The Yukon Veterans Museum reported that a local VA clinic expansion has received approval to proceed and museum leaders are meeting with contractors to discuss project details.

"We have finally got approval to have additional expansion program out there," said Rick Caccini of the Yukon Veterans Museum. Caccini said he was meeting with a contractor to discuss items for the site after the approval.

He also raised mental-health capacity as an ongoing concern for veterans, noting increased spending and an ongoing shortage of providers. "The mental health issue, is still a problem for the veterans ... We're short a number of providers, meaning nurses and doctors," Caccini said.

Caccini reported the parking garage at the VA center should be completed within about 30 days and said the museum will continue outreach, including a mobile unit appearance at a city park on July 3. He also announced the museum's gala is set for Oct. 2 and that speaker Johnny Gilpin will attend.

The museum representative confirmed the group is promoting the Yukon Salutes banner program and coordinating outreach with Main Street staff. No formal city approvals or council votes on the VA expansion were recorded in the Main Street meeting; the report was presented as an affiliate update.