1.      Newmark Says Shinseki Team Is "Really Getting Stuff Done." On the San Francisco Chronicle (10/24) "City Brights" blog, Craigslist.com founder Craig Newmark posts a 14-minute YouTube presentation by Dr. Peter Levin, a top assistant to Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki, on how the agency is going about transforming itself into an organization that is transparent, collaborative and participatory. Newmark, active in veterans' issues, includes the comment that "It's my first hand observation that it's real, and that this guy, Peter Levin, is part of a team really getting stuff done."

2.      VA Assisting Homeless Vets In California. The Stockton (CA) Record (10/25, Johnson, 44K) says Dignity's Alcove, a "charity that provides transitional housing for homeless veterans," will be getting a "'per diem' grant to help cover costs for as many as 20 veterans." After noting that the US Department of Veterans Affairs grant "was part of a VA announcement of $42 million in grants to community groups to provide about 2,600 beds for homeless veterans," the Record points out that veteran Harold Butts, Dignity's Alcove cofounder, "said he had support securing the federal grant from Rep. Jerry McNerney." The Record adds, "Ending veteran homelessness is a top priority for...VA, and one reiterated by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki at a round table discussion with McNerney, a small group of veterans and others earlier this week in Livermore, VA spokeswoman Kerri Childress said."

3.      Proposed Tennessee Veterans Home Scaled Back. The Chattanooga Times Free Press (10/24, Higgins, 80K) reports, "The size of a proposed regional veterans' nursing home is being scaled back slightly to meet new US Department of Veterans Affairs standards. Taylor Wyrick with the Tennessee State Nursing Homes board said the department's accepted design no longer is approved as an institutional setting." To meet the new VA standards, the proposed facility in Cleveland, Tennessee will reduce the number of beds from 140 to 108, include a greater area and build "houses" in a cluster around a "neighborhood."

4.      Maryland Recreational Outreach Program Takes Veterans Fishing. Maryland-based Baynet.com (10/23) reports that Gov. O'Malley "recently announced the creation of the Recreational Outreach Project for Veterans and its new web site, as part of Maryland's commitment to members of our armed forces. The program, administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), provides veterans and their families with unique opportunities to enjoy the rich natural habitats of Maryland, including the Chesapeake Bay, coastal waters and park lands." The program has set 35 fall fishing trips for veterans and members of the armed services.

5.      Louisiana DVA Escapes Mid-Year Budget Cuts. The Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser (10/24, 32K) reports that the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) announced on Friday that programs and services for Louisiana Veterans and their families remain unaffected by the state's midyear budget reductions. While LDVA did reduce its portion of State General Funds by $350,495, increases in federal revenues offset the reduction resulting in no loss to the Department's overall budget."

6.      Researchers Say VA Not Doing A Lot Of HIV Testing. MedPage Today (10/24, Susman) reports, "The government message to test most people for human immunodeficiency virus infection appears to have fallen on deaf ears at the largest US healthcare network: the Veterans Affairs health system. Of the 5.7 million outpatients seen in the VA health system in 2009, a mere 9.2% had ever been tested for HIV -- and just 2.5% of VA outpatients were tested for HIV in 2009 -- researchers reported at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America." Dr. Meredith Welch, an "infectious disease officer at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center/George Washington University Medical Center" in Washington, DC, "suggested that her study could act as a baseline for future studies that will determine how well the VA health system is doing in testing for HIV."

7.      Study Of VA Patients Finds Depression Raises Risk Of Death From Surgery. In an ABC syndicated "Medical Minute" aired on WMTW-TV Portland, ME (10/22, Johnson 5:49 a.m. EDT) and elsewhere, Dr. Tim Johnson reports that "a study in the Archives of Surgery finds that, if you are already depressed before the procedure, you may be at an increased risk of dying afterward. Over 35,000 patients of the Veterans Health Administration admitted to surgical intensive care units were studied. Underlying psychiatric illness was associated with increased risk of mortality for thirty days after surgery. This was true especially for those with depression and anxiety. Those with bi-polar disease, schizophrenia, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder showed no higher risk. Surprisingly, over 25% of the surgical ICU patients had pre- existing psychiatric conditions -- a figure that may differ greatly between the veterans in the study and the general population."

8.      VA Hospitals' Use Of Checklists In Surgery Saves Lives. In continuing coverage, WVTM-TV Bimingham, AL (10/23, 7:13 p.m. EDT) reports, "Answering basic questions from a checklist before surgery could save lives. That's according to a study conducted at several of the nation's Veterans Affairs hospitals. Doctors found surgery deaths dropped 18 percent when surgery team members created checklists and discussed them before, during, and after surgery. Death rates were lowest when the surgical staff had the most teamwork training." KREX-TV Grand Junction, CO (10/22, 8:51 a.m. EDT) offered a similar report.

9.      Veterans' Advocates Seek Further Expansion Of GI Bill. CQ Weekly (10/25, Zeller) reports, "Two years after Congress wrote the GI Bill, which included the most generous expansion of educational benefits since World War II, veterans' groups are pushing legislation that would extend benefits to National Guard troops called up for active duty in the United States -- not just for those sent overseas -- and permit ex-soldiers to use their school benefits for vocational training instead of college." The American Legion is pressing for action during a post-election lame-duck session on bills offered by ID Rep. Walt Minnick (D), a Vietnam veteran, and HI Sen. Daniel Akaka (D), who gained his college degree through the GI Bill. But the measure is expensive: the Congressional Budget Office estimates it would cost over $2 billion over 10 years. Further, some veterans' groups "groups take issue with the offsetting benefit cuts in the bill - it would, for instance, eliminate stipends for soldiers during summer breaks from school and reduce benefits for veterans who win outside scholarships."

10.    New Mexico VA Helping Present PTSD Conference. The Albuquerque (NM) Journal (10/25) reports, "A free conference on the integration of current clinical methods with alternative methods for treating veterans" with post-traumatic stress disorder is "being offered Friday and Saturday at Hotel Albuquerque by a group of mental health professionals and the New Mexico Veterans' Services Department." Conference "partners include...the New Mexico VA Health Care System."

11.    Psych Evaluation Ordered For Iraq Veteran Who Threatened To Kill Classmates. The Gaston County (NC) Gazette (10/22, Ellis, 25K) reports, "A 23-year-old Gaston College student, who served in Iraq less than a year ago with the Army National Guard, faces allegations he threatened to kill all of his classmates Wednesday. District Court Judge Ralph Gingles ordered Bryan Steven Dirscherl to be sent to Dorthea Dix Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation during a court hearing Friday." Dirscherl was jailed Thursday on a $500,000 bond on the misdemeanor chrge of communicating threats. During discussion of insanity please in a criminal law class, Dirscherl asked the instructor whether he thoughts Army members were insane, then told the class "In the back of my head I'm plotting to kill everybody I come in contact with." A fellow student said ther Dirscherl appeared serious and displayed no emotion.

12.    NYTimes Columnist Deplores Afghan War's Effect On Soldiers.  New York Times (10/23, A21) columnist Bob Herbert, in a column entitled "The Way We Treat Our Troops," writes of an Army sergeant recently killed during his 12th tour of duty, having served four in Iraq and into his eighth in Afghanistan. The columnist adds, "I would bring back the draft in a heartbeat. Then you wouldn't have these wars that last a lifetime." Severely critical of the Afghan war as a "world-class fiasco,", Herbert writes that, "Stressed-out, depressed and despondent soldiers are seeking help for their mental difficulties at a rate that is overwhelming the capacity of available professionals. And you can bet that there are even higher numbers of troubled service members who are not seeking help. In the war zones, we medicate the troubled troops and send them right back into action, loading them up with antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs and lord knows what other kinds of medication."

13.    Iraq Vet's Finances Strained By Mistaken Arrest. The Oklahoma City-based Oklahoman (10/24, Baker, 156K) said that while 25-year-old disabled Iraq veteran Shawn Dunbar, who was mistakenly arrested on assault charges, has "been exonerated by the courts," the arrest caused the US Department of Veterans to cut off his disability compensation, as a VA spokesman said is required by Federal law. When that happened, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service paid Dunbar $6,296 in "military retired pay" that Dunbar was "barred by law from receiving at the same time" as his VA disability compensation, which was later reinstated by VA. According to the Oklahoman, Dunbar says he will soon "have no money" because VA is reducing his benefits checks to recover the $6,296, which the agency has told Dunbar is a duplication of benefits.

14.    Iraq Vet Upset Over Losing Job With Police. The Charleston (WV) Gazette (10/25, Harki, Gregory, 40K) says lost Iraq veteran James Matheny lost his job with the Charleston Police Department because he did not contact the department after failing to report to the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center for his second round of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment. Matheney, however, "says the situation is unfair and he was fired on a technicality." He "says it was his understanding from talking to Charleston Police officials before going into treatment that he couldn't come back until he had a doctor's excuse, which is why he never contacted the department, but instead tried to contact...VA to get back in the program."

15.    Advocates Want Immigrants In US Military Protected From Deportation. The AP (10/25, Barbassa) reports, "If non-citizens...serving" in the US military find themselves in "trouble with the law," they "can get caught in the net" of the 1996 Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which "greatly expanded the list of crimes for which non-citizens can be deported." Now, however, "advocates of non-citizen servicemen and women are trying to change that" by "taking cases...to court" and "arguing that an immigrant who serves in the Armed Forces should be considered a US national and protected from deportation." The AP, which says the advocates' "push comes as criminal courts are increasingly listening to arguments for leniency for veterans," points out that US Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA), who chairs the "House Veterans' Affairs Committee, is looking into potential changes to the law so immigrants who serve in the military can avoid deportation."

16.    Despite Some Lawmakers' Objections, Plan To Divide VA Regional Office Moves Ahead. The Roanoke (VA) Times (10/25, Hammack, Adams) reports, "An office that has struggled to serve" US veterans "under one roof will soon move to multiple locations as the Poff Federal Building in downtown Roanoke gets a $51 million renovation. Dividing the regional Veterans Affairs office will only make things worse, according to three members of Congress who had earlier asked the government to rethink its plan," though their objections have not kept the General Services Administration (GSA), which is "responsible for the upkeep of federal buildings," from "moving ahead. GSA officials recently signed a lease to house the VA in the former Stone Printing building on Jefferson Street across from the Hotel Roanoke, according to Matt Huff, an agent for Roanoke-based Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group."

17.    Company Wins VA Construction Contract. In the middle of "Government Contracts Awarded," the Washington Post (10/25, Mizell, 605K) reports, "Gormley/Hi-End Joint Venture of Alexandria won a $1.5 million contract from the Department of Veterans Affairs for construction of structures and facilities."

18.    Vet's Widow Unaware Of Expanded Agent Orange Benefits. The Sebring (FL) News-Sun (10/24, Baldridge, 14K) reports, "Sandy Foster, a veteran who served in Vietnam, died unexpectedly while on a golfing trip in North Carolina from a heart attack" that his widow has been told was "caused by ischemic heart disease." The widow, who was "informed that her husband's condition was one approved by Congress to receive benefits this year because of...exposure" to Agent Orange that vets received during the Vietnam War, "stated that she and her husband had no idea" Veterans Affairs had made an announcement about the new benefits. The News-Sun added, "Those interested in more information bout the health risks associated with Agent Orange can visit the VA web site at www.publichealth.va.gov and sign up for the Agent Orange newsletter."

19.    Documentary Being Made About WWII Vet. The AP (10/23, Jones) said 93-year-old James Megellas "recently visited his hometown" of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, "with a documentary crew" that is making a film about his life. The AP added, "Megellas earned two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Purple Hearts and other commendations, making him the highest decorated officer of the 82nd Airborne during World War II, said Sgt. 1st Class Steven Mrozek, 82nd Airborne Division historian from 1984 until 2005."

20.    Mechanicsburg Middle School Students Arrange "Honor Bus" For WWII Veterans. In continuing coverage, the Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News (10/23, Gilliland) reports, "In 2007 a group of 8th graders at Mechanicsburg Middle School were inspired by a news story they saw on television about a man in Ohio who started a non-profit to fly veterans to Washington to see the memorial. The students realized they were only 116 miles away. They didn't need an airplane; they could charter a bus. Thus the "Honor Bus" program was born. Saturday was the fifth such trip organized by students at the school."

21.    High School Honors Graduates With Vietnam War Display. The Greater Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin (10/23, Basler) reports that Susquehanna Valley High School in Conklin, New York on the day before Veterans Day "will hold a special assembly to officially unveil and dedicate" a memorial inside the school's main entrance honoring two graduates who were killed while serving in the Vietnam War. Funds for the display were donated by a retired English teacher at the school, himself a Vietnam veteran.

22.    Local Non-Profit Helps Disabled Vietnam Veteran Weatherize His Home. WTOP-FM Washington, DC (10/23) notes a local non-profit, Rebuilding Together Alexandria, which "helps veterans and the elderly with upgrades to help them lower energy bills and continue to live on their own." Volunteers there helped a Vietnam veteran who lost both legs due to an Agent Orange exposure by weatherizing his home and doing other maintenance work.

23.    Grand Island, Nebraska Stand Down Targets Homeless Vets. KHGI-TV Lincoln, NE (10/22, 11:04 p.m. EDT) reports on the first-ever veterans Stand Down in Grand Island, Nebraska. VA homelessness worker Linda Twomey says that the VA "has targeted ending homelessness as one of its top priorities," and is expanding its outreach. The report notes that the VA "estimates there are 107,000 homeless veterans on any given night in America."

24.    Albuquerque Holds Vets' Stand Down And Project Hand Up. KOB-TV Albuquerque, NM (10/22, 8:09 p.m. EDT) reports that "Hundreds of New Mexico veterans are getting some much needed help this weekend. The Veterans Integration Center... is hosting 'Stand Down and Project Hand Up.' One of the group's goals is to end homelessness for vets within five years." The event offers free clothing, bedding, food and other items to vets to help identify barriers that are keeping vets on the streets.

25.    Wilkes-Barre VAMC Sets Women Veterans' Lunch. The Scranton (PA) Times Tribune (10/24, 52K) reports that the Wilkes-Barre VAMC will hold a lunch for women veterans on November 8, at which Dr. Elena Volfson, medical director of the Philadelphia VAMC's Behavioral Health Lab, will speak.

26.    Event Held To Assist Homeless Female Veterans. On its website, WDAF-TV Kansas City, MO (10/22, Evans) reported, "According to Dorothy Witherspoon with the Women's Bureau of the US Department of Labor, many female vets aren't aware of what services are available and only 30 percent of the woman who serve apply" for the Veterans Affairs benefits that they are entitled to. This past Saturday, however, an event was held to "help homeless female vets get back on their feet." The "Stand-Down to help veterans access social services" was to run "from 8 to 3 p.m. at Penn Valley Community College."

27.    VA Opening New Clinics In Alaska, Florida. The AP (10/25) reports, "The Department of Veteran Affairs is opening a new clinic this week in Juneau that will give southeast Alaska veterans a health care option closer to home. The Veterans Affairs Outreach Clinic," which "opens Tuesday on the first floor of the Juneau Federal Building," will "offer basic primary care, screening services, mental health services and referrals for specialized care. Urgent care will be provided but not emergency care."
     The Juneau (AK) Empire (10/24, Grass, 4K) noted, "'We're very excited to have a presence in Southeast Alaska,' said Alex Spector, director of the Alaska VA Healthcare System," who stressed that the clinic represents "VA's commitment to recognize" veterans' service.
     The Leesburg (FL) Daily Commercial (10/24, Buck) said a "few thousand people" attended "Saturday's grand opening of a new Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic along County Road 42 in The Villages. More than 80,000 veterans in Lake and Sumter counties -- not just in The Villages -- could benefit from the expanded services at the facility, said" US Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), "whose district includes northern Lake and Sumter counties."

28.    VA Hosts Open House, Blood Drive. The Zanesville (OH) Times Record (10/24, West) reported, "Saturday marked the 27th anniversary of the bombing of the Beirut International Airport barracks where 241 US service members were killed. To honor those who were killed, including nine soldiers from Ohio, and those who currently protect America, the Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Maple Avenue hosted an open house and blood drive." The Times Record added, "Many groups and area businesses assisted with the open house, including Veteran Service Offices of Muskingum and Coshocton Counties, American Legion 29, VFW Crooksville 9090 and others."

29.    VA Facilities Offering Flu Shots. The Kennewick, Washington-based Tri-City Herald (10/25) reports, "The Veterans Affairs medical center in Walla Walla is encouraging enrolled veterans to get their flu shots...this week." According to the Herald, shots "will be provided from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the clinic on the first floor of the Federal Building, 825 Jadwin Ave., Richland."
     According to the Hornell (NY) Evening Tribune (10/24), the Bath Veterans Affairs Medical Center "will be holding flu vaccination clinics from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Oct. 25-27 outside of Building 92 (Recreation Building) on the VA campus." If veterans are "unable to attend the flu shot clinics at the announced times, VA will be happy to schedule an appointment."

30.    Disabled Vet Completes 5K Run In Scooter VA Hospital Helped Her Get. The Alton (IL) Telegraph (10/25, Ellis, 23K) says 52-year-old disabled veteran Patti Maroczkowski "never envisioned she would take part in a 5K run, but on Sunday her dream came true when she crossed the finish line for the US Coast Guard's inaugural Run for Veterans." After noting that all "proceeds from the run are being donated" to the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks, the Telegraph says that during the run, Maroczkowski used a "mobilized scooter that the VA hospital helped her get."

31.    Man Sentenced To Prison For VA Hospital Computer Theft. In its "Projo 7 To 7 News Blog," the Providence (RI) Journal (10/25, Polichetti) says 56-year-old Bryan Polke has been sentenced in US District Court to "12 months in prison for the theft of computer equipment" from a Veterans Affairs medical center in Providence. According to the Journal, US Attorney Peter F. Neronha "said that Polke, who was both a patient and employee of the medical center at the time of the theft in February, pleaded guilty in June to one count of theft of government property."
     The WPRI-TV Providence, RI (10/24) website reported, "Polke...admitted to Veterans Administration police officers that he and another man came to the hospital intending to steal items to sell for drug money. The identity of the second man is still unknown," although "Providence Veterans Administration Police and the Office of Inspector General are still looking into the case."