ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996             TAG: 9609230005
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-20 CURRENT EDITION: NEW RIVER 

HOW 24-HOUR TOWING STARTED IN BLACKSBURG

Margaret Harrell and her husband, Morgan, started AuTow Inc. in 1989.

It was the first towing company in Blacksburg to contract to patrol and tow vehicles from private parking lots 24 hours a day.

Previously, business owners had to call and hire a tow truck each time a car was parked illegally on their property. Lot owners had to meet the tow truck driver and sign papers stating they requested the tow.

"This is not the type of business that anybody wants to do, but the gist of this company is to tow away cars trespassing on other people's property," Margaret Harrell told a reporter in November 1992.

To quell citizens' complaints that year, Blacksburg Town Council considered requiring larger signs to warn of the 24-hour towing, but eventually decided against it.

Peyton Whited Jr., who worked for the Harrells, bought the business in 1994 and changed the name to Tek Tow.

Whited has since turned around the failing business and expanded it to Radford. He also has improved the company's public image, according to some who contract his services.

LENGTH: Short :   29 lines