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July 19, 2026

Chattooga County Historical Society Hosts Summer Meeting Today

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The Chattooga County Historical Society is inviting the public to its Summer Meeting today, featuring a firsthand account from a Chattooga County native who took part in one of the most significant military operations in American history.

The meeting begins at 2 p.m. today at the Historic Summerville Depot in downtown Summerville. Admission is free, and everyone is invited to attend.

Featured speaker Jim Lenderman will share his experiences as a U.S. Marine helicopter pilot during the 1980 Iranian hostage rescue attempt, known as Operation Eagle Claw. Lenderman will also discuss his later service flying President Ronald Reagan aboard Marine One, providing a unique perspective on both military and presidential aviation.

The Historical Society says the presentation offers a rare opportunity to hear an inspiring story from one of Chattooga County’s own while learning more about an important chapter in American history. The event is free and open to the public.

July 14, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Historical Society to Feature Local Veteran Who Took Part in Historic World Events

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The Chattooga County Historical Society invites everyone to its Summer Meeting on Sunday, July 19, at 2 p.m. at the historic Summerville Depot for a fascinating program featuring one of Chattooga County’s own whose life placed him at the center of several significant moments in American history.

July 10, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

VA Claims Backlog Falls Below 70,000 for First Time Since 2020

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a major milestone in processing disability claims, with the backlog of veterans waiting for benefits dropping below 70,000 for the first time in more than six years.

According to the VA, the number of disability compensation and pension claims pending longer than 125 days—the department’s definition of a backlog—has fallen below the 70,000 mark for the first time since February 2020. The agency says the backlog has been reduced by more than 74 percent since January 2025.

The VA also reports that it is processing claims faster than at any point in its history. The average time to complete a disability compensation or pension claim is now 77.7 days, a record low. Since the beginning of 2025, the department says it has completed more than one million claims in fewer than 30 days.

VA Secretary Doug Collins said the improvements mean faster decisions, better service, and quicker access to benefits for veterans and their families.

The agency also highlighted several additional accomplishments over the past year, including opening 38 new VA health care facilities, processing more than 3 million disability compensation and pension claims during Fiscal Year 2025, offering veterans more than 3 million appointments outside normal business hours, and permanently housing 51,936 homeless veterans, the highest annual total in seven years.

Veterans who have not yet applied for benefits or health care are encouraged to visit VA.gov or Choose.VA.gov to learn more about available programs and begin the application process.

July 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Ossoff, Warnock Renew Push to Stop Planned Service Cuts at Eisenhower Army Medical Center

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U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are again urging the Defense Health Agency to abandon plans to significantly reduce services at Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, warning the proposal could negatively affect thousands of active-duty servicemembers, veterans, military families and civilian employees.

In a letter to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Keith Bass, the senators expressed concern over the agency’s plan to eliminate all inpatient services and transition the hospital into an ambulatory care center. The proposal would also convert the facility’s emergency department into an urgent care center. The lawmakers said the Defense Health Agency has not provided a clear plan explaining how patients would continue receiving care or how the changes would affect the surrounding healthcare system.

Ossoff and Warnock wrote that reducing services without a comprehensive transition plan could create confusion and make it more difficult for servicemembers, their families and veterans to access the care they need. They urged the agency to halt implementation of the plan, withdraw its congressional notification and provide additional information before moving forward.

The senators noted that Eisenhower Army Medical Center serves an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 active-duty servicemembers, retirees, military families and Department of Defense civilians in the Central Savannah River Area. Senator Ossoff first began pressing the Defense Health Agency for answers about the proposed reductions last year and has continued to oppose the changes

July 1, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

GNTC Awards First Disabled Veterans Support Scholarships

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Georgia Northwestern Technical College has announced the first recipients of the Disabled Veterans Support Scholarship, with 12 students receiving awards for the summer 2026 semester.

The scholarship is funded through voluntary state income tax return donations and was created to support U.S. military veterans with service-connected disabilities as they pursue technical education in Georgia. The program is administered by the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation and is designed to help cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, required supplies and other real costs.

GNTC Military-Connected Services Coordinator Josh Hickman said the first semester of the scholarship program has been a success and said the 12 recipients are deserving of the support.

Recipients include students from Dalton, Rome, Euharlee, Adairsville, Rocky Face, Dallas, Canton and Cedartown. Their programs include supply chain management, healthcare management, cybersecurity, aviation maintenance, culinary arts, welding, EMS professions, automation engineering and instrumentation controls.

Eligible veterans must be enrolled in a degree, diploma or technical certificate program and provide documentation showing a service-connected disability rating.

June 24, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Scouts And Veterans Retire Hundreds Of American Flags In Chattooga County

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Veterans and local scouts came together in Chattooga County to honor the American flag with dignity and respect during a flag retirement ceremony at VFW Post 6688 on Memorial Drive.

June 19, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

VA Launches Partial Claim Program To Help Veterans Avoid Foreclosure

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The Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new program aimed at helping veterans who are struggling financially avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes.

June 17, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

VA Says Prosthetic Limb Delivery Times Will Drop For Thousands Of Veterans

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The Department of Veterans Affairs says thousands of Veterans who rely on prosthetic limbs should soon receive them faster after the agency streamlined its purchasing process.

According to the VA, previous procurement rules required all prosthetic limb orders to be approved by a contracting officer, adding several weeks to delivery times. On April 22, 2026, VA Secretary Doug Collins exempted about 95 percent of prosthetic limb orders from that review process.

The change allows local purchasing agents to order directly from local suppliers when prosthetic limb prices are already set by Medicare. VA officials say that removes unnecessary review steps where no price negotiation is needed.

The VA says the changes have already reduced wait times by about 10 days. Once fully implemented nationwide, the department expects average delivery times to fall by more than 40 percent, from 94 days to 54 days.

“Every day counts for Veterans,” Collins said, adding that the changes are aimed at helping clinicians and procurement teams provide prosthetic care faster.

More than 45,000 Veterans receive major limb loss care through the VA each year.

May 31, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia’s Oldest Living World War II Veteran Celebrates 107th Birthday

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Georgia’s oldest living World War II veteran is celebrating a remarkable milestone this week.

May 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

VA Highlights Importance Of Spiritual Care In Helping Homeless Veterans Recover

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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says recovery for homeless veterans involves more than simply finding housing, emphasizing that emotional and spiritual support can play a major role in helping veterans rebuild their lives.