AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Veterans in Augusta were getting connected with resources Wednesday at a VA expo.

Organizations are coming in as far as Washington, D.C., to help veterans.

Veterans receive help filing VA benefits claims, applying for jobs and getting other resources on suicide prevention and their homeless program.

“VA Augusta has a really strong homeless veteran program. It was ranked number one in the nation for the amount of folks they placed into permanent housing. We got a really robust program with several staff members located both in South Carolina and in Georgia. If any of the homeless veterans or folks are at risk, they can show up, there’s someone here who can help them through the process, hopefully get them permanent housing in a hurry,” said Will Martin, chief of public affairs, VA Augusta.

Martin says Augusta.va.gov can also help veterans with resources.

“We have a growing veteran population in the area, with Eisenhower so close, a lot of folks transition. They like the area and they stay in the area, so they need VA care. So, I think the real push for this is just to make sure we are keeping up with the growing VA population in the area, especially VA Augusta wants to make sure we are meeting that need,” said Martin.

Earlier this month, the VA Augusta health system announced some events and initiatives that are aimed at enhancing veterans’ mental health in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

For the first time, the VA Augusta healthcare system is accepting involuntary psychiatric admissions.

Leaders say this is a pivotal move to helping our veterans by removing the barriers to help people experiencing an immediate crisis.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If you have been to downtown Augusta lately, you may have noticed that trees have been cut down.

At Tuesday’s commission meeting, commissioners talked about hiring an arborist to help decide on the removal of trees in the county.

Commissioner Catherine Rice says she brought up this issue years ago and has received complaints about the trees down on Broad Street.

The Director of Engineering, Dr. Malik, says there are arborists in his department on call, and they are not on city contract.

Neighbors say they hope to see improvement in the area.

“The thing I was noticing is that it just doesn’t look very appealing or not much incentive,” said Victor Ishizaki, a neighbor. “It just doesn’t look appealing, you know it looks a little trashy in a sense, even with the sidewalks still some of them looking at just the concrete lifted in areas because of the root movement.”

Another neighbor tells us, she is looking forward to what the next steps will bring.

“There’s no more shade, it looks kind of disheveled to be honest, we’re hoping for them to come back soon,” said Rose Baxeley, a neighbor. “It’s sad to see the trees go, but I’m happy to know there is improvement coming, so just excited for what’s to come.”

The commissioners say they are moving this discussion to the next committee.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says it’s investigating a suspicious death that occurred on Tuesday.

Around 9:45 a.m., deputies say they responded to the 2200 block of Harding Road in reference to a suspicious death.

On scene, deputies say they were escorted to the deceased victim by the victim’s friend.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office says it responded to a condemned home on Harding Road.

The victim has been identified the victim as David Grigg, 62, according to the coroner’s office.

“A male was found in the front room of the residence, which was unsafe, nasty and uninhabitable,” said Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

The male was pronounced dead on the scene. An autopsy will be scheduled.

We are working to learn more on this incident.

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