Officials believe 2 fires were intentional

Fireworks are believed to have caused two brush fires in Montgomery County on Wednesday afternoon.

The first fire occurred on Lovely Mount Drive at the Radford city limits and burned less than a quarter of an acre, according to a news release issued by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

The second fire occurred on Wintergreen Drive and burned less than half an acre.

Officials believe both fires were set intentionally from moving vehicles between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Anyone with information is asked to call 382-6900.

-- Sarah Bruyn Jones

Family displaced by morning house fire

No one was injured in a Pulaski house fire Thursday.

Firefighters responded to the single-story home in the 1100 block of High Street just before 9 a.m. and had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes.

Two adults and four children were able to escape safely, but the family was displaced, said Sgt. Josh Tolbert of the Pulaski Fire Department.

The fire was likely caused by an electrical short in the attic over the bathroom, Tolbert said. Damage was estimated at $67,000.

-- Sarah Bruyn Jones

Governor urges federal recognition for tribes

RICHMOND -- In a Thanksgiving tradition rooted firmly in Virginia history, Gov. Tim Kaine received a gift of two deer from the state's American Indian tribes -- and promised to support their quest for federal recognition.

Kaine received the tribute from the Mattaponi and Pamunkey chiefs at a ceremony marking a 1677 treaty between Virginia's tribes and the British.

Virginia has recognized six tribes since 1983, but the federal government has not followed suit.

Federal recognition would allow the tribes' 3,000 members to receive federal dollars for housing, education and senior care.

Kaine says it's an injustice that the tribes have not been recognized and promised to work on their behalf.

-- Associated Press