Magazine company deemed legitimate

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

An investigation by the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office into a possible magazine selling scam has determined the company to be legitimate but has a low score by the Better Business Bureau. Several of the local salesmen have been cited for not having an itinerant merchants’ license from the county.
According to Chief Deputy Keith Dunagan, American Circulation Enterprises Inc. or ACE Inc. is located in Michigan City, Ind. He said the company has a C-minus rating by the BBB.
“We had several more reports of young people attempting to sell magazines on East Lee Highway this weekend,” Dunagan stated.
The salesmen, he noted, ask that checks be made payable to ACE Inc. Dunagan urges area residents to contact the Sheriff’s Office if approached by these magazine salesmen.
In an unrelated case, the Sheriff’s Office is investigating thefts from 10 mobile homes at Oakwood Homes on East Lee Highway. The incident was reported Saturday morning.
Stolen were two flat screen televisions, bedding items, decorating items, umbrellas and a dining room table and chairs, according to Dunagan. He listed the value of the items at $10,000.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 223-6000.

Brush fire
A Monday afternoon brush fire on Dry Road in the Speedwell area burned about two acres of a clear-cut field. It began around 1 p.m.
According to Mike Hale, chief of the Speedwell Volunteer Fire Department, the land owner was clearing the field to pasture livestock. He was apparently burning some of the brush when the fire spread.
Some 12 firefighters from the Speedwell squad responded. They requested back up from the Rural Retreat Volunteer Fire Department.
Dave Evans, chief of the Rural Retreat squad, reported some 12 firefighters and four pieces provided assistance. He said they stayed until 4:30 p.m.
Hale and his crew remained at the scene until 6 p.m. Both crews, he said, raked lines around the hot spots to stop the spread.
No homes were in danger and there were no injuries, Hale reported.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or wquesenberry@wythenews.com.