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Connecticut Construction Worker Bitten by Rabid Coyote, Euthanized

2024-12-04

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection made a significant announcement on Wednesday. A coyote that had been causing trouble by hassling workers on forklifts and trucks at United Concrete in Wallingford on Tuesday morning managed to bite an employee as he got out of his vehicle to start work around 6:30 a.m. Although the injury was not life-threatening, the worker was taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Aftermath and Testing

The coyote was promptly euthanized and submitted for rabies testing. The results came back positive, and the adult male victim, who sought treatment for the bite, was informed of the test results and has begun treatment for rabies exposure. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant against wildlife carrying deadly diseases.

Wildlife Alert in Wallingford

Wallingford Animal Control sent out an alert to the public, urging them to be on the lookout for wildlife that might be carrying the rabies virus. It is crucial to ensure that pets are vaccinated as they can act as vectors if they come into contact with an infected animal. Rabies is spread through an infected animal's saliva via a bite or scratch, or if infected saliva comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, nostrils, or an open wound.

Rabies in New York Wildlife

While rabies is rare in humans, it is "endemic in New York wildlife," as stated by the state's Department of Health on its website. The main carriers of rabies are bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks, according to the Mayo Clinic. Waiting for symptoms to appear after a potentially infectious encounter is too late. Once a person begins showing signs and symptoms of rabies, the disease nearly always causes death. For this reason, anyone who may have a risk of contracting rabies should receive rabies vaccinations for protection.

A construction inspector has tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained from being hit by a heavy-duty vehicle in Camden County. This incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious concerns about workplace safety. The details of this heartbreaking event are as follows.

Uncovering the Tragedy of a Construction Inspector's Death

Details of the Incident

On November 27th, near the intersection of High Street and 3rd Avenue in Haddon Heights, a distressing accident took place. The 51-year-old construction inspector was struck by the construction vehicle just after 8 a.m. Despite immediate on-site treatment, his injuries were severe and ultimately proved fatal. The Haddon Heights Police Department is currently conducting a further investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

Workplace safety is of utmost importance, and incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the risks that workers face every day. The loss of this construction inspector is a great loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the entire construction industry. It is crucial that measures are taken to prevent such accidents from happening in the future and to ensure the safety of all workers.

Impact on the Community

This tragic event has had a profound impact on the Haddon Heights community. The news of the construction inspector's death has spread quickly, leaving many in shock and mourning. The local community is coming together to support the family and friends of the victim and to demand answers and accountability. The incident has also sparked a renewed focus on workplace safety and the need for stricter regulations and enforcement.

Construction workers play a vital role in building our cities and infrastructure, and their safety should always be a top priority. Incidents like this highlight the need for continuous education and training to ensure that workers are aware of the risks and know how to protect themselves. It is also essential that employers take responsibility for providing a safe working environment and implementing proper safety protocols.

Lessons Learned

This tragic incident serves as a valuable lesson for the construction industry and society as a whole. It reminds us of the importance of safety in all aspects of life and the need to take proactive measures to prevent accidents. From improved safety equipment to better training and communication, there are many steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of workplace injuries and fatalities.

Furthermore, this incident calls for a thorough review of safety regulations and procedures to ensure that they are adequate and being properly enforced. It is essential that all stakeholders work together to create a culture of safety and hold each other accountable for ensuring the well-being of workers. Only by learning from tragedies like this can we hope to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

In 1839, Simon Wyckoff made a significant purchase of 172 acres in what is now Warren County, central New Jersey. Over a century later, in 1958, the fifth and sixth generations, who had shifted to dairy farming, took a bold step by planting 1,000 Norway spruce seedlings on a challenging piece of land. Their first harvest came in 1967 when they sold six trees for $5 each. In 1970, they made a decisive move and sold the cows, transforming the family into full-time Christmas tree farmers.

The Legacy of Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm

A Century of Christmas Tree Farming

John Wyckoff stands as the seventh generation to oversee the family farm. Today, Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm boasts more than a dozen species planted across approximately 70 acres. It's a place where families have been coming for generations. As couples get married and start their families, they often return to this farm, creating a lasting tradition. Some families have been coming for four generations, making it a special part of their holiday memories.Wyckoff is not only a successful farmer but also holds significant positions. He is the 2024 president of the National Christmas Tree Association and a 12-time grand champion of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association. He has participated in the National Christmas Tree Association competition twice. In 2013, he was named the grand champion grower and provided a tree to the White House. As the reserve grand champion in 2019, he supplied the tree for the vice president's home. These achievements showcase his expertise and dedication to the craft.

A Year in the Life of a Christmas Tree Farmer

Christmas tree farmers follow a unique timeline compared to other growers. As Wyckoff explains, "It's not 'plant them in the spring, harvest them in the fall.' You plant your crop and wait 7 to 10 years, depending on the species, to see a harvest. It's a long-term investment that requires patience and hard work."Throughout the year, the trees demand constant attention. Whether it's dealing with insects, fungus, mowing, shearing, or planting and harvesting, there is a lot of physical labor involved. The season begins in January when the Wyckoffs finish shearing and shaping the trees that were left undone in the fall. They also take care of their equipment during this time. In April, tree planting begins, which is one of the enjoyable aspects for Wyckoff. Throughout spring, he and his crew fertilize the trees and conduct regular field walks to monitor for any potential insect or fungus problems. They also practice herbicide banding to prevent weeds from encroaching on the trees.Mowing becomes a full-time job as summer approaches. Keeping the trees trimmed helps the lower branches develop better, prevents moisture buildup that could lead to fungus, and makes it easier for predators to reach vermin. "We also like to keep the farm looking nice," Wyckoff says. Throughout the summer, they continue to shear the trees to maintain their perfect Christmas tree shape.

When Fall Arrives

Once fall comes, there is another round of herbicide banding. It's time to get the farm cleaned up and ready for the sale season, which begins the day after Thanksgiving. Then, it's a race against time as they sell trees until they run out. Wyckoff mentions that their most popular trees are Fraser, Canaan, and Douglas firs, which are North American varieties. He has also added international seed sources from Turkey, China, and Georgia and is experimenting with hybrid crosses. "It's interesting because they take on different characteristics," he says. "It's an evolving business. Back in the day, my father and grandfather planted Scotch pine and Norway spruce, but those are not where the market is anymore."Customers can also get a uniquely colored tree at Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm. Wyckoff discovered a latex-based paint formulated for Christmas trees at a growers' meeting. Despite the initial objections from his family, he decided to give it a try. On a Saturday night just before Halloween, he painted a few white and purple trees near the road. The next morning, traffic came to a halt as people took pictures of the colorful trees. "I knew we were onto something, and Monday morning I was on the phone with the supplier to order a batch of different colors," he says. "We've been doing it ever since." Some people choose a favorite color, while others match a tree to their favorite sports team. "You give the people what they want," he says.

Advice for Beginners

Wyckoff is often asked for advice by those interested in entering the Christmas tree business. His first piece of advice is to learn what you're getting into. He recommends joining a state, regional, or national Christmas tree growers association. "That's the best way to get your feet wet," he says. "Go to meetings and learn from those who have been there and done that because it's an evolving business."Another important challenge to be aware of is the lack of feasible crop insurance available to Christmas tree growers, unlike traditional commodities. A single drought can affect multiple years of harvests, and you may not see the impact on your bottom line for years. "We typically plant extra trees to hedge our bets a bit; then, if we have a bad year, we can hold some over from the previous year or maybe get into next year's trees a bit early," he says. "It's when you have a couple of bad drought years in a row that it gets tough."Christmas tree growers also need a critical eye. "My father was a very meticulous man," Wyckoff says. "He really paid attention to detail. You don't get high-yield corn if you don't pay attention to detail. You don't get the best beef if you don't pay attention to detail. It's the same with Christmas trees. It's shearing technique, fertilization, and just making sure everything's right. Our goal is to put out the best product that we can. I do my best to learn because there's always something new coming."

Christmas With the Wyckoffs

While the Wyckoff family is immersed in Christmas trees year-round and especially busy during the last quarter of the year, they still enjoy decorating their home for the holidays. When asked about the tree he chooses for his house, Wyckoff laughs and says, "Whatever my wife wants." This year, it's a 9½-foot Fraser fir. They try to get the tree close to Thanksgiving to ensure it's up in time for the holidays. Once they open on Black Friday, they work long hours seven days a week until they sell out all the trees.In addition to self-serve tree cutting, there are three different tree sales sites on the farm, each with its own crew processing trees. "It's quite an undertaking," he says. "I call it 'organized chaos.' Visitors come to Wyckoff's Christmas Tree Farm not only for the trees but also for the Christmas Barn retail store. The store carries wreaths, swags, and other items made from tree trimmings, as well as Christmas decorations, gifts, and products from other local farmers. To learn more, visit wyckoffs.com.