WDBJ 7 news at 11 for 06/10/99

[News-Heads]

[ANCHOR=Jean]

[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=Heads]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Coming up-
(------------)
[vo-nat]
Remember this man convicted in the murder of a Virginia Tech Student.
His conviction may be thrown out.
President Clinton speaks to the nation tonight about Kosovo.
(------------)
[Talent=Jean]

And letters found in a Bible tell the story of a local Confederate soldier- Now you can read his story.
News 7 is next.
[Open]
[SUPER=#4064; News 7 at Eleven Headline Banner]
[SUPER=@Jean1;]
[SUPER=@Andrew1;]
[SUPER=@Mike1;]

[Video-Open]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=VideoOpen]
[GRAPHIC=N7 at 11]

(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:20:33]
[IN Q=It's just sad]
((ROMA SCRIVEN/EDU. DIR. ROANOKE SYMPHONY: IT'S JUST SAD THE WAY ART AND MUSIC ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF..WE'RE KIND OF THE SIDE LINES))
[RUNS=7]
[OUT Q=on the sidelines]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Is arts education suffering in Virginia's schools?
(------------)

[SOL-Arts]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#99-24 29:28]
[GRAPHIC=SOLs]

Some local music teachers say SOL's are detracting from school art programs.
[Double Boxes=Jean/Newsroom]

Joy Sutton is live in the newsroom with more.
[Live= Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@joy1;]
Jean, today I spoke with a student at Hidden Valley Junior High School... He says that the SOL's have already taken their toll on arts programs in the school.
(Rollcue: in the school )
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=14 year-old]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;07]
[SUPER=01-Myles King/Hidden Valley Junior High;26]
[SUPER=01-Roma Scriven/Edu. Director Roanoke Symphony;41]
[RUNS=1:16]
[OUT Q=at jobs]
((14 year-old Myles King has been taking piano lessons for 8 years..and is in the band at Hidden Valley Junior High School.
He says that with the recent emphasis on the SOL's...band practice has been canceled several times...and that band teachers were being used to coach students on SOL subjects.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:05:38]
[IN Q=Since we had to]
((MYLES KING/STUDENT: SINCE WE'VE HAD TO LEARN A LOT OF NEW STUFF..ESPECIALLY IN SOCIAL STUDIES.. I'VE HAD A LOT LESS TIME TO PRACTICE..WE HAD TO STUDY ALL THE TIME))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q=all the time]

And arts organization are feeling the pressure too.
The Roanoke Symphony's in-school ensemble and discovery programs have been reshaped
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:17:03]
[IN Q=The only way]
((ROMA SCRIVEN/EDU. DIR. ROANOKE SYMPHONY:THE ONLY WAY WE COULD PROVE THAT THE ARTS IS AS IMPORTANT NOW AS IT WAS IN THE PAST..IS WE DID START RELATING THINGS TO THE STANDARD OF LEARNING))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=standards of learning]

For example correlating music to history....giving the history of the certain instrument or relating pitch and rhythm to math.
And Scriven says some teachers are now having to justify taking there students on field trips to see the Orchestra.

But giving kids a creative outlet is something that Scriven says prepares students for the future.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:23:07]
[IN Q=The arts are what]
((ROMA SCRIVEN/DIR. EDU. ROANOKE SYMPHONY:THE ARTS ARE WHAT FOSTER THE CREATIVITY AND THE ANALYTICAL PROCESS IN A CHILD'S MIND AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LACK THAT LATE IN LIFE WHEN THEY'RE AT JOBS.))
[RUNS= 10]
[OUT Q=at jobs]))
[Live= Full/Newsroom]

Now I did talk with Garland Life with the Roanoke County Schools...who says that only a few arts programs will be in cut Roanoke County Schools for the upcoming school year.
[Double Boxes=Jean/Newsroom]
And that the SOL's are not creating any problems...students are getting ample time to focus on the arts.

[Lilly]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=THa]
[TAPE#=99-14 1:23:30]
[GRAPHIC=Ben Lilly]

Attorneys for a man on death row for killing a Virginia Tech student are optimistic their client will get a new trial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Christiansburg/File Tape;]

Benjamin Lilly was sentenced to die in 1997 for the murder of Alexander DeFilippis, almost four years ago.
The U-S Supreme court today voted to REVERSE the state supreme court decision that upheld the conviction.
Lilly's attorneys had argued a taped confession by Lilly's brother, Mark, should NOT have been allowed at trial because Mark did NOT take the witness stand.
In the court's main opinion-- one of the justice's wrote that such action did indeed violate Lilly's right to confront his accuser.
[sot 13:39:31]
[in q=It's a ]
((CHRISTOPHER TUCK/BENJAMIN LILLY'S ATTORNEY:IT IS A VINDICATION IN MANY WAYS, IT'S A VINDICATION AND IT'S PROTECTION FOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE ALL OF US HAVE A RIGHT OT CONFRONT OUR ACCUSERS AND WHEN BEN LILLY LOSES THAT RIGHT SO DOES EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA SO I THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE GOOD FOR ALL VIRGINIANS IN THE LONG RUN.))
[SUPER=01-Christopher Tuck/Ben Lilly's Attorney;: ]
[runs=16]
[out q=the long run.]
(-----------)
[anchor=jean]
[ss=hold]

The decision to grant a NEW trial rests with the state supreme court-- which will have to decide if the taped confession persuaded the jury to convict.
If so-- Lilly may indeed get a new trial.

[Gaylor]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=599-01 1:40:17]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A Greenbrier County jury says there should be no chance of parole for a convicted hit-man.
Today jurors decided Gene Gaylor should spend the rest of his life in prison.
Gaylor was found guilty today on all counts, in the bombing death of Billy Ray Abshire 23 years ago.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lewisburg, WV/Monday]

The former Covington resident is the first of four people to stand trial in Abshire's 1976 murder.
The victim died when a bomb left on the hood of his car exploded.
The jury took just two hours to reach a decision this afternoon, and called for the life sentence.
(------------)

[Toss-2-Robin] Jean tosses to Robin in the Chromakey [WX1] [11:00pm] [06/10/1999] WEATHER OFFICE [PINNACLE/FULL] HENRY COUNTY CLOSINGS [ENG/FULL] CHRISTIANSBURG VIDEO [WXPRO/FULL] RADAR LOOP WAKE UP FORECAST

[Toss back to anchor][Kosovo]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-A]
[GRAPHIC=Serbia Peace Plan]

A NATO interational peace keeping force is in place- ready to move into Kosovo.
Lisa Hughes has the latest from Washington.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[SUPER=03-Litochoron, Greece;]
[SUPER=01-William Cohen/Defense Secretary;]
[SUPER=01-Sgt. David Spaeder/Hershey, PA;]
[super=01-Lisa Hughes/CBS News]
[RUNS=1:34]
[OUT Q=std]
((As US Marines prepared to enter Kosovo...it became clear...the war was ending. President Clinton declared victory in an address to the American people but says the job of keeping the peace is just beginning.
The Serbs have a total of 11 days to get their troops out of Kosovo. And the first to withdraw were the special police ... the same units accused of the worst atrocities. American troops meanwhile are being warned of the horrors they face on the other side of the border. Theirs will be a dangerous mission.
William Cohen, Defense Secretary: "As our troops move in, they must be careful of mines and other threats. Force protection is going to be a very important task as NATO troops establish a safe and secure environment."
Fifty thousand heavily armed NATO troops will serve as peacekeepers in Kosovo-- providing security for nearly a million returning refugees. U-S troops will set up in Eastern Kosovo.How long they will stay is unclear. Even without a timetable, many feel a sense of duty.
Sgt. David Spaeder, Hershey PA: "They're going to be able to tell their kids and their grandkids that they did something just and right. Not just for America, but for the world."))

[Refugees]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=sgo]
[TAPE#99-16 59:20]
[GRAPHIC=Kosovo Refugees]

Kosovar refugees now living in our area say they're happy to hear the war is over.
But they won't go home anytime soon.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Scott/Newsroom]

Scott Goldberg spent the day in Lynchburg, talking to a family that just arrived in Virginia.
[Live= Scott Full/Newsroom]
[SUPER=@Scott1;]

Jean the family we met today COULD go back to Kosovo as soon as the state department says it's safe.
But these refugees want to start a new life here.
Today they took a big step toward doing just that ... taking their first-ever trip to Wal Mart.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[SUPER=03-Madison Heights;00]
[SUPER=02-Translator;16 -- QUICK!!!]
[SUPER=01-Hamit Vehabi/With Translator;45]
[RUNS=:54]
[OUT Q=new home]
((
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=natsound]
((KIDS IN STORE)) [RUNS02]
[OUT Q=]

Five-year old Ibrahim and four-year-old Amir spent the last month of their young lives inside a Macedonian refugee camp.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=QUICK NATOSUND!!]
((SHORT SOUND OF KIDS AGAIN)) [RUNS01]
[OUT Q=]

They spent their second day in this country running with mom and dad up and down the aisles of America's favorite retail playground.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:34:53]
[IN Q=he said]
((TRANSLATOR: HE SAID IT'S BIG. (laugh) )) [RUNS03]
[OUT Q= laugh]

Hamit Vehabi brought his two sons, his wife and little else to this country where none of them speaks the language.

Church volunteers are helping them assimilate ... taking the family to Wal-Mart ... feeding them hamburgers and fried chicken strips.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=NATSOUND]
((ANY QUICK NATSOUND OF FAMILY AT LUNCH TABLE.))
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=]

Hamit understands enough of what he's seen on TV to know the war in Kosovo is over.
But he also knows he can't go back ... the next chapter of his family's life story will be written in America.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 13:37:39]
[IN Q=his major]
((HAMIT VEHABI/WITH TRANSLATOR: HIS MAJOR CONCERN IS GETTING IN TOUCH WITH HIS FAMILY. BUT THERE'S NOTHING TO GO BACK TO. THIS IS HIS NEW HOME.)) [RUNS09]
[OUT Q=NEW HOME]))
(---------)
[Live= Full/Newsroom]

Hamit will get a job in the restaurant business.
But he told us he won't start working right away.
Not until he's taken a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway ... and taken his boys fishing in the land they now call home.
[Double Boxes=Jean and Scott/Newsroom]

Jean.

[Mason-Dixon]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-17]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

Elizabeth Dole actually gets more support from male voters in Virginia than female voters.
That's the only real surprise in our latest NEWS 7 Mason-Dixon poll.
Virginia has voted Republican in presidential contests since 1964.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

If the 2000 presidential election were held today, Texas Governor George W. Bush would come out on top in Virginia.
52-percent of those polled picked him.
Only 35-percent pick the likely Democratic nominee, Vice President Al Gore.
13-percent say they're undecided.
If the other GOP frontrunner, Elizabeth Dole, got the nomination, 47-percent of those Virginians polled would pick her over Gore.
Gore gets 38-percent support.
15-percent remain undecided.
(------------)

[Mike-Slaughter]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=99-21 33:09]
[GRAPHIC=Mike Slaughter]

Members of West Salem Baptist Church heard a sermon like none other from Pastor Mike Slaughter on Sunday.
Reverend Slaughter took the pulpit and admitted he had an affair with a member of the congregation and then he resigned.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem]

Slaughter said he'd become emotionally and physically involved with a woman in the church.
His resignation comes as the church is getting ready to dedicate a new, multi- million dollar sanctuary.
Slaughter's wife also spoke to the congregation. She said she'd forgiven her husband and spoke of the pastor as "a man of honor."
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]

Slaughter's confession came after he was confronted be church leaders ten days ago.
He has led the church for 19 years.

[Tease1]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Still to come on News 7 -- one man's find in a family Bible leads to the story of an ancestor in our area who fought in the Civil War.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And the IRS is giving smokers a break - if they want to quit.
The story, straight ahead.
(-------------)

[Sports-Preview]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[WRITER=Mike]
[TAPE#=sports preview]
[GRAPHIC=none]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Hey guys]
[runs=:23]
[out-q=BIG 7.]
((Hey everybody this is Mike Stevens with highlights of another Avalanche win - that's 8 in a row. The WNBA tips off its season. Tech and Uva will tip it off on each other's court.
Jimmy Spencer won't be smoking after this season and Roy Stanley intoroduces us to some high flying gymnasts later in sports right here on the Big 7.))

[Smoking]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-C]
[GRAPHIC=Cigarette Smoking]

The Taxman now recognizes that smoking is bad for your health-
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Smokers who try to quit can now deduct some costs of treatment as medical expenses on their income tax returns.
There are some catches though.
Not every expense can be deducted. You can not claim non prescription medications such as nicotine gums and patches.
Doctors say that the ruling could lead to health insurance coverage for kicking the habit.
(------------)

[Birth-Control]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=jja]
[TAPE#=net-B]
[GRAPHIC=Birth Control]

Health insurance covers many prescriptions- but usually it does not cover Birth control Pills.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-File Tape]

Now several women's groups are fighting back- saying NOT including contraceptive prescriptions is sexual discrimination and against the law.
Sixty groups are asking the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to help- They're also pushing Congress to force insurance companies to cover contraceptive prescriptions.
The issue gained steam when many insurance companies decided to cover the impotence drug Viagra, but would not cover birth control.
Employers claim its too expensive.
(---------------------)

[Trash-Lawsuit]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=99-22 54:54]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The tough talking that Virginia's politicians did on trash earlier this year will now be put to the test.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=04-Va. Dept. of Environ. Quality]

Four trash haulers, including Waste Management Incorporated, filed a federal lawsuit today, challenging Virginia's new out-of-state trash restrictions.
They're set to take effect July first.
(-------------)
[TALENT=Jean]
[SS=Hold]

The new laws would ban trash barges, cap landfill levels, and more tightly regulate trash trucks.
The trash haulers say they interfere with interstate commerce-- and are therefore UNconstitutional.
[Tease2]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[writer=chr]
[NEWSCAST=11p]
[SS=None]

Coming up - some local high school students get a trip to Japan - an area business foots most of the bill.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

And an author brings a local Civil War soldier's story to life in the pages of a new book.
Details straight ahead.
(----------------)

[lotto]
[SUPER=135-5 3 0/8 8 6 6/2 10 25 28 29]

NIGHT DRAWING=
Pick 3:
5-3-0

(five, three, zero)

Pick 4:
8-8-6-6

(eight, eight, six, six)

Cash 5:
2-10-25-28-29

(two, ten, twenty-five, twenty-eight, twenty-nine)

[Smiley-Signing]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=99-27 4:18]
[GRAPHIC=None]

The story of a Confederate soldier from Amherst County comes to light in a new book entitled "The Stone Wall."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

The author -Brad Smiley - held a book signing this evening at Barnes and Noble.
Smiley is the great grand nephew of soldier Daniel Knight...
It took Smiley more than 3 year to research Knight's story...based on letters written by the Confederate soldier found in a family bible.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 02:27:34]
[IN Q=It talks about]
[SUPER=01-Brad Smiley/Author;]
((BRAD SMILEY/AUTHOR: IT TALKS ABOUT HIS HOME LIFE..HIS GROWING UP...HIS GOING INTO THE CIVIL WAR AS A SOLDIER...WHAT HE FOUGHT FOR..WHAT HE BELIEVED..AND HIS THOUGHT LIKE MAN VIRGINIA BOYS WAS INVASION..HE WAS PROTECTING HIS PROPERTY))
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=protecting his property]
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[GRAPHIC=None]

A percentage of the proceeds from the book is going to the 19th Virginia Flag Fund...to help restore a Confederate flag used in battle.

[Japanese-Students]

[ANCHOR=Jean]
[NEWSCAST=11]
[WRITER=tte]
[TAPE#=99-23 31:45]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Nine Botetourt County students are flying to Japan for three weeks -- and a local company's paying most of the tab.
Dynax America has no customers around here but still, it's kicking in 10-thousand-dollars for the trip.
Tina Tenret shows us what's in store for these students.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=These students]
[SUPER=03-Botetourt Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Sarah Thomas/Exchange Student; :40]
[SUPER=01-Katsumi Yoshida/President; 1:03]
[SUPER=@Tina2; 1:23]
[RUNS=1:27]
[OUT Q=Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County]

(( These students at Lord Botetourt High School are about to get a taste of Japanese culture.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:50:37]
[IN Q=You use this]
((YOU USE THIS BLACK SEAWEED CALLED NURI AND YOU PUT SOME VINEGARED RICE.))
[RUNS= :06]
[OUT Q=RICE]

Catching the flavor of Japan means mixing chicken, egg, crab and pickled plum.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:16:45]
[IN Q=Try it]
((TRY IT... SHAKES HEAD))
[RUNS= :02]

Next month -- they will live with Japanese families, attend Japanese schools and tour the country.
There are table manners to learn
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:19:19]
[IN Q=And don't]
((AND DON'T EVER DO THIS. laughter))
[RUNS= :04]
[OUT Q=LAUGHTER]

And of course the art of small talk.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:22:15]
[IN Q=We've learned to say]
((WE'VE LEARNED TO SAY ... KANKA DAIS.))
[RUNS= :10]
[OUT Q=KANKA DAIS]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
((nat sot plant))
[RUNS= :03]

Greasing the wheels for this trip is Dynax America -- an automotive parts plant in Botetourt.
It contributed a million yen, or about ten thousand dollars.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:44:19]
[IN Q=We have been]
((WE HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING DOING SOMETHING TO ROANOKE AND BOTETOURT COUNTY TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION.))
[RUNS= :11]
[OUT Q=APPRECIATION]

And the students will bring back more than insight and souvenirs --
They plan to host Japanese students and show them a bit of Botetourt County.
Tina Tenret News7 Botetourt County.))
[ANCHOR=Jean]
[SS=None]

Each student must still pay about 12-hundred-dollars to go to Japan.

[Weather] [06/10/1999] [WXPRO/FULL] Current Statistics Weather Statistics
[MUSIC UNDER] [COMMERCIAL]
[CK/CHYRON/VIEWERNET] [CK/WXPRO]WEATHER MAPS [CK/CHYRON/5 PAGES] FORECASTS [ESS/FULL] EXTENDED FORECAST [Forecasts]
[SUPER=#577;] viewernet location
[SUPER=X5000;]
[SUPER=330-Mostly/Cloudy/62-66/Mostly Cloudy/Wind E-10/75-80;]
[SUPER=331-Mostly/Cloudy/63-66/Mostly Cloudy/Wind E-10/75-80;]
[SUPER=332-Showers And/Storms Possible/55-60/Mostly/Cloudy/75-80;]
[SUPER=333-Scattered Storms/Possible/55-60/Morning Showers/Possible/75-80;]
[SUPER=334-Scattered Storms/Possible/55-60/Morning Showers/Possible/75-80;]

[SUPER=X5001;][S-Extra]

[ANCHOR=MIke]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=EXTRA]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

The WNBA tips off its season.
NASCAR's sponsors are making some moves heading into Michigan this weekend.
We'll meet some top flight gymnasts from southside and tell you how UVa and Tech have agreed to play on each other's home floor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=75-Franklin Co.; :00]

But first in tonight's Extra Point, the Roanoke Valley hall of fame golf tournament opens three day's of competition tomorrow at the Westlake golf club at Smith Mountain Lake.
Officials at the course were busy marking off hazards and tightening up the course today.
After swinging at Westlake tomorrow the tournament will shift to Hunting Hills on Saturday and Hidden Valley on Sunday. Roy Stanley will have more on the opening roung tomorrow on News 7 at six.
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[WIPE TO MOTION]
[SUPER=#556]
[SUPER=X5011;]
[SUPER=0093-/Frederick/6/j/Salem/6//8 In a Row/j/Potomac/14//Lynchburg/1///;]
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[SUPER=0093-/Oakland/1/j/San Diego/2///j/Milwaukee/15//Cleveland/9///;]
[SUPER=x5031;]
[super=0103-/Buffalo/2/j/Dallas/4//Series Tied 1-to-1/;]
[RUNS=:15]
[OUT Q=....last score."]
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[S-Avalanche]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-36]
[GRAPHIC=AVALANCHE]

The Salem Avalanche was back in the yard last night looking to extend its season's best winning streak to eight game, as it played game two of a four game set with Frederick.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Salem/Frederick vs. Salem; :00]

The breeze was blowing in and the Avlanche batters were sending the balls out. Todd Sears singles to left field in the bottom of the first inning to drive in two runs. Keck and Alivizo score - it's 2-to-1.
Jerome Alivizo would ground out to first in the second, but the Keys can't turn the double play and Rogelio Arias scores all the way from second and it's now 3-to-1.
[super=37-Frederick/5/Salem/6;]

Jody Gerut would single to right to keep the inning alive and plate a hustling Brian Keck as Salem takes a 5-to-1 lead. The Avalanche wins again 6-to-5.
(------------)

[S-WNBA]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-38]
[GRAPHIC=WNBA]

The WNBA tipped off its third season last night in Washington, DC where the nation got its first look at former Tennessee all-american Chamique Holdsclaw.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Washington, DC/WNBA; :00]

The two-time NCAA player of the year who is considered to be the female "Jordan" grabbed six rebonds and scored 18 points on a variety of shots in her WNBA debut.
But she was overshadowed by former UVa great Dawn Staley who score 23 points in her WNBA debut for the Charlotte Sting.
[SUPER=33-Charlotte/83/Washington/73;]

Staley spent the past two season in the now defunct ABL. Last night she leads Charlotte to the 83-to73 win in front of 20 thousand fans.
(------------)

[S-Hoops]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-41]
[GRAPHIC=TECH/UVA]

For the first time since 1976, the Hokies and Cavs will begin playing on each other's home courts in Charlottesville and Blacksburg beginning with the 2000-2001 season.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/Last Season;:00]

The schools agreed to a five year agreement yesterday that will begin next season with a game at the Richmond Coliseum during the legislative session.
Then it will shift to Blacksburg the following year, and the first on-campus game at the Cassell will be played the night before the Tech-UVa football game in the year 2000.
The schools will alternate years with games being played at the Cassell and University Hall. The contract runs out in the year 2004.
(------------)
((BYE BYE))

[S-Trucks]

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

The Craftsman Truck series drivers qualified last night in Texas for tonight's Pronto Auto Parts 400 at the Texas Motor Speedway.
Jay Sauter won the pole last night with a wicked 179 point 718 mile an hour lap. Stacy Compton just missed the pole and he will start second. Jimmy Hensley qualified 17th, two miles an hour off the pace.

[S-Winston]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=SP-31]
[GRAPHIC=RICKY CRAVEN]

The Winston Cup drivers roll into Michigan today but Ricky Craven won't be in town. Last night he was fired as the driver of the SB III Motorsports Ford and replaced by Loy Allen.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Martinsville/April; :00]

Elsewhere, RJ Reynolds announced last night that it will no longer sponsor Jimmy Spencer's Ford after this year. Winston or Smokin Joe camel have been on the car for the last six years. That association will end at the end of this season
(------------)
[wipe to eng#]

[S-Mast]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=11pm]
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Concord, NC/Last Month; :00]

After racing all season long with limited sponsorship dollars, Mast and Cale Yarborough Motrosorts will annouce they are joining forces with Universal Studios for the next three years.
Mast says the agreement will be one of the most lucrative in Winston Cup racing.
However, now that the team has the money it needs some workers. Team manager Waddell Wilson was released from the team earlier this week, and crew chief Jerry Pitts also left after just three weeks after coming over frm Bill Elliott's team.
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[Sports Tease]

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Still to come tonight we'll tumble from the track to the mats
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[VO-NAT]

and check with some travleing gymnasts in Martinsville who are on their way to Florida.
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[S-Gymnastics]

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Some young gymnasts from southside are getting ready for a big trip to the nationals in Florida this weekend.
Roy Stanley caught up with the girls before their departure.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="The team...]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.; :00]
[SUPER=01-Hugh Gerlach/Head Coach; :18]
[SUPER=01-Jessica McAlexander/Blue Ridge Gymnast; :46]
[SUPER=01-Beck Minter/Blue Ridge Gymnast; :55]
[SUPER=@Roy1; 1:28]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=...news 7 sports."]
((The team consists of 4 girls from Danville and three from Martinsville.
They practice for at least 4 hours 4 nights a week under the watchful eye of Hugh Gerlach, who along with his wife runs the Blue Ridge Gymnastics Academy in Henry County.)) ((HUGH GERLACH/HEAD COACH:)) ((Gerlach says certain skills are needed for the nationals. That's why its important for them to develop their own routines.
Gymnastics is 90 per cent mental but working on the same routine day after day helps the young gymnasts develop that toughness.)) ((JESSICA MCALEXANDER/BLUE RIDGE GYMNAST; )) ((BECKY MINTER/BLUE RIDGE GYMNAST;)) ((A couple of years ago, three gymnasts represented the academy at the nationals but this year they're going as a team.)) ((GERLACH:)) ((ROY STANDUP:))
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