Latest news with #gravestones
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
Several historic gravestones vandalised at Auckland cemetery
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Several historic gravestones have been vandalised at a cemetery in the Auckland suburb of Parnell on Monday. Police said they received a report just after 5pm that at least eight gravestones at St Stephen's Chapel had been pushed over and broken up. Auckland Council area operation manager, Martin Wong, said they were aware of the incident. "This is a disgraceful act and our hearts go out to the descendants of those lying in rest here," he said. "The graves are maintained by volunteers, whose efforts have been helped by two Auckland Council grants over the last six years. "The council manages the land, gardens and trees at this closed cemetery site, but does not look after the graves, as these are private property owned by the descendants. That said, we will assist to sensitively tidy up the damage and assist the police with their enquiries." He said they were also investigating damage to council-owned toilets at the nearby Judges Bay over the weekend, where sinks, taps, and toilets were removed. Anyone with information was asked to report it to police online or call 105 using the reference number 250707/2117. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Gravestone of American biographer from 1800s among those vandalized in Mass. town
Police are investigating after two gravestones from the 1800s were vandalized at a local cemetery, including that of English-born author James Parton. At approximately 12 p.m. Sunday, police received reports of two gravestones at Oak Hill Cemetery that appeared to be damaged and vandalized, Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons said in a statement on Monday. The reporting person told police that plaques and headstones were forcibly removed from the two gravestones dating back to the late 1800s. Investigators believe the theft and vandalism occurred sometime last week. One plaque commemorates Parton, who wrote several biographies of prominent American political figures, Simons said. The other gravesite is devoted to members of the Dodge family. 'The theft of bronze plaques from headstones at Oak Hill Cemetery is a deeply disturbing act that shows a complete disregard for the memory of those laid to rest and their families,' Simons said. 'I am hopeful that someone may come forward with information that will lead to accountability for those responsible.' There have been no other reports of vandalism or missing headstones at other cemeteries in Newburyport. Anyone with information is urged to contact Newburyport Police at 978-462-4411. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
24-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Woman helps change Illinois state law to help repair damaged veteran headstones
After successfully pushing to change state law to help repair and replaced damaged gravestones of Illinois veterans, a Naperville woman is continuing her mission to preserve the legacies of local heroes. Years ago, Staci Boyer, commander of the Judd Kendall VFW Post in Naperville, noticed many of the gravestones of veterans buried at Naperville Cemetery had become badly weathered and worn out, in some cases, left little more than a pile of rocks. She wanted to have them repaired, but ran into a roadblock. State law required permission from a family member, but the damaged headstones were so old, tracking down relatives was difficult. With the help of state lawmakers, she helped change Illinois law to give veterans' organizations the authority to repair headstones that are at least 100 years old. "Before the law, we wouldn't have been able to do anything. We would've tried to find next of kin. We would not have found them, and then the graves would've stayed a pile of rock and debris," Boyer said. Since last summer, Boyer has raised enough money to replace five veteran headstones at Naperville Cemetery. She said all new headstones will be in place by the 4th of July. "I'm proud of our community, you know, for feeling like this is important. People that don't know these veterans but believe that they should be honored this way. That's a beautiful thing," she said. Boyer had bricks engraved at Naperville Cemetery to honor all veterans with damaged headstones.
Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Times
Does anyone believe the promise of Paradise?
With time to kill over the weekend I wandered around the graveyard of Youlgreave village's fine 12th-century All Saints church. I love reading gravestones. This, for example, moves one almost to tears. It's for an infant, Edward Radcliffe, who died in 1796 aged ten months:'Happy babe thy days are ended,All thy mourning days by angels' guards attended,To the light of Jesus gone.' Did little Edward's unhappy parents actually believe that? We cannot know. So many of the chiselled inscriptions speak of being reunited with the deceased in Paradise one day. Did they actually believe that? With what degree of certainty? Did most ancient Greeks really, sincerely, believe in their bizarre pantheon of gods? There is so much that history will
