Equipment stolen from Texas cemetery

This blog has noted cases in the past in which thieves have stolen brass fixtures, wrought-iron gates and similar things from cemeteries.
As also noted in my research, these thefts harm a community's larger quality of life, because they divert countless crimefighting and judicial resources that otherwise could go toward fighting more serious crimes and prosecuting other perpetrators.
Well, here's another incident; this time, thieves stole lawn maintenance equipment from a cemetery in Orange, Texas. Again, while it seems like a petty crime compared with others, it's not for the cemetery operator who now needs to replace that equipment, and it again diverts precious police and court resources...in geography parlance, it is another example of a negative externality.

Juneteenth marked by cemetery cleanup

A famed black cemetery in Dallas was cleaned up as part of the community's Juneteenth celebrations.

Texas man learns cemetery makes for a good neighbor

A cemetery in Texas met with some resistance by the neighbor, but now, he and others enjoy it for its nature trails and other amenities.

Under water: This time in Texas

Here is another story of a cemetery under water from flooding/weather. This one is in Texas. This link doesn't include the whole story, so if you are in the neighborhood, please buy the newspaper. They'll appreciate it.

Austin, Texas, running out of cemetery space

Austin, Texas, council voted to spend $24,000 for a study on how to address the issue of dwindling cemetery space.

Making a Texas cemetery a local amenity

People in San Angelo, Texas, are working to make its Fairmount Cemetery a more attractive park - yes, park - for its residents to use. Plans include a gazebo as an information station, landscaping, statuary and other additions/alterations that will attract the community. Funding is expected from public and private sources. The mayor says the plan is too late to be inserted into the current budget, but indicates he likes the plan.
Let's hope it doesn't fade away in the interim. This plan sounds like a good idea.

Corpus Christi, Texas, annexes land for veterans cemetery

Here's an excerpt from a report on action by the Corpus Christi council to acquire land for a veterans cemetery:

- approved the annexation of about 55 acres near the intersection of Carbon
Plant Road and Interstate 37 for a veterans’ cemetery. The land annexation is a
step needed before the land can become a cemetery. The cemetery will have space
for 4,500 burial plots during its first phase of construction, which state
officials have said will take about 10 years to fill. After the Texas Veterans
Land Board completes the cemetery’s site plan, it will ask the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs for $9.3 million for the project. It is expected to take
about 18 months to build.

Texas cemetery restoration

A cemetery in San Marcos, Texas, that has been damaged by fallen wood, overgrowth and (yes) cattle is being restored by a local historical commission.

Texas legislature makes changes to cemetery law

This is from the Austin American-Statesman. The article cites a number of measures passed by lawmakers, including this:

On the grave end of the cradle-to-grave spectrum, lawmakers OK'd HB 2927,
which awaits [Gov. Rick] Perry's review.
The measure was sparked by concerns raised when
a Texas Ranger Museum expansion project in Waco could have caused disturbance at
an adjacent historical cemetery. A legislative review concluded that state
cemetery laws needed an overhaul.
The review led to the bill, which, among
other things, clarifies state jurisdiction over cemeteries and mandates a "good
faith effort to locate and remove all human remains, any casket or other
covering of the remains and any funerary objects associated with the remains"
whenever a burial site is disturbed

Texas town to drill for gas; cemetery to get part of windfall

Officials in the Crestwood section of Fort Worth, Texas, approved a measure to drill for natural gas, putting seven wells on a site in Greenwood Cemetery. Residents in the area will get a reported $14 million in royalties, and the cemetery will get a piece of that. Cemetery general manager Arlie Davenport says they will use the funds for capital improvements: "We celebrate our 100th anniversary this year, and these royalties will help make the next 100 years better than the last."

Feral hogs in San Antonio cemetery

Feral hogs are causing damage at the Mission Burial Ground.

$250G for "cemetery interpretation" in Nacogdoches, Texas

The city of Nacogdoches, Texas, and Stephen F. Austin University are receiving a $250,000 "Preserve America" grant from the National Parks Service for a joint project to map and study the Oak Grove and Zion Hill cemeteries in the city. From the article:

The first objective of the project is to build upon existing Geographic
Information Systems data to create a model cemetery-interpretation program for
the Oak Grove and Zion Hill cemeteries in Nacogdoches. Once established,
genealogy researchers and heritage tourists may access the program online to
learn about the historic cemeteries and the people buried in them.

Texas man to be honored for cemetery care

Henry Martinez, 80, of Dallas will be honored for his efforts to care for Trinity Portland Cemetery for more than 40 years. Many early Mexican Americans are buried there.

Cleanup at black cemetery in Texas

Cleanup is continuing at the Hendrick Arnold-Bertha Tryon Cemetery in Bandera, Texas. Work began around 2004 after officials determined the primary site was delinquent on taxes. Adjacent parcels were turned over to the county/cemetery organization, so that cleanup could begin. To volunteer for the project, call Bandera County Historical Commission member Carl Holt at 830-796-9799.

Texas town seeks bids to maintain local cemeteries

Greenville, Texas, has solicited bids to take care of its East Mount and Forest Park cemeteries, and the town council is expected to act on a recommendation Tuesday. The current budget includes $110,000 for the work, which is being done by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The 2007-08 budget included double that amount. Here's what will be considered at the local council meeting:

Parks and Recreation Director Colby VanGundy is recommending the Council
award the bid to Crew Cut Lawn Care [of Greenville] for $74,400 for the next year, with a 3 to 5 percent increase per year for two additional years.

Tyler, Texas, takes over cemetery

The city government in Tyler, Texas, declared an old cemetery abandoned, and took it over. It will now enter an agreement with St. Louis Baptist Church to maintain the grounds.

Texas black cemetery commemorated

A historic black cemetery in Belton, Texas, has been given a new name - Far North Belton Cemetery - and received a designation as a historic site.

Laredo, Texas, ponders cemetery sites

City officials say the existing cemetery will run out of space in 4-1/2 years, so they are looking for new locations now.