News 6 Mashup: March 30, 2020
Here are the top stories for the week of March 30, 2020, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:
Military OneSource Ready to Assist Military Families with COVID-19
Military OneSource is ready to assist service members and their families with the impacts of COVID-19. Military OneSource has created a dedicated page on their website. At this site, you’ll find updated information from the Department of Defense and other helpful links. If you are feeling stressed, counseling services remain available by phone, video, and online. Schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-342-9647 or visiting the website.
Seven PCS Changes to Watch
Although PCS season is temporarily halted, Military.com reported on seven changes that military families can look forward to during their next PCS. The changes will go into effect May 15. Among the seven changes some of the highlights include:
- Movers must now pass employer-provided background checks.
- The service member, rather than the Transportation Service Provider, will be able to choose between getting a damaged item repaired or given cash.
- The claims window will be extended from the current 75 days to 180 days. Additionally, claims under $1,000 must be responded to in under 30 days.
Read all of the updates at Military.com.
Oklahoma National Guardsman Saves Woman from Fire
A soldier from the Oklahoma Army National Guard saved a woman from a fire. Sgt. Darren Watkins also serves as a sheriff’s deputy in Wagoner County and was dispatched to a fire at a vacant house at about 4 a.m. on February 29. Watkins quickly realized that the house next door was also on fire and an elderly woman was inside.
“I knew she was in there, and I knew she needed to get out,” Watkins said. “I really wasn’t thinking of anything else.” He entered the home, found the woman (who wanted to exit through the garage), and helped guide her and her four dogs out a safer exit.
“The firefighters later said if she would have opened that [garage] door, the fire in the garage would have flashed into the living room and possibly burned both of us,” he said.
Just moments after exiting the home safely, the garage exploded. The woman lost her home, but she and her dogs were saved because of Sgt. Watkins bravery. Read the full story here.
United States, Taliban Sign Peace Agreement
And, finally, AP News reported on the peace agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban after almost twenty years at war. The agreement spells out a troop withdrawal of American and allied forces during the next 14 months. “[President Trump] spoke cautiously of the deal’s prospect for success and cautioned the Taliban against violating their commitments,” the AP reported. As part of the agreement, the Taliban and the Afghan government will work to negotiate a permanent cease-fire and power-sharing agreement.
