Augusta, GA
VA eliminates office helping minority veterans with benefits
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The Department of Veterans Affairs, a huge employer in the Augusta area, has eliminated an office created to help minority veterans.
It’s all part of the DOGE-led efforts to cut about 80,000 employees from the government agency that provides health care for retired military members.
With a two-campus hospital in Augusta and facilities in outlying counties, the agency is a major employer in the CSRA.
The agency employs about 2,700 people across the VA Augusta health system, which includes the two medical centers in Augusta and clinics in Athens, Aiken and Statesboro.
A VA spokesperson said the Veteran Benefits Administration’s Office of Equity Assurance is “no longer needed.” The office, which was created under President Joe Biden, helped minority veterans with disparities in how the government provides benefits.
Sen Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., blasted the closure.
“This undermines the progress we have made in making the VA more responsive and accountable to our men and women in uniform,” he said. “I urge the administration to reconsider this reckless decision and ensure proper treatment of all veterans remains at the core of the VA’s mission. Veterans deserve better, and I will keep fighting to get them the care they are owed.”
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Rep. Mark Takano, of California, is the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He called the office’s closure “reckless.”
As part of President Donald Trump’s effort to shrink government, the VA has cut a few thousand employees and hundreds of contracts. It is expected to cut 80,000 jobs before the end of the year.
VA Secretary Doug Collins, a former Georgia congressman, said the agency is aiming to cut the jobs as part of its “department-wide review” that is being carried out in response to President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and Workforce Optimization initiative.
“This will be a thorough and thoughtful review based on input from career VA employees, senior executives, as well as the top VA leaders,” Collins said. “Our goal is to reduce VA employment levels to 2019-end strength numbers – roughly 398,000 employees from our current level of approximately 470,000 employees. Now that’s an 15% decrease. We’re going to accomplish this without making cuts to health care or benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries.
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., has criticized the cuts.
“The administration must immediately and publicly withdraw any proposal to gut the VA and imperil veterans’ care and benefits,” he said last week. “Already, the chaos, incompetence, and disruption are unacceptable. Veterans earned their benefits through selfless service. It’s a contract, not a gift.”
Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has been apprehensive about how the cuts were communicated.
The chair of the Senate Budget Committee said he was displeased that the VA had not given lawmakers an advance notification of the changes, saying it was “political malpractice not to consult Congress.”
“Maybe you’ve got a good reason to do it,” Graham said last week, leaving a lunch with Musk. “But we don’t need to be reading memos in the paper about a 20% cut at the VA.”
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives for holidays
The iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in New York City for preparations ahead of the holiday season.
There are plenty of options for getting a live Christmas tree, but what about one that’s so fresh, it’s still in the ground?
Christmas tree farms will soon be reopening in the Augusta area for the holiday season. Not only do these make for great photo ops, but you can get your lumberjack on and cut the tree down yourself if you’d like. If not, that’s fine, the staff will cut it down for you. Here are four we found opening nearby and what to expect:
Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm
2335 Tobacco Rd, Augusta
Opening 9 a.m. Nov. 22, Gay’s Christmas Tree Farm is growing Murray Cypress and Carolina Sapphire as well as pre-harvested Douglas and Fraser Fir. The prices are the same as last year at about $11 per foot. The farm is open 2 p.m. until dark Monday-Thursday, 2-7 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. until dark Sundays. For more info, go to gayschristmastreefarm.com.
Still Creek Tree Farm
442 Pine Log Rd, Beech Island, SC
Opening noon Nov. 21, Still Creek Tree Farm has seven different varieties in the Pine and Cyprus families ranging in price from $5 to $10 per foot. They also have imported, fresh-cut Fraser Firs at or below market price. The farm also puts on hayrides and visits with Santa Claus, but you’ll have to stay tuned to their Facebook or Instagram. Still Creek will be open 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and by appointment.
Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm
39 Bennie Dorn Rd, Clarks Hill, SC
Opening Nov. 22, Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm has a range of trees from Leyland Cypress and Carolina Saphire to Red Cedar and Clemson Greenspire. Those 7-9 feet average about $10 per foot, with higher prices for the bigger trees. The farm will be open 2-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1-5:30 p.m. Sunday. For more info, go to clarkshillchristmastreefarm.com.
Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees
402 Uncle Duck Rd, Monetta, SC
Opening 1 p.m. Nov. 23, Tom Sawyer’s Christmas Trees grow several different types of tree like Thuja Green Giant, Blue Ice, and White Pine as well as having Fraser Firs from North Carolina. Prices vary depending on the size and kind of tree you want, but they all generally start at 6 or 7 feet between $50-$80 for all but the Fraser Firs which start at $140. The farm will be marking the beginning of their season with a special blessing of the trees. For more info, go to tomsawyerschristmastrees.com.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
UPDATE: Ms. Hankerson has been located.
***
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s help in locating a missing woman.
73-year-old Marshie Hankerson was last seen on foot, leaving her home on the 3500 block of Jonathan Circle in Apple Valley in Augusta.
Ms. Hankerson was wearing a grey Reebok jogging suit and a long jacket.
Her direction of travel is unknown.
Authorities say Ms. Hankerson has Dementia and may be unaware of her surroundings.
If you have any information on Marshie Hankerson or her whereabouts, please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080 or 706-821-1020
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center will host a Thanksgiving meal and turkey giveaway on Nov. 23 as local groups work to address food needs.
The non-profit, which marks nine years of operation this month, opens its doors throughout the week to provide food, clothes and hot meals to those in need.
The organization now serves more than 400 families weekly, growing from the 25 families it served when it first opened.
The first 300 people at the Nov. 23 event will receive a turkey to take home.
“We understand that the turkeys are expensive this year because groceries are elevated, and with the shutdown and SNAP benefits being delayed, we still want families to gather that week of Thanksgiving,” said Kellie Newman, executive director of Augusta Dream Center.
The organization is seeking donations to support the event. A $40 donation provides a turkey and fixings for one family. The center also needs winter items and turkey donations.
No registration is required to attend the event on Nov. 23 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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