Shelby County and interim San Augustine County Veterans' Service Officer Sherry Riley is now official in her position.

After Gov. Greg Abbott signed-off on House Bill 906 last week the law was changed and Ms. Riley can continued to assist local veterans. Prior to the legislation's approval an officer had to be either a veteran, a spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran or had a child die while in service.

She said State Rep. Chris Paddie and Trent Ashby worked together to get the measure through the legislature which now says a veterans' service officer can be the spouse of a 20-year service veteran, which qualifies her. Sen. Robert Nichols sponsored the bill on the Senate side.

Ms. Riley told the San Augustine County Commissioners' Court Tuesday when she was appointed in Shelby County around 18-months ago she didn't know she was not legal in the position.

Ms. Riley offices in the San Augustine County Courthouse on Mondays & Tuesdays, and Shelby County. Courthouse Wednesdays thru Fridays.