAPE#=SP-39 18:43]
[GRAPHIC=Wrestling]

Day number of the Group A and Group Two A wrestling tournaments at the Salem Civic Center are now over.
Steve Mason tells us how some of the wrestlers had to lose in order to have a chance to win.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=first audio]
[SUPER=03-Salem; :00]
[SUPER=01-Blake Frost/Cburg. 103 Pound Wrestler; :15(QUICK!!!!)]
[SUPER=01-Chris Madonia/Wm. Byrd 112 Pound Wrestler; :27]
[SUPER=01-Kevin Dresser/Christiansburg Head Coach; :46]
[SUPER=@Steve1; 1:00]
[SUPER=01-Larry Hall/Group A & 2A Wrestling Tour. Director; 1:15]
[RUNS=1:35]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports"]
(-----------------------)
((Christiansburg's Blake Frost, William Byrd's Chris Madonia, both placed second in the state last season, both are strong contenders for a title this season, yet despite another birthday, both are wrestling at the very same weight from a year ago. ((:))
Frost rarely goes 10 pounds over but for Madonia to make his 112 weight class, he cuts 14 pounds off his frame. ((:)) ((:)) Byrd and Christiansburg join many other teams in the chase to catch Grundy. All three programs are lead by coaches who cut weight and won at the college level. ((:)) ((:)) ((:)) ((:))
The measuring stick has to be the 12 time defending group 2A state champions. But whether a team is at the top or bottom, all are paying more attention to something more important than winning, the lives of these young athletes. In Salem, Steve Mason, News 7 sports.))

[Video]

[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=ame]
[TAPE#=17 MW - MW067- (THE TAPE IS CUED)]
[GRAPHIC=none]

For those of you counting the days until you can trade in your snow skis for water skis-- tonight's video of the day is for you.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[Super=X5052 (loads FX)]
[Super=X5045 (starts FX)]
[SUPER=75-Chicago, IL]

He's back by popular demand--twiggy the water skiing Squirrel.
He is strutting his stuff at the Rosemont Convention Center helping to promote the Chicagoland Boat and Family Recreation Show.
There are over 500 hundred boats on display. They are all of course a little bit bigger than Twiggy's.
[Super=X5043 (clears FX)]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[SS=none]

(ad lib byes)