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Nueces County recognizes Safe Digging Month, victims’ remembrance and child abuse prevention
Summary
The commissioners adopted proclamations for Safe Digging Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and recognized the memory of Benjamin Mostafa and Coach Malcolm Smith; child-welfare presenters delivered local statistics and called for continued community engagement.
At its April 15 meeting the Nueces County Commissioners Court adopted multiple proclamations and recognized local leaders and memorials.
The court unanimously proclaimed April 2026 as Safe Digging Month and urged residents and contractors to call 811 before excavation. Joanne Salji, program manager for the City of Corpus Christi/Nueces County LEPC, thanked the court and said local outreach includes workshops (about 175 attendees) and Spanish-language radio messages.
The court also adopted a proclamation in remembrance of Benjamin Mostafa, honoring a family-led annual memorial walk and calling attention to community safety; a family member accepted the proclamation and described efforts to turn loss into community support.
The court recognized Coach Malcolm Smith of Incarnate Word Academy for 35 years of service; Coach Smith briefly thanked the court.
Finally the court proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Jennifer Kramer Oliva of Foster Angels and the Child Welfare Board told the court the state recorded 99 child deaths from abuse or neglect in fiscal year 2024, and that preliminary FY2025 figures presented to the court showed a roughly 25% increase to 124 statewide; she said two deaths in FY2024 and one in FY2025 involved children from Nueces County. Kramer Oliva urged continued collaboration across agencies and community groups to prevent child abuse and neglect.
All proclamations and recognitions were adopted by unanimous vote and county leaders invited representatives forward for photos and brief remarks.
