Welcome to this week’s edition of cell tower industry news, created by Jarad Matula and brought to you by Towercrews.net.
Tragedy in Kentucky
It was supposed to be a quiet, easy holiday week. A short work week. But, unfortunately those dreams of a quiet week without incident were dashed with the devastating death of a tower climber in Kentucky this week. Four contractors working on a Verizon Wireless tower in Harrison County, Ky., were taking down an old boom and installing a new one when a cable broke. The cable swung down, decapitating one of the climbers as well as removing his arm. While deadly accidents are unfortunately all too common in this industry, few have been this gruesome in nature. The other three workers were thankfully unharmed. The identity of the climber has not been disclosed at this time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of the unfortunate tower climber.
Verizon Wireless sent a statement to local news affiliate WKYT about the incident, saying, “Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of those impacted by today’s incident near Cynthiana, Ky. We are working closely with our vendor and first responders on the scene as we continue to gather additional information.”
Teen tower rescue
Over the past weekend a teen in the Chicago area climbed a cell tower behind a local fire station. People apparently took notice, informing the firefighters of the situation, who then used the ladder truck to get the teen down from the 110-foot tower. He was secured, then lowered into the basket and brought down. Despite no apparent injuries, he was taken to the local hospital as a precaution, while the police decided whether or not to file criminal charges. Something tells me the verbal jeers from his peers about having to be rescued like a kitten in a tree is probably punishment enough.
Cell tower news quickies
- The Federal Communications Commission cracks down on tower companies for lack of proper lighting on antennas.
- American Tower introduces new features for On Air Access.
- Nokia Networks enhances its mobile network engineering business by acquiring SAC Wireless.
Regional & local cell tower news
- Soon drivers in Gallatin, Tenn., will ask: is that a cell tower or tree?
- Whiteside Cove, N.C., residents call for camouflaged cell tower.
- Olympia, Wash., cell tower proposal riles neighbors.
- Copper wire thieves target cell tower in Milton, Wash.
- Highland, Mich., board approves new cell tower.
- Proposed Eels Hill, Conn., cell tower would replace existing tower with taller one.
- Dover, Del., cell tower hearing, site walk rescheduled to August.
- Pending auction won’t stop Roanoke, V., cell tower proposal.
- Company proposes building cell tower in city park in Newark, N.J.
- Albemarle, Va., commission recommends some cell tower changes, but not all.
- Planning & zoning commission opposes cell tower site in Darien, Conn.
- Cell tower concerns in Asheville, N.C.
- AT&T wants to build a 95-foot fake-tree-style cell tower in Tacoma, Wash., near water tanks off South 19th St.
